Author: Tanya Ponton

06 Jul Breaking Up is Hard to Do: How to Fire Someone (Nicely)

Posted at 07:00h in Employers, Small Business Owners, Startups

There are lots of perks to being the boss – you might make more money, avoid the least interesting work, and have better hours. But there’s one job that makes everyone else relieved they are not in charge, and that’s when it is time to terminate an employee. If you don’t know how to fire someone in the least painful way possible, these tips might make a tough situation a little more bearable.

Consider these tips on how to fire someone (and be a little less miserable):

29 Jun No Experience? No Problem! 5 Ways to Get a Job Without Experience

Posted at 07:00h in Job Seekers

Maybe you just graduated a few weeks ago and you’re out in the market looking for your first real job. Or perhaps you’re looking for a career change and ready to try something total new. But either way, you’re probably facing a major challenge for job seekers – trying to get a job without experience. Whether you’re a lawyer-turned-pastry chef or just framing your degree,

Here are 5 Ways to Get a Job Without Experience:

22 Jun Know Thy Hire: How to Do Reference Checks Well

Posted at 07:00h in Employers, Small Business Owners, Startups

We recently posted tips for job candidates about how to line up the best references before they start the application process. But what if you’re on the other side of the hiring table? How can you do reference checks well and learn the most about your potential hire?

Here are things to keep in mind to do reference checks well:

15 Jun Small Talk – How to Network for a Small Business

Posted at 07:00h in Employers, Small Business Owners, Startups

There are some of us that just love to talk. On the phone, on the subway, in the dry cleaners line. And that’s fabulous. They probably have no trouble walking into a hotel meeting room full of strangers and hawking their wares. But when you need to network for a small business, you might be less than excited to pack up your business cards and work the room. Still, connecting with people live (yes, it’s still done) is a great way to make new contacts, get some advice, and generate leads.

Here are some tips to help you network for a small business :

08 Jun Good Works: Building Your Resume Through Volunteer Work

Posted at 07:00h in Job Seekers

One challenge for job seekers, especially young ones, is lacking the experience that employers want. It’s a common frustration of a circular problem: without the experience I can’t get a job, without the job I can’t get experience. One solution is to find pro bono or volunteer work that also builds skills you can add to your resume.

Here are some volunteer work ideas that can boost your experience:

01 Jun Big Goals, Little Dollars – Your Business on a Budget

Posted at 07:00h in Employers, Small Business Owners, Startups

Let’s face it, even the largest companies are smart about how they spend money, and try to keep expenses in check. But there’s a difference between being Coca-Cola and being a new business. You can grow your top line, but to have a great bottom line, you need to keep costs down. So how to run your business on a budget but still get the job done?

Here are tips for running your business on a budget:

25 May What They Say Behind Your Back: Get Great References

Posted at 07:00h in Job Seekers

When you’re looking for a new job, it’s natural to focus on the early steps – fixing your resume, signing up with staffing agencies, searching for job opportunities on career websites. And that is where you should start. But once you’ve gotten interest from potential employers, impressed them with your interview skills and started talking salary . . . don’t forget a crucial step, which is when they ask to contact people who can vouch for you. To get great references means you need to do your homework, have strong relationships and be organized.

Here are tips to help you get great references:

18 May Ridiculous Wrongs: Worst Resume Mistakes

Posted at 07:00h in Job Seekers

We get it. You’re trying to find a new job, you’re on LinkedIn, you’re tapping your networks, and you’re rewriting your resumes. Lots of balls in the air, and you’re only one person. But if getting hired is a priority, we want to point you away from some of the worst resume mistakes that could keep you out of the running.

Here are some of the worst resume mistakes to watch out for:

11 May Thinking of being a temp? Here’s What To Know

Posted at 07:00h in Job Seekers

In 2015, companies hired 3.3 million temporary workers per week. If you're thinking of being a temp, there are a few basic things to know to help you make the most of the experience.

Here are things to know if you are considering being a temp:

04 May It Ain’t Easy Being Green: Building an Eco-Friendly Office

Posted at 07:00h in Employers, Small Business Owners, Startups

Most of us recycle, and are mindful of wasting water or using Styrofoam, or other environmentally-conscious things. But that’s usually on an individual level, in our homes. While we might remember to recycle printed documents, sometimes there aren’t many more eco-friendly activities during the work day. But if you are committed, and creative, you can find a lot of little ways to make the corporate carbon footprint a bit smaller.