Author: Tanya Ponton

17 Feb What to be When You Grow Up: Five Highly Satisfying Careers

Posted at 07:00h in Job Seekers

If you’re headed to college, already there, or thinking about going back, you’ve probably been considering what to major in. While there are some obvious decisions to make about what you find interesting and what you have a natural strength in, there’s also the reality of how much money you’re likely to make. But before you run to the cash, consider also what is most fulfilling. There are multiple studies that the highest-paying professions are not always the ones that bring the greatest happiness. On the other hand, those with satisfying work responsibilities tend to be less stressed, feel more productive and experience less burnout.

10 Feb When the Worst Happens: Things to Do When You Are Laid Off

Posted at 07:00h in Job Seekers

It’s the conversation that everyone dreads. You’ve been called into your boss’ office, or human resources. Your position is being eliminated. There is restructuring going on and the department is being merged. The company is being sold. Whatever the circumstances, you’re being laid off. There’s always a rush of emotions, from anger to panic to sadness, but it’s important not to react in the moment.

Things to do when you are laid off:

03 Feb Run, Don’t Walk: Signs of a Great Job Candidate

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

Hiring people isn't fun. It seems like it ought to be -- you meet lots of new people, you get a chance to give someone a new job, there's something empowering about choosing among applicants. . .but it's not that. What it is -- tiring, stressful, disappointing, confusing, nerve-wracking -- and that's if you're doing it right. Finding a great job candidate is a mix of investigation, instinct, inquiry and experience. Someone seems great, but everyone is putting their best face forward. You know the talent mix that you want, but can you afford it? If not, what do you sacrifice? See -- hiring people is not fun.

If you're looking for a great job candidate, here are some clues.

27 Jan Resumes of Champions: Things That Should be on Every Resume

Posted at 17:23h in Job Seekers

As we have stated before, resumes are used far less than in the past. This means it's becoming a bit of a dying art, and people are becoming less adept at knowing the things that should be on every resume. With the advent of social media, especially LinkedIn, more and more job seekers and employers are turning to online platforms. Employers post jobs on LinkedIn, and recruiters search for strong candidates there, who in turn have (hopefully) robust profiles about themselves. However, that does not mean it’s wise to not have any resume at all.

Here are things that should be on every resume.

20 Jan Small Potatoes, Big Talent: Small Business Hiring

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

Ok, so your company is not GE or AT&T. In fact, your business might be just you. But if you’re small and growing, you can find ways to attract great employees without an HR department or a big LinkedIn budget. There are potential hires out there, you just might have to look a little harder.

Here are some tips for small business hiring:

13 Jan Should You Stay or Should You Go? Moving for a Job

Posted at 07:00h in Job Seekers

It wasn’t uncommon thirty or even twenty years ago for young people to find a job with a company, and then spend the better part of their career continuing to scale up the ranks of management, and eventually retire from their first employer ever. While some of those career paths might have led to positions in a variety of cities, it was just as likely that they would stay in the same town for their whole career, especially if they worked at the corporate headquarters or a major office. People might never move for a job. Fast forward to the last ten years, and recent statistics state that it’s normal to have ten different jobs before the age of 40. Given all those different opportunities and experiences it’s a lot more typical to find yourself not just switching letterhead, but switching zip codes. But that’s not necessarily an easy decision.

How to do you decide if you should be moving for a job?

06 Jan Keeping it in the Family: What to Consider When Hiring Relatives

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

You’re the boss. You get to make all the decisions. Or at least that’s what your Aunt Edna told you at Thanksgiving. Just before she reminded you that your cousin Teddy, who just graduated last May, is a great guy and a hard worker. At least he would be, if he just had a job.

Here are some things to consider when hiring relatives.

30 Dec New Year’s Resolutions: Habits of Successful Professionals

Posted at 07:00h in Job Seekers

It’s time for New Year’s resolutions. Well, maybe – if you’re into that sort of thing. Even if you’re not, you could just coincidentally start thinking about practicing the habits of successful professionals, right as the beginning of the year starts? So whether you’re the type who vows to be a whole new person by January 1 or doesn’t believe in changing overnight because of the calendar, here are some tips on how to put your best foot forward at the office.

Here are some popular habits of successful professionals:

23 Dec Lead On — What to Do to Be a Great Boss

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

Whether you run a small department or the whole company, how to be a great boss means a lot of different things. Making sales targets, managing budgets and supervising team members, are just a handful of everyday obligations. But being a good leader is often associated with being an effective manager of people. As cliché as it might sound, a company’s most valuable resource is often its people, so taking care of the most important asset should be the chief concern of every boss.

Here are some ways to be a great boss:

16 Dec Upping the Ante: 5 Tips for Negotiating Salary

Posted at 07:00h in Job Seekers

Whether you are in final discussions with an employer about a new job, or decades into your current position, it’s important to make sure that you are getting paid what you’re worth. These conversations about negotiating salary are rarely easy, but at least you can make sure they are effective and professional.