Remedies for Boredom on the Job

by Caroline Levchuck, Yahoo! HotJobs

Even if you love your job, you can still get bored by the daily routine of office life. Use these four feel-good strategies to spice things up around your workplace and get to know your colleagues on a whole different level.

1. Start a Get-Fit Group

The holidays are almost here, and with them comes temptation, shorter days, and thinner wallets. Why not try to boost spirits while you trim your waistline with a workplace weight-loss support group?

Programs such as Weight Watchers and Body for Life are low-cost and work well with groups. Weight Watchers offers a special "At Work" plan in which a leader will come to your workplace to direct weekly meetings. According to Weight Watchers, more than 10,000 U.S. companies have hosted "At Work" meetings.

Body for Life (bodyforlife.com) offers a free fitness and eating plan as well as online support. Additionally, there is an annual contest that has a group category. Firefighters, gym teachers, and members of U.S. Armed Forces have all participated , lost weight, and found a new level of fitness and camaraderie in the workplace.

2. Sponsor a Charity or a Charitable Cause

When you're shooting the breeze with colleagues in the lunchroom, what is it that you're all passionate about (beyond work issues)? Education? Hunger? The environment? Animal protection? The arts?

Investigate opportunities to apply your passions in a charitable capacity in your community. Sponsor a child who needs school supplies. Help a family celebrate the holidays or purchase their first home. Teach computer skills to workforce returnees. Start a volunteer dog-walking group to lend a hand at your local shelter.

If you're not sure where to start, visit this site for opportunities in your neighborhood.

3. Start an Investment Club

Instead of spending money on expensive lunches, use your lunch hour to make more money through investing.

You and your coworkers will enjoy the benefits of pooled knowledge so you won't be flying blind or making foolish investments on a whim. It's a great way to learn about the stock market while earning some extra cash. And the initial amount of money you can invest may be as little as $20 a month. If your company prohibits an investment club, consider creating a money-free club that will allow you to learn about stocks and follow them without any financial commitment.

4. Start a Book Club

Recruit your coworkers to form an in-office book club. Meetings can be hosted during lunch hours, and joining may give you an opportunity to expand your circle of work friends as well as diversify your reading experiences.

If everyone at your company is motivated to climb the ladder, consider starting a business book club in which you read and discuss books related to the work you do, and how you can apply what you've learned at your company.

**http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/career-articles-remedies_for_boredom_on_the_job-231

Salary History: How Much Should You Tell?

by Margaret Steen, for Yahoo! HotJobs

At some point during your job search, you will likely be asked about your salary history -- how much you're making at your current job, and how much you made previously. Should you tell? Is there any way to avoid telling? And why do potential employers want to know, anyway?

When forming a response to these questions, it helps to understand employers' reasons for asking.

Employers tend to use your past pay as a gauge of your market value, says Richard Phillips, a career coach and owner of Advantage Career Solutions in Palo Alto, California. They also want a sense of what salary you'll be expecting. If it's tens of thousands of dollars more than the employer can pay for the position, it's probably not worth wasting your time or the employer's on further discussions.

"It's a way to figure out if we are all playing in the same league," Phillips says.

Play Your Cards Right

Of course, this information also gives the employer a leg up in the negotiation process. "We're going to play poker," Phillips says. "You're going to show every other card of yours, and I'm not going to show any of my cards."

Because of this, Phillips recommends not offering salary history in an initial written application. If you're filling out an application, put dashes in the box for salary history, indicating that you saw it, he says. If you're responding to a job posting that says to send in a resume and salary history, just send the resume. If the employer is interested, someone will call to ask for more information.

"Then you're in a dialogue," Phillips says. At this point, instead of telling the employer your current or past salary, ask what range they expect to pay for the position. You could also offer to provide your desired salary range.

The Strategy Could Backfire

This approach does have pitfalls. First, some employers may not call, choosing instead to focus on applicants who provided the information on the application.

"My take on it is that if you are a qualified candidate and they are going to ignore you because you did not send in your salary history, you do not want to work for that organization," Phillips says.

Even if you make it to the conversation stage, simply stating your expectations may not work.

Tell the Truth

"They could say any number for an expectation," says Lori Itani, an independent staffing consultant who focuses on high tech companies. When Itani talks to candidates, she asks for their salary history. "Everybody I talk to ends up giving that information out."

Itani is looking not only at whether the candidate is likely to be happy with the salary the company can offer, but also at whether the person has received raises when changing jobs. She also notes that employers can verify this information, so it's critical to tell the truth.

In the end, Phillips says, it's not usually a problem to give the employer the information. If bonuses or stock options were part of your pay package, mention this when you give salary numbers -- it could make a case for paying you more. If you know the position you're interviewing for pays less than you're making and you're OK with that, say so.

And remember that when the company actually makes an offer, you can still negotiate.

**http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/career-articles-salary_history_how_much_should_you_tell-248

Find the Job That Is Right for You

by Robert M. Detman,

Some people were born knowing what they wanted to do. For the rest of us, it may require years of education and amassing a multi-page resume. Defining your personal job nirvana requires many considerations, but some tips below may help you find the job that is right for you.

The Self-Knowledge Base

Define the terms. "We can't possibly find satisfaction and fulfillment if we don't first define it," says Marilyn Walker, founder and managing director of the Right Turn on Red Career Assessment Center. People must define their standards of success, and then they need to look inward to assess their strengths and weaknesses, and decide what they are passionate about. "It's only work when you don't like doing it every day," Walker says.

Brainstorm. "Start picking your successful friends' brains," suggests Mike Beasley, an executive and career development coach. Ask friends to meet with you to discuss ideas and to help you focus on your career options. In some cases, your friends will have a keen insight on what your likes and dislikes are, so Beasley suggests you take notes while you meet. "Follow those threads. Think of the search as a scavenger hunt."

Test yourself. Career assessment tests, such as the Myers-Briggs Career Report and MAPP (Motivational Appraisal of Personal Potential), can provide objective data about one's hidden strengths. Career tests can help clarify one's aptitude, personal interests, and various personality factors.

"These assessments are similar to what many employers are utilizing today, and they help the individual consider the many dimensions that will contribute to satisfaction," career assessment director Walker says.

The Focused Search

Target. "Get organized and put your thoughts down on paper," suggests Bob Basile, of Career Coaching, Inc. He stresses that these ideas can be considered "buckets" into which you categorize and organize your preferences, allowing you to target ideas and weed out the unlikely paths.

Research. A wide variety of job and profession data -- who's hiring, trends, economics -- is available. "There are companies such as Wetfeet.com and Vault.com that do industry research," Basile says. In addition, a search on the Bureau of Labor and Statistics or the salary calculator on Yahoo! HotJobs can provide salary information based on education and experience levels.

Get in touch. "Informationally network," Basile says. "Once you have chosen which 'buckets' are most appealing to you and you have done your homework, it is now time to speak to people within these industries." Also look to your immediate resources, gathering information from friends and their contacts.

Follow through. Finally, career coach Basile advises that after you have selected your ideal job and have prepared yourself to go for it, you will still have to land that job, and perseverance is essential. "Don't assume a company isn't hiring because they don't have a job posted."

**http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/career-articles-find_the_job_that_is_right_for_you-252

Be Gutsy at Work: Negotiating a New Title

by: Tory Johnson

Twenty years ago, the rungs up the corporate ladder were laid out: Stay with one company for 10 years and you would become a vice president. Today when people change jobs much more frequently and titles are often ambiguous, the title remains an often-overlooked method of building your career.

Know What You Deserve

Consider why you deserve a better title. This will be the basis for your argument to your employer. Maybe as an assistant you do just as much work -- sometimes more -- than your coworker who has the title of coordinator. You would like equal billing as a fair and accurate reflection of your responsibilities and contributions.

Maybe money is tight in your company and there is no talk of annual raises. You want a more senior title as a sign of appreciation for your work. If there are obvious benefits to the company, make them known. Perhaps you have found that clients would rather deal with someone who is more senior.

Whatever the reason, when the time comes, walk into the meeting and confidently explain why you're asking for a new title and why you deserve it.

Plan Your Negotiation Strategy

Have a clear vision. The time you spend with your boss will need to be well-thought-out in advance. Not only should you prepare talking points as to why you deserve this new title, but you'll want to address how this promotion fits into the organization as a whole.

It's all in the timing. Timing is everything, and a great time to win a new title is at the end of a salary negotiation. Negotiate at a time when your value to the company is high. Adjust your strategy based on what the economy is doing, but act when your own stock is up. And always try to tie your request to the company's bottom line. You should also consider asking for a new title when your workload increases, the company is being restructured, or you have greater visibility with outside clients.

Be political. When suggesting a new title, it's important to consider office politics. Is there a clear reporting structure? Then try creating a title outside of current descriptions. For example if a director reports to a vice president, she shouldn't ask for a VP title. Instead she should ask for "senior director" or "group director." This enables her to achieve a higher position without diminishing the supervisor's role.

Bring a "brag folder." Employers are usually more open to requests from those who exceed their job descriptions. Your brag folder should contain information that documents your accomplishments.

You should include:

• Recent list of achievements -- peak sales, early quotas met or exceeded, and company improvements you were involved in and the resulting savings or efficiency enhancements
• Additional responsibilities -- those tasks or projects you either inherited or volunteered for
• Advanced education -- training certification or degrees that you acquired during your employment at the company
• Letters of commendation -- thank-you notes from clients bosses, direct reports, or peers that verify your efforts and results.

Turn Rejection Around

If your request is rejected, ask what exactly you would need to accomplish to be awarded the title you seek. Leave the meeting with a resolution, some solutions, or a few next steps with a definitive timetable. Your boss may need to see you perform at a higher level before giving you the title. Know what the issues are, and then establish a time frame for revisiting them.

If the boss suggests next year, you might counter with the possibility of five months rather than 12. Make it clear that you will be following up in the agreed-upon time frame and addressing any issues that need to be dealt with in the interim. In this way you create a record of the negotiation and will be able to have a targeted meeting in the future.

After the meeting, write up the terms you agreed to -- what goals to achieve within the time frame specified by your boss -- and e-mail them to her for final confirmation. Any good manager would want to encourage you to meet those goals and then would reward you accordingly.

Tory Johnson is the CEO of Women For Hire and the workplace contributor on ABC's "Good Morning America." Connect with her at womenforhire.com.
The opinions expressed in this column are solely the author's.

**http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/career-experts-negotiating_a_new_title-45

13 Ways to Earn Money Fast

by Jennifer Howze

Everybody needs a quick infusion of cash from time to time. These ideas bring in money fast, and many can also be done at flexible times, so it's easier to arrange child care with a friend or family member for free.

1. Have a garage sale. By using a few easy tricks, like posting fliers at grocery stores and Laundromats, making signs that can be seen from nearby busy streets and displaying your items in a department-store style, you can increase the amount your sale brings in. Find out how to earn more with Garage Sale 101 tips.

2. Sell on eBay. Books, CDs, unused sports or exercise equipment, clothing, novelty items

-- people buy all kinds of things. Even if you're selling several small items, the money can add up. Just make sure the buyer, not you, pays the cost of shipping.

3. Put clothes on consignment. This is an especially good way to get rid of clothing like fancy dresses (think old prom gowns and cocktail dresses you'll never wear again), but anything in good condition can be put on consignment. You share the money from the sale with the consignment shop, but it's an easy way to squeeze some money out of clothes that would otherwise just take up closet space.

4. Perform household services. You can earn some money informally by letting friends, family, church members and others in your community know that you're available to clean their houses or apartments, or to take in ironing. If you find you have a knack and stamina for cleaning quickly and thoroughly, you can turn this into a regular, reliable way to earn extra money every month.

5. Have a bake sale. Do you make killera chocolate chip cookies? chocolate chip cookies? Are yummy breakfast burritos your specialty? If so, why not bring in your items once a week to your job and sell them to coworkers and other businesspeople in the vicinity? If you don't have a job, what about a friend's workplace, a community center or a nursing home? Put the word out beforehand and gauge the response as you go, so you don't end up with a lot of leftover food. By talking up your home-baked goodies and arriving at the same time every day or every week, you may find that people start to anticipate your arrival. You can start a cottage industry along the lines of Mary's Monday Cookie Break when you come around to hawk your wares.

6. Sell homegrown fruits and vegetables. You don't have to have a farm to produce delicious, organic produce. By presenting your goods in an appealing way (save the plastic or cardboard produce containers from the grocery store and tie them with a distinctive ribbon or desktop-printed label), you give them niche appeal, and you can sell them much the same way as baked items, listed above.

7. Have a family car wash. Enlist your spouse, your kids and their friends on a Saturday to hold a car wash. Talk to local merchants who have parking lots and ask them to donate the space, or set up an assembly line on your street. By naming the event ("The Annual Jones Family Car Wash") and highlighting an upbeat family goal ("We use this car wash to pay for the kids' extracurricular school activities"), you give people a reason to join your cause.

8. Do gardening services. Mowing lawns is a perennial summer job for kids. If you have a mower, encourage your children to launch a business—or do it yourself. In addition, you can also weed or haul gardening rubbish to the dump (often garbage services won't remove it).

9. Provide man-with-van services. Or, in this case, woman with van (or truck). This service is great for people who need to move a single piece of furniture or for young people who don't have a lot of stuff. If you're able to do moves on your own or with a helper like a friend or spouse, you can position yourself as a mother's helper (a woman living alone might feel more comfortable having another woman moving something into or out of her home). If you don't have a lot of physical strength, your husband and a cousin, uncle or son can do the heavy lifting and you can take care of scheduling and follow-up. A small classified ad in the local paper is an economical way to advertise.

10. Get a paper route. While we often think of paper delivery as a job for a boy on a bike, all kinds of people pick up extra cash this way. Because papers are delivered in the morning, it's possible to complete a route before the regular workday starts, or before your kids are up. (Just make sure you catch up on your sleep by going to bed early at night!)

11. Dog walk and pet sit. Owners are always looking for reliable pet-care services. Plus, if you stay home with your kids during the day, a regular dog-walking gig is a great way to get everyone out of the house for some fresh air and earn extra money. Put the word out at pounds, the ASPCA, the local veterinarian's and dog runs. Be prepared to provide references from anyone you've ever sat for before. Learn how you can also turn pet sitting into a home business.

12. Babysit. To provide regular child care in your home, you'll often need to be accredited and registered with the state. But occasional babysitting in your home or someone else's is more straightforward. You might already babysit for friends for free, but by reaching out in your community you can find parents whom you would feel comfortable charging a reasonable fee

-- such as those belonging to common churches, PTAs or playgroups. Depending on your schedule, you can position yourself as a last-minute resource, a Saturday sitter while Mom does errands, a date-night sitter and so on.

13. Rent out a room. This option might take longer than some of the others listed here, but it can provide steady income for a set period of time, or even indefinitely. It might require that your kids share a bedroom or that you give up a family room in the house, so everyone in the family should be prepared for the changes. And of course care should be taken to pick carefully to ensure you get a trustworthy boarder. This is an especially good option if you live near a university or technical college. Eighteen- to 22-year-olds will more likely be fine renting a room with kitchen privileges than older people, and you'll be able to rent on a semester basis.


**http://home.ivillage.com/homeoffice/0,,p3rh,00.html

The Top 10 Ways to Earn Money at Home

The million-dollar question that confronts every would-be entrepreneur is: What kind of business can I start? Here are the top ten ways to earn huge income while working at home.

by Isabel M. Isidro
PowerHomeBiz.com

You do not have to read many success stories before you start wishing you could work for yourself. The opportunity to be your own boss and the potential for high income are enough to entice us to venture on our own. But what can you do? What kind of business would you be suitable to start? We have compiled the top 10 ways to earn money at home, enough to be a full-time self-employed businessperson!

1. Antiques

The buying and selling of antiques has been and should continue to be a very productive business, financially, for those that do it. Here, you only need an extra room in the house, or the use of your garage -- and you have an office!

If you have a large home that has some antique furnishings, you might consider turning it into a showroom for your antique acquisitions and sales, providing you satisfy any local zoning regulations. The interest in antiques will survive into the foreseeable future. Many people choose to spend their free time on the weekends "antiquating" from place to place to try and pick up a few odds or ends and maybe a jewel or two. If you know anything about antiques, this may be a great opportunity for you.

For more information:

Priceless Guide to the Antique Business by Patrick Campbell
How to Make Money in the Antiques-And-Collectibles Business by Elyse Sommer

2. Baking

Have you ever been told that you have a recipe that people would line up to get if they could? Ever had anyone tell you that you should be selling those cupcakes you make?

There are a number of success stories about people who have launched successful businesses by cooking at home and then marketing to local people first. You may specialize in on just one well-tried and tested food product; or you may innovate on a product that you created yourself and which has never been marketed before. Having perfected the recipe you then turn to packaging and marketing. Word of mouth on a good product may start to get restaurants or bakeries interested in acquiring your culinary masterpieces. Then you progress to selling them statewide and you're on your way to a profitable home-based business.

For more information:

Freelance Foodcrafting : How to Become Profitably Self-Employed in Your Own Creative Cooking Business by Janet Shown

3. Bed-and-Breakfast Proprietors

Have you ever stayed in a bed and breakfast and thought, "Hey, I can do this!" You probably went on vacation and simply chalked your thought up as one of those pipedreams one gets when they stay in a beautiful spot.

Don't toss that thought away! While it's not easy work as the hours can be long and it's usually a seven days per week business, it's often something that you can work into a daily schedule. After all, it's merely an extension of doing the housework for family, right? More and more Americans are taking after Europeans and opening their homes to travelers.

If you have an extra room or two since the kids moved out, you can start a bed and breakfast in your own place! Bed and breakfast popularity will continue as more and more vacationers and business travelers seek a different accommodation away from the predictability of the average hotel room. If they enjoy their stay, many become "repeat" customers, coming back to the same familiar surroundings time and again.

If you don't need to do any major renovations in the house to accommodate this type of establishment, you can be off and running with very little money invested, other than advertising and some new "guest room supplies". If your dream is to buy a bed and breakfast somewhere in a vacation paradise, there are probably houses for sale that will work for this purpose.

For more information:

How to Open and Operate a Bed & Breakfast (Home-Based Business Series) by Jan Stankus
Start and Run a Profitable Bed and Breakfast by Monica Taylor, Richard Taylor
How to Start and Operate Your Own Bed-And-Breakfast/Down-To-Earth Advice from an Award-Winning B&B Owner by Martha Watson Murphy, Amelia Rockwell Seton (Illustrator)

4. Childcare

Due to the financial pressures faced by many families today, parents work outside of the home to bring in enough income to pay daily living expenses. A single parent is obviously working but all too often, both members of a two-parent family are in the workforce. This creates a home-based opportunity. Children must be watched, all day if they're not in school, or, otherwise, for a brief time after school before the parents finish work for the day. Most parents want their children immersed in a more stimulating environment than is usual with the average babysitter. You can begin small at home, offering a more stimulating and educational environment setting for client children.

Caring for one additional child may not be that lucrative, but taking care of several children can certainly be a full-time, financially successful business. Often, taking care of several children is made somewhat easier as the youngsters often will play together. You can do this at home for only a small investment in basic equipment and toys for the kids in addition to the advertising of your business.

For more information:

So You Want to Open a Profitable Child Care Center : Everything You Need to Know to Plan, Organize and Implement a Successful Program
by Patricia C. Gallagher
Start and Run a Profitable Home Day Care (Self-Counsel Business Series) by Catherine M. Pruissen

5. Computer Specialist

The advent of the computer age has changed the concept of self-employment. Having a computer at home has opened a number of opportunities for running your own business utilizing this equipment. Companies everywhere are "outsourcing" work that can be done by someone else on their computer, out of their own home.

If you are a whiz in computers, you may end up working as a consultant, writing programs for companies. If you are a beginner, you may find yourself able to obtain work as a writer, using your computer to produce copy that is easy to edit. You can also keep accounting and payroll records for companies on your computer's database.

Word processing software can be used not only for writers but for those that can offer secretarial services out of their house. Desktop publishing software can allow you to do newsletters for businesses and other organizations. If you can operate a computer, you can find work in the information age today.

Of course, the advent of the Web has opened a lot of business opportunities for the enterprising individuals. If you have skills in lay-outing and graphic design, you can be a website designer. Website designers earn significant amounts of money nowadays.

For more information:

Making Money With Your Computer at Home : The Inside Information You Need to Know to Select and Operate a Full-Time, Part-Time, or Add-On Business tha by Paul Edwards, Sarah Edwards
121 Internet Businesses You Can Start from Home : Plus a Beginners Guide to Starting a Business Online by Ron E. Gielgun

6. Gardening

If you like working in your garden each year , it's a definite possibility for home-based employment. Imagine clearing a little more space and growing more items that you can sell directly to the consumer. You can produce vegetables, bedding plants, bonzai tree, exotic plants, flower trees, herb, house plants, landscaping plants, orchids and many more.

Most produce stands will buy from you if your product is one of high quality. If you enjoy gardening, this could be your ticket! If you have some more land to use, do it! Plant what you can, when you can! Contact your local produce stands to ascertain their buying habits.

You can even inquire about your own produce stand if you have enough product. The more space you have on your land, the more likely you will be able to generate enough crops to run the business. People love homegrown vegetables. They just do not have the time or want to be bothered doing it themselves. That is your open door!

You can also engage in selling other gardening products and supplies such as compost, earthworms, herb boxes, beneficial bugs, or drip irrigation systems.

For more information:

Plants for Profit : Income Opportunities in Horticulture by Francis X. Jozwik, Dr Jozwik, John Gist (Editor)
How to Make Money Growing Plants, Trees, and Flowers : A Guide to Profitable Earth-Friendly Ventures by Francis, X., Dr. Jozwik, John Gist (Editor)
Growing Profits : How to Start & Operate a Backyard Nursery by Michael Harlan, Linda Harlan

7. Importer and Distributor

There are a substantial number of products manufactured in other countries that can be bought inexpensively and sold in your country at a profitable level. The Government and the formation of international trade organizations have made it easier to bring in other products from other countries.

This is a business easily operated out of the home, depending on the types of stock you're carrying. You may have to rent some storage space, but the capital required to start should essentially be limited to the products you're buying to sell here.

If you know the type of product you want to import and the market most likely to purchase your goods, you have great potential for a successful home-based business.

For more information:
Import/Export: How to Get Started in International Trade by Carl A. Nelson
Exporting, Importing, and Beyond : How to 'Go Global' With Your Small Business by Lawrence W. Tuller

8. Interior Decorator

Interior decorating is a business that will require you to be mobile, constantly meeting with customers. It offers flexible hours, a good variety of activities, and a very lucrative return. If you have a fascination for decorating a home, this could be your line of work. Many people do not know where to start when they are remodeling or buying a house for the first time.

If you have the knowledge of colors and patterns and what looks good together, plus the expertise of knowing where to get materials and furnishings, this can be a winning home-based business for you. To be able to decorate a room so that it conveys the mood that the homeowner wishes will be your goal. Strive for the skillful, personal touch in all you design.

For more information:
Opportunities in Interior Design and Decorating Careers (Vgm Opportunities Series (Cloth)) by Victoria Kloss Ball
How to Start a Home-Based Interior Design Business (How to Start a Home-Based Interior Design Business) by Suzanne Dewalt

9. Photographer

The sky is the limit here! Armed with your trusty camera and some good advertising, you can do weddings, models, family portraits, passports, student photos, local newspaper coverage; almost anything that requires a picture!

You can easily start this work, part-time, and work into full-time work based on your success and inclination. Not much equipment is necessary to get going as a camera off the store shelf can often do the trick today. Picking up a tripod and having a room sufficient for developing your pictures, and you're in business -- at home!

For more information:

How to Start a Home-Based Photography Business, 3rd Edition (Home-based business) by Kenn Oberrecht
Make Money With Your Camera by David Neil Arndt

10. Sewing and Alterations

Many people love to sew. If you are one of them, consider offering this service out of your home. When someone buys a new outfit, it rarely fits perfectly, meaning some kind of alteration must be done.

People look long and hard to find reliable individuals to do their alterations. If you can sew, you are well on your way to opening the doors of this type of business.

For more information:
The Business of Sewing : How to Start, Maintain & Achieve Success by Barbara Wright Sykes

**http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol3/10ways.htm

Learning the Rules for Raises

by Margaret Steen

You've been working hard earning praise from your boss and co-workers. So when will those kind words translate into more money? To find out, start by arming yourself with facts -- about how your company works and the strength of the labor market.

A Complex Equation

U.S. companies will increase their overall salary budgets by 3.9 percent in 2008, the same as in 2007, according to the WorldatWork Salary Budget Survey. The salary budget is the total amount of money a company has for merit increases or cost of living adjustments.

How large a raise you can expect -- and when -- can depend on many factors beyond whether you're performing well: your company's culture, its financial performance, and how much you make compared with your peers, for example.

Get Details from the Boss

It's always a good idea to have a general talk with your boss about how and when raises are handed out. "Good bosses would be very open to having that conversation," said Gail Ginder, a leadership coach in Healdsburg, California. Ask what it takes to get a raise, when decisions on raises are made, and how you can find out if you're on track.

"They really need to find out what it is they can expect," Ginder said. Even changing bosses within one company can mean a different set of criteria, if the company gives managers a lot of latitude in awarding increases. If your boss doesn't know, someone in human resources should be able to answer your questions.

Every Employer Is Unique

Bear in mind, though, that some companies are more organized than others when it comes to pay increases. Some simply give everyone average raises, said Shari Dunn, managing principal of CompAnalysis, a compensation and HR consulting firm in Oakland, California. Others are trying to move away from giving everyone an annual increase and instead look at whether you're being paid what the market says your work is worth.

At many companies, raises depend on a mix of your performance and how much you make compared with others doing the same job. You may find that if you're nearing the top of the pay bracket for your position, you'll need to earn a promotion to get a raise.

For example, Dunn said, an average performer who is paid an average salary for employees at that level would get an average raise, but an average performer who was paid near the top of the company's range for his or her job would likely get less. A top performer who is paid less than others in the same job could be in line for a larger-than-average raise.

"The linkage to performance is sometimes tenuous," Dunn said.

Demonstrate Your Value

While you're asking your boss to explain how raise decisions are made, should you also ask for a raise? Again, it's important to know how your employer operates.

Large, traditional companies and government agencies often use clearly defined processes to determine raises, and asking for more money mid-year will just make you seem out of place. On the other hand, more entrepreneurial companies may be more open to requests for raises -- as long as they're backed up by solid data about your performance and what it's worth, not just a list of things you'd like to buy if you had more money.

"Employers like ambitious employees, especially if they're good performers," Dunn said.

**http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/career-articles-learning_the_rules_for_raises-179

Be Gutsy at Work: Four Steps for Effective Interview Follow-Up

by: Tory Johnson

Sometimes it's not what you do but what you don't do that can result in a missed opportunity. Just because you aced the interview doesn't mean you can sit back and wait to get the job. Here's how to take action at what can be a critical time in your job search: after the interview.

1. Establish next steps. You can ask your interviewer when they will be contacting you or you can reverse it and ask if you can contact her in a few days to see where you stand. Either way, make sure you have a course of action set before you leave the interview.

2. Always send a follow-up. Whether it's a handwritten note or carefully worded email, you should always send a follow-up to both the person with whom you interviewed and the person who set up the interview. This is your chance to reinforce your interest in the position and the reasons why you are the right one for the job.

What to include:

• Your name, the position for which you interviewed, and the date the interview took place.
• A restatement of your interest and your strengths. You can also add anything that you didn't have a chance to mention in the interview or elaborate on something that was discussed. You might want to include a related article that you feel might be of interest to the recipient or one that touches on a topic you covered in your meeting.
• A request to be contacted regardless of whether you are chosen for the position.
• A thank you for the reader's time.
• Specific action statement. Once again you need to state that you will call and also let those you met with know that you are available to come in for a second interview.

3. Make that call. It's not always easy, but it is essential that you follow through on your follow-up. Make sure you call on the day you established in your interview. If the answer is the dreaded "no decision yet," then you need to find out when you should check in and continue to do so on a weekly basis or whatever timeline you deem appropriate.

4. Be patient, not passive. While you want to make sure you are staying top of mind with your prospective employer, it is also important to understand that decision-makers do not move according to your ideal time frame.

Tory Johnson is the CEO of Women For Hire and the Workplace Contributor on ABC's "Good Morning America."

**http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/jobseeker/tools/ept/contribEditorPost.html?post=18

Be Gutsy at Work: Make Good on a Bad First Impression

by: Tory Johnson

In business, you have a finite amount of time to make a lasting impression on decision makers. Sometimes, despite the best of intentions, you'll fail to make a positive impression. You said the wrong thing. You were late. You blew it.

In this case, you have a few options. You can brush it off. You can convince yourself that no one noticed. Or you can be proactive and try to make it better. You can ask for forgiveness (if necessary) and a second chance.

The Proactive Approach

First step: apologize. Offer a very brief explanation. Acknowledge what you did wrong. Then ask for a second meeting. "I'm sorry I didn't have the materials prepared for our meeting yesterday. This meeting was very important to me, and I would love the chance to speak with you again. Do you have any time next week?"

In cases in which you have trouble reaching the other person by phone, which is the preferred method of making things right, consider leaving a voice mail or sending an e-mail. You can clearly explain what went wrong -- again, brevity is a must -- and what you would like to go going forward.

Handle this message as you would if you had that person live on the line. Do not beat up on yourself or refer to yourself as an idiot or moron. Close by suggesting days and times when you will be available. "I would really like to meet with you again. Would you have any time next Wednesday or Thursday?"

The Fumble -- Are You Sure?

If you know for sure that you fumbled, replay the conversation in your mind and share the details with a trusted friend to determine if it was really as you imagined it to be. Sometimes we're too hard on ourselves, and in reality the other party didn't notice anything awry. Before admitting that you goofed, be sure that you really did.

In such a case, send a note or place a call saying, "I realize I wasn't myself yesterday. I don't have an excuse to offer you, but I'm hoping you'll consider meeting with me again. I just need a second chance to make a better impression. Would you please consider this request?"

Another way to compensate for messing up the first time is to focus on the needs of the other person and how you're uniquely qualified to meet them. Suggest a solution to a problem that was discussed during the initial meeting; this solution should demonstrate your added value. Draw on past work experience and give examples of your successes.

Dealing With Tardiness

You don't want to make a negative impression before you even arrive. If you know you'll be late to an interview or meeting, don't keep staring at the clock hoping that you'll somehow make it in the nick of time. Instead, call in advance and notify someone of your delay.

Provide a realistic time frame in which you expect to arrive, and be sure it is ample. "I'm so sorry about this, but I'm stuck in traffic, which means I won't be there for about 20 minutes. I hope a half hour delay won't inconvenience you too much. I have all the materials for a terrific presentation, so I promise it'll be worth this unexpected wait."

Always Present Your Value

If you didn't put your best foot forward the first time -- maybe your presentation was weak, or you came across as moody -- focus on establishing your professional value after the fact. For example, were you recently featured in the press? Has your work been cited for excellence? Send a copy of the honor with a positive note sharing your excitement about the award, but avoid boasting.

Your continued good work will speak for itself. Do you have a Web site that highlights your professional accomplishments? Send the link. Don't expect immediate feedback, but know that you are developing rapport and working to polish an image that might have been slightly tarnished.

Tory Johnson is the CEO of Women For Hire and the Workplace Contributor on ABC's "Good Morning America." She co-authored "Take This Book to Work: How to Ask For (and Get) Money, Fulfillment and Advancement," to be released in paperback in September 2007. Connect with her at www.womenforhire.com.

**http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/jobseeker/tools/ept/contribEditorPost.html?post=26

Stand out Online to Land the Job: Do's and Don'ts for Online Resumes

by Denene Brox

As a job seeker in the electronic age, it's important to be savvy when it comes to online tools that will help you land your next job.

Online and "traditional" off-line resumes share some similarities. Both serve to show potential employers why you are the best candidate for the job.

"The content of online and off-line resumes is basically the same," says Hannah Seligson, author of "New Girl on the Job: Advice from the Trenches." "But it's even more important that your online resume stand out. With an online resume, you are dealing with a critical mass, as opposed to an off-line resume that is usually handed to a personal contact."

So what can you do to ensure that your online resume will impress employers? Here are some do's and don'ts for creating a winning online resume.

Do: Make Your Online Resume Keyword-Rich

Meg Montford, of the career coaching firm Abilities Enhanced, says that keywords are vital for online resumes. Montford suggests searching through job postings for your industry to find common terms, and make sure those words are in your resume. Montford also advises job seekers to spell out acronyms to increase hits to your resume.

Lindsey Pollak, author of "Getting from College to Career: 90 Things to Do Before You Join the Real World," agrees. "Since a computer will be scanning your resume before a human being ever sees it, you need to 'speak' in a language a computer can understand."

Don't: Embellish

Just because you're posting a resume online doesn't mean its OK to embellish your qualifications.

"Don't over-inflate what you've done," cautions Seligson. "There's a funny scenario where a vice president of the company, who is doing the hiring for an entry-level position, reads the job applicant's resume and says (sarcastically),'Wow, sounds like you've already had my job. It doesn't seem like you need to start at entry-level.' It's better to say less and have it accurately reflect what you did in previous jobs than to over-inflate -- something most hiring managers can see right through."

Do: Be Positive

Many disgruntled employees have been fired for airing their frustrations about their jobs online for the entire world to read. Montford warns that it's important not to accumulate digital dirt that could cost you your current and future jobs. "Keep your online identity positive. Recruiters and companies go to the web first to screen candidates, so it's vital to have a positive presence," says Montford.

Don't: Overlook the Power of the Web to Sell Yourself

There are numerous options available on the Internet for promoting yourself to employers. Don't overlook blogs and your own resume web site as unique ways to reach out to potential employers.

"Every job seeker should have a blog and a keyword-rich resume on their own web site," says Montford. "You can blog about your industry and comment on articles and issues related to your field. Just remember to keep your comments positive."

Do: Be Cautious

Finally, realize that your current employer could be privy to your job search when using online resumes. Keeping a low online profile while employed may be your safest bet.

**http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/jobseeker/tools/ept/careerArticlesPost.html?post=145

Be Gutsy at Work: Turning the Tables on Negativity

by: Tory Johnson

Every day I receive e-mails and phone calls from women and men who say they're having trouble reaching their career goals. They express serious doubt about their abilities to accomplish what they really want to do.

Each time I tell them an anecdote about a young Michael Gelman.

While in journalism school at the University of Colorado, Gelman solicited much advice from his professors. Most of them said that if he wanted a career in television, he'd have to start in a small market and hope to work his way up. He let it all sink in -- and then abandoned their directives.

Confidence Pays Off

Instead, armed with an abundance of energy and determination, Gelman headed to the Big Apple as an intern on an early version of what ultimately became the popular talk show hosted today by Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa. Gelman once told me he knew that "someone had to get those TV jobs, so why not me? I realized that these were ordinary people -- nothing to put on a pedestal -- and if they could do it, so could I."

That passion, guts and logic worked: In 1987, after freelance assignments and staff stints, Gelman became the youngest executive producer of a national talk show, and he proceeded to turn the program into a ratings powerhouse.

It could be argued that his talents in television are on par other people's skills in their chosen lines of work -- from administrative assistants to electrical engineers. But it's his can-do attitude that really sets him above and beyond many of us.

Your Attitude Adjustment

Most of us let "reality" squash our career dreams before they've even had a chance to develop. Instead of listing all the reasons you can't do something, just this once list all the reasons you can, and should. Positive thinking takes practice. We all have negative thoughts from time to time, but it's possible to turn your negative thoughts into positive ones by following these simple guidelines.

Identify your negative thoughts. Negative ideas can spring into your mind so fast and so often that you are hardly even aware of them anymore. Consider the last dream or idea you rejected. Maybe you thought about asking for a new assignment at work, for example. Write down all the excuses and problems you came up with to reject the idea.

Weigh each excuse for validity. Take each item on the list and think through whether they are really obstacles that could block you from achieving your goals ... or just excuses based on fear or procrastination. In the example above, not having enough experience could potentially keep you from getting the assignment. But fears about handling the extra workload or wondering if it has already gone to someone else will not prevent you from getting the assignment. Let's face it: They are simply excuses not to go for what you want.

Think of ways to overcome your obstacles. So you don't quite have the experience to take on the project. How can you overcome this? Maybe you are willing to cooperate with a coworker who does have the experience, so you can learn what you will need to know on this project and you can work independently the next time. Or maybe you can take on a smaller project until you build up to the one you want. If your dream assignment has indeed gone to someone else, try to develop a few main reasons why that person had the advantage over you. Perhaps there are areas for you to focus on going forward to improve your chances for the next opening.

Reclaim your dreams. Once you have successfully broken down all your excuses, re-imagine the dream. You are the savvy team leader of the most important assignment for the company. You handle it with expertise and efficiency. Is it still a dream that fits?

Instead of figuring out why you can't accomplish what you've set your eyes on -- there's way too much competition or you "just don't have enough time" -- turn the tables on that negativity. Figure out exactly what it'll take to get you where you want to go and start heading down that path. Get going today.

Tory Johnson is the CEO of Women For Hire and the workplace contributor on ABC's "Good Morning America."? Connect with her at www.womenforhire.com.

**http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/jobseeker/tools/ept/contribEditorPost.html?post=25

The Right Way to Resign: How to Leave Your Job in Good Standing

by Caroline Levchuck

After you've landed a new job, the excitement of starting something new may be accompanied by anxiety and guilt over leaving the familiar and perhaps some good friends, too. Even if you're leaving mostly enemies behind, it's still a good idea to leave your job in good standing.

Corporate alumni associations are sprouting up all over the Fortune 500, at companies including GE, Procter & Gamble, and Yum! Brands, and it's in your best interest to be a part of these burgeoning professional networks. In fact, if you handle your transition properly, your former employers may even view your ascension elsewhere as a PR asset.

"Whatever the circumstances are around your departure, keep your mind on the big picture and don't do anything that could come back to haunt you," says career coach Deborah Brown-Volkman.

She recommends three steps for wrapping things up at your old job and departing with a pat on the back from your boss.

1. Write down everything you do and how it all gets done.

Forget job descriptions. They rarely tell us precisely what an individual does day-to-day or reveal the "It's not really my job, but I kind of do it anyway" responsibilities that grace any worker's plate each week. Also, in an age of zero redundancy at many companies, you cannot rely on even your supervisor to understand what it is you do and how you go about doing it.

Brown-Volkman says, "Often a boss feels like, 'I don't know what this person does -- I only know she can't leave!'"

So, do your boss and colleagues right by creating an exhaustive list of everything you handle, along with detailed instructions on how to handle it. Your coworkers will appreciate you for having this thorough document -- and for having done so much during your tenure.

2. Remain until you train the new you.

Two weeks' notice may be the minimum an employer requests, but most companies will appreciate a more lengthy lead-time so that you can help train your replacement. If you do so, your boss will be indebted to you. You're also sending a message that you want your former coworkers and employer to succeed.

Brown-Volkman, author of "Coach Yourself to a New Career," adds, "It's hard to give a lot of notice because your next employer may be waiting anxiously for you to start, and many people want to take a week off between jobs." However, she urges departing workers, "Spend as much time as you can with your replacement or colleagues who will be temporarily handling your workload. Train them so they've got it down cold."

Also, tap your own network for a potential replacement. You may even be eligible for a finder's fee if you refer the right person for the job.

3. Wish everyone well when you leave.

Brown-Volkman advises all her clients, "It's important to complete with your former coworkers on your last day." Give everyone a heartfelt farewell and say a few words of encouragement and appreciation to all your colleagues. "Even if you don't like someone, bury the hatchet. It takes a big person to do that, but you never know when you'll meet this individual again."

Also, she points out that former coworkers are the best candidates to join your professional network. "You will always have common ground with these folks. They're easy to stay in touch with. There will always be some bit of news or gossip you can bond over, and that makes it less awkward to pick up the phone and chat."

"All of this really is for the future, the big picture," she adds. "You could end up working for some of these people. You may need a favor. You just don't know, so make sure you leave on the best possible terms."

**http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/career-articles-the_right_way_to_resign-297

Take Control of Your Email at Work: Six Steps to Increase Productivity, Minimize Clutter

by Margaret Steen

Email makes workplace communication faster and more efficient -- but it can also be overwhelming.

Almost two-thirds of executives list email as their preferred method of communicating at work, according to an OfficeTeam survey -- a number that has almost doubled in the past decade.

"Email is front and center today," said Diane Domeyer, executive director of OfficeTeam, a division of staffing company Robert Half International. "Still, there can be too much of a good thing."

Experts offer the following tips for making email work for you.

* Send less. This doesn't mean you should forego important memos or leave people out of the loop. But you should think twice before you hit Send, especially if you're replying to everyone in a large group.

"Eighty percent of email is totally necessary," said Mike Song, CEO of Cohesive Knowledge Solutions and co-author of "The Hamster Revolution: How to Manage Your Email Before it Manages You." The key is to identify and eliminate the remaining 20 percent. "A lot of people will just hit 'Reply to All' to say thank you to somebody. And sometimes that person will hit 'Reply to All' and say you're welcome. It really gets in the way of getting things done."

* Set a schedule. Turn off the "ding" sound that alerts you to incoming mail. Figure out how frequently you need to answer your email: once a day? Three times a day? Then set aside time to read and reply to messages.

"It's easier to manage your email in chunks of time rather than continuously throughout the day," Domeyer said. For example, you can read and reply to email first thing in the morning, once in the middle of the day, and once at the end of the day.

* Use the technology. Use a good spam filter to remove the truly unnecessary mail. Also, set up folders for low-priority messages, such as notes from your professional association. You can check these folders as often as necessary -- once every few days, for example.

* Organize it. Make folders for your email so you can move messages out of your inbox once you've read them. This will make the messages in your inbox seem less overwhelming. It will also help you find messages later when you need to refer to them.

* Don't be too brief. It's good to make your emails as short as possible -- and especially tempting when you're typing on a PDA. But if you're replying to an email that mentions several ways to handle a problem, for example, and you reply with "sounds good," you may soon receive yet another email, asking which solution you think sounds good.

* Know when not to email. There are times when talking to someone, either in person or on the phone, is the better option. "If you have a difficult or challenging situation to resolve, better to do that in person," Domeyer said. "You'll find it to be more efficient and much more likely to be resolved in a satisfactory manner."

**http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/career-articles-take_control_of_your_email_at_work-299

Job Talkin': Four Steps to a Better Job Interview

by: Brad Karsh

Here's a question I often hear: What are some things I can do to prepare for a job interview?

Answer: There really aren't too many things in life more awkward than a job interview. You're dressed in formal business clothing, sitting across from a stranger. This stranger has the right to ask you anything from the most elaborate to the most mundane questions. And you have to spend an hour talking about nothing but yourself. Actually it sounds pretty similar to a blind date!

Just like a blind date, there are some definite no-no's you need to avoid if you want to make it to the next level.

1. Don't try to outwit or outguess the interviewer.

Most candidates go into a job interview thinking it's a contest where the goal is to defeat the interviewer in some type of battle of wits.

"Aha, Brad has asked me this question. Clearly, that is some type of trick question. I just don't know what the trick is yet. Here's how I would normally answer the question, but instead I should say what he probably wants to hear."

That thinking is when good interviews go bad. Sit back, relax, and pretend it is a conversation with a friend. Those are the best interviews.

2. Read the job description.

I call the job description the "cheat sheet" for the interview. Chances are the items listed on the job description will come up in the interview. For instance, if the job description says, "looking for creative problem-solvers" one of the questions you will receive is, "Give me an example of when you creatively solved a problem."

3. Have reasons for everything you've done.

Most companies conduct behavioral interviews. It means they are more interested in the hows and the whys as opposed to the whats. They want to know what makes you tick. An interviewer is not simply going to say, "Oh, I see that you worked as a sales rep in your last job. Cool."

That interviewer may spend about 10 minutes asking questions about the job: "What did you like about the job? What were your accomplishments? What were your biggest mistakes?"

And on and on. Be sure you have answers.

4. Ask questions.

There is nothing more damaging than not having a single question at the end of an interview. It shows that you have no curiosity or interest in the organization. Almost every interviewer will leave about five minutes at the end of the interview to answer questions. Make sure you have a couple. Two or three questions is appropriate, and they can be either personal questions -- "What do you like about working here?" -- or they can be business questions -- "How has the Internet affected your business?"

There you have it. Four quick ways that you can make sure you ace the interview and have the job offers rolling in. Good luck!

Brad Karsh is president of JobBound, a career consulting and resume writing firm. One of the nation's leading job search experts, Brad Karsh is author of "Confessions of a Recruiting Director." If you have a question for Brad, email him at jobtalkin@yahoo.com.

**http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/career-experts-four_steps_to_a_better_job_interview-51