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Work / Life: Achieving Balance

The Advantages of Online Learning for You and Your Career

At some point in your professional life, you may find that you need to acquire more education or training for a specific job. A particular degree may be essential for the higher-level position you desire, a certification may be required to perform a specific job, or an update of your knowledge or skills may be needed in order to continue to excel in your profession. If you work full-time, you may wonder how you are going to squeeze in the time to travel to and attend classes - especially if you typically work late or have family commitments.  More »

What You Need to Know to Work in Another Country

If you are the adventurous type, you may have thought about seeking employment beyond our country’s borders. Or, if you work for a global company, you may be looking into what positions are open in their international offices so you can gain new experiences or skills. With either situation, there are several important things you need to think about before you make the move to work in another country. In this article, we provide a list of the steps you should take to ensure that your international employment is more of a dream adventure than an overwhelming challenge.  More »

Thinking About Moonlighting? Our Tips for Balancing Multiple Jobs

Many people balance two (and even three) jobs - and there are numerous reasons you may decide to be one of them. Perhaps you want extra money to pay off student loans, build up your savings account or buy a house. There are also the opportunities a second job might bring, such as increasing your experience, adding skills or exploring work in another industry. Regardless of the reason, committing to multiple jobs and extending your work day from nine-to-five to morning-to-night can have a major impact on both your personal and professional lives. It’s important that you devise strategies to minimize that impact. In our article, “Thinking About Moonlighting? Our Tips for Balancing Multiple Jobs,” we offer guidelines for maintaining work-life balance, managing your time and keeping your sanity when working two or more jobs.  More »

Your Company is Making Changes: Should You Stay or Should You Go?

If you have been with a company for a while, you’ve probably become quite comfortable working there. You’re settled in for the long haul and see a smooth career path ahead. But, what if there is suddenly a major change (or changes) creating upheaval in this peaceful scenario? Changes such as a new boss, new co-workers, new policies and new offices can occur at any time and be caused by layoffs, office moves, budget cuts, or a merger or acquisition. These changes could turn what was once a pleasurable job experience into a stressful one. The big question for you will be whether to stay with the company or move on. In this article, we outline several factors you will want to consider to ensure you make the right decision.  More »

Weathering the Transition When Your Company is Acquired or Merging

Tens of thousands of companies each year are acquired by or merge with another company. If your company is one of them, you will likely find your workplace going through a period of disruption and uncertainty once the company integration process begins. Your main concern will be finding out what your job status is once the dust settles. Will you be considered redundant and laid off? Will you be moved to another department? But the big question is: what should you do? In our article, “Weathering the Transition When Your Company is Acquired or Merging,” we detail several strategies for weathering your company’s transition after an acquisition or merger and ultimately, protecting your employment status and peace of mind.  More »

Backing-up Your Core Skills and Staying Relevant with Technical Abilities

An increasing number of jobs require technical knowledge and abilities. For most jobs, you need to at least know your way around a computer and how to use standard applications, not to mention the Internet. But, you also need to know how to use applications or technologies related specifically to your profession and to keep up your level of competence with current tools and those emerging in the future. In this article, we identify the steps you should take to ensure that you are up-to-date on the technologies being employed and introduced in your industry and how to use them. By taking these steps, you will not only keep your skills relevant, you will be able to maintain a competitive edge in the job market.  More »

Applying an Inherent Talent to a Passion

The inherent skills or talents that most of us have (and typically have a passion for) can be applied to any one of a variety of occupations. You spend most of your life working. Why not find a skill or talent you have that can be put into a job that will make you truly happy? We provide examples of how certain skills can be applied in other ways. Using those examples as a guide, think about how your particular skills can be transferred to a job that’s more suited to you, your passions and your life.  More »

Changing Careers to Pursue a Passion: When You Realize Another Career Would Be a Better Fit

If the career you’re in isn’t what you hoped for and you find your passions lie elsewhere, then there’s no reason you can’t realize your dreams and pursue those passions professionally. Get suggestions for getting started on pursuing your passion and launching a new career that brings you more happiness and fulfillment.  More »

You Just Got a Degree, Diploma or Certificate, Now What?

You’ve just received your degree, diploma or certificate. Maybe you’re already job hunting, mulling over taking the summer off, thinking of getting a low-key job that will help transition you to a more challenging position later on, or applying to grad school.  More »

Getting Engaged (To Your Job, That Is)

Is that 8-12 hours spent looking for distractions to get through the day, struggling to focus and watching the clock? Or are you really engaged in your work and getting fulfillment out of the time you spend on the job on a personal and professional level?  More »

A Quick Guide to Employee Benefits

A benefits package can be a major factor in whether you accept a job offer or move on to another career opportunity. A wide array of benefits can help offset a so-so salary offer, and may give one employer an edge over others that want to hire you. On the other hand, a package of acceptable (but not outstanding) benefits, coupled with an above-average salary, may be just as attractive.  More »

How Employers Make Room for Work-Life Balance

John Lennon once said: "Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans." Yes, sometimes life happens. And when it does, it's critical to have understanding employers who acknowledge and accommodate your needs - from allowing telecommuting to providing onsite child care.  More »

Is Relocation the Right Move? Weigh the Pros and Cons

Tough economic times, changing industries, and a lack of local opportunities can all force people to be more flexible with where they make their living. The pressure to find secure, reliable, well-paying jobs is extreme, and might even mean relocating to a city hundreds of miles away to find them. Some struggling companies opt to transfer staff to larger offices as an alternative to layoffs, but the new office may be several states away. And there are personal reasons people relocate as well, such as wanting to be closer to friends or family, or simply craving new experiences in new places.  More »

Ten Ways to Take Charge of Your Career

Time was, a company would hire you and move you up the ladder once or twice, earning you the tag of "lifer." You would toil for the same company from your 20s until you retired with a healthy pension. For sure, times have changed and it's imperative that you manage your own career and figure out where your next job can take you.  More »

How to Find Your Value Proposition

Whether you know it or not, you have skills and talents that are marketable. The trick is to advertise them in a way that entices your potential customers (i.e., employers) to buy. Here's a quick refresher on the principles of sales and advertising, starting with your unique value proposition.  More »
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