Reaching Work / Life Balance

Picture this: On one side of the table, you have a well qualified, personable, impeccably dressed and thoroughly prepared candidate who has come in for an interview. The only apparent flaws? He's quite overweight and, tucked inside the pocket of his shirt is a pack of cigarettes. If you're the hiring manager at a company that expects a high level of productivity from everyone, do you see this guy as a risk? The bigger question: Should employers play Big Brother with your health?  More »

We've heard plenty about the cultural phenomenon of career-oriented people leaving the workplace to become at-home parents (either stay-at-home or work-from-home). What we don't hear enough about is the other end of this odyssey, when you realize the time has come to return to work. This is often the point when you realize you no longer possess the single most important thing you'll need in order to re-enter the workforce: self-confidence.  More »

Think that only the sub-par performers are the poor souls who get laid off? Think again. A layoff can hit you at any time, anywhere, even if you're a highly valued employee with stellar performance reviews, and especially as we live through challenging economic times. Here's what you can learn from getting served with the dreaded pink slip.  More »

Why do employees want to leave their companies and go on the job hunt? For most, it has to do with career opportunities, or a lack of them. Put another way, many workplaces don't care enough about helping their employees grow, which is why changing jobs is more commonplace today. Businesses should take this as a warning that insufficient care for employee growth could lead to insufficient business growth.  More »

Are you in your 50s or 60s and wondering what lurks around the corner as you head toward retirement? Do you feel you're in the twilight of your career, that every job search might take longer than expected because employers are looking for someone younger and more technologically savvy who won't command as much in salary as you would? The outlook may be sunnier than you might think.  More »

Pongo has entered the blogosphere! Our goal is to provide job seekers with a fresh, timely perspective on topics related to resumes, cover letters, interviews, job searching, and career management - and how our lives fit in with all that.  More »