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Searching for a job is challenging enough in a recession. Job seekers who are eager to reply to any hint of a paying gig must also avoid online scammers and identity thieves who are targeting them. The Better Business Bureau found that 73% of job seekers reported using online sources for help in 2007, compared to 66% in 2005. And that ...

It’s becoming harder to stand out from the growing pile of resumes in today’s tough job market. If you’re unemployed, consider learning a new skill to gain an advantage. “First, look at your strengths to see how those might cross over into other fields or careers,” says Diane Brennan, an Arizona-based career consultant. “Then decide what other skills you need to ...

Originally published on Unemploymentality on January 30, 2009 I’ve always been a bit of a daddy’s girl. Ever since my first days of life, he and I have shared a special, indescribable bond. I remember giggling at Monsterpiece theater together, sharing an unusual love for burnt popcorn and racing each other down the slopes at Heavenly (the bunny slopes, of course). ...

While I was going through the 17th revision of my resume for my job search, I was pondering how I might be able to keep my fingers on the pulse of marketing work while exploring some new industries. Then, when talking to a local running buddy at the weekly running club gathering spot (you never know who knows who), he suggested ...

We've all heard stories about the nightmare of working for a toxic boss. Some of us have even had the unique displeasure of doing so ourselves. Red flags to such behavior often appear as early as the interview process. We've compiled 10 warning signs of a toxic boss. Watch for them in the interview and you might be able to avoid ...

In my daily search for information on job interviews, resumes and cover letters, I tend to see the same advice: Don’t make your resume more than one page, get prepared for the interview, and always send a cover letter. Always. But yesterday I came across someone that says something completely different. His basic philosophy is: "Cover letters? Don't bother." David Silverman ...

They might be lurking in the cubicle next to you or lounging in a cushy corner office. They could be e-nagging you daily or haunting your dreams at night. That’s right, the people you work with have the power to influence, annoy, inspire, and scare the living daylights out of you (work nightmares, anyone?). Since you’re stuck with them 40 hours ...

They've been called Millennials, Echo Boomers, and the Trophy Generation—people born after 1980 who entered the workforce with a profound sense of confidence and, some critics charge, entitlement. Caroline Ceniza-Levine, a veteran recruiter who has worked for Citigroup and consulted for companies such as Walt-Disney, co-founded a coaching firm for Gen Y workers in 2007. She spoke with Staff Editor Aili ...

We've all been there. It's a beautiful day, and you can't bear the thought of going into work. So you call in with some excuse about feeling ill, but you know in your bones that your boss doesn't buy it. The feeling ill excuse is a short-term solution that won't win you any fans at the office - someone else ...

Supervisors, middle managers and corporate executives — suits, if you will — tonight will be going to a frightening source for leadership lessons. Many will put down their copy of The Effective Executive by Peter Drucker and tune into the one-hour season premiere of NBC's (GE) comedy The Office. This borders on disturbing. After all, the show centers on a bumbling ...

We've all had one of those days — when we hit the snooze button a few extra times, when our stomach muscles clench as the office comes into view and when everything our bosses and co-workers do seems part of a conspiracy to push us over the edge. Most admins have fantasized about quitting at one time or another. But how ...

The current economic climate doesn’t exactly lend itself to asking for a raise. With all the talk of bailouts, budget cuts and layoffs (not to mention undue bonuses), many an employee is wary of asking for more money. But what if you deserve a raise? According to some experts, you are in luck. Now could actually be the best time to ...

Have you ever sat down and thought, *“What is my purpose in life? What is my passion? Where do I go from here?”* These are some of the most common questions we have all struggled with. And I am not in a position to answer it – all I can offer in this article is an opinion, slightly different from the ...

We all do it from time to time. Whether it's complaining about the latest comp-time policy change with your coworker in the file room or dishing about the latest spat between the CFO and the clerk in purchasing, gossiping on the job is almost an inevitable part of corporate culture. But is gossiping a positive way to build relationships, trade information ...

Don't just sit there, basking in your continued employment... Phew. You survived the culling. Or maybe your company has managed to avoid a mass layoff. Either way, you're one of the lucky ones. Unlike so many of your friends and family, you won’t have to deal with the unemployment office or cancel your cable -- yet. But instead of sitting ...

Seattle-based Jessica Ward writes an open letter to her former boss about the good things that have happened since she got laid off. Dear John, While this could easily be a private letter between you and me, current economics are hinting to me that perhaps my condition is wider-spread than just my house. As a result, I've elected to make this ...

My name is Sydni Craig-Hart and I am one of the contributing authors at AdminSecret and moderator of the "Executive Assistant to Virtual Assistant!" group. This group is designed for Virtual Assistants or for those interested in becoming a Virtual Assistant. It is a place to ask and answer questions, network, share ideas and generally discuss how to become a highly ...

Working in sales is tough. You need a gift for the gab, a thick skin, and an undying persistence, even in the face of constant rejection. But those who can do it well see the ample fruits of their labor. It's this promise that pushes them to work harder, to stay positive and to master their craft, even when the ...

1. Why Do You Want to Work in This Industry? Bad answer: “I love to shop. Even as a kid, I spent hours flipping through catalogues.” Don’t just say you like it. Anyone can do that. Focus instead on your history with that particular industry, and if you can, tell a success story. Good answer: “I've always loved shopping, but my ...

We all know that before bringing you on board, a potential employer will do some vetting. They'll scour the internet searching for digital dirt, or any discrepancies from your resume. They'll try to get a glimpse into your personality. They want to know as much as they can about you. After all, they’re about to let you – an unknown quantity ...