In theory, etiquette is a way for everyone to express mutual respect for one another. In practice, it's a confusing set of arbitrary guidelines not everyone follows.
In theory, etiquette is a way for everyone to express mutual respect for one another. In practice, it's a confusing set of arbitrary guidelines not everyone follows.
Entering the third quarter, employers everywhere are still feeling the effects of the current economic climate.
I can think of only a few rituals that encase my body with adrenaline and sweat: running a race, struggling through Bikram yoga, having that dream where I'm still in junior high and I've completely forgotten about a huge project that's due in less than an hour, and interviewing for a job.
Sherry Shealy Martschink, 57, is a former state legislator, state senator and worker's compensation commissioner for South Carolina.
There's a viral video that probably everyone has been e-mailed: A cyclist nearing the end of a race raises his arms in excitement ... then falls off the bike, struggles to get back on and watches someone else cross the finish line first.
You know the friend who constantly dates the wrong kind of person? The one who's endlessly frustrated that he or she is going to die alone because all the good ones are taken?
There are certain things you probably shouldn't ask your boss:
If television sitcoms of the 1980s and 1990s are to be believed, every parent in America argued with a teenager who wanted to wear ripped jeans and ill-fitting shirts to school.
When two people fall in love, they only see sunshine and rainbows when they look into each other's eyes. If you asked, "What's the worst trait of your boyfriend or girlfriend?" they would answer, "Absolutely, positively nothing!"
The right words make all the difference in life. Try asking "Wanna get hitched?" instead of "Will you marry me?" for proof.
Talk to a dozen students on any college campus and you're likely to hear a dozen different perspectives on what they hope to get out of college. Some want high GPAs; some want to get into the work force and earn a lot of money.
As graduations are taking place across the country and the economy is remaining in a bad state, college graduates are faced with one of the most competitive job markets in years.
With an abundance of job losses, salary cuts, eliminated bonuses and diminished 401(K) matching contributions, your income is shrinking -- but the bills aren't.
Nate Torvik has mixed feelings about his upcoming graduation from Purdue University.
In the past year, there's been so much talk about job loss, high unemployment rates, lack of jobs and employment declines that it's been hard to focus on anything else.
Have you ever found that the people most guilty of unruly behavior at work are also the ones who are most oblivious to their behavior?
In the past year, there's been so much talk about job loss, high unemployment rates, lack of jobs and employment declines that it's been hard to focus on anything else.
Every now and then, I come across an occupation that makes me wish I was in a different line of work. Don't get me wrong, I love my job -- but some professions really seem too good to be true.
Watch the news for 30 minutes and you'll quickly lose perspective of the value of a dollar.
At 2 a.m., most workers are asleep in their beds, blissfully unaware that their alarm clocks will sound in a few short hours. But for 41 percent of Americans this is the time of day is when they are most productive, according to a 2005 poll by the National Sleep Foundation.
Imagine how your legs feel when you stand up after a long road trip. Your knees pop and your muscles burn.
This summer, diplomas will be handed out, hats will be tossed in the air and college graduates will look to enter that elusive Real World they've heard so much about. It's all very exciting and nerve wracking, in a good way.
With a record 12.5 million people unemployed in today's labor market, it's apparent that now, more than ever before, the people looking for employment must work even harder to ensure that they stand out to employers through their applications.
There is no worse feeling than waking up in the morning, rested from good night's sleep, and glancing at the clock, only to do a double-take: You're late!
With unemployment numbers continuing their steady climb, you've probably seen layoffs happen in your company or to someone you know -- hopefully not to you.
Stand on any street in your town and you'll witness a trend that began 30 years ago with the invention of the Walkman: music lovers walking around wearing headphones.
A famous George Carlin observation goes, "Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?"
Everyone knows how hard it is to get along with others when there's a personality clash -- so imagine how hard it is to be happy in career that does the same thing.
Few of us will ever win an Oscar. We will, however, receive a job offer at least once in our lives.
There's no worse feeling than when you're in an interview and the interviewer asks you a question to which you don't know the answer.
Income isn't considered polite conversation for most Americans. We'll talk about our jobs, our families, the weather, the couple down the street who is obviously hiding something in that garage ... but not how much we earn.
The struggle to fit in follows everyone throughout life. It's one of those human experiences everyone must endure.
In a classic episode of the TV show "Sex and the City," Carrie Bradshaw realizes that she's spent thousands of dollars on gifts for one of her married friends.
For the average kindergartner, the school day peaks around lunchtime. The whole class gets to eat together, then goes outside to play for a while before coming back inside to take a nap. Once they wake up, class resumes and the rest of the day breezes by.
Do you know what TMI is? Chances are you're either guilty of it or have been its victim. It stands for "too much information" and it's making daily life awkward for people across the country.
Have you ever seen "CMP," "CQM," or "PMP" behind someone's name and not had a clue what it meant -- or if it meant anything at all?
Being part of a team can be a great learning experience when collaboration and discussion lead to new ideas and career growth.
There's a wealth of career information on the Internet, and these resources are just a mouse-click away for any job seeker.
Between October and March, the following scene plays out in workplaces across the country.
Facebook's been around for almost five years -- a lifetime in the Internet world -- and by now it has become a mainstay of workers who want to kill a little (or a lot) of time updating their statuses and playing Scrabble.
If you decided to stay home from work today because your psychic told you to, would you tell your boss the truth or make up an excuse?
While the importance of earning a college degree to secure a good job has been engrained in our brains for as long we can remember, a four-year degree is not the only path to a successful career.
Embarrassing yourself in a social situation is the stuff of nightmares. The toilet paper stuck to your shoe, an open zipper during a speech or slipping on a patch of ice while walking down the street -- you don't forget the red face and cold sweats.
There's a great deal of career information available to job seekers on the Internet. And some of the most important, timely content can be found in blogs.
Though 2008 was wrought with layoffs and economic struggles, the New Year means rejuvenated hope for job seekers.
If I had to guess, I would bet that at least once in years past, come January 1, you've resolved to lose weight, be more organized, spend less and save more, find a better job, or simply be a better person.
Recent news about the economy and the job market hasn't been encouraging. Companies are taking a much closer look at their operating expenses, especially their payrolls.
The boss summons you to her office. On the long walk to her door, you wonder what you did wrong. Did you miss a deadline? Did you oversleep one too many times? Did they catch you stealing pens from the supply closet?
In 20 years of career consulting, Karen Masullo has seen more job search mistakes than she can remember. There is one mistake, however, that she still chuckles about today:
We've all heard the conventional wisdom about good work habits. Many of us have attended time management classes, participated in workshops and have been advised to "work smarter, not harder."
Attitude counts for a lot. Just think of how often people's attitudes affect your perception of them. First impressions often include come down to phrases such as "He had the worst attitude" or "She has the best attitude of anyone I've ever met."
When Martin P.* was laid off from his job as a marketing vice president, he embarked on a two-year job search and still came up short.
During the homestretch leading up to the new year, bosses often become generous and kind -- traits no one knew they were capable of exhibiting.
During the homestretch leading up to the new year, bosses often become generous and kind -- traits no one knew they were capable of exhibiting.
Winter brings an avalanche of year-end celebrations. Party season is at an all-time high, and, whether you're schmoozing with co-workers or mingling at a friend's holiday celebration, you become a pro at small talk.
So, you want more money? Welcome to the club. We've been waiting for you.
Job seekers with no ties to any particular location often seek jobs in big cities like New York, Chicago, Illinois, Los Angeles, California, or San Francisco, California.
Men and women who leave the military might put dangerous missions behind them, but they face a host of other challenges when they return to civilian life.
After several long months of unsuccessfully posting his résumé and applying to jobs online, Alex Ballin, 24, decided to take his job search into his own hands.
If you want to find a job that is free of stress, you're out of luck. Only characters in movies and on TV have jobs that don't cause occasional hair-pulling or high blood pressure.
Who hasn't looked at his or her paycheck and imagined how much better life would be with a lot more numbers after that dollar sign?
A work spouse is a co-worker of the opposite sex with whom you have a close platonic relationship. In many ways, these relationships can mirror a real marriage.
Certain predicted technological revolutions are more myth than reality.
One of my favorite high school teachers was also one of the least liked by many students.
Employers looking for skilled candidates are feeling the effects of the uncertain economy as much as job seekers are.
If you're one of the millions of college and university students who are members of the Class of 2008, you may be pondering the first step on your career path. Despite an economic slowdown, there are still entry-level jobs in all career fields to be had.
Ah, sibling rivalry. Relentless competitions, name-calling, hair pulling and blame shifting plague households with two or more children everywhere. Can't we all just get along?
In a Q-and-A session with voters the day before a 2008 presidential primary, former White House-hopeful Hillary Clinton got a little choked up during her response to a question.
Everyone loves the excitement of fortune cookies at a Chinese restaurant.
The guys from HBO's comedy series "Entourage" have it pretty good. Lounging by the pool every day, buying (and selling) movies, last-minute trips to Vegas, driving luxury cars, private jets with Kanye West to Cannes, France ... no big deal.
If you find yourself counting the hours until your next paycheck is deposited in your bank, you're not alone.
For most job seekers, the art of negotiation comes into play at two specific times in their careers: during an initial job negotiation and at their performance evaluation.
Though the U.S. economy has softened this year -- headlines warn of mortgage woes, layoffs and escalating gas prices -- there are still jobs out there... you just have to know where to look.
Ryan Saale was in a bind. He was planning to move back to St. Louis, Missouri, from Santiago, Chile, earlier this year but, with the job market taking a downturn, it wasn't an ideal to a start a job search -- much less from 5,000 miles away.
Receiving a paycheck is always nice. Even if you don't love your job or you think you deserve more money, making a deposit in your checking account feels good.
At some point, all of us have had a bad day at work. Even if you like your job, chances are you have experienced a day where something or someone at work was wearing you down.
At one time, offices were the epitome of formality where bosses were addressed as "Mr." or "Mrs." and you wore only suits or dresses (complete with pantyhose).
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2006 American Community Survey, approximately 80 percent -- or 223.2 million people -- of Americans use only English at home.
Bad bosses are everywhere. Sometimes a bunch of little things tick you off about your boss; other times a single action just grates on your nerves.
High salaries have a nasty stigma attached them. One that reeks of years of school, advanced qualifications, extensive training and many years of experience, which some people just don't have.
Don't talk with your mouth full. Don't talk to strangers. Look both ways before crossing the street.
In the old days, there were blue-collar workers and white-collar workers. These days, there are white-, blue-, green-, gold-, pink- and gray-collared workers, too. (Seriously.)
Karen Giberson, president of Accessories Council, a nonprofit organization that stimulates consumer awareness and demand for fashion accessories, was scheduling an appointment with a major retailer to show it a new line of pantyhose. When confirming the meeting, the secretary asked who would be attending. Giberson replied, "Oh, just me and a bunch of great hose!"
Amanda was unhappy with the amount of money she was making at her job, so she went after a position with a competitor and negotiated a higher salary.
For baby boomers, a funny thing is happening on the way to retirement -- more work.
For baby boomers, a funny thing is happening on the way to retirement -- more work.
Résumés are a critical part of any job search. They are the most effective marketing tool any of us have about who we are and what we can do. And all of us want our résumé to be the best possible representation of our work.
Before you head out to the interview, check your suit for lint, your résumé for typos, your teeth for spinach and your hands for a firm grip.
Rules are meant to be broken. Think outside the box. Be an original.
The term "happy hour" may have been created by the U.S. Navy to describe a designated period of time for entertainment and refreshment.
Every day, Jennifer Bonchak commutes 64 miles round trip from her home in Raleigh, North Carolina to her job at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Getting a pink slip. Being downsized. Making adjustments. Reorganizing.
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