Career

• Five Ways to Find “Lost Minutes” in Your Day

  EVERY GUY HAS BEEN THERE: You’re on deadline and every time you look up, it seems that the hands of the clock have moved to a position that can’t possibly be true. Alas, you’re facing a late night. Again. Good news. Every day contains “hidden minutes.” We tend to waste them—but there are ways to “find” them and put them to productive use. Regina Leeds, author of One Year to an Organized Life, shares antidotes to five common time stealers.

  
  

• The New Rules for Getting Organized

  WHERE DID ALL this stuff come from? It just seems to keep coming. Keep in mind that keeping your belongings organized goes hand in hand with keeping your tasks organized. Usually guys who are struggling with one are also struggling with the other. Lighten your load, make friends with the trash, and get automated. Dr. Ari Tuckman, author of More Attention, Less Deficit: Success Strategies for Adults with ADHD, shares 8 rules for getting organized- and more important, staying organized.

  
  

• 5 Things You Must Do NOW To Take Control Of Your Career Future

  WITH NATIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT in the U.S. now approaching 10%, and experts predicting a very tough labor market for the next 12 months, you have every right to be concerned about your job. You can wait around to see what happens, or you can take action today to protect your work life. Dan Burns, author of The First 60 Seconds: Win the Job Interview Before It Begins, shares 5 things you must do now to take control of your career future.

  
  

• How to Lead In Tough Times

  IT IS NEVER EASY TO LEAD. In these turbulent times, it's harder than ever before. The big question is, what can you do today to be a more effective leader? How can you help your people through these tough economic times? Sheila Murray Bethel, Ph.D., author of "A New Breed of Leader: 8 Leadership Qualities That Matter Most in the Real World, What Works, What Doesn’t and Why,” shares three actions you can take to boost employees' productivity and reduce their stress.

  
  

• Lincoln’s Smart Strategy for Dealing with Office Rumors

  EVERYONE HAS TO DEAL with it at some point: someone in the office or your industry says something about you that isn't true. Abraham Lincoln faced just this sort of problem in 1836. A lot has changed since then, obviously, but his strategy for dealing with unfair accusations is still relevant today. David Acord, author of What Would Lincoln Do? Lincoln's Most Inspired Solutions to Challenging Problems and Difficult Situations, gives advice on how to respond effectively to rumors-- the Lincoln way.

  
  

• Top 5 Myths About Getting Your Next Job

  JOB SEEKERS face tremendous challenges. The good news is there are jobs and companies are hiring. There's competition, but if you have the appropriate tools and techniques to bring to your job search, success is within your control. Now is not the time to take the same job search approach of years past. Now is the time to take a proactive approach and employ techniques to help set yourself apart from the competition. Dan Burns, author of The First 60 Seconds: Win The Job Interview Before It Begins, reveals the secrets to being effective in today's job market.

  
  

• How to Improve Your Email Etiquette

  OPENING UP YOUR INBOX can be like opening a Pandora’s box of bad grammar, bad spelling, and bad taste. What impressions do your emails give of you? If you want to set your emails apart from the pack, follow these steps to improve your email etiquette. Make the subject line useful. Keep it concise, and avoid using generic subjects. Greet your recipient. Keep your email concise, conversational, and focused. Conversely, be sure to include info that you are responding to. And use proper grammar and spelling. Plus, think twice before replying to just say thank you.

  
  

• Finding Success One Small Step at a Time

  SMART MEN ARE ALWAYS looking for ways to improve their lives. To be fitter. More successful in their careers. To be better husbands and fathers. Only problem is, change-at least the way most of us attempt it-is incredibly hard. Robert Maurer, Ph.D., author of One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way, shows you how to change your life without fear and without failure. It's called kaizen, and it's all about taking tiny steps to achieve big goals.

  
  

• How to Start Your Own Business and Keep Your Sanity

  THINKING OF SELF-EMPLOYMENT? Start small and work your way up. Choose something that you have some experience with and truly enjoy. In the beginning, it’s going to be a struggle. Don't panic. It's normal for a first-time entrepreneur to spend months without making any money. Ease into self-employment by doing freelance projects on the side. Plus, visit places where you can meet other entrepreneurs from a broad range of fields.

  
  

• 8 Big Mistakes You Could Be Making At Work

  EVERYONE KNOWS THE basic mistakes to avoid at work: no flip-flops, no swearing, no offensive downloads, and no irate E-mails. But there are plenty of other faux pas that can do harm to an employee's or manager's reputation in the office. At times, showing humility at the office can be damaging. When writing a self-appraisal show off all the terrific projects you've helmed and clients you've brought on. Listen, avoid downplaying mistakes, use your vacation time and stay away from conversations about politics. Also before accepting a promotion, ask some key questions--How much more work would be involved? How much more money? And what kind of staff would you be inheriting?

  
  

• The 'Never Specify a Salary' Myth

  DON'T BELIEVE THE the old notion about not disclosing your salary requirements in a job interview. The best time to bring up the salary topic is at the second interview. Whether you communicate via e-mail, in person, or over the phone, you're going to have to share a number. You can get that number online at Payscale.com or from your own experience. Remember, you're unlikely to be tossed out of the running for your "high" salary requirement. If you can't live on the salary you're being offered, you can pass on the job. Also consider talking to the employer about filling in as a contractor for them while they continue their search.

  
  

• Twitter to Find A New Job

  RECENTLY LAID OFF and looking for a fresh and powerful way to reach out? Join Twitter. Start by creating a separate Twitter account for professional purposes. In the profile section, give details about your professional life and interests. Search for leaders of your industry with their own Twitter accounts and read their material --this will show you how to direct your own tweets. Keep your tweets professional. Link to interesting articles in your industry and comment on industry news. Plus, to make your tweets more searchable, tag them.

  
  

• How To Make The Most Of LinkedIn

  WANT TO CONNECT with professionals in your field? Log on to LinkedIn-- it's a great networking and job-seeking tool. Set up a profile and start building your network.Import contacts from your e-mail address book and reconnect with old classmates. LinkedIn helps you do that by recommending people based on where you went to school and where you've worked. Also join groups within LinkedIn-- they raise your visibility and allow you to send direct messages to people who aren't in your first-degree network.

  
  

• How to Inspire Workers in Tough Times

  MASTER MOTIVATORS can help employees stay emotionally connected to their work throughout the recession. To inspire workers in tough times, connect with them on an emotional level. Help them focus on their daily tasks and make them feel good about it -- try capitalizing on local sources of pride whether its company values, family reactions, or customer feedback.

  
  

• How to Survive Your Office Christmas Party

  Christmas parties are an extension of the workplace. So while it's okay to be merry and have a drink, be careful not to go too far. Especially in a recession, with layoffs coming fast and furious, you don't want any blemishes on your record. Use the time to to mingle with higher-ups. Sounds gross, but that's reality. By Alfonso Serrano

  
  

• Is Your Credit Score Accurate?

  If you're thinking of buying a house or car, beware the tightened credit market. Lenders use a credit risk score to determine the risk a borrower represents. So make sure the information on your credit score is accurate--it could save you thousands of dollars a year. A good credit score, for example, might qualify you for a 5.67% interest rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage, whereas the rate for the same loan for a borrower with mediocre credit would be 6.99%. If you have bad credit, don’t fret. 'Nothing matters after seven years,' according to one expert.
  By Alfonso Serrano

  
  

• Now Is a Good Time to Be an Entrepreneur

  Looking for a job? Maybe you should create your own. Recessions are actually a great time to start a new business. With so many people out of work, human capital is cheap and abundant. And you may be able to pick up necessary equipment, office space, business services, etc. at fire-sale prices. Need proof the formula works? Look at Walt Disney Co., Hewlett-Packard and Microsoft. All were started during weak economies. By Alfonso Serrano

  
  

• Explaining Your Layoff to Job Recruiters

  Don't express bitterness or self-pity during the interview--and fight the impulse to open up about how your dismissal has ruined your life. That looks unprofessional. Show your willingness to undergo training or to relocate--a can-do attitude is essential--but don't offer to do anything you really aren't willing to do. And don't be TOO grateful. Instead of 'Thank you so much for considering me,' go with something a bit more restrained, like 'I look forward to hearing from you.' Be aware that you might have to cast a wide net geographically--and to consider moving into an industry that is still hiring. By Alfonso Serrano

  
  

• If You Get Laid Off, ACT FAST

  The first 24 hours after you've been laid off are critical. It’s no time to mope or even sleep in. Set your alarm for the usual time, because you should be working full-time to find your next gig. First, review your severance package to make sure your compensation is right. Then make a list of everyone you need to contact. You’re going to want to shoot an email or place a phone call to everyone. By Alfonso Serrano

  
  

• How to Find Your Dream Career

  If you’re looking for an easy guide to finding your dream job, prepare for a letdown. Finding an ideal career is a process, one that varies in length depending on how honest you are with yourself. The biggest obstacle is deciding what you want – what you are passionate about. If you have the knowledge to succeed in your dream career, the next step is to determining how much you’re willing to sacrifice to reach your goals. After clearing those hurdles comes the easy part: research your industry and find out the skill sets needed to succeed. Finally, develop a plan and take action. By Alfonso Serrano

  
  

• Networking for Guys Who Hate Networking

  IN A DOWN ECONOMY, being a good networker can spell the difference between being employed and, well, being screwed. But don’t approach networking like a hunter out to bag the big trophy. Bleg. Make like you’re a farmer who’s out to…cultivate crops of relationships. Speaking of which, here’s how to make the most of that upcoming office party:
      •Eye contact. Keep it steady, but not creepy. Look away occasionally--just don't make it appear that you'd rather be talking to someone else.
      •Body language. Arms folded across your chest says, “I'm bored.” Arms clasped behind your back says, “I'm listening.”
      •Positioning. If you’re talking in a group, don't hem anyone in or, worse, turn you back to them.
      •Facial expressions. Try to look friendly and interested, even if you're not. But avoid the pasted-on grin at all costs.
      Source: money.cnn.com

  
  

• 10 WORST Job Tips Ever

  Nearly every day, someone sends me a bit of astounding job-search advice from a blog or a newsletter. Some of this advice seems to come directly from the planet X-19, and some of it seems to have been made up on the spot. Here are 10 of my favorite pieces of atrocious job-search advice, for you to read and ignore at all costs:

  
  

• 4 Ways to Save Your Job in a Slow Economy

  Meet with your manager regularly to make sure you are on the same page regarding your performance. Don't complain--high-maintenance workers tend to alienate the powers that be. Stay busy, and forget about that three-week vacation. If you are fired, consider asking whether you can stay on at a lower salary. Source: SmartMoney magazine

  
  

• Simple Ways to Improve Your Powers of Persuasion

  When someone objects to something you've said, try not to become defensive. Listen carefully and try to initiate a real dialogue. Don't whine. Don't overpersuade, by listing 101 reasons why you're right. Most of all, listen carefully. Most people will tell you what they need to hear in order to be persuaded. Source: Fortune

  
  

• How to Build a Web Site for Peanuts

  For $10 and about eight hours, you can get your business's web site up and running. Low-cost and even free hosting companies are now available, and you can copy and paste much of the HTML you need to add calendars, shopping carts, etc. Plus--cheap ways to drive and monitor traffic to your site.

  
  

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