Five Steps for Spring Career Fair Success

by Caroline Potter, Yahoo! HotJobs


Spring career fair season is almost here. But merely showing up to a fair isn't going to help you net the job of your dreams. You've got to know how to work a career fair for all its worth to get legitimate leads that yield results. Use these tips from Shawn Graham, associate director of the MBA Career Management Center at the University of North Carolina's Kenan-Flagler Business School, to see a return whenever you invest time at a career fair.

Know Before You Go

Don't go to a career fair with the intention of hitting every exhibitor. Some career fairs have hundreds of booths, which is too much ground for one person to cover. Instead, says Graham, "Job seekers should identify and research [who you'll] want to speak with at the fair." Having what Graham refers to as "target organizations" will help attendees know how many resumes to bring as well as come up with questions to ask each company's representatives, he believes.

Keep It Short and Sweet

The best time to perfect your elevator pitch is prior to attending a job fair. Why? According to careers expert Graham, "Typically, job seekers will have about two to three minutes to spend talking to recruiters." Develop your brief pitch, which should, says Graham, summarize your interest in the organization along with your skills and relevant experience.

Just Say No to Swag

It's OK to accept a piece or two of swag, as promotional items are often called, particularly if a recruiter or company representative gives them to you. "Grabbing a handful of freebies teeters on appearing unprofessional and greedy." You want to look as though you are a potential employee rather than a "trick-or-treater, carting a bag of goodies from table to table," advises Graham, also the author of "Courting Your Career."

Pick a Card, Every Card

Every conversation you have should end with a request for each recruiter's business card. Business cards are vital tools as they give you each individual's contact information, including the proper spelling of everyone's name and title. This will prevent you from making careless errors in future communications. Graham states, "If a recruiter doesn't give you his or her business card, check with the career center to see whether the recruiter's contact information is already on file."

Contact Your New Contacts

Now that you've connected with recruiters, make sure you put their contact information to good use. Reach out to each within a few days of the career fair. Whatever method you use to reach out, says Graham, "It's important to reference the meeting at the fair." If you have notes that you took during the fair, use them to "remind [you] of key points to address in [your] follow up as well."

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What the Boss' Body Language Says

by Pat Mayfield, for Yahoo! HotJobs

Most employees pay attention to what the boss says, while the savvy employee also pays attention to how it is being said. Bosses can be good at using -- not just reading -- body language, which may be one of the reasons they got to be boss in the first place.

Often the body changes quickly if the boss likes or does not like what he saw or heard, or if she is uncomfortable in what she is saying to you. So watch closely -- it happens in a nanosecond!

Here are some ways to help interpret the boss' body language:

Body Stance and Posture

Positive:

* Physically on the same level (sitting or standing).

* Directly faces you.

* Comes into your office rather than just standing at the door.

* In a group, sits or stands close to you.

Negative:

* Does not face you directly.

* Stands and looks down on you. (Ever have a boss who never sits?)

* Places both hands on his hips to create a wingspan. (Even the big guys and gals who don't need more "space" may do this.)

* In groups, avoids you, sits with others, or does not introduce you.

Eyes, Head, and Face

Positive:

* Looks you directly in the eye.

* Muscles around the eye are relaxed.

* Facial muscles are relaxed. Lips are their normal size.

* Pleasant face and friendly smile.

Negative:

* Rapid eye movement, does not look at you; has a cold, glaring, staring, or glazed-over look.

* Blinks more than normal.

* Raises one eyebrow as if in disbelief or doubt.

* Facial muscles are tight; lips thin out.

* Jaw muscles and clenched, and temple or neck veins throb.

* Smile is stiff and forced.

Hands, Arms, and Gestures

Positive:

* Hands are in view, opened, calm.

* Arms are open (but may be crossed in a comfortable position).

Negative:

* Hands are not in sight -- in pockets, or under the table or desk.

* Hands (in sight) are closed or in a fist; fingers tightly clasped.

* Arms are tightly crossed (defensive or protective position).

* Points or wags his or her finger aggressively.

* Drums his or her fingers or fidgets nervously.

Remember, sometimes body language is not about you. Bosses have their own issues and you might just be in the line of fire. Observe many situations and look for consistency for the full story.

Pat Mayfield is the president of Pat Mayfield Consulting, LLC, based in San Francisco and Pleasanton, California. She specializes in sales and marketing solutions, working with companies of all sizes.

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Teamwork Tips to Make You an MVP at Work

by Doug White, Robert Half International


Whether you're on the playing field or huddled with coworkers in a pivotal meeting at the office, this old maxim holds true: There is no "I" in team.

Robert Half International recently asked senior executives to name the most critical characteristic of being a team player. Forty percent of respondents said "meeting deadlines" is vital to team play, while 25 percent believed avoiding office politics is of the utmost importance. "Is pleasant to work with" (20 percent) and "supports his or her manager" (13 percent) rounded out the list.

Become your office's Most Valuable Player (MVP) by keeping the following teamwork-related tips in mind.

Keep your eye on the ball.

Scrambling to wrap up your part of a group project as the clock winds down hurts both your team and your professional reputation. If you've been called for "delay of game" because of blown deadlines, it's time to develop a new strategy. Help yourself and your colleagues by identifying and prioritizing your most pressing demands each day. Then, avoid the urge to multitask and focus on tackling the assignments that have the biggest impact on team initiatives and the bottom line.

Punt the politics.

Gossip exists in nearly every workplace. But that doesn't mean you have to play the game. Rise above the fray by avoiding the rumormongers at the water cooler. While it can be beneficial to be aware of the political undercurrents at your organization, skip the mudslinging sessions in favor of open communication, respect and diplomacy.

Don't get into the blame game.

Nobody likes a Monday morning quarterback. If a colleague makes a mistake that affects the entire team, don't jump on the bandwagon. Instead, put your energy into helping correct the problem so that everyone can move forward. Moreover, when you fumble, be accountable for your actions and own up to the error.

Share the glory.

Play fair and give credit where it is due. If your manager singles you out for stellar work on a project, be sure to offer public kudos to those who helped you. There's no better way to build rapport, foster goodwill and gain allies than by honoring the unsung heroes in your group.

Finally, be willing to take one for the team. Whenever your schedule allows, score points by pitching in to assist overworked coworkers. By maintaining a can-do attitude and consistently going the extra mile for your teammates when they are being blitzed, you'll ensure there is no shortage of helping hands available when you need backup.

Robert Half International is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm with a global network of more than 350 offices throughout North America, South America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. For more information about our professional services, please visit www.rhi.com. For additional workplace articles and podcasts, visit www.workvine.com.

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Will an Advanced Degree Help Your Career?

by Doug White, Robert Half International


Do you miss the days of academic classroom discussions and all-night cram sessions? If so, you're not the only one who's thought about returning to school, either for personal enjoyment or to improve their career prospects.

But there are many factors to consider before re-enrolling. Ask yourself the questions below to help you decide.

Do I need another degree to advance in my field?

In certain lines of work -- social work, college teaching, and psychology, to name a few -- a master's degree or Ph.D. is essential. Finance and accounting professionals also typically need a master's in business administration (MBA) to be considered for senior roles.

But in other areas, the advantages of elevated academic credentials are less clear-cut. In these cases, an advanced degree makes for an attractive bullet point on a resume but is not required to move up to the highest echelons of the industry. As a guidepost, look at the educational backgrounds of leaders in your field and company.


If I don't need an advanced degree now, will it help me down the road?

An advanced degree may be unnecessary for the position you hold but could be extremely helpful when the time comes to target higher-level jobs or change careers.

Martin Hardrick, a designer at a Cincinnati-based landscape architecture firm and MBA candidate, says he's looking ahead. "My job function is very specialized, and I thought an advanced degree would help diversify my knowledge base," says Hardrick, who attends Northern Kentucky University. "I specifically chose to study business over a program related to my undergraduate studies in architecture and city planning because it would allow me to be more flexible in future career choices."

How will my education affect my finances?

An advanced degree can pay big dividends. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, adults with a master's, professional, or doctoral degree earned an average of $79,946 in 2005 (the most recent year for which data is available), while those with a bachelor's degree alone earned $54,689.

But don't assume an advanced degree is an automatic ticket to a larger paycheck or corner office. Corporate cultures vary. While some firms or managers highly value advanced degrees, others favor school-of-hard-knocks grads with more robust real-world experience.

Will my employer help foot the bill?

Pursuing an advanced degree isn't a small commitment, especially when it comes to finances. Depending on the institution, costs can rise above $100,000 when you factor in everything from tuition to textbooks. The good news is that some companies offer tuition reimbursement to retain top performers and groom future leaders. Other firms have affiliations with universities where employees can take courses at steep discounts.

Before approaching your employer about financing your education, do your homework and make a list of ways your academic endeavors will benefit your organization. For example, will you develop valuable skills that do not currently exist in your workplace?

If your employer doesn't offer financial assistance, consider asking for flexible scheduling options or requesting to attend industry conferences where you can expand your skill set.

Finally, if you return to school, remember these words of wisdom: "Having an advanced degree definitely garners you a certain degree of respect," says Jason Wilke, a marketing communications specialist, who received his master's from the University of South Florida in 2003. "But, ultimately, it boils down to how good you are at what you do."

Robert Half International is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm with a global network of more than 350 offices throughout North America, South America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. For more information about our professional services, please visit www.rhi.com. For additional workplace articles and podcasts, visit www.workvine.com.

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Pros and Cons of Working for Start-Ups

by Larry Buhl, for Yahoo! HotJobs


WANTED: Flexible self-starter to wear many hats. Must thrive on uncertainty. Low pay, no benefits, and may work nights and weekends. Exciting learning experience and huge growth potential (if the company succeeds).

Working for a start-up company takes a certain intestinal fortitude. You could end up being employee No. 2 of the next hot tech company, or you could end up job-hunting again in a few months. Fulfillment depends on how comfortable you are with risk and uncertainty, according to Penny Morey, founder and CEO of RemarkAbleHR.

Possible Rewards

Morey, who has consulted with many start-up companies, told Yahoo! HotJobs that job seekers should consider a small start-up if they want:

    * To see business ideas develop.
    * To contribute to those ideas and chart a course of action.
    * Collaboration with creative, enthusiastic professionals.
    * Changing demands and a flexible, changing, schedule.
    * Greater autonomy and authority.
    * A quick education in how a business works.
    * The potential for large financial rewards.

Don't Forget Downsides

Downsides, she said, involve frequent confusion about who is in charge of what, how to solve problems without precedents, and the possibility of working with founders "in over their heads" who may act unprofessionally. "Employees also can be overwhelmed by how much needs to be accomplished in the time available and may not know exactly where boundaries are on a daily basis," she said.

Plus, while you could get rich if the company takes off, one financial mistake can doom the company. "If you want to work for a start-up, you must be courageous and very, very flexible. Otherwise, stay in corporate America and be happy," she said.

Of Benefits and Boundaries

Suzanne, a corporate communications producer in Chicago, jumped at the chance to work for a seasoned husband-and-wife team when they started a company. At first she enjoyed the lack of corporate protocol and structure, but soon began to long for professional detachment.

"I ended up being part of their marriage," she said. "I worked out of their house, and when they fought with each other, I got sent to my room -- literally -- and there was no HR department to intervene."

Shawn Linnell, a Wisconsin distributor of tooling components, says his two employees benefit from scheduling flexibility and instant feedback in seeing the fruits of their efforts.

"The biggest downside is I can't offer benefits," he said. "Most small businesses can't, because they don't have economy of scale that comes from a large pool of employees."

What You Should Know

For a job seeker looking at a small start-up company, Morey suggests finding out:

• How long the top management team been in charge and how well they get along.
• The source of the company's funding and the projected growth.
• What a typical day is like.
• The plan to improve the benefits program.
• How employees progress in pay increases and whether there is a bonus or incentive pay program.

Some of those issues should be clarified even with a well-established employer, Morey added. "But with a start-up, often there is less in writing. Some may not even have a well-designed offer letter. So, if you don't ask for specifics, you may find yourself unpleasantly surprised once you are on board."

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Work, Interrupted: 6 Ways to Avoid Distractions

by Caroline Potter, Yahoo! HotJobs


Do you feel like you're always under the gun at work? Not getting enough done? It might not be your fault. Even if you're working 40-plus hours a week, you -- and most of your colleagues -- aren't spending all that time working.

What's behind this lack of productivity? Some of it may be blamed on inefficient management and poor communication as well as too many meetings. You may not have any control over these factors, but there are steps you can take to limit distractions, so that no one and nothing can interrupt you when you are trying to work.

Follow these suggestions from the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL), which surveyed senior executives to discover how they stay focused.

1. If you have a door, shut it.

Not everyone has an office with a door. In fact, now, many folks don't have offices, as open floor plans have gained favor in corporate America. But if you're lucky enough to have one, close it when you're trying to put your nose to the grindstone. If you don't want to be rude, post a small sign informing folks that you're on a deadline or an important call.

2. Budget your time (even your free time).

Have you ever wondered where the day went when you're leaving the office? If you make a careful schedule that accounts for all of your time and tasks -- free time, meetings, calls, and quiet work time -- you'll be more likely to accomplish what you need to each day. Also, you'll always know exactly where the day went and what went into it.

3. Put down your mobile device.

Constant but unscheduled phone calls and text messages are a common culprit when it comes to efficiency busters. Shut down your device or check it every hour or so, rather than keeping it at the ready when you're attempting to focus on a particular task.

4. Consider a change of scenery.

When you're under pressure to complete a project, you may want to take your show on the road if you can. Work from home or off-site -- anywhere you can truly devote yourself without the possibility of interruption. If working remotely isn't possible, find a conference room or vacant office to squat in so you can get things done.

5. Stop incessantly checking your email.

Remember the days before email? No one does. Today's professionals have become slaves to constantly checking their email. Take control of your inbox and limit how often you check on and address email to stay sane and focused on the job.

6. Off-hours are in.

If you're cursed with coworkers whose conversation you cannot resist, a phone that won't stop buzzing, or an email account that sees more incoming mail than the IRS on April 16, you may have to put in some time during off-hours. Try coming in earlier, staying later, or dropping by the offices on the weekend to get at work that's getting pushed aside. This may not be ideal, but it may be what you need to stay on top of your responsibilities and get to the top of the corporate ladder.

Corey Criswell, a research associate with CCL, also suggests wearing headphones, if you're permitted, as a fun way to tune out distractions, such as idle conversations. And, if you're truly engaged in something, avoid eye contact every time a colleague walks by your desk. "People will think that you are too busy to be interrupted," adds Criswell.

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A Good Impression Is in the Details

4 Presentation Hints for a Good Job Interview
by JoAnn Greco, for Yahoo! HotJobs


As the presidential candidates answer endless variations of the same questions in pursuit of the ultimate government job, we can't help but be reminded of our own often-torturous experiences on job interviews.

If, like the candidates, we could review our performances on tape, what might we see?


Watch and Listen to Yourself

"Verbal fillers are the No. 1 problem," says Randy Bitting, cofounder of InterviewStream, a Web-based service that gives job seekers the chance to tape and watch themselves in mock interviews.

"People are so used to texting and emailing in short phrases that they can get stuck putting together a few complete sentences," he observes. "It's better to opt for silence while you gather your thoughts, especially if you're nervous."

Of course, nervousness can also generate over-talking. "We have a bar running along the bottom of the screen as you're being recorded to mark the passage of time," Bitting says. "We strongly suggest that respondents limit their answers to two minutes, at most."

Watching yourself on tape is also a good way to monitor things like dress -- too much cleavage, too-short cuffs -- and gestures, Bitting adds. "People don't realize how many times they scratch their heads or flip their ties."

Maintain a Conversation

Mastering the art of presentation goes hand in hand with carefully packaging the content of what you want to get across. "The key idea is to remember that an interview is a two-way conversation designed to determine if there's a mutual fit," says Rob Sullivan, a Chicago-based career coach and author of "Getting Your Foot In The Door When You Haven't A Leg To Stand On."

A good formula, Sullivan continues, has you doing most of the talking for the first two-thirds of that conversation, and then ceding the floor to the interviewer. "That's your chance to ask lots of questions, which people tend to forget to do," he says.

Assemble a list of talking points and make sure you get through them, adds Sullivan. "If you realize that this person's asked you one standard question after the next -- What's your greatest weakness? Where do you see yourself in the next five years? -- look at your watch and say, 'I notice we're running out of time. There are a few things that I'd like to share with you. Is that OK?' Make their job easier for them."

Have Your Story Ready

It's at this point that you dazzle with your "story," as Sullivan calls it. That's different from the "elevator pitch," the 30-second encapsulation of who you are. "Your story is not about your sales records or your business generating prowess," Sullivan says.

Instead, ask yourself what's excited you in your career, what you've done on your own initiative, what's energized you? What stories can you relay that show your passion, initiative and resourcefulness?

"If you think about what's better because you were there, like in the movie 'It's A Wonderful Life,' you'll come up with some compelling anecdotes and you'll stand out," Sullivan says.

Skip the Scents

Just make sure the impression you leave is a good one. "It can't be said enough, but skip the perfume," Sullivan adds.

"This is not a date, and a lot of people are extremely sensitive to smell. If you give me a migraine headache, I'm not going to remember a word you said, and I'm not going to like you."

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Want Your Boss to See Your MySpace Page?

by Melanie London, Vault.com


The era of the social networking website is clearly upon us. An entire generation of people doesn't seem to think twice about sharing personal information and photos with the plugged-in planet. When it comes to employment, though, your willingness to share may cost you.

According to Vault.com's Social Networking Websites Survey, 44% of employers use sites like MySpace and Facebook to check out job candidates, and 39% have looked up the profile of a current employee. Profiles that reveal questionable behavior or attitudes can be harmful to job seekers, as 82% of employers say that something they perceive as negative on a profile would affect their hiring decisions. Despite these revealing statistics, only 57% of people with profiles take security measures, such as using the website's privacy controls or editing their profiles while in the midst of a job search.

As long as it's more important to you to land that dream job than to provide the world with photographic evidence of your win in last year's beer pong championship, remember these words: "This profile is set to private." If you're actively searching for a job, or if your resume is posted on an employment web site, be sure to utilize the privacy controls of any social networking sites you use.

The First Impression

Do you really want your online profile to make an impression before you can? It's becoming more and more common for hiring managers to use social networking web sites as a tool to whittle down the resume pile. If an HR exec logs on only to find coarse language and salacious shots, well, there's a good bet your resume will end up in the reject pile. Yes, it's fun to share borderline-scandalous profile content with friends, but why a potential employer? If it's NSFW ("not safe for work"), then it's NSF your non-private profile.

Personal Preferences

Revealing your affiliations and likes/dislikes can leave you open to someone else's biases. From your political party to even seemingly harmless information like your favorite movies or the last book you've read, these stated preferences could mean the difference between you and someone else getting the job. Isn't it safer to just keep this information private? You may feel that you wouldn't want to work for a company where someone would judge you based on such things, but in a close race, it may be easier for a hiring manager to align with a fellow oboe enthusiast than a candidate with whom he or she has no common interests. Get the job first; then reveal your love of Celine Dion.

Postings from Friends

Social networking site profiles are all about "friends." How many do you have? Who knows who? And what is everyone doing at every possible moment? Ask yourself, "Is it safe to let potential employers see what my friends are posting to my profile?" In high school, people judged you by who you hung out with; sad as it is, the same goes for social networking web sites.

Picture and Screen Name

So you've taken this all to heart, and you're about to set your profile to private -- great job! But don't neglect your photo and screen name. Resist the urge to choose a too-cutesy name and/or an excessively silly or revealing picture to represent yourself to the world at large. No matter how tempting it may be to call yourself Divalicious08, it doesn't exactly give off an aura of professionalism.

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What to Do When Your New Job Is a Nightmare

by Caroline Potter, Yahoo! HotJobs

You just started a new job. It's like a dream come true -- except when it's not. What's a professional to do when she accepts a job that seems like a living nightmare? Read on for solutions and advice from a career coach.

1. Assess the Situation (and Yourself)

There are a lot of different reasons why your new job may seem less than ideal. Perhaps your boss is a micromanager. Maybe your duties are different than what you'd thought they'd be. Or a client may have jumped ship, leaving you and your coworkers suddenly scrambling. Consider what's making you miserable before taking any kind of action.

Lynn Berger, a Manhattan-based career coach and counselor, agrees. "I think you have to really scope it out." She urges her clients, "See if there's any way you can take any self-responsibility for this. Also, ask yourself, is there a way you can grow from this? Maybe you've never worked for a boss with a particular personality type, but you may be able to deal with it over time and learn from it."

2. Open a Dialogue

If your supervisor seems happy with your performance while you're not happy in the position, it may be very easy to start a conversation about what's making you miserable. She may be willing to shift your responsibilities or provide you with additional support.

If your boss seems displeased, it can be a bit more difficult, says Berger, a member of the International Coach Federation. "You've still got to open a dialogue, and the earlier the better." She urges dissatisfied employees to talk to management, saying, "Get clear on what you need from them and what they need from you."

Are you without the proper tools and support to do your job? "Throw it out there to your boss and see if he will help. You have to let people know what you need," advises Berger, a graduate of Columbia University.

If you can't talk to your boss because she's the root of your problem, Berger says, "Check it out with other people you work with. Watch how they're handling this person. And if you find out from coworkers that everyone else who's had this position has been out of there in three months, that could be very revealing."

3. Patience Is a Virtue

When Berger works with clients who fear they've made a mistake in accepting a new job, she reminds them, "It takes three to six months until you're comfortable in a new job. There are going to be growing pains, especially if you haven't started a new job in a long time."

New job starters, she says, should be prepared for a bit of anxiety as they roll up their sleeves and dig in to a new position. "It's overwhelming! You're going to be exhausted and you need to give yourself room around that."

While you're ramping up, "Observe as much as you can and not only learn the job, but learn about the company and the way it works, the way things are done," she says. That can go a long way in helping you feel more comfortable.

4. If You Leave...

Do you still feel like you have to leave? Berger tells workers to ask themselves, "Is this a perceived nightmare or a real nightmare? If you're a victim of verbal or physical abuse at work, no one should have to live that way."

However, even if you're not subjected to those horrors, you may still feel as though you're in a nightmarish situation. If you feel you've given it time and your best efforts, you may choose to move on. "No one should feel tortured or sick over a job," concedes Berger.

When looking for another position, you can explain your brief time in this job by saying, "I realized early on this wasn't the right situation." Berger says that job seekers should make the experience seem as positive as they can. Also, she wants professionals to learn from their mistakes. Before accepting another offer, "Ask questions. Visit the company a few times. Speak with employees there. Make sure you understand the full scope of the position and what the day-to-day will be like."

"You never want to regret that you walked away from an opportunity too quickly," Berger says. "As long as you know you gave it your best shot and tried, that's what really counts."

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4 Career Risks Worth Trying

by Denene Brox, for Yahoo! HotJobs

Taking calculated risks in your career can help you reach your goals. Below are some of the common career risks that you may grapple with, and how to weigh your options.

RISK: Going Back to School

Making the financial and time commitment to go back to school for an advanced degree or certification can feel overwhelming. Factoring into the equation family responsibilities or not being able to quit your job to focus on school can make furthering your education feel like a heavier burden.

Weighing your options: "First you need to know your end goal and what you are trying to achieve by going back to school, such as a raise or changing career paths," advises career coach Hallie Crawford. "Next, determine if going back to school helps you achieve this goal by talking to your boss and mentors. In some fields an advanced degree matters, in others it really doesn't."

RISK: Changing Careers

So many people hate their jobs yet toil away daily because sticking with the familiar feels safe. There are a number of reasons why people are unhappy on the job, including being in a profession that does not utilize their passions and interests.

Weighing your options: With increased company layoffs, no one is immune to losing a job. Finding work that you love should be a priority in your career. Mitigate the risk of career change by doing research before you make the leap so that you'll know what to expect from your new career in terms of salary ranges, and what the work is really like.

"There's always some amount of risk, but if you are truly unhappy the risk is worth it," says Crawford.

RISK: Saying 'No' to Added Responsibility

If your boss is saddling you with more responsibility with a project or promotion, be sure you understand exactly what that will mean for your success. Not all promotions are created equal, and you can quickly become the office doormat if you constantly take on projects that may not have high enough visibility to move your career forward.

Weighing your options: Saying no to more money or recognition is often hard to justify. Your friends, family, and colleagues may think you're crazy for passing up a promotion. But you have to follow your gut instincts. In weighing your options, ask yourself if this project or promotion will really move your forward.

RISK: Starting a Business

More people are going into business for themselves than ever before. Many dream of being their own boss but find the risk of giving up a regular paycheck, health insurance, and retirement accounts too high.

Weighing your options: Do your research (including health care options), save money, and build contacts in your industry while you're still working in your current job.

"Business ownership is a risk and it's not for the faint of heart," says business coach Dresdene Flynn-White. "However, the risks can be mitigated by financial and mental preparation. If someone wants to learn about business ownership, they should work part time in a small business to get that reality check."

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10 Hot Jobs That Start at $50K+

by Cherie Berkley, PayScale.com


You may be the new kid on the job block, but that doesn't mean your salary has to start low on the totem pole. The PayScale.com Salary Survey identified an array of exciting jobs that pay a total compensation close to or above an impressive $50,000 per year right from the start.

Here is a list of 10 hot professions that show you the money.


1. Investment Banking Analyst. If you are good with numbers and solving real-world problems, this job pays handsomely in the early years and has strong long-term earning potential.
Typical Starting Salary: $59,084


2. Business Analyst, Computer Software. Data mining is a new and hot field with strong career potential. Normally used by financial institutions such as banks, data miners sort through vast amounts of information that help companies make the best use of the information in their data warehouses. Master's degrees in computer science, physics, or statistics are usually required.
Typical Starting Salary: $50,727


3. Forensic Computer Analyst. Computer forensics is the analysis of information contained within and created with computer systems and computing devices. These analysts investigate causes of computer meltdowns, who has misused a computer system, or how someone committed a crime. These professionals are quite popular in white-collar criminal investigations.
Typical Starting Salary: $51,852

4. Junior Associate Attorney. The financial scales of justice certainly tip toward the side of the average attorney. And just after five years experience the average salary jumps to $89,210. Depending on the field of specialty, the long-term earning potential is almost limitless. Big-shot lawyers like former Sen. John Edwards (malpractice) and celebrity criminal defense attorney Mark Gerago have cleaned up millions in their careers.
Typical Starting Salary: $52,678

5. Physical Therapist. If anatomy is your thing, physical therapy may be your path to greener pastures. PTs can even specialize in areas such as hand or back therapy to boost their marketability -- and salary potential.
Typical Starting Salary: $52,573


6. Nurse Practitioner (ARNP). Nursing opportunities never seem to go out of style, and neither does demand in this area. If a doctor cannot squeeze you in for an appointment, chances are there is a nurse practitioner standing by in his place. While nurse practitioners don't command the big bucks that physicians do, their services certainly don't come cheap.
Typical Starting Salary: $67,166

7. Electrical Engineer. It is easy to do the math on how marketable engineers are. Companies dig deep to lure young electrical engineers and other subspecialties across the board. Electrical engineers focus on using electricity to transmit energy. Payscale.com shows that experienced electrical engineers earn an average of $81,078.
Typical Starting Salary: $54,401


8. Software Engineer. Software engineers design, write, and test computer programs. Computer networking and information technology are hot fields that are here to stay.
Typical Starting Salary: $56,795

9. Pharmaceutical Sales Representative. You don't have to be a physician or even science major to make big bucks in medicine. Just about anyone with a college degree and a killer personality can be trained in pharmaceutical sales. These professionals make sales calls to doctors' offices hoping to convince the doctors to prescribe the latest drugs made by the pharmaceutical company they represent. Seasoned pros can make six-figure salaries in this field.
Typical Starting Salary: $51,104

10. Veterinarian. Do you love animals? Veterinarians can combine a passion for their warm, furry friends with great earning power. With growing animal research and interest in pet care, veterinarian medicine is bound to be a popular profession for years to come.
Typical Starting Salary: $59,084

No matter what your skill, passion, or personality, the job market offers numerous professions that also have above-average starting salaries. Just keep your eyes open and reach for the green.

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5 Bad Excuses for Calling in Sick

by Roberta Chinsky Matuson, for Yahoo! HotJobs


At some point in time it happens to the best of us. We become disengaged with our jobs, boss or just life in general. Getting out of bed and making it to work feels like a job unto itself, and you wonder, "Why bother?"

Here are five bad excuses for giving in to the call-in-sick urge:

1. Your job is boring, and you no longer feel challenged.

Would you still feel like staying home if you were doing something to change the direction of your life? Maybe you chose not to return to school to finish your degree, so you have limited options. It is never too late to return to school. You can go part-time, full-time and even just weekends. There is also an entire world of online courses that knows no borders.

2. You work for a terrible manager.

You are not alone. According to a recent Gallup Management Journal (GMJ) survey of U.S. employees, nearly one-quarter of U.S. employees (24%) would fire their bosses if given the chance. And as many as 51% of actively disengaged workers would get rid if their leader if they could. The odds are pretty high that if you left your company because of your boss, you would encounter a similar situation at your next place of employment. Do your job well, and it will not be long before you are promoted out from under this person.

3. You are unable to meet tomorrow's project deadline.

Most likely you knew days ago this would happen. It may feel better to hide under the covers, but others are counting on you to complete your part of the project. Show up at your desk and ask your boss or other team members for assistance. Try and do a better job of planning, so you can avoid this from happening again.

4. You would rather be golfing.

Who wouldn't? Unless you are working for Callaway Golf Company, you are not being paid to be on the links. If you set your alarm for an early wake-up and get your work done, you will have plenty of time to play the back nine holes before the sun sets on the horizon.

5. You arrived home an hour before the start of the work day.

Poor "time management" on your part should not result in other people picking up your slack. Put on a pot of coffee, eat something healthy, and take a shower. It is your responsibility to show up for work.

If you are increasingly feeling the need to call in sick, then it may be time for a checkup. Schedule time off so you can reflect on the parts of your life that are no longer working. Think about what you can do today to cure whatever is ailing you.

Copyright 2008 Human Resource Solutions. All rights reserved.

Roberta Chinsky Matuson is the President of Human Resource Solutions and has been helping companies align their people assets with their business goals. Visit Roberta's new blog on Generation Integration or contact her at roberta@yourhrexperts.com.

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How to Deliver Unpleasant News at Work

by Marc Hertz, Robert Half International

You've known about an important project -- and its Monday morning deadline -- all week. But figuring it would be easy to complete, you didn't start on the assignment until Friday. Then, you realize the information you need will take a couple of days to track down, and there's no way everything will be done in time. Now, you have to explain what happened to your boss.

While it is tempting to use evasive tactics when conveying bad news, there are a number of downsides to only presenting the upside. These include potentially harming your professional reputation, losing your manager's trust or missing out on support that might have helped you resolve the situation. It goes without saying that honesty is always the best policy.

Following are suggestions on when and how to deliver unsavory news to your boss.

Early is best. Receiving bad news is, well, bad enough for a manager. But learning that your staff member has known about a problem and not told you about it for weeks can be infuriating. So don't delay telling your manager that you can't find the necessary figures for a report due tomorrow, for instance. It's best to let him or her know as soon as possible -- postponing the discussion is likely to make things worse, not better.

Bad news should come from you. If you don't immediately deliver the unpleasant news to your manager, you can trust that someone else will. If the bearer of bad news, for example, is an important customer who was less than pleased with how you handled a request, your boss will be extremely unhappy about being surprised and unprepared for the customer's call. In addition, your manager is much less likely to be sympathetic to your explanation if he or she had to hear the news from a third party.

Deliver the news in person, if possible. Don't send your manager an e-mail telling him or her that you mistakenly deleted a voice mail from a client detailing extensive last-minute changes to a contract. E-mail doesn't allow your boss to ask questions or you to fully explain how and why the incident occurred. It is much better to ask for an in-person meeting and stress that you need to speak to him or her right away.

Be direct (and don't make excuses). Once you're in your manager's office, avoid over-dramatizing the event; your boss doesn't want a list of reasons you believe the error was not your fault. Likewise, don't downplay a big mistake -- such as attaching the wrong file to an e-mail that was sent to a large distribution list. Acknowledge the problem, apologize to the affected parties and work with your manager on not only a solution but also a strategy for ensuring a similar incident does not occur again.

While all of these tactics are useful if you have bad news to deliver, it's best to avoid the need for this type of conversation in the first place. One way to do so is to ask questions -- of your manager, coworkers, and clients -- from the beginning of a project. When in doubt, it's better to request clarity than to have to come to your manager later about a problem.

Obviously, you cannot avoid all mistakes or mishaps at work. However, by delivering unpleasant news immediately and in person, you'll spend less time on the firing line and more on the production line.

Robert Half International is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm with a global network of more than 360 offices throughout North America, South America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. For additional workplace articles and podcasts, visit workvine.com.

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5 Lifestyle Activities That Can Get You Fired

by Larry Buhl, for Yahoo! HotJobs


Can having a bacon double cheeseburger and a cigarette put your job at risk? Maybe. It may sound surprising, but many off-the-job actions and lifestyles could put your job in jeopardy.

Fair Game?

Employment experts point out five key areas that a company may scrutinize:

    * Smoking, drinking, and overeating. Due to the cost of health insurance, more and more employers view "unhealthy" habits as a threat to their bottom line.
    * Risky behavior. Likewise, a company might see your bungee jumping hobby as a liability.
    * Speech. Will your employer consider your blogging to be destructive griping?
    * Romantic relationships. Dating someone at a competitor's company has landed employees in hot water. And some employers might take issue with unmarried coupling or even same-sex relationships (federal law doesn't protect employees from discrimination based on real or perceived sexual orientation).
    * Political activity. Volunteering for Obama could be trouble if you have a pro-McCain boss, and vice versa.

Job- or industry-specific behaviors can lead to termination as well. A Ford worker who drives a Toyota is probably safe -- unless he or she is president of Ford. But a bank employee who bounces a personal check could get the boot.

Cause or Just Because

If these reasons for termination seem unfair, they must be illegal, right? Not necessarily. Just because most employers don't let valued employees loose for off-the-job activities and lifestyles, doesn't mean they can't.

"Most workers in the private sector don't understand that, unless they live in Montana and Arizona, their job is at-will," Paul Secunda, an assistant professor of law at the University of Mississippi, told Yahoo! HotJobs. "At-will means an employee can be fired for good cause or no cause at all," Secunda said.

Federal job protections include gender, race, religion, and national origin, as well as disability. "Some state laws forbid discrimination on other bases, including sexual orientation, or status as a smoker," said Rick Bales, a professor at Northern Kentucky University/Chase College of Law. Smokers in the tobacco-growing state of Kentucky, for example, are safe from termination, he said.

Don't Be Fooled

Although union members and public sector (government) workers generally have more protections, employees in the private sector -- the bulk of the U.S. workforce -- can be fired at any time, and usually without recourse.

"Unless you were fired because you are a member of a protected class under federal law, or under another state statute, it's likely not illegal," said Kimberly Malerba, an associate who litigates employment cases with Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, P.C., a law firm on Long Island, New York.

The good news is that most companies don't go out of their way to snoop into employees' lives, Malerba told Yahoo HotJobs. "A company is most concerned with (off-the-job) behaviors that directly conflict with business interests."

5 Tips to Consider

Legal experts have advice for protecting your job from unexpected dangers:

    * Understand the concept of at-will employment. Don't assume that termination must be illegal just because you think it was unfair.
    * Be fully aware of your company's policies and terms of employment. Read the employee handbook, and ask HR if you have any questions.
    * Be familiar with the company's internal dispute mechanisms (if any) for filing grievances.
    * Think before you act. Could your employer see your actions off the job as potentially destructive to the company?
    * Don't disclose. "You don't have to disclose lifestyle choices or off-the-clock activities unless there is a clear link to your ability to perform the job," Secunda said.

"My general advice is, don't do anything on your own time that, if reported in the local paper, would reflect poorly on you or your employer," Bales told Yahoo! HotJobs.

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Don't Panic: The Right Job Is Just Around the Corner

by Caroline Potter, Yahoo! HotJobs


Fuel prices are up. Food prices, too. And don't forget foreclosures. The U.S. is still at war and unemployment has reached 5.5%. It's the real-life equivalent of "Lions and tigers and bears!" But, oh my, does a job seeker really have to think the worst is yet to come -- if it isn't already here?

Nah!

Don't focus too much on the bad news. There's plenty of good news -- and good jobs -- out there.

John Challenger, CEO of Challenger, Gray & Christmas, the nation's first, oldest, and premier outplacement consulting organization, points out, "There's no reason to start panicking. Jobs are opening up all the time." And while the economy is a bit sluggish as of late, Challenger says, "You can't think of the job market as too monolithic. A number of industries out there are doing very well currently. Health care, energy, international business, agriculture, and commodities are thriving."

Health care, sales, and technology are among the categories with the most job listings on Yahoo! HotJobs, and each have enjoyed the biggest category growth from March to April this year.

Whatever the economic climate, you can use these four strategies to maximize your opportunities:

Rely on Research

Outplacement and job-market expert Challenger recommends that job seekers do their due diligence. "What's going in the economy? What's going on in my market? Where are the companies that are hiring? Research all this on Yahoo! Finance and see who's doing well in the market and position your next job search around companies that are in growth mode right now."

However, even if an organization's numbers are down, he reminds professionals, "Don't give up on a company that's doing poorly. Troubled companies need good people to solve their problems."

Think Positive

Janet White, author of "Secrets of the Hidden Job Market: Change Your Thinking to Get the Job of Your Dreams" and founder of jobmarketsecrets.com, thinks workers should stop reading the headlines. "Don't buy it," she says. If you begin your job search with the wrong mindset, it may not go right.

"Avoid falling into the mindset that it's tough out there, there's a lot of competition, and not enough opportunity for you," White says. "Imagine yourself being in the job you want. Hold the vision of having it -- go back to daydreaming about it. Whatever you believe to be true becomes your experience. You can believe that it's hard or you can believe that you can have the job of your dreams."

Don't Blame the Economy Alone

Are you flying blind or do you have a solid job search strategy? Susan D. Strayer, author of "The Right Job Right Now: The Complete Toolkit for Finding Your Perfect Career," says, "One of the things I always see when there is an economic downturn is that job seekers tend to be lazy in their searches and blame it on the economy. People are sending out hundreds of untargeted resumes -- whether it's a bad economy or a good economy. That's not a good strategy."

Strayer, an HR executive and career coach, counsels her clients, "You have to focus on your search strategies. And conversations are the biggest piece of that. You need to find advocates within a company." Start reaching out to your network to find these folks and talk to them. She believes insiders can not only help you tailor your resume and approach, "They can also give you a real state of the union -- letting you know which divisions are and aren't doing well and which vacant positions are on hold."

While she, like Challenger, believes there are certain industries you can't be optimistic about, she reminds job seekers, "You should always be optimistic about your search."

Market Yourself (in Any Market)

The experts at Yahoo! HotJobs remind job seekers, "Although we are seeing unemployment rise and the economy somewhat weaken, there will always be jobs available for those who are determined to find the right fit. But it's important to remember that looking for a job is all about marketing yourself."

The best strategy for positioning yourself as the most attractive candidate starts with a tight resume. Also, there are jobs lurking around every corner, but you won't find them unless you network.

Finally, make full use of the array of tools available on Yahoo! HotJobs to enhance your efforts. Resume and interview tips, online search agents, and job recommendation services are just a few of the features that can help you find work fast.

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