The Art of the Informational Interview

Posted on 20 November 2008

Just imagine: You go to the employer of your choice, you ask key questions, but you don’t ask them directly for a job. That’s called an “informational interview,” and it is a terrific job search tactic. It can provide you with advice, industry information, and key contacts–perhaps even that top position you secretly covet.
“While one [...]

Growing demand for data storage professionals.

Posted on 19 November 2008

As the paper trail has evolved into the digital highway, computer storage capacity has also increased. Today’s computer users can store mountains of information that would have previously required a roomful of equipment.
Consider that in 1980, it took a fleet of refrigerator-sized devices to store 60 gigabytes of information. By 1990, one small refrigerator-sized [...]

The Employment Contract: What first-time jobseekers need to know

Posted on 19 November 2008

Congratulations! You just accepted the job of your dreams with the most dynamic company in your field. Before you adorn your desk with a picture of your beloved Siamese or participate in your first water cooler conversation, you may be asked to sign an employment contract. Employment contracts used to be reserved for high-level employees–presidents, [...]

Financial Aid for Wounded Workers

Posted on 18 November 2008

Instead of sending Uncle Sam your money this year, you could be getting a big check from him–every two weeks. The taxman is hiring now, and hiring big. Between 1,000 and 2,000 professional employees will be hired. Anyone interested in working as an Internal Revenue agent, criminal investigator, revenue officer, tax specialist, resolution representative, or [...]

Study your objectives carefully before accepting an unpaid internship

Posted on 18 November 2008

Interning–otherwise known as the modern equivalent to slave labor–can be the most rewarding way for young students or recent grads to gain experience in a particular field. At least, that’s what the experts say. But these experts aren’t the ones sorting, collating, or filing. At what point does your intern experience fail to become its [...]

Tax Prep 101

Posted on 17 November 2008

You sweat over the instructions, hope to God you’re filling out the forms correctly, and then top the day off with a late-night dash to the post office. Yes, it’s Tax Day, that annual spring ritual. And most of us consider it both a civic responsibility and a pain in the neck.
Nothing will ever make [...]

Money Stress May Tax Your Health

Posted on 16 November 2008

The stress of tax season is nothing more than one big headache for millions of Americans–quite literally. Tax time brings on added stress, and many of us need to take precautions to avoid serious headaches. According to the National Headache Foundation, an organization dedicated to funding research and various treatment options, stress is one of [...]

The Recession Battle Plan

Posted on 16 November 2008

It’s recession time again. Or maybe this isn’t a recession, but something quite like it–call it a “slowdown.”
Whatever it is, in the last two weeks, two of my closest pals have been laid off, and that ain’t good. Both of them are in agony. More will be if things go the way they’re going. This [...]

See more articles in the archive

Advice

Tax Prep 101

Posted on 17 November 2008

You sweat over the instructions, hope to God you’re filling out the forms correctly, and then top the day off with a late-night dash to the post office. Yes, it’s Tax Day, that annual spring ritual. And most of us consider it both a civic responsibility and a pain in the neck.
Nothing will ever make [...]

Career

The Art of the Informational Interview

Posted on 20 November 2008

Just imagine: You go to the employer of your choice, you ask key questions, but you don’t ask them directly for a job. That’s called an “informational interview,” and it is a terrific job search tactic. It can provide you with advice, industry information, and key contacts–perhaps even that top position you secretly covet.
“While one [...]

College

College in 2020: Have You Started Saving?

Posted on 02 November 2008

It can be hard to fathom your little child will one day grow up and need to pay for college. If you don’t want them saddled with school loans, then you’ll need to plan ahead. Here are some tips for maximizing college savings plans, such as Upromise (www.upromise.com) and Babymint (www.babymint.com).
Sign Up & Earn
If [...]

Education

Is Online Learning Right For You?

Posted on 27 October 2008

E-learning has been touted as the easiest, fastest way to get a degree. However, does it really live up to the hype? Will taking online courses help you advance in the workplace? Many people think e-learning is the way to boost their resumes and paychecks. Recent statistics show that more than [...]

Grad School

Timing is Everything

Posted on 27 August 2008

The phrase “a year off” passes through the lips of almost every graduate considering grad school, at one point or another. What’s the right choice for you?
There is a fog that generally hangs over many a recent grad, resulting from the need to take that first real step after 16+ years of preparative schooling. Some [...]

Graduation

Divorced Parents and Graduation

Posted on 29 October 2008

Ahhh, graduation . . . a time to celebrate success and hope for the future with family and friends. The chance to be the center of attention, to be lavished with gifts and words of praise and encouragement. At least in theory.
Unfortunately, the reality is that, like other momentous [...]

Job Hunting

You might find a law enforcement career arresting

Posted on 20 November 2008

Kids pretend to be them; every other television show is about them. They are overworked and underappreciated; still, more people than ever are applying to become law enforcement officers.
Getting in isn’t easy. Besides requiring rigorous mental and physical training, law enforcement has one of the lowest turnover rates of any career. But law enforcement [...]

Life

Financial Aid for Wounded Workers

Posted on 18 November 2008

Instead of sending Uncle Sam your money this year, you could be getting a big check from him–every two weeks. The taxman is hiring now, and hiring big. Between 1,000 and 2,000 professional employees will be hired. Anyone interested in working as an Internal Revenue agent, criminal investigator, revenue officer, tax specialist, resolution representative, or [...]

Travel

Demystifying Adventure Travel

Posted on 29 September 2008

The term adventure travel gets tossed around so much these days, it’s in danger of becoming a cliche. But what exactly is it? Luckily, you don’t have to go careening down a 540-foot drop on snow skis, brave the oxygen-deprived elevations of Nepal’s Mt. Everest or risk your life rafting the roughest passage of the [...]

Student

Study your objectives carefully before accepting an unpaid internship

Posted on 18 November 2008

Interning–otherwise known as the modern equivalent to slave labor–can be the most rewarding way for young students or recent grads to gain experience in a particular field. At least, that’s what the experts say. But these experts aren’t the ones sorting, collating, or filing. At what point does your intern experience fail to become its [...]

Working & Family

Working Off the Clock

Posted on 05 November 2008

Taking Stock in Your Career
For those working toward a clearly defined goal, overtime can be an investment in future wealth and security. “Ask yourself, ‘What do I want in terms of my own career path?’” says Texas rail industry recruiter Edna Rice, who has owned her own business since 1988. “If you envision yourself as [...]