After you’ve been working for 20 years or more, it’s natural to assume that you know how to manage your career. However, a study by Harvard Business Review found that mid-career professionals that feel stuck need help to avoid being undervalued and overworked. The researchers found that professionals between the ages of 40 and 48 were the group most likely to make work decisions that led to less-than-successful outcomes. This was partly due to the pressures of keeping up with daily demands …

What happens when your job performance is outstanding, but your field is on life support? If you’re a print journalist or a telephone operator you may feel uncertain about your future. Working in a declining industry can make it difficult to earn a living and limit your opportunities. While different kinds of businesses have come and gone throughout history, the pace is picking up. A recent study by the employment website CareerBuilder found that 121 occupations in the U.S. are expected …

You know that networking is vital for your career, but you may still be hesitant to attend networking events. Maybe you’ve had your share of expensive conferences that seemed like a waste of time. Maybe you’re wondering if LinkedIn and other social media are enough on their own. The truth is that face to face communications still carry more weight than emails and texts. Plus, events can be an efficient way to meet a large number of potential contacts in a short time. Come home …

What is the temperature of your personal network? Cold? Warm? Hot? If you only reach out to your contacts when you’re looking for a job, you may be disappointed with the results. It’s easy to get busy with other things and realize you’ve fallen out of touch with important colleagues. However, it’s natural for your contacts to be less than enthusiastic if they only hear from you when you’re asking for a favor. Regular communication will strengthen your relationships, and there are steps …

Networking is especially urgent when you’re out of work. However, that can also be the most difficult time to try to stay connected. You may feel uncomfortable discussing your situation, and you probably lack the money for expensive conferences and business lunches.There are many ways to maintain and strengthen your professional network without shaking your confidence or draining your bank account. Try these ideas for reaching out to those who can help you advance your career.Preparing to Network When You’re …

There’s some truth to the adage that the more time you spend looking for work, the shorter your job search will be. With that in mind, you might want to avoid taking 2 days off each week while you’re waiting for business to resume on Monday morning. Fortunately, there are worthwhile things you can do on the weekend that will help you land your next position sooner. Start with these 3 strategies suitable for Saturdays and Sundays. Networking on Weekends: Networking is one …

It’s no secret that many people are unhappy with their jobs. A recent study by Gallup found that only 13% of workers worldwide are engaged in their work. Without a doubt, most people are not passionate about their jobs. So how can you find work you love? And once you identify it, how can you build a career around it? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to these questions, but you can do a few things to increase your chances of finding work …

As more studies show that emotional intelligence improves employee productivity and job performance, it becomes a more coveted skill in the office. Emotional intelligence is when you can understand the emotions of yourself and others and manage your feelings well. Undoubtedly, it shows a healthy balance between intelligence and self-awareness. Emotional intelligence is an important asset. Studies have shown that emotional intelligence training improves employee productivity. However, that may be because emotional intelligence reflects an ability to make better decisions, problem-solving skills, …

Having a rewarding career depends upon pursuing your vision of professional success. Otherwise, you are likely to spend your days trying to live up to the expectations of others or mindlessly drifting from one job to the next. Of course, success itself means different things to different people. For some, earning more money and climbing the corporate ladder is a matter. For others, it is more about stretching their skills and contributing to society.  Make your work life more satisfying and build …

Social media is all the rage. Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and more seem everywhere. In social media like these, we get constant updates about the relevant and not-so-relevant aspects of everyone’s lives. Here, we’ll consider a practical application of social media: finding your next job. Social media gives you great tools for sharing information electronically with a potentially huge audience.  Try these strategies to help you land a great job: Focus your attention on people instead of companies. For instance, if you’re interested …