Career Resources and Advice for Experienced Workers

Although there are signs the economy is healing, there are still 15.3 million unemployed workers in America according to the most recent BLS data. Among those unemployed, the number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks and over) continued to trend up, reaching 6.1 million in December 2009. That means 4-in-10 unemployed workers have been jobless for 6 months or longer.

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When you really want to — need to — work, is there anything worse than being unemployed? How about being long-term unemployed.

The number of long-term unemployed  people (those jobless for 27 weeks and over) grew to 6.1 million in December 2009, according to the most recent BLS data. That means that four-in-ten unemployed workers were jobless for 27 weeks or longer. That’s means of all the people who are unemployed in the United States, 40% of them have been looking for work for six months or longer. Looking at those staggering numbers, it’s not difficult to see why so many people are getting desperate or simply giving up on their searches.

A word of caution: While you might be willing and able to do just about any job, it unfortunately could backfire on you if you admit this to employers or are constantly hammering your contacts for leads. Watch this video from CareerBuilderTV to learn more.

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How many times a day do you say to yourself, “I like what I do, but not where I work?” Or the opposite, “I like where I work, but not what I do?”

The current economy has kept many employees stationed for the past couple of years, not because they love what they do — but because they are too scared to pursue other opportunities. But, according to a recent Gallup Poll, 71 percent of employees feel disengaged from their jobs. So what should you do? Continue to stay in a job where you are unhappy? Or start looking for somewhere where you’ll be happier? (more…)

By Rachel Zupek, PrimeCB.com writer

You don’t understand. You updated your résumé, you’re applying to jobs every day, you’ve cleaned up your digital dirt and you network every day. Yet here you still are on the unemployment list. What is wrong with employers?

Unfortunately, many job seekers don’t stop to consider that the problem might not be employers but themselves.

It’s a hard concept that most job seekers have trouble wrapping their heads around, but applicants frequently (and inadvertently) display signs that tell an employer that they’re not the best fit for the job.

According to a 2009 CareerBuilder survey, 47 percent of employers said that finding qualified applicants is their biggest hiring challenge. When asked to identify the most valuable characteristics in new hires, employers cited multitasking, initiative and creative problem-solving.

Do you lack what employers want? Yes, there are fewer jobs and there is more competition, but are you doing everything you can? Here are 10 reasons why employers might have passed you by.

1. You lie
Any lies you tell in your job search, whether on your résumé or in an interview, will come back to haunt you. In a 2008 CareerBuilder survey, 49 percent of hiring managers reported they caught a candidate lying on his or her résumé; of those employers, 57 percent said they automatically dismissed the applicant. Everything you tell an employer can be discovered, so it behooves you to be honest from the get-go. If you’re concerned about something in your past, invention is not the answer. Use your cover letter to tell your story, focusing on your strengths and accomplishments and explaining any areas of concern if needed.

2. You have a potty mouth
It’s certainly tempting to tell anyone who will listen how big of a (insert expletive here) your current boss is, but a hiring manager for a new job is not that person. A 2009 CareerBuilder survey showed that 44 percent of employers said that talking negatively about current or previous employers was one of the most detrimental mistakes a candidate can make. Find a way to turn those negative things job into positives. If you can’t get along with your co-workers, for example, tell the prospective employer that you’re looking for a work environment where you feel like you’re part of a team and your current position doesn’t allow for that kind of atmosphere.

3. You don’t show long-term potential
Employers want people in their organization to work their way up, so it’s best to show that you want to and can grow with the company. If you were asked where you see yourself in five years and you gave an answer that wasn’t related to the position or company you’re interviewing with, kiss your chances goodbye. Ask questions like, “What type of career movement do you envision for the most successful candidate in this role?” It shows that you have envisioned your future at the company.

4. You have serious digital dirt
Social networking sites and online searches are the newest way that many employers are checking up on prospective hires. A 2009 CareerBuilder survey showed that 45 percent of employers use social networking sites to research candidates. Thirty-five percent of those employers found content that caused them to dismiss the candidate. Make sure to remove any photos, content or links that can work against you in an employer’s eyes.

5. You don’t know … well, anything
In two separate 2009 CareerBuilder surveys, 58 percent of employers said that coming to the interview with no knowledge of the company was a turnoff, and 49 percent said that not asking good questions cost candidates a job offer. Plain and simple, do your homework before an interview. Explore the company online, prepare answers to questions and have someone give you a mock interview. The more prepared you are, the more employers will take you seriously.

6. You acted bored, cocky or disinterested
A little enthusiasm never hurt anyone, especially when it comes to a potential new job. Forty-five percent of employers in a 2009 CareerBuilder survey said that the biggest mistake candidates made in the interview was appearing disinterested and 42 percent said appearing arrogant cost applicants the job. Every business wants to put their most enthusiastic people forward with important clients and customers, so acting the opposite will get you nowhere.

7. You were a little too personal
Seventeen percent of employers said that candidates who provided too much personal information in the interview essentially blew their chances at the job, according to a 2009 CareerBuilder survey. Not only does personal information offend some people, but anytime you talk about topics such as your hobbies, race, age or religion, you’re setting yourself up for bias. Though it’s illegal for employers to discriminate against applicants because of any of these factors, some will do so, regardless.

8. You were all dollars, no sense
As a general rule of thumb, you should never bring up salary before the employer does. Doing so is tacky and makes the employer think that you care about the money involved, not about helping the employer succeed. If the topic does arise, however, be honest about your salary history. Employers can verify your salary in a matter of minutes these days, so lying only makes you look bad.

9. You didn’t — or can’t — give examples
Hiring managers want people who can prove that they will increase the organization’s revenues, decrease its costs or help it succeed in some way. If all you give to an employer is a bunch of empty words about your accomplishments, you don’t demonstrate how you can help the company. In fact, 35 percent of employers said that the most detrimental mistake candidates make is not providing specific examples in the interview. The more you can quantify your work, the better.

10. You don’t have enough experience
Managers don’t have as much time as they used to to train and mentor new employees. The more experience you have, the more likely you are to hit the ground running without a lot of hand-holding. The best way to show that you know what you’re doing is to give the employer concrete examples of your experience in a given job duty.

Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CBwriterRZ.

By Rachel Zupek, PrimeCB.com writer

Every so often, you meet someone with a job title that makes you go, “Huh?” Either it’s too technical to understand, too hard to describe or in some cases, people just may not have heard of it. But, why would someone not have heard about a job’s existence?

Simple: All the changes that have come about in the past 10 years, from environmental policy to emerging technologies to the recession, have contributed to the creation of careers that never could have existed before.

Dom Sagolla, co-creator of Twitter, for example, recently made the switch from working in research and development at Adobe to creating iPhone applications with his company, DollarApp. Sagolla is also authoring a book, “140 Characters,” which demonstrates the effect of hypertext on literature by redefining the concept of “the book” using Twitter and iPhone to start, he says. Could he have done this 10 years ago? Doubtful.

“I’ve noticed that the best-of-breed iPhone apps incorporate Twitter and social networks, and the best Twitter apps seem to be on iPhone,” Sagolla says. “That is no coincidence: The two came to prominence at roughly the same time. I’ve worked hard to position myself at intersection of those two industries, which form a vortex of attention and zeal that is unmatched.”

Here is a little information about 10 careers that didn’t exist a decade ago:

1. Bloggers
What they do: Bloggers research and write blog posts in a conversational style to engage readers online. They work for themselves or for corporations, but their goal is the same: to develop and maintain blogs to promote a brand, mission or objective. Jimmy Moore, owner of “Livin La Vida Low-Carb,” started his blog in April 2005 after losing 180 pounds. He wrote about it while still employed in a customer service position. He began blogging full time in October 2006.

“My annual income increased from about $25,000 a year to nearly $60,000 now. I get to work out of my home, I’ve written two books, host my twice-weekly health podcast show on iTunes, do YouTube videos and so much more. This is literally my dream job,” he says. “[It] didn’t even exist a decade ago.”

2. Community managers or content managers
What they do: Community or content managers are an extension of a typical marketing role, but on a more personal level. They serve as a liaison between the company and the public, managing a Web site that allows them to engage with community members and spread the word about the company.

Erin Bury has been the community manager at Sprouter, a Toronto company that enables collaboration and networking among entrepreneurs, for almost one year. She says, “A community manager is a nontraditional role, so it requires some unique traits: the ability to adapt quickly, the ability to juggle a multitude of tasks while still keeping a smile on their face, and an innate passion for what they do. This isn’t a 9-to-5 job; it’s one that involves being an extension of the brand almost 24/7, which is why loving the company and the job is a prerequisite.”

3. Green funeral directors
What they do: Green funeral directors incorporate environmentally friendly options to meet the needs of families who want a green service.

“A green funeral may include any or all of the following basic options: no embalming or embalming with formaldehyde-free products; the use of sustainable biodegradable clothing, shroud or casket; using recycled paper products, locally grown organic flowers, organic food; car pooling; arranging a small memorial gathering in a natural setting; [or a] natural or green burial,” says Elizabeth Fournier, a funeral home owner who works as a green mortician. “It’s a fabulous opening for an individual who is green-minded in all aspects of their work.”

4. Interior redesigners
What they do: Instead of spending $500 on a new couch, why not use that money to hire an interior redesigner who will find new ways to decorate with items you already own? Interior redesigners remodel your home using the things you already have, either repurposing them for other uses or putting them in other rooms, etc.

Jennifer Schweikert, owner of Just My Style by JMS, says, “In a time of ‘less is more,’ people streamlining possessions, baby boomers and seniors downsizing, and the green movement of reduce, reuse and recycle, interior redesign is an up-and-coming field of work that addresses these needs in today’s lifestyle and economy.”

5. Patient advocates
What they do: There are several types of patient advocates, and although their services vary, all of them want to make sure that the patient and family are informed and to make things easier on everyone. Advocates can go with patients to appointments; ensure they’re visiting with the right specialists and taking the right medicines; sort through medical bills and negotiate fees with health-care providers and insurance companies; they can even educate family members on proper care for their sick loved one.

6. Senior move management
What they do: Senior move management companies help older adults and families with the physical and emotional demands of downsizing, relocating or modifying their homes.

7. Social media strategists
What they do: Social media strategists use social media tools to help companies interact with customers, increase brand awareness, create buzz, increase traffic and provide information.

8. User experience analyst
What they do: User experience analysts look for ways to make using a Web site easier, more pleasant and more engaging for consumers. They want to figure out how to keep you on their site and how to make your experience while you’re there memorable and useful.

9. Video journalists
What they do: In the 1960s, reporters had to shoot and edit their own stories because of lack of manpower and resources. Now, almost 50 years later, this role is back, but now it’s called video journalism. To save money, large-market news groups hire small-market reporters as video journalists at a fraction of the cost. They are usually assigned stories to produce for the station Web site, finding content to drive Web traffic.

10. Virtual business service providers
What they do: Many people are forming their own companies by way of telecommuting, offering such virtual services as customer service, concierge services or even public relations from their homes.

“Thanks to the birth of the Internet and the rise of new industries because of it, my company was born. The rise of virtual companies like ours has provided jobs for lots of people,” says Deborah Sittig, owner of Green Room Public Relations.

Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CBwriterRZ.

By Anthony Balderrama, PrimeCB.com writer

The past can teach us many things. We can see how unjust our society was to some people before major Supreme Court cases were decided. We can imagine how simple some aspects of life were before cell phones tethered us to work.

It’s also fun to look back and see just how much further a dollar seemed to go back then. Undoubtedly you’ve heard some relative reminiscing about the days when a nickel would buy you four movie tickets and you’d still have some change left.

For fun, we thought we’d see what some of today’s salaries would translate to in 1958 dollars. We’re not saying you would’ve made that exact amount 50 years ago, because many professions were quite different then and not all salaries increased at the same rate. Also, salary surveys weren’t conducted as extensively as they are now, so you can’t find some financial data from more than a few decades ago. And keep in mind that many of today’s jobs didn’t exist 50 years ago. Social media consultants and IT administrators weren’t job titles anyone had.

Measuring Worth is a Web site that compiles historical salary data from various sources and allows users to calculate different monetary figures such as inflation or purchasing power for specified periods of time. We found today’s average salaries and then used Measuring Worth to calculate the monetary equivalent in 1958 based on Consumer Price Index data, which include figures from 1774 to 2008.

Here are 25 contemporary jobs and their current salaries* compared with their monetary equivalent 50 years ago**:

Accountants
2008: $54,440
1958: $7,313

Administrative assistants
2008: $44,471
1958: $5,973

Automotive mechanics
2008: $34,565
1958: $4,643

Chefs
2008: $54,143
1958: $7,273

Construction workers
2008: $36,214
1958: $4,864

Dry cleaners
2008: $22,429
1958: $3,013

Elementary school teachers
2008: $53,020
1958: $7,122

Emergency medical technicians
2008: $35,609
1958: $4,783

Fast-food workers
2008: $19,833
1958: $2,664

Firefighters
2008: $52,293
1958: $7,024

Flight attendants
2008: $63,913
1958: $8,585

Grocery store managers
2008: $55,629
1958: $7,472

Commercial painters
2008: $41,120
1958: $5,523

Hospice workers
2008: $46,191
1958: $6,204

Janitors
2008: $25,725
1958: $3,455

Newspaper journalists
2008: $21,963
1958: $2,950

Personal trainers
2008: $46,049
1958: $6,185

Pianists
2008: $64,348
1958: $8,643

Plumbers
2008: $48,591
1958: $6,527

Police officers
2008: $52,801
1958: $7,092

Public relations representative
2008: $72,575
1958: $9,748

Registered nurses
2008: $66,427
1958: $8,923

Sales clerks
2008: $26,844
1958: $3,606

Surgeons
2008: $322,281
1958: $43,289

Veterinarians
2008: $93,685
1958: $12,584

*Salary figures based on data from CBsalary.com, powered by SalaryExpert.com
**Past salary figures based on data from Marketing Worth’s calculator for relative value of the U.S. dollar.

Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/abalderrama.

By Rachel Zupek, PrimeCB.com writer

When most people think about physical contact with a co-worker, their first thought is about sexual harassment. While most workers know the rules about inappropriate or offensive touching in the workplace, many people don’t think twice about other forms of physical contact with co-workers like handshakes or pats on the back.

“The truth is that workers have very different levels of tolerance for physical contact of any type,” says Amy Epstein Feldman, general counsel of the Judge Group Inc., a Pennsylvania-based consulting and staffing firm, and author of “So Sue Me, Jackass!” “In fact, because a person’s individual sensitivities and need for personal space varies so widely, inappropriate touching — from a happy slap on the back to a welcoming kiss on the cheek to an angry pointed finger in someone’s chest — are all the subject of complaints to management.”

Why should you care? Aside from the fact that you don’t want to find yourself unexpectedly slapped with a sexual harassment suit, Feldman says no one wants to be typed as “creepy Bob from accounting” or “desperate Mary” who has to hug everyone who comes through the door.

Read on to learn more about what is and isn’t appropriate in terms of physical contact at work.

Inappropriate versus appropriate
Obviously, certain gestures in the workplace are unmistakably offensive or sexual, but many people don’t think about other forms of physical contact that might be uncomfortable for others. People do something jokingly, for example, like reaching out and giving a “funny” slap on the behind, without thinking twice, Feldman says.

“There are forms of touching that are rarely considered offensive that can be misconstrued. A boss who pokes his subordinates to illustrate a point is seen as a bully, but the physical contact plays into the monstrous image. A pat on the back or the shoulder, [or] a two-handed handshake while looking into someone’s eyes, can give a co-worker the creeps,” Feldman says. “The person who is initiating the contact in no way means to be offensive, but the person being touched is often highly offended. When faced with a complaint, it seems obvious in retrospect that slapping someone’s behind was a bad idea.”

So how does “inappropriate touching” differ from sexual harassment? Feldman says that sexual harassment is unwelcome sexual conduct in the workplace and that it comes in two forms: quid pro quo and hostile work environment. In quid pro quo, a supervisor bases your job duties on your consent to sexual acts, whereas in a hostile work environment, the workplace is permeated with jokes, gestures, pictures or offensive touching. It becomes a hostile and abusive work environment, even if the conduct is not directed at the person who is offended.

“While inappropriate touching can be a component of either type of sexual harassment, you don’t have to be inappropriately touched to be sexually harassed, nor have you necessarily faced sexual harassment just because you’ve faced inappropriate touching,” Feldman says.

What should I do?
If you’re dealing with a co-worker whose physical contact with you is bothersome, Feldman suggests being direct without being confrontational. Try a joke (“In my culture that means we’re married. Don’t make me take you home to meet Mama!”) or a nonconfrontational statement (“I’m not a big hugger because it makes me uncomfortable”). If the offender still doesn’t get it, Feldman suggests bringing it to the attention of human resources or management.

Here are five boundaries Feldman says to remember the next time you want to high-five or hug your co-worker:

1. Hands off
“It seems too obvious to say, but it’s a lesson some still need to learn: The No. 1 rule is to keep your hands off your own or anyone else’s private parts in an office. Even as a joke; even ‘man-to-man.’ You’d be surprised how many people think it’s hilarious to reach out and grab someone. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER do that.”

2. Know your audience
“Any touching — even a pat on the back — before you know someone is too personal for strangers. So make sure that you really know your co-worker before engaging in any physical contact, even a high five.”

3. Think about hygiene
“Don’t ever shake hands with someone in the bathroom before you’ve washed your hands. Don’t cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze and then shake someone’s hand. They don’t know how to handle it. And remember that in the swine flu frenzy, a warm smile and a nice greeting (‘I’m so glad to see you!’) without touching might serve you better in the long run.”

4. Remember than not all offensive touching is sexual — sometimes it’s just hostile
“Bullies don’t just exist on the playground. Poking someone in the chest while making an angry point, grabbing someone’s arm or any other touching done when angry can lead to dismissal if your action is seen as physically threatening.”

5. Be sensitive to others’ sensitivities toward touching
“Do they lean in when you go to kiss their cheek or do they grimace and move backward? Do they initiate pats on the back or is it only one-sided? You don’t need people to avoid you in the hallway because they fear the dreaded ‘man hug’ you give.”

Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CBwriterRZ.

What they teach us about work etiquette

Anthony Balderrama, PrimeCB.com writer

Children are loud and uninhibited. It’s in their nature — they’re supposed to be rambunctious and noisy (to a point). A child can be sitting two feet from you and she will speak at the same volume she uses when she’s playing on the soccer field. That’s when you politely say, “Use your indoor voice.”

Of course, even when using their indoor voice, most children don’t think to filter their thoughts before they speak. How many parents lie about something (“It’s a pleasure to meet your husband”) only to have their children ruin everything (“You’re right, Mom, he does look like my gerbil!”)? Immediately after this occurrence, parents teach their children that some information should stay private.

If you’ve held any job for more than a few days, you’ve probably realized that some parents didn’t do a good enough job with their children. Some professionals can have fancy job titles and drive cars worth more than your college education, but they don’t know how to use their indoor voices or when to keep some information to themselves.

We asked people to tell us some of the most outrageous things they’ve heard at work (but not necessarily at their current places of employment). Here are four responses and the lessons we can all learn from them:

1. “Fernando just called in. He says he can’t come to work because God called him on the phone last night. I asked him how he knew it was God (besides Him saying so, of course), and he said because his phone had been disconnected awhile back, and only God could have called on a disconnected phone.” – overheard by Bruce Campbell, vice president of marketing for Clare Computer Solutions

Lesson: Your excuses should be relevant to the job.
Why: Technically, the person Campbell heard speaking wasn’t the one who needs the lesson — Fernando is. Fernando’s deduction that he spoke with a deity is a personal matter, but his decision to use it as a reason to skip work affects everyone. He doesn’t explain why he’s going to inconvenience other people who rely on him. At one time or another, everyone wants to skip work, but you don’t do it unless you can justify it to the boss. When you skip work, people have to either pick up the slack or rearrange their schedules, and they expect you to provide a good reason.

2. “I only lie to girls I’m dating.” – overheard by John Fischer

Lesson: At least try to act like a decent person
Why: Unless there is some context that radically changes this overheard statement, the speaker sounds like the kind of guy you don’t want your daughter, sister, mother or friend dating or even knowing — and you probably don’t want to know him either. Simply put, he’s gross and if you heard him say this at work, you now have a low opinion of him.

Offensive or potentially offensive statements, especially when heard out of context, can really color people’s perceptions of you. If you’re going to say something of this nature, keep it between friends and away from the office. Everyone’s job will be smoother if they can at least be civil to each other.

3. “At a newspaper I worked at in the Midwest, an editor who sat in an open area regularly got into lengthy, difficult and loud discussions with her estranged husband. She was going through the divorce process, and I’m sure it wasn’t easy, but it made everyone extremely uncomfortable. The discussions could be heard clear across the room. They argued about everything — money, kids, custody, his work. It was really unprofessional on her part, and very awkward for her employees, who had no one to complain to since she was their boss.” – Robyn Davis Sekula, professional writer and media consultant

Lesson: Don’t let your personal mess spill into your professional life.
Why: Every single worker has a personal life that is sometimes unpleasant. Money woes, marriage problems, troublesome children or a million other issues can complicate your life. On some level, everyone is sympathetic when you’re stressed. But when your personal issues get mixed with your job, people question your professionalism — they assume you’re spending more time cleaning up your personal problems than doing your job. And if you’re in a position of authority, they won’t feel confident in your ability to lead, and that can have long-term effects on your career.

4. “I was a temp with a company in Iowa. I had arrived before my supervisor and was sitting in the hallway waiting for her to open the office when I overheard the most unusual conversation. A man in an upper management position in the office near where I was sitting was listening to his voice mail on speaker mode. The gist of the conversation was that he had been having an affair with someone in the office and she now was upset with him. She left him a scathing voice-mail message defining the affair and, in bold terms, described how she felt about it and him. He then proceeded to return her call. There was plenty of screaming and swearing involved in the conversation and it continued until he realized that there were other people arriving for work. I just sat there and kept quiet. I never said a word to anyone. Rumors had been circulating about this guy for some time. I was the one who now had firsthand knowledge about what was going on and was not about to share what I knew — especially being a temp.” – the Rev. Jennifer Ann Bowers

Lesson: If you are mixing business with pleasure, keep quiet. (And close your door.)
Why: Conventional wisdom advises against starting an office romance, especially if one or both of you are married. Nevertheless, that’s between you and the other person — and that’s where it should stay. Workplaces are not unlike tabloid magazines: Once a private scandal goes public, people are more concerned with those details than with your work. People might never find out the whole truth, so they will fill in the details themselves and make assumptions about you. Suddenly your reputation has been hit hard and you’ve singlehandedly turned the office into an episode of “The Young and the Restless.”

Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/abalderrama.

By Anthony Balderrama, PrimeCB.com writer

Every office has the resident boss’s pet, the worker who is all too happy to fawn over the manager’s idea, no matter how bad it is. Everyone sees through the act. It’s merely a way to stay in the boss’s good graces and hopefully earn some preferential treatment.

No one likes this person. Sometimes not even the boss. Sometimes the boss does savor the attention and rewards it. You sit by while attention, promotions and other perks get handed out to the employee most willing to suck up.

If you’re not the kind of worker who is willing to wear a fake smile every moment of the day, you can still make a good impression on the boss. You’ll earn the right kind of recognition from your boss and maybe your co-workers.

First, here are the wrong ways to suck up:

· You are not 007
Your boss can’t be everywhere all the time, and when she’s not looking, employees are bound to slack off or air some grievances. That’s OK. You don’t need to sleuth on her behalf and report. Not only will you lose the trust of your co-workers, but your boss won’t be impressed with your duplicity.

· “Is it me or are you getting younger by the day?”
Who doesn’t appreciate flattery? People who can sense false flattery, that’s who. Compliments don’t matter when they’re handed out too frequently, because the recipient begins to question your authenticity. Reserve your praise for situations when your boss truly dazzles you and your words will mean something to him.

· Smothering your boss
No matter how much you want to impress your boss, don’t monopolize her time. E-mails, pop-ins, reports, meetings — give her some rest. The way to impress her is to do a good job. Annoying her won’t earn praise.

· “LOL You’re hilarious!”
Your boss is probably a nice, great person. He might even be funny. Chances are he’s not a laugh riot. It’s OK to chuckle politely when a joke falls flat, but don’t overcompensate. Nothing screams “I’m a big phony!” like someone who sounds like a 1950s studio audience.

· “Do you ever have a bad idea?”
You might not realize that your boss looks to you, her employees, for all kinds of support. She doesn’t want to always hear a chorus of “Yes, I completely agree with you” every time she proposes a new idea. Tactful, honest feedback, even when you’re disagreeing with the boss, is appreciated and can get new ideas rolling.

And here are the right ways to do it:

· Be a clock watcher
No, not the kind who can’t wait to leave work – the kind of clock watcher who cares about being on time. Arrive on time or early in the morning. Don’t be tardy to meetings. Don’t leave 20 minutes early every afternoon. Show your boss that you’re not looking for any opportunity to ditch work.

· “Go, team, go!”
Sure, don’t pretend that every idea the boss has is genius, but do give kudos to the ones that are. Give due credit to the boss even if her idea is just a steppingstone for a bigger idea that you have. It shows you recognize others’ accomplishments and that you’re interesting in maintaining good relationships with your team.

· Cover your ears
Gossip is part of the workplace, and you can’t escape it. You can, however, refuse to participate in it. Ignore what you hear and don’t repeat it to others. In fact, if you hear something that is false or that can be easily addressed, suggest to the gossiper that he or she discuss the situation with the boss. You might not get credit for being a problem solver, but resisting the temptation to engage in gossip makes for a better workplace for everyone.

· “Here’s what I think.”
Sometimes bosses aren’t as in tune with their employees as they think they are. Meanwhile, you might know exactly what’s going on at work because you work more closely with your colleagues. You can tell the boss, “Listen, although you envisioned ABC happening, XYZ is really what’s taking place.” Because you have a better perspective, you can explain why things aren’t working and possibly give your own suggestions. As long as you demonstrate that you’re keeping him informed and not trying to do his job or tattle about your co-workers, your honesty will be appreciated.

Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/abalderrama.

By Anthony Balderrama, PrimeCB.com writer

Are you an online enthusiast? The dictionary doesn’t have a definition for it just yet, but if it were to exist, I suspect it would look something like this:

Internet enthusiast (n): 1. One whose hand has molded to fit the contour of the computer mouse; 2. One who feels energized by the glow of a computer screen in much the same way a fresh cup of coffee makes most people feel in the morning; 3. One who dreads going to sleep because he or she is unable to go online for eight hours.

Is this you? Do you hate the fact that your job gets in the way of your Internet activity? Perhaps you don’t let that stop you from surfing the Web during the day and you pray the boss won’t catch you. Whatever the situation may be, you might be better off in a different job. Say, a job where you’re paid for your love for everything online.

Maybe you need help weaning yourself off of the computer, but until your friends and family stage an intervention, you should consider one of these Webtastic jobs:

Branding consultant
Branding is a buzzword that’s worked its way into the permanent lexicon. Companies, organizations and even individuals want to have a brand — an identity that customers instantly recognize and respond to positively. Much of that branding is formed online, via ad campaigns, press and customer interaction. Branding consultants help companies identify what type of brand they want and then they help create it and keep it consistent through all outlets. They know the likes and dislikes of their target audience, so they try to be in front of them as much as possible to get exposure and gauge their reactions. The placement of banner ads, the spread of viral videos and other places you see a company’s advertisements are the results of branding consultants’ efforts.

Public relations director
The world of PR is busy and ever-changing. In fact, what you do as a public relations specialist or director depends on the organization in which you work. What is the same everywhere is the need to monitor what type of media attention you’re getting and employ damage control if necessary. Directors give interviews online, in print, on radio and on TV to speak on the company’s behalf. They stay on message so that the company presents a unified, cohesive voice at all times. Directors also monitor what publications and critics, both online and offline, are saying about the company and are prepared to respond to all inquiries that might come their way.

Recruiter
The Internet has been changing industries for well over a decade now, as most people recognize. Recruiting has also experienced a shift, mostly due to networking sites. Sites where people can post their education history, work experience and skills are ripe for recruiters who need to find new talent. By logging on to a social network, they have access to thousands of potential employees at the click of their mouse. Of course, good recruiters want the right candidate, so they spend hours scouring different networks to find the most qualified individuals.

Social media consultant
Social media are still relatively new in the business world, as is this position. In some companies, a social media consultant is a busy, high-level job. In others it’s a part-time gig suited for an intern. What you can be certain of is the need to find new ways to engage customers online. Companies need someone to set up and maintain accounts on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and any other social media site that pops up. The social media consultant might work for a public relations director or alongside a branding consultant. Whatever the case, this person need to keep the content fresh, monitor user feedback and create a persona for the company — all through the click of a mouse.

User operations analyst
What one thing do advertisers and site owners want to know more than anything else? How online users behave. The pages they visit, how far they scroll down a page, how many clicks they are willing to make to find information, and anything else that gives insight into how users navigate a site. User operations analysts monitor how users interact with the site and they also answer users’ questions or listen to their feedback to see what they want in a site. The analysts then share their information with the site owner.

Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/abalderrama.

By Anthony Balderrama, PrimeCB.com writer

Higher education isn’t for everyone, and people have a variety of paths to choose from once they graduate from high school. They might know from the start that they want to go straight to the professional world. Other new graduates often decide to try college for a semester to see how it goes and then realize it’s not for them.

While the decision to pursue a degree or to enter the work force is fraught with pros and cons, earning a lot of money isn’t. Not that money means everything, but wouldn’t we all like to see some bigger numbers on our next paycheck? (more…)

(Hint: It’s not the economy)

By Rachel Zupek, PrimeCB.com writer

If the economic climate did anything in 2009, it served as a scapegoat for everyone’s problems. While most of the people who are unemployed, never got a raise or who went bankrupt last year legitimately suffered because of the economy, there are also plenty of people using it as an excuse.

Now, at the beginning of 2010, employees face performance reviews and talks of prospective raises and promotions. When your boss tells you that it’s just not going to happen this year, you may feel inclined to shrug and tell yourself it’s because of the economy — but that might not be the case.

Here are 10 reasons you might not receive a promotion any time soon — and they’re not because of the economy.

Reason No. 1: You are unprepared — and clueless

Just because your boss or other decision-makers in the promotion process may know you, it doesn’t mean that you don’t still have to prove yourself to them. Highlight your skills, knowledge and strengths, and show how you can improve the company’s bottom line. Convince them that you have new ideas and that those ideas will help the company achieve and surpass its goals.

Reason No. 2: You’re a slacker

So what if you’re always late to work and you’re the first one to leave? And, like anyone has noticed that you call in sick on Mondays and Fridays. And it’s not your fault you’ve missed a few deadlines or turned down a few projects. You had things to do like (insert most recent excuse here).

Reason No. 3: You don’t go above and beyond

No one can say you’re a slacker. You show up on time, you leave when you’re supposed to and you meet your goals. But that’s the problem — just meeting goals or doing work that is “adequate” or “OK” will probably allow you to keep your job, but it’s not enough to get you promoted. Arrive early, stay late, offer innovative ideas, beat deadlines and do excellent work. If you don’t go the extra mile for your employer, don’t be surprised if your employer doesn’t go the extra mile for you.

Reason No. 4: You haven’t shown leadership

You can’t follow others and do a good job; you need to lead others and be the example. Do what you can to get noticed by the people who have the power to promote you. Take on a project that is outside of your job duties; volunteer to lead committees or organize group outings; or head up your department’s holiday gift-giving program. All of these things will throw your name into the mix of people who always step up and increase your chances of a promotion.

Reason No. 5: You think you’re entitled

Think you’re above making coffee, stapling reports, writing bylines or making presentations? Well, you’re not. Many employees think that doing such tasks is “beneath them” and that if they could start doing more meaningful work, they would care a little more about their jobs. We’ve got news for you: You aren’t going to get that chance if you don’t pay your dues first. Show your employer you’re willing to do whatever is asked of you, and you’ll be much more likely to be given more responsibility.

Reason No. 6: You don’t dress the part

Do you come to work dressed sloppily or inappropriately? Does “casual Friday” mean shorts and flip-flops or jeans and a sweatshirt? If so, it’s no wonder you aren’t being seen as management material. Take a cue from those working in the position that you want to be promoted to and dress similarly. If you look the part, it will be a lot easier for decision-makers to see you in that role.

Reason No. 7: Your boss doesn’t want to lose you

You know you’re great at your job — and so does your boss. If you’re the best associate your boss has ever had, is it any wonder he doesn’t want you to go anywhere? Make sure your boss knows that you want to move up in the company. Offer to help him find an equally great employee so that you both get what you want.

Reason No. 8: You have a bad attitude

No one likes a poor sport — especially in management. If you don’t have a positive attitude at all times, even when times are tough, it will be hard for decision-makers to support you. Also, do you have any enemies at work? Anyone who doesn’t like you can make it more difficult for you to get ahead; especially if those people have the ear of the person who can promote you. Make nice with the right people and your chances of getting that promotion are greatly increased.

Reason No. 9: Your co-workers are superstars

The reality is that some industries are more competitive than others, and a promotion is going to be harder, no matter what. In such a field, you are going to have to do a phenomenal job instead of just a good one. Do more of the things we’ve mentioned, work to separate yourself and show that you’re management material, too.

Reason No. 10: It’s all about you

Your supervisors want to know what you can do for them, not the other way around. So, in a discussion about a promotion, don’t overuse the terms “my career” or continually talk about taking your career to the next level. Instead, talk about how you are committed to doing everything you can to help the company grow and succeed.

Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CBwriterRZ.

By: Anthony Balderrama, PrimeCB.com writer

A strict schedule where you clock in at 9 a.m. and clock out at 5 p.m. is ideal for some professionals. You can schedule events easily when you know that you’re busy for only those eight hours.

Not everyone can do that or even wants to. Routine doesn’t sit well with some people who like a little variety in their lives. For other people, that particular eight-hour block of time conflicts with other plans. School, family obligations and part-time jobs often mean working 9 to 5 is impossible. Of course, just because these jobs have different hours than most others, don’t think they’re easy jobs.

If you’d prefer to have a schedule that offers different hours, here are 10 jobs to consider:

1. Chefs and bakers
You might not eat lunch until noon, but someone had to start preparing it long before you sat down. Chefs get up early to get the freshest ingredients from local markets and to start chopping vegetables and marinating dishes so they’ll be ready for you. Bakers also need time to make all those delicious baked goods you scarf down in a few seconds. While you were still snoozing, a baker was making those pastries you picked up on the way to work. The next time you pass by a restaurant or bakery that is closed in the middle of the day, realize that they were working long before you were.

2. Construction workers
Construction work is tough for many reasons, one being the weather. Imagine wearing protective gear while building a skyscraper on a hot summer afternoon. To avoid spending their entire day in dangerous heat, construction crews often start working before the sun rises so they can be done early. It’s safer for them and means they’re heading home before most 9-to-5 workers call it a day.

3. Emergency room nurses
You can’t schedule an emergency, so we’re glad ERs are open around the clock all year long. Naturally, no single nurse can cover every shift alone — and they’re often long shifts — so someone needs to be there during the day, late at night and in the morning.

4. Firefighters
Fires don’t just occur during normal business hours. Firefighters need to be available 24 hours a day, so they have different shifts to ensure someone is ready to help out when a call comes. Certain departments have schedules that require firefighters to work for a certain set of days but then be off for the following three days. You’re still working a lot of hours but you’re not sticking to a standard workday.

5. Hair stylists
Hair stylists need to be available to clients when it’s convenient for them, and not everyone can sneak away for an hour or two during the day to get a haircut. And you probably don’t want a groggy stylist holding a pair of scissors at 6 a.m. just so you can get an appointment before work. That’s why many salons don’t open until late morning but then stay open until late evening. As a result, they’re working when many other people aren’t, so you can make an appointment.

6. News reporters
The news might last only 30 minutes, but a lot of work goes into those stories. The reporters you see on morning shows get up at absurdly early hours just to be able to give you a story while you get ready for work. The reporters on the evening news when you get home were gathering information all day while you were at work.

7. Pilots
Try to imagine how difficult traveling would be if you could fly only between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Not only are pilots flying planes at various hours, they’re also crossing time zones and datelines on flights that can go well beyond eight hours.

8. Professors
Some professors teach only day courses, so their workday might not look that different from yours. But others teach in the evenings as well, so they might have a six-hour gap between their morning class for undergraduates and their evening class for grad students. Plus, grading papers and holding office hours mean work well beyond the hours they spend in a classroom.

9. Retail sales clerks
When you buy clothes, groceries or even a car, you probably don’t do it during the middle of a workday. Retail salespeople work evenings and weekends so you can buy what you need without having to leave the office.

10. Security guards
When everyone leaves their 9-to-5 jobs, someone has to make sure the office is secure all night. Security guards patrol the grounds to ensure that no one gets in the building and they alert the police if something goes wrong. Of course, you can find security guards at banks and stores that are open only during standard business hours, too.

Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/abalderrama.

4 easy fixes

By: Duncan Mathison and Martha I. Finney, co-authors of “Unlock the Hidden Job Market”

Are you sick of the word “networking” yet? It seems to be on everyone’s lips — all those millions of people just like you who are looking for a new job. Networking is a lot of work. And if everyone is doing it, where’s the competitive advantage?

Here’s the secret: Almost everyone is doing a lousy job of it. Do it well (even if you hate it), and you’re already well ahead of the herd.

For most people networking is a big, shapeless drag — something they do when they’re not prowling the job boards. There’s that luck-of-the-draw feeling about it, especially when you hear stories about how someone was at the right place at the right time. If you’re not a prom queen or golf pro, you’re doomed. If you’d rather be at home with a book than out there soullessly schmoozing strangers who would otherwise bore you, wouldn’t time pass more quickly in your easy chair? At least you’re less likely to spend money when you’re at home.

Still, despite your preferences, you’re out there. But this networking thing’s not working for you, is it? Let’s find out why not and what to do about it:

1. Going to networking events has all the appeal of visiting a compost pile.
Are you a little tired of seeing the same sad-sack faces month in and month out? Join the club; they’re probably tired of seeing yours. Networking events are a great opportunity to meet people who don’t have jobs. But they’re terrible for meeting people with jobs. (If you were happily employed, would you hang out with this crowd? We thought not.)

Your fixes: Connections and courage. Make connections beyond these networking-only events. Have the courage to ask for introductions to leaders and experts in your field, to your counterparts in other companies (even your former competitors). Go to conferences and receptions. Go to every single party you’re invited to.

2. Your friends cross the street when they see you coming.
You might have burned out your relationships by being so focused on your frustrations in finding a job. Think about your recent conversations. Are you just hearing the sound of your own voice in your memory’s ear? Can you even name your best friend’s children anymore? Instead of saying “Hi” to you, do they just cut to, “Nope, nothing yet”?

Your fix: Courtesy. It’s natural to use your friends and family as your networking jumping-off place. But if you just use them as immediate connections to a sure-thing job opportunity, you’re going to burn out your friendships pronto. Definitely let them know that you’re looking for work — there’s no shame there at all. And ask them for introductions to people they might know who would be able to move your search forward (a co-worker, for example, might know someone who knows someone). Don’t put them on the spot of always having to say no when you ask them, “Do you know of any jobs out there?” Pretty soon you’ll have the sidewalk to yourself.

Word to wise: When you are introduced to people, remember to thank your friends (thank all of your networking partners, for that matter) with e-mail updates, even formal, handwritten notes from time to time. Everyone likes to see their friends make progress out of a life crisis, and everyone likes to feel appreciated for the part they played in your journey to better times.

3. You can’t seem to squeeze in the time necessary for networking.
Let’s face it, right now you probably are more tempted by projects that have a sure-thing conclusion and that will give you the satisfaction of actually accomplishing something. And you deserve those gratifications of jobs well done — or, well, at least done. Yet somehow, making those phone calls just never seems to happen.

Your fix: Commitment. For starters, commit yourself to making five phone calls a day. Make it easy on yourself: Have a brief script ready to work off of, so you don’t have to start cold with each phone call. Be comfortable (in your desk chair, not that easy chair). Commit yourself to filling your “funnel” of contacts and leads, just like salespeople do. With every “no” you hear, you still have plenty more phone calls to make and conversations to follow up on … and no single rejection is ever the end of the world.

4. You’re doing everything right and your networking still isn’t working.
How do you know it’s not working? OK, so the obvious is indisputable: You still don’t have a job. But with enthusiastic networking filled with a variety of contacts and introductions, you’ve set events in motion that you might not even be aware of: People may be talking about you and brainstorming with each other about whom else to introduce you to; someone might be checking with HR right this very minute to see how a position can be created for you.

Your fix: Patience. These things take time. Cold comfort, we know, when the mortgage is due. But your alternative, which is to not network at all, will get you nowhere. Keep up your commitment. Keep growing your connections. Remember to be courteous to your friends and expanding networks.

And the right job will come.

Duncan Mathison and Martha I. Finney are co-authors of the new book “Unlock the Hidden Job Market: 6 Steps to a Successful Job Search When Times Are Tight.” For a free sample chapter, visit: www.unlockthehiddenjobmarket.com.

By Frances Cole Jones, author of “The Wow Factor”

In January 2009, YouGov published its list of the 10 worst business sayings. Some I more than agreed with (“thinking outside of the box,” “blue-sky thinking,” “heads up”); some didn’t bug me too much (“at the end of the day,” “going forward,” “credit crunch”). But it also got me thinking about my own version of the 10 worst business sayings.

Consequently, I compiled my own list, complete with definitions and — most importantly — the reasons they were included.

The first three top my list for their gross factor, pure and simple. Why? Because regardless of the people or situation in question, I’ve found that the overt or indirect referencing of bodily functions in a business environment gets me down.

1. Pick your brain: Substituted when someone simply wants to ask you something.

“Do you mind if I just pick your brain?”

2. Throw it against the wall and see what sticks: Often used to describe a haphazard approach to presenting a motley product line, batch of ideas, etc. “Well, let’s just throw these against the wall and see what sticks.”

3. Sweat equity: Offered up when asking people to give their time and talent, and payment is not available. “We can’t pay you your rate now, but — when we do start making money — you’ll definitely have sweat equity.”

The next three were included because of their cliché factor. Like “thinking outside the box” and “blue-sky thinking,” their overuse means they no longer catch our attention.

4. It’s not rocket science: Used most often when pointing out to someone that the task he’s been asked to complete isn’t, in fact, complicated. “After all, it’s not rocket science.”

5. The ball’s in your court: This phrase is usually thrown around (pun intended) to let others know that you’ve reached your limit with regard to handling a situation. “I’ve now done everything I can. After this, the ball’s in your court.”

6. Drill down: This is too often used to denote the vigor with which a person or team will be pursuing an objective. “Yes, Bob and I are really going to drill down on that.”

The following three made my list thanks to their redundancy:

7. I, personally: Since something that is said by you is, by definition, personal, I see no need to include both words. For example, when you take the “personally” out of the following sentence, the meaning doesn’t change. “Well, I, personally, don’t think that X should take precedence over Y.”

8. Quite unique (and its compatriots “very unique,” “really unique” and “most unique”): Despite the fact that things that are unique can’t be qualified, I see this all the time. “Our store has the most unique items.” Um … no. You can, however, say, “Our store is filled with unique items.” I have no trouble with that.

9. Past history: This one drives me wild every time I hear it, “Well, based on past history …” History is, by definition, something that occurred in the past, so why on earth say “past”?

And, finally, the most overused phrase in a business context:

10. Urgent (and its frequent companion “crisis”): I include these because, as I’m sure you’ve discovered, the use of either, or both, of these words does little to resolve what might be going on. Instead, they either ratchet up the tension or make others wonder why you are so out of control. What do I recommend you use instead? I would substitute the use of “immediate” for “urgent,” and “situation” for “crisis,” as both convey the need for action but leave others room to bring their own skills and intelligence to bear — while reflecting well on your own.

Frances Cole Jones is the author of “The Wow Factor: The 33 Things You Must (and Must Not) Do to Guarantee Your Edge in Today’s Business World.” Her company, Cole Media Management, works with clients to enhance their professional and personal presentation skills. She lives in New York City.

By Rachel Zupek, PrimeCB.com writer

2009 has given employers and employees a run for their money — literally. Budgets have been cut, layoffs made and furloughs instituted, and benefits and perks have evaporated.

At the beginning of the year, 38 percent of employers said the economy would force them to make administrative cuts sometime during 2009, according to a survey by CareerBuilder.com. Sixty-five percent of those employers indicated that they would cut back company social events, 61 percent anticipated curtailing business travel, 25 percent expected to scale back on health-care benefits and 11 percent planned to reduce wellness benefits. Other areas where companies planned to cut spending included special office perks, such as coffee, ice machines or discounted vending (34 percent), incentive trips (28 percent) and philanthropic activities (21 percent).

Such perks and benefits being taken away make for a tough situation for employees. Not only are they working harder to keep their jobs, but workers have to do more for less. While some argue that it’s hard to keep employees motivated in this situation, others say that they shouldn’t focus on incentives, but rather think about the bigger picture.

“When perks and benefits are taken away, management often does this to allocate resources where they’re needed, elsewhere. The money being saved by not buying bagels every Friday or purchasing Christmas gifts for employees may be going towards your salary,” says Tom Gimbel, founder and CEO of LaSalle Network, a staffing and recruiting firm. “If you had to choose between taking a salary cut and not having free coffee versus being let go, most employees would likely take the former.”

Urmil “Tracy” Marshall, coordinator for the Office of Diversity and International Affairs at Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley, Ga., agrees that it’s important not to focus on what is being taken away. She says that due to budgetary constraints, furloughs were implemented at the school; but rather than get discouraged, she focused on the positive.

“I reminded myself how blessed I was to even have a job,” Marshall says. “We need to remind ourselves of our priorities in life, placing a greater emphasis on what we have — not what we don’t.”

Communication is key
Although it’s understandable for employees to be upset, frustrated and discouraged when benefits or perks are taken away, Kevin Sheridan, founder and CEO of HR Solutions, which specializes in helping organizations to keep employees engaged, says that employees are less likely to be upset if management communicates with employees.

In fact, 82 percent of employees surveyed in HR Solutions’ International Normative Database say that it’s important that their organization allow them to choose from a variety of benefits to meet their individual needs. The survey consisted of more than 3.3 million responses from 2,400 organizations.

“If an organization’s leadership team simply decided amongst themselves which benefits would be best to cut, employees will commonly become upset and their engagement will be negatively affected,” Sheridan says. “Open communication is a key driver of engagement, and employees will immediately recognize the fact that they had no voice in the situation. If leadership had simply asked employees which benefits were important to them, this situation may be avoided.”

Attitude is everything
Despite having to deal temporarily with a few displaced benefits or perks, there are benefits to sticking around with your employer until those things are reinstated.

“It’s a good time to remember that the perks were never the reason that you liked the job. No one gets up in the morning saying, ‘I’m really excited to go to the office because there’s free coffee,’” says Paul Glen, author and management columnist. “If people feel that the [cuts] are being made in a good-faith effort to save jobs, they will be even more loyal than before, since they believe that the company is working on their behalf — not just for executives.”

Additionally, according to the HR Solutions survey, 37 percent of employees have thought of resigning in the last six months. Twenty-three percent said they thought about leaving because of pay; 18 percent because of a supervisor or manager; 15 percent because of career advancement; and 5 percent because of benefits. Thirty-nine percent considered it for other reasons.

“This statistic is especially important because many organizations have cut benefits over the last six months, and it illustrates that the majority of employees have not thought of resigning as a result of adjusted benefits,” Sheridan says. “These employees recognize the advantages of sticking around with a company, benefits or not, for advantages such as career development and compensation. Also, as soon as the economy picks up, many benefits programs will be re-evaluated; employees sticking around with these organizations will not remain without benefits forever.”

Workers should also remember that there could be consequences to abandoning a job just because you lost free coffee or a transportation reimbursement. If you’re thinking about leaving your job for such reasons, make sure that your missing perks outweigh any possible career advancement or opportunities you would receive if you stayed.

“In this economy, it may be very hard to find another job, and there’s no guarantee that one will have free coffee, either,” Glen says. “Also, at the new job, even if it is good, the employee will have less tenure and is more likely to be cut in future layoffs.”

If you’ve had benefits or perks taken away in recent months and need help staying motivated, remember these five tips from our experts:

1. Get over it

“The longer you talk about it to fellow employees, the longer you will have bad feelings, cause others to have bad feelings and be less productive yourself, which is not what will help the company be able to restore what has been taken away,” says Aubrey Daniels, author of “Oops! 13 Management Practices That Waste Time and Money (and What to Do Instead).”

2. Find motivation
Sheridan encourages employees to find motivation through career planning with supervisors, interacting with co-workers or being proud of where they work. For example, an employee could volunteer to act as a sounding board for job candidates considering employment at the organization.

3. Create your own perks
Nancy Irwin, a motivational speaker and author, says employees can take turns bringing in coffee, bagels or potluck lunches to help fill the void of things that have been cut.

4. Understand what’s still offered and take advantage
Darcy Eikenberg, president and chief creative officer of Coach Darcy LLC, recalls a client who didn’t sign up for a course because she thought training costs had been eliminated. She realized that a co-worker was taking the course and getting it paid for from tuition reimbursement, an area that hadn’t been cut. “Do a deep dive into your company’s programs, policies and even discounts because there’s probably something you can use now,” she says.

5. Focus on the solution, not the problem
Concentrate on actions today that will affect your organization’s success and growth tomorrow, says Jonathan Berger, director of human resources at Direct Agents, an interactive advertising company. “Take this time as an opportunity to offer new ideas to your managers and take an active and entrepreneurial role in helping your company overcome straining times. If you do a good job, you may be rewarded for your efforts when things improve,” he says. “In addition, by taking on new challenges and opportunities, you can further develop your skills and make yourself a more valuable asset to any organization.”

Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CBwriterRZ.

By Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder.com writer

You’ve counted down from 10 and watched the ball drop in Times Square. As happy as you are to usher in a new year, you can’t help but remember a vow you made to yourself last Dec. 31. “By this time next year, I’ll have a new career.”

A year passed and not much changed.

When you’re unhappy in your job, a year can seem like a long time. Twelve long months of wanting something bigger and better. Not anything outlandish, just a job that doesn’t make you cry a little when you leave your home every morning. Yet, when you look back on the last year, didn’t that time seem to speed by? Who had time to change careers when you had all that work to do?

We’ve put together a list of ways for you to make a career switch possible. Next year you can look back at Jan. 1, 2010, and realize you’ve finally done it.

Foreign language courses
The United States is a country filled with many languages. People who speak English as a second language or are still learning English need goods and services, and that’s where bilingual professionals come in. If you studied a language in college but your tongue has grown a bit rusty since, this year is perfect for taking refresher courses. You’ll be surprised by how much you know and you’ll open a whole new set of doors for your career. You’ll be as qualified and experienced as you already are — only now you’ll be able to reach a whole new group of potential customers.

Public speaking courses
Have you ever sat through a boring presentation? And by “sat through” I mean “scribbled on your notepad until you fell asleep sitting up.” Not everyone is a good public speaker, and even more people never even try to improve. If you know you have it in you to successfully present to a crowd, you should get more training so that you’re a standout. Companies need people who can wow a VP or entertain a crowd without mumbling and sweating through their shirts. When you can add excellent presentation skills to your résumé, you immediately gain access to positions you didn’t know were available.

Professional certifications
If you don’t hate the industry you’re in, but you do hate the professional plateau you’re on, a certification can give you a boost. Whether you have one degree or two, many times a new certification (such as one for a paralegal or legal assistant) can show employers you’re serious about your job. You’ve just set yourself apart from most other candidates. Look into different professional organizations in your field and you’ll be surprised how many certifications are available.

Associate degrees
Most associate degrees take two years, but many only take one, or they can be accomplished in one if you barrel through school. An associate degree is different from a certification because an associate degree can singlehandedly set you in a new direction. Where a certification might only enhance your standing in the current industry, an associate degree — which you can get at specialized institutes, community colleges and universities — is often enough to qualify you for certain jobs regardless of your previous experience.

Workshops
Sometimes what you need to move to a new level is just a refresher course or a way to reassess what you know. Many companies offer internal workshops and seminars to help their employees. The topics might range from a specialized task that’s part of your job duty to a general issue, like time management or supervisory skills. Enrolling in one of these workshops, or an external one at a nearby institute, can show your boss that you’re serious about advancement. You could even approach the boss to find out if there are certain areas he or she would like to see you improve upon (or you might know this from your performance review) and use that as a jumping-off point.

Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/abalderrama.

By Rachel Zupek, PrimeCB.com writer

These days, many of you could use some good career advice. Whether you’re unemployed, just out of college, looking to increase your paycheck or in need of résumé advice, the market is saturated with information. While we do our best to give you the most accurate information, we also know that there are other experts out there with some great advice.

Of course, we’re big fans of the books we’ve written ourselves, “Cube Monkeys: A Handbook for Surviving the Office Jungle,” and “Career Building: Your Total Handbook for Finding a Job and Making It Work,” both from the editors here at CareerBuilder. But, if you want to add more literature to your professional library, here are five other books to check out:

1. “Knock ‘Em Dead: The Ultimate Job Search Guide 2010,” by Martin Yate, CPC
Topic: Job search
Why it helps: “Knock ‘Em Dead” covers all of the job-search basics and then some, whether you’re looking for your first job, you’re returning to the work force or you’ve just been laid off. The book is a series of parts, from building and customizing your résumé to effective networking tools and negotiating the best salary and benefits.
The best part: This latest edition to the series offers a new section, “Where the Jobs Are,” which shows you what industries are experiencing the most growth.

2. “101 Toughest Interview Questions … And Answers That Win the Job!” by Daniel Porot and Frances Bolles Haynes
Topic: Interviewing
Why it helps: Interviewing is the most stressful part of the job search. Thinking about what to ask, how to answer, what questions mean and what hiring managers want to hear is enough to drive a person crazy. This book is the secret to every interview you have from here on out. It features the toughest and most commonly asked questions, featured in a flashcard-like format, as well as several possible responses to each, which you can tailor to your own experience.
The best part: It fits in your purse or bag, so you can freshen up on questions before the interview.

3. “Beyond Paycheck to Paycheck: A Conversation About Income, Wealth, and the Steps in Between,” by Michael B. Rubin
Topic: Salary
Why it helps: With 61 percent of workers living paycheck to paycheck, according to a CareerBuilder survey, it’s about time for everyone to learn a few monetary lessons. “Beyond Paycheck to Paycheck” is a comprehensive book that will help anyone struggling to make ends meet. It runs the gamut from simple saving strategies to taking advantage of your benefits to retirement planning.
The best part: It’s easy to read and funny, neither of which are commonly used to describe a finance book.

4. “Am I the Only Sane One Working Here? 101 Solutions for Surviving Office Insanity,” by Albert J. Bernstein, Ph.D.
Topic: Workplace culture
Why it helps: One paragraph in the introduction sums up this book perfectly: “Each day, you try your best to get some work done, but the woman in the next cube is screeching at her kids on the phone, and the guy behind you keeps popping his head up to tell you what he saw on TV last night. Another staff meeting starts in 10 minutes. Meanwhile, you have 736 unread e-mails in your inbox, 700 of which have nothing to do with you. You stare blankly at your screen and wonder, ‘Am I the only sane one working here?’” This book offers 101 types of people and situations you likely have or will encounter at work, and best way to respond to each one.
The best part: Each scenario stands alone and offers clear, concise explanations about what is going on and what you should think, do and say to survive.

5. “Strategies for Successful Career Change,” by Martha E. Mangelsdorf
Topic: Changing careers
Why it helps: Today’s economy has an increasing number of workers changing careers, whether they want to or not. In “Strategies,” Mangelsdorf features dozens of in-depth interviews with real people who have successfully changed careers. The book gives you helpful information about finding a new career path, testing out a new job, pitfalls to avoid and steps to take, and how to do it all financially.
The best part: The real-person interviews are inspiring and show you that even though it’s hard work, finding the right career can improve your happiness.

Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CBwriterRZ.

By Rachel Zupek, PrimeCB.com writer

Every year, one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions is to “be healthy and lose weight.” Easier said than done. Of course, everyone wants to be healthy, but when it comes time to put in the effort, it’s hard for many to find the time.

For others, however, finding the time to be healthy is all in a day’s work. If you’re interested in a career that lends itself to staying active or promoting a healthy lifestyle and environment, check out these 10 careers and the requirements you’ll need to meet to get started:

1. Activities coordinator
Why it’s healthy: Activities coordinators plan and conduct recreation activities with groups in public, private or volunteer agencies or recreation facilities. They focus on keeping individuals fit and active, whether they are in a nursing home or day camp.
Requirements: Educational and training requirements vary based on the institution in which you will be working. They range from a high-school diploma to a bachelor’s degree.
Salary: $31,390

2. Athletic trainer
Why it’s healthy: Athletic trainers specialize in the prevention, assessment, treatment and healing of injuries for athletes. They usually focus mostly on the rehabilitation and reconditioning of injured athletes, but can spend time educating them on preventing injuries.
Requirements: A bachelor’s degree and, in most states, certification.
Salary: $46,049

3. Chiropractor
Why it’s healthy: Chiropractors deal with conditions of the spine, but their approach is more holistic in that it’s focused on a patient’s overall health. They are concerned with diet, exercise and other issues related to well-being, and they provide natural, drugless and nonsurgical health treatments.
Requirements: Chiropractors must be licensed, which requires two to four years of undergraduate education, completing a four-year chiropractic college course, and earning passing scores on national and state examinations.
Salary: $115,289

4. Dietitians and nutritionists
Why it’s healthy: Dietitians and nutritionists constantly think about foods they put in their clients’ bodies and in their own. They promote healthy eating habits by recommending dietary modifications, planning food and nutrition programs, supervising meal preparation and overseeing the serving of meals.
Requirements: At least a bachelor’s degree. Licensing, certification or registration requirements vary by state.
Salary: $52,911 and $54,301

5. Exercise instructor
Why it’s healthy: Exercise instructors are constantly moving their own bodies and teaching others to do the same and how to do so correctly. Multiple days of the week, hours at a time, are spent sweating, so there is no question you’ll be in tip-top shape.
Requirements: Depend on the specific type of fitness work. For most fitness workers, certification is critical and you are expected to know how to do your job without any on-the-job training.
Salary: $30,189

6. Health educator
Why it’s healthy: Health educators must practice what they preach, as they work to encourage healthy lifestyles and wellness. They educate people and communities about healthy living, disease prevention, proper nutrition and the importance of exercise.
Requirements: A bachelor’s degree is required for entry-level positions; other employers prefer a bachelor’s degree and some related experience. A master’s degree and even a doctorate may be required for some positions and is usually required for advancement.
Salary: $63,817

7. Personal chef
Why it’s healthy: Personal chefs offer meal preparation to clients for a fee and can personalize your menu to any special nutritional needs you may have.
Requirements: Most culinary schools offer personal chef training; you may also choose to be certified by the American Personal & Private Chef Association.
Salary: Varies

8. Personal trainer
Why it’s healthy: A personal trainer’s job is to help individuals lose weight, get in shape and lead a healthier lifestyle. They get tons of exercise through working out with clients, and part of their training is to learn about nutrition.
Requirements: Personal trainers usually must be certified to work with clients or with members of a fitness facility.
Salary: $46,049

9. Massage therapist
Why it’s healthy: Massage therapists promote their clients’ general health, helping people become more aware of their body and taking care of it better. They focus on relaxation, muscle recovery, treating painful ailments and reducing stress.
Requirements: Most states require massage therapists to complete a formal education program and pass a national certification examination or a state exam.
Salary: $32,399

10. Weight reduction specialist
Why it’s healthy: Weight-loss specialists help clients devise and carry out a weight-loss plan, using established dietary programs and positive reinforcement procedures.
Requirements: At least a bachelor’s degree. Licensing, certification or registration requirements vary by state.
Salary: $32,368

Salary figures based on data from CBsalary.com, powered by SalaryExpert.com

Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CBwriterRZ.

By Anthony Balderrama, PrimeCB.com writer

Desperation isn’t an attractive trait in most people — maybe anyone. If you’ve ever witnessed desperation in a relationship, you know how unappealing it can be to see someone willing to settle for something. Anything. It makes you wonder just how much that person values himself or herself.

A job search isn’t the same as a quest for true love, but it can often result in desperation. Think about it: If you don’t have a job, you don’t have money to pay the bills. For many people, a job search is linked to survival. Who wouldn’t get desperate after awhile?

Just like in a romance, however, being too eager and needy can backfire. Even if you’re feeling as though you’ll take any job that comes your way, don’t let employers know that. You might be desperate for a job, but you don’t have to act like you are.

Why desperation doesn’t help you
You might think, “Won’t I impress my future boss if I prove I’m willing to do anything to get the job?” You would be wrong. To help you understand what hiring managers think when they come across desperate interviewees, we went straight to the source.

Tony Deblauwe is the founder of HR4 Change and has 15 years of human resources experience. In his career, he has seen more desperate job seekers than most people. Sometimes things go so wrong they’re almost criminal.

“I had a case once where after not hearing from the recruiter (from just a résumé submission), the candidate came to the office and waited in the parking lot for the CEO,” Deblauwe remembers. “It was easy, since the CEO’s picture was online. [The candidate] felt that HR and staffing were a roadblock and the best way to prove his ‘inventiveness’ was to approach the CEO directly. It turned out badly, as you might imagine — we had to get security involved.”

Not all candidates are as extreme. In fact, desperation is so common that Deblauwe sees certain traits appear time after time.

· “I’m willing to take any job.”
“People who have been searching a long time or who have limited leads respond to job posts that they will take any job even if it’s clearly a step down,” he says. “Sometimes this is due to the economy; sometimes they want to get into a company at whatever the cost. I have personally known of candidates doing this to get into Apple or Google.”

· “I’m willing to temp first.”
“Sometimes [starting as a temp] works, but when a candidate offers it first against a full-time posted job, it’s a turnoff,” Deblauwe cautions. “Rather than show confidence that you can do the job as presented, you offset the discussion by saying you will be a temp. Not a good move and very desperate.”

· “Money doesn’t matter.”
“It’s one thing to say your salary is negotiable, but making a point in the phone screen or first-round interview about not caring about the pay not only reflects bad judgment but low self-esteem,” Deblauwe warns. “I ask myself, ‘What else will you cave on if you had this job?’”

· “Why haven’t you called me back?”
According to Deblauwe, being pushy is one of the most classic signs of a desperate job seeker.

“After sending in a résumé or getting an initial call back, a candidate loses all sense of how staffing process timing works,” he says. “They will e-mail [or call] after one or two days. Candidates forget that many back-end processes slow job updates — not because people forgot about you or don’t care. This behavior doesn’t show you are determined and eager; rather it makes you appear annoying and distracting. Almost always, people who do this, even if they appeared to be a great fit in the beginning, get eliminated.”

What you can do
First off, don’t say any of the above phrases. More importantly, prove that the company would be lucky to have you, and not vice versa. Don’t be cocky, but act like you’re ready for the job because it’s the right fit, not because it’s available now. Even if you are desperate for a job, remember these tips because they’re important to every job search.

· Have proof of your accomplishments so you can show the hiring manager that you deliver results.
· Show interest in the company. Employers like to know that you care about more than dollar signs, so do a little research on the company and even the interviewers if possible.
· Practice your interview answers so you don’t blurt out a bad answer. For example, your answer to “Why do you want this job?” shouldn’t include the low balance of your checking account.
· Make a list of the reasons you are the best candidate for the job. You can’t convince a hiring manager that you’re the best choice for the position if you don’t believe it yourself. The best way to convince yourself is to look at all your best qualities.

Anthony Balderrama is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. He researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/abalderrama.