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How to Get a Job With Obama as Your Boss

SavvySugar — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 04:30:48 -0800

Barack Obama is my boss. How would you like to be able to technically say that? If you're serious about wanting a job under the Obama administration, now is the time to apply. Typically, about 7,000 new jobs open up at the beginning of a new president's term, and on Wednesday the government will announce which positions will be available and where they will be located.

The jobs last as long as Obama is in office and are referred to as politically appointed or noncareer positions (political experience is not a prerequisite). The positions cover a variety of fields offered at a wide range of salaries and experience levels. Fill out a general application online now to receive instructions later about how to apply for the positions that interest you most. A comprehensive list of all jobs will be available after they've been announced at gpoaccess.gov.

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5 Tips For Getting the Most From Your Performance Review

SavvySugar — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:30:41 -0800

Doing what you can to prepare for a performance review puts you in the best position possible for a smooth experience, but unexpected bumps can certainly arise. If you and your boss haven't been communicating well, that leaves an open door for surprise comments that could shake your confidence. Don't let these minor moments distract you from getting the most from your review. Check out these tips from various industry experts for handling potentially sticky situations.

Ask questions: Your boss may assume that you know what she's talking about when she tells you you're doing a good job. Ask what stands out about your job performance, and if she's dissatisfied with the job you've been doing, ask for specific examples and how you could do better next time.
Tell your story: If you think your boss's negativity stems from a misunderstanding, ask her, "I have a different perspective on this situation. Would you like to hear it?" Steer clear of defending everything your boss brings up. Sometimes, it's more appropriate to say, "I hadn't looked at it that way. I'd like to try that next time."

See three more tips for your review when you

Four Steps to Preparing For a Performance Review

SavvySugar — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 07:15:28 -0800

Annual performance reviews often coincide with the holiday season, and that's at least true for Sugar HQ. While there's nothing to really be scared about, it's natural to try and think about what negative feedback you could be facing by over-analyzing the smallest mistakes from the past year. It's more productive to brush up on the positive details rather than be consumed by the negative, so replace any ounce of dread you have by being confidently prepared.

If you went through a review with the same company last year, dig up your notes and check off the things you've continued to do well and the points you've improved upon. If you are a newer employee and this is your first review, ask your boss how you'll be evaluated so you know what to expect and can prepare accordingly.
Think about the feedback you've received throughout the year. If there were instances where your boss suggested you could improve, did you take the steps to do so? Come up with a couple of examples of how you listened to what she said and applied it to your work.

See two more preparation pointers when you

Glamour Picks Its Women of the Year: Who Is Your Pick?

SavvySugar — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 04:30:33 -0800

Hillary Clinton, Nicole Kidman, Condoleezza Rice, and Jane Goodall were just some of the remarkable women honored at Glamour's 2008 Women of the Year awards Monday night. The rewarded ladies were recognized for their various accomplishments and contributions, from trailblazing opportunities to spreading environmental awareness.

Glamour asked its readers to nominate their own personal heroes for a Woman of Your Year contest, and the winner was 25-year old cancer survivor Rachel Lozano who battled the disease throughout her teenage years. Now she's studying art therapy so she can help sick children. Check out the video for highlights of the big event and then tell me, who is the woman of your year?

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10 Careers With the Happiest Workers

SavvySugar — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 13:30:42 -0800

There are plenty of stories driven by bad news these days, so I was relieved to find the University of Chicago's study, "Job Satisfaction in the United States." The study summed up the careers where workers are reportedly happiest overall, and found that these jobs involve helping others, technical and scientific expertise, or creativity. Here are the 10 occupations where the study found workers to have the greatest job satisfaction and overall happiness. Are you surprised at any of the jobs on the list?

10 Careers With the Happiest Workers

Airline pilots and navigators
Industrial engineers
Miscellaneous mechanical and repairing occupations
Science technicians
Actors and directors

See the five happiest careers when you

How to Move Beyond Your Administrative Assistant Role

SavvySugar — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 13:30:22 -0800

There's a reason why the adage "you have to start somewhere" has stuck around. Perhaps it's only mildly comforting to hear when you're in a job-hating state of mind, but the truth is most people have had to work their way into their successful careers. A common job title for recent graduates is administrative assistant, a position with a job description that usually doesn't do it justice. This jack-of-all-trades job has more of a career growth track than it did five years ago, according to a survey of executives, and several experts shared information with The New York Times on how to make the most of an administrative position. See their comments when you

I'm Asking: Do You Wish You Had Chosen a Different Major?

SavvySugar — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 12:30:34 -0700

Life is full of unproductive what-ifs, but this is one that I hear often. Unhappy professionals think that if only they majored in something different, they'd be on a better career path. Some workers have even wished they'd majored in something more enjoyable because their work has nothing to do with their specific education. Do you ever wish you had chosen a different major?

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Definition: Manage Up

SavvySugar — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 06:30:40 -0700

Annual performance reviews are right around the corner, so let's brush up on the boss's lingo to make sure we understand the feedback we're given. If your boss told you that you need to "manage up," would you know what she meant?

According to Rosanne Badowski, co-author of Managing Up: How to Forge an Effective Relationship With Those Above You, your boss wants you to "go above and beyond the tasks assigned to you so that you can enhance your manager's work." Helping your manager in this way makes you a greater asset and will make you more competitive for a promotion — managing up is a "help me help you" type of role, and it can certainly work in your favor.

Executive coach Mariette Edwards says there are a slew of steps you can take to show you are learning to manage up, including things like jumping in when needed; maintaining a good attitude no matter what; doing quality work; keeping your boss informed; building relationships; being a good follower when the situation dictates it. Get the gist?

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I'm Asking: What's the Latest You've Had to Stay at Work?

SavvySugar — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 11:00:53 -0700

We burned the candle from both ends during college, and during our professional lives many of us have been known to burn the midnight oil on occasion. Too many of us are guilty of taking our work home with us and fighting sleep with the glow of our computer screens. What's the latest you've stayed at the office or kept yourself up working?

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Three Things to Ask For If Your Raise Is Unremarkable

SavvySugar — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 09:30:20 -0700

Performance reviews aren't all about the money, but for an employee's bottom line, they are. Companies have been making big decisions this quarter based on the poor performance of the past year and the uncertainty they face going in to 2009. With big companies laying off by the thousands (in the last week we saw Yahoo and Goldman Sachs cut ten percent of their massive workforces) and many smaller companies instilling temporary hiring freezes, we can be fairly certain that 2008 raises will be, at most, unremarkable. So what if you want more to show for your hard work in the last year than the fact that you held on to your job? See three things to ask for when you

Could the Weak Job Market Be Good For New Grads?

SavvySugar — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 06:30:33 -0700

The class of 2009 is well in to its first semester of senior year, and the future could be even more up in the air for this group than it has been for previous graduates. The job market won't exactly be welcoming the class of '09 with opening arms and evidence of that can be seen in the reduction of corporate recruiters on college campuses. A survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers projects the weakest outlook in hiring for new graduates in six years, while just two months ago the group projected a 6 percent increase in hiring.

The job market is changing rapidly and the decline in hiring projections can be attributed to a number of factors, like a weaker financial sector and tighter budgets all around. The Wall Street Journal spoke with one senior finance major at NYU who planned on making his career on Wall Street, and is now exploring other options like Teach for America. He says the economic downturn makes young job seekers "feel freer to pursue your real passions."

Do you think the weak job market will allow new graduates to choose paths truer to themselves?

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Are Performance Reviews Counter-Productive?

SavvySugar — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 09:30:07 -0700

We are nearing the end of the year and many companies are gearing up for annual employee performance reviews. There isn't universal support for this type of review process that often involves written feedback from managers regarding their employees, usually presented in person in a one-on-one or two-on-one format. Samuel L. Colbert for The Wall Street Journal writes, "It destroys morale, kills teamwork and hurts the bottom line. And that's just for starters." Colbert backs up his opinion with an argument featuring seven points. Do you agree with his idea to get rid of performance reviews?

Two people, two mind-sets."The boss wants to discuss where performance needs to be improved, while the subordinate is focused on such small issues as compensation, job progression and career advancement. At best, the discussion accomplishes nothing."
Performance doesn't determine pay. "The performance review is simply the place where the boss comes up with a story to justify the predetermined pay."
Objectivity is subjective. "The closest one can get to "objective" feedback is making an evaluator's personal preferences, emotional biases, personal agendas and situational motives for giving feedback sufficiently explicit."

See four more points when you

Will Smith Can Teach Us About Instinct

SavvySugar — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 11:00:48 -0700

Keanu Reeves kept it coming in The Matrix movies, but the role of Neo wasn't initially offered to the actor. Will Smith turned down the role saying, "I would have absolutely messed up The Matrix. At that point I wasn't smart enough as an actor to let the movie be — whereas Keanu was." It takes a mix of maturity, self-awareness, and instinct to know when a project is more than you can handle, and it's an important lesson for our working lives.

Will's career was obviously unaffected by his decision to reject the role; in fact, if he went forward against his instincts, perhaps he wouldn't be flashing that smile as the biggest-earning actor in Hollywood. We should always be up for new challenges that add to our career development and take calculated risks, but know when it's better to back away from a project that's over your head or if you aren't nearly qualified for a job that is offered to you. Be confident about your abilities, but be realistic and let your instincts guide you.

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Would You Want Your Boss's Job?

SavvySugar — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 14:00:49 -0700

One of the common questions used to weigh whether or not a career track is right for you, is to ask if you could see yourself doing your boss's job. The corner office may seem appealing when compared to your cubicle, but observing the real responsibilities and day-to-day decisions made in that office might make you think twice about making yourself comfortable in your boss's chair. Photo copyright 2008 ABC, Inc.

Would You Want Your Boss's Job?

Yes, I could see myself in my boss's job.

Maybe, but I need to learn more about her job before knowing for sure.

No, I wouldn't want my boss's job.

I am the boss!

TV Jobs, Real Life Salaries: How Money Are You?

SavvySugar — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 11:00:36 -0700

So much of our lives revolve around work that the office has become one of the most common settings for TV sitcoms. Whether or not the characters are relatable, we can relate to what it's like to work, and sometimes the scenarios are eerily familiar. The actors get paid much more than their TV counterparts, but let's see if you can guess what they'd really make with their titles on television. How money are you?

Grind Tip: Keep Your Eye on Success, Not Perfection

SavvySugar — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 06:30:04 -0700

Striving for perfection is horribly taxing on anyone, and especially the 41 percent of you who identify yourselves as overachievers. It's one thing to want to be the best we can be in every aspect of our lives, but it's another to never be satisfied without absolute perfection. Instead of just focusing on the one thing that could be improved on a project the next time around, force yourself to step back and acknowledge a successful outcome when it's apparent you've done a good job.

Beating yourself up for one thing when everyone else is looking at the bigger picture is a tell-tale sign that you are a perfectionist. Behavioral change agent Liz Bywater has a useful tip for anyone who falls in to this camp: Strive for success, not perfection. She knows that perfectionists often fail to recognize their successes and advises, "Do your job well, really well, and your achievements will be recognized and rewarded."

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Your Two Cents: Do You Respect Your Boss?

SavvySugar — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 09:30:50 -0700

Most TV bosses are modeled after mythical professional monsters or clueless middle managers, so I've always been intrigued by the shifty hierarchical relationships on House. Dr. Lisa Cuddy is the Dean of Medicine and the smart and stable boss to Dr. House's defiant villain employee character. Cuddy has to constantly fight House's inability to walk the line, but at the end of the day he does respect her. Most of us can't disrespect (or disregard) our bosses the way House does, but not all bosses are worthy of your admiration and esteem. Has your boss earned your respect? Photo courtesy of Fox

Your Two Cents: Do You Respect Your Boss?

Yes. I respect my boss (most days!).

No. He or she hasn't earned it.

I used to, but he or she lost my respect.

Something else. See my comment below.

America's Oldest Worker Can't Stop, Won't Stop

SavvySugar — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 11:00:36 -0700

Mildred Heath was recently honored as America's Oldest Worker for 2008. She and her husband bought a newspaper in Nebraska when she was 23. Today she's 100-years-old. She's been a journalist and publisher for 85 years and still works 30 hours, six days a week. "I enjoy working and things that need to be done I go ahead and do them," Mildred says in the video below. "So it should be some kind of inspiration."

Grind Tip: Ask for This, Not That

SavvySugar — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 08:00:03 -0700

Asking for a raise right now might be out of the question as many companies are making personnel cutbacks, but that doesn't mean you can't do anything right now to make yourself more valuable to your employer. If you're in a position where you would normally be getting a raise but it's a no-way no-how situation this year because of budget reasons, consider asking for different responsibilities instead.

Ask your boss if there are any new responsibilities that you can take on that would give your job description more depth. The more you're capable of doing for your employer the more you are valuable to her — a well-rounded employee is an asset and you'd be in a better position to ask for a possibly even more substantial raise when things turn around. Constantly learning and seeking opportunity is key in remaining competitive in your workplace and the job market.

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Teen Girls Want to Be Models, Not Scientists

SavvySugar — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 07:00:49 -0700

Just to confirm that teenage girls were mostly uninterested in developing careers in science, the New Outlooks in Science & Engineering group (NOISE) ran a survey asking the 13- to 18-year-old demographic about their ideal careers. Just four percent selected engineer as their career of choice, 14 percent opted for a career in science, and 32 percent have their hopes on a career in modeling.

While these results aren't particularly shocking, it's interesting to note that 35 percent of the girls aren't attracted to careers in science and engineering because they don't know enough about the opportunities in these areas. NOISE is working to get girls more interested in math and science by allowing them to shadow scientists at work, and hopes to influence the media to portray the field in a more positive light.

Did you ever consider a career in science growing up? Do you think there was enough exposure to the possibilities in the field when you were in school?

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Guess Who?

SavvySugar — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 11:00:25 -0700

Publishers are in a bidding war and offering book advances worth millions to which star?

Ten Tips for Getting (and Nailing) a Job Interview

SavvySugar — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 09:30:17 -0700

An increasingly large pool of unemployed workers, many who are highly qualified and have killer resumes, means that getting an interview and landing a new job is a longer and more challenging process these days. After sorting through piles of resumes, hiring managers are now holding more rounds of interviews than before. Get through the first round of interviews with these tips.

Wondering What Your Old College Classmates Are Up to?

SavvySugar — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 08:00:40 -0700

Most of you have jobs related to your college majors, but have you wondered what your old major mates might be up to? PayScale put together a list of some of the most popular majors along with the most popular jobs and median salary for each. Their list includes the ten most popular jobs for each major, but you can find the two highest paying jobs for the majors they provided listed below. Are any of these occupation / major pairings surprising to you?

Business Management Majors: Human Resources Director ($86,000), Project Manager, Construction ($86,000).
Criminal Justice: Operations Manager ($81,000), Detective or Criminal Investigator ($63,000).
English: Marketing Manager ($69,000), Technical writer ($65,000).
Economics: Consultant, Business Process / Management ($104,000), Project Manager, IT ($95,000).
History: Project Manager, Construction ($86,000), Operations Manager ($76,000).

See five more majors and their corresponding jobs when you

Your Two Cents: Is Your Job Fulfilling?

SavvySugar — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:00:15 -0700

If given the option, most of you would choose to live a life of leisure and volunteerism like Charlotte on Sex and the City. I'm wondering if the preference is based on the feeling that your current job isn't meaningful to you and you'd find greater fulfillment as a volunteer, or if you'd rather just have the time to do whatever you want and your preference has nothing to do with your current job. So tell me, is your job fulfilling?
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Your Two Cents: Is Your Job Fulfilling?

Yes, overall I'd say my job is fulfilling.

No, my job doesn't give me a sense of fulfillment.

Something else. I'll tell you in the comments below.

Grind Tip: Getting Back Into the Groove After Vacation

SavvySugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 08:00:21 -0700

The glow from a leisurely vacation can quickly turn into anxiety-induced insomnia the night before returning to the office. You don't care about showing off your tan to your co-workers who have been stuck in front of their computers; you just want one more day of not adhering to a tight schedule involving more than breakfast, lunch, happy hour, and dinner.

You can help yourself get back into the work groove by doing a little planning ahead of your vacation. When requesting time off, include the day after you're scheduled to fly home. Real Simple points out that your return to the office will be much more productive and less frazzled if you take the planned personal day following your vacation. Use the time to run errands and catch up on phone calls and emails so that you're not trying to juggle those details with your first day back in the office.

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Two Things to Do When Your Job Is on the Rocks

SavvySugar — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 09:30:37 -0700

Recent events in the financial world have highlighted the reality that jobs don't come with a guarantee, no matter how stable the company authorizing our paychecks appears to be. I've reminded you to service your resume regularly, maintain contact with your network, and continue doing the best job possible to establish good references from your current employer. These are all important factors in planning for the worst, but I have a couple other ideas for what you can do when you have a strong inkling your job might be on the rocks. Find out what they are when you

The Office: How Well Does Your Company Speak Corporate?

SavvySugar — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 12:30:24 -0700

In honor of The Office's return this Thursday, I'm celebrating by highlighting the show's spot-on commentary on the workplace. Did you know Dunder Mifflin has its own official company website, complete with corporate jargon? Here's the paper company's mission statement.

Dunder Mifflin Inc. provides its customers quality office and information technology products, furniture, printing values and the expertise required for making informed buying choices. We provide our products and services with a dedication to the highest degree of integrity and quality of customer satisfaction, developing long-term professional relationships with employees that develop pride, creating a stable working environment and company spirit.

Sound familiar? That's because there is a special language companies use to express themselves. Whether the product is paper or apparel, the message seems to be pretty similar. Exhibit A, here's what's important to the Gap.

Our purpose? Simply, to make it easy for you to express your personal style throughout your life. We have more than 150,000 passionate, talented people around the world who help bring this purpose to life for our customers. Across our company and embedded in our culture are key values that guide our success: integrity, respect, open-mindedness, quality and balance.

Have you ever checked out your company's website and payed attention to how it wants to be seen?

Photo courtesy of NBC

Would You Consider a Career in Teaching?

SavvySugar — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 06:30:09 -0700

A recent survey found that 42 percent of 24-to-60 year old college educated respondents would consider becoming a teacher. The most common motivation for the potential career change is that most feel the job would be personally rewarding, and the second reason is that respondents would feel they'd be making a difference.
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Would You Consider a Career in Teaching?

Yes, I'd consider making a career change and becoming a teacher.

No, a teaching career doesn't interest me.

Teaching is already my career.

Are You Making As Much Money As You Expected?

SavvySugar — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 14:00:59 -0700

We all had to start somewhere, and that somewhere is probably an entry level job. When you're fresh out of college and know nothing about the job market, it can be easy to overvalue or undervalue your salary potential. No matter where you are in the workforce — entry level or well into your career — it's a rare worker who doesn't harp on her paycheck. Are you making as much as you expected at this point in your career?
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Are You Making As Much Money As You Expected?

Yes, my salary has met my expectations.

I never had any salary expectations.

No, I'm not making what I expected.

Something else. See my comments below.

Here One Minute, Gone the Next: Your Job

SavvySugar — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 09:30:26 -0700

Just one month ago it was estimated that 33,000 Wall Street jobs would be gone by June 2009, but that number has come and gone after the havoc on Wall Street this week. Lehman Brothers was one of the most known and respected names on the Street, and its collapse came as a shock to those of us on the outside who didn't have a stake in the company.

Many of Lehman's now ex-employees have said that even though they spent hundreds of hours inside company walls, the whole thing came as a surprise and feels like a carpet was ripped from under them — if there's anything we can learn from their unfortunate experience, it's that we must stay on our toes. It's easy to get comfortable in a job that is seemingly secure and it's important to keep in mind that anything can happen. Find out how to hope for the best, but plan for the worst, when you

The Best Companies to Begin Your Career

SavvySugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 09:30:20 -0700

When you're scouting out companies as possible contenders to launch a career, it's important to not only consider the demands of the position but what the company can do for your development. Working for a firm that facilitates employee growth and likes to promote from within can be very valuable to whether you're just starting out or you're looking to make the move from a job to a career.

BusinessWeek compiled its annual list of the best places to launch a career, and this year it includes a total of 119 employers. The list gives specific information about each company, like average pay, signing bonuses, mentorship programs, and diversity. See the top 10 when you

Mentor Wanted Ad Posted on eBay by TeamSugar Member

SavvySugar — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:30:36 -0700

If thinking outside the box and taking chances are what it takes to get the things you want in life, then TeamSugar member tphilli may be able to teach us a thing or two. Following suit of those who have used eBay in non-traditional ways like finding a wedding sponsor, tphilli is using the site to try and find a mentor. Starting at $0.99, the bidding war to become a mentor to tphilli is open, but there haven't been any bids just yet. Here's a glimpse of the ad.

I have pursued jobs in various arenas relating to my interests and hobbies and none have proven lucrative, in fact some of my favorite jobs have been little to no pay. I have read numerous books, been to countless seminars and watched videos of successful millionaires and entrepreneurs all leading me to the conclusion that I need a personal mentor.

You can find the eBay listing here. Good luck, tphilli, and keep us updated on your mentor search; I hope you find the guidance you're seeking.

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I'm Asking: Would You Consider Your Work a Job or Career?

SavvySugar — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:00:53 -0700

A career is a work in progress, and it may take several steps before you can say that you consider your work a career. It is more of a path, whereas a job might be seen as simply a means to an end — like a paycheck. How would you describe your work situation; are you on a career path or is your work just a job to you?

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Tough Job Choice: Fellow TeamSugar Member Needs Help!

SavvySugar — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 06:30:32 -0700

I received this message from a TeamSugar member in need of immediate help! She has a tough job choice to make and must decide by Monday. Situations like these don't always have an obvious right answer, but there's usually a best answer. Can you help her find it?

Dear Savvy,

I have a tough job decision to make and I really don't know what to do. My old boss (whom I have stayed in contact with over the years) called to offer me a position at his new company. The position is for a job that I held at our old company that I really enjoyed. I currently work from home for my husband's company. My old boss offered me the exact salary I am making now, but I know I would need at least 5k more than that a year, to compensate for travel and food at the office.

Also, what is bothering me is how much I enjoy working with my husband. I love it! But some months are very lean because the contracts just don't come in, so a secure paycheck could really help. Also, having a secure paycheck would help with our desire to buy a house. But I have so much liberty working from home that it is hard for me to make a decision to go back to the 9 to 5. Please help me figure this out! He wants a decision by Monday.

—Tough Job Choice

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How to Set Yourself Apart From Other Job Candidates

SavvySugar — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:00:48 -0700

When TeamSugar member dancingpanda1988asked for tips on ways to sell yourself that aren't used and everyone else who is trying to get into the door, ilanic13 offered some very useful insight that I didn't want any of you to miss.

Something that I've definitely learned in my years in the professional world is that sometimes you don't have to be the most qualified, but the most agreeable, the one that fits in the environment best, or the most willing to learn and throw yourself into it. I think sometimes that is more important than having skills, since it's often the people who are passionate about something that see things through the roughest of times.

I couldn't agree more with her thoughtful observation. See my tips on setting yourself apart from a crowd of candidates when you

Ranked: 100 Most Powerful Women in the World

SavvySugar — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 04:00:18 -0700

The women on Forbes's fifth annual list of the 100 most powerful women in the world control $26 trillion worldwide, and the list is an impressive grouping of government and company leaders. While these individuals are doing quite well for themselves, women hold just 15 percent of top corporate jobs in the US and are chief executives for less than 3 percent of the country's biggest companies. Here are the top 10 most powerful females; visit Forbes for the full list.

Angela Merkel: Chancellor, Germany
Sheila C. Bair: Chairman, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC), US
Indra K. Nooyi: Chairman and chief executive, PepsiCo, US
Angela Braly: Chief executive and president, WellPoint, US
Cynthia Carroll: Chief executive, Anglo American, UK
Irene B. Rosenfeld: Chairman, chief executive, Kraft Foods, US
Condoleezza Rice: Secretary of state, US
Ho Ching: Chief executive, Temasek Holdings, Singapore
Anne Lauvergeon: Chief executive, Areva, France
Anne Mulcahy: Chairman, chief executive, Xerox Corp., US

Source

What You Can Learn From Starbucks' Independent Competitors

SavvySugar — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:30:22 -0700

Smaller coffee shops neighboring chain-of-all-chains, Starbucks, told The Seattle Times they no longer fear being pushed out of business by their famous Frappucino-making competitor. While Starbucks was initially a threat to independent shops, they were able to channel the success of the chain and sustain viable businesses, too. Find out what this attitude has to do with you and job searching when you

Is Your Job Typical of Your Astrological Sign?

SavvySugar — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 09:30:07 -0700

Careerbuilder saw the signs and used them as the basis for its most recent survey. Between color tests and astrology, it seems the folks there believe career paths are more than just your college major. If you've ever wondered how your job field, salary, and satisfaction compare to other workers who share your sign, wonder no more. Here are the jobs certain signs are reportedly drawn to, along with some job satisfaction and salary patterns. How do your sign and job match up with their findings?

Aquarius: sales, military, engineering, mechanic, food preparation, facilities management, and transportation. Among the most likely to earn less than $35,000.
Pisces: social work, personal care, IT, facilities management, and mechanic. Among the most satisfied with their current jobs.
Aries: government, construction, hotel /recreation, IT, education, and transportation.
Taurus: nursing, engineering, attorney/judge, marketing/public relations, and higher education. Among the most likely to earn $100,000 or more.
Gemini: art/design/architecture, nursing and personal care, sales, law enforcement, firefighter, and machine operation. Among least satisfied with current job.
Cancer: government, legal services, advertising, higher education, machine operation, transportation, and military. Among the most likely to earn $100,000 or more, but among least satisfied with current job.

See the other six signs when you

I'm Asking: Did You Intentionally Choose Your Career Path?

SavvySugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 11:20:00 -0700

In last night's episode of Mad Men, Bobbie Barrett made turning possibilities into opportunities seem easy when she told Don, "Pick a job and become the person who does it." Have you been able to tackle the working world in this way, or did you fall into your job without intention?

Photo courtesy of AMC

Forbes Ranks Best Cities to Earn a Living

SavvySugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 08:00:02 -0700

There are plenty of factors to consider when making a move, from a city's affordability to the quality of available jobs. Forbes ranked the best cities to earn a living in the US by considering the quality of the business environment, median income in each city compared to cost of living, and job-growth forecasts. How does your city rank?

Houston, TX
Minneapolis, MN
Boston, MA
Washington, D.C.
New York, NY
Pittsburgh, PA
San Francisco, CA
Dallas, TX
Milwaukee, WI
Philadelphia, PA

Source

Would You Jump Through This Hoop For a Promotion?

SavvySugar — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 06:30:28 -0700

The other day PetSugar shared a story with me about her ex-employer who was notorious for putting employees through hoops. In this particular case, there was a position open that would be considered a step up, and the office required workers to apply and interview for a move rather than simply offer a promotion. One of her coworkers was vacationing on the East Coast and when he got wind of the open position, he expressed interest in the job. Rather than allow the employee (who had been working for them for more than two years) to interview when he returned from his trip, the employer said he had to buy a web-cam and interview while on vacation. Pet's co-worker purchased the equipment and ended up getting the job. Would you have bought the web-cam if you were in his position?Source

Would You Jump Through This Hoop For a Promotion?

Yes, I would if the benefit outweighed the cost.

Maybe, but I don't agree with the employer's demands.

No, I wouldn't spend money knowing it may not be worth it.

Something else. I'll tell you in the comments below.

Your Two Cents: Would You Want to Be Your Own Boss?

SavvySugar — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 06:30:37 -0700

Self-employment is a goal that many workers strive for: Setting your own hours, making the big decisions, and controlling your work life are appealing parts of being your own boss. While those aspects excite some, the prospect of self-employment causes stress in others who would rather leave the risk taking to somebody else. Would you want to start a business and be accountable for its success or failure? Source

Your Two Cents: Would You Want to Be Your Own Boss?

Yes, I'd love to have my own business and be my own boss.

No, I wouldn't want to be self-employed.

I'm already my own boss!

Something else. I'll tell you in the comments below.

Ten Jobs That Should Stand the Test of Time

SavvySugar — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:30:22 -0700

Most of us have had our fair share of jobs in a quest to find the right fit, but at times it may feel like there's no such thing. Maybe that perfect position is somewhere out there, and a good place to start looking for employment is where there's demand.

In its September issue, Glamour named these 10 jobs that are "desperate for employees and will be for years to come." And if you're over working for someone else and have an idea you want to pursue, start planning at womanowned.com.

Accountant
Event planner
Environmental engineer
Sales representative
Schoolteacher
Financial adviser
Personal trainer
Advertising manager
Chef/food prep
Geriatric nurse

Source

What We Can Learn From Wall Street's Ex-Employees

SavvySugar — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:30:25 -0700

Many of Wall Street's employees may have enjoyed enviable salaries and big-time bonuses during their careers, but now that about 33,300 finance jobs will be cut by June 2009, some of those workers are finding other ways to continue paying their bills.

In such a troubled market many of them are earning money in jobs unrelated to finance and making much less in doing so. One ex-Bear Stearns employee started a company that teaches kids to cook, a Bank of New York-ex moved to Omaha with his wife where they opened a hair salon, and others are trying their hands in jobs like bartending and real estate to make enough money to live.

These workers are doing what it takes to support their families and find happiness doing something else, often after working in one profession for the length of their careers. Losing a job is definitely one of the biggest stresses that can fall upon us, but it's also a chance to show what you're really made of by hunting down open doors and creating your own opportunities.

Source

Madonna's Cash Facts: How Money Are You?

SavvySugar — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 07:00:27 -0700

Madonna's career has powerfully withstood the test of time, and she's made the most of her long, ever-changing act. She was a self-starter who made a name for herself by working hard, using her incredible business instincts, and of course throwing in some shock tactics here and there to stir the publicity pot.

In honor of Madonna's 50th birthday today, let's see how her talents and endorsement endeavors have paid off. Take the quiz!

Source

Would You Consider Visiting a Career Coach?

SavvySugar — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 14:00:51 -0700

Sometimes it takes a little outside help to clearly see the big picture and discover our strengths and true passions, and that might mean seeking the sound advice of a professional. Career counselors would surely offer a better assessment of the types of jobs that would be most suitable for you than, say, a color test. Would you consider visiting one if you had the funds to do so? Source

Would You Consider Visiting a Career Coach?

Yes, I'd appreciate the guidance of a career counselor.

Maybe, but I don't think I need one at this point in my life.

No, I wouldn't visit a career coach.

Something else. I'll tell you in the comments below.

I'm Asking: How Many Jobs Have You Had Since College?

SavvySugar — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 11:00:34 -0700

The common statistic is that workers change jobs an average seven times in their careers, but younger employees are getting a reputation for job-hopping and failing to develop a sense of loyalty to our employers.

I'm wondering how many jobs you've had since joining the real world: Have you played the field or have you been relatively exclusive?

Source

Your Favorite Colors Say Something About Career Choices?

SavvySugar — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 08:00:49 -0700

According to BellaSugar, your favorite colors might not suit your skin tone, but CareerBuilder says if you follow the colors you're drawn to they'll tell you something about your career choices. They've launched the Color Career Counselor, a free online color-based personality test based on the Dewey Color System. The colors you like and dislike say something about the challenges you favor and those you avoid, therefore indicating career compatibility.

I'm pretty skeptical about the claims that color preferences can be interpreted to discover which careers are most suitable — and am even more suspicious because they ask your current occupation before generating answers — but my results were certainly interesting. See what my color test told me when you

Employers Want Two For the Price of One

SavvySugar — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 12:30:19 -0700

Some employers are combating lower profit margins by combining two jobs and advertising for one position with all the responsibilities. The repackaged positions are usually offered with a salary that reflects the half of the job that was more junior. Recruiters acknowledge that more companies are seeking jack-of-all-trades types to wear multiple hats for one bargain salary.

The jobs are often mislabeled or too demanding for one person, and some employers have been taking advantage of eager and often uninformed entry- and lower-level candidates. The Wall Street Journal offers these tips on what to do if you've applied for a position that seems like it's two jobs combined.

Ask what position has been eliminated to see if you can handle all the duties.
Know the going rates for various jobs and expertise levels, so you can negotiate a fair salary. Don't sell yourself cheap.

Have you seen evidence of this trend in your own company or in jobs you've come across?

Source

What Is the Bottom Line, Anyway?

SavvySugar — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 08:00:36 -0700

If you've ever sat through an organized round-table meeting at work, you're probably all too familiar with the phrase "bottom line." It's thrown around almost as much as "at the end of the day," but bottom line has more meanings than simply trying to summarize a point, and whether you're employed or looking for a job it's important that you understand them.

When you're employed, you need to contribute to what makes your company tick and show that your unique skills and work ethic are not only noteworthy, but valuable. Understanding your company's bottom line will allow you to figure out what skills you should develop or sharpen to be the ideal employee.

Most for-profit companies see profit as their bottom line, which means cultivating skills that will support making your company money. Depending on your position within the company, the particular aspects of your position you should focus on will differ. Find how the bottom line fits into a job seeker's mentality when you