It can take the average person six to twelve months to land a job. Unfortunately, the longer you are without a job, the harder it is to find one. Employers may be hesitant to hire you and have many questions about the gap of employment on your resume. However, no matter if you have been unemployed for a few weeks or many months, there are several things you can do to improve your chances of landing a job. Here are four of them.  1. Network Networking is truly one of your greatest resources for landing a job. Research shows that approximately 80%...

When you’ve gone through the grueling application process and have finally received word that you are offered the job, you likely want to scream “Yes! I accept!” However, there are several things you should consider and a few ways to handle this situation with professionalism. Here are some of the dos and don’ts of accepting a job offer. Show Appreciation If you receive an email or physical letter from the company, make sure to send an immediate reply. Tell the manager, HR representative, or another individual “thank you.” This will let the individual know that you are grateful for the opportunity and...

The job hunt is an overwhelming process. You want to feature yourself in the best light to certain companies. You want to show how you can become an asset to their team, help their business succeed, and be a valuable resource. However, to market yourself, should you highlight your experience in a particular field or should you focus on your talent? What qualities are companies looking for?  Hiring for Experience  When you highlight your experience on your resume or in your job interview, you showcase your knowledge. Experience tells the managers, recruiters, and HR personnel that you are less likely to...

As you search for your dream job, you may be on the lookout for many benefits such as unlimited paid time off. While this perk is rare, there are some companies like Eventbrite, General Electric, and Groupon that offer unlimited vacation time.  Why are some companies jumping on board and offering unlimited PTO? Are there drawbacks to this decision? Here is a look at some of the pros and cons of unlimited paid time off.   Pro: It Improves Employee Engagement Levels  Vacations give your employees an opportunity to rest. It allows them to clear their minds. By taking this time, they feel happier,...

Winter is quickly approaching and that means flu and cold season is upon us. While most of us spend time each day sanitizing and tidying our homes, we often overlook our work areas. Our offices are breeding grounds for millions of bacteria. Unfortunately, many of these areas are not cleaned every day and some aren’t cleaned at all. Here are five of the dirtiest places in an office that you should sanitize daily.  1. Keyboard When was the last time you sanitized your keyboard? Research from the Swinburne University of Technology in Australia found that keyboards are some of the dirtiest places...

Each day the average worker receives up to 121 emails and they spend up to three hours of their workday attempting to control their inbox. While email is an effective communication tool, it can hinder your productivity in the workplace. Unfortunately, if you don’t check your emails often or make these messages a priority, your inbox can get out of control. Here are a few tips to help you better control your email inbox and improve your productivity in the office.  Make it an Appointment Just like you make appointments for phone calls or meetings, schedule blocks of time throughout your day...

After receiving a poor performance review, you may experience any number of emotions from anger and sadness to confusion. This review can affect future promotions, pay increases, and your self-confidence in the workplace. However, before you fight back and become defensive, here are several things you need to do first.  Calm Down and Reflect Acting hastily out of anger is only going to make matters worse. Before you say or do anything, give yourself time to calm down. Go home for the night and reflect on the situation. Did your boss provide examples that you can analyze? Did they give you a...

No matter your industry or job position, you will always want to improve and become better. For example, you may have your sights set on a job promotion, a certain sales revenue, or even inventing a new product. While it is important to have goals, some of your career goals may be a little out of reach. These may be good goals, but they aren’t realistic, at least in the present. When goal-setting, here are a few things you can do to help you set realistic goals at work.  Be S.M.A.R.T. SMART goal setting is one of the most effective and powerful...

Remote jobs are becoming increasingly popular in the United States. Since 2005, remote work has grown 159% and more than 4.7 million people in the United States enjoy a telecommuting job. While many individuals are seeking remote work, it may not be best for everyone. Before you look for remote jobs, there are several questions you should ask yourself. 1. Are You a Self-Starter?   As a remote employee, you will not have someone looking over your shoulder and making sure you complete all of your work. You must have the self-discipline to set aside your distractions and focus on your work. You...

When quitting a job, you will often be required to attend an exit interview before you leave. This is a short meeting or a written survey that allows you to share with the employer the good and bad about the position and company. While it is important to provide honest feedback, if you come across too negative or rude, you could hurt your future relationship with the company. Here are a few things to remember to help you conquer this interview.  Leave Your Emotions Out of It  Many individuals walk into the exit interview with plans to vent and complain. They may have...