Cool Sands
U.S. - Democrats' health care bills won't meet President Barack Obama's goal of slowing the ruinous rise of medical costs, Congress' budget umpire warned on Thursday, giving weight to critics who say the legislation could break the bank. The sobering assessment from Congressional Budget Office Director Douglas Elmendorf came as House Democrats pushed to pass a partisan bill through committees, while in the Senate a small group of lawmakers continued to seek a deal that could win support from both political parties.
You did it. You landed an interview, dressed to impress and had great conversation, and you think you might actually have a shot at getting a job offer. But is there any way to actually know if the interview was in your favor? Many times, job seekers are so focused on what they did wrong in an interview that they don't think about the many things they did right. While no signs are 100 percent foolproof, there are definitely some indicators that you have won over your interviewer.
It's been cited that the average woman makes 12 percent less than a man in a comparable position. This "underearning" can cost a woman hundreds of thousands of dollars over her lifetime, according to financial adviser and author Mikelann R. Valterra's book, "Why Women Earn Less, How to Make What You're Really Worth."
It happened again: While you were plugging away at yet another project, Mindy from down the hall was promoted -- just like Aaron was four weeks ago and Susan six months before that. You know your work is top-notch, so why aren't you climbing the ranks like your colleagues?
There is no magic bullet or one-size method for managing your introversion in a job search. But in today's noisy business world, you can learn how to build on your quiet strength and succeed. The goal is not changing your personality or natural style, but embracing and expanding who you are. As an ongoing framework, follow the "Four Ps": preparation (devising game plans); presence (focusing on the moment); push (stretching and growing); and practice (rehearsing and refining). Here are 10 specific tips for doing this:
A study at the Stanford University School of Business tracked a group of MBAs 10 years after they graduated. The result? Grade point averages had no bearing on their success -- but their ability to converse with others did. Being able to connect with others through small talk can lead to big things, according to Debra Fine, author of 'The Fine Art of Small Talk.' A former engineer, Fine recalls being so uncomfortable at networking events that she would hide in the restroom. Now a professional speaker, Fine says the ability to connect with people through small talk is an acquired skill.
So you've been with your company for a while and have been exceeding all of your manager's expectations. You work hard, are a great team player, come up with new ideas to take the business further and are an all-around joy in the workplace. If you haven't been promoted or been bumped up in salary automatically, it might be time to take the bull by the horns and approach this topic yourself. While asking for a raise makes many people uncomfortable and nervous, the situation can be a breeze if handled correctly.
Vince Thompson was willing to do whatever it took to make his company successful. He shifted from sales management to leading sales training when the need was there, and when the company asked him to run its Southwest territory, he relocated for the position.
"The knowledge I needed to change positions did not come from my predecessors or even bosses," Thompson says. "It came from mentors and colleagues within the company that were vested in my success and willing to teach more and provide honest feedback."
Somewhere between winning the lottery and hearing your name called on "The Price is Right" is that other common fantasy: Telling off your boss. While telling your manager what he or she can really do with that quarterly report is tempting, you'd like to keep your job. Still, you may not be aware of how other things you say to your boss can make you come across as lazy, disrespectful or careless, sabotaging your chances of getting a promotion, a raise or a better job later on. Here are 10 phrases employers say they hate to hear and why.
Many people dream of someday being the boss -- by being self-employed. But how do you know if self-employment is right for you or not? On the plus side, being self-employed may allow you some more flexibility and freedom to make your own decisions -- and if you work from or near home, a better commute. But there are negatives, too. Self-employment can involve stress, unpredictable income, risk -- and the challenge of obtaining benefits like health insurance on your own. Think of the pros and cons this way: If you're self-employed, you can decide when and if to take a vacation day -- but no one will pay you if you do.
As if the résumé writing and panel interviews weren't grueling enough, now you've got to negotiate a salary before you can successfully end your job hunt. "If you want something, you had better negotiate for it." That's the bottom line according to authors Robin L. Pinkley and Gregory B. Northcraft in their book "Get Paid What You're Worth." They note, "Employers routinely will offer you less than they ultimately expect to compensate you with the expectation that you will negotiate." To help you nail the big bucks, heed these dos and don'ts.
