A competitive spirit has its place in the office. It can be a positive force that pushes you to do your best work, thereby strengthening your company and increasing your job security and potential rewards. Some people, however, become possessed with the competitive spirit. They begin to view work as a...

By Beth Braccio Hering, Special to CareerBliss In an economy where employees often feel pressure to demonstrate value, work-related matters can dominate life. Yet long hours and sacrificing personal time can backfire by leaving people feeling burned-out and resentful. Strike a better balance with...

By Dr. Robert A. Giacalone, special to CareerBliss After many years focused on the academic and practitioner aspects of managing one's work image effectively, I have not changed my mind about this: Effective management of your image generally helps to build careers and advance personal goals. Speak and...

By Dr. Robert A. Giacalone, Special to CareerBliss When someone talks about being happy or unhappy in their job, most people think about the job itself - the work, the supervisors, the company, the pay. And so many times these days, people will tell you that they are unhappy because of too much work,...

You've cleaned out your desk and said good-bye to your colleagues. All that is left is an exit interview before heading out to your terrific new job -- and that's only a formality nobody takes seriously. Right?

The phenomenon of unemployment bias is reminiscent of job searching at 16, going door-to-door to every yogurt joint and coffee place to beg for a first job. "No experience? No thanks" is a theme among employers. It is circular logic: "How can I get experience if no one will hire me because I don't have enough...

You're feeling great after your first interview for a job with a prospective employer and you're told to expect a call back from human resources about setting up a second interview. When you do get that call, your initial feelings are excitement and triumph! Then, just as quickly, those feelings are replaced...

Holiday traditions are varied and numerous, but there is one year-end custom that has become a standard practice in this country, at least in the retail sector: the seasonal job. The many job hunters considering seasonal work this year may want to supplement an existing (and diminishing) income, while others...

Do you want your boss to be brutally honest about how you're doing? Or would you rather work, day in and day out, in blissful ignorance until it comes time to trim the office fat and you discover that you're at the top of the layoff list for your lackluster performance? While criticism can be hard to hear,...