AOL Jobs

How To Get Along With All Types Of Personalities

Justin Thompson, AOL Jobs Contributor — 2012-07-03T09:20:00+00:00

Teamwork is crucial to most workplaces. As the saying goes, "A chain is only as strong as its weakest link," so it's important that each individual on a team understands his purpose, function and responsibilities in order for everyone else to do their work effectively.

In her book "Personality Style at Work," Kate Ward shares the four most common team styles that individuals adopt when part of a group. Understanding how you function as part of a team can help improve your experience and help the team remain productive and positive.

Hate Desk Work? 6 Good Non-Traditional Jobs

Justin Thompson, AOL Jobs Contributor — 2012-06-29T13:26:00+00:00

While many people are perfectly content with a structured, 9-to-5 job, some workers aren't made for that type of environment. They crave variety, constant challenges and adventure at work. They often don't want to be at a desk.

A worker who is bored on the job not only suffers himself, but his lack of focus may be detrimental to the employer, too. According to a U.K. survey of approximately 100 workers, nearly 25 percent said they felt bored most of the time and that it hurt their job performance. Eighty percent of workers said that being bored at work makes them lose concentration. More than 50 percent said that chronic boredom led them to make on-the-job mistakes.

10 Smart Questions To Ask In A Job Interview

Justin Thompson, AOL Jobs Contributor — 2012-06-28T08:18:00+00:00

Once you've received the call from an employer inviting you in for an interview, the real preparation begins. Prior to an interview, candidates should research the company so they can not only answer questions, but have questions ready to ask the hiring manager as well.

The interview is where the job candidate and employer get to know each other. Think of it like dating. While a job interview is in a professional setting and the outcomes are different, the intentions are the same. You've exchanged information because you think there might be a connection, and now you're ready for your "first date." As much as you want to make a good first impression, the employer needs to make a good impression, too.

Most In-Demand Job In America? [Infographic]

Justin Thompson, AOL Jobs Contributor — 2012-04-17T08:52:00+00:00

Recently AOL Jobs shared the five most in-demand jobs in the U.S., based on information from CareerBuilder's database. Here's a close look at one of the jobs that has a high demand for workers this year -- truck driver with a commercial license, or CDL.

Real Resume Help: What Every Resume Needs -- But Usually Lacks

Justin Thompson, AOL Jobs Contributor — 2012-04-11T10:54:00+00:00

Some job seekers have problems selling their skills. They list their basic duties, which most job seekers have in common. You can stand out in a job search by positioning those skills so they set you apart.

Think of how a salesperson sells a car. He doesn't tout the fact that the car has four wheels, windows and functioning lights, because you'd expect that from every car. Instead, he sells the unique points of the car -- design, safety, mileage -- all of which make the car appealing to a potential buyer.

One Big Reason People Fail At Work

Justin Thompson, AOL Jobs Contributor — 2012-04-06T08:26:00+00:00

In his book, "Stepping Up: How Taking Responsibility Changes Everything," John Izzo puts the emphasis back on the individual to change their own life, and especially their career.

Have you ever thought, "This job would be so much better if my boss would do ABC," or "If the marketing team would actually help me, I would be able to sell more XYZ"? No matter what the thought, Izzo says that we should ditch the helpless attitude and resolve to do something about it.

Send In Your Resumes, Employers Are Hiring Again

Justin Thompson, AOL Jobs Contributor — 2012-04-05T14:18:00+00:00

Baseball season kicked off this week, but there is even better news to report for job seekers: Companies are returning to their pre-recession hiring levels, according to CareerBuilder's latest nationwide survey.

Thirty percent of employers plan on adding new full-time, permanent staff through June, building on the momentum from the first three months of this year. The hiring trend for the first quarter was on par with 2007 and the highest increase in hiring reported since the recession began.

New To The Job? 4 Smart Ways To Ask For Help

Justin Thompson, AOL Jobs Contributor — 2012-04-05T09:14:00+00:00

A new job can be overwhelming, especially when projects are hurled at you at an unrelenting speed, with little to no direction. But whether you're job-searching post-graduation or you've just started working at a new job, you're allowed to ask for help. While you may think it should be obvious to your manager or co-workers that you need direction, they may be so swamped that they don't recognize that you're struggling.