Good memories are easy to recall; bad memories are downright impossible to forget. Sure, last year’s office holiday party had great appetizers, but remember when Chris from accounting threw back one too many cocktails and told every soul in the room what he really thought about your boss? The rules and decorum of the workplace still apply at the company holiday party, even if you’re not on the clock or physically in the office. If you want to wake up the next morning with your job and your reputation intact, don’t be Chris from accounting. Here are five things NOT to do at this year’s holiday party:

Drink too much
Alcohol is usually the biggest culprit when it comes to embarrassing party behavior. You may have worked hard all year, but that’s not an excuse to use the holiday party as a … Read More »

In our society one of the most valued commodities is traded not in dollars and cents but in hours and minutes. Taking the time to express gratitude for the opportunity to interview for a position is an often overlooked step, but one that can be the difference in landing the job you desire. Here are a few tips on crafting thank you letters that work.

Consider timeliness
Ideally you should send a thank you letter within 24-48 hours of the job interview. Send a letter too late and you run the risk of having been forgotten or the position being filled. Too early and you may regret not giving the hiring manager or yourself time to fully assess how the interview went.
Pay attention to word choice
You wouldn’t send a Shakespearean soliloquy to a hiring manager, but neither should the start of your … Read More »

You’ve probably heard that job-hopping, or moving quickly from one role to another, can be bad for your career. While most experts agree that you should spend at least one year in a position, there’s a fine line between establishing a good track record with a company and staying long enough that you miss out on other career opportunities.

So how do you strike a balance between too little and too much time at a job? And at what point should you move on?

Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. It all depends on how well the position is moving you toward your career goals. Consider the following questions on a regular basis and you’ll be prepared to clearly identify when it’s time to look for a new job.

Does the work challenge you?

There’s always a learning curve when you start a position. … Read More »