The average length of an elevator ride in New York City is 118 seconds. If you use that as a guide, it means you’ve got less than two minutes to deliver a winning elevator pitch for your amazing new idea — wherever you are. Start by grabbing your prospect’s attention in the first few seconds. Convey who you are and describe what …
Careers & Workplace
Mentees, Make Listening Your First Priority
It might be tempting to use your mentoring sessions to impress your mentor — someone who can potentially advance your career. But, most mentors are put off by protégés who do more self-promoting than learning. Listen to your mentor, show humility, and make it clear that you take the counsel seriously. When you get feedback, don’t …
60 and Still Not Out of Student Loan Debt: Seniors Facing $36 Billion in College Loans
Student loan debt is usually thought of as a young person’s problem. Those who earned their degrees in 2010 graduated with what was then a highest-ever average of $25,250 in student loans, and considering that education costs are …
Teacher’s Aide Fired for Refusing to Let Employer Shoulder Surf Her Facebook Page
The Facebook-related firings have begun: A teacher’s aide in Michigan was let go from her job after a school administrator demanded that she turn over her Facebook password and she refused. The aide, Kimberly Hester, is preparing …
How Companies Misfire on Flexible Schedules for Older Workers
Employers recognize that they need to develop flexible work schedules to retain valued older workers. So why can’t they get it right? A new report identifies four troublesome trends.
Find a Job by Changing the Way You Network
The best way to find a job is through networking. But, don’t limit your outreach to close friends and current colleagues. Cast a wide net and reach people beyond your immediate circle. Here are three steps to do that:
Are Female Board Members Breaking the Banks?
The conventional wisdom — not to mention a good deal of research — suggests that women are less inclined than men to take big risks with money. That’s why a new discussion paper prepared by three economists for the German …
Forget Motivation, You Need Follow Through
When approaching a difficult task — getting to the gym, writing an important presentation — you may chide yourself for lacking motivation to get it done. However, it’s often not a question of motivation, but follow through. You may want to do the task — you know it’s important — but your brain talks you out of it. You tell …
Which City Has the Best Job Market?
The U.S. economy has finally started to see some steady, robust job growth — adding more than 220,000 jobs each of the past three months. This is surely good news for the country, but we all know that America is anything but a …
Why External Hires Get Paid More, and Perform Worse, than Internal Staff
Here is some research sure to rankle every employee who has applied for an internal promotion and been passed over in favor of someone brought in from the outside.
According to Wharton management professor Matthew Bidwell, …
Find Mentors Who Speed Up Your Learning
Many of the jobs that Baby Boomers will vacate over the next two decades will go to young upstarts. But how do you compete for jobs formerly held by people with decades more experience? The right mentors can help speed up your learning. Consider contacting the following types of people:
Millennials vs. Baby Boomers: Who Would You Rather Hire?
A new poll reveals just how different Gen Y workers are from their Baby Boomer forefathers. Among other things, millennials (those in their 20s and early 30s) want flexible work schedules, more “me time” on the job, and nearly …