I am not normally one to look for career help from a book.  But after watching all the talk around Mika Brzezinski’s book, Knowing Your Value, I thought the topic of salary negotiation was worth reading about.  What I found interesting was that much of the book was more of a “what not to do.”  [...]

In 2007, Margaret “Margi” Vanderhye won the election for State Delegate in Virginia’s 34th district.  Two years later, she lost to Republican challenger Barbara Comstock.  The margin of victory was just 422 votes. In 2011, Margi decided not to challenge Comstock for her old seat back.  Instead, she encouraged long-time community leader Pamela Danner to run. Pamela [...]

In a 2005 Stanford University commencement speech, the late Steve Jobs advised the young graduates to ‘find what you love.’  He explained to the audience that our lives are limited, that death would come for each of us. Death is a certain fact.  What isn’t certain fact, continued Mr. Jobs, is how we each proceed [...]

Years after it started, I am amazed at how many of my friends don’t use LinkedIn, despite it having more than 120 million members in 200 countries.  LinkedIn is the number one professional networking site on the web, and not using it can seriously hinder your job hunting prospects.  One of the best uses for [...]

In the professional world, time is tight, and business coffees, lunches, and after-work drinks can often seem a daunting task as you try to stay connected to all the people you meet at networking events, business meetings, and happy hours.  Perhaps you’ve even finished a summer internship, but know you won’t be looking for a [...]

Last week a friend of mine told me about a report stating 43% of Gen X women do not have children.  Knowing how many of my friends in Gen Y are putting off children for various reasons, I don’t find it hard to believe.  I understand it may shock many of the Baby Boomer generation, [...]

Recently a friend told me about something I’d never heard of before: the informational interview. An informational interview is a job hunting strategy where you meet casually — yet professionally – with prospective employers and learn about job opportunities.   It’s a way to earn face time with employers and possibly learn “inside” knowledge about upcoming [...]

Every professional advice column includes this one piece of sterling knowledge: Find a Mentor! But what does that mean?  For a lot of people – especially young women – this entails seeking out someone who has the most impressive job title in the field you want to work in, “accidentally” bumping into them at an [...]

This is it!  Part III of III in our series on making the most of networking events.  It may seem like your job is done once your heels are kicked off, but in order to make sure you squeeze every ounce of value from your event, be sure to take the following five actions. 1) [...]

Last week, we wrote about how to prepare for a networking event.  But what do you do once you get there?  How do you make the most of the event?  The 5 tips below will ensure you don’t end up standing in a corner by yourself, eating and drinking the night away while great networking [...]