Finding work can be a discouraging challenge in a tough job market. It’s not simply a question about what jobs are available. It’s, “What jobs are available that I’m qualified for?” Finding work is much easier when you have (or can learn) in-demand job skills. [Read more...]

If you’re tired of your job and want something that pays better, you may perform a Google search to determine which jobs pay the best. If you look at Forbes’ list of high paying jobs, you’ll see that they’re primarily medical and legal professions. If these jobs pay so well, why don’t more people work as doctors and lawyers?

[Read more...]

Highly-paid directors and executives have asked for my help to perform some very complicated tasks: inserting images into PowerPoint and basic formatting on Word documents. Seriously. Now, I’m not belittling their ignorance – “We’re all ignorant on different subjects.” I’m simply wondering if basic computer skills aren’t what brings in the high compensation, then which skills do? [Read more...]

Does a degree really pay? Educators often refer to the U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics that show a correlation between education level and income. The Bureau has also compared educational attainment to unemployment rates in 2008. If you have not seen these numbers or don’t feel inclined to follow that link, here’s the graphic that summarizes the data:

[Read more...]

The Wall Street Journal Online described the disenchantment many college graduates experience while grasping for dream jobs in a contracted economy (The Curse of the Class of 2009). The WSJ report hints at how recent grads must immediately retool themselves to become marketable to employers. Some of them opt for advanced degrees in more market-friendly subjects. Others accept entry-level jobs expecting to rise through the ranks of large organizations. A significant number of grads attempt to haven in public service awaiting more favorable economic winds.

[Read more...]

Have you stopped to think about why you exchange money for something? Why do employers exchange with workers when they give them paychecks? Realize that money comes as a byproduct of giving valuable goods and services to someone else.

[Read more...]

How many of your coworkers, friends or family have postponed retirement plans because of demolished 401K or Individual Retirement Accounts? My parents’ 401K accounts – like most people’s – lost half of their value over the last few years. It’s doubtful the accounts will recoup those losses by the time my parents planned on retiring. One of my coworkers didn’t know that the age to qualify for full Social Security benefits now depends on the year of your birth. Government has progressively adjusted qualifying ages for the benefits to compensate for longer life spans and to keep the fund solvent (see info on the Social Security website).

[Read more...]

When so much of our commerce consists of the exchange of information, hierarchies for based on individual knowledge and abilities to learn. Why does an executive make $500,000 a year while a custodian at the same company brings in $25,000. (See where your salary stacks up on payscale.com)

[Read more...]