Using a Rival Offer for Leverage? Be Careful
A worker with an enjoyable job at a good company feels underpaid, especially now that someone else is offering more money. Here’s how to proceed without getting caught in a bluff.
July 6, 2018
A Protégé Behaves Badly. Should You Remain His Mentor?
A colleague you have been guiding at work suddenly behaves unprofessionally and disappoints you. Should you give up or stick with him, despite misgivings?
June 1, 2018
Your Job Is More Intense. Your Pay and Title Haven’t Kept Up.
You’ve been asked to take on a higher-level role. But any decision about a formal promotion has to wait “a few months.” Here’s how to start that conversation right away.
May 25, 2018
Casual Office Chatter Gets a Colleague in Trouble. Now What?
An employee’s conversation about a colleague’s vacation accidentally put both of them in a sticky disciplinary situation. Here’s how to minimize the damage.
May 12, 2018
A Pilot Who Has Broken 2 Glass Ceilings
Stephanie Johnson is the first black woman with the rank of captain at two major airlines, Northwest and Delta, her current employer.
March 16, 2018
Finding Art in the Gut, and Other Unexpected Places
As the curator at the Esther Klein Gallery in Philadelphia, Angela McQuillan creates exhibitions that connect visual art with science and technology.
March 2, 2018
When to Mention the Kids
A job seeker worries about whether to disclose that she has two young children. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but here is the best way to think about the decision.
February 23, 2018
Keeping a Bag at the Ready for When She Gets the Call
As a member of the National Transportation Safety Board, T. Bella Dinh-Zarr visits accident sites to try to prevent future mishaps.
February 9, 2018
Software that Crunches Numbers Needs Personality, Too
He loved doodling as a child. Now he creates animated squirrels and other images for an accounting software company.
February 9, 2018
Protecting Your Reputation When You’re Ready to Go
A top manager is preparing to leave an organization she set on a good course. What if her successors foul things up and blame her?
February 2, 2018
Between Mosquito Bites, Getting the Lay of the Land
Tara Hartson, a surveyor in Ellsworth, Me., battles bugs in the spring and freezing winds in the winter to make sure properties are correctly defined.
January 27, 2018
Curating Band-Aids, Both Modern and Vintage
As chief historian for Johnson & Johnson, Margaret Gurowitz organizes and maintains its museums, physical and virtual.
January 19, 2018
Based at Home, and Excluded from the Action in the Office
A work-from-home gig for an expanding company seemed like a great opportunity, until a new manager started leaving remote employees out of team meetings. Now what?
January 19, 2018
Bringing Ballet Pros Relief, Down to the Tips of Their Toes
An entrepreneur turned to Instagram to market shoe inserts to principal dancers at the New York City Ballet and San Francisco Ballet.
January 12, 2018
When You Take a Promotion, but Still Want to Move On
Just when you were gearing up to switch to another field, colleagues persuade you to stay on in a fancier role. Big mistake? Now what do you do?
January 5, 2018
Keeping People Safe in New York City Emergencies
When official alerts from the city arrive via Twitter, text, email or mobile app, Taylor Winkler is often the one sending them.
January 4, 2018
The Trouble With Anonymous Feedback
Including critiques from unidentified colleagues into the annual performance review process can make that dreaded ritual even worse.
December 8, 2017
Please Don’t Make Me Ask for Another Recommendation
Soliciting recommendation letters is an archaic way of assessing character and accomplishment. We can do better.
December 1, 2017
A Boss Wonders: Have You Prayed About That?
A manager’s inquiry about praying over an office situation raises concerns about personal boundaries and religious rights in the workplace.
November 24, 2017
Milling 66 Acres of Oats (Every Hour) Without a Hitch
With the help of a “run right” board and a conveyor for traveling between floors, a shift lead keeps processes at Quaker Oats running smoothly.
November 17, 2017
The Fine Art of Tuning a Corvette’s Sound
The purr and the roar of a powerful car doesn’t just happen. It is a composition, a combination of art and engineering.
October 13, 2017
Despite Challenges, Holding Down a Job at McDonald’s
He had a brain injury when he was 8 but has come a long way. He works happily, walks to his job by himself and lives in an apartment with a co-worker.
September 29, 2017
Serving the Community, Working for Microsoft
A community development specialist employed by Microsoft tries to help people, especially children, while using the company’s products.
September 15, 2017
How to Plan for a Major Career Change
Sometimes deciding to quit is the easy part. But then what?
September 15, 2017
When Colleagues Won’t Stop Talking Politics
What to do when political chatter at the office stresses you out.
September 1, 2017
Bringing Information Technology to Construction Job Sites
A digital app is bringing blueprints to the phones and tablets of construction workers. On-site training makes the transition easier.
August 31, 2017
Cotton, Cigars and Copy: Southern Style in the ‘Garden & Gun’ Office
A magazine’s chief executive shows a flair for design and makes her guests feel welcome.
August 25, 2017
Restoring the Furniture at the St. Regis
His father began teaching him the trade at 12 in the Dominican Republic. Now, he’s the staff upholsterer at an elegant New York hotel.
August 18, 2017
Deciding When a Mentor Is a Mentor
Is your boss less than helpful? Cultivate a manager who gives helpful feedback that the boss doesn’t.
August 18, 2017
Engineering Happiness at Zappos
His job is to design activities that keep employees smiling — and loyal to the company.
August 4, 2017
A Mobile Office for Farm-Based Dinners Travels the Country
An artist and chef finds a way to indulge both his passions, with the help of a crew and an old bus.
July 28, 2017
Overcoming an Embarrassing Slipup From Years Ago
You believe you’re being punished for a past mistake. But you can fix it.
July 21, 2017
An Office Built Around Hip-Hop
Steven Victor, senior vice president for artists and repertoire at Universal Music, has set up his office with a nod to the recording industry’s past.
July 14, 2017
Roaming the Desert, in Search of Rare Plants
A botanist explores the Great Basin and Mojave deserts of Nevada.
July 7, 2017
Everything Old Is New Again, and Vice Versa
The co-founder of a marketing and advertising agency blends media memorabilia with contemporary technology, while a steam train whistles outside.
June 30, 2017
How to Turn Challenges Like Deafness Into Gifts
For many people with challenges like deafness, Down syndrome, autism and schizophrenia, finding a job and succeeding at it isn’t always easy. But it’s possible.
June 23, 2017
When You’d Rather Not Be a Reference
A friend re-entering the work force wants your endorsement, but your feelings are mixed, at best. Here’s how to proceed.
June 23, 2017
A Sleek Manhattan Office, Softened by Family Mementos
High above Bryant Park, plenty of personal touches and reminders of craftsmanship from the past make a stark space more homey.
June 16, 2017
Stuck in the Middle (With Good Ideas)
Friendships at work are wonderful, but they can cause problems when you feel obligated to solve issues that aren’t your responsibility.
June 8, 2017
Working While Traveling Around the World
Combining wanderlust and a steady job can be done for a year, with planning, permission and at a cost.
June 8, 2017
Using Economics to Address Inequality and Poverty
Economics informs and guides policy making. One practitioner says, “Don’t give up your idealism, and try to find the best way to promote your ideas.”
June 2, 2017
Finding Meaning in Health Crises
A hospital chaplain counsels people in the throes of medical emergencies, unexpected diagnoses and end-of-life decisions.
May 25, 2017
Welcome Aboard! And by the Way: I Quit
A manager wonders about the ethics of recruiting new workers while simultaneously pursuing a job elsewhere.
May 25, 2017
The Zen of Dying
A nurse at the Zen Hospice Project tries to offer a higher level of quality and attention, helping dying people live fully right up to the end.
May 19, 2017
When Power Makes Leaders More Sensitive
Control doesn’t always corrupt. With cultivation, it can make leaders more compassionate.
May 19, 2017
Cows, Horses and Forklifts
The assistant farm manager does a little bit of everything: allocating assignments, vaccinating cows and driving trucks, along with riding horses for fun.
May 12, 2017
What to Do When They Won’t Email Back
An author is promised information to help with book research, but doesn’t get a response after repeated emails. What to do?
May 12, 2017
In a Law Office, Coping With a Boss’s Toxic Trail
She worked for a powerful lawyer who could be charming when he chose, but who also inspired dread.
May 5, 2017
Boring Job? Not to Him
When you’re a social butterfly, punching buttons in a windowless box can actually be fun.
April 28, 2017
Seeing Signs that a Career Detour Was the Right Choice
An aspiring writer comes to realize that a largely unrewarding stint in retail was actually meant to be.
April 21, 2017
Cracking the Language Code
A software engineer originally wanted to be a doctor, but fell in love with coding when she took a course in it at Princeton.
April 14, 2017
When a Potential Employer Seems Unnervingly Nosy
A job applicant wonders whether to sign a document giving a company permission to to seek information on his past work habits and salary.
April 14, 2017
I’m Not Texting. I’m Taking Notes.
Generations are different, and for digital natives, what looks like wasting time may actually be doing research or something else productive.
April 7, 2017
Lots of Room to Write About Self-Storage
A blog editor follows trends in his industry and communicates them through things like articles, listicles, quizzes and videos.
April 7, 2017
Bringing Industrial Artistry to His Work
A machinist who develops fixtures says his job involves both creativity and efficiency.
March 31, 2017
Providing a Haven for the Homeless
A counselor in New York offers assistance to troubled L.G.B.T. youth, many of whom are estranged from their families.
March 24, 2017
At a Therapeutic Ranch, No Payday Until Later
As a troubled teenager, he wondered: Why are my parents paying a big bill for me to perform hard labor?
March 24, 2017
Life With Dad, the Funeral Director
Before the age of 12, he had seen about a dozen dead bodies. Not the usual childhood, but he had learned early on what lies ahead for all of us.
March 10, 2017
An Ethnographer of Cancer Care for IBM Watson
A researcher for IBM analyzes interactions among medical professionals and cancer patients.
February 24, 2017
Healing the Health Professional
An addiction counselor at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation says her job allows for creativity and spontaneity.
January 27, 2017
Instead of Leaving a Job, Why Not Take a Pause?
More companies should allow unpaid leaves so workers can take stock of their career path, a Google employee argues.
January 27, 2017
Talent Scout for Cadences
Need a raspy male voice? A female French accent? A voice-over casting director can help.
January 20, 2017
In Choosing a Job, Focus on the Fun
Research shows that people place too much importance on salary and promotion when making career choices.
January 13, 2017
Running Focus Groups for Berries
A sensory analyst at Driscoll’s explains that getting people to buy fruit is about much more than taste.
January 12, 2017
The Cosmetics Creator: Blending Art and Commerce
Charlotte Tilbury created her company after working with the makeup artist Mary Greenwell and developing products for Armani and Alexander McQueen.
January 6, 2017
A Treehouse Builder Who’s Having a Ball in the Branches
Joe Davino, of Tree Top Builders, says he appreciates having a construction job where he can climb maples and oaks and work suspended from ropes.
December 9, 2016
Don’t Quit Social Media. Put It to Work for Your Career Instead.
Patrick Gillooly of Monster takes issue with Cal Newport, who recently urged professionals to quit social media. Mr. Gillooly says the career benefits far outweigh the pitfalls.
December 3, 2016
A Women’s Advocate Who’s Passionate About Progress
Natalie Gonnella-Platts heads the Women’s Initiative at the George W. Bush Institute, which promotes access to education, health care and economic opportunities.
December 3, 2016
Keeping the Electricity Grid One Step Ahead of the Storm
A senior preparedness administrator for Baltimore Gas & Electric plans out how to get the lights back on after wind, snow, rain and ice have done their worst.
November 26, 2016
Serving the Hungry Where Al Capone Once Served Bootleg Cocktails
Paul Henrys, the chief financial officer of Feeding America in Chicago, works in the Jewelers Building, which once had a speakeasy in its cupola.
November 12, 2016
Putting Together the Engines That Help Big Birds Take Wing
Jessica Duke is a jet engine mechanic at Pratt & Whitney in Connecticut. An aunt who worked for Delta Air Lines encouraged her early interest in aviation.
November 12, 2016
Preventing Factory Explosions by (Safely) Blowing Stuff Up
Jenny Chao, who tinkered in the garage as a child, is a mechanical engineer specializing in industrial explosions for a commercial property insurance company.
November 5, 2016
Want Co-Workers to Vote Your Way? Then Stop Pestering Them
Studies have shown that people tend to consider unsolicited advice as a threat to their free will, and they will often protest by doing the opposite.
November 4, 2016
Bossy vs. Buddy: Two Leadership Styles, Each With Its Place
Some managers lead by dominating employees; others try to win them over. But the most effective leaders deploy the style best suited to the situation.
October 29, 2016
Antique Teddy Bears and an Artist’s Trash: An ‘Art Dork’ in Her Element
Emily Weiss earned an art degree, but instead of becoming a starving artist, she got an insurance broker’s license and assesses works by major art world figures.
October 29, 2016
High School Pushover No More: The Power of the Polo Shirt
A heavy, awkward girl dressed in the uniform of her summer job at a convenience store overcomes her shyness to stand up to a wealthy, cool classmate.
October 22, 2016
A Film Technician Who Discovers Gems in the Outtakes
Willem Barneveld, a film technician and curator at Pro-Tek Vaults in Burbank, Calif., sometimes comes across footage that no one has seen in 80 years.
October 22, 2016
What Went Awry at Wells Fargo? The Beaten Path of a Toxic Culture
Employees at the bank and other companies that have been involved in scandals get their cues from what management signals, not what it says.
October 8, 2016
A Ship Inspector Who Brings a Bit of the Barre to the Bilge
Helen Gault, an apprentice inspector who reviews the welds in submarines and aircraft carriers, has found similarities between shipbuilding and ballet.
October 8, 2016
Conflict at Work? Empathy Can Smooth Ruffled Feathers
Researchers found that forgiveness was more likely to occur when a victim actively empathized with the person who inflicted the perceived harm.
October 8, 2016
Between the White House and the Capitol, a Slice of California
Edith Ramirez, chairwoman of the Federal Trade Commission, has brought hints of her West Coast background to an office with views of the Capitol dome.
October 1, 2016
The Curative Power of Water, Waders and a Fly Rod
A lifelong fly fisherman who finds tranquillity when he wades into a stream shares his elixir with visitors to a wilderness resort lodge in Colorado.
September 24, 2016
What I Learned From a Stroke at 26: Make Time to Untangle
After a stroke at work, an employee at a venture-backed start-up learns to adjust his professional priorities and take a break from the daily sprint.
September 24, 2016
A Linguist Helping Apps Learn to Speak Millennial
Marsal Gavalda, director of machine intelligence at the social network Yik Yak, works on a system that analyzes users’ posts for patterns and emotions.
September 10, 2016
A Robot May Be Training to Do Your Job. Don’t Panic.
Robots that can recognize emotions are in development, and they could someday move into roles reserved for humans. But it’s an opportunity, not a threat.
September 10, 2016
Peter Naylor: A Sun-Drenched Cubicle, but Hardly the French Riviera
Mr. Naylor, senior vice president for sales at Hulu, the television streaming service, often travels for work and this year went to a festival in Cannes, France.
September 3, 2016
A Warrior Against Junk Mail at Yahoo Looks Out for Mom, Too
An anti-spam architect helps define the design and structure of Yahoo’s email system to root out spam without blocking any emails from your mother.
September 3, 2016
Discipline, Detail and Devices That Work the Way They Should
Raul Matias is a quality assurance engineer for Wink, which makes an app that allows people to monitor and control devices in their home.
August 27, 2016
Putting John Deere Mowers to the Test
Terry Reed, a field test manager at John Deere, tests grounds equipment, including residential and commercial riding lawn mowers.
August 20, 2016
A Caregiver for New Books About Nursing
Margaret Zuccarini, a publisher for Springer Publishing, draws on her years of experience as a nurse to find qualified authors and market their work.
August 13, 2016
Sisterhood Is Not Enough: Why Workplace Equality Needs Men, Too
Some leaders have moved past women-only conferences and motivational speeches aimed at improving the status of women in business and are now engaging men in the effort.
August 13, 2016
Bjoern Fischer of Stihl: Chain Saws and the ‘Sound of Freedom’
Mr. Fischer, president of Stihl, which makes saws, trimmers and leaf blowers, says he doesn’t mind the roar of jets from a military base near his office.
August 6, 2016
A Rabbi Who Keeps Things Kosher at Manischewitz
Rabbi Aron Yonah Hayum, plant manager and rabbinical supervisor at Manischewitz in Newark, makes sure that food adheres to Jewish dietary requirements.
August 6, 2016
A Fund-Raiser Planting Seeds to Improve Young Patients’ Lives
Rachel Wobschall builds relationships with donors to Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare to help fund treatment for children, teens and young adults.
July 30, 2016
How to Deal With a Foreign Colleague Who Can’t Say No
In some countries, saying no is rude, so you may not be able to count on a co-worker’s “yes.” Communicating globally requires adapting to such differences.
July 30, 2016
A Health Advocate in the Aisles of a Supermarket
Samantha Mark, a registered dietitian at ShopRite, gives tours of the store and works with customers to help them achieve their wellness goals.
July 23, 2016
A Lifelong Tinkerer Who’s Taking Robots to the People
Chetan Kapoor, director of technology for Yaskawa Innovation, is helping make industrial robots that accept simple commands instead of complex code.
July 16, 2016
At the Grand Canyon, a Mechanic’s Love Affair With Locomotives
Eric Hadder turned a childhood fascination with trains into a career maintaining a vegetable-oil-powered steam engine for the Grand Canyon Railway.
July 9, 2016
The Power of ‘Why?’ and ‘What If?’
Knowing the answers used to be one of the rules of success, but companies are discovering that asking questions can help generate innovative ideas.
July 2, 2016
Training a Team of Students to Tap Into the Public Mind
Brian McDonald, associate director of the High Point University Survey Research Center, and his staff poll North Carolina residents about various issues.
July 2, 2016
A Patagonia Gear Developer Who’s Saving Lives in the Big Surf
Andrew Reinhart is helping Patagonia create a self-inflating vest that keeps big-wave surfers from being thrashed around underwater when they wipe out.
June 25, 2016
Stephanie Hill: Wings, Wigs, Silk Roses and a Little Heavy Artillery
Ms. Hill, the president and general manager of ship and aviation systems for Lockheed Martin, livens her office with mementos and bits of technology.
June 12, 2016
A Knife Sharpener Who Went From the Garage to the Grindstone
Curt West uses grinders and polishers to put a razor-sharp edge on about 200 pocketknives a day. He says his eye for detail came from fixing auto bodies.
June 11, 2016
A Breast Cancer Patient Who Also Wears a White Coat
After a double mastectomy three years ago, Dr. Lori Wilson, a cancer surgeon and researcher gained a new insight on what she was asking of her patients.
June 4, 2016
As a Special Effects Expert, He Blows Things Up Carefully
When a television show calls for a car, or anything else, to blow up, Mike Myers finds the best and least dangerous way to make it happen.
May 28, 2016
In Desperate Pursuit of the Zero-Stress Job
Stress had always seemed to be the lifeblood of a fruitful career, but a hormone condition rendered it a threatening trigger to be avoided at all costs.
May 21, 2016
Testing the Bounds of Faith in Little Yemen
A Bible-school dropout faces doubts in a job teaching English as a second language to Muslim women in an immigrant enclave of Dearborn, Mich.
May 7, 2016
A Young Logger With Deep Roots in the California Timberlands
A newly graduated forestry technician enjoys the sense of continuity that comes from playing his part in the business his family started 70 years ago.
April 30, 2016
Achieving Mindfulness at Work, No Meditation Cushion Required
An author explains how seeing problems from a different perspective may have a similar outcome as the Eastern approach of suspending thought.
April 23, 2016
An Etsy Product Manager’s Do-It-Yourself Career Path
Hard work and a willingness to learn help an English major succeed at a tech start-up that helps artisans sell handcrafted goods online.
April 23, 2016
Wielding a Soldering Gun to Give Panes Their Brains
Candy Urch installs wiring in windowpanes that adjust to various tint levels to allow customers to control sunlight without using blinds or shades.
April 16, 2016
The Art and Science of Nit-Picking
A retired school nurse, recalling the chore of dealing with head lice, considers a second career at a growing number of salons dedicated to the problem.
April 9, 2016
Scouring the Dark Web to Keep Tabs on Terrorists
Alex Kassirer, an analyst at Flashpoint in New York, helps government agencies and corporations by monitoring jihadists and criminals in hidden corners of the web.
April 9, 2016
Putting Virtual Reality to Work at the Tribeca Film Festival
Loren Hammonds, an associate programmer for the festival, helps select the event’s feature-length films and multimedia virtual reality projects.
March 26, 2016
Ellen Richey: Falcons Out the Window and the Whole World on a Screen
Ellen Richey, a Visa executive, works in a serene office where she can watch the wildlife of San Francisco Bay as she helps oversee a global financial system.
March 19, 2016
Brad Weston of Petco: A Haven for Frogs, Snakes, Lizards and Plenty of Dogs
At Petco headquarters, about a third of the employees take their pets to work, including the president, Brad Weston, who has two French bulldogs.
March 5, 2016
Counseling Organ Donors to Make the Perfect Match
Ms. McDonough, a nurse for 38 years, works with live kidney and liver donors, assessing their suitability, educating them and coordinating the process.
March 5, 2016
Abdifatah Mohamud: Captain of the Call Center
As a customer care supervisor, Abdifatah Mohamud mentors employees at Alliance Data Systems, which manages companies’ credit card and loyalty programs.
February 27, 2016
360 Reviews Often Lead to Cruel, Not Constructive, Criticism
The reviews, which solicit anonymous feedback from colleagues, are often poisoned by grievances that have nothing to do with job performance.
February 26, 2016
Building a Better Bidding War
Kyle Blaney is a logistics agent at Proxibid in Omaha, making sure online auctions go well, from posting photos for an inventory list to handling bidding for many buyers.
February 20, 2016
Mark Dunkerley: Where You Can See Airplanes and the Aloha Spirit
Mr. Dunkerley, the president and chief executive of Hawaiian Airlines, uses his binoculars and other old-fashioned tools to stay on top of his work.
February 13, 2016
Rafael Bosch: Sweets as Strength Training
As a candy maker for Hillside Candy, Mr. Bosch, 22, regularly lifts 145-pound batches of soon-to-be treats.
February 6, 2016
Leadership Means Learning to Look Behind the Mask
Encouraging employees to give you honest, even critical, feedback can help you develop new skills and be a better boss.
January 30, 2016
Cordy Williamson: In Charge of the Branches
Mr. Williamson, an arborist at Duke Energy Corporation, identifies trees near transmission lines that need to be either trimmed or removed.
January 23, 2016
Drawing on Experience to Teach Independent Living Skills
An assistant program coordinator at the Helen Keller National Center teaches people who are deaf and blind to take care of their needs.
January 9, 2016
Matt Borman of Harry & David: Putting His Heart Into the Harvest
The director of orchards at the fruit and gift retailer, who is responsible for the holiday pears, says he is drawn to growing things and to the people who work in agriculture.
December 26, 2015
James Blumenfeld of the Met Opera: The Delight Is in the Details
As property master for the Metropolitan Opera, Mr. Blumenfeld oversees a huge range of stage objects, from settees to swords.
December 19, 2015
Dennison Tsosie: Bearing the Torch, and Using It, Too
Mr. Tsosie, a silversmith, learned the trade from his grandfather and now makes jewelry and custom items, and paints. He lives in Alpine, Ariz.
December 12, 2015
Anh Nguy: Research Is Her Recipe
Ms. Nguy creates food concepts for food companies and restaurants as a culinologist, or research chef, at Ingredion. She works in Bridgewater, N.J.
November 28, 2015
Bored to Tears by a Do-Nothing Dream Job
An overworked newspaper editor has his daydream fulfilled: eight hours a day at a desk, with nothing to do. But that dream turns into a nightmare.
November 21, 2015
Lexie Sachs: A Sentry for the Good Housekeeping Seal
In a lab, Ms. Sachs tests textiles, paper and plastics for manufacturers who seek the Good Housekeeping magazine seal of approval.
November 14, 2015
Coming Full Circle to Help Her Elders
A career filled with tough cases transforms a lawyer into a champion for the elderly, just like her mother.
November 7, 2015
Johnnie Riley: Spot Remover to the Stars
Celebrities and museums rely on Mr. Riley and his 40 years of experience in dry cleaning to keep their expensive clothing pristine.
October 31, 2015
Giving More Corporate Chiefs the Steve Jobs Treatment
C.E.O.s might lead differently if they believed that their achievements could land them in the history books or, as with Mr. Jobs, on the movie screen.
October 24, 2015
Dione Mason: All Work and Some Play
Mr. Mason handles administrative work for a child care provider by day, and coaches basketball for a nonprofit youth program in the evening.
October 17, 2015
An Alpine Antidote to Working Weekends
A job in Switzerland allowed a copywriter to put the life back in work-life balance but made it difficult for her to readjust to the American workplace.
October 10, 2015
Jeff Petersen Jr.: Rising to the Occasion
Mr. Petersen, 27, is an installation foreman for American Signcrafters in Islip, N.Y.
October 3, 2015
How Not to Be a Networking Leech: Tips for Seeking Professional Advice
If you want free career or business advice, show appreciation for the time that an industry professional gives you, and be prepared for your meeting.
September 26, 2015
Edie Jackson: Signer With the Band
Ms. Jackson performs alongside Widespread Panic and a few other bands interpreting lyrics and music for fans who are deaf or hard of hearing.
September 26, 2015
Terry Bowen: A Utility Player for the Elderly
As as senior center concierge, a former semipro football player takes on a range of logistical tasks to help make the residents’ days safer and happier.
September 19, 2015
Jenna Miller: Demystifier of Genetic Disorders
As a genetic counselor, Jenna Miller helps individuals and couples discover and come to terms with genetic traits that may affect their offspring.
September 12, 2015
Playing the Confidence Game
We take it as a truism that confidence is a prerequisite for success, and we struggle to look confident even when we are not.
September 12, 2015
Galloping Away to a Place Beyond Words
Every Thursday, a Spanish interpreter leaves the bustling city behind to spend an afternoon volunteering as a mounted National Park Service patroller.
August 29, 2015
Michelle DeFeo of Laurent-Perrier: A Toast to France in a Queens Loft
Ms. DeFeo, the president of Laurent-Perrier U.S., keeps hints of the champagne maker’s parent company and country of origin in the office.
August 29, 2015
Donal O’Conghaile: Shepherd of Free Samples
As an online community manager at Social Media Link, a marketing agency in New York, Mr. O’Conghaile oversees a group of Internet users who review clients’ products.
August 22, 2015
Jessica Jones: Sizing Up the Latest Fashions
Ms. Jones, 31, a fit model with True Model Management in New York, tells designers, among other things, whether brides could dance in their gowns.
August 15, 2015
Andrew Zirm: An Astrophysicist With a Down-to-Earth Calling
Andrew Zirm, 41, is a data scientist at Greenhouse Software, which sells a tool that allows companies to interview and analyze job applicants.
August 8, 2015
Dr. Stephen Klasko: Where Einstein, Jobs and Yoda Join Strategy Sessions
The president and chief executive of Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health, brings a passion for science fiction to his brainstorming.
August 1, 2015
Providing the Soundtrack for Life’s Last Moments
A harpist makes it her mission to use the strains of beautiful music to ease the strain of the final days for the dying and their loved ones.
August 1, 2015
Stephanie Pinto: Investing in Personal Growth
Ms. Pinto works as a fund administrator at the State Street Corporation in Boston.
July 25, 2015
It’s a Bird! It’s a Plane! It’s a Professional Foreigner!
An American who takes a job in China tries to play the hero for his frustrated colleagues and learns a lesson in changing company culture.
July 18, 2015
Mike Giannattasio of Montblanc North America: Finding Tranquility in an Urban Jungle
Mr. Giannattasio, the chief executive and president of Montblanc North America, says he collects pens because “the act of putting pen to paper conveys to recipients how important they are.”
July 11, 2015
Abigael Hoeschler: A Real Balancing Act
Ms. Hoeschler teaches logrolling in Minneapolis.
July 11, 2015
Nakia Letang: Inspiring by Example
Ms. Letang educates parents and prospective students about the college and admissions process at Fairfield University.
July 4, 2015
Baffled by Office Buzzwords
After an absence of a few years from the business world, a communications specialist confronts an unexpected and bemusing language barrier.
July 4, 2015
Joginder Kandola: Guardian of the Power Grid
Mr. Kandola installs, maintains and troubleshoots equipment in electrical switching stations and responds to bring back power in the case of a failure.
June 27, 2015
Teresa White of Aflac: Perseverance and Pachyderms, in the Tallest Building in Town
Ms. White, the insurance company’s president for United States operations, collects elephant artworks for good luck in her Columbus, Ga., office.
June 20, 2015
Support for Holocaust Survivors
Temmi Merlis, 27, tells of being a social worker with the Blue Card, a New York-based organization that assists Holocaust survivors.
June 13, 2015
Susan Axelrod of Finra: An Eye in the Sky Keeping Watch on Wall Street
Ms. Axelrod keeps the financial industry following the rules from her office on the 48th floor of a building in Lower Manhattan.
June 6, 2015
Keeping Shoppers Happy
Juan Carlos Linares, the general manager of an outlet mall in National Harbor, Md., on attracting customers to stores and then coping with parking.
May 30, 2015
Stitching Up Fuzzy Friends
As the “bear doctor” at the Vermont Teddy Bear Company, Nancy Robert takes care of the stuffed animals mailed in for repairs.
May 16, 2015
Veterans Battle for Jobs on the Home Front
Outdated résumés and misconceptions about mental health issues are some of the hurdles former service members face when they’re looking for work.
May 9, 2015
The Sweet Science of Syrup
Paul Weyant of Crown Maple in Dover Plains, N.Y., helps maintain a complex system of taps, pipes and tubes used in producing maple syrup.
May 9, 2015
Making Machines Work
Sean Hopkins, 26, is a reliability engineer at the design and manufacturing company Dyson. He is based in Chicago.
May 2, 2015
A Crash Course in Two-Wheeled Survival
A bike courier in Manhattan finds a community of other cyclists and service workers in the city’s swarming and occasionally slippery streets.
April 11, 2015
Taking On Vertical Challenges
Jonathan Temple, an elevator mechanic for the Liberty Elevator Corporation in Paterson, N.J., talks about how he got into the field.
April 4, 2015
Make Way for Generation Z
Born from the mid-1990s through the early 2000s, its members are independent, curious, mature, driven and ready to change the world.
March 28, 2015
A Maven of Money Law
Obrea Poindexter advises companies on tech matters such as mobile payments, virtual currency, data security, privacy and electronic signatures.
March 21, 2015
Auditioning for the Role of Young Professional
How a year of moonlighting as an actress turned an entry-level office worker into a survivor.
March 14, 2015
A Cable (and Girder) Guy
David Flores is a bridge inspection assistant team leader in New York.
March 7, 2015
Attack of the Student Hairdressers
Re-entering the workplace after 20 years, a homemaker wages an uphill battle trying to teach anatomy and physiology to students in a beauty class.
February 28, 2015
An Officer and a Thespian
Jinho Ferreira is a sheriff’s deputy and performer in Alameda County, Calif.
February 21, 2015
Challenging the Comfort Zone
Nolan Kombol is a course designer and director of innovation for Tough Mudder, a 10- to 12-mile, military-style obstacle course.
February 14, 2015
The Tyranny of the Forced Smile
Though many employers expect workers to profess true love for their jobs, being thrilled about one’s occupation isn’t a universal standard.
February 14, 2015
Wheels for the Short Haul
Ronald Dunbar, 65, a manufacturing operator for the Ames Companies, talks of his work on an assembly line that packs parts for wheelbarrows.
February 7, 2015
Savoring the Sweet Taste of Acceptance
A Soviet Jew bound for the United States finds a way to make the most of a temporary job as a translator in Italy.
January 17, 2015
Watching Their Every Step
Stacy Steffen, a biomechanist at the Brooks Running Company, studies athletes’ motion and physiology to build a better running shoe.
January 10, 2015
A Hands-On Experience
An exhibition and collection assistant at the Tacoma Art Museum in Washington State finds that the job means wearing many hats.
December 27, 2014
Standing Out, Uncomfortably, in a First Job
The night shift at a deli gave a young New York transplant a look at a grittier side of life.
December 20, 2014
Cleaning Up With Falcons
A falconer works with the birds at airports and landfills to rid them of gulls and other birds that pose environmental threats.
December 6, 2014
Hearing Every Voice in the Room
Bringing the best ideas to the fore means encouraging everyone to speak up.
December 6, 2014
On the Other Side of the Glass
A display artist at Bergdorf Goodman says the planning for its holiday windows usually starts a year in advance, and “we try to one-up ourselves every year.”
November 29, 2014
Reinventing Themselves, Without a Net
Would you quit one job before finding the next? Amid upheaval in many industries, many millennials are saying yes.
November 8, 2014
No Burden Too Heavy
A longtime forklift driver has not let kidney disease alter his career path. The job, he says, “gives me a sense of purpose.”
November 8, 2014
On the Lookout for Ebola
A nurse who works in infection prevention describes her hospital’s precautions against the risk of Ebola. The experience, she says, has taught her “to constantly be ready.”
October 18, 2014
Taking Stock After a Disaster
Michael Pelonero brings personal experience to his job of conducting home inventories after natural disasters. He lost his own home in Hurricane Ike in 2008.
October 4, 2014
Pearls of Career Wisdom, Found in the Trash
Michael Cascio, a media consultant and former television executive, says nothing prepared him better for work and life than a summer job as a janitor.
September 27, 2014
Looking Another Culture in the Eye
How to communicate in a global workplace? It takes skill — and an abundance of flexibility.
September 13, 2014
An Early Spark of Interest
A fire captain for California’s forestry department says his interest in firefighting began early.
September 6, 2014
For a Career Guide, 42 Years of Soft Landings
The writer of the popular career guide, first commercially published in 1972, updates the book each year, but some of its original points are still true.
August 30, 2014
How to Polish a Baseball Diamond
The director of field operations for the San Diego Padres says his job involves both art and science.
August 23, 2014
Thrills, Chills and Memories
Raheem Echols, who grew up in Coney Island, is now a supervising ride operator at Luna Park there.
August 9, 2014
An Appeal to Our Inner Judge
Bias may be as natural to humans as breathing. But learning to manage it can lead to better personal and business decisions.
August 2, 2014
Up on the Roof
Rocio Farias says it’s satisfying to turn a solar panel system on and show people their electric meter going backward, sending power to the grid.
August 2, 2014
Offering the Gift of Comfort
Kei Okada, a spiritual care counselor for the Visiting Nurse Service of New York, says his role is to help people find “meaning in, and peace with, life’s final chapter.”
July 12, 2014
Giving Back to Teenagers
Nathaniel Cole of Urban Alliance, a nonprofit that trains high school seniors for the workplace, realized he wanted to work with young people after being in the program himself.
June 28, 2014
Again at the Office, I’m a Player Without a Team
Sports talk in the workplace, whether about the World Cup or the World Series, can exclude and alienate some employees.
June 21, 2014
In Digital Marketing, the Sociology of the Sale
In her work, a digital marketer sees herself as a social-behavior analyst — wanting to learn how she can anticipate the needs of the customer.
June 21, 2014
On the Steamboat, and Striking Up the Calliope
Travis Vasconcelos, a historian and lecturer with the American Queen Steamboat Company, started working on riverboats at the age of 12.
June 14, 2014
Catching Their Every Word
A real-time broadcast captioner says her job “is a bit like a musician playing “Flight of the Bumblebee” — one has to be extremely fast to do the work well.
May 31, 2014
A Custodian of Kauai’s Secrets
Robert Miguel has an ideal occupation, introducing visitors and residents to the treasures of his Hawaiian island. “What I do for a living,” he says, “is what I would do if I did not have a job.”
May 24, 2014
Taking the Earth’s Temperature
A meteorologist at the National Weather Service specializes in atmospheric modeling — gathering billions of bits of information that others use in weather forecasts.
May 17, 2014
The Flavor of a Family Business
Eric Bassett, 20, says he has learned the value of working in a family business — in his case, Bassetts Ice Cream, started by his great-great-great grandfather.
May 3, 2014
A Friday Night of Bartending, Without the Lights
To a 22-year-old actor, a job at a popular Manhattan bar sounded enticing — and lucrative. But a degenerative eye disease quickly got in her way.
April 26, 2014
Inspired by an Eclipse
Rubina Isaac, who works at Adler Planetarium in Chicago, says a solar eclipse she saw as a girl in India inspired her interest in astronomy.
April 19, 2014
Want Teamwork? Encourage Free Speech
By seeking — and appreciating — the views of the entire group, a manager can turn dubious followers into active participants in the task at hand.
April 12, 2014
From the Vision to the Gallery
A curator at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta describes the many detailed challenges of making an exhibition happen.
April 12, 2014
Paid for Playing Games
At 28, a game app developer is the oldest member of his work group. He says he loves his job partly because “you get to define a world and how a player interacts with it.”
April 5, 2014
A Communal Space, but Still My Own
Co-working sites offer independent professionals a place to ply their trade creatively, and to find support.
March 29, 2014
W-2s, 1040s and Long Hours
This is the busiest time of year for a tax preparer — but, she says, she still tries not to work on Sundays.
March 22, 2014
A Man, a Truck and a Load of Stuffed Shrimp
A summer job felt like a weird and hilarious game to a college student. Until it didn’t.
March 15, 2014
Reaching Out, via the Kitchen
A former Army cook now uses his training to feed the homeless in Bethesda, Md.
March 8, 2014
Where Sounds Have No Barrier
In today’s open work spaces, even small noises can prove distracting and annoying.
March 1, 2014
The Education of a Craftsman
An apprentice machinist, 31, says he’s glad he made the move from construction work to manufacturing. “There will always be a need for skilled craftsmen,” he says.
March 1, 2014
Writing Her Own Story
Thuy Vu describes her journey as a Vietnamese immigrant finding a career in broadcast journalism in San Francisco.
February 22, 2014
Where the Fish Swims, Ideas Fly
With the help of an incandescent fish hanging above his work space, an executive at a design consulting firm finds ways to inspire creativity among his co-workers.
February 15, 2014
Patrolling a Bruised City
A Detroit police officer fights crime while worrying about what the city’s bankruptcy will do to his pay and pension.
February 15, 2014
On the Trail of a Scent
A perfumer at International Flavors & Fragrances says it can take from three months to seven years to develop a perfume.
February 8, 2014
The Work Before the Parachute Jump
An Army sergeant who packs parachutes for the military’s use says the work is intensive — involving up to 12 safety checks.
February 1, 2014
Reopening an Employment Door to the Young
Many employers lament recent graduates’ lack of specialized skills. But a management consultant says these young people still offer much potential for a company’s future.
February 1, 2014
I’ll Be Your Billboard
Jason Sadler appears on social media, wearing corporate T-shirts for a fee.
January 25, 2014
How to Suppress the Apology Reflex
In the workplace, standing up for yourself may mean having to overcome some of your cultural upbringing.
January 18, 2014
Orchestrating the Orecchiette
A pasta chef at a Manhattan restaurant works alone on the night shift, and loves the lack of distractions.
January 18, 2014
Don’t Snow on His Parade
A snowplow operator says that even in subzero temperatures, he “drives with the window open so I can hear if the truck makes a funny noise.”
January 11, 2014
Finding Her Teaching Voice
An assistant principal says the “teacher-student evangelical style” of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, which she learned at an early age, became “the foundation of my teaching ability later in life.”
January 4, 2014
How a First Career Enhanced a Second
A financial planner sees differences, but also various similarities, between his current work and his earlier years as a medical doctor.
January 4, 2014
Animal Welfare, as Mission
At the A.S.P.C.A., the former director of the animal-relocation project has moved to what she sees as more important work: running the group’s national spay/neuter program.
December 28, 2013
Speaking Their Language
Farah Elahi once practiced law in Pakistan. Now she lives in Wisconsin, using her language skills as an interpreter in the state court system.
December 14, 2013
Listening Skills, Reapplied
Susan Scharfman of Portland, Ore., finds that the communication skills she honed over many years as a chef apply well to her new work as a psychotherapist.
December 7, 2013
Healing With His Hands
En route to becoming a massage therapist, Manny Granillo always remembered a Spanish expression: Si, se puede. (Yes, you can.)
November 30, 2013
Finding Greener Pastures for a Career
An alpaca farmer on Martha’s Vineyard says: “My heart belongs to this island and these animals. They are home to me.”
November 23, 2013
Invasion of the Annual Reviews
Some companies are turning to more rigid evaluations of their employees, though others are shunning formal reviews entirely.
November 23, 2013
Child’s Play in a Day’s Work
A quality assurance supervisor for Radio Flyer, the toy company, says he completed his first design project at the age of 6, working with a basketball hoop in his home.
November 16, 2013
Goodbyes With Respect
A retired police lieutenant from New Jersey founded a company that conducts burials at sea.
November 9, 2013
Embracing the Millennials’ Mind-Set at Work
With its emphasis on free-flowing information, the millennial generation is highly innovative — and thus has much to offer to corporate culture.
November 9, 2013
Earning Less, but at Home
A technical consultant traded in his old job — and long air-travel commutes — for a new one that has meant 20 percent less pay but lets him work from home.
November 2, 2013
For a Traveling Nurse, Freedom to Roam
Becoming a traveling nurse — with good pay, a varied work environment and no office politics — has been a good career choice for Monica Parks, 43, of South Carolina.
October 26, 2013
The Horse Sense That Builds Trust
Horses are natural peacemakers, and their herd dynamic can be a model for human group behavior in the workplace.
October 26, 2013
Hearing an Irresistible Beat
Why Alex Cecil, 28, decided to become a D.J. after five years as a product manager at a bank.
October 19, 2013
When Debate Stalls, Try Your Paintbrush
An I.B.M. Research manager describes how a divided group reached consensus on a major computer project: by breaking down its disagreement into its essential “colors.”
October 12, 2013
Modern Offices, Chock-Full of Offenses
A new book from Judith Martin, known as Miss Manners, and her son is both a sad and hilarious commentary on the state of the modern, open-space workplace.
September 28, 2013
Embrace Your Age, and Conquer the World
As baby boomers grow older, they finally have the numbers to tackle popular misconceptions about older workers.
September 14, 2013
Unpaid Interns: Silent No More
The author of “Intern Nation” says that in fighting to be paid for their work, interns are taking their case beyond the nation’s courtrooms.
July 20, 2013
How to Conquer Your To-Do List
Planned and executed wisely, the humble to-do list can be a goad to productivity. But don’t let wishful thinking govern its length.
July 13, 2013
Have a Great Vacation (if It’s Approved)
Before leaving on vacation, employees need to pave the way for those who fill in for them. But first, it’s up to the boss to set vacation policies that are fair.
June 29, 2013
Messages Galore, but No Time to Think
As more technologies join e-mail in office communication, many workers may be losing the ability to concentrate. Experts offer ways to sort out when to use what.
June 15, 2013
Seeing the World as Your Stage
To enhance their global competence in business, Americans need to become much more familiar with other nations’ work cultures.
June 8, 2013
Hone the Job You Have Into One You Love
A senior scientist for Gallup says that people who love their work also have bosses “who inspire them, get the most out of them and truly care about them.”
May 25, 2013
Coffee Rites, and the Stories They Tell
Beyond providing fuel for the workday, our daily coffee rituals can say much about our personal finances and attitudes.
May 18, 2013
A Life of Science Was in the Cards
Anjelica Gonzalez says lessons from her mother, a Las Vegas blackjack dealer, helped her succeed as a scientist.
May 11, 2013
Need Motivation? Declare a Deadline
If you’re a procrastinator, consider setting deadlines for yourself that have tough consequences if you miss them.
April 20, 2013
Mentors Are Good. Sponsors Are Better.
A two-year study suggests that if women want to move beyond the vast pool of middle management, they need to acquire a sponsor — a powerfully positioned champion.
April 13, 2013
Why Innovators Get Better With Age
The most common image of an innovator is of a kid developing a great idea in a garage. But that is the exception to the rule.
March 30, 2013
Grand Exits That Never Earn Applause
Most workers have fantasized about dramatically quitting their jobs. But employment experts note the many reasons that it’s a good idea to think twice.
March 23, 2013
Why Five Days in the Office Is Too Many
Yahoo has banned employees from working from home. But an executive at Smule Inc., an app company, disagrees with the idea that workers are always most productive when in the office.
March 2, 2013
How Offices Become Complaint Departments
Experts in workplace psychology say that some of the inevitable complaining by employees is helpful, even necessary, but that it can also become toxic.
February 23, 2013
When You’ve Had One Meeting Too Many
A management consultant argues that too many meetings consume too much time with too few tangible results — and that it’s time to revolt against them.
February 16, 2013
Maybe Management Isn’t Your Style
Not everyone is cut out to be a supervisor, the author writes. When offered a management position, make sure that you really want it.
February 2, 2013
How to Say ‘Look at Me!’ to an Online Recruiter
Some employers aren’t posting jobs these days, choosing instead to search online for the right candidate. So job seekers may need to ask themselves “How searchable am I?”
January 26, 2013
The Art of Adding by Taking Away
The author of “The Laws of Subtraction” says that success often comes from knowing what to leave out of a project or situation.
January 19, 2013
Knowing Every Breath You Take
The Center for Contemplative Mind in Society is aiming to show how meditation techniques can bolster productivity and creativity in organizations.
January 5, 2013
A Switch at Midlife, to Make a Difference
Many people who have spent 30 years in one career are deciding to undertake the difficult task of changing jobs to do something they find more rewarding.
December 8, 2012
When the H.R. Office Leaves the Building
More companies have been outsourcing their human resources functions, often to a range of vendors that specialize in particular areas.
December 1, 2012
How to Bridge the Hiring Gap
Many C.E.O.’s lament that recent college graduates lack specific, technical skills, but these employers should realize that a broad education has benefits, too.
November 10, 2012
She Went for Broke, and Found a Job
Undecided about her future, a recent college graduate e-mailed a favorite author for advice. The result was a dream job in New York.
October 27, 2012
Assistants, Yes, but They Can Do It All
While administrative assistants have taken on more responsibility in the workplace, they still tend to have influence without authority, which can make their jobs tricky.
October 6, 2012
How to Solve a Career Cliffhanger
A former soap-opera writer finds a new line of work — as a writing coach for high school students applying to colleges.
September 15, 2012
In Defense of the Power of Paper
Though surrounded by computer terminals, many office workers still have practical reasons for using pen and paper in their daily tasks.
September 8, 2012
Thank You for Sharing. But Why at the Office?
Whether recounting drunken exploits or their searches for new jobs, 20-somethings and others may offer too much information in the workplace.
August 18, 2012
The Power of Music, Tapped in a Cubicle
Listening to music at work can often help people become more productive and creative. But it’s best to set some boundaries.
August 11, 2012
The Jobless Won’t Forget Your Help
By responding to an unemployed person’s call or e-mail, or following through on a promise, we can help ourselves, too, a consultant says.
July 21, 2012
Communal Breaks: A Chance to Bond
Creating the time and space for employees to take breaks as a group can improve morale and raise productivity.
July 14, 2012
To Stay on Schedule, Take a Break
Making time in your workday for a few minutes of daydreaming or a walk around the block can help you improve your productivity and avoid stress.
June 16, 2012
Watch Where You Turn Up the Volume
In places like a stock exchange, shouting is expected. But it can be a detriment in many other work environments.
May 26, 2012
The Pros and Cons of Hiring Outsiders
A new study finds that people hired from outside a company tend to make more money than internal employees in similar jobs. But outsiders also tend to perform less well in their first two years.
April 21, 2012
The Rise of the Independent Work Force
Given today’s economic uncertainties, many traditional corporate employees could benefit from learning the ropes of self-employment.
April 14, 2012
Overseas Internships Can Benefit, for a Price
For students, international internship programs offer a window to a different business culture — and perhaps the chance to earn college credit, if not any money.
March 24, 2012
Driven to Worry, and to Procrastinate
You’re always putting things off at work. But experts say there are ways to overcome the habit, even in an age of more expectations, less time and fewer resources.
February 25, 2012
A Chance to See Disabilities as Assets
In the job market, people with disabilities bring vast experience in coping and adapting — qualities that help them become valuable employees.
February 4, 2012
Building a Bridge to a Lonely Colleague
Researchers have found that workplace loneliness hurts both individuals and the entire organization.
January 28, 2012
Her Key to Efficiency: Arrive Late, Leave Early
A professor finds that she is more effective as a parent and at work by shortening her day at the office.
January 21, 2012
The Year of the Multitaskers’ Revenge
Technology’s continuing onslaught, and employees’ responses to it, will be central issues for the American workplace of 2012.
December 31, 2011
Help Graduates Find Their Footing
Many young people have lost confidence in the American workplace, but there are ways to help them regain it, says Robert W. Goldfarb, a management consultant.
December 10, 2011
Don’t Just Sit There, Work Out at Your Desk
Sitting for long periods isn’t good for your health, so some companies are giving employees a chance to exercise while working — with innovations like treadmills attached to desks.
December 4, 2011
Starting a Business: The Romance vs. the Reality
Entrepreneurship holds perils far different from those of working in the corporate world.
November 26, 2011
Matching Volunteers to the Right Missions
In times of reduced budgets and increased need, nonprofits can benefit from using volunteers to make projects more efficient.
November 12, 2011
Less ‘He Said, She Said’ in Sex Harassment Cases
The numbers and types of accusations of sexual harassment have shifted greatly in the last 20 years.
November 5, 2011
How Insults Spur Success
Peggy Payne wasn’t chosen to attend a camp for brainy teenagers when she was 16. But that rejection has long motivated her to excel in her career.
October 15, 2011
For Women, Parity Is Still a Subtly Steep Climb
The number of senior executive women has hardly budged in recent years. And an expert says one cause may be an “entrenched sexism” that is largely unconscious.
October 8, 2011
So Many Gadgets, So Many Aches
As people communicate on more electronic devices in more situations, they may be putting themselves at greater risk of injury, ergonomics experts say.
September 10, 2011
Working at Making the Most of Your Vacation
When employees and their companies plan correctly, vacation time can be beneficial for everyone, workplace experts say.
August 13, 2011
Daring to Stumble on the Road to Discovery
Whether you’re an artist or an entrepreneur, success depends on placing many small bets.
August 6, 2011
The Personal Energy Crisis
Time is finite, says the author Tony Schwartz, so “we need to learn to manage our energy rather than our time.”
July 23, 2011
Working Separately, Together
In search of the camaraderie and structure found in organizations, some small and independent operators work alongside one another in a shared office.
July 16, 2011
Don’t Fret. Just Ask for What You Need.
Women should ask directly for what they want in the workplace — and build their case around what matters most to their employers: the bottom line.
July 9, 2011
The Big Switch, One Step at a Time
Before changing careers, experts say, ask yourself some basic questions. For example, are your current skills obsolete, or will they soon be back in demand?
June 18, 2011
Taking Your Feelings to Work
People have long brought home emotions they can’t express at work. But now home life, with all its emotional currents, is inextricably woven into the workplace.
June 11, 2011
A Venture Born in the Kitchen
Kara Goldin, chief executive of the water company Hint, discovered an opportunity after adding fruit to water for her children.
May 28, 2011
Talk About Pay Today, or Suffer Tomorrow
Because most pay raises are percentage increases, failing to negotiate your salary from the outset can mean a career of regrets.
May 21, 2011
When Fear Stifles Initiative
Many workers say they are so afraid of making a mistake in today’s economy that they are holding back on innovative ideas.
May 14, 2011
The Shifting Definition of Worker Loyalty
When it comes to careers, one expert says, many people are now engaging in serial monogamy.
April 23, 2011
Stockroom to Boardroom
After working for a department store chain and as a secretary, Marcia Miller started using the entrepreneurial spirit she says she inherited from her father.
April 9, 2011
The Internship as Inside Track
More employers are using internships as a recruiting tool. They offer a low-risk way for companies and potential employees to test-drive each other.
March 26, 2011
Tipping the Hat to Dad
Christopher Koch, who leads his family’s New Era Cap Company, worked in every department there before becoming president in 1993.
March 19, 2011
The Critic Returns, as the Performer
In becoming a musician again, Tom Moon faces this question: After reviewing so many artists for so many years, how will they review him?
March 19, 2011
Cracking the Male Code of Office Behavior
Men’s unspoken perceptions can affect women at work and at home, an author says.
February 5, 2011
A Sign of Hope for More Hiring
Job postings show a rising demand for workers, though not for all industries or skill sets.
January 29, 2011
I’m Making a Living From My Hobbies
A North Carolina man has turned seven avocations — sculpture, stonemasonry, woodworking, gardening, photography, writing and politics — into a career.
January 8, 2011
Offering Help (Carefully) to Jobless Friends
Experts say there can be a fine line between aiding and offending an unemployed person. First, go easy on the pity.
January 1, 2011
Losing a Job, Mourning a Lifestyle
The newly jobless in Hollywood face a harsh reality that often includes a lack of health insurance and a need for mental health care.
December 11, 2010
When a Career Path Leads Abroad
International work is not for everyone, and those considering it need to be realistic and strategic.
December 4, 2010
How Portable Is Your Life?
In a slow economy, a geographical leap to a new job may look especially tempting. But it isn’t necessarily easy.
November 6, 2010
Here Comes a Turnover Storm
Turnover carries direct and indirect costs that weigh on a company’s performance.
October 16, 2010
Is Your Online Identity Spoiling Your Chances?
If you wouldn’t want your grandmother to see your Facebook page, change it.
October 9, 2010
Building Towers, Razing Sexism
Opportunities are growing for women in the construction industry, but some sexist views have lingered.
September 18, 2010
Job Satisfaction vs. a Big Paycheck
According to a study released by the National Academy of Sciences, there is a kind of magic number when it comes to income and happiness.
September 11, 2010
The Restless Soul in the Bathroom Mirror
When Lee Weinstein realized his 15th anniversary at work was upon him, it prompted him to address how he wanted to spend the rest of his life.
September 4, 2010
The Healing Power of Construction Work
A carpenter finds that his line of work is welcoming to those who don’t fit the corporate mold.
August 21, 2010
Finding a Bridge Over the Void
A temporary job — even if outside your area of expertise — can ease the pain of long-term unemployment.
August 14, 2010
The True Calling That Wasn’t
Many young people can be steered into careers and discover much later that the choice was wrong.
July 17, 2010
An Entrepreneur Who Took a Chance on Herself
Prerna Gupta, C.E.O. of Khush Inc. — the creator of an iPhone app called LaDiDa — discusses her journey to entrepreneurship.
July 10, 2010
Taking the Leap to Self-Employment
Yes, you’ll have more freedom as your own boss. But you may also face longer hours — and a degree of loneliness.
June 19, 2010
The Tough Match of Young Workers and Insurance
How can long-established industries like insurance find ways to bridge the age gap — and thus attract younger, tech-savvy workers?
June 12, 2010
Graduates’ First Job: Marketing Themselves
In a job market that has improved but is still bleak, a top notch résumé and cover letter, and strong interviewing skills are essential.
May 22, 2010
Sending a Message That You Don’t Care
If you send text messages during meetings, are you really multitasking? Or just being rude?
May 15, 2010
Rays of Hope for Job Hunters
Job postings are climbing, and baby boomers are retiring. Can an employment turnaround be near?
April 25, 2010
Coming to Terms With My Sabbatical
The respite from the humdrum can be fun and liberating, but it may be hard to accomplish all that’s on your wish list.
April 3, 2010
From a Step Back, a Leap Forward
Sometimes, a calculated move to a lower-status or lower-paying job can advance your career.
March 27, 2010
Neither Men Nor Mice
Women make up half of today’s work force, but they must still deal with a well-entrenched double standard when it comes to gender-acceptable behavior.
March 6, 2010
Writing a Résumé That Shouts ‘Hire Me’
An effective résumé is clear, concise and relevant to the job you want.
February 27, 2010
A Family’s Vision
Ricardo Poma credits his relatives and his family history with inspiring him professionally.
February 27, 2010
Back to School, as an Adjunct
Should you consider part-time teaching as a way to improve your finances and expand your career opportunities?
January 30, 2010
Getting Back in Shape for the Job Chase
In an ultracompetitive market, neglecting or mishandling just one element of your search could keep you from getting a job.
January 2, 2010
Don’t Stop Looking During the Holidays
At this time of year, the hiring managers who are in the office tend to be more accessible, more relaxed and less busy than usual.
December 17, 2009
Making Flex Time a Win-Win
If there’s a silver lining to the recession, it’s that smart companies are turning flex time into a tool to attract, retain and engage high-performing talent of both sexes.
December 12, 2009
How to Turn Downtime Into Job Offers
If there is one thing that most unemployed job seekers have in abundance, it is time. And yet many of them misuse it.
December 5, 2009
Over 60, and Proud to Join the Digerati
James R. Gaines, editor in chief of the online publication FLYP, says he often learns more than he teaches at a job where most workers are decades younger.
November 28, 2009
Degree Required, but You Don’t Have One
When you don’t quite have that college diploma, networking can help open doors in your hunt for employment.
November 7, 2009
Success Isn’t Only for the Extroverts
Learning that you are an introvert, and the strengths and challenges that come with it, can be a first step in achieving career success.
October 31, 2009
Networks Too Big for Their Own Good
There is one area in business where much emphasis is still placed on who you know rather than what you’ve done. And that’s recruiting.
October 17, 2009
How a Good Candidate Clears the H.R. Hurdles
How do you persuade a company to hire you if you are underqualified or overqualified, and the job market is against you?
October 10, 2009
On the Discovery Trail
“In this business, if you don’t innovate, someone else will,” says John C. Martin, the C.E.O. of Gilead Sciences.
October 10, 2009
Subtle Cues Can Tell an Interviewer ‘Pick Me’
Courtesy, knowledge of the company and intuition can play big roles in whether a job seeker is successful.
September 12, 2009
To Counteract Job Search Blues, Volunteer
Doing volunteer work can offer an unemployed person much-needed structure and social interaction.
September 10, 2009
When Publishing Had Scents and Sounds
In scarcely 30 years, technology has transformed the office archaeology of the book business.
September 5, 2009
No Response After an Interview? What to Do.
Steps you can take when you don't get a response after a face-to-face interview.
August 25, 2009
Quenching a Thirst for Learning
An adjunct professor fights lack of job security and pay for the joy of teaching.
August 22, 2009
Accentuating the Positive After a Layoff
Desperation, hopelessness, depression, anger — these are not useful feelings to bring to a job search. Yet after a layoff, it is normal to experience some or all of them.
August 15, 2009
The Authority That’s Not on Any Chart
If you don’t have the authority to make a decision, you can still steer its outcome.
August 8, 2009
Where, Oh Where, Has My Application Gone?
You and 1,000 other people have applied online for the same job. How to be noticed?
July 18, 2009
Helping Patients Get Back on All Four Feet
Despite the recession, animal health care technicians continue to be in high demand.
July 5, 2009
I Find You Annoying, but I Can Cope
What to do when a co-worker’s bad behavior makes you climb the cubicle wall.
June 20, 2009
In Simulation Work, the Demand Is Real
Computer modeling and simulation have changed research in various fields.
June 13, 2009
Finding New Employees, via Social Networks
New Web services allow a company’s employees to refer friends for jobs.
May 30, 2009
Be Nice to Job Seekers. (They’re Shoppers, Too.)
A consultant’s advice to companies: Treat applicants as you’d wish to be treated yourself.
May 30, 2009
Please, No Board Shorts in the Boardroom
If you dressed casually throughout college, you may need to rethink your approach, and the transition from college to career may require some trips to the mall.
May 23, 2009
Losing the Income, and the Camaraderie
A layoff can take away a sense of belonging and the day-to-day camaraderie of a particularly close group of colleagues.
May 16, 2009
Rebooting a Career, at a Technical School
With the downturn gobbling up jobs, more people appear to be turning to vocational education.
April 25, 2009
Is This the Time to Chase a Career Dream?
Widespread financial panic has unleashed a giant wave of creative yearnings.
April 18, 2009
Connecting the Dots of Medicine and Data
The push for electronic health records is causing demand to surge for “health informatics specialists.”
April 11, 2009
Lining Up Interviews Is Just the Beginning
Be prepared for the tough questions, and for rejections, and keep refining your strategies.
March 28, 2009
A Help-Wanted Sign for Fraud Investigators
As the financial crisis has continued to unfold, new suspicions of fraud have been emerging — and with them a need to find whether there is evidence of wrongdoing.
March 21, 2009
From Employer to Employee (It’s a Process)
After a founder of a company sells to a larger company and becomes an employee, some adjustments are necessary.
March 7, 2009
These Nurses Are Taking Their Show on the Road
Traveling nurses typically make at least as much money as their more conventional counterparts, but there are drawbacks.
March 7, 2009
Can an Employer’s Past Follow Its Workers?
The taint of a company under suspicion can affect the profile of its former workers.
February 21, 2009
You’re Scared. But Don’t Shift Into Reverse.
Changing jobs out of fear or desperation can ruin many careers.
February 21, 2009
A Cover Letter Is Not Expendable
Cover letters are still necessary, and in a competitive market they can give you a serious edge.
February 14, 2009
My Retail Job, Crazy as It Is, Keeps Me Sane
A freelance writer took a sales job at a clothing store out of desperation. Two years later, she’s still there.
February 14, 2009
A Hollywood Sequel for Michigan Workers
A new jobs program in Michigan is training those laid off to work in the film industry, which is experiencing a huge growth spurt.
February 7, 2009
Digital Archivists, Now in Demand
The organizing and protecting of digital files has become a new career field.
February 7, 2009
A Corporate Perk for a Stressful Time
With so many people out of work, the number of calls to employee assistance programs have skyrocketed.
January 17, 2009
Meetings Are a Matter of Precious Time
It is certain that every organization has too many meetings, and far too many poorly designed ones.
January 17, 2009
Making the Most of Your Workplace Mistakes
Acknowledging and correcting errors, rather than denying and concealing them, can prevent a bad situation from becoming worse.
January 17, 2009
A Sisterhood of Workplace Infighting
One of the last remaining obstacles for women in the workplace is how they treat one another.
January 10, 2009
A Baby and a Book, and a New Definition of Success
When Alexandra Levit realized her unofficial maternity leave would not materialize, she got creative.
December 13, 2008
In Hard Times, Fear Can Impair Decision-Making
Anxiety can discourage exploratory activity and risk-taking — and prolong a financial downturn.
December 6, 2008
The Upside of a Job Done Well Enough
All employees want to make the boss happy. Which means you want to do your best. But at what cost?
November 22, 2008
Out of a Job, and Realizing Change Is Good
After a senior investment banker lost her Wall Street job, she realized that she would prefer to work at a nonprofit.
October 25, 2008
How to Quell Financial Anxiety
At the office, worries about the economy can be as contagious as the common cold.
October 18, 2008
A Soap Actor’s Life: As the World Turns, So May a Career
I’m not a bartender, but I play one on TV. For over a decade I’ve been mixing drinks and serving up small talk on the CBS soap opera “As the World Turns.”
September 20, 2008
How to Protect Your Job in a Stormy Industry
Gather as much information as you can about your company and your industry; that will calm you and give you a sense of control amid uncertainty.
September 20, 2008
Drawing Your Own Map to Working From Home
With increases in fuel and other energy costs, more employers and individuals will undoubtedly be exploring their work-from-home options.
September 13, 2008
Seeking a Detour Around Wall Street
A question about jobs in investment banking and finance in the face of the current downturn.
August 16, 2008
Moving Mountains on Your Desk
If you’re prone to delaying decisions, you may be allowing paper to pile up, too.
August 16, 2008
Yes, the P.A. Will See You Now
With the demand for health care services rising rapidly, it’s not necessary to go to medical school anymore to become a primary care provider.
August 10, 2008
Another Meeting? Say It Isn’t So
You’re expected to attend many meetings at your company, and most of them are a big waste of time. It’s excruciating. Can anything be done?
July 20, 2008
Overcoming the ‘Sway’ in Professional Life
Rom Brafman co-wrote “Sway,” a book on the psychological forces that lead us to behave in irrational ways.
July 15, 2008
Expressing Passions (Just Not Your Own)
When I mention that I’m writing a book for a doctor or an executive, I sense a certain discomfort, as if I’d said that I write term papers for a living.
July 13, 2008
When Ex-Employees Vent, or Reinvent
People may attract the wrath of a former employer for a variety of reasons, but how easy is it for a company to succeed in a legal challenge against a former employee?
July 6, 2008
Need Help Finding Your Bliss? Hire a Coach
There are as many flavors of career counselors as there are careers.
July 5, 2008
I Freed Myself From E-Mail’s Grip
To reclaim productivity lost to responding to e-mail, an I.B.M. employee shifted his means of communication to other tools.
June 29, 2008
When the Office Gives You Chills
The issue and the politics of air-conditioning in office buildings leave no one cold.
June 29, 2008
Drawing a Map for the Later Years
Geriatric care managers help connect families with services and options for elder care.
June 8, 2008
Do You Love the Job, or Just the Paycheck?
A big salary might have too much of an emotional price and the fear of losing it may stand in the way of what could be meaningful success.
June 1, 2008
Diversity at the Office: Policy vs. Reality
A discussion about how employers can create and sustain diversity in the workplace.
May 25, 2008
No Internship Yet? There’s Still Time
Small to midsize companies, especially, may still have summer openings.
May 18, 2008
Typing (and Knowing) Every Last Word
Being a professional media transcriptionist, the latter term not being accepted by a spell checker, nevertheless remains a real job.
May 18, 2008
Leisure’s Starring Role in a Complete Life
While leisure is not a topic that typically emerges as a workplace concern, it has a direct effect on how we handle and view our working life.
May 11, 2008
Help for Those Seeking a Job and a Home
Many of those attending an employment assistance program of the Praxis Housing Initiatives need to work on elementary job-seeking skills before they enter the work force.
April 27, 2008
The Economy Changes, So Change With It
During a downturn, you may need to work harder and longer to find a job, and be more flexible and creative in assessing your options.
April 20, 2008
Behind the Builder, a Skilled Coordinator
When most people think of construction jobs, they do not usually think of people operating computers to ensure that materials and workers will be at the construction sites when they are needed.
April 13, 2008
Shrinking the World, or at Least Your Corner
“Downsizing specialist” is a term for a job that combines organizing, psychology and plain old hand-holding.
April 13, 2008
Women, Repeat This: Don’t Ask, Don’t Get
Time and again, I saw women accept the status quo, take what they were offered and wait for someone else to decide what they deserved.
April 6, 2008
Imaginary Hors d’Oeuvres, but Real Job Skills
Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow offers job training exercises to help the unemployed develop or improve career skills.
March 30, 2008
The Adroit Speaker Doesn’t Wing It
Concentrate on the audience — who they are and what will interest them — and not on yourself.
March 30, 2008
Departing Foster Care, Arriving at Independence
New Yorkers for Children is helping young adults leaving the state’s foster care system learn about career paths.
March 16, 2008
The Faculty Is Remote, but Not Detached
Technology like Web streaming has made online learning more like a real classroom experience.
March 9, 2008
Toppling Stereotypes, Past and Present
The New York Tolerance Center offers a series of programs exploring the character and consequences of racial, ethnic, religious and sexual bias.
March 2, 2008
Determined to Find a New Beginning
The Center for Employment Opportunities provides former convicts living in New York City with temporary jobs.
February 17, 2008
That Boring Job Should Sound an Alarm
People who are bored need to create more challenges and find more meaning in their work lives.
February 17, 2008
Discovering Second Acts in Sustained Working Lives
A chat with Marc Freedman about the growing phenomenon of encore careers and the obstacles facing older workers.
February 11, 2008
A Store Where Profit Comes Not in Dollars
A high-end children’s clothing and toy store in Manhattan helps support the Children’s Aid Society, not only with money but also with job training.
February 3, 2008
A Helping Hand in Technical Training
A program is helping assess the value of academic and counseling support services for low-income people who show potential to work in high-growth jobs.
January 20, 2008
Coaches Wanted in the Game of Life
As personal advisers proliferate, credentialing varies.
January 13, 2008
For a Franchise, Success Is in the Hiring
In an industry known for its high turnover of employees, Dave Melton, a Domino’s Pizza franchisee in Manhattan, has built a work force with unusual longevity.
January 6, 2008
Anxious? You Should Be. It’s Good for Business.
Just enough worry can spur people to make changes.
December 30, 2007
Training for a New Life Through a New Trade
A group called Brooklyn Woods seeks to provide a more promising path to people who are chronically unemployed.
December 23, 2007
How to Defang Scary Technology
In learning new software, focus on the concept more than the sequence of keystrokes.
December 16, 2007
A Field That Interprets the Language of Genes
Genetic counselors can bridge science and health care.
December 9, 2007
On the Crest of a Food Wave
It is a good time to be a barbecue expert in New York, when a master cook can go from selling pulled pork from a food cart to a salary approaching six figures in months.
December 9, 2007
School Renovation as a Learning Experience
A group of New York City architects and designers gives high school students a taste of the work that these professionals do.
November 25, 2007
Every Workday Needs a Game Plan
Start with an important task, and avoid trivial distractions (including Web surfing).
November 18, 2007
Climbing Some Steps on the Pay Ladder
A pilot program helps workers aim toward promotions.
November 11, 2007
The Garage Guy Dons a Lab Coat
It’s a world of electronics under the hood, so the mechanic becomes a technician.
November 11, 2007
From the Toy Box to the Streets
Outlandish garb earns smiles, and hazard pay, for actors willing to dress up as foodstuffs, cartoon characters and power tools.
October 28, 2007
When Hard Work Becomes Overwork
How can you tell if you are a workaholic?
October 21, 2007
A Little Mexican Cafe, Built on Persistence
When banks said no to a $20,000 loan, a nonprofit said yes.
October 14, 2007
On the Trail of Digital Secrets
Documents that can untangle a criminal case are no longer confined to paper.
October 14, 2007
Where Mentors Guide Young Filmmakers
High school students learn the art of the documentary in a program run by a Manhattan nonprofit organization.
September 30, 2007
Construction Abounds, but Managers Are Few
Construction may be slowing in some parts of the country, but it is booming in New York City, creating a seemingly insatiable demand for people with expertise in construction management.
September 30, 2007
The Search for Holiday Help Starts Early
In the human resources department at Tiffany & Company, the jewelry giant, it has been looking a lot like Christmas since the day after Memorial Day.
September 30, 2007
Once Jobless With AIDS, She Now Helps Others
Barbara Cassis, whose AIDS diagnosis once compelled her to leave her job, found a new job after getting help from Gay Men’s Health Crisis in Manhattan.
September 16, 2007
The Not-So-Simple Art of the Blood Test
Only a few states require licensing for phlebotomists — it’s mainly on-the-job training.
September 9, 2007
Ready for Anything (That’s Their Job)
Emergency management has emerged as a formal career path.
September 9, 2007
The Care and Feeding of References
How can you ensure that your references help your chances of getting the job instead of hurting them?
September 2, 2007
Revivals That Embrace Comforts of the Kitchen
A shelter means a roof, but sometimes much more.
September 2, 2007
Some Web Job Sites Put Out ‘Gray Hair Welcome’ Signs
Job boards catering to the mature worker are emerging on the Internet, and least one new entry is focusing on job seekers who are 40 and over.
January 14, 2007
Private Equity Deals? Join the Club
In the new wave of buyouts, more buyers, more equity and bigger targets.
January 14, 2007
Those Low Grades in College May Haunt Your Job Search
A young applicant’s G.P.A. is the best single predictor of job performance in the first few years of employment.
December 31, 2006
For Better Care, Work Across Lines
On one level, high-quality health care is all about convenience and access.
December 31, 2006
One Degree in Fine Arts, and One in Plumbing
Elaine Ward is one of a small number of women who work as plumbers in New York City.
December 24, 2006
How to Untangle the Power Grid, Digitally
A smarter grid could mean new efficiency, and thus less need to build power plants.
December 17, 2006
And Now a Syllabus for the Service Economy
To help prepare university students for the new services-based economy, I.B.M. wants colleges to teach services as a science.
December 3, 2006
A Global Casting Call for Corporate Boards
Adding foreign directors can help companies expand successfully in new markets.
November 19, 2006
Putting Bright Ideas to Work Off Campus
Universities produce a wealth of technology patents, and lose money on most of them.
November 5, 2006
Even the Well Employed Yearn to Unleash Their Writer’s Muse
Whatever joy Jo Ann S. Barefoot has found by reaching the pinnacle of the business world cannot compare with the thrills she is now finding as an aspiring novelist.
October 22, 2006
Raising Labor’s Hand at Annual Meetings
One way to change how a chief is paid may be to give investors more power to pick directors.
October 22, 2006
Paying for Performance, but Not Share Price
What if chief executives' salaries a were tied to their companies' long-term fortunes?
October 8, 2006
Long Days, Challenging Clients, Potty-Training Experience Useful
There is a slight uptick in the number of men who provide early childhood care or education to children 5 and younger.
September 24, 2006
The Rebirth of Venture Capitalism
The investors are looking beyond Silicon Valley, and beyond the Internet and biotech.
September 24, 2006
The Professor in the Back Lot
Being the lowest person on the totem pole and a producer has made James Schamus think about filmmaking from the point of view of everyone with whom he works.
September 17, 2006
Hungry Workers, Tied to Desks, Clicking to Get Culinary Delights
Elite firms balance job demands by simplifying the quest for food.
September 17, 2006
When ‘Help Wanted’ Comes With a Catch
‘Re-entry’ is often grueling for ex-cons, despite laws and programs to aid them.
September 17, 2006
For Cancer Survivors, a Job Hunt Can Be the Next Big Obstacle
Survivors of serious illnesses, cancer or otherwise, face particular problems in the job market.
September 17, 2006
A Few Bad Apples, and Everybody’s Sauce
Siemen's leader is still bullish on America, but concerned about a rise in bureaucracy.
September 10, 2006
Smart Is as Smart Does
When Marcy Syms began her career in management, there was an assumption that she may not have earned her position.
September 10, 2006
The Pros and Cons of Independent Boards
Directors are taking their jobs more seriously, but there's also an element of fear.
August 27, 2006
A C.E.O. Needs a Certain Shine Best Learned at Finishing School
Part therapist, part drill sergeant, an executive coach concentrates less on business plans than on reversing potentially self-defeating barriers to success.
August 27, 2006
Saving the Earth, and Saving Money
Some corporate leaders find that a green agenda makes good business sense.
August 13, 2006
The Economy May Be Global, but Not Languages or Culture
Language barriers in the workplace can result in miscommunication and conflict.
July 2, 2006
Enduring an Awful Commute To Own an Affordable Home
Increasing number of Americans are reluctant to give up their jobs but unable to pay exorbitant housing prices in large urban areas; they are buying homes far from their workplaces and spending more time commuting; Census Bureau report shows that 3.3 million people commute 50 miles or more to work each day; photo (M)
August 29, 2004
HOME FRONT; Entrepreneurial Success via the Internet
Home Front profiles Josh Mohrer, who runs Rational Fashion, online operation that sells men's designer clothing; Mohrer comments on ways he is thinking about expanding business; photo (M)
August 22, 2004
When Stay-at-Home Fathers Return to Work (Elsewhere)
Fathers who stay at home to care for children often seek change when returning to work force, rejecting all-consuming corporate jobs and trying to re-enter work force on their own terms to facilitate maintaining family ties; photo (M)
August 1, 2004
HOME FRONT; Bit Parts on Screen, and a Salary to Match
LAST year, Kimberly Felipe Villanueva, an aspiring actress, banked nearly $4,000 as an extra. And that, she said, was a windfall. Ms. Villanueva, who has appeared on television and in films, is under no illusions: what she does is not exactly Hollywood at its most glamorous. It rarely is for the thousands of extras, known in the industry as background actors, who lug their wardrobes and makeup to production sets before sunrise or wait in frigid or blistering temperatures for hours on end to earn as little as $150 for 12 hours of work, much of which will go unnoticed by audiences.
July 25, 2004
HOME FRONT; Dancer in 'Cats' Finds a 2nd Act in Law
Home Front interview with Hans Kriefall, who gave up Broadway dancing for law school and new career as corporate finance lawyer with Debevoise & Plimpton; photo; Kreifall was helped by organization Career Transition for Dancers (M)
June 27, 2004
Nurses Bid With Their Pay In Auctions for Extra Work
Growing number of hospitals are using auctions that allow nurses to bid for more hours in areas where they are qualified by posting offer to work available shifts at specific rate; auctions award shifts to employees who ask lowest prices for their work; system lets nurses set their own schedule and helps hospitals deal with severe nursing shortage while keeping costs in check; many nurses' unions oppose practice saying it has potential for abuse and harms nurses' image as professionals; photo (M)
June 6, 2004
HOME FRONT; Teenage Job Seekers Face Slow Summer
Employment for teen-agers is tough to find this summer; what has been considered one of tightest summer job markets for teenagers in recent years may be even more dire in New York City; nationally, only 42 percent of teenagers looking for work can expect to find it this ummer, down from 52 percent in 2000; photo (M)
May 30, 2004
Colleges Struggle to Attract Job Recruiters to Campuses
Many colleges and universities, with job market that has been tight for several years, are going to great lengths to help their students catch eyes of recruiters; since fall 2001 recruiting season, number of visits to college campuses has declined as much as 50 percent; Karin Ash, director of Career Management Center at Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell, notes that career development officers at 25 other top business schools had told her that recruiting visits are 25 to 40 per cent below 2000-1 level; photo (M)
May 23, 2004
Getting Away From the Job, But Keeping a Hand in It
Many professionals nearing retirement are not prepared to leave work force entirely and are opting for what is called phased retirement; Watson Wyatt, consulting firm, reports that two-thirds of 1,000 workers over age 50 who were surveyed said they would prefer scaling back their hours or responsibilities, rather than retire; photo (M)
May 9, 2004
HOME FRONT; Illness Strikes, and Insurance Falls Short
Home Front column on financial stress of families facing extraordinary medical costs that even good insurance plans do not cover entirely; Carol and Daniel Giordano explain struggle to pay for treatment of daughter's chronic seizures; their photo; help from New York Medicaid's Care at Home waiver program explained (M)
May 2, 2004
In Health and Social Services, A More Violent Workplace
Incidents of workplace violence in health care and social services are increasing in number and intensity, escalating from verbal abuse to assault; fewer workers are delivering fewer services to more people, causing more stress, leading to increase of incidents; photo (M)
April 25, 2004
MEDICINE; Testing the Idea That Helping Out Is Healthy
Johns Hopkins University two-year clinical study finds older adults improve their mental and physical health as they help children with their education; Dr Linda P Fried, who led study, and participants who volunteered in Baltimore elementary schools comment; photos (M)
April 13, 2004
VOICES; A Late Start in the Healing Arts: Finding a Calling After Work Is Done
Growing number of people are deciding in their later years to become nurses, taking advantage of accelerated programs that make it easier and quicker to earn degree; five who came to profession later in life comment, interviews; photos (M)
April 13, 2004
AFTER WORK; Grandma Finds a Job, Looking After Junior
Many older workers nearing retirement are eyeing second careers as paid nannies for their grandchildren; grandparents already doing job and their adult children warn of difficulties; photo (M)
April 13, 2004
MEDICARE; Discount Drug Cards Are Coming: It's Time to Do Your Homework
Many Medicare recipients are facing difficult task in comparison shopping for new government-endorsed drug discount cards that will be available June 1; government has approved 28 companies to market cards, which should cut prescription drug costs by 10 to 25 percent; cards are stopgap until comprehensive subsidized Medicare drug benefit starts in 2006; drawing (M)
April 13, 2004
CAMPAIGN TRAIL; Tough Issues, Awaiting Their Turn
Some of deepest and most explosive divisions between George W Bush and John F Kerry, issues so politically treacherous and abstract that both candidates have shied away from them in public, are over future of retirement; much of intensely partisan war is raging over whether Americans should save for old age collectively as nation, or as individuals through private savings and investments; Democrats hope to tie traditional distrust of older Americans for proposals that seem to threaten Social Security and Medicare to broader economic anxieties of younger workers; Republicans are arguing that two giant entitlement programs will be overwhelmed by soaring costs as baby boomers reach retirement age; are building case for partially replacing Social Security with new system of private accounts; photos (M)
April 13, 2004
LOOKING AHEAD; On Their Own, in the Same Boat
Single women of baby boom gen
April 13, 2004
FINANCE; Tax Cuts Give New Options To Savers Playing Catch-Up
Financial advisers say last year's sharp tax cuts on capital gains and qualified dividends may make taxable investment accounts more attractive for people playing retirement savings catch-up than nondeductible tax-deferred accounts; notes all money earned in tax-deferred retirement accounts is taxed at ordinary income rates when it is paid out, even if funds comes from long-term capital gains and dividends; pros and cons of tax-deductible and tax-deferred accounts noted; drawing (M)
April 13, 2004
MEDICINE; To Make a Pill More Affordable, Cut It in Half
Many people, especially retirees with chronic ilnesses, have long resorted to splitting higher dosage pills, which often cost same as lower dosage ones, to help control escalating drug prices; some doctors advise practice, which has become increasingly institutionalized in recent years; some managed care companies have voluntary programs for splitting pills; critics cite potential problems; photo (M)
April 13, 2004
AFTER WORK; After the Kids, Careers and Craziness, There's Time for Old Friends
June Bingham article cites having time and energy for friends as one of joys of retirement; photos (M)
April 13, 2004
PLACES; All Your Neighbors Are Just Like You
Retirement communities are springing up that cater to people who share specific interests or values; range from communities for gay men and lesbians to centers shaped for members of specific ethnic groups, retired military officers and artists; experts cite longer life spans of retirees as factor behind trend; there are pros and cons of living in community aimed at specific group; photos (M)
April 13, 2004
AFTER WORKS; Golf Widows Take Up the Game But Play It in a Different Spirit
Many women who move to Florida for retirement and take up golf to spend more time with their husbands find game is more enjoyable played with other women; many prefer game for companionship and social reason, while men tend to view it more competitively; photos (M)
April 13, 2004
FINANCE; Variable Annuity Guide: A Simple, Complex Idea
Guide to investing in variable annuities, which combine security of insurance with growth potential of mutual fund; notes fees are steep and penalties for early withdrawal are costly; variable annuities are proving particularly popular with older, less sophisticated investors who analysts say should be particularly wary; drawing (M)
April 13, 2004
Community Colleges Offer Fast-Track Training for Jobs
Community colleges around country offer fast-track programs that train students in specific job skills that will get them into labor market quickly; administrators say accelerated programs also help to re-employ thousands of laid-off workds and teach basic skills to entry-level job seekers; George Sanchez of Bronx Community College explains (M)
April 11, 2004
HOME FRONT; For Ex-Nurses, Real Money's in Takeout
Home Front article on Winsome Cunningham, registered nurse who worked in New York City hospitals for nearly 15 years until she left to open fast food restaurant; photo; she now owns three franchises of Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery and Grill; recent state survey finds 48 percent of nurses under age 52 plan to leave positions or profession in next five years because of stress (M)
April 4, 2004
Home Front; Split Made Her, Too, a Source on Divorce
DivorceSource, Margery Rubin's one-woman firm, offers what she calls nonlegal counseling on practical issues of divorce; impetus to start firm came from experience of ending her own 22-year marrage to prominent divorce lawyer; photo (M)
March 21, 2004
Corporate America Sending More Legal Work to Bombay
Companies from BorgWarner to General Electric are experimenting with 'offshoring' legal work to foreign lawyers, especially in India; find they can reduce certain legal costs by as much as 50 percent and receive work that rivals what they can obtain in United States; photo (M)
March 14, 2004
HOME FRONT; For Dot-Com Casualties, a Slow Recovery
Many who lost their jobs in dot-com crash in 2001 are still unemployed; many others searched for two years before finding new job; photo (M)
March 7, 2004
Looking for a New Job? Help May Be Snoozing Next to You
Advice to couples on helping unemployed spouse find work by reaching into own personal and professional networks; Bradford Agry and other career counselors comment; photo (M)
February 29, 2004
HOME FRONT; Lights, Camera, Action! (And Jobs, Too)
Movie and television production industry in New York City is rebounding after a period of recession; data from 2003 suggest rise in number of film, television and commercial shooting days; photo of scene from television show Law and Order (M)
February 22, 2004
Demand for Workers Surges In Policing Cybertechnology
Growing demand for information technology security specialists reflects proliferation of computer viruses and information theft; career experts say increase in demand has accelerated since Sept 11 terrorist attacks, with people more aware of security and need to protect against cyberterrorism; photo (M)
February 15, 2004
HOME FRONT; Keeping Tight, if Numb, Grip on the Leash
Home Front column on how professional dog walker Danny DeLarosa copes with New York winter; photo (M)
February 8, 2004
A Powerful Résumé Speaks To an Employer. Grins, Too.
Video resumes are starting to emerge as new weapon for job hunters; they range from 20-second presentations of job applicant directly addressing camera to four-minute mini-movies replete with graphics and photo montages; they can cost from pennies to thousands of dollars; photo (M)
February 1, 2004
Honing Your Skills for the Hunt
Stephanie L Marks, who conducts career coaching seminars for job hunters, discusses strategies that work when pursuing job in market that is still far from robust; drawing (M)
January 25, 2004
Changing Careers, An Option For Some
Middle-aged job seekers are advised to focus on industries that need workers now, rather than look to next big technological advance for potential jobs; job-market experts say health care, education, construction and service-industry jobs are among fields most likely to flourish in years and decades to come; advise people to get retrained to acquire entry-level skills that will make them immediately marketable so they can start working in their desired industries even while they continue their education so they can climb career ladder; photo (M)
January 25, 2004
Revival in New York? Well, That Depends
Despite statistics indicating decreasing rate of unemployment in Greater New York area, some key industries actually suffered job losses in period from Jan-Nov, 2003, and most recent New York State figures show that unemployment in city proper actually increased to 7.9 percent in Dec 2003 from 7.7 percent in Nov; employers, employees and union officials say inconsistencies and contradictions in hiring abound; graphs; chart showing employment by industry (M)
January 25, 2004
Networking Web Sites That Get Your Foot in the Door
Online business networking sites connect job-seekers through mutual contacts; survey conducted by one career management firm found that 61 percent of respondents said they found their last job through networking; most experts agree that online networking, though not replacement for personal contact, does give people new opportunity to meet people and hear about job opportunities; photo (M)
January 25, 2004
Take to the Streets? It Worked for Them
WeWantWork, marketing campaign by and for group of 43 jobless New Yorkers, was started in Sept 2002 by group of white-collar workers who had been unemployed for months; so far, three creators of group and 27 other members have found jobs; group has inspired similar self-help efforts in other cities; group members' success in finding jobs may be partly attributable to improving economy, though in New York City that improvement has been slow; that might explain why many of group's members have moved to other cities to take new jobs; photo (M)
January 25, 2004
New Concern That Politeness Is a Lost Art in the Office
Some companies are hiring consultants to coach executives in workplace civility; while it is difficult to measure if rudeness is on rise, Peter Post, director of Emily Post Institute, reports sharp increase in calls from companies wanting institute to lead seminars in interpersonal skills; photo (M)
January 18, 2004
Face of Employee Assistance Is Often a Company Chaplain
Marketplace Ministries and Corporate Chaplains of America contract chaplains to companies wishing to supply counseling services to employees; some religious scholars and experts on religion in workplace see disturbing trend toward business and religion overlap; instances of employee resentment toward what they see as pushing religion cited; photo (M)
January 4, 2004