Kristina Cowan's blog http://www.blogher.com/blog/13080/atom/feed 2008-06-09T14:19:32-05:00 Can President-elect Obama Provide Relief from Our Unemployment Angst? http://www.blogher.com/can-president-elect-obama-provide-relief-our-unemployment-angst 2008-11-13T15:33:39-06:00 2008-11-13T15:33:39-06:00 Kristina Cowan As the U.S. unemployment rate increases--at 6.5 percent, it has reached a 14-year high--and President Bush's tenure winds down, all eyes are on President-elect Barack Obama and the Democratic Congress set to take the reins in Washington in January. Will the new leadership provide relief?

]]> As the U.S. unemployment rate increases--at 6.5 percent, it has reached a 14-year high--and President Bush's tenure winds down, all eyes are on President-elect Barack Obama and the Democratic Congress set to take the reins in Washington in January. Will the new leadership provide relief?

]]> Joe the Plumber and the Middle-Class Squeeze http://www.blogher.com/joe-plumber-and-middle-class-squeeze 2008-10-28T16:31:05-05:00 2008-10-28T16:31:05-05:00 Kristina Cowan Joe Wurzelbacher--better known as Joe the Plumber--is getting his 15 minutes of fame, and in the meantime, raising questions about what it means to be middle class, and why the middle class is so very squeezed.

]]> Joe Wurzelbacher--better known as Joe the Plumber--is getting his 15 minutes of fame, and in the meantime, raising questions about what it means to be middle class, and why the middle class is so very squeezed.

]]> Average Salary Increases: What's On the Horizon for 2009? http://www.blogher.com/average-salary-increases-whats-horizon-2009 2008-10-22T13:53:38-05:00 2008-10-22T13:53:38-05:00 Kristina Cowan Over the last several weeks, it seems the United States has come entirely unglued--at least financially. It's enough to make any worker uneasy about job security and compensation. With all the fiscal unrest, we wonder: what can we expect for an average salary increase in 2009, in light of the sorry state of the economy?

]]> Over the last several weeks, it seems the United States has come entirely unglued--at least financially. It's enough to make any worker uneasy about job security and compensation. With all the fiscal unrest, we wonder: what can we expect for an average salary increase in 2009, in light of the sorry state of the economy?

]]> Does Your Salary History Really Matter to a Future Employer? http://www.blogher.com/does-your-salary-history-really-matter-future-employer 2008-09-29T11:57:47-05:00 2008-09-29T11:57:47-05:00 Kristina Cowan Your salary history tells an important story of how far you've come along a career path, so it's fitting that a prospective employer might be interested in learning more about your past earnings. Yet it's unfair to take a salary history at face value, because there are so often back-stories that need explaining.

]]> Your salary history tells an important story of how far you've come along a career path, so it's fitting that a prospective employer might be interested in learning more about your past earnings. Yet it's unfair to take a salary history at face value, because there are so often back-stories that need explaining.

Career experts say you should be prepared to discuss your salary history with a prospective employer, along with any back-stories. For example, if you changed careers and took a pay cut in the process, you'll want to share that. Still you don't want to put yourself at a disadvantage, so it's important to tailor your approach to the circumstances.

]]> How to Handle Salary Requirements When Applying for a Job http://www.blogher.com/how-handle-salary-requirements-when-applying-job 2008-09-25T10:59:54-05:00 2008-09-25T10:59:54-05:00 Kristina Cowan Job interviewing is like art: it requires skill, dexterity, and the right tools and environment. Make one wrong move and the result can be disastrous. This is especially true when it comes to discussing salary requirements. As a job-seeker, approaching a conversation with a prospective employer about salary requirements can be tricky.

How soon can you expect an employer to ask you about your salary requirements? Should you ever include salary requirements in a cover letter? How can you pick a salary that doesn't aim too high or too low?

]]> Job interviewing is like art: it requires skill, dexterity, and the right tools and environment. Make one wrong move and the result can be disastrous. This is especially true when it comes to discussing salary requirements. As a job-seeker, approaching a conversation with a prospective employer about salary requirements can be tricky.

How soon can you expect an employer to ask you about your salary requirements? Should you ever include salary requirements in a cover letter? How can you pick a salary that doesn't aim too high or too low?

To find sage answers to these and other basic questions about salary requirements, I tapped several career experts for their wisdom.

]]> Salary Negotiation in Tough Times: What Not to Do http://www.blogher.com/salary-negotiation-tough-times-what-not-do 2008-09-23T09:33:45-05:00 2008-09-23T09:33:45-05:00 Kristina Cowan The U.S. fiscal climate is going from bad to worse, with Wall Street firms crumbling and unemployment edging ever higher. All this makes for an uneven landscape for salary negotiations, which aren't easy even during a robust economy. To succeed with salary negotiations in tough times, experts say workers should definitely avoid certain tactics.

]]> The U.S. fiscal climate is going from bad to worse, with Wall Street firms crumbling and unemployment edging ever higher. All this makes for an uneven landscape for salary negotiations, which aren't easy even during a robust economy. To succeed with salary negotiations in tough times, experts say workers should definitely avoid certain tactics.

Continue reading "Salary Negotiation in Tough Times: What Not to Do" »

]]> Current Unemployment Rate Hits Four-Year High http://www.blogher.com/current-unemployment-rate-hits-four-year-high 2008-08-01T15:24:35-05:00 2008-08-01T15:24:35-05:00 Kristina Cowan The U.S. unemployment rate edged up to 5.7 percent in July, hitting a four-year high. But some say the number conceals the true toll of the fickle economy, which can be seen in people forced to work part time because their hours were cut, or they couldn't find full-time employment.

]]> The U.S. unemployment rate edged up to 5.7 percent in July, hitting a four-year high. But some say the number conceals the true toll of the fickle economy, which can be seen in people forced to work part time because their hours were cut, or they couldn't find full-time employment.

Continue reading "Current Unemployment Rate Hits Four-Year High" »

]]> Top Ten Companies to Work for During Tough Times http://www.blogher.com/top-ten-companies-work-during-tough-times 2008-07-07T15:32:06-05:00 2008-07-07T15:44:32-05:00 Kristina Cowan America may be mired in hard times, but there are still great companies to work for, and their success lies in getting the simple things right--such as valuing employees.

]]> America may be mired in hard times, but there are still great companies to work for, and their success lies in getting the simple things right--such as valuing employees.

]]> Unemployment: Is the Worst Yet to Come? http://www.blogher.com/unemployment-worst-yet-come 2008-07-03T13:14:16-05:00 2008-07-03T13:40:34-05:00 Kristina Cowan Today's release of current unemployment rates may be more unwelcome news reminding us of a rickety economy, but the skies could grow darker still. Goldman Sachs forecasts that the U.S. unemployment rate will peak at 6.4 percent late in 2009 before improving, meaning the painful process of shedding jobs may be only half-way done.

]]> Today's release of current unemployment rates may be more unwelcome news reminding us of a rickety economy, but the skies could grow darker still. Goldman Sachs forecasts that the U.S. unemployment rate will peak at 6.4 percent late in 2009 before improving, meaning the painful process of shedding jobs may be only half-way done.

Continue reading "Current Unemployment Rate Steady at 5.5 Percent in June" »

]]> 7 Tips For Boosting Your Career Through Online Social Networks http://www.blogher.com/7-tips-boosting-your-career-through-online-social-networks 2008-06-30T13:58:08-05:00 2008-06-30T13:58:08-05:00 Kristina Cowan Online social networks are an excellent way for mid-career professionals to boost their careers, experts say--but workers should heed several tips before getting started.

Stephen Weinstein knows about the power of online social networks. He landed his current job, manager of marketing communications at Cooper Power Systems in Waukesha, Wis., through LinkedIn.com, an online social network for professionals. A recruiter at Cooper contacted him earlier this year, asking if he knew anyone interested in the position; after reading the job description, he pursued the post and was hired.

Of LinkedIn he says, “I swear by the site, and encourage my friends and colleagues to ‘get connected’ on the site. … I've expanded both my personal and professional networks as a result of LinkedIn.com, and have been extremely successful in connecting others who may not have had previous knowledge of each other, using the site.”

If you’re a mid-career professional wanting to ramp up your career by similarly leveraging the power of online social networks like LinkedIn, experts offer a wealth of tips for getting started.

Continue reading "7 Tips For Boosting Your Career Through Online Social Networks" »

]]> Online social networks are an excellent way for mid-career professionals to boost their careers, experts say--but workers should heed several tips before getting started.

Stephen Weinstein knows about the power of online social networks. He landed his current job, manager of marketing communications at Cooper Power Systems in Waukesha, Wis., through LinkedIn.com, an online social network for professionals. A recruiter at Cooper contacted him earlier this year, asking if he knew anyone interested in the position; after reading the job description, he pursued the post and was hired.

Of LinkedIn he says, “I swear by the site, and encourage my friends and colleagues to ‘get connected’ on the site. … I've expanded both my personal and professional networks as a result of LinkedIn.com, and have been extremely successful in connecting others who may not have had previous knowledge of each other, using the site.”

If you’re a mid-career professional wanting to ramp up your career by similarly leveraging the power of online social networks like LinkedIn, experts offer a wealth of tips for getting started.

Continue reading "7 Tips For Boosting Your Career Through Online Social Networks" »

]]> Congress Sends Bush Extension of Unemployment Benefits http://www.blogher.com/congress-sends-bush-extension-unemployment-benefits 2008-06-27T12:53:10-05:00 2008-06-27T12:53:10-05:00 Kristina Cowan The U.S. Senate has approved a measure that would give an extra 13 weeks of unemployment benefits to the approximately 1.55 million unemployed workers who exhaust their regular 26 weeks of unemployment benefits.

Continue reading "Congress Sends Bush Extension of Unemployment Benefits & Unemployment Compensation" »

]]> The U.S. Senate has approved a measure that would give an extra 13 weeks of unemployment benefits to the approximately 1.55 million unemployed workers who exhaust their regular 26 weeks of unemployment benefits.

Continue reading "Congress Sends Bush Extension of Unemployment Benefits & Unemployment Compensation" »

]]> Sleeping on the Job: Will It Make You a Better Employee? http://www.blogher.com/sleeping-job-will-it-make-you-better-employee 2008-06-20T17:04:01-05:00 2008-06-20T17:04:01-05:00 Kristina Cowan Napping at work might make you a better worker. That's because our bodies, according to a Boston.com graphic touted by Lifehacker, need afternoon shut-eye to perform at their best--which points to a nap in the middle of the workday. But how can you grab some winks without looking like a slacker?

]]> Napping at work might make you a better worker. That's because our bodies, according to a Boston.com graphic touted by Lifehacker, need afternoon shut-eye to perform at their best--which points to a nap in the middle of the workday. But how can you grab some winks without looking like a slacker?

Continue reading "Sleeping on the Job: Will It Make You a Better Employee" »

]]> 5 Things You Should Know About Unemployment Benefits http://www.blogher.com/5-things-you-should-know-about-unemployment-benefits 2008-06-13T16:53:11-05:00 2008-06-13T16:53:11-05:00 Kristina Cowan An unemployment benefits bill being debated in Congress would offer displaced workers around $1,160 a month, enough to buy about 287 gallons of gas at the current price. The bill, which would extend benefits to workers running out of state-funded aid, was approved by the House of Representatives yesterday, with 49 Republicans breaking ranks to support it. But the measure faces an uncertain future in the Senate, and the White House is vowing to veto it.

Aside from the political posturing, what does the extension really mean for unemployed workers?

Continue reading "5 Things You Should Know About Unemployment Benefits" »

]]> An unemployment benefits bill being debated in Congress would offer displaced workers around $1,160 a month, enough to buy about 287 gallons of gas at the current price. The bill, which would extend benefits to workers running out of state-funded aid, was approved by the House of Representatives yesterday, with 49 Republicans breaking ranks to support it. But the measure faces an uncertain future in the Senate, and the White House is vowing to veto it.

Aside from the political posturing, what does the extension really mean for unemployed workers?

Continue reading "5 Things You Should Know About Unemployment Benefits" »

]]> Job Interview? Don't Show Up Drunk, or Bring Your Mom, or ... http://www.blogher.com/job-interview-dont-show-drunk-or-bring-your-mom-or 2008-06-12T11:57:45-05:00 2008-06-12T11:57:45-05:00 Kristina Cowan With graduation season in full bloom, new grads are sailing the job-interviewing seas, but some are drowning right out of the gate. Others will confront nightmarish--and sometimes illegal--job interview questions. One candidate at Tavalon Tea, a premium tea company based in New York, started bashing Tavalon, apparently too hung over to remember where he was. Another Tavalon interviewee brought his mom. And a candidate at Collins Wealth Management, a financial planning practice in Parsippany, N.J., answered her cell phone in the middle of an interview--to chat about a TV show and weekend plans.  [ABCNews.com]

]]> With graduation season in full bloom, new grads are sailing the job-interviewing seas, but some are drowning right out of the gate. Others will confront nightmarish--and sometimes illegal--job interview questions. One candidate at Tavalon Tea, a premium tea company based in New York, started bashing Tavalon, apparently too hung over to remember where he was. Another Tavalon interviewee brought his mom. And a candidate at Collins Wealth Management, a financial planning practice in Parsippany, N.J., answered her cell phone in the middle of an interview--to chat about a TV show and weekend plans.  [ABCNews.com]

Continue reading "Job Interview? Don't Show Up Drunk, or Bring Your Mom, or ..." »

]]> Why Skipping Your Summer Vacation Could Kill You http://www.blogher.com/why-skipping-your-summer-vacation-could-kill-you 2008-06-09T14:19:32-05:00 2008-06-09T14:19:32-05:00 Kristina Cowan As vacation season rolls around, some Americans are planning to forsake their summer getaways. More than half of the respondents in a Yahoo! HotJobs survey said they'll sacrifice summer vacation this year to save money. But if you make a habit of skipping vacations, you could be shortening your life.

]]> As vacation season rolls around, some Americans are planning to forsake their summer getaways. More than half of the respondents in a Yahoo! HotJobs survey said they'll sacrifice summer vacation this year to save money. But if you make a habit of skipping vacations, you could be shortening your life.

Continue reading "Why Skipping Your Summer Vacation Could Kill You" »

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