Advice
To Self Publish — Or Not
Editorial TeamI wrote a funny non-fiction book about the spa and cosmetic industry. When I first started writing, I had no intention of looking for an agent. I figured I couldn’t get one and I would save time by just using www.iuniverse.com or one of the other self-publishing sites.
Michael Jackson: Flawed Genius
Editorial Team 3I pretty much stopped thinking about Michael Jackson in 2005 after his famous trial, when he was acquitted of child molestation charges. In my mind, regardless of the outcome, something had gone on at Neverland between Jackson and children – and it probably wasn’t anywhere near as G-rated as he and his lawyers claimed.
First Time at Camp, Jake Has The Jitters
Editorial Team 8My 12-year-olds have been anticipating camp for months now. Pretty much every day we have had some discussion about an aspect of their upcoming one-month stay. This is their first time and they picked the place on their own. We checked it out, talked to the camp owners and all looks fine.
Resume Gap? Think Outside the Box
Editorial Team 5Since unemployment seems to be the new black, recruiters are taking a different stance on gaps in the resumes they review. I used to do it 24/7: see a six-month gap of employment here, a three-month gap over there. Immediately, questions. Was this person let go due to performance issues? Slacker perhaps? Or merely a case of bad timing and luck: last one in, first one out? Now, given the state of the economy, it is deemed understandable, no questions asked.
Author: Use Your Natural Strengths to Your Advantage
Editorial Team 2Six million jobs have been lost. Unemployment is at a 25-year high. More than 14 million people are out of work. If you’re not trying to find a job you’re probably trying to keep one.
Good news? If you’re a woman, you have distinct, hardwired advantages over your male counterparts and competitors, says Catherine Kaputa, author of The Female Brand: Using the Female Mindset to Succeed in Business (Davies-Black). “Women are naturally ‘wired’ for career success, says Kaputa, a personal branding expert.
Firms cutting back on 401(k) Plans
Editorial TeamA new survey finds that 29 percent of companies have modified or will change matching contributions in their 401(k) plans this year. One in five will eliminate the match entirely. “Clearly, the economic downturn is causing many companies to reevaluate their 401(k) plan design carefully,” says Grant Thornton’s Gary Gross, who co-authored the survey. “The highest anticipated action reported by all respondents is the complete elimination of the match, which will generate the most cash savings for the plan sponsor.”