How to Present Well – 9 Tips

Every person can learn how to present well.  Both the techniques you use and your style matter in the success of a good presentation. Not every presentation approach will work for an individual person, and it is always recommended to develop a personal style that you are comfortable and confident using. This confidence will show to an audience, and will make it much easier for you to deliver presentations without experiencing significant stress. ...  read more

Contract Rate – How To Negotiate

Many job seekers are considering doing contract work as an alternative to full time employment.  It sometimes give us more flexibility and an ability to continue working that full time employment may not allow.  When you do transition from full time employment to contract work, you will be paid by the hour instead of a salary.  Therefore it’s important to know how to convert salary to an hourly rate in order to know what should ask for in a contract situation. ...  read more

Reduce Stress Now – 7 Practical Tips

I want to share 7 tips that will help you reduce stress at work now.  Job-related stress is common for many people, but it can be quite counter-productive, can lead to unhappiness at work, and can be detrimental to your health.

The fact that you are reading this post means you want to reduce stress and are aware of the consequences of stress for your work and well-being.  This is good news, as managing stress has to start with awareness. ...  read more

Consequences of Stress – A Different Perspective

Did you know that April 16 is National Stress Awareness Day?  Ironically, you and I are probably too stressed to notice.  Well, in honor of April 16, I am dedicating all of the blog posts this month to the consequences of stress, and how to reduce stress.

We are so used to having stress in our work that I think we often forget the price we actually pay in the long run. This is because the consequences of stress (illness, early death) do not show until many years later. By contrast, the rewards of putting ourselves in stressful situations are more apparent and immediate – praise for a successfully completed project, a raise as a result of our stellar work, or a quicker path to promotion. ...  read more

How to Convert Salary to Hourly Rate

In today’s tough job market, many companies are reducing their full time employment job openings which are paid by annual salary in order to save headcount cost and be able to adapt more quickly to changing market conditions.    Instead companies are hiring more contractors who are paid by hourly rate and has a defined contract period (e.g. 6 – 18 months).   As a result, many job seekers are also seeking contractor positions in addition to full time employment in order to increase their chances. ...  read more

Life is Short – Remember the Big Picture

Whatever stress you may be facing in your job or job search, remember the big picture – life is short, appreciate and enjoy it while you can.   Why am I saying this all of a sudden?  Well, it’s also a reminder for myself as lately I have been bombarded with sad news that reminds me life is short and I need to treasure every moment. ...  read more