While the economy and jobless rates ranked at the top of HR discussions in 2010 another topic slipped under the radar by comparison regulatory change Here are a few of the legal and regulatory issues that should have ramifications throughout 2011 Health Care The most prominently covered regulatory change is the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act which made sweeping changes to health care While most of the headline-making changes won't take effect for a few years some of the…

No one wants to deal with a layoff but is there opportunity on the other side Throughout the fluctuating trends mixed indicators and false starts of this agonizingly slow and often euphemistically termed jobless economic recovery one reality remains clear layoffs are not going away If they re down one month they seem to roar back in full force the next That s why over the last couple of years some of the ways of thinking about the workplace that once seemed like a…

The right strategy can put you through the door to a new career In part one I discussed how layoffs have become a prime time for transitioning into a new career But for many people jumping into a new career means giving up a familiar working world and starting from the bottom floor Just how do you get a job in a field that may not be represented on your resume How do you navigate the learning curve And who are the new contacts you ll need to make That s what we ll look at in…

I have a confession to make I'm a closet introvert The thought of attending a networking event often makes my stomach turn hands shake and palms sweat As I enter the room I force myself to take a deep breath and smile Smiling is my coping mechanism -- a decent one to have in these situations You probably already know that networking is an excellent source of building and maintaining connections For those who are in the job market networking can provide the lead that helps you land…

Successful networking is more than business-card bingo The old adage It's not about what you know but who you know has never been more true than in today's job market According to CareerBuilder employee referrals are the top recruiting method for external hires accounting for almost one quarter 23 of new hires We recently covered ways for you to expand your network If you're like me you leave an event with a stack of business cards Weeks later they're still hiding in a drawer or…

Negotiations can increase your lifetime earnings by 1 000 000 Having a job offer in hand can be exciting Whether you're a recent graduate or a seasoned professional an offer is validation It says that a company thought you were smart interesting and valuable As soon as you receive your offer you're ready to sign some paperwork Negotiation It never crossed your mind If you're a woman you're definitely not alone Twenty percent of women say they never negotiate When entering a…