Show Me the Money!

The economy is booming. The job market is tight. The unemployment rate is the lowest in years. Your company is setting record profits. Yet, all this prosperity is passing you by. It seems everyone is reaping the benefits of an unprecedented business cycle but you.

What Do I Do When I am Bored With My Job?

"I'm a bored in mid level management with no chance for advancement in the foreseeable future. Some people, like my parents and unemployed friends, say I should feel lucky I have a job, given the current economy.

"I'm not married to this firm, but I think my situation is a lot more positive than many of my friends'. Short of leaving the company, what can I do to ignite my enthusiasm and start feeling productive again?"

Next Step: Should I Be Willing to Take a Step Down in My Career?

Taking a step down. Now there's a term loaded with angst for most job seekers. Very few people want to be less successful in the future than they've been in the past, whatever their definition of success. Yet, if you ask a number of unemployed individuals what "stepping down" means to them, you will likely get a myriad of responses. What does stepping down imply to you, and can a step down also be a step up?

Are You Suffering From "Comfortable Misery"?

Could you be suffering from a self-inflicted malady called Comfortable Misery, a career syndrome characterized by inertia thinking and an overwhelming need to maintain the status quo? Victims of Comfortable Misery run efficiently on autopilot. They go through the motions of completing their projects and emptying their in-baskets, while experiencing little joy, learning or feeling of genuine satisfaction. They are zombies in business suits.

Work Environment: 12 Ways to Keep a Great Corporate Culture

Whether you are a job seeker or an employed manager, organizational culture is important to you. If you are looking for a new opportunity, you'll want to find a company whose mission and values mesh with your own. If part of your responsibility is nurturing and reinforcing a supportive environment for your employees, you need to know what the key considerations are for developing and maintaining a great place to work.

Whoever Said Silence is Golden?

Are you severely disappointed in your management's response to your excellent performance? Instead of reaping a just reward, do you feel rejected and undervalued? What's going on here? Doesn't corporate culture promise if you do a good job, you'll be recognized and compensated accordingly? Not necessarily.

Age Discrimination Isn't Always To Blame

After responding to many want ads without any response from potential employers, do you think age discrimination may be the problem?

What Can You Do When Your Boss is Unresponsive?

"For the past three years, I've worked with a manager who is a brilliant technician with no people skills. As it's unlikely my boss will change, how can I find a manager who will be more accessible when I need him and give me feedback on my performance?"

Steps to Improve On-the-Job Recognition

"In my current position I've worked hard by haven't achieved the promotion and recognition I deserve. Can this situation be salvaged, or do I need to find another company and start fresh?"

Your Personal Think Tank

Making major career decisions can be a lonely, solitary task. Learn how you can create your own council of key advisors through a so-called "mastermind group".

Match Your Boss's Communication Style

"I have difficulty communicating with my manager. We often lose critical opportunities because of his failure to act quickly, and scheduling time with him is difficult. I like my boss as a person, and I enjoy my job and its position within the company. How can I communicate more effectively with my manager?"