Career Center | Ditch the golf clubs: Running is the new sport of networkers

By Cindy Krischer Goodman / The Miami Herald Want to network with the CEO of public company or the president of a university? Start running. Adam Goldstein, CEO of Royal Caribbean International, says his running workouts and passion for the

Career Center | Women have to learn how to say 'no' at work

Joyce E. A. Russell / The Washington Post “No is a very simple word. One syllable. Two letters. One of the shortest words in the English language, yet one of the most difficult for women to say at work.” This

Career Center | Family and Medical Leave Act still helps some, but not all

By Cindy Krischer Goodman / The Miami Herald In the struggle to balance our family and work lives, one law has made a giant difference for 35 million American workers -- the Family and Medical Leave Act. In February, the

Career Center | Unplugging: Some employers helping workers disconnect

By Tanya Mohn / New York Times News Service In this age of hyper-connectivity, some companies are adopting policies aimed at weaning employees from their electronic devices. Atos, an international information technology company, plans to phase out all emails among

Career Center | 2012's workplace trends loom large for 2013

By Cindy Krischer Goodman / The Miami Herald As the country recovers from a recession, our workplaces are moving forward in new ways with new rules. Changes are afoot from how our offices look to who runs them and what

Career Center | Too busy to volunteer? Here's how to squeeze it in

By Cindy Krischer Goodman / The Miami Herald Erin McHugh had been working as a bookseller during the day and author at night. Her jam-packed work schedule left her little time for volunteering. Feeling unfulfilled, she decided to try an

Career Center | Job burnout: Who's at risk, what causes it and how to fight it

By Ellen Jean Hirst / Chicago Tribune While the economy is flashing signs of a rebound, it’s a markedly different story for a growing number of workers, according to a survey released in late October. More workers than ever report

Career Center | Is independent contracting right for you?

By Allison Ellis / Special to NWjobs David Robison was laid off from his full-time job more than a decade ago. Soon after, the Seattle resident began contracting as a user-experience designer -- and has never looked back. “Starting a

Career Center | 8 ways to beat work stress

Salary.com Stress is a lot like Michael Jordan in his prime -- you can’t stop him. You can only hope to contain him. So even though we can’t totally eliminate stress from our lives, here is a list of ways

Career Center | Let's get on board with paid leave for new parents

By Rex Huppke / Chicago Tribune We are living in the Golden Age of hypocrisy. There's an obesity epidemic, and we're baking hot dogs into pizza crusts. People spend tens of thousands of dollars on off-road vehicles that will never

Career Center | When you're happily married -- to a job

By Cindy Krischer Goodman / Miami Herald Sheryl Cattell’s passion for her work is so intense she is often still at her desk at midnight. “I just go into a zone and literally have no idea of space and time,”

Career Center | Work-life balance out of whack? Try these tips

By Dawn Dugan / Salary.com In today’s busy world, prioritizing between your work and your personal life can be a huge challenge. But studies show that a poor work-life balance can result in unhealthy levels of stress, unhappiness and reduced

Career Center | Thanks, Dad: Readers share fathers' work wisdom

In honor of Father’s Day, NWjobs asked readers to share what their fathers taught them about work. Here are excerpts. "One important lesson I learned from my dad was when to be quiet. At our little family business, sales were

Career Center | Trains, planes and Seattle supercommuters

By Lora Shinn / Special to NWjobs For two years, technology product manager Ned Hayes would rise before the sun at 4 a.m. every Monday to drive to SeaTac airport from his home in Olympia. He would hop a flight

Career Center | What to do if the spark is missing at work

By Marie G. McIntyre / McClatchy-Tribune News Service Q: I am a happily married man in my mid-40s with three young children. During my career, I have built a successful business and accumulated enough wealth so that I have no

Career Center | When you tire of being the workplace doormat ...

By Liz Reyer Minneapolis Star Tribune Do you feel surrounded by slackers at work? As if you’re doing your job and the jobs of your co-workers? If so, you need to focus on finding the right balance between being and

Job Calendar | Balancing Act: Build a Business, Work a Job and Still Stay Sane

Meet Power Chicks and enjoy dynamic networking plus get a blast of business advice from an expert who can help you rock your success. We're meeting at Gordon Biersch Restaurant and Brewery, where you'll enjoy yummy appetizers, a drink of

Career Center | Work out: Fitting in fitness at work

By Heather Dugan / Salary.com Remember the gym? You first wandered in months ago. Hopeful. Resolved. You made promises. Maybe you’ve broken them now. It’s tough to fit in fitness. You have enough challenges in your life; fitting into your

Career Center | Job hunting while pregnant? Mum's the word

By Karla L. Miller / Special to The Washington Post Q: I am in the early stages of a job search and in the early stages of pregnancy. If things go well, when do I need to let potential employers

Job Calendar | 'Health, Happiness and Family Balance' talk

Local pediatrician and mom Wendy Sue Swanson will discuss the work/home juggling act, technology use and the role of smart decision-making in caring for our children in a talk titled "Seattle Mama Doc: Health, Happiness and Family Balance." Purchase advance

Career Center | Marital support key to managing work stress

By Cindy Krischer Goodman / The Miami Herald You come home after a stressful day at work, kick off your shoes, and continue to stew about the unrealistic demands of a customer or an insult from your jerky boss. If

Career Center | Multi-distracted: Juggling tasks causes more harm than good

By Anita Bruzzese / Gannett While you may know that studies have found that multitasking hurts productivity, the truth is you really haven’t stopped trying to do more than one thing at a time, have you? After all, while

Job Calendar | Maximizing Personal Productivity seminar

This free seminar isn't just another time-management workshop; instead the focus will be on managing your whole life, not just your time. You'll get help identifying self-defeating behaviors, time thieves, ineffective habits and processes and much more. You will also

Career Center | How to balance single parenting, new job

By Marie G. McIntyre / McClatchy-Tribune News Service Q: I’m a single mother who has been unemployed for about six months. In my previous position, I had a flexible schedule which allowed me to easily attend school events or schedule

Career Center | Does working make mothers happier and healthier?

By Jeannine Stein / Los Angeles Times Working mothers may be less depressed and healthier than their stay-at-home counterparts, a study finds. There may also be advantages to working part time as opposed to full time, as women who put

Career Center | Working overtime without getting paid for it

By Rex Huppke / The Chicago Tribune Q: My daughter-in-law works for a very big company and is paid for 40 hours a week, but she winds up working about 90 hours a week with no other compensation. Jobs are

Career Center | Tips for going back to work after a break

By Liz Reyer Minneapolis Star Tribune Q: After being out of work for quite a while, I'm happy to say that I'm starting a new job. But I'm concerned about getting back into the routine smoothly. What can I do

Career Center | Don’t drag: How to avoid a personal energy crisis at work

By Liz Reyer / Minneapolis Star Tribune Energy slumps go hand-in-hand with desk jobs. Here are some simple movement and nutrition steps that can help you stay focused and keep the yawns at bay. Start with an assessment of your

Nine to Thrive | How to keep the conference high alive after you get home

I spent this past weekend at the most inspiring writing workshop I've attended in I don't know how long. [Flickr photo by jemsweb] No matter how energizing a professional event, though, my usual MO is to slip back into

Career Center | Perks at work: Unconventional benefits can attract and keep employees

By Karyn JohnsonSpecial to NWjobs Despite an economy where many employers are struggling to maintain traditional employee benefits, some Seattle-area companies are offering unique perks to keep their employees satisfied and productive. Happy hours, pet-friendly offices, ice-cream breaks and rooftop

Nine to Thrive | Going to work sick: Sometimes you have no choice

On Monday, the Seattle City Council is expected to pass a bill requiring local businesses to grant their employees paid sick leave. [Flickr photo by ghindo] As the Seattle Times reported yesterday: Advocates say the law will enhance public

Nine to Thrive | When the boss cries in front of you

Crying at work is back in the news. This time, it's because Dick Cheney suggests in his new memoir that former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is a bit of an on-the-job sobber. Much can be said about how those

Nine to Thrive | Four easy ways to build community at work

From a social standpoint, office settings can make for some pretty awkward encounters. [Flickr photo by naotakem] Sure, employers try their darnedest to bring teams together with company picnics, holiday parties, and other morale events. But as anyone who's

Nine to Thrive | Unexpected benefits of using a standing desk

You've probably seen the scary statistics about how sitting all day can drastically cut short your lifespan. Thanks to a bad back and some pesky stiffness in my legs, I was already contemplating purchasing an adjustable desk that I

Nine to Thrive | What's your work mantra?

Sunday night, after a glorious weekend on the Olympic Peninsula, I came home to several hours of uncompleted work. Due 9 a.m. Monday, hard stop. After two leisurely days of beach strolls and sunsets, communing with my computer was

Nine to Thrive | Who's telecommuting and who isn't

Every time I write a blog post or article about telecommuting, the reader questions come pouring in: How can I find a telecommuting job? Do work-from-home jobs for entry-level workers exist? I like my job and could do some

Nine to Thrive | Night shift workers: What's your sleep strategy?

A recent NWjobs article and another on MSNBC gave a glimpse into the lives of people who prefer to work the night shift. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 3 percent of the country's full-time workforce pulls the

Nine to Thrive | A guide to vanpool etiquette

I recently wrote about the pros and cons of vanpooling for NWjobs. While researching the story, I learned that each van has its own code of conduct, no matter how informal. As my article mentions, "Don't keep your vanmates

Nine to Thrive | Post-recession dads: Less willing to give up breadwinner role?

When it comes to work/life balance, the recession has left more than a few working dads gun-shy. According to CareerBuilder's Annual Father's Day Survey, working dads are more reluctant to let go of the breadwinner role than they were

Nine to Thrive | Are workers becoming more comfortable with flexibility?

A new national survey says yes. According to survey sponsor Work+Life Fit, Inc., which helps companies create flexibility programs, today's full-time workers are less worried than they used to be that having a flexible work schedule will affect their paycheck

Nine to Thrive | When crisis hits home, should your job take a backseat?

By now, you've probably seen the video of U2 performing "Beautiful Day" at Qwest Field last Saturday. From a video monitor above the stage, Space Shuttle Endeavor Commander Mark Kelly sends his love to wife Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords via

Nine to Thrive | Outrage of the week: On maternity leave? No home loan for you!

There are so many reports of maddening workplace and work-related practices these days that I've decided to create a recurring feature called Outrage of the Week. This week's outrage: [Photo by Flickr user Xbeckie boox] The New York Times

Nine to Thrive | Summer vacations: Who's taking one and who's not

We've reached Memorial Day, which means it's time for my annual post about who's taking a vacation this summer and who's not. [Photo by Krystal International Vacation Club] A New CareerBuilder survey of 5,600 U.S. workers found that 24

Nine to Thrive | Stressed and proud? You're not impressing anyone

You know the type: The co-worker who darts around the office like a headless chicken, telling everyone within earshot how crazy-busy they are. (Note: If your co-workers always seem to disappear from their desks before you reach them, you probably

Nine to Thrive | A better Mother's Day gift for working moms (and dads)

What did you get your mom this Mother's Day? Flowers? Chocolate? Jewelry? [Photo by pizzodisevo] Barbara Kelley, co-author of the book Undecided, which I profiled last week, has a better idea: pressuring those at the top for change in the

Nine to Thrive | Women: What to do if you're undecided about your career path

One of the drawbacks of having infinite career options is the indecisiveness that can ensue. Such is the plight of many young women today, writes mother and daughter team Barbara and Shannon Kelley in their new book Undecided: How

Nine to Thrive | Redefining retirement, work, and play for those over 50 and 60

Over 50 but feel like those AARP notices you keep getting in the mail aren't speaking your language? Feel more like you're embarking on a new chapter of life than moving toward retirement? Marc Freedman, founder and CEO of

Nine to Thrive | The tolls are coming! Do you plan to adjust your commute?

As you've no doubt heard, tolling on the 520 bridge has been pushed back to June. Still, if you're a cross-lake commuter, it's never too early to start thinking about how you'll handle this increase in the cost of getting

Nine to Thrive | April Fool's Day pranks at the office: Yea or nay?

Like March Madness office pools, there will always be killjoys vehemently opposed to having a little innocent fun in the workplace on April 1. [Photo by sandman_kk] A few days ago, one labor attorney issued this warning by way of

Nine to Thrive | This just in: Work gets in the way of the rest of your life

I'm not a parent, but I have many friends, family, and colleagues who are. I hope that qualifies me as enough of a parenting ally to comment on what has begun to strike me as an irksome trend: the numerous

Nine to Thrive | In defense of March Madness office pools

It never fails. Once the flowers start blooming, my inbox bubbles with press releases warning against the evils of participating in March Madness office betting pools. Please. That's about as effective as telling employees not to swipe the occasional pen

Nine to Thrive | Leaving work early today? What's your excuse?

Perhaps you saw the CareerBuilder poll released last week about the weirdest excuses employees use for showing up late to work. [Photo by subflux] Among the tales of traffic snarls and faulty alarm clocks were gems like "My Botox appointment

Nine to Thrive | How to handle an office romance

If you're like a majority of U.S. workers, chances are you've dated, had a fling with, or fallen in love with someone from the office at some point during your professional life. [Photo by Sister72] A new survey of 2,000+

Nine to Thrive | Are hugs appropriate in the workplace?

Depends on where -- and with whom -- you work. Work at a yoga studio, and you're more likely to experience warm and fuzzy displays of affection during the workday than people who work at, say, a bank. [Photo by Julie

Nine to Thrive | New year's resolutions: It's not too late to salvage them

Now that we're five weeks into the new year, I have to ask: how are those resolutions going? [Photo by graymalkn] If your best-laid plans to work out before work, get more rest, or investigate making a career change already

Nine to Thrive | Is the magic gone from your career? Free teleclasses that can help

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Seattle career coach Curt Rosengren is offering three free, one-hour teleclasses (conducted over the phone) designed to help you: Rekindle your passion for the way you make a living, Replenish your lagging energy

Nine to Thrive | Telecommuting: Less green than we think?

Those who champion telecommuting (yours truly included) are fond of mentioning that working from home is better for the environment. Less cars on the road. Less corporate offices to heat, cool, and light. Less clothing and drycleaning required. And so

Nine to Thrive | How to survive grad school while working full-time

Before the holidays, I mentioned that the University of Washington was hosting a panel for professionals thinking of enrolling in graduate school while working full-time. [Photo by alamosbasement] If you missed the event, you're in luck. UW Professional and

Nine to Thrive | Prediction: The biggest workplace stories for 2011

Although it was no 2009, this past year was another doozy for the U.S. workforce. So rather than reminisce about the many ways 2010 whooped the collective hide of the working public, let's look forward to the new year. Following are

Nine to Thrive | Self-employed? 7 ways to avoid burnout

Welcome to the month of the self-employed professional. Last week marked the second annual Global Entrepreneurship Week, which mobilized current and hopeful self-employed folks to participate in 30,000 small business events around the world. Not to be outdone, President Obama

Nine to Thrive | Questions about grad school? Free UW event on Nov. 10 can help

Pondering graduate school while working, but not sure how you'll handle hitting the books on top of holding down a day job? The University of Washington wants to help. On Wednesday, November 10, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., UW Professional

Nine to Thrive | Halloween costumes at the office: Fun or tiresome?

The other night, I talked to a friend who was scrambling to affix a set of bat wings she'd fashioned from a black umbrella to a black sweatshirt she'd just bought. Not only was she annoyed about spending an

Nine to Thrive | Is it ever okay to talk politics at work?

Between President Obama's recent pit stop at Top Pot Doughnuts, the bevy of hot-button initiatives on the November 2 ballot, and the incessant churn of Beltway gossip this election season (paging Ginni Thomas), it's becoming increasingly difficult to not talk

Nine to Thrive | Single women outearning their male counterparts? Not so fast

Since last week was Unmarried and Single Americans Week, I thought it fitting to look at some contradictory statistics about single women's salaries I've seen floating around lately. But first, let's revisit just how prevalent not being married has become.

Nine to Thrive | The lost art of taking lunch

In doing some research this week for a story on fighting burnout at the office, I came across a curious paradox: full-time employees who say they stay sane throughout the workweek by taking every last minute of their lunch

Nine to Thrive | The perils of on-the-job oversharing

On NWjobs, we talk a lot about what makes for appropriate use of digital and social media -- and what can happen when workers overshare the intimate details of their personal life online. Today I caught wind of a

Nine to Thrive | ForbesWoman names Seattle ninth best U.S. city for working moms

For the second year in a row, ForbesWoman.com has culled, sorted, and ranked data on the largest U.S. metropolitan areas to produce its list of the 50 best cities for working mothers. [Image: U.S. Employment Service poster from 1940s] Seattle-Tacoma

Nine to Thrive | Artists: How to stop hating your day job, part two

In my last post, I gave suggestions for artists and other creative types who feel frustrated by their day jobs, based on a conversation I had earlier this month with Summer Pierre, author of the new book, The Artist

Nine to Thrive | Artists: How to stop hating your day job

"As an artist, I have always felt I was living two lives -- my 'day job life' and my 'real life' as an active artist....I thought until I 'made it' I didn't have a choice. 'Making it' meant fame,

Nine to Thrive | Your summer vacation situation revisited

I'm starting to think that studies on our national attitude toward summer vacations are about as reliable as all those studies on the effects of wine on one's health. [Photo by Rodarte's]  One week we hear that a glass

Nine to Thrive | Free webinar: How telecommuting can save your company big bucks

Speaking of commuter pain, the good folks at the Telework Research Network just released a study that quantifies the amount of money small and midsize businesses stand to save by allowing their employees to telecommute. [Photo by basykes] Sponsored

Nine to Thrive | This just in: Commuting is the pits

Just in time for the three-day holiday weekend, IBM informs us that workers around the globe think commuting by car is -- wait for it -- stressful. In its new Commuter Pain Study, IBM reports that traffic is getting

Career Center | At your service: Companies offer busy workers a helping hand outside the office

By DeAnn Rossetti Special to NWjobs Amazon Fresh driver Mike Sylvester delivers groceries to Leslie Fischer of West Seattle, a mother of two who works full time. “My schedule is just crazy,” she says. She places her order at

Nine to Thrive | Book event 6/26: How today's men juggle work and family

With Father's Day fresh in mind, the Elliott Bay Book Company hosts a 2 p.m. book reading today at its new Capitol Hill location with Donald Unger, author of Men Can: The Changing Image and Reality of Fatherhood in

Nine to Thrive | Grab your leashes (or your allergy meds): It's Take Your Dog to Work Day

Last year, when I brought up the question of whether dogs should be allowed in the workplace or places of business, many of you left heated comments on the topic, both in support of and against four-legged office guests. "I've

Nine to Thrive | The rise of the working dad

This month's crop of Father's Day articles on the web struck a similar theme: from more dads seeking flexible work schedules to more men feeling incredibly stressed by the work-family juggle, parenting has truly become an equal opportunity endeavor. [Photo:

Nine to Thrive | Give me Facebook or give me unemployment?

Would you turn your nose up at a job that didn't allow you to access your personal e-mail or social networking sites like Facebook on company time? One in five younger workers would, says a new survey from London-based software security

Nine to Thrive | No time for a physical? Get one on your coffee break

The postcard my physician sent in April reminding me it's time for my annual exam is burning hole in my kitchen table. I keep telling myself I'll schedule the appointment next week, but next week never comes. Either I'm

Nine to Thrive | What's your summer vacation situation?

So how was your long holiday weekend? More important, how are your summer leisure plans shaping up? [Image by Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com] For months, we media types have been regaling readers, viewers, and listeners with hiring and shopping statistics in

Nine to Thrive | You have more time than you think (part 2)

On Thursday, I posted a Q&A with Laura Vanderkam, author of the new book 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think, about some relatively painless ways to squeeze more downtime from each week. Vanderkam's book offers invaluable

Career Center | Recession, technology, shrinking benefits lead to fewer workers calling in sick

By Leanne Italie The Associated Press Jeremy Lesniak — holding his two cellphones and pager in his home office — hasn’t taken a full sick day in more than six years. (The Associated Press) Jeremy Lesniak owns a small

Nine to Thrive | You have more time than you think -- really

My to-do list is seven pages long. I have laundry I haven't washed since 2008, e-mails I haven't answered since 2007, and stories I started writing in 2006 and have yet to finish. If anyone's guilty of thinking she doesn't

Nine to Thrive | Calls to Employee Assistance Programs increasing

Stress stemming from the monster recession we just lived through has been a hot topic on NWjobs during the past couple of years. (Here's an example. And another. And yet another.) [Photo courtesy of macinate] Yes, experts say the

Nine to Thrive | How to make time for networking

You've undoubtedly heard it said hundreds of times: the more people you meet in your field, the better it is for your career, whether you're looking for a new position, running your own business, or hoping to cushion yourself

Career Center | Working overtime can make heart pay

By Rosie Mestel Los Angeles Times Working overtime, according to a long-term study, may do a number on the ticker. The finding, which was published in the European Heart Journal, found that rates of angina, nonfatal heart attacks and

Nine to Thrive | Shop talk in the workplace WC? No thanks!

Earlier this week, the Globe and Mail published a hilarious story about employees who've seen more of their boss and co-workers than they'd like at the gym. [Photo courtesy of avlxyz] As the article discusses, for those who work out at or

Nine to Thrive | Could you take care of Mom (or Dad) on top of your career?

This past weekend, many of us spent time wining and dining our moms, burning up the phone lines with her, or honoring her memory. But how many of us in touch with our aging moms have broached the topic of

Career Center | The perks -- and challenges -- of caring for a baby on the clock

By Lora Shinn Special to NWjobs Kim Radtke takes her son to work each Friday at the Breastfeeding Coalition of Washington. (Lora Shinn) Kim Radtke, 43, breastfeeds while composing e-mails at her desk. Radtke, a program manager at the

Nine to Thrive | U.S. retirement age: Work till you drop?

You've probably heard it said that continuing to work into your golden years can keep your mind sharp and help stave off dementia. Good thing, considering how many older Americans can't afford to retire.  [Photo: Kevin Zollman] As the

Nine to Thrive | Is it an employer's job to promote healthy living to workers?

Employees aren't schoolchildren. Most adults know that the road to better health isn't paved with extra trips to the candy machine. Likewise, it's not much of a newsflash that sitting hunched over a keyboard day after day can hamper one's

Career Center | Overworked? Tell the boss -- tactfully

By Marcia Heroux Pounds Associated Press Photo by Jupiterimages Suzy Meyer, 25, once worked as a hotel manager. “We were very short-staffed,” she says. “I worked 10 days on with none off.” Then her boss approached her to work