COMPASS

Your co-worker needs your help

Colleagues often don’t notice when a person is struggling with mental illness: Sufferers usually put on a brave front. And when we do see signs of distress, we often back off. We need to reach out, experts say.  Source

Avoid typos when passing out resume

It doesn't take 10 typos to sink a resume. One "I am attacking my resume for you to review" might just do the trick.  Source

Perception is reality in employee/employer relations

Perception is reality in employee/employer relations.  Treating employees equitably depends to a great extent on perception management.  Source

How To Stay Happy During the Recession

How can we be happy when our investment savings have dwindled, we've lost our job, or your house. The recession has had a negative impact on the lives of many people. Is it possible to be or remain happy?  Source

'Will work for free' -- the new recession mantra?

With U.S. unemployment at a 20-year high, some Americans are working for free while looking for a job, but experts are split over whether it is a sign of dedication or desperation.  Source

Learn to say no or risk numbing stress

It's tough for workers to assert themselves in lean times, but always saying 'yes' will give you a reputation as a 'pile-on'.  Source

Early risers keep world moving

In a 24-7 world, the nine-to-five workday is becoming less of a normal thing, with some workers now getting to the office - even if it's a café - as early as 2 a.m.  Source

Housing market surging in Vancouver: report

The RE/MAX Market Recovery Report maintains that pent-up demand has bolstered sales in Greater Vancouver and that the 2010 Olympics and the completion of the Canada Line will further push demand.  Source

The Power of 20 bucks

20 bucks sure ain't what it used to be. Most ATMs dispense $20 bills these days but I've noticed the psychological impact when I pull a twenty out of my wallet is about what it used to be with a $10 bill.  Source

The salary question

The subject of money in general is considered sensitive, and when it comes to one's salary, it is absolutely intimate. One of the biggest ways we are valued is through the way we are compensated monetarily.  Source

Economy beginning to heal, indexes show

Two separate economic indexes that gauge the conditions that create economic growth rose Tuesday, suggesting the economy was beginning to heal and growth would resume before the end of the year.  Source

Nice girls don’t get raises

For many women, the fear of negotiating hits them where it really hurts: their paycheque. The very traits that are often identified as women’s assets – sustaining positive relationships, the ability to work well in a team and to build consensus – may be their biggest liabilities at the bargaining table.  Source

More skilled trades workers needed

According to the Conference Board of Canada, the country will have a shortage of one million skilled trades workers by 2020 as baby boomers retire and too few young people take their places.  Source

The personal approach beats cold calls

The perception of someone making a cold call is often, "Gee, he must need the work." On the other hand, when you are personally introduced by someone they know, like and respect, the perception easily turns to, "Gee, s/he must be pretty good."  Source

Do-gooders can earn a good living

Social entrepreneurs say road to success is full of speed bumps.  Source

How self-made titans launched their empires

The capital crunch maddeningly persists -- dispiriting news for many would-be entrepreneurs born of choice or necessity. Having a gem of a business idea isn't worth much without the wherewithal to get it off the ground.  Source

Hearts flutter as markets stutter

Credit the recession for staycations and bringing us more game-night parties at home. But also give it a shout for spurring more first dates. Source

‘The best job in the world’

Carol Powell had never given any thought to becoming a cop. There were no police officers in her family – no proud tradition to serve and protect.  Source

How to keep the upper hand in the workplace

Employer can fire challenging, disobedient staff.  Source

How to keep your job without losing your mind

A recent Businessweek article provides 10 tips for keeping your job. Source

Job hunters should beware of Twitter-based schemes

The Better Business Bureau of Vancouver Island is warning job hunters against money-making schemes on Twitter and various websites and other pitches via e-mail.  Source

How Positivity Can Boost Performance

Can a positive frame of mind and emotional state improve an individual's performance on the job and in relationships?  Source

Personality more influence on job than education: study

Boss too mean? Staff fond of slacking? It comes with the territory, says a new study that found personality traits have a big influence on your job.  Source

Learning to live within your means

"People don't trust their instincts about money," explained financial expert Alison Griffiths... Source

Create a workplace that allows employees to be themselves

Hidden values can make staff consider moving on or hiding aspects of themselves. It is easy to simply advise the worker to move to another organization, but in the economic downturn, that is easier said than done.  Source

Top-Paying Jobs For Women

Women are flocking to the labor force in record numbers.  Source

Job hunters 'dumbing down' resumes

Job seekers want to omit years of work experience from their resumes and leave out the number of degrees they have - to stay competitive.  Source

Getting ahead today takes determination, and then some

What do you do when you're confronted with adverse situations like these is a measure of how successful you will be in your career and quite possibly in your life.  Source

A mentor for every new entrepreneur

Launching a business from scratch can be a lonely journey, one seasoned entrepreneurs don't recommend be undertaken alone. Ideally, novices should identify an accomplished entrepreneur within their community who would be willing to spring time to provide feedback on what has and has not worked for them. Source

Body language decoded

Say please and thank you. Don't raise your voice. Sit up straight with your legs together and hands on your lap. Don't draw attention to yourself. And never ever brag.  Source

Job-hopping needn't be a liability

The tables have turned. A decade ago, interviewers frowned upon job-hopping. If you listed a series of jobs on your resume, employers branded you as unstable. In short, not a team player or a company person.  Source

Affordable housing ideas

The need for more affordable housing choices in our communities is growing. For many years, housing in Canada was subsidized by the federal and provincial governments. However, since the mid-1990s, federal support has dwindled significantly, and provincial subsidy dollars have generally been targeted to those in greatest need. As a result, an increasing number of people are either poorly housed, or paying too much for accommodation.  Source

Google CEO says worst of crisis is over

U.S. recovery is likely to begin this autumn, the worst of the crisis has passed and it is "reasonable to be optimistic for 2010," internet search giant Google's chief executive Eric Schmidt said on Friday.  Source

Bad smartphone etiquette can be costly in the workplace

Nathan Bowling, an expert in workplace psychology, says we're still at the point where we're being rude about smartphone usage, but that the learning curve should stabilize in a couple of years. Source

Top jobs endure economic downturn

Many fields still predicting strong demand for workers.  Source

Demand defies economic headlines

The headlines tell a daily story of a global economy in meltdown mode. But that doesn't mean that people in the skilled trades are suffering.  Source

Immigrants who speak English find better jobs

Those with low levels of English fluency pay a penalty in the labour market, researcher says.  Source

Ladder crawlers

"Keep calm and carry on.”

It may be the slogan of recession survival, but it's no rallying cry to shoot for the stars. Still, the message is echoing in workplaces where employees receive pats on the back for doing little more than helping the company tread water, and simply meet that bottom line the recession has done so much to squeeze.  Source

Young, ambitious, unemployed

Yesterday morning, Max Rubin screwed up.

After a whirlwind morning on the Hill, the 22-year-old parliamentary assistant forgot to tell his boss Irwin Cotler, Liberal MP for Mont Royal, about a change of address for a video conference call. On realizing his flub, he went to Mr. Cotler, apologized, then gave him the right information.  Source

Living by the budget

Tony Cappellano is happy about how his restaurant business, Boom Breakfast and Co., is faring these days. "We've held our own during this so-called downturn," he says.  Source

Don't split hairs on grooming

Your hair shouldn't suffer just because times are tough. Besides, walking around with split ends or your roots showing won't boost the economy or your self-esteem.  Source

How To Develop Your Resilience in a Turbulent World

In the 2007 World Health Statistics Report, the World Health Organization identified depression as one of  the most significant global public health problems. World wide events such as recession, the effects of climate change, and terrorism events and alerts have increased the general level of anxiety throughout the world. Employers and managers face, on a daily basis, bad news and its psychological impact on employees.  Source

Consumers more upbeat, but not ready for spree: Conference Board

Consumers are feeling slightly more optimistic about their finances and job prospects, but not so much so that they're planning any big-ticket purchases, the Conference Board of Canada said Monday. Source

How do I recruit great employees?

One of the silver linings of this recession for businesses is that it's a good time to recruit new talent. The rising unemployment rate is easing the labour squeeze -- for now.  Source

Young entrepreneurs receive sage advice

David Black, founder of Black Press, has advice for aspiring young entrepreneurs.

“You have to work bloody hard. You have to learn everything you possibly can about the area that you’re in, and focus on doing a good job, providing the service or product or whatever you’re doing, just focus on that” he said. Source

Cliché comforts: Just don't tell me to make lemonade

Think twice before offering cliché comfort to someone looking for work - the last thing they want to hear is empty platitudes.  Source

Six ways to recession-proof your relationship

Do you and your spouse fight over money? Here are some tips on how to keep dollar and cents from tearing your marriage apart.  Source

Demand strong even in soft economy

Manahen Bustamante's grandfather once told him, "I'll teach you a trade. It will always put food on the table."  Source

Women trade office jobs for construction sites

Training programs help forge new careers. 

Soon after Kathleen Greenan graduated from art school majoring in sculpture, she started receiving commissions to create two-and even three-storey structures.  Source

Where Employers Expect Job Growth, Summer 2009

Hirers in a few industries are feeling more optimistic than most.  Source