Remember Sam Malone from “Cheers,” Donald Trump from “The Apprentice,”  Jack Shepard from “Lost,” Simon Cowell from “American Idol,” Michael Scott from “The Office” and of course Ebenezer Scrooge?  What all these TV characters have in common is that they are bosses.  They do differ in some ways.  Malone is considered a fun and amicable boss and Shephard is… read more

Recession, lay-offs, bankruptcy, foreclosure.  Everywhere we turn, the news is bleak.  This past year has focused mainly on unemployed workers and the challenges they face in paying bills, maintaining their homes, and balancing precarious financial situations, while looking for work.  But most people don’t realize that in this depressed economy, employers are also facing special challenges. At JCS Career… read more

Marriages are collateral damage in a bad economy. The stress of dealing with financial burdens can fray the “ties that bind.” Mindy’s husband, Joel, was laid off three months ago. Mindy goes to her job every morning, while Joel gets the kids off to school, and then does laundry, grocery shops and prepares dinner for the family.  In his… read more

So, you’re thinking of asking your boss for a raise.  Have you lost your mind? Seriously, you’ve worked hard and you feel you’ve long deserved an increase in pay.  But, in this troubled economy, is this the right time to ask?  Maybe you should just feel lucky even to have a job.  Nevertheless, if you’re long overdue for a… read more

Life happens!  What exactly does that mean?  Well, for one thing, in our hectic, complex lives, sometimes we have to take a break from work unexpectedly.  It might be because of illness or an injury.  Some of us find we need to care for aging parents.  Then there are the planned leaves—to have a baby, to raise our children,… read more

“Diploma falls off as ticket to a job” read the headline on a front page article a few months ago in “The Baltimore Sun,” highlighting a worsening job market for recent college graduates.  The rate of unemployment for 16-24-year-olds now exceeds 18%.  As a result, only 55% of young people in this age group are working or looking for… read more

“So, where do you want to be in 5 years?”  This is a question interviewers love to ask job applicants.  Are you prepared to answer it?   Responding to this question takes a lot of thought because it applies not only to the specific position you are applying for, but even more to the very essence of your career… read more

You still feel young, though you sometimes can’t retrieve the word you are looking for.  You are fit, well groomed and nicely dressed, although it’s clear that you’re not 30 years old.  You’ve got a strong work history and good skills.  But whether you have been in your current position for a while or you are looking for a… read more

It’s Monday morning and, boy, are you glad to have your job.  For sure, work has its ups and downs, as does the company’s revenue, but your paycheck has been steady. Nevertheless, perhaps there’s a nagging voice in your head that sounds something like this: I’m not immune to a lay-off or down-sizing. It’s happening to others; it could… read more

Do you feel like you’re trying to do it all, but not getting it all done? A recent study of more than 50,000 employees from a variety of manufacturing and service organizations found that two out of every five employees are dissatisfied with the balance between their work and their personal lives. The lack of balance is due to… read more