We spend a lot of time learning how to get a job, do the job, and keep the job. But as with most things in life, there will probably come a point when that job ends. People leave jobs for all kinds of reasons. You may have accepted another position, decided to change careers, gone back to school, relocated, or realized that the position is no longer a good fit. Sometimes the decision is planned months in advance. Other times, circumstances change and you need to leave sooner

Criticism is inevitable. It happens in school with grades, it happens with friends when you make a bad joke, it happens anytime anywhere by anyone. But work criticism can feel a little bit worse when your income is dependent on your performance. Even when feedback is intended to help, it can be difficult to hear that something you did could have been done differently. Many people naturally feel defensive, embarrassed, or frustrated when someone points out a mistake or area fo

Starting a new job can feel overwhelming. There is the actual job to learn, but there is also the workplace around it. You have to figure out how your team communicates, how your manager prefers to be approached, how much independence you are expected to have, and what is considered normal behavior in that particular workplace. Some of these things will be explained during training. Others you will figure out by paying attention to the people who have already been there. Work

When you start a new job, you are often given a stack of paperwork to complete. Among those documents is usually an employee handbook. Many employees skim through it, sign an acknowledgment form, and never look at it again unless a problem occurs. This is a mistake. An employee handbook is more than a collection of workplace rules. It explains how the organization operates, what is expected from employees, what benefits are available, and what procedures exist when problems a

Almost every employer has an attendance policy, and it is usually one of the first things you are expected to acknowledge when you start a new job. It can be tempting to skim past it. After all, you already know you are supposed to show up for work. The part that is easy to miss is what happens when you do not. Missing work can affect more than your own schedule. Depending on the job, someone else may have to cover your shift, a manager may have to rearrange the schedule, cus

Paid time off (PTO) is one of the benefits employees tend to think about most, especially when they need a break, have an appointment, get sick, or have something unexpected come up. Each employers sets its own rules on when, what type, and how much paid time off you can use. Your employer may have specific rules about how PTO is earned, when it becomes available, how much notice you need to give, and what happens to unused time. Those rules can be very different from one wor

Life doesn't stop because you're employed. There may come a time when you need time away from work because of a serious illness, the birth of a child, a family emergency, or the responsibility of caring for a loved one. Many employees worry that taking time off for these reasons could cost them their job. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) was created to help protect employees during some of life's most significant events. While it does not apply to every employee or eve

Everyone deserves to work in an environment where they are treated with dignity and respect. While disagreements, personality conflicts, and difficult coworkers are an unfortunate part of many workplaces, not every unpleasant interaction is considered harassment or discrimination under the law. Understanding the difference between workplace conflict and unlawful conduct is important. It allows employees to recognize when a situation is simply part of managing different person

Many employees view Human Resources (HR) as either the solution to every workplace problem or a department that should never be trusted. The truth is somewhere in the middle. HR plays an important role in nearly every organization, but understanding what HR is responsible for—and what it is not—can save you time, frustration, and unrealistic expectations. One of the most common misconceptions is that Human Resources exists to represent employees. While HR certainly assists em

One of the most misunderstood concepts in the American workplace is at-will employment. Many employees have heard the phrase but are unsure what it actually means, leading to misconceptions about their rights and their employer's authority. A common belief is that an employer can fire an employee "for any reason." While there is some truth to that statement, it is not entirely accurate. At-will employment gives both the employer and the employee flexibility in ending the empl

When people hear the term wage theft, they often think of an employer refusing to issue a paycheck. While that certainly happens, wage theft is much broader than simply not being paid. Wage theft occurs whenever an employee is not paid the wages they have legally earned. Sometimes it is the result of an honest payroll mistake. Other times, it stems from poor management, misunderstandings of labor laws, or intentional practices that save a company money at the employee's expen

For many employees, overtime seems straightforward: work more than 40 hours in a week, get paid extra. In reality, overtime laws are far more complicated. Whether you qualify for overtime depends on several factors, including your job duties, how you are paid, and the federal and state laws that apply where you work. Because of this, many employees mistakenly assume they are either entitled to overtime when they are not, or that they are not entitled to overtime when they act

Congratulations! You got the job. Now comes the part nobody really talks about. You accepted the offer, told everyone the good news, and then suddenly you're sitting there wondering, “Okay... what happens now?” Getting the job is only the beginning. Before you actually start working, there are usually a few things you need to complete, and depending on the employer and the position, there may be quite a bit of paperwork involved. Finish the Hiring Requirements Getting a job o

Walking out of an interview can bring a sense of relief, but it also leaves many applicants wondering what comes next. Should you send a thank-you email? Should you contact the hiring manager? Should you wait? Many people worry that saying too much will seem pushy, while saying nothing will make them appear uninterested. How you conduct yourself afterward can continue to reinforce the impression you made during the interview. Before You Leave, Understand the Next Steps One of

As the interview comes to an end, many employers ask one final question: "Do you have any questions for us?" It may seem like a simple courtesy, but this part of the interview is more important than many applicants realize. Some people respond with, "No, I think you've covered everything." Others ask about salary or vacation time immediately because those are the questions they are most interested in. While compensation and benefits are important, the end of the interview is

The way you walk into the room, greet the interviewer, take your seat, make eye contact, and respond while others are speaking all contribute to the impression you leave behind. This is known as nonverbal communication, and while it is only one part of the interview process, it can influence how your professionalism, confidence, and engagement are perceived. Many articles about body language claim that crossing your arms means one thing or looking away means another. Real int

One of the most common interview questions has nothing to do with resumes or interview answers. "What should I wear?" Many job seekers worry that wearing the wrong outfit will cost them the job. Some job seekers were never taught that the attire is important for a first impression. Others believe they need to buy an expensive suit or an entirely new wardrobe just for a single interview. There is a time and a place for high end outfits, and choosing what to wear really does de

Most job seekers prepare for interviews by searching for common interview questions and trying to memorize the "correct" answers. While practicing questions can be helpful, memorizing word-for-word responses often creates a problem: interviews are conversations, not exams. Knowing why employers ask certain questions allows you to prepare answers that feel natural while still addressing what they actually want to know. "Tell Me About Yourself" This is one of the most common in

For many job seekers, the interview is the most stressful part of the hiring process. Submitting an application and creating a resume can feel manageable because you have time to carefully choose your words. An interview is different. You are expected to communicate your experience, personality, and qualifications in real time while also making a positive impression. Often they will ask similar questions, so preparing can be helpful. However, employers are looking for natural

For years, job seekers have been told that every application should include a cover letter. At the same time, many applicants today wonder whether anyone actually reads them. With online applications becoming faster and more automated, it can feel like writing an additional page is unnecessary. Cover letters are no longer required for every job application, and many employers may not review them for every position. Often if a cover letter is required, it will be explicitly st