WSJ.com: Careers

Grim Milestone: Jobless Rate Tops 10%

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:48:14 EST

The jobless rate jumped to 10.2% in October, the first time above 10% since the early 1980s. A total of 15.7 million Americans are out of work.

Self-Motivation Presages Career Change

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:45:42 EST

Changing a career can seem overwhelming and can lead to mental paralysis. New career changers need to focus on time-management and self-discipline.

When Age Is an Issue in the Job Hunt

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:35:46 EST

How to position your age to reflect competence and avoid discrimination.

Greatest Generation (of Networkers)

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:29:38 EST

How much work can "hyper-socializing" students or employees really accomplish if they are holding multiple conversations with friends via text-messaging, or are obsessively checking Facebook?

Relocating While Caring for an Ill Parent

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:38:33 EST

Coping with a relocation while caring for an elderly parent is a common dilemma. Your decision could crimp your chance to advance or accept employment.

Schools Attract Government Clients

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:58:31 EST

Many business schools now count public-sector staff from military officers to local government managers among their students.

Schools Add Courses on Islamic Finance

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:54:16 EST

As Islamic finance grows into a thriving sector, business schools around the world are adding courses to train students in structuring investments that comply with Quranic law.

Making a Career of Anime

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:28:54 EST

How Adam Sheehan turned his love of Japanese animation into a full-time job as an events manager, handling anime conventions.

Moonlighting in a Creative Field

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:01:36 EST

Taking on part-time work—in addition to a full-time job—that taps into your creativity is more common these days than ever. Here's how to take on side work successfully.

Finding Work: Different Situations, Different Tactics

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:02:33 EDT

Reinvent columnist Alexandra Levit answers reader questions on finding work after age 50. Plus, advice for a job-seeker with low grades and starting a career after the Peace Corps.

After Delay, Jack Welch MBA to Launch

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:29:29 EDT

An online MBA program backed by former GE CEO Jack Welch is launching in January after a delay caused by Mr. Welch's 14-week hospital stay earlier.

A Long Layoff, Then Back to Work

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 14:17:34 EDT

Despite the hardships of unemployment, many people find the time off a pleasant surprise. That can make the transition back to the daily grind difficult.

Mechanic Discovers Inner Picasso

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:03:57 EDT

Sean Fitzpatrick always loved art, but took a practical job instead. But, 22 years later he runs a successful business sculpting and carving pumpkins, sand, snow and ice.

Learning Career Lessons From a CEO

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:15:20 EDT

Making CEO can seem like a daunting climb, but if you look at the career of a executive officers, there are some lessons to be learned.

Are You Missing Out on These 'Wellness' Freebies?

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:05:18 EDT

Free yoga? Cash for pounds? When your employer pushes you to be healthy.

Counting Stimulus Returns Is Difficult

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:13:23 EDT

As the government implements the $787 billion stimulus program, the effect of the spending and tax cuts are proving difficult to measure.

Signs of Recovery Don't Extend to Jobs

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:19:37 EDT

U.S. states and regions continue to see their economies slowly improve, but employers across the country remain skittish about hiring.

How to Keep Your Best Executives

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:45:38 EDT

The best way to keep your most talented executives from leaving is to prepare them to do just that.

Using Creativity to Stand Out in Your Career

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:10:57 EDT

Reinventing Your Career: How to infuse creativity in your day when it doesn't come naturally.

Looking for a New Job? Follow the Pink Slips

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:40:04 EDT

Companies making headlines for layoffs are often adding staff at the same time.

Federal Jobs: Easy to Spot, Hard to Get

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 06:41:11 EDT

More than a quarter-million federal workers are expected to be hired in the next three years, but the government, it turns out, isn't very good at hiring.

From Dashboards to Aircraft Air Bags

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 23:33:17 EDT

Bill Hagan spent years as an engineer at General Motors before moving to AmSafe and helping develop the first airplane air bag.

Jump-Starting a Job Search

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:32:26 EST

Finding a job in today's market requires far more effort than it did in the past and a lot more stamina.

Using LinkedIn for Job References

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:09:44 EDT

Careers Q&A: A reader seeks advice on using LinkedIn and other social-networking sites for employment references.

Marketers Seek New Advertising Firms

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:15:10 EDT

Many major marketers are on the prowl for new advertising firms, signaling possible relief from the ad recession.

Tech-Savvy Tutor Bosses in Web 2.0

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:48:40 EDT

Tech-savvy, twentysomething workers have a lot to bring to the table as more companies use social media and blogs as marketing tools.

Shifting From Campus to Office Park

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 20:06:06 EDT

Moving from the academic world to the corporate world can be tricky. Ph.D.s and M.B.A.s looking to make the leap need to develop patience and a thick skin.

Employers Hold Off on Hiring

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:33:22 EDT

Companies are resisting hiring new workers in spite of rising profits, deciding they can do more with less labor.

Firms Seek New Compact With Workers

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 22:54:30 EDT

The recession has accelerated changes that are eroding employer-subsidized retirement benefits and employer-paid health care.

'Contractor' Label Spurs Clashes

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 22:54:30 EDT

Employers and workers are clashing, as lawyers say companies are trying to avoid hiring full-time employees by tapping contractors.

M.B.A.s Seek Social Change

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:16:13 EDT

More business school students turn to social entrepreneurship, linking start-ups with sustainable and responsible practices, leading schools to add to their curriculum.

Employers' Wellness Rewards Come With Risks

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 09:38:12 EDT

Employers seeking to promote wellness in the workplace may have to rethink their rewards programs - or run the risk of breaking new federal rules protecting individuals' genetic information.

Employers Begin Driving Your 401(k)

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:14:07 EDT

Businesses are taking more control of workers' 401(k)s, retreating from the 30-year experiment with employees running their own accounts.

Health Costs Jump for Employees

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 09:51:05 EDT

As companies begin unveiling details of their benefits for next year, many employees this open-enrollment season will have to dig deeper into their pockets for health coverage.

Women Earned More During Recession

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 23:01:04 EDT

The wages of the typical woman who had a job during the worst recession in decades rose faster than those of the typical man, new data show.

Moonlighting Realtors

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 19:36:11 EDT

The housing market's long decline has real-estate professionals scrambling for extra work outside their industry.

Wall Street on Track to Award Record Pay

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 09:57:39 EDT

Major U.S. banks and securities firms are on pace to pay workers about $140 billion this year, a record that shows compensation is rebounding.

Coping With a Second Job Loss

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 18:43:25 EDT

Some Americans have lost jobs twice during the past two years. Joann Lublin gives out-of-the-box approaches to handle this depressing dilemma.

Restoring History, One Chair at a Time

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:11:33 EDT

Weekends working in the family wood shop eventually led Mario Insegna to a job restoring everything from hotel rooms to the White House executive offices.

Volunteer Gigs That Help Your Kids

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:52:25 EDT

Helping out in the classroom benefits little kids the most; high-school students learn from Mom and Dad's community work.

Law-Firm Hires Seek Interim Jobs

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 10:24:06 EDT

Law firms are asking new hires to defer their start dates. To cope, would-be attorneys are seeking fellowships, taking temporary jobs, waitressing and bartending.

Physicist Makes 'Big Bang' at Citi

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 18:11:27 EDT

Hamid Biglari went from physics to finance. Now, he's helping lead efforts to revive Citigroup.

Speed Leadership

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:24:22 EDT

Most recent college graduates yearn to start their own business, but all young professionals should get a few years of experience working for someone else before setting out on their own.

In Tough Times, Load Up on Mentors

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:35:55 EDT

In this economy, you need to take advantage of every available resource to propel your career. Finding a mentor—and preferably a network of mentors—is an easy and smart way to get started.

Employer Retaliation Claims Rise

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:13:43 EDT

Retaliation complaints are surging at the EEOC, even when officials don't support underlying claim of discrimination.

Jobs Data Cloud Recovery

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 23:36:13 EDT

Employers cut 263,000 jobs in September and the unemployment rate rose to a 16-year high, raising worries that the weak job market could undermine a nascent recovery.

Hard Hats' Ladder to Prosperity Removed

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:02:32 EDT

Men who lack post-high school education once found work in construction, but now they have fewer prospects in a job market favoring brains.

The Next Hot Youth-Magnet Cities

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:58:52 EDT

We asked experts which cities will emerge as the hottest destinations for educated workers in their 20s.

Tips on Getting a Job in Health Care

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:04:14 EDT

Columnist Alexandra Levit answers readers' questions about breaking into the health-care field, finding better ways to network and dealing with being perceived as "rusty."

The Inside Scoop on Starting in TV

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 19:01:05 EDT

Lara Spencer, the host of TV's "The Insider," talks about how she landed her high-profile job.

An Internship From Your Couch

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:53:41 EDT

Virtual internships, where the intern never sets foot in the employer's office, are growing in popularity, particularly for small and Web-based businesses.

Long Slog: Out of Work, Out of Hope

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 23:27:58 EDT

Five million people in the U.S. have been out of work for 27 weeks or more. Part of the problem they face: the very fact that they have been out of work so long.

Preparing for the Worst

Sun, 27 Sep 2009 23:26:31 EDT

Writing a will in your 20s might seem premature, but even young workers should consider preparing one to make sure their wishes are met if the need arises.

Online High Schools Test Social Skills

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:08:05 EDT

As online high schools spread, educators are ramping up efforts to counter the isolation some students experience.

Tough Job Market Separates Couples

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:05:00 EDT

The recession is complicating the job hunts—and the lives—of two-career couples, particularly when one lands an offer out of town.

The Varied Jobs of a 'MythBuster'

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:51:16 EDT

Jamie Hyneman worked a number of odd jobs, including animal wrangler, building inspector and charter-boat captain, before he became co-host of the Discovery Channel's "MythBusters."

From Trader to Waiter

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 11:10:26 EDT

September 11 made trader Scott Gould re-evaluate his career choice.

To Work Better, Try Working Less

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:14:43 EDT

Amid layoffs and burgeoning workloads, working any time, all the time, has become a habit for many employees. But companies trying to enforce time-off policies are discovering a paradoxical truth: To get more done, we need to stop working.

Advice on Going Where Jobs Are

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:10:17 EDT

Before deciding to relocate, career counselors advise workers to make sure they fully understand the local economy they're going to, and what they'd do if the new job doesn't work out as planned.

The Jobless Decide to Take a Hike

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 23:15:41 EDT

More Americans are ditching the straight life to hike the Appalachian Trail. These people may be trailing indicators of a jobless recovery or a still-deepening recession.

As Riches Fade, So Does Finance's Allure

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:04:31 EDT

Now that the finance bubble has deflated, employees are searching for other work and new graduates are looking elsewhere for careers.

No. 2 Jobs Dwindle Amid Cost Cutting

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 22:47:44 EDT

AOL and Avon last week embraced a hot management trend: eliminating the second-in-command.

Tips on Learning Office Etiquette

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:45:55 EDT

Reinvent Mailbag: Columnist Alexandra Levit answers readers' questions about learning proper office etiquette, negotiating your salary in a poor economy and dealing with career regrets.

New Leader Takes Over AFL-CIO

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:10:08 EDT

Richard Trumka assumed the top spot at the AFL-CIO, promising to be more aggressive in organizing workers and more combative toward corporate America.

Michigan Sings White-Collar Blues

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 05:29:15 EDT

Detroit's Big Three have cast tens of thousands of midcareer, white-collar workers into limbo.

Business Owners Smile More Often

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 21:26:39 EDT

In the broadest survey yet of how occupation affects happiness, business owners came out the most joyful.

To Count Stimulus Jobs, Help Wanted

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 11:55:26 EDT

When states report jobs created by stimulus, the numbers will fall short of projections -- reflecting how hard it is to attribute new jobs to one cause.

Helping Out-of-Work Clients

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 22:44:35 EDT

Some companies are offering career counseling to laid-off customers, hoping to win loyalty when the economy recovers.

Peer Pressure and Other Pitches

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:33:51 EDT

More businesses are using behavioral economics to appeal to customers, seeking to capitalize on the notion that people don't always act in their economic self-interest.

What to do When Your Boss Ignores You

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:06:56 EDT

Careers Q&A: A chief information officer asks how to deal with a boss who ignores his requests and provides little feedback on his work.

Dropouts Seek a Boost From GEDs

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 23:17:03 EDT

A growing number of Americans are taking high school equivalency tests in their hunt for any leg up in a bleak labor market.

Income Gap Shrinks, at Cost to Rich

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 23:27:58 EDT

The economic downturn may finally shrink the gap between the very best-off Americans and everyone else. If so, it will be by pulling down the top.

Job Openings Fell to Record Low in July

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 10:14:39 EDT

Despite signs of the U.S. economy improving, employers appear to be in no rush to hire back the millions who lost their jobs in the recession.

A New Dean for Stanford Business School

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:48:52 EDT

Garth Saloner takes the helm as business schools take a closer look at their programs in the wake of the financial crisis.

Report: Stimulus Saved a Million Jobs

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 09:32:02 EDT

The White House Council of Economic Advisers said the federal stimulus plan kept one million people working who would otherwise have lost their jobs.

Therapy in Preschools Targets Behavior

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 22:54:44 EDT

The idea of assigning mental-health workers to child-care centers and preschools is jarring. However, research is showing that the programs are benefiting entire classrooms of children.

A New Job Is Just a Tweet Away

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:05:44 EDT

As online job boards have grown crowded amid the recession, many big companies now list job openings on Twitter.

Using a Love of Art to Help Children

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:11:34 EDT

Bill Strickland turned his love of ceramics into a creative outlet for disadvantaged city kids.

Second Career: Ballerina Turned Chef

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:12:58 EDT

A professional ballerina retires her toe shoes for nightly performances as a chef.

Student Debt Grows Dramatically

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 11:24:41 EDT

Students are borrowing dramatically more to pay for college, and the ripple effects are becoming palpable, as tough loan payments may mean putting off a number of traditional milestones.

Recession Stalls Child-Care Subsidies

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 18:53:14 EDT

Columnist Sue Shellenbarger answers readers' questions on child-care benefits offered by big companies, and at-home parents who have returned to the work.

Too Soon to Think About a Career?

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 10:33:47 EDT

With his first college semester set to begin, Isaac wonders how his course selections might affect his ability to get a job after graduation, while Steve questions his own fatherly guidance.

Governments Shed More Workers

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 05:22:22 EDT

State and local governments stood out as safe havens for workers during the recession's early stages. Now even they are laying off employees.

Hospital Chefs Spice Up Their Status

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 20:51:49 EDT

Chefs in health-care are seeking to transform hospital food: Jell-O molds and soggy sandwiches are out; crusted trout and fresh scones are in.

Lessons of Extreme Job Hunting

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 14:25:28 EDT

Unorthodox tactics failed three job seekers -- but taught them plenty about finding work.

EEOC Finds JBS Violated Worker Rights

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 09:35:41 EDT

EEOC determined that beef giant JBS SA violated the civil rights of more than 100 Muslim Somali workers in the U.S., worker representatives say.

Job Losses Weigh on Recovery

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 07:53:54 EDT

Employers cut jobs in August at their slowest pace in a year, but a jump in the jobless rate to a 26-year-high of 9.7% reinforced worries about recovery.

Bold Tactics Don't Always Get the Job

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:49:21 EDT

More job seekers are taking unusual steps to be noticed—almost always without success.

How to Make the Best of a Furlough

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 09:28:30 EDT

Furloughs provide a chance for you to make the most of a little extra time off.

Hot Job: Calculating Products' Pollution

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 06:10:11 EDT

Concerns about greenhouse gases have spurred companies to hire professionals to assess the pollution their products impose on the Earth.

Can Poor Spelling Derail a Career?

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 04:27:52 EDT

Careers Q&A: A mentor asks how to help a young worker who constantly makes spelling and grammatical errors in his writings.

Parents Scramble Amid After-School Cuts

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:42:19 EDT

Closings and cutbacks at thousands of after-school programs nationwide have parents scrambling to make alternative arrangements.

Getting Fired Three Days After Starting a Job

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 10:14:30 EDT

Reinvent Columnist Alexandra Levit answers reader questions about getting let go just days into a new job.

A Coach for the Recession

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:01:50 EDT

Executive coaches report steady demand for their services despite the recession.

An Environmental Geologist Goes With the Flow

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:56:37 EDT

Lauren Steely travels the country searching for leaks that may threaten groundwater sources.

Keeping Skills Sharp While Unemployed

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 12:32:11 EDT

Been out of work for months? Prevent your professional skills from atrophying by taking steps to brush up.

SAT Scores Fall as Gap Widens

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 05:21:50 EDT

SAT scores fell slightly last year, and the score gap widened between low-performing minority groups and white and Asian-American students.

Schools Prepare for Next Downturn

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 11:51:14 EDT

At the epicenter of the financial meltdown in New York, Columbia Business School has a special interest in teaching its students about the crisis.

Outplacement Firms Struggle to Do Job

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 07:14:50 EDT

As demand rises in the outplacement business, providers increasingly offer standardized services, which some workers say offer little value.

Lessons That Fit the Times

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 09:54:38 EDT

As MBA students return to campus, business schools are incorporating lessons from the financial meltdown into their programs.

Professor: Learn From Financial Crisis

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 10:11:11 EDT

Robert Bruner, dean of the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business, urges business schools and students to learn from financial meltdowns.

Scoring College Applicants on Personality

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 20:51:47 EDT

Using recently developed evaluation systems, some colleges are aiming to quantify so-called noncognitive traits such as leadership, resilience and creativity.

Laid Off? Check Your Look, Attitude

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 05:18:11 EDT

In the aftermath of a layoff, style is critical. And it's about more than the decision to polish a wardrobe. It's the way people comport themselves, writes Christina Binkley.