cannyben

Email etiquette is a delicate art, and one that’s important to master, considering the average worker spends 28% of their day checking email. But, when you use poor judgment in an email to your boss, co-worker, or client, you’ve created a digital record of your mistake that could come back to bite you. Another reason why the stakes are high: Emails can be forwarded to anyone; they can even be posted on the Internet for the public to see. While typos are one thing, there are some egregious mistakes people make when writing work emails. These 13 things should never show up in a professional email. ‘Does that make sense?’ This seemingly harmless question can come off as condescending .  Instead, if you need to address complex topics in an email, type: “If you have any questions, let’s discuss this on the phone.” ‘Obviously’ Using this word can also make you appear condescending.   Also, if something were truly  obvious , why would you be sending an email about ...

You work hard, get noticed and are rewarded with a big, fat raise on an annual basis. That’s how it goes, right? So what's with this wage stagnation holding you down? You work hard—as in  really  hard, as in holding-a-sandwich-in-your-left-hand-as-you-type-with-your-right-hand-during-lunchtime hard. And even so, when annual review time rolls around, you only receive the customary annual salary increase—if you get a raise at all. Maybe it’s time to make a move to a better employer and more lucrative salary. If you recognize one or more of the following scenarios, it’s time to start looking for a job. You’re paid less than your peers who work at other employers You can combat wage stagnation by always knowing what you’re worth and facing reality. Go ahead, do some digging. Talk with your peers you feel comfortable discussing money with to find out what they are earning at other companies You haven’t had a raise in over 18 months Technically, two years could be...

Since you’ve been gainfully employed for a good stretch of time, an updated resume might seem low on your to-do list. We get it: It’s no longer a priority. But if you let your resume turn stale, you put yourself at a disadvantage. For many people, updating their resume feels like going to the dentist—they avoid it at all costs, but there are benchmarks in your career when your resume needs a tune-up. When you start a new job The best resumes highlight quantifiable achievements—not job responsibilities. But when you’re a new employee, you don’t have any real accomplishments yet. Instead of copying and pasting snippets from the job posting onto your resume, tell the story of why you were hired. Now is also the time to update your career summary section. Coming off the job search circuit, you should tweak this part of your resume while your value proposition is fresh in your mind. When you get promoted Take the opportunity to celebrate, but don’t forget to update your re...