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Rick Raimondi

Nothing happens until we plan, and good plans have goals and objectives. Setting goals and objectives correctly provides the necessary support and aids in their achievement. Before we dive into how to go about getting SMART and setting objectives, it’s important to understand that there is a world of difference between goals and objectives. •    Goals relate to our aspirations, purpose and vision. For example, I have a goal of becoming financially independent. •    Objectives are the battle plan, the stepping stones on the path towards the achievement of my goal. The most well known method for setting objectives is the S.M.A.R.T. way. The SMART approach is well understood amongst managers, but is poorly practiced. S.M.A.R.T refers to the acronym that describes the key characteristics of meaningful objectives, which are Specific (concrete, detailed, well defined), Measureable (numbers, quantity, comparison), Achievable (feasible, actionable), Realistic (considering resources) and Time-Bound (a defined time..

Rick Raimondi

Truer words have never been spoken. When we hear the word temporary; well, it means just that: a holding pattern in your life, a Polaroid if you will. Don’t judge this word because of its definition. See it as the road to permanent. Staffing firms that focus on providing temporary/contract employment for qualified people are providing opportunities that can transition into full-time, salaried positions. There are staffing firms that provide temporary/contract opportunities for every career interest: From administrative to Tech CEO’s. Once you have accepted an assignment, there are a few things that you should consider. Remember: don’t see it as temporary, see it as the road to a permanent job. What do I mean by this? Well just think to yourself: "if I were hired for a permanent position, how would I interact with my co-workers? How would I treat my work? A line should not be drawn between..

Rick Raimondi

Most say: “follow the money”, “money buys off problems”. Is it possible to be happy without having the means to pay rent on your apartment or meeting that monthly mortgage payment? What’s more important:  a pleasant job environment, or your bank statement? Studies have shown that employees are less likely to complain about their current title and salary, if a motivating, communicative, trusting and overall enjoyable environment is practiced. Acknowledgment of an employee’s contribution to the company is key. After all, their accomplishments define the company. There are three layers to a company: strategy, vision and direction. Employees contribute to each of these components. Ask yourself: what does the company believe in? What is their ultimate goal? How do and will you contribute to the company’s success? Employees that work in an unsatisfactory environment are more inclined to be unhappy with their current pay and job title.  Some of us..

Rick Raimondi

Husband-wife duos are behind many successfully owned family businesses. For some, this kind of an arrangement may seem ideal; to others, maybe not. So how do you know if starting a business with your spouse is for you? Here are some pointers: If you and your spouse choose to collaborate in your professional lives, both of you must be willing to share not only your domestic lives, but also work problems. Those couples that are successful in such an endeavor usually have a strong marriage to begin with, and their compatibility lends itself to running a business. Often however, the stress of having to share nearly every responsibility can become too much, and either the business will fall through, or the marriage will. So, if you do not feel 100% comfortable with the idea, it is probably not for you. Couples who balance each other out in daily life especially..

Adrianna Wu

Yahoo's CEO Scott Thompson resigned last week after the discovery that his resume contained false information. So the question applies to resume padding in general: is it really worth it? Thompson changed his bachelor of science degree in business administration with a major in accounting, to a bachelor's degree in accounting and computer science with a couple clicks of the keyboard. It got him the job, and it also lost him the job. We can empathize with the man. In a 2010 survey of 1,818 organizations, 69% reported catching a job candidate lying on his or her résumé. That's the weakness of the honor system involved with resumes: it can take 5 seconds to add an extra 5 years of education under your belt. No wonder so many people fall prey to the temptation. However, we see these oustings more and more frequently: former RadioShack CEO Dave Edmondson underwent the same "resignation" process..

Adrianna Wu

"At the time of the Great Migration in the 1920s... less-educated individuals were more likely to migrate in search of better lives. Today, the opposite is true: The more education a person has, the more mobile he or she is." Dr. Enrico Moretti, a economic professor at the University of California, Berkeley gives us the premise for why mobilization is essential to a successful lifestyle. Mobilization means to be active, to be on the move. In other words: when an opportunity presents itself, you will have no hesitation in grasping it. Opportunities are around every corner, and may require a dramatic change in scenery. If this includes moving states after college, packing up your family for a new job, or relocating somewhere with lower unemployment rates, mobilization is empowerment. "Relocating is like an investment: You spend money up front- to cover the costs of a move and of living expenses..

Adrianna Wu

The phone screen is the bridge between sending in a resume and performing a live interview. It provides a window into what kind of employee you are, a look at your behavioral tendencies, and an opportunity for the employer to get excited for the official interview. However, it can break a candidate-- the employer may decide that you aren’t the right fit. This is why it is paramount to nail the phone screen. The benefit of the phone-interview is that you could be lounging in your pajamas on your living room sofa, and still have the professionality of a formally conducted live interview. No matter what your situation, you should sound like you are sitting in an office dressed in slacks and a tie. There should be no children screaming, no dogs barking, no TV programs- no interruptions. If you are expecting a phone call, have a designated space to..

Rick Raimondi

Are you winning the dual income, careers, and daycare challenge? Many thirty-something professionals in the booming IT/Engineering field have the good fortune of lucrative dual incomes, but with increasing pressure to work longer work weeks, how does a couple manage daycare, and school schedules for their family? The consultant business model is a recent trend that provides an alternative life balance, while not sacrificing dual earnings and career growth. While one spouse maintains the direct hire/employee job, which provides full benefits (medical, retirement, etc.), the other spouse is able to work on a contract basis for multiple employers. What’s the benefit? While the spouse with the direct hire/employee job works 50 to 60 hours each week, the spouse working on a contract basis mostly has their hours limited to 40 hours per week, and is able to schedule those hours that provide them the flexibility to meet their family needs...

Rick Raimondi

Workers underestimate the benefits of a flexible schedule Workplace flexibility has obvious appeal as an alternative to the traditional 9 to 5 day.  Arrangements such as telecommuting and flexible working hours have been around for a while, with nearly a quarter of the U.S. workforce doing some work from home.  But how much do employees value this flexibility? And how good are they at assessing the factors that contribute to their own happiness?  The answers are not what you may think.  Results reported in a National Bureau of Economic Research working paper, clearly indicate that, whatever people might say about their desire for greater scheduling choice, most employees aren’t willing to give up much pay to get it. Does this mean that most job seekers don’t value flextime?  If we assume that people have a good sense of what makes them happy, that is the survey’s main takeaway.  Moreover, for..