Stories by Meridith Levinson

Blog: The Trouble with New Year's Resolutions

New Year's resolutions should symbolize our capacity for transformation, our desire for self-improvement. But too often they instead represent our lack of discipline and self-control, our weak wills, our abject failure. Why is it that New Year's resolutions are so hard to keep? The answer is actually quite simple.

Written by Meridith Levinson08 Jan. 09 09:35

Blog: Salary and Compensation: Earning More Can Hurt You in a Recession

We all know the importance of negotiating raises if we want to get paid what we're worth, but can all our tough salary negotiation in good times come back to haunt us in bad times, when earning more may be a liability as companies look to cut staff?

Written by Meridith Levinson17 Dec. 08 12:33

The Dangers of Getting Contract IT Work Through Staffing Agencies

Working for a staffing firm can be an effective way for unemployed IT professionals to connect with potential employers. But working for a staffing agency has serious downsides, too. IT workers should consider these six drawbacks before taking on a contract position through a staffing firm.

Written by Meridith Levinson17 Dec. 08 10:55

24 Alternative Careers for Tech Workers That Aren't in IT

With IT departments laying off staff to cut costs and a grim outlook for IT job growth in 2009, now's a good time for tech workers to get out of IT. Here's a list of jobs tech workers could easily switch into. (But hold onto your hats, some may really surprise you.)

Written by Meridith Levinson10 Dec. 08 11:45

Why Project, Portfolio Management Matter More in a Recession

IT departments scaling back on project work as the economy lurches toward a recession may be tempted to skimp on project management and portfolio management . But think twice: doing so could cost you far more--in projects gone awry and wasted resources.

Written by Meridith Levinson09 Dec. 08 09:16

IT Jobs Market Down But Not Out

Some online job boards are seeing a steep decline in the number of IT jobs employers and recruiters are posting. The good news for your IT career? Executives at these job boards don't anticipate IT unemployment and job losses to be nearly as bad as 2001 and 2002.

Written by Meridith Levinson03 Dec. 08 11:52

How to Avoid Getting Sued by a Former Employer

If you are recruited to work for a business that competes with your current employer, you could find yourself slapped with a big fat lawsuit over intellectual property theft, even if you did nothing wrong. Here's how to prevent that nightmare.

Written by Meridith Levinson26 Nov. 08 09:38

Self-Promotion at Work: 8 Tips for Shy People

IT people are often taught that their work should speak for itself, but if you want to survive the economic downturn with your job intact, you've got to promote your work. Here are eight ways to self-promote without being obnoxious.

Written by Meridith Levinson26 Nov. 08 11:00

Blog: Work and Spirituality

Most people don't consider their work a spiritual endeavor, but the connection between work and spirituality is deeper than we think. An upcoming book, Five Minutes on Mondays: Finding Unexpected Purpose, Peace and Fulfillment at Work, seeks to show us how we can unite our spiritual lives with our professional lives.

Written by Meridith Levinson25 Nov. 08 12:23

Blog: Self-Promotion Do's and Don'ts

Self-promotion is a critical self-preservation strategy when companies are laying off employees by the thousands. But beware of going overboard with the self-praise. It'll do more harm than good.

Written by Meridith Levinson21 Nov. 08 10:18
[]