It's pretty surreal that we are still in the midst of a global pandemic. I clearly remember thinking back in March of this year that things would be back to normal by June. Nope. Although things aren't back to normal, we've come a long way. And we've done our best to adjust to a new normal. Even though there's a lot of gloom in the media, I believe things are getting … [Read more...]
Finding Answers to “What Inspires You?”
A common interview question is "What inspires you?" Interviews are not the best time to delve into deep personal issues. So, most people respond with dry, uncreative answers like "my parents," or "being able to learn new things." Don't worry about how you may have answered "What inspires you?" in the past. I want you to think about how you would answer that question … [Read more...]
How Much Is The Average Severance Package? Once You Know You’ll Never Want To Quit Again
One of my good friends Christine is thinking about negotiating a separation agreement with her employer of six years. She works in marketing at Gap and is ready for a change of pace and a new career path. She got married to her college sweetheart last year and would really like to work at a public service company like the Friends of the Urban Forest, a non-profit organization … [Read more...]
How I Negotiated A Severance Package And Got Paid To Quit My Job
During the financial crisis, I remember being scared about how bad the markets got and wondering if the nosedive would ever bottom out. Even though I had decent job stability back then, I was still fearful of getting laid off. Little did I know, many years later I would end up eagerly raising my hand to get let go of my job and get a severance package. A Seed Is Planted For My … [Read more...]
Can You Get Unemployment Benefits If You Have A Side Business?
It felt great writing my recent post, How I Negotiated A Severance Package And Got Paid To Quit My Job, and I’m glad that I am able to help spread hope to more people that it is possible to negotiate a severance instead of simply handing in your two weeks notice. Shortly after I published the post, a reader asked me a great follow-up question: Is it possible to get unemployment … [Read more...]