Career Couch

Play the boardroom game
Doing well in meetings requires strategy, writes Jim Bright.

Networking for work
Can the social-media juggernaut really find you a job? By Joshua Jennings.

Ego's a dirty word
A bit of modesty can tip the scales in your favour, writes Jim Bright.

Keep drive alive
Jim Bright looks at motivation and offers tips on reigniting the will to succeed.

Just get to the point
A waffly and unfocused career objective won't get you an interview, writes Jim Bright.

Success: is it luck or planning?
Jim Bright looks at the role of chance and good fortune in job advancement.

Quitting and retention strategies
Jobs are like marriages. Sometimes you grow in different directions and sometimes bad things happen.

Your worst career mistakes?
All sorts of unexpected things can happen in careers.

Is change in the air?
Moving to a new job can have its perils but often works out better in the long run, writes Jim Bright.

Skills shortage opens new doors
Take stock of your values and motivators and research job options before taking the plunge, writes Tanya Ryan-Segger.

Benefits bolster the bottom line
IT companies are finding new workers by offering some unusual bonuses, writes Julia Talevski.

Never stuck behind the desk
Some entrepreneurs are ditching the office for a more mobile approach, writes Julia Talevski.

Take the pressure off
Is advancement all it's cracked up to be? Jim Bright doesn't think so.

Find your own job network
Acts of kindness can aid your work prospects, writes Jim Bright.

Senior executives put on notice
Shareholder influence over executive pay and board appointments will expand if recommendations adopted.

Comfortable or committed?
The long-standing stereotype of the idle public servant may have had its day but what's a career in the government really like?

Take control
Leading for the first time can be challenging. Ann-Maree Moodie explains how to cope.

Take it upwards
Of course your supervisor manages you but, as Terry McHugh shows, sometimes you have to manage them.

Because you’re worth it
Before taking a job, decide on a minimum salary and be ready to negotiate, writes Jim Bright.

Point to your direction
Revealing your career objectives can work for you, writes Jim Bright.

Many workers will suffer under new awards
Thousands of finance and insurance workers to experience an immediate pay cut in January as a result of a ruling by Industrial Relations Commission.

The misery of long hours
Too many people are doing unpaid overtime and their health and family life are suffering, writes Joshua Jennings.

Feedback's big failing
It's time to kill off the performance review, writes Graham Winter.

Kiss your workload goodbye
Smart workers know how to get the job done and still make it home for dinner, writes Kath Lockett.

Mums returning to work
Help is at hand for mothers who want to get back to the office, writes Kim Kind.

How to avoid staff meltdown
Use organisational psychology to determine who can handle a crisis.

Last laughs last longest
Follow Shakespeare's lead and leave your employees wanting more.

Setting goals: More complex than you think
Oversimplifying your career aims might not get you a result, writes Jim Bright.

Race don't chase
Slashing the entertainment budget may reduce costs but it won't necessarily improve revenue.

10 ways to ignore the Global Financial Crisis
There are three insufferable words that I'm so sick of hearing that I refuse to mention them in this article, says James Adonis.

Out of office, in work: new trend of flexibility
Nearly a quarter of employees do some of their job away from the workplace.

Happiness is in the balance
The right work-life mix is beneficial to employers and employees alike.

All in a holiday's work
Technology ate my holiday, says Mia Freedman.

Fake it 'til you make it
Act in the position you want, not the one you've got.

How to prevent psychological injuries at work
Smart businesses are tackling psychological injuries before they start.

The days of excess executive pay are numbered - for now
With much political fanfare, the Prime Minister recently announced a pay double whammy.

Young Executive of the Year Awards
Have you got what it takes? Or do you know someone who does? The AFR BOSS Young Executive of the Year Awards are now open. If you're young and ambitious, it's time to apply.

How to manage anger at work
Handling frustration in the workplace is a tough ask.

Do your boss a favour: go away
More than $33 billion worth of employees' annual leave is sitting, unused, on the books of Australian businesses.

Diversity: Give all employees a fair go
Employers are seeing the value of respecting the sexual diversity of staff.

How to survive retrench warfare
Downsizing can cause more problems than it solves.

Hard act to follow
Choosing your successor is an emotional minefield.

Work keeps us healthy
There is a strong link between unemployment and mental illness.

Stress: Beware of the vicious cycle
If a team member suddenly starts working longer hours but you haven't increased his workload, what do you do?

Win back your happy staff
Keeping workers happy doesn't have to be expensive or complicated.

Seven ways to fast track success
The right attitude can put you on the fast track to success.

So you want to be like Obama
US President Barack Obama's policies may have been credited for winning him the election but experts say that his appearance, wardrobe, voice and body language were just as important in giving him an edge.

Seven steps in the right direction
Expose yourself to ideas and be inspired in your job search, advises Jim Bright.

Vacation deprivation?
On call means on the ball, right? Wrong. Don't take the office on holiday, leave it all behind or risk your health, family and social life.

Motivating your people
Caring about what motivates people so they work smarter for their company is the key to improving their productivity and developing a 'buzzing' culture.

Network in times of need
The financial crisis is changing how managers approach their jobs.

Working on a well-balanced life
Is your work-life balance socially and economically sustainable?

Mind your step as you go
It pays to leave graciously in a tight job market.

A boom in business learning
Executives and managers are lining up to complete MBAs.

A firm boss must be soft
The best company leaders engage their staff in a friendly way.

Rewards for results
Now is not the time for companies to cut corners.

The real business of parties
Don't get drunk, get ahead at the office Christmas do.

Say no to blind acceptance
Sometimes teamwork isn't all it's cracked up to be.

When office romance goes bad
Ruth Byrne is researching ways for managers to cope with office turmoil when employees fall out of love with each other.

It's curtains for bullies
Actors are showing how to deal with difficult colleagues.

Mentors get career boost too
Who are the winners when a manager decides to become a mentor?

The dangers of office romance
Office flings can wreak havoc when they go bad, businesses need to manage to fall-out.

How to hire the right people
Hiring the wrong person can be a costly mistake for businesses, writes Megan Byrne.

Psychometric testing gaining popularity
Prepare for pre-employment testing

Reviews are a two-way street
Performance reviews combine motivation, feedback and listening.

It's good to let go
Being able to delegate is essential for managers

Managing change at work
Change can be scary and positive at the same time

Does your company have a silo mentality?
Invest in ways that make silos work for business

Sure-fire ways to get the sack
Steer clear of these sackable offences

Good leaders need to be able to adapt
Enhance your leadership style by being flexible.

How long should you stay in your job?
Changing jobs can make a big difference to your career.

How to get noticed at work
Raise your profile on the job with these simple tricks.

Managing office conflict
Keep an emotional distance when employees lose their cool.

Addressing resistance to change
Bring concerns into the open with positive energy.

Listening skills for leadership
Listening can improve your workplace communication.

When to make your career move
There's a time for change and a time for staying put.

Coping with redundancy
How to look to the future when your career disappears.

Coaching employees
Coach-style management is on the rise.

Working smarter, not longer
Managers should focus on productivity, not just spending more time at the coalface.

Productivity and office space
Bosses will get more out of staff if they give them more room.

Conducting successful meetings
Effective meetings take planning and an ability to seize the moment.

Time management techniques
Good planning and time management can get you out of the office early.

Surviving a new boss
Fresh blood can cause friction for staff and managers.

How to resign from your job
There's a right way and a wrong way to resign.

Creating a flexible work proposal
The more thorough your proposal, the more likely your success.

Managing your personal assistant
Today’s personal assistant is fully engaged in the business.

Avoiding middle management limbo
To play a role in strategy, middle managers need to develop their skills.

'Green up' your CV
It can pay to hone your corporate social responsibility skills.

Surviving office politics
Learn to deal with office politics to get ahead.

Managing grief in the workplace
When tragedy or disaster strikes a staff member it can be a testing time for any manager.

Dressing for success
Style is substance when it comes to a manager's wardrobe.

When to reject a promotion
Sometimes it can be wise to say 'no' to that promotion.

Mid-life career changes
Changing direction mid-career is a common path for today's managers.

Career breaks and sabbaticals
Taking time off work can revitalise your career.

Management jargon
Is your language letting you down as a manager?

Bored with your job?
A range of strategies can inject new vigour into your working life.

Creative thinking
Free-thinking employees often come up with imaginative solutions.

Mixing travel with business
International experience can boost your career.

How to be happy at work
Research is lifting the lid on how we can be happy at work.

Giving negative feedback
Choosing your words well can make delivering criticism easier.

Difficult colleagues
Problem colleagues or employees require special strategies.

Computer-related injuries
Your workstation could be sabotaging your career.

Combining work and study
Good planning and focus can help you combine work with study.

Living the tree change job dream
A tree or sea change can boost your career - but be clear on your goals.

Impressing at job interviews
Planning ahead can help you find the right answers.

Befriending your boss on Facebook
What should you do if a boss or co-worker tries to add you as a "friend"?

Surviving a staff exodus
A staff exodus could mean it's time to take stock.

Office power tripping
Some people create false dramas in the workplace to make themselves look good.

Managing counter offers
More money might help you hold on to a valued worker but watch the pitfalls.

Effective negotiation
Learning to negotiate better will help you get ahead.

The right way to fire someone
It's never going to be pleasant but preparation can take the sting out of sacking someone.

When to quit your job
Is it time to leave your job? Look for the five sure signs.

Managing former colleagues
When you become the boss you may need to reassess your behaviour and friendships.

Is your colleague after your job?
If your deputy's ambitions make you feel threatened, take positive action.

Effective performance reviews
Preparing for a performance review benefits everyone.

Are you being paid enough?
Find out if you're earning what you deserve.

Hiring the boss
Executive recruitment is an exercise in lateral thinking.

Executive salary negotiation
When can your demands backfire? We examine the options.

Working overseas
Make sure your overseas package doesn't get lost in translation.

Need a career coach?
Executive coaching is gaining in popularity.

Fear of public speaking
Confidence in public speaking can boost career prospects.

Face up to mistakes
If you make a mistake in front of your staff, be honest.

Working with recruiters
The basics of working with professional recruitment agencies.

Get ahead on your break
Jog, take classes or rewrite your resume during lunchtime to get ahead.

How to get headhunted
Make sure you're considered suitable prey.

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