Is it really a good idea to follow a passion?

You know those auditions on “American Idol” that make you cringe, because someone who truly thinks he’s a singing prodigy isn’t so good at singing after all (and the critiques from the judges make that very clear)? He deserves kudos for going after his dreams, but at the end of the day, it’s probably not going to pay the bills.

The career advice to take - and the advice to ignore

Good advice either brings clarity to a situation or reveals all the factors involved in a decision. For your career, this often means looking at the big picture or accepting the conditions of your current circumstances.

6 types of people you’ll meet at networking events

If you’re a frequent attendee of networking events, you’ve likely started to notice that the same types of people pop up at each event. Some you may enjoy getting to know, while others you try to avoid at all costs. Before going to your next networking affair, read on to learn more about the different personalities you’ll encounter and how you can prepare yourself to interact with them.

What's keeping you away from a leadership role?

More and more companies are addressing this workplace disparity directly. Twenty-seven percent of employers have initiatives to support females pursuing leadership roles and 26 percent have initiatives to support minorities. Thirteen percent of employees at these companies think there is a glass ceiling.

The why and how of making friends at work

Most workplace conversations are about the projects you're working on. While those go beyond small talk, such exchanges can't really take you from acquaintances to friends. When appropriate, get to know colleagues on a deeper level by asking about family, interests and other nonwork topics, which helps you form more meaningful connections.

Underqualified? 7 tips to inspire employers to give you a chance

Many employers are screening candidate resumes electronically. The screening software uses keywords and phrases from the ad and will only select resumes and cover letters that include those words and phrases. To make sure that you make the cut, scan each advertisement for keywords that match your skills and include them in your resume and cover letter.

4 things to watch out for in an employment contract

Newman suggests every employee understand restrictive clauses before signing — and negotiating anything they aren’t on board with. “It’s very much like sports teams going after the best players,” he says. “If you’re that player right now, you can negotiate a very lucrative contract for yourself, provided you haven’t signed anything that prohibits you from doing it.”

Post interviewing tips: How not to follow up

If you’re sending a note via U.S. mail or email, try to get it out the day after the interview. If you’re planning to place a follow-up call, wait two or three days. Just make sure you don’t wait too long. You want your note or phone call to arrive at the company before the hiring committee has made up its mind about whom to hire.

Don't say that to your boss; say this stead

“The only way you can expect your employees to get better at what they do is to give them constructive, candid and timely feedback. But, again, giving feedback is a skill that requires practice – and carefully chosen words,”