Metro ServiceMany soon-to-be retirees are not fully prepared for life after their work life ends. Retirement is on the horizon for a significant number of people. Around 10,000 people retire each day in the United States, according to a study by Merrill Lynch and Age Wave, a consultancy studying the cultural and economic impacts of aging. But many soon-to-be retirees are not fully prepared for life after their work life ends. Shedding new light on this next chapter can make retirement something to look forward to even more. How retired are you? Retirement may no longer mean what it once did. Some retirees remove themselves entirely from the active employment market, (more…)

Metro ServiceBeing self-employed and having final say over business decisions can give people a sense of satisfaction and professional accomplishment. Owning a business is a goal for many professionals. Being self-employed and having final say over business decisions can give people a sense of satisfaction and professional accomplishment. The small business landscape continues to evolve and expand. The Small Business Administration says that more than 50 percent of the working population is employed in a small business. There are almost 30 million small businesses in the United States, with roughly 540,000 new startups each month. While owning a small business can be rewarding, it’s important that prospective business owners recognize that (more…)

Metro ServiceThe American Psychological Association found that 58 percent of Americans say work is a significant source of stress. Energy levels tend to ebb and flow throughout a typical workday. A cup of coffee may provide some caffeine-infused spark in the morning, but a big lunch can squash energy later in the afternoon. Waning mental sharpness as the workday progresses can compromise productivity, making it more difficult for workers to complete projects on time. That, in turn, can contribute to stress. In fact, in its “2017 Stress in America” survey, the American Psychological Association found that 58 percent of Americans say work is a significant source of stress. Staying mentally fresh (more…)

Pixabay.comIt’s wise to revisit old résumés and see what can be done to update them for the current day and age. When professionals are ready to take a new step in their careers, it’s wise to revisit their old résumés and see what can be done to update them for the current day and age. This is especially true for people who may have been out of the job-seeking arena for some time. Writing a résumé can be complicated. The rules for finding a new job are continually evolving, and résumés remain a big component of that process. The following are some current résumé trends that will help professionals stand out (more…)

Metro ServiceMany people may feel that there simply are not enough hours in the day to get everything done. Ours is a busy society where everyone is moving from place to place quite rapidly, whether at school, home or work. As a result, many people may feel that there simply are not enough hours in the day to get it all done. Quite often people delay certain tasks until the late hours of the night as a way to catch up. But that can be detrimental to health. The National Institute of Health warns that lack of adequate sleep can affect mood, adversely affect relationships, increase anxiety, and possibly contribute to (more…)

Metro ServiceRetiring early is a complex issue that requires weighing the pros and cons. A lifetime of working compels many people to look forward to their retirement. Some people even work to retire early. But what are the advantages of early retirement beyond starting a life of leisure? And are there any detriments to this plan? A 2014 survey by the financial services provider TIAA-CREF found that 37 percent of Americans plan to retire before age 65. However, many of them will not have control over the matter. Those who do may want to consider the pros and cons of early retirement. Advantages Many people seek early retirement so that they (more…)

Metro ServiceWhen considering changing careers, people may want to consider various professions that are currently booming. The days of spending an entire career with one company are a thing of the past. According to data published in The Balance: Careers, the average professional switches jobs 10 to 15 times in his or her lifetime, while the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the average employee tenure in 2016 was 4.2 years. Understanding which fields have a high rate of growth can ensure men and women make smart choices when switching jobs. The following are the top-rated careers, based on data from the BLS, U.S. News & World Report and Glassdoor. Mathematician: (more…)

Millennials are a generation with unique financial challenges. Seven in 10 possess student loan debt, according to the Institute for College Access and Success’ “12th Annual Report, Student Debt and the Class of 2016.” Combined with car loans, housing expenses and entry level salaries, it’s no surprise to learn that many young workers lack the savings necessary to cover unexpected medical costs. To help strengthen their financial situation, experts say that this generation should take a closer look at their available workplace benefits to see if they have access to voluntary benefits, often also referred to as supplemental health insurance policies. “Having health insurance is not always enough. Someone with a (more…)

Metro ServiceA cup of coffee may provide some caffeine-infused spark in the morning, but a big lunch can squash energy later in the afternoon. Energy levels tend to ebb and flow throughout a typical workday. A cup of coffee may provide some caffeine-infused spark in the morning, but a big lunch can squash energy later in the afternoon. Waning mental sharpness as the workday progresses can compromise productivity, making it more difficult for workers to complete projects on time. That, in turn, can contribute to stress. In fact, in its “2017 Stress in America” survey, the American Psychological Association found that 58 percent of Americans say work is a significant source (more…)

Metro ServiceBuilding a strong professional network can help people find a fulfilling job when they are looking to advance their careers. ■ Metro Service / Contributed Building a strong professional network can help people find a fulfilling job when they are looking to advance their careers. The following tips can help professionals establish such a network. Recognize networking is a two-way street. Networking can be an effective way to find a new job, and it’s also a great way to help other people do the same. While you’re looking for a new job, if you come across opportunities that aren’t a good fit for you but might be for someone in (more…)