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Lumber companies facing huge challenges

Coastal lumber manufacturers received a wake-up call Monday in the form of a report that tells them they face huge challenges in making the transition from high-valued old-growth forests to second-growth. Source.

How to dress for interviews or work

Resources That Tell You How to Dress for Job Interviews or Work

While your appearance doesn't actually have an effect on your ability to do a job, it does affect how others will perceive you can do it. Learn how to dress for job interviews or work.  More here.

Women's Business Wardrobe

Whether you're a division head or an entry-level assistant, Style expert Kim Johnson Gross helps you navigate the confusing world of dressing for work. Source.

Mandatory retirement ban

For Robert Anderson, it's akin to being saved by the bell.  A few months ago, things looked gloomy for the 64-year-old Simon Fraser University communications professor, who was scheduled to retire when he hits 65 in August despite wanting to keep working for a few more years.  More.

Test your professionalism

Answer Agree or Disagree. A discussion of professional behaviours follow.

1. I usually ignore irritating behaviour when interacting with someone.

2. I'm content with my performance.

3. I always tell the truth.

4. When a deadline looms, I try to improve the product.

5. I often copy newspaper or Internet articles for use in my work.

6. I usually compare myself to others.

7. Appropriate job skills are more important than good work habits.

8. I often engage superiors in conversations regarding how matters should be handled.

9. If I know a lot about a topic, I listen to others then explain my viewpoint.

10. I would report unethical or unsafe practices to the CEO.

11. It's OK to be late for meetings occasionally.

12. I won't work with a co-worker until we settle disagreements.

13. I tell others what I don't like about their performance at staff meetings.

14. I judge clients quickly.

15. I attend meetings sponsored by my professional association.

Comments here.

Canadians find meaning in non-profit

Tired of spinning their wheels in rat-race jobs that lack meaning, more Canadians are shedding the shackles of corporate life to find work in the non-profit sector and the news couldn't come soon enough for thousands of organizations that rely on highly skilled professionals to keep the sector afloat.  More.

'Let's talk' isn't as difficult as many think

Avoiding crucial conversations can result in serious fallout in the workplace. Source.

Safety precautions part of the job, say young workers

Even as WorkSafeBC prepares to launch a campaign to quell what it sees as a startling increase in construction industry injuries, concrete rigger Nigel Carter is happy to be working on his particular jobsite. Source.

Disposable phone numbers

A small California company that makes it possible to place a non-long-distance call to anyone around the world as long as you have their e-mail address is bringing the service to Canada.  Jangl is one of a growing number of companies getting into the "social phone number" business that allows users to give out a phone number that is disposable so that callers never need know that most coveted piece of information -- your personal phone number. It essentially lets you use your phone with the same anonymity of a Hotmail account.  Source.

Attracting Americans to work in Canada

Canadians love to gripe about their taxes. But it seems all that complaining has made its way beyond our borders, exacerbating the already difficult task firms face attracting foreign talent from places in the United States. And nowhere is this crunch expected to hit harder than in financial services. Article here.