We honored our country's veterans this week, on Thursday, Veterans Day. At the same time, there was far too much in the news about the difficulty that returning veterans are having in their job searches: in October, the unemployment rate for veterans who have served since September 2001 was 10.6 percent--a full percentage point above the national average.

If you are (or if someone you love is) a veteran who's hunting for a job, take a look at Military.com--a great one-stop resource for veterans and active-duty military personnel. Also check out VeteranEmployment.com, Monster.com's Military Transition Center, and G.I. Jobs' new list of the top 100 military-friendly employers.

Thank you, veterans. We are all in your debt.

And here are five of our favorite career-advice articles (for veterans and civilians alike) from the past week:

5. One of this week's big stories in the world of employment was reported by the Huffington Post (among other publications): "White House Fielding Questions from the Unemployed on Facebook." Join the conversation now on Monster.com's Facebook page.

4. Many people overlook a simple job-interview step that influences 88 percent of hiring managers surveyed. Read more in "Say Thank-You for Your Interview."

3. It's a nightmare predicament: You quit your job for a new one. Then the new one doesn't work out. And you have to go crawling back to your old boss to ask for your old position back. We hope it never happens to you, but CBSMoneywatch.com has some tips in "The 'Oh $#*!' Moment: How to Beg for Your Old Job."

2. Ageism (real and subconscious) can be a real problem for job seekers on the mature side of 40. But there are simple (and non-surgical) ways to give your resume a face-lift--read "Rejuvenate Your Resume."

1. Don't blow your job interview by using language that puts hiring managers to sleep (or, worse, ticks them off). Read "10 Overused Phrases Interviewers Can't Stand."

What kind of job-seeker-focused content would you like to see? Let me know in the comments section, or find me on Twitter and send me a message.

If you're up on job-search and career-development advice, you've likely been hearing the term "personal brand" used more and more. By all accounts, developing and maintaining a consistent, effective personal brand is as important to the modern worker (in just about industry) as having a great resume and an engaged network of peers.

But the term is sometimes used in a vague way--what is a personal brand, and how does a job seeker begin crafting one? I asked personal-branding expert Chris Perry, of CareerRocketeer, to explain some basics. 

Monster Blog: Why is having a personal brand important--and is it important for all job seekers?

Chris Perry: Everyone has a unique personal brand. You communicate your own brand in everything you do--whether you know it or not. It's important to remember that personal branding is so much more than what you put on your social networks or what you write on a blog. It's who you are inside and out, online and offline. Your personal brand is your reputation.

Effective personal branding is essential for all job seekers, as it not only makes you stand out from the crowd to employers and recruiters, but also can increase your job security during your career--by communicating your value as a leader and team player to your organization.

Monster Blog: How can a person decide what his or her personal brand is?

Chris Perry: Your personal brand is the unique and differentiating value that you can bring to an organization, a team, and/or a project, [communicated] in a professionally memorable and consistent manner in all of your actions and outputs, both online and offline, to all current and prospective stakeholders in your career.

Here are a several steps to help you create your personal brand:

    1. Write down your differentiating strengths (those you feel make you stand out from the rest).

    2. Ask your friends, family, colleagues, and managers to do the same.

    3. Identify the top three to five strengths that you feel will support the career direction you want to pursue.

    4. Create or find a word or phrase that can become your personal brand and that represents these strengths. (Note that you should ensure that your word or phrase is versatile and can change with your career direction.)

    5. Develop a short pitch [what some experts call an "elevator speech"] that builds on your brand, describing your strengths in more detail.

Monster Blog: Then how does someone use that brand in a job search?

Chris Perry: Here are a few of the ways that you can build and communicate your personal brand both online and in-person:

•     Create a LinkedIn profile and follow the suggested steps to complete your profile, making sure you include your personal brand and pitch in your subtitle and summary sections.
•     Consider creating a personal website or blog where you can house all of your information, including your brand, experience, education, skills, honors, entrepreneurial efforts, and more.
•     Include your personal brand on your resume, cover letter, business cards, email signature, and voicemail message, as well as across your other social networks, such as Twitter and Facebook.
•     Conduct informational interviews with target network contacts (whether or not you're seeking a job) and share your personal brand with them in your introductions.
•     Join associations or networking groups within your industry and try attending their events to meet new contacts and build your target network.  Be sure to share your personal brand with those new contacts you meet.

-- Check back next week for more tips from Chris Perry, on how to maintain your personal brand over time. If you have more questions on creating a personal brand, let us know in the comments section, and we will try to include answers in next week's blog post.

Chris Perry, MBA, is a Gen-Y brand and marketing generator, an ambitious entrepreneur, and a career-search and personal-branding expert. Perry is the founder of Career Rocketeer; its partner efforts, including Launchpad; and other online career services and communities, such as MBA Highway.

For last week's Monster+HotJobs poll, I asked people, "Do you think that you can be yourself at work?" And although most of the 3,660 respondents said that they changed their behavior or personality at least slightly on the job, 27 percent said they were "exactly the same at home and at work."

Here are the rest of the results:

• 26 percent said, "Mostly: I change my behavior slightly at work."
• 18 percent said, "Somewhat: The 'work me' is still recognizably me."
• 12 percent said, "A little: I rarely let the real me show at work."
• 17 percent said, "Not at all: I'm an entirely different person at work."

Of course, the ability to "be yourself" depends a lot on the job you have. Many jobs require uniforms or at least have a dress code--which can certainly cramp personal style. Many jobs require speaking in a different way--and have their own industry-specific jargon. And I've always felt that giving presentations (a part of many jobs) requires a little bit of "acting." I am definitely not entirely myself when I'm presenting to a large group of people.

Also, an ability to be yourself depends on who you are. If you're an outspoken pessimist, if you're very shy, if you have a colorful (ahem) vocabulary, or if you have a quick temper, modifying your behavior at work is likely a good idea.

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with the aforementioned traits--I think we're all trying to find a balance between personal and professional in our work lives, and doing so can be tricky. On one hand, we want to be genuine and authentic. On the other, we also have to woo clients, appease bosses, and earn respect from peers.

Are you yourself at work? How do you do it--or what parts of your personality do you change? Do you think the numbers in this poll seem about right? Share your comments, or find me on Twitter to discuss this poll or anything related to the workplace.

* With thanks to the band The Fixx for this week's post title.

National Boss's Day is coming up on October 16, and we're planning a lot of activities to celebrate bosses.

First, to honor all the great bosses out there, we're collecting their names for a soon-to-be-published "Wall of Fame." To nominate your boss, simply tweet his or her name and city, as well as why he or she is awesome--with the hashtag #tweetyourboss. Or visit us on Facebook to tag your boss and post a tribute.

But we recognize that not all bosses deserve public applause. If you're stuck with a not-so-great boss, we've got help: Read "How to Cope with a Toxic Boss." And don't miss tips on building a better relationship with your boss.

We're also doing a fun survey on boss personality types. Think of your current (or most recent) boss and take the survey (we'll be sharing results in an upcoming blog post)--choose your boss's personality type and click on Done:

For last week's Monster+HotJobs poll, we asked you how you felt about developing friendships with your coworkers. More than 5,200 people responded, and here are the results:

• 8 percent say developing friendships is extremely important--a must.
• 29 percent say friendships are very important--they make work a lot more pleasant.
• 44 percent are lukewarm on the matter--they think work friends are nice, but they don't force the issue.
• 19 percent say friendships at work are "a little" important or not at all important. Don't bother these folks with your birthday cake and watercooler gossip: they came here to work!

And the solid majority in the middle here probably have the right idea. Many experts suggest that being friendly at work is important to getting ahead--but they say that being too friendly can hurt you in the long run. Think of it this way: There's the person who stops by office birthday parties for some cake and pleasant chit-chat. And then there's the person who's so busy organizing daily after-work "happy hours" that he lets work deadlines slip. Who do you think is likelier to see a promotion?

Of course, a lot depends on where you work. But as a recent Book of Odds blog post points out, people see definite advantages to workplace friendships--for instance, enhanced teamwork and better morale (and don't forget the value of turning ex-coworkers into friendly network contacts).

On the other hand, some people see disadvantages, such as favoritism. In "Friends vs. Friendly," Monster.com experts provide advice on making friendships at work, work.

Wondering whom to make friends with? Read "Five Friends You Should Have at Work." And don't miss "Beware of Workplace Frenemies," for tips on avoiding false friends at the office.

How do you feel about friendships in the workplace? Share your thoughts in the comments section, or find me on Twitter and let me know.

Jones New York has recently posted an online book you've got to check out. Called "The Little Black Book of Career Advice," it's a collection of career advice, wisdom, and humor from more than 100 of the world's most influential and interesting women. (But you don't have to be a woman to benefit from the great advice here.)

With a forward by Dee Dee Myers, a former White House press secretary and the author of "Why Women Should Rule the World," this collection provides not only pithy aphorisms and words of encouragement, but also these women's empowering, true stories of success--in their own words.

Find out what Sandra Bernhard thinks is the key to joy in life, which qualities Arianna Huffington is trying to instill in her daughters, and what life lessons Donna Brazile draws from cooking. From CEOs and inventors to world-famous artists, the women here offer a wide variety of perspectives--share "The Little Black Book of Career Advice" with friends and colleagues whenever they need words of encouragement.

We're also partnering with Jones New York to promote its "How to Wear It" series--it's got a walk-in closet's worth of great advice on workplace style. And we want to hear your tips on dressing for success. Send a tweet with the hashtag #monsterstyle; we'll be collecting the top tweets and publishing them in an upcoming blog post.

You may also want to check out this collection of stories about dressing for success at a job interview.

This week, ABC began trotting out its lineup of stars who will be competing in the new season of "Dancing with the Stars." Among those taking to the dance floor: Bristol Palin, daughter of former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, and on-again/off-again love interest of Levi Johnston. As more cast announcements leak, only one star will take home the coveted "Dancing" trophy, while the rest head back to their day jobs. To help you get ahead in your career, check out this week’s top 5 stories from the world of job seeking you might have missed:

5. Why an MBA Is a Waste of Time and Money: Wondering if an MBA will help you find your next job? Penelope Trunk explains what an MBA will -- and won’t -- do for your career.

4. Wow! Was That a Marathon or an Interview?: Was your last interview a race or a marathon? CareerRealism-approved expert Ben Eubanks gives you three tips to train for your next interview.

3. Light Your Fire! A Matchbox of Ways to Get Motivated: Many people know what they should do to jump-start their job search: get serious about a career path, network, start saving money and the list goes on. Yet many people can't seem to begin the process. Marty Nemko highlights some ways he and his clients have gotten started and accomplished their goals.

2. Military-to-Civilian Job Search: If you're leaving the military and getting ready to look for a job in the civilian world, you may need some basic training on how to present your resume and military skills in a way that will translate to civilian employers. Check out these articles to learn how you can be all you can be in the civilian job market.

1. Unemployment Was 'a Blessing,' Says Former Autoworker: Greg Kaminski's story sounds like many others. He graduated from high school, got a job in his hometown and got laid off. But what he did after that layoff was extraordinary and is now helping others create positive change in his Indiana community. Check out Greg’s story on The Huffington Post and get inspired to make some change of your own during unemployment.

Which of these was your favorite? What did we miss? Let us know in the comments below.

For more must-read content, check out the Monster 5: Works Edition for this week’s top articles from the world of talent management.

It’s down to the last three candidates, and now you have to wait for the team to vote. No, we’re not talking about your job hunt -- we’re talking politics. As the political races heat up across the country this week, get ahead on your job search campaign with the top 5 stories from the world of job seeking you might have missed:

5. Waiting For: Looking for something new? Want to try a different career? Chris Brogan tells his story and what you should do to get ahead. (Hint: Just do it!)

4. Ask the Career Expert: Spicing Up Your Resume: Want to know how to make your resume stand out? Excelle, a community for career-minded women, invited J.T. O’Donnell to answer that question for one of its readers.

3. 15 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Making a Major Career Change: Considering a career change? Ask yourself these questions from Chrissy Scivicque to get down to what really matters and make this transition work for you.

2. Secrets to Finding a Job Online: Check out this roundup of expert tips over at Forbes Woman to see how social media and other online tools can enhance your job search by letting you show off and stand out.

1. Top Reasons Resumes Are Rejected – You’re Overqualified: You’ve sent in your resume, and just heard what you were dreading -- you’re overqualified. EmploymentDigest explains what this really means and how you can overcome it.

Which of these was your favorite? What did we miss? Let us know in the comments below.

For more must-read content, check out the Monster 5: Works Edition for this week’s top articles from the world of talent management.

It’s down to the last three candidates, and now you have to wait for the team to vote. No, we’re not talking about your job hunt -- we’re talking politics. As the political races heat up across the country this week, get ahead on your job search campaign with the top 5 stories from the world of job seeking you might have missed:

5. Waiting For: Looking for something new? Want to try a different career? Chris Brogan tells his story and what you should do to get ahead. (Hint: Just do it!)

4. Ask the Career Expert: Spicing Up Your Resume: Want to know how to make your resume stand out? Excelle, a community for career-minded women, invited J.T. O’Donnell to answer that question for one of its readers.

3. 15 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Making a Major Career Change: Considering a career change? Ask yourself these questions from Chrissy Scivicque to get down to what really matters and make this transition work for you.

2. Secrets to Finding a Job Online: Check out this roundup of expert tips over at Forbes Woman to see how social media and other online tools can enhance your job search by letting you show off and stand out.

1. Top Reasons Resumes Are Rejected – You’re Overqualified: You’ve sent in your resume, and just heard what you were dreading -- you’re overqualified. EmploymentDigest explains what this really means and how you can overcome it.

Which of these was your favorite? What did we miss? Let us know in the comments below.

For more must-read content, check out the Monster 5: Works Edition for this week’s top articles from the world of talent management.

Today's post is by Ashley Melo, Monster's public relations intern:

Doug Hardy, co-author of three books in the Monster Careers series and former Monster.com editor-in-chief, recently released Six Fundamentals to Building a Lifelong Career. Hardy’s objective is to move people from urgent job searches to lifelong career management. He offers six fundamentals to inspire people to take command of their careers. In fact, alongside Monster.com, he hopes to inspire people to improve their lives. Here's what Hardy has to say about how the six fundamentals can help everyone inspire, prosper and succeed.

What made you want to write this book? What was your inspiration?

In 12 years of talking to job seekers, I’ve observed that much of the frustration in the job search comes from the incorrect assumption that there is some trick to it. Everybody wants a miracle -- a new job to magically appear. It doesn’t work that way, but if you develop short daily habits you can have a quicker, more effective transition to a new job. I wanted to put this inspiration in the form of a short book because like any real practice, it’s not something you learn in one day. It is something you gain in short, easy practices.

Is there one most important fundamental out of the six fundamentals? If so, which is it?

The most important is probably the first. The first says from now on managing your career is your job. The trouble is, people start a job search, get a job and then they stop. To take career management as a lifelong series of habits rather than a periodic response to losing a job leads to a more successful career in the long run.

How does one truly integrate these six daily habits that every working person needs to take command of in his or her career? Would you say it’s appropriate to call it a lifestyle change?

Yes, good choice of words. In the introduction I say most bad job searches are like yo-yo dieting. You diet for a little while, it’s painful, you lose weight, but six months later you’ve gained back the weight. The best way to stay healthy for life is to eat right and exercise every day. The same principle applies to career management. If you take on the six habits just a little bit every day, you will find that new opportunities and growth in your current job just seem to start happening.

How is the dynamic different between those people frustrated with their current employment and those who are jobless and desperately looking for employment?

Surveys show that people who are currently employed and frustrated, waiting and looking for the next opportunity, comprise a big part of the workforce right now. Their job now is to integrate specific advice in Six Fundamentals to Building a Lifelong Career into their daily routine. One way to get started is to keep a detailed log of work accomplishments at work. Doing that and updating your resume will take one hour versus three days. Keeping email job alerts active on Monster tells you who is hiring.

Monster has always published traditional books. Why an ebook?

We wanted to get this into the hands of job seekers as soon as possible. Typical publishing takes about 18 months from start to finish. Amazon published this book a month after the manuscript was finished.  You can read it anywhere -- on the Kindle, your computer and many mobile devices. We wanted advice that was short, easy, quickly available and extremely flexible for the job seeker or reader. I think we succeeded.

The book is available exclusively in digital format in the Amazon Kindle Store. Read an excerpt here.

This week, disgruntled employees dominated the headlines, most notably a JetBlue flight attendant who took his job and shoved it in dramatic fashion and another who quit by emailing a series of photos on a dry erase board (which later turned out to be a hoax). These infamously unemployed media stars will clearly be looking for new jobs, so they (and you) should check out the top 5 stories from the world of job seeking you might have missed:

5. How to Job Search at Work (Without Getting Caught): It’s hard enough to keep up with a demanding boss and your never-ending to-do list, but finding a new job at the same time can make even the most organized person feel a little crazed. Nicole Williams offers five tips to help you manage a job search while you work.

4. How Old is Too Old? Experience is an advantage when you’re job hunting, right? Maybe not. Alison Doyle explains what employee discrimination is and how you can combat it in your job search.

3. Taking Control of Your Privacy Settings: You’ve heard the stories about Facebook photos leading to people getting canned or never even hired. Susan Kennedy breaks down Facebook’s new privacy settings so you can protect yourself in your job search.

2. Improve at Saving Money Post-College: You finally landed a job. Great! But how are you going to live on an entry-level salary? Jim Armstrong on the Brand-Yourself blog gives the how and why of making your cash last.

1. How a Professional Trainer's 5 Principles of Strength Can Boost Your Job Search: How can you apply the principles of an effective workout to your job search? Melissa C. Martin gives five ways to strengthen your job search strategy with this advice from a trainer.

Which of these was your favorite? What did we miss? Let us know in the comments below

Today's post is by Ashley Melo, Monster's public relations intern:

With all the hype surrounding Ellen DeGeneres leaving American Idol, it might be time for Randy and Kara to prepare to job hunt.  These top 5 articles from the world of job seeking might help!

Here’s a look at this week's top 5 stories from the world of job seeking:

5. Interview Questions Guaranteed to Make You Hurl: Have you ever been stumped with a ridiculous interview question? Mark Jaffe recounts the tale of an advertising executive who was asked, “If you were a breakfast cereal, what kind would you be?" How would you answer?

4. Introvert or Extrovert? Tips for Job Search No Matter Which ‘Vert’ You Are: Whether you're reserved or outgoing, Erin Kennedy gives us an inside look on how to utilize your strengths as an introvert or extrovert in your job search.

3. Ace the Job Interview with "Why?" -- Not "How?" Executive career coach Meg Montford offers advice on what kinds of questions job seekers should ask during an interview.  

2. Take Advantage of Downtime at Work: Do you have some unexpected free time at work? Roberta Chinsky Matuson says to use it on one -- or all -- of these six career-boosting activities.  

1. Three Ways for Job Seekers to Gain Inside Company Information: While most candidates know how important it is to research a company before an interview, publicly available information isn’t enough to keep a job seeker above the competition. Phil Rosenberg offers three ways to get inside information about a company and get an edge.

For more must-read content, check out the Monster 5: Works Edition for this week’s top articles from the world of talent management.

Which of these was your favorite? What did we miss? Let us know in the comments below.

If you’re having trouble creating a compelling case about why you’re making the move, you might be better off exploring another path or focusing on advancing your current career. While technology can help with exploring new careers, it can’t decide which path is right for you. That’s your job.

It’s Friday, and we’re spotlighting five more articles we consider to be must-reads for job seekers this week. 

Here are the top 5 stories from the world of job seeking you might have missed:

5. A Hiring Manager Perspective: Do's and Don’ts of Applying to an Internship: Wondering what the hiring manager is really thinking? Get inside the head of hiring manager Chris Brablc as he explains what really stands out when reviewing the resumes and cover letters of internship candidates.

4. 10 Interview Styles That Make My Blood Run Cold by Tim Tyrell-Smith: Review these interview styles so you know what NOT to do in your next interview.

3. The Weirdest Job Interview Questions and How to Handle Them: You’ve prepared everything for the interview from company background research to news results. You’re ready for any question they could ask -- or are you? Susan Adams from Forbes magazine explains how to prepare for the weirdest questions you could be asked.

2. Top 10 Annoying Habits at Work: Don’t be "that guy" at work. Beverly West outlines the annoying habits you should avoid.

1. Some Assembly Required: Wondering why you aren’t getting a call back after applying to a job online? Dawn Bugni asks whether you're following the directions.

Which of these was your favorite? What did we miss? Let us know in the comments below.

We’re back this Friday spotlighting five new articles we consider to be must-reads for job seekers this week. 

Here are the top 5 stories from the world of job seeking you might have missed:

5. Resume Tips for Job Fair Success: Check out this piece by Kim Isaacs to learn tips and tricks for networking, finding job leads and making the best impression at a job fair.

4. Addressing Salary Requirements in a Cover Letter: Ever felt uncomfortable addressing salary requirements in a cover letter? Overcome this challenge with these tips from Jessica Hernandez.

3. Great Questions to Ask in the Interview: You know you’re supposed to ask questions in the interview but what should you ask and why? Susan Kennedy gives examples of questions to ask to get the real picture of the company and its culture.

2. Reverse Googling: Interview Prep Strategy: Never thought to try this? Dan Klamm explains why having basic knowledge about your interviewer will help you make a positive impression and build stronger rapport during your interview or meeting.

1. 7 Steps to Succeeding in Corporate America: Don Sabatini on the CareerRocketeer blog highlights some key areas you can focus on to ensure you can excel in corporate America.

For more must-read content, check out the Monster 5: Works Edition for this week’s top articles from the world of talent management.

Which of these was your favorite? What did we miss? Let us know in the comments below.

Every Friday, we’re spotlighting five articles we consider to be must-reads for job seekers.

Here are the top 5 stories from the world of job seeking you might have missed:

5. Is Any Job Better Than No Job? Career bloggers and other experts sound off on the NYTimes Blog, discussing the question weighing on the mind of every unemployed job seeker in this economy: Is any job better than no job?

4. Best Cities for Jobs by Dona DeZube: Planning to move to find your next job? Consider these growing cities.

3. Four Secrets of Grabbing the Recruiter’s Attention in Your Cover Letter: This post from the CareerBright blog gives you four easy-to-follow tips to get noticed with your cover letter.

2. Standing Out in a Job Search: Having trouble figuring our what hiring managers want to hear? Joshua Waldman showcases why it’s important to tell an interviewer (and everyone you network with) not only who you are, but who you aren’t.

1. What Kind of Writing Sample Do Employers Want To See? The hiring manager just asked for a writing sample -- what should you do? Alison Green tells you the dos and don’ts of this crucial element in the job application.

Which of these was your favorite? What did we miss? Let us know in the comments below.

Volunteering can be a great way to network and gain career skills while helping give back to the community. Monster recently teamed up with Points of Light Institute's HandsOn Network as part of our 2010 Keep America Working Tour to deliver volunteer opportunities to job seekers.

We spoke with Veronica Parages, director of skills-based volunteering at HandsOn Network to get more information about how volunteering can benefit your job search. A native of France and cooking enthusiast, Parages is going to take a crack at using cooking as a reference point to answer some questions about her other passion: volunteerism.

Are volunteer organizations looking for a specific age range? Is it better to be older, younger, or can anyone with a passion to help others volunteer?

Any age is perfect. Volunteering on a project is like helping in the kitchen. Even if you don’t know how to cook, everyone has unique skills and talents that can be put to use. The same is true for volunteering. You have skills that can help others -- professional or personal -- and as long as you’re willing to give it a try, volunteer organizations will help you find a project that meets your competencies. 

How can volunteering help a job search?  Does it help with networking? 

Let’s use another cooking reference. Suppose you know a good chef, an expert who was recently laid off during these tough economic times. Without a full-time job, a chef could choose to stay in bed all day. But, because they’re helping the food bank to find new resources, they’re meeting vendors to get some fresh ingredients for free. They feel helpful and productive, and stay engaged in the community. In the process, they meet new people, expanding their network of contacts. A growing network is one way to increase your chances of finding employment, and it all started with volunteering.

How do you see volunteerism playing into a larger career-development strategy?

Chefs aren’t born cooking -- they must learn. Volunteering your expertise, sometimes working completely outside your normal realm, could help you develop leadership skills. Suddenly you’ve got a whole new set of skills to offer an employer and, again, more opportunities to find a new job. Plus, volunteering is a great way to try something new in a low-risk environment. Who knows -- you may find your true passion in the process.

What tips do you have for people who might be volunteering for the first time?

·   Be Open-Minded: Skills-based volunteering is a new world that can give you a lot, but is quite different from a business environment.

·   Nonprofit Organizations Need Help to Provide Help: Here is an example: I was talking to a young volunteer when I discovered he specialized in logistics. He was currently volunteering every Saturday for a food bank delivering meals. He liked what he was doing but was disappointed that the distribution system wasn’t efficient and that he was not delivering to the same families every week. I suggested he offer up his logistics knowledge to the food bank to help reorganize the food distribution. His skills and help would be appreciated and he, and the other volunteers, would be able to have more impact as they continued their food deliveries. Be proactive in proposing your talents, skills and knowledge.

·   Be Creative: This is your opportunity. Constraints and lack of resources in the nonprofit sector shouldn’t stop you. Think outside the box, put your "noodles" to work to find solutions.…It is worth it.

What’s the most unique or offbeat volunteer organization you know of? 

HandsOn Network, of course. We are always trying to find new recipes, and skills-based volunteering is just one. We want to connect the right volunteer with the right skills to the right project for a major impact -- how great is that? Contact HandsOn Network at one of its 242 Action Centers across the United States to discover skills-based volunteering initiatives. Or to find the right project for you, check out the HandsOn Network Web site. If you are interested in the subject, the National Conference on Volunteering and Service is offering plenty of opportunities to learn more about skills-based volunteering.

Now, get out there and start cooking -- I mean, volunteering your skills.

Want to learn more about volunteering to develop your professional skills while you’re unemployed? In this video, a HandsOn Network volunteer at the Los Angeles stop of the Keep America Working Tour answers a frequently asked question about volunteering:

How have you leveraged volunteer work in your career or job search? Leave a comment below, and check out these articles:

·   Volunteering Can Boost Skills, Advance Careers

·   Online Volunteering: A Win-Win for Techies, Nonprofits

·   Leverage Volunteer Work on Your Resume

I'm not following the Vancouver Olympics like the folks over at Rings -- I'm a casual observer at best.  

What really gets me while watching the world's best athletes is that a little wobble at the ankle or just missing a target by that much can have a profound effect on what they've been working toward most of their lives. Thank goodness it's not the same for most of us in our jobs. While we don't get do-overs, we often have more than a millisecond to save a sale or produce an amazing product. And if we stumble over our words or trip on our way into the conference room, we can quickly right ourselves. Our colleagues usually want us to succeed, but for Olympians, they are all going for the gold.

And like those gold-seekers, many of us are also pursuing multiple medals, often without realizing it. Whether it's a shining performance review or finishing a major project on deadline, these are little victories that can add up to major accomplishments. So take a tip from the Olympians, and celebrate your wins. And share with us how you go for the gold at work.

I'm not following the Vancouver Olympics like the folks over at Rings -- I'm a casual observer at best.  

What really gets me while watching the world's best athletes is that a little wobble at the ankle or just missing a target by that much can have a profound effect on what they've been working toward most of their lives. Thank goodness it's not the same for most of us in our jobs. While we don't get do-overs, we often have more than a millisecond to save a sale or produce an amazing product. And if we stumble over our words or trip on our way into the conference room, we can quickly right ourselves. Our colleagues usually want us to succeed, but for Olympians, they are all going for the gold.

And like those gold-seekers, many of us are also pursuing multiple medals, often without realizing it. Whether it's a shining performance review or finishing a major project on deadline, these are little victories that can add up to major accomplishments. So take a tip from the Olympians, and celebrate your wins. And share with us how you go for the gold at work.

While I hope Punxsutawney Phil doesn't see his shadow tomorrow (did you know the forecasting groundhog is hip to texting, Facebook and Twitter?), I hope many workplaces see plenty of them -- job shadows, that is!

Yes, February 2nd is Job Shadow Day, which was created to give students across the country a firsthand look at different jobs. I've been shadowed before and have found it to be quite rewarding. What you need to remember is that you are not just doing your job for the student to watch, but you are engaging the student and helping him get excited about the world of work.

Here are four tips to help you host on Job Shadow Day, and if you are a student doing the shadowing, get some tips for making the most of the job shadow experience.

Last week, the Associated Press reported on the Conference Board study that shows only 45% of American workers are satisfied with their jobs -- the lowest level since the group began studying the issue in the late '80s.

According to the AP article, the study found: "Workers have grown steadily more unhappy for a variety of reasons: 

• Fewer workers consider their jobs to be interesting.

• Incomes have not kept up with inflation.

• The soaring cost of health insurance has eaten into workers' take-home pay.

If the job satisfaction trend is not reversed, economists say, it could stifle innovation and hurt America's competitiveness and productivity. And it could make unhappy older workers less inclined to take the time to share their knowledge and skills with younger workers."

So who's at fault for what potentially could be the demise of American productivity and creativity? Is it the employer for not making work and jobs more interesting and rewarding, or is it the employees' fault for not doing the same?

According to a study conducted by Monster.com and the Human Capital Institute last October, a majority of workers believe employers have exploited the recession to get more out of the workforce for less pay and fewer rewards. The press release says that the research "reveals a dramatic difference in how employers and workers perceive the impact of the current recession, potentially leading to employers facing mass talent drains as the labor market begins to turn. The reason -- employers are vastly overrating the morale of their employees as 84 percent of those surveyed indicated a belief that their workforce is content simply to have a job while only 58 percent of workers feel that way."

If you take a look at Grant Cardone's entry on The Huffington Post, he seems to think workers have been a little spoiled in recent history. "There is much more personal responsibility at play here that was obviously not included in the survey's questions," he writes. "The American worker is being forced to face reality for the first time in many years. The fantasy economy is over, the days of just sticking around and your job is secure, pay raises and your tenure gets you promoted is over. The 'toys' of the American worker have been taken away and they are disappointed." Ouch!

So, after reading these harsh words, what can you do? This KATU.com piece suggests following your passion to get on the road to job satisfaction.

Not sure where to start? Check out these resources, and let us know how you feel: Are you satisfied with your work? If not, who's to blame?

• "Discover the Work You Were Born to Do"

• "Passion Can Drive Your Career"

• "Create Your Own Opportunities"

• Explore Potential Career Paths

Success! I have received a job offer from one of the two firms I have been interviewing with. The offer is reasonable in terms of salary and bonus, but, of course, there is more at stake than the total compensation package.

So begins due diligence, part two, where I really take a look under the hood of this company.

The Firm’s Well-Being

Let’s start with my concern about the firm’s technical commitment and support. While waiting in the firm’s lobby for my final interview, I couldn’t help but overhear current employees complain about malfunctioning or non-existent computers. Hopefully, new hires receive new computers.

When I was originally researching this company, I discovered their involvement in a significant patent lawsuit. Perhaps this is the norm in their industry, but how often does a patent issue get escalated to a state Supreme Court? That seems unusual to me for what appears to be an otherwise solid manufacturing firm.

There are bigger picture questions that linger in my mind, too. In particular, a number of skilled folks recently departed the firm in a voluntary downsizing. According to my sources, some of those depleted departments are being “held together with duct tape.” Ironically, the human resources department suffered a 100% voluntary reduction in force. So what motivated many of the key people in this economic downturn to voluntarily leave their jobs? Is there something more at work here?

My Well-Being

No job offer analysis would be complete without taking a hard look at the health insurance benefits. At first blush, it appears there is no dental coverage. Doesn’t the firm care about the whole health of its employees? Despite the fact that I have seen more impressive company-sponsored healthcare plans, it is better than paying through COBRA for coverage.

Perhaps I have been spoiled by past employers who provided both short- and long-term disability. With this firm, I can elect to buy into group long-term disability, but strangely short-term disability coverage is not offered. Fortunately, I am in good health so I don't anticipate the need for any such insurance coverage. But Murphy's Law is always at play.

My Career Advancement

Finally, the intangible: The prospect of no real professional development. While I am grateful to have this job offer letter in hand, I have to consider that this may not be a linear progression at this stage of my career. But since it’s only a niggling factor, perhaps it’s best to ignore it and just get on with my life and new routine.

If you were considering a job offer, what would you want to uncover about your new prospective employer and job?

Over the months, I have taken on some part-time jobs to earn what I can while trying to find permanent full-time employment. Like many other workers in this recession, I have resorted to something called “underemployment.” In this case, it means taking on additional hours or part-time jobs.

One of my underemployment positions has me teaching courses at a local business skill development center. Given my many years of teaching sales and technical folks in all manner of courses, I find this enjoyable, straightforward work. I’ve been leveraging this teaching relationship to find similar opportunities. But full-time work in that vein requires more certifications, which cost time and money. I’d rather use my time -- a precious commodity -- to focus on the job search and full employment.

While underemployment can meet a (hopefully) short-term financial need, there is a psychological component that accompanies this type of work. Being underutilized in the world of work can be crushing from an intellectual standpoint; particularly when you have spent years educating and improving yourself in a business discipline.

To balance this unfulfilling period, you can take steps to stay on top of your discipline. Do research online, read industry journals or join a professional society. For example, I joined the Project Management Institute society while being certified for PMP. Professional societies can offer relevant seminars and provide a forum for thoughtful discussions. Down the road I am confident that this professional self-improvement will pay off in the form of potential work connections.

When you’re underemployed it feels as if one foot is in a warm inviting bath, while your other foot remains on the cold hard tile floor. You don’t belong in one spot or the other. While using some of your skills can get the bills paid, this work doesn’t quite envelop and reward you, like a full bath. For some of my friends, their underemployment involves work that isn’t even related to their professional field. One public relations director is working part-time as a restaurant hostess. A creative director I know mans the customer service desk at a hobby store. Their big toes aren’t even in the warm bath water.

Naturally, you want to find interim underemployment that is in your field. Who knows? It may lead to a full-time position. A few members of my job search networking group have started various consulting assignments that leverage their areas of expertise. While these temporary work arrangements offer intellectual stimulation, my colleagues know they could be let go at a moment’s notice. Conversely, they have the flexibility to leave the consulting assignment should they land a full-time opportunity. It works both ways. For these experts doing the consulting work, it feels like they’re in the bath up to their waist.

Is underemployment playing a role in your job search?