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.

Have you ever had one of those days when you’ve reached the breaking point, wanting to quit your job on the spot, and make a fast exit?

Perhaps, deep down, you've already decided to leave and one incident was just the last straw. Your gut reaction, of course, is to walk away and never look back. This exact situation played out in the life of one career flight attendant, who made national news Monday after an altercation with a passenger aboard a JetBlue flight.

But before you cross the point of no return, is it best to give yourself a time out to rethink? How do you approach this with your manager? What’s next in your career? Should you wait until you’re hired for another job?

So if you’re fed up and thinking about quitting your job, take a moment to read these articles from the Monster.com Career Advice center:

1. Before blurting out “I quit,” think through your job situation and how quitting might affect your future.

2. Not happy at your current job? Does that mean it’s definitely time to quit? Maybe, but it's also important to know why you aren't happy and why it might be time to go.

Have you ever abruptly up and quit a job? What did you do? How did it impact your career? Tell us in the comments field 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.

Today's workers, whether employed or not, are facing a tough situation.

If you're unemployed, you're looking for a job in what is still an extremely tough market. And if you've kept your job, you are likely feeling overworked and underappreciated, convinced that your employer has exploited the economic situation, as indicated in this survey conducted by the Human Capital Institute and Monster Worldwide.

If you're feeling like you're running out of options, have you considered part-time work?

According to this AP article, part-time hiring is not the harbinger of a good job market that it once was, but employers are hiring for temp and part-time jobs. As John Silvia, chief economist at Wells Fargo says in the article, "Companies aren't testing the waters by turning to temporary firms. They just want part-time workers."

Part-time work can offer a number of benefits you may not have considered:

Flexibility: Part-time jobs offer the flexibility that a full-time job does not. Perhaps a part-time job and the more open -- or nontraditional -- schedule it affords might allow you to bring in cash while devoting time to further education. Or, you can use that available time to save money by cutting down some of your childcare or eldercare expenses.

Ease Back into the Workforce: This recession has seen its share of retirees, stay-at-home moms and others trying to reenter the workforce. Roles have shifted, and getting back to 40 hours a week may seem daunting. Reentering in a part-time role can allow you to ease your way back in.

Test Drive Your Options: Taking on a new job in a part-time capacity allows you to check out the employer and position as much as you are being tested. You might be able -- and willing -- to take some chances in something that is less permanent. It could ultimately drive your career forward.

Piece Together Your Perfect Career: Who says it has to be one person/one job? Look to a number of part-time jobs to piece together a career that works for you. This is especially enticing if you have varied interests and abilities.

So what do you think? Could part-time work be for you, or have you already been using it as a lifeline during this downturn?

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.

Word on the street is that work couples are going public. Office romance, once considered taboo, has become much more acceptable in the workplace. In fact, in a recent Monster.com poll, only 24% of respondents said flat-out that workplace romance is never acceptable. And this article from LiveCareer.com says the recession is fueling some of this love at work.

Personally, I know at least five married couples whose relationships began in the workplace. Their approaches to dating a coworker were all different -- some kept it quiet the entire time they worked together, and others were open about it from the beginning. The one thing they all did was keep it professional.

Some Monster members posted their own office romance tales on our Office Politics message board. One member, who worked for a company with a strict no-dating policy met her husband at work. She declares:  "When it comes down to it, no company can stop the love thing." And another Monster member broke her own rule, as she had been against office romances. "I'd never take it back, because he's amazing and we're getting married, but I do have a horror story as well," she writes. It turns out that coworkers weren't as excited about the couple's decision and it negatively impacted their careers. If you are in a relationship with someone you work with or are thinking about dating a coworker, check out our Guide to Office Romance, filled with tips and things to consider before you make your move.

And with Valentine's Day this Sunday, coworker dating is not the only way love manifests itself in the workplace. Don't forget about all the harried mailroom workers making sure candy, flowers and other gifts make their way to the appropriate recipients. At a former job, my now-husband and a coworker's suitor had a friendly competition: who will send their honey the bigger and better gifts at work? The first day I received flowers and the next day my coworker received a half-dozen multicolored roses. Hearing about this, the next day my guy sent me a dozen roses, followed by my coworker receiving candy. As my coworker and I were showered with gifts, it became an office joke. And as the ante was upped, everyone benefited from the chocolate-covered strawberries and gourmet cheesecake. I'm not sure how it all stopped, but it eventually did, and we all went back to work.

So what are your thoughts on office romance and celebrating love at work in one way or another?

Last week, I promised to look at how the 2010 Super Bowl commercials tackled the office, and this year it just didn't happen like last year. Perhaps we're all looking for a more optimistic time, and the anger towards the workplace we saw in last year's commercials is not something we want to be reminded of on a weekend when we're watching football -- or commercials -- with friends.

But I'm sure that doesn't mean there wasn't plenty of talk around the watercooler about the Super Bowl ads at your work. In fact, the first IMs I received this morning were about Monster.com's ad (of course) and the Busy Fiddler's Web site.

You can see the Super Bowl ads ranked here on USA Today's Ad Meter -- and it also gives you a chance to see any spots you may have missed.

So which Super Bowl commercials made it to the top of your list? What was the buzz in your office?

Pass the chips and dip, because this weekend I'm ready to hunker down to watch the Super Bowl commercials. I'm sure the action between the Colts and the Saints will be exciting, but for me it's secondary to the ads surrounding all the plays and touchdowns.

In preparation for the event, I've been revisiting some of my favorite Super Bowl commercials from years past. And I am noticing that work is often the main topic or setting for many of these ads. How come?

Take this list of the most memorable Super Bowl spots. Monster.com's "When I Grow Up" earns a mention -- who didn't feel for those kids? Reebok's "Terry Tate: Office Linebacker" also made the list -- it still cracks me up; I can't watch it just once.

In Time's "Best and Worst Super Bowl Commercials of 2009," the author notes: "The night's theme of workplace anxiety is established." He goes on to list the following work-related Super Bowl commercials as a reflection of how American workers felt a year ago:

     - Monster.com's "Doubletake"
     - Bud Light's "Meeting"
     - Doritos' "Crystal Ball"
     - Hyundai Genesis's "Angry Bosses"

Just what makes work such a comical setting? Probably for the same reasons the workplace is the focus of so many sitcoms. Whether you work in an office or not, Americans have a good idea of what it might be like, clichés included. It's a bit of storytelling shorthand, which is especially important in a 30-second spot.

So what can you expect to see in this year's Super Bowl commercials? Get a sneak peek at Monster's new Super bowl ad.

Let's regroup here next week for a look at how the world of work manifests itself in this year's Super Bowl commercials. And in the meantime, share some of your favorite ads from Super Bowls past below.

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.

After a failed prime-time slot for Jay Leno, NBC wants to put him back in his old spot, which has been occupied, briefly, by Conan O'Brien. The two talk-show hosts have been using their monologues -- and the rest of their shows -- to duke it out. Meanwhile, Americans speculate and NBC -- and its lawyers, I'm sure -- make some final decisions.

The whole situation makes me wonder: How would this play out in an actual workplace? If Company X promotes Susie to a new job and then promotes Bill to Susie's old job, what happens if Susie just doesn't do well? I'd think it would be toxic to take Bill's promotion away from him in order to put Susie back where she belongs. Would the company just work with Susie to make her more successful? It seems like more of the onus needs to be on the manager who made all the changes rather than on the workers who were moved around. Note: Jay Leno is publicly saying the ordeal is not his fault.

According to TheCelebrityCafe.com, this is NBC's plan: "…an agreement seems in sight between the network and O’Brien. What seems to be the deal so far according to ABCNews.com is that O’Brien would leave NBC with a severance payment between $30 and $40 million and go to another network, allowing Leno to reclaim his late night spot. The “Tonight Show” staff, many of whom came with O’Brien from New York, would get severance and contract buy-out packages."

With all the mudslinging that has been going on between O'Brien and Leno, in blogs and on other late-night shows, I'm glad nothing about my work or job searches has ever been on TV. In a down market, job searching and keeping your job has been tough enough. Have you been part of an unsuccessful job swap, competition or reorganization?

After a failed prime-time slot for Jay Leno, NBC wants to put him back in his old spot, which has been occupied, briefly, by Conan O'Brien. The two talk-show hosts have been using their monologues -- and the rest of their shows -- to duke it out. Meanwhile, Americans speculate and NBC -- and its lawyers, I'm sure -- make some final decisions.

The whole situation makes me wonder: How would this play out in an actual workplace? If Company X promotes Susie to a new job and then promotes Bill to Susie's old job, what happens if Susie just doesn't do well? I'd think it would be toxic to take Bill's promotion away from him in order to put Susie back where she belongs. Would the company just work with Susie to make her more successful? It seems like more of the onus needs to be on the manager who made all the changes rather than on the workers who were moved around. Note: Jay Leno is publicly saying the ordeal is not his fault.

According to TheCelebrityCafe.com, this is NBC's plan: "…an agreement seems in sight between the network and O’Brien. What seems to be the deal so far according to ABCNews.com is that O’Brien would leave NBC with a severance payment between $30 and $40 million and go to another network, allowing Leno to reclaim his late night spot. The “Tonight Show” staff, many of whom came with O’Brien from New York, would get severance and contract buy-out packages."

With all the mudslinging that has been going on between O'Brien and Leno, in blogs and on other late-night shows, I'm glad nothing about my work or job searches has ever been on TV. In a down market, job searching and keeping your job has been tough enough. Have you been part of an unsuccessful job swap, competition or reorganization?

Amidst all the news about hiring freezes and drops in job openings, a couple of positive stories on hiring caught my eye this week.

First, the auto industry. According to Monica Gerson's post on Benzinga.com, "American automakers are finally seeing signs of revival, with General Motors planning to reopen some factories in an effort to meet rising demand. GM closed 14 factories over the past couple of years. Meanwhile, Chrysler is poised to hire engineers  and product development workers."

And in hospitality news, BusinessWeek reports that the upscale international chain Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, which owns the Sheraton, Westin and W Hotel brands, will be adding more than 12,000 jobs in 2010 -- half of which will be in the US. The article reports that "the jobs will be in fields such as general management, human resources, food and beverage, engineering and maintenance, housekeeping, spa and guest services." Many of the positions will be created by the opening of new hotels this year. Check out our 2010 hospitality hiring forecast for more information on what's in store this year.

This is definitely good news for the job market. Do you think these are some isolated cases, or could the economy really be turning around?

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

What did you resolve to do in 2010? Did you start yet, or, like the people I overheard at the grocery store, did you wait until the first business week of the new year to begin?

Here's my professional life resolution: I'd like to be better at networking. I know, I write about this stuff for a living, but everyone could use a little improvement.

Being better at networking -- like numerous other resolutions -- is pretty open and a little vague, so where do I begin? I've looked up some best practices to help myself and hopefully you too.

5 Tips for Keeping Your New Year's Resolutions

Announce Your Intentions

A recent Wall Street Journal article recommends publicly proclaiming what you plan to do. This reminds me of a morning news program that showed public embarrassment is the number one motivator in weight loss. Six people committed to losing a certain amount of weight by a specific date, or else they had to wear bathing suits on national TV. All of them lost the set amount, and many of them exceeded it. By following this approach your commitment is made to others as well.

Take It One Step at a Time

The WSJ piece also discusses the need to break your resolutions down. Staring at one major goal can make it seem so insurmountable that you will likely give up before you get started. So if I start my commitment by identifying networking groups and events, that first step triggers a feeling of accomplishment and will help to keep me going.

Get Better Friends

This tip is from a Time article on Yahoo! and is based on the premise that we imitate the people around us. The article reads: "…the latest research shows that things like happiness, quitting smoking and obesity can spread like a contagion through social networks. So, surround yourself with friends who can also be role models. 'Make sure that people you hang out with are people who look and act the way you would like to. Social imitation is the easiest form not only of flattery but of self-improvement,' says Stanton Peele, author of Seven Tools to Beat Addiction."

Schedule It

Jodi Lipper and Cerina Vincent's "How to Keep Your New Year's Resolution (Without Feeling Tortured)" article on The Huffington Post acknowledges how busy people are today. "It's not enough to just say that you're going to take up jogging or always take off your makeup at night before passing out," they write. "It's not even enough to write it down. Instead, take a look at your life, find the free time that's hiding in tiny chunks here and there, and make a new schedule for yourself that includes which days you'll be getting up early to take a jog before work and what time you need to turn off Conan to take off that damn mascara."

Don't Be Upset by Setbacks

New year's resolutions are tough, otherwise we wouldn't need to make them. According to Psych Central, "…if you know ahead of time that there are going to be times in which your resolve weakens or you don't live up to a certain step or schedule you've set, it can help when it does happen. It's a part of the process and means nothing more than a temporary setback. Putting such temporary setbacks into their proper perspective can help you move beyond them and put them behind you." So counting on these lapses will get you closer to achieving your goals.

USA.gov has a list of the most popular new year's resolutions, each linking to resources that can help you fulfill them. And if one of your new year's resolutions includes improving your work life, check out our special report: Kick-Start Your Career This Year. Good luck, and let us know how it goes!

What did you resolve to do in 2010? Did you start yet, or, like the people I overheard at the grocery store, did you wait until the first business week of the new year to begin?

Here's my professional life resolution: I'd like to be better at networking. I know, I write about this stuff for a living, but everyone could use a little improvement.

Being better at networking -- like numerous other resolutions -- is pretty open and a little vague, so where do I begin? I've looked up some best practices to help myself and hopefully you too.

5 Tips for Keeping Your New Year's Resolutions

Announce Your Intentions

A recent Wall Street Journal article recommends publicly proclaiming what you plan to do. This reminds me of a morning news program that showed public embarrassment is the number one motivator in weight loss. Six people committed to losing a certain amount of weight by a specific date, or else they had to wear bathing suits on national TV. All of them lost the set amount, and many of them exceeded it. By following this approach your commitment is made to others as well.

Take It One Step at a Time

The WSJ piece also discusses the need to break your resolutions down. Staring at one major goal can make it seem so insurmountable that you will likely give up before you get started. So if I start my commitment by identifying networking groups and events, that first step triggers a feeling of accomplishment and will help to keep me going.

Get Better Friends

This tip is from a Time article on Yahoo! and is based on the premise that we imitate the people around us. The article reads: "…the latest research shows that things like happiness, quitting smoking and obesity can spread like a contagion through social networks. So, surround yourself with friends who can also be role models. 'Make sure that people you hang out with are people who look and act the way you would like to. Social imitation is the easiest form not only of flattery but of self-improvement,' says Stanton Peele, author of Seven Tools to Beat Addiction."

Schedule It

Jodi Lipper and Cerina Vincent's "How to Keep Your New Year's Resolution (Without Feeling Tortured)" article on The Huffington Post acknowledges how busy people are today. "It's not enough to just say that you're going to take up jogging or always take off your makeup at night before passing out," they write. "It's not even enough to write it down. Instead, take a look at your life, find the free time that's hiding in tiny chunks here and there, and make a new schedule for yourself that includes which days you'll be getting up early to take a jog before work and what time you need to turn off Conan to take off that damn mascara."

Don't Be Upset by Setbacks

New year's resolutions are tough, otherwise we wouldn't need to make them. According to Psych Central, "…if you know ahead of time that there are going to be times in which your resolve weakens or you don't live up to a certain step or schedule you've set, it can help when it does happen. It's a part of the process and means nothing more than a temporary setback. Putting such temporary setbacks into their proper perspective can help you move beyond them and put them behind you." So counting on these lapses will get you closer to achieving your goals.

USA.gov has a list of the most popular new year's resolutions, each linking to resources that can help you fulfill them. And if one of your new year's resolutions includes improving your work life, check out our special report: Kick-Start Your Career This Year. Good luck, and let us know how it goes!

Forecasters of every ilk have been consulting their tea leaves, crystal balls, magic mirrors and what have you to predict what's in store for the 2010 job market. Here's some of what I've uncovered:

More Companies Hiring, But More Job Seekers Applying

According to this article from CNBC.com, the new year will bring a decrease in the unemployment rate. While that is good news, the bad news is that after such a tough 2009, the competition for those open positions will be fierce.

Be Ready to Jump in Feet First

The Keppie Careers blog says that job seekers need to be ready to collaborate and be a part of the team if they want to successfully land a job in 2010. "What are employers looking for? Someone who can come in and FIT in. Someone willing to roll up their proverbial sleeves and get the work done," reads the blog post.

Gray Skies Are Going to Clear Up

The Economist provides forecasting for 15 different global industries. You can see the in-depth information here, but here is a breakdown:

Partly Cloudy

·         Automotive

·         Consumer goods

·         Financial services

·         Media

·         Travel and tourism

Fair

·         Energy

·         Entertainment

·         Food and farming

·         Healthcare

·         Information technology

·         Property and construction

·         Raw materials

·         Telecommunications

Partly Sunny

·         Defense

Sunny

·         E-commerce

Here is Monster's roundup of hiring and salary forecasts for more than eight different industries. What are your predictions for the 2010 job market?

When I took some time off last week, I actually went to the movies. For full-time working parents, you know this is a luxury. And with all the critical acclaim, I felt I had to see Up in the Air.

Going in, I didn't really know what the film was about. Just that it came from the director of Juno, which I loved, and that it just might be the best movie of the year. I was surprised to find out that the story centers on people who travel the country laying people off -- for other companies.

Despite the focus on George Clooney's character, I couldn't let go of the vignettes of the people getting laid off. The dialogue around the "layoff as an opportunity" stuck with me too. In the real world, does that actually make people feel better? And I wondered: Any other year, any other time, would the movie hold the weight it does now? How much does the timeliness play into its acclaim? If it were to come out a year from now, would it just seem quirky?

And then I kept thinking about the film's title. It's a great way to sum up the end of 2009: We're not sure when the job market will get better or what is in store for 2010. Whether we've experienced layoffs ourselves or have someone close to us who has, we can only hope that the hardship of 2009 will make way for better things in the New Year. But until we see the concrete proof, we are up in the air.

In honor of those few staffing their offices this holiday season, this poem is for you:

'Twas the week before Christmas, when all through the office
Not a creature was stirring, except for my mouse.
Surfing the Web for bargains with care,
In hopes that free shipping offers still would be there.

My coworkers are probably all snug in their beds,
It's 9 a.m. and they're still resting their heads.
While I am at work on a skeleton crew,
Covering for them and taking on their to-dos.

It's hard here at work without the usual clatter,
Where getting motivated can be what's the matter.
But without interruptions I get work done in a flash,
And then focus my energies on planning my bash.

The copies are done and the Post-Its in place,
Assuring I've completed the tasks -- gee I'm an ace!
But being alone here with my boss out of sight,
Maybe today will be an early good-night.

Here's is Clement C. Moore's original poem in its entirety.

Check out this article if you are holding down the fort and managing work while your coworkers are out.

Happy holidays!

In honor of those few staffing their offices this holiday season, this poem is for you:

'Twas the week before Christmas, when all through the office
Not a creature was stirring, except for my mouse.
Surfing the Web for bargains with care,
In hopes that free shipping offers still would be there.

My coworkers are probably all snug in their beds,
It's 9 a.m. and they're still resting their heads.
While I am at work on a skeleton crew,
Covering for them and taking on their to-dos.

It's hard here at work without the usual clatter,
Where getting motivated can be what's the matter.
But without interruptions I get work done in a flash,
And then focus my energies on planning my bash.

The copies are done and the Post-Its in place,
Assuring I've completed the tasks -- gee I'm an ace!
But being alone here with my boss out of sight,
Maybe today will be an early good-night.

Here's is Clement C. Moore's original poem in its entirety.

Check out this article if you are holding down the fort and managing work while your coworkers are out.

Happy holidays!

The Phoenix Business Journal reports on an OfficeTeam survey that found women are more likely to give out gifts in the workplace and that more workers are expecting to give than to receive gifts.

Here's how the data breaks down -- of those surveyed:

·         41% of men intend to give coworker gifts

·         58% of women intend to give coworker gifts

·         50% of workers age 18 to 34 plan to give gifts to their managers

·         62% of workers age 18 to 34 plan to give their coworkers gifts

So if you like presents -- and who doesn't? -- your best bet is to work with a woman between the ages of 18 and 34. Just hope that that gift isn't one of these odd items, featured in the Denver Business Journal's coverage of a survey from The Creative Group:

•      A can of tuna

•      A voodoo doll of the boss

•      A fully stocked 125-pound aquarium

•      Orange hair extensions.

Personally, I always appreciate the gifts from coworkers that I can use at work, like cool pushpins, desk toys or the book on office yoga I once received. So before shopping the canned food aisles for coworker gift ideas, check out these coworker gift-giving dos and don'ts.

Before we collectively bid farewell to this economically tumultuous year, let's reflect on some of the good aspects of 2009. Like these "best of" lists that impact the working world.

Fortune's Best 100 Companies to Work For

The big news on the list this year was that Google lost its spot at number 1, replaced by NetApp. Here are the list's top 5 best companies to work for:

1.    NetApp

2.    Edward Jones

3.    Boston Consulting

4.    Google

5.    Wegmans

Best Jobs in America

This is Money and Payscale.com's list of the top jobs in America based on pay and projected job growth over the next 10 years. Sadly for me, none of the top 50 careers have to do with blogging or Web content, but I still love what I do…. Here are the top 5:

1.    Systems engineer

2.    Physician assistant

3.    College professor

4.    Nurse practitioner

5.    Information technology project manager

Best Places to Launch a Career

BusinessWeek's list looks at the best employers for entry-level workers, based on surveys of career services directors, employers and undergrads. Once again, here is the top 5:

1.    Deloitte

2.    Ernst & Young

3.    PricewaterhouseCoopers

4.    KPMG

5.    US State Department

The Best Places for Businesses and Careers

This list comes from Forbes and examines the cost of doing business, cost of living, crime rates, projected income, job growth and more. (They also have a list of the best small places for businesses and careers if you're not looking to live in a bigger metropolitan area.)

1.    Raleigh, North Carolina

2.    Fort Collins, Colorado

3.    Durham, North Carolina

4.    Fayetteville, Arizona

5.    Lincoln, Nebraska

25 Best Places to Retire

And if you've had enough of the working life -- and more importantly, have the luxury not to work, Money magazine offers you this list, too. The top 5:

1.    Port Charlotte, Florida

2.    Palm Springs, California

3.    Traverse City, Michigan

4.    Pinehurst, North Carolina

5.    Surprise, Arizona

Working Mother's 100 Best Companies

Working Mother chooses its list of best companies based on employers' family-friendliness. Each company offers its own brand of perks and flexibilities and the magazine does not rank them, so take a look at the list in its entirety as well as the Hall of Fame. It just didn't seem right to single out a few.

Do you have any best of lists of your own this year? Go ahead and share them on our blog.

Before we collectively bid farewell to this economically tumultuous year, let's reflect on some of the good aspects of 2009. Like these "best of" lists that impact the working world.

Fortune's Best 100 Companies to Work For

The big news on the list this year was that Google lost its spot at number 1, replaced by NetApp. Here are the list's top 5 best companies to work for:

1.    NetApp

2.    Edward Jones

3.    Boston Consulting

4.    Google

5.    Wegmans

Best Jobs in America

This is Money and Payscale.com's list of the top jobs in America based on pay and projected job growth over the next 10 years. Sadly for me, none of the top 50 careers have to do with blogging or Web content, but I still love what I do…. Here are the top 5:

1.    Systems engineer

2.    Physician assistant

3.    College professor

4.    Nurse practitioner

5.    Information technology project manager

Best Places to Launch a Career

BusinessWeek's list looks at the best employers for entry-level workers, based on surveys of career services directors, employers and undergrads. Once again, here is the top 5:

1.    Deloitte

2.    Ernst & Young

3.    PricewaterhouseCoopers

4.    KPMG

5.    US State Department

The Best Places for Businesses and Careers

This list comes from Forbes and examines the cost of doing business, cost of living, crime rates, projected income, job growth and more. (They also have a list of the best small places for businesses and careers if you're not looking to live in a bigger metropolitan area.)

1.    Raleigh, North Carolina

2.    Fort Collins, Colorado

3.    Durham, North Carolina

4.    Fayetteville, Arizona

5.    Lincoln, Nebraska

25 Best Places to Retire

And if you've had enough of the working life -- and more importantly, have the luxury not to work, Money magazine offers you this list, too. The top 5:

1.    Port Charlotte, Florida

2.    Palm Springs, California

3.    Traverse City, Michigan

4.    Pinehurst, North Carolina

5.    Surprise, Arizona

Working Mother's 100 Best Companies

Working Mother chooses its list of best companies based on employers' family-friendliness. Each company offers its own brand of perks and flexibilities and the magazine does not rank them, so take a look at the list in its entirety as well as the Hall of Fame. It just didn't seem right to single out a few.

Do you have any best of lists of your own this year? Go ahead and share them on our blog.

Last week, President Obama held a Jobs and Economic Growth Forum and this week he's laid out his proposal for spurring jobs creation, which is desperately needed despite the drop in jobless rates announced last Friday.

Obama outlined the plans in a speech he gave at The Brookings Institute on Tuesday. "Our work is far from done," said the President, referring to the initial stimulus plan." For even though we've reduced the deluge of job losses to a relative trickle, we are not yet creating jobs at a pace to help all those families who've been swept up in the flood. There are more than 7 million fewer Americans with jobs today than when this recession began. That's a staggering figure, and one that reflects not only the depths of the hole from which we must ascend, but also a continuing human tragedy." 

The new jobs creation plan includes:

·         incentives for small businesses (such as eliminating capital gains taxes on new investments, an employment tax cut to encourage hiring and eliminating fees on loans from the Small Business Administration);

·         up to an additional $50 billion to support "shovel-ready" construction projects;

·         incentives for homeowners who make energy-efficient improvements.

The President went on to say: "Of course, there's only so much government can do. Job creation will ultimately depend on the real job creators: Businesses across America."

Additionally, Obama is calling on you. According to The White House Blog, "…the White House is inviting citizens, community leaders, and local officials to hold their own Community Jobs Forums." You are encouraged to sign up to host a jobs discussion in your community. The White House will send you questions and the other materials you need for the event as well as instructions for sharing back ideas.

In the meantime, tell us what you think the government and businesses should be doing to help with jobs creation right here on Monster's blog.

Chances are this economically tumultuous year will end with a muted holiday celebration -- at least at work. According to a survey by Challenger, Gray and Christmas, 62% of companies are planning holiday parties this year (down from 77% in 2008 and 90% in 2007). And those companies that are planning office holiday parties are likely not living as large as they have in years past. Lunches are replacing dinners, potlucks and catered in-office events are replacing hotel bashes.

On a positive note, gatherings focused on charity and community giving are gaining in popularity and participation. For example, according to this Houston Chronicle article, the local KPMG office is getting employees together to sew and stuff teddy bears to be distributed with books to disadvantaged children. It's a different type of holiday cheer that for many feels better considering the current state of affairs.

If your company is having a holiday event, you need to be prepared. Appropriate office party etiquette can help you make a great impression, just as one false move could tarnish your reputation, or worse, your career. Remember: Even though it's a labeled a party, it's really a business event. You need to:

·         Have fun, but in moderation.

·         Dress appropriately for the occasion.

·         Find out if it is a "plus one" event.

·         Talk to people outside your immediate work team (this is a great opportunity for professional networking).

·         Thank the party coordinators.

So how is your company celebrating the holidays this year? Do you agree with the plans?

Get more office holiday party tips from these articles:

·         "Office Holiday Party Etiquette"

·         "Navigate Company Events"

·         "Etiquette Tips for the Office Holiday Party and Coworker Gifts"