Diane Stafford

Got a job interview? Turn the tables

kansascity.com — At a point in almost every job interview the interviewer will ask - or at least should ask: "Do you have any questions for me?" This is not the time to stay mum or shrug no. Neither is it time to ask, "What does this job pay?"

A new job offer might not be your ticket to a raise

kansascity.com — There's no budget for a big raise, and there's no room for a big promotion where you work. What do you do if you want more money? It's long been axiomatic that you leave for a better-paying job elsewhere, or you get a better job offer and use it to coax a counteroffer from your boss.

If working with a slacker drives you nuts...

kansascity.com — If a recent survey of 549 workers is typical - and I'm sure it is - more than nine out of 10 employees can name at least one co-worker who doesn't pull his or her weight. And at least one in four of those surveyed said their own work increases as a result.

Think of yourself as You Inc.

kansascity.com — You are a brand. Just like Coke or Nike or Starbucks. People think of you in a certain way. It's how you look and what you wear. It's how you act and what you say. It's what you've done. You've heard "Your reputation precedes you."

Take advantage of internal referrals

kansascity.com — It's hard to job hunt alone. You can click your computer mouse for hours on end, but your applications will have trouble fighting through the competition clutter. Unless. Unless you have contacts in your target companies who will recommend you. I recently was on a panel with three employers who agreed that internal referrals are excellent vehicles to obtain interviews.

Kauffman Foundation’s entrepreneur program expands

kansascity.com — Innovate St. Louis, a nonprofit corporation that sponsors the Information Technology Entrepreneur Network, has signed up with the Kauffman Foundation to launch a 1 Million Cups program. St. Louis joins Kansas City, Des Moines and Houston as locations for the weekly concept which brings startup and early-stage entrepreneurs together to share ideas.