Smart Stops on the Web

CAREER BUILDING SITES

The Job Hunt
www.quintcareers.com
The Quintessential Careers Web portal offers links to job databases and search engines for more than 1,400 employment and resume-writing e-stops. Accounting and finance professionals also can research the latest starting salaries by geographic location and find schools offering continuing education programs. Once you’ve landed the interview, revisit the portal for behavioral interview strategies, interview dos and don’ts and tips for avoiding interview bloopers.

The Selection Process
http://jobstar.org
You’ve done the resume-writing, posting and job-search thing and you have a few interviews lined up. Now come to this site to check out more than 300 free salary surveys, some specifically for accounting and finance, take a salary I.Q. test and learn strategies for negotiating a higher starting salary. Already employed and looking to make a change? Career Guides has resources and links to the fastest growing job opportunities and aptitude tests for new occupations.

The Juggling Act
http://wlb.monster.com
You’ve got a new job and you’re busier than ever. Maybe too busy? Go to Monster’s Work/Life Balance Web stop for tips on how to simplify your work life in sections on office culture and politics, career development and managing time and stress levels. Also get advice on negotiating a flex schedule, building workplace friendships or renegotiating your salary at review time. Take quizzes to find out whether you’re a team player or a workaholic, and whether you’re getting the most out of your downtime.

Strike a Balance
www.workforceonline.com
Looking for advice on managing your work and home lives? The Benefits section at this Smart Stop links to articles on caregivers, the cost of absenteeism and flex practices. Free registration also gets you access to newsletters on human resources and recruiting topics. Community Center discussion threads let registrants voice their opinions and share information on topics from age bias and workplace dress codes to staffing and telecommuting. Check out the business cartoons in The Buzz for a quick chuckle.

Take a Tax Tip
www.alloysilverstein.com
This accounting firm Web site offers free weekly tax tips, such as for year-end filing, and monthly business tips, including a checklist of ways to make business meetings worthwhile. Monthly Financial Planning Tips has a discussion on how to get the most out of investment dollars, while the weekly “Money Management” column offers advice on getting tax breaks when disaster strikes and deducting investment-related expenses. Check out Client Alert for information on buy-sell agreements and long-term-care insurance.

A Site for Savings
http://soundmoneytips.com
Financial planners looking for ways to save clients money can go here for quick tips on personal finances. Users can get tips on saving money through government auctions or when moving, as well as on teaching kids about money through a link to the “Jump$tart Financial Literacy Survey.” Visitors also can find out how to pay taxes with an IRS loan and look up archive entries for previous tips.

In the Beginning
www.howstuffworks.com
Curious Web surfers can explore the how of the inner workings of everything from laptop computers to the PayPal program at this e-site. Money Stuff has an explanation of how income taxes work with detailed sections on the origins of taxes in America, including the first income tax. Looking for information on how phishing works? Read how scammers do it, learn how to protect yourself and get links to popular firewall software.

Get Noticed Then Hired
www.searchfax.com
Of the roughly 1,500 resumes executive job hunters receive for each open position, only 100 of the applicants are ever contacted for interviews. Make your resume the best fit for that position and company by using this Web site’s fax resume distribution service. Jobseekers can receive a free resume review and tips on how to improve theirs before subscribing to this paid service, which sends out your revised and targeted resume and personalized fax cover sheet to recruiters.

—Vince Nolan