6 Ways to Save for an Unexpected Job Loss

Tips for Building an Emergency Fund
by Larry Buhl, for Yahoo! HotJobs


Coinciding with the tightening job market is a gloomy statistic: Few American workers are saving for potential layoffs. According to Adecco USA's latest Workplace Insights survey, only a quarter of workers claim to currently be saving for unemployment, and 58 percent have no plan to put money aside for a job loss.

You've probably heard that you should have at least six months' living expenses on hand. But how can you save for a rainy day when it's already drizzling, you say? If you're fully employed and you've been living paycheck-to-paycheck, you might not be looking for savings everywhere you can, according to Dayana Yochim, consumer finance expert at The Motley Fool. Yochim recommended six ways to begin starting that emergency fund today, no matter what your salary.

1. Sweat the big stuff first.
Before you start pinching pennies, look at the largest budget expenditures, such as car and vacations. "You can cut your car insurance significantly by raising the deductible," Yochim tells Yahoo! Hot Jobs. You can also downgrade your car. Even if you're upside-down on payments, trading in the new luxury car on a beater would put hundreds of dollars in your pocket per month, Yochim says. Likewise, if you must travel, look at ways to creatively downsize the trip: Do a house swap or stay at a bed-and-breakfast, for example.

2. Ditch the plastic.
"Cash hurts, and you're less likely to be conscientious if you're always using plastic," Yochim says. Likewise, if you're really strapped, only use your credit card to make essential purchases as a last resort. Yochim recommends making one withdrawal on Monday and spending no more than that all week.

3. Cut back on your 401(k) -- temporarily.
Normally, you should sock away the maximum in your retirement plan, especially if your employer is matching it. But if you're falling short each month and making up the difference with a credit card, cut back on the contributions until your finances are back in shape. "You must pinkie-swear you will start contributing the maximum as soon as your financial rough patch is over," Yochim advises.

4. Don't spend found money.
If you had a lucky streak at a casino or received an inheritance, save it, preferably in a high-yield savings account. Even if a layoff is not looming, think hard about automatically boosting your lifestyle if you received a raise or promotion.

5. Don't give Uncle Sam a free loan.
"Ideally you want to owe nothing and get nothing back on April 15," Yochim says. "If your tax return was more than $2,000 last year, you're withholding too much, so you should adjust your withholdings to keep more of it now." Check out the withholding calculator on IRS.gov, and then ask HR for a W4 form if you think you're paying the government too much, too early.

6. Don't mingle the emergency fund with everyday cash.
If you put your rainy day fund in a separate bank, you're not so likely to dip into it, according to Yochim. If you have direct deposit, your company may even be able to put part of your paycheck in a separate account.

Having enough money in an emergency fund can make the difference between discomfort and outright panic if you're laid off. However, some of these tips -- particularly the no-plastic rule -- can be effective ways to save even if you never see a pink slip, Yochim says.

"Everyone should have an emergency fund. And remember that a line of credit should never be considered an emergency fund."

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The Healthiest Job Outlook: No Recession in Health Care

by Kip Parent, Keirsey.com


As the large crop of Baby Boomers age, the need for health workers has increased. The need is not only found in the United States, but in countries throughout the world. As a result, the health-care field keeps adding jobs.

"This industry has added 368,000 jobs over the past 12 months," the Bureau of Labor Statistics noted in August 2008. "In July [2008], there were job gains of 21,000 in ambulatory health care services and 10,000 in hospitals."

The Opportunities Are Vast

Registered nurses were among the areas with the highest employment gains in 2007, while physician specialists and dentist specialists were among the highest paid. In the 2008-2009 Bureau of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook, health care has three separate listings:

* Professional: Health Diagnosing and Treating -- 17 occupations
* Professional: Health Technologists and Technicians -- 15 occupations
* Service: Health-care Support -- 8 occupations

While most people are aware of the critical need for primary care physicians, physician assistants and nursing staff, many do not realize the shortage in the allied health professionals such as respiratory care practitioners, medical transcriptionists, radiographers and lab technicians. Those with the highest projected need include physical therapist assistants, dental hygienists, and pharmacy technicians. Some health-care providers are working with two-year colleges to provide needed clinical training.

Mid-career workers who have lost their jobs due to downsizing are taking training to enter these fields where demand is high. And people who worked in health-care in another country are getting certification in the United States to fill the need.

Are You a Good Fit?

According to author and career counselor Alice Fairhurst, a personality assessment -- such as the Keirsey Temperament Sorter (free at keirsey.com) or Myers-Briggs Type Indicator -- can help guide a person into which of the careers might be most satisfying.

* Guardians (SJ's) like the stability and service aspect of health care. The STJ's prefer technical fields, such as dentist, physician, pharmacist, or lab technologist. The SFJ's prefer people contact fields, such as family physician, nurse, dental assistant or medical secretary.
* Artisans (SP's) like action and change of pace. The STP's often are found as surgeons, emergency care workers, or medical technicians. The SFP's may be nurses, radiology technologists, medical social workers, or massage therapists.
* Idealists (NF's) want to improve the future for others. The NFJ's may teach or administer in health settings or counsel others. The NFP's are drawn to rehabilitation, speech pathology, and social work.
* Rationals (NT's) are the most fascinated with pure science. The NTJ's are drawn to administration, scientific analysis, or biomedical engineering. The NTP's seek the newest advances in any field and will promote and/or research new ideas.

If you're new to the workforce, or looking to make a change, the opportunities in health care are worth investigating. There are many different careers offering a fit for all personality types -- learning more about your own personality type is a good place to start.

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Should You Be on Facebook?

by Caroline M.L. Potter, Yahoo! HotJobs


Social-networking sites are all but putting business-card printers out of business. Instead of trading a 3.5 x 2-inch piece of paper, people are trading names and tracking one another down on sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook.

While LinkedIn has a decidedly professional bent, Facebook can be a much more intimate look into one's personal life and inner circle of friends. Still, a lot of folks are on Facebook and use it as a professional networking tool. But is it right for you?

Because Facebook makes it easy to blur the lines between the professional and personal, most experts caution against this, unless, perhaps, you work in the entertainment industry. "When you think about Facebook and other social-networking sites, you have got to think about these profiles as an addendum to your resume," says Lauren Milligan, founder of ResuMAYDAY.com.

Daisy L. Swan, of Daisy Swan & Associates, agrees, "Now that there are so many people who are going to be looking for new positions, it's good to be able to be found -- so long as you're presenting yourself as the professional you want to be."

Here are some tips to put your best face forward on Facebook:

1. Keep it strictly professional. Career strategist Swan says, "Have a consistent message," meaning if you're marketing yourself as a top accountant, make sure your Facebook profile reflects that image. Milligan tells users, "Keep the social aspect separate. I've had clients who've been way too attached to their Facebook pages and all the personal content on there, but I ask them, 'What's your priority? Finding a job or revealing all?'"

2. Mind your status. Your status can be used for more than goofy one-liners. Swan, for instance, shares, "You can use your status to let people know about additional projects you're working on, which sends a message that you're more than just what you do at work every day." Also, if you friend your coworkers on Facebook, make sure you don't accidentally throw yourself under the bus by revealing you weren't really sick when you called in sick to work, as one Facebook user learned (see related incident on Shamebox blog).

3. Choose your friends and your groups carefully. Whom you friend and the groups you join are a reflection of who you are. Think through the requests you accept and the company you keep on Facebook as potential employers may take those things into account. One group of Virgin Atlantic employees recently started a Facebook group in which they openly traded insults and complaints about customers and colleagues -- and 13 of those workers were fired. Resume and career expert Milligan reminds users, "If you're an employee, you have to be considered an advocate of your employer at all times."

4. Mind your identity. Another plus of keeping your privacy settings high or, ideally, keeping your profile strictly professional, is that you're less likely to divulge personal information that could leave you at risk of identity theft. Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's personal email account was famously hacked by someone who successfully guessed the answers to her security questions. Avoid divulging your pets' names, your mom's maiden name, and other details that could leave you vulnerable to fraud by including only professional details on any social-networking site.

5. Don't get sucked in. Swan, whose practice is based in Los Angeles, says, "I've been hearing that entrepreneurs are getting a lot of encouragement to be on Facebook and they're marketing full force that way. But it's not the be-all, end-all solution for marketing. It may have some value toward your bottom line, but it may not if you're spending too much time on it. Check your return on investment."

Milligan adds, "It cannot be your priority. The time you spend on it cannot infringe on your professional life."

As recruiters and companies look to Facebook as an additional source of finding new talent, it behooves you to at least be familiar with such sites. Swan states, "In terms of new partnerships and for job-search purposes, it can be a great networking tool to let people know about you, and it's a great way to learn about people and companies and options. Just be sure to use these sites in a savvy manner to your benefit."

Milligan warns, "If job-search tools will be available, if that is the conduit between you and a job, you'd better be professional."

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How to Prepare for a Performance Review

by Margaret Steen, for Yahoo! HotJobs


Is your performance review just around the corner? There's no need to panic -- but now would be a good time to prepare.

Experts offer these tips for making your review go more smoothly:

* Assess what you already know.
Ideally, you should be checking in regularly with your boss to make sure you're doing what's expected.

"The performance evaluation process should start the day you're hired," said Janet Scarborough Civitelli, founder and president of Bridgeway Career Development. "There should not be any big surprises during the actual review."

Perhaps you're extra diligent when answering customer calls. You may think you're on track for a stellar performance review -- but your boss could be wondering why each call takes you so long. To avoid misunderstandings like this, make sure you know what the goals are for your job and how your boss measures success.

If you haven't been talking to your boss about this, it's not too late. Even in a few weeks, you may be able to improve in some areas if necessary.

* Dust off your previous review.
If you had a review at this company a year ago, it probably contains a list of goals. Ideally, you will have been working on these goals this year.

Often, however, you'll realize something has changed. Perhaps a new boss gave you a new direction, or the project you were supposed to focus on got delayed. Richard Phillips, a career coach and owner of Advantage Career Solutions, recommends making sure you have documentation for changes such as these, in case there's a question at review time.

What if your boss never officially told you that your goals had changed, but instead just kept piling on other work so that you weren't able to start the projects you discussed at your last review? It would have been best to bring this up with your boss when it happened.

If you didn't, however, it's important to frame your actions the right way. "Say at review time, 'I made a strategic decision that this needed more of my attention than that,'" Phillips said. "Don't make it sound like you just forgot or you blew it off."

* Learn how your company works.
At some companies, negative comments on performance reviews are uncommon, so anything that's not glowing is cause for concern. Other companies give every worker areas for improvement.

"You definitely need to know how the process works at your company," Civitelli said. But you need to gather your information in an "emotionally intelligent" way. Don't badger your boss about whether a certain action will get you a 5 instead of a 4 on your review -- it makes you seem more concerned about your evaluation than about helping the company.

* Make your case in writing.
Many times you'll be asked to fill out a self-assessment before your review. If that's not part of your company's process, it's still a good idea to write a summary of your achievements for your boss before the review.

"There's an art to doing that," Civitelli said. "You don't want to be too apologetic, but you also don't want it to appear that you've never thought about anything to improve on."

Phillips suggests that any time you mention a weakness, "say what you are doing about it."

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Be Your Own Boss

5 Ways to Turn Economic Slowdown into Financial Success
by Joe Taylor Jr., VendorSeek.com


If the dreaded "R" word (recession) makes you worried about a pink slip coming your way, you're not alone. While definitely a setback, losing your job may be just the excuse you need to go into business for yourself.

Whether you open a 9-to-5 daycare service, start a Web design company, or sell pajamas out of a spare bedroom, you'll need resources, capital, and a little know-how to get things up and running. Luckily, leading small-business experts agree on five critical steps that new-company owners can follow to help assure success during turbulent financial times.

Step 1: Budget for Bootstrapping

In today's market, commercial loans and business credit cards are harder to find. Instead of splurging on expensive office space and custom furniture, startup experts recommend converting a spare room or a garage into a makeshift workstation. Furniture and equipment leasing offers tax benefits while freeing up personal credit. Sourcing material and labor online can reveal real bargains for startup businesses.

Business Opportunity: Medical Billing and Home Health Care
Completing a medical billing training course can open a floodgate of potential business, depending on the needs of your community. Managing a home health care business requires coordinating the schedules and transit of licensed professionals. Because both kinds of businesses receive substantial federal funding, demand remains strong regardless of the state of financial markets.

Step 2: Get Help With Your Plan

In a recession, it's critical to have a clear path to profit. Business plan writing services can help clarify the vision and the goals of a new company, so it's easier to communicate to investors, lenders, and professionals. Start-up consulting professionals can help you find the right niche and the right service model. Entrepreneurs with their own investment capital may even want to consider purchasing a franchise with an existing, successful business model.

Business Opportunity: Virtual Assistants
VA's perform the same kinds of duties as office-based assistants, except they do it remotely. Some virtual assistants position themselves as "online business managers" by offering extra help with e-commerce, blogs, and e-mail. Clients include executives who have been forced to downsize their in-house teams and other startup business owners who prefer the flexibility of a remote assistant to an in-house support team.

Step 3: Polish Your Web Appearance

You wouldn't attend a client meeting in your favorite sweatpants and rock band T-shirt, would you? The same holds true when marketing your own business. Shoddy Web design can send a prospect to your competitor's doorstep, regardless of your company's quality. Thanks to the Internet, you can find affordable graphic design services that can overhaul everything from business cards to websites.

Business Opportunity: Computer Repair and Consulting
Manufacturers like Dell, HP, and Apple host consultants' networks that help funnel new customers directly to your business. You can complete most basic certification courses in just a few weeks online, or at a regional career training center. Since most customers require only basic help with home networking and printing issues, you can launch a computer consulting business while still completing advanced training courses.

Step 4: Make It Easy for Customers to Pay

During lean times, cash is king. That's why it's essential for your business to accept credit cards. Years ago, companies had to invest significant time, effort, and money into credit card processing and e-commerce solutions. Today's competitive marketplace has brought costs down, while modern point-of-sale (POS) terminals make it easy to submit client cards for payment. Credit card processing eliminates the problems caused by slow-paying clients, while reducing the risk of fraud.

Business Opportunity: Personal Financial Advisors and Debt Counselors
Former bankers and business analysts often find success in these roles by reviewing client balance sheets as if they were businesses in need of a turnaround. Be careful of fly-by-night courses or shady companies that force clients into dubious debt management programs. Fee-based financial advisors earn money while gaining personal satisfaction from having an impact on clients' lives.

Step 5: Polish Your Pitch

According to Silicon Valley marketing expert Guy Kawasaki, refining how you talk about your product or service is even more important than having an original business idea. Start-up consultants and small business coaches can help you practice an "elevator pitch," a 30-second statement that defines the unique qualities of your new company.

Business Opportunity: Freelance Writing and Software Programming
Despite competition from Manila and Bangalore, freelancers who build strong personal relationships and deliver high-quality results can enjoy high project fees. The booming online advertising market and the demand for mobile device applications have created even more opportunities for freelancers to make an impact.

Staying Lean When Good Times Return

You don't need to be rich to start your own business, you just need to be motivated and informed. Many of the most successful companies that launched during recessions remained strong by staying true to their frugal roots. And with the cost of starting a new business at an all-time low, it makes sense to explore new sources of revenue and personal fulfillment.

Joe Taylor Jr. is an internal business consultant for a Fortune 500 company, who writes about finance, culture, and design. He holds a Bachelor of Science incCommunications from Ithaca College.

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Most Promising Places to Start a New Career

by Amelia Gray, FindTheRightSchool


All things being equal, where you live can make a huge difference in what you earn. Whether you're ready to make a move to a new city or you want to choose an education that fits the needs of your hometown, career training can make a big difference to your wallet.

When it comes to marketing your degree, the old axiom for real estate holds true -- it's all about location, location, location. Check out these top degrees available online, matched with some of their best areas nationwide and earnings from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Associate Degree: Medical Assisting

The BLS has medical assistants on its list of fastest-growing careers through 2016, with about 148,000 new jobs expected to enter the field in the coming years. A short, two-year associate degree is considered proper training for this growing health care industry career.

Top Industry: Physicians' offices hire the most medical assistants by far, with mean annual earnings of $28,460 in 2007. However, specialty hospitals paid more, at $31,860.

Top Location: Areas with high levels of retirement communities, such as Arizona and Florida, are expected to see an influx of career opportunities for medical assistants. Look for locations with hospitals, nursing care centers, and physicians' offices.

Bachelor's Degree + Certificate: Teaching

Career training to become a teacher means playing a direct role in the next generation. A bachelor's degree plus teacher certification is the typical path for most teachers, though some school districts require teachers to complete a master's degree within a certain period after hire. Areas of high growth are typically good for teaching occupations.

Top Industry: Secondary school teachers make more than preschool, kindergarten, or elementary school teachers, with mean annual earnings of $52,450. Vocational education teachers at the secondary level aren't far behind.

Top Location: The U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics reports that Nevada, Arizona, Texas, and Georgia will experience the greatest student enrollment increases. Job prospects for teachers are expected to be better in rural and inner city areas than suburban locations.

Certificate: Paralegals and Legal Assistants

Want to work in the legal industry but wary about years of law school education? Career training programs for paralegals and legal assistants put you in law offices and businesses, assisting lawyers as they build cases and protect assets.

Top Industry: Though the vast majority of trained paralegals and legal assistants work in the legal industry and saw mean annual earnings of $46,110 in 2007, those working in the federal government earned $59,180.

Top Location: The District of Columbia is the top-paying employer nationwide for paralegals and legal assistants, with mean annual earnings of $57,450. The tiny district also had the highest concentration of workers in the field in the nation.

Master's Degree: MBA in Finance

The popular MBA takes a technical turn with a finance concentration. Forbes cites finance degrees on its list of most lucrative college majors, noting a salary growth that soars over $84,000 for those with 10 or more years of experience. You may see even more impressive earnings if you're smart about your industry and location.

Top Industry: Personal financial advisors see a lot of success in the legal services industry, where mean annual earnings were $103,990 in 2007.

Top Location: New York has long been known as a financial hub, and for good reason. Financial analysts working in the state saw mean annual earnings of $100,350 in 2007. That same year, personal financial advisors in the state earned $131,660.

Bachelor's Degree: Computer Engineering

This high-tech degree is in high demand -- Forbes calls it the most lucrative college major available, and even graduates with a bachelor's degree and up to five years of experience earn a whopping average salary of $60,500.

Top Industry: Computer engineers break out of the cubicle in scientific research and development services, a top-paying industry for systems software engineers with annual mean earnings of $102,790.

Top Location: California remains the go-to state for IT professionals, with applications engineers earning $95,820. However, systems software engineers in Virginia earned a whopping $101,850 in 2007, making the southern state a six-figure surprise location for computer engineers.

Earnings vary greatly based on experience and education, and your experience may vary, but an education can be the best way to secure employment in these challenging, growing, lucrative fields.

Amelia Gray is a freelance writer in Austin, Texas. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in English Literature from Arizona State University and an MFA from Texas State University.

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10 Highly Profitable Two-Year Degrees

by Michelle Goodman, PayScale.com


Think a bachelor's or master's degree is the only way to advance your career? Think again.

Whether you're looking for a fresh start in a new, more lucrative field or enrolling in college for the first time, a two-year associate's degree from a community college is one of the quickest routes to bringing home more bacon each week.

"Associate's degrees are much cheaper, and the entry requirements are not as onerous as they are for getting into a bachelor's program," says Dr. Laurence Shatkin, author of more than a dozen books for job hunters, including "150 Best Recession-Proof Jobs."

Not only that, associate's degrees are incredibly convenient. Besides being right in your neighborhood, many two-year programs offer part-time, evening, weekend and online classes -- good news for those already holding down a job and caring for a family.

So which two-year degrees offer the most job opportunities and will earn you the most green after graduation? Read on.

1. Physical therapist assistant. While every other job sector slashed their workforce in 2008, the health care field added nearly 400,000 jobs. According to Shatkin, job openings for physical therapist assistants are expected to grow by 33 percent in the next decade, especially as Baby Boomers age and "get a bit more creaky." Most physical therapist assistants either work in a hospital or a physical therapist's office. Average salary: $46,111 a year.

2. Web designer. As long as there are companies, organizations and creative agencies with something to sell or promote, there will be a need for people to design, code, and maintain their websites. Though many Web designers are self-employed, countless others work in staff positions. Average salary: $48,785 a year.

3. Electrical or electronic engineering technician. These technicians comprise a third of all engineering technician jobs. They often work in industrial or commercial plants and laboratories, taking calculations, running tests, modifying equipment and otherwise assisting the engineers on their team. Average salary: $47,163 a year.

4. Registered nurse. If it's a high-growth field you want, you can't beat registered nursing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, RNs are the largest occupation in the health care field, with 2.5 million jobs out there, about 587,000 new jobs expected to open up by 2016, and 59 percent of RNs working in hospitals. Average salary: $55,276 a year.

5. Computer support specialist. Such specialists include the tech support and help desk workers who assist customers and users with problems they're having with their computer hardware and software. Often, computer support specialists can enjoy the luxury of working from home or working flexible hours. Average salary: $46,111 a year.

6. Executive or administrative assistant. In the business sector, there's no shortage of administrative jobs. "You're talking a quarter of a million job openings every year," says Shatkin. And though you may start as the low man or woman on the totem pole, once you're in the door you're in a prime position to prove your worth and climb the ranks. Average salary: $37,669 a year.

7. Dental hygienist. While would-be dental hygienists must obtain a state license on top of their two-year degree, it's well worth the investment: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than half of the country's dental hygienists work part-time and many enjoy flexible work schedules. Even better, this is one of today's fastest growing occupations. Average salary: $57,148 a year.

8. Surveying or mapping technician. Although the construction industry took some big employment hits in 2008, if all the infrastructure work President-Elect Obama has promised comes through, there will be a huge need for surveying and mapping technicians. Such technicians do much of their work in the field (a boon for those who don't want to sit in an office all day), collecting data, taking calculations, and assisting with computer-aided drafting. Average salary: $42,104 a year.

9. Veterinary technician. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects this field to grow significantly during the next decade. Vet technicians often work in a private veterinary practice (zoo and aquarium work is harder to come by), performing lab tests and clinical procedures. Vet techs must pass a state exam and the salaries aren't as high as the other jobs on this list, but for those who want to help animals, the trade-offs are well worth it. Average salary: $33,363 a year.

10. Camera operator. While competition to break into TV broadcasting and film can be stiff, the continued rise of Web content means more opportunities for camera operators. Television and film work often involve long or unusual hours. For that reason, many camera operators gravitate toward commercial advertising or corporate videos. The more computer skills a camera operator has, the better their job prospects. Average salary: $42,558 a year.

Source: All salary data is from PayScale.com. The salaries listed are median, annual salaries for experienced, full-time workers and include any bonuses, commissions or profit sharing.

Michelle Goodman is a Seattle-based freelance writer. Her latest book is "My So-Called Freelance Life: How to Survive and Thrive as a Creative Professional for Hire" (Seal Press, 2008).

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5 Ways to Avoid Overeating at Work

by Caroline M.L. Potter, Yahoo! HotJobs


'Tis the season ... to ruin your diet! December holds three special holidays -- Chanukah, Christmas, and Kwanza, and with each comes a host of opportunities to expand your waistline, add a second chin to your profile, and sap your energy levels. While it's tough to limit celebrations outside of the office without offending family and friends, you can minimize the temptations that lurk in and around your workplace.

1. Steer Clear of Store-Bought Treats

Your coworkers or supervisor may think they're being nice by bringing in yummy surprises from a local market, but most of these are pretty naughty in terms of your diet. Says career and workplace expert Deborah Brown-Volkman, "Cookies, donuts, candy, and other tasty treats might feel good in the moment, (especially when they are all around you), but you will end up feeling worse later in the day." She urges workers to just say no when it comes to these types of foods in order to safeguard against a dip in energy later in the day.

2. Just a Bite to Be Polite

Homemade foods are almost always healthier than their factory-made counterparts. If a coworker takes the time to make a special holiday dish to share specifically with you and the rest of your team, it may be best to take just a small bite to avoid hurt feelings -- but be sure to keep it at one bite. If you're on a strict diet and must abstain, share that with the well-meaning cook. Also, don't be afraid to ask what ingredients any dish contains. Many people suffer from nut, dairy, and wheat allergies. Do not jeopardize your health in the name of goodwill.

3. Plan and Pack Your Meals

The holidays can put people in a partying mood all the time. Invitations to lunches and dinners become more frequent. If you know that you cannot control your eating during these casual outings, avoid them by bringing your breakfast, lunch, and snacks with you to the office. Planning and preparing your own meals not only saves you money; it will usually save you calories as well. If you have a client or office celebration that you must attend, pack an extra healthy snack to eat beforehand to lessen the likelihood that you will over-indulge. States Brown-Volkman, proprietor of surpassyourdreams.com, "Make better food choices, one meal at a time. Small changes can have a big impact on how you feel."

4. Get Moving

The New York-based career coach also recommends making an extra effort to be active during December. "Getting active doesn't always mean having to go to the gym. You can take a walk at lunch. You can take the stairs or stretch at your desk," Brown-Volkman advises. "As long as you are moving, you'll feel better." She reminds office workers that moving around in any capacity can reduce stress. "Get up from your desk and walk around. Visit a coworker. Go outside and get some sun." Any physical activity is a better way to keep stress at bay than eating unhealthy holiday treats.

5. Create New Ways to Celebrate

Trish Balbert, a certified holistic health counselor based in Manhattan, says, "Every day is chock full of reasons to rejoice in life and there are so many ways to honor these moments. Too often, food or drink is presented as the only option." She recommends creating your own ritual or way to have fun while celebrating an event. "Get your creative juices flowing and come up with your own ways to mark the wonderful moments of life."

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