Blog Posts by Marie Claire

Many workers are so focused on managing their relationships with their bosses that they overlook or underestimate the importance of collegial relationships. Office alliances are vital in a team-oriented environment and reveal much about your work style. Are you overly critical? Spend too much time dishing at the water cooler? Disconnected from your officemates altogether? But these very factors can determine whether, say, your officemates will back up your big ideas or undermine your leadership on a key project. If managed carefully, your work buddies can help propel your career, say Janice Reals Ellig and William J. Morin, authors of "Driving the Career Highway." They offer some important tips for, yes, exploiting those relationships for your long-term success.

1. Be nice, seriously
The quickest path to a colleagues' heart is through his pride. Compliment a junior associate on the thoroughness with which she finished her last report. Remark on your cubicle-mate's spiffy new tie. Most

Whether you're on the job or looking for one, it's easy to rack up a hefty tab of related expenses. (Toner isn't cheap!) If your company won't reimburse you, don't just swallow the costs. Some expenses can be written off come tax time next year. According to the IRS, you can deduct certain expenses to the extent that they exceed 2 percent of your adjusted gross income. So whether you're cabbing it to an after-hours work function or schmoozing a potential client over drinks, be sure to save those receipts. You'll need them come April.

1. You Wear a Uniform to Work
If the dress code at your workplace calls for business casual, you can't get away with writing off the Theory pantsuit you just snapped up from Saks. But, if your office demands that you only wear a specific item that's not suitable to be worn outside of work, then you can comp the costs. If you are required to wear a uniform to work-you're an an airline attendant or Best Buy salesperson-this rule may save you some serious

Unless you live in one of the country's major cities, odds are you're making roughly $32,000 a year, the average American's income, according to the Census Bureau. Only 5% or so of the nation pulls in over $100,000 a year. Clearly earning a six-figure salary is tough. We asked Sanjay Sathe, chief executive of RiseSmart, the Texas-based executive job placement firm, how to make the leap to a six-figure salary. Here are his suggestions.

1. Be Assertive - Ask for the job
It's a sad fact that many women have been socialized against being assertive, particularly when dealing with authority figures. If you have a difficult time asking for what you want, you must overcome this tendency. Do you want the job? Then ask for it directly. You are expected to demonstrate strong negotiation skills-that comes part and parcel with being a seasoned professional. Find out what they're willing to offer before you tell them how much you wish to be paid. And don't feel compelled to accept on the spot; you

You'll likely spend more time scavenging your desk for paperwork than on vacation this year. In fact, the average executive pilfers six weeks a year searching for important documents buried in clutter, according to the Wall Street Journal. Simple tidying could avoid that kind of egregious waste of time and productivity. One useful tip: color-code hanging files to distinguish between different types of files-such as project or client folders--just by glancing it them, advises Donna Smallin, author of The One Minute Organizer Plain and Simple. Quit frittering away your valuable time with Smallin's top five tips for de-cluttering your desk.

1. Treat Virtual Folders Like the Real Thing When creating electronic folders, set them up in the same way as physical ones. Use subfolders within desktop folders to organize files sufficiently.

2. Avoid the Miscellaneous File
Sort day-to-day papers into action files. Label them clearly: Bills to pay, receipts to enter, papers to photocopy, data for

When it comes to networking, working a room can be daunting, especially for those uncomfortable with the social pressures of schmoozing. But there's no underestimating the value of connections gleaned from a good contact. New websites like LinkedIn.com are principled on the potential upside of your contacts (and, by extension, their contacts). Further your career by prepping for networking events, advises Rebecca Matchett, cofounder and CEO of Rebecca and Drew clothing, who has teamed up with Dress for Success, a nonprofit that provides professional attire to underprivileged women. Here's what she tells her "clients" about networking.

1. Ask Questions
The best way to engage a stranger is by asking a lot of questions about what he or she does. Go ahead, be nosy! Find out what they do, whether they like it, what they are particularly proud of. It's a great way to ingratiate yourself while also gleaning relevant information about the industry. Be as sincere as possible, though. Your goal

STEP AWAY FROM THE CHARDONNAY! While you're at it, put down that Cosmo too. We know it's been a long day and you need to unwind but that's not excuse to drink like your mother. You're a woman - not a lady - so we've come up with some spirited alternatives to get you through happy hour, cocktail parties, summer bbqs and more...

If you're at a summer barbeque...
No sweetie - you're not confined to drinking warm budweiser or heineken all summer - read this guide and learn How To Choose a Real Beer.

If you're out on the town...
Don't be the gal who orders a cosmo or rum and coke and chews on the garnish all night. Impress your drinking companions by ordering a whisky - learn how to order and what to drink with with the Six Whiskeys You Should Know.

If you're making drinks at home...
Try the Marie Claire Cocktail. David Wondrich, a cocktail guru and author of Imbibe!, whips up the must-have drink of the season.

Shake well with ice:
1 oz gin
1/2 oz St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur
2

Avoid all of those Worst Case Vacation Scenarios this summer. Instead - look into getting away to a place that will help you get ahead. Any vacation that de-stresses and refreshes will improve your outlook and performance at work. But there are some getaways that could have a more direct impact on your career. Just be sure to save up those vacation days - check out the world wide tally of mandatory vacation days - the US is at the bottom! Read it and weep - or move to Finland.

Here, some getaways designed to help you get ahead, according to Pam Grout, author of The 100 Best Worldwide Vacations to Enrich Your Life. At the very least, they'll put your current gig into perspective. Do yourself a favor: leave the BlackBerry in your hotel room.

1. For the Self-Doubting Manager
If overseeing your team feels like herding stray cats, try honing your leadership skills by learning to drive an elephant in Thailand. A three-day program at The Elephant Camp at the Anantara Golden Triangle has you

Stop overpacking! Pilar Chira Steinborn, senior stylist for VH1, offers tips on how to stick to basics-and still look smashing.

Bigger Isn't Better: If you start with a giant, empty suitcase, you will fill it up! Pick a small overnight bag and trim your "essentials" down until you can fit everything in it.

Consider Your Itinerary: Think about what you plan to do on the trip, and pack only for those activities you're sure will happen. If you're honest with yourself about, say, not working out while you're away, you'll save a ton of space on sneakers and exercise wear.

Keep It Simple: Stick to one or two color schemes so that everything you pack can be mixed and matched. Think blacks, whites, and neutrals, with bright colors for layering pieces.

Go Top-Heavy: Bring more tops than bottoms. They don't weigh as much-plus, pants and skirts can be worn a few times, but you usually can't re-wear shirts because of the sweat factor.

Map It Out: Lay each outfit on your bed so you can see how