Federal and state anti-discrimination laws clearly mandate that all employment decisions and practices can't be based on discriminatory criteria such as race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, or disability.

Today's offices require administrative assistants to be familiar with many kinds of software. An 'admin' assistant's typical day might include using a graphics program to help prepare a presentation for clients, monitoring inventory with an accounting program, and creating letters and proposals with word processing software.

Like all other aspects of the interview, you'll do better at negotiating salary if you're prepared know ahead of time what the market value is for your job, what you'd like to earn, and what you're willing ot settle for.

How important is your demeanor, or general behavior, during a job interview? Many surveys have found that it's the most influential factor in the hiring decision; in some cases, it even ranks ahead of experience.

Background screening of job candidates is a common and legal practice that many employers utilize to ensure that workers have the qualifications and credentials they say they have in their interviews and resumes.

Motivating employees who aren't inspired to do their job can be a difficult task, especially when bad attitudes lead to behavioral problems such as chronic absenteeism, tardiness, or insubordination.

Employers covered under the Family and Medical Leave Act, or FMLA (F-M-L-A), are required to keep all records related to their obligations under the Act for at least three years.