Graduate students, postdocs and academic professionals can be successful in the job hunt by identifying their current career stage, identifying and building the skills and areas that they need to grow and preparing to either negotiate a promotion or seek greener pastures, write a team of researchers who analyzed 100 job postings to create this framework. Communication was the most common competency among the jobs analyzed, and graduate students and postdocs should ensure they develop solid writing skills through extracurricular programs, the researchers advise.

Leadership confidence is about improving yourself, but not on the backs of others. Confidence comes from within and is "an unshakeable sense of self, which requires consistent and continued dedication to your values, goals and personal self-worth," writes executive coach Joel Garfinkle, who offers five ways to build your confidence without throwing your weight around.

For women between the ages of 40 and 58, balancing the effects of menopause with the demands of their jobs is daunting, with financial losses put at $1.8 billion, and sometimes impossible, with about a quarter of women in one survey saying they were considering leaving their jobs. Bristol Myers Squibb, Adobe and Bank of America are among the few companies that offer menopause benefits, and grassroots campaigns like Menopause Mandate and Let's Talk Menopause raise awareness about the issue.

Only 24% of employers say they've achieved gender equality at their companies, according to a global ManpowerGroup report, which found 41% of employers are close to full equality while 10% are far from it. The report found 71% of employers in South and Central America are approaching full equality, compared to 64% in North America and 63% in Europe.

The fastest-growing age group in the workforce is people over 75, and it’s expected to grow as retirees try to live on limited savings as the cost of living rises. However, despite impressive resumes and a willingness to work, older job applicants report facing discrimination because of their age.

Good benefits and a healthy work-life balance are important for employee retention, but sometimes they're not enough to counteract the pervasive lack of feeling valued that some employees experience. Get tips on how you can help staff feel purpose, self-worth, and enjoyment at work.

Does your employer support internal advancement? Are you familiar with job redesign and horizontal career paths? Consider these strategies to boost your career where you are working now.