Thursday, May. 23, 2013 1:04AM EDT

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Friday, May. 17, 2013 1:15PM EDT

Tell us: How did you get that great job?

In today’s tough economy, just getting a job is a challenge. You can fill out online applications until you wear out the keys on your keyboard and not get a job. You can send hundreds of resumes out and not even get a call back.

Globe Careers wants to know what you did to get your current job. Was your resume just so perfect they couldn’t resist you? Did you call the CEO until her voice mailbox was full? Did you network until you knew everyone in the company? Did you serenade the hiring manager? Did you dance a jig and rhyme out your skillset in song?

Tuesday, May. 14, 2013 2:40PM EDT

A look at Canada’s future: Why our reporter is immersed in Brampton, Ont.

Melissa Whetstone

You may have never heard of Brampton, Ont., the city located 45 kilometres west of Toronto that happens to be Canada’s 9th largest.

But you’re about to learn a whole lot about it from Globe reporter Dakshana Bascaramurty, who this month packed up her things and moved there.

Why Brampton?

As Globe T.O. editor Sarah Lilleyman explains: “Brampton is one of Canada's fastest-growing communities and home to one of the largest populations of ethnic and religious minorities – it’s at the core of many of the demographic trends we’re seeing across the country. This project digs deep into what shapes the development of a city like Brampton. What draws new Canadians there? What challenges and opportunities are posed by its rapid growth?

Wednesday, May. 08, 2013 9:45AM EDT

Living off temp work? Tell us about it

The number of temporary workers in Canada hit a record two million last year, and since the recession, temporary work has grown at more than triple the pace of permanent employment, The Globe's Tavia Grant reported this week.

The Globe and Mail is interested in hearing from those who have done extensive temp work, to learn what it's like to live from one contract to the next. Are there any benefits to these flexible work arrangements? What are the disadvantages?

Friday, Apr. 19, 2013 11:36AM EDT

Are you a cord cutter? Tell us all about it

The traditional television providers are adapting to a changing world of viewer choice, from digital downloads to antenna-only, free apps to streaming subscriptions, specialty set-top boxes and VPN spoofing and everything in-between.

There are already tens of thousands of Canadians who have cut their cable or satellite, and The Globe and Mail would like to hear from readers about this growing trend.

Wednesday, Apr. 17, 2013 8:49AM EDT

Do Canadians like shopping at big-box stores?

Canadians may soon be seeing smaller versions of traditional big-box stores when they head to the mall, as retailers who have already saturated suburban outlets try to capitalize on a new type of customer: the urban shopper. Will this trend catch on? Can big-box retailers provide the convenience and service discerning urban shoppers are looking for?

Tuesday, Apr. 16, 2013 11:39AM EDT

Found a way to lower real estate commissions?

The real estate market traditionally dominated by the Canadian Real Estate Association and its Multiple Listing Service is opening up. New entrants are creating competition, offering alternatives to traditional agency commissions, such as fee-based listings and salaried agents.

The Globe and Mail is interested in speaking with readers who have bought or sold a house on their own, or tried alternatives to commission-based real estate agents. We'd like to hear your experiences, good and bad, with startups and web-based companies that offer real estate services.

Tuesday, Apr. 16, 2013 8:31AM EDT

Tell us: Has your boss asked you to do something weird?

According to CareerBuilder, 23 per cent of workers reported in a survey that their bosses have asked them to perform tasks that are not at all related to their job description. Has it happened to you? Share your story with The Globe and we may publish your submission.

Friday, Apr. 05, 2013 2:55PM EDT

‘Buy good winter clothes’: Readers write Canada’s immigration guide

We asked readers what information they would include in Canada’s immigration guide. Here are some of their responses:

I would include information on the political system and finding their elected officials at all three levels of government. I think the guide should encourage newcomers to become active in the community and offer political engagement as a pathway to learning about local issues, support groups and other community organizations.

Thursday, Apr. 04, 2013 1:31PM EDT

Why Canadians are turned off by traditional TV providers

Dianne Nice

Two years ago, I broke off a long but unsatisfactory relationship with my TV provider. For nearly a decade, I paid my monthly bills, but I had finally become fed up and, looking around, realized I had other options. I joined a small but growing group of Canadians who had given up on conventional television.

Thursday, Apr. 04, 2013 1:30PM EDT

By the numbers: Canadians are fed up with traditional TV

Dianne Nice

Wednesday, Apr. 03, 2013 9:28AM EDT

Have you ever considered cutting the TV cord?

A new report from Convergence Consulting Group Ltd. suggests that about 1.5 per cent of Canadian TV subscribers cut the cord last year, and the pace has picked up since 2011.

The Globe and Mail would like to hear from readers about this growing trend. Do you still love TV, or would you consider giving it up? Take our survey below to have your say.

Tuesday, Mar. 26, 2013 9:22AM EDT

Do young adults have it tougher today?

In his most recent column, Globe and Mail personal finance columnist Rob Carrick says that young people are worse off financially than previous generations were as youth. He argues, "today’s grads, the demographic group known as Generation Y, have it tougher. They face a particularly intense version of this country’s income growth challenge."

Sunday, Mar. 24, 2013 10:00PM EDT

Not asking this mortgage question could cost you thousands

Dianne Nice

Want a mortgage rate lower than those advertised by lenders? Ask and you shall receive.

In a Globe and Mail survey of more than 300 mortgage holders, 82 per cent said they were able to get a rate better than the lender's official posted number when they last negotiated their mortgages.

Of the survey respondents with five-year fixed-rate mortgages, interest rates varied widely, and those who haggled for a rate lower than what their lenders advertised paid less overall. Among the group that bargained with their lenders, 45 per cent said their interest rates were 3 per cent or less, compared to 32 per cent of those who did not try to get a deal. Similarly, only 5 per cent of the hagglers were paying more than 4-per-cent interest, compared to 16 per cent of the group that didn't dicker. 

Wednesday, Mar. 20, 2013 1:23PM EDT

Target Canada: 'It is like a renovated Zellers'

Dianne Nice

We lined up in droves, some of us even camped out in tents, for the arrival. And when the moment finally came, after months of pomp and marketing hype, some of us were disappointed.

No, we're not talking about Justin Timberlake's long-awaited Canadian tour, we're talking about Target Corp.'s Canadian launch. Unlike Justin, who was worth the wait, according to the Globe's Tim Kiladze, Target took to the Canadian stage without the freshness (and cheap prices and American candy) we were hoping for.

Wednesday, Mar. 20, 2013 11:14AM EDT

Homeowners, share your mortgage stories

Dianne Nice

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty has intervened in the mortgage war, asking Manulife Bank to reverse its move to lower the rate on a five-year fixed mortgage to 2.89 per cent. The Globe and Mail reports that the move has raised questions about the degree to which the government should interfere in rate-setting decisions.

Tuesday, Mar. 19, 2013 10:43AM EDT

Target's Canadian debut: Best. News. Ever?

Dianne Nice

The Globe and Mail rounds up social media reaction to the opening of 17 more Canadian Target stores.

Tuesday, Mar. 19, 2013 1:28PM EDT

Yoga pants recalled, Twitter creates #whitegirlpanic hashtag

Dianne Nice

Tuesday, Mar. 19, 2013 8:47AM EDT

Attention, Target shoppers: Please explain the hoopla

Target Corp. opens 17 more stores in Canada today, with 124 stores to open by year-end. So far, Canadians have been so enthusiastic about shopping at Target, the U.S. discounter cannot keep up with demand.

The Globe and Mail would like to hear from readers who have been to the new Canadian Target stores. How are the prices? What is all the fuss about?