As vaccination rates rise and newly reported Covid-19 cases decline in the U.S., the world is starting to look more like it did before March 2020. Some colleges and universities are planning in-person commencement ceremonies for the class of 2021, while members of the class of 2020 still wait for their chance to sport caps and gowns with their peers. Here’s why the class of 2020 is still feeling the effects of missed graduation ceremonies.

The Wall Street Journal is inviting high-school students to create a time capsule addressed to their future selves 10 years from now so they can remember the pandemic. We’d like to hear from you in the form below.

In your proposal, describe how you will express yourself: you can write a letter or poem, or create photos, video, artwork, animation, audiofiles or a song, etc. We will select the best proposals and ask the winners for the full submission. The responses will run on our website and be featured in the paper timed to graduation in June.

Building a network is vital for your career, whether you are looking to take the next step, change industries or build your personal brand. Networking can feel intimidating at any age or stage of life, but overcoming jitters can lead to productive and lasting professional relationships. 

At the beginning of 2020, I was fresh out of college in the U.S. and teaching English in China as part of the Fulbright scholarship program. In February of that year, when people in the U.S. were still getting used to the word coronavirus, I was already quarantining in my apartment 40 miles outside of Hong Kong, living off instant noodles and teaching remotely. As an instructor at the Macao Polytechnic Institute, I was supposed to be offering a global perspective to students as someone who had been born and lived abroad. However, after the first semester, our vibrant, interactive, in-person sessions transformed into lackluster...

Is a job interview really an exercise in deception? Career coaches and researchers who study falsehoods say yes.

It’s no wonder, really. Even as children we’re socialized to tell white lies about the gifts that Grandma brings or how dinner tastes. Job interviews are simply a high-stakes extension of that dynamic, says Robert Feldman, a professor of psychological and brain sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and author of the book “The Liar in Your Life.”

“It’s a situation almost designed to encourage lying,” he says. Candidates must put their best foot forward, and managers need to sell the job. Some companies say they want radical honesty, but do they really? “It is part of being a well-socialized person in our society to use lies to make other people feel good about themselves and to present ourselves effectively,” Dr. Feldman says.

One study finds that people would exaggerate all manner of things when going for a new role, from the...

Check your employer’s policy before considering dating someone at work. Don’t date your supervisor or someone who reports to you.  Avoid flings. If it is serious, disclose your relationship to your boss and be transparent with co-workers. If you decide the relationship is worth the trouble, consider transferring departments or finding a new job.

Research the salary range for the position at your employer and competitors. Understand the full benefits package and other negotiable items. Before you counter, know exactly what you want and would accept. Try to make all of your requests at once. Never give an ultimatum.

Managing up is all about making your supervisor’s job easier. Adapt your behavior to match your boss’s management style.  Manage up by scheduling a conversation with your boss to set expectations for how you will work going forward.

Remote work has been on the rise across the U.S. for years, but the coronavirus pandemic significantly accelerated the shift to remote work. This is especially the case for industries and roles that don’t require employees to work in person. “People have learned that this is more possible in roles that they didn’t think it was possible in before,” says Sara Sutton, chief executive and founder of FlexJobs, a career website for telecommuting, flexible, freelance and part-time jobs. She says getting workers set up to be able to work remotely at any time is like an insurance policy for employers in case they find themselves in a similar situation in the future. “I don’t think there’s any organization that is going to realize they should leave this opportunity on the table.”

Reiterate why you are interested in the role and why you would be a great fit. Reference something personal you discussed during the interview. Bring it back to the application process and offer to answer any other questions the interviewer may have.

The most effective cover letters tell a story about why you are qualified for the role. Familiarize yourself with the job description. Explain how your experience qualifies you for the requirements listed. Be concise: Hiring managers often skim cover letters.

Congratulations! You got the job. Now comes the exciting and possibly anxiety-inducing task of preparing to make your first day of work a success. Whether you are starting at a new company or moving to a new department, working remotely or in person, workplace experts say you should plan ahead and use this time to get the lay of the land.