Give yourself a competitive edge by delivering something different than what people expect from you, writes Sports 1 Marketing founder and CEO David Meltzer. It's important to first show your skills are equal to others' before highlighting the talents that set you apart from your peers, Meltzer writes.

Good leaders focus on the value employees can bring to their organizations, according to Deloitte CEO Cathy Engelbert. Investing in technology and skills training for staff members can help companies stay ahead of the competition.

Avoid posting controversial rants relating to gender, race or religion on social media platforms such as LinkedIn and Facebook, say Socialfly co-CEOs Courtney Spritzer and Stephanie Cartin. Don't share anything overly personal on social media, and understand each platform has a different purpose, they say.

Former Google software engineer Loretta Lee has sued the company, alleging male co-workers sexually harassed her, spiked her drinks, slapped her and refused to approve code she had written, among other claims. Lee says the code issue led to a report of low performance and her eventual firing.

You should apply and try to get interviews for positions even when you're not completely qualified for them, according to Transizion founder Jason Patel. Tailor your resume to the requirements of the role, and show confidence that you can do the job during your interview, Patel said.

Take a hard look at your current situation at work and ask yourself whether anything needs to change, advises Vicki Salemi. If you're unhappy, identify the main problems and consider looking for something new.

US household income greater than $105,000 per year does not contribute to higher levels of happiness, according to a recent study. Psychologists from Purdue University and the University of Virginia determined the satiation point, which is higher than the $95,000 global average.