Avoid using flimsy excuses -- like needing to go get food or run an errand -- to avoid attending a meeting, writes Richard Moy. Before you miss a meeting because of other work, ask your boss whether you should prioritize your other tasks or the meeting, Moy writes.

If you want your emails to be persuasive, make sure you personalize them for the recipient, writes John Stevens. Keep them short and to the point by eliminating unnecessary words and putting the most important parts first.

If you want to become a better networker, you have to develop your ability to engage in small talk, writes Peter Gasca. Practice by working on encouraging others to talk about themselves instead of getting on your phone when you're in public without anything else to do, Gasca writes.

Companies are offering employees a wider variety of voluntary benefits, experts say. Popular options include help paying for pet care if someone is hospitalized, long-term-care coverage and concierge health services.

The hiring process currently takes an average of 23.8 days -- an increase from 2014, when the average was 22.9 days, according to Glassdoor. Average hiring times vary from region to region, but the difference between industries is more significant, says Glassdoor economist Andrew Chamberlain.

You can improve your energy levels and encourage positive emotions simply by drinking more water and getting plenty of sleep each night, writes Deep Patel. Other ways to increase your happiness include teaching others new skills and using positive words regularly.

Plans have been made to silence Big Ben's bell until 2021 to provide a safe environment for workers making repairs to the surrounding Elizabeth Tower in London. The plan has drawn criticism from many, including UK Prime Minister Theresa May, who said "it can't be right" that the bell would not ring for four years.