People often shy away from risks because of unnecessary fears, says Coca-Cola executive Pamela Stewart. You don't always need a role model to follow, but you should pursue big dreams, take risks when you're getting comfortable and challenge yourself.

You can convert cynics by treating everyone fairly and following through on promises, writes Theodore Kinni. "Cynics can make great employees, but only if you can allay our suspicions about your motives and reignite our idealism," he writes.

Employee engagement is a hot topic, but too much can lead to symptoms of burnout, researchers said. Generally, they found workers who were optimally engaged had high resources but low work demands, in terms of workload, bureaucracy, concentration and attention, while those who were "engaged-exhausted" had high resources and high work demands.

Programs for people returning to work attract a diverse workforce and offer experienced people flexible working arrangements, says Allison Robinson, founder of The Mom Project. BP recently worked with The Mom Project to develop a returnship program aimed at finding midlevel talent.

Tailor your resume to the job you're applying for and ensure it looks professional, writes Heather Huhman. Although it's important to be honest, you don't need to say everything in your cover letter.

If you're feeling stressed at work, avoid reaching for stimulants such as caffeine or sugar to get you through your day, writes Robin Madell. Take regular breaks, make exercise a habit and plan your tasks at the beginning of the day.

A hunter in Maryland was knocked unconscious last week by a falling goose he had just shot. Robert Meilhammer was hunting in a group before the incident and was treated for head and facial injuries at a nearby hospital.