As people gain experience, they look back on their successes and overrate their judgment, says Malcolm Gladwell, distiller of social trends and author of The Tipping Point. Research shows that even when playing games of pure chance, people carry an illusion of control, thinking they can win because they’re “better.” A simple explanation: overconfidence.

Tina Turner may belt out, “What’s love got to do with it?” but my own rendition is “What’s age got to do with it?” Too often, I come across individuals who say they’d like to apply for such and such position but their age is a hindrance ... Your age can work in your favor if you let it. Decide to go for it no matter how many times you’ve circled the sun.

Whom do your co-workers look up to more, you or your boss? According to a recent Randstad survey, employees said that besides their parents, their co-workers were the most influential people in their lives.

Question: My department recently moved to a new building ... I was given an office that was originally designated for “Judy.” Judy seems offended by this change. I think she blames me for the decision, even though I had nothing to do with it. Now I’m starting to feel guilty. How can I fix this?

New business books are constantly popping up, each promising to change the way we work. Keeping up with the reading is challenging enough. But how do you get the most out of each book? Three tips from Fast Company:

It takes courage and a sense of security to use humor, especially in unfamiliar situations. Sure, it’s risky, but greater rewards generally require greater risks. Take John Golden, an amateur champion in golf who qualified for the U.S. Senior Open. The first day, he found himself on the green with Jack Nicklaus ...

Though work mates care about you, they pay more attention to messages that show there’s something in it for them, says Susan Mason, a principal of Vital Visions Consultants. So, for example, if you want something from your boss—whether it’s approval on a new printer purchase or a more flexible schedule—figure out what benefit she will realize. Figure out “What’s In It For Me?” from her perspective.

You’ve just had a brochure printed for your company and you notice a very big, embarrassing typo. What should you do? Tell your boss about your role in the mistake? Blame the colleagues who checked the final proof?

Learn what’s key to your organization’s success by asking your boss, “What keeps you up at night?” ... Devote 18 minutes a day to time management ... Snag a cheap, last-minute air fare by turning to Twitter ... Confront an awkward situation without having to say anything ... Help a lost smartphone find its way home.

It’s true and here’s why: Because legions of colleagues, current and past, have access to a job candidate’s profile on LinkedIn, their scrutiny keeps the candidate on the up-and-up. So potential hires are far less likely to lie about their job titles or dates of employment on a public profile as compared to a paper résumé.

A person’s business success has far less to do with one great decision than it does with sound day-to-day habits. “Most people think that there is some silver bullet to being great,” says Pam Bilbrey, co-author with Brian Jones of the new book, Ordinary Greatness. “Greatness is really about doing the ordinary, everyday things consistently well.” Here are a dozen habits to practice in your business (and personal) life:

Hiring managers tell National Public Radio that they’re steering clear of candidates who make digital job-seeking faux pas. For starters: not having an updated profile, with recommendations, on social media sites like LinkedIn.

Need help when personal and work commitments overlap? Try these tips to better balance your schedule: Keep a uni-calendar ... Pen in time for important others ... Ask for help.

Have you passed the Social Security wage base of $106,800 for 2009? Once you do, you save 6.2% in Social Security tax on every dollar of wages. Instead of pocketing the cash, you might allocate at least part of it to a 401(k) or other retirement plan.

Not me, because I don’t carry a BlackBerry, BlueTooth, wireless laptop, or even a cell phone — no PDA, no beeper, no mobile technology of any kind. But that’s because I’m not mobile; I’m here at this PC 12 hours a day, and at home the rest of the time. I don’t travel. But I’m in the minority ...

Have you ever worked with someone who made a mistake and denied it? You’re sitting there fuming while he points the finger at someone else. Not really the way to earn Brownie points from your fellow co-workers, is it? How should you act? Here are five steps to follow:

In a new SnagAJob.com survey, 39% of Americans who’ve been laid off or had a spouse laid off since December 2007 say the ax was a “blessing in disguise.”

Tell a lie about a co-worker? Never. But there are times your boss doesn’t need to know everything, says Nicole Williams, author of Girl on Top. Here are five things your boss doesn't need to know about you.

Dr. Robert Eliot is famous for saying, “Rule number one is, don’t sweat the small stuff. Rule number two is, it’s all small stuff.” The cardiologist has even more great advice about keeping stress in check:

How do you gracefully exit a conversation during a networking event, without using the same excuse every time? (After all, there are only so many times you can go to the restroom.) Lynne Waymon, author of Make Your Contacts Count, offers some of her most effective ways to move around the room:

Just because you don’t feel confident doesn’t mean you can’t play the part. It pays off: Confident people get the plum assignments, the raises, the recognition, Trent Hamm says on the blog The Simple Dollar. Follow Hamm's tricks for appearing confident:

While some Web 2.0 tools are about socializing and idea-swapping, LinkedIn is the only tool completely devoted to business networking. Nurturing your online presence could lead to job offers, new knowledge or a beefed-up reputation as an expert.

Be honest with yourself: Do you have a love/hate relationship with Excel? You know the power it wields, but does Excel end up costing you time and stress? Here are a few tips on how to navigate and maximize your spreadsheets:

Whether you're dining with peers at a convention or meeting with a vendor, lunch etiquette can keep you from marring your image with a faux pas. Here are five etiquette rules for business meals, according to Robin Jay, author of The Art of the Business Lunch:

Is bullying marring your workplace? Gary Namie, co-founder and director of the Workplace Bullying Institute, advises going directly to management.