It is not uncommon that I talk with folks who are surprised at where they are in their jobs and careers. Not necessarily unhappy with where they are in life, but recognizing that the path taken has turned out differently from what they started out to pursue. Some aren’t sure they are where they are…
Recently, I heard from Katrina, a French-born marketing assistant living in Ohio, who has spent most of her life in the United States. She has lived in many diverse locations around the globe, has traveled extensively, and considers herself industry-wise because of her world-wide exposure to her field. Katrina told me she attended college in…
When Leonard Nimoy as Star Trek’s Mr. Spock first uttered the words “Live long and prosper” in 1967 he was not referring to the length of one’s career. Although by extension, longevity in one’s chosen profession isn’t a bad thing to wish on anyone. And when the original series aired, the supposition was that most…
It is not uncommon for adults to take pride in their personal histories and the experiences that have shaped them into who they are at this point in their lives. Our accomplishments and the goals we have attained empower us to continue our careers, try things in new and different ways and continue to grow. …
When you are out of work, control isn’t something you generally feel. But when you’re looking for work, you have more control than you may think! There are many aspects to the job search where you, the job seeker, are in control. And while you may need to exercise caution and respect exerting that control,…
When clients tell me they aren’t sure how they did during an interview, they usually talk about all the things they claim they told their inquisitor. Granted, knowing what to say is important. But frequently, the success of an interview can hinge on what you don’t say. And sometimes, what you don’t tell your interviewer…
Recently, I was talking with a new client who asked about careers in sports. He told me he played football; competitively but not professionally, while in college. But I was pretty sure he was asking about jobs behind the scenes in pro sports. As we talked, he revealed himself to be a devoted fan of…
There are certain kinds of people who suck the life out of your day. On an airplane, a screaming child can ruin a flight for even the most seasoned traveler. Surly passengers and transit operators with negative attitudes won’t help get your day off on the right foot. In the work place, a coworker or…
There are times in your life that necessitate that sacrifices are made. The small act may not seem like a big deal at the time, especially if the right sacrifices is made, and is done with our hearts so we can demonstrate our compassion, our understanding and patience. Things like giving up your seat on…
Back in the day, workers spent a lot more years with a single employer than they do today. We once thought we’d spend our entire careers with a single employer, but this is no longer the case. In fact, it’s becoming increasingly rare for employees to spend more than 5 years with a single employer. …
“Jack” and “Jill” (I don’t want to know their real names, but we’ll call them J&J!) were sitting across the isle from each other, one row behind me, on a full cross-country flight. It seemed they both wanted aisle seats! They were apparently well acquainted, though their exact relationship isn’t important. But what is important…
Among the complaints I hear frequently from employees are comments like: “I’ve been busting my butt for this company for years, and not once has anyone actually said, ‘thanks for your efforts’.” And almost as frequently I hear employers say things like: “Why should I say ‘thank you’? It’s their job! What the heck am…
One of the prime motivators for switching jobs has always been money. Right or wrong, financial growth has been identified as a primary reason many workers have pursued certain careers. True enough, there are certain careers where high salaries and monetary gains are the attraction, but rarely are those fat paychecks achieved without lots of…
Regardless of the type of relationship you are trying to establish, the first days truly are the hardest. This is particularly true when you start a new job. Even if you are a veteran in your field and think you are prepared to do the work that is expected, you are thrust into a multitude…
Recently my client Jessica and I were discussing salaries and raises. Her primary question wasn’t IF she should ask for a raise, but if under her current circumstances was Now a good time? Although Jessica’s situation may be somewhat unique – everyone’s situation is a bit different – I thought there was some good information…
If think you’re having a hard time looking for work, imagine what its like for the many people with disabilities. What was the first image you had after reading that sentence? Was it of a person in a wheelchair or on crutches? Was it of someone who is blind or hearing impaired? Did you flash…
There’s no question that job search is a tough job! This is particularly so in a slow economy like the one we’re experiencing now. Regardless of where you are in your career or how much experience you have, with competition for every opening being so rough, it is imperative that job seekers do everything they…
The concept of up-selling (trying to sell the customer more than just what they asked for), has been around for a long while. Whether it’s the waitress asking, “Do you want fries with that?”, or the appliance vendor asking if you want the matching stand for the plasma TV, offering more to the customer than…
You’ve been on the job for a while, and from your current position you don’t see much promise for the future. You like the company you work for, and the work you do, but aren’t feeling confident about your prospects for the career growth and advancement you thought were possible when you first applied for…
With the Winter Holiday Season upon us, occupying our thoughts, hearts and lives, I wanted to take a moment or two to encourage those who are out of work to keep looking and keep trying! “But who the heck is hiring, this time of year,” you ask? Maybe not as many employers are hiring right…
