Category: Career development

Let’s make things clear: It’s impossible for everyone in the workplace to be your close friend. It’s possible, however, to build positive working relationships with them. What do we mean when we say positive relationships? Every employee dreams of working in an environment where positivity resonates. Where people are supportive of each other. Where you feel motivated to work hard, not to mention score a perfect attendance because your colleagues are encouraging. We all aspire to be a part of … Continue reading “4 Tips For Becoming The Co-Worker Everyone Loves”

I’ve been a professional career coach since 2002. Over the last 20-plus years, I have learned a lot about the industry and what it takes to be an effective career coach. Back when I first became a career coach, the concept wasn’t as widely accepted as it is today. In fact, my clients were afraid to admit they were working with a career coach because they felt like it indicated there was something wrong with them. Today, we now understand … Continue reading “5 Hard Lessons I've Learned As A Career Coach”

While cupid’s arrow shouldn’t be aimed anywhere near the workplace, there are some fun and appropriate ways to celebrate this holiday of love. From small gestures of gratitude to team-building activities to sweet treats, you have plenty of options to make Valentine’s Day a positive and inclusive celebration at work. Here are some great ideas to spread love, cheer, and perhaps some dessert in the office this Valentine’s Day. Some view this holiday as cringe-worthy, but there are a lot … Continue reading “6 Ways To Celebrate Valentine’s Day At Work”

Phone interviews are becoming more and more important in the job search. They are your gateway to get to the face-to-face interview. Employers try to screen candidates out with phone interviews because they need to narrow down their list of applicants to bring on-site. So, in your job search, you need to do everything you can to give yourself the edge and ace that phone interview so you can move forward in the job search process. That means preparing just … Continue reading “3 Surprising Phone Interview Tips”

Networking with high-level executives can be intimidating, especially when you need their help during a job search. Many job seekers make the mistake of being too casual in their approach, sending messages like, “Hey, how are you? It’s been too long. Let’s catch up!” While this may seem friendly, it often comes across as disingenuous—especially in today’s highly competitive job market. Executives are incredibly busy, and with the current white-collar job recession, they are constantly bombarded with vague networking requests. … Continue reading “How To Network With Executives In Your Job Search”

After a long day at work, sometimes all you want to do is sit on the couch, eat a bag of chips, and zone out watching television. The thought of attending a networking event or sending messages on LinkedIn seems daunting. Not only do you have to give up free time, but you also may have to talk with strangers. With this type of mindset, it’s easy to see why so many people are apprehensive about the concept of networking. … Continue reading “Why You Should Embrace Networking (Especially If You Hate It)”

One thing that will help you gain interviews with your target companies is talking with more people who are “in the know.” Do this by conducting more interviews of your own. The informational interview is an effective way to build your network and gather information to move your career forward. Informational interviews can actually be quite fun. Meeting for coffee, or briefly in someone’s office, takes the pressure off both parties. The job seeker is simply asking for information, guidance, … Continue reading “How To Conduct An Effective Informational Interview”

Your resume is the most important document to advance your career. And given employers will only scan it for about 7-10 seconds, you need to make sure you scream, “Here’s what I can do for you!” That means every word on your resume needs to earn its place by showcasing real impact, not just vague buzzwords. Fluff won’t capture a hiring manager’s attention. Instead, you need concrete, quantifiable examples that prove your value. The key is transforming generic statements into … Continue reading “4 Ways To Turn Resume Fluff Into Marketable Facts”

If you’ve ever been fired or laid off, you know it can be a traumatic experience, especially if you haven’t been given a specific reason. Nobody really ever gets fired without a cause; there’s always a reason for letting an employee go. There are multiple reasons why people are let go (reorganization, underperformance, being drunk at work, harassing co-workers, complaining about your boss on social media, breach of company’s policies, etc.), but there are three that are most common in … Continue reading “3 Most Common Reasons You Got Fired”

If I needed to land a job interview within one week, here’s exactly what I would do. As a 20-year career coaching veteran who has helped thousands of people secure better-paying jobs, I know what works—and what doesn’t. Follow this step-by-step strategy to increase your chances of getting an interview fast. Step 1: Target The Right Jobs The first thing I’d do is identify 10 jobs where I am a 100% fit—not overqualified, not underqualified, but perfectly aligned with the role. … Continue reading “How To Get A Job Interview In One Week”