For those people knee-deep in daily social media chatter, it may seem that everyone else is similarly active. Perhaps even, you judge anyone who opts out of social media as out of touch or an outlier, negligently avoiding this global, career- and life-boosting forum.Conversely, you may be the social media outlier above the fray, or think that it’s simply too noisy and unkempt. Maybe you feel that involving yourself in the c...
Most of us have been guilty of the “they’re so lucky” assertions. I hear it from careerists in regard to wishes for better opportunities and wistful envy of a colleague’s or friend’s advancements while they are left in what feels like the dust of opportunity and the waning light of their own careers.Is Your Head in the Sand While Your Career Walls Crumble?I’ve also witnessed a plethora of careerists, dutifully doing their j...
It’s not uncommon for employees to get the urge to job shop when they find themselves or their careers oppressed by out-of-touch leadership. For most, self-diagnosing for antiquated leadership behavior may seem daunting. As such, the following list provides insight into nine things leaders do that show their leadership style may need an overhaul.1. Lead from an ivory tower. A genuine leader is willing to spend time on the f...
Unfortunately, many career experts and bloggers wield a powerful sword that pokes holes in job search strategy and touts sweeping simplicity.While the ultimate goal of a job search plan is one that you can use to smoothly navigate transition, plotting that map requires meaningful effort and thought work.Imbibe the latest article on job search, and you’ll read phrases dripping in adjectives like “simple” and “quick” and dire...
So, it’s a tougher economic climate out there than it was a few years ago.What are you doing to stir up conversations with prospective employers? Are you reading the trade journals, business journals and such to see whose career is advancing, whose company is growing or where new shoots of growth and opportunity are appearing?From there, you can send a meaningful note to the specific person or company (sleuth around to find...
1. Your Resume Should be Written as a StoryWhat does this mean, really, to write a story? Does it mean something like: ‘Once upon a time I was a receptionist at a telecom company before finding my breakthrough sales role that led to my rise to senior management?’Well, yes, sort of.But what really makes a story sing are the obstacles, winding roads, storms and even battles that you encounter along the way to success. So, whi...
Does Your Resume Make a Human Connection?In a recent blog, In Search of Excellence co-author Tom Peters shared his flash of inspiration when he realized he had gotten into the skin of his audience and developed a “true personal relationship.”When relating a recent presentation to a group of hardware store folks, Peters said, “If I’m really looking you in the eye and there are 1,000 people in the room, when I’m looking ‘you’...
While technology is an important part of the job search equation, it doesn't trump thought-work, introspection and proper targeting.Yes, totally ignoring technology can potentially be harmful, in that disregarding its value could equate to missed opportunities. However, overshadowing the process with a hyper-focus on technology's ability to catapult your results can be equally harmful.Why You Must Not "Forget Your Resume"Ex...
According to Dictionary.com, the definition for resume is "a summing up; summary;" and, "a brief written account of personal, educational and professional qualifications and experiences, as that prepared by an applicant for a job."With this somewhat broad definition in mind, job seekers often get consumed by understanding the details of what to do when building a career summary. However, the conundrum is that you're not sur...
My husband recently summed up a work-life conversation, saying, “It’s a funny thing, but when you start focusing on the right things, everything else starts falling into place.”I cling to this, as I pursue a new phase in my journey.Just seven months ago, I felt adrift as frustration began seeping into my foundation. My resume and career storytelling business was booming, and life at the lake with my husband was an actualiza...