As a career coach, a huge part of my job is coaching people to remember and confidently express their best self – on paper, online and in person. While the print and online aspects of the job search can be challenging, it is the interview that is by far the most anxiety-producing aspect of job-hunting. How can you circumvent debilitating anxiety that deprives your brain of oxygen and leaves you tongue-tied and inco...

Regardless of whether you are launching your career, eyeing a promotion or re-entering the job market you hold the keys to your success. Technical skills and educational background influence your career but having a “can do” attitude combined with the right soft skills will make your Career. Here are ten strategies for building a career worth having: Build authentic relationships. Be real with people...

The new year is an excellent time to revisit the language we use to promote ourselves at work, during interviews and when talking with clients. The words we choose or use unconsciously have a direct impact on the value others place on our contributions. Too often I hear clients use words and phrases that undersell them and demean the good work they do. This generally unconscious habit conveys an underlying lack of confid...

Many people fail to appreciate the non-monetary benefits of negotiating. In addition to the obvious increase in current and future income, (the money you negotiate now, the interest on the portion of the increase that you bank, and additional income on future raises) making the choice to negotiate benefits us in a host of other ways that are advantageous to our career. Negotiating a robust salary that reflects our standi...

Last week as I was wrapping up a three-month coaching project with a client, he asked me to send him a “don’t forget” list. Although I didn’t have one at the ready, his request prompted me to create one. Many thanks to Joe for the great suggestion! Create an accomplishment file (paper or digital). Every week jot down a few notes about something you achieved, accomplished or completed that demo...

In the course of working with hundreds of clients I have discovered that what works with one person doesn’t necessarily work with another. As a result, I have developed a list of favorite career tools from which to draw ideas and better serve my clients. Today I will share a few of my current favorites.“Cool Careers for Dummies” by Marty Nemko. Yes, it is one of the Dummies books; I only wish I had written this one. Chapter...

Many job seekers make the mistake of taking December off thinking that nothing happens until after the first of the year. Not true. I’ve had clients receive job offers on December 23. Here are some ideas for keeping your job search active this month. Dec. 1: Check your supply of business cards; if you are running low, order more. If you don’t have one, create one. It should represent you as the quality candidate you are....

Fresh off the agility field after back-to-back weekends of competition, here are five lessons that are equally relevant on the field and during the interview. 1. Pre-plan your approach. Prior to each agility event, handlers are given the opportunity to walk the course and determine their approach to each obstacle. This is a chance to identify potential stumbling blocks and play up you and your dog’s strengths. Experienced d...

An interview is a conversation between two or more people. The purpose is to discuss the scope, requirements and qualifications necessary for a specific job. All parties should come to the table prepared to ask questions and offer relevant information. There are three kinds of information that the hiring manager or interview team is seeking: Can you do the job? Will you do the job? And, do you fit? And, if the truth be told...

Nearly every client I work with laments the fact that he didn’t keep better records of his achievements in previous years. While it is not impossible, it is often a challenge to reconstruct specific examples of your work accomplishments. More than one client has spent hours in his garage rummaging through old boxes in search of evidence that we can use on his resume. If you are faced with this dilemma, here is what you shou...