Work, success, and meaning at every stage of your career
For years, I’ve compared job hunting and dating. It may sound weird at first, but consider all they have in common. Both you and the hiring manager are looking for a long-term relationship. (Or not. Sometimes, it can be pretty one-sided.) You’re both on your best behavior during the first date, trying to read the … Continue reading Your Job Search and Your Dating Life Have a Lot in Common
Arthur Brooks, writing for The Atlantic, says that compliments are an important part of how we communicate with each other. They’re a big part of the positive remarks that boost the self-esteem of the receiver and keep work and personal relationships warm and productive. Relationship experts gauge the future success of couples by the ratio … Continue reading Compliments that Matter. BTW, I love your shirt.
Savvy parents are talking with their kids about opting out of expensive 4-year degrees where the ROI is unclear, to say the least. Only 40% of high school grads who go to 4-year colleges have earned degrees within 6 years, and despite federal policy, most will have to pay back expensive student loans. Even those … Continue reading Toolbelt Jobs are a Smart Choice
It makes sense that a music school would be among the first to take the gig economy seriously enough to teach a course on how to do it well. After all, the word “gig” was applied to music and artistic jobs long before it was applied to general work. Writing for Fast Company, reporter Shalene … Continue reading Colleges Embracing (and Teaching about) The Gig Economy
When you’re in a job search, it’s easy to believe that it’s a game of numbers. The more resumes you send out, the more applications you submit, the better your chances, right? Nope, for two reasons. The first is that sending out dozens of applications feels desperate and looks desperate. If your goal is quantity … Continue reading What Your Resume Can’t Do
Writing for Inc. Magazine online, workforce performance expert Henna Pryor made up a term that is not only poetic, but useful for any leader. She says “birdsong leadership” is a way to make your employees feel safer and become more productive. She writes, “I was listening to the birds on my back porch last week … Continue reading Lead Like a Bird
I’ve worked in both a cramped cubicle and a spacious corner office with a view. There’s no doubt that my view of the treetops (3rd floor) and blue skies while sunshine poured in made me happier and my work easier. Whoever dreamed that workers would choose to return to the office to go back into … Continue reading The View Matters
Fridays have always had a different flavor from the rest of the week. It’s the day you start thinking ahead to your weekend, finish up projects, and take time to get organized so you can start next week with confidence. “Casual Fridays” were a nod to this in-house focus. More relaxed attire reflected a more … Continue reading Easy Fridays
Working from home has plenty of benefits, as millions of workers have discovered since the pandemic lockdowns. But WFH has blurred – make that erased – the line between “at work” and “at home.” Without a clean break, it’s much harder for you to relax and be present for your family during the evening. Remember … Continue reading Feierabend
Whether it’s a job offer or internal promotion, you always have the power to say “no thanks.” How you say it will make the difference in whether your relationship stays strong and your reputation remains undamaged. After all, it’s your reputation, experience, and skills that got you to the point of receiving an offer. Amanda … Continue reading How to Say “No Thanks” with Grace
Your Work, Your Way 