Toolbelt Jobs are a Smart Choice

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

Colleges Embracing (and Teaching about) The Gig Economy

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

What Your Resume Can’t Do

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

Easy Fridays

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

Feierabend

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

How to Say “No Thanks” with Grace

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

Flex Jobs Survey: Freedom More Important than Pay

More than half of workers say that they’d like to become digital nomads. In a recent FlexJobs survey, 50% of people said they’d take a pay cut for the freedom to work from any location, and 75% would use a work-from-anywhere policy if provided by their employer.  And that freedom is valued more than pay. Half … Continue reading Flex Jobs Survey: Freedom More Important than Pay

The Procrastinating Perfectionist

In this post and this post, I wrote about Katherine Morgan Schafler, who has authored a book that’s changing my life.  In The Perfectionist’s Guide to Losing Control: A Path to Peace and Power, she frees up perfectionists to lean into their perfectionism as long as it’s doing no harm (more on that in future … Continue reading The Procrastinating Perfectionist

Recovering From Being Fired

There’s one interview I’ll never forget. I was hiring for a business services associate position. All the candidates we saw were polished, professional, and educated, and they were easy to talk to. The last interview of the day was with a woman in her 40s who looked great on paper and better in person. After … Continue reading Recovering From Being Fired

The Art of Bushido Leadership

If I suggested that you lead like a Samurai warrior, you might be a bit alarmed. Especially if you’ve watched too many corny movies. In a Fast company article by Amanda Yello and Lori Tsugawa Whaley, Whaley says that the Samurai code of conduct was actually designed to create a space for benevolent leadership. She writes, “Benevolent … Continue reading The Art of Bushido Leadership