I know many professionals find that comparing themselves – their performance, their results, and their career trajectory – to others’ helps keep them sharp. They use it as a gauge of how well they’re doing or where they want to be.I’m not a fan of comparison, even though I catch myself doing it on a regular basis. Comparison erodes self-esteem (who’s “better?”) and it disconnects you from your sense of self (full of “shoul...

Another cool thing about the improving job market? The focus on employee engagement and retention. I happen to think I know a thing or two about how to engage and retain the best employees.Why?Because they’re the ones who seek out a career coach to help them with their careers.(Pause for a moment and think about it…)I’m not a recruiting expert, nor an employee development guru, but what I’ve learned through my clients’ expe...

My clients ask great questions. And sometimes I find the perfect article or resource that says exactly what I want to say. So here are three of my frequently asked questions, and spot-on answers from my colleagues:How do I know if I’m making the right career decision? Whether you’re wondering about quitting a job without having another one, turning down a perfectly good job offer because it doesn’t “feel right,” or putti...

In talking with a couple of hiring managers this week, we got on the topic of marketing materials. I heard the good, the bad and the ugly.The good? A cover letter from an under-qualified candidate that landed him an interview. You see, he’d done his homework and realized that his background in construction operations could benefit a creative services operations team. Smart.The bad?The candidate with less than five years of...

We know from ecology that a tree planted in a clearing of an old forest will be stronger than one planted in an open field. This is because the roots of the new tree are able to follow the pathways created by former trees and embed themselves more deeply. Over time, the roots of trees graft themselves together forming a system underground. The older trees help the younger ones mature and become stronger. The same principle...

“We’re moving forward with another candidate.” “It was really great to meet you, but we’ve found someone who has more direct-to-consumer experience.” “You’re just not a cultural fit for our team.” “At this point, we won’t be extending a job offer to you.”Actual rejection quotes from this week. Clearly, it was Rejection Week and I missed the official notice.Three clients got rejected for jobs they really, really wanted....

Maybe it’s because the job market has improved. Or they’re just tired of feeling so unsatisfied. Or that it’s spring. Or my clients have known for a while that they’re mismatched with their current career. Whatever the reason, reinvention is on their minds.When I surveyed my list about what they’d like to hear about, Reinvention was the number one webinar topic they said they’d like to see. Let me tell you a little bit more...

“I just need to know how to do it” said a new client. She was referring to how to quit her job. I’ve blogged about this in the past but her request, and what we discussed got me thinking – maybe you, too, are wondering about how to part ways with your employer.If you’re just embarking on a job search, my advice can be summed up in two words. Horse. Cart. Remember – they go in that order. Don’t worry about how you’re goin...

It’s hard for me to quit something. I keep trying to make things work – jobs, relationships, a broken door handle, whatever. I stay focused on making things work way too long past the freshness expiration date. I guess this makes me a bad quitter.Despite me knowing this about myself, I find it hard to give up on something. “If I just try doing it this way, it might work…” Great if you’re doing a team building challenge with...

Let’s talk about the other F word. Fear. As you can probably imagine, there are days when I need a Teflon suit to deflect my clients’ fears. Even the most self-aware clients have moments of sheer panic. Fear shows up. It’s just part of careers. It’s that simple.On good days, I’m a curious and non-attached observer of fear. On bad days, I get sucked into the fear vortex and find myself obsessing about my own career successe...