I really liked this quote from Michelle Obama’s commencement speech at Northern Iowa University. It reminds me of something I often tell my clients.The path won’t always be laid out neatly for you. Sometimes you won’t be able to find that perfect job. Sometimes you might momentarily take a job just to stay afloat. – Michelle Obama This could not be any truer. Just like life, your career path isn’t going to always be sunshin...

In this day and age with technology and instant communication at our finger tips, people pay less attention to details and the little things that create a final product. This is especially true in the current job market. People begin to skip steps and slack off on things such as resumes. I recently read this article from FOX Business news, "How to Write the Perfect Cover Letter."First impressions are critical, especially du...

During one of my recent career coaching groups, client Brent admitted he had been attending our career coaching calls from some very interesting places at his company. Brent is one of the most committed clients I have ever worked with. I’m constantly impressed with his positive attitude, his willingness to take a look at the tough obstacles in his way, and he is the first one to take action on our homework every week. On th...

I was interviewed on the radio recently in Atlanta, on Q100, talking about whether the economy’s getting better and how people are feeling about it. The good news is that more of my clients are scoring job interviews. In fact, two of my clients recently have secured new jobs. I’ve also noticed that despite high unemployment rates, employee confidence is coming back. I’m hearing of clients getting called by recruiters again,...

With today’s economy there is no such thing as job security. We can no longer sit back and assume we are getting a paycheck. Here’s how to keep your career in tip top shape:Manage your career. Realize it’s your best asset and be proactive.Set goals for where you want to be in 6 months, 1 year, and 5 years. Create an image of where you want to be.Communicate with peers and supervisor regularly so you know how you’re doing. S...

As a woman, it is extremely important to know your self-worth, especially in your career. Here is a great article in I recently read in Time Magazine about how women are still earning less than men, The 100% Solution.As a working mom I have to admit I took some offense to Donald Trump’s quote when asked about hiring working moms, he replied, “She’s not giving me 100%. She’s giving me 84%…” The article’s author says working...

I am always telling my career coaching clients to have a positive attitude in their career path. That is why this article in Time Magazine caught my eye, The Science of optimism. You have to remain optimistic and look out for opportunities in order to keep your career in shape. This is a great article that shows how being positive can help you, but sometimes it can also hinder you. I've experienced both sides of this equati...

In your job search, you have to know your brand. On a recent group career coaching call my clients, Herman and James, were talking about this.What’s the difference between your brand and your elevator pitch? They’re very similar but there is a difference. Here’s the deal, your elevator pitch is: A statement about who you are The value you bring to a prospective employer What you’re looking for (a job, networking contacts et...

A problem that I come across a lot when working with my career coaching clients is their ability to position themselves effectively when applying for a job. Last week I was working with a client, Susan. We were putting together her cover letter and resume for a position she was very excited about. Her problem was that she could only focus on the area that she felt did NOT fit the job. This very talented, highly educated pr...

Life can get a little crazy when change is happening all around us. If you've still got one foot in your former professional role and the other foot has stepped into the future, you may feel unsure of whether you're coming or going!This is natural, especially in times of career transition. The trick is to set boundaries for yourself as a way to curb the feelings of overwhelm. Here are some examples:1. Turn off some of the c...