Job search support groups used to be a staple of job seekers when looking for a new job. They’re still around, but maybe not as easy to find as they used to be. On the other hand, I’ve just learned about a different kind of group that isn’t only for job seekers but could serve as a valuable resource in your next job search. Such groups have been referred to as “X helping X” groups. In a rece...

Sometimes it takes courage to move forward in the face of a career challenge. If you’re feeling some fear, that’s natural, but when it stops you in your tracks, finding a solution is not optional. What you need is to have the heart of a lion. I don’t know anyone who displays courage 100% of the time. I certainly don’t. My “heart of the lion” is often prowling around in the jungle so...

You might be counting on your field of professional expertise or specific skill-set to help you land your next great job opportunity, whether it’s an internal promotion or a new job at another company–and you could be right. But you might have another talent that would turn you into a front-runner, even against stiff competition. What’s that? It’s your ability to solve problems. Not necessarily mi...

Wouldn’t it be great if the employers you’re targeting with your job search/resume submissions would read every word you’ve written and pay close attention to all of them? Never happen! Realistically, that’s about as likely as presidential candidates shaking hands courteously, patting each other on the back, and exchanging friendly smiles–and meaning it! EMPLOYER HIRING PRACTICE SHORTC...

According to ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus, change is the only constant in life. That might not be much comfort to you if you’re facing upheaval at work, at home, or both! But you can’t stop the tide from coming in just because you don’t want it to happen. Trends that affect both work and personal life can range from small to huge. Your odds of finding a comfortable rut or safe harbor that helps...

Is conflict a problem in your workplace? Maybe not all the time but much of it? If so, I’ll bet that situation has intensified since the onset of this year’s extremely acrimonious presidential election campaign. I’ve written about conflict in the work environment before, but this year things seem to have escalated. [No, this is not going to be primarily about politics!] Some topics appear to aggravate e...

You might be working for a really good company and happy with everything–EXCEPT your boss. If he/she is not even a good boss, let alone a great one, your work environment is probably what we call toxic. More than likely, you want out! How to Tell if You Have a really Bad Boss For the most part, this one is easy. Your boss makes life miserable for you from the time you arrive in the morning until you leave at nig...

Conducting a job search is challenging enough without sleazy, bottom-feeding individuals attacking you when you’re especially vulnerable. Even smart people can fall for something that’s not on the up-and-up but has cleverly been made to sound as if it is. When someone offers you an opportunity that seems to be just what you need, you could easily be tempted to take him/her up on the offer. Job Search Scam Al...

Let’s assume you have good qualifications for the positions you’re targeting (which is not always a safe assumption). Does that mean you’re assured of conducting a successful job search–i.e., one that results in the job offer you want? Not necessarily. Whether you’re a senior-level executive or someone who’s still pursuing a higher level, you have a lot more work ahead of you than just...

Ageism is defined by the online Cambridge Dictionary as “unfair treatment of people because of their age.” By and large, of course, that refers to discrimination of “older” people (although there is a smaller sub-set related to young people). Ageism in the workplace rears its ugly head in all too many settings. As a result, career success can and often does suffer the impact of ageism and employer hi...