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What To Do When You Feel You Just Can’t Find Employment

Posted on June 12, 2019 by Editor

We’ve all been there, you are searching and searching but can’t seem to land a new position. It feels scary, like a dead end is near. If you have a family, your stress levels are higher. With over 80% of American’s not having more than $500 in their savings account, it can be a treacherous time. So what do you…

Stop Listening to Bad Career Advice (And What You Should Do Instead)

Posted on August 10, 2018 by Michelle Riklan

Have you ever considered asking friends for career advice? Unless they’re way ahead of you in their chosen profession, it might be best to reconsider. Bad advice, even from the most well-meaning sources, abound. Some so-called experts dish advice they have never put to use themselves—all theory, no proof. Even more astonishing—and disappointing—is the advice women give to other women….

Is Your Boss Endangering Your Career Advancement?

Posted on July 10, 2018 by Michelle Riklan

There are good bosses and bad bosses, but sometimes you’re not so lucky. Your boss is a key figure in your career advancement so, like it or not, he or she will play a major role in your life. What happens if your boss is far from ideal? How do you deal with him or her? The Five “Bad” Bosses…

How to Tailor Your Resume for Different Jobs Quickly

Posted on June 14, 2018 by Michelle Riklan

Fashion stylists often claim that you’ll only get the best fit if you have your clothes tailored. This applies to resumes too, but many applicants aren’t sure what tailoring their resume involves. What should they change? What part of their resume should they focus on? It just sounds like a lot of work. To avoid all that confusion, I’ll show…

What Not to Include in Your Resume

Posted on May 14, 2018 by Michelle Riklan

You can add one page to your resume for every 10 years of your career, according to Google’s Head of HR. Of course, that’s not necessarily in your best interest. Many people with less than 10 years of experience have two-page resumes. However, not all applicants know what’s worth including in their resume, so some end up with a resume longer…

What You Need to Know Before Signing a Non-Compete Agreement

Posted on April 11, 2018 by Michelle Riklan

You just received a job offer with good pay and benefits. But there’s a catch: the employer wants you to sign a non-compete agreement (NCA) as part of your employment contract. Should you sign it? Can you negotiate it? Many job applicants don’t understand what a non-compete actually entails and how it can affect their career. What are Non-Compete Agreements?…

How to Add Pizzazz to Your Resume Summary

Posted on March 19, 2018 by Michelle Riklan

Your resume needs a hard-hitting summary if you want recruiters to keep reading it. A great summary includes a combination of your skills and notable achievements, which sounds simple in theory until you actually sit down to write it. In this article, I’m going to show you how to add some spice to your summary statement so you can wow…

Questions You Shouldn’t Ask at the End of an Interview

Posted on February 14, 2018 by Michelle Riklan

Almost every interviewer will ask if you have any questions towards the end of your job interview. Like it or not, the questions you ask matter just as much as your answers before the tables turned. Each question you ask reflects on your interest in the position you applied for, knowledge of the company, and attitude. The good questions are…

Truth about Resume Myths Revealed

Posted on January 5, 2018 by Michelle Riklan

Writing a resume that gets you an interview is hard enough as it is. The resume myths I keep hearing about make this process harder and confusing especially for clueless job seekers who rarely write a resume. This article reveals some of the resume myths I keep hearing about, so you can stop worrying about them and get on with…

New Year’s Resolutions to Skyrocket Your Career in 2018

Posted on January 5, 2018 by Michelle Riklan

Writing a New Year’s Resolution is easy, especially if you’re not happy at work. Your resolution could be to get a new job, get a raise, or make it through a week without complaining about your boss. You have plenty of ideas about the things you want to improve. Setting a resolution isn’t so easy and straightforward when things are…

How to Balance Your Work and Social Life during the Holidays

Posted on December 12, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

Thanksgiving is over but we have another set of social gatherings to attend. Whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, or just join in for the parties, there’s no denying that all the shopping and events you’re invited to can derail your schedule. This month is one of the most overwhelming times of the year, when people are expected to juggle between…

8 Ways to Tap the Hidden Job Market besides Using Social Media

Posted on December 12, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

Thousands of jobs are filled without ever being advertised. A small business owner might tell his team a new position has opened, and that they are welcome to submit the resume of anyone they think is qualified. The same thing happens in big corporations. What I described above is what’s traditionally referred to as hidden jobs. Applicants usually look for…

How to Create a Career Back-up Plan

Posted on November 14, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

Your career is okay, then without a warning, the economy goes down or the once-stable company that you work for is facing bankruptcy. Before you realize it, you’re ordered to start packing because it’s your last day of employment. Sudden unemployment will force you to deal with the challenges that come with losing a job. Dozens of questions and worries…

Spend the Long Weekend after Thanksgiving Improving Your Career

Posted on November 14, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

This year, Thanksgiving will fall on November 23, only two weeks away. In some states though, the day after Thanksgiving is also a celebrated holiday, which leads to a much anticipated long weekend. You’re probably excited to relax and get together with your loved ones. In between family dinners and shopping, why not spend a part of the coming long…

Scary Job Interview Questions

Posted on October 10, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

Halloween season is just a few weeks away. Once again, the kids and the kids-at-heart get a free pass to dress as they want and indulge in enough candy to induce a sugar coma. In light of the coming Halloween, I invite you to consider a facet of job search that probably scares you—job interviews. To be specific, the unnerving…

Things to Consider before Relocating for a New Job

Posted on October 10, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

Moving is stressful, even if it’s for a new job. Just imagine, you need to find a new place, get a new driver’s license, find new utility providers, and deal with the hassle and mess of packing and unpacking your stuff. Is all that trouble worth it? If the new paycheck is your only consideration, you might regret the move…

What Can You Do to Promote Gender Equality at Work?

Posted on September 12, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

In 1911, millions of men and women in Denmark, Switzerland, Austria, and Germany marched on rallies during the first International Woman’s Day. They fought for the right of every woman to work, hold public office, and vote. Today, we have come far in terms of women’s rights, but there’s still so much we can do to close the gap between…

Body Language Tricks to Succeed in a Job Interview

Posted on September 12, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

It’s not what you said, but how you said it. Sounds familiar? This is true for relationships and job interviews. As a job applicant, you need to remember that the way your body moves says a lot about you. Body language is one way people communicate without talking. If you want to get a job offer, you have to be…

Alert! Don’t Fall for these 3 Ego Traps that can Ruin Your Executive Career

Posted on September 12, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

You’re on top of your game. You’re the boss and you have a corner office to prove it. Yes, it definitely took a lot of hard work to get to where you are now, but what got you to the top may not be enough to keep you in this position. Being the boss can make anyone prone to a…

Unexpected Succession Planning: What to Do if a Key Executive Unexpectedly Quits

Posted on August 5, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

You may not be the CEO yet. But as a company executive, an executive’s unexpected resignation, termination, or even absence is cause for alarm. Best case scenario, you may be chosen by the board to serve as interim CEO or executive. On the flip side, you may lose your job or the company may go down in the dumps as…

How to Build a Strong Alliance of Supporters at Work

Posted on August 4, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

One of the secrets of succeeding in the workplace is building strong alliances. No matter how seemingly good and experienced you are, or even if you hold a top position in an organization, time will come that you’ll need someone else’s help. This is where building alliances comes in handy. Successful employees work hard to build themselves a network of…

When Office Friends Turn into Liabilities

Posted on August 4, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

In general, making friends at work make Monday mornings more bearable and over time work a little less stressful. Having friends at work can make an otherwise stressful environment enjoyable, but things can also go sour under different circumstances. In light of International Friendship Day on July 30, we look at the different situations where office friends can become a…

How to Prepare for a Successful Video Interview

Posted on July 10, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

If you haven’t already done this yet, you likely will sometime in the future. More and more employers and hiring managers are using video interviewing at some point in their screening process. This cuts down on travel costs for all parties involved and with the popularity of telecommuting, it is becoming more popular and more accepted. Still, most job seekers…

Job Hunting Survival Tips for an Executive Who Has Never Looked for a Job in Decades

Posted on July 10, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

A young executive I met recently mentioned that she never had to look for a job. From the time that she got her MBA, she moved from job to job through contacts, and as her career progressed, she was recruited by head hunters hired by companies. She has never written a resume because she never needed one before—until now. With…

Why Comparing Your Career to Your Friends’ is Harmful

Posted on July 10, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

You and your best friend have been through everything together. You’ve survived high school, experienced first loves and first heartbreaks, gone through college, found your first jobs and supported each other through loss. You shop together, have coffee together, and maybe have even roomed together. But while we celebrated Best Friends Day last June 8, we all know friendships aren’t…

Networking for Executives

Posted on June 7, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

These days, it’s not so much what you know as who you know. While you need experience and credentials to give you the know how to lead a team or run a company, it’s often the handshake of someone you know that will get your resume on the desk. Whether or not you think this is fair, networking is…

Three Crushing Experiences Every Job Applicant Experiences

Posted on June 7, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

You usually feel pretty good about your work experience, education, and your resume. That is until you start looking for the job of your dreams. Suddenly, your alma mater isn’t as impressive as your colleagues’ schools and your previous experiences don’t look as appealing. Your resume just didn’t sparkle the way it seemed to just a short time before. So…

Get Your Children Off the Couch – Radio Interview with Ed Tyll

Posted on June 2, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

What an honor it was to be invited on the Ed Tyll show on Starcom Radio! The topic was How to Get Your Children off the Couch and Into the Workplace. I am pleased to share the audio (please click here) as well as the entire transcript. Ed was a gracious host with thoughtful and insightful questions and it…

Networking for Millennials

Posted on May 15, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

Millennials, as their reputation suggests, often do things differently. So it’s not surprising that they have their own strategies when it comes to networking. If you’re a shy millennial who would rather stay at home than mingle with your co-workers, or you’re a lost gen X-er who can’t figure out ‘the deal’ with millennials and their social habits, then this…

How to be a Good Neighbor in an Open Office

Posted on May 15, 2017 by Editor

So you have a new job – congratulations! It’s bound to be filled with all kinds of new challenges and tests – not the least of which is learning to get along with your new colleagues. This is not something to be taken lightly. How you get along with people will affect your social life and work performance at your…

How to Conduct a Confidential Executive Job Search While Employed

Posted on May 15, 2017 by Editor

According to the US Department of Labor, about 2 million Americans quit their jobs every year. And while these statistics are typically lower for executive-level employees, more and more senior-level team members are looking for new opportunities outside their current roles. Whether this is because you’re seeking new responsibilities, higher pay, you’re dissatisfied with some aspect of your company, or…

The Common Questions Applicants Ask Their Would-Be Bosses on Interviews

Posted on April 12, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

Are you a manager or executive interviewing someone for a job? Don’t expect that you’ll be the only one asking questions. Expect good candidates to raise their own questions during the job interview. They want to impress you and make themselves more memorable compared to other candidates. Here are the top four questions you can expect to get from a…

Do’s and Don’ts to Survive ‘Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day’

Posted on April 12, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

It’s not designed to be the most productive day of the year work-wise – but the implications of ‘Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day’ go beyond the day. It could shape a child’s future career, or even a life. The purpose of ‘Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day’ is to expose kids to what their parent,…

Six Tips for Proofreading Your Resume

Posted on April 12, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

Your resume is still a vital component to getting you the interview to the job of your dreams. It’s one of the first impressions that a hiring manager will have when you apply to a new job or position, and one of the biggest determinants about whether or not you will get called for an interview. While you can upgrade…

How to Make Work-Related Travel Less Miserable

Posted on March 10, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

Gone are the days when work meant punching the clock at an office at 9 AM and sitting in a cubicle or with fluorescent lights on until 5 PM. Today, with the economy gone global and many companies doing business with people around the world, most jobs will entail some form of travel. While some people will travel only once…

Five Sage Career Tips from High-Flying Women for Women

Posted on March 10, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

In today’s world, women are a vital part of the workforce and many have prominent roles in most industries. There are many fields and areas that are growing in terms of representation by women, including civil engineering, law enforcement, law, and medicine. This month marks the 30th anniversary of National Women’s History Month, which Congress passed in 1987. In…

5 Common Mistakes That Could Cost You a Job Offer

Posted on March 10, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

You’re in an interview for the job of your dreams. It’s going well, but don’t get too excited yet. Remember that the job isn’t yours until you and your employer have both signed on the dotted line. Here are common mistakes that can ruin your chances of landing that great job:

How to Deal with Email Conflicts at the Office

Posted on February 24, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

Ever since there was the written word, misunderstandings and misinterpretations have existed. Then email was invented, and miscommunications became more frequent. The nature of email today is that it is quicker than actual printed letters. People tend to treat email more casually than printed letters. Introductions are more casual and many times, they are not as carefully edited or their…

How to Make a Career Change as a 50-Year-Old Executive

Posted on February 24, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

These days, young people just entering the workforce will have an average of seven to nine careers in their lifetimes. That’s seven to nine different fields, not just employers. That number may seem unreasonable to older workers and baby boomers, whose parents worked their entire lives at one job. But even if you’re in your 50’s, it’s possible to make…

4 Career Advice Tips from Previous Presidents

Posted on February 24, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

Taking your first step in the right direction forms the basis of a bright career. If you are looking for some career insights that can help you in finding the right direction and kick-starting your career, you have landed at the right place. With ‘Washington’s Birthday – President’s Day’ celebration today, I’ll share four prestigious career advice tips from previous…

Executive Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

Posted on January 11, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

You’re an executive, and you’ve been contacted by a recruiter about an opportunity for a well-known firm in your industry. Congratulations! Although you’re excited about this position, you’re understandably nervous about the upcoming interview. Of course, the interview isn’t the be-all end-all to getting the job – there are also references to follow up with, and portfolios and numbers…

Alert! Don’t Resign Until You’ve Asked Yourself These Questions

Posted on January 11, 2017 by Michelle Riklan

Happy 2017! A new year is a great time to look at your life. Many people take this time to take stock of their health, fitness, eating habits, relationships, homes, and of course, their work. So how is your workplace? Are you happy there? Is your career fulfilling? Does your current position offer you room to grow? Could you –…

Reflect on Your Career this Holiday Season

Posted on December 13, 2016 by Editor

The holiday season isn’t just for relaxing with friends and family. Now that we’re on the brink of entering 2017, it’s a good time to reflect on the past year, what you have accomplished, and what you want to do next, career wise. Reflect on 2016 to Prepare for a Better 2017 So this year, as you sip your eggnog…

Networking for Millennials

Posted on December 13, 2016 by Editor

December is a time for parties so your networking skills—or lack thereof—will be tested. Millennials, as their reputation suggests, often do things differently. So it’s not surprising that they have their own strategies when it comes to networking. If you’re a shy millennial who would rather stay at home than mingle with your co-workers, or you’re a lost gen X-er…

Creating a Better Candidate Experience: Tips for Recruiting and Interviewing

Posted on December 13, 2016 by Editor

Good is sometimes a loaded word. Good often means just passable or adequate. But raise the standards a little, and you can go from good to better. Raise it even more, and you can be recognized as the best in your field. When sourcing a candidate for a job, sometimes recruiters forget that candidates are rating and comparing us, too….

Your Quick Guide to Surviving Holiday Work

Posted on November 8, 2016 by Editor

Maybe you’re a newbie in your office, or maybe you just drew the short straw. Either way, you’re stuck working this coming Thanksgiving. It’s a done deal. Nobody will trade shifts with you – after all, who would want to? They are just breathing a sigh of relief that it’s not them – and it’s written in stone on the…

From Salaried to Hourly: How to Tell Employees about the Upcoming Transition

Posted on November 8, 2016 by Editor

As an employer, manager, or human resources staffer, you’ve probably already heard the news that there’s a new Federal Department of Labor salary rule taking effect on December 1. The minimum salary to qualify for exemption will increase from $455 a week or $23,660 annually, to $913 a week, which will put the overtime threshold at $47,476 annually. How will…

The White Lies Employers and Recruiters Tell Unsuspecting Applicants like You

Posted on November 8, 2016 by Editor

When you’re looking for a job, you want to put your best foot forward. You and a hundred other applicants. You may be seeking employment, but the company is also looking for someone fantastic. Because they can’t hire everyone that applies, it makes sense that recruiters sometimes hide behind niceties to protect your feelings, such as… “We’ve decided to go…

Celebrating the Value of a Humanities Degree in National Arts and Humanities Month

Posted on October 11, 2016 by Editor

Whether you’re on the cusp of finishing high school or considering a career change and heading back to a higher education institution, you may be weighing out your options. Everyone has advice to give – “Take science classes,” your parents say. Your friends tell you to major in engineering, and your former teachers tell you that computer science is the…

How to Deal With Unethical Behavior in the Workplace

Posted on October 11, 2016 by Editor

Workplaces are complicated. There isn’t a lot of black and white most of the time, so it’s normal for employees to deal with issues of ethics at some point. Whether they’re asked to do something they don’t think is quite right, against the general morals of the workplace or society at large, or hide something, the guilty feeling in the…

Remembering the Importance of Work-life Balance after Labor Day

Posted on September 13, 2016 by Editor

Recently, we celebrated the last long weekend of the summer. In honor of Labor Day, workers vacated their cubicles, turned on their out-of-office notifications and had a great BBQ with their friends and neighbors. Did you join in the fun? Did you take advantage of the R&R? Or did you hunker down at your desk to catch up or get…

How to Administer Exit Interviews to Laid Off Employees

Posted on September 13, 2016 by Editor

When you’re the boss, one of the hardest things you’ll have to do is tell an employee that they no longer have a job, sometimes through no fault of their own. When an employee loses a job through termination, layoffs, firing, downsizing or reduction in force, the manager or supervisor should complete an exit interview. That might be the second-hardest…

5 Skills that Look Good on Any Entry-Level Resume

Posted on September 13, 2016 by Editor

If you’re a freshly-minted graduate, you’ve had the summer to take a break and recover from you hard work as a student, and maybe even relax on the beach, by the pool, or do some traveling. Perhaps you took on a job to save some money and gather your thoughts, or simply spent time meandering over what you’d like to…

A Primer for Compassionately Dealing with the Emotions of Laid Off Employees

Posted on August 9, 2016 by Editor

It’s the hardest part about being the boss – you will inevitably have to lay off one or more employees at one point in your career. If you haven’t had to do it before, you might wonder: Why is it so hard to lay off an employee? After all, it’s not your fault – you had no say in the…

Introverts: Afraid of Mingling? Don’t Let That Impact Relationships with Co-Workers

Posted on August 9, 2016 by Editor

There are all kinds of people in a workplace… Outspoken, gregarious types, and shy, timid types. And that’s OK, everyone is different. The problem with that is, even though we’ve moved beyond high school, popularity contests still exist in real life. People still gravitate towards others who are outgoing, friendly, outspoken, and give off high energy because they are exciting…

Career Advice from Moms, Dads, and the Parental Figures in Our Lives

Posted on July 19, 2016 by Editor

You may think of your parents as from a different generation, or even as archaic. But that doesn’t change the fact that they care about you and want the best for you. They’ve also been alive for a longer period of time, and likely have more work experience than you. So whether their wisdom is welcome or not, they give…

6 Odd Jobs for the Unemployed Running Out of Inspiration

Posted on July 19, 2016 by Editor

Its summer, which means a fresh new set of college graduates just entered the working world. If you’re one of them, congratulations! You’re about to embark into the career force – that is, if you are lucky. You will likely have more trouble finding a job than your parents did 20 or 30 years ago. Studies show that this is…

Lessen the Guilt You Feel After Giving the Pink Slip to an Employee

Posted on July 19, 2016 by Editor

Many managers have experienced it at one time or another; an employee just didn’t work out or fit into the workplace culture. But even when it’s the employee’s fault – a history of tardiness, no-call or no-show behavior, or performance issues at work – it’s hard to let go of someone. It’s hard, even with the knowledge that it is…

Lessons Learned after Firing Someone

Posted on June 14, 2016 by Editor

Being the manager or the boss definitely has its perks. Honing your leadership skills, having a say in the direction of the company, and the satisfaction of leading a stellar team are just some of its advantages. Unfortunately, being the boss has its downside, too. One of the hardest things that you may have to do at some point as…

Employee Recognition: How to Celebrate the Dad’s and Father Figures at Work

Posted on June 14, 2016 by Editor

As a manager or supervisor at your workplace, you’re responsible for more than managing the workload, assigning duties, and giving feedback to your team. You’re also responsible, at least in part, for their well-being. Why? A happy staff member is a productive staff member, and one who will call in sick less often, take fewer personal days, and be more…

3 Crushing Experiences Every Job Applicant Experiences (And How to Get Through Them)

Posted on June 14, 2016 by Editor

You usually feel pretty good about your work experience, education, and resume. That is, until you start looking for the job of your dreams. Suddenly, your alma mater isn’t as impressive as your competition’s and your previous experiences don’t look as interesting. Your resume just didn’t sparkle the way it seemed to just a while ago. So what happened? Everyone…

5 Challenges Veterans Face in Getting Hired

Posted on May 10, 2016 by Editor

They’ve been vigorously and meticulously trained, and have served our country with everything that was in them. But after they finish their term of service and get back to civilian life, many veterans, despite their extensive qualifications, find it hard to get employed. Even with their intense training and discipline, and the opportunities or programs offered to them, many veterans…

4 Steps to Spring Clean Your Resume in Less than 90 Minutes

Posted on May 10, 2016 by Editor

You probably have a resume. If you’ve been at the same job for a number of years, it likely lives in your computer somewhere, in some folder that contains important documents that you never really look at. It’s always a good idea to keep your resume fresh in case a golden opportunity pops up. That way, you won’t be wasting…

5 Ways to Calm Your Nerves and Fight Interview Jitters like a Pro

Posted on April 14, 2016 by Editor

You’ve spotted a posting for the job of your dreams. You decide that life is short, you’re ready for new challenges. You send out your resume and a cover letter, and hope for the best. Lo and behold, you get an interview! You’re excited. But getting an interview usually means jitters and anxiety. After all, you really want the job,…

4 Wrong Ways to Announce a Layoff

Posted on April 14, 2016 by Editor

It’s the hardest part about being a boss – delivering the bad news nobody wants to hear. With a global economic downturn comes cutbacks, and they are happening all over the country. Companies are slimming their budgets and making some difficult cuts. If this includes your company, you might find yourself having to deliver some rather difficult news. Nobody likes…

How Layoffs Affect 3 Types of Employees

Posted on March 15, 2016 by Editor

Employees in different levels of an organization are all affected when a layoff occurs, but not in the same way. Just as every employee plays a different role in a healthy, productive company, they also play a different role, and act differently, in times of distress. Leaders and Executives Through thick and thin, leaders are there to guide the company…

4 Not-so-Techy Tech Jobs and the Skills You Need to Get Them

Posted on March 15, 2016 by Editor

The tech industry is one of the fastest growing fields worldwide. Unfortunately, a lot of students and applicants stay clear of the industry because they feel they’re not “techy” enough. The tech industry isn’t exclusive to programming, engineering, and computer science majors though. Tons of jobs exist for applicants in the field of analysis, humanities, business, customer service, and sales….

4 Spot-On Strategies to Get Your Manager’s Trust

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Editor

When it comes to your career, there are a number of factors that can influence how quickly you get ahead, or if you get ahead at all, but none are as crucial as your boss. Yes, your manager can control when you get promoted – and if you get promoted at all – what projects you take on, where and…

Warning! 5 Signs You’re About to be Let Go

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Editor

It’s every employee’s worst nightmare – being let go from a job that they don’t want to leave, or that they’re not ready to leave. Finding yourself without a job, with bills to pay and a family to support, is likely one of the most stressful things that could happen to you as an employee. Lately, with an uncertain job…

5 Things to Never Say (or Admit Out Loud) to Your Boss

Posted on January 12, 2016 by Editor

In a perfect world, you’d be on good terms with your boss. You might not be the best of friends, trading holiday cookies, or hanging out and drinking beer after work, but at least your communication lines are always honest and open. But you don’t live in a perfect world — no matter how nice your boss is. Your boss…

5 Layoff Alternatives that will Save You Money without Reducing Your Workforce

Posted on January 12, 2016 by Editor

Companies are laying off people again and some financial experts say we might experience another financial downturn because of China’s slowing economy. Before you start listing employees to layoff, consider how much a restructuring can cost your business, especially in the long run. Aside from severance pay, and the risk of litigation, your business will also suffer from the low…

How to Stop Beating Yourself up over Your Mistakes at Work

Posted on December 22, 2015 by Editor

I found this interesting post on Reddit. Can you relate? “We were at a conference and I had to take notes and photos and write a report on it the following day, several people were speaking and at some point I got distracted with taking photos and forgot to take notes for one of the speakers except for one or…

How can you be Assertive but Not Aggressive in Job Interviews?

Posted on December 22, 2015 by Editor

This month, I received a rather intriguing question from Jake in New Hampshire, “I just came from an interview and the recruiter told me that I wasn’t assertive enough. I don’t know what he meant, but as far as I know, I emphasized my strong points and other skills.” Great question. Many job applicants fall on the extreme ends of…

Suspicious Tactics Companies Use to Get Rid of Older Employees

Posted on December 22, 2015 by Editor

Just last month, two friends told me how their colleagues lost their jobs under dubious pretenses. The five people who were laid off were skilled and tenured professionals in their early 50s. They haven’t had any attendance or performance issues, as far as my friends could tell. That’s why everyone in their office was shocked. Is this the newest tactic…

Speakers, Here are 4 Powerful Ways to Start Your Speech

Posted on December 3, 2015 by Editor

Article originally posted at http://www.fearlesspresentations.com/presenters-here-are-4-powerful-ways-to-start-your-speech. Jitters, sweaty palms, scratchy throat, you’re practically shaking. Someone called you to the stage. The time has come, the time you’ve prepared for — and dreaded — for weeks. You’re about to give a speech. You take the mic and all heads turn to you. Suddenly, you’re extremely aware of the fact that people are…

How to Conduct Your Own End of Year Business Review

Posted on December 3, 2015 by Editor

It’s that time of the year again. Everyone is about to start planning their business goals for 2016. How about you? What are your business goals for 2016? Ramp up talent acquisition, restructure a department, cross-train employees, or close more sales? Hold your horses. Before you call the whole team for a brainstorming and planning session, you should first look…

Admitting Your Mistakes, Your Highway Ticket to Maturing as a Leader

Posted on December 3, 2015 by Editor

Article originally posted at http://www.leadersinstitute.com/admitting-your-mistakes-your-key-to-maturing-as-a-leader. Would you rather die than admit you made a mistake? It’s midnight and three hours have passed but you’re still tossing and turning on your bed. You know your alarm will ring in a few hours, but you don’t want it to. The thought of admitting, in front of your team, that you made a…

Good Leadership Change Whiners and Pessimists into Top Performers

Posted on December 3, 2015 by Editor

Article originally posted at http://www.leadersinstitute.com/good-leadership-change-whiners-and-pessimists-into-top-performers. A pessimist can bring down a whole team without trying. But that doesn’t mean you should ignore the pessimists in your team completely. In some cases, these people can add a touch of realism into an overly optimistic team. As a leader, you have two options here: convert the pessimists and whiners into cautious top…

Bosses Beware: Are You Exhibiting Symptoms of Bad Leadership?

Posted on December 3, 2015 by Editor

Article originally posted at http://www.leadersinstitute.com/bosses-beware-are-you-exhibiting-symptoms-of-bad-leadership. Do you sometimes think your team hates you? Do you sometimes feel that they question your decisions behind your back? Does your team lack faith in your ability to lead them? Do you resent them for feeling this way? Or are you curious to know why they’re like that in the first place? As the…

How to Stop Using “Er,” “So,” “Um,” and Other Filler Words in Speeches and Presentations

Posted on December 3, 2015 by Editor

Article originally posted at http://www.fearlesspresentations.com/how-to-stop-using-er-um-and-other-filler-words-in-speeches. Call me weird, but it’s sometimes painful for me to watch motivational speeches. These talks inspire me alright, but I’m not looking forward to my knee-jerk reaction of counting ‘um’ and other filler words I hear during a speech. In fact, I recently sat through a presentation and in 60 minutes, the presenter said “Right?”…

How to Have More Big Wins by Pushing Your Team through Small Wins

Posted on December 3, 2015 by Editor

Article originally posted at http://www.leadersinstitute.com/create-more-big-wins-by-celebrating-your-teams-small-wins. About 65% of employees don’t feel valued by their boss, according to a study by CareerBuilder. You might think it’s time consuming or expensive to celebrate if the accomplishment is just a small progress in an ongoing project, or an otherwise unnoticeable upward movement in a long term goal. It’s not like your team was…

5 Signs Your Team Needs a Teambuilding Event

Posted on December 2, 2015 by Editor

Article originally posted at http://www.leadersinstitute.com/5-signs-team-needs-teambuilding-event. The word “Teambuilding” alone is enough to get some rolling their eyes and checking their calendar for a scheduling conflict. And while many of our first thoughts of teambuilding go to a comical episode of The Office or a YouTube video of an exercise gone wrong, the process of teambuilding, in whatever form it takes,…

Re-engaging a Team: Refresh, Re-Focus, Re-Invent

Posted on November 19, 2015 by Editor

Article originally posted at http://www.leadersinstitute.com/to-re-engage-a-team-refresh-refocus-and-reinvent. Teams come in different shapes and sizes, and serve various purposes. When you’re lucky enough to have a team that has been together for some time or worked on multiple projects, one of the difficulties can be re-engaging that team. Downtime can be great; you can consider it like an “offseason,” but what to do…

Do You Care about the Quality of Outplacement Services Given to Departing Employees?

Posted on November 10, 2015 by Editor

Many companies say they value employee satisfaction. But does that commitment extend to departing employees during a layoff? I don’t mean to say that the HR leaders and managers of organizations conducting layoffs don’t care about laid-off employees — I think they do. But in times of distress, priorities shift to keeping the company afloat so concerns like employee satisfaction…

November is a Month to Give Thanks, another Reason to Send a Thank You Letter

Posted on November 10, 2015 by Editor

For many of us, we remember Thanksgiving as a time for family reunions and big celebrations. It’s a time to reflect and give thanks for everything good that happened this year. Even when you’re job hunting, Thanksgiving should remind you to be grateful for every opportunity you’re given, including job interviews. Gratitude, a Critical but Overlooked Tool in the Job…