I don’t seem to be doing very well in interviews. How can I learn more about myself and how I appear to others?It is often difficult for us to “see” our own flaws or needed changes. We are too familiar with the face in the mirror. We need some kind of feedback system to help us discover both our strengths and weaknesses. There is an abundance of assessment tools available to you. The first step is determining what you w...

The first week of February each year is International Coaching Week. Said to be one of the fastest growing professions in the world today, coaching is still quite new to many people. As businesses cut budgets and staff, many employees find themselves without the mentoring and guidance they would like to receive from their supervisors and managers. Those already out of work are looking for something to give them an edge i...

In addition to my job search, there are some personal things going on that seem to be keeping me emotionally off-balance and unmotivated to look for a job. HELP! It's not unusual for emotional turbulence to happen when we are in transition. All areas of our lives are inter-connected and upset in one can make waves in another. Following are some suggestions on what you can do to "calm the waters" and become productive i...

A recent cartoon on Nickelodeon portrayed two “Rug Rats” playing “Haggle.” One was the store owner, the other was the customer. The customer wanted to buy a toy. “The price is $10,” said the owner. The customer gave him $10. The owner gave it back and said, “No, you’re supposed to haggle. Ask me to sell it to you for less. It’s overpriced at $10!” A comment on our society and expectations?An article on negotiations i...

Question: It seems I always have more to do in my life than I can ever get done, both at work and at home, so I am putting off the career change that I want until I get “caught up.” But I never seem to get there. HELP!It is easy to get caught up in the busy-ness of business and the details of life. There are many reasons why you might find yourself in this dilemma. Which one(s) is yours? Fear of change or not being “u...

Do I really have to go to the office holiday party? My significant other’s office party?The Holiday Office Party may seem to be the last place you want to be this season; however, I suggest you rethink its value to you.The party can be an opportunity to do some networking, reinforcing of relationships, and getting to know people you might not otherwise get to meet. Most importantly, everyone needs to remember that it is n...

I am getting impatient with the process of making changes. How can I make it happen faster??To answer a question with a question - are you sure that's what you want? Think about this...Wanting to fill his yard with the smell of lilacs, the man planted several bushes in his garden. After a few weeks, he was frustrated because they hadn't blossomed and he pulled them up and replanted them in another part of the garden.“Perhap...

Recently I overheard a conversation about a person who attended a large (13,000 participants) motivational seminar event. At that event, this person passed around a clipboard asking people to sign up if they would like to be informed of future events. The purpose was actually to create a mailing list to market a similar, competitive business. Prior approval to do this was not obtained from the event promoter. Smart mark...

Q: I am a person of fairly high ethical standards. How can I tell if a company has similar standards before I am employed there?A: First, know your own ethical type. Ethics are a set of values that consistently guides our behaviors, usually in alignment with the majority of society’s definition of correct and positive behavior, within legal parameters and balancing the good of the one with the good of the whole. How do...

Would you consider this company or its employees “ethical”??This company has a little over 500 employees with the following statistics:29 have been accused of spousal abuse7 have been arrested for fraud19 have been accused of writing bad checks117 have bankrupted at least two businesses3 have been arrested for assault71 cannot get a credit card due to bad credit14 have been arrested on drug-related charges8 have been arrest...