Is Civility Dead?
Introduction Is civility dead? I have been asking myself this question a lot lately? Three recent incidents have led me to the suspicion that courtesy has all but died. While [...]
Don’t Take “No” for an Answer
Introduction Apart from the question about when and how to follow up after applying probably the most frequent query I get from job seekers is: how many times should I [...]
Stick to the Knitting…..Please!
Introduction Recently the President and CEO of a U.S. company, Basecamp, issued a directive banning employees from discussing politics at work while using company-messaging tools. Jason Fried apparently called these [...]
Learning to Re-Focus and Pivot
Introduction The COVID virus will be with us likely through the end of the year and probably into next year. Shutdowns will continue, and life such as we know it [...]
Know Your Team….or Risk Losing Them
Introduction One of my clients works for a major U.S. company. Recently he saw a position posted in his organization by his supervisor. The position was more senior than the [...]
Don’t Go to Human Resources
Introduction A few years ago while waiting to play a tennis match I got into a discussion with a member at my club. At the time I was working in [...]
Saying Good Bye Gracefully
Introduction President Donald Trump’s recent departure from the White House reminded me of how not to leave a job. Sometimes, when employees leave a position they like nothing better than [...]
Hitting the Job Search Reset Button
Introduction The turkey has been eaten, and so have the leftovers. The presents have been opened, and the wrapping paper and boxes have long been discarded. The Christmas tree is [...]
Practice Makes Permanent, Not Perfect
Introduction I have a business acquaintance who has made a habit of e-mailing me at least once a year to lament his lack of success in securing alternate employment. This [...]
Walking the Ethical Talk
Introduction The word “ethics” frequently arises in the daily routine of many businesses. Companies today have almost universally incorporated the ethical mantra into their mission statements. Corporate social responsibility reports [...]
Going It Alone
Introduction With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ensuing rise in unemployment, many are contemplating whether to start their own business. Certainly, being self-employed has a certain appeal. [...]
Overcoming Networking Anxiety
Introduction Networking. Depending on who you talk to the word conjures up a variety of emotions, everything from excitement through to fear, loathing and trepidation. Numerous writers and business professionals [...]
Don’t Be Stereotyped at Work
Introduction I have a huge admiration for entertainers. The dedication and sacrifice that many of them commit to honing their talent, mastering their craft, striving for recognition or simply surviving [...]
The ABC’s of an ATS
Introduction Does this sound familiar? You check your usual job board and find the ideal opportunity. You review the position description and believe it fits perfectly with your background, experience [...]
Five Powerful Words to Use in your Job Search
Introduction As I write this month’s blog the unemployment rate in Canada has risen to roughly 12%. Approximately 3.2 million Canadians have applied for some kind of employment benefit or [...]
Where Will the Jobs be Post COVID-19
Introduction It probably goes without saying that the COVID-19 pandemic is the most existential threat our society has faced seen since the Second World War. I’ve lived through the Cuban [...]
The Long-Term Employment Impacts of COVID-19
Introduction What will be the long-term employment impacts of COVID1-19? I have been contemplating this question as the COVID-19 virus worsens and governments everywhere undertake dramatic measures to contain this [...]
Maintaining Job Search Momentum
Introduction I think one of the hardest things applicants face is maintaining job search momentum. When one first embarks on a job search there is often a heightened sense of [...]
When Providing Feedback is Futile
Introduction How do you know if a supervisor is being genuine when they ask for feedback? This is a question I hear asked by many clients and colleagues. Too often, [...]
Activity Generates Success
“Activity generates success”. Those three sage words of advice were the first I received on my first job after graduating from Queen’s University in August 1978. I was offered a [...]
Ruthlessly Managing Your Time
Introduction One of the increasing trends I’ve noticed in both the workplace and educational environments is people struggling to keep pace with the demands of work and home life. It [...]
Dealing with Entitled Employees
Introduction How do you deal with entitled people? I’ve been confronted this issue twice in the past few months. One involved a student, and the other a client’s organization. While [...]
Handling a Difficult Boss
Introduction Bosses. We’ve all had them. Some are good while some, unfortunately, are not so great. We all yearn for a boss who will be supportive, encouraging and instructive, but [...]
Gaining Power by Letting Go
Introduction How do you know when it is time to end a relationship? How long do you continue in a relationship before realizing that things won’t improve? Is it possible [...]
Advice to a Younger Me
If I could go back in time what advice would I give to a younger me? I asked myself this question last month as I reflected upon the approach [...]