Cover Letters Really Can Add Value
Introduction One of the commonest questions I am often asked by job seekers is whether cover letters are still necessary. Some career consultants maintain that the advent of online job [...]
December Isn’t Just for Holidays Anymore
Introduction Many people mistakenly believe that the onset of Christmas and New Year means that the probability of securing employment is greatly reduced. While there may have been some merit [...]
Is Working From Home Worth It?
Introduction Now that the pandemic lockdowns are behind us many employers are insisting their employees return to the office. The rationale for this decision ranges from the need for employees [...]
One May Not Be Enough (Sponsors, that is)
Introduction About a year ago a client of mine lamented the fact that her long-standing supervisor, an individual who was responsible for bringing her into the organization and actively supporting [...]
Age Discrimination is Alive and Well
Introduction In recent weeks the media in Canada has been abuzz with stories and speculation regarding the sudden departure of long-time CTV News anchor Lisa Laflamme. https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/bell-ends-lisa-laflammes-contract-as-ctv-national-news-anchor-i-am-shocked-and-saddened Her sudden termination [...]
Do Introverts Make Better Leaders?
Introduction Do introverts make better leaders? I’ve reflected on this question many times throughout my career. Regardless of whether it is politics, business or entertainment, it seems the more gregarious [...]
Keeping It Simple
Introduction I recently purchased a new alarm clock. Normally, something as mundane as this would not be cause for celebration let alone the subject of a blog. What was distinctive [...]
Taking Control of Your Performance Review
Introduction Next to recruitment there is probably no area of human resources that is as horribly mismanaged as performance management. If you were to ask a hundred managers or supervisors [...]
Maybe It’s Time to Fire Your Boss
Introduction Recently while coaching two new clients I was reminded of how critical having a good boss or supervisor is to an employee’s career success. Both of my clients are [...]
How Not to Manage a Crisis
Introduction The tragic events in Ukraine have brought home to many of us the horrors of war. The graphic pictures that have emerged from the fighting, bombing and evacuations have [...]
It’s Time to Get Moving Again
Introduction The pandemic and the lockdowns are coming to an end…finally! Companies are making arrangements for employees to return to the workplace. Vaccine mandates are being eliminated. Restaurants are gearing [...]
Moving Mountains
Introduction One of the things I inherited from my parents was a tremendous love of music. Growing up my folks didn’t have a lot of money, and as is common [...]
Pandemic Job Search: Round 2
Introduction This coming March will mark the second anniversary of the COVID-19 lockdowns. This virus has persisted much longer, and has been far more extensive, than any of us would [...]
Professional Associations: Are They Worthwhile?
Introduction If you are a practitioner operating within a regulated profession, or if you are a business professional or specialist, chances are you are a member of a professional association. [...]
All That Glitters Isn’t Gold
Introduction Ironically at a time when companies are scrambling to fill vacancies and many jobs are going unfilled many employers still remain fixated on filling senior roles with external hires. [...]
Cultivating Executive Presence
Introduction Next to securing a promotion or developing better time management techniques probably the most important quality my clients want to develop is “Executive Presence”. Ironically, while everyone has likely [...]
Let the Games Begin!
Introduction For many, September signifies the start of a new school year. For some it also conjures up images of baseball World Series or the start of the National Hockey [...]
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 [...]