Learn to Learn

When I keep doing what I always do, why do I think it will have a different result? This bit of insanity applies to  many aspects of our lives. But let’s look at just one. We do our jobs well and manage the constant winds of change. Like a sailing a boat we know howContinue reading “Learn to Learn”

I Just Want A Job – Part 3 of 6 – Translation, please

I have experience and skills – why can’t they see that and just hire me? Think of yourself as a shoe.  Are you a running shoe, a fashion boot or a rugged sandal?  What size are you? Employers see resumes and candidates and they have to have a way to determine if they are theContinue reading “I Just Want A Job – Part 3 of 6 – Translation, please”

ISO:Purple Squirrel – Resume Breadth & Depth

Does your resume broadcast breadth or depth of your skills and and experience.  Your years of work experience – do you highlight doing the same thing for a long time (stamina and perseverance) or illustrate being able to use your skills and knowledge in a variety of situations and settings?  Employers read your work historyContinue reading “ISO:Purple Squirrel – Resume Breadth & Depth”

Random Promotions Increase Productivity

Italian social scientist, Alessandro Pluchino of the University of Catania,  and colleagues won the Ig Nobel prize for mathematically demonstrating  that organizations can increase efficiency by giving people promotions at random.  This is how casinos stay in business.  We keep playing in hopes of the big payoff. We see it happen to others, so whyContinue reading “Random Promotions Increase Productivity”

Most Critical Career Skill – Trend Spotting

“In this era of accelerating change, knowledge alone is no longer the key to a prosperous life. Trend Spotting, or Foresight is the critical skill. Knowledge quickly goes out of date, but foresight enables you to navigate change, make good decisions, and take action now to create a better future.” From the World Future Society’sContinue reading “Most Critical Career Skill – Trend Spotting”

Volunteerism and Career-Building

While you are looking for a job, or while you are working full-time, stay off the couch and do something for others. Volunteering improves your career.  Here are the stats: According to CareerBuilder, 63% of hiring managers said that volunteer work is relevant experience when it comes to evaluating a candidate. And according to aContinue reading “Volunteerism and Career-Building”

What do Employers Look for in Hiring Boomers?

Employers must hire people that can advance the organization’s mission, strategic goals and contribute to the team and well-being of the organization. Some hire for a good attitude and offer training on the specifics (customer service jobs are prime example). Candidates must be well-versed in explaining how both their transferable skills and industry or professional skillsContinue reading “What do Employers Look for in Hiring Boomers?”

5 Ways to Make Your Way

In her “How to Deal” column, Lily Garcia lists 5 great ways to get ahead without going the management route.  Too many times when we do great work, we get “rewarded” by being promoted to supervisor or manager.  When dealing with the people aspects of managing we need a very different skill set in additionContinue reading “5 Ways to Make Your Way”

Organizations are People and Practices

How many times have we used the royal “They” to refer to the management or executives higher than us in the organization? Or referred to “them”- the regulatory forces that demand compliance. “They” are the reason, the excuses, or the problem. Organizations are entities made up of individual People; mere mortals like you and IContinue reading “Organizations are People and Practices”