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Over 40? You’re just getting started! What I learned from Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Checking out at a store a recently, the clerk asked if I qualified for their senior discount. “You have to be at least 55”, she said. After I’d finished flinching (this was the first time I’d been asked that), I proudly told her that no, I didn’t qualify, and that I still had one more year of non-senior-discount life to go. Then last week I was exposed to a different perspective on aging. A girlfriend and I had made the 10-hour drive to De Smet, South Dakota, to experience some parts of my idol Laura Ingalls Wilder’s life. There we were,...
read moreThe 4 C’s Journey.
I’ve been feeling inept about some things lately. Even after investing years of effort into researching and preparing for a new line of business (which I’ve finally launched—hooray!) I find myself a bit lost about how to proceed. I mentioned my lack of self-assuredness to a fellow entrepreneur a few weeks ago, and he nonchalantly commented, “Oh, that’s because you’re not at the confidence stage yet. You’re earlier on in the process.” He then went on to describe the 4 C’s Formula, which he’d learned in his Strategic Coach training program,...
read moreLinkedIn: Focus on Your Strengths
Having worked with hundreds of clients to improve their profiles, expand their networks, and leverage their connections, I have noticed that many people are nervous talking about their strengths. When we reach the summary section, skills section, or experience descriptions, many clients immediately cringe from my suggestion of expanding the verbiage to include more strengths. Generally speaking, individuals fall into two camps: they either say they “don’t want to brag” or they “don’t have any strengths.” For those who don’t want to brag, my...
read moreThe Best (and Worst) Ways to Ask For a Raise
Asking for a raise is one of the more nerve-wracking things you can do in a job. If you phrase your request poorly, or react poorly to a denial, that can have ramifications for your position as a whole. However, if you ask for a raise in the right way, and at the right time, it can have big benefits for you. You’ll either be granted the raise you request, or you’ll make it known that you’re tuned into the company, that you’re assertive in your professional desires, and that you have the initiative to pursue your career goals. Before we dive...
read moreKick Your Job Search into High Gear
If you are like many people, then performing a job search can start to wear on you very quickly. In my own job searches, I became fatigued after about 3 weeks—I would apply to job ads online incessantly, and then become disheartened when I didn’t hear anything. Struggling to land even an interview can be very discouraging, and can lead to you ceasing to apply altogether. Rather than letting your job search get bogged down, try the steps I’ve included below. Sometimes, to land that interview and find your next opportunity, you just have to...
read moreMore than Just Words: Keywords
The advent of job seeking on the internet has led to both great and terrible things for job seekers. Jobs are now easier to search for, and geographic location no longer limits networking to your immediate area. On the other hand, however, it has become harder for job seekers to stand out in the job search, in part because of the implementation of programs known as “ATS” or Applicant Tracking Systems. These systems scan through applicant resumes and cover letters, ranking them based on keyword saturation. The higher the count of keywords in...
read more4 Questions to Ask in an Interview
Getting an interview can feel like a gift from above. When I was job searching last summer, I would send out resume after resume into the void of the online job boards, and usually hear nothing back. Getting asked for an interview seemed like the best possible outcome, and in a lot of ways it was. What I quickly learned, however, is that getting an interview didn’t necessarily mean I fit with the company. Sometimes, the interview simply reinforced that I wouldn’t be a good fit in that position, or with that company. What I learned, after...
read more5 Tips from Highly Productive People
I like to imagine that I am a fairly productive person. I stay on top of my work , I get enough sleep, and I don’t neglect my interpersonal relationships. However, some people far surpass me in their productivity. By the time I pull myself out of bed and make breakfast, they’ve already hit the gym, responded to emails, and walked their dog twice. It’s a state of being I envy, and I hope to one day attain. Because of this, I read a lot about the habits of highly industrious people. It turns out that many people marvel at the output of others...
read moreResignation Letters: Do’s and Don’ts
Here at Career Solutions Group, we often meet with individuals who have decided to leave or have recently left their job. This decision often happens for a variety of reasons, depending on the person and situation. Needless to say, such a transition should be handled with grace. Our career counselor, David, wrote a great article on Tuesday outlining how to leave a job without burning bridges. One important aspect he mentioned in his article was the letter of resignation. Whether or not you feel a letter of resignation is warranted, it’s...
read moreLeaving a Job Without Burning Bridges
The chances are pretty high that you will quit at least one job in your career for another job. You have found another opportunity that you are excited about. Yet, you must successfully transition between these opportunities. How do you want to be remembered? Leaving your job gracefully and professionally is important to maintaining key relationships that will have a long-term impact on your career. Here are a few tips and suggestions on how to navigate a job transition. Be professional Think back to how you acted when you were...
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