All too often I find that my coaching clients, faced with an impending job change -- voluntary or involuntary -- realize very quickly that their contact network is "stale" and rather shallow. It is MUCH easier to maintain and nourish your network on an ongoing basis rather than play "catch-up" when you find yourself in need of help from others.Your network of business, professional and personal contacts is the most valuable...

Quality and Personal Excellence are two key elements of your Personal Brand. The degree to which you fully embrace the importance of these elements is communicated to others on a continuous basis and is incorporated into others' vision of who you are -- i.e., the Personal Brand that you broadcast . Those who are fully aware of this fact can definitely undertake action to broadcast a Personal Brand that elevates their profes...

The Power of Handwritten Notes and Cards We've all heard this IDEA before, but read on about how to make this a HABIT that will transform your Personal Brand in a lasting manner. Very few people in business ever send hand-written notes and even fewer (and far between) do it on a regular basis. Yes, we do order boxes of those pre-printed "Thank You" notes, but then we file them away in our desk drawers and our supply...

Do You Have an Accountability Partner?ALL of us are extremely busy with the day-to-day demands of our work schedules and personal activities. In the midst of being busy, we often lose site of undertaking the important steps and activities necessary to achieve our career and life goals and objectives.The concept of being held accountable in order to reach your goals is not a new concept in goal achievement but those that are...

For those who aspire to being the best that they can be and achieving incredible career success, LEARNING NEVER ENDS. Developing a sustainable HABIT of lifelong learning is a key career success philosophy."Learning is not a product of schooling but the lifelong attempt to acquire it" - Albert EinsteinTake it upon yourself to stay current on the latest thinking in your profession, in your industry and in your other areas of...

One of the very common themes I come across when coaching my clients is the challenge of staying focused on the IMPORTANT at work. With so many "balls in the air" these days, the "magnetism" of the constant email "bell," the drop-bys in your office, the ringing telephone and the many distractions common to all of us, most busy professionals have a very hard time focusing their efforts on the things that are truly most impo...

Quality and Personal Excellence are two key elements of your Personal Brand. The degree to which you fully embrace the importance of these elements is communicated to others on a continuous basis and is incorporated into others' vision of who you are -- i.e., the Personal Brand that you broadcast. Those who are fully aware of this fact can definitely undertake action to broadcast a Personal Brand that elevates their profess...

I definitely noted a situation faced by all too many laid-off employees and job-seeking -- having been in an specific job area or industry area for a number of years developing a set of skills that end up being limited in terms of transferability or "usability" in a new job or new career. Many of these individuals find themselves unable to land a new job, sometimes being unemployed for extended periods of time. This situa...

It’s Definitely Not “Business as Usual” in the Current Job Search Market. Today’s employment and job search market can easily strike fear in the heart of anyone who’s recently lost their job. Finding a job in this market IS a challenge...No question. This is the toughest and most competitive job market that most of us in the career and employment profession have ever seen. Jobs, however, ARE out there, firms and compani...

Be Prepared! Time to Take Action...NOW!Proactive career planning and career management are key career success elements, but even our best laid plans can get side-tracked if we don't keep our eyes on the horizon and be prepared for unexpected changes and detours in our career path.As an executive career coach for the past 15 years, I have noted 12 common career situations that present themselves to us at both expected and u...