Every week I meet people who are less-than-satisfied in their jobs. They feel that they deserve better, that they should be further along in their careers. Many report feeling lost or “stuck.” They’re disengaged, disillusioned, disgruntled. An alarming number are recent grads in their first job. What’s going on here? How could the bright-eyed optimism … Continue reading Thriving in Your First Job
“How long have you been working here?” I tried to make small talk with the technician. “Almost 20 years, ever since this place opened,” responded the man. “Wow, that’s quite a while,” I commented. “Do you enjoy your job?” There was a slight pause. He turned and sighed. “Not anymore, but it’s what I know.” … Continue reading Interviewing Well: A Crash Course
Graduation season is upon us. It’s a time of celebrating the journey thus far—and of looking forward. After the parties die down and the orchid leis wither, thousands of new grads will begin their job search. Each will send out dozens of job applications. Most will hear back from a small fraction of those employers. … Continue reading Storytelling: Resumes and Cover Letters
I recently woke up in a hospital bed in pain but thankful to be alive. Long story short, I was walking in a Target parking lot and got hit by a car going an estimated 30-35mph. I suffered traumatic brain injury and some cuts and bruises but no broken bones. CT scans show that the … Continue reading Reflection: Pain Is a Vital Sign
Graduation season is coming. For some, it’s exhilarating. After 16 or more years of education, they are finally done. All their hard work has paid off. They have a job lined up and are excited to launch their career. For others, graduation seems terrifying. The familiarity of school will soon give way to the unknown. … Continue reading Advice for New Graduates: A Recap
People want to work with those they know, like, and trust. That’s true whether you’re self-employed or on a payroll. It’s critical when you’re interviewing and it stays relevant on the job. So how do you build rapport and credibility? Follow up and follow through. If you don’t follow up, you’ll be forgotten. If you … Continue reading Follow Up and Follow Through
Dear early careerists, When writing emails, please get to the point. Cover relevant details, but don’t overexplain yourself. I understand the challenge. Years of schoolwork have conditioned you to cite the literature, describe your methods, address counterarguments, and fill the page. But work isn’t school, and emails aren’t essays. Be concise. Your colleagues will appreciate … Continue reading Write Less, Say More: Emailing Effectively
“1876 was the greatest year in human history.” The man paused for someone to ask why—or perhaps just for dramatic effect—and explained: “Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone that year.” Our director of sales was fond of sharing this piece of trivia. In his profession, phone calls are vital. Emails and website content may offer … Continue reading Pick Up the Phone: Mastering a Lost Art
My Myers-Briggs type decisively ends in the letter J. For the uninitiated, Myers-Briggs is a personality test and J connotes that I “prefer an orderly way of life.” Sticky notes line my desk. Checklists keep me on track. As a strategist, I pride myself on thinking through all possible options. I hate the idiom “we’ll … Continue reading Take One Step at a Time
Cultural wisdom tells us that money doesn’t buy happiness. We hear this in movies, on TV, and from friends. We read it in books and on motivational posters. We’ve seen the lives of the rich and famous unravel. Still, most people are inclined to test this hypothesis for themselves. Below are my recent reflections on … Continue reading Practice Gratitude
