“What would you do if you knew you could not fail?” I find this such a haunting question. It brings to the front of mind desires that, for one excuse or another, we had put off. None of us want to fail. None of us want to face the ridicule that accompanies defeat. We all … Continue reading You Don’t Need to See the End

The idea of being a world changer is a fairly modern concept. It’s enabled by the globalization and technological advances of recent decades. It’s reinforced by millennial idealism and hustle culture today. Our society is hungry for rags-to-riches stories. We’re enamored by the prospects of social media celebrity and startup IPOs. Anything seems possible these … Continue reading You Don’t Need to Change the World

Last time I shared the first step to being engaged and fulfilled in your job: Understand why you accept an offer. Is it the money, the location, the skills you’d learned? Perhaps it’s the growth potential or work-life balance. These factors can make or break an opportunity. While I framed the context for young professionals, … Continue reading Thriving in Your First Job, Part 2

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 truck 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