Get real-world advice on your toughest career questions
I’m having a hard time getting to know my co-workers. They all have known each other for a long time and it’s hard to feel included in casual conversations. How do I get to know them better? – Mona in Tuscaloosa, AL Answer: Getting to know your co-workers follows the same path of forging any new relationship. You start with …
I’ve started my own business, try to keep a healthy lifestyle, and now want to start a family with kids. How does one balance all this out? How do you ensure you spend enough time with your kids while running a successful business? – Marina in Pawtucket, RI Answer: Marina, it’s wonderful that you’re so ambitious and have love to …
Moving to the front of the boardroom, classroom, auditorium, etc., to give a presentation – the nightmare. Your hands are shaking, you’ve got cotton mouth, and you’re strangely pale. The words stick in your throat, you stutter, you forget your place. The audience is staring, waiting for you to make your point, and you just wish the floor would open …
How do I address mistakes in the workplace? Whether I was the one who made a mistake or a co-worker is the one in error, how do we resolve them and move forward professionally? – Fernanda in San Diego, CA Answer: Maya Angelou said, “People may not remember exactly what you did or said, but they will always remember how …
Many job applications require me to include links to my social media profiles, including Facebook and Twitter. I’m not very active on either one anymore. What are they looking for on there, and should I start posting more often, or more of a certain kind of content? Should I be worried about them seeing my wedding photos or political articles …
I often need to attend business dinners and lunches, and often do not have a say in the choice of restaurant. I’m vegan, and many restaurants do not have food options that I can eat. How can I participate in these professional meals without going hungry or looking impolite? – Danielle in Lancaster, CA Answer: Everyone with a dietary restriction, …
I work for our city business development commission. What advice would you give to a city looking to attract more woman business owners? – Maggie in Big Bear Lake, California Answer: Female business ownership is an important component of working towards gender equality. Owning a business is a huge investment and opportunity for financial growth, but only 36 percent of …
There is someone I work with who is a bottleneck and I need to work with her daily. I’ve tried talking with her and have done everything I can think of to get what I need from her. I’m so frustrated. I’m dependent upon her so I can complete my work. What can I do to get her moving? – …
I’m currently expecting a child, but not showing yet. I told my manager the news and mentioned that I don’t want anyone in our office to know until I’m ready to tell them myself. However, my manager soon let it slip and now everybody knows about my pregnancy. How do I explain to my manager that this hurt me and …
I’ve started my own business, try to keep a healthy lifestyle, and now want to start a family and raise children. How does one balance all this out? How do you ensure you spend enough time with your kids while running a successful business? – Clara in Locust Valley, NY Answer: Yes, you can have it all. You can have …
“I hate the job I have, but I can’t afford to quit… at least not until I find another one. How can I make time for job interviews I may have without it interrupting my current work or my employer finding out? How can I interview discreetly… but effectively?” – Anna in Three Forks, MT Answer: Finding a new job …
“As a young woman focused on my career, is it important for me to find a mentor? And if so, should the mentor be a woman?” – Nora in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Answer: Do you feel that mentoring is crucial to career success? I do. My career has been enhanced and advanced thanks to the mentoring I received. Developing new …
“I’m excited to be offered a new position at my company, but am concerned that I won’t be paid as much as the men in the same roles. What are things I can do to ensure equal pay?” – Claire in Melbourne, Australia Answer: You are a smart, capable, ambitious, and energized woman. Be forewarned: if you don’t get your …
What is the best way to reach out to a recruiter on LinkedIn? – Arina in Mahwah, NJ Answer: LinkedIn is a powerful platform that can connect people and lead to valuable career advancements. Recruiters will often reach out to people on LinkedIn whom they believe would be a good fit for a certain job opening or organization. But remember: …
I feel like the networking events I go to are superficial. People swap business cards and never hear from one another. What am I missing? How can I get past the superficial networking and make valuable connections? – Melissa in Davenport, Iowa Answer: When you hold a preconceived notion about a situation, it’s far more likely to be fulfilled. You’ve …
How do I create a 5-year career plan? In this day and age, with people getting into careers in a very roundabout way, is this still a good thing to do? – Erin in Dayton, OH Answer: A 5-year career plan should come from within. What I mean by that is tapping into your inner self, deepest desires, and values …
I have a co-worker who seems to have a problem with me. She tells me the work I do is bad, doesn’t include me in conversations, and keeps saying I’m in the wrong field. I’ve told my supervisor, but he just tells me to ignore her. I’m still having a very hard time working with her and her negative attitude. …
My co-worker sent me an email I found disrespectful, but when I pointed that out, he said I was being too sensitive. I have to work with him on a daily basis. How do I navigate this situation? – Leslie in Jackson, MS Answer: There are two parts to tackle here: the email communication and a crucial conversation. First we …
We are a small business and send out a regular monthly newsletter to our clients and prospects. We have seeded our list with several team members’ personal and professional email addresses. However, we find that our company newsletters end up in our team members’ spam folders – both the personal and professional email addresses. We are worried this is impacting …
Can an introvert be an effective leader? – Leslie in Grants Pass, OR Answer: Yes, of course introverts can be and are effective leaders. Personality types do not define capable leaders. Compelling leadership is born out of our beliefs, behaviors, and actions. There are four core components I believe are essential to be an effective leader: the ability to create …