All the content you need to excel in your career.
At social functions, people like to start a conversation by asking, “What do you do?” Many of us automatically respond with our occupation. This is typically because corporate America has conditioned us to organize people into a social hierarchy based on their job title. However, usually your job doesn’t define who you are as a whole. You might also be …
I am considering branching out on my own. What unique obstacles do women starting their own business face? What should I know before getting started? – Nanea in Wailuku, Hawaii Answer: Nanea, fear and financing are the two of the biggest obstacles women face when starting their own business. While these may not appear unique, they are. Financing is pre-loaded …
Meetings. They’re part and parcel of many an office job, and talk at the water cooler likely includes jokes about them. Oftentimes, the jokes center on there being too many meetings within an organization or department. While meetings offer a great forum to exchange ideas and clarify projects, they can become time-wasters as discussions turn into long-winded, meandering explanations that …
How can working moms find more balance and thrive in all parts of their lives? Here I am, a single working mom, and this question had me stumped. I’ve been doing the working mom juggling act a long time. And in many ways, the last couple of years have been easier. It sounds horrible to say, considering my husband died …
I was recently asked to work longer hours at my job despite the fact that I need to leave on time every day to pick up my kids from school. I feel like my company is trying to push me out as a working mom. How do I explain to my manager that I simply can’t stay longer than we …
How do you combine your passions with an opportunity to turn them into a business? What if your passion is, say, food? You can find out in our new podcast interview with Angela Shen, a food-loving entrepreneur who got the idea for and started her own successful culinary touring company, Savor Seattle Food Tours. From a daughter of immigrants running …
I am a female entrepreneur. What factors are important to consider when moving to a new city? – Martha in Port Orford, Oregon Answer: Martha, this is a complex question and deserves a comprehensive guide for consideration. However, I will touch on key components to review. The number one factor is the fit for your business. Does the city have …
Except for the fortunate few, all of us need an income. We have bills to pay and mouths to feed, and cash needs to be flowing. Many of us also want to find fulfillment in our jobs; dream careers and high ambitions are things many women hold, but sometimes finding that perfect position takes time. These two things mean that …
Recently I had a conversation about work with a friend that gave me pause. During our discussion, we came to the topic of the changing dynamics in the workplace in light of the #MeToo movement. My friend, let’s call her Nancy, said something that initially left me bereft of a response. Nancy felt that the movement was creating a negative …
Sexual harassment has come to the forefront of the conversation in the last year. The #MeToo era has already led to a closer look at this pervasive issue, efforts to better protect employees from sexual harassment, and more dialogue about what is and isn’t harassment. As this conversation continues, it’s important to take a step back and revisit your company’s …
What can you say to someone who is 63+ and not able to secure a new role in doing what I do best – supporting execs. I’ve worked for 2 consulting firms 30+ years of experience and have been unemployed since October 2017. I get a few interviews, but none have turned into an offer. Am I on the secret …
Learning to network can be overwhelming. Being shy can make this professional endeavor especially challenging. Just walking up to someone and introducing yourself might seem tough for you, but we’re here to help! As with all things, the key to getting better is through practice, practice, practice. Introduce yourself to your barista, the IT woman at your company, and members …
How many of you have had to endure long, stressful commutes to and from work? Nearly all of us can relate, and most would agree that the daily commute can be a drag. However, there are ways to make it tolerable and even fun! Melissa Addey is an author, speaker, and Creative Writing PhD student at the University of Surrey. Her …
Depression is an incredibly common illness among American adults. In 2015, 6.9% of US adults had experienced at least one major depressive episode within the past year, and major depressive disorder is the leading cause of disability among young adults. There are quite a few articles that can give you ideas for how to handle depression at work, but this …
Nearly all of us have had to endure long, stressful commutes to and from work. While the daily commute can be a drag, there are ways to make it tolerable and even fun! Melissa Addey is an author, speaker, and Creative Writing PhD student at the University of Surrey. Her book, The Happy Commuter, offers over 100 ways to improve your …
Is it true that new college graduates are likely to have more employers during their careers than our parents did? And if so, how long should I stay in a job to look like a good bet for future employers before jumping to a new gig for an improvement in pay or opportunity? – Gemma in Joplin, Missouri Answer: The …
Over the past few decades, the United States – and the world at large – have seen an inspiring transformation towards embracing diversity. People are learning to trust and celebrate people of all races and ethnicities, nationalities, religions, genders, sexualities, ages, and more. How has this affected the workplace? How can inviting diversity improve your company and the role you …
What should I be doing to stay aware of new job opportunities, and how can that be done without upsetting my current employer? What about posting to job sites? How do I tell my boss I am open to something else without alarming her? – Shannon in Toms River, New Jersey Answer: Shannon, starting with your own company, make it …
One of the great things about the world today is how diverse and blended it has become. With the quickness and ease of traveling, the ability to connect with people online, and the ever-growing attitudes of acceptance, people regularly interact with those from another country or cultural background. Naturally, this trend has made its way into the workplace, too. With …
We all want to create a workplace culture and environment with the cornerstones of respect and appreciation. Doing so delivers lasting benefits of boosted performance, productivity, and engagement. Building upon this foundation includes actively mentoring, nurturing, adjusting, and critiquing your team for growth. Delivering timely constructive criticism is a crucial skill for true leaders. Navigating these situations when faced with …