Use Curiosity To Open Doors In Your Career

“My favourite words are possibilities, opportunities and curiosity. I think if you are curious, you create opportunities, and then if you open the doors, you create possibilities.” – Mario Testino When we’re stuck in our work lives, it can feel like we don’t have any possibilities, any choices. This can show up as external roadblocks […]

Both/And Thinking in Career Change

“I’d love to start my own business, but I can’t because I don’t have any capital.” “I’d love to change careers, but I can’t because it would take too long to get the necessary skills.” Have you ever noticed how considering the plusses and minuses of a big career change can sap the motivation to […]

Breaking the Decision Stalemate

Have you ever felt stuck when making a tough career decision?  Some years ago I was in a tug of war between what I felt I should do and what I wanted to do.  It felt like  I was in a stalemate – what chess players call a situation where no viable move exists and, […]

Let Go to Move Forward

Most of us have been there – in a job we hate but can’t quit. All too often it is the catch 22 of not being able to leave a job until you have another one, yet not being able to muster the energy or confidence to take on a search. It can feel like […]

Making Space in Difficult Times

  When there have been troubling situations at work (a Performance Improvement Plan, harassment, layoffs), it can be hard to find a neutral place from which to make decisions. Should you quit? Should you stick it out? Often there is a pull to take action to get the pain of the situation to stop.   While […]

Is it worth the risk?

I’ve had a few conversations with clients this week about taking risks. They were about interpersonal risks (making a cold call) and logistical risks (moving states for a new job). For some, networking felt like a risk.  For others, it was risky to stay in one job for many years.  While everyone views risk differently, […]

Taking a Retreat from Job Search

Job search can be stressful, no matter what your personal or professional situation. There can be time pressure, financial pressure, identity pressure, family pressure—it’s up there with other events like moving,  planning a wedding or having a new child. If you are on unemployment, there are requirements for search in order to continue to receive […]

Going to the Hardware Store for Milk

One day many years ago, I was complaining about my work to a wise friend of mine.   I wanted the corporation I worked for to care more about people than profits.  “Why won’t they step up?”, I pondered in self-righteous irritation.   She replied with a very wise and simple comment – “It sounds like you are […]

Preparing for a Successful Interview

When I follow up with clients to see how an interview went, I often hear  – “I think it went well, but I’m not really sure!  I will know when I hear back from them.” Waiting to hear back from employers can cause a lot of anxiety, and while I’m a proponent of getting feedback […]

On or Off?

Frequently clients ask me if they should leave certain optional items off of their resume – community activities, work experience beyond 10 years and dates on education are just a few examples.  Usually there is a worry about being screened out based on assumptions recruiters or hiring mangers might make, sometimes around sensitive issues (age, ability, […]