Exploring Careers: How to Get the Inside Scoop     The last time you went out for ice cream, what did you have? Did you stick with your same old favorite? Or did you waffle between several delectable flavors? In the end, did you like what you chose? If not, you’ll probably be pickier next time. You might ...

Acing Your Annual Review It is that time again. The annual review. Why is an activity that should be of value to both the organization and individual so stressful? Unfortunately for many organizations, a poor understanding of the purpose of the review can lead to anxiety. And that applies to both sides of the desk. Consider this before ...

Career Management Career management is the lifelong process of investing resources to achieve your career goals. Career management is not a singular event but a continuing process that is a necessity for adapting to the changing demands of the 21st Century economy. Career Vision’s programs support ongoing personal and professional development throughout life’s transitions. Whether we are ...

Eight Steps to Creating Your Personal Brand     Everybody knows that you need to work hard in your current job if you want to be considered for new opportunities, whether inside or outside of your company. But, have you even wondered why some people seem to have all the luck? They always happen to be at just ...

Extraordinary Careers for Young Adults Begin From Day One Today’s young professionals come to work with high expectations, boundless energy and an urgent need for achievement and success. With so many unwritten “rules of the road” in organizations, young professionals would do well to study a copy of William J. White’s book, From Day One: CEO Advice to ...

Five Steps to Reinforcing Your Support     How do I put in place a good support network? Besides taking stock and making a list of all the people you know, there are five steps that can help with your progress. Remember the “6 degrees of separation” theory? Your access to information and resources is greater than you ...

Taking Care of Business: Is Entrepreneurship Right for You?     Are you thinking about starting your own business? Whatever your age, reasons, dreams, or goals, entrepreneurship can be a great career option. Yet, before you quit your nine-to-five job and hang that “Yes, We’re Open” sign on your door, carefully weigh the pros and the cons of ...

2 Big Ways COVID-19 Has Changed Work Forever      Seemingly overnight, COVID-19 changed the way we live, work, and interact in the world. Unlike a hurricane that passes through a geographic region for a day or so, a pandemic is global, enduring, and pervasively-disruptive. As such, COVID-19 leaves in its wake significant workplace changes, some ...

Harness the Power of Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace   Which of the following factors is the best predictor of success in the workplace? A. Work Experience B. Intelligence C. Skills D. Education / Training E. None of the above If you chose “E”, you got it right. Here’s why. Even though there’s no doubt that all of these factors have an impact ...

How To Find A Career That Is A Good Fit Have you ever worn a pair of shoes that don’t fit correctly? Every step is painful. Just the thought of walking a block in them is daunting! How much more misery is involved when an individual is in a job or career that is a poor ...

Job Satisfaction Is a “Win-Win” for Employees & Employers     Due to rapid and ongoing changes in the global marketplace, ever-changing technologies, and significant competition across industries, gone are the days of paternalistic organizations. Employers expect their workers to be self-directed and responsible for their own career development. A critical component in establishing a “win-win” relationship between ...

Job Satisfaction Soars After Role Change Many adults who experience dissatisfaction in their current jobs believe that changing companies may give them a fresh perspective, and Mike Magnus was one of them. In 2005 he left his employer of 12 years, a leading international market research firm for the consumer package goods, retail and healthcare industries. In ...

3 Ways COVID Has Changed Job Search     With millions of Americans out of work due to the pandemic, the competition for each and every open position has increased dramatically. As a result, the hiring process — and, therefore, the job search process — has transformed as well. In order to position yourself for success, here’s what ...

A Primer on Applying for Federal Government Jobs     Which U.S. employer has over 2 million workers in more than 350 occupations and still needs more talent? The federal government of the United States. From the chemists in the U.S. Treasury Department’s Bureau of Engraving and Printing who produce watermarks on paper currency resilient enough to last ...

Accelerate Your Job Search Using Social Media   LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram….what do these social media platforms have in common? Well, the most obvious response to this question is that all of them can help you stay connected with family, friends, and business associates. Yet, perhaps the less apparent but equally important answer is that LinkedIn, Facebook, ...

America’s Hottest Jobs on Center Stage     “And the award goes to…” Last month, “1917” won the Golden Globe Award for Best Picture-Drama. Just one week later, “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” took the Critic’s Choice Award. So which one was the real winner? That’s a tough question to answer since each film earned its accolades ...

Speed Networking: A Way to Expand Your Professional Contacts     Networking can be one of the most powerful and productive activities an individual can do to launch and manage their career. Building an interconnected group of relationships with others is at the core of a person’s effectiveness both personally and professionally. In the workplace today, we need ...

Support Is Key to Reaching Goals     People are our most valuable resource. Not only is that true for organizations, it is true for you! One of the strongest assets to have in this rapidly changing world is a good support network. The frequent fluctuation in the economic environment and social fabric creates a need for people ...

Taking the Work Out of Networking     You’ve probably never seen a bumper sticker that exclaims, “I’d rather be networking!” That’s because few people associate networking with fun. Instead, we see it as one of those things we have to do for our careers. Even the word “networking” sounds like a “work” thing, doesn’t it? After all, “work” ...

Mentorships: Roles & Relationship     A survey conducted by Olivet University shows that 76% of respondents believe that having a mentor is important for their career development. Yet, only 37% actually have one! Ask any successful person how they got to where they are today, and they will probably tell you they attribute at least part of ...

Stress in the Workplace Job stress includes harmful physical and emotional responses that occur when the requirements of the job do not match the capabilities, resources, or needs of the worker. National Institute of Occupational Safety & Health We hear a lot today about workplace stress. How can I recognize it and what can I do about ...

Success and Satisfaction The two most important indicators of adjustment to a career are work success and work satisfaction. Can you match the correct definition to each phrase? Work success is gauged by how well a position matches the abilities, interests, needs, values as evaluated by the employee. Work satisfaction is tied to how closely a person’s ...

Transitions: Weathering the Rough Storms of Change     Mark Twain is credited with saying, “If you don’t like the weather in New England now, just wait a few minutes.” But, no matter what region of the country you hail from, you’ve probably made a similar reference about the local forecast. After all, weather conditions change all the ...

What’s the Formula for Success? Goals + Habits   Each of us has something we want to achieve in life. If you’re an entrepreneur, maybe you want to build a successful business. So would you like to know the secret formula for success in your personal life? Well, here it is (and it’s really not a ...