You wouldn’t believe how often we leave a field where we have a strong position, thinking, “I can always go back.”
Or, “They’ll always make a place for me.”
Or, “I have unique skills and talents! Of course I can go back.”
So we leap off the dock and land in the ocean…way over our heads.
And […]

After four years in a small town, moving to a Big City sometimes feels like traveling to another planet. I’d advise anyone contemplating a similar move to
(a) toss out every piece of clothing you own, because fashions change more than you’d imagine; (b) hold off on signing up for anything till you’ve been […]

These days we make ephemeral connections through the Internet. Someone takes a class from me (or with me). Someone googles my name and wants to get in touch…after five or ten or twenty years.
So I get a mysterious email like the one I got today. “Mary Jones announces she has started a blog.” Who on […]

Q. “I’m still dizzy from my latest encounter. Aargh. I went on an interview that should have been a slam-dunk…and nothing happened. I felt like they were putting on a show.”
A. You are absolutely right: many interviews are just for show. And you areabsolutely wise (in my opinion, anyway) to consider alternatives like solo-preneurship.
And […]

Some time ago I fell into conversation with “Gretchen,” another business consultant at a networking event. It was late. I’d had a glass of wine and was feeling relaxed…too relaxed! So I shared some of the challenges I was facing with my own business. Should I change the name. Should I attend a specific event. […]

Looking for a reality check?
Check out the Wall Street Journal’s online Career Forums.
There’s one thread about midlife career — with over 400 posts, the biggest of all. And some of the most frustrating.
I wish I could tell everyone, “Stop pounding on closed doors. At some point, it’s easier to go solo.”
And don’t wait […]

An experienced marketer said, “You’re living in Seattle! You have access to all sorts of networking events!”
True. But many are in Bellevue - an inconvenient hour (and lightyears in mindset) away from me.
Every city has hidden quirks. Some offer respect only to residents who lasted three winters or five years. Some still socialize with […]

It’s rare to find accurate articles in the Real World, but I really liked this one about top career myths:
http://tinyurl.com/fu8wo
I especially agree with the author’s points about negotiating: anyone can negotiate. And I also emphasize that compensation issues often have to arise before you get to the very end of the process. You need to […]