Today’s WSJ reports a new trend: Companies are rewarding employees for healthy habits. They discovered some employees started smoking when they realized their fellow employees gained rewards for quitting. Is that dumb or what?
Frankly,I wouldn’t want my employer involved in my weight, eating habits and exercise. I want a personal life! We’re one step away […]

Today’s WSJ (March 27) Cubicle Culture Section - Page B1 if you have the paper version - carries a helpful story: “Our Better Halves Sometimes Expose Our Worst Side.”
Consultant Jane Genova, according to the story, sought advice for dealing with a difficult client. She turned to her significant other. He suggested she summarize her requirements […]

Q. I’m looking at a job offer from Mega Company that sounds absolutely perfect for me. A big step up: exciting challenges, salary increase, even a good location. But how do I know I can fit in with the culture? I want to land in a place where I can stay awhile.
A. Evaluating culture can […]

For some reason, queries tend to follow patterns. And recently I heard from two people, in two different industries, at opposite ends of the US:
“Hi Cathy,
“Last year we decided to buy a house. We fell in love with a home that’s a 30-minute commute from where I work. I went to my boss. I […]

Recently I’ve had a few queries that were remarkably similar to one another. They went like this:
“Hi Cathy. Six months ago I had a bad performance review. Now I am on a performance improvement plan. Attached is the letter from HR. Can you help?”
I positively hate these messages because by this time, there’s not much […]

Ouch! Was I ever wrong. I couldn’t believe The Donald would really allow smart professionals to camp out in a tent, with inadequate bathroom facilities, to say the least.
It seems there really is a tent. Some of the contestants have been looking downright scruffy. Interviewed after the show, one woman said, “Of course we […]

Last week we talked about attending networking events. This week I’m answering a frequently asked question:
Q. “I’ve read about interviewing for information. But after working for many years, I don’t feel comfortable calling up strangers to ask for help.”
A. I would agree with you.
The first edition of What Color Is Your Parachute rolled out […]

I watched The Secret twice: first online (with several interruptions) following a recommendation by a marketing coach, then at a conference (where I fell asleep halfway through).
My feelings about the Law of Attraction: I believe if you can crystallize a goal, your subconscious mind goes to work and you get drawn to new ways to […]

When I first moved to Seattle, I was determined to get involved in networking. After four years in a small town in New Mexico, suddenly I had opportunities to meet prospects face to face.
I loved meeting new people. And connections began to happen. But at first I couldn’t help wondering, “Will all this […]

Watching Barbara Ehrenreich (author of Bait and Switch) on BookTV - a 3-hour indepth perspective.
One caller said, “I’m stuck in a dead-end job, although I have a college degree. I just got divorced and needed a job after not working for many years.”
Ehrenreich referred her to unitedprofessionals.org.
Here’s another idea. If you’re at the lowest […]