Career Coaching / Consulting Archives - Midlife Career Strategy

Self help book meets realities of workplace politics

CathyG — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 21:09:00 +0000

Many years ago I came across a book called Practically Perfect in Every Way by Jennifer Niesslen. Niesslen spent 2 years testing how much she could change by reading self-help books and following online programs. You can read more about the book and see my review here at the amazon website. What bothered me most […]

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3 ways a career coach will waste your money (even if they’re competent and experienced)

CathyG — Wed, 07 Dec 2022 11:45:52 +0000

I’ve met all too many people who hired coaches and later regretted their decision. Too few career books offer solid tips about hiring a coach to work with you. This advice also applies to business coaches, too! (1) Be clear on what you want from the coach. If you’re not clear, it’s a good idea […]

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How to get the worst advice on the planet: listen to someone with an agenda

CathyG — Sun, 04 Sep 2022 11:03:46 +0000

Using social media should be an important part of business growth or career change. But when using social (or any other service), I recommend following one my the Goodwin Career-Saving Maxims: Good information is free but you pay for advice. For instance, I once saw someone tweeting ten resume tips. Most of the tips were […]

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Performance Reviews: Does your boss have an agenda?

CathyG — Sat, 03 Sep 2022 08:26:36 +0000

Nearly every company has a reward system that they can’t spell out. Often they’re not even aware of what they’re doing. Here are some questions to assess your boss’s agenda. Never ask these questions aloud. But listen for what your coworkers say…and don’t say. Does your company value sales and marketing more than support, tech, […]

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10 surprisingly common career-destroying mistakes

CathyG — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 07:19:28 +0000

How big does a mistake have to be to kill your career? I read a story about a flight attendant who was fired for posting photos of herself striking suggestive poses. She was photographed wearing her official uniform on an empty airliner, clearly identifying her employer. I’ve also read about a hotshot consultant who sent […]

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When NOT To Hire A Career Coach

CathyG — Sat, 14 May 2022 00:50:29 +0000

Recently I got an email from someone I’d met at a networking meeting. She was looking for a new career and heard I did some consulting in this area. She visited my site, said she’d like to set up a consultation. But, she said, she had questions. Over a series of emails, she raised them. […]

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Career Change: Use Your Current Career To Find Your Dream Career

CathyG — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 12:58:56 +0000

Career change decisions don’t work like accounting decisions. For instance, in accounting, we are taught that we should ignore sunk costs when making a decision. To some would-be career changers, a first career can be viewed as a sunk cost. The truth is, your first career isn’t really a sunk cost. It’s an investment that […]

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Dangers of Getting Too Personal (Even When Everyone Says, “Be Authentic”)

CathyG — Sun, 06 Feb 2022 13:24:19 +0000

Whether in your own business or corporate life, professionals often find they are challenged to maintain a line between business and personal lives. Increasingly the boundaries are blurred as we work from home. We’re often advised to be “genuine” and “authentic.” We’re often ill-advised to be “vulnerable.” But over-disclosing can be hazardous to a career, […]

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When the best job search strategy is letting go

CathyG — Sun, 18 Apr 2021 08:26:00 +0000

Q. I just finished a job interview. Everything went well. But I can’t get excited about the job. The people were nice but frankly, I got bored. Should I withdraw my application or hang on to see what happens? A. Let me share a secret. I love country music, especially the classics. Your question reminds […]

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5 Proven Ways To Escape A Job You Hate

CathyG — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 20:10:06 +0000

Feeling forced to work in a job you hate is one of the biggest sources of job stress. It is critical to develop a game plan as early as possible. Many people promise themselves to stick it out, but eventually sabotage themselves because they hope they won’t have to. In my younger years, I held […]

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