Career Advice and Opinions Archives - Midlife Career Strategy

Career Advice From Your Alma Mater (30 years later)

CathyG — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 12:35:15 +0000

Several years ago a WSJ article described a woman who returned to her MBA program for career coaching. The coaching apparently focused on accountability (a staple of just about any coaching) along with career tips. The article goes on to note that many universities still do not offer these services to alumni. You’re most likely […]

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“We interrupt your career to bring you this message…”

CathyG — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 09:05:40 +0000

You’re watching a baseball game. Bottom of the ninth, bases loaded, score tied … and then a voice comes on. “We interrupt this program …” The same thing can happen when you’re feeling really good and comfortable about your career. Out of nowhere, you get an interruption. For instance: : Your performance review was less […]

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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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Career Change: The Desert Island Fantasy

CathyG — Thu, 05 May 2022 09:54:49 +0000

“I was thinking … it would be SO nice to move to the country and live on a farm. We could grow our own vegetables.” “Maybe I should just get a job as a greeter at Wal-Mart!” “I’ll go back to school and study literature.” And then there’s: “How about a nice desert island for […]

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Career Intuition: From Inklings to Action

CathyG — Sun, 13 Mar 2022 15:21:40 +0000

OK, you’ve read all the guides rules and advice on job interviews. You’ve got the script for your new client “get acquainted call” You still blew it. You said the wrong thing. Maybe you said a LOT of wrong things and felt like the basketball player who scored a point in the opponent’s side of […]

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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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Career Strategies: 4 Risks That May (Or May Not) Be Worth The Gamble

CathyG — Fri, 04 Feb 2022 16:22:56 +0000

Career risks aren’t always obvious. What seems to be a high-risk move may actually turn out to be the most likely to assure your future. What seems to promise job security turns out to be a myth. Your mother or grandmother probably grew up hearing, “Become a secretary and you’ll always have a job.” Or […]

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The Secret of Gaining Confidence When You’re Doing Something New

CathyG — Mon, 20 Dec 2021 12:48:25 +0000

As a die-hard New Yorker, I didn’t take driver’s ed in school. I figured I’d always live in a city with buses and subways. Then I found myself in California as an elderly twenty-one-year-old. I needed a car. I needed to drive. Driving didn’t come naturally to me. I’d never ridden a bicycle, so steering […]

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Career Crisis: “Oh no, something good just happened!”

CathyG — Fri, 18 Jun 2021 07:39:54 +0000

When certain things happen, we tend to think “champagne,” not crisis: Selling a business or home and now you’ve got a bundle of cash Getting an unexpected raise or promotion at work Getting a job offer out of the blue Getting accepted to a competitive degree program Finally getting a job after a long […]

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The Truth About How People Really Change Careers

CathyG — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 09:39:02 +0000

Career change often begins with a statement. “I hate my current job. I want a totally different environment. What are some steps I can take to make a move?” Alas, many career books give a false impression. They suggest that career change proceeds at an orderly and very linear pace. Typically, you are advised to […]

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