The One Relationship That Will Change Your Career

Many well-respected leaders share a secret to career success: having a mentor who guided and advised them along the way. I have relied on the wisdom of a helpful circle of professionals over the years, and I have benefitted from being a mentor, as well (as my readers know, I’m a big fan of the […]

It’s Not About You: What You Really Need to Know About Your Personal Brand

In 1997, business guru Tom Peters wrote an article for Fast Company, “The Brand Called You.” The timing for this revolutionary concept was especially powerful for me, as a recent college graduate just beginning  my career. Now, I know the phrase “personal brand” can turn some people off (much like the word “networking.”) If it […]

The Old Career Path Is a Dead End

The definition of “career” is in major transition. Forget staying with a company until your golden anniversary; many millennials don’t stay with a company long enough to celebrate even one anniversary. Over the past few months, I’ve been talking to millennials and leaders at companies and universities about the new path to career success for […]

The 5-Minute Download: Best Advice of 2015

Already immersed in the barrage of “Best of” and “Top 10” lists? I’m joining in this year and here’s why: I’m often asked by new readers for a cheat sheet on the most buzzworthy, need-to-know millennial trends and topics. As we close out 2015, I thought I’d compile my most-read posts from the year, with […]

How to Love Networking (Even If You Hate the Word)

The word “networking” sometimes gets a bad rap – all those connotations of speed dating-style awkwardness, business card collecting and name tags at stuffy functions. Instead, let’s call networking what it should be: relationship building.  And nothing – nothing! – in your career will be more important than this. Years ago, relationship management revolved around […]

Etiquette Update: The New Rules for Thank-You Notes

People often ask me if thank-you notes are still important. My answer is an unequivocal, absolute, unqualified, deeply passionate YES. I’m astonished at how many people fail to send a thank-you note after a formal job interview, which has been the rule forever. And I bet I’m not alone when I say that nothing impresses […]

What You Can Learn from a Bad Boss

Got a Horrible Boss? Well, lucky you! Stay with me for a minute. The truth is, having a terrible boss early in your career can present a hugely valuable learning opportunity that you might not recognize. Like most people, I’ve had my share of challenging bosses. Here are three lessons I learned from the experience […]

Steal-Worthy Networking Ideas

It’s not what you know, it’s who you know. Most of us have heard this career advice, but it is true that who you know can help propel your career. Whether it’s someone you meet at an industry event, an informational interview or a new friend at the juice bar, being a savvy networker can […]

The Why and How of Emoji

????????????????✈???? Yes, emoji are everywhere. A friend sends a happy hour reminder with a glass of wine emoji. Another friend wants to meet you for a spin class and sends the muscle one. A birthday wish with a cake. But then, wait a second! Did your assistant just send you a big thumbs up? Emoji […]

The Hottest Millennial Career Track You’ve Never Thought of

According to a report by Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute, two million manufacturing positions are likely to go unfilled in the next decade due to a lack of skilled workers. Another study, this one from the Brookings Institution, named manufacturing as one of four “promising” industries that has not yet tapped into the potential of […]