The Career-intelligence.com blog provides women with information and expert advice dealing with career planning, self-assessment tools; job transition, business networking, cover letters, communications, resumes, interviewing tips; career advancement, career management, business travel, balancing work & family, stress management, sexual harassment; starting a small business, public relations, marketing and organizing. 2012-08-29T09:38:56-07:00 Copyright 2004-2005 Ublog Reload 1.0.5 arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=55 2012-08-29T09:38:56-07:00 2012-08-29T09:38:56-07:00 2012-08-29T09:38:56-07:00
The demand for multilingual skills for global leadership candidates has more than doubled going from 10% in 2011 to 23% in 2012 according to a recent study by AMA Enterprise. Among the companies surveyed 14% said they only hire managers who have “basic spoken competencies” in multiple languages.

The good news is that many companies are willing to help you become multilingual. In fact, 23% of study respondents said they provide reimbursement for language training for all employees. Fifteen percent said they provide reimbursement to employees considered to be “high-potentials” and only 4% said they don’t provide any resources for their employees to learn another language.

English is still considered the language of business around the world. However, companies are realizing that that may not be the case in the future according to Sandi Edwards, SVP for AMA Enterprise. So if you have any ambition to work in the global arena it’s time to add multilingual to your skill set.
]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=54 2012-08-16T10:58:46-07:00 2012-08-16T10:58:46-07:00 2012-08-16T10:58:46-07:00 Meet the Recruiter Series, have been in-depth interviews. We even surveyed a bunch of recruiters earlier this year.

And the one thing they all say is that if you are looking for a job you need to have a professional online presence. LinkedIn absolutely, but don’t stop there. Don’t forget about other social media like Twitter and Google+ as well.

Despite our current economy there are jobs out there. Many recruiters are actively searching for candidates online every day. So be there or beware. You may be sabotaging your own job search.
]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=53 2012-08-10T11:08:00-07:00 2012-08-10T11:08:00-07:00 2012-08-10T11:08:00-07:00 recent survey by Accountemps.

In fact 54% of respondents said that having a clear idea of how to get ahead was very important, 31% said it was at least somewhat important, while only 14% said they didn’t care. People want to know what’s next and how to get there.

This should be a wake-up call to employers who don’t want to lose their top talent. Many people are dissatisfied with their current position and are likely looking for new jobs right now. According to a Right Management poll done at the end of 2011, 84% of respondents said they would be actively looking for a new position in 2012.

If you’re one of the dissatisfied you need to take some responsibility as well. Start by exploring your options. If possible, schedule time to talk to your manager about your potential for growth. Meet with human resources to see what else is available within your company. If your organization has a formal mentorship program sign up, if not take steps to find a mentor, or better yet a sponsor, on your own.

It’s certainly beneficial if your employer can help develop a roadmap. But, in the end, it’s up to you to take responsibility for your own career.
]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=52 2012-08-07T10:56:53-07:00 2012-08-07T10:56:53-07:00 2012-08-07T10:56:53-07:00
It seems like people should know better, particularly athletes representing their country at the Olympic Games. Unfortunately, some of them don’t.

During the first week several athletes were ousted from the Olympics for Tweeting racist remarks. An Aussie swimmer got in trouble back home for sharing racy photos. And a U.S. soccer star created controversy with her comments about one of the commentators.

Looks like they didn’t think much about the repercussions before they hit Send.

Fortunately, many other Olympians, including Gold medal winners Jessica Ennis and Ryan Lochte, are using social media the smart way. Their tweets have given us a peek at what it’s like to be an athlete at the Games which has endeared them to fans around the world. Thanks for being great on and off the field.
]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=51 2012-08-01T11:14:54-07:00 2012-08-01T11:14:54-07:00 2012-08-01T11:14:54-07:00 Men’s Road Race when Alexandr Vinolurov of Kazakhstan won the gold and Great Britain’s Mark Cavendish, who was favored to win, came in 28th.

It’s upsets like this that make the Games so exciting. Unfortunately, they sometimes ignite controversy as well. It was a shock when Jordyn Weiber didn’t qualify for the Gymnastics individual all-around competition. According to Olympic rules only two entrants from each team can compete in the event and that night she was edged out by her teammates. Weiber was understandably devastated. She was not alone. Many complained that the rules were unfair others came out on the other side.

But, what’s amazing in all this is Weiber who responded to this upset by coming back even stronger. She didn’t give up, or give in. She put Sunday’s disappointment behind her and gave her all for the team. In the end, she played an integral part in the Fab Five winning the gold on Tuesday. Weiber won’t be taking part in the individual all-around competition but she’s already proved she’s a winner. She’s got more than a gold medal; she’s got the heart of a champion.
]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=50 2012-07-27T12:31:30-07:00 2012-07-27T12:31:30-07:00 2012-07-27T12:31:30-07:00
But, the Olympic news has started already. Women are making significant strides in the Olympics this year. For the first time women are the majority on the U.S. Olympic team and for the first time every country is sending at least one female contender according to a recent Forbes article.

As always there will be a variety of sports on the schedule. Everything from the ever popular gymnastics to the probably less watched archery will be there. As a newbie runner I’m particularly interested in watching the track and field events this year. But, one of my favorites remains the equestrian where men and women compete against each other.

But, the most exciting thing is seeing athletes from different countries and cultures coming together to participate in the games. I’m impressed by their dedication to their specific sport. And touched by how proud they are to represent their respective countries. But, what amazes me the most is the respect they have for each other that transcends cultural differences. It always gives me hope for the future.
]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=49 2012-07-25T09:26:16-07:00 2012-07-25T09:26:16-07:00 2012-07-25T09:26:16-07:00
A group of managers, comprised of mostly white men, who participated in a leadership development program designed to help foster inclusion in the workplace, did experience a change in both mindset and behavior according to a recent study by Catalyst. The program was conducted by White Men as Full Diversity Partners, which that helps organizations leverage diversity by challenging leaders to understand both their own cultural perspectives and the perspective of others.

After only four months in this program the participants “not only became significantly more accepting of the notion of white male privilege” but also showed improvement in other areas as well says Catalyst. The changes included:

• Critical thinking about social groups
• Taking more responsibility for being inclusive
• Inquiring across cultural differences
• Listening empathically to others
• Addressing difficult issues related to differences

An added bonus, colleagues began to notice an overall decrease in workplace incivility. Specifically noted was a decline in negative gossip.

One of the most surprising things was the participants' acknowledgement of “white male privilege” in the workplace. Considering that this group comprises the leadership of most companies in corporate America, this program sounds like a step in the right direction.
]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=48 2012-07-23T07:58:36-07:00 2012-07-23T07:58:36-07:00 2012-07-23T07:58:36-07:00
The other day I was watching Bethenny’s summer talk show and during one segment her dog Cookie was on the set. While talking about how loyal and loving Cookie is she said “She would follow me into a jail cell.” All Cookie wants is to be with her wherever that may be.

That got me thinking about our dogs. And I realized they’re like that too. They would be happy living in jail as long as they could be with us. That’s the most important thing to them. Well, that and a little food every day.

I don’t know one, single person like that.

Now the “jail cell” scenario may be carrying things to the extreme when it comes to the workplace. I don’t know that I’ve ever had a boss that I was that loyal to – and I’ve had a few great ones. But there is certainly a lot we can learn from dogs that would make life in the workplace more enjoyable and probably more productive too.

1. Dogs give everyone a chance. I often make snap decisions. That’s a personal flaw of mine. But I’m not the only one. Dogs are not like that. They give everyone a chance. They greet new people with a big wag of their tail expecting good things to happen. Often times even after they’ve been abused by their previous owners.

2. Dogs don’t growl at you because they’re having a bad day. How many times do we snap at people for no reason other than we got stuck in traffic on the way to the office or a project is not going particularly well? Dogs may whine if they don’t get a cookie. But they don’t growl at you because they didn’t get to go to the dog park today.

3. Dogs are determined. Dogs are not easily distracted when they want something. They will sit there and stare until you open the door to let them outside. They will nudge you for an hour if they want to play with the ball. They’re not easily discouraged when they don’t get what they want. They keep working at it until they do. Imagine what we could accomplish with that much tenacity.

These are just three ways our canine friends are smarter than we are. Surely, adopting these behaviors would help create a more civil and productive workplace for humans as well. You’ve heard the saying “I wish I was as good as my dog thinks I am. “ Well, maybe if we embrace a few of their actions we can be.
]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=47 2012-07-19T13:03:21-07:00 2012-07-19T13:03:21-07:00 2012-07-19T13:03:21-07:00 careful about what you share online. Candidates aren’t even considered for jobs because a potential employer is put off by their social media presence. Tasteless remarks can even get you fired.

Yet, just yesterday I read about a photo of a Burger King employee with his feet in the restaurant’s lettuce bins which was posted online with the caption “This is the lettuce you eat at Burger King.” To add stupidity to injury the employees left the “geo-location tags” on the post which allowed people who saw the picture to identify the Burger King location where the photo was taken. People started calling the restaurant, the local newspapers were alerted and, after an investigation, the three employees involved were fired. By the time I saw the story the article was being featured on MSNBC.com

Now these former Burger King employees may think the prank was worth it. Maybe they hated working there and were happy to be let go. But they may care when it comes to looking for their next job. What will future employers think? Fair or not, they’ll probably not think much of a candidate who was fired from Burger King. If they find out why the employee was fired, they’ll think even less of them. Either way they probably won’t get the job.

]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=46 2012-07-16T13:25:34-07:00 2012-07-16T13:25:34-07:00 2012-07-16T13:25:34-07:00
Now you’re accountable. People will know if you don’t follow through. And this will help you move forward. That’s one of the reasons people stay on track when they hire a coach or a trainer. It’s also one of the best reasons to have a workout buddy when you’re trying to maintain an exercise program.

Right now, I’m training for my first 5K. I’m a newbie runner so my goal is just to finish without looking too bad. Translation: walking too much. To help me stay motivated I signed up for a race and posted it to Facebook. I’ve been recording some of my training on Facebook too. My friends have encouraged me. One of them event told me about a training app for my phone which has been really helpful. Looking back I can see the steady progress I’m making.

What about you? Do you have something you’ve been keeping on the back burner? Now is the time to get started. Develop a plan. Tell your friends and family. Then go for it.

Good luck! See you at the finish line!
]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=45 2012-07-12T14:02:16-07:00 2012-07-12T14:02:16-07:00 2012-07-12T14:02:16-07:00 bad for your health. In fact logging in all that time in front of the computer and TV can kill you.

Because of these studies many companies are offering their employees the opportunity to use stand-up desks. Some have found other creative ways to keep employees on their feet. Some people, including one of my favorite bloggers Career Diva, have created their own stand-up options. If that’s too much of a commitment even sitting on an inflatable exercise ball while you work can be beneficial.

Today, I read that if you’re a woman working long hours will probably make you fat. According to a recent study, middle-aged women who work more than 35 hours a week are likely to put on extra pounds. For some it was only a few pounds, for others it was more extreme. This weight gain was attributed to women spending less time maintaining their health and fitness levels. Besides missing out on sleep and exercise, more time at work meant less time available to prepare healthy meals. Not surprisingly, grabbing take-out on the way home every night isn’t part of a healthy lifestyle.

So I guess even if you’re working at a standing-desk you shouldn’t stand there too long. Unless you have someone else home preparing healthy meals.
]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=44 2012-07-09T14:16:18-07:00 2012-07-09T14:16:18-07:00 2012-07-09T14:16:18-07:00
Studies have shown that music affects our mood. It can help relive depression and reduce stress. But, even without the studies you probably already know that.

I’ve read quite a bit about music and exercise. Athletes of all levels use music to help motivate them when they’re pushing themselves. It can also help distract during repetitive exercise like running and classes at the gym.

But, if you have a particular song that you can listen to before you tackle something difficult better yet. I’ve had a few theme songs over the last few years. However, one of my favorites remains Suddenly I See by KT Tunstall. (You’ll recognize it when you hear it.)

I don’t know if it’s partly because it reminds me of The Devil Wears Prada (a movie I love) or just because it never fails to lighten my mood. Whatever it is, it works for me. What’s your theme song?
]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=43 2012-07-05T14:23:22-07:00 2012-07-05T14:23:22-07:00 2012-07-05T14:23:22-07:00
The dilemma for most of us is how to expand our network.

One of the easiest ways to meet people online is through LinkedIn groups. Fellow alumni and those who share the same interests are generally open to connecting with you. If you want to meet social media peeps or human resources professionals you’ll find them in LinkedIn groups. Once you’re in read the posts and comments to find out more about the members.

But, don’t stop there.

Late last year, I noticed an acquaintance of mine tweeting about a conversation with someone I wanted to meet. We both were writers, working in the career field and living in Connecticut. So I asked my acquaintance to make an introduction via LinkedIn. No response. Maybe she didn’t get the request, I know she’s busy. Or maybe she didn’t feel comfortable connecting us. I can respect that.

Trouble is I still wanted to make the connection. So eventually I did.

I sent out a request to connect noting that I didn’t know her. I also briefly explained who I was and why I wanted to make the connection. A few hours later I got a response. My new connection was thanking me for contacting her, wondering why we hadn’t met earlier. How nice is that? While I was planning and producing the Career Strategies Conference my new friend helped me in immeasurable ways. I’m certainly glad I sent that initial email.

Of course it doesn’t always work out that way. Many of the people I’ve connected with I don't know very well. Still, every once in a while you get lucky and strike gold.

]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=42 2012-07-02T08:43:27-07:00 2012-07-02T08:43:27-07:00 2012-07-02T08:43:27-07:00
If you’ve somehow managed to miss this highly entertaining, caper movie it’s a ton of fun. But what particularly caught my attention this time was one of the opening scenes where an older thief, John Bridger, asks his protégé, Charlie Croker, how he’s feeling about an upcoming job. It’s the first time that Charlie will be running the crew who are about to steal several million dollars worth of gold bricks.

Charlie says he’s fine. The rest of the conversation goes like this:

Bridger: Fine? You know what “fine” stands for don’t you?
Croker: Yeah, unfortunately.
Bridger: Freaked out . . .
Croker: Insecure . . .
Bridger: Neurotic . . .
Croker: And Emotional.

Wow. That brief conversation made me think. I know I’ve been guilty of saying I’m fine when what I really mean is that I’m F.I.N.E. What about you?

While growth only comes from stepping out of your comfort zone, it’s important to be honest about your abilities especially with yourself. If you’re overwhelmed by a project don’t tell people you’re fine – let them know you’re struggling. If you don’t understand what your boss expects – ask her. If you’re not going to have the client presentation completed on time – let your team or your boss know well in advance.

It’s worse to let people think that everything is going well and on schedule when it’s not, than it is to say you’re having trouble. Next time you’re feeling F.I.N.E. get some help. It’s easier to recover after you stumble than it is to get up after you fall.
]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=41 2012-06-25T11:03:31-07:00 2012-06-25T11:03:31-07:00 2012-06-25T11:03:31-07:00
Winter was found on a beach where she washed up after being caught up in some crab trap line. Not long after being rescued she lost her tail as a result of her injuries. The doctors doubted she’d make it without her tail. No dolphin ever had.

But, despite all odds Winter survived. Because she didn’t have a tail she was unable to swim “normally” using an up-and-down motion. She adapted by learning to swim using a side-to-side motion. When the doctors discovered that this method was hurting her spine they developed a new plan – to build a prosthetic tail. It was a long process, but eventually a workable prosthetic tail was developed. And with the help of her trainers Winter learned to swim “normally” using the new tail. Amazing.

Winter’s story moved me. I cried when Winter, who plays herself in the movie, began to swim and play again. But, she started me thinking about my own life as well. She reminded me that it takes more than the desire to succeed. It’s essential to be adaptable. If Winter hadn’t learned to adapt after losing her tail she wouldn’t have survived.

Most of us are not faced with life-and-death situations. But, in today’s economy where every job is temporary our lives can change in an instant. We need to be able to adjust. We need to be open to new ideas and accept help when it’s offered. And most of all, we need to be able to change direction, to reinvent ourselves from time to time.

To watch Winter on a live webcam visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium site.
]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=40 2012-06-22T11:08:57-07:00 2012-06-22T11:08:57-07:00 2012-06-22T11:08:57-07:00
Over the years, I’ve read a lot of things about women in the workplace. And most of them haven’t been positive. Men would rather work for a man than a woman. Many women would too. Why? Women are cited as backstabbing, moody, cliquey and vain.

There’s even a word for bad female bosses: Queen Bee Syndrome. These women are noted as “alpha” females who are trying to preserve their power at the expense of their colleagues. Studies on workplace bullying have even shown that women are 80% more likely to bully other women.

This is sad news.

Happily a new study by Catalyst shows that women are helping other women in the workplace and their efforts are helping them as well. According to Leaders Pay It Forward “high potentials” recognize that others “took a risk on them and gave them their chance” which is one of the reasons they are eager to “pay it forward.”

Despite all the negative talk about women, Leaders Pay It Forward found that 65% of women who received career-development support are now actively supporting new talent compared to 56% of men. They also found that 73% of women developing younger colleagues are helping other women, compared to 30% of men.

While it can be very satisfying to help colleagues get ahead, satisfaction isn’t the only benefit. According to the study, those helping to develop new talent saw an increase in pay of over $25,000 between 2008 and 2010. Catalyst notes that this career advancement and compensation growth may be attributed to higher visibility and recognition.

Whatever the reason, it’s great to know that paying it forward pays back. Perhaps it will encourage other women to help younger colleagues develop their careers. It’s time we started to read more positive news about women in the workplace.
]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=39 2012-06-20T11:57:01-07:00 2012-06-20T11:57:01-07:00 2012-06-20T11:57:01-07:00
We’re happy with their response and think these changes probably were long overdue. The fact is we were stuck in a bit of a rut. Next time we won’t wait so long.

Are you stuck in a rut like we were with our newsletter?

When was the last time you revamped your resume or updated your image? Has your LinkedIn profile been the same for the last five years? If you’d like to change how people respond to you maybe it’s time to shake things up a bit.


]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=38 2012-06-19T08:40:53-07:00 2012-06-19T08:40:53-07:00 2012-06-19T08:40:53-07:00
As they talked it was obvious that they were together partly because she was carrying two motorcycle helmets. I was rather stunned. This woman with the conservative haircut dressed in a knee-length hooded jacket and cotton slacks looked to me like she should be driving a minivan not hopping on the back of a bike.

Just goes to show how much I know.

How long do you take to form an opinion about a stranger? I admit I tend to make snap decisions. And I’m not alone. Studies show that we form an impression of someone by looking at their face for 100 milliseconds (1/10 of a second) which is pretty scary even to me.

People decide whether you’re likeable, trustworthy, competent, attractive or aggressive in the blink of an eye. It may not be right. And they may be wrong. But, it does mean that your picture on social media sites like LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter does make a difference in how people judge you. Something to think about.
]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=37 2012-06-15T06:18:36-07:00 2012-06-15T06:18:36-07:00 2012-06-15T06:18:36-07:00
Topics have included everything from interview tips to resume creation to personal branding. We’ve run the gamut from how to get a job to how to get promoted. The one thing that hasn’t evolved much is our overall format. Well, we’ve finally decided that it’s time for a change.

Even a classic like The Career Intelligencer needs a coat of fresh paint every once in a while. A revamp is in the works right now. Stay tuned for our new look!

(If you’re not already subscribed to our weekly newsletter sign up on our Home Page )
]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=36 2012-06-14T08:56:46-07:00 2012-06-14T08:56:46-07:00 2012-06-14T08:56:46-07:00 jobless claims in the U.S. unexpectedly rose last week. This report, added to the slight increase in the jobless rate to 8.2 in May, indicates that a lot of people are still out of work.

The competition for jobs isn’t letting up which means if you’re unemployed you need to explore every avenue. Job boards aren’t the only place to look for jobs. You need to include social media platforms like Twitter as part of your job search strategy.

If you’re not on Twitter sign up today – it’s an easy way to connect with companies and recruiters. Start by following recruiters who cover your industry. Many post open positions on Twitter. Some share career tips as well. It’s OK to just “lurk” until you feel comfortable joining the conversation.

Don’t stop with recruiters follow companies too. More and more employers are using Twitter to attract candidates. Citigroup @CitiJobTweets and Ford @FordCareers are just two companies who Tweet jobs on a regular basis. Twitter also is a place to connect with corporate recruiters at your target companies. Organize the people and companies you’re following with lists.

If you’re not using Twitter as part of your job search arsenal you’re not taking your best shot.

]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=35 2012-06-11T14:35:18-07:00 2012-06-11T14:35:18-07:00 2012-06-11T14:35:18-07:00
Although, I try to keep jargon out of my written and verbal communication, I must admit that I’ve been guilty of “reaching out” to people I’m trying to connect with.

According to an article on Forbes, most of us are guilty of using words that don’t really convey what we’re trying to say. While some of the phrases like Open the Kimono, which is a creepy way of saying revealing information, were new to me, most were familiar.

It pains me every time I hear someone say think “outside the box” – what box? What does that mean? How about looking at the problem from a different perspective?

The list in the article, The Most Annoying, Pretentious, And Useless Business Jargon, includes robust, vertical, scalable and one of my personal favorites impact (when used as a verb). The authors also mention one of the most overused, meaningless phrases: corporate values. (I thought people were the ones with values.)

Don’t be the person boasting about giving 110% some tired-of-the-jargon wiseass may ask you why you didn’t give more.

]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=34 2012-06-08T09:49:53-07:00 2012-06-08T09:49:53-07:00 2012-06-08T09:49:53-07:00
But, you still have the month of June to attend networking events. Whether you’re out of work or happily employed don’t miss this month’s opportunities. Many organizations have less structured events this time of year. Instead of dinner and a speaker, it may be cocktails and hors d'oeuvres which means more time to mingle.

Just one thing before you go – make sure you have business cards. All you need to include are your name and contact information. Although a blurb about what you do will make you easier to remember. Don’t forget the often unused real estate on the back of the card.

Happy Networking!

]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=33 2012-06-05T08:37:32-07:00 2012-06-05T08:37:32-07:00 2012-06-05T08:37:32-07:00 unemployment rate was essentially unchanged at 8.2 percent in May . This report came just days after the Labor Department reported that unemployment rates fell in 356 of the 372 largest U.S. metro areas in April. So while things have improved since last August when the unemployment rate was 9.1 percent a lot of people are still out of work.

If you’re unemployed right now or just want some job-search tips, I highly recommend you take part in Hire Friday Chat which takes place every Friday from noon till 1 pm Eastern. If you’re not familiar with Twitter chats participating is easy. To join the chat simply follow the #HFChat hashtag on Twitter. It’s perfectly acceptable to “lurk” until you feel comfortable enough to join in the conversation. You’ll have the opportunity to learn from and connect with many top career professionals (including me) who participate each week. Just be prepared, the conversation moves quickly.

While I’m most familiar with Friday’s Hire Friday Chat there are opportunities to learn and connect at various times during the week. I’ve participated in several including:

#JobHuntChat – Mondays at 10 pm Eastern
#CareerChat – Tuesday at 1 pm Eastern
#TChat – Wednesdays at 7 pm Eastern
#HFChat – Fridays at Noon Eastern
#HireFriday – Friday all day

But, this list is just a jumping off point. Online College compiled a list of 25 Twitter Chats that offer valuable career advice. Get started this week. If you see me on #HFChat be sure to say hi.
]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=32 2012-01-13T06:20:11-07:00 2012-01-13T06:20:11-07:00 2012-01-13T06:20:11-07:00
The Career Strategies Conference combines a day-long main conference with an early evening Grand Networking Event. As well as learning from top professionals, you’ll be able to take advantage of three networking opportunities:

•Breakfast is your chance to chat over coffee and bagels before the main conference begins.

•Lunch is a great time to relax a little and get to know some of your fellow attendees. Did one speaker catch your attention? Dine at a table with one or more of our speakers at one of our LunchWorks! roundtables. (First come, first served, available spots based on speaker participation.)

•The Grand Networking Event is your opportunity to mix and mingle with everyone who attended the conference. Share some wine with your new friends in a more social setting. You may even get to meet the speaker who inspired you the most.

Career Strategies Conference is all inclusive. No surprises, except a few of the good kind. Visit the website for more details. Contact me to get an additional 15% off!

Career Strategies Conference ]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=31 2011-11-02T07:04:43-07:00 2011-11-02T07:04:43-07:00 2011-11-02T07:04:43-07:00
While we’ll still be providing plenty of great content at no charge, the Premium section will have additional elements, particularly downloadable audio files and virtual networking. So If you are getting ready for a job interview you can download a copy of Interview Bootcamp and listen when you need it. All the interviews from our Meet the Recruiter series will be available as well. Boy did I learn a lot about how they find candidates and what to do when attending career fairs from talking to them.

Because you asked we’re working on a virtual networking component too. Personally, I was surprised that hardly anyone was interested in meeting IRL. I thought that would be a winner. But our goal is to bring you what is most valuable to you. We’ll also be offering discounts on our online assessments and videos too. Right now I’m working on a S.M.A.R.T. Goals video package based on our popular goals articles.

We should be putting up a “coming attractions” page for the Premium section soon. Stay tuned!
]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=30 2011-09-13T08:07:35-07:00 2011-09-13T08:07:35-07:00 2011-09-13T08:07:35-07:00
Over the last two weeks, I conducted two sessions of my Free teleclass Interview Bootcamp. It was so successful that we plan to offer it again in October. Stay tuned for upcoming dates for that and news about other new teleclasses I’m putting together right now. Just click on our Career Tools section for updates.

In the next few months, our goal is to launch a new Member’s Only section on career-intelligence.com. One of the things we’re planning to offer is audios of our most popular Teleseminars available on demand. So if you get a call about an interview today and want to pick up a few ideas you can download a copy of Interview Bootcamp and listen to it when YOU need it.

We’ll also be offering discounts on assessments like the Strong Interest Inventory® to Members. This is still in the development stage so if there’s something you’d like to see in this new section email me at arichmond@career-intelligence.com. There will be a small monthly fee for our Member’s Only section so let me know what you’re thinking.

I can’t believe that next week, we’re sending out our second video newsletter. Although, I was nervous about creating videos – once I got used to seeing myself up close and personal it’s kind of fun. I’ve added to my Networking Nuggets series. (They’ll be living in our Career Tools section real soon.) I hope that you will find these videos helpful.
]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=29 2011-09-01T12:48:42-07:00 2011-09-01T12:48:42-07:00 2011-09-01T12:48:42-07:00
This week brings a long holiday weekend here in the States. Sadly it’s also the unofficial end to Summer. The lovely warm weather will be leaving us soon. And it’s tough to say goodbye. But then, fall here in the Northeast is beautiful too.

Whether you’re working or unemployed try to make some time to slow down this weekend. If possible get away for a few days. I just read another article on how important it is to take a vacation. (Read the article below) It actually improves your productivity when you return.

If you’re headed for the beach this weekend think about taking along a good book. Maybe Enjoy the Ride by Steve Gilliland (one of my new favorites) or Delivering Happiness, A Path To Profits, Passion and Purpose by Tony Hsieh, CEO Zappos.com (which I am just starting). You know, something to keep you on your toes a little while you’re relaxing.

Enjoy the weekend!

FYI, our first Interview Bootcamp was such a success – that we have decided to offer it again next week Wednesday, September 7th at 8:30 pm. I decided to hold this one in the evening in response to several people who told me they couldn’t make it during the day. So it will be a different time, but the same material. (Look for the registration in our Career Tools section.)

Why Summer Vacations (and the Internet) Make You More Productive ]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=28 2011-08-25T07:34:09-07:00 2011-08-25T07:34:09-07:00 2011-08-25T07:34:09-07:00
The good news is that in September the networking season kicks into high gear again. While most organizations take a break during the summer, after Labor Day they’ll be back in action. It’s time to start gearing up for all those upcoming dinner events.

Over the years, I’ve written several articles on networking. Many of them appear on this site. (Use our site search to find them.) But, in an effort to further embrace social media, I decided to create a new video series – Networking Nuggets.

My goal is to turn the tips I’ve written about into video “nuggets” of information. Although they will be hosted in our Career Tools section, I’ll try to post them here as well.

Have a great weekend!

This week's Networking Nugget
]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=27 2011-08-23T09:39:39-07:00 2011-08-23T09:39:39-07:00 2011-08-23T09:39:39-07:00
In September we start our new series Meet the Recruiter with Kathy Downs from Robert Half International. Over the last few weeks I’ve read that more and more recruiters are turning to social media to find candidates. I’m looking forward to asking Kathy about that. To register visit Meet the Recruiter on our Career Tools page. You still have time to take advantage of our Early Bird special.

Next week, I’m conducting a Free 30-minute teleseminar – Interview Bootcamp. It’s packed with information to help you navigate the interview process more successfully. Among other things, I’ll be talking about how to put a positive spin on “What is your greatest weakness.” No, it’s not by saying “I’m a perfectionist” or “I spend too much time at the office.” To join me for Interview Bootcamp visit our Career Tools section. You’ll find it under Workshops and Teleseminars.

This week, hopefully tomorrow, we’re sending out our first video newsletter. Although, I’ve happily tried to embrace social media I’ve held off on producing video. While I’m used to hearing the sound of my voice seeing myself up close and personal is another matter. Particularly since I still need to drop a few more pounds.

But, inspired by people like Ruth Sherman and Peter Shankman I finally decided to jump in to video with both feet. Last week I did a series of videos for career-intelligence.com. In fact, by the time you read this they may already be posted. I hope you like the first installment of my series Networking Nuggets. As an introvert I can tell you that my first tip works.

That’s it for now. Hope you’re having a good week.

Career Tools
]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=26 2011-08-04T13:59:03-07:00 2011-08-04T13:59:03-07:00 2011-08-04T13:59:03-07:00
Last week I had lunch with one of my friends. Since we don’t work in the same town she suggested we meet at an Asian restaurant that’s about midway. It’s someplace she goes all the time. Let’s call them Company A. After researching the menu online I quickly agreed because I love sushi. The day before we were meeting I went online and printed out the directions.

Unfortunately, that day I left the directions in my office. I wasn’t worried; I figured I'd just call from my cell for directions. Boy was I wrong. When I asked for directions from the highway, the friendly woman who answered the phone said they were next to X bank. But, since I’m not familiar with the town I didn’t know where X bank was. She put me on hold.

The next women who picked up the phone said she had only been there two days and didn’t know the directions. She did manage to give me the address. Too bad it was WRONG address, which meant I spent ten minutes driving up and down the busy downtown area.

I guess no one thought that putting directions to the restaurant by the phone was a good idea. I was annoyed before I even got there.

Then there’s my local gym. Let’s call them Company B. Every time I check in they greet me with “Hi” and “Enjoy your workout.” Every time. Everyone knows that a gym can be a breeding ground for germs. But, I don’t worry about that here because people are constantly cleaning the equipment and the locker room.

During class the instructors make a point of giving lots of encouragement and praise. Stephanie, the personal trainer I work with, is awesome. Always knows just how far she can push me without pushing me over the edge. She helped me become stronger and more confident. And the people at the desk are actually happy to help you. Imagine that.

The staff at my gym makes working out challenging, while keeping it fun. I never miss an opportunity to praise them.

So who are they? Company A will remain anonymous. Company B is Crunch Fitness here in Norwalk.

Which company are you? Are your customers eager to praise you or share a story about how you let them down? Think about it.

Crunch Fitness - Norwalk, CT ]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=25 2011-07-28T09:53:12-07:00 2011-07-28T09:53:12-07:00 2011-07-28T09:53:12-07:00
The other day, we posted an ad for freelance writers on craigslist. Almost as soon as it appeared, the ad was Tweeted by several “writer’s” groups. And within 15 minutes I was inundated with emails.

In less than two days, we have received almost 100 responses. And they’re still coming.

Our instructions were simple: If you’re interested, please email a resume, cover letter and a brief writing sample. Put CI Freelance in the subject line. At least it sounded simple to me.

To my surprise, only about 50% of the respondents put CI Freelance in the subject line. The rest of the subject lines included things like seeking freelance writers (our ad headline), applying for writing position, freelance writer, etc.

To their credit, many people sent exactly what we asked for – resume, cover letter and a brief writing sample. They immediately moved to the top of my list.

Some people sent me a plethora of articles. One guy sent me an attachment containing a writing sample so large I had to have my tech guy delete the file from the server because it was clogging up my inbox. Others didn’t send a sample at all.

But, my favorite bad response so far was from someone who sent me an email saying that he/she was interested in finding out more about the position and asked me to email them with more information. No cover letter, no resume, no writing sample. Yeah, OK. Delete.

While I’ll try to read every email, I will open the ones with CI Freelance in the subject line first. Even if I get to the others, I am much less likely to hire anyone who can’t follow a few simple directions. Particularly since he or she will be working remotely.

What about you? When you respond to a job post do you follow directions? Do you send a potential employer what they ask for or what you think you should send? As you know there’s a lot of competition out there, don’t give an employer a reason to instantly dismiss you.
]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=24 2011-07-18T14:14:12-07:00 2011-07-18T14:14:12-07:00 2011-07-18T14:14:12-07:00
Cut to the parents parking and heading into a concert with friends. Wow what a concept - connecting with friends in real life (IRL).

Don’t get me wrong - I love social media. I’m active on Facebook and Twitter. I try to connect with people on LinkedIn. I’m on Google+ too. But, I also often have lunch or dinner with friends. And I make sure to attend networking events as well.

What are you doing?

While social media is a great way to get a job and further your career you need to include some face-to-face time too. Networking is all about building relationships. And nothing beats getting together in person to help you develop your connections.
]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=23 2011-06-24T13:11:11-07:00 2011-06-24T13:11:11-07:00 2011-06-24T13:11:11-07:00
Like everyone else, some things come easier to me than others. Not easy, just easier. I write better than I play golf. Actually, I do almost anything that uses my brain better than something that uses my body. This is probably why I’ve never been what you’d call active.

Recently, all this changed. I reached a point where I was not only overweight and out-of-shape, but tired and sluggish all the time too. So about six weeks ago, I joined a gym and started working with a personal trainer. It’s been awesome. My trainer, Stephanie, pushes me to go farther than I think I can. And with her encouragement I do. As a result I feel stronger and more confident than I have in years.

And guess what? I feel that way about my business as well.

On Saturday, I’m heading off to Las Vegas for the SHRM conference. From there I fly to San Antonio, TX for the NCDA conference. I’m excited to spend a week learning and connecting with other career professionals. The opportunity to visit two beautiful cities for the first time is an added bonus.

One of biggest reasons I’m feeling this way is my new-found confidence in my physical abilities. The fact that I can hold a plank for a minute – six weeks ago I struggled to hold it for 30 seconds – makes me feel more confident in myself as a whole.

Which means, despite being an introvert, I’m confident that I can happily mix-and-mingle my way through two conferences next week potentially meeting a bunch of new friends. And that feels awesome.
]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=22 2011-06-10T14:07:50-07:00 2011-06-10T14:07:50-07:00 2011-06-10T14:07:50-07:00 MOGO How to Get It, How to Keep It, How to Get It Back If You Lose It and What Got You Here Won’t Get You There. He was amazing.

During the hour-long presentation, Marshall engaged us completely. Questions like “How many of you are impatient?” and “How many of you feel you must win even if it’s something inconsequential?” raised almost every hand in the audience. Taught us a lot about ourselves and each other.

As Marshall said, inside we are all the same.

Throughout his talk I had many “AHA!” moments. No, people who know me would not be disappointed if I were more patient. Yes, I could benefit by asking myself if it’s worth it before making many comments. Made me take a good hard look at myself.

But, one thing that particularly struck me was Marshall’s concept of Feedforward. In short, he suggests instead of rehashing the past which can’t be changed to create a future by asking for suggestions for the future, listening to other people’s ideas and thanking them for their input. No bringing up the past – ever.

As Marshall said his suggestions are simple, but they’re not easy.

Generously, Marshall brought several copies of What Got You Here Won’t Get You There for a drawing. Must have been my lucky day – I got one! Can’t wait to start reading it this weekend.

It’s always the right time for a little self-reflection.

Marshall Goldsmith ]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=21 2011-06-03T12:57:52-07:00 2011-06-03T12:57:52-07:00 2011-06-03T12:57:52-07:00
Yet, most of us don’t take vacations. Last January, we took our first almost week-long vacation – a trip to Jamaica – in over five years. Although I did go through a little Twitter withdrawal, I managed to survive. We rode horses in the ocean, relaxed by the pool, ate all day and were generally pampered by the staff at the resort. It was awesome. We came back refreshed and ready to work again.

Why did we wait so long? New jobs, working on the business, going to grad school, you name it, it was always something. And sadly it seems that we are not alone.

About a week ago, I read an article on CNN, Why is America the “No-Vacation” Nation?, that said if you like taking vacations don’t live in the US. Scary. It seems that a lack of time off combined with the fear of seeming uncommitted by being out of the office and concern about the build-up of work while we’re away makes taking a vacation just a dream for many.

What about you? Are you taking a vacation this summer? Weigh in on this month’s Vacation Poll (on our Home Page). I hope the majority of responses to the poll will be YES!

Why is America the "No Vacation" Nation?
]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=20 2011-05-27T10:30:17-07:00 2011-05-27T10:30:17-07:00 2011-05-27T10:30:17-07:00
Right now, my biggest personal goal is getting back in shape. I committed to my new program, which includes healthy eating, exercise and working with a trainer, three weeks ago. Already I feel stronger.

Then here comes the holiday weekend to derail me. But, not this time. I’ve already scheduled work out times for the weekend. Yes, I plan to relax a bit and indulge myself a little. However, I won’t wake up Tuesday morning full of regret.

Relax, regroup, spend some time with friends and family this weekend. Just don’t forget about your goals. Even if you’re not looking for a job, try to get in a little networking while you’re out at weekend parties. Take a business book to the beach. Exercise at least once if that’s part of your plan.

Unwind. Have fun. And take one step toward achieving your goals.

]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=19 2011-05-20T14:29:43-07:00 2011-05-20T14:29:43-07:00 2011-05-20T14:29:43-07:00
The other day toward the end of my training session I started to groan every time I did a crunch. A guy standing nearby said, “Pain is weakness leaving the body.” Helped me through the last few reps.

Driving home I started thinking about the idea of pain as a sign of weakness leaving the body. Maybe that applies to other parts of our lives as well.

While I love a lot of my job – there are parts I really don’t like. It’s like that with any small business. And it’s like that with any job.

If you’re looking for work there may be nothing you like. Except being able to hit the snooze button more often.

The reason we put off most of the things we don’t like to do is because there’s often some pain involved. Maybe it’s the pain of hearing no after the tenth sales call or the pain of sitting through yet another job interview or the pain of having to go to class after a long day at the office. But, every time you do it – whatever it is – you get stronger.

The more you do it – the more you build the muscle you need to do it.

So next time you’re feeling that pain remember – pain is weakness leaving the body.
]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=18 2011-05-05T12:04:52-07:00 2011-05-05T12:04:52-07:00 2011-05-05T12:04:52-07:00
Last week I attended a local networking event for human resources professionals. Not surprisingly there were many job-seekers there as well. Smart move. There’s no better place to meet people working in HR than at an HR event.

When I arrived, I spent some time chatting with a woman who had been laid off and was looking for a new position. As we parted I asked her for her business card. She said she didn’t have a “business card” since she was out of work. Instead, she apologetically handed me a card with information on a small business she had on the side. It had nothing to do with her job-search objectives.

Big mistake.

Even if you’re unemployed, particularly if you’re unemployed, you need to have a business card. A simple business card with your name, contact information and a blurb about what you do is sufficient.

First, you need to have something to give people with your contact information. Second, you need to include a line about what you do or what you’re looking for – marketing professional, social media expert, savvy salesperson - so they will remember what type of work you do.

We’re coming into a great networking season: weddings, graduations, summer barbecues. Before you go to your next event get some business cards. It’s one of the most inexpensive ways to make sure that people will remember you.
]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=17 2011-04-02T12:30:27-07:00 2011-04-02T12:30:27-07:00 2011-04-02T12:30:27-07:00
Only a few jobs up there right now, hopefully that won't be the case for long.

Click here to visit our new Job Board


]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=16 2011-04-01T07:07:00-07:00 2011-04-01T07:07:00-07:00 2011-04-01T07:07:00-07:00 The Career Intelligencer . Our goal is to make career-intelligence.com a more valuable resource for our growing audience.

Right now, we’re in the process of putting up a Job Board. It’s currently being beta-tested and should be available by mid-April. If you’d like to find out about posting to the job board please complete the information form below.

Also, in April we are starting a Customer Appreciation program tied to our assessments as a way to say thank you for working with us. If you’ve purchased a career assessment over the past three years you’ll be receiving a special email from me shortly

Finally, the results of our March poll - Would you rather work for a male or female boss? – are in. Of our respondents 39.47% say they prefer a male boss, 10.53% prefer a female and 50% say it doesn’t matter.

Please take a minute to answer our April fun Fashion Poll are you a Fashionista or a Recessionista? on our home page. I’ll give you the results next month.

Job Board Information Form
]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=15 2011-03-19T14:41:13-07:00 2011-03-19T14:41:13-07:00 2011-03-19T14:41:13-07:00
One great speaker was followed by another. Social media guru Gary Vaynerchuk kicked off the event with tips on how to harness the power of social media. Can’t wait to read his new book The Thank You Economy . Mel Robbins gave us some frank advice on how to get out of our own way so we can get what we want. I’ve taken what she said to heart and feel more powerful already. Looking forward to picking up a copy of her book Stop Saying You're Fine out in May.

Marley Majcher of The Party Goddess celebrity event planners,taught us the importance of tracking our time. I’m guessing her book But Are You Making Any Money? is as honest and funny as Marley is in person. Celebrity speech coach Ruth Sherman shared her “speakrets” for creating a compelling video. I’ll be using her tips when I redo my own videos.

Melinda Emerson aka SmallBizLady gave us concrete tips on how to increase business by, dare I say it, selling. One tip that resonated with me was having a “theme” song that makes you feel good every time you hear it.

And the list just goes on and on. While all of the speakers shared their success stories, many also shared the mistakes they made along the way. An added bonus was having the opportunity to meet some awesome women! Since the conference we’ve been buzzing on Twitter and connecting on Linkedin. Hopefully, I’ll be able to see many of them again in person.

It was an incredibly packed three days. We started early and finished late. I came home tired and inspired - inspired to make career-intelligence.com even better.

Visit Spark & Hustle to find out about upcoming conferences in your area.
]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=14 2011-02-27T12:28:56-07:00 2011-02-27T12:28:56-07:00 2011-02-27T12:28:56-07:00
Over the next few months we’ll be making some changes, primarily adding new services which we hope you’ll find valuable. Don’t worry we’ll still be bringing you plenty of great free content.

In the last issue of The Career Intelligencer we ran Part 2 of Laid Off or Fired? You’re not alone which addressed the biggest mistakes people make when they are let go. It was one the most-read articles ever to run in any newsletter.

Under New Features you’ll find Part 3 in this series. Stay tuned for Part 4 on how to alleviate an employer’s concerns when you’ve been out of work for several months.

The final results of our February Office Romance poll are in: 21.88% of respondents said they had dated a co-worker, 6.25said they would date a co-worker, 59.38% said they would never date a co-worker and 12.5% said maybe. Please take a moment to answer this Month’s poll “Would you rather work for a male or female boss?”

Hope you’re enjoying this Spring like weather. If you’re stuck in a rut, it’s time to start thinking about fresh beginnings.

Read Laid Off or Fired? Part 2
]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=13 2011-01-13T05:28:05-07:00 2011-01-13T05:28:05-07:00 2011-01-13T05:28:05-07:00
The responses I got back were amazing. Each person had a slightly different take on what you should do first and they also had different ideas on what the biggest mistakes were. In fact I got so much great information, I decided to turn this into a four-part series on the topic of being let go.

Each article will contain each expert’s response to one of my four questions. Starting with “What are the first three things you should do when you’re laid off or fired?” and ending with “What’s the best way to alleviate an employer’s concerns when you’ve been out of work for over six months?” I hope you will find their answers as compelling as I did.
]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=12 2010-12-03T07:44:15-07:00 2010-12-03T07:44:15-07:00 2010-12-03T07:44:15-07:00
We’ll also be running some advice on using Social Media, something I’m still learning about. Over the past few months I’ve become fascinated by Twitter, But I’m still a Social Media novice. So I’m hoping to pick up some tips as well.

In January, we’re planning an interview with a lawyer who specializes in employment contracts. She’ll be providing her insight on what to look for in an employment contract.

Hope you’re enjoying the holiday season, make the most of the networking opportunities that come your way.

]]> arichmond erichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=11 2010-11-15T12:58:25-07:00 2010-11-15T12:58:25-07:00 2010-11-15T12:58:25-07:00 Beating Holiday Stess in our next newsletter.

As usual, when I sent out my query to HARO I was overwhelmed by replies from everyone from harried homemakers to PhDs. As I read through the dozens of responses one from Paul Caster, volunteer coordinator at Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department stood out. Probably because I’m mom to two four-legged girls. Here’s what he said.

Here's an off the wall stress buster. The holidays are hectic times in your local animal shelters as well and we all know that nothing reduces stress like cuddling with a cute puppy or kitten. Go spend some time working with the homeless pets and 1) you'll forget why you're mad at Aunt Mable, while you 2) reduce your personal stress level. Besides, what better way to get even with Mable than bringing a new puppy to Christmas Dinner?

While I’m not sure that introducing a new pet on Christmas day is the best answer, I can say that adopting a new companion is one of the best ways of adding joy to the season.
]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=10 2010-10-31T09:13:52-07:00 2010-10-31T09:13:52-07:00 2010-10-31T09:13:52-07:00
One of the things I’ve been working on is a four-week SMART Goals Workshop that I’ll be running online starting November 16th. It’s based on an in-person workshop I gave a few years ago. Today’s webinar technology means that we’ll be able to “meet” virtually so I decided to try an online version.

Also, our resident techie has added a new feature to our site. If you’d like to know when we publish fresh content on career-intelligence.com please sign up for our RSS feed. It’s the easiest way to get notified when our articles are updated. If you’re curious about what we’re working on follow me on Twitter.

Finally, the results of our Jobs Poll are in. The responses to Will you be looking for a job in the next six months? were 50% yes, 6.25% no and 43.75% I’m already looking. Not really surprising given everything that I’ve been reading about low employee morale.

When you visit the homepage, please take a moment to answer our latest poll about Traveling During the Holiday Season.

]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=9 2010-09-18T11:26:36-07:00 2010-09-18T11:26:36-07:00 2010-09-18T11:26:36-07:00
But, it got me thinking about personal branding. How much attention do you pay to your brand? You probably have an account on LinkedIn, but when was the last time you updated your experience or posted a “What I’m doing now” just to make sure that your contacts don’t forget about you.

And what about Twitter and Facebook? What do they say about you? I spend time on Twitter daily. Following people who I’ve found post interesting career-related information and reading the posts in several search columns. Some of my searches include job interview, networking and career advice.

It always amazes me to see people Tweeting career advice with inappropriate pictures. What would a potential employer or client think of someone Tweeting business advice in a bikini or while drinking a glass of wine? I’m guessing even the most liberal would probably move to the next applicant.

So while social media is supposed to be, well, social, remember that you never know who may be watching.

(See the video below. If it shows an error just refresh the page.)

Every Home Needs A Harvey ]]> arichmond erichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=8 2010-09-16T13:10:23-07:00 2010-09-16T13:10:23-07:00 2010-09-16T13:10:23-07:00
Sorry ;(
]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=7 2010-09-10T12:13:16-07:00 2010-09-10T12:13:16-07:00 2010-09-10T12:13:16-07:00
When we sent out our newsletter, The Career Intelligencer, we updated our poll If you’re wondering about the results of the Swearing in the Workplace poll the majority of respondents said it should be allowed. The numbers were 52.73% yes anytime, 14.55% yes, occasionally, 32.73 % no not ever.

Right now we're asking how you use social media. Since recently discovering that I love social media, I started wondering how you were using Facebook, Twitter, etc. Hence the Socal Media poll. Please take a minute to respond when visiting our home page. We’ll publish the results in an upcoming newsletter and here on this blog.

To get articles delivered to your inbox sign up for The Career Intelligencer. If you’d like to get articles, information and updates from career-intelligence.com between newsletters follow me on Twitter.
]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=6 2010-09-03T05:33:05-07:00 2010-09-03T05:33:05-07:00 2010-09-03T05:33:05-07:00
According to a survey of employers by CareerBuilder 45% of employers researched candidates online. Of those who conducted online searches 29% used Facebook, 26% used LinkedIn, and 21% used MySpace. Eleven percent searched blogs and 7% followed potential employees on Twitter. And that was back in June 2009. Imagine what it’s like a year later.

Today it’s not only essential to have an online presence, it’s critical that you think about what you put out there. Thirty-five percent of those surveyed said they didn’t hire the candidate because of content they found on social networking sites. Don’t let pictures of you partying or tweets bad-mouthing your last boss stop you from the job of your dreams.

Whatever you’re doing online it’s likely that a potential employer is watching.

Signs of the Social Networking Times
]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=5 2010-08-25T11:21:37-07:00 2010-08-25T11:21:37-07:00 2010-08-25T11:21:37-07:00
The lead article in our September issue will be a special Q&A with Ruth Sherman, Ruth Sherman Associates LLC, who works with business leaders, politicians and celebrities to help them leverage critical, high-stakes public communications.

I’ve heard Ruth speak on several occasions and I was delighted when she agreed to provide a few communication tips to our readers.

Thanks to Mary and Sharon for sharing their thoughts. Please keep your comments coming ;)
]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=4 2010-08-18T15:06:43-07:00 2010-08-18T15:06:43-07:00 2010-08-18T15:06:43-07:00
If you’re a new or returning visitor, I hope you like our new look. In addition to a cleaner appearance and hopefully a more intuitive navigation, we’ve added a new section – College Corner. It’s designed to be useful to traditional and non-traditional students. Studies have shown that when the economy is down, a lot of people go back to school.

Seventy-eight of respondents to last month’s poll said they would return to school to advance their career, so we decided a resource for traditional and non-traditional students was needed. With all the students out there, it’s a section we probably should have started earlier.

In addition to our redesign, I’m now on Twitter and writing this blog. Love them both!

]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=3 2010-08-14T08:43:24-07:00 2010-08-14T08:43:24-07:00 2010-08-14T08:43:24-07:00
Before college, I spent several years in the restaurant business. It was not unusual to hear cursing in the kitchen on busy Saturday nights. Cursing was just one of the side-effects of having a job that involved serving food and alcohol.

But, all that changed when I started working in an office. I had been taught that the atmosphere in an office was supposed to be professional. There was this little thing called office etiquette that involved respecting the people you worked with.

Yes, I understand that in stressful situations restraint goes out the window and people may drop the f-bomb. My problem is not with people swearing in the workplace – I’ve been known to use some words that would be “bleeped” myself – it’s the idea that somehow it’s considered acceptable.

What do you think? Answer this month’s poll on our home page. We’ll post the results in an upcoming newsletter.

The Work Buzz article
]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=2 2010-08-06T14:04:03-07:00 2010-08-06T14:04:03-07:00 2010-08-06T14:04:03-07:00
That said, there’s nothing I’ve loved more than developing this website and, through it, connecting with people all over the world. It’s the perfect fit for my type on the MBTI. I’m an INTP ;)

NYTimes article ]]> arichmond arichmond@career-intelligence.com http://www.career-intelligence.com/blog/blog_comment.asp?bi=1 2010-08-02T15:12:38-07:00 2010-08-02T15:12:38-07:00 2010-08-02T15:12:38-07:00
We celebrate our 10th year online in August and I can’t believe we’ve been online this long. It seems like yesterday that I was putting together articles for the launch. Now thousands of people visit the site every month, but I don’t know much about anyone. We can see which articles are most viewed and how long people stay here, but we don’t know why.

I guess this is my way of trying to connect with our visitors. I’ll try to post on a regular basis, certainly when there are changes to the website, but also if I find something I think our readers might be interested in. I hope that I’ll get to “meet” some of our readers here. We’ll see what happens.

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