The Secret Language of Hiring, Part 12 It happens right at the most anxious moment in any job search – after a final round, waiting for a decision. It sounds like forward movement and implies the finish line is close. But which version of it you actually receive determines everything about what you should do[…]
Mid-career can be one of the most confusing points in a professional life. Two people can reach their forties with similar resumes, comparable experience, and strong track records. Yet over the next decade, their careers can begin to move in completely different directions. One steps into larger leadership roles, broader influence, and higher compensation. And[…]
As a skilled professional, you pride yourself on hitting your numbers. You’re reliable to a fault. You’re the person people go to when things need to get done…and done correctly! But still, from a career standpoint – nothing is moving. Your title hasn’t changed in ages. The scope of your responsibilities doesn’t expand. And the[…]
Performance review time is still often referred to as a bittersweet time of year: one where all your hard work is reviewed and recognized… but also a time when your shortcomings can feel like they’re under a spotlight. And even in today’s world of continuous feedback and digital performance tools, many employees (and leaders) still[…]
Why the “holiday lull” isn’t a setback. It might be your secret advantage if you know how to use it. The holidays are often painted as the worst time to be job searching: fewer job postings, slower responses, extra pressure from family and peers. But here’s what most job seekers miss: And here’s how to[…]
The ABCs of Holiday Office Party Etiquette The holidays are here, and if you work in the corporate world (or love someone who does), there’s a good chance a holiday office party is on your calendar – and the sentiment is either “yay” or “cringe”…nothing in between. We’ve all heard the stories (or been the[…]
Discover how to recession-proof your career for 2026 with clear, actionable strategies to stay valuable and competitive in any economy.
Working for a toxic boss can drain your energy, crush your confidence, and make even simple tasks feel impossible. In a perfect world, every office would have healthy leadership, with managers who coach, develop, and inspire their teams. But unfortunately, that’s not reality. One of the most common workplace complaints isn’t the job itself –[…]
Here’s a truth most people in leadership quietly avoid: sometimes the reason performance stalls…is because the manager is the bottleneck. That’s not fun to say. It’s uncomfortable. And it’s certainly not the narrative most leaders want to entertain. But if you actually care about your impact – this is where growth begins. Bad managers don’t[…]
Regardless of what your title is, you’ve heard it before: “[the candidate] has every skill we are looking for, but he or she just isn’t a cultural fit”. This usually occurs sometime after you have interviewed the 52nd person for the role, and before you pull your hair out! Hopefully that is a slight exaggeration,[…]
The circumstances may be different from company to company, but the end result is the same: you have decided to terminate an employee. This is a decision that is difficult on many levels (for all parties involved), and may have been culminating for a long time. Let’s face it – firing is sometimes necessary, and is part of management (whether we like it or not).
How to leverage emotional intelligence, inclusion and data-driven strategies to transform conflict into collaboration in a variety of work environments. Conflict is inevitable in our personal and professional lives – a facet of our humanity. As I mentioned in my previous article on introverts and extroverts, we engage with many different personality types, each bringing[…]
Getting fired still sucks -even in 2025. Remote, hybrid, on-site – none of it makes the blow feel softer.And honestly? What makes it worse is when everyone around you sees it coming… except you. As a recruiter, I’ve watched this play out from every angle – the employee, the manager, the HR partner, the replacement[…]
If you’ve ever wondered why some people thrive under pressure, build loyal teams, and turn challenges into opportunities – it’s not luck. It’s emotional intelligence (EQ). Once a niche psychology term, EQ is now a top skill in leadership and professional growth. Unlike IQ, it’s not bound by age, degree, or title – and it’s[…]
Humans are endlessly fascinating. Each of us brings a mix of personality traits shaped by our genetics, our environment, and the experiences that made us who we are. Our communication styles, how we build relationships, and even how we perform at work are all reflections of those inner traits. When it comes to personality, most[…]
Emotional intelligence has become a hot topic over the last decade, gracing the covers of almost every major publication in business and psychology alike. It has long been understood that there was a “non-intellect” related component of intelligence. This has been studied since as early as the 1940’s – and this component has been directly[…]