8/24/2010 Ask the Career Coach: Wait It Out? Or a New Strategy? Millburn-Short Hills Patch Is it better to wait for the job market to get better? Or should you rethink your approach to searching for a job?... Continue 8/20/2010 Counter Revolution Career Rx, The Alternative Press Changes in the economy have had a strong psychological effect on the way companies are managed and how employees are treated. In times of upheaval, it is often necessary to take careful stock in what has been going right. When things are bad, radical change is a tempting approach to dealing with a situation that is not working... Continue 8/17/2010 Ask the Career Coach: Preparation for the Offer Millburn-Short Hills Patch In my job search, I am getting many interviews yet do not get called back for either second round of interviews or offers. What can I do to change this?... Continue 8/6/2010 Forces of Change, Creative Destruction Career Rx, The Alternative Press Few things in our world remain static. The assent of our species is a story about change. We are continuously developing technology beginning with fire, the wheel, air travel, space travel, cell phones, genetic interventions and who can imagine what else. There were times in our history when change came quickly... Continue 8/3/2010 Ask the Career Coach: Recharging Your Work Environment Millburn-Short Hills Patch I am frustrated at work with colleagues that are just doing the minimum to get by. The team is not delivering all that we can. How do I motivate my colleagues?... Continue 7/27/2010 Interdependence Career Rx, The Alternative Press On July 20, 1959 Neil Armstrong descended the ladder from the landing craft named the Eagle and became the first man to set foot on the moon. Was this a personal victory for Neil Armstrong? There were tens of thousands of people at NASA working on the project... Continue 7/27/2010 Ask the Career Coach: Coming Back to Work After a Break Millburn-Short Hills Patch As I prepare to return to the job market after taking a deliberate break for the past four years, I struggle with how to present myself. Through a written resume, social media or in person—what is the best way to make connections?... Continue 7/22/2010 Ask the Career Coach: Interviewing by Storytelling Millburn-Short Hills Patch I struggle when interviewing as I am not comfortable in this setting. How can I be more effective in my responses?... Continue 7/13/2010 Ask the Career Coach: Broad-Sourcing Your Income Millburn-Short Hills Patch With all the uncertainty around employment in my company, is the concept of long-term, stable employment a relic of a different era? I don't see people getting to retirement age in my company... Continue 7/9/2010 Diversity and Inclusion – Your Influence Career Rx, The Alternative Press In reflecting on my own career and careers of many clients I have worked with, I find myself thinking about our approach, influence and impact on the organizations we work with. As a Human Resources professional, learning the company’s policies and understanding the programs and initiatives were critical early in my career... Continue 7/7/2010 Ask the Career Coach: Summer Search Millburn-Short Hills Patch Since summer has arrived, I have lost my energy to job search. I find myself wanting to play with my kids, enjoy the weather and hang out at the pool. How can I motivate myself to stay focused and do employers really hire over the summer?... Continue 6/30/2010 Ask the Career Coach: How Do I Network? Millburn-Short Hills Patch Everyone says I need to network to find a job. As a recent graduate, I am applying to multiple jobs online and not getting responses. How do I network?... Continue 6/23/2010 Ask the Career Coach: Network Your Way to a Job Millburn-Short Hills Patch I am unemployed—will I be ruled out of interviewing or getting contacted for jobs that I am qualified for, and if yes, what can I do to get the interview?... Continue 6/15/2010 Ask the Career Coach: Obtaining and Maintaining References Millburn-Short Hills Patch How do I handle requests for references when interviewing? Is it actually legal for companies to provide personal references?... Continue 6/10/2010 Motivation - Value Driven or Dangling Carrot? Career Rx, The Alternative Press I overheard a joke on the train the other day: "How do you stop a consultant from working hard? Hire him!" While this is may sound like something that could come from a Henny Youngman routine, it did raise some questions about motivation... Continue 6/8/2010 Ask the Career Coach: Dumbing Down Resumes Millburn-Short Hills Patch What do you think about leaving off or adjusting credentials—such as PhD's, managerial experience—work years from one's resume during this economic downturn in order not to appear overqualified for a job?... Continue 6/1/2010 Ask the Career Coach: Meaning, Fulfillment and Reconnecting Millburn-Short Hills Patch I have been recently laid off and trying to figure out what to do next. I understand the need for a paycheck yet I want to feel some sense of fulfillment in my next work engagement. I have sacrificed many years of my children's childhoods. Now that they are in high school, I want to be around more and reconnect with them before they go off to college... Continue 5/27/2010 Speaking, Communicating and Making a Difference Career Rx, The Alternative Press In today’s economy, many of us are holding on to the jobs we have. Some of us are not truly present in our jobs. Rather, we are going through the motions without gaining satisfaction or a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day or week. Life is not always utopia, but there should be some aspects of our lives that give us a sense of fulfillment or satisfaction... Continue 5/25/2010 Ask the Career Coach: Work Relationships and Trust Millburn-Short Hills Patch Do you believe you can rebuild trust with your manager once there is a break? ST, Short Hills. Trust is critical in any relationship. Trust can be a given in certain relationships and in others developed over time... Continue 5/18/2010 Ask the Career Coach: Selecting Talent Millburn-Short Hills Patch I was recently asked to recruit for my functional area. I am concerned about how to select the best candidates. How do I refine the selection? Is giving an interview tougher than taking one?... Continue 5/13/2010 Innovation and Employability Career Rx, The Alternative Press When working with clients, I am always curious about what led them to choose the work they do and the organizations they affiliate with. I look to understand what values they share with the organization. I ask why they select the company initially, and if they are no longer there, what changed? Did it have to do with the company’s values, their manager or their own shift in life style?... Continue 5/11/2010 Ask the Career Coach: One Year Out and Still Trying Millburn-Short Hills Patch It has been almost a year since graduation and I have not found a full time job. I have been piecing together a collection of part-time jobs. How do I present this on a resume?... Continue 5/4/2010 Ask the Career Coach: Juggling Job Search and Family Millburn-Short Hills Patch I was laid off and have been home approximately three months. Juggling my home, kids and the job search is amazingly challenging. I never realized how much you can get involved in the community, at school and occasionally relaxing. Since I let go of my child care due to budget concerns, how do I convince my spouse to join in carrying the load with me?... Continue 4/30/2010 Career Flux, Learning and Leading Career Rx, The Alternative Press Careers are in a state of flux. Many traditionally believed they managed their career by progressively moving upward through a series of prescribed roles within an organization or a profession. This model has been shifting or breaking down for some time. Some careers are following the traditional path, others are no longer... Continue 4/23/2010 Ask the Career Coach: Reading the Situation Millburn-Short Hills Patch I believe I interview well but have not landed a position in the past six months. How can I learn to read the situation better?... Continue 4/15/2010 Transitioning from Managing to Leading Career Rx, The Alternative Press When you are asked to manage a team, how do you approach this request? Let’s begin with the definitions of the root word, manage which means to control, while lead means to take on a journey. Which style is more natural to you? Do you want to control staff or projects or motivate and inspire people to go beyond what is expected? According to the book, Culture.com, a leader strives to produce flexibility, commitment and organizational identity which allows for more agility in uncertain times... Continue 4/13/2010 Ask the Career Coach: Effective Unemployment Millburn-Short Hills Patch How do I use my time wisely during a job search? C.S., Millburn. When you are in the job market, how you use your time to gain additional skills, build trusted relationships and engage in meaningful ways is important... Continue 4/6/2010 Ask the Career Coach: Effective Job Search Strategies Millburn-Short Hills Patch I am in transition and find I am so busy attending meeting after meeting that I only go online after dinner. How do I figure out what is most effective for my job search and how long should this search last?... Continue 4/5/2010 Moving into Management Career Rx, The Alternative Press As you grow and develop professionally, one path that may be open to you is management. As an individual contributor, you are expected to achieve results based on your own expertise. Management can be a major paradigm shift from what you are accustomed to. Most people have fond memories of some managers and less glowing ones of others... Continue 3/30/2010 Ask the Career Coach: Guide to Screening Millburn-Short Hills Patch Recently I have been asked to screen candidates for a client that I am consulting with. I do not know how to go about this. Can you guide me on how to approach this?... Continue 3/23/2010 Ask the Career Coach: Managing Across the Generations Millburn-Short Hills Patch I have a job where I am managing a broad range of staff with very distinct styles. They are at various levels of experience—from 25+ years to new grads. How do I motivate them?... Continue 3/18/2010 Learn What You Don’t Know Career Rx, The Alternative Press As a certified Executive and Career Coach, I work with many clients on finding their way when they get caught up in a tangled web. We begin our work with a thirst for learning. We are fully engaged, eager to please and climbing the learning curve. There is adrenaline pumping... Continue 3/16/2010 Ask the Career Coach: Getting Noticed Millburn-Short Hills Patch How do you get your resume noticed? I have sent out many resumes after graduating from school last May and have not gotten many interviews yet... Continue 3/9/2010 Ask the Career Coach: Getting Your Resume Through the Door Millburn-Short Hills Patch What value has technology brought to the recruitment process? How do you work around the technology screening to get an interview?... Continue 3/5/2010 Deciding What is Right For You Career Rx, The Alternative Press Have you ever felt like your current job is not allowing you to live up to your potential? Do you feel like you have a lot more to offer but the reality of your daily experience is limited to making a small and relatively unimportant contribution to the organization?... Continue 3/2/2010 Ask the Career Coach: Dodging the Axe Millburn-Short Hills Patch My company is preparing for another round of layoffs and my department does not have much work. I think I may be in danger of losing my job. What do I do?... Continue 2/23/2010 Ask the Career Coach: Job Search Struggle Millburn-Short Hills Patch As a recent college grad I am feeling completely lost in my job search. Why is this so difficult?... Continue 2/18/2010 Career Portfolio – The Road Less Traveled Career Rx, The Alternative Press Some professionals choose alternative career paths when starting a family, caring for elder parents, or dealing with personal medical needs. This is a time when fast track career professionals look for flexibility, control and balance... Continue 2/16/2010 Ask the Career Coach: Portfolio Career Millburn-Short Hills Patch I have been consulting since leaving my last job and trying to find another permanent position. How do you handle multiple consulting assignments since your last full time position on your resume?... Continue 2/9/2010 Ask the Career Coach: Resume for a Dream Job? Millburn-Short Hills Patch A search firm presents an opportunity that sounds like a dream job. They request an "updated" resume. Should I update my resume and submit it even though I am not actively looking?... Continue 2/5/2010 Communication Effectiveness Career Rx, The Alternative Press Knowing your message, communicating effectively and ensuring the meaning is understood by your audience is critical for success. When you meet someone face to face, your message is communicated by both, verbal and non verbal symbols... Continue 2/2/2010 Ask the Career Coach: Flexible Work Schedules Millburn-Short Hills Patch I am interested in obtaining a flexible work schedule. Can you please help me understand what to consider?... Continue 1/26/2010 Ask the Career Coach: Overqualified and Willing to Accept Millburn-Short Hills Patch During a recent interview, I was asked "What happens if we hire you, the market improves and you are able to find a job that pays more in line with what you are looking for or previously made? How do I as the employer know you will not leave?"... Continue 1/21/2010 Understanding Your Presence Career Rx, The Alternative Press How has this New Year been for you? Are you ready to embrace life and live it to its fullest? Life is full of opportunities - if you are open to them. As you encounter each day, do you think how can I make a difference today? What can I learn today?... Continue 1/19/2010 Ask the Career Coach: Connecting with Your Boss on Facebook? Millburn-Short Hills Patch What do I do with my boss who wants to friend me on Facebook? I do not want to, as I use Facebook to connect only with my family and personal friends. Do you have any suggestions on how to handle this?... Continue 1/12/2010 Ask the Career Coach: Nomad Job Seeker Millburn-Short Hills Patch If I am open to relocating for a job, even willing to relocate at my own expense, how do I convey this to a potential employer when my address on my resume clearly shows I am an out-of-state candidate?... Continue 1/8/2010 2010 Relationships and Tools Career Rx, The Alternative Press For many of us, 2009 was a year of changes – some good and some challenging. Some of us had to make major shifts in our budgets due to job loss. As we enter 2010, we need to reflect on what worked for us and what did not.... Continue 1/5/2010 Ask the Career Coach: 2010 Plan Millburn-Short Hills Patch How does someone sustain a prolonged job search? I was laid off in early 2009 and here I am in 2010 still unemployed!  Continue 12/30/2009 Ask the Career Coach: Look Before You Leap Millburn-Short Hills Patch I have a decent paying job, but I have been considering changing my career path—possibly going back to school or possibly pursuing a career which I am truly passionate about. Can you please provide me with some general guidance with respect to what I should do?... Continue 12/24/2009 Communicating Your Influence Career Rx, The Alternative Press What is the key to developing and maintaining a successful career? The definition of success is individually defined and there are many successes along one’s life journey. So, how do you define your success? Only you can answer this. Do not let the pressures of "competing with your neighbors" impact how you define yourself... Continue 12/22/2009 Ask the Career Coach: How Do I Choose the Right Job? Millburn-Short Hills Patch I have two offers to choose from. Here is the situation—one offer is for a high level demanding job with long hours and great pay; the other one is a four-day work week with limited scope and a lot less pay. I am intrigued with the more demanding position, yet I am nervous about returning to work after being unemployed for 13 months. My quality of life with my family during this 13 month period has been great—attending my kids' shows at school, sporting events, etc. I wrestle with... Continue 12/15/2009 Ask the Career Coach: How do I Stop Self Doubting? Millburn-Short Hills Patch I have been working for 6 months as a RN (Registered Nurse). I am always asking questions when I am not sure how to do something. Why do so many more experienced RNs doubt me by telling me how to do something even if I know how to perform the procedure?... Continue 12/11/2009 Keeping the Big Picture in Mind Career Rx, The Alternative Press What is the message that 2009 has brought to us? Having experienced the financial hardships of the recession, I have come to the conclusion that we live in a very interconnected world. Relationships, personal or professional, have a lot to do with our success and happiness. One prerequisite for having good relationships is to be a whole person.... Continue 12/9/2009 Career expert offers 10 job search tips for grads The Star-Ledger Business Desk, NJ.com 12/8/2009 Ask the Career Coach: Top 10 Tips for Grads Starting Their Career Search Millburn-Short Hills Patch Dear Career Coach Lisa, As a recent graduate with my bachelors, what are the top 10 tips you would suggest for me starting out in my job search? P.J., Millburn... Continue 12/3/2009 Expert provides tips for dealing with age bias The Star-Ledger Business Desk, NJ.com 12/1/2009 Ask the Career Coach: Age Reality for Job Seekers Millburn-Short Hills Patch I have been consulting but have not been able to land a regular full time position. What best approaches do you suggest for those of us in our mid-late 50s who want full-time work? I truly believe that my age is a very real obstacle and many of my colleagues feel the same way. We all have impressive resumes, successful track records, yet don't seem to be able to get anywhere... Continue 11/25/2009 Layaway Plan for Your Career Career Rx, The Alternative Press One sign of the times is that several retailers have brought back the layaway plan. This plan enables customers to put down a deposit to hold merchandise until the full amount can be paid. Wouldn’t this be nice for those seeking a new job? Just think how great it would be if you could tell an employer, "I want that job and I will complete my education or recertification so let’s put the position on layaway for me. How long is your layaway plan?... Continue 11/24/2009 Expert offers tips for recruiting a recruiter The Star-Ledger Business Desk, NJ.com As a follow-up to my previous article on selecting the right recruiter for your job search, this piece focuses on the next phase in that process. After speaking with clients and friends, including Steven A. Weissman, Ph.D.,... Continue 11/18/2009 Ask the Career Coach: Beginning the Journey of Re-Entering the Workforce Millburn-Short Hills Patch How do I begin my journey of re-entering the workforce either on a part time or job sharing basis? Although I have kept up with my professional journals and conferences, I have not worked in my field for the past several years... Continue 11/13/2009 Developing and Maintaining a Successful Career Career Rx, The Alternative Press What is the key to developing and maintaining a successful career? When you are in transition – either between jobs or reinventing yourself - you should review your skills, your style and your ability to influence. As those around begin to share their "how to" techniques for seeking new opportunities, you will only use the techniques that feel comfortable and work with your style... Continue 11/12/2009 Know which type of recruiter is right for your job search The Star-Ledger Business Desk, NJ.com In this job market, it is essential for job-seekers to utilize all available resources. Aside from a polished résumé and in-person/online networking, it may be helpful to work with a recruiter... Continue 11/10/2009 Ask the Career Coach: What Would Be a 'Safe' Career for the Future? Millburn-Short Hills Patch Dear Career Coach Lisa, What would be a “safe” career for the future? S.T., Short Hills It depends on how you define your term “safe."... Continue 11/3/2009 Ask the Career Coach: Change Cold Calling to Warm Calling for a Conversation Millburn-Short Hills Patch Dear Career Coach Lisa, I have been in my job search for a few months with limited results—some interviews but have not landed yet. I am thinking of cold calling companies. Any advice for how to do this?... Continue 10/30/2009 Career Planning Changes Career Rx, The Alternative Press Autumn brings many changes. Just look around you and see all of the brilliant leaf colors and the beauty of nature, to the fun and spookiness of Halloween. It’s time to get out and rake the leaves, clean the gutters, and prepare for winter. The weather signals us that the season is changing... Continue 10/27/2009 Ask the Career Coach: How Do I Reinvent Myself? Millburn-Short Hills Patch I am trying to reinvent myself so that I don’t have to work the long hours and can spend more time with my family.  My question is about how to really go about doing this—what are my options?  What fields could I transition into?  I really feel that I am having a mid-life crisis and could use direction but I am not so sure where to turn or which way to go.  And I am sure that I am not alone in this and that there are many women returning to the work force with similar concerns to mine. Continue 10/16/2009 Thinking in the Conceptual Age Career Rx, The Alternative Press  Think about how you learned new things growing up. Do you remember playing and exploring as a toddler without being given instructions, or do you think of organized sports where the rules are communicated and you need to play within the given guidelines? Continue 10/13/2009 Ask the Career Coach: How To Explain Why You Work Millburn-Short Hills Patch  Dear Career Coach Lisa,  My young daughter has been saying things to me like "Why do you have to work if ___'s Mommy doesn't have to work?" and "I don't want you to work anymore."... Can you share your experiences / suggestions / advice with me? Continue 10/6/2009 Ask the Career Coach: How To Change Fields Millburn-Short Hills Patch  Dear Career Coach Lisa, I'm interested in transitioning out of financial services field into another field. How do I transition to another field such as healthcare without having the experience? Most positions require this experience... Continue 10/1/2009 Prioritizing Change and Overcoming Fear Career Rx, The Alternative Press  At this time of year, with the change of seasons and the start of a new academic year, I find myself trying to juggle all of the different changes in my family’s lives. The change from the care free summer days to the structured... Continue 9/23/2009 Multimedia journalist is on the right track The Star-Ledger Business Desk, NJ.com  TODAY'S APPLICANT AARON WHALLON was a multimedia producer at MSN Money until they shut down the division this year. In a down economy and a struggling industry, he has taken on a few temporary freelance assignments... Continue 9/18/2009 Networking is skill that needs to be mastered, but always tactfully The Star-Ledger Business Desk, NJ.com  As you know, I believe networking is a year-round activity. We are always networking -- formally or informally -- and I often reference two types of networks, the "cultivated" and the "fly by" network contact... Continue 9/17/2009 Career Rx: Networking -- Developing Yourself & Your Relationships Career Rx, The Alternative Press  As you know, I believe networking is a year-round activity. We are always networking -- formally or informally -- and I often reference two types of networks, the "cultivated" and the "fly by" network contact... Continue 9/4/2009 Social Evaluation Career Rx, The Alternative Press  Think about the impression you make. Are you seen as a nice person, a go getter, a smart business person or something else? How do you make other people feel? What is your reputation? A reputation is your pub... Continue 8/19/2009 Focus, Plan, and Explore Career Rx, The Alternative Press  When you are presented with a new idea or concept, how do you respond? Do you listen and think of possibilities or do you think of obstacles that impede future discussion about the new idea? How are you perceived by others? Do friends and family engage you to... Continue 8/6/2009 Ultimate Warrior’s Career Value of Going Green? Career Rx, The Alternative Press  Asking someone what they like to do is a little like asking someone instructions on how to walk. The answer is there and we intuitively know how after so many years of doing it, but is nearly impossible to describe. As we continuously perform the ritual, we st.... Continue 7/31/2009 Coaching the Ultimate Warrior Millburn-Short Hills Patch   Local career coach tells of her experience giving career coaching to war veterans. On Wednesday, I had the privilege of volunteering to help our soldiers at the “Ultimate Warrior Career Workshops and Job Fair” held at the Fort Dix base along with many of my fellow Human Resources and Career Coaching colleagues.... Continue 7/23/2009 Live Your Talent to Love Your Career Career Rx, The Alternative Press  "Love your career, live your talent and treasure your life’s successes" is the motto of my business, Chenofsky Singer & Associates LLC. Recently, I was fortunate enough to see Paul Potts perform. So, who is Paul Potts? He is a 38 year old tenor wh... Continue 7/14/2009 Lawyer needs a good summary to grab reader's attention The Star-Ledger Business Desk, NJ.com  TODAY'S APPLICANT ERNEST BLAIR of Kendall Park is an experienced certified civil trial attorney with a solo law practice. The current economic situation has greatly affected his ability to stay in business, he said, so he is looking to... Continue 7/13/2009 Learn resiliency in face of career hurdles The Star-Ledger Business Desk, NJ.com  The term "resilience" is defined as an ability to recover from or adjust easily to change. But how does this apply to careers? Today, many of us will have multiple careers during our life. We will need to be in... Continue 7/9/2009 Career Risks, Sticking Your Head Out Career Rx, The Alternative Press  Most careers are developed based on choices we make in life. These choices include where we live, what we study, who we connect with, and how our experiences shape us. Our best choices are grounded in what motivates us, what sustains us, and hopefully, what en.... Continue 6/25/2009 What is Your Story? Career Rx, The Alternative Press  We all have a story. How we tell our story is critical for engaging the listener. How well do we typically know our audience before we begin our story? In an interview setting, we may not know enough to tailor our story, so how do we deliver it? Continue 6/11/2009 Career Resilience Career Rx, The Alternative Press  Career Resilience! What exactly is career resilience? The term resilience is defined as an ability to recover from or adjust easily to change. How does this apply to careers? Today, many of us will have multiple careers during our life. We will need to be in a... Continue 5/28/2009 Applicant needs to market skills & show results The Star-Ledger Business Desk, NJ.com  TODAY'S APPLICANT Dana Galloway of Sparta is a sales and marketing professional with more than 15 years of experience. She lost her job earlier this year and though she is certain she would like a sales position, she is flexible on the industry... Continue 5/28/2009 Life is a Journey! Career Rx, The Alternative Press  Some of us take a straight and narrow path, while others take several detours before reaching our destination, but for everyone - life is a journey! The destination chosen is defined by us based on our own perceived vision or plan. Whether we succeed is also a... Continue 5/20/2009 A Good Pitch Can Make All the Difference The Star-Ledger Business Desk, NJ.com  TODAY'S APPLICANT Julia Peterson of Princeton Junction has more than 20 years of experience in the apparel industry, most recently as a quality control manager... Continue 5/13/2009 Thinking, Believing and Networking Career Rx, The Alternative Press  The nature of our relationships is dependent on how we present ourselves. And how we present ourselves is dependent on how we see ourselves and the world around us. Life is a journey! As we travel along our path, do we let our lives teach us who we are or do w.... Continue 5/4/2009 Connectivity Strategies Career Rx, The Alternative Press  In these challenging times, everyone needs a friend. Now the question is – is it a live in-person friend or an electronic connection? We live in a world where connections or networking is the buzzword of the day. How many times have you been told "You will fin... Continue 3/26/2009 Get a Coach for Life Changes Millburn-Short Hills Patch   You may ask, what is a serious adult? Good question. A serious adult is one who has taken on responsibilities ranging from car loans, rent or mortgage payments and medical... Continue