This Is Not The Career I Ordered™ Blog
Savvy Professional Career Wisdom by Caroline Dowd-Higgins
This is Not the Career I Ordered is read by thousands of careerists around the globe. With savvy tools, inspiration, and resources, this timeless book empowers you to enjoy your career, and love your life!
Are You Coachable?

It’s international coaching week and a great to time to consider working with a coach to empower you on your career and life journey. Savvy coaches offer a free Discovery or Chemistry call to determine if the coach/client relationship is a good fit. It’s important for the coach to ascertain if a client is ready […]
A Career Letter to The Class of 2024

Dear Class of 2024: A multi-generational celebration is in progress as we celebrate learners of all ages heading into the career world. You can design your career destiny and I encourage you to tap the power you have within you. You earned your credentials with a tremendous amount of time, effort, and more than likely […]
Four Smart Tips For Getting Paid What You’re Worth

This post was contributed by Sarah Jane who just successfully asked for a raise and is eager to share her wisdom with others. One of the trickiest subjects for women in the workplace is asking for a pay increase. Sometimes you can be ripe for development and worth a lot more than you are currently […]
Three Tips That Will Help You Communicate More Effectively

This blog was written by Lena who shares her workplace wisdom after a recent career change. In order to be successful, it’s important to develop your communication skills. Not only will being a great communicator make you more influential in your work life, but it will also help to maintain your personal relationships as well. […]
Workspace Wellness

As part of my continuing experience as the “new girl” after my recent career change, I am grateful to have an opportunity to look at my work environment through a fresh lens. I’m in an open concept workspace, which is brand new for me. I will admit that the spacious cubicle, even with an automated […]
Jump Starting Your Way Back into the Career World After Having a Family

This guest post was shared by Lisa, a mom of twins who recently re-entered the workforce after a career hiatus. If you’re a very busy working mom, who’s taken the time out of your career to have a family, there’s a chance you feel like you’ve missed the mark on getting back into the working […]
Back in the “New Girl” Career Seat

My work as a career and executive coach has provided me with many opportunities to prepare individuals for intensive interview and salary negotiations for new roles. Recently, I accepted a new and exciting career opportunity, which has heightened my empathy for the vulnerability a candidate feels while navigating a rigorous selection process. It’s been 6 […]
Practice Intentional Acts of Kindness Throughout Your Career

You’re stressed beyond measure at work – toiling away on the umpteenth iteration of a new campaign; racing the clock to get a grant proposal in; or working overtime to iron out a distribution snafu – then a colleague sets aside their own project to pitch in on yours, or a friend, who’s been through […]
Forest Bathing Will Enhance Your Life and Career

I was driving to work one morning when I heard a fascinating NPR story about forest bathingand how a retreat to nature can boost immunity and mood. If you have not heard about the trendy concept of forest bathing, the study of the practice dates back to the late 1990’swhen a test was done by […]
Stop the Busy Brag

Busy-ness is a dangerous trap that relinquishes our control to find meaning and fulfillment in life and career when we are stuck in the quicksand of being busy. I am on a mission to disrupt the busy culture and focus on a life that is measured by meaning, value, fulfillment and other factors we can […]
Organizations are Serious About The “No Jerks” Policy When Hiring

Over the last 19 years as a career & professional development consultant, I have worked with countless employers seeking ideal candidates to fill critical roles in their organizations. Regardless of the career field, recruiters and hiring managers agree that after the basic criteria of skills and experiences are met, candidates are accepted or eliminated based […]
The Role of Confidence in the Career World

A limp handshake, lack of eye contact, and shaking voice: sound familiar? If you don’t feel confident in yourself, you may have trouble presenting yourself in an effective and professional way. Whether we like it or not, moving up the career ladder and achieving your professional goals often depends on more than just your work: […]
Top Tips to Be an Effective and Powerful Woman Entrepreneur

We as women all have our fair share of obstacles in the business world. While we’ve made strides in equality in the workplace and an increased amount of women-owned businesses, there still seems to be a gap between women and men in business. Because every woman deserves to be the powerful and successful entrepreneur she […]
Grit Defines Achievement in Your Career

Grit is defined as firmness of mind or spirit – an unyielding courage in the face of hardship. The career world is changing so fast that grit has also become a sought after competency for hiring and a necessity for entrepreneurs and innovators. The emerging research indicates that grit can determine success or achievement far […]