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!
Demystify Executive Presence and Project How You Want Others to Perceive You
Executive presence used to harken images of expensively attired corporate employees who walked the walkand talked the talk to inspire confidence and yield influence for success in lavish offices and board rooms. After the COVID pandemic, the world has destigmatized remote work and the hybrid work model will be the new norm for much of […]
Older, Wiser, and Career Vibrant
I have several executive coaching clients in their late fifth and sixth decade of life who are navigating a career change due to lay-offs, or company mergers and acquisitions beyond their control. Others are career transitioning by choice and excited about designing a new chapter in life and career. My clients expressed worry about ageism […]
A New Year Career Cleanse
It’s the season for diets, intense exercise regimens, and plans to quit unhealthy habits. If the dawn of 2014 has coerced you into extreme new beginnings, I encourage you to start the New Year by being good to yourself, especially as you consider your career future. Instead of setting unattainable goals that you will most […]
A Stress Management Parable
I want to thank my friend, Hillary for sharing the following stress management story. What a great message as we head into 2014. May the New Year be filled with good health, great joy, and much abundance! A young lady confidently walked around the room while leading and explaining stress management to an audience with […]
If I Can Meditate – So Can You!
True confession – I love my work and I am energized by what I do but my personality is a classic Type A, (maybe even AA) which can lead to stress. You know my type – I’m an achiever, constantly moving, high energy, focused on multiple things and sometimes referred to as the Tasmanian Devil. […]
The Art of Failure and Why It’s Good for You
Years ago I was in an interview for a big freelance opportunity and my almost future boss asked me – “What was your biggest professional failure?” The question really freaked me out since I did not want to expose my vulnerable side or my true weaknesses. I was trying to land the job and show […]
Happiness and Workplace Influence
It’s no mystery that happy employees are more productive but unhappy employees can become extremely debilitated and unwilling to follow leaders. This lack of influence leads to a breakdown in organizational morale, positional power and stability within organizations. Crystal Miller wrote a great piece on Blogging4Jobs about how asserting influence is not a passive thing […]
Define Success on Your Own Terms
You alone have the right to define what success means to you. Resist the temptation of letting others persuade you into absorbing their values. Focus on what you want so you can clearly measure what success means to you.
Pass the Turkey, and the Career Advice!
The stress of the holidays can be difficult enough without having to worry about finding a job or reinventing your career. If you dread the inevitability of well-meaning family members asking “How’s your job search going?” – consider tapping the wisdom and expertise of your friends and family and activate your warm network. Turn the […]
The Power of In-Person Communication
In this technology driven age people rarely communicate face-to-face anymore. Emailing, texting, and Tweeting have kept us hidden behind computer screens and handheld devices. It’s time to dust off your professional communication skills and speak to people, especially if you are searching for employment. In-person communication is always the best option so you can utilize […]
What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?
The beauty of career reinvention is that you can change direction at any time. You should feel comforted that you have the power to control your career destiny so your “grown up” career can be redesigned multiple times. Research has shown that values: core beliefs and motivation, are the greatest predictors of career satisfaction. It’s […]
How a Coach Can Distinguish You in the Workplace
Having a personal career coach for C-level executives is expected as part of their continuing professional development and it also makes great business sense. Coaches can also be helpful for non-executives in various stages of your career. A coach can help polish your communication skills, develop and implement effective leadership strategies in your workplace, and […]
Navigate a Conference Wisely to Get the Most Out of Your Professional Development Dollars
Seeking out professional development opportunities is essential for the modern day professional. From webinars to continuing education or conferences and workshops – you must stay current and continue to grow in order to remain relevant in a competitive market. Professional development can also be a retreat for your mind, body & career spirit. It’s a […]
A Personal Brand Audit!
Linda Coles’ latest book is called: “Start with Hello” (Wiley) and talks about meeting more people you don’t currently know. It also shows you why your personal brand is important. Recently, Linda wrote a fabulous piece on LinkedIn about how you should perform a personal audit on your professional brand. What is the professional persona […]
