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!
Go Ahead, Be Ambitious!
I was conducting a mock interview for a client, a focused, smart, and confident woman pursuing an executive leadership role. When I asked her if she considered herself ambitious she recoiled as if I used an inappropriate word. After further inquiry she revealed that she never wanted to be seen as the run over your […]
Establish a Gossip Free Workplace
I read a fascinating New York Times article by Shayla McKnight who shared a story about her job interview with an online printing company. The Human Resources Manager was clear about the no-gossip policy and no office politics rule before she was even hired. While McKnight thought the policy was refreshing it also seemed hard […]
The Returnship® is a Golden Opportunity
The concept of an internship for university students is common knowledge but the Returnship® is a unique program targeting women who left the workforce for a few years and are eager to get back in. Goldman Sachs and the Sara Lee Corporation are leading the way with this novel approach to re-engage talented women who […]
You Should Have Mentors and Sponsors
Sponsorship is becoming more main stream and savvy women and men should be on the lookout for those who can assist them in moving upwards on their career journey. While a mentor can answer your questions and advise on how to navigate the organizational landscape, a sponsor will actually get you there. A sponsor knows […]
You Can Invent Your Future
This October 6-7, 2011 I will have the great honor and pleasure of presenting at the Midwest Invent Your Future Women’s Conference in Indianapolis. The theme is Innovation & Leadership: Breakthrough Strategies for Uncertain Times. This is a premier event for professional women, entrepreneurs, and all those looking to accelerate their careers. Featured speakers include: […]
What’s a PhD to Do?
Earning a PhD or a doctorate in any academic discipline is a difficult road. It takes commitment, focus, and a thick skin to make it through the course work, requisite exams, the dissertation defense, and ultimate publication – not to mention an average of 7 years of your life. While some aspire to work in […]
What HR Managers Never Tell You
Sometimes what we don’t know can hurt us, especially in the job market. Kenneth McGrath, a Producer at KHQ shared these real life quotes from Human Resources professionals nationally that may make you rethink your technique in the job hunt. 1. “When it comes to getting a job, who you know really does matter. No […]
The Myth of Work/Life Balance
Is perfect work/life balance really possible? Learn how work/life integration may be a more realistic expectation.
Nine Secrets to Great Teamwork
Robyn Odegaard is an amazing woman whose career reinvention story I will feature on my blog in September. She founded her business Champion Performance Development www.ChampPerformance.com and is committed to teaching individuals how to better communicate and resolve conflict on teams. Doc Robyn’s compelling campaign – Stop The Drama helps teams function more effectively. http://stopthedramanow.com […]
Cultivating Your Tribe
Tribe is the trendy new word for team and following up on the Keith Ferrazzi method (from his book – Who’s Got Your Back) there are four core mind-sets that build the behavioral foundation for lifeline relationships. People ask me frequently – who should I seek out to serve on my Board of Directors. Here […]
Dust Off Your Resume
Whether you are job searching, or not – you should always be thinking about your next career move and an exit strategy from your current workplace so you can be ready at all times. This is part of being in control of your career destiny and developing a personal career plan that you can implement […]
New Rule about Street Address on Your Resume
There is a new philosophy about including your street address on your resume and why it’s not always appropriate. Let me first say that I don’t believe any resume rules are 100% black or white. Individuals must customize based on their individual industry and candidacy but this new suggestion about not including your street address […]
Embrace the Feminine Culture Shift of Self Confidence
It’s about time that women own their strengths and enjoy self-confidence. Join me in paying-it forward to others.
Who’s Got Your Back?
My Huffington Post article on developing your personal Board of Directors has gotten a lot of traction and positive feedback. I am thrilled that people are tapping into this amazing resource to help them move forward. Your personal village is there to help – but you need to mobilize them. I just finished reading Keith […]
