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 […]
Are You Ready?
It’s official, national unemployment rates are starting to drop for the first time in two years. While the single digit unemployment rate is cause for celebration, it also begs the question – are you ready for the job market? If you are a first-time job seeker or a career changer, now is the time to […]
Building Trust at Work Leads to Productivity
As a career development specialist, I have studied personality and how it impacts communication in the professional workplace. Using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator™ I have helped shape strategies for individuals and organizations who previously hit road blocks when trying to establish trust and open lines of communication. One need not be certified in MBTI to […]
Schedule an Integrity Day
A fellow career coach and friend, Angela Beeching shared a great article about Integrity Day – a targeted day when you collaborate with friends or colleagues to get things done. I’m a big fan of assigning accountability masters in life to give you a gentle nudge, or a firm kick, as need be to help you […]
Breaking Out of Your Comfort Zone
We are hard wired to seek comfort in patterns and habits which is why so many people struggle with change. The fear of change can even cause people to cling to an uncomfortable situation because it is one they know best. Most find comfort in a familiarity with location, people, thoughts, and actions but when […]
Put Your Own Oxygen Mask on First
In the quest for sanity in life and career, I am amazed and impressed with working Moms (and Dads!) as well as those who take care of elderly parents in addition to their full-time careers. Whether you are an official caregiver or simply trying to nurture the relationships in your life, I challenge you to put […]
Positivity is Infectious But Not Always Easy
I’ve learned a lot from people in my life who have faced extreme adversity and still found the strength to be positive. While I strive to maintain a cup half full mentality, there are taxing times when I need some extra help to stay positive and upbeat. It’s so easy to go to the dark […]
Job Search Fatigue
I was recently featured in a CareerBuilder.com article written by Rachel Farrell discussing job search fatigue. The reality is that job searching is a full-time endeavor and can be frustrating and mentally exhausting, especially when it drags on for an extended period of time. As Rachel indicated in her piece, the economy is rebounding but […]
Work/Life Integration
In an ongoing quest to achieve more satisfaction in my work and life, I have some new words of wisdom to share. I’m a consummate planner and often focus so much on the future that I miss the little moments of each day that are also precious. Here are some tips to help you take […]
Present Ideas to Your Boss with Confidence
Pitching a new idea to your boss does not have to be daunting or intimidating. Some practical tips from eHow magazine will help you on your way and give you the confidence and courage to share your ideas with conviction. Gather information that supports your idea. Find statistics that show the potential success of your […]
Ramp Up Your Self Confidence
One of the biggest hurdles I see with job seekers and even many employed professionals is that they lack self confidence. While some people have abundant self confidence in their genes, others need to cultivate it and this all starts with positive self affirmation. It’s easy to criticize and beat yourself up for your weaknesses […]
Bring on The Videos!
In the spirit of using Social Media to my full advantage, I am very excited to introduce my first video entry on this blog. My goal to to include frequent video logs or vlogs to share savvy career & professional development advice that can help you by using this exciting medium. Here is my book promotional […]
Please Don’t Talk Like You Text
I’m fascinated by technology and how it has changed the way we communicate. With my day job on a college campus, I marvel at the students who walk out of class either talking on the phone or texting as they move towards their new destination. Texting while walking may soon become as dangerous as texting […]
