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!
Single Task Your Way to a Healthier Life and Career
Multitasking used to be a sought-after professional competency thought to be a valuable skill for the busy professional. Research tells us that single tasking is more effective and can result in higher productivity and time efficiency. I can envision the woman working at her desk, reading this piece while eating her lunch, checking her email, […]
Approach Work Conflict with a Coaching Mindset
Most of us have experienced an uncomfortable situation at work with a colleague that resulted in a conflict, heightened emotions, or ideological differences. While some conflict averse individuals use avoidance to sweep problems under the rug, that technique does not solve the issue and often results in festering and rumination that can be emotionally debilitating. […]
I’ll Take Any Job!
In a tough economy, many unemployed or under-employed people are forced to work jobs outside their field or area of expertise to keep their financial heads above water. There is no shame in honest work but it’s important to keep your eye on the prize and continue to pursue opportunities that play to your strengths […]
Providing Constructive Criticism
Whether you are doling out constructive criticism or the recipient of this ever important feedback, the delivery of this crucial information can be awkward at best. I read an article by Stephen Marsh who turned me on to Jack Welch’s book Winning and I highly recommend this resource if you value promoting candor in your […]
How to Stay Motivated During Tough Times
The economy is still bad and the job market is bleak so tell me something I don’t already know! How is a well qualified candidate supposed to keep her spirits up when the prospects for gainful employment are dismal? While I believe it’s important to have a sense of reality about the economic environment, keeping […]
Results-Only Work Environment
It may sound idyllic but wouldn’t it be incredible to work in a results oriented environment where your time was your own to be productive as you saw fit? In this world, the team would be high functioning because they are playing to their strengths and passionate about their individual roles as well as their […]
Are You a Workaholic?
I consider myself someone who is incredibly involved in my work, my life, and my additional activities which cover a multitude of areas from my book project, consulting practice, performing life, and the non-profit theatre company for which I serve as a Board member, to name just a few. My life is full, hectic, and […]
Would You Want Your Daughter to Work Here?
One of my favorite new resources is The Glass Hammer (www.theglasshammer.com) a wonderful online forum for relevant and provocative career development issues for women. While the age old frustration of the glass ceiling and the concept of gender equality in the workplace are still alive and well, I read an article on The Glass Hammer […]
Back to School
The fall traditionally marks the time when students of all ages head back to school. Some begin the journey of an undergraduate education while other, non-traditional students embark on professional or graduate degrees and additional credentialing to increase to their skill sets and marketability. Whether you are a recent high school graduate or a seasoned […]
Speak Up for Yourself!
In the business culture of 2010 it’s still widespread for the gender roles to be strongly defined with (often supported) male aggressive behavior and female deferent behavior. Ladies, I urge you to take more control of your professional persona and speak up at work! According to Dr. Linda Tillman, a licensed Clinical Psychologist and founder […]
Phone Etiquette 101
I returned a call from a prospective client who did not answer the phone and instead of a professional sounding voicemail message, I was greeting by 30 seconds of Mick Jagger singing “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction” before the proverbial beep. While the lyrics of the song might actually echo the current sentiment of this […]
Why Women Should Ask for a Raise
Women’s earnings relative to men’s have stagnated at 73.2%. Research tells us that women feel a great deal of apprehension about the idea of negotiating for a raise in a current job or asking for a higher salary with an initial job offer. The fact is – it’s necessary for women to negotiate now more […]
Set Smarter Goals
Many people set goals at the start of a new year but why wait if you are ready to take control of your future and your career destiny now. Resolutions are powerful tools and can take your career to the next level but most people get stuck on the follow-through of the goal and it […]
Let Your Strengths Blossom
One of my favorite new resources is Ivy Sea www.ivysea.com Founder, Jamie S. Walters is a visionary author and culture shift leader helping women to reclaim their feminine Mojo and express is to the world. Jamie takes you beyond business as usual and offers individuals and organizations help in transforming unhelpful perceptions and patterns of […]
