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!
Leverage The Final Work Weeks of 2023
The countdown is on until 2023 is in the rear-view mirror of your career. While many organizations slow down during the final days of December, consider how you can use this time to leverage your influence and set your career stage for the 2024. Make Connections Beyond Your Team Capitalize on the holiday party or […]
End 2023 Strong at Work
With days left before the beginning of a new year and the holiday season in full swing – it’s an opportune time to finish out the calendar year with intentionality at work. The economic predictions about inflation, a potential recession, and company lay-offs are conflicting at best, so take advantage of the opportunity to demonstrate […]
Make a Positive Impression as the Newbie at Work
When you start a new job it’s important to establish a positive first impression with colleagues. The adjustment period will vary depending on the person and the organization but the attitude you exude at the start will set your tone in the office culture for a very long time. Here are some great tips from […]
What’s Your Plan?
I’m spending the week in Manhattan as a visiting guest faculty member at NYU and enjoying every minute of the experience. In addition to meeting with students (grad and undergrad) in a variety of academic disciplines, I have been working with staff and faculty members teaching career development strategies and action plans. The common question […]
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 […]
