John Molloy’s 1980’s classic Dress for Success spawned a generation of workplace climbers who fashioned their work wardrobe around his advice. While 30 years later his advice lingers: some of it unfortunately (e.g. yellow power tie, or manlike power suits for women ) and some of his advice that is spot on. The gist of Molloy’s advice? If you want to be more effective in the workplace, think about what you wear.… Read the rest
4 Steps to Hiring Brilliantly: Step Two – Everyone on the Same Bus
Almost every exec and manager hires people – even in the flat organizations common today. Yet few do it well, and many put it down low on their list of favorite things to do.
It doesn’t have to be that way, and there are four simple steps you can take to make the hiring process easier, go smoother, and make better hires.… Read the rest
[Your Career] Hiring Time?
There is seasonality – cyclic variations based on the time of year or season – to any number of things. Just as it helps to know that back-to-school hits in July/August (so you avoid ending up with the dregs of what’s left for your kids), it advantages you to know the times of year when firms are hiring, and times when they’re likely not.… Read the rest
[Your Job] How Legal and/or Relevant Are Psychological Assessment Tests?
Reader Robert B. from Colorado asks this week:
“Between reading your blogs and filling out applications, I have come stumbled upon some questions. How legal and/or relevant are psychological assessment tests? Are those assessments relevant if the individual has PTSD? I think it’s possible that these test could be discriminating against people who went through traumatic events in their childhood. I have come across very few court cases that have tried to figure out the issue. … Read the rest
[Anatomy of Success] The Perfect Job (or Career) Hunt
The winners in this month’s women’s and men’s U.S. collegiate basketball “March Madness” tournaments will show us how to hit the sweet spot of three qualities that every job hunter or career considerer (try saying that word fast) should target as they think about their job hunt, or career switch.
On the subject of careers, I’ll be one of three speakers on a panel this upcoming Thursday morning, March 25th in Oakland sponsored by the San Francisco Bay Area chapter of Financial Executives International.… Read the rest
[Career Tips] 3 Ways to Better Yourself at the Job Waiting Game
As my 7 year-old son Traylor periodically reminds me, it’s tough to wait.
This morning’s challenge was one under-ripe mango: serving it for breakfast when he was ready but it wasn’t still meant it didn’t taste so hot.
It can be just as tough to wait in the employment constellation we call jobs and careers. Sometimes you’re ready, but the job is not – and sometimes you’re not ready, but the job is.… Read the rest