Career planning

A wandering mind can pay off.

Look for opportunities that give you experience, credibility, or income.

How does a customer-service expert in Seattle catch the attention of a hot San Francisco startup in San Francisco, 700 miles away? The answer these days is likely to involve networking and brand-building on social media’s “fun” sites — even the ones best known for their tweets, pokes and cat videos. It’s been obvious since […]

Jim, a communications specialist, is sitting opposite me stirring his second coffee. He has declining budgets, repetitive tasks, and an overbearing boss who micromanages his every move. He can’t remember the last time he had a great day at work. He’s shown me a clipping for a lower-paid job which he thinks he won’t get, […]

Europe’s young people are bearing the brunt of the fallout from the collapse of the financial system and the struggle to save the Euro. In Britain, where I live, youth unemployment has topped one million. In Greece, the rate is nearly 50% — that’s one out of every two young people in the country. The […]

I’ve just been rereading Daniel Pink’s famous 1997 Fast Company article on “Free Agent Nation.” It has withstood the test of time pretty danged well. In 1997, Pink had recently left a job as Vice President Al Gore’s speechwriter to strike out on his own, and discovered (or decided, if you prefer) that he was […]

Start with relentless punctuality.

To realize their full potential, leaders need to be challenged by multiple perspectives outside their office walls. by Nick Morgan

Is it hurting your health, career prospects, or relationships?

It’s OK to build your own relationships with senior leaders.

It's natural to feel worried or insecure.

This year is a demographic watershed, a critical juncture for both individuals and employers. This is the year the first Boomers are officially eligible to retire. Whether you as an individual should retire when your time comes and whether, as a corporate leader, should fight to hold on to the Boomers in your midst are […]

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach.

Midcareer employees and managers, who should be at their peak of productivity, are the most disaffected segment of the workforce. Companies need to find ways to rekindle the fires of this vast, neglected group of people—or risk losing them altogether.

Use this strategy to pitch yourself to employers

New research shows that over the last few decades the return on having both math and social skills together is rising faster than just one or the other....

How to exude executive gravitas — no matter your age.

Most people have been asked that perennial, and somewhat annoying, question: “Where do you see yourself in five years?” Of course it is asked most often in a job interview, but it may also come up in a conversation at a networking event or a cocktail party. Knowing and communicating your career goals is challenging […]

When your passion is also your paycheck.

How mentors and sponsors can help.