Dear J.T. & Dale: I am trying to start my own IT consulting practice, and it seems impossible to find gigs directly with companies — all the work seems to be through staffing agencies. I’ve heard that most of the direct jobs are through networking, but how do you even start? I’ve tried blogs and networking sites … they all lead to a staffing firm. ARGHHH! — A frustrated female consultant Read the rest of this entry »

This week, myself and a fellow HR writer put out a challenge to managers and employees across America.

The question is…

Do you know how to give a really, truly great compliment to someone at work you don’t like?

This challenge is designed to help people understand the difference between appreciation vs. compliments (read my article that describes the big difference between the two HERE), Read the rest of this entry »

DALE: Today’s adventure in job searching comes from Carol of Baton Rouge, who describes herself as as “one of the lucky ones.” Here’s her summary of what transpired…

My employer decided he wanted someone with more “credentials.” He was a jerk who could barely pay his bills. My check bounced a few times. He was impossible.

This new job fell into my lap – I know this sounds new agey, but I think it was karma. I had put the word out on the street that I was looking. I soon had two interviews. Both guys I interviewed with offered on the same day. This job felt right and has been a perfect fit. I found it in three days even knowing Baton Rouge after Hurricane Katrina has been a tough market for support staff. Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: At a recent job review, my boss told me that my writing skill, which I’d been told by previous employers is my greatest strength, is, in her opinion, my biggest weakness. I was shocked. I like my job and want to stay, but I’m finding it difficult to cope with the fact that I am working for someone whom I don’t see eye-to-eye with. — Melissa Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: Are we now to actively pursue both “networking” (face-to-face and personal meetings) as well as “Internet-working”? It almost seems like double work — if one is ultimately going to be invited in for interviews due to “knowing somebody who knows somebody,” then what is the value of spending time and energy at the keyboard? — Elizabeth Read the rest of this entry »

Dear J.T. & Dale: I’m lost. I don’t like my job, and I can’t think of a single career I want to pursue. It’s tough to even get out of bed in the morning. Where do I find passion for work? — Evan Read the rest of this entry »

J.T.: I am constantly asked for information on how professional women who’ve chosen to stay at home with their children can re-enter the work force. There’s a Web site for moms looking to re-enter the paid work force on their terms: YourOnRamp.com. This site’s dedication to a target audience of moms is very helpful. Read the rest of this entry »

DALE: Today’s success story comes from Stephan Elliott, who got caught up in downsizing in the tech sector. He was in his mid-50s at the time. He did consulting and experimented with sales jobs and eventually found what he wanted. Here’s how he described his search… Read the rest of this entry »

A great career identity (how you position yourself in the workplace to achieve success) requires smart personal branding (strategy and execution of a marketing plan to position you as highly employable).

Dan Schwabel, arguably the leading authority on the subject has come out with the lastest issue of the Personal Branding Magazine. This issue is dedicated to helping Millenials (a.k.a. Gen Y) develop their careers. In it, I wrote an article on how NOT to sell yourself in interviews. This issue is packed with excellent advice from more than a dozen career experts - and now you can get a FREE copy.

Click here to sign up and check out this on-line mag.

Dear J.T. & Dale: I just heard about Twittering and think it is ridiculous. Who wants to know what a person is doing all day long? Have we become a narcissistic culture, or what? — Marshall Read the rest of this entry »