Activating the best of you!

4 things you should do when you start a new job

Dear Coach Joan, Finally, after a seven month long job search I’ll be starting my new position next week! I never thought it would take this long to find a new job, so I am especially concerned about starting off well, and making this position a very rewarding one. The last job I had was […]

Fragrance in office, distracted manager – local readers ask for advice

Dear Readers, I am starting to get some of your work related questions. These first two seemed almost comical but when I checked back with the writers, it turns out they were serious, and real workplace issues. So, thank you, you’re taking the time to continue our conversation, and I’m putting my best experience and knowledge to work […]

The art of being and finding a good manager

In my last blog entry I asked you to submit some examples and questions about work relationships. And they’re starting to come in. But at this point I’d like to share some of my own experiences, both asa coach hearing from my clients, and experiences based on my corporate career of 20+ years. I realize that […]

Annoying Co-Workers. Bad Bosses. And more…

Dear Readers, In my years as a career coach, I thought I’d heard all conceivable stories about annoying co-workers, bad bosses and poorly performing employees. I thought I heard all variations of incompetence, ineffectiveness and inconsideration. I’ve heard about bosses insisting their employees do all the work and then taking the credit for it,  co-workers giving misinformation […]

“I left my job after 20 years – How do I find a new one?”

Dear Coach Joan, I have accepted a separation package and will soon be leaving a company where I have worked for over 20 years. I am new to the job market in general, and to today’s employment norms, in specific. Through my network of friends I’ve received some job leads but I am not sure how […]

Getting Hired: Is Ageism Real?

Dear Coach Joan,I have found it impossible to obtain job offers. Upon reflection, given the training, additional education completed, good references, extensive life-experience, etc., that I offer, as an older person, the singular characteristic seeming to prevent being hired is ageism, which, of course is hard to actually confirm.Any thoughts about both the reality of […]