Activating the best of you!

How to get a new job: 3 intriguing and inspiring networking stories

Dear Readers, In my  years of being a career coach I have always advocated for networking and spreading one’s net as far and wide as possible. And sometimes this advice has really been taken to heart, and clients have been remarkably creative in their networking efforts. I wanted to share the top 3 stories that […]

4 Ways to Impress at the Interview

Dear Coach Joan, I will finally be having an in-person interview at the company I have wanted to work at for a long time. Naturally, I want to make a great impression and although I’ve done some research and planning, I’d like to know some best strategies for making a great impression. This opportunity means […]

4 ways to advance your career this summer

Dear Readers, As counter intuitive as it might sound, summer is a great time to add sizzle, not only to your barbecue, but to your career! Many people miss out on this fabulous season of opportunity because they think everyone is on vacation. Big mistake. Everyone is not on vacation, but many people are more […]

QUIZ – 5 Easy Steps To Help Your Career Forward

Dear Readers, On this Independence Day Holiday I am reflecting on the underlying strengths of our nation. Our country is built on the lofty values of liberty, justice and freedom. Based on those values, we united and fought hard to win our independence. It was our clear and unifying vision that empowered us forward. In […]

5 Ways to Plan for Possible Lay-Off

Dear Coach Joan, I am filled with apprehension and fear. I am 58 years old and have been at the same corporation for 25 years as an attorney. I see colleagues the same age as I am being laid off and replaced with much younger candidates for much lower pay. I have always gotten excellent […]

The secret trick on how to ace the phone interview

Dear Readers More and more companies and recruiters are using phone interviews for initial candidate screening. They find it to be an effective and efficient strategy. This is now commonplace for positions ranging  from entry level to C-level executive. As such, it is imperative that you learn how to master the phone screening. The rules for doing well over the […]

3 success stories – how to survive the bad bosses

Dear Readers, My last article was about really bad bosses and how to cope with them. This time I want to share three success stories of clients who woke up to the reality of their wicked manager and pivoted wisely to a create a positive outcome. And they learned valuable  strategies; now a vital part of  their career tool […]

6 Ways to Cope with a “Wicked Witch” Boss

Dear Coach Joan, How do I survive this horrible work situation? My new manager is disrespectful, ignores me, and has given my key responsibilities to members of his new team.  I feel like I’m invisible and unwanted. I know I need to get a new job but it is so difficult to just get up in the morning knowing  I am facing […]

3 Essential Topics to Consider Before Retirement

Dear Readers, Several clients, friends and family members are approaching retirement. When sharing the news, their eyes widen with delight, but beyond delight, I see mixed emotions. I sense tremendous excitement, plus a noticeable glimmer of apprehension.  It’s similar to the look on people’s face as they approach a roller coaster.  They know that a  big and […]

Career: Success stories often paved with obstacles

Dear Readers, You may know that I split my work hours several ways. Some of my favorite hours are in 2nd and 3rd grade classrooms in Santa Rosa low income areas, where I design and deliver literacy and art programs. I try to empower, enliven and enlarge the scope of possibilities for the kids. I often read them inspiring biographies […]