Blog & Industry Feed

Managing For People Who Hate Managing

Congratulations!  You’re a manager in the public sector. You have been bestowed with the opportunity to manage others while simultaneously managing yourself. Overwhelmed, frustrated, exhausted?  Work life spiraling out of control?

You are not alone.  Most leaders don’t discuss managerial-related angst, out of concern for appearing weak or incompetent.  Yet 68% of managers don’t like managing. s … READ MORE

Can Your Career Survive A Natural Disaster?

I live in the Seattle area so I’ve been watching all the news from Hurricane Sandy from a distance. However, I have several clients and friends that live in that area who have been impacted by this devastating storm. Many of the same people from the area that survived and recovered from the horror of the terrorist attacks of 9/11 are now dealing with yet another traumatic event. The TV coverage has shown thousands of destroyed homes and property – people have lost almost all of their material possessions. But the outpouring of help and support from one another has been inspiring and offered hope in a desperate situation. … READ MORE

Federal Hiring and Veteran's Preference

Are you a veteran of the armed services? Are you taking advantage of your veteran's preference while pursuing employment with the Federal government?

Disabled veterans and veterans who served on active duty at certain times receive special hiring preference. It is one way the Federal government expresses gratitude for the brave men and women serving our … READ MORE

Communication Is Critical In Change Management

Much has been said since 2008 – and still is, today – about the devastating impact upon governmental budgets brought on by the foreclosure and property tax calamities. In fact, I don’t believe enough can be said about it.

Having once served as Public Information Director for Dearborn, Michigan, a city hammered by … READ MORE

Are performance reviews as painful as seeing the dentist?

Performance evaluations are an uncomfortable experience even in the best of circumstances, but an evaluation that brings “room for improvement” or the news that you are “not meeting expectations” can suck the oxygen out of the room, and leave you mentally reviewing your savings account balance (meager) and your options (Mom’s couch?).

Instead, take a deep breath and consider the following:

• I can guarantee that your supervisor isn’t relishing this moment, either.  Hopefully, she’s been .  … READ MORE

Is Career Advancement a Relative Term?

For some, it means climbing the organizational ladder until there is nowhere else to climb or you reach the highest rung relative to your area of expertise.  For others, it means moving up the salary scale even if it means hop-scotching from one organization to another.   In either case, there are a number of expertise and sector-independent approaches that … READ MORE

Networking: Love it or Leave it

Am I the only one that hates the idea of networking? You know, putting yourself out there to the professional world in a match.com sort of way? Something about networking, the verb, has always seemed a bit contrived and artificial to me.  And when I read the reams of advice about how important it is, and how it to it, I confess that my gut reaction is pretty negative. I don’t want to get to know people so they can … READ MORE

Getting past the gatekeepers – HR Screening

You feel tired and yet you know you are approaching the goal line of getting your new job.  What stands between you and a touchdown is an HR director ready to stop you at the 1-yeard line!  So here are a few tips to help you get past the gatekeeper and have a successful interview process.   

Why do so many HR people put emphasis on having relevant experience? It is because … READ MORE

Is the Public Sector making a turnaround?

Decreasing revenue streams and budget shortfalls have led to hiring freezes, unpaid furloughs, and in many cases, layoffs of state and local government employees across the country.  And while the private sector is feeling its own brand of pain, the recession has placed public sector employment in a precarious position.

However, the news isn't all doom and gloom.  In a recent interview … READ MORE

Choosing jobs - Attributes of a good employer

Do you think employers have had the upper hand in the employment marketplace? Well now that the economy is experiencing recovery, the tables have turned towards favoring job seekers.

Regardless of the situation, job seekers should consider the following when evaluating potential employers … READ MORE

The Mentoring Relationship

Receiving orientation to a new organization or assignment, acquiring knowledge and learning new skills, and building workplace "connectedness" are all valuable benefits of a strong mentoring relationship. As many as 70% of employees credit one or more mentoring relationships as being instrumental in their career success and job satisfaction. READ MORE