Warning: Read with care. The thoughts shared below are not intended for everyone. The ideas that follow are meant for local government public officials and career professionals who really want to make a difference. People often comment on the significant accomplishments I have made in my life. Though I am not sure any of my accomplishments […]
For generations the hallmark of government employment has been rock-steady job security. Career public sector employees often cite job security, together with generous retirement and fringe benefit packages, as factors which initially attracted them to their jobs and serve as a powerful retention force. However, the Great Recession has seen venerability turn to vulnerability. Government […]
Of the many facets involved in searching for and securing a new job, one activity that too often is given only cursory thought is soliciting and preparing references. If this is your first job, you may turn to a teacher who will tout your academic preparation and achievements, a coach who will vouch for your […]
Aging baby boomers, coupled with early retirement incentives designed to reduce salary loads, are swelling the ranks of retired public service professionals. Despite this crop of 60’s era retirees’ declaration that they would not toil into their advanced years like their parents’ generation, and notwithstanding generous pensions, many pursue encore careers. Motives may include bolstering […]
Government outsourcing, or privatization, is a central strategy to the notion of reengineering government which has been widely discussed and written about since the 1970s. However, while recession-choked cities and counties are now looking closer at outsourcing, historically the model has been slow to gain traction. Governments have long outsourced select non-core services to achieve […]
For many the job interview may be the most unnerving aspect of acquiring a job. It represents a more intimate exchange than a resume review and is far more subjective than the average civil service exam. Whether little more than a “meet and greet” or a rigorous subject matter expertise inquiry, in a matter of […]
Informational interviews are your way of gaining a more in-depth look at a potential employer by gathering first-hand knowledge from past or current employees; a casual, coffee-shop conversation can yield a lot of insights. Social media gives you the opportunity to add two-way communication to the research you have already conducted regarding the company. You […]
Step 1: Don’t apply for the job. Step 2: Repeat, as needed. Sometimes your job search can feel like a numbers game – the more applications you send in, the better the odds that you’ll land that dream position, right? Well, what may have worked when you were in high school, looking for a summer […]
It is likely that at the conclusion of almost every job interview, as a candidate you will be asked if you have any questions or would like to add anything. The questions you pose, or what you deem important to discuss at this point will reflect on both your level of interview experience and sophistication, […]
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. The mentoring relationship can be formal […]
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