Colin Powell and His Perpetual Optimism
A couple of years ago, I had the privilege to attend a significant gathering of regional leaders from across Southern California. The guests included members of Congress, the State legislature, regional and locally-elected officials, and scores of leaders of...
Making Time For Personal Development Planning is No Waste of Time!
When is the last time you set aside time to reflect and plan for your OWN career development? Can’t remember? Been too long? Well, maybe this fun fact from the Corporate Leadership Council (CLC) will give you that needed nudge. According to CLC, the use of Individual...
Employee Retention: Time for a Culture Makeover?
Although the recovery is benefitting many sectors of our economy, organizations find that simply throwing money at high performers turns out to be an ineffective means of retaining top talent. Money rarely ranks at the top of “why I love my job” list. As competition...
Successfully Transitioning From a Military to Civilian Career
In recent months, there has been a noticeable increase of former military leaders flooding the job market. They are either returning from duty or deciding to make a change in careers. If you fall into either of these scenarios, knowing your transitional career title...
A Career as a Politician – UK verses US
If you’re considering a career as a politician then firstly, you’re brave. Secondly, there are many areas of politics in which to practice and for some, the natural progression into politics comes from many different places. Those who have studied law are often seen...
Tips for Using International Experience to Land a Job in Government
Thanks to globalization, it is now possible to experience firsthand the incredible array of cultures, languages, and societies that make up the world. In fact, international experience is not only possible; it is becoming essential. Time spent abroad can teach...
Tackling Resource Allocation Issues in Local Government
Interview panels for higher-level public positions sometimes ask how you would establish priorities for resource allocation. In order to answer this question, you will need to know more than just the textbook answer. Most organizations have goals that provide...
Staying Positive While Searching For That Dream Job
Don’t let the media and the news put you down. No matter how bad they say it is companies are always looking to hire the best available staff. If you have the right skills and passion, there will be a job waiting for right around the corner. You just need to remain...
5 Steps to Find a Mentor
It is in our social DNA to want a mentor. As little kids, our parents mentor us on the basics of life. In school, we are mentored by teachers and coaches who want to impart their wisdom to us. Then, suddenly, we’re thrust out into the world of adulthood, and most of...
Three Successful Strategies for Career Advancement in Government
Career advancement is 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...
How Can IT Professionals Assist H.R. Personnel?
In today’s organizational environment, human resources (or personnel as it was once referred to) is being asked to do much more than simply recruit talented employees, oversee benefits, and maintain personnel records. They are now responsible for 1) legal compliance...
How Might IT Professionals Help Overcome the Greatest Threats to Local Government?
There are a number of threats that face local government today. The public sector is dealing with spiraling pension costs, annual increases in healthcare expenses for active employees and retirees, and other employee-related expenditures that continue to rise. At...
Given Its Reputation, Why is Government Appealing for IT Professionals?
Virtually every private sector area is focused on the proverbial ROI or Return on Investment. If an entity is going to commit to implementing a technology-centric solution, it has to be financially beneficial in the long run. Typically, the standard is 12 to 18...
How to Involve the Employee in Writing a Performance Evaluation
If you struggle to write annual performance evaluations, you may be overlooking the most valuable source of data you have: the employee. Asking for the employee’s feedback before you begin writing can provide helpful and specific input. Here are some tips for asking...
5 Steps to Improve Performance Expectations
It’s a common managerial dilemma. You ask an employee to do something that seems simple to you. And, what you get is not what you expected. For whatever reason, the employee did not complete the job to your standards. Usually, this frustrating experience happens...
4 Steps to Reinventing Your Resume
Storytelling is making a comeback! Most everywhere we look these days we are seeing the question…”What’s your story?” From advertisers selling their products to talk show hosts featuring segments surrounding storytelling. Why, even the career space is falling in line...
How “Green Tape” Can Create an Effective Bureaucracy
Most people are familiar with the term “red tape.” This term is often associated with bureaucracy and carries negative connotations, referring to burdensome rules that make processes more complicated. Leisha DeHart-Davis, a professor of public administration and...
How to Find the Best Career for Your Major
You have reached your senior year of college, and there’s basically no turning back now when it comes to your major. But what if the career you thought was perfect for you at the outset of college is not really an option anymore? In today’s day and age, college...