Resume Writing Tip: Ensure Your Summary Statement Reflects Your Personal Brand

resume

Writing the Summary Statement on your resume can seem like a difficult task for job seekers. In the first place, many professional don't like to talk about themselves. And, admittedly, some don't like to write. So putting the two together, can be a frightening task, indeed. You look at the blank page and crumble under the pressure. Well, have no fear. As you'll soon learn some simple tricks for knocking your Summary statement out of the park and with ease. Keep in mind that the Summary … [Read more...]

Manage Your Career Path With These Personal Branding Tips


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Personal branding is for anyone who wants to achieve certain goals in life and in career. Do you want to stand out from the crowd? Advance your career and in your industry? Harness your inner passion and core values to get ahead and stand for something? Gain the respect of those around you? If you answered 'yes' to any one of those questions, then the personal branding process is for you. While there are varying descriptions and definitions for what personal branding is, I personally … [Read more...]

Stuck in Your Ways? Change It Up, Say Experts

2010 Power 30 Under 30 Awards Ceremony, Washington, D.C.

If you want to feel good about yourself -- and I would argue, move ahead in your career -- then change your behavior and start acting differently. That's the premise of a new study out of Wake Forest University, which found the idea of "being true to yourself" often means you must act against your normal personality traits. Too many professionals and working-class individuals are bound up by what they feel is "appropriate" behavior, or they feel too shy to open up and be themselves. 

But … [Read more...]

Don’t Worry, Be Happy

Courtesy of StockVault

I love songs that encourages a state of mind that supersedes life's circumstances and challenges. It's amazing how music can alter a mood, lift spirits, and dramatically change one's outlook on careers and life. I had a conversation with a friend yesterday. I asked her whether she liked her job, in which she quickly replied: "I'm just happy I have a job!" She went on to explain how she used to complain and grumble due to her work conditions or overall dissatisfaction with her role, but in … [Read more...]

Your Dream Career Awaits, Start Here

Courtesy of Stock Vault

A few months ago (literally) I sat on my couch pouting about how I wanted to more aggressively pursue my writing dreams and gain greater traction in the publishing world. But then I realized (with the help of some trusted friends, and lots of trust and prayer) that if I fail to take a step of faith and actually put myself out there to claim my destiny, then how in the world was I ever going to accomplish my life-long goals? After mustering some courage, I got rid of the self-doubt and … [Read more...]

Belief Is Just the Beginning


Courtesy of The Providence Effect/ Dinosaurs

Over the weekend, my husband and I went to the movie theater to watch the documentary The Providence Effect. The movie chronicles the journey of Paul J. Adams III, a black man with activist roots in the 1960’s civil rights movement, whose mission was to turn Providence St. Mel, located on Chicago’s west side, into a “first rank college preparatory school, and its African-American student body into a corps of driven, disciplined, high achieving students.” Inspiration It was inspiring to … [Read more...]

Are You Really Stuck? 



Courtesy of Dreamstime

Do you feel stuck? In your career? In life, in general? Feeling “stuck” in your career is certainly not a good feeling. What precedes it? A number of reasons could be the underlying culprit, such as low self-esteem, lack of education, lack of perceived opportunity and many more. Stuckness poses a direct threat to your career pioneer prowess. So, it's best to nip it in the bud as soon as you see the signs. Maybe you feel stuck because the economy is in a slump, and it seems no one is … [Read more...]

Have an Interview Horror Story? Tips to Shine at Your Next Career Fair 


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You arrive late because you forgot to pick up your suit from the cleaners. You didn't have a            chance to check you appearance in the bathroom before the interview began, so the entire time you had tomato stuck in your teeth and didn't know it. That's just great. Now the interviewer thinks you were running late because you stopped at your favorite pizza joint. How in the world do you climb out of this hole?

 After all, this was the company you've just been dying to work for. If … [Read more...]

What’s Your Attitude? Is it Contagious? Or Does it Repel?

Walt Disney Pictures

Are you a movie buff? Or are you a sucker for a good action film or chick flick? My favorite types of movies are those based on real-life events. And although I realize Hollywood fictionalizes some aspect of the true story to enhance the film, I always get chills during the part of the movie when the protagonist experiences sudden revelation or insight. One of my favorite scenes that serves as an example of this, is in the movie Remember The Titans. In case you haven’t seen it, Titans … [Read more...]

“No Excuses,” I tell myself. “I’ll get started right away. . . But first, I need a nap.”

"No Excuses" Video

In a recent post, I briefly talked about some of the negative thinking and excuses we make. We allow these thoughts to swim through our heads, breeding fear and insecurity in our hearts and minds and keeping us from pursuing our dreams one hundred percent. Well, I stumbled upon this video on the internet today. Some of you may have already seen the year-old ad campaign. But even if you have, it serves as a great reminder that nothing is impossible for those of us who believe AND who also … [Read more...]

Is Your Past Dictating Your Future? Live Your Dreams Despite Your Past

I received in my inbox today a VERY ENCOURAGING message from someone I knew growing up. She doesn’t know that I’m using her as the inspiration for today’s post so in an effort to keep her identity anonymous, I will call her Lisa. Lisa has been following the blog since its inception. Which by the way hasn’t even been a week! So it’s nice to already have some loyal supporters. Thanks Lisa! In summary, she shared with me how she felt she made some less than positive choices growing up, … [Read more...]