Are You Thriving Or Barely Surviving? Career Inspiration for the Slacker

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An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife enjoying his extended family. He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire. They could get by. The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said ‘yes’, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He … [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...]

Want to Reinvent Yourself? Personal Branding is Key

Courtesy of Dreamstime

Today's post was inspired by football wide receiver Terrell Owens, aka T.O., and his new reality-based television show called The T.O. Show. Honestly, I was a bit . . . no, very reluctant to watch the show, which airs on VH1 Mondays. I'm not very familiar with his professional football career. But in the few times that I have seen him in the media, I felt he was generally portrayed as some bad guy slash conceited, hot head on and off the field. Because of that, I've never really had a … [Read more...]

Your Level of Discipline Could Equal Your Aptitude for Success

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When I started this blog almost two weeks ago, I made a decision that I’d post at least one article a day for a certain period of time. It’s taken great discipline to come up with the story ideas, do the research to expand on those ideas, and then to actually sit down and write. As you know, my posts in general are in the range of 500 to 1,200 words. So, writing to this extent on a daily basis, while juggling other responsibilities, is never easy. But, thankfully for me, it's fun! Plus, it … [Read more...]

Top 10 Do’s to Turning Your Passion Into a Dream Career

Courtesy of Dreamstime

Last year, I quit my full-time job to stay at home with my daughter, rather than put her in daycare. I knew, within the first couple of months, that I didn't want to just sit around watching soap operas and court shows while eating bon-bons as she took her naps. (In a previous post, I explained how my daughter spent the first couple of months of her life in the NICU. During that time, I was home without the baby and had lots of time to think when I wasn't sleeping or pumping.) I needed … [Read more...]

How to Upgrade Your Image & Gain More Respect (And Opportunities!)

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First, I’d like to start today’s post by saying “thank you” to all the folks who’ve supported the blog since its inception about a week ago. And to those who’ve recently joined the Career Pioneer bandwagon, you’re in for a great ride. I realize in today’s cluttered world, you have many other sites vying for your attention, so your stopping by to visit and considering the blog a sensible resource is greatly appreciated. Your continued and overwhelming support will not be forgotten. You can … [Read more...]

News

First Annual Power 30 Under 30 Awards, Washington, DC Photo Credit: http://power30under30.com Photographer, Kat Goduco

### Apex Society selects professional development blogger, journalist as awards finalist The 2010 Power 30 Under 30 Awards™ honors 30 young professionals in their chosen fields WASHINGTON, DC (October 7, 2010) — Emily Ann Brown, a Washington, D.C.-based journalist and the founder and key contributor of TheCareerPioneer.com, announced today that she was selected as a finalist for the Apex Society's annual Power 30 Under 30™ Awards. The Power 30 Under 30™ Awards honors 30 outstanding … [Read more...]