The long-dreaded cover letter: a relic of the past or a powerful tool in your job search arsenal? 

In an age dominated by applicant tracking systems (ATS) and online applications, many job seekers question the value of this traditional document.

It’s a fair question, especially when simply filling out an application can take so much time. I know I’m not alone in wondering why employers require you to fill out online fields with your job experience (isn’t that what a resume is for?).

Not only that, but now employers are requiring projects, tests, and endless rounds of interviews. It’s exhausting.

Do employers read cover letters? Can they set you apart from other applicants? Do they actually make a difference in the job applicant pool?

More importantly: do cover letters still matter? And are they worth your time and energy when you could otherwise focus on other aspects of the job application process?

In this article, I’ll share some reasons why it may or may not make sense for you to craft a cover letter (hint: it depends). I’ll also give you a few tips for writing a compelling cover letter if you find you need one.

Read More

As we prepare to embark on a new year and celebrate the holidays, I imagine the last thing on your mind is your career plan. No doubt you have plenty else keeping you busy through the holidays, and you deserve to celebrate this magical time of year!

But while you’re celebrating, you might also take some time to reflect on your values and aspirations. Your aspirations for the new year might even include a new job, or perhaps a new career path. Maybe you’re seeking a promotion, or simply want to enhance your current role.

Regardless, it may benefit you to reflect on your goals, and crafting a well-defined career plan is essential for achieving your career goals.

In this article, I’ll give you seven key steps and strategies that you can use to build your career plan. Use this guide to elevate your career trajectory and set yourself up for success in the new year.

Read More

If you’ve ever taken a business college course, you probably didn’t learn when to get help in Entrepreneur 101. However, that doesn’t make getting help any less important.

Entrepreneurship can be a lonely path at times, but to be successful, you can’t truly do it all on your own. At some point, you’re going to need help.

Starting a business is hard work, even if you’re passionate about your business. There are so many things that need to be done, from developing a business plan to marketing your product or service. And it can be easy to feel overwhelmed, especially if you’re new to entrepreneurship.

That’s why it’s important to get help when you need it. There are many resources available to entrepreneurs, from government agencies to business organizations and individual mentors.

In this article, I’m going to tell you the signs it’s time to get support, resources that can provide you with help, and how to prepare for getting the help you’ll need to be a successful entrepreneur.

Read More

If you dream of turning your side hustle into a money-making machine, then one of the best things you can do for yourself is set realistic business growth expectations.

It’s not easy to be an entrepreneur, but success is possible, especially if you set reasonable expectations.

If you set your sights too high, then you set yourself up for disappointment. That disappointment can lead to a lack of motivation which can stunt your business growth entirely, and eventually lead it to failure.

On the other hand, if you set your sights too low, then you might miss out on potential opportunities.

It’s a bit like “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.” You don’t want to set your sights too high, or too low. You want exactly what’s right for you and your business. 

But how do you know what’s right?

In this article, I’m going to give you 7 key steps you can use to set realistic business growth expectations. Follow these tips and you’ll be well on your way to turning your side hustle into a money-making machine.

Read More

Job skills are essential to build a solid career. It can take time and effort to acquire and build the skills you need, but continuous development is essential for long-term career success.

Throughout my career, I’ve obtained various job skills, but a few have served me more than others.

In this article, I’m going to tell you about the 10 most important job skills I’ve obtained in my career. I’ll tell you how those skills served me in my career, and how you can enhance your skill set in these areas.

Read More

Negotiation skills are incredibly valuable, whether you’re negotiating a salary in a new job, or even deliberating with your partner about who’s taking the trash out.

If you’re looking to rev up your negotiation skills, then you likely intend to use them to deliberate with a potential new employer. However, your negotiation skills can serve you in many aspects of your life.

In today’s competitive job market, it’s more important than ever to have strong negotiation skills. Whether you’re negotiating your salary, benefits, or other terms of employment, you’ll want to come prepared.

In this article, I’ll share some simple ways you can use negotiation skills in your career, but in other ways as well. I’ll also tell you some of the key negotiation skills I’ve used to succeed in my interviews and in new hire conversations with employers.

Read More

My career switch began when I started my first business in 2017, but it wasn’t until 2019 that I shifted from a full-time laboratory manager role into a marketing communications role.

To be truthful, it was a tough transition to make, but then again, I’ve never heard of a career switch being perfectly smooth.

Despite the challenge, I knew that the career change was right for me.

In this article, I’ll tell you exactly how I made my career switch. I’ll also share 7 tips from my own learning experiences. These tips will help you make your own career switch, regardless of where you start in your career or where you’d like to end up.

Read More

If professional development matters to you and you’re balancing a chronic illness, you’re in the right place.

It’s not easy to balance a chronic illness with your professional pursuits, but if career advancement matters to you then it’s important to consider your professional development.

So how do you balance your professional and health needs? It’s not an easy balance to achieve, and if you’re anything like me, then you probably have to make frequent adjustments on your journey.

You don’t need to sacrifice your health or your career, but achieving that balance is essential if you dream of advancing your career.

In this article, you’ll get 10 tips you can use on your professional development journey so that you can better balance your chronic illness and your career goals.

Read More

If you’ve already made a reasonable accommodation request from your employer, then good work! It’s tough to even have the guts to speak up about what you need (I speak from experience).

Ideally, your employer will approve your request outright, however, there is a chance that they may deny it. The law compels your employer to approve your request, assuming it follows ADA guidelines.

However, your employer may deny your request for one of the following reasons:

1. They have fewer than 15 employees and/or can prove the request causes an undue hardship
2. They are unfamiliar with ADA laws
3. Your request has nothing to do with a disability

Whether you’ve already made your request, or you’re preparing for what could happen if your request is denied, this article will give you 7 steps you can use to achieve a better resolution if your reasonable accommodation request is denied.

Read More

It’s challenging to live with a disability, but you can still lead a happy fulfilled life, which might include building a successful career.

Many careers are well-suited for people with disabilities. The key is to find a career that matches your skills and interests, and that can be accommodated to meet your specific needs.

Reflect and determine which jobs are reasonable for you based on your condition. If you have back pain, for instance, then you may need to find a role that limits your need to lift a heavy burden. If you have a chronic illness that causes chronic fatigue, then you may need reduced or flexible hours.

There isn’t a one-size fits all approach, as your condition may impact your life in unique ways, so you’ll want to consider what you’ll need in your career to enable your success in the long term.

In this article, I’ll provide a brief overview of your disability rights, 7 tips to help you find a career that accommodates your disability, and 6 jobs that might be suitable for someone with a disability (depending on your specific needs).

Read More