Picture this: It's a Monday morning, and instead of battling traffic and squeezing onto a packed train, you're sipping your coffee in your sunlit home office, ready to tackle the day on your own terms.
Sounds like a dream, right?
But for countless mid-career women, this dream is becoming a reality – and it could be yours, too.
1. More time for what matters: No more wasted hours commuting or dealing with office distractions.
Imagine having an extra hour or two each day to spend with your family, pursue a passion project, volunteer, or simply relax and recharge. Remote work gives you the gift of time – and time is something you can't get back.
2. Less stress, more balance: Studies show that remote workers report lower stress levels, better sleep, and improved overall well-being.
When you eliminate the daily grind of commuting and office politics,...
Can you believe we're already more than halfway through 2024?
It feels like it was just yesterday when we were making our New Year's resolutions and setting ambitious goals. Time sure flies when you're busy! But instead of letting the passing of time stress us out, let's take a moment to reflect and re-energize our careers.
As a career coach who specializes in working with mid-career women, I've found that mid-year check-ins are incredibly powerful. They offer us a chance to pause, reassess our priorities, and make sure we're still on track with our ambitions.
So, grab a cup of tea (or a glass of wine), get comfy, and let's have an honest conversation about your career goals.
Where are you now and where do you want to be?
Think of your career as a marathon, not a sprint. Mid-year check-ins are like those water stations along the route – essential for rehydration, refueling, and...
Being mid-career can be a time of immense potential...and immense frustration.
From the outside looking in, you're doing great but moving up feels hard. It’s annoying. It’s infuriating. It’s… fixable.
So what now? Well now, I’m going to give you 5 common questions you might be asking yourself and uncover the steps you can take to finally get that promotion and/or raise that you deserve.
The Issue: You nailed that presentation, but your boss only praises your other colleague. You constantly share brilliant ideas in meetings, but they seem to go in one ear and out the other. Meanwhile, less experienced team members are getting tapped for exciting new projects. It feels like no one notices your hard work or your potential.
The Solution:
1. Document your wins: Start a "Wins" file (or Brag Folder as I call mine) where you keep track...
Forget the idea that summer means hitting pause on your career. With a bit of intention, it's actually the perfect time to make smart moves toward your goals!
Summer often brings a slightly slower pace at work, giving you the mental space to refocus, learn, and grow. Whether you're dreaming of a promotion, a career switch, or just want to feel more energized in your work, summer is yours to seize.
Let's dive into actionable tips to help you take advantage of the season and get closer to where you want to be professionally.
Don't just drift through summer expecting that career magic will suddenly happen in the Fall. What do you REALLY want to achieve by the end of the year? More visibility at work? A promotion? New skills in a cutting-edge field?
Action Step for You: Break down your big-picture goal into 2-3 smaller milestones you can aim for this summer. This makes progress feel achievable!
Imagine this: You're in the interview. Everything's going well, then suddenly – BAM! – the interviewer asks a question that throws you off. You freeze, your mind races, and all you can manage is a weak answer. Later, you replay the moment and think of an amazing answer. Doh!
We've all been there! Unexpected interview questions can trip up even the best of us. But here's the thing: you can be ready for them! Preparation is the secret weapon to nailing those tough questions and walking away feeling confident. Let's dive in!
Why they ask: Employers want to see how you handle setbacks and learn from mistakes. Nobody's perfect, and owning up to a failure shows maturity.
How to answer: Focus on a specific example, but be brief with the initial mistake. Emphasize what you learned and how you applied those lessons to improve in later situations....
Feeling a bit lost or disconnected in your career? Like, when you finally take a moment to catch your breath and look around, do you think “Is this all there is?” Or “I don't know what I want to do next but it ain’t this!”
It's a completely normal experience, especially for women at this career stage. Many of us find it challenging to expand our network or feel unsure of how to tap into its potential. Let's tackle this head-on with advice designed just for you.
Taking time out of the workforce happens, whether it's to raise a family or tackle personal circumstances. But stepping back in can feel intimidating. First, remember you have valuable skills and experience.
Here's how to reconnect and update your network:
Reconnect with Purpose
Reach out to former colleagues and see what they're up to. You can send them a quick message via...
Hit a wall in your career? You're not alone.
Many of us reach a point where what we're doing just doesn't feel right anymore. Maybe you're bored, maybe you crave more challenges, or maybe you always had a different dream bubbling under the surface. Whether it's a nagging whisper or a full-blown scream, it's time to listen to that inner voice pushing for change.
Feeling a bit terrified about hitting mid-career reset is totally normal!
The "Shoulds"
Society places so much pressure on women to fit certain roles, and stepping outside those roles can make us doubt ourselves. Been there. Still trying to avoid doing that!
Juggling Act
Often, we're managing care for kids, parents, and ourselves on top of a demanding job, leaving zero space for career soul-searching.
Confidence Gap
It's no secret that the workplace isn't always a level field....
The job market is a whirlwind of change and if you're still relying solely on your resume to get noticed, you might be getting left behind. LinkedIn isn't just another social media site – it's a dynamic platform to highlight your skills, build your network, and become your own biggest advocate. Let's dive in and transform your LinkedIn profile into a powerful tool that opens up new doors for you.
Your LinkedIn profile serves as your digital storefront within the professional world. Here's why it deserves just as much attention as your resume:
1 Visibility
Recruiters and hiring managers actively use LinkedIn to find talent. An up-to-date profile boosts your chances of being discovered.
2 Networking
LinkedIn is a goldmine for connecting with people in your field, which can lead to exciting opportunities and collaborations.
3 Personal Branding
Your profile is your chance...
Your career journey can be an amazing source of satisfaction and achievement. But let's be real – it has its ups and downs. Sometimes, the stress and demands of work sneak up on us, testing the limits of our mental well-being. It's easy to forget that protecting your mental well-being is even more important than developing your professional skills.
Let's dive into why prioritizing mental well-being at work matters and how to spot red flags.
Ignoring your mental well-being at work can spiral into problems that ripple throughout every area of your life.
Here's what might happen if you push your mental wellbeing aside:
Burnout
This isn't just feeling tired, it's a state of complete physical and emotional exhaustion. It crushes your focus and motivation and can feel impossible to bounce back from.
Difficulty Concentrating
When your mind is overloaded, it's...
A Brief History of AI
Imagine a world where machines could think. That dream sparked the birth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the 1950s. Visionaries like Alan Turing and John McCarthy laid the groundwork, wondering if computers could truly learn and solve problems like humans.
Fast forward a few decades, and AI made its way into our daily lives. From the voice assistants on our phones to the algorithms recommending our next favorite movie, AI has woven itself into the fabric of modern life.
How AI is Changing Jobs
Change can be unsettling, and yes, AI is transforming the workplace. But instead of focusing on jobs lost, let's shine a light on the opportunities it creates.
AI, the Productivity Powerhouse
AI excels at automating routine and repetitive tasks, freeing up your time to focus on what you do best – creative thinking, problem-solving, and building relationships. Imagine having AI handle the tedious data...
Figure Out Your Motivation, Skills, and Goals