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In early 2026, the job market tells a deceptively simple story. On the surface, the numbers appear steady. Job growth continues. Unemployment remains relatively low. By traditional measures, this is a stable employment environment. But the lived experience of job seekers – and the professionals who support them – suggests something more complex. Applications are […]

You work so hard with that top notch client. They had a great record of accomplishment. You guided them to apply for what seemed like a perfect job. Then came the email. Your client wants to know why they didn’t get the job. It’s so natural for them to blame themselves and you! I wrote […]

  Good morning, there!   Get practical business advice, real-world answers, and a supportive community that understands the unique challenges of building a career services business with PARWCC’s Build Your Business LIVE Cohort starting June 10th. Join us on May 20th to see how BYB can help you grow with clarity and confidence.     […]

  Last chance to save your seat for comprehensive LIVE Programs: Master Series on Salary and Compensation Negotiation starts April 22nd     Join us for informative sessions: Rising Professionals Networking Forum on April 28th Student Insights on May 1st Business Insights on May 7th Interview Insights on May 13th Learn from PARWCC contributors: Read […]

  Last chance to save your seat for comprehensive LIVE Programs: Certified Student Career Coach starts April 8th Master Series on Salary and Compensation Negotiation starts April 22nd     Join us this month for informative sessions: Interview Insights with Lili Foggle on the 8th Coaching Insights with Diane Hudson on the 9th Résumé Strategy […]

It is widely reported that most résumés get 6–10 seconds of reader attention on their first pass. Combine that thought with this one: the average adult reading speed is around 300 words per minute, which means a human reader processes about 5 words per second. A recruiter is not reading your résumé; they are sampling […]

In 1978 – the dark ages – a roller coaster opened at Great America in Gurnee Illinois called “The Tidal Wave”.  It was a big deal.It was one giant loop, 137 feet high that went 55 mph in 5 seconds. Every radio ad and commercial touted the “wild ride” and I used to stand in […]

As interview coaches, we spend weeks arming our clients to win the room. But the moment the “Congratulations” email hits their inbox, the conversation shifts to money. And suddenly, everyone starts to shrink. That’s why I’m bringing in Keri-Lynne Shaw for our next Interview Institute Master Series this month. Keri-Lynne spent 20 years in executive HR roles. […]

While February’s job losses made headlines, the broader context matters. Just one month earlier, employers added 130,000 jobs in January, suggesting that hiring momentum had begun to return after a sluggish second half of 2025. February’s decline reflects a labor market experiencing volatility rather than a single directional trend. Several factors contributed to February’s weaker […]

If you’ve followed this blog for a while (and if you don’t, you should — my mother likes when I’m validated by followers), you know that I often warn people against following the Tyranny of the Urgent in allocating their time. Best practice is to let clear priorities and goals be your north star, with […]

“Admiration must be kept up by the novelty that at first produced it; . . .  there must always be the impression that more remains.”  Samuel Johnson (1709 – 1784)   I’ll bet every client you have ever served is different from any other. I will also bet that, in one important sense, every client you […]

By chance…. Did you meet your spouse by coincidence?   Can you recall an unexplained coincidence that had a meaningful effect on your life? Have you experienced a coincidence that significantly shaped a family member’s life? Synchronicity:  “Meaningful” Coincidences There are two types of coincidences: Random Coincidences: Ones that occur routinely that are ordinary and pretty […]