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The word “networking” often has a negative connotation to some – it feels daunting and challenging. Networking conjures images of “working” a room at a networking event, shaking hands with scores of people, laughing and smiling ingeniously, and groveling for a job.  However, relationship building sounds much more palatable. We naturally build relationships with family […]

The traditional process of networking for a job is often described as a soul-crushing endeavor – filled with uncertainty, rejection, and anxiety. For many job seekers, networking feels like begging: a disempowering process of pleading, in a humiliating manner, for help, asking for favors, and hoping someone takes pity on them. But what if networking […]

Federal Government Overhauls Executive Hiring: What It Means for the Future of Public Sector Leadership ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (June 17, 2025) — The Professional Association of Résumé Writers & Career Coaches (PARWCC) today announced the release of a critical new guide, “Federal Employment Changes: OPM Overhauls the SES Hiring Process,” providing career services professionals with […]

In a memorandum issued May 29, 2025, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announced significant changes to the Senior Executive Service (SES) hiring process. These reforms redefine the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and streamline how candidates apply and are assessed, shifting the focus to merit-based criteria.  Here’s a breakdown of the key changes: Updated […]

  View in browser Today’s job market is weird, no doubt about that. But you can still equip your clients with effective tools by using the strategies in the blog below. Read about how to hone your labor market literacy to set realistic expectations and reframe client frustrations.   Professional development is easier with colleagues! […]

  View in browser If you haven’t seen it yet, take a look at this month’s Spotlight Magazine. This monthly publication (exclusively available for members – renew your membership) features articles written by industry experts to give you up-to-the-minute tactics and strategies to write, coach, and grow your business.   Every business has friction whether […]

Friction is just about everywhere you look. But if you’re the person in charge, it’s your job to minimize it as much as possible. Every transaction, customer engagement, product delivery, etc., is going to have some level of friction. That’s true for anyone who doesn’t operate 100% by themselves. While you can never completely remove […]

Interviewing is hard work. I tell my clients, “You can prepare for 1,000 questions – and you will get asked question 1,001 – the one for which you did not prepare.” Most of the hiring managers I have interviewed and spoken to about applicant interviews – they all tell me: “The applicants are not prepared, […]

The U.S. labor market showed mixed signals in March, as job openings fell to their lowest level since 2024 while hiring remained steady, and layoffs stayed relatively unchanged. Data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics points to a job market that’s no longer overheating but not in free fall either. Total job openings dropped […]

“The words ‘job interview’. . .are a red flag.  Danger ahead.  Our instinctual brain causes us to react before we have analyzed the threat. Overthinking whips us into a state of constant anxiety and stress in the days leading up to . . . a job interview. . .” – upliftrecruitment.au, March 2025  In this […]

A résumé is more than a job application tool—it’s a foundation for interview success. Many clients don’t realize how the résumé writing process helps them clarify their story, highlight accomplishments, and build confidence. As their résumé writer, you can show them how it prepares them for the next step.   The Story Gets Clarified | […]

All things being equal, hiring decision-makers hire those candidates they come to know, like, and trust. This is a simple philosophical concept that is pretty much a constant throughout the hiring process. It comes down to, “Do I know you and like you well enough to trust that you can perform as expected when hired?”  […]