Career Coaching

If you’ve worked with job seekers recently, you’ve likely heard a version of the same frustration: “I’ve applied to hundreds of jobs and heard nothing back.” “The unemployment rate is low, so why can’t I find a job?” “Everyone says companies are hiring, but it doesn’t feel that way.” The latest labor market data tells […]

In career management, AI is used by job seekers for resume and social media profile development and preparation for AI interviews, and by companies for reviewing resumes and conducting interviews.   Interviews I recently coached a client through interview preparation and simulations. When she joined the interview, AI conducted it. She had the option to […]

As usual – I was on the phone with one of my dearest friends. She works for a well known not-for-profit organization and one of her responsibilities is hiring.  “Why is it so hard to hire someone?” This was a rhetorical question. “It’s TikTok. TikTok has made people stupid.”  I laughed because she meant it […]

I am a bit fuzzy about the most important project I ever worked in my previous career—except it shapes the way I run my business. I remember the project directly affected national security, was classified above Top Secret, and would be read by people whose names I saw regularly on the front page of the […]

The federal government workforce experienced an unprecedented shake-up in 2025, with mass layoffs under the Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA), Deferred Resignation Offer, and other options. Moreover, the application process was transformed from a long, résumé-and-questions application to a short, industry-style two-page résumé and skills-based hiring process.  USA Today reported in December 2025 that more […]

Many of my Certified Professional Career Coaches ask me how to build a career coaching business.  Building a business is akin to a job search and career management. I coach clients seeking to build a business, much like a job search client. Instead of a résumé, the client may need a prospectus instead, for example. […]

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 […]

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 […]

“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 […]

Since the beginning of January 2026, PARWCC and 20 of its Certified Professional Career Coaches (CPCC) have been participating in a pilot career-coaching program with The Labor Club (TLC).  I would like to thank the CPCC volunteers who selflessly and generously gave of their time and resources to work with their clients, offering passion, empathy, […]

“All know the way, few actually walk it.” – Bodhidharma If the 5th century Buddhist monk I just quoted was alive today, I suspect he’d understand more about how to use LinkedIn than many of our clients, and if truth be told, many of us. When it comes to that gold standard for professional networking, […]

I recently sent a questionnaire to an executive client requesting her top five hard and top five soft skills. Interestingly, she named only soft skills.  As I built her résumé, I reviewed all of the materials she sent to work from, including a performance evaluation, previous résumé, essays, and more. I culled and identified several […]