by 0187289787602 | Jan 4, 2016 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
Whether you have started the New Year motivated to change your job or career as soon as possible, or you simply need to revisit your resumé file to make sure it is up to date, the task of creating or revising it can be incredibly daunting. Capturing your career to...
by 0187289787602 | Dec 28, 2015 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
With the New Year often comes the desire for a big change in your job, namely, that it’s time to find a new one. Reports are out that a significant number of employers anticipate hiring more people in the first half of 2016 than were brought on board in the last half...
by 0187289787602 | Dec 14, 2015 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers, Management
Job search preparation is not just for the candidates. On the other side of their searches are important openings employers want to fill with the perfect fit. Attracting and having an offer accepted from that ideal candidate takes a lot of careful consideration,...
by Ivy Alphonse-Leja | Dec 7, 2015 | Advice, Featured
Strong organizations require strong Board members especially as millennials turn to careers in environments that support a social mission. Nonprofit organizations have a real opportunity to capitalize on this influx of young, passionate, potential hires. Before...
by Ivy Alphonse-Leja | Nov 30, 2015 | Advice, Featured
A positive work environment can be a large factor in lowering turnover rates at a company. Open offices with loose floor plans are a burgeoning trend. But, free thought without structure or critique can be just as damaging as too many restrictions. This is the focus...
by Ivy Alphonse-Leja | Nov 16, 2015 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers, Management
In a world of fast fixes and articles that focus on a “get rich quick” business angle, Stephen Key offers his version of the tell-it-like-it-is breakdown of what it means to be an entrepreneur in his article, “11 Truths About Being an Entrepreneur.” Key, a 30-year...
by Ivy Alphonse-Leja | Nov 9, 2015 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers, Management
There is encouraging news for nonprofits. Millennials (twenty-something to thirty-something year olds) often seek alignment to a cause while defining their career choices. Organizations that are cause-based definitely have the advantage when Millennials shop for jobs....
by Ivy Alphonse-Leja | Oct 13, 2015 | Advice, Featured
Entering into a new business venture can be a lot like starting a new relationship: both endeavors are exciting and often romanticized beyond reality. Aspiring entrepreneurs may have dreams of innovation beyond the nine-to-five workplace, but, before jumping into a...
by Karen Alphonse | Dec 2, 2014 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers, Management
Question: Our company is about to hire a new COO who will manage the whole finance department. We want to be very sure she has strong interpersonal and technical skills. We have spoken to all of her listed references, and, while they have been off the charts, I...
by Karen Alphonse | Nov 11, 2014 | Advice, Featured, Management
Question: I am at the top of my game having just been promoted into the CEO role at a major corporation. Yet, I am feeling strangely dissatisfied and lonely despite my professional accolades. It seems as if I attend meeting after meeting and as if I am not...
by Karen Alphonse | Oct 21, 2014 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
Question: I am applying for C-Suite position with a company. The position description requires a “thoughtful” cover letter. What does this mean? How do I draft one? Answer: As you already know, you need to respond to the skills, traits and qualities listed in the...
by Karen Alphonse | Sep 30, 2014 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
Question: I am a licensed social worker who has been putting time in at law firms and finance companies on Wall Street for the past two decades. I have been promoted regularly and earn an executive salary. At the same time, I have taken social services courses to...
by Karen Alphonse | Sep 9, 2014 | Advice, Featured, Management
Question: I am a human resources officer, and our company wants to set up really effective professional development programs. How should we go about doing this? Answer: Kudos to you for thinking seriously about this. Many employees welcome the chance to grow and...
by Karen Alphonse | Aug 19, 2014 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
Question: I am a highly qualified financial manager who just moved across the country for family reasons. The location where I am presently located has much lower salaries than the DC area from where I relocated. I cannot move back to DC to take advantage of the...
by Karen Alphonse | Jul 29, 2014 | Advice, Featured, Management
Question: I struggle to be the kind of boss my employees will respect and like. But, I am often confronted with shoddy work, poor employee attitudes and mistakes that shouldn’t be happening. What I am supposed to do? Can I continue to be nice while things fall...
by Karen Alphonse | Jul 8, 2014 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
Question: I have been doing international contracts for the past decade. Many of them have been with affiliated organizations. Recently, I saw a great opportunity with an NGO with which I worked several years ago. I want to apply, but I hesitate. Is there some...
by Karen Alphonse | Jun 17, 2014 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
Q: I am an international development professional. I have worked many years on economic development issues for NGOs in Eastern Europe and Africa. It’s time for me to launch myself as a leader. I just saw a Director role that has been posted for two locations, ...
by Karen Alphonse | May 27, 2014 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
Q: I am a CFO, and a well-respected, local nonprofit is looking for an operations person with a strong finance background. This is a really exciting opportunity as the organization is in growth mode, and I could see myself leading it one day. The crunch is about the...
by Karen Alphonse | May 6, 2014 | Advice, Featured, Management
Q: How can you tell good managers from bad ones? What sets them apart? A: No one deliberately sets out to be a “bad” manager. Therefore, I would reframe the question as one that focuses on a leader’s effectiveness. Effective leaders often have concrete ideas as...
by Karen Alphonse | Apr 15, 2014 | Advice, Featured, Job Seekers
Q: About 10 years, ago, I came to the United States from a country overseas. I earned my first degree in accounting followed by a second degree in business organization from solid colleges. I know I am highly qualified, competent and have excellent references. ...
