Tag Archives: career planning

Apr 5 2025

STRATEGIES FOR CAREER ADVANCEMENT

For your career development and employment advancement, consider these actions:

  • Show your flexibility. People often believe that being indispensable and irreplaceable will guarantee job security. However, this approach can limit your career potential and opportunities. The key to success is to make yourself valuable but not indispensable. Being vital in doing one specific thing might result in your supervisors not wanting to move you from that position. You need to be very good at your job and willing to teach others the skills you have developed.
  • Take on new challenges. Your ability to adapt to new responsibilities shows your career potential. Seek opportunities beyond your usual job, especially those at the next level of the organization. Going above and beyond expectations may involve taking the initiative to support your manager’s workload or suggesting a plan to address an ongoing company concern.
  • Communicate your ambitions. Discuss your ambitions and abilities with those who make the hiring decisions. Get comfortable talking about your skills, experiences, and accomplishments that set you apart from others. This strategy can help you be considered for a position even before the job becomes available.
  • Use internal networking. Go beyond impressing your direct supervisor or hiring manager. Connect with others within your organization to talk about current projects, industry trends, and personal interests. Consider informational interviews with supervisors and others you don’t work with regularly. These interactions will make you known within the company and provide a better understanding of the overall organization.
  • Understand your personal motivations. Before seeking a promotion, consider what you want in your career. Carefully assess if a promotion is the next appropriate step to your long-term career aspirations and personal satisfaction. Moving from work you enjoy may not be in your best interest.

For additional information on job promotion strategies, click here.

Teaching Suggestions

  • Have students talk to others to learn about the actions they have taken to improve their career opportunities.
  • Use an AI platform to seek guidance for a career development plan. Enter your abilities, interests, and career aspirations and ask for actions for your career path.

Discussion Questions 

  1. Which actions in the article might you consider using in the future?
  2. Describe an action plan you might take for your future career advancement.    
Jun 8 2024

Making artificial intelligence (AI) work for workers

AI, like other technological advancements, will transform the way that many of us work. It holds enormous potential both to enhance opportunity and prosperity for workers and to exacerbate inequity, bias and job displacement. 

On Oct. 30, 2023 President Biden issued a landmark Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence. This executive order advances the comprehensive strategy for governing the development and use of artificial intelligence safely and responsibly. A key component of that strategy is the commitment to support our nation’s workers. This commitment involves ensuring that workers not only benefit from AI’s opportunities, such as new jobs and improved job quality, but are also protected from its dangers, including job displacement, discrimination, the undermining of workers’ rights and worsening job quality.

The scope of AI use in the workplace, both now and in the future, is expansive and dynamic. AI encompasses machine-based systems capable of learning human-like tasks, such as making predictions, recommendations or decisions. It can track workers, measure and predict their output, set performance goals, and recommend performance-based rewards or sanctions. AI systems can also process job applications, assess qualifications and identify top candidates for an HR professional. Generative AI capable of creating original content can, for example, draft new emails to clients based on previous exchanges, provide enhanced support to customer service agents and write new software code. While these examples demonstrate AI’s potential to increase workers’ productivity and efficiency, this technology also poses risks of deteriorating job quality, embedding bias or replacing workers altogether.

For more information, click here.

Teaching Suggestions

  • Ask the students to make a list of risks that Artificial Intelligence AI) poses to workers.
  • Ask students if state and federal governments should engage with employers, AI developers, unions, worker advocates and researchers in order to develop best practices of the use of AI.

Discussion Questions

  1. Why is the federal government concerned with the use of AI in the workplace?
  2. What are potential benefits of AI in the workplace?
  3. What might be implications of employers using AI to collect data on workers, including issues such as data privacy, ownership and transparency?
Apr 13 2024

BE READY TO ANSWER THESE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Several CEOs were asked “If you could only ask one question of a prospective employee, what would that be?” Here are some examples designed to quickly assess the important skills and personality traits desired in a new hire:

  • How would you describe yourself in one word? The best candidates know who they are, and take time to reflect before answering this question.
  • What is the last thing you’ve learned? This question provides insight into a candidate’s curiosity and passion for learning – two highly desired skills for many work situations.
  • What didn’t you get a chance to include on your resume? This question allows the interviewer to dig deeper than what is on a person’s resume. 
  • How long are you willing to fail at this job before you succeed? While this question might disorient a person, a good candidate will express perseverance for success as well as seeking guidance to guide their path. 
  • What’s in the news today? A person’s awareness of current events can reveal how interesting someone is as a person, and how effective they might be at work. 
  • What percentage of your life do you control? This question can determine if a person can force change to happen or allows change to happen to them.
  • Tell me something that’s true, that almost nobody agrees with you on. This question can reveal people who aren’t afraid to speak their minds and possess originality of thinking.   
  • So, what’s your story? This question has no correct answer, but requires a creative response related to their character, imagination, and ability to communicate a feeling.

Being prepared for these and other questions requires knowing yourself, communicating your competencies and experiences, and researching the company and job position.  One other question you might consider: How did you prepare for this interview?

For additional information on interview questions, click here.

Teaching Suggestions

  • Have students practice their interview skills using some of these questions.
  • Have students talk to others to obtain suggestions for preparing for an interview and tips for effective interviewing.

Discussion Questions 

  1. What mistakes might a person make when answering interview questions?
  2. What actions would you recommend for a person to improve their interview skills?
Jan 21 2023

PREPARING FOR A RECESSION

If you stay ready…you don’t have to get ready!!  Whether or not a recession occurs, certain personal actions will be beneficial for your future.

Job loss is the most common effect of a recession. This can occur due to a layoff, furlough, or company failure.  With many people all experiencing job loss, finding a new job is difficult. For those who keep their jobs, they may experience pay cuts, reduced benefits, and no pay raises. Another major concern is the decline in value of stocks, bonds, real estate, and other assets. 

To be ready to cope if an economic downturn occurs, consider these financial strategies:

  • Monitor your monthly expenses. Know what it costs to live so there are no surprises. Be ready to pay items that occur only once a year.
  • Cut unnecessary spending. Look back at your spending to see what you could have done without. Add up what you could have avoided to make sure you spend less than you make. Possible areas to cut include cable TV, streaming services, gym membership, online music subscriptions, and a less expensive cellphone plan.
  • Start or expand your emergency fund.  No matter how small, be sure to set aside funds for poor economic times. To build your fund, have an amount automatically deposited in a saving account each month.   
  • Budget everything. Telling your money where it will go keeps you in control.    
  • Avoid debt. Just like saving, paying off debt can start small.
  • Be in contact with others to discuss possible late payments, reduced costs, cancel services, and other actions to cope financially.
  • Maintain retirement savings. Keep contributing to your retirement fund so it will be there when you need it. 

For career planning during times of recession, consider the following actions:

  • Inventory your skills, especially those that relate to essential work for your current employers and other organizations. 
  • Expand your skills through online certifications, courses, and training programs. 
  • Be adaptable. Step up to take on tasks needed within your company. 
  • Network for freelance work. Connect with others in your industry for consulting opportunities.
  • Be prepared for the unexpected. Despite taking these actions, a layoff may still occur. If that happens, expand your skills, update your resume, and connect to others through LinkedIn and community service activities.

For additional information on financial planning during a recession,

Source #1

Source #2

Teaching Suggestions

  • Have students research current economic conditions to determine the status of employment and inflation.
  • Have students create a podcast to encourage others to act on the suggestions in the article.

Discussion Questions 

  1. What are the benefits of these actions during every type of economic situation?
  2. Describe actions a person might take to better understand potential career opportunities.
Nov 13 2022

MONEY TIPS FOR YOUR FIRST JOB

As young people get their first full-time job with a substantial paycheck, their money management activities need to be reconsidered, which include: 

1. Automate your savings. For unexpected expenses and major purchases, set aside a specific percentage or amount of your income from every paycheck. These funds should be directed to one or more dedicated accounts.  

2. Make use of different accounts. This money management strategy can help you plan for different savings goals and can prevent spending money planned for a specific purpose. Consider using a checking account to pay regular expenses, along with one or more savings accounts.

3. Start retirement saving. Start with 3 to 5 percent of your gross income, increasing to 15 percent as soon as you get raises and bonuses. These funds may be in a company-sponsored 401(k) or a personal IRA or Roth IRA.

4. Pay off debt. If you have college debt, create a plan to pay it off, especially credit card debt. Set a goal to become debt free in your 20s.

5. Practice wise spending. Minimize your transportation, housing, and clothing expenses.

For additional information on money tips for your first job, click here.

Teaching Suggestions

  • Have students talk to others to obtain money management suggestions to implement when completing college and starting work.
  • Have students create a personal plan for improved money management.

Discussion Questions 

  1. Why do people start taking on more debt when starting work?
  2. Describe money management actions you might take as you complete college.
Aug 8 2020

Virtual Interviews

Lock-downs, sheltering in, and remote working have increased online and virtual interviews.  To prepare for this activity, consider these suggestions from career planning experts.

  • Some things haven’t changed. Maintain a professional appearance. Wear solid colors; stripes and patterns can be distracting.
  • Plan a quiet environment. Keep the door and windows closed; silence your cell phone. Close other sites on your computer to avoid pop-ups and maintain focus. Remove pets and children from the area to prevent distractions.
  • Select an appropriate background. Clutter and other home items should be out of sight. Set up a blank background that doesn’t clash with your clothing color.
  • Use a small chair. Check your lighting to avoid shadows and glares. Natural light is usually best, but beware of direct backlighting, like a window behind you.
  • Choose an appropriate camera angle so the interviewer can clearly see you. Avoid using a phone for a video interview.
  • Test in advance and practice. Try out the software, and install a backup copy on a second device. Do a test run before the interview day to verify that audio, video, and lighting are appropriate. Record your practice session to view how you might improve.
  • Check your time, especially if in a different time zone.
  • Maintain eye contact with the camera. Set notes on the wall behind the screen with reminders of key points and questions to ask.
  • Show energy and enthusiasm. Move around and do light exercises before you start.

LinkedIn has introduced software when preparing for a virtual interview. Artificial intelligence programs give feedback on practice answers for common questions. The critique includes an assessment on pacing, use of filler words, and phrases to avoid.

For additional information on virtual interviews, go to:

Article #1

Article #2

Teaching Suggestions

  • Have students practice their interview skills for a virtual interview.
  • Have students talk to others about methods used to prepare for an interview.

Discussion Questions 

  1. What are the main differences between an in-person and virtual interview?
  2. Describe benefits and drawback that might be present when using artificial intelligence to prepare for a virtual interview.
Dec 28 2019

Financial Planning for a Career Change

When considering a career change, the following financial suggestions are offered:

  • have an appropriate amount of savings for unexpected expenses during the transition.
  • create a budget to live frugally; cut living costs to be prepared for sudden expenses.
  • reassess your investment portfolio to reduce risk exposure and possibly eliminate fees.
  • seek advice from a financial advisor.
  • determine how a career switch might impact your ability to save.

For additional information on financial advice when changing careers, click here.

Teaching Suggestions

  • Have students talk to a person who recently changed jobs to obtain information about their experiences.
  • Have students create a video presentation with suggested actions when planning to change careers.

Discussion Questions 

  1. What relationship exists between a person’s career choice and money management activities?
  2. Describe additional financial planning actions that might be appropriate when considering a career change.
May 5 2018

Career Destroying Mistakes

Conducting an annual review of your career situation is vital for long-term success and satisfaction. To achieve career goals, avoid these mistakes:

  • Ignoring relationships within your organization. Connections with co-workers and managers is often reported as one of the most important factors for career advancement.
  • Not getting proper rest. Sacrificing sleep for achieving career goals can be very dangerous, such as creating stress in your relationships with co-workers and hindering job performance.
  • Becoming too diversified. Select an area of expertise to focus your efforts and energy.
  • Limiting your network activities. Expanding and connecting with contacts allows you to be aware of more opportunities while also developing awareness of industry trends.
  • Not being care in your social life. With social media, many aspects of your private life become public. Be cautious of what you post online.

For additional information on career mistakes, click here.

Teaching Suggestions

  • Have students talk with friends about their experiences with these career mistakes.
  • Have students suggest actions for avoiding these career mistakes.

Discussion Questions 

  1. What situations have you heard of that resulted in limited career advancement?
  2. Describe other possible career mistakes that might be avoided.
Mar 24 2018

How to Profit from the Ultra-Tight Job Market Right Now

“The war for talent that obsesses tech companies is intensifying and is about to spread economywide.”

This Fortune article is a must read for job seekers in today’s world, Geoff Colvin explains that after nine years of sluggish economic growth, the economy has turned the corner and creating jobs at a record pace.  The hiring boom is not only creating opportunities for unemployed workers, but also currently-employed workers who want to get a better or higher-paying jobs.

In the current job market, employers are seeking talented employees that have a great future.  Traits that include creativity, the willingness to work hard, and love of learning often help employers evaluate potential.  Digital skills are very important, but not restricted to just tech companies.  For example, many retailers are hiring workers who can use digital skills to reach customers in new ways.

Human skills are also more important than in the past.  Companies want workers to feel they’re part of the organization and a valued asset.  These “same people” skills are very important for workers applying for management positions.

For more information, click here.

Teaching Suggestions

You may want to use the information in this blog post and the original article to

  • Reinforce that employers want workers who have the knowledge and skills that they need, but also are willing to work hard, become part of the organization, and keep learning once they get the job.

Discussion Questions

  1. How do you develop the traits and skills so that employers are willing to pay you a salary?
  2. If you were an employer, how would you choose between job applicants applying for a customer service position at American Airlines? What traits and skills are most important?
Dec 30 2017

Creating a Strong Interview Impression

Nearly everyone has minor stumbles in a job interview.  However, these flaws can be overcome with actions to engage the interviewer.  Some ways to make yourself memorable in an interview include:

  • Start the interview with a question or comment that reflects your preparation about the company.
  • As appropriate, answer the questions you are asked with a question. This approach is usually only valid when talking with operating staff, but not with a human resources person.
  • Remember to emphasize your awareness and potential contributions to the needs of the company, including ideas for addressing current concerns and market opportunities. Rather than a specific solution, communicate your sensitivity and awareness of their problems.
  • Show your humanness through humor, openness, and vulnerability.
  • Prepare with strong research on the company that allows you to better answer expected questions and to interact as you discuss your experiences and potential organizational contributions.
  • Think and talk like a consultant to communicate confidence and competency.

For additional information on strong interview impression, click here.

Teaching Suggestions

  • Have students role play situations interview situations that they might encounter when applying for a job.
  • Have students create responses to potential interview questions based on the suggestions in this article.

Discussion Questions 

  1. How might the advice offered in this article be used when you are in an interview situation?
  2. Describe some common mistakes people might make in interviews. Explain actions to overcome these mistakes.