Careerstone Group Insights

15 Top Tips to Manage Up

Managing up is about proactively developing productive and positive workplace relationships with our bosses, managers, and leaders. Whether we like it or not, our bosses have enormous influence over our ability to succeed, thrive, and advance in our organizations, in our careers, and in our own leadership…  Read More

Learn About the "A" in DEIA During National Disability Employment

Over the past several years, organizations have increasingly prioritized DEIA. But, quick: can you say what the A stands for? You know D is for diversity, E is for equity, and I is for inclusion. But could you immediately call up “accessibility” for the A? No shame if the answer is no. And no extra…  Read More

From Script to Strategy: The Power of Storytelling for Professional Impact

Imagine your next work meeting as an opportunity not only to present data, but to craft a story that captivates your audience. Storytelling at work elevates the mundane, turning a potentially dry status update into an engaging narrative that sparks interest and inspires action. Storytelling at work is…  Read More

Build a Psychologically Safe Team and Boost Results

The Linchpin of Team Performance Think of the best team you’ve ever been on. What made it so great? Were team members able to voice concerns freely? Did you harvest innovative ideas through a thicket of duds? And when you brought those duds to the brainstorm session, did everyone just gather them up…  Read More

Channel Your Inner Olympian

The 2024 Olympic Games begin at the end of this month, attracting more than 3 billion global viewers. Steeped in history and tradition, athletes from 206 countries will compete in 32 different sports with 339 events in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. There’s so much to love and appreciate about the Olympics:…  Read More

Pride in the Workplace

While June is as good a time as any to recognize the contributions of LGBTQIA+ individuals in the workplace, the true goal is creating spaces that are inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity, and where all people are valued and respected. How can our workplaces demonstrate a commitment to…  Read More

Pressed, Stressed, or a Hot Mess? Practice Cognitive Flexibility

What stresses you out most? The Careerstone team will go first:  • Lack of timely responses • Work overload • Multiple concurrent deadlines • Inconsistent communication • Unclear expectations and guidelines Sound familiar? Whether you share these work stressors or experience others,…  Read More

Leveraging Generational Diversity as a DEIA Strategy

Tell me your generation without telling me your generation. Do you miss the office, keep your camera on in Zoom meetings, and use your printer liberally? Are you in love with the flexibility of remote work and roll your eyes at authority? Do you like a lot of feedback from your boss and bring your…  Read More

Authentically Invest in Employee Engagement

Ask 10 people: “what helps you feel motivated and engaged at work?” and you’re likely to get 10 or more different responses! Meaningful work. Being part of a great team. Feeling challenged. The paycheck. Flexible work schedule. Recognition. A commitment to producing high quality work. Autonomy.…  Read More

Show Your Love at Work by Becoming an Ally

This month we’re embracing love on Valentine’s Day and honoring the triumphs of African Americans for Black History Month. Extend those celebrations into your workplace by creating a space where every voice is heard, and differences are celebrated: Work on becoming an ally. An ally actively supports…  Read More

Cultivating Culture in the Hybrid Workplace

For most of our clients, the hybrid workplace is here to stay. Many organizations have incorporated workplace flexibilities in ways we could not have imagined prior to the pandemic. Now there are myriad ways to “show up” at work — in the office, from one’s home office, or even a plane ride away…  Read More

Fill the Workplace with Cheer at the End of the Year

The trees are bare, a chilly breeze blows through the air, and bright lights deck the halls. The holiday season is here and in full swing. Whether or not your company plans to host a virtual soiree or an in-person party, you and your team can still celebrate this season with joy and cheer. Make spirits…  Read More

Reflect and Set Intentions to Own Your Career

When did you last set aside time to consider what you want out of your career? Last month? Last year? Never?  With the new year approaching, now is the time to take stock of your career. If you’re lucky enough to have a boss who’s invested in your success, maybe she will raise this topic with…  Read More

Manage Up, Down, & Across For Career Success

As much as we would love to believe that the workplace is (or should be) a complete meritocracy, where just being great at our individual job is all that we need to succeed, reality tells a different story. The real (and inconvenient) truth is that the workplace is a social system—and in a social system,…  Read More

Let Your Quiet Performers Shine

Think back to your last meeting or brainstorming session. Who received the most credit for their ideas or appeared to make the most valuable contributions? Probably the most outgoing people or loudest voices in the room. Despite more than half  the world’s population displaying a preference for…  Read More

Networking Now: Connecting Creatively in 2023

Does hearing the word “networking” send a chill down your spine? It might evoke the image of crowded hotel conference rooms and asking strangers to help you land your next job – ick. At Careerstone, we believe that networking is actually about building meaningful and mutually beneficial relationships…  Read More

Transition Back to Work from Vacation with Ease

You just got back from a well-deserved summer vacation feeling relaxed, rejuvenated, and reinspired. Until you’re greeted by an overflowing email inbox. Don’t let the post-vacation blues get the best of you (or convince you not to take a vacation at all). Trust that you prepared for your trip appropriately…  Read More

Gen Z is Shaking Up the World of Work

Make way for a new wave of young professionals entering the workforce! Gen Z has arrived and they’re ready to make their mark. This young generation tends to get a bad rap with older ones who characterize them as lazy, entitled, and coddled, and while it’s never fair to paint any generation with…  Read More

Emerging into the Workforce as a Gen Z’er

By Kristen Wilhelm Kristen Wilhelm is Careerstone Group’s 2023 Summer Intern. She attends Goucher College as a Business Management Major. Members of Generation Z, those born from 1997 to 2012, may be the first group in history with the option to seek meaningful college internship experiences that…  Read More

Build a Happier and (Mentally) Healthier Workplace

Each morning that you walk through the office door or sit down in front of your computer to work from home, you bring part of your personal life with you. For one in five Americans, that means some form of mental illness pulls up a seat with them to work every single day. Unfortunately, no one can check…  Read More

Powerful Workplace Peers

In the professional world, we often think of coaching as something for executives. The truth is, everyone can benefit from coaching and appropriate “coaches” may be sitting in the office right across the hall…or floating in a rectangle on your most recent video meeting. Teams and organizations…  Read More

Ways for Women to Get Ahead: Interview with Randi Braun

We had the pleasure of catching up with Randi Braun, CEO of Something Major, in honor of Women’s History Month to get her insight into how women can overcome workplace challenges to achieve success. Read the interview below for her career management advice! 1. Tell us a little bit about yourself…  Read More

Make Kindness Contagious

Every February, we show our loved ones we care about them with special days dedicated to our Valentines and Galentines. Why not extend that attitude to our workplaces and share our appreciation for our wonderful bosses and colleagues? As conversations around mental health and overall wellbeing become…  Read More

Infuse Fun Into Your Workplace This Year

We spend the majority of our waking hours at work, which over a lifetime averages out to one third of our lives or about 90,000 hours. At Careerstone, we believe you should enjoy as many of those hours as you can. While it might not be possible to eliminate all the stress associated with your job, infusing…  Read More

Write a Holiday Letter for Your Career

With the holiday season in full swing, your mailbox is probably filled with cards and letters from loved ones sharing the highlights of their year: the places they’ve traveled, their kids’ new hobbies, and the addition of new pets to the family. We typically use the end of the year to reflect on…  Read More

Show Your Gratitude by Creating a Psychologically Safe Workplace

If you’ve heard the term “psychological safety” a lot lately, you’re in good company. As the world spins in a state of uncertainty, stress, and pressure (think hybrid work, political polarization, multiple Covid variants), we’ve seen a major shift to humanizing the workplace. A psychologically…  Read More

Effectively Manage Your Hybrid Team

There’s no better time to show your boss some extra appreciation than on National Boss’ Day (October 16 this year!). Effectively managing a team in the evolving work world is no easy feat. From adapting to countless workplace shifts and continuing to embrace progress, modern leaders stepped up to…  Read More

Polish Up Your Etiquette

Our lives are governed by unspoken rules that guide how we conduct ourselves in social situations, like how you should listen to your music or podcast with headphones rather than playing it out loud on the Metro. The workplace also functions based on behaviors that are deemed appropriate and considerate.…  Read More

Facilitating Meetings That Don't Suck!

Whether hybrid, virtual, or on site, the secret to great meetings is the same: put the right people in the room, design for maximum engagement and collaboration, and get stuff done! Our work hours are consumed by meetings, which leaves fewer opportunities to do the work those meetings generate. Not only…  Read More

How to Be a Good Meeting Participant

By Samantha Weissgold Samantha Weissgold is Careerstone Group’s 2022 Summer Intern. She attends Bentley University as a Marketing Major. Most jobs come with plenty of meetings. No matter your career phase, you’ll find yourself attending meetings on a regular basis. Meetings provide an opportunity…  Read More

Considerations for the New Work World

Two and a half years ago, employees all over the country were sent home from work on what they anticipated to be a two-week work from home experiment. Most workplaces remain remote since that monumental day in March 2020. It’s clear that COVID-19 reshaped how and where we work – for the better in…  Read More

It’s Time for a Vacation – Plan Accordingly!

Sunshine beams through your office window and the days are getting longer – summer is finally here! This is the perfect time to start planning a vacation or staycation and use that coveted paid time off. While taking time off work offers many physical and mental health benefits, most Americans let…  Read More

Hey, May I Give You Some Feedback?

Your boss asks you to stay on the Zoom call when the meeting ends, and asks, “May I give you some feedback about the presentation you just gave?” Quick! What are you feeling? Does your heart rate speed up? Do you get a little sweaty? Is your stomach doing back flips? If you’re, well . . . human,…  Read More

Have the Burnout Conversation with Your Boss

While burnout is not a new concept, the pandemic certainly increased its prevalence. As we head into our third year of navigating heightened personal and work stress in an uncertain world, it’s no surprise that over half of employees have experienced burnout. In a survey from Deloitte, 77% of respondents…  Read More

Advance Your Career with an Internal Move

Are you bored at work? Have you outgrown your job? Do you crave a new challenge? It might be time for you to make a career move. But, before you decide to jump ship for a new company, take some time to consider making an internal move. All too often we (wrongly) think the only way to advance our career…  Read More

Empathy in the Workplace: Engage with Intention

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, what better way to show your colleagues you care than by refreshing your empathic skills? At Careerstone Group, we’ve noticed a strong uptick in the number of requests for training and facilitation focusing on Emotional Intelligence, in which empathy plays…  Read More

Cubicle Confidential: Our Top 5 Most Popular Workplace and Career Advice Podcasts

Cubicle Confidential is thrilled to announce that SEASON TWO is now STREAMING LIVE! Are your co-workers driving you crazy? Does your boss suck? Mary Abbajay and Chris DeSantis are here to podcast you to workplace (and social) success. We call it “Cubicle Confidential: Weekly Advice for the Working…  Read More

New Year, New Personal Brand

With a new year and new goals ahead of us, it’s the perfect time to think about creating or refining your personal brand–especially as we find ourselves in the midst of a continuously evolving workplace. People are prioritizing better work-life balance, higher pay, and flexibility, which led us to…  Read More

Healthy (Work) Habits for the Holidays

Holiday season is here – bringing lots of bright lights, presents, and social commitments. This means juggling spending extra time with friends and family on top of the day-to-day responsibilities. Taking care of your personal health and well-being during this busy time is essential.  Usually…  Read More

Meaningful Mentoring: Build a Partnership that Works!

This season of gratitude is the perfect time to reflect on those who’ve made a positive impact on your professional career:  Think of a time that someone invested in your career. What did they do? What was the impact?  How did it make you feel? Now, focus on where you are in your career…  Read More

We Manage Up, Too! How the CSG Team Manages Up to Mary Abbajay

With Boss’ Day right around the corner, we’ve decided to focus on the importance of Managing Up. Not only did our talented boss, Mary Abbajay, write a whole book on the topic, we work hard to put her advice into action. Yes, that’s right, here at Careerstone Group, we don’t just teach Managing…  Read More

Re-Energize Your Team: Planning a Successful On-Site, Off-Site, or Virtual Retreat!

Planning a team or company-wide retreat may sound like a daunting task. While it takes a lot of time (and energy) to organize, the payoff for holding a retreat will certainly make it worthwhile. Whether your team is virtual, in the office, or hybrid, you’ll benefit from a retreat that brings people…  Read More

Making the Hybrid Workplace Work for You

The future of work is here, and it is hybrid. Now that we’ve all passed the great remote work experiment, companies are reimagining the world of work. In a recent Accenture Future of Work Study, researchers discovered that 83% of workers prefer a hybrid work model. The appeal of this model is that…  Read More

Top Five Skills for Every Career Professional

As the professional world evolves at a rapid rate, it’s important to stay ahead of the game by developing essential skills through the process of upskilling. A recent survey by Gartner found that 58% of the workforce needs new skill sets to perform well in their jobs. Experts report that rapidly changing…  Read More

Top Five Things to Look for in an Internship

By Genevieve Martin Genevieve Martin is Careerstone Group’s 2021 Summer Intern. She attends George Mason University as a Marketing Major. Finding an internship that’s right for you can be difficult. What an employer envisions as an internship opportunity may vary vastly from what a student may…  Read More

Five Undervalued Leadership Traits

Leaders possess the ability to make or break an organization – the way leaders show up impacts company culture, employee engagement, and the success of the team as a whole. While there are many qualities that contribute to great leadership, we frequently hear the same ones over and over again: communication,…  Read More

Navigating the Next Normal

You made the transition from working from the office to working at home over a year ago. Now it’s time to make another shift – navigating a combination of remote, hybrid, and in-person work – or the “Next Normal.” No matter where you sit on the organizational chart, it’s important to learn…  Read More

Fostering Innovation at Work Through Creativity

As we continue to navigate our ever-changing and challenging work environments, it’s more important than ever to tap into our innovation and problem-solving skills. Essentially, it’s time to boost your creativity. Even for those who don’t specifically work in a creative field, creativity…  Read More

A Year of Living Remotely

We’ve rounded the corner to a strange anniversary:  one year of living, working, and hopefully surviving the restrictions, stresses, and uncertainties of a global pandemic. In short, a year of living remotely. After this year, many of us have enough experience and have logged enough hours…  Read More

Guest Blog Post: Developing Leadership Skills as a Remote Worker

By Nathalie Ronan Despite the challenges that come with working remotely, studies have shown that workplace productivity has remained stable for most workers. Much of it has to do with the employers providing greater flexibility, a reliable infrastructure, and work policy adjustments around…  Read More

It’s Not Too Late to Take Back Your Time

When we started working from home, many of us were excited by the prospect of having more time on our hands. We thought we would win back all that time spent commuting to the office. Now we all know that isn’t exactly how it turned out. Thanks to the 24/7 virtual life, we find ourselves consumed…  Read More

Ditch Your Resolutions For Intentions

It’s that time of year again! We are happily leaving 2020 in the dust and ringing in 2021 with optimism, positivity, and lots of energy for new experiences. A new year means a trove of New Year’s Resolutions will take over the internet for the next month. While we love to hear about all the…  Read More

Virtual Holiday Party Tips - Interview With Charlotte Reid

We talked to Charlotte Reid, co-founder of Reid Rodell Event Planning, and a dear friend of Careerstone Group to get her expert advice on planning a five-star virtual event. Read the interview for her professional tips below!   Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background – what…  Read More

Just Say Thanks! The Art of the Thank You Note

With Thanksgiving around the corner, we at Careerstone are reflecting on what we’re grateful for this year! It’s no secret that 2020 has been difficult and challenging for many of us. Take time to appreciate the special people around you who have made these times more bearable or who have…  Read More

Don’t Ghost Your Boss: How to Manage Up in a Virtual World

Our bosses have enormous influence over our career trajectory, so the ability to work successfully with one’s boss is a critical element for achieving success in the workplace. This is called “managing up.” Those who successfully manage up, know how to intentionally cultivate a robust…  Read More

Boost Your Pandemic Job Search

If you’re looking for a job right now, you might be wondering if it’s worth it to keep filling out applications while the candidate pool seems to grow larger and the job pool seems to grow slimmer. Don’t get discouraged! Companies are still hiring, but you may have to reexamine search…  Read More

It's Not Too Late to Take Time Off!

As we approach the end of summer, it’s not too late to plan a vacation to get out of the office (or home office)! The thought of taking time off work can be daunting for numerous reasons, such as fearing a boss’ reaction to a request for time off and worrying about falling behind with work.…  Read More

Returning to Work Safely

Most of us have been working from home exclusively for nearly five months! As states all over the country begin to reopen, businesses are eager to get their employees back into the office. However, not everyone feels ready to make the transition back to a workspace with other people. Leaving the safety…  Read More

Success Accelerators for Recent College Graduates

Congratulations, Class of 2020!  While the outlook for putting your hard-earned degree to work may look grim, we have a blueprint for brighter days ahead!  Careerstone Group’s Success Accelerators for Recent College Graduates is designed to help you navigate this unexpected transition.   Our…  Read More

Advice for 2020 Graduates from Current Professionals

Class of 2020 – you made it! Congratulations! You spent the last four years studying, interning, and participating in extra-curricular activities to obtain your degree so that you could land a great job to launch your career. Now you have your hard-earned degree, but the global pandemic might have…  Read More

5 Tips for Building Resilience

If you missed the memo – we’ve been hosting free weekly webinars for over a month now (so check them out!). Recently, we had the pleasure of interviewing Jen Arnold, host of the Redesigning Wellness podcast, about building resilience and how we can learn to be more resilient – especially…  Read More

Mastering the Virtual Workplace: FREE Weekly Webinar Series

While many of us have enjoyed the flexibility of working remotely for quite some time, the recommendations for physical distancing have created a dynamic that is quite new to so many. Careerstone Group is here to support you as you navigate this unexpected transition to emerge more connected, focused,…  Read More

Guest Blog Post: Preparing for the Transition: How to Budget When You Work From Home

By: Nathalie Ronan   The rise of remote work has brought many changes for today’s professionals. While there are financial benefits, there are also costs that those used to working in an office may not immediately realize. And if you’re preparing for your own transition from office-based…  Read More

7 Tips to Stay Engaged as a Remote Worker

Millions of American workers find themselves making the transition from a traditional office environment to a virtual—and often­–makeshift home office in light of the COVID-19 outbreak. Keeping morale and productivity high when you’re stuck working inside and away from coworkers…  Read More

Friendship is in the Air

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, it’s time to celebrate relationships with loved ones. The category of “loved ones” typically includes a partner, family, and friends. What about work friends, though? Where do they fit in? Many people avoid befriending coworkers for fear…  Read More

Happy New Year! It's Time to Take Stock of Your Career

January is the perfect time to take a look at your career and your professional goals to determine whether or not you’re on the right track to success. Maybe you’re thinking about changing jobs or switching companies or changing industries entirely. Or perhaps you just want to learn new skills…  Read More

5 Tips to Navigate Holiday-Party Season at Work

For some, the office holiday party is a great opportunity to unwind from stressors, such as fourth quarter financial reports or performance evaluations. It provides employees the chance to socialize with their peers and create new connections in a low-stakes environment. For others, the holiday party…  Read More

Fall Into Your Dream Job This Season

December Graduation is just around the corner, which means a fresh batch of job-hungry recent grads are in the midst of an overwhelming panic to find the perfect match. December graduation has become more common over the years, offering many benefits such as a head-start in joining the job market, as…  Read More

Six Ways to Show Your Appreciation on National Boss Day

We’ve all heard of employee appreciation, but how often do we take the time to show gratitude for our managers and leaders at work? Bosses don’t often receive recognition for the hard work they put into managing other people, solving employees’ problems, and ensuring everything is running…  Read More

Welcome Generation Z to the Workforce

I know, it probably seems like we just wrapped up with introducing Millennials into the workforce. After years of focus, online pop-psychology articles, and angry Tweets, Millennials are no longer the young, bright-eyed, straight-out-of-college kids they used to be. Millennials have moved on. Now, 53%…  Read More

Guest Blog Post: Stuck In A Career Rut? Here's How To Get Out!

By Bethany Seton   Stuck in a rut when it comes to your working life? It’s a common predicament. So many of us want to change our career path, but it can seem like a daunting, even insurmountable challenge.  Once you get stuck in a routine, and get used to your salary - especially one…  Read More

Be a Change Victor, not a Change Victim!

We all know that in business and in life, one of the only things that remains constant is change. Organizations are constantly undergoing transformations in technology, in management, in internal policies and procedures, and in how they conduct business. Some of these transformations are planned, and…  Read More

Write for Success At Any Stage In Your Career!

“Easy reading is damn hard writing.” - Nathaniel Hawthorne Do you dread writing at work? Do you write, re-write, and then procrastinate some more before hitting the “send” button? Formal proposals, memos, and even internal emails can be stressful and hamper productivity for…  Read More

Careerstone's Summer 2019 Playlist!

There’s no time quite like Summertime!  It’s that pretty delicious time of year when the daylight is long and the days seem to stretch into one another.  For some, summer is about nostalgia – about remembering a time that “seemed” less stressful, more joyful, and…  Read More

Proven Productivity Strategies to Keep Your Summer Fresh

“Summer’s here/And the time is right/For setting a new goal at work!” Ok, that’s not how that old favorite summer song goes, is it? Summer is upon us and with it, a whole host of outdoor activities to enjoy the longer days and pack in the fun at the pool, at a music…  Read More

Managers: Feedback is a Gift!

Employees of all ages expect some degree of feedback at work. Our latest survey revealed that younger employees might expect a higher degree of feedback from supervisors than their colleagues or supervisors of previous generations.   Of 18- to 34-year-olds living in the United States, only 16% of…  Read More

How Remote Work Can Benefit Your Business

Just about everyone wants a job that offers flexibility. That’s one of the reasons more and more people are working out-of-the-office these days. Thanks to technological advances in recent years, you don’t always need to head to the office to get work done.   Companies can’t ignore…  Read More

Managing Up for Graduates: An Interview with Careerstone President, Mary Abbajay, Author of Managing

What does it mean to “manage up”, and how can managing up help you succeed in your first job, and beyond? Managing up means managing the relationships that matter most in the workplace—especially the ones with our bosses. It is not about sucking up, kissing butt, or becoming a sycophant.…  Read More

New Careerstone Survey: Young Employees Lack the Skills to Work with a Difficult Boss

Filling the soft-skills gap: young employees rate employee/boss relations as the most challenging soft-skill in the workplace Younger employees face challenges working with their managers and supervisors.   Careerstone Group’s most recent survey revealed young employees, those aged 18 to…  Read More

Time Blocking: To-Do Lists 2.0

  The world of work can be all-encompassing.  Professional culture has transformed to such a degree that most professionals can work from anywhere, at any time.  Technology has advanced to the point where many teams have members who’ve never worked in the same physical space. …  Read More

The Art of Shameless Self-Promotion

March is National Women’s History Month – a time to celebrate women’s contributions to history, culture, and society—both past and present. While we are celebrating other women’s achievements, why not use this month as an opportunity to also honor our own achievements?    Ladies,…  Read More

3 Ways to Celebrate this Month with Pride, No Matter Who You Are!

Every year, Americans set aside the month of February to celebrate Black History Month. This is an opportunity for all organizations and individuals to honor the culture and achievements of African Americans—both past and present. Black History Month is about recognizing and celebrating the central…  Read More

Time to Celebrate...You!

When was the last time you took some time to acknowledge—even celebrate—yourself and your accomplishments? It seems like we are constantly celebrating momentous occasions—birthdays, graduations, anniversaries—but what about all the small, yet important wins? We are conditioned…  Read More

What’s So Funny About Peace, Love, and Understanding?

Imagine working in an environment where kindness is the norm. A workplace where everyone feels valued and valuable. A workplace where civility reigns and gratitude for all is abundant. Pipe dream? We think not. Too touchy-feely? We beg to differ. Studies show that when employees are regularly shown…  Read More

Want to Make Your Presentations Less Scary? Practice these 3 Tips for Success

  “The human brain starts working the moment you are born and never stops until you stand up to speak in public.”  - George Jessel Giving presentations at work can be scary. In fact, more people report having phobias of public speaking than they do of any other fear—even…  Read More

How to Manage New Job Blues

You’ve just landed a new job—maybe even your first “real” job after graduating—and you’re excited! Brimming with ideas and energy, you’re ready to jump right in and make a positive impact on the world. But after a few weeks in your new role, you start to feel…  Read More

Stop Reading This - Go Take A Vacation!

When’s the last time you took a complete hiatus from work, and went on vacation? Americans are notoriously bad at taking time off.  Numerous studies show that 75% of Americans forgo using all of their allotted paid vacation days, and among those who do take vacations, 61% continue to work…  Read More

5 Proven Ways to Thrive During Change

In today’s world, change is everywhere. Organizations in all sectors are undergoing significant transformations and disruptions. Government agencies and private sector businesses are re-organizing, shifting priorities, and changing processes and policies. Many of our clients are altering how they…  Read More

Recent Graduates: What You Need to Know Before Starting Your First "Real" Job

Congratulations, graduate! You survived the late nights studying for exams, completed all your required college courses, and not only graduated college, but also landed yourself a brand-new job! How exciting! After the exhausting process of finishing school, painstakingly crafting your resume, and applying…  Read More

Managing Up to Mary Abbajay

  As a touted workplace guru and author of Managing Up, you might assume that Mary Abbajay is the perfect boss. She has researched workplace effectiveness, leadership styles, and personality preferences for decades. She has designed and presented courses to tens of thousands to help improve workplace…  Read More

It’s Time to Embrace the “F” Word!

In the American workplace, followership has become a four-letter word. We equate being a follower with being powerless, insignificant, and unimportant. We focus all our energy on leadership development and seem to forget that most of us are not in leadership roles – at least not exclusively. Well,…  Read More

Is Your Boss an Innie or an Outie?

Personality preferences drive behavior. At work, it’s easy to feel frustrated by the behaviors of others. When we experience annoying behaviors, we tend to make up stories (usually negative ones) about the reasons behind those behaviors. For example, if our boss prefers to keep his door closed…  Read More

Suck Ups Need Not Apply

“Let’s be clear: Managing up is NOT about brown nosing, sucking up, or becoming a sycophant. Managing up is about consciously and intentionally developing effective relationships with supervisors, bosses, and other people above you in the food chain. It is a deliberate and strategic effort…  Read More

Setting (and Achieving!) Your Professional Goals in the New Year

The New Year is officially here, and by now you’ve probably thought of a few changes you’d like to make in your personal and professional life. Everyone loves the allure of a fresh start and many of us hope to end next year with more successes than in years past. But, as we all know, good…  Read More

No Turkey Needed! Embracing Gratitude in the Workplace

Let’s face it – we’re terrible at showing appreciation for one another, especially at work. Yes, we buy lunch for our staff at the quarterly meeting, give out certificates for years of service, and even say “thank you” to our team for job well done, but do we really show…  Read More

Introducing You to Generation Z!

For the past decade, Millennials have been all the craze. They have dominated the focus of social media commentary and the business world, as organizations seek new ways to attract and retain Millennial employees. Entering the workforce in huge numbers, Millennials have transformed the norms of what…  Read More

Does Telework Really Work?

Who doesn’t telework these days? According the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 25% of employees worked from home at least part of the time in 2016. For management and business, that number is even higher - close to 40%! Research touts the teleworking benefits of increased productivity and eliminating…  Read More

Time's Up! The Truth About Procrastination

“If it weren’t for the last minute, nothing would get done.”  Sound familiar? Statistics show that over 20% of the population procrastinates. We tend to associate procrastination with laziness, but is it really such a bad thing? Let’s take a closer look. Procrastination can…  Read More

Your Team's Greatest Challenge Could Be Your Greatest Asset

Personality differences in the workplace are a common source of conflict. People with very different personalities can, for a lack of better words, drive each other crazy. The funny thing is, this can happen even among people with very similar personalities. However, there is a lot of value to having…  Read More

The Danger of Workplace Gossip

It seems so harmless. That little chitchat at the water cooler about so and so. The debate over someone’s relationship with someone else. The speculation about “you-know-who.” Is it chitchat or is it gossip? How can you tell the difference? And who cares? The truth is that there is…  Read More

Performance Management: Stop the Annual Madness!

It’s time to rethink performance management. In case you haven’t heard, the traditional “annual performance review” is dead.  And we at Careerstone Group wish it a hearty goodbye and good riddance. Performance Management in the 21st Century should be an ongoing conversation…  Read More

Top 10 Tips for Your LinkedIn Profile

Top 10 Tips For Your LinkedIn Profile Approximately 80% of business connections made on social media are made on LinkedIn. If you are looking to expand and connect with your network, or are in the market for a new job opportunity, it is important to maintain an awesome LinkedIn profile. Here are our…  Read More

Six Common Mistakes Leaders Make During Change and How to Avoid Them

Change is very hard for all involved. During times of organizational change, morale tends to drop and top performers may look for better options. Change is also commonly met with resistance (even good change!) at first and productivity can take a hit. The other truth about change? It is unavoidable.…  Read More

Managing Teams in the Virtual Workplace: Six Steps for Success

Management is always challenging, but the virtual workplace can add an additional layer of difficulty. Remote or virtual employees often feel disconnected from their supervisor and team members and may become disengaged or less effective in their role. Managers can also struggle with tracking performance…  Read More

New Graduates: How to Spend Your Summer and Transition to Working Life

Just graduated from college? Congratulations! While it’s tempting to take the summer off and enjoy your last months of “freedom”, this is the time to take the next steps to start your career. It’s okay to plan some travel or time with friends, but make sure to not miss out on…  Read More

Difficult Conversations

Avoiding difficult conversations is a common practice both in our professional lives and our personal lives. Telling an employee that their performance is not up to snuff is an unpleasant task for most of us. Confronting a friend about an unpleasant situation promises to be about as fun as a root canal.…  Read More

A Guide To Better Meetings: Nine Principles of Productive Meetings

When is the last time you said, “I wish I could attend more meetings!” or “That was a great meeting—when can we do it again?!”Recent studies report that managers spend an average of 40%-50% of their working hours in business meetings. To make matters worse, it is reported…  Read More

Performance Reviews: Why They Matter and How to Make the Most of Them

Love ‘em or hate ’em, whether giving one or getting one, a performance review is one of the most important tools managers and employees have to gauge and improve performance in the workplace. Employee reviews provide a record of employee performance vis-à-vis company expectations…  Read More

Workplace Mentoring

Most successful adults can identify a person who had a significant and positive impact on them. Whether it was a teacher, a coach, a boss, a scoutmaster, or a parent, chances are that someone, somewhere along the line acted as a mentor to you.Today, more and more businesses are embracing the concept…  Read More

Changing Jobs Within Your Organization

Do you feel like it’s time to move up or across the corporate ladder? Have you ever thought of advancing or changing careers within your company? What if you are a manager and you want to hire an employee from a different department? There is a right way and a wrong way to change jobs and hire…  Read More

Successful Retreats

The offsite retreat. Some people love them. Some people hate them. And it’s easy to see why. If done well, retreats can be a powerful way to help organizations bring about positive change. If done poorly, retreats can be a waste of time and can actually make things worse.Holding an effective retreat…  Read More

Effective Retention Strategies

We all know how important it is for businesses to find, attract and retain a talented workforce. In today’s world, workers, especially younger ones, change jobs much more frequently than they did 10 years ago. Turnover has a huge financial and organizational cost as businesses struggle to recruit…  Read More

Emotional Intelligence at Work

Many different things go into the making of a good leader and a strong individual. Knowledge, drive, ambition, resourcefulness, force of will, intellect, etc. But there is one factor that almost all successful people share - emotional intelligence.Emotional Intelligence is the ability to use your emotions…  Read More

How to Simplify Your Work Life

Today’s workplace can feel like a constant assault on the senses. Think of all the tasks confronting you during a typical workday: emails, texts, phone calls, messages, answering questions from team members barging into your workspace, and so on. And that’s before you even begin to tackle…  Read More

The Partner Paradox: How to Choose a Business Partner

Starting your own business is an enormous undertaking. The to-do list seems endless, as does the number of decisions you must make. One of the most critical, strategic decisions you will make is whether to take a partner. This is one of the earliest and most important decisions entrepreneurs face. This…  Read More

Is Your Network Wide Enough?

In any market, the most important thing you can do to advance your career and professional interests is to network. But now, as our economy shifts and changes, as new technologies arise and old ones are replaced, networking is more imperative than ever. By the same token, it is important to remember…  Read More

How to Work from Home: Six Steps to Success

Today, more and more people are opting to telework—to work from home. Whether you are an independent contractor with your own business, a freelancer, or a regular nine-to-five employee, the option to work from home is more prevalent than ever, and more and more people are taking advantage of this…  Read More

Adjusting to a New Job

Congratulations! You are starting a new job. This is exciting, and you should look on it as a new adventure in the book of life. However, for many people, starting a new job can cause anxiety. That’s perfectly understandable. After all, starting a new job means new co-workers, new office policies…  Read More

How to Hire a Consultant: 10 Tips to Guide You

Here are 10 tips for hiring a consultant, coach, or other workplace/career consultant:   1. Make sure you need a one. Examine your current staffing/situation/skill set and make a calculated decision. What kind of help do you really need? Just because a consultant is expensive doesn’t necessarily…  Read More

Acing the Interview: 12 Tips to Sell Yourself and Land the Job

Acing an interview is a critical skill that every working person should master. You can have a great education, a great resume, great experience, and great recommendations, but if you can’t ace the interview, forget about it.   Employers are looking for certain skills, yes, but employers…  Read More

The Dos and Don'ts of Helping Your Child Land a Job

Helping your child land his or her first interview or job is very important. But there are clear boundaries to the things you should and should not do to help. Employers are looking for motivated, responsible, mature, self-starters. If they see a parent’s hand in the young person’s employment…  Read More

Get Real and Get Ahead: Five Steps to Professional Authenticity

Believe it or not, authenticity is one of the cornerstones of success. Being authentic means being honest and genuine, which in turn engenders trust and accountability. People respond to people who feel “real” to them. Nobody likes a phony, and people get nervous and mistrustful when they…  Read More

Bad Apples: Six Strategies to Deal with Nightmare Co-Workers

Every company has at least one bad apple. These are the people who don’t respect the organization or their coworkers, are negative, don’t carry their own weight, or sabotage the work of others.   A bad apple is like a bad virus—their attitude can affect morale, trust, and productivity.…  Read More

Memory Tips: How to Remember Someone's Name

Memory tips come in handy when networking, especially when it comes to remembering someone’s name. It’s flattering to someone when you remember their name, and it helps you put them in your mental database of contacts.Here are six tips to help you remember someone’s name:1.…  Read More

Ageism in the Workplace: Five Ways to Keep Pace and Keep Your Place

Ageism in the workplace is a very real problem. Older workers, who make more money and receive more benefits, are often the first to be let go, and older workers are not rehired at the rate of younger workers. Here are a few ideas to help you keep pace and keep your place in the working world:   1.…  Read More

Why You Should Take a Vacation

Did you know that more than 1/3 of working Americans will not take their allotted vacation time this year? And if they do, half of the time they take work with them? What kind of vacation is that? What gives?With so much economic uncertainty, plus high gas prices and a tough job market,…  Read More

Why You Shouldn't Multitask and Seven Ways to Stop

These days, everyone is a multitasker. We talk while we drive, we answer text messages or e-mails during meetings, we return phone calls while surfing the Internet, we work on different docs in different applications all at once, and we cook dinner while talking on the phone.But instead of being a hallmark…  Read More

Resolve to Re-Try: Five Tips to Get Back on Track for Your Resolutions

By now, most New Year’s resolutions have been forgotten or abandoned. Maybe you still have that Post-it note on the fridge that says, “Eat more veggies,” or that notecard on your desk that says, “Take a Photoshop class,” or that sign on your door that says, “Exercise…  Read More

New Office Etiquette: How to Be Polite and Well Liked at the Office

Anyone who works in an office knows that those close quarters can spell trouble. You spend a lot of time with your coworkers, and, even if you have your own office, you interact in meetings, breakrooms, bathrooms, hallways, and other common areas. You work together on teams and on projects. You sit in…  Read More

What to Wear When the Weather is Weird

  Dressing appropriately for the office is a simple but powerful tool for career success, but it’s difficult to dress for success when the weather is so weird. Here are a few quick and simple rules to follow for what to wear when the weather can’t quite make up its mind: Dress to fit…  Read More

Five Tips for Creating a Positive Professional Image

A positive professional image is essential to a successful career, no matter your age or field. Whether you are looking for a job, starting a new job, or a seasoned workplace veteran, it’s a good idea to learn (or review) the basics of creating a positive professional persona. A professional persona…  Read More

How to Run an Effective Intern Program

Summer is coming, and for many businesses that means interns. An intern program can be incredibly valuable for your business, but only if it is executed properly. Great intern programs require a great deal of work, thought, and follow through. Many organizations just kind of slap them together, but this…  Read More

Nine Tips to Make the Most of Your Internship

Internships are a great opportunity to experience working life for the first time or explore a new field, market, or industry. They are also good for networking and making contacts. Internships are great resume fodder, too. In fact, more and more organizations consider internships an integral part…  Read More

Resume and Job Advice for College Grads: Six Tips for Success

Congratulations graduates! You are done with school and ready to join the working world. Here are six tips to help you get ready to find a job: Get your resume ready. Resumes should tell a story about who you are as a person and what your skills and talents are. Clearly, a 21-year old is not going…  Read More

The Six Most Common Interview Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The interview is the most critical aspect of landing a new job. If you’ve gotten to the interview stage (even an informational one), your foot is in the door! But instead of acing the interview many people—especially those who are out of practice or who are tired of having undergone so many…  Read More

How to Run a Great Meeting: Fifteen Tips to Design and Execute Great, Effective Meetings

We’ve all been there: The people who talk and talk and talk. The pointless digressions and asides. The people who seem to have no place else to be. The time that is sucked forever from our lives. Sadly, that’s the state of most meetings today. Let’s face it. Most meetings are inefficient…  Read More

How to Run a Virtual Meeting

Virtual meetings and teleconferences should follow the same set of rules as conventional, in-person meetings. However, there is an obvious difference between in-person meetings and virtual ones, though (you are not in the same room), so I would add these tips for better virtual meetings: Have a very…  Read More

Starting a New Job: Eight Tips to Cope with Anxiety, Expectations, and Everything Else

Starting a new job can cause anxiety. It means new co-workers, new office policies and procedures, a new environment, and new things to learn. Here are some practical tips to help smooth the transition: Lower your expectations. If you are leaving your current job, don’t expect a big send-off.…  Read More

What to do When You've Been Furloughed: Tips to Stay Productive and Positive

If you’ve been furloughed, I’m sorry. It’s brutal. It’s demoralizing. It means a real loss in wages. It disrupts the work flow. It sends an unwelcome message that our jobs are not secure. And it’s just not fair. I know that it’s really easy—and understandable— to…  Read More

Hate Your Job? How to Change Careers

You hate your job. You hate your field. You hate your career. Maybe you’ve been furloughed and it’s given you a new perspective. Whatever the case, there is a right way and wrong way to go about changing careers. Here are the top questions to consider and some practical advice to get your…  Read More

Essential Skills for Modern Living: More Google, Less Knitting - But You Still Need to Know Where th

Put down those knitting needles. Stop darning. Reading a paper map? Forget about it. Those are just three of the skills you no longer need to survive or thrive in the twenty-first century. That’s according to the Daily Mail in Great Britain, which conducted a poll to determine what are—and…  Read More

Coworkers from Hell! How to Deal with Bad Apples, Gossips, Jerks, and Other Difficult Colleagues

The Saboteur. The Demeanor. The Bad Apple. The Gossip. These aren’t costumed Halloween characters; they’re the people you work with. And they’re not alone. There’s also the Jerk, the Complainer, the Victim, the Micromanager, the Know-It-All, and the Competitor. These are the difficult…  Read More

The Boss from Hell! How to Deal with a Bad Boss

The bad news is that if the toxic person is your boss, then you have a very, very tough situation. The good news is that it’s not impossible. You do have options (though none are really great). In any workplace, it’s smart to “manage up,” which means you should manage…  Read More

Networking Tips: How to Meet, Greet, and Connect Your Way to Success

Technology may change, we may change, but the essence of networking remains the same: it’s about establishing relationships. Networking is a critical component of career and organizational success. Being well connected and having strong relationships both within and outside…  Read More

In Defense and Praise of Gen Y

Gen Y, also known as the Millennials, is a group with birth dates roughly from 1980 to 2000. Gen Y workers are often labeled with unflattering terms.  As a consultant for organizational development, one of my specialties is generational diversity. I work with many different cohorts to help…  Read More

Stressed at Work? Four Tips for Simplify for Success

We are busier than ever. We have more technology to contend with, which means many more forms of communication and interaction to master and address. We have more work to do, as many companies are making do with fewer employees, piling the work of many onto the shoulders of few. Do you need to simplify…  Read More

How to Stop Multitasking

We are all multitaskers. We talk while we drive, we answer text messages and emails during meetings, we return phone calls while surfing the Internet, we cook dinner while talking on the phone, etc. We are always doing more than one thing at a time. And if we are doing just one thing, like driving, we…  Read More

Don't Get Drunk at the Office Party, and Other Dos and Don'ts of the Holiday Season

Tis’ the season for parties, Secret Santas, gift giving, and all manner of festivities. This goes for office life, too. But it’s also the season for professional pitfalls, business faux pas, and other mistakes caused by holiday exuberance, a misreading of the tea laves, or just plain not…  Read More

Four Fears That Keep Women Down: How to be More Assertive and Effective in the Workplace

Women can be their own worst enemies in the workplace. Very often, women are afraid to advocate for themselves, to speak up, negotiate, disagree, and promote themselves. Women often believe that the workplace is a meritocracy, and that their good work and good relationship skills will get them noticed…  Read More

Resolutions That Work: Eleven Tips for a Fresh Start in the New Year

At the end of December every year, we all hear the siren call of the New Year’s resolution: Exercise more, eat less, save money, lose weight, call your mother. These resolutions make frequent appearances on everyone’s annual do-better list. But people often forget to make work-related resolutions,…  Read More

Take Stock of Your Career and Set New Goals: A Five-Step Strategy for Success

The New Year is a great time to take stock of your career—where you are, where you want to go, and how you are going to get there. Whether you want to make small changes, learn new skills, get a promotion, or even find a new career, it starts with a few simple steps. Here is a five-step strategy…  Read More

Emotional Intelligence: What It Is, How to Get It, and How to Use It

Many things factor into a person’s success: intellect, skill, resourcefulness, knowledge, drive, etc. But there is one factor that most successful people share—a high EQ.EQ is emotional intelligence, the ability to use your emotions in a positive and constructive way in relationships…  Read More

How to Cope with Unemployment: Seven Tips to Help You Survive and Even Thrive

Coping with unemployment is extremely difficult. Being unemployed can be devastating on every level—professionally, psychologically, financially, and emotionally. So much of our identity and our sense of self-worth are wrapped up in our jobs and careers. In many ways, we are what we do, and being…  Read More

Strategies for Working from Home: Six Tips to Keep You Focused and Productive

Working from home can be great, but in order to be successful, you have to employ some simple success strategies to help keep you focused and productive. The key is focus more on the work, and the less on the home. The pros of working from home Working from home sounds amazing, doesn’t…  Read More

Introverted Leaders: Seven Tips for Success

Are you an innie or an outie? I’m not talking bellybuttons; I’m talking about your leadership style. Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Leadership, like personalities, comes in different shapes and sizes. Introversion or extroversion is not about how shy or social you are; it is about…  Read More

Extroverted Leaders: Seven Tips for Success

Last week I wrote about introverted leaders and offered seven tips for success. This week it’s all about extroverts and the things they can do to hone their leadership skills. Introversion or extroversion is not about how shy or social you are; it’s about how you derive your energy. An…  Read More

Emotional Intelligence and Leadership: The Four Things You Need to Know to Lead Effectively

There are lots of factors for successful leadership in the workplace, but there is one factor that can separate a good leader from a great one, and that’s emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence, or EQ, is the ability to use your emotions in a positive and constructive way in relationships…  Read More

Seven Tips to Spring Clean Your Professional Persona

I hope it’s safe to say that spring is finally here (and I hope I didn’t just jinx it). For many people, that means spring cleaning—dusting off the cobwebs, airing out the house, tossing out old clothes. This is also a perfect time to spring clean your professional life, and it follows…  Read More

How to Build Trust at Work

Trust is an essential component of effective organizations. Trust in the workplace is directly linked to increased productivity, morale, and commitment. It’s essential for building and maintaining workplace relationships, and it’s essential for collaboration and success. Trust is critical…  Read More

Myers-Briggs: Why Your Personality Matters

Ever wonder why you just can’t get along with Bob in accounting? Or why you and Shelly from marketing work so well together? Or why you prefer the back room to the show room? Of course, it’s your personality. We are all naturally inclined one way or the other, and our personalities are a…  Read More

Ten Tips to Ace an Interview

The interview is the most critical aspect of landing a new job. If you’ve gotten to this stage, your foot is in the door. (For the purposes of this post, we will assume that this is a real job interview, not an informational one.) Interviews are organic experiences. They involve real people, with…  Read More

How to Interview and Hire the Right Person

Hiring people is hard work. You pore over tons of resumes and meet dozens of candidates. You try to ask the right questions, check references, and do your homework. Still, how do you find the right person? It isn’t an exact science, but you can get it right. Here’s how. Ask the Right Questions…  Read More

Career Advice for College Grads: Seven Tips for Success

Congrats grads! This is an exciting time for you, full of possibilities. Many of you may have plans or even a job lined up, but many of you may be asking, now what? Here are seven tips to help you get ready for the working world: Get your resume ready. Resumes should tell a story about who you are…  Read More

How to Be a Great Manager: Five Essential Skills to Master

The primary responsibility of any manager is to manage people, not products or projects. It all starts and ends with your staff or your employees. As Lee Iacocca said, “Managing is nothing more than motivating other people.” That’s absolutely right. Yes, a manager’s job is to…  Read More

What to Wear to Work in the Summer: Nine Tips for Dressing Well

When the heat and humidity strike, so does the temptation to dress down at the office. But whether it’s January or July, the rules are the same: You should always look professional, you should always look like you belong, and you should always be appropriately attired for your work environment. Your…  Read More

How to Negotiate Your Salary: Six Tips to Get What You Want

Did you know that 80 percent of job recruiters are willing to negotiate on salary, but only 30 percent of applicants do so? It’s true. People are afraid to negotiate, especially when they are in the early position of landing a job. They are afraid of seeming too aggressive or greedy or of angering…  Read More

How to Deal with a Bad Boss

Your boss has an enormous influence over how you work and the quality of your work life. Sadly, bad bosses are a fact of working life. Forbes magazine recently reported that three out of four employees say that their boss is the worst and most stressful part of their job. And another 65…  Read More

New Job Blues: How to Tell If It's You or the Job, and What To Do About It

Many people head into new jobs only to find that they aren’t too thrilled with the reality of it. Whether you’ve just entered the work force for the first time or you’ve switched jobs, New Job Blues can strike. The blues usually pop up two to three months after starting working. Symptoms…  Read More

Five Tips to Stay Competitive in a Young Market

I hate the term “seasoned worker.” It makes me feel old rather than experienced. But that’s what we call people 50 and older who have 20+ years’ experience in the working world. Seasoned workers don’t get as much respect as they used to, despite the fact that they comprise…  Read More

Got Fired? Here's What To Do

You may have seen it coming, but it still feels like a kick in the stomach: You’re fired or laid off. Now what? Here are eight tips to help you through it: Keep it together.Stay calm. Do not panic. You won’t be able to listen, absorb important information, or move forward if you panic.…  Read More

Interview Tips: 10 Tips to Help You Hire the Right Person

Studies show that 40 percent of all hires fail. Indeed, hiring the wrong person is a huge waste of both time and money. Here are 10 tips to help you interview and hire the right person: Do your homework.Think the position through thoroughly. Make a list of the skills, talents, and abilities you…  Read More

About to be Fired? Here's What To Do

Oftentimes, when people get fired or laid off, they saw it coming. They may have heard rumors or rumblings, felt a change in the atmosphere, or simply read the writing on the wall. And, in hindsight, they always wish they’d better prepared themselves. So, if you see or sense a layoff or termination…  Read More

How to Deal with Difficult Coworkers and Bosses

Difficult bosses and coworkers can make your work life miserable. I recently did a segment on News Channel 8’s News Talk with Bruce DePuyt on how to deal with them. (You can watch the segment here.) A difficult person is someone whose behavior negatively impacts the way you do your job. Difficult…  Read More

Advice for Teleworking: Nine Tips for Workers and Managers

Teleworking, or working from home or a remote location, is growing by leaps and bounds. It’s the new normal. Currently, about half of the U.S. workforce has a job that is compatible with teleworking. Why is teleworking so popular? Several reasons. For business owners, teleworking can really save…  Read More

How to Beat Holiday Stress

Everyone knows the holidays should be a time of joy and togetherness, of peace and love, but it’s hard to love the holidays when it just feels like one big to-do list. Here are six tips to make the holidays a happier, less stressful time: 1. Get organized. Think about the things you really need…  Read More

How Your Personality Affects Your Job

Your personality is more than just the way you act. It affects the way you do your job and how you interact with other people. Understanding your personality will help you do your job better, and understanding the personalities of your coworkers and managers will help, too. So, what type of personality…  Read More