Posts by Chris Gardner
How to Experience True Joy at Work
Joyful Workplace. Is this an oxymoron? Or is it possible to experience joy within the work environment? Research shows that it takes deep experiences to reach a feeling of true joy. Joy goes beyond happiness. It is defined as “the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure;…
Read MoreCareer Intuition: Can You Trust Your Gut?
Intuition is defined as the ability to understand something immediately, without need for conscious reasoning. In business, it can feel like a strong pull to head in a certain direction. The ability for intuition is something we naturally possess. It guides us in our parenting (a mother’s intuition), it helps us in relationships (having a…
Read MoreTIMING: It Goes Two Ways in a Job Hunt
Think back to the day you accepted THE JOB THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING. Relieved that your search was finally over, you felt confident in your decision. You weighed all the factors. They valued your skills. You valued their mission. If you think about it even more closely, whatever the reasons were on the day you accepted,…
Read MoreDon’t Ruin Your Career in 140 Characters
In March of 2017, McDonald’s Corp tweeted the following: “@realDonaldTrump You are actually a disgusting excuse of a President and we would love to have @BarackObama back, also you have tiny hands.” The post, active for about 15 minutes, was soon taken down, but not before being retweeted over 1,000 times. Outraged republicans began a…
Read MoreAre You Living Your Personal Mission Statement?
YOLO: You Only Live Once. For as funny as YOLO sounds, there is a lot of truth in it. We only live once. Time is our most precious commodity. Are you living your personal mission statement? And, eight hours a day are spent at work. Are you spending that time like you want to? Have…
Read MoreWays to Get Ahead of Costly Work Conflict
Strong personalities. Political and religious differences. Age gaps. Inexperienced managers. Jealousy. Unfair workloads. Conflict is inevitable in any group environment. Work conflict can be costly. Whether it occurs between associates or involves managers, it costs businesses in the forms of time, money, low morale, and turnover. Although impossible to avoid completely, a few simple strategies…
Read MoreWhy Candidates Aren’t Accepting Your Job Offers
Hiring Managers know that today’s job market isn’t stacked in companies’ favor. Low unemployment means that the market favors job seekers, who are free to be picky about choosing an offer that meets all their requirements. In today’s job market, highly skilled candidates call the shots. And employers need to sell themselves to attract top…
Read MoreHappiness at Work – Applying positive psychology principles to the workplace
Recently, I discovered something new in the fascinating field of positive psychology. Positive psychology is the study of happiness and how ordinary people can become happier (Psychology Today). As a recruiter, I often wonder how jobs and job placements affect employee happiness. While the field of positive psychology is vast, I came across Martin Seligman’s…
Read MoreDoes Your Boss’s Ego Hurt Your Career?
If bosses don’t forgo their own ego, they risk losing good talent Every manager wants to hire the best and brightest—well, MOST do, at least. Some managers want to hire the best and the brightest—but only if they are not better or brighter than themselves. Does your boss have an overinflated ego? Is it getting…
Read More3 Steps to a Career Legacy: How to Make Your Mark
“If you’re going to live, leave a legacy. Make a mark on the world that can’t be erased.” These famous words by Dr. Maya Angelou are certainly inspirational. But some of us hear the word “legacy” and feel like we’re in a pressure cooker. How many more years do I have to “leave a mark…
Read MoreHow to Stop Limiting YOURSELF
In 2005, when Artemis Consultants was a mere glimmer in the eye of its founders, it was hard to predict it would grow to employ so many talented recruiters. Like any company, it experienced highs and lows. But even in vulnerable moments, Artemis employees found a way to push past obstacles and never limited themselves…
Read MoreEmployer: I’m Just Not That into You
It’s hard to pinpoint when it happened, but somewhere along the line your once-enthusiastic employee changed. He started out excited, but one day everything seemed to shift. The classic title of the 2009 romantic comedy now rings true: he’s just not that into you (or the company). All companies have employees who seem to have…
Read MoreLook for These Five Leadership Qualities When Hiring a Manager
Successful companies hire effective managers because they lead their most important asset, their people. And not just the great employees. People who complain, come to work late, people who are jealous and greedy. People who think the grass is always greener. We’ve discovered five leadership qualities to evaluate when hiring a manager. Every day, managers…
Read MoreWhy Anyone You Meet Could Become a Valuable Job Reference
It could be anyone. Really ANYONE. Your hairdresser, the cashier at Starbucks, the parent you stand next to on the soccer sideline– even your dentist. They can come into contact with you at any time and could potentially become your next job reference. Anyone you meet could become a valuable reference. Most of us understand…
Read MoreTaking a Career Mulligan: How to Leave a New Job
How long should you stay in a new job you hate? Six months? One year? Two years? Does taking a “career mulligan” affect your chances of being hired in the future? If you thought your new job was going to be a career hole-in-one, but it slices way right, how do you leave? Fully Assess…
Read MoreShedding Light on Gaslighting: An Underreported Workplace Harassment
If you’ve ever felt like you were blamed for something you didn’t do or manipulated by misdirection, odds are good that you’ve been a victim of gaslighting. According to Psychology Today, gaslighting is psychological manipulation which sows seeds of discontent and doubt. The term comes from a 1938 mystery thriller called Gas Light where a…
Read More