By Kathleen Winsor-Games NABBW’s Associate for Women and Work What are some meaningful accomplishments that you would like to check off your career bucket list before you retire? If you don’t have a career bucket list yet, now is the perfect time to set about creating one. Think back to when you started your career. What seemed important then? Are there areas you haven’t explored yet that have always been on your career wish list? Why not engage in some wish fulfillment, and transition into an area of passion and untapped strength in your next chapter? You could begin with a modest... Read More

By Kathleen Winsor-Games NABBW’s Associate for Women and Work The changing nature of work and the new American workplace have been reported on frequently over the past decade. As women and Baby Boomers, we have moved from the expectation of having one or two jobs during the course of our lifetime to an uncertain landscape that our parents would scarcely recognize. The economic and workplace shifts occurring during the decade have been cataclysmic, and many workers are still numbed by recent shockwaves as they attempt to adapt. For many Baby Boomers, retirement has been postponed and age discrimination... Read More

Even in the Worst of Times, Best Prepared Candidates Still Get Jobs By Dumont Gerkin Owen Ph.D. NABBW’s Women & Work Expert How is it that even when the times get really tough in the job market, there are always individuals who find jobs.  Are they smarter than you?  Too young, too old? Better qualified, cheaper or are they the best-prepared candidate out of the applicant pool? So how do you, as an applicant, become the employer’s best of the best? Work harder and smarter than your competitors The average advice is to spend twenty hours per week for a part-time job and... Read More

The Gender Gap in Employment:  A New Twist? By Dumont Gerken Owen, Ph.D. NABBW’s Women & Work Expert The recession has had a devastating effect on salaries and hiring rates for both men and women.  Evidence, however, indicates that the gender gap has extended from a disparity of salaries and advancement to the job search. According Tony Pugh of McClatchy Newspapers, for every twenty jobs that are filled, only one was by a woman.  This is particularly disturbing as in recent years women have risen to 52% of the job force.  According to Pugh this is not necessarily due only to systemic... Read More

Is Fear of Rejection a Motivator or Hindrance in Your Job Search? By Dumont Gerken Owen, Ph.D. NABBW’s Women and Work Expert The job search has been described as a series of “no’s” followed by a “yes”.  In other words, rejection is an inevitable part of every job search.  It’s your response to rejection that will influence the momentum and success of your job search. I am reminded of an incident that happened to my mother many years ago. While she was out riding, her horse took the bit in his mouth and headed “lickety-split” back to the barn. This particular barn had divided... Read More

Are You as Courageous as a Baby Squirrel? By Dumont Gerken Owen, Ph.D. NABBW’s Women and Work Expert I watched a baby squirrel the other day as he learned to navigate trees.  He carefully tested each branch to see if it could hold his weight. A little later, I went back and looked up in the tree.  I was amazed!  The squirrel was jumping from branch to branch. Talk about a leaf of faith!  This was one courageous squirrel. How about you? Are you willing to make that leap of faith?  You may be anxious or fearful about your career transition or job search, but are you willing to commit... Read More