I attended the virtual Conference for Women this month and took away a lot of great insights that apply to anyone!  Negotiations. When you consider what you really want out of a job (e.g., more money, more respect), is your current company able to give that to you? In other words, what’s the context? It may have nothing to do with your worth, so don't sell yourself short.  Obtain 3 objective data points when doing market salary research. Use a site like Glassdoor, ask friends what they make, or find someone who works for a competitor and try to find out what they ..read more

Many people ask us how to find openings on the boards of nonprofits or for-profit companies. There are two ways to go about it: 1) cultivate your network over time and/or 2) search online or become a member of a board-focused association. Neither path will be quick unless you already have a strong network of executive connections. However, the route that involves building connections is likely to produce better and faster results. You have to be patient. While landing a job can take up to six months or more depending on your level, it could take six months to several years ..read more

Interviews are stressful. Even if you're not in a desperate situation to find a job, they're anxiety producing. The first thing to remind yourself is that the employer knows you have the qualifications because they invited you for the interview! Phew, step one is done. You're already well on your way. So what's the interview for? Sure, the employer will want to confirm that you know your stuff. But the main thing is they want to know if you're someone who is going to be pleasant and easy to work with. That is, can you get along with the boss and the team?  But of course you ..read more

It’s the start of a new year and I’m sure finances are on the mind. Here are some great tips written by Chelsi Dildine, who is a financial advisor with Edward Jones. Now that we’ve reached 2024, you might be thinking about your goals and hopes for the new year. But in addition to whatever personal resolutions you might make — volunteering, going to the gym more, learning a new language and others — why not make some financial resolutions, too? Here are a few to consider: • Boost your retirement savings. If you can afford it, try to increase your contributions to y ..read more

By the summer of 2015, Career Valet – my first company – had been growing each year since I started in 2012. I’d been asked by several people over the years if I had considered starting a recruiting business for U.S. military and foreign service (diplomat) spouses like me, and I thought, this is a SIGN! Everyone sees this need, and I can fill it and tackle the massive problem of spouse unemployment, which was over 28%. And even better, I found someone who wanted to tackle it with me! We called it ServingTalent and went all in. Everyone was excited. I felt elated as I drove my kids to school, t ..read more

It's December. For many, it's the start of the holiday season and for all, it's almost the end of another year. That means it's the best time to reflect on your past year and the lessons you've learned. It's a good time to choose what you want to carry with you into 2024 and what you want to leave behind.  In the past, I've reviewed my year and then asked myself big questions like: What would I do if I could not fail? What would a wildly successful year look like for me? What do I not want to experience again?  But this year, I have a new way of considering the futu ..read more

There are a lot of AI tools popping up that people say could assist or already do help companies with interviewing. But how can YOU use AI to help you prepare for interviews?  ChatGPT can almost act as a coach as you prepare for interviews. While not exactly the same as getting feedback from a human, it can be useful especially if you're in a time crunch.  This first prompt may be counterintuitive because it sounds as if it's from the employer's point of view, but it can help you determine what you may be asked! This will allow you to better prepare answers.  What is a ..read more

In the final episode of season 4, Ann and Marcelle wrap up with a no-bullshit discussion of how challenging it can be to engage in the resume-writing process at ⁠Career Valet⁠. Some highlights: Revamping or rewriting your resume is difficult, even when you have professional help It's normal to freak out when navigating a big change, like shifting careers or changing jobs Learn which 3 questions to ask yourself before you begin your work with us Listen on your favorite podcast app ..read more

This week, Ann welcomes Deiadre Rauch to the show to talk about imposter syndrome. Deiadre is an International Coaching Federation Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and an adjunct faculty member at the Institute for Transformational Leadership at Georgetown University. Some highlights from the conversation: The idea is real, but is it a syndrome or a phenomenon? Imposter syndrome isn't just about our careers ... parents can feel like imposters, too Self talk and internal thoughts matter! Own your story and celebrate successes Learn more about Deiadre and find resources to access you ..read more

AI prompts to identify skills you need if you're making a career change or targeting a higher level. General job title help: "What are the top 5 skills and qualifications required for a jobseeker targeting [insert relevant job title] roles?"  "Can you help me identify transferable skills from the following job descriptions and accomplishments that are relevant to a target job position as a [insert relevant job title]? (Cut and paste your previous job descriptions/work experience) "What are the unique selling points or strengths that this jobseeker possesses that can set th ..read more