Everybody has their sources of inspiration at the times of personal crisis and discouragement: consulting with family or close friends, reading favorite blogs and watching favorite TV shows, reminding oneself of inspirational quotes, listening to some relaxing music or stress-eating. I personally found my latest source of inspiration in the memoir Becoming by the former […]
5 Bad Work Habits You Need to Drop Immediately
Whether it’s the colleague who takes all credit or the boss who cannot stop bombarding you with calls during weekends – all of us have co-workers, subordinates, and managers whose habits can get rather annoying. Well, nobody is perfect and just like your co-workers, even you are bound to have some habits that might be […]
Why You Didn’t Get a Call Back: Three Common Résumé Mistakes and How to Conquer Them
Have you wondered why you have such great experience but can never seem to get an interview? I have news sis: it may be your résumé! Let’s review a few common mistakes that you could be making when applying for career opportunities and why they are detrimental to you, followed by tangible actions that you […]
Five Tips to Win at Work
It is one thing to come to work and complete your daily tasks. It is another to show up and win at work. There are plenty of ways to be a great employee, such as showing up on time and producing great results but winning is so much more. Winning sets future leaders up for […]
6 Times When You Need to Speak Up and Communicate with Power at Work
Being an advocate for your own career in every aspect can be empowering! There will absolutely be times when you will have to speak up at the work. When it happens, you must use good judgment for when and how to raise your voice. Although, speaking up can make some people feel uncomfortable, leaving things […]
Why Mothers Should Celebrate 24-7!
Most US mothers are working moms. Which means our day can start as early as 5 am and end at midnight. Sometimes running off 5 hours of sleep and endless cups of coffee. The duality of the various roles we play in society tug at us daily, but none like the role of mother. It’s beyond […]
5 Career Tips that Benefit Black Women
When you are ready to make your next career move, you must begin to think strategically about how to choose the best advice to help you move forward in your career. Not all advice is good advice for you. Here are a few tips that can help you navigate challenges that could delay or stall […]
Slay Workplace Stress in Three Steps
Work can be a blessing. It not only brings in income, but it can also provide you with self-esteem, friendship and a sense of professional identity. Many of us are highly committed to our work, but at times, we may experience job-related stress. According to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, workplace stress […]
Breathing and Removing Barriers
A colleague of mine, at least once a week says to me “Breathe Woman!” She means this in both the literal and figurative senses. On any given day something happens in either my personal or professional life that makes me… hold my breath. Holding your breath is holding you back! In the literal sense, I […]
5 Tips To Transform Your Professional Brand and Boost Your Career
Branding is a term that’s commonly used in marketing by organizations. We could learn a lot from organizations. They take extensive measures to determine their brand and protect their image. It’s because they understand the value of branding. Think about it this way, just like people buy based on brands, employers hire based on brands. Implementing […]
Black Career Women’s Network Conference: Three Purpose Inspired Lessons I Learned
As a millennial professional, I think it was and still remains refreshing to gain wisdom from executives who have acquired desirable lifestyles and shared their professional experiences. I am still grateful that I attended the second annual Black Career Women Network (BCWN) Conference that was held on Saturday, October 14, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio, which […]
The New Position Phobia: Navigating and Excelling in a New Position
After completing my PhD, I was eager to start my career. I spent years studying theories, completing internships, buried in books and homework, and making a less than modest salary. I was 29 years old and just starting my first BIG girl BOSS job. Prior to embarking on a career, thoughts of imposter syndrome rain […]
How to Turn Ambition into your Dream Position: 3 Critical Career Moves for Black Women
Research over the last two years has pointed to the paradox in the careers of Black women. Our burning ambition is smoldering in our hearts but not realized because of factors both in and out of our control. As an award-winning Organizational Psychologist, I know first- hand the grafting and the skill set needed to move on […]
6 Things You Shouldn’t Do When Asking for a Raise
There is probably no situation in the life of an employee that’s more awkward and stressful than asking the boss for a raise. If you’ve never done it before, you might be afraid to ask for one, simply because you absolutely have no idea how to approach the situation. Having cold feet might lead to […]
7 Tactics to Prevent Job Search Depression
Whether you’ve been let go, you’ve just graduated, or you’re looking for something new, searching for a job today can lead to depression. While a few decades ago it was a simple process to find a new job, and there were plenty of high-level jobs for people with skills, experience, or degrees, now there is […]
4 Pillars of Negotiating for Career Success – Black Women’s Equal Pay Day
Black women in the United States who work full-time, year-round are typically paid just 63 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men. Women of color face unique challenges when negotiating, via their white female counterparts. July 31, 2017, is known as #EqualPayDay for black women because that’s how long it takes for them […]
The Black Woman In The Mirror: When Black Women Struggle to Champion Each Other At Work
Like many Black women I know, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have had some amazing Black women as mentors and colleagues. We’ve supported each other, shared our knowledge, and championed each other when other folks didn’t want to see us succeed. But, recently I was speaking with a new friend and the topic turned to […]
Your Work Week Inspiration
Going back to work on Monday can be a miserable task for some and very joyous for others. Either way, Mondays are a great opportunity to start fresh, correct mistakes, and finish uncompleted task or goals. Start to think of Mondays as a new beginning and here are a few tips to get you started: Create […]
Does Your Employer Know Your Value?
A mid-career professional recently shared a passionate story with me about her employer not valuing her professional worth. Intrigued, I asked for details, and she indulged me with stories related to how she works long hours to exceed objectives. However, no one ever rewards her with a thank you, promotion, or raise. Instead of receiving […]
The Olivia Pope of Higher Education: Navigating a Career in Student Affairs
As we embark on a new, provocative season of ABC’s most notorious prime time dramas written by the illustrious Shonda Rhimes, I can’t help but think about how much Olivia Pope is more than just a fictional character I see every Thursday night. For those who haven’t succumbed to the #TGIT , Olivia Pope is […]
Failure? It’s all Relative!
#1 LACK OF SUCCESS There seems to be this unspoken rule that many of us have instilled within us that relates to what constitutes failure. The fear of failure can be crippling and some people even see taking risks as reckless. Not getting things done exactly how you envisaged or set out to apparently means […]
3 Reasons You Should Stop Saying “That’s Not a Part of My Job” in the Workplace
Many of us have heard others or ourselves say these dreadful words that no manager or supervisor wants to hear “That’s not a part of my job”. Before you get up in arms, starts a strike and call the union let me share with you why that statement should no longer be a part of […]
Embrace Being Different: Working While a Black Woman
Working in our society can be challenging. Over the years, the workplace landscape has changed. More and more women are working and flourishing into roles that were invisibly labeled “men only”. However, working while a black woman has many more hurdles than anyone in the job market. A variety of topics from how we wear […]
5 Things to Keep in Mind While Preparing for a Corporate Holiday Party
If you’re used to nibbling on your lunch in between keyboard strokes or having the luxury of preparing home cooked meals while in your pajamas, you may have forgotten the rules of dining etiquette. But you’ll need etiquette reminders if you receive that sparkly invitation to a holiday party this year. Don’t worry: we have […]
How to Avoid Being Stuck with the Wrong Mentor
Mentoring is supposed to be a positive experience between two individuals – mentor and mentee. Many of the organizations we work in have the best of intentions with their mentoring programs and activities. And we, as employees, are excited to know that there are leaders in our organizations which we can learn from. But sometimes the […]
Five People Every Professional Needs For Their Career to Succeed
“It takes a village.” When it comes to your career, this is definitely true. Savvy professionals know that being successful in any job or position involves having many individuals focused on their success, helping them achieve their career goals along the way. They know that no one builds a successful career alone. Such professionals also […]
5 Ways to Boost Your Professional Brand in 30 Days
People are judging you everyday. They are using the information at their disposal to determine if they want to hire, promote, or book you as a speaker for an upcoming event. Don’t miss out on a chance to influence how people perceive you. People will begin to see you as a thought leader in your […]
Navigating Micro-Aggressions in the Workplace
Microaggressions can be defined as “the everyday verbal, nonverbal, and environmental slights, snubs, or insults, whether intentional or unintentional, which communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative messages to target persons based solely upon their marginalized group membership (Wing Sue, 2010).” These subtle snubs can creep up in the work environment in the most unlikely places. In […]
5 Ways to Build an Empowered Career
Black Career Women’s Network (BCWN) Career Conversations focuses on elevating female African-American professionals to a level of empowerment within their career. The BCWN is comprised of women from entry-level to C Suite who provide and receive career advice from others who have been in their position or offer a different perspective to working. BCWN Founder […]
6 Ways to Stay Marketable While Unemployed
The longer you are out of work, the less marketable you can become. Whether you’re fresh out of college or a seasoned professional, here are 6 ways to stay marketable while searching for your next job opportunity. 1) Define Who You are as a Professional and What You Want Create a 30 second debut statement […]
4 Career Moves You Should Make in 2016
When it comes to your own career success, it begins and ends with you. By making a few changes in how you manage your career can increase your net worth and marketability. Here are four career moves you should make in 2016 that can create movement in your career and put you on the right […]
Black Career Woman Spotlight: Jacqueline Twillie
How do you make your coins? Founder and President of ZeroGap Consultants, Professional Training and Development in Dallas, TX What strategies or steps have you taken to achieve success in your chosen field? Information gathering is the consistent strategy that I’ve used throughout my career to reach each level of success. Whether in the form of […]
Black Career Woman Spotlight: Natasha Nurse
How do you make your coins? Having been a victim of bullying as a child growing up, I learned to seek out fashion as a source of strength early on and actively uses it as a personal means of empowerment; because of my own experiences with bullying and my strong desire to help others within […]
Black Career Woman Spotlight: Yolanda McCleary
How do you make your coins? Over the last 7 years, I have been living my best life as a Resume Writer, Career Coach and Career Development Instructor in Philadelphia. By day, I am an Employment Placement Manager for Year Up Philadelphia where I provide career development instruction, career coaching, and job placement services to […]