In the military reserve and as an intelligence officer and private sector businessman, I’ve learned that sound leadership – one that embraces teamwork, creativity and flexibility – can get you…
How to gain an edge when a job opportunity arises
Even with the economy in recovery mode, finding a job can be brutal. An average of 250 people apply for every corporate job opening. Scarier still, 80 per cent of…
No reference? No problem – if you know what to do
To the frustration of job seekers and hiring managers alike, an increasing number of employers are instituting a blanket “no reference” policy. The trend, which began in the United States,…
I’ve had a dozen interviews – but zero offers
I was born and raised in Calgary, and have been watching this city develop over the past decade at an astonishing pace. It is becoming exponentially more competitive and difficult…
Companies aim to sell students on sales
Ideally, e-commerce company Shopify Inc. would like to hire hundreds of new graduates as sales people over the next five years to support and expand its rapidly growing client base….
I hate bugging people for references. Can I skip them?
THE QUESTION I am an intermediate-level communications professional with a solid track record who is considering a move to a new organization. However, I absolutely hate asking people to provide…
Motivating employees through volunteerism
What if the best way to motivate your staff isn’t more vacation time, free food or a games room, but instead an opportunity to use their skills to help others…
Study: Switching Majors Increases Graduation Rates
Contrary to popular belief, switching college majors can actually increase a student’s likelihood of graduating, according to a new study from the EAB. Conventional wisdom has suggested that students who…
Military career change: my journey from Afghanistan to the City
Transferable skills and networking made all the difference for an ex-British army captain’s transition to a civilian job. Having joined the army straight from university, my knowledge of the commercial…
How to cut through jargon and communicate clearly
“Your email inbox is full of irrelevant, poorly written crap. Your boss talks in jargon and clichés. The web sites you read are impenetrable and incomprehensible,” he writes in Writing…