Is protecting your time and energy in the workplace an afterthought? It used to be for me. Early on in my career, I succumbed to letting my work take priority and run my life. That meant no boundaries, less time for myself, and poor health habits. But working in the corporate world for 10+ years,…
5 Steps to Build & Boost Your Personal Brand
Personal brand. It’s certainly an overused term, but it’s definitely not overrated. Personal branding is more important than ever as it helps you to build a reputation for what you want to be known for, differentiate yourself from others, increase your value and influence, and ultimately, advance your career. Regardless if you work in the…
Career Development Plan [Worksheet]
Creating a career development plan shows that you see your performance and personal development as a priority. L&I®’s Career Development Plan worksheet will allow you to reflect and put into action the direction you want to go in your role and career. It can also be a great resource to use in your professional conversations…
7 Ways Your Side Hustle Can Supercharge Your Day Job
Nearly half of Americans have a side hustle today and 43% of those side hustlers work full-time jobs. There’s no question that side hustles are on the rise. And depending on whether you’ve already started one or are thinking about it, there’s a lot to consider. It could be that you’re looking to make your…
The Ultimate Job Seeker Resource Guide
Hey job seeker, I’m glad you’re here. I know how challenging it can be to start looking for a new job. It once took me over six months to land a job. I share that because I want you to know I’ve been in your shoes and I understand the time and effort that goes…
6 Ways to Stand Out in a Competitive Job Market
I graduated from college back in 2011, during the aftermath of the Great Recession. I knew then I needed to do my due diligence to stand out as the job market was fierce. While I graduated from college without a full-time job, I was able to land one just 10 days later. This was all…
A 6-Step Guide to Writing an Enticing Cover Letter
Are you fed up with spending hours struggling to write the perfect cover letter? It certainly can seem like an impossibly difficult thing to do. You’ve probably thought to yourself, “I don’t know where to start!” or “I want to sound confident but not arrogant” or “I don’t know what to write about myself!” During…
6 Ways to Show Your Personality at Work
When I first started my corporate career nearly a decade ago, I didn’t feel like I could bring my full personality into work. The way I was expected to show up in the workplace was different than it is today. I was directed to keep my social media private, to not bring my emotions with…
Featuring Shalane Walker: Corporate Leader & DEI Advocate
I met Shalane at my first L&I event in late 2018. I connected with her right away because of our career background, as we both work full-time in the advertising industry. Shalane is an Associate Media Director at Wavemaker Chicago, where she currently manages media data for the 2020 U.S. Census account. She has extensive experience…
