CDA Insights

While no one would argue that 2020 made it difficult for even optimists to feel positive, one role of the career professional is to generate hope. If the client does not feel good, it is a sign of growth, and that is good! If the client doesn't see a means to moving ahead at work, it is time for change and together the resources can be tapped. Being intentionally optimistic serves both the self and the world, which includes the people who need career professionals the most. ~

Political polarization in the workplace may reach new heights in 2020. But it doesn’t have to. Yes, everyone is entitled to their opinions and the right to free speech. In the workplace, the stakes are higher due to potential consequences when people make others uncomfortable by attempting to generate support for a particular viewpoint. Its best to remember the goal of the workplace (i.e., provide a product or service), learn how to disagree professionally, practice holding y

How do people convince employers to hire them? Why do people seek career help? Do they see value in seeking help? If one basic tenet of job search is for the job seeker to make their value to the employer known, doesn’t it also make sense that career services providers justify their value? Taking responsibility for communicating the value of an individual’s work is crucial to achieving work goals. ~ Melanie Reinersman, editor@careerdevelopmentalliance.com Photo by Allef Vinic

While jokes about the craziest interview questions and answers abound, the reality is this meeting between an employer and a job seeker significantly impacts life. The variables are as numerous as the list of Fortune 500 companies: structured/unstructured, phone/video, objective/subjective practices, scientific data collection.. cultural fit… timed tests… 30 minutes or 3 months… Whatever the methods, the outcome is the same: either a job offer or not. The job seeker’s hand in

Officially, project manager is a job title that comes with a certain set of skills, certifications, and employment. Off the record, everyone needs to be a project manager. Executive coaches are handling changing client loads, professional development activities, social media and more. Counselor Educators are directing student experiential activities, syllabi requirements, departmental responsibilities and more. Job seekers are juggling… well, you get the idea. The point is we

Generally, anyone born after 1995 through the mid-2000s is considered a member of Generation Z. Also referred to as Post-Millenials, they are the focus of heavy research as employers, marketers and service providers are trying to grasp the unique characteristics of this group that is quickly replacing the baby boomers in the work world. Whether you are doing the hiring, training, supervising, coaching or counseling of someone in this generation, the objective is clear: learn

While there is no such thing as the “best” or “right” or even “one” career for anyone, sometimes it helps to have a starting point for discussions about career choice. Whether these “best” options are the result of brainstorming or assessments, counselors and clients can generate valuable discussions around these points. ~ Melanie Reinersman, editor@careerdevelopmentalliance.com Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash FOCUS ON: Best Jobs for Americans According to Glassdoor, Data Sci