There is a growing and disturbing trend among US and Canadian companies to implement a policy of work confirmation-only references. In other words, their policy is to confirm employment, and that’s all. This is a major career management hurdle for all of us.

We all deserve references for work well done. They are, in effect, part of our compensation, a reward for work well done. So, given that you cannot impact company policy, what can you do?

What this trend does is highlight the importance of r…

The importance of career investment

Not investing in yourself is like floating down a fast river without a paddle, map or knowledge of what’s around the next bend. Things may go fine for a while, but at some point, you’re going to realize you made a giant mistake.

To avoid such unforeseen disaster, you need career investment to proactively and thoughtfully create a plan for achieving your career and life goals.

And if that doesn’t convince you, here are 10 reasons why investing in your career…

Making the most out of your reference section

As part of the consulting I do, I have occasion to do or commission personal reference checking on candidates. In the last several months, I have run into a number of situations any job seeker should try to avoid.

The Setup

A very aggressive and seemingly capable candidate promptly provided me with a list of references at my request. As I made the calls and received rave reviews on the candidate, I started to get a sinking feeling. The responses were to…

I was jogging in the park the other day and noticed a number of professional dog walkers. They had many dogs under their care and the necessary tools of their trade. Nothing remarkable about that.

What struck me was a) the number of providers I saw on this one visit, b) their marketing efforts, and c) the range of services offered. Parked on the streets around the park were various types of mini-van and SUV, emblazoned with each dog walking entrepreneur’s web site address, phone number, slogan, a…

What is a Talent Investor?

A talent investor is an individual or entity that strategically allocates resources and support to identify, nurture, and develop the skills and potential of individuals, often in the fields of business, technology, or the arts, with the aim of maximizing their long-term success and impact.

Why invest in your talent?

It would be easy to abandon the fancy notions that placed such a high value on our talent in the late ’90s and dismiss the talent war as a pleasant anomaly. …