Michael Sterling
Why I Object to Objectives

  For the record, I object to objectives on resumes. When writing a resume – don’t include an objective statement – ever!   I realize there are different viewpoints on this issue. Based on years of experience as a career coach, I have many reasons to scrap an objective statement.   Top 5 Reasons I […]


Michael Sterling
7 Productivity Potholes

  How many times have you wondered where the day went? One minute it’s 8am, the next it’s 8pm. Did you get as much done as you wanted? Chances are the answer is – NO!   We always think we’re being productive, when actually we’ve hit numerous productivity potholes. The potholes aren’t large enough to […]


Michael Sterling
How’s Your Career Cred? A 5-Step Reputation Checklist

  Whether you’re early in your career or high on the ladder, your reputation is the foundation of your personal brand. So, let’s get straight to the point – how’s your ‘Career Cred?’ Like ‘Street Cred’, Career Cred is how other professionals view you – your popularity and acceptance by your professional peers. In short […]


Michael Sterling
The Unexpected Reason You Need a Vacation!

  It’s summer. As a kid, it was the time of year I loved most. Summer meant days filled with fun rather than school work. Today summer still holds a special place, even if work now blends seamlessly with summer.   When I think back on counting the days to summer break, I realize what […]


Michael Sterling
Risks of Resigning: The Retaliation Strike

  Here’s the scenario: You have resigned from your job to move to a great new opportunity and are firm on your decision. All good, right? Maybe not. There are proven risks of resigning. Keep your guard up for a possible retaliation strike.   Why? Because unless you know how to diffuse your current employer’s […]


Michael Sterling
Character Counts – How to Leave a Job Gracefully

  Imagine a co-worker who trashes his cubicle, plays practical jokes on his replacement and slinks off with the copier on his last day of work. Is this a person you’d recommend to a prospective employer?  Or expect your firm to rehire? Or expect team members to want to work with again? Probably not.   […]


Michael Sterling
Exit Strategy: How to Resign the Right Way

  If you’re in Public Accounting, you may be caught up in the flurry of the post busy season job search. In my last article,13 Hidden Ways to Fail an Interview, I outlined the most common ways candidates bomb an interview without knowing it. Now, let’s say that, instead of an interview being a flop, […]


Michael Sterling
13 Hidden Ways to Fail an Interview

  I think most job seekers know the basics in interview etiquette. Dress the part, do your research, prepare intelligent responses and ask quality questions. These are core elements of a successful interview.   Let’s say you nailed the basics – and still received the dreaded mail-bot auto message thanking you for your time, but […]


Michael Sterling
Your Smile Isn’t Going to Get You Promoted

What Really Matters on the Ladder of Success   I’ve been writing about the importance of executive presence. Developing executive presence is a cornerstone in the effort to build your personal brand.   “We need leaders who model high social intelligence…who appeal to our higher selves and invite us to grow as individuals and as […]


Michael Sterling
6 Sure Fire Ways to Build Your Personal Brand

  In the past few weeks, I’ve been writing about the important of executive presence. Developing executive presence is a cornerstone in the effort to build your personal brand.   Author and management consultant, Karl Albrecht names Executive Presence as one of the five pillars of social intelligence:   Presence: Often referred to as “bearing,” […]

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