Work dreams are the worst. You already spent all day at the office, stayed late, spent the evening responding to emails, and now you can’t even drift off to the Land of Nod without taking paperwork and unfinished to-do lists with you. You barely have a weekend anymore, ever since budget cuts forced you toRead… Read more »
It’s time to roll out the red carpet, put on your black tie, and say thank you to your public servants. It’s time for the Oscars for federal employees – aka the Service to America Medals (the Sammies for short). The event hosts its annual awards ceremony this evening. Every year the Partnership for PublicRead… Read more »
There were times when I thought I knew more than anyone around me: fresh out of college with a diploma that said I was educated, reporting for my first assignment with a shiny 2nd Lieutenant gold bar that said I was in charge, or stepping into an HR Director role with years of experience alreadyRead… Read more »
You’re a government employee! Congrats! You’re a rockstar! But now that you are in government, what’s next? How do you rise through the ranks? How do you become a decision maker? At the earlier stages of our careers, it’s sometimes tough to picture ourselves at the top of the organization, being the leader. Nevertheless, planningRead… Read more »
Do you ever have one of those days when you can’t remember what you were hired to do? I mean, sure, somewhere back in the beginnings of time you had a clear job description and routine, but now you’re seemingly tasked with everything from reordering coffee and paper towels to writing the annual report. OverRead… Read more »
It took me took me several years before I could think about this one particular boss without feeling physical anxiety. My heart would start beating faster, my muscles would tense up, and sometimes I’d be so anxious I couldn’t fall asleep. He was the kind of boss to whom all my work was a disappointmentRead… Read more »
I grew up on a farm, so to me, fall means harvest: fruit stands filled to brimming, trucks piled high with ears of corn, hop kilns wafting delicious aromas for miles. Harvest season is busy, but it’s also a good time to take stock of what this year’s efforts have brought so far. Which cropRead… Read more »
These days, LinkedIn is more than just an online resume – and if you’re still just thinking of it that way, you may be missing out on some great opportunities. The networks you build there can be a powerful resource, and more recruiters and hiring managers are actually searching for candidates on the site. EvenRead… Read more »
I’m throwing a disclaimer out here first: I’m an Accountant, not a Human Resources Specialist. That being said, I find the HR components of the federal government really interesting. Perhaps the most puzzling aspect is how to land that elusive interview. So here are a few lessons I learned along the way… 1. If youRead… Read more »
George Carlin is one of my favorite comedians of all time. He had the gift to recognize a completely normal situation and turn it into something hilarious. One of his most unforgettable jokes was his “Seven Dirty Words.” You don’t have to think very hard to come up with the seven. I’ll give you aRead… Read more »