A sensitive but timely topic in the media is about those in important and powerful positions who abuse their status and role, and intentionally or not, violate the moral and civil codes of ethics, and yet expect to be exonerated because of who they are and what they do. Take a look at “Rash of Scandals Tests Democrats at Sensitive Time” to get the details on the dirt.
The above is premised on a recent New York byline regarding the NYS Governor, among other politicians, who finds himself embroiled in an …

I have been pleasantly surprised with the episodes of “The Undercover Boss” I’ve watched.  The well-to-do CEO shrugs off the golf clubs, chic expensive cars, cushy lifestyle, expensive suits and jewelry, even if only for a week, to mingle and, alas, work alongside their company’s employees.
Talk about timing given the bad press some other CEOs have been receiving particularly during and post senate hearings.  How can they expect sympathy when they have the audacity to show up in corporate jets, whining about how they cannot afford to not pay bonuses …

A recent New York Times headline was Millions of Unemployed Face Years Without Jobs.  Now if that is not an attention-getting, ominous banner, then I do not know what is.
 Not surprisingly, the article focuses on those of us who have gone beyond the one year mark as unemployed, displaced, laid off, etc. persons.  A concern raised by one such victim, who is appalled, and rightfully so I must add, by the fact the unemployed are viewed as lazy, uninspired, willing to stay at home types.  Victim, because I do view …

Take advantage of this “free time” to dream. I do not mean the Walter Mitty type of fantasies, although that is not such a bad thing. Explore your options, even those you thought were impossible.
While networking, I perused articles on job searching, people in transition, career realignments and just plain, spent way too much time on the internet (not something I want to admit but it must be said).
One can easily become mesmerized or possibly addicted to surfing the internet. It becomes one’s crutch. Signing up to …

Do you need a career coach? The answer may surprise you but it all depends on the individual and in most cases the answer is, “Yes.”
This is my personal journey. My name is Roger Lopez a Senior Manufacturing Operations Executive with an extensive and consistent record of improving product quality, customer service levels, profits and organizational efficiency across diverse industries with complex environment.
During the past 20 years I held the following executive positions:

Director of Operations,
General Manager of Operations,
Vice President of Operations and
President.

Thorough out my career I never worried about …

You did your research and got that interview. You executed your IPOP (see my IPOP article for details) and notes (your outfit was coordinated, your hair, perfect), and your A-game was on (confident). Then, nothing…uh oh.
You go over what you said, what you could have said. Was it the suit? Should you have printed out two resumes instead of one? You call your friends, talk to your family and suddenly it dawns on you “they’re just not that into you” …. But, I thought I …

You must pass muster with the pre-screening process to get past the “black hole”. Uploading your application and resume to the company website is not enough. You have to re-invent the job search wheel.
As part of this process, you will be rebuffed and often (sorry!). One such instance occurred when a posting on LinkedIn provided the HR rep’s direct contact info (a fluke?). After submitting my online application and resume, I followed up with a call to the HR contact. Amazingly, I got through to …

Last week we talked about the bane of our job seeking existence, the HR Gatekeepers. I felt compelled, in all fairness, to speak to the good that HR reps do. If there is nothing more important during this difficult process, it is to keep an equal balance, both in perspective and outlook.
We tend, as prospective job seekers, employees and even employers, to view HR reps as all knowing, and yet functionally invisible. Ironically, they are human too. As such, they bring with them a plethora of …

(Warning: I am going to get on my soapbox, and talk about those to whom we have to sell our wares just so we can get in front of the hiring manager. They are the Human Resource representatives.)
HR are the individuals who have to balance the needs and goals of the firm, help the executives and leadership to achieve their goals from a people perspective, and who create an open-door-like policy with the general population.
I have worked in this area for a number of years. I have valued colleagues …

Ok, I’m going to admit to something that a few have been sworn to secrecy upon the pain of possible death … I watch The Bachelor … ok, I hear the gasps, I see the eyes rolling and yet, I know you feel my pain. Allow me to explain.  The reason why I watch is scientific.  Really! How can you not relate to the women (and the men, during the seasons of The Bachelorette) as we face the job layoffs and job search? It IS like trying to get the …