Looking for guidance or inspiration? The Now What blog is packed with free advice, tips, and real-world insights to help you navigate work and life with confidence.
As one reader shares, "Amanda embodies what an ideal HR professional should be—empathetic, understanding, and solution-focused. She stands out by prioritizing needs while creating a truly unique and supportive approach."
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The Value of a Trusted Consultant
In today’s fast-paced professional world, having a trusted consultant can make all the difference. As someone who has spent over a decade in HR, I’ve seen firsthand how pivotal guidance and support can be in shaping one’s career.
The Role of Mentorship in Career Growth
Early in my career, I realized how invaluable mentorship was to my growth and success. Mentors have shaped my journey in countless ways—some were people I knew personally, others were thought leaders I admired from afar. Some came from my professional circles, some from my family, and others I met serendipitously along the way.
Leading and Influencing Without a 'Leadership' Title
One of the most common mistakes young professionals make early in their careers is underestimating their power to lead and influence, even without an official "leadership" title. Many assume they must wait for a promotion to a position like "manager" or "supervisor" before they can step into leadership roles. However, the truth is that leadership begins long before any formal title is granted.
Determining What you Are Worth
Throughout my career, I’ve had employees come to me with their resignation, catching me completely off guard. It’s always frustrating when someone decides to leave without giving us a chance to discuss their concerns or preferences. In many cases, their reasons for leaving were issues we could have addressed or at the very least discussed.
Building Your Personal Brand
Your personal brand is one of the most valuable assets you have. Think of it as the story people tell about you when you’re not in the room. It’s about how you’re perceived based on your actions, interactions, and overall presence.
Managing Up
Here’s the situation: My manager and I were aligned on a particular issue and how to handle it. When we went together to present our solution to our boss, my manager completely changed his stance. Suddenly, I felt abandoned, standing alone in a spotlight.
Why Should You Care?
I sat there thinking, “Why am I crying about this email I wrote so long ago?” Yes, they provided a stable job and room for professional growth - all the things good employers should do. But those things aren’t what made me loyal to them for over eight years.
Off-boarding Essentials: Insights from an HR Director
Navigating being let go or experiencing a layoff can be challenging. As someone who has overseen employee offboarding as a Director of People and HR, I understand the complexities firsthand. Whether from the perspective of an HR professional or an employee facing termination, there are valuable insights I’ve gained that I’d like to share with you.
Thanks for the Feedback
The most recent piece of feedback I received stopped me in my tracks. First, I was embarrassed. I knew my delivery wasn’t my best work but it was even more mortifying to realize that others noticed it as well. It felt like leaving the house on a bad hair day, hoping nobody would notice, only to find out it was worse than I thought.
Mastering Your Individual Development Plan
In moments of uncertainty, I recognized the importance of a roadmap – an IDP. It would have provided clarity and direction, helped to articulate my aspirations, identify areas for growth, and craft actionable strategies to achieve my goals.
Job Vs. Career V.s Calling
Recently, someone asked me a question that got me thinking: “What is the difference between a job, a career and a calling?” Let’s break it down.
Get to the Point
One of the most important skills in your professional toolbelt is the ability to get to the root of an issue. Throughout my career, I’ve seen countless instances where people dive headfirst into solving a problem without truly understanding what they’re tackling. Often, when people attempt to find a solution, they’re asking the wrong questions.
What Does Taylor Swift Have to Do with Your Career Success Anyway?
In honor of Taylor Swift’s latest album release, let’s hit pause and tune into a different kind of melody - Taylor’s business acumen. You don’t have to be a Swiftie to know that Taylor Swift has a knack for setting goals and crushing them (see her 12 Grammy Awards and multibillion dollar generating world tour). So, why not take a page from her playbook and step into your professional growth era!
Create Your Personal Board of Directors
During a casual lunch with a colleague, they mentioned their ‘personal board of directors’. I said, “I love that concept!” Interestingly, they replied, “I learned that from you!” On my drive home, after laughing at myself a bit, I started to think about how important and valuable a ‘personal board of directors’ is.
On a Personal Note…
The other day, it was brought to my attention that I hadn't properly introduced myself. I started this site because I am deeply passionate about this corner of the professional world and I have a lot to say! My goal is to provide valuable content that equips you with actionable insights for your career.
So You’ve Started a New Job
Whether you're interviewing for your first job ever or just a new job in general; there are basic fundamentals of interviewing that everyone must know and spoiler alert they're mostly common sense!
I've Landed An Interview - Now What?
Whether you're interviewing for your first job ever or just a new job in general; there are basic fundamentals of interviewing that everyone must know and spoiler alert they're mostly common sense!
Do I Need an Elevator Pitch?
The answer is yes, you need an elevator pitch so that when someone says “Tell me about yourself” you are ready to go. The good news? It’s not as hard or daunting as you might think! A lot of times I find people are overthinking their elevator speech when they probably already have one, they just don’t know it.
How to Create a Vision Board for Your Goals
If you're stuck in a rut, personally or professionally, I like to find inspiration and create something tangible I can look at to remind me what I'm trying to accomplish. Over the years this has looked like a mind map in my planner or a list of intentions in my notes app. Creating a Vision Board helped me visualize my ultimate goals in a way that I couldn’t have done otherwise!
Navigating Workplace Friendships
Should you be friends with coworkers? It depends! Explore the benefits and challenges of workplace friendships, how to set boundaries, and maintain professionalism. With tips and examples, this guide helps you navigate connections that enhance your career while protecting your personal brand.