The anticipation of returning to work seems deadly.  Each day the stress mounts, each night your brain races about what needs to be done.  The idea of balancing a job and homelife seems insurmountable.

Until you do it.

Going back to work? Don't take another step in your job search process until you figure out HOW to be successful in your next role.  Why waste time, energy and potentially lost dollars on a role that isn't the right fit?  Get it right.  The first time.

You decided to return to work.  Congratulations.  And, you did all the right things to find the right job.

While my work often takes me on the road to clients' homes, my base of operations remains in my own home. There was a thought in my mind, when I first started my home improvement business, to rent out office space. But since most of my paying jobs involve field work, it didn't seem to make much sense to spend money renting office space. With computers so finely networked these days, a home office proved more than sufficient.

All too often, working moms join companies only to learn the company is in financial distress.  They pursue a smaller company in the hopes of more flexibility or the ability to impact the business. However, they were either purposely misled during the interview or never told about the company's dire situation.

Apparently, I am a nag and my sixteen year old son has coined names for the different levels of nagging I am guilty of. Here goes:

1. The Pre-Nag – A pre-nag is a nag that comes before my son is actually guilty of doing anything wrong. A pre-nag anticipates that he is about to do something slob related. For example: He’ll walk into the dining room after basketball practice and before he drops his gym bag, I’ll say “don’t drop your gym bag and sneakers on the floor. Take them to your room.” That my friends, is a classic Pre-Nag!

Creating a blockbuster resume is essential to landing the right job, continuing or progressing a 

We all want to succeed at the interview.  Succeeding means connecting with the interviewers and making them want to offer you the job.  You want the interview to be YOURS.  It should be YOURS to say NO to, not the other way around.

Over and over again, I am amazed at the accomplished, successful, wonderful women I meet that lack self-confidence.  These women are powerhouses with amazing resumes, wonderful families and incredible experiences.  Yet, when the leave and re-enter the workforce, their confidence disappears.

Confidence is critical to career success.  It is critical to the job search process, resume development, interviewing and work-life balance.

What happened to Paula Deen?

The Food Network dropped her like something deep fried and smothered in butter. But her fans are defending her and still lining up at her restaurant.