Corporate Warriorshttp://www.donstraits.com/journal/en-US2010-09-03T04:37:54ZSquarespace Site Server v5.11.5 (http://www.squarespace.com/)How Corporations can Legally Implement Age Discriminationhttp://www.donstraits.com/journal/2010/9/1/how-corporations-can-legally-implement-age-discrimination.htmlDon Straits2010-09-02T03:40:51ZIn my last post, I briefly touched on age discrimination and also mentioned some of the new career and business paradigms. Here is a story about the new paradigms that just happened last week, and it is a real eye-opener.

Last week a recruiter friend of mine drove over from the Bay area to join me for lunch. He told me of a challenge he faced. He was asked to find a CEO for a company. The Board of Directors instructed the recruiter to only present candidates under the age of 45! Sounds like age discrimination pure and simple. Totally illegal. But let's dig deeper into the issue and the message it presents for senior execs everywhere.

]]>Indecision, Procrastination, Trapped in the Past: Executives Losthttp://www.donstraits.com/journal/2010/9/1/indecision-procrastination-trapped-in-the-past-executives-lo.htmlDon Straits2010-09-02T02:24:03ZHere are some random thoughts on a trend I have witnessed since the recession began in October '08. Perhaps it has existed longer than I acknowledge, but I am firmly convinced it is now more prevalent than ever. I would welcome your thoughts and comments. Please tell me if I have it all wrong.

I will start with a story from the past as it relates to the present.

]]>"We Can't Hire You. You're Overqualified!"http://www.donstraits.com/journal/2010/7/25/we-cant-hire-you-youre-overqualified.htmlDon Straits2010-07-26T02:26:35ZOne of my favorite cartoon characters is The Wizard of Id. A few years ago I read one of the Wizard’s cartoon strips and it made such a profound impression I cut it out and saved it. Darn! I have misplaced it over the years. However, I can remember the script almost word for word verbatim.

After completing an interview for a job, the Wizard is standing in front of the HR manager. The HR manager says: “We can’t hire you. You’re over qualified.” The Wizard, looking very perplexed, responds: “Just give me the job and I promise to act as stupid as all the rest of you.”

WOW. The wisdom from the Wizard is awesome. Let’s dig a little deeper into this issue.

]]>I Knew My Job Was Secure Until They Fired Mehttp://www.donstraits.com/journal/2010/7/14/i-knew-my-job-was-secure-until-they-fired-me.htmlDon Straits2010-07-14T16:31:07ZI wish I had a dollar for everytime I heard an executive make that statement....I could retire in Bali. Virtually every week I hear stories of how executives were certain their job was secure, and then along comes Donald Trump and says: "You're Fired."

Here are just a few stories. They are never ending.

]]>Video Resume Explosion: A Career Industry Perspectivehttp://www.donstraits.com/journal/2010/5/29/video-resume-explosion-a-career-industry-perspective.htmlDon Straits2010-05-30T00:29:12ZInterviews Jobs Resumes career management executive search job search outplacement resume portfolios video resumesCareer Directors International CDI, an outstanding organization of professional resume writers and career coaches. Today I wrote a post for their members addressing Google's announcement of launching a Video Resume Site. In many circles, video resumes are misunderstood, but they are the wave of the future. I have copied my post to CDI below. It is provocative and controversial. My intent is to motivate and serve the careers industry. I wanted to share this post with the general public so that they can better understand the role of video resumes in the new career paradigm. I welcome your comments.]]>Digital Education for Senior Executives: Two Free Resourceshttp://www.donstraits.com/journal/2010/5/11/digital-education-for-senior-executives-two-free-resources.htmlDon Straits2010-05-11T17:41:01ZBlog Development Organic Marketing SEO Search Strategies blog development blogging free resources searchAre you a Timex Watch in a Digital World?http://www.donstraits.com/journal/2010/4/14/are-you-a-timex-watch-in-a-digital-world.htmlDon Straits2010-04-14T22:36:40ZCareer Management Career strategies Executive Search Interviews Networking Outplacement SEO Search Strategies Social Networking contemporary job search outplacement social networkingHow Branding Cost an Executive His Jobhttp://www.donstraits.com/journal/2010/4/14/how-branding-cost-an-executive-his-job.htmlDon Straits2010-04-14T22:15:15ZBlog Development Branding Career Management Executive Portfolios Networking Networking Organic Marketing Professional Development SEO Search Strategies Social Networking career growth career management executive search modernizationThank You Letters are Boring: Give Yourself a Competitive Edgehttp://www.donstraits.com/journal/2010/2/10/thank-you-letters-are-boring-give-yourself-a-competitive-edg.htmlDon Straits2010-02-10T19:29:43ZCareer Management Career strategies Interviews Q&A Resume Writing job search letter writing thank you letterThank-you letters are so boring. But you feel compelled to write one because the career books, career counselors, and HR managers tell you that is what you are supposed to do. If you don’t do it, then you failed to show professional courtesy. If you do send one, the recipient will appreciate it, but it is rarely the defining factor that gets you the job. Furthermore, they all sound alike. Yawn.

So here are a few thoughts on giving yourself a competitive edge by writing Thank You letters with pizzazz.

]]>The Pope Gets It. Executives Don't. Mindboggling or Should that be Mind Blogginghttp://www.donstraits.com/journal/2010/1/25/the-pope-gets-it-executives-dont-mindboggling-or-should-that.htmlDon Straits2010-01-26T01:13:59ZBlog Development Career Management Networking Networking Organic Marketing SEO Search Strategies Social Networking blog development blogging career growth modernizationgreat article on how the Pope is telling his priests around the world to go forth and blog....become part of the contemporary generation and use social media to reach the masses with the messages from God. Not only that, the Vatican has launched its own channel on You Tube. So cool. Way to go Pope.]]>