Corporate Warriors

How Corporations can Legally Implement Age Discrimination

Don Straits — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 03:40:51 +0000

In 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 Lost

Don Straits — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 02:24:03 +0000

Here 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!"

Don Straits — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 02:26:35 +0000

One 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 Me

Don Straits — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 16:31:07 +0000

I 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 Perspective

Don Straits — Sun, 30 May 2010 00:29:12 +0000

I am a member of Career 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 Resources

Don Straits — Tue, 11 May 2010 17:41:01 +0000

Every week I speak to senior level executives who are looking to secure new challenging opportunities. The overwhelming majority of them are facing extraordinary challenges. They either can't secure interviews or if they do, they keep coming in second place. While there may be many reasons they don't succeed, I have witnessed one overriding commonality.

Are you a Timex Watch in a Digital World?

Don Straits — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 22:36:40 +0000

This post continues to reaffirm how imperative it is for executives to adapt to the new career paradigm. Every day, without exception, I talk with executives who just don't get it. The net result is they are out of work, out of touch and will be left out in the cold.

How Branding Cost an Executive His Job

Don Straits — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 22:15:15 +0000

I enjoyed a long conversation with Ben Paramore a few days ago. This is a talented executive who really understands today's new business and career paradigms. He started building his brand about three years ago, and about a year ago he launched his blog. He has had great success and has had many of his posts featured in major internet publications. The problem is he didn't tell his boss.

Thank You Letters are Boring: Give Yourself a Competitive Edge

Don Straits — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:29:43 +0000

Thank-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 Blogging

Don Straits — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 01:13:59 +0000

I absolutely love this. I just read a great 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.