Yesterday...I celebrated my 17th anniversary. Safe in my bed, safe in my home, safe in my state, safe in the United States of America.

Today...I listened to the names of 165 Alabaman soldiers who have lost their lives from 9-11-01 until today. The most recent lost his life in August.

Today...I attended a memorial service for Maj. Dwayne Williams and all who have given their lives since September 11, 2001. The event was held in the small town of Jacksonville, AL and was attended by community members, military personnel, commissioners and Gold Star Wives of America.

The Prism Group, LLC/CPI, Birmingham based partner in one of the world's largest providers of talent management solutions, is pleased to announce its expansion in the Netherlands, Canada and the United States.

Birmingham, AL (July 27, 2011) – At a time when many talent management firms are consolidating, eliminating service locations and closing offices entirely, Career Partners International (CPI) continues to increase its global presence and its service capabilities.

The labor picture now shows signs of promise for job seekers as both the metro and state unemployment rates are well below the 26-year highs of 2010.

Roy Williams' article presents advice from Birmingham employment experts on revitalizing your career.

To view the full blog post at al.com, visit http://blog.al.com/businessnews/2011/01/reporters_notebook_birmingham_1.html

Folks are searching for additional resources to find networking opportunities, tips on job leads, and mentors to improve their chances of finding job opportunities.

Our career assistance ministry was mentioned in this article about how church ministries have emerged during these tough economic times to help the job seekers.

To view the full blog post at al.com, visit http://blog.al.com/businessnews/2010/09/birmingham_area_churches_help.html and other sources.

Emotional hardiness and resilience as predictors of job search success.

I participated in a career ministry session on Monday night. The topic was LinkedIn and Social Media for job search (www.can-b.net). Phyllis Neil of WeMentor spoke to us about personal branding through social media.  Two recruiters, Scott and Kristie, shared their expertise as well.

I reviewed the evaluations from the session and one gave me pause.

Question: What did you like best about the session?

Here's a post from The Birmingham News on how downsizing may open the door to a mid-life career change. If handled with the proper attitude, this cloud can have a silver lining and provide the opportunity for an unexpected happy change in your life.

Read the full article here:
http://blog.al.com/bhamjobs/2010/02/mid-life_career_change_downsiz.html

Career advice comes in all shapes and sizes, in four legged friends and even on youtube. If you are an animal lover, you will appreciate this video. If you are passionate about helping people with special needs as my friends at www.ucpbham.com are, you will be able to relate.

If you are making career choices or changes, or helping shape a young person, the message is just as powerful. Find your real talent. Don't waste time being something you are not. You may miss the opportunity to be spectacular in your own way.

I wrote an article that was published in the July/August issue of Diversity Executive. It covers the fact that women executives are not as plentiful as male executives and what diversity efforts can be implemented to help move women through the ranks.

Read the entire article at the following URLs:

Article on Diversity Executive website: http://www.diversity-executive.com/article.php?article=711

I talk regularly with clients about their elevator speech or infomercial.   It is an important part of networking meetings, interviews and the corporate picnic. In the interview context, being able to succinctly (within 1 minute or so – some say 30 seconds) articulate who you are and what you are about is essential.  My recommendation is that you bullet point it and practice it ahead of time:  a little bit about you and your family, your early work experience, what you have been doing recently and why you are having the conversation.