Perfectionism isn’t the problem – until it is
“Just one more minute.” “Just one more tweak.” Sound familiar? These thoughts surface at the finish line – the final email, the report, the outline. That is the undercurrent of...
What we learned supporting displaced manufacturing workers
Manufacturing layoffs across Canada are making headlines every week. Behind each announcement are real people trying to figure out what comes next. Through our work supporting jobseekers across North America,...
The playful shift: Bringing energy and experimentation into career development
One of the quiet limitations of traditional career development practice is an over-reliance on seriousness. There is an implicit belief that the more significant the decision, the more serious and...
Neurodivergent candidates in job interviews: What I’ve learned as a coach
A candidate walks into the interview. Ten years of relevant experience, exceptional analytical ability, real and tangible creativity. Yet they leave without a callback. The format worked against them. Their...
If diplomacy can adapt job design, why can’t we?
Did you know that in Canada there are two ambassadors from Germany sharing one diplomatic post? It’s a married couple with three children. They rotate the ambassadorship every eight months. When the...
Creativity, confidence and career development in action
Six pens. That’s what I had left when I packed up my booth at the end of Cannexus this year. Cannexus has become a yearly tradition for me; this year...
What the public service student pathway reveals about early-career design
Career service professionals are often asked a deceptively simple question: What makes a student job genuinely valuable for long-term career development? While advice focuses on sector choice or job titles,...
Bridging intergenerational tensions in the workplace
It’s no surprise that Gen Z workers are facing criticism as they enter the job market. Labels such as “unprofessional” and “unprepared” have been applied to this generation far too...
How to recognize an opportunity for the recognition of acquired competencies (RAC) in vocational training
The recognition of acquired competencies (RAC) in vocational training is a structured process that allows individuals to obtain official recognition for the skills they have developed through their work experience,...
What changes when we return to Cannexus at different moments in a career
Twenty years in, Cannexus holds more than a program or a schedule – it holds memory. For some, it marks a first moment of professional orientation, a place where learning,...