I was once asked in an interview, what type of person was the most difficult to work with. I instantly said an unmotivated person. Motivation is everything when it comes to either moving up in an organization or getting a new job. To move up or even just hang on in a turbulent economy, you need the motivation to do your best. When it is time to change jobs, you need motivation to do the hard work to get to a better place.
November 7, 2022
September 11, 2022
Analyze the Offer: It’s OK To Say No © Cici Mattiuzzi
In the last two weeks, I have worked with six people who shared a similar story- job offers that seemed to come from out of nowhere. They wanted advice on whether to jump ship or to stay at their current jobs.
When I hear the same story multiple times in a very short period, I pay attention… and I worry.
May 24, 2022
Managing Your Career Up in Uncertain Times © Cici Mattiuzzi
Like it or not, the economy is shifting. If you are not paying attention you may find yourself in a stagnant position or worse.
When my daughter applied for summer internships during her freshman year in college she expected to be noticed just because she submitted her resume. “Won't they just call me? Can't they just see that I am good from my resume?” She was shocked to learn that she had to follow up multiple times and pursue potential employers more directly. She came to understand that just applying is not enough.
May 8, 2022
33 Questions You'd Better Have a Good Answer For! © Cici Mattiuzzi
Most people hate interviewing. It is one of the most nerve wracking experiences you can go through. Even the most talented candidate gets butterflies when being interviewed.
Figuring out what to say on the spot is not a good strategy. Developing a strong understanding of how interviews work, what will be asked in an interview, and why each question is important is essential to your success in an interview.
April 14, 2022
Better Cheaper Quicker © Cici Mattiuzzi
One of the most painful jobs of a career counselor is to tell a person that their job prospects are going to be very limited if they cannot shift to a cutting edge company or if they do not go back for more education or training.
February 8, 2022
If It’s Not Fun You Shouldn’t Be Doing It! © Cici Mattiuzzi
Finding your purpose in life is a gift. It is about figuring out what you want to do with your time and your life.
It starts when you are just a kid and you have to navigate the toy box, the backyard or the neighborhood. What did you do for fun? When you were a child, play was not a frivolous waste of time. Play is about experiencing new things, developing relationships, embracing interests, and refining skills.
February 1, 2022
Background Checks and Indiscretion Indigestion © Cici Mattiuzzi
Job offers are always contingent on background checks. If you are getting the keys to the castle, they want to know that you have good character, good judgment and solid ethics, and that you are scrupulously honest.
January 9, 2022
Everything You Know About Hiring is Now Wrong © Cici Mattiuzzi
The pandemic is affecting everyone whether they catch the virus or not. No one wants to get close to anyone else. Everyone is isolating. Isolation is becoming a habit.
December 9, 2021
Your Resume is Killing You © Cici Mattiuzzi
Resumes are an essential tool for job seeking. Writing one is tricky. Fail this task and you are going to be overlooked and ignored by the people you most want to notice you.
November 24, 2021
Thinking About Quitting Your Job? Think Again! © Cici Mattiuzzi
It’s all over the news lately. The US Department of Labor reported that more workers are quitting their jobs than any time in the past 20 years. That means people are comfortable taking a risk by leaving their current employer. The stars have lined up to make this one of the best labor markets in years.
July 21, 2021
Post Pandemic Salary Negotiating © Cici Mattiuzzi
Salaries are climbing and employers are scrambling to fill open positions as the American Economy expands at a brisk pace. Now is the time to figure out what you are worth and perhaps ask for a raise. Now is also the time to consider if you are in the right place or if you should make a move while the market is exploding.
June 29, 2021
What Does it Take to Get 36 Job Offers?!!! © Cici Mattiuzzi
What does it take to get 36 job offers? Focus? Drive? Discipline? Persistence? Strategy? Hard work? All of that and more...
April 14, 2021
Quitting is an Option © Cici Mattiuzzi
A piece of you dies every day you spend in a job that you hate... To quit or not to quit, that is the question. People often ask me if I think they should quit their jobs. This is a huge question, especially in uncertain times.
February 24, 2021
Consultants Guide Change in Crises - Firms are Hiring! © Cici Mattiuzzi
The job market has changed radically over the past year. Some jobs have completely disappeared, while other jobs expanded and new jobs have emerged. Social change, economic disruption, technological developments, and political instability over the past year – all have caused shifts that impact the demand for labor.
February 4, 2021
HPE is Hiring Thousands in Lots of Areas!!! © Cici Mattiuzzi
The pandemic has taken a toll on the job market, but there is reason for optimism.
While a lot of the information about the unemployment rate is dismal the pain is not evenly spread. The most recent national unemployment rate stands at 6.7 percent, with 10.7 million people looking for work. This is significantly lower than earlier 2020 - highs. The numbers, however, are still twice the pre-pandemic levels of 3.5 percent unemployment and 5.7 million people seeking work.
September 5, 2020
Want to Make a Move? It’s Who You Know © Cici Mattiuzzi
I grew up in a small mill town where everyone knew everyone. I was the third generation of my family to live there. I knew the doctor, the plumber, the jewelers, the baker, the butchers, the librarian, the postmaster, bank tellers, the telephone operators, the auto mechanics, and most of the teachers. Chances are someone in my family went to school with them or their kids.
August 21, 2020
A Bad Boss Needs to be Fired. Period. © Cici Mattiuzzi
There was a particular line from Kamala Harris’ VP acceptance speech that resonated with me, “I know a predator when I see one.”
I get really upset when I see someone being abused.
July 31, 2020
Time to Define Yourself and Move Up! © Cici Mattiuzzi
July 9, 2020
9 Steps to Secure Your Job in a Pandemic © Cici Mattiuzzi
June 5, 2020
Five Offers on the Table: A Recipe for Job Seeking in a Pandemic © Cici Mattiuzzi
the best fit.
May 6, 2020
The End of the World © Cici Mattiuzzi
March 29, 2020
Managing Your Career During the Coronavirus Crisis © Cici Mattiuzzi 3.29.2020
November 12, 2019
Can We Contact Your Current Employer? © Cici Mattiuzzi
July 23, 2019
Your Job is Killing You and You are Letting it Happen! © Cici Mattiuzzi
Why does your career happiness matter? A bad job affects everything in your life – your health suffers, your relationships suffer and your career future suffers.
May 29, 2019
Curing the Presentation Jitters © Cici Mattiuzzi
May 22, 2019
Surviving the First Day on The Job! © Cici Mattiuzzi
You are on your own ... nervous about making it through the first day on the new job... You can do it!"
May 3, 2019
USPTO is the Best Place to Work for Engineers!!! © Cici Mattiuzzi
April 17, 2019
A Small Engineering Firm Might Just be a Great Move! © Cici Mattiuzzi
February 5, 2019
Siemens Mobility is hiring tons of people at their two facilities in Sacramento © Cici Mattiuzzi
Goal Setting and Time Management, Why It Matters © Cici Mattiuzzi
November 20, 2018
Wasting Your Time is Wasting Your Life - Focus! © Cici Mattiuzzi
October 29, 2018
Finding Lists of the Best Employers! © Cici Mattiuzzi
October 25, 2018
Get the Title if You are Doing the Work or Get a Move-on! © Cici Mattiuzzi
September 20, 2018
Caltrans is Hiring Big Time!!!
March 14, 2018
Is Your Career Souring?
Things are not impossible but you make it a lot harder on yourself if you just sit there and age in place. Growing your career takes a lot of effort on your part! A good economy helps – but it is most definitely not enough.
January 29, 2018
The Time to Make a Move is Now
November 27, 2017
Cyber Security Demand Far Outstripping Supply
Want a career that will never stop giving? Want a career that will be increasingly important and give you opportunity to grow your career and increase your income while challenging you to learn new things constantly?
November 1, 2017
CA Dept of Business Oversight Hiring PM!
September 19, 2017
Caltrans Hiring Tons of Engineers - Here's How to Apply!!!
CalTrans is hiring 1100 professionals! They are seeking mostly civil engineers, electrical engineers, surveyors, right-of-way workers and environmental planners. Caltrans also has 250 openings for blue-collar maintenance workers, mechanics, and heavy equipment operators. Some jobs will include apprenticeships.
August 10, 2017
Defense Microelectronics Activity - DMEA Sacramento is Hiring Computer Science Intern
I received this job posting from the DMEA in Sacramento. They are hiring an intern for a really interesting position!!!
July 1, 2016
DMEA Hiring Interns - Deadline Short
June 10, 2016
State Tech Hiring Event Today in Roseville
May 17, 2016
Choose Your Major Wisely… It Affects the Rest of Your Life! © Cici Mattiuzzi
April 28, 2016
Federal Hiring for Students, Recent Grads & Experienced Professionals © Cici Mattiuzzi
April 20, 2016
As Effortlessly as Breathing
April 1, 2016
I Totally Disagree!
March 28, 2016
Time for a Raise? Salary Negotiations Require Leverage!
February 25, 2016
Who is Hiring? ©Cici Mattiuzzi
So who is hiring in my world? Google, Netflix, and Facebook.
February 14, 2016
Timing for Job Shift is Strategic
January 22, 2016
When the Music Stops, You’d Better be in a Chair!
January 18, 2016
Your Career Depends on How You Tell Your Story
April 30, 2015
The Scandal of Pay Inequality
“Why is it expected that women must earn less than men?”
“No! They have the same rights. The disparity is a pure scandal.”
When women are paid less, not only women suffer - families suffer.
April 20, 2015
Push Hard to Get The Best Offer
Serious job seekers are getting interviews and job offers in record numbers.
March 19, 2015
Networking to your Perfect Job
Job seeking is a contact sport. You have to interact with people to get hired. It is not easy for the timid. It is not something that comes natural. No one really tells you how to do it when you are growing up. Job seeking for the first time is like jumping off of a cliff… You have to throw yourself out there.
February 26, 2015
Get Licensed!
January 22, 2015
First Day on The Job
December 11, 2014
Managing Your Career
December 4, 2014
Reputation, References and Recommendations
November 24, 2014
Turkey Gravy for Job Seekers
This is, by far, the best American Holiday! The entertainment value of it alone is worth the effort. How often do you get to see the whole bird parked on the table? You can debate a lot about what tastes best - the white meat, the dark meat or the drumstick. And snicker as your prim cousin drips cranberry sauce down her chin.
There is also a hidden job market right there under the turkey wing.
November 1, 2014
Want a Job at Facebook? Fail Harder
October 23, 2014
The Facts: Paid Internships are Critical to Your Career Success
October 16, 2014
Don’t Count on Karma - Ask for a Raise
October 9, 2014
Life Lessons from Sesame Street: 5 Elements of a Good Career Plan
After toughing it out for 6 hours, I took a pain pill and settled into a short, blissfully pain-free space. In my diminished state I sat back in the recliner and turned on the TV. A furry Sesame Street character, named Murray, was interviewing a rock-climbing instructor, named Stephanie, and two ten-year-olds about rock climbing.
October 2, 2014
5 Characteristics of Good Leadership
September 25, 2014
Salaries and Employment Up!!!
May 15, 2014
Job Seeker Rip-offs and Scams
Companies that want people who will work without pay target students, particularly engineering and computer science students. Unpaid internships… Really? The demand is high, the supply is low, the skills are sought after – why would you work for free?
May 1, 2014
Interviewing and Dining Etiquette: You Are Being Judged!
In life it’s the little things that matter, the little things that make an impression: a smile, a door held open, a thank you note, and nice table manners. These are the things that get noticed and that make you stand out. Or maybe it is the absence of the little things that make an impression. Good manners mean that you have good judgment. That is really important to potential employers.
April 24, 2014
Spring 2014 Techie Salaries and Demand
April 17, 2014
Things No One Will Tell You
When diagnosing a career problem I ask a lot of questions, I listen, and I observe - just like an employer will do. The difference is that I will tell you if you have a problem you need to fix.
March 20, 2014
Resilience
Webster’s defines resilience as the property of material that enables it to regain its original shape after being bent, stretched or compressed. So it is with humans. Everyone has disappointments in life. It is how we recover our shape and balance that really matters.
March 13, 2014
Networking to Your Perfect Job is a Contact Sport!
Job seeking is a contact sport. You have to interact with people to get hired. It is not easy for the timid. It is not something that comes natural. No one really tells you how to do it when you are growing up. Job seeking for the first time is like jumping off of a cliff… You have to throw yourself out there.
February 6, 2014
Solid Hiring Demand for Engineering and Computer Science
December 12, 2013
Managing Your Career
December 5, 2013
12 Action Steps to a Job!
November 30, 2013
Engineering Salary Report 2013 NACE
The Summer 2013 report shows continuing salary increases for new college graduates overall, running 2.4% higher than 2012 salaries. According to NACE, the average salary for 2013 bachelor’s degree graduates now stands at $45,327. The economic recovery continues in a positive direction across most academic disciplines.
November 21, 2013
Thanksgiving … For All Members of Our Family
November 14, 2013
Substandard Job Offer?
November 7, 2013
The Autopsy
October 31, 2013
Caught in a Lie
October 24, 2013
Job Search – Finding the right needle in the haystack
October 17, 2013
Target Practice
October 10, 2013
Bid Leveling Your Job Offers © Justin Reginato, PhD
Justin Regionato is a professor of Construction Management at CSU Sacramento. He posted this article on Facebook and I think it is sage advice. In the article he compares negotiating the terms of employment to negotiating a bid for a construction project. Many professionals have to estimate the cost of doing a project whether is is a construction project, a consulting project, a solar power system, or a software project. If you are in the job market right now with hiring heating up you are going to be considering offers from potential employers. Many candidates are choosing between multiple offers. (I had one student last semester who had 9 offers on the table for summer internships!). Negotiating your salary is the first example your potential employer will have of your ability to estimate and bid a project. This first bid is one of the most important ones you will do - setting the tone for your career. Cici
October 3, 2013
Salary Data Summer 2013 from National Association of Colleges and Employers
September 19, 2013
Climb On!
September 12, 2013
No Second Chance
May 23, 2013
Sequestration is a Job Killer
May 16, 2013
Not Knowing is OK – Not Believing is Not OK
May 9, 2013
Momentous Week - Still Going Strong After 35 Years and 100,000 Pageviews!
This next week marks the 35th anniversary of my tenure at CSUS! After completing my BA in Psychology, I worked for the California Employment Development Department as an Employment Development Officer and an Employment and Claims Assistant from 1974 to 1978.
May 2, 2013
Breathe!
April 25, 2013
Salary Data for Spring 2013 from the National Association of Colleges and Employers!
March 7, 2013
Timing is Everything!
February 21, 2013
Job Seeking is a Contact Sport
February 14, 2013
Best hiring climate in 4 years
Speed Dating – Getting the Most Out of a Career Fair
February 7, 2013
Re-Shoring: Has the Hemorrhaging Ended?
January 31, 2013
Salary Report from the National Association of Colleges and Employers
The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), Winter 2013 Salary Survey of new college graduate offers has just been released and it is very positive. This is the final overall report for 2012 hiring.