The Job Doctor - Tessa White

Bradley is the CEO of a company that has undergone significant changes in the last 2 years. He is struggling to keep his employees engaged and motivated. What is the best way to engage and motivate employees?  How do you appeal to different generations? Employees are most concerned with feeling seen and feeling like they are making a difference. Tessa shares strategies to achieve this goal. Overco...

Life happens...This point was certainly driven home when my sons suicide attempt left him partially paralyzed a few months ago, and forever changed my relationship with him, my husband, family and work. Let me take you into my journey with Harvard psychologist and author Dr David Rosmarin on how to get through hard things at home and at work. Dr. David H. Rosmarin is an associate professor at Harv...

John graduated from college a year ago without doing an internship. He started contract work to get job experience, but the prestigious company he is working for can’t be listed as an employer (only his staffing agency).  Should he quit his current job and look for another that will enhance his resume? How can he show his experience without listing the specific company?  Tessa explains the importa...

Brett shares his experience with a challenging new manager, attempts he made to improve the situation, and how he ultimately knew it was time to leave.  What makes a toxic work environment?  How to handle differences in expectations with a manager?  AND What lessons can be learned from having a negative leadership experience? How do you know when it’s time to go?  Brett and Tessa also discuss the...

Danny worked closely with the STO and CEO of her company for 8 months until she was abruptly demoted and let go with little to no explanation. She was released shortly before her equity vest date and received no severance or vacation payout. She suspects discrimination may be a factor. Can a company quietly let you go without proper cause? What rights do I have to pursue a claim against the compan...

Chance Allred, a.k.a. Mr. Maverick , is Tessa’s former coworker and the subject of the chapter, “Lies and Politics,” in her book.  Tessa recounts lessons she learned from Chance and asks him to share more details regarding his effectiveness in creating employee satisfaction, building culture, and “going fast.” Read your environment. As an employee, find out what’s important to the stakeholders and...

Farrah finds herself as a new manager. Eager to do that job well and manage those under her successfully. She also wants those who are her direct reports to know their pathway up the ladder as well. 5 steps to becoming a better manager: Get to know your employees. This means getting to know them on a personal and professional level. What are their goals? What are their strengths and weaknesses? Wh...

Lyle is a lieutenant in the police force. He wants to be an innovator in the areas of  policy and culture and is  considering a pivot to HR.  What are things to consider when moving from the public to the private sector?  AND What is the best way to prepare for a role in HR?  Tessa explores differences in the public and private sectors and where she feels Lyle can make the most impact. She also di...

Heidi  works for a community health organization as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She has noticed discrepancies in her pay and that of her colleagues and isn’t sure how to approach a pay negotiation with HR. How can I work with my manager to create a convincing proposal for a pay raise? Tessa explains how to create compelling visuals and highlight things that differentiate you from other employees....

Eileen is making a career change within the healthcare industry. She is beginning pay negotiations and wants to make sure she is asking the right questions.  What questions should I ask during a pay negotiation? Is PTO something that can be negotiated? Tessa recommends choosing your top 3 things to negotiate. She provides multiple areas of negotiation to consider and questions to ask around each:...

Ben is a member of the LGBTQ+ community and has worked for the same company for 17 years. His manager makes political comments related to LGBTQ+ issues that make him uncomfortable. Previous conversations addressing this have been unsuccessful, and he doesn’t know what to do.   What is the most effective way to address a manager who creates an unsupportive work environment by sharing political beli...

Sarah enjoys her job in ecommerce but feels that there is little room for growth. Her current pay is not on par with market value and she needs guidance in addressing this with management.  If I’m already at the top of my pay range but my duties and responsibility have increased, how can I best approach a raise?  Tessa provides scripts to use with your manager. She explores potential responses fro...

Hannah is struggling to communicate with her manager of 8 months and recently received negative feedback in a performance review. She is confused and unsure of how to improve the situation. How can I build a trusting relationship with my manager? AND Should I go to HER manager for help with the situation? 1)      Remove tension in the relationship by working on the negative feedback provided. Chec...

Jeremy worked in SEO for 8 years before he moved into ecommerce and realized it wasn’t a good fit. He is currently unemployed and having a hard time breaking into the field of product management.  How do you transition from one career to another?  What is the best way to format a resume that lacks job experience for the job you are applying for?  Tessa shares tips on gig work, using courses and ce...

Richie recently left the corporate world to work for himself and is experiencing the benefits and challenges that it entails.  If the grind of self-employment is too much in later years, how do you tolerate working for someone else after working for yourself?  How can you tell if a prospective employer is a good fit for you culturally?  How long should you stay in a role that makes you uncomfortab...

Corey has experienced a string of layoffs while working in social media and marketing.  He believes that this is affecting his ability to land a job. How can you build a strong resume despite layoffs and frequent job changes?   Tessa helps Corey to create a different kind of resume. 1.       Get clear on the job you want. 2.       Instead of building the resume chronologically, focus on a role you...

Tyler has been self-employed for the last 10 years and is trying to move into cyber security. He has a background in IT and a certificate in cyber security but is having a hard time landing a position and doesn’t know why.   Why am I being overlooked for jobs? What changes can I make to my resume? Tessa examines Tyler’s resume and provides suggestions for enhancing his strengths and finding his va...

Austin Hankwitz Tessa hosts personal finance and investing expert, Austin Hankwitz.  They discuss a variety of topics involving career and finance.  Tessa shares expertise on resume writing, layoffs, the best career fields to work in, finding your superpower, and recession proofing your career. Austin explains the most common financial mistakes people make, paying off debts, investing, and how to...

Raevin moved to Minnesota for a high-level job in communications and media. She finds herself struggling to fulfill her duties and after meeting with management, she still  isn’t sure what to do next.  What options are available when considering transitioning out of a company?  How can you work with management to make it work?  OR How can you use leverage to land on your feet and create a win-win...

Merit is a freelance artist working in murals and other mediums. She is also a new mother and is trying to find a work-life balance while still pursuing her career and appealing to potential clients.  How do you achieve work-life balance with a toddler? How much is too much when bringing your child into your professional life?  What is the best avenue to approach potential clients, and what angle...

Join in a business student's first career job pay negotiation journey.  Seth is still in college but is considering moving for a job opportunity instead of completing his degree. Do I have the ability to negotiate pay and benefits when this is my first job?  AND How do I account for cost of living and inflation?  To be a guest on The JOB Doctor Click Here Order Tessa's Book "The Uns...

Carmen is successfully balancing a full time job in HR AND one in mental health intake. Why do some employers take issue with job stacking even when an employee is successfully completing all duties? Tessa examines this topic from the side of both employer and employee. Tessa’s advice for job stacking: -          Be transparent with both employers. -          Read the employee handbook for related...

Jacob is currently a director of marketing in the property management field. He received a job offer for a VP position and wants to make sure the financials make sense before accepting. What are things to consider when assessing the compensation package in a job offer? How do you make sure it’s a good move financially?  Are there ways to protect yourself when changing jobs in an uncertain economy?...

Tessa speaks with successful entrepreneur and host of the podcast Smashing the Plateau , David Shriner-Cahn. They share their journeys of leaving the corporate world and starting a new business and provide tips for those interested in doing the same. Topics include the following:  -Managing expectations when making a career change and how to be mentally prepared -Learning to sell yourself or your...

Jess is promoted to a New Director position but can’t quite wrap her arms around the new role. How much vulnerability should she show?  Jess has worked in marketing for 12 years and is currently in a director role at a start-up company. Does imposter syndrome ever go away? How do you tell your manager, “I don’t know”?  When reporting to senior leaders as a VP or director, how much management and d...