Resumes | EnergyNorthwest.com

Primer to Self-Advocacy in the Workplace

June 14, 2025

Let’s be real: the modern workplace isn’t kind to quiet achievers. And for those who don’t fit the traditional mold, whether because of race, gender, background, or personality, it can feel even more taxing.

The better news? You don’t have to keep playing by those rules because you have one incredibly powerful asset that can change the game: your voice.

In this post, we’ll break down how to make your voice matter through practicing self-advocacy at the workplace.

What is Self Advocacy?

Self-advocacy in the workplace indicates your ability to communicate your needs, preferences, and boundaries to others — your peers, superiors, or clients. It’s about speaking up for yourself, professionally and proactively, so your contributions don’t get overlooked or undervalued.

Let’s face it: not every workplace is designed to give every voice equal airtime. Statistically, women are 14% less likely to get promoted because managers are more likely to underestimate their potential.

“Women get progressively lower potential scores relative to their actual future performance as we rise up the corporate ladder.…

Got Laid Off? Here’s What to Do Next

June 2, 2025

| No Comments

| Resumes

The labor market is as tough as parallel parking on a hill during rush hour — high pressure, low margin for error. People are getting laid off even from traditionally stable federal jobs, not to mention the ongoing wave of terminations in the corporate sector. Whether your pink slip came with a heads-up or hit you like a plot twist, one thing’s for sure: it sucks.

But being laid off isn’t the end of your career, not even close. In fact, this moment can be a powerful pivot point. With the right mindset (and some solid next steps), you can turn your layoff into a launchpad for something better.

This guide walks you through what to do right after a layoff — from sorting your benefits and rewriting your resume to figuring out what you actually want next. Let’s get you back in the driver’s seat.

How Many People Got Laid Off in 2025?

2025 didn’t wait — the layoff wave hit hard and early across sectors.…

What is Weaponized Incompetence and How to Deal with It in the Workplace

May 9, 2025

| No Comments

| Resumes

It’s your usual day at the office. You’re minding your tasks when Jamile pops up at your cubicle, pleading to show how you’re “doing your magic in Salesforce” because he’s totally desperate. Why not help, right?

A week goes by, and the situation virtually repeats itself. The same colleague keeps asking for your help with this or that because “he’s just not good with tech.” When such behaviors become the norm, it’s not just laziness or genuine ineptitude — it may be weaponized incompetence.

Never heard the term? We’re diving into what this behavior really means, how it shows up in professional settings, and what you can actually do about it.

What is Weaponized Incompetence?

Derived from psychological studies and amplified by social media, weaponized incompetence is an attempt to avoid responsibility by underperforming or downplaying one’s skills instead.

In most cases, it’s not about a genuine lack of skill or training — it’s a strategic move to take advantage of someone else’s good graces, shift workload, and otherwise dodge accountability while still reaping the benefits of “team effort”.…

Digital Literacy: Definition and Top Digital Skills Examples

April 27, 2025

| No Comments

| Resumes

Digital literacy. Good chance, you’ve heard the term at least once at work or online because it’s been the talk of the town. But what exactly does it mean to be digitally literate? Do you have to be a professional coder? Or, on the contrary, just be able to use basic office software and do some Internet research. Let’s unpack this!

What is Digital Literacy?

Digital literacy stands for your ability to confidently use various technologies — online collaboration tools, business software, and cybersecurity tools — to do your job smarter.

It’s more than knowing how to send calendar invites or download software. Strong digital skills mean you can spot shady phishing emails, use modern project management tools, and automate simple tasks through SaaS apps or low-code platforms.

Depending on your age and professional background, you may think that everyone knows how to use tech, but that’s hardly the case. Only 48% of British workers (across all age groups and education levels) know how to complete 20 essential digital workplace tasks like customizing their device privacy settings or setting up a Wi-Fi connection.…

How to Stop Being Insecure at Work

April 21, 2025

| No Comments

| Resumes

Sometimes, just one slip-up at work, an email with a typo, or some offhand manager’s comment can ruin your entire day. Instead of crossing off tasks from your to-do list, you brood over what you did and start second-guessing your qualifications.

Sounds familiar? Well, that’s what insecurity at work looks like — a nagging feeling you need to learn to shake off if you want to be happy, productive, and successful at work.

This post walks you through the common triggers, examples of insecurities, and real strategies for overcoming them!

What Causes Insecurity at Work?

The crippling feeling of inadequacy at work can sneak up on anyone, literary any time. Seasoned pros (all up to the C-suite members) occasionally doubt their abilities (and they’re not afraid to admit that!). Roughly a quarter of young women (aged 18 to 30) are feeling insecure at work.

For the most part, common reasons behind insecurity at work are:

Imposter syndrome — the sneaky, inner saboteur, whispering that you’re not ‘good enough’ for the occupied role.

…

Management Skills For Your Resume: Definition and Examples

April 9, 2025

| No Comments

| Resumes

Any industry and company type requires a manager — someone with strong interpersonal and organizational skills to rally, coach, and empower others to do their best work. Does that sound like you?

Great, now you’ve got to help others paint the same mental picture to get hired. Learn how to best describe your management skills on a resume with our big list of examples.

What are Management Skills?

Management skills are essential are trained abilities to effectively lead, solve problems, and make progress happen on assigned projects. Good management skills include competencies like strong communication, emotional intelligence, analytical thinking, and digital literacy, blended with a good degree of business acumen.

Management skills are developed through learning and hands-on experience. Depending on your background, you may also possess more technical management skills like knowledge of Agile frameworks and strong experience in business process optimization. All of these are great to highlight on your resume.

What are The Best Management Skills?

…