Every day, I hear from people that tell me they aren't sure what they should be doing in regard to their job search. Many end up chasing job announcements on all the major job boards, or not doing anything at all. Others just seem to get distracted with absolutely anything else that comes up. It is easy to get caught up in marathon laundry days, house cleaning, birthday parties, painting or remodel projects, or spending fiv...

Timing is everything. Each day I receive scores of job announcements through the various professional association lists I am subscribed to. We may read news about the economy reporting things to the contrary, but there are jobs out there- lots of them. Problem is, there are still more people available to fill the good ones than there are great opportunities.What does that mean for you? It means the early bird catches the wo...

It struck me today, how easy it is to miss an opportunity by one day, or even an hour, and the impact it can have that changes things for a much longer period. After I watched my retirement pretty much go in the toilet, I vowed to act faster the next time we saw signs indicating we should make changes. We talked about it, and talked about it, and we finally agreed to make a change in our investments. Between the time we agr...

No one will dispute that we are knee deep in a recession. Or that times are tough for everyone. You may be distracted or feeling harried. Somewhere along the line, in spite of the stress we all may be under, it is important to remember basic courtesies and the Golden Rule. This is a quick reminder intended to help keep people from burning their bridges and perhaps stifling relationships that could prove to be valuable down...

When networking is recommended as a way of maintaining career fitness, I hear many excuses for why it is not possible, or at the very least, very difficult. January is a good time to take a long hard look at what is really in the way for most people when it comes to making a change in their personal and professional lives. Perhaps examining common responses will make it easier for many people to identify the excuses they ar...

In order to get productive leads (operative word being productive), it is necessary to be clear about what you are qualified to do and actually competitive for in this market. Using casual language to explain what you want or need, typically leads to wild goose chases and lots of tail chasing.People have called it "optimism" when they speak of their "dream" job to others. My position is, when you are unemployed in a market...

For many, a recession is a new experience. Others may simply have weathered past storms by remaining employed with the same company during times when the rest of the market was in turmoil. This year may be different for everyone. If you haven't had a strategy for getting work in the past, it is probably high time to develop one. If you have previously relied on a strategy that is no longer working, then it is time to look m...

Years ago, we created “catchy” resumes, using sophisticated language, printing them on colored paper or even having them delivered by singing messengers to get the attention of the decision maker. Life, work and the pursuit of employment have changed since then. When sent in response to a job announcement, the chance of a resume directly reaching the decision maker without going through a screening process is slim to none....

Trying to second-guess the answers to potential interview questions can be frustrating and time wasting. There are some basic concepts, when understood completely by the job seeker that can contribute to the success or failure of an interview.1. There are three basic concerns employers look for when making a hiring decision: Can you? … Do you have the required skills to do the work?Will you? … Do you indicate you want (a...

A thoughtful, carefully constructed resume, using information you have obtained through research about a specific company and industry, does more than ensure that you get an opportunity to interview. It also prepares you for the interview and will contribute to your ability to effectively make a case for hiring you allowing you to close the deal! Each resume should be tailored to the job you are applying for. Using broad or...