Unless you’re devoid of any feelings, one of the toughest things to hear from someone is that they lost their job. This is a hard thing to hear from anyone, particularly if you know the person well, and know that they have committed themselves for a long time to that gig. And even if you…
Over the last 10-15 years there have been a lot of changes in the way we look for work. Some of these changes have been subtle, while others have been more dramatic. But at the core of a search job seekers must still get their work histories and skills in front of decision makers. And…
Happy Labor Day to all! Here it is September again, the year is ¾’s over and students are returning to their classrooms. While colleges and universities struggle to maintain standards because of their rising costs, curricula continue to evolve. Instruction of business and entrepreneurial coursework is on the rise, and many programs are focusing on…
The guy next to me during a recent flight didn’t seem much like talking so we never introduced ourselves, but we’ll call him Bob. After the in-flight crew made the announcement that it was “ok to use your electronic devices,” Bob pulled out his laptop. Whether he was going to be productive or merely pass…
“Jack” and “Jill” (I don’t want to know their real names, but we’ll call them J&J!) were sitting across the isle from each other, one row behind me, on a full cross-country flight. It seemed they both wanted aisle seats! They were apparently well acquainted, though their exact relationship isn’t important. But what is important…
Do you crave a long-term change of scenery? Do you need to be where work and play are close by? In some places, this concept is taken more seriously than others. For example, I just got back from a brief trip to the town of Whistler, British Columbia, north of Vancouver. Not having been there…
In my last entry, we talked about Marilyn and how her efforts to find a new job were thwarted when she turned the focus of her interviews to her needs rather than those of the job and the employer. This time out I want to reiterate and expound further that you should not ignore your…
Did you ever go on a first date with a too chatty gal or guy who told you far too much about themselves? Was he or she too self-absorbed? Too much superfluous information provided too soon can ruin your chances of getting to know another person. In job search, just like in dating, or other…
This is a question every job seeker eventually needs to ask her/himself. “How far am I willing to go for my job?” Certainly most folks want to go as far in their careers as they possibly can, but this is more a question of physical and geographic distance than of accomplishment. How far are you…
“Location, location, location!” usually refers to the three most important things to consider before buying or opening a retail business. But have you given much thought to the location of your interviews? Interviews today won’t always take place in an office. Your next interview might be in a conference room, in a lunchroom, at a…
Questions about the best way to submit your resume and application documents are as common today as they have always been. Despite all the ways technology has provided for submitting these necessary documents, is there a single best way to make sure the right person sees and considers your materials? The answer is, “It depends!”…
Among the complaints I hear frequently from employees are comments like: “I’ve been busting my butt for this company for years, and not once has anyone actually said, ‘thanks for your efforts’.” And almost as frequently I hear employers say things like: “Why should I say ‘thank you’? It’s their job! What the heck am…
Among the frequent discussions I have with clients is the topic of references and prospective employers’ attempt to confirm what job seekers claim on their resumes, applications and in interviews. You’d be amazed at the number of people who voice serious concerns about what others will say about them. And they should be concerned. But…
If you’re looking for work, there’s nothing wrong with tooting your own horn, and telling others about the quality of the work you do. In fact, it’s expected! Being able to tell others what you are good at what, and how it relates to what they do, is as important as where you send your…
An old friend with more than 10 years in nursing needed to create a new resume because she wants to find another job. Having worked at several hospitals, in a number of specialized areas, she has a wealth of experience and accomplishments to convey to the medical professionals who could employ her. Not wanting to…
Are you judged by the company you keep? When it comes to your job search, frequently the answer is Yes! Networking with the right people can mean the difference between success and failure in your hunt for the right job. But for many job seekers, where to meet the right people is the problem. If…
My client Lanni called the other day sounding quite frustrated and angry. I encouraged her to take a few calming breaths. After a long pause she finally blurted out, “They wouldn’t let me interview! I sat in their reception area listening to that insipid instrumental background music for over 45 minutes, and the assistant finally…
In simpler times, job seekers would send their resume to a prospective employer, or fill out an application in person. A few days later, if the employer believed the applicant was qualified, they would receive a phone call about scheduling an interview. Dressed appropriately, the applicant would meet with the employer, learn more about the…
In the world of job search and career development, we tend to focus mostly on those who are actively looking for full or part time employment, or regular, preferably long term contract or freelance work. Jobs with regular hours, in offices, in the sciences, in technology, in public media, in public and social services, etc. …
One of the prime motivators for switching jobs has always been money. Right or wrong, financial growth has been identified as a primary reason many workers have pursued certain careers. True enough, there are certain careers where high salaries and monetary gains are the attraction, but rarely are those fat paychecks achieved without lots of…
