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…
Among the additions to a job seeker’s toolbox has been the addition of electronic social networking. Sites like LinkedIn, Twitter and other tools have proven invaluable to people looking to expand their network and the reach of their searches. Being able to maintain contact with long known associates, the ability to reach out to those…
Job search is sometimes cruel. You go on interviews, tell the prospective employer “all the right things”, and too often they: a) don’t get back to you at all; b) take forever to follow up; c) thank you for your time, and inform you they’ve decided to hire someone else. Few and blessed are the…
Statistics from the US Department of Labor indicate that those entering the workforce now will likely change careers at least five times in the course of their working lives. Not just change jobs, but change careers. Some will discover that they are not cut out for the careers they planned, or they have burned out…
What do the following scenarios have in common? Making a new contact at a networking event A job interview Sending out your resume A date that went better than expected When you say, “I’ll call you later.” These and so many other circumstances involving your career and your personal life require that you “make a…
There’s a biblical quote that says: “the eyes are the window to the soul.” If that is the case, from what I’ve seen lately, too many people have their windows drawn shut, and don’t want to let anyone see what’s inside. While conducting a bunch of practice interview sessions recently I was reminded how many…
Searching for a job isn’t easy! Whether you are looking to work for someone else, or trying to generate work for yourself, frequently it can be downright boring! What happens to your motivation, focus and inspiration when you’ve been out of work for a while, feeling a little defeated and even a bit depressed? Your…
Listen and repeat! For many years, high school students had that phrase drilled into their heads when they were learning a foreign language. Regardless of the foreign language being studied, the prerecorded voice of the instructors in the widely used ALM series preceded each expression with “Listen and repeat.” In those days, students learned key…
Over the past few days I’ve been trying to find some hardware from a disassembled desk that had been in storage. This hunt necessitated going through some boxes that had been in tucked away for over 5 years, and I thought I knew where the hardware had been packed. When these boxes were being filled…
There are three old but still relevant axioms I’d like to quote here. The first is: You can’t judge a book by its cover. The second is: What you see is what you get. And the third is: You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Now when we think of how…
I’ve admitted in this space on multiple occasions that I don’t have a crystal ball and have no idea what the future will really hold. Thinking about the economy, the ongoing high unemployment rate, wars, natural disasters, it is hard to stay optimistic. But over the past few weeks, my outlook on things seemed to…
Not if you’re getting your education from vocational schools, according to a new study recently released from the US Government Accounting Office. Having received a number of complaints, the Feds investigated a number of private vocational schools, often referred to as “career colleges,” for making false claims and using deceptive recruiting practices. Generally, the claims…
