Since the recent U.S. presidential election, there’s been a fair amount of speculation about what the employment picture will look like under the incoming administration. As of this writing, there are no guarantees about how jobs will be affected. And the speculation will likely continue for the immediate future only because any actions taken by…
Recently, while in the company of a handful of young adults, of course the topic of job search came up. Four of the five were gainfully employed, while one was “exploring his options.” Believing it would ok to inquire, I asked, “How long has it been since you last worked?” Apparently not interested in discussing…
Frequently in this space you have been encouraged to be brief in your responses to interview questions, on resumes, etc. The encouragement continues! It is important to be clear and concise in your written and verbal communication with potential employers. You want to retain their interest, not whack them over the head with too much…
There’s an awful lot that can be said about the value of a college education and advanced degrees! But there is also a lot about higher education that doesn’t get said frequently enough: A college education is not for everyone! Indeed, higher learning can be of benefit for attaining a vast array of professional and…
Not too long ago at a modest dinner restaurant in a small coastal town, I encountered a waitress named Shelly. Full of energy and a desire to provide quality customer service, Shelly was friendly but completely professional from the first interaction to last. It was apparent that she took her job seriously and was dedicated…
All over the country things are starting to open up. Coronavirus cases have dropped dramatically thanks to those who have gotten vaccinated and followed recommended health protocols. But so many employers – in almost all job categories – are complaining they can’t find qualified applicants, and blame the worker shortage on extended unemployment benefits…
It was with great admiration and respect that I recently witnessed a number of instances of employers recognizing the abilities of their employees with disabilities. In my lengthy experience, I have too frequently seen workers with disabilities placed in positions far away from public view. But on this excursion through the Northeastern US, I witnessed…
Let’s look at both sides of the job seeker – employer equation. When you think about where you want to take your career, one of the first considerations is the kind of work you want to do, and the industry in which you want to grow. But an equally important consideration should be your understanding…
Competition: It drives innovation. It fosters change. It motivates. It can instigate growth and development. And it can encourage. But it can also bring about fear, trepidation, feelings of inadequacy, incompetence and irrelevance. Yet every day in the world of work, whether on the job or looking for one, we face some form of competition. …
Sheila was well established as an architect long before we met over 20 years ago. She had received numerous accolades for her home and building designs and worked for prestigious companies. Having not heard from her in a long while, I was unaware that she was making a transition into a new, albeit somewhat related…
Talking with some imminent graduates the other day, I asked, “When do you start your internship?” The quizzical look on their faces spoke volumes. One said, “Once school is over, I will start looking.” Another said she hadn’t given it any thought, believing that her newly minted degree would assure her a position in a…
While talking with a couple of Gen X’ers the other night, they questioned if it was a good idea to find new employment in hopes of bettering their benefits? Certainly a good benefits package is among the reasons people accept particular jobs. But if all you want to do is improve your benefits without trying…
It’s hard to believe that the year 2013 is over. It went by quickly and hopefully productively for you. If not, like many, you are still looking for that right employment situation that matches all your needs. Well, hopefully with this list, you’ll remind yourself of a few things not to do, and move forward…
In the last installment Watch Your Q’s and A’s, we talked about the differences between skills, qualifications and accomplishments. Now it’s time to take inventory of those skills. Taking stock of what you know how to do and where each skill can best be applied enables you to tell employers you have what they need…
Without minimizing the importance of being able to answer tough interview questions with concise answers, today’s column is about the other Q’s and A’s: Qualifications and Accomplishments. Qualifications and Accomplishments are the resume headings misused most frequently during job search document preparation. This happens primarily because the information revealed by both these and other headings…
Recently, I heard from Katrina, a French-born marketing assistant living in Ohio, who has spent most of her life in the United States. She has lived in many diverse locations around the globe, has traveled extensively, and considers herself industry-wise because of her world-wide exposure to her field. Katrina told me she attended college in…
This week, I wanted to talk a bit about the analysis of your interaction with prospective employers, and their response to you and your efforts to gain employment. There is no hard-and-fast science at work here, though there are some very workable theories for the analysis and understanding of employer responses to your submissions. However,…
There are lots of good resources for job seekers, but there are few as useful as industry specific directories. For almost any professional endeavor these publications reveal vast amounts of useful information for job seekers and others already working in those fields. Most industry specific directories are published at least annually, and some are updated…
It is not uncommon for adults to take pride in their personal histories and the experiences that have shaped them into who they are at this point in their lives. Our accomplishments and the goals we have attained empower us to continue our careers, try things in new and different ways and continue to grow. …
When you are out of work, control isn’t something you generally feel. But when you’re looking for work, you have more control than you may think! There are many aspects to the job search where you, the job seeker, are in control. And while you may need to exercise caution and respect exerting that control,…
