What To Do When You Feel You Just Can’t Find Employment

We’ve all been there, you are searching and searching but can’t seem to land a new position. It feels scary, like a dead end is near. If you have a family, your stress levels are higher. With over 80% of American’s not having more than $500 in their savings account, it can be a treacherous time. So what do you…

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Stop Listening to Bad Career Advice (And What You Should Do Instead)

Have you ever considered asking friends for career advice? Unless they’re way ahead of you in their chosen profession, it might be best to reconsider. Bad advice, even from the most well-meaning sources, abound. Some so-called experts dish advice they have never put to use themselves—all theory, no proof. Even more astonishing—and disappointing—is the advice women give to other women….

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Is Your Boss Endangering Your Career Advancement?

There are good bosses and bad bosses, but sometimes you’re not so lucky. Your boss is a key figure in your career advancement so, like it or not, he or she will play a major role in your life. What happens if your boss is far from ideal? How do you deal with him or her? The Five “Bad” Bosses…

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How to Tailor Your Resume for Different Jobs Quickly

Fashion stylists often claim that you’ll only get the best fit if you have your clothes tailored. This applies to resumes too, but many applicants aren’t sure what tailoring their resume involves. What should they change? What part of their resume should they focus on? It just sounds like a lot of work. To avoid all that confusion, I’ll show…

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What Not to Include in Your Resume

You can add one page to your resume for every 10 years of your career, according to Google’s Head of HR. Of course, that’s not necessarily in your best interest. Many people with less than 10 years of experience have two-page resumes. However, not all applicants know what’s worth including in their resume, so some end up with a resume longer…

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What You Need to Know Before Signing a Non-Compete Agreement

You just received a job offer with good pay and benefits. But there’s a catch: the employer wants you to sign a non-compete agreement (NCA) as part of your employment contract. Should you sign it? Can you negotiate it? Many job applicants don’t understand what a non-compete actually entails and how it can affect their career. What are Non-Compete Agreements?…

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How to Add Pizzazz to Your Resume Summary

Your resume needs a hard-hitting summary if you want recruiters to keep reading it. A great summary includes a combination of your skills and notable achievements, which sounds simple in theory until you actually sit down to write it. In this article, I’m going to show you how to add some spice to your summary statement so you can wow…

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Questions You Shouldn’t Ask at the End of an Interview

Almost every interviewer will ask if you have any questions towards the end of your job interview. Like it or not, the questions you ask matter just as much as your answers before the tables turned. Each question you ask reflects on your interest in the position you applied for, knowledge of the company, and attitude. The good questions are…

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Truth about Resume Myths Revealed

Writing a resume that gets you an interview is hard enough as it is. The resume myths I keep hearing about make this process harder and confusing especially for clueless job seekers who rarely write a resume. This article reveals some of the resume myths I keep hearing about, so you can stop worrying about them and get on with…

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2018 Career Goals

New Year’s Resolutions to Skyrocket Your Career in 2018

Writing a New Year’s Resolution is easy, especially if you’re not happy at work. Your resolution could be to get a new job, get a raise, or make it through a week without complaining about your boss. You have plenty of ideas about the things you want to improve. Setting a resolution isn’t so easy and straightforward when things are…

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How to Balance Your Work and Social Life during the Holidays

Thanksgiving is over but we have another set of social gatherings to attend. Whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, or just join in for the parties, there’s no denying that all the shopping and events you’re invited to can derail your schedule. This month is one of the most overwhelming times of the year, when people are expected to juggle between…

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8 Ways to Tap the Hidden Job Market besides Using Social Media

Thousands of jobs are filled without ever being advertised. A small business owner might tell his team a new position has opened, and that they are welcome to submit the resume of anyone they think is qualified. The same thing happens in big corporations. What I described above is what’s traditionally referred to as hidden jobs. Applicants usually look for…

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How to Create a Career Back-up Plan

Your career is okay, then without a warning, the economy goes down or the once-stable company that you work for is facing bankruptcy. Before you realize it, you’re ordered to start packing because it’s your last day of employment. Sudden unemployment will force you to deal with the challenges that come with losing a job. Dozens of questions and worries…

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Spend the Long Weekend after Thanksgiving Improving Your Career

This year, Thanksgiving will fall on November 23, only two weeks away. In some states though, the day after Thanksgiving is also a celebrated holiday, which leads to a much anticipated long weekend. You’re probably excited to relax and get together with your loved ones. In between family dinners and shopping, why not spend a part of the coming long…

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Scary Job Interview Questions

Halloween season is just a few weeks away. Once again, the kids and the kids-at-heart get a free pass to dress as they want and indulge in enough candy to induce a sugar coma. In light of the coming Halloween, I invite you to consider a facet of job search that probably scares you—job interviews. To be specific, the unnerving…

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Things to Consider before Relocating for a New Job

Moving is stressful, even if it’s for a new job. Just imagine, you need to find a new place, get a new driver’s license, find new utility providers, and deal with the hassle and mess of packing and unpacking your stuff. Is all that trouble worth it? If the new paycheck is your only consideration, you might regret the move…

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What Can You Do to Promote Gender Equality at Work?

In 1911, millions of men and women in Denmark, Switzerland, Austria, and Germany marched on rallies during the first International Woman’s Day. They fought for the right of every woman to work, hold public office, and vote. Today, we have come far in terms of women’s rights, but there’s still so much we can do to close the gap between…

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Body Language Tricks to Succeed in a Job Interview

It’s not what you said, but how you said it. Sounds familiar? This is true for relationships and job interviews. As a job applicant, you need to remember that the way your body moves says a lot about you. Body language is one way people communicate without talking. If you want to get a job offer, you have to be…

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Alert! Don’t Fall for these 3 Ego Traps that can Ruin Your Executive Career

You’re on top of your game. You’re the boss and you have a corner office to prove it. Yes, it definitely took a lot of hard work to get to where you are now, but what got you to the top may not be enough to keep you in this position. Being the boss can make anyone prone to a…

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Unexpected Succession Planning: What to Do if a Key Executive Unexpectedly Quits

You may not be the CEO yet. But as a company executive, an executive’s unexpected resignation, termination, or even absence is cause for alarm. Best case scenario, you may be chosen by the board to serve as interim CEO or executive. On the flip side, you may lose your job or the company may go down in the dumps as…

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How to Build a Strong Alliance of Supporters at Work

One of the secrets of succeeding in the workplace is building strong alliances. No matter how seemingly good and experienced you are, or even if you hold a top position in an organization, time will come that you’ll need someone else’s help. This is where building alliances comes in handy. Successful employees work hard to build themselves a network of…

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When Office Friends Turn into Liabilities

In general, making friends at work make Monday mornings more bearable and over time work a little less stressful. Having friends at work can make an otherwise stressful environment enjoyable, but things can also go sour under different circumstances. In light of International Friendship Day on July 30, we look at the different situations where office friends can become a…

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How to Prepare for a Successful Video Interview

If you haven’t already done this yet, you likely will sometime in the future. More and more employers and hiring managers are using video interviewing at some point in their screening process. This cuts down on travel costs for all parties involved and with the popularity of telecommuting, it is becoming more popular and more accepted. Still, most job seekers…

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Job Hunting Survival Tips for an Executive Who Has Never Looked for a Job in Decades

A young executive I met recently mentioned that she never had to look for a job. From the time that she got her MBA, she moved from job to job through contacts, and as her career progressed, she was recruited by head hunters hired by companies. She has never written a resume because she never needed one before—until now. With…

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Why Comparing Your Career to Your Friends’ is Harmful

You and your best friend have been through everything together. You’ve survived high school, experienced first loves and first heartbreaks, gone through college, found your first jobs and supported each other through loss. You shop together, have coffee together, and maybe have even roomed together. But while we celebrated Best Friends Day last June 8, we all know friendships aren’t…

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Networking for Executives

  These days, it’s not so much what you know as who you know. While you need experience and credentials to give you the know how to lead a team or run a company, it’s often the handshake of someone you know that will get your resume on the desk. Whether or not you think this is fair, networking is…

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Three Crushing Experiences Every Job Applicant Experiences

You usually feel pretty good about your work experience, education, and your resume. That is until you start looking for the job of your dreams. Suddenly, your alma mater isn’t as impressive as your colleagues’ schools and your previous experiences don’t look as appealing. Your resume just didn’t sparkle the way it seemed to just a short time before. So…

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Get Your Children Off the Couch – Radio Interview with Ed Tyll

  What an honor it was to be invited on the Ed Tyll show on Starcom Radio! The topic was How to Get Your Children off the Couch and Into the Workplace.  I am pleased to share the audio (please click here) as well as the entire transcript. Ed was a gracious host with thoughtful and insightful questions and it…

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Networking for Millennials

Millennials, as their reputation suggests, often do things differently. So it’s not surprising that they have their own strategies when it comes to networking. If you’re a shy millennial who would rather stay at home than mingle with your co-workers, or you’re a lost gen X-er who can’t figure out ‘the deal’ with millennials and their social habits, then this…

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How to be a Good Neighbor in an Open Office

So you have a new job – congratulations! It’s bound to be filled with all kinds of new challenges and tests – not the least of which is learning to get along with your new colleagues. This is not something to be taken lightly. How you get along with people will affect your social life and work performance at your…

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How to Conduct a Confidential Executive Job Search While Employed

According to the US Department of Labor, about 2 million Americans quit their jobs every year. And while these statistics are typically lower for executive-level employees, more and more senior-level team members are looking for new opportunities outside their current roles. Whether this is because you’re seeking new responsibilities, higher pay, you’re dissatisfied with some aspect of your company, or…

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The Common Questions Applicants Ask Their Would-Be Bosses on Interviews

Are you a manager or executive interviewing someone for a job? Don’t expect that you’ll be the only one asking questions. Expect good candidates to raise their own questions during the job interview. They want to impress you and make themselves more memorable compared to other candidates. Here are the top four questions you can expect to get from a…

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Do’s and Don’ts to Survive ‘Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day’

It’s not designed to be the most productive day of the year work-wise – but the implications of ‘Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day’ go beyond the day. It could shape a child’s future career, or even a life. The purpose of ‘Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day’ is to expose kids to what their parent,…

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Six Tips for Proofreading Your Resume

Your resume is still a vital component to getting you the interview to the job of your dreams. It’s one of the first impressions that a hiring manager will have when you apply to a new job or position, and one of the biggest determinants about whether or not you will get called for an interview. While you can upgrade…

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How to Make Work-Related Travel Less Miserable

Gone are the days when work meant punching the clock at an office at 9 AM and sitting in a cubicle or with fluorescent lights on until 5 PM. Today, with the economy gone global and many companies doing business with people around the world, most jobs will entail some form of travel. While some people will travel only once…

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Five Sage Career Tips from High-Flying Women for Women

In today’s world, women are a vital part of the workforce and many have prominent roles in most industries. There are many fields and areas that are growing in terms of representation by women, including civil engineering, law enforcement, law, and medicine. This month marks the 30th anniversary of National Women’s History Month, which Congress passed in 1987.   In…

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5 Common Mistakes That Could Cost You a Job Offer

You’re in an interview for the job of your dreams. It’s going well, but don’t get too excited yet. Remember that the job isn’t yours until you and your employer have both signed on the dotted line.   Here are common mistakes that can ruin your chances of landing that great job:  

How to Deal with Email Conflicts at the Office

Ever since there was the written word, misunderstandings and misinterpretations have existed. Then email was invented, and miscommunications became more frequent. The nature of email today is that it is quicker than actual printed letters. People tend to treat email more casually than printed letters. Introductions are more casual and many times, they are not as carefully edited or their…

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How to Make a Career Change as a 50-Year-Old Executive

These days, young people just entering the workforce will have an average of seven to nine careers in their lifetimes. That’s seven to nine different fields, not just employers. That number may seem unreasonable to older workers and baby boomers, whose parents worked their entire lives at one job. But even if you’re in your 50’s, it’s possible to make…

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4 Career Advice Tips from Previous Presidents

Taking your first step in the right direction forms the basis of a bright career. If you are looking for some career insights that can help you in finding the right direction and kick-starting your career, you have landed at the right place. With ‘Washington’s Birthday – President’s Day’ celebration today, I’ll share four prestigious career advice tips from previous…

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Executive Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

You’re an executive, and you’ve been contacted by a recruiter about an opportunity for a well-known firm in your industry. Congratulations!   Although you’re excited about this position, you’re understandably nervous about the upcoming interview. Of course, the interview isn’t the be-all end-all to getting the job – there are also references to follow up with, and portfolios and numbers…

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Alert! Don’t Resign Until You’ve Asked Yourself These Questions

Happy 2017! A new year is a great time to look at your life. Many people take this time to take stock of their health, fitness, eating habits, relationships, homes, and of course, their work. So how is your workplace? Are you happy there? Is your career fulfilling? Does your current position offer you room to grow? Could you –…

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Reflect on Your Career this Holiday Season

The holiday season isn’t just for relaxing with friends and family. Now that we’re on the brink of entering 2017, it’s a good time to reflect on the past year, what you have accomplished, and what you want to do next, career wise. Reflect on 2016 to Prepare for a Better 2017 So this year, as you sip your eggnog…

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Networking for Millennials

December is a time for parties so your networking skills—or lack thereof—will be tested. Millennials, as their reputation suggests, often do things differently. So it’s not surprising that they have their own strategies when it comes to networking. If you’re a shy millennial who would rather stay at home than mingle with your co-workers, or you’re a lost gen X-er…

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Creating a Better Candidate Experience:  Tips for Recruiting and Interviewing

Good is sometimes a loaded word. Good often means just passable or adequate. But raise the standards a little, and you can go from good to better. Raise it even more, and you can be recognized as the best in your field. When sourcing a candidate for a job, sometimes recruiters forget that candidates are rating and comparing us, too….

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Your Quick Guide to Surviving Holiday Work

Maybe you’re a newbie in your office, or maybe you just drew the short straw. Either way, you’re stuck working this coming Thanksgiving. It’s a done deal. Nobody will trade shifts with you – after all, who would want to? They are just breathing a sigh of relief that it’s not them – and it’s written in stone on the…

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From Salaried to Hourly: How to Tell Employees about the Upcoming Transition

As an employer, manager, or human resources staffer, you’ve probably already heard the news that there’s a new Federal Department of Labor salary rule taking effect on December 1. The minimum salary to qualify for exemption will increase from $455 a week or $23,660 annually, to $913 a week, which will put the overtime threshold at $47,476 annually. How will…

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The White Lies Employers and Recruiters Tell Unsuspecting Applicants like You

When you’re looking for a job, you want to put your best foot forward. You and a hundred other applicants. You may be seeking employment, but the company is also looking for someone fantastic. Because they can’t hire everyone that applies, it makes sense that recruiters sometimes hide behind niceties to protect your feelings, such as… “We’ve decided to go…

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Celebrating the Value of a Humanities Degree in National Arts and Humanities Month

Whether you’re on the cusp of finishing high school or considering a career change and heading back to a higher education institution, you may be weighing out your options. Everyone has advice to give – “Take science classes,” your parents say. Your friends tell you to major in engineering, and your former teachers tell you that computer science is the…

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How to Deal With Unethical Behavior in the Workplace

Workplaces are complicated. There isn’t a lot of black and white most of the time, so it’s normal for employees to deal with issues of ethics at some point. Whether they’re asked to do something they don’t think is quite right, against the general morals of the workplace or society at large, or hide something, the guilty feeling in the…

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Remembering the Importance of Work-life Balance after Labor Day

Recently, we celebrated the last long weekend of the summer. In honor of Labor Day, workers vacated their cubicles, turned on their out-of-office notifications and had a great BBQ with their friends and neighbors. Did you join in the fun? Did you take advantage of the R&R? Or did you hunker down at your desk to catch up or get…

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How to Administer Exit Interviews to Laid Off Employees

When you’re the boss, one of the hardest things you’ll have to do is tell an employee that they no longer have a job, sometimes through no fault of their own. When an employee loses a job through termination, layoffs, firing, downsizing or reduction in force, the manager or supervisor should complete an exit interview. That might be the second-hardest…

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5 Skills that Look Good on Any Entry-Level Resume

If you’re a freshly-minted graduate, you’ve had the summer to take a break and recover from you hard work as a student, and maybe even relax on the beach, by the pool, or do some traveling. Perhaps you took on a job to save some money and gather your thoughts, or simply spent time meandering over what you’d like to…

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A Primer for Compassionately Dealing with the Emotions of Laid Off Employees

It’s the hardest part about being the boss – you will inevitably have to lay off one or more employees at one point in your career. If you haven’t had to do it before, you might wonder: Why is it so hard to lay off an employee? After all, it’s not your fault – you had no say in the…

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Introverts: Afraid of Mingling? Don’t Let That Impact Relationships with Co-Workers

There are all kinds of people in a workplace… Outspoken, gregarious types, and shy, timid types. And that’s OK, everyone is different. The problem with that is, even though we’ve moved beyond high school, popularity contests still exist in real life. People still gravitate towards others who are outgoing, friendly, outspoken, and give off high energy because they are exciting…

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Career Advice from Moms, Dads, and the Parental Figures in Our Lives

You may think of your parents as from a different generation, or even as archaic. But that doesn’t change the fact that they care about you and want the best for you. They’ve also been alive for a longer period of time, and likely have more work experience than you. So whether their wisdom is welcome or not, they give…

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6 Odd Jobs for the Unemployed Running Out of Inspiration

Its summer, which means a fresh new set of college graduates just entered the working world. If you’re one of them, congratulations! You’re about to embark into the career force – that is, if you are lucky. You will likely have more trouble finding a job than your parents did 20 or 30 years ago. Studies show that this is…

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Lessen the Guilt You Feel After Giving the Pink Slip to an Employee

Many managers have experienced it at one time or another; an employee just didn’t work out or fit into the workplace culture. But even when it’s the employee’s fault – a history of tardiness, no-call or no-show behavior, or performance issues at work – it’s hard to let go of someone. It’s hard, even with the knowledge that it is…

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Lessons Learned after Firing Someone

Being the manager or the boss definitely has its perks. Honing your leadership skills, having a say in the direction of the company, and the satisfaction of leading a stellar team are just some of its advantages. Unfortunately, being the boss has its downside, too. One of the hardest things that you may have to do at some point as…

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Employee Recognition: How to Celebrate the Dad’s and Father Figures at Work

As a manager or supervisor at your workplace, you’re responsible for more than managing the workload, assigning duties, and giving feedback to your team. You’re also responsible, at least in part, for their well-being. Why? A happy staff member is a productive staff member, and one who will call in sick less often, take fewer personal days, and be more…

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3 Crushing Experiences Every Job Applicant Experiences (And How to Get Through Them)

You usually feel pretty good about your work experience, education, and resume. That is, until you start looking for the job of your dreams. Suddenly, your alma mater isn’t as impressive as your competition’s and your previous experiences don’t look as interesting. Your resume just didn’t sparkle the way it seemed to just a while ago. So what happened? Everyone…

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5 Challenges Veterans Face in Getting Hired

They’ve been vigorously and meticulously trained, and have served our country with everything that was in them. But after they finish their term of service and get back to civilian life, many veterans, despite their extensive qualifications, find it hard to get employed. Even with their intense training and discipline, and the opportunities or programs offered to them, many veterans…

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4 Steps to Spring Clean Your Resume in Less than 90 Minutes

You probably have a resume. If you’ve been at the same job for a number of years, it likely lives in your computer somewhere, in some folder that contains important documents that you never really look at. It’s always a good idea to keep your resume fresh in case a golden opportunity pops up. That way, you won’t be wasting…

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5 Ways to Calm Your Nerves and Fight Interview Jitters like a Pro

You’ve spotted a posting for the job of your dreams. You decide that life is short, you’re ready for new challenges. You send out your resume and a cover letter, and hope for the best. Lo and behold, you get an interview! You’re excited. But getting an interview usually means jitters and anxiety. After all, you really want the job,…

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4 Wrong Ways to Announce a Layoff

It’s the hardest part about being a boss – delivering the bad news nobody wants to hear. With a global economic downturn comes cutbacks, and they are happening all over the country. Companies are slimming their budgets and making some difficult cuts. If this includes your company, you might find yourself having to deliver some rather difficult news. Nobody likes…

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How Layoffs Affect 3 Types of Employees

Employees in different levels of an organization are all affected when a layoff occurs, but not in the same way. Just as every employee plays a different role in a healthy, productive company, they also play a different role, and act differently, in times of distress. Leaders and Executives Through thick and thin, leaders are there to guide the company…

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4 Not-so-Techy Tech Jobs and the Skills You Need to Get Them

The tech industry is one of the fastest growing fields worldwide. Unfortunately, a lot of students and applicants stay clear of the industry because they feel they’re not “techy” enough. The tech industry isn’t exclusive to programming, engineering, and computer science majors though. Tons of jobs exist for applicants in the field of analysis, humanities, business, customer service, and sales….

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4 Spot-On Strategies to Get Your Manager’s Trust

When it comes to your career, there are a number of factors that can influence how quickly you get ahead, or if you get ahead at all, but none are as crucial as your boss. Yes, your manager can control when you get promoted – and if you get promoted at all – what projects you take on, where and…

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Warning! 5 Signs You’re About to be Let Go

It’s every employee’s worst nightmare – being let go from a job that they don’t want to leave, or that they’re not ready to leave. Finding yourself without a job, with bills to pay and a family to support, is likely one of the most stressful things that could happen to you as an employee. Lately, with an uncertain job…

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5 Things to Never Say (or Admit Out Loud) to Your Boss

In a perfect world, you’d be on good terms with your boss. You might not be the best of friends, trading holiday cookies, or hanging out and drinking beer after work, but at least your communication lines are always honest and open. But you don’t live in a perfect world — no matter how nice your boss is. Your boss…

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5 Layoff Alternatives that will Save You Money without Reducing Your Workforce

Companies are laying off people again and some financial experts say we might experience another financial downturn because of China’s slowing economy. Before you start listing employees to layoff, consider how much a restructuring can cost your business, especially in the long run. Aside from severance pay, and the risk of litigation, your business will also suffer from the low…

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How to Stop Beating Yourself up over Your Mistakes at Work

I found this interesting post on Reddit. Can you relate? “We were at a conference and I had to take notes and photos and write a report on it the following day, several people were speaking and at some point I got distracted with taking photos and forgot to take notes for one of the speakers except for one or…

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How can you be Assertive but Not Aggressive in Job Interviews?

This month, I received a rather intriguing question from Jake in New Hampshire, “I just came from an interview and the recruiter told me that I wasn’t assertive enough. I don’t know what he meant, but as far as I know, I emphasized my strong points and other skills.” Great question. Many job applicants fall on the extreme ends of…

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Suspicious Tactics Companies Use to Get Rid of Older Employees

Just last month, two friends told me how their colleagues lost their jobs under dubious pretenses. The five people who were laid off were skilled and tenured professionals in their early 50s. They haven’t had any attendance or performance issues, as far as my friends could tell. That’s why everyone in their office was shocked. Is this the newest tactic…

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Speakers, Here are 4 Powerful Ways to Start Your Speech

Article originally posted at http://www.fearlesspresentations.com/presenters-here-are-4-powerful-ways-to-start-your-speech. Jitters, sweaty palms, scratchy throat, you’re practically shaking. Someone called you to the stage. The time has come, the time you’ve prepared for — and dreaded — for weeks. You’re about to give a speech. You take the mic and all heads turn to you. Suddenly, you’re extremely aware of the fact that people are…

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How to Conduct Your Own End of Year Business Review

It’s that time of the year again. Everyone is about to start planning their business goals for 2016. How about you? What are your business goals for 2016? Ramp up talent acquisition, restructure a department, cross-train employees, or close more sales? Hold your horses. Before you call the whole team for a brainstorming and planning session, you should first look…

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Admitting Your Mistakes, Your Highway Ticket to Maturing as a Leader

Article originally posted at http://www.leadersinstitute.com/admitting-your-mistakes-your-key-to-maturing-as-a-leader. Would you rather die than admit you made a mistake? It’s midnight and three hours have passed but you’re still tossing and turning on your bed. You know your alarm will ring in a few hours, but you don’t want it to. The thought of admitting, in front of your team, that you made a…

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Good Leadership Change Whiners and Pessimists into Top Performers

Article originally posted at http://www.leadersinstitute.com/good-leadership-change-whiners-and-pessimists-into-top-performers. A pessimist can bring down a whole team without trying. But that doesn’t mean you should ignore the pessimists in your team completely. In some cases, these people can add a touch of realism into an overly optimistic team. As a leader, you have two options here: convert the pessimists and whiners into cautious top…

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Bosses Beware: Are You Exhibiting Symptoms of Bad Leadership?

Article originally posted at http://www.leadersinstitute.com/bosses-beware-are-you-exhibiting-symptoms-of-bad-leadership. Do you sometimes think your team hates you? Do you sometimes feel that they question your decisions behind your back? Does your team lack faith in your ability to lead them? Do you resent them for feeling this way? Or are you curious to know why they’re like that in the first place? As the…

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How to Stop Using “Er,” “So,” “Um,” and Other Filler Words in Speeches and Presentations

Article originally posted at http://www.fearlesspresentations.com/how-to-stop-using-er-um-and-other-filler-words-in-speeches. Call me weird, but it’s sometimes painful for me to watch motivational speeches. These talks inspire me alright, but I’m not looking forward to my knee-jerk reaction of counting ‘um’ and other filler words I hear during a speech. In fact, I recently sat through a presentation and in 60 minutes, the presenter said “Right?”…

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How to Have More Big Wins by Pushing Your Team through Small Wins

Article originally posted at http://www.leadersinstitute.com/create-more-big-wins-by-celebrating-your-teams-small-wins. About 65% of employees don’t feel valued by their boss, according to a study by CareerBuilder. You might think it’s time consuming or expensive to celebrate if the accomplishment is just a small progress in an ongoing project, or an otherwise unnoticeable upward movement in a long term goal. It’s not like your team was…

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5 Signs Your Team Needs a Teambuilding Event

Article originally posted at http://www.leadersinstitute.com/5-signs-team-needs-teambuilding-event. The word “Teambuilding” alone is enough to get some rolling their eyes and checking their calendar for a scheduling conflict. And while many of our first thoughts of teambuilding go to a comical episode of The Office or a YouTube video of an exercise gone wrong, the process of teambuilding, in whatever form it takes,…

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Re-engaging a Team: Refresh, Re-Focus, Re-Invent

Article originally posted at http://www.leadersinstitute.com/to-re-engage-a-team-refresh-refocus-and-reinvent. Teams come in different shapes and sizes, and serve various purposes. When you’re lucky enough to have a team that has been together for some time or worked on multiple projects, one of the difficulties can be re-engaging that team. Downtime can be great; you can consider it like an “offseason,” but what to do…

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Do You Care about the Quality of Outplacement Services Given to Departing Employees?

Many companies say they value employee satisfaction. But does that commitment extend to departing employees during a layoff? I don’t mean to say that the HR leaders and managers of organizations conducting layoffs don’t care about laid-off employees — I think they do. But in times of distress, priorities shift to keeping the company afloat so concerns like employee satisfaction…

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November is a Month to Give Thanks, another Reason to Send a Thank You Letter

For many of us, we remember Thanksgiving as a time for family reunions and big celebrations. It’s a time to reflect and give thanks for everything good that happened this year. Even when you’re job hunting, Thanksgiving should remind you to be grateful for every opportunity you’re given, including job interviews. Gratitude, a Critical but Overlooked Tool in the Job…

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5 Leadership lessons we can Learn from Iron Man 3

We can all learn something from what’s going on around us; the kids running around, your family and even from the movies you watch. Without further ado, I present to you the lessons I learned from Iron Man: Scene 1: When Tony and Killian met for the first time, Killian was a limping, over-enthusiastic guy with a brilliant idea. Tony…

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How to End Your Presentation with a Bang

Article originally posted at http://www.fearlesspresentations.com/how-to-end-your-presentation-with-a-bang. Have you ever heard a great speaker end an amazing talk with a lousy “Thank you,” or worse, “That’s it folks, any questions?” Such endings are anti-climactic. You went through all that effort to deliver a good presentation and that’s how you end it? Shame. To your audience, it’s like a great fairytale with a…

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4 Strategies for Handling Hecklers While Giving a Speech

Article originally posted at http://www.fearlesspresentations.com/4-strategies-for-handling-hecklers-while-giving-a-speech. Which is worse, hecklers or trolls? While they have a couple of things in common, such as mean and offensive language, trolls are able to hide their real identity in fake online accounts. Majority of them aren’t really mean in real life. Hecklers, on the other hand, are braver in a way that they’re confident…

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The New Manager’s Guide to Leading a New and Dysfunctional Team

This article was originally posted at http://www.leadersinstituteteambuilding.com/new-managers-how-to-fix-a-dysfunctional-team. “I’ve been appointed a team manager at a software consulting company. I was really happy with my luck in securing the position, until I found the mountain of problems awaiting me. Apparently, the previous manager swept a lot of employee and performance issues under the rug and it all didn’t come out until…

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A Leader’s Guide to Profiling the 5 Common Trouble Makers in the Office

Article originally posted at http://www.leadersinstitute.com/a-leaders-guide-to-profiling-the-5-common-trouble-makers-in-the-office. There will always be difficult employees in any organization; even Fortune 500 companies have rotten tomatoes in them. Sun Tzu said in Art of War, “It is said that if you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles; if you do not know your enemies but do…

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3 Stereotype Shattering Strategies to Unite a Diverse Team

Article originally posted at http://www.leadersinstitute.com/three-stereotype-shattering-strategies-to-unite-a-diverse-team. Gone are the days when it’s normal to see offices mostly filled with people from the same town, age group, and university. Now, it’s normal for an office to have a 50-year old mid-level employee supervised by a fresh from business school 30-year old. That’s not even considering the diversity of religion, race, gender, political…

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How to Give a Memorable (and Believable) Speech

Article originally posted at http://www.fearlesspresentations.com/how-to-deliver-a-memorable-speech-and-be-believable. How much can you recall of the last speech you listened to? None? A few snippets? Not even an inspiring quote? You might feel guilty about this, but it’s not just you. Several studies report the audience’s retention of a speech or lecture ranges from a measly 10% to 30%. So if your talk is…

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Public Speaking Workshops for Millennials — A Worthwhile Investment

Article also posted at http://www.fearlesspresentations.com/a-worthwhile-investment-public-speaking-workshops-for-millennials. Recently, I was out to dinner with an industry colleague at a new and trendy restaurant. The lights were not too dim and the music was not overpowering which made this a great choice for catching up and having a conversation. The restaurant seemed to attract a good mix of clientele from the more mature…

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3 Step Guide to Building Employee Morale after a Layoff

Layoffs serve to prevent a struggling company from capsizing. But if not done properly, a layoff may damage the company more than it saves it. Layoffs affect the company in terms of lost workforce and massive restructuring but that’s just the surface. Deep down, it traumatizes surviving employees even if they don’t want to admit it. Whatever circumstances surrounding the…

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Job Applicants and Networking: Four Ways you’re Doing It Wrong

Do you only build your network when you’re in need of a job? Do you think “networking,” is pretentious and phony, like everyone is just there to take, take, take? If so, you’re doing it wrong! Networking is more than doling out your resume and business cards. It has nothing to do with the font on your resume sample or…

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The Best Way to Handle Inappropriate Co-worker Behavior without Stooping Down to their Level

When a co-worker is unnecessarily mean, flirtatious, or inappropriate, it’s sometimes hard to know how to respond professionally. HOW you respond can literally mean your career. You don’t want to look like a stick-in-the-mud, but you also don’t want to feel uncomfortable at work. You don’t want to be seen as a complainer, but it’s just as important to stand…

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Five Myths and Facts about Layoffs

If your business is undergoing a layoff, you must understand what’s really going to happen. Don’t be misled by myths of what you think is supposed to happen. Myth 1: Reducing “people costs” will result in an indirect organizational productivity gain the next week. Reality: The surviving employees will not be more productive, in most cases. Don’t hope for the…

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Your Questions About LinkedIn, Answered Here

I get a lot of questions about using LinkedIn. For some of them, the answer is obvious. Should you put up a profile picture? Yes, of course. Some questions, however, have no definite answer. Bear with me, as I try to explain some of the tricky situations you might encounter while using LinkedIn: Is it a good idea to accept…

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Layoff Survivors: How Employees Change After a Layoff

Century Link, one of the biggest companies in Louisiana, is restructuring to the tune of 1,000 employees. Yes, it’s just a small dent to their 44K global workforce, but to the surviving employees, the change is bound to affect them — whether they admit it or not. No One Relaxes After a Layoff No employee, not even the star performer,…

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“Sell Me this Pen:” 2 Ways to Answer this Popular Job Interview Question

Sell me this pen. Sell me this cup. Sell me this bag. This question is a staple among job interviews, especially for sales positions. But it recently rose to fame again after Leonardo DiCaprio appeared as Jordan Belfort, the smooth-talking penny stock broker in the movie The Wolf of Wall Street. In the movie, Belfort’s cohort answers the question by…

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10 Great Cover Letter Tips to Give Your Application an Edge

Writing a resume is rather straight forward. What you should do with a cover letter is less obvious. However, if you stick to certain principals, you should be able to draft a great cover letter to supplement your resume. Below are 10 great cover letter tips that should help. 1. Start with a Good Opening Like any piece of good…

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Layoff Checklist for EMPLOYEES: Everything You Need to Ensure Your Paycheck and Other Benefits During a Layoff

Times are tough when you’re on the receiving end of a layoff notice. Things might be chaotic in the office, and your direct manager or HR may or may not be able to assist you every step of the way. I created this checklist with that in mind. Please note, however, that this list isn’t all-inclusive and that the chronological…

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Stand Out! Ask these Questions on Your Next Job Interview

Job interviews, for most people, feel like a one-sided conversation. A question and answer, where you’re expected to behave and put your best foot forward. Yes, definitely do that if you want to be as memorable as every other candidate on the planet. If you want to stand out, you have to do what majority of candidates don’t do… Ask…

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Layoff Checklist: The What, When, Where, and Everything a Company Needs During a Downsizing

All employers big and small will eventually need to do a layoff or company restructuring. The process can be daunting. If done wrong, it could bring even more trouble to an already struggling organization. Feeling overwhelmed is normal. You have so many decisions to make, and not enough time, or resources, to make sure everything gets done right. This checklist…

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5 Ways to Close Questionable Employment Gaps in Your Resume

You’ve got the skills, years of experience, and carefully selected references. You are ready to send that resume. Except, well, there’s the small matter of a gap in your employment history. Recruiters and companies are known to question employment gaps in an applicant’s resume. It’s important your gaps don’t paint you as incompetent, unfit for work, unstable, or unemployable. A…

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How does Executive Outplacement Work?

As of August 2014, about 119 CEOs announced their resignation, the highest recorded number since 2008, according to an article published in Chief Executive Magazine. Executives know that figuring out the next phase of their career isn’t as simple as submitting a resume. Transitioning from one C-level job to another, after all, requires a lot of upfront work. Business owners,…

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Career Stress

4 Ways to Celebrate Stress Awareness Month even if You’re Super Busy at Work

Have you heard? April is National Stress Awareness Month. Rightfully so, I think, because it’s also the deadline for filing taxes. I’m guessing a lot of you are stressed out right now. Have you ever felt that even just trying to relax is making you more stressed out? You’re busy and unnecessarily stressing yourself, even while you’re relaxing. You plan…

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5 Tips for Creating a Severance Policy That is Fair to Everyone Involved

According to a recent study from RiseSmart, about 40% of companies don’t have a severance package for employees. That’s ironic, considering how many companies keep touting their dedication to their employee’s well-being and motivation. Many states don’t require companies to provide a severance package to displaced employees, but from a long-term stand point, it makes sense to do so. Protecting your public…

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Should Outplacement Benefits be provided AFTER an Employee Signs a Release Agreement?

People ask me this a lot, and that’s understandable. It’s a tricky question with no right and wrong answer. Since the 1970s, many employees have been required to sign a release agreement before they were provided outplacement services. Keep in mind, though, that this was a time when outplacement was generally reserved to senior executives and layoffs were rare. Outplacement…

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Why I don’t do “Objective Statements”

I got this interesting question about resumes last week: “I always thought a resume should have an objective statement. Is that true?” Well, Kristen, career experts are still divided on that matter. Ten years ago, the career objective, aka objective statement, was a standard part of any resume. This statement mostly explained the job applicant’s wishes or target in his…

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3 Questions to Ask a Corporate Outplacement Provider

Layoffs are difficult for employees and business owners alike. As the boss, you’re torn between trying to conserve all remaining resources of your company and doing the right thing for the people who worked with you for years. Deciding whether to offer outplacement services or not isn’t just a moral question. It’s also a question of protecting your company’s image…

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Staying Motivated and Avoiding Depression When You’re Unemployed during the Holidays

With excerpts from an interview with David Kaplan, Chief Professional Officer of American Counseling Association. If you are interested in hearing the full interview and 31 other career experts, click here: The National Career Summit. You’ve been unemployed for a few months now, perhaps longer. Your savings account is shrinking by the minute, and so is your self-confidence. It’s hard…

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4 Top Job Options for Employees 50 and Over

The times are changing. The unemployment rate for workers 50 and up is higher than it was in the last Great Recession. While the unemployment rate is going down, albeit slowly, many older workers remain unemployed six months to a year, way longer than young employees with less work experience. It’s as if older workers are past their “sell-by” date….

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ALERT: Read this if You Don’t Want to Ruin Your Reputation at the Office Party this Year

It’s that time of the year again! Parties and gatherings everywhere, which means another Holiday party at the office. Don’t think of this as a perfect opportunity to wine and dine, or flirt with that cute guy from accounting. It’s not your family or friends holiday reunion after all. Office Party Etiquette Guide 101 Don’t Bring a “Plus One,” Unless…

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Are Listening Skills—and Decent Customer Service—Lost in this Generation’s Fresh Graduates?

Here’s a typical scene every time I go through a Dunkin Donuts drive-thru… Me: One medium hot latte with skim milk Crew: Okay, would you like it hot or cold? Me: Hot (okay…he’s too young to be deaf) Crew: Whole or skim milk? Me: Skim milk (getting impatient here…) Every. Single. Time. And that was just a single item order….

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Stock Up on these Career Essentials on Black Friday

What are you going to buy this Black Friday? A new flat screen? A new Xbox? New shoes? You can buy those to impress your friends and neighbors – or you can update your professional wardrobe and impress people at your office. Take advantage of Black Friday sales by investing in your professional look. You’ll be glad you did when…

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GiveThanks

Thanksgiving and the Networking Opportunities It Presents to Graduating Students

Thanksgiving, a time to feast, give thanks and sometimes, endure awkward questions with your family. That’s it, right? Well, not just that. Thanksgiving is also a good time to build your network. With all the parties and dinners to attend, I am sure your professional life isn’t your top priority right now. Thanksgiving and your career aren’t mutually exclusive, this…

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Corporate America Doesn’t Care About You: It’s Time to Put Yourself First

When was the last time you came home late because you needed to finish an urgent project? Did you take your work home recently? Have you ever missed your kid’s recital because of work? Sacrificing work/life balance to move up in the corporate ladder seems like a fair trade, at least on the surface. Martin Yate, author of New York…

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You’re Probably Ignoring this Lucrative Job Market

October brings us two holidays, Halloween and United Nations Day. What do those events have to do with careers, you ask? If you graduated last March and haven’t received a decent job offer ’til now, I bet you’re scared to move back with your parents. But okay, let’s say you’re not a fresh graduate. Aren’t you the least bit afraid…

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Do You Make These Mistakes During the Phone Interview?

It’s International Update Your Resume Month! Have you updated your resume yet? Or maybe you’ve already received a favorable response after updating it? Perhaps you have an upcoming phone interview? Hooray! Good for you. But don’t let your guard down just yet. The phone interview seems innocuous enough, but many applicants don’t realize its importance. Whether it lasts 10 or…

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Are You Prepared for the Fall Job Hiring Rush?

The lax summer season, when vacations are rampant and most companies take a breather from expansion, makes way for Fall, considered the busiest season for hiring. While there’s no definite rule signaling September as the hiring season, it definitely seems like the busiest season for many industries. If you’re aspiring to switch careers, move to a bigger company or if…

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What Happens if You Take the Summer Off After Graduating?

If you graduated May this year, is it possible that you missed the boat by taking the summer off from interviewing? I know you’re worn out, what with all the exams, internships and the thesis you had to complete. But it’s so tempting to take a few months or a year off to unwind after graduating from college. You can’t…

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Hottest Jobs of 2015 and 2016

Time flies fast doesn’t it? Half of the year is gone! Where are you in your career? Happily employed? Just got out of college? Looking for another job? The year 2015 marks the time when the majority of post World War II baby boomers will turn 60, which means many of them will retire or move to other careers. What…

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Your Summer Job is Much More Important than You Think

Employment rates are better this year, which means fresh graduate are expected to have better opportunities of securing a job. I wonder though, how many will take their internship seriously? How many will show up expecting three easy months of coffee-fetching and copy-making work? A research from Challenger, Gray and Christmas, a Chicago-based recruitment firm, states that only 1 in…

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Does Your Boss Secretly Hate You?

I was eating at a restaurant when I overheard this woman complaining about her boss to a friend. After ranting, her friend said, “Suck it up, you’re lucky to have a job.” After hearing this conversation, I realized that sometimes, no matter how nice and polite you are; your boss just doesn’t care. After all your effort, he can’t even…

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Michelle Riklan’s Resume Article Featured in the Business Insider

Where do you draw the line between creative embellishment and flat-out lying on a resume? Read Michelle Riklan’s article, Resumes: Does It Have to Be Truthful or Is There Creative Leeway? featured in the Business Insider (original article, The 4 Most Common Lies People Tell On Their Resumes, CareerMeh) to learn the top 4 ways we stretch the truth on our…

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Success Stories of Veterans and Reservists Transitioning to Corporate Work

After years of deployment, rigid schedules and working within the military’s structure, the difference in environment and job description between civilian and military work can be overwhelming. Despite the uncertainty it brings, many veterans look forward to working in the corporate world, because this will allow them to spend more time with their friends and family. Question is, what are…

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Stay at Home Moms: How to Hide the Glaring Employment Gap in Your Resume

As a stay-at-home mom, updating your resume is perhaps the most overwhelming task you’ll need to do after deciding to rejoin the workforce. I know it’s a bit overwhelming and ironic to some extent, considering you’ve done well raising your kids – updating your resume should be a piece of cake, right? It’s trickier than it seems. Sure, it’s easy…

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Spring Cleaning Your LinkedIn and Online Profiles

The weather is warming up…it’s not too warm and it’s not too cold either. Flowers are starting to bloom and the trees are starting to wake up from their winter slumber. You know what this means, right? It’s time to clean up—the backyard, your closet of last season’s clothes, and your online profiles. Your LinkedIn and social media profiles. Spring…

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Michelle Riklan Named One of the Top 25 Women to Follow on Twitter for Job Search

Thank you CEOWORLD Magazine! I had no idea I had been named… and I am in such good company! Meghan M. Biro, a talent strategist, practitioner, speaker and author who operates as CEO of TalentCulture Consulting Group. You can find Meghan M. Biro on Twitter: @MeghanMBiro. Alison Doyle, a job search and employment expert with years of experience in human…

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How to Get a Job at Google

Google, famous for its sleek, modern office and out of this world employee benefits, receives about 2 to 3 million applications each year. Yes, each year! And that doesn’t include applications received through referrals and career fairs. Obviously, the competition is tough. The interviews and the selection process is even tougher, Google is popular for its rigorous interview process so…

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Luck Ain’t Gonna Be Enough

How often have you heard a friend gush at someone else’s extraordinary luck? “Wow! He must be really lucky to get that job!” Admittedly, the competition for high-paying jobs in big name companies is fierce, there could be 100+ applicants fighting for one vacancy.  So from an outside perspective, it may seem that whoever receives the job offer must be…

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How to Get an Employer to Fall in Love with You Before You Even Meet–No Gifts or Cheesy Gestures Required

How do you put a love spell on someone you’ve never even met? Even harder, how do you make an employer, who has seen hundreds of resumes and interviewed a dozen candidates, fall in love with you before he sees you? Can you put a magic potion in his drink? Send him his favorite coffee and pastry combo every morning?…

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Looking for the Perfect Match

February is the love month, a time of roses, chocolates, dates and romantic getaways – at least for couples. For many single men and women, however, it’s the time of year when they feel most lonely and in some cases, it’s also the time when they’re most actively seeking for the one. This pursuit for the one is similar to…

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New Year, New Career Path?

New Year’s resolutions are often forgotten after the first week of the year. It doesn’t matter if the resolution is to lose weight, get a better job or save for retirement – many people forget these resolutions once they come back to their regular routines after the holiday. If your New Year’s resolution is to get a better job, or…

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It’s Too Early to Give Up!

Have you given up or are you on track with your New Year’s resolutions? According to a survey published on Scranton University’s Journal of Clinical Psychology, only 45% of Americans usually write resolutions and, out of this population, only 8% achieve what they’ve set out to do. I know the numbers are quite depressing, but there’s no reason you can’t…

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What to Expect in a Holiday Job Hunt

Do you plan on waiting until the holidays are over to continue your job search? That kind of thinking might cost you a job offer. Don’t stop sending job applications just because of the holidays. Businesses don’t come to a grinding halt during holidays, right? Companies don’t stop hiring just because majority of the year’s holidays are bunched up together…

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Shopping for a New Job

Ah, to be a kid again, to feel excited as the holiday season approaches so you can finally open your presents. The holidays might not be as fun for adults because of all the shopping and holiday preparation, but there’s an upside to the increased consumerism this season brings. Shopping for holiday gifts is similar to shopping for your next…

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How to Search for a Job Without Alerting Your Boss (or Getting on Your Boss’s Bad Side)

It’s normal to want another job while you’re already employed; maybe you’re looking for new challenges, a better compensation package, a promotion, or maybe you just don’t like your current boss. Whatever it is, one thing remains constant–your current employer must not find out that you’re looking for another job.  The Consequences Could be Severe Your current employer is almost…

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Job Hunting Tips for the Fifty-something Applicants

When companies downsize or merge, older employees often get laid off first.  Many companies won’t hesitate to get someone younger to take over the position held by a senior professional because of money issues. According to the AARP, workers aged 55 and over have an average length of 54.2 weeks of unemployment. This is higher than the 35.9 unemployed weeks of other…

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Dressing Up for the Interview—It’s More Important than You Think

You only have six seconds to make a good first impression. Six seconds. That’s not even enough time to say your elevator speech! Best-selling author and LinkedIn Career Expert, Nicole Williams echoes this fact. What you wear makes a bigger statement about yourself and your chances of doing well at the job before you even start talking. A crumpled shirt,…

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September is International Update Your Resume Month! Have You Updated Yours?

Career Directors International (CDI) has declared September as International Update Your Resume Month to emphasize the importance of having an updated resume ready. Personally, I couldn’t agree more. September marks the start of another phase. Fall is just around the corner and the kids are back to school, and that gives us more time to focus on our career or job-hunting efforts….

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Now is the Best Time to Prepare for Your Job Search

How long does it take to get a new job? A week or two, maybe? This thinking is the reason why so many job applicants don’t start preparing for the job search long before they actually need to. The usual job search – from finding job ads and sending a resume, up to the job offer – can take 90…

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Keeping it Clean on Facebook

Summer is almost over. Did you have a good time at the beach, partying with friends ‘til kingdom come? Great! It’s always good to relax and have fun during summer. Now to serious matters; how many of those party-like-a-rock star pictures did you post on Facebook? Those pictures might be a good way to boost your online popularity among friends,…

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Are College Graduates Prepared for the Workforce?

“66%. That’s the percentage of hiring managers who say they don’t believe that new college graduates are prepared for the workforce.” This did not surprise me. Jamie Eckle’s article in “Career Watch: Hiring landscape dims for this year’s grads,” really hit home as I drove through Dunkin Donuts the other day. Part-time, seasonal jobs are often filled with college students…

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Interviewing is Like a Box of Chocolates

I always coach my clients to expect the unexpected. As Forrest Gump would say, “Interviewing is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get.” Will the interviewer be experienced and trained, or straight out of school? Do they know how to conduct an effective and lawful interview? (Many do not!) I’ve heard Hiring Managers ask…

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LinkedIn Can Be Great for Recruiting

In response to the article, “LinkedIn Good But Not Great for Recruiting,” by B2C author Ian Tomlin, I have to say that I think LinkedIn most certainly can be GREAT for recruiting! With more than 200 million professionals utilizing LinkedIn, employers have a centralized place to find a significant amount of qualified candidates (both active and passive). LinkedIn allows employers…

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Is Texting Your Boss Professional?

I found this Wall Street Journal article by Lauren Weber, “Text From the Boss: U R Fired,” interesting on many levels. While I agree that firing via text message is hardly a trend, it does beg the question of how today’s new technologies may contribute to individuals compromising on professionalism. Is texting your boss professional? How about texting a person…

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Engaging Facebook Fans

Below are 4 tips for using Facebook to effectively engage your fans. Scheduling – Create a regular schedule of when you will update. Whether it is once a week or twice, try to stay consistent with when you update, you can even let members know that they should look at Facebook on certain days for the latest happenings. Statistically, it…

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Personalize your LinkedIn Profile URL

When you customize your LinkedIn URL, you are enhancing the address, and making it easier for people to find and recognize you. Your new URL will be useful to add as a link to your resume or to put on a networking card. When you originally set up your profile, you were given a default URL. For example, mine may…

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The State of Employment: Spring 2013

Consumer spending is down, the economy growing and employment remains about the same. What does that mean to jobs? Read more in Lorraine Woellert’s latest Bloomberg article, “Employment Probably Grew at Steady Pace: U.S. Eco Preview.”

Why Don’t You Get a New Job?

Here are the top reasons employees stay in their unhappy jobs, according to US News contributor Alison Green in her article, “5 Lame Excuses Preventing You from Finding a New Job.”

How New Grads Can Put Experience on Their Resumes

We all start at the bottom, so how does a new graduate gain the experience employers are looking for? Get the answers in this informative article “When an Employer Requires Experience and You Have None” by Forbes author, Jacquelyn Smith.

Change How You Connect on LinkedIn & Increase Your LinkedIn Connections

According to Alexis Grant of Mashable, this one thing can increase your LinkedIn connections more than any other: making it personal. Check out her article, “This Simple Action Will Dramatically Grow Your LinkedIn Network.”

More Job Search DONT’S

Not all job search strategies are good ones. Here are a few stinkers from Roger Wright of the Huffington Post: “Bad Job Search Tips.”

Job Search Has Always Required Persistence

There are hundreds, if not thousands of qualified job seekers vying for that same position. USA Today’s “At Work” author, Andrea Kay, talks about the need to be tenacious in the job market in her article, “At Work: Nothing Magical About Persistence in Job Hunt.”

Looking for a Summer Job?

Check out these 8 tips on how to land the perfect summer job in VictoriaAdvocate.com author Allison Miles’ article, “Tips for Landing that Perfect Summer Job.”

Is it Okay to Ask for Help at Your Job?

You got the job and want to show them you can do it on your own – but now you see you’re going to  need a little help. Read about 6 ways to go about it and keep your dignity in Jenny Treanor’s LiveCareer article, “Ask for Help on the Job (Without Feeling Weak).”

Why The Job Search Tips You’ve Been Getting Just Aren’t Working

Getting job search advice from friends, forums and other personal networks can only help your job search right? Find out if you’ve been buying into the “Top 6 Incomplete Job Search Tips” by Huffington Post contributor Roger Wright.

Changing Careers: Durham Bull Media Director’s Successful 5 Point Strategy

Business 2 Community author AnnMarie McIlwain shares what worked for Matt DeMargel in her article, “A Job Search Homerun.”

How 2013 Grads Measure Up as Job Seekers

Your college degree is your greatest asset out of the gate, so aim high. Find out what else employers are looking for in the Class of 2013 from Jada A. Graves of U.S. News & World Report in her article, “Class of 2013 Job Seekers: Buy, Sell or Hold?“

Could Twitter Be More Efficient than Your Resume?

Much like LinkedIn groups can aid in your job search, following and engaging via Twitter with potential employers can be the boost your hunt is looking for. Read more in Patrica Rivera of CTW Features article, “Why Twitter is Sometimes More Powerful than Resumes.”

How to Write a Resume that Works in Every Part of the World

Business Harvard Review writer Tom O’Neil admits that although all markets have certain nuances, the central purpose of your resume should remain the same, regardless of your audience. See what points are most important to focus on in his article, “Write a Resume that Travels Across Countries and Cultures.”

Social Networking and Job Search: Are You Doing it Right?

“…it is not possible for professionals to ‘like,’ ‘tweet’ or ‘second degree connect’ their way into finding an excellent career opportunity for themselves.” So how do you do it? Check out this short but sweet article from Global Jobs Network, “Top Social Networking Tips in Job Search.”

College Grads Need More LinkedIn Experience

46% of college graduates have never used LinkedIn – that’s a staggering number, considering the way that social media tide is turning when it comes to job search. Read “LinkedIn Misses Target Audience, Majority Use Facebook More” by Review author Matthew Butler.

Can You Use LinkedIn Groups to Get a Job?

LinkedIn groups are a great way to learn and share, but can you utilize them in job search too? Find out in “6 Foolproof Ways to Use LinkedIn Groups to Land Your Next Job” by Arnie Fertig of US News Money.

10 Great Job Search Tips for the New Grad in 2013

Graduating this year and feel like you’re not doing enough to secure your job prospects? Check out this helpful list from Alison Green of US News Money: “10 Key Job Search Tips For New Graduates.”

Interview Preparation: 3 Great Sources for Company Info

Knowing the background information of the hiring company is key to a successful interview. Find out “How to Gather Interview Intel With Social Media” in this smart article by Aaron Guerrero of US News.

Top Ten College Majors for 2013

Your major does matter. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, the average starting salary for the graduating class of 2013 increased 5.3% from 2012. Find out the top paying majors for 2013 in “And The Highest-Paid College Majors Are…” by Lauren Weber of The Wall Street Journal.

New College Grad? Here Are Some Places to Start Job Hunting

Here’s a short list of job search advice sites recent college grads can utilize to find their first job in Chuck Meyers’ Union.com article, “On the Money: Finding That First Job After College.”

How to Help Friends Who Are Job Hunting

Feeling helpless when it comes to friends and family members who are looking for a job? Here are some real, tangible ways you can support them in this Huffington Post article by Randy Hain, “Career Transition and ‘Jerry Maguire Moments’.”

6 Tips for Curbing Those Interview Jitters

It’s important to keep your nerves out of it when face-to-face with the gatekeeper or hiring manager. Find out how to relieve some of that tension and sail through the interview in this article by About.com’s Alison Doyle, “How to Avoid Interview Stress.”

Is Your Military Resume the Best Tool to Get an Interview?

Read Rick Corcodilos’ job search strategy for military personnel entering the everyday workforce in this special edition of “Ask the Headhunter”: How to Transition From Military to Civilian Work Without a Resume.

College Students Are Failing at the LinkedIn Game

The N Gen is not on track with the LinkedIn movement and it may be to their disadvantage when it comes to looking for their first job. Read the full story by Brian Hall: Why Aren’t College Students Using LinkedIn To Find Jobs?

Be the Boss or Face the Consequences of Undermanagement

What do you get when you put together employees with diverse personalities, work backgrounds, different temperaments, habits, and varying levels of weirdness? Chaos. But nowadays, that’s what most managers call a “team,” and the difficulty of handling such team doesn’t stop with aforementioned differences. In fact, that’s just the start. Add a dash of disregard for authority, laziness, lack of…

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Oh No: Twesumes?

Twitter is just another of the growing social media platforms that can be utilized for personal promotion and even job search. Check out this CNN article by Doug Meigs: Can You Land a Job With 140 Characters?

Michelle Riklan Featured in BusinessNewsDaily

I’ve been featured in David Mielach of BusinessNewsDaily’s latest article, “Hiring Experts Reveal Resume Pet Peeves“!

DASHING Cover Letters

Are Cover Letters Important? Yes. While some may argue that a cover letter is an “extra step”, I say it is an expected step when sending out your résumé. Outside of the fact that omitting the cover letter can be perceived as being lazy, we exist in a very competitive job-market, and a well-written cover letter is a tool that…

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What is President’s Day?

For some, Presidents’ Day is intended to honor all the American presidents, but most significantly George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Both considered important leaders of the United States and remembered for their unique contributions for shaping The Nation. Whether you are in job search mode or simply keeping your career materials up-to-date, I recommend that you ask yourself the following…

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FREE Teleseminar: 7 Powerful LinkedIn Strategies for Your Successful Job Search in Today’s Job Market

Monday, January 21st at 7:30 pm EST How to create a compelling LinkedIn profile to boost your visibility and land your dream job while spending less than 15 minutes a day… Are you in the middle of a job search and you feel overwhelmed by the idea of trying to get the attention of hiring managers in your field? Are…

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Position Yourself to Get the Job

You may have heard that you need to “brand yourself” in order to be successful in your career. While “branding” (which is defined as “to make an indelible mark or impression on somebody or something”) is a valuable strategy, you may be more comfortable with the idea of simply positioning yourself to be successful in your job search and career….

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Don’t Make These Mistakes On LinkedIn

Don’t Dismiss LinkedIn as Something Only for People Who Are Looking For a New Job. The best time to build your LinkedIn profile, connect with people, and participate on LinkedIn is now, before you need it. If you find yourself suddenly unemployed and decide that now is the time to start using LinkedIn, you’re going to be playing catch up….

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How to Give — and Get — LinkedIn Recommendations

With LinkedIn becoming increasingly important in the recruiting and hiring process, having Recommendations on your profile is important. Great Recommendations can be the difference in getting the job offer. LinkedIn Recommendations are a natural evolution of references and letters of recommendation. However, they often are more credible than these traditional documents, because it is harder to fake a Recommendation on…

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Tips for Your LinkedIn Profile Photo

Your profile photo on LinkedIn is very important. Did you know that profiles with pictures attract 50-70 percent more inquiries than profiles without pictures? Here are some tips for your LinkedIn photo: Don’t use an old photo. There are few things worse than meeting someone for the first time and not recognizing them because the picture on their LinkedIn profile…

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LinkedIn Profile Checklist

Profiles that are considered “complete” by LinkedIn’s standards receive 40 more “opportunities” (contacts from prospective hiring managers and recruiters) than incomplete profiles, according to the social networking site. Filling in your profile improves your chances of being found by people searching for you specifically, or someone with your qualifications, credentials, and background. And that’s true even when using sites like…

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4 Things You Must Do On LinkedIn

To get the most out of your LinkedIn profile, make sure you do these four things: Complete Your Profile.Your profile is the “front door” to your LinkedIn account. First impressions matter — so make sure you’ve made your profile as complete as possible. As an added benefit, your LinkedIn profile generally ranks high in Google search results for your name,…

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7 Reasons Why You Should Be on LinkedIn

What? You’re not on LinkedIn yet? What are you waiting for? These seven reasons outline why you should be on the social networking site. Because That’s Where The People Are. LinkedIn is the number one social network for professionals — and, arguably, the most important website for jobseekers — with more than 150 million members worldwide. Not only are people…

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Getting Started With LinkedIn In Your Job Search

Why Get LinkedIn? LinkedIn is the top social networking website for jobseekers. As Jeff Weiner, CEO of LinkedIn, explains it, “Post a full profile and get connected to the people you trust. Because if you’re connected to those people and you posted a profile, then when other people are searching for people, they might find you.” With more than 120…

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Getting Started with Facebook in Your Job Search

With 845 million monthly active users (as of December 2011), Facebook has the potential to connect you with your next job. In contrast, LinkedIn, which bills itself as “the largest professional network” in the world, has 95 million unique monthly visitors. With 10 times as many members, it’s no wonder then that job seekers are finding Facebook is an increasingly…

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Jobseeker’s Guide to Online Reputation Management

When searching for a job, it’s very common for employers nowadays to look at your online profile. This information isn’t just used to “rule out” candidates — finding a broad online presence can also improve your chances of getting the job by increasing your “know, like, and trust” factor. What a company finds about you online should reassure them about…

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Jobseeker’s Guide to Salary Negotiation

Money is usually the most sensitive issue in the hiring process. Discussing compensation often causes anxiety for both employee and employer. Money may seem like the biggest factor in accepting a job, but it can often cloud your decision-making process. Don’t accept a job that you’re not enthusiastic about simply because the starting salary is a few thousand dollars higher…

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Job Seeker’s Guide to References

“Résumés win interviews, but references win job offers,” says Martin Yate, author of the “Knock ‘Em Dead” series of career books. Reference checks are important for both job seekers and employers. References are a chance for employers to add to the information they learned from your résumé and in the interview — and what they find out from your references will…

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Jobseeker’s Guide to Leaving Your Job

Every few months, you’ll see an example in the news media of someone who left their job in dramatic fashion. Examples include the JetBlue flight attendant who famously deployed the emergency chute on the runway, or the Goldman Sachs executive who wrote a “Why I Am Leaving” article in the New York Times. These stories catch our attention because they…

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Jobseeker’s Guide to Writing an Effective LinkedIn Profile

Having an online presence on LinkedIn can be important in your job search. Your LinkedIn profile can present your credentials to prospective employers and hiring managers, increasing your chance of securing an interview. Your LinkedIn profile should complement your résumé, but it shouldn’t duplicate it directly. To have a strong online presence, you must be clear about who you are,…

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Jobseeker’s Guide to Preparing for the Job Interview

The goal of the résumé is to get you a job interview. Once you secure an interview, researching and preparing for the interview is important. Like studying for a test, some of the information you can prepare ahead of time — and some of it is important to review just to be better prepared in general. Believe it or not,…

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Do You Have Any Questions For Me? The Question Every Candidate Should Be Prepared to Answer In an Interview

Job interviews aren’t meant to be an interrogation — they are supposed to be a dialogue. An interview is as much about making sure the company is a fit for you as it is that you are a fit for the company. Preparing for the Interview Before the interview, at a minimum, you should research the company — and the…

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What To Do Next With Your Résumé

By investing in a professionally written résumé, you’re already positioned yourself ahead of other jobseekers. But don’t let that advantage go to waste. Now that you have your résumé, what should you do with it? This guide will give you strategies for what you can — and should — do with your résumé to maximize your chances of finding and…

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Common Résumé Myths and Mistakes

Check out Michelle Riklan’s article, “Common Résumé Myths and Mistakes”, featured in CMAA’s Back of the House blog.

Recent Graduates and Today’s Job Search – Part 3

How to Track and Plan Your Job Search Finding a job is a job. It requires time, dedication, research, homework, and an organized plan. So how do you get started? 1.   Prepare your personal inventory.  You are more than just your major. What do you have to offer? This may be a good time to meet with a career…

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Recent Graduates and Today’s Job Search – Part 2

How to create a compelling marketing tool (resume) that will attract the attention of a potential employer. So often, recent graduates complain that they have “sent out hundreds of resumes” and have not received a response.  While they are quick to blame the job-market, albeit a difficult one, they often do not consider the fact that something may be wrong…

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