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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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 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 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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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.”

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.”

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 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.”

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.”

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’.”

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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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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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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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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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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Recent Graduates and Today’s Job Search – Part 1

As summer starts to wind down and our May graduates who have taken the summer off are hopefully starting to think about their careers, I am offering a career series of information to my readers. Often, I am contacted by desperate parents seeking assistance to get their recently graduated child out of the house and into the workforce. I hear it all….

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Are You LinkedIn?

Before the job is posted and advertised, where does the recruiter/HR professional/hiring manager look for potential candidates? Before they even hit the job boards, they are on LinkedIn. And, if you are not there, then you don’t exist. Let me repeat that – IF YOU ARE NOT LINKEDIN, YOU DO NOT EXIST! People who are in talent acquisition and recruiting…

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How Do I Get My Resume to Land on the Top of the Pile? (and to stay out of the trashcan) Tip # 5 – Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute!

Don’t let great job opportunities “pass you over;” hop to it! The last thing you want is to have a chance meeting with someone or get introduced to someone who asks for your resume and you are unprepared! Or, they say they will look you up on LinkedIn, and they can’t find you! Job searching today is a proactive activity….

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Matchmaker, Matchmaker, Make Me a Match!

As Valentine’s Day approaches, images of hearts, flowers, and Cupid come to mind. I have always thought of Cupid as an extraordinary Talent Acquisition Manager.  After all, just think of some of the “job requisitions” that come across his desk! Are the position requirements realistic?  I am reminded of the lyrics in Fiddler on the Roof’s infamous song, Matchmaker. “For Papa, make him…

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Interview Tip for the Suburban Job Seeker

Even if the interview went exceptionally well, applicant beware! If the person interviewing you offers to walk you to your car, they may have ulterior motives to basic courtesy. If your car is a mess, your potential employer may make a determination about your future work habits. Also, your car may be saying too much!  Personal information does not belong…

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Get Off Your “Buts”

According to a recent survey by CollegeGrad.com, entry-level jobs have increased by 22 percent from last year. That’s the highest percentage in 3 years. So, if you are a recent college graduate and have given up on finding that entry-level job, it is time to get off your “buts.” But, there are no jobs. But, I’ve sent my resume out…

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Fighting the Unemployment Blues and Staying Motivated

The national unemployment rate fell to 8.5%, the lowest in nearly 3 years.  While we seem to be moving in the right direction, this is not a window of opportunity to “go easy” on your job search.  It’s a time to become even more persistent and stay ahead of the competition! While being unemployed can be emotionally challenging and stressful,…

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New Year Career Resolutions

As the new year approaches, many of us are in “resolution” mode. What changes do we want to make for 2012? What commitments do we want to make for ourselves and for others? It is a great time to reflect on our careers, evaluate where we have been, and decide where we are heading. Here are a few thoughts to…

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A Proactive Job Search

A recent New York Times article states that “a growing share of recent college graduates are having to settle for jobs that do not require a college degree, and they are earning less than their peers as a result.” Statistics show that the employment status of college graduates under age 25 is as follows: 22.4% — Not Working. 22.0% —…

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Practice for your interview… and get the job offer.

You finally received a call for a potential position that sounds perfect. Preparing, you make several crisp copies of your résumé, check the route to the office, clean your car, get your favorite interview outfit from the cleaners, and dress yourself appropriately. You’ve spent hours researching the company, understanding the position and getting a solid sense of how your talents…

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Top 5 Ways to Sabotage Your Job Search

1.  Keeping it Quiet For whatever the reason, you are not putting yourself out there.  Even if you have been laid off or fired, you need to network. It is the most effective way to find a new position.  But, if no-one knows you are looking, no-one will call. 2.  Not Searching at All I hear so often that “there…

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Are you LinkedIn?

Before the job is posted and advertised, where does the recruiter/HR professional/hiring manager look for potential candidates? Before they even hit the job boards, they are on LinkedIn. And, if you are not there, then you don’t exist. Let me repeat that – IF YOU ARE NOT LINKEDIN, YOU DO NOT EXIST. People who are in talent acquisition and recruiting…

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They Can Hear You in Your Pajamas

(and taking the job search seriously) We live in a world today that brings a completely new meaning to “multitasking.” Potential employers call about our resume while we’re driving to the soccer field and deals are negotiated in the supermarket produce section. With virtual offices, tele-conferences, e-summits and Skype, we need to be aware of the types of messages that…

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Job Seeking Tips For the College Grad

New reports show that graduating college students have had 40% fewer job prospects and the outlook for 2010 is not much more promising. So what’s the new graduate to do? There are jobs out there. Now your job is to be the one who gets one!   Know what you are selling and market it properly. The Product Yes, you…

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Interview Strategies

In the course of my career I have interviewed thousands of individuals seeking employment at all levels from the entry-level college graduate to the Chief Financial Officer.  While my experience spans across a wide variety of industries, the interview mistakes that I’ve seen are constant. Once you have procured a meeting with a potential employer, there is a tremendous amount…

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