After experiencing nothing but upward mobility throughout your career, a stalled executive job search can feel like quite a blow. Why isn’t anyone calling about your extraordinary qualifications? The answer is simple: every single one of your competitors has an extraordinary background too. If you’re like nearly every executive I’ve ever spoken to, you Read More >
10 Common Myths and Facts about Resume Writing (Part 2)
In a recent post, we gave you the real scoop on 5 common resume myths. We thought you could use several more to craft your document into something that truly reflects your brand and your value proposition to potential employers. So here we go with myths 6-10… Myth #6: “A Chronological Resume is the proper way to format.” Truth: Rarely. According to resume Read More >
Performance Reviews and Your Job Search
Performance reviews can be critical to your job search. Of course, if your reviews are mainly of the “8 out of 10” variety, with little or no background information or results, you might not be able to do much with them to help your job search. However, if they contain at least some substantive information, they could offer potential value. Good Review Read More >
10 Common Myths and Facts about Resume Writing (Part 1)
It seems everywhere you go, some well-meaning person has an opinion on your job search strategy. And no part of your career game is more riddled with myths and misinformation than that of crafting your resume. Don’t be bowled over by outdated or obsolete opinions. We’re here to help you separate the fact from the fiction. Myth #1: ”The Resume is Dead.” How Read More >
Resume Pitfalls for Professionals Who Haven’t Changed Jobs in A While
Like everything these days in our fast-paced times, resumes and respective requirements are subject to rapid change. What was the norm 20 or 10 years ago is certainly not the norm anymore. Anyone remember resume “objectives” at the top of a resume outlining elaborate candidate wishes of what they were looking for in their next role and employer? Or Read More >
5 Keys to Sustainable Career Success
You might be thinking that the 5 keys to sustainable career success include a professional resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile. Do you need them? Almost certainly, but I’d like to suggest that they’re not the only things that matter. To give you an idea of what else might matter, I’m including quotes from some well-known people about success and Read More >
Where You Should Work as a Student for Great Grad Jobs Later
Take a quick scan of a variety of job descriptions on Monster or Indeed and you’re likely to discover that soft skills are in high demand. Where’s the best place to hone these needed skills while still in school and only able to work part time? A Retail Job. “What? A McJob?” You say? Yep. And they’re available all over your home town. Whether you’re Read More >
Your Professional Resume: Confidence vs. Bragging
Are you uncomfortable “bragging” about yourself—that is, do you hesitate to use your professional resume as a self-promotion tool? While modesty can be refreshing, going overboard will probably defeat the essential purpose of a resume. What is that purpose? To catch—and hold—the attention of the employers you’re targeting. If you don’t take steps to make Read More >
Cover Letters That Hit the Mark
Should you or shouldn’t you send a cover letter with your resume? It depends. If your idea of a cover letter is something that basically says, “Here’s my resume—I hope you like it,” don’t bother! Unless you find a way to engage the attention and interest of the reader (employer), you’re wasting your time and theirs. A cover letter must serve as a strong Read More >
The Myth about Resume “Secrets”
You’ve probably seen at least one article with a title somewhat like this: “5 Resume Secrets You MUST Know for a Successful Job Search.” Those of us in the career services industry who publish articles tend to use titles like that because they make attention-getting headlines. However…. I’ve come to the conclusion these titles present at least a few Read More >
