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, 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. “ 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 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), 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 Read More >
How to Hit Curveball Interview Questions Out of the Park
“If you were an animal, what kind of animal would you be?” Or how about, “What is your favorite song and can you perform it for me now?” Actual interview questions, you ask? Yep. They’ve been asked in real live interviews. Once I got, “Sell this Read More >
6 Critical Reasons Hiring You Is a Corporate Risk
Over the years in my private executive coaching practice, my clients have come to me time and again for customized job interview coaching. Regardless of whether they have been recruited by an organization or they are pursuing opportunities on their own after a corporate downsizing, the questions and concerns follow Read More >
Your Resume: Career Snapshot, Not Your Life Story
What makes your resume a great resume? To start with, think of it as a career snapshot, not your life story! This might sound harsh to some, but I’ll bet no one in the companies you’re targeting with your resume cares about what you did 35 years ago. No matter Read More >
How Being Coy Can Be Costly to Your Career
Whether you are entry level or c-level, being the CEO of your career will put you in the driver’s seat letting you navigate your career trajectory, on your own terms. Here is why it’s important to take the reins of your own career today, especially inside your current company. This Read More >
Why You Should Stop Worrying About the ATS-Friendliness of Your Resume
If you’ve ever gotten career advice from a professional resume writer, career counselor, or through your own research about optimizing your resume, chances are you have heard about applicant tracking systems (ATS) and how they can derail your job search efforts. You’ve heard that companies screen candidates through these systems, Read More >
