3 Resume mistakes that can sabotage your job search!
A resume is an important career tool that should enhance, not harm, your job search efforts and professional brand. While the resume review process is subjective and there are no absolutes when it comes to how a potential employer will judge your qualifications, there are three critical mistakes you should avoid in order to keep your resume out of the “reject” pile. read more
Is your professional brand built upon these important attributes?
The essence of a professional brand involves who you are and what you want to be known for professionally. It is a reputation that you build, evaluate, and cultivate over time. Although it takes hard work and long-term dedication to build a professional brand, it could take just minutes to destroy it. It’s critical to identify key attributes of a professional brand in order to establish and then build upon a strong foundation that will allow your brand to evolve and support your future career success. read more
You need to answer this question in an interview, even if they don’t ask it!
Whether you are in the midst of a job search that involves interviewing for multiple opportunities or suddenly get a call from a recruiter who wants to talk to you about a specific position, there is one question that you should be prepared to answer. Different people may ask it in different ways, but the core of the question is the same. Consider what employers want and need to know, particularly during the interview process. Their collective goal is to determine if you are the candidate that will deliver the most value to the organization if hired for the position. To figure that out, they will in some way, shape, or form, ask you the following question. “Why should we hire you?” read more
This is one of the best questions to ask in an interview, if you do it right!
While it’s important to anticipate and understand the questions a potential employer may ask you in an interview, it’s just as critical to prepare your own for the hiring manger. If you do your research, the following question can be a game changer. Read on to learn about the question, how to ask it most effectively, and how you will benefit from the experience. When asked thoughtfully, you will impress the interviewer and gain valuable information that you can use to enhance your candidacy. read more
Are you connecting the dots for potential employers?
Imagine this scenario. You find a job opportunity with a desirable company that you think will be fulfilling and challenging. The three-page resume you submit is chock full of information that highlights your many qualifications and achievements, after all, you’ve been a successful professional for over 15 years. You feel as if you can conquer any professional challenge that comes your way. In your cover letter, you profess your extreme enthusiasm for the position and present a comprehensive overview of your background. Five days later you hear back from the company, and it’s not good news. It’s a flat-out rejection. You are confused and frustrated. What happened? read more
Do you know where to find valuable information on LinkedIn to make better career decisions?
The benefits of LinkedIn extend way beyond connecting with other professionals and presenting a top-tier profile through which you can market your professional brand. What many people don’t realize is that LinkedIn is a source of game-changing information for your career, that is, if you can find it! Whether you are climbing the corporate ladder or in the midst of some serious career exploration, tapping into content you’ll find within LinkedIn can help you gain knowledge and tools that will support smart career decision making. Where is this information, and how can it help you? To answer those questions you’ll do a little dreaming and then some detective work. read more
Informational interviews deliver much more than information!
An informational interview is an important networking tool that can help you gain valuable career knowledge while connecting you with professional resources. How does an informational interview work? It’s simple! You arrange a meeting with an individual who works in a position, at a company, or within an industry that interests you, and then you have a conversation with that person who will provide information and advice in response to your questions and curiosity. Naturally, informational interviews will allow you to access information; that’s how this type of interview is defined. However, it’s important to realize that there are many other benefits to conducting informational interviews, many of which that can help support your career development. Key benefits include the establishment of network connections, development of professional skills, and advancement of your career vision. read more
Looking for career direction? Then targeted exploration is a must!
Whether you are new to the world of work, a professional thriving in your chosen profession, or at a career crossroads, the choices you have when it comes to your professional life can be overwhelming. Where do you start? Do you stay on the path you have established? What are your options? You may be unhappy, but don’t know where to turn. The first thing you need to know is that there is no magic wand or career genie that will do the work for you. However, the good news is that there are resources you can access and steps you can take that will help you find clarity amongst the chaos. They key is to look at yourself, gather the right information, and connect with other people. That process is called targeted exploration, and here’s how it can work for you! read more
How can different types of mentors enhance your career?
While the vast majority of people that I work with in my role as a career strategist know that mentors can provide valuable support and inspiration, few comprehend the true magnitude of mentorship. As a result, they miss out on many mentor-related benefits and opportunities. To make the most of your mentor experiences, it is critical to engage different types of mentors throughout your career in order to gain diverse and relevant skills, knowledge, and wisdom. Learn how traditional, peer, specialty, and reverse mentors can enhance your career. read more
How jury duty is like a job search
I walked to the mailbox, opened it up, and there it was….a jury duty summons! The morning of my report date I packed some snacks and a book to help pass the time, and then headed to the courthouse. After waiting for over three hours in the potential juror room, I was selected for a case. That was the beginning of my two-week term of jury duty service. I soon came to realize that jury duty and a job search have quite a bit in common. You never know who you will meet, how you will interpret the evidence, or how long the journey will take. read more