The resume is evolving, is yours?
While there’s no lack of advice or suggestions available when it comes to crafting an effective resume, it can be challenging to make sense of the mountains of information out there and then apply what you learn to determine what will work best for you. Although advice and guidelines vary to some degree based on personal and professional preferences, there are some important overall concepts that shine through. As a former recruiter and current career advisor, I believe that in order for a resume to be effective in today’s job market, it should be customized for a target position and/or industry, focused on impactful achievements, and formatted in a way that is clear and concise. Read on to discover why these elements are so important. read more
What new professionals need to know
Starting out as a new professional in your chosen field can be overwhelming. Your days on campus are over, and now you are in the real world. What you do in the early stages of your career can significantly impact your career journey in a positive (or negative) way. Here’s our advice for new professionals when it comes to the reality of “dream” jobs, employer feedback, and building mutually beneficial relationships. read more
This year’s a wrap, what’s next? Career prep for 2016.
For many people, this time of year signifies both closure and a new beginning, as one year ends and another begins. How do you prepare for a new year? Do you create resolutions in an attempt to make big changes, or do you stay the course? Regardless of your philosophy, the beginning of a new year is a good time to take a look at your professional life in order to evaluate your current career strategy. Here’s what you can do to ensure that your career makes a smooth transition into 2016. read more
You have a great job and you’re happy, now what?
Congratulations! You’ve landed an amazing job and you are doing the I-have-a-job-that-I-love happy dance. Your hard work has paid off and you deserve some time to soak it all in. Go for it! However, once you are settled, it’s time to think about the future. Here are some important things that you can do to make sure your career keeps moving forward. read more
An online job search is a blessing and a curse.
Technology has revolutionized how we think about work, talk about work, and even do our work. As a result, it’s also changed how we find our work. Gone are the days of perusing the help wanted section in your local newspaper each week. Now it’s all about real-time, 24/7, instant access to thousands of job listings with a few clicks of your mouse. Does it seem too good to be true? Well, in a way it is. Although it’s easier than ever to find available jobs, it’s harder to land them. Here’s what you need to know about conducting an online job search, and how you can turn the great information you find online into the next stop on your career journey. read more
Is a bad LinkedIn profile better than no LinkedIn profile at all?
I’m going to tell you the truth right up front, and that is, neither option is acceptable. LinkedIn is a powerful tool that allows you to manage your network, share information, and connect with people and content in order to facilitate the development of your professional brand. That is why it is important to invest your time and energy into this valuable professional resource. If you have a weak, or non-existent LinkedIn profile, that will speak volumes to both potential employers and professional contacts. read more
Thank you notes are not just for interviews!
You know that you should send a thank you note after an interview, right? Of course! A well-crafted and customized thank you note sent to your interviewer in a timely manner can help your candidacy. But do you know that there are other ways that a thank you note can help your career? Think about this. Have you received a thank you note for something you did? How did it make you feel? An expression of gratitude is a pleasant surprise that can help the recipient feel good, and it can facilitate future interactions. Communication, especially when it comes to your professional life, is critical. Have you thought about sending a thank you note in these situations? read more
Networking for your career stage – are you doing it right?
It’s very important to build a network early in your career, and then manage it well throughout. A robust network will allow you to connect with professionals in your field, share information, and even help identify job opportunities. To advance your career, gain experience, and develop professional skills, your networking strategy should evolve as well. If you don’t continue to develop your networking strategy, you may stall or even hurt your career. Do you know how to network effectively, both in the early stages of your career and once you have some experience under your belt? read more
How the letter E can help you along your journey to career success.
What happens when you type “career development” or “career strategy” into an Internet search field? I’ll bet that you find a lot of information! There are websites, articles, blogs, books, podcasts, and entire publications dedicated to this important topic. In addition to what you’ll find on the web, there are also many career development professionals ready to help including career counselors and staff at college and university career centers. The good news is that there is so much great information out there that can help you. However, how do you make sense of it all? I suggest that you follow the letter E to education, empowerment, and encouragement! read more