Because of the rapid downshift in the economy, a lot of people are feeling pressured to get their resumé in order. For many, complicating the challenge of creating or updating their resumé is the additional pressure to translate their experience for a different industry. Whether you are fortunate enough to be looking in the same industry or venturing into something new, communicating your value in language...

Are you giving off the wrong signals and unknowingly decreasing your chances for landing the job? Despite the booming economy some candidates have trouble getting in the door. Why is that? Perhaps because they seem too risky to hire. Hiring managers are looking for qualified candidates who can add value. As much as possible, they want to avoid those who cause problems, and who can blame them? Releasing a troublemaker is...

Ninety-five percent of Fortune 500 companies use an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) or talent management system to organize and track résumés. Companies readily admit that many qualified candidates, as many as 70%, are screened out before their résumés are reviewed by a human. When you submit your résumé online, it is screened by a bot, if it can’t read the inform...

The global economy is in flux and the outlook for the future is not as rosy as it has been. Before the inevitable downturn occurs safeguard your career with these strategies. Be visible — in a good way! When I worked in outplacement a lot of very talented individuals were stunned to find themselves downsized out of a job. Afterall, they kept their heads down, did good work and didn’t cause any trouble. Why...

In a perfect world your résumé and LinkedIn profile let the reader know who you are and what to expect from you. Imagine for a moment how easy it would be for a manager to hire the perfect candidate if this were always the case. Unfortunately, just as job descriptions are often difficult for candidates to decipher, résumés often provide few clues about what a hiring manager can expect from the ap...

Congratulations! You finally made the time to create a professional LinkedIn profile and it looks pretty darn good, if you do say so yourself. Here are some do’s and don’ts for keeping it relevant. Regularly add to your contacts. A robust network is your ticket to ongoing success. When you meet new business associates, clients or colleagues add them to your network — the sooner, the better. When you hea...

No matter your age, interviews can be nerve-wracking. Here are some tips for shining a positive light on your candidacy. First, forget your agenda which is getting a job. Instead, think about the interviewer’s agenda which is to find the right person to solve his problem or challenge. Before the interview match the hiring manager’s needs to your background and experience. Focusing on the employer’s ne...

A few years back I asked a gardener friend about the best time to plant fruit trees. His response, “Ten years ago.” And then he asked if I would like to know the second-best time. I took the bait and said, “of course.” To which he answered, “today.” Which brings me to the topic of this week’s column — references, testimonials and letters of recommendation. When is the best...

Timing can be a key factor when asking for a raise. Here are five excellent opportunities to ask for a raise. The first obvious opportunity is during your annual performance review, provided you have met or exceeded expectations. You should approach your yearly evaluation with the same preparation you would make when interviewing for a new job. In a sense, you are re-interviewing for your current position. Complete th...

I wish that I could say that the answer is always “yes” but the truth is sometimes it is not. This is a great time to take stock and make course corrections before the year ends. November is National Novel Writing month. For folks who take the challenge, the goal is to write a 50,000-word novel in 30 days. Most of you are not interested in writing a 50,000-word novel in November, or any time soon; however,...