Human resources and hiring managers like to see resumes where employment dates blend together and job duration reflects commitment to prior employers. Employment gaps and short-term experiences tend to be viewed as “red flags.” Questions such as “what caused this?”, “is there an issue of which we need to be aware?”, “why was there no job during this time?” become real concerns...

John F. Kennedy once said “There are risks and costs to action. But they are far less than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction.” No doubt he was referencing running a government. However, this same perspective applies to personal career development. We all have our “comfort zones”. Psychologically they can be seen as space, movements, and people with which we are familiar, withi...

With the start of each new year, many people feel a tug to make a positive change in their lives. It may be driven by a need to improve physical, economic, or career fitness. For those looking to improve career prospects, this may involve starting a new job hunt or positioning themselves for a promotion. Begin with a Self-Assessment. What needs to change in your current circumstances to bring you greater prosperity or jo...

We have all heard about the power of networks in the job hunt, but too many people still fall back on using online applying as their central job search method. However, internal referrals and inside validation of candidates still often act as the catalyst to eliminate or minimize the competition. To reach this status, a strong network is needed, and it does not mean that we all need to be extroverts. Here are some basic tip...

There are many unknowns we come across when searching for a new role. This fact underlies feelings of both the anxiety associated with change and the excitement of a new adventure. With every change there is an element of risk and potential for growth.To lessen the anxiety and risk, while optimizing growth potential and reward, it's a good idea to gain control of perspective by managing our job hunt expectations. Consider t...

Wouldn’t it be wonderful that if instead of having to chase down job opportunities, you could just get a large number of employers together in one room that are eager to meet you? Actually this scenario is very real and occurs frequently in the form of job fairs. Each year thousands of people take advantage of this short-cut to talk directly to recruiters about their job interests, skills, and backgrounds.Even though often...

People often struggle with figuring out what might be good questions to ask potential employers. It's helpful to create questions that are insightful, yet avoid intrusiveness. Acquiring a realistic preview of the job and work environment are critical in helping to make decisions that will support future job satisfaction. Here are a few questions for you to consider.WHAT ARE THE IMMEDIATE CHALLENGES FOR THE PERSON HIRED INTO...

Studies consistently show that insider referrals far outpace online applications in helping candidates secure interviews and jobs. This outcome relates heavily to credibility. It is assumed that an inside referral is made by an employee who is willing to risk their reputation by recommending you. An online applicant with no connections to the business is a complete unknown.This, of course, is where the hard work associated...

Are you wondering why you’re not getting positive results after you send out lots of resumes? If the resumes have been all exactly the same, you may just be spinning your wheels. In today’s world of information overload, where employers are sometimes inundated with resumes from Internet, mobile and other sources, customizing is key. Each employer wants to reserve meeting time for those candidates who are already perceived...

A few career management experts have predicted the demise of the resume in today’s world of fast-paced social media connections. This is based on an assumption that the LinkedIn profile will act as the replacement. However, there are several reasons why this assumption is incorrect. A LinkedIn profile provides background information. A resume also provides background information. Where they differ is in perspective and the...