Highlight Your Value by Integrating These 5 Skills Into Your Resume
It is important that your resume effectively articulates your accomplishments and what you can bring to the table. Otherwise, how will you stand out from all the other applicants and land the position? Your resume must be accomplishment-based, rather than responsibility-based. That is, your resume should highlight what you've achieved instead of simply stating that you hold a certain...
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How to Become a Mortgage Advisor
Whether you are looking to take your career to a new level or you are fresh out of school, becoming a mortgage advisor can be a very good option, especially for those with an interest in finance, property, and working with people. If you are considering this as a career option, we have a few simple steps to help you get your dream job in mortgage advisory today: Do Your...
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For a Fairer Hiring Process, Put Candidates Through the Ringer
One of my most intense interviews ever was for a project management role at Target. The process was unlike anything I had ever seen in the labor market up to that point. Target flew me to Minneapolis one evening, with a day of interviews to follow. As I look back now, the day itself is a total blur. So much happened in a relatively tiny amount of time. I had multiple individual interviews...
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How to Get Your New Employer to Help With Your Student Loan Repayment
If you regret that working in the private sector has limited your access to government-funded student loan forgiveness, here's a piece of good news: Regardless of where you work or what position you hold, you can still qualify for employer-offered student loan repayment assistance. You just have to find an employer willing to offer it. Where to Find Employers Offering Student Loan...
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4 Elements of a Job Seeker's Holiday Networking Newsletter
Like me, you may receive holiday newsletters from friends and relatives. You may look forward to receiving these yearly letters — or dread them because they carry on for pages, spilling personal information best saved for a therapist. For job seekers, however, holiday newsletters can serve as great networking tools, if written properly. After all, you're sending these holiday...
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Is the Internet Sabotaging Your Job Search?
If you're searching for a job today, it's not only your resume that needs polishing. Chances are the hiring manager at your dream job is just as interested in your online reputation. Your personal and professional activities leave behind a digital footprint that is massive, public, and searchable. Web searches, marriages, divorces, home purchases, job histories, customer reviews, legal...
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Express Yourself in Your LinkedIn Photo — As Long as It Fits Industry Norms, That Is
By this point, most of us are familiar with LinkedIn. The social media site for professional networking has become a staple of the recruiting world. Job seekers use it to connect with opportunities, and recruiters and hiring managers use it to scope out leads. Every part of an applicant's LinkedIn profile says something about them — even the profile photo. Be certain that if you are...
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4 Strategies to Help You Negotiate The Salary You Deserve
According to CNN, the average American worker saw a salary increase of 3 percent in 2018 — but when adjusting for inflation, that only translates to a 1 percent raise. If you're underpaid, don't feel discouraged. Know that it can happen to anyone — and that it can be overcome. Know the Facts About Underpayment One key thing to know is that staying within your current role or...
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Finding the Fast Track to your Dream Job
If you find yourself daydreaming at work about another, better job, it's time to make a change. That said, it's unwise to hand in your resignation letter without a plan. Below, we'll discuss how to find the most efficient path to your dream job. To do that, you'll need to understand what you're after and how to be both competitive and realistic as you embrace the journey...
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The Career Hoop, Part 3: Rising to the Top Before Age 40
Now, that you've gotten yourself on the right career track, it's time to start thinking about your journey to the C-suite. Landing an executive position before age 40 is difficult, sure, but people do it all the time. That said, it does take some hard work. You can't just sit back and keep your head down. You need an in-depth knowledge of your industry, some strategic maneuvering, and...
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7 Rules for Getting Hired in the Digital Age
When you're searching for a job in today's digital age, it is important to leverage the right tools and tips to find the role that best meets your needs. While you can go the traditional route of searching on free career sites, it may not deliver the types of roles you need to advance your career. That's because there are new rules for getting hired in the digital age, and it's time to...
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The Why and How Behind a Powerfully Strategized and Distinctively Written Executive LinkedIn Profile
While some experts might say the absence of a strong executive LinkedIn presence is a career-killer, I would not go that far. Many executives have wildly successful careers without ever venturing onto LinkedIn. That said, LinkedIn has 562 million users (and growing) around the world, and increasingly more recruiters are tapping into LinkedIn as their go-to source when vetting candidates....
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Testing the Market: 3 Steps to Finding the Right Role in a Hot Job Economy
The job market is hot, and you are probably in demand. This is your chance to go for the right role, at the right company, and with the right manager. Finding a great job is a job of its own. It takes planning and execution to find a job better in all respects than the one you have now. There are two common reasons why people fail to take action to find their perfect job: You...
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The Career Hoop, Part 2: Finding and Landing Your Dream Job
If your job search has been tough lately, it's not just you. The average corporate job opening attracts 250 resumes, which means you're up against a lot of competition. In the previous post in this series, we explored how to turn yourself around when your job search feels hopeless. However, that's only the first step toward job-hunting success. If you want to arrive at the job of...
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5 Reasons Why Executive Branding Will Skyrocket Your Recruitment Efforts
With organizations struggling to acquire and retain top talent — resulting in massive recruitment costs, convoluted safety-net processes, and opportunities lost to competitors — it's quite surprising to see both startups and large corporations alike undervaluing executive branding. And yet, 75 percent of all resignations are due to causes that managers could influence, like poor...
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How to Become an Underwriter
The role of the underwriter is a key position in any organization that deals in financial services. Whether it is one underwriter or a team of underwriters, they are responsible for making the final decision over whether a customer is approved or declined for an insurance policy or loan product. When applying for car insurance, life insurance, or a bank loan, it starts with a standard...
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The Career Hoop, Part 1: 5 Reasons Why Your Job Search Feels Hopeless
Are you in the process of searching for a new job? Are you giving it your all, going to interviews, and still having no luck? The job search can be overwhelming, especially when you're interviewing but not landing a position. That can be a blow to your self-esteem which leaves you wondering, "What's wrong with me? Am I in the wrong field? Will anyone ever hire me?" It's time to get...
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Are Job Interviews the New Hazing?
I never joined a sorority in college, but like you, I've heard the horror stories about how some Greek life organizations behave themselves. For some fraternities and sororities, hazing rituals are just a fact. You'd think this silly college tradition would stay behind when we graduate, but all too often, these rituals follow us into adulthood. In fact, hazing-like behavior can show up in...
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5 Hogwash Reasons for Not Joining LinkedIn
Recently, I was invited to speak at a networking event about LinkedIn — to a group of people who aren't convinced of LinkedIn's value. My initial reaction was to tell these naysayers that LinkedIn isn't for everyone, but then I realized that would be the easy way out. Given that 94 percent of recruiters use LinkedIn, a job seeker would be nuts not to get on the site and leverage it...
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The One Question Your Resume Must Answer
In 1482, Leonardo Da Vinci wrote what many consider to be the first modern resume. To this day, resumes remain the main tool people use to apply for jobs. While there are all sorts of visual improvements and designs job seekers can use to catch an employer's attention, the content of a resume is what really matters at the end of the day. The candidates who stand out are those whose...
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Your Next Job Offer Might Depend on What Kind of Salad Dressing Best Represents Your Life Philosophy
When it comes to job interviews, I've seen it all. Most interview processes are fairly straightforward. You do a phone screen with an HR rep, and then a phone interview with the hiring manager. Afterward, you meet the hiring manager and other folks on the team for an in-person interview. However, not every interview is so simple. Some companies ask job seekers to do presentations...
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My Journey to the C-Suite as a Millennial Executive
If I had to summarize my career in one word, it would be "exhilarating." Over the course of 13 years, I've had opportunities to mentor aspiring leaders, establish overseas operations, and run the global sales organization for the one company I've been working for since graduating college. I started my career at global recruitment technology provider Bullhorn as an entry-level sales...
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Why It's Time to Embrace to 'Accidental Networking'
Networking is a loaded topic for many job seekers. Everyone knows they need to do it, but a lot of us hate it. But what if you could start networking in your everyday life without thinking twice about it? So-called "accidental networking" is a real phenomenon. Basically, it's what I used to call "being a people person." It isn't meant to replace more traditional networking, but it can...
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Happy Holidays! It's a Great Time to Find a Job
Conventional wisdom has it that the end of the year is the worst time to look for a job. Many view that Bermuda Triangle period from Thanksgiving to Christmas to New Years as a waste of time, since yearly budgets have already been spent and decision-makers and HR folks are out on vacation. However, I'd like to propose that now is actually the best time to turn up the heat searching the...
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What Your Student Loans Can Teach You About Job Hunting
If you're on the hunt for a new job, you're likely aware of how overwhelming it can be to pay off student loans while you're looking for work. Many new graduates face this challenge, considering the average student leaves school owing $39,400 in student debt. While student loans can put a strain on your budget, they can also teach you valuable lessons that can help with the job search. For...
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How to Find a Side Hustle That Works for You
If you're between jobs or feeling unfulfilled in your current role, you may want to consider taking up a side hustle — a flexible gig that allows you to manage your own schedule and explore new creative or business avenues while earning money. Many people are dissatisfied or, frankly, bored with their current jobs. Side hustles can provide a creative, and even social and emotional,...
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How to Answer the Most Common Interview Questions
You've been invited to an interview. Now what? In addition to researching the company, you also need to be sure you are prepared to answer the questions you're likely to face. Let's review some of the most common interview questions and how to answer them: 1. Tell Me About Yourself The interviewer doesn't really care about how many children you have, where you grew up, or your...
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Are Employers Playing Chicken With Your Salary History?
You want to feel like your work means something, like a professional performing their craft. Unfortunately, looking for a job can make you feel like a discount item on a shelf at a big box store. This is especially true during salary discussions. During your first phone call with a company's HR department, the rep will ask you how much money you make — or how much you want to...
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Are You Selling Yourself Short on Your Resume?
Modesty? There's a time and a place for it, but trying to land an interview for your dream job is certainly neither. Your resume is your personal marketing tool. If it's not selling your skills, achievements, and experience effectively, it's putting the brakes on your job search. Want to know if your resume is selling you short? Check out the following tips: Are You Holding...
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Avoid These Mistakes When Building Your Personal Brand
When you want to build a name for yourself, taking time to focus on your brand is crucial. What is a personal brand? In short, it's who you are, what you are good at, and what people go to you for. It's your reputation and your unique set of skills, values, and strengths. Your personal brand represents your value to your target company. In today's digital world, boosting your brand...
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How to Write a Resume That Wins Interviews
Recruiters only spend about six seconds reading your resume before they make a decision about your qualifications, which means you have very little time to catch and retain their attention. In my experience as a resume writer, I have noticed my clients making the same job-costing mistakes over and over. These mistakes are usually made in the professional profile, work experience, and...
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Wages for Nannies Are on the Rise in America's 'Child Care deserts.' Here's How to Make the Most of the Opportunity:
Across the country, there's a growing demand for quality child care professionals. It's a great profession. Working with children provides a rewarding career path, rising wages, and flexible hours. Researchers say automation will affect 47 percent of American jobs in the next 20 years — but child care jobs will not be among them. And there's plenty of opportunity in the field. In state...
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The Reality of Being Underpaid
Have you ever heard that just getting your foot in the door with a target employer is enough? The theory is that if you get your foot in the door, even at a low level, you can work your way up over time. I understand the reasoning behind this career strategy, and it has been common wisdom for quite a while. In today's professional environment, however, this approach can backfire. Many...
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7 Reasons Why You Need Personal Business Cards, and 7 Facts to Include on Them
A funny story I tell my workshop attendees: Once, I ordered 250 personal business cards from Vistaprint — only to find when I opened them that I'd spelled my occupation wrong: "worksop facilitator." There went 250 business cards into the trash. I'm ashamed to even type this, but I'm making a point: Spell-check your order before submitting it. That said, my point today is a bit bigger...
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In an Interview, the Employer's Experience Comes First
Despite countless technological advances in the recruiting industry, one puzzle piece has remained largely untouched for the last 50 or so years: the interview. The interview is where you land the job or don't, where you get called back or get the call you don't want. Since this part of the process has remained the same for so long, both sides have become complacent, succumbing to the...
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How Much Is a Job Interview Really Worth?
We don't often think of job interviews as money-making — or money-losing — opportunities, but perhaps we should. While you can't really put a hard price on a job interview, it could be worth far more than you think, especially if you're unemployed. Lower Self-Confidence = Lower Earnings Waiting around for a job interview can affect your self-confidence. Sitting at home and applying...
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Thinking of Pursuing a Career in Cybersecurity? Here's What You Should Know:
I was a software developer and continuous integration practitioner for more than 20 years before I unintentionally found myself in the cybersecurity field. This was during the great recession of 2008. I remember even today the date: October 3. That was the day I found out the company where I was working was closing. I had no idea what my next move would be — or should be. I soon found...
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To Stand Out in a Sea of Qualified Talent, You Have to Think Like a Marketer
A stellar resume isn't enough to stand out in a pack of fellow applicants anymore. Whether you're a recent graduate seeking your first real job or a professional hoping to make a career shift, competition is stiff. Sticking to traditional methods no longer works; applicants must prioritize new methods to differentiate themselves. One key consideration for today's job seekers is social...
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How to Talk About Your Side Hustle During a Job Interview
If you have a side hustle — whether it's driving for Lyft or writing freelance for online publications — an interview for a new full-time job can raises a couple of important questions. Should you mention your side job to your prospective employer? And, if so, how? Talking about your other work could be to your benefit, especially if the side gig has taught you transferable skills....
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How to Present Yourself Like a Rock Star
I am asked all the time why I gave up a lucrative career in entertainment to become a recruiter. The answer is simple: I love working with those who can benefit from my years of expertise as an artist development executive. Working on gold and multiplatinum projects at record labels such as Jive, Arista, and Columbia/Sony Music in the '90s was the thrill of a lifetime. Nothing can compete...
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Been a While Since Your Last Interview? Brush Up on These Methods:
In my previous article, I covered job search basics for those who are either new to job searching entirely or returning to the market after a long time away. In today's article, I'd like to cover the next step in the process: interviewing. Again, this information may seem very basic to some people, but to new job seekers and those entering the market for the first time in a long while, it...
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Preparing for an Interview With a Tech Company If You Don't Have a Tech Background
I love tech companies. I earned a computer engineering degree in undergrad, and I've spent my entire career working in the world of technology in one way or another. Recently, I've worked with a number job seekers who have interviewed with tech companies — the kind with ping-pong tables, video games, free lunches, and only a few hundred employees. I noticed that something was...
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Staying Motivated in Your Job Search When You're Just Not Feeling It
A job search can be exciting, filled with promise and possibility. It can also be downright draining. Staying motivated during a long job search can be a challenge, but there are things you can do to keep your stamina high and stay the course: 1. Be Varied in Your Approach Submitting resume after resume to application portals with no sign of life on the other end can make it...
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If You Haven't Searched for a Job in Years, Here's What You Need to Know:
If it has been a decade or more since the last time you hit the job market, you need to know that times have changed. You may have searched for your last job in a newspaper. You may have even gone to the local library to print copies of your resume to hand out to business owners. These outdated techniques will not land you a job today. Instead, you have to adjust to the new tools and...
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Don't Accept That New Job Until You Ask These Important Questions
In this economy, if you're good, you've got options. Recruiters are working hard to convince you that their company is the perfect place for you to learn and grow. They've shared glossy brochures full of smiling people looking fulfilled and energized by their work. How can you tell whether a prospective employer is truly offering a great place to work or is just a shiny veneer with a...
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Don't Get Angry — or You'll Blow Your Job Search
Last night, while watching my son's basketball team lose a close playoff game, I noticed something curious. Some of the players, including my son, played hard until the final whistle blew. Others, however, gave up the game when the other team began to dominate. Some even demonstrated a downright negative attitude, fouling out of frustration. It was interesting to see this mixture of...
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10 Songs to Feel Empowered While Searching for a Job
Being on the job hunt for any length of time can be demoralizing, but it doesn't have to be. We tie so much of our self-worth to our careers. When the search lasts longer than we expected, motivation can melt away before our eyes. Take a good look in the mirror once in a while. Remember all you have achieved and all you are still capable of offering the world. If the pep talk just...
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3 Ways to Rediscover Your Passion for Sales
A salesperson who has lost their passion is like a writer who has lost their pen. In both cases, someone lacks the tool they need most, making it had to stay motivated and accomplish goals. Passion matters in sales. Passionate sales people believe in their products and strive to help customers reach their goals. Unfortunately, many aspects of a sales career can quickly turn passion into...
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