4 Steps to Successful Career-Mapping
Article by Elise Mitchell If there's one truth in life, it's that you can't map out everything. No matter how carefully you plan, you'll find yourself on some detours. This is especially true when it comes to your professional journey. With so much unexpected — and, many times, unwanted — change, it can be tempting to toss out the road map and simply go wherever the wind blows...
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How to Start a Career in Digital Marketing
Digital marketing is a hot field, and it has been for more than 10 years. While I don't often write about the field, I do get many questions about it because I spent a large part of my career as a digital marketer. Digital marketing is a career path that attracts entrepreneurial people. Advertising on the internet changes quickly, so those working in the field must constantly grow their...
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5 Types of Keywords to Never Include in Your Resume
It's no secret that keywords are a job seeker's most valuable tool when building a resume. They are important because they make you stand out to recruiters who only have a few seconds to skim your document. Plus, resume robots love them. Keywords are, well, key to a strong resume. But here's the thing: Not all keywords are created equal. An effective resume will get noticed by a...
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20+ Skills That Will Look Great on Your Resume
Given that we just published an article about the skills you should not list on your resume, it may be helpful to present the opposite side as well. Just what skills, exactly, will make your resume stand out from competitors? This new infographic from online resume builder Novorésumé comes at exactly the right time, containing as it does a list of more than 20 skills you may want to...
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5 Lessons on Job Search Success I Learned in College
For mass communications majors at the university I attended, getting a television or radio reporting gig was a major career stepping stone. I was not one of those mass communications majors, but when I saw a job posting for a reporter position with a radio program, I decided to apply. I knew the competition would be substantial, and that I would be at a disadvantage. I was a...
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7 Tips to Help You Get Hired at a Startup
Have you ever wanted to work at a startup? If you come from the corporate world, then there are a few things you should know about working in a new business and how the hiring process might differ from what you are used to. The first, most significant difference is that when you apply to a startup, you'll probably be interviewed by the CEO rather than an HR team. This is because startups...
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4 Secrets Recruiters Won't Tell You
Applying for a job seems like a pretty fair, straightforward process. You send in your application, and if you're a good fit, the company will give you a call. You'll go for an interview and show off your expertise. Then, the company will carefully decide who the most qualified person is. When you don't land the job — despite being extremely qualified — it can leave you wondering what...
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4 Tips for Preventing Identity Theft on the Job Hunt
We all want to be someone else occasionally, but what happens when someone else wants to be you? With so much of life happening online, we have all become more aware of the threat of identity theft. We've been schooled on the risks associated with online banking and shopping, and most people wouldn't dream of sharing their credit card number or social security number on an unsecured...
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Is Your Job the Best Job in America?
Sure, you have a great job. Your boss is cool. You have a good salary and benefits package. Nobody complains when you take vacation. But is it the best of all possible jobs? If you're wondering how your job stacks up against the best jobs across the country, you'll want to take a look at this year's "50 Best Jobs in America" list from job site Glassdoor. "This report highlights jobs...
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Resume Storytelling Strategies That Attract Recruiters
Building a storytelling resume isn't about holding story time to lull the reader to sleep. Instead, storytelling resumes are akin to miniature action movies. They include a beginning, a middle, and an end – or "rising action," "climax," and "falling action" in storytelling terms. The problem with most resumes is that they leap from rising action (challenge + action) to falling action...
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The New World of Social Media: What Should You Be Sharing?
Social media used to be fun. We could use it to stay connected with friends and family around the world. We could even expand our friend circles by meeting new people and rekindling old connections. For example, social media helped me reconnect with friends who date back to kindergarten. Before the internet, this would have been much more difficult. Fast forward to today. Social media...
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12 Ways to Connect With Your Community During Your Job Search
For some job seekers, attending an organized networking event is like meeting your future in-laws for the first time. In other words: It's downright frightening. One job seeker once told me she always hyperventilates before she goes to such an event. Perhaps you feel similar symptoms of dread when you have to attend organized networking events in the job market. It's understandable if you...
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5 Ways Your Job Search Can Capture the Spirit of March Madness
Not everyone enjoys college basketball, but the NCAA's March Madness tournament is an exciting thing to watch. I, personally, get hooked on the enthusiasm of the fans. I also love those last-minute game-winning shots, especially when the home crowd rushes the court to celebrate. In stark contrast to the spirit of March Madness, your average job search is rarely a celebratory affair. The...
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The 5 Best Cities for Finding a New Job
The U.S. unemployment rate is at a record low, leaving many employers desperate to fill open positions with quality talent. For job seekers, this is good news. It means it is possible to find work just about anywhere in the United States right now. As always, however, some places have more opportunities than others. If job availability is low in your geographic area, perhaps a move is...
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5 Retail Jobs to Help Build Your Career
While the retail industry may be the focus of much doom and gloom, smart retailers are finding ways to adapt and even thrive. These retailers are creating positive in-store experiences, eliminating long lines, and improving customer service. The key to these changes? Amazing employees. Building connections with customers is still the most important part of the retail business. Salespeople are...
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How to Look for a Job You Love
Let's start with a simple question: Do you love your job? If the answer is no, now is the perfect time to make a change. The first step is to identify what you like and dislike about your current job. Being in tune with your feelings will help you spot the perfect new opportunity. What would make you want to go to work every day? Are you looking for more meaning? Would you like a...
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6 Job Search Snares to Avoid in 2018
One of the most valuable lessons I learned as a child was learned through the Road Runner cartoons. Thanks to overthinking and a shallow approach, Wile E. Coyote always failed to capture Road Runner. But Coyote kept on trying. He continued to fail. I and millions of kids and adults alike were glued to the series. We just couldn't stop watching Coyote's incredible drive, persistence,...
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Job Seekers, Surround Yourself With These 5 Types of People
Increasingly more job seekers are coming to understand me when I say the hardest part of being unemployed is the emotional drain. Some even tell me they've never felt worse in their life. Sure, money is an issue, but it's the fear, uncertainty, anger, and despair that affect people the most. There are also the feelings of alienation and the need for support. When I was out of work 12...
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In 2018, Professional Women Are Still Judged by Their Appearances
I have heard from "them" – you know, the "experts" – that women who don't wear makeup don't get the job. I've heard also from "them" that overweight women earn less than thin women. More recently, I've also been thinking about the effect of "going gray" on working women. If the experts claim makeup and weight can impact a woman's career success, can gray hair also be a detriment? I...
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To Find an Engineering Job, Master These 3 Skills
If you're currently in the market for an engineering job, you may be dealing with some depressing odds. Perhaps you're sending out dozens or even hundreds of resumes and hearing nothing back. If you're serious about getting the job you deserve, you must do everything in your power to increase your total value so that you can attract the right kind of attention from hiring managers and...
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Need Some Resume Inspiration? Check Out Elon Musk's
Well, not Elon Musk's real resume. We don't have access to that – and at this point, Musk frankly doesn't need a resume. Everyone already knows who he is and what he does. There's not a meeting room in the world where Musk's reputation fails to precede him. That said, the folks at resume-writing firm Novoresume have put together a mock-up of what Musk's resume might look like. It's...
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Online Applications Alone Won't Get You the Job
Looking for a job? You're probably applying online, aren't you? That makes sense. Online applications are everyone's go-to option these days. The last time you reached out to an HR person directly, they probably said, "Apply online. If you're a good fit, we'll call you!" They may have even explicitly told you not to reach out to them directly. Don't be fooled. In most cases, the HR...
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How to Build the Career Roadmap That Leads to the Job of Your Dreams
I started my current career journey when I was 25. I had a prestigious job at a highly regarded company analyzing potential acquisition targets for the executive team, regularly discussing our findings with some of the most important people in a very sexy industry. I worked with smart, cool people, and my parents were proud. But something about the job, deep down, didn't feel right, and it...
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Can't Find a Job That Suits You? Don't Worry – It May Not Exist Yet
New technologies aren't just changing the way we get work done – they are changing the types of work we do. As we march into the future, some positions will be phased out or replaced by technology solutions, while new types of jobs we haven't seen before will began emerging in the job market. In fact, that's happening already. What's most surprising is that some of these brand new jobs...
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How to Prepare for a Video Interview (Part 2)
Yesterday, I covered preparing for your video interview in the days leading up to the interview. Today, I'll offer some advice on what to do the day of your video interview. Let's dive in: 1. Put a Sign on Your Door: 'Do Not Ring the Doorbell or Knock' Reduce the risk of intrusive background noise by notifying others not to disrupt you. Be mindful of where you choose to set up for the...
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How to Prepare for a Video Interview (Part 1)
Video interviews are, in many ways, different from in-person interviews. While they may be more convenient for both you and the interviewer, video interviews also pose their own unique challenges. Below are some things to consider before you sit down for your next video interview: 1. Prepare Your Webcam Set up your computer so that you have a blank wall behind you when sitting down....
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College Students: Move Beyond the Classroom to Make an Impact on Employers
If you're in your senior year of college, you're probably thinking about your post-graduation job opportunities. While your professors may not admit it, your GPA doesn't matter to your future career nearly as much as you might think. Extracurricular Activities and the Well-Rounded Student Back in in high school, guidance counselors and college admissions officers were constantly...
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Let's Dispel the Myth of the 'Perfect Resume'
If you had 100 hours to use on your job search, how exactly would you divide up your time? You and many others might devote 95 of those hours to your resumes. Job fit is determine by experience, and your experience is outlined in your resume. Therefore, if you spend hours and hours making your resume perfect, you ought to get a job faster – right? Not exactly. In reality, many job...
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6 Areas on Your LinkedIn Profile You Should Optimize in 2018
If you're wondering how an optimized LinkedIn profile will help you in your job search, the answer is simple: Your profile needs to be found by hiring authorities (recruiters, hiring managers, and human resources reps). These people cannot find your profile unless you utilize search engine optimization. Hiring authorities approach LinkedIn similarly to the way they approach their applicant...
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5 Ways to Use Social Media to Land Your Dream Job
Standing out as a top candidate in the job market can be difficult when your resume is one of several thousand being submitted online to the same job post. Fortunately, it isn't impossible. In fact, job seekers have the very tools they need right at their fingertips. It's all about social media. To stay one step ahead of the competition, use these tips to ramp up your social media...
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In Your Next Job, Look for a Coach Instead of a Boss
I recently attended an interview with Aly Raisman, Olympic gymnast and multiple gold medal winner. As Raisman talked about her overwhelming love for her sport, the lady next to me leaned over and said, "I wish I loved anything that much." She is certainly not alone in that feeling. There is a reason why many of us hold athletes up as heroes. They represent a drive and determination...
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How to Manage 'Opportunity Overload' While Job Searching
In the last half of 2017, I noticed a major change in the average job search. Many people seem to have gone from struggling with not enough options to struggling with too many options. At first glance, the latter may seem like a better problem to have. The truth is that both scenarios often result in the same thing: A person not getting the right job, the job they actually want. When you...
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9 Ways You're Still Job Searching Like It's 1999
Still adding onto your old resume and chasing job postings? Struggling to leverage LinkedIn? You might be among the masses of applicants running 1990s-era job searches. Here are some signs you might be using seriously outdated techniques, along with ideas for changing your thinking: 1. You Still Think Your Resume Is About You Employers care about what you offer, but they care about...
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The Cover Letter Gambit That Paid Off Big
It's not uncommon for a hiring managers to receive dozens – if not hundreds – of applications for just one open position. Even if you're a perfectly qualified candidate, you may still struggle to stand out from the rest of that pack. This is where a cover letter can help. A great cover letter grabs the reader's attention, gives a few quick highlights on your professional value, and...
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8 Ways to Leverage Underemployment to Your Advantage
We know underemployment is hard to measure. Even the government has difficulty measuring it. But that said, you certainly know when you are unemployed. It's when you have a job, and it pays the bills for the most part, but your talents are worth so much more. Getting out of the underemployment trap requires a shift in mindset. You have to understand your day job as the one that produces...
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Why Staying in a Job You Hate May Be Good for You
"Every day, I tell myself I want to be skinny. But what if I stopped and just accepted myself more instead?" You may be wondering what this quote has to do with you and your career. The answer is: everything. Many people haven't yet reached their professional goals, or they are stuck in jobs with which they're not happy. Perhaps you're one of these people. Rather than constantly...
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Out-of-Town Interview? Your Travel Preparation Can Make or Break It
Late last year, there was a lot of media buzz over the "Cancun Experience Officer," or "CEO," job opportunity created by the Cancun.com travel website. It's understandable why: The job amounted to a six-month paid stint hanging out at the top Mexican tourist destination and promoting beach-related events. Sadly, most job searches involving travel aren't quite as fun or carefree. If you've...
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Don't Take the Phone Interview Lightly; Be Prepared for 4 Potential Problems
If you think a phone interview isn't a "real" interview, you're sadly mistaken. Phone interviews are generally thought of as screening devices, but they carry a lot of weight. In some cases, they're just as important as in-person interviews. When my workshop attendees tell me they have telephone interviews coming up, they'll often talk about it with a slightly derogatory tone. "It's just a...
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The Downside of the C-Suite
For many, becoming a C-level executive is a lifelong goal. It's understandable why: Whether you're the chief executive officer, chief marketing officer, or chief financial officer, being in the C-suite has real perks. Let's start off with recognition. Making it to the C-suite means that people respect you. Not only are you an expert in your field, but also you're a strong leader who makes...
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Words of Wisdom: The Right Language on Your Resume Is Critical
Listing the proper skills on a resume is a significant factor in whether and how quickly job seekers get the jobs they want, according to LiveCareer's recently released "2018 Skills Gap Report." Moreover, the report also found that job seekers are articulating far too few skills on their resumes: Whereas the average job ad lists 21.8 skills, the average resume lists only 13 skills. (These...
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How Applicant Tracking Systems Fool Job Seekers
If you're actively searching for jobs online, I have some advice for you. It's advice that isn't widely discussed, but it's nonetheless vital. People like myself, who have worked with applicant tracking systems (ATSs) extensively, know that ATSs are designed for employers to use. They are not designed with job seekers in mind. The ATS makes it easier for the employer to hire, not for the...
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The Last Taboo Topic: Your Job Search
In the age of oversharing online, searching for a job seems to be the one topic no one is willing to discuss. In a recent survey of 10,000 job seekers from around the world, Indeed found that 65 percent of job seekers worry about other people finding out they're on the hunt for a new job. Twenty-four percent of job seekers said their job search was the topic they'd be least likely to talk...
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The 4 Components of Successful Job-Search Networking Emails
During a recent resume critique, one of my clients told me about his networking efforts. He was proactive in the job market and went knocking on a company's door; as a result, something promising was now in the works. Not that he literally knocked on the company's door, although that is a viable option. Instead, this client had sent a networking email to one of the directors at the...
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Industry Certifications May Be the Answer to Skills Gaps
These days, the phrase "higher education" seems to be synonymous with "crippling life-long debt." On top of that, the skills gap only seems to grow wider every year as each new crop of graduates fails, in some way, to meet the demands of the business world. In response, some companies are increasingly looking beyond college degrees to find candidates and fill talent shortages. Instead,...
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In 2018, Resolve to Improve Your Career
Look back on 2017. How many times did you think to yourself, "If only I work a little harder, my boss will recognize my value. Next year, I will get a decent raise and a promotion. I'm really not happy, but I have no other choice"? If you had these thoughts or similar ones, then 2018 is your year. Let's face the facts. Your boss may recognize your value, or they may continue to take...
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How to Write a Sure-Fire Elevator Pitch for Your Job Search
Every now and then, you may bump into a friend or acquaintance with whom you'd like to reconnect. This person may have resources or connections that can be of value to you in your professional life. If the topic of conversation shifts to what you do for a living, that's when things can get interesting. You can take this opening to market your business or yourself through what is popularly known...
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10 Ways to Optimize Your LinkedIn Engagement in 2018
Having a strong LinkedIn profile is essential to being found by other LinkedIn members and employers, but your job on the site isn't complete unless you're communicating with your connections and the LinkedIn community as a whole. I tell my LinkedIn workshop attendees that I spend approximately an hour a day (it's probably more) on LinkedIn. Their faces register surprise, and I'm sure some...
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Interviews Are Like Dates, So Ask Yourself: 'Are They Right for Me?'
Interviewing for a job is a nerve-racking process. Of course it is: You're basically walking into a room and asking someone to judge you. That's never a pleasant experience. And if the interviewer judges you not to be a good fit and you are rejected, the company doesn't owe you an explanation. Often, it will offer you no additional information about why you weren't picked. That leaves...
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