Archive: April 2009
Common mistakes career changers make
Sure, many of us are thankful to have a job this year. But a steady paycheck usually isn't enough to rekindle the love for a career you soured on long ago -- regardless of whether you're willing to admit this...
Staples offers free printing and resume help
A couple of days ago, I blogged on Hire Ground about the rise of the pocket résumé among many job seekers who want to be ready to network at a moment's notice. The same day of that post, I heard...
Always be ready with your 'pocket resume' card
The days of handing out paper résumés at job fairs are slowly going the way of the dinosaur. But that doesn't mean printed materials are becoming obsolete, they're just being updated for a more sophisticated, 24/7 networking environment. Witness the...
Thumbing your nose at the recession and jet-setting anyway
Speaking of vacations, I was surprised by this recent article Salon ran on taking a "last hurrah" vacation. What's a last hurrah vacation, you ask? According to writer Robert Lanham, it's sneaking off on a pricy trip you can't afford...
Permanent networking: Creating a full-time job search community
If you're reading this blog, chances are that you're in the process of finding a new job. But even if you're happy with your current employment, the fragile state of the economy may well force you to change your career...
Don't be passive: Let companies know you're there
For many job seekers, the age-old method of scanning the listings in the internet job boards has been a relatively low-impact, low-reward method of finding a job. It may take dozens of résumés before you get a single nibble, but...
Do women feel more guilty than men taking time off work?
According to Expedia's ninth annual Vacation Deprivation survey we do. A poll of 1,500 adults conducted this March revealed that 40 percent of U.S. women feel guilty taking a vacation from work, while only 29 percent of men do. And...
Are we getting too much interview 'homework'?
I've been thinking these days about how the recession has altered the balance of power in the job interviewing process. In a healthy economy, it seems that the employer's need to find skilled labor should be roughly equal to the...
How to work from home without losing your mind
If you're new to telecommuting or if unemployment has led you to pick up some home-based freelance work for the first time, you may be wondering how to stay balanced, productive and sane when working solo from home. Suggestions follow:...
Five ways to 'recession-proof' your job search
With state unemployment rates reaching 9.2 percent for the month of March in Washington state, it's clear that we have a long way to go before the region recovers fully from the recession. But this economic news does not mean...
How telecommuters can steer clear of layoffs
I've been making my way through an interesting collection of articles on work/life balance that BusinessWeek recently published. One in the particular, "Telecommuting: Once a Perk, Now a Necessity," caught my eye today. The article discusses professionals who've been sent...
Socialize first, ask job-search questions later
Those who approached Lincoln Square's The Parlor billiards hall in Bellevue last night at 6 p.m. didn't have to read the news reports to learn about the recent dismal unemployment report released by the state that same day. A line...
Seattle Job Social: A new kind of networking event
At many networking events these days, the average job seeker is apt to meet plenty of other like-minded individuals with 30-second "elevator speeches" at the ready. But finding a real, live company representative to whom they can make their pitches...
Online job search: A tool, not a lifestyle
With the advent of online social networks a few years ago, it seemed like a golden age of networking was dawning, where business contacts could be made in a snap and your work history could be seen by a vast...
New health concern for graveyard shift workers
Late last year, I wrote about some of the difficulties that working a night shift can present -- from coordinating childcare to getting in any quality time with friends, romantic partners and family during the workweek. Now there's another concern...
Are your employee benefits taking a bath this year?
If not, you're one of the lucky ones. A CareerBuilder survey conducted in November 2008 found that 38 percent of companies anticipated making "administrative cuts" this year. Specifically, the 3,000 U.S. hiring managers and HR professionals polled placed company picnics,...
Biznik wants to hear the story of your career
Do you have an interesting story about your career? Are you itching to let others know about your creativity and potential? If so, a new video project by a local networking group may be your ticket to stardom--and out of...
Know what to expect with unemployment claims
For those of you who have found yourself jobless in the last few months, you're probably all too aware of the Employment Security Department's (ESD) Unemployment Benefits Web site, www.go2ui.com. And if you haven't been there yet, don't feel left...
The recession's top work-at-home scams
More than any other question, "How do I find a legit work-from-home job?" is the one I'm asked most. Last fall I wrote a post about how to avoid work from home scams and another listing a couple of legit...
Sixty percent of workers over age 60 delaying retirement
Six in ten workers over age 60 are postponing plans to put their feet up, relax, and kiss the workforce goodbye, according to a CareerBuilder study released this March. Hardly surprising when you consider that anyone with a retirement account...
Easy ways to accentuate the positive after a layoff
If you're like me, you don't like to be told to "just cheer up." Nothing plasters a frown on my face faster than hearing someone tell me to "snap out of it" whenever I'm troubled by something. And being out...
Dealing with the less tangible effects of a layoff
When we talk about layoffs with our friends and neighbors, the conversation usually turns to unemployment benefits, health insurance, and plans for the future. Sure, those who've been laid off may talk about how they feel anxious, angry, blue, frustrated, or...
Has a recent layoff driven you to readjust to a new reality?
About two months ago, I felt I had it all. Despite the terrible economy, I had a steady, decent-paying job at a business magazine in Seattle, the city of my dreams. Over three years, I had strengthened my professional relationships...
Karen Burns is the author of The Amazing Adventures of Working Girl, a career guide based on her 59 jobs over 40 years in 22 cities.
Lisa Quast is a certified career coach, mentor, business consultant, former corporate executive and author based in the Seattle area.
Randy Woods writes about job-search tools, networking techniques and other tips to help you land your dream job.
Former contributors
Matt Youngquist is the president of Career Horizons, a career counseling firm.
Natalie Singer is a Seattle writer, editor and small-business owner.
Michelle Goodman is the author of "My So-Called Freelance Life" and "The Anti 9-to-5 Guide."
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