Archive: August 2010
T-Mobile turns to social media for seasonal hiring
Late August is not a time most people are thinking about "ho, ho, ho" and mistletoe. But at Bellevue-based T-Mobile USA, the holiday season is just getting under way as it prepares to make its seasonal hires in the next...
UW, Virginia Mason are hiring, but competition is fierce
While the health care industry is definitely hiring, competition is fierce and out of hundreds of applicants, only a handful are getting interviews. Understanding how companies function and communicating your value in accordance with their needs can greatly increase your odds of getting noticed.
So you want to work for a nonprofit, part two
In my last post, I spoke to Heather Krasna, author of Jobs That Matter: Find a Stable, Fulfilling Career in Public Service, about the difference between job hunting in the nonprofit sector and the for-profit world. [Heather Krasna |...
So you want to work for a nonprofit, part one
It's no secret that the recession has left many displaced and disgruntled workers wondering whether they can find a more meaningful way to make a living. Working in the nonprofit sector is obviously one option. But as local author Heather...
More freebies for job seekers
Wondering what the heck professional branding is, how it can help your job search, and how to do it? Bryant & Stratton College Online can help. Today, at 11 a.m. (PST), the school will present a free, hour-long webinar called...
Does anybody read cover letters anymore?
A question I've been getting a lot lately at my resume seminars is: "Are people reading cover letters anymore? I haven't had much response from them. Should I include one with my resume or not?"
Plugging into demand for health care IT jobs
It's no secret that health care is one of the few growth areas for job seekers, both locally and nationwide. For decades, the health care industry has gone through chronic and well-documented shortages in nursing and in physical therapy personnel....
Thinking of a career in health care? Tips from a resume expert
As you've no doubt heard a few thousand times, health care is one of the few U.S. industries still on the rise. In fact, of the 20 vocations the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects to grow the fastest this...
What's your career story?
Looking for a new job? Then you should be able to fill in both blanks below: What sets me apart from other candidates is ________________________. Prospective employers should care about this because ________________________. Can't do it? Not to worry....
How to turn informational meetings into opportunities
In my last post, I suggested that you use flattery to get the attention of someone who might be useful in your job search. Once you've gotten this person to meet with you, you need to know how to turn your meeting into an opportunity.
The myth of following your bliss
It's unfortunate that our nation's collective body of career advice has led so many young workers to assume that there's a single vocation out there for each and every one of them that will provide them with an unlimited...
Prepare for landing: Late-summer networking events
OK, have we gotten it all out of our systems now? This wave of workplace catharsis that has rippled across the country in the days since our new 15-minute folk hero, Steve Slater, famously grabbed those beers and pulled the...
Five alternatives to graduate school
I recently received the sort of email that I hate to see. "Paul," a thirtysomething laid off from an unsatisfying administrative job, was confused about what career steps to take next. He wanted work in a field he found...
Reaching a hiring manager: Flattery is the key when you have to do a "cold call"
An attorney came up to me recently and asked how he should approach hiring managers when he finds an opening on a company's website. Approaching a cold lead without an introduction is extremely challenging and can be intimidating. More importantly, approaching a cold lead incorrectly can cost you an opportunity and, in extreme cases, put you on a company's "do not hire" list.
Is there a right way to quit a job you hate?
By now, you've no doubt seen accounts of how frustrated flight attendant Steven Slater told off a reportedly rude customer, grabbed himself a cold one, and slid down the plane's emergency chute. [Photo by The Chive] Like many Americans,...
Avoiding the 'job-hopper' label on your resume
It's a fact of modern life that the typical American worker will change jobs often over the course of their careers. In a Bureau of Labor Statistics study of the careers of baby-boomers over the last 25 years, the average...
Embrace diversity: Small business conference focuses on multiculturalism
In the past two-plus years, I've mentioned a handful of local small business conferences on this blog. It's rare, however, that I see an announcement for a multicultural-minded conference aimed at our region's small business community. That's why I was...
How to get a job in today's market
In my last two posts, I've discussed some of the reasons why it's so hard to find a job today and the top mistakes job seekers make that are keeping them from finding employment. Here are some tips you can use today to shorten your job search.
What have you done for the nation's charities lately?
You've probably heard that charitable giving has been on the decline since the recession began. The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University reports that donor contributions have fallen by about 5.5 percent since the end of 2007. With the number...
Top mistakes job seekers make that cost them the job
I recently spoke with Dan Schawbel, an expert on personal branding and the best-selling author of "Me 2.0: Build a Powerful Brand to Achieve Career Success." Dan and I discussed many mistakes novice job seekers make that keep them unemployed.
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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