Archive: October 2010
Avoid the rush: Get your pre-holiday networking done now
We're on the verge of November, and that means networking activity will start heating up in the next couple of weeks before the holiday season kicks into high gear. Usually, the holidays are the time of year when hiring tends...
How to answer an interview question succinctly
Forget vampires, zombies, and ballot initiatives you don't agree with. You know what's really scary? Realizing during a job interview that you've been talking for umpteen minutes and you have no idea what you've said, let alone what the question...
Halloween costumes at the office: Fun or tiresome?
The other night, I talked to a friend who was scrambling to affix a set of bat wings she'd fashioned from a black umbrella to a black sweatshirt she'd just bought. Not only was she annoyed about spending an...
How to sell yourself on your resume
When teaching my resume writing workshop, I ask participants to review each bullet on their resumes and put a "T" or "R" next to each one. "T," short for Tasks, is for a statement where you merely describe an experience, event or task you performed at your company. An example would be, "Created a marketing plan for the company." The best statements on your resume should use the following format: PAR (Problem, Action, Result): What was the problem, what action did you take and what result was attained?
Is it ever okay to talk politics at work?
Between President Obama's recent pit stop at Top Pot Doughnuts, the bevy of hot-button initiatives on the November 2 ballot, and the incessant churn of Beltway gossip this election season (paging Ginni Thomas), it's becoming increasingly difficult to not talk...
Setting your course for a jobs recovery in 2011
With the midterm election looming, there has been a disproportionate amount of focus on the past in recent weeks. The relentless and misleading campaign ads both for and against Patty Murray and Dino Rossi have saturated the airwaves with endless...
Advanced resume screening techniques you should know about
In my resume search optimization seminar, I discuss four common algorithms that applicant tracking systems (ATS) use to sort through resumes. Knowing what the ATS is looking for and optimizing your resume with this in mind is crucial if you want to get noticed by the employer.
Forging an encore career in today's tricky job market
The IT professional turned social worker. The lawyer turned schoolteacher. The corporate accountant turned non-profit fundraiser. In the past year, you've no doubt heard stories like these of professionals who -- thanks to layoffs, burnout, or general job dissatisfaction --...
How not to come across as a desperate job seeker
In my career search seminars, I am frequently asked: "Paul, I've heard that employers aren't interested in hiring the unemployed. Is that true?" To a point, this is valid, but of course it's not entirely true. If this were the case, after all, no job seeker would get a job today.
Rely on your network to dig you out of your hole
This week, as the TV cameras of the world focused on the 33 Chilean miners emerging, one by one, from what could have been their tomb, half a mile below the surface, I marveled at not only their immense collective...
You and your boss: BFFs forever or strictly professional?
Who says the recession hasn't brought coworkers together? In a recent survey by employment agency Adecco Staffing U.S., 78 percent of managers polled said they felt a stronger bond with their team members than they did three years ago....
How to volunteer your way to a job
If you're a job seeker, volunteering is a great avenue to donate your time to a worthy cause while being able to fill in gaps on your resume and network with people who may help you eventually find paid employment.
New job? How long you have to prove yourself
Just got hired or promoted? Congratulations! But don't make the mistake of thinking you have three to six months to get acclimated to your new position. According to a new survey by staffing firm The Creative Group, new hires have...
How to ace a phone screen
A client of mine recently landed a great in-person interview with a top Seattle construction company by acing the phone screen. Passing the phone screen is essential to getting an in-person interview, as more companies today are conducting them to save time and bring in only the best candidates. Succeeding at a phone screen is something you can learn. Here's one powerful method you can use in your next interview.
How to network without being a jerk
Branding doesn't stop with your website or Twitter account. What others in your field think of you as a person has everything to do with your brand, too. [Me 2.0 author Dan Schawbel] Sadly, far too many professionals fail to...
Microsoft offers a free boost to your IT skills
For those searching for work, especially in a new field, one of the toughest barriers to entry is the need to retrain for new skills. Many jobs -- even those at technology firms -- require a wide range of interpersonal...
Trying to get noticed online? How to rise above the digital din
Ever since "tweeting" and "personal branding" became household buzzwords, business experts have been beating us over the head with the notion that if we want to attract employers or customers, we have to jump into the social media fray and...
Tips for stay-at-home moms reentering the workforce
A common question I'm hearing in the job-hunting community these days is how stay-at-home moms who want to reenter the workforce can deal with the overwhelming competition in the market and find a job.
These October networking events are a 'fall classic'
Hey job seekers! I'm away this weekend celebrating my wedding anniversary down on the Oregon Coast. But I'm not one to leave my readers hanging as the fall networking seasons gets into full swing. The first half of October is...
How to job search if you're a super introvert
Introverts are usually comfortable with one or two people at a time, and are most comfortable with people they already know and trust. The greatest challenge for introverts when searching for a new job is meeting new people, especially at networking events. Most shy away from great networking opportunities because they're overwhelmed, too shy or don't think they can connect with strangers successfully.
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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