Archive: January 2011
How LinkedIn Job Seeker Premium Account can shorten your transition time
One of LinkedIn's best friends for job seekers is the Job Seeker Premium Account. Introduced in April last year, it was specifically created for candidates looking to get the edge over others in this competitive market.
Is the magic gone from your career? Free teleclasses that can help
Just in time for Valentine's Day, Seattle career coach Curt Rosengren is offering three free, one-hour teleclasses (conducted over the phone) designed to help you: Rekindle your passion for the way you make a living, Replenish your lagging energy...
Groundhog Day check-in: Job hope springs eternal
With the winter midway point of Groundhog Day nearly upon us, I think a certain Pennsylvania-based rodent might look favorably on its outlook for Seattle for the next six weeks and beyond -- not just for our warmer weather, but...
Telecommuting: Less green than we think?
Those who champion telecommuting (yours truly included) are fond of mentioning that working from home is better for the environment. Less cars on the road. Less corporate offices to heat, cool, and light. Less clothing and drycleaning required. And so...
Want a promotion this year? Start angling for it now
Looking to move up in the work world? You may be surprised to learn that along with the start of the year, summer may be one of the best times to nab a promotion at your company. LinkedIn announced today...
Can you find what's wrong with this job-seeker's e-mail?
When I do one-on-one coaching with my clients, I have them write me an e-mail that they want me to send as part of an introduction. This gives them a chance to articulate their positioning, while giving me a chance to see if their method is aligned with our teaching. A recent client made some mistakes, and we were both grateful that they were caught on our end before going out to someone in my network.
A job-seeker story you may relate to: 'I don't belong here'
I was shopping at a toy store with my son and noticed an "up to 75% moving sale" discount. I asked an employee which items had the discounts, and he replied, "There really isn't anything on sale at 75 percent. Some items are on sale for 15 percent, some at 10 percent; it's really confusing. Even we don't understand it. Actually, I don't belong here. I have a master's degree and the only reason I'm here is because I can't find the job I want."
How to spend the money the new payroll tax cut saves you
If you're currently a W-2 employee, you may have noticed your paycheck looking a tad bigger this month. That's because the Obama administration's extension of the Bush-era tax cuts just went into effect. [Image by alancleaver_2000] The Associated Press...
Knowing when to shift gears in your job search
As the economy continues to stagnate, it has become an almost too-convenient excuse for people to give up on their job searches. Employment experts often say that unemployment rates don't reflect the true number of people who have been searching...
The top 10 words to banish from your LinkedIn profile
On NWjobs, we give a lot of advice on how to get the most from LinkedIn (examples here, here, here, here, and here). But I don't think we've addressed in how to improve the written content on your LinkedIn...
Would you attend your own layoff party?
A friend recently mentioned that her employer was throwing a goodbye party for its outgoing pink slip casualties. [Photo by Flashy Soup Can] One of the laid-off, my pal was unsure whether she should -- or even wanted to --...
I had a great phone screen, but the HR person isn't responding
A Hire Ground reader sent me an e-mail about a human resources person not responding after she had a great phone screen. Maybe you can relate? Here's another example of why keeping in touch with companies is always a good practice.
Master LinkedIn's advanced search tips to get ahead of the competition
In a recent post, I talked about leveraging LinkedIn as a resource to help you identify both decision makers and competitors. To do that successfully, you have to get used to doing advanced search queries in LinkedIn's vast database.
Exploring new paths at the 2011 career crossroads
The new year is still new enough that almost anything seems possible. After a dreary few years, there seems to be hope that the local job market may soon begin to show sustainable growth. Some economists are saying that 2011...
How to survive grad school while working full-time
Before the holidays, I mentioned that the University of Washington was hosting a panel for professionals thinking of enrolling in graduate school while working full-time. [Photo by alamosbasement] If you missed the event, you're in luck. UW Professional and...
What to do after a job rejection -- it's not what you think
Two of my clients recently landed jobs after they had gotten the "Thanks, but no thanks" reply. Both had done a great job in their interviews, but in each case there were other qualified candidates who better matched the hiring managers' requirements. So how did they get the jobs after their initial rejections, you might be wondering? They used two different creative approaches.
Jump start your career search in 2011
Are you ready to take advantage of New Year's energy to find rewarding employment?Read the tips below to get a jump-start on the competition and find meaningful work.
Podcasting your way to a new job
As any good networking expert will tell you, job seekers who are discussed among their peers will have a leg up in terms of finding employment. In the last decade, the advent of blogging has been the easiest and cheapest...
Why you should build relationships, not networks
In my last post, "Philosophies to building long-lasting relationships," I interviewed Carol Olsby, a global human resources expert who emphasizes that genuine long-term relationships are essential to professional career success. Here, we'll get deeper into the heart of what everyone talks about: networking.
Prediction: The biggest workplace stories for 2011
Although it was no 2009, this past year was another doozy for the U.S. workforce. So rather than reminisce about the many ways 2010 whooped the collective hide of the working public, let's look forward to the new year. Following are...
Philosophies to building long-lasting relationships
Here's a New Year's quiz for you: What's the most essential ingredient for success as a professional in transition and for career-minded individuals? Answer: Long-term genuine relationships.
Networking for the miracle comeback win
If there's one thing Americans can agree upon -- especially after the recently expired decade of divisiveness -- it's that everyone loves an underdog. To surmount impossible odds and beat an overconfident opponent is a theme that is practically spliced...
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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