“Bill, thanks so much for your assistance with this search. We’re very happy that Robert has accepted the position. He will be a great addition to our organization”. At this point, while most would consider the placement complete from both the candidate and employer’s side, I would put forth that you are not quite at the finish line just yet. Continue reading →

Sophisticated job seekers know and understand that sometime during the interview and hiring process you will be asked to supply references. With this in mind, here are five concepts to focus on in developing your reference list.

1. References should be RELEVANT: The worst references are personal in nature. Do not provide your Uncle Charlie, your best friend or any other relatives or acquaintances. Provide references that have worked with you, worked for you, or have directly supervised you. References should be able to explain your specific job duties and responsibilities, accomplishments and work product. They should be able to define not only your role inside the organization, but also your ability to meet or exceed expectations as a co-worker, boss, or subordinate. Make certain that references are familiar with all relevant dates of employment at their respective company. If necessary, send them a current copy of your resume and any cover letters that you are using in your job search. References must have pertinent information for the reference seeker. Details, details and more details will certainly help your chances. Be certain that references have plenty of relevant information about your work history. Continue reading →

The temptation to lie on a resume is great! How can it hurt if I stretchthe truth a bit? Employers see lots of resumes. How are they going toknow who lies and who doesn’t?

Whoa! Let’s stop a minute and reflect on what lies can REALLY doon a resume.

1. Lying and stretching the truth maycome out anyway. You, job seeker, might exaggerate to the wrong peopleand get caught LYING!

2. Are you so unsure of yourself thatyou have to LIE to get a job? Poor you! Continue reading →

Searching for employment is one of the most nerve-racking activities to engage in. As if the direct need for income is not stressful enough, the process of writing a résumé, networking in your industry, and applying for jobs can leave anyone shaking in their tracks. Once you have hit the pavement and made a few contacts the phone calls should start coming in. With a little effort, hopefully a phone call could lead to an interview; which happens to be one of the most horrifying portions of career building. With the completion of a good interview, a job offer is just a step away. Here are few tips of turning any interview into a memorable experience for the Employer (and just might help you land the job!): Continue reading →

You don’t want to stay in your current position forever… you want to move up! Here are 20 ways to boost your chances of getting that nice promotion: Continue reading →

What makes for a rich career? It is more than just the salary and benefits. A rich career is one that suits your talents and provides an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution, as well as one that provides the right compensation.

A rich career is one that has a rich return on investment. What is career ROI? It is more than a paycheck and healthcare benefits. Your career ROI is the entire package of what you receive in return for the investment of your energy, time, and talent in a career and an organization. Continue reading →

Effective follow-up after a job interview is often a key reason why someone gets a job, even though there are other equally qualified candidates. Many candidates treat follow up as an optional add-on to their job search. That’s just not the case.

There are several reasons why you should follow up.

Sometimes, out of sight is really out of mind. Your phone call or letter can help the interviewer remember you over other candidates. Continue reading →

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, March 2004 had the largest gain in hiring in nearly four years. But as of then, there were still about 8 million Americans without jobs, and almost 23% of those had been unemployed for six months or more.

Many of those who are unemployed were laid off, terminated, downsized or let go (“fired”) through no fault of their own.

In this era corporate mergers, dot-com disasters, and a struggling economy, we’ve all come to realize that job security is quite rare these days. Continue reading →

Getting a job is not just about your performance in an interview. The post-interview follow up you do has a critical role in a successful job hunt. Here’s how to do it effectively.

On the day of the interview or at most the next day, send a thank you note to each of the interviewers. Apart from saying that you’re keen to take up the job, mention two or three of your key strengths or skills that are directly useful for the position.

During the interview, you should find out how soon they plan to have a person in place. Ask “In what timeframe do you expect to make a decision?” That’ll give you an idea about how much time is involved. Continue reading →

Despite what some job seekers think, it is not illegal for former employers to tell reference checkers that you were fired. They can say anything they want as long as it’s true.

But many companies do have policies that limit what they will reveal about past employees.

Is this a good thing or a bad thing?

I was watching an episode of CBS’s “60 Minutes” recently (hmmm, maybe I watch too much TV; no wait, this is “research,” so it’s OK). They had a shocking story about a male hospital worker who is suspected of killing more than 40 patients in several different hospitals during the past decade. He pleaded guilty to two of the murders. Continue reading →