The fundamental rule is: if you are going to apply for advertised jobs then only apply for the right ones. Don’t waste time by applying for the ones you’ve no chance of getting; not only is your time lost but your morale will suffer if you keep getting rejections. Analysing adverts thoughtfully saves you more than just time.

When you are looking for a new job, particularly if you don’t currently have one, it’s too easy to be ‘busy’ by spending your time on the wrong things. Continue reading →

Many people love learning languages or would like to learn a language and use their language skills in a job. In today’s global economy the demand for language skills continues to grow as governments, businesses and organisations build relationships with foreign interests.

Learning a language is beneficial in employment for two reasons; 1) it offers those in established careers the chance to progress either through gaining promotions or international travel and experience, and 2) it opens doors to new careers and employment opportunities. Continue reading →

Although interview preparation is everything it’s sad to say that perhaps as many as half of all interviewers you’re going to meet will be unprepared or incompetent. It’s not all their fault, it’s just lack of interview preparation time or responsibility; some of them will be co-opted at the last minute to meet you and won’t have had time to prepare. Continue reading →

Making a career change is nothing new in today’s job market.

I’ve heard it said that the average American changes careers at least once in his or her life. Long gone are the days of working for the same company from the time you graduate high school or college until that magical retirement day.

You sure won’t find that kind of loyalty from companies to their workers these days, and it’s rare to find that kind of loyalty from the average worker as well. What with companies merging, downsizing, and moving their operations offshore, you’d be wise to plan for a career change somewhere along the line in your life. Continue reading →

Have you given up on yourself? Have you decided to take the easy road and coast for the rest of your life? Have you come to the decision that you have done all you could possibly be expected to do in your life now it is someone else’s turn? As you get older you may not be able to run as fast, swim as far, hit the ball as hard or even concentrate as long as you used to but is that the reason to give up? Surely your aim should be to be the best you can at whatever age you are. Continue reading →

Today everyone knows at least one person who has lost their job to down-sizing, right-sizing, cut-backs, production reduction or a mean, vicious “bogus leader” who could care less about your family, your life or your existence at the company. This may sound a bit overboard, but everyone has probably experienced the manager, supervisor or company leader from hell, and if you haven’t just stick around. Continue reading →

The New Year is a great time to analyze your job and the satisfaction you get from doing it. Running the rat race is just that, scurrying around only to find that at the end of the day or week you are still not happy about who you are and what you do. For many people they think exercise, changing their eating habits, or learning a new sport or language will make a difference in their emotional and physical well being. Fortunately for some that’s all it takes, but for others a complete job makeover is the only way. Continue reading →

It has been over twenty five years since I started a small catering company that specialized in International Tapas, tiny silver trays of finger foods to delight the eyes and satisfied the stomach. These little morels were tasty, light and filling. At the time I did not know the little delicacies I placed on the buffet would give way to a very traditional way to dine. I just thought my customers should be exposed to something a little more exciting than Wing-Dings and Swedish Meatballs. I really wanted to move away from serving full means and introduce my customers to a variety of food from all over the world. Continue reading →

Today, I’m going to share with you the awful truth about resumes and cover letters.

Here it is: Most of them stink.

That’s not just my opinion, although I’ve read nearly 15,000 resumes and cover letters over the years and found glaring mistakes in about 85-90% of them.

It’s also the opinion of most of the hiring professionals I’ve spoken to over the years.

Where do most resumes and cover letters go wrong? And how can you avoid the typical mistakes that most job seekers make?

To find answers, I spoke with two experienced recruiters. Their candid advice can help you avoid typical pitfalls, and get hired faster

Here it is … Continue reading →

You don’t write a resume every day. Not even every month or year, most likely. So you can’t be expected to do it flawlessly every time, right? After all, you’re not a professional.

Well, I am.

My team and I have written or edited nearly 5,000 resumes over the past nine years. And there are a handful of secrets we use to get the job done, and get our clients hired.

Now, for the first time, I’d like to share with you three of my proven methods for writing a resume that gets results. Fast. Continue reading →