“To love what you do and feel that it matters, how on earth could anything be more fun?”
–Katherine Graham

I want to share with you a great success story from one of my clients, Susan*, because I am so proud of her. Susan had been working in the computer industry since college (8-10 years) and though she was financially and professionally successful, she felt dissatisfied with her career. Her heart was just not in it anymore. Continue reading →

What do you want to be when you grow up? I’m sure you were asked this question at least once when you were a youngster. When asked the question, did you have an answer at the ready, or did you need a few minutes to think about it? We all had dreams of becoming something great, like a fireman, a teacher, or a rock star, just to name a few. Well, how did you do? Maybe you never aspired to be what you set out to be or said that you would become. But then again, things change. The older we get, our tastes change, our view of the world changes, even our goals change. Continue reading →

There is a saying that goes, “The best offense is a great defense”. Nowhere is that applied better in the corporate world than in the intelligent use of email. In this age of technology, E-mail is a multi-purpose tool that can be adapted into each user’s organizational patterns. Firstly, we will get the basic do’s and don’ts out of the way.

Do not use your work address when filling out forms on external sites. This can bring large amounts of SPAM that may alert your IT department into watching your activities more closely. Free Internet based mail, such as Hotmail, are your best options. Continue reading →

“Who is that hot babe in the picture?” isn’t the type of reply an interviewer expects to hear when he or she invites you to ask questions near the end of an interview. In fact, the way you approach the Q&A session will have a direct impact on the interviewer’s perception of you. Based on the questions you ask, a judgment will be made in regard to how interested you seem to be in working for the company. Continue reading →

I won’t say I have a vast array of knowledge as a consultant…collectively I’ve only been doing it about 8 years. However, there are some things that I have observed that I think will be helpful to those of you who are new to the profession. We will first dispel the myths and address the realities associated with being a Consultant, then we will address the commandments of being a good and valued consultant. Continue reading →

Too many job seekers set themselves up for failure before the interview ever takes place. They fail to target their audience, demonstrate relevant skills and experience, or present themselves in a way that grabs the attention of potential employers. Plan for success and avoid these ten deadly interview mistakes.

1. Interviewing before you have a handle on your emotions. Get a handle on your emotions before you interview. Find a way to get past negative emotions ?fear, worry, anger, and embarrassment-because they erode self-confidence. And an employer can spot them a mile away! Continue reading →

Are you considering another trip through the career maze? Attending a job fair can make you feel like you are playing a losing game unless you have a clear understanding of the rules. Here are a few suggestions for making the most of any job fair, and gaining a competitive edge.

GET A JUMP ON YOUR COMPETITION

* Review the list of participating companies and determine which companies interest you the most. Pick several.

* Collect information about these companies and do your research before you attend the job fair. Check out their Web sites and look for information about them on the Internet. Continue reading →

The labor recession is over. During the course of the recession, almost 500,000 IT positions were lost according to publicly collected data and anecdotal information suggests even more. According top a recent poll, American business will add over 200000 new IT jobs in 2005. Your staff will probably be scanning job boards to see their value and blocking access is useless; they’ll only do it at home. Continue reading →

Set the stage for fantastic job fair follow-up while you are still at the job fair. As the conversation is coming to a close, ask for the company representative’s business card. If he or she doesn’t have one, ask for their name, title, and best way to reach them. Write that information down in your notebook. Thank them for their time and re-affirm your interest in the company and position.

Back home, sort through the business cards, company literature, and notes that you made. Prioritize them for follow up.

SET YOURSELF APART FROM OTHER CANDIDATES by sending a thank you note that reminds them who you are and what you have to offer. Express interest in the position that you discussed and mention why you are such a good match. Request an opportunity to meet with them again. Let them know that you will contact them later in the week. Remember, recruiters often see hundreds of candidates at a job fair. It is often hard for them to keep track of who’s who so do your part to help them remember you! Continue reading →

At this moment in time, the increase in cross border human traffic has meant that companies are no longer dealing with a homogenous native community from which they recruit their staff. Companies are now facing cross cultural challenges in how they recruit, manage and develop a multi-cultural staff. One area of note where HR and management are finding difficulties is in the interview room. Continue reading →