Fashionably Challenged? Don’t Let It Cost You the Job!

By Deb Wheatman

After sending out all of those letters and networking like crazy, you finally got the interview. You are prepared. You have your résumé printed on good paper; and you have studied your background so you don’t have to play the total recall game. You won’t worry about being able to match Charles Nelson Reilly with Gene Rayburn looking on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Match_Game. The big day is coming – what do you wear? You know the company is a casual place to work. Do you dress up, down, or somewhere in between?

Since you are not yet an employee, the best thing to do is Read more

Technorati Tags: barbarella, button down, caveat, charles nelson reilly, conservative side, excel spreadsheet, gene rayburn, hollister, long hair, match game, no doubt, offer letter, open toe shoes, pant suit, skirt suit, slacks, space ship, those letters, total recall, wikipedia

T.A.P. Q#271 – Is Getting Your ‘Dream Job’ Just Luck?

Dear Experts,

I’ve don’t EVERYTHING they’ve told me to do. I’ve networked, gotten mentors, volunteered, started a blog, blah blah blah! And yet, I still don’t have a job. I’m so angry about it, I want to scream. I’m working a horrible job just to pay my student loans and I’m sick of hearing stories about people getting their ‘dream job’ because I think it’s just dumb luck if they do. The rest of us are doing all the right things too and still not getting hired. What advice can you give that will actually make a difference?

Got a career question you’d like answered? Send it to twitter@careerealism.com along with your Twitter account name (you must use Twitter for us to post your question). Read more

Technorati Tags: advice, career, job, networking, T.A.P. (Twitter Advice Project)

T.A.P. Q#270 – How Do I Explain Being Fired for Swearing?

Dear Experts,

I got fired for getting upset and swearing at a customer. My company already told me they would not serve as a reference. How do I explain this on interviews?

Got a career question you’d like answered? Send it to twitter@careerealism.com along with your Twitter account name (you must use Twitter for us to post your question). Read more

Technorati Tags: advice, career, fired, interview, job, T.A.P. (Twitter Advice Project)

Twitter: The ‘Paris Hilton’ of Technology?

Dear J.T. & Dale: I can’t turn on the TV without hearing about Twitter. It seems like people either love it or hate it…I just don’t understand it. Can you explain what all the noise is about? — Kyle Read more

LinkedIn or LinkedOUT?

Dear J.T. & Dale: I’m an executive with a multinational firm in the process of closing its U.S. manufacturing facilities. In anticipation of further restructuring, I wish to seek new employment, and consider LinkedIn to be a powerful vehicle to spread the word. However, I do not wish for colleagues to catch wind of my intentions. How does one use LinkedIn to seek employment while still employed? — Jules Read more

Technorati Tags: anticipation, career move, co-workers, colleagues, facebook, internet service, manufacturing facilities, multinational firm, networking, new job, reply, restructuring, t amp

T.A.P. Q#269 – With This Economy, Is Journalism Major Good Idea?

Dear Experts,

I am currently a college student majoring in English with a minor in Philosophy. I have always wanted to be a journalist; however, I did not really care for journalism as a major because none of the concentrations appeal to me although I love to write.

Given the state of the economy and the fact many magazines and newspapers are struggling financially, should I continue to strive towards the goal of becoming a journalist of a magazine/newspaper or go a completely different route and continue my education to get a law degree?

Got a career question you’d like answered? Send it to twitter@careerealism.com along with your Twitter account name (you must use Twitter for us to post your question). Read more

Technorati Tags: advice, career, college, degree, education, job, journalism, major, T.A.P. (Twitter Advice Project)

T.A.P. Q#268 – Stick With Cool Internship or Take Paying Job?

Dear Experts,

I just graduated and have been looking all summer for a job. An internship opportunity came up that is incredibly cool – HOWEVER, it doesn’t pay a dime. I accepted it and agreed to start in September. Since then, I got an interview and landed a job with a company this week. The job isn’t very exciting and the pay is really low. So, I’m wondering, should I stick with the cool internship or take the paying job?

Got a career question you’d like answered? Send it to twitter@careerealism.com along with your Twitter account name (you must use Twitter for us to post your question). Read more

Technorati Tags: advice, career, CAREEREALISM, internship, job, summer, T.A.P. (Twitter Advice Project)

Career Change? Forget Resume…Focus on Re-writing YOU!

By Meghan M. Biro

Many people begin job searches and career transitions by rewriting their resumes. Resumes are necessary and a very important step, but they are not always sufficient. Starting with a resume is really starting in the middle of the process. There’s an alternative place to begin Read more

Technorati Tags: accounting degree, career transitions, conclusions, critical thinking, cross reference, job search, job searches, meaningful causes, melissa, navel, new ventures, participant, penance, personality interests, personality type, productive journey, resumes, self assessment, strategist, true self

T.A.P. Q#267 – Contact Employer on LinkedIn BEFORE I Send Resume?

Dear Experts,

I would like to apply for a position with a company that I have informally worked with in the past. I discovered the person who would be my supervisor, if I were hired, is on LinkedIn. Should I interact with this person on LinkedIn first, or should I send my resume first?

Got a career question you’d like answered? Send it to twitter@careerealism.com along with your Twitter account name (you must use Twitter for us to post your question). Read more

Technorati Tags: advice, career, interview, job, linkedin, resume, T.A.P. (Twitter Advice Project), work

T.A.P. Q#266 – Help! Need to Discuss Business Scenario at Interview

Dear Experts,

I recently was invited to an on-site interview with a marketing firm. When I received the e-mail with all the necessary information, I was sent a document detailing a business scenario that will be further discussed during the interview. The interview panel would like me to think about answers or recommendations for this scenario. This is my first time encountering this type of interview tactic; I have answered the scenario questions, but is there any other advice you can provide? Thanks!

Got a career question you’d like answered? Send it to twitter@careerealism.com along with your Twitter account name (you must use Twitter for us to post your question). Read more

Technorati Tags: advice, business, career, CAREEREALISM, interview, job, marketing, T.A.P. (Twitter Advice Project)

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