5 Surefire Resume Writing Tips
By CAREEREALISM-Approved Expert, Patricia Erickson
Is the thought of writing a resume as pleasant as having your wisdom teeth surgically extracted? I ask because I was discussing resume writing strategies with a client today and she mentioned she was thrilled I was going to write her resume. This was because she was no longer actively involved in (as she put it) the “whole torturous process.” I didn’t realize the experience could be so terrible – but then I thought about doing my own taxes and realized what she meant. Read more
How to Be More Likeable: 10 Things to Do Today
By CAREEREALISM-Approved Expert, G.L. Hoffman
To a large measure, your likeability will lead to success or failure. It often trumps skill levels in surveys of HR people who are asked to name the most important characteristic of job candidates and employees. Other than “don’t be an jerk,” what can you do to increase your own likeability? Is it really possible to change? Or, do you believe your likeability has been set by some cosmic forces, and if people don’t like you as you are, so what? BTW, being rich or good looking is not on the list.
Here are 10 characteristics of likeable people, who can pass the no-jerk test, or the always reliable would-you-fly-across-the-country-with-them test. Read more
4 Steps for Taking Your Networking to the Next Level
By CAREEREALISM-Approved Expert, Heather Huhman
While being on the job search is a daunting task for most, and it is important to enjoy the process. After all, having a positive attitude can make a world of difference!
Instead of spending all your time and energy on mainstream job boards, get off your bottom and meet new people! While I don’t recommend giving up on job boards altogether, I definitely feel networking is the best way to use your time wisely during your job search. For example, one great analogy I love to use is the person who goes to the gym for an hour but doesn’t even break a sweat. This isn’t working out. Sure, you drove to the gym and stayed there for an hour, but did you truly leverage your abilities? Similarly, when on the job hunt, it’s important “sweat” a little – work hard and use your time strategically to obtain your dream job. Read more
Will an MBA Boost My Career?
‘JT & Dale Talk Jobs’ is the largest nationally syndicated career advice column in the country and can be found at JTandDale.com.
Dear J.T. & Dale: I am 28 years old, working in a mid-size company and responsible for IT processes. I want to go from being a computer scientist to a CIO [Chief Information Officer, the head technology person in a company]. I’m wondering whether it is useful to go for an MBA. An MBA would be a clear statement. How much time can be saved by having one? — Chris Read more
Should I Go to HR?
‘JT & Dale Talk Jobs’ is the largest nationally syndicated career advice column in the country and can be found at JTandDale.com.
Dear J.T. & Dale: I normally am a very happy, enthusiastic employee. Getting along with ANYONE has never been an issue. However, I now have a co-worker who has been very hostile and makes rude comments that he pretends are “jokes.” About a year ago, I began keeping a journal of these incidents. As much as I would like to go to HR, when the incidents are isolated on paper, it appears that I am whining about practically nothing. How would it be handled if I did go to HR? — Gloria Read more
Digging Out from the Storm of Job Loss
By CAREEREALISM-Approved Expert, Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter
I’ve known loss. Haven’t we all?
A blizzard storms through our lives, creating paralyzing white-out conditions.
In my life, a painful storm from which I not only survived but from which ashes I arose to rebuild a new and BETTER life, occurred when my first husband requested a divorce. Within months, I was thrust into life-altering decisions that, even under the best of emotional situations, would have been difficult.
Initially, life lines were tossed my way by family and friends. After years of self-sufficiency, I was faced with either “going it alone” or accepting the help of sincerely caring people. I swallowed my pride and chose the latter. Read more
7 Key Ways to Promote Your Personal Brand
By CAREEREALISM-Approved Expert, Sean Harry
By now you understand finding the perfect job requires more than simply writing a resume and posting it online. In fact, if you are going to take the “apply-on-line” approach you should spend NO MORE than 2 hours per week at it. Less than 5% of jobs are ever posted online, so if you are going to find your next job fast you need to spend your time elsewhere.
The successful and savvy job seeker will develop a compelling personal brand and spend 75% of their time (or more) promoting it. Here are 7 key ways to promote your personal brand. Read more
Career Question: What Do You Have at Stake?
By CAREEREALISM-Approved Expert, Kris Parfitt
Considering a career change? Thinking of going for that promotion? Looking for a job? Something is motivating you to consider your options, but have you asked yourself the one question which once answered really identifies what would happen if you didn’t pursue the change? That question is simple in content yet profound in context: What do you have at stake? In other words, what do you have to lose in your life if you do NOT seek this transition? Read more
How Social Media is Muddying the Waters for Job Seekers
By CAREEREALISM-Approved Expert, Teena Rose
Invited to an interview, you step into the room and unload that heavy photo album you’ve been clinging to onto the conference table. In addition to a resume and brag book, you have pictures on your iPhone of your dogs and the neighbor’s cat stalking the birds enjoying your new bird feeder.
The interview progresses by you opening and flipping through the pages of your album, pointing to your family and friends. You gladly draw the interviewer’s attention to those older pictures taken during your college days…and to the many of your drunk, sleeping positions your friends encapsulated forever through one click of a camera. Read more
Tapping Into the Hidden Job Market
By CAREEREALISM-Approved Expert, Debra Wheatman
It is a well known fact using job boards exclusively as you conduct a job search will leave you confounded and frustrated. Sure you might be qualified for the positions for which you are applying – but posting your résumé online is like trying to find a needle in a haystack – a really, really big haystack. Read more
