When Recruiters Start Texting You:

Texting is now a common way to communicate and has become an essential part of life. More recruiters are now turning to text messaging as a means to engage with potential job candidates. Do not feel an obligation to text with a recruiter. If concerned, just explain you would prefer to be reached by email and provide your address. 

However, recruiters are there to help you find a job – this is a professional interaction. You should be thinking about texting with a recruiter as just a more efficient way of communicating. 

For further details see the article here.

Networking Strategies for Busy People:

Networking is an investment worth making and, you don't have to commit an extraordinary amount of time to the process. It is an essential part of career success. Career opportunities don't just appear out of nowhere; they usually come from the people who know, like and trust you.

Initially build your network with those you work with, utilize your current activities, and manage your social network tools. For more details on these three sources see the article here.

Communicating about work problems

Office problems can range from workflow inefficiencies to personality conflicts. Employees have front-row seats to observe this kind of drama and system failure but may not feel empowered to discuss issues with managers or executives who have the power to intervene.

When there are observed problems with inefficiencies, interpersonal relations or policies, come prepared with a solution so that you don't seem like a complainer.

Find further advice in the complete article here.

Check Your Work Email Early in the Morning

It's popular to warn against prioritizing email before breakfast – but does that advice really work for you? If you don't check your email early, you may miss important updates to a project you're working on.

The fact is that it often makes sense to at least graze your inbox before moving on with other planned items on your calendar and to-do list. Whether you work with a manager, team members or a client list – quick responsiveness often makes or breaks your essential professional relationships and ultimately determines your career success or failure.

For more insight dealing with your boss, team or clients see the article here.

Control Your Job Interview Nerve

Nerves are a natural response, but if you’re new to interviewing, sitting down across the table from the hiring manager can seem to be just scary. Take a deep breath. Hiring managers are used to nervous candidates. 

First thing you want to do is to manage fear. You want the hiring manager to look at you and see a leader, not someone who is going to crumble the first time you’re under pressure. There are two critical points at which you can tackle your fear; before and during the interview. 

See some tips here.

Move up when your boss moves out

When your boss leaves, you have a chance to advance your career. It requires strategy, a little prior planning, a lot of self-confidence and the timing is essential.

There are four key elements to pay attention to: get in position, showcase yourself, ask for what you want and use caution.

For details on these considerations see the article here.

What Passive-Aggressive Office Comments Really Mean

Passive-aggressive communication abounds in the workplace. Whether verbally or in written or e-mail be aware of your colleagues (and your own) use of communication.

Rather than use “honest and open” language, passive-aggressive communicators often use underhand and manipulative tactics to get what they want.

Check out the language and tone of your own and others communication with a review of typical'messages' here.

Rules for Resignation

Resigning from a job is a necessary evil of being employed. The average American job tenure lasts 4.2 years. It's expected most of us will part ways with an employer 10 or more times during our career. 

How you exit says a lot about you and can play a big role in securing references and networking opportunities for future jobs. This is no time to abruptly ghost or cut corners. 

To leave a lasting positive impression when you resign, find the article here.

Ways to Evaluate Company Culture

Don't wait for the interview to learn about a company. Do your homework before the first interview to make sure you really want to work at the company. 

According to a new study by job search site Indeed, 95 percent of respondents say that if they were considering a new job opportunity, insight into the company's employer reputation would be somewhat or extremely important.

For what and how to research the company see the article here.

Job Hunting Tips for New Grads

How to be savvy when you are looking for your first job after college. There are different approaches for getting your first job out of school.

Graduation can be filled not only with a justifiable sense of accomplishment and high hopes but with a clear angst about how to get your first job and begin a meaningful career.

See 6 tips here.

Things to Look for During the Job Interview

The job interview is your chance to evaluate the opportunity. When the interviewer is telling you about the job requirements, listen for the opportunity to ask follow-up questions.

Finding a job that will be a good fit for you is important. You are interviewing to assess the job opportunity, your potential manager and the company. So how do you do this? You ask questions. You should level the playing field by asking questions which will turn the interview into a mutually beneficial exchange of information. See considerations here.

How to Explain Gaps on Your Resume

It seems more often than not candidates have a gap in employment. Here's how to master talking about it.

One of the most important things about acing an interview aside from authenticity, is Transparency. So, if there's a gap in your resume, rest assured it will come up during an interview. 

There are several ways to address it in a thoughtful, straightforward manner depending on the actual reason. See a discussion here.

What Is Your Job Fit Thesis?

Every job candidate needs to be able to explain exactly why they're the right fit for the position

The job fit thesis is similar to an elevator pitch in that it summarizes the key selling points of the candidate. In an essay a well-written thesis statement describes in clear terms what the rest of the paragraphs seeks to prove. 

A job seeker applying for a position will likewise include a thesis of comparable clarity and will employ a strategy of proving that thesis through interaction with the hiring manager. Hiring managers ask themselves three questions when making staffing decisions. 

Explore them here.

Technological Advice for Older Job Seekers

Six actions will increase your job search success.

One of the more common justifications for age discrimination in hiring is the assumption that older workers are unskilled at using common technology. Experienced job seekers must pay careful attention to their technological footprint and personal brand. With attention to how they appear electronically and virtually, older job seekers will reduce the unfair assumptions that hiring managers might otherwise make about their suitability.

See six specific tips in the complete article here.

Things to Do When lost in the Job Hunt Wilderness

Have you been searching for a job for an eternity with no success? You might wonder why you are lost in a desert without a compass.

You likely have a resume and a LinkedIn profile. You're probably familiar with sites like Indeed that publish vast quantities of job openings and you've been hitting the "Apply Now" button. Rather than receiving emails from employers, you just get the latest round of bills.

For some tips to consider when your job search seems as dry as the desert in the summer, see the article here.

Professionals Should Think Before They Tweet

Job seekers and those already employed should exercise smart judgment when choosing what to publish on social media. The vast majority of the U.S. population now has a social media account, but not everyone has gotten smarter about how they employ it.

It's important to think twice about the way you use social media in light of your career goals. If you don't, you could inadvertently knock yourself out of contention for a position or find your current one in jeopardy.

For specifics on 'Public' exposure see the article here.

Acquiring Skills Can Make You an Attractive Employee

Acquiring new professional skills can take develop your career and maintain your marketability. When you possess skills that are harder to come by, you become more valuable both inside and outside your company.

Before you invest time and money in developing new skills, talk with people in your industry. Ask whether the skills and training are valued in your field or desired role. 

For seven more considerations, see the article here.

Lost in the Job Hunt Wilderness?

Here are some tips to bear in mind when your job search seems to run as dry. Step back, reflect and refocus your job search efforts.

Re-evaluate your search strategy.
Don't make excuses or adopt a defeatist attitude.
Make an investment in yourself.
Network a minimum of five to 10 new people a week.

For details on these topics see the article here.

You Should Always Be Looking for a New Job

Happy in your current job? Great! This is the time to keep your eyes open. Perusing job postings even when you're not actively looking is one of the best times to search for a new gig. Basically, when you're not really in need of one.

The future is unpredictable, keep your 'irons in the fire'. When the moment arrives and you realize it's time to move on, by keeping your job search in motion, you'll have an updated resume, polished interview skill set.

For more detail see the article here.

Ready to Get Your First Job?

Organizations will be hiring new employees – but what they are looking for from a potential candidate remains consistent. Here's important advice so you can navigate the world of interviews, resumes, job references and hopefully get hired.

1. Clean up your social media.
2. Embrace your early work experience.
3. Gather your references.

For thoughts on these topics, see the complete article here.

You Need Both a Resume and a Strong LinkedIn Profile

Perfecting the tone of your resume and LinkedIn profile will improve your job hunt prospects. You need both a well-constructed resume and an optimized LinkedIn profile for an effective current job search. 

Your LinkedIn profile can draw hiring authorities to you when you show up in their search. It can be the reason to request your resume. Every company will require a resume from you for their applicant tracking system at some point in the hiring process.

Conversely, when you submit a resume to companies, you can assume if it draws some interest, reviewers are likely to search for you on LinkedIn for additional information.

See additional discussion here.

Why Do You Want to Leave Your Job?

Employers want to know if you are motivated for the right reasons, in the right way, to be successful at their company. 

When you interview, you'll have to do more than show you can do the work in the job description. Be prepared to explain why you are making a transition at this point in time.

Motivation is a key indicator of one's potential success in a new job, and employers want to know if you are motivated for the right reasons; see some points here.

Key Things the Hiring Manager Is Looking for

You can have solid tech skills but not know the first thing about writing a killer resume. There’s no such thing as a perfect resume. What works at one company may not impress a manager at another. 

Every technical or engineering manager has a different set of skills or list of red flags, so unfortunately no list of tips will guarantee you a job. There are several pieces of advice that are universally helpful in crafting a great techincal resume. 

Find nine things the manager may look for here.

Build a Resume Website That Will Impress The Hiring Manager

The reason you want to create a website is because you want to get a job,  a sleek resume website highlighting your experience could help you stand out. The online possibilities are endless, so why not go big or go home?

If you want to turn your resume into a website that impresses, try one of three strategies which can be done with no coding knowledge and very little time using website building tools like Squarespace.

See the options here.

Submit a Creative Resume That Gets A Hiring Managers' Attention

Be nimble on your feet. Occasionally there will be a job opening with a creative challenge with your replying application.

While non standard (resume based) requests may be rare, be ready to demonstrate your unique skills by responding specifically to the opportunity. This may be in the form of a demonstration of your creative solution to a job related issue.

See a discussion from a Hiring Manager point of view here.

Two Traits Hiring Managers Look for During Interviews Without Realizing It

Get a glimpse into the typical interviewing process so you can get a sense of the main criteria hiring managers use to make those decisions.

• Two things to understand …
• How Humans Evaluate Each Other
• How to Get Picked

See the details here.

Tips That Will Grab a Hiring Manager's Attention

The job search can be so incredibly frustrating. There are tons of applicants vying for the same spots you are, and your resume is just getting lost in a pile on the hiring manager’s desk.

But before you press submit again, there are some steps you can take to help you grab a recruiter's attention (in a good way) Read these tips that will make you more hireable here.

Steps to Choosing a Career

When the time comes for you to pick a career, you will discover that you have a multitude of options. It can be difficult to pick one, especially if you have no idea what you want to do ... or if many things appeal to you.

This is not an insurmountable task. You will have to put some effort into making your decision, but your effort will be well worth it in the end. There is a method and by following these steps, you can successfully choose a suitable career.

See eight steps here to structure your investigation.

The Skill You're Not Showing Off, But Should Be

If you were in the shoes of a hiring manager and tried to pinpoint the most important skill for a new hire to have, what would you pick?

Technical prowess probably wasn’t too far down the list. A CEO of Syncsort, would agree. But today, he finds another skill at the top of his list: he now values the ability to prioritize over hard skills when hiring. Knowing this, your mission as a job seeker is to make sure you get across to the hiring manager that prioritization is a strength of yours.

See how to do it here.

The Interview You Didn't Know You Were Getting (on Social Media)

It's a good idea to do some digital cleaning. It might be wise to set aside some time to clean up your social media profiles, especially Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram. Your future employer will look at your social media profiles and what they find could sway their decision.

Even if you aren't actively searching for a new job, having up-to-date profiles is a smart strategy.

See some ideas to consider here.

Never Use these words to Describe Yourself in an Interview

Hiring managers all have their favorite interview questions, but they’re typically some variation of the common ones. 

For example, you might be asked  “How would your colleagues describe you?” or “Use three words to describe yourself.” Either way, your overall approach would likely be the same. The thing you need to be mindful of, then, is what words you actually use.

To put it in another way, there are words that you should never, ever use. See alternatives to convey the same positive qualities here.

Reasons You Almost Got Called for the Interview

There are three ways a hiring manager responds to job applications: “Amazing” , “Eh, maybe?”, “An obvious no”. You’re almost always stuck in the dark about which of the latter two buckets you may fall into.

Assume you’re an “Eh, maybe?” candidate. Perhaps even a strong maybe candidate. How can you push yourself over the edge and land the interview?

See five ways, inspired by all the people a Hiring Manager almost asked to come in and interview for a position here.

Appropriate Ways to Impress the Hiring Manager

Add just one step to your overall job search process: Find and endear yourself to the hiring manager at the company you are applying for.

In the  job search, the person who gets to the hiring manager first—and makes a great impression  - is usually the winner. 

How do you find these incredibly important people? And, once you do, how to you get to them in a way that will positively impact your candidacy?

Find three completely survivable tactics to strongly consider here

Tips to Clean Up Your Social Media Profiles

It's a good idea to do some digital cleaning; set aside some time to clean up your social media profiles, especially Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram. 

A future employer will look at your social media profiles and what they find could sway their decision. Even if you are not searching for a new job, having up-to-date profiles is a smart strategy.

Seventy percent of employers say they look at candidates' social media profiles, according to a 2017 survey from CareerBuilder. To ensure you're presenting and sharing the best information, see the full article here.

Making the Most of an Internal Job Referral

A good inside source can help you read between the lines of a job description and arm you with details that give you a distinct competitive advantage.

Savvy job seekers know that leveraging their network of contacts is a proven method for landing a new role.  Given the high payoff potential of an internal referral, it is critical to handle the opportunity with care.

For tips to maximize your chances of being moved to the front of the interview line when given an internal recommendation see the details here.

Deal With Rude Co-Workers

What should you say to a hostile or unpleasant colleague?

When a co-worker is rude to you, it can be hard to know how to respond.  But when someone is rude over and over, and you're required to deal with the person as part of your job, it can cause real stress and make your working life much less pleasant.

You can ignore it, you can speak up or you can report it. For more details see te article here.

Details of a Successful Job Hunt: Not Advertised!

Don't let common errors diminish your chances of getting the job of your dreams.

Details matter, in your personal life as well as in your job search. For some examples of small things that make the difference between success and failure at any stage of a job hunt 

• Resume Details
• Phone Screening
• In-Person Interview
• Immediate Follow-U

See the full article here.

Career Lessons Learned Too Late

In achieving success, you will have to make big sacrifices. Many people ardently heed this advice — and make sacrifices on a permanent basis and then learn too late that there’s more to life than just chasing success. Yes, you must make sacrifices but it should be for the short term. You should be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

There are three aspects to our lives - Personal, Spiritual and Professional. A fine balance needs to be maintained between the three elements to lead a satisfied and contented life. 

For important career lessons most people learn too late, see the complete article here.

Get a Job Without Applying

In today's economic environment, people with valuable skills in leadership roles are likely to be receiving more  calls from recruiters. Even if you are happy with your current job, it is important not to blow recruiters off and to have a resume at the ready.

You never know if the opportunity that will be presented will be more attractive than your current role. And, you can gain a boost of 15 percent or more in your compensation by being willing to make a change, likely far outpacing the raise you can expect in your current role.

For ideas on how to effectively position yourself, see the article here.

Makeover Plan Older Job Seekers

Appearances matter in a job search. Successful older job 
candidates need to pay close attention to the image 
they project. The following are particularly important:

Physical Appearance
Communications Branding
Social Media Image

For details on these elements in your job 
search documents and interviewing see the 
full article here.

Workers Sell Wisdom, Employers Buy Results

A benefit that comes with age and experience is wisdom. Older job seekers know they have the benefit of life and specific industry and functional wisdom to offer employers. The challenge is that employers rarely hire for wisdom and maturity even if those attributes are what they need most.

Organizations generally hire for specific results. They need people who can make stuff, sell stuff or count stuff. The impact on the job seeker is that they will experience the best results by defining their value in the context of one of those three key areas.

By associating one's primary value with actual revenue, product creation, service delivery or measurable administrative efficiency, an older job seeker associates himself with solutions that flow directly to the employer's bottom line.

For further discussion of demonstrating value see the article here.

Bounce Back from the Interview

For job seekers, patience and perseverance are important, but you'll also need a bit of thick skin and keep your eye on the prize. The odds of you going on a string of interviews with different companies and having every one lead to an offer are rare.

Here's how you can bounce back from rejection quickly and professionally.

• Accept rejection
• Always take the high road
• Ask for feedback, but keep expectations in check
• Maintain a positive attitude
• Keep a kudos file of praise from colleagues.
• Evaluate and move on quickly

For details on bouncing back see the complete article here

Expect Recruiting Innovations in 2018

Low unemployment means the job seeker has more of an upper hand. If you are looking for a new job, don't be caught off guard by some of these new trends. Here are a few:

Greater transparency for candidates, the ability to track your resume progress.
You may be conversing with a bot using artificial intelligence.
Opportunity to ‘test drive’ a new internal position.
Interviews with emphasis on ‘soft skills’ through role playing.

For tips on handling these new approaches, see the article here.

Fired? Here’s How to Recover

What happens when you're not downsized out of a position but, rather, are let go as a result of your poor performance? Here are some thoughts on being fired.

Getting fired can constitute a pretty harsh blow, so it's natural to want to take some time to wallow in your disappointment. But don't spend too much time harping on your dismissal.

Consider the benefit of sending your old boss a nicely worded note a day or so after you've been fired. It's to salvage a degree of professionalism in a situation where you otherwise come away not looking great.

One question you're pretty much guaranteed to get asked during new interview you go on; "Why did you leave your last job?" Be forthcoming about why you were let go, take responsibility for the actions that led to your dismissal.

For more detail see the article here.

Find a Later Life Second Career

You are among the first generation of Americans who routinely change careers after 50. The centuries-old pattern — to work at the same job or profession right up to retirement — is becoming obsolete. In its place: a career path marked by new jobs, new starts, even new businesses, continuing for as long as you have a passion for work. The proof is in the data. For example, one study shows that 40 percent of people working at age 62 had changed careers since they turned 55.

For six months, the editors at the AARP Bulletin searched America to find ordinary people who have done extraordinary things with their second careers. What they learned: When people stay true to their passions and set their hearts and minds to it, new careers can take off at any age. Some provide large financial rewards; others simply supplement pensions and Social Security checks but pay off big in terms of fulfillment, pride and satisfaction.  

There are 17 career change examples to study along with specific info about how they did it.  Click here for more info including their salaries.

The One Trait Hiring Mangers Seek Most

Think it's a technical skill? Think again.  If you're looking for a job and wondering how to stand out in a sea of applicants, being boring is unproductive. In a recent survey, 76% of hiring managers believe that being interesting is an important component of hiring decisions, with 22% believing that being interesting is very important.

The survey also found that being well-read and well-informed were among the top traits of interesting people, ranking higher than being well-educated, curious, or innovative. If you’re looking for a new job, or if you’re interested in expanding your career, this data suggests that reading more is the perfect place to start.

There are four ways to leverage your unique traits and experiences during the job search process.

Want more insight about being more interesting in your upcoming job interviews, click here.

Gracefully Quit Your Job

Follow these eight steps to gracefully exit your job without burning bridges.

• Assess your reasons
• Decide when to quit
• Give enough advance notice
• Tell your boss
• Anticipate a counteroffer
• Provide constructive feedback
• Tie up loose ends
• Finish strong

For more insight of the best ways to quit your job, click here.

Want to Be Happier at Work?

Whatever your current situation, you too can be happier at work simply by mastering your mindset. 
Work "happiness" is a difficult thing to obtain. Everyone wants it, yet so few people seem to get it.
The truth is pretty simple: The people who are happiest at work work at it. They just understand some basic truths about the nature of work, and they've leveraged that wisdom for their own benefit.

Whatever your current situation, you too can be happier at work simply by mastering your mindset. Here are some key concepts to consider.

• No Job Is Perfect
• Everything Is Temporary
• Work Is a Choice
• Fake It to Make It
• You Career Is a Lifelong Endeavor

Your happiness shouldn't rely on anyone – or anything – outside of yourself.

For more info, click here.

Showcase your unpaid work

You've probably done unpaid work at some point in your life. Featuring your volunteer work can show a potential employer you're dedicated to helping others.If you've graduated within the last five to 10 years, you should definitely include your volunteer work in the local community and internships on your resume. These should go in the body of your resume if you have a significant amount of unpaid experience or it's at well-known organizations. Include a few bullets to describe what you did in each case and the purpose of your work.

Consider the following areas of unpaid work.

• Serving on a committee
• Leadership role in a student organization
• Mentorship of students
• Fraternity/sorority
• Internships
• Volunteering in the local community
• Outside of Work
• Taking Time Off
• Changing Careers to the nonprofit sector

For more info, click here.