Your college degree is your greatest asset out of the gate, so aim high. Find out what else employers are looking for in the Class of 2013 from Jada A. Graves of U.S. News & World Report in her article, “Class of 2013 Job Seekers: Buy, Sell or Hold?“
How 2013 Grads Measure Up as Job Seekers
May 20th, 2013Could Twitter Be More Efficient than Your Resume?
May 16th, 2013Much like LinkedIn groups can aid in your job search, following and engaging via Twitter with potential employers can be the boost your hunt is looking for. Read more in Patrica Rivera of CTW Features article, “Why Twitter is Sometimes More Powerful than Resumes.”
How to Write a Resume that Works in Every Part of the World
May 15th, 2013Business Harvard Review writer Tom O’Neil admits that although all markets have certain nuances, the central purpose of your resume should remain the same, regardless of your audience. See what points are most important to focus on in his article, “Write a Resume that Travels Across Countries and Cultures.”
College Grads Need More LinkedIn Experience
May 13th, 201346% of college graduates have never used LinkedIn – that’s a staggering number, considering the way that social media tide is turning when it comes to job search. Read “LinkedIn Misses Target Audience, Majority Use Facebook More” by Review author Matthew Butler.
Can You Use LinkedIn Groups to Get a Job?
May 10th, 2013LinkedIn groups are a great way to learn and share, but can you utilize them in job search too? Find out in “6 Foolproof Ways to Use LinkedIn Groups to Land Your Next Job” by Arnie Fertig of US News Money.
10 Great Job Search Tips for the New Grad in 2013
May 9th, 2013Graduating this year and feel like you’re not doing enough to secure your job prospects? Check out this helpful list from Alison Green of US News Money: “10 Key Job Search Tips For New Graduates.”
Interview Preparation: 3 Great Sources for Company Info
May 6th, 2013Knowing the background information of the hiring company is key to a successful interview. Find out “How to Gather Interview Intel With Social Media” in this smart article by Aaron Guerrero of US News.
Top Ten College Majors for 2013
May 3rd, 2013Your major does matter. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, the average starting salary for the graduating class of 2013 increased 5.3% from 2012. Find out the top paying majors for 2013 in “And The Highest-Paid College Majors Are…” by Lauren Weber of The Wall Street Journal.
New College Grad? Here Are Some Places to Start Job Hunting
May 2nd, 2013Here’s a short list of job search advice sites recent college grads can utilize to find their first job in Chuck Meyers’ Union.com article, “On the Money: Finding That First Job After College.”
How to Help Friends Who Are Job Hunting
May 1st, 2013Feeling helpless when it comes to friends and family members who are looking for a job? Here are some real, tangible ways you can support them in this Huffington Post article by Randy Hain, “Career Transition and ‘Jerry Maguire Moments’.”
6 Tips for Curbing Those Interview Jitters
April 30th, 2013It’s important to keep your nerves out of it when face-to-face with the gatekeeper or hiring manager. Find out how to relieve some of that tension and sail through the interview in this article by About.com’s Alison Doyle, “How to Avoid Interview Stress.”
Is Your Military Resume the Best Tool to Get an Interview?
April 29th, 2013Read Rick Corcodilos’ job search strategy for military personnel entering the everyday workforce in this special edition of “Ask the Headhunter”: How to Transition From Military to Civilian Work Without a Resume
College Students Are Failing at the LinkedIn Game
April 26th, 2013The N Gen is not on track with the LinkedIn movement and it may be to their disadvantage when it comes to looking for their first job. Read the full story by Brian Hall: Why Aren’t College Students Using LinkedIn To Find Jobs?
Be the Boss or Face the Consequences of Undermanagement
April 24th, 2013What do you get when you put together employees with diverse personalities, work backgrounds, different temperaments, habits, and varying levels of weirdness? Chaos. But nowadays, that’s what most managers call a “team,” and the difficulty of handling such team doesn’t stop with aforementioned differences. In fact, that’s just the start. Add a dash of disregard [...]
Michelle Riklan Featured in BusinessNewsDaily
April 18th, 2013I’ve been featured in David Mielach of BusinessNewsDaily’s latest article, “Hiring Experts Reveal Resume Pet Peeves“!
DASHING Cover Letters
March 13th, 2013Are Cover Letters Important? Yes. While some may argue that a cover letter is an “extra step”, I say it is an expected step when sending out your résumé. Outside of the fact that omitting the cover letter can be perceived as being lazy, we exist in a very competitive job-market, and a well-written cover [...]
What is President’s Day?
February 17th, 2013For some, Presidents’ Day is intended to honor all the American presidents, but most significantly George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Both considered important leaders of the United States and remembered for their unique contributions for shaping The Nation. Whether you are in job search mode or simply keeping your career materials up-to-date, I recommend that [...]
FREE Teleseminar: 7 Powerful LinkedIn Strategies for Your Successful Job Search in Today’s Job Market
January 3rd, 2013Monday, January 21st at 7:30 pm EST How to create a compelling LinkedIn profile to boost your visibility and land your dream job while spending less than 15 minutes a day… Are you in the middle of a job search and you feel overwhelmed by the idea of trying to get the attention of hiring [...]
Don’t Make These Mistakes On LinkedIn
November 23rd, 2012Don’t Dismiss LinkedIn as Something Only for People Who Are Looking For a New Job. The best time to build your LinkedIn profile, connect with people, and participate on LinkedIn is now, before you need it. If you find yourself suddenly unemployed and decide that now is the time to start using LinkedIn, you’re going [...]
How to Give — and Get — LinkedIn Recommendations
November 20th, 2012With LinkedIn becoming increasingly important in the recruiting and hiring process, having Recommendations on your profile is important. Great Recommendations can be the difference in getting the job offer. LinkedIn Recommendations are a natural evolution of references and letters of recommendation. However, they often are more credible than these traditional documents, because it is harder [...]
Tips for Your LinkedIn Profile Photo
November 16th, 2012Your profile photo on LinkedIn is very important. Did you know that profiles with pictures attract 50-70 percent more inquiries than profiles without pictures? Here are some tips for your LinkedIn photo: Don’t use an old photo. There are few things worse than meeting someone for the first time and not recognizing them because the [...]
LinkedIn Profile Checklist
November 13th, 2012Profiles that are considered “complete” by LinkedIn’s standards receive 40 more “opportunities” (contacts from prospective hiring managers and recruiters) than incomplete profiles, according to the social networking site. Filling in your profile improves your chances of being found by people searching for you specifically, or someone with your qualifications, credentials, and background. And that’s true [...]
4 Things You Must Do On LinkedIn
November 9th, 2012To get the most out of your LinkedIn profile, make sure you do these four things: Complete Your Profile.Your profile is the “front door” to your LinkedIn account. First impressions matter — so make sure you’ve made your profile as complete as possible. As an added benefit, your LinkedIn profile generally ranks high in Google [...]
7 Reasons Why You Should Be on LinkedIn
November 6th, 2012What? You’re not on LinkedIn yet? What are you waiting for? These seven reasons outline why you should be on the social networking site. Because That’s Where The People Are. LinkedIn is the number one social network for professionals — and, arguably, the most important website for jobseekers — with more than 150 million members [...]
Getting Started With LinkedIn In Your Job Search
October 30th, 2012Why Get LinkedIn? LinkedIn is the top social networking website for jobseekers. As Jeff Weiner, CEO of LinkedIn, explains it, “Post a full profile and get connected to the people you trust. Because if you’re connected to those people and you posted a profile, then when other people are searching for people, they might find [...]
Getting Started with Facebook in Your Job Search
October 26th, 2012With 845 million monthly active users (as of December 2011), Facebook has the potential to connect you with your next job. In contrast, LinkedIn, which bills itself as “the largest professional network” in the world, has 95 million unique monthly visitors. With 10 times as many members, it’s no wonder then that job seekers are [...]
Jobseeker’s Guide to Online Reputation Management
October 23rd, 2012When searching for a job, it’s very common for employers nowadays to look at your online profile. This information isn’t just used to “rule out” candidates — finding a broad online presence can also improve your chances of getting the job by increasing your “know, like, and trust” factor. What a company finds about you [...]
Jobseeker’s Guide to Salary Negotiation
October 19th, 2012Money is usually the most sensitive issue in the hiring process. Discussing compensation often causes anxiety for both employee and employer. Money may seem like the biggest factor in accepting a job, but it can often cloud your decision-making process. Don’t accept a job that you’re not enthusiastic about simply because the starting salary is [...]
Job Seeker’s Guide to References
October 16th, 2012“Résumés win interviews, but references win job offers,” says Martin Yate, author of the “Knock ‘Em Dead” series of career books. Reference checks are important for both job seekers and employers. References are a chance for employers to add to the information they learned from your résumé and in the interview — and what they find [...]
Jobseeker’s Guide to Leaving Your Job
October 12th, 2012Every few months, you’ll see an example in the news media of someone who left their job in dramatic fashion. Examples include the JetBlue flight attendant who famously deployed the emergency chute on the runway, or the Goldman Sachs executive who wrote a “Why I Am Leaving” article in the New York Times. These stories [...]
Jobseeker’s Guide to Writing an Effective LinkedIn Profile
October 9th, 2012Having an online presence on LinkedIn can be important in your job search. Your LinkedIn profile can present your credentials to prospective employers and hiring managers, increasing your chance of securing an interview. Your LinkedIn profile should complement your résumé, but it shouldn’t duplicate it directly. To have a strong online presence, you must be [...]
Jobseeker’s Guide to Preparing for the Job Interview
October 4th, 2012The goal of the résumé is to get you a job interview. Once you secure an interview, researching and preparing for the interview is important. Like studying for a test, some of the information you can prepare ahead of time — and some of it is important to review just to be better prepared in [...]
Do You Have Any Questions For Me? The Question Every Candidate Should Be Prepared to Answer In an Interview
October 3rd, 2012Job interviews aren’t meant to be an interrogation — they are supposed to be a dialogue. An interview is as much about making sure the company is a fit for you as it is that you are a fit for the company. Preparing for the Interview Before the interview, at a minimum, you should research [...]
What To Do Next With Your Résumé
October 2nd, 2012By investing in a professionally written résumé, you’re already positioned yourself ahead of other jobseekers. But don’t let that advantage go to waste. Now that you have your résumé, what should you do with it? This guide will give you strategies for what you can — and should — do with your résumé to maximize [...]
Common Résumé Myths and Mistakes
September 24th, 2012Check out Michelle Riklan’s article, “Common Résumé Myths and Mistakes”, featured in CMAA’s Back of the House blog.
Recent Graduates and Today’s Job Search – Part 3
September 11th, 2012How to Track and Plan Your Job Search Finding a job is a job. It requires time, dedication, research, homework, and an organized plan. So how do you get started? 1. Prepare your personal inventory. You are more than just your major. What do you have to offer? This may be a good time [...]
Recent Graduates and Today’s Job Search – Part 2
August 29th, 2012How to create a compelling marketing tool (resume) that will attract the attention of a potential employer. So often, recent graduates complain that they have “sent out hundreds of resumes” and have not received a response. While they are quick to blame the job-market, albeit a difficult one, they often do not consider the fact [...]
Recent Graduates and Today’s Job Search – Part 1
August 22nd, 2012As summer starts to wind down and our May graduates who have taken the summer off are hopefully starting to think about their careers, I am offering a career series of information to my readers. Often, I am contacted by desperate parents seeking assistance to get their recently graduated child out of the house and into the [...]
References Available Upon Request
August 2nd, 2012Whenever I see this line on a resume, I often scratch my head and say to myself “Really?” Well of course a candidate should make references available upon request. So, stating the obvious is a waste of time and adds absolutely no value to the document. I never put this line on a resume. However, [...]
It Happens
July 13th, 2012It happens! Sometimes we really prepare and the interview goes south, sometimes we didn’t give the interview the preparation that it deserved. Even if you really bombed the interview, that does not mean that all is lost and you should write off that opportunity. Wouldn’t it be better to leave that potential employer with a [...]
Your Resume: Save or Trash?
May 31st, 2012If your resume is not winning quality interviews – then consider that what you are sending out is ineffective. Your resume has approximately 6 seconds to make a lasting impression. 5-4-3-2-1. That’s it! Then it’s either in the trash can or in the “save” to call for an interview pile. Below are 3 quick questions [...]
Job Search Sabotage
May 18th, 2012So, you’ve just graduated from college and your about to start a job-search. Will your efforts be successful, or will you shoot yourself in the foot during the process? In July, 2011, statistics showed that the unemployment rate for bachelor’s degree graduates under the age of 25 was the highest on record; 13.1%. While it [...]
How Do I Get My Resume to Land on the Top of the Pile? (and to stay out of the trashcan) Tip # 7 – Don’t Waste My Time!
April 27th, 2012One of the biggest mistakes a person can make on their resume is wasting the reader’s time. When a recruiter or hiring manager has a stack 2 feet high of potential applicants, they do not want their time wasted. If your resume is not easy to navigate and does not get to the point quickly, [...]
How Do I Get My Resume to Land on the Top of the Pile? (and to stay out of the trashcan) Tip # 6 – Lack of Experience?
April 19th, 2012Parents of recent college graduates may ask why some students are successful procuring a position after college and others are not. Often, students are lacking needed skills and experience and this makes the difference. Classroom education is only one component of post-college preparation. If your student has buried his/her head in the books for 4 [...]
How Do I Get My Resume to Land on the Top of the Pile? (and to stay out of the trashcan) Tip # 5 – Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute!
April 10th, 2012Don’t let great job opportunities “pass you over;” hop to it! The last thing you want is to have a chance meeting with someone or get introduced to someone who asks for your resume and you are unprepared! Or, they say they will look you up on LinkedIn, and they can’t find you! Job searching [...]
How Do I Get My Resume to Land At the Top of the Pile? (and to stay out of the trashcan) Tip # 4 – Hobbies & Interests Section?
April 9th, 2012At one time, this was a standard feature. With the exception of the entry-level graduate (and then only if it is relevant to the job search), this section is not recommended. What does the potential employer think if you have listed your high golf-score or all of the volunteer work that you do at the [...]
How Do I Get My Resume to Land At the Top of the Pile? (and to stay out of the trashcan) Tip #3 – Professionalism
April 2nd, 2012Competition is fierce and professionalism is crucial for job-seekers! So how can we make sure that the resume reflects a professional image? Contact information needs to be clear and accurate. One designated phone number is best, and that number must have a professional voicemail (in your own voice), stating your name and asking for the [...]
How Do I Get My Resume to Land on the Top of the Pile? (and to stay out of the trashcan) Tip #2 – Less is Not Always More
April 2nd, 2012Length of the Resume Who told you that resumes must be 1 page? I rarely create a 1-page resume, and when I do, it is generally a recent graduate who has had little experience. If you have been in the workforce for more than a few years, then your resume will most likely be 2 [...]
How Do I Get My Resume to Land on the Top of the Pile? (and to stay out of the trashcan) Tip #1 – Cut and Paste?
April 2nd, 2012The Profile: Can someone else cut and paste what you wrote and put it on their resume? If the answer is yes, then it’s time to re-write your resume. A resume is a marketing tool. The #1 goal of a resume is to get an employer to call you and schedule an interview. Employers are [...]
Is Your Facebook Hurting Your Employment Opportunities?
March 25th, 2012The Associated Press published an interesting article this week entitled “Employers ask job seekers for Facebook passwords.” While some may say that they do not want to work for a company that is delving into their personal life, others are afraid that in this competitive job-market, they cannot afford to be turned down because they [...]
Hide and Seek – The Hidden Job Market
February 28th, 2012Do you spend all of your time scouring the job boards for a job and wonder why you can’t find one? Then it’s no wonder why you aren’t out there interviewing. (Companies hide the jobs, yet you continue seeking and not finding any.) The hidden job market is a term used to describe jobs that [...]
Matchmaker, Matchmaker, Make Me a Match!
February 14th, 2012As Valentine’s Day approaches, images of hearts, flowers, and Cupid come to mind. I have always thought of Cupid as an extraordinary Talent Acquisition Manager. After all, just think of some of the “job requisitions” that come across his desk! Are the position requirements realistic? I am reminded of the lyrics in Fiddler on the Roof’s infamous [...]
Interview Tip for the Suburban Job Seeker
February 10th, 2012Even if the interview went exceptionally well, applicant beware! If the person interviewing you offers to walk you to your car, they may have ulterior motives to basic courtesy. If your car is a mess, your potential employer may make a determination about your future work habits. Also, your car may be saying too much! [...]
Get Off Your “Buts”
January 30th, 2012According to a recent survey by CollegeGrad.com, entry-level jobs have increased by 22 percent from last year. That’s the highest percentage in 3 years. So, if you are a recent college graduate and have given up on finding that entry-level job, it is time to get off your “buts.” But, there are no jobs. But, [...]
Quantify Your Achievements
January 23rd, 2012Resume Tip Quantify your achievements. Numbers and percentages help to create a visual for your reader of how much value you offer. Which example sounds better? Increased Food and Beverage / banquet revenue OR Partnered with Executive Chef and increased banquet revenue by 75% within the first year. Captured an additional $750,000 in F&B revenue [...]
Fighting the Unemployment Blues and Staying Motivated
January 11th, 2012The national unemployment rate fell to 8.5%, the lowest in nearly 3 years. While we seem to be moving in the right direction, this is not a window of opportunity to “go easy” on your job search. It’s a time to become even more persistent and stay ahead of the competition! While being unemployed can [...]
New Year Career Resolutions
December 21st, 2011As the new year approaches, many of us are in “resolution” mode. What changes do we want to make for 2012? What commitments do we want to make for ourselves and for others? It is a great time to reflect on our careers, evaluate where we have been, and decide where we are heading. Here [...]
CAREER CHANGE – Do I Stay or Do I Go?
November 16th, 2011In difficult economic times and with the national unemployment average holding steady in the 9 percent range, making a career change may be a scary prospect. It is certainly not impossible, but the possibility must be approached strategically and realistically. Statistically, people change jobs 9 times during their lifetime and change careers 4 times. There [...]
A Proactive Job Search
October 5th, 2011A recent New York Times article states that “a growing share of recent college graduates are having to settle for jobs that do not require a college degree, and they are earning less than their peers as a result.” Statistics show that the employment status of college graduates under age 25 is as follows: 22.4% [...]
RESUME SPA TREATMENTS—Does Yours Need a Makeover?
August 17th, 2011What is a resume and why is it a critical document? A resume is a personal marketing tool with one purpose—to get you an interview. Statistically, a potential employer will take less than 20 seconds to scan your resume and determine if they will continue reading, place it on top of the pile for immediate [...]
THE BOOMERANG GENERATION – How can we help you?
June 27th, 2011So what exactly is a “Boomeranger?” In short, it is a term to describe Gen-Xers and Gen-Yers who have moved back home with parents and family, in response to the current recession. While this situation may provide financial relief for the young adult, there are many facets to this arrangement that need exploring. Often after [...]
Practice for your interview… and get the job offer.
June 9th, 2011You finally received a call for a potential position that sounds perfect. Preparing, you make several crisp copies of your résumé, check the route to the office, clean your car, get your favorite interview outfit from the cleaners, and dress yourself appropriately. You’ve spent hours researching the company, understanding the position and getting a solid [...]
Top 5 Ways to Sabotage Your Job Search
May 10th, 20111. Keeping it Quiet For whatever the reason, you are not putting yourself out there. Even if you have been laid off or fired, you need to network. It is the most effective way to find a new position. But, if no-one knows you are looking, no-one will call. 2. Not Searching at All I [...]
Dress for Success
February 16th, 2011We hear this phrase all too often, but what does it mean in today’s job market? How are we expected to dress for a networking event? Does it vary from a first interview? A second interview? How much impact does that first impression have and does it matter what you are wearing? The answer is [...]
Does Your Résumé Have Enough Gravy or is it a Dry Turkey?
November 24th, 2010As we prepare for the holiday season, I find myself comparing my work to feast preparations. Is there a difference between a well prepared holiday feast and a microwaveable frozen dinner in a box?
Interview Pre-Planning and Planning – Part 2
November 10th, 2010You’ve dressed appropriately, looking your best, carefully planned your route to arrive 15 minutes early. Your homework is done and you have a clear understanding of the positon, a solid overview of the company and you are ready to put your best foot forward. Now what?
Interview Pre-Planning and Planning – Part 1
October 26th, 2010We can never know for sure who will be sitting across from the desk and interviewing us for that dream job. A Recruiter? Hiring Manager? CEO? Human Resources? Are they an experienced interviewer? Have a clear understanding of the open position? Are they the gatekeeper or the decision maker? Since we do not know for sure, we cannot assume that we know what will be asked and how the interview will be conducted. Our best line of defense with the many unknowns of the job interview is “BE PREPARED”.
Common Resume Myths and Mistakes
September 11th, 2010If you ask 10 people what they think of your resume, you will get 10 different opinions. Resume writing is not an absolute process and must be individualized to best market the job seeker. There is no definitive or best way to write a resume. Every career counselor, recruiter and hiring manager will have his/her [...]
Publishing Opportunity: “101 Great Ways to Enhance Your Career”
August 9th, 2010Publishing Opportunity: “101 Great Ways to Enhance Your Career” Our new print book project on Career Enhancement is in motion! The working title for the book is: “101 Great Ways to Enhance Your Career” Briefly, we will incorporate 101 articles or short chapters from 101 Experts in career related industries. Each Expert will provide one [...]
Unemployment and Career Transitions, Challenges and Opportunities
August 9th, 2010The current national unemployment rate is 9.6%, with New Jersey equaling that number and being one of the highest state percentages in the nation. In the face of fierce competition for the available positions, perhaps it is a good time to evaluate options and explore opportunities. First, let’s address some of the key issues when [...]
“They Can Hear You in Your Pajamas”
July 1st, 2010(and taking the job search seriously) We live in a world today that brings a completely new meaning to “multitasking.” Potential employers call about our resume while we’re driving to the soccer field and deals are negotiated in the supermarket produce section. With virtual offices, tele-conferences, e-summits and Skype, we need to be aware of [...]
Returning to the Workforce
June 2nd, 2010People return to the workforce for many reasons: Stay at home parents are ready to resume or start a career. Financial changes have dictated a need. Retired persons are bored with retirement or need extra money. Business owners are looking for an opportunity to work for a company. Whatever the reason, hundreds of thousands of people are [...]
Job Seeking Tips For the College Grad
May 2nd, 2010New reports show that graduating college students have had 40% fewer job prospects and the outlook for 2010 is not much more promising. So what’s the new graduate to do? There are jobs out there. Now your job is to be the one who gets one! Know what you are selling and market it [...]
Interview Strategies
April 1st, 2010In the course of my career I have interviewed thousands of individuals seeking employment at all levels from the entry-level college graduate to the Chief Financial Officer. While my experience spans across a wide variety of industries, the interview mistakes that I’ve seen are constant. Once you have procured a meeting with a potential employer, [...]
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