What to Do Before You Start a Job Search

Sometimes, we change jobs because we want to. In other cases, we lose our job and don’t have a choice. I actually made my best career moves when I was pushed, by company restructuring one time and company bankruptcy another, into job searching. In both cases, it was a positive change that might not have happened otherwise.  In either case, it’s important to take the time to prepare for a job search, so all the resources you need are in place...

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5 Reasons Your Resume Should Always Be Ready

According to Merriam Webster, the word prepare means to make ready beforehand for some purpose, use, or activity. We prepare ahead and get ready for a lot of events in life, such as the birth of a baby, our children’s college tuition, unexpected emergencies, and retirement. However, many professionals do not even think about their resume until they decide to look for a job.  The reality is people change jobs often, with most spending...

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How to Handle Work-From-Home Burnout

If you drive a car hard, foot flat on the accelerator, then slam on the brakes, then accelerate quickly, the car will break down faster than if you accelerate/decelerate smoothly and service the car regularly. The same theory applies to our bodies – specifically, our adrenal glands.  Why We Get Burned Out In today’s challenging work environment, too many people have been spending long periods of time in overdrive, with their foot flat on the...

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Personality Tests for Jobs

Have you been asked to take a personality assessment by a prospective employer? A relatively new addition to the world of talent acquisition is asking job seekers and employees to take personality tests. Those unfamiliar with how personality tests work often feel anxiety over the prospect of a new set of ambiguous criteria. But there’s really no need to fear, as personality tests can provide benefits for employees and job seekers alike.  You...

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How to Get Ready for a Job Interview

The old saying that “practice makes perfect” is appropriate when it comes to interviewing. If it doesn’t make you perfect, it will, at least, help you interview effectively. Don’t start getting ready late the night before the interview. Take time in advance to prepare for your interview.  If you have a family member or friend who will spend some time helping you, ask them to ask you some typical interview questions. The more you practice answering,...

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How to Choose the Best References

What’s almost as important as your resume and cover letter, and much more likely to slip your mind during the job search process? Finding references who can attest to your skills, experience, and performance on the job. To get the most out of your job references, make sure you select people who will make a compelling case on your behalf. The best choices include former colleagues—including managers, coworkers, and direct reports—and clients, vendors,...

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Cover Letter Basics: Writing and Formatting Cover Letters

Do you need to send a cover letter with your resume? It’s not an absolute requirement unless the employer requests one, but your cover letter may be what makes the difference when it comes to your resume ending up in the “no” pile or the “interview” pile. Like your resume, a cover letter only gets seconds to make an impression. So, you need to get the employer’s attention fast.  Tip: In order to get your cover letter noticed, you will need...

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Resume Basics: Writing and Formatting Your Resume

Your resume is the most important document you will use in your job search. Your resume is what makes the first impression on a prospective employer. It will either get you an interview or get you a rejection letter, if you even get a response. The resume you send has only seconds to make an impression on the person reading it. You will want that impression to be not just a good one, but a great one. Your resume needs to be the one that makes the...

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