Follow-up is key to a successful job search.  So follow-up a rejection with a fact-finding phone call --  yes, . . . even when you did not get the job!If you recently interviewed for and lost a job you really wanted, follow-up the rejection with a phone call. Choose a person to call with whom you felt a rapport.  This could be a representative in Human Resources, the hiring manager,

Didn't get the job?  Came in second choice?  What do you do?      Write a thank you to the employer who rejected you. "Are you kidding me?" you ask.  "Why would I write a letter to an employer who just rejected me?"       Because you might just end up with the job anyway - that's why! Over the years of coaching job seekers, I have had this

Thanks for the interview.        Thanks for the great tip on who's hiring!   Thank you for the helpful article.      Thank you for taking the time to meet with me. Thanks for the referral.        Thank you for the useful information. Thank you for inviting me to attend the _____ Association meeting as your guest. Make

Thanks for the interview! Follow-up every interview with a thank you letter.  Send thank you's following initial phone screens, first-level phone interviews, video interviews, and in-person interviews.  No exceptions!     Your thank you letter is not a dissertation.  What it is is one last opportunity to state  --  and sell  --  your capabilities

Treat every conversation like it's an interview! Question:  When does interviewing begin?   Answer:  Any time you open your mouth and begin talking  --   if you are looking for a job! Many job seekers believe they are only interviewing when they are sitting across from a hiring manager or HR recruiters.  Not true. When you are looking for a job, any time

Have you been on the market for a while, searching for a position since summer, spring, or since 2013 began?  Even before that? Fall is here.  It's a good time to . . . . . Rev up your search! Fall . . . .  Following the passing of Labor Day, job seekers get serious about finding a new job before the year is over. . . . . .  Why?Because, companies and organizations also get

Has your job search gone nowhere?      Submitting lots of applications, sent lots of resumes, but no interviews?          Feeling discouraged and beaten up by a non-productive search?                Confused and bewildered about what to do now?               

Thank You Letters  – Send thank you letters to everyone who assists you in your search.      I repeat . . . . EVERYONE!   Thank you letters should ALWAYS be sent following any helpful interaction, including interviews.  Use a formal format, if you are sending a typed standard letter, or a less formal format for an e-mail or a hand-written note-card. Your

Your network is wider than you think.   You know more than 9 people! When I sit down to begin work with a new client, one of the things we always discuss right up front is networking.  This critical skill is at the core of finding new positions, since the majority of jobs come through networking.  I ask clients to create a networking plan, which begins with them identifying

Below is a template showing how to write a cover letter in 8 steps.  This format shows an alternative to the traditional paragraph style for a cover letter.  It uses a 2-column style of presenting qualifications in Step 5.   This alternative style cover letter is preferred by some recruiters and human resource professionals because it makes their job easier!  It makes