Don’t go into business because you need a job  – Go into business because you want to be in business.  Work at getting a job if you what you REALLY want is a job!It's about that time of year when job seekers, who began their searches with great zest and zeal at the beginning of the year, grow tired and discouraged.  They’ve been at it a long time, working hard, and despite all

A 1st impression . . . is a lasting impression . . . if not a last impression.It’s an old familiar saying, and an important concept for job seekers to really grasp.Why?Because . . . First impressions count.  First impressions can make or break your prospects for getting hired.Pay attention to the "cover" you project!Don’t judge a book by its cover . . . we are told,  But --. . . we

If you're talking, you're interviewing . . . when it comes to finding a job!  So act accordingly.Treat every conversation, and the information you reveal, as if it could lead to an interview.It's an important concept to grasp if you want to be successful quicker in your search for a new position or new role. Keep the following 3 key precepts in mind as you talk with folks about your job search:Be

Job Seeker:  “I’ve applied to over 100 companies, and not one person has gotten back to me.  What am I doing wrong?"Career Coach: “Well, that’s 1 Point of Contact.  5 to go.”               Or . . . Job Seeker:  “Well, I did what you said.  I went to the Job Fair, and followed up with everyone

Way too often, we still see candidates for jobs submitting resumes that go on and on and on and . . . . . .  6 or 7 pages is not uncommon. These lengthy resumes as often as not also contain big blocks of paragraphs, filled with technical jargon and acronyms, in 8 or 9 point type, that are daunting to get through.The problem . . . .Even for the most skilled readers of resumes  -- 

"Hope is not a sales strategy"   . . . . . . .   Nor is it a job search strategy!"Hope is not a sales strategy," stated author Peter Finkelstein, head of sales strategy, Barrett Consulting.  In an article in Entrepreneur.com, he offered thoughts for waging effective sales campaigns.  However, his advice also applies to job seekers who, as youas you now really know, are in

People Buy Benefits.   It’s true for selling . . .   -  a car,   - a house,   - a computer,   - an ink pen, or . . . .   - yourself to a prospective employer!And, what is the most frequent problem I see when it comes to job seekers’ written and verbal presentations of themselves?No benefits.  A lack of the very thing that can

Still make New Year's Resolutions?  If you do, you have lots of company.  Millions make them, fewer achiever them.  What makes the difference?  Following up your wishes - your resolutions - with action steps and deadlines.Sounds like goal setting, doesn't it?  In fact, it is. Making a resolution, and then figuring out what you have to do, and how you have

I often ask job search workshop groups I'm speaking to: “Have you ever been in sales?”       A few hands will go up.   I then ask the group:  How many of you ARE in sales?  Again, a few hands go up.I then ask:   How many of you are looking for a job?       As the light bulb goes on, all hands go up.And I say, “Well,

If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you always got!This simple truth works for many things in life - your job search too! As the year winds down, and the holiday events you attend become fewer, take some time to review your job search activity to figure out where you can do a better job in order to achieve your goal -- a new job!  Before jumping into 2014 with a continuation