Are you sending out resumes, and answering advertisements on company websites? Did someone tell you that you could upset and turn-off Human Resources if you bypass them? You have been “good” by following the “rules”. You say to yourself, “I’m perfect for the job.”You wait. It’s now weeks later and you’ve received no reply: “How can they miss my great background? If I could just get to the manager…”Here’s an important fact:...

“I just want a job” is a familiar refrain I hear at my presentations; usually from someone with gray hair. My reply is: “Apply at Costco, Home Depot or Target – and get at least 30 hours for the benefits”. You know how challenging the job market is out there. And you can only make it harder on yourself. In my work with Boomers, they may even know better but their execution is less than stellar – far less. The Nine Mistakes...

Are you sending out resumes answering advertisements on company websites? Did someone tell you that you could upset and turn-off Human Resources if you bypass them? You have been “good” by following the “rules”. You said to yourself, “I’m perfect for the job.” You wait. It’s now weeks later and you’ve received no reply: “How can they miss my great background? If I could just get to the manager…” Here’s an important fact: mo...

Note: This is a humorous look at what not to do in an interview. Interviews. It’s pressing the flesh and running for office. It’s a first date. It’s talking to a complete stranger. Sweat comes out of glands you didn’t know you had.Relax. It’s probably easier to just blow it off. If you want to know how to blow an interview, take any or all of the following actions:Don’t prepare. Your intention to be spontaneous is...

Are you sending out resumes answering advertisements on company websites? Did someone tell you that you could upset and turn-off Human Resources if you bypass them? You have been “good” by following the “rules”. You said to yourself, “I’m perfect for the job.”You wait. It’s now weeks later and you’ve received no reply: “How can they miss my great background? If I could just get to the manager…”Here’s an important fact: most...

I hated networking. And I was a high tech recruiter.To me it meant glad handing, selling, asking for a job (or a favor), bothering people, talking to total strangers, manipulating people, keeping score and it took a lot of nerve. For others I knew, it was looking needy or being ashamed that they are out of work.Then I realized that the world turned on relationships. Just like the long-term relationships I built in my per...

“The job search game has changed--has your strategy?”Welcome to the Global EconomyIn the last three years, productivity in the United States has increased dramatically (at a rate of around 6.8% per quarter), but where are the jobs? The recession was supposed to be over in the Fall of 2001, yet there is relatively little hiring. Earnings are on the rise but not sales. Demand for goods and services is relatively weak and GDP...

You’ve made it through several rounds of interviews. You have been notified that the company has made their choice. Congratulations! You have been chosen. Now it’s time to negotiate an offer that will make you feel good about working for the new company. You will be in good shape if you made the right moves from the beginning of The Odyssey of the Salary Offer. The Screening Process Much of the groundwork i...

Congratulations!You have accepted a new position. All of that work of looking for a job has paid off, handsomely. Take a breather. Now, it’s time to switch gears. Your next objective is to integrate yourself into the new organization. Day one--maintain old contactsSay thank you. Contact all the people who helped you get the new position. Often people don't make this effort because they feel they'll be in the new job for...

Remember the good old days? People used to return calls and email. When inquiring about a job, applicants used to ask, “What do you want?” One well-written resume fit every opportunity. Demand for people far exceeded supply. Conveniently, hiring companies did all the analysis to see if the applicant was a good fit for the job. All that the candidate had to do was just show up for the interview and answer the questions...