A recent Networking Roundtable for job seekers held at my office included a mix of people.There were those who kept bumping into the issue of “over qualified”, and felt that age was definitely an issue that was prolonging their job search.There was a recent university graduate and a community college student, both of whom lacked in the experience category and felt they missed out on jobs because they were “under qualified.”...

This is the time of year of when many job seekers make the mistake of dropping out of the job search. Time and again I hear, “Nobody gets hired during the holidays. I’m going to close up shop until after the new year.”The fact is, because so many people buy into this myth, your competition is greatly reduced, significantly increasing your chances of success.Here are three very good reasons for staying in the game during the...

So you have taken time off from your career to raise a family, pursue a personal goal, or assist an aging or ill family member. Now you are ready to go back to work and are concerned about how to handle the gap on your résumé.The goal of your résumé is to pique the interest of the reader. Use the tips below to create a marketing tool that makes the hiring manager focus on what you can deliver rather than the fact that you h...

Losing a job is a major life event. As difficult as this is for the individual getting laid off, the news of a downsizing can be equally devastating to the life partner.After all, his fate is directly tied to that of the job seeker and yet he has no control over how or when his partner will find employment. As the spouse of the job seeker, you may feel a desire to micromanage the situation. It is possible that you have a l...

While every age group has its career issues, today’s mid career professionals, those aged 50 and above, have been disproportionally affected by the changes in the economic environment. These folks are more likely to be laid off and often have a more difficult time rebounding after a job loss. I’ve identified five challenges facing mid career workers and offer suggestions for addressing them.Challenge #1: You’ve been caught...

Absolutely fabulous references are an under appreciated aspect of the job search. Typically, and perhaps rightfully so, a job seeker’s first concern is putting together an effective résumé. Compiling an “A” list of references is often an afterthought. And yet, when the pressure is on, references can make or break you. Wise job hunters put some thought into their choice of references.Who should be on your reference list?Here...

Are you ready to get hired NOW? Is it finally time to put those job hunting blues behind you? Start with these seven ideas for reinvigorating your search. You CAN beat job search burn out!1. Diagnose the situation as if you were looking in from the outside. Are you effectively using the tools and resources that are at your fingertips? Are you headed in the right direction? Are you moving swiftly enough or are you dragging y...

We’ve all heard it before: “Just get out there and network!” If it was that easy, we would already be doing it. So why is it so hard? Well, you’re an introvert, aren’t you? Enough said. However, unless the prospect of not meeting your business goals excites you, you have to get out there and connect with people who don’t know you but who could benefit from your products and services. Below are a baker’s dozen tips to help y...

Are you doing what you love to do? Does your work have meaning? What's your mission? Do you have a calling? Growing up in the Midwest I knew a few people who had a calling - they were destined to be doctors, lawyers, or members of the clergy. The rest of us were destined to have jobs. Hoo boy, what fun!Today that has changed. As a career coach, I often work with clients who are at crossroads in their life. Sometimes it is t...

Marketing yourself as an expert is one of the smartest approaches to job hunting you can take any time but especially in a tight job market. Experts, after all, have something hiring managers want – knowledge, skills, and expertise. Job hunters want something - namely, a job. When you establish yourself as an expert you validate your credibility and increase your desirability. Unfortunately most individuals in the job mar...