When the envelope arrived in my mail, I felt my stomach tighten. I had turned my paper in to my graduate school advisor late, and I thought, “Well, I did the best I could under the circumstances. I probably will have a lot of critical … Read more about You Get What You Expect. Why Not Expect an ‘A’?
Not getting noticed? Think like an artist.
I approached my art table the other evening with a strong urge to make something. I knew there was something that needed expression, but nothing emerged in my brain. Instead of abandoning the enterprise, I looked at what I had already been … Read more about Not getting noticed? Think like an artist.
Job Search Stalled? Try the Buddy System
Picture this: You are in kindergarten. The class is going on a walk, away from the classroom, and your teacher assigns each student a “buddy,” so no one gets lost. Imagine on your first day in third grade, your teacher pairs you with a current … Read more about Job Search Stalled? Try the Buddy System
Resume Not Working? You Are Overlooking This.
Once upon a time not very long ago, I wanted a certain job. I knew there would be competition. I knew I had to stand out. There would be lots of people with my skills interested in the role. So, I did what most people do: I revised my … Read more about Resume Not Working? You Are Overlooking This.
The Hiring System is Broken (a story we tell ourselves)
I’m going to say something that might not be popular with my readers: If you are not getting a job offer, it is time to consider that you might be the problem. There, I said it. I felt I had to say something, because I see so much posted … Read more about The Hiring System is Broken (a story we tell ourselves)
How do I answer Those Tricky Interview Questions?
You probably wonder sometimes when you’re talking to employers, “Why are they asking me that?” Because sometimes the questions seem so, well…canned, or in some cases, disconnected from anything practical.It’s not done to throw you off. I … Read more about How do I answer Those Tricky Interview Questions?
How to Find the Hiring Manager When It Seems Hopeless
You found a great job online. You want to apply. Trouble is, you don’t want to get lost in the crowd of applicants. You know that many people will have at least your base qualifications, and though your resume is terrific (you got a … Read more about How to Find the Hiring Manager When It Seems Hopeless
How do I talk About My Mistakes?
There’s a certain terror that strikes when you make a mistake at work and can’t fix it fast enough. Take this nursing student, whose story was part of an article on the Cosmopolitan UK website: "I worked on a care of the elderly ward. I tried … Read more about How do I talk About My Mistakes?
Should I Hire a Resume Writer?
A lot of people think that hiring a resume writer is a waste of time and money. Ok. I get it. It seems like one of those things that you could just do yourself. I mean, what's the big deal? It's just a list of what I did in my various jobs. A … Read more about Should I Hire a Resume Writer?
How to Fight Ageism in Your Job Search
It's both exciting and dizzying to stand on the edge of an unwritten future. Yet, when I meet a college graduate who is just diving into the opportunities awaiting them, I am excited for them! Some days I would give anything to stand there again … Read more about How to Fight Ageism in Your Job Search
As Luck Would Have It, You Just Might Get an Offer
When I coach people in career transition, I emphasize control. I say that there are things you can control, like your own responses to job postings or answers to interview questions. You can control how you reach out to a contact and how you choose … Read more about As Luck Would Have It, You Just Might Get an Offer
Lacking Motivation to Look for a Job? The solution may be very close by.
Many career experts compare looking for a job to dating. And it’s true. You are looking for a great relationship and sometimes it takes a while to find it. But I got to thinking: There’s one relationship that often gets overlooked. I’m … Read more about Lacking Motivation to Look for a Job? The solution may be very close by.
You are the Artist Who Creates Your Job Search Tools
I get frustrated when I bake. I can read the recipe. I can see how much flour and how many eggs I need to use. I can measure the salt. I have the right utensils and pans. But I can’t always get the result I was hoping for. Cookies burn. … Read more about You are the Artist Who Creates Your Job Search Tools
Taking the Mystery Out of Networking
I moved to a different state 2.5 years ago. It was a sudden decision. My husband had been out of work for more than half a year, and we began to realize that his prospects would brighten if we relocated. So, he broadened his search, and here we … Read more about Taking the Mystery Out of Networking
Think of Yourself as Jazz Musician
I live in Rochester, NY, and we just finished the annual International Jazz Festival. It’s a highlight of our region, featuring famous and not-so-famous, extraordinarily talented musicians. It opened with concerts by Bonnie Raitt and Pat … Read more about Think of Yourself as Jazz Musician