Blog - Ruth Sternberg, Confident Career Search

The Answer is Within You

Filed Under: Boosting My Confidence, Find Your Professional Direction, How do I Feel More Confident?, Imposter Syndrome, Master Your Mindset

Listen. Right now, sit still (maybe close your eyes) and listen to what is going on around you. What do you hear? Is it urban traffic? Birds? Is someone mowing a lawn? After a few minutes, shift your attention to yourself. Sense your feet, … Read more about The Answer is Within You

Stuck on Interview Prep? Ask an Actor

Filed Under: Boosting My Confidence, Essential Job Search Tactics, how do I answer interview questions?, How do I Feel More Confident?, How to Handle a Job Interview

The other night I had the pleasure of listening to a bunch of actors audition for a play. I’m stage managing the show, which basically means I’m in charge of logistics, and I was assisting the director in checking people in and collecting their … Read more about Stuck on Interview Prep? Ask an Actor

You Already Know How

Filed Under: Boosting My Confidence, Essential Job Search Tactics, Job Search, Resume Writing Tips

I work with job seekers in many different fields. You all are an impressive bunch! You have helped your companies make massive shifts by solving complex problems, unclogging sluggish systems, and making new and fruitful business … Read more about You Already Know How

In a Job Quandary? Listen to Your Body

Filed Under: Boosting My Confidence, Find Your Professional Direction, Master Your Mindset

Fifteen days ago, I rolled over in bed and my world turned upside down. The walls were moving, and as though I were on a ship during a gale, they did not easily come to rest. I had vertigo. Again. This happens to me periodically. When it … Read more about In a Job Quandary? Listen to Your Body

Nothing is Something

Filed Under: Boosting My Confidence, Essential Job Search Tactics, How do I Feel More Confident?, Master Your Mindset

So, you’re in a job search. And you’re burned out. You can’t read one more posting, can’t write one more LinkedIn message, read one more company website, or respond to one more email. Here’s some advice: Stop. Do nothing. Go get an … Read more about Nothing is Something

Three Words Can Change Your Career Trajectory

Filed Under: Boosting My Confidence, Find Your Professional Direction, How to Answer: "Tell Me About Yourself?", Interview Like a Pro, Master Your Mindset, Your Resume and Personal Marketing

Imagine you are in front of a hiring manager. This is your golden opportunity to present your case for candidacy. It’s what you’ve been waiting for. You finally get your chance to explain why you are the best person for the job because of your … Read more about Three Words Can Change Your Career Trajectory

Your Discomfort May Have a Simple Answer

Filed Under: Find Your Professional Direction, How do I Feel More Confident?, Identifying Transferable Skills

A client came to me with a big problem. She was exhausted by her job. She excelled in every aspect. Her boss appreciated it. However, this meant she was asked to do more and more, without additional compensation and without assistance. Her team … Read more about Your Discomfort May Have a Simple Answer

Hearing Nothing Back? This may help.

Filed Under: Boosting My Confidence, Essential Job Search Tactics, Get an Interview, Ghosted by Recruiters, How do I Feel More Confident?, Job Search, networking

People share that they have applied for hundreds of jobs, but so far have had no success in getting interviews. Then I see samples of resumes. “How can I improve this?” the posters ask. I want to respond (and I often have) in two related … Read more about Hearing Nothing Back? This may help.

You Get What You Expect. Why Not Expect an ‘A’?

Filed Under: Boosting My Confidence, How do I Feel More Confident?, Imposter Syndrome, Master Your Mindset

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.

Filed Under: Boosting My Confidence, Find Your Professional Direction, Get an Interview, How do I Feel More Confident?, Identifying Transferable Skills, Imposter Syndrome, Job Search, Master Your Mindset, Resume Writing Tips, Your Resume and Personal Marketing

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

Filed Under: Boosting My Confidence, Essential Job Search Tactics, Job Search, Master Your Mindset

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.

Filed Under: Essential Job Search Tactics, Get an Interview, how do I answer interview questions?, How do I Feel More Confident?, How to Handle a Job Interview, Interview Like a Pro, Job Search, Your Resume and Personal Marketing

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)

Filed Under: Essential Job Search Tactics, Get an Interview, Ghosted by Recruiters, Job Search, Master Your Mindset

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?

Filed Under: Boosting My Confidence, Get an Interview, how do I answer interview questions?, How to Answer: "Tell Me About Yourself?", How to Handle a Job Interview, Interview Like a Pro, Job Requirements, Job Search, Skills

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

Filed Under: Boosting My Confidence, Essential Job Search Tactics, Find the Hiring Manager, Find Your Professional Direction, Get an Interview, Ghosted by Recruiters, Hear from the Experts, Job Search

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?

Filed Under: Boosting My Confidence, how do I answer interview questions?, How to Handle a Job Interview, Imposter Syndrome, Interview Like a Pro, Job Requirements, Job Search, Skills, Uncategorized

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?

Filed Under: Get an Interview, Hear from the Experts, Hire a Resume Writer, Job Search, Resume Writing Tips, Skills, Your Resume and Personal Marketing

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

Filed Under: Essential Job Search Tactics, Fighting Ageism, Find Your Professional Direction, Get an Interview, Identifying Transferable Skills, Imposter Syndrome, Job Requirements, 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

Anxiety is Actually a Superpower

Filed Under: Boosting My Confidence, How do I Feel More Confident?, How to Handle a Job Interview

Imagine if, instead of dreading interview anxiety, you saw it as your unexpected ally.David Rosmarin, who founded an anxiety treatment center, suggests that shifting how we view anxiety might reveal strengths we didn’t know we had. In Thriving … Read more about Anxiety is Actually a Superpower

Ditch the Label, Find New Paths

Filed Under: Boosting My Confidence, Find Your Professional Direction

Oscar Wilde is credited with saying, “If you know what you want to be, then you inevitably become it. That is your punishment. But if you never know, then you can be anything.” I love this because it points to something fundamental about humans: … Read more about Ditch the Label, Find New Paths

Take the Stage (or attend that event) and Make Your Own Luck

Filed Under: Boosting My Confidence, Find the Hiring Manager, Get an Interview, Job Search, Master Your Mindset

Once upon a time, a young actor had a role in a stage drama. The reviews were good, but the actor felt that he didn’t fit the role. It didn’t match his natural acting style, which was more physical and expressive. He was getting frustrated. And … Read more about Take the Stage (or attend that event) and Make Your Own Luck