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Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Useful Resources for Job Hunting

This morning, I was live on SIRIUS XM taking career questions on job hunting strategy.  I hit on several key resources for those looking for work in case you missed it:

RESUME & INTERVIEW RESOURCES:

--ResumesDoneWrite.com - For those looking for a professional resume writer, Debra Wheatman can help.  Deb and I worked together at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia where she was a recruiter.  From Deb I've learned that every well-written resume has a summary section (a compelling statement about who you are and what you do) and a core skills section (with the key competencies you posses that make you a great fit for the job.)

--Cover Letters - If you want to write a great cover letter, check out this NY Times article called, "A Cover Letter is Not Expendable."  You'll learn that sending a hard-copy second submission of your resume and cover letter can increase your chances of landing an interview.

JOB HUNTING RESOURCES FOR THOSE WHO WANT FLEXIBILITY: 

--Momcorps.com - staffing firm specializing in contingency, project and permanent positions for talented professionals looking for a flexible corporate work environment.

--FlexibleExecutives.com - catering to flexible career opportunities for people in various fields from marketing, to human resources, to finance, law and project management to name a few.

Comment below on your job hunting experience and share any useful job hunting resources you've found.  And if you've been struggling with your job search, don't go it alone.  I can help with one-on-one coaching or by answering your question live on  my SIRIUS XM radio show every Wednesday at 4pm EST.  Just call in at 1-866-675-6675 and get specific advice for your situation.  

If your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt! - Henry J. Kaiser

 

Posted by maggie at 3:37 PM
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Saturday, September 12, 2009

Five Unexpected Tips for Your Next Interview

From FlickrBesides the normal pleasantries of dressing the part, having a copy of your resume, being on time and prepared for the standard "why should I hire you" questions, keep in mind these key tips in your next interview…

  1. Ask questions.  Recently on Making a Living I interviewed Executive Pastry Chef Matthew Peterson from Café Boulud, Palm Beach.  He mentioned that when he takes on new people in his kitchen and they don’t ask ?’s in the first few hours, he tells them to go home. 
  2. Remember- an interview is as much about them liking you as you liking them. To find out more about your employer ask if they conduct employee satisfaction surveys and if you can see recent results.
  3. Take notice of further ways to connect with the interviewer.  Look around and notice a picture, a poster, a painting, a screen saver or even paper-weight that you can relate to.  Ask a question about it and connect with the interviewer on another level.  I have a client who asked the interviewer if he was a NY Rangers fan after seeing a Stanley Cup photo framed on the wall. Being a Rangers fan himself, the interviewee immediately made a deeper connection with the interviewer.
  4.  Find a signature piece for your interview outfit/suit.  Wear something that means something to you.  It could be a special pair of cufflinks (men) or an heirloom broach (women).  Also whenever possible, make sure to incorporate an item from the company’s line of clothing or accessories.  I knew a women who interviewed at Coach who made sure she got a new Coach bag for the occasion. 
  5. Go beyond your resume.  If you’re in the interview, the search engine already found all the right key words on your resume.  Now is your opportunity to make what you did on that resume comes alive in the conversation–make it like a movie that someone wants to watch.  Be animated and excited about your story and you will create a more compelling interview.  

What advice helped you in your last interview?  Share your comments and questions.  It's time to stop hunting for a job and start landing the job you really want!

 (Photo courtesy of Flickr)

Posted by maggie at 11:50 PM
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Monday, January 12, 2009

Guest Post: Important Reminder About Your Resume

Given that many of us are updating our resumes to keep up in this dynamic economy, what a fitting time for a reminder on resume ethics. This one comes compliments of TJ Hanson, Associate Editor of the Digital Student Blog on GoCollege.com ...

When it comes to your resume, think twice about embellishing your past experiences.

One of the key elements in the job search process is to put together a well-polished resume. But no matter how attractive it may appear, a student’s experiences and accomplishments are the critical factors that set the stage for a potential interview and the possibility of a job offer.

Because of this fact, job seekers cannot afford to be too modest. They must sell themselves in the most positive manner possible, finding ways to make those experiences and accomplishments jump off the page.

Posted by maggie at 9:28 PM
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Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Tune into CNN Today at 2:30pm eastern and Learn What To Do When You're Out of a Job

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to share career advice on CNN and get a positive message across that real opportunities do exist for everyone even in trying times.

I'll be back on CNN today (Tues Dec 16th) at 2:30pm eastern on CNN Newsroom with Kyra Phillips. I'll be covering the Do's and Don'ts of Coping with a Layoff and Landing a New Job.

Here are some highlights if you've found yourself out of work whether for a week or several months:

--Make sure your resume communicates your fit for the job. Many companies use technology to sift through resumes so it's important to make sure industry relevant key words are included in your resume such as important software skills. If you haven't been getting "hits" with your resume, perhaps it's time to get a professional service like www.ResumeDeli.com to optimize the language you are using.

Posted by maggie at 9:44 AM
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Saturday, December 13, 2008

Tune in for My Career Q&A on CNN Today, 5-6pm Eastern

Tune in to CNN today, Sunday Dec 14th from 5-6pm eastern for my career Q & A with Alina Cho. Here are some of the important career topics we'll be discussing:

Q: What key steps does it take to rebrand yourself?
A:
Soul Search - focus not only on a paycheck but also on the career opportunities that fit your passions, talents and interests
Research - test out your new career by talking to others already in the job (informational interview) and act "as if" by volunteering or job shadowing in the new role

Posted by maggie at 8:13 PM
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