Not only is looking for a job, a full time job in itself...it’s a SALES position!Now, if your profession is in Sales anyway, this is not earth shattering news to you and you’re likely to be approaching it that way.If, however, you’re not a Sales person, this may be very bad news to you...you may be saying:I’m not a Sales Person typeI don’t like SalesI’m not pushy enoughI’m not aggressive enoughI’m too honestI don’t have a p...

When is the right time to start negotiating the amount of an offer? And no matter what it is...it’s always better to ask for more...Isn’t it?One of the most common questions I come across from Job Seekers is how, and when, to negotiate an offer. As part of a Job Networking group, each time we present a topic on “Compensation Strategies” it becomes one of the best attended sessions. There seem to be many misconceptions of th...

There was a story on a popular Network TV News Magazine recently about people that are unemployed and decide to get plastic surgery to improve their chances of getting a job offer. They spend anywhere from $12,000 to $18,000 on tummy tucks, facelifts, breast reductions, or a myriad of other procedures in the hopes of looking more ‘hirable’ in some way. Does appearance really matter that much? May surgery really be necessary...

In an interview, are you a talker?Many people that can normally carry on great two-way conversations, talk way too much in an interview!Whether it's nerves, a compulsion to make sure the interviewer knows everything about them, or a false idea that they are supposed to dominate the interview, people often hurt their chances of progressing in the hiring process because of an overactive mouth.A good interview is a two-way str...

You just got laid off from your job (Ouch!), and getting ready to begin a new job search. Are you ready? What should you do first, and what tools will you need?Most people jump in, sending out resumes or contacting people unprepared. Usually they are ineffective, and sometime set themselves up to do real damage. Get yourself organized and make a plan before you begin and your efforts will be much more fruitful. Here are 13...

“I sent in a resume...” or “I had an interview...over a week ago and haven’t heard anything. Should I call to follow-up?” or “How much is too much when calling or emailing to follow-up?”I get asked this question in one form or another regularly, and my standard answer is: “It pays to be ‘Pleasantly Persistent’!”What’s that? It’s connecting multiple times in a way that draws them to you rather than giving them the urge to g...

Very common in today’s job market is an initial phone interview. As hiring companies get inundated with applicants, they save a great deal of time by screening out many ‘close fit’ candidates through an initial phone interview rather than having the person come in. Candidates often take these phone conversations lightly, assuming that if the company called, they will certainly bring them in. Phone interviews can be wrought...

The #1 most common first question asked in a job interview is also one of the most deadly. Right off the bat the interviewer gives the person a long length of rope which the interviewee very often uses to hang themselves! What’s that deadly question?“Tell me about yourself!”The question sounds innocent enough, even friendly. Technically, it’s not even a question really. It’s a statement. So what’s the problem? MANY people a...

No one actually checks references anymore, do they? Even if they did, my company can’t say anything negative about me because of the potential liability, right?Besides, who would list someone as a reference if it wasn’t a positive one anyway?These are some of the questions I hear from candidates from time to time. The truth is that references DO matter! Do you know what yours will say? Do you know how they will say it? You...

YES!EVERYBODY sends a Thank You note after an interview...Right? Wrong!Having been in the Employment Placement industry for 23 years, I’ve found that only around 10% to 20% of candidates actually send a Thank You note after an interview. And of those, fewer still send one after each interview at a company. Even though I coach all my candidates to send one after interviews I set up for them, only around half actually do it!...