“I’m burned out,” Nerissa says. “I’m tired and out of ideas for finding a job. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong and I’m not sure what to do next.” Job search burnout is all too common, especially with the average length of unemployment stretching beyond the six month mark. Nerissa has been out of work 14 months and she, like many, is discouraged, worn out and unsure of her next steps. The solution is emotional care along with tactical steps to re-energize and re-ignite a stagnant job search. Read More
Breaking Through Long Term Unemployment
Long term unemployment is a serious concern these days. Research shows the longer someone is out of work, the more difficult it is to find a new job. Today, how three people struggled with long term unemployment, and the turning points that got each of them back to work. Read More
Lose the Bitterness, Get the Job
Bitterness is perhaps the least attractive trait a person can exhibit. It fouls conversations, taints relationships and will certainly harm your job search. It’s nearly impossible to keep bitterness hidden. If you feel it, your bitterness shows. And, when it does, it poisons everything around it. Read More
Is Your Appearance Hurting Your Job Search?
Are your looks stopping you from getting hired? A recent AARP report noted older job seekers resorting to orthodontics, plastic surgery and more, in hopes that looking better will get them hired. As we reported in “Do Looks Matter?”, appearance is rated the third most important factor in hire decisions following qualifications and confidence. That means confidently bringing out your qualifications should take you further than Botox. But clearly, appearance is a factor. Read More
Sharing Your Network with Your Partner
For job seekers, growing a strong network is a top priority. If your partner is out of work, one of the best ways to help is to offer to share your network. Those who are not currently working, such as stay-at-home parents, may feel they don’t have much of a network to share. Here are some ways to uncover and share your network even if you’re not currently working outside the home. Read More
Successful Job Search in Today’s Economy
Jobs and employment are very much in the news. President Obama focused on the issue of job creation and the challenges of unemployment in his State of the Union address. Time Magazine has declared a year-long focus on jobs. There are mixed reports on unemployment numbers and jobs recovery, but a survey Read More
2011 Job Search Restart
Out with the old, in with the new! Whether you are just starting your job search, looking for a fresh beginning or, the time is right to bring new energy, strategy and tactics to your search. Here’s what is working in your favor:
- Hiring picks up in January
- The economy is showing signs of recovery and job creation
- The New Year often brings new optimism and excitement
Where to begin?
Keeping Age Out of Your Job Search
Mature workers are sometimes concerned that their age may prevent them from getting hired. The reality is that age alone is very rarely a reason for eliminating a job candidate. Hiring managers are always looking for the best person to get the job done. Age is irrelevant if capability, likability and fit are all strong. When applying and interviewing:
Baseball’s Lessons for Job Seekers
Baseball’s World Series is an exciting celebration of the sport known as America’s Pastime. It marks the end of a long, hard-fought season played out on fields and in stadiums across the country. Believe it or not, baseball holds a number of great lessons for job seekers:
Social Media 101 for Job Seekers
Many job seekers, especially mature workers, struggle to understand the role social media can play in a successful job search. Back in the day, resumes were printed and sent by mail and jobs were found in the local paper. Today it’s Twitter, LinkedIn and more. Ignoring these “new fangled” methods can greatly hinder a job search. So, for those of us born before 1970 (and some of you born after) here’s a quick rundown of the most important social media channels for your job search.