Do you need a new job search strategy for the new year? Companies are hiring, but you need to stand out from the crowd if you want to win an interview, and ultimately, the job. Suggested methods of standing a head above the rest differ depending on whom you ask. As with anything related to job search strategies, there are many correct approaches; it is up to each job seeker to identify an authentic, strategic way to job sea...

If you’re thinking of a career transition, especially if you are close to the traditional retirement years, there are many issues you’ll want to consider before making a move. During this transition, consider: are you actually in the sunrise stage of your career? A New York Times article by Eileen Zimmerman outlines a variety of questions to consider for people considering retiring: Zimmerman quotes David D. Corbett, found...

It’s a good idea to keep an eye on where your career is going — otherwise, you’ll never end up where you want to be! Are you thinking of making a change? How are you planning to get from where you are to your target opportunity? Civic Ventures, a think tank on boomers, work and social purpose, reports 9 million people ages 44 to 70 are already in encore careers (careers AFTER doing something else for a number of years — or...

What do you want to do when __________? Fill in the blank. The question is typical for many life stages. We remember being asked, “What do you want to do when you grow up?” when we were younger – too young to really know what to say. Admit it — was “superhero” on your list? Certainly, it’s a valuable question to consider after high school and upon graduating from college. It makes sense for anyone laid off of a job to re-vi...

Is job hopping an issue for job seekers? This was another of Quint Careers’ questions for those of us selected as “Career Masterminds” as part of their 15-year anniversary celebration. This was my reply: I attended an event hosted by iRelaunch, and a panel of hiring managers and recruiters discussed this question. Most agreed they liked to know why people changed from job to job; if the candidate appeared to be a job-hopper...

When you are looking for a job, it’s important to demonstrate what makes you unique. How (and why) are you different from every other, similarly qualified job seeker? How to best present your credentials (via a resume, online profile, or your personal website) is a hot topic in the career world. Options for Standing OutRecently, several sites have come on the scene to help job seekers create infographic resumes. These compl...

Best advice for baby boomers who want to change careers? As one of Quintessential Careers Career Masterminds, I contributed responses to this and other questions they asked as part of their anniversary celebration. Here is my answer: Changing careers is more a norm today than ever before. However, higher than normal unemployment means there are many more job-seekers applying for each job, and many have exactly the type of s...

Some people believe this time of the year is not the ideal time to be in job search mode. Conventional wisdom suggests everyone is too busy delving into the holiday season to focus on identifying and securing new candidates. Whether or not you subscribe to the “holidays are slow for hiring” theory, there’s no doubt it is an opportune time to take advantage of networking. Parties and informal gatherings offer numerous chance...

How can you actively job search and network, even when you are already over-scheduled and employed in a full-time job? As one of Quintessential Careers Career Masterminds, I contributed responses to this and other questions they asked as part of their anniversary celebration. Here is my answer: Looking for a job is a full-time job itself. When you already have a full-time job, it’s even more important to leverage social-net...

One of the fastest ways to lose a job opportunity is by submitting a resume with typos or spelling errors. In a competitive market where employers have a choice of qualified candidates, many hiring managers toss out error-laden resumes and choose the most perfect documents to review. It can be difficult, even for the most skilled writer, to proofread his or her own resume. It’s easy to overlook mistakes, especially those n...