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-netwo...

One of the biggest mistakes job seekers make is thinking their resume is about THEM. They want to wax eloquent about all of the things they’ve done (the laundry list) and hate to leave out a single thing. Take a few steps back…How much of the information you are including in your resume is relevant or interesting to your target audience — the employer you want to hire you now? How much jargon from your old job does your *ne...

Two construction workers sat down to lunch. Worker #1 took out his turkey sandwich and eagerly started eating. Worker #2 tentatively opened his first sandwich. Examining it, he exclaimed, “Yuck, peanut butter,” and tossed it aside. Reaching in for his second sandwich, he opened it, and carefully peeled open the bread to examine the contents. “Yuck, peanut butter again!” he cried, with a dismayed look. Worker #1 asked, “Why...

How often are you assuming too much? It’s something you need to think about when you’re engaged in a job hunt.There’s a plant sale in a neighborhood near where I live. I’ve been seeing signs for it. They say, “At the Kingsly Club House.” That’s the only direction or address the signs provide. I guess we’re supposed to know where that is…Or, at least, the organizers assume we all know how to look it up online.It occurred to...

No detail is too small when you're job hunting. You don't want to wait until the last minute to decide what you'll wear to an interview, or what you'll say when they ask, "Why should we hire you?" You want to bring your "A game" to every conversation.Knowing what to eat for peak performance may be as important before a big meeting as it is when training for a marathon. Athletes know how to load up on all the right foods and...

The job search news isn’t great…The feds report no new jobs added in August.What can you do to improve your chances in this stubborn market?Pause, but don’t stop.If you don’t have a great network and job search materials at-the-ready, facing an unexpected job loss can be very overwhelming. Take a moment to take stock, but don’t take a month. Consider potential next steps. Assess your skills and figure out what you offer tha...

Are you looking in the mirror when you search for a job – to take a good, hard look and see if there is something about your attitude or approach that you can change? Staying positive and upbeat is important to your ultimate success.Another important tip? Use your time well if you are not currently working. It’s easy to let hours, days and weeks pass by before setting up a strategy that will help you succeed in your hunt.I...

Last month, while walking in the magnificent Central Park in New York City, I saw a man taking a picture. As you can see in the photo I took of the man (to your right), it wasn’t that he was taking a picture that was striking, but HOW he was taking it — on his back, on the ground, pointing the lens up at the trees. His tripod (if that’s what you call it) covered his body like some sort of shield.Clearly, there was something...

My friend, Ken Revenaugh, who authors the Fast Track Tools blog, often writes about the importance of storytelling in business. He advocates keeping an eye and ear out for stories everywhere you go to help illustrate a point down the road. During my recent visit to New York City, I kept a list of inspiring blog topics relating to career and job search. My favorite inspiration occurred during a visit to the Metropolitan Muse...

Have you been trying out Google+ for your job hunt? It promises to be an important addition to social networking strategies for job seekers, and it’s important to try to keep on top of opportunities to engage and grow your communities and to learn new information via online tools. I believe there are three big reasons to use social media: To expand the number of people you know and who know you. To learn new information...