To me, there are two inextricable components of success in job search and career change: mechanics and mindset. What you do and how you feel about it. The mechanics are what we usually focus on -- networking, resume writing, research, interviewing, and so on. They are definitely important, and definitely need to be done in the best possible way.But mindset is often the factor that really makes or breaks. And the big kahuna...

When you’re in the supermarket, you buy the brands that you find valuable, right? In the labor market, employers buy the brands that they think will add value too. This is especially true when times are tough; hiring decisions are made so carefully.Do you know your personal brand? If not, now’s the time to figure it out and market it.The notion of a personal brand was first coined by Tom Peters in Fast Company magazine more...

Stick our necks out? Now?I admit - the news out there is decidedly mixed. On the plus side: The pace of layoffs is slowing. There seems to be some consensus that the economy is starting to rebound; as of this writing, the Dow Jones Industrial Average is re-approaching 10,000, and leading economic indicators have been trending upward for several months. Anecdotally, a few of my clients are landing jobs. On the flip side: Emp...

Remember when you were in high school or college, and there was someone across the room you really wanted to meet? Remember how you would do anything just to start a conversation so you could get to know each other?When the "someone" you really want to meet is a potential employer, keep that crowded party in mind as you write your cover letter! Use the letter as a way to initiate an interesting conversation -- one the other...