You’ve set up metrics to track resume send-out-versus-response ratios. You’re so engaged with your network, you know who you spoke with, when, the topic of conversation and have scheduled a date and time for the next contact. You set up social media profiles across the web making you Google-able. You online presence is pristine. You engaged a career professional to make sure your resume and other career documents properly p...

I don’t know about you, but part of my ability to learn new things comes through understanding the “why” behind a given task or project. I better visualize the steps needed to reach the goal when I know why I’m doing something. I want to understand the end benefit. My personal need leads me to share with you the whys behind why you want (dare I say, need) to incorporate social media into your job search and career growth st...

Ok. I admit it. I like to play Chuzzle. After a long day of ferreting out client information and formulating presentation strategies, I like mindless, no-thinking-involved entertainment. Chuzzle provides it.Briefly, you match three (or more) of the same color fuzz balls by moving the columns up and down or left and right. They giggle, explode and accumulate points. New fuzz balls drop into place until you’ve exploded enough...

I worked in the yard this past weekend. Truth be told, a well-manicured lawn and perfect landscaping hasn’t been a priority for many years. Combine five dogs and two growing businesses (up until 2009) with country living and no homeowners association to tell me weed whack and it got a little shaggy around the edges. I’ve learned; if you don’t’ get in control early in spring; forget it. The weeds win.This year, I found a nei...

Spring has sprung. Enjoy a change of scenery ... even it's only the front yard. This post finalizes the series of tips for times of transition Bridget Haymond and I put together. Hopefully, you’ve been able to take a nugget or two and apply it your personal search for professional bliss. Understandably, a job search can be extremely stressful. When you get overwhelmed, it’s always a good idea to take approaches back to the...

Last week, we looked at career marketing strategies for job seekers. This week, we’ll look practical tips to help sustain focus during the search. Bridget Haymond put together most of the practical tips. I added a few and Voila! You’ve got great ideas to keep things moving forward. Practical tips for job seekers1. Keep busy and get as much physical exercise as possible. Keeping fit physically is good for your general health...

Career marketing strategies for job seekers6. Set up a LinkedIn account. Fill out the profile completely including a professional picture of you. A friend or family member can take the picture, but be sure you look like you’re ready for business. LinkedIn is not Facebook. Approach each venue appropriately. When you invite someone, customize the invitation. And if invited, take a moment to send back a quick note to your conn...

Recently, Twitter friend Bridget Haymond, of Truth for Life Coaching, approached me to collaborate on putting together handouts for participants of a job search seminar being held at her church — Grace Covenant Church, in Charlotte, NC. I happily obliged.With Bridget’s permission, I’ll also share the information we created together with my blog readers. Here’s the first in a series of four posts addressing: Tips for times o...

A resume client recently asked for some guidance in making a decision. He had several career paths he could travel. As with many job seekers I meet, he wanted to carry all his “luggage” down each path; placing equal weight on his entire skills set for each opportunity. I explained how an “I can do anything and everything” approach would not work in this market.I told him his message had to be tailored to speak to a potentia...

A few years ago I responded to two questions about how to help college students start developing information for their resume. I “re-discovered” what I wrote the other day so thought I’d share the information here. The first question asked: “What advice would you give college sophomores as they start to think about developing their career documents.” I’ll post the other question and response later this week.For college sop...