The Job Search Doesn’t Have To Be Lonely

One day I was talking about networking with a fellow job seeker.  John was an amazing networker and probably had “lunches” and “breakfasts” about 4 times a day.  He didn’t eat much, but he was using his time effectively to get in front of a network contact, just him and them, with no interruptions.
During our [...]

How did you lose your job?

There are many ways to lose a job, I’ll share mine and I’d love to hear yours.
I was laid off.  This is different than being fired (you don’t get unemployment insurance if you are fired, IIRC), but pretty much the same as RIF’d (Reduction In Force), downsized, rightsized, etc.
My layoff happened over the phone.  I [...]

You Are Now Free To Do What You Want

Since I lost my job I’ve done stuff I never thought I would have, or could have done.  This is all stuff I’ve wanted to do but never got around to doing it.
Tonight I was thinking about WHY I have done this stuff since I lost my job, and not before (when I was working).  [...]

Job Search Tips: Networking vs. Socializing

I was at lunch with a buddy this last week when he started talking about a very interesting concept: networking vs. socializing.  He was talking about how his kids socialize (they do it very well), but they don’t know how to network.  Perhaps here are some differences:
Socializing = hanging out
Networking = nurturing relationships
Socializing = no [...]

The Different Job Search

When I got laid off I started my job search logically and methodically.  I first got my resume finished, then I found jobs on job boards, then I applied to those jobs, then I waited for responses (while applying to more jobs, wondering why responses weren’t coming in)… this went on for weeks.
I finally broke [...]

The Different Job Search

Funny what people do in a job search.  My strategy and tactics where like yours, probably:

Get my resume done (critical, since you have to have a resume before you can apply for postings)
Find openings on job boards and through company websites
Apply for job openings.  All day long.
Wait for the recruiter or hiring manager to get [...]

My Pee Trap and Your Resume

We’ve had problems with our bathroom sink for almost five years, since we moved into this house.  It always drained slow.  We tried liquid plumber, liquid plumber gel, some plumber powder stuff, and my infamous homemade tool to fish stuff out of the drain.
Any solution worked for a day or so, but the problem never [...]

Resumes vs. Business Cards & Our Professional Identity

I was at a networking/job-search event one evening learning about my job search, and hoping to meet some sharp professionals I could network with.  Before we got to chat with one another, the facilitator shared some thoughts with us.
He talked about how we have a strong identity when we are employed, but when we become [...]

Worst Career Advice Ever?

A couple of months ago Peter asked a question to his LinkedIn contacts: What is the worst career advice you’ve ever heard? Here are most of the awesome replies (there were 42 responses – see them all here):

You’re set for life! (… when someone has just taken a job in the public service. Set [...]

Resumes and job searches: Fun With a Purpose

The fun is coming to an end.
My tenure on the Career Resumes blog ends in mid-September, just shy of the two-year mark. Don’t worry, I’m not gonna get all sappy on here – instead, we’re going to make these last eight posts as useful as possible, and then gracefully step aside for the next great [...]