I just finished reading an article about a growing trend in some college admissions offices requesting that applicants answer a supplemental essay question as part of the standard admissions process…and do it in just 20 to 25 words or less. Perhaps colleges are forging this new direction to appeal to a generation that grew up with status updates, texts, and microblogging or maybe admissions counselors see it as a way to cut...

The holidays are behind us. And maybe you’ve made a few New Year’s resolutions…Lose weight, save more money…or maybe look for a new job. There are many simple, painless changes you can make in 2012 to increase your chances of finding your next job. Here are my top ten. 1.Update your resume. The last week of December was one of my busiest weeks ever. People who had no expectations of being sourced for a position and intervie...

Since its launch this year, BranchOut, a professional networking platform on Facebook, has been growing steadily. Before BranchOut, many job seekers were reluctant to use Facebook as a job search tool because of all the personal information that could be displayed. BranchOut leverages the power of the Facebook network, but the BranchOut profile only shows work history, education, and positive endorsements to business contac...

A resume is a marketing tool and I encourage job seekers to position their accomplishments in the best possible light. However, it is critical that all information reported on the document is accurate and something you can back up with facts if questioned. Here are some of the ways I see job candidates crossing the line of ethical resume writing practices and some suggestions for creating a more authentic presentation of yo...

Today I enjoyed reading Penelope Trunk’s post, December is a Great Time for Your Career, because she dispels some common myths about searching for a job in December and her post puts a candid (and humorous) spin on the holiday season. Here are some of my recommendations for things you can do during the holiday season to beef up your network and start meaningful career conversations in the New Year. 1.Attend holiday parties....

I’m always on the prowl for new tools to help market my clients effectively. A leading-edge marketing strategy can help differentiate you in a crowded market and get your phone to ring more frequently. Lately I’ve been fascinated with the growing use of the QR code. QR (quick response) codes are currently one of the hottest trends in marketing. They’re popping up everywhere, including product packaging, business cards, sign...

One of the best ways to foster a networking relationship is through a school or corporate alumni connection. Such connections are considered warm leads because a certain degree of relationship already exists. Warm leads are more viable than cold calls where no relationship is present. Members of the same affinity group are often more likely to help one another. But how do you approach people authentically, without making th...

While every job seeker is unique, here are some general items I recommend leaving off of your resume to achieve optimal results.1. ObjectivesMost hiring managers I talk to are not interested in reading resume objectives. Frequently objectives sound very cliched and they rarely communicate what a candidate can do for an employer.Instead, use a professional summary that outlines your competencies and proves how you can help s...

Sure, by now you know that displaying pictures of you partying on Facebook or tweeting about how much you hate your boss are electronic no nos. But there are other, less well known faux pas that people are making every day at work that can get them and their employers in hot water. Here are five of them.1.Textual Harassment. Thinking about texting a co-worker on your company cell phone to ask if they want to go for a drink...

Last week AOL Jobs interviewed me for an article about fonts and asked me which fonts were preferable for resumes. While many fonts including Arial, Arial Narrow, Times New Roman, and Calibri are fine, others really have no place on a resume. But what struck me as interesting were some of the comments from frustrated job seekers saying the font shouldn’t matter. And maybe it shouldn’t. But it does.Recruiters and hiring mana...