Category: Careers

Job Search Series – References Upon Request

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“A good reference can seal the deal for a candidate.”
~ Shawn VanDerziel,
Chief Human Resources Officer and Chief of Staff at Chicago’s Field Museum (Renowned U.S. natural history museum and home base of the celebrated archaeologist / adventurer of the Indiana Jones movies) 

A key element of the job search is one’s references; yet candidates often fail to give this component the attention it deserves. Neglecting to research, update and nurture your references can trip you up just as you’re about to cross the finish line. 

Job Search Series – Your Positioning Statement

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“Today you are You, that is truer than true.
There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”
~ Dr. Seuss, Happy Birthday to You!

Now that you have completed your prototype resume that you will customize for each position to which you apply, and have an understanding of the principles of the cover letter (see the previous three guest posts by Lyn Nelson), let’s turn now to your positioning statement. This composition is also referred to as your 30-second elevator pitch because it should be short and concise enough to recite between floors as you are riding up or down in an elevator – because you never know when you will run into someone important and you only have a few seconds to take advantage of the opportunity to make your case. 

Job Search Series – Your Strategic Plan

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 "Strategy is not the consequence of planning,
but the opposite: its starting point." ~ Henry Mintzberg

Now that we’ve addressed the steps to a positive attitude and reducing stress, it’s time to plan the strategy for your job search. Sometimes change can be good, even exciting and rewarding! Whether you’re looking for an internship or your first permanent full-time position, seeking reemployment or interested in changing jobs, the process is the same: first, you must develop your overall job-search strategy. 

The Importance of Internships

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Nick:   You got us a job at Google?
Billy:   Well, not a job job.  It’s an interview for an internship that could lead to a job.  Nick, this might be the last chance that we’ve got.
~The Internship

While internships are not always the last chance (in fact, they really should be the first chance), they are a vital part of a student's college career. So, if you're a high schooler who is preparing for other aspects of college, make sure to keep internships high on the list as well.

A New Year – A New Start – Dining Etiquette Series

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New Year’s Resolution: Perfect Your Dining Etiquette

To start out the New Year, in a series of posts I’ll be addressing a subject that is essential to the success of every professional – dining etiquette.  In fact, this is such an important topic and of great interest to students and young professionals that in 2013 I will be concentrating on this topic, as well as networking techniques, in my PROWESS Workshops   

Your Internet Presence – Part 10: Mobile Etiquette

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 THE KIND OF SHARING WE

 DIDN’T LEARN IN KINDERGARTEN

 

The Intel Corporation, which manufactures the processors in today’s popular mobile devices, in association with The Emily Post Institute has conducted its first international survey on “Mobile Etiquette."  Accordingly, it seems fitting to close (for now) this series on Your Internet Presence with an examination of how people are managing their mobile devices worldwide.