You’ve probably seen the advice floating around that you should have a 30-second commercial or elevator pitch ready do go, but what does that even mean? Basically, it’s just a self-introduction, focused on what you can bring to the employer or customer. Some people call this your personal brand (and some people feel a…
Do you get anxious before a job interview? You’re not alone! Even confident interviewees sometimes have apprehension in the process, and some interviewers seem to go out of their way to make our fears worse. So here are some tips and tricks for handling things gracefully. Get ready. This means to know…
Is there anything worse than a long, drawn-out job search? It’s disheartening and frustrating and tinged with anxiety. Here are some tips for staying motivated. First of all, I like to think of each application as a book. You can open one and apply, interview, network with people in the organization, etc., and when…
We’ve all been there—the workload grows and grows, and suddenly it’s too much! How can you ask for help while maintaining your professional credibility? It’s actually easier than you might think. If you reflect on the times you’ve been asked to help someone else, you’ll probably recall that, if the person was otherwise competent,…
Should you disclose a disability when you apply for a job? How about after you’ve accepted a role? People often fear that disclosing such a thing will either get them disqualified or make the employer hold certain opinions about them. Some also feel they need to disclose this info or they’re being dishonest. So let’s…
I often hear people who have been laid off talking about having been fired, so I wanted to address that today, because the two are not the same. A firing is something that happens to you, in particular, because you weren’t meeting expectations, a manager didn’t like you, they think you’ve done something illegal,…
I know there’s a lot of debate out there, and much of it sounds extremely authoritative. But is it right? Who can you trust? As is so often the case, there isn’t actually a definitive answer to this question. Yes, there are many one-pagers who are apparently willing to die on that hill. …
This is a question I get asked a lot, and the reason I rarely provide an answer is that it really depends. It depends on things like what you want to do, where you live, what salary ranges you’re seeking, and how you like to interact with job boards. That said, here are boards…
If you’re in the middle of it, you know this. So how can you keep up your energy to keep applying? As with most things, start by paying attention to taking care of yourself. Try to keep a regular schedule even if you don’t have a job. If you do have a job…
Have you ever been a finalist for a role and confidently awaited an offer, only to be told they “went with someone else”? It stinks! And if you were really thinking you’d get that offer, it can be devastating. This is a big part of why I advise people to keep looking for jobs,…