Many people want to include everything they have done on their resume. Whether it’s their first job, details of every position they’ve had, or even where they attended high school. This can be overkill. You only want to highlight relevant experience because you may lose the recruiter or the employer who is looking at your resume. Don’t get lost in the shuffle. It isn’t important to go back to what high school you attended (...

Happy Holidays! Here are 12 tips from our team of career coaches, designed to help you get ready for your job search this holiday season. Focus on one tip a day, and your job search preparation will be a breeze! On the first day of job search my career coach says to me… Make a Career Transition Timeline – How long will you give yourself for your career change? On the second day of job search my career coach says...

I was excited to be interviewed for this article a few weeks ago about talking politics at work, Political discretion advised. It has some good advice to check out from everyone interviewed that I think we should all keep in mind. It takes a balance between watching what you say at work, always remembering that you are ‘on’, and being yourself. It’s critical to feel like you can be authentic at work, so don’t go to the othe...

If you are still in the world of gainful employment, you probably think you are too busy to think about retirement – after all, it is 3-7 years out. Or, you may be thinking you can just figure it out when you retire because you will have all the time in the world then. But be careful. That thinking can get you into trouble… and unexpectedly create an identity crisis down the line! Whether you are pushed out of your job, or...

With any change in your life, including a professional change, there is loss – even if the change is good. And loss must be grieved so you can leave the ‘old’ behind and move into the ‘new’ in a healthy way. Keep this in mind when change happens to you in your career, as well as in your personal life. Career transitions can have a big impact on us because our jobs can be such a big part of our lives. So be pro-active and p...

Are you lost and unsure about your resume or cover letter? Here are 5 things to keep in mind when writing your resume: 1. Keep it short – Keep it at two pages or less. Most people hiring prefer one page, but two pages is okay if the content is appropriate. For example, someone who has had a longer career. 2. First Person Implied – As a rule, your resume should be written in first person implied. No, you don’t want to write...

I had a great conversation with Jamie Harrison at Black Enterprise magazine recently. She wrote a very interesting article, If the Job Doesn’t Fit, You Must … Well … Quit, about knowing how to evaluate job opportunities and whether they’re a fit for you! This is a process that’s different for every individual, so keep that in mind. Here are some additional thoughts I wanted to share with you… 1) GET A JOB: As a college stud...

I can’t tell you how many times we have career coaching clients come to us wondering what is ok to put on their resume and what is not. I find that most people we encounter fall into the category of not wanting to lie on their resume (a good thing!!) but as a result they end up selling themselves short. They are so worried about telling the truth on their resume that they go to the other extreme, and aren’t fully comfortabl...

Informational interviews are a very important part of the career transition process. This is your chance to make a good first impression in your job search. One of the ways to do that when you’re conducting an informational interview is to prepare your questions in advance. Send them to the interviewee in advance as well. I love it when people do this with me because it shows me: 1) This person is serious about learning abo...

I was talking with my career coaching client Scott in New York when I was reminded of the concept of finding a bridge job. A job that will get you the experience or skills you need to land your dream job long term. Not many people can just walk right into their dream job. Most of us have to have something in between to get our foot in the odor, and that’s okay. It’s part of the process and something you need to consider in...