In today’s job market employers want specialists—industry experts—instead of “generalists”. The burden is on the candidate’s shoulders to convince the employer they’re the best choice. How can you do that, though, when what one company resume writing 2016is seeking varies from another or when the positions you want are not the same? Employers want to see that you’re the best fit—and you can show them you are by making con...

In May Microsoft published an interesting study detailing research on the changes in our attention spans over the last several years. From 2000 to 2013 our attention spans dropped from 12 seconds to a mere eight seconds. We now have an attention span one second shorter than that of a goldfish. Let that sink in for a minute … Which makes me wonder … What effect does dwindling attention span have on our job searches—and our c...

Over the past several weeks, I’ve reviewed hundreds of executive resumes and I’ve seen the same resume mistakes over and over again. Executive resumes must be personally branded, persuasive, and impactful. They must also be laser-focused on what you have accomplished—and not just what you do. Here are the top ten resume mistakes I see on most executive resumes:Focusing on “Do”I get it; it’s hard to write about yourself—and...

If you’re not using social media as part of your job search, you’re missing the boat. It’s so common now that if you don’t have a social media profile, you have no chance of successfully penetrating the hidden job market. Especially among the younger set, social media is being used as a means to network with people who could help them connect with desirable employers.LinkedInEven if you’re highly resistant to using social m...

When you are conducting an executive-level job search, competition is fierce, the jobs are few, and the candidates are many. This means taking the time to develop a compelling executive resume and cover letter. You need an executive resume that markets your value to a prospective employer. But it doesn't end there, especially if you get the interview. Here we will review two mistakes you absolutely do not want to make durin...

When it comes to executive-level positions, 94% of recruiters and HR professionals are using LinkedIn to find the best candidates for the job. If you've be submitting your resume to positions for which you should be a top candidate but just aren't seeing results, it might be time to take a look at your profile. LinkedIn is a critical business tool—and it is certainly a part of the hiring process that you cannot ignore. Your...

While career trajectories are almost always pointed upward, there can come a time, especially near the end of a long career, where life in the boss's seat just isn't where you want to be anymore. Maybe you miss interacting more directly with everyone, or perhaps you just want to take the weight of the business off of your shoulders and enjoy a nice career change before you retire. Whatever your reasons, you will still find...

It's such a commonplace mistake, and it is one that is incredibly easy for job seekers to make. After all, LinkedIn looks like a great site for inputting your resume data. Yet, if your LinkedIn page is just a copy of your resume, you are actually making a huge miscalculation. Your LinkedIn page is your opportunity to stand out to a recruiter who already has your resume in his or her hand. It's also a place to network with l...

LinkedIn is a great tool for professionals. It offers the opportunity to network with others in your field, and it can be a great tool for finding job leads—and even getting hired. All too often, I see people who simply copy their resume information directly into their LinkedIn profile. This is absolutely the wrong approach for a few reasons, and if this is something that you are doing, it is definitely something you should...

Recruiters have confirmed my suspicions! Recently, a survey of more than 2,200 hiring managers revealed the worst words you can use on your resume. Below you’ll find the top 10 offenders:1. Best of breed2. Go-getter3. Think outside of the box4. Synergy5. Go-to person6. Thought leadership7. Value add8. Results-driven9. Team player10. Bottom-line11. Hard workerA list made up mostly of soft skills that we’re told by many expe...