Caution is urged: the advice that follows will not help you get a job you don’t deserve, but it will help you get one you do. In my book, The Essential Guide for Hiring & Getting Hired, I contend that recruiters, hiring managers, and interviewing team members make...
A Life Lesson in Government
The greatest advice I gave as a government employee was always rooted in good common sense. This may seem obvious, but it really does make a difference when you are looking to move up in your career. My advice is straightforward and goes like this: “What you do when...
Finding a Job You Love
Finding a job you love and pursuing it for a personally fulfilling and financially rewarding career is a huge challenge in today’s highly competitive world. However, it is still possible if you follow some basic principles. Here are a few of the most important ones...
The Art of Soliciting References
Of the many facets involved in searching for and securing a new job, one activity that too often is given only cursory thought is soliciting and preparing references. If this is your first job, you may turn to a teacher who will tout your academic preparation and...
Obtaining Interview Feedback
For many the job interview may be the most unnerving aspect of acquiring a job. It represents a more intimate exchange than a resume review and is far more subjective than the average civil service exam. Whether little more than a “meet and greet” or a rigorous...
The Interview: Is There Anything You Would Like to Add?
It is likely that at the conclusion of almost every job interview, as a candidate you will be asked if you have any questions or would like to add anything. The questions you pose, or what you deem important to discuss at this point will reflect on both your level of...
Networking: Love it or Leave it
Am I the only one that hates the idea of networking? You know, putting yourself out there to the professional world in a match.com sort of way? Something about networking, the verb, has always seemed a bit contrived and artificial to me. And when I read the reams of...
Interviewing; A view from the other side of the table
Over the last few years I have been fortunate enough to be able to sit as an interview assessor for high level positions within city government. As an assessor you are able to observe many things about the candidates during the process. This includes body language,...
Really Standing Out From Your Competition
Nobody needs to tell you that today’s job market is highly competitive. Recruiters and hiring managers receive a large number of resumes for every open position. How can youreally stand out? There are strategies that go beyond catchy titles or keywords on the résumé....