One of the new networking strategies that you may have heard buzz about is informational interviews. This term was developed by Richard Nelson Bolles, author of What Color Is Your Parachute?, and its purpose is to gather information on a particular industry and/or specific company you may wish to work at one day. Think of it as an information gathering session, not an opportunity to ask for a job. This is an excellent strat...

As a Career Coach, it is not uncommon to speak with students who are unable to articulate what they want in their future careers. For some, it simply requires probing questions or a career assessment to reveal their career passion. Other times, students initially believe they know what they want, until they find out what their dream job actually entails. This sobering realization often causes disinterest and confusion. In t...

I recently attended a conference where I had the pleasure of listening to one of the keynote speakers, Carol Fishman Cohen, co-founder of iRelaunch. As the name of her organization suggests, Ms. Cohen addressed the topic of how to best “re-launch” oneself after a career break. As a career coach, I have worked with clients who have articulated this very challenge—how to get back in the game with a significant employment gap...

With a difficult job market and an overqualified applicant pool, it is becoming increasingly common for people to seek job search guidance with the hopes of landing a position. The importance of standing out to a potential employer, has led many job seekers to admit they need outside help. Enter career coaches! I have been blessed to work with many students and alumni as a career coach. The variety of hopes and dreams that...

In a recent article titled, “New Study: Job Seekers Overconfident in Their Ability,” J.T. O’Donnell referenced the third annual Job Preparedness Indicator (JPI) study, recently completed by the Career Advisory Board. This survey identifies the gaps between the skills job seekers say they possess, and the skills employers are seeking to fill their positions. It revealed that 72 percent of job seekers possess the confidence t...

I am convinced that people don’t leave jobs, they leave managers. Whether it is a team manager to which you directly report or a senior level manager that casts the vision of your department, it is evident that leadership at all levels matters! While some individuals are natural-born leaders, it remains a mystery how others have obtained their management roles (case in point). While this example may be a bit extreme, the nu...

You stumble upon a job that could possibly jumpstart your career, but you must first update your resume and tailor it to the specific vacancy announcement. The age-old question when it comes to resume writing is whether to use an objective statement or an executive summary. In the past, no resume was complete unless an objective was included at the top of the document. As times change, resume practices are also updated. Thu...

According to Dictionary.com, the act of being aggressive is defined as “making an all-out effort to win or succeed, boldly assertive and forward, and vigorously energetic, especially in the use of initiative and forcefulness.” All in all, an aggressive approach to your job search is not necessarily a bad thing. Several career resources advocate aggressive job search strategies, advising you to be creative, proactive, and pe...