Invariably, when job seekers try to figure out what’s going to help them stand out to an employer, the subject of cover letters comes up – followed by confusion. Do you really need a cover letter for each executive job application? How can you be sure that employers are actually reading the letter you’re so carefully crafting?Is it a myth that a cover letter can distinguish you in the executive job search?Here are 3 key poi...

Using LinkedIn’s Jobs feature as a job board for your search? A handy tool for job seekers, LinkedIn Jobs offers a “Apply with your Profile” option—allowing you to show your interest with just one click. You may have noticed, though, that a resume and cover letter can also be uploaded for your job application. So what should you do – include both items in your application? Is it really necessary to provide a resume w...

Trying to keep your LinkedIn Profile information hidden from the prying eyes of your boss or colleagues? To paraphrase an old advertising slogan: Sorry, Charlie. There’s no way to add information on LinkedIn and prevent it from being seen.The confusion arises when LinkedIn users see the option for a Public Profile and believe its purpose is to lock down information. (It’s actually a way to prevent access to your Profile fr...

As a writer who works with executives on a daily basis, I see many different types of “before” resumes – some good, some not so much. Invariably, the question arises as I talk to executive job hunters: Is my resume really THAT bad? Do I really need to work on it, or will it just need a few tweaks? As a writer who works with executives on a daily basis, I see many different types of “before” resumes – some good, some not so...

Among the top interview questions you must be prepared to answer, “Tell me about yourself” strikes dread in the hearts of most job seekers. Whether you’ve been on a leadership job hunt for some time, or this is your first job search effort in years, this query can throw you for a loop while you try to figure out the best response. If this question always catches you by surprise, consider preparing for your intervi...

Gearing up for your 2014 executive job search? One of your first tasks is probably polishing your resume… but oh, how the times have changed. The new reality in executive job hunting demands not only a powerful marketing package for your skills, but also a keen awareness of social media, Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), recruiter preferences, and cutting-edge personal branding. Take stock of these 10 trends destined to af...

As a former hiring manager in several consulting firms, I often wondered if candidates were cognizant of the impression they made on employers. Even small things, such as the frown displayed by an applicant upon arriving at an interview, or the worn-out jeans on an applicant in a roomful of suits, gave me pause as I worked to screen candidates. Ironically, many of the issues I spotted were easily fixed by taking ca...

Dumping your resume content straight into each section of LinkedIn —and calling it done? If you’re still assuming that your resume will stand in for your Profile, you’re doing yourself (and your job search) a disservice. Here’s why: your resume might be well-written and contain solid achievements—but that doesn’t mean it was developed for online reading or recruiter searches. Here are 3 compelling reasons that plopping y...

Eagerly sending your resume to the perfect job posting or trying to contact executive recruiters – but not getting a response? If you thought your executive resume was strong, and your LinkedIn Profile was ready for prime time, it might seem that your application traveled into a black hole! Many executives report similar experiences, with reactions ranging from despair to frustration with employers. Can’t they at least ac...

Want your resume to distinguish your leadership brand among competing candidates for C-suite or VP positions? Then ditch the boring language you’ve seen on many other executive resume summaries. Just because other resumes (both professional and self-written) employ a blend of monotonous, overused words doesn’t mean you have to follow suit. Shake things up and ensure the effectiveness of your leadership brand message by...