Wouldn’t we all love to be offered a job at our dream company? I am often asked the “how to get there” questions. As we all know, networking is one of the vital strategic components. Below are some clever and effective ways to network purposefully. More »

A comment I often hear from career transitioners is, “I sent out several résumés and didn’t hear anything back.” I usually respond with, “What you have experienced is typical. Don’t expect to hear back from organizations. Most companies don’t respond when receiving résumés.” At this point the career transitioner shares their relief that the lack of response is not a reflection of their value.

Last year at the Career Management Alliance Conference, I attended a session that had a panel of about 10 HR hiring managers from large companies at the front of the room. We, as Career Coaches, could ask any questions of the hiring managers. There was a lengthy and heated discussion on this subject of not responding to applicants! More »

[Ed. Note: While Terri is on vacation this week, we're re-posting one of her more popular blogs. Terri will be back with an all-new post next Friday.]

At a Leadership conference I went to recently, the question was asked, "Do you have a chronic sense of soul dissatisfaction?" Bill Hybels, a very popular speaker, shared his story and challenge to live out our lives, including our career, from our highest passions or highest mission statement. He described living from a ‘Shadow Mission' as living about 10% off from what is our life's true mission.

Why do we live in our Shadow Mission? Fear. What fears do we have? More »

With the ‘R' coming along, I think all of us have had thoughts about how to protect ourselves against financial and emotional upheaval, looking for a measure of security in our lives. We are thinking about the industry we're currently in and how it will fair in the future economy. Of course, each part of the country will have higher and lower demands. Overall, the following industries seem to be somewhat protected. More »

Be careful when applying for jobs online. If you are directed to a page that looks like a duplicate web page, or somehow it doesn’t look right, get off the site and apply at a different time.

Personal details such as names, e-mail addresses, home addresses, and current employers are being stolen from job postings on sites including Monster.com, AOL Jobs, Ajcjobs.com, Careerbuilder.com, Careermag.com, Computerjobs.com, Hotjobs.com, Jobcontrolcenter.com, Jobvertise.com and Militaryhire.com, warns John Leyden. More »

I really appreciate the questions you send me! The question asked last week was, "Could you please address how to conduct a confidential job search in a small town? It's hard to network or even send out resumes without one’s employer finding out! Thanks."

When working with clients, I typically begin with taking a step backwards to look at their current job. What is it my client really doesn’t like and what could she or he do to fix it? After working through these two questions, my client has clearer direction whether or not to continue on with a job search.

Suggestions for conducting a confidential job search: More »

In today’s tight job market, having your résumé ready when a terrific opportunity presents itself is vital. In this blog I'm giving additional tips to last week's blog to help you prepare yourself when opportunity knocks on the door!

"Whether you’re currently looking for a job or are satisfied in the job you have, you should always keep your résumé updated. You never know when the perfect new opportunity might come along for you, and you want to have your most important marketing tool on hand when it does," writes Leslie Bonagura, a Managing Consultant.

What is it that hiring managers are looking for in your résumé? DBM, the world’s leading provider of strategic human resource solutions, did a survey and found that hiring managers are looking foremost in a résumé for: More »

Résumés can sometimes be an overwhelming project! Below are common mistakes you can avoid and other tips of what to include so that you put together a distinctive, value-laden, and winning résumé!

Avoid too much…. More »

On Friday (July 4th), the Record Eagle's front page read "Economy — Jobs cut for 6th straight month." It seems like each day there is an article on the economy not doing well along with nightly television news programs. We’re all hearing about businesses and people that are financially hurting.

On the flip side, I am being told of businesses here in Traverse City that are growing, adding employees, and profits are going up (besides the fuel companies). In fact, yesterday I was talking to a friend who says her employer’s business is growing and is looking to hire new people!

No matter if we are in good or harder times as a nation, we, as employees, need to focus on being top-rate Career Managers, especially now in the leaner times. More »

The war began in 1775. As the American Revolution war continued, the colonists realized that they were fighting not just for better treatment; they were fighting for freedom from England’s rule. They were full of passion and purpose.

How would you like to be more like the colonists-full of passion, purpose and a dream?

If you had no limits of time, money, health or strength, what would you do? Go forward 20 years. What path would you like to see yourself on at this point of your life? How would you be helping others? What legacy would you like to leave? More »