The Elements of a Good Resume Objective

Resume objectives have evolved over the years. It used to be that the objective statement was one or two sentences that focused on the job seeker’s expectations. A common objective was, “Seeking a position as (job title) where there is opportunity for growth.” As you can see, the old objective statement is bland and a waste of space. It provides no valuable information except to mention the candidate’s job title. Continue Reading

4 Ways To Give Hiring Managers What They Want In Resumes

Jessica Holbrook Hernandez of Great Resumes Fast

One of the biggest mysteries of resume writing is trying to decode the minds of hiring managers.  How in the world can we possibly know what they want when each person is different?  The truth is, each hiring manager may look for something slightly different, but on the whole, they hope to find blanket basics in all resumes.  Take a look at four ways that can help you to get that much closer to giving most hiring mangers what they want in your resume: Continue Reading

Are Bigger Niche Job Boards Always Better?

Jessica Holbrook Hernandez of Great Resumes Fast

In a world where bigger is often viewed as better, it’s sometimes tough to decide whether to choose products and services based upon size or other specific factors. This can even be the case when deciding which job boards to use within your niche.

Of course, niche job boards could be considered the smaller version of the generic job boards that are usually larger and more popular. But even within a niche you will find bigs and smalls. So how do you decide whether bigger is better for you? Continue Reading

Compensation Conundrum – When You Should Compromise on Compensation

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines, Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream.” - Mark Twain

Individual job search can be challenging (regardless of why you are searching for a new job), but group job search (as in a downsizing, closing of a location or closing of a company) takes the challenge to a new level. Of course there are a number of factors that potentially increase the pressure, like when an entire industry is under pressure or if the overall economy is suffering. Everyone, of course, handles the job search pressure differently. Some people don’t actually look for a job until after their last day (denial) while others jump in with both feet and do the all out job search with a goal of finding a new job before their current job ends. Everyone needs to approach the process in the job search in their own way and time, but panic is not a good way to start. Continue Reading

The Process of Incubation for Problem Resolution

Therrall Haygood, Founder/CEO of Confidential Search Solutions

As a leader in your organization, it is a significant compliment to you when you are entrusted to handle the issues and problems of your subordinates and peers. What do you do when you face challenging problems or difficult situations and you do not have the answer, nor are your speed dial list of mentors and advisors available, and Google does not present you with any plausible solutions? Continue Reading

Those Dreaded Interview Questions

Jeffrey Metzger, Your Resume Consultant

Recently I asked a question on my Facebook page about which interview questions you like the least. The question that most people pointed to was “So…where do you see yourself in five years?” We’ve all heard it. Heck, I’ve had to ask it! I don’t like this question for a variety of reasons but mainly because there’s no correct answer! The answer to this question will tell the interviewer absolutely nothing about your ability to do the job. This question has found its way into the standard interview script and it won’t go away.

By all means, please resist the temptation to say “I want to live on a tropical island and have people serve me fruity drinks with umbrellas in them”. Although clearly, that’s where you’d like to be in five years. Continue Reading

Consider These 3 Tips When Writing Your Six-Figure Resume

Jessica Holbrook Hernandez of Great Resumes Fast

Once you reach the executive level and begin writing resumes for a six-figure salary, it becomes crucial that you go that extra mile to show you can provide the results a company is looking for. Your executive resume is beyond important in convincing an employer of this.

The problem many top-level professionals experience when writing resumes is they fail to show the depth of their experience. If you want hiring managers to absolutely believe you’re qualified, then you have to show your worth. Here are some tips to help push you toward your goal: Continue Reading

Worst Interview Mistakes

In a labor market where a single open position can receive resumes from dozens, even hundreds of hopeful applicants, just getting to the interview stage is an accomplishment for many job seekers. But once one lands the elusive interview, what are the sure-fire ways to make the wrong impression?

Most Harmful Common Mistakes

Hiring managers say the following are the mistakes most detrimental to your interview performance: Continue Reading

Five Steps to Market Your Online Degree

Laura Gilbert, Ph.D.

Adult learners are returning to school in record numbers to complete undergraduate degrees skipped over in younger years. Many choose the convenience of an online degree program.  But, online degrees have received a lot of negative press in recent months.  When it is time to turn that degree into a paycheck (or a raise), will an online degree be marketable?  Here are five steps to make sure your online degree takes you where you want to go. Continue Reading

300 Jobs Coming to New Technology Center in New Orleans

New IT jobs are coming to New Orleans.

How do you keep a big company nimble? One answer is innovation and the mining of big data. “In our company right now we are investing heavily in developing software to make our things have bigger brains,” GE Chief Marketing Officer Beth Comstock said at the American Competitiveness summit held in Washington, DC, last week. “There’s too much value at stake for us to leave it behind. The sharing of data is going to lead us to some great insights.” Continue Reading