Discovering a good job posting can be a wonderful surprise especially when it seems that your background is just what the employer wants. With renewed energy, you apply and hope the employer will contact you. After all, you match the posting exactly and meet all the listed requirements, why...

Here's a reader's observation: When I was looking for a job, it seemed to me that most people who had jobs were clueless about how long it takes to find a job and how much effort it takes. At a time when I needed people, many seemed less-than-supportive. If you find yourself in this reader's...

Cubicle life can have its ups and downs. When you work in a cubicle, it is hard to hide, and that's where you can learn some of the most important lessons about getting along with your coworkers. Here are some things to consider when working in a cubicle: Not everyone has the same work...

I recently spoke with someone who told me she had gone on at least 10 interviews in the past three months, and she had not been called back for a single second interview. With her strong work history and many professional accomplishments, it clearly wasn't her experience that was holding her back....

The ability to work well with people is one of most important skills you need to develop, and the art of building trust and rapport will serve you well as you grow in your career. People will tolerate all kinds of work schedules and put in long hours to complete a project and when asked why,...

Have you ever been in a job that you found boring because you weren't being challenged? Almost everyone encounters boredom at some point in their career, and it also presents employers with a tough challenge as they seek to retain talented employees. When people become bored, their attitudes can...

Here's a situation you might find yourself facing: You're in a job interview, and you learn of a problem your potential employer has - a problem you know how to solve. This is a company you want to work for, one you know will be a good match with your skills and values. Should you help them solve...

Dan Schawbel is well known for his expertise on personal branding and is the author of "Me 2.0: Build a Powerful Brand to Achieve Career Success" He recently shared some interesting results with me from a new study on Gen-Y and Facebook that confirms the need for maintaining a...

As you review your goals for the new year, think about what your career stories reveal about you. Your stories make your career conversations memorable and help you stand out from the crowd. What are career stories ? They are descriptions about your career goals, experiences and events...

Imagine how you would feel if you landed the job of your dreams this year. The difference between those who enjoy a satisfying career and those who struggle to make themselves fit a job they don't enjoy often comes down to a personal decision. Making a change starts with defining your personal...

With the new year right around the corner, it's the perfect time to think about habits that could be delaying a promotion or interfering with developing a better relationship with your boss. It's easy for habits to form over a period of time where you automatically react without much thought. ...

Developing a job-search objective can be a difficult task, but it's something that needs to be done. Your objective - also called a mission statement - defines the direction of your search. It helps define your interests, sets the course of conversations, helps you identify strengths and helps...

Office parties are a time to catch up with colleagues and spend time with management, but it's easy to forget that informal conversations are powerful, and when alcohol is in the mix, discussions tend to become more relaxed. Take the example of a colleague who ended up comforting another...

When you're applying for jobs, you may feel filling out an employer's application is redundant. Why can't you just fill in "see resume" and be done? Completing applications is not the most enjoyable part of a job search, but it is necessary. Your resume will not take the place of an application....

The best gifts are thoughtfully chosen, but if you're shopping for someone changing careers or in the midst of a job search, it can be challenging. A gift that will ease the stress of a career change or make a search more productive will be memorable and practical. One of the key elements in a...

What do you do if you find yourself working in a field that is very different from the one you'd planned to pursue? How do you know that you have chosen the right field? These are questions many people ask themselves at some point in their careers. Conducting a career check-up is a wise move and...

Holiday gift-giving in the workplace can be awkward, especially if you are a new employee and unsure of what to buy or if you even should give a gift. There are no business-etiquette guidelines that suggest you have to give a gift to your boss, but there are some approaches you can take to help...

If you leave a job interview thinking you could have done a better job, you're not alone. But, instead of being frustrated or discouraged, try asking a few questions before you go to the interview. Asking pre-interview questions will not only increase your chances of getting a second...

The holidays are a great time to participate in work-related events where opportunities to mingle with colleagues abound. This can be the perfect time to have meaningful conversations without a work-related agenda, and getting to know your colleagues in a more informal setting definitely can...

A temporary job is an excellent way to enter the workforce and meet new employers. Never underestimate the value of an opportunity to meet hiring decision-makers and make a contribution, no matter how temporary the assignment, because each day, there are things you do that you think are going...