Job Search

When Michael Benjamin found himself out of work in October 2008, he used the slump to make new contacts. Michael Benjamin realized he was going to have a tough time re-entering the job force after being laid off last October from his financial-services job. “I wasn’t too junior, I wasn’t too senior, I was the … Read More

There are risks to checking out of your job prematurely. There are even rewards for overperforming during uncertain times. Have you ever noticed how many people, when faced with the possibility of a layoff or reduction in force (RIF), start acting as if it’s a foregone conclusion? Every chance they get, they search through online … Read More

Jeromy Smith needed more time with his family. But first, he had to find time for his job search. Jeromy Smith knew he had been on one too many business trips when his daughter, age five, asked him why he didn’t want to stay home with her. “I felt awful when she said that,” said … Read More

Work your insider connections even as you try the official channels. The “unadvertised” or “hidden” job market comprises positions that are not advertised to the general public or included on the company’s employment Web site. These employment opportunities are usually accessed through an inside connection who is aware of an opening or a need before … Read More

Hugh Taylor had barely settled in at IBM when the recession claimed his new job. Yet he found his short tenure wasn’t an obstacle to finding another position. Hugh Taylor was living in Los Angeles and commuting to Seattle for much of his work at Microsoft. When the software giant asked him to relocate to … Read More

How do you sell your skills to a new industry? Prove that you know more than they think you do. Don’t believe them. When companies tell you they aren’t hiring because of the recession, don’t believe them. What they mean to say is that during a recession they are very, very discerning about who they … Read More

In a buyer’s market, the right certifications and credentials can make the difference between an offer and a rejection. Here are tips to determining which ones you need. Just a year ago, a job seeker might have found he had 12 out of the 14 requirements listed for a job posting and applied. He stood … Read More

Selling yourself means demonstrating your value. Use these simple tips to make your case. Common wisdom from almost every resume writer, career coach, recruiter and hiring manager: Your resume should focus less on listing the jobs you’ve had than demonstrating the value you brought to each. It’s great advice, but not always easy to follow. … Read More

Considering going back for more education? Make sure the scope of the program is right for your goals. Unemployment figures may mask opportunities: Even if employers are laying off employees at a furious rate, those same companies are seeking to hire in other areas of the company. They often have to look outside the company, … Read More