Why and how to customize your resume

Do you tailor your resume when you apply for a new position? If you want to get interviews, you really should. If you don’t, your resume is likely to get overlooked, by both the applicant tracking systems and by the humans tasked with deciding who to call in. Applicant tracking systems are bots that search…

How to Stand Out to Potential Employers

The latest numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the U.S. economy will add more than nine million jobs between 2014 and 2024. Technical operations and healthcare support roles are among the fastest growing occupations open to job seekers. And because opportunities are gradually increasing, the competition for those positions is increasing, too.…

Mindfulness

On Tuesday we covered mindful breathing and mindful observation.  Today I’ll give you a couple more techniques and some general tips for handling that unhealthy chronic stress. Mindfulness technique #3: Attention Think of something you do every day but don’t think about like eating. Next time you begin to eat something, really stop and pay…

Dealing with Stress

The modern world leaves us habitually stressed, and while acute stress can lead to accomplishments and decisive action, chronic stress is really bad for us.  According to the Mayo Clinic, it leads to: Anxiety Depression Digestive problems Headaches Heart disease Sleep problems Weight gain Memory and concentration impairment A few months ago, I presented on…

Your first 90 days

Your first 90 days in a new role are key to gaining the confidence of your colleagues. On Tuesday we talked about the first two months.  What do you do in month three? The third month You’ve already made some good progress, so now we seal the deal.  Keep that log of your accomplishments updated,…

How to Kick Butt in Your New Job

Many career experts believe that your first 90 days on the job are the most important to set the tone and become a trusted voice. So how can you make sure you get off on the right foot?  A little bit of planning will show your new colleagues that you’re a rock star.  It’s important…

Difficult Coworkers, part 2

On Tuesday we talked about working with someone who had poor boundaries, but what can you do if someone you work with is simply a jerk? Unfortunately, this is a much more difficult situation, in large part because the other person is quite possibly not even well-meaning.  So the first thing to do is simply…

Managing a Difficult Manager, part 2

Now that you’re in the habit of emailing your supervisor after each meeting the two of you have, let’s take managing your manager to the next level. Step 2 of this project is going to be your weekly report.  (Yes, I know, again it’s more work for you!  I’m sorry.  Some people just really suck…

Managing a Difficult Manager

Have you ever had a supervisor whose communication skills made things… difficult?  Alas, I have, and I can tell you that it’s no dang picnic.  Fortunately, there are some things that you can do to make a challenging relationship like that a little easier.  Unfortunately, that does usually mean more work for you, but I…