Age discrimination can be a sensitive topic, but it’s one that has some mature workers concerned, especially when it comes to embarking on the job search process. To learn more about what leads to age discrimination, and how mature job seekers can overcome stereotypes in order to secure a new job, Jenna Connour sits down with Robin Ryan, career counselor, professional speak, and the bestselling author of "Over 40 & You're H...

Okay, admit it. You hate job-hunting. Lots and lots of people feel that way. The economy is lousy, there aren’t that many employers hiring for someone like you, and you’re thinking this could be a long job search, Too often, discouraged job hunters project a gloomy outlook. Face facts. Today’s job hunt is likely to take longer than six months. For high level executives, or those in failing industries, it can be over...

Don’t you want a job you love? One for which you are rewarded with a higher salary and enhanced perks? Fantasy? Dreams for somebody else? No, this can be your new future, but you may need to manage your career in a whole new way. The name of the career game is now personal branding.My client Cathy was a Chief Financial Officer, longing to become her company’s CEO, and when Larry her boss announced his retirement this was he...

When an employer calls to say, "We'd like to discuss your qualifications a bit.” what they are really saying is “We want to know more about your exact skills and verify your resume, before we offer you an interview.” Human Resources professionals refer to this interview as the Screening Interview. In today’s job market this kind of screening process has become very popular and is frequently used. This initial employer conta...

Seems I continually hear this complaint, “They aren’t hiring me because I’m overqualified.” One man wrote an e-mail to me concerned about this problem: “I have a lot of incredible extracurricular professional activities, publishing expertise, project management experience, board leadership skills, etc. I have an MBA, and am a CPA. All of this info is on my resume because it sets me apart. However, I am concerned that people...

85% of all jobs are never advertised. 85%!! Most of these are good jobs with the better salaries that you seek. A networking technique called Informational Interviewing is a successful tool that job hunters have used to find these unadvertised jobs. Many job hunters attending my job search seminars are unfamiliar with it, but 63% of all new jobs were found through contacts last year. It's a valuable technique to learn and i...

Joanne left the workforce 14 years ago when her daughter was a baby. Now that the daughter is driving, Joanne began to consider breaking back into the workforce. She contacted me for career guidance in June, when she saw an advertisement for the ideal job. She had no résumé, and no well-considered plan on how to integrate back into the working world.We created a powerful résumé detailing both her old experience and more rec...

A Human Resources Manager, working at a Fortune 500 company, asked for my help in writing her resume. She told me: “Thousands of resumes have passed through my hands but when it comes to writing my own I have a difficult time doing it.” She isn’t alone in her concerns. Most people find resume writing challenging. A resume is nothing more than a slick piece of advertising, but an important piece, especially in today’s job ma...

Feeling underpaid? Unhappy with your current position? Worried about your job security? Hoping to get a raise or promotion? It’s time to give your career a checkup. In today’s changing workplace, the average worker will hold more than 11 jobs during their working lifetime. Career management is your responsibility, so learn where you stand and carve a better path for yourself. -– RRAre you ready when opportunity knocks? Is y...

"People lack initiative" says this Senior HR director sitting across from me. "They come to me and say 'what do I need to do next to get promoted?' It seems so obvious to me and yet they can't see the opportunities in front of their faces.'"Is she talking about you? Do you just expect your boss or HR to lead the way? You must take the lead in managing your own career. Managers and mentors can advise you but the real work st...