Lately, I’ve been seeing so many hackneyed phrases on resumes at every professional level. Here are the top six phrases I see job seekers using to describe themselves over and over again that are sure to get your resume tossed in the no pile.
When you’ve been jobless for any length of time, the light at the end of the tunnel could be a freight train coming the other way. That’s often the mindset of someone who’s endured weeks of the gut-wrenching, paralyzing condition called unemployment.
In his book “Free Agent Nation” (Warner Books, 2001), Daniel H. Pink focused on the more than 30 million Americans who, for a variety of reasons, have abandoned traditional employment and the idea of a job that lasts a lifetime. The free-agency movement promotes the notion that — because the loyalty contract between employers and
Job satisfaction has been on the decline since 1995 and has hit an all-time low, according to a survey by the Conference Board. The increased pace of business, greater demands for results and less time for recreation are among the factors bothering employees, the Conference Board found. “As technology transforms the workplace — accelerating the
Some people believe that the New York Stock Exchange’s Richard Grasso and the New York Times’s Howell Raines were forced out because they didn’t bother to update how they conduct themselves in these troubled times. Could it be that professional arrogance, denial and self-aggrandizement are bad for business? If you read the business news, you
Last fall, Richard Grasso, the chairman of the New York Stock Exchange, was forced to resign following disclosure that he had accepted a $187.5 million compensation package. The chairman didn’t set his own salary, however. The board of directors set it. What was their rationale for approving a package of that magnitude? Was he being
What’s in a name? Plenty. Just ask people who have to compete against their own names. These entrepreneurs can face uncertain, confused customers, as well as harsh competition from businesses they no longer own that still bear their monikers. Consider what happened to executive recruiter Russell S. Reynolds Jr. at a recent cocktail party in
The Winter Olympics are well under way and there’s one story line that just won’t go away: many people feel that Sochi hasn’t lived up to expectations. From high threats of terrorism to homeless canines running amuck, unfinished living accommodations to egregious human rights propaganda, the negativity surrounding this year’s Olympic host has been
The job search can be riddled with frustration. Believe it or not, some of this frustration may be tied to common job search myths. Several of these little monsters are floating around in dark clouds waiting to rain on your job search parade. Let’s shake a few of them out of the clouds, debunk them
For many executives in high profile roles, taking a call from a headhunter is all part of a normal day at work. However for some individuals the experience may be new or completely unexpected particularly when it comes out of the blue. The timing of an approach may not be perfect to begin discussing new
When you leave a job interview, you should have a solid understanding of what the role entails, whether you’ll be a good fit for the team, and enough information to make a smart career decision. But far too often candidates will ask questions that just scratch the surface of these topics, or (gasp!) ask no
Hustling is the new networking. To gain needed edge in today’s job market, it’s no longer enough to sit behind a screen making passive connections on LinkedIn. You’ve got to get creative, trying new ways to contact – and connect with – decision makers and potential employers. Wondering how to get your foot in the
MINNEAPOLIS — Senia Mae Tuominen was an engineer in her first career. “I did fantastic in school, graduated at the top of my class,” she said. “When I started to do the work, I was miserable. I hated being in a cube, I hated being in a corporation. I wound up getting sick from pressure
Money shouldn’t be the only motivator when deciding on a career, and taking a job solely because the pay is appealing can increase the likelihood that the job will not work for you in the long run. Moreover, a potential employer will most likely sense it if you’re not passionate about your role. “During
Q: I have a new co-worker who has a good background and is generally a good addition to the team. But she has a habit of being dismissive of my approach to doing our work. How do I deal with this? A: You’ll need to be your own best advocate. Start by being specific about
Congrats, Grad! You finished finals, made it through the graduation ceremony (hopefully without falling on your face while receiving your diploma), and you’re ready to start your first job. Now what? The advice from Career Services tends to stop once you accept an offer, and many new grads find themselves lost in their first position.
If you’ve been finding it difficult to get engaged at work lately, studies show you’re not alone. Regardless of your profession, being engaged in your job is critical – not only to realize your own personal success, but also for personal fulfillment. Here are tips on how to get engaged at work (without a ring!)
Who doesn’t dream of their first real job after graduating? Images of lavish break rooms, high-powered suits and corporate ladders often dance in the heads of recent grads, but scaling down those first-job dreams just might be the smartest career move you’ll ever make. If you’re a new grad that’s about to enter the workforce,
When I was eight years old, I told my grandmother that I wanted to be a baseball player when I grew up. Without missing a beat, she immediately slapped me, and told me that was a terrible idea. My grandfather – her ex-husband – had tried that same career path, his drive to make it
Graduating from college and entering the workforce is a daunting prospect. You’re spent years trying to figure out what you actually want to do and making sure your major aligns with your dream job. The workforce for millennials is full of competition. You’re up against peers who graduate with you as well as those already
