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Job Security: Then and Now
From a technical point of view, job security is the probability that an individual will keep their job. It is measured and compared globally, and it is one of many variables that help determine “well-being” in various countries. Traditionally, job security is higher during economic expansions and lower during recessions. In the Unites States most workers are now “at-will” meaning they can be let go for any or no reason at any time. The situation is different for government employees and industries where labor unions still have some power and job security is higher. We can thank labor unions...
read moreThe History of the Resume
Where did our tradition of the resume come from? Who wrote the first resume, and why do we still use them today? These are questions that often crossed my mind when I performed my first job search. This was mostly due to my frustration at having to cram all my background onto one page (I hadn’t realized that I should only include relevant information at this point). Well today we are finally going to explore the history of that all-important document, the resume. Most resume histories begin in 1482 with Leonardo da Vinci composing the first professional resume. Eighteen years later in 1500,...
read moreRecruiters are People Too
One of the questions I get asked most frequently when helping clients with LinkedIn is “how do I connect with recruiters?” It’s a valid question, and the answer actually varies from person to person depending on industry, goal position, location, etc. But connecting with recruiters is just like connecting with anyone else: if you could solve a problem, i.e. be a potential hire in the future, then they’re probably as interested in connecting with you as you are with them. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when connecting with recruiters in order for you both to have the most...
read moreDon’t Wait (for the Job Offer)
When you’re on the job hunt, your instinct is to be as active as possible. Sending out those resumes, leveraging your network, interviewing, and constantly looking for new opportunities all come as par for the course in job hunts. So the stagnation of waiting for a job offer can come as both a relief and a shock. If you’ve gotten through the resume gauntlet and several rounds of interviewing, you might feel confident that a job offer is just around the corner. You can now sit back and enjoy a well-earned break. And you can. For a week. But then, you should probably take up your job search...
read more3 Questions to Ask Prior to Taking a Job
You’ve been made an offer of employment! Hooray! Huzzah! You survived the evaluation of resumes, the gauntlet of interviews, and your patience and perseverance have been rewarded. You have every right to be excited, and probably a little relieved. However, before you say “yes” to the offer take some time to make sure you know what you will be getting. After all, you will (probably) stay with this company for some time. You want to make sure that time is well spent and positive. So when you hear from the company, graciously thank them and ask for some time to evaluate the offer. Generally,...
read moreGraciously Turning Down a Job Offer
Being offered a job is almost always cause for excitement. But sometimes, for one reason or another, a job offer will be more of a burden than a boon, and you are forced to graciously turn it down. The key word here is “graciously.” Keep just two things in mind – be very polite and be respectful. Being in the position of turning down a job offer falls into the category of a nice problem to have. Don’t mess it up. You don’t want to leave a bad impression. Your reputation is a valuable asset and your professional network is built on that reputation. Take care of both and you will thrive. Act...
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