networking

What Not to Do with Resumes

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A friend sent me two articles last week that I wanted to share.  After reading them, I want to share some advice for what NOT to do with resumes.

First article is called “Linkedin – Top 10 resume words to avoid”. According to Linked-in, the following are the top-10 most overused terms.   I did a quick check of my resume and found that I am using 3 of the 10 terms listed. ...  read more

How Hiring Managers Think

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I went to a café for lunch today.  I don’t usually eavesdrop on other’s conversation, but in this café, it’s so cozy it’s impossible to ignore other’s conversations.   Well I happen to overhear a very interesting and loud conversation between 3 people who work at an environmental software company.   They are trying to decide whether to hire a candidate they already interview and how to fill another entry-level sales position.  I thought I share this to demonstrate one example of how the hiring managers think and what that may mean for job seekers ...  read more

Interview tip – practice makes perfect

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It’s amazing how much children (like my 21 months old) can repeatedly do things so they can learn a new skill, like how to build a puzzle. There is no hesitation or judgment – just pure focus on repeating an action until she gets it right and sheer drive to learn more everyday.

Developing your job search skills (e.g. interviewing skills) also need this kind of practice, focus and drive, but often times as an adult, we judge too quickly on how we are doing while we learn. A simple concept of practice makes perfect is often not executed because of  constant self-criticism. To build your interviewing skills, for example, there are many ways you can practice. How many of these are you doing? ...  read more

Ask for Help

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It doesn’t matter how old you are and how skilled you are, it’s always a good idea to ask for help or a second opinion.  Tom Peters, the author of “In Search of Excellence” agrees.

I attended a “Newpreneur of the Year” finale event a month ago in San Francisco sponsored by INC and Alibaba.com. Tom peters was the keynote speaker. One of the key messages he presented was the concept of LATA – these are key skills needed in building excellence continuously in your work and career. ...  read more

Starting a New Job – 6 Tips for First 90 Days

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If you just got a new job, congratulations! This is a tough market, so getting a job is definitely an achievement. Now another type of work begins. The first 90 days on the job is critical to building a strong foundation for success at your new company. You may say, what do you mean? I know how to work. I would say I am sure you do but starting a new job involves more than just hard work. ...  read more

Job Search CheckList

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Here is a starting check list of what may be involved in a Job search “job.” If you can suggest more, let me know. This is the condensed version. For the detailed version, click here.

Set career goals and job search strategy

  1. Understand what you would like and love to do and also what things you want to avoid doing in your career.
  2. Develop your long term career goals and understand why those are your goals
  3. Define the skills you need and skill gaps to achieve your 3 to 5 year career goal
  4. Define types of jobs you would like to have next and how each type would fit with your goals.
  5. Define detailed characteristics of your ideal next job
  6. Analyze your financial situation
  7. Define your plan A, B, and C and when will you implement each

Package yourself for your job search

  1. Ask people who have the job types you want
  2. Develop your story about your career goals, what job you want next and why, and why you are qualified
  3. Practice your story as often as possible in social situations
  4. Create a resume for each job type you are searching
  5. Build an online presence

Apply for jobs based on your career goals and plans ...  read more