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Articles from Ford Myers | Selfgrowth.com
- *** 5 Tips to "Spring Clean" Your Resume - by Submitted on Mar 16, 2012 from Ford MyersSpring is just around the corner (starts March 20)! If your resume hasn’t been getting the results you want, Spring is the perfect time to “clean it up” and significantly improve it. Here are five tips to freshen-up YOUR resume this Spring: 1. BE BRIEF. Of the five main sections of a resume ...
Views: 39 - *** Accomplishment Stories Your Most Powerful Tool to Get the Job Offer - by Submitted on Feb 24, 2012 from Ford MyersIn today's work-world, with high unemployment, limited job openings, and a challenging economy, it is critically important to learn how to articulate your value. You've got to "sell yourself" to the employer and differentiate yourself from other candidates. The best way to do this is to tell ...
Views: 42 - ***Full-Time Employee PLUS Freelancer: The New American Career Path - by Submitted on Oct 08, 2011 from Ford MyersIn addition to her full-time job, your co-worker is a beauty consultant in the evenings. Your husband, a CPA Monday through Friday, works at a gourmet food market on weekends. Your uncle, an engineer, coaches the high school soccer team every Fall and works at a Summer camp for one month each ...
Views: 53 - ***Interviews: Types and Structure - by Submitted on Jul 29, 2011 from Ford MyersOnce you've done your strategic networking, gotten some names and numbers, made some introductions, leveraged recruiters, and gotten referred to the right people in the right places, it's time to sit down and master the art of the interview. Let's start by looking at the phases of the interview ...
Views: 96 - *** Passions and Gifts - by Submitted on Jul 29, 2011 from Ford MyersOver the past several months, I have noticed that an increasing percentage of my clients have been expressing concerns about a lack of passion and meaning in their work. They will often say something like, "I know I'm lucky just to have a job, but I feel like I'm just going through the motions. ...
Views: 91 - ***One Chance to Make a First Impression - by Submitted on Mar 18, 2011 from Ford MyersIt has often been said that, "You only get one chance to make a first impression." Whether you are networking, interviewing for a job or meeting new colleagues for the first time, here are some guidelines to keep in mind which will make a good first impression. * Be mindful of the other ...
Views: 141 - *** Tips for a Successful Job Search – Part 2 - by Submitted on Jan 07, 2011 from Ford MyersAs regular readers of "Your Career Advocate" know, I sometimes feature the writing of others in this space. I thought this piece by Amy Dinning would be an ideal selection, because many clients have recently been asking, "What, exactly, should I be doing to maximize my job search efforts?" Amy ...
Views: 190(1 vote) - ***10 Mistakes Job Seekers Make ... And How to Avoid Them - by Submitted on Nov 18, 2010 from Ford MyersMany people make significant job search mistakes and never even know about it. These blunders are easy to make, and they can cost you the job offer or lose you thousands of dollars. Below, I reveal 10 of the biggest mistakes, and explain how to avoid them. Mistake #1: Relying on Online Job ...
Views: 635(1 vote) - ***Successful Job Search Strategies For Mature Workers - by Submitted on Oct 05, 2010 from Ford MyersOn July 2, 2010, CNNMoney.com ran an interesting article about older job candidates. Click here to read the article. It stated that “Companies are starting to hire again, but many are turning their backs on older job seekers.” The piece went on to say, “The nationwide unemployment rate for older ...
Views: 341(1 vote) - ***How to Bulletproof Your Career - by Submitted on Oct 05, 2010 from Ford MyersIn the not-too-distant past, ascending the corporate ladder assured management professionals of a bigger office, a stronger compensation package and a more secure future. But today, executives are being told: Don’t get too comfortable in that corner office, and don’t buy that fancy new car or ...
Views: 227 - ***Re-Discovering Your Career Passion - by Submitted on Oct 05, 2010 from Ford MyersDo you ever feel like you’ve lost touch with the enthusiasm and passion you once felt about your career? Remember when you were just starting-out at your first job, or you were a recent graduate? You probably thought that any job would be available to you; that every employer would want to ...
Views: 280 - ***Self-Employment Options: A Primer - by Submitted on Sep 30, 2010 from Ford MyersIn considering the self-employment option, there are two main questions to ask yourself: 1. Is self-employment potentially right for you? 2. If so, which of the four paths to business ownership would be best for you? You have two main career paths: Self Employment vs. “Getting a ...
Views: 329(1 vote) - ***Networking – The Core of Your Search - by Submitted on Sep 30, 2010 from Ford MyersAfter you’ve created all your “self-marketing documents” and verbal presentations, you’re ready to take your job search “to the street” and begin networking. The goal is to contact people who can help you reach the hiring managers inside your target companies. Networking can be done on the ...
Views: 241 - ***The Franchise Advantage - by Submitted on Sep 30, 2010 from Ford MyersIn today’s challenging economy, many people feel that they have lost a sense of control over their careers. Widespread corporate layoffs and downsizings have made the job market a tenuous environment in which to build a solid future. As a result, a growing percentage of my career consulting ...
Views: 399 - *** The Franchise Advantage - by Submitted on Sep 21, 2010 from Ford MyersIn today’s challenging economy, many people feel that they have lost a sense of control over their careers. Widespread corporate layoffs and downsizings have made the job market a tenuous environment in which to build a solid future. As a result, a growing percentage of my career consulting ...
Views: 265(1 vote) - ***Your Most Effective Self-Marketing Tool - by Submitted on Sep 21, 2010 from Ford MyersContrary to popular to popular opinion, you should never rely solely on your résumé as you pursue a job search. Your "Job Seeker's Tool Kit" should be filled with a variety of documents that will enable you to successfully market yourself with power and professionalism. Of all the tools in ...
Views: 247(2 votes) - ***Common Misconceptions About Career Management - by Submitted on Sep 21, 2010 from Ford MyersYou get your clothes cleaned when they’re dirty. You pay your bills each month. You see your doctor once or twice a year. You send cards to family-members at each birthday. So, why is it that most people (maybe even you!) don’t integrate career management into their regular routine? Most ...
Views: 226(2 votes) - ***Common Misconceptions About Career Management - by Submitted on Sep 15, 2010 from Ford MyersYou get your clothes cleaned when they’re dirty. You pay your bills each month. You see your doctor once or twice a year. You send cards to family-members at each birthday. So, why is it that most people (maybe even you!) don’t integrate career management into their regular routine? Most ...
Views: 419(2 votes) - *** How to Deal with an End-of-Year “Pink Slip” - by Submitted on Sep 15, 2010 from Ford MyersThe fourth quarter of the year is the most common time for employees to get laid off. One mistake many people make is that they leave themselves vulnerable by not being prepared for year-end changes in their work situation. If you (or anyone you know) were unfortunate enough to “get the pink ...
Views: 292(1 vote) - ***Beating The Sunday Night Blues - by Submitted on Sep 15, 2010 from Ford MyersIt's only Sunday night but already you're thinking about the dreaded event: returning to work on Monday. If this is the thought that goes through your mind each Sunday night, here are some ideas that can help. I suggest the following six strategies to help overcome those "Sunday night blues" ...
Views: 792(3 votes) - ***The Positive Approach To Tough Questions - by Submitted on Sep 07, 2010 from Ford MyersAs a Career Consultant, I work with clients on all the tools and techniques that are needed to succeed in the job search – including interviewing skills. One thing I have noticed over the years is that candidates often get “trapped” in certain interview questions that are designed to make them ...
Views: 355(1 vote) - *** Follow-up Steps after the Interview: Strategies to Help You Get the Offer - by Submitted on Sep 07, 2010 from Ford MyersMy clients often express frustration after they’ve completed their interviews for a position they want. The common complaints include, “Why doesn’t the company call me back?” or “I feel like I have no power; all I can do is wait for an answer,” or “Can’t I do anything to make the employer say ...
Views: 482(1 vote) - ***Acing The Interview: The Positive Approach To Tough Questions - by Submitted on Aug 27, 2010 from Ford MyersAs a Career Consultant, I work with clients on all the tools and techniques that are needed to succeed in the job search – including interviewing skills. One thing I have noticed over the years is that candidates often get “trapped” in certain interview questions that are designed to make them ...
Views: 577(2 votes) - *** The Many Faces of Job Interviews - by Submitted on Aug 27, 2010 from Ford MyersIntroduction Let’s assume that you’ve done your strategic networking, gotten some names and numbers, leveraged recruiters, and gotten referred to the right people in the right places. Now it’s time to learn some important details about the interviewing process. What follows is an outline ...
Views: 473(1 vote) - *** Top 10 Holiday Tips for Career Success - by Submitted on Aug 27, 2010 from Ford MyersEvery year as the holidays approach, most jobseekers and career changers make the mistake of halting all their efforts. They believe there is no point in pursuing new opportunities during the holidays, and that nobody is making hiring decisions until late January, so "why bother?" Many decide to ...
Views: 344(1 vote) - ***Working With Executive Recruiters - by Submitted on Jul 29, 2010 from Ford MyersLet’s make one thing clear right from the start – executive search firms, recruiters, and employment agencies are not in business to help you land a job. The recruiter is not your advocate, your friend, or your agent. Recruiters, employment agencies, and search firms are merely channels through ...
Views: 328(1 vote) - ***Networking: Your Most Important Career Activity - by Submitted on Jul 29, 2010 from Ford MyersSo, you’ve gotten totally clear on your career goals, prepared your complete “executive portfolio” of self-marketing documents, and developed a detailed strategy for your search. Now it’s time for “your feet to meet the street” – and that means NETWORKING! You’ll be spending most of your job ...
Views: 571(2 votes) - *** Using Phone References and Recommendation Letters - by Submitted on Jul 22, 2010 from Ford MyersMost people already know that they need a list of Professional References. But you might be asking, “Why do I need Letters of Recommendation at this point in my career?” The answer is simple. You don’t NEED them … but you should WANT them. Why? Because when you find yourself in a competitive ...
Views: 674 - ***Laid Off? Downsized? Looking For A Career Change? - by Submitted on Jul 22, 2010 from Ford MyersHere at Career Potential, it seems like we hear about businesses merging, plants closing or production facilities moving overseas on a daily basis. These "business transitions" force out valuable employees — the very same people who often wind-up in our office seeking career help. Some of these ...
Views: 388(1 vote) - ***Assimilating Into Your New Position - by Submitted on Jul 22, 2010 from Ford MyersCelebrate Your Success Landing your new job is a wonderful experience. In fact, don't forget to celebrate because you definitely deserve it after all your hard work! After the celebration, write letters or cards to your network of contacts, letting them know about your new position and ...
Views: 531 - *** Performing an Internal Career Audit - by Submitted on Jun 09, 2010 from Ford MyersWould you like to get your career on track, with more power and momentum than ever before? Are you prepared to create the focused and productive career that you know you are capable of having — one that will give you great satisfaction and financial reward? When you think back to prior career ...
Views: 637(2 votes) - ***The Best Time to Update Your Resume - by Submitted on Jun 09, 2010 from Ford MyersSummer has traditionally been a fairly slow season for job seekers. In previous issues of “Your Career Advocate,” we’ve discussed how to take advantage of the “Summer Job-Search Doldrums,” and actually use this period to your advantage! Many clients have taken our advice to heart, and have ...
Views: 333(1 vote) - *** How To Deal With Annoying Co-Workers - by Submitted on Jun 09, 2010 from Ford MyersDo you work with one or more co-workers who SERIOUSLY annoy you? Is there someone in your office whose habits and behavior patterns just “drive you crazy?” When you’re working eight hours a day in close quarters – or even in cubicles – some would say that it’s only a matter of time before some ...
Views: 750(1 vote) - Your “Target Company List” Builds Focus, Momentum and Productivity - by Submitted on Jun 08, 2010 from Ford MyersWhen you’re in a job search, it’s important to be crystal clear about the kinds of companies you’d like to work for. Once you have gained this clarity, you’ll want to research and identify the names of the companies that meet your search criteria. Your goal will be to “infiltrate” these ...
Views: 483 - *** Establishing and Maintaining Leader Behavior - by Submitted on Jun 03, 2010 from Ford MyersAre you a leader? A leader generates his or her own opportunities. Leaders don’t whine and complain about the lack of opportunities to develop their careers. They CREATE opportunities – regardless of their current situation, regardless of their current boss, regardless of obstacles that may ...
Views: 409(2 votes) - ***10 Challenges Senior Executives Face in the Job Search - by Submitted on Jun 03, 2010 from Ford MyersOver the years, I have worked with hundreds of key executives – CEOs, Partners, COOs, Presidents, Senior Vice Presidents, and so on. Top business professionals like these present unique challenges to the Career Consultant, because they face unique challenges in their own transitions! ...
Views: 689 - ***Only Five Interview Questions - by Submitted on Jun 03, 2010 from Ford MyersOf all the subjects we cover in career management and job search, the one that seems to cause clients the most anxiety is INTERVIEWING. To ease my clients’ concerns, I often simplify the topic by reducing it to a handful of basic elements. When you boil it all down, job interviews are made-up ...
Views: 398(1 vote) - ***How to Help Your Child Transition Successfully from College to Career - by Submitted on May 25, 2010 from Ford MyersOver the past year, we’ve received a number of phone calls from parents of recent college graduates. This is unusual for two reasons: (1) we don’t usually work with clients in their twenties; and (2) these parents are seriously concerned about their children’s ability to start careers. Indeed, ...
Views: 459(2 votes) - *** 5 Tips to Rev-Up Your Career This Fall - by Submitted on May 25, 2010 from Ford MyersSummer is coming to a close, and September is here! That means it’s time to hang-up the beach bag, dry-out the swim trunks and focus on career advancement. Here are five tips to help job seekers get out of their Summer “career coma” and focus on Fall career success: 1. Create and Control Your ...
Views: 360(2 votes) - ***Leadership and Industry Transition - by Submitted on May 21, 2010 from Ford MyersExecuNet (www.execunet.com) is recognized as the Internet's most comprehensive resource for effective career management, exclusively for executives and senior-level managers with salaries above $100,000. ExecuNet sometimes asks noted career experts to contribute opinions and information for the ...
Views: 354(1 vote) - ***Good Perspective for Bad Times - by Submitted on May 21, 2010 from Ford MyersThese are tough times to be sure. Just as a new President is about to be elected, the U.S. is experiencing the worst economy since the Great Depression. The stock market recently had the largest one-day drop in history. The shockwaves of the “credit crunch” are reverberating across the country ...
Views: 362(2 votes) - *** Moving Your Career Forward in Tough Times - by Submitted on May 21, 2010 from Ford MyersWork Harder and Smarter for Better Career Results Let's face it: the job market is bad and the economy is worse. That's why this is the time to push harder than ever in conducting your job search and managing your career. In addition to working harder, you'll need to work smarter as ...
Views: 337(2 votes) - ***How Employers Behave When There Are More Workers Than Jobs - by Submitted on May 17, 2010 from Ford MyersWhen there are many more workers than job openings, employers behave differently than they do in a healthy employment market. This is largely because the locus of control shifts from candidates to employers, and employers will have the sense that they can “call the shots.” These dynamics can ...
Views: 375(4 votes) - ***Career Strategies for Recent Graduates - by Submitted on May 17, 2010 from Ford MyersNow that it is September, many recent college graduates are about to start their first professional positions. Many more are still engaged in the job search. I have been contacted over the past few months by parents who are deeply concerned about their childrens’ ability to find and keep good ...
Views: 427(3 votes) - *** Seven Truths of Career Success - by Submitted on May 17, 2010 from Ford Myers1. The most qualified candidate does not necessarily get the job offer Many times, candidates with lesser qualifications get job offers simply because they’ve prepared and presented themselves in a more compelling way. They “package” themselves better, with an outstanding portfolio of career ...
Views: 355(3 votes) - *** Should You Respond to Online Job Postings and “Help-Wanted” Ads? - by Submitted on May 17, 2010 from Ford MyersLet’s assume that you’ve just spent a lot of time preparing, strategizing and tooling-up for a job search. Now, you’re finally ready to get into action. What’s the first thing you’re likely to do? Of course! Go online (or open a newspaper or trade publication), to start scanning the job postings ...
Views: 609(2 votes) - ***Interview Questions You Can Ask - by Submitted on May 17, 2010 from Ford MyersThe most important questions of your interviews might be the ones you ask. In the interview, don’t think you’re the only one who is “on the spot.” It is perfectly acceptable for you to ask questions of the interviewer and to take notes throughout the meeting (which will help you to formulate ...
Views: 505(3 votes) - *** Your Resume's Building Blocks - by Submitted on May 05, 2010 from Ford MyersRegardless of format, every resume will be composed of some standard sections. Below is a quick guide to the main elements that should be included in every resume. Personal Information – Always include your full name, street address, phone numbers (home and cell), and e-mail address. If you ...
Views: 400(4 votes) - ***The "Power Plan" to Achieve Career Success in 2010 - by Submitted on May 05, 2010 from Ford MyersNOTE: This article appeared originally in “Your Career Advocate” a few years ago. The response was so strong that we decided to run it again in this issue – with some minor updates! Do you hope to get your career on track in 2010, with more power and momentum than ever before? Even though ...
Views: 422(3 votes) - *** Creating Your Career Transition Binder - by Submitted on May 05, 2010 from Ford MyersIf you’re in job search mode, you should create a binder – your very own Career Transition Binder. I’ve found that there are two types of job seekers: those who create a binder to keep track of all their networking, interviewing, career documents, lists, and contacts in one place – and those who ...
Views: 575(2 votes)