Cracking the Code on Interview Questions

Several years ago, I interviewed someone for an Executive Administrative Assistant position.  Because the previous Assistant left the company after 20 years due to harassment from a peer, I knew the next person coming through the door would have to be strong enough to...

Accepting Counter Offers is a No-No

As a former recruiting leader, I have encountered numerous times when one of my team members or I would extend a job offer to a candidate only to have their current employer counter it with an offer of their own.  Some candidates accepted the counter offer while...

7 Habits of Highly Effective Candidates

When conducting a job search, there are so many things you could do that the possibilities can be downright overwhelming.  In the 25 years I spent doing corporate recruiting, I saw candidates do many things to get a job – some good, some not so good, and some “what...

When What You Want is a Raise

My, how the world has changed!  Employees don’t make money like they used to.  In the early years of my career, a basic raise was 6% - a basic every nine months! Roll the clock forward to today.  A decent raise is 3% if you’re lucky.  Many employees only see 1-3%...

Put Your Best Foot at the Top

As with every other part of a job search, it’s important to think strategically about your resume.  What do I mean?  When many people develop their resume, their primary goal is to list as much information about their past endeavors and accomplishments as possible,...

What’s Your Mission?

Nike:  “To bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete in the world.” Google:  “To organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.” McDonald's:  “To be our customers' favorite place and way to eat and drink. Our worldwide...

Press!

After all of the crazy winter weather we’ve had, spring has finally sprung!  However, it’s been a bumpy ride considering it’s mid-May and I still can’t retire my sweatshirt yet.  Yet on Sunday, Mother Nature graced us with a warm and sunny afternoon.  As a treat for...

It’s the Dash that Counts!

 “We are gathered here today to honor and remember [fill in your name].  He/she was born on [fill in the date] and was laid to rest on [fill in the date]…..”  For every one of us, the day of reckoning will come when this information will be communicated to our family,...

Easing Back into the Workforce

Unfortunately, millions of people have had the displeasure of experiencing what the U.S. government calls long-term unemployment (nine months or longer).  The good news, many of these folks have been able to bounce back.  However, if you have obtained gainful...