When I’m working with my six- and seven-figure executive clients, I often notice certain resume hiccups that detract from their main message of value when communicating with hiring authorities. By making some easy and subtle yet powerful changes, executive search candidates can frequently accelerate their interactions with decision makers and expedite their searches. Here are my top 10 suggestions. Fix tha...

After working with thousands of executive job seekers, certain patterns have emerged regarding the practices of those that succeed. Here are a few I have witnessed. 1. Follow up on all introductions. Surprisingly, many job seekers don’t follow up on introductions made on their behalf. Even if you are not sure it the person you are being introduced to can help you, follow up. It shows your contact that you value the...

After discussing the salary negotiation process with more than a thousand clients, I’ve found that many of them made mistakes in the past that we corrected during our coaching sessions so they could have better outcomes. Some negotiate too aggressively, damaging the relationship with the hiring manager; others negotiate for too many things or for too many rounds, giving the perception that their expectations are un...

Spring is here and it’s time for some spring cleaning. That goes for your career strategy as well. Have you given any thought to trimming your bloated, outdated resume or banking some of your new networking contacts to help advance your job prospects this season? Here are 7 easy steps you can take right now to get your career on course and ensure you are prepared for future opportunities. Ditch toxic people....

Employing a resume writer to help position you for your next role can be a positive experience — if you’re prepared to work collaboratively and have realistic expectations. Below are five signs you’re in the right place to begin a resume project with a professional resume writer. 1. You have time to be part of the process. Resume writing is a very collaborative process. Expect to spend time being inter...

While job seekers can’t turn back the clock, there are some things they can do to remain relevant in the eyes of the employer. By making some simple upgrades to your search strategy, you can potentially eliminate some of the bias associated with older workers. Here are four suggestions. 1. Create a Gmail account for job searches, as some of the earlier providers like AOL and Hotmail tend to skew towards an older au...

By now you’ve probably heard about Mariah Carey’s unfortunate performance on New Year’s Eve. Some of the things that occurred reminded me of similar things that can happen if you are unprepared for an interview. And while you most likely won’t be interviewing in front of a million or more people, here are five takeaways that can help you be prepared for your live performance. 1. Know your material...

According to the 2016/2017 Mercer US Compensation Planning Survey, the average salary increase budget is expected to be 2.9% in 2017, up slightly from the average increase budget of 2.8% in 2016. So how can you be perceived as a top performer in 2016? Here are some tips. Document your accomplishments regularly throughout the year Keep track of all the projects you manage. Upon completion of each assignment, write a note...

You felt the interview went well. The hiring manager gave you the impression the company wants to fill the position quickly. But you’re still waiting for a response and you are starting to get quite anxious.How long should you wait before following up on an interview, and when you do follow up, what should you say? How can you follow up strategically and intelligently? Here are a few suggestions.1. During the interview, as...

Here are ten ways I see job seekers sabotaging their job search. Are you guilty of any of these mistakes?1. Inflate their qualifications or lie on their resume. While a resume is not a legal document, it should be an accurate representation of your experience and achievements. I advocate for showing your employment history in the best possible light, buy lying is never wise.2. Forget to proofread their resume. One of the ea...