Most resume bullet points start with the same tired old words hiring managers have read over and over—to the point where they’ve lost a lot of their meaning. They also don’t do much to show off your accomplishments, and instead tend to just communicate your job duties. So let’s get a little more creative, shall we? Next time [...]
The cover letter is a contender for job seekers’ most hated part of the job search. Personally, when browsing job boards, I’ve always gravitated toward the postings that said “cover letter optional” or didn’t mention one at all—and I’m a writer. When you’re deep in a job hunt—particularly one where you feel like you’re throwing applications [...]
On the day I graduated from university, my favorite philosophy professor told me that the first thing I needed to do—before getting a job or applying to graduate school—was find a mentor. I was only 19, and I’d gotten far without one, but that wizened old Hegelian seemed to have foresight, because it’s advice I’ve [...]
Writing a strong resume is important, but it’s also hard. You might have heard that some people hire a resume writer, or maybe you’ve seen ads for resume writing services promising a free professional review of your resume. It’s tempting—especially if you’re desperate for a new job or your search has dragged on for a [...]
Misunderstandings are rampant in today’s workplaces. While poor communication habits may feel inevitable with colleagues, we should always strive to engage with clarity and empathy, especially as we come to rely more on remote work and digital communication. What is a good first step to improving our habits? Relearning what it means to read carefully [...]
Interview prep 101 dictates that you should have your elevator pitch ready, a few stories polished (for the behavioral interview questions you’ll probably be asked), and a good sense of what you have to offer. So, how do you get there? Lots of practice, ideally aloud. To help you better prepare for your next interview, [...]
After spending time perfecting your resume, carefully crafting cover letters, and sending off job applications, the email you’ve been waiting for has arrived: an invitation for an interview. First of all, congrats! You worked hard to get to this moment, and you should enjoy it. Despite this great news, however, you may feel your excitement [...]
“How long should my resume be?” Between my experience as a career coach and running a college career services department, this is a question I’ve heard a lot. And as a recruiter, I’ve seen resumes that run the gamut in terms of scope—from a simple Word document with just a few lines to a full-on [...]
Rebecca Kallman is the head of brand management at ARGONAUT, a San Francisco based advertising agency. She’s also the mom of two very busy kids, ages 6 and 3 1/2. When the pandemic hit, she faced many of the same struggles so many other working parents have now that everyone is at home. “It was [...]
The key to a great job interview is preparation. As somebody who has interviewed thousands of candidates I can tell you that it is very sad to meet a candidate who is smart and friendly -- but also, sadly unprepared for the interview. When you ask a candidate, "What do you know about our company [...]