Job interviews can be nerve wracking for even the most experienced job seeker. In today’s competitive job market, proper preparation for the interview can make the difference between a job offer and a rejection. You should 
practice answering questions pertaining to your experience and be prepared to provide examples from your work history that sell you as the ideal candidate for the position. But, do not over practice and memorize a script! It is important to understand the gist of each question, so you recognize it when phrased differently.
Continue reading
Tag Archives: Millennial job search
Your Online Activity Can Either Help or Hurt Your Job Search
Welcome to Part 2 of my summer 2015 blog series on what it takes to conduct a successful job search in today’s competitive job market. In my last post, I shared tips on writing a strong resume. Today’s segment: the importance of using social media in your job search.
Your online activity can either help or hurt your job search. It is not simply a matter of using social media; you have to use it the right way to find a job and impress employers. Employers use social media in their recruitment process two ways: Continue reading
University Career Centers Offer Valuable Assistance
As most of my blog followers know, in addition to working with private clients as a career coach and professional resume writer through The Resume Resource, I also serve as Assistant Director of the Center for Internships and Career Development at Eastern Connecticut State University. Between these two roles, I work with a wide range of people helping them to identify their ideal career path and develop the tools, strategies and confidence to achieve their career goals.
Over the last few months, I have been approached by quite a few parents of new college grads looking for resume and job search assistance for their children. In most cases, these alumni have graduated from expensive private colleges, and despite the fact that the family has paid well over $150K in tuition over the 4 years, Continue reading
Overcoming Age Discrimination in the Job Search – Part I
As a career coach, I work with fresh college graduates looking to launch their professional career as well as baby boomers looking for a satisfying second career. While they have different obstacles – they have the same goal: they need to make their resumes “age-neutral” and convince the hiring manager that they are the ideal candidate for the job. Jobseekers with little experience need to sell themselves on their potential while more mature workers need to show they still have a lot to offer an employer. There are effective strategies for each to overcome age discrimination in the job search. This week I’ll offer a few tips for the new graduates, next week I will address the boomers.
New college graduates and other Millennials need to show prospective employers that they have transitioned from “college kid” to “young professional”. Continue reading
The Millennials Are Right!
Boomers can learn a lot from Millennials. As a generation, many of us Baby Boomers have never managed our careers with intention. Rather than identifying careers that aligned with our passions, many of us moved from job to job as the opportunities presented themselves. 
Now, in our 50’s and 60’s, we are looking for careers that provide us with the opportunity to do meaningful work. Whether precipitated by a layoff, stress-induced health issues or dwindling prospects in our field, many of us are considering job satisfaction for the first time. What do we really want to do next?
Twitter Can Accelerate Your Job Search
[I have covered this topic before, but I am frequently asked by jobseekers how they can incorporate Twitter into their job search efforts. Here are a few tips to get you started.]
Most jobseekers already know that professional social networking sites such as LinkedIn are beneficial to your job search, but Twitter is often overlooked. It is a very powerful job search tool, and best of all – it is FREE!
With the ability to connect you with people across the country or across the world, Twitter enables you to expand your network outside of your immediate circles. It can be used to follow current trends in your industry Continue reading
Help Your Recent College Grad Avoid the Boomerang Effect
When your college graduate finally walks across the stage to receive his/her diploma, some of the tears in your eyes may be tears of joy as you see your baby all grown up. But, for many parents that pride is coupled with the fear that your graduate, who has not yet secured a new job, will move back home. We love our children, but we raise them to be independent, leave the nest and venture out on their own. You may have been looking forward to being empty nesters, to travel and reconnect with your spouse. If your child follows the typical boomerang effect, your plans to convert their bedroom to an office or workout room may be postponed. As the high unemployment rate among Millennials and new college grads continues to grow, many Boomer parents ask themselves “How can I help my child avoid the boomerang effect?”. Continue reading
Give Your Grad the Most Valuable Graduation Gift – a Jump on Their Career
Need a great idea for the best present you can give a recent college graduate? Consider an Entry Level Launch Package from The Resume Resource, which includes a resume and cover letter with job search counseling and LinkedIn advice, is the perfect gift to help your grad jump start their career.
The job market for recent college grads is the most competitive it has ever been. With many carrying high student loan debt, these new college graduates must demonstrate that they have transitioned from “college kids” to “young professionals” to be considered serious candidates. A professionally written resume gives these new grads the competitive edge needed to win interviews.
The Resume Resource assists new college graduates as they embark on their professional careers. We guide them through the job search process to make it less overwhelming and more successful, and help them develop the tools and confidence to achieve their specific career goals.
1:1 Career Coaching: If you are not sure of the specific career you would like to pursue, we can help you identify the types of positions that best align with your education, natural talents and interests, and establish a realistic career goal.
Resume and Cover Letter Package: Focusing on what you have accomplished academically and personally, we will design personalized career documents that sell you as the ideal candidate. We will highlight your personal qualities to show that you have transitioned from a college student to a young professional.
Job Search Coaching: We will share proven methods and strategies to locate jobs, how to use social media in your job search and application best practices that will accelerate your results. Together, we map out a structured and systematic job search plan.
Interview Prep Sessions: We can help you prepare to answer those tough interview questions and articulate the value you offer an employer. If needed, we can also explain the proper attire, grooming and follow-up for the interview.
Ongoing Career Support: We enjoy building long-term relationships with our clients and provide ongoing support through weekly blog posts and daily career tips shared via LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
The Resume Resource helps their clients develop and express their personal brand with a compelling resume and cover letter that stands out among other candidates’ submissions and persuades employers to call for an interview. Your career success starts here!
Trish Thomas founded The Resume Resource in 2009 to help people advance their careers with rewarding jobs that provide more than just a paycheck. As a Career Coach and Resume Writer, she provides her clients with the tools and strategies needed to achieve their goals and guides them through the job search process to make it less overwhelming and more successful.How Recent Grads Can Break Into Their Industry
By Lauren Piccini
Over the past 5 years, not only have many people have become jobless, but the opportunities once available for recent college grads have become scarce. Although the economy is starting to improve, the entry-level job market is still extremely competitive. Before the recession, college grads would have won these jobs with ease, but now, they need to plan strategically. Do not wait until graduation to begin preparing for your dream job–you should start preparing the first time you step on campus your freshman year.
Intern. Do it. Try to complete as many internships as you can during your 4 years. Although most of them are unpaid, you are able to gain real life work experience, making them great resume builders. Not only are they a great way to learn, internships can also show you exactly what you DO NOT want to do. What if you are interning for what you thought was your dream job, but you end up hating it? It’s better to find this out early than to be stuck in a full-time position doing something you hate. Try experiencing with different types of internships too. This helps you become well-rounded and able to recognize your strengths and weaknesses. The more experience you gain from these internships, the more credibility you will have when the time comes to apply for real jobs.
Get Involved on Campus. Join clubs and other activities on campus. Find your niche and surround yourself with positive, motivated people. Learn how to work with others and gain the practical and leadership skills needed to survive in the professional workplace.
Build Your Resume. Once you complete your internships, create a general resume. List all of your qualifications, skills and accomplishments. Use this as a reference. When looking at job postings, study the employer’s requirements and tailor your resume to meet them. Go through your resume and cover letter line by line and ask yourself whether each point supports the requirements for the job. Show potential employers the value you will add to their company.
Finding a job as soon as you graduate is not a guarantee and unfortunately, you have no direct control over the process. What you can control is making yourself a more knowledgeable and attractive candidate. Job search is a long, difficult process and it can be easy to give up. Don’t let those negative thoughts hinder your motivation. Never stop learning. Read books, industry blogs and trade magazines.
Lauren Piccini is a writer, blogger and social media wiz who helps small business owners transform into credible experts in their field by increasing their brand awareness through the use of social media strategies and techniques. She is a recent grad with a degree in English from the University of Connecticut whose first work was published within six months of graduation. www.LaurenPiccini.com