Stepping Up Your Job Search

The economy is rebounding. Unemployment is leveling off. Companies are hiring again. All of these are recent headlines that point to a light at the end of the tunnel. But if you're out of a job and looking for work, this upbeat chatter is just that. Here are three things you can do to help land a job.  More »

If you just graduated from college, you've probably been focusing your energy on your job search, and not on where you'd like to be in your career in 5, 10, 20, or even 40 years. But after you land that first job is a good time to start managing your career.  More »

As a job seeker, you've probably wondered what goes on in the minds of HR people (the gatekeepers who determine whether your resume and cover letter make it to the hiring manager). Sometimes, eavesdropping is the best way to get the truth, and it's something you can do while you search for a job. To get an insider's view of what it's like on the other side of the fence, read what HR people and recruiters are saying online.  More »

Everyone knows the job market is very competitive today. Employers are flooded with resumes, and many college graduates aren't doing all they can to make themselves stand out. So, here are seven ways you, the college graduate, can stand out and get called in for an interview.  More »

There's something to be said for creativity when you're looking for a job. Whether it will actually get you a job is an entirely different issue. But an advertising executive's creativity proved successful. Can it work for everyone?  More »

As a new college grad, do you know what to expect from your first job interview in the 9-5 working world? You're smart enough to know that it'll be a lot different than any job interviews you've had before, but just how different will it be? Find out in this post.  More »

Job hopping is an issue that doesn't go away in the careers blogosphere, but no one seems to agree on an exact definition for job hopper. Slapping that label on someone depends on your interpretation of the phrase. How would you define a job hopper?  More »

A bad hire costs a company big bucks, so they'd be foolish not to use all the information available. The same logic applies to you as a job candidate. Due diligence about your potential employers can reduce the chance that you'll unwittingly sign on with a first-class ass of a boss.  More »

Job networking events are often intimidating for college students and graduates. But they don't have to be! The key to succeeding at a networking event is to know what to say to company representatives and how to say it. Here are six networking tips for new or recent grads.  More »

This post originally aired on March 26, 2008. The message still holds true today, so here it is again in case you missed it the first time around: I graduated from college two years ago (four now!) with the notion that having a college degree would serve in place of experience and pretty much guarantee a decent starting salary in a first job. And finding that first job was going to be a piece of cake with a degree to boast. Knowing what I know now, I couldn't have been more foolish.  More »