The average job search currently takes about five months. That can seem like a very long time if you are not seeing any results for your efforts. Getting more invitations to interview can help you stay motivated. There are other benefits too. You can expand your network and learn more about your industry. Plus, each interview allows you to practice for the crucial time you will get your desired job offer. Are you tired of sending out applications without hearing anything back? …

According to the employment website Glassdoor, the average corporate job opening attracts 250 resumes. With that kind of volume, it’s little wonder that most resumes get looked at for 7 seconds or less.  If you are looking for a new position, how can you increase the odds that a hiring manager will pay attention to your application long enough to appreciate your offer? Fortunately, there are many things you can do to make sure your resume gets read. Study these suggestions …

Congratulations on cracking the interview for your dream job! It’s time to let your potential employer know why you are an outstanding candidate. First, let’s talk about those tough but typical interview questions and how to get through them. Describing Your Setbacks or Weaknesses “Tell me about your weaknesses?” is one of the most dreaded questions. While you’re trying to impress the interviewer with your strengths, naturally they want to know about the areas that need growth. Follow these tips to learn …

According to the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), a soft skill is a tool you can use in relationships in and out of the workplace- also known as Interpersonal Skills. Just how is a soft skill useful at work? It makes collaboration amongst colleagues possible. Examples of soft skills are effective communication, leadership, and teamwork skills, the ability to problem-solve, take initiative and stay motivated, and possess strong work ethics and honesty. I am a strong believer that …

A good resume is what will help you land an interview for your dream job. If you appropriately tailor your resume, you will hear back from almost every job opportunity. Before you start working on your resume, you need to outline your skills and experiences relevant to the job. Once you have listed all your qualifications, you can prepare your resume for your job application.Follow These Steps When Drafting Your Resume1. Choose the correct resume format.There are three standard resume …

Gaps in work history can cause an employer to become skeptical about hiring you. They may find it concerning that you had long periods of absence from normal adult activities and question whether you are a serious candidate for their company.Employers may be concerned that you are hiding something unfavorable. They may assume that your release from your last position was not voluntary and that you were unable to find work due to incompetency. You are human, and life has various …

Employers review hundreds of resumes daily looking for the right candidate to fill their open positions, but here is a secret.  Before the resume gets to the recruiter, it has been screened by an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to see which resumes will even make the first cut.An Applicant Tracking System is a software program that helps companies organize candidates for recruitment purposes.  These systems allow businesses to collect information, manage prospects based on experience and skill set, and filter …

July 7th was National Forgiveness Day so let’s make an effort to always forgive the offenses of others and ourselves. July 7th and everyday throughout the year, many struggle with forgiveness in our personal or work life, it’s difficult. Polishing the Professional would like to leave you with the words of MLK, “Forgiveness is not an occasional act, it is a constant attitude.”Forgiveness comes in all different forms. If you are harboring negative feelings toward yourself about failing to take …

Your resume is the first thing an employer sees before they call you in for an interview. If it’s not appealing, you will never get that call.1. Make sure your resume is focused on the positions you are applying for. A good resume should clearly present the skills and experiences you have that are most relevant to the job for which you are applying. You may have to draft several resumes for different skill sets and focuses.2. Focus on achievements. …