Job Search Quotes of the Week!

"It is more important to know where you are going than to get there quickly. Do not mistake activity for achievement." ~ Isocrates

"There isn't a way things should be.  There is just what happens, and what we do." ~ Terry Pratchett

Career Tip: Ask and You May Receive…

Always end your cover letter, just like any marketing letter, by asking for the sale.  In this case you want to ask for an interview.  Consider using something like “Please contact me at your earliest convenience concerning the Sales Executive position at ABC Company.”  You not only requested an interview, you personalized with the specific job title and company name.  Let them know you want the position and that you pay attention to the details.  To your job search success!

Career Tip: Topics to Avoid at Work (and on Social Media)

It’s almost unavoidable in the workplace and incredibly tempting to take part in when it happens:  the political, religious, or related social issue conversations.  We have all been there, and tried to avoid the conversation, but been sucked in anyway.  So, how do you avoid these topics? 

First, walk away from that inappropriate work conversation, or if it is occurring near your desk, tell people you appreciate their opinion but work probably is not the place to share their current discussion.   While it may be difficult to say this to your colleagues, remember, their conversation, and your involvement can cause trouble for you too!  Being respectful, but letting people know that the conversation is not suitable for the workplace is usually enough to put a stop to the issue.  Second, don’t be the one to bring up these subjects.  We all have opinions, but those opinions can be shared in private conversations offsite from work and away from social media.  You can, and must resist, as the impact on your career or others involved can be dramatic – again, share in private.

Third, is dealing with social media and avoiding the temptation there as well.  Your posts are never private and I don’t care what the privacy policy says, people who know how to access this info can and will do it, and some of them may be your company’s HR personnel (or your future company).  This warning also extends to your “friends” who just can’t seem to help themselves.  You may have to unfriend them or caution them about the problems they can cause with unfiltered and spontaneous posts and let them know you will delete the connection to them if the posts continue.

Lastly, I want to be sure readers understand that you can say you have a belief in a higher power, that you attended a religious service, or take your voting rights seriously at work or online, but keep the interaction very limited.  Remember, if in doubt, don’t say anything.  For social media, you can also leave that post in a Word document for 24 hours, and then review it and see if there is anything you might not want to see, or want someone who holds sway over your career to see at a later date.  Better to be safe in your postings and work dialogue, than sorry and demoted, looked over for promotion, not hired, or fired.  To your career and job search success.      

Career Management Quotes of the Week!

“Success lies not in eliminating our troubles and mistakes but in growing through and with them.” ~ John C. Maxwell

“Success is a few simple disciplines, practiced every day; while failure is simply a few errors in judgment, repeated every day.” ~ Jim Rohn

Job Search Quotes of the Week!

The strongest people aren't always the people who win, but the people who don't give up when they lose. ~ Liam Payne

A river cuts through a rock not because of its power but because of its persistence. ~ Unknown

Career Tip

Always bring a fresh copy of your resume and cover letter to an interview, and be sure it is the version you sent to that particular company.  In fact, I always recommend that candidates find out how many people will be interviewing them and bring at least that many copies, if not a couple of extra in case additional interviewers are invited.  Providing a nice clean copy of your resume and cover letter to the interviewers not only ensures they have the "pretty" version instead of one from the Applicant Tracking System, but shows your level of preparation.  To your job search and interview success!

Career Management Quotes of the Week

"It's unhealthy to fill your stomach with junk food. But it's just as bad to fill your mind with junk thoughts or your life with junk people." - Unknown

“Life is not confined to a four inch screen.” Jose A. Teixeira  

Job Search Quotes of the Week!

As you seek new opportunity, keep in mind that the sun does not usually reappear on the horizon where last seen. -Robert Brault

You cannot plough a field by turning it over in your mind. -Author Unknown

Career Management Quotes of the Week!

You can't just wish change; you have to live the change in order for it to become a reality. — Steve Maraboli

It isn’t enough to think outside the box. Thinking is passive. Get used to acting outside the box.- Tim Ferriss