Many of my friends have me give their resumes and cover letters a once-over before they apply for any job. You'd be amazed at how many glaring typos I find on the documents. It goes without saying that you must proofread your materials before sending them off . Use spell checker to find any spelling mistakes, then print the documents and scan them slowly. If you go too quickly, your eyes will assume everything is error-free -- after all, you've been working on them for quite a while. Have a more seasoned proofreader look over your stuff if need be. You might be asking yourself, "Why should I worry so much about spelling and grammar? I'm not applying for a writing position here!" Even if the actual position requires little to no writing, employers use resumes and cover letters to pre-screen candidates. If they're rife with errors, employers will infer that the candidate is not detail-oriented and will produce sloppy work while on the job. Thus, it s...

Despite an improved economy, job seekers are still finding it difficult to land jobs, but little do they know that they might be sabotaging themselves by failing to do two things: 1. Tailoring their resume and cover letter to every job listing they respond to: Sending out the same generic resume and cover letter for every job application is a recipe for disaster. You have to be sure that many of the keywords contained in the ad are listed on your resume -- after all, some of these companies screen the resumes for these very keywords, and if the document lacks too many of them, it'll likely be tossed in the trash bin. Different jobs call for different skill sets; while some employers may want experience in budget forecasting, others may desire candidates with experience in sales. Obviously, you want to do this without stretching the truth too much . For example, I don't recommend stating that you're an expert at Photoshop if you've never even used the program. You do...

Though the economy continues to improve, some job-seekers are still struggling to find work. To make matters worse, myriad employers around the country still receive scads of applications for every job opening they put out. This means that the competition for jobs remains fairly stiff. Without a doubt, getting a job – let alone the right job – is hard enough. But by heeding the job hunting tips listed below, you’ll not only learn how to make your resumes and cover letters stand out more, but also discover the little things you can do to make a favorable impression during interviews. Whether you are unemployed and have been job hunting for more than 6 months, or gainfully employed and simply longing for better career opportunities, these job search strategies will ultimately put you one step closer to snagging the job you want. Determine the type of job you want . Do you have your sights set on an account executive position at a finance company? A tax accountant post at a...

When we were kids, we were asked a specific question that we probably felt we knew the answer to: "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Answers would run the gamut -- from firefighter to teacher to baseball player. It's understandable that we wouldn't know what our calling is at such a young age. Unfortunately, though, some of us -- even in our 20s, 40s, or 60s -- still haven't arrived at a concrete answer. It's well-documented that a lot of us switch majors multiple times in colleges and go on to receive a degree in something we might never use in the real world. While this isn't a big deal, it does become a problem when one opts to change careers several times after being in the working world for a considerable amount of time. Here are a couple of reasons why: It shows you can't make up your mind as to which career you wish to settle into People will start to think you can't hold down a job Your resume is proof that you have ...

These days, finding a great job seems almost like a losing proposition. A still-feeble economy and stubbornly high unemployment rate have led employers to shed more and more jobs by the day, resulting in stiff competition for the few positions available. This article discusses effective job search strategies you can avail of to help you land the job you want. It guides you through the different stages of the job hunting process, from determining which jobs suit your personality and match your skills to making a good impression during interviews to sending post-interview thank you letters that yield great results.  Tips on How to Find a Job You’ll Love Scads of employers around the country report receiving hundreds of applications for every job opening they put out. This means that the competition for jobs is stiffer than ever. To be sure, getting a job – let alone the right job – is difficult enough. But all hope is not lost! By heeding the job hunting tips listed bel...