Generated by All in One SEO v5.0.0.1, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # Thea Kelley Career Services One-on-one job search and interview coaching. Get a great job, sooner! ## Sitemaps - [XML Sitemap](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website. ## Posts - [Blog](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/blog/) - Managing "Me Inc." for Career Security Career security is not something we get from employers these days; it comes from facing the new realities of the working world and making our own plans. Most of us change careers several times, and jobs even more often. Some of these changes are involuntary. That can be - [#1 Mistake You're Making in Your STAR Stories](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/1-mistake-in-star-stories/) - In job search, you need to know how to tell stories in your interviews. In STAR stories or SOAR stories , I often hear job seekers make this big mistake. - [The Informational Interview: It's Not a Thing!](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/the-informational-interview-its-not-a-thing/) - Informational interviews come in different forms, with different purposes and strategies. This post will help you use this tool to find a career or a job. - [Salary Negotiation – How to Do It!](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/salary-negotiation-how-to-do-it/) - Here's a primer for those who have little experience in negotiating a compensation package - or need a refresher and a pep talk! - [Salary Negotiation – You Can Do It!](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/salary-negotiation-you-can-do-it/) - Salary negotiation is a good idea for most of us, not just a few. It's less risky than you think. Here's how you can get the compensation package you deserve! - [How to Use Info Interviews to Get Hired Faster](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-use-info-interviews-to-get-hired-faster/) - You've heard that informational interviews with company insiders can help you get a job. But do you know how to get those interviews, and how to make them work? - [How to Make an Interview Presentation Stand Out](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-make-an-interview-presentation-stand-out/) - Let’s look at how to make an interview presentation stand out and impress the hiring committee. - [Interview Presentation Ideas: How to Choose the Right Topic](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/tips-for-choosing-an-interview-presentation-topic/) - "Be prepared to give a presentation on a topic of your choice," says the recruiter. Excited? Nervous? Either way, this is your chance to shine. But what interview presentation topic should you choose? Some choices will resonate better with your audience than others. - [How to Get Your Resume in Front of the Hiring Manager](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-get-past-the-gatekeeper-to-the-hiring-manager/) - Sending your resume to Human Resources is a great way to *not* get a job. Instead, get your resume in front of the hiring manager - the person making the decision! - [5 Steps to Reentering the Workforce](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/5-steps-to-reentering-the-workforce/) - Whether you’ve been staying home with kids, recovering from illness or just unemployed, getting hired after a break can be tough. Here are 5 key steps to take. - [Can You Use AI in an Interview? Ethics, Risks and Best Practices](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/can-you-use-ai-in-an-interview/) - Can you use AI in an interview to generate answers to the interviewer's questions? Sure, and it raises tricky issues--even if you never do it! - [3 Warnings about Your Professionally Written Resume](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/3-warnings-about-your-professionally-written-resume/) - Hired a professional resume writer? Don't send that resume yet. Learn 3 critical warnings to protect your investment and land more interviews. - [How to Interview Your Potential Boss, 10 Questions to Ask](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/10-interview-questions-to-assess-the-boss/) - A job interview is a two-way street. Here are 10 questions to ask your potential in an interview to find out whether you'll like working for him or her. Interview your potential boss effectively! - [Putting Interests on a Resume is Trickier than You Think](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/putting-interests-on-a-resume-is-trickier-than-you-think/) - Should you put interests on a resume? If done right, it can add a human touch that makes your resume more memorable. On the other hand, I've seen many self-written resumes with an Interests section that looks fluffy or inappropriate. Putting interests on a resume should be done strategically, if at all. - [10 Ways to Stay Motivated in a Long Job Search](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/10-ways-to-stay-motivated-in-a-long-job-search/) - At some point, many of us find ourselves in a job search that’s taking longer than we expected. Don't let lack of job search motivation become a vicious cycle. - [How to Stop Rambling in Interviews by Telling Concise Stories](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-stop-rambling-in-interviews-tell-concise-stories/) - Stories are powerful in interviews, but if your stories are too long, you've got a problem. The interviewer may become impatient (they do have a list of questions they want to ask!) or bored. Here's how to stop rambling in interviews. - [How's the Job Search Going? Here's a Truly Useful Answer.](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-is-your-job-search-going/) - You're asked this question all the time when you're in job search: "How's the job search going?" Here's the best way to answer it. - [How to Answer 10 of the Toughest Interview Questions](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-answer-10-of-the-toughest-interview-questions/) - Some of the toughest interview questions don't seem so tough when you first hear them, like "Why do you want this job?" Others, like "What's your biggest weakness?", give job seekers the jitters right off the bat. In honor of the 10th anniversary of The Great Job Sooner Blog--ten years helping people like you get a great job sooner!--I'd like to share 10 useful posts on answering tough questions like these. - [How long should a resume be in 2026?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-long-should-a-resume-be-in-2026/) - When it comes to resumes, many job seekers hang onto outdated ideas and practices, such as including a street address, featuring an "Objective," or assuming the document should be only one page. In this post I'll address the question, "How long should a resume be in 2025?" - [How to Use AI to Build a Target Companies List for Your Job Search](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-use-ai-to-build-a-target-companies-list-for-your-job-search/) - Wondering how to use AI to get a job? Here's one of the best ways: use it to create a targeted networking strategy. - [How to Answer Interview Questions about Gaps in Employment](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-answer-interview-questions-about-gaps-in-employment/) - Interviewers tend to assume that everyone wants to be continuously employed. “Why weren’t you?” they think. “What’s the problem?” Let’s explore how to answer interview questions about gaps in employment, to reassure interviewers that you’re motivated and ready to hit the ground running. - [How to Turn Info Interviews into Relationships](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-turn-info-interviews-into-relationships/) - If you don't keep in touch after an informational interview, you're missing out on the best part. Here's how to build a relationship that can lead to opportunities. - [How to Research the Company Before a Job Interview](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-research-the-company-before-a-job-interview/) - Employers want to hire someone who is deeply interested in their company. Obviously, a really interested candidate will research the company before the interview. Also see my post, "How to Research the Interviewer." Now, let's explore how you can gain useful insights about the company itself, and why. When you’ve done your homework, it shows. - [How Far Back Should Your Resume Go?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-far-back-should-your-resume-go/) - How far back should your resume go? A resume with far more years of experience than needed can invite age discrimination or make a job seeker look overqualified. Simplistic, one-size-fits-all answers like “go back 5 years” or “10 years” aren't helpful, because your resume and job search aren’t like anyone else’s. - [Got the Job Offer? Don't Blow It Now!](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/got-the-job-offer-dont-blow-it-now/) - You've won your way through the job interviews to an offer! Now, don't mess it up. Here's how to answer in a way that leaves room to negotiate. - [Questions to Ask Founders in an Interview](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/questions-to-ask-founders-in-an-interview/) - An interview with a company founder is a high-stakes conversation in which it’s crucial not only to give good answers, but to ask good questions. This post will help you identify the best questions to ask founders in an interview. - [What is a Wrap-up Interview?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/what-is-a-wrap-up-interview/) - A week after your final interview for a new job, the recruiter reaches out to schedule a “wrap-up” conversation. Is this an interview? Is it a good sign, or bad? - [Is Glassdoor Reliable for Job Seekers?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/is-glassdoor-reliable-for-job-seekers/) - Since 2008, job seekers have visited Glassdoor.com in the hopes of finding insights about potential employers' cultures, hiring processes and salaries. But is Glassdoor reliable? - [Are LinkedIn Recommendations Important and Useful?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/are-linkedin-recommendations-important-are-linkedin-recommendations-useful/) - Are LinkedIn recommendations important? My answer is a resounding Yes! In the podcast linked below, fellow job search coach Marc Miller and I explain exactly how these comments from your contacts can power your job search in many ways, by... ...providing clear evidence of crucial soft skills that are hard to prove otherwise, ...improving your - [Job Offer Rescinded after Acceptance?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/job-offer-rescinded-after-acceptance/) - Can a job offer be rescinded when you've already said yes? You bet it can! I have a client whose job offer was rescinded after acceptance, without cause. He had already quit his job; now he’s unemployed due to this employer’s callous decision. Is that fair? I certainly don’t think so! Is it legal? Usually. - [Do AI Interview Prep Tools Work in 2026?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/do-ai-interview-prep-tools-work/) - Can artificial intelligence help you ace your next job interview? In this post I’ll give you my expert take—as an interview coach, not an AI guru!—on how to use AI to prepare for an interview. - [How to Ace a Virtual Onsite Interview](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-ace-virtual-onsite-interviews/) - A virtual onsite interview is a full day interview process that can include multiple group and one-on-one conversations, plus technical interviews, candidate presentations, case studies and more. It would be challenging and stressful enough in person, and it can be even tougher online. Here's how to succeed in a virtual onsite. - [How to Take Notes during an Interview (and How Not to)](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-take-notes-at-a-job-interview-and-how-not-to/) - Is it appropriate to take notes during an interview? Generally it's not only appropriate but really smart - and the way you do it sends messages about you that can help you get the job - or lose it. Here's how to take notes during an interview. - [How Not to Go Blank in an Interview](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-not-to-go-blank-in-an-interview/) - It’s terrifying. You’re in the middle of telling a story and suddenly you have nothing to say. Your face goes hot and your stomach goes cold. Well, let’s fix it. In this post I'll teach you how not to go blank in an interview. - [Good Questions to Ask in Your HR Screening Interview](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/good-questions-to-ask-in-hr-screening-interview/) - "What questions do you have for me?" It's important to ask good questions in your HR screening interview. Here are great tips, plus 26 questions to choose from. - [Tell Me About a Time You Disagreed with Your Boss](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/tell-me-about-a-time-you-disagreed-with-your-boss/) - “Tell me about a time you disagreed with your boss.” Your answer to this interview question reveals your ability to disagree constructively and build a good working relationship. - [How to Get Useful Resume Feedback](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-get-useful-resume-feedback/) - Is your resume really impressive? How can you find out? This post suggests useful - and not-so-good - ways to get resume feedback, resume reviews and other help to build a resume that gets you hired. - [How to Pass an AI Interview](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-pass-an-ai-interview/) - Think video interviews are challenging enough, where the interviewer isn't in the same room? Well, get ready for AI interviews, where there’s no human interviewer at all. - [What to Ask Peers in an Interview](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/what-to-ask-peers-in-an-interview/) - Have you been scheduled for a peer interview? That's a good sign! It may indicate that you're seen as a strong candidate, and that the hiring committe are proud of their employees. This post will explore the purpose of this meeting, and what to ask peers in an interview. - [How to Answer the Interview Question "What is your management style?"](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-answer-the-interview-question-what-is-your-management-style/) - “What is your management style?” It’s an important interview question, and “I’m fair and my door is always open” won’t cut it because everybody says that. - [How to Recover from Career Setbacks and Be More Resilient](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-recover-from-career-setbacks-be-more-resilient/) - If you're human, you've taken some hits in life and in work. Maybe you've messed up a job interview or had a job that didn't work out. Let's look at how to recover from career setbacks more quickly so you can move on with your life. - [How to Interview with Potential Direct Reports](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-interview-with-potential-direct-reports/) - It's crucial to understand how to interview with potential direct reports. Don't step on any land mines! - [How to network to find a job in a different city](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-network-to-find-a-job-in-a-different-city/) - Want to move, but need a job first? Networking will open those out-of-town doors, but how can you network in a different city where you don’t know people yet? - [Using Audiobooks to Prepare for Interviews and Job Search](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/using-audiobooks-to-prepare-for-interviews-and-job-search/) - I often say to my clients, "If you had a test coming up and you knew that getting an 'A' would earn you thousands of dollars and improve your daily life, would you study for it?" Of course you would! Using audiobooks to prepare for interviews and other job search activities is a smart move. Let me offer a few tips for getting the most out of your listening. - [How to Avoid Toxic Workplaces in Your Job Search](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-avoid-toxic-workplaces-in-your-job-search/) - The easiest time to escape a "nightmare job" is before you ever take it. With that in mind, let's look at how to avoid toxic workplaces in your job search. - [Forgetting What Question You're Answering in an Interview](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/forgetting-what-question-youre-answering-in-an-interview/) - Have you ever gotten halfway through a lengthy interview answer, only to realize you’ve utterly lost track of the question? - [5 Resume Tips for Older Job Seekers to Avoid Age Discrimination](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/5-resume-tips-for-older-job-seekers-to-avoid-age-discrimination/) - Wondering how to write your resume to avoid age discrimination? You may be pleasantly surprised by what a difference you can make with some smart formatting and attention to details. - [Preferred Name vs. Legal Name on a Resume, and Other Quandaries](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/preferred-name-vs-legal-name-on-a-resume/) - Should you put your legal or preferred name on your resume? Does it matter how you name the file? The choices you make send a message. - [What to Put in Your LinkedIn Headline When Unemployed](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/what-to-put-in-your-linkedin-headline-when-unemployed/) - In this post you’ll learn what to put in your LinkedIn headline when unemployed, and more. I think the answers will surprise you. - [Is Your Resume Too Short?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/is-your-resume-too-short/) - If you’re wondering “Is my resume too short?” I’m guessing you’re in one of two situations. Either: (a) Somebody told you a resume has to be a single page, but you have more to say about yourself. Or, (b) It’s less than a page, probably because you’re fairly new to your career. Let’s examine each - [How One Job Seeker Learned How to Stop Being Too Humble in Interviews](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-one-job-seeker-learned-how-to-stop-being-too-humble-in-interviews/) - How can you stop being too humble in job interviews? Recently I coached a young woman to overcome this issue and land a new role. Here's her story. - [How to Write a Readable Resume](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-write-a-readable-resume/) - How can you get employers to actually read your resume, not just glance at it? By making it highly readable. By "readability" I don't mean making it easier for applicant tracking systems, although that is an important topic. I'm talking about making your resume easier and more enjoyable for a human being to read. The internet overflows with tips on how to get employers to actually read your resume, not just glance at it. That's fine, but it's harder to find advice about a crucial factor: resume readability. A highly readable resume is more likely to get you an interview. - [Informational Interviews: 10 Tips for Job Search Success](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/informational-interviews-10-tips-for-success/) - Info interviewing is a very powerful job search tool. Here's how to make info interviews work for you - so you get a great job soon! - [How to Diagnose What’s Wrong with Your Job Search](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-diagnose-whats-wrong-with-your-job-search/) - Does your resume seem to disappear as soon as it leaves your computer? Do employers ghost you after interviews? Maybe it’s time for a checkup: What’s wrong with your job search? - [How to Be Concise in an Interview](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-be-concise-in-an-interview/) - Long, rambling job interview answers don't win the offer. Here's how to be concise in an interview. - [How to Write a Resume for a Remote Job](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-write-a-resume-for-a-remote-job/) - Have you ever wondered whether to leave your location off your resume because you want to work virtually? Or how to show that you're “remote-ready”? In this post I’ll describe how to write a resume for a remote job--in a way that gets you the interview. Should I include my location? What you include in - [10 Resume "Must-Haves"](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/10-resume-must-haves/) - Is your resume missing some of these crucial elements? Here's how to fix it and get more interviews. - [How to Get Recruiters to Contact You on LinkedIn](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-get-recruiters-to-contact-you-on-linkedin/) - A search-optimized LinkedIn profile can attract your next job out of the blue. One of my clients has landed his last two jobs through recruiters finding his profile. In this post I'll share proven techniques--some well known, and some surprising--to get recruiters to contact you on LinkedIn. - [Testimonials in Your Resume #2: The Blurb Block](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/testimonials-in-your-resume-2-the-blurb-block/) - Here's an innovative technique for including testimonials in your resume. It's a space-saving way to make your resume stand out with credibility and visual appeal. - [Can a side gig make you happier in your day job?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/can-a-side-gig-make-you-happier-in-your-day-job-study-says-yes/) - Nearly 39% of American adults currently have a side hustle. They go into it for various reasons, but they may be surprised at the effect on their daily working life. - [Use the Science of Learning to Improve Your Interview Skills](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/use-the-science-of-learning-to-improve-your-interview-skills/) - Prepping for a job interview is a learning process. There are a few insights from the psychology of learning that can make your interview preparation easier and more effective. - [How to Update Your LinkedIn Profile When Unemployed](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-update-your-linkedin-profile-if-unemployed/) - This post explains what to put for current position on LinkedIn when you're unemployed. - [How to Read a Job Posting the REAL Way](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-read-a-job-posting-the-real-way/) - The first letter in REAL stands for “Read between the lines” when you read job postings. Here's how to do that, plus how to Evaluate, Apply and Learn from them. - [Top 10 Ways to Get a Great Job Sooner](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/top-10-ways-to-get-a-great-job-sooner/) - You've seen so much advice on how to get a job. What's really going to get you the job you want, fast? Here are the top 10 ways to get the job you want. - [When the interview begins with "Why are you interested in this job?"](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/when-interview-begins-with-why-are-you-interested-in-this-job/) - How can you make a brilliant first impression when the interview begins with "Why are you interested in this job?" - [When Should You Ask for a LinkedIn Recommendation?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/when-should-you-ask-for-a-linkedin-recommendation/) - Will asking for a recommendation make colleagues think you're planning to jump ship? It depends on the timing. When should you ask for a LinkedIn recommendation from your manager, colleagues or internal/external customers? - [5 Steps to a Successful Career Change](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/5-steps-to-a-successful-career-change/) - Whether you're 25 years old, 40, or 55, career change is possible. Take these proven steps and move into your dream career! - [How to Explain Short-term Jobs on Your Resume](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-explain-short-term-jobs-on-your-resume/) - A history of brief job tenures can raise a red flag during the job search process. In this post I'll tell you how to explain short-term jobs on your resume and during job interviews, so you can move past the issue smoothly and quickly. By "short term jobs," I don't mean contract or temporary roles. - [Should you follow companies on LinkedIn?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/should-you-follow-companies-on-linkedin/) - Why should you follow companies on LinkedIn? The fastest job search method is to decide what companies you’re interested in, then proactively go after them, making yourself visible. One small but worthwhile step in this process is to follow your target companies on LinkedIn. - [Great Resumes Are Made from Great Questions](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/great-resumes-are-made-from-great-questions/) - Is your resume writing process is DIY, AI-assisted, or working with a pro? Either way, start by asking yourself the right questions. If your work history reads like a series of dry-as-dust job descriptions, ask yourself these questions about each position: Was it a new position? If so, what problem was it created to solve? - [4 Advanced Storytelling Techniques for Job Interviews](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/advanced-storytelling-techniques-for-job-interviews/) - You may already know the basics of interview storytelling: be concise, use the STAR format, practice in advance, and so on. Well, in this post I’m going to go beyond those basics and give you some advanced storytelling techniques for job interviews. - [7 Interview Tips for When the Boss Is Younger than You](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/7-interview-tips-when-the-boss-is-younger-than-you/) - How do you ace a job interview with a boss who's younger than you? If you're over 40 there's a good chance you'll find yourself in this situation. Here's how to make a great impression and get the job. - [Can you change your title on your resume?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/can-you-change-your-title-on-your-resume/) - Can you change your title on your resume? The answer is no . . . and yes. It depends how you do it, and why. - [A Networking Bio: Why Use One?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/a-networking-bio-why-use-one/) - When you have a networking one-on-one during your job search, should you leave behind a resume? Probably not. Usually it's better to leave a networking bio instead. Why? Offering a resume may make your networking partner feel pressured, as if though you're imposing on them to find you a job. Focus on building relationship and - [5 Interview Tips for Students and New Graduates](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/5-interview-tips-for-students-new-graduates/) - You already know to be there early and turn your phone off. Here are some more advanced interview tips for students and new grads. Take your interview skills to the next level. - [Watch This Video to Master Small Talk for Interviews & Job Search](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/small-talk-for-job-search-interviews/) - Are you small-talk challenged? It's especially important to make small talk in interviews and job search. Here's a quick how-to video (2.5 minutes) from Steve Dalton to make small talk less anxious and more effective. - [What to Do If You Hate Your New Job](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/what-to-do-if-you-hate-your-new-job/) - What should you do if you hate your new job? Maybe you’ve already tried to address the situation, but nothing has worked. How long should you stick around? And how will this affect your resume and interviews as you look for a new job? - [What to Do When Laid Off from Work](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/what-to-do-when-laid-off-from-work/) - Being laid off from a job is something that happens to most of us sooner or later. It's not a reflection on you; it's a fact of modern life. Here are the steps you need to take to recover and to prepare for a successsful transition. - [How to Write a Fresher Resume (for Recent Graduates)](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-write-a-fresher-resume-for-recent-graduates/) - If you're graduating from high school or college, you probably have limited experience, and you may not have many big accomplishments to brag about. How can you write a fresher resume (a resume as a recent graduate) that stands out and gets interviews? - [Why You Failed the Final Round Interview](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/why-you-failed-the-final-round-interview/) - You made it to the last interview, then received no offer. Feeling that you’ve failed the final round interview can be a crushing blow.Here's what to do--and not do--to succeed next time. - [Need an Interview Preparation App?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/need-an-interview-preparation-app/) - You may be familiar with my book, Get That Job! The Quick and Complete Guide to a Winning Interview, 2nd Edition. But did you know there's now a Get That Job app? - [Interview Mistakes Mid-Career Professionals Make--and How to Avoid Them](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/interview-mistakes-mid-career-professionals-make-and-how-to-avoid-them/) - You’ve been in the workforce for years. You know better than to arrive late to an interview, badmouth a former employer, or forget to silence your phone. And yet, despite your experience, you’re still not landing the offers you want. For mid-career professionals, interviews aren't just about nailing the basics, but also some finer points of strategy. - [Your Job Search Networking Checklist](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/job-search-networking-checklist/) - This job search networking checklist will help you gear up for enjoyable, sustainable, effective networking that will get you a great job faster! - [No, You Don't Have to Take that Job](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/no-you-dont-have-to-take-that-job/) - You've finally been offered a job - that you don't want. You feel like you have to take it. But do you really? Here's one job seeker's story. - [Cover Letters: What's the Point?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/cover-letters-whats-the-point/) - It's easy to feel that cover letters are a waste of job seekers' time. The resume tells everything the employer needs to know, so a letter is just redundant, right? I disagree. Let me suggest a change in how you think about cover letters. Stop thinking the cover letter is all about you. It's about - [Interview Questions CEOs Ask, and How to Answer Them](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/interview-questions-ceos-ask-and-how-to-answer-them/) - Got an interview with a CEO? Be ready for odd and off-putting questions. Here are some interview questions CEOs ask, from the LinkedIn Talent Blog read by recruiters, along with my suggestions on answers to make the best impression on the executive. - [How to Prepare for a C-level Interview When You're a VP](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-prepare-for-a-c-level-interview-when-youre-a-vp/) - Congratulations! You’ve landed an interview for a C-level role. You’ve already proven your ability to lead, but stepping up from VP isn’t just a matter of doing more of the same. You need to demonstrate enterprise-level thinking. Let's explore how to prepare for a C-level interview and break into the C suite. - [How to Interview for Your First Management Position, Part 2 of 2](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-interview-for-your-first-management-position-part-2-of-2/) - In this post I'll offer tips for how to "walk the talk" as a management candidate during the interview process, to sound and look like the strong managerial candidate you really are. - [Include Zip Code on Your Resume? And Why It Matters](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/include-zip-code-on-your-resume-and-why-it-matters/) - Did you know you could be passed over for an interview because you didn't include your zip code on your resume? In this post I'll explain what you should--and shouldn't--share about your location. - [How to Interview for Your First Management Position, Part 1 of 2](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-interview-for-your-first-management-position-part-1-of-2/) - You may not yet have held the title of “manager,” but if you've landed a managerial interview, you probably have leadership experience and/or potential. Here's how to prove it in your managerial job interview. - [How to Ace a Video Interview](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-ace-a-video-interview/) - With more recruiters conduct remote interviews, it is crucial to understand the unique challenges of video interviews, embrace the technology and be prepared. - [Why do technicalities in video interviews matter?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/why-do-technicalities-in-video-interviews-matter/) - One of my interview coaching clients recently asked me, "Why do technicalities in video interviews matter so much?" - [Networking with a Marketing Plan](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/networking-with-a-marketing-plan/) - Here's a technique that can make networking less stressful and more successful: using a Personal Marketing Plan to start upbeat, productive conversations. - [How to Include Testimonials in Your Resume, and Why](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-include-testimonials-resume/) - How can you include testimonials in your resume - like customer kudos, letters of recommendation and LinkedIn recommendations - to help you get more interviews? - [How to Give and Request LinkedIn Recommendations, and Why](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/linkedin-recommendations-giving-and-receiving/) - If you're not giving and receiving recommendations, you're missing a major opportunity to enhance your online presence and build relationships. - [Social Proof: A Job Seeker’s Secret Weapon](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/social-proof-a-job-seekers-secret-weapon/) - Most job seekers are leaving one of their most powerful tools unused on the table. Social proof can convince employers to trust you, believe you - and hire you. - [5 Dangerous Myths about Job References](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/5-dangerous-myths-about-job-references/) - There are some dangerous misunderstandings about how job references work. Let's clear up these myths. Myth #1: Employers will only contact the persons you include in your references list. Not true. Many will contact others; it's neither illegal nor particularly difficult. They can even discover and contact past employers you haven't listed on your resume - [How to Get a Job in 2025](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-get-a-job-in-2025/) - If you've been out of the job market for a while--well, things have changed. Career skills are changing. Artificial intelligence tools can make job search both easier and harder. And the human touch may be more essential than ever. Here's how to get a job in 2025. - [How to Show Promotions on a Resume](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-show-a-promotion-on-a-resume/) - So you've been promoted at work--congratulations! Now, make sure you know how to show a promotion on your resume. - [What You Can Do after Failing an Interview](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/what-to-do-after-failing-an-interview/) - What can you do after failing at a job interview? Don't give up--and use these tips to turn the situation around. - [12 Tips for a Winning Interview, Part 1](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/12-tips-for-a-winning-interview-part-1/) - What are the "must-have" interview skills if you want to get that job? - [What If You Fail a Job Interview Personality Test?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/what-if-you-fail-a-job-interview-personality-test/) - If you fail a job interview personality test, what should you do? Can you still get the job? And how can you ensure you don't fail such a test? Let's get some clarity on this tricky subject. - [The Secret Test Recruiters Use Before Making a Job Offer](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/the-secret-test-recruiters-use-before-making-a-job-offer/) - Recently I learned something new about how to answer the question, "If we offered you the job, when could you start?" And no, it's not a matter of saying "Whenever you want me to." You need to understand why they're asking. It's a test! - [Questions to Ask a CEO in an Interview](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/interview-with-the-ceo-questions-to-ask/) - "I've got an interview with a senior executive at (company). What are some good questions to ask a CEO in an interview?" I was asked this question this morning in coaching a client. Her interests may be a lot like your own, so let's explore what questions to ask. - [How to Contact Someone You Don't Know on LinkedIn, for Free](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-contact-someone-you-dont-know-on-linkedin-for-free/) - Need to do some career or job search networking? Here's how you can send a message to someone you don’t know on LinkedIn--without upgrading to Premium. - [What do you do on LinkedIn after creating a profile?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/what-do-you-do-on-linkedin-after-creating-a-profile/) - You’ve got a LinkedIn profile. Now what? What do you do on LinkedIn after creating a profile? How can you use its full potential to get a great job sooner and advance your career? - [How to Build Relationships on LinkedIn, Not Just Connections](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-build-relationships-on-linkedin-not-just-connections/) - You can have an excellent profile and lots of connections on LinkedIn, yet still miss out on the referrals and opportunities you’re aiming for. The secret lies in building genuine relationships—not just collecting connections. Here's how. - [3 Secrets about Asking Questions in Job Interviews](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/3-secrets-about-asking-questions-in-job-interviews/) - Here are three surprising facts about asking questions in job interviews to help you look smart, build rapport, give better answers and get the job. - [3 Biggest Video Interview Mistakes according to Recruiter Survey](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/3-biggest-video-interview-mistakes-a-2020-recruiter-survey/) - Recruiters say the top video interview mistakes are poor internet connectivity, inappropriate attire and poor eye contact. Here's how to avoid these problems. - [How to Ask for the Job at the End of an Interview](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-ask-for-the-job-at-the-end-of-an-interview/) - You may have heard that it's good to "ask for the job" at the end of an interview. If that sounds difficult or awkward, read on. - [Best Things First: 7 Resume Summary Tips for Instant Impact](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/best-things-first-7-resume-summary-tips/) - A recruiter looking a resume makes a decision within seconds. Here are seven resume summary tips for instant impact. - [LinkedIn: Who Needs It?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/linkedin-who-needs-it/) - This is going to sound like I work for LinkedIn. I don't, nor am I uncritical of it, but I think it's an awesome tool for branding, visibility and networking. It's free advertising! And unlike Twitter or Facebook you don't necessarily have to spend a lot of time on it to get some impressive benefits. - [How to Make Job Search Less Stressful](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-make-job-search-less-stressful/) - Here's some advice from successful job seekers, and from a job search coach, on how to make job search less stressful. - [No time to prepare for your job interview?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/no-time-to-prepare-for-your-job-interview/) - A recruiter calls you today with a "dream job" opportunity - but they want to do the interview tomorrow. You'll have no time to prepare! What do you do? - [Eye Contact during Video Interviews: An Easy Trick You Probably Don't Know](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/eye-contact-during-video-interviews-an-easy-trick/) - Take a few seconds to do this at the start of every video interview. It works like a charm! - [10 Questions to Identify Your Unique Selling Proposition for a Job](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/10-questions-to-identify-your-unique-selling-proposition-as-a-job-candidate/) - What makes you stand out in the job market? Your unique selling proposition, also known as your key selling points. These 10 questions will help you figure out this crucial piece of career intelligence, so you can stand out in all your job search communications. - [The 3 Questions Most Job Seekers Flunk](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/the-3-questions-most-job-seekers-flunk/) - There are three questions you're going to be asked again and again in job interviews and job search networking situations. Answer well, and doors will open. - [Interview Question: What do you like to do for fun?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/interview-question-what-do-you-like-to-do-for-fun/) - Before you're asked the "What do you do for fun" interview question, let's think about what they're trying to find out, and how your answer can help you get the job. Why are they asking an interview question about hobbies? Interviewers ask these questions to spark informal conversation and to get a sense of your - [7 Surprising Things You Can Put on Your Resume](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/7-surprising-things-you-can-put-on-your-resume/) - Can you put your citizenship or visa status on a resume? Testimonials? Hobbies? If it makes you look good, there's usually a good way to include it. - [Are Your Interview Answers Too Long? Use Expandable Answers!](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/are-your-interview-answers-too-long-use-expandable-answers/) - Many job candidates talk too much in interviews. How can you give concise interview answers while convincing interviewers of your skills and accomplishments? - [Accomplishments: Resume Rocket Fuel!](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/accomplishments-rocket-fuel-for-your-resume-and-interviews/) - Why are resume accomplishments absolutely crucial? How do you write accomplishments for your resume? This post tells you why and how. Resume Accomplishments vs. Responsibilities Once an employer sees your job title, they already have a pretty good idea what you did from day to day – and if they don't, they can google up - [When the interviewer says “Walk me through your resume”](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/when-the-interviewer-says-walk-me-through-your-resume/) - Why do interviewers ask, “Walk me through your resume”? And what’s the best way to respond? This is one of the most common starting points for an interview. A well-planned answer makes a great first impression, immediately focusing the interviewer’s mind on why they should hire you. - [How to Answer Interview Questions about Conflicts](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-answer-interview-questions-about-conflicts/) - Some of the most common interview questions are about conflict management. Your answer can demonstrate crucial skills - or raise concerns that kill your chances. - [How to Ace an Interview with the CEO](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-ace-an-interview-with-the-ceo/) - How is an interview with the CEO different from other interviews? What must you do to ace the CEO interview? Here are secrets to calming your nerves, making a personal connection and leaving the best impression so you get the job. - [How to Build Your Target Companies List Using LinkedIn](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-build-your-target-companies-list-using-linkedin/) - Networking your way into a new job works better when you have a good list of target employers, probably 50 or more. Here are two easy ways to build that list. - [How to Get Hired without a Degree](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-get-hired-without-a-degree/) - At this writing in 2022, it's a great time for job seekers who are long on ability but short on academic credentials. In this post I’ll offer smart tips on how to get hired without a degree--even if the job market becomes less favorable. - [How to Identify Your Professional Accomplishments](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-identify-your-accomplishments/) - Employers are keenly interested in your professional accomplishments – success stories from your experience – but you may find it difficult to identify and recall them. Here's how to build your professional accomplishments list. - [Get Back in Touch with a LinkedIn Recommendation](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/get-back-in-touch-via-a-linkedin-recommendation/) - Don't wait 'til you need something to get back in touch with respected co-workers. Give them something, instead! - [How to Stand Out in Interviews - Focus the Interviewer's Attention!](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-stand-out-in-interview-focus-attention/) - In interviews and throughout your job search, you will usually have competition. How can you stand out from the rest? Here are tips + a FREE course offer. - [Watch Out for Bad Resume Advice!](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/resumes-some-bad-advice/) - Recently I asked some colleagues in a LinkedIn group what bad advice they had heard for job seekers. It was a very popular topic! There's a lot of questionable guidance out there. A resume should never be longer than one page. (Bad advice.) Maybe this was once true, but times have changed. Recent surveys of - [What’s a Good Number of LinkedIn Connections?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/whats-a-good-number-of-linkedin-connections/) - The standard answer is “it depends,” but for most job seekers I think a good number of LinkedIn connections is "lots." Why? What will that big network do for you? - [Resume Writing Tips for Career Changers](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/resume-writing-tips-for-career-changers/) - When you're not just looking for a new job but a new career, you need a new resume. Here are some crucial career change resume tips to help you make the leap. - [Job Search in Summer – Keep It Going!](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/job-search-in-summer-keep-it-going/) - Contrary to the myth, summer is actually a good time to look for a new job. - [Quitting job search for the summer? Do this instead.](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/quitting-job-search-for-summer/) - Summer of 2020 is a rough time to apply for jobs. Some job seekers are deciding to quit job search until fall. If that's you, here's what you could do instead. - [How to Answer Interview Questions about Being Fired](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/were-you-fired-interview-question/) - Answering interview questions about being fired can be tricky. Your answer can cost you an opportunity - or make the firing a non-issue. Here's how to answer interview questions about being fired. - [Turn a "No, thanks" Interview into a "Yes!" Later](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/turn-a-no-thanks-interview-into-a-yes-later/) - You interviewed, you were rejected, that's the end of it, right? Wrong! You could still be hired at that company - even in that same role - before long. - [How to Get a Nonprofit Job with your Corporate Experience](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-get-a-nonprofit-job-with-your-corporate-experience/) - Are you eager to focus your career on making the world a better place? Wondering how to transition from a corporate job to a nonprofit career? Read on! - [How to Proofread Your Resume](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-proofread-your-resume/) - Does the job you're looking for require attention to detail or any kind of accuracy? Then you need an error-free resume. And do you really know how to proofread your resume so well that zero errors remain? - [Concise, Confident, Convincing: How Interview Coaching Helped a Pharma Sales Manager Get the Job](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/interview-coaching-west-los-angeles-sales-manager/) - Through interview coaching, West Los Angeles sales manager Jason (not his real name) polished his presentation skills and amped up his confidence. The effort was rewarded with an offer at a large company with more opportunities. Here's how. - [What's the Best Day and Time to Apply for a Job?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/whats-the-best-day-and-time-to-apply-for-a-job/) - How much could it matter what day you apply to a job online? Or whether it's morning or afternoon? Turns out it matters a lot. - [Interview Confidently with these 3 Powerful Tips](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/interview-confidently-with-these-3-powerful-tips/) - It’s well known that a confident candidate is more likely to get the job offer. Yet the high stakes of the job interview can definitely give you the jitters. How can you prepare yourself to interview confidently? - [When do you need a career coach for your job search?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/when-do-you-need-a-career-coach-for-your-job-search/) - When is it the right time to hire a career coach, a resume writer, or an interview coach? Here are a few questions to help you assess whether it's time to hire a pro. How long have you been job hunting? Less than a month: If you have an excellent resume, LinkedIn profile and job - [How to Accept a Job Offer](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-accept-a-job-offer/) - Accepting a job offer can be as simple as saying "yes!" But if you want the best possible transition, pay, benefits and success in your new job, think again. - [How to Interview for a Contract Position through an Agency](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-interview-for-a-contract-position-through-an-agency/) - Is the interview process different when the role is temporary? Yes, and you're more likely to be successful if you understand the differences. Here's how to interview for a contract position and get paid what you deserve. - [How to Write a Relocation Resume](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-write-a-relocation-resume/) - Wanting to relocate? If you're job-hunting outside your local area you need a relocation resume. - [Interview Follow-up: Another Way to Stand Out!](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/interview-follow-up-another-way-to-stand-out/) - After a job interview, reinforce your brand with great follow-up - not just a generic thank-you note! - [What to Do If You Go Blank in an Interview](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/what-to-do-if-you-go-blank-in-an-interview/) - Have you ever found yourself speechless in an interview? Not only were you stuck, you were probably upset about being stuck. And that made you even more stuck. It’s a vicious cycle! Here’s how to get your interview back on track. - [5 Reasons Your Resume Fell into a Black Hole](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/5-reasons-your-resume-fell-into-a-black-hole/) - You've sent your resume out for a dozen jobs this month, but it seems like it's disappearing into another dimension because you aren't getting calls. Familiar? - [Automated Video Interview Tips for Success](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/automated-video-interview-tips/) - Also known as one-way, asynchronous or AI interviews, automated video interviews are increasingly popular with employers as a cost-effective way to screen candidates. The following automated video interview tips will you win. - [How to Close a Job Interview](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-close-job-interview/) - A good interview closing statement can help ensure you're remembered positively and get an offer! Here's how to plan a strong end-of-interview statement. - [7 Wrong Ways to Let People Know You're Jobhunting](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-let-people-know-youre-looking-for-a-new-job/) - Word of mouth is how people find new jobs, right? Yes--if you do it right. Here are seven ways *not* to spread the word about your job search--and some better ways. - [How to Practice for a Job Interview](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-practice-for-a-job-interview/) - Like any skill, job interviewing improves greatly with practice, on your own and in mock interview. Here's how to practice your interview skills. - [Your Job Transition Checklist: 22 Tips from Offer to On-the-Job](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/job-transition-checklist/) - Congratulations! You're ending your job search and about to start a new job! What you do now can help ensure career success in the future. This changing-jobs checklist takes you from preparing to give notice through an ideal first few weeks on the job. - [The Best Questions to Ask in a Job Interview](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/the-best-questions-to-ask-in-a-job-interview/) - In a job interview, the questions you ask may be just as important as the answers you give. What are the best questions to ask the interviewer? This list will help you to find out what you need to know - and to impress the interviewer as a smart and seriously interested candidate. - [How to Answer Behavioral Interview Questions for Managers](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-answer-behavioral-interview-questions-for-managers/) - How can you be prepared to give a compelling and authentic answer to any of the common behavioral interview questions for managers - and uncommon ones, too? Here's a quick step-by-step guide, plus sample questions. - [Interview Storytelling: SOAR stories examples](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/soar-stories-examples/) - Storytelling is one of the most essential skills in a successful job search. Doing it well can mean getting a great job much sooner. In this post I'll provide SOAR story examples and tips. Your success stories prove what you can do for an employer. They're vital in job interviews - especially for answering behavioral - [What Is Interview Coaching?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/what-is-job-interview-coaching/) - Interview coaching is a modest investment--costing about as much as a mid-priced business suit--that can shorten your job search and get you into your dream job. - [How One Job Seeker Upped His Storytelling Game to End a Year of Unemployment](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/interview-coaching-san-francisco-job-seeker/) - Before he tried interview coaching, San Francisco software test engineer “Mark” had been unemployed for a year. After taking a few months off, he searched and interviewed for nine months. Despite excellent skills, dedication and years of experience, he received no offers. “I felt like I was giving good answers, but somehow it wasn’t working. And there was no feedback loop to tell me how to do better.” - [How to Build Rapport with Interviewers](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-build-rapport-with-interviewers/) - How can you build rapport with your interviewer, easily and immediately? This two-minute video shows you how to use mirroring to help you get the job offer. - [Building Rapport with Interviewers in Job Search: Watch this Video](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/building-rapport-with-interviewer-video/) - Rapport is a huge factor in successful job interviews and job search networking. "Mirroring" is a natural way to create mutual feelings of liking/trust, i.e. rapport. - [12 Tips for a Winning Interview, Part 2](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/12-tips-for-a-winning-interview-part-2/) - Got an interview coming up? Use these strategies to stand out and get the job. - [How to Leverage Your Contacts to Get a Job](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-use-contacts-to-get-a-job/) - Whether you've found an opening at your dream company, or maybe there's no opening and you're seeking an informational interview--having an insider's help makes a difference. Here's how to use contacts to get a job, even if you don't have many contacts yet. - [Job Search and the Weight of a Cloud: Both are Counterintuitive](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/job-search-counterintuitive/) - What seems like common sense is often totally wrong. This is true for clouds, and it's true for job search. - [Beyond STAR: How to Prepare More Interview Stories](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/beyond-star-how-to-prepare-more-interview-stories/) - This post tells you how to prepare an abundant list of interview stories. No matter what behavioral interview questions come at you, you won't be stumped. - [USP: The Guiding Light for Your Interview](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/usp-the-guiding-light-for-your-interview/) - One of the biggest "aha!" moments for many of my clients comes as we develop their unique selling proposition (USP). Your USP is your unique answer to employers' question – stated or not – "Why should we hire you instead of another candidate?" You may have 20 reasons why they should hire you, but the - [10 Ways to Prove Your Emotional Intelligence (Soft Skills) in a Job Interview](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/10-ways-to-prove-your-emotional-intelligence-soft-skills-in-a-job-interview/) - Emotional intelligence is a huge factor in employee success, and more companies are realizing it. How can you prove you have it when you interview for a job? - [Laid Off? 2 Steps Before Taking Time Off](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/laid-off-2-steps-before-taking-time-off/) - I've been laid off myself, and I know how it is. The first thing you want to do is recover from the shock of losing your job – and the stresses of having one! You may not have had a vacation in a long time. You deserve some time off. But there are at least two strong reasons why you should take a few small steps toward your job search first. - [Interview Questions: Remember to Read Between the Lines!](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/interview-questions-remember-to-read-between-the-lines/) - Interviewers know better than to directly ask "Are you easy to manage?" or "Do you get along well with others?" Instead, they'll say something like this: "How would you describe your ideal supervisor?" Then they'll read between the lines. So beat them to it: read between the lines of what they say, and make sure - [SOAR, CAR or STAR Stories--and The Lord of the Rings?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/soar-car-star-stories-and-the-lord-of-the-rings/) - What have job interviews, STAR stories and SOAR stories, and hobbits got to do with each other? And what do you really need to know about interview storytelling? - [Career Tips: Before Quitting Your Job](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/career-tips-before-quitting-your-job/) - Thinking of making a move when the time is right? Here are 11 steps to take now: 1. Start an Accomplishments Journal. I know this isn't what you're in the mood for, but you're going to need to be able to talk about your accomplishments - in interviews, in networking, on your resume and your - [How to Quit Your Job](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-quit-your-job/) - Resigning from a job isn't like that old hit song, "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover," because if you care about your career, you can't "just hop out the back." In this post I'll provide smart tips for how to quit your job in a way that will set you up for long-term success. Consider - [Questions to Ask When Scheduling an Interview](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/questions-to-ask-when-scheduling-an-interview/) - A recruiter calls you: "We'd like you to come in for an interview." You're so excited! At this point, most people fail to get all the facts they need to be well prepared. Here are the questions to ask when scheduling an interview. - [Robot-proof Your Resume If You Want to Get Interviews!](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/robot-proof-your-resume-for-applicant-tracking-systems/) - The resume robots are here! Your resume must work well in applicant tracking systems (ATS) if you want to get job interviews. It's easy--here's how. - [How One Job Seeker Learned to Answer Interview Questions about Being Fired](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/berkeley-california-how-to-answer-interview-questions-about-being-fired/) - Through interview coaching, Berkeley, California job seeker "Chris" went from stagnating in an underpaid job to starting an exciting new role with a 45% pay increase. The key: learning how to answer interview questions about being fired. - [Job Search Tool #1: SOAR Stories List](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/job-search-tool-1-soar-stories-list/) - Everyone knows a job seeker needs a resume. But there's another job search tool just as crucial: success stories. Use the SOAR interview storytelling technique to build a list of SOAR stories for winning interviews. - [10 Interview Questions to Assess the Boss](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/10-interview-questions-to-assess-the-boss-2/) - A job interview is a two-way street. These questions will help you interview the hiring manager and find out whether they will be an ally or an obstacle! - [Impossible Interview Questions, Part 2: Handling Sensitive & Negative Issues](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/impossible-interview-questions-part-2-handling-sensitive-negative-issues/) - "Impossible" interview questions about negative subjects can blow up in your face if not handled skillfully. Here's how to handle these questions effectively. - [How to End Interview Answers Smoothly and Effectively](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-end-interview-answers/) - Do your job interview answers trail off uncomfortably? Here are better ways to end each answer, to increase your odds of interview success. - [Podcast: How to Use Evidence for a Convincing Interview](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/interview-tips-podcast-how-to-convince-an-employer-to-hire-you/) - You may believe you're the right person for the job, but will the interviewer? Claiming you have a skill is one thing, but proving it is something else entirely. How can you do that? I and Mark Alred tell you how in a recent CareerPROgressions podcast. - [When the Interviewer Does All the Talking](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/when-the-interviewer-does-all-the-talking/) - You spent many hours preparing to tell the interviewer why they should hire you--and you couldn't get a word in because the interviewer talked the whole time. What does it mean when the interviewer does all the talking, and how can you make a case for yourself? - [The "Career Break" on Linkedin--Friend or Foe?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/career-break-on-linkedin/) - You can enter a specific Career Break on LinkedIn--but should you? - [9 Ways Not to Sabotage Your Interview - Podcast & Summary](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/9_ways_not_sabotage_job_interview_podcast_with_jeff_altman/) - This post (with video) describes 9 common (but not necessarily obvious) interview mistakes and how to avoid them. Ace the interview and get the offer! - [How to Call the Hiring Manager after Applying for a Job (Infographic)](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-call-the-hiring-manager-after-applying-for-a-job-infographic/) - One way to stand out and get an interview is to make a follow-up call after applying. This infographic shows you how to make this phone call work for you. - [Podcast: How do you reflect soft skills in your job interview?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/podcast-how-do-you-reflect-soft-skills-in-your-job-interview/) - Tips and techniques on how to demonstrate soft skills in your job interview and get the job! - [5 Interview Tips for Women](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/5-interview-tips-for-women/) - Gender bias in job interviews is still a reality. Here are 5 interview tips for women to help you overcome sexism and get the job and salary you deserve. - [How to Answer Interview Questions about Salary Expectations (Infographic)](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-answer-an-interview-question-about-salary-expectations-infographic/) - "What kind of salary are you looking for?" Unskillful answers to interviews question about salary expectations– your salary requirements, desired salary, etc. – can cost you a lot of money, or even the offer. - [Questions to Ask in an Interview for a Contract Job](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/questions-to-ask-in-an-interview-for-a-contract-job/) - In a previous article we explored how to interview with a staffing agency. In this followup post I provide smart questions to ask in an interview for a contract job. - [Group Interview: Cattle Call or Opportunity?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/group-interview-cattle-call-or-opportunity/) - Finding yourself lined up with other applicants in a cattle call interview can make you feel . . . not so special! - [Panel and Sequential Interviews](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/job-interviews-panel-and-sequential-2/) - "How many people do I have to interview with?" At some companies the answer is "quite a few," either as sequential interviews or as a panel interview. - [5 Tips on Answering Loaded Interview Questions](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/5-tips-on-answering-loaded-interview-questions/) - Here’s how to answer loaded interview questions in a way that demonstrates your intelligence, a positive attitude and good communication skills. - [Afraid to Make a Career Change?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/afraid-to-make-a-career-change/) - Are you hanging onto a job you don't like because you're afraid to make a career change? Why is it that the fear of change so often overwhelms the desire for fulfillment? Human beings have a built-in tendency to be anxious and risk-averse – what neuropsychologist and author Rick Hanson calls the "negativity bias." "The - [So Many Interviews, So Few Offers. Why?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/many-interviews-no-offers/) - The bad news: you've had many job interviews and few offers, or none. The good news is: you're probably making one of these very fixable mistakes. - [Job Seeker: Don't Do What Everybody Else Does!](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/job-seeker-dont-do-what-everybody-else-does/) - Don't follow the herd if you want to be the one who gets the job. This post tells how to stand out in job search--in smart, credible ways--and get hired sooner. - [Want Job Interviews? Be Online!](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/want-job-interviews-be-online/) - Did you know that a third of employers are less likely to call you for a job interview if they can't find information about you online? Find out more here. - [Career Choice: Don't Bark Up the Wrong Tree!](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/career-choice-dont-bark-up-the-wrong-tree/) - If you're considering a career change, it's important to know not only what you are good at and enjoy, but where the best opportunities are. Understanding both of these factors helps ensure you're not "barking up the wrong tree." If you're talented and driven enough to succeed in a glutted occupation like rock star, astronaut - [5 More Interview Questions CEOs Ask, and How to Answer Them](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/5-more-interview-questions-ceos-ask-and-how-to-answer-them/) - In last week’s post I explored five tricky interview questions CEOs ask--or at least some CEOs do. Now let's look at five more, and I'll offer suggestions on how to answer them. While you may never have to field these particular queries, thinking about them is a good way to stretch your interview skills. - [How to Decline a Job Offer](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-decline-a-job-offer/) - Not every job offer is the one you want to accept. It's important to know how to decline an offer as painlessly as possible while maintaining good relationships. - [Your Interview Prep Checklist](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/your-interview-prep-checklist/) - Got an interview that you absolutely must nail? Make sure you’re prepared with this comprehensive interview preparation checklist (+ links to useful resources). - ["I can't answer behavioral interview questions!"](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/i-cant-answer-behavioral-interview-questions/) - Is this you? "I fail behavioral interviews because I only have a few stories (or none). Or "I have no experience, so no stories." Here are solutions that work! - [Are you applying to fake job postings?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/are-you-applying-to-fake-job-postings/) - Why do employers put up fake job postings, wasting job seekers' time with "openings" that don't really exist? In many cases they're not necessarily scams. By "scams," I mean situations where applicants are exploited for identity theft or enticed into paying for equipment to get started. These happen, but they're not the most common problem. You're more likely to be fooled by "ghost postings": announcements from real, reputable companies that nevertheless will not actually lead to a hire. - [The Best Time to Update Your LinkedIn Profile](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/the-best-time-to-update-your-linkedin-profile/) - When is the best time to update or overhaul your LinkedIn profile? I have two different answers for you, both true. - [Getting a Job: How Long Will It Take?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/getting-a-job-how-long-will-it-take/) - There's a common rule of thumb among career coaches that finding a job takes one month of job search for every $10K of salary you'll be making. Now, let's talk about the real question. - [Why did you leave that job? The Most Common Interview Questions, #3](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/why-did-you-leave-that-job-the-most-common-interview-questions-3/) - "Why did you leave your job?" This can be one of the toughest interview questions to answer without raising any red flags. Here's how to handle it well. - [7 Secrets to Conquering Your Fear of Job Interviews](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/7-secrets-to-conquering-your-fear-of-job-interviews/) - Do you have job interview jitters? Fear of interviews can make you stammer, sweat, or "go blank." In this post you'll learn several ways to banish fear and cultivate calmness and confidence. - [How to Answer "What’s Your Superpower?” in a Job Interview](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-answer-whats-your-superpower-in-a-job-interview/) - Are you wondering how to answer “What’s your superpower” in an interview? The question can sound a little daunting if your self-image doesn’t include superhero tights and a cape. - [How to Reach Out to a Hiring Manager on LinkedIn](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-reach-out-to-a-hiring-manager-on-linkedin/) - One of the most powerful ways to use LinkedIn for job search is to proactively contact managers who could, now or in the future, give you a job. Here's how to reach out to a hiring manager on LinkedIn, either to pursue a current opening or to seek an informational interview. - [Interview Question: What Are Your Weaknesses?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/interview-question-what-are-your-weaknesses/) - What do you say when in a job interview when they ask "What's your weakness?" - [What Your LinkedIn Photo (or Lack of One) Says About You](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/what-your-linkedin-photo-or-lack-of-one-says-about-you/) - A picture is worth a thousand words. Here are some tips from LinkedIn profile writer for making sure your LinkedIn profile is sending the right message to support your career. - [Interview Advice? Think Twice!](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/interview-advice-think-twice/) - Have you been given bad advice about job interviews? The following commonly-heard suggestions range from misleading to just plain wrong – not necessarily in that order. For example: "Just be yourself." At the other extreme, answering an interviewer the same way you might answer your best friend may be charming, but it's unlikely to get - [Quick Tip for Easier Eye Contact in Online Interviews](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/quick-tip-for-easier-eye-contact-in-online-interviews/) - Lack of eye contact can make online and video interviews feel stiff and unfriendly; but staring at the camera isn't so great either. Here's a better solution! - [Resume Bloopers!](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/resume-bloopers/) - These resume examples are both instructive and amusing. Don't make these mistakes! - [Are Employment Statistics Irrelevant to You?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/are-employment-statistics-irrelevant-to-you/) - As a career coach I'm sometimes asked by job seekers whether I think the job market here in the San Francisco Bay Area is getting better. My answer is: How does it matter to you? My favorite quote on this subject comes from Jerrold Mundis, an author of good self-help books for people with financial - [Job Interviews – How to Reassure the Paranoid Employer](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/job-interviews-how-to-reassure-the-paranoid-employer/) - Hiring the wrong person can easily cost an employer $25,000, even $50,000. It's also well known that many candidates lie in job interviews or make exaggerated claims about their experience and skills. Put these facts together and you can easily understand why interviewers may feel a little paranoid. Whether you're saying you're a fast learner, - [10 Ingredients of an Excellent LinkedIn Profile](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/10-ingredients-of-an-excellent-linkedin-profile/) - Does your LinkedIn profile hit all 10 of these targets? If not, you're missing opportunities that could advance your career! - [LinkedIn – Recommendations vs. Endorsements](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/linkedin-recommendations-vs-endorsements/) - If you're on LinkedIn, you've probably been baffled by receiving endorsements from people who don't know anything about you. You may also be aware that you can give and receive recommendations. Why are there two similar features, and what's the difference? (If you're not on LinkedIn, by the way, you may want to read my post - ["Where do you see yourself in five years?"](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/where-do-you-see-yourself-in-five-years/) - "Where do you see yourself in five years?" How should you answer this tricky interview question? A great interview answer is one that is both authentic and strategic. It's the best answer that's true and shows you're a good fit for the job. It may help to put yourself in the interviewer's shoes. If you - [Feedback: Crucial to Your Job Search](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/feedback-crucial-to-your-job-search/) - To see ourselves as others see us: it's never more necessary than when we're in job search. Employers and networking contacts will judge us based on superficial things: a handshake, an email address, a 10-minute phone screening. We think we can guess the impression we're making, but then we don't hear back after the phone - [Researching Your Target Companies: Questions to Ask](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/researching-your-target-companies-questions-to-ask/) - Interested in working for a certain company? Knowledge is power. Certain kinds of information can help you get an interview there – or help you decide if you even want to. - [Job Interviews: 7 Tips for Success](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/job-interviews-7-tips-for-success/) - If getting an "A" on a test would make you thousands of dollars and improve your daily life for the next few years, would you study hard for it? A job interview is that test. It's smart to prepare and practice before you're ever offered an interview. What if someone calls you today for a - [Job Interview Success: What's Love Got to Do with It?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/job-interview-success-whats-love-got-to-do-with-it/) - Around February 14 we hear a lot of slogans and sayings about love. What's love got to do with getting a job? Well, try this. Substitute the word "enthusiasm" for "love" in some of those sayings. Enthusiasm makes the world go 'round. Enthusiasm will find a way. You can't buy enthusiasm. There's a lot of - [6 Mood Lifters for Job Seekers](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/6-mood-lifters-for-job-seekers/) - Everyone feels down sometimes, but persistent feelings of discouragement can cripple your job search. If your resume wasn't working you'd rewrite it. Your state of mind is even more important, so do something about it. Here are some actions you can take to get into a more peaceful, resourceful state of mind. Exercise. As a - [Networking: Organizations vs. Openings](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/networking-organizations-vs-openings/) - Do you find job search networking stressful, depressing or unproductive? Shifting your focus from openings to organizations could transform your whole experience–and get you a great job, sooner. - [Your #1 Habit for Career Success](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/your-1-habit-for-career-success/) - I'm not going to lie to you. I don't know what crucial, transformative habit is going to help you get a great new job, or a promotion at your current one. You can answer this question better than I can. What single action, if done every day without fail, would powerfully move you toward your - [Answering the Interview Question about Stress Management](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/interview-question-about-stress-management/) - "How do you handle pressure? How do you cope with stress in the workplace?" Here's how to make this question work for you. - [How to Interview for a Job When You May Be Overqualified](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-interview-overqualified/) - How can you successfully interview for a job you may be overqualified for? Actually, there’s a lot you can do to overcome this perception and get the offer. - [Job Search on the Company's Dime](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/job-searching-on-the-companys-dime/) - As a resume writer / resume coach, I often know right away when a client's existing resume was initially prepared on a company computer, at their current or previous job. How can I tell? I open up the Document Properties dialog box, under the File Menu, and read what's in the "Company" field. It's surprising how - [Starting a New Job Soon? Advice for a Flawless Transition](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/starting-a-new-job-soon-advice-for-a-flawless-transition/) - Starting a new job (and maybe leaving an old job)? Here's what you need to know to make your job transition a flawless one. - [90 Days, 32 Informational Interviews, 1 Great Job](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/90-days-32-informational-interviews-1-great-job/) - This is the true story of how Dan, a self-described introvert, did three info interviews a week, landed a six-figure job he loves – and even had fun doing it. - ["Why do you want to leave your job?" (Interview Question)](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/why-do-you-want-to-leave-your-job-job-interview-question/) - Do you know how to answer this tricky interview question? The wrong answer here can derail your whole interview! - [How to Write an Interview Thank-you Note that Gets You Hired](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-write-an-interview-thank-you-note-that-gets-you-hired/) - Done well, an interview follow-up email does more than just say “thank you." It helps you get the job! Here are 7 questions to help you write your perfect note. - [Cover Letters: 5 More Reasons to Use One](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/cover-letters-5-more-reasons-to-use-one/) - In a recent post I covered a key reason for the cover letter: to show you've done your homework and can relate your skills to the specific company and job. Here are five more good reasons: You can say things in a letter that might not be appropriate in your resume. For example, you can - [When Your Real Job Experience Looks Fake on the Resume](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/when-your-real-job-experience-looks-fake-on-the-resume/) - Recently I heard of a job seeker being rejected for a job because the recruiter thought one of the employers he'd listed didn't really exist. The work experience was real, but here's the rub: even real job experience can look fake on a resume. - [If your boss offers you a raise when you try to quit, should you accept?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/if-your-boss-offers-you-a-raise-when-you-try-to-quit-should-you-accept/) - You’ve handed in your resignation, but now your boss is offering more money. Or maybe they're dangling better hours, a change in your job description, flexibility or other perks. Should you accept? - [5 Job Hunting Tips for the Holidays](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/5-job-hunting-tips-for-the-holidays/) - There are more opportunities than you think amongst the tinsel and tra-la! Here are some easy ways to keep your job search in gear for a new job in the new year. - [Great Interview, But No Offer. Why?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/great-interview-but-no-offer/) - You’re well qualified, you had good answers to all the questions, and they seemed to like you a lot! It seemed like a great interview, but no offer. What happened? - [How to Choose Your Profile Picture by Crowd-Testing It](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-choose-your-profile-picture-by-crowd-testing-it/) - Are people getting the right message from your LinkedIn or Facebook profile picture? Here's how you can find out. The results may surprise you! - [Feedback You Need During Job Search](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/feedback-you-need-during-job-search/) - How you’re being perceived by other people: that's what will make or break your job search. Let’s take a look at the feedback you need during job search, and how to get it. - [Should you go back to your old job? Advice for the boomerang employee](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/should-you-go-back-to-your-old-job-advice-for-the-boomerang-employee/) - You left your job for a reason, but the situation has changed. Maybe there’s a new manager, a change in the workplace culture, or a bigger salary. Should you go back to your old job? Companies have become more open to rehiring "boomerang employees." Here are some useful tips. - [How to Get a Useful Resume Critique](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-get-a-useful-resume-critique/) - You need a resume that makes decision makers pick up the phone. Resume critiques are an useful step in the job search process. - [Search Firms: Do's & Don'ts for Job Seekers](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/search-firms-dos-donts-for-success/) - If you're a strong candidate for a hard-to-fill, technical or highly paid opening, you could land your next job through a search firm recruiter. But it's important to know how to work with them. The #1 point to remember about search firms is that they work for employers, not for you. That's not necessarily bad - [How to Handle a Resume Gap Due to Covid](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-handle-a-resume-gap-due-to-covid-19/) - Is a gap in employment due to COVID-19 a big problem on your resume? This post answers that question, with tips on how to reduce the damage. - [How to Find a Job after a Gap in Employment](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/find-a-job-after-a-gap-in-employment/) - Getting back into the workforce after a gap in employment is largely a matter of overcoming employers' negative perceptions. Here's how. - [How to Expect the Interviewer to Like You (So They Will)](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-get-an-interviewer-to-like-you/) - If you assume that people already like you, they probably will, according to research. Since personal chemistry plays a big role in job interviews, this has big implications for your job search. If you assume that people already like you, they probably will, according to research. Since personal chemistry plays a big role in job interviews, this has big implications for your job search. - [How to Answer an Interview Question about Your Work Style](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-answer-an-interview-question-about-your-work-style/) - What is your work style? This question is about cultural fit. The key to a successful answer is to find the overlap between (a) your style and (b) what works for the company. - [3 Cool Features You Need to Know for Zoom Interviews](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/3-cool-features-you-need-to-know-for-zoom-interviews/) - Even if you've used Zoom many times before, you may not know about these cool features that will help you do a great Zoom interview and get that job you want. - [Who should call back when a call is dropped?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/who-should-call-back-when-a-call-is-dropped/) - You're on the phone, trying to impress a recruiter, when suddenly you realize there's nobody at the other end any more. Who should call back? - [5 Tips for Listing Freelance Work on Your Resume](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/5-tips-for-listing-freelance-work-on-your-resume/) - If you put freelance work on your resume, will recruiters believe and respect it? Yes, if you do it right. Here's how to list consulting work on your resume. - [Why do interviewers ask these questions? Weaknesses, 5-year goals & more](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/why-do-interviewers-ask-these-questions-weaknesses-5-year-goals-more/) - Why do interviewers ask what your weaknesses are, or where you see yourself in five years? Why do they ask you to walk them through your resume? If you want to answer an interview question effectively, you need to understand why it’s being asked. - [What are your salary expectations? Most Common Interview Questions, #5](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/what-are-your-salary-expectations-most-common-interview-questions-5/) - How you answer interview questions about salary can affect your finances for years to come. Here are tips on answering to maximize your chances - and your pay! - [When you don't have all the requirements for a job--what to do?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/when-you-dont-have-all-the-requirements-for-a-job/) - Some job postings are such a "shopping list" of requirements, it’s hard to imagine any candidate having it all. What should you do when you want to apply to such a job? - [Job Interview Tips from a Novelist](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/job-interview-tips-from-a-novelist/) - The stories you tell in a job interview should definitely *not* be fiction. Nevertheless, novelists could teach job seekers a few things. - [Networking Is *Not* Bothering Your Friends](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/networking-is-not-bothering-your-friends/) - I'm currently reading the best book on networking I've ever read, because it starts from the premise that networking should be *comfortable* for you and the other person. - [Job Postings: Better Uses for Them, #1](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/job-postings-better-uses-for-them-1/) - The only purpose for looking up job openings online is to apply to them, right? Nope! Here's the first in my series of better uses for these postings. Clue: Who's looking to hire your future boss? Soon after, that manager may need to hire you! So as an example, if you're seeking a job as - [The “Weakness” Interview Question, and What Your Answer Says about You](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/the-weakness-interview-question-and-what-your-answer-says-about-you/) - What’s your weakness? Your clever, well-practiced answer may send a message you didn’t intend. - [The One New Year's Resolution That Will Get You a New Job](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/the-one-new-years-resolution-that-will-get-you-a-new-job/) - What's the one New Year's Resolution that will get you a new job? Reach your career goals by making a habit of this one thing. - [What Are Your Weaknesses? The Most Common Interview Questions, #1](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/what-are-your-weaknesses-the-most-common-interview-questions-1/) - How should you answer interview questions about your weaknesses? This series of posts will demystify several of the most common interview questions. - [Is the “Greatest Strengths” Interview Question Easy?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/is-the-greatest-strengths-interview-question-easy/) - Other interview questions seem more difficult than “What are your greatest strengths?", don't they? Maybe that’s why so many job seekers throw away the opportunity this question offers. - [How Not to Shoot Yourself in the Foot in Job Interviews](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/things-you-should-never-say-in-a-job-interview/) - There are many things you should never say in a job interview. I'm not going to list them all, but here's a simple guideline to remember: never volunteer a negative. Don't be your own worst enemy! - [How to Come Up with Interview Stories via the Stories-within-Stories Method](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-come-up-with-interview-stories-via-the-stories-within-stories-method/) - We all know storytelling is crucial in job interviews, but it's easier said than done. Are you wondering how to come up with interview stories? One place to look is within the stories you already have. - [Questions to Ask the Interviewer about Job Security & Covid-19 Safety](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/questions-to-ask-the-interviewer-about-job-security-covid-19-safety/) - What questions can you ask in a job interview to assess the job security? Will the job survive COVID-19 and the recession? Ask these questions in interviews. - [10 Questions to Ask Interviewers about a Remote Role](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/10-questions-to-ask-interviewers-about-a-remote-role/) - What questions should you ask the interviewer when you interview for a remote role? Working virtually has its own challenges. Find out what you need to know! - [How to Dress for a Job Interview in the 2020s](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-dress-for-a-job-interview-in-the-2020s/) - How you dress for a job interview speaks loudly before you ever say a word. Here's how to make sure that message helps you get the job. - [How to Psych Yourself Up for an Interview](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-psych-yourself-up-for-an-interview/) - Let's say you've done a lot of smart job interview preparation, but you still don't feel entirely confident. How can you psych yourself up for the interview? - [Interviewing Tips for the Over-50 Professional](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/interviewing-tips-for-the-over-50-professional/) - If you're over 50, or even over 40, you may encounter stereotypes. Here's how to interview in a way that gets ageism out of the way - and gets you the job. - [Is Your Resume Too "Versatile"?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/is-your-resume-too-versatile/) - Often I hear from job seekers who need to get a job ASAP, have a wide range of skills, and thus are willing to work in various areas. "I could do either customer service, bookkeeping or event coordination," they might say. "I want a resume that doesn't narrow my options." Unfortunately, an unfocused resume will - [LinkedIn: 10 Tips for an Impressive Profile](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/linkedin-10-tips-for-a-great-profile/) - If you're going to be on LinkedIn - and I highly recommend that - do it right! Whether you're in job search or just putting your best foot forward to colleagues and customers, here are 10 steps you need to take. - [How to Tell the Right Interview Story for Any Question](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-tell-the-right-interview-story-for-any-interview-question/) - To succeed in job interviews--especially with multiple meetings--you need lots of interview stories, and you need to remember the right one at the right time. - [5 Reasons You Need LinkedIn Recommendations](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/5-reasons-you-need-linkedin-recommendations/) - Why do you need LinkedIn recommendations? Here's why they matter, how many to get, and how to do it. - [Don't Say These 4 Words in a Salary Negotiation](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/dont-say-these-4-words-in-a-salary-negotiation/) - Make sure you know the four words not to say in salary negotiation. I also offer some FREE tools to help you negotiate more confidently and effectively. - [Podcast: Creating a Career Change Resume](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/podcast-on-creating-a-career-change-resume/) - If you want to change careers you need to a well strategized, thoroughly overhauled career change resume. This podcast tells you how. - [Negotiating Salary & Benefits - the Importance of Reasons](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/negotiating-salary-benefits-the-importance-of-reasons/) - What single word will help you get what you want in negotiating salary and benefits? - [Questions to Ask in Interviews about the Team Culture](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/questions-to-ask-in-interviews-about-the-team-culture/) - In remote job interviews it can be harder to get a sense of your prospective teammates and the team culture. Here are some questions to ask the interviewers. - [Ace Your Case Interview](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/case-interview-coming-up/) - The case interview is a tricky interview format that requires careful preparation. Here are nine tips to ace the case, plus some links for further study. - [How to Use Job Interview "Extras": Portfolios, Presentations & Plans](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-use-job-interview-extras-portfolios-presentations-plans/) - Stand out as the candidate who goes the extra mile, by bringing one of these value-added extras to your job interview. - [What to Do if You Never Heard Back after Interviewing](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/what-to-do-if-you-never-heard-back-after-interviewing/) - Have you had a good interview and then been ghosted? If you never heard back after the interview, here's what to do. - [5 Crazy Mistakes Job Seekers Make](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/5-crazy-mistakes-job-seekers-make/) - You're too smart for the usual dumb bloopers. Here are some crazy job search mistakes that are made even by smart job seekers like you. - [Covid and Job Search, Some Curated Resources](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/covid19-and-job-search-resources/) - For those already in job search or preparing "just in case," how will the Covid pandemic affect your strategy? Here are several useful resources. - [7 Ways to Use Your LinkedIn Recommendations to Impress Employers](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/7-ways-to-use-linkedin-recommendations-to-impress-employers/) - Chances are you don't know how many ways you could be using Linkedin recommendations to make a compelling case for yourself - and get the job you want! - [The Purpose of a Resume Summary—It’s Not to Summarize!](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/the-purpose-of-a-resume-summary-its-not-to-summarize/) - When it comes to job search, there's some misleading language out there. For example, a thank-you note is not primarily for the purpose of saying “thank you” (more below). And in your resume's summary statement, summarizing your resume isn’t really the point. What is? - [Job Interviews: Know the Format!](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/job-interviews-know-the-format/) - The phone rings and a recruiter says "We'd like to bring you in for an interview." In the heat of your excitement, don't forget to find out what kind of interview to expect. Often the interviewer will tell you what you need to know, but if they don't--ask! There are several forms an interview can - [Job Postings - Better Uses for Them, #3](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/job-postings-better-uses-for-them-3/) - If you're looking for job openings, undoubtedly you see many that aren't quite right for you. Do a good deed that will help you, too: pass some of these announcements on to other job seekers you're networking with. Not networking with other job seekers? You're missing out on opportunities for synergy and mutual support. Job - [How to Get Lots of Connections on LinkedIn](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-get-lots-of-connections-on-linkedin/) - Here are easy tips on how to get lots of LinkedIn connections. Build a large LinkedIn network that supports your goals for networking & professional visibility. - [How to Convince Employers to Hire You](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-convince-employers-to-hire-you/) - Whether you're writing a resume or answering an interview question, it all comes down to this: how to convince employers to hire you. - [The Resume Hack that Gets You 38% More Interviews](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/resume-hack_use_numbers_in_resume/) - On average, when someone applies to a job online they have about a 2% chance of getting an interview. But there's one single factor that may boost that rate to 40%: use numbers in your resume to quantify your work accomplishments. - [How to Hide a LinkedIn Recommendation You've Given, and Why](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-hide-a-linkedin-recommendation-youve-given-and-why/) - It might seem silly to hide a LinkedIn recommendation you've given. After all, you want to support your colleague! But sometimes it's best to let your praise to show up only on their profile, not on yours. - [When to Answer an Interview Question with a Question](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/when-to-answer-an-interview-question-with-a-question/) - If you’re well prepared, most interview questions can and should be answered directly. But sometimes you may be asked for information you’re better off not providing. One good way to deflect such inquiries is to answer an interview question with a question of your own. - [Should you send a thank-you email if you didn't get the job?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/should-you-send-a-thank-you-email-if-you-didnt-get-the-job/) - Should you send a thank-you email if you didn't get the job? Yes: it can lead to an opportunity. - [Job Search: 69% of Us, Ready or Not](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/job-search-69-of-us-ready-or-not/) - If you're secretly looking for a new job, you're probably not the only one in your office. Sixty-nine percent of full-time workers in a recent CareerBuilder survey reported that job search activities were part of their normal routine. It appears there's a growing awareness that we're all "free agents" who need to keep our eyes - [Why Many Job Openings Are *Not* Online](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/why-most-job-openings-are-not-online/) - A large proportion of job openings are never advertised online. This is true at all levels--for line, managerial and executive roles--and across most industries. These unadvertised jobs are often known as the "hidden job market." To access these opportunities you need to be known to an insider, either by chance or by making yourself known - [How to Answer Impossible Interview Questions, Part 1](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-answer-impossible-interview-questions-part-1/) - What do you do when you're asked an "impossible" interview question - one that stops you in your tracks? There's always a way to handle it. - [What are your job interview selling points? (Podcast)](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/what-are-your-job-interview-selling-points-podcast/) - To succeed in a job interview, you need to know what will make you stand out from the competition - then emphasize that and make it memorable. Here's how. - [Plan the Core Messages for your Job Interview (a Podcast and Video)](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/plan-core-messages-for-job-interview/) - Do you go into job interviews knowing the main messages you want to proactively put across? Are you ready to focus interviewers' minds on what you want them to remember? Or do you leave it all up to them? This week I went live on one of the top podcasts in the country, Career Central, - [10 Tips for Great Cover Letters](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/10-tips-for-great-cover-letters/) - Cover letters do get read, and they do make a difference if done right. Follow these 10 tips to make your letter stand out and get noticed. - [Cover Letters Need Key Words!](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/cover-letters-need-key-words/) - Your cover letter isn't just for a person to read. It's also a source of searchable data. Here's how you can optimize it to help ensure you get called for a job interview! - [Job Interviews & No Offers - Why?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/job-interviews-no-offers-why/) - If you're interviewing but not getting offers, you're probably missing some of these crucial job interview skills. Go beyond the basics to really stand out! - [Your Best Answer to "Why do you want this job?"](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/your-best-answer-to-why-do-you-want-this-job/) - It's one of the most crucial interview questions. Your answer to "Why do you want this job?" can tell the interviewer a lot, whether you realize it or not. - [5 Tips to Ace a Surprise Phone Screen Interview](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/5-tips-to-ace-a-surprise-phone-screen-interview/) - If you're open to new job opportunities, you know it's smart to keep your resume updated. But did you know it's equally important to be ready for a phone screen interview – which could happen at any time? And are you ready? - [Informational Interviews for Fun & Profit!](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/informational-interviews-for-fun-profit/) - Don't let my silly title fool you. Info interviewing is a seriously powerful way to get on the inside track for future job openings (& maybe even get an offer on the spot). - [How & Why You Need to Customize Your LinkedIn URL](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-why-you-need-to-customize-your-linkedin-url/) - Invite employers to get to know you better with a concise and savvy-looking LinkedIn URL on your resume and other job search documents. - [You're in marketing & advertising, but can you sell yourself?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/youre-in-marketing-advertising-but-can-you-sell-yourself/) - As a career coach, I'm struck by the difficulty marketing pros have in selling themselves for a job. For example, how's your LinkedIn Social Selling Index score? - [When Should You Send an Interview Thank-You Note?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/when-should-you-send-an-interview-thank-you-note/) - When should you send an interview thank-you note? This is actually two questions, and I'm going to answer both of them. - [How to Prepare for Interview Questions the Smart Way](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/your-interview-questions-list-how-to-use-this-powerful-tool/) - If you're looking for a new job, you need to know how to prepare for interview questions - the smart way. First, compile a good list. Anticipate any likely questions that may be prompted by your resume, your LinkedIn profile or other materials the interviewer may have seen. Expect to be asked why you left - [Job Interviews: What to Say at the End?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/job-interviews-what-to-say-at-the-end/) - A good interview closing statement can help ensure you're remembered positively and get an offer! Here's how to plan a strong end-of-interview statement. - [Your Job Search Checklist for 2020](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/job-search-checklist/) - Are you ready to get your dream job this year? This "best practices" job search checklist will help you get ready for success. - [The Yin and Yang of the Job Interview](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/the-yin-and-yang-of-the-job-interview/) - What two factors must be present for a great interview? - [Symbols to Liven Up Your LinkedIn Profile](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/symbols-to-liven-up-your-linkedin-profile/) - People sometimes ask me where they can get the cool checkmarks (✔) I use as bullets in my LinkedIn headline: Job Interview Coach ✔ Job Search Strategist ✔ Resume Writer ✔ LinkedIn Profiles ✔ www.TheaKelley.com This checkmark is not a graphic but a font character. It comes from the Symbol font, so you can type - [How to Answer Interview Questions about Your Furlough, Remote Work and the Pandemic](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-answer-interview-questions-about-furlough-remote-work-pandemic/) - In 2020 you'll need to answer interview questions about topics like your furlough, working remotely, and COVID-19 safety. How should you answer these questions? - [How to Research the Interviewer before an Interview](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-research-the-interviewer-before-an-interview/) - Along with researching the company before an interview, should you research the interviewer? Certainly. Here's how to do it effectively and without being creepy. - [Should you target your resume for every job opening?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/should-you-target-your-resume-for-every-job-opening/) - Is it a good idea to target your resume for each job you apply to? The answer is: it depends. - [Answering Interview Questions about Diversity and Inclusion](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/answering-interview-questions-about-diversity-and-inclusion/) - It's more crucial than ever to effectively answer interview questions about diversity. Here's how to give authentic answers that show the best of who you are. - [7 Reasons to Freelance or Consult Between Jobs](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/7-reasons-to-freelance-between-jobs/) - Freelancing/consulting between jobs can be so beneficial to your job search and career that I think nearly every job seeker should at least consider it. - [7 Myths about Job Hunting in a Recession](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/7-myths-about-job-hunting-in-a-recession/) - Job search in a recession is hard enough without the burden of false information. Here are seven unhelpful myths you can drop right now. - [The Best Way to Make Contacts within Your Target Companies](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/the-best-way-to-make-contacts-within-your-target-companies/) - Advice and referrals from company insiders can greatly boost your likelihood of being hired. How do you make contacts within your target companies? - [3 Useful Resume Hacks You Didn't Know](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/3-useful-resume-hacks-you-didnt-know/) - Learn these advanced resume techniques for highlighting career wins, downplaying your age, enhancing your job titles the honest way--and more! - [Playing the Long Game to Shorten Your Job Search during the COVID19 Pandemic](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/playing-the-long-game-to-shorten-your-job-search-during-the-covid19-pandemic/) - How to look for a job during a pandemic? During COVID-19, playing a smart "long game" in your job search may actually get you hired sooner. - [My Review of LinkedIn's Interview Prep Feature](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/my-review-of-linkedins-interview-prep-feature/) - LinkedIn has an interview prep feature. Is it worth using? My answer is a qualified "yes." Here is my review and some tips for making the most of this feature. - [How to Get Help from a Real Person at LinkedIn](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-get-help-from-a-human-at-linkedin/) - How can you get help from a real person at LinkedIn? It isn't obvious, but it's easy once you know how. - [How SWOT Analysis Can Help You Ace Your Job Interview](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/swot-analysis-to-ace-your-job-interview/) - Let’s explore how analyzing your SWOT—Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats--can help you prepare for an interview. Planning almost always works better than "winging it." - [What's Your 5-Year Goal? The Most Common Interview Questions, #2](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/most-common-interview-questions-2-your-5-year-goal/) - "Where do you see yourself in five years?" This one of the most common interview questions. Why do they ask it? What's the best way to answer it? - [How to Talk about Being Unemployed (& Still Get a Job)](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-talk-about-being-unemployed-get-a-job/) - Here are the 5 best ways to talk about being unemployed in job interviews and networking. What you say can help you get a job, or keep you struggling. - [10 Ways Thankfulness Helps You Get a Job Faster](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/10-ways-thankfulness-helps-you-get-a-job/) - Here are 10 ways a sincere "thank you" can make a practical difference in your job search. It's good for the soul--and helps you get a great job sooner! - [Job-hunt in December! Here's Why.](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/job-hunt-in-december-heres-why/) - Contrary to popular belief, December is a really smart time to work on finding a new job, for several reasons. First and foremost, there's less competition. Recruiter survey data cited by Monster show that although hiring may be at lower levels in most industries, "recruiters are determined to fill the year's remaining openings by December - [Managing "Me, Inc." for Career Security](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/managing-me-inc-for-career-security/) - Career security is not something we get from employers today. Most of us change careers several times, and jobs even more often. Some of these changes are involuntary. All of these changes can be difficult. Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu wrote, Because the sage always confronts difficulties, he never experiences them. (The nerve of that guy! - [The "Multi-Path" Resume](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/the-multi-path-resume/) - Does this sound a little like you? Roger Willco (not a real person) says “I have experience as an underwriter, a financial analyst and an executive assistant. I'm not sure which direction I'm going now, so I need a resume that can work for all these jobs." "I need a job as soon as possible, - [Is Consistency the Hobgoblin of Your Resume?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/is-consistency-the-hobgoblin-of-your-resume/) - That saying that "a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds" can be applied to resumes. This has nothing to do with the size of one's mind. - [Think You Know How to Network to Find a Job? Take this Quiz.](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how_to_network_to_find_job_quiz/) - Job search networking: How much do you really know about how to do it right? Take this quiz. - [Your List of Behavioral Interview Questions, Part 1](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/your-list-of-behavioral-interview-questions-part-1/) - To turn job interviews into offers, you need to be ready to answer a list of behavioral questions. Here's a good list to work with, and tips for how to prepare. - [Your List of Behavioral Interview Questions, Part 2](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/your-list-of-behavioral-interview-questions-part-2/) - To prepare for a winning interview you need a list of behavioral interview questions, including those specific to your occupation. Here's how to build that list. - [Job Postings - Better Uses for Them, #2](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/job-postings-better-uses-for-them-2/) - The only reason to look up job openings online is to apply to them, right? Actually, they can be even more valuable as job market intelligence! Last week's post explained why you may want to search for your future boss's position along with your own. The insights you gain from job announcements can answer these - [How to Show Enthusiasm in a Job Interview](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-show-enthusiasm-in-a-job-interview/) - Do you know how to show enthusiasm in a job interview? Just because you feel it, doesn't mean they see it. Let's explore what to say and do to show your passion for your work. - [A "Coach" You Can Afford: the Jibberjobber Job Search Program](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/a-job-search-coach-you-can-afford-jibberjobber-job-search-program/) - The average job search is an overwhelming five-month slog. That's why I was excited to beta-test the new Jibberjobber Job Search Program. I love it! It works. - [More Easy Ways to Build Your Target Companies List](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/more-easy-ways-to-build-your-target-companies-list/) - A target companies list is a must-have tool for a smart job search. Here's how to develop it. - [How to Stop Procrastinating in Your Job Search](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-stop-procrastinating-in-your-job-search/) - Job search makes foot-draggers of us all. How can you stop procrastinating in your job search and move forward? - [Has LinkedIn sent your resume to the wrong company?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/has-linkedin-sent-your-resume-to-the-wrong-company/) - If you're applying to jobs via LinkedIn, be aware of this LinkedIn jobs mixup: your resume may not always go to the right place. Here's the scoop. - [What to Bring to the Job Interview: Checklist](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/what-to-bring-to-the-job-interview-checklist/) - It's easy to forget something when you're excited about a job interview. This interview day checklist will help ensure everything goes smoothly. - [Brand Your Job Search with a Tagline](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/in-job-search-communications-taglines-work-for-you/) - A good tagline is a valuable personal branding tool, especially when you're in job search. - [5 Friday Tips for Job Seekers](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/5-friday-tips-for-job-seekers/) - If you're working, Friday is the gateway into your biggest chunk of discretionary time. Here are 5 quick job search steps you can do in 35 minutes, then relax! - [Job Boards: Don't Get Eaten by Monster!](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/job-boards-dont-get-eaten-by-monster/) - Only 1.3% of hires happen through Monster.com, although many job seekers spend a lot more than 1.3% of their job search time there. I came across this interesting fact on the JibberJobber Blog. (JibberJobber is a contact management software designed for job seekers). The article is a few months old, but I doubt the facts - [5 Words You Must Never, Ever, EVER Use in Your Resume](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/5-words-you-must-never-use-in-resume/) - There are five words you must NEVER use in your resume. They aren't the usual "resume cliches" you may have read about. These five words are far, far more overused, unoriginal and worn out. They're deadly! - [Do You Need a Personal Website?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/do-you-need-a-personal-website/) - As a job seeker, do you need a personal website? Isn't LinkedIn enough? To make that decision, let's compare these two pillars of your online presence. - [The Interview Question about Your Ideal Work Environment – How to Answer?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/the-interview-question-about-your-ideal-work-environment-how-to-answer/) - How do you answer the interview question, "What is your ideal work environment?” An authentic yet strategic answer can help you get the job. - [3 Interview Questions We're Afraid to Ask](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/interview-questions-were-afraid-to-ask/) - It's extremely important to plan good questions to ask in an interview. The questions you ask can be just as important as the ones you answer. - [LinkedIn's New Look – 5 Steps to Make It Work for You](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/linkedins-new-look-5-steps-to-make-it-work-for-you/) - Your LinkedIn profile has a new layout on desktop computers. What do you need to know - and do - to make sure you're still looking good on LinkedIn? - [Find a Job Online: Beyond Monster & Craigslist](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/find-a-job-online-beyond-monster-craigslist/) - Searching for jobs online is not the be-all and end-all of job search, but it has its place, so you want to know how to do it right. Even if you're not yet ready to apply, it's wise to start looking at postings ahead of time. (See my post "Job Postings: Better Uses for Them" for - [Mental Practice for Interviews, Part 1](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/mental-practice-for-interviews-part-1/) - Practice makes perfect. One of the most valuable – and overlooked – ways to practice for a successful job interview is in your imagination, via mental practice. There's also a lot of value in mock interviewing with a friend or coach, or practicing aloud by yourself with a mirror, but don't skip the inner practice. - [What's the biggest mistake you've made? Most Common Interview Questions #4](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/whats-the-biggest-mistake-youve-made-most-common-interview-questions-4/) - How should you handle interview questions about mistakes? Here's good advice from the new interview guide, Get That Job! The Quick and Complete Guide to a Winning Interview. - ["Tell me about a difficult person you had to work with." Most Common Interview Questions, #6](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/tell-me-about-a-difficult-person-you-had-to-work-with-most-common-interview-questions-6/) - "How did you deal with a difficult person?" is one of the most common interview questions - and it can be one of the toughest. How should you answer? - [Should you put "seeking employment" on your LinkedIn profile?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/should-you-put-seeking-employment-on-your-linkedin-profile/) - Should you put "seeking employment" in your LinkedIn profile when you're unemployed? Here's a crucial LinkedIn tip to help you get a job faster. - [7 Ways to Find the Email Address of the Hiring Manager](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/7-ways-to-find-the-email-address-of-the-hiring-manager/) - To boost your chances when applying to a job, send your resume directly to the hiring manager, the person who would be your boss, not just to human resources. So how do you find the email address of the hiring manager? Here are 7 methods, all free. - [How to Find Skills-Based Volunteer Openings](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-find-skills-based-volunteer-openings/) - Volunteering - especially when it's skills-based - can be a powerful part of your job search strategy. How can you find openings that use your unique skills? - [Connect on LinkedIn with your Interviewer?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/connect-on-linkedin-with-your-interviewer/) - In job search, you're always connecting with new people. So, should you connect on LinkedIn with someone you met at a job interview? - [Getting a Job: How Long Will It Take?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/getting-a-job-how-long-will-it-take-2/) - There's a common rule of thumb that finding a job takes one month for every $10K of salary. Now, let's talk about the real question. - [3 Surprising Job Search Facts – from a National Survey](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/3-surprising-job-search-facts-from-a-national-survey/) - How to do a smart job search: has it changed? It's constantly changing. And a recent survey from CareerBuilder showed that job seekers aren't keeping up. Think about these three surprising facts: "Your resume is not enough." "More than half (53 percent) of employers say a resume doesn’t provide enough information for them to assess - [3 Interview Mistakes Smart People Make](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/3-interview-mistakes-smart-people-make/) - You're too smart to let your phone ring at an interview or reek of cologne - but these less obvious mistakes can be just as deadly. Here's how to avoid them. - [Psych Up for Interviews with Guided Visualization](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/psych-up-for-interviews-with-guided-visualization/) - Guided visualization is a powerful tool to prepare yourself for a great job interview. - [Mental Practice for Job Interviews, Part 2](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/mental-practice-for-job-interviews-part-2/) - Use mental rehearsal to prepare for a successful job interview - and get the job! Here are tips to make it easier. - [Confessions of a Former Job Seeker](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/confessions-of-a-former-job-seeker/) - I had forgotten how much I've learned in my 10+ years of studying job interviewing, resume writing and job search strategy. Then I decided to get rid of some old files from the days when I was a job seeker, myself. My conclusion: Job search skills are not inborn. They are definitely learned! I found - [Messaging via LinkedIn: Be a Pal, Not a PITA!](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/messaging-via-linkedin-be-a-pal-not-a-pita/) - Have you ever wanted to send a message to a LinkedIn member you don't know? The ways to do this - and there are several - aren't immediately obvious. That may be a good thing, perhaps limiting how often we hear from Strangers with Potentially Annoying Messages (SPAM). (No, that's not *really* the origin of - [In Job Search, Giving Thanks Is Central!](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/in-job-search-giving-thanks-is-central/) - How do we show our gratitude to those who help us along the way? - [A Job Seeker's Silver Bullet: Referrals!](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/a-job-seekers-silver-bullet-referrals/) - How can you harness the power of employee referral programs to boost your job search? - [LinkedIn Profile Mistake #1](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/linkedin-profile-mistake-1/) - Most LinkedIn profiles fail to fully utilize one of the platform's most valuable features: recommendations. How can you make the most of this awesome opportunity to have your contacts praising you on the Internet? First, make sure you understand the difference between recommendations and endorsements. Recommendations are: Free advertising for your job search. A boost - [How to Answer the "Tell Me About Yourself" Interview Question - Part 1](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-answer-the-tell-me-about-yourself-interview-question-part-1/) - How do you answer the interview question "Tell me about yourself"? Your answer is a crucial first impression. Craft a strategic answer for a winning interview! - [How to Answer the "Tell Me About Yourself" Interview Question - Part 2](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-to-answer-the-tell-me-about-yourself-interview-question-part-2/) - How you answer the question "Tell me about yourself" creates a first impression that influences the success or failure of your whole interview. How can you ace this first interview question? - [Get a Job or Paint the Kitchen?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/get-a-job-or-paint-the-kitchen/) - "Since I have time on my hands, I'd better make myself useful at home…" An honorable thought, but too often it becomes a trap. Here's the scenario: I do a coaching session with a job seeker, we'll call her Carla, who has been unemployed for a year and is eager to get a job ASAP. - [A Job Journal is Career Gold!](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/a-job-journal-is-career-gold/) - Your greatest assets in job search and career advancement are the professional accomplishments you describe on your resume and in interviews. It may be hard to remember these stories later, so keep a job journal now. Here's how. - [Networking with a Marketing Plan (continued)](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/networking-with-a-marketing-plan-3/) - Is your networking not working? (Or not happening at all?) You've heard that networking is crucial when you're looking for a new job, but you may not feel that it can really work for you. In my previous posts I've presented a networking method that has been proven effective by thousands of smart job seekers. - [Job Interviews: Don't Just Tell – Sell!](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/job-interviews-dont-just-tell-sell/) - Do you know how to sell yourself in a job interview? This post provides proven interview tips to help you get that job. - [I Love This Book: The 20-Minute Networking Meeting](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/job-search-networking-meeting-book/) - If you've tried networking and haven't found it very effective, maybe you just haven't yet learned the right way to do it. In this post I review an excellent book that tells you how. - [Cover Letter Bloopers & Lessons Learned](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/cover-letter-bloopers-lessons-learned/) - You would never make these hilarious mistakes . . . but you might learn something. - [4 More Interview Mistakes Smart People Make](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/4-more-interview-mistakes-smart-people-make/) - You don't make dumb interview mistakes like being late or putting down your boss. So why no offer? Here are four less obvious errors to fix for greater success. - [Skype Interview "Technique of the Week"!](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/skype-interview-technique-of-the-week/) - Make a great impression in your Skype interview with this great interviewing technique. - [10 Tips for an Impressive LinkedIn Profile](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/10-tips-for-an-impressive-linkedin-profile/) - If you're going to be on LinkedIn - and I highly recommend that - do it right! Whether you're in job search or just putting your best foot forward to colleagues and customers, here are 10 steps you need to take. - [Job Interviews: "Tell me about yourself"](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/job-interviews-tell-me-about-yourself/) - The most important interview question may be the most dreaded: "Would you please tell me about yourself?" Suddenly you're tongue-tied. Where should you start? What should you say? You don't want your answer to be dull, awkward or unclear. Your best answer to this question is virtually the same as a good "elevator intro," which - [Watch Out for this Resume Scam](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/watch-out-for-this-resume-scam/) - Have you ever submitted your resume to a recruiting firm online and been told your resume "fails" in some way and that some other website will "fix" it for a fee? No? Well if it happens, be wary! There are resume scams going around. Here's what to watch out for. - [Building Your #1 Interview Answer](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/building-your-1-interview-answer/) - What do you say in an interview when they say "Tell me about yourself"? Will your interview move you forward, in the interview and in your career? In my last post, Job Interviews: "Tell me about yourself", I revealed what goes into a great answer to this most crucial question – and by great answer, - [LinkedIn's New Menus - "How do I request a Recommendation now?"](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/linkedins-new-menus-how-do-i-request-a-recommendation-now/) - If you're among those to whom LinkedIn's new simplified menu has rolled out, you may have noticed that the path to requesting a Recommendation from a contact is no longer obvious. And if you've read my recent posts LinkedIn Profile Mistake #1 or LinkedIn: Recommendations vs. Endorsements, you'll know that recommendations from supervisors and higher-ups, - [Job Interviews in January – Are You Ready?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/job-interviews-in-january-are-you-ready/) - Prepare in advance to succeed in the new year! - [Tell LinkedIn What You Want Changed! It's Easy.](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/tell-linkedin-what-you-want-its-easy/) - Do you wish LinkedIn's new desktop interface was different? Missing an old feature that's disappeared? Here's how to make suggestions that can influence LinkedIn's future development. - [What questions would you like this blog to answer?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/what-questions-would-you-like-this-blog-to-answer/) - The Great Job Sooner Blog has a new title and some other enhancements. Now it's time to refresh its purpose: How can it help you get the job you want? - ["Auld Lang Syne" and Networking?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/auld-lang-syne-and-networking/) - Should old acquaintance be forgot? Probably not! - [Top 25 Job Search Tips for 2014](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/top-25-job-search-tips-for-2014/) - I'm pleased to have contributed two of these "top tips." What will you do to drive your career success in 2014? - [Work-Arounds for Impossible Interview Questions](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/work-arounds-for-impossible-interview-questions/) - Reframing a question is better than being STUMPED by it! Answer that question smoothly and get the job! - [7 Reasons to Negotiate a Job Offer](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/7-reasons-to-negotiate-a-job-offer/) - A surprising percentage of us think we can't or shouldn't negotiate when offered a job. We may be afraid the employer will withdraw the offer or find us ungrateful or arrogant. Or we don't really know why we don't negotiate. "I just can't see myself doing it!" Before you decide "I can't" or "It doesn't - [A Tough Interview Question: "Why do you want to leave your job?"](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/a-tough-interview-question-why-do-you-want-to-leave-your-job/) - How should you answer this question in a job interview? Getting it wrong can ruin your chances. One common reason for leaving is that the company is experiencing problems and you want to jump ship before it crashes on the rocks. Or maybe your boss is difficult to work with, and you go home with - [Mental Practice for Interviews, Part 3](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/mental-practice-for-interviews-part-3/) - How can you deeply prepare - mentally, emotionally and even physically - to ace a job interview? - [Two Interview Winners & What They Teach Us](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/two-interview-winners-what-they-teach-us/) - The best part of my work as a job search and interviewing coach is getting an email saying "I got the job!" This morning I've had two of those. The first, from a talented young professional in product marketing – I'll call her Andrea – was a lengthy, unsolicited testimonial. "Hi Thea, "Just wanted to - [LinkedIn Can "Out" Your Job Search!](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/linkedin-can-out-your-job-search/) - Do you need to keep your job search activities discreet? There's a bit more to it than just switching the updates off. - [Job Search Tips from the Olympics](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/job-search-tips-from-the-olympics/) - Athletes use certain techniques to mentally prepare for top performance. You can use these same methods for successful networking and job interviews. - [The Holy Grail of Informational Interviews: Meeting with a Hiring Manager](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/the-holy-grail-of-informational-interviews-meeting-with-a-hiring-manager/) - You can greatly shorten your job search by doing informational meetings with managers who may have jobs openings up in future. Here's how to do it. - [5 More Reasons Your Resume Didn't Get You an Interview](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/5-more-reasons-your-resume-didnt-get-you-an-interview/) - Why did your resume get no response? There's more to effective resume writing than you may realize. Here are some fatal downfalls to avoid. - [Interviewers Can't Take Your Word for It](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/interviewers-cant-take-your-word-for-it/) - Do you need to give evidence in your job interviews? Build your interview skills with the tips in this article, and get that job offer! - [What do you need a career coach for?](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/what-do-you-need-a-career-coach-for/) - Nearly everyone faces challenges in their job search. How can a career coach help? Is it worth your investment? - [Three 15-Minute Job Search Projects for Labor Day Weekend](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/three-15-minute-job-search-projects-for-labor-day-weekend/) - With summer ending soon, get ready for job search. Here are 3 easy steps that take 15 minutes each - less than an hour of your Labor Day weekend. - [Tips from the New Resume Writing Book I'm In!](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/tips-from-the-new-resume-writing-book-im-in/) - Want the most up-to-date advice on writing your resume? This new book offers great tips for a compelling resume that helps you get a great job, sooner! - [A Clever Way to Get Referred Into a Job ](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/a-clever-way-to-get-referred-into-a-job/) - Applying for a job? It helps to be referred in by an existing employee, but if you don't know anyone there, why would they refer you? Many larger companies have employee referral programs in which employees can get a cash reward for referring someone. The trick is to find someone in the company who will - [How *Not* to Tweet Your #%@! Interview](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/how-not-to-tweet-your-interview/) - Recently I decided to search Twitter for posts containing the words "job interview." Of the first three posts I read, two were job seekers celebrating their upcoming interview with language like "F--- yeah!" or saying they were so thrilled that they claimed to have, uh, lost control of their bodily functions. Another was so raunchy ## Pages - [Home](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/) - Career services for professionals nationwide, including resumes, LinkedIn profiles, bios, cover letters, and interview coaching to help you land interviews. - [Thank you for signing up!](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/thank-you-sign-up/) - Here are 5 gifts for you. Download them all! 1. How to Stand Out in Interviews (Chapter 1 of my Amazon-bestselling book): Free Report - What Makes You Stand Out? Your REV Points 2. 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How to Stand Out in Job Interviews Reprinted from the highly praised book Get That Job! The Quick and Complete Guide to a Winning Interview, 2nd Edition, this report guides you in preparing the unique "key selling points" that make - [Contact](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/contact/) - Please contact me for a free consultation to discuss how we might work together, or to make a coaching appointment. I look forward to talking with you soon! Note to BLOGGERS: I do NOT publish guest posts; I write all my own content. Thea Kelley Career Services - [About](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/thea-kelley/) - Thea Kelley is a certified resume writer and job search coach with 10+ years experience. Serving Berkeley, Oakland, San Francisco, Marin, Walnut Creek, San Jose. - [Work with Thea](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/resume-writing-service-berkeley/) - Why hire a professional? Job search is a tough game, and the rules are constantly changing. Today you face intensified competition, applicant tracking systems, Google searches and changing styles in resumes. It's a lot to deal with on your own, even if you have the time to figure it all out. And let's face it, - [Thanks - Your eCourse will begin shortly!](https://jobsearchandinterviewcoach.com/thank-you-ecourse/) - You should receive the first lesson in your mailbox within minutes. Important Note! To make sure you receive your e-course, please tell your email program it's not spam by whitelisting thea@theakelley.com. Here's how. Whitelisting Instructions for Gmail: 1. First, if you find email from us in your Gmail spam folder, select our email and click the - [Get That Job! 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