Boomerang Kids, Jacks of All Trades, and the Nuances of Networking

July 1, 2015 by Joyce Richman
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Thanks for the many emails and calls that ask questions and want answers. Here are three that are representative of your more recent concerns. “I’m worried about my son. He’s a fine young man, a college graduate, nice looking, smart, and just a bit reserved. He’s not had any luck getting interviews and he’s getting down on himself. His dad and I encourage him, and have volunteered to make calls for him, but he doesn’t Continue reading →

Use Your Social Network

July 1, 2015 by Joyce Richman
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There’s nothing out there. I’ve searched every site on the internet and there’s zip. Nada. Nothing. That’s it. I’m done. He sat there in a heap. Head down, arms limp, fingers touching the floor, emotionally exhausted. I asked him if he was networking, getting the word out about what he does and how he benefits organizations where he works. Other than slowly shaking his head, he didn’t change positions, physically or mentally. There’s nothing out Continue reading →

So That’s What You Mean By Networking

March 3, 2015 by Joyce Richman
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He wanted to meet so we could discuss his job search. He said it wasn’t going anywhere and he needed help re-starting it. And, he said he just needed to vent. “Joyce, I’m not getting any replies to my resume. I must have sent out 300 copies and I haven’t gotten one nibble in response.  Please review it and tell me what’s missing.” He handed it to me, I glanced at it and told him, Continue reading →

Just Ask and They Will Help

May 6, 2014 by Joyce Richman
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Joe was fired a week before Christmas. He felt like he was sucker punched by The Grinch. “I knew cuts were coming but I never thought I’d be one of them. I’ve been doing this for 20 years. I know my customers personally. I’ve been to their kids’ plays, graduations, weddings. We’re like family. Sure I wasn’t making my numbers but no one was,  and yes, I’m a little older than some, but I look Continue reading →

I’m Looking for a Job. Let Me Know if You Hear of Anything.

April 8, 2014 by Joyce Richman
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I don’t know about you but I get a number of broadcast emails that say something like, “I’m looking for a job. Let me know if you hear of anything.” In most cases, I don’t know the sender and even in those cases when their names are familiar, I’m not aware of their talents or the specific jobs they are seeking. As a result, I’m not a good resource for them in their job search. Continue reading →

Your Friends and Family Don’t Know You

February 4, 2014 by Joyce Richman
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Are you tired of how you look? Do you look like how you feel?  If so, your job search might be as lethargic as you are. It’s one thing to know it; it’s another to do something about it. If you need a wake-up call to get yourself in gear, consider today’s post just that.  Wake up. It’s time to get your attitude, your resume, and your interviewing techniques in shape for the Spring job Continue reading →

Keep Your Venting Offline

January 7, 2014 by Joyce Richman
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If you’re anything like callers I’ve heard from lately, you’re making too many mistakes when you’re sitting behind that computer, churning out emails. They’re going to unintended places. Here are a few examples of how certain folks are slipping up and finding themselves in a serious fix: “I was sitting in a big meeting, no one’s listening to the speaker, half the group is asleep and the other half is checking email and I’m online Continue reading →

What Does It Take?

November 26, 2013 by Joyce Richman
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What does it take to advance in an interview? There are many personality attributes that impact the outcome of that first interview: Your energy, your self awareness, your level of preparation, your curiosity, and your sense of optimism. Those elements, if positive, in combination with being a reasonable match to the opportunity, should move you through to the next round. What does it take to improve your odds of keeping your job or getting another? Continue reading →

Show Stopping Mistakes

November 19, 2013 by Joyce Richman
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Without intending, you might be making some big mistakes when looking for a job. Here’s a heads-up that can keep you out of serious trouble: Don’t bash your former company, boss, or co-workers, no matter how unfairly you feel you were treated. If you have a bona fide complaint, take it to the EEOC and let them sort it out. If you don’t have a case , but you’re angry and want everyone to know Continue reading →

Get Out of Your Way, and Get the Job

October 8, 2013 by Joyce Richman
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Old habits can get in the way when you’re looking for work, especially if you’re used to people calling you instead of you calling them and when you’re expecting job offers to appear without doing the heavy lifting. Open-ended, ambiguous questions have a way of messing with your head if you prefer the kind with “yes” or “no” answers, and trusting yourself more than the wisdom of others can be a let down when they Continue reading →

No-fail Prep Strategies for Any Interview or Networking Meeting

August 13, 2013 by Joyce Richman
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If you have a networking meeting or an important interview coming up, you want to be ready. And, there’s no time like the present to brush up on your preparation strategies. Go to the company’s web site; review their history and their mission statement. Learn their product mix, business locations, and if they’re global, where they are headquartered. Read profiles of their senior officers and if they publish an annual report, look it over. If Continue reading →

Confidence

June 18, 2013 by Joyce Richman
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Bam. That’s the sound of your confidence hitting bottom.  The longer you’re out of work, the bigger the hit your confidence takes. Pretty soon you’ll have trouble remembering what you did well and why anyone was foolish enough to pay you for doing it. The good news is, you’re not alone. The bad news is, there’s no great comfort in having company. Is there real reason to be concerned? No, you are employable, you do Continue reading →

Career Fair in Town? Make the Most of It!

November 4, 2009 by Joyce Richman
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There’s a Job Fair coming to town and opportunity is coming along with it. Unlike most fairs, this one won’t cost you a dime. You’ll have a chance to meet company representatives from across the state who set up booths and organize materials with the express purpose of meeting people like you, hard-working, dedicated, skilled people who have the potential of making a difference in their organizations. If you want to maximize that opportunity it’s Continue reading →

Networking Success

May 25, 2009 by Joyce Richman
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He wanted to meet so we could discuss his job search. He said it wasn’t going anywhere and he needed help re-starting it. And, he said he just needed to vent.           “Joyce, I’m not getting any replies to my resume. I must have mailed 300 copies and I haven’t gotten one nibble in response.  Please review it and tell me what’s missing.”           He handed it to me, I glanced at it and told Continue reading →

The Case for Networking

December 13, 2008 by Joyce Richman
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What are three reasons that applicants and organizations benefit from networking? Each has opportunity to learn more about the other without jumping too quickly or rejecting an opportunity prematurely. Each begins with a level playing field, putting more emphasis on the job challenge and what it takes to meet it than looking for individual differences and exceptions. Each can present and respond with greater candor and less concern of rejection.