So, you prepared for the interview, you researched the company, and you dressed for success. You thought that the interview went well—until you found out that it was a close call, but the job went to another candidate.

Sure, you’re disappointed. On top of that, you can’t help but feel a new wave of anxiety and stress. You wonder, what went wrong? What could I have done differently? Why don’t they want me? Am I making horrible mistakes and not realizing it?

While there is no debriefing session with the hiring manager, you are allowed to ask your interviewers for feedback. Although you lost this job, their feedback can help you on future interviews.… Read the rest

Having a gap in your resume — a period of time when you weren’t working, or weren’t working at anything that you want to include in your resume — is common these days.

The current 9.1% unemployment rate means there are 13.9 million people unemployed in this country. These people will hopefully soon be employed again, but will all have gaps in their resumes to explain.

Whether your resume gap is because of personal reasons or a massive lay-off, here are some tips to address the issue and land a job offer.

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Job Interviews — Be Ready and Be Honest
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Good interviewers are trained to look for gaps in resumes. Your interviewer will want to know why you left each position listed on your resume.… Read the rest

Getting fired can happen to anyone. People are fired due to performance issues and failure to meet their manager’s expectations (reasonable or unreasonable).

However, in many cases, being terminated has nothing to do with you and your work. In today’s business world, layoffs and “job reductions” are standard operating procedure. You can lose your job due to downsizing, restructuring, a merger or acquisition, or any of a long list of corporate changes that are not related to your performance.

Whatever the reason for your termination, rest assured that you CAN bounce back from being fired. You may even be able to look back on your firing as a learning experience someday.

However, even in the heat of the moment after hearing “You’re fired!” (or “You’re laid off!”), you must try to put your emotions aside and think about the practical steps to take to ensure a smooth transition to your next position.… Read the rest

An interview is a two-way street. Your potential employer is asking you questions to learn about you and your skills. In return, you need to prepare questions to ask your potential employer about the position, your boss, and the company in order to be sure that this is the right job for you.

In addition, if you don’t prepare smart questions, you run the risk of the interviewer assuming you aren’t interested or haven’t prepared.

Your opportunity to ask questions usually comes at the end of the interview. You must prepare at least two questions that demonstrate your interest in the position, your drive to excel in the role, and the fact that you’ve done some homework (researched company, industry, department).… Read the rest

Sales can be an ideal career path for those who enjoy communicating and building relationships, can easily tell the story of a product or service, and have great presentation skills.

However, in today’s competitive job market, it’s harder than it used to be to find and land a great sales job — especially if you’re new to the job market or the sales profession. We’ve got tips to get you from square one to job interview to offer.

FINDING A SALES POSITION

The first step to finding a sales position is to decide where your interests lie. If you have completed an internship program, you may already know which industry you’d like to focus on.… Read the rest

If you’re not sure of the career path you’d like to follow or lack the experience to land a “real job” in your desired field, start by finding an internship. An internship is not just a temporary position. It is the foundation of your career, and an invaluable learning experience.

At the end of a successful internship, you will have gained skills and knowledge to enhance your resume, and you will know whether or not you want to pursue a long-term career in that field.

But, perhaps most importantly, you will have started building a powerful network of industry insiders who will be a great resource to you throughout your career.… Read the rest

The first interview was nerve-wracking enough. Now, you find out that you’ve made it through to the second round, but this time, you will be meeting your prospective boss for lunch.

It’s becoming more and more common for interviews to take place over a meal, giving a prospective employer an opportunity to learn more about you, how you interact in a public setting, and how well you handle yourself during a business meal. Although a mealtime interview may be out of your comfort zone, these tips will help you land the job.

Before the Meeting

If you are not familiar with the restaurant or location, do your research. Knowing what to expect when you arrive will help put you at ease.… Read the rest