If you are not using LinkedIn effectively, you are potentially missing out on a great networking tool that could make your job search more targeted and shorter.

You have just finished interviewing for a position that seems like a good fit for your interests. You felt good about the job interview.  You know that the people that you spoke with are probably on their best behavior, so you are not sure if you are getting a true picture of the company. How do you determine if the job and the company are the real deal?

The advent of Applicant Tracking Systems has made the administrative burden for Recruiters and Talent Acquisition professionals easier. It has also made the ability for job seekers to apply to positions much easier. That means that Human Resource departments have been inundated with applications of people marginally or even totally unqualified for a given position. Because of this, many ATS purveyors have added screening features that individual companies have enabled in their hiring process.

You have received an offer of employment. Great! The hard part of the job search has been completed. Don’t let down your guard, though. You have now moved into a very tricky part of the job search which can have an impact for years to come–the compensation negotiation. Not negotiating starting salary, especially early in your career, could cost you an estimated  one million dollars over your working life. That is significant money! Raises on top of a higher base and bonuses based on a percentage of a higher base salary can significantly increase your earnings.

To make a resolution that sticks, we really need to understand the psychology of habits.  I just want something simple and easy to put in place. So instead, I now do a yearly motto.

Generally, employers will not come to a job fair unless they have an opening or are anticipating an opening. The company representatives will have an idea of what they are looking for, which is great if you are interested in those jobs. Many times you can even interview on the spot!

If you get this question, the interviewer is trying to assess your judgment skills and how you deal with adversity. If you say that you have never failed professionally, the interviewer will not believe you. This is a question that EVERYONE should prepare for in advance, as you do not want to try to think up an example on the spot.

I know many job seekers that are flummoxed when they get the dreaded rejection call or email. Since companies usually will not provide any feedback about the reason for rejection, the job seeker is left to ponder what exactly went wrong.  Below is a list of possibilities for why you might have been rejected. You many never know the reason, but this list may help you pinpoint what happened.

I recently came back from a trip spent hiking down to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back. It was a great adventure with beautiful scenery. It was also a physical challenge hiking up what amounts to three Empire State Buildings. I got to thinking that many of the lessons learned also can apply to one’s job search.