Increase Employee Engagement with These 4 Tips

Recruiters and hiring managers have noticed a trend over the last few years. Fewer candidates are sending cover letters with their resumes. They may hastily pound out an email to inform that the resume is attached, but that isn’t the same thing. While the recruiting industry often says a resume is your first impression, in truth there is an earlier step. A cover letter introduces your resume and gives it context. It can be the real make or break moment for your job search. So why do you need a cover letter? Here are the reasons it could change everything for you.

You’ve heard it dozens of times, “You should join a networking group.” But even if you’re one of the most extroverted people in the world, you may still need a push to help you find a group that is best suited to your need. Not every networking group is created equal. And while it may be useful to try as many as possible, it is not very practical. So how can you find the right networking group for you? Here are some tips to get you started.

Does the New Year mean a new career? For many people, the transition into 2016 will kick start them on a path to find a new job, or just improve the one they have. So what kinds of new career resolutions can you make this year? And, more importantly, how can you be sure to keep them. Without further ado, here are 10 resolutions to consider in the New Year and what you can do to make them happen.

In the U.S., the time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve is traditionally a time for parties, celebrations, and even networking. Yes, that’s right. If you’re in the job market there is no better time of year to connect with others in your community or industry than Yuletide. But before you jump right in with your mistletoe hat and expect that everyone will come running, here are a few tips that can help you make the most of your holiday networking.

You’ve interviewed, and now you’ve been offered the position. So what happens before you accept? You might want to consider a few things before telling your potential employer a firm “Yes.” There is a lot more to a job than just what you’ve experienced in the interview. We want to share some of the things you may want to think about before accepting this new job to ensure it is the right one for you.

Did you know that your desk, and your entire workplace, can have as much to do with your success as your overall skills or drive? Organization is key. Without it, many professionals find that they are spending more time determining what to do rather than doing it. If you want to improve your overall performance, now is a good time of year to look at your desk, office, or other workspaces and make some improvements. Here’s how!

In a tough job market it is no wonder that both experienced and inexperienced professionals turn to the services of career coaches. Having someone to bounce ideas off of, help you make challenging decisions, and give you advice are comforting thoughts. But are career coaches always worth it? And how do you determine if and when they’re right for you? Here are some things to keep in mind when you’re considering your next career move.

Take initiative, send thank you notes, network, and find a mentor; all of these things are common advice when it comes to taking your career to the next level. Because these tips are easy to find everyone does them so what can set a person apart in an already crowded career setting? If you’re looking for the uncommon tips this is the list for you. Here are some ways you can stand out from the cr...

One of the most common interview questions focuses on your weaknesses. Sometimes it is part of a behavioral question that is designed to determine how you would handle yourself in a difficult situation on the job.

On the job training is a great benefit and will help your career long term, but should you rely on your employer to provide you with the education you need to advance your career? While you’re working you may want to spend some time learning new things on your own to enhance your current job and make your experience more marketable in the future. Here are some small ways you can build your caree...

Treating computers and the languages used to code them like a mystical force is a huge mistake for legions of job seekers. Many people simply expect technology to work so they don’t want to take the time to learn why or how. Steve Jobs once said that everyone should learn to code a computer because it “teaches you how to think.” He was right. Computer coding is not difficult but it does take...

Last week we discussed the question "Why are you searching for a new job?" In a similar vein, you may be asked the question, "Why are you leaving your current job?" Just like with any curveball interview question there are better ways to answer than others, even if all of the potential answers are true. Before you enter your next interviewing situation consider these ideas for expressing why you a...

The most important thing you can convey to a potential new employer is exactly why you're looking for a new position. Why? Because this answer will set the tone not only for the rest of the interview but for your work with the company if you are offered the position. There are right and wrong ways to answer this question. So how do you put your best foot forward and land the job? Here are some thi...

Everyone has clicked on the LinkedIn option to connect with others only to send out the generic email that reads, "I'd like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn." However, these messages don't really give the reader a sense of who you are and as a result, they may not accept the invitation. Instead, you should always be using more detailed messages to get their attention. Here are som...

We're sure you've heard the advice that as a job hunter you need to build your personal brand. What does that mean exactly? It sure sounds like fancy industry buzzwords that don’t really accomplish anything but a personal brand is very important in today's job market. Getting started is much easier than you think, too. Here are some easy ways you can build your personal brand starting today. I...

Mistakes do happen. The true test for a professional comes not with the mistake itself but with it is handled. Experience is an important teacher and the more you can learn from the mistakes you make, the better prepared you will be to avoid the same issues later in your career. While you shouldn't seek out mistakes you also shouldn't reject them when they happen. Here are a few tips for handling ...

You've probably heard that you can't find a job in today's highly connected world without the use of social media. But social media for the job search goes beyond setting and forgetting a LinkedIn profile. In order to make the most of these online networking tools you need to follow some important internet rules. Here are some of the most important dos and don'ts of the social media job search. D...

No two people network the same way. So when you read advice about how to get the most out of networking events you may find yourself frustrated by the results or uncertain about how to shoehorn your own personality into the mold. You may be an introvert or an extrovert. You may even be an ambivert. Here are some practical, real world tips you can start using today to help you create a network stra...

There is a lot of advice for job seekers when it comes to preparing for an interview. You've been told to research the company and come up with questions to ask, but what if you could be doing more? Perhaps a few of these more uncommon interview tips could be just the thing you need to set you apart from your competition and land you the job. Here are some things to consider. Study everything, n...