TheJobBored

Getting Things Done, Getting Ahead, Getting Through The Day

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Entries Tagged as 'Ask Brian'

Ask Brian- Can Formal Be Too Formal?

April 7th, 2008 · 1 Comment

If you have career or job search question you would like answered on this blog, click here to Ask Brian.
Reader Richard asks:
I am a creative type, applying for a job at a very cutting edge creative company. In all of my encounters with them, their manner has been very informal. In fact, I can show […]

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Tags: Ask Brian

Ask Brian- The Importance Of The First Job

April 2nd, 2008 · 1 Comment

If you have career or job search question you would like answered on this blog, click here to Ask Brian.
Reader Ken asks:
I just graduated with a 4-year degree and accepted a job offer with a small software development firm. The work and product we develop is uninspiring as is the industry we serve. However, I […]

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Tags: Ask Brian · Getting Ahead

Interview AND Resume Tip- The Job Description Is Just The Starting Point

March 31st, 2008 · 3 Comments

Several times on this blog, I’ve railed against the narrow mindset of people looking for jobs. A new job is not something rewarded by luck or the fates: it’s a negotiation wherein you offer something to the employer as much as they offer you a job. A successful job candidate doesn’t just prove she’s adequate, […]

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Tags: Interviewing · Job Search · Resumes

The Best Resume Writing Tip

March 24th, 2008 · No Comments

Penelope Trunk comes to the same conclusion that I did many years ago about writing effective resumes: tangible results are all that matter.
It’s all about the results, people. That’s my number one resume writing tip (heck, job search tip).
Show ‘em you can get results.
Or as my bumper sticker would say: Show, don’t tell.

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Tags: Resumes

Old School Resume Hack- Snail Mail

March 11th, 2008 · 5 Comments

Keeping with our theme today (arts and crafts?)…
One of the things job seekers obsess over when it comes to the resume is how to make the resume stand out.
And there’s good reason to focus on this. The deck is literally stacked against you.
We all have that mental image of a stack of resumes, piled high […]

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Tags: Resumes

After-Interview Tip: Send A Thank-You Note

March 11th, 2008 · 4 Comments

Our articles last week about employers not getting back in touch after a job interview generated some discussion in the comments. A couple of our brilliant commenters, including Dee and Gary, brought up the idea of sending thank you notes after a job interview.
This is of course a great idea, so let me jump on […]

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Tags: Interviewing

Ask Brian Followup - Still Waiting; Now Confused.

March 6th, 2008 · 3 Comments

If you have career or job search question you would like answered on this blog, click here to Ask Brian.
Last week, a question from reader Iris prompted me to give some rules of thumb about how and how long to wait/follow up after an interview. She sent another email this morning:
Thanks for the advice last […]

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Tags: Ask Brian · Interviewing

It’s A Good Idea To Shower Before Your Job Interview

March 5th, 2008 · 1 Comment

In all of our recent discussions about what to wear to a job interview, perhaps I was being too broad. Maybe I needed to be a bit more basic.
Snakes and Ladders has the results of a survey of British headhunters and recruiters. Apparently, what to wear is the least of some people’s problems:
Almost 50 per […]

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Tags: Interviewing

My Readers Iz Smarter Than I - Interview Fashion Edition

February 29th, 2008 · 5 Comments

I got the following question in my Ask Brian email.
Please help! I am a thirty something male with questionable fashion sense of my own, and thus do not feel qualified to offer any guidance in this area.
Perhaps a reader more qualified than I can pass along some advice in the comments.
I have a question. […]

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Tags: Getting Ahead · Interviewing

Ask Brian - How Long Should I Wait To Hear Back? - Some Rules

February 28th, 2008 · 49 Comments

If you have career or job search question you would like answered on this blog, click here to Ask Brian.
Reader Iris writes in:
I went for an interview about a month ago and got invited for a second interview which I had two weeks ago. They initially said that a decision would be made in a […]

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Tags: Ask Brian · Interviewing