Congratulations! You have been called for a second interview. That’s a great sign that a potential employer is interested in you. But it doesn’t mean you’ve secured the job, yet. You are likely one of two or more candidates asked to return for a follow-up interview, so don’t let down your guard.A second interview may involve the same people you met during the first interview, and will undoubtedly involve additional people –...

Few things can wreak havoc on your self-esteem more than a job search that doesn't result in immediate success. No matter what's caused you to seek a new position - whether you're a new college graduate, a casualty of downsizing, or a dissatisfied employee looking for a change - a prolonged job search can erode your self-confidence and cause you to question your marketability and self-worth. As frustrating as a job search c...

The possibility - or necessity - for a career change can arise at any moment. New opportunities and new challenges could be around any corner. New priorities and new ambitions could also dawn within you! So, whether it be to seize your suddenly available dream position or avoid being a casualty of a failing company, it’s important that you be prepared to take action when the opportunity arises. And that means making sure yo...

Chances are good that at some point in your career you will intersect with a bad boss. From middle management to CEOs, bosses who lack managerial, communication, and/or people skills exist in every level of business. Further, in these times when companies are driven by a challenging economy to run leaner operations, pressure can push even good bosses to stress-induced behaviors that create a poor working environment.There’s...

Consider a scene from the recently released Kevin Spacey movie, “21.” In an interview for a prestigious scholarship, the main character, Ben, tells his interviewer, Professor Phillips, that money is the only thing between him and fulfilling his long-held dream of attending Harvard Medical School. While the Professor appreciates Ben’s situation, he points out that only one person can win the scholarship and that 75 other can...

"The most accurate predictor of future performance is past performance in a similar situation." This is the premise behind behavioral interviewing, an interviewing technique created in the 1970's by industrial psychologists that's becoming popular with employers. For those of you unfamiliar with this interviewing style, a behavioral interview can be a challenging experience. Unlike traditional interviewing which requires op...

While aging gracefully may be an admirable quality for most people, it unfortunately, cannot be applied to resumes. The passage of time and inattention can lead to a resume that's out of date, inconsistent with your career goals, and fails to market you to its fullest potential. So, regular maintenance is critical to your resume's success, and ultimately, your overall career success. In fact, most experts recommend updating...

You've landed what you thought was the job of your dreams. Each stage of the interview went smoothly - you sold them on your skills and expertise, and your prospective boss sold you on the position and benefits of joining the company. He/she seemed excited about extending an offer. And then, with offer in hand, it was thrilling to give your notice (or tell your friends you're finally employed after a long stint of unemploym...

Just as resumes have undergone a dramatic change over the past 20 years, so have post-interview thank you letters. Twenty years ago, a resume was typically a one page document that briefly listed a candidate's overall work experience and academic credentials. As the employment market changed and became more competitive, so did resumes. Today, they are powerful marketing tools designed to "sell" a candidate's skills, accompl...