What are the must-haves for a LinkedIn profile that enhances your image and helps you advance your job search and career? Nail these, and you'll stand out from most of the competition, whether you're in job search, self-employed or simply serious about career management.1. Proficient Writing. The vast majority of us, even professional writers, make mistakes in grammar, capitalization, word usage and spelling. Unless you re...

In job search, you're continually looking to expand your professional network, especially among people who are well placed to help you get a job. The people with whom you've done job interviews are certainly in that category.So should you invite your interviewers to connect on LinkedIn?In many cases the answer is "yes, but probably only after the job interview process is over."An invitation to connect during the interview p...

Some of the trickiest job interview questions are the ones about your weaknesses. Questions like these can make you feel a little paranoid! "What is your biggest weakness in your work?""What are three areas in which your supervisor wants/wanted you to improve?""What's your growing edge – what do you wish you could do better?""What are your strengths and weaknesses?"Why are they asking this?While it is always possible a cand...

Following up after your job interview is more than just a formality and a matter of common courtesy. Most interviewers say a follow-up letter - or the lack of one - can influence their opinion of a candidate.What your follow-up can achieve: Reinforce the employer's memory of you – your brand, your unique selling proposition. Demonstrate your continuing interest and excitement about the job and the company.Help resolve any c...

When writing your resume, it's one thing to claim you're terrific at teamwork, building great client relationships, or coaching others. But where's the evidence?It can be especially hard to make a compelling case for "soft skills" like those above; they can be hard to quantify or certify.Rather than just asking the employer to take your word for it, why not have someone else vouch for you?In an increasingly review-driven wo...

How can you be sure your resume has the impact you intend? Recruiters are usually too busy to give detailed feedback on resumes, and the compliments you may get from hiring managers at interviews don't tell you much. Actually asking for resume feedback at an interview is a faux pas. The employer isn't there to help you with your next application! Some major job search websites give free resume reviews, which c...

Many job seekers miss the boat in job interviews, because they forget that the purpose of answering every question is to market themselves for the job. You never forget that, right? You'd be amazed how many questions you may answering is a less-than-strategic way. Most job seekers, at least occasionally, answer interview questions as if they were filling in a form: providing information by rote. Let's look at an e...

Interview authentically and strategically. These are the "yin and yang" of good interviewing. Actually, these aren't truly opposites. The real opposite of strategy is randomness, or carelessness, which sometimes comes wrapped in the flag of "just being real." Many job candidates fail to be strategic. They interview in an honest and straightforward way, but without really communicating a unique selling proposition....

What do you do when you can't exactly answer the question that's been asked you in an interview?Sometimes you need to reframe the question, to look at it in a less obvious way. In other words, you come up with an effective work-around - like those clever ones that get you past various roadblocks in your day-to-day work!Let's say an interviewer asks you this:Tell me about a time when you had to work with someone you really d...

If you're looking for a new job, one "must-have" tool is a long list of interview questions – and the right techniques for using that list to prepare. First, compile a really good list. Anticipate any likely questions that may be prompted by your resume, LinkedIn profile or other materials the interviewer may have seen. Expect to be asked why you left each job (especially any that were short-term), what you were doi...