Articles       Networking: Career Fitness vs. Physical Fitness When networking is recommended as a way of maintaining career fitness, I hear many excuses for why it is not possible, or at the very least, very difficult. January is a good time to take a long hard look at what is really in the way for most people when it comes to making a change in their personal and professional lives. Perhaps examining common responses will make it easier for many people to identify the excuses they are using, kick away the barriers and make a new plan for the New Year. more... Workshop 1 Workshop 2 return to top   How Committed Are You To Getting The Results You Seek? Many people start off the New Year with good intentions for fulfilling resolutions, but their interest and enthusiasm often wanes away by the end of February. This year, make a difference in your life. Review your habits and past behaviors that have previously not produced the results you desire. Be honest with yourself. Examine your circumstances carefully to determine what part you have played in the outcomes you have experienced. more... Workshop 1 Workshop 2 Workshop 3 return to top   Dispelling the Myth About a Resume's Only Purpose Years ago, we created "catchy" resumes, using sophisticated language, printing them on colored paper or even having them delivered by singing messengers to get the attention of the decision maker. Ah, but life and pursuing employment has changed since then. The chance of a resume that is sent in response to a job announcement, directly reaching the decision maker without going through a screening process, is slim to none. "Catchy" has been replaced with "targeted" and "to the point".... more... Workshop 1 Workshop 2 Workshop 3 return to top   How to Prolong Your Unemployment It would appear that many people truly enjoy prolonged unemployment, based on the behaviors they exhibit and their unwillingness to change. (For those of you that truly want to change your employment circumstances, please read below and identify which behaviors you can modify to change the outcomes you are getting.) more... Workshop return to top   What Employers Really Want Trying to second-guess the answers to potential interview questions can be frustrating and time wasting.  There are some basic concepts, when understood completely by the job seeker that can contribute to the success or failure of an interview. more... Workshop 1 Workshop 2 return to top   Why Informational Interviews Have Gotten Such a Bad Rap The value of informational interviews has been misunderstood.  When used with the wrong intent, it is likely to be cut short and ineffective. Too many job seekers believe that the purpose of an informational interview is to sell him/herself.  If selling is the objective of the job seeker (rather than gaining information), it will be perceived as such.  When the job seeker does not exhibit a true desire or honest interest in gaining knowledge from the professional they have requested time with, the exchange may end up being very one-sided.  A typical response from most professionals to that type of interaction is to shut down or end the session. more... Workshop 1 Workshop 2 Workshop 3 return to top   Networking vs Selling A successful network requires the understanding from the get-go that it is about "what I can do for you " as much as it is about "what you can do for me".  Building a network requires time and a commitment to helping others.  Networking is not just meeting as many people as you can with the intent of presenting a "30-Second Commercial" to about what you need.  Networking requires showing a concern and interest in others that will help build the credibility and trust that is the mainstay of establishing an effective network. more... Workshop 1 Workshop 2 Workshop 3 return to top   How to Develop Career Resiliency Two keys to developing resilience are being informed and staying connected. Often, people choose one of two reactions to bad news: stick their head in the sand or throw in the towel and say it is out of their hands. Neither of these responses is helpful. In order to plan a defense, a person needs to know as much about their specific sector of the market as possible, at all times. Things to know... more... Workshop 1 Workshop 2 return to top   Getting A Head Start: Planning Your First Year in a New Job There is a tendency for people to get very complacent once they have landed their new job. After months (sometimes, years) of searching, many people think their work is over once they land their new job. Or, that once they have nailed the offer, it is time to let down their guard and relax. After all, the pressure is over, isn't it? And, strong performance will ensure positive recognition, and surely, promotion opportunities, right? The short answer... more... Workshop 1 Workshop 2 return to top   © 2001-2008 Sherri Edwards permission is granted to reprint the above article in its entirety, provided the following conditions are met:    no reprints are sent in conjunction with unsolicited bulk email,    no fee or other value is exchanged,    no changes are made to the article,    and the following byline is included with the article: © 2001-2008 Sherri Edwards, Resource Maximizer, Seattle WA http://www.resourcemaximizer.com Learn how Sherri Edwards can help you maximize your job search efforts:
© 2001-2008 Sherri Edwards, all rights reserved.		sherri@resourcemaximizer.com