Career Advisor - Tips

Tip # 148
If you can't learn to do something well, learn to enjoy doing it poorly.

– despair.com

Tip # 119
The Employment Times is distributed weekly throughout Maine, the New Hampshire seacoast and northern Massachusetts.

– Editor

Tip # 115
Always spell-check your cover letter before sending it out. Be sure to proof read your letter. Typographical errors stand out like a soar thumbe.

– Cynthia Wright

Tip # 93
The number one factor influencing employee retention is having challenging work assignments.

– David Lee

Tip # 76
When people ask how you are doing, be honest: "This is the best time of my life! I am learning a lot!" When they hear your optimism they will be uplifted and so will you!

– Brenda Dicent

Tip # 71
Practice telling people your Elevator Speech. Get comfortable with describing yourself to others. It's O.K. to talk about your talents and skills as a product as long as you have the "goods" to back it up.

– Brenda Dicent

Tip # 66
Don't rely on old work buddies. Although it's great to hear from them once in a while, often times they only serve to remind you of past feelings.

– Brenda Dicent

Tip # 65
Know the kind of environment that brings out the best in you. Don't settle for a job that does not utilize and maximize your skills.

– Brenda Dicent

Tip # 64
Spend time with people who know how to make things happen. Why? The "hidden" job market is many times created on a napkin over lunch.

– Brenda Dicent

Tip # 145
As for length, keep the cover letter to one page. Three or four paragraphs should suffice.

– Nancy Kenyon

Tip # 144
Let the employer know that you know a little something about the company in your cover letter - but do not overdo the praise. It will sound false.

– Nancy McCallum

Tip # 143
Present yourself in your cover letter as a confident indivudal who has decided that his job is something that fits your needs. Write with an engaging tone rather than a flat, boring style.

– Nancy McCallum

Tip # 135
Looking for a job is a difficult and sometimes discouraging endeavor. Know when you have reached your limit and take some time off. Your mood will improve and your enthusiasm will return.

– Nancy Kenyon

Tip # 134
Most employers will be impressed by a candidate who has a genuine interest in learning new skills.

– Nancy Kenyon

Tip # 133
Maybe it is time for a total career change. Even if you enter a new field in an entry-level position, many companies offer free training and opportunities for advancement.

– Nancy Kenyon

Tip # 132
Although you may have a very clear career goal, consider other possibilities.

– Nancy Kenyon

Tip # 131
Looking through the Yellow Pages will provide the names of companies in your area who may be possible sources of employment.

– Nancy Kenyon

Tip # 130
Talk about your job search with family and friends. Everyone should know you are looking for a job, so they can help you find one.

– Nancy Kenyon

Tip # 129
There is no shame in being unemployed.

– Nancy Kenyon

Tip # 128
Staffing agencies offer temporary positions. The service is free to the employee, and provides a convenient way to earn a paycheck while checking out a prospective employer.

– Nancy Kenyon

Tip # 127
Time spent with the help-wanted ads will help you to understand the current job market, who is hiring, and how much you can expect to make.

– Nancy Kenyon

Tip # 126
Be prepared to spend some quality time with the help-wanted ads regardless of the type of work you are looking for.

– Nancy Kenyon

Tip # 125
Keep your contacts current. Update your list frequently with names of contacts and other pertinent information.

– Nancy Kenyon

Tip # 123
If you are networking in an industry, any industry, you can bet on the fact that everyone knows everyone else. And they are talking.

– Burning Bridges

Tip # 122
All questions on the application must be answered and all cover letters and resumes should be tailored to the particular employer.

– Editor

Tip # 121
How you present yourself in your resume, cover letter, and application are a reflection of work you would produce on the job.

– Editor

Tip # 120
Submit perfect paper documents. All resumes, applications, and cover letters must be devoid of grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors.

– Editor

Tip # 116
Companies that develop and implement an effective internship program offer great rewards for the company, the manager, and the intern.

– Sue Duris

Tip # 114
Make sure all of your managers understand that creating an optimal emotional enviornment makes a huge difference on the bottom line.

– David Lee

Tip # 112
Take advantage of tuition assistance in a layoff package. Added credentials increase your marketability and it is nice when someone else pays for them.

– Missy Lyon

Tip # 111
Take advantage of all the special perks offered in your layoff package. In addition to severance, many packages offer out-placement, career counseling, resume writing, photocopying, postage, etc.

– Missy Lyon

Tip # 110
A vague salutation such as "Sir or Madam" turns your cover letter into a form letter. If you are taking the time to send your resume, take the time to find out to whom it should be directed.

– Editor

Tip # 109
If at all possible, send your cover letter to an individual - preferably the one making the final hiring decision.

– Editor

Tip # 108
If you are out of work - get busy. Procrastination breeds worry.

– Susan deGrandpre

Tip # 106
Research shows flexibility and work/life balance are top priorities of workers.

– David Lee

Tip # 105
When employees understand the big picture, and are kept in the loop about new developments, they feel part of the organization, and therefore, more involved, more excited, and more loyal.

– David Lee

Tip # 104
Keep people in the know - it is hard to be excited about something you know nothing about.

– David Lee

Tip # 103
The more you let your employees know they are part of something great, and how they make it possible to be great, the more passionate they will be about your company.

– David Lee

Tip # 102
Take at least 24 hours to think over any job offer.

– Cynthia Wright

Tip # 97
80% of employers demand and actually read cover letters. Write a good one!

– Editor

Tip # 96
To successfully reach my company goals and to keep costs down, I hire interns. Maybe you should too.

– Sue Duris

Tip # 95
Keeping employees energized and excited about coming to work requires making sure they are constantly being challenged.

– David Lee

Tip # 94
If going to work means grinding out the same task over and over, employees will soon go elsewhere.

– David Lee

Tip # 92
Leaders of Talent Magnet organizations share stories of victories and warn about imminent battles with competitors.

– David Lee

Tip # 91
Leaders of Talent Magnet organizations speak to the human need by regularly communicating to all employees where the company is going.

– David Lee

Tip # 90
Most who have navigated these precarious waters have much to teach and are often pleased to help.

– Joan Chadbourne, Ph.D.

Tip # 89
Once we become aware that many have experienced upheaval, we can rejoin the human race. We can learn from those who have gone before us on this path.

– Joan Chadbourne, Ph.D.

Tip # 88
Recognizing that we are part of a larger world that has many resources for us helps get us through the tough times.

– Joan Chadbourne, Ph.D.

Tip # 87
Use bullets to further define your skills and make them stand out. The bullets should match the "buzz" words on the job posting or ad.

– Cynthia Wright

Tip # 86
Do not look to earn more if you lack the data to support the request. You will create a problem for yourself instead.

– Editor