Could you be the next Scott Thompson – fired for lying on your resume? Few people hold such high-visibility jobs as Thompson, until recently the CEO of Yahoo. So you might not think a little white lie – a stretching of the truth – will matter on your resume. You might think no one will notice or no one will check. You know you can do the job – so what’s the harm? Well, for one thing, it’s a lie. For another, it’s the beginning of a slippery slope. First you lie on the resume, then that lie gets repeated in a company bio and becomes permanently attached to your name. The more widespread, the easier it is to check, and the more likely it will be spotted by someone who knows it for a lie. The risk is not worth the potential reward – and it’s the wrong thing to do. Most people who think about lying on resumes are, in my opinion, insecure about their credentials. They are sure their “issue” – whatever it is (lack of a degree, lack of a specific degree, a gap in employment, a lower-level job title) – will make it impossible for them to get the job they really want. They want to be competitive against other candidates who – they are certain! – have all the right stuff. My advice: Focus on what you DO have, not what you don’t. Emphasize your successes and be able to tell a compelling story about your challenges and accomplishments. Be confident in your value! And find ways to make that “issue” less obvious on your resume. (Hint: Hire a professional resume writer!) No, you can’t make yourself qualified for jobs for which you don’t have the required credentials. But the key issue is not the credential, it’s the mindset and confidence. Did Scott Thompson really think a degree in computer science from 25 or 30 years ago made him more qualified to lead a technology company than simply having an accounting degree? Chances are, no. But when he first perpetrated that lie, he believed that he needed it to land the job he wanted. It was all downhill – down the slippery slope – from there. ... Read more

I encountered the phrase “all in” in two quite different contexts lately. In the first, a minister used it to describe his faith. In the second, a technology sales executive said it about the way he works. And then in a third instance, Ralph Waldo Emerson (a voice from the past), is quoted using different words but talking about the same idea (thanks to Angel Maiers for her post and the Emerson quote: "Passion is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without passion.” Put this together with a research finding that most of new hires that fail do so because of attitude, not lack of skills – as much as 80%. And add in the “personal” in personal branding, which is about your passions, values, and goals. In other words, the things that go to make up your personality... ... Read more

Yes. No. Maybe? ... Read more

Recently I’ve had a few clients who have had to “endure” second and third interviews. The word endure is related to the job seeker’s reluctance to be subjected to an ongoing, seemingly never-ending process (“Just give me the job already!”) Now, some employers, such as large car manufacturers who receive not just hundreds but tens of thousands of applications, have a prolonged process of even seven interview steps. A personality test, skills test, aptitude test, a telephone interview, a first step on-site interview … an on and on. But the clients to which I refer had face to face interviews first with HR, then the Hiring Manager and then the V.P. or President. One has now landed his dream job and the second awaits the third interview confirmation. Here’s what I suggested:       ... Read more

It can be a scary world for anyone who longs for the “good old days” of stable, long-term employment, and job seekers who are 50+ may fear age discrimination, especially in a tight employment market. But cheer up! Preparation and common sense will help you avoid the pitfalls associated with age issues.

• First, adjust your attitude. If you believe you’re being discriminated against, you’ll be looking for every possible sign that it might be happening. And you’ll be blaming others rather than taking responsibility for managing your career.
• Second, recognize that talented executives are always in demand – regardless of age. Show potential employers that you have the talent, experience, and expertise to accomplish important goals. They’re much more interested in that than in how old you are.
• Third, don’t make things worse by looking “old.” As I wrote in an earlier post, you do look your age – and that’s OK! You don’t need to look like a twenty- or thirty-something. But make sure your physical appearance, wardrobe, energy level, and enthusiasm say “high-performing executive,” not “senior citizen ready for retirement.”

In my Bluesteps webinar this week I’ll be sharing lots more ideas for career management at 50+. Join me! ... Read more

Recently a potential client asked me if I guarantee interviews. I replied, quite honestly, that I do not and gave him reasons why. A few of  the answers also relate to typical  job hunters’ questions andI’ve listed a few popular ones below. If you find a category that fits your situation, remember, there are strategies that mitigate or overcome challenges. Rarely is a situation completely unsalavageable! 1. Most people’s resumes truly stink. When people email me their resumes for a free assessment I am not that blunt, of course! But the plain truth is that most people are not trained to compose strategic resumes and hence, their resumes are ineffective. Most, in fact, read like a position description revised from a 3rd person to 1st person voice. (Rather than “Serves customers at the counter with information related to birth registrations and marriage licences,” to “Serve customers at the counter etc.) 2. Along with stinky resumes, many job hunter’s cover letters are boring. Yawn-inspiring, recruiter-numbing boring... ... Read more

When you’re looking for a job, it’s important to consider an organization’s culture. You need to assess whether you’ll be a good “cultural fit” for the organization, and whether the organization will be a good fit for you. Cultural fit is an important determinant of your success, engagement and even happiness on the job. So [...] ... Read more

Did you know that most successful $100k professionals have never had to do a six-figure job interview? Think about this for a moment, and you’ll quickly figure out why:  Successful people are usually promoted from within or sought out by their colleagues and competitors for their well-known expertise.

... Read more

Always looking for insights to share that will boost my clients’ interview success, I occassionally stumble upon an article with advice that strikes me as a bit bizaare. Today I found just such an article. The writer, someone who has interviewed 150 people (judge for yourself whether you think this is exceptional or not), finds it “disgusting” if the person being interviewed touches his or her ... Read more

  Listening to TRULY and FULLY understand someone is a SKILL. Listening requires effort; it requires focus and it requires attention.  It. Is. Hard. Work. Period. How WELL do you listen to others?  When a point is made, a conclusion is expressed, an opinion is shared, an anwer is offered or instructions are given, how CLEAR are you on what was said? Are you sure you fully understood? Without question? ... Read more