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Debra O'Reilly
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A Letter from a Baffled Hiring Manager-Part 1

This guest letter was written by Mark Hannan Dear Job Seeker,interrogation4 Given the current market conditions, it is no surprise that there is ample helpful advice and information for job seekers. So, I would like to share with you a hiring manager’s perspective and ask you a favor. ... Read more

3 Most Important Things to Do in a Job Interview

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A job interview can be a nerve-racking experience, especially when you have been removed from the job market for an extended period of time. It is one thing to sell on paper with the resume and another thing to sell in person at the interview. Regardless of whether you have been out of a job for an extended period of time, are looking to change careers, or are still employed and seeking a better opportunity, the key to conducting a job interview successfully is a result of a collective number of factors. However, one of the more defining factors is the relationship you establish. ... Read more

How to Nail a Job Interview in 60 Seconds!

“So tell me about yourself?” The grandaddy of all interview questions. Simple enough question but for some reason it has the power to reduce you to a fumbling, stalling, um-ing and arr-ing fool. At Adzuna HQ we have decided that these four little words have the ability to make or break your interview. Flop at this first hurdle and you’re a goner. 33% of interviewers say that they know within the first 90 seconds if you are

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Would You Share Your Facebook Password with a Potential Employer?

Most people’s Facebook profiles offer glimpses into the meaningful and mundane in their lives – family photos, likes and dislikes, conversations with friends. Others, of course, reveal inappropriate content that might demonstrate immaturity, questionable choices, or even illegal activity such as underage drinking. But even if your profile is benign, do you want your employer checking it out? According to an Associated Press story, some employers routinely ... Read more

Cover Letter Tips for IT Professionals

If all an employer cared about is the IT skills and technical knowledge a candidate has obtained, then there would not be the need for an interview. The fact is, in addition to looking for specific skills and knowledge, employers want candidates who are passionate about the field and who have demonstrated a track record of success and progress. A resume alone does not necessarily help demonstrate these additional attributes. This is where the cover letter critically comes into play to help secure your chances for an interview. It is the cover letter that helps you begin to tell your story of how ... Read more

The Job Interview and the Role of Perception

I am an avid reader of Seth Godin, master marketer and prolific blogger (www.sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/).  In this morning’s blog he wrote: “The truth is that it’s what we perceive that matters, not what you bring to the table.” Quite often what Mr. Godin writes is relatable to the job search, and even specifically the interview. This sentence is a great example of just that! Many interview gurus have expressed the same sentiment along these lines: “It’s not necessarily the most qualified person who lands the offer; the offer is extended to the person who interviews best.” ... Read more

Executive Coach’s Tip: Practice the "Courtesy Call" Habit

None of us have the luxury of wasting valuable work time.  Time. Is. Valuable. Showing up for a meeting and then finding out your contact double-booked or forgot about the meeting is time-wasted that COULD HAVE been avoided.  Showing up for a meeting where the other party is not fully prepared CAN (and many times DOES) result in an unproductive meeting for BOTH of you which COULD also have been avoided...
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Negotiating Salary Tactics & Tips

Executives negotiate millions of dollars on behalf of their employers for contracts, products, and services every year. Why then is it so difficult for most executives to negotiate their salaries when offered a job? Whatever the reasons, senior managers, directors and C-level executives are not immune from negotiating their salary for a new job opportunity. ... Read more

Before You Accept that Job Offer: 3 Key Questions to Answer?

It’s a pretty typical interview process.
You’ve met with a recruiter and the hiring manager. Now you fly in the night before and meet a bunch of people in a series of individual and group interviews that will last the entire next day. You fly home that night.
They love you and have offered you a job. Ready to accept the offer? There are 3 fundamental questions anchored in the critical element of a “good fit” at the new job that will tell you whether you have a fighting chance to succeed, and whether or not you should take the job on that basis. They revolve around these areas: cultural fit, technical expertise, and interpersonal relationships. Where these three spheres intersect and overlap is the “perfect” job; miss out on one, two, or even three and you may have paid hell on earth. Here are the thee big questions for which you should find answers:              
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120 Seconds is All You Have to Ace the Interview

120 seconds. That’s how long it takes for an interviewer to decide whether they want to hire you or not. First impressions set the tone for the interview and in the majority of cases, once that impression is set, it is not usually turned around. Here are some important tips you can use to ensure you make a great first impression.       ... Read more