The National Association of Colleges and Employers has just completed a survey of employers to identify the qualities of the perfect job candidate.  They include communications skills, work ethic, the ability to work in a team and initiative. The Examiner has a great summary of the attributes employers are looking for http://www.examiner.com/x-828-Entry-Level-Careers-Examiner~y2009m1d29-Employers-cite-qualities-attributes-of-perfect-job-candidate?cid=examiner-email.  Definitely worth checking out. I would add likeability and preparation to this list .  As a recruiter of entry level professionals, I used to look for preparation: resume, interview, company research likeability work ethic. I ...

Would you leave a job you hated in this job market? Maybe, maybe not. You definitely should not leave a job without having another one lined up. That makes sense. But what do you do if you really hate your job and don't have another one lined up? First, dust off your career goals (remember those-- the ones everyone said you should have. Did you do them??) Remember why you took the job in the first place. Was it to lead ...

I just read a great post on the Brazen Careerist (www.brazencareerist.com/).  It was entitled "All I care about is Money Disease".  It talks about gen Y being motivated by money.  I come across this topic all the time in my coaching practice.  Many young professionals claim to be motivated by money.  That's because many young professionals don't have any. Fast foward three years and ask yourself: what gets me out of bed in the morning?  Is it to make the next sale? ...

I was just at the gym and heard an analogy that made sense to me: a career is like a marathon.  It's long, it's hilly and it requires a lot of training.  The marathon route can take a left or a right but it doesn't end until the finish line.  Clearly someone is going to win but I think anyone who can complete a marathon is a winner. Most people don't just show up and run the marathon without a lot of ...

You can meet the challenge with the right job search plan. From our experience, focused, prepared and connected job searchers land the job.  We recommend: First, revise your focus by customizing your goals and expectations to the current economic environment.  Start by widening your net. Rather than having your heart set on the most prestigious firms or institutions that are not hiring, also target internal company positions in robust industries with positive hiring projections. James, a recent college graduate with an interest ...