One of the most difficult interview questions to answer is that of salary expectations.  Here is the rule: He who names the first number looses. So, how do you respond when asked about salary requirements? First, do your homework.  Learn what various jobs pay in the location you want.  There are several websites out there that will help you learn that information.  www.Salary.com and www.Monster.com, to name a few. Next, you can respond in one of two ways: "In my last position, I was making ...

Summer is the time to relax, have some fun and catch up with friends and family.  But for college students, it is also time to build a resume.  What should college students be doing during the summer? Ideally, a college student has a summer job. It can be anywhere...  scooping ice cream, waiting tables or perhaps working in a retail store.  If the job is career-related, it's even better.  In a challenging job market, college students who have trouble finding a ...

I have been coaching college students and young professionals for many years, both within an organization as well as my own company.  I realize that many college students are not aware of the various opportunities that are available to them.   My job is to help them identify their skills and interests and translate that information into realistic career goals. One thing I have noticed over the last few years is that college graduates are very reluctant to set a career ...

Last weekend I was conducting a workshop on job search skills for college graduates.  The audience was great... they listened, asked good questions and even laughed when I thought I was being funny. One thing became very clear: college students and recent graduates, although (very) frequent users of social media sites, do not realize the impact of what they put online. Recent surveys have reported that over 70% of American hiring managers DO check to see what job candidates put online and ...

For many college graduates facing a very difficult job market, the idea of controlling their own destiny, setting their own schedules and possible seeing a big payoff by starting their own business is very appealing.  Research suggests that 50 to 70 percent of students had started their own business or hoped to start one in the future. But is entrepreneurship the right choice? First, assess yourself to see if you truly possess the traits of an entrepreneur: Are you a self-starter?  Willing ...