Today’s job market is brutal. As of 2013, there were three unemployed applicants vying for every job opening. Add in the applicants who are actually still employed and that number rises even more, making the hiring process extremely cutthroat.Because of this wicked environment, job seekers are going to great lengths just to simply get noticed. But are these gimmicks worth the risk? Will they just come across as desperate to...

Do you think of your cover letter as a summary of your skills and experiences? If so, you’re making a common mistake. The truth is that your cover letter is a sales letter – much like the ones created by direct marketers and copywriters to sell products and services. Just like those letters, your cover note must be compelling, easy to read, and must convey clearly why you are a perfect fit. (hopefully it goes without sa...

Finding that next great position can be an arduous challenge, so when the hunt yields no result it may be time to change your whole perspective on how you search for jobs. Warren White, a dual-certified human resources professional and career strategist, gives Tim Muma a handful of different strategies and ways of thinking about one's job search, whether it's keeping things simple or focusing on something else.

If you're struggling to even get a job interview, it's probably time to look in the mirror. Clearly, employers aren't getting excited about what you bring to the table and may find you "boring." Mary Sherwood Sevinsky, a Career and Occupational Consultant, joins Tim Muma to discuss the items hiring professionals find less than interesting. Mary also gives the listeners alternative strategies to spice up your appeal and draw...

Can a cover letter really win you an interview? Isn’t that supposed to be the job of the resume? A resume isn’t the sole determining factor in whether you get the interview. A cover letter absolutely can play a deciding role in securing an interview, and I’m going to share with you three secrets that we utilize in the cover letters we write for our clients that generate immediate interview interest. We give them three reaso...

Is there a cover letter secret that can guarantee you will get interviews whenever you use it? I know of one magical key you can incorporate into your cover letter that can increase your chances of getting interviews by 50%. Would you like me to share it? Of course you would! So here you go: ASKING FOR THE INTERVIEW Seems like asking for the interview would be common sense, but how many job seekers actually ask for the int...

As 2014 approaches I’ve been putting together a series of articles on the top tips and trends for resumes, cover letters, job searches, and LinkedIn profiles. In this piece I’m shedding light on what I see as the top cover letter trends going into 2014.Evolution of the E-Note The Internet and social media are rapidly changing the shape of how we job search. It can be daunting at times to keep up with the ever-changing dynam...

As a resume writer who frequently assists executives and senior-level professionals to create thoughtful cover letters, I enjoyed talking with Leslie Stevens-Huffman of Dice.com for her insightful article, 10 Ways to Screw Up Your Cover Letter. As she notes, your job search can stall if your cover letter fails to show your value, or makes it obvious that you’re not taking the time to learn about the employer’s business. Unf...

Invariably, when job seekers try to figure out what’s going to help them stand out to an employer, the subject of cover letters comes up – followed by confusion. Do you really need a cover letter for each executive job application? How can you be sure that employers are actually reading the letter you’re so carefully crafting?Is it a myth that a cover letter can distinguish you in the executive job search?Here are 3 key poi...

Countless individuals are disengaged at work and looking elsewhere, often jumping ship or getting let go after just a couple of years. While some believe it's a matter of the work or culture in the workplace, Jessica Simko says the problem starts with the "fake it to make it" culture driving the job search and hiring process. Jessica draws off her experience as a corporate human resources professional to explain how people...