One question that I’m frequently asked is “Does anyone read cover letters? And, if not, do I need to bother with one?” The short answers are it depends and yes. Talk to a bunch of recruiters and pretty soon you will hear the same thing: they don’t read cover letters. But you still need one, and it needs to be customized for each job. The reason is simple: A great…
One question we are often asked is how do I write a resume when I haven’t worked, professionally, for years. And it’s tough because most “how to deal with a resume gap” advice is aimed at people who have been out of work for several months, not years. So here’s a high level guide to writing a resume when you’ve been out of the workforce for a long time and…
I was very inspired by a recent Claire Zillman article in Fortune about the mayor of Sonoma, California. Partly, I was inspired because I believe it is good for our civic life when more women – across all sides of the political spectrum – run for and serve in public office. But Rachel Hundley also inspires me because hers is a wonderful reinvention story. And, a story of diving in…
Informational interviews are casual meetings where you scope out potential jobs and learn activities in your industry. Depending on the connection, you may be able to get advice on your career path. The important thing about informational interviews is you’re letting people know you’re on the job market and you’re looking for details to help you in your search. So you’ve scored an informational interview with an amazing person who…
I love January. Despite the cold I find it the most exhilarating month. While I do believe that September is the new January, and that New Year’s resolutions can be tough to keep, January still represents a fresh start. It’s a chance to pull up, review what’s working and refresh your goals. If you’ve set a goal of restarting your career this year, you’ve come to the right place. Of…
Everyone knows that networking is the way to get ahead in the world. Everyone also knows that networking, for most of us, is hard. There is a ton of great advice out there about how to network without networking. It’s worth seeking out. But one tactic that has worked for me is making fabulous introductions. So let’s start with a basic principle: connecting begets connections. When you connect two people for…
The internet revolution has been a boon for moms in so many ways. We can use a variety of platforms to connect with each other across states and time zones and also find other moms right around the corner. The internet has also made working from home possible in a whole new way. And for those looking to restart their careers it is now possible to launch a full-fledged job…
I’m a big fan of Patty Azzarello, a writer and executive coach. I’ve been a follower of her blog for a long time and I find her advice really helpful. Much of it comes out of her experience in large organizations but it’s often applicable to people working in companies of all sizes. A recent blog post was about how to win a big promotion and, as usual, it has…
When you are searching for a job, especially if you haven’t been out in the market for a while, the words “Send me your resume” can be terrifying. If you haven’t updated your resume, your heart sinks as you think of the work in front of you. And even if you have, your heart sinks because…well, because sending anyone your resume is terrifying! So let’s start with something basic: Everyone…
