Category Archives: FocusPoint Newsletters

– Rachel felt like pulling her hair out after spending 45 minutes submitting her online resume and application for a job that looked perfect for her, the 3rd she’d completed that evening.

– Mark shrugged his shoulders and shook his head in exasperation because the most recent resume feedback his sister-in-law, a “talent acquisition specialist” at a local financial services firm, gave him was just the exact opposite of what a friend’s IT recruiter advised. Continue reading →

Remember the school playground bullies who terrorized the smaller kids? Some of those bullies have climbed corporate ladders and continue terrorizing others, but on bigger playgrounds–workplaces. Continue reading →

Most of us want secure jobs we can count on. Unfortunately, many of us think we can find security by hanging onto what seems like a secure job–even when the job doesn’t fit us.

Despite the articles and books warning that there is no security in today’s job market, many people still think that hanging on is more stable than moving. Continue reading →

A common belief about the job search is that keeping your “options open” gives you more opportunities; or conversely, that being very specific about what you want to do will limit you.

Believing that if we present ourselves as job chameleons who can fit in almost anywhere, we hope that employers will consider us for more jobs–maybe even jobs we have not thought of ourselves.

The “I’m-open-to-options” belief persists, especially when the job market is tough. This thinking goes beyond the resume and permeates the whole job search; and it can make finding a good job difficult. Here are four reasons why it is important to have a focused approach. Continue reading →

You probably know a person (maybe even yourself!) who is struggling after suddenly finding himself or herself out of work.

Years of loyal service used to mean respect, a secure future, and a good pension. However, a lot of baby boomers like David, discussed below, find that many years of hard work have earned them none of that.
Continue reading →

“Never waste a good crisis,” Marvin, a former client, stated. I chuckled as I noted his comment. Little did I know that a few weeks later it would be my mantra, too.

The crisis? A major desktop computer problem severe enough that it needed diagnosis and repair at the technician’s shop. My heart sank and I felt panicky as I watched the technician leave with my computer–the day before a three-day weekend. Without a laptop computer (at that time) or a smart phone, I needed to find other ways to conduct my professional and personal communication. Continue reading →

When times are tough it’s tempting to scale back hope that your work might have anything to do with what you love or care about. Instead, you think it’s better to “be realistic” and be grateful for any job, no matter what. Continue reading →

This issue’s topic: WHEN NETWORKING DOESN’T WORK.

We all hear that networking is the key to finding a (good) job. Yet it often doesn’t work. Upon closer look, however, the problem is not that networking itself doesn’t work; it’s that it’s done ineptly. Continue reading →

Well, it’s 2011: Another new year: new calendar, new goals, renewed commitments or–at the least–recycled hopes. If advancing your career is one of your goals (whether it’s getting re-employed, promoted, or moving in a new career direction), apply this stealth approach: pursue a learning agenda. Continue reading →

HOW TO KNOW WHEN IT’S TIME TO MOVE ON–AND WHAT TO DO IF IT IS

This subject may seem odd, given our current economic conditions. It’s tempting–and understandable–to scale back plans and dreams in times of change. You’re grateful to be alive, to have a job, any job. Continue reading →