Job seekers have a lot of networking resources at their disposal. Theoretically, it should be possible to either a) find connections that will introduce you to people to help with your job search or b) introduce yourself to those contacts via social media. Despite this access, sometimes a cold call is the only way to speak to important job search resources. Most people hate the thought of calling someone they don’t know, bu...

Shouldn’t it be easy to get a job if you are more than qualified — even overqualified — for the opportunity? If you’re an experienced engineer with a Ph.D. and you’re having trouble landing an entry-level engineering job, it can be tough on your morale. However, you should not be surprised when employers don’t jump at the chance to hire someone who isn’t a perfect fit for the job, even if that means turning away someone wit...

If you are extremely qualified, have terrific application materials, a targeted resume and you’re interviewing for jobs, but always coming up with a silver medal, it’s possible that you’re bumping up against an elusive category: likability. Also known in the industry as “cultural fit,” likability is a reason many candidates don’t make the final cut—the interviewers either didn’t like them or didn’t believe they would mesh w...

Companies often use phone interviews to screen candidates before meeting in person. Seize your chance to impress the interviewer so he or she can’t help but want to meet you in person. Consider the following do’s and don’ts. How to have winning phone interviews Don’t miss the details. What time is the interview? Is the interviewer calling you, or is it up to you to place the call? Does everyone have the right phone numbers?...

Can you find a job using Twitter? Maybe you’ve heard that “Google is the new resume” and that your online presence is the most important thing hiring managers will consider when you apply for jobs. In reality, most companies are not abandoning the resume, and hiring is still done using traditional methods in most companies. However, social media should still be a key component of your job search. Why? What many people forge...

If you've been sending out hundreds of resumes and haven't heard back from one employer, stop now and commit to making several changes in your job search strategy. Looking for a job is frustrating; you're totally fed up with looking for a job and don't think there's another thing you can do to help get back to work. Even though you may be discouraged, it's likely there are some networking strategies you haven't tried yet. O...

Bad bosses can be the kiss of death for employees, and they cost companies big time in lost revenues. One estimate holds that it costs the economy $360 million a year in lost productivity. Meanwhile, 3 out of 4 employees describe their manager as the worst and most stressful part of their jobs; 65% of people would take a new boss over a pay raise. Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? Sometimes leaving your job just is...

If you’ve been looking for work for an extended period of time, you know how frustrating it is. What can you do to change things up and make sure you aren’t getting yourself stuck in a bad situation and facing a long job search?Long Job Search Survival TipsYou’ve heard the statistics: Managers prefer to hire people who already have jobs. The long-term unemployed face steep odds. Some 5.4 million people have been out of work...

When you hear about someone looking for a mentor, you probably think about young people seeking an older and wiser, senior person to show them the ropes. Today, the definition of mentorship includes people at all ages and experience levels; mentors aren’t just for twenty-somethings anymore. If you’re in your 40s, can a mentor help you? University of Georgia professor of industrial-organizational psychology, Lillian Eby, Ph....

What can you do when you think someone may be sabotaging your job search efforts? Is the rumor mill hurting your chances to get a job?I recently received several questions from readers who believe unfounded gossip may have lengthened their periods of unemployment. For example, one high achiever heard that former employers were spreading rumors that he was an underperformer. Another job seeker worried that people were miscon...