Yes, some of us are lucky enough to get to this stage in job search. Even if you’re applying with companies in your local area the phone “screen” or interview is the third step in the selection process. Number one was most likely the computer screening you, then HR “scanning” your application information. By the time you’ve reached the telephone interview the hiring manager may have reviewed, but not necessarily. Always be...

Is it expected that you become an expert in managing your career and be the perfect professional? Not really, but you need to avoid as many of these mistakes as possible to reduce self imposed career “ceilings” or unexpected lays offs/terminations. It is possible to eliminate a self imposed career plateau, but not lay-offs.The premise of this column follows basic principles of marketing. While I do not claim to be a market...

Corporate America has changed since the "good old days”. Gone are the days of climbing the corporate ladder -- most of the rungs have been removed -- and getting your gold watch after 40 years of service is history.This is the age of instability. Since the late 1980s:Nearly half of all U.S. companies were restructured.80,000+ firms were acquired or merged.Several hundred thousand companies were downsized.Over a half million...

Everyone is used to sending or receiving traditional items in the job search process. The resume and cover letter have been standard fare for decades. However Social Media, the various online processes and how companies recruit have changed this drastically. There are even more nontraditional items that can be carried over from the old ways. Consider the 2-sided personal business card, letter of introduction (not the same a...