1. What is the single most important principle to have in mind to climb the career ladder? The one key principle that has driven me throughout my career is simple: always, always add value. If you aren’t adding value then you are in the way. You are overhead. You are replaceable. Now, I know what […]
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1. In my career, what is the best way to ensure I get paid well and not be viewed as easily replaceable by my employer? The key to building a lucrative career, or anything of strong long-term value, is to make it obvious how you are different from others. As I’ve said in previous posts,
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1. We hear a lot about the five-year plan. That one should think about their goals for the next five years and chart the course? How really effective is that? In my view, five-year plans, or any plan that stretches more than a year or two, are helpful primarily as career northstars. However, I suggest
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1. We too often get down on ourselves when we get that rejection letter, but doesn’t luck play a role in this as much as talent? Luck does play a huge role in life. At any given moment, we may be the sum total of all of our individual choices but I believe luck is
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1. You have call the interview Show Time. What do you mean by that and how can I make my next interview “Show Time?” After a long career, I have come to this stark conclusion: what gets one hired and promoted is not what one has actually done but what others think one has done.
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1. What’s the key to making a good first impression when meeting someone for the first time? mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. When you meet someone for the first time, there are basic things you need to nail to make a good impression. I call these the table stakes. Be early, dress to impress, be polite,
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1. I got rejected from my dream job. I write strong cover letters showing why I’m THE right person for the job and have strong references and inside information from friends at the company. I’m right for this job. What else can I do? Start with a very detailed post-mortem. This is a medical term
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1. I send out lots of emails to prospective employers, but rarely get a response. What am I doing wrong? What are tips to getting a reply beyond the automated response? Candidate emails are binary in the eyes of a hiring manager: Emails from qualified candidates who fit the job are gold Emails from unqualified
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1. Often job listings advise applicants against calling with the stern warning: No phone calls please. How seriously should I take that? Should I call anyway or are there better ways to get the employer’s attention. I would start with why ask for applicants but warn against phone calls? Perhaps they feel they might be
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How can I as a job applicant separate myself from the competition? The first step is to recognize that if it’s a job worth getting, there will be lots of competition. A lot more than you can predict. Now imagine the job of the hiring manager. Hours or days spent sifting through thousands of resumes
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