Yes, the email address that you choose and how you display your phone numbers on your resume and webpages reveal a lot about who you are. It also contributes to your brand. Your brand is how others perceive you. If your email and phone number suggest that you are outdated or not a serious professional, that can tarnish your brand. Consider these three ways your email and phone numbers can help or hurt your brand.Are Som...

Recently a client asked me, “Why do I need a brand? I am just an average person. It’s not like I am an executive, celebrity, or an entrepreneur.” My answer was, “That is exactly why you need to think about your personal brand.” Do you want to be perceived as average? No; you want to be perceived as exceptional at what you do. Everyone is unique. You need a brand strategy. Where do you begin? How does the not-so-aver...

Face-to-face networking may be one of the most detested phrases a career professional can hear. You mean I have to talk to strangers in person? Can’t I just email them? Isn’t it enough if I like their posts on LinkedIn? Sure, it is great to connect online. Most of our daily professional and personal interactions are virtual. However, there is a distinct value in meeting face to face. I have heard all of the excuses...

With all the “do’s and don’ts” of resume writing, do you ever wonder the reasons why objective statements are out? The objective statement falls in the category of a “don’t.” There are at least three reasons why objective statements are no longer recommended for professional resumes.ONE: It places the focus on your needs (objective) rather than the employer’s needs.The purpose of your resume is to help the hiring manager...

Often job seekers will ask me what they can do to improve their cover letter. The answer varies for each person; however, there are four major cover letter mistakes that I frequently see. Perhaps you have made one of these four major cover letter mistakes? Read our list and review your cover letter. Borrow my tips and vow never to make these major cover letter mistakes again! Rather than Generalize, PersonalizeInstead of...

How’s your resume response rate? In other words, are you getting many calls for interviews? If your resume is not generating interviews, it’s time to evaluate your resume. Hiring managers look for signs that a candidate will not be successful or a proper fit for the job. Is your resume sending signs to hiring manager? Let’s take a look at the top five warning signs that hiring managers can spot in a minute.Typos & Slop...

If you’ve been a fan of AMC’s Mad Men, you’ve witnessed the rise, fall, and recovery of the ever-suave, Don Draper. It’s been a theme of the show from the start. The opening montage of the man falling with skyscrapers in the background forebodes what we can see through the seasons. But, will he hit the bottom? Will he rise? As we await the final episodes of this iconic series, there is only conjecture. More importantly...

Happy December everyone! I continue to be astonished at how quickly each year comes and goes. With 2014 less than 30 days away time to assess where you are in your career. As you wrap up 2013, now is the time to take a look at where you are career-wise, measure where you thought you’d be vs. where you’d like to be vs. where you realistically can be given your role, responsibilities, title, compensation, and growth profile...

Dear Deb, What is the best way to answer an interview question about why your company failed? I started a graphic design firm and after sinking $30,000 into it; and after 18 months of long hours and no weekends off, I have given up. We just could not compete with more established firms. I am working at a high school teaching graphic design and also work as a restaurant server to pay the bills. Feeling like such a failu...

The lack of powerful accomplishment statements is the most common resume shortcoming. If a candidate does not include relevant and compelling accomplishments on his resume, his chances of earning interviews are diminished. A hiring employer may receive hundreds of resumes. The resumes lacking accomplishments will be cast aside. In most cases, the resume is the one shot you get to capture the hiring employer’s attention a...