[CW:MONTHLY] Yahoo! Hotjobs

I had lunch with my friend Mary recently, and together we looked over her resume.

"You worked for Astor Graphics for six months in 2007," I said. "That's not a long time. Why don't you drop that out, show your 2005-2006 job followed by your current job, and leave out the short-term gig entirely?"

"Oh! So it's OK to lie on my resume?" asked Mary.

Rewriting your resume to nuke a short-term job from your history isn't lying -- it's editing! You can decide which jobs to include in your resumes, and which to delete and forget. The easiest-to-read resumes with the most obvious career "stories" are the ones most likely to get a hiring manager's attention. Extraneous information and potentially off-putting items like six-month gigs are baggage we can and should unload..

Read the Full Yahoo! HotJobs Article.

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[CW:MONTHLY] Working Well Without Walls: Tips for Success When You Don't have a Desk

You may have spent several years working your way toward a corner office only to discover there aren't any offices -- at all.

As disappointing as this may be, if you want to continue to succeed in this or any economic climate, adaptability and flexibility are key. Embracing nontraditional work arrangements (e.g. consulting and telecommuting) as well as nontraditional work environments that feature touchdown stations rather than dedicated desks are essential to your professional ascent.

How can you survive and thrive in a non-traditional work environment?

Visit Yahoo! hotjobs to read the full article.


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[CW:MONTHLY] 5 Cover Letters That Catch the Eye

Throw away your form letter. These days, getting your cover letter noticed means getting creative.

"A good cover letter can be the difference between getting a job and not getting a job," said Gretchen Hirsch, writing coach and author of "Talking Your Way to the Top." "How you stand out, how you tell your story, is with cover letters."

Click here to read the complete article on Yahoo! hotjobs.

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[CW:MONTHLY] Online Essentials for Your Job Search

Job search was the fastest growing U.S. online content-site category in 2008, according to digital ratings authority comScore. The growth coincides with the loss of over 2 million jobs last year and a rising unemployment rate, but it also underscores how easy and effective the Web can be for finding a job.

"Online job search resources provide a vital service to those in need of new job prospects and opportunities, and Americans are turning online for this assistance now more than ever," said Jack Flanagan, executive vice president of comScore.

But are job-seekers using Web tools to their best advantage?

Click here to visit the Yahoo! HotJobs article and read several essential tips for making the Internet work for you.

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[CW:MONTHLY] Yahoo! Hot Jobs

5 Things to Do in 2009 That You Didn't Do in 2008

The author George Santayana said, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." But surely no one wants to relive some of the darker days of 2008. Follow these five steps to make sure you've truly learned the lessons of the last year:

1. Be prepared for sudden job loss.

According to federal data, the U.S. lost 2.6 million jobs in 2008. And some experts are predicting that another 2 million may be lost over the course of 2009. Don't ignore the odds. It can happen to you, so be sure you're ready to start interviewing immediately.

This means your resume should be up to date and ready to send in a moment's notice, you should have at least one interview outfit cleaned and hanging in your closet, and your online networks should be current. Reaching out to people immediately after news breaks of layoffs at your company can seem disingenuous. It's best to connect with other professionals when they won't feel pressured by your request.

Visit Yahoo! Hot Jobs for the full story.

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[CW: MONTHLY] Survey: Workers Face Job Anxiety in 2009

As Americans brace for continued economic turmoil in 2009, 1 in 3 workers say they are anxious about the viability of their jobs, according to a recent survey.

But the same study also reveals that job satisfaction rose during the yearlong recession of 2008. Nearly 38% of respondents said they were "very satisfied" with their jobs, compared with 28% in 2007. The findings were part of an annual December survey by Yahoo! HotJobs.

Despite the anxiety felt by a third of the workforce (34%), the results suggest that more workers are looking on the bright side of being employed.

Visit Yahoo! HotJobs to read the full article.

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[CW:MONTHLY] How To Prepare for a Performance Review

Is your performance review just around the corner? There's no need to panic--but now would be a good time to prepare.

Experts offer these tips for making your review go more smoothly:

Assess what you already know.

Ideally, you should be checking in regularly with your boss to make sure you're doing what's expected.

"The performance evaluation process should start the day you're hired," said Janet Scarborough Civitelli, founder and president of Bridgeway Career Development. "There should not be any big surprises during the actual review."

Read the Full Yahoo! HotJobs Article.

[CW:MONTHLY] 6 Ways to Save for an Unexpected Job Loss

Coinciding with the tightening job market is a gloomy statistic: Few American workers are saving for potential layoffs.

You've probably heard that you should have at least six months' living expenses on hand. But how can you save for a rainy day when it's already drizzling, you say? If you're fully employed and you've been living paycheck-to-paycheck, you might not be looking for savings everywhere you can. Dayana Yochim, consumer finance expert at The Motley Fool, recommended six ways to begin starting that emergency fund today, no matter what your salary.

Read Full Yahoo! HotJobs Article

[CW: MONTHLY] The First 5 Things to Do in a Layoff

These days, if you find yourself being shepherded into a conference room with your coworkers, you might expect a pink slip -- not an impromptu pizza party. You may feel blindsided (not to mention angry, nauseous, and panicked), but you must fight through the momentary confusion to get your bearings and take action immediately.

Liz Ryan, a thought leader on the changing workplace, says, "During a layoff meeting, adrenaline is racing through your body. People lose their minds! So, first, take five minutes to gather your thoughts. Sit down. Ask for a cup of coffee." Then, follow these five steps to make sure you're leaving the building with your dignity -- and everything you need to land on your feet.

Visit Yahoo! HotJobs to read the full article.

[CW: EXTRA] Looking for a Job? Run the RINSR Cycle.

Tom Musbach, managing editor of Yahoo! HotJobs offers some great tips for planning out your job search. This is taken from a session he moderated at NLGJA Goes To Washington, our 2008 National Convention & 5th Annual LGBT Media Summit: Life After Layoff: Your Job is History But You're Not.
Full audio from Life After Layoff can be found on NLGJA's convention podcast page.

The RINSR Cycle

Whenever you are looking for a job, remember the five-point RINSR cycle: Resume, Interview, Network, Salary, Research.

R: Resume

• Update your resume frequently, perhaps once a quarter to keep your accomplishments fresh.


• Think billboard, not encyclopedia! Summarize your accomplishments, not all of your job descriptions. Leave the reader wanting more.


• Forget fancy formats -- make sure your resume is easily transferable to text format (for emailing or uploading online).


• Tailor your resume and cover letter to the job description.

I: Interview

• Study the job description thoroughly. Prepare brief stories that illustrate your accomplishments, and tailor them to the job description.


• Focus on the value you bring. Make sure you have an answer to the question: "Why should I hire you?"


• Bring plenty of questions with you. You are also interviewing to see if this company is the right fit for you.

N: Network

• Tell everyone you know about your job search; your friends or associates may have suggestions for you.


• Attend professional events (like NLGJA functions!)


• Consider using social networking sites like LinkedIn or Facebook to connect with former coworkers, etc.

S: Salary

• Use an online salary calculator (like the one at Yahoo! HotJobs) to get a good sense of target salaries for your desired job in your area.


• Be prepared. Don't just throw out a dollar figure; you should be ready to justify the salary amount you are requesting based on the value you will bring to the firm.


• Be flexible. Salary negotiations are about more than dollars. You may find advantages with more vacation days or a flexible schedule, for example, that boost your overall compensation package.

R: Research

• Study the company's Web site and become very familiar with the business, products, etc. Your familiarity will help you in the application process!


• Canvas your network to see what your friends know about the employer.


• Search news outlets for recent reports about company activity, financials, etc.

[CW:MONTHLY] How to Fatten a Flat Salary

If the present year has been unpleasant in terms of your total income, 2009 doesn't look to be too much better. According to Hewitt Associates, a global human resources consulting and outsourcing firm, most workers will have only flat base-pay raises to look forward to in the coming year.

Read Full Yahoo! HotJobs Article

[CW:MONTHLY] How to Negotiate Your Exit

By Roberta Chinsky Matuson for Yahoo! HotJobs
Few people think about negotiating when they hear the words, "Your services are no longer needed." Instead, they quietly pack up their personal items, say a few goodbyes, and quickly leave out the back door. Would you do things differently if you knew you could exit on your own terms?

Read Full Yahoo! HotJobs Article

[CW:MONTHLY] The Biggest Resume Mistake You Can Make

By Caroline Potter, Yahoo! HotJobs

Your resume is the most important document in any job search. But what if you're submitting resume after resume and receiving no results at all - not even a call? Your resume may be fatally flawed.

View Full Yahoo! HotJobs Story

[CW:MONTHLY] Easing Commuter Shock: The New In-Demand Perk

By Tom Musbach for Yahoo! HotJobs

The continuing upward pressure on gas prices is forcing many workers to change how they get to their jobs and to seek added benefits that offset commuting costs.

In a recent survey by the staffing firm Robert Half International (RHI), almost half of U.S. professionals (44%) said higher gas prices are affecting their commutes, up from 34% two years ago. The top three changes cited by the group are increased carpooling, driving a more fuel-efficient car, and telecommuting more frequently.

Three in 10 respondents said they are looking for a new job closer to home.

Complete Story

[CW:MONTHLY] The Big Question: 'Why Should I Hire You?'

By Joe Turner for Yahoo! HotJobs

"Why should I hire you?"

This is the classic question most of us hear during an interview. It's often preceded by the phrase, "I've already interviewed another person for this position who looks perfect." Then comes the killer question, "Why should I hire you?"

Be careful to avoid clever retorts or comedic one-liners here. Your interview is serious business and a wrong answer will send you packing. This is, in fact, the one question that interviewers like to ask because the answer can so easily separate the contenders from the also-rans. Give a wrong answer and the large "Game Over" sign flashes above your head.

Complete Story

[CW:MONTHLY] No Raise? Aim for Perks

By Larry Buhl for Yahoo! HotJobs

If your job performance has met or even exceeded expectations, you can expect a decent pay increase, just like last year, right?

Maybe not. With signs of slowing job growth, employers may think twice about doling out generous bonuses - or even handing over slightly-less-than-stingy merit increases, according to Steven Gross, a senior human resources consultant at Mercer, a global provider of investment and outsourcing services.

Complete Story

[CW:MONTHLY] Job Hunting in an Unsteady Economy

By Tom Musbach for Yahoo! HotJobs

Whether or not the U.S. economy has hit a recession, one thing is clear these days: Uncertainty is in the air, and it affects nearly every economic sector, including the job market.

The recent rise in the U.S. unemployment rate - 4.9% in January - indicates that fewer jobs are being created, but the shrinkage may not affect job-seekers in some fields, such as technology or heath care. Nonetheless, experts say job seekers should pay attention to current economic conditions and expect that the job-search process may take longer.

Complete Story

[CW:MONTHLY] Three Signs of a Miserable Job

By Tom Musbach for Yahoo! HotJobs

"Awful," "dreary," and "miserable" are adjectives that many people use to describe their jobs at one time or another. Dissatisfaction on the job is common and often temporary. But not many people take time to analyze what makes a job miserable, and how to fix it.

Complete Story

[CW:MONTHLY] How to Relaunch Your Career in the New Year

By Caroline Levchuck for Yahoo! HotJobs

Was 2007 a professional bust for you? Was your career stuck in neutral? Never fear, the new year is here, and with it comes endless possibilities for growth, upward mobility, and more.

Deborah Brown-Volkman, a certified professional coach, says, "What's great about the new year is that it's like a do-over. You've completed the last year, and now you can start all over again."

Complete Story

[CW:MONTHLY] Here We Come A-Networking

By Debra Davenport, for Yahoo! HotJobs

Just like you can never receive too many gifts at the holidays, you can never have too many contacts in your network. Being well-connected connotes success and influence - the kind of cachet every serious professional seeks to achieve.

The holidays are a great time to build your list of influential contacts. Whether you're currently employed or searching for the perfect job, consider every invitation a chance to create new career-building relationships.

Complete Story