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An interviewer asks 4 receptionist candidates this question. “We value a calm, quiet reception area so we don’t like the phone to ring constantly. How will you handle this need?”

Candidate #1: “Hire me. I will rip the phone out of the wall. No more ringing.”

Candidate #2: “Hire me. After talking to me, your callers will never phone back. Guaranteed quiet.”

Candidate#3: “Hire me. I’m experienced and will answer all calls within three rings. ”

Candidate #4: “Hire me. I’ll answer your calls quickly because I’m fully trained and experienced with your phone system. I also know its automatic call distribution option, and can help implement it, which will reduce the number of calls coming in. It will be calm and quiet, plus I’ll be more available for direct customer service.”  Read more...

The primary purpose of a cover letter is to convince the employer to read your resume.

Many job seekers mistakenly use cover letters to try and convince employers to hire them. They write long letters detailing their skills and experience and how they apply to the employer’s situation.

Less is more when it comes to cover letters. With often hundreds of candidates for a single position, employers have stacks of resumes and cover letters to read. Drowning in information overload, they can find themselves skimming or even skipping documents.

Wouldn’t it be great if resumes came with flags that popped up and said  “I match what you are looking for in these ways! Read my resume for more information!”  Read more...

If you’re looking for inspiration to recharge your career, look no farther than Apolo Ohno’s 1500 meter Olympic performance. At 27, an age considered long in the tooth for a speedskater, Ohno not only won a silver medal, he proved he’s just as competitive as his younger rivals.

In the current economy, many seasoned employees are finding their careers plateaued or their job prospects slimming as they face stiff competition in the workplace. Here are four strategies that contributed to Apolo Ohno’s recent success and how you can apply them to your career.

Commit yourself. Ohno purposefully committed to a third Olympics because of his love for the sport, the Vancouver location, and his personal passion for excellence. That commitment fueled his drive forward through good days and bad.  Read more...

The anatomy of a job interview

Attend this workshop if you are a job seeker or your current position includes interviewing job candidates.  Learn why understanding both sides of the interview table  is critical to everyone’s success.    Read more...