Now that the job market is heating up, you may be tempted to start looking around and gauging your market value. Then the thought of having to send out your information, complete with an introductory cover letter, dampens the excitement. The best cover letters are tailored to the job that you want, so it seems

How do you leave a well-paying, stable job for a brand new career? Archith Seshadri did just that when he left a management consultant career to pursue journalism. He has since worked on-air, in print and digitally for CNN, CBS, ABC and currently Fox. I hear from many management consultants and other professionals in highly paid roles

As much as the market changes, good job search practices (like strong employer references!) stay the same. I have written before about how your professional references are critical and should not be an after-thought in your job search. Yet, in two separate searches in the last month, the employer reference stage either sealed or unsealed the deal.

The start of the new year is traditionally a good time for hiring. Yes, this means that job seekers should refine their resume. But a resume is just one of multiple ways job seekers should market themselves. Do not spend all of your efforts just perfecting your resume. Here are 10 marketing tools for job

The beginning of the year is ripe for resolutions. On the career front, you might resolve to network more, be more active with your online profile, or get more involved in a professional association. You probably also have goals in other areas in your life – saving more, exercising more, spending more time with friends

Sometimes a recruiter asks to schedule an exploratory phone call with you. Phone interviews are increasingly more common as a first step in the hiring process because they’re more expedient for both candidate and employer. As a recruiter, I would often ask for a brief call to discuss the resume, and from that short interaction then

You’re happily employed, and pick up your phone to find a recruiter on the other end. How do you maximize this call when you’re not actively looking? You absolutely need to take the call (or return the message). As a former recruiter, I’ve had some prospects shoo me off the phone like a telemarketer –

You’re in the throes of your job search, and things are looking up—with any luck, the recruiter will call soon to ask for your references. References are important, and definitely not a throwaway step to be considered last-minute. In fact, you shouldn’t only be nurturing your network of references when you’re seeking a job. Remember,

As you inch closer to the end of the year, you might already be focused on plans for 2014. However, don’t forget to celebrate this past year. In fact, borrow a tradition from professional sports and create a highlight reel for your career success specific to the last 12 months. Here are some milestones to