There are a number of interview questions job seekers mention as being difficult ones to answer. One of those likely to emerge is, "Can you tell us about a time you made a mistake and how you overcame it?" The Expert Interview Coach, Barry Drexler, tackles this question and gives the listeners insight into the real purpose of this type of inquiry. He also explains to Tim Muma how the candidate should approach the question,...

Do you think you have what it takes to call strike three on some of the most popular stars in Major League Baseball? This edition examines what it takes to be a professional umpire, challenging all the fans who have said they can do better. Ted Barrett has been a Major League Umpire for more than 15 years, and he joins Tim Muma to give the listeners a glimpse into their world. Ted breaks down the long road to "The Show," th...

Trust is the foundation of all human connections, and it governs all interactions we have with one another. The capacity for trust is not equal; some people trust more easily than others, some people are more trustworthy than others, and some are better at gauging trustworthiness than others. For as much as we may like to pretend that the business world is somehow disconnected from humanity, it obviously is not, and human...

Why It’s Important to Separate Yourself from Other CandidatesFar too many job seekers do not see the value or the importance of setting themselves apart from their competition on their resumes. They get stuck thinking they’re supposed to blend in or look like other ideally qualified candidates. What they miss is the importance of being who they are and showing the employer the unique value they offer that other similarly qu...

The technology sector has been battered for the past few years. On a national scale, the American technology sector lost 245,600 jobs in 2009, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Losses have hit each segment of the industry, but a closer look at the numbers reveals a great deal of localized inconsistency. For example, some states, including Massachusetts, Washington, Texas and California, did well even in mid-...

So, you have a great resume that showcases all your achievements and your educational background. But is it relevant to the position you are applying for?Relevance simply means a connection between who you are, what you want, what the position you are applying for is, and what the company offering the position wants.Is Your Resume Relevant?If you have the experience asked for by the company, and you have shown it on your re...

If you can’t get your car in the garage because the space is filled with “stuff” or if you don’t dare open the guestroom door because things might fall on you, you know what clutter is! You have space you can’t use because you’ve filled it with things you never or almost never use. Now translate that image into job searching.Okay, so I know that could be a bit of a mental stretch, but bear with me a little longer.Job Search...

Even perfect resumes—perfect in format and content—can fail to gain you the interviews you hoped for. Here are the four biggest reasons why resumes go wrong:1.You are targeting the wrong job. As I’ve mentioned often, one-size-fits-all resumes (or generic resumes) have no value in the marketplace. Employers want to know that you understand and meet their specific requirements. Your resume may be perfect, but it has to match...

It is important to include your education on your resume, even if you have none.Now, how did that statement even make sense?Well, having no formal education doesn’t mean that you have never learned anything during your lifetime. There has to be something in your background that is relevant to the position you want. You just have to make it fit your resume.Where Do I Put My Education?Okay, the good thing about education is t...

Are you sending out resumes, and answering advertisements on company websites? Did someone tell you that you could upset and turn-off Human Resources if you bypass them? You have been “good” by following the “rules”. You say to yourself, “I’m perfect for the job.”You wait. It’s now weeks later and you’ve received no reply: “How can they miss my great background? If I could just get to the manager…”Here’s an important fact:...