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Unless you learn how to make a resume, it will cost you lots of money for a skill that you really need to know first-hand. With the right reference materials, the essentials of resume writing can be learned in an hour or two. I offer an excellent book on this topic at my website, if I may say so myself. Of course, as you know, you can also visit almost any bookstore to find several other books that will bring you up to speed.

In the end, you should expect to pay between $100 and a few hundred dollars for an experienced resume writer to write a resume for you. You can find advertisements that post a lower price, but the saying “you get what you pay for” applies here, too. After all, the professional resume writer wants to make a good living, too. If the cost to you is exceptionally low, chances are it will be farmed out to a less experienced writer.

Reason 2: It Will Cost You Even More Money Later

Let’s say that you pay someone to prepare your resume for you. A bit painful to your pocketbook, but maybe not so bad depending on your budget. The problem is, in today’s highly competitive job market, you will need to do everything you can to increase your odds at landing a job favorable to your career. That includes tweaking and tuning your resume as the situation dictates.

As an example, let’s say at your current job you have been called on to handle a wide range of tasks - and you have carried them out exceptionally well. The problem is, you may not want to list all of those responsibilities in a single resume. That might give the impression that you are not focused on any particular expertise and that may put you at a disadvantage. Better to research what skill sets and what role the company you are interested in is looking to fill. Then, tune your resume accordingly. Takes more time? Yes. Gets better results? Absolutely.

If you paid to have someone write your resume the first time, you will no doubt lack the confidence to make significant changes to fit each situation. Sometimes you may just need a tweak - and you will handle that. Other times, it may take some serious changes to put your background and capabilities in the most favorable light. Going back to the professional writer to get this done each time is going to cost you!

Also, don’t forget cover letters. This the single best way to showcase how you would fit each job opportunity. Even if you decide to stick with one version of your resume, each cover letter must be customized to be effective. Here again, you will start to feel pain in your bank account if you don’t master the skills to tailor your own resume and cover letters accordingly.

Reason 3: You Will Have To Do Most Of The Work Anyway

Even the best professional resume writer is not a mind reader. He or she cannot assemble the raw materials - the details of your background - without significant input from you. What you will soon discover is that this can be the most time consuming task of all. In other words, you are going to be put to work by the resume writer. And among the resume writing stages and tasks, this fact collection process can be the most time consuming.

So, let’s see…you will wind up doing the grunt work of collecting and organizing the “raw materials” for writing your resume. Then, you are going to pay someone else the big bucks to turn it into a concise summary. Not that great of a trade-off, if you ask me.

Reason 4: You Know Yourself - The Resume Write Does Not

Speaking of mind readers, who knows you better than you know yourself? You will have to convey your career aspirations, your likes and dislikes, your motivations, etc. This may take some deep thinking and reflection on your part. So here again, the burden is on you to shape this into your career objectives…all so the resume writer can simply summarize this critical information in a few bullet points.

Reason 5: You Need To Know Exactly What Is On Your Resume And Why

Obviously, you know what is on your resume, right? Not necessarily if you had someone else write it and you don’t review it very carefully. Keep in mind that many facts large and small went into the shaping of your winning resume. When the time comes to sit in front of a hiring manager for a face-to-face interview, you should not be hesitant about which facts made it onto your resume and which ones did not. Chances are your words will not be in sync with your written resume if you are not thoroughly familiar with exactly what your resume says. The best way to be on top of those details is to write your resume for yourself.

Don’t put yourself at a disadvantage, learn the art of writing a good resume now!

Worried about a recession? You are not alone. Now is not the time to send out a weak “me too” resume. Learn to turn your resume into a crisp, hard-working personal representative of your talents here.

Did you know that there are many different job interview tips to help wow your interviewer and land the job that you desire? Yes, that’s right! There is a secret formula of success that every potential job interview candidate should know and understand prior to the first interview.

Now, I am about to share these secret job interview tips with you! Remember, the job market is slim these days. In order to make the mark and land the position that you want and need, you have to have a competitive edge. The following is a list of what I consider to be the top five job interview tips to help you put the “WOW!” into your interview!

1. Now, we have all heard the whole spill about “presentation” and “first impressions”. While I would love to say “hey, take all that and throw it out the door”, I can’t. The truth is presentation IS everything! First impressions DO count! Keep this in mind as you’re preparing for your interview. This is a process where you get to urge an interviewer to “buy-in”. It is much like a sales presentation. In this case, however, YOU are the product. You should ensure that you carry a copy of a professionally written resume, as well as any other valuable paperwork that can display how you can be an asset to the company in which you are applying. Practice the sales pitch, work on the objections, and above all - push for the final purchase!
2. You’ve got your eye on a particular company. You want a certain position. If you want to WOW! your interviewer, learn that company and the description of the position that you are seeking inside AND out! This is an essential job interview tip! Not only does this tell the interviewer that you are quite serious when it comes to the position that you seek, this company will develop the same respect for you that you have for them! Be in the “know” - now!
3. The next step to ensuring the overall WOW! factor of your interview is to ensure that you practice questions that may be asked of you and consider good interview questions to ask the interviewer. This will BLOW the interviewer AWAY! The “average” interviewee comes in with their nerves tied in a knot, fear blatantly etched in their faces. This is common. Most of these individuals do not have the nerves to ask questions. Then, here you come with all this confidence and start asking away! This is impressive! By the time you get done with the interview, you will find that the person interviewing you is actually SELLING YOU the job! Pretty amazing how this works, but I have personally experienced it more than once - successfully!
4. Now, we all know looks are not everything - and, truly, they aren’t! However, a professional image IS everything if you are looking to WOW! your interviewer. Make sure that your interview clothes are appropriate, that you are well kept and that you display a visible level of confidence! By taking the time to focus on these areas, you are sure to be pleased - in the end - when it comes to the overall results of your interview!
5. Last, but not least, WOW! your interviewer by ensuring that you remain confident, act truly interested in every word that they say and interact with them! They will gain a comfort level with you, and you will do the same with them. This, above all, is sure to convince them that they absolutely MUST hire you!

That’s IT! Everything you need to know to WOW! your interviewer and land the job of your dreams in here in these job interview tips! Apply these measures, and you will quickly and comfortably travel down the road to success!

Read more about preparing for interview as well as advice on interview clothes

Catherine Jones is a leading authority on recruitment and, with 3 colleagues, has written a how to snag a job website in which she shares her secrets on getting hired.

Catherine works as a senior manager for a large financial services organisation and recruits new employees on a regular basis. Learn from the experts and snag the job you want - your dream job!

How to find a new job in trying times

Things aren’t going as well on your current job as you’d hoped. But with bills to pay and the economy as it is, should you even be thinking about looking for something new? After all, you have a job, even if it’s not the job you dream about.

According to business communications and etiquette expert Barbara Pachter, you shouldn’t let a disheartening job market discourage you from finding the right job.

Pachter, author of “When The Little Things Count … And They Always Count,” says that tough times mean job searchers need to be more focused, and need to be persistent.

1. Approach your job search as if it was your job. If you are unemployed, work every day at your search. If you are still employed, set aside time. Prepare your resume. Set a number of connections to make each week.

2. Find a coach. Have someone with whom you check in periodically. Let him or her know how your search is progressing.

3. Google yourself. Many executives Google candidates to see what kind of information appears. Checks of Facebook, blogs or YouTube are also likely.

4. Use the old-fashioned approach, too. Yes, it’s worth it to post your resume on Web sites like Monster.com and to visit company Web sites to find job openings, but don’t forget offline methods. People still find jobs from the want ads in newspapers and at job fairs. Also, don’t forget to check your alma mater’s career center.

5. Think about who you know. People often get jobs through people they know, so let friends and relatives know you are looking. Build a network. If you aren’t already, - get involved in professional and civic organizations.

6. Never assume you’re a good interviewee. If you can, get professional help for interviewing. At the very least, role play and record yourself.

7. Thank the people who have helped. In person or with a card, thank those who have assisted you in your search.

8. Help others. What goes around really comes around, so help others. When you can, be a resource. If you hear of an opening that is appropriate for someone, let the person know.

9. Have hope. Looking for a job is a stressful experience even in the best of economic times, and if you’re unemployed, it’s even more stressful. But remember, if you’re qualified and are a good worker, you will find a job. It may take awhile, but it will happen.

Dawn Anfuso is a South Bay-based business writer and former managing editor of Workforce magazine. If you have workplace or job-search questions, e-mail Dawn at dawnanfuso@yahoo.com. Writers will remain anonymous.

Starting new career, business possible with careful planning

Getting a new start in a different career often means making sacrifices and tough financial choices. Just ask D.J. Barker.

Barker had two uncles who were policemen. After years as an officer with the Austell Police Department, D.J. Barker became intrigued by the financial industry. He researched the field, got additional training and landed a job as an assistant to a financial planner with the Henssler Financial Group in Kennesaw.

Ellen Springer, CPA and president of Strategic Business Resources Inc. in Kennesaw, says that it’s important to budget carefully and to be judicious about borrowing money to finance a career change or a new business.

“I always knew that was what I was going to do. I was going to be a cop,” Barker said.

He became a motorcycle officer for the Austell Police Department, and for six years he worked his way up the ranks, becoming a field training officer and sergeant in investigations. Long hours and working holidays went with the job.

But Barker also was intrigued by the stock market. He liked watching the financial channel on TV, with its streaming stock quotes. Despite the teasing, he would start his mornings at the precinct reading The Wall Street Journal.

At 29, as he and his wife, Amy, began talking about starting a family, he realized that the timing might be right for a career change. He didn’t expect it to be easy. He knew they would have to do some research, assess their finances, make lifestyle adjustments and sacrifice in order to turn his dream career into reality.

Barker approached some brokerage firms, but he was uncomfortable with the high-pressure sales atmosphere.

“I knew I wasn’t going to be comfortable pushing someone to buy something just so I would get a commission,” he said.

On bike rides with his wife, Barker would pass the Henssler Financial Group in Kennesaw, so he looked up the company. Finding that it was a fee-only financial advisory and money-management firm, he sent them his resume.

“I got the typical ‘no thanks, not hiring’ letter back, but there was a handwritten note from Michael Quinlan, the chief operating officer, saying that he liked my resume. I called and asked for an informational interview,” Barker said. “I wanted to talk to him about how to make this change.”

Quinlan met and talked with Barker at length.

Barker had years of career experience but no college degree, so he enrolled at Kennesaw State University to start working on a bachelor’s degree in finance. When Henssler had an opening for an assistant, the company called Barker in for an interview.

Three interviews, actually.

“We grilled him pretty hard,” said Jennifer Thomas, a certified financial planner and principal with the Henssler Financial Group. “We knew he was bright, had a lot of life experience and wanted to get into the field. Our concern was that it would be such a drastic change. How would he handle it?”

Barker expected to take a big pay cut and to work during the day and go to school at night for several years. He and his wife were willing to forgo nonessentials, feeling that the short-term sacrifice would be worth the long-term goal.

“My wife was working, and that helped,” he said. “We did the budget on paper and made the cutbacks, but, once you start getting those lower paychecks, you really feel the pinch.

“I went from a situation where I could make split-second decisions and knew what to do . . . to going back to square one. I was starting over, and even the terminology was strange.”

After a few months, he found himself second-guessing whether he had made the right decision for his family.

“Amy has helped me stay positive, and the people I’m working with are great people and supportive. I’m gaining invaluable hands-on experience,” Barker said.

He’s determined to give it his all, grateful that the company was willing to take a chance on him. The couple are expecting their first baby in September and are looking forward to being home together for the holidays. Barker’s continuing to work toward his degree.

“It will be a couple of years before I can move up, but I like what I’m seeing and [I'm] very happy with my decision,” he said.

Look before you leap

Barker was right to research his dream field before making the jump, Thomas said.

“The biggest mistake that people make in changing careers or starting a new business is not researching it fully,” Thomas said. “They need to know what they are getting into when they start over. It always takes time and money.”

If you’ve been downsized or your plant has closed, it’s important to start researching quickly, said Ellen Springer, CPA and president of Strategic Business Resources Inc. in Kennesaw.

“Being downsized is a big jolt, and you don’t know what to do next,” she said. “Remember that you can always change trains. If you just sit in the train station and let depression set in, you could end up using up all your severance pay or unemployment compensation.”

She encourages clients to take advantage of any job-placement resources their companies offer and to seek career counseling through private counselors, the Georgia Department of Labor Career Centers, Small Business Administration centers, or community networking and job-search groups.

“Find someone who will help you see your opportunities, so that you can recover quicker,” Springer said.

Yes, you may be able to turn your hobby or leverage your knowledge into a business especially in this day of Internet commerce or to leave the corporate world and become a teacher, but you need a sound financial plan.

“As a CPA, I work with clients who are trying to figure out what to do with their lives, and I get to help them achieve their dreams,” Springer said. “I get to be the realist and help them know what they need to be aware of.”

A new career often means starting at the bottom and taking a pay cut. It may require costly training to retool your skills. Small enterprise has start-up costs and almost never turns a profit instantly. How will you fund your career dream?

Know what you are giving up

“You may not be happy in your job, but if you’ve been there awhile you may be part of a pension plan or profit-sharing program. How much will you lose if you leave before you are fully vested?” Thomas asked.

Can you be happy living on less income? Instead of leaving the field or company altogether, you might consider training for a different specialty. Some companies or industries even will pay for the education.

Make sure you are moving toward a dream, not away from a nightmare boss or toxic company culture, she said. What is your motivation for making the change?

Create a budget

If you know you want a certain career and are willing to accept a smaller income, create a budget to see whether it’s feasible.

“List everything that can’t change: mortgage/rent payment, maintenance of home, cars, food, transportation, children’s education, insurance, taxes,” Springer said.

Eliminate nonessentials, and make sure you have a contingency fund for emergencies, such as if a child gets sick or the car breaks down.

Be aware of all the costs of a change, including tuition for career-change training or licensing fees and liability insurance for a new business. Experts recommend that you save three to six months’ living expenses before starting a business or buying a franchise.

“You might need to work longer to save extra money for the transition. Could you work two jobs temporarily or work and go to school in order to achieve your dream?” Thomas asked.

Could you cut back your regular work hours and start your business on the side to reduce financial risks?

“You will probably need to pinch pennies, but don’t do it in the wrong way,” Thomas said. “You need to keep your health insurance, even though the costs may go up.” Without health insurance, one accident could wipe you out financially.

Borrow wisely

Before enrolling in an educational program for a new career, talk to the financial aid department and the admissions department to see what financial help is available, Springer said.

“If you explain your situation and your goal, an admission adviser may help you figure out how to afford it,” she said. “Schools have grants and endowments and student loans, and there are many community groups, like the Kiwanis, who offer scholarships.”

There are also work-study programs and, in Georgia, the HOPE grant and scholarship.

When borrowing to start a business, avoid credit cards, which have high interest rates.

“Consider using the equity in your home, selling a piece of property/asset or securing a loan through your bank,” Thomas said.

Talk with a Small Business Administration counselor to learn how to find investors for your business.

“Don’t use your 401(k). It’s expensive money. If you use it before you’re 59, you have to pay a 10 percent penalty, plus taxes on what you take out. You’re also jeopardizing your retirement,” Springer said. “I’ve seen people take out the money, thinking they’ll make enough with the new business to put it back, and instead [they] lose everything.”

Use all the resources available

People change careers every day, and the formula to having a good business is not complicated, Springer said. “The reason people aren’t successful is that they forget to ask for help until it is too late.”

She wrote the book “Turning Your Dream Business Into Your Bread & Butter: Recipes for Running a Successful Business From Scratch” (2007) to be an easy-to-read reference guide for small-business owners, who have to wear many hats and rarely are equipped for them all.

“There are so many resources [books, the Internet, career counseling and small-business organizations] to help you figure out what you want to do and how,” she said. “It’s quite possible to change course. Just be sure you’re on a train that is moving forward.”

Baby boomers looking for jobs find the landscape has changed

Looking for a job was an exercise in frustration for Mike O’Bryan, and nothing was more aggravating than the interview.

The Grapevine man’s 25 years in information technology turned out to be more a liability than an asset. Employers looked at the 60-year-old applicant and asked him whether he might be “overqualified.”

“I guess my age scared them,” he said. “They must have thought that if they hired me, I’d retire soon.”

After a dozen disappointing interviews, Mr. O’Bryan decided to become a self-employed financial planner. With retirement nowhere on his horizon, he helps his clients plan for their golden years.

“I’m now my own boss. It’s OK,” he said.

The weak economy is putting a squeeze on workers in their 50s and 60s.

Having spent their career with only one or two employers, many are looking for work for the first time in years. Some have been laid off. Others have taken buyouts but can’t afford to retire. Still others are coming out of retirement because their nest eggs have shrunk.

Workers 55 and older take an average of 21 weeks to find a job, about five weeks longer than younger job seekers, according to the AARP Public Policy Institute.

Older workers who suddenly have to apply for another job may be “out of practice” and not know how to make their pitch to employers, said Renee Ward, founder of Seniors4Hire.org, an online community for mature workers.

“The world has changed since they last went job hunting, and some don’t have a clue what to do,” she said.

The interview can be especially intimidating to workers over 50. So career counselors who coach them try to prepare them for it, going over how to dress and act and even how to answer the tougher questions they’re likely to be asked.

“Your resume may get you in the door, but how you handle the interview determines whether you get the job offer,” said career consultant Jill Pfaff Waterbury of Coppell.

Ms. Waterbury, who’s co-author of the Boomers‘ Job Search Guide and teaches a Richland College course for older job seekers, said no one can survive an interview without conveying a professional image and confident attitude.

Here are some tips that she and other job search experts give for accomplishing that and landing an offer.

First and foremost, brush off that chip on your shoulder. “If you don’t believe that your age and experience would be assets to potential employers, why should they believe it?” said Renae Perry, director of the Senior Source’s employment program.

“The best way to dispel those stereotypes about older workers is to make sure you’re not that kind of person,” she said. “Be flexible. Be willing to keep up with new trends in your field. Be computer-savvy.”

Work on your image. Even applicants with a can-do attitude can defeat themselves with a slothful appearance, Ms. Waterbury said. “No one expects you to look like you’re 20, but you should look neat, trim and up-to-date,” she said.

High on Ms. Waterbury’s to-do list: Lose those extra pounds you’ve been toting around. Leave that ill-fitting suit or outfit in your closet and buy something new. If you don’t trust your fashion sense, ask your friends for advice.

Beards are a big no-no with Ms. Waterbury because she believes they make men look older. Too much jewelry should also be avoided, she said, because it can be a distraction.

Don’t be rattled if your interviewers are under 30. “Show them respect,” Ms. Perry said. “Keep your conversation on a professional level. You’re there to convince them you can help them. But don’t overdo it and make them think you’re after their job.”

Younger workers value working in teams, so play up any experience you have with working on projects alongside colleagues of all ages, she said.

Don’t be shy, but don’t talk too much, either. “Though older workers dislike bragging on themselves, a job interview is no time for modesty,” Ms. Perry said. “No one else will walk through the door to tout your qualities, so it’s up to you.”

Still, some applicants literally talk themselves out of a job by continuing to banter long after they’ve answered the interviewer’s question, she said. “Stay focused. Talking about your children or grandchildren won’t get you a job.”

Ms. Waterbury said interviews often begin with the general question: “Tell me about yourself.” Stick with your professional life your accomplishments, your skills and how you would be a good fit for the job, she said.

Anticipate the age-related questions. Asking applicants whether they’re overqualified may be another way of suggesting they’re too old or too expensive, so how well the prospect responds can make or break the interview, Ms. Waterbury said.

“A good response is to say outright that your top priorities aren’t title or money,” she said. “Emphasize that you’re a hands-on person who, because of your experience, can hit the ground running and can be trusted to get the job done.”

Sarah Drake, who’s 60 and lives in Coppell, spent most of her life in banking but now wants to work at a nonprofit agency on housing or women’s issues. She’s thought hard about the skepticism she may encounter from interviewers.

“I’ve accepted the fact that I’m a ‘mature worker.’ To me, that means I have a lot of patience, I’m a loyal employee, I have a strong work ethic, I don’t require supervision, and I have a lifetime of experience. There’s no way I’m retiring.”

Practice, practice, practice. Older workers who haven’t looked for a job in years will find that interviewing styles have changed. Many companies now screen candidates through phone interviews, Ms. Perry said.

“Don’t be blindsided by the call,” she said. “Prepare for it as you would an in-person interview. And when the call comes, find a quiet place to talk so you’re not distracted by what’s going on around you.”

“Behaviorial interviewing” has also become popular, Ms. Waterbury said. That involves asking applicants how they would respond to specific problems or situations, such as a conflict with a co-worker.

Camille Kramer, coordinator of career and employment services at the Jewish Family Service in Dallas, conducts mock interviews, videotapes the sessions and then does critiques so her clients can work on their rough edges.

“Most people have to be talked into it, but they’re often glad they did it,” she said. “They see some silly facial expression or hear some awkward response, and they suddenly have the motivation to do better.”

Don’t leave without asking point-blank for the job. “Tell the interviewer you’re more convinced than ever that you’re the right person for the job,” Ms. Perry said.

“And then ask when the company will reach its decision.”

Finally, she advises job applicants to send a note of thanks the same day. “Make it a handwritten note. In this day and age of e-mail, that personal touch will be remembered.”

Dos and don’t for older workers in interviews

DO

-Go online and research the company.

-Leave those white shoes and belt in the closet and buy a new wardrobe.

-Stress your interest in learning new skills.

-Emphasize you’re computer-savvy.

DON’T

-Wear a beard, especially if it’s graying.

-Tell your interviewer he’s about the same age as your son.

-Talk about the “good old days.”

-Say you’d like to work for only a few more years.

SOURCE: Dallas Morning News research

Where to go for help

AARP: aarp.org

Boomers’ Job Search Guide: boomersjobsearch.net

Jewish Family Service: 972-437-9950 or jfsdallas.org

Senior Source’s employment program: 214-823-5700 or theseniorsource.org

The buzz when looking for a job in the past few years has been around video resumes. Are they effective? Is this required by all job seekers? Although we can’t speak for all employers, we can provide you with our experience having screened and hired for many reputable companies. Personally we aren’t ready to endorse this new trend for job seekers. Anytime you stray from traditional resumes, it can either be advantageous or backfire. Here are some of our thoughts about video resumes:

Time Consuming: Time is probably the biggest drawback to video resumes. When screening traditional resumes most recruiters spend an average of 30 seconds per resume. You can imagine how time consuming this can already be when dealing with hundreds of submissions. Just the thought of going through the same process of inserting a cd or clicking a link to watch a video resume is already annoying. Employers will lose their patience and focus very quickly.

Professionalism: Although many job seekers find professional video resume companies to create their resume; this isn’t the case for most. In many cases watching a video resume is like watching a video on youtube.

Artificial & Rehearsed: Why trust a video plug-in that has been rehearsed and re-recorded a thousand times. Let’s face it; most people are not comfortable in front of the camera so why create something that isn’t natural. Most employers will be distracted by the video and lose all focus on the auditory value; meaning you won’t be taken seriously.

Discrimination: Anytime an employer makes a hiring decision based on a picture or video, employers can face major discrimination ramifications. So rather then facing the possibility, employers will avoid video resumes at all cost. Video resumes encourage discrimination by showing an applicants age, sex, race, disability etc.

Broadband/High speed: Don’t assume all employers have broadband equipped computers or are tech-savvy. Candidates may be eliminated before the employer has the opportunity to even open the video resume.

Lack Guidelines: Since video resumes are quite new, they do not follow any guidelines or specific layout which makes them hard to evaluate. With traditional resumes, employers have the ability to create one generic checklist to evaluate all resumes since they follow a similar format (e.g. Employment, Education, Training, Volunteer Work, Technical skills etc.).

Lack Written Communication: Employers often use the traditional resume to evaluate a candidate’s written communication skills prior to evaluating oral skills in the job interview. This is an important evaluation criterion that many employers are not willing to forgo in their recruitment process.

Keep in mind, video resumes should not be viewed as a replacement for traditional electronic resumes; instead as a compliment. A professional video resume can provide beneficial for job seekers in various fields where physical appearance is priority (e.g. Modelling). At the current time there are many drawbacks to the video resume and until there are significant improvements, the traditional paper is the most widely accepted and best choice.

Information provided by, Moshin Manji, HRinmotion.

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For job seekers, our online education and services will help you get more job interviews and more job offers. Use our employment preparation services to give yourself a stand out resume and sharp interview skills. We have made job search easier than ever by providing you one of the largest job boards in Canada, US and UK. We have over 1.5 million jobs online, apply today and find the right job!

Quit Shuffling Your Feet: Focus On That Job Search

Businesspeople constantly talk about focus, especially after they lose it. Job seekers have a particularly difficult time maintaining focus after they’ve established a target. This column will discuss three different people from the East, South and West and how their ability to focus simplified their job searches. All three spent eight to nine months job hunting.

John Maher, HR coordinator at EF Education First Ltd., in Cambridge, Mass., brought experience that worked for and against him. He’d been an HR coordinator for a leading multi-national luxury hotel for about a year and, after moving to Boston, worked at the chain as Club Lounge manager, where he managed six concierges.

“I wanted to return to HR, even if that meant leaving the bigger company I’d become a part of,” he says. “In some people’s eyes, I’d passed the level of professional experience to be an HR coordinator. In other people’s eyes, I didn’t have enough HR experience for another HR coordinator role.” Seemingly random feedback about the problem made it impossible for him to see a pattern and re-target his efforts.

His solution was somewhat simple — keeping his eye on the ball and heeding the confidence-building words of his recruiter. She reminded him, he recalls, that “any organization hiring could be looking for something very specific, that not meeting their requirements” only indicates lack of fit.

In addition, Maher networked to sharpen his resume and get ideas about how to approach his search. The fact that he was working full-time, with benefits, infused a feeling of security. He started his new job May 27, where the content of his work has a strong international component.

Brooke Welch, vice president and account director at San Francisco’s Van Prooyen Greenfield L.L.P., encountered quite a different problem. She knew exactly what she wanted — a job that wouldn’t require her to settle. However, the concept was one thing; its details, another. She hadn’t a clue, except that after five years in civil litigation, she didn’t want to work at a law firm. All she knew was that she’d be using her legal skills in a new environment.

“Where do I go to find this ideal job (I can’t describe)?” she asked herself. The few resources in her industry kept turning up jobs in law firms. After eight months, during which time she had a baby, she applied for one job that truly interested her. Her interviews at the boutique legal PR and Marketing firm “felt more like conversations with the principals,” she says. She loves the PR and media strategy for trials of high-profile cases.

Susan Hawkins, senior copywriter for e-commerce for The Shops at 24Seven in Norcross, Ga., writes articles and product descriptions for several sites and blogs. Her perceived liabilities, individually or combined, could daunt just about anyone: age, 59; obsolete job search skills (last job hunt: 1985); and lack of agency experience after a career in other types of jobs and business ownership.

So there she was, 59, out of the job market for more than 20 years and feeling insecure about not having agency experience. Meanwhile, she attended free job seminars to get up to speed. Removing the dates from her resume helped.

“Oddly enough,” she says, “I went to 1.5 job interviews before I got this job. “One was for a job that wasn’t a good fit, but I wanted to get my feet wet in the interviewing process. The other came to me through networking, a morning breakfast with short, round-robin interviews at a large PR firm looking for several freelance writers.”

“Networking was the key,” she continues, “even though I got my job through the Internet, because it was through networking that I got wind of workshops and events that were free.”

Do you feel that you deserve a higher salary and need to ask for a raise? Let’s look at the facts: You’re long overdue for a raise. Your boss hasn’t exactly been forthcoming with one. And sitting around waiting for him or her to give you a raise hasn’t really been of much help.

So what are you waiting for? It’s definitely time to ask for a raise. And with the following tips, you’ll be able to do just that.

1. Access How Much Others Working in Your Field are Earning: The first thing you should do before you ask for a raise is learn about typical salaries in your field. You can get this information by using salary calculator tools like Salary .com and even looking at salary surveys. If you belong to a professional association, check with it to see if it has salary information available.

2. Evaluate Your Worth: Make a list of your accomplishments, skills and contributions. Figure out how much you can earn. Salary calculators and surveys generally present you with a range of salaries. You must determine where you should fit into this range. And to do this, consider the number of years you’ve been working in the field and the length of time you’ve worked for your current employer.

3. Prepare Your Argument: You really shouldn’t approach asking your boss for a raise as an argument, but you may have to make your case. Arm yourself with information. Know what a normal raise is for someone with your experience and occupation. Think of it as selling yourself just as you would do if you were trying to get a prospective employer to hire you. That’s why it is imperative to make a list of all the things you’ve accomplished for your employer.

4. Set Up an Appointment to Talk to Your Boss: You need to show your boss how serious you are about asking for a raise. Treat this as a business meeting and set up a time to meet with your boss. The most important thing is to choose an appropriate time of day, like an end-of-business-day meeting. Also, assess his or her mood and outlook that day. Is he or she ready to consider your request?

5. Present Your Case: Your boss may agree to give you a raise immediately with you having to do nothing more than ask him or her for one. But if that doesn’t happen, you may have to do more to convince your boss you should get a raise. Present the material you gathered earlier, including the typical salaries in your field and your accomplishments. But be flexible. Would you consider a supplement in perks, time off, flextime or vacation time in lieu of a raise? The key is to negotiate.

6. Have a Backup Plan Ready:Before you walk into your boss’s office to ask for a raise, think about what you will do if he or she says no, or agrees to give you a raise that is much smaller than the one you want. Will you quit your job or will you wait a while and then ask for a raise at a later date? Your answer will solely depend on what your boss says. For example, has your boss turned you down because of your performance? If so, ask yourself if his or her criticisms are valid. If they are, think about what changes you can make. If they aren’t, then you may want to go where you are appreciated.

With these tips in mind, you will be able to ask for a raise in a jiffy and also expect immediate and favorable results.

Jason Kay recommends you read resume service reviews before choosing a resume writing service. Learn more resume and cover letter tips from http://www.JobGoRound.com

Online professional sites can expand your job search

Minutes after attending a seminar titled “Use Social Networking to Your Professional Advantage,” I opened my e-mail and found two new invitations to join LinkedIn.com networks.

One request came from a person I’d had professional contact with previously. I clicked “accept” and quickly went on to other things. I didn’t recognize the other name, so I closed the e-mail without response. And, thanks to Ellen Levy, I didn’t feel bad about the tacit rejection.

Levy, vice president of corporate development and strategy at LinkedIn.com, had just presented an overview of Internet social networking sites to several hundred people at the Central Exchange’s annual Women’s Lyceum, an educational and networking event.

Understanding that attendees came to the conference from many different backgrounds and levels of Web familiarity, Levy prefaced her user advice with a primer.

First, she explained, there was Web 1.0 the mostly one-directional flow of information over the Internet. Think of Web pages.

We’re now in the age of Web 2.0 an era of two-way communication that in the last three years has spawned a host of interactive social networking sites.

A show of hands indicated about half the people in the room used LinkedIn, a professional networking Web site.

Even if you’ve never been on a social networking site, you understand the concept: It’s a cyberspace handshake. It facilitates connections. It does what Rotary meetings, telephone calls, cocktail parties and e-mail have done for years.

Let’s say Joe wants a job at Hallmark Cards. Joe doesn’t know anybody in the human-resources department or in the target department where he wants to work. But Joe is good friends with Sally, who has a Hallmark Gold Crown store. Sally knows many people in Hallmark’s retail division. One of them, Bill, is the main liaison with Joan in the human-resources department. And Joan knows that Fred is exactly the right person for Joe to meet. Fred, meet Joe. Joe, here’s Fred.

I made up that scenario, but that’s the six-degrees-of-separation concept.

A professional networking site might help make the who-knows-whom connections that have always been an essential ingredient in job hunting, business development and sales prospecting.

(A user also can get a wealth of professional responses quickly when posting a question on the appropriate area of the site.)

A LinkedIn connection may not make sense if you accept an invitation to join one’s professional network if you don’t know the person or don’t have ties to one’s business skills or services.

“It should be a tool to leverage relationships you already have,” Levy emphasized.

A professional networking site can be a good way to put your business profile basically your resume and the services you can offer online, where they can be seen by millions of others.

But, as much as Levy championed the professional development possibilities of Web 2.0, she reminded attendees something that most knew well:

“Time is a scarce resource.” Use networking sites judiciously.

And, most of all, she said, don’t get sucked into making a contest out of how many “connections” you can list. It’s not a matter of quantity; it’s the quality of relationships that count.

Diane Stafford is the workplace and careers columnist at The Kansas City Star. Her blog, workspacekc.typepad.com, can be reached at stafford@kcstar.com.

Keeping Older Workers on the Job

Companies that fear a shortage of qualified workers are trying to entice older workers to stay on the job longer. The Los Angeles-based defense and technology corporation Northrop Grumman is exploring innovative ways to keep baby boomers at their desks and get them to teach younger workers their vital skills. I recently spoke with Ian Ziskin, chief human resources and administrative officer for Northrop Grumman, about how he balances new hires with older worker retention. Excerpts:

How much of your workforce is planning to retire in the next decade? If you look at the demographics of the workforce for Northrop Grumman, which are pretty consistent with the demographics of the aerospace and defense industry in general, we have about 122,000 employees, approximately 50 percent of whom are going to be able to retire over the next five to 10 years.

Why do you want older workers to continue to work longer? This company is moving into a mode where we want to encourage more people to stay if it fits with their life plan. We’re in a situation where it’s beneficial for employees who wish to stay longer, and it’s beneficial to the company to make them want to stay, assuming they have the right skills. The number of people qualified to fill engineering and technical positions that require a good, strong background in engineering and mathematics is a shrinking population of people that many companies are competing for.

Are you having difficulty finding enough qualified workers to replace the employees who are retiring? We hire quite a few new people each year. We’ve had a lot of success hiring really good people, but it’s always a challenge. The number of people who are coming out of school with the required math and science skills that we need in order to do the kind of work we do is shrinking. One of the challenges that Northrop Grumman and the aerospace and defense industry have is we generally require security clearance, which by definition means that they have to be U.S. citizens.

It is better for the company to retain older workers or hire younger and cheaper people? Like any company, you always have to have the appropriate balance with those who are coming in brand new. The people who are at the later part of their career certainly have the more in-depth technology knowledge that we need to serve customers. We’re going to continue to hire new people into the company. We tend to hire somewhere between 14,000 and 15,000 new people every year, and that’s going to continue.

Are there any programs in place to facilitate the transfer of knowledge between older and younger workers? There’s an opportunity to retain some of those workers longer who might have an interest in doing so and transfer knowledge to others behind them. We’ve asked those near retirement to help coach and mentor others who are coming behind them. Those programswhile effective where they exist, there aren’t enough of them. Our plans over the next few years are to expand them.

What incentives to keep older workers are you likely to implement? What I think you will see going forward is making sure that the work assignment that we’re asking our more senior people to take on continues to be very challenging and also asking them to take on more mentoring and coaching knowledge transfer roles, which, in some cases, they can do directly in the jobs that they are in. There will be more flexible work practices with regard to scheduling. People might work from home occasionally, work a part-time schedule, or work a schedule that is a little bit more concise as they ease their way into retirement.

What types of retirement questions do employees most often ask HR about? First and foremost, the question they ask is, “Can I really afford to retire?” which is not a question that we [can] answer. What we do is provide them with the information they need about their anticipated pensions and payments and other information related to the retirement process or direct to them to a financial adviser to help them decide when they might be comfortable retiring. The other types of questions they come to us with have a lot more to do with the process of deciding what they are going to do with their time when they do retire, which is one of the things that leads me to believe we could put their talents and skills to good use.

What advice do you have for a baby boomer who wants to work longer? Make your aspirations to stay known if you are interested in continuing to work. Help companies like Northrop Grumman and others understand what is important to you in terms of challenging work and more flexible workplace preferences that would make you want to continue to work.