Barbara Safani's Articles

Create an Authentic and Ethical Resume to Win the Job
A resume is a marketing tool and I encourage job seekers to position their accomplishments in the best possible light. However, it is critical that all information reported on the document is accurate and something you can back up with facts if questioned. Here are some of the ways I see job candidates crossing the line of ethical resume writing practices and some suggestions for creating a more authentic presentation of your qualifications.
What Have You Done for Your Network Lately?
Savvy professionals continuously manage their careers by creating visibility in their professional communities and creating authentic relationships with people who could be in a position to help them if they ever find themselves in a job search. Develop a networking strategy where you give more than you get and see how quickly people start giving back to you in the form of advice, leads, and gener
Creating Compelling Interview Stories
During a job search, several tools and strategies can be used to weave together a compelling story of your value to an employer. Resumes, interviews, and networking meetings should be rich with memorable information about you and the problems you have solved for organizations. Your story should be so good that the interviewer can't wait to repeat it to the next person in the hiring chain.
Four Methods of Job Search
There are four core methods of job search and I encourage job seekers to use all of them. When you are in search, looking for a job is your full-time job and you should plan to dedicate 35-40 hours per week to your search or a percentage of that it you are searching while employed. Here's a quick rundown of the four methods of search.
Ten Tips for Optimizing LinkedIn
Are you using LinkedIn as a career management tool?. Here are ten tips for building a strong profile and creating genuine relationships online.
How to Discuss a Past Downsizing During an Interview
Explaining that you were let go by a previous employer can be a difficult conversation during an interview. Here are some tips that can help you better prepare for this conversation.
Ten Tips for Mastering the Phone Interview
Phone interviews are becoming more and more common as companies gain greater access to candidates and as more recruiters and hiring managers work from virtual office locations. Below are some tips for getting the most out of your phone interviews.
Four Ways to Step Up Your Search During the Holiday Season
December can be a great time to step up your job search campaign because so many applicants believe that there is no hiring activity during this time. When people drop out of the job market during the holiday season, there's an opportunity for you to accelerate your search in a climate with decreased competition.
Accessing the Hidden Job Market
Most job seekers rely on the open job market which includes job posting boards and help wanted advertisements in local newspapers to source job leads. While it appears on the surface that these search vehicles have an abundant number of job leads, the reality is that very few people secure their positions through these methods of search. Only about 5-10% of people in search find their jobs using t
Five Reasons to Send Thank You Letters to Employers After the Interview
Thank you letters are an excellent self-marketing tool and a critical component of your job search strategy. The time spent crafting a targeted thank you letter after an interview will be well spent and can contribute to a more credible and efficient search.
Five Tips for Creating Self-Marketing Capsules to Accelerate Your Job Search Campaign
The self-marketing capsule is a valuable piece of marketing collateral that job seekers need to position themselves effectively during a job search. Whether in a networking context or a job interview, job seekers must always be ready to deliver their personal pitch in an exciting and memorable way.
15 Items for Your Resume To Do List
Do you want to create a more 'user friendly' resume to submit to recruiters and hiring authorities? Here are 15 suggestions for composing more compelling and targeted resumes.

Barbara Safani's Articles