1.      I have been guilty with using phraseslike “familiar with Microsoft Office…” instead of using “Created monthly callreports with Microsoft Word and Excel” back in ‘90’s. However, what wasaccepted back in 1996, is unacceptable now in 2009. This articleexplains why some of the frequently vague job duty descriptions are noteffective. In this article the writer states, “Manyapplicants insert business buzzwords into their résumés in an attempt to soundmore accomplished or sophisticated. But rather than making you sound "inthe know," these types of words can make it seem as though you can'tcommunicate in a straightforward manner.”

2.      We’ve alreadyestablished in past blog posts that employers are now checking your socialnetworking sites to see if you are a viable candidate that suitable for hire. Readthis article to see exactly what is looked at to determine if you’re a goodfit. This articlestates, “35% of HR professionals said social networking content hadcaused them to eliminate a candidate, while only 18% reported deciding toemploy someone based on a profile.”

3.      If you write e-mails, tweets, and facebook messageslike you text, stop it! If employers find you online, and see that you don’thave basic writing skills, you may disqualify yourself. This articlesuggests, “If you don't, you're going to knock yourself out of contentionbefore you even get to the first step in the hiring process.”

4.      Thisarticle discusses common but difficult snags on resumes, but, handleincorrectly like not having a college degree, or poor performance issues.

5.      Filling out on-line applications is probably thehardest part in using career sites. Many of the applications the link takes youaway from the original site to another site that requires laborious butredundant information. You get tired of filling out more than two or three aday. Clickhere for the article and the video.

6.      If you are unemployed, and spending all of yourtime job hunting, it’s a good time to add to your toolbox. This articleexplores the options since finding a job is more challenging than youanticipated. This writer suggests that, “More than 50% of workers took on newprojects and gained more responsibility during the recession, according to anApril survey by staffing-service company Accountemps. That enhanced expertisemakes those workers more marketable”.

7.      You should make surethat the companies you list have checked the rehire box. Yes, HR departmentsare careful about responding to reference checks, however, inquiring companieswill just ask if they would rehire the same person. This article states that, “Itturns out that 40 percent of employers expect they will hire back some of theworkers they laid off in the recession, according to a new survey by OIPartners”.

8.      It’s good to really spend time thinking aboutreinventing yourself if you have been laid off, or left a career. This personwrites about her experience about how she redefined herself and hercareer. 

9.      As I always say,“Your first impression should be your best”. This articlesuggests 10 ways you could blow that first impression, and how to recover fromthose blunders.

10.  Need some extra moneythis fall? This article suggestsfive jobs that anyone can do for extra money.