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10 Common Job Interview Blunders

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Did you know that five out of six Americans will be looking for a new job position this year? That's according to a recent survey conducted by job-placement firm Manpower. If you're planning to look for a new gig, then you might want to pay attention to some advice Executive Search Consultant Kathryn Ullrich has offered to TheCareerPioneer.com readers. 

Ullrich is the author of Getting to the Top: Strategies for Career Success (Silicon Valley Press, 2010), and also serves as associate … [Read more...]

Manage Your Career Path With These Personal Branding Tips


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Personal branding is for anyone who wants to achieve certain goals in life and in career. Do you want to stand out from the crowd? Advance your career and in your industry? Harness your inner passion and core values to get ahead and stand for something? Gain the respect of those around you? If you answered 'yes' to any one of those questions, then the personal branding process is for you. While there are varying descriptions and definitions for what personal branding is, I personally … [Read more...]

11 Smart Career Tips for 2011

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By Kathyrn Ullrich Andy Warhol said, “Being good in business is the most fascinating kind of art.” As a passionate executive recruiter, I couldn’t agree more, particularly when it comes to professionals being good in managing their careers. Here, for the New Year, are 11 career tips for 2011: 1.  Look out for #1. Take responsibility for your own career development. Many large organizations have scaled back on training and development—a common outcome of the economic downturn—and small … [Read more...]

What to Do When Job Searching Takes Longer Than Expected

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Even the most talented, educated and experienced job seekers have a difficult time finding a job in today’s economy. Most people hope the transition between jobs or finding a job after college graduation lasts only a few weeks, the reality is that many job seekers spend months, or even a year, trying to secure work. This delay can wreak havoc on a job seeker’s confidence, motivation and sense of pride—all of which are characteristics that need to stay in tact in order to build … [Read more...]

From Temp to Permanent: How to Turn Your Temp Job Into a Full-time Gig

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Wendy Powell, author of Management Experience

by Wendy N. Powell, author of Management Experience Acquired So you got the temp job and you are hopeful that you will be hired as a permanent employee. How do you make yourself so valuable they can’t refuse to hire you? 1.  Research the company very well. Since you are now a relative insider, use your temp gig as an opportunity to learn about what makes the company tick. Study the information on the internet or intranet and review the mission statement and current goals to make sure you … [Read more...]

The Working Mom’s (and Dad’s) Dilemma


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Today, I received in my email inbox what was practically a cry for help. The author of the email (who will remain nameless) desperately needed some advice on whether to leave a lucrative, relatively stable job working for the federal government, in exchange for staying at home with her four beautiful children (including a newborn). As a brand new mom myself, I could certainly understand her dilemma, which I have shared here  previously at TheCareerPioneer.com. With just one month remaining … [Read more...]

Who’s Got Yo’ Back?

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Please excuse the grammatical no-no in the title. But this is a very important post (as the rest of them are.) Who has your back in your career? Who’s in your corner when you need some advice, insight, support in pursuing your dreams when times are low, or who gives you that extra push off the ledge into facing your fears? Who would you consider as a mentor or supportive friend? Today, I had a very encouraging conversation with a good friend, Monique McDowell, whom I first connected with … [Read more...]

Are You Thriving Or Barely Surviving? Career Inspiration for the Slacker

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An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife enjoying his extended family. He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire. They could get by. The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said ‘yes’, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He … [Read more...]

How to Get the Most Out of Self-Help Books, Blogs & Other Published Works

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I read a lot of self-help books. By reading them, I always seem to find the practical advice, insight or inspiration I need to get me through a slump. (Check out my Suggested Reading list for recommendations.) It was my collection of self-help books that inspired me during difficult and challenging times at work, through job transitions and career changes. The self-help genre even served as the primary inspiration for my creating The Career Pioneer blog. I had gotten to a point where I … [Read more...]

“Failure Isn’t a Set-Back, It’s a Step Up.” Plus, Famous Quotes to Live By

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Don’t you just love great quotes? They’re motivational, thought-provoking, and often wise words to store in your brain for those rainy, discouraging days. I created the title quote myself after scourging the Internet for famous quotes to share with you all today. Do quotes encourage you too? What quotes have inspired you to: Take Chances? Rise above the level of mediocrity? Tap into self-belief? Muster courage? Demolish all excuses? Dream again? As I started to think about … [Read more...]

Discovering My Career Path: Confessions of a Self-Help Junkie

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Growing up in a tiny town in Southwest Georgia, I knew that I was destined to help people live more fulfilling lives. I also knew that I wanted to write in some capacity as a profession. That’s why when I graduated with a journalism degree in 2005, I decided to start a career as a health reporter at Bloomberg News in Washington, DC. As a journalist, I became the authority on various topics of health and science, disseminating information that I hoped helped people make better, more informed … [Read more...]