Question: Does your age (over 50) become a hindrance in looking for employment? –Denise J., Chicago
Answer: Age only becomes a hindrance if you let it! Older job-seekers bring a wealth of invaluable experience to an organization. Hiring managers realize this and understand that seasoned workers have been in diverse organizations, are flexible with change (contrary to popular belief!) and can see the bigger picture. These are incredible assets that, given
....Question: Should I have business cards if I’m entry level and interested in more than one industry?” –Tara R., Chicago
Answer: It certainly doesn’t hurt to get business cards printed, regardless of whether or not you’re entry level or a seasoned veteran. Business cards are a great way to supplement a conversation with a new person and offers a convenient way of passing along your basic information. Even in this digital age, I would argue
....Question: Is it acceptable to have a resume that is more than one page? –Breyon B., Chicago
Answer: When jobseeking, the inevitable question springs up: how long does a resume have to be? The time honored standard has been one page on an 8.5in x 11in sheet of paper. Contrary to popular belief, that’s not a hard and fast rule in the job seeking game. Some considerations when embarking on your own
....Question: What if you have concerns, but don’t want to come across as not being a viable candidate? –Sarah C., Silver Spring, MD
Answer: Concerns are always difficult to bring up to your hiring manager or recruiter when applying for a job. On one hand, you have these concerns for a reason and need the answers to some questions in order to assess whether or not you’d be willing to accept an offer (if extended). On the other
....Question: How many questions should I ask after the interview? Is there a possibility that too many questions (even though they’re reasonable) are excessive? –Anonymous
Answer: There’s a fine line here. On one hand, I understand why you’d want to ask more than one or two. You want to seem engaged and interested in the opportunity. Maybe you only had a single question in mind before the interview but came up with more that you realized you wanted to ask
....Question: Even when a job description only asks for a resume, is it important to also include a cover letter and references?”—Stacey B., Chicago
Answer: Absolutely! It’s worth it to take the time to send a complete application—resume and cover letter, with references if applicable. Many times, sending just a resume or a template cover letter with stock phrases indicates that you’re applying for several different jobs at one time, which can make the hiring manager take you less
....Question: In salary negotiations, how do you determine the best place to start? I’m not sure how to find an acceptable price point or good salary to start from. What’s my worth? –A. Chatman, Chicago
Answer: More often than not, salary negotiations are an unpleasant affair. They’re wrought with anxiety that you’re potentially lowballing yourself or setting the number too high, in turn knocking you out of the running for the position. When determining the best place to start, it’s important to first realize that the conversation doesn’t have to
....Question: How do you successfully use LinkedIn? – J. Washington, Chicago
Answer: Ah, LinkedIn! To some, a godsend. To others, a necessary evil. No matter where you fall in the spectrum, it’s undeniable that the platform has proven to be an invaluable asset to the job search. From endorsements, to headlines, to finding the perfect symphony of words to make your summary shine, LinkedIn can prove
....Question: What is the protocol for following up after interviews? What does it mean to be too pushy or too lax? –A. Brookover, Arlington, VA
Answer: Consider the time after your interview as an unofficial extension of the conversation you had with the hiring manager. You’ll want to reach out promptly—time is of the essence here and can make or break your candidacy for the position. That being said, following up is simpler than you would think! There really is
....Question: How do I find a professional mentor? – K.Robinson, Washington, DC
Answer: A mentor is an invaluable asset for any individual looking to learn the ropes and excel in a particular field, or break into another one. Having a professional mentor is a great way to get an “inside look” into the market, employment trends and more. Some tips on how to find your mentor match: Identify
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