Resume Tips and Career Advice

CareerBuilder internal data suggests that 34% of candidates that try to apply for a job don't because the application process is too much of a hassle. 24% report the "apply now" link is broken and 21% report that the long application process isn't worth their time.

My clients tell me unbelievable stories about how difficult some companies make the online posting process. It seems like a lot of great candidates are getting away because they can't be bothered with most company's poorly worded job postings and frustrating posting processes.

According to a recent report from Adecco, a leading staffing firm, temporary jobs have increased for six straight months and the continuing rise in temporary employment provides a good indicator that an improvement to the jobs crisis will come. Temporary hiring happens first, as employers remain cautious in a volatile market. But as temporary and contract jobs increase, more and more of them are becoming permanent.

Lately, I've been seeing so many hackneyed phrases on resumes at every professional level. Here are the top six phrases I see job seekers using to describe themselves over and over again that are sure to get your resume tossed in the no pile.

1. trustworthy
2. team player
3. flexible
4. good communicator
5. problem solver
6. works well under pressure

According to a 2009 Execunet survey, 86% of recruiters surveyed do a "Google" search on candidates and reject 44% of candidates based on what they find out about them online. So doesn't it make sense to take control of your online identity and manage your electronic footprint? Here are five questions that every person interested in managing their career should ask themselves.

Over the years as a career professional, I've had clients tell me about some pretty bad resume writing advice they have received. Here are the top five pieces of advice that I believe all job seekers should ignore.

The corner of Duane Street and Reade Street in New York City will never be the same now that Walgreens has announced plans to purchase Duane Reade, a New York-based drug store chain for $618M. While Walgreens plans to operate Duane Reade stores under their current name and keep their senior management team, they do plan to merge the two brands and that could mean layoffs for some employees. Now's the time for Duane Reade employees to start evaluating their future with Walgreens and making some decisions about their career. If a layoff is in the cards for Duane Reade employees, or others faced with similar M&A activity, here are some things to consider.

Over 70% of women with children are in the labor force. In addition, women are returning to the workforce sooner after having a child and the labor force participation for mothers with children younger than a year old is over 50%. According to research done by Womenonics, 74% or the women they surveyed say they don't have enough time for their children. So what do working women want? Research from Womenomics and Career Directors International suggests:

Oracle's CEO recently announced plans for approximately 1,000 layoffs at Sun Microsystems on top of the 7,600 jobs that they have already cut. Macy's plans to cut 1,500 store level jobs. And a similar layoff scene is playing out in companies across the nation. Yet many people wait until the other shoe drops before making any plans about future employment. Bad plan. Even if you think your job is not in jeopardy today, you should always be proactively managing your career because stuff happens...quickly. Here are some things I hope employees at Sun, Macy's and other companies think to do before the pink slip arrives.

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, employment for dental assistants is expected to grow 36% between 2008 and 2018, which is a much faster growth rate than the average for all occupations. Salaries for dental assistants can range from $22,270 to $46, 150. So what is it like to work as a dental assistant? I recently interviewed Ana Herrera, a 20 year veteran of the profession who currently works in a dental practice in Manhattan to find out.

Oracle's CEO recently announced plans for approximately 1,000 layoffs at Sun Microsystems on top of the 7,600 jobs that they have already cut. Macy's plans to cut 1,500 store level jobs. And a similar layoff scene is playing out in companies across the nation. Yet many people wait until the other shoe drops before making any plans about future employment. Bad plan. Even if you think your job is not in jeopardy today, you should always be proactively managing your career because stuff happens...quickly. Here are some things I hope employees at Sun, Macy's and other companies think to do before the pink slip arrives.