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May 17, 2013
Written by Dawn Rasmussen Careers, Interviews, Job Search
Salary negotiations are tough. Too often, job seekers go into interviews for jobs for which they applied not knowing what the position might pay. Mainly because the job announcement didn’t disclose it. So therein begins the guessing game. Then, the candidate runs into the employer who is out to find out THEIR salary negotiation number. Well, it’s time to do a little mind play on employers and find out your salary negotiation number using the same tricks they use. The May 2013 edition of HR Magazine had a great article, “The Art of Setting Pay” (by Joanne Sammer), which provided… Read »
May 7, 2013
Written by Dawn Rasmussen Careers
It always comes as a shock when I confide to acquaintances that I am actually an introvert. People laugh, then stop, stare at me for a long moment, and then say, unbelievingly,”Really??!” Apparently, I project something completely different in networking and business situations. But this appearance isn’t purely accidental. It’s been a carefully crafted approach, simply because I realized early on that by being a wallflower introvert, a whole lot of opportunity was going to pass me by. I think the pivotal moment came during my first office job where I had to attend networking functions for up to six… Read »
May 1, 2013
Written by Dawn Rasmussen Careers, Cover Letter, Resume
It’s springtime! Cue the singing birds, blooming flowers, and that warm promise in the air that summer is just around the corner. Ahhh… what a wonderful feeling! But to borrow a page out of our hardy forebears, this isn’t where one gets to rest on their laurels… time’s a-wastin’! It’s time to do much-needed deep cleaning. But I’m not talking about purging the garage, or moving the couch to get at those annoying dust bunnies. Instead, let’s zero in on your career documents. Why? Because most people let them gather dust and only clear them off to see the light… Read »
April 24, 2013
Written by Dawn Rasmussen Careers, Interviews, Job Search, Networking
A handshake can make a difference. This morning, I was giving a presentation to a group of job seekers, and as customary, went around the room introducing myself and shaking people’s hands before the session. Most of us are either taught or read advice about how to provide a firm handshake that exudes confidence, enthusiasm, and gives a little clue about who we are. But in doing a lot of this kind of work, I’ve found that many people simply don’t get how to do it right. There’s always someone in the group that extends a clammy and limp appendage… Read »
April 11, 2013
Written by Dawn Rasmussen Careers, Job Search, Resume
Not unlike a confessional, resume writers oftentimes hear stories that would make most people’s hair stand on end. How they messed up on the job big-time. Or a bad decision that resulted in a termination. Or had an awful boss who did unspeakable things to them. Or didn’t know how to do the job to which they were reassigned. There are a million different stories out there on the street, and resume writers hear a lot of them, day in and day out. Over time, we grow thicker skin after the shock of what goes on in the workplace wears… Read »
April 1, 2013
Written by Dawn Rasmussen Careers, In The Workplace
In January, I got to translate some virtual connections into real-life contacts, and had the opportunity to meet the incredible Joey Price, CEO of JumpStart HR. He is a wealth of information, and generous to boot. He shares some very specific tips on how you can shine in your next performance review. ======================================= Document, document, document. Are you the kind of person who keeps a list for everything? If so, pat yourself on the back and create a list for your accomplishments. If not, it’s time to get started! There’s an old proverb that says “history is told by the one… Read »
March 26, 2013
Written by Dawn Rasmussen Careers, Interviews
Maybe some people were born with career management – I saw a dramatic example of this recently that served to illustrate this point. Last week, I volunteered to conduct mock interviews at the NW Youth Career Expo, which is the largest job fair of its kind in the metro Portland area and attracts 5,200 students from across the regional area. This was my fourth time volunteering at the event, and I absolutely, positively love it. Why? Because this is the best place to get the first glimpse of the future workforce and how they are approaching career management. Many of… Read »
March 19, 2013
Written by Dawn Rasmussen Careers, Job Search
Standing at the unemployment threshold to oblivion? Has your unemployment been going on for a while now and are starting to feel like the world is against you? It might just be true. Researchers report finding the first hard evidence of bias against the long-term unemployed. In 2011, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission conducted a study which found that people who were “unemployed 18 months or longer” were much less likely to be interviewed than someone with a much shorter time between jobs, according to HR Magazine (Jan. 2013). So why exactly do companies hesitate in taking a closer look… Read »
March 12, 2013
Written by Dawn Rasmussen Careers, Job Search
Career managers take note: I’ll be the first to admit it: “My name is Dawn Rasmussen, and I am a recovering career control freak.” In my 20s, I had set ideas and goals that I was going to achieve by the time I hit 30. I came very close to achieving them, so of course, like most people, I set new, even more aggressive career objectives. ((Cue “Highway to Hell” music… )) Then life happened. Sometimes, I am convinced, that despite our better intentions, life throws us that curve ball that is a game-changer. Maybe life has a different plan for… Read »
March 4, 2013
Written by Dawn Rasmussen Careers
As a writer, I get a lot of questions about resume format. The advent of so many awesome career-related portfolio sites and easy-to-use graphic design tools has sparked an explosion of digitally interesting resumes and digital portfolios. Personally, I find these fascinating, simply because as humans, we are visual creatures and anything that is attention-getting helps candidates stand out from the crowd. And that is one of the main purposes of having a resume – to market oneself. Unconventional designs, info graphics charts, and illustrations are all great. Heck, there was even one person who put their resume on a candy… Read »