The only thing worse than losing your job? Not having a cushion from unemployment insurance to fall back on because your company challenges your claim. But people have successfully fought their company and won. Which reminds me of the pelican problem in Yellowstone National Park, the birds were gorging on more

Most of us would rather chug a bottle of castor oil than toot our own horn in our resume. But if you don’t talk ourself up, who will? Which reminds me of one of the most remarkable people I’ve ever met, John Stanford. He was a top U.S. General during more

It’s not just the Tea Party, these days it seems like everyone is bashing the government. But if you’re looking for work, remember one thing, with almost 1.7 million workers, the government is by far and away our country’s biggest employer. Which reminds me of when Craig Brown of Carleton, more

Been told that you lack the experience needed to get hired? At the same time, we all know people who seem to be the exception to the rule, because they didn’t meet the requirements but they still got hired. Which reminds me of when a man called 911 saying that more

Let’s face it, for many of our parents a career was simple. Start doing something when you’re young and do it until you retire. Today, careers are much more complicated. Most of us will have multiple careers before we’re done. Which reminds me of when German police reported that a more

Volunteer? When I don’t have a job or am working so hard that I don’t have time for a life? Yes, strategic volunteering can not only help you, it can help your community. But first, let me offer this little instructional quiz:

Pro-bono is:

Bono’s oldest son
The professional version of amateur bono
What more

Many people struggle with how to clearly document their expertise and accomplishments on their resume without boasting or appearing to be conceited. Which reminds me of when a Florida high school freshman bet his Spanish teacher that the student would wear the same pair of shoes to school each day more

Most of us have things in our past that we’re embarrassed about, but they shouldn’t have o be career killers. Which reminds me of Darryl Owens. He probably needs to go out on more job interviews because as a thief he’s just not cutting it. He more

It’s tough to remain upbeat as the economy crashes down around your ankles. But we’ve all got to work to maintain a positive attitude. Which reminds us of a mother who was arrested in Indiana for drunk driving with her toddler in the car. When the more

Stigma, it’s tough to face it for the first time in a job interview. However, many others have felt it; women, African Americans, older workers, there are many people out there who’ve struggled against this kind of bias for a long time. Which always reminds me of more

It’s especially challenging when you’re looking for work and you don’t have all the experience that companies are looking for. But often younger workers do have advantages in the job market. Which reminds me of a recent flight that I booked on an online travel service. Totally out of more

It can be a challenge to really understand how a business is doing, especially with all the uncertainties out there today. Which reminds me of the goofiest product idea ever. Of all the questionable products actually brought to market, my favorite, I said, was edible deodorant. (It just more

Money is the mother’s mile of new businesses. And that’s one of the hardest things facing a new entrepreneur, should you invest money in a business opportunity. Which reminds me of the  ”sleep tax.” The New York City police coined the term during “Operation Awake,” an effort to more

It’s a big leap from a cubicle to your own business, so it’s wise to prepare. And when it comes to being prepared, the Danish army takes things to a new level. For example, when they were deployed to Iraq, where temperatures were hovering around 120 more

Most people would like to be their own boss. Having been an entrepreneur for most of my career, I can tell you that it has it’s share of challenges. Which reminds me of a time that I took my daughter to a street fair. She really more

Rather than starting from scratch, it makes sense to a lot of people to buy into a franchise. After all, the franchise should have worked out the bugs already. Which reminds me of a 35-year old pastor who insisted to his flock that it was possible to more

It’s tough to start a new job and do your old one, but many successful entrepreneurs have survived this minefield. Which reminds me of the ‘70′s when there was a basketball team called the St. Louis Spirits. The team was scheduled to fly from Louisville to St.Louis more

With the economy struggling, it seems like a crazy time to start your own business. Crazy like a fox.  Many famous companies got their start in tough times: G.E., Fed Ex, etc. But you’ve got to be very strategic. Start by heeding the lesson of the Millionaire Fair. more

Something most job hunters don’t put much effort into is the objective statement on their resume. Yet, this can be a great introduction to you and where you’re going. Which, if you are a travel junkie like me, reminds me of the “Have you seen Nepal?” more

References are a key part of any job search that most people just take for granted. However, putting thought into managing your references can make a huge impact on how successful your job search will be. Which reminds me of a time that a friend was driving her more

Many people don’t put any thought into their cover letters that go out with their resume, what a huge missed opportunity. Which reminds me of “The Swan.” It was a show where people got plastic surgery and then compete in a beauty contest. Of the 17 more

Most people think that one bad reference is the end of their career. That isn’t the case, but you’re going to have to get creative after receiving one. Which reminds me of the Salton Corporation, primarily known for its indoor and outdoor grills, paid $137 million more

Whenever I think of what it takes to get your resume noticed, especially considering how most resumes are scanned by a computer, not a human I think about a thief in Perth, Scotland. Hearing the police arrive as he was midway through his heist, the guy swallowed more

It’s tough enough to get hired with great references, it’s really tough when you fear someone may be saying nasty things about you. Which reminds me of how Blanche Dubois depended on the kindness of strangers. Anyone looking for work relies on a kind appraisal when strangers ask more

Job interviews are tough for many of us when we’ve done them regularly. But it’s really tough when it’s been a long time since we’ve done our last interview. Which reminds me of Aleobiga Aberima. He’s a Nigerian who recently asked a friend to shoot him. See, more

Every older worker (and let’s be clear here: we’re talking anyone over 40!) needs to learn a lesson from the Warrawong Shopping Center in New South Wales, Australia. To combat the gangs of teenagers that were hanging outside the mall, mall owners installed pink fluorescent lights above more

It is a big leap to go from raising your child to returning to the workplace. Which reminds me of Emily Katrencik. She’s an artist who recently spent 30 minutes a day, five days a week gnawing on sections of drywall at an art gallery. Ever wonder more

Looking for work is always challenging, especially tough if you haven’t looked for a long time. Which reminds me of a friend who recently lost all of her hair from cancer treatments. She said, “My wig saved my life.” It preserved her feelings of self worth, more

It’s always a challenge to be suddenly thrust into a job hunt, which makes me reflect on something that happened to me just last week. I went to the dermatologist and heard two words tossed my way for the first time, “biopsy” and “cancer.”

I have basal more

A non-compete clause can tie you up for a long time, so you need to proceed with caution when one is put in front of you to sign. Yet, most people don’t know much about this area. Which reminds me of a friend who owned a muffin shop more

It’s difficult enough to negotiate your salary in good times, in uncertain times it can be daunting. Which reminds me of when a passenger in Cyprus bolted from his plane just as it prepared for take off. He opened the rear exit and slid down the more

It’s tough to make ends meet today. Especially tough trying to get by on a unemployment check that’s just a fraction of your old paycheck. Which reminds me of an Overland Park, KS man who flashed an obscene gesture at an Olathe police officer. He’d just more

I’ve heard from a lot of people who are embarrassed about applying for unemployment insurance. Or who fear that if they apply, they’re claim will be rejected. Which reminds me of the guy who walked into a Toronto donut shop clutching a goose by the neck? “Give more

For many of us the corporate hiring process can be as mysterious as the process to pick a new Pope, only without the smoke signals. Which reminds me of the California law where anyone can complain about your driving and DMV will hold a hearing where more

Layoffs happen! During an economic downturn careers can take a fall from grace. When it comes to overcoming a fall, I think of Alcides Moreno. His name might not be familiar, but his story is impossible to forget. Moreno is the New York City window washer more

I wish I had a nickel for every job seeker who has told me that they’ve sent out hundreds of resumes with no nibbles from employers. The problem is that most of the jobs they’re sending out these resumes to don’t exist. I’ll explain, but first let more

It’s extremely frustrating to get a job offer but no job. I can relate. Which reminds me of a basketball term, “hanging around.” This usually occurs when a really good team is playing a much worse team, yet the score is relatively close. The announcers will more

Everyone knows that networking is how to get ahead today, but how do you do it when you are shy. This reminds me of Front Sight, NV. A housing development with 177 lots, 12 shooting ranges and, believe it or not, each lot also comes with an more

Most people struggle to find the time to network. Yet most of us can find a few minutes each day to network on the phone. Sure, Linkedin and Facebook are great, but don’t overlook that old fashioned telephone as a great opportunity to expand your network. Which reminds more

Networking is always important, but it’s even more important in an uncertain economy. But how do you make the time to network when you’re already busy doing the job of three people who’ve been laid off? Which reminds me of when a deer crashed into a more