Last week, I talked with Katie Couric for a segment called Jobless in America on katiecouric.com. This clip highlights my mantra: Stop looking for job and start looking for a person. The right person will lead you to the right job. Over 80% of All Jobs Are in the Hidden Job Market In order to tap into them, you’ve got to get out there and start talking to people. Hone your elevator pitch and let people know who you are, what you can do for them, and what you’re looking for. B

Here’s my #1 secret for getting the job you really want, in this or any economy: Don’t apply for jobs you don’t want. “I Got a Job Offer But I’m Waiting To Hear From My Dream Employer” Over and over, my clients come to me with the same dilemma: They’ve received offers for jobs they don’t really want to take, and haven’t heard back yet about the jobs they really want. They don’t want to say no to a job offer, but they also don’t want to burn any bridges. My Question: “Why Were

In a conversation with Katie Couric for a segment called Jobless in America on katiecouric.com, I was asked the “Nose Ring” question. “Can I wear my nose ring to the interview?” is a real question I’ve been asked by many job-seekers I counsel, which is why it became the title of my book. Nose Rings Aside, The Issue Is Understanding Company Culture It’s a great question because it’s really about how to present yourself professionally when you’re job-hunting. Whether you have a

How long should my job search take? This is a question I’m asked all the time. It reminds me of when I was teaching and my students would ask how long the paper I had just assigned needed to be. Maybe they just wanted to see me roll my eyes and say, “Long enough to answer the question.” And, so, my answer to you is this: How long do you have? How Long Can You Afford to Search Before Getting Stressed About Paying Bills? This answer is different for everyone, as it depends enti

Dear Ellen, Despite the warning signs that I had no forms to fill out when I started my job, I later realized that I was being misclassified as an independent contractor—as opposed to an employee—by my boss. That was three years ago. I’ve had no social security, FICA, sick or vacation days since then. I know the IRS now has the SS-8 form to address these issues, but I’m uneasy about filling it out behind his back. Should I just ask to be treated as an employee? Or file the f