By Cara Aley

Trying to get the attention of a potential employer? Some would argue that the best way to do this is to have a wholly original resume that will stand out (even in strange ways) from the others.

Here, we’ll highlight five weird and bizarre resumes that might have actually gotten their owners noticed, and then hired.

This guy rented a billboard.  You could, too.

For something in the neighborhood of $300, depending on the location, you too can rent a billboard and put your face and web address on it, saying ‘Hire Me!’- you might get a marketing position within 24 hours like Bennett Olson of Bloomington, MN. This clever young man followed an idea he saw in the movie I Love You Man, and the idea clearly paid off. (more…)

By Alisha Webb

Many women feel uncomfortable when asking for a raise at work. It seems that reason and basic common sense are often two of the greatest factors holding ladies back from getting what they really deserve. Here is a look at how women can overcome their better nature to get themselves on a level pegging with their male counterparts.

The Scenario

Picture the scene, a hard working, already pretty high-powered woman is going for a highly substantial promotion. She is up against male colleagues with similar experience but less impressive results at the company. She knows that she is the best candidate for the role, and she probably will get the job, but it is also likely that she is going to sell herself short when it comes to getting paid.

Often simple reasoning as to things, such as the current state of the economy and the basic truth that she really doesn’t need any more, are the main reasons why women don’t get what they deserve when it comes to negotiating their new salary. Now is the time to throw that thought process out of the window and get with the program, just like the men have always done. (more…)

Dr. Barbara Seifert, CPC

More than ever before, effective leaders are needed in all sectors and in all organizations. Doing so will bring employees and the organization to the highest level of performance and result in engaged, productive, and satisfied employees while ensuring profit and an identifiable brand for the company. When ineffective leadership is in place, the opposite occurs – disengaged and dissatisfied employees, which can result in high levels of absenteeism, turnover and profit loss.

To be an effective leader, we hear about the attributes of what one ‘should’ have – charisma, an entrepreneurial mind, good communication skills, good problem-solving skills, and a host of other desired traits. But these do not always make one an effective leader if they don’t have relateability or an empathetic heart; good leaders are always self-aware of their leader behaviors and they work on sharpening these skills on a daily basis.   (more…)

By Michaela Quinn

There are many things to think about when preparing for a business meeting or interview. One of the most important things to remember is the outfit you will wear. The way you look is important in creating the right first impression. A smart and professional image will say that you are a smart and professional woman.

Choose the right outfit and not only will you look great but you will feel more confident and able to succeed. Here are a few tips on how to dress for important interviews and meetings.

The Outfit:

Whether you’re preparing for a job interview or a meeting with a potential client, you want to choose an outfit that will make a positive impression on the person you are meeting with. (more…)

By Ben Skinner

Finding new work opportunities can be quite a frustrating and time consuming task. Especially after you feel that you have exhausted your potential and current list of contacts. There comes a time when you will need to dig out some fresh opportunities.

This post will cover a few tools of the trade to help you discover these opportunities, as well as make your life easier.

Search Engines:

Google, Bing and Yahoo are the ones most of you will be familiar with. Sometimes going on a search engine can be frustrating with its entire commercial endeavor, finding what you want under a whole heap of junk. There are a few ways you can search better, which include the following: (more…)