eFinancialCareers

Age discrimination in hiring is a topic that reliably gets opinions flowing – sometimes to the point of boiling over. Reaction here and elsewhere to "Finessing Your Age on a Resume," an eFinancialCareers News story by contributing writer James Rubin, is a case in point. Citing the views of three resume-advice book authors, that Oct. 29 article suggested older candidates omit some dates from their resume to avoid being screened... Read more

The past month has produced an outpouring of reports about banks' expected year-end payouts to employees. Although I suspect very few eFinancialCareers users depend on the news media when assessing your own bonus prospects, it can't hurt to be informed what goes into the sausage-vat that spews headlines like "Wall Street's Bonus Babies" and "Wall Street's Bonus Army Pulls Bank Robbery." At a minimum, you'll be better positioned to answer Aunt... Read more

When looking for a job, especially during an economic downturn, patience is essential. It takes time to find leads and follow up. It takes time to arrange interviews. It takes time to get responses. All in all, finding a job can take a lot longer than you planned. So be patient, persistent and professonal throughout your search, and don't take non-responsiveness or rejection personally. It’s difficult to be patient when... Read more

You'd never walk into an interview or start a new job wearing a sign on your forehead that read, "I don't belong here." Yet, that's the attitude some people seem to bring to the job-search process. In response to my Sept. 25 column about professionals who publicly admit settling for jobs they consider less desirable, an eFinancialCareers user posted this skeptical comment: "So we can assume that every executive needs to... Read more

As we warned last week, the onset of earnings season has brought out the "Shame on You Bankers!" placard-waving crowd in full force. The crescendo will only grow louder in the months ahead. Read on for advice about how to respond, should a shamer get in your face between now and bonus time. First came a blizzard of headlines spotlighting Goldman Sachs' projected $20 billion-plus compensation and benefits expense for all... Read more

You know the drill: You have to tell the interviewer about your accomplishments rather than your skills. You've got to listen carefully so you can match your pitch to the job’s needs. And it's important to project confidence and enthusiasm. Be aware, though, that it isn't only what you say that will be judged. You'll speak volumes with the way you stand, sit, gesture and express yourself facially. So give... Read more

As financial institutions prepare to release third-quarter results and finalize spending plans for 2010, the long-simmering public debate over how to restructure compensation for traders and bankers is nearing a climax. In the next few weeks, the Obama administration will rule on pay packages for the 100 highest-paid employees of seven big government-aided companies, including Citigroup and Bank of America. Few will be surprised if government involvement filters down to indirectly... Read more

When I was working as an investment banking consultant, my wife and I did not think twice about buying what we wanted for ourselves and our children, dining at expensive restaurants or taking taxis. We were far from living extravagantly: we lived in a small but luxurious rental on the border of the Upper East Side and Spanish Harlem. Still, we were living the good life. There was a rooftop... Read more

"Your qualifications are impressive…." You know what's coming next. But don't frown and bite your lip. Soon, those Orwellian kiss-off messages may reach you early enough in the interview process to do you some good. Did I just say, "Do you some good"? Yes. The way some job-seekers see it, an employer's rejection letter is a classic example of "Bad news is good news." A rejection note "implies that someone at least looked... Read more

While unemployed and searching for a job, you have a great opportunity to reevaluate your experiences, skills and passions. It is the perfect time for self-assessment and taking personal inventory. In a difficult economic environment, especially if you are in a hard-hit industry like finance, stepping out of your own box might even be a necessity. To do this, draw upon not just your professional experience, but your life experience:... Read more

Digital dirt on your professional image needn’t involve one of the big four career-bombs: beer, marijuana, foul language, or unclothed flesh. It needn’t even involve using your blog to vent at a past or present employer. Instead, an unwary professional can soil his image even by planned appearances in well-regarded, mainstream media outlets. You remember digital dirt. It’s a catchy expression for unprofessional remarks or photos attributed to a person or appearing... Read more

While attending job fairs and career expos, I have heard numerous speakers, career coaches, headhunters and other experts advise job candidates consistently to customize their resumes, cover letters, follow-up letters and pretty much everything else, for each particular job opportunity. This is excellent advice if you’re sending out two or three resumes a week. Most job seekers, however, are trying for a bit more coverage than that. To customize each document... Read more

Why do people network? At first blush, the question seems to answer itself: to find a new job, or be more effective in my present job. However, the recession is driving some job-seekers to think about network contacts more like the way they view other relationships in their lives. Any blurring of lines between personal and career relationships is usually considered a no-no. But the push to rethink assumptions about... Read more

Life has many trials, and earning our daily bread is one of them. During my job search, I rode an emotional roller-coaster. There were plenty of days when I was depressed and did not want to speak with anyone. But I never lost hope. With a little help from family, friends, career counselor and my inner faith, I always bounced back. When you're unemployed, it's important to do what you have... Read more

If you're in transition and recruiters and hiring managers are returning your calls for the first time in awhile, prepare for sticker shock. The compensation you earned a few years ago may no longer be anywhere near what similar roles are paying today. On the bright side, a rebound in financial hiring is increasingly apparent. But forget the headlines about seven-figure bonus guarantees for MD-level rainmakers. Down in the trenches, both... Read more

When I hadn't found a job a few months after my layoff early in 2008, the prospects for my wife, five children and myself looked bleak. Everyone in both my wife's family and mine knew I was unemployed. What they did not know was, I could soon be reaching out to them for serious help. Through the good times and difficult times in my life, I always maintained open and consistent... Read more

Humility helps. Haughtiness hurts. That's a message I'm hearing with increasing frequency when career experts discuss interviewing skills. "Too many people in interviews come off as a little too confident, a little bit arrogant," says one portfolio manager at an institutional asset management firm. Instead of telling an interviewer that "you should hire me because….," he reminds candidates, "in the end, the person is going to hire you because they... Read more

If I had given up at any time during my job search, I would not have found a job, received a second round of publicity for my success and perseverance, or ended up where I am today. My experience illustrates why it is so important to keep your eyes on your goal and maintain the determination to reach it. I never stopped sending out resumes, even when I received very... Read more

Effectively building - and leveraging - a network of professional contacts is essential to your ultimate success. But if glad-handing isn't your style, networking can look like a high hurdle. The good news: There are several ways to make effective networking more comfortable. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, a widely used personality test, defines people according to where they get their energy on the extrovert-introvert scale. Typically, extroverts get theirs from interaction... Read more

A previous column discussed taking a detour to business school when the job market is stagnant. Now, let's look at maintaining your career's momentum while you keep working. When advancement opportunities shrink because of market conditions, it becomes more important than ever to gaze beyond the immediate landscape. Instead of plotting a near-term career move, you should acquire a variety of small chits that make it easier to land your... Read more