Paul Freiberger

You don’t negotiate your compensation very often. Employers do. They expect some give and take in the process, even if they’re beside themselves with glee at the idea of bringing you on board. In other words, it’s business as usual. It’s nothing personal. Don’t ask for one specific number. That can sound too much like an ultimatum, and it doesn’t show a willingness to negotiate. You don’t have to do all the work. Ask the employer for suggestions in an open-ended way: “Do you have any other ideas about what we can do to bring us closer together?” As a psychological matter, a question like that puts the two of you on the same side. Your goal is to reach an agreement that recognizes your worth and sets you up for success in your new role.

When networking establish a mood of mutuality. You are not asking your contacts for jobs. They need to feel that they are not being used, but rather are part of a regular give- and-take that should help both of you. You likely have acquaintances who can lead you to professional contacts and interviews, or just other people to help identify more contacts. Keep track of these individuals using a written routine and calendar. Include names, phone numbers, email addresses, and—critically—descriptions of how you plan to keep in touch. Cultivate your networks.They’ll lead you to far more jobs than any other source.

Practice answering interview questions. Prepare responses that are solid and support your case, and practice speaking them aloud. It’s not enough simply to have them in mind. If you utter them often enough, you’ll lay down the right neural circuits to spool them off easily and confidently in the interview. Have someone conduct a practice interview with you. You’ll not only gain experience in a situation like the real one, with swift back-and-forth, but you’ll benefit from comments on your performance. Don’t be desperate to “make a good impression.” Let your individuality flow out naturally. The more grounded you are in yourself, the more confident you will appear.

An executive resume is important even if you think you don’t need it and can get interviews through your connections. Why? You can’t be sure when you might require one, and you don’t want to toss it together overnight. A resume also helps you organize yourself and see the full picture of your accomplishments and abilities. Most people take them for granted and may not have them uppermost in their mind at an interview. A resume crystallizes them. Your resume is essentially a marketing device. It’s a biography too, but a very special one: brief and almost all highlights. Think of it as an argument. Your thesis is: I am the person to hire. I’ll give you the best payoff.The entire nature of the resume flows from that.

Layoffs are tough. It's normal to feel hurt, confused, and even angry. But remember, your worth isn't defined by this setback. Take a deep breath and allow yourself some time to process. Then, get proactive! Your skills and experience are valuable. Update your resume, highlight your accomplishments, and polish your interview skills. This is your chance to shine in a new role. And remember, knowledge is power. Research salary ranges and practice strong negotiation techniques. You've got this!

Avoid errors. When you submit your resume you get that One Shot. Your resume is your chance to shine. Don't sink your application. You want to avoid: 1) Grammatical Gaffes: A stray comma can be a confidence killer. 2) Inconsistent Formatting: A jumbled mess gets rejected. Pros create a clean, ATS-friendly format that gets seen. 3) Tense Troubles: Inexperienced resume writers often mix or confuse past and present tenses, which can make the resume unclear. Bonus Tip: Even professional writers use extra help. I have a professional proofreader review each resume I prepare for a client. Consider a resume writer AND a proofreader for maximum impact! It's an investment that gets you noticed in the right way.