The most gut-wrenching words you never want to hear that seem like the end of the world: “You’re fired,” or “We are going to have to let you go. ”  Terminations happen – whether they are your fault or because someone decided to eliminate you for their own personal ambition/agenda reasons. View Details

When you are actively looking for a job, you generally apply to so many companies that you even forget which ones you applied unless you hear back from them within a month.  However, if you write down all of the companies you sent your resume and keep a list, you can follow-up on your application as well as be more prepared when they respond to you. View Details

Closing a sale or securing investors for your startup is often all about "The Demo. " You and your team become laser focused on getting people to agree to listen to a presentation of your product or service. To ensure the meeting is a high value opportunity, and not just a chance to hear yourself talk, you must be on the same page as your prospect.   Here are five things to consider before you schedule your next demo.   1. View Details

The end of the interview has arrived and here comes the closing “do you have any questions? ” line.   Many candidates are unprepared for this part of the interview. It’s a common question and one that you should consider as part of your interview preparation. Even so, many candidates are thrown when the question is asked.   Have a list of at least 6 questions which you’ve prepared in advance of the interview. View Details

It’s a soul-crushing feeling. I know, because I’ve felt it. You probably have, too.   You’re legitimately talented, knowledgeable, and hard-working— but you’re not getting called back. Meanwhile, your loudmouth Facebook friend who still manages to party Thursday-Sunday just nabbed a great position in your same field. What gives, universe?   The unfortunate truth is that talent, even when backed by experience, does not always win. View Details

This plaintive question is one I’m asked a great deal. I’d like to give a few brief reasons you’re still unemployed.   1. You aren’t networking enough.   Almost all jobs these days are found through networking. If you’re applying through job boards, searching the internet, counting on recruiters or responding to want ads…you’re not doing enough. View Details

Are you in the middle of a new career search? Have you made the unfortunate mistake of accidentally alerting your current boss of your job hunt by forwarding a job-search-related e-mail to him or her?   Have you ever pressed “send” on an e-mail only to realize 10 seconds later that you sent it to an entire group of people when you only meant to send it to one specific co-worker? View Details

It’s nearly Halloween time again, and the country is gearing up to celebrate all things spooky and frightening. While this autumn ritual is usually exclusive to scary costumes and decorations, experienced sales reps know that there is often a more frightening (or frustrating) aspect to their day: difficult sales prospects.   At the other end of every email you send and call you make, there could be a scary sales lead waiting to pounce. View Details

Sometimes, it’s not possible — or at least not easy — to feel happy. However, it’s sometimes possible to feel happier. Here are some strategies to consider:  1.  Remind yourself of reasons to be grateful. When things look really dark, it’s hard to feel grateful, but remembering what’s good in your life can help put problems into perspective. View Details

Dear J. T. & Dale: I’ve been told companies hate it when you keep contacting them after an interview.  how much follow up is too much?  — Cheryl  J. T. : My rule of thumb for my clients is this:  *Always ask during the interview how long it will be until they make a decision. View Details

Preparing a resume and getting ready for the big interview are both incredibly tense situations for first-time job seekers. And unfortunately, these are only the first steps towards employment that can cause applicants to cringe. Knowing how to properly follow up after an interview is another essential part of the application process − and successful job seekers can connect with their interviewers well after their respective big days. View Details

Considering the economy is still in a shaky spot, it’s not too surprising when people around you get fired and laid off left and right. That doesn’t make it any less scary, though. How can you avoid being a casualty of the recession? While some firings and downsizing are pretty much inevitable, you can hedge your bets by being indispensable to your boss and indispensable to your company. Here’s how to do that! View Details

Everyone dreads cold calls, so my advice is, don’t do them. There are so many ways to get to know your prospect and their company before you reach out to them via email or phone that you should never have to make a cold call. Do some homework before you start “dialing for dollars” and cold calls will be a thing of the past. View Details

Unless you successfully answer these fundamental questions for buyers, there's no deal.   Salespeople spend a lot of time crafting questions to probe potential customers and--hopefully--close the deal. But, regardless of your product or the size of your company, there are three fundamental questions you must answer for buyers before they will sign on the dotted line. And, when it comes to answering these questions, your behavior often speaks louder than words. View Details