Job Hunting Tips/Expert Profile

Expertise

I have experience working with job hunters of all ages who are looking for their first job, career changers, people who have been laid off, and people who are job hunting for career advancement. I can answer questions on job search strategy, research, finding a "good fit", career assessments including the Myers-Briggs (MBTI) and Strong Interest Inventory (SII), resume writing, cover letters and other correspondence, networking (I like to call it getting advice), interviewing, negotiating an offer, and getting started in a new job.

Experience in the area

I have 15 years of experience as a Career Advisor, 8 of them serving as the Human Resources Director of Career Services to 7,000 employees, including one-on-one career appointments and workshops on career planning, job searches, resumes, interviewing, career change, career assessments,going back to school and supervisor support for career development. Previously, I provided career advising via available to a community of 150,000 via email, telephone and in-person appointments. I have also career advised welfare-to-work recipients, undergraduate and graduate students, and focused on women's career and job needs while at a Women's Center.

Organizations

NCDA National Career Development Association

Publications

www.emilyoncareers.com

Education/Credentials

M.A., Georgetown University B.A., cum laude William Smith College Organizational Development Certificate, NTL Institute Certified in: MBTI Type Indicator SII Strong Interest Indicator CCL Benchmark 360

Past/Present Clients

My clients range from electricians to engineers and from people getting their GEDs to PhD researchers. They literally go from A (Aesthetician) to Z (Zoologist) and one of my clients was a spy -- getting out of the industry, not in! Some are very sophisticated computer users, and some are just learning. Some of my clients have criminal records; some in have been in law enforcement. Some want to be teachers; some want to leave teaching. Some are executives; some are administrative assistants. I do not usually work with high school students, other than to helping them plan their next steps for school.

What do you like about this subject?

Thoreau said "The mass of men live lives of quiet desperation." Before I was a career advisor, I worked in sales and met many desperate people. We spend so much of our lives at work. I changed my career because I believe people should not have to live lives of quiet desperation. Now I help people find the work that works for them.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

Lately I am focusing on learning offered by the Community College system. It is often "the best buy" for clients’ education and professional development. I'd like to see more employers implement meaningful employee career development. I am writing about the practical support that faith provides job hunters.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

There is only one job: problem-solver. A job opening exists because there is a problem to be solved. You don't have be the smartest, most experienced or most connected candidate. The key is to demonstrate you are the best candidate TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. Many mistakenly demonstrate great qualifications for everything except the job of problem-solver.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

Resumes are easier than you thought.