AOL Jobs

Biggest Barriers To Successful Career Changes

J.T. O'Donnell — 2013-03-07T05:38:00+00:00

The economy is showing signs of life. And that means millions of people who have been stuck in jobs they hate will start looking for work. A 2011 survey indicated that 84 percent of Americans planned to look for a new job when the economy improved. And yet, the reality is that only a small percentage of them will be successful in changing careers. Here's why.

Marissa Mayer Was Right: What Bosses Really Think About Work-From-Home Arrangements

J.T. O'Donnell — 2013-02-28T14:35:00+00:00

So far, I've heard three common reactions to Marissa Mayer's decision to eliminate working from home at Yahoo. They are:

1. She'll lose all her best employees.

2. She's setting back all the progress we've made in work-life balance.

3. She's making a desperate attempt to fix a failing business.

The Insult That Catapulted My Career

J.T. O'Donnell — 2012-11-26T08:23:00+00:00

In 2007, I did a fair amount of work with corporate executive teams on the subject of coaching their entry-level employees -- also referred to as Generation Y. I had been hired to explain the mindset of this new generation of workers and how to coach them in their careers. It was a subject I had come to care a lot about. In the year leading up to the corporate work, I had seen a dramatic increase in the number of young people coming to me for coaching. The confusion and distress over their careers was so intense, I would use the term "onset career crisis" to describe how acute the pain of early career development was for them.

Confessions Of A Corporate Hit Man: 'I Got Paid To Restructure'

J.T. O'Donnell — 2012-11-14T08:17:00+00:00

When people ask me what I did before I became a career coach, I say, "Have you seen the movie 'Up in the Air' with George Clooney?" At which point, they say, "Yes!" Then I say, "He had my job." Sometimes, I even throw in the random additional fact that Clooney and I share the same birthday too. (Sorry George, you're older!)

Office Politics: How To Befriend The Enemy After A Heated Battle

J.T. O'Donnell — 2012-11-08T09:25:00+00:00

Forget the election, the showdown between President Obama and Gov. Romney was nothing compared to some of the leadership wars I've seen in corporate America. For those of us who have witnessed firsthand a fight for power over a project, division or high-profile initiative, we know this: When the battle is over and the winner has celebrated their victory with supporters, there is an unpleasant residue that must be dealt with. It's like a hangover, the flu bug and food poisoning all wrapped up into one nasty feeling: The need to work with the people who fought against you.

Both sides suffer this intense malady, which makes for a challenging road to effective collaboration.

4 Things To Keep Off Your Resume

J.T. O'Donnell — 2012-10-23T07:13:00+00:00

Looking for a job after military service? AOL Jobs is republishing some career stories to help veterans in their job hunt. This story is one of our best career advice stories.

Most employers will tell you that job seekers routinely make obvious, painful errors on their resumes that cost them the job. And while there are online tools that will help you avoid making some of these mistakes, such as punctuation errors, most tools won't catch these four major blunders.

Is A Midlife Career Change Possible In This Economy?

J.T. O'Donnell — 2012-09-18T09:26:00+00:00

When is it time to give up on your dream of changing careers in midlife? That's the question Cynthia Hart, a former engineer, posed in a LinkedIn discussion. Hart wrote:

"I know many of you have made significant career changes.... and I know I cannot be the only one to feel I have 'failed' at trying. I was an engineer for 15 years. Very long story short, in 2007 I began an attempt at a career change towards environmental science, including obtaining a certificate, internship, and a Master's degree. However, after a lot of time, money, and heartache, I do not find myself truly any closer to my goal. After 5 years (and currently in an unrelated job that I had to take and do not enjoy) I feel about ready to 'give up'. Any words of wisdom for me? When do you know it's time to let go and move on? I'm not sure if it's best to go forward or back -- but I do know at this point in my life, a decent salary is necessary for me -- no more internships or graduate school!"

3 Tips for Post-Labor Day Job Search

J.T. O'Donnell — 2012-09-04T09:00:00+00:00

In the staffing world, everyone in my industry knows that September brings an uptick in hiring. Managers come back from summer vacations after Labor Day and realize that they need to hire before the end of the year.

That being said, while there will be more jobs available, they won't all translate into public job postings. In fact, the majority will be filled without a job posting going out. Why? In a rush to get the job filled, managers will rely on their own professional network (i.e. employees, former colleagues, etc.), to find the right person for their position. And, even if they are required to post their job, by the time you see it and apply, there will already be several qualified applicants in the pipeline through referrals that historically get the job.

FACT: Over 80 percent of jobs are gotten via referral. Thus, the chances of you getting hired off a job board are slim-to-none.

Fired From A Job? How To Explain It To Future Employers

J.T. O'Donnell — 2012-08-27T08:43:00+00:00

Q: I am a medical technologist with 10 plus years experience working in a hospital laboratory. I was terminated two years ago and have not been able to land a job with any hospital in my area. I complete applications honestly admitting to being terminated. I feel this has been a HUGE red flag; I am feeling somewhat black-balled. In the few interviews I have had, I have always been asked the reason why I was terminated. What is the best way to answer this question?

Regards,

Baffled

3 Reasons Lance Armstrong Is Making a Good Career Move

J.T. O'Donnell — 2012-08-24T11:10:00+00:00

Lance Armstrong is being stripped of his seven Tour De France Titles. He's going to be banned from participating in pro sports. He is in a firestorm of controversy. Everything he has worked for is being taken away. Yet, instead of fighting back, Lance Armstrong is walking away. Is this wise? As a career coach, I say "yes."

Told You're 'Overqualified' For The Job? Here's What They Really Mean

J.T. O'Donnell — 2012-08-22T08:30:00+00:00

Have you ever had an employer or recruiter say you're "overqualified" for a job? Honestly, how can you really be "overqualified" for a job? You can either do the job, or you can't. How can having more experience than required be a negative, right?

So, what does "you're overqualified" really mean?

These 3 Words Are Stalling Your Job Search

J.T. O'Donnell — 2012-08-20T08:31:00+00:00

Are you out of work? Or are you overworked, in a career you hate and want out? With more than 84 percent of Americans surveyed saying that they want a new job, chances are that you are unhappy and want something better. What you may not realize is that three words are holding you back.

Think You've Exhausted Your Network Contacts? Try This

J.T. O'Donnell — 2012-07-11T08:30:00+00:00

One of the most common complaints I hear from job seekers after about six months or so is that they feel as though they have exhausted their professional network. Does this sound like you?

3 Ways To Keep A Job Search Alive In Summer

J.T. O'Donnell — 2012-07-09T09:06:00+00:00

With summer in full-swing, many job seekers not only find it hard to stay motivated in looking for work, but many key decision-makers are taking vacations, which slows the hiring process as well.

Here are 3 ways to keep your job search moving in the right direction.

Told You're 'Over-Qualified'? 5 Words To Change The Employer's Mind

J.T. O'Donnell — 2012-06-25T08:59:00+00:00

It's hard to believe you can be discriminated against for your experience, but it happens all the time. Here are two reasons why...

4 Toxic Words That Hurt The Unemployed

J.T. O'Donnell — 2012-06-21T08:17:00+00:00

Being without a job is tough. When you are out of work for an extended period of time, crisis of confidence sets in. And once it takes hold, it can be hard to shake.

The problem is that confidence is the No. 1 thing we need to land a job. Without it, we come across as weak, insecure and desperate. If you, or someone you know, are in this situation, the following four words should be eliminated from your vocabulary.

8 Words To Never Use On A Resume

J.T. O'Donnell — 2012-06-19T08:04:00+00:00

My friend, Don Goodman, from Resume Wizards recently gave me his personal 18-point checklist for creating a good resume. As I read through it, all the bad resumes I've ever read came flashing back to me.

What To Say When You're Asked For 'Salary Requirements'

J.T. O'Donnell — 2012-06-18T10:55:00+00:00

It's the worst part on the online application -- the "salary requirements" field. Here's how to handle the question without getting disqualified:

What You Don't Know About Job Search in 2012

J.T. O'Donnell — 2012-06-14T09:33:00+00:00

Given the amount of information and resources available to job seekers today, I'm sure you think there's nothing you don't know about looking for work in 2012. Well, here are three things you may not have realized about job search these days:

10 Things Employers Discriminate Against -- But Don't Tell You

J.T. O'Donnell — 2012-06-07T10:48:00+00:00

There is one truth every job seeker must understand: Hiring IS discrimination.

With so many potential candidates applying to jobs these days, hiring managers have become very picky. The overwhelming selection forces them to look for ways to screen out applicants and narrow the choices.

Here are 10 things that could cause you to be discriminated against without you even suspecting. Hiring managers will never tell you that:

Your interview attire is a turn-off (too flashy, outdated, sexy, ugly).
Your physical appearance is unattractive (sloppy, severe, depressing, uncomfortable).
Your eye contact is suspect (you look away, blink too much, have shifty eyes).
Your handshake is uncomfortable (too weak, too strong, clammy).
You have word tics (you say ah/um too much, you use the word 'like' excessively).
Your communication style isn't a match (you speak too fast, too slow, too loud, too soft).
You come off wrong (use too many complex words, sound cocky, appear unintelligent, shy, confused, lazy).
Your body language sends the wrong message (giggle/fidget/act awkward/have facial tics/lack expression).
You don't seem really interested in the company and job (lack sincerity/self-confidence/clarity/conviction).
You don't send the right professional vibe (don't "click" with the hiring manager even though they can't figure out why).