Over at my personal blog, I posted an article called “How to become a search marketing pro” which covers the end-to-end process of becoming a (good, certified) search engine marketer. If you’re interested in launching a new career or gaining a valuable marketing skill, I suggest you check it out.  (Also, follow me on Twitter where I occasionally post links to related readings.)

Over at the Harvard Business Publishing blog, there’s a great post titled “How to Write a Resumé That Doesn’t Annoy People” that’s well worth the read. The nine tips are:

1. Get the formatting right.
2. Insert dates for everything.
3. Fill up on the buzzwords.
4. Choose verbs that mean something.
5. Rewrite your resumé for each job application.
6. State career objectives or outside interests — but be very careful.
7. The further into your past, the less detail you should have.
8. Keep it short.
9. No typos.

What are your resume tips?

This week, I was doing some research for a few students on the best cities for new graduates. Since this month starts a slew of colleges that have commencement, it couldn’t be better timing. The most useful article I came across was published by CareerBuilder and titled “Top 10 Cities for New Graduates.” In the article, CareerBuilder took the cities with the highest concentration of young adults ages 20-24, the inventory of jobs requiring less than one year of experience, and the average cost of a one bedroom apartment in that city. It’s a great list because it encompasses much more than just who is hiring. As you see on the list, it shows the most popular entry-level categories in those cities. I’m really excited that Cleveland, my home city, as well as the city I moved to after graduation, Phoenix, made the list.

1. Indianapolis
Average rent:* $625
Popular entry-level categories:** sales, customer service, health care

2. Philadelphia
Average rent: $1,034
Popular entry-level categories: sales, customer service, management

3. Baltimore
Average rent: $1,130
Popular entry-level categories: sales, customer service, health care

4. Cincinnati
Average rent: $691
Popular entry-level categories: sales, customer service, health care

5. Cleveland
Average rent: $686
Popular entry-level categories: sales, marketing, customer service

6. New York
Average rent: $1,548
Popular entry-level categories: sales, customer service, admin-clerical

7. Phoenix
Average rent: $747
Popular entry-level categories: sales, customer service, marketing

8. Denver
Average rent: $877
Popular entry-level categories: sales, customer service, health care

9. Chicago
Average rent: $1,133
Popular entry-level categories: sales, marketing, customer service

10.  San Antonio
Average rent: $696
Popular entry-level categories: sales, customer service, management

If you’re graduating, where are you moving to?

Over at my personal blog, I posted an article called “Personal productivity” which covers productive environments, tracking your productivity, and some of my tips and tricks for being more productive. If you’re interested in making the most efficient and productive use of your time, I suggest you check it out.  (Also, follow me on Twitter where I occasionally post links to related readings.)

Need a break this weekend from your usual job search routine? Check out the “150 Funniest Resume Mistakes, Bloopers and Blunders Ever.” And please, have multiple people proofread your resume!

Writer’s note: Apologies for being M.I.A. for so long but I’m back on a regular schedule now. If you don’t see regular postings from me (at least one post every other week), email me on here and be the first to catch me. I’ll do one free resume consultation.

I may be exaggerating when I say a plane is a networking Mecca but with my recent travels I had to communicate a great place to network, the airport. The first time I was flown to a company to interview I was in business casual attire and being the middle of the week I was surrounded by business men and women flying to meet clients, go to different branches or have lost track why they’re going to God knows where. The whole trip from Detroit to Charlotte, I spoke to a gentleman about business, his family, my goals, my hobbies; almost like an interview.

I asked for a business card when we began our descent and low and behold he was a Global Vice President for one of the largest companies in the world. I gave him my resume and he even emailed me to see how my interview went as well as telling me he told his wife if he had half the energy of me, they’d be millionaires. Two weeks later I received a call from his organization about an interview. I didn’t end up working for them but in two hours I networked with a V.P. who travels the world making decisions for a Fortune 10 company and got an interview. All because I looked like somewhat of a business traveler and had the nerve to strike up a conversation. On the way back from this interview, I sat next to a buyer of Italian goods and spoke to her the whole way back.

I hate to sit here and talk about myself and my experience the whole time but it’s the only way I learned in college, being shown examples and real-life situations. This happened and has continued to happen every time I fly. Even if traveling for vacation, I wear a button down shirt and dress pants just in case. According to www.flightaware.com in the past 24 hours there were 43,746 arrivals! And www.bts.gov has a 2003 report that Americans make more than 405 million long-distance business trips per year. So next time you’re in a plane ready to swallow Dramamine, remember it’s more important now than ever to differentiate yourself and network like crazy. Here’s the main points:
•    When you travel, at least wear business casual clothes
•    Keep a resume` or business cards with you, get their email. You don’t have to be employed to have cards
•    Guts. Have you ever traveled in the daytime where it was completely quiet on a plane? No, because every business person is talking business with the person next to them. So do the same. It’s not an interview, you have nothing to lose
•    Get their information. Ask about possible employment, and be casual when conversing
•    Talk to the whole row!

You can deduct certain expenses you have in looking for a new job in your present occupation, even if you do not get a new job. You cannot deduct these expenses if:

With the economy in its current state, and companies from around the world either closing their doors or laying off major sections of their workforce, you may find yourself looking for signs you’re about to be laid off and wondering whether you might be next. If that’s the case, your fears aren’t misplaced: After all, over 2.6 million U.S. workers lost their jobs last year. However, it’s important that you don’t panic or jump ship prematurely. Instead, follow these four tips on how to recession-proof your job and ensure your livelihood during these trying times.

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There’s a fantastic article posted the other day titled “Laid Off in 2008? Start a Business in 2009.” Check it out.