23rd January 2012 signifies the beginning of the Chinese New Year.

On my recent trip to Hong Kong and Singapore I learned about the Chinese New Year tradition of giving red envelopes filled with money on new years day as a way of wishing good fortune to friends, family and employees on news years day.

Something, in fact, that’s very similar to the tradition of giving money on new years day in the Indian culture too! Once again proving to me that we’re all far more similar than we are different.

So although I’m not Chinese, to coincide with the start of the Chinese New Year this week, I’m sharing my very own ‘virtual red envelope” filled with cash – £28 to be precise (approximately $50)

Specifically it’s an ‘envelope’ for job seekers in the form of £28 off the Zen Guide To Job Searching (£28 = approx. $45).

So Why £28?

In Chinese culture, the number 8 is very lucky and signifies “prosperity” whilst the number 28 signifies “double prosperity”

So I’d like to offer you double prosperity this coming year by offering £28 off the Zen Guide To Job Searching!

Click here to find out more!

Want To Read More Articles Like This?

If you haven’t done so already, you may want to subscribe to my twice monthly newsletter “ Straight Talk “ which provides straight talking advice on how to accelerate your career in less time and with less stress.

As a bonus, you’ll also be able to download my special report “ The Top 10 Career Mistakes To Avoid ”

To download your free report and subscribe follow this link now.

“How To Make Your CV / Resume Stand Out”

11th August 2011

Over the last 3 years I’ve published more than 300 articles. But at the same time, there are a further 300 unfinished articles which have never been been published.

Like many creative people, I get a tonne of ideas  – but then my perfectionist tendencies often stop me publishing articles or shipping ideas.

But at least I’ve shipped 50% of the ideas.

Click here to read the rest…

So you’ve been out of the job market due to redundancy, job loss or personal circumstances.

It’s all very legitimate but that’s not the way some employers and interviewers see it.

Here are 5 steps to help you not only handle conversations about your gap  – but in fact turn the gap into a positive differentiator which helps you stand out from crowd.

1. Don’t be defensive

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1.3 billion people yesterday tuned into watch India triumph against arch rivals Pakistan in the semi finals of the Cricket World Cup.  That’s right, 20% of the world population watched as India’s ‘Little Master’, Sachin Tendulkar, drove India to the final this Saturday.

Tendulkar is India’s equivalent of David Beckham, Michael Jordan or Tiger Woods.  Which means he has an amazing track record in his sport, a huge fan base and a lucrative sponsorships with the likes of Adidas, Pepsico and Canon.

But although Tendulkar was the top scorer in yesterday’s game and picked up the man of the match award, it wasn’t exactly a classic performance from him or India.

In fact, at one point the TV commentator accused Tendulkar and India of  “Winning Ugly” in reference to Brad Gilbert’s book.

But that’s precisely what winners do – they win ugly when they have to.

Click here to read the rest…

The Zen Guide To Job Searching

The Zen Guide To Job Searching

How To Get Hired Faster With Less Effort and Less Stress

During my career, I’ve had periods where I really struggled to find work (namely the recession of the early 1990s after I graduated).

I’ve had periods when I was stuck in roles or companies that no longer enjoyed and understand how difficult it can be to find the time, motivation and strategies to change jobs when you’re stuck on the corporate treadmill.

I’ve also experienced the pains of working as a recruiter through a downturn after 9/11. So I understand how challenging it is to find opportunities, chase leads, deal with set-backs and still try to come back smiling when it all goes wrong.

Which is why I get a great deal of satisfaction in helping people find jobs and make successful career moves quickly. I suppose I’m sharing the lessons I learned the hard way.

But I do appreciate that, for whatever reason, not everyone is able to work with me personally during their own  job search.

So in recent weeks, I’ve been busy working on a new solution to help such individuals accelerate their job search with minimal stress and hassle – but in a way that they could access my help and advice in very flexible and affordable way.

And today, I’m ready to unveil it:

The Zen Guide To Job Searching

How To Get Hired Faster With Less Effort and Less Stress

Click here to get all the details and to reserve your copy

This instantly downloadable programme includes:

Click here to read the rest…

Want To Read More Articles Like This?

If you haven’t done so already, you may want to subscribe to my twice monthly newsletter “ Straight Talk “ which provides straight talking advice on how to accelerate your career in less time and with less stress.

As a bonus, you’ll also be able to download my special report “ The Top 10 Career Mistakes To Avoid ”

To download your free report and subscribe follow this link now.

Before you send off your CV to take advantage of the annual outbreak of post-bonus hiring, it’s worth paying some attention to whether it will be doing your job prospects more harm than good.

CVs are marketing documents. Present yourself wrongly, and you won’t get far beyond the initial application stage. Before sending anything out, it’s therefore worth running through the points below.

1. Have you over-used buzz words?

Be mindful that there are words and phrases which crop up in everyone’s CV and can therefore appear meaningless. These include:

Highly dynamic
Entrepreneurial
Great team player
Innovative
Results oriented

You can use them, but ensure you…

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“If you want the energy to create the show, sell the tickets first”

- Dan Sullivan

Want to get that CV or resume updated?

- Call a recruiter or contact and tell them they’ll have it within 24 hours. And then update it

Want to apply for a new internal role?

- Speak informally to the line manager and tell them they’ll have your application by the end of the week. Then work on the application.

Want to deliver a talk or workshop?

- Book the talk, agree the date, agree some broad objectives. Then create the content.

Click here to read the rest…

“Sital, I’m applying for roles but employers are being so fussy in the current market – if I haven’t the exact experience they’re looking for, they reject me. Doing the same thing over and over again with the same rejections over and over again is so frustrating. What else can I do?”

“Sital, I’m trying to make a career change into a new area but can’t  secure interviews. I know I have the relevant skills and would do a great job, but they keep rejecting me because I’ve not got the experience. But how can I get the experience if they don’t give me a chance?!! Any ideas on a better approach?”

“Sital, I keep getting rejected because I haven’t the right academic record. But I’ve more practical experience than all the people I’m competing against – why can’t they see beyond my education when I can bring relevant experience?”

“Sital, I’m tring to make a change internally to a new function, but they won’t consider me because I haven’t the experience. But I know I’ve got the skills and would be much better than the people currently in those roles! What should I do?”

Here’s what you should do;  follow these four strategies:

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