Career Resources blog
Five Reasons to Get Involved with Your Company’s Employee Resource Group
Does your company have an Employee Resource Group (ERG)? If so, you’ll want to get involved. What is an ERG? Employee Resource Groups are led and run by volunteer employees who want to create a safe and diverse workplace for all people in their company. They come...
5 Ways to Help a Friend Who Has Recently Been Laid Off
Do you have a friend or family member who’s recently lost their job? If so, we have a list of things that might lift their spirits and help them find a new job as soon as possible. If you’re feeling a little helpless, here are 5 ways you can help. Create a self-care...
5 Things to Negotiate in Your Termination Package
We’ve all heard about negotiating your salary or even your severance package, but what happens if you’re fired or terminated? Can you negotiate your termination package? Yes, you can! Here are five things to negotiate in your termination package. Don’t sign anything...
5 Ways to Handle Being Put On a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP)
So you've been called into the office by your manager and have been told that they aren't pleased with your performance. They want to put you on a performance improvement plan or a PIP. A performance improvement plan is a clear set of expectations that your employer...
3 Ways to Trust Your Gut
When I first started my business, I was told by plenty of people it would never get off the ground. Who would want someone else to write their resumé when they could buy a book and learn how to do it themselves? Or maybe they could check out the free services at a...
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! 5 Ways I Changed My Entire Life!
It’s our anniversary!!! July of 2023 marks the ten-year anniversary of Madelyn Mackie & Associates, LLC. 10-YEARS!!!! It’s hard to believe. Think about where you were ten years ago on your own career journey and how far you’ve come. A lot can happen in a...
3 More Ways to Find Motivation During the Summer
If you need some motivation this summer, my previous blog gives 3 fun ways to find motivation when the days are lovely and you’re distracted by fun. In this blog, I’m sharing 3 more ways to find summer motivation when the days are long and the sun is shining. Work to...
3 Ways to Motivate Yourself During the Summer
Summer is finally here, and with it, warm temperate days and beautiful bright sunshine. With such lovely weather and the kids out of school, perhaps you’re wondering what you can do to focus and stay productive. How can you find the motivation to do the things that...
3 Ways to Find Hiring Companies on LinkedIn
It’s true; there are a lot of layoffs happening in today’s business world. However, if you know what to look for, you might just be able to find yourself a job. Let’s stop worrying about layoffs and start paying attention to who’s hiring. Here are three ways you can...
3 Sacrifices You Can Make to Get What You Want
When I first started my business, I knew I’d need to make a few sacrifices to get the company off the ground. I had to be willing to give up things I enjoyed in order to get what I wanted. For me, I knew my...
5 More Tips for Spring Cleaning and Improving Your Job Search
April means spring cleaning, and in our previous blog, we gave you 5 spring cleaning tips for your job search. Here we have 5 more tips to polish your job hunt and make it shine. Clear the clutter, be proactive, and give yourself the cleanest path to a new position....
5 Spring Cleaning Tips to Improve Your Job Search
April is here which means a little spring cleaning is in order. How long has it been since you’ve polished your approach to a land new job? Let’s blow the dust off your career dreams and have a look at 5 spring cleaning tips for your job search. Start with the end in...
5 More Common LinkedIn Mistakes to Avoid
LinkedIn can be instrumental to launch your career dreams. However, not everyone knows how to properly use the platform. Here is another list of five more common LinkedIn mistakes. Don’t Wait for Others to Find You. Use the LinkedIn search function to look for people...
5 Common Mistakes on LinkedIn
If you’re on LinkedIn looking for a job or seeking to connect with colleagues and associates, it can be a powerful tool to expand your career horizons. However, there are a few mistakes many make on the platform. Here are five common mistakes on LinkedIn. Don’t...
5 More Ways to Keep Your Resume Love Alive
If your resume needs some TLC, give it a little affection. Here are 5 more ways to keep your resume love alive. Don’t Forget the Accomplishments This is one of the biggest mistakes made when writing your own résumé. Jobseekers can feel uncomfortable highlighting their...
5 Ways to Activate Your Resume
Is it time to blow the dust off your resume and rekindle the passion for your career? Here are some practical ways to give your resume a little love. 1. Be Clear About Your Job Target Have a goal in mind for what job you’re pursuing and be ruthless about what you...
5 Simple Ways to Create a Vision Board
A vision board is a simple but powerful concept. It's a collage of dreams, a collection of pictures, quotes, and goals you have created as a visual representation of what you’re striving to achieve in your life. Here are 5 simple ways to create a 2023 vision board...
5 Reasons Why It’s Okay to Set New Year’s Resolutions
Happy New Year! It’s 2023, have you made your New Year’s resolutions yet? I always hear from a few anti-resolution types, “Oh, I never set New Year’s Resolutions. They are just a waste of time.” I think January 1 is a great time to step back, reflect, and reset,...
The Best Time to Schedule a Job Interview
When is the best time to schedule your interview? The easy answer is whenever it works for the interviewer! After all, that’s the goal — to get the interview, and then the job offer. But what if you are offered a choice of dates and/or times for the interview? When...
Is an In-Person or Virtual Interview Best?
According to HireVue’s 2022 Global Trends Report, 37% of more than 1600 hiring leaders surveyed said they have moved to a combination of both in-person and virtual interviews. Both types of interviews have their pros and cons. If offered the choice, consider...
3 Ways to Find Time to do a Job Search
Go to work, attend meetings, write reports, take classes, go to the gym, shop, take care of your family, cook, clean, and repeat! The list of things you have to do each day is endless. How can you possibly fit in one more thing, like a job search? Here are 3 ways to...
Conduct a Social Media Audit…TODAY!
We all know that background checks are part of any hiring process. Did you know that your future employer will also do a social media search on you? Here are five things you need to do to ensure your social media does not cost you your next job! Conduct a Social...
How to Answer the Salary Question
The dreaded salary question! No one wants to answer it. Everyone wants to ask it. Here is a quick and easy way to handle it in the future. Delay "I know compensation is important as you are considering candidates, I am hoping we can delay thisconversation until we are...
7 Easy Steps to Handle Your Next Salary Negotiation
How to Negotiate Your Salary in 7 Easy Steps Step 1 - Prepare Prepare for the offer by creating a list of questions you have about the organization, work schedule, benefits, and compensation structure. Step 2 - Listen During the call, write down everything they tell...
Networking Your Way to Your Next Job
The single biggest mistake most job searchers make is not asking for help from their network. People want to help you — so let them! But don’t wait until you’re out of work to start developing relationships with your network. The more people who know you are looking...
Don’t Make These 10 Mistakes on LinkedIn
Don’t Dismiss LinkedIn as Something Only for People Who Are Looking for a New Job. The best time to build your LinkedIn profile, connect with people, and participate on LinkedIn is now — before you need it. If you find yourself suddenly unemployed and decide that now...
7 Questions to Ask About Company Culture in An Interview
Picture this: You’re nearing the end of a challenging but fruitful job interview. You think you’ve been effective at communicating what you’re all about. Then the interviewer turns and asks you, “do you have any questions for us?” There’s only so much that can be...
3 Things You MUST Do Before You Start Your Job Search
What if you had to choose between… A Location OR High Earnings A Job Function OR Finding a Job Fast Finding a Job Fast OR Finding a Culture you fit in with Work-life Balance OR Financial Stability Workplace Culture OR Location / Community Financial Stability OR Job...
5 Techniques for Proofreading Your Resume
Don’t send off that resume just yet – one typo could get it routed to your ideal employer’s trash folder. Here are five quick ways to proofread your resume to make sure it’s perfect every time. First: a warmup exercise. Can you find the typos in these sentences? Drove...
3 Ways to Get Organized for Your Job Search
For many people, figuring out which job is right for them becomes a numbers game. By the time you’re done with your job search, you might have applied for 50, 100, or even 200 jobs! How can you keep track of it all, and make sure you’re ready when interviews and...
Is it time to throw out your resume?
When you already have a resume, at a certain point you’re faced with a dilemma: Should I update my existing resume, or is it time to completely reimagine it? This guide will help give you direction to help you decide when it’s time to refresh — and when it’s time to...
5 Resume Mistakes to Avoid!
Many of us wrote our first resume in college and through the years, we just kept adding more jobs, more skills, and more education. Resume styles, formats, and language change over the years. It’s like fashion styles. You wouldn’t wear plaid bell bottoms or a...
Guide to Creating a 30-60-90 Day Plan for a New Job
The first 90 days in a new job generally set the tone for your employment. Three months is the standard “grace period” for new employees, and how you handle those first weeks and months on the job is critical. Creating a 30-60-90...
Activate Your Career with an Informational Interview!
If there is a company you’d like to work for, use this script to ask for an informational interview. This can alsobe a script if you identify a contact who can give you information or help you network to a job. Preparation: Try to find someone you already know at the...
What’s your Elevator Pitch?
“Tell me about yourself,” the interviewer says. “So, what do you do?” asks the person you just met at a networking get-together. First impressions can make the difference in building meaningful and important connections both personal and professional. You find...
The Formula for Quick Introductions
You have probably heard the saying, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” So how do you provide a brief, concise introduction of yourself? This guide will give you some easy formulas to help, no matter what your profession or the situation...
Setting yourself up for success in the New Year
Are you up for success in 2022? Do you have a plan and people around you to encourage and support you in your new career? Learn more…
Should you try contract work?
Thinking of trying contract work but don’t know where to get gigs? Here’s a list of the most visited websites to find contract workers.
11 Best Practices for Working With Applicant Tracking Systems
Applicant Tracking Systems Best Practices When applying for a specific position, include that job title on the résumé. Use the descriptors “phone:” and “email:” in front of the phone number and email address so the ATS can identify this information. When listing dates...
Should I Put My Vaccination Status on My Résumé?
“Fully vaccinated for COVID-19.” Should you include that information on your résumé? Vaccination Mandates at the Workplace The Biden administration announced a new rule from the Department of Labor on Sept. 9, 2021, that will require all companies with 100 or more...
4 Things You Must Do on LinkedIn
To get the most out of your LinkedIn profile, here are 4 things you should do on LinkedIn. 1. Complete Your Profile Your profile is the “front door” to your LinkedIn account. First impressions matter — so make sure you’ve made your profile as complete as possible. As...
Jobseeker’s Guide to Networking Your Way to Your Next Job
The “tried and true” path of networking is still the most successful way to find your next position—anywhere from 40-80% of job placements are attributed to networking. This guide to networking will help you identify who is in your network and how to use these...
3 Early Warning Signs a Career Change Might Be In Your Future
This month, I am thrilled to share this amazing article by Patrice Perillo, MSS, LCSW, The Career Transition Expert. Patrice helps professionals in their 20’s and 30’s find a career they love. If there’s one thing that makes me really sad it’s when I hear...
Jobseeker’s Guide to Virtual Interviews
Traditionally, virtual interviews were used to conduct a pre-screening for an in-person interview and to answer any questions not addressed in the résumé. But, today, phone interviews and video interviews are replacing in-person interviews as we have transitioned to...
Five Keys to Success for a Job Search
There are no hard and fast rules for a job search in a pandemic. Some things about the job search are the same: Companies are still looking to hire problem solvers Your network is important in your job search; contacts can help identify unadvertised job...
12 Strategies to the Hidden Job Market
The “hidden job market” is a phrase that describes job openings that are not publicly advertised. So how do you tap into the hidden job market? Here are some specific tips for tapping into the hidden job market: Let your network know you are looking for a new...
Activate Your Career Dreams Resume Checklist
The purpose of this checklist is to assess how well your resume meets conventionally accepted resume principles. It will also identify areas of improvement to increase your chances of being selected for a job interview. Your resume generally receives a 30-second...
5 Questions to Ask Yourself When Considering Including a Job on Your Resume
Should I include this job on my resume? As with many job search-related issues, the answer is: it depends. Was it planned as a short-term position, or did it simply end up that way? If the job was a contract, the usual answer is: yes, include the job on your résumé....
30-Day LinkedIn Challenge
LinkedIn can be a tool that helps advance your job search and/or career. This 30-day challenge will help you build your network, connect with recruiters and hiring managers you don’t yet know, improve your online presence, and stay “top of mind” with people you...
3 Quick Ways to Activate Your LinkedIn Profile
Your LinkedIn profile is an asset and powerful tool in your career and brand portfolio. It allows you to be found online by recruiters and hiring managers looking for candidates like you. It helps your network introduce you to opportunities. You can connect with...
