The obvious may not be so obvious. Employers who are in the hiring capacity continue to tell us that it often comes down to the little things when they are putting together their final interview lists. Tops on the list are: candidates who include a cover letter addressed to the right person (Be a detective and do your research); resumes and cover letters that clearly document how your skills are a match for the job (include specific examples); and neat and error free resumes and cover letters. Top interview errors include candidates who have not adequately researched the company and candidates who spend too long answering interview questions.

Each year millions of workers are terminated. Working through the job loss grief cycle has many ups and downs and can be similar to experiencing a death. During this time, it is natural to have an identity crisis, however, if you find yourself experiencing prolonged periods of anger and depression seek professional counseling. Remember to establish positive coping strategies, join a job loss support group, and try to do something each day on your job search.

Are you having trouble writing job descriptions that will get attention? Try variations of these action phrases to update your resume.

Recognized for excellent_________________
Managed __ strategic accounts with sales of _____
Trainer for a staff of __
Analyzed emerging technology and made recommendations to senior management
Supervised customer service for __ regional accounts
Implemented new ___ resulting in ___
Met and exceeded all quarterly and annual sales goals

When writing personal statements for graduate school admission, think about your life and try to find an unusual slant that you can relate to your professional goals. In essence, what makes you a unique applicant? Provide specific examples to back up each point. Above all, make the statement interesting for the readers and edit thoroughly.

Thinking of staying home for a few years to care for young children or a sick family member? In order to keep the network alive and pave the way for future job opportunities, be strategic about your exit. Offer to help your current boss train a replacement. Offer to do contract work during the busy season. Schedule a quarterly lunch meeting with your former co-workers or supervisor in order to stay up-to-date in the field. Remain active in your professional organizations and attend their monthly networking luncheons/events. Consider using your professional skills in a part-time volunteer capacity with a non-profit agency in order to avoid critical resume gaps.

According to Susan Ireland in the Perfect Resume, include the following at the top of your resume when using a "Summary of Qualifications" section:

• Amount of experience in the field (i.e. Over ten years experience as a controller for a mid-sized company).
• Relevant technical skills, languages, or credential(s) (i.e. Fluent in Spanish; MBA; Oracle certified.)
• How would your best friend describe your abilities that would make an employer want to call you? (I.e. Led a team that...; Restructured IT department resulting in more efficient...)
• How is success measured in the target job objective? (I.e. Reputation for consistently exceeding sales quotas.)

Across the country many professional organizations and alumni associations are hosting Speed Networking events. Such events are geared not only to job seekers, but individuals desiring to generate new business contacts, meet people, or simply get acclimated to a new city. Since the events are moderated, they are structured in nature allowing each person to have equal time. Through a business card exchange, you are free to follow-up with contacts whom you share a connection.

With 80% of jobs being found through some form of networking, it sure makes sense to attend a Speed Networking event as part of your professional development. Watch the UK Alumni Association's homepage for upcoming Speed Networking events.

Employees with learning disabilities are often in Catch-22 situations. Should they disclose their learning disability and risk being stigmatized or not disclose and risk being let go for not meeting expectations or poor performance? Consider disclosing your disability before it impacts performance, be specific about your requests, and offer examples of your past successes.