The Howard Group : Candidate Advice

Conducting a job search can be a daunting task. Believe us, we understand. We hope that our library of information provides you guidance, insight, and inspiration for your job search. Trust in the fact that there is a job out there for you. It's just a matter of finding it.

Click the subjects below to read advice on various topics in conducting a job search.

Career Assessment

The first step in a successful job search is deciding WHAT YOU WANT TO DO! You are about to embark on a journey which will lead you to your next career position. How will you get there if you don’t know exactly where you want to go? This career assessment exercise will help you determine your “career destination.”
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Cover Letters

Avoid sending your cover letter and resume to HR if possible. Do your research, call the company, find out who your boss would be, and send it to that person. You'll probably end up in HR, but don't start out there.
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Developing a Professional Image

Having a professional image is vital to success in a job search. This article will address the three essential components of a professional image: appearance, communication (verbal and non-verbal), and professional etiquette.
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Employed But Thinking

Do not quit your job, and do not confide in your co-workers! But do be prepared to spend several hours a week in the evenings and weekends for at least a few months doing these things:
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How To Resign

Resigning is always awkward. If you use these concepts, you can smooth over some of the rough edges.
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Interviewing

The modern trend in interviewing is behavior-based questioning. This style of interview requires you to provide concrete examples of past behaviors.
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Interviewing – Tactics

These are thoughts, ideas, and strategies regarding the interviewing process. These concepts work, however, every interview has its own personality. If it doesn't feel right to use an approach, don't force it.
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Interviewing – Tough Questions

What is a tough question? Simply put, it’s a question you wish the interviewer did not ask or a question you do not have a good answer for.
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Reject the Counteroffer

Here are the top 10 reasons to not accept a counteroffer from your current employer.
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Resumes - Content

Resumes are the appetizer, not the entrée. The more you say, the more you risk getting screened.
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Resumes – Formatting

There are a variety of formatting options for resumes that can present your credentials in an impactful and organized manner. There are an equal number that can make a good resume look terrible. Here are some general guidelines.
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