Ever wonder why you didn’t land a job, even though you possessed all of the required technical skills? Unfortunately, even the best engineers experience rejection. Remember: companies need your talent to create and build their products. Without your brainpower, companies wouldn't exist. So, how do you convey that to the hiring manager during the interview?

IEEE-USA Today's Engineer - May 2006
Elizabeth Lions
What are engineering employers looking for
http://www.todaysengineer.org/2006/May/jobhunt.asp

A Google search for "résumé writing" will return thousands of links to articles on how to construct a résumé, each promising a fulfilling and rewarding new job. In fact, the Web holds so many articles about résumé writing it’s hard not to become overwhelmed by the sheer volume. The purpose of this article is to help a technical person construct a résumé with a marketing slant.

IEEE-USA Today's Engineer - October 2006
An Engineer's Guide to Résumé Writing
Elizabeth Lions
http://www.todaysengineer.org/2006/Oct/resume_writing.asp

The job hunting process has changed dramatically since the dot-com days of the late 1990s. In those heady days, whatever you had on paper in terms of a resume or cover letter got you the job. In today’s job market, marketing yourself and your skills to prospective employers requires a different approach.

IEEE-USA Today's Engineer - August 2006
Writing Cover Letters That People Will Read
Elizabeth Lions
http://www.todaysengineer.org/2006/Aug/cover_letters.asp

Many engineers align themselves with an employment agency so that they don’t have to go through the trouble of finding another contract. And more often than not, they do not have a positive, or professional experience with a headhunter. Often, they walk away confused, frustrated and jaded, wondering what on earth went wrong.

IEEE-USA Today's Engineer - November 2006
Debunking Employment Agency Myths
Elizabeth Lions
http://www.todaysengineer.org/2006/nov/agencies.asp

Every engineer is familiar with the feelings that can creep in during the few moments before you are called into a job interview. But instead of being overly concerned with the notion that the employer would want your skill set, why not try something different and interview your prospective next boss?

IEEE-USA Today's Engineer - September 2006
Interview Your Next Boss
Elizabeth Lions
http://www.todaysengineer.org/2006/Sep/interview.asp

Successful negotiation involves business skills as well as interpersonal skills. Often, engineers look at the negotiating conversation as unpleasant, because it implies conflict and anger. Learning how to negotiate from a non-emotional point will greatly increase the chance that the outcomes will be positive for both parties.

IEEE-USA Today's Engineer - December 2006
Elizabeth Lions
Negotiations: Handling Difficult Conversations
http://www.todaysengineer.org/2006/Dec/negotiations.asp

You recently started exploring the job market, just to see what's out there. Low and behold, you stumbled across a position with a company that is everything you’ve ever wanted — more pay, good management, a challenging product line. You decide to take the offer, but your current boss surprises you with a counter offer. Now what do you do?

IEEE-USA Today's Engineer - Jan-Feb 2007
Counter-Offer Conundrum
Elizabeth Lions
http://www.todaysengineer.org/2007/Jan-Feb/conundrum.asp

Proper technique and good manners can turn interactions with corporate gatekeepers from frustrating to fruitful. Learn how to increase the odds that gatekeepers will grant you access to important decision-makers. Start with the premise that gatekeepers aren't enemies; like you, they are professionals trying their best to fulfill their assignments, keep the boss happy, and get rewarded for a job well done.

IEEE-USA Today's Engineer - May 2006
Converting Gatekeepers into Greeters
Debra Feldman
http://www.todaysengineer.org/2006/May/gatekeeper.asp

Establishing a connection inside a company to obtain an appointment may require clever, innovative persistence. Here are a few tips to help you launch a more effective targeted campaign.

IEEE-USA Today's Engineer - March 2006
When Seeking a New Job, Think Like an Employer
Debra Feldman
http://www.todaysengineer.org/2006/Mar/think.asp

Conducting a successful networking campaign demands that you stretch beyond your established circles to new, well-connected individuals.

IEEE-USA Today's Engineer - April 2006
Build Your Network Purposefully (Before You Need a Job)
Debra Feldman
http://www.todaysengineer.org/2006/Apr/network.asp

Self-promotion doesn’t come easily to everyone. It may even seem incompatible with the straight-arrow engineering profession. But engineers — as professionals who change society for the better — are entitled to speak up about their entrepreneurship, their innovations, their awards and new contracts, the impact of engineering on our everyday lives, and so much more.

IEEE-USA Today's Engineer - November 2006
Engineer, Promote Thyself
Robin C. Peress
http://www.todaysengineer.org/2006/nov/promotion.asp

Engineers are trained to innovate, but some haven't honed the skills necessary to influence others and to develop ideas that increase profits. Managers are often trained to elicit creativity, but they can’t always get into engineers' minds to harvest their ideas.

IEEE-USA Today's Engineer - April 2007
All Engineers Need Leadership Skills
Gary C. Hinkle
http://www.todaysengineer.org/2007/Apr/leadership-skills.asp

Looking to take your career to the next level, an effective way to achieve that goal is to establish yourself as an expert in your field and make yourself available to the media as an expert source.

IEEE-USA Today's Engineer - May 2007
Boost Your Career by Becoming an Expert Source
John R. Platt
http://www.todaysengineer.org/2007/May/experts.asp

Career building is a continuous activity that requires awareness, and making adjustments to take advantage of rapid changes in local, national and international conditions.

IEEE-USA Today's Engineer - February 2006
Globalization and Your Career: Building Career Resilience
Terrance Malkinson
http://www.todaysengineer.org/2006/Feb/globalization.asp

Careers don't just reflect which jobs are available, they represent who we are as people. Fast Company was founded on that notion (among others). The ensuing 10 years have seen everything from the rise of online job boards to the Brand Called You, the birth of blogs to offshoring. All of these developments have had a significant impact on the way we manage our careers--and the next 10 years promise to be just as dramatic.

Fastcompany.com
Creating a Gem of a Career
http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/103/playbook-gem.html

What does it take to become an entrepreneur and get your business off the ground? Here's some advice from those who have done it. From finding the right attorney to networking, take a closer look at these strategies for success.

BusinessWeek Online
Ten Startup Secrets
http://biz.yahoo.com/special/smallbiz06_article1.html

However, as with so many other things, career planning is a topic about which I have plenty of opinions. And since I started this blog, I've received a lot of questions from people who are looking for career planning advice. So, this series of posts will present my opinions on career planning in today's world.