College Central Podcasts: Career and Job Search Advice

The annual company holiday party is coming up and you're invited. Listen up! Office parties, holiday or not, can be a minefield of manners and social skills. Don't sink your career by colliding with an iceberg of ignorance.

Why be fluent in body language? Conscious or not, body language often reveals what we are thinking and feeling, something smart detectives--and interviewers--notice. Your resume may be filled with credentials, but are you as impressive in person as you are in print?

Despite your compelling cover letter and impressive resume, an employer may request references to verify your credentials and character. Here's how to obtain those candidacy confirming connections and have others to back up your good name with theirs.

Job fairs are an excellent opportunity to meet multiple employers in one convenient location. These face-to-face forums allow you to learn first hand about prospective employers and their hiring needs, and to present your credentials in person without a prior appointment. Here's how to meet recruiters who are ready and willing to speak with you at your convenience!

Few can advance your job search or career success like a mentor. Having "been there, and done it," a mentor can show you the ropes, build your self-confidence, help you think strategically, and enable you to better transition into a company. Jump-start your evolutionary process to success. Here's how to be inspired to aspire!

Your military tour is over and you're about to enter or return to the civilian workforce. How do you transition from wings and 0900 hours to wingtips and 5:00 p.m. occupations? Answer: Focus on your transferable skills and give yourself a job search advantage.

Internships are an excellent way to enhance your resume, expand your knowledge base, and get your foot in the job market. In fact, many recruiters now expect to see multiple internships on a resume. Here's how to preview a career path, gain real world experience, and make yourself a more marketable job candidate.

If you think the interview process ends with the handshake at the end of the meeting, think again! Despite your good credentials, possibly even a great interview, a follow up thank you (or lack thereof) can still make or break the deal.

While telephone interviews may not require a pressed suit or travel directions, they are no less important than in-person interviews. As more companies choose this means to pre-screen job candidates, know what it takes to answer the call and make a good impression.

Starting a new job in a new place can be exciting. However, the physical act of relocating is less romantic. Here's how to make sure your career move to a new location isn't a bumpy one.

Job interviews are not limited to company board rooms or HR offices. Employers also evaluate prospectives during business meals, where even your table manners indicate how you could potentially represent the company in a public forum. Here's the dish on how not to choke at a business lunch interview.

Networking enables you to expand your circle and build relationships for greater personal and professional advancement. Remember the saying: It's not what you know, it's whom you know. Here's how to network so that you can create career connections through communication and contacts.

As a job seeker, you will be judged by how well you communicate, even in emails. Remember, a prospective employer is not your BFF. If you want to be taken seriously, familiarize yourself with online communication manners and protocol.

As a job seeker, among thousands of other job seekers, how do you separate, differentiate, and elevate yourself from the rest of the competition? You begin by building You, The Brand.

Cover letters are an integral part of your online or in-person resume. They are your first opportunity to sell yourself as the product. Cover letters explain why you believe you are a good fit for the position, and help separate you from the competition. In fact, some employers won't even read a resume without a cover letter. Here's how to approach this key job search component.