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Speaking Point: The job market and high unemployment show no signs of real improvement.  How do you land a job and compete against many others when the odds are against you?  The first and most important step: Recognize that a few of the most popular beliefs and practices about job search are out of date and irrelevant.  Then replace them with a dynamic strategy that will get out there and back to work.

Speaking Point: Myth: Mature job seekers are at a disadvantage. As an experienced, more mature employee you can tap knowledge and insights acquired over time to deliver solutions that are tied directly to both the bottom-line and to operational efficiencies.  It's the equivalent of shorthand.  You can do it better, smarter, and faster.  You have the potential to hit the ground running immediately and to add value just as quickly.

Speaking Point: Myth: Don't respond to on-line postings. Job search happens using four techniques: Responding to postings, working with recruiters, networking, and contacting companies directly.  Although hundreds of people in job search, perhaps even thousands, will respond to an on-line posting, most just "click and send".  There are virtually no barriers to on-line search and that, in large part, makes it easy for lazy and unqualified people to respond.  When you pay attention to the job requirements and specifications and your resume matches them directly point by point, you improve the odds of hearing from the hiring company exponentially.

Speaking Point: Myth: Never discuss salary or comp expectations in the first interview. The goal in interviews is to get invited for further interviews and then, ultimately and at the right time, to receive an offer.  When salary information is requested early on and you don't provide the numbers, you are likely to be eliminated from consideration.  An interview is never a debate.  My recommendation, always, is to share and to advise: "Here's what I earned and/or what I'm looking for...but please know that salary is not a priority for me.  It's finding a great opportunity".  In truth, there is rarely a downside to sharing salary details.  Interviews should be used to showcase your skills, talents, and experience, and your potential to add significant value both immediately and over the longer term.

Speaking Point: Myth: Resumes should only be 1 page. Shorter is always better but it also depends on your level of seniority, the breadth of your experience, and the range and variety of organizations you've worked for.  Bear in mind that most readers are lazy but if you grab their attention from the very start of your resume they'll want to read more.

Speaking Point: Myth: A resume should be comprehensive: No, No, No!  If you make a resume an inventory and you've had a long career, what you did at work 30 years ago is most likely irrelevant and distracting.

Speaking Point: Myth: You must include dates of graduation. If you edit the Experience section as suggested above to include only your more current and interesting roles, then you'll have a disconnect if you leave the dates of graduation in.  So if you're asked about "when and why", that's an opportunity to say that you left the dates off intentionally.  Yes, to highlight the most relevant, exciting and important experience, and to not distract the reader.