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Think about this week’s topic as continuing education. A recent survey by OI Partners, which has an office in Charlotte, gives important insight into what employers most value in you.

I love this quote from local psychologist and life coach Jeannie Fennell: “Work is now a patchwork quilt, and not a security blanket,” she said as we discussed her recent interactions with job seekers.

Imagine looking for work with no transportation, no Internet access and maybe no computer to create and print your resume. That’s reality for a lot of job seekers, and Charlotte Works is putting out a plea for help.

Coming off of last week’s discussion on networking, a reader wrote in asking for more specific advice. Her situation may be similar to yours.

I hear from a lot of readers who say they’re getting out there, trying to network whenever and wherever they can. But I know that’s not the case for everyone.

Is it a sign of an improving economy? A new survey from OI Partners-Compass Management Solutions shows two out of three employers are now focused on retaining their most talented workers.

For 10 years, Rebecca Pitts coached approximately 50,000 bank employees on how to behave in meetings, lunches and dinners, both domestic and international. She now runs her own company based in Charlotte called Personal and Professional Protocol covering a broad range of topics. She has great advice for job seekers as well, and reminds them that companies don’t hire on skills alone.

We learned this past week that from 2000 to 2010, the Charlotte region’s population surged nearly 65 percent. Even with unemployment above the national average, people are still moving here now. Executive recruiter Jeff Kornegay of Colony Search Group sees it every day.

Business card sales may be declining in favor of technology, but there is an innovative way to use the basic 2-by-3.5-inch card in your job search.

I get questions weekly about resumes. What should I include or exclude? Should I go into great detail or keep it brief?

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Bobby Sisk
Watch Bobby Sisk weekdays at 4 and 5:30 p.m. on the Observer's News Partner, WCNC, NewsChannel 36.