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"For many job seekers, finding the right fit could be one of the biggest hurdles in the search. After all, finding an appealing job that you'll enjoy is a big decision. You don't want to regret your choice after a week - and you certainly don't want to feel like you've wasted ten years of your life when you finally realize it's not the right fit."

"The economic and educational disadvantages of low-income black students who struggle to complete college are well-documented. While black students at elite universities don't necessarily fit into that category, a new book says they face social and institutional obstacles of their own - obstacles that ultimately drive them away from the high-status, high-paying jobs that they're qualified for in fields such as engineering, science, finance and information technology. And while the reasons are complex, universities are partly at fault, the book argues."

"It came down to two final job candidates for a new vice-president position. One had better experience but came across as arrogant. The other had a more self-effacing personality, which is why Adam Wallen, CEO of BIO2 Technologies, a medical-device start-up based in Woburn, Mass., chose the less qualified candidate. "

"Do you remember your first day on a new job? Were you prepared for the job description? Was it a good fit? "

"With the country's unemployment hovering around 10%, many professionals are on the hunt for the perfect job. But what job? What industry? To the rescue are online career-assessment tests that aim to help workers (and daydreamers) identify suitable jobs and work environments. We took four tests to learn what fields are a good fit for a longtime reporter: the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), the Kolbe A Index, the Motivational Appraisal of Personal Potential (MAPP) test, and a service called Careerkey. "

"For Valentine's Day on Monday, Amy McMahon will be celebrating twice. She's preparing a romantic candlelight dinner for her longtime boyfriend and giving him a gift card from his favorite fitness website. That same day, Ms. McMahon will be giving her "work husband" some small heart-shaped cakes and a sentimental card."

Everybody looking for a job has a resume. Great. You are now equal with everyone else in the world. Some resumes are better than others and it's important that yours clearly outlines the value that a company can expect to find in you. And one that excites an HR or hiring manager about the fit and promise your background suggests.

So many working people out there feel frustrated and stuck in their careers . They feel trapped in jobs that don't fit, unable to make a change. Eventually, a negative perspective starts to permeate everything.

Finding a job in a recession is tough, let alone one that suits your background and interests. But a strong fit is important. Chances are you won't be happy if, say, you're an introvert and vegetarian working as a sales rep for a foie gras purveyor.

Dear J.T. & Dale: My husband and I both have worked in high tech for more than 20 years. With all the stress from outsourcing and reorgs and overly aggressive management, we feel like Lucy and Ethel in that famous "I Love Lucy" episode where the assembly line keeps gets cranked up faster and faster. We've been investigating alternative careers, but none of the resources we've used addresses how the work environment fits into the picture. We fear making a career change that ends up trapping us in a new toxic environment. - Kathy

"As I talk to countless job seekers as a recruiter, and through the job networking groups I lead, it's common to hear people say something like… I wouldn't want to pursue a job at that company, I hear it's a terrible place to work!"