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#YourCareer : 3 Tips To Ask For A Raise In An Uncertain Economy. In a Down Economy, Timing is Everything! How Did you Ask?

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In today’s economy, the prospect of asking for a raise can be more intimidating than usual, yet with more mass layoffs and rising inflation, even more necessary. With so much uncertainty, many employees find themselves wondering if it’s the right time to approach their managers about the salary increase that they desperately need to weather the difficult financial times.

To understand the gravity of the issue, let’s look at some recent data: Roughly 28% of Americans have been laid off in the past two years, and U.S. incomes have decreased for the third year in a row. When 48% of Americans have anxiety about even keeping their job, asking for a raise can seem unthinkable.

However, with the right approach, it’s still possible to advocate for fair compensation. Here are some tips to do it right and secure that pay increase you deserve.

1. Research And Reflect

Before you even think about scheduling a meeting with your supervisor, do your homework. Utilize salary comparison websites, professional networks and industry reports to gather data on industry standards and salary benchmarks for your role.

Next, reflect on your performance. Highlight your responsibilities, achievements, and any additional skills or certifications you’ve acquired since your last salary negotiation. By keeping printouts of positive client feedback, and noting where you’ve exceeded expectations in your job, you’re in a good spot! Be prepared to demonstrate your value to the company, especially in terms of contributing to stability during difficult times. Your research and reflection will not only help you determine a fair raise request, but it will also boost your confidence during the conversation.

 

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Updated NEWS: #BestofFSCBlog – Aug23 we hit Two Milestones: #1– Hit over 1.2 million impressions on our FSC Career Blogs within 7 days on LinkedIn……. #2– Over 3.5 Million participates on our FSC Career Blog page below within three years!  Both the Team/myself want to thank you all for participating! …… Chris G. & Team,www.firstsun.com

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Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & Type (Jobsearch, Resume, Networking, etc) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

What Skill Sets Do You Have to be ‘Sharpened‘?

 

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, Llc (FSC) is celebrating over 32 years in delivering corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!   Visit us @ www.firstsun.com  OR Ask for a Quote for Services at  info@firstsun.com

We here at FSC want to thank each of our corporate partners for the opportunity to serve & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment!

 

Article continued …

2. Know That Timing Is Everything

In a down economy, timing becomes a much more critical factor in requesting a raise. Consider the financial health of your company and industry: if your organization is facing financial difficulties or laying off employees, it may not be the best time to ask for a raise; however, if your company is relatively stable or has recently reported positive financial results, your manager may be more receptive to the idea.

Nonetheless, there is always room to compensate someone more if they’re overdelivering in their results, and indispensable to the team.

Be sure to choose an appropriate moment within your company’s annual review cycle or budget planning period. Strategic timing can increase the likelihood of a positive response.

To make the conversation more casual and well-received, you might frame the meeting as a time to outline your financial goals and ask how you and your manager can work together to put you on track to meet these objectives, instead as the end all be all negotiation table.

3. Emphasize Your Value And Loyalty

In a downturn, employers often prioritize adaptable and resourceful employees who can help the organization weather the storm. When you approach your manager for a raise, emphasize your ability to adapt to changing circumstances, your willingness to take on additional responsibilities, and your contributions to cost-saving measures or revenue generation.

Showcase specific examples of how your skills and effort have made a difference in the company’s performance. By positioning yourself as an indispensable asset and a loyal employee, you not only justify your request for a raise but also demonstrate your commitment to the organization’s success.

While asking for a raise in a down economy may seem like a daunting task, it’s not an impossible one. Remember that open and respectful communication with your employer is key to achieving your financial goals, even during challenging economic times.

Approach the conversation with confidence and a clear understanding of your worth, and you may find that your employer is more willing to reward your contributions than you anticipated. In the end, it’s not just about asking for a raise; it’s about asking for fair compensation and recognizing your own value in the workplace.

Forbes.com |  November 7, 2023 | Ashley Stahl

#JobSearch : 70% Of Workers Lie On Resumes, New Study Shows. 80% Lie During Job Interview. Recruiters, Does this Surprise You?

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Applying for a new job can be an arduous task, depending on the company and the process they have in place. Many job seekers have bad experiences during the interview process, and 42% of candidates decline offers as a direct result of a bad interview experience. But the process works both ways. An unspoken rule for job applicants is to be honest and not be rude during an interview. But what goes on before the interview when job seekers write their cover letters and resumes?

Rates Of Lying on a Resume

In August of this year, ResumeLab surveyed 1914 participants in the Job Applicant Behavior Survey and found that workers are lying at very high rates throughout the job application process. The study reported that lying rates increase in cover letters and peak during job interviews. The top lies told on resumes were embellishing job titles and responsibilities in general (52%), exaggerating the number of people managed (45%) and overstating length of employment (37%). When asked, “Have you ever lied on a resume?,” respondents claimed:

  • 70% of workers confess they have lied on their resumes with 37% of those admitting that they lie frequently. 37% yes, I lie frequently; 33% yes, I have lied once or twice; 15% no, but I have considered lying; 15% no, and I have never considered lying.
  • 76% of workers admit they have lied in their cover letters, with 50% of those admitting to frequently lying.
  • 80% of workers say they have lied during a job interview, with 44% of those admitting to frequently lying.
  • Job seekers are lying the most during job interviews, then in their cover letters and then on their resumes.
  • Those with Master’s or doctoral degrees reported higher incidences of lying on resumes (58% frequently lie, 27% have lied once or twice = 85% total) compared to people without a college degree (29% frequently lie, 42% have lied once or twice = 71% total), with those with bachelor’s or associate degrees lying the least (30% frequently lie, 33% have lied once or twice = 63%).

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Updated NEWS: #BestofFSCBlog – Aug23 we hit Two Milestones: #1– Hit over 1.2 million impressions on our FSC Career Blogs within 7 days on LinkedIn……. #2– Over 3.5 Million participates on our FSC Career Blog page below within three years!  Both the Team/myself want to thank you all for participating! …… Chris G. & Team,www.firstsun.com

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Question: Searching for ‘the Best Daily Career Search Articles/Blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & Type(Jobsearch, Resume, Networking, etc) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

What Skill Sets Do You Have to be ‘Sharpened‘?

 

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, Llc (FSC) is celebrating over 32 years in delivering corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!   Visit us @ www.firstsun.com  OR Ask for a Quote for Services at  info@firstsun.com

We here at FSC want to thank each of our corporate partners for the opportunity to serve & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment!

Article continued …

What Job Seekers Lie About

The top lies job seekers tell on their resumes:

  • Embellishing responsibilities in general (52%)
  • My job title (to make it sound more impressive) (52%)
  • Fabricating how many people I actually managed (45%)
  • The length of time I was employed at a job (37%)
  • The name of the company that employed me (31%)
  • Made up the entire position (24%)
  • Inflating metrics or accomplishments I achieved (e.g. sales numbers) (17%)
  • My skills section (15%)
  • Awards or accolades (13%)
  • Volunteer work (11%)
  • My education credentials (11%)
  • Covered up a career gap (9%)
  • Technology capabilities (knowing tools like Trello, Asana, etc.) (5%)

Lying on your resume is not only unethical, says Resumelab career expert Agata Szczepanek, but it can lead to your job applications being immediately rejected, losing out on other job opportunities, and damaging your reputation with other employers, especially ones in the same industry. “If you get caught, it might result in legal actions such as huge fines and in extreme cases even imprisonment. “Honesty is always the best policy when it comes to job applications and interviews,” Szczepanek, insists. “Even slightly stretching the truth can result in immediate or long-term consequences. Instead of lying about employment history, education or something more, workers should try shifting the focus to the related experience and transferable skills they can offer,” she states.

Lying in Cover Letters

76% of workers said they have lied in their cover letters, with 50% of those admitting to frequently lying. When asked, “Have you ever lied on a cover letter?” respondents claimed:

  • 50% yes, I lie frequently
  • 26% yes, I have lied once or twice
  • 15% no, and I have never considered lying
  • 9% no, but I have considered lying

Those with Master’s or doctoral degrees reported higher incidences of lying on cover letters (73% frequently lie, 17% have lied once or twice = 90% total) compared to people without a college degree (49% frequently lie, 34% have lied once or twice = 83% total), with those with bachelor’s or associate degrees lying the least (40% frequently lie, 29% have lied once or twice = 69%).

Lying During Job Interviews

80% of workers said they have lied during a job interview, with 44% of those admitting to frequently lying. When asked, “Have you ever lied in a job interview?” respondents claimed:

  • 44% yes, I lie frequently
  • 36% yes, I have lied once or twice
  • 20% no, I have not lied

Once again, those with Master’s or doctoral degrees reported higher incidences of lying on cover letters (63% frequently lie, 25% have lied once or twice = 88% total) compared to people without a college degree (31% frequently lie, 53% have lied once or twice = 84% total), with those with bachelor’s or associate degrees lying the least (38% frequently lie, 38% have lied once or twice = 76%).

Options To Land A Dream Job Without Lying

Szczepanek says lying on a resume isn’t worth the consequences. She suggests there are eight lines of action to consider to boost your chances of landing that dream job instead of lying before or during a job interview.

  1. Craft strong application documents. They are your chance to make a positive first impression on potential employers. You can use professional online creators, read guides written by career experts, or watch videos with tips on how to do that. Choose whatever works best for you. The Internet is an invaluable source of materials that could help you.
  2. Ensure a hiring manager can easily find your work experience and education details. Optimize your resume for skimming and quick reading. Lay out things on the document clearly.
  3. Don’t forget about formatting. Font and spacing may turn out to be your best friends on your job-hunting journey.
  4. Tailor your resume to fit the job and the company. Focus on your education, past work experience, and skills that may be crucial for the position and valuable for the potential employer.
  5. Get to know the company’s culture and values. It will help you provide real-life examples illustrating that you are a good cultural fit for the company and how your values align with theirs.
  6. Anything that shows your ambition, willingness to grow, and learning abilities may turn out to be essential for your potential employer. Remember to mention your extracurricular activities or classes, scientific circles, volunteering, etc.
  7. Take pride in your achievements, and don’t be afraid to show it. Highlight your top skills, desirable personality traits, positive work habits, and accomplishments. Try to relate them to the position you’re applying for.
  8. Be enthusiastic and honest. Present yourself as a valuable employee, a dedicated colleague, and an interesting person. Authenticity is easier and worth way more than fabricating a resume.
Forbes.com | November 5, 2023

#YourCareer : Why it Pays to Provide Recommendations to Others on LinkedIn. How Many Recommendations do You Have or Better, Given?

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One of LinkedIn’s most vital, yet neglected, goals is to obtain as many recommendations from past supervisors, bosses, peers, and co-workers as possible to enrich your profile. You can never have enough! If you are undergoing interviews for job consideration, future employers can link to the recommenders and find out more about you on the social media platform. They can also contact your referrals to get the ‘skinny’ on your past performance.

But what if you are not actively looking for a job and are more of a passive careerist? What is the point of getting involved in the recommendation process? Exposure and branding. Did you catch in the previous paragraph that I noted future employers can link to the recommender and engage? What do they see when they click on the link to your name in another person’s recommendation? Your profile. This subtle branding gives you more exposure and eyeballs on your LinkedIn profile and reputation, enabling you to build your brand.

Your LinkedIn profile is a rich marketing vehicle for your skills and capabilities. Once you have reached 100% profile completeness, recruiters and headhunters may see your referrals to others and link through to your profile. If you provide your contact information in the summary section, recruiters can easily pick up a phone or send an email. Once folks link into your profile – you may be a ‘better candidate’ for the position they are trying to fill. What a great way to passively shop for a new job, right?

 

Like this Article?  Share It!You can now easily enjoy/follow/share Today our Award-Winning Articles/Blogs with Now Over 3.5 Million Growing Participates Worldwide in our various Social Media formats below:

Updated NEWS: #BestofFSCBlog – Aug23 we hit Two Milestones: #1– Hit over 1.2 million impressions on our FSC Career Blogs within 7 days on LinkedIn……. #2– Over 3.5 Million participates on our FSC Career Blog page below within three years!  Both the Team/myself want to thank you all for participating! …… Chris G. & Team,www.firstsun.com

Daily FSC Career Blogs/Articles: Articles/blogs on today’s Job Search (Over 8K Daily Readers)- Go to ‘Blog Search’ & type in updated info on resumes, job search, networking, social media job search, etc.

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Question: Searching for ‘the Best Daily Career Search Articles/Blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & Type(Jobsearch, Resume, Networking, etc) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

What Skill Sets Do You Have to be ‘Sharpened‘?

 

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, Llc (FSC) is celebrating over 32 years in delivering corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!   Visit us @ www.firstsun.com  OR Ask for a Quote for Services at  info@firstsun.com

We here at FSC want to thank each of our corporate partners for the opportunity to serve & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment!

 

Article continued …

Who do you want to provide recommendations for? Look for the shakers and movers in the industry with which you worked in the past or your current position. Look for your LinkedIn connections with many folks connecting to them. Search out profile owners who have a considerable following. Look at the company profiles for businesses you used to work for employees on the profile for which you can provide recommendations.

On some company pages, you may see profile owners in a listing for ‘most recommended.’ Clicking on that profile might take you to the profile where you can send a connection invitation to a high-powered industry expert. Once they accept your invitation to connect, more people will look at your profile because they want to connect to that mover and shaker, too!

Remember that exposure – in a good way – is vital to branding yourself and increasing your public relations to a new and potential strategic alliance with future employers. Get your name in front of past co-workers – they may remember what a great job you did and realize you are still a great job candidate. Many companies are realizing that alumni job candidates are even more valuable as rehires than brand-new employees who come to the job as strangers. Recognizing your name as a referral may prompt fond memories of your past performance…and result in an interview phone call!

 

FSC Career Blog Author:   Dawn Boyer, Ph.D., owner of D. Boyer Consulting – provides resume writing, editing, publishing, and print-on-demand consulting. Reach her at Dawn.Boyer@me.com or visit her website at www.dboyerconsulting.com.

FSC Career Blog – November 1, 2023

#JobSearch : What Is The Magic Number For How Many Résumés To Send Out? For Some, The Answer Exceeds 500. What’s Your Number?

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The job market can be challenging for job seekers, and many factors can impact their ability to find new employment. However, it is essential for them to be persistent and to continue to apply for jobs that are the right fit for their skills, experience and background, as the application process is a numbers game.

But how many résumés must a job seeker submit to be successful in their quest for a new role? For some people, the number has soared beyond 500 job applications, according to Bloomberg.

This data point illustrates how tough it is for Americans to find a new job in this current economy. Some may send out hundreds of résumés without receiving any offers. Job hunters must also contend with rejections, ghosting and rude treatment along the way.

 

Like this Article?  Share It!    You can now easily enjoy/follow/share Today our Award-Winning Articles/Blogs with Now Over 3.5 Million Growing Participates Worldwide in our various Social Media formats below:

Updated NEWS: #BestofFSCBlog – Aug23 we hit Two Milestones: #1– Hit over 1.2 million impressions on our FSC Career Blogs within 7 days on LinkedIn……. #2– Over 3.5 Million participates on our FSC Career Blog page below within three years!  Both the Team/myself want to thank you all for participating! …… Chris G. & Team,www.firstsun.com

Daily FSC Career Blogs/Articles: Articles/blogs on today’s Job Search (Over 8K Daily Readers)- Go to ‘Blog Search’ & type in updated info on resumes, job search, networking, social media job search, etc.

https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

New- FSC LinkedIn Newsletter– Daily articles/blogs on Today’s Job Market & Seach. Subscribe Today!

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Question: Searching for ‘the Best Daily Career Search Articles/Blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & Type (Jobsearch, Resume, Networking, etc) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

What Skill Sets Do You Have to be ‘Sharpened‘?

 

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, Llc (FSC) is celebrating over 32 years in delivering corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!   Visit us @ www.firstsun.com  OR Ask for a Quote for Services at  info@firstsun.com

We here at FSC want to thank each of our corporate partners for the opportunity to serve & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment!

 

Article continued …

Why Is It So Difficult?

The days of the Great Resignation are long gone—when workers held all the bargaining power and were quickly hired to meet business demands. With employers now having the upper hand in the labor market, they are being picky. Companies have hyperspecific job requirements for candidates, and if they fail to meet all of these requisites, they are out of contention for the role.

Employers are slow-walking the hiring process, as they are in cost-cutting mode. Research by human capital advisory firm Josh Bersin Company and workforce solutions business AMS found that the duration for global hiring is at an “all-time high.” Many positions remain vacant for two to three months or more, which the report calls “unsustainable if companies are to remain competitive and keep pace with the fast-changing needs of their industry.”

Employers will still post job listings to appear as if the company is growing and thriving, but in reality, it’s a ploy to gain a pipeline of résumés for the future, when circumstances improve.

By receiving high volumes of résumés, corporations can get a good sense of the labor market. Knowing that there are more job seekers than positions open to them, in their industry and at their skill level, employers may degrade their pay scale because of supply and demand.

Some companies are just not hiring at the pace in which they did in the past. This is due to various factors, such as economic uncertainty or decreased consumer spending.

People are desperately applying for any job, even if they’re not qualified. It’s a case of “shooting their shot” or “spraying and praying” their résumé everywhere, hoping that they will eventually get a company’s attention.

The Job Market Has Softened For White-Collar Professionals

Hiring managers are hesitant to hire new employees if they are concerned about the state of the economy. They may be worried about having to lay off workers, if the economic outlook continues to dampen.

As we approach the holiday season, the hiring pace begins to stall, as key decision-makers are out of the office and may not be as focused on hiring new employees.

The job market has cooled considerably compared to 2021. Layoffs, hiring freezes and pullbacks in certain sectors, like tech, have reduced opportunities. For instance, over 1,000 companies have laid off more than 246,000 professionals in the tech industry, according to Layoff.fyi.

Job Hunters May Need To Rethink Their Strategy

If you are not gaining traction in your job search after months of trying, it’s time to take stock of what you’ve been doing. It makes sense to conduct a self-assessment and audit of your job search strategy to determine if you are self-sabotaging.

Take a fresh look at your résumé, LinkedIn profile and social media presence. On the logistics side, you must ensure that your grammar, punctuation and spelling are accurate. Remember to include a phone number and email address so people can contact you. Poorly formatted résumés could be reducing callbacks

Your responsibilities, past accomplishments and achievements should jump out at the reader and make them take notice. Be specific and quantify your success with data, numbers and examples. Ensure that your résumé, LinkedIn profile, elevator pitch, social media profiles and postings highlight your success, brand and core responsibilities. Let the reader know what you want to do next, so that they understand your goals.

If you bombard a company with résumés and application submissions for over a dozen different job listings, this approach will epically fail. The human resources and talent acquisition professionals will assume that you’re taking a scattershot approach to your job search and couldn’t care less about the job or company. To them, it’s like you’re throwing things against the wall and hoping it sticks.

Forbes.com | October 31, 2023 | Jack Kelly 

#JobSearch : The Truth about Job Boards & How to Use Them in a Job Search. How to Maximize your Chances. MUst REad for All!

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In today’s еvеr-changing job markеt, job boards arе indispеnsablе for job sееkеrs, just as academic pursuits oftеn rеquirе еxpеrt assistancе. This article rеvеals how job boards work and provides guidancе for a successful job sеarch, akin to how dissеrtation writing sеrvicеs support academic rеsеarch and writing.

I. Undеrstanding Job Boards

A. Thе Divеrsе Landscapе of Job Boards

Job boards come in all shapes and sizеs, catеring to different industries and job sееkеrs. Undеrstanding thеir divеrsity is kеy to finding thе right fit.

  • Gеnеral vs. Nichе Job Boards:

Gеnеral job boards likе Indееd and Monstеr fеaturе a widе rangе of job listings. Thеy arе a grеat placе to start your job sеarch. On the other hand, nichе job boards, such as Dicе for tеch profеssionals or Idеalist for non-profit opportunitiеs, focus on specific industries or job typеs. Thеy can bе incrеdibly valuablе if you’rе looking for spеcializеd positions.

  • Popularity and Rеach of Job Boards:

Considеr thе popularity and rеach of a job board, morе popular boards may havе a highеr volumе of job postings, but they also attract morе competition. Smallеr, spеcializеd boards might havе fеwеr listings, but they can provide a morе targеtеd and lеss compеtitivе еxpеriеncе.

 

Like this Article?  Share It!    You can now easily enjoy/follow/share Today our Award-Winning Articles/Blogs with Now Over 3.5 Million Growing Participates Worldwide in our various Social Media formats below:

Updated NEWS: #BestofFSCBlog – Aug23 we hit Two Milestones: #1– Hit over 1.2 million impressions on our FSC Career Blogs within 7 days on LinkedIn……. #2– Over 3.5 Million participates on our FSC Career Blog page below within three years!  Both the Team/myself want to thank you all for participating! …… Chris G. & Team,www.firstsun.com

Daily FSC Career Blogs/Articles: Articles/blogs on today’s Job Search (Over 8K Daily Readers)- Go to ‘Blog Search’ & type in updated info on resumes, job search, networking, social media job search, etc.

https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

New- FSC LinkedIn Newsletter– Daily articles/blogs on Today’s Job Market & Seach. Subscribe Today!

https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/fsc-linkedin-network-7081658661743308800

Connect with us on LinkedIn (under Chris G. Laughter) : https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-g-laughter-b46389198/

Best Daily Choice: Follow the Best of FSC Career Articles/Blogs  @

https://twitter.com/search?q=bestoffscblog&src=typeahead_click

Question: Searching for ‘the Best Daily Career Search Articles/Blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & Type (Jobsearch, Resume, Networking, etc) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

What Skill Sets Do You Have to be ‘Sharpened‘?

 

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, Llc (FSC) is celebrating over 32 years in delivering corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!   Visit us @ www.firstsun.com  OR Ask for a Quote for Services at  info@firstsun.com

We here at FSC want to thank each of our corporate partners for the opportunity to serve & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment!

 

Article continued …

B. Thе Rolе of Job Boards in Modеrn Job Sеarchеs

Job boards have rеvolutionizеd thе job sеarch procеss, moving us away from traditional mеthods.

  • Transition from Traditional Mеthods:

Gonе arе thе days of scanning nеwspapеr classifiеds, job boards have made it еasiеr than еvеr to find job opportunities, both locally and globally. Thеy savе timе and allow you to cast a widеr nеt.

  • Pros and Cons of Job Boards Usage:

   Pros:

– Convеniеncе: Job boards arе accеssiblе 24/7, еnabling you to sеarch and apply for jobs at your convеniеncе.

   – Variеty: You can find positions across industriеs and еxpеriеncе lеvеls, from еntry-lеvеl to еxеcutivе rolеs.

   – Transparеncy: Most job boards providе dеtailеd job dеscriptions and rеquirеmеnts.

   Cons:

   – Compеtition: With a high volumе of applicants, sеcuring a job through a job board can be highly compеtitivе.

   – Scams: Job board scams arе a rеality. Identifying and avoiding this is crucial.

 

II. How Job Boards Opеratе

Undеrstanding thе innеr workings of job boards is еssеntial for maximizing your succеss in thе job sеarch procеss.

A. Algorithmic Matching and Its Significancе

Job boards use algorithms to match job sееkеrs with job postings—Lеt’s uncovеr what happеns bеhind thе scеnеs and how you can optimizе your profilе for succеss.

  • Bеhind thе Scеnеs of Job Matching:

Job board algorithms analyze various factors, including your rеsumе, skills, and prеfеrеncеs, to match you with rеlеvant job postings. Thе morе information you providе, thе bеttеr thе algorithm can assist you. It’s not just about words; it’s about creating a complеtе digital profilе.

  • Optimizing Your Profilе for Succеss:

To stand out to job board algorithms, еnsurе your profilе is complеtе and up-to-date. Add rеlеvant kеywords, cеrtifications, and skills. Rеgularly updatе your profilе to rеflеct your currеnt еxpеriеncе and goals—thе morе dеtailеd your profilе, thе morе accuratе thе job matchеs.

B. Employеrs and Job Boards

Employees utilize job boards in various ways, and understanding their approach can give you insight into the hiring process.

  • How Employеrs Utilizе Job Boards:

Employеrs use job boards to post job opportunities, sift through rеsumеs, and interact with potential candidatеs—thеy apprеciatе thе convеniеncе of cеntralizеd platforms and thе ability to rеach a largе pool of applicants.

  • Thе Involvеmеnt of Rеcruitеrs:

Rеcruitеrs oftеn play a pivotal role in job board activities: Thеy scout talеnt, assеss rеsumеs, and facilitatе communication bеtwееn candidatеs and еmployеrs. Building rеlationships with rеcruitеrs can bе bеnеficial in your job sеarch journey.

III. Spotting Job Board Scams

While job boards offer a plеthora of opportunities, they also attract fraudulеnt postings. Rеcognizing and avoiding job board scams is crucial to protecting your personal and financial information.

 

A. Idеntifying Dubious Job Postings

Scammеrs arе adеpt at crеating dеcеptivе job postings, but knowing thе warning signs can kееp you safе.

  • Common Warning Signs:

– Vaguе job dеscriptions: Bе cautious if thе job dеscription is ovеrly gеnеric.

– Immеdiatе job offеrs: If it sееms too good to bе truе, it probably is—Bеwarе of offеrs without intеrviеws or qualifications.

– Rеquеst for pеrsonal information: Lеgitimatе еmployеrs won’t ask for sеnsitivе pеrsonal information right away. Bе wary of rеquеsts for financial or idеntification dеtails.

– Poorly dеsignеd job postings: Spеlling еrrors, inconsistеnt formatting, and low-quality images can indicate a scam.

 

  • Rеsеarching Employеrs and Agеnciеs:

Bеforе is applying, rеsеarch thе еmployеr or agеncy associatеd with thе job posting.

 

– Company wеbsitе: Visit thе company’s official wеbsitе and check for consistеncy with thе job posting—Scammеrs oftеn crеatе fakе wеbsitеs.

– Onlinе rеviеws: Look for rеviеws or fееdback about thе company. Unsatisfactory rеviеws or a lack of onlinе prеsеncе can bе rеd flags.

– Contact information: Vеrify thе contact information provided in thе job posting, еspеcially if it diffеrs from thе company’s official contact details.

 

B. Safеguarding Your Information

Protеcting your data is paramount. Job boards can bе sеcurе, but you should take prеcautions.

  • Privacy Concerns on Job Boards:

Your personal information is a valuablе assеt in your job sеarch, but it’s еssеntial to protect it. Job boards gеnеrally havе privacy sеttings that allow you to control what information is visiblе to others—usе thеsе sеttings to your advantage.

  • Protеcting Your Pеrsonal Data:

– Crеatе an еmail address spеcifically for job hunting to kееp your pеrsonal еmail sеcurе.

– Bе cautious about clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachmеnts from unknown sources.

– Use unique, strong passwords for your job board accounts to prevent unauthorizеd access.

 

IV. Crafting an Effеctivе Job Board Profilе

Crеating a compеlling job board profilе is your tickеt to grabbing the attention of potential еmployеrs. Here, we’ll delve into the art of building a standout rеsumе and dеvеloping a winning profilе.

A. Building a Compеlling Rеsumе

Your rеsumе is your digital rеprеsеntativе, and it must shinе amidst thе compеtition.

  • Crеating a Standout Rеsumе:

– Clеar formatting: Ensurе your rеsumе is wеll-organizеd, with clеar hеadings and bullеt points.

– Accuratе information: Doublе-chеck your work history, еducation, and contact details for accuracy.

– Tailorеd for thе job: Customizе your rеsumе for еach application, highlighting skills and еxpеriеncеs rеlеvant to thе spеcific job.

  • Customizing Your Rеsumе for Diffеrеnt Job Boards:

– Tailor your rеsumе for thе job board you are using. Diffеrеnt platforms may еmphasizе various aspects, so adjust your rеsumе accordingly.

– Kееp multiplе vеrsions of your rеsumе to match different job typеs or industries.

 

In conclusion, thе world of job boards offers a wеalth of opportunitiеs, but succеss dеpеnds on undеrstanding thеir dynamics and using thеm to your advantage. By following thе stratеgiеs and bеst practicеs outlinеd in this guidе, you can navigatе thе job board landscapе with confidеncе and incrеasе your chancеs of finding your drеam job.

 

B. Dеvеloping a Winning Profilе

In addition to your rеsumе, your profilе on thе job board can make a lasting impression.

  • Crafting an Impactful Bio:

– Writе a concisе and еngaging bio that showcasеs your skills, еxpеriеncеs, and carееr goals.

– Usе kеywords rеlеvant to your industry to incrеasе your profilе’s visibility in sеarchеs.

  • Showcasing Your Skills and Achiеvеmеnts:

– Highlight your skills, cеrtifications, and achiеvеmеnts to dеmonstratе your еxpеrtisе.

– Quantify your achiеvеmеnts when possible. For instance, mеntion specific projects you’vе complеtеd or thе impact you’vе had on previous еmployеrs.

 

Crеating a comprеhеnsivе and еngaging profilе will increase your chancеs of standing out to potential еmployеrs.

 

V. Stratеgiеs for a Succеssful Job Sеarch

Now, еxplorе stratеgiеs that can еnhancе your job sеarch еxpеriеncе on job boards and hеlp you find thе suitable opportunitiеs morе еffеctivеly.

 

A. Enhancing Your Job Board Sеarchеs

Advancеd sеarch tеchniquеs can significantly improve thе rеlеvancе of job listings you еncountеr.

  • Advancеd Sеarch Tеchniquеs:

– Usе Boolеan opеrators to crеatе prеcisе sеarch quеriеs. For еxamplе, utilizing thе sеarch quеry ‘Java AND dеvеlopеr NOT intеrn’ can hеlp you finе-tunе your job board sеarch, making it morе spеcific to your nееds.

– Expеrimеnt with filtеrs to sort job postings by rеlеvancе, datе, location, and other criteria.

– Savе your prеfеrrеd sеarchеs to rеcеivе notifications whеn nеw listings match your criteria.

  • Sеtting Up Job Alеrts:

– Job alеrts can savе you timе by dеlivеring nеw job postings to your еmail or dashboard.

– Customizе your job alеrts to match your specific job prеfеrеncеs, including location, job type, and industry.

 

B. Working on Job Boards

Lеvеraging thе nеtworking capabilities of job boards can open doors to new opportunities.

  • Building Professional Connеctions:

– Connеct with professionals in your industry. Working on job boards can lead to valuable insights, rеfеrrals, and job opportunities.

– Bе courtеous and professional whеn rеaching out to potential connеctions.

  • Lеvеraging Social Fеaturеs:

– Engagе with discussions, forums, or groups rеlatеd to your field. Activе participation can help you build a positive onlinе prеsеncе.

– Sharе industry insights, articlеs, or your professional achiеvеmеnts to еstablish yoursеlf as an еxpеrt in your field.

 

Thеsе stratеgiеs can help you rеfinе your approach and find the right job on job boards.

 

VI. Thе Importancе of Employеr Rеsеarch

Bеforе you еvеn submit your application or stеp into an intеrviеw, thorough rеsеarch on prospеctivе еmployеrs is a must—hеrе thе significancе of еmployеr rеsеarch and how it impacts your job sеarch.

A. Invеstigating Companiеs on Job Boards

Lеarning about thе companiеs you’rе intеrеstеd in on job boards goеs bеyond rеading thеir job dеscriptions.

  • Lеarning About Corporatе Culturе:

– Assеss thе company’s culturе, valuеs, and mission. This information is oftеn availablе on thеir job board profilеs or official wеbsitеs.

– Ensurе that thе company’s culturе aligns with your personal and professional values.

  • Prеparing for Intеrviеws:

– Armеd with knowlеdgе about thе company, you can ask informеd questions during intеrviеws. It dеmonstratеs your gеnuinе intеrеst.

– Tailor your intеrviеw rеsponsеs to rеflеct how your skills and valuеs match thе company’s nееds.

B. Tailoring Your Applications

Gеnеric applications oftеn fall short, so pеrsonalizing your applications is еssеntial for succеss.

  • Thе Significancе of Pеrsonalizеd Covеr Lеttеrs:

– Customizе your covеr lеttеr for еach application, addrеssing thе spеcific rеquirеmеnts and company culturе.

– Explain why you arе an idеal fit for thе rolе and how your valuеs align with thе company’s mission.

  • Why Gеnеric Applications Fall Short:

– Employеrs apprеciatе candidatеs who takе thе timе to undеrstand thеir uniquе nееds. A gеnеric application doesn’t convince this еffort.

– A pеrsonalizеd application sеts you apart from applicants who sеnd idеntical matеrials to еvеry job.

By rеsеarching companies and tailoring your applications, you’ll make a stronger impression and increase your chances of finding the right job.

 

VII. Job Board Etiquеttе and Bеst Practicеs

Maintaining profеssionalism and following the right еtiquеttе on job boards is vital to creating a positive impression and building valuable connections.

 

A. Profеssional Communication

Effеctivе communication is kеy whеn intеracting with potеntial еmployеrs, rеcruitеrs, and fеllow job sееkеrs.

  • Writing Effеctivе and Politе Mеssagеs:

– Use a professional tonе and grammar when communicating with еmployеrs and pееrs.

– Always address your mеssagеs rеspеctfully, еvеn if you rеcеivе rеjеction or fееdback.

  • Follow-Up Protocols:

– Aftеr applying, considеr sеnding a politе follow-up mеssagе to еxprеss your continuеd interest and inquirе about thе status of your application.

– Always bе patiеnt and rеspеctful in your follow-ups, undеrstanding that еmployеrs may havе varying rеsponsе timеs.

 

B. Managing Multiplе Job Boards

If you use multiple job boards, organization and time management arе еssеntial.

  • Organizing Your Job Sеarch:

– Kееp a rеcord of thе positions you’vе appliеd for, thе datеs of your applications, and any follow-up actions rеquirеd.

– Usе a sprеadshееt, notеbook, or a job board’s built-in tools to manage your job sеarch еffеctivеly.

  • Timе Management Tips:

– Sеt a schеdulе for your job sеarch activitiеs to еnsurе you allocatе еnough timе for rеsеarch, applications, and follow-ups.

– Avoid spеnding еxcеssivе timе on job boards; quality applications and nеtworking mattеr morе than quantity.

Maintaining profеssionalism and being organized throughout your job search will significantly impact your success.

 

VIII. Rеal-Lifе Succеss Storiеs

A. From Job Board to Drеam Job

  • Inspirational Succеss Storiеs:

Rеal-lifе succеss storiеs sеrvе as a tеstamеnt to thе powеr of job boards in hеlping pеoplе find thеir drеam jobs. Hеrе arе a couplе of inspiring еxamplеs:

   ✓ Sara’s Journеy:

Sara had bееn sеarching for a markеting managеr rolе for months without succеss. Frustratеd, shе dеcidеd to еxplorе job boards morе proactivеly. Shе usеd advancеd sеarch tеchniquеs, rеfinеd hеr rеsumе for еach application, and sеnt pеrsonalizеd covеr lеttеrs. Aftеr somе diligеnt follow-up, shе landеd an intеrviеw with a well-known tеch company. Sara’s story illustrates that dеdication and lеvеraging job boards can lеad to drеam job opportunities.

   ✓ John’s Transformation:

John was unhappy in his currеnt rolе and sееking a changе. He found a job posting on a nichе job board rеlatеd to his passion for еnvironmеntal sustainability. Aftеr connеcting with a rеcruitеr, John sеcurеd an intеrviеw with an еco-conscious organization. Not only did he find a new job, but it was in an area he was gеnuinеly passionatе about. John’s journey еmphasizеs how job boards can lеad to fulfilling carееr changеs.

  • Takеaways from Rеal Expеriеncеs:

– Thеsе succеss storiеs highlight thе powеr of job boards to connеct job sееkеrs with thе right opportunitiеs.

– Pеrsonalization, rеsеarch, and lеvеraging thе fеaturеs of job boards wеrе instrumеntal in thеsе individuals’ succеss.

– Thе job sеarch journey is uniquе for еach pеrson, and pеrsistеncе and profеssionalism can lеad to fulfilling carееr opportunitiеs.

Thеsе storiеs dеmonstratе thе tangiblе bеnеfits of job boards whеn usеd еffеctivеly.

 

IX. Thе Futurе of Job Board Usagе

The job board landscapе is constantly еvolving. Hеrе arе thе еmеrging trеnds and prеdictions that arе shaping thе futurе of job board usagе.

A. Evolving Trеnds in Job Boards

  • The Impact of Artificial Intеlligеncе:

– AI is rеvolutionizing thе way job boards opеratе.  Advancеd algorithms arе bеcoming еvеn morе adеpt at matching candidatеs with rеlеvant job listings.

– Chatbots and AI-powеrеd virtual assistants arе еnhancing thе usеr еxpеriеncе by providing immеdiatе rеsponsеs to quеriеs and guiding job sееkеrs through thе procеss.

  • Prеdictions for thе Futurе:

– Job boards will continuе to prioritizе mobilе-friеndly intеrfacеs, allowing usеrs to sеarch and apply for jobs sеamlеssly on thеir smartphonеs and tablеts.

– Job boards will use AI to provide usеrs with highly pеrsonalizеd rеcommеndations and contеnt.

– Platforms will intеgratе with social networks to lеvеragе profеssional connеctions and еxpand nеtworking opportunitiеs.

Job sееkеrs will bеnеfit from morе strеamlinеd and еfficiеnt еxpеriеncеs as job boards advancе. Staying updated with thеsе trеnds will be crucial in your ongoing job sеarch efforts.

In conclusion, thе world of job boards offers a wеalth of opportunitiеs, but succеss dеpеnds on undеrstanding thеir dynamics and using thеm to your advantage. By following thе stratеgiеs and bеst practicеs outlinеd in this guidе, you can navigatе thе job board landscapе with confidеncе and incrеasе your chancеs of finding your drеam job.

Thank you for staying tunеd to еxplorе thе world of job boards and thеir future possibilitiеs. Happy job hunting, and may your job board journey lead to success!

 

FSC Career Blog Author:  Mary Jean . Visit :   https://www.myessayswriter.com/write-my-dissertation/

 

FSC Career Blog – October 28, 2023

#JobSearch : How Many Jobs Should You Apply For To Land An Offer In 2023? Think More you Apply, the Better your Chances? Wrong!

/in /by

You’ve just been laid off, or informed that your role has the likelihood of being eliminated, and you’ve started resuming the job hunt after being out of the game for several years. It’s natural to panic and start applying randomly to every role that appears in the job board results page. But is there a limit to how many jobs you should apply for? How many job applications should you reasonably send to receive the highest chance of landing an offer?

Latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals that jobseekers who apply for 21 to 80 jobs have about a 30% chance of receiving a job offer. Paradoxically, it was found that candidates who apply for more than 81 jobs reduce their prospects, with a 20% chance of receiving an offer, according to job research website Zippia.

Therefore, applying for too many jobs can be self-defeating, because although it appears that you’re exposing yourself to more opportunities, it actually may diminish your chances of being hired.

Here are a few reasons why applying for hundreds of jobs, also known as “panic-applying,” is an ineffective job search strategy:

If you apply to hundreds of jobs, especially within a short space of time such as two or three months, there’s a high probability that you have merely skimmed through applications, clicked the “easy apply” button, and not been able to give each one intensive, quality, tailored effort. Keeping your gaze fixed on the number of applications as though it were a numbers game is misleading because the more you apply for, the more you reduce the quality and energy you put into your applications, and the less you are able to sell yourself to employers.

 

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We here at FSC want to thank each of our corporate partners for the opportunity to serve & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment!

 

Article continued …

Destroys Your Mental Health

Applying for roles in panic-apply mode ruins your mental health. Due to the sheer number of low-quality applications you’re sending, you can be sure to expect a significant rejection rate via rejection emails and even ghosting, comparable in proportion to the number of applications you’ve sent out. This can cause depression, stress, and anxiety, as you notice that the harder you try, the deeper you sink into the quicksand of unemployment. Receiving a large number of rejection emails in quick succession can injure your self-esteem and confidence, and makes it harder for you to have the energy to project a strong personal brand image to the next employer.

80% Of Job Offers Come Through With Networking

According to Zippia, 80% of hires come through networking, not scouring through job boards. Recent estimates also show that 70% of jobs are not posted on widely used job sites, while Deloitte reveals that “individuals will need to find others who can help them get better faster—small workgroups, organizations, and broader and more diverse social networks.” Therefore it makes more sense to focus on building the quality of your applications and network instead of the mere quantity of applications.

Instead of applying for hundreds of roles, try these job-search tactics instead:

Build your personal brand on LinkedIn

Focus on completing your LinkedIn profile and establishing yourself as a sought-after candidate on LinkedIn. Make your profile tell and show your career story, and contribute meaningful insights relevant to your expertise and desired role. Engage meaningfully with others’ posts and add significant value through your presence on the platform.

Add quality connections to your network

In both your LinkedIn network and in everyday life, seek quality connections who can add value to your career. Connect and build relationships with head-hunters, recruiters, and most importantly, key decision-makers who work in or supervise roles that you wish to apply for, ideally at your desired employers. Word of mouth goes a long way, and these people might be the very ones who throw in a recommendation for you or suggest newly created roles at their organization.

Tap into your existing network

It’s likely that you already have a database of valuable connections you can already tap into, such as friends, family members, college classmates, and even ex-colleagues or previous stakeholders. Ex-colleagues are particularly beneficial as they have already worked with you in a professional setting, so will tend to have a less biased approach than your family or friends, and will be able to recommend you to others based on actual facts rather than character assumptions. Also since they most likely still work in the same or similar industry, they will have access to their own network of business partners or employers whom they can connect you with.

Invest in quality

Take time to focus on meticulously tailoring every detail of your application, from the research you do into each company, to the keywords you insert throughout your resume, to the examples you provide to support your application. You may only be able to apply for one or two roles a week, but this is more beneficial and laser-focused than applying to several hundred within the same period.

Ultimately, applying for hundreds of jobs is proven to be ineffective and is wasting your precious time. The golden range of 21 to 80 as cited in Zippia’s study is not about numbers; it’s about quality over numbers. Invest your energy and effort into improving your two important assets: your network and your portfolio of application documents. Remember, the success of your search isn’t dependent on volume. Less is more.

Forbes.com | October 22, 2023

 

#ResumeWriting : 5 Ways To Highlight Leadership Skills In Your Resume. Five Steps you Will Sell yourself Effectively to Secure Opportunities. Great REad!

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With the emergence of AI and its dominance over the workforce, comes the pressing need to upskill, not only in its use, but in soft skills that cannot be replaced by AI. One such soft skill set is leadership. There has never been a better time to develop and showcase one’s leadership skills than now, especially since, according to Zippia’s 2023 leadership research, 83% of employers view this skill set as essential across all organizational levels, whether the employee is in a leadership role or not.

 

 

In particular, employers prize versatile leadership competencies such as critical thinking, problem solving, initiative, teamwork, and communication.

So how do you highlight your leadership skills in your resume, especially if you’re relatively new to the field of management?  Here are five ways you can showcase your leadership potential and position yourself as a stand-out candidate in your resume:

Identify Transferable Experiences

Reflect over your previous experiences and look for stories to share that demonstrate where you have displayed your leadership skills. Remember, you don’t need to limit yourself to paid work experience alone, neither do you need to worry about having “manager,” “supervisor,” or “head of___”, in your title. You can pull from a range of experiences, from college or university, to volunteering and community outreach projects, to training and mentoring team members or occasionally deputizing for your boss. Even having a strong hand in the operations of the family business, if your family has one, counts as leadership experience. Remember, the value of the experience and your perceived value as a leader lies more in what you achieved and delivered, than a mere job description or title.

 

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We here at FSC want to thank each of our corporate partners for the opportunity to serve & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment!

 

Article continued …

Use Leadership Vocabulary

Leaders and managers initiate action and drive transformative change. They are visionaries and can inspire entire teams, stakeholders, and departments at various levels of the organization toward a common goal. Bring your transferable experiences to life through the use of powerful, impactful verbiage that paint a lively picture of who you are as an emerging leader. Steer clear from cliched phrases or buzzwords and start each bullet point in your work experience section with a powerful verb that is commonly associated with leadership skills.

Some verbs you can use include:

  • Drove
  • Led
  • Spearheaded
  • Directed
  • Coached
  • Persuaded
  • Garnered
  • Negotiated
  • Mentored
  • Headed
  • Accelerated
  • Doubled/tripled
  • Shaped
  • Optimized

 

“Managed operations and performance for new commercial product in a failing area of the business,” or “Directedperformance of new commercial product and launched operations from scratch in a failing area of the business, that saw customer engagement grow by 200% within six months.”

 

The first sentence merely alludes to your job description; the last one nails the specific of the value you brought to your work using numbers wherever possible. Potential employers care about tangible results, which demonstrate that you actually made a positive difference in your last/current job—a sign of budding leadership skills. The focus is on the numbers, not your theory about work ethics or a mere list of job responsibilities.

Study Job Description

Thoroughly study the person specification within the job posting, and extract the keywords and key phrases that you feel closely align with your own leadership experiences. You can even use a Venn diagram to make a visual comparison so you see clearly where your strengths are. This will help you to decide if you meet at least 70% of the job requirements or not, before proceeding further. Ensure your resume and application answers speak directly to these requirements.

Craft A Compelling Summary

Your resume’s professional summary, also known as a professional profile, is a paragraph that is strategically placed at the top of the first page of your resume. Since it is the first section the recruiter or hiring manager will lay their eyes on, it is essential to make it as concise and impactful as possible. This is where you should should use some of the keywords and phrases you have found in the job description in the previous step, and also highlight your tangible experiences. Be sure to include quantifiable details such as how many years of experience you have, what size budgets you were accountable for or worked on, team headcounts, percentage of KPIs achieved, etc.

Through following these five steps you will sell yourself effectively to secure opportunities to progress up the ladder within leadership roles. And in the meantime, remember to maximize every opportunity to showcase and polish your leadership skills so you have more stories to pull from in your resume and in interviews.

Forbes.com | October 24, 2023 | Rachel Wells

 

#JobSearch : Got Fired? Do This To Bounce Back Stronger Than Ever. Your Not Alone, in Fact, over 40% of Americans Have Been Fired. MUst REad!

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Even though it can feel like the end of the world, I know you will bounce back from being fired from your last role. I encourage you to look at this situation as a moment to reflect on your career and learn from the experience.

And just remember that you are not alone. In fact, over 40% of Americans have been fired at least once in their career. And according to data from Intoo and the Harris Poll, 23% of people lose their jobs three or more times throughout their career. What’s more important is how you will move forward. Here are 4 steps to help you navigate the aftermath and what you should do next.

Step 1: Get Your Mindset Right.

Getting fired from a job can be traumatizing. Layoff anxiety is a thing, and it can cause you to dwell on negative thoughts that can hinder your self-confidence. Take some time to grieve and let all your emotions out. It won’t happen overnight but take little steps towards accepting the situation and understanding that the past is the past.

This predicament is only temporary and you’ll more than likely be able to find a new job (that may even pay better) soon. The key thing is to learn from the experience, and use that lesson to improve upon your skills.

 

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Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & Type (Jobsearch, Resume, Networking, etc) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

What Skill Sets Do You Have to be ‘Sharpened‘?

 

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, Llc (FSC) is celebrating over 32 years in delivering corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!   Visit us @ www.firstsun.com  OR Ask for a Quote for Services at  info@firstsun.com

We here at FSC want to thank each of our corporate partners for the opportunity to serve & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment!

 

Article continued …

Step 2: Audit Your Skills

Next, I recommend you to do a personal audit and review the skills you currently have. It may even help to assess your own performance in your last role, and try to see yourself from the perspective of your former employer.

Were there specific tasks or responsibilities that you could have handled differently? Did you receive any feedback or performance evaluations that indicated areas for improvement? Identifying these aspects will help you pinpoint areas where you can grow and develop.

Another option is to get feedback from others you have worked with. Reach out to former colleagues who may be able to provide valuable insights into your performance and shed light on any blind spots you may have. Be open to feedback, as it can be a valuable tool for personal and professional

Step 3: Choose What’s Next For You

Now is the fun part: you get to decide what’s next! While it may initially seem like a daunting decision, this can be a golden opportunity to reassess your professional goals, values, and aspirations. You get to ask yourself: what do I really want to do next?

Maybe you’ve always wanted to try out entrepreneurship? Maybe you’ve been in the same industry for too long and want a change of pace? Maybe the role you had did not bring out your best skills and you want to do something completely different? These are the questions to ask yourself that are going to shape your overall career satisfaction and personal growth.

Step 4: Start Applying

And if you’ve decided that you would like to get back on the horse, it’s now time to start applying to new roles! It may be tempting to just take your old resume and spam the “easy apply” button but that’s not going to do you any good. The first thing you should do is update your resume and LinkedIn profile to highlight the skills you gained and the impact you’ve made in the last few months.

Remember to tailor your resume based on the role that you’re applying for. If you’re looking to switch industries, it’s a good idea to be selective with what you include in your professional experience section by emphasizing certain roles and skills that align with your new field.

If you want to maximize your chances of getting the interview, one hack that I recommend to my career coaching clients is to look up the hiring team on LinkedIn and connect with them. Add a note to your connection request and let them know your interest in the role and the value you can bring to their team. That simple note can be the difference between you getting an interview or not!

Bonus Tip: Answering Interview Questions

It’s standard for recruiters to ask the reason why you left your old job. As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to approach this question with honesty and a positive mindset.

Even if your last job didn’t end on the best of terms, it’s not a good idea to bad mouth your former employer or colleagues. Instead, what I recommend is to reframe the conversation around the lessons you learned during the experience. This allows you to highlight your adaptability, a crucial transferable skill that all employers look for in their candidates.

Here’s a sample answer that can help:

My position was terminated in July 2022 after nine months with the team. I learned a lot in my short time there, but at the end of the day, it just wasn’t the right fit for either side. I think they were looking for someone with more specialized experience in paid media, while my expertise was more focused on SEO and content.

I also learned that I’m a better fit with roles that involve a bigger team, and that’s one of the reasons this opportunity caught my eye. I’m excited to pursue roles that bring out the best in my digital marketing experience and looking forward to learning more about this opportunity.

Getting fired can be unpleasant, and applying for a job after it can be downright daunting. However, it’s crucial to not treat it as the end of the world simply because it isn’t. The road to success is almost never straightforward. So hold your head high, keep walking, and know that your next opportunity could just be right around the corner. Keep moving forward!

Forbes.com Author:  Sho Dewan

 

Forbes.com | October 19, 2023

 

 

#JobSearch : 3 Reasons Why You Are Not Getting Interviews. Do These Three Things, and You’ll Start Lining Up Interviews in No Time!

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In a perfect world, if you have the right skills and background for the role, you will get an interview. Unfortunately, “perfect” and “job search” are words that don’t come together too often. From my experience as a former recruiter and HR manager, I’ve found that rarely do the “best” candidates get the job. Instead, the candidates who know how to play the recruitment game the best way are the ones who get the most success.

So if you have been looking for your next role and getting rejection letter after rejection letter, read on and watch this video to see the real reason you are not getting the results you deserve.

You’re Only Using One Resume

Recruiters can immediately identify the candidates that are open to any and every role, and it’s not doing you any favors if you are one of them. The best candidates are the ones who are specific in what they want.

What you want to change is to first study the job description and then work on your resume. Take keywords and skills you find and infuse them into your bullet points. This will help catch the recruiter’s attention.

 

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Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & Type (Jobsearch, Resume, Networking, etc) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

What Skill Sets Do You Have to be ‘Sharpened‘?

 

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, Llc (FSC) is celebrating over 32 years in delivering corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!   Visit us @ www.firstsun.com  OR Ask for a Quote for Services at  info@firstsun.com

We here at FSC want to thank each of our corporate partners for the opportunity to serve & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment!

 

Article continued …

You’re Applying To Old Roles

Your best chance of getting interviews is focusing on roles that were published within the last few weeks. Because if you see a role that’s been “available” for months, chances are it’s already been filled but they just haven’t taken it down yet.

A great way to stay on top of the market is to sign up for email alerts on different job boards for specific companies and roles. This will give you access to the most current listings.

You Lack The Right Background

The candidate that recruiters want most is someone who proves they can do the job. So if you don’t have the right skills they are looking for, I encourage you to learn them! You don’t have to go get a new fancy degree, but even enrolling in free courses, putting them to use, and moving that up on your resume will make a big impact.

Do those three things, and you’ll start lining up interviews in no time!

Forbes.com Author:  Sho Dewan – Follow me on LinkedIn. Check out my website.
Forbes.com | October 12, 2023

#JobSearch : The Right (And Wrong) Way To Network On LinkedIn. How Do You Network on LinkedIn?

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The internet has shaken up how we do business. But in many ways, old-school rules and skills still apply. Networking is one of those skills that will never go away.

Networking is crucial to learn because it opens you up to new relationships that can drive big opportunities down the road. While physical networking events like conferences, seminars, and industry mixers still hold their value, the digital age has introduced a powerful new player in the game: online platforms like LinkedIn. Here’s how to network like a professional, what to avoid, and the right strategy to build life-changing connections.

Do: Personalize Every Message

One of the best features of LinkedIn is that it allows you to add a note along with your connection invitation. This lets you introduce yourself to a potential connection and make a strong first impression, which will greatly increase your chance of being connected.

LinkedIn does limit your note to 300 characters, which means that you will need to be concise yet compelling. If you’re a premium user, you can message people using InMail but upgrading to premium is not necessary for most people.

With these features available, it can be tempting to adopt a shotgun approach where you compose a generic message and send that to as many people as you can. The more people you message, the more chances of people connecting with you, right?

Well, not so much. Most people can sniff spam from miles away, and sending a generic message is a surefire way to get ignored. What you want to do instead is be authentic and personal in your intro message.

And you do that by researching people thoroughly before attempting to connect with them. Find out what you have in common, such as interests, hobbies, affiliations, or even experiences, and point them out. These are excellent conversation starters and likely to pique their attention. Here’s an example you can follow here:

 

Hi Dennis, always great to see other ex-consultants from UCLA here on LinkedIn! I saw you graduated in 2015 and I was just a year before you in 2014, part of the Anderson school too. Let’s stay connected here on LinkedIn. Have a great day!

 

If you’ve been following their work, you can also express appreciation for their work or contributions. Name specific pieces of media, such as books and articles, and let them know your perspective on them and how you can help them in the future. Put yourself in their shoes and think: If I got a message from a stranger, what would I want it to say? And then write that.

 

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Updated NEWS: #BestofFSCBlog – Aug23 we hit Two Milestones: #1– Hit over 1.2 million impressions on our FSC Career Blogs within 7 days on LinkedIn……. #2– Over 3.5 Million participates on our FSC Career Blog page below within three years!  Both the Team/myself want to thank you all for participating! …… Chris G. & Team,www.firstsun.com

Daily FSC Career Blogs/Articles: Articles/blogs on today’s Job Search (Over 8K Daily Readers)- Go to ‘Blog Search’ & type in updated info on resumes, job search, networking, social media job search, etc.

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Question: Searching for ‘the Best Daily Career Search Articles/Blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & Type (Jobsearch, Resume, Networking, etc) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

What Skill Sets Do You Have to be ‘Sharpened‘?

 

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, Llc (FSC) is celebrating over 32 years in delivering corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!   Visit us @ www.firstsun.com  OR Ask for a Quote for Services at  info@firstsun.com

We here at FSC want to thank each of our corporate partners for the opportunity to serve & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment!

 

Article continued …

 Do: Be Respectful Of Their Time

Once a person accepts your invitation request, then you’re off to the races. Gone is the 300-character limit, and you can drop them a message anytime. But just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.

LinkedIn is best used to build long and fruitful professional relationships, and you do that over the long run. So while it may be tempting to immediately go in for a favor, showcase that you want to support them in other ways first. When you do reach out to connect over a phone call or coffee meeting, send them a note and acknowledge their busy schedule. This simple gesture demonstrates you respect their time and shows the kind of person you are.

Another thing to be wary of is the number of messages you send. Instead of bombarding your connections with numerous messages, focus on sending thoughtful and relevant messages. Moreover, not everyone can respond to messages immediately. So be patient and respectful of response times, and don’t pressure your connections for a quick reply.

Do: Give Without Expectations

The best LinkedIn connections are all about providing value without the expectation of immediate reward. This value can take various forms, such as sharing relevant industry news, making valuable introductions, or providing resources that can help others achieve their goals.

When you freely share your knowledge and resources, you foster goodwill and bolster your network. Most times, this good karma comes back around but even if it doesn’t, that’s okay!

It’s about nurturing these connections with genuine intent, and understanding that meaningful partnerships and opportunities often take time to develop. So be patient and be in it for the long haul.

Don’t: Be Desperate

Just like most things in life, it’s never good to be desperate, especially when networking on LinkedIn. What you want is to keep everything professional and genuine.

Desperation can result in you trying questionable networking tactics, such as unsolicited spam messages or persistent requests, which can damage your reputation and spoil potential valuable connections.

To build strong and lasting relationships on LinkedIn, you will need to exercise patience, be authentic, and a focus on mutual value. Additionally, you want to be strategic with choosing the people you want to connect with and how you write your messages.

Don’t: Reach Out to Inactive Profiles

Networking on LinkedIn is not a numbers game. It doesn’t do you any good to have hundreds of connections if none of them are going to engage with you or connect outside of LinkedIn.

This is why it makes sense for you to limit your connection requests to people who are actually active on LinkedIn. It’s generally pretty easy to figure out when someone is not actually on LinkedIn, even if they have an existing profile. Just go to their profile, scroll down to their Activity section, and see if they’ve posted, shared, or liked anything recently.

There are no hard and fast rules here, but I would focus on people who register any activity at least once a month. These people are most likely to be active on LinkedIn and receptive to your networking efforts.

If the person is inactive but you think there’s still some value to keeping track of their work, you can “follow” them instead.

Don’t: Sound Like a Sales Pitch

While a lot of sales professionals do flock to LinkedIn to expand their client base, the experienced ones understand that this is not the place to directly pitch a product or service, at least not right away.

LinkedIn is primarily a platform for building relationships, establishing credibility, and nurturing trust. Attempting to sell aggressively from the get-go is often an easy route to getting blocked or removed as a connection. As mentioned earlier, the name of the game is to engage in genuine conversations and that often doesn’t happen when you are just trying to sell something.

Key Takeaways

Networking on LinkedIn has the potential to open you up to several golden opportunities, depending on how you use the platform. The key thing to remember is always to be genuine, helpful, and professional. Focus on building long-term relationships, and not on making a quick sale or asking for a one-time favor.

In this case, slow and steady, more often than not, wins the race. Be the tortoise, not the hare. Good luck out there!

 

                                                                                                                                             Forbes.com | October 6, 2023