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#JobSearch : 5 Steps To Get Hired During The September Surge. Best Months for Candidates are at the Beginning of the Year, Spring, and of Course, September.

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You may have seen the trend all over your TikTok feed or in recent articles — the September Surge for hiring is here. Most recruiters, hiring managers, and career coaches agree: now is the best time to update your resumes and start hunting for a new role if you want to land one by the end of the year.

So what is this September Surge? It refers to the uptick in hiring that occurs in the last quarter of the year. The surge happens because of two things. First: hiring managers and recruiters are mostly back now from their summer vacations. And second: Many companies and brands have a remaining budget to accelerate hiring and help hit certain revenue targets as the year ends. This way, they can end the year on a high and have a complete team that’s ready to hit the ground running early next year.

I’ve been in the HR and recruitment space for the better part of the decade, and have seen the best months for candidates are typically at the beginning of the year, Spring, and of course, September. If you’ve been in the market for new opportunities, your time is going to come sooner rather than later, especially if you follow these five tips to get hired during the September Surge.

1. Get specific on what you want

Remember rage-applying? Yeah, I wouldn’t recommend it. While it’s true that you shouldn’t pin your hopes on just one or two applications, you also shouldn’t go and just hit “easy apply” to every open role either.

It may feel counterintuitive, but the more narrowed and specific you get on what you want the more, the higher your chances become of actually landing it. What I recommend is for you to make a list of all the great qualities you are looking for in this next role. Here are some questions to help you get started:

  • What kind of company do you want to work for?
  • How would you describe what your ideal manager and team look like?
  • What skills do you want to flex in this role?
  • What projects and type of work do you not want to do?
  • Where would you like to be located?

Once you get clear on the type of role you want, why you would be a good fit, and how you can contribute, that is when the magic happens. Get specific and make a list of your target roles & companies before progressing forward.

 

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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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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. Get your resume ready and tailored for the role

You already know the job market is uber competitive these days so don’t disqualify yourself with a bland, generic resume.

Think of it this way: Recruiters will be sifting through hundreds of resumes for a single job post. They’ll be skimming through pages and pages of resume to focus on certain key qualifications and experiences that match the job description. And if your resume is not highlighting the things they are looking for, your chances are pretty much zero on landing an interview.

So how do you ensure that your resume stands out from the others?

You don’t have to go all out and create something wildly creative here but use what is tried and true. You can download our free, simple, ATS-friendly resume template from our website here.

Next, read the job post thoroughly and put yourself in the hiring manager’s shoes. What kind of skills and experiences are they looking for in this candidate? Now that you know that, try to use their language, the same keywords and skills. Anything you can do to make the recruiter’s job easier will work in your favor, I guarantee it.

Then proofread for any silly errors. Make sure there are no typo errors and even get a friend or two to read your resume and check for anything that can be revised.

3. Research the company and get connected with decision makers

The next part is how you stand out even further. You can dramatically increase your chances of being noticed by deeply researching the company and getting connected with decision makers.

Start by digging deep into the company’s website, social media profiles, and any recent news articles or press releases. This knowledge will not only help you tailor your application but also impress during upcoming information and actual interviews, demonstrating your genuine interest and commitment to the organization.

You can also look up the company’s decision makers on LinkedIn, and try to hit up a connection with a well-crafted intro. Here’s a template you can use here:

Hi James,

Amazing to see you celebrate your anniversary with [firm name]! Congratulations on your tenure and all your big wins.

I wanted to reach out as I am exploring opportunities with [firm] myself. Would you be available for a call to discuss your experience so far? Thanks so much in advance!

Best,

NAME

Also, if you can, attend industry-related events, conferences, and webinars, as these are excellent opportunities to meet professionals from your desired field, including those within your target companies.

4. Prep for your networking chats and interviews

And then it’s off to the interviews! Getting your resume handpicked from the rest is an excellent opportunity that you shouldn’t miss, so ensure that you’re ready to impress during your networking chats and interviews.

You’ve already done your research about the company, so you probably already know what to say on some level. All that’s left to do is to polish your game through practice.

Research common interview questions and prepare thoughtful responses, but don’t just write your answers on a piece of paper. Write stories that highlight your unique skills and experiences, and relate back to the role you are going for.

Say them out loud and take note of your tone, expression, and body language. It doesn’t matter if you do this alone with a mirror or a friend who can provide some feedback, you just need to get those reps in to get rid of the jitters.

5. Don’t just focus on only one company. Get multiple offers to build leverage.

If you follow the first four tips, you will probably have a line up of interviews coming your way. But the big mistake I want you to avoid is just going all in on one company. While it’s great to have your eyes on the prize, the more options you have, the more leverage you build up.

And saying yes to every suitable interview that you can line up can help ensure that you get the best offer possible. Because the last thing a company wants to do is lose out on great talent to another competitor.

The goal here is to have multiple offers because then you are in the driver’s seat and are able to compare and contrast comp packages, benefits, and the overall culture of each company. If you run across a company that has the best culture-fit but is lacking in total compensation, you can even use other offers to showcase your value and negotiate for a better salary.

Remember, this is not just another job you are after. You are going towards your ideal career and it’s important to think things through with all the information available. So be patient and give yourself the gift of choice.

Bonus Tip: Remember you are a valuable candidate!

It all starts with confidence and knowing that you bring to the table a set of skills that any company would be lucky to have. Most of the time it all just comes down to your stories, timing, and your confidence in yourself, so follow the tips I laid out for you to ensure that you make the most of the September Surge. Rooting for you!

Forbes.com | September 7, 2023 | Sho Dewan

#YourCareer : The Financial Payoff From A College Degree Is Shrinking. Average Salary of College Grads vs High School Diplomas is Falling. Great REad!

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A four-year college education is a big and long-term investment, as the 40 million plus Americans who carry $1.6 trillion in federal student debt know all too well. Nevertheless, it can be worth it, because of the college wage premium– the extra salary graduates with four-year college degrees earn over those who have only high school diplomas. In fact, one of the metrics Forbes used to rank the Top 500 Colleges for 2023, is how many months or years of excess wages it takes for alumni of a college to pay off the net cost (after scholarships and discounts) of their degrees.

With payments and interest on federal student debt about to resume after a Covid pandemic moratorium that began in March 2020, the payoff from college is front of mind these days. Which is why an analysis released this week by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco is particularly timely. It shows a flattening of the college wage premium, which grew substantially between 2000 and the 2010s.

This isn’t necessarily bad news. It turns out that pay for college graduates is still increasing. But wages for those who have only high school degrees have been growing faster in the tight labor market of recent years, particularly during the recovery from the brief Covid-19 recession.

The College Wage Premium Is Falling

The percentage difference between average wages earned by workers with four-year college degrees versus those with only a high school diploma is falling.

Leila Bengali, regional policy economist at the San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank and the lead author of the economic letter, notes conditions in the labor market at the time a teen graduates from high school can affect the decision to go to college. In a tight labor market, for example, a high school graduate might think it’s easier to find a job with solid wages without going to college. But in a slack labor market, “an individual coming out of high school might think, ‘well, there are no jobs and the jobs that are available don’t have very high wages,’ That would then also change the calculus of whether or not to go to college,” she says.

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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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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 …

Naturally, the Fed doesn’t encourage such short term thinking since the wage premium (even if compressed) lasts throughout one’s working life. “For most people considering college, the implied increase in lifetime earnings outweighs the cost enough to make college a sound financial investment, often with very high returns,’’ the new analysis notes.
Still, the specifics on how the wage premium has shrunk, and for which groups, are of interest. The San Francisco Fed researchers used data from the U.S. government’s monthly Current Population Survey, which includes wages and hours. They compiled the data over each year to build a larger sample, suitable for analysis based on race and ethnicity.

The Fed economists found a distinctly large college wage premium for Asian workers: Asian college graduates earned more than twice as much as Asian high school graduates, compared with a 70-80% premium for other groups. The researchers attributed that to Asian students’ choices in undergraduate majors, post-graduate degrees and jobs. A Cleveland Fed analysis from 2015 showed more than 30% of Asian degree recipients majored in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), compared with about 16% of white degree recipients, 11% of Black degree recipients and 14% of Hispanic degree recipients. Forbes’ new list of the 25 colleges with the highest earning young alumni is heavily weighted to schools with a large concentration of STEM majors.

Similarly, the recent overall narrowing of the wage premium for a college education looks different when broken down by race. Since 2011, wages for Black and Hispanic high school graduates have grown faster than those for Black and Hispanic college graduates. Meanwhile, wages for white high school graduates and white college graduates have risen at about the same pace, while Asian college graduates have actually widened their premium compared to Asians with only a high school diploma.

In addition to the Census data, there’s anecdotal evidence that good workers without college degrees are in higher demand these days. Some large companies, including GoogleGOOG +0.9%, IBMIBM +0.2% and AccentureACN 0.0%, now offer college degree-free ways into their operations. In 2021, IBM announced it had removed bachelor’s degree requirements for more than half of its job openings in the U.S. In 2021, just 26% of job postings for software QA engineers at Accenture required a degree, according to a report from the Burning Glass Institute. Meanwhile, OracleORCL +0.3% required degrees for 100% of postings for the same position and AppleAAPL +1.9% required degrees in 90% of them.

 

Forbes.com | August 30, 2023 | Rina Torchinsky

 

#BestofFSCBlog : Today’s Job Market, Yeah, Crafting A Compelling Letter Of Interest(Cover Letter) To Ignite Your Job Search is a Good Thing…. Want to Stand Out? Cover Letter is a Good Idea?

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“How important are cover letters?” wondered Ashley after hiring a resume writer and realizing most jobs also required to send a cover letter. This is probably the #1 question candidates ask when applying for a job. Many jobs have the cover letter as optional, but it leaves job seekers wondering if they should send it and how much they should customize it.

The simple answer is that it is very important if you want to stand out from the crowd. A well-crafted letter of interest can set you apart from the competition in today’s cut-throat job market. Whether you’re seeking a new opportunity, changing your career path, or simply striving to make a lasting impression, mastering the art of writing a captivating letter of interest can be a game-changer.

Understanding the Purpose of a Letter of Interest

A letter of interest is a crucial tool for expressing your interest in a specific position, company, or industry, even when there’s no formal job opening. The ultimate goal is to leave a lasting impression and position yourself as a valuable asset to the organization. A well-written letter of interest can be highly effective in uncovering unadvertised opportunities and showcasing your proactive initiative.

Although a resume summarizes your skills and experience, a cover letter provides a detailed account of your desire for a specific job and an opportunity to showcase your personality. You can think of the cover letter as the marriage between the prospective job description and your resume: your chance to show your interviewer how well your skills match the job right before the interview.

Sometimes cover letters are optional, but they are always a good way to tailor your experience to the specific job. While it may seem daunting to create a cover letter for every role you apply to, it can force you to be very specific and focused on the job you want to avoid overworking and spreading yourself too thin in the job search. Having a clear understanding of your goals can greatly simplify writing a cover letter.

Writing an outstanding statement of interest

1. Start with Research: Research the company, its values, mission, and recent achievements. This knowledge will enable you to tailor your letter to the organization’s needs and demonstrate your genuine interest.

2. Make Your Opening Engaging: Capture the reader’s attention with a relevant anecdote, striking industry statistic, or thought-provoking question.

3. Showcase Your Value: Highlight your skills, experiences, and accomplishments that align with the company’s requirements. Be specific and focus on how you can contribute to their success.

4. Customize Your Letter: It is important to avoid using generic templates when writing a cover letter. Instead, tailor your letter to the specific company and job you are interested in. This will show your dedication and help you stand out. Elainy Mata emphasizes in Harvard Business Review the importance of writing only one page and, of course, having a template to start, but always tailoring it to make it sound like you and to make it sound like it is only for them.

5. Express Enthusiasm: Clearly state your interest in the organization and the role you’re targeting. Convey your passion for the industry and your excitement about the potential to contribute.

6. Highlight Cultural Fit: Emphasize your alignment with the company’s culture and values. This demonstrates that you’ve done your homework and can seamlessly integrate into their team.

7. Address Needs and Challenges: Address specific challenges the company might be facing and briefly propose how your skills could help tackle those issues.

8. Maintain a Professional Tone: Make sure to maintain a formal and professional tone throughout the letter and proofread for grammar and spelling errors to demonstrate attention to detail.

 

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

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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 …

How to craft a cover letter when switching careers

If you are changing careers, crafting a new cover letter can be challenging. Upwork recommends including in the cover letter the following: your transferable skills, why you are switching careers, your expression of interest/excitement in the company and a powerful closing paragraph.

Crafting a compelling expression of interest

Crafting a compelling Expression of Interest (EOI) is crucial to make your application stand out. These five tips can help you create an EOI that resonates with the hiring company:

  • Identify your unique strengths and experiences that differentiate you from other candidates.
  • Quantify your achievements whenever possible.
  • Strike a balance between confidence and humility.
  • Mention any relevant connections within the company.
  • Conclude your letter with a call to action.

In the ever-evolving job market, a compelling letter of interest can open doors you never knew existed. By meticulously researching the company, tailoring your letter, and effectively showcasing your value, you can leave a lasting impression that sparks curiosity and potential collaboration. Remember, a well-crafted letter of interest is not just a document; it’s your foot in the door to a world of career possibilities.

Forbes.com | August 25, 2023

#YourCareer : How To Get Paid What Your Worth. 70% of Surveyed Workers Do Not Believe they are Paid Fairly. Are You Paid Fairly?

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Ever accepted a job offer and then immediately regretted doing so after realizing you were being underpaid? If so, join the club. According to a Gartner survey of roughly 3,500 workers, nearly 70% of surveyed workers do not believe they are paid fairly.

The key to getting paid fairly is to know your worth and be comfortable asking for what you deserve.  Here are some tips that can help you advocate on your behalf.

Know your market value. Check out websites like salary.com and payscale.com to see what people in your field (and location) are being paid. Call a few headhunters and ask them what the going rate is for someone with your experience. And don’t forget to ask friends, who are in similar roles, what their compensation package consists of. Note: Women should be sure to ask their male colleagues what they’re making, as they may be making more than your female associates.

 

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

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

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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 …

Be confident. Know what your absolute bottom line is and stick to it. If you receive an offer for less, don’t feel pressured to say yes. See if you can negotiate a better deal. If you can’t, be prepared to move on. An employer paying you less than your worth will undervalue you in other ways.

Don’t share your current or past salary. Some companies will ask you what you’re currently making or ask for your salary history. You don’t have to answer this question. In fact, in some states, this question is illegal. If push comes to shove, turn the question around and ask what the company pays for the position you’re interviewing for. If pressed further, say, “I’m open to a reasonable offer.”

Get comfortable negotiating your pay. A company recruiter will try to pay you as little as possible while you’re going to try to get as much as possible. Be prepared to negotiate and, if need be, settle in the middle.

Be willing to walk away. It’s much easier to stand your ground when you’re willing to walk away from a deal that doesn’t work for you. Don’t be afraid to take yourself out of the running if it appears that a company doesn’t truly value the work that you do.

If you want to get paid what you’re worth, you will need to ask for what you want. Don’t be afraid to let a low ball offer slip through your hands. With more searching and networking, you are bound to find a job that meets or exceeds your salary goals.

 

Forbes.com | August 23, 2023

#SalaryNegotiations : 7 Mindset Shifts For Mastering Salary Negotiations. A MUst REad Before your Acceptance!

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Salary negotiations can often feel daunting, mainly because we often subconsciously perceive them as conjuring an unequal power struggle between a prospective employee (with little to no power) and an employer (with all of the power).

That said, adopting the right mindset can completely transform this experience into a mutually beneficial business deal. In this article, we’ll explore the most important mindset shifts to make in preparation for a salary negotiation, emphasizing that negotiations are not just about you needing the company, but also about the value both parties bring to the table.

Mindset Shift 1: Equal Partners in a Business Deal

A significant shift in perspective is to view salary negotiations as a business transaction rather than a one-sided power dynamic. Both you and the employer are investing time, skills, and resources into this partnership. Just like any business deal, both parties expect to gain value from the exchange. Embrace the idea that your skills and contributions are assets that the company values and ultimately needs to continue to be successful.

 

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  @

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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 …

Mindset Shift 2: Know Your Worth

Before entering negotiations, it’s crucial to understand your market value. Research the industry standards and average salaries for your role and experience level. This knowledge empowers you to make a well-informed case for your desired compensation. Remember, the company needs to secure your talents in order to maintain, or even advance, their business.

Mindset Shift 3: Highlight Your Value Proposition

Shift your focus from merely needing the company to genuinely appreciating the value you bring. Prepare a compelling argument showcasing your achievements, skills, and contributions. Highlight instances where you’ve positively impacted projects, increased efficiency, or demonstrated leadership. Demonstrating your impact demonstrates that you’re an essential asset, not just a replaceable employee.

Mindset Shift 4: Understand the Company’s Perspective

Negotiations are not just about you; they’re about finding a balance that benefits both parties. Put yourself in the company’s shoes to better understand their goals and challenges. Take time to consider the role you could or would play in helping them to achieve their objectives. Not only does this mindset shift foster empathy, it also opens the door for a more constructive conversation.

Mindset Shift 5: Focus on Long-Term Growth

View your compensation package as an investment in your professional journey. While an initial salary increase is valuable, don’t neglect to consider other benefits such as professional development opportunities, performance bonuses, stock options, or flexible work arrangements. This broader perspective emphasizes the long-term partnership you’re building with the company and gives you more leverage in the negotiation.

Mindset Shift 6: Embrace Open Communication

Approach negotiations with transparency and clarity. Communicate your expectations, career goals, and the reasons behind your desired compensation. Encourage the company to share their expectations as well. This transparency builds trust and reinforces the notion that both parties are working towards a common goal.

Mindset Shift 7: Be Prepared to Walk Away

While negotiations are about finding common ground, be prepared to walk away if the terms don’t align with your personal values or the value you could bring to the position. This mindset shift puts you in a position of strength, signaling that you’re committed to securing a fair deal. Remember, your skills are in demand, and other opportunities might await if an agreement cannot be reached.

Approaching salary negotiations with the right mindset can completely transform the experience from an intimidating power dynamic into a strategic business deal. By recognizing your worth, highlighting your value, and understanding the company’s perspective, you can create a win-win scenario that benefits both you and your employer. Remember, negotiations are not about one side needing the other; they’re about leveraging mutual strengths to establish a foundation for growth and success. So, the next time you prepare for a salary negotiation, channel the mindset of a savvy businessperson ready to secure a deal that honors your skills and contributions.

Forbes.com Author:  Kwame Christian    Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. Check out my website or some of my other work here.
Forbes.com | August 23, 2023

#JobSearch : You’ve Been Using LinkedIn Wrong—5 Features You Should Be Using. Advice #1: Never use LinkedIn Only When you Need a Job.

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LinkedIn is highly regarded as the number one social platform for businesses and professionals alike, for sourcing jobs and business opportunities. But how many professionals are really using it to its full potential?

Over the past few years, LinkedIn has rolled out several new features which go beyond the traditional notion of using the platform for finding jobs when one is unemployed, or generating leads for new business. If fully taken advantage of, these LinkedIn features and resources will help you establish your personal brand, catapult your career and thought leadership within your industry, and bring opportunities your way instead of you chasing them all the time.

Let’s explore some of these features below. But first, a word of caution: 

Never use LinkedIn only when you need a job

LinkedIn is not solely a job board. Its inbuilt job board is only one of several features and usages on this platform. The worst thing you can do to hurt your career is to wait until you’ve been laid off or seeking a new career path, before you start building your profile and actively using LinkedIn. If you wait until then, it will be almost too late and you’ll need to build your personal brand from scratch. It will be much harder to position yourself as an industry expert or talented professional.

Finally, note that a couple of the tools listed below may be currently in beta mode, so they may not be accessible to you at this time, depending on your location.

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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 …

5 LinkedIn features you should be using

Before thinking about using the following features and tools, you need to evaluate and ask yourself a few critical questions:

“Do I already have a fully completed profile?“, “What is my purpose on this platform?” and “Who is my target audience?”

 

If the answer to the first question is no, start reimagining and reinventing your profile, ensuring it is fully complete and reflects your personal brand identity, in line with the last two questions.

If you’re not yet sure of your purpose or target audience, consider your overall career objective first, and this will inform your answers.

1. Turn on “Creator” mode

You may not realize this, but turning your LinkedIn profile on “Creator” mode is a fantastic way to establish you as an industry leader. This is because it unlocks access to a plethora of tools such as setting up and hosting LinkedIn Live Audio events, LinkedIn Live events (the video version), and launching newsletters. You can also pick five hashtags to feature on your profile under your headline, that tell others what you talk about and are focused on.

“Creator” mode also ensures that when others visit your profile, the first option they have available to them is to follow you, instead of connecting with you. If they really want to be in your 1st degree network, they can click the “More” option on your profile for the dropdown with the “Connect” option to appear. Your following count will then show, and this assists in creating social proof for your brand using numbers.

2. Collaborate on skills-based articles

LinkedIn has rolled out a new feature which enables you to become a LinkedIn Top Voice in your area of expertise, further establishing your credibility on the platform using the LinkedIn Skills Pages.

When you add skills to your profile’s Skills section that are relevant to your role and industry, LinkedIn will suggest AI-generated articles specific to those skills, that you can collaborate with so you can add your own unique perspective.

The more you collaborate, the more you establish yourself as a knowledgeable leader in your field, and if you do it consistently, LinkedIn may award you a gold LinkedIn Top Voice badge, which you can proudly display on your profile.

3. Undertake skills assessments

When you click into the Skills section of your profile, you may notice that a button may appear which says “Take a skills assessment.” This is a fantastic way to show that you are a bona fide professional and a master at your craft.

Currently, LinkedIn skills assessments test technical and design software skills including AdobeADBE +2.4% and MicrosoftMSFT +1.7% packages.

It would be interesting to see if or how LinkedIn would test soft skills such as customer service or leadership scenarios in the future. But in the meantime, if you’d like to proudly display your proficiency and skill set, especially if you’re considering switching careers to a role or industry that uses these key technical skills, undertaking LinkedIn Skills Assessments is a great option.

4. Subscribe to the LinkedIn Learning Blog

LinkedIn’s “LinkedIn Learning Blog” regularly publishes insights about new skills to learn so you can adapt your career to today’s ever-evolving workforce. One of its most insightful articles is it’s list of most in-demand skills, pulled together from LinkedIn’s own data and research team, such as the “LinkedIn 2023 Most In-Demand Skills” below.

If you are serious about propelling your career forward, this report provides you with data and insights on how to achieve this based on what employers and the market is looking for.

5. Check your LinkedIn SSI score

Ever wondered why you’re not attracting enough career-boosting opportunities on LinkedIn? This tool might help you. Commonly used by sales professionals, this is something you can use if you’re serious about building a strong personal brand. SSI (Social Selling Index) is a score LinkedIn assigns to your profile that is calculated based on four key criteria that have an equal weighting of 25. So in essence, if your profile is perfect in meeting all four criteria, you should have a perfect score of 100.

Here is what LinkedIn’s free SSI tool measures you against:

  1. Establish your professional brand
  2. Find the right people
  3. Engage with insights
  4. Build relationships

 

Sign into your LinkedIn account on your browser, then open the below link:

Sales Navigator

Your ideal score should be over 70. Use the insights from this tool to create a LinkedIn strategy to establish your presence as an expert on the platform, network with the right people, and attract more opportunities. This will boost your score over time.

As you can see, LinkedIn is much more than a job board. It is a powerful platform for establishing business connections, sourcing your next career or business opportunity, and developing your personal brand. LinkedIn is continuously rolling out new features, so it’s essential to stay current and be active on the platform so you can be aware of new releases that will help you grow your career. Through using the tools available to LinkedIn Creators, collaborating on skills articles, leveraging your current skills while seeking to learn more, and understanding your current status in the market using the SSI feature, you can take your career to unprecedented heights and open up a world of unlimited possibilities.

Most importantly, don’t wait until you’ve been laid off or are unemployed otherwise, before you start establishing your presence on LinkedIn. Begin today to craft your personal brand here, one that will leave a legacy beyond your job.

 

Forbes.com | August 20, 2023 | Rachel Wells

#JobSearch : The Best Resume Formats For Candidates In 2023. Template Most Commonly Advocated for and Most Favored by Employers. What Format do You Use?

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You find a job you like. You decide to create or update your resume and hit “apply.” Weeks or months pass, and you hear nothing back from the recruiter or employer. Did you use the right resume format to get your message across, that you are the best candidate for the job? What could you have done wrong?

Not all resume formats are created equal, so it’s important that you identify early on, which layout you are going to use to present your experience, qualifications, and skills in the best possible light.

We’re all familiar with the standard chronological resume format—the kind where you begin with a short paragraph summarizing your key candidate highlights and then proceed to outline your relevant work experience in reverse chronological order.Not all resume formats are created equal, so it’s important that you identify early on, which layout you are going to use to present your experience, qualifications, and skills in the best possible light. We’re all familiar with the standard chronological resume format—the kind where you begin with a short paragraph summarizing your key candidate highlights and then proceed to outline your relevant work experience in reverse chronological order. This is the template most commonly advocated for, as it is most widely used and favored by employers.

But what if you face the dilemma of having little to no relevant experience, or have had a long career break or multiple gaps in employment history? How do you prove that you’re an exceptional candidate without reverting to your painfully odd chronological resume?

 

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Article continued …

How to write a functional resume

With the functional resume layout, the focus is more on your transferable skills and core competencies to meet the requirements of the role, than the conventional work experience.

Before you start writing, you need to first study out the job description and pull out the competencies listed in the “Person Specification” or similar section. Identify your transferable skills from this list, and pinpoint specific examples of experiences where you have demonstrated these qualities.

With the functional resume layout, the focus is more on your transferable skills and core competencies to meet the requirements of the role, than the conventional work experience.

Before you start writing, you need to first study out the job description and pull out the competencies listed in the “Person Specification” or similar section. Identify your transferable skills from this list, and pinpoint specific examples of experiences where you have demonstrated these qualities.

You also need to ensure that the skills listed in your functional resume are relevant, and are a decent combination of technical skills and soft skills.

As you start creating your resume, begin with your contact information, relevant portfolio links, and a professional summary.

Next, list out core skills relevant to the role—and provide a short summary for each, of where you have implemented these skills, including any success metrics or positive results as well.

Following this, list out your work experiences including employer, job title, and dates worked, without going into detail about your responsibilities. This should be listed in reverse chronological order, just as you would with a standard chronological resume.

Insert a section for your education and professional development certificates, and finally, include volunteer experience or other significant projects that are relevant.

Pros and cons of a functional resume format

Before you start creating a functional resume, here are a few points to consider:

Functional resumes are not compatible with ATS systems. This means that applicant tracking software cannot detect the key information it needs when a recruiter is scanning through your resume, due to the unconventional layout.

Therefore, if you really need to use one, be sure to send it in a way that guarantees that it is read by an actual human, for example, sending via email or a LinkedIn message.

Another important factor to consider is that most hiring managers prefer the traditional chronological layout to the functional skills-based resume. This is because it is straight-forward and easier to scan through to obtain key information about places you’ve worked, experiences and achievements for each, and how long you’ve worked for each of your employers.

Hence, although it highlights your skills, opting in for a functional resume may sometimes hurt your chances of successfully landing the job.

One way to navigate this issue is to use a combination resume, also known as a hybrid resume layout. This includes your professional summary and detailed core competencies at the top, but just not as detailed to the extent that you would see in a functional format. It then lists out previous work history in the same way a chronological resume would.

This makes for a fantastic option if you are pivoting your career and have work experience that is irrelevant, but do not wish to give the impression that you’ve never worked at all.

So what is the best resume layout to use?

If you’re applying to roles that are directly aligned with your industry and experience, use the traditional resume format.

If you have little to no experience, or have gaps in career history, use the functional resume, but with extreme caution and care.

However, the most preferred option is to use a combination resume, which will reduce red flags for employers, be easy to scan, demonstrate consistency and a solid work background, and at the same time bridge the gap between where you are now and where you desire to be in your career.

 

Forbes.com | August 13, 2023 | Rachel Wells

#YourCareer : Supporting Your Team Through A Layoff. Laying Off EImployees can be a Stressful Experience for Everyone Involved–Even the Survivors. GReat REad!

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I remember the day I first experienced a layoff.  My boss had me release a guy who had six kids.  Then she called me into her office and laid me off.  Certainly not my best day.

Laying off employees can be a stressful experience for everyone involved–even the survivors.  The survivors are the people who are “lucky” to have made it through another day. Or at least they think they are lucky until they realize the world of work, as they know it, has changed forever.

Managing team members with various personalities through a layoff can be a challenging task, as it involves delicate emotions and reactions.  Here are some strategies to help you navigate this situation with empathy and professionalism:

Understand that your employees may be feeling anxious and sad. Your role as a manager is to keep the team together and moving forward, which in all honesty, is not an easy task.

Many leaders retreat after a layoff. They figure people need time to “get over” what just happened. Avoid making this mistake.

 

Take it from me. A layoff is something that you never get over. However, you can certainly work through a difficult transition like this a heck of a lot easier when you have a manager who is there for you and the team.

 

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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 …

 

Successfully managing your team through a layoff, starts with the development of a solid plan, before any layoffs occur.

Questions that need to be considered when developing your plan include:

  • What gaps will be left when team members depart?
  • Who will fill these gaps?
  • What, if any, training will you need to provide for those being reassigned?
  • What guidance will need to be provided to your management team, so they’re prepared to carry out the layoff and support their team after the layoff has been completed?

Here are some other guidelines to follow as you work through this difficult period.

  • Be Transparent and Honest: Communicate openly about the reasons for the layoffs, the company’s financial situation, and the necessity for the decision. Transparency can help build trust, even in difficult times.
  • Customize Communications: Recognize that each employee is unique, and they might react differently. Tailor your communication to address their specific concerns and emotions.
  • Show Empathy: Understand that people will react differently to the news. Some might be upset, while others may remain calm. Be empathetic to their emotions and provide a supportive environment.
  • Maintain Professionalism: Stay professional and composed during the layoff process. Emotions can be high, but your demeanor can set the stage for how others will react.
  • Provide Clear Information: Make sure affected employees understand what will happen next, including details about severance packages, benefits, and any available resources.
  • Address Concerns of the Remaining Employees. Be supportive and understand that how people react to the news of a layoff will vary, based on their personality and their personal circumstances.
  • Follow Up: After the initial announcement, continue to check on your employees. Offer ongoing support and information as they navigate through this transition.
  • Monitor the Workload. Work still needs to get done, even though there are now less people employed to deal with the workload. Avoid overworking the remaining employees to prevent burnout or fatigue, which could lead to employee resignations. You can do this by prioritizing and assigning tasks that are most critical to the organization.

 

Remember that managing through a layoff is about demonstrating empathy, respect, and understanding. While you cannot control how people will react, your approach can significantly influence the overall experience for your employees.

Forbes.com | August 17, 2023 | Forbes.com Author:  Roberta Matuso

 

#JobSearch : How To Build Your Resilience When You Are Facing Rejection. When you Put Yourself in the Job Market, You WILL get Rejections.

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Sergei is a 40-year old startup CEO looking to raise his next round of funding. Beth is a 30-year-old technical writer considering changing jobs. Maggie is a college sophomore rushing a sorority.   What do they have in common? All of them will face rejection.

Each feels vulnerable because they are inviting scrutiny and judgment. And whether pitching a VC or interviewing for a job or rushing a sorority, rejection is inevitable.

There are numerous articles and blog posts about dealing with rejection after the fact. But when you are entering the job market or otherwise putting yourself in the path of rejection, here are some steps you can take to prepare yourself for the inevitable, cultivate your own resiliency and reduce your vulnerability to the roller-coaster of putting yourself out there:

  • Focus on “fit.” One way to insure yourself against being too rocked by a potential rejection is to remember that at the same time as you are being evaluated, you should also be sizing up whether the organization individual is a good match for you. Set some criteria for yourself and consider what questions you want to answer to help you make your decision. Sergei knew he wanted investors who would take a long view and would trust him. Beth was focused on good company culture and an experienced manager she could learn from. Maggie was looking for a supportive and fun community where she could be herself. Focusing on mutual fit rather than performance encourages you to identify your own needs and gives you agency, which reduces your vulnerability to disappointment.

 

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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 …

 

  • Look for the learning. Think of any interview as a hypothesis that you are testing rather than an evaluation of your worth or the worth of your idea. How can your conversation help you learn about yourself, about an organization, about the market? If you look for learning opportunities, then no matter the outcome of the interaction, you can get value from it. By consciously adopting a growth mindset, you will likely be less triggered by rejection.

 

  • Adjust your expectations. You may need to kiss some frogs before you find your prince, or take a lot of at bats before you get on base. Networking expert Michael Melcher posits the 30:50:20 rule—30% of interactions will be really useful, 50% will be fine but unexciting, and 20% will be a waste of time. If you enter the process assuming that the majority will not be a match but may be useful, you will be less shocked and therefore less hurt by rejection. If one conversation or interview doesn’t go well, chances are that the next one will be better. To be clear, adjusting your expectations is not the same as assuming the worst. Cultivate an open, positive approach that is grounded in reality.

 

  • Face your fear. Rejection doesn’t kill you. It is uncomfortable and disappointing but entirely survivable. Yet many people’s fear of rejection leads them to hold back or avoid the risk that is required to move forward. You might even try overcoming your fear of rejection by deliberately collecting rejections, as Jason Comely, a lonely Canadian who was afraid to ask a woman for a date because of fear of rejection. He set out desensitize himself to rejection by deliberately seeking to be rejected at least once a day—asking for a stranger for a ride, a discount, a breath mint—to desensitize himself and raise his “rejection resilience.” It worked so well he made it a game.

 

  • Improve your targeting. One way to reduce the number of rejections is to do your homework to screen out unlikely matches. If you know that you lack important qualifications or that the organization’s mission is not aligned with your values, either eliminate them from your list or approach any interaction with realistic expectations and take it as an opportunity for learning. By targeting the right investors, Sergei can save himself a lot of time and needless rejection.

 

  • Cultivate self-compassion. Whether you are networking, job searching or raising capital, you will very likely experience highs (“Awesome—I aced that interview!”) and lows (“Crap—he hated my ideas!”) that can leave you feeling quite unsteady. Whatever comes your way, cultivating an inner voice that is self-compassionate and encouraging, rather than harsh and judgmental, will help you get back up when you are knocked down. Throughout the process, tune into your feelings and practice self-soothing techniques like breathing. It may be helpful to identify a phrase, similar to an affirmation or a mantra, that will help ground and steady you when you are at a low point. Some examples: I am safe and well in this moment; I’m ok without this person’s approval; each step is bringing me closer to my goal. Each of these invites you to keep the put of rejection in perspective and re-write your inner monologue.

 

Rejection is a natural byproduct of stretching yourself and pushing the limits. By definition, working toward a goal or choosing a new path involves going beyond the confines of your prior experience, and it inevitably carries a risk of failure. This is a good thing, so embrace it. If you never risk rejection or disappointment, you may be playing it too safe.

 

 Forbes.com | August 10, 2023 | Hanna Hart

 

#BestofFSCBlog : LinkedIn Profile Do’s And Don’ts. First Impressions Matter a Lot, Especially on LinkedIn. A MUst REad!

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First impressions matter a lot, especially on LinkedIn. So, whether you are looking for a new job or want to create a more influential personal brand, there are some guidelines you need to follow. Step one of career management is to have an outstanding LinkedIn profile. As a career counselor, I see many common mistakes you must avoid. These are outlined below with some recommendations on what you should do to present yourself in the best possible light.

The Do’s

Have a complete profile. This is a critical step. Too many profiles need to be updated. Ensure the info is current, and all the required sections are completed. Don’t leave sections blank.

Work history needs specific details. This section should summarize your experience and be loaded with the results and accomplishments you’ve had in that role. Note your key strengths and relevant work tasks. If you only list your job title, employer name, and dates without additional details, you’ll miss an SEO opportunity and the chance to attract a recruiter’s or potential client’s interest.

 

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

 

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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!

 

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Customize your headline. The headline section is the most searched part of LinkedIn. And by default, LinkedIn will create one, simply listing your current job title. You will appear in more LinkedIn searches by using strategic keywords in your headline, listing the appropriate job titles considering your current and future roles. You could also include your industry, such as fintech or healthcare.

Tell your story in the “About” section. Personalize this section so that it shows your personality and is authentic and genuine. It is written in the first person. Share some reasons why you like your work and what you feel you are good at and mention a couple of work tasks you enjoy. If you are a manager, describe your style and note how important the team is. Avoid resume speak, so don’t just pull off your resume or a bio about yourself.

Use a great photo. A smiling, engaging, current headshot is what you want to use. It doesn’t need to be a professional picture; the camera on your smartphone allows you to get a perfect photo. Be sure you have a plain background, good light that shows your whole face with no dark sides or shadows. A solid-colored top works best. And most important, smile!

Point out your top skills. LinkedIn added a new feature called “Top Skills,” which sits right under your “About” section in the profile. You can highlight your top five skills. These impactful, searchable keywords improve your chances of capturing attention and enhancing your profile.

Have recommendations. Everyone looks at these when they check out your profile. These references are powerful and influential. They attest to how good you are at that job and that colleague’s impression of working with you. More is better when it comes to having recommendations on your profile. If yours aren’t current, ask some people to write one.

 

The Don’ts

Do not just describe what your company does. Your profile is about you, not your employer, even if you are the CEO. Emphasize what you have done. Note the results and outcomes you have made in your job roles. Create a personalized “about” section that talks about you and may include what you do for the employer, but this needs to be focused on who you are.

Do not list just job titles, employers and dates of employment. It’s a big mistake when there are not enough work experience details. Give a full description and point out a few key accomplishments, responsibilities, and results you have achieved in that job.

Do not include every job you have ever held. Since careers typically are progressive, it’s unnecessary to detail or even list what you did 20 years ago, as that role has little impact on where you are now and your next career position, so keep the profile to the last 10-15 years. If you are over 50, going back too far puts an emphasis on your age, which is not what you want here.

Never post anything negative. Too many people have sunk their ship complaining about a former employer or boss and posting these thoughts on LinkedIn. Prospective employers read your posts; a negative comment will make them think less of you. Many recruiters say negative comments make them move on to another candidate.

Do not be inactive on LinkedIn. You need to interact and respond to comments. The more you post on LinkedIn, the better you will do with the algorithm that controls the website. Remember that posting is not the same as commenting or liking something. Posting is creating original content, asking a question of your network, taking a poll, or sharing an article that you think is of value to other connections.

Do not have only a few connections. The number of connections makes a difference in your visibility on this platform. People who have connections under 75 are at an extreme disadvantage. Your goal should be to have at least 200-300 connections for a solid network. Add friends, bosses, coworkers, and recruiters.

 

Forbes.com | August 8, 2023 | Robin Ryan