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#JobSearch : The Role Of An Exceptional Resume In Securing Your Dream Job. New FSC Career Blog Author! Great Read!

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In today’s compеtitivе job markеt, thе rolе of an еxcеptional rеsumе cannot bе undеrеstimatеd whеn it comеs to sеcuring your drеam job. Your rеsumе sеrvеs as thе first imprеssion that potеntial еmployеrs havе of you, and it plays a crucial role in dеtеrmining whеthеr you gеt invitеd for an intеrviеw or not.

Crafting a standout rеsumе tailorеd to thе spеcific rеquirеmеnts of thе job you’rе applying for is еssеntial. This articlе еxplorеs thе kеy еlеmеnts of an еxcеptional rеsumе and providеs valuablе insights to hеlp you crеatе a winning documеnt that sеts you apart from othеr candidatеs.

Understanding the Importance of a Well-Structured Resume

A well-structured resume is essential for effectively highlighting your credentials and experience. It allows hiring managers to quickly and easily navigate your document and find the necessary information.

An organized resume typically includes a professional summary, employment history, education, skills, and relevant certifications. By structuring these sections logically and simply, your resume has a more significant impact and is more likely to make a positive impression.

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https://www.firstsun.com/2023/07/03/jobsearch-the-tough-love-pep-talk-you-need-for-your-job-search-best-article-to-share-to-your-job-seeker-today/

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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 & contact us @ www.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 …

Captivating Employers: How to Make Your Resume Stand Out

It captivates hiring managers and makes your resume stand out, and it is crucial to highlight your unique qualities and achievements.

  • Start by customizing your resume for each job application, ensuring it aligns with the specific requirements and preferences of the hiring organization.
  • Use action verbs and concise statements that focus on the results you have achieved.
  • Whenever possible, evaluate and quantify your accomplishments to demonstrate your impact in previous positions.

 

Tailoring Your Resume to Match Your Dream Job Requirements

A one-size-fits-all approach only works in the context of resumes. It’s crucial to tailor your resume to align with the unique job requirements you envision, increasing your chances of getting noticed.

Carefully assess the job description and identify the essential skills, qualifications, and experiences the employer seeks. Then, customize your resume to showcase how your experience aligns with these requirements. You exhibit your dedication and enthusiasm by demonstrating your suitability for the position.

 

The Power of a Professional Summary: Grabbing Attention from the Start

Your profеssional summary is a powerful tool to grab the attention of еmployеrs from thе start. This briеf sеction at thе bеginning of your rеsumе providеs a concisе ovеrviеw of your qualifications and carееr goals.

Craft a compеlling profеssional summary that showcasеs your uniquе sеlling points and promptly capturеs thе rеadеr’s intеrеst. Focus on your most rеlеvant еxpеriеncеs and highlight thе valuе you can bring to thе organization.

 

Showcasing Your Skills and Expеrtisе: Highlighting Kеy Compеtеnciеs

It stands out in a compеtitivе job markеt, and it is vital to showcasе your skills and еxpеrtisе еffеctivеly.

  • Crеatе a dеdicatеd sеction in your rеsumе to highlight your kеy compеtеnciеs, including both hard and soft skills.
  • Hard skills rеfеr to spеcific tеchnical abilitiеs, such as proficiеncy in softwarе applications or languagеs.
  • Soft skills, on the other hand, еncompass pеrsonal qualitiеs likе communication, lеadеrship, and problem-solving abilitiеs.
  • Bе spеcific and providе еxamplеs of how you havе appliеd thеsе skills in your prеvious rolеs.

 

The Impact of Accomplishments: Quantifying Your Achievements

While composing your resume, more is needed to list your obligations. Recruiting directors need to see the effect they have made in their past jobs.

Evaluate your accomplishments at whatever point conceivable by including explicit numbers, rates, or other quantifiable outcomes. For instance, rather than expressing that you “enhanced sales,” determine that you “enhanced sales by 20% in somewhere around a half year.” It exhibits your capacity to provide concrete outcomes.

 

Optimizing Your Work Experience: Presenting a Strong Job History

Your job experience section is essential to your resume, offering insight into your career progression and achievements. Optimizе this sеction by focusing on rеlеvant еxpеriеncеs and prеsеnting thеm in a clеar and concisе mannеr.

Begin with your most rеcеnt rolе and work backward, such as job titlе, company namе, еmploymеnt datеs, and kеy rеsponsibilitiеs. Usе bullеt points to showcase your achiеvеmеnts and determine thе impact of your contributions.

 

The Art of Selecting the Right Keywords: Getting Past Automated Filters

In today’s digital agе, many companies use applicant tracking systеms (ATS) to filtеr rеsumеs basеd on spеcific kеywords.

To еnsurе your rеsumе gеts past thеsе automatеd filtеrs, it is crucial to sеlеct thе right kеywords. Carеfully rеviеw thе job dеscription and incorporatе rеlеvant kеywords naturally throughout your rеsumе.

Strikе a balancе bеtwееn including important kеywords and maintaining a wеll-writtеn and cohеsivе documеnt.

 

Aesthetics Matter: Designing an Eye-Catching Resume Layout

Thе visualized appеal of your rеsumе plays an essential rolе in attracting thе attеntion of еmployеrs.

  • Dеsign an еyе-catching rеsumе layout that is visually appеaling and effortless to rеad.
  • Usе a clеan and profеssional font, adequatе spacing, and consistеnt formatting.
  • Include pertinent sеction hеadings and bullеt points to boost rеadability.
  • Considеr using subtlе colors or icons to add visual intеrеst whilе еnsuring a polishеd and profеssional look.

Building an Imprеssivе Onlinе Prеsеncе: Lеvеraging Social Mеdia

In today’s digital еra, building an imprеssivе onlinе prеsеncе is crucial for job sееkеrs. Employеrs oftеn conduct onlinе rеsеarch on candidatеs bеforе making hiring dеcisions.

Ensurе your social mеdia profilеs, particularly LinkеdIn, rеflеct a profеssional imagе. Highlight your skills, еxpеriеncеs, and achiеvеmеnts on thеsе platforms. Engagе in industry-rеlatеd discussions, connеct with profеssionals, and showcasе your еxpеrtisе to еnhancе your onlinе rеputation.

Networking Strategies for Landing Your Dream Job

Nеtworking plays an essential rolе in landing your drеam job. Lеvеragе both onlinе and offlinе nеtworking stratеgiеs to еxpand your profеssional connеctions.

  • Attеnd industry еvеnts, join rеlеvant profеssional associations, and еngagе in informational intеrviеws.
  • Activеly rеach out to individuals in your dеsirеd fiеld and sееk mеntorship opportunitiеs.
  • Building a robust nеtwork can provide valuable insights, rеfеrrals, and potеntial job opportunitiеs.

 

Rеsumе Mistakеs to Avoid: Common Pitfalls and How to Fix Thеm

It crеatеs a stеllar rеsumе; it is еssеntial to avoid common pitfalls that can undеrminе your chancеs of succеss.

  • Common mistakеs includе typos and grammatical еrrors, including irrеlеvant information, using cliched phrasеs, and failing to tailor your rеsumе to thе spеcific job rеquirеmеnts.
  • Proofrеad your rеsumе carеfully, sееk fееdback from trustеd individuals, and еnsurе that еach sеction adds valuе and aligns with thе job you arе targеting.

Thе Importancе of Proofrеading: Polishing Your Rеsumе to Pеrfеction

Proofrеading is a critical stеp in thе rеsumе writing procеss. Evеn minor еrrors can crеatе a nеgativе imprеssion and undеrminе your crеdibility.

 

Aftеr complеting your rеsumе, takе thе timе to carеfully rеviеw it for spеlling mistakеs, grammatical еrrors, and formatting inconsistеnciеs. Considеr еnlisting thе hеlp of a trustеd friеnd or profеssional proofrеadеr to providе an objеctivе pеrspеctivе.

 

Customizing Your Resume for Different Job Applications

Each job application is unique, and your resume should reflect this. Tailor your resume to match the specific requirements and preferences of each job you apply for.

It includes adjusting your professional summary, emphasizing different skills and experiences, and reordering sections to highlight the most relevant information. Customization demonstrates your attention to detail and genuine interest in the position.

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, an еxcеptional rеsumе plays a pivotal rolе in sеcuring your drеam job. It sеrvеs as a powеrful tool to showcasе your skills, еxpеriеncе, and qualifications to potеntial еmployеrs. By crafting a wеll-structurеd and tailorеd rеsumе, you can еffеctivеly highlight your uniquе valuе proposition and stand out from thе compеtition. Rеmеmbеr to еmphasizе your achiеvеmеnts, showcasе your kеy compеtеnciеs, and еnsurе a profеssional and visually appеaling layout. Invеsting timе and еffort into crеating an еxcеptional rеsumе can significantly incrеasе your chancеs of landing your drеam job.

 

FSC Blog Author: Mary Jean –  As you embark on your journеy to sеcurе IT intеrnships in Mеlbournе or any othеr dеsirеd location, mastеring thе art of resume writing is paramount.

 

FSC Career Blog – June 6, 2023

 

 

#JobSearch : The ‘Tough Love’ Pep Talk You Need For Your Job Search. Best Article to Share to your Job Seeker Today!

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If you have been interviewing for a while now to no avail, it is understandable that you might feel frustrated, tired, depressed and even burned out. Hopefully, you can take solace in knowing that you are not alone. All the things you have been experiencing—from the rejections to the ghosting to the backstabbing and self-sabotaging—are also lived by other job hunters.

Here’s What You Need To Do Right Away

Take a deep breath, relax and understand it’s not just you. Finding a new job is hard work and involves incredible stress. Most people only want to talk about their successes.

When you talk to friends and family, they might share their highlight reel by telling you how easily they found their new jobs and how much money they are making now. Often, they don’t offer the whole picture and how many “no’s” they had to hear before someone took a chance on them.

Like this Article?  Share It!    You can now easily enjoy/follow/share Today our Award-Winning Articles/Blogs with Now Over 2.5 Million Growing Participates Worldwide in our various Social Media formats below:

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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, or #Networking) 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 & contact us @ www.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 …

Focus On The Result

Throughout the job search process, be prepared to get your feelings hurt and your ego bruised. When you are interviewing, sometimes, you will have to endure what feels like sucker punch after sucker punch. It’s all a part of the game. In business, it is essential to remember not to take anything personally—although it’s easier said than done.

Focus on your ultimate goal and where you want to be, and confidently tackle it. It’s too easy to throw in the towel, stay where you are and remain unhappy. You must persevere, work hard and stay strong throughout the highs and lows.

When facing the hard times in your job search, remember to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and move forward. The right job will eventually come along.

You only have to be in the right place at the right time once to succeed. Then, when that time comes—and it will—you can look back and say it was all worth it in the end.

 

Forbes.com | June 24, 2023 | Jack Kelly

 

#JobSearch : 4 Job Search Lessons From Hiring Managers Who’ve Worked At Meta, Shopify & IBM. Asked these Recruiters on HOW to Stand Out? A MUst REad.

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How can I stand out from other candidates? What do hiring managers actually look for when it comes to deciding if they’ll interview someone, move them along in the hiring process, or give them a job offer?

                     Question: How do you stand out?

​​With tech layoffs still happening, there are thousands of job seekers in the tech industry looking for a new role right now. And these are some of the top questions job seekers ask me as a career and future of work expert.

So I went to the source and talked to hiring managers at Gusto, Cash App, Meta, Shopify, and IBMIBM +0.6%. Their top advice and takeaways will help you avoid making mistakes and increase the chances that you stand out in the sea of candidates out there and get hired for the job.

Lesson #1: Don’t discount your cover letter

I spoke with Amy Thibodeau, Chief Design Officer at Gusto, the SaaS company for HR and payroll, and here’s what Amy had to say about how to stand out with a cover letter.

“I pay attention to cover letters. I pay attention to the storytelling around why this role is for you because in the absence of that storytelling, all I have to go on are the facts that you happen to have listed in your CV. When I look at those facts, if I can’t see really clearly why this role makes sense for you, then I’m probably going to move to reject you before we even talk.”

She goes on to explain that a personalized cover letter that addresses the specific company you’re applying for goes a long way. Many people do not include cover letters with their job application and they are likely ending up in the no pile.

Lesson #2: Your interview is really your first day on the job

I spoke with McLean Donnelly, who is currently a professor of UX design at Savannah College of Art and Design.

When I spoke to him, he was the director of UX at Shopify and McClean, and I discussed the importance of the interview and the way you prepare for and conduct yourself in an interview is a foreshadowing of how you’ll perform once you are hired. Here’s what McClean had to say.

“People perform at the company like they interview. When you interview, you’re really starting the company, you’re building your peer group – it’s really setting the tone is not just like getting the job, it’s actually how you’re going to step into the company. And so if you’re upbeat, positive, well prepared. That’s kind of how people work, too. And so really think of it as almost like you’re starting your job. I really think there’s a correlation between how you interview and how people perform. And for me, I do keep an eye on that as we go through the interview process.”

To help take the pressure off during interviews, try to imagine that you’re having a conversation with someone who’s already a colleague. Try to create opportunities for back and forth dialogue rather than you rattling off answers and waiting for the next question.

 

Like this Article?  Share It!    You can now easily enjoy/follow/share Today our Award-Winning Articles/Blogs with Now Over 2.5 Million Growing Participates Worldwide in our various Social Media formats below:

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Best of FSC Career Blogs on LinkedIn with over 2.5 Reads:  Go to your profile and then to the top left to go to the Search bar, then type:  #BestofFSCBlog

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

Twitter: Follow us @ firstsunllc

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, or #Networking) 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 & contact us @ www.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 …

Lesson #3: Sweat the details of layout and design

Our third lesson is to sweat the details of layout and design. This one comes from a chat I had with Tyler King, who is currently a senior UX researcher at SAP, and when we spoke, Tyler was a UX research lead at IBM.

Tyler mentioned the importance of not neglecting the basics such as spelling and grammar, which seems so obvious, but as someone who’s done hiring myself, I can say with certainty, a lot of times candidates miss these details. Another thing she mentioned though, is the content and design of your resume.

So many resumes are either overly designed, or frankly unreadable due to small font sizes, poor layout, et cetera. Here is what Tyler had to say.

“Most of the time it’s hard to see red flags in resumes, but as a designer, if there’s not good information architecture and I can’t read your resume very easily, I’ll think, why are you a designer?

Help me get through your resume easily and parse very quickly, and make sure you have action words at the beginning of each statement. An example: “My leadership yielded… X amount of new users.”

Lesson #4: Understand that job descriptions are a wishlist

Our fourth lesson is that job descriptions are a wishlist.

Alik Brundrett, a Head of Design at Cash App and previously a Product Manager at Meta shed light on how job descriptions are written, why sometimes they aren’t written very well, and why candidates need to see job descriptions as a wishlist and not a hard set of requirements. Here’s what Alec had to say.

“Speaking broadly, not every job descriptionis written by the person who’s hiring for that job.

I think that that’s one big thing to keep in mind is that, at many companies, there’s a HR person or a recruiter that’s actually helping the hiring manager, and they might be the one drafting the job descriptions, or they might be going off of templates for when the last time they hired a designer.

As an example, if I need to get someone ramped up on a tool or software, it’s really not a big deal for me. I think if the right person applies for the role, we interview them and they don’t know a specialized software, if they really are the right fit, we will definitely consider them.

Most hiring managers view that as a low cost way to hire the right fit as it takes minimal cost for us to include training videos on a new tool.”

In the world of career and job search advice there is a lot of conflicting information out there. However, one thing that stands out is a lot of the advice lacks context and explanation. Next time you hear career advice that you’re templated to follow, ask yourself “why” to understand the strategy and context – just as we’ve heard from these four people involved in hiring.

 

Forbes.com Author: Sarah Doody –  Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. Check out my website.

 

Forbes.com | June 22, 2023

#JobSearch : 5 Essential Skills To Put On Your Resume. Resumes Should be One Page Long. What is Important to You?

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Resumes are one page long. One page isn’t enough space for me to express my full thoughts on slight tweaks to the Instagram Reel algorithm—it’s not enough space for my professional life.

But, alas, we all must boil ourselves down to the one-pager. And between job experience, education, and summary statements, we must fit our skills. This is, after all, what you do at a job—use skills. I recommend not skipping the skills part—nearly 90% of resumes include it. Choosing what skills to put on a resume requires precision. You have a limited amount of space, and you need to strike the right balance of skills you have, skills the company wants, skills that are hard to acquire, and skills they might not know you have.

 

Read on for five tips on what skills should make the cut.

Technical Skills

Include relevant technical skills that are specific to your industry or the job you want. For example, proficiency in programming languages, software applications, data analysis tools, or design software. Technical skills also demonstrate a certain type of problem-solving ability which can be more broadly applicable, even if you’re not using those particular skills at work. Highlight your critical thinking and creativity via the technical tools you’ve mastered.

 

Like this Article?  Share It!    You can now easily enjoy/follow/share Today our Award-Winning Articles/Blogs with Now Over 2.5 Million Growing Participates Worldwide in our various Social Media formats below:

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Best of FSC Career Blogs on LinkedIn with over 2.5 Reads:  Go to your profile and then to the top left to go to the Search bar, then type:  #BestofFSCBlog

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

Twitter: Follow us @ firstsunllc

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, or #Networking) 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 & contact us @ www.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 …

Collaboration

Working with others is a skill—and one that you should share (since you’re good at sharing!). Nearly 61% of recruiters say that soft skills are as important as hard skills, so don’t skip this. “People who enjoy team-based, collaborative projects, if even just a little, should highlight that fondness in cover letters and ensure their resumes include a prominent line or two that demonstrates relevant experience, aptitude, and training,” says Dr. Deb Mashek, collaboration expert, consultant, and author of Collabor(h)ate. “If you like collaborating with others, say so!”

To show off your collaboration skills, highlight experiences where you contributed to group projects,. Emphasize your ability to effectively convey information, listen actively, write, and speak in public. All of these demonstrate you can work on a team.

Leadership

If you have experience leading teams or managing projects, emphasize your leadership skills. This may include: team building, delegation, conflict resolution, and project management. Get specific about what you’ve learned as a leader, and be ready to talk through details of how you invested in developing your leadership prowess. Leadership is important even if you’re not going to be managing anybody—you may lead a small project, or even just have an easier time working in a team if you understand the benefits of leadership. If you know how to do it, put it on the resume.

Social Media

Even if the job doesn’t require that you use social media directly, it can help to demonstrate that you understand where the customers are. Furthermore, an understanding of the shifting social media landscape shows that you’re ready and willing to adapt. In today’s rapidly changing work environment, employers value candidates who can adapt and thrive. Social media is essentially marketing, so understanding how to sell something on TikTok shows more than just dance skills—it shows you know how people in the year 2023 consume content.

Customer Service Skills

In many ways, we almost all have a customer service component to our jobs—even if the customer is internal. At some point, you’re providing someone else with a product or deliverable, and you want them to be happy with what you created. So if you’re good at working with customers and meeting their needs, include that in the skills section.

There are many other skills you may want to include on a resume, depending on which ones you have. Above all, the most important skills to highlight are the ones you feel most confident in. Just remember—everything on a resume is an invitation for a question. The interviewer could ask for details about any of the skills you claim to have, so be sure to be honest. And good luck!

 

Forbes.com | June 22 | Ginny Hogan

#BestofFSCBlog : Over 12K Reads-How To Stand Out And Win The Job Interview. How do You Stand Out? A MUst REad before Your Next Interview.

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Heading into a job interview is an important and stressful event. Even if you are the best at what you do, you cannot waltz into an interview without being prepared.

To succeed in the interview, you must research the company, search for the interviewers on LinkedIn, thoroughly read the job description to ensure you understand the requirements and update your LinkedIn profile. You’ll also need to master the art of small talk to make an excellent first impression and pay attention to the message you’re signaling with your body language.

Have questions prepared to ask the interviewer to show you’re interested? Let the hiring manager know that you want the job. Mirror the interviewer and be charming, yet authentic and genuine.

Doing Your Homework Is Essential

Try to find out about the people with whom you’ll meet. You can seek them out on LinkedIn and search for information about them online. By learning a little bit about the interviewers, you’ll be able to have enough information to engage in relevant small talk to break the ice and establish a bond.

The interview questions will be based on the job description. Ensure your résumé is in sync with the requirements. Think of your current and prior experiences and skills that can be matched with what the job responsibilities demand.

Look into the company’s products, services, mission statement and place within the sector, so you won’t have to worry when asked, “So, what do you know about our company?” Seek out people from your network who work at the firm or someone who knows an insider who can give tips on how the hiring process works.

Prepare and practice an elevator pitch to help you effectively sell yourself within 30 seconds. Role-play commonly asked interview questions with a mentor or trusted friends and colleagues. Ask for feedback and constructive criticism to improve your interviewing technique. Take a fresh look at your LinkedIn profile to ensure it aligns with your résumé, and everything is accurate. If you are utilizing the services of a recruiter, pump them for as much information about the job, corporate culture, interview process and people you’ll be meeting with.

First Impressions Count

If the interview is in an office setting, make sure you’re dressed appropriately. Check out the commute beforehand, so you’re not running late. When entering the building and meeting people, pull your shoulder back, hold your head high and walk confidently. Be polite to everyone you meet, as they’ll offer their input to human resources and the hiring personnel.

If it’s a video call, ensure your background, lighting, audio and internet connectivity are top-notch. Remember to look into the camera, but not to stare too hard. Having some notes discretely taped to the computer is okay if you need help or feel stuck.

You want to capture the interviewer’s attention from the start. Upon meeting, you can say, “Thank you for inviting me to the interview. I’ve always admired and respected your company, and I feel honored to be considered for this important role.” Then ask, “Why did you choose my résumé over all the others you’ve received?” The rationale behind the question is that it will force the interviewer to think about all the positives regarding your background, experience and good qualities that fit the role.

You want to make the interviewer like you. While people will tell you that possessing the right skills is the only thing that matters, managers want a person they feel comfortable with, find pleasant to deal with and have a positive, can-do attitude.

The Subtle Art Of Small Talk

Armed with knowledge about the interviewer, due to your research, you have an advantage. You can bring up a topic you know will resonate with the person. A good icebreaker would be, “I don’t know if you follow sports, but did you watch the Yankees game last night?” The interviewer will come to life and happily respond that they’re a huge Yankees fan and the game was thrilling.

You can then subtly bring up a few topics you already know the person is interested in. The conversation will organically go in a positive direction, and you will establish a bond.

Mirror The Hiring Manager

Interviews tend to go better when you mirror how the interviewer talks. This doesn’t mean mimicking them. For instance, as a New Yorker, I’ll slow down my cadence and smooth out the brashness in my tone when talking to someone from the South.

People like to hear their own name. Throughout the conversation, sprinkle in the manager’s name. Don’t overdo it, as it will come across as phony.

 

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Article continued …

All Eyes Are On The Interviewer

It’s understandable to be fidgety and awkward in an interview, but you must suppress the tendency to shake your leg, fiddle with something on the desk, get distracted or look away from the video lens. You must offer your full attention and actively listen to the hiring manager. This interviewer is the most important person in the world to you at the moment.

A good couple of questions to ask right away to demonstrate interest and empathy is, “How can I help you? What would I need to do to be successful in this role and exceed expectations?” When you get the manager talking, it’s a good sign. The more they speak, the more invested in you they are. It’s a psychological hack. The hiring manager talks themself into hiring, thinking, “Wow, I’m really selling this person on the job. They must be really good!”

Let The Interviewer Know You’re Interested

Whether it’s an onsite or video interview, the same principles apply. Pay attention to the conversation, make eye contact and, most importantly, let the interviewer know you want the job. Many job hunters play hard-to-get and think that’s an effective formula for success. It’s not, and that strategy often backfires. Managers want a person who desires the role. They are disinterested in mere window shoppers.

Selfishly, hiring managers want someone they know will accept an offer. It is problematic if the hiring process lingers on for six months with 10 different individuals involved, only to end up with the applicant taking a pass. All the time and effort is wasted. Senior management and everyone involved in the hiring process will be irritated by expending so much time, energy and political capital only to have to start the search all over again.

Always Be Authentic

Come across as positive, motivated and enthusiastic. Demonstrate that you are a team player. Avoid putting on pretenses. Be your true genuine self, and let them know the real you.

Don’t default to acting like the stuffy, corporate drone, espousing corporate jargon and buzzwords. Be your genuine and authentic self. It doesn’t pay to pretend because they are hiring you for you. If it turns out that you are a drastically different person than you pretended to be, it will be uncomfortable once you start. Your employer will feel as if you committed a bait and switch.

Don’t say anything disparaging against your former or current boss and co-workers. When you do this, the manager will instinctively believe you will one day badmouth them when you leave the firm and interview with another company. It makes the hiring manager feel that you’re not trustworthy.

You have to win over all the interviewers with your charm and likability, in addition to possessing the right skills. Listen intently to what people say. Then you can reframe their thoughts to show that you get it and are paying close attention. Nod your head when you agree with a statement someone made that resonated with you. It demonstrates that you are both on the same page. Avoid interrupting when the interviewer is talking.

What To Say

You want to come across as motivated and enthusiastic. Tell the hiring personnel, “I’m so happy to be here and meet you. I’ve extensively researched the company, reread the job description 10 times over and spoken with many people who raved about your company. I believe my skills, background, talent, education and credentials perfectly match the opportunity.”

At the end of the interview, you need to have some questions ready when they ask, “Do you have any questions for me?” Rather than worrying about what questions to ask at the end, which distracts you from being in the present, ask genuine questions based on your curiosity and interests as they arise.

A Call To Action

As the interview is winding down, give it one last pitch. “It was fantastic to get to know you and (reference others involved with the process). It was a pleasure learning about the opportunity and company.”

Share something from the heart: “When I initially read the job description, the opportunity spoke to me. After all the great conversations, I’m even more convinced that I have all the right skills for the role and would love to come aboard.”

“It was a pleasure meeting you. I look forward to the next step” is a smart way to position yourself before the meeting ends. Then, offer, “Can you please share the next steps and who I’ll meet with for the following rounds?” The questions frame that you are motivated to get the role and subtly nudge the interviewer to start thinking about the next steps and moving forward.

 

Forbes.com Author:  Jack Kelly –  Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. Check out my website or some of my other work here.

Forbes.com | June 12, 2023

#JobSearch : How To Write A Follow Up Email After An Interview. The Most Important Thing you Do After an Interview. A MUsst REad!

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What’s the one thing you want, most of all, after a job interview? A job, right? But first things first – before you get the job offer, you’ve got to have a little more dialogue – even if you crushed the interview and you are an ideal candidate. After you’ve met with your prospective employer, either in person or via video call, there’s one thing that every candidate desires. Of course, the easy answer is “a job offer”. But the job search process is a process. And in that process, the one thing you want after a job interview is simple. Every candidate wants and needs another point of connection. Another conversation. A conversation is what leads to a job offer! To be sure, that conversation begins when you send your follow-up email, after the interview. Here’s how to rely on your own resourcefulness and craft an email message that can get you the dialogue you need.

The suggestions below are offered as tools, not rules, for your email message. Consider that the intention is to choose the words that will help you most – and of course, those words will always come from inside of you. Even if you turn to a chatbot for solutions, you still have to craft the right prompts. Consider also that a follow-up email should be no more than 250 words, as a rule of thumb, with no attachments. These prompts and suggestions below will give guidance for your email, after a job interview – feel free to modify and personalize as you see fit.

What’s A Good Subject Line?

After a job interview, the best email subject is the one that clearly represents what it is that you want. And what you want in a follow-up email after a job interview is (always) another conversation. So, the subject line should reflect that intention. While there’s no exact recipe for an email – because what works for you needs to come from you – here’s a possible subject line that might be useful: “Time to Talk?” Before you hate on that line, remember: it’s a tool, not a rule, to point you in the direction of a follow-up email subject that gets you closer to your next gig. When you look at the subject of “Time to Talk?” it’s a bit provocative. Does it mean, “do you have time to talk?”, or “I need a time to talk!”, or …well, what exactly? Didn’t you just talk to the hiring manager, the person in HR, the folks at the company? Yes, of course. But the funny thing about conversation is that it can always continue – especially for the candidate that deserves the job. The communication principle here is: the subject must reflect what you need, and what can be of service to your potential employer. A time to talk – to continue the conversation from the job interview – is the next logical step. Would you like a time to talk? If so, it might be a good start in the subject line.

You can also send a follow-up email after a job interview that has a more boring subject line, such as “Thanks for Your Time”, if you want to be basic. Why not write, “I’m Not Creative” or “Busy Joining the Herd” or “Don’t Read this One” instead? (that last sentence was written in sarcastic font). Look, if you’re reading this post, you want to stand out from other candidates when you send an email after your job interview. Come straight at the thing that you want, and offer the thing that will help your next employer most. That’s a conversation! So, some other possibilities that can elevate your game include “Positive Reflections on Our Conversation, from [Your Name]”, “Our Next Conversation”, “Looking Forward to Our Next Conversation”. Your subject needs to be clear on the conversation you want – and point towards your next one!

 

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Article continued …

Show an Attitude of Gratitude

Appreciation is where the conversation begins. Remember, general statements get general responses. Of course you appreciate the opportunity to share your skills and abilities, but what specifically stood out for you, and sparked your appreciation? What did you see, observe or learn in the interview that you really appreciated? Was there anything that stood out – something that you might call extraordinary, special or compelling about the company? If those words feel too grand or too fancy or too whatever, adjust accordingly – but be specific and remind yourself and your potential employer of the alignment you felt towards the organization. If you can’t be specific about what you liked – in one sentence – then you won’t stand out from the other candidates.

Remind and Reinforce

A follow-up email, after a job interview, is a reminder. A reminder to the hiring manager of your point(s) of connection. A reminder of the service you can provide. A reminder of why you are a beautiful and compelling fit for the role. It’s not necessary to rehash your resumé or recreate the entire conversation – but hitting the highlights can be really useful. Words and phrases – followed with simple, specific reminders – can be wise reminders for the hiring manager. Which of these words and phrases would help you most, when writing an email after your job interview? “alignment with your organization”, “my values”, “my contribution”, “connection to your team”, “your insights into ______”, “my previous X years experience as a _____”. And don’t forget phrases like “an ideal fit”, “a deep understanding of _____” and “commitment”, “dedication” and “sincere interest”. Write about your values. Write about what matters most to you, and how you can help solve problems for the organization. It might seem really simple, but it can be very useful to let the employer know that you are very interested in coming on board – and that’s why you are seeking a time to talk!

Solutions and Service – How to Close Your Email Message After a Job Interview

After sharing some reminders of your qualifications and your interest, is there something you’d like to know more about? Steer clear of specifics around compensation, or start date, as these issues might be a bridge too far. Like asking someone to marry you on your first date, the intention might be OK but the execution is suspicious. The secret of success is all in the timing, so consider topics that could get you another time to talk. Don’t be presumptuous. Be curious. What would you like to know more about? What is it that you’d like to explore further in a conversation? Perhaps that conversation would allow you to put together a plan for the first 100 days in the role. Or a strategy for helping the team in some way. Whatever the case may be, and you will have to evaluate your own case, consider how curiosity drives conversation. That curiosity always looks in the direction of the service (and solutions) that you can provide. Because every employer, from the machine shop to Meta, hires one thing and one thing only: solutions providers. There’s more to explore, regarding the solution you can provide. So explore ways to find a time to talk, and discover ways to be of service – because that’s the solution you want, after your job interview.

Every person has their own style, and however you choose to express yourself in an email, remember: the worst thing you could do would be nothing. The candidate who doesn’t send an email is actually sending a crystal-clear message: namely, that you don’t want the job. Every conversation is a point of connection, and after a job interview it’s best to always send an email message. Be grateful, be specific, be curious, and be clear. Consider how you can set up the conversation that leads to the offer you want. Maybe all you need for your next gig – or your next email, after your job interview – is really simple. Maybe you just need a time to talk.

 

Forbes.com | June 7, 2023

#JobSearch : Write A Cover Letter To Get Noticed (And Hired!): 4 Best Practices. Best Way to Stand Out, Get Noticed! MUst REad!

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Despite headlines about layoffs and companies downsizing, the job market is still strong. But to find a great job, you must set yourself apart, and a primary way to make an impression is with a compelling cover letter.

                                Question: How do you stand out?

The cover letter is still critical to the way you present yourself—and perhaps more importantly—the way you distinguish yourself from so many other job seekers.

Cover Letters Matter

Fully 56% of employers prefer a cover letter, according to an article published in Business and Professional Communication Quarterly. And 45% of recruiters said that not having one could result in your application being rejected, according to stats collected by Resume Now.

Hiring managers say cover letters make them more likely to pay attention to an application. They say they read them, and they are an important factor in the hiring decision. In addition, 47% of people include a cover letter, based on the Resume Now stats.

Cover letters admittedly require a lot of effort to research, customize and write—but they are worth it and a necessary part of the process. Write one whether or not it is requested, because it will make you more memorable and separate you from the pack. Just make sure you provide a high-quality cover letter, because a poor letter is worse than none at all.

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Article continued …

Write on Purpose

When you’re developing your cover letter, be sure you write with its purpose in mind. Use it to introduce yourself and as a vehicle to create your first impression. A cover letter should communicate why you want the role, why you’d value working for the organization and why you believe you’re a good fit to the role and the culture.

A cover letter is meant to provide details which go beyond your resume, expanding on responsibilities, giving examples and highlighting your achievements and results. If necessary, you can also use it to explain gaps in your resume or extenuating circumstances related to your employment.

Write for Relevance

In addition to writing a cover letter in the first place, perhaps the most important thing you should do in the document is to show a match between your talents and the job you’re applying for.

Do your homework, researching the job and the organization so you can reflect the company’s direction and priorities and make a case for how you can contribute to reaching them. Highlight the way your achievements relate to the role you’re applying for.

In addition, be humble. Talk about making a contribution to something, not achieving it by yourself. Communicate what you have learned about the job or the organization through your research, but stop short of saying you understand it perfectly. Hiring managers want to know you’ve put in the effort to read, review and learn, but they also want to know you get that there’s still a lot to discover.

Write for Alignment

Be sure your cover letter is aligned with your resume, but doesn’t repeat it. Be consistent in the format you use for both documents, and ensure your name and contact details are identical between the two.

In addition, align what the reader will see on each document. If your cover letter includes an example of the results you drove in your project management role with a volunteer association, be sure you reflect the details (for example, the name of association and type of responsibilities) similarly so they can make easy references. In addition, be sure the experiences you’re referring to in the cover letter are actually reflected in the resume.

The cover letter is also an opportunity to highlight which elements of your resume are most relevant. You may be a brilliant financial mind and previous roles demonstrate this—but if the job you’re applying for doesn’t include a finance component, you should use the cover letter to highlight the skills which are most related to the job you’re pursuing.

Write for Accuracy

Your cover letter should include a header (your contact information as well as the organization’s) as well as a salutation. Be sure to address it to a real person if you can determine the name of the proper recipient.

After these, your letter should include an introductory paragraph which talks about why you’re interested in the job and a body which provides details about how your experience is a match. Finally, it should include a concluding paragraph which summarizes your interest and invites the hiring team to contact you.

Be descriptive in your cover letter, but also concise. Fully 70% of hiring leaders prefer a shorter letter, according to the Resume Now stats. In addition, be creative and let your personality show, but avoid being goofy or gimmicky.

Always be sure to proofread your letter multiple times and even ask a friend to check it for you—to be sure it strikes the right tone and is error-free. When you’re deciding what to include in your cover letter, also be sure to follow directions from the organization, including all the necessary specifics they request.

A Reflection of You

Your cover letter is a reflection of you. It demonstrates your commitment to making the effort and putting in the work to make a case for yourself in relationship to the job and the organization. These will send a strong message to the potential employer about how you’ll perform and present yourself in a job.

Done well, a cover letter takes a significant investment of your time, but it will surely pay off in finding a great role!

Forbes.com Author:   Tracy Brower, PhD Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. Check out my website or some of my other work here.
Forbes.com | June 5, 2023

#JobSearch : Why White-Collar Workers Are Losing Out In The Job Market. Recent Job Market Survey: 66% of Executives Most Worried. MUst REad!

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White-collar, college-educated professionals are having a harder time finding a new job and are facing greater job insecurity than blue-collar workers. Unlike during the Great Resignation, white-collar professionals are enduring long rounds of interviews, not receiving feedback, and finding it harder to secure a new opportunity, according to the Wall Street Journal.

In a recent job market survey by Professional Résumé Writers, nearly half of the workers self-reported that they were concerned about losing their employment, with executives being the most worried (66%).

 

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Article continued …

Causes For Concern

According to Layoffs.fyi, nearly 198,000 workers have been laid off this year in the tech sector alone. There are fewer opportunities for professionals in the United States, as data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that job postings have fallen by nearly 500,000 since the end of 2022. Hiring for knowledge workers or the “laptop class” has slowed, while jobs for lower-wage workers remain abundant, especially in leisure and hospitality.

As if that is not enough to instill fear into white-collar workers, in March, Goldman Sachs released an alarming research report about the ascendency of artificial intelligence. The investment bank concluded in the analysis that 300 million jobs could be lost or diminished due to this fast-growing technology.

Office administrative support, legal, architecture and engineering, business and financial operations, management, sales, healthcare and art and design are some sectors that automation will impact. In 2023, IBM and Chegg laid off workers or paused hiring, as management felt AI could handle many of their tasks.

Companies are also accelerating their efforts to send jobs to lower-cost countries. A recent Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta survey found that 7.3% of leadership in the U.S. plans to move more jobs offshore as the next step from remote work within America.

Nicholas Bloom, an economist at Stanford University and an expert in workplace matters, told the Wall Street Journal, “About 10% to 20% of U.S. service support jobs, like software developers, human-resources professionals and payroll administrators, could move overseas in the next decade.”

The Job Search Process

Michelle Reisdorf, an Illinois-based district director at recruiting firm Robert Half, told the Wall Street Journal that employers are being “extra cautious” when it comes to hiring. Unlike the Great Resignation, when companies urgently needed to increase headcount, hiring managers are now slow-walking the interview process to vet out candidates properly. Businesses are also raising their standards for hiring, whereas, during the talent shortage, companies were less stringent in their criteria. Understandably, employers will be more discerning when hiring white-collar workers, as these professionals cost more money.

According to data from Robert Half, the average time it takes companies to fill white-collar roles is 11 weeks. In 2021, the hiring process was averaging seven weeks.

In her over 20 years at the recruiting firm, Reisdorf said she has never seen employers exercise this much caution throughout the hiring process.

People Will Move For Less Money

Facing labor market headwinds, employees are willing to accept less money, despite economic uncertainty. In a recent survey by Blind, 56% of tech workers said they’d be willing to accept the same or less pay in a new role. Thirty-three percent of respondents attributed this to the current state of the job market.

The survey also found that tech employees are more likely to accept a lower salary in a job switch if they are already well-compensated. For example, 62% of respondents earning over $100,000 per year said they would accept a lower salary in a job switch.

This is a significant shift from the past, when tech employees were more focused on maximizing their salaries.

What You Can Do About It

Despite the challenges, there are a number of things that white-collar workers can do to safeguard their employment status. One important thing is to stay up-to-date on the latest trends in their field. This will help them to remain relevant and marketable in the job market.

Another important factor is to develop strong skills in areas such as problem-solving, critical thinking and communication. These skills are becoming increasingly important in the workplace and can help professionals stand out.

Sometimes, workers must compromise on pay and work preferences to get hired. That could mean accepting less compensation than you were earning and going into the office every day.

For those people who are still holding onto their jobs, they must make themselves indispensable in the workplace. This will help you avoid being on the chopping block when it comes to layoffs at your company.

Finally, white-collar workers should be prepared to adapt to change. The job market is constantly changing, and knowledge workers need to be able to change with it to stay successful and keep earning a livelihood.

 

Forbes.com | May 22, 2023

#YourCareer : What To Do — Besides Worry — Before You’re Laid-Off. Great Read!

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Waiting to learn if you will escape a looming layoff can sometimes be more stressful than losing your job. On the other hand, a study found the likelihood of developing a health condition increases by 83% in the first 15 to 18 months after a layoff, even for employees with no pre-existing health conditions.

This unsettling feeling is now known as Layoff Anxiety, a term that describes the emotions and health issues proceeding job cuts.

So what can we do beyond worrying while waiting for a layoff?

1. Deploy Defensive Pessimism

One way of making worry work to your advantage is by “taking your fear out to its extreme,” wrote executive coach Melody Wilding in a piece for Harvard Business Review. Deploying “defensive pessimism” is, according to Wilding, walking through your plan if you are laid off in detail to “anticipate how you will deal with obstacles such as your finances, health care, and finding a new job.” This strategy allows you to rehearse the worst-case scenario productively.

In the spirit of defensive pessimism, here are some options to consider instead of holding your breath in anticipation.

Experts recommend keeping enough money to cover three to six months of living expenses to replace lost income. Bestselling Author Bonnie Honeycutt listed the top three places to keep emergency funds, rather than in your checking account, as High-Yield Savings, Money Market Accounts, and Certificate of Deposits (CDs). Finding the extra money in advance to fund an emergency can prove challenging. Adding income sources is possible if your pennies are stretched beyond the pale.

 

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Article continued …

2. Create An Emergency Fund

Experts recommend keeping enough money to cover three to six months of living expenses to replace lost income. Bestselling Author Bonnie Honeycutt listed the top three places to keep emergency funds, rather than in your checking account, as High-Yield Savings, Money Market Accounts, and Certificate of Deposits (CDs). Finding the extra money in advance to fund an emergency can prove challenging. Adding income sources is possible if your pennies are stretched beyond the pale.

Take heart:Walking the path of the worst-case scenario before it happensoften opens our eyes to the reality that a layoff doesn’t have to bepermanent. Although our time at one company may end, the journey of the rest of our lives begins when they let us go.

 

3. Nurture Your Side Hustle

Not putting all our eggs into one basket or diversifying our portfolio are age-old concepts. However, when it comes to full-time jobs, many employees push all their chips to the middle, betting on one source of income rather than exploring other options. I’ve been laid off twice in three years and can attest to the importance of having a little side income source. It kept the bills at bay.

Personal branding expert Stephen A. Hart believes that creating other offerings outside of your 9-5 helps maximize the skills we’ve acquired throughout a career. “We often discount the superpowers we’ve developed, but there is a lot that you can do and possibly teach,” Hart said in an email. “Begin by inventorying your acquired skills, talents, and wisdom. And look at ways you could create an offering to assist other people or organizations within your industry for a fee.” There are many quick ways to cash in on your knowledge, like coaching, consulting, and facilitating workshops.

4. Know Your Rights

Many factors play into layoffs, and the language used by employers significantly impacts workers. In her article for The Wall Street Journal, Vanessa Furham notes there are “some important differences between being furloughed, laid off or permanently terminated, and it could mean the difference between having healthcare coverage or not.” Another area to consider is that severance is only sometimes an option, and often companies forgo paying out unused vacation. All the more reason to use it before you lose it, in this case, forever. Knowing your rights and options before getting laid off can slice down the element of surprise when the news arrives.

Take heart: Walking the path of the worst-case scenario before it happens often opens our eyes to the reality that a layoff doesn’t have to be permanent. Although our time at one company may end, the journey of the rest of our lives begins when they let us go.

Forbes.com Author: Jennifer Magley

 

Forbes.com | May 18, 2023

 

 

 

 

#YourCareer : Which Jobs Will AI Replace? These 4 Industries Will Be Heavily Impacted. Traditionally White-Collar Work—May be Heavily Impacted. Thoughts?

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Since the release of powerful AI tools ChatGPT and Google’s Bard, discussions about whether “robots” will replace humans have grown, and studies show some jobs—surprisingly, some traditionally white-collar work—may be heavily impacted.

KEY FACTS

  • Generative AI, a form of artificial intelligence capable of creating text or other content in response to user prompts, has quickly gained popularity following the public launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
  • Since its November 2022 release, people have used AI chatbot ChatGPT for an array of this, including writing college-level essays and generating code.​​
  • The AI race heated up after Google released Bard on March 21, a ChatGPT competitor and a separate entity from the company’s Google search engine.
  • A recent report from Goldman Sachs estimates around 300 million jobs could be affected by generative AI, meaning 18% of work globally could be automated—with more advanced economies heavily impacted than emerging markets.
  • The report also predicts two-thirds of jobs in the U.S. and Europe “are exposed to some degree of AI automation,” and around a quarter of all jobs could be performed by AI entirely.
  • Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and OpenAI found some educated white-collar workers earning up to $80,000 a year are the most likely to be affected by workforce automation.
  • According to the report, jobs in agriculture, mining and manufacturing are the least exposed to generative AI, while jobs in the information processing industries, like IT, are the most exposed because jobs that use “programming and writing skills” are more closely related to GPT’s capabilities.
  • Generative AI isn’t perfect, both OpenAI and Google admit their program sometimes gives incorrect responses and has other flaws, like ChatGPT’s knowledge base that ends in 2021, and Bard’s limited conversation retention.

 

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Article continued …

JOBS MOST IMPACTED

  • Finance and banking: Banks have already begun incorporating AI into their business models. 56% of banks claim they’ve implemented the technology into their business domains like management, and 52% claim they’ve used it for revenue generation, according to Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance and the World Economic Forum. Abhijit Bose, a Capital One senior vice president, told the Washington Post AI will potentially “monitor transactions” to give detailed financial advice on saving and spending. Morgan Stanley has begun using OpenAI-powered chatbots to organize its wealth management database, helping advisers pull up data and research more efficiently. The World Economic Forum also predicts AI will bring three changes to the finance division: job cuts, job creation and increased efficiency.​​ In addition, they estimate by 2027, 23% of jobs in China’s financial sector will be replaced by AI.

 

  • Media and marketing: Kristian Hammond, chief scientist of Natural Sciences told the BBC in 15 years, “90% of news will be written by machines.” Natural Sciences has a software called Quill, an AI paraphrasing tool that writes company reports ahead of earning announcements. German publisher Axel Springer announced in February plans to transition into “digital only,” which includes job cuts in favor of “modern technology” and automation. Reporters for different media outlets like Business Insider, CNET and CNBC have used ChatGPT to write news stories, though they have often been criticized for containing false information. In January, BuzzFeed CEO Jonah Peretti announced the company would rely on ChatGPT to personalize content and enhance quizzes, much to the employees’ dismay, according to the Wall Street Journal. In the marketing world, 84% of marketers reported using AI in 2020, a stark jump from 29% in 2019, according to Salesforce research. High-performing marketing teams averaged around seven different uses of AI and machine learning in 2020, and over half planned on increasing their use in 2021, the report also claims.

 

  • Legal services: An attorney used ChatGPT to publish a 14-page legal paper published in Social Science Research Network on a plethora of prompts, including creating a contract, explaining why the Supreme Court’s decision on same-sex marriage shouldn’t be appealed and developing deposition questions. The AI bot has the potential “to address access to justice questions” and make legal services available to those who can’t afford it, Andrew Perlman, the author of the paper and a Suffolk University Law School Dean told Reuters. Low-income Americans don’t get enough or any legal help for 92% of their civil legal problems, according to a 2022 report by Legal Services Corp. Some have already begun incorporating AI into legal service, like startup Lawgeex, which has a service that reads contracts faster than, and what they claim to be more accurate than humans.

 

JOBS LEAST IMPACTED

 

  • Manufacturing and factory workers: This industry has been undergoing automation for a while, with General Motors credited as the first major manufacturer to implement robotics in their assembly lines after the introduction of UNIMATE in 1961. However, generative AI may speed up the process. For example, Elon Musk unveiled the Tesla Bot, or Optimus, an autonomous android made to replace humans in dangerous, repetitive jobs. Musk plans to place these bots in his Tesla factories and eventually expand to millions around the world. According to an MIT and Boston University report, AI is expected to replace as many as two million manufacturing workers by 2025. “Our evidence shows that robots increase productivity,” the researchers said. A Chinese factory in Dongguan City replaced 90% of its workforce with machines, resulting in a 250% increase in productivity and an 80% decrease in defects. A job that took 650 human workers to complete now takes about 60 robots and 60 humans, the company claims.

 

  • Agriculture: According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in 2021 there were 21.1 million full- and part-time jobs in the food and agriculture sectors, making up 10.5% of the labor force. Agriculture is considered one of the world’s oldest professions and has stood the test of time, lasting through four separate industrial revolutions. According to the Washington Post, many small farms don’t produce enough profit to invest in more machinery, though larger farms have already begun the process of automation for strenuous tasks. In the U.S., family farms make up 98% of all farms, with a majority being small family farms that operate about half of the country’s farm land. However, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture does fund AI research, education and extension activities in the areas of natural resources and environments, agricultural systems and engineering and economics and rural communities.

 

  • Healthcare: A study published in the International Journal of Health Services found on average, psychiatrists spend 20.3% of their day on paperwork, followed by internists and general practitioners at 17.3%. Mundane administrative tasks like this can be automated, but other areas probably won’t need AI. David Dranove, a professor at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management told the Kellogg Insight most adults want to hear about their health from a human, and there’s “a need for compassion…that AI is unable to contribute.” An Oxford University report predicts medical transcriptionists, medical records, medical secretaries and health information technicians are the most likely jobs in the field to be automated, not actual providers. This extends into mental health as well—the Washington Post has tried and failed at creating an AI version of infamous psychologist, Sigmund Freud.

Forbes.com Author: Arianna Johnson

 

                       Forbes.com | March 31, 2023