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#BestofFSCBlog : Over 22K Reads! When Hunting For A New Job, Focus On What You Can Control. It’s Essential to Have an Attack Plan. Great Read!

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It’s the new year and you’re thinking about switching jobs. Once the holiday season comes to a close and it’s back to business as usual, you recall everything that’s been annoying you—a narcissistic boss, sniping co-workers, lousy pay, no upward mobility and a lack of purpose and meaning.

Once you’ve concluded that nothing will change, it’s time to start searching. At the same time, you owe it to yourself to at least give it one more try. Arrange a meeting with your manager to discuss their plans for your future. There’s a possibility that the boss thinks highly of you and has big things in mind for your advancement within the organization. If that is the case, say “thank you” and run with the opportunity. To hedge your bets, keep an eye open for a new role, just in case the manager defaults back to their micromanaging, bullying ways.

Control What You Can Control

Start with taking control over what you can control. Hire a career coach to help write a new résumé and LinkedIn profile. Reach out to headhunters who specialize in placing people in your sector. Keep check of your mindset. This will be a marathon and not a sprint. There will be rejections, ghosting and rude treatment. It’s an unfortunate part of the interview process.

 

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

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Question: Want the ‘the best/current 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 30 years in the delivery of corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 of our corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!  

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

 

Article continued …

Avoid Falling Into A Funk

The United States is currently undergoing what is being deemed a white-collar recession, with thousands of college-graduate office workers laid off from top firms, such as Goldman Sachs, Meta, Amazon, Salesforce and Microsoft. Hiring freezes and job offer withdrawals are becoming commonplace as businesses tighten their belts to cut costs and save money to get through an anticipated recession. January is a prime time to interview, and with a large number of out-of-work professionals in your sector, it will be competitive.

Fighting against the tide can be frustrating and exhausting. It’s natural to get discouraged and lose faith. Despite setbacks, such as being rejected for a follow-up interview, an offer being made to someone who you feel has less experience than you and having meetings canceled at the last minute, you need to remain mentally and emotionally strong. Remember, it’s not just you. This is a systemic issue affecting everyone. When you are at a low point, think of all the times you’ve succeeded and overcome obstacles.

Stick To The Game Plan

It’s essential to have an attack plan. This calls for a schedule to accomplish certain goals each and every day. On a daily basis, submit your résumé to jobs that fit your background and interests, speak with people in your network to see if they are aware of any open roles, ping your recruiter for updates, post on LinkedIn to burnish your brand and roleplay interviewing to stay sharp.

To keep a balance, exercise, practice self-care, engage in hobbies and meet with friends and family. Try meditation, breathing exercises and yoga to offer some calmness.

Shut off the television, stop doomscrolling on Twitter and avoid looking at social media sites that feature manufactured lives that make you feel bad about yourself. Stay away from junk food, alcohol and drugs. Tune out anything that may get in your way.

If You Are In Between Jobs, Don’t Disappear From Society

When people lose their job, they feel despondent and shy away from socializing. They make excuses to get out of previously committed engagements, as they dread having to tell people that they’re unemployed. The laid-off professional, who has their identity tied to their job, feels like a failure. They are concerned that peers will look down on them. They don’t want to keep repeating the story of how they were downsized and getting pitiful looks from family and friends.

Although you want nothing more than to put the covers over your head and stay in bed all day, take action and control over the situation. This is the time when you must reach out to people in person and online. If they don’t know you need a new job, they can’t help.

Prepare a brief pitch about what happened. “After 10-plus years at ABC Widget Company, along with several thousands of other employees, I was let go due to the deteriorating economic situation and its impact on my organization.” When people offer their condolences, quickly inform them, “Thank you for your concern. I’m secretly happy that this happened. I loved my job and career. If the reorganization never occurred, I would have probably stayed another 10 years at the company. I look at this as my reason to try something new. I interpreted this as a sign that I should take stock of my life and work and pursue a new opportunity that gets me excited to get out of bed in the morning. It’s time to meet new people, take on challenges and build the next chapter of my career.”

You’re A Fighter And A Winner

Psych yourself up. Before you go into a video interview, put on whatever music gets you pumped up. Have some coffee to get your adrenaline up, but not too much as to avoid the jitters and dry mouth. Do a little dance, jumping jacks or jog in place to get the blood flowing. Speak with someone before the interview to warm up and get comfortable talking.

Even with a good attitude, there will be bad days. Fight through it and keep moving. An object in motion stays in motion. One thing leads to another, if you keep on pushing forward. It’s also a numbers game. If you consistently submit résumés, ask for job leads, interview, work with recruiters, network on social media sites and in the real world, eventually, you’ll break through and secure a great new job.

 

Forbes.com | January 20, 2023 | Jack Kelly

#JobSearch : How To Land Jobs That Aren’t Advertised. Best Way to Stay Away from the Stack. Great REad!

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When looking for a job, many will start with job boards and Google searches to find open positions, which makes sense. The problem is, if you rely solely on these tools, you will only find those positions being advertised to thousands of other internet users.

It is only when you look beyond these platforms to the hidden job market that some of the most exciting opportunities present themselves.

What is the hidden job market?

For those who are unaware of this hidden job market, this refers to job openings that may exist but are currently not being advertised online. There are several reasons an organization may choose not to actively advertise a position, perhaps they intend to hire internally, or they rely on employee referrals.

It might also be that a newer role is still evolving and they’re not set on how to define the job title or daily responsibilities. But if you sit back and wait for this position to appear online, you might miss your chance of landing your dream job.

So, by looking beyond the jobs posted online, you’ll open yourself up to a whole host of new opportunities, but how do you find a job if you don’t know the role exists?

Reach out to your network

Over the years, it’s likely that you’ve built up a network of connections in your industry, and you should never stop expanding this network.

When looking for your dream position, it’s a good idea to reach out to relevant connections and let them know that you’re looking for work. You should also give them an idea of your skills and experience, as well as how you believe you can help their business.

This can be done by email, simply asking if they have any positions going. Alternatively, you could set up a business meeting to discuss this with them in person or over the phone.

 

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

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Question: Want the ‘the best/current 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 30 years in the delivery of corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 of our corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!  

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

 

Article continued …

Turn to LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a great way to continue growing your network, but it also presents you with lots of other techniques for finding unadvertised jobs.

Firstly, you could share an update letting your connections know that you’re available for work and your credentials. This might encourage them to reach out and let you know about positions within their company.

Alternatively, you can join industry-related groups where you can share interesting insights and join relevant conversations. Getting your name out there and being part of the conversation increases your chance of being approached with exciting opportunities.

Attend industry events

Trade shows and industry events can be the perfect way to meet others in your industry and open yourself up to unadvertised positions.

Before you go, it’s a good idea to put together a quick elevator pitch and keep this at the forefront of your mind when meeting new people. You should also take with you an up to date copy of your resume, or at the very least, a notepad and pen so you can jot down email addresses and fire over your resume when you get home.

You might even wish to volunteer at these events, showing your passion for your industry and giving you the opportunity to network with lots of like-minded professionals and organizations.

Start with the company

Job hunting doesn’t just have to be about looking for the perfect role; in fact, in many cases, it pays to start with the company instead.

If there is a specific organization you’ve always dreamed of working for, this is the ideal opportunity to reach out to them and find out if they have any positions available. Just because they may not have advertised these online or on their website, it doesn’t mean the position isn’t there.

So get the contact details of the most relevant employee, for example, the in-house recruiter or the manager of your chosen department. Then, you can contact them with your resume, outlining why you think you’d be an asset to the company.

Suggest freelance work

Finally, and this will very much depend on the type of work you do, but if there is a specific company you want to work for, you could consider completing some freelance or contract work with them first.

Reach out to the relevant employees with your pitch, explaining your services, past experience, and how you can add value to their business. Then, if they think your services could be beneficial, you’ll have a chance to work with them, get to know more people in the company, and learn about any open roles.

In fact, if your freelance abilities are as good as you say they are, they might offer you a full-time position before you even enquire.

As you can see, when you’re job hunting, it always pays to be proactive. That way, you’re more likely to uncover unadvertised positions and secure your dream role.

 

Forbes.com | January 19, 2023 | Andrew Fennell 

#JobSearch : Monster Survey: 96% Of Workers Are On The Job Hunt. Be Prepared- A White-Collar Recession Starting to Take Place.

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Monster, one of the early online job boards, reported that 96% of workers are hunting for a new job this year, according to its December survey on job search plans and the 2023 United States job market outlook. The respondents say that they are seeking higher compensation.

About 40% of job seekers said they need a higher income due to inflation and the accompanying rise in costs. Sixty-six percent of the 930 poll respondents believe that it will be challenging to find a new job, and more than 10% report that they may have to take a pay cut due to the current economy.

Vicki Salemi, Monster’s career expert, told CNBC that even compared to the Great Resignation, the number is “phenomenally high.” In 2021, at the height of the Great Reshuffle, nearly 48 million people quit their jobs—an annual record.

The Hunt Begins In January

January is historically one of the best times to engage in a job hunt. The beginning of a new year is ripe for change. Even though it’s only flipping a page in the calendar, mentally and emotionally, it feels like a fresh start or a do-over from last year. Along with the New Year’s resolutions of losing weight and going to the gym, seeking a new job is one of the most common resolutions.

 

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Twitter: Follow us @ firstsunllc

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

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Question: Want the ‘the best/current 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 30 years in the delivery of corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 of our corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!  

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

 

Article continued …

This year, it’s likely that more people will start looking for a new job for several reasons. They need to increase their compensation to keep up with inflation and rising costs. With layoffs becoming relatively commonplace, if a person is feeling ill at ease at work or worried about being selected for downsizing, it’s rational to start getting in touch with recruiters, going on LinkedIn to network and hitting the job boards.

Right before Thanksgiving, there’s a steady deceleration in job-search activity. People start taking their personal time off, going on vacation or just trying to relax and recuperate. The hiring process slows down, as there is a collective, unspoken agreement to take it easy.

However, by the second or third week of January, it’s the adult version of going back to school. Human resources and talent acquisition are nudged by hiring managers to send them résumés and get the hiring process started, as they need to get through the work that’s piled up over the holidays.

Be Prepared: It May Be Tougher This Year

There is a white-collar recession starting to take place. College-graduate office workers in tech, Wall Street, media and other sectors are seeing significant layoffs.

When companies are downsizing people, they usually also enact hiring freezes, as they’re trying to cut costs. Just because there is a hiring moratorium doesn’t mean you shouldn’t apply for a job. Certain jobs are required, such as compliance officers, and the companies will make exceptions for these must-have personnel.

As the Monster survey suggests, many people will be searching at the same time, so there will be intense competition. Job seekers must get started before everyone else also embarks on their job searches. Update your résumé and LinkedIn profile, contact recruiters, visit job boards, prepare and practice your elevator pitch and network.

Hiring Managers Need To Get Ready Too

Hiring managers need to get in gear too. They have to create job descriptions and ensure they are up to speed with newly enacted laws or bills pending, such as disclosing salaries or ranges on job advertisements, asking a candidate about how much they earn, and the possibility of doing away with non-compete contracts. A bill was recently introduced by the New York City Council that would make it illegal for employers to fire people without a good reason. The bill will offer security and protection from a manager capriciously firing a worker, if approved.

 

Forbes.com | January 17, 2023 | Jack Kelly 

 

#YourCareer : White-Collar Office Workers Are Having A Hard Time. The White Collar Recession is Very Real [and] it will Increase.” GReat REad!

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A steady flow of layoff announcements targeting professionals working in tech, Wall Street, media and other sectors could signal the beginning of a white-collar recession. The downturn in the economy is changing the worker-employer dynamic. Companies, after contending with the Great Resignation and consequent labor shortage, are now gaining the upper hand.

Bob Iger, the former and now once-again CEO of Disney, made one of his first orders of business to bring back workers to the office four days a week starting March 1. Salesforce co-CEO Marc Benioff chastised employees in a Slack message complaining that the company’s newest hires aren’t being productive, according,  his standards. Starbucks’ interim CEO Howard Schultz was displeased that employees disregarded his return-to-office request and is now requiring office workers to return for three days a week.

The tide is turning on the professional class. In prior economic contractions, it was usually the blue-collar and front-line workers who bore the brunt of job losses. This time, it’s different. Highly compensated, white-collar professionals are currently the most impacted by layoffs

 

Like this Article?  Share It!    You now can 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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Twitter: Follow us @ firstsunllc

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

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

Question: Want the ‘the best/current 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 30 years in the delivery of corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 of our corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!  

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

 

Article continued …

The Change In Power Dynamics

During the pandemic, employers pandered to their workers, as it was exceedingly difficult to recruit, onboard and retain people. Record-high inflation, rising interest rates, China’s restrictive Covid-19 policies and other factors contributed to a more challenging environment. Now, business leaders are focused on reigning in expenses, cutting costs and letting go of employees.

Even the best-run companies face challenges in swiftly changing economic environments. In a letter to employees, Salesforce, the biggest private employer in San Francisco, announced that it was laying off 10% of its approximately 80,000 workers. Benioff also questioned why the subscription-as-a-service tech giant was facing “lower productivity” from its newly hired employees.

He raised rhetorical questions, such as, “Is this a reflection of our office policy? Are we not building tribal knowledge with new employees without an office culture? Are our managers not directly addressing productivity with their teams? Are we not investing enough time into our new employees?”

At Starbucks, Schultz asserted that the global coffee chain should remedy the unintended consequences of remote work. He contends that the company is losing the art of collaboration, doing work in silos prevents actual prioritization and his employees are losing their connection with a shared mission by not being together.

Iger mandated Disney employees to work in-office four days per week, saying “in a creative business like ours, nothing can replace the ability to connect, observe and create with peers that comes from being physically together.”

The Shift In Fortunes Between Blue And White-Collar Workers

According to the Wall Street Journal’s reporting of the recent jobs report, hospitality, leisure, manufacturing and retail laid off fewer workers than white-collar workers from September to November compared to a year earlier.

Average downsizings in the financial and insurance sectors from September to November nearly doubled since the same time last year. Real-estate layoffs increased by more than 20% over the same period, and by 14% in the information-technology sector. Job listings on Indeed.com for human resources and talent acquisition roles were down by about 36% last month from a year earlier.

The Wall Street Journal predicts that blue-collar workers stand a better chance than white-collar professionals.

Jason Calacanis, a venture capitalist and the host of the All-In Podcast, tweeted about the white-collar recession, “…The white collar recession is very real [and] it will increase.”

It doesn’t look like the prospects for white-collar workers will improve anytime soon. The World Bank cut its global growth forecasts and foresees a worsening in economic conditions, CNBC reported. According to the World Bank’s latest Global Economic Prospects report, conditions could cause the third-weakest pace of growth in nearly three decades, ranking up with the global recessions caused by the pandemic and the global financial crisis.

The most recent Conference Board survey indicated that most executives don’t foresee more robust economic growth in the near term. More than 50% of CEOs worldwide and 60% of U.S. CEOs anticipate a lackluster 2023. On a positive note, the report shows that the executives feel there will be a pick-up in economic growth by the end of the year or into mid-2024. The chief executives are concerned over labor shortages and talent retention, once again showing how the current downturn strikingly differs from past tough times.

Despite the belt-tightening measures, old habits are hard to kick. Despite Goldman Sachs’ announcement to lay off around 3,200 workers, CEO David Solomon and other top executives were questioned over the costs of using private jet trips, according to the Financial Times.

Forbes.com  –  January 14, 2023 – Jack Kelly 

 

#YourCareer : White-Collar Job Cuts Call For Workers To Make Themselves Indispensable.. What You Need To Do To Keep Your Job Great REad!

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In the new austerity era, white-collar workers will bear the brunt of layoffs. Historically, heading into challenging economic times, blue-collar or frontline workers would be the first impacted by layoffs. In this current wave of downsizings, tech layoffs quickly rolled over to media, mortgage, finance and other sectors.

After years of halcyon times, it’s time for office workers to be circumspect and hold onto their jobs. The days of quiet quitting, acting your wage and joining the Great Resignation are over. Now, you need to make yourself indispensable.

You must go above and beyond what was in your initial job description. Remote work provides a healthy balance of life and work, but go into the office five days a week. Put in the hours, but also keep an eye open for new opportunities—just in case you’re targeted for the next round of downsizing. Integrate yourself with your boss, so you know what you need to do to exceed expectations and hold onto your job—or possibly get a promotion—while others who are not “playing the game” are unceremoniously shown the door.

The Job Cuts Keep Coming

The plan, as it relates to job cuts, seems to be working for the Federal Reserve Bank. More than 150,000 tech workers were let go in 2022, and the new year ushered in thousands of more layoffs in January, as companies held off downsizing until after the holidays. Amazon says it’s letting go of more than 18,000 workers, up from the 10,000, which was estimated in November. Video platform Vimeo cut 11% of its workforce in pursuit of “ongoing cost discipline.” Salesforce is shrinking its 80,000-person staff by 10%. The software company added 30,000 jobs over the course of the pandemic, which CEO Marc Benioff now admits was “too many people.” Goldman Sachs is set to lay off around 3,200 employees. Coinbase plans to lay off 950 staff members, or around another 20% of its team.

What You Need To Do To Keep Your Job

Now is the time to take assertive control over your career by making yourself indispensable. Start by scheduling a conversation with your manager and human resources. Tell the parties that you love the company, your job, your boss and your co-workers and want to progress within the firm. Then, share what you’d like to achieve. It could be a lateral internal transfer or greater responsibilities. Flip the script by inquiring about what plans they have for you.

The best outcome is that they say you’re a respected professional and see good things for your future. If you leave the meeting feeling that the company doesn’t value your contributions and hasn’t put much thought into your career trajectory, it’s a sign that you should start thinking of the next play.

If there isn’t a path forward, continue to smile, work hard and produce, but also hedge your bets by getting in touch with respected recruiters in your space. Build a list of target firms you’d like to work for. Find the in-house talent acquisition recruiters, human resources representatives and prospective hiring managers and send them a LinkedIn invite or InMail, along with your résumé as an attachment.

Go into the office five days a week, even if your company offers remote or hybrid work options. You’ll disproportionately benefit from the proximity bias compared to your peers that are just small boxes in a Zoom video.

Exceed expectations by asking for high-profile, difficult tasks that others run away from. Disassociate with toxic colleagues who bring down everyone around them. You’ll need to put in quality hours to showcase what you’re capable of, demonstrating that you’re a keeper. Make sure that your boss and their managers are cognizant of your achievements. Shy away from boasting, but subtly let people know about your victories.

It will take hard work and patience. You’ll win fans by showing up and killing it every day. People will start perceiving you as one of the best go-to A-players that is irreplaceable and destined for great things in the future.

 

Like this Article?  Share It!    You now can 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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Twitter: Follow us @ firstsunllc

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

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

Question: Want the ‘the best/current 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 30 years in the delivery of corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 of our corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!  

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

Article continued …

Don’t Do This

You may feel resentful that you’re not getting promoted as fast as you’d like and raises, promotions and stock grants aren’t offered as freely as in the past. Despite the setback, don’t become bitter and vindictive by overtly complaining to co-workers or start quiet-quitting. You won’t be helping your cause with a bad attitude.

There has been a trend of workers chasing clout by airing internal dirty laundry on TikTok, Twitter and other social media platforms. It may give you a temporary high; however, there will be repercussions. You’ll lose favor with the bosses and prospective future hiring managers may rebuff your behavior, concerned that you’ll also say derogatory things about them.

Why Did Everything Change So Quickly?

With the availability of cheap money, interest rates artificially kept low by the Federal Reserve Bank and a boom in demand over the last couple of years, companies aggressively hired personnel. The exuberance was muted when the trillions of dollars in stimulus funds flooding the market to keep it going during the pandemic caused, in part, 40-year record rates of inflation. To counter the devastating impact of runaway inflation on American families, the Fed hiked interest rates to cool down the economy. An intended consequence of this program is to nudge businesses into cutting costs and laying off workers.

Forbes.com | January 11, 2023 | Jack Kelly 

#BestofFSCBlog : Over 14K Reads! 5 Secrets To A LinkedIn Profile That Can Compete In The 2023 Job Market. Great REad!

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The new year has arrived, and for the career-oriented go-getters, so has another list of professional goals to tackle.  Double the size of your professional network, promote your organization externally, find a new job after getting laid off, increase your annual salary, get a mentor…

Would you believe me if I said you could check any of these items off your to-do list just by giving your LinkedIn page a facelift? It sounds shallow, but it’s true: the likelihood you’ll receive a job interview or have a career-changing conversation within the next year rely heavily on the caliber of your LinkedIn profile.

You may as well shove those high heels back in the closet and forget about ironing that shirt because you can propel your career forward just by laying down on your couch with a laptop while wearing yesterday’s sweats. It may not be a professional nor ergonomic look, but in today’s age, it works. The phrase “getting your foot in the door” has never stood further away from its literal meaning.

 

Like this Article?  Share It!    You now can 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:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-g-laughter-b46389198/

Twitter: Follow us @ firstsunllc

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

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

Question: Want the ‘the best/current 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 30 years in the delivery of corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 of our corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!  

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

 

Article continued …

Shiny LinkedIn profiles will dominate the 2023 job market

If the thought of rewriting your LinkedIn bio or brainstorming a catchy headline makes you want to run in the opposite direction, trust me when I say you should think again. With more than 875 million users worldwide, LinkedIn’s role in the hiring process is nothing short of massive. Jobvite’s 2020 Recruiter Nation Survey reported that 72% of recruiters use LinkedIn to hire new candidates. Every second, 101 job applications are submitted through the platform. Eight people get hired every minute.

But don’t be deceived – the prevalence of job listings does not equate to a surplus of work. According to LinkedIn’s December 2022 Workforce Report, hiring across all industries fell 4.9% from October to November and is 20.5% lower than it was during November of last year. Even more concerning, current hiring has fallen 11.9% below pre-pandemic levels – a clear indicator that the job market is entering a shift we haven’t experienced in years.

Job hunters looking to work from home face an especially competitive battle. Remote work makes up only fifteen percent of the jobs listed on LinkedIn, but receives 50% of the platform’s applications. The Washington Post dubs the growing clash between employees’ interest in remote work and the employers who are willing to allow it “the great mismatch.”

In a job market saturated with candidates, those with sleek shiny LinkedIn profiles rise to the top.

5 steps to glam-up your LinkedIn profile

1. Structure your profile around your career goals

Whether you partake in New Year’s resolutions or not, the beginning of a new year comes with the inevitable urge to imagine the future that lies ahead. Use this time to think about the career goals you have for the upcoming year. Doing this before you dive into a full-on LinkedIn makeover will help you structure the changes you do make around a specific purpose. A cohesive profile gives recruiters a clear message about who you are and what you have to offer.

Here are a few questions you can help you define the career goals you have for the new year:

  • Where would you like to see yourself by the end of the year?
  • What skill set are you primarily using in your career this year– and what key words reflect those skills when used on your profile (remember! Recruiters search by key words)?
  • How would you like your brand to change over the next year?
  • Think of a dream company you’d love to work for. What impression would you want to give in a conversation with a recruiter?
  • What topics and skills would be beneficial for you to learn and develop?

2. Revamp the details

A sparse or crusty LinkedIn profile gives recruiters little faith someone will perform at a high standard in the workplace. It’s just a fact of life: aesthetics matter, and this is especially true in the job market. Take the time to make sure the details of your LinkedIn profile are all straightened out. Photo lighting, punctuation, job descriptions – these may seem like small things, but recruiters notice when they’re done sloppily.

Look at the content you already have on your page and see how it can be improved or updated:

  • Profile Picture
  • Use a photo that closely resembles your current appearance
  • Avoid using photos with poor lighting or additional people you need to cut out
  • Wear business-casual attire, take the photo from the chest up in front of a plain background
  • Headline
  • Avoid the default headline that shows your job title under your name
  • Instead, give a wide scope of who you are by including skills, certifications, future goals, and your own interpretation of what it means to do the work you do
  • Use your headline to explain where you want to go. If you’re in tech, transitioning into communications, lead with what you want to go into.
  • About info
  • Make sure your bio is written in the first person (use the words “I” and “my”)
  • Double check for grammatical mistakes and punctuation errors
  • Avoid casual language, fragmented sentences, and an excessive use of emojis
  • Background photo
  • Make your profile pop by adding a background photo in the space above your profile picture
  • Avoid personal photos and group photos
  • Consider using a subtle image related to your career
  • New accomplishments
  • Add the jobs, awards, or major achievements you’ve had since last updating your profile
  • Previous work experience
  • Treat this section of your LinkedIn Page like your resume by describing the work you did with a few bullets led by strong action verbs
  • Format text consistently across all job entries

3. Reassess your keywords

This is the part where strategy comes into play. You can create the most aesthetically pleasing profile LinkedIn has ever seen, but it won’t be seen by recruiters if you don’t leverage keywords correctly. Keywords are terminology commonly used in a specific industry. Recruiters hiring for job candidates through LinkedIn will often filter results by entering keywords that relate to the position or industry into the platform’s search feature. The more keywords you include in your profile, the better chance you have at being approached by a recruiter looking to hire someone in that related field.

Think about some keywords that relate to the goals you brainstormed in step 1. If you’re looking to change jobs, you can probably benefit by rewording your profile’s “about” section and previous job descriptions to better reflect the skills sought after in your preferred job or industry. But make sure you avoid using keywords that stretch the truth – you may think this gives you an edge over candidates, but it will only be a detriment to your credibility later on.

4. Expand your network with LinkedIn groups

Scrolling through a seemingly infinite reel of LinkedIn posts makes it easy to forget that the platform, at its core, is a network of professionals. Passively consuming posts from college peers will rarely be enough to propel your career forward. Instead, you need to use LinkedIn to actively seek out professionals with valuable connections and opportunities in your field of work, and the finding right LinkedIn group is a total gem.

The easiest way to do this? Join more LinkedIn groups and take note of which one has like minded professionals and positive engagement. There’s a LinkedIn group related to just about every occupational field and professional development topic out there, including several for job seekers. You can read more about which ones I recommend here.

5. Become more active and explore creator mode

Your posts, comments, likes, and shares all play a role in shaping a hiring manager’s impression of you. In essence, they’re part of your personal brand. While some people may think it’s safer to avoid leaving a trail of activity, this path can be even more detrimental. A lack of engagement on LinkedIn reads as a lack of interest in professional development and few, if any, achievements in the workplace. Of course, this may very well also not be the case, but it doesn’t change the fact that a recruiter has no reasons to believe otherwise.

If you’re anxious about engaging with other professionals on LinkedIn, dip your toe into the water by liking and commenting on posts that come up in your feed. Keep in mind that comments that prompt a follow-up answer will spur more engagement than comments that just affirm the post.

You don’t need to make your own LinkedIn posts overly complicated. A quick update on a team project or a post highlighting your company’s community involvement is a short but positive contribution to people’s timelines. Do your best to remain active and consistent on the platform. Consider giving yourself a certain number of posts to aim every week or month.

Above all else, make sure the content you do contribute to LinkedIn stays classy and avoids conflict. There are better places you can go if you’re looking for tension, namely Facebook and Twitter.

 

Forbes.com | January 9, 2023 | Ashley Stahl

#JobSearch : 5 Tips To Make You Standout In A Competitive Job Market. Getting a Job just Became much Harder in 2023. GReat REad!

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The tech sector laid off more than 150,000 employees in 2022, populating the job market with a wave of talent from some of the country’s most notable companies.

Job seekers energized with a fresh start to the new year may be in for a tough awakening – getting a job just became much harder. CNBC reports that, according to job recruiters, the tech market remains competitive, even if job seekers are considering fewer offers than they have in the past.

Ongoing inflation and talk of a 2023 recession will likely make the job market even more competitive this year. Whether you’re applying for the same position as someone who lost their job or looking for something that provides more financial support, being a top candidate means bringing your A-game to the hiring process.

Here are five tips to help you gain a competitive edge over Twitter’s latest resignee.

1. Clean up your digital footprint

Look through your social media

Most people know to rid their social media profiles of inappropriate photos and posts. But, in case an employer “stumbles” on your Twitter or Facebook profile, double check that you haven’t liked or commented on any posts you wouldn’t love for them to see.

People enjoy Googling themselves as much as they enjoy listening to a recording of their voice – okay, so they don’t tend to enjoy it all. But some things are worth a few minutes of internal cringing, one of which being a shiny new job. Take note of the websites that come up first? Is there anything problematic you need to take care of? If your personal website doesn’t come up within the first page of search results, consider making some SEO improvements.

Update any shared personal information

Long bios, short bios, social media bios – make sure all of these are not only updated with your most recent accomplishments but also reflect the image you want to give employers. A competitive job market is not a great time for self-deprecating humor.

 

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, Llc (FSC) is celebrating over 30 years in the delivery of corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 of our corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!  

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

 

Article continued …

2. Go a step beyond just doing the research

Companies love it when candidates “do their research.” Not only does it show employers that the candidate is seriously considering the company, it also boosts some egos – just be sure not to overdo it.

Showing you did your research can look like spitting out the statistics and key phrases you saw on their website, but to really be effective, go one step further. Incorporate your own thinking, ideas, and values into the information you’ve gathered about the company. What excites you about their approach to solving problems? How does their mission and values align with your own career goals? Do you have any ideas to bring to the table if they were to hire you into the new role? Share them if they’re open to hearing them, and be sure to know what competitors are doing so that you can be informed on the market you’re in.

3. Leave no threads hanging

Nothing says you’re interested in a company more than a thank you email, and if necessary, a follow-up email. Not only is this a gracious practice, it also leaves employers with a positive image of you before they make their decision.

4. Do some reflecting

You don’t need me to insert an inspirational quote about failure to know that rejection is a part of life. Coming to terms with rejection and getting back on the horse, though, is only the first step. Dare I say – achieving success despite failure is not just about how many times you can get back up.

Dare I say – achieving success despite failure is not just about how many times you can get back up.

If there’s one thing you take from this piece, let it be this: Never ask a company for feedback after getting rejected! Despite their good intentions, many people don’t realize that asking companies for feedback can open the door to legal issues that cause major problems on the company’s end. For this reason, HR is usually well trained to decline that request.

Instead, form your own opinion on how the interview went. Be honest with yourself — what could you have done better? What questions did you feel unprepared for? Were there any moments that made you feel particularly anxious? Also reflect on the hiring manager’s demeanor and body language. Were there any points during the interview when they responded in an unfavorable way? You know more than you think you do.

Take note of the kind of candidate the company was looking for and any interview answers you may have given that revealed the ways in which you might fall short.

Is the gap specific to this company and position? Or is it something you foresee standing in the way of getting other jobs with similar demands in the same industry?

The mismatch may be because you lack a skillset or preferred style of working or because you have location or time requests the company cannot meet.

5. Tweak your approach and head back to the job board

Taking stock of the things that didn’t align during your last application or interview process isn’t enough to make things fall in place during the next go-around. Make a list of things you can change to close any gaps making you fall short of what hiring managers are looking for.

Then, pick a gap to resolve. Maybe this means adding another certification to your tool belt or accepting that you may need to relocate. Whatever it is, repeat this process enough and it will only be a matter of time before you land a job offer. When you do, it won’t be a job that happened to fall into place; it will be a job you put into place yourself.

Forbes.com | January 6, 2023 | Ashley Stahl

#JobSearch : What To Watch Out For When Interviewing In 2023. Interviewing is Not Easy. A MUst REad!

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Interviewing is not easy. You must remain vigilant as the hiring process is not always honest and transparent. You must be aware of misleading job advertisements, overpromises and questionable tactics used by companies to entice applicants to join their firm. Some businesses will purposely try to game the new salary disclosure laws or ghost you after 10 rounds of interviews over the course of three to six months. It wouldn’t be shocking if you receive a lowball offer and are pressured by a pushy recruiter to accept it, by being made to feel that you are lucky an offer was even extended.

One of the most common New Year’s resolutions is to find a new job. Many people who lost their positions last year are highly motivated to start interviewing now that the wheels of commerce are starting up again. However, be prepared. Due to the current economic situation and the likelihood of an upcoming recession, finding a new role may not be as easy as it used to be.

Companies have held off hiring during the holiday season, as both potential candidates and internal corporate professionals, including human resources, talent acquisition, hiring managers and executives, have been out of the office on vacation. Now that both the candidates and businesses are ready to hunt for new opportunities and fill open headcount respectively, the 2023 interview cycle begins in earnest.

Here Is What You Need To Keep An Eye Out For When Interviewing

It Starts With The Job Description

Pay close attention to the job description, as it will tell you a lot about the company and its culture. If the job ad demands too many unrealistic requirements, lacks reasons why the job is open, why you should be interested in the opportunity and circumvents the new salary transparency rule in your state by giving a vast range, it’s a red flag.

It’s rational that a job seeker will naturally anchor their expectations to the higher end of the salary band. They don’t know that the company purposely placed the lofty range to entice more candidates to apply for the role to add to its pipeline of candidates.

After going through about three to six rounds of interviewing, the internal recruiter tells you, “We’d love to offer you the role at $100K.” Believing that you’d get at least $200k, you now feel like you’ve been played. Companies hope to hook you and get away with a lowball offer, as you’ve invested a reasonable amount of time and energy into the interview process. They feel that since it’s a more challenging job market, you may jump at the opportunity, even though it is far lower than you had hoped. This works effectively when a person is in between jobs and desperately wants to return to work.

 

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, Llc (FSC) is celebrating over 30 years in the delivery of corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 of our corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!  

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

 

Article continued …

An Annoying Application Process

When the application submission process is archaic, as it requires you to submit the résumé and also complete a glitchy, lengthy application that mirrors everything in your résumé, this is indicative that the company doesn’t care about your time. If there is no response within a few days or longer, it confirms that the company is not employee-centric.

Beware Of Sweet-Talking Headhunters

Your recruiter may be a great person, but remember that they get paid a hefty commission when the headhunter places you in a role at the company. Like a stockbroker, attorney, real estate agent or plumber, you need to be careful of their ulterior motives.

They may be more concerned about lining their own pockets than doing right by you. You want to ensure that the executive search professional is not steering you to a company that pays a higher commission than another company that offers a better opportunity but won’t compensate the recruiter at the same high level.

At the end of the interview process, you want to make sure the headhunter doesn’t pressure you into the job or is reluctant to fight hard in salary negotiations, out of fear that the firm will push back and they’ll lose their lofty placement fee.

Unprepared Interviewers

Pay attention to when interviews are scheduled. If the HR person or managers involved with the hiring process schedule times without first asking if you’re available or push you into accepting days and times that are inconvenient, it’s a red flag about how much they value your candidacy. If the scheduled meeting is canceled at the last minute or the contact person ghosts you for long periods and returns without apologizing for their absence, it’s a tell that they won’t treat you well if you decide to join the firm. Similarly, when interviewers show up late and unprepared for the interview, clearly didn’t read your résumé or check out your LinkedIn profile and then proceeded to mispronounce or call you by the wrong name, it’s a problem.

Be Prepared For Condescending And Rude Treatment

When you are hunting for a new job, it’s a stressful undertaking. It’s both daunting and pressure-filled when you’ve lost your position and are concerned about your financial situation. All it takes is dealing with someone who isn’t empathetic, polite or helpful to make your job search even more painful.

The process of selling yourself to strangers, being made to jump through hoops and contending with the rollercoaster of emotions of highs and lows can cause even the most mentally strong person to become anxiety-ridden. Condescending, rude and abusive words and actions lead to frustration and anger over the entire job-search process.

Bosses Who Don’t Really Know What’s Going On

Some managers are out of touch with the job market and reality. They lack up-to-date metrics about compensation and are not intellectually curious to perform due diligence to see if the job market and pay have changed over the years. They are blissfully unaware of how hot a sector is. Bad bosses don’t bother to gauge how many people may be in the job search that actually possess the requisite requirements and experiences needed for the job. Instead, they’ll just assume that there is a never-ending abundance of candidates waiting in line to take the position for low pay. Rather than making inquiries into competitive compensation, the boss thinks they know it all and dismisses anyone who tries to enlighten the supervisor, leading to no one getting hired and causing the existing workers to contemplate leaving.

The Long, Drawn-Out Process

Lately, the interview process has become a three-to-six-month ordeal. You’re ordered to meet with up to 10 people. Many of those involved are tangentially related to what you would be doing at the company, but are pulled into the process anyway. This happens because the hiring manager lacks confidence in their own decision-making process and needs others to validate their choice of a candidate.

The challenge is that it’s hard to get five to 10 people to agree on a candidate. If one or two people have reservations about the candidate, it’s easy for a less-than-confident manager to accept their feedback and start the search all over again—wasting the time of the person who almost got the job.

 

Forbes.com | January 4, 2023 | Jack Kelly 

#JobSearch : How To Find A New Job In The New Year. Here is a Daily Checklist of Activities you Should Follow.

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Many people wait until the new year to search for a new job. January is one of the most opportune times to seek a new job. The start of a new year universally ushers in a warm feeling of promise and new beginnings, as people establish and try to live up to their New Year’s resolutions. People promise themselves that they will lose weight, stop smoking or drinking, dedicate themselves to a healthier mindset and get a new job. Now that 2023 is here, you don’t have any excuses and need to get started on the job hunt.

Searching for a new job takes time and energy. Think deeply about what you want to do next. You will need to do homework to see how hot or cold the job market is for your specific type of career. Update your rèsumè and LinkedIn profile, start speaking with people in your network to gather job leads, find headhunters that specialize in your space, create an elevator pitch and put together a daily action plan to achieve your goal.

Talk with colleagues, family, friends and former co-workers to gain valuable insights. Read about the type of job you’re going after and how easy or hard it will be to find a new opportunity. Set aside a sufficient amount of time every day for your job search.

Update Your LinkedIn Profile

LinkedIn will be your primary platform to network and get noticed if you are a white-collar professional. Create or update your LinkedIn profile and résumé, which could be added to your account. Your LinkedIn profile should reflect your most current job and go back about 10 years. The recent job should take up the most real estate, as that is what recruiters and hiring managers are interested in. They’ll also look at your career trajectory to see if you’ve grown professionally or remained static. Make sure to add your college and advanced degrees, accreditation, certifications and licenses required for your field.

You can have one generalist résumé, but then specifically tailor your résumé for each job you apply for to ensure that it addresses the specific needs outlined in the job description. In addition to internal recruiters looking at your résumé, it will also be included in the company’s applicant tracking system.

To help your résumé stand out in the applicant tracking system, make sure that you use common terms, nomenclature, abbreviations and jargon that people use in your sector of expertise, as well as using words, phrases and work responsibilities that match what’s called for in the job advertisement.

 

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Question: Want the ‘the best/current 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 30 years in the delivery of corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 of our corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!  

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

 

Article continued …

Networking On LinkedIn

Actively engage on LinkedIn to get noticed. Set a list of target companies. When you see employees of the organization in the same type of role as you, send out invitations to connect with a polite greeting letting them know you’d love to work at the firm. If an online conversation ensues, be bold and ask if they could point you to the right person who is involved with the hiring process for the role you want.

If someone within your profession posts content on the social media platform, reply with a like and add a well-thought-out comment. Once you get confident, start writing your own posts or share videos you’ve made about a relevant topic about your profession that will resonate with others in your field.

When you apply for a job, search for people you may know who work there. If you’re unfamiliar with anyone at the firm, tap into your network, both online and in person, to see if anyone you know has a connection with a decision-maker at the company. If they are nice enough to go to bat for you, politely ask them to put in a good word for you and offer a glowing recommendation. The recommendation will make you stand out. If you can obtain a couple of people supporting your candidacy, especially an insider, they’ll think you are a superstar.

Partner With Recruiters

Look for recruiters who specialize in your space. Having a couple of smart, experienced, knowledgeable and well-connected recruiters working on your behalf can make all the difference in the world. Top recruiters have deep relationships with companies and hiring managers. They’ll often know about open job requisitions before anyone else. Many times, companies don’t aggressively advertise certain jobs and rely on recruiters to conduct stealth, under-the-radar searches for the appropriate candidates.

Recruiters offer insider information about hiring managers and corporate culture. You’ll gain tips on what the hiring managers really want in a prospective employee, what you should avoid saying and what are the hot buttons to push to ingratiate yourself with your future boss. Recruiters will smooth out any bumps in the road, advocate for you and help with the awkward negotiating process.

Put Together And Practice Your Elevator Pitch

Put together an elevator pitch. The elevator pitch is like a commercial on television. Like a luxury-automobile company needs to quickly and effectively communicate its message and sell you on its product in one minute or less, you need to do the same thing in your pitch.

An elevator pitch is a term used to describe yourself, your job and current responsibilities, highlighting a huge win and why you are the best fit for the job, within about 30 or 45 seconds. Visualize yourself on an elevator ride with an executive at a company you’d like to work for. You need to seize the opportunity and quickly sell yourself before they exit the elevator to their floor.

Role-Play Answering Interview Questions

Review commonly asked interview questions and prepare answers to them. Research and learn all about the companies you plan on meeting with, so you’ll be comfortable when the interviewer asks, “Why do you want to work here?”

When answering questions, don’t go off on tangents. Answer by selling your relevant, on-target experience, background, interpersonal skills, educational background and other softer skills that you offer, which directly addresses the job requirements and shows how you can make their lives easier.

When responding to questions, come across in an enthusiastic, concise and compelling manner. You also want to demonstrate that you are a caring, hardworking and empathetic person they would love to hire and work alongside. Additionally, you are comfortable in your own skin and can handle stress. Lastly, think of questions to ask the interviewer when they say, “Do you have any questions for me?”

Hunting for a new job is your new job. To get you started, here is a daily checklist of activities you should follow:

  • Search job boards, the career pages of target companies and job aggregators, like Indeed, Simply Hired and Glassdoor. Try to send out a certain number of rèsumès every day. Tailor your rèsumè to each job listing.
  • Keep track of the résumés you’ve sent out, calls made and emails sent thanking people for taking the time to interview you.
  • Contact a recruiter and ask for in-person or video interviews to build a relationship. Set up calls with people in your network.
  • Make yourself known on LinkedIn by posting content and commenting on others’ postings. Prepare and practice your elevator pitch. Find someone to role-play interview questions with.
  • Research companies that would be a natural progression for you to go next in your career. Investigate them to determine if they are doing well or not. Check out the company’s career page for its job listings. Ask around your network to see if anyone has a connection with the company and whether or not they can make an introduction for you.
  • Scour LinkedIn to find the decision-makers, possible hiring managers and human resources or talent acquisition professionals.
  • Clean up your social media footprints. Since hiring managers, recruiters and internal talent acquisition personnel may snoop around your social media postings, ensure that you’ve cleaned up anything embarrassing, cringey or hurtful to others.
  • Network by sending out emails to people you’ve worked with in the past, old college friends, business associates and all others who could potentially turn you on to a job lead or supply a referral or recommendation to a key insider at the company you’d like to join.

 

                                                                                                                Forbes.com | January 3, 2023 | Jack Kelly 

#2023JobSearch : How To Sell Yourself In Your Job Search. Not Getting Job Interviews? Read This.

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If you’ve been applying to jobs and not getting interviews or offers, chances are you aren’t selling yourself enough. You can have the greatest resume or speak brilliantly in an interview, but if you don’t sell yourself, it can often be the difference between getting a job offer or not.

Before you start to roll your eyes because you think sales is a bunch of surface-level conversations, networking, and coercing, let’s take a step back. Not all sales strategies are inauthentic and ethically questionable.

Sales is crucial in the business world because marketing alone isn’t always enough to turn an interested prospect into an actual customer. Sometimes it takes a bit of a human touch.

Great sales people know potential customers often take time to make a purchase decision. Sales people help customers overcome objections and see the tangible and intangible benefits of a product.

You’ve probably heard the common sales mantra, “always be closing.” But what does closing actually mean? In reality, perhaps a better way to phrase this is “always be connecting.” If marketing is about ensuring people know about you and what you have to offer you then sales is about ensuring they connect the dots and see enough value in the product or service to actually buy it.

In your career, when you apply sales strategies to help communicate your value, you can increase the chances that:

  • Your job application is actually read and maybe even flagged as a strong candidate
  • You stand out in the minds of people who interview you, even after a long day, or week of interviews.
  • You’ll be top of mind when friends, former colleagues, family, or acquaintances hear about roles that might be relevant for you
  • And once you’re hired, your boss or manager sees your value and considers you for promotions, raises, or other opportunities

If sales is about connecting, then in your career, you need to focus on building authentic relationships that can help hiring managers and recruiters see your value.

Here are 3 example messages you can send at various stages of your job search to communicate your value. You’ll notice that in all of the examples below, the messages are concise, direct, and clear and don’t use vague requests to have a “coffee chat” or “pick your brain.”

 

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Before You Apply: Find & connect with people who work at the company

When looking for a new job, it’s important to know that 88 % of jobs are filled through networking and relationships. But what happens when you don’t know anyone at a company you want to work at? You have to find people who work there and reach out to them and start to build a relationship.

Let’s imagine you want to work at Salesforce and you don’t know anyone there. One of the first things you should do is leverage various professional groups and communities you might be a part of to see if anyone works there. For example, you could post something like this.

Hey everyone, I have a quick question.

I’m curious about working at Salesforce and want to learn more about their interview process. If you’ve interviewed there, what was your experience like? How long was the process, and did anything come up that you weren’t prepared for?

Feel free to private message me your answers or leave your general thoughts below.

Thanks in advance!

[Your Name]

This works because with one post in a group, you’re likely to receive many replies from people who work at or used to work at Salesforce or people who have friends or family who work there. These conversations can help uncover useful information about the culture and what it’s like to work there or maybe even offers from people to give you referral links to apply.

When You Apply: Send a cold email or message to the hiring manager

Contrary to what you may think, it’s not a bad idea to cold email a hiring manager before or after you apply for a job. Cold emailing gets a bad reputation because so many don’t know how to write a good cold email. However, a strong cold email can help catch the attention of a hiring manager.

The purpose of a cold email is to let the hiring manager know you applied (or plan to), provide a concise pitch for why you’re a fit for the role, and start a conversation. Think of it like this, if the hiring manager only read your cold email (and not your resume or LinkedIn profile) would it be compelling enough to make them want to learn more?

Hi [Hiring Manager / Recruiter Name],

I wanted to connect to let you know I applied for the Product Manager role at Salesforce that you’re hiring for.

I’m currently a Product Manager at HubSpot with 4 years of experience. Previously I worked as a Data Analyst for 5 years and have a MS in Data Science. Based on the job description, I think my experience could be valuable on the Analytics team.

If you have any questions or would like me to send you my resume, please let me know!

[Your Name]

After You Interview: Convert job interviews to job offers with follow up messages

If you think no one reads thank you emails, think again. According to a study by Top Resume, 68% of hiring managers said that a thank you email or note can make a difference.

The key to writing an effective thank you note is to use is to use it as an opportunity to highlight your relevant skills and experience, especially anything you maybe forgot to talk about in the interview, as well as demonstrate your written communication skills.

Using our example of the person applying to the Product Manager role at Salesforce, here’s what they might write after an interview.

Hi [Hiring Manager / Recruiter Name],

It was a pleasure to learn more about the Product Manager role at Salesforce and the analytics team. I’m excited about the opportunity to use my product management and data science background!

In the interview you asked me about [insert something they asked] and I forgot to mention [something relevant to demonstrate your skills or experience]. Please reach out if there are any other questions you have.

I look forward to hearing from you when you know what the next steps might be.

Best wishes,

[Your Name]

You should try to tailor your message to each person. Sending a generic and vague message that mentions no specifics about the role or company will not help you stand out. In fact, it might do the opposite as it could make you come across as lazy!

If you’re applying to jobs and not getting interviews or job offers, one of the most important things you can do is to leverage the power of connection and sell yourself through fostering relationships and communicating your value to recruiters and hiring managers.

 

Forbes.com | December 28, 2022 | Sarah Doody