#YourCareer : The Best Way to Track Your Work Wins. Tracking your Work Wins is Important for Many Reasons.

/in /by

 A recent client I worked with was beyond frustrated because she couldn’t remember successes from ten years ago… and some even more recent than that. It became a very tedious process for her that even included tracking down a few trusted colleagues who might remember details she could not.

This happens. We have a success and move on to the next challenge or opportunity without stopping. The problem is when we need to call those successes up, sometimes we forget them or the details.

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’ ?

Article continued …

Tracking your work wins is important for many reasons. You may want to present the accomplishments to your boss when you think you need a raise, or you may need to update your LinkedIn profile for the first time in a while. Regardless, tracking your work accomplishments as they happen will help you refer to them quickly and easily, and here are a few easy ways to remedy this and get in the habit of tracking your work wins.

▶️ 𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥. If you are like me and like paper and pen, keep a journal. Jot down your successes and keep it in your desk somewhere you can easily find and pull out. Just remember to write down as many details as you can so it’s easy to recall it when writing an effective resume.

▶️ 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐩𝐩. Rather speak your wins into your phone? There are lots of recording apps available that will record and save your musings.

▶️ 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐩𝐩. Use the Notes feature on your phone or download a new one (there are many to choose from) to jot down your accomplishments. With some apps, you can email the notes to your email.

▶️ 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞. To save time, add the achievement directly to your resume. You can write more information than needed, and tweak it when the time comes that you need to send it out.

When it comes time to write your resume, you’ll understand the importance of tracking your work wins and how to display them prominently on your resume. You will be glad you took the time to make note of them at the time.

 

FSC Career Blog Author:  Ms. Erin Kennedy, MCD, CMRW, CPRW, CERW, CEMC, is a Certified Professional Resume Writer/Career Consultant, and the President of Professional Resume Services, named one of Forbes “Top 100 Career Websites”. Considered an influencer, she is consistently listed as a “Top Career Expert to Follow” on Twitter and LinkedIn.

 

FSC Career Blog – September 24, 2020

 

Targeting Your #JobSearch -You Choose Your Employer. A 6-Step Guide to Getting Interviews Without Online Job Boards.

/in /by

What’s the first question that comes to mind when you find yourself seeking new employment? If you asked, “Who’s hiring??”, you’re certainly not alone. It is a logical question – but not necessarily a good one.

One of the first thing I advise my clients to do is to forget about limiting their considerations to those companies posting want-ads on electronic job-search engines. That’s what everybody does, and it’s a feeding frenzy of futility. Certainly there are companies open to hiring that haven’t yet put out the word or that prefer to source candidates through means other than online channels.

In fact, 85% of jobs are filled through networking and professional referrals, according to both LinkedIn and Forbes. This is where all the real action is! If you want to exponentially improve your odds of scoring some interviews here’s a great strategy:

First, create a list of ten companies you’d LIKE to work for. If you don’t have a list in your head, you can easily come up with one with a bit of research. Perform a search on companies in your industry. Narrow parameters to ones represented in your area. Now for your due diligence:

  • What is their culture? Regarding beliefs and behaviors that determine how a company’s employees and management interact, look up their leadership on LinkedIn or examine their social media presence for clues. Some companies will appear stuffy and corporate while others will seem loose and fun – go for a stylistic fit
  • Do they appear to be a successful operation with much to offer? Review the company’s website and compare with competitors. Are they competitive from a standpoint of pricing, product offerings & service? Do they have a unique market niche? Compare their websites to their main competitors. Great companies generally have great websites (the opposite is also true). You may even want to do a deep dive and see where their stock is going if it is a corporation, or investigate their earnings reports to see if they’re trending up or down.
  • What is the company’s Online Reputation? There are numerous companies you may utilize for researching a company’s reputation. Consider using Google, Yelp, Citysearch, Angieslist and other rating companies. Do not simply look at numeric rating, but read the actual reviews to glean valuable information on the company’s conduct and how they handle customers and their complaints.
  • Check Employee reviews at Glassdoor.com This site will offer reviews from former employees detailing their personal experiences with a former employer, as well as offering some general salary data. They will detail both pros and cons associated with their experience, even rating the CEO in many cases. It will typically be loaded with insights you would never be privy to otherwise, as people are remarkably candid here.
  • Does the company meet your mandatory prerequisites? Through a combination of the above means, you should be able to establish a company’s proximity to your location, whether they offer benefits, if they allow pets, if they are an established company or a start-up, etc.

Now that you have your list of companies to target, it’s time to make your approach. Unless you want to wade into the black hole of the HR resume repository – a realm from which few escape – you’ll want to go for a style of direct approach that will literally circumvent the gatekeepers. The last thing you want to do is submit your resume through a conventional company website and subject your resume to the robotic ATS algorithms designed to judge a candidate’s merit by nebulous ‘keywords’.

I advocate a more direct approach, which involves focusing on targeting key individuals within a company. In Top Down Method: a 6-Step Guide to Getting Interviews Without Online Job Boards, I detail this guerilla tactic that will distinguish you as a true go-getter and separate you from the pack. It will also help you uncover undisclosed opportunities where no one else is looking. Imagine participating in a race where you’re the only competitor – the smart money’s on you to win! So exit convention, decide who YOU want to work for, use this unconventional approach and prepare for unconventional results!

FSC Career Blog Author:  Derek Unnasch, author of Top Down Method:  eliteXtraining.com 

                                           A 6-Step Guide to Getting Interviews Without Online Job Boards

 

FSC Career Blog |  September 23, 2020

 

#JobSearch : Don’t Overlook These Two Perspectives In The Job Search. GReat REad!

/in /by

When Brian, a well-known data scientist, was laid off in April, he said it was “one of the worst nights of sleep of my life.” He wondered how he would take care of his family, and what sacrifices they would have to make.

“Oh, and by the way,” he said, “there’s Covid raging in the background.” Because of this, losing healthcare was a huge fear.

The ramifications of unemployment bring many fears for the millions of unemployed Americans. While the most recent jobs report shows job prospects slowly improving, there are still 7.8 million more people unemployed now than in February.

The millions who are unemployed face an emotional toll that can impact their job search. While securing a new job remains difficult, two perspectives can give you an edge: the perspective of those who have found new jobs (and who are willing to share advice) and the perspective of those with power to hire you.

The Emotional Toll

It’s vital to take the anxiety and grief of losing a job seriously—whether you yourself have lost a job, or someone you love has. Suicide rates increase during times of widespread unemployment. Worldwide, this may leave us with somewhere between 2,000 and 9,000 additional suicides per year due to Covid unemployment, predicts The Lancet, depending on what the unemployment rate is for the year.

Anger, anxiety, jealousy and loss of identity or sense of purpose are examples of feelings that may arise, says the Mayo Clinic. “Not everyone will have these feelings, but even those coping well with unemployment may experience some of them sometimes.”

And even those who maintain their jobs harbor survivor guilt when their companies have laid off a lot of competent and hard working colleagues around them.

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’ ?

Article continued …

Emotions And The Job Search

For those on the job market, anxiety and grief don’t always disappear the instant an organization expresses interest. Perhaps, like many people, you’ve walked into job interviews feeling desperate. Maybe you needed the vindication that you weren’t supposed to be laid off in the first place, or you were concerned about your dwindling savings or unpaid bills.

Whatever the case might be, how do you make sure feelings of desperation don’t show up in your performance as a candidate?

Contrast the feeling of desperation versus curious indifference (say you still have a job and actually enjoy it but see your professional growth at this current company ending soon, so you start looking around). Your tone, body language and choice of words will probably be very different if you don’t “need” the job. Employers can sense that. Desperation generally doesn’t attract, it usually detracts.

What Helps Job Seekers

What helped Brian after he was laid off? After a terrible night of sleep and many anxieties, he took an objective look at his situation. He looked around at the other 89 people who had been laid off, and he thought to himself, “these are good people, too.”

In addition to this, he names four other practices that can help.

1. Choose your internal narrative.

Colleagues expressed shock that he had been laid off: “I can’t believe they let you go!” or “It happened to you? That’s crazy!” His kids also encouraged him, making sure he knew they had no doubts at all that he would find another job.

If you receive such words of encouragement, hold onto them, whether they are coming from colleagues, former teachers, family members—anyone at all. Let them shape your internal narrative. For my colleague, choosing to listen to these words allowed the encouragement to form a helpful narrative that fueled his networking. If you want to be able to tell good stories as you network and interview, start by telling yourself a narrative that helps rather than hinders you.

2. Pour yourself into networking.

Soon after being laid off, Brian announced his situation on LinkedIn. He framed the post positively, inviting people to connect and send him projects. The post received tens of thousands of views—the most views a post of his has ever received, he says. In the days that followed, his network increased by 75%.

During that time, many people asked to chat with him. Sometimes they would share a business idea, sometimes they wanted to learn more about data storytelling (that is his specialty after all). He was glad to connect. His networking perspective was always, “My situation is not awesome, but can I help other people?”

For others who want to build their network, he recommends commenting on others’ LinkedIn posts without trying to sell them anything. He suggests asking connections if you can talk with them for 30 minutes. Don’t approach it from the perspective of “hitting them up for a job,” he says. Just connect in some way, and then, ask them, “if you see anything, let me know.”

It’s also essential to find ways to highlight your character as you network. Your credentials will be evident from your LinkedIn profile, so as you get to know people, you make yourself memorable when you show them who you really are.

When he posted on LinkedIn about being laid off, Brian focused on how he was still “cautiously optimistic some good things will come out of this mess we’re all experiencing.” This shows both his resiliency and his realism (the pandemic is, after all, nothing short of a “mess”).

3. Document your accomplishments.

This is important for people who are still employed, says Brian. If you have to leave the company, it will be far harder to capture data. How many leads did your project generate? By what percentage did you increase revenue? In such a volatile job market, you’ll want to add the data to your resume now.

I also advocate capturing your accomplishments all year long on the job, and keeping a story library full of stories that are already shaped and ready to tell. Also, keeping a story library with many types of stories helps you choose the story that is most relevant for each situation and audience.

4. Build your brand.

Brian also had an advantage because he had built his personal brand. He had recently published a book and was a speaker at high profile events.

“Being a thought leader was a parachute for me,” he says. If he had not invested in his personal brand, he notes, he wouldn’t have had the same “cushion.”

The one practice he didn’t find helpful? Applying for jobs. He put energy into applying for jobs, but it was always a moving target, he says, and he heard nothing in response. He felt like the hiring managers were “standing on sand,” and even CMOs and SVPs could not pull the trigger on hiring people they wanted to employ.

Networking, he found, was a much more effective use of energy. Within a week or two after his layoff, an analytics company connected with him to say, “just reaching out to see if you’re interested….” He was hired soon afterward.

Embrace the Hiring Manager’s Perspective

Another way to embrace curiosity is to imagine the perspectives of those who hold responsibility for hiring decisions.

Companies always want to work with talented employees who are invested in their vision, values and goals. Even during a hiring freeze, companies should be developing “a solid pipeline of talent prospects,” says Jennifer Ho, vice president of HR at Ascentis.

Job seekers can become part of this pipeline by starting to network with companies whose vision, values and goals are well aligned with their own. Each interaction with them—even if it’s just a comment on a LinkedIn post—can be an opportunity to demonstrate that you “get” them.

Hiring managers also say they have their eye out right now for people who are good at remote work. Skills that make people successful at remote work include “resourcefulness, autonomy, self-motivation, proactive collaboration, and written and verbal communication,” says the Society for Human Resource Management.

Hiring managers also want to know how you are different from other candidates. A colleague of mine once lamented that hiring is difficult because, “I can’t figure out who the candidates are anymore,” since their answers focus solely on their accomplishments, rather than their character.

“We hire people we shouldn’t have,” she told me. “It’s hard to see from their answers, ‘Is this a person I want to work with? Are they joyful, are they optimistic?’” Stories capture this; laundry lists of accomplishments don’t.

With stiff competition for each available job, crafting your story is more important than ever. If you want to learn storytelling techniques and polish your story for the job search, sign up for my free webinar, Tuesday, September 22nd, 12-1pm CT. (And here’s how you can learn why I decided to offer it for free.)

 

Forbes.com | September 20, 2020 | Esther Choy

#JobSearch : Job Hunting? It’s Not Your Age It’s Something Else. Age Discrimination is Still Alive and Well in the Hiring World.

/in /by

Age discrimination is still alive and well in the hiring world. Not hearing back from an employer when you apply for a job is one of the most painful aspects of a professional job search, but it’s very much a reality during the crazy pandemic of 2020. Baby Boomers have to wonder, is it my age? Or is it something else?

“99% of the time, companies will not get back to you,” says Brenda Abdilla, a Certified Career & Leadership Coach. She is the author of an insightful new book, Outsmarting Crazytown: A Business Novel About How Derailed Professionals Can Get Back On Track (2020, Indie Books International). She explains, “You are a professional who has earned respect in your field with an impressive track record, humbling yourself by applying to job after job. Yet, you hear nothing back from companies where you have applied—even some that have interviewed you. This reality is not about to change. ‘No response’ has become the norm. Expect to hear nothing until you do—and then you can be delighted.”

Abdilla is a Professional Certified Coach, professional speaker, business consultant, and executive recruiter who has worked with thousands of top-level professionals in sales, management, and leadership. She has done executing coaching helping many individuals land a promotion. She refers to the current workplace as living in “Crazytown.”

When asked to explain, she said, “Crazytown is when work turns into a headshaking, logic-defying, maddening place for you. Crazytown can be a situation, a state of being, a culture, or just your own private hell—at work.”

Abdilla does not blame the companies. “It may surprise you to hear that most Crazytown workplaces are not created out of evil or malintent, she says. “We are not talking about a sinking company. On the contrary, at the core of what has gone awry is usually a good intention. The company is trying to save money, or increase profits, or choose a new product path, or expand their market—all good intentions.”

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’ ?

Article continued …

While many people assume it is age discrimination, Abdilla has a different take. “It’s not your age—it’s something else. At some point, every job seeker over the age of 45 will wonder if they are not getting calls because they are just too old. Unless you apply to roles that obviously attract applicants in their twenties, such as social media or SEO, then chances are there is something other than your age foiling your efforts. The first place to look is your resume to see how well targeted it is for your ideal role. Applicants well into their fifties or early sixties can get plenty of action if they have a clearly written and well-targeted resume, razor-sharp interview skills, and an eagerness that shines through every aspect of the job search process. Easier said than done during the humble act of finding a new role, but worth the work,” she noted.

Here is her advice for anyone over age 50 looking for a new role.

Deal with your career baggage first. The longer you have been in the workplace, the higher the chance you have endured unpleasant experiences that turned into career baggage. Take, for example, Elena (age 51). Elena had a stellar career in land development right up until she was let go in an acquisition a few years ago. The shock and humiliation of being laid-off tainted every aspect of Elena’s search for a new company even though she said she had “let that go.” Elena found the whole process of a job search beneath her, and she didn’t even realize that she was condescending to recruiters and not playing the job search game very well. Elena finally went to a therapist and addressed some of the feelings and damage from the lay-off. She had no idea how much baggage she was still carrying around.

Stay in your lane. So, you are burned-out in your role and ready to try something different? Switching industries or even specialties (like from sales to ops) is very challenging for a seasoned professional—especially once you pass 30. Why? Because the very experience that got you to where you are today is what will keep employers from being able to clearly see the “new you” you have in mind. The more experience you have, the more this becomes true. You are only going to get a response to your online application if it is in alignment with your experience. Right or wrong, the market is obsessed with experience. The only way to sidestep this reality is if someone in your network can vouch for you and “put” you in a new lane, or if you are ready to start your own company or buy one.

Don’t raise the age flag. Do you really need a five-page resume? And does your top bullet really need to say that you have 35 years of experience when “20+” would do the trick? No one is suggesting you lie or attempt to deceive recruiters, but you need to be aware of the myriad ways that you are inadvertently drawing attention to your age instead of your fit for the job. For example, how you address millennials is an easy trap for older applicants to fall into. Saying things in an interview like, “I noticed on LinkedIn that you attended the same University as my youngest daughter,” may seem like a good conversation starter. Still, you just became a parent in that interview instead of the brilliant, global key accounts director that you are. Other areas in which you need to be conscious about aging yourself include fumbling with your technology during virtual interviews, not knowing current lingo for your industry, and not learning how to play the online job search game (For more insight on the new job search changes read, How COVID-19 Has Changed Hiring And Job Search And How To Be Successful.

Set your pride aside. To compete in the market as an experienced individual, you will have to set aside the feeling that the whole job search process is beneath you. Stop saying, “I have never had to interview before.” You do now. The sooner you accept the challenge and get yourself into an eager mindset, the sooner you will land that new job. Setting your pride aside may also mean you have to update your wardrobe, hire a personal trainer, or change your hair. The idea here is not to look younger—it is to feel your best and to present your best, most confident self. Finally, setting your pride aside probably means you need to tighten up your resume, your interview skills, and your online search capabilities.

 

Forbes.com | September 22, 2020 | Robin Ryan

#JobSearch : Job Searching the Hidden Job Market. How Do you Do This? Have a Plan! A MUst REad!

/in /by

In a climate like the one we are in, it’s easy to feel like we will never find the job we want, or that ‘no one is hiring’. However, you can increase your chances of landing multiple interviews if you can tap into the “hidden” job market, or, the one that hasn’t been advertising. Contacting the companies/contacts directly makes a much more powerful impact then random online resume posting.

How do you do this? Have a plan! This may take a little longer, but it’s the best way to control your job search, land quality interviews and increase your pay scale.

1)  Get your online presence together. Chances are, if you are going to be Googling companies, they will Google you. Get your LinkedIn profile job search ready. Make sure it is fully-branded and optimized. Fill it out completely, not leaving anything off. Show your stuff.

 

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’ ?

Article continued …

2)  Make a list of your target information— industry choice, job position, company listings, etc. This takes time, but it’s important to know what you want before you start heading in a direction. If you don’t take aim, you will hit it every time.

3)  Do a Google search on your industry and job titles. There may be quite a few, but you can weed through what you like and don’t like. You can also do a local business search with the same requirements and see what you come up with.

4)  Send your resume directly to the hiring person. This is usually the person who is 2-4 levels above where you see yourself within the company. Make sure your cover letter is short and concise.
If this method makes you squirm a little, remember that you will see significantly higher results than you would normally. It’s also good to move beyond your comfort zone. Clients who’ve used it report more interviews, shorter interview cycles, and less competition. This also works much better than blindly submitting your resume to lots of job search engines and reduces your anxiety of not knowing if the person who you want to see it really saw it or not.

In the end, it will give you greater job search confidence and renewed excitement about the job search process. Try it and see. Then let me know how it went.

FSC Career Blog Author:  Ms. Erin Kennedy, MCD, CMRW, CPRW, CERW, CEMC, is a Certified Professional Resume Writer/Career Consultant, and the President of Professional Resume Services, named one of Forbes “Top 100 Career Websites”. Considered an influencer, she is consistently listed as a “Top Career Expert to Follow” on Twitter and LinkedIn.

 

FSC Career Blog | September 21, 2020

#JobSearch : 11 Simple Ways To Build A Relationship (Not Just A Rolodex) When Networking. A MUst Read for ALL!

/in /by

One of the most popular questions I receive as a career coach is, “How do I develop an ongoing relationship with a new contact?”

It’s a valid question because a “one and done” approach isn’t really networking, even though many approach it that way and then wonder why they’re not seeing results.

The primary goal of an initial meeting or introduction to a new person when networking should always be to get a second meeting. While you may also receive helpful guidance, valuable feedback or even an introduction to another contact, those are secondary to building the relationship. A great tip or piece of advice might help in the short-term, but the true value of networking (to both parties) comes over the long-term, so don’t be shortsighted in your approach.

Here are 11 ways to build lasting relationships when networking:

1- Invest in them. A common error people make when reaching out to a new contact is not investing in them first by learning about their career, achievements, publications and other public information that contributes to their success. If you expect someone to hop on a 20-minute call with you, you need to invest at least that much time researching them. Ideally, you’ll have followed them on social media for a bit, read their articles or listened to their podcast appearances.

Why this works: Investing in a new contact demonstrates you’re committed to building a relationship, not just having a tactical conversation with the hopes of getting something from them. As you continue to follow their work, “like” or share their content and reach out occasionally to comment on something you’ve noticed or read to remain top of mind.

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’ ?

Article continued …

2- Get an introduction. Although not always possible, an introduction increases your odds of getting a response from a stranger because there is already a level of trust built with the mutual contact. Why this works: When you share a contact in common, it creates a triangle relationship, which means there is an increased likelihood of running into the new contact in other contexts and a shared commonality that will keep the connection warm. A related strategy is introducing your network to others who may be mutually beneficial to create more triangle relationships that expand over time.

 

3- Have an agenda. If you don’t have a plan or clear direction for the informational meeting, it will seem like you’re wasting the contact’s time. Investing in the contact prior helps with this step. Your goal should be to ask questions your contact is uniquely qualified to answer and you can’t find answers to on Google. I like this format as a strategy, because it both inspires interesting conversation and relays some strengths you bring to the table.

Why it works: You’ll me more memorable if you are organized, thoughtful and confident. Most professionals are happy to help others, especially if they are impressed by your initiative and preparation.

 

4- Follow their advice. Even if subtle, most times you’ll walk away from a network conversation with some potential next steps, so listen for these tidbits as they can be both helpful to your career, and also to building the next step of the relationship. Perhaps your contact mentions an association they belong to, or a favorite book or thought leader they follow.Even if not directly recommended, take these ideas and run with them.

Why it works: If you take something you’ve learned in your brief interaction and implement it, your contact will immediately feel valued because they were able to help you. Follow up after a few weeks to let them know what next steps you took based on their advice and specifically how it helped you. They may offer additional advice, which creates yet another opportunity to follow up and continue the conversation.

 

5- Have an ask. You know not to ask for a job in an initial networking meeting, but you should ask for something, whether advice, a recommendation on a next step or potentially even an introduction if the conversation goes really well. Some contacts may offer this outright, but if not, you can ask in a non-threatening manner such as, “You mentioned that your former colleague Jim had a similar career trajectory as me. Would you be open to introducing us?”

Why this works: You’re more likely to get help from your network if you ask them for something they can easily provide with little time investment or risk to their reputation. If they hedge or hesitate, it’s likely they don’t feel comfortable, so don’t push it. But if you don’t ask, you’ll never know.

 

6- Keep track. When you’re networking regularly, it can be easy to forget who introduced you to whom, what the common experience was, or specifics you learned in the meeting. Keep a journal, spreadsheet or other record of when and how you met, any advice they shared, personal details they mentioned (e.g., favorites, children’s names, pets, etc.) and their contact information.

Why this works: Most people are impressed when you can recall specific details about a conversation or about them personally. Remembering things that are important to your contact shows you value the relationship and will help to build trust over time.

 

7- Send a thank you. This one should be obvious, as should sending a personalized note to connect on LinkedIn. However, since I’ve seen many overlook this step, I’m including it. Not only is it the courteous action to take after someone offers you their time, but it’s also an easy second contact point. Use your message wisely by including something personal or particularly helpful from your conversation to show you were paying close attention and reiterate how valuable the interaction was for you.

Why this works: Mostly this establishes you as an emotionally intelligent human who respects the cultural norms of being gracious. However, it can also create a follow up if you include something like, “And I plan to read the book you mentioned and will let you know my feedback after.” Then be sure to follow up in a few weeks to establish you’re someone who keeps your word.

 

8- Tee up a next meeting. Getting permission to follow up always makes the next outreach easier. While the opportunity may not always present itself, take advantage of it when it does. For example, “I’d love to reconnect with you after I officially finish my program in a few months” or “Your recommendations have been very helpful and I’d love to keep you updated on my progress in this area.” Then, be sure to follow through with a brief update, not another ask.

Why this works: It’s rare that a contact will refuse a request to stay in touch in the initial meeting, and sharing how you’ve implemented their ideas confirms that their time and advice was valued.

 

9- Use technology. Advances in social media and other technology platforms have made staying connected as easy as clicking a button. While not the best way to establish a new relationship, social media can be a tool to support your network and remind them you’re out there. Create a workable strategy that fits your lifestyle such as spending 15 minutes scrolling through your LinkedIn feed each morning and commenting on or sharing your network contacts’’ content or posts. Send birthday wishes or anniversary congrats when the opportunity pops up.

Why it works: It’s a simple technique to create brief touch points between more meaningful interactions. Also, it keeps you informed and may inspire additional reasons for future meetings.

 

10- Make it a habit. While most think of formal networking when building professional relationships, you may be surprised at how many helpful contacts you can meet through everyday life. Consider social gatherings you attend, community events, friend of friends or family, sports activities and other personal interests and hobbies. Ask questions, be curious and remember that everyone has something of value to offer, including access to their own network.

Why this works: It’s easier to build relationships in casual situations or when enjoying a shared hobby since there isn’t that awkward elephant in the room. Plus, if you have a common interest, it’s likely you’ll have opportunities to continue to connect, which is how relationships are cultivated.

 

11- Ask how you can help. Again, this may not be possible in the moment, but it’s a nice gesture and one that your new contact may take up at a later date. Perhaps you’ve heard something that gives you clues to how you might reciprocate, but if not, don’t make it awkward. A simple thank you note after your meeting can go a long way, as does taking your contact’s advice and letting them know.

Why it’s helpful: Simply offering to help in the future should the opportunity arise adds the context that you’re viewing this interaction as developing into an ongoing relationship versus a transactional meeting.

 

And lastly, here are a few actions to avoid when networking:

  • Don’t force it. You won’t build a relationship with everyone. Some people won’t respond, others will feel like their obligation is complete after the initial meeting, and you won’t click with everyone you meet. It’s just a reality, so don’t take a blanket approach to networking. Evaluate each potential relationship individually and don’t force it if you sense the connection isn’t there. Being forgettable with an influential contact can often be better than leaving a strong negative impression.
  • Don’t bring your resume. Giving someone your resume automatically creates a transactional experience, so leave it at home. However, know that a new contact will likely view your LinkedIn profile prior to meeting, so ensure your brand and market value are clearly communicated there. Unless there is a specific job opening your contact can refer you to directly, it’s best to keep a resume out of it initially and focus on building the relationship.

Even if you find it difficult to network, you’ll see it begins to feel more natural the more you practice. And when you build in a follow-up plan before the initial outreach, you’ll start to see how simple it is to create repeated contact points that have the potential to develop into long-term connections.

Happy hunting!

 

Forbes.com | September 18, 2020 | Dawn Graham

#BestofFSCBlog : #CareerAdvice 101- What to do When you Don’t Know What to Do. Got Kids? MUst REad!

/in /by

I was talking to a friend recently about her son who is a freshman in college. Now he’s not so sure he wants to keep his major in Mechanical Engineering, even though it has been his dream for years to design and work on cars. I think college kids have it tough, because it is a hard decision to make at 17, “What do you want to do for THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?” I didn’t even realize what I wanted to do until I was about 26, so I feel for the younger kids who are pressured early on to ‘pick a major‘.

So, it got me to thinking about our choices when we are adults. What happens if we change our mind? What if I don’t want to write resumes anymore, but I’m not really sure what I want to do? What would my next step be? Here are a few simple ideas to help you get started:

1)  Well, for starters, if you really have no idea WHAT you want to do, I would suggest enlisting the help of a Certified Career Coach. A career coach is trained in helping people figure these things out! They will gather your likes/dislikes from you, coach you on possible positions, and work you through the pros and cons.

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’ ?

Article continued …

2) Take an assessment. The internet is loaded with lots of free sites where you can take behavioral, career, and personality assessments. I just recently took one and was surprised by what it said. It was so true, but the information it contained hadn’t really occurred to me. An assessment will highlight your strengths and weaknesses, and also may offer insight into which jobs might be a match for you. They are quick and easy to take. Fun, too!

3)  Do what you love! There is a saying that goes, “Do what you love, and the universe will support you”, or in other words, do what you love and success will follow. I did not love sales, and I was not good at it, therefore success didn’t follow me (not one bit). However, I always loved writing, always loved helping adults with career transitions/job searches, and discovered I had a knack for resume writing. Presto! I love it, and I make a nice living by doing it. What is your hobby? Can you make money from it? Give it a whirl. You never know.

4) Research Occupations. Do your homework and look up jobs that have always sounded interesting to you. Go on an informational interview or shadow someone whose occupation you would love to be in. Don’t feel embarrassed about asking; people love to talk about themselves and what they do! I always felt that another calling of mine would be event planning.

I know my organized, anal retentive, attention-to-detail side would be perfect for it, and who knows? It could be a back-up job. I did my research on the different characteristics and strengths needed for the job and found a match. Look up occupations that interest you online, read the details, and see if you match up. Figuring out what you want to do is no easy task for most of us, so go within yourself and find out what you would truly enjoy. Look it up online and see if there is a calling for it anywhere. This is the fun part. The world is full of possibilities, so go grab yourself some!

FSC Career Blog Author:  Ms. Erin Kennedy, MCD, CMRW, CPRW, CERW, CEMC, is a Certified Professional Resume Writer/Career Consultant, and the President of Professional Resume Services, named one of Forbes “Top 100 Career Websites”. Considered an influencer, she is consistently listed as a “Top Career Expert to Follow” on Twitter and LinkedIn.

 

FSC Career Blog | September 18, 2020

#JobSearch : How To Appear More Intelligent: 5 Ways To Look Smarter Than You Are. It’s Only Natural to Want to Impress Someone on your Next Job Interview.

/in /by

It’s only natural to want to impress someone on your next job interview. However, trying to appear more intelligent may not be the smartest move. When your reach exceeds your grasp, it makes you look desperate. And trying to look smarter than you are can blow up in your face. But, with the current job market, most people are looking for an edge. Everyone wants to appear more intelligent, and therefore more valuable, to an employer. Authenticity – being yourself – is always the smartest choice for the interview.

So how can you let your intelligence shine through, and appear more intelligent when the stakes are high? Here’s the smartest way to convey what you’ve accomplished, in the career conversation.

1- Never Do This in the Job Interview: It’s counter-intuitive, but using big and fancy words isn’t helping your cause. As Einstein said, “If you can’t explain something simply, you don’t really understand it.” Life is complicated enough, especially in this day and age.

Don’t try to reach for impressive words. Sure, you want to demonstrate that you understand the jargon of your industry. But what do you think the company is looking for: someone who can complicate a process and make it denser and harder to understand? A convoluted conversation isn’t helping your cause. Simplify your speech, if you want to access opportunity. Instead of trying to impress someone, why not try to serve them instead? Why not choose the words that will help everyone the most? Because if your words are impressive, but you don’t get the job, well, how smart is that?

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’ ?

Article continued …

2- Learn to listen. It’s been said that EQ is more important than IQ. EQ stands for emotional intelligence. That means your ability to sense and read the emotions of others, while maintaining control over your own emotional state. The only way to raise your EQ is by learning to listen. Can you hear that?

Sometimes thoughtful consideration is the most important part of the conversation. When would your silence speak volumes for you? Intelligence comes to those who listen for it. If you’re running your mouth 100% of the time in the interview, how is that helping your cause? Consider that the questions you ask – and the way you process the employer’s answers – shows your emotional intelligence. And gets you closer to the job.

3- Remember this: A lot of what is considered “intelligence” is just good memory. In the job interview process, have key metrics and data at your fingertips. It’s easy to memorize pieces of information – which ones are going to help you most? Make a list of key numbers that you can share: how many people you supervised, how many social media followers you gained, how much revenues you brought in to the company last year…you get the idea. But don’t forget the importance of synthesis: how you bring facts and figures to bear on current issues is where higher-level thinking shows up. Data alone is never enough. Be sure to connect the facts from the past to the solutions of the future.

4- Tell the truth. If you need to be someone you’re not in order to get this job, it’s never going to work. Building your career on posing, or clever fiction, is the opposite of intelligence. The most powerful conversation is based on honesty. What’s the most honest thing you can share, right now? How can you turn trust into a super-power? If you want to appear more intelligent and smart, tell it like it is. Honestly, you’re going to be hired for your insights, and the way that you share them, so don’t rely on alternative facts to build your career.

5- Don’t Tell People You Are Smart. That’s the dumbest thing ever. Have you ever met someone who went to a particular school and they can’t go five minutes without mentioning that fact? Or maybe someone who grew up in a particular town who wants to make sure you never forget it. That kind of repetitive personal branding is exhausting and counter-productive, especially in the job interview process. Telling people how smart you are invites suspicion: if you’re so smart, why are you constantly advertising it?

The key to the interview is to stop telling people about your history, and start demonstrating it. The easiest way to go from telling to showing is through a single word. Here it is: because. It’s because you went to school at Northwestern that you’ve discovered something…something about your area of expertise…something about yourself…something about leading teams. Get it? The word “because” can help connect your interviewer to your past experience. Be relevant, not redundant, if you want to make the smartest move.

Success comes to those who prepare for it. Just as you have curated your background on LinkedIn, consider how your background appears on a video call. An intelligent person would be deliberate about how they show up in an interview. Even though nobody can see you from the waist down, research shows that wearing professional attire helps your focus and concentration (two aspects of intelligence).

Don’t fall into the trap of restating your background, in an effort to establish credibility. Consider this prompt instead, as a starting point for your next job interview: “Let me share with you something that’s not on my resumé…” Start by looking in the direction of service, and choose the words that will serve your employer in the most powerful way. Because demonstrating how you can create solutions is the most intelligent thing a smart candidate can offer.

 

Forbes.com | September 16, 2020 |  Chris Westfall

#JobSearch : Best Way To Open An Interview To Secure A Job Offer.Think of This as Your 60-Second Verbal Business Card. A MUst REad!

/in /by

We would like you to come in for an interview.” Those wonderful words are what every job hunter wants to hear. Kathy, 55, an HR Manager, called me immediately after she got off the phone with the recruiter. She said, “This job opportunity is ideal for me. I’ve been inside my company for the last 18 years. I haven’t had to interview as I just got promoted. I want to stand out and make a good impression, but I’m not sure how. Can you help?”

Kathy was pleased that her resume had gotten her this far. Next comes the difficult part of convincing the employer that you are the person to hire. The interview failure rate is between 75-80%. So how can you change that and dramatically improve your odds of being offered the job?

Answer: The 60 Second Sell.

In an interview coaching session, Kathy learned how to take control of the job interview immediately. We developed her 60 Second Sell, a job interview technique I created years ago and have been teaching to book readers, students, and career counseling clients. It is a tool that helps you target your skills to meet the employer’s needs. It allows you to summarize your most marketable strengths in a brief and concise manner. Successful job hunters have found that the 60 Second Sell is the most influential tool they used during the interview process. They praised this technique because it was very effective in capturing the employer’s attention.

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’ ?

Article continued …

Think of this as your 60-second verbal business card. It will summarize your best skills, accomplishments, and previous experience in a well-thought-out fashion that will immediately make the employer know why they should hire you. The 60 Second Sell is a proven shortcut to your success. Many career counseling clients have reported it was the best job-search technique they’d ever used. It’s easy to create and easy to implement. Once you’ve learned this technique, your interviews will be significantly improved because you will be able to do the most important thing necessary to land a job—get the employer to recall you and top your abilities.

The Formula: Creating Your Strategy

Examine your previous experience. Write out the key responsibilities for each job you’ve held. Note any significant accomplishments. Zero in on your essential work strengths—those abilities where you excel and are most productive. Use your network to get as much background as possible about the employer and the position’s needs. Many times, your contacts will point out the very aspects that you must stress. Other times, there will be little information available, and you will need to guess based on your general knowledge about performing the job.

After reviewing the employer’s and position’s needs, determine which of your abilities and which aspects of your experience will be most relevant to the employer. Then create your top five selling points, known as the 5 Point Agenda, and use each point to build a robust picture emphasizing how you can do the best job.

In Kathy’s case, the company wanted to find a progressive HR partner to lead its organization. They needed a strategic leader and a true business partner. Her 5 Point Agenda needed to stress her achievements. Here are the top five selling points she was going to emphasize.

Job opening: Human Resources Director – 5 Point Agenda

Point 1: Award-winning human resources leader.

Point 2: Provided strategic direction and led the company culture initiatives that resulted in the company recently being named a national best-places-to-work organization.

Point 3: Strong entrepreneurial drive was responsible for delivering new programs, HR systems, and significant policy enhancements.

Point 4: A strategic and operational business partner working closely with top executives.

Point 5: Exceeds goals and expectations.

Human Resources Director – 60 Second Sell

“I’ve been an award-winning human resources leader with fifteen years of experience providing strategic direction. I’m proud to share that my current employer was recently named a national best-places-to-work company. I am a global thinker who contributed to the company’s success as a strategic and operational business partner, and we have cut attrition by 60%. I display a strong entrepreneurial drive at work. I have been responsible for delivering new programs, HR systems, and major policy enhancements that have shaped our current work culture. My CEO has repeatedly recognized me for my innovative leadership that often exceeds goals and expectations.”

How to use it

Most interviews are over before they ever really get started. Most job hunters are shocked to learn that the interviewer is often distracted, thinking about previous candidates or other work that needs to be done. You need to immediately capture the employer’s attention and get him tuned in to you as a top-notch candidate. Open the interview using your 60 Second Sell. Typically the first question you are asked in an interview is Tell me about yourself. In one interview I conducted with the CEO, I got a twenty-minute answer. After the first minute or two, the prospect totally lost my attention. Had the person answered with a 60 Second Sell, he might have started the interview by grabbing my attention and keeping it. Questions such as Tell me about yourself require a brief summary noting your most marketable skills, not a life story.

Another question to which your 60 Second Sell is the perfect answer: Why should I hire you? This question is asking you to convince the employer to hire you. Other applicable inquiries include: What are your strengths? What makes you think you are qualified for this job? What makes you think you will succeed in this position? Why do you want this job? These questions offer you an excellent way to stress your 5 Point Agenda (your most marketable skills) using your 60 Second Sell.

The 60 Second Sell is effective because it immediately demonstrates your strengths and illustrates how you will fill the employer’s needs. It gets their attention quickly, makes you stand out, and keeps them interested. This technique is also an effective way to close the job interview too. Read about that here in this Forbes article: How To Close An Interview To Land The Job.

 

Forbes.com | September 15, 2020 | Robin Ryan

#JobSearch : How To Handle a Lack of Education on Your Resume. The Good News is, There are Ways to Camouflage Minimal or Lack of Education.

/in /by

I get lots of clients that are concerned about their lack of degree on their resumes. It is very common and is one area that is a sensitive spot. When beginning the process of resume writing, what to put under ‘Education‘ can be daunting.

The good news is, there are ways to camouflage minimal or lack of education. If you started college but never finished, you can list the name of the school, years you attended, and major. If you want to focus on some relevant coursework taken while there, list the classes.

You can add any professional development courses or training you’ve taken. This always looks great on a resume and fills in the space that lack of degree left behind.

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’ ?

Article continued …

In the unusual case of no education or training at all, omit the section completely and concentrate on making sure your accomplishments stand out.

Whatever you do, don’t fabricate a degree. We’ve all seen the news and watched top execs be publicly stoned and dethroned after being “found out” that their big degrees were big lies.

Something important to consider: not every employer is looking for education… or will exclude a candidate because of lack of it. Remember:   BILL GATES DROPPED OUT OF SCHOOL.

The majority of the time, employers are more interested on your contributions or accomplishments. If your work history is impressive, then you don’t have to worry about education, because your accomplishments speak for themselves.  You will have to portray yourself as successful WITHOUT the degree. Not all self-written resumes do the trick. That is where a resume writing service comes in. At the risk of sounding pitchy, a certified resume writer knows how to bring out your best qualities and focus on what the employer wants to see– with or without the education.

Remember how hard you’ve worked to get to where you are today. THAT is what you will sell on your resume… what you did for one company, you can do for theirs. THAT is the bottom line.

 

FSC Career Blog Author:  Ms. Erin Kennedy, MCD, CMRW, CPRW, CERW, CEMC, is a Certified Professional Resume Writer/Career Consultant, and the President of Professional Resume Services, named one of Forbes “Top 100 Career Websites”. Considered an influencer, she is consistently listed as a “Top Career Expert to Follow” on Twitter and LinkedIn.

FSC Career Blog | September 14, 2020