#YourCareer : 5 Mindful Steps To Help You With Those Difficult Conversations. There are 5 Simple Steps you can Learn to be More Calm and Productive, Even in the Toughest Situations.

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The longer you live, the more likely it is that you will encounter really difficult conversations. Those tough encounters that keep you up at night preparing, or that give you that ‘pit’ in your stomach when you imagine what might happen. When the time comes, you arrive feeling tired, defensive and anxious. And rarely does it go well.

In these times of great division, it is more important than ever to be able to use a simple framework for calm dialog.

While these types of conversations are inevitable, your reaction to them is not. There are 5 simple steps you can learn to be more calm and productive, even in the toughest situations.

  1. Create a supportive environment-find a quiet place where you won’t be interrupted and turn off your phones and laptops. When we are not fully present for a conversation because one eye is on our phone, it feels disrespectful. While this is always true, with difficult encounters, it is especially important to emphasize respect.
  2. Form an intention to be open and curious-try to set aside the internal chatter that is judging the other person’s positions. Attend the meeting with the intention to listen deeply and not be defensive. When those thoughts arise, see if you can let them go and redirect your attention to the speaker.
  3. Use monologues-rather than talking over one another, give one another 3 minutes for a monologue. During the monologue, the listener may not interrupt to ask questions or argue…just listen.
  4. When emotions start to rise, take a ‘time out’ for a few breaths-when you start to feel the temperature in the room going up, either person can call for a break to be quiet and take a few breaths. Once it feels more settled, begin again.
  5. End with a next step (even if it is to keep talking)-it is very important to agree on something as a next step. It need not be the final answer, just something that both parties recognize as progress.

In these times of great division, it is more important than ever to be able to use a simple framework for calm dialog. Open, honest conversations are the best way to go forward with greater understanding and less conflict. To learn more about mindful leadership training, go to the Institute for Mindful Leadership.

 

Forbes.com | September 2, 2020 | Janice Marturano

#YourCareer : The 10 Commandments Of Career Resilience: How Many Have You Broken? A MUst REad for All!

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If your work trajectory is like most career climbers, you will have job obstacles and pressures every step of the way. But job skills and talents aren’t the only prerequisites for career advancement and success. The Holy grail of mental and physical resilience also determines whether you reach your goals, perhaps even more than your talents. The following 10 commandments of resilience help you perform you best work and sustain you over the long haul.

Thou shalt look for the upside of every downside situation.

You will have many difficult and stressful job challenges. Maintaining a positive attitude can help you better handle stress. It’s easy to recognize your shortcomings, but don’t forget to recognize your talents and strengths. Deal yourself a positivity card on a regular basis to build your mind’s creative mojo and offset stress juices that could bring your career to a screeching halt. Positivity acts as a stress buffer when you’re overloaded with work tasks, broadening your mind and range of vision. When you’re searching for a solution to a work challenge, your negative emotions keep you focused on the problem. Looking for the opportunity in the difficulty expands your range of vision and bolsters possibilities and creativity.

Thou shalt refrain from making unreasonable demands on thyself and treat thyself with great respect and compassion at all times.

Recognize how often you berate yourself, call yourself names or shame yourself. Substitute self-compassion for self-judgment. Stand up to impossible standards and harsh judgments instead of attacking yourself. Forgive yourself for your shortcomings and see them for what they are: habits, old behavior patterns or just plain mistakes that all of us make. When you’re more loving to yourself and accept your limitations with compassion, you cut your stress in half and double your career sustainability. Then you’re dealing only with the stressful experience, not the added negative feelings from self-judgment. Put away your gavel and when your inner judge overshadows you, amp up your compassionate side and let it lead you to career productivity and success.

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

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Thou shalt grow rhino skin

Remain resilient in the face of rejection and self-doubt—conditions every career climber faces at some point. Try to accept rejection with a dispassionate eye without bawling if you can. Throw your arms open to critical feedback and use it to grow and strengthen your career. Tell yourself that setbacks are not the end of the story; they’re an opportunity to learn and grow. Remind yourself that the natural arc of progress isn’t an unbroken ascending line but a zigzagged upward spiral. Why? Because success is built on failure. You can’t have one without the other.

Thou shalt be drawn instead of driven

Thou shalt not work on autopilot. When you’re drawn instead of driven, you are master instead of slave to your job. You mindfully work from a centered place that puts you in charge of your busy mind so you don’t succumb to external or internal pressures. You’re attuned to yourself and your surroundings in a calm, nonjudgmental way and focus on what’s happening right now. Anchored in the present moment, an inner barometer guides your work life in a peaceful observing awareness of everything you do. Thou shalt find that place within thyself where you are drawn. Cultivating mindful productivity—instead of an intense focus on the completion of the task—enriches your career. Five minutes a day in which you still your busy mind and center on the quiet places inside sets the compass of your heart so you can be drawn, even in times of upheaval.

Thou shalt honor the trifecta of self-care

The trio of healthy lifestyle habits gives you the stamina to withstand just about any challenge the work world throws at you. Thou shalt get regular exercise instead of being a desk potato. Chances are the places you’ve been working out are closed during the quarantine. Find other ways to exercise and stay fit while sequestered at home, such as jogs, walks, pushups or lifting weights. Thou shalt practice healthy, nutritious eating and steer clear of quarantine 15 and Grab, Gobble, Gulp and Go. And thou shalt get plenty of rest and sleep instead of burning the midnight oil.

Thou shalt keep a to-be list alongside your to-do list

Make a to-be list alongside your to-do list, and think about what you would put on it. Meditate a minimum of 5 minutes a day. Make it a point to be outdoors as much as possible, watch sunsets and listen to nature: birds tweeting, insects in the bushes, or frogs croaking. Jot down ways to get elbowroom to stretch and deep breathe between appointments, time to walk around the block and clear your head. Or enjoy the sweetness of doing nothing, pray, practice chair yoga at your desk, watch the grass grow or just contemplate the universe. The more you practice stilling your hurried mind and centering on the quiet places within you, the more you can access a calm state even in times of work upheavals. After applying the brakes and doing something for nothing, creative ideas incubate and hatch, and you’re ready to go again. Then watch your resilience, creativity and productivity soar.

Thou shalt ditch the desire for comfort, take risks and step into career growth pains.

Be willing to go to the edge of your emotional pain so you can be fully present with what lays beyond the barrier. Think of yourself as an elastic band that bends and stretches to a certain point before you spring back higher than you fall. Turn roadblocks into steppingstones. Make it a goal to use negative career challenges—no matter how painful, frustrating, big or small—as lessons from which to learn. Ask, “What can I manage or overcome here?” or “How can I turn this matter around to my advantage?” Identify self-doubts that have cramped your work style or crippled you from growing fully professionally. Harness them—instead of running from them—and channel them into useful skills so they don’t paralyze you. Find that one place in your career where you’ve been hiding, then stick your neck out from your comfort zone. Ask what edge you can go to in your job. Seek out risky career opportunities that help you bloom instead of low-risk situations that keep you safe in a bud.

Thou shalt embrace job uncertainty because job it isn’t a commodity you can count on

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, things are different, and the uncertainty of what the future holds looms, breeding unease, fear and anxiety. It’s more stressful wondering if you’ll get to your meeting on time than knowing you’ll be late. It’s less anxiety-inducing to know you missed the deal than being unsure of it. And it’s more fearful not knowing if you’re going to get sacked than knowing for sure you lost your job. While avoiding uncertainty is adaptive in that it keeps you safe and sound, the cocoon your primitive brain constructs can be a virtual prison. The same assumptions that keep you safe can prevent you from growing, taking necessary risks and reaching your career dreams. The most powerful antidote against career uncertainty is your perspective, which can victimize or empower you. When you figure out what you can control and what you can’t, it’s easier to develop uncertainty tolerance and accept whatever is beyond your control and learning to live with “maybe.”

Thou shalt retain a winning frame of mind

A winning frame of mind contains a growth mindset—the belief that defeat happens for you, not to you. If you have a growth mindset, you consider success and failure a package deal—like a hand and glove, milk and cookies, flip sides of the same coin—twins, not enemies. It’s an understanding that avoidance of failure morphs into avoidance of success. It’s a realization that in order to attain what you want, you must be willing to accept what you don’t want. Instead of giving up, you welcome obstacles, setbacks and disappointments—no matter how painful, frustrating, big or small—as opportunities to grow and learn instead of as defeat. You think of defeat as a personal trainer, and you control your happiness like baseball great Babe Ruth, arguably one of the best ball players of all time, whose winning frame of mind was contained in his famous quote, “Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.” If you use Ruth’s wisdom in any career pursuit, “failure” can never bring your career to a screeching halt.

Thou shalt take time out to acknowledge realized goals

It’s important to take breathers and come up for air. Throw modesty out the window, and savor the excitement of your accomplishments. Remember why you chose this career in the first place—your ambitions, dreams and goals. Your love for what you do. Make sure you celebrate the milestones on your career trajectory: each promotion, successful deadline and every accolade from the top down. Before moving on to the next item on your agenda, relish each success every step of the way.

Forbes.com | September 2, 2020 | Bryan Robinson

 

#JobSearch : Are You Overqualified for the Job? Having too Many Qualifications For a Job Can be Detrimental to a Job Seeker.

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In today’s economic climate, many people are out of work and on the job hunt. Job searching is stressful in a healthy time, but when so many are looking, the competition is high. You know you need a top-of-the-line resume to even get through the automated systems and into the hands of a human. But once that happens, does the reader think your resume gives the impression that you are overqualified for the job you are applying for? Or are you truly overqualified for the job that your heart desires?

 Having too many qualifications for a job can be detrimental to a job seeker looking for either a different type of position or one considered “lower”.  Deciding how to write your resume properly to get the job you want is a necessity.

However, there is one other thing to consider when re-writing your resume. Be sure to include the important things. Deleting things from your resume can be very detrimental to your job search, even if you feel it will over-qualify you.

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

Article continued …

Something else to keep in mind about changing your resume around for the one single job that you want is that the company may have other openings. This is an important point to consider—quite often, a resume will be passed around within a company if the job you want is not available. When you suddenly present a resume that is accurate and different from the original, your prospective employer will be put off. So, the problem that presents itself is how to write the resume, still show that you have a lot of qualifications—but scare possible employers away.

You are determined to get a job that you really want, but you are overqualified for it. There may be a number of reasons for your decision to “lower yourself”, and this is something to consider when talking to prospective employers. Once your resume has made it into an employer’s hands, and they seem interested, some will be confused. Why would you want a job that is beneath you? Have some valid reasons to explain your reasoning. Tell them what made you come to this decision. You don’t need to say, “well, I can’t get anything else”, but you could say something like, “Yes, I know I might be a little overqualified, but this type of position has always interested me and I think having these extra skills could really impact the position and what it could do for ABC Co.” etc.

Changing industries and jobs may be more difficult to do due to being overqualified. On the other hand, your willingness to learn something new may make all the difference in the world when the prospective employer considers you for the job. It does not matter if you are overqualified for a job or not—it is still possible to get it. Communicating properly—both verbally and through demonstrating an eagerness to learn and change—will make a huge impression.

 

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 1, 2020 

 

#JobSearch : Two Of The Worst Things You Can Say In A Job Interview. If you Show Up for the Interview and Say Anything Close to the Following Two Phrases, you will Immediately Diminish your Candidacy…

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If you show up for the interview and say anything close to the following two phrases, you will immediately diminish your candidacy and likely get yourself ruled out of consideration for any job offer at all. The interviewer, especially a very good one, will be evaluating you for the things you say, the things you don’t say, your overall demeanor and presentation as well as your ability to appear contemplative and thoughtful with your dialogue and questions.

As you prepare for your next job interview, you’ll likely be thinking about many different things including the company/organization, the organizational culture, the leadership, pay, benefits, etc. You’ll also likely be thinking about what you want to say during the interview and what messages you want to send as you attempt to show the interviewer that you’re indeed the best candidate for the job.

The problem here is that what you say during the job interview is just as important—if not more—as what you don’t say. Here are two of the worst things you can say in a job interview.

1. Tell me about the job and the company.

Okay—if you show up for the job interview and you haven’t taken the time to understand the core aspects of the job and the company in advance, you will start off sending all the wrong signals. Not only could this simple phrase cause the interviewer to question your seriousness as a candidate, the interviewer may decide in that very moment to effectively end your candidacy for the position.

Yes, it’s okay to want seek out more details and insights during the interview (and you should do this), but you can’t just show up and ask a question like, “What is the job?” or “What does the company do?” and think that this isn’t going to make you look bad—very, very bad.

You have to be far more savvy than this. Even if you were only able to garner very limited information about the job and/or the company, don’t make the mistake of leaving the interviewer with any impression that you didn’t do your homework.

Here’s a better way.

Instead of asking the interviewer about the position or the company, state some details that you are aware of and then engage in a conversation that prompts the interviewer to freely share more details and insights about the specifics of the job and the company without ever concluding that you didn’t even know the basics. Rather than saying something like, “Tell me about the job and the company,” you’d be better off saying something like this:

I’ve reviewed the position announcement and while it was thorough, there are three key aspects of the role that I’d like to get more information about. Can we dig in on aspects A, B and C of the position because I believe I’m uniquely suited to make immediate contributions in these areas as well as some others.

When you frame it this way, the interviewer comes to believe that you have actually done your homework and that you understand the role enough to have already thought about where you might best contribute. She will be impressed by how contemplative you are and proceed to volunteer all sorts of useful information about the position and company that will give you a competitive edge in expanding the conversation and creating moments to be memorable and shine.

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

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2. No, you’ve answered everything so I don’t have any questions.

No, no and just no. Under no circumstances should you leave the interview without asking thoughtful questions. Asking questions during the interview shows the interviewer more than just what you want to know; it shows her how you think. And by allowing the interviewer to see how you think, you can gain a leg up on the competition.

Why don’t you have any questions?  Leaders ask great questions so you should plan to ask the interviewer approximately three really good questions. But to ensure that you have at least three great questions you want to ask, you should actually go in with between five to eight questions because you never know how many of these might get answered by the interviewer before you ever get a chance to ask anything. You want to be prepared with your best preferred questions and then have some extra questions on hand.

Prior to applying for any job, it is incumbent upon you to evaluate the specifics of the career opportunity as much as possible and learn all you can about not only the job, but the company as well. Your thoroughness—and hence your questions—will send a message that you are indeed interested in the role and that you have already contemplated how the position might fit with your career interests and align with your career goals.

Here’s a better way.

You should always be prepared with thoughtful questions for the interviewer. And in a circumstance where the interviewer really does answer every question you had prepared, you have to think on the fly and frame a question in response to what you’ve learned during the interview. But, by all means, ask your interviewer some questions.

Most candidates will go into the interview with a goal to show the interviewer what they know and how that knowledge will help them succeed in the job. But when you ask great interview questions, you end up showing the interviewer how you think instead, and this will distinguish you from the other candidates. When you ask good questions, you demonstrate that you have a strategic-thinking mindset that can help to advance organizational efficacy and produce high-value deliverables for success.

The way to bring it home and get the job offer is to remember this. It is not about what you know. It’s about how you think, and the job offer will likely go to the candidate who shows himself or herself to be a strategic thinker with a mindset to advance organizational goals and add more institutional value than the competition.

Forbes.com | August 28, 2020 | Author:  Terina Allen 

#JobSearch : How To Prepare For Your Next Job Interview As A Senior Manager Or Executive. Great Checklist for All!

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If you fail to prepare for your next job interview, you will likely fail to get the job offer. Interview preparation is important regardless of the position, but it becomes increasingly important for jobs in senior management and executive-level roles.

But believe it or not, it happens far more often than you’d expect. Some of the most qualified job applicants end up being thoroughly disappointing during the job interview. Despite all their education, training and experience, they sometimes fail to demonstrate why they are best suited for the job and can fail to communicate what contributions or value they’d add to the team or organization if offered the job.

We all get it. The interview and hiring process can be daunting—even anxiety inducing—for job candidates. It can also be daunting for hiring managers and recruiters as well, and (in both instances) a lot of time, money and emotional investment might be at stake. But these interview anxieties and tensions can be alleviated with proper homework. Preparation and research can do more than just help you have a good interview. The most successful job interviewers start putting in the work long before the interview, and they go through a process that incorporates these ten aspects for preparation.

How to prepare for your next job interview.

  1. Research the company/organization thoroughly. Review any and all available reports; i.e., strategy, financial, company performance, reputation, future outlook, past, current and future challenges. Use industry journals, the company website(s), corresponding websites, news organizations and so forth.
  2. Be deliberate about finding out where the company has been, where they are currently and where they want to go.
  3. Try to get a feel for the culture. This is hard to do until you are actually on the inside, but you can garner some basics such as formality, friendliness, structure and so forth via the website and, even better, social media.
  4. Learn all you can about the leadership team and, specifically, the person whom you would be reporting to. Check out bio pages, social media (especially LinkedIn), and read blogs to see if any of these people are writing about things/topics that you should know about. Finding relevant connections between you and your interviewer(s) is critical. You might find something worth mentioning during the interview or in your subsequent thank-you letter.
  5. Get a copy of the position description. You might already have the job posting, but you want to get your hands, eyes and mind around that position description, if possible, so you can better prepare.
  6. Prepare a comprehensive portfolio packet for each member on the interview panel. Include things such as your cover letter, resume or curriculum vitae, a list of directly related trainings/workshops/seminars/certifications that you have completed beyond what is already listed on your resume/CV. You could also add in any relevant work product and writing samples.
  7. Learn the names and titles of everyone who will be interviewing you. Not only is the person you would be reporting important to research, but check out everyone who might/will impact the hiring decision (include all the panel members and the chair of the search committee or firm). Knowledge is power, and you might learn little tidbits of info that you can subtly use to make a connection. Find out what is important to these people so that you can find alignment and bridge gaps between them and you.
  8. Determine what to wear. If possible, check out what the current executives and senior managers who work at the company are wearing. Your image should align closely with theirs or be one step above. You can be a little bit unorthodox, but not too much.
  9. Read this article by Glassdoor to learn more useful tips for how to interview for a senior-level job.
  10. Prepare—in advance—some really good questions to ask your interviewer(s) during the job interview. Here are The 5 Best Interview Questions Candidates Ask During Job Interviews.

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

Article continued …

Preparation will set you apart during the job interview!

When a job candidate combines really good interview preparation with strategic thinking, he or she can knock it out of the park and actually lock down that job offer! But first, you really do need to dedicate some time to your success by first doing your homework.

You should conduct research and evaluate the position description, the company and the culture to the extent possible. You should do some research on the specific individual (or individuals) who will be interviewing you. Learn all you can about what he or she is interested in. Gain some insights on the interviewer’s leadership philosophy if you can, and contemplate which aspects of the job might be of most interest to this person or individuals so that you can best anticipate what kinds of questions might come your way and how to steer the conversation towards a direction that would most interest your interviewer.

Forbes.com | August 28, 2020 | Terina Allen

#JobSearch : New Job Postings Are Plummeting For White-Collar Professionals. Job Postings Plummeted nearly 40% Compared to the Same Period Last Year.

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A good way to gauge the health of the job market is to see how many new opportunities are listed online. Indeed, one of the largest job aggregation sites, released a report indicating the direction of new job postings in the United States.

The job site’s data revealed a massive drop in listings during March, April and May—some of the most difficult months of the Covid-19 pandemic. At that time, job postings plummeted nearly 40% compared to the same period last year.

According to Indeed, “The trend in job postings—a real-time measure of labor market activity— is 20.3% lower than in 2019, as of August 14.” Hospitality, travel, tourism, child care and other sectors that rely upon face-to-face activities saw job listings appreciably fall.

A holding pattern on higher-compensated professionals translates to less job postings online

What’s surprising to see is that white-collar job advertisements, such as software development, banking and finance, declined. Indeed claims that job postings for higher-wage occupations have taken the biggest tumble. “Postings in higher-wage occupations are now 28% below trend, versus 12% below trend for lower-wage occupations.”

At first blush, it seems like the data runs counter to the commonly held narrative that lower-wage workers suffered the most job losses. Although the amount of people who worked in restaurants, retail, shopping, food services and the gig economy bore the brunt of furloughs and layoffs, there are now less jobs offered online for higher-wage professionals.

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

Article continued …

This could be attributed to the fact that relatively unskilled workers are easier to hire, onboard quickly and summarily furlough, based upon the short-term needs of the company. With regards to well-compensated, white-collar professionals, the hiring process takes substantially longer and terminations are fraught with paperwork, meetings and potential legal liabilities.

In today’s cost-conscious environment, companies are reluctant to spend the money to hire experienced professionals. With the resurgence of Covid-19 in many states, an upcoming U.S. presidential election and civil unrest, management lacks clarity as to what the future holds. It’s easier for them to just hold off on hiring.

Specialized professionals are better suited to working remotely and at home, compared to waiters and delivery persons. It’s more challenging and involved to bring aboard an experienced executive—only to have her working from home and not able to personally meet everyone at the office—compared to onboarding an Uber driver.

A holding pattern on higher-compensated professionals translates to less job postings online. Interestingly, job seekers have complained that they respond to job listings, only to find out that they are not available. It seems that companies post the jobs then either forget to remove them or keep them alive to collect résumés for when the economic and health situation improves and they can start hiring once again. Also, the corporations may be attempting to save money by not posting new ads and letting the old ones remain.

This is a major concern of job seekers. They’re led to believe that there are more active jobs than there really are. Excitement over seeing a great, relevant role is eventually dashed, as weeks and months go by without hearing from the company regarding their applications. The preponderance of these anecdotes leads to the belief that—in addition to fewer newly posted jobs—the listings online may be stale or not actually active.

Indeed’s figures reflect that major cities with hubs for finance, banking and technology, such as San Francisco, New York, Boston, Chicago, Seattle and the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro area, saw double-digit drops in job postings—ranging from down 31% to over 40%.

Concerns are being raised that a large number of so-called temporary furloughed jobs may ultimately turn into permanent job losses, particularly in hard-hit sectors, such as commercial real estate, airlines and energy.

On a positive note, companies that previously cut the salaries of workers—instead of laying off people—have begun to restore the compensation to the originally agreed-to levels.

 

Forbes.com | August 26, 2020 | Jack Kelly 

#JobSearch : Writing a Stand-Out Cover Letter. What makes a good cover letter?

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Cover letters seem to be difficult for people, even resume writers. Why is that? What makes a good cover letter?

Cover letters can be fun to write. There really aren’t many ‘rules’ to writing them. You can let your personality shine through. They allow you to positively present your skills, accomplishments, and credentials in a way that will encourage the reader to want to read even more about you (and then move on to the resume).

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

Article continued …

There are lots of things I can get into in more depth (types of resumes, scope, presentation, who your audience is, etc.) but for now, I am just going to touch on the basics. In future posts, I will dissect cover letters more closely.

Here are some easy ideas to keep in mind when writing your cover letter:

  • Make sure your intention is clear. In other words, what is the job you are applying for? Clearly state it. Don’t make the reader guess. You could say something like, “…and this is why my qualifications make me a perfect match for the Sales Management position”.
  • Highlight your top achievements. You don’t have to rewrite everything you wrote in the resume, just summarize some of your top accomplishments. Wow them with what you have done.
  • Add your relevant skills or qualifications. Let the reader know what you excel at and what you are capable of. This is a great place to talk about any extra credentials or training you’ve had that relate to the position.
  • Write toward the position you are applying for. When preparing the cover letter, keep in mind the requirements of the position and add your qualifications that match them.
  • Explain what it is you like about the company. Remember, you are trying to woo the company, so tell them what you like about them. Is it the reputation, products/services, location? Let them know why you like them.
  • You are not writing your autobiography. Keep it short, simple and factual. You don’t need to go into why the last job didn’t work out, “…my boss had unrealistic expectations of the staff, so I decided to check out my options…:. Don’t air your dirty laundry or obvious dislike of your most recent employer. Keep it professional.
  • Double check the entire document for accuracy, errors, and syntax. You don’t want to miss a great opportunity because you wrote, “Dear Hiring Manger”.

Another tip is to save that cover letter, copy, and paste it onto a new document, and tweak it for another type of position you may be interested in. I encourage clients to have several “focused” cover letters for different positions they might have in mind. This way, if an opportunity presents itself, you are ready!


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 – August 26, 2020

 

 

#JobSearch : If You’re In A Job Search, You Need To Hear This. Great Read.

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A listener looking to make a career switch called into my weekly radio show on SiriusXM to ask if I could help hone his professional introduction. When I asked what he did for a living, he immediately confessed, “Well, right now I’m unemployed, but…”

Immediately I cut him off (something I rarely do), because unemployment is a temporary state and never a part of your brand (the brief clip can be heard at the start of this montage).

For far too long, we’ve felt embarrassed of being unemployed, or experiencing a layoff, or even asking for help in a job search. Now is the time for that to end.

Your professional worth is not tied to your job title, whether you’re earning a paycheck or if you’re currently employed. Period.

A few employment facts:

  • The average tenure in a job is about 4.2 years. This means most will engage in 10+ job searches during our professional careers. With some estimates indicating that up to 85% of jobs are found through some type of networking, seeking help is a pretty natural part of the professional world.
  • According to a 2019 survey by Monster.com, over 50% of “fully employed Americans between 18 and 65 years old who responded have either been unemployed or experienced career gaps.” And this study was conducted in 2019, BEFORE COVID. Further, approximately 43% of respondents who had been let go reported they’d experienced it more than once.

Work history gaps and job searches are a normal part of being a working professional, which means there’s no reason to ever define yourself in these terms.

Yet, most people feel the need to share they’re unemployed in a job search because we’re so used to introducing ourselves with labels. Usually, these labels are titles, company names, our industry or professional field, but we need to understand that when we do this, it limits us to a very narrow dimension that doesn’t fully represent the complexity of what we bring to the table. We lose much of the professional value we bring from volunteer roles, previous industries, special projects and educational endeavors.

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

Article continued …

Our careers are so intertwined with our identities, we find it difficult to untangle the two, so when we’re between jobs, our natural go-to is another label (e.g., “unemployed” or “between jobs”). And unfortunately, the first words we hear are typically the most remembered and the ones we use to make an initial judgment, so it’s important to be thoughtful in our first impressions.

Further, introducing yourself with a title gives the power to the listener to put meaning to that label based on their assumptions, experiences and categorization system. If I say, “I work at The Wharton School,” many assume I’m a finance professor (I’m not). If I say, “I’m a licensed psychologist,” many assume I provide therapy (I don’t). Both of these labels are true, but they both lack the complexity of the value I add to the market, and more importantly in a job search, to my target market.

So, I’m left having to correct the listener, which can be awkward, and un-do the initial category that’s now likely already stored in my audience’s memory. Uhg – I just created a lot of uneccessary work for myself.

What if I said instead, “Engaging my background in psychology, corporate recruiting and coaching, I help mid-career professionals rebrand their skills in order to get in front of decision-makers to land a career change. My primary role is at The Wharton School in the Executive MBA program, where I’m the Career Director, and I’ve also published a book on the topic called ‘Switchers’.”

Now, I’ve opened the door to further conversation through offering clear content and a shared understanding of the work I do. Plus, I’ve given the other person some potential commonalities to latch onto (e.g., Maybe they have an EMBA, or know someone at Wharton, or are writing a book?).

What can make this situation of introducing yourself with a title even worse is if your job is very specialized or uncommon. An obscure title runs the risk of alienating others because they may not understand your profession and be too embarrassed to ask or uncertain about how to converse further. This essentially causes a shut-down in any potential connection and also the likely the hope of this person being an ambassador to help in your job search.

Instead, of saying to someone who potentially has limited IT experience, “I’m an AV-Tester focusing on static analysis of executable files” (Say, what??), next time, start with an analogy that helps you connect to you audience.

How about, “Have you ever had a virus warning on your computer or maybe wonder why some email messages are filtered into the spam folder? Well, in my work, I find new ways to test whether files are malicious to protect users from potential scams or from accidentally opening an infected file on their laptop.”

What you do may be much more complex than that, but this opening is less intimidating for a preson outside of your profession and will likely start a dialogue where you can go deeper into your expertise. The goal, whether you’re formally networking or meeting a new acquaintance at a backyard BBQ, is always to find a way to connect and start an open dialogue. When you start making this a habit, you’ll be surprised how much you have in common with others and what useful information they can share that will help your search.

So, from here on out, no matter if someone asks, “What do you do?” or “Where do you work?” or whether you’re currently earning a paycheck or not, your response is always what value you add to the market and your audience, delivered in a way that invites further conversation. This does three things:

  1. Empowers you to assign the meaning you intend to your skills, achievements and professional value.
  2. Offers useful context to start a dialogue and potentially build a relationship.
  3. Creates content that gives others information that might enable them to assist you in some way in your career.

You are the compilation of ALL your years of experience — paid and unpaid, successful and failed, and current and historic. That’s pretty powerful, so let others see the whole you.

Happy Hunting!

Forbes.com | August 25, 2020 | Dawn Graham

#JobSearch : 6 Ways To Stand Out On Social Media When Searching For A New Job. A MUst Read!

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The traditional job search methods of attending face-to-face networking events, inviting people to get a cup of coffee, dinner, an after-work cocktail and schmoozing at the office have been rendered irrelevant due to the pandemic.

If you’re actively searching for a new job, you need to engage in an authentic branding and marketing campaign on social media. The key is to showcase your skills, ability, knowledge, achievements and brilliance. You also need to broadcast what you are looking to do next, so people are aware of how they can help you. It shouldn’t just be a one-way street. Offer your services to help others in need too.

  1. What Makes You Special

With so many people out of work and looking for a job, you must have a plan to differentiate yourself from competitors. Think of what unique experiences, skills, talents, education and character traits you possess. Put together a list of all of your special qualities. These will be the building blocks of defining your brand.

When you post online, your specific skills and subject-matter expertise will serve as the message sent out to prospective hiring managers, human resource professionals, recruiters and other people who can help you land a new job.

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

Article continued …

2. Build A Mutually Beneficial Network

Don’t just randomly connect with people on social media sites, such as LinkedIn. You need to strategically align with folks on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram that can contribute toward building a mutually benefiting network. 

These people should include potential hiring managers, human resources and talent acquisition professionals at the companies you’d like to work with. Find top-tier recruiters who are known experts in your field. Seek out peers at other companies within your niche. 

This way, the right types of relevant people will get to know you, as they see your postings and keep you in mind when jobs become available.  

3. What To Do Online

The best way to start branding yourself is by commenting, sharing, writing posts and articles on LinkedIn. The content should focus on your area of expertise, as you have a lot of knowledge to impart.

You can start slowly by liking and addressing the postings of others. Find leaders in your field with large followings. Get involved in their conversations to amplify your own voice. Keep in mind that the questions you answer and your responses should burnish your brand. Avoid getting sucked into toxic online arguments and stay far away from politics for now.

If you want to take it to the next level, create videos. You can discuss matters relevant to your field. In addition to LinkedIn, also pay attention to other social media platforms that are relevant to your profession. 

Set a schedule to contribute on a consistent basis. If you only post once in a while, you’ll get lost. Post regularly, so people get to know you and become interested in what you have to say next. You’ll start building an audience by continually marketing yourself. People will feel like they know you and would gladly help you out with job leads. 

4. How’s Your Social Media Footprint?

Scour Google to find out what’s being said or written about you. Think of how a hiring manager or human resources professional would view your social media footprint. Immediately delete any questionable or inflammatory Tweets and Facebook postings. 

Take a fresh, new look at your LinkedIn profile, Facebook page and other social media sites to ensure that it reflects your brand. Your postings should show the value you offer to a potential employer.  

5. Brag A Bit

Share some recent wins, accomplishments and achievements. Write about exciting projects that you’re working on. If you are an expert in your field, seek out online conferences and networking events. Try to become a speaker. This spotlight will make you known to a wider audience and you’ll be viewed as an expert and a leader in your space.  

6. Authenticity Counts

Be open about your goal of finding a new job. Let people know that you’re in the job market and what specifically you want to do next. If no one knows that you’re on the job hunt, they won’t reach out to you with opportunities.  

It’s fine to write about the emotions, challenges and pressure you’re dealing with in your job search. By openly expressing yourself, people will get to know you as a real person.

Forbes.com | August 24, 2020 | Jack Kelley

#BestofFSCBlog : #YourCareer -How To Stop Sabotaging Your Career. Are You your Own Worst Enemy When it Comes to your Career?

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Are you your own worst enemy when it comes to your career? Perhaps unhealthy thought patterns or destructive work habits are interfering with your professional development. Self-sabotage occurs when that critical inner voice holds you back from achieving greatness.

By following these do’s and don’ts, you will finally be able to stop sabotaging and start succeeding.

Don’t let fear get in the way

  • Fear of failure: You fall into your comfort zone, and it’s gotten to the point where you can do your job in your sleep. Then you have the opportunity to take on a completely new and exciting project, but fear of failure creeps in.
  • Fear of success: It sounds strange, but many people are afraid of succeeding. It’s because once you finally get what you think you want, you realize it’s more than you bargained for. With success comes expectation and responsibility. It can be unsettling if you don’t know how to handle it.
  • Fear of loss of control: Our need to be in control at all times can be limiting. It might turn you into a micromanager who is burned out because you just can’t seem to delegate work. Ultimately, you are holding yourself back from reaching that next level in your career.

 

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

Article continued …

Don’t avoid going outside your comfort zone

You’ve outgrown your position, yet moving from familiar territory to a different company seems daunting. You wonder, “What if I don’t like it as much?” or “What if I end up with a manager who is a tyrant?” You’re in a seemingly “safe” place, but the growth happens outside your comfort zone. The first step is to acknowledge that you want to make a move but are afraid of change. Here’s a secret many people don’t know, fear and action can’t coexist. So, start taking small steps in the direction of your goal. Talk to as many people as you can before jumping into that new role. Learn about the good, the bad and the ugly. Make sure it’s the right fit and then take the plunge. If you feel you still need help combating those self-sabotaging behaviors, you may even consider working with a career coach or mentor to get you across the finish line.

Don’t compare yourself to others

Do you find yourself comparing your career to that of friends and colleagues? Maybe you and your best friend went to the same law school, but your friend has already made partner, and you haven’t. When you learned about it, it may have felt like a punch in the stomach. But career progression is different for everyone because we are all unique individuals. The only person you should be comparing yourself to is the person you were the day before.

By comparing yourself to others, you are not only sabotaging your career, you are eroding your self-confidence and creating unnecessary anxiety. If you do this consistently, it can be paralyzing. Instead of using that energy to feel resentful, use it to motivate you. Invite that person you’ve been admiring to be your mentor. Learn their secrets to success. This is also a good time to take inventory of all the things you’re grateful for. It’s almost impossible to feel envy and gratitude at the same time.

Do focus on your strengths

Often we don’t see ourselves for who we really are. We attribute accomplishments to luck or simply being at the right place at the right time. Make a list of all your biggest accomplishments—the ones you are most proud of. Then post it somewhere you can see it every day. Dig up any positive performance reviews, thank you notes or emails from clients and put them in a “kudos” file. That way, when you’re having a bad day, you can refer to them to boost your confidence. (I have one that I call my “inspiration” file).

Do recognize self-sabotaging behavior

The first step to break the cycle is to become aware of habits that are holding you back. What self-destructive mindsets are interfering with your ability to develop professionally? Here are a few typical self-sabotaging behaviors to be mindful of:

  • Perfectionism: You tell yourself you can’t act right now or believe you need to perfect your skills before moving forward. Perfection is an impossible standard that keeps you from advancing.
  • Procrastination: Instead of tackling an important project right away, you wait until the last minute. Start setting hard deadlines to hold yourself accountable.
  • Negative self-talk: Your inner dialogue is consistently critical. Are you punishing yourself for past mistakes? Be patient, and make an effort to build your self-esteem rather than tear it down.

Do be open to feedback

Knowing ourselves and being open to feedback is essential to career advancement. That way, you’ll be able to pinpoint the areas where you are excelling and need improvement. Don’t wait for others to provide input regarding your performance. Make it a point of regularly soliciting advice from managers, friends and co-workers. By being proactive and having an open mind, you will be able to use that information as a learning tool to propel you to the next level.

You are worthy of wanting more and having more. The world will put endless obstacles in your path, but none will be as big as the ones you create for yourself. Isn’t it time to get out of your own way and embrace the possibilities?

Feeling stuck and unfulfilled in your current career? Download Caroline Castrillon’s free guide: 5 Signs It’s Time to Make a Bold Career Change!

 

Author:  Caroline Castrillon –Contributor Careers – I write about career, entrepreneurship and women’s advancement.

 

Forbes.com | August 23, 2020