#JobSearch : Why The 90/10 Loser Gets The Job Over The 60/40 Winner. Here’s How to be a 90%.

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If you’re looking for a job, strive to be the 90/10 loser instead of the 60/40 winner. It’s better to come in first 10% of the time than second 60% of the time.

Candidates for jobs need to convince hiring managers that they can do the job (strengths,) will love the job (motivation,) and will be tolerable (fit) better and more than any other candidate.

This is where the 90/10 versus 60/40 positioning comes into play. To become a 60/40 winner, you have to tend toward the mean so you appeal widely. Those tending toward the mean, round their edges so they offend less people. These people tend to be more acceptable to others (60%) but have less people passionate about them. As a result, they make the cut to be final candidates for jobs more frequently than others, but often come in second place.

90/10 losers don’t have that problem. They get rejected out of hand 90% of the time. But the 10% that want them, really want them.

The difference is focus and the courage to talk about what’s most important and walk away from opportunities where the fit is less clear.

For example, imagine a hiring manager that says they need someone with strategic, organizational, and operating strengths.

60% of presented candidates come in with solid examples of their strengths in each area. They move on to the next round.

Not you. You come in and explain that you’re particularly strong in any one of the three areas and relatively weaker in the other two. Note you’re not saying you’re weak. You’re not saying you’re weaker than others. You’re just saying you’re unbalanced and stronger in some areas than others.

What this does is make the hiring manager think about what they really care about. If they really do want all three areas, you’re out. Fine. If they really care about one of the two areas in which you’re relatively weaker, you’re out. Fine. But if what they really care about is the area in which you are particularly strong, you’re now the candidate to beat.

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

Article continued …

The prescription is to figure out what they should really care about. If it’s not your core strength, walk away. If it is your core strength, focus your conversations on that. Talk about that. Of course, there are other things you can do. You’ll do them and over-deliver on expectations when the time is right. Then there are things you won’t do. You most definitely do not want a job that requires you doing them.

Talk about the things you’re most interested in. Learn about them. Practice them. Volunteer for assignments that give you experience in those areas. Build a deep expertise in these things. Guide your own career into these areas directly and indirectly.

Along the way, there are a whole range of other things your employers or clients will ask you to do. Do them. Do them really well. Over-deliver. You’ll learn by doing and get better and better. You’ll develop strengths in some of these areas. You can deploy those strengths over time. Just don’t talk about them.

And there are things you won’t do. The key here is to be upfront about those so no one ever asks you to do them. Some of these violate some of your underlying values. Most of them are distractions from what you think are most important. Any moment you spend on somethings less important is a moment you’re not spending on what is important. That is the opposite of focus.

Oh, by the way, if you’ve got someone working for you doing things outside of their core areas of interest, you should do what you need to do to get their focus back on what they care about most. Doing that is a sign of respect. If you don’t do that, eventually you’ll lose them. They’ll burn out or quit. Just because they are doing what you need them to do – and doing it well, does not necessarily mean they’re doing what they want to do.

Sometimes you don’t want to stand out. Sometimes you do want to tend to the mean. But not when it comes to positioning yourself and your career. Be known for something. Invest in it. Get better at it. Build your expertise. Claim your expertise. Talk about it. And don’t talk about the rest.

Click here for a list of my Forbes articles (of which this is #648) and a summary of my book on executive onboarding: The New Leader’s 100-Day Action Plan.

Forbes.com | July 14, 2020  | George Bradt Senior Contributor

#JobSearch : Why It’s So Hard To Narrow Down Your Career Choice (And How To Make It Easier!). A MUst REad for All!

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I’ve been in the career field for two decades and have witnessed many changes in how individuals search for jobs. However, the part of the process that’s changed the most, and subsequently has become the hardest, might surprise you.

If you’ve been in the professional world for a while, you’ve likely noticed few significant changes in the format of resumes or the general interview process, perhaps with the exception of how they’re created or conducted, respectively. And technology and personal websites have just extended how we express and communicate our expertise.

Networking as an effective search strategy is likely the most stable in the process, having earned its place as a front runner in the 1970’s with Granovetter’s pioneering work on the spread of information in social networks. If anything, networking has become infinitely easier with the invention of social media and tech-based communication tools.

What’s become much harder, is figuring out what you want to do.

The age-old question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” appears deceptively innocent. But for many who’ve been on the receiving end of this inquiry, it instills a sense of anxiety and confusion, especially if you haven’t quite figured it out or are ready for a change and don’t know where to begin.

Here’s why it’s so tough to answer, and what you can do to start formulating a response you feel good about:

1- Traditional paths have been obliterated. Upon retiring with 40 years of service from the local power company, my father was given an engraved lamp built with spare machine parts. So, although odd retirement gifts aren’t the reason professionals don’t stick with one company anymore, I can’t say it wasn’t a contributing factor. But seriously, it’s common today to change roles 10 or more times throughout a career span. It’s even becoming rare for someone to stay in the same industry or function for more than a decade now. New markets, hybrid roles, portfolio careers and side hustles have created opportunities for professionals to completely change trajectories, create mixed sources of income and test out emerging fields. And while having more options is exciting, it’s also confusing and overwhelming.

Make it easier: Stop looking at titles. Many people start here, but titles aren’t uniform or specific enough to really help narrow down your choice. A “Director” at one company may be equivalent to a “Manager” at another. “Business Development” can mean sales in one firm and marketing strategy at another. Instead, break down roles into projects, skill sets, and competencies so you can understand the actual work and make a clear decision based on what you’ll be doing day-to-day. O’NET Online is a free tool that helps you research work activities, abilities, educational requirements and general tasks for thousands of job families and roles. Plus, you can sort your search in a variety of useful ways including what industries have a bright outlook in the current market.

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

Article continued …

2- We’ve been fed some outdated advice. While there’s wisdom in the tip “follow your passion,” taken at face value, that phrase loses some of its effectiveness. Most people have multiple passions, and sometimes activities you’re passionate about aren’t ideal careers. When encouraged to discover your passion, it puts undue pressure to find the right choice, when in reality, there are many great career choices and very few true career mistakes. Everything you do is a chance to expand your network and broaden your experience.

Make it easier: Follow your professional energy instead. Think of a work project or task you look forward to doing or jump to when you’re avoiding less desirable work activities. Or maybe there’s an accomplishment you’re proud of that gets you energized when you share the story with others? Your answer likely lies within these examples, so examine what aspects make these interesting to you. Perhaps you love solving an impossible problem or partnering with a collaborative team. Or maybe you enjoy being up against a tight deadline, or digging into data to find the underlying story. Once you discover the thread, look for roles that engage these skills.

3- The market is shifting at warp speed. In many ways, the world has changed more in the last six months than in the last six years. Even if you discovered your life’s true vocation early on and never wavered on your choice, chances are technology advances, global needs, market demands and customer preferences will cause significant disruption to your daily tasks, making it tough to remain in one profession your entire life. But with traditional paths decreasing, and options becoming almost limitless, it can be paralyzing to move forward.

Make it easier: Not even career coaches or recruiters can keep up with the influx of new job families that are cropping up almost daily. So, instead of focusing on what you want to be, ask yourself, “What challenge do I want to solve in the world?” Read what’s happening in the market in areas that interest you and look for roles in organizations that are tackling those problems. Identify your professional superpower, align it with your values and interests and then learn how to wield that superpower to the changing needs of the market.

4- A reactive process is becoming less viable. In early 2000, applying to jobs online was all the rage (as was saying, “all the rage”). Since the internet has become over saturated, it’s harder to trust what’s online, and data show it’s only a slice of what’s actually available in the job market. So, if you’re bored or fed up with your current career, looking on big job boards can give you some general ideas, but it’s not likely going to solve your problem.

Some look to vocational assessments for the answer. Although these can be helpful to understand your strengths, interests, values and preferences, the information you receive is only a piece of the puzzle, not the total solution. Others decide to return to school, which can be valuable if you’ve already made a clear career choice and have confirmed additional education is necessary to attain your goal (note: often it’s not).

Make it easier: Create an experiment or research project for yourself where you reach out to people doing interesting work. Ask how they got into the field (you may be surprised to hear their path was more of a zigzag than a direct line). Reach out broadly, even to people who work in fields you’ve never considered. They may share stories of how their organization functions internally or partners with vendors that can open up new ideas.

And don’t limit yourself to standard full-time roles. Consider side hustles, a portfolio career or even short-term contracting gigs to create the mix of activities you’d like to explore. Even if you ultimately decide a full-time role is more to your liking, clarity comes through action. It’s important to try things on for size versus just allowing various pieces of information to bounce around in your brain.

5- Outside influences are strong. It’s common to rely on loved ones for advice. The great news is they usually have our best interest at heart. The not so great news is they likely aren’t the best career coaches because it’s hard for someone you know well to be fully objective. People we know often advise based on their own values (e.g., so if status or wealth are important to them, they may see your choice to pursue a role based on altruistic values as unwise).

Make it easier: Have a different exploration conversation with those you know. Instead of asking about your career, ask what you’re “known” for and what unique qualities they see in you, which may help you to better understand your professional superpower and abilities. Also, stop comparing yourself to others. This is demoralizing and prohibitive. While it’s great to have role models and mentors, remember everyone is on their own path. Lastly, reach out to people able to be direct and objective. This could be weaker ties (e.g., 2nd level contacts) in your network, or a career coach. Although others won’t have your answer, they can certainly help by asking deep questions, offering fresh insights and enabling you to see yourself differently.

6- Identity clinging is strong. When pondering a new career choice after working for a period of time, it can be challenging to see ourselves in a different way. Our career becomes part of our core identity with our title, company or profession often being one of the first things we share with someone we meet. So, if you desire something different, often professionals start with assessing how their current role can extend into their next career because they cling to the identity they’ve built. But ironically, this often keeps us stuck in a place we’re trying to exit. Also, humans hate ambiguity and often feel like trial and error are a waste of time.

Make it easier: First, stop asking yourself the question, “What do people in my role usually do next?” during your exploration. This may lead to some simple answers, but will limit your total options and may convince you a compete switch isn’t doable (hint: it is!). Next, recognize jumping off your career ladder to try something new won’t be catastrophic if it doesn’t work out, and unexpected career detours are usually surprisingly valuable to your marketability.

So stop looking for guarantees when there are none. And although many skills are transferable, actively keeping one foot in your old career may prevent you from truly getting to where you really want to be. So, if you can shed your title or professional label and start looking at yourself as the value you add to the market, you’ll see yourself as incredibly versatile professionally.

What you may have gathered if you read the article versus skimming the bullets is that figuring out your next career still takes work. But, you can make the effort you put forth meaningful and productive by following these steps so it’s not harder than it needs to be.

 

Forbes.com | July 13, 2020 |  Dawn Graham Contributor

 

#JobSearch : Preparing Your Finances for a Job Loss. Many People Have an “Out of Sight, Out of Mind” Mentality.

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Due to its very nature, job loss is something many people try to avoid thinking about. It’s a stressful situation, and many people have an “out of sight, out of mind” mentality for it. But this doesn’t stop it from becoming an ever-present fear in working-class America.

A global pandemic, shifts in the job market, economy, and even within one’s own company can lend itself to thoughts of “What if I lose this job?” This is especially difficult at a time when more and more jobs are becoming automated or being outsourced to freelancers and other firms.

Fortunately, the fear of job loss can be mitigated by preparing for it well in advance of losing one’s job. There are some great ways to create a safety net early in your career for a time when you might not be working. 

Build an Emergency Fund

An emergency fund is a type of savings account, usually with a few thousand dollars in it for a car repair or medical expense. While these are all great reasons for having one, an emergency fund has a lot of added value when it is created as a way to prepare for job loss.

Depending on your situation, unemployment can last a few months to as long as a year. This means that to be prepared, you should save up enough money to be able to live comfortably for up to a year, while you search for your next job.

It sounds like a scary thought, but you can determine this by calculating your average monthly expenses, and then multiplying that by the number of months you want to be prepared for. For example, if your average monthly expenses total about $2,000, you’ll want to have at least $12,000 set aside in an emergency fund, enough to get you through about six months of job loss. However, if you’re looking to be prepared for a year-long period, you would need about $24,000 set aside for job loss.

While the total amount needed may seem daunting, preparing can be made easy by putting aside a certain percentage of your income from every paycheck into a bank account with no fees, allowing you to hold onto everything you save. Avoid withdrawing any money from this account unless absolutely necessary, as this will act as a fixed income source in the event you lose your job.

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

Article continued …

Have Multiple Sources of Income

Unemployment can become a lot less stressful if you have multiple sources of income, as they offer a great fall back. (They also have the added benefit of making wage negotiations much easier and less stressful.) There are two types of income to take into account when discussing ways to generate money on the side: active and passive income.

Active income is any type of secondary job or side hustle you might have. I’m a huge fan of the side gig. If you have been considering starting your own small business or taking on an evening or weekend job like consulting or project management–or even ridesharing, consider it as a safety net for potential job loss. Passive income involves making investments, either real estate or dividend stock investments, that produce income on a monthly or quarterly basis. These require less work but more upfront costs than a side hustle, due to the fact that they require an initial investment cost. 

Networking and Personal Branding

Finally, you can make the process of finding a job faster by building strong career relationships. Networking gives you the opportunity to have people to rely on when switching careers for references, and may even be the push you need to find your next gig. Remember to spend time socializing in a professional and productive manner on LinkedIn so that you build a great network of people at your job. These relationships can give you a sense of security, and even make it less likely that you’ll lose your current job.

Consider building your personal brand on websites like LinkedIn that allow you to put a heavy focus on your career successes. Spend time writing well thought out posts about the industry you work in, and share other people’s content as well. This will be a great fallback to reference when looking for a job, as most employers look at social media profiles before hiring.

At the end of the day, job loss is a scary prospect, but the harm that comes from it can be mitigated by spending the time to create a safety net for yourself. This allows you to spend more time focusing on your current career, which in turn makes the risk of job loss far less likely.

 

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 | July 13, 2020

 

#JobSearch : Five(5) Questions You Should Ask In A Job Interview. Got that Interview? MUst REad!

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When you finally see that job interview request pop up in your inbox, it can be tempting to start thinking about all the ways you can please and impress the interviewer, especially right now in a competitive job market.

But, now is not the time to forget that interviews are your chance to interview the company, too. So many companies and industries have changed due to the pandemic. It’s your duty to ask insightful questions to ensure you make the best-informed decision for you. At the very least, it’s your responsibility to make sure you know what you’re walking into if you do accept the job.

Here are 5 new questions you should consider asking in a job interview, whether you land an interview during or post the pandemic.

1. What are the company’s biggest challenges right now and in what ways will this role help alleviate those challenges?

Any company that has decided to open a new position during this pandemic has determined that the particular role is essential to the growth or continuation of the company. As a job candidate, it’s vital you understand the challenges the company may be experiencing as a result of the pandemic and how the company desires for your role to solve those challenges.

Asking this question allows you to go beyond the job description and gives you an idea of what you should expect if you were to land the position. It shows the interviewer that you’re a problem solver and that you’re not just thinking about yourself, but that you’re also thinking about how you can contribute to the company’s goals. Plus, as you move forward in the hiring process, their answer to this question will give you more ways to show the hiring manager that you can be impactful to the team right away.

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

Article continued …

2. In light of social distancing and remote work, what tools or practices have you all implemented to continue communication and collaboration, and to support employees?

While some companies embraced remote work and flexible hours years ago, many other companies have been forced to embrace remote work because of the pandemic and have experienced many changes because of it. Now more than ever, it’s important to know what type of company culture you’re walking into – or logging into from home, before you accept the job. Especially if you are applying for a manager role, this question will help you get a good understanding of how the company is working together. This will help you be sure you’re joining a place that will allow you to connect and support your direct reports and senior leadership in a way that is productive and effective for everyone.

3. I noticed that you all are big on collaboration and failing fast [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][or other aspects of the company’s culture] and I could imagine that being adaptable and flexible are a few traits that are even more essential right now. What other qualities have become even more vital in a new hire since this pandemic?

One of the hardest things for recruiters and hiring managers to determine while interviewing virtually is if a job candidate will mesh well with the team. Role fit and culture fit are the top two things companies look for when hiring. Eliminating face-to-face communication makes it a bit harder to determine the latter. But luckily, it’s still your duty to do everything you can to show the interviewer that your values, work style and personality align well with the company and team. Asking this question is a great way to show them that. It will also give you a chance to see if the team has qualities that will allow you to thrive on the team and at the company.

4. I’m interested in joining a company where I’ll be able to contribute and add value right away. Could you share more about the onboarding process, in light of COVID-19? What changes have been made to ensure that the new hire is still successful once they join the team?

Everyone knows that the first 90 days at any company are crucial to success. As a job candidate and potential new hire, you need to know how the company intends to onboard you while working remotely and practicing social distance. What new methods have they implemented to ensure you get started on the right path? How do they plan to connect you with other employees once you’re hired? What tools or trainings do they plan to give you access to once you join the team to make sure you’re well informed and well equipped? How long do they intend for you to work remotely before transitioning to the office?

Asking this question will help ensure you’re not lost at sea once you accept the job offer. It will also show the interviewer that you plan to be a valuable asset to the team right away.

5. I know things are quite uncertain right now but as we continue to navigate this time, what are the company’s top priorities and plans for the next few months? 

Transparency is key right now. If your future company can’t be honest with you as a job candidate about their plans or goals right now, then they most likely will not be honest with you once you’re an employee. Of course, none of us can predict how the next few months will pan out, but you can get clarity on the company’s rough draft. Job security is never guaranteed but, at the very least, you should know that you’re joining a company that has a strategy for proactively moving forward.

Asking some variation of these questions will give you a good understanding of the company you could be joining. These questions will also show the interviewer that you’re a problem solver, a big-picture thinker and an adaptable team player, all things companies are looking for right now when hiring.

Author: Adunola Adeshola coaches high-achievers on how to take their careers to the next level and secure the positions they’ve been chasing. Sign up for her free online workshop.

 

Forbes.com | July 9, 2020

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#JobSearch : 5 Errors to Avoid on Your Executive Resume. Great Checklist !

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Writing the perfect resume may seem difficult to accomplish with all of the tips and tricks you have heard about. The top resume writing services can point out mistakes on your resume that you may not even believe is an issue.

For example, we’ve all heard about the value of using bullet points in a resume, but did you know using too many bullet points is a sign of desperation in the eyes of an employer? Identifying mistakes like this can be tough, so here are five of the biggest errors the top resume writing services can help you discover and prevent. 

Not Including Your LinkedIn Profile

Nowadays employers are going to look for social proof rather than simply relying on your resume to tell them what they need to know. Not including your LinkedIn profile link at the top or bottom of your resume may indicate you’re hiding something or you don’t want them to search for you online. Employers will try to find your LinkedIn profile anyway, so make it easier on them by providing the link.

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Question: Want the ‘the best/current articles/blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

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

Article continued …

Too Many Bullet Points

While it’s tempting to list out every achievement, skill and accomplishment you’ve earned over the years, try not to put them in the form of too many bullet points. Having more than about five bullet points may indicate you’re trying too hard to appear qualified for the job. It’s best to narrow down your most relevant attributes to the job you’re applying for and only include those. 

Not Enough White Space

You never want your resume to be more than two pages, but you also shouldn’t stuff as much text as possible into those two pages. The best executive resume format will leave a good amount of white space around the perimeter of the document and between each section of the resume. This makes the entire document look cleaner and it’s much easier for the hiring manager to read. 

Listing Political Affiliations

You may feel strongly about your political affiliation, but your resume is not the place to list it. One of the only times the top resume writing services will recommend listing your political affiliation is if it’s relevant to the job you’re applying for. Otherwise, it’s generally a big risk to include it. 

Inconsistencies or Typographical Errors

Proofreading your resume thoroughly for typographical errors or inconsistencies is essential. Don’t rely on spell check offered by your software program, since it doesn’t always catch everything. Once you believe you have everything in order, allow a friend or a resume expert to proofread and critique it as well so you don’t miss anything.

After putting forth time and energy creating your resume, don’t make these easy to correct mistakes and have your resume end up in the recycling bin.

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| July 9, 2020

 

#JobSearch : How To Restore Your Confidence After A Layoff. The Coronavirus Outbreak has Triggered Unprecedented Mass Layoffs and Furloughs.

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The coronavirus outbreak has triggered unprecedented mass layoffs and furloughs. So, if you’re one of those people affected, you’re not alone. Yes, we’re in the middle of a global pandemic. But no matter what the circumstances are, a layoff can be devastating to one’s self-confidence.

“I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.”  Maya Angelou

People often define themselves by what they do for work, so you may experience a job loss as a loss of personal identity. To get past your own feelings of failure and inadequacy, here are five ways to restore your confidence after a layoff.

Remind yourself it’s not you

It can be easy to feel shame and embarrassment after a layoff. Don’t. Restore your confidence by making it a point not to take it personally. Remind yourself that these are tough times, and millions of people are in the same predicament. It’s not a reflection of your performance, just the current economic situation.

Take time out

A layoff can be a blessing. Sometimes it’s the universe’s way of opening a new door for us. Consider this the perfect time to take a step back and review your career trajectory. Did you even enjoy what you were doing? Do you want to stay in the same industry? Taking advantage of this crucial downtime to assess your situation can help to restore your confidence. In fact, doing this important inner work can be more beneficial than immediately jumping into a new job. Especially a position that won’t provide the fulfillment you deserve.

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

Article continued …

Surround yourself with positive people

This is a time to be surrounded by people who are positive and uplifting. Stay away from the “energy vampires.” These are people who consciously or not, drain your emotional energy. If you find yourself spending time with someone and you feel like they suck the life out of you, that’s an energy vampire.

Restore your confidence by surrounding yourself with people who show by their actions that they care about you and have your best interests at heart. That will go a long way in helping you achieve a healthy mental outlook. You may even want to enlist the help of a coach or mentor to help you unpack your feelings, hold you accountable and devise a plan to achieve your ultimate career goals.

Review your finances

After a layoff, it’s common to feel uneasy about what’s next. Before making any career moves, review your financial situation. This will give you a chance to determine where you stand from a cash flow perspective. Many people come out of this exercise with a renewed sense of confidence and optimism. You will feel relieved knowing exactly how much runway you have until you need to secure that next job opportunity. Crafting a solid plan will help alleviate stress and ease any feelings of financial uncertainty. You’ll also want to cut back on your expenses for a while, eliminating any non-essential items.

Get involved in meaningful work

Try to get involved in meaningful work as soon as possible, even if it’s only on a volunteer basis. And if you’re concerned about social distancing, you can volunteer without leaving your home. Points of Light is one organization that is committed to empowering, connecting and engaging people and organizations with virtual opportunities to make a difference that are meaningful and impactful. Volunteering will make you feel good, help you learn new skills and broaden your networking base. Who knows, over time, it may even turn into a permanent, paid position.

Layoffs and furloughs are the new normal, but that doesn’t mean you can’t bounce back better than before. As Maya Angelou once said, “I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.”

Author: Caroline Castrillon Contributor

 

Forbes.com | July 8, 2020

#JobSearch : Resume Quiz To See If Employers Will Respond To Your Resume. A MUst REad!

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Writing a persuasive resume is challenging for most people. Yet, a top-quality resume that effectively sells your skills and accomplishments to an employer is essential to your success. Is yours good enough to grab a recruiter’s attention? As a result of the COVID-19 recession, many employers are being flooded with resumes that will likely never get through the Applicant Tracking System so no HR person or recruiter will ever physically see it.

I have created this quiz, based on dozens of hiring surveys, hundreds of employer interviews, and nearly 30 years of resume writing experience. It doesn’t matter what generation you are from, I’ve worked with Baby Boomers, Gen Z every age in between to create eye-catching resumes that landed jobs.

Take out your resume as we put it under a “hiring microscope.” Looking over your current resume, take the following quiz to see if your resume would be selected from today’s competition.

Place a check mark by each question that you answered correctly.

1.   __How long is your resume?

ANSWER: Two pages is the current maximum that employers want to see or are willing to read. Whether you are a 60-year old executive or a professional who recently graduated, being brief and concise works best. Employers glance at your resume giving it a 15-20 second glance. Be a skillful editor, deleting the portions which are not relevant or are least helpful to supporting the particular job title you currently seek. Emphasize your more recent experience in the last 7-10 years.

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

Article continued …

2.    ___Do you list a career objective?

ANSWER: A generalized resume won’t resonate with employers. They are hiring a specialist. Emphasize what your specific skill set is geared towards and the targeted job you’re looking for. Therefore, list the appropriate job title you are seeking even if it’s the next level, i.e., Project Manager or VP Sales or Marketing Manager. If you have varying and different job titles that you can do, i.e., Trainer versus Program Administrator, create two resumes, one for each of these positions. Be specific and target each resume to the different job title.

3.    ___Did you use keywords?

ANSWER: CNBC reported that over 75% of resumes never get seen by human eyes. An uploaded resume goes through scanning software called the applicant tracking system or ATS. To be found by a human recruiter or hiring manager, you need to add appropriate keywords. This does not mean copying every word from the job opening and putting them into your resume. Most employers are seeking your hard skills as determined by the work tasks you have done in the past. Try making a list of your job functions. If you review several job openings, you will see a pattern that the employers all want certain skills. For example, a software engineer needs to list the technical programming languages they use but also the other similar skills that employers desire.  If words such as project management or process improvements show up as responsibilities in the ads, you’ll want to include those in your resume.

4.    ___Does your resume use lengthy job descriptions?

ANSWER: Long paragraphs with wordy job descriptions often are too generic to work. Results and accomplishments are what recruiters and hiring managers want to know about. Employers want proof that you can do the job. Specifics that demonstrate your achievements are crucial. Using bulleted statements are easier to read and more effective. Outline what you have increased or decreased, how you saved money or time, made the organization money, created something new that solved a problem, and contributed to employee productivity and the bottomline whenever possible.

5.   ___Is your resume visually appealing?

ANSWER: The appearance of the resume cannot be overemphasized! Don’t get creative with your resume. Fancy fonts, tables, columns, text boxes, color inked, graphics, charts, headers, and footers are often not able to be read by some of the ATS bots employers use. Instead, you get blanks or garbled, unreadable text. Use a standard format. Make use of italicizing, CAPITALS, underlining, bolding, indentations, and bullets to emphasize your essential points. Keep your font readable, size 12 is best and only use common fonts like Arial or Times Roman. PROOFREAD carefully to make your resume a perfect example of you!

6.   ___Does your resume include a Summary of Qualifications section?

ANSWER: This 4-6 sentence section includes your experience and top-selling points to do the job. It has a high impact on employers, but most candidates neglect to include it. This part of the resume has an incredible impact since employers reported that this was one of the very first areas they read. And, if the briefly stated summary demonstrates solid ability to fill the advertised job, it then causes them to slow down and give that candidate more careful consideration. (Read more on this section in the Forbes article Time To Update Your Résumé—Here’s One Secret To Use)

7.   ___ How do you start each sentence under professional experience?

ANSWER: Begin sentences with descriptive action verbs, such as established, analyzed, implemented, designed, or researched. They add power to your sentences by demonstrating actions. Never use the word “I” in your resume. Action verbs help you create powerful statements by listing the step you took and the results the action created.

8.    ___ Have you used acronyms and abbreviations?

ANSWER: Spell out names of schools, cities, work acronyms and abbreviations completely. It is better to give complete information, as employers may not recognize abbreviations or acronyms. They often glance quickly over the resume, and you don’t want them to get tripped up or annoyed when you don’t state the entire phrase.

9.   ___Does your resume get you interviews?

ANSWER: This is the ultimate test to determine if you have written an effective resume. If you are not getting appropriate interviews, you may need some professional intervention to learn why it is not working. Typically, it’s not getting through the ATS, or it may be too generic without specific accomplishments. Then again, you may be applying for jobs you aren’t qualified for. No interviews mean you need to overhaul and edit it to stress your crucial work tasks, your past actions, and the results achieved.

Author: Robin Ryan – I am a career counselor that helps clients land jobs. I offer Resume Writing, LinkedIn Profile Writing, and Interview Coaching services. I’ve appeared on Oprah, DrPhil

…
Forbes.com | June 9, 2020

#BestofFSCBlog : Over 6K Reads! Job Search Tips When You’re Over 50. Here are Five Ways to Modify a Search Plan for a Job Seeker over 50.

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I have received several recent reader questions about job search tips when you’re over 50:

When you are an older unemployed professional in your late 50’s how do you survive and what strategies should you use to navigate through these difficult times we are currently in? – Thea

What are the best career pivot options and tactics for workers over 60? — Ken

Is there a point in pursuing/reigniting a career at my age?… Not looking to start a business but I miss being part of something, getting out of the house and feeling productive and saving money for the future. – Wendy

 

I write about job search tips regularly and don’t normally break out tips by age group. The mechanics of the job search are similar across industries, functions, levels and ages. I recommend a six-step job search approach:

  1. Identify your targets
  2. Create compelling marketing (e.g., resume, LinkedIn, networking pitch, cover letter)
  3. Research companies and industries
  4. Network and interview
  5. Stay motivated and organized and troubleshoot regularly
  6. Negotiate and close the offer

I would still recommend these steps for job seekers over 50 (or right out of school). That said, life circumstances and your career path to date influence your job search, and these will be different when you have decades of life and work experience. Here are five ways I would modify a search plan for a job seeker over 50:

1 – Start reconnecting socially ASAP

Reaching out to people generally comes later in your job search when you are clearer about what you want and have prepared how to talk about yourself. However, you never want your first approach to be about your job search, when you have not been in touch for years (or decades). Furthermore, with more experience comes more connections (hopefully) and more reconnections to be made as you likely have fallen out of touch over the years.

Therefore, while you’re gearing up for your search – identifying your targets, creating your marketing – start reconnecting with your network on a strictly social basis. Just say hello and ask about what people have been up to. Focus on having genuine interactions without talking about your job search at all. An additional practical benefit is that it cleans up your database so you can see how many people you already know and can readily contact when you are ready to kick off your search. Your network, especially with decades of contacts, will be much more critical to landing a job than unsolicited applications to job postings (one reason to stop reading job postings).

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

Article continued …

2 – Get real about how much flexibility you have for your search

When you’re over 50, you are more likely than a younger person with fewer years to have a life built around multiple relationships. You might have kids to support, elder care responsibilities, even a significant other going through their own career reinvention. You might have purchased a house at this point, making it harder to just pick up and leave. You might be in a job right now that has broad responsibilities.

When your life has multiple obligations to support and moving parts to coordinate, your job search has to accommodate these. How much time do you have to devote to the six activities I outlined? If you are between jobs, how much money do you have to support your financial commitments while you look? Run the numbers on time and money. Gauge your own emotional fortitude and energy level for a search.

3 – Prioritize your goals for this next job

Your job search will be impacted by the time, money and energy that you have, It will also be targeted based on what your immediate career goals are. Are you looking to shore up your retirement so earning potential is key? Are you looking to introduce some fulfillment into your life so passion for the work matters most? Are you finally ready to try something different from your early career, such that you’re flexible on the job, even the money, as long as it takes you in a new direction?

I have posted several real-life career changes over 50, and there is no one path. Karen Rittenhouse pivoted industries and took on more entrepreneurial risk because money was a priority, and she didn’t have time to follow the conventional retirement savings strategy. Melinda Chu leaned on her outside interests and network and ended up making a career change from legal research to affinity marketing. Mark Prygocki was looking for something different and that led to opening a donut franchise.

4 – Summarize your unique value proposition

Whatever you decide to go after, you will have to convince others. To find a job, you need to convince employers. If you go into business for yourself, you need to convince clients. Having decades of experience is one qualifier, but it doesn’t differentiate you from others who also have extensive experience. What is it about your experience, skills and expertise that sets you apart and solves a problem for your employer or client? For example, your decades of work mean that you have experienced both up and down economies. Have you also worked across industries, with big and small companies, in growth market and turnaround situations?

Don’t make hiring managers guess or plow through years’ worth of information to pinpoint what your superpower is. Design your story with the highlights readily available. Have clear examples and metrics to share. Be able to talk about yourself with enthusiasm and confidence. If you don’t feel competitive for a job, then do more work around your marketing, research or interview practice till you feel ready. In order to convince people to hire you, you must first convince yourself.

5 – Address any red flags

Being enthusiastic and confident does not mean glossing over reasonable concerns that you will encounter during your search. Employers are more demanding – a good resume is not enough, and there are typically additional hurdles to landing an interview. Anticipate what might give employers pause about hiring you, and address these red flags directly.

I once coached a mid-career professional who wanted to pivot into business development/ corporate strategy – an area that typically hired either very experienced, longtime dealmakers or recent MBA graduates. My client’s late-stage pivot was an obvious red flag – why is he leaving his current career (i.e., is he being pushed out)? Why should they take a chance on my client rather than continue with the hiring model that has already proven to work? My client had to sell employers without getting defensive. He had to explain his career path and argue that he was the better choice than people 10, 15, even 20 years his junior. He’s now happily working in business development/ corporate strategy, once he learned to address the red flags head-on

Once your job search gets going, focus on keeping multiple leads in play at all times

Every job seeker, from right out of school till right before retirement, needs to keep multiple leads in play at all times, especially in a competitive job market. However, if you tend to second-guess yourself and lose confidence easily, it’s even more important that you make sure your pipeline never goes dry. Continue to apply for additional jobs and reach out to your network and new contacts, even if you’re already in the interview process with other places.

Too many job seekers go after one or two jobs at a time, and if these fall through, then they assume that the search is hopeless. Don’t let yourself off the hook. Continue to put yourself out there. People do get hired – over 50 and in tough job markets.

Forbes.com | July 6, 2020 | Caroline Ceniza-Levine Senior Contributor

#JobSearch : Don’t Let The Summer Slowdown Stop Your Job Search—Start Being Aggressive. MUst REad!

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Traditionally, the Fourth of July holiday weekend has always been considered the start of vacation season. People would bolt out of the office early Friday afternoon or take three-day weekends at the beach. As July turned into August, folks would take their two weeks off. The interviewing and hiring process would slowly grind to a halt. By mid-to-late August, even during the hottest job markets, it would be tough—nearly impossible—to get anything accomplished. The hiring manager would be out of the office on vacation and, when she’d return, the human resources person would be gone. Then, the job seeker would leave for his family’s annual summer trip.

This routine was pre-Covid-19, but could quickly change. Many workers fall back upon business-as-usual and presume that interviewing over the summertime is a futile pursuit. Instead of assuming that the expected interviewing path will similarly happen this year, try to think differently. 

What are the odds that a large percentage of human resources professionals, hiring managers and others involved with the hiring process will take extended—or any—vacations this summer? With the sudden alarming spike in thousands of new Covid-19 cases, how many people will be eager to board an airplane, rent a car, stay in a strange hotel room and go to a place that may be packed with non-mask wearers? It’s more likely that people will continue to stay at home. If they do travel, it will be short car trips.

With this is mind, forget all about how it used to be. Most people will blindly follow the old path and discontinue their job search out of habit. They’ll say to themselves that nothing’s going to happen, as everyone will be away until September. In light of the unrelenting series of bad news and events brought about in 2020, a majority of job seekers may pause their search and hope that things will turn around once the summer is over.

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

Article continued …

You have the unique opportunity to stand out and get noticed, as people absentmindedly pull out of their job searches. With less competition, take this opportunity to step up your interviewing game. As people take themselves out of the job market, your chances improve.

To be fair, it won’t be easy. With 47 million Americans filing for unemployment since the start of the pandemic, major iconic companies (such as J.C. Penney and Hertz) filing for bankruptcy protection and massive layoffs continuing unabated, you’ll be swimming against the tide. You’ll need to be strong, resilient and persistent. Keep moving forward in the face of adversity. Dig down deep inside of yourself to find the inner grit and mental toughness to overcome all of the obstacles in your path—and there will be a lot of them.

Don’t take it personally when there’s no feedback and calls and emails go unreturned. It’s not just you; this is happening to everyone. Accept the reality that things are tough and embrace the fact that you must be strong and determined to succeed.

There will be bouts of self-doubt, feelings of inadequacy, discouragement, embarrassment and petty humiliations. We’re all going through this together. Many people get so dejected that they lose hope. That’s not a viable option, as the waves of rejection could pull you even downward.  To succeed, you have to clearly set your sites on the goal and persevere, despite the challenges. It won’t be a walk on the beach, but if you don’t take assertive actions, nothing will ever change.

Claire Spence, a recruiting veteran and executive partner with Texas-based search firm Joseph Chris Partners Executive Search, tells her clients, “Now is not the time to give up or to stop looking.” She advises candidates that it’s important to aggressively search for a new job. Spence points out that—even though it’s not fair—in previous downturns, hiring managers questioned long gaps between employment. “During the long recession we had during the last administration, candidates that ‘waited’ to interview or seek other opportunities were seen by companies as not willing. We saw so many companies say, ‘Well, why didn’t he or she work for a year?’” Spence reiterated, “Do nothing and miss a great opportunity or wait because you have plenty of severance. It comes back to bite you in the long run.” Therefore, it’s smart to act now.

Mark Anthony Dyson, the founder of the Voice of Job Seekers blog and podcast shared proactive job search strategies. Dyson suggests that job seekers should politely request “informational interviews” and make this a staple in your job search strategies. Regarding the actual meetings, “It’s about having business conversations, taking your networking efforts higher.” He points out a potential problem, “Please don’t treat it as your chance to interrogate people about their careers. You’re asking for valuable information, not for a job. Create a space for making your connections and those conversations as comfortable as possible. You want them to be as frank and as candid—not only show them their thoughts are valuable to you, but you’re willing to be responsive.”

Dyson says, “The job search is more effective as proactive than reactive. It’s best as a lifestyle than doing it as needed. At a minimum, networking and professional development can continue with just a mobile phone.” He adds, “Take full control of your job search, by targeting companies you’ve been watching for awhile. Question everything you possibly can about the industry’s stability—if it’s affected by COVID. Talk to many people and understand how your current skills will be useful.”

Dyson also appreciates the mental and emotional impact of being in between jobs and the search process. He recognizes, “Stress and anxiety can stifle your mindset, so don’t store your hope or be tied to one industry, company or job. See if your insurance covers mental health, or if the job provides some care for mental health.”

Author:  Jack Kelly – I am a CEO, founder, and executive recruiter at one of the oldest and largest global search firms in my area of expertise, and have personally placed thousands of

…

 

Forbes.com | July 6, 2020

#JobSearch : Is LinkedIn going to Replace Resumes? What Do You Think? Welcome your comments.

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What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word LinkedIn? Well for me LinkedIn is all about building a chain of links! which is nothing but “Networking”. The soul purpose of the platform was to help people share their thoughts, ideas , collaborate and work with like-minded people eventually. LinkedIn is considered to be a professional yet social networking platform all over the world. With the changing times, advancement in technology and a global pandemic hitting us all , things have changed quite a bit!

The economy has come to a standstill all over the world, people are getting laid off, the health facilities are collapsing, and people are giving in to depression and anxiety. Many of the people who have been laid off were at good managerial positions and were working for the top MNC’s and organizations in the world.

There are multiple reasons why these people were laid off. Ranging from, some of the employees being incompetent, some were not updated and equipped with the latest technology, companies were no longer able to cater to a huge bandwidth of employees and the list goes on. Amidst this chaos the importance and relevance of LinkedIn has increased just beyond being a place for showcasing your laurels and achievements.

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

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Question: Want the ‘the best/current articles/blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & Type(#Jobsearch, #Resume, or #Networking) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

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

Article continued …

Recruiters have extensively been using LinkedIn as a platform to look out for the right talent. Your LinkedIn profile not only contains all aspects covered in a resume, but also showcases your other talents and accomplishments via the posts and content you put out for your network. Recruiters see who are the people engaging with your content?, what kind of people are a part of your network? What kind of volunteering and collaborative work are you doing ? etc. These things help recruiters to know you beyond the surface. Not just restricting them to view your educational history, work experience and achievements.

There is no doubt that a Resume is indeed essential and speaks volumes. Having said that we cannot change the fact that it is only a document or a piece of paper, as opposed to LinkedIn which is a digital platform where you get to create a life-long impact. It adds on to your digital footprint on the internet as well. When you start making meaningful connections on LinkedIn, they eventually lead you to being offered unexpected opportunities and collaborating with people you would have never thought of. You create your own personal brand and people endorse your skills, write you recommendations and even approach you for jobs in their organization once you build that network and trust.

Make sure you are posting relevant and consistent content on LinkedIn. People still have no idea how this could land them a job. Well just doing this won’t but connecting with the right people and  increasing your reach via your work and posts on LinkedIn will. Use LinkedIn insights to know about the trending jobs and the companies that are hiring. You also get insights on the skills they are looking for in a candidate for a particular role. LinkedIn learning provides a plethora of self-paced learning courses in all the fields possible. They add value to your profile and resume as well.

Hence it goes without saying that LinkedIn is surely moving on the path to becoming a dynamic platform. It is an amalgamation of being a networking platform, a digital resume showcasing platform, a platform to share your opinions, views, content and lastly a platform where there are endless opportunities available. Start using LinkedIn effectively to supplement your resume and add more value to your personality and profile.

It cannot be certainly said if LinkedIn will actually go on to replace resumes, but it is surely the trending thing that is coming up and people who will harness it’s features in the right way are surely going to benefit a lot more than the ones who won’t.

 

NEW FSC Career Author: : Ms. Dhairya Gangwani – Dhairya is a  Electronics and Communication engineer who loves Management Consulting. I am an optimist, who loves interacting with people, travelling, learning new languages, content writing and public speaking.  Contact Dhairya @  dhairya3024@gmail.com  or connect with her on LinkedIn @  www.linkedin.com/in/dhairya-gangwani-306634177

 

FSC Career Blog | July 6, 2020