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#YourCareer : Should You Change Careers Because Of The Pandemic? Great Read for All!

May 10, 2020/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

The pandemic and its fallout definitely impact career planning. Unemployment numbers are ticking upward, so job seekers overall are competing in a more crowded overall market. Certain industries such as travel are hit hard, so workers in contracting fields in particular face dwindling opportunities. Even if you’re currently employed, you should pay attention to how well your employer can hold up in these challenging times.

If you find yourself in a troubled industry, should you change careers and target other areas? As with most career questions, there is no one-size-fits-all response to your individual career. Even though I just made some generalizations about the negative impact of the pandemic on career planning, the optimal next step for your career depends, not just on the market, but also on you.

Here are some arguments for and against changing careers because of the pandemic to help you choose the best course of action for you:

Yes, change careers because your industry may take longer to recover than you are willing or able to wait

I coached a client who loved her travel job but lost it along with 90% of her colleagues. Projected recovery for the travel industry could be next year or several years. Sure, jobs don’t totally disappear even from hard-hit industries. However, if you need to land quickly, you may want to change careers into a growing market.

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

Article continued …

No, don’t change careers because you love your field and want to stick it out

That said, if you have a passion for the industry you are in, you may want to stick it out. There are ways you can help your job search in a down market, such as revisiting old employers or targeting project work over permanent, full-time. Maximizing your career isn’t just about getting any job, but about landing a job you love.

Yes, change careers because you have severance that can fund your job search

But do you love your job? The industry or role you start with isn’t something you have to do forever. Some professionals get so caught up in the day-to-day busyness of their immediate job that they don’t take a long-term, more proactive view of their whole career. If you had been getting complacent in your current career, this pandemic may be just the jolt you need to reconsider and redesign your career. If you have been laid off, you could invest the severance or unemployment benefits you receive into yourself and a career pivot.

No, don’t change careers now because a changing careers takes longer than landing a similar job, and your severance may run out

That said, timing a career change during a down market is like swimming upstream. You already have a shrinking pool of jobs and employers who are feeling cost pressures. Add in the fact that as a career changer you are an unproven and therefore riskier choice. Are you prepared for a much more difficult job search? Do you have the time and financial means to stick it out?

Yes, change careers because you were thinking about making a change anyway

There is never a perfect time for a big life decision, like changing careers. If you had already been thinking about a career change and then the pandemic hit, this doesn’t necessarily mean you should abort your earlier plans. I have coached several professionals who make a change even at a peak in their careers – another time when arguably you shouldn’t make a change. Just because it doesn’t seem like the right time in general doesn’t make it the wrong time for you.

No, don’t change careers because getting experience in a down market is good experience

If you feel like you’re coasting on the job and you’re looking for a challenge, navigating a down market can be that challenge. If you have never experienced a down market in your current industry and/or role, this is good experience to have, especially if you aspire to the executive ranks one day. As a recruiter, I have seen many employers prioritize candidates who had a good track record, not just in growth times, but also in hard times. If you get tapped for a big cost-reduction effort, restructuring or turnaround initiative, you have the opportunity to get tangible, measurable results that can put you in a better position for bigger roles in the future.

Yes, change careers because you have an idea or inspiration prompted by the current market

If you change careers just to get away from your old career, that’s like a bad approach to dating. Instead, you want to be genuinely attracted to the new career. If the pandemic and its fallout have revealed a new interest for you – e.g., you love virtual meetings and decide to focus on remote learning – then that is an excellent sign to pursue that option. The best part is that you don’t have to quit your job right away, as the first step in career change is about making life changes, not launching a job search.

No, don’t change careers because you have other constraints vying for your time

Speaking of life changes, the pandemic has upended much more than just your career. If you’re in a dual-career household, if you have children, if you have elder care responsibilities, if you have a side passion that has been put on hold, then there are other areas of your life that may need more urgent tending than your career. The right time to make a career move needs to account for everything else going on in your life too.

Internal readiness trumps market conditions always

As you can see, there is no one answer to whether you should change careers because of the pandemic or not. Instead, I would divide the question into two parts: 1) should you change careers; and 2) because of the pandemic. Then, I would focus on the first part – whether or not you should change careers. The second part is just about how the market may impact you — and it may not. Your internal readiness to make a change — your willingness to do the work, your fortitude to stay the course — is more important than market conditions. If you want to make a change that badly, you will find a way.

This post is inspired by a question I received from Echo Me Forward, a career platform for diverse professionals. I love answering reader questions, and they run the gamut – like whether to target a familiar job or stretch role, how to market yourself to a new industry or whether to quit a job to care for elderly parents. What is your most pressing career question?

Author: Caroline Ceniza-LevineSenior Contributor

Careers

Career Change Expert and Author of “Jump Ship: 10 Steps To Starting A New Career”

Forbes.com | May 10, 2020

How to Change Careers: EveryThing you Need to Know about Making a Transition that will Leave you More Fulfilled and Less Stressed. Must REad!

May 9, 2020/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

Millions of Americans have lost their jobs in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic. If you recently lost your job, fear it might happen, or are just looking for a change, it may be time for a career pivot.

Finding a new role may involve making big changes and overhauling your entire lifestyle, or trying a different role within your current team.

Below, Business Insider has listed the best (and most practical) career-change advice we’ve heard from a range of experts, plus super successful folks who’ve revamped their own work situations. Use these stories as inspiration for your own career transition in the year ahead.

Business Insider regularly interviews experts about career pivots. You can read them all by subscribing to BI Prime.

Searching for a job during an economic downturn

Networking email template: Use this exact email template from a LinkedIn career expert to network and find a new job during a recession

How to improve your career during quarantine: 8 steps to improve your career while self-isolating, so you can land a plum job after the quarantine

Using your stimulus check to invest in your career: How to use your $1,200 stimulus check to invest in your career, so you can find a dream job or finally advance in your current role

Finding a job during a recession: Recruiters and career coaches who survived the Great Recession share their most urgent advice for finding a job during a new economic downturn

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

Article continued …

Finding your career confidence

Gathering support at work and at home: A LinkedIn executive’s 3-step plan to making a meaningful career change can help anyone who feels stuck in their job

Overcoming fear: This poster in Facebook’s office inspired an early employee to make a huge career shift in his 40s

Focusing on your strengths instead of your insecurities: 6 important steps you need to take to successfully change careers, according to career coaches and real people who’ve done it

Experimenting before you take any big leaps: A career coach and former Googler breaks down the 4 steps to making a change in your career

If you want your dream job

Figuring out what you actually enjoy doing: The best question you can ask before changing careers has nothing to do with your work

Re-envisioning your overall career: A former Googler and Facebook exec says your parents’ career path is just about dead, and there’s a better way to move up in the world

Recognizing when you need a new challenge: The CEO of a consulting firm says if ‘you can see your future’ at work, you may not be in the right career

Finding out what your new life will really look like: Too many people skip a crucial step before making a career change

Distinguishing between hating your job and wanting to start your own business: The ultimate guide to figuring out how (and if) you should start your own company

Pinpointing the most impactful and fulfilling work you could do: A former Google exec reveals the 3 questions you should ask yourself before making a career change

Leveraging your past experience in your new role: You’re not ‘too old’ to make a career change — in fact, you’ve probably already done half the work

Taking small steps toward your ultimate goal: How to make a drastic career change, from an executive coach who’s helped countless people unhappy at work

Making tough decisions at work

What to do with your stock options: 5 immediate steps to navigate your stock options if you’ve been laid off from a startup and want to make the best financial choices for your future

Keeping an open mind about your career: An exercise Stanford professors developed to map out how your life will unfold removes the agony from big career decisions

Weighing the value of prestige and personal fulfillment: Ask yourself these 2 questions to decide between a job that’s more prestigious and a job that’s more fulfilling

Evaluating the opportunity for growth in your new role: Goldman Sachs’ outgoing talent chief shares the 3 questions he asks himself before taking any new role — including his next one as CEO of a HR tech startup

Deciding whether to move on from your organization: A former Netflix exec shares 3 simple questions to ask yourself if you’re thinking about leaving your job

Avoiding a bad reputation among your current coworkers: A woman who’s spent a decade in HR shares the No. 1 sign it’s time to quit your job

Riding out boredom: A former Googler and career coach says you shouldn’t always turn your passion into a full-time job

Seeing the signs that you’re ready to transition: A former Googler who left after 2 years to build her own startup explains how to know it’s time to quit your job

Minimizing risk: The 33-year-old CEO of a successful startup reveals the key to minimizing risk when you leave a steady job to become an entrepreneur

Telling your boss you’re quitting: A workplace expert shares the exact steps you should take to quit your job without burning bridges

BusinessInsider.com | May 8, 2020

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#JobSearch : Standing Out- What is a Digital Handshake and Why is it Important?

May 8, 2020/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

If you get called for an interview today, it most likely will be a video interview. And many of us are having our meetings remotely through platforms like Skype and Zoom. These business video conferences are different than chatting with a friend on FaceTime. You are expected to conduct yourself as a professional at all times. So knowing these skills will help set the stage for a more productive, professional meeting.

One of The New Secrets to Rocking Your Skype Interview that Scott Dockweiler gives us on The Muse is the “digital handshake.” This substitute for a physical shaking of hands is a way to show you are friendly, professional, and ready to get started. This is how you do the first impression successfully, laying the foundation for good communication during the rest of the meeting. Without that good first impression, the rest of the meeting is an attempt to overcome bad vibes.

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

Article continued …

Components of the Digital Handshake

Look at the camera
Lean slightly forward, shoulders & eyes focusing ahead
Nod your head in a slow, confident, deliberate gesture without breaking eye contact

Now I can hear some of you saying…”I’m looking at a camera! What’s the eye contact there?” You need to remember, in a video meeting that the camera is where you look when you are speaking. When the other party speaks, look at the screen, but when you speak, look at the camera. Some people use a photograph with a hole in it for the lens to put over the camera as a reminder.

But why is it important?

The whole video conferencing dynamic is reinventing itself, and we are still seeing things change. Since the use of video eliminates some of the geographic limitations, we are going to have to be prepared for some cross-cultural challenges along with the ordinary challenge of impressing a remote viewer with your professional abilities.

That simple nod and the body language accompanying it says you are ready to listen and contribute to the meeting — so it can start.

Many of us are on a steep learning curve when it comes to not only working remotely but communicating primarily through video. Just like we have had to learn to communicate effectively through email and text, this is another platform to learn and master as we move forward into this “new normal.”

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 | May 8, 2020

#JobSearch : 3 Things You Need To Know About A May Job Search. You’ll Benefit if you Stay on Top of Hiring Trends.

May 6, 2020/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

It’s impossible to predict what the job market will have in store over the next few months. Even as economic data continues to trend downward, it is hard to guess in what ways hiring demand for the rest of the year will be shaped by the widespread reopening of the economy and the requirement to put in place new public health measures.

If you need or have a strong desire to get a new job, you’ll want to start getting ready for a multitude of scenarios. While the job market is slow at the moment, it could ramp up faster than you expect or in industries, you aren’t yet targeting.

It’s fair to prepare yourself for a longer job search than you would have experienced this time last year, but don’t give up on your efforts. Before you launch or continue your job search, here’s what you need to know to help you face this month’s unique challenges and find new opportunities.

1. You’ll benefit if you stay on top of hiring trends

No matter how bleak hiring data may appear at the moment, many companies will still have new, interesting, and unexpected jobs that need to be filled this year.

Right now, companies are still trying to figure out how they will operate in this new environment once social distancing guidelines lessen or are removed. What they can’t foresee is how much customer demand they will have, how consumer behavior and personal values may have permanently changed, and what they will need to do to make their business more resilient in the future. All of these factors will create significant changes to their corporate strategy, exposing leadership gaps, and creating new talent needs.

As hard as it is to imagine right now, the business world will get back to operating at full capacity but likely in a very different form. Some companies will experience a long-lasting or permanent shrinking of their business while others will find ways to quickly innovate and expand. This process of resetting the corporate landscape will take some time and it hasn’t fully begun yet. Many leaders are still trying to deal with their most immediate problems which are largely centered around managing their cash flow.

You’ll have a head start and a huge competitive advantage if you pay close attention to the news over the next few months and prepare to target the new and unexpected jobs that will soon be needed. If you don’t make it a regular habit to follow sites that focus on business-related content or watch business-only news channels such as CNBC, this is the time that you need to start. Consider this research a major part of your job-searching tasks.

Admittedly, there is no guarantee that you will be qualified for the jobs that emerge or that they will be in the right geographic location for you. But you can’t even begin to assess the fit, work to match your skills to the new needs, or consider remote working options if you aren’t even aware that these new jobs exist.

Start this month by building the habit of monitoring the business world more closely than you normally would and be on the lookout for emerging hiring trends.

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

Article continued …

2. Your networking will be more effective when it’s done slowly

Unfortunately, there are few new ideas on how to best conduct a job search. You’ve likely heard it again and again, but networking is still the most efficient use of a job seeker’s time.

This month, work to reactivate and strengthen your network through personal outreach and check-ins. While you should focus on networking daily, resist the urge to mass email your résumé, or have transactional discussions. Difficult times and prolonged social distancing have left many people craving a sense of community, which creates the perfect environment for genuine networking.

Instead of jumping right to your desire to be on the radar for job leads or blasting out a copy and pasted emails about your background, try a slower and more methodical approach. Invest time in writing better emails and catching up without a specific ask at the end of your message. These tactics are much more effective in the long run. When the market warms up again, these efforts will have been beneficial in deepening your connections, so that the more direct inquiries you send later will be better received.

The key to developing a stronger relationship is to focus first on the connection with the individual and not on your job search. Be sure to remind people that you care about them beyond your professional needs. This will help them care enough to keep you top of mind when new opportunities inevitably start developing.

3. Once started, your hiring process may move faster than usual

In a booming job market, one of the hardest things about conducting a search is never knowing when a job lead is worth your effort. Many of the jobs you’d see online were outdated or low priorities for the recruiters and hiring managers. Other openings were for jobs that the company hadn’t thought through very well and weren’t sure what they actually wanted or needed in the position. Even in a hot market, it was a frustrating experience to find motivated hiring managers, and job processes often went on longer than necessary.

If there’s any good news about conducting a job search during hard economic times, it’s that almost every job lead you to see or hear about is indeed a well-formed position and a priority at the company. If it wasn’t, it would not be open right now.

Jobs that open in the next few months will be created out of necessity—something urgent needs to be built or fixed in the business or someone important resigned—and need to be filled as soon as possible. This can work in your favor if you stay diligent about monitoring job openings throughout the otherwise slow month ahead and are ready to engage your network to find a contact for these searches immediately.

Keep in mind that these jobs will be filled quickly and competition will be fierce. Due to the large number of applicants that are recently unemployed, it will be harder than ever to simply get noticed without personal contact. This is yet another reason why networking should be your top priority all month long.

Overall, it takes dedication to keep looking for jobs in a difficult market. You have to be emotionally prepared for the unavoidable ups and downs this month might hold. Set aside daily time for your job search, but don’t expect it to fill up forty hours a week. There simply may not be enough activity to work on and it will only burn you out if you force yourself to push past the point of productivity. When you’re not looking for jobs this month, use your time for other personal activities that may boost your spirits so you can continue your job search while trying your best to guard and bolster your well-being.

Author: Kourtney Whitehead is a career expert and author of Working Whole. You can learn more about her work at Simply Service.

Forbes.com | May 5, 2020

#JobSearch : What To Do If You Have Been Laid Off Due To COVID-19. Worst Words to Hear: “We have to let you go.”

May 5, 2020/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

More than 22 million Americans filing for unemployment as of April 16, 2020 have heard this sentence since the COVID-19 pandemic started escalating in March 2020. The rise of companies and small businesses being forced to shut their doors temporarily or permanently has pushed unemployment rates through the roof.

This may feel like the rock bottom you never wanted to reach, but as someone who lost all of her financial success once before, let me remind you that there are things you can do to get out. You can reclaim your career, your sense of dignity, and believe it or not, you can come out stronger than ever before.

When a major life change like this hits you upside the head, being able to focus on the right action steps can feel difficult. Your emotions are running wild, and the world feels all doom and gloom. But, with a little strategy and focus, there are steps you can take right now to stay afloat and prepare you for the future. Here is what to do if you recently lost your job.

1. Gather information.

You walk away from the meeting where you were let go and hop on a job-hunting site. Although this may feel like a no-brainer move to make, it could land you in a job that you don’t want. Resist the urge to be reactive, and consider taking a few days to gather yourself and build a plan.

Begin by reviewing your previous employment information. When you leave, ask for a copy of your original employment letter or agreement, and look to see if there were any non-compete agreements set in place that may disqualify you from applying for certain companies. Also, note that each state has different laws about noncompetes. For example, California pretty much won’t enforce them (but I’m any lawyer over here). These details will save you time down the road.

Put together a list of contacts in your network that you can reach out to. This could include previous colleagues, bosses, alumni, friends, or networking connections. Build this list and then send each of them an email asking to have a virtual coffee or phone call. Historically, most jobs, upwards of 85%, are filled without even being posted online. So leverage your network to help you during this time of need, that is what they are there for after all. Also remember that with everyone in quarantine, it’s a great time to network. People are more available than usual, and more likely to say yes to a networking conversation.

Before your phone calls, spend some time getting clear on what skill set you to bring to the table and which roles are most aligned with where you want to go.

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

Article continued …

2. File for unemployment.

If you lost your job due to COVID-19, you qualify for weekly unemployment payments from your state of employment. This isn’t only for corporate jobs, the CARE Act opened unemployment for gig workers, freelancers or other self-employed individuals. Get this process started right away so that you have some form of income to hold you over during the job hunt.

This paycheck may be what gives you the peace of mind to focus during interviews without the financial pressure showering down overhead.

3. Take care of your health.

Healthcare typically ends at the end of the month where your employment was terminated. Be sure to get your healthcare plans in place. In most cases, you can keep your employer’s plan for up to three years with the federal program COBRA, but since the premiums tend to be very high, it could be worth exploring other options. If this isn’t a path, consider purchasing insurance through the Affordable Care act. At a time when health is wildly important, you don’t want to skip out on being protected.

The reality is, a job loss takes an emotional and physical toll on individuals. Data has found the effects of job displacement take off an estimated 1-1.5 years of life for individuals over forty, with the effects of a layoff being stronger for those who expected to remain in the workforce longer.

When you’re living your best life, it’s easy to take care of yourself. When things are rough, falling into the trap of comfort food and cuddling up on the couch can become far too easy. Take care of yourself, and create a sense of routine in your life that fosters preventative wellness.

In a world of green juice, supplements, and med spas, remember the basics are so underrated! Have you gotten enough rest? Are you drinking water? Have you eaten nutritious meals?

4. Don’t be afraid to get creative.

Depending on your financial state, you may have more or less leniency on what you can afford to do. This may look like taking a temporary job while you continue to apply for new jobs or it may look like building the side hustle you always wanted.

While it may feel hopeless to hear the news updates and ongoing crisis, recruiters are still hiring or looking to build relationships with individuals for the future. Evaluate your skill set and pursue opportunities at the companies that are still hiring. If you were a customer service representative for a travel agency, don’t be afraid to look for service jobs in the growing healthcare industry. If you were a teacher, consider building an online learning course for students that parents could purchase. The world is changing, and it is time for your thinking to change with it.

4. Brush up on your interview skills.

Take some time to review or edit your resume and cover letter. Be sure to gather any new or updated letters of recommendation. If you left your previous employer on good terms, ask for a letter from your boss. Although they had to let you go, it looks great to have their support post-employment.

Practice and polish your answer to the most common interview question, “tell me about yourself.”
Practice interviews over the phone and video with a friend, family member or career coach like myself. The job search process is evolving, and hiring is almost solely occurring online right now.
Do your research on each company you are applying for. Know their background, culture and current state, since 47% of hiring managers report passing on candidates that don’t clearly know their company.

Getting laid off doesn’t feel good, but it doesn’t have to tarnish your inspiration in your career. Shift your perspective and view this as an opportunity to really showcase your potential and skills. Anyone can make lemonade when there are lemons in their kitchen but are you willing to go out and find the lemons yourself?

Author: Ashley StahlContributor Careers

Forbes.com | May 5, 2020

#BestofFSCBlog : LinkedIn is Key to Attracting Recruiters During Your Job Search. A Must Read!

May 4, 2020/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

With about 87% of recruiters using LinkedIn to find viable candidates, this platform should be at the top of your job search strategy. And with today’s social distancing guidelines, LinkedIn is an even more useable job search platform, as there are less and less face-to-face interactions available. Whether you were hit hard by the recent economic crisis and are actively looking for a job, or are considering your options for the future and dipping your toes into the job search arena, LinkedIn is a valuable resource for you.

Recruiters are constantly searching on the platform to find the candidates they think would fit the opportunity they have available. When you optimize your LinkedIn profile in the right way, your name will show up in the searches more often than not. Simply having a profile isn’t good enough nowadays, so working with a professional LinkedIn profile writer can help take yours to the next level.

With the competition for high-level jobs being at an all-time high, attracting recruiters is more critical now than ever before. Don’t neglect this key part of your job search strategy.

Complete Your Profile

During your LinkedIn profile development, you’ll see a status bar on the right-hand side of the page telling you how complete your profile is. Follow the basic steps to make your profile 100% complete. The reason is that completed profiles are more visible in searches, and will be more attractive to recruiters. Sometimes you might only get to 85 or 95%. Don’t sweat it if that is where you are at. Often times, LinkedIn wants you to include things that just don’t make sense to add (in my case… early experience that was basically waitressing while in college).

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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 …

Think About What Recruiters Search For

Once you’ve completed the basics of your LinkedIn profile development, it’s time to take it to the next level. Using keywords and buzzwords relevant to your job or industry throughout your profile will make your profile show up more often in searches.

One secret I’ve learned from recruiters is they often don’t search for job titles since titles can vary among different companies. Instead, recruiters search for specific skills and expertise, so those are more important than trying to match a title to what you think a recruiter wants to see. While you want to make sure all of your skills are displayed, you also want to make sure the text in your profile flows naturally.

Always Develop Your LinkedIn Profile

While LinkedIn may indicate your profile is complete, you should always look for ways to develop and enhance it. A professional LinkedIn profile writer may suggest being active on your profile at least weekly or more often if you’re in the middle of a job search. This doesn’t mean you have to do a complete overhaul, but it could simply mean joining a new relevant group and making new connections in the group.

LinkedIn is a living document, so keep it updated with recent training you’ve completed, volunteer work you’ve done, or your most recent certification or project. There are many ways to optimize your LinkedIn profile, and all of them are important for attracting the attention of recruiters. Make sure that even if you become employed, you stay active on LinkedIn meaning commenting or posting. You don’t want to neglect your network, you want to nurture it.

Your executive resume is a critical part of your job search, but LinkedIn is becoming equally important. With the competition for high-level jobs being at an all-time high, attracting recruiters is more critical now than ever before. Don’t neglect this key part of your job search strategy.

#JobSearch : Leverage LinkedIn During Your Job Search. Great Two(2) Min Read!

May 1, 2020/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

During our current health care pandemic, many individuals are either laid-off or are considering what the future holds for their careers long-term. If you are in the middle of a job search or are thinking you may be in the near future, you want to consider how to maximize the #1 tool recruiters and hiring managers to use to find potential candidates. Having a job search strategy is imperative when you plan to start the process of looking for a new job. LinkedIn should be at the top of that strategy.

Here are a few effective ways to make the most out of your LinkedIn profile during an executive job search.

Find Networking Opportunities

Any good professional LinkedIn profile writer will suggest using the platform as a way to reach out to people and discover networking opportunities. One of the worst things you can do is find people who work at the company you’re interested in and messaging them to let them know you’re searching for a job. The better approach would be to do your research and find mutual connections so you have a way to connect with the person. Invite them to a networking event you will be attending in the near future, or maybe even invite them to coffee or lunch just to discuss career opportunities.

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

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

Article continued …

Complete Your Profile With Relevant Keywords

Your LinkedIn executive profile won’t help your job search if you don’t have the right amount of relevant keywords. Employers have a specific set of search terms they likely use to find qualified candidates, so working with a professional LinkedIn profile writer to ensure they are incorporated properly is very valuable. The keywords themselves are important, but the location of the keywords is also an overlooked factor. SEO is a big part of LinkedIn, so focusing on it as part of your LinkedIn profile development is critical.

Inform Your Connections of Your Job Search

There’s usually no harm in letting your connections know you’re actively looking for a job. Of course, the only problem this could cause is if you’re still employed and your current employer somehow finds out about your messages. But if you’re unemployed, a professional LinkedIn profile writer may suggest putting a message in your contact section indicating you’re open to opportunities. Sometimes recruiters will only reach out to people if they know for sure they are looking for a new job.

Whether you are actively in a job search or not, there will come a time that you will be. LinkedIn should be a key strategy in your search plan. If you aren’t familiar with all that LinkedIn offers, go to their Job Search section and spend some time learning how to navigate through all the filters they have. You don’t want to be left behind when the economy opens up and recruiters are back at it trying to fill roles that have been vacated. Get ahead of the curve.

FSC Career Blog | May 1, 2020

#JobSearch : 6 Outside-Of-The Box Ideas To Find A Job Or Stay Relevant Post COVID-19. A Must Read!

April 29, 2020/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

There will be great damage wrought on the job market in the wake of COVID-19. We have already witnessed 26 million jobs lost with an anticipated millions more to come. Many industries will suffer badly for years to come.

You’d be doing yourself a disservice to presume that your job is safe and sound. If you’ve lost your job or are concerned about the safety and long-term viability of your career, you need to plan ahead of time and not wait for the ax to fall.

Here are six outside-of-the-box things you can do to stay in the game and keep the momentum of your career going.

1. Make Yourself Indispensable

It’s reasonable to presume that once companies restart there will be hiring freezes and downsizings, as management won’t have any clarity as to the future of its business prospects. You want to be the one who’s asked to stay on. Start right now by making yourself indispensable. Stay in close touch with your boss and other leaders at your company to determine what they need to succeed and how you can make their lives easier. Do everything in your power to effectively get things done and become the go-to person when there’s a problem. Let the powers that be know you’re the person who takes decisive actions and makes things happen. It’s an aggressive approach, but tough times call for bold actions.

If you’ve lost your job, you don’t want to wait on the sidelines for too long. At first, employers will understand that you were impacted by the pandemic. After months pass, hiring managers will question why you weren’t picked up when others were already rehired. They’ll begin to doubt your abilities. Since there will be so many other people in the job market, they can easily move onto other candidates if they see that you haven’t been doing anything for the last bunch of months.

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

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

Article continued …

2. Take On Contracting Roles To Stay Relevant

These are usually short-or-medium-term temporary roles. Companies will most likely hire more contractors rather than full-time permanent employees. There are fewer risks and obligations to hire someone on a short-term basis. It buys time as management tries to figure out how things will change and what its ultimate needs will be.

By working on a contract with a company, you will make new contacts, build your network, and have the possibility of being converted to a permanent employee. It also shows prospective employers that you’re industrious, picked up new skills, and stayed relevant.

3. Pivot Or Reinvent Yourself

If you’re in a career that was irrevocably damaged, you need to reinvent yourself or pivot to a new line of work. Sometimes a hot area becomes cold overnight. The opportunities dry up and you have to move onto something different. Use this time to start preparing a “Plan B” for the possibility of things going south. This may entail going back to school to learn skills for a new type of career, obtain accreditations and certifications, or accepting a job at the bottom and starting all over again in a new field.

Pivoting is a little different. Find a way that your skills, experience and knowledge can crossover into another field. You may have to take a couple of steps backward financially, but you can start rebuilding and quickly grow your career again.

For example, after the financial crisis, Wall Street traders lost their well-paying jobs. Then, technology was implemented that further crushed the careers of traders. These high-flying guys (yes, they were mostly men) hated the compliance department—the internal police-type people who oversaw their actions and wrote them up when they violated the rules.

The unemployed traders with little or no options became enamored with compliance. They’d say “Hey, I know all the ins-and-outs of trading and all the games that are played. I’ve seen all the tricks of the trades and understand the mindset. I’d be a great compliance officer!” They were right. Investment banks hired a large number of former traders in compliance and supervisory roles, figuring they could effectively deal with their former peers and have an insider’s knowledge of what they’re up to.

4. You May Have To Relocate

You’ll need to be open-minded and make adjustments to your life. There will be cities and states that fare better than others and offer more opportunities. If you are only fishing in one small pond, you’re missing the entire ocean of fish. It’s not easy to pack your belongings and family to leave town for another city, but it’s something that you have to seriously consider if where you currently live doesn’t provide you sufficient opportunities to find a new job or grow your career.

5. Remote Jobs Will Become More Prevalent

One of the more positive consequences of the coronavirus is that companies have recognized that people can effectively work from home. The chief financial officers realize that the company can save a fortune on pricey, big-city rent. The human resources professionals understand the benefits of having happy workers who are required to schlep into work on crowded buses and trains that take over an hour each way.

Start searching for job listings that offer that work-from-home arrangement. Even if a job listing doesn’t say that the company is open to work-from-home options, ask anyway. You have nothing to lose.

6. Start A Business

If you have a bit of an entrepreneurial streak in you and you’ve lost your job, you can create your own job. Start a small business with a corporate LLC designation and hang out a shingle saying that you’re open for business. You can offer them advice, guidance, and counsel you gave to your former employer to an array of businesses that need help, but don’t have the financial wherewithal to hire.

Either you can make a go of it and make some money or it’s something smart to have on your résumé. When you go into an interview, if the business doesn’t work out, you can say, “After working X amount of years in Y field, I built up an expertise in the space. I’ve always dreamed of starting a business and thought this was the right time to take a chance and do it. After running my company for a while, I’ve learned a lot and helped many businesses. However, I now realize that I prefer working at a large organization. This was a great learning experience and I grew from it and would like to return to what I really love doing, which in this job that I’m interviewing for.”

The keys to navigating the new post-COVID-19 world entail working hard to show your value so that you keep your job, preparing to reinvent yourself, pivoting to another career, taking on short-term assignments to stay relevant, having an open mind to moving where the jobs are and trying to ask companies if they’d allow you to work remotely. Lastly, you can always create your own job by starting a business offering your experience, skills, and knowledge.

Author: Jack KellySenior Contributor Careers

I write actionable interviews, career, and salary advice.

Forbes.com | April 29, 2020

#JobSearch : How To Create A Networking Pitch In Three Easy Steps. Great Read for All!

April 28, 2020/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

Even with social distancing and the cancellation of large group events, every professional still needs a networking pitch. First of all, there are video meetings and virtual summits, where you may need to go around the screen and introduce yourself.

Secondly, a friend could still offer to refer you to someone by email and ask you for a few lines about yourself to include – that’s networking in writing!

Finally, if you come across a LinkedIn profile that interests you and you want to connect to that person, you should write a note with your invite, and that’s yet another opportunity to introduce yourself.

The best networking pitch introduces you in a concise and compelling way. However, capturing your personality and highlighting the best of your background, all while not rambling on for too long is difficult. In previous posts, I have shared suggestions for creating your networking pitch if you have a lot of experience to cover or if you are in a career change and want to talk about yourself differently or if you are unemployed.

In general, you can create an effective networking pitch in three easy steps:

Step 1 – Pick something about your professional background to establish credibility

You don’t have time to include a summary of your resume or even the chronology. Besides, that’s boring. Instead, focus on a specific professional accomplishment that puts you at the right level (e.g., if you’re in management, don’t mention an individual contributor role). Pick something that is relevant to where you want to work. For example, you could mention:

1. Your current company and role. This is not necessarily your title, if your title is generic (e.g., VP, Director) or full of jargon (e.g., names a department no one outside your company would recognize)

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

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

Article continued …

2. What you are working on, learning or researching. If you are in-between jobs or consulting but looking to go in-house, you still want to focus on being active, rather than saying you’re unemployed or in transition. Remember too that even though you are working on your job search, you don’t want to mention that – instead talk about the companies you’re researching or things you’re hearing about the market

3. Industry expertise or other specialized knowledge. Rather than a role, you talk about your overall industry of other expertise, including how many years you’ve been in this area or a cutting-edge fact that leaves no doubt that you’re current in your field

4. The arc of your career – e.g., several employers, industries or roles. This is useful if you’re in-between roles but want to highlight that you have existing experience. Even if you’re currently employed, you may decide that your overall experience is more interesting than anyone role

5. Types of clients you serve and the results you achieve. Many jobs, especially as you get more senior, have multiple responsibilities, but by talking about who you serve and what the results are, you hone in on the value you deliver, rather than how you do it or what your day-to-day is like

6. Sample recent project or client story. By drilling down to one example, you showcase your expertise and experience while also telling a story. If you have a particularly interesting before/ after the result to share or a hero’s journey, this could be a good way to package your credibility

Try all six of these formats, and choose the most powerful ones, or keep them all and rotate them depending on who you’re talking to and what you want to highlight.

Step 2 – Include something personal to build rapport

You don’t just want to include professional details in your pitch because it’s boring. Everyone focuses on the professional, and you need to stand out to be remembered. Including something personal also helps a genuine relationship to build, and the pitch is just the start of what is hopefully a long-term genuine relationship. Some personal tidbits that are still appropriate for professional networking include:

1. How you became interested in your line of work. This is a natural transition from establishing your credibility – you’re not only knowledgeable but enthusiastic!

2. Life story – e.g., where you grew up, where you went to school, earlier career if different from now

3. Passion or hobby – these should be pursuits that you invest in, not just dabble in because the superficial effort doesn’t make a memorable impression

4. Community or non-profit involvement – if you have any leadership experience, that adds to your professional credibility as well

5. Recent book you read, trip you took or event you attended – similar to the passion or hobby, this isn’t just about being well-rounded but also being interesting and dedicated, so pick accordingly

6. Connection to the person you are talking to or circumstances that put you together – if you’re attending a virtual summit on AI, and your work isn’t obviously related to AI, then you could talk about what prompted you to attend

Step 3 – End with a call to action for yourself that lets the other person know your immediate priorities

Your call to action is where you state what you’re focused on in the near term. For example:

1. Career step you are working on – if you’re in finance, you might mention you’re studying for the CFA and looking forward to more complex analyses (if that’s your ideal career move)

2. The area you are researching or idea you’re considering – if you’re a career changer and your background is very different from what you want to do, specifying your new target career as a research subject for you lets the other person know you’re moving into something else

3. Ideal project

4. Ideal client

5. Ideal role

Having a call to action is critical so the other person knows exactly what your focus is, and if they want to help you, they know exactly how they can help. At the same time, make sure that the call to action is what you are doing yourself and not a question you pose to the other person, or worse, an outright request. Your introduction should never include a request – it’s too early and will seem presumptuous.

A multidimensional pitch is best because it reflects the multidimensional you

Using all three steps to develop your networking pitch ensures that your pitch is as multidimensional as you are. It also establishes credibility, rapport, and the next steps, all of which give the other person enough information that if they want to continue with the relationship in a meaningful way they can. (Of course, you should always take the initiative to follow up in case the other person is terrible about following up, as many people are.)

Author: Caroline Ceniza-Levine Senior Contributor Careers

Career Change Expert and Author of “Jump Ship: 10 Steps To Starting A New Career”

Forbes.com | April 27, 2020

#JobSearch : Don’t Let Social Distancing Halt Your Job Search. Great REad!

April 27, 2020/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

With the global pandemic, many of our nation’s businesses, educational institutions, and entertainment venues have either lowered or ceased operations completely.

However, if you are in an active job search mode, there are plenty of ways you can still focus on your job search within the safety of your own home. Meaning…don’t use a global crisis or “social distancing” as an excuse to stop your job search.

While we are all trying to deal with our own version of “Social Distancing”, it certainly does not have to stop job seekers from pursuing their dream jobs. This includes you!

Here are some tips for staying on top of your job search and getting closer to landing your dream job, even if you have to do so from home.

Revisit Your Resume

Whether you are working from home for the first time or are an essential worker, take time to find your old resume, and get it ready for your job search. Your focus should be on updating your achievements, skills, professional development activities, and of course any employment or promotion changes since your last update.

Depending on when you last updated it, formatting may have changed, so be sure your format and writing quality aligns with today’s standards. And it cannot be stressed enough…proofread the entire document to ensure it does not have any typos or other errors. If you need help, don’t hesitate to hire a professional resume writing service.

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

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/First-Sun-Consulting-LLC-Outplacement-Services/213542315355343?sk=wall

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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 …

Complete Your ENTIRE LinkedIn Profile

When you first created our LinkedIn profile, you probably filled in the basic sections necessary to get it up and running. Now is the time to fully optimize your entire profile. Look at it through the eyes of a recruiter. Start at the top and go through every section objectively. Does your profile picture still look like you? Be honest J Are your most recent achievements, your latest awards, organizations, promotions, etc. listed?

Think of LI as your virtual resume – it should have some of what is on your resume, in other words, all your jobs, achievements, awards, and education. The skills section should be completed with skills relevant to your current position. Make sure to use all 50 skills. Use this site for everything it has to offer―join groups, check out job postings, add to your network, reach out for recommendations, update your settings so recruiters can contact you, etc. With so many people working remotely, people are online and not at the water cooler.

Connect with Your Network

Many people have more time on their hands these days and are more than happy to reconnect with past colleagues or mentors. Reach out to them, as well as other industry-specific clients who may know of openings in their own workplaces. Email, text, or pick up the phone and call these individuals, and let them know you’re looking to make a change in your career.

If you’re interested in certain companies, go to their websites and learn more about what they do and if they’re hiring. If so, reach out to the “contact” person listed on the site. Get your name out there!
Plus, during a time of crisis is when people band together in unity. This is a great time to deepen your network even more. Reach out, offer free advice (relating to what you do if applicable), join discussions, and help where you can.

Interview Preparation is Key:

Interviews are still happening; they may just be through Zoom of Skype. (If you aren’t familiar with one of these platforms, learn about them and make sure that your equipment is working properly before your interview day.)

Preparation is key to nailing the interview, so practice answering potential questions and with a voice that is upbeat, full of confidence, and markets you and your credentials. Practice in the mirror so you can see your facial expressions (my face gives everything away, unfortunately… does yours?).

Do your homework! Know who your audience is (this can be done when talking with the person(s) scheduling the interview with you), as well as the culture of the company. Gather all of your supporting documentation (resume, references, certifications, etc.).

As with any crisis, there are always things to do to stay positive and keep moving forward in your job search and in life. You may not be able to meet with a hiring manager or recruiter in person right away, but you can get yourself prepared to do so in the very near future. While we are all trying to deal with our own version of “Social Distancing”, it certainly does not have to stop job seekers from pursuing their dream jobs. This includes you!

FSC Career Blog | April 27, 2020