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#CareerAdvice : #ResumeWriting – 10 #ResumeTips You Haven’t Heard Before. A #MustRead !

September 5, 2019/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

Having a well-crafted resume can be the key to getting your foot in the door at the company of your dreams. But figuring out how to make your resume fully representative of your experience and also stand out is easier said than done. After all, hiring managers and recruiters generally only spend about 7 seconds reading your resume before deciding whether to move forward or not.

Most people know the basics of how to put together a decent work history, but here are some tips you probably haven’t heard before that can help your resume stand up to the 7-second test.

1. Only include your address if it works in your favor.

If you’re applying to positions in the city or town you already live in, then go ahead and include your address. In this case, it lets the hiring manager know you’re already in the area and could theoretically start working right away.

But if you’re targeting jobs in another area and you’d need to move in order to start working, it’s probably a good idea to leave your current address off of your resume. Why? Recruiters are sometimes less excited to interview candidates from another city or state, since they often require relocation fees.

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2. Be a name-dropper.

It may be poor form to drop names in everyday life, but you absolutely should do it on your resume. If you’ve worked with well-known clients or companies, go ahead and include them by name. Something like: “Closed deals with Google, Toyota and Bank of America” will get recruiters’ attention in no time flat.

3. Utilize your performance reviews.

You might not think to look to your annual review for resume material, but checking out the positive feedback you’ve received in years past can help you identify your most noteworthy accomplishments and best work attributes — two things that should definitely be highlighted on your resume. Including specific feedback you’ve received and goals you’ve met can help you avoid needing to use “fluff” to fill out your work experience.

4. Don’t go overboard with keywords.

Many companies and recruiters use keyword-scanning software as a tool to narrow the job applicant pool. For this reason, it’s important to include keywords from the job description in your resume — but don’t go overboard. Recruiters can spot “keyword stuffing” a mile away.

5. Use common sense email etiquette.

There are two types of email addresses you shouldn’t use on your resume or when applying to a job via email: your current work email address, or an overly personal or inappropriate email address, like loverguy22@gmail.com. Stick with something professional based on your name in order to make the best possible impression.

6. When it comes to skills, quality over quantity.

There’s no need to list skills that most people in the job market have (Think: Microsoft Office, email, Mac and PC proficient), which can make it look like you’re just trying to fill up space on the page. Keep your skills section short, and only include impactful skills that are relevant to the job you’re applying to.

7. Choose to share social accounts strategically.

Including links to social media accounts on a resume is becoming more and more common. But it’s important to distinguish between professional accounts—like a LinkedIn profile or Instagram account you manage for work—and non-professional ones, like your personal Twitter or Facebook account. While it might be tempting to include a personal account in order to show recruiters who you are, you’re better off only listing accounts that are professionally-focused. Save your winning personality for an in-person interview.

8. Use hobbies to your advantage.

Not all hobbies deserve a place on your resume, but some do. Hobbies that highlight positive personality qualities or skills that could benefit you on the job are worth including. For example, running marathons (shows discipline and determination) and blogging about something related to your field (shows creativity and genuine interest in your work) are hobbies that will cast you in the best possible light and might pique a recruiter’s interest.

9. Skip generic descriptors.

Hardworking, self-motivated, self-sufficient, proactive and detail-oriented are all words you’ll find on most people’s resumes. But most job seekers are motivated and hardworking, so these traits don’t really set you apart from the rest of the applicant pool. Instead, focus on the specific skills and accomplishments that make you different from everyone else applying to the position.

10. Keep an accomplishment journal.

Keeping a log of your work accomplishments and positive feedback as they come up can make putting together or updating your resume significantly easier. Include as many details as possible so you don’t have to spend time tracking them down later.

GlassDoor.com | August 27, 2019 | Posted by Julia Malacoff

#CareerAdvice : #JobSearch – 5 People you Should Reach Out to When Looking for that Next Big Job. Great Two(2) Min Read!

September 5, 2019/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

The New York Times Book Review has a regular column called “By the Book,” which features famous writers. One frequent question they ask them is this: “You’re throwing a literary dinner party. Which three writers, dead or alive, do you invite?”

If you’re looking for a new job, you can ask yourself the less literary version of this question: “Which influential person would I invite for a networking conversation if I could?” But the truth is that you already likely have people in your network who would be helpful to consult. The next time you’re thinking about finding a new job, consider these five types of people:

1. YOUR BOSS

This one might sound counterintuitive, because it often seems best to hide the fact that you’re looking for a new gig. But your boss just might be the best person to talk with, assuming you play your cards right.

To begin with, when your boss finds out that you have aspirational goals, she may just find a way of helping you achieve them within your present company or your present department. Don’t rule out the possibility of a promotion. And if there is no appropriate position for your advancement, letting your boss know that you are looking for a more senior role will mean she may see you as a candidate for an MBA or some other leadership training.

Of course, when you have this networking conversation, show excitement about your present role, and convey appreciation for what you have learned from your supervisor.

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2. FRIENDS

Another group of individuals who are in a great position to help you land that next job are friends—a college acquaintance, a colleague you work with, or a friend you’ve known from childhood.

I once had a friend named Sue, who was a fellow communicator. We both had great respect for each other as professionals, and we had become good friends. She worked for Shell Canada, and I asked her if there would be an opportunity for me in that company. She made some inquiries, and said, “Yes, there’s an opening for a speechwriter.” I was interviewed by the CEO and was appointed his speechwriter.

So don’t be afraid to turn to friends who work in other organizations and who respect you as a professional. Take them for a coffee, and ask if there might be a position in their company that you would be qualified for. Ask them to put in a good word, and arrange an interview. The rest is up to you.

3. AN EXECUTIVE

A recommendation or a lead from someone in a high place is golden. If you’ve made connections with executives through previous jobs or networking, this is often a great place to start, as they may be in a good position to help you snag that next big job.

When I founded The Humphrey Group, I often asked my CEO clients, “Do you know anyone else who would like this communications training?” Sure enough, they would give me two or three names of other CEOs I could contact.

So think about all the executives you know—including executives in your company, or executives you might meet at a networking event—and ask them for coffee (most likely in their office) and get leads. If you’re polite, respectful, and to the point, they will likely be obliging.

4. HR PROFESSIONALS

Recruiters and HR managers are also an excellent source of advice and referrals. It’s their business to help people get jobs, so they’ll be very helpful.

I once cold called an HR executive to see if there might be a position for me in the high-tech firm he worked for. He picked up the phone, and I said: “I’m Judith Humphrey, I’ve been teaching at the university, and I’m interested in using my communications skills in a business setting. Would you have an opportunity for someone of my background?” He was gracious and set up an interview with the head of corporate communications. A generous job offer came to me within a month.

Cold calling may not be as easy today as it once was: few people pick up their phones. But try an email, and explain to the recruiter or HR leader why you’d appreciate a discussion over coffee.

5. YOUR FAMILY

Finally, family members can be an effective source of referrals. A mother I know brought an amazing opportunity to her son. He had just graduated from university and wanted eventually to work at the UN. Through a connection of his mom’s, the young man had a meeting with an ambassador, and the ambassador introduced him to the very person he had dreamed of working for. Take your mom (or dad, or aunt) for coffee, and see what leads they can provide.

FastCompany.com | September 5, 2019

#CareerAdvice : BreadCrumbing: How To Read The Signs And Avoid Being Strung Along In #YourCareer . #MustRead for All!

September 4, 2019/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

We all know people in romantic relationships that are destined to fail. They’ll endlessly complain about their partner and ask us what they should do about it. You may politely suggest that their significant other is simply stringing them along and never plans to get married.

They elect to get mad, don’t take your advice and remain in the dead-end relationship. After not speaking for months, they’ll contact you. Upset and crying, they report that the relationship fell apart and the other person did indeed string them along for years. This is precious time that they will never get back. It also turned them into a cynical person—always carrying around baggage from previous relationships. It makes it harder to find or maintain a new relationship.

The same scenario can play out in your job or career. Recently, the BBC wrote about a new career-related term—adopted from the dating world—that’s becoming in vogue. This term is called “breadcrumbing.” It refers to being strung along at work. Breadcrumbing occurs when you’re being strung along in a drawn-out interview process, meeting numerous personnel over many months, without any end in sight. It also occurs when your manager leads you to believe that you’ll get that raise, promotion, bonus, internal transfer, higher corporate title or switched from the cubicle farm into an office, but there is always a reason why it can’t happen now.

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Breadcrumbing is basically the psychological term—intermittent reinforcement. The manager offers enough breadcrumbs to keep you satiated to stick around. You can see it in action when your boss dangles hints about a sexy new project or that you’re on the shortlist for going to Paris for the annual executive getaway, but these promises mysteriously dissipate into thin air.

Breadcrumbing could be due to a number of reasons. Your boss may not really be sure about your abilities, contributions and worth to the company and is attempting to get you motivated. She may whisper that secret things are in store for you as an enticement to see if you can accomplish difficult goals. In a hot job market, the manager may not feel that you are management material, but might not want to lose you since it will be hard to find a replacement if you leave.

The manager may be manipulative and doesn’t really care about you personally, but needs you to do the hard unglamorous dirty work. The boss could be stringing you along until she finds someone better to replace you. The company may have objectives that don’t include you, but they will take some time and need you invested in the job for the time being. It could be that your manager is just not that good and doesn’t realize what they’re doing.

To determine if this relationship is healthy and has longevity, you will need to do the following:

Ask your manager why she is not delivering on her promises.
Inquire if there is something that you are not doing correctly or need some help to improve.
Find out if there are legitimate financial or business reasons as to why the company has not come through with the promises at this time.
Try to set a timetable for the promises to be met.
Keep track of your accomplishments—when and how you’ve exceeded expectations.
Share this data with your supervisor to test the veracity of your manager and determine if she is for real or not.
Consult with other trusted employees to see if this is happening to them too.

If you get the sense that you are being played and there is no real honest intention of promotions or raises, then you need to immediately cut your losses. Don’t let yourself be strung along with breadcrumbs for years. Your career and self-respect are too important to waste it on those who are dishonest and don’t care about you. Move onto another company that will actually appreciate you and all the great things that you have to offer.

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 profes…

Forbes.com | September 4, 2019

#CareerAdvice : How To Recession-Proof #YourCareer … A #MustREad !

September 3, 2019/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

Economic indicators are signaling the possibility that we are headed toward a recession by 2021. Given that recessions are usually associated with significant job losses, the warning bells in the US and globally might make it easy to panic about the volatility and uncertainty of what’s ahead.

But while it’s impossible to predict precisely when the next downturn will occur or how hard it will hit, that doesn’t mean that your career must be entirely at the mercy of what’s happening in the economy. There are a few steps you can take right now to continue to move your career forward while hedging against risk.

The key is to be proactive as well as prepared, so here are five things you should do to recession-proof your career.

See your career through a new lens

We typically view our career through the lens and filter of our job title. But to recession-proof your career, the first thing you need to do is to not just think in terms of your job title. Instead, think in terms of the value you provide. That is because in a downturn when jobs and titles disappear, your value in the marketplace cannot disappear along with them. Ask yourself, what value do you add? What problems do you solve? What gaps do you help fill? Regardless of a title, you must know and be able to say why are you valuable. If you can’t answer these questions, it’s likely that no one else can either.

Today In: Leadership

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You must become indispensable to your employer by making sure that your value is aligned with their needs, particularly during a downturn. Also, stay focused on opportunities to impact your company’s bottom line, so your value is as quantifiable as possible. Make sure to showcase your skills and use this as leverage for even more leadership responsibilities and stretch roles that can benefit both you and your employer.

Some jobs and industries tend to be more recession-proof than others during a downturn, so stay on top of trends within your industry, and know where the new opportunities will be headed, not just where your industry has been. If you do need to open up more opportunities for yourself beyond your current role, think about which of your skills you can apply across different industries. For example, can you open up more career possibilities for yourself by transferring your strong persuasion skills, or your project management capabilities or problem-solving skills from one industry to another?

Build your mental fitness

As recession fears intensify, a critical part of managing your career in a downturn is also managing your emotions. As you start to think about the potential effects of a recession, you, of course, worry. But you can’t allow fear-based thinking to take over. That’s because when you move into fight, flight or freeze mode due to high stress or a perceived threat to your safety, your primal, more emotional, parts of your brain take over, and you are no longer able to use your brain’s higher capacity for rational thinking, long term planning, and problem-solving.

You’re therefore much more likely to make bad short-term decisions if you allow fear-based thinking to take over.

That’s why it’s crucial, especially in times of high stress, to build habits that allow you to decrease your stress levels and increase your mental wellness, such as a regular exercise routine, limiting exposure to the 24-7 news cycle, and regularly setting aside time for yourself so that you can recharge your batteries.

Grow your financial fitness

In good economic times, you usually focus on ways to grow your salary with your next raise or promotion. Now, you also need to grow your financial fitness so that you can quickly recover after any financial setback. You already know the importance of having an emergency savings fund, but you should also create multiple income streams of income that ideally are not dependent on one another.

Having a side gig that provides another income stream can help you reach your financial goals faster and help build your emergency funds sooner. There are several ways to start a side gig. You can consider joining a freelance website, for example, or you can start your own service-based business such as tutoring or catering, selling products online, or becoming a consultant. By simply taking inventory of your skills, hobbies, and interests, you might be surprised to discover what kind of side gig you want to develop.

Leverage the power of networks

Your career is not a hero’s journey, especially in volatile and uncertain times. You should always be making new connections and nurturing the ones that you have. Keep your online profile and presence up-to-date, so others know who you are and how you stand apart from others with similar backgrounds.

Even beyond your online presence, you should make yourself visible to others through speaking opportunities, joining associations, leading workshops, and participating in panel discussions, for example. Be aware though, of the mistake that many people make as they try to broaden their network. They restrict themselves to the people they spend the most time with–their coworkers. Make sure you are expanding your connections outside of your current company so that you have as many people as possible that you can call on if you need to (confidentially) begin a job search. You should also keep in mind that networking is a two-way street. Ask others how you can help them and what introductions you can make so that your relationships are mutually beneficial.

Invest in yourself

The one investment that will always pay off regardless of the economic climate is an investment in yourself. Continue to grow your skills to stay competitive in the marketplace, and consider taking classes to expand your knowledge base, technical skills, or to complete a certification that will allow you to take on more responsibilities.

Is there a skill such as public speaking for example, that is not currently a strength of yours but could raise your profile and increase your opportunities? Then you should consider finding ways to upskill, whether by taking a class or joining professional clubs like Toastmasters.

Managing your career by being proactive and prepared is what will allow you to be recession-proofed during the challenging times, while also positioning you for continued career success and growth at all times.

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Author: Natalia Peart

I am a psychologist and career expert who has spent more than 25 years helping people and organizations achieve professional and personal success. Through my distinctive…

Forbes.com | September 3, 2019

#CareerAdvice : 5 Reasons You Haven’t Gotten What You Want In #YourCareer (And How To Get It).

September 3, 2019/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

You may be nervous to ask for what you want at work, whether that is a promotion, salary increase or flexible schedule. But not asking for what you want could be more risky than asking. Not asking for what you want can negatively impact your performance as an employee and ultimately stifle your career and the organization for which you work.

Here are five reasons you may not have secured your career goals and some ways to help you achieve them:

1. You don’t know what you want.

If you don’t know what you want with your career, you can’t ask for it. You are the best (and perhaps only) person to know what it is you want. Take time to think about it.

Do you want a promotion, to be placed on projects with more exposure or a more flexible schedule? Is there something you dream about doing at work? Do you wish you could do something that your colleague does? What do you want? Know what you current priorities are.

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2. You haven’t asked for what you want.

When you know what you want, ask for it. Do not assume people know what you are thinking and what it is you want. Tell people.

Singer Kelly Clarkson insisted on having time in her new talk show schedule to take her children to school. She says that you have to make people aware that something is important to you and not to feel guilty about it.

If you don’t ask, you don’t get. Ask for what you want.

3. You don’t know how to ask for what you want.

You have asked for what you want, and you are still not getting what you want. Did you ask in the right way? Don’t demand what you want. Don’t say you deserve whatever it is you want. You do not want to sound like you are entitled. Be respectful.

Also, recognize the context of your ask. You may want more resources to be able to complete a project, but your company had a rough third quarter. You may want to address how you could save money elsewhere. How you ask is as important as what you ask for.

Your communication skills could be what makes or breaks your ask. Use your communications skills now to start building credibility, trust and influence.

4. You haven’t asked at the right time.

Timing is everything. If you are new to a company or role, consider waiting at least a few months before asking for something. Use that time in your role to show your worth so that the other person sees that you deserve what you want. (Note: It is better to show that you deserve something than to merely say you deserve it.)

Your manager may actually support what you are looking to do, but you just missed the deadline to be considered for a promotion or the project you wanted to manage was just assigned a team lead. Ask questions on when promotions or raises are considered and when projects are assigned. Know when your fiscal year begins. Gather information. Show your interest in wanting to lead, and be informed so that you know when you have to ask for what you want. Don’t miss your window of opportunity.

5. You haven’t asked the appropriate person.

Perhaps you know what you want to do with your career and have asked for it but are still getting a “no.” Did you ask the right person? Perhaps that person did not have the authority to give you what you want. That person may not be the decision maker. Maybe the person who oversees your work may not be your formal manager and someone else makes the decisions on salary increases.

Find out who has the authority to make the decision for what you want. Consider your organization’s structure. Inquire with colleagues. Do some research so you ask the appropriate person.

Know what you want and ask for it. Make sure you are asking the right person, know how to ask for what you want and ask at the best time possible. “No” is not the worst outcome. The worst outcome is not asking at all or not asking properly for what you want.

How have you secured what you wanted in your career? Share with me your thoughts and stories via Twitter or LinkedIn.

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Author: Avery Blank

A lawyer and strategist, I help individuals and organizations position and advocate for themselves and leverage opportunities to advance their priorities. I advise clie

…

Forbes.com | September 3, 2019

#CareerAdvice : 3 Things You Need To Know About A September #JobSearch .

September 2, 2019/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

There’s no perfect time to look for a job, but there are many seasonal trends and tips that can work in your favor across industries and within the job market. Every month will present a unique set of challenges and opportunities.

If you’re planning to launch or continue a job search in September, here’s what you need to know to maximize your efforts and speed up the process.

1. You’re starting over

The summer job market, August in particular, is painfully slow. While you can still conduct a search during the summer, you are battling with the lack of proactive engagement and scheduling challenges that result from the vacation season. This all changes in September.

If you had the luxury to hold off on starting a job search until now, that’s a good thing. It has likely saved you a lot of frustration. If not, try your best to shake off any disappointments from the summer and reset. Know that your lack of or slow progress was circumstantial and not personal. Consider September the relaunch of your search.

In practical terms, that means you need to send out a fresh round of requests to connect in order to stay top of mind. Most of your well-meaning professional friends, recruiters and hiring managers remember you and your job search for a few weeks and then you fall off their radar.

During September, make a point to contact any relevant connections you haven’t checked in with lately. Mention that you enjoyed the end of your summer, but plan to get more serious about your job search going into the fall and would love to reconnect.

Granted, it’s tricky to know when your outreach will start to seem desperate or annoying. While each relationship is different, it is good practice to check in no more than three times in six months and space each contact (purely to check in) a minimum of three to four weeks apart.

This new round of activity may not produce leads in the first few weeks, but you want to make sure they remember your interest, and have your materials handy, as this much busier hiring season keeps ramping up.

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2. You can’t afford to get distracted

The hiring push that happens in September and October will sharply decline mid to late November. A fall job search is a sprint and there is no time to have a slow start, get distracted or take breaks.

Most people conduct a job search while already employed and the autumn will probably be a busy time in your office. And, if you’re a parent, you may find that getting settled in the school year creates further strains on your time. September can be one of the most demanding months of the year already, before adding in the stress of job hunting.

However, if you are hoping to find a new and better job sooner instead of later, you need to get and stay serious about your efforts during the month of September. I can’t emphasize this enough: don’t miss this short and critical window before the holidays sneak up. Start strong and keep it going for the next two months.

Set a daily or weekly goal for your job search activities such as emails sent, companies and job researched or hours spent on your search.

If possible, avoid measuring progress by the number of job applications you submit. Online applying notoriously has a low application to interview rate so focusing your attention there might lead to a discouraging yield. For some skills and career levels, online applying can be effective but for many people, organic networking through trusted contacts or targeted research will produce better results.

Either way, hold yourself accountable to make your job search a priority in September.

3. It’s the beginning of the end

September kicks off a dogged focus by corporate leaders to accomplish whatever they can by the end of the year and to even start planning for the next one.

During your interviews, be sure to inquire about end-of-year initiatives or goals. Being able to articulate how you might hit the ground running to help get an important task over the finish line will deepen their interest in your candidacy and may accelerate your hiring process.

Listen for information about when key team-planning sessions are being held. The fall is a popular time for these sort of meetings. Usually, they bring several important stakeholders together in the same location which can be advantageous for scheduling your interviews.

To gather this information in an early phone interview with the hiring manager, simply ask toward the end of the call if they have any offsites or planning sessions coming up; then, express interest in meeting team members during one of these, time permitting. They may or may not jump on this opportunity, but if they do, you’ll have the chance to make a more informed choice about the people you would be working with—and the company will probably get you a decision much faster. Either way, it will show an orientation toward thoughtful initiative on your part.

Finally, September is the best time to plan your networking calendar from now until the end of the year. Research relevant happy hours, speaker breakfasts and conferences coming up in the next two to three months. You can’t attend everything, but make the most of your efforts by emailing hosts four to five days before your events and seeing if you can secure a list of participants. Then use LinkedIn to familiarize yourself with backgrounds and faces and come prepared to seek out the people you most want to meet or reconnect with.

All in all, September is one of the busiest months for networking and landing new jobs. Take advantage while you can.

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

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Author: Kourtney Whitehead

I’ve spent my career helping people reach their work goals, from executive searches to counseling to career coaching, through my leadership positions at top executive re…

Forbes.com | September 2, 2019

#CareerAdvice : #JobNetworking – How to Leverage your Network to Land your First Full-Time Job. A #MustRead for All!

September 2, 2019/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

Networking elicits fear in many job hunters’ minds, regardless of age, but it can be especially mysterious when you’re just starting out. While building a network may seem daunting when you’re searching for your first job, it’s not as difficult as you might think. Chances are, you’ve already built up quite a large network just by living your life up to this point—and one of those people in your circle could be just the connection you need to land the job you want.

One underutilized way to leverage your network to get your first job is to set up informational interviews. Approaching your job hunt with an “I’m-here-to-learn” mentality from successful people in your desired industry can help you view your job search as a learning experience, as well as help you discover what you truly want (and don’t want) to do.

With any kind of networking, “think more about who you’re talking to and less about selling yourself,” Lee Rossini, vice president of marketing for software company Limeade. Here’s how to do it right, keeping your end goal of full-time employment in mind:

BUILD YOUR NETWORK EVERYWHERE

Think about your friends, your parents’ friends, your teachers, your neighbors, your summer-job bosses . . . the list goes on. You may not think of these people as a network when you’re young, but they can be one of your most valuable resources as you transition into working full-time.

Stephanie Smith, a magazine editor who recently transitioned into vice president of content for Connect Meetings, experienced this firsthand when she moved from Atlanta to New York after college to pursue a career in publishing. The young son of a woman she was temping for, who knew of Smith’s aspirations, went to elementary school with the son of prominent women’s magazine editor. Smith’s boss reached out to the editor and helped Smith get into an internship program at the company.

A few months later, Smith landed a full-time job as the editor’s assistant through a connection she’d built during her internship with the company’s CFO. “We connected because we were both from the South,” she says, “so when the job came open, he made the call for me, and I was the only person they interviewed because of him.” Lesson learned? You can bond (and network) with people over just about any commonality.

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

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SET UP AN INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW

Think about people who you know love their jobs, the company they’re with and/or have purpose in what they do, and ask if you can learn from them. “That’s the best way to start,” says Rossini, who also helped start an internal referral program for his company’s employees. It doesn’t have to be complicated. See if you can set up a time to shadow them so you can get a feel for what they do, who they interact with, and what they work on during an average work day.

“It’s really no skin off an employee’s nose to know someone’s interested and show them a day in the life,” says Rossini. “I’ve had 30 years of experience and mistakes that I’d love to pass on—and there are countless people like me who are willing to have conversations, just not enough people ask.”

ASK THE RIGHT WAY

Blasting out dozens of cold emails or LinkedIn messages isn’t going to cut it—and forget about cold calling. Think of the person on the receiving end of your inquiry, and be intentional about who’re you’re writing and what you’re realistically asking of them. If you have even a remote connection, you’re more likely to get a response.

“A lot of people don’t understand how many emails we get,” says Rossini. “When I get something cold with no connection, asking three, five, 15 questions, that’s a recipe for delete.”

Make a concrete ask (i.e. for 20 minutes of time to talk about a specific thing you’d like to know more about), and make it clear that you understand that they’re doing you a favor. Complimenting something that the person has done recently, such as an article they’ve written, can help you stand out, as it shows that you’ve taken time to learn about them. And depending on the industry you’re interested in, a little bribing (within reason) can work, too. Offering to buy them a coffee may help you earn a meeting.

“I’m addicted to Starbucks’ Trenta iced teas, so if someone offers to get one and bring it to me, they can absolutely have 15 minutes of my time,” says Smith. “Anything like that where you’re a little bit brazen but still humble, funny, or unusual, that gets my attention.”

Finally, if you meet someone with an interesting job at an event, ask if it’s okay for you to reach out while you’re still face-to-face. This way, they know to expect an email from you and will be more likely to recall your name when it pops up in their inbox. “That feels a lot more polite and professional,” says Rossini, “And, quite frankly, it’s very hard to say no to.”

HAVE A PLAN

Once you’ve set up a time to meet, prepare. Consider what you’d like to know about their job, career path, company, and field ahead of time. Rather than asking 15 questions in rapid fire, think about the top-line questions you’d like answered, and focus on having a dialogue.

There’s no right way to get into any job, whether it’s an entry-level position or an executive role. Everyone’s story is unique, so start there: Ask them how they got where they are and how you can get there. “If you can get people talking about themselves or how they did something, that’s the best way in,” says Smith.

SHOW GRATITUDE

Written thank-you notes may feel old school, but they are still the gold standard for showing your appreciation to a professional who shares their time. “Usually I get something that says, ‘Thank you for your time, I’m very interested in jobs, please keep in touch,’” says Rossini, “but there’s not anything that differentiates [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”][it]. I want it to be more authentic than that.”

If you must send an email, create a bridge back to the person by telling them what you learned from your time together and what you’re going to do with that information. That shows it’s not just a copy-and-paste note, says Rossini.

STAY IN TOUCH

Even if your connection don’t have a job opening for you this week, this month, or even this year, it’s important to keep your name top of mind. The worst thing you can do is lose touch, then only get back in contact when you want something, says Smith. Instead, maintain regular correspondence, even if it’s just a simple email.

“Every time you notice something someone has done, just send them a note over email or LinkedIn to say ‘good job,’” says Smith. “Don’t ask for anything—if you don’t have the angle, they’ll like you even more.”

Not every informational interview or conversation with someone in your network will turn into a job. In fact, most probably won’t—but it only takes one. Approaching your job hunt with an open mind, a respectful attitude, and a desire to learn from others will set you on the right path.

FastCompany.com | September 2, 2019 | BY KELSEY OGLETREE 5 MINUTE READ

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#CareerAdvice : #CareerChange -The Absolute Worst Thing You Can Do When You Want To Pivot Or Change Your #Career . A #MustRead for All!

August 30, 2019/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

When I was in my most unhappy period at the end of my 18-year corporate career, I was the definition of “stuck.” At age 40, I had spent all those years slogging through jobs and promotions, trying so hard to finally land a senior role that I could love and feel I was great at, working with people I respected, engaging in tasks I enjoyed. And I desperately wanted to be a part of a company that was delivering products and services that made me feel I was doing something meaningful with my time. But by the end of those 18 years, it just wasn’t happening. And worse than that, I was chronically ill, exhausted and extremely isolated and burnt out.

The core problem was that at that stage of my life, I was clueless as to what else I could for a living that would earn what I and my family needed and not require me to start completely over. But nothing I pursued in the way of help offered a concrete solution or a new direction that made sense to me. I had already worked so hard that I didn’t want to “blow it” — make a huge mistake and fail big again. I felt I was out of time and options.

So I did the worst thing anyone can do if they want to change careers or pivot to a new direction — I did absolutely nothing. I stayed stuck. I didn’t network or explore new avenues. I didn’t talk to inspiring people who were doing great things that made my heart skip a beat. I didn’t attend conferences or workshops that would teach new skills. I did nothing to change my situation. I didn’t even accept a great new job that was offered to me because I worried it might more of the same.

What is the worst thing you can do if you’re unhappy in your career and want to change it?

The worst thing to do is to wait until you think you have it all figured out and have “the answer” before you make any moves.

Progress just doesn’t work that way. Nothing will change if you wait until you think you know exactly what you want to do before you take any steps. And success won’t come at all if you’re so desperately afraid of failing that you won’t even consider exploring a new direction.

In order to get unstuck, you can’t wait until some magical revelation occurs to you that will solve all your problems.

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

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Instead, you have to begin to get moving now, and start taking brave, empowered microsteps that will open new doors for you, and help you see that there are indeed more options available to you than you currently recognize. Confidence doesn’t suddenly strike. It’s in the execution of these brave (and often intimidating) steps that will guarantee you will grow in the confidence and self-esteem you need to make a change.

If you’re unhappy in your career but have absolutely no idea what else you could do that would earn good money, below are three empowering steps that you can take right now:

Start recognizing what you’re drawn to outside your job, and explore how you can apply your existing skills to a new direction that has the same “essence” as this thing you love

Let’s say you’re a sales director for a telecommunications company and you’re really good at and enjoy sales but can’t stand working in telecomm.

Let’s say too that you’ve always loved international travel and every chance you get, you’re off exploring distant cultures and lands. If that’s what you’re passionate about— having experiences that change you—think about how you can potentially shift to a new sales role that is focused on selling or promoting cultural or international experiences, perhaps in the travel, education or hospitality fields.

Ask yourself: Where can I leverage what I already know and do well, but in a new direction that I’m passionate about?

Talk about it: Start talking to anyone you can think of who might have some good ideas for you or contacts to explore how you can continue doing what you’re great at, but pivot to a new direction that you’d be thrilled to support.

2. If you want a completely new career, narrow down three directions that you’d like to explore

Most professionals who come for career coaching and want to chuck their careers completely have no idea what they would do instead, and that keeps them locked in paralysis.

To get a clearer sense of directions you might like to pursue:

Take a step back and identify fields you’ve always been interested in since you were young
Understand yourself more deeply, and identify what you really value, enjoy and cherish in life
Brainstorm a full list of your skills and capabilities and research new career directions that need these skills
Explore what it would take to get more training and experience in these exciting fields
Read about the college or post-graduate curriculum and other certification trainings offered in these areas and assess how you feel about pursuing additional learning
Talk to 10 professionals who are engaged in these fields, to get a real-world perspective of what’s involved

Finally, for any career change or pivot, take a long, hard look at your finances, and wherever possible, do what’s necessary to build some savings for a “career growth fund” that will allow you some flexibility to explore a few new options (without chucking your current job).

Ask yourself: What are the outcomes that I want to support in my work and how can I use my existing skills to further those outcomes?

Talk about it: Narrow down three possible directions you want to learn more about, and connect with people on LinkedIn and in your personal network who are doing this work, and get their feedback.

3. Get an accountability buddy for this process

We can’t create an amazing career alone and in a vacuum. You need inspiring and empowered people in your life to help you stay motivated, energized and engaged in the process of growth while you commit to exploring some new directions.

Find an accountability buddy, mentor or supporter who can help you develop—and stick with—a concrete plan for exploring and trying on a new career or a pivot that will make you happier. It takes time and commitment, but one thing is certain: if you don’t get on the path to exploration, nothing will ever change for you.

Ask yourself: Who do I know that might be a great mentor or coaching buddy for me as I engage in this process?

Talk about it: Reach out to a few good friends or colleagues who love what they’re doing professionally and have taken brave steps to get there, share what you’re hoping to do, and ask if they might be open to providing some ongoing mentorship for you.

* * * * *

If you’re ready for a new career, don’t stay stuck in paralysis and confusion. Just get moving. Update your LinkedIn profile to include mention of your outside passions. Start talking to new people about what they do for a living. Reach out to former colleagues, professors, and bosses, and others you’ve respected and tell them what you’re thinking about. And attend a conference, workshop or class that excites you.

Sometimes just one brief conversation or idea can open a new door that will change everything for you.

Author: For hands-on help to build a thrilling career, join Kathy Caprino’s Amazing Career Project 16-week course and work with her in Career Breakthrough program.

Forbes.com | August 29, 2019

#Leadership : #ProductivePeople – Here’s How Smart, #SuccessfulPeople Take Advantage Of The Long Labor Day Weekend. Great Read!

August 29, 2019/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

The Labor Day holiday came about in the late 1800s as a backlash to the abusive work practices demanded by the owners of factories and businesses. Workers were forced to work 70-plus hours a week without vacation time or days off.

The holiday’s founders sought to make changes, including forming unions to protect the rights of workers and reducing work time and six-day work weeks. Labor Day grew to embrace and honor hard-working Americans and remember all of the contributions made by our predecessors to pave the way for our significantly improved lives.

Like many other serious holidays, such as Veterans Day, Martin Luther King Day and Memorial Day, Labor Day has become a long-weekend excuse to shop for sales, barbecue, sit on the beach and just lounge around the house. Somehow, a trend has developed whereby holidays that fall on a Monday or Friday turn into a mini vacation, as people tack on a few extra days.

Most average people will squander this long weekend—and that’s precisely why they are only average. If you don’t put the time and effort into your career and ambitions, while others do, you will fall far behind. Long weekends are perfect to focus on the things that you are unable to accomplish in the usual harried work week.

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

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Many people have become complacent and feel that they deserve higher pay, promotions and rapid advancement just because they showed up. It’s the adult version of “everyone gets a trophy just for participating.” The cold, hard truth is that’s not how it works. Nobody really cares about you and your career. There are no mentors who will usher you up the corporate ladder of success.

Your boss and management only pays attention if you produce results; otherwise, you’re expendable. Even your family gets tired and bored of hearing about your day at work and all of the corporate politics. In a global economy, you are just a small and meaningless cog in the machine. The times have changed since the 1800s and the Industrial Revolution, but we still have tremendous issues to deal with. The problem is we tend to complain more than we take action.

I’d suggest that you seriously view the Labor Day weekend in one of two distinct ways:

1- You can spend the free three or four days off on the beach, watching sporting events, binge-watching movies on Netflix or just wasting away your precious time. We only have this one short life to live. It’s self-defeating to waste valuable time—that you’ll never get back— by watching the same silly movie for the 10th time, as if you’ll live forever. If that is what you want in your life, then it’s fine.

You just need to be honest with yourself that you are comfortable with your station in life and are not seeking to fast track your career and advance. I’m not disparaging you for this. If that is what makes you happy, then more power to you. Not everyone is motivated to climb the corporate ladder or start the next Facebook. There are plenty of jobs that offer a relatively nice and comfortable living with a reasonable work and life balance. That’s fine. But just be real with yourself that this is the path you’re choosing. You can’t later complain of the inequities in the world and income disparity when you haven’t even made a concerted effort to improve yourself and advance your career.

2- If you want more out of your work life, this is the time to take bold actions. Use this weekend wisely. Think of where you are in your career and where you want to go. Are you happy or are you stuck in a job that is going nowhere fast? If you want to move forward, think of what it is that you want to achieve in your work and in life. Is it a new job? Do you want to pivot to another career? Is it time to finish your college degree or attain an advanced degree? Have you been putting off talking to your boss about your future?

Write down a plan of action to power forward in your career. Put down your goals in writing detailing everything you want to accomplish. This will make it real and hold you accountable. Then, come up with a set of daily actions to achieve your goals. This will be a daily to-do list, which will continually move you incrementally toward your ultimate goal.

During the day, your friends will have you drinking White Claw Hard Seltzer by the pool. At night, they will pressure you into taking excessive shots at the bar. Temptations are all around. Block out all of the distractions that steal your time, energy and prohibits you away from implementing your ideal goals.

Take a break from arguing with strangers on social media, shut off the television and there is just no need to spend over three hours watching baseball games when you can view the highlights on ESPN. Put aside time to quietly assess your life and career.

Be honest with yourself because there is no reason to pretend that everything is going great, if it isn’t. If your goal is to find a new job, then you must update your résumé and LinkedIn profile. Reach out to recruiters and start networking with both your current and former colleagues. The motivated career-oriented ones will get right back to you.

This may not be as fun as a day at the beach, but read some self-help, nonfiction and industry- related books to improve yourself. If you have a short attention span, then read blogs, listen to podcasts and watch YouTube videos to learn about new topics and stay up on current events. Set aside a few hours to get ahead in your work. Finish tasks that you’ve been procrastinating on for weeks.

I’m going to sound like a hypocrite, but utilize the holiday season to purchase a new wardrobe. It could be for interviewing or dressing for success to impress your boss. Select a wardrobe for the job you desire and not for the role you’re currently stuck in. Instead of overindulging in food, alcohol or partying, go for a jog, ride a bike or do some yoga.

You will have an immense feeling of satisfaction at the end of the weekend. There will be a sense of accomplishment and pride within yourself that you took assertive actions to improve your life and avoided wasting the long weekend. You’ll enjoy the smaller amount of downtime much more with the knowledge that you’ve been responsible and productive.

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 profes…

August 29, 2019 | Forbes.com

#CareerAdvice : #InterviewingTips – How To Succeed In Your Next #JobInterview ; The 5 Step Story Strategy.

August 28, 2019/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

In every job interview, you will be asked situational questions – questions that ask you to describe what you did in a particular circumstance. The interviewer will offer a variation on this theme: “Tell me about a time when…” or “How would you describe a situation where….” The purpose of this line of questioning is to allow the interviewer to see your thought processes and understand how you behaved (typically under pressure).

I wanted to share this strategy so that you can create every opportunity for success in the interview. Because I’ve seen this five-step strategy create powerful results, from the college campus to the C-Suite, all over the world. In coaching thousands of aspiring leaders, scientists, engineers, and executives, I’ve discovered one thing: success starts with your story.

If handled correctly, your interview answers will demonstrate resourcefulness, provide some indication of your willingness to take action, and show how you work with others. In order to reach your goal, in a way that’s concise and clear, you need a simple, five-step story strategy.

Remember, companies of all shapes and sizes really hire just one thing and one thing only: solutions providers. Companies need people who can solve problems: whether that problem is how to get the food from the kitchen to the people who ordered it, or re-coding the navigation system on the space shuttle, companies need people who can overcome obstacles. So, your story strategy shows exactly how you offer your solution. The first step? Start with the situation, and set the scene.

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

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Picture This

Describe where you were and what was going on in your company, for the particular circumstance you wish to describe. Remember that using numbers is a very effective way to share size and scope – especially if you managed a team, P&L, or other budget. Here are some examples:

“I was leading the customer service team on the West Coast – managing a team of 14 – when the call came in to Lydia’s desk….”
“The CEO called me in to his office. Since I was in charge of the 25 people in R&D, he needed some answers about why we were late on the Z-7 project…”
“I had just bombed the midterm in Mechanical Engineering, and I was really concerned that I might not be able to make it back next semester…”
“Most of our $4 million budget was being spent on trade magazines – kind of old school – but it was working for us. Until the day my three top graphic designers said…”

Notice that the situation is described quickly. It starts on the verge of action – and a sense that something might be about to come off the rails. Professional storytellers call this “point of attack”.

Note that this approach is not necessarily chronological…the story begins when you are getting ready to do something big! Here’s why: our minds are naturally drawn to action. We seek out change, as part of our primitive (lizard) brains. Are chronological stories captivating? No. They are not. “Once upon a time” works well in nursery school, but taking people through your life history from birth until yesterday is deadly in the job interview. Chronological stories are often filled with unnecessary details – why share words that don’t serve you?

Think about it: in business, and in life, we need to know what’s changing so that we can react and adapt. Start your story with a situation, described in numbers, beginning on the verge of action. Your situation starts at a tipping point, so that you can move to the next section: the obstacle.

What’s Stopping You?

There was something that you had to overcome in your situation. You either did it yourself, or you helped others to do it. What was in your way? Were you a stay at home mom, headed back into the workforce? Did you go back for a graduate degree after being out of school for 13 years? Describe the challenge – that’s the second step. Did you face a horrendous customer? An impossible deadline? A lack of resources? Did you have to inspire your team to achieve what no one thought you could? The obstacle – if described correctly – is big, hairy and scary. The obstacle is the wolf at the door. If there’s a hamster named “Skittles” at the door, who cares? Pick a bold story to show who you really are. Why? Because the bigger the challenge, the greater the victory!

Fortune favors the bold.
– Virgil

There was a strategy you applied – some action that you took – to beat the odds. Remember, you are the hero of this story. So what bold action did you take?

Get Going

The third step is in describing the action that you took to win the day. Use action words, like directed, guided, listened, sourced, discovered, persuaded, and inspired. (These are my choices – what are yours?) Remember, effective storytelling is about choosing the words that help you most. What powerful actions did you take? What did you do to inspire others to see that the deadline wasn’t impossible, the challenges weren’t insurmountable? Were you able to help people get past their mindset, and get going?

What Was the Outcome?

Results are what matter. What was the result, when you took action? That’s the fourth step: Express the result, if possible, in terms of numbers. Did you hire nine new people? Did you cut $735,000 from the budget and save the company from creditors?

The hero’s journey always leads to a destination: what was yours? When discussing the outcome, look in the direction of impact, especially if you are interested in a leadership role. In the example above, it wasn’t just about the money saved – it was about saving the company from being seized by creditors. Wow! That’s a powerful outcome! When you talk about more than just money, you show yourself to have more than one bottom line. Perhaps your outcome demonstrates your compassion. Or your negotiating skills. Or an aspect of integrity that really matters to you. But guess what? You’re not done yet.

There’s one question – one element – that most people forget in the interview process. Do you know what step five is?

The Best Interview Is A Conversation

Can you turn the interview into a dialogue? Well, you should – and here’s why: after you’ve just rolled out this story, of heroic change, obstacles and outcomes – don’t you want to know where you stand? Did your story resonate? Are you a good fit for the organization – or did you just weave a tale that left your interviewer cold and confused? Well, there’s only one way to find out: you have to ask.

The fifth and often forgotten step is a simple question: how does that story fit for your vision of the position? In other words: does my story seem to align with your goals for this role? Does the fact that I’ve effectively managed 14 people, handled a budget of $4 million and saved a previous company $735, 000 resonate with you? Play with the words that feel most natural to you, but don’t leave this question unanswered. You deserve to know where you stand. It’s not pushy, it’s polite: an interview is an exchange of ideas. You are showing your ability to serve, in hopes that your service will be required by this employer. Like a good waiter, who always asks, “How’s everything taste?”, you need to know if your story is delicious – or if it needs to go back into the kitchen.

Don’t assume that you know where you stand. After telling your story, if you are congratulating yourself and listening to imaginary applause in your head, you’ve got to snap out of it. Really get curious: did your story hit home? Is your interviewer looking for a solutions provider like you? Does the solution you provided to others have meaning in this organization? Listen carefully for the feedback, as it will guide you towards your goal.

Situation, Obstacle, Action, Result. How does that fit for your vision for the position?
Five Steps for Interview Success

With the right story, and valuable feedback, you’ve earned the right to take the next step in the interview process. And your five-step job interview strategy has just moved you closer to your next opportunity. If you want to know how to close the interview, that story is coming soon!

Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. Check out my website.

Author: Chris Westfall

I write about the changing nature of the leadership conversation, and how communication creates the connections that matter. Recognized as the U.S. National Elevator Pit…

Forbes.com | August 28, 2019