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#CareerAdvice : #LinkedInTips – 9 Mistakes you’re Making on #LinkedIn that Could Sabotage your #JobHunt — and How to Fix Them. A Must REad!

March 7, 2019/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

If you’re on LinkedIn, there’s a good chance you’re guilty of (at least) one of the mistakes listed below.

We talked to LinkedIn career expert Blair Decembrele about how to avoid them.
For example, if you’re job-hunting, be sure to alert recruiters that you’re open to new roles. Your current employer won’t find out.

LinkedIn can be a terrific place to build your brand, expand your network, attract new clients, and find job opportunities.

But use it the wrong way and you could turn off professional contacts — or even lose out on your dream job.

We spoke with LinkedIn career expert Blair Decembrele about the most common (and most egregious) mistakes she sees on the platform, as well as what you can do to avoid them. Read on, and get ready to make some potentially serious changes to your profile.

Your profile headline is incorrect or missing entirely

Screenshot/LinkedIn

This is “prime real estate,” Decembrele said.

It’s the first thing other members see besides your photo. You can use these 120 words either to list your current title (e.g. “senior reporter at Business Insider”) or to describe your job more generally (e.g. “reporter covering career development and entrepreneurship”).

You don’t have a profile photo

Screenshot/LinkedIn

According to LinkedIn data, profiles with photos receive up to 21 times more views than profiles without photos, plus nine times more connection requests.

That’s not to say that any photo will do — it’s important to choose one that’s visually appealing, Decembrele said. Think a solid-color background without distractions like a friend’s arm dangling off the edge. Your face should fill up roughly 60% of the frame.

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You haven’t written a summary

A summary “describes who you are as a professional,” Decembrele said. It’s your elevator pitch, or your chance to “spark a potential employer’s interest in 20 seconds.”

That’s why you should include your experience, skills, and interests. Most importantly, “don’t be afraid to have your personality shine through.” LinkedIn says summaries of at least 40 words are more likely to turn up in search results.

You never customized your LinkedIn URL

Once you do, you can include your LinkedIn URL on your résumé without worrying about it looking clunky, Decembrele said. It also makes it easier for you to be found by recruiters.

You have no idea what your privacy settings are

Decembrele recommends thinking carefully about your privacy settings (for example, whether you want your entire network to find out that you’ve switched jobs).

You should also know whether other members can see when you’ve looked at their profile, and vice versa. Decembrele said there are benefits to having people know you checked out their profile, since they might see an opportunity to work together.

If you subscribe to LinkedIn Premium, you’re able to tweak the settings so that you can see when other people view your profile, but they can’t see when you’ve viewed theirs.

You haven’t alerted recruiters that you’re open to new roles

Enabling the “open candidates” feature on your profile dashboard is a way to privately signal that you’re open to job opportunities. LinkedIn found that members who enable this feature are twice as likely to see relevant opportunities.

Fortunately, this is not listed publicly on your profile — and luckily for you, recruiters from your particular organization aren’t able to see this.

You’re not using hashtags in your posts

You can use relevant hashtags to a) customize your feed so that you see the content that’s most interesting to you, and b) to make sure your posts wind up in front of the right people (just like on other social media platforms). For example, if you’re writing about leadership, you might tag “#leadership.”

Once you’ve started writing a post on LinkedIn, you’ll see recommended hashtags to choose from.

You aren’t taking advantage of LinkedIn groups

When you join LinkedIn groups for professionals in your field, “it enables you to talk to each other about trends in your industry,” Decembrele said. Plus, it’s a great way to solicit career advice or opinions.

You’re cold-contacting people for jobs

The first rule of messaging another LinkedIn member is to make sure you’ve looked at their profile, so you can refer to something about their career that resonated with you. Explain why you’re reaching out and why they should connect with you, Decembrele added.

That said, if you’re job hunting, don’t message someone asking directly for a job. Instead, you might write something like, “Hi, I noticed you work for [X organization] and I’m really interested in learning more about that company. Would you be wiling to talk to me?”

Author: Jillian D’Onfro contributed to an earlier version of this post.

Businessinsder.com | March 7, 2019

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#CareerAdvice : #CareerChange -10 Obstacles That Keep You From #ChangingCareers — and How to Overcome Them.

March 7, 2019/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

Raise your hand if you are thinking of changing careers! Or maybe you are in the midst of it, but something is holding you back. Whatever the case, you are not alone. Many people who want to change careers get stuck along the way.

Let’s look at some of the most common obstacles career changers face, whether before or during their career transition, and how you can overcome each one of them.

1. Focusing on What You Lack

This has to be mentioned right at the top — almost everyone I talk to who is thinking of changing careers but feels stuck is focusing on all the things they do not know how to do, or on all the resources they don’t have. This is completely backward — no one hires you based on what you do not know or have. The only things that matter are what you do know, what you have already accomplished and what you are interested in learning. Focus on what you can alreadycontribute to any profession and you’ll find yourself much more empowered in your career journey.

2. Not Knowing What You Want

Do you feel confident you can get whatever you want… except you don’t know what that is? If this sounds familiar when it comes to your career transition, dig deep: is it really true that you don’t know what you want? In my experience most people know what they want, but might not know what it looks like in a job. For example, you might know you would be happy working from home and writing, but you are not sure what kind of job would pay you to do just that. If this is you, stop saying you don’t know what you want and instead address the real question, which is that you are not sure what career could give you what you want. Or it might be that you know what you want, but are so afraid you wouldn’t succeed that you don’t let yourself admit that’s what you want. In that case your issue is fear, not lack of clarity.

If you really don’t know what you want, take this moment in time as an opportunity to try anything that feels interesting. Have fun exploring, and you’ll discover in the process what feels best. (Hint: you will not find the answer in your head — you need to get out and in action!)

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3. Lack of Information

In my work helping people change careers I often hear about different jobs… and sometimes encounter professions I didn’t even know existed! The truth is that you were probably exposed to only a few possible career options while growing up, and don’t know much about a wide variety of professions. Add the fact that technological innovation is creating many more opportunities that didn’t even exist just a few years ago, and chances are there are at least a few options that could be a good match for you, but you’ve never heard of. Most career changers don’t have enough information to make an informed decision — this is why you need to research and test possible professions and business ideas to gain real knowledge of what they are really like before committing to a new career.

4. Money Worries

We all know the drill: you should have at least 6 months of savings, no debt, a full-time job or at least a steady part-time income… in other words, you should be in a strong financial position before embarking on a career change. If you are, and you still feel stressed over money, keep reading for more tips on how to overcome fear. Focus on doing the work, and as long as you keep your financial acumen you’ll be fine.

If you are one of the 65 percent of Americans without significant savings, or one of the 48 percent of Americans who carry credit card debt or belong to the estimated 33 percent of college graduates who are underemployed, this is for you: I get it. I know it’s scary, and I know changing careers for you comes with added obstacles. Here’s the deal, though — you can’t afford more of the same exactly because it’s not working financially. Feeling worried or anxious about your finances will not help you — in fact, it will probably make it harder for you to make good decisions. Only your actions matter: learn to negotiate, say No to extra work that is underpaid or, if you are unemployed, volunteer and take on any type of work you are interested in rather than staying at home (it will also help you with your resume). Meet people, network, apply to jobs, start a side business. If you are already working like crazy and still struggling, commit to just a few hours each week to dedicate to your career transition. Do not let the lack of money stop you — instead, use it as powerful fire to light up your search for a new career. You can’t afford not to.

5. Unhealed Trauma

I personally think this is the big elephant in the room — the one thing we don’t talk about when discussing career-related issues. And we should. Our past, if not properly dealt with, can have an immense impact on how we relate to others. So how does unhealed trauma affect your career change? When you embark on any transition, including a career change, you are very likely to face rejection and failure — and these can be tough for everyone, but if you carry a lot of weight from the past, a negative experience can feel much worse once unhealed trauma is triggered. This is why it is so important to deal with your past. Treat your career change as part of a wider process of healing and start working with a therapist or healing professional of your choice right away. Your deep healing will help you better weather the ups and downs of your career change, and will expand your life beyond what you think is possible. Your desire to change careers could be part of a deeper calling to finally let go of what has been holding you back — so you can finally soar.

6. Lack of Role Models

Some of us are lucky enough to have knowledgeable and supportive family members, or maybe we had a cool teacher in the past or a boss who believed in us. Sometimes, though, that doesn’t happen, or the people who cheer us have no knowledge of the field we want to enter. If that’s the case, you need to go out and expand your network. This can mean finding someone who “officially” becomes your mentor (check out SCORE) or meeting people who are further ahead in your chosen career and learning from them through your interactions, deep conversations and rapport. I also recommend joining a group that is all about empowering its members. For example, there are many groups that support women in technology: by joining one, attending events and networking, you can find a lot of helpful information and resources to help you enter a new field. And through those interactions, you might also end up meeting a wonderful mentor or role model in a more traditional sense of the word.

7. Analysis Paralysis

This has got to be my favorite one, as I used to be a chronic sufferer from the condition! Some of us tend to get stuck trying to figure out every single step from now until we retire in our head. And of course, as each step comes with imaginary catastrophes, a lack of real information and often fear, we never feel we can make a decision, let alone know enough to take action. Argh! Here’s the good news: this approach doesn’t work. Once you realize that it’s impossible to plan your entire career change in your head, you will finally give yourself permission to take one step at a time. What is the next thing you know you need to do in order to move forward? Focus on that. And trust that as you take that one step, you will be able to see the next, and then the next and so forth until you can reach your destination.

8. You Think the Past Is a Preview of What’s to Come

Just because every boss you had so far was unsupportive, it doesn’t mean that your next boss will be; just because you have always made little money, it doesn’t mean you will always be underpaid. We don’t know what the future has in store for us, but the good news is you can always work towards a different outcome. Bad bosses? I bet you can now spot the early signs! Underpaid? Use that as motivation to say ‘No’ to positions that pay too little and to move into a career or industry that pays what you need, learn to negotiate, update your skills, etc. Acknowledge what happened in the past, learn from it and then focus on what you want moving forward. Give the future a chance!

9. Trying to fit in

“I should be more open, I should go to more networking events, I am too much of an introvert, people like me don’t usually…” Stop right there! I am all for self-improvement, but there is a difference between wanting to grow as a person and imagining everyone else is better than you. Chances are, you already have all if not most of what you need to succeed: embrace who you are. Love yourself, focus on what you enjoy doing and are naturally good at, have fun learning new skills and getting out of your comfort zone, but do not think you need to be like someone else in order to be fulfilled in your career. You will be able to live a fulfilled life, including in your career, when you accept yourself as you are. From that place, you will become more open to new opportunities, flexible on the things you can be flexible about and someone people will want to be around. Trust me: Once you stop trying to fit in, you will find a career that is a good fit for you.

10. Don’t Make It All About Yourself

Last, but not least, it’s not just about you. In fact, the more you make it about you, the more insecure and stressed you will feel. Who do you want to serve? What lights you up? What difference do you want to make? These questions don’t have to have world-changing answers to motivate you: You can choose a career to provide your family with a stable environment, or you can commit to creating a business that offers employees great health insurance from day one because you believe in providing such benefits. There is no “small” purpose: Focus on the why, and you will find you have in you more courage and resilience than you ever thought possible.

Author: Aurora Meneghello is a Los Angeles-based career coach and the founder ofRepurpose Your Purpose. She works with groups and individuals who want to change careers.

GlassDoor.com | March 7, 2019

#BestofFSCBlog : #ResumeWriting -How #OlderWorkers can Overcome #AgeDiscrimination by Making these Three Changes to Their #Resume … Over 40? Must REad!

March 6, 2019/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

At what age do you think the Age Discrimination in Employment Act protects you? That is, at what age is it illegal for employees to not hire you or fire you purely on the basis of your age? 60, or may even 50?

The answer is 40, and there’s a very good reason for that. I just turned 43 and feel as young as ever, even if gray hairs are creeping in. But many people still see me as the “older worker,” and the situation is significantly worse if you’re in your fifties or sixties. Of course, they won’t say it out loud, but they’ll use terms like “not a cultural fit” because they see your age on your resume and make unqualified, and often false, assumptions.

Age discrimination is unfair, wrong, and frankly, bad for businesses. There are many benefits to hiring older workers. For starters, they often have experience and networks that younger workers don’t have yet. But unfortunately, a lot of businesses overlook those benefits. Data from the AARP shows that 64% of older workers experienced age discrimination in 2014.

So what can you do to protect yourself from resume age discrimination? Luckily, there are several techniques to age-proof your resume. Here are three things you can do to make the reader to focus on you, and not your age.

1) LIMIT YOUR WORK HISTORY TO 15 YEARS

You’ve had a great career and are very proud of what you’ve accomplished, but really, no one cares about a job or project you worked on 15, 20, or 30 years ago. For starters, those jobs are likely no longer relevant. All it does is give the hiring manager a clear indication of how old you are.

Focus on the story you want to tell in your resume by drawing from your relevant experience within the past 15 years, with the most emphasis on the past 10 years. For example, I typically list my positions from 15 years ago with a single line:

TD Ameritrade, VP, Institutional Advisor Services–2002-2006
Led TD Ameritrade’s advisor and client trading site development teams.

It can be difficult to remove all those accomplishments from a job you are proud of, but bite the bullet so your most recent and relevant experience stands out.

2) KEEP YOUR RESUME TO 2 OR 3 PAGES

This goes along with the tip of removing older or irrelevant work history. Even though you have accomplished a lot and have a long work history, no one wants to read a five-page resume with a super-small font. When I see resumes beyond three pages or with a font so small I can’t read, I immediately pass.

Don’t think you can keep it to two pages? I once reviewed the former vice chairman of Eastman Kodak’s resume. He had an unbelievable 30-year career that spanned industries. He ran multi-billion-dollar companies with tens of thousands of employees under him. Guess how long his resume was…two pages. If he can do it, so can you.

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3) DON’T DATE YOUR EDUCATION OR AWARDS

A dead giveaway on your age is putting your year of graduation or the year you received an award. Avoid by removing the years and focus on what you accomplished, such as the degree or award title.

Always leave on education, but if the award happened so long ago you wouldn’t want to discuss it during an interview, take it off. I usually advise to never put anything on your resume you’re not comfortable discussing. I once put the programming language Smalltalk–popular in the 1970s and 80s–on my resume because I took a course in college. An enthusiastic interviewer noticed Smalltalk and started asking me questions, which I was unable to answer. I didn’t get the job.

Finally, be sure to be consistent with dates. Don’t put dates on some bullet points and not others. I’ve seen resumes that have dates on recent accomplishments and no dates on past accomplishments. Not only does it create an inconsistent resume (like having some sentences end in periods and not others), but it calls out the missing dates.

WHAT OLDER WORKERS SHOULD FOCUS ON

When preparing your resume, you should focus on the depth of your experience, career wisdom, and your commitment. Use these to your advantage to land the interview you want. Once you do land the interview, be prepared, professional, and show enthusiasm and high energy.

Remember: You want to be evaluated on your skills and accomplishments and not on your age. That goes with your cover letter too. Older workers are one of our economy’s hidden asset. But it’s up to you to make hiring managers and recruiters see that.

Author: Geoffrey Bourne is CEO and founder of Retirety, a digital service that helps the average American plan and stay on track toward a successful and fulfilled retirement life.

FastCompany.com | March 6, 2019

#CareerAdvice : #ResumeWriting – Here’s Why Prospective Employers Might Not Ever See Your #Resume … Must REad!

March 6, 2019/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

Whether you’re unhappy with your current job or are simply exploring your options, you’re probably aware that to land a new role, you’ll need a solid resume to submit as part of the application process. But what happens when you apply to a series of jobs you’re qualified for and aren’t contacted for a single interview?

You might start doubting your credentials, or doubting yourself. You might also be quick to point a finger at your resume, and wonder whether it’s somehow loaded with spelling mistakes and grammatical errors you just can’t seem to identify. If your job applications are going unanswered, it could be that your resume is to blame — but not in the way you think.

Is Your Resume Getting Seen?

The problem with your resume might not boil down to mistakes, but rather, the fact that prospective employers just aren’t seeing it. The reason? That document doesn’t have the right keywords.

These days, a growing number of companies are using applicant tracking software to narrow down their respective pools of qualified applicants. As part of the process, applications, including resumes, are scanned by software designed to look out for designated keywords — and if yours doesn’t have the right ones, it could be weeded out by a computer program, not an actual person.

The benefit of using such systems is that it makes the applicant-vetting process more efficient for employers. Rather than have to read through, say, 400 resumes for the average position, a company might instead invest in software that whittles the pool down to just 30 or 40 candidates. From there, reviewing resumes on an individual basis becomes far more feasible.

And it’s not just large firms that are using this technology to their advantage. Even small and medium-sized businesses are getting on board the algorithm train, thereby making it even more difficult for qualified candidates to get their foot in the door.

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Beating the System

You’re probably aware that your resume needs to be catchy, concise and informative. But apparently, you also need to worry about it containing the right keywords.

With that in mind, there are a couple of things you can do to increase your chances of having your resume actually reach prospective employers. First, read each job description you apply to carefully, and aim to have some of the keywords contained in those descriptions appear in your resume as well. For example, if a job listing seems to emphasize project management skills, make sure the words “project management” appear early on in your resume.

That said, don’t go overboard with those keywords. Just as search engines penalize websites for keyword-stuffing (putting so many keywords into a section of content so as to render it unreadable), some of the aforementioned programs reject resumes if they suspect that tactic.

Another way to improve your chances of getting your resume looked at? Don’t just apply to jobs through online forms. Instead, identify those companies you want to work for the most and try finding individuals to send your resume to personally. For example, if you determine that an old colleague of yours knows someone at a company you’re applying to, you might ask that person for an introduction, or to send your resume to that contact and request that he or she personally put it in front of the hiring manager.

Many companies offer incentives for referring qualified candidates for jobs, so if you’re a good fit for a given role, someone you don’t know directly might be willing to vouch for you if you have an associate in common and your resume looks good.

Crafting a compelling resume is hard enough, and having to concern yourself with keywords makes for an even more stressful experience. If you’ve been finding that your job applications are going unanswered, it could be that your resume just isn’t saying the right things. Take steps to be a bit more keyword-conscious without going overboard, and that might spell the difference between having your resume ignored versus noticed.

GlassDoor.com | March 5, 2019 | Posted by Maurie Backman, The Motley Fool

#CareerAdvice : #JobSearch -7 Perfect Questions to Ask While #Networking …Great REad!

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

Odds are, you already know how important networking is. You might have leveraged your network to land a job, procure a new client or even switch careers entirely — or at the very least, you probably know someone who has. But despite the endless benefits of networking, many people still dread the experience.

Often, this is because they simply don’t know what to say. After all, approaching a stranger you know nothing about can be pretty intimidating — what in the world do you talk about?

Well, the next time you find yourself wondering this at an industry mixer, don’t fret. We talked to a handful of career experts to get their recommendations on great questions to ask while networking. Use any of these questions for a quick and painless conversation starter.

1. “What brings you here?”

This light-touch question is a great way to begin a conversation, explains Michelle Tillis Lederman, author of The Connector’s Advantage: 7 Mindsets to Grow Your Influence and Impact.

“This question shows you are interested in the other person and are not just trying to figure out how they can help you. Their response will give you a sense of what they are working on and what is on the front of their mind. That will lead you to extend the conversation and figure out how you can add value to them,” Tillis Lederman explains. “They will also likely ask you the question in return and give you an opening to share what your current objectives are.”

2. “How did you get involved in the industry/company?”

Once you know a little bit more about somebody’s professional background, ask them how they got their start. It can provide valuable takeaways for you, as well as make you seem more likable.

“Finding out more about their journey leading up to their current role can offer an excellent insight into what you might need to do in order to work in that industry, role or company,” says Lars Herrem, Group Executive Director at recruiting agency Nigel Wright Group. “Demonstrating your interest and enthusiasm is key to creating a lasting impression and making yourself memorable, something which will prove extremely beneficial if you end up reaching out to this person in the future.”

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3. “Since you work in the industry, how do you feel about X?”

Asking about a specific, timely event in the industry — whether it’s proposed legislation, a merger, a recent news story, etc. — is a great way to show the person you’re speaking with that you are knowledgeable and thoughtful, both of which are key to being memorable, says career coach Eli Howayeck of Crafted Career Concepts.

“First impressions matter. The best thing you can do, besides being a nice person, is to demonstrate how you think and what you know about the marketplace,” Howayeck explains. “This helps direct the conversation and informs your conversation partner that you likely know what you’re talking about or, at a minimum, pay attention to what is going on in the world and [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”][are] not only focused on yourself and your advancement.”

4. “How would someone get their foot in the door in your company/industry?”

The ultimate objective of networking is often to get a new job, but coming out and asking somebody you just met to help you get one can be pretty off-putting. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t approach the topic at all — you just have to do so delicately.

This question “is a subtle way to ask about opportunities without coming right out and saying, ‘Do you know if they are hiring?’” says career coach Madelyn Mackie. “If you are lucky, they will ask you if you are interested and then provide you with a business card to follow-up with them after the event.”

Even if they aren’t able to help you out directly, though, you will likely gain some valuable insight that will help you in your job search process.

5. “Based on your journey, what do you wish someone would have told you earlier in your career?”

This is a great question to ask if you’re speaking with somebody who is more senior than you are. It allows them to impart the knowledge they’ve acquired over the years with you, as well as appeals to their ego.

“People are way more comfortable sharing their wisdom than they are sharing their contacts, and both can be very valuable,” Howayeck says. “Seeking to learn from others honors them and shows that you’re invested in growth. It also shows deference and can endear the person to you and deepen the connection.”

6. “How do you spend your time outside of work?”

At its heart, networking is all about forming connections with others, so don’t be afraid to veer towards lighthearted chitchat. Questions like this one help people open up, and make it clear that you don’t expect the interaction to be purely transactional.

“This kind of question lowers the stakes and also gives the other person a chance to discuss what they’re passionate about,” Howayeck explains. “It also shows that you are actually interested in them as a person, and not just what they do and how it could help you.”

Who knows? You may even bond over a shared interest or activity!

7. “What’s the best way for me to get in touch/follow up with you?”

Ask this question, and you’re guaranteed to avoid one of the biggest mistakes that novice networkers make, according to career coach Nikki Bruno: “Beginning networkers often make the mistake of giving away a stack of business cards but gathering none. The only way to ensure that you’ll be able to follow up with new contacts is to get their information; it keeps you in the driver’s seat.”

“Note that this question is intentionally different from ‘May I have your card?’” Bruno adds. “Asking to stay in touch or to follow someone shows that you view him/her as a human being, not as a mere contact.”

GlassDoor.com | March 5, 2019 | Posted by Emily Moore

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#CareerAdvice : #YourCareer -What you Should Do When you Feel Unappreciated at Work…Great Read!

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

Everyone has a need to be appreciated. Yet most of us have, at some point in our working lives, felt unappreciated. In that you aren’t alone. A Gallup Poll found that 65% of American workers felt unappreciated. Feeling undervalued leads to a loss for yourself as well as the organization.

We also know that feeling unappreciated leads to increased stress and anxiety. Not feeling valued in the workplace has negative impact on our health overall. If you fall into the category of feeling unappreciated, you need to take initiative and look for ways to turn things around. Either things will turn around, or you may have to make a decision and consider whether the benefits of your job outweigh the harm you will do to yourself to continue working there.

Here are some things you can do when you feel unappreciated at work:

CHECK OUT YOUR PERCEPTIONS

Find someone who knows your work as well as what constitutes good work in the organization. A supervisor or manager who knows your work, but who you don’t directly report to but respect and trust, would be a good person to ask. Check with a trusted colleague to see how they feel. Don’t get caught up in a cycle of negativity and only talk to coworkers who are known chronic complainers. “Attitudes are contagious, so we must make sure we spend time and energy with people who are positive,” says Judy Bell.

Talk to people who appear upbeat and positive. Don’t make assumptions about your boss and what you perceive as their lack of appreciation. They may be unaware of the excellent work you are doing, or may be under great pressure themselves from areas you don’t know anything about. Start with that assumption and go with it until you have evidence to prove it wrong.

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

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HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH YOUR BOSS

In this case, you need to be subtle. Prepare for the meeting beforehand by knowing what you are going to discuss and having a list of accomplishments fresh in your mind. Never say that you want more appreciation; rather, indicate that there are times that you don’t feel your work is noticed. If you are part of a team, mention the work of the team instead of focusing on your own achievements. Avoid confronting your boss or going in to speak when you are angry. It will only put your boss on the defensive, and this will not help your cause. Rather, ask for feedback on your performance. Indicate to your boss that you are looking for ways to improve and would like his or her help.

MAKE A POINT OF RECOGNIZING OTHERS’ CONTRIBUTIONS

If you are part of a team, always ensure that everyone knows who created your team presentations and reports. Take a cue from classy professional athletes and give credit to the team when you get a win. Look for opportunities to praise others who you feel have done a good job in front of their boss and peers. This will create awareness of the need for appreciation, and there is a good chance that the recognition of a job well done will be reciprocated by those who have received it. Make sure that your appreciation is genuine, and don’t overdo it. If unwarranted appreciation is loosely tossed around, real appreciation quickly loses its effectiveness and value. In the best-case scenario, you will raise awareness of the need for appreciation in the organization, some of which will come back to you.

LOOK FOR WHAT WENT WELL

Many of us tend to focus on what went wrong. Even if five of six reports that were worked on received praise, we will focus on the one that we received critical feedback on. Instead, make an effort to look for what went well at the end of each day, week, and month. Make a list and post it where you can easily see it. Not only will it give you a positive boost, but will increase your ability to notice the positive, keeping your mind from going to the negative. It will also increase your ability to intrinsically motivate yourself, rather than waiting for outside validation. Look at this as a way of increasing your personal and professional value, which is independent of any job or person. Remember that all highly successful people have developed the ability to motivate themselves. Real fulfillment and satisfaction come from within, not from outside validation.

CONSIDER THE ALTERNATIVES

It may be possible, even after everything you’ve tried, that the problem is a bad boss and toxic work culture that you will not have any chance of influencing. At that point, consider what you need to do. Are the benefits of staying where you won’t be appreciated worth it? Can you self-motivate and continue, or is the situation at the point that you need to move on for the sake of your mental health, well-being and self-respect?

FastCompany.com | March 5, 2019

#CareerAdvice : #CareerTransition -‘You Have to Package Yourself Differently’; Company Veterans Explore New Horizons.

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

Executives often find it hard to jump ship after helping to steer the same workplace for years.

They can lack a sizable network of outside contacts. Their job interviewing skills are rusty. And they worry about fitting in at a new employer.

Despite such hurdles, many longtime business leaders with strong track records are making the leap amid today’s booming job market, recruiters and coaches say. Since early 2018, executives have changed employers following tenures exceeding 12 years at major U.S. companies such as Amazon.com Inc., CSX Corp. , Intel Corp. , General Electric Co. , Nike Inc. and Starbucks Corp.

“Companies want seasoned leaders with broad experience who know how to tackle new challenges,” said Jane Howze, a managing director at the Alexander Group, an executive-search firm. “If somebody has moved around within a company and gotten promoted repeatedly during 12-plus years, that’s now a plus.”

RELATED COVERAGE

About two-thirds of U.S. recruiters report their clients often or almost always are more willing to consider long-serving executives than a decade ago, according to a January survey of 53 recruiters conducted for The Wall Street Journal by the Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants.

Yet company veterans looking to change workplaces sometimes struggle to devise ways to tout their protracted stints. “Long-tenured executives tend to lack confidence about what they have to offer the outside world, and they may lose perspective over time even if they’ve been successful,” said Rose Fiorilli, an executive coach.

Scott Schneider is one of several such job hunters whom she recently counseled on the issue. Hired by Ruder Finn in 1999, he rose to chief digital officer of the big public-relations firm. He sought Ms. Fiorilli’s assistance in summer 2017 and let her know he wasn’t good at self-promotion.

“I wanted to go somewhere that was not a replica of where I had been,’’ Mr. Schneider recalled. “I was worried I had been there for too long.”

With Ms. Fiorilli’s guidance, Mr. Schneider began pitching himself as a creative change agent rather than a digital officer. He said he realized that his skills, such as building a team of more than 40 designers and creative strategists, mirrored accomplishments of other creative leaders in his industry.

Mr. Schneider switched employers last October. He now is chief creative officer of Praytell, a new type of PR agency that heavily emphasizes social media.

Other longtime executives go one step further to reposition themselves. “You have to package yourself differently so you’re not identified too strongly with your latest employer,” said Deirdre Latour, who spent 14 years at GE.

When Deirdre Latour resigned as GE’s chief communications officer in 2018, she hadn’t gone on a formal job interview in eight years. PHOTO: PEARSON PLC

When she resigned as GE’s chief communications officer in March 2018, Ms. Latour hadn’t gone on a formal job interview in eight years. Her professional network was so closely connected to GE that fresh opportunities resembled her last GE role, she said. But running communications for another global business “might be totally the wrong thing for me.’’

That’s why Ms. Latour did mock job interviews with her coach, Angie McArthur. “She helped me explain how I might translate the broad scope of my GE skills to a new culture,” the executive said.

Pearson PLC soon wooed Ms. Latour to be chief corporate affairs officer of the global education company, and she joined the firm in January. She said she got off to a strong start at Pearson, thanks to widely applicable skills that she learned at GE—including a focus on execution and concise thinking.

Some veteran business leaders promote their ability to fit in again before a skeptical employer raises the question. An executive with 25 years’ experience at a big insurer said he took this approach after his eight-month search failed to produce an attractive offer. He hopes to work for a startup backed by private-equity investors.

“You may have trepidations about whether I can adapt to a new culture,” the executive said he told a private-equity firm during his initial interview in January. “I know I will fit in because I have done the homework on your company and myself.”

He’s currently a serious contender for a senior management spot at a health care startup owned by that private-equity firm.

Fresh gigs don’t always work out for senior managers with longevity elsewhere, though. Tim Stone became chief financial officer of SnapInc., the parent company of messaging app Snapchat, in May 2018 after roughly two decades at Amazon. He quit Feb. 5.

Snap, which is struggling, didn’t disclose what triggered Mr. Stone’s surprise exit. He declined to comment.

Adapting to a new workplace can prove tough for highly tenured executives because they often remain deeply loyal to the prior employer. Consider Monique Bonner. Following 16 years at Dell Technologies Inc., “I was definitely somebody who bled Dell blue,” she said.

Ms. Bonner became chief marketing officer of Akamai TechnologiesInc. in 2016. The network security provider uses a similar shade of indigo for its corporate color, but when Ms. Bonner jokingly told new associates that she now bled Akamai blue, “no one knew what I was talking about.”

Akamai colleagues gave her equally quizzical looks when she cited Dell acronyms—such as calling employee-wide meetings “AHODs” rather than “All Hands,” which is Akamai’s nomenclature.

“It takes time and diligence to break 16-year-old communication habits,” Ms. Bonner said. Nevertheless, her new employer “has been incredibly supportive,” she added. “I’m nearing three years at Akamai and couldn’t be happier.”

Author: Write to Joann S. Lublin at joann.lublin@wsj.com

Appeared in the February 21, 2019, print edition as ‘Company Veterans Ponder the Lure of Something New.’

WSJ.com

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#CareerAdvice : #WomenPayGap -The Best Advice for Women Seeking a Better #Salary …Great Two(2) Min REad!

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

Are you receiving compensation that fully reflects your skills, education, experience and ability? If your earnings and your worth aren’t matching up, there are avenues for addressing the situation without damaging your career.

Here’s how to ensure you get the raise you deserve.

Crunching the Numbers

Although the Equal Pay Act was passed more than a half-century ago, women are still struggling to earn as much as men in the workplace. According to Glassdoor research, a U.S. woman is paid an average of 75.9 cents for every dollar a man receives. On top of potentially starting at a lower pay rate, taking time off to start a family, for a career sabbatical, to tend to an aging loved one or for other concerns is a more substantial setback to women than men, with the hiccup resulting in reduced wages for women and a lengthier career gap.

Moving Up or Moving On?

Sometimes, improving your situation hinges on changing employers. Whether you maxed out your growth in the current company, stumble onto a better opportunity or are simply ready for a change of scenery, moving on is sometimes the best course of action. In that case, you should review your career-oriented paperwork, especially your cover letter. Give it a refresher, bearing in mind it’s the ideal avenue for drawing attention to your accomplishments and abilities. You can use a cover letter template to create a stellar document. Think of it as a chance to tell potential employers all the things you wish they knew so you can land your dream job.

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

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Positive Image, Positive Impact

If your intention is to remain with your current employer, seek opportunities to impress people of influence. For instance, you can go out of your way to master more bells and whistles of the software your company uses. Another idea is to learn to use a free, online logo-making tool and use it to design a top-notch logo. As Entrepreneur explains, oftentimes companies spend big bucks on a well-designed logo, but by designing it yourself, you can help your company be a standout and boost your career at the same time. Along those same lines, look for ways to up the company’s social media engagement. Raising company image is key to staying strong, and your superiors are sure to be impressed. It’s a great way to put yourself and your employer in the limelight.

Enhance Your Education

When it comes to catching the eye of the powers that be, going above and beyond your employer’s expectations can make a big impact. With that in mind, adding to your education is sometimes just the shot in the arm your career needs. You might elect to take distance learning classes if you never completed your degree, or are ready to add a new level to your education. Another idea is to add a fresh certification to show you’re serious about climbing the ladder, or learn a more advanced skill that benefits your company directly.

Power of Persuasion

Perhaps you reached the conclusion that you’re underpaid in your work and are considering discussing the situation with the appropriate party. Whether you’re in the interview process or revisiting terms with your current employer, Forbespoints out that negotiating can be a challenge for women. Preparing can bolster your confidence as well as provide you with more bargaining power. Review your skillset, education and abilities, and be ready to talk not only about what you’re doing and your current pay rate, but also other responsibilities you are ready to embrace. Maybe there are duties someone less qualified could take over so you can reach your full potential to do more advanced work. Think outside the box, and be ready to point out where you are underutilized as well as underpaid or underrated.

Knowing your income doesn’t reflect your value is a tough challenge, but with a handful of smart strategies, you can get the raise you deserve. Evaluate whether it’s time for a change, and if so, make it happen. Draw attention to your assets in a sharp manner and the right doors will open.

GlassDoor.com | March 4, 2019 | Posted by Gloria Martinez

#CareerAdvice : #ResumeWriting – 5 Things that your #Resume Can’t Tell an Employer. Great Read!

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

When you’re hunting for that next big career move, your resume will play a big part in your success. But you can’t rely on it to do all of the heavy lifting in your job search. Sure, it’s your No. 1 personal marketing tool, but there are still many valuable traits that your resume can’t convey to an employer. A resume can’t demonstrate how good of a networker you are, or whether or not you’re good at cultivating relationships.

Here are five things that your resume can’t convey, and what you need to do to showcase those skills.

HOW MOTIVATED YOU ARE

Anybody can write, “I am super motivated” on their resume and cover letter. Lots of candidates do precisely that. But this statement alone doesn’t convince the recruiters and employers you are approaching. They’ve probably seen it on 20 resumes before they’ve even had their lunch.

When it comes to motivation, actions speak louder than words. If you fire off a resume with a generic cover letter and then fail to follow up with the recruiter, that doesn’t scream “motivated candidate.” However, if you take the time to craft a tailored cover letter that shows your passion for your work and the company you are applying to, you’ll appear a lot more genuine and enthusiastic.

And if you want to show how motivated you are, add the recruiter on LinkedIn or follow up after a few days. If you do it right, those gestures can make you stand out from the pack.

WHAT YOU’RE LIKE TO WORK WITH

Your resume can lay out the facts, detail your experience, and demonstrate your expertise, but it’s a difficult medium for reflecting your personality. Plenty of hiring managers would rather work with an easygoing team player who is happy to roll their sleeves up when the going gets tough than a stubborn, so-called expert who refuses to support their team and shies away from stepping outside their comfort zone.

If you can get face or phone time with recruiters or hiring managers, it’s much easier to get some of your personality across and allow them to build a positive picture of how you’ll behave in the workplace. And if you’re attempting to make a big jump upwards in your career, your attitude toward your work can distinguish you from candidates who may have a lot more experience than you.

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WHY YOU ARE LEAVING YOUR CURRENT/LAST ROLE

You have a limited amount of space on your resume, and you need to use it to sell yourself. But this means that you don’t get a chance to answer one of the biggest questions for recruiters, “Why are you leaving your current job?”

The answer to this question can change an employer’s opinion of you. For example, if they suspect you are leaving on bad terms or were forced out due to bad performance, you’re unlikely to get a response from your application.

You need to make it clear that you’re leaving for positive reasons, and because you’ve outgrown your previous position. You can do this in your cover letter by stating reasons why your current role is not giving you the progression you need (while being careful to speak about your current employer in a positive light).

Secondly, it will pay dividends to pick up the phone and talk with the recruiter to stress this point. Having a direct conversation will allow you to convey your passion for progression and convince them that you’re moving for the right reasons.

WHAT YOU’RE HOPING TO GET OUT OF A NEW ROLE

Your resume does a great job of representing your past and present, but it doesn’t reveal your ambitions for the future. Another burning question that recruiters will want to know is, “Why do you want to work here?”

And again, the answer could have a significant impact on the success of your applications. A candidate who shows genuine interest in a company and role will have a considerable advantage over somebody who seems to be applying just because they need a job. If you think about it from the employer’s point of view, would you rather employ people who genuinely admire your company, or people who wouldn’t care if you went bust tomorrow? It’s a no-brainer.

When you are applying for roles, you need to show recruiters that you’re genuinely interested in the companies you are applying to. So, firing off the same cover letter template to hundreds of vacancies isn’t going to get the best results. You need to research each company and role you’re applying to as much as you can and show recruiters that you’re interested in the company and passionate about the job you’re trying to land.

As a job seeker, you need to have a good resume. But you can’t rely on it alone to sell your talents. Don’t forget to complement it with written, spoken, and in-person communication, to get across some of your less-tangible attributes.

Author: Andrew Fennell is an experienced recruiter and founder of London-based CV advice website StandOut CV and author of How to Write a CV.

FastCompany.com | March 1, 2019

#CareerAdvice : #JobInterview -#Recruiter -Approved Answers to “Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?” … Great Read!

February 27, 2019/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

When I was job hunting and in the process of interviewing, one of the scariest questions I came across was this one — “So, Caroline, where do you see yourself in five years?”

At the time, I was a month out of graduation. I barely had an inkling of an idea what I wanted to do in six months, never mind five years.

I struggled to find the line between honesty, genuine confusion and fantasy.

I wondered if I should say, “I hope to be at your company, perhaps leading the marketing team!” to suggest my steadfast loyalty to the company for which I was interviewing.

Alternatively, perhaps I should let them know my biggest fantasy: “In five years, I hope to be traveling and writing a book.”

Sometimes, I simply settled for the truth: “In five years … huh. I have no idea.”

However, none of these responses are answers you’ll want to copy for yourself. Here, we’re going to explore what interviewers actually want to know when they ask you that question, and how you can answer it to demonstrate your value as a candidate.

Why Interviewers Want to Know “Where You See Yourself in Five Years”

When an interviewer asks you, “Where do you see yourself in five years?”, they want to know one thing: whether your goals align well with the potential career path of the role for which you’re applying.

Ultimately, they want to hire a candidate who they can hire and train for the long-haul. They’re asking this question to gauge whether you’ll likely want to stay with the company for a long time, and whether the company can fulfill some of your long-term needs.

You might be thinking — “Okay, but so what if I quit after a year or two? I still put in my hard work during that time.”

Unfortunately, it’s more expensive to replace an employee, and bring a new hire up-to-speed, than you might think. In fact, the average company loses anywhere between 1% and 2.5% of their total revenue on the time and effort it takes to train a new hire.

Additionally, companies don’t want high turnover rates, which can decrease team morale and productivity.

For instance, let’s say you’re applying for a customer service position but tell the interviewer, “In a few years, I’d like to get more involved in SEO and marketing analytics.”

This can be a great answer, if the company has a department for that.

But if the company outsources their SEO tasks, then the recruiter just learned you’ll likely become frustrated by the lack of opportunities internally, and leave the company within the next few years.

Of course, if this is the case, they’ll choose to hire a candidate whose long-term growth plan aligns well with the opportunities their company can offer.

Now that we’ve clarified that, let’s take a look at how you should answer, “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

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How to Answer, “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

To ensure accuracy, I spoke with internal HubSpot recruiters to find out what type of answer they deem most appropriate for this question.

Holly Peterson, a Senior Recruiter at HubSpot, told me, “A good answer to this question is an honest one. If you don’t know where you see yourself in five years, that’s okay, but you should have something prepared, to at least share your thoughts surrounding the question.”

Peterson further noted, “Responding ‘I have no idea’, isn’t ideal, but saying something like ‘I’m not sure the exact role I want to be in, but I want to continue on a growth trajectory in X field — whether that develops into a people management role, or functional expert, it’s hard to say at this point in time. Overall, I want to make sure no matter what position I’m in, I’m constantly seeking growth opportunities in and outside my role.’ That way, whether you have a concrete goal or not, you set yourself up as someone who has a growth mindset, i.e. you’re a continual learner. All employers want to hire this type of person.”

HubSpot Recruiter Rich Lapham also advises candidates to avoid making a statement if they can’t back it up. He told me, “Whatever your answer, think through the follow-up question, ‘Why?’. When candidates can’t articulate their why, it often feels as though they aren’t presenting their authentic self, and to me, that’s a red flag. For instance, if I ask a candidate and they respond with ‘I want to be a manager’ and I ask ‘Why?’, you can usually tell the difference between people who are really interested in management versus people who say it because they think it is the right thing to say.”

Additionally, Olivia Chin, a Technology Recruiter at HubSpot, said, “I like to hear tangible, measurable answers that show candidates have done their research and also have personal drive, i.e. ‘I noticed a lot of Tech Leads at HubSpot started as Software Engineers. I am interested in people management and it’d be great to develop those skills on the job.’”

Chin, who recruits for both entry-level and senior positions, also mentioned, “I always appreciate honesty. If a candidate doesn’t have a set plan or timeline, a good answer might be, ‘As a junior-level candidate, I want to learn as much as I can, and in a year or two I’ll have a better idea of what I want next’.”

Finally, Glory Montes, a HubSpot Associate Campus Recruiter, told me, “Before answering this question, think about the size and culture of the company you’re interviewing for. Are they a fast-paced startup? If so, make sure your answer aims high! If they are slower-paced, make sure you are staying realistic about what kind of progress you can make in that organization. Also, the focus doesn’t always have to be on job titles. You can also focus on hard or soft skills you want to develop, relationships you want to make or even personal goals to give the recruiter a better idea of your priorities.”

Sample Answers to “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

1. “As a social media manager, I’d like to focus short-term on developing my skill set to become incredibly proficient on the job. Then, in five years’ time, I’d like to have become adept at design and know how to use programs like Photoshop — ideally, I’d take online or evening courses to help with this. I have an interest in video marketing, and I think there’s a compelling alignment between social media and video, and it could be interesting to figure out how to intersect those passions long-term to help grow your social media audience.”

2. “In five years, I’d like to have completed your leadership training course. I read about it on your website and think it’s a phenomenal program. Once I’ve completed that course, I’d like to develop my skill set to eventually become a project manager for my team.”

3. “My goal is to find a company where I can grow my career and develop new professional skills. In five years, I imagine I’d like to be in a leadership position — additionally, I’m interested in learning more about the content strategy side of the business. However, I find it most important to find a company that encourages continuous learning, as yours does.”

4. “Right now I’d like to continue to develop my writing skills, which is why I’m excited about the opportunity to be a blogger at your company. In five years, I would be delighted to see this role turn into a bit more of an editorial position, where I also help edit other writers’ work, and offer ideas for the editorial strategy of the team.”

5. “In five years I’d like to have developed a deep expertise of video strategy and how to use video to promote brands, which is why I’m excited about this position. I know my role will require me to become a master at video, which aligns well with my long-term goals. Additionally, in a few years, I could see myself enjoying the project management aspect of video strategy, as well.”

GlassDoor.com | February 27, 2019 | Posted by Caroline Forsey, HubSpot

Your profile headline is incorrect or missing entirely

You don’t have a profile photo

You haven’t written a summary

You never customized your LinkedIn URL

You have no idea what your privacy settings are

SEE ALSO: 9 mistakes you’re making on LinkedIn that are putting off recruiters and making it harder to find a job

You haven’t alerted recruiters that you’re open to new roles

You’re not using hashtags in your posts

You aren’t taking advantage of LinkedIn groups

You’re cold-contacting people for jobs

1. Focusing on What You Lack

2. Not Knowing What You Want

3. Lack of Information

4. Money Worries

5. Unhealed Trauma

6. Lack of Role Models

7. Analysis Paralysis

8. You Think the Past Is a Preview of What’s to Come

9. Trying to fit in

10. Don’t Make It All About Yourself

1) LIMIT YOUR WORK HISTORY TO 15 YEARS

2) KEEP YOUR RESUME TO 2 OR 3 PAGES

3) DON’T DATE YOUR EDUCATION OR AWARDS

WHAT OLDER WORKERS SHOULD FOCUS ON

Is Your Resume Getting Seen?

Beating the System

1. “What brings you here?”

2. “How did you get involved in the industry/company?”

3. “Since you work in the industry, how do you feel about X?”

4. “How would someone get their foot in the door in your company/industry?”

5. “Based on your journey, what do you wish someone would have told you earlier in your career?”

6. “How do you spend your time outside of work?”

7. “What’s the best way for me to get in touch/follow up with you?”

CHECK OUT YOUR PERCEPTIONS

HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH YOUR BOSS

MAKE A POINT OF RECOGNIZING OTHERS’ CONTRIBUTIONS

LOOK FOR WHAT WENT WELL

CONSIDER THE ALTERNATIVES

RELATED COVERAGE

Crunching the Numbers

Moving Up or Moving On?

Positive Image, Positive Impact

Enhance Your Education

Power of Persuasion

HOW MOTIVATED YOU ARE

WHAT YOU’RE LIKE TO WORK WITH

WHY YOU ARE LEAVING YOUR CURRENT/LAST ROLE

WHAT YOU’RE HOPING TO GET OUT OF A NEW ROLE

Why Interviewers Want to Know “Where You See Yourself in Five Years”

How to Answer, “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

Sample Answers to “Where do you see yourself in five years?”