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Your #Career : What Recent College Grads Don’t Know About Getting Their First ‘Real’ Job … What Many New Graduates Don’t Fully Realize is the Amount of Competition Out There that They’re up Against. While Employers are Hungry for Talent, They have a Healthy Pool to Choose From. And Many of Those Candidates Already have Experience.

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As a career coach and a mom with college-aged children readying themselves for the workforce, I hear from a lot of parents and recent grads with questions about how to best prepare for the “real world.” They want to know exactly what young adults can do today to position themselves powerfully to hit the ground running and land their first bona fide professional role right out of school.

I have my own thoughts about that, but I wanted to check in with a career expert who works extensively with recent college grads and who’s in the trenches helping young adults do what’s required to get hired quickly. I was excited to catch up this week with Ryan Kahn, a nationally-recognized career expert and star of MTV’s docu-series, Hired as well as creator of the video course How To Get Hired and founder of The Hired Group.

Here’s what Ryan shared.

Ryan Kahn (Photo Courtesy of The Hired Group)

Ryan Kahn (Photo Courtesy of The Hired Group)

Kathy Caprino: Ryan, what’s the first thing you think new grads should know about landing their first real job?

Ryan Kahn: What many new graduates don’t fully realize is the amount of competition out there that they’re up against. While employers are hungry for talent, they have a healthy pool to choose from. And many of those candidates already have experience. Many new grads have been led to believe there’s an ocean of great jobs just waiting to hire them and give them a signing bonus, but the reality is that, while new grads have a lot to offer, they’ll have to work extra hard to catch the attention of hiring managers.

Caprino: What’s the biggest mistake you see new grads making as they prepare to get their first job?

Kahn: Most often I see graduates missing the boat when it comes to planning ahead. And that’s understandable. Students are focused on classes and graduating. A lot of times preparing for the job market just doesn’t fit into their schedule. But there’s a lot students can do before they graduate to better position themselves when it’s time to start job hunting.

Get internships—as early and as often as you can.

Getting experience before you graduate is one of the biggest advantages you can create for yourself. Will it be a challenge to fit into your already packed academic schedule? Sure. Will it be worth it when you’re asked to list your qualifications and experience on a job application? Absolutely.

 

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Always be networking.

Not many people love networking, but it’s one of the most important secret weapons in your job search armory. Join clubs, attend meetups and conferences, and talk to your fellow students and faculty. Develop relationships with people that share your interests and you can learn from.

Start a portfolio.

Even if you don’t have tons of “real world” experience when you graduate, I’m willing to bet you have lots of great examples of college projects you can share.

Caprino: What are new grads missing when it comes to the interview process?

Kahn: Landing an interview is super exciting, especially if it’s for your first job. A lot of recent grads overlook some important rules of interviewing that could knock them out of the running. Here’s what they should keep in mind:

Be persistent, but not a pest.

One of the hardest things about interviewing is waiting for an update from the employer. There’s a fine line between following up and driving a hiring manager crazy with requests for updates. Establish a timeline for when you’ll be following up, and stick to it. For example, before you leave the interview, don’t be afraid to ask when you should expect to hear something. Also offer to reach out yourself in a week in the event you don’t hear anything.

Remember that you’re interviewing the employer, too.

A lot of folks new to the job market don’t realize that they’re not the only ones being interviewed. Finding the right fit is an important factor in succeeding at your first (of any future) jobs, so it’s important that candidates be prepared with a few insightful questions they plan to ask in an interview.

Study the culture.

Culture is increasingly becoming an important differentiator when it comes to attracting talent. And that means companies are really looking for candidates that fit into their existing culture. Do your research on a company before interviewing. Dig deep into the company’s hiring pages, read interviews with executives and scour social media for existing employees. Your goal is to get a sense for what the company values when it comes to culture, and make sure you’re aligned with that mission before you show up to interview.

Caprino: Any final words of advice new grads probably haven’t heard before?

Kahn: I think the biggest point most new grads miss is to remember that landing a new gig isn’t just about them—it’s about your potential employer, your mentors, and your network. Here’s what to know:

Celebrate failure.

When you’re looking for a job, it’s tempting to focus on your successes and shy away from failure. But the reality is that everyone who can help you along the way will be able to offer better advice if they know where you need the most guidance. Failure is a part of growing into your career, so embrace it and be open about it with your network.

Make yourself useful.

Your network will be filled with busy people. Take some time to figure out howyou can help them, and offer up your services. For example, if your mentor runs a blog, offer to write a few posts for them. Or it could even be as simple as forwarding along interesting articles you think people in your network might find helpful.

Don’t be so confident.

While a little confidence is always a good thing, too much of it can rub people the wrong way — especially those in positions to help you. Stay humble and let the folks in your network show you what they know. By giving them the opportunity to show off their skills, you’ll prove that you’re ready and willing to learn.

* *  * * * * *

My favorite tip here from Ryan is “celebrate failure.” Truly relish it. After 30 years in business, I’ve found that it’s our failures, missteps and detours that provide the most vital lessons and shape our understanding of who we really are and where we want to go. The sooner we realize that “failures” are a healthy, useful (in fact, essential) part of building a great and rewarding career (and stop beating ourselves up about them), the sooner we can get moving doing the important work of attracting and creating the most rewarding roles, projects and relationships that will support our highest goals.

For more information, visit The Hired Group.

To build a rewarding career, join my free webinar series The Quickest Path To Your Happiest Career.

 

Forbes.com |  March 24, 2016 | Kathy Caprino

Your #Career : Looking for a Better Job? 6 Expert Job-Hunting Techniques…If you’re Sick of your Job, you’re Not Alone. A Full Quarter of America’s Workforce is Fed Up, & Either Actively Searching for Another Job, Or is at Least Giving it Some Serious Thought.

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This says a lot about the current state of the American workplace – and a lot about how Americans view the economy. On one hand, it’s a drag that so many people are unhappy. On the other, it’s a good sign that people are confident enough to test the waters of the job market.

Free- Man at Desktop at Night

The age-old question, of course, is how to mount an effective strategy to find a new, better, more satisfying job.

Job-search and career guidance site CareerCast has just issued a report to help everyone out. We all know that we should be taking certain measures to increase our chances of securing an interview – tailoring our resumes and cover letters, for example – but there are numerous other small, worthwhile steps to take to give yourself an edge over the competition. Employers are looking for quality candidates, and though you may know or think that you’re the ideal applicant, you need to sell yourself; that is, find a way to make that known to potential employers.

“Even with a low unemployment rate, applicants will always face some kind of job market competition, particularly for the most desirable positions,” CareerCast’s report says.” To help you get a leg up, CareerCast.com spoke with job-market experts in different capacities for the most up-to-date job hunting advice and guidance for 2016.”

With input from a number of recruiting and hiring experts, CareerCast’s report outlines six bulletproof strategies you can employ in your job search to help get results. Working in concert with your established tactics, these should help you get a leg up on the competition.

Here are CareerCast’s suggestions.

1. Get creative

Your resume is your primary tool in your job search, and it should be constantly evolving and changing to make sure that it is up to date, memorable, and hard to ignore. CareerCast suggests trying to put together a graphical resume, which commands attention, and looks incredibly slick.

“If you are in a visual or presentation focus field it’s nice to present something a little more than Times New Roman,” Blue Fountain Media hiring manager Tom Duffy told CareerCast.

 

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2. Get out of your comfort zone

You’ll have to slog through the proverbial mud a bit, if you’re hoping to break new ground in your career. The fact is, most people aren’t willing to get out of their comfort zone, and those that do are able to open up new paths and doors that weren’t there before. If you truly want to see change, you’ll need to take bold steps – which includes vanquishing fears and self-doubt.

Get off the beaten path, and think of different approaches to old problems. That means getting a little dirty, sometimes.

3. Become a Networking Warrior

You’ve heard it before: it’s not what you know, it’s who you know. Though you may have been apprehensive or shy about networking, you need to start getting out there. That may mean giving your LinkedIn profile some serious work, or transforming yourself into a permanent fixture at local networking events. The fact is, employers hire based off of employee recommendations. You need to be one of those recommendations.

“If anybody who works at Blue Fountain Media refers someone, I’m going to call them,” Duffy told CareerCast. “[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”][A referrer is] 1. Going to know if [a referral] might have the skills we’re looking for, and 2. We communicate as a sign of respect to current employees.”

4. Know your value

Knowing what you’re worth can be tricky, but with tools like PayScale, Glassdoor, and information from the government about your industry, it’s easier than ever. Just sit down and do some research – figure out what skills you have, and what they are potentially worth to a company in your industry. Recruiters know what you’re worth. So go in to a negotiation with realistic expectations.

5. Do your homework

Again – do some research ahead of time. That not only includes salary expectations, but digging into the details of the company that you’re applying to, the industry it’s in, and perhaps even the individuals you’ll be meeting if granted an interview. When preparing for the interview, make sure you have a plan to demonstrate how and why you’re the perfect fit, and discuss your skill set as it relates to what the company is looking for.

Be versatile, quick, and confident.

6. Be respectful

Above all, you need to have a good attitude when putting yourself on the job market. That doesn’t mean simply smiling and going through the motions, but also highlighting the positives from the job you’re leaving, and any other work experience – even though it may not have all been rosy. Employers don’t need to think that you’re going to quit after a year, and go trash them on the Internet and to others in the industry. Be respectful, and communicate that you’re the type of person they’ll want on staff.

Follow Sam on Facebook and Twitter @SliceOfGinger

 

CheatSheet.com | March 23, 2016 | Sam Becker

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Your #Career : How To Wow A Job Interviewer When Changing Careers…The Trick is to Convince an Employer that your “Old” Skills/Experiences Can be Just as or even More Valuable in a New Industry or Role.

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According to a new AARP survey, four out of 10 experienced workers will be looking for a job this year, and of those, a quarter are considering a complete career change. If you’re one of those eager to change careers in 2016, what can you do to improve your odds of success?

Free- Budding Vine

The trick is to convince an employer that your “old” skills and experiences can be just as — or even more — valuable in a new industry or role. Or, as my colleague Kathryn Sollmann, founder of the career advisory firm 9 Lives for Women (and an expert on women’s career change issues), puts it: “You can change industries when you connect the dots.”

The Connect the Dots Approach
I find Sollmann’s “connect the dots” approach spot-on (pardon the pun).

Once you thoroughly research your desired field, learn its lingo and identify commonalities between your previous experiences and your target employer’s needs, you’ll know which accomplishments and experiences to highlight during the interview process and on your resumé. In turn, you’ll be more likely to convince prospective hiring managers that your skills really do transfer well.

“The fact is that it’s easier for employers to settle into default mode and hire cookie-cutter candidates who all have the same background and experience. The trick is to remind employers that quick studies can learn the language of a new industry. Then through research and networking, prove you know the very specific ways your skills can be transferred to get the job done.”

In her instructive blog post detailing this “connect the dots” method, Sollmann shared the steps she took early in her career to progress from being a newly minted college grad with an English degree (aka Unemployment 101) to a job editing and writing training programs for a Big 8 accounting firm to tripling her salary in a job as a conference organizer for an investment publication.

 

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To summarize, Sollmann successfully made the leap between industries by doing two key things:

She thoroughly researched the specific needs of employers in her target industry.

She carefully reframed her experience in a way that proved to employers that her skills and experiences were relevant to their industry.

In other words, she made it really easy for employers to understand why they needed her.Continued from page 1

“I didn’t just say that I had the research, writing and event planning skills to do the job. I connected the dots, showing that the way I applied skills to responsibilities X, Y and Z for the training job would be applied the same way to do A, B and C in the conference-planning job,” writes Sollmann.

How to Research and Network Well

Research and networking are especially critical before you enter a job interview to change careers; they’ll help you know what to say to convince the interviewer that your seemingly inappropriate background is actually a great fit.

So I asked Sollmann how to dig up what you need to persuade an employer in another field to hire you. Here’s her advice:

Identify through LinkedIn, school alumni networks, and elsewhere a few people who work in the field you want to switch into. Then, ask for a 15-minute phone appointment with each to help you understand how you can prove that your skills are transferable.

 Before you meet for this informational interview, distill your expertise into three or four major skill areas. Then, during your talk, bring up a major project or initiative you worked on that exemplified these skills and ask about parallels to the initiatives where these contacts work.

Some questions you might want to ask during your phone calls:

  • How is your type of expertise used where they work?
  • Did most of the employees “grow up” at this employer?
  • Does the firm or nonprofit value having employees with varying professional backgrounds and perspectives?
  • Can you connect me with someone who was hired from an entirely different industry so I can find out how they adapted?

Cutting Through the Cookie Cutter Mentality

If this sounds like a lot of work, well, it is. But this informational-interview research will increase your likelihood of finding appropriate job opportunities and help you make your strongest case to hiring managers.

As Sollmann concludes in her post: “The fact is that it’s easier for employers to settle into default mode and hire cookie-cutter candidates who all have the same background and experience. The trick is to remind employers that quick studies can learn the language of a new industry. Then through research and networking, prove you know the very specific ways your skills can be transferred to get the job done.”

Good luck with your career switch in 2016!

 

Forbes.com |  January 25, 2016 | Nancy Collamer, CONTRIBUTOR

 

Your #Career : This One Skill Can Get Your #Résumé to the Top of the Pile… #Networking is One of the Most Valuable Skills that an Individual can Have these Days, in Terms of Getting Where you Want to Go, Be it a Selective School, or Landing a Competitive Job.

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If you’re looking for a job, or simply re-evaluating your current career trajectory, having a coherent and clear strategy is essential. That can include a number of things — getting the perfect résumé put together, knowing the right people, and even having at least some grasp as to what industries are growing or shrinking, or what cities and states are seeing the most economic growth.

Free- Door to Building

But more than anything, you’ll want to have a solid set of skills and competencies that will win over hiring managers, and show businesses that you can and will be an asset to their growth and long-term strategy. 

Your résumé should include all of the traditional core competencies that businesses are looking for, including punctuality, solid industry experience, and maybe even a college degree. It’s all going to depend on what you’re looking for, of course, but there’s some new insight that is giving job-seekers — that may mean you — a bit of insider information that may put you in the upper echelon of applicants.

Businesses want employees with social skills.

This is the conclusion of a slew of new research into labor economics. The New York Times’ Upshot recently did a story covering the phenomenon, which included diving into a new study from David Deming, associate professor of education and economics at Harvard University. Deming’s paper, The Growing Importance of Social Skills in the Labor Market, says that social skills and an ability to bring a “human touch” to the workplace is becoming more important as automation and technology render many positions obsolete.

 

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“While computers perform cognitive tasks of rapidly increasing complexity, simple human interaction has proven difficult to automate,” his paper reads. “Since 1980, jobs with high social skill requirements have experienced greater relative growth throughout the wage distribution. Moreover, employment and wage growth has been strongest in jobs that require high levels of both cognitive skill and social skill.”

Networking is one of the most valuable skills that an individual can have these days, in terms of getting where you want to go, be it a selective school, or landing a competitive job.

It’s an interesting development and hypothesis, and the data seems to support Deming’s findings.

As we know, automation is rapidly encroaching on many industries. Over the next few decades, the economy is going to be going through some drastic changes as a good deal of the labor needed across many industries is taken out of human hands, and put into the hands of robots and artificial intelligences. It’s happening at fast food restaurants, and it’s happening in the finance industry. There’s really no stopping it.

That’s what makes social skills so important. We’re going to need people — actual flesh, blood, and the ability to empathize and understand — to work in concert with the metal and circuits doing the heavy lifting. So, all that time you spent screwing around with your buddies instead of paying attention during math class? You may have been polishing the skills that will actually find you work in a rapidly changing economy.

Think about it — one of the most foolproof ways to actually get a job is to have a connection through some sort of social networking. In fact, networking is one of the most valuable skills that an individual can have these days, in terms of getting where you want to go, be it a selective school, or landing a competitive job.

And those networking and social skills are the ones we have learned from an early age. As The New York Times puts it, “what you learned at preschool.”

So, if you were more apt to screw around during your formative years, rather than be a serious student, this might be some good news. Albeit it was hard to see this coming, but still, it’s a silver lining. The bad news is that you’ll still have to couple those social skills with some sort of training or education. The jobs that are disappearing are the ones that require little training or skill, or that can be easily automated. You may be a chatterbox at your jobat the local Taco Bell drive-thru, but that doesn’t mean your position isn’t going to be automated in the near future.

For job seekers — which all of us either are, or will be at some point in the future — don’t forget to take stock of your social skills as an asset. What if you’re not a social person? Make it a point to work on those skills, as they may be more valuable in the future than anyone would’ve imagined a decade or two ago.

Follow Sam on Twitter @SliceOfGinger

 

CheatSheet.com | December 22, 2015 | Sam Becker