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#ResumeWriting : 5 Good Work Skills To Include In Your Resume In 2024. Question: Do You Have ALL These Skills on Your Resume?

Skills-based hiring is leading the way as one of the newest talent acquisition trends for 2024. For years, employers and job-seekers alike have been discussing ways in which the candidate experience can be improved, and the talent pool diversified, through focusing on skills rather than the bias traditionally associated with job and educational history.

Now at last, that vision is finally becoming a reality, thanks to the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence within the workforce and particularly generative AI tools assisting the recruitment process. Speaking to the Society for Human Resource Management, Frederick Scott, vice president of talent strategy and inclusion said:

“In 2024, the technology is finally starting to catch up, and generative AI will unlock companies’ abilities for skills-based hiring, especially for early-in-career talent.”

What does this mean to you as a prospective candidate?

If you are on the hunt for a new role, either to expand your career to the next level, or simply for a fresh change due to needing a different work environment, you need to ensure now more than ever before, that you showcase your most important skills at key points throughout your resume. Employers are paying close attention to your skills, so finding creative ways to display them is where the majority of your effort should be concentrated.

But what are the core skills employers need you to include in your resume? According to research and reports from the World Economic Forum, FlexJobs, and LinkedInLNKD 0.0%, here are a few:

1. Communication

Employers need hires who have solid all-round communication skills. This includes communication at the interpersonal level, as well as other aspects such as presentation skills, being professional in your manner and representing the values of the company when composing emails, or when engaged in other forms of correspondence.

This skill is so critical that LinkedIn reported communication skills as being the number one skill for 2024. It was the common denominator in job adverts and the profiles of those who had been headhunted on LinkedIn over the past year, as per LinkedIn research.

 

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What Skill Sets Do You Have to be ‘Sharpened‘?

 

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, Llc (FSC) is celebrating over 32 years in delivering corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!   Visit us @ www.firstsun.com  OR Ask for a Quote for Services at  info@firstsun.com

We here at FSC want to thank each of our corporate partners for the opportunity to serve & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment!

 

Article continued …

2. Teamwork

Employers are looking for evidence of how well you’ll fit in with their company culture. Depending on the role, some jobs may require you to have stronger teamwork skills than others, so it’s very important that you make this clear throughout your resume. And at the end of the day, you will need to engage and collaborate with co-workers at some point, so how well you can succeed within a team setting is critical to your career success.

3. Leadership

Leadership skills is one of the core skill sets that you need to prove to employers, whether or not your plan on taking on a leadership-oriented role. This is because more and more employers are becoming aware that employees possessing leadership qualities are needed for organizations to successfully get ahead and remain star players in the competition.

Having leadership skills means taking responsibility for your actions, owning your mistakes, taking initiative, and jumping in where needed to tackle problems.

4. Problem-Solving

Can you demonstrate evidence of where you’ve put your creativity to work and developed a solution? What were its tangible results within your role, team, project, or department? The ultimate reason why a new employer would hire you is because you are the solution to their problem. If you can show that you think outside of the box and are innovative and unafraid of exploring untapped areas, you’re a star candidate.

5. Self-Motivation

How quickly do you quit? Do you have what it takes to face a challenge head-on and keep pushing forward? Employers are looking for candidates like you, who can demonstrate determination in the face of obstacles, and have the drive and will to succeed, because this leads to higher output and performance.

How To Include Skills In Your Resume

Now that you know what skills are needed, where do you place them, and how do you incorporate these skills?

Here are a couple examples of areas within your resume that are most likely to benefit from adding these skills:

First, always include a skills highlights section near the top of your resume, and use this to list your core competencies, relevant to the job role, in bullet points. Try to ensure that you include the above skills, as well as those that are mentioned in the person specification of the job advert.

Another good way to include these skills in your resume is to show them in practice, and include them naturally in sections such as your professional profile or your work experience section. When approaching each section, ask yourself, how can I highlight that I possess XYZ skill in this particular role?

For example, you might decide to include a bullet point in your work experience section, that speaks to how you demonstrated problem-solving ability, by saying: “Formulated strategies which increased overall performance, leading to the team exceeding target by 140% in my first month and over 200% in the second month.”

Using numbers as above helps to quantify your skills and strengthen the impression that you are confident with them and can provide value to your new employer.

As employers adapt to the needs of the current job climate and begin preparing their systems, policies, and technology for skills-based hiring, what are you doing? How will you prepare yourself—and your resume—for the skills trend?

 

Forbes.com | May 17, 2024 |

#JobSearch : Avoid These 5 Common Resume Pitfalls. Hadn’t had an Job Interview in a While? Chances are it’ your Resume. MUst REad!

If you’ve been on the job hunt for a while now and you’ve barely received a reply, let alone an interview, the likelihood is your resume is letting you down.  Sure, you could be the most experienced and accomplished professional in your field, but if you’re making basic resume mistakes, your application will still be ignored.

The good news is that if you’re aware of the common mistakes that too many professionals are making, you can tackle these issues head-on.  So, here are five of the most common resume pitfalls you need to avoid.

Not Writing An Engaging Summary

One of the biggest resume mistakes you can make is not writing an engaging and persuasive summary.

This is your chance to introduce yourself to hiring managers and this section appears right at the top of your resume. So if you get this wrong, you’re going to lose their attention instantly.

You should avoid long, wordy summaries that are full of vague pufferies like “talented marketing professional looking for next exciting career opportunity.”

Instead, you need to keep it short and sweet, using specific keywords and giving examples of your most impressive achievements.

Remember, the recruiter will skim through this section, so you need to make it as easy as possible for them to pick out those important details.

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What Skill Sets Do You Have to be ‘Sharpened‘?

 

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, Llc (FSC) is celebrating over 32 years in delivering corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!   Visit us @ www.firstsun.com  OR Ask for a Quote for Services at  info@firstsun.com

We here at FSC want to thank each of our corporate partners for the opportunity to serve & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment!

 

Article continued …

Creating (And Submitting) A Generic Resume

The sole purpose of your resume is to prove to the employer that you can do their specific role and that you are genuinely interested in working for their company.

If you submit a generic resume, no matter how impressive you think it may be, you’re not going to give them the information they need. So, in a matter of seconds, they’ll put your application aside.

Although it might feel like a lot of work when you’re applying for multiple roles, you need to make sure that you do your research to determine exactly what the employer is looking for.

You can use the job description to highlight the relevant keywords and skills they require.

You can then make these keywords and requirements more prominent on your resume.

This will help hiring managers as they scan through your application, to easily determine if you’re a good fit for the role.

Not Showing How You’ve Made An Impact

One of the simplest but most damaging mistakes you can make is not showing your impact, particularly in your work experience section.

It’s not enough to just list your daily responsibilities. Employers want to know how your efforts contributed to the business and made a real impact on the team and bottom line.

The best way to do this is to use powerful action verbs, as well as facts and figures, to showcase your skills, biggest achievements, and how you made a real difference.

Essentially, you need to prove to the employer why having you on their team will benefit the business.

Lying Or Making Bold Claims

While it’s important to show that you’ve made an impact and use facts and figures to impress the recruiter, one of the biggest mistakes you can make is to lie or exaggerate.

It can be tempting to embellish the truth in order to stand out from other candidates, but wild and unproven claims will actually backfire. For example, referring to yourself as “the best car salesperson in the U.S.”

This type of claim is usually impossible to prove and can come across as arrogant and even a little embarrassing.

Similarly, you don’t want to get caught out in a lie. This will make you look untrustworthy and although you might hope to get away with it, if the employer doesn’t work it out whilst reading your application, they certainly will when they interview you.

Spelling And Grammatical Errors

Last but not least, spelling and grammatical errors can stop your application dead. They look unprofessional, and frankly, a bit lazy.

It’s so important to read and reread your application before you submit it and if you’re still worried about your spelling or grammar, have someone else look over it for you.

You can also make use of free online spell checkers just to make sure that your application is free from basic errors and spelling mistakes.

After all, attention to detail is an important skill, and spelling and grammatical errors don’t look good. So always make sure to double, even triple-check your resume before you submit your application.

This might seem like such a small, innocent mistake, but it can cause the employer to immediately reject your application; as can generic, boring, or exaggerated resumes.

So make sure to avoid these five common resume pitfalls and ensure that you always take your time to tailor and perfect every job application you submit.

That’s the key to job-hunting success.

Forbes.com | March 11, 2024 |

#JobSearch : Your Résumé Might Be Getting Tossed by AI. How to Push Back. A MUst REad!

Jennifer Maravegias has been applying for dozens of jobs, so she is ready for questions about work experience and salary expectations. A recent question on an online application stumped her, though.

“Check this box if you want to make sure this isn’t scanned by a machine,” the laid-off project manager says she was prompted before submitting her application.

More job seekers in New York City can now request to opt out of letting artificial intelligence vet their résumés and job applications, thanks to a new law governing AI and hiring in the city. Some companies are extending the choice to non-New York applicants, too. But is skipping AI scrutiny a good idea?

Most major employers use some sort of automation to vet job applications, since companies often receive too many résumés coming in to manually review every one. Though efficient, algorithms can exclude qualified candidates or embed unintentional bias in hiring decisions.

New York’s law—the first of its kind in the nation—aims to bring transparency to the role of software in the job-application process. For any job based in New York, employers must disclose when AI is used to “substantially assist” in hiring and offer job applicants the chance to pass on such vettings in those cases.

But letting prospective workers forgo AI résumé reviews doesn’t ensure a human will review those applications instead, employment lawyers and researchers say.

Like Maravegias, many job seekers are unclear what the trade-offs of opting out are, and some are surprised that machines are reading their résumés at all. Months into her job search, Maravegias hadn’t gotten many bites and wondered whether opaque algorithms were hurting her chances. So she opted out, only to get zero response once again.

“I was still unemployed,” she says.

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What Skill Sets Do You Have to be ‘Sharpened‘?

 

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, Llc (FSC) is celebrating over 32 years in delivering corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!   Visit us @ www.firstsun.com  OR Ask for a Quote for Services at  info@firstsun.com

We here at FSC want to thank each of our corporate partners for the opportunity to serve & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment!

Continue of article ……

 

Anxiety over AI

Job seekers remain skeptical of AI’s role in the recruitment process. Two-thirds of U.S. adults said they wouldn’t want to apply for a job with an employer that used AI to help make hiring decisions, according to a 2023 Pew survey on AI in the workplace. The view was even more pronounced among women.

Jeff Sepeta, an IT manager in Chicago, works as a contractor who’s often moved from job to job in quick succession. Companies call him in to troubleshoot problems and move on, he says. But he fears that machines reviewing his résumé will judge him negatively if they misinterpret his short tenures, particularly when applying for noncontractor roles.

At least when I’m dealing with a human I can explain,” he says.

Among Americans surveyed by Pew a year ago, more than 70% opposed allowing AI to make a final hiring decision, while another 41% opposed using AI to review job applications.

New York’s new rule, Local Law 144, requires employers using software to assist with hiring and promotion decisions—from chatbots that conduct interviews to résumé scanners that look for certain keywords—to regularly audit the tools for potential race and gender bias. Employers will also have to publish the results of those audits online.

The risk of not getting seen

Some employers argue that the New York law doesn’t apply to them because AI isn’t replacing the final human decision makers, said Emily Lamm, an attorney at Gibson Dunn. A Cornell University study of nearly 400 employers earlier this year was only able to identify 18 employers that had posted their audit results online, and even fewer that had posted notices informing job seekers about which automated hiring tools were being used and how to opt out.

For years, hiring software has helped employers winnow down what can be hundreds or thousands of applications to a smaller number of candidates who seem, at least on paper, best-suited to the role. Millions of qualified workers get screened out every year by automated tools that reject people for reasons like résumé gaps or failing to use the right combination of keywords, according to a 2021 Harvard study.

Yet opting out of AI vetting can hurt your chances of getting hired, because companies aren’t obligated to review all the applications they get, employment lawyers and researchers say.

“I’d say you’re more or less guaranteed not to be looked at,” said Joseph Fuller, a professor at Harvard Business School who was the lead author on the study.

AI-assisted screening could ultimately help many job seekers, Fuller said, noting that human-led hiring is also subject to concerns about discrimination.

Unless job seekers have a disability that qualifies them for an accommodation under federal or state disability laws, an employer doesn’t have to provide an alternate vetting process, said Niloy Ray, a lawyer who specializes in AI in the workplace at law firm Littler Mendelson.

“This is but a harbinger of things to come,” Ray said. “You may as well start figuring out how to address this.”

On the applicant side, many have already taken steps to navigate AI-driven hiring, paying for services and coaches that aim to help optimize résumés and make them an algorithmic match.

Know the pros and cons

Athena Karp, chief executive of HiredScore, which supplies AI-powered hiring software to employers, said that more than 80% of job seekers agree to the use of AI during the application process when its function is clearly explained.

AI can offer benefits to job seekers, Karp says, such as scanning for other job postings at a company that might match an applicant’s skills even when the person is rejected from the role initially sought.

The majority of HiredScore’s clients are offering applicants outside of New York City the ability to opt out of AI processing of applications, Karp says.

Robert Kerans, an IT manager based in Lake Bluff, Ill., said a recent experience left a sour taste in his mouth. He agreed to AI vetting while applying for a technology-support manager role at

. He was rejected within 45 minutes. The speed of the snub made him question whether the system really worked, Kerans said, because he believed he was well-qualified for the role.

Accenture said that it uses AI to help inform its decision-making but that humans always have the final say on whether a candidate advances in the recruiting process.

Kerans said he’s happy to have a choice, at least, and has since chosen to forgo AI vetting.

“It can fail,” he says. “The reality is that having the human connection is more important.”

WSJ.com Author:  Te-Ping Chen at Te-ping.Chen@wsj.com

WSJ.com | February 20, 2024

#JobSearch : How To Stay Resilient During Your Job Search. Job Searching, Especially for Extended Periods of Time, Can Be an Isolating Experience.

The latest figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show the average duration for unemployment in the U.S. is currently 21 weeks. For most job seekers this means preparing for a marathon, not a sprint: spending the best part of six months on any new task takes resilience, and navigating the post-pandemic job market can be particularly grueling.

No matter where you are in your career, if you’re entering this job market, it is inevitable that you are going to hear “no” more than you hear “yes.” An open role results in one hire, but getting there often involves more than 100 applicants, of which typically 20+ will be qualified candidates. Usually only six folks will get through to in-person interviews with the hiring team. Therefore even getting to the interview stage gives you, at best, a 17% chance of success.

The asymmetry of information in the hiring process has a compounding effect: as a job seeker you only have as much information as the company is willing to share, and here in the US at least, it’s unlikely that you will receive much actionable feedback as you progress through the process. Preparation for a post-pandemic job search necessarily includes reaching acceptance that six months of activity will likely be conducted in what can feel like a cone of silence.

Get Clear About Your Personal Runway And Likely Length Of Search

In his paper “A Theory of Human Motivation” Abraham Maslow described a “hierarchy of needs” that need to be met in order unlock motivation. Often portrayed as a pyramid, the foundations of human motivation are basic needs such as food, shelter, and rest. Although this theory dates from the 1940’s, it is still relevant in today’s job market: a key factor in creating psychological safety for your job search is being really clear-eyed on what your personal financial runway looks like.

Before you do anything else, compile a basic spreadsheet so that you can understand your household “profit and loss” account. How much does it cost to keep the lights on, and how much do you have available in liquid assets? If your monthly cost of living totals $5,000 and you have $60,000 when you combine your available savings, severance payment and state unemployment insurance, then your personal runway is 12 months.

Getting a realistic view of whether you have enough to cover what will likely be a six-month job search creates psychological safety, but also allows you to plan ahead if it looks like it will be prudent to either try to trim monthly expenses, or to take a “bridge” or “survival” job.

 

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What Skill Sets Do You Have to be ‘Sharpened‘?

 

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, Llc (FSC) is celebrating over 32 years in delivering corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!   Visit us @ www.firstsun.com  OR Ask for a Quote for Services at  info@firstsun.com

We here at FSC want to thank each of our corporate partners for the opportunity to serve & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment!

 

Article continued …

Set Boundaries Around Your Job Search Activity

The adage “your new job is to find a job” absolutely applies, however the critical caveat is that you’re now your own boss, and you get to set the hours and location for this new job. Once you’re into the rhythm of your job search (leveraging the tools that make sense in your industry, but at a minimum setting alerts on job boards to serve you all new relevant postings every 24hrs) you can realistically get all of your daily tasks completed within a 90-minute window.

Whether you get your applications, networking and any interviews done in one sitting, or broken up into smaller chunks, do not allow yourself to spend the whole day doom-scrolling LinkedIn. Being caught up in a layoff is almost never desirable, but one of the small silver linings is the gift of time. Try to avoid squandering that time and confine your job search activity to finite windows, then use the rest of the day to pursue activities you typically wouldn’t have time for.

Get Outdoors, Find Community And Give Back

Job searching, especially for extended periods of time, can be an isolating experience. Finding community can help to replace some of the lost workplace camaraderie. It can be especially beneficial to use some of the extra time you now have to volunteer in your local community. Doing so helps return some structure to your week, it also gives you access to folks that you otherwise wouldn’t meet and can open doors in surprising ways.

Suspending your gym membership for the duration of your unemployment doesn’t mean that you must forego physical exercise. Wherever you are in the country you will find cycling, hiking and jogging clubs that offer up a range of (free) benefits. They give you structure, they provide community, they get you out of the house, and you burn calories along the way.

While your job search is unlikely to be enjoyable, building a framework and support structure for the endeavor is the best way to stay resilient whilst you look for your next opportunity.

Forbes.com | March 6, 2024 | James Hudson 

#JobSearch : What To Do If You’re Ghosted By A Recruiter. Questions: Has this Happened to You? And What Did you Do?

As thousands of companies cut costs by laying off workers, many people find themselves back on the job market. The good news is that experts have a brighter outlook for the economy. Still, candidates must adapt to a dynamic employment landscape that requires continuous learning and a proactive approach. Unfortunately, that also includes having to deal with potentially being ghosted by a recruiter.

Recruiter ghosting refers to the point at which you no longer hear from a recruiter who expressed interest in your application. It can happen at any point during the hiring process and is more widespread than you might think. In fact, 75% of job applicants say a prospective employer has ghosted them following an interview. That’s based on a recent survey conducted by software company Greenhouse. One woman even shared how she completed nine rounds of interviews for a marketing role before eventually being ghosted.

This behavior happens for a variety of reasons. Let’s look at potential causes and what you can do if you think you are being ghosted by a recruiter.

 

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Updated NEWS: #BestofFSCBlogAug23 we hit Two Milestones: #1Hit over 1.2 million impressions on our FSC Career Blogs within 7 days on LinkedIn……. #2Over 3.5 Million participates on our FSC Career Blog page below within three years!  Both the Team/myself want to thank you all for participating! …… Chris G. & Team,www.firstsun.com

Daily FSC Career Blogs/Articles: Articles/blogs on today’s Job Search (Over 8K Daily Readers)- Go to ‘Blog Search’ & type in updated info on resumes, job search, networking, social media job search, etc.

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What Skill Sets Do You Have to be ‘Sharpened‘?

 

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, Llc (FSC) is celebrating over 32 years in delivering corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!   Visit us @ www.firstsun.com  OR Ask for a Quote for Services at  info@firstsun.com

We here at FSC want to thank each of our corporate partners for the opportunity to serve & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment!

 

Article continued …

Reasons for being ghosted by a recruiter

Many people assume that an unresponsive recruiter doesn’t care. Often, it’s unintentional and due to a variety of other reasons.

The recruiter found a more qualified candidate

Ideally, companies have a mechanism to alert job seekers that they were not selected for the role. Yet, many do not. In that case, a recruiter might ghost you because they decided to hire someone else who was a better fit. This situation often happens when there are many applicants or if the position needs to be filled quickly.

There are internal issues you aren’t aware of

Sometimes, job seekers are ghosted by a recruiter because the company is still trying to make a decision. Many organizations have a complex hiring process and require feedback from multiple stakeholders. They might also be negotiating with their top candidates or checking references before feeling comfortable sharing updates.

The recruiter experienced a setback

Recruiters sometimes fail to respond because they are inundated with work and have poor time management skills. If they lack the resources, it’s easy to get bogged down and drop the ball. Recruiter ghosting could also be due to a setback like a death in the family, illness or some other personal issue. It’s also not uncommon for recruiters to be laid off, in which case you may need to contact another individual at the company.`

How to handle being ghosted by a recruiter

With a volatile economy causing recruiting teams to shrink, you may be ghosted at one time or another. If it happens, don’t blame yourself. Instead, take steps so you don’t lose job search momentum.

Follow up within a reasonable timeframe

If the recruiter gave you a timeframe and it’s been longer than a week, follow up with them. You can email them to thank them for their time and express interest in the role. Without being pushy, mention that you have another job offer on the table (if you do) but that this position is your first choice. By being professional and persistent, you will stay top of mind while being seen as genuinely enthusiastic about the opportunity.

Try other avenues of communication

If you already tried following up with the recruiter via email, consider another method. For example, you should contact them via LinkedIn or another professional networking site. If that fails, seek out another point of contact, like the hiring manager or someone you interviewed with. You might even consider finding an internal connection through your network to gain additional information about the hiring process.

Continue searching for other roles

If you are ghosted by a recruiter, don’t let it negatively impact your self-esteem. Try not to take it personally and continue looking for other opportunities. Maintain a positive attitude by researching, networking and applying for positions that are a good fit. Keeping your job search on track will motivate you and make you more likely to find the ideal role.

Dealing with an unresponsive recruiter can be frustrating, but it’s ultimately out of your control. Remember that being ghosted by a recruiter has more to do with the company than your qualifications. By approaching your job search with confidence and determination, you’ll eventually land a position with an organization that deserves your unique talents.

 

Forbes.com | May 3, 2024 | Caroline Castrillon

#JobSearch : Top 5 Stay At Home Jobs For Moms Or Dads. Question: Would you Like to Work at Home?

Working from home is a great way to improve your work-life balance because it allows you to spend more time with your family. The average remote worker has an estimated extra five hours per week to do the things they enjoy. Those hours are recouped from commuting. According to Zippia, it takes the average American 27.6 minutes to travel to work. That makes a total of 55.2 minutes per day traveling to and from work.

While a lot of companies currently allow their employees to work from home part-time, you can acquire full-time remote work. Here are the top five stay at home jobs for moms and dads.

1. Call Center Agent

A call center agent answers calls, responds to emails, and deals with customer enquiries over webchat. Depending on the company, you will either deal with inbound calls only, or inbound and outbound calls. Employees who take both calls are referred to as, ‘blended agents.’

Median Pay: $35,389 per year

Qualifications: Typically, a high school diploma is enough to secure a call center position. But if you want to earn more money, you will need additional qualifications. However, you will receive on-the-job training.

 

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Article continued …

2. Virtual Assistant

As a virtual assistant, you are responsible for providing remote assistance to an organization, or an individual. Their duties include interacting with clients or customers, organizing data, conducting research, sorting documents, and updating calendars.

Qualifications: Virtual assistants do not need any qualifications. But, you will need to have excellent computer skills because your employer will require you to use specific programs to complete your tasks.

3. Online Tutoring

Students looking for additional help to pass their exams or get them through the school year will hire an online tutor. Online tutors work with one student at a time. What you teach them in is dependent upon your area of expertise.

Median Pay: $51,058 per year

Qualifications: The qualifications required for an online tutoring job will depend on your area of expertise and what you plan on teaching. However, you will need a GED to work on most tutoring platforms. To teach English, you will need a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certification.

4. Remote Software Developer

A remote software developer designs and creates systems and software programs for their employer. They also test and maintain existing programs and websites.

Median Pay: $111,000 per year

Qualifications: You don’t need a degree to become a software developer; however, you will need to know how to use programs like JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. If you are not familiar with these programs, there are courses available to teach you how to use them.

5. Data Entry Clerk

A data entry clerk is responsible for inputting, maintaining, and updating accurate information into computer systems and databases. They may also correct errors, verify data, and organize files to ensure data integrity.

Median Pay: $40,000 per year

Data Entry Clerk: You will need a high school diploma to become a data entry clerk.

How Do You Land A Great Remote Job?

The job application process for a remote job is no different than it is for an office job. Make sure your resume is up to date and start sending them out to companies who offer remote work. You will find vacancies posted on jobsites, but you can also ask friends and family if they know of any remote working opportunities.

While working from home seems ideal, it is important to understand that it is a very different dynamic to an office. You will need to create an office space, structure your day, and organize your time. Additionally, you will need an extra dose of self-discipline because there are so many distractions at home. You won’t have a manager overshadowing you, all of which make it very easy to slack off. However, if you know you can handle being self-motivated and self-reliant, working from home is extremely rewarding.

Forbes.com | February 7, 2024 | Goldie Chan

 

#JobSearch : 5 Effective Marketing Tips For Professionals Who Just Got Laid Off. Great REad for ALL!

Many professionals went through a tough time with their jobs last year. A large number of planned job cuts reached 89,703, going up by 15% since February. From the beginning of the year until now, job losses have gone way up to 270,416, shooting up by a massive 396% compared to the same time last year.

Around 1,450 folks working in the U.S. tech sector have lost their jobs, as counted by Crunchbase News. And if that’s not enough, Layoffs.fyi tells us that a whopping 1,157 tech companies have let go of a staggering 257,778 workers in 2023. If you’ve recently experienced a job loss, know that you’re not alone. Numerous individuals are encountering comparable challenges. Here are five practical tips to help you navigate tough times and get back on your feet.

1. Take a Pause to Figure It Out

Experiencing a layoff is tough and can bring a lot of stress to you and your loved ones. Studies show that being laid off is the seventh most stressful life experience. Rather than getting stressed, think of a layoff as a chance to start over somewhere new, with different opportunities and challenges.

The initial step to realign your professional path is to take a brief break. Given the increasing number of layoffs, it becomes crucial to strategize your next moves. Taking this pause enhances your likelihood of discovering new opportunities in the months ahead. Use this time to think about your skills, strengths, and the job market. This will help you plan your next moves wisely.

 

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Article continued …

2. Invest Time In Skill Development

The job market is evolving rapidly, and continuous skill development is crucial. Dedicate time to enhance or acquire new skills. Online courses are a great way to start, offering a flexible and accessible way to boost your capabilities.

This investment in yourself makes you more capable, and companies are likely to notice your efforts when they’re looking to hire. The goal is to become someone companies find hard to resist hiring because of your valuable skills.

3. Craft A Compelling Personal Brand

Today, making yourself known online is like having a secret weapon for job hunting. It’s a strong tool that helps you stand out. Your mission? Make a personal brand that shows off what makes you special – your skills and what you’re great at. Start by updating your resume or CV with all your latest achievements.

Now, take your skills online. Use social media like LinkedIn to make a consistent and real online image. Share your work journey, talk about what you know, and connect with others. Your personal brand, when done well and kept the same everywhere, becomes a story that tells employers why you’re awesome.

4. Build Strong Professional Connections

When you’re promoting yourself after a layoff, it’s not just about how you show yourself but also about the folks you link up with. Get in touch with people in your industry—colleagues, mentors, and friends from previous jobs. Keep the connection alive by regularly checking in and participating in professional conversations. This could open doors to valuable mentorship, career advice, and even potential job opportunities.

Moreover, attend online events, join communities, and participate in networking activities to grow your connections. Remember, your network might be the key to reclaiming your dream job, so utilize it wisely. They could offer valuable insights and even help you find new opportunities.

5. Be Consistent in Your Job Hunt

Finding a job after being laid off can be tiring and downright frustrating. But here’s a straightforward tip to keep you moving forward: commit to doing at least one job-hunting task every day. This small but consistent effort can make a big difference.

Your daily tasks could be updating your resume or online profile, applying for a specific job, creating a new profile on a job search website, or having a conversation with a mentor. The key is to stay engaged with the job search process regularly.

In addition to exploring traditional employment, consider other options like freelance work, contract positions, or even starting your own small business. These alternatives may open new doors and provide valuable experience while you navigate your job search journey.

As we enter deeper into 2024, job seekers are bracing for more challenges. A recent survey by ResumeBuilder.com reveals that a concerning 38% of larger companies anticipate layoffs in the coming year. Shockingly, 96% of organizations have already made cuts in the past 12 months, and 92% plan to do so again in the next year, as reported by Randstad RiseSmart. The uncertainty surrounding job losses persists, leaving many wondering when this cycle will end.

In times like these, the strategies shared in this guide can be a lifeline for those navigating layoffs. Remember, while the road ahead may be uncertain, your ability to adapt and follow these effective tips can make a real difference in facing the challenges that lie ahead.

Forbes.com | February 5, 2024 |

#JobSearch : 7-Step Plan For ‘New-Collar Workers’: The Next Generation Of Career Candidates. Managers are Motivated to Hire Non-Degree Workers. A MUst REad!

They’re called “New-collar workers”—not white- or blue-collar jobs—a new category in hiring that leaves college degrees in the dust and gives more attention to skilled employees with a nontraditional education. According to the Harvard Business Review, many workers are unable to advance because they don’t have a bachelor’s degree and are stuck in low-paying jobs.

Meanwhile, companies are looking for workers to meet their diversity goals and reduce social and economic inequality. These problems could be alleviated, the authors say, if employers focused on job candidates’ skills instead of their degree status: “There’s a huge, capable and diverse talent pool out there that companies aren’t paying nearly enough attention to: workers without college degrees.” The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that between 2020 and 2030, 60% of new jobs—some yielding six figures—will be new-collar occupations that won’t require any type of college degree.

 

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We here at FSC want to thank each of our corporate partners for the opportunity to serve & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment!

 

Article continued …

‘New-Collar,’ Skills-First Approach To Hiring

The skills-first approach to hiring “new-collar workers” goes against the long-held traditional grain that the four-year college degree—a symbol of accomplishment, prestige and pride—is imperative for social acceptance and career success. For as long as many of us can remember, high-school graduates were encouraged to pursue a college degree for financial and psychological security. That message has been drilled into students’ heads from parents and schools, according to James Neave, head of data science at Adzuna—the world’s most comprehensive job search engine.

But since the pandemic, the tide has been changing. More business leaders are saying ditch the four-year degree because it’s no longer necessary for jobs that can earn top dollar. Neave insists that a college degree is not necessary to be successful or earn a good salary. “The Adzuna data indicates that skills, rather than degrees, are the top requirement candidates must have to secure a ‘high-paying job’ today, whether job candidates are looking for deskless or corporate positions,” he emphasizes. “In particular, leaders with skills that can boost engagement in today’s workforce are in hot demand.” And Don Gannon-Jones, vice president of content at Karat agrees.

 We’re slowly creeping up on a post-degree era. Industries everywhere are realizing that for a lot of fields, colleges and universities aren’t teaching what businesses actually need,” he asserts. “Without a doubt, students are more reluctant to go tens of thousands of dollars into debt for a degree that doesn’t necessarily create a straightforward path to financial security.”

 

Implications Of Having Degree Requirements

A report by Accenture, argues that degree inflation—the rising demand for a four-year college degree for jobs that previously did not require one—is a substantive and widespread phenomenon, making the U.S. labor market more inefficient. The report found more than 60% of employers rejected otherwise qualified candidates in terms of skills or experience simply because they did not have a college diploma.

“When companies choose to put ‘four-year degree required’ (or even ‘preferred’) on a job listing, they’re automatically shutting out a gigantic swath of the population,” Gannon-Jones points out.

“Any effort to create a workforce that offers truly diverse perspectives and backgrounds is essentially stillborn if you insist on a college degree —or worse, if your hiring teams have opinions about which colleges are ‘good enough’ to produce candidates they’ll accept. It’s no surprise that smart organizations are putting a strike through in that ‘four-year degree required’ bullet in their job descriptions.”

 

Neave adds, “As this year goes on, we expect businesses will continue prioritizing skills over degrees to fill open roles, including those that come with top pay checks.” According to Business Insider, Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Apple CEO Tim Cook also have questioned the need for college degrees, and more companies are following suit, acknowledging that degree requirements put them at a competitive disadvantage. Dropping the four-year degree requirement is a welcoming and encouraging win-win for both employers and employees from a disenfranchised segment of the workforce without a degree. A framed diploma on the wall is no longer necessary for these highly-qualified job seekers to find the job of their dreams—one that is gratifying, pays a high salary and leads to career success.

“Managers may be more motivated to hire non-degree workers—and feel that it’s less risky—if they have direct incentives to do so,” according to the authors of the Harvard Business Review piece. To encourage managers to embrace the skills-first approach, the authors suggest organizations develop a seven-step plan that includes:

  1. Providing extra funding or budget lines for “new-collar jobs”
  2. Writing job descriptions that emphasize capabilities, not credentials
  3. Creating apprenticeships, internships and training programs for people without college degrees
  4. Collaborating with educational institutions and other outside partners to expand the talent pool
  5. Helping hiring managers embrace skills-first thinking
  6. Bringing on board a critical mass of non­-degree workers
  7. Building a supportive organizational culture

“IBM, Aon, Cleveland Clinic, Delta Air Lines, Bank of America and Merck are among the companies taking this approach—and demonstrating its benefits for firms, workers and society as a whole,” the authors conclude. According to another source, 41% of U.S. adults report they’d get a certificate that would instantly qualify them for an in-demand job over a college degree. At the same time, there are more than 600,000 openings for manufacturing jobs in the U.S. and more than three million skilled trades jobs are expected to go unfilled by 2028.

Austin King, co-founder and president of Steel River, believes not everyone is meant to go to college, but there should still be equal opportunities for blue-collar workers to earn higher wages without a four-year degree. He contends that employers need to do a better job at closing this gap by providing better work environments including higher wages, equity programs and more learning opportunities—especially if they want to attract younger generations. “With such competition for skilled workers in trades like manufacturing, those who provide higher wages and strong company culture will win over top talent,” according to King. Instead of slashing service costs to acquire more customers, he recommends giving half of all price increases back into employee salaries to make roles more enticing to those looking for steady and secure wages that rival white collar roles.

 

Forbes.com | February 4, 2024 | Bryan Robinson, Ph.D.

#JobSearch : 5 Reasons Why January And February Are The Best Months To Look For A New Job. Hunt for Job, Don’t Miss this Window!

While festivities and holiday cheers often steal the spotlight early in the new year, it is worth recognizing the unique opportunities for career growth that January and February offer. Some believe that this season may slow down hiring activities, but employment data reveals a significant rise in companies seeking new talents within the early months of the year. In January specifically, there is an average 15% increase in job postings.

Capitalize on these opportunities to look for a job during these first two months of the year if you’re in a hunt for professional development this 2024.

1. Recruiters Are Back From Their Vacation And Ready To Hire

As the holiday season comes to a close, the professional landscape on the other hand undergoes a positive transformation marked by a resurgence of recruitment activities. Recruiters and hiring managers are more attentive and are engaged in responding to job applicants after recharging during their vacations.

Recruiters during this time of the year also have a clearer understanding of their hiring goals and organizational needs, so submitting applications during this active hiring phase can increase the chances for consideration in open roles.

 

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We here at FSC want to thank each of our corporate partners for the opportunity to serve & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment!

Article continued …

2. Companies Have Renewed Budgets

Calendars reset at the start of the year which signals an opportunity for companies to recalibrate and allocate resources for achieving success in upcoming business endeavors. Talent acquisition gains prominence during this period as companies commit to cultivating skilled and dynamic teams, highlighting their dedication to attracting and securing top-notch candidates.

In fact, a recent survey in the U.S. shows that 57% of company respondents plan to add new permanent positions, while 39% anticipate hiring for vacated positions. This means that applying for positions during the early months of the year puts candidates in an opportune situation where companies and teams are more receptive to new members and are willing to offer more competitive compensation packages and benefits.

It also translated to making swift and decisive hiring decisions which expedites the recruitment and placement period of successful applicants.

3. The Beginning Of The Year Is All About Goal-Setting

Just as individuals set personal goals during the new year, companies also actively establish and pursue strategic objectives to foster growth and success. As they define these goals for the year ahead, they also augment their workforce with individuals offering diverse skills and perspectives. These new hires will take on roles for new and continuing projects, initiatives and expansion.

Jobseekers wanting to land a role in the opportune months of January and February should match their skills and aspirations with the companies’ goals and strategic plans for the year. They should also showcase how they can be potential contributors to the realization of the business objectives.

Considering these will favorably position them in the roster of applicants before the competition intensifies throughout the rest of the year, amid a currently competitive job market with the unemployment rate in the U.S. at 3.7% in January 2024.

4. No Holidays Coming Up

Humans are simply more productive when they are well-rested. Research says there is an 80% increase in performance following a vacation, like the recently concluded Christmas and New Year holidays. As recruiters and hiring managers return to work in January when there are no major holidays, they tend to be on a continuous hunt for talent who will help their companies and teams achieve the goals they are eyeing for the year.

They are also more readily available to review applications, conduct interviews, and make hiring decisions without holiday-related disruptions. As a result, this period witnesses an increase in hiring activities as companies start executing their strategic plans and allocating budgets for new hires.

5. People Are Just More Motivated

The fresh start offered by the new year brings a collective sense of renewal, goal-setting, and increased motivation which positively impacts the hiring landscape. As companies seek to expand and enhance their teams to achieve business objectives, employers also approach the new year with a proactive mindset.

Companies during these early months are more open to onboarding new team members, encouraging a more welcoming atmosphere for job seekers who are eager to contribute to the success of the company. This can have a contagious effect on individuals where motivation translates to approaching work with much enthusiasm.

Leverage the positive momentum associated with the new year to set the tone on your journey to achieve a more productive and successful year ahead.

By capitalizing on this early hiring season, job seekers maximize their chances of securing meaningful employment, position themselves at the forefront of opportunities, and approach the new year with a strategic decision that lays the foundation for a successful and fulfilling professional path. So if you’re in a hunt for a job, don’t miss out on this opportunity window!

Forbes.com | January 29, 2024 |

#JobSearch : How To Network. for People Who Don’t Like The Idea Of Networking. As an Introvert, Here are a Few Approaches that Work.

I’ve never been comfortable with the notion of networking, at least in the conventional sense of the word. I’m an introvert, and I haven’t been able to figure out the art of moving in and out of conversations during, say, the cocktail hour at a conference. I’d much rather have a long discussion with one person, and so my default strategy is to spot another introvert and approach them.

But it is important to build a network, of course. Your career path, after all, is going to be determined as much by the people you know as the work you do, especially if you’re ambitious. “When you talk about getting to the most senior levels, it’s less about the work and more about the network and your impact and how you market and brand what you’re working on,” said Mary Elizabeth Porray, global deputy vice chair for client technology for EY, the consulting firm. “So make sure that you’re focusing 50 percent on what you know and 50 percent on who you know.”

If you’re a fellow introvert, or the idea of networking feels transactional, then here are a few approaches that have worked well for me over the years.

60-Second Research

In my line of work, I meet a lot of new people, mostly on video calls. I always make it a habit of taking a minute before the call starts to check the person’s LinkedIn profile and social-media feeds. I’m looking for things we have in common. Maybe they spent a few years working in journalism early in their career. Or perhaps they’re from Canada originally, like me. Or perhaps they went to school in New Orleans, where I live now.

Those points of shared interest or background help create instant connections. Best of all is that they feel authentic, rather than forced. I do this with pretty much everyone I’m about to meet in a business context, and I’m always puzzled as to why more people don’t do the same. The return on investment of that 60-second search is huge.

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Article continued …

Work On Something Together

To me, the best way to build a lasting relationship with someone is to work on something with them, rather than just sharing a coffee, drink or meal. For example, companies are always forming committees to work on some new initiative. Raise your hand. Show colleagues what you can do, make an impression, and be reliable. Treat it as if you were auditioning for a new job. Impress people and they may think of you when an opening comes up.

More companies are starting internal gig platforms so that workers can move around and build new skills. Take advantage of them and build your reputation as a reliable team player. And look outside, as well. Industry associations offer great opportunities to build connections. Or join a nonprofit. Don’t feel like you have time? Remember that work tends to expand into the time you have to do it, so those other meetings can act like forcing functions to get you to work smarter and in a more focused way on your day job.

“Play In Traffic”

I first heard that memorable phrase—“play in traffic”—from Joseph Plumeri, who was CEO of Willis Group HoldingsWSH -0.6%, an insurance brokerage, when I interviewed him. “Everything that I have done started because I went out and I played in traffic and something happened,” Plumeri told me. “It means that if you push yourself out there and you see people and do things and participate and get involved, something happens.”

And that doesn’t mean that you should say yes to everything. Figure out a useful framework for what you sign up for and what you turn down, because “no” is an important word to add to your vocabulary. For me, the simple filter has always been, is this directionally in line with where I want to go? If it would broaden my skills as a journalist (earlier in my career) or if I would learn more about leadership (the current chapter of my career), my default was and is to say yes. I figured I’d learn something new and perhaps expand my network, and I’ve now got enough years under my belt to see the benefit of playing in traffic.

 

Forbes.com | January 31, 2024 | Adam Bryant