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#BestJobSearchTips : Collection of Favorite Job Search Tips From 2022, that Will Help you in 2023. MUst REad!

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With 2022 winding down, a lot of us are thinking about our goals for the new year. But if those goals include landing a new job, you might have a lot of work to do. From polishing your résumé and writing cover letters to interview prep and company research, looking for a new job is basically another job in itself.

“Before accepting a job, there is usually a time to negotiate salary, and this is a good opportunity to negotiate your job title as well. The same goes for any promotion. Pick a job title that has the highest earning potential.”

To help you get started, we’ve rounded up the best job searching tips of 2022 from the always-helpful r/LifeProTips subreddit. Here are the tips people loved in 2022 to help you start your 2023 job search right:

1. “When applying for a job, keep in mind that you are being interviewed long before your interview begins.”

“When communicating back and forth for a potential job, any and all correspondence that you have with the person hiring is being taken into consideration.”

I am currently hiring for a Front Desk position that would require the future employee to interact with customers (both in-person and via email) and be professional and timely at all times. I have been emailing with a number of applicants to organize interviews, and I am blown away by the number of people who have not been professional throughout the process. I have already written off the applicants who have been short and unprofessional in their emails, shown up late for their interview, or been poor communicators throughout the process.

Extra Pro Tip: Research the company you are applying for! My first interview question is ‘What do you know about our company and what made you want to apply for this job?’ And more often than not, applicants have responded with, ‘I don’t know anything about your company.’ Any and all information they would need is on our website under the ‘About Us’ section, and would show me that they have the forethought to prepare ahead of time!”

You might find social media accounts and can see how they present themselves and if you will get along with them. Maybe you find out that you share hobbies, maybe they share extremist political content. You will know more after Googling, which might help your decision if you want to work with them.”

“They likely did the same to you, might as well look them up too.

Because a job interview isn’t just them interviewing you, you are interviewing them (more so when you are competitive for your field/industry). Realizing this helped my mindset in interviews. I don’t need to be nervous. I need to show them what I can offer to the job and decide if I want to work in the work environment they are offering.”

 

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

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, Llc (FSC) is celebrating over 30 years in the delivery of corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 of our corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!  

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

 

Article continued …

2. “Use AI to generate cover letters to save time applying to different jobs.”

“Recently my wife has been applying for jobs on the market. She’s tired of writing cover letters for different companies, so I helped her generate them using AI instead. ChatGPT blew up recently and everyone’s been using it.

Put things that contain the company information and your background like ‘A cover letter for applying to an accounting company as a bachelor of finance,’ the more specific the better.”

“I just tested this, and I’ll be damned if it didn’t work. It didn’t seem perfect. There were lots of things that could be improved, but you go from authoring to proofreading and editing instead, and that’s a big benefit.”

3. “When changing your status on LinkedIn to be ‘open for work,’ make sure it’s set to be visible to recruiters only.”

“I’ve made this mistake before. My current boss sent me a LinkedIn message and it was pretty awkward.”

 

4. “When filling out a job application that requires you to answer long questions online, write them out in a Word document first.”

“I learned this lesson many years ago, applying to a job with long essay questions, and of course the application glitched and didn’t save. My spouse just learned this lesson last night, and I feel horrible for forgetting to tell him my painful experience, so here we are.

Therefore, whenever you are filling out long answer questions online, write them out in Word (or whatever you use), or at the very very least, copy and paste your answers into Word. Trust me! Plus that way you can save them should you need those brilliant answers in the future.

And don’t trust that ‘save application’ button. Don’t click it until you’ve copied and pasted your answers somewhere else first. Websites time out and don’t tell you sometimes.”

5. “If you barely don’t meet the job requirements, apply anyway. You may be able to land the interview and progress from there. Let them decide if you’re good enough, don’t do their job for them.”

“It’s incredibly common for hiring managers to ‘shoot for the moon’ on the job description, listing the skills of their ideal candidate, but not necessarily a realistic one. Always apply if you truly believe you can do the job. I have seen countless times where candidates who were under-qualified on paper were hired over more-qualified candidates thanks for their interview, attitude, etc.”

6. “If you can, don’t apply for a job that is complaining about ‘severe employee shortages’ or the like. There’s a reason they can’t retain employees, and you don’t want to have to find out what that reason is.”

“One of the questions I always ask in an interview is, ‘What is the average tenure of the team I’ll be working with?’ Some are quite caught off guard by the question, and I’ve even seen the life drain out of some of them when they realize exactly what it is that I’m asking. It’s a perfectly legitimate question and can give you a mountain of information from the actual tenure, which is nice to know, to how they answer (or dance around) the question.”

7. “When job searching on LinkedIn, filter for ‘in my network,’ then reach out and ask your connection for a referral.”

“I know many of us are unwilling to give up remote work, and many companies are forcing people back. That puts a lot of us in the job market. There are over 550,000 remote jobs on LinkedIn right now. LinkedIn is really great for job searches because it’s shows you your connections at a given company. You can even filter for ‘in my network’ to see companies you know people at. Reach out to those people and ask for a referral. A referral can be the difference between getting an interview or not.”

8. “If you are looking for a new job and reading reviews of a company always look at the date reviews are posted. If all the five-star reviews are posted on the same day, avoid it.”

“My current employer took their rating from 1.7 on Indeed to 4.6 in three weeks by incentivizing reviews.”

9. “If your home doesn’t have a space suitable for having a virtual interview, check with your public library to see if they have a meeting room you can use.”

“Or your local employment or unemployment office — they have rooms just for that reason.”

10. “Copy/paste all job descriptions you’re interested in into a notes app, with the job title, company name, and how you applied.”

“Job applications don’t last forever on the respective sites/boards. Job titles can easily blur; you do not want to think you’re interviewing for Software Analyst I and it’s really Systems Analyst I at a completely different company.

Jot down the info in the title so you can easily keep up with what you’re doing AND be able to mentally compare the job description to what the recruiter entails it to be. If you’re good at multi-tasking without looking distracted, you could even have it (or a brief description) pulled up on your device/monitor while looking into the camera, verbally checking off the items during the discussions.”

11. “If you are in the process of applying for a job, please make sure you have set up the voicemail on your cell phone.”

“My job responsibilities include setting up interviews for open positions that we have. We get flooded with applications. I call those who are deemed most qualified. Most people do not answer the phone and that’s fine. But too many candidates have not set up voicemail on their cell phones, and I can’t leave a message. I hate for that to be the reason they don’t get an interview.”

12. “It’s better to negotiate a good starting salary rather than relying on raises to hit your target.”

“If you accepted a low-ball starting salary, it’s unlikely that you can rely on a raise to get you to where you want to be.

It’s best to negotiate a starting salary to start off where you want to be. Remember, once an offer has been made, the ball is in your court and you have negotiating power.”

13. “Keep a CV or master résumé for when you are applying for jobs. You can make custom résumés quickly by pulling necessary info out while also keeping all of your résumé information in one place.”+

“By making a master document, you have everything you have ever done already formatted and summarized in a résumé format such that you can copy and paste from it to generate custom résumés for each application.

Likewise, you have all of your information in one place so you don’t have to look across multiple versions of your old résumés to remember what you have done.”

“As soon as you start a new job, add its job description to your ‘master résumé’, even as just a place-holder that you’ll edit later. In six months or a year, come back to it and update that portion based on what you’ve learned.”

14. “When submitting a résumé online, make sure you use a filename with your first and last name.”

“Oftentimes people don’t realize the filename you use to submit your résumé is seen by the recruiter. If you name it something like ‘new revision for accounting firms,’ they will see this. What’s more, if they are downloading them they have to go out and rename the files, which takes time. Best approach is to just name your PDF with your first and last name.”

15. “Keep a running list of career accomplishments and things you’re proud of.”

“Not only can you use this list for building future résumés or negotiating your salary, but it’s also great to look at when imposter syndrome comes creeping in.”

16. “If you have a job interview coming up, practice describing your job to someone who isn’t familiar with your industry. Include descriptions of what you do and what tools you use.”

“This can be especially good so that you can practice keeping a straight face if the question sounds silly. Remember the first person you meet in a job interview may be HR and may not know anything about the details of the actual job you are being hired for.”

17. “When you have an interview at a company, Google the people you have the interview with.”

You might find social media accounts and can see how they present themselves and if you will get along with them. Maybe you find out that you share hobbies, maybe they share extremist political content. You will know more after Googling, which might help your decision if you want to work with them.”

“They likely did the same to you, might as well look them up too.

Because a job interview isn’t just them interviewing you, you are interviewing them (more so when you are competitive for your field/industry). Realizing this helped my mindset in interviews. I don’t need to be nervous. I need to show them what I can offer to the job and decide if I want to work in the work environment they are offering.”

18. “When interviewing for a new role, ask the hiring manager to clearly define what success looks like in the role.”

“If they can’t paint a vivid picture of what it takes to thrive, run.

A company that can’t define how you will win with them is destined to lose.”

19. “In interview situations, practice avoiding filler words such as ‘like’ or ‘umm’, and don’t be afraid to briefly pause to collect your words. This will help you seem more assured in your responses, and shows you’re thinking carefully about your statements.”

“I train technical trainers and this is sound advice. That being said, filler, especially in English is natural and fairly unavoidable 100 percent of the time for most folks. You just want to be conscious of it and make sure it isn’t a distraction. Most people don’t notice it if it is intermittent. People will notice if you use ‘ummm, uhhhhh, ok, right?’ as punctuation on every sentence or in-between every few words.”

20. “If a prospective employer asks why you’re leaving your current employer, give a reason that involves something the new employer has that the old employer doesn’t.”

“If this new job is a smaller company, ‘I’m looking to work for a smaller company.’ If the new job is more hands on, ‘I’m looking for a job where I can be more hands on.’ Etc.

That way you are already complimenting something this prospective employer has while refraining from negativity regarding your current employer.”

21.“When interviewing for a job, ask what day-to-day work would be in detail.”

“There is a wild amount of hiring going on right now and copy/paste errors and omissions (both intentional and non intentional) on job descriptions mean red flags or mismatched responsibilities to your talent stack may not be caught in the application process. Also hiring managers will only ask what you know/did. It’s on you to ask what tasks you will be doing on a day to day basis.

A friend who applied for ‘Business Analyst’ roles found out during the interview process that one role was for a monotonous data entry process while the second one was a technical writing role.”

22. “If you interview for a job you don’t get, send a gracious response email.”

“Nobody likes to give bad news, and people will remember you as a class act who handled a disappointing situation with professionalism.

My go to is something like: ‘Thank you for the prompt response. While I am obviously disappointed, I understand there were many qualified applicants to choose from and I very much enjoyed meeting you and your team. Thanks again, and best, (name).'”

23. “When you get a job offer and you’d like a higher salary, ask. The worst thing they will say is no.”

“I was chatting with a friend who got a job offer and wanted $10k more annually but was nervous about asking.

When I asked what he was nervous about, he explained that he was concerned that they would revoke the offer.

I reminded him that if you get to the stage in the interview process where you are receiving an offer, they WANT you to work there. Asking for more money will result in one of two things:

• Getting more $$ than they initially offered

(or)

• They do not have additional budget to increase your salary and they tell you they cannot go higher.

It would be incredibly bizarre for a company to revoke an offer completely after spending time putting you through the interview prices and deciding they’d like to hire you all because you asked for a higher salary.”

24. “Job titles can often be negotiated. Before accepting a job, there is usually a time to negotiate salary, and this is a good opportunity to negotiate your job title as well. The same goes for any promotion. Pick a job title that has the highest earning potential.”

“Look around at that next level job you want and advocate for a job title that would give you an edge on your application. For example, you may have a current job title of ‘office assistant’; but if you are the assistant to one of the executives and have been there longer than another assistant, you might able to push for a job title change to ‘Senior Executive Assistant’. These may seem like small changes but can mean thousands of dollars a year when you try to find another job.”

25. And finally, “Do not resign your current job until your next job’s background check is completed.”

“I just watched this scenario unfold: Employee gets a new job — hurrah! Employee resigns from current job sure that their background check is clean. Background check comes back and there are red flags. Red flags cause the employer to revoke the job offer. Person has now resigned their current position (no takebacks) and hasn’t truly secured their current position.

Don’t do that. Just wait until your background check is completed before quitting.”

 

BuzzFeed.com | December 29, 2022 | Megan Liscomb

 

#JobSearch : The New Year May Start Out Challenging For Job Hunters: Here’s What To Expect. To Gain a Competitive Edge, Start Searching for a New Job Right Now.

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The key to succeeding in 2023 is to accept the uncertainty and take action. You need to realize that we won’t return to the halcyon days of companies hiring with reckless abandon. Some Economists and Wall Street professionals have predicted that we will face a rough recession. Layoffs and hiring freezes will continue for the near term. You will need to make yourself indispensable at the office while keeping an eye open for new opportunities.

To gain a competitive edge, start searching for a new job right now. Spruce up your résumé and LinkedIn profile. Ask around to find a few top well-respected recruiters. Check out job boards, create an elevator pitch and network with friends, family, former coworkers, college alums and others to gain job leads and introductions to key decision-makers at target companies.

Thoroughly read the job description to ensure that you’re the right fit, and watch for any red flags. Ask the hiring managers tough questions. You don’t want to quit one job to find out later that the new company is conducting layoffs or rescinding job offers. While interviewing, ensure you are working hard at the office or home, getting noticed by your boss, and making yourself irreplaceable just in case you don’t receive a job offer.

Just because the New Year starts doesn’t mean everything has become good again. Inflation is still at 40-year record highs, and the Federal Reserve increased interest rates which popped the everything bubble. The stock, real estate and crypto markets plunged in 2022. The one invincible tech giants saw their share prices plummet. Amazon’s stock price cratered, falling 50.3% year to date. Meta saw a 63% drop, and Netflix plunged by 53%.

 

Like this Article?  Share It!    You now can easily enjoy/follow/share Today our Award-Winning Articles/Blogs with Now Over 2.5 Million Growing Participates Worldwide in our various Social Media formats below:

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Question: Want the ‘the best/current articles/blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & Type(#Jobsearch, #Resume, or #Networking) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

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

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, Llc (FSC) is celebrating over 30 years in the delivery of corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 of our corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!  

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

 

Article continued …

On The Positive Side, January Is A Good Month To Find A Job

Historically, January is one of the best times to embark on a job hunt. The commencement of a new year ushers in a feeling of possibilities and fresh starts. Seeking out a new opportunity is part of the usual promises made; going on a diet, joining a gym, and getting rid of bad habits.

From Thanksgiving until a week or two into the New Year, there is an unspoken collective agreement between workers and management that we can see all coast during the holiday season. It’s a time to take a vacation, use your personal days, and enjoy three or four-day weekends. As people are mentally checking out of work, it’s too difficult to gain transactions in the hiring process. Soon as one person returns from their vacation, another professional— integral to the interview process— is out of the office.

By the second or third week of January, we engaged in another collective decision. Begrudgingly, we adopt a ‘back to school’ mentality and reconciled getting back into the grind. Human Resource professionals and hiring managers start panicking when they realize they need to fill seats that have been vacant for too long. The workers who have been picking up the slack are complaining that they need help, with a veiled threat that they’ll quiet quit or commence a stealth job search if the company doesn’t hire people to help with the workload.

What To Watch Out For

Although January is a great time to find a new job, the first few weeks are usually slow-moving. There is a time lag for new budgets and headcounts to be approved. Companies will slowly start posting their open roles online and enlist recruiters to help find suitable and appropriate candidates.

Sometimes there is a gap between the reality in the job market and what managers perceive is happening. They may not be aware that salaries have risen due to inflation and may inadvertently extend lowball offers. The hiring process has become colder. Human Resources don’t respond to your résumé submissions, and phone calls, texts and emails go unanswered. It’s become commonplace that after undergoing three to six interviews over several months, the company ghosts you.

Before a new person is hired, leadership wants to understand who might be leaving or already has a new role lined up. There’s a bit of a drag as year-end reviews, raises, bonuses and promotions linger into January or March.

Sectors, including Wall Street and tech companies, pay in total compensation. A large portion of pay packages is in the bonuses. Banks can hold off on paying the bonus up until about March. It’s a cold strategic move to impede a person from leaving, as they’ll forfeit their bonus if they quit before it’s paid out. Some job seekers hold off on their search plans out of fear of being found out and jeopardizing their year-end bonus. The company you are interviewing with may not want to buy out your bonus due to the new austerity mindset of corporate leadership.

Work On Your Mindset And Positivity

In addition to possessing the right skills, academic background and talents for the job, you also need the right attitude. Companies want people who are confident, motivated, positive-thinking and enthusiastic. They want people with winning attitudes.

Interviewing is a stressful endeavor. You’ll need to summon up your courage and be bold and brave. At times, even the best and brightest get rejected. When this happens, brush yourself off and get back up again.

Managers and interviewers want to hire and work with upbeat people who project the ability to get the job done. A critical part of the job hunt is your mindset. Cultivate a positive outlook that radiates confidence. Recall all of the times you triumphed over adversity. Think of all the good luck you’ve had. Going into an interview with positivity makes a big difference. People will pick up on your vibe and frequency. They’ll feel good in your presence. When you emanate a positive aura, you’ll become likable and desirable.

 

Forbes.com | December 22, 2022 | Jack Kelly 

 

#JobSearch : Five Social Media Secrets To Get Yourself Hired. People Fail to Realize Social Media Can Be the Very Reason Why/How you Got that Job. A MUst REAd for All!

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With 2023 right around the corner, most people already know employers will scroll through their social media profiles before offering them a job at their company. But in case no one has told you, let me be the first to say you should probably take photos of yourself partying in the college on your Facebook page.

It only takes 15 seconds and an impulsive tweet about quiet quitting to go from a company’s top candidate to another resume tossed in the recycling bin. Fortunately, most social media mishaps can be avoided by relying on common sense and using a little extra caution before you post something.

What people fail to realize, though, is that social media can also be the very reason why you do get a job position. Sending a cold email to an employer? Submitting your resume to a company after coming across a job description? You’re not paranoid if you think the next thing they’ll do is look at your social media profiles.

A survey from the Harris Poll found that 71% of U.S. hiring managers think looking at candidate’s social media profiles is an effective way to screen applicants. Sixty-seven percent of hiring managers actually do use social media as a way to research candidates, more than half of whom say they have come across content that has caused them to reject a candidate.

Recruiters are less likely to look at an applicant’s resume now more than ever. A study from Capterra found that 75% of recruiters use applicant tracking systems to weed out candidates before their resume is seen by a real recruiter. In other words, submit a resume that doesn’t match enough key words in the job description and you’re out of the race before a recruiter even knows you applied for the position – and that’s how it works for most jobs you’ll apply for.

 

Like this Article?  Share It!    You now can easily enjoy/follow/share Today our Award-Winning Articles/Blogs with Now Over 2.5 Million Growing Participates Worldwide in our various Social Media formats below:

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Twitter: Follow us @ firstsunllc

Best Daily Choice: Follow the Best of FSC Career Articles/Blogs @

https://twitter.com/search?q=bestoffscblog&src=typeahead_click

Question: Want the ‘the best/current articles/blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & Type(#Jobsearch, #Resume, or #Networking) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

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

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, Llc (FSC) is celebrating over 30 years in the delivery of corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 of our corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!  

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

 

Article continued …

If a recruiter does like your resume, they’ll assess a second source of information: the narrative that emerges from a collection of your LinkedIn comments, Facebook updates and Twitter thoughts. For recruiters, social media is SparkNotes about a candidate’s job history, life accomplishments, networking history, personal woes, and life philosophy.

Modest candidates may feel inclined to avoid the trend of commemorating their achievements with posts on LinkedIn. But this is the wrong approach, especially during a time when employers are less likely to reach out and communicate to get information that could just as easily be posted online. In other words, if your social media doesn’t portray you as an active student or standout employee, recruiters will likely assume that’s because you aren’t one.

But enough with the negativity — social media also offers job candidates several advantages, namely curating the image of themselves that employers see.

So, how do you make yourself stand out from the crowd when recruiters are looking at dozens, if not hundreds, of social media profiles? It all comes down to having the right strategy.

1. Choose your network wisely. At their core, social media profiles are essentially digital networks visible to the public. This concept, however, gets lost in the addiction that keeps us coming back – scrolling. LinkedIn, particularly, gives employers a pretty good idea of what your professional network looks like and the connections you’ve made in your respective industry. Be mindful of the people who you add to your circle. Influencers, business owners, teachers, or scholars — following these people not only exposes you to their insight, but also gives employers information about the kind of person you are and what you value.

2. Plow into the discomfort. If the rules for communicating were the same on social media as they are in real life, we’d be professing our latest achievements to strangers before having enough courtesy to introduce ourselves . Which is to say, catching the eye of an employer on social media means throwing some of the etiquette you’ve been taught out the window. Get comfortable posting about your accomplishments, even if doing so may feel out of character in the beginning. Employers check social media platforms because they want to see what you can bring to the table. Playing it modest by not highlighting these skills and accomplishments won’t get you rewarded.

3. Practice active liking: What you like, retweet, share, and comment can say just as much about you as what you post. Platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter will show your followers what you’ve liked or commented on, so it’s important to be intentional. Engage with posts that show the latest happenings and updates in your industry, but also think about the message you’re sending others through the posts you like. Endorsing ideas that are negative, political, or unprofessional is not only off putting to a future employer, but also overshadows the posts you do want them to see.

4. Reach out; stay consistent. One of the biggest benefits of job hunting in the age of social media is that distance doesn’t poses fewer obstacles. Networking with an employer through social media takes the same amount of time and energy regardless of whether they live across the country or down the street.

You don’t need to direct message an employer on LinkedIn to get a lot out of the platform – and that actually poses a problem. It is easy to tell yourself that scrolling through social media and commenting on people’s posts is a version of networking, but there’s really much more to it than that. Launching yourself into a career that fascinates and energizes you is quite the challenge – especially without any help. Professionals who can shine some light on the industry – and maybe even be a future mentor – are what helps people get their foot in the door. But none of them are going to reach out to you first. It’s your job to take the first leap that gets the conversation going. While cold messaging someone can be intimidating the first few times you do it, setting a goal for yourself, like initiating one networking conversation every week, is a good way to hold yourself accountable when nerves begin to hit.

5. Reverse engineer an employer’s ideal candidate. Employers scouting candidates through social media are looking to fill a company need. The job may only require a qualified and competent candidate, but ideally a recruiter would prefer to hire someone who also checks a bunch of other boxes, like being collaborative, enthusiastic, motivated and insightful. Take some time to think about the job you’re applying for and ideal qualities a recruiter is likely looking for. What would you want to see in a candidate if you were trying to fill the position? Then, look through your social media profile and assess whether these qualities would shine through to someone who hasn’t met you in person. If the answer is no, tweak your content, bio, likes, or comments to reflect the qualities and skills think recruiters will be looking for.

 

Forbes.com | December 15, 2022 | Ashley Stahl

#JobSearch : 3 Things Job Recruiters Wish You Knew. The Job Market is Still in your Favor for at Least the Next Few Months. A MUst REad for All!

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If you feel like the job market is shifting again, you may be right. Though job seekers have had the “upper hand” for a couple of years, the power is slowly reversing as the labor market stabilizes. In other words, now may be the time to leap—but not without a plan.

As a job candidate, you need to develop a strategy that allows you to quickly pull in offers. The last thing you want is for your search to become so scattershot that you have little leverage. Negotiating with potential employers is far easier if you have a bevy of choices on the table, and a solid job search plan will help you get there.

Where should you start when it comes to a modern job-searching strategy? Check out what professional recruiters are saying in industry publications, trusted news sources, and LinkedIn blogs. They know what it takes to succeed in today’s job market. After all, they’re involved in the hiring process every day. Here are three fundamental recommendations from recruiters to guide you as you look for your next position:

1. It’s your job to identify your career goals.

It can be tempting to jump straight into job hunting, especially if you’re burned out in your current position. However, this could add tons more stress to your life if you don’t set goals first. Think of your next career move as a destination. If you don’t know where you want to go, you’ll end up aimlessly traveling around.

Set aside some downtime to write out professional goals that are a natural extension of your authentic personal brand, even if you plan to work with a recruiter rather than go through your search solo.

“Recruiters can only know your goals if you know them, so take some time to think about what your professional and career goals are,” says Marti Willett, president of Digital Marketing Recruiters, a leading digital staffing agency that aims to find high-quality candidates who will enhance a marketing agency’s culture and grow with them. “In other words, what is your dream job? What industry or niche is it in? What kind of company do you want to work for?Answering these kinds of questions will help you find the right recruiter that will be most beneficial to you.”

After taking this step, you should feel more invigorated and invested in your job hunt. You’ll also have a better idea of which jobs to apply for. Nothing’s more frustrating than discovering that you’ve been applying for positions that don’t align with your goals or abilities. Knowing what you want allows you to quickly identify which openings are meant for you.

2. Don’t be shy about connecting with recruiters and hiring professionals on LinkedIn.

It’s no shock that LinkedIn is the social site you can’t afford to ignore. According to the platform’s own statistics, 77% of recruiters use LinkedIn. Is it any wonder that eight people are hired off LinkedIn every minute? These mind-blowing facts indicate just how important it is for you to update and adjust your LinkedIn profile.

Is your profile really going to be viewed? According to a MyComputerCareer blog post, the answer is yes. “Every time a recruiter contacts you, you can be sure that they’ve looked at your profile,” the post explains. “Your LinkedIn profile will act as a validator in that you are a real person, and not someone whose cover letter or resume is too good to be true.”

To begin, polish your whole profile from top to bottom. Give it the spring cleaning it needs. When it’s brimming with the traits and achievements that distinguish you from the rest of the herd (see point #3 below), start following recruiters who work in the industry, market or position you’re targeting. Don’t feel bad if you connect and hear nothing in return. Recruiters may not reach out unless they have an opportunity ready to go. Remain active on the platform and have confidence that you’re on their radar. (And don’t forget to use this chance to update your other public social pages, too. Consistency is a key to effective personal branding.)

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

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, Llc (FSC) is celebrating over 30 years in the delivery of corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 of our corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!  

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

 

Article continued …

 

3. Self-awareness leads to self-fulfillment.

Do you know what the number-one leadership skill is? Self-awareness. When you are self-aware, you aren’t likely to start wavering. You know who you are, what your goals are, and how you plan to achieve them. When it comes to job searching, you know exactly what you bring to the table and how it can benefit employers.

Often, candidates fall into the trap of saying only what they think recruiters want to hear. They either don’t know or fail to bring up their individual attributes and abilities. Making this mistake can set you back. “Employers want to hire the crème-de-la-crème of the job market just like employees want to be the icing on the employer’s recruitment cake,” says Sophie Heatley, content writer for Perkbox.

So, think about what makes you unique, and ask for input from those who know you best. For instance, maybe you’re passionate about environmental issues and you started a podcast devoted to sustainability tips for families. Highlighting this would be great during an interview because it reveals your distinct passions and drive. Remember: It’s important to stand out, but not in disguise. You’ll undermine your path to success if you’re faking the traits that are getting you noticed.

The job market is still in your favor and will be for at least the next few months. If you’ve been hemming and hawing about testing the waters, put these three tips into practice to ensure smooth sailing.

Forbes.com Author:    William Arruda is a keynote speaker, co-founder of CareerBlast.TV and co-creator of the Personal Brand Power Audit – a complimentary quiz that helps you measure the strength of personal brand.

Forbes.com | December 6, 2022

#YourCareer : How To ‘Career Cushion’ Your Job During Challenging Times. Creating an Action Plan to Prepare for IF/When Things Take a Terrible Turn with your Current Position.

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“Career cushioning” is the newest job-related term added to the growing lexicon of the Great Resignation, acting your wage and quiet quitting.  According to LinkedIn career expert Catherine Fisher, career cushioning is creating an action plan to prepare for if things take a terrible turn with your current position. The onslaught of layoffs, hiring freezes and job offers rescinded calls for action, instead of waiting for the ax to fall.

“Think of it like an insurance policy to set yourself up for success,” Fisher wrote in her recent LinkedIn newsletter.

Like ghosting moved from the dating world to job interviewing, cushioning is derived from keeping an eye open for other options and suitors in case your relationship sours.

What You Need To Do Right Now

Start taking action. Hoping that things will improve is not a strategy. If you feel that your job is in jeopardy, immediately update your résumé and LinkedIn profile. Seek out recruiters who specialize in your field. Ask colleagues and former co-workers what headhunters they had success with and would recommend their services. Let the search professional know what type of company you want to work for, ask about compensation levels and the work style you prefer.

Start networking by reaching out to old friends, college alums, neighbors, co-workers, former colleagues and managers, members of your church, temple and other organizations and online connections. Be open and honest. Inform them that you are engaged in a stealth search and could benefit from their relationships. You need to be a little pushy and ask if they could make an introduction to human resources or hiring managers. To ensure that you don’t make a hasty decision in the job switch, boldly ask tough questions during the interview to understand what you are getting into.

You may love working remotely, but go into the office five days a week. The proximity bias is real, and it favors people who are visible. It’s not just putting in facetime. You must be productive, exceed expectations and make yourself indispensable to your boss. These actions will increase your chances of being saved from layoffs.

Get A Vibe Check From Your Boss

Before you do anything rash, request a meeting with your boss to find out what the firm plans to do in this new uncertain environment. It may be uncomfortable, but ask your supervisor about your job’s status and whether there are plans to make job cuts. Be proactive and inquire about goals and objectives that you need to hit and how you can achieve them. If you walk away from the conversation feeling that your manager couldn’t provide any comfort or safety, it’s time to either start searching for a new job or try to move internally to a division that is doing well.

 

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

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, Llc (FSC) is celebrating over 30 years in the delivery of corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 of our corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!  

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

 

Article continued …

Develop A Job-Search Strategy

The goal is to find a new job. You need to put a game plan into place to achieve your mission. Think of what you want to do next. Make a list of target companies that you want to work with. Dedicate a certain amount of time every day to focus on your job search.

You can break it down to searching for jobs online, getting in touch with people in your network, reaching out to human resources and managers at the companies you desire, tailoring your résumé for specific roles, practicing your elevator pitch and roleplaying interviewing. Stay in touch with your recruiters and consider investing in hiring a career coach and résumé writer.

The landscape has changed. The high-flying, sexy tech and startup companies are not doing as well as they fared in the past. There have been nearly 140,000 layoffs in those sectors. Therefore, conducting due diligence is important before you interview at a company.

Read articles about your target company to ascertain if there are any red flags. Look to see if the organization has been laying off workers or plans to downsize. Check out the company’s stock performance, its financial health, the management team and if its products and services are needed in this current environment.

See if you know anyone who currently or used to work at the company you’re interested in. Ask for their honest opinion about joining the firm, and if it’s safe to work there. Investigate LinkedIn profiles of people in your space to see if you have a similar background. Sleuth around to see if there is a pattern of people leaving and the roles are not being refilled.

How To Find Hidden Jobs

Companies don’t publicly post jobs when they are discreetly trying to replace a manager, attempting to first hire from within, waiting to receive employee referrals or not wanting to share salary ranges that may upset their employees when they find out the newcomer will earn more than they make.

In these situations, businesses rely upon recruiters to conduct secret searches, as discretion is required in sensitive situations, such as looking for an outsider to run a department instead of picking an internal employee.

The recruiter will clandestinely contact on-target people with the right background for the role. They’ll tell the candidate that the job is confidential and the applicant needs to keep the information to themselves. If the executive recruiter has a solid reputation, the person will understand and comply. Some people will feel uncomfortable and politely bow out of contention.

You want to stand out on the social media platforms that cater to your job and career. LinkedIn is the right platform for you if you are a white-collar professional. Send LinkedIn “InMail” messages or invitations to people who look like they’re involved with hiring roles in your area of expertise to get on their radar screen. Create posts, interact with other people in your space, upload videos and write articles. This will position you as an expert in your field. Recruiters, hiring managers and corporate talent scouts will start reaching out to you.

Hiring managers covet referrals from employees. They feel that if an internal worker strongly recommends someone, they must be good. Some companies offer incentives, such as a financial bonus, if the referral joins the company. If there isn’t a current employee with the right experience for the job and you are able to find this out, you could send an unsolicited résumé. Since no one from the outside knows about the opening, you’ll stand out.

Smile And Bide Your Time

Most people are obvious about their unhappiness and disengagement from work. They’ll practice quiet quitting, act their wage and coast through the day, doing the bare minimum. This is not a winning strategy. You want to come across as positive, motivated and enthusiastic. Act as if everything is fine. Your contrarian demeanor will separate you from the herd and earn everyone’s respect.

Instead of making a rash decision to quit without another job secured, take a smarter approach. In tough job markets, you need to cultivate a coping mechanism to make it through the day. Adopt the mantras “one day, I’ll leave and be in a better place” and “until that time, I’ll make the best out of a bad situation.”

Go about your daily routine as if everything is fine. Be respectful to your boss and everyone around you. Ignore the gossipers and rumormongers. Since you know that you’ll eventually find a better opportunity elsewhere, it’s not worth it to allow certain things to impact your mental health and emotional well-being.

People will notice that you stand out by staying cool under pressure. Your boss will be impressed by your motivation and positive attitude, while everyone else is complaining. Ironically, your new “it is what it is” mindset may lead to a promotion, raise or higher bonus.

Forbes.com | November 30, 2022 | Jack Kelly 

#JobSearch : 5 Ways Job Seekers Can Keep In Touch With Employers Who Rejected Them. The Holidays are The Best Time to Network. Great REad!

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I’m going to a networking event hosted by an organization I applied to about 1.5 months ago (haven’t heard back, assuming I didn’t get the job, ha!) . Do I mention this if / when I meet people who work with the organization? Not sure the best way to navigate this. I want to ensure that they know I’m open to other opportunities and am overall interested in staying in touch. – Christina

Kudos to Christina for doing several things right that other job seekers overlook. First of all, she’s networking, which is the number one source for timely job openings (a lot of job postings aren’t current or accurate). Secondly, she’s thinking about how she’ll talk about herself as she meets people – we’re all multifaceted, so be selective about what you talk about, to whom and when. Finally, she’s thinking even more specifically about how she’ll talk about her job search – people aren’t mind-readers, and you need to be explicit about the help you need.

The holidays are a great time to network, and chances are you’ll be in Christina’s situation — running into people you previously connected with on your job search. Some people may not be responsive or have even rejected you outright for a job. Here are five best practices for following up specifically with target employers in your job search pipeline:

1 – Continue to follow-up regularly

Attend that networking event. Follow and comment on social media. Stay connected to individuals you met during your research or even from meetings that didn’t lead anywhere specific. A rejection for one opportunity doesn’t necessarily mean rejection for the next opportunity (see three reasons why a well-qualified candidate still doesn’t get the job). The best follow-up keeps you top of mind for the next opportunity (and the next) because circumstances change, and the better fit for you might be another role, another time or another market environment.

 

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Question: Want the ‘the best/current articles/blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & Type(#Jobsearch, #Resume, or #Networking) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

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

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, Llc (FSC) is celebrating over 30 years in the delivery of corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 of our corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!  

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

 

Article continued …

2 — Don’t make every point of follow-up about any one job

While Christina did lots of things right, one adjustment to make is to stop assuming she didn’t get the job because she didn’t hear back. No decision is not enough information to presume a No or a Yes. If she’s still interested in that job from six weeks ago, she should continue to try and get an interview for it – until she hears that No.

There are people you meet at an event that are clearly connected to the very job you want, it makes sense to mention your interest in it since it’s a prime opportunity to get more accurate and updated information about the job. A relevant person may be able to direct you – “oh, that job was filled weeks ago but we haven’t announced it yet”. Or, “we decided not to hire for the one, but there’s another similar one you should look at.” Or, “gee, you would be perfect for that one – let me make sure I get your stuff in front of the right person.”

Don’t harbor any assumptions – positive or negative – about the decision on your current application. Continue to network, and discuss a particular job with people connected to it. Otherwise, keep the conversation open-ended – about your job search overall if people already know you’re looking, or just about getting to know each other as people if you’re meeting for the first time.

3 – Mix up your topics

There is so much to talk about that isn’t about your job search, but still moves the conversation forward. Send holiday wishes – this deepens your rapport. Send congratulations if the person or their company has announced a recent win – this shows you’re thinking about them and that you’re staying on top of the news in your field. Send a status update about something, other thank your job search, that you’re working on – this shows that you’re staying busy and keeping your skills and expertise up-to-date without making the other person feel like you’re only reaching out because you need something.

At a networking event, get the other person talking. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about the company and what the company needs. You may uncover enough information that you can pitch a job for yourself, or at least, know exactly what skills and expertise you have that meet an urgent need for that employer.

4 – Mix up your media

Showing up at a networking event is just one way to keep in touch. You can also email, post on social (yes, you can build genuine relationships on LinkedIn) or mail a holiday card. If you know someone well and they like to text, then text. People have different habits when it comes to keeping in touch, and what’s important for follow-up that works is that you meet other people’s preferences and not your own. You might prefer 1:1 meetings, but other people just don’t have time. You might not be active on LinkedIn, but if you’re trying to develop a relationship with someone who is active on that platform, it could be more expedient to take your communication there – at least with that person.

5 – Aim for clarity – which could be a decision, or something else

In all of your follow-up, look for signs that the relationship is going somewhere or that the person wants you to back off. For an open job, this means getting a decision about whether the role is still available, whether your status has been decided, or if not, what is the next step and timetable you can expect. Until you get that clarity, keep working on that job and other relationships within that company. Keep trying for new leads all this time, since you can’t control when you’ll get that clarity.

If there isn’t a specific job that’s open, look for the quantity and quality of response from people you’re networking with. Do the responses take a long time and are cursory with little or no opening to continue the back and forth? That could be a sign that the person would rather back off – or, it could be a busy time overall and not you specifically. Slow down the communication (every other month instead of week, for example). Focus on other contacts until you’re clearer about the viability of this one.

Employers should stay in your network as long as you are still interested in them

Whether or not you get a job there is not 100% in your control, but the pace, quality and consistency of your follow-up is. Put in the work to stay top of mind and to develop a relationship built on something more than any one job. This keeps you in consideration when potential opportunities do arise, while also fostering a genuine connection that’s sustainable rather than transactional.

 

Forbes.com | November 21, 2022 | Caroline Ceniza-Levine

#JobSearch : What You Need To Do To Successfully Bounce Back From A Layoff. Downsizings will Continue Until Inflation Falls from Around 8% to 2%.

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The job market abruptly ricocheted from a war for talent to layoffs becoming commonplace. The Federal Reserve Bank’s inflation-fighting measures include raising interest rates, and leading companies to downsize employees to cut costs.

Downsizings will continue until inflation falls from around 8% to 2%. This may take one to two or more years. Many Americans will, unfortunately, lose their jobs. Here is what you need to do if you are laid off from your company.

Work On Your Mental Health And Emotional Well-Being

Losing your job is a traumatic event. There is a loss of income, fear of what to do next and a loss of identity that’s wrapped up with your career. It’s normal to feel anger and resentment. You’ll feel depressed and anxious. The loss of your routine will be disorienting. There will be an absence of the esprit de corps you had with your work buddies.

It’s easy to start feeling isolated and adrift. You avoid talking to people, dreading the point when they ask about your job and you have to relive the painful experience all over again. Many people who lose their jobs socially withdraw. They are ashamed of the job loss, their ego is wounded and it takes a toll on their self-esteem.

Take some time to process what happened. Don’t bottle your emotions. Share with your family and friends what happened. It’s okay to grieve and feel sorry for yourself–just for a while. Then, you need to move forward. If it’s hard to bounce back, seek help from a therapist.

 

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Question: Want the ‘the best/current articles/blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & Type(#Jobsearch, #Resume, or #Networking) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

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

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, Llc (FSC) is celebrating over 30 years in the delivery of corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 of our corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!  

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

Article continued …

Hiring Managers Want Positive People–Not Complainers

If you carry the resentment baggage to an interview, it won’t go over well. Interviewers are attracted to positive, enthusiastic and motivated candidates. If you come across angry or talk poorly about your former boss, co-workers and company, it’s not a good look. The hiring manager may feel that you are a malcontent who blames everything on others. It may be hard, but cast aside your negative feelings.

Show up to an interview exuding confidence. When the subject of the layoff comes up, say, “My manager said that this was no reflection on my work. In fact, she said that I was one of the top performers. Unfortunately, with the mass layoff, I was impacted. Despite the temporary setback, I’m excited about the future. This may have pushed me to try something new. If I weren’t let go, I’d probably be with the company for another five or more years. Now, I have the chance to pursue new and exciting opportunities. I’m so happy to be here for this interview. The job looks great. I love your company’s mission and my skills are a perfect fit. If I wasn’t let go, I would never have thought of applying. It’s great how things can turn out so positive.”

Looking For A Job Is Your New Job

Get in touch with recruiters, career coaches and résumé writers. Contact people in your network to see if they know of any job openings. Target the companies you want to work for and find out if you know anyone who works there. Ask them to share your résumé, along with a recommendation for the job you want at the organization. Go on LinkedIn to post comments, articles and short-form videos to position yourself as an expert in your field to gain attention. Put together an elevator pitch. Practice role-playing commonly asked interview questions.

The Practical Logistics

Although your emotions will run high, don’t sign a severance or other agreements without evaluating them appropriately. Get everything you discuss at the exit interview and with management in writing, so there are no surprises down the road. Consider asking for a reference for when you start interviewing. Find out how your termination will be positioned in future references.

As you leave, remain professional and don’t burn any bridges by getting into ugly fights and no-win battles that could work against you when you seek a new job. Was there another– possibly discriminatory or illegal–reason why they fired you (i.e. race, religion or age)?

File for unemployment. Start preparing how you will position this event to prospective interviewers. If you’ve been putting off any healthcare appointments, make them now while you still have coverage.

Stay Active

Use this time to start a physical exercise routine to keep you occupied and healthy. Exercise, walk, do yoga or Pilates, join pick-up basketball games or ride your bike.

Utilize this time to catch up on all new developments within your field. Maintain a positive attitude, no matter how hard it is to do so. Consider finding temporary, part-time work or some management consulting. Start thinking about your next career move. Help others or volunteer.

Don’t ever give up hope. Keep pushing forward and remain positive and strong. The best-case scenario is that you will find an even better job and earn more money than before.

 

Forbes.com | November 10, 2022 | Jack Kelly 

#JobSearch : How To Avoid Making The Top 5 Virtual Interview Faux Pas. If you Make these Interview Missteps, you’re Undermining your Chances of Landing the Job.”

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Ask any job seeker the worst possible thing to happen during a virtual interview, and they’ll likely say having a spotty internet connection. However, ask potential employers the same question, and you’ll receive very different answers.

According to a recent survey of employers by TopResume, the world’s largest resume-writing service, job candidates’ are making huge mistakes when interviewing virtually. And because the study found that one-third (33%) of employers offer an exclusively virtual interview process, and only one in five (20%) participants stated that most of their company’s interviews take place in person, nailing your virtual interview is paramount.

“Although virtual interviews have become a ubiquitous part of the hiring process, even as more companies are requiring employees to return to the office, our data shows many job candidates have yet to master the art of the virtual interview — and it’s sabotaging their candidacy,” said Amanda Augustine, career expert for TopResume, and a certified professional career coach (CPCC) and a certified professional resume writer (CPRW).

Fortunately, unlike faulty Wi-Fi, these missteps are completely within a candidate’s control to mitigate.

 

Here’s how to avoid making the top five virtual interview deal-breakers:

1. Make eye contact and pay attention

The number one complaint among potential employers is when candidates avoid eye contact or stare into space. A lack of eye contact signals that you’re disinterested or distracted, so make a point to focus on your device’s camera. In addition, close out extra tabs, silence notifications, and remove anything from your view (including your phone) that could pull your attention away from your interviewer.

 

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Question: Want the ‘the best/current articles/blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & Type(#Jobsearch, #Resume, or #Networking) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

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

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, Llc (FSC) is celebrating over 30 years in the delivery of corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 of our corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!  

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

 

Article continued …

2. Tidy up your space

And speaking of being distracted, make sure that everything behind you is a mess-free zone by opening up your video call app and ensuring everything within your screen is spic and span. Sitting in a messy room while conducting a virtual interview increases the chance that your interviewer will focus more on your piles of paper and dirty laundry than they will on you and what you have to say. Plus, it sends a message that you don’t care about how you present yourself or don’t value the potential employer enough to tidy up.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re participating in a phone screen, interviewing via video conference, or meeting in person,” said Augustine. “If you make these interview missteps, you’re undermining your chances of landing the job.”

 

3. Close out all inappropriate tabs and apps

No one—especially a potential employer—wants to see extracurricular activities and interests on your laptop. Leaving inappropriate tabs or apps open when screen-sharing is a huge no-no for virtual interviews, so close out all non-interview-related windows before starting.

4. Skip the “fun” backgrounds

You know that hilarious Zoom background you use while chatting with your buddies? Don’t dare use it while interviewing. Ditto, anything you think is clever or cute. Using an unprofessional background is high on the list of potential employer turnoffs, so be sure to use a neutral background or none at all.

5. Make your interview space a “no-interruptions” zone

If you’re interviewing from a shared environment (aka your living room), take the time to alert others that you’ll need a quiet space for the duration of the interview. And if required, get temporary help to watch young children and control pets. Being interrupted by your family members is a mistake easily avoided with proper planning.

Though these faux pas top the list of virtual interview don’ts, not surprisingly, there are other behaviors employers find highly offensive, regardless of the interview format. Potential employers frown on candidates lying, arriving late (without a valid excuse), badmouthing a current or former employer, appearing disinterested in the opportunity, and being unprepared.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re participating in a phone screen, interviewing via video conference, or meeting in person,” said Augustine. “If you make these interview missteps, you’re undermining your chances of landing the job.”

 

Forbes.com | November 3, 2022 | Amy Blaschka

#BestofFSCBlog : Over 12K Reads! How To Find A Job Between Now And The Beginning Of 2023. Waiting for the First of the Year is a Very Bad Idea. A MUSt REad!

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If you start searching for a job now, you’ll benefit from the needs of companies to quickly hire before the holiday-season slowdown. If you miss this window of opportunity, position yourself to be ahead of the crowd for early next year.

It’s both an exciting and challenging time for job hunters. There are only two months left in 2022. Historically, once it gets close to Thanksgiving Day, the hiring process starts grinding to a halt. It’s one of the few times of the year when Americans collectively agree on something: they ease back on work and focus on family, friends and social activities. After being cooped up at home, people will be more eager than ever to take extended vacations and long weekends.

You want to be a contrarian. This entails some delayed gratification. Stay the course while most other job seekers take a break during the holidays. With fewer people applying for jobs and interviewing, you’ll stand out.

The odds will turn out in your favor if you keep hustling. It’s a numbers game. If you continually submit résumés to target companies, get job leads from your network and contribute content on LinkedIn to get noticed, there is a higher probability of achieving interviews leading toward a job offer.

This may seem crass, but there will always be some bosses who desperately need to hire someone quickly. They’ll lower their requirements, increase compensation and acquiesce to your work style preference, including working from home as an enticement. By being persistent, you could end up in the right place at the right time, leading to a job offer you never thought was possible.

 

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

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, LLc (FSC) is celebrating over 30 years in the delivery of corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 of our corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, UK, & Mexico!  

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

 

Article continued …

The Challenges You’ll Face

It becomes harder to secure a new job as vacation schedules and personal days are taken, making the hiring process clunky and inconsistent. The human resources person is away when you are available to interview. When the HR representative returns, the business people you need to meet with are not around. The in and out of workers involved with the hiring process creates a loss of momentum. Other end-of-year corporate priorities start taking precedence over the recruiting and onboarding process.

During the last few months of the year, businesses start focusing on closing their books. They conduct annual reviews, determine who will get a promotion or raise and those slated for layoffs, and commence working on the new budget and headcount allotments for 2023.

Many white-collar professionals receive a bonus and stock in addition to their base salary. During this belt-tightening time, corporate leadership is not inclined to buy out five-figure bonuses and stock options to induce job seekers to leave their current employer. Their rationalization is that it’s prudent to wait until candidates receive their bonuses and new salary numbers.

Once a job hunter knows their numbers, they’ll either immediately begin a job search, due to feeling disrespected over the lackluster total rewards package, or happily remain with their firm because their needs were met.

Sometimes companies have a use-it-or-lose-it budget. Management allocates a specified amount of funds toward hiring new personnel. If the supervisors don’t hire in 2022, the bosses will contend that the open jobs are not mission-critical and will withdraw the job listings. Savvy, experienced managers understand the game and will aggressively look to see if they can hire someone quickly. Otherwise, they’ll lose the budget for next year.

Focusing On Finding A Job In Early January

Despite the clunkiness of November, December and early January, it makes sense for you to keep interviewing. You need to be mentally prepared that most jobs will linger until mid-January 2023. What you hope for is that there will be at least a small number of job openings that managers want to hire eagerly.

Instead of sitting on the sidelines, take action. The holiday season is a great time to rekindle old relationships. Get in touch with former co-workers, college alumni, people in your community, folks you met online and others to build up your network. One of the best ways to find a job is not through responding to a job advertisement, but to have an insider at a company recommend you for the role.

Seek out recruiters who are active in your field. You want them to know all about you. Sell them on your talents, experience, work history, a record of accomplishments, emotional intelligence and communications skills. Since most headhunters work on contingency searches, they only get paid if they successfully place you. Therefore, the recruiter is highly incentivized to extol your virtues and aggressively pitch you to their clients.

Everyone has areas upon which they can improve upon. Find a mentor to help you devise a plan to accelerate your career. They could offer advice and guidance throughout your job search and career. Utilize the services of career coaches and résumé writers. You can find them on LinkedIn. These career experts provide interview tips, ensure that your résumé looks current and sharp, help with role-playing an interview scenario and offer constructive criticism and feedback.

Write out an elevator pitch. Similar to a catchy commercial on TV or radio, you want to be able to offer your value proposition in a tight, upbeat, excited 30-seconds-to-a-minute sales pitch. It’s also akin to when a politician gives their stump speech with the same talking points.

The goal is to clearly and concisely offer what roles you had at your current or prior firm, some of your great achievements and how your background, talents, education and skills perfectly match the job. Talk in an enthusiastic, but not too over-the-top manner.

Additionally, take a look online for frequently asked questions by interviewers. Then, practice answering the standard, “Why do you want this job? Why should I hire you instead of the other applicants? Can you please tell me about yourself? Where do you see yourself in five years?”

 

Forbes.com | November 1, 2022 | Jack Kelly

#JobSearch : Employers Want – And Will Pay For – Soft Skills. Are You Focusing On Them Enough? Got Kids? MUst REad!

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Gallup and Amazon Web Services recently completed a study that assessed workers’ job satisfaction based on their digital skills, including information technology, coding, data analytics, and search engine and social media marketing. The survey showed that workers with digital skills experienced higher job satisfaction, increased wages, and felt safer from layoffs or firings. The pay bump was particularly pronounced: those with advanced skills could expect about a 65 percent premium in compensation over those without digital skills.

The importance of having some technical skills in a world where technology advances at exponential rates means that much press is given to the importance of learning these skills. And indeed, it is important to have – at some level – a firm grounding in technical topics. But far less attention seems to be given to the other side of the skills coin: the soft skills.

This Forbes article points out that employers rank soft skills higher than technical skills when hiring new employees. Knowing how to code may be critical if you’re a software developer, but those skills won’t matter if you can’t do the soft things: work well on a team, lead a project, communicate clearly, and think critically. Soft skills are particularly important if you want to take on more responsibility – they are the grease that allows you to successfully move from an individual contributor role to a leadership one. Indeed, in an article talking about the importance of soft skills to career advancement, the author references this LinkedIn survey, noting,

“Technical capabilities can only take you so far in your career. To really soar, you need skills that are harder to measure but critical to success. In LinkedIn’s … report, 89 percent of recruiters say that when a hire doesn’t work out, it usually comes down to a lack of soft skills.”

Here at Harvard Business School, our faculty have produced thousands of pages of research on the importance of soft skills. And the portfolio of online certificate programs we offer reflects this sense that while accounting and finance skills are important to a modern business, they are nothing without the more human skills. Courses centered on leadership, power dynamics, management, and negotiations are examples of those that teach “pure” soft skills. But even those courses that are geared toward the more technical skills regularly touch on the soft ones as well.

 

Like this Article?  Share It!    You now can easily enjoy/follow/share Today our Award-Winning Articles/Blogs with Now Over 2.5 Million Growing Participates Worldwide in our various Social Media formats below:

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Twitter: Follow us @ firstsunllc

Best Daily Choice: Follow the Best of FSC Career Articles/Blogs @

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Question: Want the ‘the best/current articles/blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & Type(#Jobsearch, #Resume, or #Networking) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

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

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, LLc (FSC) is celebrating over 30 years in the delivery of corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 of our corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, UK, & Mexico!  

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

 

Article continued …

You can find plenty of free content online regarding soft skills development. But learning about leadership in any meaningful way through a Google search is much harder than learning how to code in Python. To be effective, online soft skills educational content needs to utilize features like self-assessment tools, complex interactive simulations, and real-world stories to ground learning. Producing such courses can be difficult and expensive.

Even then, many are skeptical that soft skills can be taught – either online or in person. Some evidence suggests that they can. But that prompts a question: even if they can be taught, do employers pay for soft skills as they might for easier-to-quantify technical skills? There’s surprisingly less data on this. But with my years of experience as a manager and leader, I would unequivocally say “yes.” And a recent study we did at HBS Online provides evidence that soft skills do indeed translate into better economic outcomes.

In a survey of 2,000 past HBS Online learners conducted by research firm City Square Associates, 42 percent experienced an increase in salary, with an average bump of $17,000 in additional annual income. Twenty percent saw a bonus increase that averaged $14,000. That means that over the roughly eight-year history of HBS Online, the population of those who have taken one of our programs have collectively realized about $700 million in economic value. Admittedly, not every one of the respondents took a soft skills focused course; but many did. Even if only 50% of that $700 million in value could be attributed to soft skills, the numbers are meaningful and a strong indication you shouldn’t ignore soft skills development at any career stage.

A final thought: I recently sat in on an in-person executive education case discussion comprised of senior leaders from a financial services firm. The case study they were addressing related to a dysfunctional leadership team at a fictional company. The professor closed the discussion by recounting something he learned as a doctoral student after reviewing nearly 1,000 pages of research focused on leadership. He said that when he finished his review, he noted that there were ultimately only two things that matter for those aspiring to become effective leaders: hold those who report to you accountable for meeting ambitious goals and do it while demonstrating that you care.

That’s a compelling argument for the importance of soft skills.

 

Forbes.com | October 28, 2022 | Patrick Mullane