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#JobSearch : Is Your Job Search Taking Too Long? Try These 6 Steps. For Months you Sent Hundreds of Résumés. Now What?

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You’ve been looking for months and sent out hundreds of résumés. Now, you’re at the end of your rope. Why is the job search taking so long? There are many potential reasons. For one, job seekers are being subjected to a never-ending interview process.

In fact, the amount of time it takes to hire a new employee reached an all-time high this year, based on a recent report. In the research conducted by the Josh Bersin Company and AMS, the time to hire has risen consistently over the last 4 years. The length of the job hunt also varies by industry. Tech companies worldwide laid off more than 400,000 employees in the last two years. So, if you’re looking for a position in that industry, you will face a tough market.

Despite the obvious challenges, there are elements of the job search you can control. These strategies will help you shorten the time it takes to land that ideal position.

1. Focus Your Job Search

The first question to ask yourself is whether your job search has any direction. Do you know where you want to work and what you want to do? Ask yourself questions like:

  • Do you want to work in person, remotely or hybrid?
  • Would you consider relocating?
  • Do you want to stay in your current industry or transition to a new one?
  • Do you want to work in a small, mid-sized or large corporation?
  • Would you consider working for a start-up?
  • What company culture will align with your values?

At that point, make a list of the top 10 organizations that interest you. Then, find specific positions within those companies that fit your skills and experience. That way, you can make a list of targeted job titles (which may vary by company) and network with people in those roles.

 

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Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & Type (Jobsearch, Resume, Networking, etc) 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 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. Optimize Your Résumé

Before submitting your job application, ensure your résumé is targeted to the position. Highlight any relevant qualifications and use keywords from the job description. If you’re applying for jobs online, optimizing your résumé for applicant tracking systems (ATS) is crucial. That’s because nearly 98% of Fortune 500 companies filter candidates through an ATS such as Jobvite, WorkdayWDAY -1.4% or Taleo. With companies receiving hundreds of résumés per job opening, a résumé that isn’t ATS friendly can be easily filtered out. Finally, if you’re applying for multiple roles, create a tailored résumé for each. That way, you increase your chances of standing out from the crowd.

3. Develop An Elevator Pitch

Whether you’re speaking with a friend, mentor or recruiter, every job seeker needs a compelling and concise elevator pitch. An elevator pitch is a quick introduction that allows you to make a memorable impression in a short amount of time. No matter what industry you’re in, your elevator pitch should describe who you are, what you do, what sets you apart and what your ultimate goal is. Don’t forget to practice in advance so your delivery sounds conversational instead of rehearsed.

4. Create A Strategic Plan

Another way to shorten your job search is to create a strategic plan. That means approaching it like any other work project by creating goals, objectives and a timeline. Break your job search process into manageable tasks and create a framework to organize your activities. Even a simple spreadsheet can help you track interviews, networking conversations and follow-up items.

5. Leverage Efficiency Tools

Besides staying organized, hundreds of productivity tools can speed up your job search. Here are just a few:

  • LinkedIn offers a plethora of resources, including job alerts and the Open-To-Work feature
  • Grammarly helps you edit and correct your grammar, spelling, punctuation and more
  • Mailtrack provides free tracking so that you will know when a recruiter or hiring manager opens your email
  • Hunter or Mailscoop can help uncover emails for outreach
  • Teal allows you to track job applications and manage your job hunt in one place

6. Ask For Job Search Help

Many people wait too long before they start asking for job search support. Don’t let shame or pride get in the way of reaching out to your network. Instead, leverage your professional and personal contacts early on. While it might feel awkward at first, it’s necessary if you want access to the hidden job market. You might even consider working with a career coach to help hone your interview and presentation skills.

Remember, while there are ways to streamline your job search, finding that coveted position can still take time. If you are experiencing frustration and burnout, try to reset your expectations. Track your efforts and determine where you might be falling short. Finally, don’t hesitate to reach out for support. It’s one of the best ways to set yourself apart so you can get access to opportunities that much quicker.

Forbes.com | December 3, 2023 | Caroline Castrillon

 

 

#JobSearch : What Job Seekers Should Expect Now That We’re In Summer Mode. Opportunities Available. MUst REAd!

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For job hunters, the summer is not a hospitable time to seek new employment. As workers start taking their vacations and using their paid time off to enjoy leisurely three-day weekends, it becomes exceedingly challenging to interview.

Companies are relying upon hiring decisions made by consensus. The current trend in the hiring process is to make white-collar, college-graduate candidates interview with up to 10 people over the course of three to four months or longer.

As most Americans plan their vacations over July and August, scheduling interviews becomes problematic. The company must have the appropriate interviews and the candidates readily available to conduct an orderly hiring process. The flow is interrupted as the human resources person is away on vacation, then when she returns, the candidate is on the beach in the Bahamas. This turnstile continues throughout the summertime.

The stop-and-start nature of the interview process becomes so cumbersome that both companies and applicants defer to September to re-engage in the job search and hiring.

Job Seekers Are Stuck In The Summer Malaise

With the large number of interviewers required, the comings and goings of interviewers and applicants become too much to manage. The flow is constantly interrupted.

Monster, an online job board, describes this period as a “seasonal malaise that seems to have set your productivity levels at a molasses-like state.” Nearly everyone posts their out-of-the-office messages, and decision-makers are not around to make things happen.

Eventually, there is an unspoken tacit agreement to slow-walk hiring, trying to only focus on high-priority recruitment, or just giving up. The process is sidelined until after the first few weeks in September, which is the adult equivalent of “back to school.”

 

Boom Times For Blue-Collar, Frontline Workers

For young people, blue-collar and frontline workers, it’s a different story. The summer job market is expected to be strong, despite looming concerns of a possible recession. The restaurant industry alone expects to hire 502,000 seasonal jobs this summer, the highest since 2017, according to the National Restaurant Association.

You would think that record-high levels of inflation— increasing the costs of everything from airplane tickets to dining out at restaurants—would discourage Americans from going out and spending money. Despite the extra costs involved, people are leveraging their credit cards, splurging on revenge travel and entertainment, such as sporting events, concerts, and dining out at restaurants. This is good news for frontline and blue-collar workers.

However, there may be a cooldown in internship and summer job opportunities. The labor market for seasonal summer jobs looks like it will be cooler than last year, according to an analysis of job postings by Indeed Hiring Lab. Although listings for summer jobs and internships are above pre-pandemic levels, as of May 19, they were down 10.2% and 14.7%, respectively, compared to last year at this time.

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https://www.firstsun.com/2023/07/03/jobsearch-the-tough-love-pep-talk-you-need-for-your-job-search-best-article-to-share-to-your-job-seeker-today/

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Question: Searching for ‘the Best Daily Career Search 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, Networking, etc) 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 32 years in delivering corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!   Visit & contact us @ www.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 …

If You Aren’t Taking A Vacation And Want To Get Ahead

With fewer people in the office, white-collar workers can make the most of their time by using the summer slowdown as an opportunity to catch up and get ahead of their projects. It’s an opportunity to network with colleagues, attend conferences, take online courses and visit with clients.

You can also start preparing for September when the job market rebounds. Update your résumé and LinkedIn profile, seek out recruiters who are active in your space, and start applying to job postings that look exciting and lucrative.

Forbes.com Author:  Jack Kelly –  Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. Check out my website or some of my other work here.
Forbes.com | July 9, 2023

 

#JobSearch : How To Find A Job Looking In All The “Wrong” Places. The Old Ways is the Best Ways of Securing a Job in Today’s Market.

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Over the past few months I’ve vocalized my thoughts on the current state of the job market and predicted what will happen next. I’ve discussed the trends— the tech layoffs, the flood of job applicants, the growing competition for remote work—and I’ve given job seekers strategies to take control of their careers despite today’s zeitgeist of overwhelming uncertainty.

It probably comes as no surprise that most of these strategies involve leveraging tools that help you stand out in today’s digital job market. After all, even older generations know a successful job hunt relies on mastering the newest technology.

An article published by AARP writes “Newspaper ads for openings have been replaced with online listings,and a computer is more likely to conduct the initial scan of your resume than a human being.”

 

Did I mention that article was published in 2008? Read that sentence with no context and it could very well pass as the broad opening to an article published this morning… But no, it’s been 15 years since newspapers stopped being the go-to for job listings. During that time, we’ve adopted other helpful gadgets like LinkedIn and Fiverr as well. Emails replaced letters and phone calls and referred job candidates to applications posted on company websites.

As technology took over the workforce, the places we once networked became desolate. To get a job in the modern workforce, a candidate must stand out in a pool of a thousand other digital profiles —and the survival of Darwin’s fittest is determined by LinkedIn hashtags and algorithms.

But old methods of job-hunting, though no longer popular, still exist. It’s because they are unpopular that they may very well be someone’s best shot at securing a job in today’s market. Instead of hitting you with a tech-savvy tip that will bring your LinkedIn profile to the top of employers’ feeds, I’m dishing out some old advice. This is the advice your parents heard from their parents, who likely heard something similar from their parents. It’s the advice that has been recited again and again, spit out and recycled, in one ear and out the other, passed along from generation to generation.

 

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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 32 years in delivering corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!   Visit & contact us @ www.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 …

I’ve edited some of these vintage job hunting tips slightly so they still apply to today, but for the most part, they’re the same as they were decades ago. They’re also great ideas to try out when your digital job hunt leaves you stuck.

Pick up the phone.

For many millennials and Gen Zers, few things are less unpleasant than calling someone on the phone. Not only is phone phobia a real thing, there are actually people out there who charge as much as $480 dollars an hour to help people overcome it.

This presents a significant opportunity for other job seekers, especially those from younger generations. Curious about what job opportunities are available at a company you’re interested in? Pick up the phone and call. There’s a good chance the first person who answers won’t have most of the information you’re looking for. Ask if there’s a hiring manager you can speak to or someone with more information who can give you a call back.

Even if you speak to someone who refers you back to information posted on the company’s website, you never know what conversations are happening back in their office. Going out of your way to call the company and inquire about positions shows them you have serious interest, and there’s a good chance your name will be mentioned around the office.

Visit the library.

With access to online PDFs and digital libraries, visiting the actual library has sadly become somewhat of a pastime. People don’t realize that some of the best things about the library have nothing to do with books—many libraries offer career services ranging from tips on looking for jobs to reviewing your resume and helping you prepare for an interview.

These resources are great for anyone to take advantage of, especially those who have been out of the job hunt for a little while. Handing in a resume that is not only updated with your relevant work experience, but also fits “with the times” can make all the difference when it comes to getting a response. Plus, with ATS tracking softwares filing through most resumes these days, experts from your local library will probably have a few tips to help yours stand out from the pile.

Spend time in third places.

Gyms, community centers, coffeeshops, local restaurants, places of worship —these are all third places, or places outside the office that are vital to the community. Often, third places are where friends gather and information is disseminated. Leave your office and take your laptop to a coffee shop or rock climbing gym instead.

Keep your eyes open for bulletin boards and flyers highlighting any help wanted signs. Start conversations with baristas and gym rats and see where they lead. A friendly encounter may just lead to your next interview.

Attend networking events.

Love it or hate it, networking is here to stay. After all, you cannot beat the power of human connection! Before LinkedIn allowed us to skip the awkward small talk and “connect” seamlessly, developing a strong professional network relied heavily on networking events and conferences. Don’t let the number of LinkedIn connections fool you – connections made through social media platforms are rarely as impactful as those developed in person. Do a deep dive on some of the professional groups in your industry and create a list of networking events to attend.

Show up in person and dress the part.

Job interviews and professional networking events are not first dates: showing up overdressed won’t make the situation awkward. In fact, it’s better to be overdressed than underdressed. When in doubt, wear a tie and fish through your closet for a pair of dress shoes.

Check the newspaper.

Despite what AARP said in 2008, companies still post job ads in newspapers. If you can’t find any in print, meet the employer halfway between an old-school tactic and tech-savvy maneuver– check what jobs newspapers have listed on their website.

 

Forbes.com Author:  Ashley Stahl

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

 

Forbes.com | March 14, 2023

 

#YourCareer : 10 LinkedIn Learning Courses Worth Taking. Our Favorite: Professional Networking. Must REad!

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Despite all of their achievements, high achievers are life-long learners. They realize there is always more to learn, and their mind is consistently open to new knowledge. They are eager to learn from anyone, including those who are junior to them. In today’s digital world, continuous learning is more important than ever.

While billionaires Marc Cuban, Warren Buffet, and Bill Gates are known for reading three to eight hours a day, there are many other ways to increase your cross-industry knowledge base. You could read articles, listen to podcasts, and watch TED talks or webinars. The point is there is no shortage of opportunities to learn something new if only you are open to the idea.

Learning and Development Departments at your company might offer professional development classes. However, a minority of the employees can usually access these courses due to fixed time commitments that conflict with their other obligations. But that doesn’t mean you cannot take professional development courses to advance your career according to your timetable.

 

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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 …

Previously Lynda, LinkedIn Learning has been a leading e-learning platform that exploded with courses and learners eager to upskill during the pandemic. E-learning, or online learning, through mediums such as LinkedIn Learning, has allowed users to further develop their skills by learning a variety of hard (technical) and power skills (often referred to as soft skills) from the comfort of their homes. This asynchronous learning puts content experts on your screen and learning at your individualized pace.

There are over 20,000 courses available in three main categories: Business, Creative, and Technology, with new courses added regularly. You can take technical programming and data analysis courses or leadership and communication. These on-demand courses allow you to learn anything ranging from leading high achievers mastering Canva, and becoming an Excel ninja. With a LinkedIn Premium subscription account, or if your work has an enterprise account, you can access tens of thousands of LinkedIn Learning courses for free, and take the courses based on your interest and availability. The bonus is that when you complete the course, you get a certificate of completion which you can add to your LinkedIn profile.

Long before I taught my courses on LinkedIn Learning, I was a devoted user of the platform and, to date, have watched over 100 courses on topics ranging from mentoring to Photoshop. The courses are always relevant, up-to-date, and expertly taught.

Here are ten must-see courses which should be on your radar:

10 Mistakes Leaders Should Avoid by Halelly Azulay

Cultivating Growth Mindsets by Gemma Leigh Roberts

Quick Scripts for Difficult Conversations by Alisa Cohn

Create and Deliver Standout Presentations by Melissa Marshall

Professional Networking by Dorie Clark

Preparing for Successful Communication by Sam Horn

Learning to be Promotable by Elizabeth Lotardo and Lisa McLeod

Managing a Multigenerational Team by Lindsey Pollak

Disrupting Yourself by Whitney Johnson

How to Have a Great Day at Work by Caroline Webb

If you want to learn new skills or reinforce those you already have, take charge of your professional development by taking online courses. This online opportunity to upskill might be a solution that is right at your fingertips.

 

Forbes.com Author:  Dr. Ruth Gotian – Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. Check out my website or some of my other work here.

 

Forbes.com | February 28, 2023

 

#JobSearch : The 8 Biggest Mistakes People Make With Their LinkedIn Profile And How To Avoid Them. Reading this Headline on LinkedIn? MUst REad!

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With membership approaching one billion, LinkedIn is the most important personal branding resource. And despite LinkedIn being around for two decades, many professionals have not mastered this essential career management platform and they’re missing an opportunity to deliver an on-brand first impression.

Here are the most egregious LinkedIn profile mistakes to avoid.

1. Not Including Keywords In Your Headline

To help your profile show up prominently in the results, you need to include the words you want to be associated with in your headline. The first duty of your headline is to provide relevance. “Is this a person I need to know?”

 

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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. An Anemic About

Your LinkedIn “About” section will be the most-read version of your bio, so you need to tell your story in a compelling way. And here’s the catch: When people look at your LinkedIn profile, they only get to see the first few lines of your About. Use those valuable words to grab your reader’s attention so they will click “see more” to get the whole story. Don’t repeat what you told us about yourself in your headline.

3. Ignoring The Featured Section

This valuable piece of digital branding real estate shows up toward the top of your profile and gives you a place to showcase your accomplishments, passions, and causes. And because you can include images, video and other rich media, it makes your profile more interesting to look at and more differentiated too.

4. Not Using Creator Mode

Creator mode is a relatively new feature that allows you to identify the top five hashtags with which you want to be associated. These hashtags show up right below your headline and reinforce the topics for which you want to be known. Even if you have no intention of creating content for your LinkedIn blog, turn Creator mode on and select your five hashtags.

5. Keeping The Boring LinkedIn-Issued Background

The best way to make your profile stand out is to include a one-of-a-kind, on-brand, copyright-cleared background (it sits behind your headshot and headline). It’s the first thing people see when they’re checking you out. When you incorporate an image that helps you tell your story, you automatically stand out from your peers and deliver a relevant first impression.

6. Using A Photo That’s Not A True Headshot

No photo. A logo. A full body shot. A picture where you cropped someone’s body out of the shot, but their arm is still dangling from your shoulder. These are all examples of what you should never do with your LinkedIn headshot. Your headshot makes you real, and it makes it more likely that someone will accept a connection request from you. Make sure your headshot is professionally done, reflects your personality and is cropped so that your very human face occupies 60-80% of the space. When someone is looking at your profile on their phone, your headshot is the size of a button. Make sure people can look you in the eye.

7. Not Reordering Their Skills

LinkedIn displays your skills in order, based on the number of endorsements each skill has (from highest to lowest). When someone checks out your profile, LinkedIn only shows the top three. That’s a signal to the reader that those are the things you are best at. Yet for many of us, those may not be the things we want to be known for or the things that make us relevant for where we want to go next. Reorder your skills to showcase the three most important ones at the top.

8. Using Words Without Rich Media

It’s hard to create a visceral emotional experience when you’re limiting yourself to the 26 letters of the alphabet, but when you augment your prose with images, infographics and videos, you can truly dazzle your audience with your brilliance. Your profile is replete with places where you can leverage rich media to tell your story: your Featured artifacts, your Background image, in your Experience and Education sections, your Video Cover Story, etc. It’s hard to inspire people online, but using multimedia is sure to deliver more YAY and less YAWN to your readers.

 

Forbes.com Author: William Arruda is a keynote speaker, and 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 | February 8, 2023

#JobSearch : How To Land Jobs That Aren’t Advertised. Best Way to Stay Away from the Stack. Great REad!

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When looking for a job, many will start with job boards and Google searches to find open positions, which makes sense. The problem is, if you rely solely on these tools, you will only find those positions being advertised to thousands of other internet users.

It is only when you look beyond these platforms to the hidden job market that some of the most exciting opportunities present themselves.

What is the hidden job market?

For those who are unaware of this hidden job market, this refers to job openings that may exist but are currently not being advertised online. There are several reasons an organization may choose not to actively advertise a position, perhaps they intend to hire internally, or they rely on employee referrals.

It might also be that a newer role is still evolving and they’re not set on how to define the job title or daily responsibilities. But if you sit back and wait for this position to appear online, you might miss your chance of landing your dream job.

So, by looking beyond the jobs posted online, you’ll open yourself up to a whole host of new opportunities, but how do you find a job if you don’t know the role exists?

Reach out to your network

Over the years, it’s likely that you’ve built up a network of connections in your industry, and you should never stop expanding this network.

When looking for your dream position, it’s a good idea to reach out to relevant connections and let them know that you’re looking for work. You should also give them an idea of your skills and experience, as well as how you believe you can help their business.

This can be done by email, simply asking if they have any positions going. Alternatively, you could set up a business meeting to discuss this with them in person or over the phone.

 

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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 …

Turn to LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a great way to continue growing your network, but it also presents you with lots of other techniques for finding unadvertised jobs.

Firstly, you could share an update letting your connections know that you’re available for work and your credentials. This might encourage them to reach out and let you know about positions within their company.

Alternatively, you can join industry-related groups where you can share interesting insights and join relevant conversations. Getting your name out there and being part of the conversation increases your chance of being approached with exciting opportunities.

Attend industry events

Trade shows and industry events can be the perfect way to meet others in your industry and open yourself up to unadvertised positions.

Before you go, it’s a good idea to put together a quick elevator pitch and keep this at the forefront of your mind when meeting new people. You should also take with you an up to date copy of your resume, or at the very least, a notepad and pen so you can jot down email addresses and fire over your resume when you get home.

You might even wish to volunteer at these events, showing your passion for your industry and giving you the opportunity to network with lots of like-minded professionals and organizations.

Start with the company

Job hunting doesn’t just have to be about looking for the perfect role; in fact, in many cases, it pays to start with the company instead.

If there is a specific organization you’ve always dreamed of working for, this is the ideal opportunity to reach out to them and find out if they have any positions available. Just because they may not have advertised these online or on their website, it doesn’t mean the position isn’t there.

So get the contact details of the most relevant employee, for example, the in-house recruiter or the manager of your chosen department. Then, you can contact them with your resume, outlining why you think you’d be an asset to the company.

Suggest freelance work

Finally, and this will very much depend on the type of work you do, but if there is a specific company you want to work for, you could consider completing some freelance or contract work with them first.

Reach out to the relevant employees with your pitch, explaining your services, past experience, and how you can add value to their business. Then, if they think your services could be beneficial, you’ll have a chance to work with them, get to know more people in the company, and learn about any open roles.

In fact, if your freelance abilities are as good as you say they are, they might offer you a full-time position before you even enquire.

As you can see, when you’re job hunting, it always pays to be proactive. That way, you’re more likely to uncover unadvertised positions and secure your dream role.

 

Forbes.com | January 19, 2023 | Andrew Fennell 

#JobSearch : How To Find A New Job In The New Year. Here is a Daily Checklist of Activities you Should Follow.

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Many people wait until the new year to search for a new job. January is one of the most opportune times to seek a new job. The start of a new year universally ushers in a warm feeling of promise and new beginnings, as people establish and try to live up to their New Year’s resolutions. People promise themselves that they will lose weight, stop smoking or drinking, dedicate themselves to a healthier mindset and get a new job. Now that 2023 is here, you don’t have any excuses and need to get started on the job hunt.

Searching for a new job takes time and energy. Think deeply about what you want to do next. You will need to do homework to see how hot or cold the job market is for your specific type of career. Update your rèsumè and LinkedIn profile, start speaking with people in your network to gather job leads, find headhunters that specialize in your space, create an elevator pitch and put together a daily action plan to achieve your goal.

Talk with colleagues, family, friends and former co-workers to gain valuable insights. Read about the type of job you’re going after and how easy or hard it will be to find a new opportunity. Set aside a sufficient amount of time every day for your job search.

Update Your LinkedIn Profile

LinkedIn will be your primary platform to network and get noticed if you are a white-collar professional. Create or update your LinkedIn profile and résumé, which could be added to your account. Your LinkedIn profile should reflect your most current job and go back about 10 years. The recent job should take up the most real estate, as that is what recruiters and hiring managers are interested in. They’ll also look at your career trajectory to see if you’ve grown professionally or remained static. Make sure to add your college and advanced degrees, accreditation, certifications and licenses required for your field.

You can have one generalist résumé, but then specifically tailor your résumé for each job you apply for to ensure that it addresses the specific needs outlined in the job description. In addition to internal recruiters looking at your résumé, it will also be included in the company’s applicant tracking system.

To help your résumé stand out in the applicant tracking system, make sure that you use common terms, nomenclature, abbreviations and jargon that people use in your sector of expertise, as well as using words, phrases and work responsibilities that match what’s called for in the job advertisement.

 

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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 …

Networking On LinkedIn

Actively engage on LinkedIn to get noticed. Set a list of target companies. When you see employees of the organization in the same type of role as you, send out invitations to connect with a polite greeting letting them know you’d love to work at the firm. If an online conversation ensues, be bold and ask if they could point you to the right person who is involved with the hiring process for the role you want.

If someone within your profession posts content on the social media platform, reply with a like and add a well-thought-out comment. Once you get confident, start writing your own posts or share videos you’ve made about a relevant topic about your profession that will resonate with others in your field.

When you apply for a job, search for people you may know who work there. If you’re unfamiliar with anyone at the firm, tap into your network, both online and in person, to see if anyone you know has a connection with a decision-maker at the company. If they are nice enough to go to bat for you, politely ask them to put in a good word for you and offer a glowing recommendation. The recommendation will make you stand out. If you can obtain a couple of people supporting your candidacy, especially an insider, they’ll think you are a superstar.

Partner With Recruiters

Look for recruiters who specialize in your space. Having a couple of smart, experienced, knowledgeable and well-connected recruiters working on your behalf can make all the difference in the world. Top recruiters have deep relationships with companies and hiring managers. They’ll often know about open job requisitions before anyone else. Many times, companies don’t aggressively advertise certain jobs and rely on recruiters to conduct stealth, under-the-radar searches for the appropriate candidates.

Recruiters offer insider information about hiring managers and corporate culture. You’ll gain tips on what the hiring managers really want in a prospective employee, what you should avoid saying and what are the hot buttons to push to ingratiate yourself with your future boss. Recruiters will smooth out any bumps in the road, advocate for you and help with the awkward negotiating process.

Put Together And Practice Your Elevator Pitch

Put together an elevator pitch. The elevator pitch is like a commercial on television. Like a luxury-automobile company needs to quickly and effectively communicate its message and sell you on its product in one minute or less, you need to do the same thing in your pitch.

An elevator pitch is a term used to describe yourself, your job and current responsibilities, highlighting a huge win and why you are the best fit for the job, within about 30 or 45 seconds. Visualize yourself on an elevator ride with an executive at a company you’d like to work for. You need to seize the opportunity and quickly sell yourself before they exit the elevator to their floor.

Role-Play Answering Interview Questions

Review commonly asked interview questions and prepare answers to them. Research and learn all about the companies you plan on meeting with, so you’ll be comfortable when the interviewer asks, “Why do you want to work here?”

When answering questions, don’t go off on tangents. Answer by selling your relevant, on-target experience, background, interpersonal skills, educational background and other softer skills that you offer, which directly addresses the job requirements and shows how you can make their lives easier.

When responding to questions, come across in an enthusiastic, concise and compelling manner. You also want to demonstrate that you are a caring, hardworking and empathetic person they would love to hire and work alongside. Additionally, you are comfortable in your own skin and can handle stress. Lastly, think of questions to ask the interviewer when they say, “Do you have any questions for me?”

Hunting for a new job is your new job. To get you started, here is a daily checklist of activities you should follow:

  • Search job boards, the career pages of target companies and job aggregators, like Indeed, Simply Hired and Glassdoor. Try to send out a certain number of rèsumès every day. Tailor your rèsumè to each job listing.
  • Keep track of the résumés you’ve sent out, calls made and emails sent thanking people for taking the time to interview you.
  • Contact a recruiter and ask for in-person or video interviews to build a relationship. Set up calls with people in your network.
  • Make yourself known on LinkedIn by posting content and commenting on others’ postings. Prepare and practice your elevator pitch. Find someone to role-play interview questions with.
  • Research companies that would be a natural progression for you to go next in your career. Investigate them to determine if they are doing well or not. Check out the company’s career page for its job listings. Ask around your network to see if anyone has a connection with the company and whether or not they can make an introduction for you.
  • Scour LinkedIn to find the decision-makers, possible hiring managers and human resources or talent acquisition professionals.
  • Clean up your social media footprints. Since hiring managers, recruiters and internal talent acquisition personnel may snoop around your social media postings, ensure that you’ve cleaned up anything embarrassing, cringey or hurtful to others.
  • Network by sending out emails to people you’ve worked with in the past, old college friends, business associates and all others who could potentially turn you on to a job lead or supply a referral or recommendation to a key insider at the company you’d like to join.

 

                                                                                                                Forbes.com | January 3, 2023 | Jack Kelly 

#2023JobSearch : How To Sell Yourself In Your Job Search. Not Getting Job Interviews? Read This.

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If you’ve been applying to jobs and not getting interviews or offers, chances are you aren’t selling yourself enough. You can have the greatest resume or speak brilliantly in an interview, but if you don’t sell yourself, it can often be the difference between getting a job offer or not.

Before you start to roll your eyes because you think sales is a bunch of surface-level conversations, networking, and coercing, let’s take a step back. Not all sales strategies are inauthentic and ethically questionable.

Sales is crucial in the business world because marketing alone isn’t always enough to turn an interested prospect into an actual customer. Sometimes it takes a bit of a human touch.

Great sales people know potential customers often take time to make a purchase decision. Sales people help customers overcome objections and see the tangible and intangible benefits of a product.

You’ve probably heard the common sales mantra, “always be closing.” But what does closing actually mean? In reality, perhaps a better way to phrase this is “always be connecting.” If marketing is about ensuring people know about you and what you have to offer you then sales is about ensuring they connect the dots and see enough value in the product or service to actually buy it.

In your career, when you apply sales strategies to help communicate your value, you can increase the chances that:

  • Your job application is actually read and maybe even flagged as a strong candidate
  • You stand out in the minds of people who interview you, even after a long day, or week of interviews.
  • You’ll be top of mind when friends, former colleagues, family, or acquaintances hear about roles that might be relevant for you
  • And once you’re hired, your boss or manager sees your value and considers you for promotions, raises, or other opportunities

If sales is about connecting, then in your career, you need to focus on building authentic relationships that can help hiring managers and recruiters see your value.

Here are 3 example messages you can send at various stages of your job search to communicate your value. You’ll notice that in all of the examples below, the messages are concise, direct, and clear and don’t use vague requests to have a “coffee chat” or “pick your brain.”

 

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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 …

Before You Apply: Find & connect with people who work at the company

When looking for a new job, it’s important to know that 88 % of jobs are filled through networking and relationships. But what happens when you don’t know anyone at a company you want to work at? You have to find people who work there and reach out to them and start to build a relationship.

Let’s imagine you want to work at Salesforce and you don’t know anyone there. One of the first things you should do is leverage various professional groups and communities you might be a part of to see if anyone works there. For example, you could post something like this.

Hey everyone, I have a quick question.

I’m curious about working at Salesforce and want to learn more about their interview process. If you’ve interviewed there, what was your experience like? How long was the process, and did anything come up that you weren’t prepared for?

Feel free to private message me your answers or leave your general thoughts below.

Thanks in advance!

[Your Name]

This works because with one post in a group, you’re likely to receive many replies from people who work at or used to work at Salesforce or people who have friends or family who work there. These conversations can help uncover useful information about the culture and what it’s like to work there or maybe even offers from people to give you referral links to apply.

When You Apply: Send a cold email or message to the hiring manager

Contrary to what you may think, it’s not a bad idea to cold email a hiring manager before or after you apply for a job. Cold emailing gets a bad reputation because so many don’t know how to write a good cold email. However, a strong cold email can help catch the attention of a hiring manager.

The purpose of a cold email is to let the hiring manager know you applied (or plan to), provide a concise pitch for why you’re a fit for the role, and start a conversation. Think of it like this, if the hiring manager only read your cold email (and not your resume or LinkedIn profile) would it be compelling enough to make them want to learn more?

Hi [Hiring Manager / Recruiter Name],

I wanted to connect to let you know I applied for the Product Manager role at Salesforce that you’re hiring for.

I’m currently a Product Manager at HubSpot with 4 years of experience. Previously I worked as a Data Analyst for 5 years and have a MS in Data Science. Based on the job description, I think my experience could be valuable on the Analytics team.

If you have any questions or would like me to send you my resume, please let me know!

[Your Name]

After You Interview: Convert job interviews to job offers with follow up messages

If you think no one reads thank you emails, think again. According to a study by Top Resume, 68% of hiring managers said that a thank you email or note can make a difference.

The key to writing an effective thank you note is to use is to use it as an opportunity to highlight your relevant skills and experience, especially anything you maybe forgot to talk about in the interview, as well as demonstrate your written communication skills.

Using our example of the person applying to the Product Manager role at Salesforce, here’s what they might write after an interview.

Hi [Hiring Manager / Recruiter Name],

It was a pleasure to learn more about the Product Manager role at Salesforce and the analytics team. I’m excited about the opportunity to use my product management and data science background!

In the interview you asked me about [insert something they asked] and I forgot to mention [something relevant to demonstrate your skills or experience]. Please reach out if there are any other questions you have.

I look forward to hearing from you when you know what the next steps might be.

Best wishes,

[Your Name]

You should try to tailor your message to each person. Sending a generic and vague message that mentions no specifics about the role or company will not help you stand out. In fact, it might do the opposite as it could make you come across as lazy!

If you’re applying to jobs and not getting interviews or job offers, one of the most important things you can do is to leverage the power of connection and sell yourself through fostering relationships and communicating your value to recruiters and hiring managers.

 

Forbes.com | December 28, 2022 | Sarah Doody 

#JobSearch : 5 Hacks For Holiday Networking, Especially For Those Who Hate It. The Holidays Are the Best Time for Networking. Great REad!

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Yes, the holidays are a time of joy, peace and well wishes, but they can also bring stress particularly in and around the workplace. In addition to completing performance reviews and other year end activities, there are tons of social events and holiday celebrations as well. While this avalanche of quasi-coerced socialization along with pressing year-end requests can feel stressful, CEO and Founder of the executive networking and professional development group Athena Alliance, Coco Brown reminds us that this time truly offers a unique and valuable opportunity to take steps to position ourselves for stronger relationships and enhanced success in the new year.

“The holidays are the best time for networking since people are in a relaxed and festive mood, feeling more generous and sociable than normal,” explains Coco Brown. “Learning how to leverage personal connections, especially with people you don’t know that well, can help job seekers bring their careers to the next level.”

Break out of your bubble

While it may feel safer and easier to rely on your own inner circle, Brown warns against making that classic mistake. Instead, she suggests taking advantage of opportunities to spend time with people you wouldn’t normally connect with. “Often we lean into our closest friends or colleagues when we’re trying to network into a new job opportunity, but research suggests that doing the opposite can actually be hugely beneficial,” she explains. “The term for this is ‘the strength of weak ties,’ and taking advantage of our weaker social connections can be hugely advantageous when we’re looking to find our next job opportunity.”

 

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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 …

Share your gratitude – and your goal

As the year winds down, most professionals naturally begin reflecting on their goals. It’s a great time to take stock of where you are compared to where you want to be—to ask yourself if you’re really on the right track or just spinning your wheels. Brown suggests using this time to actively connect with professionals who are now where you strive to be.

“They’ve been in your shoes, are often willing to help, and have the network in place that made it happen for them,” she says. “Ask questions to learn from their journey, then clearly articulate your goal and make the ask. Do they have any tips or insights they learned on their journey? Do they have any connections who may move the needle for you? Do they know of any open opportunities that may be a fit?” Don’t be afraid to seize the opportunity to gain critical insight from those who have successfully blazed the path you’re seeking.

Know your value and lead with it

Brown reminds us to approach the holidays with a mindset shift, focusing on our unique value and leaning into that during networking interactions. “This isn’t arrogance, it’s knowing what you bring to the table and having confidence in your ability to execute it,” she explains. “Think of your value proposition like an elevator pitch… you should be able to convey it in 60 to 90 seconds: it should sound practiced yet natural, like something you can easily slip into a conversation between sips of egg nog. Be prepared with stories that speak to your leadership and how you’ve shaped the companies you’ve worked at.” It’s nice towards the end of the year to not just reflect on what you’ve accomplished but also who you’ve become and how you’ve grown. Take this time to become more comfortable amplifying the unique talents and abilities that you bring to any opportunity.

Think about what you can do for others

While it can be tempting to approach networking situations with a focus on what you can gain, it’s often more effective long term to also consider what you can give. The most reliable relationships tend to be reciprocal ones so spend some time thinking about how you might be able to be a resource or support system for others. “I guarantee that by focusing on how you can help those around you advance their careers or find their next job opportunities, you will be repaid tenfold,” she insists. “Plant the seeds of generosity in those around you and then sit back and watch them grow.”

Refresh your resume and LinkedIn profile

Thankfully, December usually brings some downtime as well. Things tend to be quieter since so many colleagues are on vacation, and there tend to be fewer meetings and deliverables so it can be a great time to focus on some of those “important, but not urgent” tasks that tend to get pushed aside during more hectic times. Brown suggests using this time to update your resume and LinkedIn profile. “Take a fresh look at your resume and your LinkedIn profile with your future goals in mind,” she suggests. “Spend some time connecting with new people on LinkedIn who work in industries that you’re interested in, even if they’re not industries you have firsthand experience in. Think creatively about how the experience you do have can lend itself well to the experiences you want and weave that into your resume.”

While the holidays can be stressful, the last few weeks of the year can offer a healthy opportunity to reflect, recharge and reconnect. Networking is so much more than showing up at an event. Use these tips to broaden and deepen your professional network and hit the ground running in 2023.

 

Forbes.com | December 9, 2022 | Dana Brownlee

 

#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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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 …

 

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