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#JobSearch : Four (4) Job-Search Hacks For When The Job Market Opens Up. Must REAd!

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We’ve just passed Memorial Day weekend. Some states have started reopening, while others are beginning to focus on gradually easing up on restrictions. Before you know it, we’ll be close to some getting back to business.

Just hang in there. You will get through this. It may take time, but you will find that great, new job.

With a ray of hope on the horizon, here are four things you can do right now to plant the seeds for future success.

1. You need to get yourself into the right mindset.

This job market is and will continue to be different than others in the past. The simple act of asking someone to grab a cup of coffee or some lunch, which we’ve always taken for granted, is not even possible in certain cities.

Companies, understandably leery of what’s going to happen next, will naturally err on the side of caution and hold off on hiring or enact hiring freezes, as it’s the path of least resistance. They’ll maintain that it’s more prudent to take a wait-and-see approach before attempting to bring aboard someone new. Management will consider the likelihood of future layoffs and deem it inappropriate and unfair to both the company and job seeker. They wouldn’t want to be put in the position of hiring a person today only to let them go in a few months—if things don’t turn around for the better.

With this in mind, it’s easy to get discouraged. You have to change the way you view your search. Instead of interpreting it as a sprint, think of your job search as a marathon. It may take many months or longer to find a new job. Tune out the well-intentioned advice of friends and family who share their own antiquated, job-search anecdotes that took place pre-Covid-19, as they won’t be relevant to today’s environment.

Think of everything you do now as planting the seeds for the future. Don’t worry if you aren’t receiving feedback. The people at the company you’re applying to have no clue of what’s going on and what direction their company will head into next. The harsh truth is that they are worried about their own jobs and future.

Continue doing everything you need to, such as submitting résumés to jobs that you desire, networking, interacting on LinkedIn, making tailored versions of your résumé specifically for each job and other measures. While doing this, understand that you may not hear anything back. That’s okay, as the goal is to do everything you can to get noticed. So, when things improve, you’ve been in front of a large number of people and then you’ll gain momentum.

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

Article continued …

2. Write down a list of the five or more companies that you’d like to work with.

Then, look on LinkedIn to find out who are the hiring managers and human resources professionals responsible for these desired positions. You can also conduct Google searches too.

Once you find that right person who looks like they are a decision maker, send them a bespoke invitation. Let them know that you’re very interested in working at the company and would appreciate the chance to have a conversation. It might make sense to buy a premium LinkedIn account; you can send Inmails, which affords the opportunity to write a longer, more in-depth message.

Once you’re connected, like and comment on the person’s posts. Start writing original content yourself. By offering smart commentary relative to your field, you will come across as a thought leader and a person who takes their job seriously. You’ll draw positive attention from the people you’re connected with. They’ll remember and think of you when an appropriate job opens up.

3. Start connecting with former co-workers or current colleagues (if you’re still employed), managers, college alumni, business associates and anyone else you can think of who may be able to help with your job search and career development. 

This takes a little chutzpah. Reach out to the people you have connected with and invite them for a virtual cup of coffee via a Zoom video or traditional phone call. Since most people are bored out of their minds from being home over the last two months or so, they’re likely to say “yes,” as they are looking for something to break up the monotony.

This will be a numbers game. If you contact 10 people, maybe two or three will say “yes.” There’s no need to get discouraged about the ones who say, “Thanks, but I can’t.”  People are wrestling with serious issues during the pandemic. They may want to help, but have enough on their plate already. Keep contacting folks, as there will always be people who are happy to help.

On the call, keep it positive and light. Invariably, the conversation will veer toward what you’re up to. Tell them the truth that you’ve lost your job or are worried about your role or whatever the  circumstances may be. Most people will then offer some assistance. They’ll probe as to what you do next and think of some people for you to connect with.

If you do this with a large number of people, it becomes a numbers game. The greater amount of people you contact, the more you increase the odds of positive responses. This tactic will help expand your network.

4. Just sending résumés and applications won’t work by itself.

Continue searching for relevant jobs and submitting résumés. However, don’t put all of your eggs in one basket. As 40 million people are out of work, there will be intense competition. You’ll just be another résumé, unfortunately.

The trick is to find two or three people who work at the company. They could be someone you know or are sort of acquainted with. Feel free to find someone who knows someone who knows someone and leverage that contact.

Ask the person to put in a good word for you with the hiring manager. This way you immediately become a known, recommended human being and not just another name on a résumé. If you can find a second or third person, that’s awesome. Imagine how impressed a hiring manager or human resources professional would be when they learn that two or three internal employees highly recommend you for a role.

Bonus tip

It’s easy to find yourself frustrated, anxious and worried. We’re all going through these feelings. The challenge is to push back on the negativity. If you wear your emotions on your sleeve, the interviewers will notice and be turned off to your downcast demeanor. You must find ways to work on your presentation to recalibrate yourself, so that you feel positive, upbeat and motivated. If you can’t do this, then try channeling your inner-actor abilities and play the part of the motivated, excited, successful person that they want to hire.

Just hang in there. You will get through this. It may take time, but you will find that great, new job.

 

Forbes.com | May 29, 2020 | Jack Kelly 

#ResumeWriting : Executive Resume Targeting is More Important Than You Think . Targeting your Resume is Critical Today, and Here’s Why it’s So Important.

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What’s the first thing you think about when you start preparing or updating your resume? A common misconception today is thinking you have to craft your resume to be more general since you don’t know exactly what an employer wants to see.

The reality is hiring managers are looking specifically for people who understand their needs and have the skills and knowledge to solve their problems. The key to getting recognized is writing an effective resume geared toward acknowledging those specific needs and demonstrating why you have the skills they are looking for.

Targeting your resume is critical today, and here’s why it’s so important.

Targeting Doesn’t Limit Your Job Search

Your first thought when the best executive resume writers tell you to target your resume may be that you’re limiting your job search options. There’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all resume. Employers need to see specifically how you can help their current and future situation, so only including relevant information in your resume is critical. When writing an effective resume, your time is much better spent researching a potential employer and targeting the resume accordingly rather than trying to create a general resume to reach a wider audience.

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

Article continued … 

What to Do Before Writing Your Resume

The top resume writing services always suggest thinking hard about exactly what you want to do at your next job. Once you have your goals and desires set, you can search for potential employers that can help you achieve those goals. Take a look at what attributes and skills the company needs and identify where you can help them out the most. When writing your resume, be sure to demonstrate your brand clearly so the hiring manager will know exactly who you are, what you stand for and how you can help the company achieve its goals. 

Make Your Resume Stand Out

Hiring managers want to see you’ve done your research on them before sending in a resume. The best executive resume writers can help you with relevant keywords and phrases employers want to see. When you value the idea of working for an employer, the hiring manager will be able to see it and you’ll have a better chance of getting called in for an interview.

It can be difficult to wrap your mind around targeting a resume. While resume targeting has always been important, employers today take it much more seriously in their efforts to narrow down candidates to find the right fit. Take the time to make your resume a stand out by writing a targeted resume to show them you are the candidate of choice.

FSC Career Blog Author:  Ms. Erin Kennedy, MCD, CMRW, CPRW, CERW, CEMC, is a Certified Professional Resume Writer/Career Consultant, and the President of Professional Resume Services, named one of Forbes “Top 100 Career Websites”. Considered an influencer, she is consistently listed as a “Top Career Expert to Follow” on Twitter and LinkedIn.

 

FSC Career Blog |  May 28, 2020

#ResumeWriting : 5 Tips for Updating Your Resume During COVID-19 . Great REad for All!

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The past few months have been challenging for most employees and workplaces. In fact, the unemployment rate has skyrocketed and many people are on unemployment while they wait to see if and when their jobs will be back to “normal.” This is a time—whether or not you have lost your job or are still working—when it may be a good idea to review your resume.

Here are some tips for update your document TODAY.

Tip #1: Say what happened. If you are on furlough due to COVID-19 or have been laid-off due to this situation, then make a line item on your resume that says you were placed on furlough or the company closed. Because everyone has been affected by the pandemic, it is okay to mention it on your resume.

As you move forward during or after COVID-19, make sure that you are aware of the challenges while still remaining hopeful and positive for the future. There ARE things you can do RIGHT NOW to change your resume FOR THE BETTER!

Tip #2: Now is a great time to change directions. If you have always wanted to make a career transition or try a different industry, then now is the time to rework your resume toward that goal. In fact, all industries will be changing how they operate, so there may be more opportunities in your intended target industry.

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

Article continued …

Tip #3: Focus on transferable skills. Let’s face it: you may have to switch directions or take a job that isn’t in your traditional goals; use what you have done in the past to ensure you are aligning it to future jobs. Discuss your cross-functional teamwork abilities, critical decision making, creative problem solving, and communication skills.

Tip #4: Don’t be afraid to state facts. You are NOT bragging when you talk about your accomplishments or achievements. Think of yourself as a reporter who is stating facts and discussing what happened. This is NOT the time to be demure or to worry about being boastful.

Tip #5: Start looking NOW. While many companies are in a hiring freeze, do not wait to look for new opportunities. If everyone looks for new jobs at the same time, there will be a LOT of competition. Keep your eyes open now and make sure that you are always available for new jobs.

As you move forward during or after COVID-19, make sure that you are aware of the challenges while still remaining hopeful and positive for the future. There ARE things you can do RIGHT NOW to change your resume FOR THE BETTER!

FSC Guest Author: Dr. Heather Rothbauer-Wanish has a BBA in management from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, an MBA from Lakeland College, and a Ph.D. in Organization and Management from Capella University. She LOVES helping people position themselves for today’s job market. She can help boost your confidence by creating a resume that helps you land your DREAM JOB. Visit her website @ https://www.feather-communications.com

If you are still unsure how to make your resume stand-out, contact me today for a free resume review!

 

FSC Career Blog | May 21, 2020 | FSC Guest Author, by  

#ResumeWriting : Tips for Writing a Career Change Resume. Great REad!

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Many are currently needing to pivot to a new career, some through no fault of their own. But to do this, a new resume is necessary. You can no longer rely on your current resume, which focuses on a specific skill set or industry.

Some skills may transfer over to your new career, but many of them won’t. Your main goal should be to discuss in your resume which skills you can use from your previous career, as well as why you are making the career change in the first place.

Employers will have plenty of questions for you, but writing an effective resume can answer a few of them. Here are some tips to consider when writing a career-changing resume.

Discuss Transferable Skills

Every company wants new employees to have a solid mix of technical skills as well as soft skills. Depending on the nature of your career change, some of your technical skills may not transfer well. Instead, executive resume writing services may suggest focusing on soft skills like your personality, work ethic, leadership, communication, and more. Strong soft skills are transferable to almost any profession, so clearly showing your strongest skills backed by examples will make the most significant impact.

 

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

Article continued …

Target the Company

The key to writing an effective resume is targeting the specific company you’re applying for and demonstrating your understanding of their needs. The same is true even if you’re going through a career change. While you may not have the hard skills listed in their job requirements right now, if you have a complete understanding of what the company’s overall needs and goals are, you can shift your resume to target those aspects.

Using examples from past experiences to show how you helped previous companies meet their goals will show your track record of success. And when you show an understanding of the company’s goals, they’ll be more impressed that you’ve done your homework and will then know you’re serious about the career change.

Demonstrate Your Passion for the Career Change

Employers today don’t necessarily like taking chances on candidates. They would rather hire someone with the exact experience they desire in their industry. That’s why executive resume writing services will suggest writing your resume to show a clear passion for what you want to accomplish with your career change.

Demonstrate how thoroughly you thought the career change through and why the position is exactly what you’re looking for. Employers will look for any reason to not hire a person in your position, but when you show your passion on paper, they’ll be more likely to at least give you the opportunity to interview.

There are obvious challenges when it comes to making a change in careers. However, when you put forth the effort to write resumes that get you hired, the result is well worth the time and energy. Your resume always needs to be perfect regardless of the situation, and everything is magnified when you’re changing careers.

Writing a career-changing resume is tricky, so take the time necessary to put your best foot forward and think about what the employers will be looking for.

FSC Career Blog Author:  Ms. Erin Kennedy, MCD, CMRW, CPRW, CERW, CEMC, is a Certified Professional Resume Writer/Career Consultant, and the President of Professional Resume Services, named one of Forbes “Top 100 Career Websites”. Considered an influencer, she is consistently listed as a “Top Career Expert to Follow” on Twitter and LinkedIn.

 

FSC Career Blog |  May 18, 2020

#JobSearch : Career Change Guide – How to Get Unstuck, Create a Vision of the Career You Really Want and Land Your Dream Job

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Are you tired of waking up each day dreading going into work? Tired of staring into your lunch each day, wondering if there’s a better job for you?

If so, this article is for you. It’s also a general guide to help you navigate the career change process. Read the entire thing or the section that interests you the most.

This article has the following sections:

  • Getting unstuck
  • Vision Statement Story
  • Networking
  • Resume – What story is it telling the reader?
  • Cover Letter
  • LinkedIn
  • Interview
  • Negotiation

Getting Unstuck

Getting unstuck and clear where you want to take your career

Many times in our career, our lives can get the best of us, and fear can hold us back. We get locked in our heads and fear restrains us from even making a move. It can feel like, if you do this, then that thing will happen. But, if I make this move, then I can’t do that over there. It feels like you’re stuck with no way out.

I’ve felt like that too and navigated my way to doing work I love. Like looking at a map, you need to know where you’re at first before you can make a move.

The Step to getting unstuck.

Do you know where you want to go? If you don’t, that’s okay. That’s fine, and many people hit points in their life where they don’t. Yet, most people know where they DON’T want to go and that’s where you should start.

Write about why you want to leave your current job. Next, step back and review that. Sometimes we need to vent a little to work out our current frustrations. Is it the job duties you don’t like? Is it the people? Can you not do the work any longer? Does it not pay enough? Get clear on that.

Then, from that new knowledge, you’ll be able to point yourself in the direction you want to go. A job you will be happier in and the beginnings of the new path.

For example. You’ve determined it’s the people, but you enjoy what you do. Then you should focus on the same type of work but in a new setting. If the people are fine, but the work itself is the issue, then it’s time to see what other interests you have. If it’s money, then it’s time to ask for a raise or look at other companies. It’s also time to review your finances too. If it is the skill and you’re tired of doing it, then it’s possible you’re ready to teach or mentor people. That’s a natural progression for someone who has mastered a skill.

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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?

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

Article continued …

Vision Statement Story

Now that you have a direction, let’s create your goal/vision of the new job. Answer the following questions and they will be used to guide you in creating a vision statement. Answer these questions as if you had a magic wand and could make the perfect job for you. If you don’t know it’s okay to leave blank as this process will help uncover those hidden areas. If you’re stuck, skip that question and move to the next one.

Questions and examples from my career.

Who do you serve or help in your new role? (Example: people stuck in their careers)

What pain or problem do you solve for people? (Example: Can’t find work they want to do)

How is their life better because of your contribution at work? (Example: People wake up happier getting to do what they want.)

How do you feel about this new role? (Example: I feel like I am contributing to people’s lives and feel great about that.)

What industry is your new job in? (Example: Career and Employment Industry)

What kind of company is it? (Example: Small Team environment with a passion for helping others succeed. A service-first mentality )

What’s the culture like? (Example: Having fun while being of service to others. The team collaborates and has a culture of trust.)

Do you work with people all day or by yourself? (Example: Most of the time by myself, but with the help of other teammates)

Are you inside or outside? (Example: Inside)

Is it an active role or behind a desk? (Example: Behind the computer)

How much money are you making?

Now you have a better picture of your goal you can create the outcome you want to have in your life. Let’s create the vision statement story you’ll be working towards.

Now, let’s create your vision statement. You’re going to create it in a different way than most goals. You will create it as if it’s already happened. For example. You’re telling a friend what happened over dinner about a month after you landed the job. Describe it, but from the point of view as if you’ve already got the job. Doing it this way will help your brain work in the background on your goal.

Vision Statement Story Example

Robert, let me tell you about the new job and how I got it. I remember getting clear on the career I wanted and decided to be a career coach. I chose to be a career coach in the employment industry because I love helping others do what’s important to them. I realized I feel great doing this work. The team I work with is awesome, and it’s a small company. In fact, the company has a great fun culture and I get to work by myself, but love the support of the team. I am getting paid more than I was at my last job and the benefits are great too. I’ve been there for a little over a month now and each day feels great. I love who I get to be.

This is your vision and goal! Tell this story to yourself every day in your job search.

Networking

You’ve got your vision and the next step is networking to help you land that job. Do you already have a network?

Even if you do, let’s create a network strategy. Answer these questions.

Where would the hiring managers hang out?

Where would the company hang out?

What events would they go to?

What meetup.com events could they be?

Is the job industry your interested in having a career fair in your area?

Where would they hang out online? LinkedIn Groups, Quora.com conversations, forums, etc.…

Once you’ve discovered a few places where they hang out go to those events and meet people. Before you go write an intention of why you’re going and be clear about it as you walk into the event. Be curious about them and show you’ve researched them. Be helpful and knowledgeable.

Then, ask the contacts you made if you could have coffee sometime. Use that time to build a relationship with them. Get to know them and share your story with them. Share why you’re creating a new job.

Reach out to your network and share your vision with friends, family, and past work colleagues.

Use contacting the hiring manager technique. Here’s an article on themuse.com with a more detailed strategy to do this. This technique is a proven way to go around HR and get the attention of the hiring manager.

Note: HR doesn’t say yes to hiring someone the hiring manager does. Spend your time building the connection there rather than HR. HR is the gatekeeper to the person who can get you the job.

Resume – What story is it telling the reader?

Your resume is your marketing piece that helps get your foot in the door. What story is the reader going to craft about you when they read it. Remember, they don’t know you and you only have 1-2 pages to show who you are. You only have a short period of time to grab the reader’s attention. That’s only if it makes it past the Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

Your resume should be in the following order for most job types.

Name and Contact info

Career Summary

Career Highlights

Professional Experience

Education

Extracurricular activities

Name and Contact info

Self-explanatory

Career Summary

This area summarizes your career and the area to showcase your career at a high level. How many years of experience and in what areas. The next area should be high-level accomplishments in your career. Also, any specific skills that are relevant to the job.

Career Highlights

In this section of the resume, you’ll want to list out three of your best career achievements. When you list them, focus on the difference you’ve made for the company or people. Put them in the relevance of importance for a company. Revenue, growth, customer satisfaction, etc. It’s okay to share the awards as long as that isn’t the focus. This will showcase you as someone who is a humble winner. What story is it telling the reader?

Professional Experience

This section highlights your career experience and should be in reverse chronological order. Your latest job should be the first job they see. The name of the company should be written first. Why? Because recruiters and HR personnel scan to see what companies you worked for. The impressive companies will stand out before a title. After that, put a small summary of what you accomplished, then your title. Next will be your bullet points. They should focus on your accomplishments. They should be accomplishments you’ve made and quantify them if you can. Again, revenue, market growth, customer satisfaction, retention, sales, cost reduction, etc.

Education

In this area list, you’ll want to list schools, degrees, certifications, and school projects.

Extracurricular activities

A shortlist of volunteers, foundations, charity work, non-profits, clubs, publications, media appearances. Only list these if they apply for the position, company, or its mission.

KILLER BONUS RESUME TIP

ATS tracking systems are the gatekeeper nowadays to you reaching the HR personnel. If your resume doesn’t pass that system, your resume will never be viewed. Period! You should do three things when you complete writing.

First, you want the resume to be a good match for the job description. Imagine you’re the hiring manager and you wrote the job description. Then you picked up your resume… Would your resume match what they want? Do the keywords match? Would you want to pick up the phone and call this person to say you wanted to talk more? It doesn’t have to be a perfect fit by any means but good enough for them to say this candidate has what we need.

Second, get a friend to read it and ask them what they notice first. Then ask them if you were the hiring manager would you want to reach out to me? Find a friend who’s brutally honest.

Third, use a website called www.Jobscan.co. It’s designed to compare your resume to the job description and how the ATS system will score it.

When done with those steps update your resume as needed and repeat until it’s a good fit.

NOTE: If you’re making a big career change you should focus the majority of your time on networking.

Cover Letter

The cover letter is your first impression on the employer. Its job is to grab the attention of the reader and get them to reach out to you. It’s NOT a full work history or a place to beg for a job. It has just a few key components to it.

The reason you’re reaching out

Share who you are and why you’re interested (share a quick and powerful story of your why) Show excitement for the job.

Here are two articles with advice on writing a cover letter that will grab their attention.

https://www.themuse.com/advice/31-attentiongrabbing-cover-letter-examples

https://www.themuse.com/advice/5-secrets-to-making-your-cover-letter-stand-out

LinkedIn Profile

Your LinkedIn profile is another marketing piece for you. You should treat it like that. It can be warm, friendly, and welcoming. Choose a picture that is professional and friendly. Even if you don’t like your smile, use a picture with a nice smile. It’s not your opinion that is being formed with the picture you choose. Research shows that people who see a smile are much more likely to form a positive opinion of that person.

Show your accomplishments and they should have numbers to back them up. Numbers grab attention and the longer a reader stays on your profile, the more likely they are to reach out.

Use the summary section much like your professional summary of your career. Avoid overuse of buzzwords in your industry. Is it telling a story?

Avoid any political or controversial posts except if you work in that industry.

Make recommendations for your friends and colleagues first. Don’t be afraid to ask for them too.

Again, like your resume, ask a friend or colleague to review it. What did they notice first? What feelings did they have after reading it? Did they feel compelled to know more?

Interview

The interview is the stage where all the work you’ve done up to here is all about. The best resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn Profile won’t get you hired if you don’t show up ready to be your best. I specialize in helping others feel confident in interviews. Here are a few great tips to help you show up confident.

Dress

Dress for the job you want and do your research about the company. If they were suits, so should you. If it’s a casual environment, it’s best to still dress up, but you may not need to wear a suit. Default to your research in either case.

Mindset

This job isn’t the only job that’s out there and you should treat it like this. The world keeps moving and new jobs, post every day. If you walk into the interview being attached to having that job, you’re already at a loss. Walk-in with the attitude of this will be practice and I will do a great job, regardless.

Show up prepared and ready to share who you are but unattached to having that job. You want to interview the company too. It’s a two-way relationship. It’s your job to find out if they are a good fit for you. It’s their job to find out if you are a fit for them. There’s a reason for the job being open. They need a human being to fill it. I know that seems obvious, but it’s easy to forget. They could use you as much as you could use them.

Prep

Be prepared and do your research on the company, its history, its goals, and the position. Have questions ready for them about what’s important to you. Know why you want to work there and why that’s important to you besides a paycheck. Know the role and help tell a story of how you’ll be a great fit for it.

Research about the team you are going to work with. Dig on LinkedIn about the hiring manager and find out if you have anything in common.

Use Glassdoor.com to check out the company before you go. They list common questions during interviews, salaries, and reviews of the company.

Be prepared for the STAR method in an interview. If they use the STAR method you’ll be asked questions in the following way.

Tell me about a time when?

What would you do when?

Have you ever?

Describe a time when you?

STAR definition

S – Situation – What was the situation?

T – Task – How did you take responsibility for this?

A – Action – What actions did you take to solve the problem or situation?

R – Result – What was the result or outcome you achieved?

Have a few go-to stories ready to share that share how you’ve accomplished something in your career. I like to frame them like this. Where did you start and what did you achieve along the way. How did things change as a result? When sharing your story add in little anecdotes about things that happened along the way. Add in some funny moments. The stories should feel compelling to the listener.

Want to blow their socks off?

Prepare a 30/60/90 day high-level plan for the job you’d like to have. Keep it high-level and detailed enough to show that you took the time to be prepared. This will show you will do what it takes to get the job done.

When finished with the interview and assuming you still want the job, it’s ok to ask where the company is in the hiring process. This will give a better expectation of what to expect after this.

Follow – up

When you’re done with the interview follow up with a thank-you note to the hiring manager.

I found this simple but powerful follow-up note from TheMuse.com and think it’s worth passing along. If you haven’t heard anything try it.

Quick, Powerful Follow-up note

Again, don’t be needy, but show your enthusiasm for wanting the job.

Negotiation

When they offer you the job, you already know what that position is paying in your area. Check out Glassdoor.com and Payscale.com and do your research.

Here are a few tips.

Never talk about salary upfront in the process or interview.

This is a two-way street. If they like you, they will pay more and if you like them, you’re willing to take less. So, it’s important to understand what value you add to the company. Remember, they are hiring someone for a reason. They need a person to do the job, and if you can show you will bring in tremendous value, they will offer you more.

Know the whole picture of the offer. How much vacation, training opportunities, travel, benefits, the team you’ll work with, start date, and the future opportunities there. Take all that into account when negotiating. Does it all align with your original vision?

Remain flexible. That doesn’t mean giving up your values. This is a relationship you’re building.

A note of reference is that the HR person isn’t the person in charge of the salary. That’s determined by the department where you will be in. HR will know the salary range to negotiate on. If you’re especially awesome and they want you, they will need to get approval to go higher you at a higher salary.

Give yourself time to respond and let them know when you’ll respond too. When you’ve come to an agreement, thank them, sign the offer, and celebrate that you just landed a great new job!

 

FSC Blog Author: Brad Finkeldei – Career Coach 

Brad is a career catalyst and interview coach, speaker, and best-selling author. He coaches professionals to create a career they love. His specialty is identifying where people are stuck and helping discover the confidence to do what they love.  He’s successfully navigated interviews, promotions, asking for raises, and can you help craft a plan to do the same. He has a knack for inspiring people to believe in themselves and create plans for success. He’s been featured on media outlets such as ABC, WGN-Radio, and many numerous podcasts. His diverse background in IT, speaking, and coaching will help you create a career plan and lifestyle that works for you while using your skillset to make the best career move. If you’re feeling less than confident about your career move or interview Brad will help make the process easier for you.

Get my Free How to Find Your Dream Job Course here:  www.bradfinkeldei.com
 FSC Career Blog | May 13, 2020

#ResumeWriting : Artificial Intelligence(AI) and Applicant Tracking Systems: How They Impact Your Job Search. Must Read for All!

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In today’s job search climate, you need every advantage to get your resume into the hands of a recruiter or hiring manager. It can be difficult when they spend on average 8-20 seconds looking at a resume. It’s even more difficult when technology is used to weed out resumes before they are even seen by human eyes. Artificial intelligence (AI) is widely used in many different industries, and it’s only expected to continue to be utilized even more. It has particularly become more useful in making a recruiter’s job more efficient.

Artificial intelligence can handle certain tedious tasks automatically when it comes to sorting through resumes, so a recruiter or hiring manager can focus on the human element of developing relationships. Combine this with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which helps recruiters narrow down resumes based on keywords and other criteria, and it’s easy to see what the future may hold for executive job seekers. Here’s what you need to know about these aspects when it comes to writing a professional resume. 

Hiring Professionals Are Using AI and ATS More

The combination of AI and ATS can save hiring managers a significant amount of time during the recruitment process and even onboarding candidates. By the time a resume gets to a hiring manager’s desk for a final review, it has already gone through many virtual checks to ensure the proper criteria was met. The top resume writing services can help you determine which keywords are most appropriate for passing through these initial automated checks. If you don’t have the right number of keywords or phrases, you could just be spinning your wheels during your job search.

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

Article continued … 

AI May Even Be Involved in The Interview Room

Once the best executive resume writers help you pass through ATS and lead you to get a job interview, you still may have to go through some AI tests. Some companies even incorporate artificial intelligence during an interview to detect a candidate’s body language, eye movements, facial expressions and more. These are often characteristics that are difficult for humans to detect but are important to do so when determining the honesty and personality of a candidate. 

Don’t Spend Too Much Time Optimizing for AI and ATS

While AI and ATS are critical components to consider in your job search, the top resume writing services will still tell you to not let them consume a lot of your time. The best executive resume writers can help you pass these tests on paper, but you still need to focus on the human element of a job search, including networking and developing relationships. Basically, you should keep AI and ATS in the back of your mind, but don’t let those aspects take up a significant portion of your job search.

It can be easy to become too focused on these technology issues when crafting your executive resume. But don’t let yourself become consumed. Remember that your connections are still the best way to get your foot in the door at your desired company. Keep reaching out and networking as you work your job search plan.

 

FSC Career Blog Author:  Ms. Erin Kennedy, MCD, CMRW, CPRW, CERW, CEMC, is a Certified Professional Resume Writer/Career Consultant, and the President of Professional Resume Services, named one of Forbes “Top 100 Career Websites”. Considered an influencer, she is consistently listed as a “Top Career Expert to Follow” on Twitter and LinkedIn.

 

FSC Career Blog | May 13, 2020

 

#ResumeGaps : 5 Tips On How To Explain Gaps In Your Employment History. Must REad!

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There’s a misconception that it’s a red flag to recruiters if they see breaks in employment on a résumé. Job seekers tend to assume that companies prefer candidates with work experience that seamlessly flows from one employer to the next; many people worry about how to explain common occurrences such as being laid off, quitting a bad job before having a new one, taking extended family leave or experiencing a personal emergency that temporarily takes them out of the workforce.

However, recruiters are used to dealing with candidates in these situations and rarely is it a cause for concern. It isn’t the break-in employment that hurts a candidate’s chances at landing their next job, it’s often how they choose to describe the situation that mistakenly creates a negative perception of their temperament or abilities.

If you find yourself conducting a job search while unemployed or needing to answer questions about a previous gap in your employment, here are five tips to help you comfortably discuss your time out of the workforce and cast it in the best possible light.

1. Assume that recruiters have good intentions

Asking about why you are currently looking for a new job or inquiring about a gap in the years on your résumé is a routine practice for recruiters. They aren’t trying to uncover hidden secrets; they are simply making sure they can answer any questions about your background that may be asked of them later.

Recruiters are selective and do want to find and assess the best talent for their company or client, but that doesn’t stop them from hoping you’ll turn out to be a good match. When you prove yourself to be a strong candidate it saves them time and relieves some of the pressure to keep searching. If a recruiter wants to have a screening call or video interview with you, assume that they are genuinely interested in your background and are hoping that you are a fit.

Remembering that recruiters have good intentions will help you remain calm and to be confident in your abilities, and therefore provide better answers throughout your interview.

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

Article continued …

2. Leverage familiar narratives

Most of the reasons that people find themselves unemployed are extremely common and can be explained quickly because recruiters and hiring managers are already familiar with the narrative.

Some examples of the kind of career disruptions employers run into again and again are: if you were laid off because it was (fill in the blank year when the economy was terrible or something bad happened in your industry), if a new CEO (or another senior leader) came in and replaced your entire team, or if your company was acquired, merged with another or went out of business. Employers also understand disruptions that are more personal, such as if you took time off to be a full-time parent if you tried to launch a start-up but decided it wasn’t for you, if you or another family member had some medical concerns that needed to be addressed, or if your spouse’s career required a relocation.

These are the easiest explanations to give about an employment gap so if any of these situations apply to you, make sure you are simply presenting the recruiter with what is already a known and valid reason to be out of work. Don’t go into any additional detail about your departure or time off unless asked because there is a good chance that using one of these descriptions will be enough to satisfy their curiosity.

3. Be honest, but keep it light and positive

While everything you say in an interview needs to be genuine and accurate, it is not the place to share your most vulnerable stories. Recruiters and hiring managers don’t know you well enough yet to see your career journey and to appreciate what you have endured and learned.

Still, sometimes the truth about why you left a particular job is messy, or reveals a mistake on your part, and you may worry that it’s impossible to be honest and positive when discussing it.

Most people have a job transition (or two) that they are somewhat embarrassed by and wouldn’t want to tell the full, detailed story in an interview. Talented and competent people can find themselves without a job if they take a job they aren’t qualified for or if they find themselves caught up in office politics. Furthermore, there are many times when people have to make personal decisions that unfortunately have a negative impact on their career.

While you may be harboring anger, regret or shame about these episodes, it’s critical that you don’t let these negative emotions influence your interview responses. The key is to candidly present the facts without going too deep into the story or letting the discussion turn negative. Instead, try to refocus the discussion on what you learned or how you plan to use that knowledge in the future.

4. Pivot to the present

Overall, you are looking to strike a balance between providing enough information to answer the question about why you are looking for a job (or why you left a particular employer) and using this response to pivot into a follow-up discussion about why you now want this job.

For example, if you couldn’t get along with the overbearing boss at your last job, a more positive way to position this is to say that you didn’t fit in with the competitive and bureaucratic culture. Then, pivot into a description of how this company’s focus on collaboration and giving employees the freedom to innovate is what interests you most about this job. If a previous employer was less than forthcoming about their financial problems and shut down without notice, use the story to explain what you learned about business strategy and financial planning from that experience and how you plan to use those skills in this job.

There’s no perfect answer but try your best to shift the focus of the reason you found yourself out of work and back onto the present opportunity.

5. Remember to connect

Impressions about how it would be to work with you are influenced by more than just the words you choose. The style in which you respond—things such as tone, body language, listening skills, how and when you choose to pause, and how confident you appear—will all weigh into the overall feeling that the interviewer will take with them from the discussion.

The secret to nailing a job interview isn’t just about having a strong résumé or giving the best answers to hard questions. Often, the winning candidate for a job opening is the person that was better able to build rapport with the interviewer.

While you work to explain your background and address any employment gaps, don’t forget that your main goal is to make a personal connection and leave the person able to envision working with you. Try not to get so caught up in answering any one question correctly that you fail to make eye contact, smile, and match the energy of your interviewer.

It’s important to prepare for discussions about your work history, but remember to take a deep breath, relax, and know that questions about these employment gaps will not necessarily make or break a hiring decision.

Author:   Kourtney Whitehead is a career expert and author of Working Whole. You can learn more about her work at Simply Service.

 

Forbes.com | May 11, 2020

#JobSearch : Here’s Why Career Switchers Have A Huge Advantage In This Job Market.

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In just three short months, the market has completely transformed and there are three realities job seekers need to know to succeed going forward.

Let’s get the unfortunate news out of the way first. Whether you want to label it a possible depression, temporary freeze, or V-shaped recession, our economy is experiencing a major transformation, and job seekers will continue to be impacted for the extended future.

Most professionals dislike a job search even when they’re voluntarily pursuing a career change, so having it thrust upon you makes it that much worse. But based on unemployment numbers, 26 million people are experiencing this now, and many others are aware the clock is ticking.

Even if scientists discover a cure for COVID-19 tomorrow, the “new normal” has already been established. Here’s what we can expect in terms of the job search:

  • Everyone’s looking. If you’ve been laid off or furloughed, there are no guarantees if or when you’ll be called back to the job. Even if re-employed, it may part-time, a different position, or at lower pay with fewer benefits. Customers may be slow to return and many professionals don’t have the luxury of waiting around and are pursuing other opportunities.
  • Companies are running lean. Organizations are cutting back, reducing budgets, and going without. As they learn to increase efficiency, they realize they can function effectively with less, which means they won’t rehire as many people as they had planned before the pandemic.
  • Virtual is winning. Companies have learned that many roles can be done remotely, and teams no longer need to reside in one place to be successful. This means they can search for candidates across larger geography, further increasing job search competition.
  • Compensation is waning. It’s an employer’s job market now, and organizations realize they can find a candidate who will work for less, even if you’re a rock star and worth the extra pay. Yes, it may be short-sighted, but the odds are in their favor.

So, the first major reality is:

Competition for job seekers has become fierce and will remain high even after the pandemic has resolved. If you don’t have a strategy to stand out, you’re sunk.

Making a career switch — defined as a change in industry, function or both — in any economy with our current over-reliance on online platforms and untrained hiring managers is tough. If you’re a successful switcher, you know that. If you’re an unsuccessful one, you also know it.

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

Article continued …

But, it may not be your fault, which brings me to point two:

The current online hiring system isn’t set up for selection. It’s set up for elimination.

  • Welcome to the online universe. With Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) being used by over 98% of Fortune 500 companies receiving on average 250 resumes per posting, online platforms like Zip Recruiter offering to share 16 million resumes with employers, and big boards like Indeed.com boasting 200 million monthly job seekers, it’s no wonder most online applications end up in the internet ozone. Seriously, I have a pretty solid LinkedIn profile, but even I wouldn’t hedge my bets against 200 million other job seekers, especially if I was a potential switcher. And the only way an employer can eventually find the one person for the open role is to eliminate the 199,999,999 million other job seekers. No one has time for this. Job seekers are being lured into a system that needs serious improvement (and employers fall for it, too), only to get hopes up, then crushed.
  • Next stop, inadequate hiring practices. The way ATS eliminates job seekers is by looking for keyword matches, proper resume formatting (completely irrelevant), and requirements such as degrees, certifications, and salary expectations. Seventy-five percent of applications get spit out before they even reach human eyes, and many job requisitions are written more for marketing purposes than to actually align with the performance measures of the role. For example, listing a “Bachelor’s Degree” as a cost to entry usually has no purpose other than being a simple way to eliminate a large number of applicants (many of whom are likely highly qualified otherwise).
  • Final stop, bias and emotions. Very few hiring managers are trained to hire, which is unfortunate, but justified by companies in that their day job is not hiring people and they do it only a few times per year. If practice (and training) make perfect, then hiring managers are anything but. Also, decisions that humans make go through the amygdala —the emotional center in the brain — which impacts choices. So more often than not, hirers mistakenly use the data to support their gut choice based on confirmation bias (e.g., focusing on information that supports your pre-existing beliefs), while assuming they’re being objective. So yes, as a candidate you’ll be dealing with the whims of unconscious bias and mood swings. And, while advocates of ATS promote them as a fairer process due to the technology replacing human bias, who do you think programs the requirements into these systems? Yes, those same biased humans. The beauty of skipping the system and getting a referral is that you get to use that bias to your advantage. And this is why the brand is so important. But we’re getting to that.

So, the way the majority of job seekers search for work (online) is prohibitive. And strangely, even though companies invest a great deal of money into recruiting technology, research shows:

  • 40% of hires come from the referral pool, which is only 7% of applicants.
  • referrals have a 50% chance of getting an interview and a 20% chance of landing the job whereas for non-referrals that drops to a 3% chance of an interview and a 1.2% chance of getting hired.
  • over 65% of job seekers recommended by a current employee were hired. That number increased to 91% if the referral originated from a director-level employee or above.

So, there is certainly a mismatch and this is crucial to know in a highly competitive job market where you want every advantage, which brings me to the final point:

Switchers have an advantage in the current market because they already know they need to bypass the online path and create their own strategy to get in front of decision-makers.

Professionals who have made a successful career switch have been prohibited from using the traditional job search tools because they easily get eliminated in the early rounds for not fitting “traditional” criteria programmed into the ATS. Here’s what they do instead:

  • They’re proactive vs. reactive. Switchers have learned to use a self-directed process, redirecting their energy away from the seductive lure of the throwing spaghetti at the online abyss to see what sticks, and instead focusing on a clear target or Plan A. They take the time to reinvent their career stories to align with changing market needs, engaging transferable skills from all areas of their past experiences to remain agile to meet current demands.
  • They build a relevant brand. Switchers know that brands are not just for products, but rather are an important career tool to show their target audience how they can solve their company’s greatest pain points. They weave this brand value proposition through everything from their resume and online profiles to their personal networking introduction and interview responses to consistently and visibly build trust.
  • They cultivate ambassadors. Switchers recognize the power of relationships. They go beyond building a Rolodex, ensuring their network understands the value they bring to the marketplace to gain access to valuable career information and those opportunities that will never be advertised to the general public (e.g., the hidden job market).
  • They drive the process. Switchers recognize that there isn’t an “easy” path to success and that the energy and creativity invested into the job search is usually equivalent to the types of opportunities they can expect to find. The most interesting, lucrative and in-demand roles are usually scooped up long before hitting the big job boards.

And the good news is that you can use this process, too, even if you’re not a Switcher. In fact, in this transformed job market, you can’t afford not to use this strategy to find employment if you want to be competitive.

Fair or unfair, the internet is oversaturated with candidates, and even companies who engage these online hiring strategies have learned that the best hires come from trusted resources inside the company or from people they already know. This is why they pay $1000, $5,000 and up to $25,000 in some cases per hire through Employee Referral Programs.

In normal economic times, the Switcher strategy enables you to be the most competitive candidate, opens the door to unadvertised opportunities, and helps you to create new roles suited to your exact interests and abilities. In today’s economy, the Switcher strategy helps you to land the job. Period.

If you want job security today and throughout your professional career, learn how to conduct your job search like a career Switcher. While at some point, hiring software and recruiting technology might get “smarter” and more effective, if a company’s greatest assets are its people, than relationships and trust will always be a part of the decision-making. You may not like the game, but if you’re serious about landing a new role, especially in highly competitive times, learning how to play it is critical.

Switchers have learned long ago that forging your own path is much more effective and rewarding for your career than following the herd to wherever it leads, which if online, is often a black hole.

Happy hunting!

Author: Dawn Graham

…
Forbes.com | April 23, 2020

 

 

#ResumeWriting : Get Your Resume Updated for Spring. Today’s Resume is More than Just Changing some Dates.

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Spring is the most popular time of the year to get some cleaning done in and around the house. But it’s also a great time to clean up your executive resume! This is one of the busiest times of the year for professional executive resume writers, so if you plan on using a resume service to clean up the cobwebs for your resume, now’s the time to make an appointment.

Updating your resume is more than just changing some dates. If you haven’t looked at your resume in the past few years, you need to consider these tips to spruce up your resume for the upcoming hiring season. Once this global health crisis is over, the flood gates will open, and you don’t want to be left behind.

 

  1. Highlight Only Relevant Skills

Your last resume may have been filled with a lot of different skills in hopes of the relevant one getting recognized. Any executive resume writing service today will tell you to highlight only relevant skills, because hiring managers won’t take the time to read through them all. You’ve got six seconds to impress a recruiter, so make them count.

 

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

Article continued … 

  1. Remove any clichés

Words like “passionate,” “reliable” and “dependable” all may describe you perfectly, but the reality is everyone believes those words describe them as well. Do yourself and your resume a favor and remove these clichés, since they don’t add any value to your executive resume.

 

  1. Update Dates

Depending on your age, you may need to update or remove a significant amount of dates on your executive resume. Dates are good to use to an extent, but if you are attempting to

highlight experience from 30 years ago, chances are it won’t help you land your next job.

 

  1. Be More Focused

The best executive resume services want you to target your resume more. The days of creating one general resume to send out to many different companies are over. Companies today want to see a resume tailored to their needs, so you need to comply if you want to have a chance.

 

  1. If All Else Fails, Start from Scratch

Updating an old resume can take more time than just starting over from scratch. Sometimes even the best professional executive resume writers will suggest starting over with a clean slate. This will help clear your mind from all of the older accomplishments and experiences and allow you to focus on the more current experiences you can remember.

Resume formats change, and now is the time to dust the cobwebs off your resume and dress it up. You want to make sure you have added not only your most recent jobs and promotions, but also achievements and new skills since your last update. Take advantage of this downtime to put some thought into presenting yourself accurately in your new resume.

 

FSC Career Blog Author:  Ms. Erin Kennedy, MCD, CMRW, CPRW, CERW, CEMC, is a Certified Professional Resume Writer/Career Consultant, and the President of Professional Resume Services, named one of Forbes “Top 100 Career Websites”. Considered an influencer, she is consistently listed as a “Top Career Expert to Follow” on Twitter and LinkedIn.

 

FSC Career Blog | April 20, 2020