Happy Holidays to You & Yours ! Team Members of FSC LinkedIn Network. Visit our Most Read (over 20K hits) Career Blogs @ #BestofFSCBlog

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Best One Site for all Articles/Blogs for Today’s Career Search, Resumes, Networking, Social Media Training, Career Direction, etc. 

                                                                                                        Visit us: www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog

 

The Team here at FSC LinkedIn Network would like to wish you/yours a                       Wonderful Christmas & a Happy, Healthy, & Prosperous 2022!

 

Here are some areas to explore & to participate into 2022:

a- Most Read Article (over 60K+ reads):    How to Get a Job. Tons of Articles/Links! A Must REad! One Stop Read with these Job Search Tips and Tricks, you’ll Score a New Job in No Time.   https://www.firstsun.com/2019/05/29/careeradvice-jobsearch-how-to-get-a-job-tons-of-articles-links-a-must-read/

b- FSC Career Module: You have access to our ‘Award Winning’ FSC Career Modules’. This site has over 30 career modules that are short (less than 5 min), interactive, & informative. Take a ‘sneak peek’ :     www.firstsun.com/category/fsc-career-modules

c- FSC Career Network (under my name, Chris G. Laughter): This is a free/open network that gives you access to daily/up to date articles on Jobs, your Career, Resumes, & Job Search. Simply connect @ https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-g-laughter-b46389198/

d- FSC LinkedIn Groups: It is very important that you connect/network with those in your industry. It is also the space where you will find many recruiters in your industry, network with decision makers in your field & more importantly access to their ‘Job Boards’.  Below are some major Groups: (Join & Participate)

 

– Harvard Business Review: Over 1.6 million members:  https://www.linkedin.com/groups/3044917/

 

–Premium Career Network: Largest access to recruiters on the internet. Over 1 million:  https://www.linkedin.com/groups/3926212/

 

– Lean Six Sigma: Largest Manufacturing Community – https://www.linkedin.com/groups/37987/

 

– Execute Suite: Largest executive community – https://www.linkedin.com/groups/1426/

 

As you can see, you have access to the best tools for ‘today’s job search’ above, however this is useless & has no value unless you participate/join. We hope you take the time to explore & please do not hesitate to call upon me or anyone from our FSC Team Members.

 

our best to you,

 

Chris G. Laughter & the First Sun Team,  First Sun Consulting, LLC – Outplacement Services, www.firstsun.com

 

 

 

#JobSearch : The Art of the Cover Letter. Cover Letters Can and Will Separate you from the Crowd into 2022 !

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This isn’t a discussion about whether or not you need a cover letter. Always err on the side of caution and include one if it is an option.

            Question: How do you stand out?

So…with that out of the way! Cover letters can be a powerful tool if used correctly. Writing a targeted cover letter for each company you are applying to could be the difference between getting an interview or not.

Here are some tips to keep in mind when crafting yours.

 

Don’t Rewrite Your Resume

Too often, people think their cover letter should simply be a summary of their resume. It is, in fact, an introduction from yourself to your reader. The hiring manager already has your resume, so it’s a waste of time to simply rewrite it. Instead, take advantage of the opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of the company’s needs and follow it immediately with how you can meet those needs. Your language in your cover letter doesn’t necessarily have to be as formal as the resume, but it shouldn’t be as informal as something like your LinkedIn profile.

 

Don’t Use A Generic One

Hiring managers read hundreds of cover letters every month, and they will be able to spot duplicates. They can also identify a generic letter, that doesn’t have anything to do with the position you are applying for or the company itself. They are looking for your specific skills, as well as how you think they fit into what they need. If you just make general statements about how companies today need what you have to offer, there’s a higher chance of your cover letter and resume getting tossed to the side and never really considered.

 

Choose A Few Skills To Match The Job Requirements

Be selective about your top skills that match the position and focus on those in your cover letter. Connect the dots from your skills to the company’s pain points. You want them to leave remembering your key achievements and skills, so keep it short and sweet. A couple of paragraphs and bullets will do the trick. You can discuss your other skills in the interview.

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Article continued …

Be Personal

Don’t forget to show some personality and grab their attention in the first sentence, drawing them in. Make sure the letter is addressed to someone specific. We have enough information at our finger tips to find a name, either through a company website or LinkedIn. If all else fails, make a phone call and ask for the name (and spelling) of the hiring manager.

Invite Interaction

Don’t leave out a call-to-action in the last paragraph. Show your genuine interest position. List your contact information, so they can easily reach out. Be sure to include a Link to your LinkedIn profile, since they will be looking for it anyway. Let them know when you will follow up and then DO it!

Professional Resume Services is a cover letter writing service that also focuses extensively on resumes, LinkedIn, and many other aspects of job searches today. Cover letters have never been more important, so crafting the perfect one will give your job hunt a nice boost. We understand it’s not always quick and easy to write a cover letter, so feel free to contact us if you need assistance with yours.

 

FSC Career Blog Author:  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 – December 20, 2021

 

#JobSearch : How to Target Your Resume Get Noticed. Your Tactic of Sending Out Hundreds of Resumes to Various Companies Rarely Works!

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If your job search plan includes blindly sending out hundreds of resumes to various companies…don’t waste your time. That tactic rarely works!! Companies can receive hundreds of applicants to any given job posting every single day, so they won’t waste their time reading a generic resume. Hiring managers can spot a generic resume a mile away or one written using an online template 😬.

When writing a professional resume today, targeting the specific company you’re submitting your resume to will help yours stand out. A hiring manager will notice and appreciate the homework you’ve done on the company, and they’ll take a closer look at the value you bring to the table.

Here are other ways your research of companies will pay off in your job search.

Tap Into The Hidden Job Market

When you have a list of a few companies you’d consider working for, do as much research on them as you possibly can before writing a professional resume. Follow them on social media to get to know what they stand for and any future plans they have. The hidden job market simply means jobs aren’t posted online or anywhere else.

Candidates may find out about these jobs at networking events or through other connections. Once you’ve researched the companies of interest, tap into this hidden job market by reaching out to current employees to understand what challenges they face and what value you bring to the table. This is where LinkedIn can be a great resource. Look for connections you may have to people that work there. Ask for your network to make an introduction. This is how it works, folks!!

 

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Twitter: Follow us @ firstsunllc

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Article continued …

Identify The Company’s Challenges

One key to writing resumes that get you hired is identifying the company’s specific challenges, so you can offer a solution. After connecting with a decision-maker at the company, find out what unique challenges they have. If you have addressed any of these in your past employment, include this in your resume and/or cover letter. If you have done it in the past, you will be able to repeat it in the future. Be sure to include both hard and soft skills when you create your resume, pointing to how well you would fit into the company culture and handle day-to-day tasks.

 

Differentiate Yourself By Offering Unique Value

Any executive resume writing expert will stress the importance of differentiating yourself. One of the best ways to do so is by talking to other higher-level employees at the specific companies you’re targeting. Take note of what they say works well in their organization, as well as what they are working on to improve. Incorporate a mix of those points when writing a professional resume will help yours stand out among the rest.

Professional Resume Services is here to point you in the right direction when it comes to executive resume writing. We take the time to ensure every word on your resume matters, and will go to great lengths to help your resume stand out. If you’re in need of help getting started with researching companies, writing your resume, preparing for an interview or any other step in the job search process, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at any time.

 

FSC Career Blog Author:  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 – December 9, 2021

 

#JobSearch : Curiosity Is The Hot New Skill: 5 Ways To Set Yourself Apart In Your Job Search . Studies show 40% of People are Thinking about Leaving their Current Employer. Interesting REad!

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There are plenty of new career opportunities on the horizon and the employment market is especially hot—so it’s a great time to be looking for a new job, a new company or a new role.

According to some studies, 40% of people are thinking about leaving their current employer. In addition, research by Oracle and Workplace Intelligence showed 85% of people are unsatisfied with their current employer and 83% are ready to make a change. A study from Visier showed that in fact, 32% of people have already left jobs.

All this means that in addition to opportunity, there is also a lot of competition—so you’ll need to distinguish yourself. Highlighting your curiosity may be the way to do it, according to new research.

Curiosity Is Critical Now

If you’re looking for a great new role, managers are looking for you—and they’re struggling to find the right people. According to a recent SAS study of almost 2,000 leaders across five industries and six countries, 62% say it’s tough to find those with technical skills and 60% report they have a hard time finding those with the personal attributes they need (think: curiosity).

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Article continued …

Curiosity is emerging as a critical trait. The impulse to seek new information, explore new experiences and discover novel possibilities is valuable in many ways, and it is gaining significant traction as a go-to capability. LinkedIn data shows posts which mention curiosity are up 71% and when there is a discussion of curiosity, engagement with those posts has increased 158% from 2020 to 2021. In addition, job postings which mention the need for curiosity have increased 90%.

According to the SAS study, managers also believe curiosity is critical with 72% reporting they believe it’s a valuable trait and 51% saying it has become more important over time. Leaders also believe it drives business impact (59%) and better performance (51%).

Curiosity is also a trait that is relevant no matter what kind of role you have. Leaders in the SAS study believe it’s important for c-suite executives (58%), directors and department leaders (56%), mid-level managers (51%) and entry-level employees (53%).

 

How to Set Yourself Apart

But with all the competition for jobs, it won’t be enough to just say you’re curious, you’ll also need to connect your curiosity with your impact and the business outcomes you’ll drive. Here’s how to emphasize your curiosity in ways that matter most to hiring leaders (all the following data is from the SAS study):

  • Highlight your effectiveness. According to the study, 62% of leaders believe curiosity is associated with greater efficiency and productivity. Describe the ways your curiosity drives your desire to get better all the time, improve your methods and deliver results.
  • Highlight your innovation. Leaders also believe curiosity is associated with creative thinking (62%), development of new solutions (62%), the ability to tackle complex problems (55%). In your interview, tell stories about how your curiosity inspires you to think in new ways and find novel solutions to problems. Give examples of where your innovative approaches have affected positive results in your previous work.
  • Highlight your teamwork. There is also a belief among 58% of managers that curiosity is related to effective collaboration and teamwork. And being a team player is always an in-demand attribute. Curiosity is linked with empathy which, in turn, is linked with positive relationships. When you’re truly curious about others, you ask questions, seek to understand their point of view and learn from them. All of these contribute to effective collaboration—you appreciate colleagues, and it contributes to bringing multiple points of view together and working effectively to deliver on shared goals. Make a case for the ways your curiosity affects the constructive relationships you build with colleagues.
  • Highlight your resilience. Leaders (56%) also see a connection between curiosity and adaptability. It makes sense that when you’re faced with new situations and ambiguity—which promise to be on the horizon for years to come—curiosity can help get you through. Wondering, inquiring and discovering new approaches contribute to the ability to reinvent and reimagine when things change. Moving into an uncertain future of work, you’ll want to share examples of how your curiosity has inspired you to make changes, adapt and flex in order to thrive.
  • Highlight your commitment. Leaders (58%) also believe curiosity is related to greater engagement and satisfaction. In addition, the data suggests when people report greater curiosity, they are more likely to be engaged and satisfied with their work compared with less curious counterparts (71% compared with 54%) and they are more likely to feel motivated to go above and beyond (70% compared with 39%). This kind of commitment, effort and engagement will set you apart. In your discussions, talk about how curiosity keeps you interested, involved and invigorated with your work—and how this drives you to demonstrate meaningful results.

In Sum

The opportunity for career growth today is significant and now is the time to find work that is inspiring and meaningful—in your current company or a new organization. The trait of curiosity may be one of the most powerful ways you can rise above other candidates. Tell stories, give examples and articulate all the ways you’re curious, creative, collaborative, effective, flexible and committed. These will drive your success toward a new job, but more importantly, they’ll drive your own happiness, motivation and satisfaction.

 

Forbes.com | December 5, 2021 |  Tracy Brower

#YourCareer : How to Be Productive at Work During the Holidays. Here are Some Ways that you can Stay Motivated during the Holiday Season.

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Oh, the weather outside is frightful….but you’re stuck inside an office building collating papers all day while your boss and their family jets off to sunny beaches for the week. It can be depressing, especially when you look outside and see nothing but gray skies.

During the end of the year rush, a lot of employees will save their vacation time to use during the holiday season, and while people are out of the office on vacation, it becomes very important to try and stay motivated in an empty office building.

Here are some ways that you can stay motivated during the holiday season:

Clean your office

Take some time and go through your office area, closet, filing cabinet, desk tops, email inbox, whatever and make sure what items you need or which can be discarded. Cleaning is a great distraction from everyday boredom, so find some time for your office.

 

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

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Twitter: Follow us @ firstsunllc

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Article continued …

Schedule business meetings during slow times

You can invite potential or current clients to your office during the holiday season. The business meeting can be as formal or informal as you like, but make sure you stack the place with plenty of refreshments. You can serve finger foods or have a local restaurant cater the lunch. Whatever you do, do not spike the eggnog.

Planning for next year

A lot of businesses are given a yearly budget to spend before the year is up, and leftover funds cannot be rolled over into next year, so they are lost. If you act quickly, you can build relationships with these companies and then hit them up for business as the end of the year comes, they will have excess cash that will not be around for the New Year, so why not spend it now?

Review your marketing or business expansion plan

Take a look at your goals and see which ones have been accomplished and find dates of completion for your other plans. If you have any unfinished goals, you can add them to the list for next year. The end of the year gets many people worried about next year, but this is your chance to be one step ahead.

Go to every networking or holiday event

When the holidays are in season, you can bet there will be holiday parties. But while others are busy socializing, you can be busy building relationships with people you meet at these events. Keep your eyes open because you never know when you’ll pick up a new client.

Offer close out deals

If you are a small business, discount prices and packages for existing clients, or even new clients, as a great way to form alliances with a strategic business. Deals allow you to reach that one tough client you’ve been trying to get and at this time of the year, a lot of bosses want to look good on the bottom line.

Switch it up and do something different every day

Have coffee from somewhere new or just add two sugars instead of one. No matter what it is, just try something new. Break up the monotony.

 

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 – December 4, 2021

#BestofFSCBlog : You Should Get to Know a Recruiter Before You Need One—Here’s How. A MUst REad for ALL !

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It is hard to network or overhaul your resume in a hurry, and building relationships with recruiters is no different.

Like much else when it comes to career development, the key is to be proactive, hiring professionals say. Even if you aren’t planning to change jobs imminently, you almost definitely will in the future, and maybe sooner than you think. Building relationships with recruiters now is an investment in that process and a buffer against any unforeseen events that might set it in motion. It can help you recover quickly from a layoff, leave a bad environment or find the best possible fit for your goals and skills as they evolve.

“A lot of job seekers wait until they’re in that reactive panic mode to plant a million seeds, but by the time they come to fruition they’re already frantic,” said New York-based recruiter Laura Mazzullo.

Here’s how to kick off a relationship with a recruiter, even if you’re happy right where you are.

Get clear on what type of recruiter you should connect with.

While recruiters share the broad objective to fill jobs, their responsibilities can vary depending on the employer or client they’re working for. It is important to know which recruiters seek candidates for the types of roles you might be pursuing. External recruiters work for staffing or search firms and often fill roles for a variety of companies. Corporate recruiters work inside a single organization. Some recruiters focus on sourcing candidates from underrepresented groups or with specialized skill sets.

 

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-g-laughter-b46389198/

Twitter: Follow us @ firstsunllc

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Article continued …

Start by determining whom you should be talking to based on your skills and long-term goals. Check out recruiters’ LinkedIn and Twitter presences and whether they’re active in groups relevant to your industry.

Some recruiters recommended searching for the agencies that source candidates for a particular industry or location and then looking for their recruiters on LinkedIn. A search for terms like #recruitertwitter and #hrcommunity can help turn up these professionals on Twitter.

“A lot of us are interacting in [social media] communities already,” said Sean Page, a recruiter for a fintech startup, “or we’re just out there looking for candidates ourselves.”

Recruiters are people, too. Be kind, don’t waste their time.

The best networking is proactive as opposed to simply transactional. When reaching out to a recruiter, draw on the same interpersonal and communication skills you would use to develop any other relationship.

“You’re a person, I’m a person,” said Mr. Page, who says the most common type of message he receives is a single sentence from job seekers who have seen a role listed and want to know if he can refer them directly. “Unless you’re a close match [for a job], I’m going to give you a response of, ‘Hey, we should keep up in the future,’ or ignore you, because it doesn’t feel like you’re trying to create a relationship.”

 

When a recruiter responds, be clear about your intentions, even if you aren’t actively job hunting or considering doing so, and be prepared to talk specifically about your experience.

“Be upfront, even if you’re lost,” said recruiter Karen Isaacs, who focuses on filling administrative assistant roles. “Don’t go off on tangents. When I ask a candidate how many people they work for, it should just be on the tip of your tongue: ‘seven execs, three VPs and two analysts.’ ”

Manage your expectations for the future.

Once you’ve connected with a recruiter, ask how they might want to keep in touch going forward.

“ ‘I want to stay on your radar. What’s the best way to do that?’ If you ask 10 recruiters, you’ll get 10 different answers,” said Ms. Mazzullo. Some might prefer a monthly email or a quarterly coffee date. Others may prefer to reach out to you when they have time.

It is crucial to remember that recruiters are looking to fill specific openings, not to find roles for job seekers. But a recruiter getting in touch about a job that isn’t right for you at the moment could be an easy way to kick-start a relationship. So even if you aren’t interested, consider asking them for a conversation anyway.

“Engage.Be honest. Let them know you’re not interested, if you’re comfortable sharing your ‘why,’ ” said Rachel Cupples, a corporate recruiter. “Take a moment and let that recruiter know what you’re interested in for the future. Recruiters change jobs, too—who knows what they’ll have in the future.”

 

WSJ.com – November 28, 2021 – Kathryn Dill 

 

WSJ.com Author: Write to Kathryn Dill at Kathryn.Dill@wsj.com

#JobSearch : Crafting an Executive Resume that Leads to Interviews. Here are Some of the Basic Tips for Writing Resumes that Get you Hired. MUst REad!

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There’s no single secret to help executives create the perfect resume that will lead to an interview with every application. However, when you’ve incorporated key components within your resume, the chances of landing an interview increase exponentially. The best executive resume writers will keep their resumes as clear and concise as possible, only offer information relevant to the job itself and will never have any errors.

Here are some of the basic tips for writing resumes that get you hired.

Make Your Resume Targeted

One of the best ways to create a resume that leads to interviews is to target the specific employer. This will not only grab the attention of the reader immediately, but it will also show you’ve done your homework and are legitimately interested in the company. Research companies and identify their needs. Then include information about how you have addressed those needs in the past. This will show a potential employer that you can do this in the future. Include statistics and numbers of successful achievements, pointing toward the fact that these are repeatable in a new organization.

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

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Twitter: Follow us @ firstsunllc

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Article continued …

Stick With Providing Relevant Information Only

It’s tempting to put as much information on your resume as you can think of and hope the reader will pick and choose what they want to read. The truth is, if they see irrelevant information, they may stop reading the resume altogether. When you’re thinking about relevant information to include, think about the experiences you’ve had that could lead to success in the role you’re applying for. You may be proud of a certain accomplishment or certification you’ve earned in the past, but if the experience doesn’t translate to your potential new role, then it’s just wasting space on your resume.

 

Use Clear And Concise Wording And Formatting

Every professional resume writing service will highlight the importance of being as clear and concise as possible in every aspect of your resume. The length of your resume should be no more than about two pages, and the formatting should incorporate enough white space to make it easy to read. Bullet points are great to use, as they highlight important achievements and are impactful to the reader. Also use fonts and bold to draw the reader’s eye to what is most important. The good news is you don’t have to be an expert at tightening up your resume. You can put the relevant information in a document and rely on your professional resume writing service to clean it up for you.

 

Eliminate Grammatical Errors

You can never proofread your resume too much. It doesn’t matter how clear and concise your resume is, or if you are clearly the best candidate for the job from an experience perspective, grammatical errors can quickly get your resume thrown out. Your resume is the first opportunity to make an impression to a potential employer, but the chances of even getting a phone interview diminish quickly when there are glaring typographical errors on it.

 

Professional Resume Services wants to help you write resumes that get you hired. The end goal of every resume you write should be to ultimately get the job, but the first step is getting an interview. No matter what stage you’re at in your resume writing adventure, we can help whenever you need us. Never hesitate to contact us along your journey to finding the executive position you’ve always desired.

 

FSC Career Blog Author:  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 – November 29, 2021

#YourCareer : The Great Resignation. Survey: 55% of Americans Indicated they were Likely to Look for a New Job in the Next 12 Months. Great REad!

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You have probably heard the term – “The Great Resignation” (credited to Texas A&M University professor Anthony Klotz). Awareness of this phenomenon didn’t start during the COVID pandemic in 2020, but the virus did have a part in exacerbating the voluntary unemployment numbers. About 22 million jobs were lost in March of 2020 during the lockdown. 

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (USBLS) noted unemployment rates have stabilized to about the same as before the COVID quarantine, while the number of job openings is parallel at about 10.4 million in August of 2021.  The (volunteer; non-farm) resignation rates had a low in 2009 at 1.2%, but over the last 8-11 years have reached a rate of 3% (as of September 2021), according to the USBLS.  That is 4.4 million workers voluntarily leaving their jobs – the highest since the USBLS has been keeping records of ‘quit’ rates.  Almost 24 million workers have voluntarily left their employers since April 2020.

Is this a sign of a failing economy – or – a sign that workers are searching for a higher quality workplace environment, better pay, and/or growing workers’ ‘power to choose’ their employer of choice?  What has changed outside the COVID pandemic effects, especially since vaccinations have been available to the general public over the last nine months?  Was the trend already there and hidden by the ‘stay at home and prevent the spread’ government advisory?

A survey conducted by Bankrate (July 2021) found 55% of Americans indicated they were likely to look for a new job in the next 12 months.  A January 2021 Microsoft international survey found more than 40% of workers are likely to job shop in the next year, and a May 2021 survey by Prudential concluded 48% were seriously considering what type of job they wanted.

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

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

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

 

Article continued …

Did the COVID quarantine exacerbate the joblessness? Or did the pandemic force workers to reconsider their careers, employers, and the work environment? Did work at home employees during the quarantine decide they preferred to telecommute? Were essential workers ‘overworked’ with staff shortages?

These elements and questions are one of the foundation elements of why the ‘quit rate’ is increasing.  Worker burnout prompted people to seek a better work-life balance in positions.  Employers who demanded employees come ‘back to work’ after the telecommute situation proved effective found workers are searching for new telecommute-based jobs.  Fear of the virus for those who refused or could not take the vaccine prompted workers to seek more ‘work-at-home’  jobs.  The pandemic and resulting quarantine prompted workers to rethink priorities, including personal and work-life balances.  Employers who mistreated the workers or failed to enable a comfortable,  rewarding environment, matching ethical values, or better compensation, benefits, or promotional opportunities were the first to see employees quit.

Employers are rethinking what they need to offer to new hires in working conditions, compensation, flexible scheduling, or telecommute opportunities. The service industry was the hardest hit, with 5.3-5.5% resignations in June 2021. Meanwhile, the United States Postal Service is attempting to fill 40,000 temp worker positions for the upcoming holidays (Nov.-Dec. 2021).  The federal mandate for COVID vaccines for health care and government (as well as government contractor) workers by the current administration will add to the unemployment rates and create even more job openings.  State mandates for teachers and state workers will force those with acquired immunity to the disease and anti-vaxxers to be laid off, with massive worker shortages resulting in the medical and academic fields.

 The COVID quarantine taught people, globally, what they could live with and without.  The pandemic has caused folks to rethink their priorities.  The massive number of newly created or current job openings is making workers seriously consider looking for new jobs with opportunities that match their work-life balance, commute needs, and promotional goals – as well as vaccine requirements.  The COVID-related labor market will continue to drive people to quit their current jobs to explore better opportunities for years to come.

 

FSC Career Blog Author:  Dawn Boyer, Ph.D., owner of D. Boyer Consulting – provides resume writing, editing, publishing, and print-on-demand consulting. Reach her at: Dawn.Boyer@me.com or visit her website at www.dboyerconsulting.com.

Bio: Dawn D. Boyer, Ph.D., has been an entrepreneur and business owner for 20+ years, with a successful business and consulting firm (CEO) in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Richmond, Colonial Beach, and Gloucester, VA.  Her background experience is 24+ years in the Human Resources field, of which 12+ years are within the Federal & Defense Contracting industry. She is the author of 903+ books on business, human resources research, career search practice, women and gender study, genealogy and family lineages, quotes for motivation and self-improvement, and Adult Coloring Books.  Her books can be found on Amazon.com under her author’s page for Dawn D. Boyer, Ph.D.

FSC Career Blog – November 17, 2021

#YourCareer : As American Workers Leave Jobs in Record Numbers, a Closer Look at Who Is Quitting. Percentages of Leaving? Try Three in 10. Great REad!

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American workers’ stampede toward the exits hasn’t let up. New data puts a finer point on who, exactly, is leaving jobs these days.

Workers resigned from a record 4.4 million jobs in September, according to Labor Department data, and new surveys show that low-wage workers, employees of color and women outside the management ranks are those most likely to change roles. The findings signal that turnover isn’t evenly spread across the U.S. workforce even as employers across industries struggle to fill a variety of roles.

 

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

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

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

Article continued …

The overall percentage of people considering leaving their jobs—about three in 10, according to research by consulting firm Mercer LLC—is fairly consistent with historical trends. But sentiment varies across demographics and occupations. While front-line and low-wage positions typically see high rates of turnover, for example, employees in those roles are especially likely to leave now, Mercer found in a survey of 2,000 U.S. workers conducted in August.

And a survey of 3,600 U.S. workers released recently by software maker Qualtrics found a growing share of women open to changing roles. Some 63% of female middle managers said they intended to stay in their jobs next year, a drop from 75% in 2021, while 58% of women in nonmanagerial roles said the same.

For Nakisha Hicks, the Covid-19 pandemic created professional challenges and an opportunity to re-evaluate her long-term career priorities. She started working at the Nashville Symphony in late 2019 and was quickly promoted to vice president of human resources. The role required her to manage the organization’s employee strategy through the onset of the pandemic, which involved furloughing 85% of staff.

At the same time, a coaching business she had launched outside of work to help HR professionals, particularly women of color, advance their careers was blooming. As workers faced pandemic layoffs and contemplated job changes, Ms. Hicks hosted Zoom workshops on virtual networking, built her client base and hired a small staff.

Last June she returned to work in the Nashville Symphony office and found herself making hard choices about how to allocate her time. By the next month she had begun making more from her coaching business than from her job, and on Nov. 1 she resigned to focus on her business full time.

“I’ve been a W-2 employee since I was 14,” said the 42-year-old Ms. Hicks. “For me, I reached where I wanted to reach in my career and it was like, ‘What’s next for me?’ It was a natural progression.”

Among front-line and low-wage workers in Mercer’s survey, 37% of food, retail and hospitality staffers are thinking of quitting, up from a historic norm of 27% among eight million employee responses collected by the company over the past five years.

Nearly half of low-wage and front-line workers surveyed said their pay and benefits were insufficient while 41% said they felt burned out from demanding workloads. Some 35% of Black employees and 40% of Asian employees said they were considering leaving, compared with 26% of white employees. Historically, Black and Asian employees have reported considering quitting at rates just under 30%, consistent with the general workforce.

In a labor market where job openings outnumber applicants, companies have been brainstorming how to get more candidates in the door. The hiring overhaul signals a potentially broad rethink of job qualifications. The change could help millions of people get jobs previously out of reach, according to economists and workforce experts.

U.S. workers left 20 million jobs between May and September this year, according to the latest federal data, a number more than 50% higher than the resignations handed in during the same period last year. That figure was also 15% above the level from spring and summer 2019, when the job market was the hottest it had been in almost 50 years.

The Qualtrics survey found even higher rates of people considering leaving their jobs than Mercer’s research did. Some 62% of workers planned to stay in their current jobs next year, the survey found, down from 65% in 2021.

 

WSJ.com | November 14, 2021 | Kathryn Dill

#JobSearch : Customizing Your LinkedIn Profile to Communicate Your Unique Expertise. Are you in a Job Search or Looking at a Potential Position with your Current Employer?

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Are you in a job search or looking at a potential position with your current employer? You never know when an opportunity is going to present itself, so you need to be prepared!  One way to do so is to optimize your online presence, and LinkedIn is the site to showcase your experience, achievements, skills, and leadership acumen on a global scale.

Your LinkedIn profile should be one of the most utilized tools in your job search tool chest, so you need to ensure that it is sharp, fully optimized, and maintained well during your job search and beyond.

Depending on what type of device your profile is being viewed on (PC or mobile), the reader will only be able to see a fraction of your profile. That fraction has to be creative and appealing enough to make the reader want to continue to learn more about you. Don’t know where to start? Right from the top!

Banner Photo:

  • LinkedIn automatically places a blue banner when you open an account. Get rid of it!  This is the first place you have the opportunity to pull the reader in – be creative!  You can personalize the banner to show a little bit about yourself with keywords to help communicate your brand.  Have a special saying or motto that motivates you?  It can easily be included here. Use a website like Canva to design your own banner or hire someone to do it – either way – don’t use the default banner! #lame

Name/Credentials:

  • Your LinkedIn profile should have the same name that is on your resume, so that your name is consistently known by anyone who views your resume or online profile. Add any relevant credentials after your name, and try to ensure that you don’t use a nickname.

Profile Photo:

  • We all know that a lot of us don’t like advertising pictures of ourselves on social media – but on LinkedIn, people want to see YOU! Be sure to include a profile picture that is professional looking and done at a level that matches the position you’re seeking.  Executives should have a photo that looks like an executive and an entry level photo could probably be a more casual photo.

Stay away from photos where you have cropped yourself out of a group, at a bar/party, or have a lot of distractions in the background.  Again – people want to see YOU – not a backdrop from your trip to the Grand Canyon (unless you are a travel blogger – lol).

 

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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, UK, & Mexico!  

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

Article continued …

 

Headline:

  • When you sign up with LinkedIn, your current job title automatically defaults to this section. Change it as soon as you can. Your headline gives you 220 characters to share your value, expertise, and skills.  Done effectively, your headline can attract ATS systems and recruiters who are looking for candidates in your industry and is a very easy way to quickly tell people what you have to offer in your field. I like to add keywords and branding to it as well.

About:

  • Take some time to reflect about what you really want to communicate in this section. Don’t just add a one-liner, and certainly do not make yourself sound desperate to find a job (even if you really are).  Like your headline, this is a great place to share your brand – so make it strategic, appealing, and value-added! As with your resume, the summary at the beginning of your LinkedIn profile should be strategically written, compelling, and a quick synopsis of the best you have to offer, your highlights, and even some of your skills.  Using bullets and color in this section will make it stand out more than just including paragraphs of text.

Consider adding a “call to action” at the end of the summary to let people know you are available for interviews or are actively looking for a new position. You have 2,600 characters in this section, but only the first few lines may show up when people are viewing your profile, and the key is getting the reader to click on the “more” to read the rest. Make your first few lines appealing, inviting, and clear.

Skills:

  • The skills section is great but can also be a bit subjective. You need to add the skills that are the most relevant to your industry and position, whenever possible. Use strong keywords in this section, and make sure you are focusing on unique terms that make you stand out. “Staff Leadership & Development” sounds a lot better than “Leadership” and “Global Sales Operations Management” sounds way better than “Sales”.

As for the endorsements, this is where the section gets a little subjective. LI automatically puts the skills with the most endorsements at the top of the section; however, the top 3 skills are something you can…and should change, so that they are your strongest skills and the ones that are most relevant to your job search, regardless of the number of endorsements.

You have the option of including 50 terms in this list and that fills up pretty quickly – use the best fit and stay away from “fluff” terms that are expected in today’s professional world, like “Time Management” or “Team Player”.

These sections are just the tip of the iceberg in creating an amazing, optimized LinkedIn profile – but they are so important if you want to be “found” on LinkedIn, so you need to ensure that the content is unique to your job goals, industry-specific, and an effective marketing tool for your job search!

FSC Career Blog Author:  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 – November 9, 2021