#YourCareer : Avoiding A Hard Conversation? How To Have That Brave Conversation You’ve Been Putting Off. A MUst REad for All!

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As the Covid-19 pandemic has forced us to connect from behind our screens, it’s also made it all the more convenient to avoid tough conversations. You know the ones… where emotions can run high and sensitivities deep.  Too awkard. Too risky. Too difficult. 

Alas, the most important conversations are often the least comfortable. Easier to simply smile politely and put it off until we’re all back in the office. Whenever that is.

Yet our conversations form the life blood of our relationships, forming the currency of influence in any team or organization.  Engaging in conversations about sensitive issues require self-awareness, emotional intelligence and a solid dose of courage. Mustering up that courage takes getting real about the price we pay when we don’t. On our stress levels, our relationships, our influence and our ability to achieve what we want and change what we don’t.

If you’re in a leadership role, this is amplified further. After all, ‘people are the project.’ If you’re not managing the people issues, you’re destined to fall short on every other outcome.

In short, sticking to only the ‘safe conversations’ can exact a steep hidden tax on individual wellbeing, team productivity and bottom line performance. Research by VitalSmarts found a strong correlation between the span of time it took for a problem being identified and it being raised with team performance. Before Covid-19 this averaged two weeks. Right now, it’s likely considerably longer.

So if there’s a conversation you’ve been putting off, here’s a few ideas to help you address whatever issue’s been on your mind (and likely others too!).

-1- Clarify your highest intention 

It’s easy to communicate from a reactive, defensive, frustrated or fearful place. Many do. Doing so gives a temporary sense sense of gratification. Bam, got em! But it rarely lands a positive outcome.

So before entering into potentially sensitive conversation, get clear on your positive intent. What positive intention are you trying to serve? For you, for them, for your relationship? So be honest about where your ego might be driving you to prove you’re right or make another wrong and connect from the highest part of you, not the lowest.

 

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

Article continued …

-2- Check your story

You don’t see problems as they are, but as you are…filtered through your lens, your fears and your experiences, past and present. Often the story we creat about a problem (or ‘problem person’) is the root of the problem, roadblocking our ability to resolve it and chart a better path forward. So think about where you’ve caste someone as a villain, yourself as a victim or applied labels (it’s pointless, they’re a lost cause, I’m hopeless at… ) that limit new possibilities.

-3- Listen beyond spoken concerns

Even when we can see someone on the other side of the screen, technology has a way of disconnecting us from the human element of our interactions. Connecting with the humanity of the person behind the image on your screen will lead to a far better outcome than simply going through your check list.

Before you unload what’s on your mind, step into their shoes and genuinely try to see as they see and feel as they feel. What’s the deeper, unspoken concerns that might be at play here? The very act of genuinely seeking to understand makes a huge deposit into the relational ‘trust account’.

So ask them how they see and feel about the issue. Then…

Listen.

As you do, resist the temptation to fill any awkward silences. It’s in the pauses between thoughts that the real issues often rise to the surface. Listening is the singular more powerful and under-used communication skill.

-4- Keep it real

If you feel awkward about a conversation, just say so. You’re human. This is vulnerable territory. Own that. If it’s why you’ve put off having this conversation, share that too. This pandemic has been challenging for most of us. Be humble and take full responsibility for your part in this issue including not having raised the issue sooner. Then share why you feel it’s important to do so now (see point #1).

-5- Be truthful, but in a way that elevates, not denigrates

Behavioral scientist Dr. William Schutz once said that “If people in business told the truth, 80 to 90% of their problems would disappear.”  People can intuitively tell when you are being sincere. They can also tell when you’re not.

Be mindful to distinguish the problem (behavior or issue) from the person themselves. Just because someone did something stupid doesn’t make them stupid. Give them space to be otherwise.

Invite their input in how to address the issue, and use language that convey’s your belief in their ability to respond well. Talking down to people will never lift them higher but reinforce the very beliefs that are driving the behavior.

The above said, don’t sugarcoat the truth in disingenuous flattery. That doesn’t build trust, it undermines it. People often respond defensively to implied criticism.

-6- Consider time and place

If you’re working across global time zones, make sure you have the call at a time of day that is thoughtful for the other person. Don’t leave a tough conversation for 5pm Friday and be sure you allow enough time for a meaningful exchange. Likewise, if you’re prone to speaking too much or belaboring points, write down your key points ahead of time.

As for place, well… you may not have much choice but to connect from your home workspace right now. However if you can get outside and go for a walk, changing your physical space can be a powerful way to shift the emotional space of a conversation. Consider both of you going for a walk and talk… even in different places. Just ensure you can stay focused on it.

-7- Set and keep the right emotional tone

Emotions are contagious. The more sensitive an issue, the more rapidly emotions can escalate and highjack rational dialogue. Rehearse the conversation ahead of time, thinking ahead about how you want to respond should they have an emotional highjack. If they get furious, get curious, and avoid getting pulled into a downward spiral of stone-throwing. If things get over-heated, call time out.

-8- Separate fact from opinion

Before you launch into your opinion of a situation, be sure to clearly state the facts as you see them. It’s possible you may have incomplete information.So use language that leaves open the possibility of another interpretation of the situation. E.g. I appreciate I may be missing something, but it appears that …

Who knows, maybe they have some important piece of information you’re unaware of that will make all the difference. Facts first. When you present your opinion as though it’s the truth, you’re guaranteed to get people off-side.

-9- Make clear requests and commitments

A client recently told me how frustrated she is with a colleague. I asked her if she’d been specific about what she wanted this person to do. ‘No, they should just know,’ she replied. And therein lay the problem. They did not know! So never assume people just know what you want or don’t want. Make clear requests,  with specific, unambiguous and measurable expectations – for them and yourself. Only then can you ever effectively manage any accountability.

-10- Focus forward with a soft front, strong back

 It’s easy to descend into pettiness and stone throwing about what woulda-coulda-shoulda happened. To what end?  This doesn’t negate the need for managing accountability. Rather, stay focused on what needs to change and don’t lose sight of the end game.  Most of all, never let someone else’s poor behavior be an excuse for your own.

The quality of your relationships is determined by the quality of the conversations you have in them… in your home, in your office and in virtual teams operating across global time zones.

Don’t let the inability to meet in person stop you having important conversations. And don’t let the screens that separate you be an excuse not to speak to that person as you would if they were right in front of you.

Most of all, don’t let your fear of what could go wrong keep you from speaking up to make things more right.

If there’s something you genuinely want to say, chances are someone genuinely needs to hear it. Adopt the Buddhist principle of “soft front, strong back” and stand firmly in your truth… with courage, candor and kindness. bGo bravely.

Author: Margie Warrell is a speaker on leading with courage and creator of the Courageous Conversations Masterclass.

 

Forbes.com – January 31, 2012

#YourCareer : Signs it’s Time to Send out an “SOS” to Help with Online Branding. Don’t Believe Me? Try Doing a Search on your Name — I’ll wait.

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Online branding is hard to avoid if you are going to be involved with society. It’s actually happening whether you want it to or not, because some of your information is probably online already. Don’t believe me? Try doing a search on your name — I’ll wait.

This is why you need to “own” your online brand. Maybe there was a lot of entries with your name, maybe just a few, but when you submit your resume to a company, the name on your resume is what they will search. It’s a very important part of your professional package. But sometimes, you need to get help in order to get your online brand where it needs to be.

Here are three possible reasons to ask for that help:

  • You are overwhelmed with all that is going on in your life right now.  Sometimes life throws a real curve ball, something like a global pandemic, and you are starting over from square one. It could be something more personal, like a divorce or a death. Maybe you were laid-off recently or took time off due to health reasons or some other reason. No matter the reason, there may be just too much on your plate right now to add this to the pile. Know what things only you can do, and do those things. Delegate other tasks to professionals who are better equipped to handle jobs that aren’t in your wheel-house.

 

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

Article continued …

  • Technology seems daunting. You are learning, but you are afraid of making a mistake. I always tell newbies to the computer age, ‘You can’t break it!’ Getting professional help will give you a confident start, and you can take it from there. Or you can learn as you go and try it out. Either way, it’s a reality you will need to face –e-commerce, for example– you can’t go to an actual Amazon “store”… you need to order online to get what you want from there. Start small and work your way up to profile creation.
  • You now realize that you blew it big time. You have been buzzing along posting selfies and crazy party photos, and now you wish you’d listened when your mom told you to be discreet. She was right, and now you are sorry, but you have no idea what to do about it. A professional has experience in this area and can help. We help with reputation management and can help you clean up your digital dirt. Then you can tell all the tweens you know to heed your warning.

Whether you need coaching to get your LinkedIn profile fully optimized, or you just need assistance with online branding, we can help. And if you decide to tackle it yourself, the first step is to just right in.

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 – January 30, 2021

#JobSearch : How To Get Noticed By A Competitive Company When You Don’t Know Anyone. Avoid Application Portals & Bypass the Competition

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I’ve never been one of those super-connected people with a Rolodex of contacts on speed dial. So, it has always bothered me when people would say getting a new job is all about who you know. 

As a career coach who’s helped corporate professionals land interviews and roles at competitive companies like Google, Vogue, Deloitte, iHeartMedia, and an array of other companies in dozens of industries without any secret connections, I know that not having a huge network doesn’t have to exclude you from landing a great role at a competitive company.

But, when you don’t know anyone, you have to know how to approach your job search in a way that helps you skip the line and get ahead of the competition. Here are a few tips to help you get noticed by a competitive company, even when you don’t have a huge network.

Avoid Application Portals & Bypass the Competition

In 2019 alone, before unemployment surged last year, Amazon received more than 18 job applications per minute and more than 200,000 online applications for 30,000 open spots. That’s just one example of the number of applications rolling into competitive companies on any given day.

If your only strategy for getting noticed by a competitive company is applying online, then you are not giving yourself every opportunity to get noticed. Instead of sentencing yourself to the black hole of rejection, as I call it, you need to bypass the competition by reaching out to hiring managers directly. This will help you ensure that your application doesn’t get lost in the application portal and will help you get in front of other job candidates.

 

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

Article continued …

Get Good at Knowing Why You’re Good 

It’s not enough to reach out to hiring managers directly, you also have to know exactly why you believe you’re the right person for the role you’re pursuing. Reaching out to the hiring manager without a clear pitch on why you’re the top candidate for the job can still cause your outreach to get tossed to the side.

To get good at knowing why you’re good, you need to take a step back to evaluate how your previous positions have prepared you for the next role you desire. You need to know the stories, accomplishments, results, and examples that showcase the value you can bring to the position. And, you need to be able to communicate those things as easily as you can tell someone your phone number. Some of my clients have even gotten responses in less than 24 hours after reaching out directly to hiring managers because they mastered this, without any secret connections. When you study yourself just as much as you would study the job description, you’ll increase your chances of getting a response from hiring managers, without a referral.

Create the Connections

Lastly, just because you don’t currently have connections doesn’t mean you can’t create them. But, rather than feeling like you have to hit the connect button on LinkedIn 15 times a day or awkwardly send people your resume when they didn’t ask for it, you can do things a different way. Focus on building authentic relationships by thoughtfully reaching out to people you would genuinely like to get to know, simply because they’re like-minded professionals you find interesting.

Don’t focus on how they can help you when you’re establishing these relationships. Pay attention to how you can help them and learn from them instead. Recently, one of my clients followed this approach, and she found out about a position at a competitive company that wasn’t even available online yet. And the best part? She didn’t have to ask or beg for the person to put in a good word for her, the person offered on their own.

Getting noticed by a competitive company and landing a new role doesn’t have to be an uphill battle. When you’re willing to approach your job search strategically and thoughtfully, you can increase your chances of getting noticed and hired at a top company you love.

Author:  Adunola Adeshola coaches high-achievers on how to take their careers to the next level and secure the positions they’ve been chasing. Grab her free guide.

 

Forbes.com – January 27, 2021

#JobSearch : Mistakes to Avoid for Doing your Own Resumes and Cover Letters. Great Two(2) Min Read!

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In today’s challenging economic climate, many people are choosing to create their own resumes and cover letters rather than hiring a professional to help save on the cost. This is understandable when money is tight. But you still want to present professional looking documents, free from mistakes. When you are writing your own resume and cover letters, it is very easy to make mistakes just because there are so many versions and corrections (we writers deal with this, too). Even if you are a competent writer, it still is a good idea to carefully read your work once more before sending it off to be read by the people you want to impress.

 

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

Article continued …

Here’s how to avoid some common mistakes in writing:

  • Keep track of grammar when changing a sentence. If you change the noun from singular to plural, for instance, remember to change the sentence structure to match.
  • Don’t rely on automated spellcheckers alone to catch mistakes. Your, you’re, their, they’re, there, two, too, and to are all words which are spelled correctly and won’t show up as an error when used in the wrong way. “Manager” was one I always misspelled as “Manger”. They are both words, so spell check never caught it. Luckily, I’m hyper-diligent about checking and rechecking how I spell Manager– plus there is a little tool in MS Word that lets you auto correct things like that, so whenever I type Manger, it automatically changes it to Manager. Awesome.
  • Avoid the automatic word-finishing features on your word processing program for the same reason. You want your brain to be in control.
  • Look it up if you are unsure. Good spellers and good writers rely on more than their memory. A popular site that helps with more than spelling is https://www.grammarly.com because it checks grammar, spelling, word choice, and style (plus, their Facebook page is informative… and snarky). It’s up to you to take the advice of the computer once the error is pointed out.
  • Take a break before rereading your work. It’s like rebooting your brain and allows you to see the piece with fresh eyes. If you have been working feverishly on something, you read it with your past efforts in mind and can fool yourself.

Of course, all the resume writing tips the pros use apply. Your cover letter and resume, along with the follow-up thank you letter, are huge indicators to the potential employer of your ability and professionalism. Everybody makes mistakes — but you don’t have to leave those mistakes in your writing. It’s easy to fix a mistake once you see it, so learn how to look for it.

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 – January 26, 2021

 

#JobSearch : Wall Street Journal is Sponsoring a Free Online Job Summit – ‘Succeed in the Search’. A MUST REad for All!

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Who is hiring now? How can I shift careers without downsizing my salary? Is a one-page resume still the rule? Where do I even start my search? As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to upend the job market, the WSJ Jobs Summit will provide new graduates and workers trying to get back in the game—or reinvent their skillset—with a modern toolkit to navigate this competitive market.

Through interviews and interactive workshops with leaders across business, we’ll look at the workforce landscape from multiple angles, including:

Through interviews and interactive workshops with leaders across business, we’ll look at the workforce landscape from multiple angles, including:

  • An assessment of the job market by the numbers, and what it means for you
  • Practical, tactical advice from companies in hiring mode
  • A playbook preparing you for a productive hunt, online interviews, overcoming setbacks and effective negotiation.

 

Who Should Attend:

1- Students, New Graduates, & College Faculty

Attendees took away the practical tools and trusted insight you need to navigate this new job market as either a first-time job seeker or leader helping students transition from campus to career.

2- Mid-career Changers

For professionals taking this moment to consider a new career path, the summit offered perspective and guidance from business leaders across industries.

3- Currently Unemployed

If you’ve lost your job due to the pandemic, this was an opportunity to acquire the tools you’ll need to not only survive but thrive in this new job market.

 

Agenda: Ten(10) Sessions, attend all or attend only of your interest. See link below:

https://www.wsjjobssummit.com/agenda

 

Must Sign Up & Register:  https://www.wsjjobssummit.com/home

 

 

WSJ.com – January 23, 2021

#JobSearch : 2 Key Attributes Your Resume Should Communicate. How’s Yours? Great Two(2) Min Read!

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Your resume is a compilation of your career for the purpose of evaluation. Your resume is written for the reader. They are looking for indications you will be suitable for a specific opening, and that reader uses your resume to determine if an interview should be scheduled. Every hiring manager or recruiter will be looking for two areas, which are summed up:  learn and lead.

The ability to learn is essential no matter which position you are filling in an organization. From the top executive to the lowest rung of the career ladder, if you aren’t continually seeking to learn how to increase your effectiveness, you are dead weight. This can be shown in a resume through several means:

  • seminars and classes attended
  • organizations and volunteer activity
  • certifications

 The ability to lead is really the ability to think and act independently for the good of the group. Some of this ability isn’t going to show in a resume — having the strength of character to avoid gossip, for instance. Still, a resume can show that you have accomplished goals. The positions you have held in any organization, the time spent as a member, and the activities you participate in all show leadership by example even when they are not “head” positions. Your references will reveal what kind of person you are, which will give an indication of what kind of worker you probably will be.

 

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

Article continued …

During an interview, you are assessed in the light of your resume. The impression the resume gave is adjusted to include the face-to-face interaction and the whole package is considered. Will you be able to learn the job? Will you be able to do the job well even when distractions occur? Will you be a positive force in their particular workplace? If your resume hasn’t shown that you might fit, you will probably not be called in for that interview.

If your resume hasn’t resulted in being called in for any interviews, maybe it’s time to look at it again. Does it show that you know how to both learn and lead? Is it well written? Professional Resume Services has carefully built a site with many ways to help you develop an excellent resume for distribution. Explore the tips and services and see how your resume can be one that gets you that interview and the opportunity to learn and lead in a new job.
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 – January 21, 2021 

 

#JobSearch : 6 Things You Need To Update On Your Resume. Your Resume must Showcase How you’re Different from Other Candidates.

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When you’re job searching, a resume serves as the first impression you make on a company. Your resume needs to highlight your skills and talents and also showcase how you’re different from other candidates.

Question: How do you stand out?

Ensure it does all of that by following these six tips.

Update your job information and descriptions

If it’s been a while since you last updated your resume, make sure that any changes to your job responsibilities and achievements are reflected. Pay attention to anywhere you have written things in terms of length of time. As the calendar changes from 2019 to 2020, your two years of experience become three, so make sure to update those figures accordingly.

 

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

Article continued …

Get rid of anything no longer relevant

Look through your job descriptions, skills, and education fields to see if there are any points you can remove. As you build more work experience, you can start to remove things from early on in your career, such as extracurricular activities or part time jobs that are no longer relevant to your current career.  .

You should also remove graduation years or any other dates that could indicate your age. The only years that need to be listed on your resume are your employment dates. If you’ve gotten a specialized certification within the last three years, you can list the year if having a current certification will boost your chances of getting hired.

Update your skills and certifications

Add any new certifications and relevant skills to your updated resume. Be sure that everything you list in the skills section is directly related to the job or job field you’re applying to. Listing overly general skills that most people also have only takes up space and does nothing to add value.

Update the formatting

Format your resume to ensure it can easily be read by both humans and AI. The first look at your resume will likely be done by AI via an applicant tracking system (ATS), but after it passes through that phase, it will be reviewed by a person. Keep things clean and simple, and ensure that your formatting is consistent throughout the entire resume.

Change paragraphs or long blocks of text to bullet points and use an easy to read font like Arial at size 10 or 11. Put headings, jobs titles, and section descriptions in bold so they stand out during skimming. Change written numbers to numerals, as a number stands out more than a word does.

Save the file with an easy to find file name

Keep the file name simple, following this format – First Name Last Name Resume Year. This ensures that you’ll always upload the correct resume to your applications, and you can easily find it at a later date.

The file should either be a Word doc (.docx) or a PDF. Word docs are easier for an ATS to read, so when in doubt stick with that format. The advantage of a PDF is that the formatting stays consistent regardless of how it’s opened, so if you’re sending it directly to a hiring manager, a PDF is the better option. Always double check the instructions, as some systems list the file type that needs to be submitted.

Remove ‘references available upon request’

This phrase is dated, and if it’s still on your resume, it can make you look dated as well. If the hiring manager wants references, they’ll ask for them, so save this space on your resume for something that’s important.

Author:  Ashira Prossack Ashira Prossack is a coach, speaker, and former competitive athlete helping business leaders unlock their full potential through a sports-based approach to professional
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Forbes.com | January 19, 2021

#JobSearch : 5 Ways Your Online Profiles Can Ruin Your Career Chances. Here are the Type of Topics Employers Look at when Scanning Potential Candidate’s Social Profiles.

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Social media accounts have made it impossible for people to separate their work life from their personal. Employers make a habit of googling potential candidates and reviewing their online life, often to determine whether an interview invitation will be extended. What you post could be the difference between being given a job opportunity or not. You may not think this is fair…but employers will use every technique at their disposal to decide who would be a good candidate.

With that being said, here are the type of topics employers look at when scanning potential candidate’s social profiles:

  • Vulgarity and Obscenity: People generally speak on the internet the way they speak in real life or at least that’s the way employers think. If you use vulgar language in your profiles, then employers will assume you lead a lifestyle where you speak publicly the same way. They will not want to hire someone whom they cannot trust to communicate in a professional manner.

 

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

Article continued …

  • Negativity: Employers want to hire people who will keep a positive atmosphere in their company. If you are a negative person, don’t show it. Don’t post negative comments or quotes on your online profiles. When you are at work, try your hardest to be positive and upbeat. People have actually been terminated because of posting negative comments and/or making negative or derogatory remarks in the workplace.
  • Gossip: If you gossip at work or gossip about coworkers or supervisors outside of the office, you can jeopardize your current job, your chances at a promotion, and your potential for new jobs. It may be hard, but try to avoid gossiping on the internet and everywhere else. Things you say on the internet travel fast, and they stay there forever. Even if you think you have removed them, once your post has been seen by someone else, the damage is already done.
  • Overly Outspoken: If you have an extremely outspoken personality, it may cause problems. Now you don’t have to ignore your beliefs or not express them, but try to avoid “screaming” your beliefs over the internet or getting into arguments about them at work. While employers shouldn’t decide who to hire based on a candidate’s beliefs, they may have a negative feeling toward you if you are loud and obnoxious about those beliefs.
  • Hygiene and Appearance: Once again, employers cannot keep a job from you simply for how you look, but it can affect how they think about you. If you look unprofessional or you don’t appear to be clean in pictures that you have posted online, potential employers will not want to hire you because you may show up to work looking unprofessional and unclean.

Be smart with your social networking and think twice before posting controversial or negative information on your personal sites. Don’t hurt your chances of getting a great new job before the employer even has a chance to speak to you in person.

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 – January 18, 2021

#BestofFSCBlog : #JobSearch -How to Take Advantage of Pandemic Conditions. Here are Three Ways to use the Pandemic to your Benefit. Great Three Min Read!

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Pandemic conditions have created difficult financial times for many people, including millions that have been unemployed or furloughed. However, that does not mean that you can’t make the best of a bad situation. If you’re currently in the job market, whether you’re unemployed or just looking for a new line of work, there may be opportunities to take advantage of pandemic conditions.

Here are three ways to use the pandemic to your benefit when searching for a new job:

Negotiate Working Remotely Full-Time 

The need for employees to work from home throughout the pandemic has shown that many people are capable of being even more productive than when they were working in an office. Some new job listings may start as remote work with an expectation that you will work from an office once the pandemic is over. However, you may be able to negotiate for a full-time remote work position.

This could save you a considerable amount of money, especially if you have a long commute or would be required to relocate for this new job. There’s also plenty of other benefits to working remotely long-term, such as a better work-life balance, less stress, and a lower environmental impact. As part of any interview process, try to test the waters and inquire about this possibility.

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

Article continued … 

Move to a New City 

Some people have taken advantage of pandemic conditions in order to move to a new city. If you’re lucky enough to be working from home permanently, you may take this opportunity to finally move to the city of your dreams. You can also use a job search as a chance to start looking for work in a city where there is more opportunity in your field or where cost of living prices are lower. However, if you are considering moving to a new city for work, remember that the house hunting process is equally as important as the job hunting process. I

t’s important to browse homes for sale and find suitable living arrangements before making any kind of permanent move. Be sure to properly discuss your working and living situation during and after the interview process to ensure that the job will be a good fit. 

Take Advantage of Online Networking 

Now is a great time to shift your networking strategy online as more and more people are stuck at home. With fewer opportunities to socialize in-person, there’s a much greater opportunity to make connections with others online. One of the great things about networking online is that you can reach people all over the world, whether it’s through social media apps or virtual career fairs.

To make the most out of this experience, you’ll want to update your LinkedIn and other social profiles, as well as maintain a polished online presence. You’ll also want to keep a polished physical appearance as well. Although we all enjoy working from home in sweatpants, it’s important to look professional during any virtual career fairs and interviews.

Searching for a new job in the middle of a global pandemic is not easy. Many people are still unemployed as they continue to struggle finding work. However, you may still be able to take advantage of these conditions and use them to your benefit to gain an edge over others. Patience and proactivity can go a long way in your job search.

 

FSC Career Blog – January 17, 20212 – FSC Career Blog Author

#BestofFSCBlog : #JobSearch – How to Deal with a Termination on a Resume. Great Two(2) Min Read!

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Your employer just let you go. You need to find another job, but how should you handle your termination on your resume? The days when you signed on with a company and stayed with it until retirement are gone. In today’s climate, employers are much more understanding when they see a less-than-perfect work chronology, but you still have to be careful how and when you present a termination.

Remember, your resume is a marketing piece:  positive, upbeat, and selling yourself to a potential employer. There are many reasons someone gets fired, some outside of your control. It could be corporate politics, downsizing, or poor management. But presenting the information correctly is important.

 

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

Article continued …

Do not put the termination or the circumstances surrounding it on your resume. You will have a much better chance of impressing hiring managers if you deal with this question in face-to-face interviews.
If you were recently let go, resist the urge to keep your position listed as “to present” on your resume, giving the appearance that you’re still employed. You will have to explain yourself later on, and potential employers might think you tried to mislead them.

It’s a different matter if you were laid off instead of fired. In this case, you can mention the lay off in your cover letter. Employers are more forgiving of layoffs, so mentioning this might work in your favor.

Focus on your accomplishments in your resume. Your goal is to wow your potential employers by highlighting those accomplishments and skills. Even if hiring managers are wondering why you left a certain employer, your resume should be strong enough for you to receive invitations to interviews in which you can explain your situation in person.

Be sure to list all of your contributions to a previous employer, even any that laid you off. This too can be a red flag to hiring managers. Talk about your responsibilities, overall contributions to the company, and if you received any awards or special recognition. All of this will go a long way in your favor and that’s what you want.

No matter how the termination came about, you still learned skills and accomplished things at the job. Focus on these aspects when creating your resume, presenting the best pieces. But be ready to answer what you learned about losing the job as well. Being able to pick yourself up after a fall speaks to your resilience and ability to learn from mistakes.

 

FSC Career 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 – January 16, 2021