#YourCareer : How To Land A Promotion While Working Remotely. Is this a Good Time to Ask? Great REad!

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If you’re like a lot of other professionals, you had high hopes for 2020. You started the year on the right foot, outlined incremental goals to achieve each quarter, and had your eyes on a promotion just in time for the holidays.

Unfortunately, you’ve been wearing your pajamas to work since March, a few major clients paused their accounts, and the company is struggling to get back to pre-pandemic production levels—not exactly an ideal time to ask for a higher salary.

Or is it?

Almost no one escaped the disruption caused by the pandemic, and many workers experienced the chaos as a massive increase in demand. Whether sales were up or way, way down, you’ve had to pivot, learning to do your job with fewer resources and more stress—you might even have received an entirely new set of duties. These situations don’t always bring out the best in people, but if you’ve shown patience, adaptability, and grit, you might be poised to leap up the career ladder.

Vaccines are being distributed as you read this sentence, but the pandemic is far from over. We can expect at least several more months of “business as unusual” before things go back to nearly normal, but that doesn’t mean putting your ambitions on hold. To prevent the pandemic from sabotaging your career goals, focus on these four steps:

1. Build relationships with clients

Forging relationships is an important part of your career, but you shouldn’t limit your focus to establishing connections with your colleagues and managers. Nurturing strong relationships with clients takes trust, communication, and the ability to cater to specific needs that vary from client to client. As Jeff Winters, CEO of Sapper Consulting, explains, “Engaging with prospects’ social posts, writing handwritten letters, and giving strategic, genuine gifts within your company’s ethical guidelines are all smart tactics for staying top of mind—but they’re just the tip of the iceberg.”

There are lots of ways to go the extra mile for clients, from making a delivery when someone mentions a badly needed home-office supply to remembering their favorite restaurant and giving them a gift card on their birthday. Knowing how to build these relationships shows your employer that you’re capable and that you see the bigger picture—characteristics that reap dividends when you’re hoping for a promotion.

 

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

Article continued …

2. Look out for your co-workers

In your quest for a promotion, be sure not to trample your co-workers on your way to the top. Managers often look to promote the individuals who make the whole team better with their efforts. These people finish their own work and then reach out to peers to see where they can assist. Build your personal brand attribute of being collaborative, while diminishing actions that seem competitive or self-centered. Not surprisingly, these gestures of camaraderie go a long way.

D.G., a manager at Oracle Cloud, points out that “collaboration with teams across the organization always stand out. I always look at an employee’s internal branding to see how they are viewed by others.” The approach makes sense. If an employee is resented by his or her peers, there’s probably a reason for that. Maybe they frequently show up late or fail to pull their weight, or maybe they’re far more interested in ingratiating themselves with the manager than actually doing the work. When you come up for a promotion, you want your co-workers to have nothing but great things to say about you.

3. Talk with your manager about growth opportunities

For whatever reason, plenty of employees keep their desire for promotion to themselves and then resent being passed over in a favor of a more vocal candidate. If you want advancement, you’d better make sure the person with the power to grant that wish knows that you want to be in the running. Expressing interest doesn’t make you a shoo-in, but it can give you deeper insight into what the position requires or what specific skills the hiring manager is looking for. Approach the situation from the decision maker’s point of view. Mentioning your interest in moving ahead—always with the greatest humility—can help them see you in a whole new light.

4. Focus on professional development outside of work

Whether you get a promotion has a lot to do with your manager and employer, but don’t let that overshadow the control you have over the growth trajectory of your career. The more you know, the more promotable (and hirable) you are, and there’s never been a better time to teach yourself valuable skills. According to 2019 data from the Statista Research Department, employees most wanted to improve their influencing and negotiating (46%), having difficult conversations (24%), design thinking (24%), and leading and managing change (21%).

According to David Parnell, author, communication coach, and legal recruiter, “When you are trying to get promoted, it is impossible to go ‘above and beyond’ without knowing exactly, to a T, where the ceiling is. So be crystal clear about what is expected of you, when it is expected, and how it is expected. This way, you can meet and exceed your manager’s expectations.” If your desired promotion involves a set of tasks that you don’t normally perform, train yourself on whatever programs, equipment, or skills will be most relevant in order for you to excel. People with strong personal brands are life-longer learners, remaining relevant and ready for what’s next. Even if your self-directed development doesn’t get you a promotion, a portfolio of these self-taught skills will look great on your résumé and will demonstrate initiative that employers find extremely valuable.

It’s tough to ask for a promotion when you don’t know what kind of situation your company is in, so do your research just as you normally would. It obviously won’t do you any good to try to advance on a sinking ship. But if your organization has weathered the storm and is on an upward fiscal trajectory, show them exactly how you made unique, valuable contributions to that success. There’s no reason to put off asking for what you’ve earned, along with the new responsibilities and initiatives you know you’re ready for. By establishing your worth, you also indirectly demonstrate what your employer stands to lose if they don’t entice you to stay aboard.

Author:  William Arruda is a founder of CareerBlast and co-creator of BrandBoost – a video-based personal branding talent development experience.

 

Forbes.com – January 10, 2021

#JobSearch : 5 Reasons Your Job Search May Be Stalled. If You Find yourself Doing Any of the Following, then Today is a Great Day to Take Action.

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In order to advance your career and get your job search back on track, there are a few things that you must do correctly. As a job seeker, finding a job should be your full-time job.

Many people work tirelessly to find a job, but they keep coming up short, so today we’re going to have a look at the 5 reasons that your job search may be stalled and why you’re not getting the response that you feel you should. If you find yourself doing any of the following, then today is a great day to take action.

1- Your search isn’t personal.
What this means is that you’re still sending out generic resumes with no target. Instead, get personal. Find the names of HR Managers, company directors, or anyone involved in hiring at the company. Then you send them a personalized note with your custom made resume explaining your desired position and how you could help the company.

 

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

Article continued …

2- You are looking where everyone else is.
Keep in mind that there are a lot of unemployed people out there right now. Many of these people will be looking in the exact same field, geographical area, or they have the same skill set as yourself. One way around this is to find opportunities through networking, online job searches, and by using job boards to find hidden career options. If everyone is looking in the same place, it will only drown out your voice. Be different and look at all of your options.

3- You believe every word you hear about the job market.
If you think everyone is living hand to mouth, then you are very mistaken. America has a lot of opportunity for people who are willing to look. Yes, it’s tougher than usual, but not impossible to find a job that suits you. Take a few minutes to review the positive aspects and reduce your stress level. An open mind will lead towards an open job.

4- Your email etiquette is poor.
Every time there is a job fair, we see this problem emerge. People do not read their emails and proof them, but you can bet that your prospective employer is reviewing every little detail about your resume. Misuse the word “your” in place of “you’re” and it’s a dead giveaway that you did not proof your email. Another way that people send out poorly written or constructed emails is if they do not have a subject, have a subject line that reads, “have a look at my resume” or poorly written opening lines in the email. Show a little patience and take some time to review your emails before you send them.

5- You’re not as productive as you think.
Sending out a few resumes during the morning and then taking the rest of the day to binge-watch TV is not a productive job search. Get into the habit of diligently looking for a job. Make yourself a schedule and stick to it. All you have is you. So, work hard and you will find the right career for you.

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 6, 2021

#BestofFSCBlog : 5 Ways To Update/Change Your LinkedIn Profile For A Career Change. Holiday Season is Prime Time for Networking! MUst REad!

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If you hope the new year brings a new career, you’ll want to promote your background in a way that translates to your new target field. Your LinkedIn profile is a powerful tool to reposition yourself for a new industry, role or both. LinkedIn is public and searchable, so not only prospective employers and recruiters might view it, but also potential connections who can offer information, leads or other support.

LinkedIn is a social network, and we’re still in holiday season – prime time for networking! Therefore, updating these five aspects of your LinkedIn profile so that it supports your career change should be a priority:

1 – Rewrite the Headline for your new target industry and/or role

If you don’t customize the phrase that appears right below your name, it can default to your current title and company. That’s sufficient if you want to continue working in the same industry and role. However, if you aspire to change careers, you don’t want your old industry and/or role to be the first thing potential connections and employers see. (Your headline may be the only thing employers, recruiters and other potential connections see if you appear in search results, and people decide not to click since your headline isn’t relevant.)

For example, let’s say you are currently a marketing manager at a bank, but you want to do marketing for a media company. You could change your headline to include your marketing expertise overall – e.g., Marketing Manager | Partnerships | Direct Mail | E-commerce. This takes the focus away from banking, which isn’t relevant, and highlights your marketing expertise, which still fits.

 

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

Article continued …

 

2 – Highlight new activities in the About section

Similarly, when you summarize your background in the About section, open with the most relevant and substantive qualifications for your new field, even if your experience in previous industries or roles is lengthier. You want to catch the reader’s attention early, since they may not read everything, or even if they do, once they see you in the old industry or role, they won’t see you as a potential fit for something new.

For example, you might have 20 years of experience at the bank, but you could still open with your enthusiasm for the latest media trends. If you are working at all in your new industry (even if it’s a side consulting project or volunteer work), highlight that first. If you have certifications or are an active member of a relevant professional association, that can also legitimize your interest in the new field. If instead you open with a laundry list of your old experience, expertise and skills, by the time they get to the new stuff, they will see you as a newbie and therefore a hiring risk.

3 – Showcase your new expertise in your Activity

In addition to the About section, your Activity – e.g., posts you write, comments on other posts, videos or presentations you attach – can be tailored to the new career and showcase your expertise. Being active in your new field is also a good way to make and expand your network in that field. An insider may take note of your insights and make introductions for you to others.

For example, you could summarize insights from books or courses you are taking to learn about your new field. If you conduct informational interviews (and you should), you could highlight key takeaways from these meetings. You don’t need to produce content from scratch – you could follow executives in your target function or dream companies and comment on what they post.

4 – Include substantive consulting, part-time or volunteer work in Experience

The work experience you include in the Experience section doesn’t need to be paid or your primary job, as long as it’s substantive. Yes, you could also put volunteer work in the Volunteer section, but then it might be overlooked. Your goal is to catch the reader’s attention early before they have formed an opinion about you as being too deeply embedded in your old career.

This also includes how you organize the description about your current job — if some aspects of your job are more relevant to your new career than others, highlight these first. For example, a client of mine made a career change from financial services to education. It seems like a big pivot given she had decades in her original industry. However, in her last job, even though the bulk of it was financial, she also had some mentoring and training activities which she listed first.

5 – Speak to your new audience with relevant keywords

Whether it’s your headline, summary, activity, experience or other section, review what you include and how you describe it from the perspective of your new target field. Avoid jargon that only applies to niche areas. Generalize your skills so that multiple industries can see your value.

For example, I had a client in the transportation industry switch out references to passengers for customers. Another client in healthcare switched out patients for clients. A seemingly small change does make your profile more welcoming.

Put your LinkedIn URL in your email signature so your entire network has your updated information

Of course having an updated, career change-friendly profile is meaningless if no one sees it. Putting your LinkedIn URL into your email signature (your personal one, not your current work!) is an inobtrusive way of attaching your background to every correspondence. While it’s presumptuous to send people a resume (and people who don’t know you well may not open an email with an attachment), posting a URL gives access to the same information but more subtly.

As a career changer, most of your network will likely be in your old career rather than your new target, so your existing connections may not know all your adventures in your new career. Pointing them to your profile in each and everh email is an ongoing reminder of what you do and how much you’re working towards something new.

 

Forbes.com – December 30, 2020 – Caroline Ceniza-Levine

#JobSearch : 4 Ways To Get A Jumpstart On Your Job Search In 2021. Here are a Few Things you Can Do to Boost your Chances of Finding a New Job in 2021.

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Whether you’re just beginning your job search or continuing an existing one in the new year, there are a few things you can do to boost your chances of finding a new job in 2021.

Before you dive into your job search, it’s important to take time to reflect on why it is that you’re looking for a new job. Get clear on your motives for wanting (or needing) a change so that you can start your 2021 search off with a strong sense of intention. Once you have clarity on that, it will be much easier to power through the monotony of searching, waiting, and interviewing.

It’s also important to reflect on how you want to work. Remote work is here to stay, but there will also be hybrid working options and companies who choose to return to the office as soon as it’s safe to do so. Figure out what you’re willing and not willing to do, then begin your job search with that in mind. Some job postings will have details about the working model, but most often this is a question you’ll need to ask during an interview.

Once you’ve gotten clarity on those things, there are four more things you can do to get a jumpstart on your job search.

Get organized.

It’s incredibly important to keep track of the jobs you’re applying to and interviewing for. A simple spreadsheet is all you need to keep yourself organized throughout your search. With a spreadsheet, you have all the information you need in one place, ensuring you won’t miss an important detail because you couldn’t find the note you wrote or accidentally deleted an email.

You’ll want to track the job title, company name, date you applied, and then fill in any relevant details if you’re selected for an interview such as the hiring manager’s name, date of your interview, and link to the Zoom room or phone number to call. It’s also helpful to save a link to the job posting so that you can review it before your interview.

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

Article continued …

Broaden your horizons.

With remote work here to stay, you’re no longer limited to jobs that are in your immediate area. Be sure to choose ‘remote’ as a location when you’re searching on job boards and include in the keywords you’re using to search as well. Be sure to read the job description fully to be sure that it’s fully remote, and not just temporarily until offices can reopen.

Another important factor to consider is the time zone you’ll be working from – if you live in California but the company is in New York, you’ll most likely be working in Eastern Time, which means an early start to the day for you. With the coasts reversed, it would mean a late start but also a late finish. Nothing wrong with either option, just something you need to seriously consider.

Learn new skills.

The job market continues to become increasingly competitive. With remote work, companies are no longer limited to a geographical pool of talent, significantly increasing the competition for each job posting. This means it’s now more important than ever that you stand out from the crowd.

Sharpen your skills by taking a course or getting certified in a relevant skill. Show your work whenever possible – create a portfolio website, write an article, make an infographic, or create a demo app. The key is to have something tangible you can share with a prospective employer. Another way to highlight your skills is by taking on freelance work to show real-world experience and real-world results.

Practice self-care.

A job search can be stressful, so it’s incredibly important that you take some time to practice self-care. High stress just isn’t good for anything, and it can easily derail your best efforts and intentions. If you’re able to manage your stress levels, the job search process will be far less taxing. Make time to relax, especially when you don’t feel like you can, because that’s when you need it most.

 

Fobes.com – December 29, 2020 – Ashira Prossack

#YourCareer : How to be a Reference for a Friend. Things to Consider Before Providing yourself as a Reference for a Friend’s Aptitude for a Position.

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In this difficult economic time, everyone knows someone who is unemployed. With the jobless rate in the US at a staggeringly high percentage, it is understandable to feel a strong conviction to help in whatever way possible. What if you are working for a dynamic company that is flourishing and looking to expand? What if you have a close friend that would make a wonderful applicant?

 

There are multiple things to consider before providing yourself as a reference for a friend’s aptitude for a position.

Be Objective
Carefully consider your friend’s goals and work experience. Review the job description and examine what about your friend would work in the position. Encourage your friend to follow the proper channels and submit their resume in the same way as every other applicant, even those without a personal connection to the company. Only approach the subject with your superiors if you are asked directly- do not approach them directly with a plea for your friend to be hired. You want your friend to be hired on account of their own merits, not for whom they know at the company. You also want to demonstrate to your company that you understand and respect the ethics of business.

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

Article continued …

Gather the facts
Be objective with yourself regarding your motive for referring this person. Make a list of your friend’s strengths and how they fit the job description. Know their job history and be prepared to provide a reference. Examine your support. Are you referring them because you enjoy their presence and think they would make a nice addition to the office atmosphere? Are you referring them because you know they offer the commitment and drive the company deserves? Answer the questions honestly.

Don’t hold back
If you don’t think your friend will fit in to the company’s atmosphere or will believe in the company philosophies and practices, don’t be afraid to suggest alternative options. Encourage your friend to explore all aspects of the company-from your personal perspective to published reviews. Remember that you have a biased perspective, and your friend should research if this is the best decision to make at this time in their life.

If you make a well-informed decision on referring your friend for a job at your place of employment, you do not have to worry about risk. You can stand by your recommendation and watch your friend succeed in the workplace. You can worry less about your friend’s negative impact on your company’s perception on you, but the positive reflection the suggestion of a new and dedicated employee can have.

If for some reason it is not to be, you will feel comfortable knowing that you thought logically throughout the application process and didn’t recommend your friend on a whim. You should also keep in mind that if it is not meant to be, that it is in no way whatsoever a reflection on your ability to do your job or function in your company. Do not let your friend’s experience (negative or positive) influence the way you feel about your job and your contribution to it.

 

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 – December 29, 2020

#JobSearch : Best Career Tips Of 2020 – The Gifts In Crisis. “Don’t ask for permission, just do it.” 

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Covid-19 tossed all of our lives into a tornado and we’re still figuring out where we’ll land.  It also shines a light on the need to be able to manage chaos and change, because, as Deborah Lee James, former Secretary of the Air Force told me on my podcast recently, “Whether we’re working in industry or government or in the nonprofit sector, change is a constant.”

Chaos, crisis and change also shake us out of complacency and forces us to see things with fresh eyes and make different choices – and that’s where the gifts lie.

Here are the best career tips of 2020 for managing change from my guests this year:

Managing chaos, crisis and change is about being able to innovate – your career, your skills, your perspective, your operations, your team, your products, your business model, your budget, everything.  So, here’s a look at the top career tips of 2020 through the lens of the Innovator’s DNA (designed by the late Dr. Clayton Christensen of Harvard Business School): observe, question, associate, network, and experiment.

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

Article continued …

 

Observe – Know thyself: Step one in any review of your career or life circumstances is to “look yourself in the mirror,” as Secretary James put it, and the forced isolation of the pandemic gave us a unique opportunity to do so.  How did you spend your time? Did you binge-watch Netflix all day or use it to complete projects?

Another critical way to increase your self-knowledge is to, “Pay attention to the people around you, and listen to what they see in your career,” Dr. Robin Currey, head of the Sustainable Food Systems program at Prescott College told me.  That is, notice which projects and jobs people asked you to do or paid you to do, and how they introduced you to other people. It gives you insight into where people see your professional value.

Question – Assume nothing: Secretary James reminded us to keep asking questions, to get the facts, the data, including from unconventional sources. For example, to manage a crisis that potentially put millions of lives at risk, she met privately with the frontline staff, purposely without their officers or any other staff. That’s where she obtained the most valuable, unvarnished, and actionable information enabling her to make lasting change.

To understand what drives women to achieve, my firm conducted an in-depth survey this year and we found out that these women are driven by: power (influence), status (recognition), curiosity (learning), and idealism (making a difference).

Associate – Connect things:  Covid-19 has certainly forced us to connect dots differently. Joni Carswell, CEO of Texan By Nature (a nonprofit started by former First Lady Laura Bush) said, “Look out at your path, at your history and the things that you think don’t have anything to do with one another… And, use those different ways that you’ve seen the world to solve problems…Because you have the single unique way of looking at a puzzle that no one else does.”

MSNBC legal analyst and former Watergate prosecutor Jill Wine-Banks’ suggests make a list of all the skills you used in past jobs, indicating which you loved and those you disliked, and then look for jobs that maximize the skills you enjoy and minimize those you don’t·

Network – People matter: “The best leaders, particularly during periods of change, are people-first leaders,” Secretary James said. “People are going to make it or break it for an organization. They can slow roll things, or they can facilitate things.“ To bring people along, she suggested, “they have to understand …Why am I important to this equation and how am I contributing to the whole?”

No matter what level you’re at, there’s always office politics, or what Dr. Jennifer Wisdom calls “the game that’s being played,” even in a virtual world. She said, “It’s who gets the plum assignments…and how everyone talks to each other…(and) it’s enormous in women’s advancement.”  She gave several tips, such as, “if you’re working with someone who makes you feel like you’re not good enough, there’s something else going on.”

.      Experiment – “Just do it!” “I would recommend exploring ways to bring that knowledge (in your core competence) to a new area, a new firm, a new venue, sort of bridging, “ Dr. Corinne Post of Lehigh University told me. “By bringing a content area into a new field, into a new place…(or) to a new area it can be very rewarding because…you have the opportunity to learn, and to make an impact.”

“Work from where you are….You can work within an organization to do amazing things,“ Brenda Darden Wilkerson, CEO of AnitaB.org and the renowned Grace Hopper Conference, suggested. “Be willing to be an intrapreneur.”

Wherever you are, seize opportunities. “It’s time (for women) to pick our heads up and look around the executive realm and really think broadly about how big our impact can be,” Coco Brown told me. “Don’t underestimate your value.”

Or, as Katie Sloan of Southern California Edison put it, “Don’t ask for permission, just do it.”

 

Forbes.com – December 28, 2020 – Joan Michelson

Season’s Greetings with All Good Wishes for the New Year…….. Chris G. & Team, www.firstsun.com

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The Team here at FSC LinkedIn Network would like to wish you/yours a Wonderful Christmas & a Happy, Healthy, & Prosperous 2021!

 

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

#BestofFSCBlog : #YourCareer -What to Do After You Get Fired. Try to Negotiate your Severance Package. A MUst REad for ALL!

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When Melissa Ben-Ishay was 24 years old, she was fired from her job as an assistant media planner for poor performance. She wasn’t passionate about the job, she says, and it showed. Still, she was disappointed, and thought it was unfair that she had been fired. She called her brother, Brian Bushell, who told her that getting fired was the best thing that could happen to her.

“I think you are the way you respond to the things that happen that are out of your control,” she says. “Those moments define you.”

Ms. Ben-Ishay was known among her family and friends for baking tie-dye cupcakes. “‘Go home and bake your cupcakes,’” she says her brother told her. “‘We’ll start a business out of it.’”

Twelve years later, Ms. Ben-Ishay is the chief executive of “Baked by Melissa,” which has 14 locations in New York and New Jersey and ships cupcakes nationwide. “It’s very difficult to see losing your job as an opportunity when you’re in it,” Ms. Ben-Ishay says. But if you have a positive outlook, you can also bounce back after being fired, she says.

Take a deep breath.

The first thing you should do is take some time to reflect, says Ebony Joyce, a career coach and founder of Next Level Career Services. You can take some time to collect yourself, and don’t need to start applying for new jobs the same day. “You want to allow yourself some grace,” Ms. Joyce says. “Give yourself the opportunity and have a positive mindset regardless of the reason why it happened.”

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

Article continued …

Negotiate your severance package.

Depending on where you work, you might have an exit interview with a human-resources representative. You should ask whether you will receive severance pay, as well as how you will be compensated for any unused vacation days. Remember that you can negotiate within reason. During this conversation, make sure the employer has your current postal and email addresses in case there are any questions.

Check whether you are eligible for unemployment benefits.

To collect these benefits, you must be unemployed through “no fault of your own,” according to the Labor Department. That means if you were fired for misconduct, which could include causes such as stealing, lying or harassment, you will not be eligible. But if you were fired because you weren’t a good fit for the job or because you lack skills, you might be eligible for benefits, depending on where you live. You can learn more about eligibility in your state at CareerOneStop.

“It’s very difficult to see losing your job as an opportunity when you’re in it.”

— Melissa Ben-Ishay, Baked by Melissa

Take time to grieve.

There are stages of grief when you lose a job, just as there are when you experience other types of losses, and it is normal to mourn the loss of a job or your career as it once was, says Jenny Logullo, a career coach and founder of Workplace Worth Academy. After you have taken time to grieve, you can begin to move forward, assess your skills and make intentional choices about what you would like to do next, she says.

Surround yourself with people who support you.

After Ms. Ben-Ishay was fired, she found support from her older brother, who encouraged her to keep going with her business even when she doubted herself. She recommends finding a support network: “Now more than ever, it’s so incredibly important to surround yourself with people who support you and have that confidence in you when you don’t necessarily have it in yourself.”

Start thinking about how you will talk about this experience.

Typically, when you are fired, there was an action that you either took or did not take, says Ms. Logullo. Your next employer will want to know why you left the position, she says. So you will need to craft an explanation that demonstrates that you recognize what happened, and acknowledge what you did or did not do in your previous role so you can learn from it and correct for it in the future. Instead of saying, for example, “They weren’t happy with my performance,” you can say the position wasn’t a perfect fit, and you are excited to learn and build skills in a certain area in the future. “That kind of outcome-driven story is so much more motivating and promising,” she says. Think about how you will address a potential employment gap as you update your résumé, craft cover letters and prepare for your next interview.

Look at this as an opportunity.

There is good that can come out of the situation, Ms. Ben-Ishay says, and you should try to stay positive and hopeful. “I think you are the way you respond to the things that happen that are out of your control,” she says. “Those moments define you.”

Resources
  • A state-by-state list of unemployment insurance contacts from the Department of Labor.
  • CareerOneStop may provide more information about unemployment benefits in your state.
What to read next

WSJ.com | December 7, 2020 | Allison Pohle

#JobSearch : Why Can’t I Get Hired? The Most Asked Question: “Why can’t I find a job?” A MUSt REad!

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As a Resume Writer and Career Coach, one of the questions I get asked the most is “Why can’t I find a job?” So many job seekers become frustrated during their search because they expect instant results – and that rarely happens in a job search.  Hunting for a new job is tough, it just is. However, there are things you can do to help you to understand “why” you aren’t finding a job, and even more importantly, understand “what” you should be doing differently to land the job of your dreams.

 

Your Resume

If your resume has not been updated in the past five years, then you have a problem. Even if you’ve been in the same job for longer than five years, surely you are learning new skills and achieving new goals that should be documented on your resume. A resume is a living document that needs to be revisited and updated on an annual basis. If you’re not doing this, then your resume could be the “dead” document that is thwarting your job search.

If you aren’t sure where to start, have your resume critiqued by a certified professional resume writer. Make the recommended changes yourself, or, hire the service to ensure that you’re getting the best documents you can to market your skills. Yes…this is an investment, but you’re investing in your future.

 

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

Article continued …

Social Media Activity

Today’s job seekers must have a presence on social media. As soon as someone hears your name, the curiosity sets in and a search will commence. Will you be found? Google yourself. What shows up? Clean up your social media profiles-both professional and personal. Be sure that your professional profiles clearly communicate the skill, experience, education, and value you can offer potential employers.  If you’re on Facebook, beef up your privacy settings. Don’t let strangers see your activity or allow your friends to tag you in photos or post onto your page. For other sites like Instagram and Twitter, keep your settings on private so that you have to approve any new followers.

Complete your LinkedIn profile fully. This is the most popular professional networking site and where 94% of recruiters look for potential candidates. Be sure your profile is brands you appropriately, is free of typos, and is filled with industry-specific keywords and keyword-phrases that will get you found during SEO searches. Your profile photos should not be from your college fraternity days. A clear headshot with a clean background works best. Join groups and network within those groups. NOTE: Don’t comment on posts or in chats where you have no clue what you’re talking about.

 

Job Search 101

Before you go down the “why me” path, you need to take a long look in the mirror and ask these questions…

  • What am I doing to find a job?
  • How much time and effort am I devoting to my job search?
  • What types of networking opportunities am I taking advantage of?

 

Asking these questions will help you to determine what you aren’t doing well, and how you can do things better. Are you only searching for job posts on one or two sites? Are you targeting individual companies, and if so, are you applying for jobs directly on their site? What about networking? Are you engaging in conversations on social media sites or even attending job fairs? In today’s competitive job market, you need to be diligent in exploring as many paths as possible to find your next job.

The Interview

Your resume and networking strategies paid off – you scored an interview! How you look, speak, and act during the interview can and probably will, make the difference between getting an offer or a “we went with another candidate” letter.

To prepare, study the company culture, including the position you’re interviewing for. Understand what the company does, who they deal with, and what expectations they have for your position. If you have a contact in the company, seek him out and ask a few questions so that you can dress appropriately, as well as speak the company language during your interview.

Get your marketing tools ready. Have multiple copies of your resume ready to present to the interview committee, as well as copies of any credentials you may need for the job.  Practice answers to common interview questions, and be sure you have solid details to back your answers.

Before your interview date, map out your drive and ensure that you allow for rush hour traffic, trains, construction, etc.  Being late for an interview is never acceptable and shows irresponsibility and lack of potential right from the get-go.  When you arrive, greet the receptionist with a smile and a firm handshake.

During the interview, listen carefully to all questions before you answer. If you get a “stumper” (and you will), don’t get flustered! Take a deep breath and think before you answer. Have concrete details of why you are the best candidate for the job, and speak to the credentials on your resume to reiterate your most important qualifications and achievements.

Follow up with a thank you note addressed directly to the person(s) you interviewed with. Even if you feel the interview didn’t go as well as you had hoped, you’re always leaving a good final impression when you send a thank you.

Searching for a job isn’t easy, but it doesn’t have to be hard, either. Listen to colleagues, career coaches, and HR friends – find out what did/did not work for them and see what you can incorporate into your job search strategy. Having a solid job search strategy, putting in time and effort, and networking within your industry will set you right on your way to that new job, and hopefully a great new career.

 

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 21, 2020

 

 

#YourCareer : Build Your Brand Through LinkedIn Recommendations. Recommendations are Like an Online Review of Who you Are.

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I don’t know about you, but before I buy anything online, I read the reviews. I like to read a first-hand perspective from other buyers. Very often a review will change my mind. Think about that when it comes to LinkedIn recommendations.

Recommendations are like an online review of who you are, your work, etc. Receiving recommendations from colleagues, past supervisors, professors, etc. can act as a professional reference for your expertise, skills, and overall work ethic. It’s social proof for you.

But how do you go about receiving recommendations from your network? 

Here’s the Plan:

  1. Make a list of people you’ve had contact with at previous companies or projects.
  2. After you write it, send them an email telling them what a great job they did.
  3. The best time to do this is right after the event is done.
  4. Wait a week or so, then contact them and ask if they would be willing to write one for you.
  5. Be sure to send them a thank you if they follow through.

So now you have the plan, but how do you go about executing on it? 

What to Include in Your Recommendation

When you’re writing a LinkedIn recommendation for a connection, think about what you would want someone to say about you. Be specific when it comes to your experience with working with them or how you know what they bring to the table. Grab the reader’s attention with the first sentence and be very clear as to why you think they will succeed in any given endeavor. And never hesitate to ask your connection what information they would like you to include in the recommendation as well, so it’s tailored appropriately. It only needs to be 2-3 sentences, not a novel.

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

Article continued … 

Requesting Recommendations

Now that you’ve written recommendations for your colleagues, you can feel more comfortable asking for one in return. You can do this through email or through, sending a personalized message or on the main page, under “More” you can ask for a recommendation. Don’t expect everyone to respond with one, but be sure to thank those that send them. 

Choose Your Recommendations Carefully

You may receive recommendations from your network you never requested. Think quality over quantity at this point. LinkedIn gives you the opportunity to review your recommendations before they get posted on your profile. Don’t just accept every recommendation without reading them first. You want to make sure it matches your personal brand before accepting. On the other hand, you could harm your own reputation if you give out a recommendation every time you’re asked. Unless you worked closely with the person or know them very well, proceed with caution before writing one. Hiring managers and recruiters can tell a genuine recommendation from a fabricated one, so it’s not worth it just to make someone happy.

If managed properly, LinkedIn recommendations can increase your brand messaging and shore up your social proof. But live by the motto of “reciprocity”, giving back and sharing the love to your network in return.

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.