#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.

 

#BestofFSCBlog : How to Negotiate a Job Offer. The Do’s and Don’ts. If you Don’t Ask for What you Want, You’re Not Going to Get It. A MUst REad!

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Salary negotiation is an art, but there are proven techniques you can use to get what you want. In addition to researching and crafting your pitch about why you are the most desirable candidate, experts say that creating a personal, empathic connection with your negotiator is also a good strategy.

Consider the salary negotiation as part of the honeymoon period for you and your employer. Since the hiring manager has chosen you for the role, he or she will be more likely to hear your requests and try to accommodate them. “If you don’t ask for what you want, you’re not going to get it,” says Tessa White, a career navigation adviser and founder of The Job Doctor.

Find out how much your expertise is worth.

Research how your experience and skills are valued across the industry in which you have applied for a job. Figure out what the company or others like it pay current employees, either through publicly available information or by networking with current or former employees. Websites such as Payscale.com, Salary.com and Glassdoor.com also offer salary comparisons across various roles and industries.

Establish a connection with your negotiator.

An effective negotiating tactic is to create a personal rapport with the other person. “You’ve got to develop, in whatever amount of time you have, a degree of personal empathy with that person, some kind of personal connection with the individual so they look at you as other than something like a cog in a wheel,” says Luis Rueda, a retired Central Intelligence Agency operative whose role involved convincing foreigners to spy on their countries for the U.S. “You’ve got to let them humanize you.” 

 

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

Article continued …

Mr. Rueda recommends researching the person before the negotiation begins. What motivates him or her? Think about what the person has highlighted in his or her biography on the employer’s website or LinkedIn. What has this individual mentioned in past conversations? “The idea of winging it is seldom successful,” says Mr. Rueda. “Find out what makes the individual tick and what makes the company tick. Do your homework and understand your audience.”

On the day of the negotiation, try to identify something in the person’s office or in the background of a video call that you can bond over. “If they’ve got pictures of a kid the same age as your kid, there’s something you can play with,” Mr. Rueda says. Perhaps the hiring manager prominently displays interest in a sport or in travel. Think about how you can use that to develop some kind of personal connection. “You might be the 15th person they’ve seen that day, or the 30th issue they’ve dealt with,” Mr. Rueda says. “Try to create a connection that says: ‘I’m a human being. Look at me.’”

“If you want to maximize your pay, the cardinal rule is: Do not bring up pay.”

— Tessa White, The Job Doctor

Don’t bring up your salary.

If you throw out the first number, you might be negotiating against yourself, since it is possible the employer would be willing to make a higher offer than what you propose. “If you want to maximize your pay, the cardinal rule is: Do not bring up pay,” says Ms. White. “If you make yourself desirable to them, your offer will be higher.”

If the employer directly asks what you would like to make, respond by asking what the budget for the role is. In all instances, wait for the employer to say a number first. If the number is lower than what you expected, you can always counter it. If it still comes up short, consider negotiating a raise six months into the role if you meet agreed-upon goals.

Don’t focus entirely on the pay.

Many people only negotiate salary and bonuses, but that is a mistake. There are many other elements of a job that can be negotiated and may make the difference between feeling appropriately compensated for your work and not. For example, if you are currently paying out of pocket for your health insurance, can the employer reimburse those costs until your new benefits kick in? Or if being able to work remotely or have more vacation time is important to your work-life balance, consider negotiating these.  Find out what terms are on the table so you can prioritize which ones matter most to you before the initial job offer. By doing so, you will be in a better position to negotiate. Read our guide on how to counter a job offer for a list of what could be on the table.

Make all of your requests at once.

Don’t make the mistake of negotiating each benefit individually so that you are constantly requesting new terms. Dr. Hamaria Crockett, a career coach with Korn Ferry Advance, the career-coaching arm of organizational consulting firm Korn Ferry, says it’s best to avoid negotiating each term piecemeal because it can be “a turn-off” for the employer.

If you are going to ask for several adjustments to the offer, divide your requests into hard and soft categories, negotiation experts say. Anything related to pay, bonuses and stock options should be negotiated together, as part of your hard requests. Once you have reached an agreement on those, move on to the softer requests like vacation time, flexible work and job title.

Make it clear how hiring you will make the employer better off.

At the CIA they call it “PTBUF,” or putting the benefits up front, says Mr. Rueda. When you are negotiating with someone, you should start by explaining what is in it for that person, he says. You should detail up front how hiring you is going to benefit your potential employer. Mr. Rueda recommends emphasizing these benefits at the beginning and end of the negotiation. “You want the negotiator to come away understanding why you’re worth the money,” he says.

Don’t exaggerate.

Part of the art of negotiation is building trust, and if you are exaggerating your qualifications, the chances are someone will notice. That only gets in the way of forging the kind of relationship that would lead to getting what you want. “Be very honest,” and try to strike the balance between overselling and underselling yourself, says Mr. Rueda. “Have a very realistic opinion of who you are, backed up by the facts.”

Don’t give an ultimatum.

When you finally get an offer in writing, but it falls slightly short of what you want, use a “yes, but” response. In a professional and friendly tone, convey your gratitude for the offer and then follow up with the reasons that the job warrants better terms. Lay out what you would be missing out on by leaving your existing role or the typical salary and benefits that a similar position would offer in your sector. Back up your requests with evidence. Just as you wouldn’t recommend an all-or-nothing solution to a work challenge, you shouldn’t do so during the negotiation. Each touchpoint during the discussion is your chance to develop a relationship with your new employer. “Once you receive a job offer, you stop being a candidate and you start being an employee of the company to some extent,” says Paolo Gallo, the author of The Compass and the Radar: The Art of Building a Rewarding Career While Remaining True to Yourself. “The way you negotiate starts building your reputation.”

Resources
  • O*net: This Department of Labor-sponsored website provides a comprehensive look at the skills required for specific jobs across all industries, plus median pay per job.
  • H-1B Data: As part of the H-1B visa program, companies must keep a public-access file that includes the exact salary of the employee they sponsor. This website collects some of those salaries and allows you to search by company, position, location and the year the candidate was hired.
  • Payscale: This salary comparison website requires that you enter your data before it shows you anything.
  • Salary.com: This comparison site allows you to see payscale by profession,  industry and various other variables.
  • Glassdoor: You can browse salaries by company and position. The salaries are entered anonymously into the website by employees.
What to do next

 

WSJ.com – December 9, 2020 – Deborah Acosta

#JobSearch : Résumé Formats to Play Up Your Strengths. You have Just over Seven Seconds to Make an Impression with your Résumé. Great Read!

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You have just over seven seconds to make an impression with your résumé. That is the average time it took recruiters to make up their minds about candidates based on their résumés, according to a 2018 eye-tracking survey by the career site Ladders.

Professional résumé writers say you could try shaking up your résumé format if you are struggling to get callbacks. 

1- Chronological résumé

The most common résumé format is chronological, listing your work experience in order, with the most recent experience at the top. It is straightforward, and many hiring managers prefer it because it is easy to understand.

How to format a chronological résumé 
  • Contact information: This should come first. Include your name, phone number, email address and location (city and state). You could also include the URL to your LinkedIn profile. Make it easy for hiring managers to reach you.
  • Work experience: List your previous jobs in reverse chronological order, with the most recent at the top. Format each position in the same way so it is easy for the hiring manager to read. Include the employer’s name, location of the role (city, state), your job title, and start and end dates. If you are still in the job you can write, for example, “January 2020 to present.” If you had more than one role with an employer, make it clear as a subheading or another line under the company name. List three to five accomplishments under each job. See more tips here.
  • Education: What you include here depends on your education history. If you didn’t attend college, recently graduated or are still in college, you may include your high school here. Otherwise, it usually isn’t necessary. Include the name and location of the college you attended, your degree and the years you were there. Recent graduates can also bulk up this section with their grade-point averages, although Ashley Watkins, a career coach and résumé writer with Write Step Résumés LLC, advises her clients not to include their GPA if it is below 3.5. Extracurricular activities and accomplishments can also go in this section.
  • Additional skills: This section is a great place to put expertise that goes beyond a specific job or internship experience, such as other languages you speak and proficiency with certain software or other technology. You may also mention soft skills, such as the ability to work independently, a particularly useful asset if you will be working remotely.
  • Certifications: If applicable, include professional licenses, technical courses or other certificates you have earned that are relevant to the job posting.

In most cases, résumé-writing experts say the chronological format is the way to go. “Overall, the chronological format is the most used format, and you don’t really see other formats too often nowadays,” says Demisha Jennings, a certified professional résumé writer, and founder and owner of She Assists LLC.

 

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

Article continued …

2- Functional résumé

If you don’t have much work experience and the chronological format is not working, you could try the functional format. This type of résumé prioritizes skills over direct work experience and can also be useful for those who have been out of the workforce for some time.

Think carefully about using this type of résumé. “From a hiring manager’s perspective, I find this to be less effective,” says Dana Leavy-Detrick, founder and director of Brooklyn Resume Studio. “They want to know what you did on the job even if it wasn’t directly related. Were there some kinds of transferable skills or experience?”

How to format a functional résumé
  • Contact information: No matter the format, this should come first. Include your name, phone number, email address, location (city, state), and the URL to your LinkedIn profile, if appropriate.
  • Summary: Start with a paragraph of three to five sentences that serve as your pitch to the hiring manager. Highlight the skills that qualify you for the job.
  • Expertise: Identify the top skills you have that relate to the job you want and make a section for each. For a coding job, you could title a section “Programming Languages,” and list the ones you are proficient in. Under a “Customer Service” section, in bullet points, you could list the total number of orders you have processed and skills related to the role, such as communication, problem-solving and product or service expertise. You don’t need to say when or where you used the skills or accomplished the aforementioned responsibility.
  • Experience: In a short section, list the company name, location of the job, your job title, and start and end dates. You don’t need to use bullet points to describe your accomplishments under each position.
  • Education: If applicable, include the name and location of your college, your degree and the years attended.
  • Certifications: List professional licenses, technical courses or other certificates you have earned that are relevant to the job posting.

Functional résumés often work best if you are sending your résumé to a person you have had contact with, as opposed to submitting through a job portal, which often will use an applicant tracking system, says Ms. Watkins. “Functional résumés work for direct contacts because you are there to have a conversation, the feedback is there, and they can put a person to the position,” Ms. Watkins says.

3- Hybrid résumé

Hybrid résumés combine the best parts of the chronological and functional formats. The hybrid format allows you to emphasize your skills, but also provides more context around your past work experience, says Ms. Leavy-Detrick, who favors the format and says it tends to give a “better picture of who the candidate is on the whole.”

How to format a hybrid résumé 
  • Contact information: Include your name, phone number, email address, location (city, state), and the URL to your LinkedIn profile, if appropriate.
  • Summary: Similarly to the functional résumé, include a strong statement outlining your expertise, the types of employers you have worked with and your accomplishments.
  • Skills: List your relevant expertise in bullet points.
  • Select projects: If relevant to your desired role, you could add a section highlighting projects or campaigns you have worked on and what you achieved.
  • Relevant professional experience: Focus on relevant duties when describing your work history. Elaborate on how you used the skills that you listed.
  • Education: If applicable, include the name and location of your college, your degree and the years attended.
  • Certifications: Just as with the chronological and functional résumés, you can list professional licenses, technical courses or other certificates you have earned that are relevant to the job posting.

 

WSJ.com | December 11, 2020 | Allison Pohle

#BestofFSCBlog : #JobSearch – 5 Tips To Find And Land A New Job In 2021 . A MUst REad for All!

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With holidays fast upon us and the end of the year looming, a lot of us are looking to 2021 with hopeful energy about the future. For some, the new year might feel like the right time to make a career change, or level up in our professional lives.

 

The events of 2020 have brought profound changes to all of our lives. For many, their work lives have been upended or drastically changed. Working parents have had to balance childcare and remote schooling on top of downturns in many industries. These challenges have led to substantial decline in workforce participation by parents with children under 18. The percentage of working fathers dropped by 5.6% and working mothers by 4.9%, compared to 2019.

Newly remote workers have also seen challenging changes to the shape of their work life. Most experience longer workdays, working on average nearly an hour more per workday and contending with a 13% increase in meetings.

For small business owners, 2020’s upheavals created an unprecedented need to adapt or fold. Among small business owners, 92% reported that they were forced to “reinvent” their business model to survive pandemic setbacks. Sadly, many were not able to weather the storm.  In fact, nearly 100,000 small businesses closed permanently due to Covid-19.

These significant changes can leave any job-seeker with some major questions about what their search and their future career prospects will look like into the next year.  I recently had the opportunity to speak with Christian Sutherland-Wong, CEO of Glassdoor, who was a guest on my You Turn Podcast. We spoke about many aspects of the current job market, and what’s to come in the future. Sutherland-Wong offered some excellent advice for those looking to make a change to their professional life during this uncertain time, and this inspired me to put together 5 tips for job hunting in 2021.

1) Diversity, equity and inclusion will play a greater role in hiring than ever.

A major takeaway from my conversation with Sutherland-Wong was that those entering the job search in 2021 should expect issues of diversity, equity and inclusion to have a growing role in hiring and in company policies moving forward.

The summer of 2020 was an important time of tremendous upheaval. Compounding the pandemic, the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and countless others spurred nationwide protests, demanding that we all take a hard, overdue look at racial inequality in America—and worldwide.

There have been far-reaching reactions throughout corporate America to try to rectify institutional bias and address diversity, equity and inclusion (often referred to as DEI) in hiring and other company practices.

Sutherland-Wong has seen the effects of these protests in how Glassdoor users are discussing hiring. Sutherland-Wong reports that since summer 2020, Glassdoor has seen a 66% increase in users mentioning diversity and racial equity in their reviews. This has led Glassdoor to explore how their products could help users evaluate the commitment of potential employers to diversity and inclusion.

Glassdoor has since launched new tools for assessing and rating companies for their handling of issues related to DEI. Integral to these new tools is the ability of users to now share demographic information.

“What we want to be able to do as we collect this data is shine a light on not just how a company is rated overall by the average reviewer, but specifically, how certain people of certain demographics or certain groups rate a company,” Sutherland-Wong told me, “so then users of our site can get a feel for People who are like me, how do they rate a company?”

Accordingly, Sutherland-Wong believes that one of the great successes of Glassdoor is that they have been able to hold companies accountable when it comes to equity in the workplace. He explained that “companies cannot hide behind not being great employers when it comes to diversity and inclusion.”

Whether you are a candidate who is part of an underrepresented demographic in a certain field, or you feel that your voice should be amplified in the conversation about diversity and equity, it is valuable to understand the vital role that DEI will play in hiring practices and company policies in the future. It’s important that we all understand that we have a role to play in creating a more equitable future in the professional space.

Job Hunting Tip: Do your research using Glassdoor’s new DEI tools to ensure that you are directing your job search toward companies that align with your values, and that provide an equitable and inclusive work environment.

 

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

Article continued …

2) Do not be afraid to negotiate your salary or ask for a promotion.

For many, the uncertainty of the current climate might make them feel risk-averse and reluctant to seek a promotion or a raise, or to negotiate a higher salary during the hiring process.

Sutherland-Wong’s advice: don’t be afraid to ask for what you’re worth.

During our conversation, Sutherland-Wong offered the very helpful reminder that while it can be hard to see outside the scope of the pandemic at the moment, this too shall pass. Try to take the long view, and understand that this moment will ultimately be what he refers to as a “blip” in your greater career trajectory. This mindset will help you get the perspective you need to make a change, or seek better compensation for your work.

Although the hiring manager holds most of the power throughout the interview process, Sutherland-Wong reminds us that “by the time you get to the offers stage and they are giving you an offer, the power is starting to switch back to you now.”

If you’ve successfully interviewed and reached the salary negotiation phase of hiring, remember to feel empowered in your role. “They want you,” he says, “therefore, it is worth thinking through: is this the right offer for me?”

When it comes time to negotiate, research and data are your friend. Throughout our interview, Sutherland-Wong emphasized the value in doing your research and having data to back up your point of view in the job search, from interviews to salary negotiations.

Though some companies may be weathering financial challenges, negotiating your salary is not a faux pas—it’s as important as ever. Do your research about the value of your role and comparable salary ranges. Strong data will still help you make your point.

  • Use Glassdoor to get data on salaries for comparable positions. This means looking at positions at competitor companies, at a similar level of responsibility. You can find anonymously submitted data on average salaries for a certain role, and at certain companies. This will give you a strong basis to argue for a higher salary.
  • Show concrete data on your value. If you are looking to advance your salary at your current job, it may be worthwhile to show your past performance reviews. Especially valuable would be any concrete numbers on revenue that you’ve brought or value that you are adding to the company. If you are seeking a new job, demonstrable data on past performance in relevant roles might also help your case.
  • Be flexible yet firm. There will always be a balance to be struck between knowing your worth and value, and being flexible enough to allow for a negotiation. You have to be willing to reach a compromise, but know your limits and make sure that you arrive at a happy medium.

If you’re still feeling wary about entering into a salary negotiation, it’s worth noting that salary negotiations are on the rise. In 2019, 55% of new hires negotiated their salary, which represented a huge 16% jump from 2018 numbers. Plus, it’s likely that a hiring manager will be anticipating a negotiation, given that 70% of managers state that they expect candidates to negotiate.

If you plan to stay at your current job, pandemic downturns shouldn’t stop you from getting a salary increase. A recent study showed that 57% of organizations have already paid, or still plan to pay salary increases in 2020.

Even in these tough times, Sutherland-Wong says, “Companies are absolutely willing to pay the right for the right person.”

Job Hunt Tip: Don’t let pandemic setbacks prevent you from seeking the salary you deserve.  Take the long view to get perspective on your career, and use data to support your position in any negotiation.

3) Look toward industries that are growing despite pandemic setbacks.

While the Covid-19 pandemic has a major negative impact on many sectors, there are certainly industries that have been thriving through 2020, and are projected to exceed expectations into 2021.

In Sutherland-Wong’s words, “While there are industries that are closing up shop, there are also industries that are booming.”

Christian identified three sectors that have seen tremendous growth and are expected to continue to expand in 2021 and beyond: e-commerce or online retail, tech and healthcare.

If you are looking to make a career change, it would be advantageous to look toward careers in these sectors:

  • E-Commerce

2020 was a challenging year for the traditional retail sector, with major legacy brands such as J. Crew declaring bankruptcy. Retailers that depended on in-person shopping took major hits from the Covid-19 shutdown.

Still, it was a strong year for e-commerce. Many retailers, like Bed Bath and Beyond, facing the downturn in traditional retail, opted to close stores in order to shift their operations to an “online-first” model.

The e-commerce space was already seeing steady growth before the pandemic, and saw an immediate boost from Covid-19 and lockdown-related factors. With consumers in 2020 using less of their budget for travel and dining, and many reluctant to shop in person, e-commerce has thrived. As of 2020, e-commerce accounts for 14.1% of total retail sales. This number is expected to grow to 22% by 2023. By mid-April 2020, online retailers saw up to a 68% increase in revenue versus 2019.

While in-person shopping has begun to bounce back, many are still favoring online shopping into the holiday season. In fact, a recent survey found that 58% of shoppers preferred to shop online for Black Friday deals, up from 51% in 2019. Customers who preferred to shop in person accounted for 41%, down from 61% last year. All these factors point to e-commerce as a very safe bet to weather the economic difficulties of Covid-19. Another reason e-commerce is a great space for those looking to make a career change is that e-commerce companies offer job options for many skill sets and career paths. These companies also offer the opportunity to see business from many angles. So whether you’re looking for an entry-level job in systems technology, or you’re a high-level marketing exec, e-commerce is a great space to direct your job search.

  • Tech and telecommunications

Another sector that is expected to see steady growth throughout 2020 is tech and telecommunications.

The arrival of 5G, or fifth generation wireless technology, will boost broadband strength and connectivity. It’s estimated that 5G alone could boost global GDP by $800 billion across a variety of sectors. It’s clear that 5G will have a major impact on the global economy, not only impacting tech and telecommunications but healthcare, media, manufacturing, retail and more. By 2023, 5G could create 22.3 million jobs globally.

It practically goes without saying that videoconferencing has become a much more significant part of business in 2020. Remote work was already a fast growing trend in the workforce, with remote work expected to increase 77% between 2019 and 2022. It’s no surprise that Zoom’s revenue increased by 88% in 2020, reflecting the increased use of videoconferencing as many employees moved to remote work. Moreover, the global videoconferencing industry is expected to see a continuous 10% revenue growth over the course of the next seven years.

Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, cloud computing and the Internet of Things are all at the forefront of conversations about tech and the economy. These are growth sectors to set your sights on if you are hoping to develop new skills and immerse yourself in new and meaningful ideas.

2020 has made it clear that we are all increasingly dependent on technology for connectedness, social needs, commerce and collaboration. If you’re looking to steer toward a new career path and you love technology, it would be wise to explore the tech/AI sector.

  • Healthcare

No industry has seen more profound effects from the Covid-19 pandemic than the healthcare sector. It is likely that the next few years will be a period of profound change and adjustment within many sectors of our healthcare system.

Many of the most in-demand jobs will be those on the front lines of healthcare, such as nurse practitioners, a position expected to see a 52% growth into 2021, as well as occupational and physical therapy assistants and behavioral, mental health and substance abuse counselors.  But those with prior experience in systems, management and data will also be in high demand.

There will also be high demand for specialized fields such as speech-language pathologists, a role that is expected to see a 24.9% increase in demand in 2021. If you’re considering a higher degree, exploring the medical field with an eye toward specializing may direct you toward a promising career you may not otherwise have considered.

Job Hunt Tip: Focus on your core skill set when you’re making a career pivot. This means really reflecting on what your gifts are, and how they translate from the career you chose in your past to the career you’re selecting for your future. See if you can find crossover between where you’ve been and where you’d like to go.  Identify stories that share those results, so that you have them on hand for interviews as you transition into a growing sector.

4) Ask yourself the difficult questions.

With so much going on around us, and tremendous uncertainty, many may be feeling a lack of clarity when it comes to next steps for their career. In order to move toward gaining clarity in your work life, it is important to ask yourself some challenging questions.

“My advice to everyone is that you should always be evaluating what you are doing in your career,” Sutherland-Wong says. “Is this what you want to be doing here and now? Are you happy in your job?” He goes on: “Is this part of your journey to where you have aspirations in your career?”

Simple as they may seem, these are crucial questions to finding clarity in your career. Christian Sutherland-Wong speaks on the importance of understanding if what you are doing at present is meaningful for your career. If it’s not, what do you need to do to change that?

Exploring these questions may yield an answer in the form of seeking a new job or a larger career change, or it may even look like pivoting to a different role at your current company.

After coaching so many job seekers myself, I’ve also learned the importance of seeking clarity.

  • Am I hiding who I am at work? Studies show that 61% of American employees feel that they are hiding a part of themselves or their identities at work. You may feel you can’t share an aspect of yourself in a work context, or you feel that you’re having to hide your hidden value because of your job. This is a definite sign that you’re not in the right place with your career.
  • What do people tell me I’m good at? Feedback from others is one of the most valuable ways to find clarity. Comparing your own strength to the things that others have praised about your work will help you see clearly where your core skills lie. If your current job feels misaligned with these skills, it’s a good time to think about moving on.
  • What do I know that I wish I didn’t know? This is one of the hardest questions to ask and to answer. Maybe deep down you know that you’re in the wrong career, but you’ve invested so much time that you are afraid to pivot. Or perhaps you know that you’ll never be valued by your current manager. These tough truths will shine a light on what needs to change in your career.

Studies show that 30% of Americans view their job as just a way to get by. This is certainly no way to build toward a meaningful and fulfilling career. If that sounds like you, I think that both Sutherland-Wong and I would agree that it’s time to dig in and ask yourself the tough questions.

Job Hunt Tip: Do a deep dive with difficult questions to explore if you are not happy in your current job or career.

5) Don’t be afraid to job hunt if it’s time for something new.

If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that you never know what’s in store. This is a valuable lesson to carry throughout your career, especially if you are thinking about making a transition in 2021.

The temptation for many is to wait out the difficult times, even if they are unhappy. If you are risk-averse, it’s understandable that all the uncertainty of 2020 might leave you scared to make any major changes.

To this Sutherland-Wong suggests considering, “What are the alternatives? If the realities at my company are that I’m going to be stagnant here for a while, and I’m not super happy here, I would encourage you to look elsewhere.”

While the pandemic has certainly created economic setbacks that might make a job search seem daunting, Sutherland-Wong points out that remote work has also created a tremendous amount of new opportunities for job seekers. These new remote jobs offer candidates the opportunity to greatly expand their job search, no longer limited by geography. Statistics show that there was a 92% increase in remote jobs between September 2019 and September 2020.

As he says, “While you may think it’s not a good time to look for a new job, in fact, in some cases, there’s never been a better time.”

This underscores something that came up often in my conversation with Sutherland-Wong: the idea that it never hurts to see what’s out there.

Our advice, despite the layoffs and appearance of uncertainty in the job market, don’t be afraid to start looking. People are always hiring, and you owe it to yourself to be in a role that is exciting and inspiring to you. So why not open yourself up to the possibility that you might find something better that is a better fit?

It’s this optimism and openness to possibilities that allows us to go outside our comfort zones.  Often we are stuck in our comfort zone because of fear. And fear is, quite frankly, a perfectly natural reaction to all the challenges of 2020. But in order to find your best and most authentic journey toward the career you want, sometimes we have to push through that fear to the other side, outside your comfort zone, where the real possibilities lie.

Job Hunt Tip: Don’t let the uncertainty of the post-Covid economy stop you from starting your job search. It never hurts to see what’s out there, and the sooner you start looking, the better chance you have of finding a better fit. After all, job hunting is a numbers game: the more energy you put out and the more cold networking emails you’re sending, the more potential opportunities you’re creating for yourself.

After such a tough year, you deserve to give yourself the chance to find your dream job. Even though it may not seem like an easy time to make a change, sometimes opportunity knocks when it’s least expected. So prepare yourself to open the door. Here’s to a better and brighter year in 2021.

 

Forbes.com – December 14, 2020 – Ashley Stahl

#JobSearch : How To Negotiate With Confidence When You Really Need The Job. How can You Negotiate when Your in a Position of Weakness?

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When you’re looking for a job, you might feel like you’re in the weak position because you’re doing the asking and hoping employers say Yes. For example, you’re sending out resumes and waiting for interviews, or going on interviews and waiting on offers. If you are currently unemployed and really need a job, you might feel like you have no leverage and should take what you can get.

You should always negotiate. Whether you are conscious of it or not, you negotiate every step of the way in the job search, not just at the offer stage. Each step from the initial application (where you are likely asked about salary expectations) to multiple rounds of interviews establishes your value to the company and career priorities for yourself. (Here are some tips for navigating common negotiation issues for job seekers.) Furthermore, employers expect job seekers to negotiate and respect you more when you negotiate well.

If you are anxious about negotiating, here are five ways to reframe the offer situation so you can negotiate with confidence even when you really need the job:

1 – Even if you feel like you don’t have leverage, your potential employer doesn’t know that

In any negotiation, each side doesn’t know 100% what is going on with the other side – e.g., their priorities, constraints, anxieties. You might feel like you can’t or won’t say No to the offer, but the employer doesn’t know that for sure. Don’t assume that the employer sees how anxious you are.

You can also ease your anxiety by increasing your leverage all along your job search. A competing offer is just one form of leverage, so don’t worry if you don’t have another offer at the exact same time as this one you’re negotiating. Being close to an offer, or having multiple leads in play, is also leverage because they represent other potential options. Having a strong network that you can tap (even if it’s for contract work to tide you over till a full-time job materializes) is another form of leverage.

 

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

Article continued …

2 – The employer also has something to lose if you say No

You feel like you really need this job, but remember that the employer also really needs to hire. This new addition to staff will cost money. It takes time to recruit and onboard. The hiring process takes people away from their day-to-day work. Clearly, the employer wouldn’t be doing this if they also didn’t really need something out of it – i.e., someone like you to fill the job.

The fact that you got the offer means that they want you, not someone else. So if you say No, they don’t get their first choice. If you say No, the search has to start all over again. The employer has to wait that much longer to get this much needed position filled. The employer also has something to lose if this offer story doesn’t have a happy ending, so they are just as invested as you in making things work.

3 — The right compensation matches the position, not just your specific situation

Maybe you have been underpaid before or you’re unemployed and therefore starting from a salary of $0, and this makes you uneasy about asking for any more money at all. A good way to reframe this negative head game is to remember that the right compensation matches the position being recruited, not the candidate. Whenever you discuss salary, bonus or other cash compensation with the employer, highlight any data that shows what the market commands for the role. Tie your request to the market, not your situation, especially if your salary history doesn’t match what the ideal compensation should be for this role.

4 – Don’t assume that the employer is trying to take advantage of you

You will have a more collaborative and effective negotiation if you assume the positive for the other side – i.e., that they, like you, genuinely want to come to agreement. If instead you assume that the employer is trying to take advantage of you, then you’ll approach the negotiation in a guarded way. This might show up in your attitude and be perceived as hesitation, or worse, declining interest in the role.

The employer made you an offer, which means they want to work with you. You also want to accept the position (if the offer is right!) and work with them. That shared agreement – you both want to be there – should be considered more important than anything else you’re negotiating and currently in disagreement about. Focus on the agreement you already have in common and how you can get to agreement on everything else. You’re working together, not against each other.

5 – If you don’t get what you want now, you can always try again

Even if you do everything right, the employer might still say No. If you are issued a best and final offer and you want to take it, then accept it wholeheartedly. Do a great job, and remember that you can negotiate at a later time.

 

Forbes.com – December 13, 2020 –  Caroline Ceniza-Levine

#JobSearch : How To Answer The 7 Most Important Job Interview Questions. A MUst Read Prior to your Next Interview!

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You’ve finally landed an interview for your dream job. It’s Thursday at 9PM, and in 12 hours, you’ll be talking to the hiring manager.  But right now, you’re stuck nervously refreshing the “Mission” page on the company website.  How can you prepare yourself?

Well, to start with, give yourself a major “congratulations.“  You’ve already done better than 80% of candidates by landing an interview.  Remind yourself that you were chosen because you stood out from the rest and you are qualified.

Think hard on all the things that make you qualified for the position, and the skill you would bring to the role. And most importantly, keep your mindset positive by remembering to really believe in what you’re capable of. You don’t always need experience in an exact arena to be skillful in the work you do. In fact, there is a scientific basis to the strength of positive affirmations, a tool you can use to get yourself inspired.  What’s more is that confidence is integral to nailing an interview, given that 40% of hiring professionals say that overall confidence influences a candidate’s chances of getting hired.

 

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

Article continued …

So now that you’ve talked yourself up to yourself, how do you get ready to do the same in front of an interviewer? You never know when you’ll be thrown an interrogative curveball, but there are some likely questions you can definitely expect and be prepared for.

1) “Tell me a little about yourself”

What might seem like an innocuous question is actually a very important one. Interviewers often see this as a “warm up” question, and what’s more, it’s often an opening for more in-depth conversation.

In my experience as a career coach, I’ve developed a 4-part formula for acing this question.  Here goes:

  1. Your story:  How you tell your story will show the interviewer that you’re not just applying to jobs at random and counting your blessings that you got an interview.  This is your chance to show them that they are dealing with someone with drive and direction.  In telling your story, you should focus on the why that put you in that interview room, and give a compelling narrative trajectory to your career history.  Focus on a story from childhood or a meaningful moment of clarity that helped stir in you the drive to follow your particular career path.
  2. The “cuff:”  I call this one the cuff, because you want it to come across as “off the cuff.”  That is, you want it to be short and sweet.  This is your chance to address anything you might feel less than confident about on your resumé or application.  Maybe you have a gap in your work history, or you left a job shortly after starting it. Recruiters usually pick up on these things, however, they may not give you another chance to address it in the interview. In speaking directly to a potential flaw or shortcoming that may otherwise be unaddressed, you come across as self-aware and proactive.  Make sure to weave this in in a way that fits in with the overall narrative of your career.
  3. Your “golden skill:”  Employers aren’t swayed by a candidate who over-emphasizes skills across the board.  Instead, focus on a skill that relates closely to the job to which you are applying, and present it in a testimonial fashion. Remember, a “humble brag” plays better here than cockiness. In a study of HR professionals, 72% rated “over-confidence” as “the biggest personality turnoff.” An anecdote about how feedback from someone else helped you realize your strength in a certain area and how this impacted your career goals should do the trick.
  4. Your goal:  This is how you tie a bow around a great story of your personal career trajectory. Think about what you are passionate about within your field and where you would like to see this passion take your career.  Bring this goal around to the mission of the company to which you are applying. Hiring managers want candidates who they are confident will commit long term. By framing your career goals as aligned with the company’s mission, you’ll instill confidence in the interviewer that you’ll be a good hire who sticks around.

This may seem like a lot, but think of it as your “elevator pitch,” a concise and confident sales pitch of yourself as a strong candidate. Write a script out, and practice it until it feels natural.

2) What is your biggest weakness?

This is an opportunity to be truthful and candid, and show that you are self-reflective about your personality and your work performance. Self-awareness is one of the most crucial soft skills in the workplace, and also one that’s in short supply: while 95% of people think that they’re self aware, research indicates only 10–15% actually are. Use this question as an opportunity to show that you’re one of the rare one in ten.

Before we get into what you should say, here’s what not to say:

  • “I’m a perfectionist”—they’ve heard that one before.
  • “I’m a workaholic”—they know this is a way for you to dodge the question.
  • “I take work home with me” — this shows that you struggle with time management.
  • “I’m a people pleaser”—this is your way of telling them you’ll always say “yes,” and it’s not enough of a weakness to make them feel like you’re being vulnerable.

Answering this question well is a balancing act: you want to emphasize something that isn’t a major character flaw or weakness. You also don’t want your answer to read as if you are avoiding the question or that you are unwilling to admit that you have room for growth and improvement.

Prepare for this question by considering the most important qualities of the job to which you are applying and what “flaws” might actually be assets in the role. Are they seeking a collaborator or a self-starter? A leader? Or someone who is good at following direction?

Seems like a tightrope walk? Not all of these ideas will land for every role, but try some on for size and see if you can fit any into your narrative.

  • I lead with emotion, and prefer to trust instincts.
  • I work best on my own, and I’m stronger at hitting goals without excessive guidance.
  • I work better in a team/group environment, and need the collaboration of others to execute a vision.
  • I tend to be better at thinking big picture, and prefer to delegate details to others.
  • I’m best at focusing on small details, and rely on the help of collaborators to see the big picture.

If you’re clear on what your weakness is and you need help explaining it, here’s a five step formula I tell my clients to use for this question, all the time:

  1. Pick a weakness you’ve been working on.  You want to be able to show progress in this narrative of your weaknesses.
  2. Acknowledge how it has been a challenge in the past.  Showing the interviewer that you are aware of how this limitation has affected you in the past will show self-reflection and self-awareness.
  3. Show steps you are taking toward working on.  Give concrete examples of how you are taking on your limitations or weakness head on.
  4. Show how you are making progress. Explain how you have noticed progress in yourself in overcoming your weakness.
  5. Emphasize that you’ve been acknowledged for your progress.  Round out your explanation of this weakness with an anecdote about how colleagues or bosses have noticed the progress you have made.

3) Why Are You The Best Person For This Job?

The truth is, you don’t know if you are. But you have to believe you are. Remember all that stuff about positive affirmations and confidence?

One way I love to start answering this question is by saying, “here’s what you won’t find about me on my resume…” and from there, share about a soft skill that is important to the job. Here are a few statements/skills to consider:

  • “I execute and don’t require much follow up.”
  • “I am good at anticipating issues and getting ahead of them.”
  • “My superpower is handling an upset customer with ease.”

Once you make a statement like this, back it up with a quick 30 second story that shows them, and doesn’t just tell them, you have an ability. An anecdote like this will give them insight into who you are and how you show up at work. A story like this goes well beyond a warm conversation and a short gander at your resume to paint a picture of who you are. That is everything.

Additionally, this question is really an opportunity to show that you’ve done your homework when it comes to the company. Think back to the cover letter you sent when you applied. Answering this question is a lot like writing a great cover letter: you have to tie your skills and experience directly to the role that you’re interviewing for. Before you walk into the interview, take a look at your resume and write down, for each job, what your biggest accomplishment was and how the skills you used for it in the past relate to the job you want. Knowing this before you walk through the door can help you add a lot of value in this conversation.

Learn as much as you can about the position, as well as the company as a whole and the work culture there. If you can use your network to connect with someone at the company who can give you an insider look at the things, all the better.

Beyond showing that you have the necessary experience and skills to fulfill the responsibilities of the role, your answer to this question gives you a chance to show that you are a good “culture fit.” Finding candidates who fit into the “work culture” is more important than ever.

According to a study by Millennial Branding, 43% of HR pros say that being a good culture fit is the most important quality a candidate can demonstrate.  Company culture isn’t just about the good water cooler banter: 90% of North American CEO and CFOs believe the the quality of a company culture is closely tied to its financial success and its reputation and perception by the public.

Most people will be trying to show that they can perform the specific responsibilities of the job. Indicating that you are factoring in work culture will give you a leg up.

4) How do you deal with conflict in the workplace?

This question is a great way to emphasize that you have strong emotional intelligence , which hiring managers view emotional intelligence as a crucial soft skill. In fact, 71% of hiring managers say they’d prefer a candidate with strong emotional intelligence over a high IQ, and 59% said that they would even pass on a candidate with a high IQ but low emotional intelligence.

By demonstrating your capacity for empathy, and your understanding of dealing with different personality types, you will show that you’re highly emotionally intelligent.

Remember, the last thing you want to do in an interview is express any negativity.  So it’s important when answering the question to tread lightly in how you portray conflict you may have had with co-workers in the past.  You don’t want to make a point about how difficult or obstructive a certain colleague may have been.  Instead, say you noticed that there were certain dynamics that were holding back the team from progress, and you took steps to address them with proactive communication and dialogue.

The interviewer may ask the questions in a way that solicits a more situational answer, such as “tell me about a time you dealt with a conflict at work.” Here’s a formula that I have found successful for answering this questions in a way that paints you in the best possible light.

“I was working with a certain individual, and I noticed that they would often (insert a problem behavior, such as ‘resist taking on more work’) when x situation would arise.  I felt that this was holding back the team from meeting our goals.  I took the opportunity to address this in a careful, one-on-one conversation with my colleague directly, and found that having a frank conversation in private was effective in conveying my concerns.  I learned from this conversation (insert insight about conflict strategies,) so I’m grateful to have had it. After we talked, I found that we were all more on track to meet the team’s goals.”

Emphasizing the companies mission and team’s goal rather than focusing on the shortcoming of past co-workers will show that you results-oriented, and you can see beyond interpersonal dynamics and focus on the greater good of the work.

If you’re someone who is conflict averse, or you’re not confident you have good conflict-resolution skills, here’s a crash course on some communication strategies. These practices will make you confident that you’ll be able to follow through on your promise to be an A+ communicator:

  • Lead with compassion and empathy. Show that you try to understand where someone else is coming from, or why something may make them feel a certain way.
  • “I statements” rather than “you statements.” This helps you focus on your own subjective experience, rather than pointing out flaws in others.
  • Replace “but” with “and.” This seems basic, but it’s an easy fix that can quickly deescalate a conversation from an argument to a discussion.
  • Ask yourself, “Am I listening, or just waiting to talk?” We learned how to take turns in kindergarten, but that doesn’t mean we always remember to apply the principle in conversation

5) Where do you see yourself in five years?

Please, please, don’t say “in your job.”

Like the “a little about yourself” question, this is an opening to show that you have confidence and drive in your career trajectory.  You want to show that you are consistent in your goals and that you’re committed to the hard work and follow-through required for the job. This is also a chance to show that you are confident that you will perform at a level that will allow you to continue to ascend.

Here are three things companies want to hear in your answer to this question:

  • A desire to grow with the company.
  • A desire to be challenged within the company
  • An alignment with your wants and the companies needs

A great answer would emphasize that the opportunity to grow within the company would be aligned with your long term goals for your career, and that you would also be grateful for the opportunity to help others grow and contribute to the common goals of the company.

6) What can we expect from you in your first 90 days?

This is one more chance to show that you’ve done your research. The best way to answer this is to start with some specifics.  Make it clear that you not only understand the responsibilities of the position, but also that you’re thinking ahead to what the short-term and long-term goals for that role might look like.

Here are some specific ideas of how you might spend your first three months that will show that you’ve considered how you would integrate into the company:

  • Meet with managers to discuss the specifics of short-term and long-term goals, and what goals would be extraordinary if you met them.
  • Map out and prioritizing goals that will “move the needle,” and contribute most meaningfully to the company.
  • Make time to be an observer, and learning as much as you can about the company culture and different facets of the business.
  • Connect one-on-one with new co-workers.

Another strong answer for this question could start with researching what’s working for the company’s competitors, and offering some creative solutions that you’d love to take initiative on if they hired you. By sharing with them your vision for what’s possible with you on their team, you’re making the job offer a no brainer!

7) Do you have any questions for me?

The answer to this one is simple: “yes.”

That is to say, you want to make sure that you are prepared with just a few questions of your own— not too many, but a few. This will likely be the last question, and therefore the last opportunity you have to show them that you are prepared and enthusiastic, and that you’ve considered your place in the company culture, not just your tasks in the specific position. It also might be the last chance you have to gather info that may be crucial if you are given an offer.

Here are a few directions you might take it:

  • What would success ideally look like from me, if I was in this role?
  • If I did an extraordinary job in this role, what goals would I reach in 6–12 months?
  • What’s a typical day possibly look like in this role?
  • When are you looking for someone to start?
  • I was very excited to read about X Initiative, could you tell me more about that?
  • I noticed a lot of emphasis placed on company work culture, could you tell me about your experience of the culture here?
  • What’s your favorite part about working at X Corp?
  • Do you have a certain story or memory that speaks to your experience of working here?

Every interview will be different, and you may hear all or none of these questions.  But it’s likely that an interviewer will touch on some of these subjects, and preparing to address the ideas that arise from these common questions will help you put your best foot forward in an interview.

Try to remember that, at its most basic, an interview is just a conversation. Stay confident and don’t forget that it’s a two-way street. They want you as badly as you want them!

Forbes.com – December 10, 2020 – Ashley Stahl

#JobSearch : What to Do if You Are Furloughed, Fired or Laid Off. Career Experts say it is Important to be Prepared and to Understand your Position.

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Innovation and reinvention are common themes in the modern workplace. This can often result in shifting resource allocation and employee headcount. The coronavirus pandemic has also resulted in many workers losing their jobs, temporarily or longer term. Regardless of economic conditions, employers cut staff for various reasons. It is unlikely that you will work for the same employer from college graduation to retirement the way some in previous generations did. You could face a sudden change in your employment status at any point in your life.

In brief
  • Understand the terminology and context.
  • Assess your skill set and plan your next move.
  • Try to keep your mind-set positive.

Human resources and career experts say it is important to be prepared and to understand your position.

1. Understand the differences.

“We have to let you go.” This phrase no employee wants to hear can also be accompanied by some confusion. There are some important differences between being furloughed, laid off or permanently terminated, according to the Society for Human Resource Management. Not all employers make accurate and consistent use of the terminology, so it is also important to understand the context of the separation. If you find yourself having this conversation with your employer, be sure to ask questions to figure out what it means for you.

 

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

Article continued …

Terms you should know:

  • Furlough: A temporary reduction in hours where an employee remains on the payroll but isn’t actively working or is on a reduced schedule. In some cases, an employee may be furloughed without work for weeks or months. Alternatively, an employee may work fewer days a week and take home a smaller paycheck. Furloughed employees may have an easier transition back to work because they remain on the payroll and usually maintain benefits like health insurance.
  • Layoff: A layoff is usually a temporary dismissal, during which the employer intends to rehire the worker. Layoffs often convert into a permanent separation if the employer doesn’t rehire the employee. Layoffs often don’t have predetermined time periods, and could last for weeks to months. They occur when work is no longer available at no fault of the employee. Usually, a layoff means an employee is removed from the payroll and stops receiving benefits such as health insurance.
  • Permanent separation: A termination without intention of calling the employee back. Depending on the context, this type of termination could include a so-called “reduction in force” or a firing. Employers can offer reasons such as elimination of a particular position, budgetary constraints, misconduct, violation of company policies or an employee not being the right “fit” for a role.

“If you are changing careers by choice or because somebody made that choice for you, the No. 1 thing is to stop thinking of it as something shameful,”

It is important to understand the distinctions. A clear understanding of whether you are being furloughed, laid off or permanently terminated could mean the difference between having health-care coverage or not.

If you are laid off or fired for reasons unrelated to conduct, you will typically lose your health-care coverage, though you may be able to continue your existing plan under Cobra, or the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, a federal law that allows employees to continue their employer-provided health insurance. However, you will probably have to foot the bill for 100% of the cost of the plan.

Under furlough, on the other hand, employees usually keep their health-care benefits, but not in every case, says Amber Clayton, HR Knowledge Center Director at Society for Human Resource Management. She says that some employers’ health-care plans only cover employees who work a certain number of hours a week, which could mean furloughed staff lose eligibility.

Employers and workers should both keep a close eye on the language in their insurance policies in the event of a furlough.

2. Think about what is next.

Loss of income is a big financial burden for most people. A 2019 study by the Federal Reserve found roughly four in 10 Americans wouldn’t be able to come up with $400 in a financial emergency. It is important to come up with a plan to support yourself during your period of unemployment, whether that means taking out a loan, filing for unemployment benefits or taking on a different type of work than you are used to.

The next-step checklist:

  • Communicate with your employer. If you have been furloughed, check in regularly with your manager to get updates on the timeline for when you can return to work. If you were laid off or your position was permanently terminated, don’t be afraid to ask HR if there are other opportunities or open positions at the company that you can explore.
  • Get your finances in order. Even if your separation is a temporary layoff or furlough, you can and should look for other work. This is also a way to ensure that you get at least partial unemployment benefits, which you can apply for at your state’s unemployment insurance office. Some states require applicants to prove they have been actively looking for work. You have every right to work another job while you are furloughed.
  • Look for different types of work. If you are having trouble finding open positions similar to your last one, start thinking outside the box. “Think in terms of a portfolio rather than thinking in terms of a singular skill, singular professional, or singular career,” says Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva, founder of Reinvention Academy, a consulting firm focused on helping clients embrace change.

After you are laid off, furloughed or terminated, think about how you can use the time to diversify your skill set. Consider taking on a new kind of job that you might not have considered before. “Think of it as an opportunity to develop a skill and get paid for it,” says Dr. Zhexembayeva. She compares our career paths to journeys. “We all have a kind of bigger project, like a highway, but we also have country roads in the form of little side hustles.”

3. Shift your mind-set.

It is normal to feel anxious or upset about the loss of a job, especially when it contributes to financial stress. Try to channel your negative energy into positive action as much as you can. Remember that change is normal.

On average, U.S. employees had spent a little over four years in a job in January 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For workers ages 25 to 34, that average was just 2.8 years.

“If you are changing careers by choice or because somebody made that choice for you, the No. 1 thing is to stop thinking of it as something shameful,” says Dr. Zhexembayeva. “You are living in the world, and you will be facing a lot of disruptions. It’s not the fact that you avoid the disruptions that make you [a] success, it’s the fact that you stand up and keep going that makes you successful.”

Try these tips for positive thinking:

  • Write down your strengths. Make a list of your professional wins over the past year and use that to structure an action plan on how you will do more of it.
  • Practice mindfulness exercises. This doesn’t just have to come in the form of meditation.Any repetitive activity that you don’t find stressful will do, from running to cooking.
  • Get creative. Think about the skills you have that you could monetize. Do some research on how other people have made money with the same expertise.
Resources
  • Your local unemployment office. Not only can you file for unemployment benefits there, but these offices often offer resources to job seekers such as résumé-writing courses and interview practice.
  • Try a “Fear to Action” exercise. These free exercises can help you figure out the next steps you can take by drawing connections between your fears and their potential impact.
  • LinkedIn and Glassdoor. Set job alerts for your industry.
What to do next

 

WSJ.com – November 7, 2020 – Alex Janin

#JobSearch : Know Your Worth – Salary Negotiations. With so many people currently seeking employment, the question is, “What salary are you willing to accept?”

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With so many people currently seeking employment, trying to determine what your skills are worth can be challenging. The question is, “What salary are you willing to accept?” If you have been presented with a job offer, you may feel like you MUST accept what is offered or walk away from the position.

 

However, this is not the case. With careful c-level personal branding and these tips, you can negotiate a better salary and gain the compensation you deserve. 

Research, Research, Research

If you have a friend at the company, ask them how pay works there, and if they know anything about the position that you’re trying for.  Especially look at new employee salary, if available.  Keep in mind that their idea of proficiency may not be yours, just saying that you’re proficient in French doesn’t make it so in their eyes.

Call HR and get the name and full list of responsibilities for the position that you’re interviewing for.  You can use this information to find a benchmark position online — essentially, the commonly used title for what you’ll be doing.  This will allow you to do accurate salary research.

Through various sources online, you should be able to find salary ranges for different positions.  If women’s and men’s pay information is available, use the men’s, even if you’re a woman!  Unfortunately, it’s likely to be higher; in this way you can ensure that your negotiations are as fair as you can make them.

 

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

Article continued …

Take into account that location is a big factor in pay rate. What’s the cost of living at the job location?  If possible, get average pay rates there and figure out what the salary range for your position is in that area, if you can’t find the specific numbers on that.

Salary Range
Often, employers like to ask about your salary requirements in advance.  They can use this factor to weed out expensive employees or to offer you less, if you were previously underpaid.  Instead of giving them this leverage, whenever possible, avoid giving any information.  State that it’s negotiable, based upon job responsibilities.

If it’s impossible to avoid completely, give the range that you’ve come up with from your research.  And when in negotiations, start at the top of that range, because you know the company is likely to want to start at the bottom. If the salary you’re offered is far below the range that you expected, verify that the list of responsibilities you used is correct.  Verify the position title.

Research has shown that women are less likely to negotiate for a higher salary than men are. It is believed that this is a factor that leads to lower pay for women.  Women, take this into consideration: you are expected to negotiate.

Think Creatively

Compensation isn’t limited to what you bring home in your paycheck. There are other ways you can be compensated for your time and can help you boost your salary negotiations. If your prospective employer won’t increase your starting salary, consider asking for a performance review in six months to give you time to prove your worth. You may also inquire about:

  • Signing bonuses
  • Stocks
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Paid time off
  • Flexibility in your work schedule or location

These terms can bring value without increasing the salary your employer will pay. If the job offer involves a move, find out how much the relocation package is worth and if there will be any expenses on your part.  If there are going to be some, ask for additional compensation or a way to minimize your out-of-pocket expenses.  Remember, if your house doesn’t sell right away, it’s possible that you could be carrying 2 mortgages for some time. 

Company Culture is a Factor

Consider the culture of the company.  Salary and benefits aren’t everything. Don’t get me wrong, you need to earn what it takes for you to live at a certain standard, but your happiness in a job and the culture of the company is more important than any pay check that you’ll ever receive. If the company is the right fit and has what you’re looking for, then you should consider all personal and professional benefits related to working in a positive work environment.  You don’t want to be looking for a new job in two years, and the company certainly doesn’t want to be conducting another recruitment in two years.

Practice

Like all other areas of life, practice makes perfect. There is value in practicing your negotiating skills with family members or a friend before you head to the negotiating table. Make sure your loved one offers some resistance so you can practice what you will say when the time comes. Negotiating your salary can be one of the most difficult aspects of interviewing for a new job, especially for women. While you focus on your c-level personal branding when writing a professional resume, you must understand what your real worth is so you can fight for every cent you deserve.

Know Your Bottom-Line

Do ensure that you go in knowing exactly what you’re willing to accept.  Otherwise, you may feel pressured into accepting an offer that you’re not really willing to live with. You need to understand your worth and be prepared to walk away if an employer doesn’t realize that value. If you are the ideal candidate for the position, there is a chance they will offer you more once you let them know you are no longer interested. However, you need to be prepared to follow through if they don’t change their offer.

No matter what decision you make or what happens as part of the negotiation, be enthusiastic, appear gracious, and remain professional.  The company has done you a favor and has already possibly spent thousands of dollars recruiting you. Remember, everyone is a contact in the business world, and the last thing you want to do is burn a bridge.

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 7, 2020