#YourCareer : Scientists Discover The Link Between Your Personality & Degree Of Career Success. Can Personality Change Boost Career Success? A MUst REad!

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You might have noticed that some people seem to scale the career ladder quicker, while others often get stuck at lower rungs along the way. The differences in career trajectories are often a function of personality type. A body of research has shown, for example, that optimists have lower stress levels than pessimists and scoot up the success ladder faster and farther than pessimists. New sales personnel with an optimistic outlook sell 37% more life insurance in their first two years than pessimists. In two new studies, scientists reveal the personality traits that predict career success.

Five Personality Types And Career Success

The first study examined the “Big Five” personality dimensions: neuroticism, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness and openness to understand their relationship to career outcomes. The results will be published in the February 2021 issue of the Journal of Vocational Behavior.

Researchers at Cleveland State University surveyed 496 employees (318 men and 178 women) in a diverse set of occupations and organizations on the five personality dimensions. Results of a statistical analysis showed that extroverted employees had greater satisfaction with salaries, promotions and overall career satisfaction; whereas workers who scored high on neuroticism (for example, moodiness, anxiety, worry, fear or frustration) were less likely to be satisfied with their careers.

Those who were high in agreeableness had less career satisfaction, and high openness scores were negatively related to salary level. The research team detected a significant negative relationship between agreeableness and salary among those in people-oriented occupations but no relationship for those in occupations not involving a strong “people” component.

Can Personality Change Boost Career Success?

A second study published in the December 2020 issue of Psychological Science found that if you make a personality change, it can lead to higher levels of job success. Dr. Kevin Hoff at the University of Houston and his research team tracked two representative samples of youth for approximately 12 years from late adolescence (about 17 years old) to young adulthood (about 29 years old). Growth in emotional stability, conscientiousness and extroversion were the personality traits that most predicted career satisfaction and success. Specifically, conscientiousness changes were linked to career satisfaction; emotional stability changes were tied closely to income and career satisfaction; and extroversion changes were linked to career and job satisfaction.

Youth who developed higher levels of conscientiousness and emotional stability during the transition to employment were more successful in aspects of their early careers. This is the first study to assess the predictive power of personality changes for a broad range of career outcomes across more than a decade of young adulthood. Overall, the findings show that personality has important effects on early career outcomes—both through stable trait levels and how people change over time. According to Hoff, “The study showed you’re not just stuck with your personality traits, and if you change over time in positive ways, that can have a big impact on your career.”

 

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

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Optimism And Career Success

Extroversion has a leg up on the career ladder for success in both studies. Emotional stability and conscientiousness are not far behind. But neuroticism stands out as the biggest personality obstacle to career success which matches previous findings that pessimism holds workers at the lowest rungs. While extroversion is not necessarily a prerequisite to achieve career success, emotional stability, conscientiousness and a degree of optimism are. Your mental health and mindset towards your career carry more weight than how outgoing you are. If you’re an introvert, you might find it hard to change, but you can get mental health support if you need it, and you can learn to be more optimistic.

Optimists are not smiley-face romantics looking through rose-colored glasses, nor do they possess some magical joy juice. Their ability to look on the positive side of a negative situation enables them to overcome career obstacles. When you enlarge your perspective and see gains in your losses, the upside of a downside situation, how far you’ve come in addition to how far you have to go and beginnings in endings, your positive outlook arms you with the potential for career success at the highest rung.

A second study published in the December 2020 issue of Psychological Science found that if you make a personality change, it can lead to higher levels of job success. Dr. Kevin Hoff at the University of Houston and his research team tracked two representative samples of youth for approximately 12 years from late adolescence (about 17 years old) to young adulthood (about 29 years old). Growth in emotional stability, conscientiousness and extroversion were the personality traits that most predicted career satisfaction and success. Specifically, conscientiousness changes were linked to career satisfaction; emotional stability changes were tied closely to income and career satisfaction; and extroversion changes were linked to career and job satisfaction.

Youth who developed higher levels of conscientiousness and emotional stability during the transition to employment were more successful in aspects of their early careers. This is the first study to assess the predictive power of personality changes for a broad range of career outcomes across more than a decade of young adulthood. Overall, the findings show that personality has important effects on early career outcomes—both through stable trait levels and how people change over time. According to Hoff, “The study showed you’re not just stuck with your personality traits, and if you change over time in positive ways, that can have a big impact on your career.”

Optimism And Career Success

Extroversion has a leg up on the career ladder for success in both studies. Emotional stability and conscientiousness are not far behind. But neuroticism stands out as the biggest personality obstacle to career success which matches previous findings that pessimism holds workers at the lowest rungs. While extroversion is not necessarily a prerequisite to achieve career success, emotional stability, conscientiousness and a degree of optimism are. Your mental health and mindset towards your career carry more weight than how outgoing you are. If you’re an introvert, you might find it hard to change, but you can get mental health support if you need it, and you can learn to be more optimistic.

Optimists are not smiley-face romantics looking through rose-colored glasses, nor do they possess some magical joy juice. Their ability to look on the positive side of a negative situation enables them to overcome career obstacles. When you enlarge your perspective and see gains in your losses, the upside of a downside situation, how far you’ve come in addition to how far you have to go and beginnings in endings, your positive outlook arms you with the potential for career success at the highest rung.

 

Author: Bryan Robinson, Ph.D.

…

 

Forbes.com – December 5, 2020

#JobSearch : How To Tap Into The Hidden Job Market. A MUst REad!

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A decade ago, along with most career counselors, I was pushing job hunters to tap into the hidden job market because, at that time, 80% of all jobs weren’t advertised. Enter the electronic age where we now have massive job board listings, and so many believe these are all the jobs out there, which is not accurate. Hannah Morgan, Job Search Strategist who writes a terrific blog each week, said, “Historically, the hidden job market was about unadvertised jobs. Fast forward to 2020, and you’ll find that the process is still about getting to hiring managers and recruiters early in the process, ideally, before the job is posted or engaging with that employer as soon as a listing goes up.

Morgan says the secret today is about getting to the job opening early in the process so you can get looked at. “Getting a jump start in communicating with employers before the crowd arrives is critical.” More than 250 people typically apply for a listing – many more if it’s a prominent or popular company. “The earlier you get your resume in, the more likely you are to be looked at. Applying ASAP is a key strategy and a better way to get looked at and secure an interview. People typically are good at looking for jobs on the search boards but not through relationships. When you are actively networking and being strategic, you will be more successful,” says Morgan.

What is this hidden job market?

Morgan used an analogy to explain. She asked you to imagine an iceberg. “On the surface, you see only the ice berg’s top. Equate that to the job market, and you only see a small portion of the jobs advertised. The massive amount of ice under the water is the entire word of mouth process companies and hiring managers go through to fill an opening. The manager knows about this opportunity long before the job gets listed, and the HR recruiter posts it. The hiring manager is telling everyone they know about the job and passing the word before it’s publicly announced. Many people are found early in this stage, often on LinkedIn. The recruiter is actively sourcing out good candidates based on your profile and its keywords,” says Morgan.

 

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

Article continued …

Tapping into connections in a new way

Focus energy on building relationships to help gain access to inside information about job opportunities that may not have been posted publicly yet. You can start with people you already know — even if you have lost contact with them over the years. Reach out to a former classmate by merely saying you’d like to catch up. Send them a family picture, that often starts conversations more easily.

To be found, you must start with a complete and highly effective LinkedIn profile. (For direction, follow this self-directed LinkedIn Profile Creation Guide published by Forbes.

Job hunters almost always overlook one strategy Morgan loves. “Job hunters use LinkedIn but overlook Facebook. Yet, the reality is that people are glued to Facebook daily.” Facebook added over 100 million users during the Spring of 2020. Our Facebook page is usually filled with family, friends, relatives – people you know rather well. “Network on Facebook to look for work – it’s a smart move,” said Morgan. “You have your personal network that is eager to help you if you ask. Ask, but be strategic about it. The worst question to ask is, Do you know about any jobs?  Better to inquiry about how they are doing now handling Covid. Personal connections need to be made first before you ask for job search help. Then utilize the following steps to get networking assistance.”

Create a list of companies you want to work at, targeting 20-25. Go to your Facebook page, and at the top, search for a “company name.” Select the “People” tab. Then turn on the Facebook button that says “friends of friends.” This allows you to see your 2nd connections and who is connected to who. Plus, no one ever knows you looked at their profile. To privately network, you can use Facebook Messenger to ask for help.

“December is a great time to connect with others,” suggests Morgan. “People spend more time on Facebook during the holidays. Build relationships inside your targeted companies. Look for anyone you might have something in common with. Any employee inside can pass on your resume no matter what job they hold. They may also be able to introduce you to the HR or the hiring manager. Since they likely work in another department, ask Why do they like working there? What is the culture like? How has COVID changed things? That person, if they like you, can send on your resume or introduce you.”

Morgan stresses that there is no such thing as a BAD networking contact. As long as they are employed inside a target company, they are a valuable asset to you. And if you get an interview, that contact can help you by providing useful insider information.

How to get there first?

POST MORE STUFF! Make yourself known on LinkedIn. Share at least 2-3 times a week. Morgan recommends you be very proactive in your job search by building online content for LinkedIn, blogs, and video posts to keep you visible. How? “Write some posts, share articles you’ve read, ask a question of your network, and comment on connection’s LinkedIn posts. As you get active, you are building a professional reputation to attract attention,” she noted.

Interact and comment on connections’ Linkedin and Facebook posts. Seeing your name frequently brings you to the top of their mind. Likely, all your contacts don’t know you are looking for a job. Be clear about the job title you seek, the type of company or industry too. Always be specific when you make any request.

Morgan says that your weekly job search time should be about 30 hrs/wk. Spend 10 hours do an online search for job listings. Use the other 20 hours of networking, building, and posting helpful content reaching out to connections. If it is taking your 4-5 hours to apply for one job – get better at it. One-hour max and move on. Get a referral — that has the most impact on your success.

What is stopping you?

Many people hate to network. Are you embarrassed? When people are unemployed, they feel like they are less, which is just not true. Many people have lost jobs because of the pandemic. They have more empathy for your situation than ever before. Think about this. A friend tells you they were job hunting. Wouldn’t you want to help your friend? Of course, you would. And your connections feel the same way about aiding you. Other people want to do something now, and if they can help you in your search, it makes them feel better about themselves.

Maybe you are an introvert and find networking a very challenging task. My client, Saiyid, said to me this morning, “I am used to people connecting to me, but I’ve always been reserved and lack networking skills myself. Being introverted makes this a hard task. Necessary, I know, but still hard.” Morgan confessed that she is an introvert herself. Her advice was this gem. “Find a couple of extroverted friends who are out and about as extroverts love to be. Plant your job search message with these extroverted friends, and they will help you spread the word for you.” Also, right now, people WANT to help others in difficult times so ASK. Be specific. Ask about the company’s culture, the impact of Covid on your company. How are things going for you? This approach comes across as I have empathy. I care about you as a person. It’s a perfect lead-in, said Morgan.

The holidays are a great time to reconnect with family, friends, acquaintances, and network! Text, FaceTime, email, or call and wish them a happy holiday. A short, personalized message works. Try: Hope you are safe, healthy, and enjoy HAPPY HOLIDAYS. Update me on how are you doing?

Forbes.com | December 3. 2020 | Robin Ryan

#JobSearch : 6 Tactics For Succeeding In A Pandemic-Era Job Search. Studies Found 42% of the Work Force was Working Remotely, 26% were Working On-Premises, and the Remaining 33% Unemployed.

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Covid-19’s impact on career paths has been massive. For some people, the pandemic has halted current plans or caused a slight change of course. In other cases, the pandemic has shifted entire teams, offices and companies from daily in-person interactions to remote setup, potentially permanent.

Just look at the numbers pulled by Stanford University economist Nicholas Bloom last June. At that point, Bloom found that 42% of the American labor force was working remotely, 26% were working on-premises (mostly essential service workers), and the remaining 33% were not working.

What could possibly be the upside to that? A job market wildly in flux that is simultaneously ripe with possibilities. Remote jobs are available, new career paths are available, and the opportunity to turn hobbies into profitable ventures is out there for the taking.

To make the most of these new employment possibilities, embrace these six strategies:

1. Resist the urge to adopt tunnel vision. We all have best-laid occupational plans or visions for what we should be doing. But as 2020 has shown us all, getting your heart set on any set plans could be a recipe for disappointment. The best course of action in the current climate is approaching everything with an open mind.

According to Christine Alemany, CEO of branding and marketing firm TBGA, no career opportunities should be out of reach, and no marketable skill should be above exploring or exploiting.

“When browsing open positions, keep an open mind about how you can apply your experience and abilities to address the company’s current needs,” Alemany said. “When you submit your application, include a note where you clearly state which of your skills could transfer to the current role.”

See your employment search as a blank canvas, with your skills and background serving as your paints. Don’t get too tied down to anything, and make an effort to be open to all options present at this uncertain time.

 

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

Article continued …

2. Turn the job search into your job. While the unemployment rate is declining after a record 14.7% spike in April, that doesn’t mean job seekers should ease up on their searches. Not in the least.

If anything, the unemployed need to pour all of their time and mental resources into securing that next gig. Apply the same urgent, proactive nature you would use while executing a project for your boss.

Check job boards daily, reach out to recruitment coordinators and contacts after submitting your application materials, and make time each day to exhaust all avenues. You can even dip into your network to see whether any former employers or colleagues know about open positions or promising companies that’d be a good fit. Be diligent about your search to unearth the results you want.

3. Keep your digital presence current. A résumé is no longer the be-all and end-all of the job search process. Your personal brand has moved online and you need to manage it and ensure that your bits and bytes brand is congruent with your real-world brand. Social media gives applicants the opportunity to build a wealth of digital samples and examples to present potential employers well before the interview.

A CareerBuilder study supports the push many employers are making toward factoring digital presence into an applicant’s job prospects. The research found that 70% of employers look at social profiles when researching candidates. Dive deeper into those numbers, and you’ll see that 37% of employers found information in those profiles that corroborated a candidate’s professional claims, while 33% came away from those social searches impressed with a candidate’s level of professionalism. Your personal brand has moved online. Manage it so you can impressive those who are making decisions about you.

Social media connects friends and families, and it can also connect you to the job and company of your dreams. You just have to keep it updated, focused, and relevant to whatever path your search is on.

4. Lean on and expand your professional network. One study found that 85% of available jobs are filled by leveraging professional connections. Think of a job search the same way you might think about looking for a new product or restaurant to try — check with the people you know and respect in order to discover potential opportunities.

If you see that a former co-worker is now at a company you’re applying to, pick that person’s brain for insights. Even if there’s an indirect connection with the company, use that bridge to get in on the ground floor of a potential job opportunity.

5. Practice the tough questions before the interview. Most employers have a file with all of their go-to interview questions. Some are the standard strength/weakness queries, while others are designed to draw deep insights out of applicants but sometimes trip candidates up. Glassdoor reviews sometimes include interview questions that companies are known to ask.

Get in front of those tough questions by setting up time to practice your answers. And practice delivering them via video. Your job interviews will be done online so master the medium so you can bolster your brand during Zoom interviews.

Research frequently asked “tough interview” questions with friends and family members and focus on how you’d answer them in front of your computer camera. Find the experiences that present you in the best light, and figure out where those experiences fit into the scope of those tough questions. The more prepared you are, the fewer surprises you’ll encounter — and the more you’ll stand out from other candidates.

6. Settle in for the waiting game. For reasons of legal compliance and circumstance, most jobs don’t get filled instantaneously. According to a Society for Human Resource Management study, it takes about 42 days on average to fill a position.

With that in mind, understand that nothing will happen immediately. Do your check-ins, keep applying for open jobs, and understand that your next opportunity won’t fall into your lap immediately. Account for that time in your search while remaining positive that your outlook will improve as long as you keep taking action.

The job market is constantly shifting, but it’s also brimming with opportunities — they just aren’t presenting themselves in the most traditional manner during this less-than-traditional time. When approaching the job market, be open-minded, steadfast, current, connected, prepared and patient. Infused with those traits, you can leverage the possibilities in your favor.

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

 

Forbes.com | December 3, 2020

#JobSearch : 5 Interview Mistakes That Are Costing You A Chance At Your Dream Job. Great Checklist Before for Today’s Job Interview.

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Interviewing can undoubtedly be a nerve-wracking experience for many. The unfortunate reality is that a great deal of job seekers were never taught how to prepare for an interview. As such, they unknowingly make common mistakes that prevent them from getting their dream job.

Aside from looking polished and professional, arriving on time and doing your research, you should use this time to let your personality shine. Employers want to know you’re qualified for the position, but they also want to know that you’d be a good cultural addition. The way they assess this is through your personality and how you interact with them throughout the interview.

Here are five common mistakes you could be making that are costing you a chance at your dream job.

Avoiding The Salary Question

Unless you’re certain of the exact salary you’re worth, make sure to always give a salary range. This lets employers know the lowest salary you’re open to receiving. Paw Vej, recruitment manager and team leader at Financer, a leading financial comparison website, said, “if you have no idea what your realistic salary is, you have no starting point for a negotiation. Start by figuring out what the average salaries are for the position in which you’re interviewing.” You can utilize sites such as LinkedIn Salary, Glassdoor and Salary.com, to name a few, to get a range of what the typical salary is in your industry and location.

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

Article continued …

While many people recommend not giving a salary and avoiding the question altogether, ultimately everyone has a minimum salary in mind. Furthermore, company’s typically have an inflexible budget if yours exceeds what they can afford. In order to not waste your time or the company’s, it’s important to be transparent upfront.

Likewise, not having taken the time to prepare an answer to this question isn’t always favorable. Larry Pendleton, president and CEO of Government Services Exchange, asserted, “I always know the average pay for a person seeking a specific position, so overshooting and even undershooting the salary question will leave me wondering about the candidate’s confidence.” He added, “a simple Google search will reveal the average salary for any position globally. Know your experience, and be ready with an honest number.”

For rare and unique positions that aren’t easy to benchmark, Sarah Johnston, job search strategist and founder of The Briefcase Coach, recommended candidates to instead respond with, “I’m still learning about this position and what it entails and I’m still not clear on the total compensation. Based on what I know, I feel comfortable sharing that I would need to make between X and X. Does my range match yours for the role?”

Blaming Your Last Company

One of the biggest red flags for an interviewer is when a candidate speaks badly about a current or past employer. Aaron Simmons, founder of Test Prep Genie, explained, “though it’s true that there’s no perfect company, it’s still inappropriate and unprofessional to directly put the blame on them for unfavorable job experiences.” He added, “it gives the interviewer the impression that should you be hired and leave after some years, you would also stab them at the back.”

Conversely, with more awareness being brought to workplace bullying, if you left due to mistreatment, it’s okay to share that the company was not a fit for you while leaving the details for a later time. As an HR professional who was also the victim of workplace bullying, I understand how common it is. While I can empathize with candidates who have also been bullied and mistreated, there’s a fine line between sharing an experience and using an interview to air your grievances and bash a company.

Not Doing Your Homework

Regardless of industry or location, there are standard interview questions in which every company asks. As a job seeker, it’s important that you do your homework and are prepared to answer these questions. An example of a common question is “what makes you interested in working for your company?” Hiring managers typically ask this to better understand your motivation for applying for the job. Not doing your homework and failing to research into the company is a sure way to be disqualified early on.

Before your interview, take the time to visit the company’s website and learn about their core values, the clients or customers they serve, the products or services they deliver, how they give back to the community, the LinkedIn page of the person interviewing you as well as recent events or company milestones. Not only will these provide great talking points and potentially find common ground with the interviewer, but they’ll help you to form insightful questions to ask during the interview.

Failing To Ask Insightful Questions

Interviewing is a two way process. This is the time for you to interview a prospective employer to see if they’re a right fit for you just as they’re wanting to see if you’re a good fit for them.

When you ask questions during an interview, it shows the interviewer you’re engaged, you’ve done your research and you care about more than just a salary. Asking questions only about the salary and benefits tells interviewers you only care about what’s in it for you. Vej shared, “as an interviewer, I need to see that you’re actually interested in the work, otherwise, you’re not going to perform very well, in my experience.”

Failing to ask questions could put you into a toxic workplace situation. For this reason, make sure you ask questions that will give you insight into what you would be entering into should you be made an offer and accept.

Here are some questions to get you started:

  • Why did the last person in this position leave?
  • What would the onboarding look like for someone joining the company?
  • How do you invest in your employees development?
  • What makes you proud to work at (company name)?
  • When and how is feedback given?
  • What would you say would be my biggest challenge if I would join the company?
  • What are some ways you celebrate individuals or company milestones?

Leading With An Ego

You can have an impressive resume with superior qualifications, but if you let your ego lead the interview, interviewers will see you as problematic and opt for someone more humble. There’s a difference between selling yourself versus focusing only on yourself. Vej explained, “if you only focus on yourself, it becomes very difficult for me to see how you can provide value for our company.” The key is being able to connect your accomplishments with how they’ve helped your current or previous employer.

Additionally, when it comes to answering the “what’s your greatest weakness” question, the worst thing you can say is that you have no weaknesses. This shows the interviewer that you lack self awareness. The reason behind asking this question is not only to see how self aware you are, but how you’re working to address and improve those weaknesses.

Candidate’s who lead with their ego feel like the interview is a waste of time and their skills are far superior to any other applicants. Moreover, they use the interview to boast about how great they are. While an interviewer may carry out the rest of the interview, mentally they’ve already written the candidate off.

Forbes.com – November 30, 2020 – Heidi Lynne Kurter

#JobSearch : How To Land A New Job In Tough Times. What Is the Ideal Strategy to Land a New Job? A MUst Read!

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Yesterday a Baby Boomer called me with a question that many of you might be tossing around. Sandy asked, “I really dislike my current boss, and I want to leave this job, but should I just be grateful I have a job and not try for a new one? The pandemic has caused so much bad news about company closings, reduced hiring, and my brother just lost his job. It has got me down, so should I stop complaining, suck it up, and hang on for another year or two until times are better?”

Sandy’s fear is understandable. She thinks that few employers are hiring, which is not valid. I never advocate for anyone to remain in a miserable work situation. Understanding she needs a paycheck, I suggested that she test the hiring waters to see if her skills are in demand. I reassured her that I’ve just had four clients get hired for great paying jobs. Two were Baby Boomer professionals making over six-figures. Another was a 2020 grad getting an excellent opportunity to launch his career in a field he wanted. Lastly, the mid-level client who got the remote job he wanted.

There are new opportunities available. So, don’t assume all the bad news means you can’t land a better job – YOU CAN! It will take more time than before. You must use some job search savvy and know what is effective and what doesn’t work. You need to take the calculated risk and see what develops. I think you’ll be surprised by the positive results if you implement the right job-hunting strategies.

 

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

Article continued …

What is the ideal strategy to land a new job? The answer is being referred to the company and the hiring manager by an employee or colleague they know.  Jobvite, a talent acquisition system reported that employee referrals only make up about 7% of potential candidates, but the number of those referred candidates hired is 44%. 44%! That makes this well worth the effort to try and locate a connection to someone inside the company. LinkedIn is the ideal place to search for contacts and obtain a referral.

In today’s challenging economy, people who learn and use networking techniques will be those that succeed. But for some people, the task of networking is hard to do. Ken was a Program Manager for a tech company who had lost his job because of the Covid pandemic. He became a client and told me he had no network to speak of. Ken had no LinkedIn profile and did not belong to professional or civic organizations. An introvert, Ken disliked the idea of networking, but he did email a few colleagues and his old boss, but no one had any job openings, so he stopped. We started our career counseling sessions by educating Ken on what today’s job search involved.

First, I wrote him a powerful resume, and then we developed a complete LinkedIn Profile. I gave him the mission to make connections with a target of obtaining at least 300. Next, we worked on having him learn some effective networking strategies. He was surprised by the fact that according to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Yale University report, 70% of all jobs are found through networking. Learning more effective techniques, he began again. The changes he made worked. Recruiters contacted him, and an old colleague he found on LinkedIn passed on his resume for a great job opportunity at her company. The employer called, and after several interviews, he was selected and hired for a terrific new job.

Today’s job market requires you to approach the job hunt differently than before. Here are a few tips to get started.

Increase your contacts. LinkedIn has become the place to collect contacts. An excellent way to farm for connections is to think about all the people you have worked with. Note former bosses, coworkers, colleagues, vendors, anyone you interacted with at your last job, and other positions you have held.  Many people add their company’s Executive leadership team too. Next, invite your friends, neighbors, family, and college alum friends. Then branch into your professional associations and connect with those folks, especially the group’s leadership team, and board members. When it comes to networking, the more connections you have, the better.

Do not waste a contact. Do not approach people until you are ready. A common mistake is to frantically call EVERYONE you’ve ever met and say, “I’m looking for a job – do you know of one?” Huge error! You must clearly articulate the specific job title, company, and kind of company you want to work for. Instead, you can reach out to connections individually. Calls are great, emails work, and if you don’t have those, use LinkedIn to send them a message. Tell the contact you are job hunting. Be specific on the job title you seek. Ask them what is happening in their company. Don’t expect them to know of a job, but some will and usually share that information as they want to help you. Another thing to ask is if a job comes up at their company, would they pass on your resume. Most times, the answer is yes.

Have Your Resume Ready. The goal of your resume is to secure interviews. Is your resume updated and downright the best it can be? Will it get through the employer’s Applicant Tracking System? Is it full of accomplishments and the results you achieved on the job? Will it stand out in a crowd? Find out before you network. A useful Forbes article to read to ensure your resume is topnotch and will impress employers is: Employers Ignoring Your Resume? 5 Mistakes To Avoid.

Dig deep so you can use a Referral. When you hear of an opening or find the opportunity online, go to LinkedIn and search “the employer’s name” and use the “people” drop-down tab. This will bring up anyone in your online network who works there. You can also see 2nd connections and who you know that may know someone at that company. Reach out to the person and tell them about the opening you plan to apply for, and would they be willing to pass on your resume to HR or the recruiter. Some companies pay their employees for any referred person they hire, so this might help your contact too. Forward on your resume. Just to cover all bases, do apply online for the job opening also. You want to be found in the employer’s system if the connection doesn’t come through. (Most do, in my experience).

Know What to Say. Be able to offer a concise intro about your skills and experience when talking to connections, recruiters, and eventually hiring managers. A technique I call the 60 Second Sell (outlined in this Forbes article Best Way To Open An Interview To Secure A Job Offer) gives you the easy formula to create your persuasive elevator speech and verbal business card. You want to quickly outline experience, your top strengths, and some key outcomes you’ve achieved on the job as you only have about one minute to impress them.

It’s a whole new job market, so you’ll move ahead of the competition if you use these strategies.

 

Forbes.com | December 1, 2020 | Robin Ryan

#JobSearch : 10 Resume Mistakes to Avoid. Often Times, it Keeps you From Being Called for Interviews.

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After talking with so many people, I know many of you work and work to create the perfect resume, only to look it over when you are finished and realize your resume doesn’t say, or reflect, just what you want it to. And often times, it keeps you from being called for interviews.

 


I’ve included a list of “deal breakers” that might hinder your chances for an interview:

  1. Mizspelld Words or Bad Grammar
    While spell-check is good, it doesn’t catch everything – there could be a word that’s spelled right, but not the right word for the context of the sentence. Keep that spell-check in action but don’t rely on it exclusively. Misspellings can be the death of your application, no matter how qualified you might be. Think of how embarrassing it would be if you have been a mechanical engineer for 30 years and spell it ‘michanical’ engineer on your resume. Lots of times we accidentally misspell words that are actually words themselves i.e. “manger” instead of “manager”.

There can be other consequences, as well–misspelled words could interfere with resumes being found in the keyword search of a resume database. So, proofread your resume yourself – it’s important.  *Be sure to keep tenses consistent and check for the correct word usage (such as “counsel” versus “council”).

 

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

Article continued …

  1. Using a Vague Job Focus
    Be clear on the type of position you want to target – your resume should be geared toward that. If you just say “Medical Field” or “Manufacturing,” the reader does not know what type of position you want, so your resume will probably not be considered. Make sure you are specific as to the type of job you want, such as “Accounting Professional”, “Senior Management Executive”, or “Educator.”
  2. Not Including your Personal Brand, or your Value
    In today’s challenging job market, you must show your uniqueness, your personal brand, and let potential employers see the value you bring to a new position. Your resume must reflect why an employer should pick up the phone and call you for an interview over the hundreds of other resumes sitting on their desk. You ultimately get hired for the value you contribute to a company, so make sure it shows on your resume.
  3. Including your References on the Resume
    YOU NO LONGER NEED TO ADD REFERENCES UPON REQUEST on your resume. It’s a given that you will bring a list of references to the interview. Only provide references when they are asked for. Never include them on your resume. It’s understood that if a company wants your references, you’ll provide them.

    5. Adding Pictures to your Resume
    This might sound like a good idea if you are good looking, but it can also work against you. Unless you are applying for a job as a model or actor, pictures on your resume is not a good idea.

  4. Making Reference to Political or Religious Organizations
    A GIANT NO-NO!! Don’t scare off prospective employers by referring to your political or religious opinions or affiliations that do not directly relate to your ability to do the job. An employer might not agree with your politics or might feel that the workplace is nowhere to display attitudes that might alienate others. The only time this would be appropriate is if you are applying for a position in this field, say a church or political arena.
  5. Including your Salary Demands
    This should not be put on the resume – it’s only used to screen a candidate out of the running or influence the employer to offer less money. Salary should not be discussed until you have had the opportunity to explain your value – in person or over the phone.
  6. Creating a Resume that’s Too Long
    People do not have the time to go over resumes that state everything you ever did in your career. Edit your profile down to the most relevant experience for the job at hand. Employers often gauge whether an applicant can deliver information about themselves in a quick, clear, and concise manner to sell themselves. Your resume must be long enough to show your value, but not too long, or the reader will lose interest.
  7. Using Incompatible File Types and Formats
    Electronic resumes should be created in the most readable file for most [Internet-recruiting] systems, which is plain text or Microsoft Word. Today’s resume needs to be readable by machines, which means text needs to have a font size between 10 – 12 and a simple font style, such as Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, or Microsoft Sanserif.
  8. Stick to the Truth
    We’ve seen what happens with CEO’s who embellish on their resumes. If you lie on your resume, you will have to defend yourself and your resume in an interview. Employers also do background and even credit checks, and inaccurate info could come back to haunt you.

Plus a few more…!

11. Don’t Put your Reasons for Leaving on the Resume

Save this for the interview. It doesn’t need to be on the resume.

12. DO NOT Make Changes to the Resume in Pencil or Pen
Add it to the document on your computer, not jotting it down or crossing something else out. This is never acceptable on a resume.

13. NEVER send a resume without a cover letter!
You must always have a cover letter. It states your intention to the reader. It’s expected and is important in job search etiquette. This is a powerful tool that can give you the competitive edge.

 

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

 

FSC Career Blog | November 30, 2020

#JobSearch : 3 Ways To Move On In Your Career After A Bad Job Experience. How can I Psyche Myself Up to Do a Job Search?

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How can I psyche myself up to do a job search? I am still so angry at my former employer. I’m afraid it will come across in an interview. And, I’m also having a really hard time writing accomplishment statements as I feel like my work was not valued at all. – Marion

Marion’s question encapsulates the multiple reasons why a bad experience in your last job can negatively impact your career going forward. That said, your career is more than just one job. For most people, you hold more than one job and work with more than one employer over the course of your career. Even if you stay in one company your whole career, what you do outside your day-to-day job (e.g., professional memberships, volunteer activity), your individual skills and expertise and your training and education also make an impact.

If your most recent job left you angry, undervalued or [insert negative feeling here], it’s critical that you proactively prevent this one negative from dragging the rest of your career down. Here are three steps you can take to move on in your career after a bad job experience:

1 – Structure your job search so you are not relying on motivation alone

Marion pointed out how difficult it can be to get psyched for a job search because of lingering negative feelings about the last job. However, even if you liked your last job, you still probably won’t enjoy a job search, given how frustrating, disappointing, anxiety-inducing and time-consuming in can be. You don’t want to rely on motivation to get your job search done.

The fix? Structure your day, weeks and months ahead to ensure you do your job search activities whether or not you feel like it. Make a clear list of what you need to do and deadlines for time-sensitive tasks. Create a routine for when you are going to tackle different things. Enlist an accountability partner to keep you on track. By building a structure for how your job search will get done you ensure that your search continues even when your motivation wanes.

 

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

Article continued …

2 – Practice talking about your last job till it no longer bothers you

Bad feelings about your last job will come out in interviews and negatively impact your performance, unless you get to a point where you can talk about your last job unemotionally and ideally positively. Your next employer will definitely ask about your most recent job and why you left that job. Some interviewers dig deeper when they sense you are uncomfortable about something, and some interviewers are just hostile or mean. You need a game plan for handling the hostile interview and certainly for handling reasonable inquiry into your last work experience and why you left.

The fix? Plan in advance for how you will explain why you left. If you were laid off, keep it factual and concise. If you didn’t like your boss, talk about other things you liked about the job. If you can’t think of anything you liked about your last job, emphasize what you hope to gain from your next job. Don’t go negative, even if you feel 100% justified in doing so.

3 – Pin your market value to your next job, not a previous job where you were underpaid

Even though some states have now made it illegal to ask about previous salary, it still creeps into the negotiation because job seekers too often define their target salary as a percentage jump above what they made before. Prospective employers are all too happy to anchor your next salary to your previous one, especially if you were previously underpaid and they can save some money!

The fix? Yes, you can raise your salary even if you were previously underpaid. Do your own research on what the market is paying (see How To Get Salary Data You Can Really Use) so you anchor your next salary request on the going rate. Practice negotiating so that you are comfortable asking for what you deserve. Make a list of your tangible results so that you increase your self-confidence and prospective employers are more confident in you – remember that what you accomplished is a testament to you, even if your former employer undervalued these things.

With planning and preparation you can prevent one bad job experience from negatively impacting your next career move

In addition to motivation, interviewing and negotiation, a bad job experience can negatively impact how you network – when you’re down, people may avoid you. You also need a plan for how to get good references even from a bad job (references are a deal-breaker too many job seekers overlook). Finally, make sure that a bad job experience in a particular industry or role doesn’t sour your interest for other companies or job openings in that area, such that you narrow your job targets unnecessarily. Devote some planning and preparation to ensure you’re targeting a wide enough array of jobs, you have the professional references you need and you network with energy and enthusiasm.

 

 

Forbes.com | November 28, 2020 | Caroline Ceniza-Levine

 

#BestofFSCBlog : How to Write a Thank-You Email After an Interview. Want to Stand Out? A MUst REad!

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Career experts say the thank-you email is as important as your cover letter, so don’t waste this important opportunity to finalize your pitch—especially now that you know so much about the company, the role and your interviewer. “A properly prepared thank-you email, it just sets you apart,” says Paul McDonald, senior executive director at recruitment agency Robert Half. “It shows that you care and it restates your interest in the position.” Most HR managers say they consider thank-you messages when deciding who to hire, but they only receive notes from nearly a quarter of applicants, according to a survey by Robert Half. So don’t miss out on this chance to stand out, in a good way.

Question: How do you stand out?

Send your email as soon as possible.

Aim to send your thank-you note as soon as you can after the interview. This gives you an opportunity to seal the interviewer’s good impression of you immediately after your initial meeting, while their memory of you is still fresh, recruiters say. If you interviewed with more than one person, you should email each one separately.

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

Article continued …

Reiterate why you are interested in the role, and why you would be a great fit.

Now that you have had a chance to meet the interviewer and you have asked all the right questions, you know more about the role and can make a stronger case for yourself. While you were preparing for the interview, you probably didn’t have access to as many details about the job and employer as you may have now that you have met the hiring manager.

In your email you can:

  • Briefly address any pertinent new facts you gleaned about the role during the interview and bring the point back to how your experience or skill set aligns with it.
  • Include examples that demonstrate how you would be an asset to the company.
  • Include relevant samples of your work, particularly if you discussed any during the interview.
  • Provide a suggested solution to a challenge your employer faces that may have come up during your interview.
  • Bring up any insights or examples that highlight your suitability for the role that you might have forgotten to mention in the interview.

Three ways to highlight your qualifications: 

  • “With my experience focusing on the intersection of retail, customer experience and technology, I am in a strong position to help the company with its e-commerce launch.”
  • “Since you mentioned that the company is currently struggling to establish a business model that embraces technology, I wanted to offer a few ideas that I think might help.”
  • “You’ll find a link to a recent UX design study I conducted at the bottom of this email.”
Try adding something personal discussed during the interview.

If there was an anecdote or a shared interest that both you and the interviewer seemed to connect over, you may briefly nod to that in your email, but only if it feels natural and appropriate. This makes for a more personal letter that feels organic and authentic to you and to the relationship you began to forge. If you interviewed with multiple people at the company, adding a personal detail allows each email to feel unique. This also helps your thank-you email stand out.

Three ways to frame a personal detail in your thank-you email: 

  • “On a personal note, it was lovely speaking to you about your recent experience on safari. It inspired me to look into taking a trip like that someday.”
  • “I took up your suggestion to try that oatmeal-cookie recipe, and it was a hit with the kids. Thanks so much for the tip.”
  • “I very much enjoyed talking to you about your home-renovation project. If you have a link to that blog you mentioned, I’d love to take a look. I’m eager to try something similar in my home soon.”
Offer to answer any questions and bring it back to your application.

Bring it back to the hiring process at the end of your email. Gently raising the prospect of the next steps in the process makes it clear you are keen to progress and reminds the interviewer that they should come back to you without being too pushy. Offer to answer questions to give the employer an opportunity to clear up any possible doubts they may have about hiring you. Such an offer also promotes interaction between you.

How to end your thank-you email

  • “Thank you for taking the time to meet with me, and to explain the company’s needs. I look forward to hearing from you about the next steps in the application process, and welcome any questions you may have about my fit for the role.”

Resources

  • Grammarly If writing isn’t one of your strengths, this AI-powered tool helps you compose clear, mistake-free emails.
  • Readable This tool analyzes the readability of your content, and suggests how and where to make improvements.
What to read next

 

WSJ.com | November 17, 2020 | Deborah Acosta

#JobSearch : 5 Interview Questions to Ask During COVID. Not Only are the Questions you will Be Asked Different, but the Questions YOU ask SHOULD be as Well.

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It’s clear that the global pandemic that has consumed 2020 has also changed the way our professional world operates.  If you’re in an active job search or feel like you may be one of the next victims of a layoff or furlough at your work place, understand that interviewing has changed.

Not only are the questions you will be asked different, but the questions YOU ask SHOULD be as well. Companies have reinvented their work environments due to COVID, and it can leave candidates with questions that need to be answered.

As you prepare for your next job interview, there are some things you will want to consider:

✅ 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐲 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦?
Companies usually have an onboarding process that may include a week or more of touring the office, meeting key department heads, attending new employee orientation, etc. If you are working remotely, onboarding from home can be tricky. So, what are the plans they have in place to integrate you into your new team? The sooner you are incorporated and engaged, the sooner you will be able to demonstrate you were the right pick for the job.

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

Article continued …

✅ 𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐟𝐮𝐫𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐞𝐬? Asking this question gets to how they value their staff. You can ask how many employees they had to lay-off temporarily or permanently. How a company treats and values their employees will show you a lot, and may help you determine whether this is a place you want to work.

✅ 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝? Most companies will have a protocol in place by this time, but you should know what it is. If they don’t have one, you may want to rethink this company.

✅ 𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤, 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐞𝐬? There are many different types of changes they could have made. There are physical changes within an office building, such as office spacing, cleaning procedures… They could also be offering mental health support to employees struggling with the challenges of this long-term pandemic or losing a family member. The types of supports they have made gives you an idea of the culture and how well the company works together.

✅ 𝐈𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞? This is an obvious question, but there are ramifications if it is. What tools do they supply to outfit your office at home? Do you know how to use the technology and collaboration tools? What are you expected to provide yourself?

The more you know about specifics before accepting an offer of employment in today’s unpredictable work environments, the more focus you will be able to give to your new job duties.

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

 

FSC Career Blog | November 23, 2020

#JobSearch : Where to Search for Today’s Jobs -Finding Your Next Opportunity. It Might Seem Counterintuitive, but the More Experienced you Are, the Longer it May Take You to Find a Job.

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Finding the perfect job takes time, patience and the right resources. It takes people around nine weeks, on average, to find a job once they start searching, according to Indeed.com. The time it takes for you may vary depending on your industry, location and level of experience. It might seem counterintuitive, but the more experienced you are, the longer it may take you to find a job, because employers may see you as overqualified.

But there are some ways you can make the search more constructive.

1. Network.
One of the most powerful things you can do when searching for jobs is actively network. It can be awkward and, for people who aren’t naturally outgoing, requires a bit of courage and initiative.
  • Start with friends and people you know. Get a feel for creating rapport with those you are already comfortable with in order to have some ice-breakers ready to go when you expand beyond your social circles.
  • Find people who have similar jobs to the one you are seeking. Let them know you would like to learn more about their jobs and see if they know of any openings in the industry. The more you make connections, the easier it will be to gather intel on what is available.
  • Force yourself out of your comfort zone. Start reaching out beyond your immediate circle once you feel like you have a good rhythm. You don’t need to contact 10 people right out of the gate. The first couple of cold calls are always the hardest.
  • Know that people genuinely enjoy your interest in them. Don’t feel like you are imposing on people by asking about their jobs. Steve Dalton, author of the “Two Hour Job Search” told us, “It’s an old maxim that ‘interested is interesting.’ They take a reciprocal interest in you because you have good taste in who you listen to speak, and that’s where jobs come from.”

 

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

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

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

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2. Start your search with online job boards.

Looking at online job boards is an efficient way to find opportunities. Most employers use one or more of them to find candidates.

Glassdoor: Glassdoor is known as a resource for researching a potential employer. You will find ratings and reviews of different employers on a range of topics, such as compensation, company culture, how generous benefits are, and what employees think about top executives.

Indeed: Indeed’s main function is as a search engine for jobs. It also happens to be one of the most popular sites for job candidates, which makes it attractive to employers trying to cast a wide net in search of potential candidates. It has other value-add offerings, such as a salary comparison tool, allowing you to look at compensation trends among different industries. It also allows other users to review companies, providing insights into what it might be like to work for or interview at certain companies.

Ladders: The selling point of TheLadders is that it only features vetted jobs with annual compensation of $100,000 or above. It offers a well-curated index of jobs by industry and skill specialism. It also allows you to filter by the highest-paying companies in each industry.

LinkedIn: LinkedIn markets itself as a “professional social network” where, aside from job listings, you can potentially reach decision makers at the companies you wish to apply to. Candidates can get an edge by looking at the profiles and posts of those who they might be interviewing with for insights into their career paths. Since users’ profiles are always available to view and the platform is used for networking, LinkedIn allows potential employers to find you whether or not you are actively seeking a new job. This sets it apart from other job sites.

SimplyHired: This site can flag job openings to you based on your location. It also offers a resume-building tool with a number of templates and formats specific to your career. Employers aren’t charged to post jobs on SimplyHired, so the quality of the jobs may not be quite as high as on other boards.

Upwork: If you are looking for freelance gigs, there are a wealth of job opportunities on Upwork, particularly if you have technical or design skills. The platform is well designed for bidding on jobs and communicating with those commissioning the work.

ZipRecruiter: ZipRecruiter’s key features include an option to message with employers through the site and a one-click application option. The platform will also let you know when employers are looking at your resume.

Key takeaways from job boards

  • Different boards have different features, so it makes sense to use more than one to take advantage of the resources they offer.
  • Researching a potential employer can help you decide where you want to work.
  • You can streamline your search using boards that cater to certain pay levels, or based on employee and interviewee feedback.
3. Get an inside track by joining a professional organization.

Professional organizations can be a useful way to network with people in your industry and give you access to jobs that might not be widely found on the job boards we mentioned above. JobStars has a list of professional organizations you can use as a starting point for finding one relevant for your search.

4. Get someone to be your job advocate. Work with placement agencies and job recruiters.

Agencies and recruiters can maximize your search potential by actively looking for work for you. Once they have familiarized themselves with your skills and experience, they can be an additional resource pounding the pavement to help you land your dream job.

Keep in mind agencies and recruiters will receive a fee from the employer for placing you, and companies only work with a preferred list of agencies and recruiters. This can work both for and against you, depending on whether the job you are hoping to get is one they have been approved to recruit for.

You can find lists of recruiters and agencies by industry on JobStars. Other websites where you can find recruiters include SearchFirm, Online Recruiters Directory and Recruiterly. For creative jobs, a great place to look is Aquent.

 

WSJ.com | November 11, 2020 | Anthony DeRosa