#BestofFSCBlog : #JobSearch -Not Getting Job Interviews? Your Resume Is The Problem. ATS(AI) Software Robots Deletes 75% of Resumes When you Apply Online.

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Cathy is a 59-year-old Hotel Sales Director who has had a vert successful career until COVID hit and she lost her job. She has been job hunting for seven months and has applied to over 300 jobs. “No one is calling. No interviews, not even one email or inquiry. I’m so frustrated. Is the job market really that impossible right now?”

“I have to wonder what I’m doing wrong,” says Tom, a Baby Boomer IT executive who contacted me about resume help. “I have sent out so many resumes – literally over 100—and I haven’t gotten one interview. Any recruiters that email me are looking at work I did two jobs ago as a project manager, but I never get any interviews for current my job level. Help!”

Although it is a difficult job market, there are still jobs available, and more positions are opening up every day. If you aren’t getting any response to your resume, no matter who helped you write it, you have to wonder if something is wrong with your resume.

The first and most important thing is to be sure that you are applying for the correct job opportunities and are a good fit for those opportunities. That you have the specific skillset and the experience the employer is asking for. You are not “just trying to get your foot in the door,” which is a very old-fashioned strategy that does not work anymore. Recruiters complain that too many people are applying for jobs that they aren’t qualified to perform. This approach will not work when you have such a competitive marketplace. Assuming that you are applying for jobs at the correct level, you have to analyze your resume closely and ensure you get the next two items right.

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

Article continued …

Employers want outcomes

The number one mistake that most job hunters make is that they do not create a resume full of accomplishments and results. Instead they focus on vague, boring job descriptions or take the job listing and copy the content and paste it into their resume. These approaches do not work. Employers want to see results. They want to know the level of success that you have delivered in your previous jobs. So vague statements that don’t have any quantification won’t be effective at all.

The formula to follow is MY ACTIONS = My RESULTS

Whenever possible, use numbers, statistics, money or time saved, or note the dollars added to the company’s bottomline.

Here are some examples:

·  Streamlined the company’s sales process from start through installation. Improved processes. Implemented new sales training and changed suppliers. Results tripled sales within twelve months from $10M to $30M.

·        Spearheaded the moving of company facilities from one expensive location to three inexpensive locations including warehouses. Created strategic plan. Negotiated new leases. Results decreased rent, reduced labor, and transportation costs. Total savings of $7M.

·        Drove the turnaround of the department during acquisition. Restructured organization reducing team members by 35% plus improved processes and implemented new direction. Results increased revenues by 13% within nine months.

·        Developed the company’s marketing strategy and execution launching a new product into 13 countries.

·        Led the team project involving a complex redesign of a complex electrical system. Collaborated with engineering, manufacturing, and factory supervisors. Oversaw the implementation. Results saved $2.5M.

·        Created the training class for a new change management course. Taught class to over 300 managers.

·        Negotiated terms and pricing contract with the vendor. Results saved $100,000.

·        Established a new service program to improve the reach of the organization. Results delivered a 27% increase in aiding women and children.

Not everything is quantitative. When creating a new program or service, or you make an innovation that in and of itself is the accomplishment.

ATS blocks 75% of resumes

Over 95% of Fortune 500 Employers use an applicant tracking system called ATS software, that uses robots to review the resume and streamline the process. According to a study by job search firm Preptel, 75%of all resumes are never seen by a real human being. Instead, they are filtered out by ATS software robots. That’s right; these systems delete 75% of resumes when you apply online. That means if 300 resumes are submitted, over 225 are deleted and never seen by human eyes.

WHY?

CNBC reported that out of 1,000 resumes analyzed that were submitted through an ATS, 43% were sent in an incompatible file type. That means not even the computer saw them. You need to ensure that you are using a WORD file and which seems to be universally accepted. Also, avoid using graphics, tables, columns, text boxes, headers, or footers. And of course, you must include the keywords that are specific for performing your job. (For more specifics, read Employers Ignoring Your Resume? 5 Mistakes To Avoid )

To get a different result – employers calling you for interviews – you must change what you have been doing. Improving your resume is a great way to increase your odds of getting hired.

Forbes.com | October 20, 2020 | Robin Ryan

 

#JobSearch : Fast Fixes for Your Resume.The Job Market is Tough Right Now, So you Have to Take Advantage of any Opportunity.

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There are a myriad of tactics and tools you can use to improve your resume and not all are painful or require a lot of redo to your resume. The thing is – they can help you get a job, and isn’t that what you want?

So how do you go about fixing your resume quickly?

1- Delete your objective.  Many companies do not care what you want. It’s a sad truth but one that you have to live with. Removing your objective gives more space for you to focus on skills that the employer craves. Instead, replace this with a Career Summary, communicating your brand messaging and value proposition.

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

Article continued …

2- Add a straightforward statement that explains why you are uniquely qualified for the position.  Such as: Proven Marketing Leader with Far Reaching Corporate Experience. Make sure that your statement is true and matches your job description. The last thing you want to do is make yourself out to be something that you’re not. HR Managers hate this, especially if you use a headline in your resume. But if done correctly, a statement helps recruiters immediately see that you are what they’re looking for in a candidate.

3- Include a summary of skills (keyword bulleted list) – especially if you have skills related to the open position. But, also include things like certifications, features you have, language skills, and any technical abilities that would set you apart from your peers. Do you understand Linux or can you program C++? Then add that on your resume. Any skills that you possess should be showcased, because it gives you extra value to the employer. You may not need those skills, but it’s good to have them on your resume.

4- Look through job descriptions in order to identify keywords companies are looking for on your resume. This sounds trickier than it actually is, but there’s a site called wordclouds.com. There you can copy and paste the job description, and it will give you a simple, easy to read explanation about the keywords that your prospective employer is looking for. Keywords help your resume stand out, and if a company sees that your resume has the needed keywords, you stand a better chance of landing the job. Adjust your resume according to the keywords and to match the description of the job.

6- Replace weak words and statements with Power Words. Instead of saying “Contributed to the company newsletter,” write, “Managed the award-winning Vista monthly publication, the flagship magazine of Made-Up Company, the world’s largest manufacturer of silicon diodes.” Both statements may be true, but the second one carries a lot more weight and showcases your talents. Make sure your statements are said with power.

The job market is tough right now, so you have to take advantage of any opportunity. Do not let one slip by because your resume is not up to par.

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 | October 19, 2020

 

#JobSearch : New Study Provides Insights On Bouncing Back From Job Loss. Job Loss can Lower both your Mental & Immune System.

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Stress associated with job loss can have a host of negative effects on individuals that may hinder their ability to become re-employed. A new study shows that self-regulation of your emotions is an important quality for finding re-employment.

Robin and Lisa lost their jobs due to pandemic layoffs. Robin believed no employer would hire her at her age. She became angry, cynical, and defeated. Her hopelessness blunted her motivation, and she halfheartedly conducted a job search. Lisa believed, regardless of her age, she had a lot to offer an employer who can benefit from her skills. She quickly accepted being unemployed, eagerly launched a job hunt, and hooked two interviews within one week. Lisa didn’t let stress get the upper hand. She outsmarted it with her beliefs. and Lisa isn’t alone. Duke university researchers reported a 2011 study showing that people who adopt an optimistic outlook are more likely to be quickly hired.

Job Loss And Stress-Related Illness

The worries that come with the current trend of Coronavirus job layoffs, shrinking financial resources and a questionable job future are raising stress levels across this country. Questions such as how you’re going to find a decent-paying job, will you lose your house, how will you get the kids through college or will you ever be able to retire can make you sick.

Studies show that for some of the unemployed, like Robin, job loss can lower the immune system, making you more vulnerable to viruses such as COVID-19. Workers living with unemployment and underemployment are five times more likely to catch colds than workers without job threats.

Job insecurities can make you more vulnerable to diseases and worsen existing chronic ailments such as heart disease, diabetes or depression. And a study by Yale researchers, published in the journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, found that older adults (50 years of age or older) who lose their jobs fare worse than the younger unemployed. They have more depression, and their risk of heart attack and stroke more than doubles compared to employees who do not lose their jobs.

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

Article continued …

The Importance Of Self-Regulation

A new study published in the Journal of Employment Counseling examined the importance of self-regulation for enabling people to effectively search for a new job and to maintain their psychological well-being. Self-regulation allows unemployed workers to manage their emotions and behaviors in a way that produces positive results and to consider adversity as a positive challenge rather than a hindrance.

The study involved an online survey completed by 185 individuals who had recently been laid off and had not yet been re-employed. High levels of self-regulation predicted better well-being, job search clarity and job search self-efficacy—the belief that you can successfully perform specific job search behaviors and obtain employment.

The findings suggest that employment counseling efforts should help people improve their self-regulation in order to achieve positive outcomes after job loss. According to lead researcher, Dr. Matthew McLarnon, “Together, results of this study suggest that the components of self-regulation are key to a comprehensive model of resiliency, which plays a crucial role in enhancing well-being and re-employment outcomes during individuals’ search for employment.”

Self-regulation and a positive perspective reduce stress and cultivate peace of mind. That allows job seekers to manage what they can, let the rest go, and eliminate stressors that interfere with re-employment.

Reference

McLarnon, M., Rothstein, M.G., & King, G.A. (2020). Resiliency, self-regulation, and reemployment after job loss. Journal of Employment Counseling, 57 (3), 115-129.

 

Forbes.com | October 17, 2020 | Bryan Robinson, Ph.D.

#JobSearch : How to Target Your Resume to the Job Description. You Can’t Send the Same Resume to Each Job Opening!

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Whether you are reworking an old resume or starting from scratch, writing a resume can be a daunting task. And in today’s competitive job market with so many unknown variables, it can seem overwhelming at times. But even if you have a resume you’ve used in the past, chances are some significant adjustments need to be made if you’re searching for a new job.

If you have never done this in the past, resume targeting is writing a resume specific to a position you are applying for. You do this by taking the job description and matching your resume to the position. You probably have heard from an executive resume service that it’s important to do so, but in what ways are you supposed to match them?

Here are some tips to consider when writing your resume. 

Find Keywords from the Job Description

The first step is to have a printed copy of the job description, grab a highlighter, and mark each keyword you can find. These keywords should describe the particular candidate the employer is looking for, as well as the strengths and skills you possess. Once you identify them all, plug them into your resume as high on the page as possible. Include as many keywords as you can, but be careful not to stuff too many of them in to make it sound unnatural.

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

Article continued … 

Consider the Audience

When you write a resume, you need to think about who will be reading it. It’s easy to talk about your past experiences and accomplishments. The biggest mistake professionals make is talking about previous achievements that aren’t relevant to the job they are applying for. When writing an effective resume, you have to write it while thinking about how a potential employer will read it. They want to see what value you bring to the table specifically for their company, and don’t necessarily care about anything else. By looking closely at the job description, the best professional resume writers can identify what’s appropriate to mention and what should be avoided. 

Determine What You Want from a Job

A mistake that many make is trying to reach a broader audience, keeping it more general. The thought is the more general your resume, the better your chances are of landing another open position, even if you don’t qualify for the one you really want. This can lead to a sloppy resume and an unfocused job search effort. Taking the time to truly discover what you want from a job, from a salary standpoint, cultural standpoint, work/life balance, and more will help you target your resume.

Ensuring your resume matches the job description shows the recruiter you took the time to review the qualifications for the position and you didn’t send a generic resume to multiple employers. This goes a long way in showing you are serious about their organization.

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 | October 15, 2020

#JobSearch : Interview Questions That Make Candidates Nervous And How To Answer Effectively.

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After mailing out dozens of resumes, your dream job calls to say they want to interview you. You’ve gotten past the recruiter who was verifying your information but didn’t have any of the hard questions you will face in the interview. It will be online, with a panel of people, and extra one-on-one interviews following that.

On the day of the interview, you turn on zoom and realize that your hands are clammy, your voice is shaky, and you have an overriding sense of anxiety in handling this interview online. You’re worried about what kind of questions you’re going to get asked. Some of them are going to be very hard and that makes you even more nervous.

Reboot Digital PR decided to examine the actual interview questions that raise people’s heart rate the most and have them squirm in their chairs. Reboot Digital PR asked participants to wear a fitness health tracker during an interview to conduct this study. They asked the same questions in the same order. They started with the person’s average heartbeat and recorded the most uncomfortable questions that raise their heartbeat.

So, what bothers people the most? A sudden ‘quick test’ frightens job candidates the most. Also, having ‘too many interviewers’ was an issue.

Here is the full list of questions noting the nervousness increases.

Interview questions rating nervousness felt by candidates

Ironically, the tell us about yourself question had the lowest impact in terms of making people nervous. Maybe if you understood how important that question was, your heart rate would go up more. (Read the Forbes article Best Way to Open the Interview to Secure A Job Offer)

Employers make snap judgments. You do not want to babble or bore them with a lengthy rendition of your background or life story. You need to open and grab their attention quickly because, most times, they are not paying attention to you yet. The most successful way to do this is to use the 60 Second Sell, a technique I use with all my interview coaching clients. You identify your top five selling points to perform the job you’re interviewing for. You link these together in a few sentences, and you have this verbal business card or elevator speech, known as your 60 Second Sell.

What salary range are you looking for?

In my experience working with job hunters, most people make critical mistakes when they answer the salary questions. Typically, people are asked what their current salary is, or what is the compensation they are looking for. Directly answering these questions can cost you the job or several thousands of dollars in future wages that the employer was willing to pay.

The salary range question should be straightforward for you to answer if you have done the appropriate homework in advance. You can first reply, “what is the range this job pays?” and see if they answer. If they push you for a number, then try this approach. Cite a source like payscale.com and mention that their salary survey says that for an experienced project manager, the range is between $90,000 – $150,000, and you’re in that range. Then do your best to move on. If they want an exact figure, mention that you don’t know enough about the job yet to determine the actual salary you would require. You can table it until later.

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

Article continued …

Do you know what we do here?

This is an absolute must do. You must research before the interview to know about the company, what kind of products they sell, and precisely what they’re doing in the area or business unit you are going to work in.

What would your last boss say about you?

Think about your strengths and the duties required to perform this job. Then point out a couple of critical talents or abilities that your boss may have noticed that are specifically related to performing the new job. This gives the employer confidence you would work well in their position.

Why are you leaving your current employer?

Mentioning that you have gone as far as you can or want a new challenge are both acceptable answers. You can also bring up that you are trying to make a career pivot into a new industry. Of course, if you were let go because of a layoff, you can most likely attribute it to COVID.

What are the gaps in your CV?

Have a reasonable explanation as to why you took time off. You’re going to college, your family was relocating, you were on maternity leave, or the company restructured, so you got laid-off. One good strategy is to talk about what you might have learned during the gap. Maybe you picked up a new skill or finished a certification or degree, and you can move the conversation to talk about that.

What would you say are your weaknesses?

Notice this question is asking for more than one. Pick out skills that you don’t have that is not necessary to perform the job. For example, you could say, “I’m good at using Excel. I can take database info and layout the research or make macros subsets, but if you needed me to start coding or using SQL, I would need to take more classes. In this answer, you are pointing out something that you do well, and since coding or programming is not necessary for your job, the employer won’t worry about it.

Why should we hire you?

The answer to this question is the 60 Second Sell. You have already determined these are your five top-selling points. So, you would use the same response as noted in the Tell us about yourself question.

Where do you see your career progression heading?

Bring up the fact that technology and advances over the next few years will create brand new jobs that don’t even exist now. A solid answer is to say that you want to be working for the same company and apply your talents. If you have a goal in mind, you can mention it. Also, add that you are a lifelong learner and you keep yourself open to any new opportunities that might pop up in the company where they need somebody to go to a new area to help the company grow.

Tips to reduce nervousness

The number one way to reduce nervousness is to practice interviewing before the real event. Start by writing out the answers to the questions you think will be asked. Read them out loud and edit them so that you have the best possible response. Ask a friend to role-play with you, and you can practice answering the questions online because now almost all interviews are being conducted online.

Get comfortable with looking at your computer’s camera and answering people by looking directly into the camera. That builds rapport as people watch you. The last thing to do right before you start is to stand up, shake your arms, shake your legs, move your shoulders around, and do a couple of twirls. These actions help you get some of the nervous energy out of your body.

 

Forbes.com | October 13, 2020 | Robin Ryan 

#JobSearch : 6 Recruiter Tips To Getting Your Resume Seen And Landing An Interview. FYI: Recruiters Spend Only 7.4 Seconds Reviewing a Resume.

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According to the career website, Ladders, recruiters spend only 7.4 seconds reviewing a resume. Meaning, you as a job seeker have less than 8 seconds to make an impression on them.

Most job seekers want to share everything about themselves in their resume, therefore, their resume becomes cluttered and overwhelming for the recruiter. Moreover, the resume lacks a clear purpose making the recruiter confused about how a candidate’s skills will translate to the role in which they’re applying.

The career site discovered the resumes where recruiters spent the most time and focus had

  • an overview or mission statement at the top of the first page
  • a clear flow with title headers and marked sections supported by bulleted lists of accomplishments
  • relevant keywords presented in context throughout the resume

Here are six recruiter tips you can implement right away to get your resume seen and land a job.

Keep It Stupid Simple (K.I.S.S.)

Most of the time, the people hiring for the role have never worked in that position. For this reason, keep your resume simple and make sure it’s easily understood since they’ll be the ones reading it. To get noticed at a glance, Ben Lamarche, general manager of Lock Search Group, emphasized, “be sure to bullet point your most marketable skills and relevant management experiences. Don’t go into so much detail that a reader can’t form a quick mental picture of you as a candidate.”

Deepak Shukla, founder of Pearl Lemon, an SEO agency, said “cut out any fluff or experiences that are not relevant to the position. This puts greater emphasis on the information that actually matters to the recruiter.” Also, try to keep your resume to one page, but no more than two pages. David Reitman, Esq., owner of DLR Associates Recruiting, recommended to “focus on the past 5-10 years.” He said, “anything further in the past should simply be mentioned with no more than one line describing job duties.” Avoid repeating information. If your last job was similar to your current job, don’t restate everything you did; instead say, “duties substantially similar to..”

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

Article continued …

Utilize The Words In The Job Description

Job seekers often complain about not getting their resume past the applicant tracking system (ATS). The reason being is because the ATS looks for specific keywords that are already in the job description. As a job seeker, it’s important to tailor your resume to include those keywords that are relevant to your experience.

Yaffa Grace, founder of The Essential Resume, advises her clients to take a yellow highlighter and highlight words that come up multiple times in the job description. She said, make sure you only use those keywords if you have the experience reflected in that keyword. You can do this by supporting those keywords with professional experiences that demonstrate you’re knowledgable. The worst thing you could do is lie about or exaggerate your experience. The interview will uncover those lies. If the interview doesn’t, your performance on the job surely will.

Lastly, if you’re going to claim you are detail oriented, make sure to review your resume for mistakes and have someone else look it over too. The quickest way to land in the rejected pile is by contradicting what you claim.

Tailor Your Resume To The Position

Most job seekers have multiple resumes. Each resume is tailored specifically for the role in which they’re applying by using the keywords in that job description. If you have a broad background and are applying for various types of positions, it’s important you tailor your resume to speak to the skills of those positions. For example, if you’re applying to a developer position, you would want to move non-relevant positions to “Additional Experience”, personalize your summary and skills section as well as the bullet points from your current and previous positions.

Chris Waltenbaugh, payment processing expert at Payment Depot, explained “for me, the resumes that stand out are the ones that show the person has taken time to think about the position in which they’re applying and carefully crafted a document that demonstrates their understanding and what’s unique about them that will bring value to the job.”

Focus On Specific Accomplishments Rather Than Vague Responsibilities

Rather than listing out generic bullet points from the job description, use specific examples that demonstrates what you’ve accomplished not just what you did. For example, using a statement such as “Increased employee retention rate by 45%” is a stronger statement than “Improved the employee experience.” It not only hones in on a specific outcome but it demonstrates your success that can benefit the company in which you’re applying.

Petra Odak, chief marketing officer at Better Proposals, shared “one thing that is guaranteed to get my attention when I’m hiring, is samples. We hired for a lot of marketing positions recently and the candidates that stood out are those that supplied a sample of their work. Be it writing, design, marketing copy or something else. Those that went the extra mile and showed us what they can do are the ones that got an interview.” She added, “everyone can write a good resume and cover letter, but a sample shows that you can actually do the work.”

Take It To The Next Level

Grabbing a recruiters attention requires additional effort. Christy Noel, career expert, marketing executive and author of Your Personal Career, expressed, “it’s not enough to solely rely on the job board or portal to submit your application. You should network to find someone who knows a person within the company that can be sent your resume to forward to the recruiter or hiring manager.” She explained “referrals have a 50% likelihood of getting an interview, non-referrals only have a 3% likelihood, so getting that person to submit your resume is critical to your job search.” LinkedIn is invaluable when it comes to networking with people at the company. Websites such as Rocket Reach and hunter.io help to find the email of specific people within the organization so you can send your resume and cover letter directly to them.

Another way to stand out is by being original in your approach. Andrew Taylor, director of Net Lawman, said “you can make your resume stand out by creating an infographic and including a video for your cover letter.”

Craft A Personalized Cover Letter

A personalized cover letter shows the employer you’re serious about the position in which you’re applying. Lawrence Calman-Grimsdale, marketing intelligence assistant at Jump, asserted, “it’s infinitely better to apply to three jobs with tailored cover letters than 100 without.” A cover letter should be well organized, concise and explain specific points from your resume that are relevant to the position. Furthermore, if you have gaps on your resume, make sure to give a brief explanation (health concerns, caring for a sick parent, etc…) so the recruiter isn’t left wondering.

To start, make sure to address the cover letter to the hiring manager in the organization. From there, each paragraph should be broken down into how you found the role and what made you want to apply, expanding on specific parts of your background that are relevant to the role and finally, a wrap up stating your excitement for the role, how they can contact you and thanking them for their time.

 

Forbes.com | October 13, 2020 | Heidi Lynne Kurter

#YourCareer : Companies Don’t Care About You: The Days Of Corporate Loyalty Are Over And It’s Time To Take Control Of Your Career. A MUst REad for All!

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We all understand that corporations solely care about revenue, profits and their shareholders. CEOs and top brass hyperfocus on their own financial interests. It’s hard to blame them, as this is how the game is played.

Lately, it seems that the chasm between the uber-wealthy and the average American family is the greatest we’ve seen since the bygone era of robber barons. The top 1% are thriving during the pandemic, while the rest of us are desperately trying to survive and eke out a meager living. More than ever before, a small group of powerful CEOs and executives have usurped the lion’s share of their company’s money by awarding themselves lavish salaries, stock options and bonuses.

The Covid-19 pandemic seems to have enhanced the chasm between the average worker and the upper echelon. This marks the beginning of the end of corporate loyalty. It’s obvious that we’ve been forced into a new era of free agency. The companies clearly don’t care about the workers and now the workers need to care about themselves.

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

Article continued …

Here’s a great example exemplifying the callous, nonchalant behavior of corporate executives toward employees. In late March, Covid-19 hit the United States hard. A then record-setting 3.28 million people filed for unemployment benefits for the week ending March 21. At the time, it was the highest level of claims in reported history. Those numbers seem quaint now, as more than 60 million Americans have filed for benefits since then. Due to the drastic health, economic and job-loss crisis, prominent CEOs—many from financial services and Wall Street—promised that they would not lay off workers through 2020. Six-plus months later, a number of these companies are now laying off employees.

Here are just some of the large corporations that have changed their minds about their pledge to hold onto workers:

  • Citigroup: “Citigroup will continue laying off roughly 1% of its global workforce, the company announced on Sept. 14. The cuts end a previous commitment to pause layoffs amid the pandemic.” A cursory search of Citi’s online job postings shows that around two-thirds of the listings are outside of the U.S. This reflects an ongoing trend of Wall Street banks relocating jobs to lower-cost cities within America and to other countries.
  • Goldman Sachs: “Goldman Sachs is cutting 400 jobs, or 1% of its workforce, after briefly pausing job cuts amid the pandemic, Bloomberg reported on Sept. 30.”
  • Wells Fargo: “On July 9, Bloomberg Law reported that Wells Fargo is preparing to cut thousands of jobs,” and has plans to start chopping “more than 700 commercial banking jobs.”
  • Deutsche Bank: “The bank announced it was restarting job cuts—part of an 18,000-position cull it launched last July but paused…as the coronavirus crisis bred uncertainty.”
  • HSBC: “HSBC resumes 35,000 job-cut plan, ending [Covid-19] ‘pause.’”
  • Salesforce: “Salesforce started to lay off 1,000 of 54,000 employees on Aug. 26, according to the Wall Street Journal. The news comes one day after the company posted record sales. In March, CEO Marc Benioff pledged a 90-day freeze on layoffs.”
  • LinkedIn: “LinkedIn said it would cut 960 jobs, or 6% of its global workforce, on July 21. The cuts will impact hiring and sales positions.”

Some of the companies focused on a 90-day commitment; although, the spirit of the intent was for the year. To be fair, at the onslaught of the outbreak, it wasn’t conceivable that the pandemic would still be in place seven months later nor did they foresee the rampant damage caused to the economy.

Since then, companies across all industry sectors executed massive layoffs. For instance, Disney recently let go of about 28,000 workers and the airlines plan to terminate about 35,000—if the government (U.S. taxpayers) doesn’t give them another $25 billion after the initial $25 billion bailout.

Without any empathy, corporations ruthlessly cut out middle managers to save money and hire younger, less-expensive workers. To squeeze even more money out, they’ve relocated jobs from big cities, such as New York City, to lower-cost states and foreign countries to pay people a fraction of what their predecessors earned. When companies run into trouble and file for bankruptcy, they lay off thousands of workers without any hesitation. The executives and CEOs who mismanaged the business remain and continue to collect fat paychecks.

Large sums of money have been allocated toward technology, robotics and artificial intelligence. The goal is to eventually replace real-life human workers with sophisticated technology. Robots don’t take coffee breaks, vacations, eat lunch, gossip or argue over sports and politics. They dont require health insurance nor do they talk back or call in sick.

Predictions of AI taking over jobs are so great that former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang called for Universal Basic Income to be paid to Americans. Yang’s thesis is that once tech takes over, millions of Americans won’t have the skills to hold a decent job. Their only answer is for the government to provide a living income to help them get by. While on a podcast with Yang, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey said that—fairly soon—AI will write better code than his current software engineers. His dire forecast is that tech will eat the lunch of everyone and no one is safe.

A large number of iconic American companies filed for bankruptcy protection during the course of the pandemic. Millions of Americans lost their jobs, but somehow, the top brass paid themselves millions in bonuses. It rises to a level of incredulity when a CEO gets to cash in for driving their company into the ground.

It looks like conditions will worsen. With millions of Americans out of work, companies can aggressively dictate the terms. They’d think, “Why shouldn’t we lowball salaries and increase the demands of employees? Where else would they go? With less opportunities available, people won’t have a choice but to accept whatever they can get.”

As the job-loss crisis continues to grow and millions of people look for work, corporate management will feel free to summarily dispatch employees at will. Managers will realize that they don’t have to deal with a difficult worker, as there will be a line of people forming to take the person’s place—if fired. There won’t be a need to offer larger wages and better benefits, as there will be someone else who would gladly take the job to put food on the table and a roof over their family’s head.

It used to be that you could graduate from high school, find a decent job, afford a nice home, two cars and raise your kids in a quiet, bucolic suburban neighborhood. You would work at the same company for most of your adult life and receive a pension when you retire. If your children wanted to go to college, it was affordable and cheap—by today’s standards. If you didn’t desire the higher-education route, it was deemed perfectly respectable to pursue a trade or become a blue-collar worker instead of going to college.

The reality is that this new post-Covid economy could be harsh, cold and unforgiving. To battle back against this, you need to view yourself as a free agent. You can make your own destiny and shouldn’t solely rely upon your employer.

The key is to become thick-skinned, resilient and self-reliant. You will have to be mentally and emotionally tough to deal with all of the new challenges. You will have to constantly learn, reinvent yourself, pivot, acquire new jobs, start side hustles and find new ways to create value.

It might seem scary at first, but there is the sweet taste of freedom when you accept that you can control your own fate and don’t have to depend upon the whims of a large, faceless and uncaring corporation.

The bottom line is, due to these scary emerging trends, you need to look out for yourself. Even if you’re gainfully employed, it’s imperative to keep your eyes open for new opportunities. Prepare a just-in-case Plan B, C and D. Start networking right now and don’t wait for the dreaded call from human resources asking for a quick meeting. Update your LinkedIn profile and résumé. Learn new skills and technologies required for our changing economy. Find secondary tertiary ways to get an income stream, so that you’re not entirely dependent upon a salary. Get active on social media, reach out to recruiters, research new types of potential careers, attend online career-oriented events and do whatever it takes to hold onto your job for the time being.

 

Forbes.com | October 12, 2020 | Jack Kelly 

#JobSearch : How to Stand Out from the Crowd on LinkedIn? With over 700 Million LinkedIn Users, you Need Every Advantage.

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I recently had a client say to me, “There are so many other executives on LinkedIn who do what I do. How do I stand out from all the others?”


It can feel daunting trying to determine how to stand out from others with your skill set or background. Your personal brand is one of the main factors that will separate you from other candidates throughout your career. You never know when a job change may occur, so you need to be ready.

What are some things you can do to differentiate yourself from your peers?

➊ 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐞. Fill in all sections. Leaving sections blank leaves questions unanswered. Be as thorough as possible. You can add PowerPoints, photos, samples of work, coursework, and things you’ve done in your career. Make use of the Featured section to highlight your achievements.

➋ 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠. Write an article about your area of focus and add it to your profile. Articles remain on your profile for others to view. No one will know you’re an expert in a certain area unless you let them know, and writing and posting articles are a great way to do so. You never know who will find your expertise valuable and it could lead to opportunities you didn’t even know existed.

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

Article continued …

➌ 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. Adding your .02 to a conversation shows your knowledge, experience, and boosts your credibility. People who actively comment in groups demonstrate their brand and what they represent as a person and a professional. The biggest challenge with LinkedIn groups can be finding ones relevant to you and your job search. You never know whom you may encounter in these groups, but active communication can open up many doors.

➍ 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐮𝐭. Connect with people in your industry. Connect with second and third connections as well. You never know the opportunities that may come with the relationships you build. When your connections post significant updates, don’t hesitate to comment and congratulate them on an achievement or start a discussion with them.

➎ 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞! Comment on posts and offer support and expertise. The more you engage the more you stand out as an expert in your field. It only needs to be a few short sentences about the article stating what you like most, what you agreed with, what you found, or anything else you deem appropriate. The author will appreciate the time you took to comment on it and will likely return the favor at some point.

➏ 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞. Take a course or certification? Add it. Look for opportunities to learn a new skill, one that is sought after in your industry. A potential employer will see the value in hiring someone they don’t have to spend the time and money to train.

➐ 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭. Make a plan to use LinkedIn three times a week, ten minutes a day. The more you use the platform, the more it will work for you. Building and maintaining your brand never ends. If you want to maintain a strong reputation, you can never stop working on your personal brand.

With over 700 million LinkedIn users, you need every advantage to showcase your personal brand and unique skill set. You may have the experience. Use LinkedIn to communicate to others your expertise.

 

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 | October 12, 2020

#JobSearch : When it Comes to Resumes – The Good vs. The Bad. Hiring Managers Look at Hundreds of Resumes every Week. Does your Resume Stand Out?

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Resumes mean so much to hiring managers. It’s your first introduction to a prospective employer and it’s how you differentiate yourself. But what separates the bad resumes from the good ones?

The best resumes avoid abbreviations. Abbreviations are not professional nor are they accepted. Nothing makes HR managers cringe more than seeing sentences like the following: “Answered the phone and went 2 C clients” (yes, I truly have seen this). It may be the information age but this is not a text message so don’t treat it as such.

Giving up too much personal information is a no-no. You should leave off anything related to hobbies or interests that are not related to the job. Do not include your weight and height unless you’re applying for a position as a gym trainer. If it’s not related to the job in any way, do not include it on your resume. Leave out your illnesses or why you took off 2 years to care for a dying parent. As hard as that may have been, it will count against you.

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

Article continued …

The best resumes are the best because they’re not being used as an art canvas. If you try to stand out by having large graphics on your resume, it’s a bad move, because this will give you an unprofessional and amateurish looking resume. Your prospective employer only wants to see your skills, your duties, and achievements. You’re not going to get anywhere by having a Word Art picture of a snail on your resume.

Keep the negativity to yourself. The best resumes are neutral in tone or highlight the best attributes of the applicant. But, if you have information on your resume that is negative, such as, leaving your previous employer because you did not like the boss, just keep that part to yourself. Do not try to explain the situation on your resume. That’s an impossible battle that you should not fight. Your resume’s job is to sell and promote you. So, don’t eliminate yourself because you were negative.

Good resumes include dates. Do not make an HR manager have to guess. This kills your resume on the spot. You have to include dates. What years were you in college, did you attend graduate school, or did you graduate from a trade school? How long have you been working at your current position? Do not make the hiring manager have to ask questions about your resume. The second they have to guess, your resume is going straight to the trash. Make sure your resume flows easily and there are no date gaps. If you took a year off to go travel or to go back to school, include this on your resume.

Bad resumes do not highlight achievements. Many people will fill their resumes with irrelevant information, but they leave off the most important part of the resume – focusing on their achievements. You want to stand out from other applicants, so how can you do that if you do not showcase what you’ve done. Explaining your past accomplishments means that the HR manager can see what you’ve done and know how you can fill their need. If you have the abilities, you need to showcase them on your resume.

Hiring managers look at hundreds of resumes every week, and you want your resume to stand out for all the right reasons.

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 |  October 8, 2020

 

 

 

#JobSearch : Want to Get Noticed? Make a Compelling Approach! Part of Six(6) Step Guide to Getting Interviews Without Online Job Boards.

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If you are familiar with my Top Down coaching methodology, you know I eschew conventional approaches toward securing interviews in favor of a direct approach. You also know that I advocate a personal yet respectful style in doing so in efforts to avoid coming across as a pesky mass mailer or just another junk message. To illustrate, I’d like to share an actual example that perfectly exemplifies this style of approach

                 Question: How do you stand out?

A couple of years back, I had a coaching client who was intent on scoring a general manager position with a major premier international fighting organization. Prior to our meeting, he had applied to the organization through their corporate website and never received a response, despite having what would have appeared to be amazing credentials and a standout resume. It could have been owing to ATS’(Applicant Tracking Systems) exclusionary algorithms, or it could have been the result of the corporate office never having passed down the inquiry to the local franchise – we had no idea. So, we elected to employ the Top Down Method strategy.

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

Article continued …

First, we did some research to discover the name of the franchisee. A bit more sleuthing revealed that he was from Brazil and owned a company there. Since no email address for him was available that was connected to the franchise, we decided the best course of action was to contact him through his Brazilian company’s website. Now, my client spoke the most rudimentary of Portuguese. Reasoning our target most certainly also spoke Portuguese, I suggested we start off the letter addressing this individual in Portuguese to grab his attention. Not an approach you’ll ever see advocated in any book (besides mine, of course), but why not???

The balance of the letter was composed in English. What follows is the actual correspondence (names & locations changed)

Bom Dia Sr. Silva,

I understand that you are the franchise owner of the UFC Gym in Wellington, and I wanted to express my sincere desire to serve as your General Manager. I am currently Business Manager/General Manager of Hard Corps Gym in Miami and am looking for a new opportunity – one that would offer a greater possibility for growth and advancement. After having read the job description detailed on the career page of the UFC Gym website, I can confidently say that I am both experienced and highly skilled on all requisite levels.

I have included my resume for your review and would be grateful if you could tell me what next step I might take to interview for this position. Thanks so much for your consideration.

Respectfully… 

It took all but 2 hours to receive a response from our target. He directed my client to contact the regional manager for an interview, who was alerted to the incoming inquiry. Two weeks later, he was hired as club General Manager-In-Training. So, to place things in perspective, he went from being just another lost resume submission in what was likely an ocean of other resumes to getting to the front of the line. My client got the job, not necessarily because he had the best resume, but because he showed bold initiative and assertiveness – two traits highly sought after by any employer!

This example of approach and others are detailed in my game-changing book, Top Down Method: A 6 Step Guide to Getting Interviews Without Online Job Boards, along with everything else you need to know to succeed in your pursuit of securing interviews.

Fortune favors the bold, so be proactive, forge your own path and make it happen!

FSC Blog Author:  Derek Unnasch. Author of Book above: Top Down Method: A 6 Step Guide to Getting Interviews Without Online Job Boards, elitextraining.com

 

FSC Career Blog |  October 7, 2020 |  Derek Unnasch