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#JobSearch : If You’ve Been Beaten Up In The Job Search, It’s Time To Take Off The Gloves And Fight Back. A MUst REad!

September 12, 2020/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

We were all raised to be nice, polite and considerate of others. As young children, our parents told us to watch what we say in public, not to purposely offend people and to always respect our elders.

This was and still is good, sound advice. There are times, though, when you have to respectfully diverge from your parent’s lessons. The real world, as an adult, is far different compared to being a kid. The jungle rules of the corporate world sometimes don’t lend itself to a pacifist approach. There are only so many times that you can smile, nod and say “thank you” to a person who has treated you like dirt. After months of getting kicked around, you have to start standing up for yourself. You can’t continue letting life push you around. It may be time to take the gloves off and fight back.

Looking for a job during the pandemic is brutal. Millions of Americans and people all over the world are out of work. Millions more worry about losing their positions. Six months into the Covid-19 outbreak, things are still hard. Career and job search advice dispensed by the so-called experts have not changed from the pre-coronavirus days. It’s the same type of stuff that our parents said—nice, safe, overly polite and noncontroversial.

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

Article continued …

Desperate times call for desperate measures. You can sit back and take the rudeness and abuse or you can stop playing defense and go on the offense. If you’ve been knocked around without realizing any success, you have nothing to lose and should start considering a more aggressive game plan. Here’s what I’d suggest that you do next.

Stop caring about what people may think or say about you. Instead hyperfocus on yourself and what you need to do to succeed in your job search. Go after what you really want to achieve. Life is too short to settle for anything less than what you truly desire.
When you’re rejected, there’s no need to take “no” for an answer. Follow up with the company and their representatives by asking why you weren’t selected for the interview and job. Ask them for constructive feedback, so you could improve upon the next interview. If they refuse to respond, seek out their manager or an executive to tell them about the shabby treatment you have received. If everyone does this, corporations will be forced to change the way they operate and become more empathetic, transparent and communicative.
Contact everyone you know and demand their help. Hold them accountable. Let them know you’re in a tough bind. If people really care about you, they should want to find ways to help. It will be awkward, but if your friends, family, alumni, network, colleagues, former co-workers and prior managers aren’t there for you in your critical time of need, then it’s time to question why they’re in your life.
Boldly brand and market yourself on LinkedIn. Connect with people that can help your career. This will include hiring managers, human resources, internal talent acquisition professionals, recruiters and peers at companies you’d like to join. After these people accept your invitation, like and comment on their posts. Add your own thoughts, advice and articles. Position yourself as an expert and thought leader in your space. Soon, you’ll get noticed and decision makers will keep you in mind when they have suitable jobs.
If job listings seem like a stretch, take a chance. When a job is advertised as based in another city or state, ask if you could work remotely. The worst that happens is that they say no. Big deal, you can move on to the next one.
Track down the hiring managers and human resource professionals responsible for the job listings that you possess all the right background and experience. Contact them directly, let them know of your keen interest and the reasons why you’d be fantastic in the role. If they ignore you, keep trying to get in front of them. Find other people at the company who may be connected with the coveted job and contact them too, and tell them to put in a good word about how wonderful you are.
Get in touch with top recruiters that specialize in your field. Sometimes they may blow you off if they don’t currently have the right job for you at the time. That’s okay; keep trying to get in front of them, so that they’ll remember you and keep you in mind when they do have the appropriate job that’s a fit for you. Remember, a recruiter only gets paid when they place a person in a new job. If you have the appropriate talents for a job that that they’re recruiting for, they’d be happy to help—as they’ll earn a commission.
If all of the doors and windows are closed and locked, start considering a Plan B, pivot or reinvent yourself. You’ll be afraid to try something new, going back to school or starting all over again. If that’s the only option left, don’t bemoan your fate and go for it with gusto.

I get that this sounds sort of aggressive. It is, but it doesn’t mean you have to come across as a jerk. Follow these instructions in a polite and persistent manner. Never lose your cool, get angry or say anything nasty that you’ll later regret. Make them see you as the winner that you are.

It may take some time, but with this renewed vigorous mindset and strategy, you’ll eventually win everyone over with your charm, skills, talents, enthusiasm, motivation and relentless drive.

Forbes.com | September 11, 2020 | Jack Kelly

#YourCareer : Questions to Consider Before Changing Careers. You Can Go from Being ‘Employee-of-the-Month’ One Minute to Receiving your Pink Slip the Next.

September 10, 2020/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

It used to be that people would stay at the same job for years. But now, it’s not the same job market, not the same companies, and certainly not the same employees. And throw a global pandemic in the mix, and everything is up for grabs.

People leave for all sorts of reasons, they either want a change of scenery or they leave to make more money. Companies can let go of employees for any reason too, you can go from being ‘Employee-of-the-Month’ one minute to receiving your pink slip the next. Employers don’t have loyalty to their employees, so employees are looking to better their situation by changing careers or by finding new employment.

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

Article continued …

Today, a career jump is often needed to generate an increase in income. However, there can be a dark side to changing jobs, so you have to be cautious when doing so. Besides, can changing your career improve your situation? Everybody needs some advice from time to time, so what are some ways that changing your career can benefit you?

Do you have a reason to change?
The best advice is to look before you leap. Do some research over the company you’re considering and see if their organizational structure aligns with your career goals. This is a big decision in life, so you want to have the proper perspective before you make a decision. If your current situation is not prosperous, then do what you can to find a better situation for yourself, just make sure that it’s the right situation.
The lack of knowledge or experience
Without the right amount of experience and knowledge in your new field, a potential career change could be a big mistake. But, if you’re fortunate enough to find an HR manager who wants to see what you can do, then be prepared to dazzle your new employer. If you don’t show that you can step up and provide what they’re looking for, then your new career might just flop. You should educate yourself on your new position and find out as much as you can on the industry. Just be prepared.
Is the money right?
Don’t sleep on the thought of earning more money. Money can be an excellent motivational tool but if it’s the sole reason for your career change, you could miss out on the bigger picture. Your quality of life will not determine your overall job satisfaction, so make sure you know what you want when you decide.
Don’t go for the new hot industry
Because it could be over before it starts. Remember the Dot.com crash, same thing, if you choose an industry that has seen tremendous growth in a short time, and you think “Now’s the time to cash in”, you could be setting yourself up for failure. Just beware the peaks and valleys of new industry.
Narrow your focus
Find something that you would love to do. Don’t be overly ambitious or fearful of change – but make sure that you know what you want to do. Many people never consider the jobs that they may be qualified for in a parallel industry, so see what options you have before you do a complete 180º.

Switching careers is never easy. When you have years of experience in a certain industry and want to make a switch, just think about how much more competition you’ll have. However, sometimes a career switch is necessary; just go in with your eyes wide open.

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 | September 10, 2020

#YourCareer : 5 Career Questions No One Talks About (But Everyone Thinks About). But Here’s the Thing: Many People Struggle with Their Careers. Your Not Alone.

September 9, 2020/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

With so many books and resources available about how to strive for success, you’d think most people would feel confident about their career journey, blissfully moving from one job to the next, feeling clear-headed and excited. Right? That sounds ideal, but unfortunately, it isn’t the reality for most people.

No matter how many learning resources are out there, careers are very personal, and you’re bound to face plenty of times of uncertainty throughout the course of your professional life.

Often, when we’re questioning something, we don’t ask it out loud. We keep it locked inside our minds, reluctant to seek advice because we feel as if we should have it all figured out already. We remain silent because we think there must be something wrong with us.

But here’s the thing: Many people struggle with their careers. This isn’t something you’re alone in, and it certainly isn’t something you should be embarrassed about.

Finding the answers to some of these big career questions can be daunting. It requires knowing exactly who you are, and digging deep. This introspection might be uncomfortable, but it’ll also be more than worth it—the answers to your most pressing career questions are inside of you. You just have to slow down enough to find them.

1. Is Work Supposed To Be This Hard?

Even a job you love won’t be rainbows and unicorns all the time. But, overall, your work should energize and fulfill you. Start paying attention to the hard moments. How difficult are they? Do they make you lose sleep, have panic attacks, and feel anxious often? If so, these are clear signs that it’s not healthy for you, and you probably shouldn’t continue.

Ultimately, you want to figure out if your work is joyfully hard (it excites you and doesn’t plague you with negative emotions) or painfully hard (it puts you in a bad mood and you’re on the brink of burnout). If the answer is the latter (most of the time), it’s time to pack up and move on.

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

Article continued …

2. Why Do I Feel Like A Failure When I Mess Up Or Don’t Succeed?

Believe it or not, failure is critical to being successful. You need to experience it in order to learn and grow. When mistakes happen, which they will, you need to manage your mental chatter and reverse the negative thinking. Instead of branding yourself a failure, view each time you don’t succeed as an amazing learning opportunity.

Here’s an example: My client Karen was recently laid off after only being in her role for two months. She made a critical error that resulted in the decision. Rather than letting the situation get her down, I helped her see that the role she was fired from was one that she was already feeling uneasy about. We started to see the firing as a gift, as staying would have ended up creating more angst in the long run. Because she was able to see this event as an opportunity, she’s used her time job-searching to re-think her career. Now, instead of seeking out another position, she’s starting her own business, and she’s more energized than ever.

Remember: Feeling like a failure is a choice. Choose a different path. Don’t let it affect your self-worth.

3. Why Do I Care So Much About What My Family Thinks About My Career?

Here’s the thing: The only opinion that matters when it comes to the type of work you do is yours. Trust me, I know—pressure from parents, spouses, or others in your life can be tough to overcome. But if their advice feels wrong, or if it makes you feel exhausted or unmotivated, then you shouldn’t take it.

Rejecting their suggestions can be difficult, but it’s a key to success. Get connected to what you really want, then stay true to it regardless of what anyone else thinks. I had experience firsthand with this when I started my own business. My parents are not entrepreneurs, and the thought of starting a business from scratch was something they saw as risky. They tried to deter my decision, and they often asked when I was going to get a “real” job. I decided to ignore their suggestions and honor my energy and drive. Nearly 12 years later, it’s been one of the best decisions of my life.

4. I Don’t Feel Motivated—Is This Normal?

Not only is every feeling normal, but you should pay close attention to each one. Not motivated? That’s definitely something to dig into. What specifically do you not want to do? Which part of your work feels like it’s draining your energy the most? Take note: Only you, not anyone else, can answer these questions.

While many people have felt a lull in motivation over the past several challenging months, feeling chronically unmotivated at your job is most likely a sign that you’re doing the wrong type of work for who you are. Honor your gut instincts. Don’t let fear get in the way.

5. Why Isn’t My Career Where I Want It To Be Even Though I Followed All The Rules?

The mere fact that you’re asking yourself this is something to celebrate, because it means you’re ready for growth and clarity. The reality is, most of society’s “rules for success” are just plain wrong—and this includes what your family and friends say (unless, of course, one of them is a career expert!).

If you followed “the rules,” it’s not surprising that you may have ended up on the wrong path. Take a good look at each step you took and what rules you followed. Which ones didn’t feel right to you? For example, did getting that extra degree excite you, or did you do it because you thought you needed the credential? Were you trying to make your parents—or even your boss—happy? Be truthful.

More often than not, being true to who you are requires breaking rules. I’ve worked with hundreds of clients, and almost every person has an example of following someone else’s rules and experiencing the frustration of it not being right for them. But for those who have broken rules because the alternative approach was a result of them being true to themselves? Not a single one has ever regretted it. Bill Gates is a well known rule-breaker, and you can see how far it’s gotten him! Once you accept this, you can create a path that is absolutely the right path for you.

Forbes.com | September 8, 2020 | Laura Garnett

#JobSearch : 95% Of Recruiters Are On LinkedIn Looking For Job Candidates. How To Impress Them. A MUst REad!

September 9, 2020/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

Author: Robin Ryan A career counselor that helps clients land jobs, I offer Resume Writing, LinkedIn Profile Writing, and Interview Coaching services.

Forbes.com | September 9, 2020

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#JobSearch : 4 Big Changes To Your LinkedIn Profile You Need To Know About. Your LinkedIn Profile is One of the Most Powerful Career Assets you Have.

September 7, 2020/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

Your LinkedIn profile is one of the most powerful career assets you have. It’s your professional portfolio—a multimedia representation of who you are and the value you deliver. And in our new all-the-time, all-virtual world thanks to Covid-19, your LinkedIn profile has become your first impression. What’s more, your LinkedIn About section (formerly called your Summary) will be the most read version of your bio.

In today’s uncertain times, it’s more important than ever to stay on top of your LinkedIn profile and to refine it regularly so it’s always relevant and compelling to the people you want to reach. You also need to stay on top of the myriad refinements and new features LinkedIn adds to the platform so you can instantly benefit from them and ensure your personal brand stands out and clearly differentiates you from the hundreds of millions of other LinkedIn members.

LinkedIn’s latest blog post references many of the most recent changes. The ones I highlight here will be most valuable to you as you build your brand and make a positive, authentic first impression online.

Let people know you’re open to new adventures.

With the new OpenToWork photo frame on your headshot, you can alert those who are checking you out that you’re ready for your next big gig. I’m thrilled that LinkedIn added this. Before this feature came along, many who were seeking work used their headline to tell others of their availability with a statement like “Ready for my next adventure” or “Seeking New Opportunities.”

This created two challenges. First, it sounded a little desperate, and second, it reduced the number of characters available in your headline to tell people who you are, what you do and the value you create when you do it. This new format is a little more subtle and creates consistency across the platform for those who are in job-seeking mode. The words in your headline are important in the LinkedIn search algorithm, so you want to use exactly the right keywords to reel in those who are looking for what you have to offer. Luckily, you no longer have to waste those words by telling people you’re looking for work.

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

Article continued …

Help people pronounce your name.

LinkedIn allows you to create a recording of your name pronunciation and attach it to your profile just to the right of your name so those who want to connect with you don’t have to guess how it’s spelled or say it and then ask, “Did I get that pronunciation right?” It can only be added in the mobile app. Here’s how it looks (and sounds) once you’ve done it.

Shine a spotlight on your best work.

LinkedIn has allowed you to add multimedia to your profile for years now, but they enhanced this feature recently. Before, you could add multimedia to the bottom of your About (and to the Experience section of your profile). Now, they’ve created a whole new section called Featured, where you can put your most relevant and up-to-date images, videos, PDFs, etc. to augment and reinforce what you say about yourself in your About. And it has been given some really important real estate, appearing in a large panel right below your About. Being a completely new element of your profile, the Featured section serves as a dynamic billboard of items you can showcase to demonstrate your brilliance. Update it regularly so it remains current and relevant.

Use more characters to tell your story.

LinkedIn also increased the character count of important elements of your profile. This allows you to be a bit more robust in telling your story. The new headline count doubled from 120 characters to 240, and the new About increased from 2,000 characters to 2,600. Of course, don’t use the new characters just because LinkedIn is giving them to you. You still need to make sure every word you include is potent and delivers value to the reader of your profile. Prioritize pithy over pompous, but use as many characters as you need to make people want to get to know you.

Stay on top of LinkedIn features and take advantage of them as soon as you learn about them. Building your brand and advancing your career in the virtual age means building a current, authentic and magnetic online profile that’s congruent with the real you.

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

Forbes.com | September 7, 2020

#JobSearch : Switchers Are The Future Of Work. Are You Ready To REINVENT Yourself? It’s Time to Take Control of your Career Before it Takes Control of You! A MUst REad!

September 5, 2020/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

The first time I got laid off, it hit me like a semi-truck. I’d recently been promoted, was receiving great performance reviews, and saw a long-term future at a company I enjoyed where I’d managed two regional functions and built relationships across multiple offices.

Then, poof! Just like that, I received a call at 5pm on a Tuesday saying my job was gone. It was 2002 and I was working for Arthur Anderson.

I was shocked, terrified and completely lost. My core identity had been ripped away, even though I’d been doing everything right – working long hours, taking initiative to volunteer for extra projects, and even earning a Masters Degree in the evenings (despite my high school guidance counselor hinting my test scores weren’t college worthy). Often, I would return to the office at 10pm after class to prove I was dedicated. To top it off, when this happened, I was in the middle of a divorce and a cross-country relocation, so the timing couldn’t have been worse.

After applying desperately online for months, it seemed inevitable I’d be asking my parents if I could rent my old bedroom. All my professional contacts were in the same position of looking for new employment, and the brand I had once been proud to be associated with was now a bad joke in the marketplace.

One night in passing, I shared my sob story with my neighbor, mentioning the companies where I’d been applying, only to learn that his colleague was married to a Director at one of my top choices. He offered to pass my resume along and within two weeks, I had an interview. After months of online applications resulting in zilch, one brief conversation landed me an opportunity. In that moment, I realized the problem wasn’t that I hadn’t been working hard enough, but rather I was focusing my energy in the wrong places.

If your career has been significantly disrupted in the last six months, you’re not alone. Maybe you’ve been applying online without success and are dealing with competing challenges like trying to homeschool young children? It feels like an out-of-control roller coaster going off the rails and makes you wonder how you ticked off the karma gods to deserve this nightmare.

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

Article continued …

I’ve been there, and it’s terrifying and overwhelming to realize that even after struggling to climb the ladder, a bad few months can knock you right back to the bottom rung. These are highly unsettling times, and while I wouldn’t wish this hardship on anyone, there is some good news. You will get through it, and you will be stronger for it. In fact, despite how it might feel, you’re not even close to the bottom of the ladder and haven’t lost as much as it might seem. Right now, you’re actually building your resilience, resourcefulness and adaptability, which are key skills for the future of work, and can only, unfortunately, be acquired by enduring tough times.

You may also feel angry and frustrated. I certainly did back in 2002, and eventually I used that anger to fuel my actions to create the career I have today, helping people get unstuck, find satisfying work and feel in control of their careers, regardless of what’s happening in the economy. And I want to share how you can make that happen, because even if this is the first time you’ve found yourself in an unexpected career situation, it certainly won’t be the last.

Even before Covid-19, the professional world was changing rapidly with technology advances, globalization, contract roles, delayed retirement, and a growing misalignment between education and marketable skills. The pandemic has accelerated this, decimating industries, turning office buildings into ghost towns, and catapulting technology into the center of all our lives from Zoom family meetings to contactless payment structures.

Switchers ARE the future of work, and you need to be ready to reinvent, not just now, but likely every few years for the remainder of your professional career. A career switcher is someone who makes an industry change, functional change or both in their career trajectory. And if you haven’t made a major pivot, chances are it’s only a matter of time before you’re forced to, perhaps at the least convenient moment. So why not get ahead of it?

The painful lesson I learned 20 years ago and some may be experiencing today is: stellar skills and hard work aren’t enough. In addition, it’s critical to have a strong network of diverse connections (inside and outside your company) with people who know your brand and are willing to go to bat for you. These three things – 1) marketable skills, 2) a visible brand and 3) a strong network are the foundation I’ve built my career upon, and it’s not only worked for me, but hundreds of others whom I’ve had the privilege to coach.

And it’ll work for you. Switchers are the future of work, so here’s how you can get ready:

Step 1 – Mindset. One of the most important steps in taking control of your career is taking control of that voice in your head. The one that tells you you’re not good enough, things are too unfair, it’s not the best time or it won’t work. Our thoughts create our mindset and to be a successful switcher, you need to be your own biggest cheerleader. If you’re thinking, “I have no idea where to begin” you’re in good company. Many industries and functions are emerging or evolving and we’re all learning at the same time.

I had a client who had worked at one company for 25 years and was convinced he had no option other than to ride out his career there, even though new leadership had created a toxic culture. Making a big change was scary as hell after 25 years, so he used this incorrect and untested belief to accept it. But after working together, developing a list of accomplishments with transferable skills and speaking to his network, he started to see himself differently and his mindset shifted. He landed a great job a few months later and laughs when he remembers how scary it felt to make a move.

It’s okay to feel fear, but take small steps forward regardless. Don’t wait until you know it’s the right step – just take action. Each step forward helps you see things from a new vantage point. So, do you have an untested belief that’s holding you back? Action kills anxiety, so try something new today and see where it leads.

Step 2 – Reinvention. Part of the reason a career switch is so scary is because it requires us to shed – or at least alter – an identity we’ve become attached to. This is no small task and most don’t realize how comfortable we’ve gotten in how we identify with our careers. Changing makes us vulnerable – we’re pursuing something we don’t feel we have expertise in, which can be difficult if you’ve built up a reputation in your field as the “go-to” person.

But reinventing ourselves is something we’re all going to need to get comfortable with as the market continues to morph. Those who grasp tightly to old ways of doing things will be left behind, so now is a great time to start looking at your experience more holistically. Reflect on ALL your roles, education, projects, volunteer positions, certifications and experiences and you’ll see you have many transferable skills. Identify which are most in-demand in today’s marketplace and how you can present yourself as a problem solver for key challenges. Also, this exercise can help to identify skills gaps so you can proactively pursue opportunities to close those gaps.

While two-thirds of Americans believe technology will eventually take over about 50% of current roles, over 80% of those same people believe their roles won’t be impacted. Clearly, there’s a disconnect. We need to face the reality our careers will look different in the not too distant future. No one is going to manage your career as well as you, so make it a habit to focus on reinventing periodically, even (or especially!) in good economic times. You’re more than your title, so don’t sell yourself short.

Step 3 – Brand. Once you begin to look at yourself more holistically, not just as a title or label, but rather as a complex package of experiences, knowledge and abilities, you’ll be able to more clearly understand the value you bring to the market, and especially your target audience, and how your skills can solve their biggest pain points. Your target audience can be found by asking yourself the question, “What problems do I want to solve and who is doing that work?” The key is to brand yourself as the solution to your audience’s problems, in how you introduce yourself, your online content, through your network – visibly be the candidate they’re looking for.

This may mean removing some irrelevant items from your resume, and no longer using titles to identify yourself, but instead introducing yourself with your value. I had a client who was an attorney and wanted to work in HR and the moment she stopped introducing herself as a lawyer who wanted to be in HR, but rather an accomplished corporate professional who helped design policies to protect employees, she started to get interest from hiring managers.

If creating a professional brand is a new concept, get insights from people who know you. Friends can be valuable sources of information regarding strengths and achievements we sometimes fail to give ourselves adequate credit for.

Step 4 – Ambassadors. As you reinvent, it’s your responsibility to help those in your network to see you in a new way, including the value you bring to your target audience. If your contacts understand your brand, they can be ambassadors for you, opening the door to potential opportunities or relaying helpful information during your job search. We know more than 70% are jobs are filled before they’re advertised, and referrals account for 40% of hires even though they’re only 7% of applicants. If your primary strategy is online applications, you’re not only competing with 100% of the applicants for only 30% of available jobs, but you’re missing out on some great roles that may never go public.

One of the easiest ways to network is to start with people you know – those who already trust you and want to see you succeed. They have their own circles of contacts who can likely help if you’re clear and specific in what you need. Don’t underestimate anyone – social media has expanded all our networks and you may be surprised at what emerges.

One time, I mentioned to my brother I was trying to land a speaking gig at a company in NY. Coincidentally, his good friend in Utah, knew the head of the organization, which after a few emails, ended with me giving that talk 6 months later. It’s a little shocking someone in my immediate family had access to contacts I didn’t, but it’s easy to forget we all interact with diverse groups of people every day – at work, online, in the community – everywhere.

Make it easy for your contacts to help by sharing the language they can use to introduce you, having a clear goal and asking for something they are uniquely able to offer. Then, you’ll start seeing results!

The future of work is here. The pandemic opened our eyes to the fact that job security is a myth, even for high achievers. Also, change is not only constant in the marketplace, but now it’s accelerated. Companies are struggling with the same ambiguity and uncertainty that we are as individuals. Our careers are not their priority. But, they need to be our priority.

It’s time to take control of your career before it takes control of you. Happy hunting!

Forbes.com | September 4, 2020 | Dawn Graham

#JobSearch : Why You Should Consider A Part-Time Job During Covid-19: Top Companies Hiring. Instead of Holding Out Hoping for Things to Return to Normal, Great Options.

September 4, 2020/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

Your paychecks have stopped coming in, your savings have begun to dwindle and your unemployment benefits are set to expire. What initially looked like it’d be a temporary blip in your career has started to feel more permanent. You aren’t alone.

Roughly 30 million Americans are receiving unemployment and 4.1 million Americans lost jobs between the first and second weeks in July. Of those who have lost jobs because of the pandemic, 47% believe their jobs are unlikely to come back. According to Yelp, since temporarily their shut doors, 60% of restaurants, 48% or retail, and 36% of spas listed on the site have permanently closed.

Instead of holding out for your job to bring you back, or hoping for things to return to normal, it’s time to look at alternative solutions. Options do exist for you, and one to seriously consider is part-time employment.

A part-time job (fewer than 35 hours per week) may be the lifeline that holds you over while being laid off or applying for a more long-term commitment. It’s also a permission slip to be more experimental in your career, and discover new paths that may feel more aligned for your next move. After all, you could be stimulated by taking on two part-time jobs! Part-time employees are reported to volunteer more, and one-third of part-time employees actually choose this path so they have more options and don’t have to commit to one employer or job.

If this sounds appealing, here is a list, largely identified by FlexJobs, of some of the top career areas, and companies hiring work-from-home part-time employees.

1. Teacher

Education hasn’t stopped; it has pivoted. While schools grapple with online and remote education offerings for students, employment options that didn’t previously exist are opening up. Families in America have even started microschools or homeschoolpods where groups of families pool together to have a private tutor educate their children in a small setting.

If you have a natural ability to connect with children, are committed to helping others, and know how to explain concepts easily becoming a tutor or teacher could be a great career for you. Most great teachers are known for being patient and good listeners. If this sounds like you, here are some career options to consider:

Kaplan: A nonprofit educational program that helps students of all ages achieve academic success. They are currently hiring:

Tutor—Mentor
Teaching Assistant
Nursing Instructor

K12: Online learning platform that offers web-based interactive classes and learning modules for students of all ages.

PE—Health Teacher
Teacher, General Science
Art Teacher

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

Article continued …

2. Writer/Editor

In times of stress and struggle, clear communication is needed more than ever. Whether it be writing web copy or public relations media releases, or diving into editing medical white papers, the job market remains open. Businesses are turning online more than ever and it shows, 70% of marketing teams report investing in content (blogs, ad copy, landing page web copy etc.) for generating sales. This means businesses need people who specialize in words and an eye for detail.

Writers and editors tend to lean more introverted and don’t mind spending a large amount of time focused on their work in a solitary environment. If you are observant, always pay attention to the details and can spot even the smallest grammatical error, take a look at these job options:

Achieve Test Prep: An academic support organization providing test preparation and college-education consulting services to adults and college-bound children.

Dental Hygienist Curriculum Writer

Cactus Communication: Provider of communication solutions specifically for pharmaceutical and device companies.

Editor—Business and Finance
Editor—Chemistry
Editor—Engineering and Technology

Upwork and Fiverr: These online platforms for freelancers have an endless list of job options for writers and editors to apply for. Anything from managing social media caption posts to blog writing and editing books can be found on these sites.

3. Language

There couldn’t be a better time to be bilingual. Studies have shown that bilingual employees can earn between 5% and 20% more money per hour than those who speak only one language. If you are proficient with more than one language, put this powerful skill set to use as an interpreter or language tutor. These roles can easily be completed from the comfort and safety of your home.

Aside from knowing more than one language (obviously) interpreters and tutors are known for performing well under pressure, having a passion for culture, and hold a strong ethical outlook. If this sounds enticing, check out these jobs options:

LanguageLine Solutions: Provider of face-to-face, over-the-phone, and video-conference interpreting and document translation services.

Dari Interpreter
Berber Interpreter
Croatian Interpreter

Rosetta Stone: Language-based learning software that educates members on learning a second or new language.

English Online Language Tutor
Italian Online Language Tutor

3. Accounting And Finance

With taxes in flux, payroll and work staff fluctuations and the need to manage PPP loans, businesses need financial support and bookkeeping in order to stay ahead of all the financial implications the Covid-19 pandemic has sparked. The PPP loans come with a myriad of requirements that must be managed in a short timeframe in order to be considered forgivable. It is in a business’s best interest to work with someone who knows the ins and outs of both finances and loan contracts.

If you have a background in finance or are analytically organized, here is a top company looking to hire part-time employees:

Supporting Strategies: An outsourced operational support corporation and bookkeeping firm. Roles include:

Accountant
Bookkeeper
Manager, Remote Accounting Services

4. Business Marketing and Operations

Becoming a virtual assistant or diving into a niche business-marketing tactic, such as lead generation, is a great way to determine whether a company is a good fit for you while learning new skills. Assistants tackle many of the day-to-day needs within a business and this experience can open your eyes to learn what you do best and what aspect of business you want to develop yourself toward.

If you are reliable, highly organized, and know how to communicate clearly, pursuing a job as a VA or marketing assistant may be for you. Here are few of the top-ranked remote-work companies for part-time business needs:

Profit Factory: Corporation that provides educational and consulting services to entrepreneurs and business owners to streamline their processes, projects, and people. Roles include:

Virtual Assistant
Executive Virtual Assistant
Virtual Client Care—Facebook Ads Assistant

Expert Business Development: A business-to-business (B2B) relationship development firm that helps clients generate and maintain crucial business contacts.

B2B Lead Generation Specialist

5. Therapies And Health

A few months ago I committed myself to improve my overall wellness, and I know I am not alone in this. A larger emphasis has been placed on the general population’s overall health. One way this is being managed is through a spike in Telehealth. The demand for Telehealth has increased 64.3% nationwide since the disruptions of Covid-19.

If you have an interest in technology, are passionate about helping patients with their health and wellness, and can speak with a clear and confident voice, Telehealth and remote wellness job options would suit you well.

While these career paths do require higher education, if you carry a healthcare degree and are looking for additional or part-time work, here are a few great options:

VocoVision: A child’s therapy telepractice program. Most positions do require advanced education and specialized training. The following positions were recently posted:

Speech Language Pathologist
School Psychologist
Teacher for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Doctor on Demand: A hospital and healthcare telemedicine company providing on-demand, remote appointments with licensed medical professionals.

Psychiatrist
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Master Level Therapist

Don’t look at your next career move as “all or nothing,” be strategic with your career roles and seriously consider part-time employment as a possibility. This could be the pivot that lands you in a full-time career that is better than your last.

Get serious about finding a job. It’s time to be flexible, creative, and forward-thinking.

Forbes.com | September 4, 2020 | Ashley Stahl

#JobSearch : Tips on Connecting with a Hiring Manager. When in an Active Job Search, You have to Take Every Advantage Available.

September 3, 2020/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

When in an active job search, executives have to take every advantage available. With so much competition, standing out can be challenging. Hiring a professional job search company is always an option, but you also have to take it a few steps further.

One of the most effective ways to make yourself known is by communicating directly with the hiring manager at the company you’re interested in working at. Of course, this can be easier said than done, but it is entirely possible with diligent effort and research. Here are some tips to consider.

Determine Who the Hiring Manager Is

It’s ok if you can’t find out who the hiring manager is. Usually, you can find out their name, unless they REALLY don’t want to be found. If you do an online search, use your network, check the company website, or look at the LinkedIn profile of various members of the organization you may find some tips as to who is responsible for hiring candidates. You could also be bold and simply contact the company by phone and ask for the name of the hiring manager. Once you have the name, you can communicate directly with the person.

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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?

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

Article continued …

Research Them

Once you have their name, go to their LinkedIn profile or google them to find out about them. If you reach out to them through your LinkedIn profile, it gives you the chance to have your name seen prior to sending in your resume and cover letter. Many times, the hiring manager may not respond to your LinkedIn message for various reasons, but at least your name will be recognized when you do send in your resume. Any way you can connect with them will help your cause and make your name recognizable.

Be Proactive but Not Pushy

There’s a big difference between being proactive and being annoying or pushy. Many executive resume writers will tell you to send in your resume and wait one week or so before following up. When you reach out to them every day to check on the status of your application, you will most likely be thrown out of the pool of candidates. No one likes to work with a pushy person, so know your limits and contact the hiring manager when appropriate.

If you have a connection with them, make sure to mention the name right away. Remember that they are dealing with hundreds of job seekers every week. Your job is to make yourself memorable in a positive way.

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 | September 3, 2020

#YourCareer : 5 Mindful Steps To Help You With Those Difficult Conversations. There are 5 Simple Steps you can Learn to be More Calm and Productive, Even in the Toughest Situations.

September 3, 2020/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

The longer you live, the more likely it is that you will encounter really difficult conversations. Those tough encounters that keep you up at night preparing, or that give you that ‘pit’ in your stomach when you imagine what might happen. When the time comes, you arrive feeling tired, defensive and anxious. And rarely does it go well.

In these times of great division, it is more important than ever to be able to use a simple framework for calm dialog.

While these types of conversations are inevitable, your reaction to them is not. There are 5 simple steps you can learn to be more calm and productive, even in the toughest situations.

Create a supportive environment-find a quiet place where you won’t be interrupted and turn off your phones and laptops. When we are not fully present for a conversation because one eye is on our phone, it feels disrespectful. While this is always true, with difficult encounters, it is especially important to emphasize respect.
Form an intention to be open and curious-try to set aside the internal chatter that is judging the other person’s positions. Attend the meeting with the intention to listen deeply and not be defensive. When those thoughts arise, see if you can let them go and redirect your attention to the speaker.
Use monologues-rather than talking over one another, give one another 3 minutes for a monologue. During the monologue, the listener may not interrupt to ask questions or argue…just listen.
When emotions start to rise, take a ‘time out’ for a few breaths-when you start to feel the temperature in the room going up, either person can call for a break to be quiet and take a few breaths. Once it feels more settled, begin again.
End with a next step (even if it is to keep talking)-it is very important to agree on something as a next step. It need not be the final answer, just something that both parties recognize as progress.

In these times of great division, it is more important than ever to be able to use a simple framework for calm dialog. Open, honest conversations are the best way to go forward with greater understanding and less conflict. To learn more about mindful leadership training, go to the Institute for Mindful Leadership.

Forbes.com | September 2, 2020 | Janice Marturano

#YourCareer : The 10 Commandments Of Career Resilience: How Many Have You Broken? A MUst REad for All!

September 2, 2020/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

If your work trajectory is like most career climbers, you will have job obstacles and pressures every step of the way. But job skills and talents aren’t the only prerequisites for career advancement and success. The Holy grail of mental and physical resilience also determines whether you reach your goals, perhaps even more than your talents. The following 10 commandments of resilience help you perform you best work and sustain you over the long haul.

Thou shalt look for the upside of every downside situation.

You will have many difficult and stressful job challenges. Maintaining a positive attitude can help you better handle stress. It’s easy to recognize your shortcomings, but don’t forget to recognize your talents and strengths. Deal yourself a positivity card on a regular basis to build your mind’s creative mojo and offset stress juices that could bring your career to a screeching halt. Positivity acts as a stress buffer when you’re overloaded with work tasks, broadening your mind and range of vision. When you’re searching for a solution to a work challenge, your negative emotions keep you focused on the problem. Looking for the opportunity in the difficulty expands your range of vision and bolsters possibilities and creativity.

Thou shalt refrain from making unreasonable demands on thyself and treat thyself with great respect and compassion at all times.

Recognize how often you berate yourself, call yourself names or shame yourself. Substitute self-compassion for self-judgment. Stand up to impossible standards and harsh judgments instead of attacking yourself. Forgive yourself for your shortcomings and see them for what they are: habits, old behavior patterns or just plain mistakes that all of us make. When you’re more loving to yourself and accept your limitations with compassion, you cut your stress in half and double your career sustainability. Then you’re dealing only with the stressful experience, not the added negative feelings from self-judgment. Put away your gavel and when your inner judge overshadows you, amp up your compassionate side and let it lead you to career productivity and success.

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

Article continued …

Thou shalt grow rhino skin

Remain resilient in the face of rejection and self-doubt—conditions every career climber faces at some point. Try to accept rejection with a dispassionate eye without bawling if you can. Throw your arms open to critical feedback and use it to grow and strengthen your career. Tell yourself that setbacks are not the end of the story; they’re an opportunity to learn and grow. Remind yourself that the natural arc of progress isn’t an unbroken ascending line but a zigzagged upward spiral. Why? Because success is built on failure. You can’t have one without the other.

Thou shalt be drawn instead of driven

Thou shalt not work on autopilot. When you’re drawn instead of driven, you are master instead of slave to your job. You mindfully work from a centered place that puts you in charge of your busy mind so you don’t succumb to external or internal pressures. You’re attuned to yourself and your surroundings in a calm, nonjudgmental way and focus on what’s happening right now. Anchored in the present moment, an inner barometer guides your work life in a peaceful observing awareness of everything you do. Thou shalt find that place within thyself where you are drawn. Cultivating mindful productivity—instead of an intense focus on the completion of the task—enriches your career. Five minutes a day in which you still your busy mind and center on the quiet places inside sets the compass of your heart so you can be drawn, even in times of upheaval.

Thou shalt honor the trifecta of self-care

The trio of healthy lifestyle habits gives you the stamina to withstand just about any challenge the work world throws at you. Thou shalt get regular exercise instead of being a desk potato. Chances are the places you’ve been working out are closed during the quarantine. Find other ways to exercise and stay fit while sequestered at home, such as jogs, walks, pushups or lifting weights. Thou shalt practice healthy, nutritious eating and steer clear of quarantine 15 and Grab, Gobble, Gulp and Go. And thou shalt get plenty of rest and sleep instead of burning the midnight oil.

Thou shalt keep a to-be list alongside your to-do list

Make a to-be list alongside your to-do list, and think about what you would put on it. Meditate a minimum of 5 minutes a day. Make it a point to be outdoors as much as possible, watch sunsets and listen to nature: birds tweeting, insects in the bushes, or frogs croaking. Jot down ways to get elbowroom to stretch and deep breathe between appointments, time to walk around the block and clear your head. Or enjoy the sweetness of doing nothing, pray, practice chair yoga at your desk, watch the grass grow or just contemplate the universe. The more you practice stilling your hurried mind and centering on the quiet places within you, the more you can access a calm state even in times of work upheavals. After applying the brakes and doing something for nothing, creative ideas incubate and hatch, and you’re ready to go again. Then watch your resilience, creativity and productivity soar.

Thou shalt ditch the desire for comfort, take risks and step into career growth pains.

Be willing to go to the edge of your emotional pain so you can be fully present with what lays beyond the barrier. Think of yourself as an elastic band that bends and stretches to a certain point before you spring back higher than you fall. Turn roadblocks into steppingstones. Make it a goal to use negative career challenges—no matter how painful, frustrating, big or small—as lessons from which to learn. Ask, “What can I manage or overcome here?” or “How can I turn this matter around to my advantage?” Identify self-doubts that have cramped your work style or crippled you from growing fully professionally. Harness them—instead of running from them—and channel them into useful skills so they don’t paralyze you. Find that one place in your career where you’ve been hiding, then stick your neck out from your comfort zone. Ask what edge you can go to in your job. Seek out risky career opportunities that help you bloom instead of low-risk situations that keep you safe in a bud.

Thou shalt embrace job uncertainty because job it isn’t a commodity you can count on

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, things are different, and the uncertainty of what the future holds looms, breeding unease, fear and anxiety. It’s more stressful wondering if you’ll get to your meeting on time than knowing you’ll be late. It’s less anxiety-inducing to know you missed the deal than being unsure of it. And it’s more fearful not knowing if you’re going to get sacked than knowing for sure you lost your job. While avoiding uncertainty is adaptive in that it keeps you safe and sound, the cocoon your primitive brain constructs can be a virtual prison. The same assumptions that keep you safe can prevent you from growing, taking necessary risks and reaching your career dreams. The most powerful antidote against career uncertainty is your perspective, which can victimize or empower you. When you figure out what you can control and what you can’t, it’s easier to develop uncertainty tolerance and accept whatever is beyond your control and learning to live with “maybe.”

Thou shalt retain a winning frame of mind

A winning frame of mind contains a growth mindset—the belief that defeat happens for you, not to you. If you have a growth mindset, you consider success and failure a package deal—like a hand and glove, milk and cookies, flip sides of the same coin—twins, not enemies. It’s an understanding that avoidance of failure morphs into avoidance of success. It’s a realization that in order to attain what you want, you must be willing to accept what you don’t want. Instead of giving up, you welcome obstacles, setbacks and disappointments—no matter how painful, frustrating, big or small—as opportunities to grow and learn instead of as defeat. You think of defeat as a personal trainer, and you control your happiness like baseball great Babe Ruth, arguably one of the best ball players of all time, whose winning frame of mind was contained in his famous quote, “Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.” If you use Ruth’s wisdom in any career pursuit, “failure” can never bring your career to a screeching halt.

Thou shalt take time out to acknowledge realized goals

It’s important to take breathers and come up for air. Throw modesty out the window, and savor the excitement of your accomplishments. Remember why you chose this career in the first place—your ambitions, dreams and goals. Your love for what you do. Make sure you celebrate the milestones on your career trajectory: each promotion, successful deadline and every accolade from the top down. Before moving on to the next item on your agenda, relish each success every step of the way.

Forbes.com | September 2, 2020 | Bryan Robinson