So you finally found it–your dream job. There’s just one little problem: The job description rattles off a list of qualifications and experience that you don’t quite have. Talk about discouraging.
But even if you don’t check all the required boxes, you should still apply. Why? According to Jason Patel, founder of Transizion and former career ambassador for George Washington University, you may still catch a recruiter’s eye. For example, “There might be keywords on your resume and cover letter that impress or appeal to the hiring manager,” he says. “The key is to get an interview. If you can get your foot in the door, you’re on the right path.”
Serena Holmes, CEO and hiring manager at Tigris Events, agrees. “We cannot forget the human factor,” she says. “Hiring and interviewing for a position is an extremely emotional job. If you land the interview and connect with the interviewer on an emotional level, they may disregard the fact that you are not 100% qualified for the job they are hiring.”
So how do you get your foot in the door–and what do you do in an interview to prove you are the right guy or gal for the job? Here are five ways to compensate for a lack of experience.
1. CUSTOMIZE YOUR RESUME WITH KEY TERMS
“The worst thing a seemingly underqualified candidate can do is apply with a generic resume,” Patel warns. “If you’re already at a disadvantage, then you shouldn’t dig yourself deeper into the hole.” Instead, study the job listing carefully, focusing on the requirements and qualifications for which the company is looking. “If your experiences match with those terms–look at the action verbs–then put those on your resume,” Patel says. That way, you’ll pass through an initial filter, whether by a machine or a human.
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Sometimes, all it takes to avoid the slush pile is a little name recognition. And one way a hiring manager or recruiter might get to know you and your name is through social media. So, before you apply, “use your social media presence to interact with various aspects of the company,” Holmes recommends. “Plus, comment and share the company’s blog posts and the other components of their social media activity.”
An elevator pitch is a synopsis of your experience that you can rattle off quickly–hence the elevator part–that describes why you’re the perfect person for the job. “Your elevator pitch should consist of what you’ve done, what you’re doing, and where you’re going,” Patel advises. It’s often used in response to “tell me about yourself,” a question that most recruiters and hiring managers will ask in an interview. So, “Prepare a two-minute answer for the [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][inevitable] interview elevator pitch,” says Patel. Having a succinct, thorough answer will impress them.
4. LINK UP
If you can find the hiring manager or the head of the recruiting department, you can “stand out by connecting with them on LinkedIn, liking their content, and creating and sharing your own content,” Holmes says. “This will keep you top of mind and help you catch the recruiter’s eye.” It’s also worth reaching out to current employees of the company to find out what it’s like to work there, and maybe even eventually asking for a referral.
Even if you’re convinced you don’t have the qualifications to snag the job, don’t let a recruiter or hiring manager see your concern, Patel encourages. “Sounding confident is a key to human communication,” he explains. “Many professionals climb the ladder by acting and sounding confident.” But how, as they say, can you fake it until you make it? “Talking points that help you speak in a clear and confident manner will allow you to project charisma and confidence,” Patel points out, “and that is always a good thing.”
This article originally appeared on Glassdoor and is reprinted with permission.
https://www.firstsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/interview-desk-2.jpg360480First Sun Teamhttps://www.firstsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/logo-min-300x123.jpgFirst Sun Team2018-03-09 22:15:052020-09-30 20:48:32Your #Career : How To Sell Yourself When You Don’t Have Enough Experience…Don’t Let an Intimidating #JobDescription Stop You from Applying for your Dream Role.
If you’re already unemployed and looking, anyone you meet will see what they can do for you, but they won’t know why knowing you benefits them. That’s understandable, since at that point your only goal in building a network would be to help yourself.
In reality, it’s best to make networking part of what you do at all times. When you have a job, it’s OK to network with an eye on the next one. In fact, it’s easier to set up your next position when the people you will be connecting with hear about your long-term interest rather than an immediate need.
What Should You Do?
Even if you have a steady, stable job you like, it’s important to have an eye on tomorrow. That does not mean you’re angling to leave, or are even particularly open to a new position — it just means you’re banking relationship capital for a future day.
This could be a somewhat passive activity where you simply make an effort to attend industry events and meet more people. The best bet, however, is to use the fact that you don’t need anything from potential connections to build some new relationships.
One great way to do that is to seek out people at companies where you might want to work or in jobs you may want to hold. Introduce yourself, explain your situation and ask for an informational interview or even to have a cup of coffee.
This tactic also works well if you’re considering a potential geography switch. When planning a visit or vacation to an area you may someday want to live in, make a few appointments with potential employers. Let them know your future plans and any connections you may have to the area (family, property ownership, etc.). That way, if a job comes up, you won’t be treated as an out-of-town applicant.
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Networking can take on a lot of forms. You may consider volunteering or working with industry groups on projects that are outside the realm of normal business. Even something like joining a softball team increases the number of people you know.
It’s also a good idea to raise your profile outside your own company. That could mean speaking at industry events, contributing to trade journals or participating in after-work events.
Keep It Going
The hardest part of networking on a long-term basis is keeping up connections. That person who had coffee with you two years ago probably won’t think of you when a job comes open if that was your only contact.
Keeping in touch has gotten easier in the social media era. Make connections on all the leading platforms as appropriate, and interact with your network. Make a point of having a personal interaction a few times a year — anything from getting together to sending a holiday card.
Put the effort in to keep your connections from going cold. If you do that then your network will be there either when you need a job, and may even surprise you by putting an opportunity on your plate when you did not expect it.
https://www.firstsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Networking-Diverse-Group.jpg450970First Sun Teamhttps://www.firstsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/logo-min-300x123.jpgFirst Sun Team2018-03-08 18:20:312020-09-30 20:48:34#BestofFSCBlog :How to Network When You’re Not Looking for a Job.
It’s not that hard to update your resume when you’re applying for the next role up the ladder in your field. You’re an associate operations manager trying to become a senior operations manager? Just show how what you’ve already done qualifies you to do similar things at a higher level.
Things get trickier when you’re trying to change industries. You’ve got to rebrand experiences here as transferable qualifications there. You need to explain why you’re a better hire than the candidate who’s spent their whole career in the field you’re trying to get into. And you’ve got to decide which parts of your experience just aren’t relevant anymore.
Figuring this out is a highly situational challenge–what works for one career changer’s resume might not work for another’s. But Erica Breuer, founder of Cake Resumes, says there are some straightforward dos and don’ts that can point you in the right direction.
DO: INCLUDE GROUP WORK
“I often work with career changers who don’t feel they have the right to include projects on their resume that were a team effort, especially when these projects fell outside of their normal job duties,” Breuer tells Fast Company. But it’s precisely those experiences you’ll want to rely on the most. “Including them, while nodding to the team-based or ‘special projects’ nature of the work is the way to go,” she says. “If it happened, it’s a fact, and it can go on your resume.”
Think of it this way: The tasks that are small, routine, or specialized enough for you to complete on your own may not be that relevant outside your industry. But bigger, collaborative projects tend to involve processes and challenges of a higher order, which draw on skills that just about every employer needs–no matter their field.
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“Many career changers get the advice to tweak job titles on their resume to look like the perfect fit. This almost always backfires,” Breuer explains. “It risks looking dishonest or, worse, the self-assigned titles they create add confusion more than they align them with a new path.”
While you can’t control your past job titles, you can control how you describe what you accomplish while you held them. Breuer’s suggestion? “Add a tagline of sorts to the true job title, one that states experience related to the new career direction, for example; ‘Director of Operations—Global Recruitment & Talent Acquisition.’” This way a hiring manager in the HR field, which you’re trying to get into, can spot right away that your operations role had to do with recruiting and talent.
(SOMETIMES) DO: DITCH STRICT CHRONOLOGY IF YOU NEED TO
For job seekers with a lot of experience, it’s common to truncate anything that came before the past 15–20-year period. But Breuer says this rule doesn’t always suit, especially “when you have an early-career experience that applies to an upcoming career change. Drawing this line is important, but so is sharing the details relevant at this very moment. If you’re not doing that, the resume is pointless,” she points out.
So feel free to shake up the chronological approach if you need to. “There are a number of ways to loop early experiences back into a resume without the kitchen sink-style timeline,” says Breuer. For example, you might try breaking your work history into subcategories like “Technical Experience” and “Managerial Experience.”
DON’T: GO TOO BROAD
A final common mistake Breuer sees pretty often among job seekers hoping to change careers is “expecting their resume to do too many things at once,” she says. “They want to capture their career wins, life story, hobbies, and persona as a whole, when a resume actually functions best when it’s a compelling and conciserecord of your experiences as they pertain to the role at hand.”
When you’re worried about being under-qualified, you might be tempted to overstuff your resume to compensate. Don’t do that. The key is to give recruiters and hiring managers a clear narrative about why you’re the best fit from the role because you’d be coming at it from a nontraditional angle. No, that won’t be the full story of your career, but it will probably be the most effective one for this opportunity.
To take some of the pressure off, Breuer suggests remembering that your resume–while important–is only one piece of the self-portrait you’re presenting to employers. She adds, “It should stack with other branding platforms, such as a personal website, LinkedIn profile, or even a cover letter, in order to tell the whole story of who you are and the value you bring.”
https://www.firstsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Change-Direction.jpg450970First Sun Teamhttps://www.firstsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/logo-min-300x123.jpgFirst Sun Team2018-03-07 14:32:332020-09-30 20:48:34Your #Career : Changing Careers? Here’s Exactly What To Put On Your #Resume And What to Leave Off…
When the seasons change from winter to spring, flower bloom and nature is abuzz with new growth. Be inspired by the scenery around you by considering a job change. Switching companies or roles can reinvigorate your career and offer some of the perks you’ve been wanting: unlimited PTO, a matching 401k, ample parental leave, learning and development programs, and commuter assistance.
Dust off your resume and refresh your cover letter. Here are 20 companies hiring like crazy this month.
Advisor Group Where Hiring: Phoenix, AZ: Oakdale, MN; Atlanta, GA; Jersey City, NJ & more. What They Do: “Advisor Group Inc. is one of the nation’s largest networks of independent financial advisors serving over 5,000 advisors and overseeing approximately $180 billion in client assets.” What Employees Say: “The best reason to work for Advisor Group is that there is so much room for growth. The leadership team is awesome. The CEO actually listens to regular employees. The best part is the fact that they actually pay attention to employees who go the extra mile. You are able to be evaluated by your clients and Advisors. Great place to build relationships with some of the best Advisors in the country. The teams are strong and go the extra mile to help each other. The best part is that Teamwork actually makes the Dream Work. I loved working for this company.” —Former Technical Services Processor
Hilton Where Hiring: Santa Barbara, CA; Austin, TX; Portland, OR; Birmingham, AL; Boca Raton, FL; Hawaii; Omaha, NE; Seattle, WA & more. What They Do: “Hilton is a leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxury and full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and focused-service hotels.” What Employees Say: “I work at the most beautiful resort with amazing views, food and amenities. I pinch myself daily and can’t believe I work here!” —Current Associate Director of Catering
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Aurora Health Care Where Hiring: Oshkosh, WI; Milwaukee, WI; New Berlin, WI; Green Bay, WI & more. What They Do: “Aurora Health Care is an integrated, not-for-profit, and all-for-people health care provider serving communities throughout eastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois.” What Employees Say: “It’s a teaching hospital and they are very good with teaching new employees, interns, volunteers, etc and the workers are very understanding and compassionate people.” —Current Pharmacy Technician
Skullcandy Where Hiring: Park City, UT; London, England; and Salt Lake City, UT What They Do: “If your head craves sweet tunes, Skullcandy has a treat for you. The youth-oriented firm designs and sells edgy, stylish headphones, ear buds, docking station speakers, and other audio goodies, as well as apparel and accessories.” What Employees Say: “Great culture that offers flexibility and interesting work. Good if you are motivated and self directed needing little to no direction.” —Former Employee
National Debt Relief Where Hiring: New York, NY; Los Angeles, CA What They Do: “National Debt Relief was founded on a simple, powerful idea: people should be able to live their lives without the stress and anxiety of overwhelming debt.” What Employees Say: “Been with the company for a couple months now. This was the best training I’ve had starting at new job and preparing myself to be one of the best in the company. Supervisors are very helpful and will provide tips. Great environment. Fun and motivating. Like the different start shifts very helpful traffic wise if you are driving from far.” —Current Debt Specialist
LogMeIn Where Hiring: Boston, MA; London, England; Mountain View, CA; Dublin & more. What They Do: “Simplifying how people interact with each other and the world around them to drive meaningful insight, deeper relationships and better outcomes for all has helped LogMeIn grow to become one of the world’s top 10 SaaS companies.” What Employees Say: “LogMeIn is on an incredible journey. Each quarter the bar is raised and the growth and innovation continues to accelerate. Employees of all levels have plenty of opportunity to grow their skills and career. Bill Wagner is a world class CEO and is focused and fearless.” —Current Sales Manager
RetailMeNot Where Hiring: Austin, TX; Phoenix, AZ & more. What They Do: “RetailMeNot, Inc. is a leading digital savings destination connecting consumers with retailers, restaurants and brands, both online and in-store.” What Employees Say: “I work with smart, nice, collaborative co-workers who are solving interesting problems to grow the company and deliver savings to consumers in new and innovative ways. Some part of my work is fun every day and a large part of that is due to company culture and nature of the business.” —Current Senior Product Marketing Manager
Workday Where Hiring: San Francisco, CA; Salt Lake City, UT; Pleasanton, CA; London, England & more. What They Do: “Workday is a leading provider of enterprise cloud applications for finance and human resources.” What Employees Say: “The company is true to its values, starting with an investment in, and strong commitment to, its people. As an employee, I have always felt very fortunate to work for such a great company, but when the entire management team was pulled into a two day off-site to learn more about how we can do even more to support our employees, I realized just how special this place is. It provides a fast faced environment where hard work and fun go hand in hand.” —Current Employee
Brunswick Where Hiring: Lebanon, MO; Largo, FL; Clarkston, WA; Palm Coast, FL; Chicago, IL; Fort Wayne, IN; Lowell, MI; Vonore, TN & more. What They Do: “The company is a global manufacturer of marine, recreation and fitness products. Its largest business segment, marine engines, comprises outboard, inboard, and sterndrive engines, propellers and control systems.” What Employees Say: “Lots of room for employees with traditional jobs to move up. A great variety of Brunswick companies have a lot of opportunities to grow and make a good living at the same time.” —Former Project Manager
Union Pacific Where Hiring: Rawlins, WY; North Platte, NE; Chicago, IL; Saint Paul, MN; Roseville, CA; Cheyenne, WY; Houston, TX & more. What They Do: “One of America’s most recognized companies, Union Pacific Railroad connects 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country by rail, providing a critical link in the global supply chain.” What Employees Say: “Challenging work, professional growth opportunities, held accountable and rewarded when perform; Very competitive Benefits package.” —Current Employee
Dollar General Where Hiring: Vallejo, CA; Ravenna, OH; Springfield, IL; Monee, IL; Ashland City, TN; Wilmington, DE & more. What They Do: “Dollar General helps shoppers Save time. Save money. Every day!® by offering products that are frequently used and replenished, such as food, snacks, health and beauty aids, cleaning supplies, basic apparel, housewares and seasonal items at everyday low prices in convenient neighborhood locations.” What Employees Say: “Unlimited growth potential on the corporate and retail side. Positive financial growth & rate of expansion. Great mission and vision (“Serving Others”)” —Current Talent Acquisition Representative
Hensel Phelps Where Hiring: Phoenix, AZ; Sacramento, CA; Honolulu, HI; Orlando, FL; El Paso, TX; Fairfax, VA & more. What They Do: “We construct great buildings and our people are our greatest assets; empowered to make decisions and trained to make the right ones.” What Employees Say: “Hensel Phelps is employee owned and puts a lot of time and effort into producing the best employees. Benefits for employees are the best among all GC’s and better than a majority of other companies outside of construction, they set up their employees to be set up for life, even when their careers are over.” —Current Office Engineer
Procore Technologies Where Hiring: Los Angeles, CA; Willmar, MN; Portland, OR; Austin, TX & more. What They Do: “Procore Technologies provides cloud-based construction management software to clients across the globe.” What Employees Say: “Some of the best people I’ve ever worked with. Passionate, Intelligent, Driven, and Humble. The company makes every effort to hire A+ people and then has a high trust of their employees once they get there. Things like unlimited paid time off, amazing benefits, rad work spaces, and kombucha on tap really are a manifestation of the values of the company.” —Current Customer Success Manager
Redfin Where Hiring: San Francisco, CA; Albuquerque, NM; Rockville, MD; Allentown, PA; Salt Lake City, UT; Atlanta, GA & more. What They Do: “Redfin is a next-generation real estate brokerage with the mission to redefine real estate in the customer’s favor through a combination of technology and service.” What Employees Say: “Great balance between a small company and a large company: small enough that things move fast, big enough to have the infrastructure to get your job done.” —Current Employee
Camden Property Trust Where Hiring: Fort Lauderdale, FL; Englewood, CO; Houston, TX; Charlotte, NC; Mission Viejo, CA & more. What They Do: “Camden Property Trust is one of the largest publicly traded multifamily companies in the U.S. Operating as a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), we own, develop, acquire, sell and manage apartment communities in 14 major markets with more than 1,700 employees nationwide and headquartered in Houston, Texas.” What Employees Say: “They actually care about you as a person and everyone is incredibly friendly. I was heartbroken to leave the company due to family issues but still the best company I have every worked for.” —Former Employee
Cylance Where Hiring: Irvine, CA; Washington, DC; Austin, TX & more. What They Do: “Cylance is revolutionizing cybersecurity with products and services that proactively prevent, rather than reactively detect execution of advanced persistent threats and malware, enabling a level of security that far exceeds the effectiveness of current industry solutions deployed throughout enterprises, government and institutions worldwide.” What Employees Say: “Cylance made a broken industry relevant again. Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence are going to be critically important for the foreseeable future and Cylance combines the best of both.” —Current Employee
Samsung Semiconductor Where Hiring: San Jose, CA; Pasadena, CA; Cedar Rapids, IA; Seattle, WA & more. What They Do: “Samsung Semiconductor, Inc. (SSI) is a wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.—the industry’s leader in DRAM, NAND Flash, solid state drives, mobile DRAM and graphics memory.” What Employees Say: “Company is headed in the right direction, great technology, good and dedicated employees. Everyone is committed to winning and making the company successful.” —Current Employee
Treasury Wine Estates Where Hiring: London, England; Oakland, CA; Eastern, KY; Napa, CA; Western, NE & more. What They Do: “With over 14,000 hectares of vineyards, 70 plus wine brands and over 3,400 global employees, Treasury Wine Estates brings together some of the most popular and collected wines from Australia, California, Italy and New Zealand.” What Employees Say: “Treasury Wine Estates is full of passionate, knowledgeable employees who truly enjoy their job. I have had a wonderful time in my employment here finding myself jumping up in the morning to fulfill a career that excites me.” —Current HR Employee
Experian Where Hiring: Schaumburg, IL; San Francisco, CA; Nashville, TN; Austin, TX & more. What They Do: “Experian is the leading global information services company, providing data and analytical tools to our clients around the world.” What Employees Say: “Great place to work in friendly, collaborative environment, as evidenced by long average tenures. Flexible work environment. Strong upper management team. Good benefits including employee stock purchase plans.” —Current Analyst
Bloomberg LP*Hiring Engineers Like Crazy!* Where Hiring: San Francisco, CA; New York, NY; London, England; Princeton, NJ & more. What They Do: “Born in 1981, Bloomberg is the world’s primary distributor of financial data and a top news provider of the 21st century.” What Employees Say: “You’ll succeed at Bloomberg if you work hard, pay attention, have high ethical standards. Editorial is fun as you’re working with some of the best talent around and you get to try new things. The perks and benefits are amazing: not just the famously free food, but the annual summer parties, insurance plans, retirement match, museum memberships.” —Former Employee
https://www.firstsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/PeopleAwaitingInterview.jpg8001200First Sun Teamhttps://www.firstsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/logo-min-300x123.jpgFirst Sun Team2018-03-06 16:37:012020-09-30 20:48:35Your #Career : 20 Companies #Hiring Like Crazy in March 2018 ……Dust off your #Resume and Refresh your #CoverLetter. Here are 20 Companies #Hiring like Crazy this Month.
Your perfect job with the perfect company may not be advertised. So, how do you find gigs from within the hidden job market? You ask about them. Here’s how to write a letter of interest that will get you noticed… and maybe even result in a job.
Years ago, before I was the full-blown word monkey that I am today, I relocated to a new city. I’d left a job I loved — doing marketing for a dog grooming school. I knew I wanted to keep working in a field related to both marketing and pets. But I also knew that, in the small city I’d moved to, that was going to be a pretty slim job search net to cast. I’d have to get creative.
I set my sights on a large, upscale pet boarding kennel. I wrote the kennel’s owners a letter of interest, including clips from a portfolio of marketing materials I’d created, and asked them if they needed some help from an experienced pet industry professional to build their brand even further.
Although the kennel didn’t have an opening, or any role related to marketing, they did call me in to chat. Two weeks later, they created a position for me and I was employed doing something I enjoyed in an industry I loved.
Why Write a Letter of Interest?
The letter of interest is a job prospecting tool. Job hunting legend has it that 70 to 80 percent of open positions are never advertised. Although that figure is probably way higher than it should be, the truth is there are potential job opportunities out there that you’re not catching as you look online.
Say you’re intrigued by a young startup and you wish they were hiring for a position that fit your skills. You could haunt the careers page of their website and hope for the best, or you could write a letter of interest to introduce yourself and begin the networking process. Which do you think will yield the best results?
A letter of interest may not get you immediately hired, but it has many advantages. It shows you have both interest and initiative — two things employers are always looking for. It also demonstrates your ability to market yourself through personal branding. In many cases, your letter will be regarded as a formal request to be considered for employment, so it will become part of a human resources file. When a position does open, guess whose letter and resume will be at the top of the pile instead of buried under a mountain of applications?
Your goal is to find out exactly what the company of your dreams looks for in an employee. Then, you’re going to become that person — the mythical Ideal Candidate.
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The first and most important thing to remember about writing a letter of interest is that it’s a business letter — treat it like one. Use the standard business letter format. Be professional.
Here’s a tip: Being professional doesn’t mean being stuffy. It’s always a good idea to try to match the communication style of the company you’re reaching out to. Look at their marketing copy, job postings and website. If their approach to communication is more casual, yours can be, too.
2. Find the right contact.
Even if you have to call the company, get the name (and possibly the email address) of the best person to contact with your inquiry. If you do call or email to ask for a contact name, be direct. Say, “I’m interested in learning more about employment opportunities in your [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][department]. Would you tell me the name of the person responsible for hiring those positions and the best way to contact them?”
3. Research the company.
I scored that marketing job in a long-ago time before the Internet was mainstream. When I wrote my hard copy letter and prepared my clips, I didn’t even know what a letter of interest was. I was operating on instinct. You have the advantage of a ton of information right in your pocket anytime you need it. Let’s use it!
Your goal is to find out exactly what the company of your dreams looks for in an employee. Then, you’re going to become that person — the mythical Ideal Candidate. Check the company’s social media feeds and the careers and culture pages on its website for clues about the type of people they hire. Read job descriptions for their open positions; they’ll give you insight even if the jobs aren’t a fit for your talents.
Learn about their brand style — are they funky and fun or conservative and all business? Mirror that style to show that you’d be a good cultural fit.
Unlike a cover letter, where you’re homing in on skills and traits for a specific position, a letter of interest should demonstrate to the employer that you have a variety of skills that would make you a great fit in lots of different places. Think broadly and you’ll open more doors. What skills would make you an asset to the company?
The key to a successful letter of interest is not in showing off what you can do, but in showing what you could do for the company. Demonstrate excitement, not arrogance.
5. Keep it short, but write it powerfully.
Hiring managers and department heads don’t have a lot of extra time to read your magnum opus on why you’re awesome. The key is to be brief but memorable. Make every word count.
Let’s start with the simple stuff first! (You do know what day it is, right?) You’ll need this only for hard copy letters; in email, the date stamp is fine.
Contact Information
In a hard copy letter, put your contact info here. Include your phone number and email address. In an email, include your contact information after your signature instead.
Here’s a tip: You don’t have to put Phone: and Email: in front of your phone number and email address. That’s just clutter. The hiring manager probably won’t have trouble figuring out what that ten-digit number and the thing with the @ symbol are.
Salutation
Greet the hiring manager or department head by name. And please do your best to find a name. (See Tip #2!) Avoid “To Whom It May Concern.” Nobody ever got truly concerned with, or even interested in, an email that began thus.
Opening Paragraph
Briefly introduce yourself and tell the hiring manager why you’re writing. Share your enthusiasm for the company — why do you want to work there?
Qualifications/Experience Paragraph
Talk about what you bring to the table. Let the hiring manager know why hiring you would add value to her team. Demonstrate the qualities you have that mesh well with the company’s mission and culture. (This is why you did all that research!)
The key to a successful letter of interest is not in showing off what you can do, but in showing what you can do for the company. Think in terms of excitement, not arrogance.
You’re not going to close by saying something like “I hope you’ll keep me in mind if you have an opening in the future,” right?
Never! You’re better than that.
Close by asking for something. Use a call-to-action (CTA) to encourage the hiring manager to connect with you. You might ask for an informational interview — an opportunity for you to sit down with the hiring manager and learn more about the company.
Letter of Interest Example:
Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name:
I’ve been following the Alpha Beta Company’s trajectory since it launched in 2007. When the company reached 10 million active users last month, I thought about how exciting it would be to be part of a team with the potential to grow that number to 20 million and beyond. I’m writing you to express my interest in joining your team and to learn more about upcoming employment opportunities.
I’ve been a user acquisition manager at XYZ, Inc. for five years. At XYZ, I developed the go-to-market strategy for new apps and performed analysis to calculate how our campaigns influenced user engagement. As you may know, XYZ operates in a smaller niche market. Even so, during my time with them, XYZ’s user base grew from just five hundred beta users to over 3 million today. In the ten years since I graduated with a bachelor of science in business and marketing from Great Big University, I’ve managed and launched hundreds of successful marketing campaigns on channels ranging from print media to social media to videos.
I’m excited by the idea of working in a larger market and for a company that is constantly innovating and recognized as an industry leader. I’ve enclosed my resume, which outlines my experience and skills. I’d love to sit down and talk with you about Alpha Beta’s explosive growth and new user acquisition strategy. Would you be open to meeting with me at your convenience?
https://www.firstsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Free-Laptop-working.jpg11001650First Sun Teamhttps://www.firstsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/logo-min-300x123.jpgFirst Sun Team2018-03-04 14:15:542020-09-30 20:48:37Your #Career : Here’s How to Write a Perfect Letter of Interest… Your perfect Job with the Perfect Company May Not be Advertised. So, How Do you Find Gigs from within the Hidden Job Market?
Do you have the feeling that your job-search strategy could stand a few tweaks (or maybe even a substantial overhaul)? When you spot any of the following scenarios, consider them possible red flags worthy of investigation.
As Mathison succinctly points out, “Interviews are hard-won. Bring your best game.”
Here are four signs that it’s time to rethink your job-search strategy:
1. YOU’RE NOT GETTING ANY RESPONSES
Silence is actually a loud shout-out that something in your hunt needs adjusting. Perhaps you haven’t been putting much effort into tailoring cover letters to specific positions (or haven’t been composing them at all). Maybe your resume doesn’t grab the attention of hiring managers because it lacks action verbs and quantifiable examples of your accomplishments. Thoughtfully examining your material, preferably with help from another set of trusted eyes, may make a huge difference.
Another culprit could be relying too much on internet job boards. As noted by Megan Walls of Walls Career Coaching, “By only applying online, you limit your chances of getting a job. It’s estimated that 85% of jobs are filled through networking. So devote a good portion of your job search to contacting your network, such as family, friends, classmates, past employers, and LinkedIn connections.”
Consider too if you might need to up your efforts.
“It is time to rethink your strategy when you are looking for a full-time job with a part-time job search,” says Duncan Mathison, co-author of Unlock the Hidden Job Market. “And don’t confuse time spent worrying or waiting to hear back from an employer as ‘search time.’ Track your actual time in your job search.”
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2. YOU’RE HAVING TROUBLE FINDING “GOOD” JOBS FOR WHICH TO APPLY
Congrats on being specific about what you want and not wasting time applying for any old thing. Now make sure you’re looking in the right places and reaching out appropriately.
“If you have targeted employers, you should apply directly to the website, through networking contacts, or even suspected managers in the functional area of your job,” Mathison says. “Trade and professional associations often have job boards. If you still draw a blank, your professional network may be able to give you insight on any hiring activity.”
3. RECRUITERS ARE REACHING OUT WITH IRRELEVANT JOBS
Hearing from a recruiter can be flattering, but it does no good when the opportunity presented bears little resemblance to what you desire.
Evaluate your resume to ensure clear objectives and eye-catching examples that support candidacy for the type of position you want. And if you haven’t visited your LinkedIn profile lately, be sure what’s there accurately reflects your current career aspirations.
4. YOU GET INTERVIEWS BUT NOT OFFERS
Perhaps the most frustrating of all situations is when employers do call you in but fail to offer a job. Though it can be difficult to decipher the reasons behind their decision, rethinking your interview preparation and presentation is necessary when rejection keeps happening.
Considerations include:
Are you dressing appropriately?
Have you done your homework on the company and the industry?
Are you smiling and using other positive body language? (Videotaping a mock interview with a friend can be revealing.)
Are you ready to answer standard questions, including ones about weaknesses?
Are your references enthusiastic about presenting you in the best possible light?
FastCompany.com | March 2, 2018 | BY BETH BRACCIO HERING—FLEXJOBS2 MINUTE READ
https://www.firstsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/free-people-sitting-for-interview.jpg29004500First Sun Teamhttps://www.firstsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/logo-min-300x123.jpgFirst Sun Team2018-03-03 14:45:482020-09-30 20:48:38Your #Career : 4 Signs That Your Job-Search Strategy Isn’t Working… IF you’re Not Getting Results, it’s Time to Change your #JobHunting Methods.
If you clicked on this article, there’s a high probability that you’re considering finding a new job. Maybe you’re actively applying. Maybe you’re just “keeping an eye open” (or you know, just “sneaking a peek” at those LinkedIn job alerts). Regardless of where you stand, though, you know the one cardinal rule: Do not, on any account, job search at work.
Seems obvious, right? You’re being paid by your current employer, and so you should use your work hours to do your job. Even if you’re unhappy. You’re ethically and contractually obligated to do the work they’re paying you for . . . right?
Well, here’s the “unpopular opinion” part. Following that rule–the one that we all know by heart because it’s just so obvious–is actually impossible. We’re about to argue that you can’t not job search at work. And–dare we say this– that’s okay.
Simple facts first. You spend at least 40 hours a week at work, probably more. And you’re not alone. As a society, we’re at work longer than ever. And that’s problem No. 1.
It’s one of the biggest catch-22s of the working world. Everyone has standard work days (more or less), meaning your next potential employer does, too. They’re busy, they’re distracted, and they get to you, the applicant, when they get to you. They go through resumes when they get in on Mondays, respond to questions about timing between afternoon meetings, send requests for a link to your portfolio or references on a 2 p.m. whim. That means all those emails and calls hit you when you’re supposed to be focusing on something else, namely your current job. So you’re faced with a decision: Do you respond immediately to make sure you don’t miss the opportunity, or do you do the “right” thing and wait until after hours?
Back in 2011, a Monster survey found that one-quarter of people are spending over three hours per week searching for a job at work. Presumably that number’s only climbed higher over the last six years. Our access to smartphones means the risk of companies tracking what we do online is much lower. And that means that we’re even less concerned about getting caught.
Actually, a 2015 Pew Research Study found that 28% of U.S. job seekers (and a whopping 53% of 18- to 29-year-olds) use smartphones during their job search. The study also found that 43% of people ages 18-29 and 36% of people ages 30-49 now use social media to look for work as well. Given that checking texts or tweeting personal updates from the office is rampant these days, it’s easy to see why more and more of us are actively looking for jobs at the office.
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But just for the sake of argument, let’s say you don’t. You define clear boundaries. You keep your worlds separate. You’re ethically sound with a glorious amount of willpower–the kind that helps you just say no to checking your personal email at work, even when you’re waiting to hear back about your dream job. Major props. But . . . what happens when you get home to an email asking you to interview next Tuesday at 11 a.m.?
In this scenario, all of us feel awkward. How do you ask for time off when you’re using it to potentially leave your company behind? For some of us, there are personal days that we can take, no questions asked—although I’ve yet to encounter that. For the rest of us, our companies just don’t really operate that way.
Most of us, when faced with this dilemma, do some variation of a theme: We lie. We tell our bosses that we have a doctor’s appointment, or we call out sick. And in each of these cases–personal day, sick day, vacation day–we’re using paid time off to talk to another company. We’re missing important work hours simply because that’s how job searches work. It’s a sticky situation, one that inevitably feels a bit like betrayal. But when was the last time someone offered you an after-hours interview? What choice do you have, really?
Let’s let go of illusions. Even beyond interviewing, we’ve all used work hours to search for a job. Some of us go full-on, scrolling through job boards when no one else is around, and some of us will try our best to just . . . not. But if a recruiter asks you to take a 15-minute pre-screen call without much notice? Chances are you step out into the hall.
Some might argue such moments don’t count as “job searching at work.” You’re entitled to breaks, and if you want to use one to talk to a recruiter, it’s your time, not your company’s. But even if you’re using personal days or lunch hours to work on job searching, every time you step away to focus on finding a new job, you’re taking your concentration off what you’re being paid to do. And every time you step back, you spend more time reconnecting to the tasks at hand.
Until the interviewing process changes (and it won’t), you will job search while at work. The system is stacked against you–from when hiring managers schedule meetings, to the extra hours you have to log to updating your portfolio and resume, thus resulting in creative burnout come Monday. Adding the burden of job searching to an already packed schedule means that you won’t be able to give 100% of yourself to your current work. It’s okay. Repeat this to yourself if it helps: I am in a transition period, and some things will slip through the cracks.
It doesn’t make you a bad person. It means that you’re prioritizing your own career and growth and putting yourself first. You’ll have to accept that you’re cheating a little. But it’s only temporary, right?
ON JOB SEARCHING AT WORK THE HARD WAY
You can’t avoid the overlap, but the trick is doing it in a way that will least offend anybody. Here are some rules you should follow. They’re a little less black and white.
Just Don’t:
Use your company email address, phone, or computer for job searching. Honestly, this is less out of respect for your company (although that too) than it is for preserving your position while you still need it. Because yes, in some cases, you can get fired for looking for another job.
Over-explain when you ask for time off for an interview. The more fake details about your illness you give, the more likely they’ll suspect you.
If you’re updating your LinkedIn, be careful about alerts. It’s pretty obvious that you’re job hunting if your coworkers or, worse, your boss, gets hit with a bunch of LinkedIn update emails when they walk into the office.
Share with your coworkers that you’re hunting. At least not yet. There may be a time and a place when you need to use a trusted coworker for a reference, but keep in mind, you’re then asking them to take time away from their work to go to bat for you. It’s a big ask, and one that you’ll need to plan carefully.
Slack off. Look, we know it’s tempting, and that some of it can’t be avoided. We also spent this whole article telling you to cut yourself a break. But (because always) you don’t need to scroll job boards during normal work hours. You really don’t. Save the cheating on work behavior for the times it really matters, like when you need to leave early for an interview. After all, you might need those references next time you find yourself hunting.
Fastcompany.com | February 28, 2018 | BY JESSICA BENNETT—CAREER CONTESSA 6 MINUTE READ
https://www.firstsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Women-in-Box.jpg457813First Sun Teamhttps://www.firstsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/logo-min-300x123.jpgFirst Sun Team2018-02-28 13:54:212020-09-30 20:48:41Your #Career : How To Discreetly Look For A New Job While You’re At Work… You Can’t Always Do your #JobSearch After-Hours. Here’s How to Be Inconspicuous When you Have to Do It at Work.
I didn’t want to be the windbag who dragged on forever, so I learned to be brief, to the point, and actually listen to the other person with all my being. I eventually avoided the mistake of talking about polarizing topics like politics or race, and learned to stay neutral, positive, and upbeat.
I began to tune in to my body language and voice tone to avoid sounding monotone, or looking like a bump on a log. I trained my brain to show emotions, laugh at people’s jokes, smile when they smile, and make light of awkward situations.
The biggest lesson I learned in conversations with others
But the biggest lesson for ensuring that I was being an interesting person who drew others in came down to asking the right questions. I found that this is what triggered authentic responses in the other person.
By showing curiosity about someone’s story, accomplishments, passions, or interests, the law of reciprocity usually kicked in, and I had my turn to shine. There was a bonus attached to this strategy: Persuasion increased, which helped me steer the conversation in the direction I wanted it to go.
But here’s the key: If you’re in a conversation at a work-related function or meeting someone to talk business for the first time, your best move is not to ask work- or business-related questions; it’s to discover common ties with that person that will steer the conversation back to the “work stuff,” but with a deeper connection.
In other words, get to know that person! To really exercise persuasiveness and make a quick connection that may have mutual benefits (and possibly make a new friend), I’ll leave you with these questions. Granted, some may not be your ideal, icebreaking conversational starters, so use your best judgment when and where to use them to deepen the conversation.
David Burkus, best-selling author of three books and an award-winning podcaster, has contributed the first four questions on this list from an interesting article he wrote for Harvard Business Review. The others come from my own personal favorites and what other entrepreneurs and great conversationalists recommend.
1. What excites you right now?
As Burkus explains it, this question can go in many directions (work life, personal life, etc.) with a wide range of possible answers that may overlap into your life or work, which will open up the conversation further. And asking it allows for the other person to share something that he or she is passionate about.
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Similar to the last one, but this is more forward-looking, which, says Burkus, allows for the other person “to choose from a bigger set of possible answers.”
3. What’s the best thing that’s happened to you this year?
Same technique as the previous two, but this one goes back in time for the other person to reflect on something pivotal that may have changed the course of his or her life. It also opens up a wealth of answers to choose from, which may overlap into some of your own areas of interest or expertise for further discussion.
4. What’s the most important thing I should know about you?
Because it can come across as a little direct, this is certainly not your first question, and it may not even be your third or fourth, but it “gives the broadest possible range from which they can choose,” says Burkus. Use it in context, listen for clues, and wait for the right timing.
5. What’s your story?
One of my personal favorites, this is open-ended enough to trigger an intriguing story—a journey to a foreign country, meeting a famous person, getting funded for the startup of your dreams, a special talent used for making the world a better place, etc. It’s a question that immediately draws in the other person and lets him or her speak from the heart.
6. What is one of your defining moments?
This is another great question that invites the speaker to share on a deeper level, which builds momentum and rapport quicker. Obviously, a few casual questions before it helps set the mood for hearing about a profound moment or transition in that person’s life.
7. Why did you choose your profession?
This assumes that, at some point, you dropped the mandatory “What do you do?” question. As a follow-up, it’s a question that will reveal multiple layers of someone’s journey. It speaks to people’s values, what motivates them, and whether their work is their calling. It may also trigger a different, more thought-provoking response: Some people aren’t happy in their jobs. By asking, you may be in the position to assist or mentor a person through a career or job transition.
8. What are you currently reading?
You may have the same authors and subjects in common, which will deepen your conversation. Also use this question to ask for book recommendations. You may find the conversation going down the path of exploring mutual book ideas to solve a workplace issue or implement a new business strategy.
9. How can I be most helpful to you right now?
To really add the most value to a conversation, once a level of comfort has been established, ask the other person how you can be most helpful to him or her, whether personally or professionally. You’ll be amazed how pleasantly surprised people get by that thoughtful gesture, and how responsive they are in their answer. Your genuine willingness, no strings attached, to make yourself useful to others leads to more interesting, engaging, and real conversations that may lead to future opportunities.
Remember, when you approach another person in conversation, the skill you want to use right off the bat is to immediately show sincere interest in that person. This will pave the way for a smooth conversation that can go places.
Whatever question you decide to use, the important thing is to always ask open-ended questions and to avoid work-related questions or business questions until much, much later in the conversation. You’ll be surprised by how seamless the transition is to discussing business, conducting a sales pitch, or exploring partnerships once both parties are into each other. Try it, and let me know what you think.
Businessinsider.com | February 24, 2018 | Marcel Schwantes, Inc.
https://www.firstsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Networking-Diverse-Group.jpg450970First Sun Teamhttps://www.firstsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/logo-min-300x123.jpgFirst Sun Team2018-02-25 14:55:272020-09-30 20:48:42Your #Career : #Networking – 9 Questions the Most Interesting People Ask to Cut through Small Talk…Early in my Career, One of my Biggest Fears Walking into a #NetworkingEvent to Schmooze or Meeting Someone for a #BusinessLunch was Boring the Other Person to Tears in Conversation.
Resumes are essential to the job search, but let’s be honest: creating one is not exactly anyone’s idea of a good time. With so many conflicting pieces of advice, you might feel like you don’t know where to start or what to do. But don’t worry — this time, we’ve done the heavy lifting.
We combed through some of our best resume advice and compiled it into one infographic to give you an easy-to-follow outline for a resume that will wow recruiters and hopefully, land you the job of your dreams.
Ready for a resume revamp?Read on below!
1. Design Matters: Don’t go overboard with intricately decorated templates. Look for sufficient white space, margins of at least .7 inches, and a font size no smaller than 11 pt.
2. Be Reachable: Make it easy for recruiters to reach out to you by providing your contact info near the header.
3. Show Off Your Skills: Don’t make recruiters hunt for the most critical information on your resume — include a table of your key soft and hard skill sets up top. Make sure your highlighted skills show why you’re a good fit for the job — all the better if these are keywords from the job description.
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4. List Your Experience: This section should include each company you’ve worked for, your title, the dates you worked there, and several bullet points that describe your key accomplishments and responsibilities.
5. Quantify Your Experience: Whenever you can, use concrete data points — it helps provide recruiters with the scope and context of your work, and demonstrates how you contributed to the bottom line.
6. Include Other Positions: Don’t be afraid to include positions that aren’t directly related to the one you’re applying for, especially if you have limited work experience. You can still use it to demonstrate the skills and qualities you want highlighted.
7. Get the Grade: Many jobs require degrees or certifications, so make sure to list yours. GPA is optional, but may be worth including if you’ve graduated recently with high marks.
8. The Extra Stuff: Add some color to your resume with a short catch-all ‘Additional Experience’ section at the end. Include clubs/organizations, volunteer experience, awards you’ve won, and even interesting hobbies or activities.
9. Keep It Concise: Limit your resume to 1-2 pages at the most.
https://www.firstsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/business-man-confused-9.jpg400800First Sun Teamhttps://www.firstsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/logo-min-300x123.jpgFirst Sun Team2018-02-24 17:13:412020-09-30 20:48:43Your #Career : Here’s What the Perfect #Resume Looks Like…. We Combed through Some of our Best #ResumeAdvice & Compiled it into One Infographic to Give you an Easy-to-Follow Outline for a Resume that will Wow #Recruiters & Hopefully, Land you the #Job of your Dreams.
You’re scanning the job boards daily, but there just aren’t any new listings that catch your eye or fit your experience level. But you don’t have to let your job search grind to a halt just because the pickings seem slim.
There are a few other things you can do to keep things moving, even when there’s not much out there.
1. SET UP AN INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW
Informational interviews are underrated. The goal is to get a hold of someone who works at a company you’re interested in and just learn the inside scoop. They aren’t the one who’s making any hiring decisions, and maybe there isn’t even an open position there that you’re currently gunning for. It’s purely for research and networking.
After you’ve spent some time trawling job boards like Glassdoor, Indeed, and Monster, you’ve probably assembled a shortlist of employers that appeal to you, even if they aren’t hiring right now. And as career coach Sarah Vermunt put it recently, “If there’s an organization you know you’d like to work for, you’d be crazy not to try for an informational interview with someone who works there.” So, she suggests, “reach out to someone who is doing work that is similar to the work you want to do. That’ll give you a true picture of the work–the good, the bad, and the ugly.”
As you plan your next move, these informal conversations can arm you with crucial intel about where the market needs really lie, which organizations are thriving and which ones might actually be pretty toxic, and a few smart ways to position yourself for openings when they finally do crop up.
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This one is a no-brainer. When you send out a job application, you’re knocking on employers’ doors; when you optimize your LinkedIn presence, you’re inviting employers to knock on yours. Scan your LinkedIn profile for any incomplete fields, discrepancies, overwritten chunks of text, extremely basic skills, and meaningless industry jargon–all of those things are turn-offs to recruiters and need to go.
Take a little time to personalize your profile so it highlights what’s genuinely unique about your experience. For instance, if you’re a software engineer, your headline should specify what kind, and your skills field should list all the languages and coding tools you know. At the same time, balance out any the human side, too, so you don’t come across as a soulless robot with only great technical chops. Explain what you’re passionate about and what types of problems you’ve solved (and why those wound up helping your team, your organization, or your customers).
Specificity matters, but so do soft skills like emotional intelligence–no matter what your role or industry.
I know–everyone hates hearing advice like this. But when you’re coming up dry in your search for openings, it doesn’t hurt to hit up a networking mixer–even one that you know will be short on leads. The reason? When you’re looking for a job, you need to actively seek out opportunities to practice discussing your experience, professional goals, and passions.
So even if it’s pretty much guaranteed that you aren’t going to meet your next boss at that networking event, the exercise in introducing yourself to strangers and talking articulately about your career is a valuable one. Feeling iffy about it anyway? Grab a friend or coworker and make networking a team sport.
Recruiters are interested in your people skills, not just your technical know-how. As Susan Vitale, chief marketing officer for iCIMS, recently told Fast Company, “Hard skills are what you do, and soft skills are how you do it.” And some of the top capabilities in that category, according to Vitale and other talent professionals in the space, include adaptability, problem solving, and verbal communication.
Some job seekers who repeatedly get called in for job interviews but miss out on offers may find that they’re falling short on some of those key soft skills. It’s sometimes easier to nail down a candidates’ technical capabilities before meeting them; soft skills are harder to suss out. So giving recruiters and hiring managers reason to feel confident that you’re emotionally intelligent in addition to being a world-class marketer is one way to get a leg up when new openings finally do get posted. In the meantime, take a few minutes to dial up those soft skills on your resume–here’s a handy formula for figuring out how.
One of the reasons a long, mostly fruitless job search can feel so frustrating is because the outcome you’re looking for–a really great job offer–isn’t something you can bring about all on your own. No matter how badly you might want a new job by next month, there’s nothing you can do single-handedly to guarantee you’ll get one by then. As The Muse’s Alison Cardy explains, “When you tie a deadline to something that’s not within your power, you set yourself up to feel defeated if it falls through.”
Looking out for your mental health is crucial at times like these, when positivity can be in short supply. One trick Cardy suggests is rethinking the way you’re setting goals and deadlines as a job seeker. So commit to sending out 10 job applications over the next two weeks, for example, or to grab coffee with three contacts by the end of the month. “By connecting the deadline to your personal efforts,” Cardy says, “you give yourself the opportunity to feel successful just by meeting it–and that confidence boost can mean a lot during a tough search.”
FastCompany.com | February 22, 2018 | Rich Bellis
https://www.firstsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/free-Man-on-Laptop-looking-for-job.jpeg350524First Sun Teamhttps://www.firstsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/logo-min-300x123.jpgFirst Sun Team2018-02-22 17:31:172020-09-30 20:48:45Your #Career : Five Things To Do When You’ve Exhausted All The #JobBoards …If your #JobHunt has Stalled, Try One of These Tactics to Get Out of your Rut.
