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#JobSearch : Is LinkedIn going to Replace Resumes? What Do You Think? Welcome your comments.

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word LinkedIn? Well for me LinkedIn is all about building a chain of links! which is nothing but “Networking”. The soul purpose of the platform was to help people share their thoughts, ideas , collaborate and work with like-minded people eventually. LinkedIn is considered to be a professional yet social networking platform all over the world. With the changing times, advancement in technology and a global pandemic hitting us all , things have changed quite a bit!

The economy has come to a standstill all over the world, people are getting laid off, the health facilities are collapsing, and people are giving in to depression and anxiety. Many of the people who have been laid off were at good managerial positions and were working for the top MNC’s and organizations in the world.

There are multiple reasons why these people were laid off. Ranging from, some of the employees being incompetent, some were not updated and equipped with the latest technology, companies were no longer able to cater to a huge bandwidth of employees and the list goes on. Amidst this chaos the importance and relevance of LinkedIn has increased just beyond being a place for showcasing your laurels and achievements.

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

Article continued …

Recruiters have extensively been using LinkedIn as a platform to look out for the right talent. Your LinkedIn profile not only contains all aspects covered in a resume, but also showcases your other talents and accomplishments via the posts and content you put out for your network. Recruiters see who are the people engaging with your content?, what kind of people are a part of your network? What kind of volunteering and collaborative work are you doing ? etc. These things help recruiters to know you beyond the surface. Not just restricting them to view your educational history, work experience and achievements.

There is no doubt that a Resume is indeed essential and speaks volumes. Having said that we cannot change the fact that it is only a document or a piece of paper, as opposed to LinkedIn which is a digital platform where you get to create a life-long impact. It adds on to your digital footprint on the internet as well. When you start making meaningful connections on LinkedIn, they eventually lead you to being offered unexpected opportunities and collaborating with people you would have never thought of. You create your own personal brand and people endorse your skills, write you recommendations and even approach you for jobs in their organization once you build that network and trust.

Make sure you are posting relevant and consistent content on LinkedIn. People still have no idea how this could land them a job. Well just doing this won’t but connecting with the right people and  increasing your reach via your work and posts on LinkedIn will. Use LinkedIn insights to know about the trending jobs and the companies that are hiring. You also get insights on the skills they are looking for in a candidate for a particular role. LinkedIn learning provides a plethora of self-paced learning courses in all the fields possible. They add value to your profile and resume as well.

Hence it goes without saying that LinkedIn is surely moving on the path to becoming a dynamic platform. It is an amalgamation of being a networking platform, a digital resume showcasing platform, a platform to share your opinions, views, content and lastly a platform where there are endless opportunities available. Start using LinkedIn effectively to supplement your resume and add more value to your personality and profile.

It cannot be certainly said if LinkedIn will actually go on to replace resumes, but it is surely the trending thing that is coming up and people who will harness it’s features in the right way are surely going to benefit a lot more than the ones who won’t.

 

NEW FSC Career Author: : Ms. Dhairya Gangwani – Dhairya is a  Electronics and Communication engineer who loves Management Consulting. I am an optimist, who loves interacting with people, travelling, learning new languages, content writing and public speaking.  Contact Dhairya @  dhairya3024@gmail.com  or connect with her on LinkedIn @  www.linkedin.com/in/dhairya-gangwani-306634177

 

FSC Career Blog | July 6, 2020

#JobSearch : 3 Reasons Why Now Is The Time To Send Your Cold Emails. Economic Chaos & Layoffs, Why Now?

With the economy in chaos, an uncertain future and most employers laying off or furloughing staff, why is now the time to start inquiring about new career paths, jobs or a particular company?

Below are reasons why you should start sending cold emails today:

Everyone Has More Time

With the indefinite suspension of work commutes, large social gatherings, concerts, theater, etc. people simply have more time to respond to cold emails and have informational zoom meetings. If someone does make time for an informational interview about their career path, their company, how the economic landscape is impacting the business and their employer, etc. don’t let that opportunity go to waste.

Informational interviews are not necessarily meant to create an instantaneous job opportunity (though if it does, more power to you) as much as it is meant to help develop relationships and gather information. It should be one of the first steps to building a relationship with that person instead of viewing it as a one-time transaction. Planting these seeds now and maintaining these relationships will help you (a 2016 study from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Yale found 70% of jobs are found through networking) when companies begin to hire again.

Employers Are Restructuring

Most companies (with some exceptions) are experiencing layoffs, but as the economy begins to cautiously reopen, they will begin rehiring and restructuring as they adjust to this new economy and understand what their needs will be going forward. Building relationships now and being front of mind will set you up to be in the best position when hiring resumes.

 

Forbes.com | July 1, 2020 | Author: 

#JobSearch : How to Get and Write Great LinkedIn Recommendations.

People have different opinions about LinkedIn recommendations. When you work with a LinkedIn profile development expert, they will likely tell you they are important to have from a quality standpoint rather than a quantity standpoint. Your executive LinkedIn profile should support your own personal brand in many different ways, and getting recommendations from your network can help.

One tip to get the best recommendations is to write quality recommendations of your own. Here are some tips for doing both. 

1- What to Include When Writing Recommendations

When you’re writing a LinkedIn recommendation for a connection, think about what you would want someone to say about you. Be specific when it comes to your experience with working with them, or how you know what they bring to the table. Grab the reader’s attention with the first sentence and be very clear as to why you think they will succeed in any given endeavor. And never hesitate to ask your connection what information they would like you to include in the recommendation as well, so it’s tailored appropriately.

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

Article continued … 

2- Best Ways to Get LinkedIn Recommendations

Any LinkedIn profile development expert will say the best way to receive a recommendation is to give one yourself. People are more willing to write one if they receive one first, so go ahead and take the first step. Your executive LinkedIn profile includes a feature that allows you to ask for a recommendation as well. You can send a personalized message to your connection to request a recommendation, so take advantage of this feature. And be sure to send them a sincere thank you message when they give it to you. Or better yet, write one for them as well.

 

3- Don’t Just Hand Out or Accept All Recommendations

As we mentioned previously, quality is better than quantity when it comes to LinkedIn recommendations. LinkedIn gives you the opportunity to review your recommendations before they get posted on your profile. Don’t just accept every recommendation without reading them first. You want to make sure it matches your personal brand before accepting.

On the other hand, you could harm your own reputation if you give out a recommendation every time you’re asked. Unless you worked closely with the person or know them very well, proceed with caution before writing one. Hiring managers and recruiters can tell a genuine recommendation from a fabricated one, so it’s not worth it just to make someone happy.

Since recruiters and hiring managers will most definitely review your LinkedIn profile before making an invitation to an interview, you want to do whatever you can to set yourself a part from other candidates. Having recommendations that offer social proof that you are who you say you are may be the tipping point to get that phone call you’ve been waiting for.

 

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 |  June 22, 2020

 

#JobSearch : The COVID Effect on the Job Market. A MUst REad for All!

As I write this blog article, the United States economy just moved past the 80th calendar day since the international pandemic (Corona-Virus 19) in which the quarantine sent everyone scurrying behind locked doors and face masks.  Companies who relied mostly on technology were mostly insulated from business losses during the quarantine.  Other companies moved to ‘curb-side’ service, online meetings (using Zoom, Adobe, and Google meeting cloud platforms).

Some businesses (online shopping, health care, e-commerce) were able to still perform ‘as usual’ – especially if already providing services and products ‘virtually’ (employees moved from offices to homes to work via telecom technology.  Those companies most impacted, e.g., non-essential retail, restaurants, hotels, travel, and entertainment are still struggling and many are facing bankruptcy.

What does this mean for workers or those looking for new jobs and careers?

1- Job seekers will have more competition for the job they would normally have been a ‘shoo-in’ pre-pandemic; in this economy, it’s now an employer’s market for hiring. Expect to be rejected more often as an applicant.  The company may have a hiring freeze or slow-down, but there also may be jobs not advertised.  Keep on posting your resume into the ATS on the recruiting system for the company(ies) you are targeting.

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

Article continued …

 

2- Sharpen or add technology skills on the career resume for the job search. If you have the skill sets that enable to you to work from any location – job site, in the field, or from home, this will showcase your adaptability.  Have you worked from home during the quarantine? Are you able to adjust to a personal work schedule and reliability? Mention that in your resume to showcase capabilities.  Jobs ‘on-site’ in the past may be virtual go forward.

3- Job seekers need to update and ensure their computer has with telecom capabilities – camera, speakers, and access to Internet for online meetings; and it’s important to realize the vital need for updating one’s resume and LinkedIn profile for recruiters to more easily find you online. Test your meeting software and equipment with friends and family member (virtual dinner party, anyone?).

4- Review the field or industry – you may need to move to new careers. Job seekers need to target industries for ‘core business industries’ e.g., advertising, tech, delivery companies [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”][packages, food], tax assistance, video communications, instruction and teaching platforms [e.g., universities, colleges, tutoring], essential businesses [pharmacies], healthcare services, and/or cleaning and sanitation [janitorial]. The companies to avoid targeting for job searches are those related to travel – hotels, airlines, sports, and automotive. My husband takes Viagra for a couple of years now. I always wondered if it could help me become better in bed, so I decided to take a pill. Well, I can’t say that I felt anything different, but the sensations during intercourse were definitely better. I suppose it was due to better lubrication, which, I suppose, was the result of my experiment.

5- Refresh your resume on the big boards (e.g., Monster, CareerBuilder, Indeed) – the older resumes float to the bottom of the resume pool; even if you add a dot or space, those ATS platforms categorize the resume as a ‘new’ (refreshed) resume.

6- Be prepared for ‘more’ online virtual meetings, interviews, and panel discussions (hiring committees) versus driving to the location for the meeting (this is good – saves gas, and you can wear a nice shirt and jacket over your pajama bottoms).

7- Be prepared to do more email and online networking – the face-to-face networking is ‘out’ with social distancing in place (likely for the next 6-18 months). Do continue to make phone calls to friend, peers, past co-workers and bosses to let them know you are available for work. Who do they know is looking to hire?

8- Recruiters won’t be able to rely on ‘body language’ in virtual interviews, so it’s important for job candidates to look sharp, act like they are paying attention during the online cloud meetings, and to ensure the dog or cat won’t interrupt the meeting. The interview candidate may have to project more to demonstrate a positive attitude and don’t forget to clean up the area behind your computer to look like a more professional work environment.

9- In the past, recruiters may have been able to make a job offer and have a candidate in the seat in two weeks. The pandemic has slowed the process down to ‘whenever it is safe to physically come to work.’ Expect delays in the hiring process – some college grads who were extended job offers aren’t able to work for their new employers until as late as July or August while the company struggles to determine health and safety protocols. There will be a slow-down in the decision-making.  Companies may take a while before business picks up again to justify the hire and bringing the candidate onboard with a start date.

10- Job seekers who have lost their jobs need to be aware the extended benefits from the Payroll Protection Act are for a small and finite period. If your employer laid you off and you refuse to come back to work – you will lose your unemployment benefits.  Even if you get paid more in the PPA, it is vital for you to get back to work so you have a job after the benefits run out.

11- Do not lose hope. If you have a ‘side’ job, you may need ramp up the sales and services to bridge the financial gap between the last job and the new post-Covid career move.

 

FSC Career Author: Ms.Dawn Boyer, Ph.D., is a FSC Career Coach & owner of D. Boyer Consulting – provides resume writing, editing, and publishing (print-on-demand) consulting. Reach her at: Dawn.Boyer@me.com or visit her website at www.dboyerconsulting.com.

 

FSC Career Blog |  June 12, 2020

 

Bio: Dawn D. Boyer, Ph.D., has been an entrepreneur and business owner for 20+ years, with a successful business and consulting firm (CEO) in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Richmond, VA.  Her background experience is 24+ years in the Human Resources field, of which 12+ years are within the Federal & Defense Contracting industry. She is the author of 812+ books on the topics of business, human resources research, career search practice, women and gender study, genealogy and family lineages, quotes for motivation and self-improvement, and Adult Coloring Books.  Her books can be found on Amazon.com under her author’s page for Dawn D. Boyer, Ph.D.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

#JobSearch : Why Knowing & Communicating Your Brand is Important. What Sets you Apart?

During especially competitive job markets, it is even more important for you to emphasis your personal brand. Hiring managers and recruiters are looking for what sets you a part, and your brand will do that, if you know it and communicate it effectively.

LinkedIn is one of the best ways to build and create your personal brand. It’s no secret that developing your personal brand takes time and a consistent effort, but that doesn’t mean it has to be hard.

If you think about it, c-level personal branding isn’t difficult if you are authentic in the way you speak and act around others. And doing so will help you easily demonstrate your value and differentiate what you have to offer compared to others in your industry. Here are some of the main benefits of understanding and communicating your personal brand. 

Be Authentic

Understand your talents and your limitations and don’t say you’re an expert in something when you’re not. Authenticity is something highly valued by hiring managers and is usually easy to see. Being truthful and transparent are great personal attributes that can benefit you professionally as well, and will enhance your c-level personal branding efforts tremendously.

 

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

Article continued … 

Understand Your Strengths and Weaknesses

No one is an expert at everything, so avoid trying to make yourself seem like you know everything. Focus on your strengths and the value you bring to the table, while also acknowledging your weaknesses. Follow-up on your weaknesses by stating ways you’re working to turn them into strengths. Doing so will give your personal brand a positive image since you’ll be seen as a well-rounded professional who is always working to improve their skills. 

Know How You Are Perceived

It’s hard to know how you’re perceived without asking someone. An executive LinkedIn profile writer is a good resource to evaluate your profile and give their expert opinion on what people may think about you. And outside of LinkedIn, don’t be afraid to ask your trusted peers about how they perceive you professionally. You may be saying or doing things that are hurting your perception without even knowing it.  

Demonstrate Your Value Without Having to Communicate It

When you are comfortable with who you are as a person and a professional, you don’t have to sell yourself as much. Of course, you have to demonstrate your value to a potential employer, but it doesn’t mean you have to go over the top to do so. Many times, your c-level personal branding speaks for itself. It takes some time to be completely comfortable and accepting of who you are, but once you are then you won’t have to communicate it as much since it will be clearly visible.

LinkedIn is one of the best ways to build and create your personal brand. It’s no secret that developing your personal brand takes time and a consistent effort, but that doesn’t mean it has to be hard.

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 | June 9, 2020

#YourCareer : Career Path isn’t Headed Exactly How you Planned It? Tips to Help you Out.

We all have points throughout our career where we stall out, hit a major bump, or things become stale. This happens due to becoming too comfortable in your current position, an economic or global crisis, or simply not knowing what direction you want to go. Using your

LinkedIn profile for networking purposes can help you find some direction and potentially lead to other opportunities. Though it is natural to stall out in your career, it’s also possible, and necessary, to move forward when you’re ready.

If you know you’re ready to advance your executive career, but can’t seem to find a spark to get you going, we’ve got some tips to help you out. 

Let Career Detours Be Inspirational

If your career path isn’t headed exactly how you planned it to, don’t get discouraged. Everyone will have detours in their career. Instead of looking at those detours negatively, view them as inspirational and work harder to get back on track. Revisit your executive resume biography as a reminder of where you are now and where you want to be in the future. When your path changes, look for ways to grow from it and make any adjustments you deem necessary.

 

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

Article continued …

Always Look for Ways to Grow

One of the biggest sparks executives experience in their career is learning a new skill. Being able to add a new skill to your executive resume biography is motivating, so consider taking an advanced course or work on projects of your own in your free time. Now is the perfect time to take an online class or update that certification. The top resume writing services encourage people to step out of their comfort zone occasionally because it will lead to growth no matter what. Learning experiences are valuable for career growth, but you won’t experience any of them if you don’t take the first step forward.

 

Network with Like-Minded Experts

Networking can lead to many different opportunities and can be a big spark for your career. Simply talking with like-minded experts can give you new ideas on how to approach your career or certain projects to help you move forward. Be sure to have your LinkedIn profile updated, though, since you’ll likely want to reconnect with people you’ve met through the platform.

There are many reasons careers get stuck. If yours is, take the time to figure out why it’s stalled and where you want it to be in the future. Then set a plan of action to get there.

 

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 |  May 22, 2020

#JobSearch : Career Change Guide – How to Get Unstuck, Create a Vision of the Career You Really Want and Land Your Dream Job

Are you tired of waking up each day dreading going into work? Tired of staring into your lunch each day, wondering if there’s a better job for you?

If so, this article is for you. It’s also a general guide to help you navigate the career change process. Read the entire thing or the section that interests you the most.

This article has the following sections:

  • Getting unstuck
  • Vision Statement Story
  • Networking
  • Resume – What story is it telling the reader?
  • Cover Letter
  • LinkedIn
  • Interview
  • Negotiation

Getting Unstuck

Getting unstuck and clear where you want to take your career

Many times in our career, our lives can get the best of us, and fear can hold us back. We get locked in our heads and fear restrains us from even making a move. It can feel like, if you do this, then that thing will happen. But, if I make this move, then I can’t do that over there. It feels like you’re stuck with no way out.

I’ve felt like that too and navigated my way to doing work I love. Like looking at a map, you need to know where you’re at first before you can make a move.

The Step to getting unstuck.

Do you know where you want to go? If you don’t, that’s okay. That’s fine, and many people hit points in their life where they don’t. Yet, most people know where they DON’T want to go and that’s where you should start.

Write about why you want to leave your current job. Next, step back and review that. Sometimes we need to vent a little to work out our current frustrations. Is it the job duties you don’t like? Is it the people? Can you not do the work any longer? Does it not pay enough? Get clear on that.

Then, from that new knowledge, you’ll be able to point yourself in the direction you want to go. A job you will be happier in and the beginnings of the new path.

For example. You’ve determined it’s the people, but you enjoy what you do. Then you should focus on the same type of work but in a new setting. If the people are fine, but the work itself is the issue, then it’s time to see what other interests you have. If it’s money, then it’s time to ask for a raise or look at other companies. It’s also time to review your finances too. If it is the skill and you’re tired of doing it, then it’s possible you’re ready to teach or mentor people. That’s a natural progression for someone who has mastered a skill.

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

Article continued …

Vision Statement Story

Now that you have a direction, let’s create your goal/vision of the new job. Answer the following questions and they will be used to guide you in creating a vision statement. Answer these questions as if you had a magic wand and could make the perfect job for you. If you don’t know it’s okay to leave blank as this process will help uncover those hidden areas. If you’re stuck, skip that question and move to the next one.

Questions and examples from my career.

Who do you serve or help in your new role? (Example: people stuck in their careers)

What pain or problem do you solve for people? (Example: Can’t find work they want to do)

How is their life better because of your contribution at work? (Example: People wake up happier getting to do what they want.)

How do you feel about this new role? (Example: I feel like I am contributing to people’s lives and feel great about that.)

What industry is your new job in? (Example: Career and Employment Industry)

What kind of company is it? (Example: Small Team environment with a passion for helping others succeed. A service-first mentality )

What’s the culture like? (Example: Having fun while being of service to others. The team collaborates and has a culture of trust.)

Do you work with people all day or by yourself? (Example: Most of the time by myself, but with the help of other teammates)

Are you inside or outside? (Example: Inside)

Is it an active role or behind a desk? (Example: Behind the computer)

How much money are you making?

Now you have a better picture of your goal you can create the outcome you want to have in your life. Let’s create the vision statement story you’ll be working towards.

Now, let’s create your vision statement. You’re going to create it in a different way than most goals. You will create it as if it’s already happened. For example. You’re telling a friend what happened over dinner about a month after you landed the job. Describe it, but from the point of view as if you’ve already got the job. Doing it this way will help your brain work in the background on your goal.

Vision Statement Story Example

Robert, let me tell you about the new job and how I got it. I remember getting clear on the career I wanted and decided to be a career coach. I chose to be a career coach in the employment industry because I love helping others do what’s important to them. I realized I feel great doing this work. The team I work with is awesome, and it’s a small company. In fact, the company has a great fun culture and I get to work by myself, but love the support of the team. I am getting paid more than I was at my last job and the benefits are great too. I’ve been there for a little over a month now and each day feels great. I love who I get to be.

This is your vision and goal! Tell this story to yourself every day in your job search.

Networking

You’ve got your vision and the next step is networking to help you land that job. Do you already have a network?

Even if you do, let’s create a network strategy. Answer these questions.

Where would the hiring managers hang out?

Where would the company hang out?

What events would they go to?

What meetup.com events could they be?

Is the job industry your interested in having a career fair in your area?

Where would they hang out online? LinkedIn Groups, Quora.com conversations, forums, etc.…

Once you’ve discovered a few places where they hang out go to those events and meet people. Before you go write an intention of why you’re going and be clear about it as you walk into the event. Be curious about them and show you’ve researched them. Be helpful and knowledgeable.

Then, ask the contacts you made if you could have coffee sometime. Use that time to build a relationship with them. Get to know them and share your story with them. Share why you’re creating a new job.

Reach out to your network and share your vision with friends, family, and past work colleagues.

Use contacting the hiring manager technique. Here’s an article on themuse.com with a more detailed strategy to do this. This technique is a proven way to go around HR and get the attention of the hiring manager.

Note: HR doesn’t say yes to hiring someone the hiring manager does. Spend your time building the connection there rather than HR. HR is the gatekeeper to the person who can get you the job.

Resume – What story is it telling the reader?

Your resume is your marketing piece that helps get your foot in the door. What story is the reader going to craft about you when they read it. Remember, they don’t know you and you only have 1-2 pages to show who you are. You only have a short period of time to grab the reader’s attention. That’s only if it makes it past the Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

Your resume should be in the following order for most job types.

Name and Contact info

Career Summary

Career Highlights

Professional Experience

Education

Extracurricular activities

Name and Contact info

Self-explanatory

Career Summary

This area summarizes your career and the area to showcase your career at a high level. How many years of experience and in what areas. The next area should be high-level accomplishments in your career. Also, any specific skills that are relevant to the job.

Career Highlights

In this section of the resume, you’ll want to list out three of your best career achievements. When you list them, focus on the difference you’ve made for the company or people. Put them in the relevance of importance for a company. Revenue, growth, customer satisfaction, etc. It’s okay to share the awards as long as that isn’t the focus. This will showcase you as someone who is a humble winner. What story is it telling the reader?

Professional Experience

This section highlights your career experience and should be in reverse chronological order. Your latest job should be the first job they see. The name of the company should be written first. Why? Because recruiters and HR personnel scan to see what companies you worked for. The impressive companies will stand out before a title. After that, put a small summary of what you accomplished, then your title. Next will be your bullet points. They should focus on your accomplishments. They should be accomplishments you’ve made and quantify them if you can. Again, revenue, market growth, customer satisfaction, retention, sales, cost reduction, etc.

Education

In this area list, you’ll want to list schools, degrees, certifications, and school projects.

Extracurricular activities

A shortlist of volunteers, foundations, charity work, non-profits, clubs, publications, media appearances. Only list these if they apply for the position, company, or its mission.

KILLER BONUS RESUME TIP

ATS tracking systems are the gatekeeper nowadays to you reaching the HR personnel. If your resume doesn’t pass that system, your resume will never be viewed. Period! You should do three things when you complete writing.

First, you want the resume to be a good match for the job description. Imagine you’re the hiring manager and you wrote the job description. Then you picked up your resume… Would your resume match what they want? Do the keywords match? Would you want to pick up the phone and call this person to say you wanted to talk more? It doesn’t have to be a perfect fit by any means but good enough for them to say this candidate has what we need.

Second, get a friend to read it and ask them what they notice first. Then ask them if you were the hiring manager would you want to reach out to me? Find a friend who’s brutally honest.

Third, use a website called www.Jobscan.co. It’s designed to compare your resume to the job description and how the ATS system will score it.

When done with those steps update your resume as needed and repeat until it’s a good fit.

NOTE: If you’re making a big career change you should focus the majority of your time on networking.

Cover Letter

The cover letter is your first impression on the employer. Its job is to grab the attention of the reader and get them to reach out to you. It’s NOT a full work history or a place to beg for a job. It has just a few key components to it.

The reason you’re reaching out

Share who you are and why you’re interested (share a quick and powerful story of your why) Show excitement for the job.

Here are two articles with advice on writing a cover letter that will grab their attention.

https://www.themuse.com/advice/31-attentiongrabbing-cover-letter-examples

https://www.themuse.com/advice/5-secrets-to-making-your-cover-letter-stand-out

LinkedIn Profile

Your LinkedIn profile is another marketing piece for you. You should treat it like that. It can be warm, friendly, and welcoming. Choose a picture that is professional and friendly. Even if you don’t like your smile, use a picture with a nice smile. It’s not your opinion that is being formed with the picture you choose. Research shows that people who see a smile are much more likely to form a positive opinion of that person.

Show your accomplishments and they should have numbers to back them up. Numbers grab attention and the longer a reader stays on your profile, the more likely they are to reach out.

Use the summary section much like your professional summary of your career. Avoid overuse of buzzwords in your industry. Is it telling a story?

Avoid any political or controversial posts except if you work in that industry.

Make recommendations for your friends and colleagues first. Don’t be afraid to ask for them too.

Again, like your resume, ask a friend or colleague to review it. What did they notice first? What feelings did they have after reading it? Did they feel compelled to know more?

Interview

The interview is the stage where all the work you’ve done up to here is all about. The best resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn Profile won’t get you hired if you don’t show up ready to be your best. I specialize in helping others feel confident in interviews. Here are a few great tips to help you show up confident.

Dress

Dress for the job you want and do your research about the company. If they were suits, so should you. If it’s a casual environment, it’s best to still dress up, but you may not need to wear a suit. Default to your research in either case.

Mindset

This job isn’t the only job that’s out there and you should treat it like this. The world keeps moving and new jobs, post every day. If you walk into the interview being attached to having that job, you’re already at a loss. Walk-in with the attitude of this will be practice and I will do a great job, regardless.

Show up prepared and ready to share who you are but unattached to having that job. You want to interview the company too. It’s a two-way relationship. It’s your job to find out if they are a good fit for you. It’s their job to find out if you are a fit for them. There’s a reason for the job being open. They need a human being to fill it. I know that seems obvious, but it’s easy to forget. They could use you as much as you could use them.

Prep

Be prepared and do your research on the company, its history, its goals, and the position. Have questions ready for them about what’s important to you. Know why you want to work there and why that’s important to you besides a paycheck. Know the role and help tell a story of how you’ll be a great fit for it.

Research about the team you are going to work with. Dig on LinkedIn about the hiring manager and find out if you have anything in common.

Use Glassdoor.com to check out the company before you go. They list common questions during interviews, salaries, and reviews of the company.

Be prepared for the STAR method in an interview. If they use the STAR method you’ll be asked questions in the following way.

Tell me about a time when?

What would you do when?

Have you ever?

Describe a time when you?

STAR definition

S – Situation – What was the situation?

T – Task – How did you take responsibility for this?

A – Action – What actions did you take to solve the problem or situation?

R – Result – What was the result or outcome you achieved?

Have a few go-to stories ready to share that share how you’ve accomplished something in your career. I like to frame them like this. Where did you start and what did you achieve along the way. How did things change as a result? When sharing your story add in little anecdotes about things that happened along the way. Add in some funny moments. The stories should feel compelling to the listener.

Want to blow their socks off?

Prepare a 30/60/90 day high-level plan for the job you’d like to have. Keep it high-level and detailed enough to show that you took the time to be prepared. This will show you will do what it takes to get the job done.

When finished with the interview and assuming you still want the job, it’s ok to ask where the company is in the hiring process. This will give a better expectation of what to expect after this.

Follow – up

When you’re done with the interview follow up with a thank-you note to the hiring manager.

I found this simple but powerful follow-up note from TheMuse.com and think it’s worth passing along. If you haven’t heard anything try it.

Quick, Powerful Follow-up note

Again, don’t be needy, but show your enthusiasm for wanting the job.

Negotiation

When they offer you the job, you already know what that position is paying in your area. Check out Glassdoor.com and Payscale.com and do your research.

Here are a few tips.

Never talk about salary upfront in the process or interview.

This is a two-way street. If they like you, they will pay more and if you like them, you’re willing to take less. So, it’s important to understand what value you add to the company. Remember, they are hiring someone for a reason. They need a person to do the job, and if you can show you will bring in tremendous value, they will offer you more.

Know the whole picture of the offer. How much vacation, training opportunities, travel, benefits, the team you’ll work with, start date, and the future opportunities there. Take all that into account when negotiating. Does it all align with your original vision?

Remain flexible. That doesn’t mean giving up your values. This is a relationship you’re building.

A note of reference is that the HR person isn’t the person in charge of the salary. That’s determined by the department where you will be in. HR will know the salary range to negotiate on. If you’re especially awesome and they want you, they will need to get approval to go higher you at a higher salary.

Give yourself time to respond and let them know when you’ll respond too. When you’ve come to an agreement, thank them, sign the offer, and celebrate that you just landed a great new job!

 

FSC Blog Author: Brad Finkeldei – Career Coach 

Brad is a career catalyst and interview coach, speaker, and best-selling author. He coaches professionals to create a career they love. His specialty is identifying where people are stuck and helping discover the confidence to do what they love.  He’s successfully navigated interviews, promotions, asking for raises, and can you help craft a plan to do the same. He has a knack for inspiring people to believe in themselves and create plans for success. He’s been featured on media outlets such as ABC, WGN-Radio, and many numerous podcasts. His diverse background in IT, speaking, and coaching will help you create a career plan and lifestyle that works for you while using your skillset to make the best career move. If you’re feeling less than confident about your career move or interview Brad will help make the process easier for you.

Get my Free How to Find Your Dream Job Course here:  www.bradfinkeldei.com
 FSC Career Blog | May 13, 2020

#BestofFSCBlog : LinkedIn is Key to Attracting Recruiters During Your Job Search. A Must Read!

With about 87% of recruiters using LinkedIn to find viable candidates, this platform should be at the top of your job search strategy. And with today’s social distancing guidelines, LinkedIn is an even more useable job search platform, as there are less and less face-to-face interactions available. Whether you were hit hard by the recent economic crisis and are actively looking for a job, or are considering your options for the future and dipping your toes into the job search arena, LinkedIn is a valuable resource for you.


Recruiters are constantly searching on the platform to find the candidates they think would fit the opportunity they have available. When you optimize your LinkedIn profile in the right way, your name will show up in the searches more often than not. Simply having a profile isn’t good enough nowadays, so working with a professional LinkedIn profile writer can help take yours to the next level. 

With the competition for high-level jobs being at an all-time high, attracting recruiters is more critical now than ever before. Don’t neglect this key part of your job search strategy.

Complete Your Profile

During your LinkedIn profile development, you’ll see a status bar on the right-hand side of the page telling you how complete your profile is. Follow the basic steps to make your profile 100% complete. The reason is that completed profiles are more visible in searches, and will be more attractive to recruiters. Sometimes you might only get to 85 or 95%. Don’t sweat it if that is where you are at. Often times, LinkedIn wants you to include things that just don’t make sense to add (in my case… early experience that was basically waitressing while in college).

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Best Daily Choice: Follow the Best of FSC Career Articles/Blogs @

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

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

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

Article continued … 

Think About What Recruiters Search For

Once you’ve completed the basics of your LinkedIn profile development, it’s time to take it to the next level. Using keywords and buzzwords relevant to your job or industry throughout your profile will make your profile show up more often in searches.

One secret I’ve learned from recruiters is they often don’t search for job titles since titles can vary among different companies. Instead, recruiters search for specific skills and expertise, so those are more important than trying to match a title to what you think a recruiter wants to see. While you want to make sure all of your skills are displayed, you also want to make sure the text in your profile flows naturally. 

Always Develop Your LinkedIn Profile

While LinkedIn may indicate your profile is complete, you should always look for ways to develop and enhance it. A professional LinkedIn profile writer may suggest being active on your profile at least weekly or more often if you’re in the middle of a job search. This doesn’t mean you have to do a complete overhaul, but it could simply mean joining a new relevant group and making new connections in the group.

LinkedIn is a living document, so keep it updated with recent training you’ve completed, volunteer work you’ve done, or your most recent certification or project. There are many ways to optimize your LinkedIn profile, and all of them are important for attracting the attention of recruiters. Make sure that even if you become employed, you stay active on LinkedIn meaning commenting or posting. You don’t want to neglect your network, you want to nurture it.

Your executive resume is a critical part of your job search, but LinkedIn is becoming equally important. With the competition for high-level jobs being at an all-time high, attracting recruiters is more critical now than ever before. Don’t neglect this key part of your job search strategy.

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.

#JobSearch : Leverage LinkedIn During Your Job Search. Great Two(2) Min Read!

During our current health care pandemic, many individuals are either laid-off or are considering what the future holds for their careers long-term. If you are in the middle of a job search or are thinking you may be in the near future, you want to consider how to maximize the #1 tool recruiters and hiring managers to use to find potential candidates. Having a job search strategy is imperative when you plan to start the process of looking for a new job. LinkedIn should be at the top of that strategy.

Here are a few effective ways to make the most out of your LinkedIn profile during an executive job search.

Find Networking Opportunities

Any good professional LinkedIn profile writer will suggest using the platform as a way to reach out to people and discover networking opportunities. One of the worst things you can do is find people who work at the company you’re interested in and messaging them to let them know you’re searching for a job. The better approach would be to do your research and find mutual connections so you have a way to connect with the person. Invite them to a networking event you will be attending in the near future, or maybe even invite them to coffee or lunch just to discuss career opportunities.

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Twitter: Follow us @ firstsunllc

Best Daily Choice: Follow the Best of FSC Career Articles/Blogs @

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

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

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

Article continued … 

Complete Your Profile With Relevant Keywords

Your LinkedIn executive profile won’t help your job search if you don’t have the right amount of relevant keywords. Employers have a specific set of search terms they likely use to find qualified candidates, so working with a professional LinkedIn profile writer to ensure they are incorporated properly is very valuable. The keywords themselves are important, but the location of the keywords is also an overlooked factor. SEO is a big part of LinkedIn, so focusing on it as part of your LinkedIn profile development is critical. 

Inform Your Connections of Your Job Search

There’s usually no harm in letting your connections know you’re actively looking for a job. Of course, the only problem this could cause is if you’re still employed and your current employer somehow finds out about your messages. But if you’re unemployed, a professional LinkedIn profile writer may suggest putting a message in your contact section indicating you’re open to opportunities. Sometimes recruiters will only reach out to people if they know for sure they are looking for a new job.

Whether you are actively in a job search or not, there will come a time that you will be. LinkedIn should be a key strategy in your search plan. If you aren’t familiar with all that LinkedIn offers, go to their Job Search section and spend some time learning how to navigate through all the filters they have. You don’t want to be left behind when the economy opens up and recruiters are back at it trying to fill roles that have been vacated. Get ahead of the curve.

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 |  May 1, 2020

#JobSearch : Accelerate Your Job Search During COVID-19 . Must Read!

Actively seeking employment is hard, frustrating, humbling and downright depressing. Even when the job market was strong, like two months ago, it was a challenge to keep up the strong push for meaningful employment. Life gets in the way with ailing family members, kids, vacations, and other distractions.

NEWSFLASH: COVID-19 is one massive distraction for everyone. That’s an understatement, of course. It’s wreaking havoc on so many levels.

However, I have meaningful and robust advice for continuing your job search:

1. Get out of your own way.

Your head is creating myths that give you an out. It’s human nature. Ask yourself these questions: Do I know this to be a fact? Do I have hard data that validates my mental block? Or, is my statement an excuse to stop or take my foot off the accelerator? Challenge yourself to consider the choices you have, such as shifting your job goal to another industry or job type. Consider contract work versus working directly for your target company. But don’t stop your job search; you need to ramp it up now more than ever.

 

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Twitter: Follow us @ firstsunllc

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

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

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

Article continued …

2. If you are not in the game, you won’t get anything.

What if other candidates are applying for the job you want, yet you are invisible? Well, other candidates are still actively growing their careers.

• What is the downside for keeping up your efforts? None.

• Are you concerned the recipient will think worse of you for promoting your skills and introducing yourself to them during this crisis?

Quite the opposite. What if you are the only one who is continuing to share your passion for the job and following up every week?

3. Recruiters are still doing their jobs, and hiring managers still need to fill their open positions.

Executive recruiters have assignments to fill jobs, and they don’t get paid unless they fill them. Internal recruiters are employed and paid to fill open positions. Hiring managers are filling open positions that they critically need. Perhaps prior employees left the company, moved to another division or location or got promoted. It doesn’t matter why any position is open. Pursue it.

4. Work actively on your job search daily.

Use your calendar to block task time. Dedicate each hour to a specific task rather than doing random job search activities. Here are some examples:

• Apply to open positions. Apply with a résumé and cover letter. Note: Submit a résumé in Microsoft Word versus a PDF so the robot can read it (robots are the automated systems that review résumés online). Cover letters are critical to telling your story, if you write them differently. Tell the reader the three top reasons you are a fit for their position.

• Source positions are available. I highly recommend you source directly from company websites. Go to the company’s career or jobs webpage to find the most current inventory of their open positions. Not all opportunities are on LinkedIn, and job boards such as Indeed or Monster may have a lag to remove jobs that are no longer available. If you see a position on LinkedIn or any boards, try to find the identical one on the company website.

• Maintain a job tracker. Your job tracker is your day-to-day list of things to do and to log your future steps. Juggle 10 open jobs at one time. Be prepared for some positions to be on hold or “frozen.”

• Follow up on applications and network connections. Your job tracker, if filled in completely, will indicate when to follow up. I recommend you follow up weekly on every communication and for three weeks in a row. Don’t worry about being a pest. Compete to win the job! If you networked with someone, put that in your tracker, and follow up with them within one week, even during COVID-19.

• Send thank-you emails daily. Before you go to sleep every night, ask yourself, “Who helped me today in any way for my career goals?” Be sure to thank someone who spoke to you on the phone about job searching, a recruiter who interviewed you, or a friend who gave you support.

• Make time for LinkedIn. Block time to respond to messages, connect with new people who can help your career growth, and resource open jobs.

Finally, my No. 1 recommendation for accelerating your job search during COVID-19 is to get help. Get unstuck, learn the latest techniques for every step of the job search, then get more active. No matter what industry, job type, level or specialty you target, the fundamentals of getting hired to have changed dramatically. Even internal job searches need the same new techniques.

Author:  Dana Manciagli is President of Job Search Master Class®, the world’s leading online course for job seekers and the veteran community, too.…

Forbes.com | April 23, 2020