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Tag Archive for: #linkedinprofile

You are here: Home1 / FSC Career Blog – Voted ‘Most Read’ by LinkedIn.2 / #linkedinprofile

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#ResumeWriting : 10 Must-Have Skills To Put On Your Resume In 2024. Must Read before You Submit your REsume. Great REAd!

May 29, 2024/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

Have you ever felt tempted to skip the skills section in your resume, just to get to the most important part—your employment history? After all, it’s your employment track record that matters, right?

Recruiters and employers on LinkedIn don’t seem to think so. “Skills have become more important than ever in landing opportunities today,” said LinkedIn’s head of product for Jobseeker, Employer Brand, and Skills, Rohan Rajiv in 2022. “In fact, over 40% of companies on LinkedIn globally explicitly rely on skills to search and identify job candidates on LinkedIn (up 20% year-over-year).“

 

This staggering figure is certainly set to increase even more in 2024, as more companies turn to new and unconventional methods to evaluate the skill set of job applicants, and LinkedIn continues to empower applicants and recruiters alike with state-of-the-art tools to showcase and filter skills.

All this demonstrates that although your employment background is important, your skills and strengths—especially the ones unique to the role—are even more important. And off LinkedIn, there is an increased focus on skills-based-hiring, leading employers to place greater weighting on the skills a candidate includes in their resume.

While you should always look out for the core skills listed in the job posting and ensure you put them on your resume, there are some other skills you should always aim to include in your resume (whether in the skills section, your online portfolio, LinkedIn profile, or throughout the professional profile and employment sections).

 

Like this Article?  Share It!    You can now easily enjoy/follow/share Today our Award-Winning Articles/Blogs with Now Over 3.5 Million Growing Participates Worldwide in our various Social Media formats below:

Updated NEWS: #BestofFSCBlog – Aug23 we hit Two Milestones: #1– Hit over 1.2 million impressions on our FSC Career Blogs within 7 days on LinkedIn……. #2– Over 3.5 Million participates on our FSC Career Blog page below within three years!  Both the Team/myself want to thank you all for participating! …… Chris G. & Team,www.firstsun.com

Daily FSC Career Blogs/Articles: Articles/blogs on today’s Job Search (Over 8K Daily Readers)- Go to ‘Blog Search’ & type in updated info on resumes, job search, networking, social media job search, etc.

https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

New- FSC LinkedIn Newsletter– Daily articles/blogs on Today’s Job Market & Seach. Subscribe Today!

https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/fsc-linkedin-network-7081658661743308800

Connect with us on LinkedIn (under Chris G. Laughter) : https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-g-laughter-b46389198/

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

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Question: Searching for ‘the Best Daily Career Search 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, Networking, etc) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

What Skill Sets Do You Have to be ‘Sharpened‘?

 

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, Llc (FSC) is celebrating over 32 years in delivering corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!   Visit us @ www.firstsun.com  OR Ask for a Quote for Services at  info@firstsun.com

We here at FSC want to thank each of our corporate partners for the opportunity to serve & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment!

Article continued …

And of course, it might seem fairly obvious, but don’t forget to only include those skills that you can truthfully say you possess. Lying on your resume will work against you and you’ll get caught out.

Top 10 Skills To Put On Your Resume

According to FlexJobs, some of the core skills that should be put on your resume include a combination of soft, or “power” skills and hard skills, listed below:

1. Problem-solving

Employers want to onboard candidates who take ownership for a problem instead of shifting or evading responsibility. Working out creative solutions to a business or customer issue is a skill that is, at least for the present, irreplaceable by AI.

2. Critical thinking

Listed in the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs 2023 report, critical thinking is a skill akin to problem-solving, that involves evaluating a problem and possible solutions, and developing new and improved methods of working.

3. Flexibility

Although this has become a taboo term for employers and employees to discuss, it’s importance cannot be evaded. So far as possible, maintain a degree of flexibility in your work, reaching a compromise with your prospective employer to ensure both parties are happy with working arrangements, and learn how to be dynamic and embrace change.

4. Communication

The importance of communication skills can never be overrated. They are needed everywhere to ensure the smooth delivery of projects, streamlined processes, and a healthy work environment. Get specific on your communication skills, showcasing aspects such as presentation skills, conflict resolution, negotiation, or even writing copy, depending on your role of course.

5. Teamwork

The saying goes, “Teamwork makes the dream work.” Although it might sound cheesy and you may not enjoy working with people, it’s essential to know how to collaborate and communicate well within your team and cross-functional teams. It will be very difficult to find a role where teamwork is not involved to some degree.

6. Digital skills

You’d be hard-pressed to find a job that does not require you to possess digital skills. Almost every role requires the use of company-specific software, design software, MS office suite, or a CRM. You should highlight the technical skills that you are proficient or comfortable with, including any that you are currently learning.

And if you observe through your research that the employer uses a specific type of software, always ensure you include this in your technical skills list (including proficiency level if possible).

7. Design

You don’t need to be a designer to need to have a grasp of design. Design principles (and related software) appear everywhere, from engineering, to social media management, to creating the slide deck for a PowerPoint presentation, to event planning.

8. Data analysis

Data analytics is another in-demand skill that is necessary, even outside of the data profession itself. If you find yourself called upon to analyze reports, Excel spreadsheets, or other data, to arrive at conclusions or to inform decision-making, you’re likely doing some form of data analysis.

9. Negotiation

Sales, partnerships and agreements, and internal stakeholder arrangements all require negotiation skills to some degree. Add this skill to your resume and include some proof of where you have used it successfully, as a bonus.

10. Mathematics

No, do not list “mathematics” in your resume unless you’re straight out of high school. But mathematical skills? Absolutely. Think about budget management, financial forecasting, cost reduction, statistical analysis, probabilities, machine learning, and financial modelling.

These are all highly desirable and specific skills.

Remember most importantly, listing skills is a relatively easy job. Detailing how you demonstrated them in your roles and the positive impact they made as a result, is another job altogether. Be careful that you do not fall into the copy/paste trap, without ensuring the skills listed are relevant, truly reflect you, and are backed, as far as possible, with evidence.

 

Forbes.com | May 29, 2024 | Rachel Wells

 

https://www.firstsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/0218_land-interview-resume_650x4551-300x210-1.jpg 210 300 First Sun Team https://www.firstsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/logo-min-300x123.jpg First Sun Team2024-05-29 20:49:402024-05-29 20:49:40#ResumeWriting : 10 Must-Have Skills To Put On Your Resume In 2024. Must Read before You Submit your REsume. Great REAd!

#BestofFSCBlog : Over 26K Read- How Job Seekers Can Get Ahead Of The Summer Slowdown. Steps to Maximize your Chances of Finding a New Job. Great REad!

May 27, 2024/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer in the United States, and while hiring may slow down a bit, it does not mean you have to put your job search on hold.

There are action steps you can take during the summer season to maximize your chances of finding a new job.

Job Search Basics

The shifting attitudes, schedules and seasons do not diminish the value or necessity of tried-and-true job-hunting methods. Proven strategies like networking, tailoring your résumé and cover letters, researching companies and practicing for interviews remain crucial regardless of the temperature outside.

Ensure that your résumé is up-to-date, highlights your most relevant skills and achievements and is tailored to specific job descriptions. Craft compelling cover letters that showcase your enthusiasm and qualifications for each position you apply for.

Polish your LinkedIn profile, ensuring it accurately reflects your skills and experience. Consider having an optimized website or online portfolio showcasing your work, especially if you are in a creative field.

Reconnect with old colleagues, friends or classmates in person or on LinkedIn for potential job leads. Attend industry events or online webinars to expand your network and make new connections. Reach out to people in your desired field for informational interviews to learn more about their roles and companies.

Anticipate frequently asked interview questions and practice your responses. Research the companies you’re interested in and prepare insightful questions to demonstrate your genuine interest.

Set up alerts on job boards for positions that match your criteria. Consider working with a recruiter specializing in your industry who can connect you with relevant opportunities.

 

Like this Article?  Share It!    You can now easily enjoy/follow/share Today our Award-Winning Articles/Blogs with Now Over 3.5 Million Growing Participates Worldwide in our various Social Media formats below:

Updated NEWS: #BestofFSCBlog – Aug23 we hit Two Milestones: #1– Hit over 1.2 million impressions on our FSC Career Blogs within 7 days on LinkedIn……. #2– Over 3.5 Million participates on our FSC Career Blog page below within three years!  Both the Team/myself want to thank you all for participating! …… Chris G. & Team,www.firstsun.com

Daily FSC Career Blogs/Articles: Articles/blogs on today’s Job Search (Over 8K Daily Readers)- Go to ‘Blog Search’ & type in updated info on resumes, job search, networking, social media job search, etc.

https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

New- FSC LinkedIn Newsletter– Daily articles/blogs on Today’s Job Market & Seach. Subscribe Today!

https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/fsc-linkedin-network-7081658661743308800

Connect with us on LinkedIn (under Chris G. Laughter) : https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-g-laughter-b46389198/

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

https://twitter.com/search?q=bestoffscblog&src=typeahead_click

Question: Searching for ‘the Best Daily Career Search 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, Networking, etc) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

What Skill Sets Do You Have to be ‘Sharpened‘?

 

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, Llc (FSC) is celebrating over 32 years in delivering corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!   Visit us @ www.firstsun.com  OR Ask for a Quote for Services at  info@firstsun.com

We here at FSC want to thank each of our corporate partners for the opportunity to serve & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment!

 

Article continued …

Job Hunting Strategies For The Summer Months

While maintaining your job search momentum, it’s okay to adjust your pace during the summer. Prioritize high-quality applications and focus on companies that resonate with you. Even if you don’t hear back immediately, do not ghost recruiters or hiring managers. Send a follow-up email after a week or two if you haven’t heard anything, as this demonstrates continued interest and professionalism. Summer can be a great time for informational interviews. People might be more relaxed and have more time to chat during the upcoming months.

Take advantage of the potentially slower pace to take online courses, attend workshops or gain new certifications relevant to your field. This can enhance your skill set, making you a more attractive candidate to employers.

Additional Career Advice

Job hunting can be a marathon—not a sprint. Stay positive, focused and don’t get discouraged if you do not land your dream job right away. Hiring managers can pick up on a candidate’s level of enthusiasm and positivity during the interview process. Project confidence in your skills and your ability to contribute to the company. Be open to new opportunities or roles that might not have been your initial target. You might discover a great career path you hadn’t considered before.

Be Better Than You Were Yesterday

Dedicate time to improving yourself. Read books about your industry, watch or listen to relevant career related and motivational podcasts.

Plan out what you want to do to make an impact once the summer is over and it’s back to business as usual, and design a strategy to achieve these goals. Write them down and follow up on a daily basis.

Focus On Your Wellness

Take a break from the constant emails and work notifications and allow your mind and body to truly relax and recharge. Catch up on sleep or establish a regular sleep schedule. Feeling well-rested can significantly improve your mood and energy levels.

Engage in activities that promote relaxation, such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, yoga or spending time in nature. Since the weather is nice, venture outdoors and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. Go on a hike, jog, run or walk to maintain mental clarity, as well as your physical health.

Pursue activities you enjoy, whether it’s reading, writing, listening to music, playing games or creating art. Focusing on hobbies can be a great way to de-stress and express yourself creatively.

Spend quality time with friends and family. Engage in face-to-face conversations, share meals or participate in activities you all enjoy. Strong social connections are essential for emotional well-being.

Take time to reflect on things you’re grateful for in your life. Keeping a gratitude journal can be a helpful way to cultivate a positive mindset, which will be critical to your job search success.

 

Forbes.com | May 24, 2024 | Jack Kelly 

https://www.firstsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/vacation.jpg 900 1200 First Sun Team https://www.firstsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/logo-min-300x123.jpg First Sun Team2024-05-27 15:45:542024-07-23 21:13:49#BestofFSCBlog : Over 26K Read- How Job Seekers Can Get Ahead Of The Summer Slowdown. Steps to Maximize your Chances of Finding a New Job. Great REad!

#JobSearch : How To Ace Your Job Interview: Insight From A Recruiter. Great Checklists . MUst REad.

January 17, 2024/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

Having spent the past two decades leading recruiting teams around the world, I’ve conducted and observed tens of thousands of interviews. Honestly, I still see things that surprise me. For all of the effort that goes into the interview phase (it’s the most labor-intensive, and therefore the costliest part of the hiring process), the quality of the execution is often, at best, mixed.

This poor execution can be attributed to several factors but is primarily because training hiring managers on how to interview is a rarity in most organizations. Furthermore, it’s a muscle that is used relatively infrequently (unless the company is particularly high growth, individual hiring managers are probably hiring once a year, not once a week).

The first step to being better at interviewing is therefore to recognize that you’re about to participate in an imperfect process. You may even have more experience of interviewing, albeit from the other side of the desk, than the person interviewing you.

Like this Article?  Share It!    You can now easily enjoy/follow/share Today our Award-Winning Articles/Blogs with Now Over 3.5 Million Growing Participates Worldwide in our various Social Media formats below:

Updated NEWS: #BestofFSCBlog – Aug23 we hit Two Milestones: #1– Hit over 1.2 million impressions on our FSC Career Blogs within 7 days on LinkedIn……. #2– Over 3.5 Million participates on our FSC Career Blog page below within three years!  Both the Team/myself want to thank you all for participating! …… Chris G. & Team,www.firstsun.com

Daily FSC Career Blogs/Articles: Articles/blogs on today’s Job Search (Over 8K Daily Readers)- Go to ‘Blog Search’ & type in updated info on resumes, job search, networking, social media job search, etc.

https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

New- FSC LinkedIn Newsletter– Daily articles/blogs on Today’s Job Market & Seach. Subscribe Today!

https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/fsc-linkedin-network-7081658661743308800

Connect with us on LinkedIn (under Chris G. Laughter) : https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-g-laughter-b46389198/

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

https://twitter.com/search?q=bestoffscblog&src=typeahead_click

Question: Searching for ‘the Best Daily Career Search 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, Networking, etc) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

What Skill Sets Do You Have to be ‘Sharpened‘?

 

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, Llc (FSC) is celebrating over 32 years in delivering corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!   Visit us @ www.firstsun.com  OR Ask for a Quote for Services at  info@firstsun.com

We here at FSC want to thank each of our corporate partners for the opportunity to serve & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment!

 

Article continued …

Before The Interview

Conducting some focused research is the best way to set yourself up for success. Follow these three simple steps ahead of every interview:

  1. Review the LinkedIn profile of each person you’re due to meet with, and prepare your questions accordingly (e.g., I see you joined Acme Corp a year ago, what made you want to join and what have you been most surprised by since you started?)
  2. If the company is publicly traded read the most recent annual report and/or quarterly earnings statement. Many larger organizations have an “investor relations” section on their website which contains a wealth of enterprise information.
  3. Search for mentions of the company in credible journals (e.g., here on Forbes, in the Harvard Business Review, The Economist) rather than a broad Google search.

Most importantly, remember that interviewing is just storytelling – your job is to distill your unique career journey into a compelling narrative. Get used to condensing your work history into a two minute “elevator pitch”, specifically focusing on moments of transition (why you left one job for another), and key learnings and achievements along the way. Practice with friends and loved ones.

During The Interview

The single most important thing you can do is be your authentic self: letting your personality show helps to establish a rapport. Whether the interview is in-person or conducted virtually, try to remember it’s just a human-to-human conversation. This is your opportunity to make the most of your time with the hiring team:

  • Try not to let nerves get in the way (easier said than done) – remember hiring managers probably do this less than once a year so in many instances will be just as nervous as you!
  • Make notes and ask questions (both pre-prepared based on your research, and to clarify things you learn from the folks you meet with).
  • Don’t forget that you’re interviewing them too! Can you work with this person? Will you learn from them? Are they inspiring?

After The Interview

One of the hardest lessons to learn is the ability to trust our gut reaction on walking out of an interview, especially in an economy like this one. If your gut is telling you no, listen to that voice. It is easy to let our scarcity mindset to take over, but one of the most powerful things you can do is walk away from an opportunity, especially if you’re getting the feeling that you might not be able to thrive there in the long term:

  • First make an honest assessment – do you still want the job based on what you learned? If the answer is ‘no’, that’s OK! The interview process is a two-way street, and sometimes it’s just not a good match.
  • Irrespective of what decision you make be sure to send thank you notes (email is fine) to the hiring manager, to the interview panelists and to the recruiter.

There has been some discourse on whether the practice of sending thank you notes is outdated, which is a premise I strongly disagree with. At a minimum, sending thank you notes allows you a further touchpoint with the hiring team, and gives you the opportunity to expand or double-down on key points you made during your interview. Furthermore, it demonstrates that you are familiar with longstanding professional etiquette, and that you are the sort of person that follows-through.

Lastly thank you notes can help cement relationships with the folks that you met during the interview process. Even if you are unsuccessful, these “warm” relationships will be useful either for future applications at the company, or indeed elsewhere, as you never know where folks will work next.

Although the interview process is far from perfect (indeed the same can be said for the broader talent market), the best way to set yourself up for success is to be prepared, and to take a pragmatic view of the process you’re about to participate in.

 

Forbes.com | January 17, 2023 | James Hudson

https://www.firstsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/interviewer.jpg 683 911 First Sun Team https://www.firstsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/logo-min-300x123.jpg First Sun Team2024-01-17 17:15:192024-01-17 17:15:19#JobSearch : How To Ace Your Job Interview: Insight From A Recruiter. Great Checklists . MUst REad.

#BestofFSCBlog : LinkedIn Profile Do’s And Don’ts. First Impressions Matter a Lot, Especially on LinkedIn. A MUst REad!

August 8, 2023/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

First impressions matter a lot, especially on LinkedIn. So, whether you are looking for a new job or want to create a more influential personal brand, there are some guidelines you need to follow. Step one of career management is to have an outstanding LinkedIn profile. As a career counselor, I see many common mistakes you must avoid. These are outlined below with some recommendations on what you should do to present yourself in the best possible light.

The Do’s

Have a complete profile. This is a critical step. Too many profiles need to be updated. Ensure the info is current, and all the required sections are completed. Don’t leave sections blank.

Work history needs specific details. This section should summarize your experience and be loaded with the results and accomplishments you’ve had in that role. Note your key strengths and relevant work tasks. If you only list your job title, employer name, and dates without additional details, you’ll miss an SEO opportunity and the chance to attract a recruiter’s or potential client’s interest.

 

Like this Article?  Share It!    You can now easily enjoy/follow/share Today our Award-Winning Articles/Blogs with Now Over 2.5 Million Growing Participates Worldwide in our various Social Media formats below:

Daily FSC Career Blogs/Articles: Articles/blogs on today’s Job Search (Over 6K Daily Readers)- Go to ‘Blog Search’ & type in updated info on resumes, job search, networking, social media job search, etc.

https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

New- FSC LinkedIn Newsletter– Daily articles/blogs on Today’s Job Market & Seach. Subscribe Today!

https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/fsc-linkedin-network-7081658661743308800

Connect with us on LinkedIn (under Chris G. Laughter) : https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-g-laughter-b46389198/

Twitter: Follow us @ firstsunllc

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

https://twitter.com/search?q=bestoffscblog&src=typeahead_click

Question: Searching for ‘the Best Daily Career Search 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, Networking, etc) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

What Skill Sets Do You Have to be ‘Sharpened‘?

 

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, Llc (FSC) is celebrating over 32 years in delivering corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!   Visit us @ www.firstsun.com  OR Ask for a Quote for Services at  info@firstsun.com

We here at FSC want to thank each of our corporate partners for the opportunity to serve & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment!

 

Article continued …

Customize your headline. The headline section is the most searched part of LinkedIn. And by default, LinkedIn will create one, simply listing your current job title. You will appear in more LinkedIn searches by using strategic keywords in your headline, listing the appropriate job titles considering your current and future roles. You could also include your industry, such as fintech or healthcare.

Tell your story in the “About” section. Personalize this section so that it shows your personality and is authentic and genuine. It is written in the first person. Share some reasons why you like your work and what you feel you are good at and mention a couple of work tasks you enjoy. If you are a manager, describe your style and note how important the team is. Avoid resume speak, so don’t just pull off your resume or a bio about yourself.

Use a great photo. A smiling, engaging, current headshot is what you want to use. It doesn’t need to be a professional picture; the camera on your smartphone allows you to get a perfect photo. Be sure you have a plain background, good light that shows your whole face with no dark sides or shadows. A solid-colored top works best. And most important, smile!

Point out your top skills. LinkedIn added a new feature called “Top Skills,” which sits right under your “About” section in the profile. You can highlight your top five skills. These impactful, searchable keywords improve your chances of capturing attention and enhancing your profile.

Have recommendations. Everyone looks at these when they check out your profile. These references are powerful and influential. They attest to how good you are at that job and that colleague’s impression of working with you. More is better when it comes to having recommendations on your profile. If yours aren’t current, ask some people to write one.

 

The Don’ts

Do not just describe what your company does. Your profile is about you, not your employer, even if you are the CEO. Emphasize what you have done. Note the results and outcomes you have made in your job roles. Create a personalized “about” section that talks about you and may include what you do for the employer, but this needs to be focused on who you are.

Do not list just job titles, employers and dates of employment. It’s a big mistake when there are not enough work experience details. Give a full description and point out a few key accomplishments, responsibilities, and results you have achieved in that job.

Do not include every job you have ever held. Since careers typically are progressive, it’s unnecessary to detail or even list what you did 20 years ago, as that role has little impact on where you are now and your next career position, so keep the profile to the last 10-15 years. If you are over 50, going back too far puts an emphasis on your age, which is not what you want here.

Never post anything negative. Too many people have sunk their ship complaining about a former employer or boss and posting these thoughts on LinkedIn. Prospective employers read your posts; a negative comment will make them think less of you. Many recruiters say negative comments make them move on to another candidate.

Do not be inactive on LinkedIn. You need to interact and respond to comments. The more you post on LinkedIn, the better you will do with the algorithm that controls the website. Remember that posting is not the same as commenting or liking something. Posting is creating original content, asking a question of your network, taking a poll, or sharing an article that you think is of value to other connections.

Do not have only a few connections. The number of connections makes a difference in your visibility on this platform. People who have connections under 75 are at an extreme disadvantage. Your goal should be to have at least 200-300 connections for a solid network. Add friends, bosses, coworkers, and recruiters.

 

Forbes.com | August 8, 2023 | Robin Ryan

 

https://www.firstsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/linkedinsuit-300x166.gif 166 300 First Sun Team https://www.firstsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/logo-min-300x123.jpg First Sun Team2023-08-08 20:47:332023-09-27 20:23:04#BestofFSCBlog : LinkedIn Profile Do’s And Don’ts. First Impressions Matter a Lot, Especially on LinkedIn. A MUst REad!

#JobSearch : How To Network On LinkedIn To Get A New Job. How has LinkedIn Helped you get a Job?

April 27, 2023/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

To grow your career, you will need to forsake the stereotypical depiction of networking by going to a conference, wearing a name tag on your blazer, forcing a fake smile and shaking hands. As nearly everything is online these days, you can get noticed by recruiters, hiring managers and human resources on social media platforms, such as LinkedIn.

Before you embark upon a job search, start cultivating a network of like-minded people who can mutually benefit each other. It won’t work out well if you come across as asking for help without the professional relationship being reciprocal.

LinkedIn Photo And Profile

The first thing you need is a robust LinkedIn profile. Ensure you have a good headshot photo and a summary highlighting your skills, experience and past work achievements.

nclude your current position, title, past jobs, education, certifications and licenses. On your LinkedIn profile, allocate the most real estate to your current job and somewhat less space for prior roles. It’s okay to leave off short stints of three months or under. You can explain the employment gap in person when you interview. Be honest about your jobs and responsibilities; otherwise, it could backfire on you when called out in an interview.

 

Like this Article?  Share It!    You can now easily enjoy/follow/share Today our Award-Winning Articles/Blogs with Now Over 2.5 Million Growing Participates Worldwide in our various Social Media formats below:

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Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, Llc (FSC) is celebrating over 32 years in delivering corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!   Visit & contact us @ www.firstsun.com

We here at FSC want to thank each of our corporate partners for the opportunity to serve & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment!

 

Article continued …

500 Connections Is The Goal

Make a goal of achieving 500 connections on the professional social media platform. Within the LinkedIn ecosystem, that number shows you are serious about your career and networking. If you only have a few connections, people on the platform won’t be interested in engaging with you, as you come across as disinterested in participating. You want to appear well-connected and on the fast track.

Target List Of People

Put together a list of the companies you’d love to work for. Then, search for their hiring managers, human resources, corporate internal talent acquisition professionals and decision makers on LinkedIn and send out invitations to connect. Once you have the person as a first-degree connection, you can personalize messages and InMails to hold private conversations with them. You can ask for an introduction to the professional handling the job you’re interested in and have applied to.

In addition to in-house recruiters, you can connect with headhunters who specialize in your space. A search professional will know the industry, the ranking of the companies, the hiring managers, interviewers and human resources. They’ll be able to get your résumé to the right person’s desk. Recruiters also offer exclusive entry into well-paying jobs in the hidden job market, as many corporate jobs are not posted online for confidentiality reasons.

Reconnect with former colleagues who are now at other firms. Ask your connections for referrals to job openings or introductions to hiring managers. This can help you stand out from other applicants and increase your chances of getting hired, as an employee referral goes a long way. Take someone out for coffee to brainstorm about your prospects.

How To Get Noticed On LinkedIn

A thoughtful way to garner attention is to “like” and participate in the discourse on LinkedIn by responding with well-thought-out comments to other people’s content. The authors of the posts will appreciate your support, and over time, online friendships form.

To establish your own social branding, create content by writing compelling articles on LinkedIn or coming up with interesting, short-form videos. At first, putting yourself out there can be uncomfortable, but you can start slowly. You don’t need to author lengthy articles or viral videos. It can just be informative content about fast-moving developments within your field of expertise. Then, tag some prominent people in your sector, so they can see your post and add their own two cents.

There are easy layups to communicating with people on LinkedIn, such as giving kudos to someone for getting a new job or promotion or celebrating a work anniversary. On the platform, you can join up to 100 groups that cater to your profession or industry. Just like you “like” and share articles on your main LinkedIn feed, you can do the same within the groups.

Posting sparingly on LinkedIn will not prove to be an effective strategy. You’ll need to contribute regularly to build up an audience to get noticed and increase the number of people who can help you grow your career.

 

Forbes.com | April 27, 2023 | Jack Kelly

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#JobSearch : Does Your Résumé Pass the Six-Second Test? How to Make your Résumé Stand Out in Today’s Job Market.

April 19, 2023/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

No pressure, but your résumé has six seconds to make an impression before it is sent to the don’t-even-bother pile.

That is how long a recruiter typically skims a résumé to decide whether to pass it on to a hiring manager, said J.T. O’Donnell, chief executive of career-coaching site Work It Daily. Recruiters often have hundreds of online applications to wade through, even with algorithms helping filter many of them out. They will likely give yours little more than a glance to judge whether you make it onto the shortlist of candidates.

In other words, your résumé has to be highly “skimmable,” Ms. O’Donnell said at The Wall Street Journal’s recent Jobs Summit. “The human eye works in a Z-pattern, and I’m going down, looking for four to five things that I was told you need to have or you cannot be considered.”

The CV won’t clinch a job offer, but it gets you to the next step, she and other career coaches say. A résumé that’s hard to skim or fails to mention key skills needed for the job could keep you from ever getting the chance to make your case in an interview.

Some ways to make your résumé stand out, and some job-search killers to avoid, according to the experts at the summit:

1) Forget the professional statement.

Job seekers have long been advised to include a short paragraph atop of their résumé summing up their skills, experience, achievements and goals. No more.

“Recruiters don’t have time for that,” Ms. O’Donnell said. Instead, open with a one-line “headline” stating your occupational specialty—ideally with words matching the role you’re applying for, like “digital marketing specialist” or “technical writer,” she said.

Follow the headline with two short columns of bullets with concrete skills. If you coordinated a team to pull off a big assignment and the job posting mentions project-management experience, use that same language, since that’s what recruiters and their applicant-tracking-systems will screen for, said Jane Oates, president of WorkingNation, a nonprofit focused on workforce development.

“Every job you apply for, you should customize your résumé just a little bit by putting in some of the words that are in that job description,” Ms. Oates said.

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Article continued …

2) Don’t be a jack of all trades.

It is tempting to pack your résumé with the entirety of your work experience, especially for those who have a lot of it. Resist the urge, and focus on your relevant professional work history. “You don’t need to have any more that you scooped ice cream at the Margate Dairy Bar,” Ms. Oates said.

Recruiters are looking for a match to that particular job opening, Ms. O’Donnell said. They aren’t interested in the twists and turns of your career, which could suggest you’re overqualified for the role.

“A lot of companies don’t want to overpay, and that’s exactly the message you’re sending when you put everything on your résumé,” she said.

It is OK for a résumé to be two pages, if necessary, she adds. But make sure it is formatted with enough white space to be easily skimmed. Start each line about your experience with the bolded job title, so that they are easy to scan down the left side.

3) Use numbers.

Avoid subjective, ambiguous language, such as “passionate self-starter” or a “dedicated hard worker.” The hiring manager or recruiter will assess your soft skills when they interview you, Ms. O’Donnell said. A résumé is about your hard skills, which are best told through numbers.

Her tip: Circle all of the nouns on your CV, because they can usually be quantified.

If you are describing your experience as a receptionist, for instance, don’t just say “Answer phones.” More effective is something like: “Work for a 300-person company, answering more than 100 calls a day, on a 12-line phone system,” she said.

4) Make your LinkedIn profile the priority.

“Your LinkedIn is really your best résumé,” said Brian Liou, founder and CEO of Rora, which advises tech-industry professionals in negotiating with employers. Recruiters trawl LinkedIn to find candidates for a given job opening. A few hacks can improve your chances of coming up in their searches.

First, set a reminder to switch up some of the keywords in your profile every two weeks. Changing the content helps prompt the site’s algorithm to re-scan your profile, keeping it toward the top of recruiter searches.

And take advantage of Creator Mode, which Ms. O’Donnell calls one of LinkedIn’s best-kept secrets. The setting alters the presentation of profiles to emphasize topics that users discuss most on the platform and lets them choose hashtags aligned with their skills, showing LinkedIn you are an active user. “This is going to help get your content showcased,” she said.

One LinkedIn feature she does discourage using is the “Open to Work” banner. Though more hiring managers say they don’t frown upon career breaks, discrimination against people between jobs persists, she said. Instead, tweak your privacy settings to signal more indirectly to recruiters that you’re open to invitations, she suggested.

5) Resist using ChatGPT.

The artificial-intelligence chatbot from OpenAI has quickly become a popular tool for creating and tweaking résumés. The trouble is, recruiters can spot a ChatGPT-built résumé “a mile away,” Ms. O’Donnell said, “and you get points off for that sort of thing.”

The chat assistant can be helpful if you’re building a résumé from scratch, but use it only as a starting point, she cautions.

One tool she does suggest is a free word-cloud app. (Wordart.com and wordclouds.com are two popular ones.) Paste the text of the job posting to see which words show up as the biggest—the ones repeated most often in the ad.

 “That’s how you’re going to find your top five or six things” to describe your skills and experience, she said.

WSJ Author:  Write to Kailyn Rhone at kailyn.rhone@wsj.com

WSJ.com | April 17, 2023

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#JobSearch : LinkedIn Job Search Strategy You Should Be Using But Probably Aren’t. Great REad.

March 22, 2023/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

Kaitlyn, a career counseling client, was finishing her MBA at Columbia University. She started job hunting and saw her dream job listed at Goldman Saks. She knew that positions there were super competitive. She asked,” Besides applying online, is there anything else I can do to help me get on their radar?” My answer was yes. She was surprised when I explained what I thought she should do. It involved using a unique networking technique that is highly effective and almost no one uses. When Kaitlyn exhausted her contacts, she felt her networking options were over. Not true. She overlooked an effective strategy you likely aren’t using – her college alums. Let’s review what Kaitlyn did to see how this technique works.

She went to her College’s Alumni Association to determine if they had an alum career group. Columbia did. They had one group for MBA graduates. These groups exist to help people with networking and job search. She searched the alum listings for executives at Goldman Saks with an MBA from Columbia. Kaitlyn uncovered a high-level executive. I recommended she send her a LinkedIn message that said, “I’m finishing my MBA at Columbia, and I saw you graduated from there too. I am applying for a financial analyst position at Goldman, and I wondered if you could help me and forward my resume to HR?”

 

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Article continued …

To her great astonishment, the executive she asked said yes. So Kaitlyn sent her resume, and the executive passed it on. She only spoke to the executive again to say thank you. Yet, that simple but critical referral opened the door, and as a result, Kaitlyn got hired.

Most people recognize that networking should be the cornerstone of your job search efforts, but not many people do that. Some contact a few people they know and leave it at that. Yet you open an array of possibilities and opportunities when you network. This technique works well. You most likely didn’t even consider asking for help by connecting to alums.

Jessica Hernandez, President of Great Resumes Fast, advises job hunters to seek out alums for job search help. She teaches a LinkedIn course outlining how to use this strategy on LinkedIn. She explained, “The Alumni feature is one of the most effective tools on LinkedIn, and it’s been reported that alumni are more likely to help you than any other type of connection.”

Finding alums on LinkedIn

Hernandez said to start by finding your college’s LinkedIn page. Just type the school’s name in the search bar. Once you’re on the college’s page, you’ll see a tab for Alumni. Click that tab.

This Alumni feature allows you to search for job titles, industries, and the years attended — you can broaden this range to find people who graduated close to you or ahead of you. You can also search for alums employed at a specific company where you want to work.

“I love this alumni networking feature because you can find multiple points of commonality, which is what networking is all about,” noted Hernandez. “The first connection point is that you’re alumni of the same school. Next, find alums where you live. Now, you have two common issues of connection with this person. Then identify the organization you want to work for. For example, it’s Mayo Clinic, so click Mayo Clinic. Now, you can see all the alums that work for Mayo. Next, do a deep dive search for your department, such as Operations or Accounting. You now have several things in common you can mention when you reach out to connect with that person.

Finding alums on LinkedIn

What should you say when sending the alum a LinkedIn connection request? Hernandez advises that you list one or two of your common points. She offered a few messages you could use. Remember, it’s all about pointing to something you have in common. For the example below, the commonality point is highlighted so you can quickly see how these can be woven into a message.

“Hi (name), we’re both UNF alumni and Jacksonville natives. I studied and worked in HR, too. I’d appreciate the opportunity to connect and network since we’re in the same field.”

After you’re connected, you can follow up and ask questions like:

“I aspire to work for Mayo Clinic one day. I’d love to hear what path you took to work there.”

Alums are much more likely to help you. These are the people you want in your network. They are the people who are willing to hold informational interviews with you, share their stories, and give you advice. That’s the goal of networking when you are looking for a new job.

 

Forbes.com Author:  Robin Ryan    Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. Check out my website or some of my other work here.
Forbes.com | March 21, 2023
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#JobSearch : The 8 Biggest Mistakes People Make With Their LinkedIn Profile And How To Avoid Them. Reading this Headline on LinkedIn? MUst REad!

February 8, 2023/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

With membership approaching one billion, LinkedIn is the most important personal branding resource. And despite LinkedIn being around for two decades, many professionals have not mastered this essential career management platform and they’re missing an opportunity to deliver an on-brand first impression.

Here are the most egregious LinkedIn profile mistakes to avoid.

1. Not Including Keywords In Your Headline

To help your profile show up prominently in the results, you need to include the words you want to be associated with in your headline. The first duty of your headline is to provide relevance. “Is this a person I need to know?”

 

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Article continued …

2. An Anemic About

Your LinkedIn “About” section will be the most-read version of your bio, so you need to tell your story in a compelling way. And here’s the catch: When people look at your LinkedIn profile, they only get to see the first few lines of your About. Use those valuable words to grab your reader’s attention so they will click “see more” to get the whole story. Don’t repeat what you told us about yourself in your headline.

3. Ignoring The Featured Section

This valuable piece of digital branding real estate shows up toward the top of your profile and gives you a place to showcase your accomplishments, passions, and causes. And because you can include images, video and other rich media, it makes your profile more interesting to look at and more differentiated too.

4. Not Using Creator Mode

Creator mode is a relatively new feature that allows you to identify the top five hashtags with which you want to be associated. These hashtags show up right below your headline and reinforce the topics for which you want to be known. Even if you have no intention of creating content for your LinkedIn blog, turn Creator mode on and select your five hashtags.

5. Keeping The Boring LinkedIn-Issued Background

The best way to make your profile stand out is to include a one-of-a-kind, on-brand, copyright-cleared background (it sits behind your headshot and headline). It’s the first thing people see when they’re checking you out. When you incorporate an image that helps you tell your story, you automatically stand out from your peers and deliver a relevant first impression.

6. Using A Photo That’s Not A True Headshot

No photo. A logo. A full body shot. A picture where you cropped someone’s body out of the shot, but their arm is still dangling from your shoulder. These are all examples of what you should never do with your LinkedIn headshot. Your headshot makes you real, and it makes it more likely that someone will accept a connection request from you. Make sure your headshot is professionally done, reflects your personality and is cropped so that your very human face occupies 60-80% of the space. When someone is looking at your profile on their phone, your headshot is the size of a button. Make sure people can look you in the eye.

7. Not Reordering Their Skills

LinkedIn displays your skills in order, based on the number of endorsements each skill has (from highest to lowest). When someone checks out your profile, LinkedIn only shows the top three. That’s a signal to the reader that those are the things you are best at. Yet for many of us, those may not be the things we want to be known for or the things that make us relevant for where we want to go next. Reorder your skills to showcase the three most important ones at the top.

8. Using Words Without Rich Media

It’s hard to create a visceral emotional experience when you’re limiting yourself to the 26 letters of the alphabet, but when you augment your prose with images, infographics and videos, you can truly dazzle your audience with your brilliance. Your profile is replete with places where you can leverage rich media to tell your story: your Featured artifacts, your Background image, in your Experience and Education sections, your Video Cover Story, etc. It’s hard to inspire people online, but using multimedia is sure to deliver more YAY and less YAWN to your readers.

 

Forbes.com Author: William Arruda is a keynote speaker, and co-founder of CareerBlast.TV and co-creator of the Personal Brand Power Audit – a complimentary quiz that helps you measure the strength of personal brand.

Forbes.com | February 8, 2023

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#BestofFSCBlog : Over 14K Reads! 5 Secrets To A LinkedIn Profile That Can Compete In The 2023 Job Market. Great REad!

January 9, 2023/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

The new year has arrived, and for the career-oriented go-getters, so has another list of professional goals to tackle.  Double the size of your professional network, promote your organization externally, find a new job after getting laid off, increase your annual salary, get a mentor…

Would you believe me if I said you could check any of these items off your to-do list just by giving your LinkedIn page a facelift? It sounds shallow, but it’s true: the likelihood you’ll receive a job interview or have a career-changing conversation within the next year rely heavily on the caliber of your LinkedIn profile.

You may as well shove those high heels back in the closet and forget about ironing that shirt because you can propel your career forward just by laying down on your couch with a laptop while wearing yesterday’s sweats. It may not be a professional nor ergonomic look, but in today’s age, it works. The phrase “getting your foot in the door” has never stood further away from its literal meaning.

 

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Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, Llc (FSC) is celebrating over 30 years in the delivery of corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 of our corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!  

We here at FSC want to thank each of our corporate partners for the opportunity in serving & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment!

 

Article continued …

Shiny LinkedIn profiles will dominate the 2023 job market

If the thought of rewriting your LinkedIn bio or brainstorming a catchy headline makes you want to run in the opposite direction, trust me when I say you should think again. With more than 875 million users worldwide, LinkedIn’s role in the hiring process is nothing short of massive. Jobvite’s 2020 Recruiter Nation Survey reported that 72% of recruiters use LinkedIn to hire new candidates. Every second, 101 job applications are submitted through the platform. Eight people get hired every minute.

But don’t be deceived – the prevalence of job listings does not equate to a surplus of work. According to LinkedIn’s December 2022 Workforce Report, hiring across all industries fell 4.9% from October to November and is 20.5% lower than it was during November of last year. Even more concerning, current hiring has fallen 11.9% below pre-pandemic levels – a clear indicator that the job market is entering a shift we haven’t experienced in years.

Job hunters looking to work from home face an especially competitive battle. Remote work makes up only fifteen percent of the jobs listed on LinkedIn, but receives 50% of the platform’s applications. The Washington Post dubs the growing clash between employees’ interest in remote work and the employers who are willing to allow it “the great mismatch.”

In a job market saturated with candidates, those with sleek shiny LinkedIn profiles rise to the top.

5 steps to glam-up your LinkedIn profile

1. Structure your profile around your career goals

Whether you partake in New Year’s resolutions or not, the beginning of a new year comes with the inevitable urge to imagine the future that lies ahead. Use this time to think about the career goals you have for the upcoming year. Doing this before you dive into a full-on LinkedIn makeover will help you structure the changes you do make around a specific purpose. A cohesive profile gives recruiters a clear message about who you are and what you have to offer.

Here are a few questions you can help you define the career goals you have for the new year:

  • Where would you like to see yourself by the end of the year?
  • What skill set are you primarily using in your career this year– and what key words reflect those skills when used on your profile (remember! Recruiters search by key words)?
  • How would you like your brand to change over the next year?
  • Think of a dream company you’d love to work for. What impression would you want to give in a conversation with a recruiter?
  • What topics and skills would be beneficial for you to learn and develop?

2. Revamp the details

A sparse or crusty LinkedIn profile gives recruiters little faith someone will perform at a high standard in the workplace. It’s just a fact of life: aesthetics matter, and this is especially true in the job market. Take the time to make sure the details of your LinkedIn profile are all straightened out. Photo lighting, punctuation, job descriptions – these may seem like small things, but recruiters notice when they’re done sloppily.

Look at the content you already have on your page and see how it can be improved or updated:

  • Profile Picture
  • Use a photo that closely resembles your current appearance
  • Avoid using photos with poor lighting or additional people you need to cut out
  • Wear business-casual attire, take the photo from the chest up in front of a plain background
  • Headline
  • Avoid the default headline that shows your job title under your name
  • Instead, give a wide scope of who you are by including skills, certifications, future goals, and your own interpretation of what it means to do the work you do
  • Use your headline to explain where you want to go. If you’re in tech, transitioning into communications, lead with what you want to go into.
  • About info
  • Make sure your bio is written in the first person (use the words “I” and “my”)
  • Double check for grammatical mistakes and punctuation errors
  • Avoid casual language, fragmented sentences, and an excessive use of emojis
  • Background photo
  • Make your profile pop by adding a background photo in the space above your profile picture
  • Avoid personal photos and group photos
  • Consider using a subtle image related to your career
  • New accomplishments
  • Add the jobs, awards, or major achievements you’ve had since last updating your profile
  • Previous work experience
  • Treat this section of your LinkedIn Page like your resume by describing the work you did with a few bullets led by strong action verbs
  • Format text consistently across all job entries

3. Reassess your keywords

This is the part where strategy comes into play. You can create the most aesthetically pleasing profile LinkedIn has ever seen, but it won’t be seen by recruiters if you don’t leverage keywords correctly. Keywords are terminology commonly used in a specific industry. Recruiters hiring for job candidates through LinkedIn will often filter results by entering keywords that relate to the position or industry into the platform’s search feature. The more keywords you include in your profile, the better chance you have at being approached by a recruiter looking to hire someone in that related field.

Think about some keywords that relate to the goals you brainstormed in step 1. If you’re looking to change jobs, you can probably benefit by rewording your profile’s “about” section and previous job descriptions to better reflect the skills sought after in your preferred job or industry. But make sure you avoid using keywords that stretch the truth – you may think this gives you an edge over candidates, but it will only be a detriment to your credibility later on.

4. Expand your network with LinkedIn groups

Scrolling through a seemingly infinite reel of LinkedIn posts makes it easy to forget that the platform, at its core, is a network of professionals. Passively consuming posts from college peers will rarely be enough to propel your career forward. Instead, you need to use LinkedIn to actively seek out professionals with valuable connections and opportunities in your field of work, and the finding right LinkedIn group is a total gem.

The easiest way to do this? Join more LinkedIn groups and take note of which one has like minded professionals and positive engagement. There’s a LinkedIn group related to just about every occupational field and professional development topic out there, including several for job seekers. You can read more about which ones I recommend here.

5. Become more active and explore creator mode

Your posts, comments, likes, and shares all play a role in shaping a hiring manager’s impression of you. In essence, they’re part of your personal brand. While some people may think it’s safer to avoid leaving a trail of activity, this path can be even more detrimental. A lack of engagement on LinkedIn reads as a lack of interest in professional development and few, if any, achievements in the workplace. Of course, this may very well also not be the case, but it doesn’t change the fact that a recruiter has no reasons to believe otherwise.

If you’re anxious about engaging with other professionals on LinkedIn, dip your toe into the water by liking and commenting on posts that come up in your feed. Keep in mind that comments that prompt a follow-up answer will spur more engagement than comments that just affirm the post.

You don’t need to make your own LinkedIn posts overly complicated. A quick update on a team project or a post highlighting your company’s community involvement is a short but positive contribution to people’s timelines. Do your best to remain active and consistent on the platform. Consider giving yourself a certain number of posts to aim every week or month.

Above all else, make sure the content you do contribute to LinkedIn stays classy and avoids conflict. There are better places you can go if you’re looking for tension, namely Facebook and Twitter.

 

Forbes.com | January 9, 2023 | Ashley Stahl

https://www.firstsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/linkedinsuit-300x166.gif 166 300 First Sun Team https://www.firstsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/logo-min-300x123.jpg First Sun Team2023-01-09 17:25:072023-01-17 15:50:32#BestofFSCBlog : Over 14K Reads! 5 Secrets To A LinkedIn Profile That Can Compete In The 2023 Job Market. Great REad!

#JobSearch : 5 Tips To Make You Standout In A Competitive Job Market. Getting a Job just Became much Harder in 2023. GReat REad!

January 7, 2023/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

The tech sector laid off more than 150,000 employees in 2022, populating the job market with a wave of talent from some of the country’s most notable companies.

Job seekers energized with a fresh start to the new year may be in for a tough awakening – getting a job just became much harder. CNBC reports that, according to job recruiters, the tech market remains competitive, even if job seekers are considering fewer offers than they have in the past.

Ongoing inflation and talk of a 2023 recession will likely make the job market even more competitive this year. Whether you’re applying for the same position as someone who lost their job or looking for something that provides more financial support, being a top candidate means bringing your A-game to the hiring process.

Here are five tips to help you gain a competitive edge over Twitter’s latest resignee.

1. Clean up your digital footprint

Look through your social media

Most people know to rid their social media profiles of inappropriate photos and posts. But, in case an employer “stumbles” on your Twitter or Facebook profile, double check that you haven’t liked or commented on any posts you wouldn’t love for them to see.

People enjoy Googling themselves as much as they enjoy listening to a recording of their voice – okay, so they don’t tend to enjoy it all. But some things are worth a few minutes of internal cringing, one of which being a shiny new job. Take note of the websites that come up first? Is there anything problematic you need to take care of? If your personal website doesn’t come up within the first page of search results, consider making some SEO improvements.

Update any shared personal information

Long bios, short bios, social media bios – make sure all of these are not only updated with your most recent accomplishments but also reflect the image you want to give employers. A competitive job market is not a great time for self-deprecating humor.

 

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We here at FSC want to thank each of our corporate partners for the opportunity in serving & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment!

 

Article continued …

2. Go a step beyond just doing the research

Companies love it when candidates “do their research.” Not only does it show employers that the candidate is seriously considering the company, it also boosts some egos – just be sure not to overdo it.

Showing you did your research can look like spitting out the statistics and key phrases you saw on their website, but to really be effective, go one step further. Incorporate your own thinking, ideas, and values into the information you’ve gathered about the company. What excites you about their approach to solving problems? How does their mission and values align with your own career goals? Do you have any ideas to bring to the table if they were to hire you into the new role? Share them if they’re open to hearing them, and be sure to know what competitors are doing so that you can be informed on the market you’re in.

3. Leave no threads hanging

Nothing says you’re interested in a company more than a thank you email, and if necessary, a follow-up email. Not only is this a gracious practice, it also leaves employers with a positive image of you before they make their decision.

4. Do some reflecting

You don’t need me to insert an inspirational quote about failure to know that rejection is a part of life. Coming to terms with rejection and getting back on the horse, though, is only the first step. Dare I say – achieving success despite failure is not just about how many times you can get back up.

Dare I say – achieving success despite failure is not just about how many times you can get back up.

If there’s one thing you take from this piece, let it be this: Never ask a company for feedback after getting rejected! Despite their good intentions, many people don’t realize that asking companies for feedback can open the door to legal issues that cause major problems on the company’s end. For this reason, HR is usually well trained to decline that request.

Instead, form your own opinion on how the interview went. Be honest with yourself — what could you have done better? What questions did you feel unprepared for? Were there any moments that made you feel particularly anxious? Also reflect on the hiring manager’s demeanor and body language. Were there any points during the interview when they responded in an unfavorable way? You know more than you think you do.

Take note of the kind of candidate the company was looking for and any interview answers you may have given that revealed the ways in which you might fall short.

Is the gap specific to this company and position? Or is it something you foresee standing in the way of getting other jobs with similar demands in the same industry?

The mismatch may be because you lack a skillset or preferred style of working or because you have location or time requests the company cannot meet.

5. Tweak your approach and head back to the job board

Taking stock of the things that didn’t align during your last application or interview process isn’t enough to make things fall in place during the next go-around. Make a list of things you can change to close any gaps making you fall short of what hiring managers are looking for.

Then, pick a gap to resolve. Maybe this means adding another certification to your tool belt or accepting that you may need to relocate. Whatever it is, repeat this process enough and it will only be a matter of time before you land a job offer. When you do, it won’t be a job that happened to fall into place; it will be a job you put into place yourself.

Forbes.com | January 6, 2023 | Ashley Stahl

https://www.firstsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/logo-min-300x123.jpg 0 0 First Sun Team https://www.firstsun.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/logo-min-300x123.jpg First Sun Team2023-01-07 16:55:072023-01-07 16:55:07#JobSearch : 5 Tips To Make You Standout In A Competitive Job Market. Getting a Job just Became much Harder in 2023. GReat REad!
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