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#JobSearch : A New LinkedIn Study Shows Job Seekers Are Not Helping Their Own Cause: Here’s What You Need To Do To Get Noticed. A MUst REAd for ALL!

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LinkedIn recently conducted a survey of 2,000 U.S. professionals, zeroing in on the actions of professionals who have been unemployed since the start of the pandemic. LinkedIn’s research, published by Andrew Seaman, senior editor of Job Search and Careers at LinkedIn News, indicated that people “have not been actively networking while being unemployed—even though most say it’s vital for a successful job search. ”

The reason for the lack of networking may be attributed, in part, to the misperceived shame and embarrassment associated with losing a job, as the study shows that “84% believe there is a stigma associated with being unemployed.”

According to the findings, networking is viewed as an unpleasant, uncomfortable and awkward necessity of the job search process, as “less than half of survey respondents (42%) say they’ve reached out to existing connections and only 39% say they’ve asked people in their networks, such as friends and former colleagues, for introductions to other people.” When it comes time to reach out to people outside of their core communities, “only about a third (35%) have been making their own introductions to new connections.” 

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

Article continued …

As traditional methods of the job hunt have been curtailed due to the virus outbreak, such as grabbing a cup of coffee with someone, having an in-person, informal interview or attending a face-to-face networking event, gaining attention online has become paramount. It was somewhat surprising to learn that “only half of the survey respondents say they’ve even posted on social media about being unemployed or looking for a job.”

Their rationale for not branding and marketing themselves on social media is because they “don’t feel comfortable sharing publicly that they’re out of work.” Some respondents reported that they “felt too ashamed or embarrassed,” others thought “it wouldn’t be helpful.” They may also suffer from impostor syndrome, possess an inherent bias toward recruiters or have self-confidence issues.

Almost half (46%) of the people in the survey said they have “lied about being out of work,” while 51% have “avoided a social event because of the way they feel about being out of work.” Sadly, “24% said they felt embarrassed, 23% felt uneasy and 15% felt ashamed” of being out of work. The feelings of the out-of-work respondents run counter to finding that “the vast majority (96%) would hire a candidate who was laid off due to Covid-19.”

When you’re downsized, it’s natural to feel a twinge of embarrassment and some shame—even when it’s not your fault. Personal identities are intertwined with our jobs and careers. When you’re out of work, many people feel a loss of prestige and status. So, they keep the job loss to themselves. It’s completely normal to feel this way—temporarily. You may need some time to grieve and process what has happened. However, you must then pick yourself up, brush yourself off and take action.

Keep in mind that if you’re in this situation, you’re not alone. The Covid-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on the job market. Over 60 million Americans have filed for unemployment benefits since the start of the virus outbreak. Unemployment hit an all-time high. The real numbers are probably larger than the official government data, as people who’ve finished collecting benefits just fall off the radar of statistics. The data also neglects to include people that unwillingly retired, as they weren’t able to find meaningful employment, those who are significantly underemployed relative to their experience, pushed into the gig economy (due to no other options) or they begrudgingly took lower-end roles to get health insurance.

Recruiters, corporate talent acquisition, human resources professionals and hiring managers understand that this is an unprecedented time. They most likely know or have family members in a similar spot. However, job seekers who have shared their feelings of inadequacy—tied to temporarily being out of work—may have experienced or heard of colleagues that were treated shabbily in their job searches. In past job markets, particularly when things were hot, there were always corporate managers that looked askance at candidates that were in between positions. They’d grill the applicant, “Why did they choose you for firing and not someone else?” The clear inference was that there must have been something wrong with the person, like they didn’t do their job properly, couldn’t work well with others or there is a deep, dark secret surrounding their separation from the payroll.

No one can blame you for being in between jobs, as it is so prevalent right now. There’s no stigma attached anymore. Any rational person, when they learn of your situation, would say that they completely understand and most likely will share similar stories about a bunch of people they know who are going through the same thing.

With this in mind, there’s no longer a need to go it alone. Be open about your goal of finding a new job. Let people know that you’re in the job market and what specifically you want to do next. If no one knows that you’re on the job hunt, they won’t reach out to you with opportunities.

Think of your job search as a group effort. Enlist as many people as you could think of, including family, friends, college alumni, former co-workers, business associates, kids you grew up with, members of organizations you belong to and people you met at various functions. If they don’t have any solid leads, politely and persistently ask them to point you to someone that they know who may get you in front of the right person.

Strategically align with folks on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram that can contribute toward building a mutually benefiting network. These people should include potential hiring managers, human resources and talent acquisition professionals at the companies you’d like to work with. Find top-tier recruiters who are known experts in your field. Seek out peers at other companies within your niche. This way, the right types of relevant people will get to know you, as they see your postings and keep you in mind when jobs become available.

The best way to start branding yourself is by commenting, sharing, writing posts and articles on LinkedIn. The content should focus on your area of expertise, as you have a lot of knowledge to impart. You can start slowly by liking and addressing the postings of others. Find leaders in your field with large followings. Get involved in their conversations to amplify your own voice. Keep in mind that the questions you answer and your responses should burnish your brand. It’s fine to write about the emotions, challenges and pressure you’re dealing with in your job search. By openly expressing yourself, people will get to know you as a real person. If you want to take it to the next level, create videos. You can discuss matters relevant to your field. In addition to LinkedIn, also pay attention to other social media platforms that are relevant to your profession.

Set a schedule to contribute on a consistent basis. If you only post once in a while, you’ll get lost. Post regularly, so people get to know you and become interested in what you have to say next. You’ll start building an audience by continually marketing yourself. People will feel like they know you and will gladly help you out with job leads.

Aggressively reach out to recruiters and human resources professionals at companies you desire to work for. Contact anyone you know that could offer a lead. This is not the time to be shy. Even if you’re an introvert, push yourself to seek out assistance. If you’re uncomfortable initiating a phone or video call, send an email or contact them on social media platforms. The worst thing that could happen is that they don’t get back to you. The best thing is that you’ll find a great new job through a kind referral.

There are a number of online video meetups for job seekers to replace the pre-Covid-19, in-person networking events. Join them, participate and make yourself known. This will help build up another level of network—on top of what you already have. If you’re feeling brave, ask people who may be of assistance with your search to hop on a quick video call.

Even armed with this advice, I understand that it may not be easy for you. Start small and build from there. Your self-confidence will steadily increase. You’ll feel much better about yourself once you take control of your search. People will sense your new passion. Before you know it, they will start sharing job opportunities with you!

 

Forbes.com | November 1, 2020 | Jack Kelly 

#JobSearch : A 7-Step Job Search Plan To Beat The Tough Economy. A Seven Step Job Search Plan that has Gotten Results!

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Job searches go faster when job-seekers first take a step back to plan strategically. And careful planning has become even more important during these challenging economic times. Think of it this way; your “job” in a job search is to be a world-class consultative salesperson, for yourself. So do what the best salespeople do: plan carefully first, to get the highest return on your time investment.

Here’s a seven step job search plan that has gotten results for my clients, and that any great salesperson would appreciate. 

1. Start with the audience. Define your audience using two parameters so that you can understand and market to them effectively. Vary one of these two parameters and your pitch needs to change to resonate with the new audience:

  • The position description, including the level. “Finance” doesn’t cut it; “Chief Finance Officer” or “Financial Analyst” does, because of the very different ways you need to sell yourself for each of these roles.
  • The type of organization, including the industry, for profit vs. non-profit, startup or global Fortune 100, and so forth. For example, a CFO at a startup will be expected to pitch in beyond their finance role more so than would a CFO at an established global company.

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

Article continued …

2. Craft messages that will resonate with your target audience in your resumes, LinkedIn profile, emails, cover letters, and your networking and interview pitches. Which keywords, phrases, skills and experience would gain their interest? Find out by researching a) the words and phrases used in job postings, b) the LinkedIn profile content of those that do what you want to do, c) online publications for your field, d) blog posts and articles of relevant thought-leaders, and e) the “Investors” section on public company websites.

3. Make sure your target audience is big enough. Does your job target have enough potential so that your search won’t become a years-long odyssey? By “potential,” I mean the number of positions that exist, whether open or filled. You want to fish in a sea with a lot of fish so you’re more likely to catch one! Try to target roughly 200 potential positions, to help ensure you can complete your search in two to four months.

For example, a client was looking for a Chief Marketing Officer role at mid-sized technology companies in a remote part of the U.S. and identified 13 companies that met the definition. She thus identified only 13 potential positions, since each of these 13 companies has only one CMO.

This small number implies a very long search given that most positions will be filled, and for those that are not she would be competing with lots of candidates. She was ultimately able to target roughly 200 potential positions by expanding her geography, the types of roles she was willing to accept, and the industries to which she was open. And she did in fact land a role about three months after expanding her audience.

4. Prioritize your valuable job search time. Plan to spend 80% of your time on the “active” marketing channels that are getting my clients (and my colleagues’ clients) roughly 80% of their interviews: networking (that is, getting introductions) and cold-calls/emails. Spend the remaining 20% of your time on the “passive” channels for getting interviews – job postings and search firms.

5. Think broadly about your network, then plan how you want to reach out. Aim to let at least 200 people know about your search. Include family, friends, colleagues you haven’t spoken to in years who might be open to helping you, former classmates, your neighbor and so forth. One of my clients landed an interview after reaching out to a former business school classmate she hadn’t spoken with in 17 years. This is typical.

Then segment your outreach by those who will receive a) a mass “Your help requested” email vs. individual emails, b) a highly personalized vs. templated email, and c) an informational meeting request vs. a referral request or simply an update on your job search.

6. Create a one-page marketing-plan document. Plan to share this document with those who are well connected in your field, as it will make it easier for them to help you. Consider emailing the document prior to, or even during, an informational meeting. In the document, include a) your job target, b) how you can help/what differentiates you, and c) a list of the better known organizations that you’re targeting, with the hope that they’ll more likely think of someone they can refer you to if they see the organization names.

7. Set up your contact management system. You’ll want to keep in touch with everyone in your broadly defined network so no opportunities pass you by. To do so, you’ll need to keep track of, and schedule, your individual outreach efforts.

Whether your system consists of a simple spreadsheet (like most of my clients) or something more sophisticated, every contact should have “next action,” “date of next action” and “priority” fields next to their name. This way you’ll always know what to do on a given day and ensure no opportunities slip through the cracks. Adding a “last action” field is also useful to see how you have been spending your time. Click here to download an example of what this spreadsheet might look like (customize to make it work for you). Plan to follow up with everyone in your system every three to six weeks.

Jobseekers often struggle with what to say when keeping in touch, and I routinely get asked about this. Here’s what to say.

 

Forbes.com | October 21, 2020 | Robert Hellmann 

#JobSearch : Your Networking Conversation Script In 5 Steps. Follow These 5 Steps and you’ll Be a Networking Call Pro in No Time.

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Most of my clients cringe at the word “networking.” Networking can feel like an impersonal exchange of pleasantries at best, and an uncomfortable ask for a favor at worst.

But, remember:

1) Most people love talking about themselves. Never feel guilty asking for a conversation. Your job will be to ask a lot of thoughtful questions and listen. The receiver will most likely be pleased to oblige.

2) In general, people enjoy providing value to others. People like helping others. You’re not going to force someone to jump on a Zoom call with you unless they want to.

Even knowing these two powerful facts, having a step-by-step process for the actual networking conversation itself can be helpful.

Here’s your go-to 5-step script for your next networking conversation:

1. If you asked for the conversation, take control up front.

Uncertainty at the beginning of a call can be awkward. After an initial exchange of pleasantries simply say: “Thank you so much for jumping on the phone to talk with me today. Perhaps first it would be helpful to give you a brief background on myself and the context for this call. Then, I’d love to hear a little bit more about your background and how you ended up at [X company] and then, time permitting, it would be great to ask you some questions at the end. How does that sound?”

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

Article continued …

2. Have your spiel down pat, and no more than 45 seconds.

Write down and prepare your 30-45 second narrative (or as I like to call it, your “spiel.”) Do not leave this part of the conversation up to chance, because you may talk for longer than is appropriate. Your spiel should briefly explain your professional past, (where you’ve been) current state (where you are), and future goals (where you want to go).

3. Ask specific and thoughtful questions you can’t get from the website.

Don’t ask basic questions that you simply could have googled. Make your questions personal. Going Places, a female-founded company that helps individuals navigate the job search says to use the following question structure, time permitting:

  • Two questions about the person. (How was your experience in sales different from [Company X] to [Company Y]? I saw you published a book 5 years ago. That’s awesome. How is that doing? What was the process like getting it published?)
  • One question about the company. (What’s the company culture like on your team?)
  • One question about the industry. (I saw that you’re blocking political ads on the platform. Was that something everyone feels positively about internally?)

4. Make an ask… tactfully.

At the end of the call, a person may ask what they can do for you. Even if the person doesn’t ask that question, though, don’t let that deter you. According to Going Places, “Ask your ask! And make sure it does not require extra work for [the person you’re asking]. Whether it’s a referral or advice, you need to understand the follow-up steps required and plan ahead of time. (Example: if you want an e-introduction to another person within the company, draft the email for them! Then, the most the person should have to do is forward that email.)” I tell my clients: Make your ask SEA: Simple and Easily Accomplished.

5. You should walk away with 3 nouns: people, places, or things.

Your goal should be to leave the conversation with three takeaways. Keep in mind, these can be resources like books or articles to read, other individuals to speak to, other companies to look into, or a new phrase, idea or technology you hadn’t heard of. I’m a believer in the “tree-branch effect” of networking: if each conversation leads you to three nouns, and then each of those nouns leads you to three more nouns, you’ll amplify your effect.

Follow these 5 steps and you’ll be a networking call pro in no time. And, don’t forget your thank you note!

Forbes.com | October 1, 2020 | Julia Wuench

#JobSearch : Are You Sabotaging Your Job Search Efforts? Common Lies People Tell Themselves & How to Avoid Them.

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Unless you are independently wealthy, you’ll be on the job hunt at some point in your life. If you’re lucky, you won’t find yourself looking for a job very often. With that said, when you are seeking a job, you might be out of practice. It’s also possible that you may be inadvertently doing things to sabotage yourself while job hunting.

 

Take a look at some of the common lies people tell themselves about their job search, and how you can avoid them.

1- I can wait a few weeks to look for a job. I have money saved up.
This is a very dangerous job-hunting mistake, mostly because it’s a slippery slope. It starts off as a few days of rest, and then a week. One week of sitting at home turns into two, and before you know it, you find that you’ve lost the motivation to look for a good job. Maybe you’ve gotten accustomed to sleeping in, or perhaps you’ve moved in with a relative who is allowing you to mooch without demanding payment.

Whatever the reason, this can quickly lead to depression, and worse, the longer the amount of time that lapses from one job to another, the more potential employers want to know why you weren’t working. Do yourself a favor, and start looking immediately.

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

Article continued …

My Resume is just fine – I don’t need to re-do it.

If you’ve sent in your resume to multiple places, and you haven’t gotten a response, it’s probably time to tweak it. Add new experiences, play with the format, or have a professional resume written for you. Ideally, you really should be tweaking your resume every single time you send it out. It should always reflect the job you’re applying for, and it should also use the keywords that were in the job posting.

I don’t need to look for a job every day.
Yes, you do! You should be treating your job hunt as a 9-5 job. There are several reasons for this. First, by waking up early every day, networking, visiting businesses, dropping off and printing resumes, and scanning the job listings, you’re setting up a good schedule and work ethic so that you never get out of the habit of working hard. It’s also important, because if a month later you still haven’t found something, you know it won’t be because you aren’t trying. That can help stave off joblessness depression.

I can do all my job hunting online.
While the internet is a huge resource for finding a job, it’s certainly not the only one. If fact, the best way to find a job is to get a face-to-face meeting with someone. Dress in your best every day, and while you’re not scanning online job listings, you should be on the road. Visit every company you think you’d like to work in, and have a chat with whoever is at the front desk. Explain that you’re a skilled person at doing whatever it is you do, and ask politely to see the HR manager or hiring director. If you’re not allowed to meet with them, leave your resume, along with a handwritten note saying that you dropped by, and you’d love to have a chat with them about filling any needs the company has.

Finding a job is a full-time job. If you aren’t putting forth the effort to find one, don’t be surprised when you don’t.

 

FSC Career Blog Author:  Ms. Erin Kennedy, MCD, CMRW, CPRW, CERW, CEMC, is a Certified Professional Resume Writer/Career Consultant, and the President of Professional Resume Services, named one of Forbes “Top 100 Career Websites”. Considered an influencer, she is consistently listed as a “Top Career Expert to Follow” on Twitter and LinkedIn.

 

FSC Career Blog | October 2, 2020

 

Targeting Your #JobSearch -You Choose Your Employer. A 6-Step Guide to Getting Interviews Without Online Job Boards.

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What’s the first question that comes to mind when you find yourself seeking new employment? If you asked, “Who’s hiring??”, you’re certainly not alone. It is a logical question – but not necessarily a good one.

One of the first thing I advise my clients to do is to forget about limiting their considerations to those companies posting want-ads on electronic job-search engines. That’s what everybody does, and it’s a feeding frenzy of futility. Certainly there are companies open to hiring that haven’t yet put out the word or that prefer to source candidates through means other than online channels.

In fact, 85% of jobs are filled through networking and professional referrals, according to both LinkedIn and Forbes. This is where all the real action is! If you want to exponentially improve your odds of scoring some interviews here’s a great strategy:

First, create a list of ten companies you’d LIKE to work for. If you don’t have a list in your head, you can easily come up with one with a bit of research. Perform a search on companies in your industry. Narrow parameters to ones represented in your area. Now for your due diligence:

  • What is their culture? Regarding beliefs and behaviors that determine how a company’s employees and management interact, look up their leadership on LinkedIn or examine their social media presence for clues. Some companies will appear stuffy and corporate while others will seem loose and fun – go for a stylistic fit
  • Do they appear to be a successful operation with much to offer? Review the company’s website and compare with competitors. Are they competitive from a standpoint of pricing, product offerings & service? Do they have a unique market niche? Compare their websites to their main competitors. Great companies generally have great websites (the opposite is also true). You may even want to do a deep dive and see where their stock is going if it is a corporation, or investigate their earnings reports to see if they’re trending up or down.
  • What is the company’s Online Reputation? There are numerous companies you may utilize for researching a company’s reputation. Consider using Google, Yelp, Citysearch, Angieslist and other rating companies. Do not simply look at numeric rating, but read the actual reviews to glean valuable information on the company’s conduct and how they handle customers and their complaints.
  • Check Employee reviews at Glassdoor.com This site will offer reviews from former employees detailing their personal experiences with a former employer, as well as offering some general salary data. They will detail both pros and cons associated with their experience, even rating the CEO in many cases. It will typically be loaded with insights you would never be privy to otherwise, as people are remarkably candid here.
  • Does the company meet your mandatory prerequisites? Through a combination of the above means, you should be able to establish a company’s proximity to your location, whether they offer benefits, if they allow pets, if they are an established company or a start-up, etc.

Now that you have your list of companies to target, it’s time to make your approach. Unless you want to wade into the black hole of the HR resume repository – a realm from which few escape – you’ll want to go for a style of direct approach that will literally circumvent the gatekeepers. The last thing you want to do is submit your resume through a conventional company website and subject your resume to the robotic ATS algorithms designed to judge a candidate’s merit by nebulous ‘keywords’.

I advocate a more direct approach, which involves focusing on targeting key individuals within a company. In Top Down Method: a 6-Step Guide to Getting Interviews Without Online Job Boards, I detail this guerilla tactic that will distinguish you as a true go-getter and separate you from the pack. It will also help you uncover undisclosed opportunities where no one else is looking. Imagine participating in a race where you’re the only competitor – the smart money’s on you to win! So exit convention, decide who YOU want to work for, use this unconventional approach and prepare for unconventional results!

FSC Career Blog Author:  Derek Unnasch, author of Top Down Method:  eliteXtraining.com 

                                           A 6-Step Guide to Getting Interviews Without Online Job Boards

 

FSC Career Blog |  September 23, 2020

 

#JobSearch : 5 Job Search Situations Where Networking Is Not The Best Next Step. Networking is Helpful Only When You are Prepared.

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Networking is so helpful to a job search that one might assume it’s the right next step in all situations. However, this is not the case, and trying to get a networking meeting rather than taking another, more appropriate action can even hurt your job search. Every impression counts. The questions you ask, the help you ask for and the information that you don’t know all make an impression during your networking.

Here are five job search situations where networking is not the best next step – and what to do instead:

1 – You have no idea what you want

Sure, it’s helpful to talk to things out with other people, and that’s true for getting ideas for your career. However, when you approach people as someone who doesn’t know what they want, you appear undecided (commitment issue?), unsure (confidence problem?) or unprepared (laziness?). The other person might be willing to brainstorm with you, but they also might feel like it’s too big a question to solve. How would they know what you should do with your life?

Don’t network about anything too general. Have at least some idea of potential career moves, and use the meeting to test these specific ideas. Do research in advance about what your target careers would entail, and tailor your questions to how the other person can specifically help you. For example, if you are looking to switch industries and have narrowed down your possibilities to media and tech, reserve the media questions for your media connections and the tech questions for your tech connections. This way, you appear focused, prepared and respectful of their time.

 

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

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

Article continued …

2 – The questions you have can be answered by basic research

I once heard from a graduate of my alma mater, who wanted to talk about her career change into management consulting. At the time, I had just pivoted my own career from management consulting to executive search but with a management consulting focus, so it made sense that this person would want to speak with me. Since we had so much in common – same school, both career changers – I readily agreed. (Pointing out common affinities is an effective way to land networking meetings!) However, her opening question for me was to name the top companies in the field.

Don’t ask questions that can be answered by basic research. Do that research in advance, and use the networking meetings to verify the information or get nuanced information. For example, had this alum let me know what she was seeing as the top competitors mentioned in the field and then asked if I agreed or asked if I would name different companies based on her interest in a specific sub-area, then I would have seen her as someone who had put in some work and was going the extra step. Instead, I felt used that she wanted to shortcut her research and just ask for the answers.

3 – The contact who offers to refer you to HR doesn’t know you well

It is always helpful to get someone inside the company to pass on your resume for a job opening. However, it is less helpful when the person referring you doesn’t know you at all. Therefore, if you have a networking meeting with someone at a company where there is an open job that you want, but you do not know that person well, I would not ask that person to submit your resume. If they offer to submit it, I would thank them profusely and I would possibly let them submit it later, but first I would ask for information (here are eight better things to ask for than a generic introduction to HR).

When a networking contact doesn’t know you well, any referral they make on your behalf isn’t going to be that strong. At best, it will be something like, “I have never worked with this person but we have a mutual friend who knows great people so this person must be great.” Maybe, but now the recruiter or hiring manager has to believe that you’re such a good judge of people that you have vetted that your friend can vet their friends – that’s a long chain of trust. It may make the company give you a second glance, but if the hiring team has any doubts, your tenuous networking contact won’t be able to advocate for you and probably won’t want to put themselves on the line. They may even have offered to submit your resume just to cut the meeting short and will be a lukewarm advocate at best.

4 – You reach a recruiter who doesn’t hire for what you want

Yes, recruiters are great networking connections to have and not just for your immediate job search. Experienced recruiters have knowledge of their market, a broad perspective on career issues and a wide network. Recruiters are definitely on the top 10 list of people you should have in your network.

However, many recruiters specialize in a specific industry or function, and if you are outside that area, then a recruiter’s knowledge, feedback and network will be less relevant to you. If a recruiter is internal to a company, they will be most relevant about jobs specific to that company, and your networking efforts should be focused on multiple companies. Too many job seekers make reaching recruiters, any recruiters, a top priority. It’s best to focus on hiring managers, who are the ultimate decision-makers, or recruiters in your target area. To reach these people, you need to have a background that clearly shows your value to them. If your resume, LinkedIn profile and responses to commonly asked questions don’t yet make that value crystal-clear, focus on these supporting tools first before you squander a networking meeting.

5 – You reach a recruiter who hires for what you want – but you’re a career changer

If you are a career changer, recruiters are not helpful, even if they specialize in the area you want. I say that as a recruiter and a multiple-time career changer – I would never hire myself! A recruiter’s job is to filter people out, not make an exception, and a career changer is always the exception. If you are a career changer and you have existing recruiter relationships from your former career, these recruiters may be even less helpful if they try to convince you to stay where you are (after all, that’s where they can place you).

It’s always more effective to network with a hiring manager than with a recruiter, and for career changers this is even more important because it’s the hiring manager that can make an exception. However, networking whether it’s with the recruiter or the hiring manager is not the best move for a career changer, until you have something to talk about in your new career. If you don’t have knowledge of your new area and some demonstrated results (it can be from volunteer work or consulting, not just another job), then talking to people, especially influential people like hiring managers and recruiters, is premature.

Networking is helpful only when you are prepared

I certainly don’t want to discourage networking as part of your job search. People hire people, so it is critical that you connect with people and not just submit your resume to faceless job postings. That said, you want to make the right impression when you network. You want to appear focused, knowledgeable and prepared. The person you’re networking with can refer you to be hired, if not hire you outright. You don’t want to squander that opportunity for your job search.

 

Author:   Caroline Ceniza-Levine

Join my Land A Job You Love coaching group, starting on August 5. Details and sign up at SixFigureStart.com/ Group-Coaching. Get custom feedback on your job search based

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Forbes.com –  July 26, 2020

#JobSearch : How to Create an Effective Job Search Plan. The Landscape of Job Searching has Changed Drastically Over the Years.

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Not too many people truly enjoy the time they spend searching for a new job. While working with an executive resume writer can be an enjoyable and pleasant experience, it’s not the first place executives want to be at any given day. Sometimes you can’t control how long it takes an employer to hire a candidate, but you can take some steps to use your time more wisely and shorten the search process.

Here are a few effective time management tips to consider when job searching.

Know Exactly What You Want

Think about your past experience, what value you bring to the table, and what you actually want to do. There may be some aspects that are non-negotiable, so be sure to identify those in your thought process. Just remember to be realistic in this regard so you don’t eliminate yourself from too many potential jobs. Once you know exactly what you want out of a job, you can start writing an effective resume geared toward it.

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

Article continued …

Be Realistic When Setting Goals

If you’re unemployed and looking for a job, it’s usually unrealistic to think you can spend eight hours per day on a job search. Burnout is just as real with a job search as it is with jobs themselves, so consider designating a couple of hours each day to work hard at it. This can involve visiting a professional resume writing service, networking, tweaking your social media profiles, and more. Setting realistic goals will help you prevent burnout and keep you motivated.

Network

Many job openings are filled through networking rather than through traditional channels. Your time can be spent wisely by attending and actively participating in networking events. You never know whom you might meet at these events, so always be sure to bring your best. And it’s wise to also ask an executive resume writer to take a look at your resume to ensure it’s polished and ready to go.

Get Professional Advice with Your Resume

You don’t want to waste any time sending out resumes with mistakes on them. You could essentially be spinning your wheels with your job search and not even know it. Get ahead of any potential issues by working with a professional resume writing service upfront. They can help identify and fix any problems on your resume and modernize it for today’s job searching landscape to make your time be spent more efficiently.

The landscape of job searching has changed drastically over the years. The days of looking in newspapers or job boards are gone, especially for executive level positions. You need to have a game plan in place and work your plan to achieve your ultimate goal.

 

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 –  July 27, 2020

#JobSearch :How To Virtually Network In The Midst Of A Global Pandemic. So How Should you Go about Networking in this Increasingly Uncertain and Stressful Time?

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With the arrival of Covid-19, mid-day coffees, after-work drinks, working lunches and dinners have all been suspended. Our networking options have moved almost entirely online, which makes establishing and maintaining a personal connection all the more challenging.

So how should you go about networking in this increasingly uncertain and stressful time? Below are a tips on how to network virtually:

Determine Your Goals

Are you trying to strengthen your relationships with your colleagues? Make more connections in your field? Find certain opportunities, perhaps getting a board position or more speaking engagements? Consider what you want from your professional relationships and connections, and think about who you know who could advise you on it or put you in touch with someone who can. But give your networking intention, otherwise you’re aimlessly contacting people with no goal in mind, which is a waste of your time and your desired contact’s time.

Start With People You Know

Think about your colleagues, friends, family, and who can help you achieve your goal or put you in touch with someone who can. Networking doesn’t have to mean going to contrived events with name tags and strangers, it can simply mean making friends in your field and maintaining those friendships, and keeping a good relationship with family members in your field. It’s always smart to consult your alma mater’s career center and see if there are any active alumni in your field who would be happy to speak with you. These are all resources that are waiting to be tapped, use them.

 

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

Article continued …

Regularly Schedule Zoom Meetings

Talking to people face to face always helps enhance the connection. Check-in with friends, family and colleagues the way you would in person, but over Zoom. It is not the same, but everyone is navigating Covid-19 the best they can, and keeping up a social routine is important, so make sure and maintain a robust, virtual social calendar in spite of occasional awkwardness and tension of getting accustomed to a new routine.

Engage People On Social Media

Keep up a modest to active presence on social media: post interesting articles, a funny video now and then, keep in casual online contact with friends and family on the social media platform of your choice. It is an easy and enjoyable vehicle to get to know people, to get in touch with people, send private messages to ask how people are doing, send them articles you believe they would find interesting. It is an easy, organic way to keep in touch and strike up spontaneous conversations.

Update Your LinkedIn

Updating your LinkedIn notifies everyone in your network you’ve updated your profile, inviting current connections and potential employers to read your updates, including what you’re searching for professionally. So make sure to clearly articulate what you are looking for and don’t wait for others to reach out, scroll through your online contacts there to see if there is someone you should get in touch with that you didn’t think of immediately.

Author:  Frances Bridges

I’m a twentysomething freelance journalist, writer and blogger in New York City. I write about everything I’ve done wrong as a twentysomething woman here in the trenches.

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Forbes.com | July 15, 2020

#JobSearch : Don’t Let The Summer Slowdown Stop Your Job Search—Start Being Aggressive. MUst REad!

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Traditionally, the Fourth of July holiday weekend has always been considered the start of vacation season. People would bolt out of the office early Friday afternoon or take three-day weekends at the beach. As July turned into August, folks would take their two weeks off. The interviewing and hiring process would slowly grind to a halt. By mid-to-late August, even during the hottest job markets, it would be tough—nearly impossible—to get anything accomplished. The hiring manager would be out of the office on vacation and, when she’d return, the human resources person would be gone. Then, the job seeker would leave for his family’s annual summer trip.

This routine was pre-Covid-19, but could quickly change. Many workers fall back upon business-as-usual and presume that interviewing over the summertime is a futile pursuit. Instead of assuming that the expected interviewing path will similarly happen this year, try to think differently. 

What are the odds that a large percentage of human resources professionals, hiring managers and others involved with the hiring process will take extended—or any—vacations this summer? With the sudden alarming spike in thousands of new Covid-19 cases, how many people will be eager to board an airplane, rent a car, stay in a strange hotel room and go to a place that may be packed with non-mask wearers? It’s more likely that people will continue to stay at home. If they do travel, it will be short car trips.

With this is mind, forget all about how it used to be. Most people will blindly follow the old path and discontinue their job search out of habit. They’ll say to themselves that nothing’s going to happen, as everyone will be away until September. In light of the unrelenting series of bad news and events brought about in 2020, a majority of job seekers may pause their search and hope that things will turn around once the summer is over.

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

Article continued …

You have the unique opportunity to stand out and get noticed, as people absentmindedly pull out of their job searches. With less competition, take this opportunity to step up your interviewing game. As people take themselves out of the job market, your chances improve.

To be fair, it won’t be easy. With 47 million Americans filing for unemployment since the start of the pandemic, major iconic companies (such as J.C. Penney and Hertz) filing for bankruptcy protection and massive layoffs continuing unabated, you’ll be swimming against the tide. You’ll need to be strong, resilient and persistent. Keep moving forward in the face of adversity. Dig down deep inside of yourself to find the inner grit and mental toughness to overcome all of the obstacles in your path—and there will be a lot of them.

Don’t take it personally when there’s no feedback and calls and emails go unreturned. It’s not just you; this is happening to everyone. Accept the reality that things are tough and embrace the fact that you must be strong and determined to succeed.

There will be bouts of self-doubt, feelings of inadequacy, discouragement, embarrassment and petty humiliations. We’re all going through this together. Many people get so dejected that they lose hope. That’s not a viable option, as the waves of rejection could pull you even downward.  To succeed, you have to clearly set your sites on the goal and persevere, despite the challenges. It won’t be a walk on the beach, but if you don’t take assertive actions, nothing will ever change.

Claire Spence, a recruiting veteran and executive partner with Texas-based search firm Joseph Chris Partners Executive Search, tells her clients, “Now is not the time to give up or to stop looking.” She advises candidates that it’s important to aggressively search for a new job. Spence points out that—even though it’s not fair—in previous downturns, hiring managers questioned long gaps between employment. “During the long recession we had during the last administration, candidates that ‘waited’ to interview or seek other opportunities were seen by companies as not willing. We saw so many companies say, ‘Well, why didn’t he or she work for a year?’” Spence reiterated, “Do nothing and miss a great opportunity or wait because you have plenty of severance. It comes back to bite you in the long run.” Therefore, it’s smart to act now.

Mark Anthony Dyson, the founder of the Voice of Job Seekers blog and podcast shared proactive job search strategies. Dyson suggests that job seekers should politely request “informational interviews” and make this a staple in your job search strategies. Regarding the actual meetings, “It’s about having business conversations, taking your networking efforts higher.” He points out a potential problem, “Please don’t treat it as your chance to interrogate people about their careers. You’re asking for valuable information, not for a job. Create a space for making your connections and those conversations as comfortable as possible. You want them to be as frank and as candid—not only show them their thoughts are valuable to you, but you’re willing to be responsive.”

Dyson says, “The job search is more effective as proactive than reactive. It’s best as a lifestyle than doing it as needed. At a minimum, networking and professional development can continue with just a mobile phone.” He adds, “Take full control of your job search, by targeting companies you’ve been watching for awhile. Question everything you possibly can about the industry’s stability—if it’s affected by COVID. Talk to many people and understand how your current skills will be useful.”

Dyson also appreciates the mental and emotional impact of being in between jobs and the search process. He recognizes, “Stress and anxiety can stifle your mindset, so don’t store your hope or be tied to one industry, company or job. See if your insurance covers mental health, or if the job provides some care for mental health.”

Author:  Jack Kelly – I am a CEO, founder, and executive recruiter at one of the oldest and largest global search firms in my area of expertise, and have personally placed thousands of

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Forbes.com | July 6, 2020

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

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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]