Reinventing Your Career? 5 Steps To Assess Your Transferable Skills

Reinventing Your Career? 5 Steps To Assess Your Transferable Skills

As we all know, most of us will reach a time in our work life when we have to reinvent our careers for an evolving economy. Some of us go back to school while others enter new businesses.

The first thing you want to do when considering a career change is to stop thinking of yourself as just a job title, whether that be financial analyst, human resources specialist, manager, teacher, or homemaker. No matter how you spend the first part of your career, whether it’s coaching soccer or fully entrenched in corporate America, we all end up developing specific expertise.

If you start your own independent business from scratch, you will need to know something about every aspect of the business, from managing staff to selling your product or service.

If you’re interested in switching to a new industry, you might want to consider a franchise, which comes with a tried-and-true business model, a brand name, and marketing expertise, as well as a training program and ongoing support. With a franchise, you get to operate your own business while having a team of experts behind you.

To accurately gauge your preparedness for any new endeavor, you should consider all the skills you have accumulated that can be transferred to a new career.

As you take inventory of your transferable skills, you want to dive deep into the details of your day to accurately assess your strengths for a successful career change.

1. List What You Do In An Average Workday

Person writes down their transferable skills

Make a list of all the activities you perform on any given workday over a week, since not everything you do happens daily. And don’t skip anything you may consider “a no-brainer” or insignificant because these little things can add up to a very significant skill that could transfer to another industry seamlessly.

So, if you sometimes have to field phone calls from disgruntled clients, and you’ve discovered you’re really good at calming people’s nerves, that’s a valuable skill. Even if your job title is “financial analyst.”

You never know what skill could make all the difference in your career change.

2. Realistically Assess Your Personal Strengths

Woman on laptop thinks about her personal strengths while trying to make a career change

You don’t need to be good at everything, but if cold-calling is an essential aspect of the company you want to apply to in your career change, you need to know you can do this day in and day out.

Consider core skills such as communications, business acumen, managing people, marketing, and so on. Be honest with yourself and stay clear of jobs that rely on skills that are not among your strengths. Changing careers is a lot easier when you know all of your strengths and how they can help you succeed in your next job.

3. Are You Detail-Oriented Or More The Big-Picture Thinker?

Two co-workers happy in their careers

If you’re a numbers person and love tabulating figures, you may want to find a business that can capitalize on this valuable skill. Or maybe you prefer creating strategies that can make the whole operation run more smoothly.

Being detail-oriented or a big-picture thinker aren’t hard skills. They’re just adjectives and definitely DON’T belong on your resume. But knowing which category you fall under should help you identify the hard skills you possess that make you one or the other.

4. Do You Have Good Follow-Through?

Female executive leads a meeting after successfully changing careers

Building a clientele involves not only making good connections but following through to convert these new contacts into lasting relationships. Follow-through can also be an essential attribute in managing staff. A good franchise program can help you learn this skill.

While you don’t want to state you have good follow-through on your resume, you should quantify your work experiences so that employers will get that impression when they read your job application. When trying to change careers, quantifiable skills and accomplishments are a necessity.

5. Are You A People Person?

Man smiles at his new job after making a career change

Do you love being around and meeting new people? Do you strike up conversations easily and enjoy learning about other people’s interests and goals? Many businesses require a whole range of people skills in hiring and managing staff and attracting and keeping customers, but there are lots of businesses where the role of the owner mainly involves working alone at your computer.

No matter where you end up after your career change, you will have to deal with people in some way, shape, or form. But if you don’t want a customer-facing role, it’s good to know that so you can choose which transferable skills to highlight in your resume and which to omit.

With personal skills inventory in hand, you’re now ready to begin researching businesses that would best match your skills and interests. A career change can be scary. But if you’re confident about the skills you’ve developed in your career up to this point, you’ll be just fine.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

How Recent College Grads Can Find A Job Despite Mass Layoffs

How Recent College Grads Can Find A Job Despite Mass Layoffs

When times are tough, mass layoffs happen in almost every industry. But what do you do if you’re a recent college graduate looking for your first job? How can you find a job when those around you are getting laid off?

Your first job search after college is hard enough without dealing with bad economic conditions. You need to prove your value to an employer with limited to no experience under your belt. Even before that, though, it can be incredibly challenging trying to get your resume past the ATS and into the hands of the hiring manager.

If you recently graduated from college and don’t know where or how to start your job search in these trying times, we have some simple but effective tips guaranteed to help you land your first job.

Here are three things recent college graduates should do to find a job despite mass layoffs:

1. Be Intentional With Your Networking

Happy recent college graduate on laptop networks his way into a job

At Work It DAILY, we firmly believe your network is your net worth. Approximately 30-50% of all jobs today are gotten via referral. Utilize the connections you’ve made in college or in past summer internships to get your foot in the door somewhere. It’s always easier to get a job when you’ve been referred internally by someone who already works at the company.

It’s not enough to simply ask your connections about any employment opportunities they know about, though. You need to be intentional with your networking, or your job search will feel aimless.

Build a list of companies you’d like to work for so you can focus your efforts in those areas. This is your interview bucket list—all the companies you would love to work for that hire for your skill sets.

Creating this list is going to help focus your job search in terms of who you need to network with, reach out to, and start to connect with in order to find the job opportunities you want.

Remember: You’re not asking them for a job—you’re asking them for information that could help you land an interview.

2. Write A Disruptive Cover Letter

Recent college grad on laptop writes a disruptive cover letter

The cover letter is the “voice” to your resume. If you want to land yourself an interview while layoffs are happening left and right, the key is to write a disruptive cover letter.

If you’re not writing disruptive cover letters in your job search, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity to stand out to employers. The ultimate goal of a disruptive cover letter is to tell a story so compelling about why you feel connected to the company that they’ll want to pick up the phone and get to know you a bit more.

What you lack in experience you can make up for with enthusiasm and a great connection story.

3. Consider An Unpaid Internship

Recent college graduate works at his internship / talks during a meeting

Even when there aren’t mass layoffs going on, getting an internship after you graduate from college can be a very strategic move for your career.

If you’re struggling to find a job right out of college, consider applying for an internship position. Preferably, you’d want a paid internship, but if a lot of companies are laying off employees, ask if they have an unpaid opportunity available. You won’t get paid, but you will gain a lot of experience. And if the internship goes well, they may offer you a full-time position after a few months of hard work and proving yourself as a valuable employee.

At the end of the day, experience is what will set you apart in the current job market, because it gives you the ability to develop your skills and show how you made or saved a company money—something every employer will want to hear when you interview with them.

School teaches you everything except how to get a job. No matter how competitive or disrupted the job market may be, recent college grads can stand out to employers with these three tips, and find a good job soon after graduation.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

3 Tips To Recover After Not Getting The Job

3 Tips To Recover After Not Getting The Job

It can be hard to recover after not getting the job, especially after all of that time and effort you put into your research, application, interview, and follow up. The good news is that, even if you didn’t get the job, you can still come out on top.

Instead of falling victim to your frustration, you can turn this situation into a positive. But how? Here are a few tips for recovering after not getting the job:

1. Step Back & Reflect On The Situation

“Take a deep breath,” says J.T. O’Donnell, founder and CEO of Work It Daily. “They didn’t say, ‘No, not ever.’ This wasn’t a personal attack on you. They just said, ‘No, not today.'”

You need to realize that a lot of talented people applied for that job, and the fact that you made it to the very end is awesome. Just because you weren’t considered the “perfect” match doesn’t mean you weren’t a great match. Take a step back and get some perspective on the situation.

2. Step Up & Be Thankful 

Professional man smiles and recovers after not getting the job

“You need to step up now and show your character, your authenticity—prove that you mean what you said,” says O’Donnell.

Send a note thanking the hiring manager for letting you know you weren’t selected and let them know you’re happy they found a great candidate. Even though this might be hard for you to do, it’s very important that you take that responsibility, according to O’Donnell.

Also, let them know you’re still interested in working for the firm in the future and touch base with them every now and then. Make it clear that you’ll be proactive in your efforts to work there, even after getting rejected this time. It’s going to show them that you really are the professional you said you were during the hiring process.

3. Don’t Let Your Pride Get In The Way

Professional woman smiles and is hopeful after she didn't get the job

“It’s really easy to say, ‘Forget them! They had their shot!'” says O’Donnell. “But you know what? You know you want to work there, it’s just that your feelings are hurt.”

Don’t let your pride get in the way. You need to push it aside and be the bigger person. Focus on the future. What if another job opens up at the company? If you really were one of the top choices, they may just call you and skip the hiring process altogether. Wouldn’t that be nice?

We understand how soul-crushing not getting the job can be, especially if you’ve been looking for a job for months. Keep your head up. The right job opportunity for you is out there.

In the meantime, we hope these tips will help you recover from the disappointment that comes with a long job search. You got this!

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

Job Shopper vs. Job Seeker: Which One Are You?

Job Shopper vs. Job Seeker: Which One Are You?

There is a huge difference between being a job seeker and a job shopper. And if you don’t understand the difference, keep reading. Because I promise you, if you’re looking for work right now, you need to understand the difference.

The Difference Between A Job Seeker & A Job Shopper

@j.t.odonnell Job Shoppers vs Job Seekers. Why ypu want to be the 1st and not the 2nd! #jobsearchtips #jobseeker #jobshopper #howto #careertiktok #jobtiktok #jobs #careers ♬ original sound – J.T. O’Donnell

The majority of people looking for a job right now are job seekers. They’re getting on board job boards, they’re applying to a bunch of jobs, and then they’re sitting back and waiting to hear from employers.

Here’s the problem: just because job boards are there doesn’t mean they’ve made it easier for you.

A job seeker has a 3% chance of getting a callback when applying online. And that is because these online job boards have made it easier for the employer to get a lot of applicants. But that means there’s a lot more competition for you. So you apply for a job, a thousand other people apply, and there’s a 3% chance you’re getting a call. That is a really frustrating demotivating, embarrassing, depressing way to look for work. You don’t want to be a job seeker.

You want to be a job shopper.

A job shopper chooses who they want to work for, and they are very intentional in the way that they reach out and connect with that employer in order to get their dream job. Sounds a lot better, right? Who doesn’t like shopping?

You start by finding companies that you respect and admire that hire for your skill set and you make a list. It’s called an interview bucket list. The reason you make this list is because employers don’t just want the most qualified applicant. They want the one who would be the easiest to work with.

You get hired based on your personality and your aptitude. You can’t teach personality and you can’t teach aptitude. You can teach experience. That combination of personality and aptitude means you’ll get along with everybody else in the office and you know how to adapt yourself and do things the way the employer needs you to do them. That’s the difference.

Once you have your interview bucket list, reach out and connect with as many people as possible who work at those companies. Here’s an example of what you can say to your new connections:

“Hey, I’m a fan of your company. It’s literally on my top 20 list of companies I’d love to work for someday. Can I hear how you got your job or can I hear what you love about your work?”

That kind of connection story piques their interest because now you’re somebody they might want to hire because you have the things they can’t teach. You’ve got the personality for the job.

So, that connection story is everything. That’s how you become a job shopper instead of a job seeker. Remember to use your connection story in your disruptive cover letter too. Good luck, and go get ’em!

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5 Interview Hacks That Will Give You An Edge (No Confidence Required)

5 Interview Hacks That Will Give You An Edge (No Confidence Required)

How can you project confidence when you don’t feel it? One of the most interesting things I learned from my days as an actor was seeing how audiences tended to remember what a person did much more than how they did it.

In other words, if you take the correct actions, despite not being confident, you’ll trigger the same response as though you were. The goal? Establishing yourself as the job candidate who can deliver the most value—someone who is in demand, understands his/her worth, and is willing to advocate for it.

Here are some hacks to help you appear confident in your next job interview:

1. Have A Great Answer For Tricky Questions You Know Will Come Up

If you were laid off or fired, you know it’s going to come up during the hiring process. So, make sure you have a good answer that eases any potential concerns from the employer.

We recommend using the “Experience + Learn = Grow” framework when you outline your responses for these types of questions. What happened? What did you learn from the experience? How did you grow into a better employee as a result?

Having good answers ready for tough interview questions can set you apart from the competition.

2. Be Flexible With Your Time When It Comes To Interviews

Job candidate interviews for an open position

When an interview runs over, it’s a great sign. They want to continue learning about you, so let them! If you cut it short, you risk losing a great opportunity to sell yourself.

Make sure you block out enough time during the day for your interview, to get there and in case the interview goes long. You don’t want to leave a job interview early, especially if it’s going well! That will rub the hiring manager the wrong way, and definitely hurt your chances of moving on in the interview process.

3. Make Sure You Have A Number Or Range Ready When They Ask About Salary Requirements

Hiring manager asks about salary requirements during a job interview

No one likes getting the brush-off when it comes to important details. If an employer has a budget for a role, they need to know whether it’s worth their time to continue with you (and vice versa!).

Also, this is a good opportunity for you to demonstrate that you’ve researched this and have a clear understanding of your value. An accurate and reasonable salary range will make you seem more confident and can make it easier to negotiate salary down the road.

4. Always Ask For Next Steps So You Know What To Expect And How You Should Respond

Woman asks about next steps at the end of her job interview

Some companies have longer interviews than others, and not every hiring process is the same. Making sure you know what to expect is key so you can set yourself up for success.

It’s simple: never leave an interview without asking the hiring manager what the next steps are! You’ll walk out feeling confident about what to expect in the coming weeks. Also, don’t forget to send a thank-you note!

5. “I’m Interested In This Job, And Want It!”

Job seeker shakes hands with the hiring manager and tells them they want the job

Sounds obvious, right? But you’d be amazed how many great candidates lose out on the offer by being dinged for a lack of enthusiasm for the role.

The best solution? As the interview’s wrapping up, take a second to bring it up.

Why are you excited about the role? Why are you excited about being a part of what they’re doing? And yes, state outright that you’d like the job. It can make a big difference.

It’s okay if you’re struggling with feeling confident during your job search. These five hacks can help you appear confident and stand out from the competition. Sometimes it’s best to fake it until you make it!

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.





How To Prepare In The 24 Hours Before A Job Interview

How To Prepare In The 24 Hours Before A Job Interview

Understanding how to prepare for a job interview is critical to your success in the job search process. One of the most important parts of preparing is the 24 hours prior to the actual interview. How you spend the last 24 hours could greatly impact your performance in the interview.

A job interview isn’t like taking a test in school because you can’t just cram at the last minute and “luck into” success. You should have been preparing for the interview over the course of multiple days or weeks. The 24 hours prior to the interview should be for making the final preparations and relaxing.

With that in mind, here are some tips for how to utilize the day before your job interview:

Take The Day Before The Interview For Yourself (If You Can)

Young professional takes some time to relax the day before her interview

If you have personal time that you can take at your current job and can take it without causing too much disruption, then you should consider taking the day before your job interview off. The benefit of doing this is that it’s one way to eliminate potential stress going into the interview. It also frees up time so you can make your final interview preparations and relax, which are two of the most important factors heading into the job interview.

Depending on how an individual’s schedule works, some people may work the day before their interview in order to take the day of the interview off. In fact, taking time off may not be an option at all. Having the day off before the interview isn’t essential; you just need to make sure you create enough time for your final preparations so you can get into the right state of mind.

But, if you’re one of the lucky ones who has the personal time, consider taking it. It will make the lead-up to your interview a lot easier.

Review Everything

Young professional does a mock interview with her friend

All of the heavy research about the opportunity should already be done. The last 24 hours should be for a light review of information. You should also go over common interview questions and behavioral interview questions.

Hopefully, your interview preparation included a mock interview or two. If you have time to fit one in the day before, you should give it a shot. Make one final checklist of the things you should know going into the interview. If you check all the boxes and feel good, call it a day and relax!

Do Something For Yourself

Job seeker listens to music and takes some time to relax in the hours leading up to her job interview

If you’re lucky enough to have the day off before your job interview and you’ve finished your preparations early, you probably have some time to yourself. So, do something you enjoy—just don’t go wild.

Working out at the gym, reading a book, watching a movie, and cooking are some great things that you could do in the hours leading up to an interview because they aren’t overly stressful and many people find them relaxing.

Whatever activity you decide to do, make sure it’s something you enjoy but isn’t anything over strenuous. You want to be in a good place mentally and physically going into the interview.

Get A Good Night’s Sleep

Before you call it a day, there are just a few more things that you should check on before going to bed.

Make sure you have an outfit picked out and ironed for the next day and that your alarm clock is set to the correct time. Give yourself some extra time in the morning to get ready, eat breakfast, and arrive at the interview early.

Once you’re confident in your morning routine, go to bed! The night before a job interview is not a good time to stay up late. You’ll want all eight hours of sleep so you can be rested and focused in the morning. You want to be fully engaged during your interview, not yawning.

Because there are so many factors that go into interviewing, following these steps doesn’t guarantee success. However, following them will at least have you in a good state of mind going into the interview, which will allow you to give your best effort. Whether the interview is a success or you fall short, you’ll learn something valuable and, ultimately, be a better professional for it.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

Why You Shouldn’t Write “To Whom It May Concern” On Your Cover Letter

Why You Shouldn’t Write “To Whom It May Concern” On Your Cover Letter

Many job seekers still don’t understand how important cover letters are in their job search. Your cover letter has the power to turn your job application from a “maybe” to a “yes.” Even the little details, like how you address your cover letter, can impact a hiring manager’s decision whether to give you a call or not.

As a job seeker, there are many ways you can choose to address your cover letter. But there’s one you should never use—no matter the circumstances.

Here’s why you shouldn’t write “To Whom It May Concern” on your cover letter:

It’s Impersonal

The whole point of your cover letter (a disruptive cover letter, at least) is to connect with the employer. How can you do that when you begin your cover letter with such an impersonal greeting?

When you write “To Whom It May Concern” on your cover letter, you’ve already lost an opportunity to be warm and friendly. This type of greeting is cold and formal, something you’d see in business correspondence. Maybe a cover letter was considered a form of business correspondence back in the day, but it’s much more than that now.

So, skip the formality. Your cover letter should be personal. It should tell a story—the story of why you want to work for the company, why you’re passionate about what they do, and how you believe you can help them achieve their goals as an organization. And no good story ever began with “To Whom It May Concern.”

It’s Outdated

Man on laptop deletes "To Whom It May Concern" on his cover letter

If you write “To Whom It May Concern” on your cover letter, there’s a good chance the hiring manager will think you’re old-fashioned, if they didn’t already think so after reviewing your resume.

In the job search, it’s all about relevancy. By using such an outdated greeting in your cover letter, the hiring manager will also begin to question just how relevant your skills are, or if you’re still relevant in your industry.

Simply put, “To Whom It May Concern” is outdated, old-fashioned, and can bring into question your relevancy as a professional, a business-of-one. That’s not something you ever want.

It’s Lazy

Woman on laptop avoids writing "To Whom It May Concern" on her cover letter

Writing “To Whom It May Concern” on your cover letter might’ve been completely fine before the internet and the rise of professional networking sites like LinkedIn. But now information about who works at a certain company and their roles within an organization is freely available and out there for anybody to find. You just have to look for it.

That’s why when you use this type of cover letter greeting it can come off as lazy. The hiring manager may think you didn’t care enough about the job opening to properly address the cover letter to the person who’d be reading it. So, do you really care about getting the job? Do you really want the job? If you’re lazy even before you get the job, would someone be wrong to assume you’d probably be lazy on the job as well?

In the job search, you never want to do the bare minimum. Writing “To Whom It May Concern” on your cover letter is the bare minimum.

A little research never hurt anybody. Before starting your cover letter, try to find the name of the hiring manager at the company you’re applying to. If you can’t, writing “Dear Hiring Team” or “Dear Hiring Manager” will work just fine.

How you address your cover letter is more important than you think. Every little detail can impact a hiring manager’s impression of you. So, whatever you do, avoid the impersonal, outdated, and lazy greeting of “To Whom It May Concern” on your next cover letter. You’ll thank us later.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

#1 Secret To Successfully Changing Careers

#1 Secret To Successfully Changing Careers

I’m going to let you in on a little secret about successful career changes. So many people spend years not being able to pivot their career into a new industry or a new skill set because they haven’t done the most vital part of the process.

The most important part of the career change process is the professional strengths assessment. That’s the secret to successfully changing careers. Without going through the professional strengths assessment, you won’t know which career direction is right for you.

Discovering Your Professional Strengths Helps You Understand Your Intrinsic Motivation

@j.t.odonnell Replying to @luciahawleynutrition No. 1 SECRET to changing careers, or finding a new, better job is to do proper professional strengths assessment. #strengths #strengthsandweaknesses #knowyourworth #knowyourstrengths #careers #jobs #career #job #careertok #jobtiktok #careertiktok #jobsearchtips #jobsearch #workitdaily #howto #work ♬ original sound – J.T. O’Donnell

School never taught you this. They never taught you how to properly assess your professional strengths. And, just so you know, employers will never teach you this either. And that’s because when you understand your intrinsic motivation (how you like to create value and what makes you feel insanely productive on the job), when you tap into that and understand your unique combination of professional strengths, you will be able to identify careers that are a fit for you. You will know what to say during interviews. You’ll be able to market yourself. And, better yet, you will be much happier on the job, which leads to career growth and success.

Ask anyone who’s dialed into their career. They’ll tell you they have a very clear sense of their intrinsic motivation and the value they create through their professional strengths.

Now, how do you inventory this? How do you discover your professional strengths and understand your intrinsic motivation?

You use a set of FREE tools:

If you’re serious about changing careers, take the free quizzes above and sign up for my Professional Strengths Bootcamp. In this bootcamp, I walk you through the professional strengths assessment so that you can take a step back, understand your strengths, and then translate those into what you want to do next. When you can do that, everything gets easier—job search, career growth, networking, everything.

You can do this. You can successfully change careers. And it starts with unlocking your professional strengths. So, I hope you follow my advice above. Go get ’em!

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Workplace Disagreements: How To Handle Them The Right Way

Workplace Disagreements: How To Handle Them The Right Way

The workplace is a dynamic place. Unfortunately, any time multiple human beings get together, there is potential for conflict.

Disagreements in the workplace can be unpleasant. Assuming two people are at odds with one another, that negative vibe can quickly spread through a team or organization. It is almost a guarantee that into each career some disagreement will fall. It would be impossible to always agree on strategy and tactics with colleagues. It would also be counterproductive to always have agreement in the workplace.

Encouraging and promoting different ideas and perspectives is key to coming up with solutions and teams performing at high levels. The task becomes determining if a disagreement is healthy. If it is unhealthy, it can be difficult to diagnose and solve the problem. No matter how much people say, “Let it go, it’s just work,” that is easier said than done. When people put so much into their careers and jobs, it’s worth it to try to understand disagreement—and learn how to manage disagreements in the workplace.

Navigating these quarrels can go a long way toward saving or strengthening relationships, and improving one’s professional reputation.

Try The Mirror Before The Window

Man on laptop deals with workplace conflict at his job

For starters, when there is a disagreement in the workplace, look in the mirror before peering out the window. In other words, reflect on your actions and perspective before looking at anyone else.

In fact, this advice is handy in a lot of situations. Something to keep in mind is that, in most disagreements, each side genuinely believes they are doing the right thing. Each person’s stance can be completely foreign to the other, but if the conflict is approached with an attempt at understanding and mutual respect, a positive resolution is more likely.

Talk To A Mentor

Woman helps a colleague resolve a conflict at work

Having someone to talk to about the matter can be helpful. Someone who is removed from the situation, can be trusted, and is discreet. If this person can bring a unique perspective, all the better. He or she can listen, ask challenging and thought-provoking questions, or maybe he or she has been there before and can offer some thoughtful advice.

However, choose a confidant carefully. The other side of this advice is to avoid airing grievances in the workplace. Always attempt to take the high road. Talking too much to too many people can not only be counterproductive and damage relationships, but it can be harmful to one’s reputation.

The point of talking to someone about the situation is to help you assess your perspective.

Take A Positive Approach

Coworkers resolve a workplace disagreement during a work meeting

After reflecting on a disagreement, as uncomfortable as it may be, it is almost always most productive to sit down with the other party.

Rather than approach the meeting as adversarial, go into it seeking to understand, make progress, and find a resolution. Ask each other questions. Try to help each other see the other’s perspective. If there is a commitment to compromise and flexibility upfront, good things often happen.

Engage A Facilitator

HR listens to a workplace conflict

Good intentions alone may not help. In the event addressing the disagreement head-on is not successful, or the other party is not receptive, it may be helpful to engage a third-party facilitator. The facilitator may need to serve as a mediator, or the person may be helpful in creating a more constructive meeting environment. Either way, there is often value in having someone objective and removed from the situation to provide another set of eyes and ears. In order to be most effective, the facilitator should be someone both parties agree on and want to participate.

Many organizations have HR or organizational development consultants in-house that can serve this purpose. Smaller employers may not have that luxury, but there may still be an HR professional or other trusted resource equipped to help the situation. The point is, this person will need to be credible, respected, and willing to provide candid feedback.

Disagreements at work are going to happen. In many instances, disagreements are productive and good signs of diverse thought. They do not need to be the end of the world, but the ones that matter cannot be allowed to fester. Working in an environment where there is hesitancy to disagree or offer an alternative can squash creativity and add unnecessary stress.

When disagreements crop up, it’s important to stay professional, reflect on each side’s perspective, and try to find the best solution possible for the good of everyone involved. It can be tricky at first, but once you know how to resolve disagreements in the workplace, dealing with co-workers becomes much easier. No two situations are going to be alike, but by taking a measured, collaborative approach, even the toughest hurdles can be overcome.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

5 Tips For Writing An Unforgettable Thank-You Note

5 Tips For Writing An Unforgettable Thank-You Note

Your job interview may be over but the interview process isn’t done yet. There’s another crucial step that could mean the difference between getting hired or getting looked over. That step is sending an unforgettable thank-you note to your hiring manager.

Will a thank-you note really make a difference?

Yes, it definitely will. Writing a thank-you note gives you the opportunity to keep on making a good impression after the interview process is complete. It shows that you care about the company and appreciate the time people put in to meet you. Plus, it shows that you care about the next step in the hiring process and want to take an active part in it.

If you have questions about your thank-you note strategy (like what to put in it or how to send it along), here are some tips on how to write a thank-you note that will really wow your potential employer:

Don’t Send A Hand-Written Note—Email It Instead

There’s a good chance the hiring manager is super busy and wants to make a hire soon. You need to keep up with them. If you write a note by hand and send it in the mail, it may not reach them by the time they make a decision.

To ensure that you’re up to speed in the hiring process, send the thank-you note via email. It will get to the hiring manager much faster.

Send It Sooner Rather Than Later

Man on laptop writes a thank-you note after a job interview

The hiring process moves fast, so it’s important you make a good first impression—fast.

The optimal time to send a thank-you note is within 24 hours of your job interview. That way, the hiring manager doesn’t forget you or the conversations you had during your interview. A quick turnaround on your thank-you note also shows the employer you’re a proactive and eager job candidate.

Be Sure To Say Why You’re Thankful For The Interview

Woman on laptop sends a thank-you note to a hiring manager

Saying “thank you” in your thank-you note is a given. Take it a step further by telling the hiring manager why you are thankful for the interview.

You could mention that you liked learning more about the company, meeting members of the team, and getting to know more about the position. This shows the hiring manager that the job interview was more than just a formal part of the hiring process for you.

Remember Names And Drop Them In Your Note

Man writes a thank-you note to an employer on his laptop

During your job interview, learn the names of those you come in contact with and mention some of them in your thank-you note. You could mention a question they answered for you or give them a shout-out for making you feel comfortable.

This shows that you pay attention to the details and care about those who have helped you throughout the hiring process.

Tell Them Why You’d Be A Good Fit

Woman sitting on grass types a thank-you note on her laptop

Now that you’ve gone through the interview, reiterate why you think you’d be a good fit for the job. You got a glimpse of how the company functions, so now’s your chance to add what value you think you bring to the table.

You can also express your excitement about the position and the company. It will show that you care about the job and it will help you further stand out in the hiring manager’s mind.

At the end of the day, a thank-you note will make you a memorable job candidate, someone the employer would love to have on their team. So, don’t forget to send a thank-you note after your next job interview!

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

8 Reasons You Got Ghosted By A LinkedIn Connection

8 Reasons You Got Ghosted By A LinkedIn Connection

We’ve all been there, right? You connect with someone on LinkedIn, start a great conversation, and then when you reach out again, silence. You never hear from that person again. Ouch. Looks like you got ghosted by a LinkedIn connection.

Ghosting is when someone abruptly stops communicating with someone else, and it happens all the time in online networking. But, why did this happen to you? What went wrong?

When you’ve been ghosted by a LinkedIn connection, a few things could have happened. Here are some reasons why they haven’t gotten back to you:

1. They’re Too Busy.

We live in a crazy, busy time. Everyone has things going on, and answering LinkedIn messages might not be everyone’s first priority. Cut this person some slack—they might just be swamped with other commitments right now.

2. They’re “On” LinkedIn, But They’re Not Really “Active” On It.

Woman on laptop thinks about messaging a LinkedIn connection

Just because you live on LinkedIn doesn’t mean that everyone else does. In fact, there are tons of people out there who have a LinkedIn profile because they’re required to have one or because they feel they should have one, but they don’t actively use it.

So, if you haven’t heard back from a LinkedIn connection in some time, don’t take it personally.

3. They Saw Your Message, But Simply Forgot To Message You Back.

Man on laptop wonders why a LinkedIn connection hasn't messaged him back

This person might have gotten distracted and forgot to return your message. Again, we live in an incredibly busy time and things come up. Just because they didn’t respond doesn’t mean they weren’t intending to do so.

4. You’re Too Aggressive.

Professional woman on laptop wondering why a LinkedIn connection ghosted her

Sure, sending LinkedIn messages, commenting on their updates, and liking their activity on LinkedIn is fine in moderation, but if you’re too aggressive, you can scare away or irritate your LinkedIn connections.

5. You Didn’t Make An Effort To Get To Know Them.

Man on laptop worried he got ghosted by a LinkedIn connection

Did you make an effort to get to know them and their goals? Or did you make it all about you? Monopolizing the conversation with your story, heartaches, and needs is one of the easiest ways to get ghosted by a LinkedIn connection.

Who wants to talk to someone who just talks about him/herself? Boring. Selfish. No thanks.

6. You Asked For Something Right Away.

Woman on laptop regrets reaching out to a connection on LinkedIn

Asking for favors too soon can really turn people off. You need to take time to get to know them, offer value, and establish a relationship. Otherwise, they might feel like you’re just using them. No one likes that!

7. You Gave Them A Creepy Vibe.

Man on laptop connects with new people on LinkedIn

Whether you meant to or not, you might have done something that gave this person the creeps. If you were too aggressive with your networking strategy, this person might have gotten a bad vibe from you. Or, if you straight up said something inappropriate (i.e., commented on his/her looks, confessed your love, sent messages/images that are NSFW, etc.), this person very likely isn’t going to be a fan.

You might laugh at this, but it actually happens all the time. Don’t be a creep!

8. You Ghosted Them First.

Woman on laptop realizes she got ghosted by a LinkedIn connection

Oh, what a plot twist! You’ve been M. Night Shyamalan’d. You might not realize it when you do it, but if you connect with someone on LinkedIn and you don’t reach out, you’re ghosting them from the get-go. If you reach out weeks, months, or years later expecting them to return your message, they might not know who you are, why you’re connected, or why they should talk with you.

Always start a conversation when you connect with someone on LinkedIn!

If you’ve been ghosted by a LinkedIn connection, think about what you could’ve done differently. Are there problems with your current strategy? Also, take into consideration that it’s not always your fault that you don’t hear back. Sometimes it’s on the other end. If that’s the case, try following up again in a few months to get a conversation started again. Or, move on to someone else.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

Common Grammar Rules For Resumes

Common Grammar Rules For Resumes

The simple purpose of the resume is to get you noticed and have employers contact you for an interview. To achieve this, resumes will typically break some common grammar rules.

For example, all sentences are written like headlines without pronouns. Employers won’t be asking whose resume it is when your name is already on it, front and center. It is, therefore, unnecessary to include pronouns like “I” or “my” anywhere on your resume.

Resumes need to read like quick, bite-sized bits of information. Adding pronouns can make the information difficult to digest because there is unnecessary clutter around the facts the hiring manager wants to know. For instance, a resume including pronouns would read something like this:

I launched the product to a new international market. My efforts resulted in the company’s sales revenue doubling within 2 years.

A more effective approach would read:

Launched product to new international market, doubling company’s sales revenue within 2 years.

See how the latter version says the same thing but gets to the point quicker? Also, notice how we did not spell out “two” because numbers draw the eye to your sentence.

Here are some common grammar rules around resume writing:

6 Common Grammar Rules To Follow In Your Resume

1. Forget about “I.”

There is no need to use “I” anywhere in your resume. For bullet points, just start with an action verb like “Delivered,” “Achieved,” “Produced,” etc. Follow these action verbs with quantifiable accomplishments and you’ll stand out to recruiters and hiring managers.

2. Keep your sentences in the first person.

Hiring managers will cringe if they see that your resume is written in the third person. It’s even worse if you switch up points of view halfway through your resume. “Excel in developing comprehensive financial models,” is correct (first person) whereas “Excels in developing comprehensive financial models,” is not correct (third person). For all non-current positions, you can use the past tense so you won’t have to worry about using the wrong point of view.

3. Keep sentences short.

Fragments are encouraged. Long, descriptive sentences and bulky paragraphs are not going to impress recruiters and hiring managers. Why make it harder for them to figure out what kind of value you provide?

4. Use bullet points for achievements so they are noticed.

Break down information into easily digestible bits. Big blocks of text will likely get skimmed or overlooked entirely. Short bullet points where you quantify your work experience (using numbers) will definitely get you noticed by all the right people.

5. Take out fluff.

All you need is simple language. Do not use flowery phrases that would not come up in normal conversation. Any kind of resume fluff will hurt your chances of getting a call from an employer. Hiring managers will see right through it. When it comes to your resume, less is more.

6. Show the most important achievement first, starting with the quantifiable accomplishment.

For example, “Reduced costs 40% by bringing services in house.” It’s all about grabbing and keeping attention. If you can grab and keep a hiring manager’s attention while they’re reviewing your resume, you’ve already gotten much farther in the hiring process than most of the other job candidates.

Remember that employers generally scan your resume for eight seconds to do the preliminary screening that puts you in the yes, no, or maybe pile, so follow the rules above for the best results!

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.