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How To Avoid Appearing Overconfident During Interviews



When you're really nervous for a job interview, it can work against you. You might not realize it, but your nervousness can actually make you overcompensate and appear arrogant, which can hurt your first impression.

Instead of risking looking overconfident during interviews, apply these tips:

Talk About Your Mentors


If you're worried you'll sound like you're bragging during an interview, take some of the focus off you by talking about your mentors. Show them that you're open to new perspectives and respect the expertise of others. This will take some of the pressure off you and highlight that you're willing to learn from others (aka you're probably not a know-it-all).

Ask Great Questions


Job candidate talks and doesn't appear overconfident in an interview

One sign of looking arrogant is talking too much about yourself. Yes, you're expected to talk about yourself during interviews, but the best interviews are two-way conversations between the interviewee and the interviewer. When you do this, you appear more interested and genuinely excited about what they have to say. So, pepper in some insightful questions about the role, company, or interviewer.

Find Your Self-Confidence


Hiring manager shakes hands with a job candidate that didn't appear overconfident in a job interview

The truth is, if you're overcompensating, you're trying to make up for that lack of self-confidence. And that lack of confidence contributes to that overwhelming nervousness and anxiety you're feeling. So, find ways to increase your self-confidence. Whether it's showcasing your strengths or passion for the industry, find a way to boost your self-confidence.

Don't let "accidental arrogance" kill an opportunity. Use the tips above to nail that first impression and avoid appearing overconfident in your next job interview!

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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How To Avoid Appearing Overconfident During Interviews

7 Things To Keep In Mind While You Pursue Your Dreams



You want to pursue your dreams. You have lots of dreams and things you want to do. But for some reason, you're hesitating—even though no one is holding you back.

You are the only one that is responsible for what you can and cannot do. So, how do you pursue your dreams? Here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Create Impact.


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You are a gift to the world. There are things the world would like to see, hear, and feel from you. You are an artist regardless of what you do because the world wants your craft. Do not deny the world this craft.

In this day and age, you do not have the excuse of no money, no time, and barriers. Everything you dream of, you can start with the device in your pocket. Start now.

2. Don't Just Think, Do.


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To create impact, the union of thinking and doing is a necessity. To pursue your dreams, don't just think. You need to DO. That means to act upon what you have been thinking.

Doing is easy. Thinking makes it hard. The more you think, the more resistance rears its head.

3. Realize There Are No Formulas.


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People think those who achieve their dreams are special people who have a certain formula. The truth is, when you pursue your dreams, sometimes formulas work. Sometimes they don't. That's how new formulas are created. That's how you improve.

Create your own formula to achieve your dreams.

4. Know That Execution Is Priceless.


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People tell you that ideas are important. But you already have an idea of what your dreams are. You want to pursue your dreams. Your dreams are your ideas. Ideas are worthless. An idea brought to life is priceless.

If that is so, execute those ideas. Go and really pursue your dreams—to breathe life into an idea, act, execute, and, as Seth Godin says, "ship."

5. Stop Asking Questions.


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There are no whys or maybes. There is a time to ask questions. There is a time to stop. Now is the time to feel the fear and do it anyway. The more you do, the better you get.

This website is an example of how I am pursuing one of my dreams. Sure, it isn't something big—a lot of people own websites and successful blogs. However, it's a step in the right direction. I did not sit, think, and dream. I pursued my dream. It's a step in the right direction—sharing my experience. I did not ask if I will make a fool of myself. If I did, then so be it.

6. Practice Your Way To Perfection.


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Execution breeds excellence. Practice is the growth to perfection. The more you do, the better you become. Everything takes practice including pursuing your dreams.

If you want to achieve your dreams, start. Then learn from the experience and adjust.

7. Understand That Anxiety Is Not Risk.


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People often tell you your dreams are too risky. But having a dream and not pursuing it is even riskier. What you feel is not risk. What you feel is anxiety. Anxiety is not risk. Risk can be calculated. Anxiety cannot.

You delay because you fear. You are afraid to pursue your dreams because you don't know. You fear the unknown. You will only know when you do. It's time, don't you think? Do. Don't talk. Go!

Want to pursue your dreams with confidence?

Become a member today to learn how to UNLEASH your true potential!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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7 Things To Keep In Mind While …

How To Avoid Appearing Overconfident During Interviews



Sometimes the reason your resume gets dismissed by employers has nothing to do with your experience and skills. It simply could come down to having phrases that turn employers off.

On top of avoiding overused buzzwords on your resume like "creative," "innovative," "visionary," "team player," "motivated," "highly skilled," "hard worker," "passionate," and "driven"—that are really blank statements that don't demonstrate anything—you want to also avoid certain phrases on your resume at all costs.

Here are some of the top phrases to avoid on your resume:

"Job Duties"


"Job duties" essentially says to the employer that these are my responsibilities on the job. Well, that's fine if the only one you need to impress is the applicant tracking system (ATS) looking for matches in the job description.

The problem with including this phrase on your resume is it doesn't inform the hiring manager how well you perform on the job—and they ultimately have the final say as to whether your resume is a keeper or not.

A more effective phrase to use is "accomplishments" to describe your work experience. You want to inform the employer of what you did on the job and prove that what you did produced valuable results. You always need to quantify your accomplishments on your resume. The first step in quantifying your accomplishments on your resume is getting rid of the phrase "job duties."

"Transferable Skills"


Employer tossing resume with the phrase "transferable skills"

While professional resume writers speak of highlighting "transferable skills" on your resume when you're looking to make a career change or when you don't have the exact work experience the employer may be looking for, the specific term should be avoided on the resume.

When hiring managers and recruiters see "transferable skills" on a resume, it basically sends the message "I don't have the exact experience or hard skills you're looking for, but..."

A more effective phrase to use is "skills" or "skill set" or even "experience summary" (see below). It doesn't bring attention to the fact that you aren't a direct match with what they are looking for, but goes straight to the point of what you can offer that is of value to them.

"Objective Statement"


A hiring manager holds a resume with an objective statement

Traditionally, the objective statement takes a prime spot at the top of the resume detailing what you, the job seeker, are looking for—but that's no way to compete in today's job market. The opening of your resume needs to make a bold statement informing the employer what you can do for them.

Replace an objective statement with an experience summary, which is a list of 6-8 hard or transferable skills needed for the specific job you're applying for. It'll help you stand out to employers within seconds of them reviewing your resume.

"References Available Upon Request"


A hiring manager goes through job applications with outdated phrases you should never include on resumes

You can assume all employers will go through a reference check before they hire you. Including this phrase on your resume is simply a waste of space and makes your resume come across as outdated since it was common practice to include it at the end of the resume years ago before ATS changed the landscape of the job search process.

Today's job seekers need a well-polished resume to compete. Avoiding overused buzzwords and phrases that say nothing or that may imply something negative will help keep you in the running.

We know today's hiring managers get more applicants than needed for each job opening, so don't let bad phrases be the cause for them turning away your resume!

Need more help with your job search?

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.


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4 Phrases You Should Never Have On …

How To Avoid Appearing Overconfident During Interviews



Quite simply, proper office etiquette refers to the unwritten code employees should follow in order to be successful in the workplace. It's a set of norms widely accepted as appropriate behavior.

Office etiquette may include having good manners and being courteous to others, as well as using workplace technology in a suitable manner. Here are a few tips for good office etiquette:

Dress Appropriately


If the dress code is business casual, make sure you clarify what is and isn't appropriate. Business casual has become the norm for many employers, but many people are still unclear on what this means.

For some, it means khakis and polo shirts, casual pants, casual dresses, and so on. Some companies have a business casual policy that excludes jeans or open-toed shoes. Some companies have one dress code when you're working in the office and another when you're meeting with clients.

The generally accepted rule is to dress like the client or one step above but double-check with your supervisor. Another common saying is, "Dress for the job you want." This is good advice. If you're dressing like your manager or the people in the next hierarchical level of the company, you're probably appropriate for the workplace.

"Please" And "Thank You" Are Still The Magic Words


Coworkers talk while working in the office

When we were children, "please" and "thank you" were referred to as "magic words" that were to be used when we were asking for something and then, in turn, receiving something. Although we've all outgrown the reminders from our parents, these words have certainly not lost their enchantment. In fact, these words are so important almost every language has some equivalent with similar meanings.

"Please" and "thank you" still have a prominent place in the business world and you should use them at every opportunity. By using common courtesies, you demonstrate that you respect the people with whom you're dealing. Even if you don't work in a customer service job, keep an attitude of customer service. Your colleagues and, more importantly, your superiors will begin to realize you're a go-to person if you're almost always pleasant.

Be A Team Player


A group of coworkers work/collaborate on a work project

In many workplaces and career fields, there is an expectation you will work with other people on projects during the course of your employment. It's sometimes tough to get along with varying personalities and that's precisely why clear communication is so important.

Part of office etiquette is working well with others and communicating effectively. Take time to listen to other people's points of view. You may not always agree, but it's likely you can learn something new by being open to other perspectives and respectful of other people's opinions.

Here are a few additional office etiquette tips to encourage positive working relationships:

  • Be friendly and encouraging to co-workers.
  • Be responsible. If you say you're going to do something, do it. If you're unable to complete a task for some reason, make sure information is communicated to all team members who would be impacted.
  • If you share an office, be considerate. Find out how your office mate works and be respectful. For example, some people need to work in complete silence, while others enjoy background music. Make sure you're not inadvertently making your office mate crazy with your personal habits.
  • Understand people are unique and dwell on their positive qualities, not their negative qualities. It's acceptable to not be friends with everyone, but try to at least be professional and cordial in your interactions.
  • Rise above office gossip. No one wants to earn the reputation of being the office busybody.
  • Communicate, communicate, communicate! Your co-workers are not mind readers, so make sure you're communicating with them and your manager on a regular basis.

Proper office etiquette isn't hard to learn, but it's a skill you should constantly practice and improve upon throughout your entire career. Remember these tips the next time you're in the office and you'll be sure to stand out.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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3 Essential Office Etiquette Tips

Why You Aren’t Living Up To Your Career Potential



Have you ever heard someone say they are not living up to their potential? Maybe you've said that yourself. Maybe you're feeling that way right now. As a 20-year career coaching veteran, I heard something this week on a podcast that is going to blow your mind regarding this concept of "not living up to your potential."

You're Living In The Gap, Not The Gain.


@j.t.odonnell Why you aren't living up to your career potential. #livinguptoyourpotential #yourpotential #potential #careeradvice #gapversusgain #livegain #gap #gain #makinggains #gratitude #careercoach #coaching #careertiktok ♬ original sound - J.T. O'Donnell

In this podcast episode, they were talking about the difference between living in the gap and the gain. The gap is the space between where you are today and where you want to be (your potential). Living in the gap is when you feel like the distance between where you are today and where you want to be is so far, almost insurmountable. If you're frustrated and/or depressed in your career, you're living in the gap.

Successful people live in the gain. They look at where they are today and they look backward at every little thing that they've accomplished. They look at how they grew as a professional. They realize that if they keep doing what they're doing, if they keep "working it daily," they will get there. They will reach their potential. They know they will get there. They can mentally see that.

Now, what I love about this is if you add in the concept of gratitude while living in the gain, you will make living in the gain much more powerful.

Let's say you're living in the gap. You're miserable. You're not reaching your potential. And somebody says, "Just be grateful. Make a gratitude list." It doesn't work in the gap. It might make us feel better for a minute, but it doesn't solve this problem.

Gratitude in the gain does. When you go back and make a list of all the smart decisions you made, all the opportunities you seized, all the things that you accomplished or learned from, and you're grateful for all those things, you are training your brain to realize that you can get there. You can reach your potential. And if you continue to "work it daily" with a game plan using gratitude in the gain, you will crush it.

Using gratitude and a game plan while in the gain gets you to your goal.

The reason that I completely nerd out on this concept as a career coach is that the game plan part is what's stopping people. You have to know what your unique combination of professional strengths is. You need to know what you create as value and how to leverage that value going forward.

Most people are not taught this. So, what if someone could show you how to assess your unique combination of professional strengths, help you choose a career path that you know would leverage that so that you would be satisfied, and then coached you and supported you to use gratitude in the gain to get you there?

That's exactly what we do at Work It DAILY. We've built a system where we are able to get people gratitude in the gain with a customized game plan so they can go after their career goals and achieve them.

If you finally want to live in the gain so you can achieve your career potential, I encourage you to become a member today. You won't regret it.

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Why You Aren’t Living Up To Your …

Life After LinkedIn: The Rise Of Micronets For Your Career



In a previous article, we gave you a detailed explanation of how LinkedIn has changed since it was built and why it is no longer a social network. Some people get to use it successfully as a social network, but overall it is now a social marketplace. Do you still need to be on it?

Yes.

But you also need to know what's going to replace LinkedIn as the social network for your career.

LinkedIn Has Paved The Way For "Micronets"


You now know that LinkedIn is the modern-day yellow pages. And as it gets bigger, it's only going to become more obvious that it's a social marketplace. That's why we need a social media 2.0.

We know we still need social networking, and now understand it's just not happening on platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook anymore. And, while we know the basics of how to network online, we also need some guidelines—and a framework—to do it better.

That's where micronets come into play.

What Is A Micronet? 


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To improve networking, we need a way to bring a tribe of people together more consistently and effectively. People need to meet or communicate on a regular basis to get to know each other. That's the only way we can build a strong network and truly connect with one another.

This is why associations are such a big deal—they form a tribe. The problem with brick-and-mortar associations, though, is that you must attend in person to get the value. The associations you join need to be in your local area, or if they aren't, you're going to spend lots of money to go to a national conference, which is not realistic for most professionals.

We live in a digital world, so we want that virtual experience. We want that virtual association, that virtual community. That's exactly what a micronet is.

We've Been Waiting For Micronet Technology For A Decade


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J.T. knew the business she wanted to build for Work It DAILY over 10 years ago. She knew she wanted to build a micronet so she could drop the geographic and economic boundaries for people all over the world so everyone could get great, affordable, on-demand career coaching.

She also knew all people needed was to be part of a team where they were participating with others who wanted to help each other grow their careers and really become strong in their professions.

So for the last 10 years, we have been patiently waiting for the day when this amazing technology would finally hit. This year, that technology became available.

We've built Work It DAILY on a micronet platform. Our members are in there every day, chatting with one another, networking by industry, job type, or geographic location. We have an 87% engagement rate. They're attending events with one another. They're working with career coaches, one on one, getting their LinkedIn profiles and resumes reviewed.

Everything you've ever wanted from a social network is now possible due to the rise of micronets. It makes the time you spend on social media valuable. The power of a micronet is that it's a productive kind of social media.

Work It DAILY has built the micronet that picks up where LinkedIn left off. Don't get us wrong—we love LinkedIn. We have an entire set of video tutorials that teach people how to optimize their LinkedIn profiles and get the most mileage out of them.

But there's no way you can network on LinkedIn like you can on a micronet. With Work It DAILY's micronet, you can use the platform to network with like-minded professionals, growing and taking control of your career. If that doesn't sound like a positive experience, we don't know what is.

The Future Of Social Networking Is Micronets


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J.T. predicts there will be thousands of micronets launched over the next two years. There will be a micronet for everything. Anything that you want to do better in your life, anything you want to "work it daily" on in your life, there's going to be a micronet for that.

So, what's the key difference between micronets and social marketplaces like LinkedIn?

Micronets are pay-to-play.

With a micronet, you pay a small fee, just like an app. But that means no pesky ads. No businesses trying to sell you their products or services. No trolls. If you're paying to be a part of a platform like a micronet, people want to be there, and it shows.

Interested In Learning How Micronets Work?


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We set up a FREE 7-day trial for our micronet so you can get into the community and understand it. And guess what? If you have any questions about the platform or micronets in general, you can message J.T. directly when you sign up.

So what are you waiting for? Sign up today, try it out, and see what a micronet can do for your career!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.


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Life After LinkedIn: The Rise Of Micronets …

Don’t Use “Unemployed” To Describe Yourself. Here’s Why…



I want to take a minute to talk about the word "unemployed." If you're one of the millions of Americans who are unemployed right now, I want you to listen up because I want you to stop using that word in your vocabulary from this day forward.

It is a negative word. It is a defeatist word. It sounds definitive and it drags you down and it impacts your job search.

Trust me, I know this to be true.

What I want you to do is to replace it with the term "between positions" or "between jobs" because that's really what you are. In my book Awakening Your Inner Workplace Renegade, one of the new career rules for success is understanding that EVERY job is temporary.

In this day and age, people can have as many as nine careers in their lifetime with an average of three jobs in each one. Having gaps in employment is the new normal!

We Don't Stay In One Career Our Entire Lives (Never Mind One Job Or Company!)


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It is natural, normal, and common for people nowadays to have parts in their lives where they will be between jobs. It's just a fact! This means we shouldn't feel bad about it. It is what it is. And that's why I'd like to banish the word "unemployed" from your vocabulary.

Let's never say that word again. If someone asks you what's up with your career, simply say you are between jobs.

But saying you're "between jobs" won't make your employment problems disappear.

Many People Who Are Between Jobs Are Not Approaching The Job Search The Right Way


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Did you know the average job search in the U.S. is five months? And that's in a good economy. Why does it take so long? Because most job seekers don't understand the new rules for career success and how they impact their job search.

If you want your time between jobs to be as short as possible, you need to educate yourself on the best way to ensure your skills are in demand. If you want to learn how to do that, check out my book or become a Work It DAILY member, where you'll receive affordable, on-demand career coaching that will finally help you find career satisfaction.

No More Saying That Ugly “U” Word 


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We won't even mention it from this point forward. You are between jobs and busy learning what you need to do to speed up your job search. You can do this. Don't let your circumstances impact your mindset.

P.S. If you are between jobs, be sure to check out my YouTube video below on the 3 words never to use in your profile headline as it relates to this same topic!

STOP Using These 3 Words On Your LinkedIn Profile


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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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Don’t Use “Unemployed” To Describe Yourself. Here’s …



In a job market where there are plenty of applicants, it only takes one mistake to ruin your chances. As a job seeker, you need to know what the common mistakes are and work to avoid them so you lead a successful job search, impress managers with your resume, and make a positive mark at the job interview.

These are the 13 biggest mistakes to avoid in the job search, divided into three categories: job search, resume, and interview. Which job search mistakes are you making?

Job Search Mistakes


Job seeker on laptop writes notes as he views openings through various job board websites

1. Relying solely on job boards for opportunities — it has the least effectiveness rate when compared with using recruiters and networking through contacts.

2. No online presence — employers and recruiters scour for talent on LinkedIn, so if you're not there and not optimized for the right keywords, you're missing out.

3. Ineffective networking – most people think that networking is telling your contacts that you are looking for a job and giving them your resume. This is not effective as you've just lost control of your job search because you're waiting on others to respond rather than being proactive in your pursuit.

Resume Mistakes


Young professional on laptop updates her resume

4. Lack of a good experience summary – it needs to speak to "Here's what I can do for you."

5. Irrelevant information – if it doesn't apply to the job or the employer, it brings no value to your resume.

6. Not applying relevant keywords – hiring managers and the applicant tracking system (ATS) look for keywords that indicate a match with what they are looking for before taking more time to review the resume.

7. List of responsibilities instead of accomplishments and success achieved – employers want to know how well you performed on the job, so make sure to quantify your achievements.

Interview Mistakes


8. Late arrival – if you know you'll be running late at least call to apologize and offer an update on your expected arrival time.

9. Lack of rapport – people hire people they like and feel comfortable around.

10. Not asking questions – demonstrate that you are truly interested in the opportunity.

11. Negative talk about your current or previous employer – this is not considered professional and employers do not want people who have had conflicts in their past jobs.

12. Unprepared and unfamiliar with the company – do your research and understand the employer's business.

13. Poor body language – it can speak louder than your words

All of these mistakes are avoidable, so carefully review and properly plan and prepare your job search, resume, and interview techniques for the best results!

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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3 Areas Where Job Seekers Make The …

3 Components Of Executive Presence Every Leader Should Know



If you're an executive or somebody in a leadership position, you have an executive presence. Your executive presence is your reputation. It's what people think when you walk into a room, and what they say about you when you're not in the room.

As a leader, actively maintaining your executive presence builds credibility, trust, and, ultimately, a following. It gives you a competitive advantage over other job candidates, allowing you to gain access to better career opportunities.

Every executive needs to think about their presence. But before you can effectively build a strategy to grow your executive presence and create tools that support it, you need to understand what your executive presence is. To start, here are three components of executive presence every leader should know...

1. Gravitas


Professional man learns about the components of executive presence

Gravitas is the first component of executive presence. It's your chosen value. It's how you like to create value in the world, and how you save or make an organization money to justify the cost of hiring you.

One of the factors of executive presence that corresponds with gravitas is your depth of knowledge. As an executive, you've gotten to where you are today because you've thought through a lot of situations. Developing gravitas happens naturally in your career as you gain more experience and climb the corporate ladder.

Some traits related to gravitas include practical knowledge, composure, confidence, resonance, and vision.

2. Communication


Executive thinks about her executive presence while communicating during a meeting

The second (and most important) component of executive presence is communication. How do you deliver on your value? Communication also includes things like your personality and your approach. These are the things that are going to convey your executive presence.

A factor of executive presence that corresponds with communication is your delivery of knowledge. After thinking through a lot of situations in your career, you've been able to communicate that evolution of thought. You've taken those experiences and learned and grown from them. This is the most important component of executive presence because, for leaders with an effective executive presence, communication makes up 51% of it. In other words, the effectiveness of your executive presence depends on your delivery of knowledge.

Some traits related to communication include authenticity, constraint, integrity, concern, and humility.

3. Appearance


Executive effectively conveys his executive presence during a team work meeting presentation

The last component of your executive presence is your appearance. This is how your value is interpreted. It can be physical appearance (how you dress) or it can be body language like facial expressions and hand gestures.

The final factor of executive presence that corresponds with appearance is your style of delivery. As an executive, you've thought through a lot of situations in your career and communicated that evolution of thought, and now appearance is the type of representation you choose to convey that message.

Some traits related to appearance include personal style, intentionality, inclusiveness, interactivity, and assertiveness.

As a leader in your industry, you have an executive presence. When others are assessing your executive presence (your reputation), they're taking into account your gravitas, communication, and appearance. Understanding the three components of executive presence is the first step to building an effective executive presence strategy, one that will give you access to better career opportunities.

To learn more about how to build your executive presence, download our eBook, 4-Step Process for Creating Your Executive Presence Online, written by J.T. O'Donnell, founder and CEO of Work It DAILY.

Want To Build Your Executive Presence?


Work It DAILY's LinkedIn executive presence webinar hosted by J.T. O'Donnell

If you're an executive looking to advance in your career, you need to make your executive presence a priority. This includes your online executive presence. Failing to consistently contribute online in a meaningful way will put you on the fast track to being irrelevant and forgotten.

It's time to take control of your professional reputation. We invite you to sign up for a FREE workshop with J.T. O'Donnell, a LinkedIn Top Voice. In this 45-minute workshop, J.T. will share the five things all executives should be doing on LinkedIn right now to ensure they remain at the top of their fields.

J.T. will explain:

  • How LinkedIn is evolving and what you need to know to stay relevant and in demand.
  • Simple changes to your LinkedIn profile settings that will yield immediate results.
  • How to get more of the right people asking to connect with you on the platform.
  • The secret weapon that will ensure you make the most of LinkedIn's recent algorithm changes.
  • And a lot more!

Can’t attend live? No worries.

Sign up and we’ll send you the recording after the event.

We hope to see you there!


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3 Components Of Executive Presence Every Leader …

Gen Z Job Search: The Years Of Experience Myth



I've heard many of my Gen Z members and followers talk about how difficult it is to apply for jobs when every company seems to require two or more years of experience for entry-level positions, the types of jobs Gen Z, the youngest demographic in the workforce, shouldn't have any problems getting.

The idea that you can't apply for a job that requires "years of experience" because you're a new grad is a myth, and I'm going to tell you exactly what to do instead.

You Don't Necessarily Need Years Of Experience, But You Do Need A Connection Story. 


@j.t.odonnell Replying to @millers0620 Gen Z Job Search Episode 1: The Years Of Experience MYTH #genzjobsearch ##genzjobs #genz #jobsearchtips #jobs #job #jobsearch ♬ original sound - J.T. O'Donnell

First, I want you to understand the reason they say a job requires "two years of experience" is that they want to make sure you've worked at some point in your life. Hopefully, you've had an internship, maybe in college or while you were in grad school, but you do have some sort of work experience.

The second thing you need to know is that you have a secret weapon, and it's called your connection story. What you lack in experience you can make up for with enthusiasm and by sharing how you feel motivated to work for a company.

So, how do you write a connection story?

Step 1: Ask yourself, "Why do I respect and admire this company?" and "What taught me that they were worthy of this respect and admiration?"

Step 2: Think about your own life. What's making you feel connected to them as an employer?

Step 3: Put your connection story together in a disruptive cover letter. Unlike a traditional cover letter, a disruptive cover letter is a storytelling cover letter.

Step 4: Once you've written your disruptive cover letter, reach out to the recruiter, hiring manager, and/or people who work at the company and say...

"Hey, enclosed is the story of why I feel so connected to your company. I'd love to learn what it might take to earn the opportunity to interview or be considered for the XYZ position."

When you say there's a story, that piques their interest. And when you say you want to earn the opportunity, you don't have to point out that you don't have the exact experience. What you're trying to do is to get them to see that you have the intrinsic motivation to do the job.

They can teach you the experience. What they need is somebody who understands why they want to work there. That's what they're looking for, and that's what you need to share with them.

I see this every single day. In fact, I'll tell you a story.

I worked with a young man named Seth. He was a senior in college. He wanted to get a job in recruiting. It required five years of experience. But with this technique, he shared his connection story with the recruiters that were recruiting for the position. And he got the job. He beat out people who had 10 years of experience. And the reason he won the job is because of that connection story. They clearly understood that he wanted to be a recruiter and he was able to say, "Look, I have no bad habits. You can mold me, you can train me, and I'm passionate about this."

You can do the same thing. But it starts with understanding what your connection story is and then sharing it with those employers.

If you want more information or if you want to be coached on this, we can help you.

Check out our free daily newsletter or become a member and get access to affordable, on-demand career coaching.

Good luck, and go get 'em.

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Gen Z Job Search: The Years Of …

Is LinkedIn Dying? What You Need To Know



An increasing number of people have been reaching out to our career coaches and asking, "Is LinkedIn dying?"

This question isn't just coming from job seekers. Recruiters, professionals, and executives alike are frustrated with the platform, wondering if it's really as useful as it claims to be.

Networking is becoming more difficult. When professionals do manage to connect with someone and start a conversation, they'll likely never hear from their connection again after that initial conversation. Recruiters reach out to job seekers all the time, and no one responds.

LinkedIn used to work so well. What happened? What's the point of being on it at all?

LinkedIn Isn't Dying...It's Just Changing


You may think this is a sign that LinkedIn is dying. It's not.

LinkedIn is not dying. It's just changing.

In fact, LinkedIn would tell you it's not. Just looking at it based on user accounts, they now have over 930 million people on the platform. And that number is still growing. The so-called "death" we think we're witnessing with LinkedIn is actually just change. The way people have used it has changed dramatically. You cannot do what you used to be able to do on LinkedIn. LinkedIn has changed, and that's okay.

When LinkedIn first started out, it was a social network. The early adopters loved the platform and used it to its fullest potential. People would connect. They would start conversations. Being on LinkedIn was this amazing experience where people were actually developing relationships with people they never would have developed relationships with otherwise. It truly was a social network.

But that's when it was small.

Now, with mass adoption, the power of the social network has lost its luster. The majority of people on LinkedIn are not using the platform to its fullest potential. So, what does that do to the platform as a whole?

LinkedIn Is No Longer A Social Network


via GIPHY

The truth is, LinkedIn is no longer a social network. With 930 million people, it's not a social network. It's a social marketplace.

Anytime something is free, like LinkedIn, you're the product. You're part of what they're selling. That's why LinkedIn is a social marketplace.

Think about it. How does LinkedIn make its money?

Recruiters pay a lot of money to access candidates. Salespeople and businesses pay a lot of money to put their information out in your feed to generate leads. All LinkedIn is today is a very sophisticated yellow pages. As a job seeker, you go there to find businesses, to find companies you want to work for. And when you're a job seeker, you're a business-of-one trying to sell your skills and your services to an employer. LinkedIn is just a place to find businesses, of all shapes and sizes, no matter if you're an actual company or a job candidate.

In the same vein, Facebook is the modern-day white pages. It's free, and what do you use Facebook for? To find people you may know.

LinkedIn is the modern-day yellow pages. Businesses used to pay a premium to advertise in the yellow pages to have a bigger presence. Fast forward to today, and that's all LinkedIn is.

So, you're the product—but there's nothing wrong with that. We're lucky that we have LinkedIn. It's the sophisticated yellow pages that we need, which means every single one of us needs to be on it. We need to have our profiles optimized and we need to understand how it's used.

The networking thing, that's done. There's a reason very few people are connecting and building relationships on there, and it's because people have no skin in the game. The return on the investment is no longer there. Ultimately, it's just a place to put up the webpage for your business-of-one: your profile.

Social Network vs. Social Marketplace 


via GIPHY

The good news is that you can now create events on LinkedIn. It's free, and it's going to encourage people to start talking to one another and that'll improve the social marketplace situation a little bit, but it's not 100% going to solve the problem.

So if LinkedIn isn't a social network anymore, what is? The platform that follows LinkedIn will completely change the networking game. It'll change the networking game like LinkedIn did so many years ago.

What we need is a new social network where we can connect with people again. LinkedIn doesn't accomplish this anymore because, again, it's not a social network. It's a social marketplace. The new social network for professionals will change the way we network in any career, in any industry, in any skill set, passion, or interest. And it's already here.

LinkedIn is not dying after all. It's just no longer a social network given its size. And yes, you can still reach out and connect with people but don't expect the world. Don't expect everyone to respond to you. Don't expect everyone to talk to you because that's not what it's built to do anymore.

Let's just be grateful that we have it because what it's creating for us in the future will really be something to smile about.

Want to know what comes after LinkedIn? Find out here!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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Is LinkedIn Dying? What You Need To …

4 Things To Do: Getting A New Job While Working



Do you want to leave your job but don't want to give your two weeks' notice until you find a new one? With the right job search strategy, you can easily find a job while you're still employed.

One of our Work It DAILY fans wrote in and said, "Hey, I want to quit my job and start a new one. What should be my to-do list today?"

I'm going to walk you through the four basic steps that you should take in order to make that happen.

Referrals Matter


Professional woman at work stands with a professional man who referred her for a job

Now, before I begin, I want to remind you of an important fact. Up to 80% of all jobs today are gotten via referral. So blindly applying online is not going to work for you. Only 3% of the people who apply online ever get called by recruiters or hiring managers.

The four steps that I'm going to outline for you are going to help you go around that ATS (applicant tracking system) and connect with recruiters and hiring managers so you stand out as a great job candidate.

So, let's break it down...

Step 1: Inventory Your Skills


Young woman on laptop inventories her skills for her job search

You need to inventory your transferable skills. These are all the hard skills that will be helpful in your next job. You may perform some or all of these things in a future position.

Step 2: Get On LinkedIn


Young professional on laptop learning how to update his LinkedIn profile to help recruiters find him

You're going to take those transferable skills you've identified and make sure they're optimized on both your resume and your LinkedIn profile.

Recruiters are always searching for those key terms when looking for potential job candidates, so if you have your transferable skills listed on your LinkedIn profile (in your LinkedIn headline, for example) you're going to improve your chances that they'll connect with you and reach out to you about job opportunities you're a fit for.

Step 3: Make A Bucket List


Professional woman on laptop makes an interview bucket list

Next, create what's called an interview bucket list. This is a list of 10 to 20 companies that you would love to work for and that hire for your skill sets.

The best way to build an interview bucket list is to research companies you feel a connection to. Make sure you'd be able to either commute to or work remotely for these companies. If your skills also match the jobs they hire for, the company belongs on your interview bucket list!

Step 4: Identify People At Your Bucket List Companies


Man and woman use laptop together to make their interview bucket lists

Finally, you're going to identify people who work at the companies on your interview bucket list and use your networking connections to get introduced to them.

You want to be able to have conversations with people who are currently employed at these companies. They can help you understand what it takes to stand out in the hiring process and potentially introduce you to hiring managers.

The Most Efficient Way To Find A New Job


This brings me back to my very first point about getting referred to companies. This is the best, fastest, most efficient way for you to find a new job while employed because you don't have time all day to spend on your job search. Work smarter, not harder!

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.



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4 Things To Do: Getting A New …