Job search advice Archives - Page 14 of 23

How To Connect With Potential Employers During Your Job Search

January 18, 2023

It’s hard to be passionate about a job when you have no connection to the company. How do you show enthusiasm in your cover letter and job interview if you don’t absolutely love what you’d be doing, or where you’d be doing it?

Fortunately, there’s an easy way to demonstrate your enthusiasm for a company during the application and hiring process.

Here’s how you can make meaningful connections with potential employers during your job search…

1. Find Information About The Company

If you’re not totally excited about the company you’re hoping to get hired at, then it’s possible you just don’t know enough about them (or maybe they don’t belong on your interview bucket list). Before writing a cover letter, and especially before going in for an interview, you should always check out the company’s website.

Also, go to Glassdoor.com to see what past and current employees have to say about the company, and take a peek at their social media accounts. By doing this, you’ll get a better sense of their company culture and how they get involved in their community.

2. Reach Out To Current Employees

Reaching out to the current employees of a company is the most direct way to form a connection with a potential employer. This is where LinkedIn comes in handy.

You should start a chat with current employees on LinkedIn to get an inside scoop on what it’s like to work at the company. And once you’ve connected with a person at the company on LinkedIn, you’ll feel a connection to the company itself by default.

3. Research The Company’s Values & Beliefs

A company’s core values and beliefs can greatly impact how passionate its employees are about their work. That’s why it’s important for you to know whether your personal values and beliefs align with the companies you’re hoping to get hired at.

In other words, would you be a good cultural fit?

This question is as important to you as it is to the potential employer.

While researching the company, before you write your cover letter or go in for an interview, you should try to find information on its values and beliefs as an organization. Maybe once a month the company volunteers in the community. Maybe a percentage of their profits go to causes you support. Maybe they’re dedicated to environmental sustainability in all areas of their business. Whatever the company’s specific values and beliefs are, they’re perfect opportunities for you to connect with them.

4. Create A Connection Story

After you do all of the above, you should have an excellent idea of what the company does, who they are, and what they stand for. Now, it’s time for you to create a connection story to tell in your cover letter and in your interview.

Start by answering this question: Did something happen to you that made you respect, appreciate, or admire what the company does?

You could be a loyal customer of this company or a good friend of an employee. But if you didn’t already have that connection to the company or that passion for what they do, you have it now from your research and your conversations with current employees.

In your cover letter and in your job interview, talk about how you were, or are, affected by the products and services the company provides.

To create a connection story that will stand out to employers, you need to connect your personal story to the company’s mission. If you do this, you’ll write a disruptive cover letter and be memorable in your interview.

We hope these tips will help you connect with any potential employer you come across during your job search. You’ll probably become passionate about a company or employment opportunity you never considered before…it may just take a little research.

Need more help with your job search?

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

4 Ideal Questions To Ask In A Phone Interview

January 13, 2023

In every interview, it’s important to ask questions. This especially includes phone interviews.

Asking questions during any type of job interview makes you seem more intelligent and interested in the job. It also makes you more appealing to hiring managersâas long as you don’t ask questions you could easily find the answers to. If you ask the right questions, you also gain a strategic advantage. You can find out what the interviewer really cares about.

So, what questions are the best ones to ask?

Here are four ideal questions to ask during a phone interview:

1. If You Could Choose The Perfect Job Candidate, What Qualifications, Experience, Or Characteristics Would That Person Have?

You can simplify this question in a couple of different ways:

“What does your ideal candidate look like?”
“What’s on your wish list for an absolutely perfect candidate?”

Some job seekers are a little afraid to ask this question because they don’t want to highlight their imperfectionsâbut that isn’t what this question does. Their answer gives you a blueprint of what they really hope to find, which means that you can tailor all your answers to their questions much more closely than you could without this information. Your responses will stand out from the competition.

2. Why Did The Last Person In This Role Leave The Job?

If the previous person was promoted, what was their next job title? Is that typical? Is that where you’d like to end up? What did they do to get promoted? These are things that could help you know how to be successful in the role and decide if it fits with your chosen career path.

If the person was fired or left the company, the reason why may give you valuable information as well.

3. What Are The Biggest Challenges Of This Position?

Every position has a certain number of problems and challenges associated with it.

If you know what their biggest problems and challenges are, you can talk more effectively about how you can solve them and help the company. You’ll sell yourself for the job.

4. From What You’ve Told Me, I Think I’d Be A Great Fit For The Job And I’m Very Interested. When Can We Schedule A Time To Discuss This Further?

In any interview, it’s important to ask for the next step. This question, or a version of this question, will allow you to show your excitement for the opportunity and eagerness to move forward.

By demonstrating your enthusiasm and interest, you’ll automatically stand out to potential employers, and you’ll actually give yourself a better chance of making it to the in-person interview.

Asking questions like these brings out information you can’t learn anywhere else. They help you show your professionalism and interest in the job. Make a list of questions to ask and keep it in front of you during the interview. (That’s one of the advantages of phone interviewsâthey can’t see you.)

Along with these questions, you’ll probably have a few more that specifically address that job. Just make sure to write them down so you don’t freeze up and forget in the stress of the call.

Take the time to prepare for your phone interview and make sure you get invited to the in-person interview. Discover more phone interview tips and download a free phone interview prep podcast here.

Need more help acing your next phone interview?

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Disclosure: This post is sponsored by a Work It Daily-approved expert and was published at an earlier date.

Unemployment: 3 Critical Job Search Tips

January 10, 2023

When you are unemployed and looking for work, a job search can feel even more pressuring. The lack of income and feelings of insecurity make it hard to stay positive and focused on the goal of getting hired. However, it doesn’t have to be that way!

You’re not unemployed. You’re “between jobs” and looking for your next career opportunity.

Following these three critical job search tips will help you seize this new opportunity…

Avoid Negative People At All Costs

Support groups seem great in theory, but are often ineffective in practice. Be selective of which events you attend and be mindful of the company you keep. If you aren’t leaving the events feeling happy and energized, then you shouldn’t go anymore.

When looking for work, mindset is everything. It can be hard to stay positive. There’s no need to make it harder on yourself by spending time with people who make you feel worse.

The same applies to friends and family who put you down or make you feel bad about your employment situation. Stay clear of anyone who can’t help you remain positive!

Get Extremely Clear On How You Are The “Aspirin” To An Employer’s “Pain”

Getting hired is all about showing an employer how you can save and/or make them enough money to justify hiring you. You must be very compelling. You do that by proving to them that you will alleviate some major pain.

Focus on the problems companies in your industry are experiencing and initiate dialogue with as many professionals in your field as you can to discuss this problem and how you solve it.

You must brand yourself as a specialist who can add valueâaka be the aspirin to an employer’s pain. Otherwise, you’ll find your job search stalling from a lack of focus on your part and a lack of interest on the employers’ part.

Always Be Proactive

Applying to endless jobs online is the most ineffective job search tactic an unemployed person can use. You will often be screened out automatically for not currently working. Is it fair? No. But it’s reality.

The solution is to actively network, either online via LinkedIn or at in-person or virtual networking events. If you have a bucket list of companies that you want to work for, you can start by trying to make connections with individuals at those companies. That way, you can get on the radar of the important players at those companies and have meaningful conversations with them. That allows you to potentially circumvent the online application process and get referred for jobs directly.

This is the single best way an unemployed person can remove the stigma that comes with their employment status. If you get referred by someone, the fact that you aren’t working becomes less important. So, get out there and connect.

Remember, the job search is changing, and those who are the most proactive tend to get the best results.

Being out of work is challenging, but it doesn’t mean you can’t find work. It does mean you need to ramp up your efforts and pay close attention to how you are conducting your job search. Follow the tips above and they should help improve your chances of getting interviews.

Need more help with your job search?

We’d love it if you signed up for Work It Daily’s Event Subscription! Get your career questions answered in our next live event!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

Why You Should Check Your LinkedIn Profile For This Mistake

January 9, 2023

Your own LinkedIn profile has got the possible to make or crack your chances having a employing manager. Here’s a large mistake people don’t understand they are making upon their LinkedIn profiles, and exactly what you should do rather…

The particular Big Mistake? Trying As well Hard

@j. t. odonnell Check your LinkedIn account for THIS MISTAKE! #linkedin #linkedintips #profilepics #mistakesweremade #linkedinmistakes #jobsearch #jobtok #careertok â¬ initial sound – J. To. O’Donnell

LinkedIn is really a social media tool, but it can not like Instagram or even TikTok where you set up a splashy banner along with a fun picture of your self and write all this specific creative text to audio as interesting as feasible. Why is that? Nicely, LinkedIn is the quantity one most-adopted platform simply by recruiters and hiring supervisors . They use this to find people along with the right skill units and experience. With this kind of stage in the sport, they will not like all the fact that flashy, “look at me” content. It is about across while narcissistic and desperate.

Instead, you require to know how to be able to make a simple LinkedIn profile that is key phrase driven, that maximizes typically the use of LinkedIn’s formula so that you acquire found. You also want to know how for you to get noticed by interesting in and posting articles in a certain method. I teach a TOTALLY FREE class about this on a regular foundation. But what I will need you to definitely understand is which will if you have not necessarily reviewed your LinkedIn report recently, you need to help go do that just because a lot of people are usually using some outdated methods and that is charging you opportunities.

Need to understand more help with your current LinkedIn profile?

Subscribe to my FREE Resume and LinkedIn Bootcamp today to understand how towards update your resume in addition to LinkedIn profile the approach recruiters want!

How To Recession-Proof Your Career In 2023

December 22, 2022

Are anyone worried you wonât property a job in the present job market? Or are people worried your current part might be eliminated at some sort of momentâs notice? If therefore, we have a coaching series for you to help check out!

In each of our latest live class, weâll educate you on how to remain employable and relevant inside the job market through these tough times.

We almost all remember 2008. It has been a challenging coming back numerous. Now, weâre painfully returning to the idea of residing through another recession.

With mass layoffs, hiring freezes, and furloughs happening due to financial influences, many are questioning this security and stability of the futures. You may actually be thinking about the relaxing question, âAm I subsequent? â

Inside our 4-week class, youâll learn what you require to fag order towards secure opportunities even while in hard times.

You should take this particular training if:

Youâre fearful regarding your future
Youâre worried nobody will certainly hire you
Youâre unsure showing exactly how to recession-proof your career

Join our CEO, M. T. O’Donnell, and Movie director of Training Development and Coaching, Christina Burgio, with regard to this live event collection on Wednesdays at twelve pm ET from The month of january 4th-25th.

CAN’T ATTEND RESIDE? That’s alright. You’ll have entry to often the recording and the workbook following the session!

Reactive vs. Proactive Job Search Strategies

December 22, 2022

There are two kinds of job searches: reactive and proactive. Most people use reactive job search strategies, which means they look for job openings and then apply for the ones that interest them. So, when you send your resume to recruiters and respond to job board postings, you are really at the mercy of what comes up.

In a proactive job search, you pick the companies and the jobs you are seeking. This way, you get the job that you chose and worked to get versus just hoping a good job comes your way through the recruiters and job boards.

Before you start your job search, make sure you have a well-optimized resume and LinkedIn profile, since employers will use these to see if you’re a great candidate for the job. Once you’ve updated those, you’re ready to begin your proactive job search.

Here are four key steps in a proactive job search…

1. Identify Which Companies Interest You

There are a number of ways you can identify companies. Start by making a list of 10-20 companies that you think you would love to work for. This is your interview bucket list.

Talk to your friends and colleagues and see who they recommend as well. Note that LinkedIn has a very strong company search feature that can help. Go to LinkedIn, click on the search bar, and hit enter. Then select the “Companies” filter at the top of the page and search. If you find a company that might interest you, click on their profile and see if you’re passionate about a product or service they provide, or their mission.

If you are, then you should probably add the company to your list.

2. Research The Companies

The next step in a proactive job search is to learn more about the organization and determine if it is a place you really want to work. There are a number of ways to do this. The first thing to do is to visit the company website and go to the “About Us” section. You can review the company history, products, and services, and make sure you check out the “News” and “Press Releases” sections to see the latest newsworthy events.

Make sure you look at their blog, tooâif they have oneâas it gives you a good idea of their areas of expertise and corporate culture. Also, check out all of their social media accounts to get a better idea of the company culture, and remember to follow them.

Also, there are a number of excellent tools like Glassdoor that provide anonymous reviews of thousands of companies, salaries being paid, reviews of the corporate culture, and evaluations of top executives. Sometimes they will even show you questions that are asked in an interview. It’s a good idea to research companies on this site and on similar sites during your proactive job search.

3.Â Leverage Your Network

Go back to LinkedIn’s company search capability and enter the name of the company that interests you. Note that when the listing comes up, it will tell you how many people in your network are employed there. This is a good place to start and you can reach out to these people for assistance.

Tip: People respond much better when they are asked for advice versus being asked to help someone get a job.

A good message to send to your connections on LinkedIn might be: “I am looking at XYZ as a potential employer and was wondering if you could tell me about the corporate culture there?” You can also send this type of message to your extended network.

4.Â Reach Out To Hiring Managers

Now that you have identified companies that interest you, it is time to identify people who work there. Again, LinkedIn is a great tool here.

Start by identifying the hiring manager and staff in the area you wish to join. Look for people who would be your peers and their managers.

Now see what LinkedIn Groups they’ve joined. This is important because if you join the same group, you can now communicate with them for free without updating your LinkedIn account.

Look to see if they have participated in any group discussions. This is a great way to enter the conversation and start showcasing your expertise. And remember to keep your comments upbeat, positive, and professional.

Do the same for Twitter. Select the contact button under their profile and see if they have a Twitter handle. Follow them and see what kinds of tweets they have put out. Again, a terrific way to join the conversation.

Now look to see if you have people in your LinkedIn contacts that can provide an introduction to them. Ask what they know about the company and if they recommend them as a potential employer. Ask them what they think is the best way to get introduced.

Note that you did not ask them to introduce you, but rather you asked them for advice on how to get introduced. You’re not asking for a favor.

Finally, reach out to the hiring manager. Make sure you have a good 30-second elevator pitch that briefly describes your background and value proposition. And remember that people hire people they like so try to build rapport.

A proactive job search takes discipline so set weekly goals for yourself. The benefit is you will end up in a job that you chose instead of in one you got through happenstance.

Need more help with your job search?

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

How To Use The Law Of Attraction In Your Job Search

December 20, 2022

Our thoughts are magnets that attract the outcomes we are thinking about. Even if you want something desperately, if your thoughts say you will never get it, guess what? You won’t. However, if you change your thoughts on achieving it, you will.

This is mostly because if your thoughts are laser-focused on getting or accomplishing something, you will do the right things in order to make it happen.

This principle is commonly known as the Law of Attraction and can be applied to many areas of your life. Whether it’s getting well, losing weight, quitting smoking, competing at peak levels, or finding a job, your attitude is crucial to success. Believing you can do something provides the strength and stamina to overcome the obstacles in your path. Positive thinking propels a small engine successfully up a mighty hill.

If you’re struggling in your job search, try applying this principle. By changing your thoughts, you will reach your goal. Notice the attitudes and actions of successful job candidates. They are positive and enthusiastic. They keep their heads up high and smile. They believe from the bottom of their being they will get a job. The unsuccessful candidates walk around saying there aren’t any jobs, they will never find anything, and other negative thoughts.

So, how can you use the Law of Attraction to find job search success? Follow these seven tips…

7 Ways To Use The Law Of Attraction In Your Job Search

1. Think positively. Deep down, not just on the surface. You can’t just say you are thinking positively.

2. Believe in you. Don’t allow others to bring you down. You have the power.

3. Align what you think and what you do with what you want. It won’t work if your actions and thoughts are contradictory to the goal. If you don’t think you will get it, you won’t do what it takes to get it.

4. Know you are going to get a job. Talk about when you get a job rather than if you get a job.

5. Write down what your ideal job is. Concentrate on it.

6. Imagine doing that job. Use guided imagery to assist in this step.

7. Don’t allow yourself to become discouraged. If you do, look for all the positive things in your life, and focus on them.

âAs with all things, practice makes perfect. If you aren’t used to thinking this way, it will take some getting used to. But continue working on it. Career success will be yours if you do.

“You are a living magnet. What you attract into your life is in harmony with your dominant thoughts.” âBrian Tracy

Need more help with your job search?

We’d love it if you signed up for Work It Daily’s Event Subscription! Get your career questions answered in our next live event!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

How To Expand Your Network For Job Search Success

December 15, 2022

Networking is vital to job search success. Networking can lead to referrals, identifying jobs that aren’t yet posted, and securing informational interviews. They can also lead to future professional references.

These results can give you a competitive advantage and help you progress toward your career goal. Networking platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter are tools that can help you effectively expand your network. Here’s how…

Building Your Social Network

Online or offline, the goal of networking is to build relationships. Every social networking platform offers some means of connecting with new people. Interact with others and share posts that are thoughtful and relevant to your field. Engage your audience by seeking input and sharing your thoughts or review of industry-related topics.

Share these topics and post information on your own profile for your audience, but also get involved in groups on LinkedIn or chats on Twitter. There are thousands of chats and groups for a wide variety of industries, specialties, or job searching in general. Do some exploring and request to join the group or start following the Twitter chat.

In my experience, people are very receptive to newcomers on these interactive forums. These forums can be a great way to meet new people. After participating, you can begin to follow or request a connection with individual contributors. Depending on your location, there may be the possibility of meeting your connections in person. The social network is a platform to build these relationships and make that in-person connection.

It Takes Time To Build A Network

Patience…patience…patience! All good things take time.

Maintain a positive attitude and be flexible. Those two skills can save you from many future career headaches. Not everyone will be willing to connect. Remember that networking is a two-way street. Prioritize your connections based on who has a job you’d love to do, or who works for one of your target employers, and focus your efforts strategically.

Always personalize connection messages to new people on sites like LinkedIn to let the potential contact know you’re not arbitrarily clicking every “Connect” button in your suggested contacts. Keep connection messages brief and to the point. I’d recommend not going into personal detail this early on or putting potential connections on the spot; just invite them to be a connection or offer your email address as a point of contact.

You can say something as simple as, “Hi Jane, I’ve enjoyed following your contributions to XYZ Group and agreed with your review of the Acme Co article you posted. I am also a (insert job title here) and would like to connect with you. Please let me know if I can be of any help. Thanks.”

A short and simple message with a personal reference and offer to help shows that you are trying to form a mutually beneficial relationship.

Gaining Credibility

By building relationships you can become a resource on certain topics for your network. Gaining credibility takes time, but let the process happen naturally. Conduct research, search for best practices, gain more experience, and get in contact with people that share their experience.

This is where actively participating in Twitter chats or LinkedIn groups can help build your knowledge. Sharing ideas with others that are passionate about their field can keep you motivated and engaged in your line of work. After developing these relationships, opportunities can arise off-screen as wellâassisting in a volunteer effort that was coordinated online or attending a networking event, speaking event, or job club that was promoted online. Read the information about the events your network is posting and try to commit to going when your schedule permits.

Impress Hiring Managers That May Google You

A hiring manager may look you up on Google at some point in the job search process. If you actively network across platforms such as LinkedIn or Twitter, or attend events in person, your Google search results page may show these stories and profiles.

Any site you join for professional networking purposes should serve as a complement to your resume. That means whether you post blogs, tweets, or share information on LinkedIn, all your content should be professional and error-free. These can validate your candidacy and make you stand out among the competition.

As you start networking, you’ll learn more about your field, gain skills, and build confidence. Build relationships and help others in your search. Use social networking for job search success and foster relationships that can help you discover your next opportunity.

Need more help with your job search?

We’d love it if you signed up for Work It Daily’s Event Subscription! Get your career questions answered in our next live event!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

3 Career Resolutions Youâll Need To Succeed In 2023

December 14, 2022

Are you currently afraid of typically the thought that youâll enter in the new year along with no success in your own career goals? Have you been uncertain of what you want to because of obtain noticed in your career efforts today? Do an individual have little to simply no success in getting discovered by employers? If therefore, you’re in the proper place!

Each year, millions of people create New Year’s resolutions around hopes to drive a good improvement. While there are usually different types of settlements you can choose to be able to implement, your career ought to be heavily considered.

Research has identified that people who have a tendency to make these promises are ten-times more probably to reach their objectives than people who donât create resolutions for on their own. The best way for you to get ready for your career achievement inside the new year is usually to develop these file sizes in advance!

In this training, youâll learn:

Why itâs thus important to get resolutions on place for your career development
How you can pinpoint effective career answers that will get anyone noticed while you enter this new year
The modern job research strategy you need to help implement that will push motivation

Join the CEO, J. T. O’Donnell, and Director of Coaching Development & Coaching, Christina Burgio, for this survive event on Wednesday, January 21st at 12 pm hours ET.

CAN’T ATTEND SURVIVE? That’s ok. You’ll have entry to often the recording and the workbook following the session!

What To Do If You Were Rejected From A Job Online

December 12, 2022

Have you been rejected by a company that you applied to online recently? If so, I know how you’re feeling. Getting rejected stinks. You spend all this time applying for a job (sometimes it can take 45 minutes to fill out an application online only to get auto-rejected) and maybe even had an interview and still got rejected. It hurts and it’s frustrating.

And so I came up with an idea…

Companies That Reject You Should Give You The Tools & Resources To Get Hired Somewhere ElseÂ

@j.t.odonnell Have you been REJECTED for a job online? DO THIS… #jobtok #careertok #jobs #careers â¬ original sound – J.T. O’Donnell

I think that the companies that make you spend all this time applying for jobs should do you a serviceâa good deed. They should give you the tools and resources to help you get hired someplace else, especially with this upcoming economic downturn. During this recession, massive amounts of people will get laid off and it’s going to be a little bit harder to get a job. So, I believe these companies that reject you should do something about it.

Why do I feel this way? Well, because of Work It Daily. We’ve built an online platform where people get great job search results, but they have to invest in themselves. But what if the companies that rejected you invested in you instead? What if they gave you access to our platform so we could help you improve your resume, your LinkedIn profile, your interviewing skills, your whole job search strategy to help you get hired and attract the right employers? What if they funded this idea because of the time and energy that cost you money to apply for their jobs only to get rejected?

If you agree with me, here’s what I was hoping you could do. On the TikTok video above, comment the names of the companies that you think should be funding this idea because I’m going to try to contact them so we can work together to help job seekers like you who are struggling to find a job right now.

I want to make this my mission. I want to get a bunch of those big companies to fund this idea so that I can help you. You don’t have a lot of discretionary funds around to invest in career coaching, so let’s get the companies to do it for you.

Need more help with your job search but can’t afford career coaching right now?

I’d love it if you signed up for Work It Daily’s Event Subscription! I look forward to answering all of your career questions in our next live event!

4 Easy Steps To Speed Up Your Job Search

December 7, 2022

I got an email yesterday from a client wanting to know if I had any job search tips. Unfortunately, he had been recently laid off and found himself on the job market. Talking to him got me thinking…What really makes a job search successful?

The bad news is that there isn’t a magic formula. The good news is that there are a number of very simple things you can do to improve your marketability.

Here are four easy steps to follow if you want to speed up your job search:

1. Update Your Resume As Soon As Possible

This might sound simple, but it is by far the most important (and first) step in a job search. You need to have your resume ready to roll at a moment’s notice.

The way I see it, there are two kinds of job seekers. There is the job seeker that draws confidence from being prepared and then there is the kind of job seeker that gets blindsided by the unexpected. I know which kind I’d rather be.

The best time to focus on your resume is when you don’t need it.

2. Figure Out Who Your Resume Is For

Is your resume for you or is it for prospective employers? The resume might have your info, experience, and accomplishments on it, but, ultimately, the documents that make it past the ATS not only have the right amount of keywords peppered throughout but also show, very clearly, what the applicant can do for the potential employer.

When writing your resume, always keep potential employers at the forefront of your mind. Make sure you quantify your experience, skills, and accomplishments. Give them a preview of the kind of positive impact you could have on their organization if they were to hire you.

3. Realize It’s Not About You

Really. It’s not. The most successful job seekers understand that it’s about what you do for others, not about what they can do for you.

This is a fundamental idea that for some I hope turns the act of “networking” completely upside down. In every interaction, the most important thing is to demonstrate, “How can I help YOU?” It’s the folks who unselfishly look out for those around them who make opportunities happen. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

What connections can you help make? Ask open-ended questions. You may even choose to treat the conversation like an informational interview. What professional needs does the other party have and how can you fill them?

4. Determine Your Target

This is such a simple concept, but it’s probably the biggest obstacle I see with many of my clients. You need to have a target. It is as easy as that. How can you expect to reach the goal of employment without aiming for a bullseye?

The first step is to clearly identify the job/profession/industry you are targeting. You may even have a company that you’ve always wanted to work at. (It’s always a good idea to have an interview bucket listâa list of companies you’re passionate about that you’d love to work for someday.)

Make sure that your goal aligns with your experience. Then (and only then) are you free to begin outlining a plan to achieve your goal.

Here’s an example:

I have an open door policy with my resume clients and I keep tabs on them throughout their job searches. Out of all the resumes and resume clients I’ve ever had, only one resume didn’t work. One. When I wrote the initial resume, my client was targeting retail sales positions. Then she called one day a couple of months into her job search wondering why she wasn’t getting any responses. I asked her to send me an example of the jobs she was applying for and guess what? All the online job applications she had filled out were for human resources positions. No wonder her resume didn’t work!
After rewriting her resume, she found work relatively quickly and it just goes to show how important it is to aim before you pull the trigger.

Know your audience, be proactive, and remember that it’s not about you. If you apply these things to your job search, you’ll be employed in no time!

Need more help with your job search?

We’d love it if you signed up for Work It Daily’s Event Subscription! Get your career questions answered in our next live event!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

3 Tips For Staying Positive During A Holiday Job Search

December 6, 2022

Don’t let your employment status dictate how much you enjoy the holidays. This is a time for happiness, family and friends, and delicious food!

I mean, c’mon. There’s no reason why your job search should interfere with Grandma’s famous pumpkin pie. But it can be hard to stay positive during the holidays when those aunts and uncles are nagging you about your job search and old friends are asking what you’re doing for work these days.

It can be so tempting to completely remove yourself from holiday festivities so you don’t have to experience that agonizing awkwardness of answering the same dreaded questions over and over again. Don’t let your insecurities ruin the most wonderful time of the year. Here are our three tips for staying positive during your holiday job search:

1. Don’t Allow Yourself To Feel Sorry For Yourself

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You don’t have time for that pity party nonsense! You’ve got to bake cookies, play with your dog, and sip hot cocoa with your family.

Whenever you start feeling worn down from the stress or start feeling bad for yourself, do something productive. You could make yourself a structured job search plan that incorporates, or research companies you’re interested in. Or you could do something that’s not related to your job search at all.

You can hit the gym, take a walk outside to get some fresh air and sunshine, or you can indulge in a good book for 30 minutes. Don’t feel guilty about doing these thingsâthey’re necessary for your mental and physical health, which are two things you can’t neglect, especially during a job search.

2. Focus On What You’re Excited About

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When someone asks you, “How’s the job search going?” don’t focus on the negative. Remember: you have the power to control the tone of this conversation. If you focus on your lack of successâhow many interviews you haven’t gotten or how many companies didn’t call you backâyou’re not only going to make the conversation awkward for both of you, but you’re going to feel awful about yourself.

Instead, tell them about a few companies and opportunities you’re excited about. Focus on your little wins like having a great informational interview with someone from one of your target companies. Convey your enthusiasm for finding a new job opportunity. It’ll make you feel uplifted, and it gives you the opportunity to talk about your job search in a positive way.

3. Laugh, Dance, And Be Merry

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What makes you laugh out loud, even when no one is in the room? What songs make you want to get up and dance, even when people are looking? Find those little things that make you happy and pepper them in throughout your day. There’s honestly nothing better than a good laugh.

Distract yourself with positivityâand don’t feel bad about taking a “Happy Break” every once in a while. It will help keep you in balance during your holiday job search.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.