Job search tips Archives - Page 11 of 24

Common Grammar Rules For Resumes

April 25, 2023

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 âI” or âmy” 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.

Ghost Jobs: What They Are & Why They’re Hurting Job Seekers

April 24, 2023

An article recently came across my desk about a new phenomenon: “ghost jobs.” In this article, The Wall Street Journal reports that there are actually thousands and thousands of ghost jobs currently posted on job board sites.

So, what is a “ghost job”?

A “ghost job” is a job that isn’t real. It’s a job for a company that isn’t actually hiring, or at least hiring for the role advertised in the job posting. More than 1,000 hiring managers were surveyed, and 27% of them admitted that they’ve left these jobs up for over four months, never intending to fill them.

Why Hiring Managers Leave “Ghost Jobs” Up For Months

@j.t.odonnell I’ve been saying this for months! Now there is proof!!! #ghostjobs #jobsearch #jobsearchtips #careertok #jobtok #job #career #careertiktok #jobtiktok #jobs #careers â¬ original sound – J.T. O’Donnell

Over half of the hiring managers surveyed said the reason that they left the jobs up for so long was to give the impression or illusion that the company was growing. The worst part? One-third of them said they left the jobs up because they wanted to give the appearance that they were actually trying to hire to help their overworked staff.

If you’re looking for work right now, you probably realized it’s harder than you thought to find a job. And applying online is getting you nowhere. These “ghost jobs” are impossible to spot among the real job postings on job board sites.

The solution? Learn how to conduct a proactive job search.

Once you learn the better way to look for a job, you won’t have to worry about “ghost jobs” anymore. Good luck, and go get ’em!

Need help conducting a proactive job search?

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3 Steps To An Outstanding Personal Branding Statement

April 19, 2023

Your resume and LinkedIn profile are incredibly important to your job search. They not only speak to your past accomplishments but also act as a predictor of your future capabilities. However, these two things can’t successfully complete this task if they aren’t packed with quality information. This includes an outstanding personal branding statement.

What is a personal branding statement? It is a statement that communicates who you are in the workplace. Borrowed from the marketing world, it reflects your professional reputation.

On your LinkedIn profile, the personal branding statement is used to summarize, in just a few words, who you are, what you’ve done, and what you hope to do in your career. This is why it’s so important to take formulaic steps in order to develop one that gets the job done.

Personal Branding Statement Example And Formula

To get started, take a look at a personal branding statement that delivers the goods:

I am a community affairs manager with 10 years of experience visualizing, developing, and organizing company-wide philanthropic events, maintaining connections with hundreds of nonprofit organizations, coordinating diverse employee volunteer opportunities, and creating dynamic external and internal event communications.

Why is it successful? It gives a snapshot of your history in the field while providing branding attributes that describe what makes you successful. Also, it gives examples of previous accomplishments that offer insight into how you can help an employer succeed.

So, which formula could you use to create your own?

1. Consider Your Outlook On The World

It may seem a bit far-reaching to say that your overall outlook on life can create a great personal branding statement, but in actuality, it is your outlook that has guided you to your profession and has helped you develop your talents.

So take time to write down your vision. Do you want people to communicate better with one another? Do you hope to expand the breadth of our already-expansive technology? Think about what it is that can help you create the broad umbrella encompassing all of the specific goals your personal branding statement will incorporate.

2. Think About Your Individual Goals

Again, a personal branding statement is all about showing an employer that you have goalsâand that you not only intend to achieve them in the future but already have in the past.

So, what are your career goals? How do you want to make a difference? Write down what you’d like to achieve along with those skills you possess that can help you attain your goals.

3. Look At Your Attributes And Professional History

Finally, it’s important to recognize your brand attributes, then apply them to your professional history. To identify your attributes, come up with at least three nouns to describe yourself as a professional.

Are you a great communicator, leader, visionary, or organizer? Then drum up three sentences that round out your professional history in relation to those attributes (e.g., I have 15 years of experience leading groups through philanthropic efforts). Make sure to quantify this work experience!

After completing these goals, you’ll have enough information to create a truly outstanding personal branding statement that not only gives an employer confidence in your ability to succeed but boosts your own confidence as a top professional.

If you’re looking for a job, your personal brand determines how much you’ll stand out to potential employers in the job search. If you’re not branding yourself as a specialist, you could be hurting your chances of landing an interview. So, follow the tips above to write an outstanding personal branding statement today!

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

5 Big Questions To Ask Yourself Before Taking A Job

April 18, 2023

This is it. It’s the light at the end of the tunnel. After going through the hiring process, you’re offered a position. Congratulations! It’s a big accomplishment and you should be proud of yourself. However, just because you got the offer doesn’t necessarily mean you should accept it on the spot.

Think about it. Would you buy a house without considering what it means for you in the long run? Your career shouldn’t be any different. Taking a job is a huge investment for both you and your potential employer, so some serious thought needs to go into your decision.

Before you accept that job offer, ask yourself these five questions:

Is This TheÂ Role I Want To Pursue?

This question may seem like an obvious one to ask, but it’s still important. There could be a huge difference between how you view the job and how your employer views it. Take another look at the job description to make sure it is, in fact, what you want. Also, think back to how the hiring manager described the position during your job interviews. Did you like their answer when you asked them what a typical day on the job looks like?

Don’t forget to consider what you’re good at and what you actually want to do for work. Are there skills you’d really like to use on a daily basis? If so, make sure they’re a necessary part of the position. Are there skills you DON’T like using on a daily basis? If so, see if they’re required for the job, and if they are, find out how often you’d need to pull them into your work.

It’s important to know what your role will be and what will be required of you daily. This is also a good time to ask your potential employer to clarify anything for you.

Am I Going To Be Happy At This Job?

Your happiness level at your job will impact your work. In MetLife’s 17th Annual Employee Benefit Trends Study, 90% of workers surveyed said their loyalty is directly tied to their happiness.

When debating whether to take the job or not, consider the environment you’d be working in as much as the work itself. Is this a place you can see yourself going to every day? Do you share the company’s core values? Do you like the company’s culture? Your happiness is key to your productivity, and it’s important to evaluate if this job will help you thrive.

Can I Meet My Employer’s Expectations?

You got a job offer for a reason. The hiring manager thinks you’d be a good fit for the company after looking over your resume and going through a series of interviews. They believe you can do the job, but do you believe you can?

Be honest with yourself. This is a big step for both you and your potential employer, so you want to be confident in your skills. Taking another look at the expectations of the job is never a bad thing, especially if you haven’t accepted the position yet. That way, you can gauge your skills and determine if you can meetâor even exceedâyour potential employer’s expectations.

Remember, you don’t want to take a job that will be too demanding and require too much from you (resulting in poor work-life balance), but you also don’t want to take a job that will be too easy for you either. The right position for you will have a manageable workload and lots of opportunities to grow as a professional. Take the job that won’t bore you, but also won’t burn you out in six months.

How Do I Feel About My Future Boss And Co-Workers?

Think back to your in-person interview when you met your potential boss and co-workers. What were your first impressions of them? Did you think your potential boss was someone you could work for happily? Were your potential co-workers friendly and eager to get to know you?

If you take the job, you’ll be spending a lot of time with these people. It’s important to be honest about how you feel about them.

Will This Job Help Me Grow In My Career?

Think about your short-term and long-term career goals, then take another look at the job description. Is this job going to help you reach those goals? What will you learn in this position that will take you to the next level?

The position should help you grow as a professional. If you aren’t sure about opportunities for advancement, this time allows you to reach out to the hiring manager and ask (if you haven’t already asked about this during the interview process).

Before you take a job, remember to ask yourself these five big questions. That way, you’ll accept every job offer confidently, excited about the next chapter in your career.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

What Employers Are REALLY Looking For In Job Candidates

April 14, 2023

The longer your job search drags on, the more you start to doubt your interviewing abilities. Or worseâyou start to doubt your skills and experience as a job candidate, which in turn affects your interview confidence.

You may begin to ask yourself, “What are employers really looking for in a job candidate?” The good news is we can help you understand just what you need to convey in a job interview to stand out to employers and finally land a job.

Employers want you to answer three questions they won’t ask you directly. So, it is your job to answer those unasked interview questions in order to move on in the hiring process.

Here are three things you should be sharing in your job interview to make the right impression and send the correct message to potential employers:

1. How Do You Save Or Make Companies Money?

The first thing you need to convey in your job interview is how your skills and expertise save or make a company money. You are a business-of-one. As an employee, you provide a service to an employer. So, in your job interview, you have to prove to the employer that the services you can provide for the company will either save or make them money.

It comes down to your ability to justify the initial cost it would take to hire you. Most professionals don’t know that it costs an employer between 130% to 140% of their salary to hire them. It’s a big investment for a company to hire a new employee. That’s why you need to convey your efficiency and effectiveness as an employee in job interviews.

To prove you could save or make a potential employer money, quantify your past experience (on your resume and in the interview) and cite examples of how you’ve saved or made your previous/current employer money. Once a potential employer understands that you will provide a good return on investment, they will automatically consider you a great candidate for the position.

2. How Do You Like To Deliver Value?

Make sure you talk about how you deliver value too. No employee performs a job the same way. We all work on tasks differently and go about accomplishing goals with different processes and strategies. If a company doesn’t think you’ll be able to do the job the way they want you to do the job, you probably won’t be offered the position.

In order to explain how you deliver value, you need to know exactly what you do and how you do it. During a job interview, let the employer take a peek inside your brain to help them get a better idea of how you would perform certain tasks that the job requires.

A great way to explain how you deliver value is by answering behavioral interview questions with the STAR technique. Begin answering a behavioral interview question by describing the situation or task you were faced with. Then, explain how you took action, walking the employer through your decision-making process. Finally, quantify your results so the employer can clearly see how you deliver value.

(If you’re not sure how you deliver value, take this free quiz! You may be surprised by the results.)

3. Why Do You Feel Connected To The Business?

The last thing you absolutely want to convey to an employer is how you feel connected to their organization. Consider the company culture and their mission, and use that to your advantage.

During a job interview, it’s important to explain to an employer how you feel like you’re a part of their “tribe.” Why do you want to be a part of the team of people dedicated to solving this specific problem? You can also talk about why you admire their products and services, why you understand and identify with their customers, and what you love about the way they do business.

Tie all your pre-interview research back to what excites you about working for the company. Employers want to hire people who would integrate well within their organization. By talking about the above factors, you’ll connect with employers on a deeper level and show that you’re passionate about the job. Therefore, you’ll come across as a great cultural fit.

You can also begin to convey that connection to a potential employer in your disruptive cover letter. A disruptive cover letter catches an employer’s attention and gets them excited about you as a candidate. So, even before you walk through the door to your interview, an employer will already feel a connection to you.

Knowing what to say in an interview in order to make the right impression can feel incredibly overwhelming, maybe even impossible. If you follow these three tips, you’ll be sure to send the correct message to an employer, and ultimately increase your chances of landing the job.

Need more help with your job search?

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

6 Reasons Why Your Resume Isn’t Getting A Response

April 13, 2023

It can be hard to ascertain if it’s your resume, the job market, or who knows what else when you’re job hunting and your phone just isn’t ringing. Your mind begins to wander as you anxiously await an employer’s call or email.

Many job seekers have contacted us and said, âI think it’s my resume, but I’m not sure.” After reviewing their documents, we find ourselves telling them, “Yes, it’s your resume,” 99% of the time.
So, how do you know if it’s really your resume or if it’s something else?

Take a look at these six mistakes job seekers make on their resumes, and if one or more of them can be found on yours, that’s probably why your resume isn’t getting a response.

1. It Still Has An Objective Statement

An objective statement is a section of a resume that expresses your goal of securing a future position. What this statement fails to do, though, is substantiate your fit for the job openingâor articulate the value you offer to the employer should they choose you over another candidate.

Ditch the objective statement and utilize a personal branding statement and experience summary instead. An experience summary is a list of skills you have that are needed for the job you’re applying for. They’re hard skills and transferable skills, not soft skills.

By having an objective statement on your resume, you’re missing out on the opportunity to start proving your value to the employer within the first few seconds they glance at your resume, which is exactly the purpose of a personal branding statement and experience summary.

2. It Lacks Any Form Of Personal Branding

When employers read a resume, they need to see what attributes you bring to the position. It helps them differentiate between you and other viable candidates. Are you deadline-driven and customer-focused? These are important to employers and how they operate business. What is it that’s important to the employer from whom you’re seeking to obtain employment? And how do your expertise and experience correlate to their greatest need?

Personal branding is about how you market yourself to the potential employer. They have a need to fill, and you have to figure out how who you are and what you offer meet that needâthen effectively communicate that to the employer. If you can’t meet a need, then they won’t see the value in choosing you over another candidate who does.

3. It’s Fluffy

Your career summary and work history are full of fluff and filler words that could apply to every job seeker on the market. Here’s an example of what we mean:

Dynamic, results-focused IT specialist with broad-based expertise in project oversight, systems implementation, process improvements, and integrating cutting-edge technology that exceeds expectations. Proven ability to quickly analyze key business drivers and work directly with internal/external staff, leveraging a team-centered effort that increases profitability.

Sure, it might sound good, but it hasn’t told us anything specific about who this candidate is, their experience/expertise, and what they offer the employer. It would be better to address how many projects the candidate has overseen, which processes they improved, the outcome of the improvement, and how the cutting-edge technology they integrated exceeded expectations. But just saying they exceed expectations is vague; tell us which expectations were exceeded and by how much.

4. Skills & Accomplishments Are Not Highlighted

The top third of your resume is the most important section when the hiring manager is giving it his or her initial scan. This is your prime opportunity to market your skills and achievements. Remember the experience summary we mentioned above? That’s where you’ll write the skills you possess that are needed to succeed in this particular job.

Highlighting your skills in the experience summary will draw the hiring manager in and entice them to keep reading. Then, as their eyes move down your resume, they’ll see all of your accomplishments underneath your work history. What career successes are you most proud of that correlate to the job you’re applying for?

5. Duties And Responsibilities Have Taken Over

Bullet points that only share basic duties and responsibilities fall short every time. Maximize the space on your resume by using the STAR method (situation, task, action, result).

Talk about the challenges you faced, how you addressed them, and what the outcomes were. This makes the information contained within your resume much more impactful.

6. Metrics, Facts, And Figures Are Nowhere To Be Found

Give the employer something to remember you by. Don’t just tell them you reduced costs. State a percentage or dollar amount. Manage projects or clients? Put a number to it. Ask yourself questions like how much, how many, and for how long? This is how you quantify your work experience on your resume. It’s the secret to getting a call from an employer.

Asking yourself questions like the ones above leads to answers that help you define your successes, develop your personal brand, and market yourself more effectively to potential employers.

Review your resume with the six points above in mind. Ask yourself if your resume reflects any of the above. If it does, then use the tips and advice we’ve provided to correct the issues within your resumeâand ultimately improve its response rate.

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.

2 Things Recruiters HATE To Read On Cover Letters

April 12, 2023

A lot of people ask, “Do recruiters even read cover letters anymore?”

The answer is yes, they 100% do. That’s why it’s important for job candidates to write one that stands out to recruiters in a good wayâNOT a bad way.

There are things on your cover letter that could be sabotaging your chances of getting an interview.

If you do the following two things when writing a cover letter, there’s a good chance a recruiter won’t give you a call…

You Start Your Cover Letter With “To Whom It May Concern”

Starting your cover letter off with the phrase “To whom it may concern” is very impersonal, and it shows that you didn’t do your homework.

It’s also an abrupt way to start your cover letter. To top it all off, it’s an outdated approach. People used this phrase on cover letters decades ago.

Instead, you want to start out with a phrase like “Dear hiring team,” or “Dear hiring manager,” or if you can find the name of the person who posted the job, address the cover letter to that person. These phrases help you put a personal touch on your cover letter, which can make you more memorable to recruiters and hiring managers.

You Put A Recap Of Your Resume In Your Cover Letter

Often, job seekers will put all sorts of information about their job history and accomplishments in their cover letters.

The big issue with that? The hiring manager or recruiter is already going to read that information in your resume.

Quite frankly, by recapping your resume in your cover letter, you’re wasting a recruiter’s or hiring manager’s time. You’re essentially making them read something twice since they’ve already had to look at your resume.

This is also risky because a job candidate can put something in their cover letter that makes hiring managers decide that they’re not the right fit for the job even before looking at their resume.

Instead of recapping the resume, you want to get the hiring team at “hello” by writing a disruptive cover letter. This disruptive cover letter will help you stand out from other candidates and make a connection to the company you’re targeting.

So, How Do You Write A Disruptive Cover Letter?

Writing a disruptive cover letter that recruiters will love isn’t as hard as you may think. In fact, it can be pretty fun if you know what to put in it!

Here’s how you can write a stand-out cover letter, and why it’s so important to make that initial connection with recruiters or hiring managers.

Hundreds of our members at Work It Daily have used a disruptive cover letter to land job interviews. Try writing one during your next job search and see how much of a difference it makes!

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.

3 Ways Professionals Should Respond To Job Rejection

April 11, 2023

You polished your resume and sent it to the right person, along with a stellar cover letter. You got a call. You aced the interview. You were brought back inâtwice! You sent thank-you notes after each interview, to each interviewer. Your follow-up was polite and appropriate. You were told you were a finalist. The HR person thought it was looking good for you…yet they gave the job to someone else.

After all that effort and waiting and wondering. After joking with the receptionist about being a âregular” in the lobby. After establishing what seemed like a genuine rapport with the executive in charge of the department. After what the HR person said about it looking good…

Yes, it’s a disappointment. But in spite of what you might think, all is not lost. What can you do to maximize your chances of having some good come out of this seeming loss?

Here are three ways you should react to a particularly disappointing job rejection:

Be Gracious

Yes, you were obviously the best candidate, at least as far as you could tell. And maybe some of the people on the other side of the interview desk thought so too. But a decision was made, no matter how difficult. And it’s time to touch base one more time with a thank-you note to all involved for their time and consideration.

Be A Resource If You Can

If there’s some topic that was discussed and a piece of information that the interviewer wished they had, track it down. If the interviewer wanted to connect with someone you know, offer to make the introduction. There’s not always an opportunity like this, but if there is, take advantage of it.

By doing this, you’re not only being professional about the rejection, but it’s also an opening to add the hiring manager to your professional network. Consider connecting with this person on LinkedIn down the line.

As they say, “Out of sight, out of mind,” so try to stay on the hiring manager’s radar.

Keep The Door Open

Even though you didn’t get the job, it’s important to reiterate your respect and admiration for the company and the fact that you would like to work there. It’s okay to say, “If another position comes upâor if the candidate you hired doesn’t work outâI would still love the opportunity to join the team over there.”

A sentence like this can cement you in their minds as the backup or as the first person to be called when something else becomes available.

HR officials will sometimes forward resumes of promising candidates to colleagues at other companies for their open positions. Getting the original job is just one good outcome of the job interviewing process. Consider a “near miss” at getting hired one more step in building your reputation for overall career success.

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.

Why You Can’t Find A Job In 2023

April 10, 2023

If you’re struggling to find a job in 2023, I bet I know why. And I’m going to tell you exactly what you need to do to find one.

For the last 20 years, I’ve been a career coach. After I left corporate America and the staffing industry, I hopped to the other side to become an advocate for you, the worker, to reveal the secrets that you needed to know to get hired and build a great career.

So, here’s another secret: The biggest mistake people are making right now is using traditional job search strategies.

Traditional Job Search Strategies Don’t Work Anymore

@j.t.odonnell Why you can’t find a job in 2023. #job #career #jobs #careers #jobtok #careertok #jobsearch #jobsearchtips #jobsearch2023 #jobtips #careertips #careeradvice â¬ original sound – J.T. O’Donnell

You’re probably heading over to those really big job boards like Indeed or ZipRecruiter and you’re applying and not getting any results. Maybe you’re over-applying, saying, “I’ll just spray and pray and apply for anything, even things I’m overqualified for.” And you’re still not getting any results, right?

That’s because everybody else is doing the same thing.

Let’s add a little complexity to that. Everyone’s talking about the low unemployment rate and how there are two jobs for every one person, but that’s actually not true. The majority of those jobs people don’t want. That’s why they left them. Those really good jobsâthe jobs you wantâeveryone’s going after them, especially when they’re on job boards. So there’s too much competition.

Studies show that only about 2% of people who apply online ever hear back from the employer. That’s not even ghosting. You’re not even getting to the table to be ghosted. And that’s a really unproductive and depressing way to look for work. It makes you feel like a failure. You’re not a failure. Nobody taught you the new rules for the job search. So here’s what you’re going to do about it…

The Best Job Search Strategy To Find A Job In 2023

Change your mindset from becoming a job seeker to a job shopper. A job shopper chooses where they want to work next. Now, in order to become a job shopper, you’re going to get really intentional. Look for the 20 or 30 companies in your area that you would like to work for that hire for your skill set.

When I say you’d like to work for them, it’s not because you heard they pay well or have great benefits. It’s because you really respect and admire what they do for work.

This is not something we were ever taught to do before and it might feel really weird to you. But think about it. There are reasons that you’re attracted to certain brands, right? We all have a brand that we’re in love with. That’s called a brand connection. And with it, there’s a connection story, meaning somewhere along the line you fell in love with that brand through an experience.

Well, guess what? Employers are brands, and when you can share with them your connection storyâtell them why you admire and respect them and how you came to know that they’re a great place to workâyou are going to stand out.

Once you’ve got your connection story and interview bucket list of employers, you can apply some smart job search strategies to get their attention and go around the ATS to get results.

If you want to learn how to do that, sign up for my free newsletter or become a Work It Daily member.

Good luck and go get ’em!

6 Intangible Skills That Can Get You Hired Today

April 4, 2023

Want to get hired? Of course you do! Employers nowadays are looking for a more holistic group of skill sets in the people they hire. It’s not enough to just deliver on your core skills anymore.

What will make you most valuable and have the most impact at a company is a combination of your core, personal, and intangible (soft) skills.

Here are six intangible skills that can get you hired today and certainly again in the future:

1. Adaptability

The “relentlessly changing” world we live in requires its workers to be able to flow with change, adapt to change, and navigate change with a can-do attitude. Those who can adapt the best to personal, policy, and leadership change will be valuable assets to their work teams and workplace.

2. Team Player

The most successful sports franchises all have a balance of veteran, experienced, and rookie players. Working together with people of different generations, cultures, and demographics is a coveted intangible skill that will become more and more important as the workplace becomes more culturally diverse.

Your “human relations” skillsâbe it developing rapport, listening, motivating others, or delegating with respectâwill be what makes you an important part of any team.

3. Leadership

Owning the job you have and making things better and more effective, instead of just showing up daily to do the same thing, is an intangible that will make you stand out. You don’t have to be the “owner,” president, manager, or CEO to show leadership.

Just look at all the employees honored for their work in the awesome program “Undercover Boss.” Most of these workers just have a strong sense of personal pride and work ethic, regardless of their personal lives of showing up to do a great job and making a difference every day.

4. Multi-Tasker

This is pretty simple. The workplace requires people to do more tasks and take on more responsibility than ever before. Expect it and get prepared for it.

Certainly, this should have realistic boundaries. It’s important for you to find work-life balance in whatever position you land. You don’t want to experience career burnout.

5. Open-Mindedness

Being open and flexible to learning new skills and approaches, interacting with new people, and trying new ways of doing things shows resilience and perseverance to do whatever it takes to do the job and get it done.

Nobody wants to hire someone who’s stuck in their ways. In the interview process, it’s important to come across as open-minded and coachable, especially if the company values a dynamic work environment.

6. Positivity

“Whistle while you work.” Nothing is more attractive and powerful than someone who is a bright spot in anyone’s day and shows up with a positive attitude of gratitude. Leave the personal, heavy stuff at home and come to work ready to greet colleagues and customers and make their day brighter.

You can talk about your intangibles through specific personal stories that demonstrate how you used them. Nothing beats a great, real story that gets people to relate to you. This can be a huge competitive advantage in addition to documenting achievement and accomplishment in your core skills.

If you need some help discovering some of your intangibles, think about three jobs where you took on a project, made it your own, and were successful. Ask some of your current or past colleagues to tell you what they think your intangible skills are. If you need to practice, volunteer outside of work or ask your boss to give you a small project that can stretch you!

In today’s job-seeking world, there are your core skills, personal skills, and intangible (soft) skills. More often, if it comes down to you and someone else, the person who has the intangibles usually wins! What are the intangible skills that have impacted your jobs?

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.

5 Things You Should Do While Looking For A Job

March 28, 2023

Anyone who’s ever been unemployed (or looked for a job while employed) knows how stressful and exhausting the job search process can be. So, during your job search, should you feel guilty for taking some time for yourself?

The short answer: No. Of course not.

If we’re not spending every waking moment applying for jobs, sometimes it’s easy to feel guiltyâlike we’re not doing EVERYTHING we can to land our next job. This strategy of applying for as many jobs as possible and hoping for the best actually doesn’t help anyone get a job faster. In other words, choosing quantity over quality. This is the wrong mindset to have, and it does more harm than good.

The job search process is about working smarter, not harder.

Think about a normal work day. It’s pretty balanced, right? You get up, go to work, come home, and still have hours left in the day to do whatever you want. Your job isn’t the only thing you have going on in your life. That’s why it’s called work-life balance. To sum it up…

Your job isn’t your whole life. So, your job search shouldn’t be either.

Here are some ways you can take time for yourself as you look for a new job (because you deserve it!):

1. Exercise

via GIPHY

When you’re unemployed, here at Work It DAILY we like to say this is an opportunity for you to get in the best shape of your life.

Taking care of yourself is important and regular exercise is one of the best things you can do for both your physical and mental health. It’s a great way to relieve stress and it may even help you sleep better.

Take advantage of the free time you have after applying for jobs and get moving! Chances are, you’ll walk into your next interview with more confidence and an extra spring in your step.

2. Read

via GIPHY

Nothing helps us detach from our busy lives like reading a good book.

Quiet those racing thoughts by readingâany genre will do! Reading may help you learn something new, gain new perspectives, and help with empathy (all things that will benefit you at your next job).

Knowledge is power!

3. Network

via GIPHY

Although you may dread networking, think of it as a necessary evil. Sure, it sucks having to step outside your comfort zone and you’d rather be doing other things. But nothing can produce positive career results quite like networking. There’s no substitute for it.

If you’re between jobs, you should devote some of your time to networking. You’ll meet new people in your industry and connect with those who have similar interests and career goals. If it doesn’t help you get your next job, it may help you get a job down the line.

4. Visit Family & Friends

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Sometimes all we need when we’re feeling down is a visit with our family and friends. They’ve supported you through tougher times, and they’ll support you through this transition too.

When you’re starting to doubt yourself, they will remind you of your strengths and accomplishments. They’ll give you that confidence boost you need. At the very least, you’ll have quality time with the people you loveâtime you don’t always have when you’re working every day.

5. Learn A New Skill

via GIPHY

One of the best ways you can spend your time during the job search process is by learning a new skill.

Whether it’s getting certified or taking a class, this skill should be applicable to your new job. You can add it to your resume, and it shows employers you’ve been doing something productive for your career, even when you weren’t employed.

If you try these five things (or just one!), you’ll transition to your next job with easeâand it won’t feel like you’re just waiting out the clock. Be proactive and take ownership of your career like never before! You may be looking for a job, but don’t let that stop you from living your best life.

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.

Over 40 & Struggling To Get Hired? Follow These Job Search Tips…

March 27, 2023

If you are over 40, have a big skill set, and are struggling to get hired, you’ve come to the right place. I work with thousands of people who have big skill sets and can’t get hired. What’s going on? What can you do to stand out in the hiring process and land a job?

When you’re networking and interviewing as a seasoned professional, you’re probably giving employers the wrong impression because you’re sitting there telling them all your skills, all the things you can do for them, and making it sound like you’re a Jack or Jill of all trades. And while you think that’s what they want to hear because you’re thinking, “I’m the best bang for the buck,” that’s not what they’re hearing. What they’re hearing is that you’re narcissistic. You’re a know-it-all. You’re going to be difficult to work with, and you’re probably going to leave for more money anyway.

Employers don’t want that headache.

Now, here’s how you fix that…

Best Tips For Job Seekers Over 40

@j.t.odonnell Replying to @luvmy2goldens over 40 job search tips! #over40 #over50 #careeradvice #jobsearch #interviewtips â¬ original sound – J.T. O’Donnell

1. Ask, don’t tell.

You want to listen twice as much as you talk in your interviews. The way you do that is by asking great questions.

Examples:

How does this job support your work?
What about your work is keeping you up at night?
What would I need to do in this job to make your life easier?

You really want to get at their pain point and how the job supports them. But you’re also sending a message, and that message is, “I get it. I’m the service provider. You’re the customer, You’re the leader. And I’m going to make sure that you’re happy.” That’s the mindset they need to hear.

2. Make it clear that it’s an equitable partnership.

By “equitable partnership” I mean you need to point out all the things they have to offer that you really want because you don’t want them worrying that you might leave. You need to talk about the skills you’ll be able to develop there, the knowledge you’ll gain, and the opportunities you’ll have that you won’t have anywhere else. You need to hype them up and say, “You have so much to offer me here. This is the place I want to be. You are at top of my bucket list. This is the place I want to spend years at.” And you’ve got to make them see that as well.

Between asking great questions so you’re not overselling yourself and also making employers realize that they’re exactly what you want, that’s how you’re going to get the results that you’re looking for. Those are my best tips for job seekers over 40. Give them a try.

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!