Tag

Tagged with: Job Search
How To Get A New, Better-Paying Job In 2025

How To Get A New, Better-Paying Job In 2025
  • January 14th, 2025
  • - Comments Off on How To Get A New, Better-Paying Job In 2025
  • -

Are you one of the six out of 10 Americans who, according to Inc. Magazine, wants a new job in 2025? If so, do you have the tools to make that dream a reality? As a career coaching veteran with 20+ years of experience, I’ve helped thousands of professionals land better-paying jobs—even during the ongoing white-collar recession. To help you succeed, I’m sharing the five essential strategies that can transform your job search and help you secure a new role.

Bookmark this article—it’s packed with actionable advice to help you unlock your career potential. Now, let’s dive into the five critical tools you need for success in today’s competitive job market.

1. Identify Your Unique Value Add (UVA)

In a job market flooded with qualified candidates, your first task is to identify your UVA. This is how you articulate your ability to save or generate enough value for a company to justify the cost of hiring you.

Here’s the key: Your UVA must demonstrate how you can provide a return of 130–140% of your salary. For instance, if you’re aiming for a $100,000 annual salary, you need to show how your work will generate $130,000–$140,000 in value. Without a clear UVA, you’ll blend in with the crowd instead of standing out as the must-have candidate.

2. Create An Interview Bucket List

Woman writes an interview bucket list while looking for a new job

Job seekers often waste time applying to hundreds of positions online or using AI tools to submit applications en masse. This “spray and pray” approach rarely works.

Instead, become a job shopper by curating a targeted interview bucket list. Identify companies and hiring managers who align with your skills and career goals. By focusing your energy on a select list, you can strategically showcase your UVA to the right audience.

3. Master Backchanneling

Man on phone and laptop masters backchanneling in his job search

Networking is no longer enough. What you need is a backchanneling strategy—a method to connect directly with hiring managers at the companies on your interview bucket list.

Backchanneling allows you to tap into the hidden job market, cutting through the noise and bypassing gatekeepers. It’s smarter, not harder, and it’s a game-changer in modern job searches.

4. Develop A Connection Story

Happy woman fills out a job application on her phone

When all candidates appear equally qualified, your connection story becomes your differentiator.

This story should convey why you’re passionate about the company’s mission, products, and customers. Hiring managers are drawn to candidates who demonstrate genuine enthusiasm and alignment with their organization. Lead with your connection story during backchanneling efforts to establish trust and set the stage for sharing your UVA.

5. Use A Job Matching Matrix

Man writes a job-matching matrix in his job search

The job matching matrix is the ultimate job search hack for 2025. It’s a simple yet powerful tool that compares your qualifications to the job description, line by line.

By presenting this matrix to hiring managers, you make their decision-making process easier. You eliminate guesswork by clearly outlining how your skills match their needs. Candidates who use this tool often find their interviews flow more naturally, making them stand out as the ideal hire.

Free Resource Center: Your Key To Success

Woman holding laptop happy in her career

If you don’t have these five tools yet, don’t worry. My team and I have created our Free Resource Center to help you master them. Inside, you’ll find video training valued at thousands of dollars—at no cost to you (that means no credit card required!). You’ll also gain access to my live podcast, where I answer questions and provide personalized advice three days a week.

The job market in 2025 will be challenging, but you don’t have to face it unprepared. These strategies will shorten your job search, increase your earning potential, and position you for success.

Take the first step today. Explore the Free Resource Center, tune in to the live podcast, and unlock your potential. Together, we can make your job search smarter and more rewarding.

Good luck—go get that new job!

Read More
22 Best Job Search Tips From the Experts for 2025

22 Best Job Search Tips From the Experts for 2025
  • January 3rd, 2025
  • - Comments Off on 22 Best Job Search Tips From the Experts for 2025
  • -

Heading into a new year means getting your job search on the right track. Whether you are unemployed or employed and looking, you’ll want to use these pieces of job search advice. Job Search In 2025 Looking for a new job in 2025 will be different than it was a year or more ago. I […]

The post 22 Best Job Search Tips From the Experts for 2025 appeared first on Career Sherpa.

Read More
Networking Your Way Into The New Year

Networking Your Way Into The New Year
  • December 5th, 2024
  • - Comments Off on Networking Your Way Into The New Year
  • -

Many job seekers mistakenly believe that because corporations and organizations are closing their headquarters for the holidays, they are suspending their search for candidates for jobs they posted a month ago. Nothing could be further from the truth!

The fact is that even during the holidays, companies are looking for talent. After all, the new year is just around the corner, and most of them don’t want to be making up for lost time as the new year gets underway. What does that mean for you if you are on the lookout for a new job? It means you need to continue to look by networking throughout the holiday season.

It also means that there are additional networking opportunities that you may be overlooking. This is the time for parties, all kinds of parties—office parties, neighborhood parties, family get-togethers, and so on. There is no way to know where you might stumble upon news of an opening or meet someone who is in a position to introduce you to your next boss. You need to get out of the house and attend as many parties and gatherings as possible.

The great thing about the holidays is that there are even more opportunities to meet people in a relaxed setting than you have at any other time of the year. So take advantage of it! Here are four ways to network during the holidays.

Family Gatherings

People networking at a family holiday gathering

You may come from a large sprawling family with lots of cousins, aunts, and uncles. Most of them are employed, and many of them are connected in one way or another with the human resources director of their company. They may know that the company is hiring but holding a posting for the first of the year. Wouldn’t it be great if you could glean that information from them in a casual manner over a cup of eggnog? You won’t get this information, however, if you stay at home as opposed to going to the family get-together. It’s a long shot, but you never know!

Attending these gatherings gives you the chance to spark conversations that might uncover hidden opportunities. Even a casual mention of your job search could prompt a family member to connect you with someone in their network. People love to help, especially during the holiday season when goodwill is in abundance.

Neighborhood Parties

People talking and networking at a holiday party

Parties are an opportunity to meet people, and you never know who you’ll meet. You could go to a party given by a neighbor and end up talking to the CEO of Company XYZ. Conversation leads to the CEO learning that you are currently available. “Hey, we could use a guy (or gal) just like you with your skills and experience! Send me your resume tomorrow and let me see what I can do.” Boom! You may be on your way to your next job. If you stay home, however, that conversation will never even have the opportunity to take place.

So, say yes to that invitation, even if you’re not in the mood to socialize. Approach every neighborhood holiday party with an open mind and a friendly attitude. Ask about your neighbors’ interests, share a bit about yourself, and let the dialogue flow naturally. The more approachable and genuine you are, the more likely you’ll leave a positive impression that could open unexpected doors.

Get Yourself Invited To Parties Where Your Spouse Or Significant Other Has Been Invited

People networking at a holiday work party

You aren’t just tagging along…you are the plus-one and you serve a purpose in that way. But you also put yourself in the position of being available to chat with people who know other people who might be in the market for someone with your skill set.

This is a golden opportunity to expand your network in a relaxed, festive setting where conversations flow naturally. Plus, the holiday spirit often puts people in a generous mood, making them more inclined to share introductions or advice. Again, if you stay at home, you won’t ever know, so you just have to find ways to get out and mingle with people—and make every interaction count.

Find A Toastmasters Group Near You

Man attends a virtual networking event during the holidays

Toastmasters International is a non-profit organization with local clubs all over the world, in over 126 countries, and with over 300,000 members. Toastmasters is a great way to network in a totally safe environment. You can find clubs near you by going to Toastmasters and selecting “Find a club.” Unless you live in the middle of nowhere (literally), you will find a club that meets at a time and location that is convenient for you.

Not only will you meet great new people, which will allow you an opportunity to network with folks you might not otherwise meet, but you will also have an opportunity to work on your communication and leadership skills. These are skills you will need on your next job no matter what type of job you’ll eventually land.

Networking is a must during any time of the year, but during the holiday season, you may find additional opportunities to get out of the house, meet new people, and network your way to a new job.

If you’re looking for additional networking opportunities in the new year, join Work It DAILY! Inside our platform, you’ll have the opportunity to network with like-minded professionals in your industry and geographic area. You can also network with professionals outside your industry all around the world.

Happy networking!

Read More
5 Ways To Avoid Job Search Scams

5 Ways To Avoid Job Search Scams
  • October 23rd, 2024
  • - Comments Off on 5 Ways To Avoid Job Search Scams
  • -

Looking for a job can be a nuisance, and life can get so hectic sometimes that many people end up relying on online job boards. You apply to about 10-15 jobs a day, you’re tired from whatever life tasks are in your daily routine, it takes you about a good hour to find a job you would be interested in and is hiring, and the last thing you think about before hitting that submit resume button is, “Is this job posting a scam?”

It’s hard enough to get any callbacks from online job postings, so wouldn’t you like to save some time and submit your resume to a real company that is actually hiring? If your answer is yes, here are some tips to help you spot any red flags in a job posting. Use these rules to avoid job search scams from chewing up your precious time as you look for your next job.

1. There Isn’t A Company Name In The Job Posting

This may not be true for all job postings, but it’s one you should consider. While companies use blind job postings for their own protection, there can be a negative side to it. This type of job posting can be used to gather personal information about you as part of an identity theft scheme.

It might be in your best interest to not include too much information about yourself when you apply for jobs without a company name just in case. If you happen to get contacted for an interview, ask for the company’s name so you can do some research before agreeing to anything. How else would you ace that interview if you know nothing about the company?

2. The Email Address Ends In @yahoo, @gmail, @hotmail, Etc.

Man on laptop avoids a job posting scam

Not all companies have a company email, especially if they’re just starting out. However, if there’s a company name in the job posting, you’ve done your research, and they’re a well-known company, not having a professional email might be something you should consider looking into.

It should be concerning if a job posting includes a company name, but has an email address that is not a primary domain. You might want to put on your investigative hat and see if you can find a phone number for the company so you can verify the job posting as well as the legitimacy of the company.

3. The Contact Person Can’t Be Found Through A Google Search

Woman and man looking at laptop avoid a job search scam

Not everyone can be found through a Google search, but if you’re an employer, chances are you can be found on the internet. Whether it’s on social media sites like LinkedIn, Instagram, or TikTok, there should be some type of information about your employer somewhere.

4. They Offer You The Job Within 24 Hours Of Sending Your Application

Man on laptop researches a company to avoid a job search scam

While it would be nice for an employer to immediately recognize your many talents, you have to remember that there is a process to go through, and because the job market is so competitive right now, it’s easy to get excited when a potential employer wants to hire you.

I once applied to a job for a feature writer position for a publication that turned out to be in Canada. The publication was real, but the job posting wasn’t. The recruiter offered me the job and payment within a day without even discussing my first assignment. Though I felt I was qualified for the position, it seemed too good to be true that someone wanted to pay me without using my services first. The lesson here? Any company worth working for will want to get to know you before offering you a paycheck for your skills.

5. They Want To Pay You Before You Even Start Working

Woman on laptop thinks about her job search

Some scam artists like to send checks to their victims as a way of getting into their bank accounts. How does this work? Well, they mail you a check—sometimes overnight—then you are asked to deposit the check and send a portion back to a third party. It may seem like the check has cleared, so you send the portion requested to said third party. By the time the bank learns the check is bad, the check bounces, leaving you out of the funds you were asked to send back.

Remember, looking for a job takes time and your time is valuable. So the next time you are searching for a job online, scan the job posting thoroughly before sending off your resume to avoid any job search scams. Good luck and stay safe out there!

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!

Read More
20 Things You Can Do To Help Your Career (In Under 5 Minutes)

20 Things You Can Do To Help Your Career (In Under 5 Minutes)
  • October 22nd, 2024
  • - Comments Off on 20 Things You Can Do To Help Your Career (In Under 5 Minutes)
  • -

Are you ready to make a career change or begin your hunt for a new job? Then these 20 quick yet high-impact actions will give you a boost! In case you don’t know where to start, this list of quick and easy ideas will get you on your way to building your brand, nurturing your network […]

The post 20 Things You Can Do To Help Your Career (In Under 5 Minutes) appeared first on Career Sherpa.

Read More
5 Ways to Speed Up Your Job Search

5 Ways to Speed Up Your Job Search
  • June 19th, 2024
  • - Comments Off on 5 Ways to Speed Up Your Job Search
  • -

Is it possible to speed up your job search when the hiring decisions lie in the hands of employers?  Yes, there are definitely things you can do to increase your odds.  Taking control over what you can control is what I call a proactive job search. Too often job seekers over-rely on posted jobs to […]

The post 5 Ways to Speed Up Your Job Search appeared first on Career Sherpa.

Read More
4 Things To Do After Joining A LinkedIn Group

4 Things To Do After Joining A LinkedIn Group
  • May 3rd, 2024
  • - Comments Off on 4 Things To Do After Joining A LinkedIn Group
  • -

There are lot of specialized groups on LinkedIn that professionals can join in an effort to boost their networking strategy. However, just joining a group isn’t enough. Much like managing your LinkedIn profile, making the best use of being a member of a specialized group comes down to activity and management.

If you want to take full advantage of being a part of one of these LinkedIn Groups, here’s what you need to do.

Get Others To Take Notice

One of the easiest ways for others to take notice of you on LinkedIn is through discussion, and it’s the same for LinkedIn Groups.

Take part in the group discussions by posting a question of your own, providing an intelligent comment to other posts, or sharing relatable information with the group. No one is going to notice you if you’re just standing on the sidelines observing what goes on in the group.

Inform Others Of Your Passion And Expertise

Man on phone and laptop connects with someone on LinkedIn

Going along the first point above, as you consider what to post, comment, or share, make it relevant to your profession because it will help display your expertise on a particular subject matter. It’s not about leaving a generic comment or random post but building on the personal branding message you want to leave with people.

Remember that when companies are searching for potential job candidates, the more activity you have the better your ranking will be in LinkedIn’s search engine.

Search For Jobs

Young professional on laptop looks at job opportunities within her professional LinkedIn Group

Many employers, hiring managers, and recruiters will join professional groups on LinkedIn to help source talent and they will post any new job openings there.

When you find a job opening you like in a group, you already have a slight lead over other job seekers who are simply relying on the traditional job boards because you can now make direct contact with the person who posted the job and share the fact that you are both part of the same LinkedIn Group.

Make One-On-One Contact

Man on laptop checks his phone for a message from a LinkedIn connection

The beauty of joining a LinkedIn Group is you can now message any other member who’s joined the group. Start a one-on-one conversation with the individuals you admire and who you believe can offer valuable advice to help you through your job search.

When you approach individuals genuinely, most will openly respond. This is not to say you have to send an invite for them to join your network. Just simply get the conversation started.

LinkedIn clearly has many advantages to helping job seekers but knowing how to manage your LinkedIn profile and what activities to take part in are important to the process of making it work for your job search efforts. Follow the tips above to make the most of any LinkedIn Groups you decide to join. Happy networking!

Need more help with your career?

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


Read More
3 Critical Salary Negotiation Tips For 2024

3 Critical Salary Negotiation Tips For 2024
  • April 29th, 2024
  • - Comments Off on 3 Critical Salary Negotiation Tips For 2024
  • -

The job search market has completely changed. It is now an employer’s market. Companies have a lot of options to choose from, and they’re being very strategic and picky about who they hire. They’re also being budget conscious; they want the best bang for their buck, the greatest return on investment. So, how do you successfully negotiate salary in this kind of labor market?

If you want to negotiate a higher salary in 2024, follow these three critical salary negotiation tips.

1. Don’t Negotiate Salary When It’s Listed In the Job Description

Many hiring managers are given a set salary or bonus structure for a new hire that they’re told not to exceed. With that in mind, if a company has the salary range for a job publicly listed in the job description, please understand that they’re not even going to entertain talking to anybody who doesn’t agree to that amount.

So if your walkway rate, which is the least amount of money you could accept without having to still look for another job, is not in that range, it is not worth your time to apply.

If they post a range, you better be in that range—or don’t bother applying.

2. Use Evidence-Based Answering In Job Interviews To Prove Your Value

The interview process is where you make sure that you get the highest amount of money possible, and you’re going to accomplish that through evidence-based answering.

Evidence-based answering is when you provide very clear and concrete examples of how you achieved results in your career that show you can do the job. You can’t just say that you have the experience and give hypotheticals in this competitive market. You need to provide the evidence with storytelling.

At Work It DAILY, we call this storytelling technique the “Experience + Learn = Grow” model. It’s a framework for making sure that you answer behavioral interview questions correctly, giving the right amount of evidence to prove your value.

When you correctly use evidence-based answering in a job interview, you are proving to the hiring manager that you have the value that they need. I talk about how important your unique value add (UVA) is all the time. You demonstrate your UVA through this kind of evidence-based answering.

3. Create A Table To Show You Exceed Their Expectations & Requirements

When you get the job offer and it’s time to negotiate salary, you should have a two-column table ready to give to the hiring manager.

In the first column of this table, list all of the things that are required to do the job you’re interviewing for. Go back to the job description, but also add in anything else they told you through the interview process that is a requirement to do this job.

In the second column, match up your experience to these requirements. If they said you need five years of experience and you have seven, put seven in this second column. If they said you need to be able to do a certain type of project and you’ve done it 20 times, say you’ve done that project 20 times.

Then, go through the document, and any place where you exceed the requirement that they asked for, highlight it in green.

This becomes the document that you are going to use to negotiate a higher salary so that if you get the offer and the salary is lower than what you expected, you can go back to the hiring manager and say…

“I’m really honored and excited to get this job. However, I was hoping for X. I put together this table because this shows that I not only meet all your expectations, but in green, you can see where I exceed them. I truly believe I’m going to give you the best return on your investment if you pay me X, and I would love it if you would consider that because it would give me the confidence that you believe in me and I will make sure I am worth every penny.”

These three tips are going to help you maximize your salary negotiation in this current job market. Spending the time to create a table and use evidence-based answering in the job interview will make all the difference. You don’t want to wing it. The more you prepare for salary negotiation, the better off you’re going to be. I promise.

Good luck, and go get ’em!

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!

Read More
10 Inspirational Career Quotes For Recent College Grads

10 Inspirational Career Quotes For Recent College Grads
  • April 27th, 2024
  • - Comments Off on 10 Inspirational Career Quotes For Recent College Grads
  • -

Congratulations, recent college grad! You’ve worked hard to get that degree and should be incredibly proud of your accomplishments. However, we know it can be easy to feel overwhelmed as a recent graduate, especially when you’re navigating the job search.

That being said, we all need a little inspiration once in a while when we’re applying for jobs and trying to decide which path is the right one.

Here are some great inspirational quotes recent college grads can turn to if they’re feeling discouraged by the job search process.

“It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.” —Vince Lombardi

As a recent college grad, you’ll probably apply for quite a few jobs. There’s a good chance that not all of these jobs will get back to you and request an interview.

Rejection is a part of the job search, and it’s something everyone goes through. The key thing to remember here is that you have to bounce back after getting rejected.

Does getting rejected sting? Of course. However, it’s how you react to getting rejected that will define how the rest of your job search goes.

“The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.”  —H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

"The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today." \u2014H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Trust us, you aren’t doing yourself any favors by procrastinating your job search. Put your best foot forward in your job search, starting today. Need to clean up that resume? Do it now. Is your LinkedIn profile incomplete? Fix it up today!

By doing the very best you can do today, you help prepare yourself for a better tomorrow.

For example, if you fix up your resume and cover letter today, and your dream job pops up tomorrow, you’ll be ready to apply with the best materials at your fingertips.

You never know when these big opportunities will come up, so it’s crucial for you to always be prepared to showcase your amazing skills.

“Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m Possible!'” —Audrey Hepburn

The sky is truly the limit when it comes to what you can do as a recent college graduate.

You may think it’s impossible to launch your own startup or apply for your international dream job, but the truth is that you can do anything you set your mind to.

Now we’re not saying it’ll be easy. There will definitely be times you want to drop everything and give up. However, it’s crucial that you keep your goals in mind, and do whatever you can to achieve them.

Believe in yourself and what you’re capable of doing. You made it through college, after all—that’s a huge accomplishment, and it proves that you can set a big goal and achieve it.

“You are always free to change your mind and choose a different future, or a different past.” —Richard Bach

"You are always free to change your mind and choose a different future, or a different past." \u2014Richard Bach

Here’s the thing about career, and life in general: It’s unpredictable.

What you want at age 22 may not be the same thing you want at age 30. And that’s okay.

You have the right to change careers at any point in your life. Think about it: We usually spend 40 (or more) hours per week at work. That’s a lot of time. So if you aren’t enjoying what you’re doing during that time, why wouldn’t you change it?

If you decide down the line that the career you chose to pursue isn’t for you anymore, it’s okay to switch gears and go after new opportunities.

“Just don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.” —Ella Fitzgerald

Think about your college major. Why did you choose that specific one? If you have a passion for something and you know it makes you happy, then pursue it.

At the end of the day, you’re the one who is building a life you love, and part of that life will be your career. Do something that makes you happy and inspires you, and the rest will fall into place.

“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.” —Charles R. Swindoll

"Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it." \u2014Charles R. Swindoll

Things you may not like will happen throughout your career. You may not get a callback for your dream job, you may be let go, or you may get passed up for a promotion. You can’t control these things, but you can control how you react to them.

It’s how you respond to these situations that will define who you are as a working professional. Are you going to dwell on what happened, or are you going to grow from it?

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” —Mark Twain

"The secret of getting ahead is getting started." \u2014Mark Twain

Everyone has to start somewhere in their career.

As a recent college grad, you may be thinking of ways you can get ahead at work, especially if you’re in an entry-level position. However, remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day—and your career won’t be built in a day, either. You’re just starting out, so give yourself a break.

Sometimes the hardest step to take is the first one. But once you do take that first step, it’ll be well worth it.

“Quality is not an act, it is a habit.”  —Aristotle

"Quality is not an act, it is a habit." \u2014Aristotle

When you’re just starting out in your career, it’s important to build habits that will set you up for success. No matter what you do in your career, you should always strive to give it your all and put your best foot forward.

Doing the best you can every single day on the job will help you add tremendous value to your company. Plus, getting a great reputation as a quality worker will help boost your personal brand.

So if you’re just starting out, do yourself a favor and pay extra attention to the habits you’re building. They will create a solid foundation for you to build your career success.

“The most effective way to do it, is to do it.”  —Amelia Earhart

"The most effective way to do it, is to do it." \u2014Amelia Earhart

It can be really easy to get intimidated in the job search, and even when you land your first job out of college. There may be obstacles or projects thrown your way that you have never dealt with before, and you may not be sure how to handle them. This quote says it all. The most effective way to do something is to go ahead and just do it.

Want to apply to that dream job? Do it. Want to pitch a brand new project at work? Do it!

You’re not going to get anywhere if you stand idly by. Be proactive and go after what you want.

“I attribute my success to this—I never gave or took any excuse.” —Florence Nightingale

"I attribute my success to this\u2014I never gave or took any excuse." \u2014Florence Nightingale

This quote is simple but highly effective. It can be really easy to come up with excuses as to why you’re not meeting your goals. However, it’s important that you don’t give excuses and hold yourself accountable during the early stages of your career.

Also, don’t be afraid to not take the excuses that may come your way. If you know something needs to be done, and it’s not getting done, hold others accountable for their actions.

Recent college grads may be intimidated when entering the job search, but it isn’t as scary as some may think. With the right preparation, college grads can enter the workforce confident and ready to take on any career challenge they may face.

Need Help Landing Your First Job Out Of College?

Download the My First Job Workbook to learn how to use your personality and passion to get hired. It’s the best free resource you’ll use in your job search—and the only one you need to land your first job.

Read More
Back To Work? 10 Tips For Relaunching Your Career

Back To Work? 10 Tips For Relaunching Your Career
  • April 24th, 2024
  • - Comments Off on Back To Work? 10 Tips For Relaunching Your Career
  • -

So, you’ve been on a career break. How long has it been? Three years, five years, more? Whether you took time off to care for your children or travel the world, relaunching your career is a major undertaking, especially these days. Just sending out a bunch of resumes won’t do the trick.

Here are some effective tips and steps for relaunching your career that you can start doing immediately to help you reach your goal of getting back into the workforce.

1. Get Your Story Straight

Man writes down his story to relaunch his career

Prospective employers are going to ask you what you’ve been doing for the last few years. Make sure you have the story down pat and can tell it confidently. Don’t be sheepish. Taking a break from work, whatever the reason (save incarceration), was a choice you made—and you don’t need to apologize for it.

Everything you say should be true, of course, but you choose what the takeaway of the story is. Second, you’re going to need to have a good answer to the question of why you’re getting back into the workforce. Note: “I have a mortgage to pay; gambling debts; or momma needs a new pair of shoes,” are not good responses. You don’t want to seem needy or desperate.

To come up with a good answer, think about those things you loved about your job before you took your break. Talk about the passion you had for your career, about your craving for intellectual stimulation, about your ambition.

It’s also important to think of these things in the context of each job you’re applying for. Why do you want to work for this specific company? What problem do you want to help them solve? How do you connect with their mission and values as an organization?

Asking yourself all of these questions will help you get your career story straight before going into your first job interviews.

2. Stay Connected (Or Reconnect) To Your Career

Woman on laptop and phone stays connected as she relaunches her career

When you take your break, you don’t have to turn your back on your career altogether. Look for opportunities to stay connected. This can mean consulting, volunteering, or freelancing. It’s a matter of keeping at least one toe in the work realm.

Kelly, for instance, worked as a graphic designer for a major newspaper until she decided to leave the daily grind to care for her young son. To stay connected to her field, Kelly began freelancing every Sunday for her former employer. She also kept her skills honed by designing a monthly newsletter for her moms’ club. Through these efforts, Kelly remained close to her profession and continued to build her portfolio even while on a career break.

If you haven’t stayed connected to your career throughout your break, it’s not too late to reconnect. In fact, reconnecting should be a key part of your career relaunch strategy. Immediately start accepting projects—even if it’s free work for friends or nonprofits. It will pay off in the end. Don’t pass up any opportunity.

3. Revise Your Resume And Get It Online

Man reviews his resume as he tries to relaunch his career

It’s time to dust off your resume. First, fill in the gaps with all that good work-related stuff you’ve been doing during your break. Even if it was a volunteer project, list it just as you would any other work experience (though you don’t necessarily need to use the word “volunteer”).

Do some research to make sure your resume will get past the ATS. Many experts these days, for example, recommend ditching the “objective” portion at the top of the resume and instead replacing it with hard skills and keywords mentioned in the job description that you have developed in your career.

To find pertinent keywords, do a little research. Look at online job postings and see the types of words that employers are using in their posts, then use these words in your resume. Once your resume is keyword-optimized, you can then focus on customizing it for each job you’re applying for, to give yourself a better chance of getting an interview.

4. Network

Woman networks with coworkers to try to relaunch her career

First, reconnect with your former colleagues and professional friends. Meet for coffee. Talk shop. Let them know you’re looking for work. Don’t be shy about telling family members, friends, and acquaintances that you’re looking for new opportunities. Most people get jobs through personal connections.

Then, widen your circle. Try to attend a business networking event every week. Even a remote networking event can open new doors. Much has been written about how people should approach networking, and a little research on the topic may be helpful. In general, remember that your goal for networking isn’t instant gratification. Many experts will tell you not to expect (and never, never, never ask for) a job at a networking event. You’re there to meet people and build relationships. Eventually, it will pay off.

To find networking opportunities, ask people you already know or search on the internet. A simple Google search (city + state + “networking opportunities”) should turn up results. Also, try websites like Meetup and Eventbrite.

5. Use Social Media

Woman on phone relaunches her career by using social media

More and more job seekers are using social media websites for networking, and employers are using them to find out about job candidates. Use social media sites, such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram, to build your personal brand, make new connections, and further your relaunch efforts.

On LinkedIn, it’s important to optimize your profile and make sure it matches your resume. Also, avoid making common LinkedIn headline mistakes. With a strong social media presence, you’ll stand out to recruiters and hiring managers, and they’ll see how proactive you are in trying to relaunch your career.

6. Get Involved

A group of people talk about relaunching their careers

Look for opportunities, above and beyond attending networking events, to get involved. Start a blog related to your field. Check out existing blogs and online forums and comment on posts. Share your opinion. Offer advice. Establish yourself as an active member of the community. Host a networking event, or take on a volunteer position within a networking group. Take a class. These things will supercharge your networking efforts.

The more you’re involved in your community and industry, the more others will view you as an expert in that field. Don’t be afraid to start something new. Get out there, get involved, and make a name for yourself!

7. Cast A Wide Net

Man on laptop looks for opportunities to relaunch his career

When looking at job opportunities, think outside of the box. Don’t think of yourself in terms of past work experience alone. Assess your skills, and determine how they can be applied to different jobs. These are your transferable skills. They can be extremely helpful when trying to relaunch your career, especially if you’re making a career change.

Know what you can do, and be ready to tell prospective employers how your skills can benefit them—even in a position you’ve never held before. Think about what jobs have the best potential for career happiness.

8. Don’t Pass Up Opportunities

Woman talks to a coworker after successfully relaunching her career

Sure, you’re looking for full-time work. But as you relaunch your career, don’t pass up part-time, contract, or freelance opportunities, as long as they move your relaunch efforts forward. (Part-time at the local mini-mart, for instance, wouldn’t do much good.)

A contract position could lead to a job offer, and in the meantime, you’re gaining new experience, building relationships, and adding to your resume.

9. Prepare For The Interview

Man trying to relaunch his career interviews for a job

Eventually, the day will come: A prospective employer will want to meet with you.

A job interview can be particularly daunting to someone who’s been on a career break. The best remedy for a case of interview-related nerves is preparation.

Think about what questions will be asked, and how you will answer (remember tip number one?). Research the company online. Formulate some smart interview questions to ask in return. Have a friend help you practice with a mock interview. The more prepared you are, the more confident you will be.

10. Keep At It

Happy woman on laptop tries to relaunch her career

The best advice for relaunching your career? Don’t give up. You didn’t get to where you were before your career break without hard work and perseverance. And it will take those qualities to get back to where you want to be.

If you want to relaunch your career, just know that you can and will. Half the battle is having the right mindset. The rest is all about strategy. Follow these 10 tips to successfully relaunch your career, no matter how long you’ve been out of the game.

Need more help with your career?

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

Read More
How To Answer 3 Interview Questions For The “Over 50” Job Seeker

How To Answer 3 Interview Questions For The “Over 50” Job Seeker
  • April 23rd, 2024
  • - Comments Off on How To Answer 3 Interview Questions For The “Over 50” Job Seeker
  • -

Navigating a successful job search can be tricky for job seekers over the age of 50 (and very often those over 40 too). Age discrimination is alive and well, and even though your resume got you to the interview, your “experience” might be a drawback.

Here are three interview questions you may be asked as an older job seeker with the best strategies for how to answer them.

1. You Seem To Be Overqualified For This Job.

This isn’t framed as a question, but it does demand a response—or you’ve lost the opportunity. You know they liked what they saw in your resume, but when they’re staring you in the face, they’re wondering if you’re really going to be a good fit. Will you be unhappy that you’re taking a job that’s “less than” what you’re capable of? Will you be bored? Will you fit in? Are you only marking time until retirement?

Help them see that you’re a good fit with an answer that addresses those underlying concerns:

“I may be overqualified, but I see that as a bonus for you. I am more than ready to do this job, and I understand what it takes to be successful in it. Aside from learning the specific way you do things at this organization, my actual task learning curve would be flat and I could produce results almost immediately.”

Pointing out what they stand to gain from this deal is always a good idea.

“I may be overqualified, but this particular position looks great to me because of X.”

“X” may be any number of reasons: you really like their product /service, you are excited about the work they’re doing, or even a more personal reason.

One gentleman I know told his interviewer, “My current job is over an hour away and I don’t want to move because I like where I live. The quality of life I’d get from eliminating that long commute would mean a lot to me.” It was a real reason and calmed their fears about hiring him.

2. How Do I Know You’ll Be Really Motivated To Do This Job?

This is not just a question of motivation, but also one about your energy and enthusiasm. You have several good options for answering it:

  • Offer your references to speak for you and your work ethic. References are powerful.
  • Point out a recent big accomplishment. If it’s only been a few months since you won an award or conquered a major challenge, the motivation question should be answered.
  • Bring a 30-60-90 day plan to your interview. There’s nothing like putting together a plan for success on the job before you get it. It’s a powerful demonstration of your work ethic, your knowledge, and your critical thinking skills.

3. How Would You Feel If You Worked For Someone Who Knows Less Than You?

Working for someone who knows less than you do is not great—and if you truly are someone who’s been around the block, you’ve probably gained a lot of wisdom and judgment that a younger person just can’t have. However, to answer this question, the only really good answer sounds something like this:

“I have found that even if someone knows less than me in one area, they know more than me in another. I usually find that I can learn something useful from everyone, and I think it’s exciting to work with a wide range of people because of that.”

Keep all your answers focused on the positive, and they will go a long way toward supporting your candidacy.

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!

Read More
How To Get A Job Interview In One Week

How To Get A Job Interview In One Week
  • April 23rd, 2024
  • - Comments Off on How To Get A Job Interview In One Week
  • -

If I wanted to get a job interview within one week, here’s what I would do as a 20-year career coaching veteran who has helped thousands of people get new, better-paying jobs.

Step-By-Step Guide: How To Get A Job Interview In 1 Week!

The first thing I would do is find 10 jobs for which I am 100% qualified and a good fit. Not overqualified or underqualified—100% qualified. It would take me a little while to research jobs on various job boards that fit that criteria, but once I do, I would not apply on the job boards.

The second thing I would do is find the companies’ career pages and make sure those jobs really exist because there are a lot of fake/bogus jobs on job boards. So go over to the actual careers page for each company you’re thinking about applying to and make sure that the job posting is there and it’s open and active.

Once I do that, I would apply directly on each company’s career page, but only because when I get an interview, they’re going to need my information in the system. So I’m not applying through the career pages thinking I’m getting job interviews from them. I’m applying because I’m preparing myself for when I actually get the interview.

When I apply for those 10 jobs, I would fill in every field in the job applications because I know that some of these applicant tracking systems (ATS) can make you less of a match for the job if you skip or don’t fill in a field.

After I’ve applied through the career pages, I would move on to the real work that would help me stand out and get that job interview. I would write up a short connection story about why I think each company is amazing. And it’s not because I think they have the greatest benefits or I heard they’re a good place to work. I want to talk about what I nerd out on or what I care about as it relates to their business. How do I know that what they do, what they sell, is really fantastic? Where did I learn that in my own life?

This connection story is my secret sauce for when I reach out and connect with people at each company because when you tell a good connection story and you can tell someone who already works there why you think their company is so amazing and can give that custom reason why, you stand out. You are going that extra step and making yourself come alive to that person.

Once I’ve written a connection story for each company I’m applying to, I would research people who work at those companies, and not the recruiter or HR manager. I would try to find the hiring manager. I would try to find people who work in the department I’d be working in, who have job titles I want to have. Ideally, I would find five people at each company to connect with, and then I would send each person a custom connection request on LinkedIn. I would say something like, “Hey! Can we connect? I’d love to share a quick story about why your company’s so amazing.” Not every person will connect with me, but many will.

For those who do, I would then message them my connection story. Here’s an example:

“Thank you! Here’s the story of why I think your company is amazing. (Insert your connection story.) P.S. I’m so inspired by your company that I just applied for your XYZ job. I would be so grateful if you gave me your one best tip for standing out in the hiring process.”

Notice I’m not asking them to introduce me to the hiring manager or put in a good word for me. I am asking them for their expertise—their one top tip for standing out. People love to give advice after you’ve just complimented the company sincerely. They can message you back the advice, but you know what else happens? They look at your LinkedIn profile, and sometimes they forward you to the hiring manager.

I help people every day inside Work It DAILY get interviews by back-channeling (the technique I shared above). It really works. You’re going to get rejected through the online application, but by sharing your connection story on LinkedIn, you’ll stand out to hiring managers no matter how much competition there is for the position you want.

Good luck, and go get ’em!

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!

Read More