Job Search Archives - Page 37 of 43

3 Questions That Will Help You Find Your Dream Job

April 15, 2022April 16, 2022

Why is figuring out what we want to do with our lives so painfully difficult? Seriously! It’s like we’ve all been given this massive amount of energy that we’re aching to use in a productive and enjoyable way. Yet discovering what to use it on eludes us. And the longer it takes to discover what we really want to do, the more uncomfortable we feel. That restless energy builds, and we long to be utilized for a worthy purpose.

The hard part for most of us is figuring out what that purpose is. And if you’re in a similar position, then this article is going to help you focus that energy. These three powerful questions will help you figure out what you’re meant to be doing:

What Are Your “Super Human” Strengths?

According to a Gallup study, people who use their strengths and like what they’re doing are 127% more productive than the average employee! It makes sense. When you’re doing what you’re naturally good at, you’re more likely to be in flow, that magical state when you’re in the zone and feel like you can achieve anything.

So, how do you figure out your work strengths? You can take Work It Daily’s FREE Workplace Personas Quiz to see what your professional strengths are, and how to use them to your advantage!

What Are Your Core Values?

Do you value freedom, adventure, and risk-taking? You might not want to get a desk job. Or what if you value family, relationships, and security? Perhaps you’ll find your best fit working from home, or at an office nearby with flexible work hours.

Figuring out what’s most important to you helps narrow down the field of possible career choices, not only in terms of lifestyle but also in terms of what kind of company and people you want to work with. Strong values of corporate responsibility and environmental consciousness will mean that a certain group of organizations won’t appeal to you, while others will.

So, do some deep reflection and list out everything that’s important to you, keeping in mind the eight key areas of life. Narrow that list down to 10 items. Then, try to get it down to your top three or five, and make sure that any opportunity you accept fits with those values. This is an incredibly powerful exercise for me each time I do it, and I think it will be for you as well.

What Inspires You Like Nothing Else?

Doing something that inspires you is at the core of reaching high states of happiness, and the most inspiring thing you can do is contribute to something you feel has a higher purpose. Something bigger than yourself. Like Batman, except without all the violence…hopefully.

Yet similar to Batman, one excellent way of figuring out what inspires you is to think about what makes you really, really angry in the world. What can’t you stand? Bruce Wayne, or Batman, couldn’t stand the fact that criminals were taking over his city, so he took a stand against crime. In doing so, he inspired others.

So, what bugs you the most in the entire world? And who’s doing the best job of solving that problem? When you tap into your strengths, figure out your core values, and contribute those to a purpose that inspires you, then you’ve found your dream job.

Bonus Tip: Find A Mentor!

Once you answer these three questions, there’s a way to speed up your progress even more and get your dream job as quickly as possible: find a mentor. More specifically, by following in the footsteps of people who have already done what you want to do.

Answering these questions and taking these steps will help you get closer to figuring out what your dream job is. If you need more help finding and landing your dream job, especially if you’re feeling lost, trapped, or burned out in your career, we’re here for you.

We’d love it if you joined our FREE community. It’s a private, online platform where workers, just like you, are coming together to learn and grow into powerful Workplace Renegades.

It’s time to find work that makes you feel happy, satisfied, and fulfilled. Join our FREE community today to finally become an empowered business-of-one!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

Follow-Up Phone Call After An Interview: How To Make One

April 14, 2022April 16, 2022

Making a follow-up call after an interview is something that makes a lot of people nervous. Not only can the call itself be anxiety-inducing, but there’s often some uncertainty about if you should call after an interview at all! This post will help you determine when you should call after an interview, and what to […]

The post Follow-Up Phone Call After An Interview: How To Make One appeared first on Career Sherpa.

SMART Goals For Job Seekers

April 14, 2022April 16, 2022

There are two perspectives on SMART goals for job seekers, one from the viewpoint of the activities you perform as part of your job search, the other focused on understanding the expectations of a position you’re considering.

SMART goals, originally attributed to Peter Drucker, has been interpreted with various modifications and additions, but generally refers to goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable (Achievable, Actionable), Realistic (Relevant), and Time-Bound (Time-Based, Timely). There’s strong agreement on the “Specific” and “Measurable,” with several variations of the “__ART” elements. Specific, Measurable, and Time-Bound are generally agreed upon as core elements.

For The Job Search

For job seekers, SMART goals can be a powerful tool to guide the process. While many individuals are familiar with the idea from its common work application, it’s a new—and much-needed—process for many job seekers. And for those unfamiliar with the idea, it can be further complicated by the claim of goals being set for them in their work experience—goals that are absolutely not SMART. So, a job seeker might just set an extremely broad goal, like “finding a new job,” or might set some seemingly more specific goals like:

Revise my resume
Contact my references
Search online for job opportunities
Send thank you emails

While setting some goals, any goals, particularly if they’re written down, is better than not having any goals, these are definitely not SMART goals. More importantly, goals like these deprive a job seeker of the power of having SMART goals.

Research on goal setting clearly demonstrates the power—and the dangers—of goal setting. Goals that are not SMART fail to motivate top performance and/or lead to inaction. Goals that are set too high (not Realistic) frequently prompt a person’s decision to “give up.” Understanding the dynamics of goal setting can be a powerful tool for a job seeker’s success.

Let’s turn the examples above into SMART goals:

Revise my resume – Create a customized resume for each job opening I want to apply for by next Sunday.
Contact my references – Identify at least one reference from my previous employers and contact them within the next month with my resume and information on the jobs I’m seeking.
Search online for job opportunities – Check online for job opportunities at least twice a week.
Send thank you emails – Send thank you emails within 24 hours of an interview to each person involved.

For The Interview

Understanding SMART goals can also be a powerful tool for a candidate to use during an interview. Job postings, ads, and even job descriptions can be filled with generalities and duties that, at best, describe average performance.

A job seeker is frequently asked, “Do you have any questions?” Seize this opportunity whenever given. Unless the following has been made clear to you, ask: “If I were offered and accepted this position, and you considered me extremely successful in my first year, what did I accomplish?” Then probe! And probe whenever you can during an interview when you don’t have clear, specific (SMART) expectations from the interviewer:

Specifically, what do you expect the person in this job to accomplish in the first 90 days?
- In the first six months?
- In the first year?
The job description says the job includes “making sales calls.” How many are considered acceptable in a day? In a month?
- How many of the company’s sales staff regularly achieve acceptable performance?
- How many sales calls are considered “outstanding performance”?
The job description says that the job includes “leading the team.” How many people are on the team?
- How many members are new? Long-time members?
- Is the team facing specific challenges? Problems?
- What resources are available for developing the team? Training? Assessments?
- What’s the time frame for improving the team’s performance?
You mentioned “the usual customer service” responsibilities, could you tell me…
- What does “outstanding” customer service mean for this business?
- What kind of training is provided for customer service?
- What are the customer service expectations in terms of working with colleagues?
- (Somewhat advanced but a good question) Is compensation tied to the quality of service provided by a person in this job?

These probing questions need to be customized for each individual position. But just like the importance of thoroughly preparing your responses to questions about your experience, this is where you thoroughly prepare by 1) researching the company and 2) preparing questions that probe for:

Specific: Are you given answers with clear “action” verbs?
Measurable: Is there a clear measurement (a number) that indicates a performance level?
Attainable: Are the expectations achievable, too low (usually not specific), or unrealistically high?
Realistic: Are the results of the actions specified indicated?
Time-Bound: Are the expectations framed in terms of “when”?

SMART goals can be a very powerful part of a successful job search—and a powerful tool for a job seeker to use during the interview process—if a job seeker learns and practices the process.

The job search process can be incredibly frustrating and stressful, especially if you’re feeling lost, trapped, or burned out in your career. If you’re struggling to find a job that’s right for you, we can help.

We’d love it if you joined our FREE community. It’s a private, online platform where workers, just like you, are coming together to learn and grow into powerful Workplace Renegades.

It’s time to find work that makes you feel happy, satisfied, and fulfilled. Join our FREE community today to finally become an empowered business-of-one!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

5 Things To Do If You’re Unemployed

April 8, 2022April 12, 2022

Know the saying, “Applying to jobs is a full-time job”? Don’t listen to it.

Applying to jobs you’re not qualified for is counterproductive to your job search. Competition is too fierce. Even qualified applicants aren’t getting callbacks. So, stop applying to so many jobs and allocate time each week to becoming more hirable. Here’s how:

1. Volunteer

Volunteering can increase your chances of being hired if you’re strategic about it. Unemployed teacher? Help out with after-school programs or volunteer to be a coach’s assistant. Web designer? Find a local non-profit in desperate need of a redesign and offer your services pro bono. By volunteering somewhere relevant, you’ll keep your skills fresh while enhancing your resume.

2. Keep Your Skills Current

If you lack a skill commonly required for jobs you’re seeking, spend time each day developing that skill. Take advantage of numerous free resources online, including tutorials, eBooks, and how-to videos. If you’d rather have more of a class setup, then look for free or affordable classes in your area. Alternatively, if you already possess the necessary skills but haven’t been practicing, then do so. Skill atrophy is a huge concern for hiring managers, so practice and get yourself ready for pre-employment skills tests.

3. Network, Network, Network

There are two parts to networking: reconnecting with your old contacts and forming new ones.

Depending on where you are in your career, reconnecting might mean contacting professors, college advisers, and internship supervisors, or it might mean getting in touch with old colleagues, bosses, and business acquaintances. Find them, email them, call them. Ask them if they would like to grab a coffee. Ask how they are (networking is social, after all) and let them know the specifics of your job search (industry, location, etc.). See if they know of anything or anyone. Most importantly, follow up!

At a temporary dead-end with your current contacts? Make new ones. Go to networking events sponsored by your university, industry, city, and so on. And look beyond traditional networking events. Consider going to lectures, neighborhood council meetings, and even community bar crawls (go easy on the sauce).

Each of these provides an opportunity to meet people with similar interests, and you can have fun in the process. Again, follow up!

4. Freelance

Some job seekers are opposed to anything that’s not a full-time job. If this sounds like you, it’s time to change your mindset. Freelancing is a great way to boost your skills, resume, portfolio, professional network, income, and confidence.

5. Build An Online Presence

Get found online. Start a blog, spruce up your social media profiles, and/or create an online portfolio to showcase your work. Find companies you’re interested in working for, subscribe to their blogs, and follow them on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Find decision-makers at those companies and follow them as well. Learn what they’re talking about, do a little research, and then engage with them online. Impress them with your interest and insights.

Worst-case scenario: You’ll learn what’s important to them and use this information to customize your application when a job opens up.

Better-case scenario: You’ll establish a rapport with someone who will recommend you for a position and/or tell you about hidden job openings.

Best-case scenario: You’ll impress someone so much over time that they’ll create a job for you or bring you in for an exploratory interview.

So, what are you doing to become more hirable? If you aren’t doing anything, then consider doing one (or more!) of these things, starting today.

We’d love it if you joined our FREE community. It’s a private, online platform where workers, just like you, are coming together to learn and grow into powerful Workplace Renegades.

It’s time to find work that makes you feel happy, satisfied, and fulfilled. Join our FREE community today to finally become an empowered business-of-one!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

3 Easy Ways To Spring Clean Your Resume

April 6, 2022April 7, 2022

The concept of “spring cleaning” also extends to your career. In fact, it’s the perfect time to take a look at your resume and see what needs updating and what you can get rid of entirely. When was the last time you cleaned up your resume?

If it’s been a while since you’ve updated your resume, don’t wait any longer! Here are three easy ways you can spring clean your resume so it’s ready for your next job search.

1. Update Your Skills (And Get Rid Of Irrelevant Ones)

One of the most important parts of your resume is the experience summary, which is a list of 6-8 skills at the top of your resume. (You can find resume templates inside Work It Daily’s FREE community.) This helps your resume get past the ATS and stand out from the competition, allowing hiring managers to quickly see how you’re qualified for the job.

When spring cleaning your resume, it’s a good idea to update your list of skills, adding new ones and removing irrelevant ones. What skills have you developed? Which skills do you want to highlight in your job search? What skills do you need for the jobs you want to apply for, and how many of those do you currently have? Which skills are no longer relevant in your career or aligned with your career goals? Think about these questions as you decide which skills to include on your updated resume.

2. Quantify New (And Old!) Accomplishments

If you haven’t done so already, when you clean up your resume, you should also quantify your accomplishments. In the bullet points under each position you’ve held, you don’t just want to list your job duties. You need to talk about your accomplishments, what you achieved on the job. You need to quantify your work experience so employers can see exactly how you add value as a business-of-one. Each bullet point should include at least one number. For example, a car salesperson might write: “Sold an average of 12 cars per week.”

Once you’ve quantified your accomplishments on your resume for your previous positions, it’s time to think about your current job. What have you accomplished lately at your current job? Are there any past accomplishments you haven’t quantified yet? Have you completed a certificate or received any awards? Whatever you achieved, chances are it can be quantified, and it definitely belongs on your resume.

3. Clean Up Your Formatting

The easiest way to spring clean your resume is to simply clean up your formatting. A resume with an updated, simple format will be easier to read and have a higher chance of getting past the ATS. A resume with an outdated format will likely get tossed by hiring managers because it gives them the impression that you’re old and/or out of touch.

Your resume should have a simple, clean format with consistent styling throughout the document. Bullet points and white space are also important. Choose a clean-line font like Arial or Calibri (11pt.), not a script font like Times New Roman. Also, make sure you have one-inch margins and no bold, italics, or underlining except in very specific places where you want to focus the hiring manager’s eyes. When in doubt, a simple resume is the most effective.

We hope these tips help you spring clean your resume so it’s ready for your next job search! If you need more help with your resume or with anything else in your job search, we’re here for you.

We’d love it if you joined our FREE community. It’s a private, online platform where workers, just like you, are coming together to learn and grow into powerful Workplace Renegades.

It’s time to find work that makes you feel happy, satisfied, and fulfilled. Join our FREE community today to finally become an empowered business-of-one!

7 Things You Must Know About Getting Referred for a Job

April 6, 2022April 7, 2022

There is one thing you can do that increases your chances of being hired: get referred for a job. Referred candidates are more likely to get hired, perform better and last longer in jobs. This is why companies, large and small, are investing in employee referral programs (ERPs). It makes good business sense for them […]

The post 7 Things You Must Know About Getting Referred for a Job appeared first on Career Sherpa.

How To Write A Thank You Email After The Second Interview

April 5, 2022April 6, 2022

Writing an effective thank you email after your second interview can give you some extra points when hiring managers are making their final decision. But unfortunately, many job-seekers struggle with this! This guide will teach you how to write a great follow-up email after the second interview and provides samples to get you started. Tips […]

The post How To Write A Thank You Email After The Second Interview appeared first on Career Sherpa.

3 Keys To A Successful Job Search

April 1, 2022April 4, 2022

It can be very demanding looking for another job when your current one is constantly stressing you out. After all, when you get home from a long and frustrating day, the last thing you want to do is give any more thought to the world of work. Unfortunately, most new jobs don’t just fall into your lap—you have to go out and get them.

Approaching your job search as strategically and as systematically as you would approach your next business deal can help keep the process manageable. Here are three keys to a successful job search:

1. Initiation

If you were going to start a huge new project at work, would your first step be to just sit down and start the project? Of course not! A lot of planning and preparation go into any major project, and your job search should be no different. Therefore, the first step is NOT to sit down and start sending out dozens of generalized resumes to any job that sounds like a relatively good fit.

Your first task should be to determine exactly what you’re looking for in your next position. Just like you can’t write a project plan until you know what the project is, you simply cannot write an effective resume or cover letter without some idea of where you’d like your career to go. You may find this part of the process to be the most time-consuming, as it requires some soul-searching. However, it’s an essential step in the process that must not be skipped.

2. Planning

Once you’ve determined your professional goals, you’re ready to spend some time assembling your marketing tools—a cover letter, resume, and any other pertinent documents that support your message (like an optimized LinkedIn profile). This is essentially the same process as setting up a project at work; you need both plans and human resources for an effective job search.

It’s important to tailor your resume and cover letter to the specific job that you’re applying to. In order to have a powerful resume, you have to lead with results and quantifiable accomplishments. This process takes time, so plan your schedule accordingly.

3. Execution

Only when you’ve established a goal and pulled together the tools needed to accomplish it should you actually start looking for and applying to jobs. Setting up email alerts through sites like Glassdoor.com or Indeed.com can save you hours of scouring through online job postings.

If you tackle your job search in a strategic and systematic manner, you should soon reach a place where you can go to your inbox, look through positions that may be a good fit for you, and then simply customize your polished resume for each application. Consider each quality job application you send off as a deliverable in the project of finding yourself another job. Whenever you successfully land your next position, you’ll be able to close out this project and move on to the next one!

We’d love it if you joined our FREE community. It’s a private, online platform where workers, just like you, are coming together to learn and grow into powerful Workplace Renegades.

It’s time to find work that makes you feel happy, satisfied, and fulfilled. Join our FREE community today to finally become an empowered business-of-one!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

How To Respond To An Interview Request + Sample Emails

March 30, 2022April 4, 2022

Determining how to respond to an interview request can be a surprisingly daunting task. After all, you want to leave a great impression and start off on the right foot! This guide will help you reply to an interview request quickly and effectively. We even provide some sample emails to make the process easy. How […]

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How To Create A Resume With Impact: Duties vs. Results

March 30, 2022April 4, 2022

When preparing your resume, remember this is a document to market your experience and skills and showcase what you have to offer. Your resume is much more effective and attractive to employers when it demonstrates what you have achieved with your previous experiences and what you can potentially achieve for the new employer.

Unfortunately, a bunch of the resumes employers receive today still read like a laundry list of duties. Avoid this common mistake with the tips below to create a resume with impact.

Don’t State The Obvious

If you’re simply describing your job duties on your resume—a generic job description—there’s probably going to be little interest from employers. Although today’s applicant tracking systems (the software that reads and ranks resumes) will need this information, employers really need to know how you performed against goals or your peers.

Quantify And Qualify Accomplishments

Your accomplishments on the job are what will differentiate you from the next candidate. They’re also what will help demonstrate why you are the best candidate for the job.

For instance, if you have a career in sales, rather than state the obvious (“Contact prospective customers to introduce new product releases”) tie in the results you’ve achieved. A more effective statement would read: “Initiated contact with 20+ prospective customers on new product releases and secured 15 sales contracts, ranking as the top salesperson of the year.” This latter statement, which includes numbers that quantify your work experience, provides insight into why you’re a great candidate for a job in sales.

If you are in a position where it’s not easy to quantify accomplishments, then consider these questions:

Are you the only person doing this job?
If not, how many peers do you have, and how does your performance compare?
Are you the go-to person for anything in particular?
What are some of the things that your managers have put in your performance evaluations?

Be The Problem Solver

Job postings will include details of responsibilities, but sometimes they may also hint at situations where they seek candidates with particular experience in the area. Be the problem solver by demonstrating on your resume a similar situation that you took action on and resolved. Whether it was to help streamline order processing or enter a new international market, bullet points to convey experience on the matter and results achieved offer greater impact than detailing your general duties on the job.

Employers simply want to hire the best talent so show them what you can accomplish for them, not the general job duties of a position. Keep that in mind and you’ll create a resume with impact!

We know writing an effective resume isn’t easy, especially if you’re not excited about any of the jobs you’re applying for. If you’re feeling trapped, lost, or burned out in your career, we’re here to help.

We’d love it if you joined our FREE community. It’s a private, online platform where workers, just like you, are coming together to learn and grow into powerful Workplace Renegades.

It’s time to find work that makes you feel happy, satisfied, and fulfilled. Join our FREE community today to finally become an empowered business-of-one!

This article was originally published at an earlier date.

The Best Question To Ask During A Job Interview

March 28, 2022March 29, 2022

When you’re in a job interview, it would be a huge mistake to not ask the hiring manager any questions. And when it comes to interview questions, some are better than others at demonstrating your value and enthusiasm for the job you’re interviewing for. But which question will make you stand out from the competition the most?

If you want to impress hiring managers, this is the best question to ask during a job interview…

What Would I Need To Do In This Role To Make Your Job Easier?

@j.t.odonnell BEST QUESTION to ask on a job interview! #interviewtips #careertiktok #jobinterview #interview #jobinterviewtips #jobinterviewquestions #edutok #jobs ♬ original sound – J.T. O’Donnell

One of the best questions you can ask during a job interview is: Tell me how the job that I’m applying for interacts with your job and what would I need to do in this role to make your life easier?

You’re not being hired for the heck of it. You’re there to solve problems, alleviate pain, and, yes, make the lives of the people you’re working with easier. So, when you ask the hiring manager (your boss or potential co-workers) this question, you’re showing that you understand this, and you’re giving them the opportunity to tell you exactly what you’d have to do in order for them to want to pick you for the job.

If you ask this question in your next job interview, I can guarantee the hiring manager will be very, very impressed, and you’ll be sure to stand out from other job candidates.

Want More Job Interview Tips?

I understand how difficult it is to land a job interview, never mind ace one. It can be especially frustrating when you’ve been looking for a job for months and haven’t had any success.

If you’re feeling frustrated, alone, or even depressed in your job search, I’m here for you. I’d love it if you joined my FREE community where professionals like you are learning how to become empowered in their careers so they can finally find career happiness and satisfaction. There are tons of FREE resources inside this community that can help you ace your next job interview.

Sign up for my FREE community and become a Workplace Renegade today! My team and I are looking forward to working with you soon.

How To Get A Job With No Experience (13 Simple Tips)

March 28, 2022March 29, 2022

Trying to figure out how to get a job with no experience might seem impossible at first, but it happens all the time! It’s all about persistence and knowing how to showcase what you have to offer. This list of tips will help you find a job without experience. The right approach makes all the […]

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