Young professionals

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How To Get A Job With No Experience



The job search is difficult enough for professionals who have years of experience under their belts. So, how do you get a job when you don't have any experience? That's the million-dollar question, and I'm going to answer it for you.

Focus On Connection Points


When you find a job that you want to apply for, some sort of life experience has taught you to want this job. Otherwise, you wouldn't even know what this job is. So, write down what it is about this job that you really want. Where did you learn about this job? Where did you come to find this job that you're very excited about? We have to connect the dots in the story here. Then, write down why you think you're qualified to do this job, even though you don't have any experience. What from your own life or professional experience has made you believe that you are fully capable of doing this job?

You need to write all of this out. These are the connection points between you and the job. These are the connection points that a recruiter and a hiring manager are going to need to hear in order to consider you because sending them your resume or your LinkedIn profile is going to get you tossed because you don't fit the mold.

The story is the factor here. Now, the more powerful the story, the more compelling the reasons that you want to do this job and that you believe you can do this job, the more likely you will get a shot at this job.

Here's a true story to help you understand the power of connection points...

Years ago, I had a young man come to me and he wanted to get into financial planning. However, the first 12 years of his career had been as a paint store manager. It was a successful career but it had nothing to do with financial planning. So when I said to him, "Why do you think you're qualified for financial planning and why do you want to get into it?" he explained that a little over a year ago, his father had died unexpectedly and his dad had owned a business, and they found out after he died that the business was in shambles. He left his mom broke and she was probably not only going to lose the business but lose the home that she had spent all her life in with her husband.

So, what did he do? He spent nights and weekends figuring everything out, teaching himself what he needed to know. He was able to turn around and get the business to a place where he could sell it and get enough money for his mother so that she didn't lose the house and she had something to live on. He said the experience was so traumatic that he never, ever wanted to see another person go through this, and he knew if he could become a financial planner, he could help more people when these unexpected losses hit so they wouldn't have to deal with all the financial stress and drama when they're simultaneously trying to grieve. If that isn't the ultimate motivation to want to become a financial planner!

After he explained all that, we created his career story. I call this career story a connection story. I also refer to it as the disruptive cover letter because it's not a traditional cover letter. I helped him tell the story of how he realized he needed to become a financial planner and also enclosed some of the transferable skills from being a paint store manager that he believed helped him get up to speed so fast and do all that he did for his mom.

He had five financial planning companies on his interview bucket list—five companies that he would love to work for. He sent his disruptive cover letter off. He networked with all five companies. They gave him interviews. Three gave him offers. And he took the offer from his number one choice.

You can do this too, but the story is going to be what gets your foot in the door and gets people to root for you, to want to give you a chance. Because the upside is when you go into a job that you haven't done before, you have no bad habits. You're very moldable. Also, anybody who gives you a shot, you're going to do everything in your power to exceed their expectations. So there are some clear advantages to hiring somebody who doesn't have the experience.

But they're not going to hire you if you don't have that connection and intrinsic motivation, which is just a fancy word for a really good reason why you're going to get out of bed every day to do that job and figure it out and crush it. That's what they're looking for from you as someone with no experience.

If you would like to learn how to do this step by step, join me inside Work It DAILY today. Sign up for a seven-day free trial and get instant access to my cover letter plan. That is where you're going to learn the power of the connection story.

Good luck, and go get 'em!

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How To Get A Job With No …



If you're a recent college graduate and you're unemployed, you might have an idea of what we're about to talk about.

You've spent four years of your life hitting the books, getting good grades, participating in relevant extra-curricular activities, and maybe even juggling a part-time job in between. You've worked really hard for your degree and you've been told time and time again that a degree is essential to finding employment in today's competitive job market.

So, why are you not getting hired?

First of all, you're not alone. Though the unemployment rate has slowly declined for bachelor's degree owners, it's still lagging. For that reason, the competition is fiercer than ever. This means you really have to re-evaluate your job search strategy.

Here are some reasons why you might not be getting hired as a recent college graduate:

Your Resume Isn't Job-Specific


While it's good to have a strong resume with all of your professional skill sets, your resume can become generic when all you do is send the same resume to every open position you find.

Take the time to rewrite your resume on multiple occasions and use specific keywords that are in the job description.

According to an article on the Job Center of Wisconsin website, gathering information specific to the job you are applying for and matching it with your experience on your resume is what makes a good resume. You have to "think like an employer," the article states, and "do not give unrelated or negative information."

You're Not Applying For Jobs That Are Specific To Your Skills


Stressed young professional/recent college grad on laptop tries to find a job while unemployed

You have every reason to apply for every job in sight. However, it doesn't do you any favors when you apply for every single job you see and send the same resume to each one.

Apply for the jobs you want and are qualified for. After all, it's what you studied for.

Try to make a list of potential places you'd like to work for (your interview bucket list) and target those companies any way you can. Use social media sites like LinkedIn to find people you can network with, and keep an eye out for any open positions. You have a better chance of getting hired at a job where your skills are relevant than at a job you're 100% unqualified for.

You Don't Take Your Social Media Profiles Seriously


Happy young woman looking at her social media profiles on her phone

According to an article on the Undercover Recruiter, a survey of 300 professionals by Reppler found that "hirers are using social networks to screen job applicants." This means you should clean up your Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok profiles to present a more positive, but more importantly, professional image of yourself.

It might be in your best interest not to post that picture of you doing a keg stand as your default, or post about how you hate looking for jobs because you'd rather be partying with your friends.

We understand how difficult it is for recent college grads and young professionals to find a job right now. By following these tips, you'll shorten your job search and get hired quicker than your peers.

Need more help with your job search?

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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Young And Unemployed? 3 Reasons Why You’re …

3 Rules For “Managing Up” In Your Job



If you are an employee looking to get ahead at your current job, you need to start managing up. Managing up is not difficult and the benefits are worth the time and energy it takes to master it.

Managing up is not manipulation either. It's simply understanding how to create an exchange that is mutually beneficial—and this kind of exchange cannot occur without trust between both parties.

Here are three rules to successfully "manage up" in your job:

Rule #1: Get To Know Your Manager's Personal & Professional Agenda


Woman talks to her boss to try to manage up

To manage up, you must embrace the idea that you are selling your professional services. You are a business-of-one. It's time to act like a salesperson, and great salespeople take the time to learn about their clients' histories, experiences, perceptions, and, subsequently, what it might take to shift those perceptions. I emphasize the word "time" because many of the professionals I work with come to me after making the initial mistake of not getting the detailed information they need to manage up.

A great salesperson is actually a really gifted teacher, someone who patiently and creatively navigates pupils, enabling them to reach the right conclusions on their own. Yet everyone knows teachers can't make this happen for their students without first determining what the students need to understand. Thus, understanding our managers to the point where we know how to get what we want means doing our homework.

Here are just a few questions we should be seeking the answers to:

  • What is my manager ultimately trying to accomplish and why?
  • What does he/she value most, both personally and professionally?
  • How have past work experiences impacted his/her professional goals?
  • How is he/she planning to make his/her mark on the company?
  • What role does he/she envision me playing in his/her master plan?

That last question is most important because the answer tells us what our manager thinks we're capable of. How can we begin to convince managers we can do more without first knowing what they perceive our limits to be?

Doing extensive research on our manager not only keeps us busy but also provides us with a gold mine of information we can use to help connect our own professional goals to those of our manager. And we all know presenting evidence-supported, win-win strategies produces some of the best and fastest results.

Yet, while the "everybody wins" approach is a solid start to being heard and respected by management, we must now explore another sign of a truly successful salesperson, and the next key element to managing up: knowing when NOT to press the sale.

Rule #2: Build A Long-Term Relationship (It Yields More Than A Self-Serving Sale)


Two employees build a relationship with their boss during a work meeting and manage up

The most impressive, unforgettable salesperson isn't the one who closes the big deal. Rather, it's the one who upon listening to the needs of its client realizes their product or service actually isn't a good fit and then tries to help by suggesting viable alternatives.

Now, that's someone we can trust and respect—someone whose honest opinion we would seek again.

The value in thoroughly exploring the what, why, and how of upper management is that we may also get a "heads up" as to why some of our ideas might not work at a certain time. Is pushing a personal agenda worth jeopardizing our credibility?

It's easy to get caught up in the sale of our professional services, especially when we are dissatisfied on the job. But even when we want something, we must recognize our managers may not be able to meet those demands right away. The timing might be off, or the right pieces might not be in place. And, like that unforgettable salesperson, it's the employee who recognizes and graciously accepts what can't be at the moment, and who willingly goes back to the drawing board to come up with another plan, who gains the respect of management.

Now, before you say, "But management is too self-absorbed and busy to even give me the time of day," or "Why would I bother when my boss doesn't listen to me or respect my opinions," let's take a look at the final key element of effectively managing up that has quantum leaped the careers of many professionals I know: a willingness to speak their language.

Rule #3: Be Appreciative, Tactful, And Understanding


A woman walks with her boss at work and tries to manage up

The best salespeople are engaging communicators who care seriously about what they say and how they say it. The old cliche, "You get more flies with honey than vinegar," is paramount to managing up. If you are a professional looking to get ahead, then learning to speak to management on their terms will be your ticket to success.

Let me share a story.

I was recently speaking to a group of managers who had to hire a lot of younger professionals in the last year. Their first comment to me? How inconsiderate these new employees could be when expressing themselves on the job. One manager even shared a story of how, when she made an effort to commend and recognize a new employee's efforts with a creative token gift, instead of a "thank you," the employee said, "That's corny," and gave her a disdained look.

I don't care how old you are or how long you've been a manager, getting that reaction from your efforts is like a kick in the stomach. More importantly, it puts up a wall of defense between the two parties. Why should a manager respect us if we don't treat them with respect? We may not like their approaches, but let's at least give them credit for trying.

I know how frustrating it can be for employees on the job, but making a change requires diplomacy—the choosing of words wisely. The desire for greater teamwork, leaderless organizations, and an emphasis on meaningful one-on-one interactions are just some of the concepts employees believe will improve a workplace. Yet the very success of those initiatives rests on highly effective positive communication. So, why not start by setting an example?

Before you speak, put yourself in the shoes of today's seasoned manager and imagine what it must have been like to work over the last twenty years. If you can't muster some sensitivity for their plight, then look at it this way: The disconnect between older management and younger employers is not going to go away. Some day, the current crop of younger professionals will be responsible for the workplace, and the new generation entering behind them won't be satisfied with what they've done with it either. That's the nature of progress—never being satisfied.

I must admit, after years of hard work and working only with what was available to me at the time, I don't think I'd appreciate folks brand new to the workplace bluntly telling me how I've messed it up for them, would you? Progress only works when ALL parties learn to effectively communicate with one another. It's not just management's job to listen to the desires of its employees; it's every employee's job to find the right way to engage management in dynamic, productive conversations.

For example, we've all got questions. But it's how we frame those questions to managers that can make a difference. Open up conversations by saying:

"I am really interested in finding a way to make a greater impact, but I need more information. You have a lot of experience that can help me see the big picture. I need your perspective. Can we set up some time so I can ask questions and get the kind of feedback that will help me?"

This is one way successful young people are connecting with their managers. Give your manager the chance to share how they got their workplace battle scars. Some day, you may want that chance too.

More importantly, articulating the reasons for our questions in this fashion is the smartest way to get management off the defensive. Instead of assuming we're questioning their authority and secretly criticizing their decisions, they'll understand that we're just looking for answers that will help us do our job better.

In summary, adjusting our approach to communicating with management is part of the give-and-take necessary for successful partnerships. Nobody (especially a manager) wants to work with someone who conveys an "all about me" attitude in their efforts to get ahead. We all know there's no "I" in "team," but smart professionals know thinking and subsequently phrasing their thoughts to reflect a "we" versus a "me" mentality is the quickest way to get respect from higher-ups.

Ensure your communication with managers showcases a comprehensive view of everyone's needs, and you'll be seen as both wise and worth more than your years.

The secret to successfully managing up in your job is following the three rules above. Managing up in your job will help you get ahead in your career, and hopefully help you achieve the career growth you're capable of achieving.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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3 Rules For “Managing Up” In Your …

3 Ways Young Professionals Can Boost Their Confidence At Work



You're in a meeting at work and would like to suggest an idea, but feel you are too new to the working world or too young to add value at this point. You choose to say nothing and regret it later.

How do you handle this situation in the future? How can you gain confidence at work?

Learning to add your insights and value to the work environment is a process. You are learning the nuances of each situation you are in. Remember, your schooling only allowed you to learn the material within your major. It did not fully prepare you for workplace situations like this. You may have never been in these situations before and you will be constantly learning how to handle and approach them.

It will take time, but you will be able to recognize patterns in your company culture: how meetings are managed, when to speak up, when to be silent, and how to approach your manager, mentor, or senior manager. It will get easier.

In the meantime, here are some suggestions to help you gain confidence at work and make the transition smoother for you:

Gain Emotional Intelligence


Recent college grad/ young professional talks to a coworker

Emotional intelligence (or EQ) is becoming more and more important to professionals everywhere. Why? Understanding the emotional side of life is just as important as understanding the technical/task side of life.

This is EQ as defined by Daniel Goleman, one of the leaders in this area, on his blog:

"Emotional intelligence (of EI) includes self mastery (self-awareness and self-regulation), plus social intelligence (empathy and social skill). Both are essential: you have to lead yourself before you can lead others. There are sets of leadership competencies that set the best-performers apart from average, that build on these basics—e.g., self-regulation is the basis for the discipline to achieve goals, to be adaptable, and to remain calm and clear under pressure. These leadership competencies are learned—and learnable."

In other words, you need to be able to understand yourself emotionally in order to understand and work well with others. Once you do this, you will begin to thrive in your work with others.

Build Relationships


Group of young professionals building relationships with one another and gaining confidence during a work meeting

To be truly successful in the working environment, you must take your EQ and use it to build solid, compatible, and trusting working relationships. Those relationships will be with your manager, co-workers, and colleagues from across the organization. This is essential in building your "currency" among your colleagues.

As you are seen as a trusted and effective co-worker, you will gain more and more opportunities to shine. One of the most important relationships you can foster is with your direct manager and a mentor. Yes, find yourself a mentor either inside the organization or outside. Finding both is ideal, actually. An inside mentor will help you navigate your company's culture. An outside mentor will be objective and not influenced by the company or their position in the company.

This is one area as a young professional I wished I had latched onto and never let go of. Professional mentors are priceless. Again, it will take time to build strong colleague relationships. Be patient and be authentic—it will pay off in more ways than you can imagine years from now.

Take Risks


Young professional woman taking a risk by taking on a new project at work and gaining confidence because of it

Don't go on a political rant or go to the CEO's office to voice a concern. The risk I suggest early in your career is the risk of trying new projects or assignments. Be intentional about the projects you would like to work on. If you see an opportunity to extend your reach, do it, even if it feels uncomfortable; discomfort is a sign you'll learn and grow from the experience.

Be bold enough, especially after you have a feel for the way your organization functions, to ask to take on what you see as an issue and fix it. Take initiative and step up. And when you fail (because at some point we all do), so what? Learn from it and move on. Don't get bitter or curl up and nurse your wounds, and never accuse someone else for your mistakes. Your "currency" within the organization will be lost.

However, if you are bold enough to try something new and it doesn't work out the way you planned, but you hold your head high and learn from the mistake, your stature in the organization will elevate. Your co-workers will take notice and some may even compliment you on your initiative.

As you develop your EQ, use it in building relationships, and become more intentional in your work activity and direction, your confidence as a young professional will skyrocket.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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3 Ways Young Professionals Can Boost Their …

3 Job Search Tips For New Grads



New grads with limited work experience are some of my favorite people to coach. And here's why...

You have no bad habits yet. You have no preconceived notions. You don't have a long list of demands that you want from a job. If anything, you're just trying to figure out what kind of work would work for you.

Does that sound familiar?

This is why I love working with new grads. And if you're a new grad looking for your first job out of college, these are the best job search tips I give all my clients who are in the same boat as you...

The Best Job Search Tips For Recent College Grads


@j.t.odonnell Replying to @swoopchirp New Grads Job Search Tips! 👍🍀❤️ if you are a new grad then you have a competitive advantage in that you have no bad habits. however at the same time you haven't been taught how to position yourself with employers. you need to leverage your intrinsic motivation. that is what will get you up every day to go do the job. the best thing to do is to identify companies where you feel a deep connection to the work that they do and then you want to leverage your unique skill sets to match them to jobs there. companies love hiring people that they can mold into high performing employees. that's one of the advantages of hiring a new grad. so you want to make the most of that by being able to Showcase how your personality and your workplace personas will be a great fit for their organization. the first place to start is to take the two free quizzes linked in my bio and then if you want help decoding the results I've got an awesome new tiktok series here that you can purchase where you can listen to me explain the results. but most importantly if you'd like to get some career coaching to help you with all of this I hope you'll head over to workitdaily.com where we help new grads all the time just like you. we've got a great 7 Day free trial! #newgrad #collegegrad #collegegraduate #newgradjobs #howto #jobsearch #howtofindajob #findmeajob #jobsearchtips #jobsearch #jobsearching #jobsearchhelp #careeradvice #careercoach #careercoachontiktok #careerhelp #careerquiz #careerdecoder #workplacepersonas #personalityquiz #communicationstyles ♬ original sound - J.T. O'Donnell

1. Understand Your Unique Combination of Professional Strengths (Communication Style & Workplace Persona)

My first piece of advice for you is to understand two major components of your professional strengths. The first is your communication style (how you interact with others in the workplace). This plays a huge role in the type of jobs you'd be a good fit for. For example, if you're a contemplator, you're more introverted. You're not going to want a job that requires you to be really extroverted with a lot of people. Whereas if you were an energizer, you would actually feed off the energy of others.

The second thing you need to learn about yourself is your workplace personas. This is how you create value on the job. Companies pay you to create value, right? You need to save or make them enough money to justify the cost of hiring you. This is something they never teach us in school. So, there are eight workplace personas, and you should find out what your top three workplace personas are. Are you a builder, mentor, super connector, educator, visionary, optimizer, or researcher?

Take my free quizzes below to discover your unique combination of professional strengths:

2. Use The Information In Step 1 to Create an Interview Bucket List

Once you know your communication style and top workplace personas, you can weed out a whole bunch of jobs that aren't a fit for you and dial in on the kinds of roles that would be a fit for you. Then, we can teach you how to take that information and use it to reach out to employers and introduce yourself to them. This is a technique called an interview bucket list where you come up with a list of companies that you feel connected to. It's called intrinsic motivation. That's the fancy term. And when you are a recent grad, that's all you got, my friend.

As a new grad, you don't have a lot of experience to share. But companies love recent grads who have an intrinsic motivation to work for them and who understand their personality (their communication style and workplace personas) and how they'll create value for them. That shows a self-aware recent grad, and that's the kind they love to hire and mold, which will help catapult your career.

It's a really great time for you to be looking for work if you understand your unique combination of professional strengths and how to create an interview bucket list.

If you would like us to coach you on all of the things I've discussed, sign up for Work It DAILY's seven-day free trial of our career coaching platform that is literally going to teach you everything you need to know to land your first dream job.

Good luck, and go get 'em!

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3 Job Search Tips For New Grads

Gen Z Job Search: The Years Of Experience Myth



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

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

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


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

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

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

So, how do you write a connection story?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck, and go get 'em.

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Gen Z Job Search: The Years Of …



There you are: sitting on the beach, covered in sunscreen, reading your favorite book, drinking your favorite drink under the cool shade of an umbrella. Life doesn't get any better than this. Suddenly, a door slams, a phone rings, a printer turns on. You jolt back into consciousness. You're at work, sitting in your cubicle, without even a hint of sunshine streaming in from outside.

When you're working a full-time job, finding time to enjoy the warm, bright summer weather can be a challenge. This is especially true for young professionals, as many of them are used to having summers off (or, at the very least, having a flexible summer schedule). But there's no need to feel trapped behind your cubicle walls. Go out and enjoy summer!

Here are a few tips for making the most of your summer while working full time:

1. Grab Some Foldable Chairs


Man on phone makes plans after work in the summer

Keep a couple of foldable camping chairs at the office so you and a co-worker can catch some rays during lunch—whether it's in the park or in the parking lot.

2. Keep A Beach Bag In Your Car​


Coworkers visit the beach after work

Keep a bag full of summer supplies for your favorite summer activities. Having a bag (or, in my case, a backseat) full of towels, sunscreen, and swimwear keeps you prepared for anything. Friends hitting up the pool after work? You're covered. Once the clock strikes five, you can head to your destination of choice immediately.

3. Plan An Office Outing


Coworkers hang out and have a barbecue after work during the summer

Plan an office field trip to the beach, the park, or the pool. Just do something fun so your brain can recharge and refresh!

4. Organize Group Walks


Professionals/coworkers take a walk at work during the summer

Get a bunch of co-workers together and go on regular walks around town during lunch. (Or, you could suggest a quick jaunt over to the ice cream shop.) This is a great way to get some fresh air, sunshine, and exercise.

5. Eat Lunch At The Park


Coworkers eat a picnic lunch together in the summer

When you find yourself eating out, hit up places with a deck, porch, or patio of some sort. Obviously, eating out every day isn't really a feasible option for most of us, so look into alternative ideas as well. Pack a lunch and hit the park for your own little picnic.

6. Organize Office Sports


Coworkers/employees play frisbee after work in the summer to stay active

Whether it's setting up an official office sports team or just hanging out with your colleagues a few times a week, playing sports is a great way to get out and enjoy the weather. Have a field nearby? Try setting up some slow-pitch softball games. Or, see if you can get a basketball hoop for the office so you and a few co-workers can shoot some hoops at lunch.

7. Join A Professional Group


Coworkers eat lunch outside during the summer

During the summer, these professional networking groups often have fun events like harbor cruises, pub crawls, and outdoor mixers. Find a professional group in your area and make networking fun this summer.

8. Have An Office BBQ


Coworkers at an office BBQ in the summer

Get your grill on! Talk to your boss about setting up an office BBQ. Ask everyone to contribute their favorite dish, side, or drink. Fire up the grill and relax! Hey, it's summer after all.

9. Wake Up Early


Happy woman with coffee/tea starts her workday early in the summer

Yes, yes, I know...waking up early is an incredibly painful and unbearable experience for some of us, but waking up even an hour earlier has its benefits—especially in the summer. Go for a morning run, putter around in the garden, or watch the sunrise with a loved one. Talk about starting the day off right!

10. Strategically Use Your Time Off


Man on laptop works while camping in the summer

Strategically use your vacation days around holidays. This way, you can make a potentially long weekend longer without having to use too much of your precious vacation time. Half days are also pretty awesome. It's amazing how much you can do with four extra hours! If you want an early weekend but don't want to burn up your vacation days too quickly, try taking a half day on a Friday instead of using a full day off.

11. Bike To Work


Professional man bikes to work in the summer

If you're one of the lucky few who live within walking or biking distance of work, take advantage of it! Not only will you get plenty of fresh air, but you'll also save money on gas, which is always a plus!

There are plenty of easy ways to enjoy summer when you work a full-time job. So, this summer, try out a few of these ideas and make the most of the sunshine and warm weather—while it's still around!

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3 Rules For “Managing Up” In Your Job



Are job-hopping and career success related to each other? What is the effect of one on the other? How long is too long to stay at a company?

I must admit, the resumes that pass by my desk make me conclude that job-hopping is far too common.

Job-hoppers hop for various reasons. More often than not, they don't know what they are getting into. Sometimes it's because they don't know what they want, and therefore they are not ready for the challenges that lie ahead of them.

In my opinion, changing jobs often affects your career in a negative manner. Consider this: What signals are you sending to your potential employer if you are job-hopping too often?

Here are four effective steps to break your job-hopping habit:

1. Follow The Two-Year Rule


I have a two-year rule I tell my staff and potential employees. The two-year rule is this: You must be willing to mentally commit to spending at least two years in the company before you quit.

The reason? You need to deal with the learning curve. If you're job-hopping too often, you learn nothing substantial. In my opinion, it takes you at least a year to know the ins and outs of the company. Then another year before you can be truly productive in adding value to the company.

To see the true results of your contribution to the company, for me, it takes at least two years. So, if you are prone to changing jobs and career success is on your mind, then it is time to rethink.

2. Learn To Be Stable


Group of loyal employees working together during a team meeting

Many well-established companies have training programs. They are willing to invest in recent college graduates and newbies. However, in order for them to make that decision, they need to look at past track records.

Ask yourself, if you are a manager, who are you more likely to invest training time and money on: someone who's known for job-hopping, or someone who is stable?

Companies are more likely to invest in people who are stable. The reason is simple: they are able to contribute back to the company. Everybody wins. If you are constantly moving from one job to another, you send a signal that you are not ready to commit.

Companies like to invest in people who see their career goals align with their corporate goals. Job-hoppers usually cannot see their career path beyond the next year.

3. Know What You Want


Professional woman thinking about what she wants to achieve in her career

One of the best ways to quit job-hopping is to truly know what you want. Once you know that, you will have a singular focus in the pursuit of your career goals.

Of course, it is understandable that, as a fresh graduate or newbie at work, it is tough to know where you want your career to go. You may be interested in some other industries. If there are other fields that you are interested in, then make a plan to find out about them.

Start with the internet and then ask friends who may know people in those fields. Speak to them. Ask them about the expectations of the company and the position you are interested in. You may not get all the answers, but at least you'll have some idea.

This will decrease the chances of you job-hopping later on.

4. Make Learning A Key Objective


Senior employee trains a new employee to help her grow in her career

If you are new in the workforce and have been job-hopping quite a bit, my advice to you is this: truly find out what you want.

Once you know that, find a company that is willing to train their employees and willing to commit to their employees' careers in the long term. If they have structured training programs, join them. Make learning the relevant skills and knowledge in that industry your key objective.

The skills and knowledge that you learn will contribute to your career success in the long run. It is something that you can bring with you for the rest of your life.

Once you see the benefits of committing to a company that is willing to train you for more than two years, you, hopefully, won't be job-hopping often anymore.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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4 Steps To Break Your Job-Hopping Habit



As a career success coach, I'm always looking for new and different ways to get across my common sense ideas on life and career success. I found some great career advice in a Denver elementary school a couple of months ago.

I was invited to see the Go For It! Institute's program in action at a school in Denver. The institute teaches kids the value of things like a positive attitude, believing in themselves, positive habits, goal setting, and persistence. Their work is based on ideas created by Judy Zerafa.

Success Tweet: Vision without action is a daydream. No matter how big your plans and dreams, they'll never become reality until you act on them.

Zerafa has created Seven Keys to Success for young students. Check them out below!

1. Have A Positive Attitude


Learn what attitude is, what aspects of your life are controlled or directed by your attitude, how to determine your attitude at any given moment, and what specific strategies make a positive attitude a permanent habit in your life.

2. Believe In Yourself


Man talking to his coworker about achieving career success

Understand the nature of human potential through a simple process of identifying your personal talents and abilities. Develop academic strengths and personal interests to create personal fulfillment and economic opportunities for your future.

3. Build Positive Habits


Professional woman at work builds positive habits for career success

Understand the process of how habits are created. Learn to identify and remove self-defeating habits and create habits that will make all aspects of your life easier and more successful.

4. Make Wise Choices


Professional man receives advice about career success from an older coworker

Learn the dramatic relationship between any current circumstances in your life and the choices that created these circumstances. Develop a personal proactive plan for desired outcomes through conscious, wise choices.

5. Set & Achieve Goals


Woman at work finds career success after achieving her goals

Recognize the difference between a wish and a goal. Make a commitment, plan, take action, and recognize completion.

6. Use Your Creative Imagination


Man uses his creative imagination at work to achieve career success

Extend your physical ability to accelerate problem-solving and goal achievement in all areas of your life.

7. Be Persistent


Happy professional woman at work achieves career success after being persistent

Track progress, develop the focus and determination required to succeed, create an attitude of gratitude as the access to fulfilling your dreams, and link the Seven Keys to Success together in everyday life.

Whatever you do, persist. Keep working toward your goals and dreams, and you will find career success. It's only common sense.

The Go For It! Institute is in business to bring these keys to young people and their parents. But as a career success coach, I think they are important ideas for anyone interested in achieving career success.

The Seven Keys to Success bear a remarkable similarity to the ideas behind one of my four keys for career success: commitment to taking personal responsibility for your life and career success. Since we're at Tweet 40 (of my book, Success Tweets), it makes sense to do a quick overview of my four keys to life and career success.

The "4Cs:" Clarity, Commitment, Confidence, and Competence.

Here they are in a little more detail...

  • Clarity of purpose and direction
  • A sincere commitment to taking personal responsibility for your life and career
  • Unshakable self-confidence
  • Competence in four key areas:
    1. Creating positive personal impact
    2. Outstanding performance
    3. Dynamic communication
    4. Relationship building

Zerafa developed the Seven Keys to Success on which the Go For It! Institute's program is based after interviewing 35 Horatio Alger Award winners. I think this is a brilliantly simple success formula. She is taking her positive message to kids and parents in an attempt at starting the success cycle early in life.

Successful people are self-confident and are committed to taking personal responsibility for their lives and careers. The Go For It! Institute's Seven Keys to Success is all about taking personal responsibility for acting on your plans and dreams.

You will succeed if you have a positive attitude, believe in yourself, build positive habits, make wise choices, set and achieve goals, use your imagination, and persist.

I'm glad I was introduced to the Go For It! Institute and the great work they are doing with kids. I think their message applies to all of us. If you incorporate these seven keys into your life, you'll be well on your way to creating the life and career success you want and deserve.

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This article was originally published at an earlier date.

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The 7 Keys To Career Success



Are you ready to take the first step toward unlocking your true professional potential?

If so, we're inviting you to take this incredibly accurate career assessment quiz.

The Career Decoder Quiz will help you determine what your workplace persona are. That means you'll get a sense of who you are as a working professional and what makes you thrive at work. You'll find out how you like to create value and what your professional strengths are, which will help you find the right career for YOU.

Here are a few examples of what your persona could be:

Visionary


Visionary workplace persona

Visionaries are big-picture thinkers and conceptualize ideas to motivate others to action.

Are you: Capable of shaping a vision for those who can't see the possibilities?

Can you: See the end before the beginning? Are you able to assess from a bird's-eye view?

Do you: Have a long-term mindset and plot your course accordingly?

Optimizer


Optimizer workplace persona

Optimizers assess, analyze, and map out improvements that directly save or make money.

Are you: Someone people rely on to make sound financial decisions?

Can you: Assess a business or project and immediately see ways to save or make money?

Do you: Gain satisfaction from knowing your work makes the business more profitable?

Builder


Builder workplace persona

Builders execute a plan, managing all aspects, keeping it on time and under budget.

Are you: A specialist in your field with lots of hands-on experience?

Can you: Execute a plan and work through roadblocks to completion?

Do you: Like to focus on ways to do things better, faster, cheaper, etc.?

Educator


Educator workplace persona

Educators close gaps in knowledge and ensure staff is clear on their roles and goals.

Are you: Good at organizing thoughts into oral and written communications to motivate and train others?

Can you: Take control of an idea and choose the right method for communicating it?

Do you: Excel at wordplay and use communication skills to guide conversations?

So, What's Next?


Man on computer takes Work It Daily's Career Decoder Quiz

There are eight workplace personas in total. Which one are you?

If you want to learn what your top workplace persona is, and how it impacts your ability to find career success and satisfaction, check out this free career assessment quiz.

Seriously, knowing who you are as a working professional and what makes you happy on the job will help you be successful in your career or job search.

Don't waste another day not knowing your professional strengths. Take the Career Decoder Quiz to unlock your potential today!


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#1 Career Tip For Gen Z & Millennials



If if you're a millennial or Style Zer, I have 1 piece of advice that will improve your job look for results and alter the career for the far better.

Since a millennial or Style Z job seeker, this what you need to help do to locate a job in addition to grow your career...

Get On LinkedIn!


@j. to. odonnell Quantity 1 Career Advice regarding Gen Z & Millennials!! #genz #millennial #learnontiktok #edutok #jobsearchtiktok #linkedintips #linkedinprofile #careeradvice #jobsearch #career #work ♬ original sound - M. T. O'Donnell

You need to help to make a LinkedIn profile .

Notice me out.

I know you detest the platform. I understand that you seem like is actually for old people. Although as a 20-year career coaching veteran who utilized to work in the staffing needs and recruiting industry, I actually can tell you the fact that getting on LinkedIn will be the best thing anyone can do for your own personal job search and career as some sort of whole.

Employers don't know how in order to find you on TikTok yet. But they can say for certain how to find a person on LinkedIn. They seek for specific keywords (skills) and your profile can come up in search outcomes if it's well-optimized.

Therefore , in case you're a millennial or perhaps Gen Zer who's desperate for a job, I motivate you to create a good LinkedIn profile and improve it so that you can be discovered by recruiters.

Now, LinkedIn doesn't teach you how you can optimize your profile—but I actually do.

I'd love that in case you signed up intended for Work It Daily's Event Subscription so you may the correct way to be able to build your LinkedIn report and stand out for you to recruiters. I look forwards to answering all regarding your career questions within our next live event!

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#1 Career Tip For Gen Z & …

How To Address An Incomplete Degree On Your Resume



There are typically two different situations that a job seeker with an incomplete degree can be in. Either you didn't finish your degree and don't plan to, or you're currently completing it. I know job seekers in both situations and there is a great way to handle the incomplete degree scenario.

So how do you address your incomplete education on your resume?

Let's look at both scenarios: those job seekers currently pursuing a degree, and those who've decided not to return to school.

Didn't Finish The Degree


I personally think it's important to include your degree or coursework on your resume, especially when it's related to your current or desired career field. There are two ways I would suggest tackling this:

1. List the college you went to, the program area you studied, and dates you attended school. You're not including a degree here because one was not awarded.

2. State the university you attended, relevant courses you completed (especially if they're related to a position you're pursuing), and dates you attended the school.

You have to be careful when including this information on your resume. You don't want to mislead an employer into thinking you have a degree that you don't have. This can come back to bite you if you're offered the position and they fact-check.

Plus, the goal here isn't to deceive anyone into thinking that you have a degree you don't actually have. The goal is to include any education you have received—which, in my opinion, is important to show.

Currently Pursuing A Degree


Young man on laptop edits his resume

You should absolutely include information about pursuing a degree on your resume—especially if the position requires whatever degree or certification you're pursuing. There are two great ways to handle including this information on your resume:

1. State the college you're attending, degree you're pursuing, your area of study, current GPA (if 3.0 or higher) and include your anticipated graduation date; this is very important if your graduation date is within the next 12 months.

2. List the university you're attending, degree you're pursuing, area of study, current GPA (if 3.0 or higher), and the words In Progress. This works well if you're still going to be in school for a couple of years.

If the degree or certification is a requirement for the opportunity and it has been recently obtained or will soon be completed, I recommend putting your education information at the top of the resume.

If the degree or education you have isn't required or directly related to the position, put it at the end of the resume. This is also the case if you want to share with the employer that you have some education but you don't want to advertise that you didn't complete your education.

No matter if you're a college dropout or a current college student, your resume can look complete and professional with these two strategies!

Need more help writing your resume? 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. More importantly, we have tons of resources inside our community that can help you write your resume—the right way.

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.

Acquiring Job Advance Your Career Career Changing Careers and Employment Education Internship

How To Address An Incomplete Degree On …