Sometimes there's the thinking that stuffing a resume with a wide range of skills and experience will do the trick. But an overstuffed resume can dilute the message of how you're a perfect fit for the job you're applying for.
To captivate a hiring manager's attention, you need a customized resume that is specific to the job. Here are some great ways to customize your resume.
@j.t.odonnell NEVER DO THIS ON THE TOP OF YOUR RESUME ##resume ##resumetips ##jobsearch ##jobsearchtips ##career ##careertips ##careers ##careercoach ##careeradvice ##work ##1 ♬ original sound - J.T. O'Donnell
NEVER DO THIS ON THE TOP OF YOUR RESUME ##resume ##resumetips ##jobsearch ##jobsearchtips ##career ##careertips ##careers ##careercoach ##careeradvice ##work ##1
Think of your resume as a search engine with results
The key is not to bombard your resume with information that is irrelevant to the job, but to be as specific and relevant as possible. The most relevant information always comes up at the top of the search engine and that's what you have to do on your resume.
The top fold of your resume should contain 6-8 major skill sets that you have that also relate to the job you're applying for (just like keywords in a search engine).
Make it easy for a hiring manager to identify why you're a perfect match for the job.
You want your resume to showcase that you're a specialist and expert in the field of work, not a generalist. As hard to believe as it may be, that's the truth in the case of resumes. Remember, your resume is there to help get your foot in the door of the employer.
You have to first understand what the employer is looking for and specifically address that need for them to want to talk to you. If you come off saying you can do everything else, it can impact your message from getting across in those quick seconds that a hiring manager takes to review your resume.
Carefully review the job posting to really understand what the employer is looking for and focus your resume to address those specific points.
Put yourself in the employer's position to answer the key questions they have, like:
You can expect better results with your resume when it's tailored to an employer's specific need. And remember, employers receive more resumes than they need to go through, so when your resume requires digging for relevant information, you've already lost them.
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This post was originally published at an earlier date.
"Why am I still unemployed?"
At Work It Daily, we're asked this question a lot. The reality is, the reason is different for everyone. The good news? Whatever is holding you back from getting hired, you can overcome.
Here are five reasons you're still looking for a job:
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.
The Solution: Customize your resume for each job you apply for. By taking the time to customize your resume with relevant skill sets and specific keywords that are in the job description, you'll be more likely to land an interview, and therefore, will have more viable job opportunities.
This problem is common among older workers looking for a career change. But this can happen to anyone who has a lot of experience and is trying to get their foot in the door at another company.
The Solution: During an interview, make it your mission to connect with the employer. Tell a story. Let them know you aren't just running out the clock. If they ask about your 5-year plan, don't mention retirement. Your career isn't over yet.
On the flip side, you could be unemployed because you don't have enough experience or the right skill sets to do the jobs you've been applying for. Maybe you're a recent college grad, and at this point, you're just begging someone to give you a chance. Whatever your situation, employers are making it very clear you aren't qualified.
The Solution: Take classes or earn certificates to try to develop new skills. Volunteer or intern to get the type of professional experience employers are looking for. Focus on the skill sets you do have, and learn how to quantify those skills on your resume to stand out to hiring managers.
If you really want a job, your actions have to reflect your attitude. As the weeks (or maybe months) drag on and you still haven't found a job, you may find yourself getting into a dangerous job search routine. You apply for half a dozen jobs every day and hope for the best. This strategy rarely works. If you want quality job opportunities, you need to be proactive.
The Solution: Make networking a priority. Go to job fairs. Reach out to employees at companies you'd love to work for on LinkedIn. Start compelling, professional conversations with them. Remember: you're a business-of-one. The better you actively market yourself to employers, the more job opportunities you'll likely receive.
It can be easy to get into a job search rut. Time goes by differently when you don't have a set routine. The longer it takes for you to find a job, the harder it is find the motivation to get a job. You may begin to lose confidence in yourself and your skills as a professional. When your career is suddenly on hold, your life can feel like it is without purpose or direction.
The Solution: Set goals and work towards them—even if they're just small goals. They could be career-related goals, or not. Maybe you want to get in better shape. Maybe you want to learn a new skill. If you set goals for yourself, you'll regain that sense of purpose—and better yourself in the process.
Being unemployed is tough. If you follow these tips, you'll have the tools to overcome the challenges you face in the job search process.
Struggling to find a job? We're here for you!
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How can you make an effective resume after getting fired? People get fired from the job for various reasons. However, to a potential new employer, it may leave an unfavorable connotation on the candidate.
If you find yourself in such a situation, you may have a number of questions concerning how to address the adverse reactions a you may receive from a potential employer. You may have questions, such as:
Understandably, there are many questions on your mind. And yet, there are ways to be truthful in answering the questions your potential new employer may have for you, along with tips to make such a situation feel a little less threatening. Essentially, before updating your resume for the next job opportunity, think about:
Is The Experience From Your Last Position Relevant?
If there is little to no relevance between the positions, you do not have to showcase it on your resume. The hiring company is primarily interested in relevant experience and skills you can bring to their company. You may be able to break your resume into "Relevant Experience" and "Additional Experience" sections.
How Long Were You In The Position?
If you were in the position for only a few months, it may not be necessary to mention it on your resume. Determine if the gap of unemployment, should you choose not to include it, would be cause for concern by an employer. In today's market, it's not a surprise to see some candidates unemployed for a year before finding a new job.
How Severe Was The Cause For Firing?
Were you laid off or fired due to lack of performance or conditions outside of your control? If the latter, then you should put on the resume the reason such as “Major Downsizing," “Company Relocated," or “Management Reorganization," all of which indicate that the termination was not due to your performance. If the reason you were terminated was due to a minor issue that can be easily explained and seen from your point of view by a potential employer, than including the position on your resume should not be a concern. Be honest with yourself and think through your response to a potential interviewer.
Your answers to the questions above will tell you whether it is appropriate to include the job on your resume. If it is included, consider the following to help you through the application and interview process.
Your mission is to get your foot in the door for an interview and to make an outstanding impression. You do not need to bring up that you were fired or laid off from your last job on paper, especially if you were only there for a year or two. Instead of focusing on how your previous job ended, quantify what you accomplished while you were employed there.
If necessary, you will have the opportunity during an interview to explain further details.
Even if you were fired and have bitter feelings toward your former boss or co-workers, your resume is not the time nor the place to reveal it. It is seen as unprofessional and leads to questions that focus on negative aspects.
So, even if the interviewer wasn't planning on asking you the reason for leaving, you may have just brought it upon yourself by insulting your past employer or hinting at a conflict there on your resume.
You should never lie on your resume. Don't fabricate anything on your resume or your reason for looking for a new job. If asked about this during an interview, you need to address the question truthfully, but keep it brief regarding the reason for your departure and move on to more positive points. At least you now have your foot in the door and have a greater advantage to explaining the reason for departure in a more positive light.
You can also use it to your advantage to reinforce points of achievements and accomplishments that may apply for the job. Remember that companies do check references and background information. Any candidate caught lying is grounds for dismissal.
Gather people you worked with on the job as references, whether it's co-workers, clients, or vendors. Individuals who worked with you on the job and who can speak positively about your work can help effectively rid any negative connotations associated with being fired.
In this instance, it makes sense to include references with your resume, especially written recommendations.
This is a last resort option. Functional resumes typically are not used since it lacks detail on dates of employment—information most employers want to know.
A functional resume focuses on grouping specific skills and experiences together as the highlight of the resume. This type of format might also work for the career changer and those with gaps in employment history that are due to other pursuits, such as education or family.
This is the last resort, though. We recommend using a chronological resume format, even if you got fired. But it might be worth it to try a functional resume format if the chronological format isn't working for you.
Being fired means you have an additional hurdle to overcome to find a new job, but it is not insurmountable. It's all in the way you frame it on your resume and handle yourself in addressing the matter if the subject comes up. Remain positive, address any concerns succinctly and honestly, and then move on to the more positive highlights.
Need more resume help? We're here for you!
In every interview it's important to ask questions. This especially includes phone interviews.
Asking questions during any type of job interview makes you seem more intelligent and interested in the job. It also makes you more appealing to hiring managers—as long as you don't ask questions you could easily find the answers for with a Google search. If you ask the right questions, you also gain a strategic advantage. You can find out what the interviewer really cares about.
So, what questions are the best ones to ask?
Here are four ideal questions to ask during a phone interview:
You can simplify this question a couple of different ways:
Some job seekers are a little afraid to ask this question because they don't want to highlight their imperfectness—but that isn't what this question does. Their answer gives you a blueprint of what they really hope to find, which means that you can tailor all your answers to their questions much more closely than you could without this information. Your answers will stand out from your competition.
If the previous person was promoted, what was their next job title? Is that typical? Is that where you'd like to end up? What did they do to get promoted? These are things that could help you know how to be successful in the role and decide if it fits with your chosen career path.
If the person was fired or left the company, the reason why may give you valuable information as well.
Every position has a certain number of problems and challenges associated with it.
If you know what their biggest problems and challenges are, you can talk more effectively about how you can solve them and help the company. You'll sell yourself for the job.
In any interview, it's important to ask for the next step. This question, or a version of this question, will allow you to show your excitement for the opportunity and eagerness to move forward.
By demonstrating your enthusiasm and interest, you'll automatically stand out to potential employers, and you'll actually give yourself a better chance of making it to the in-person interview.
Asking questions like these brings out information you can't learn anywhere else. They'll help you show your professionalism and interest in the job. Make a list of questions to ask and keep it in front of you during the interview. (That's one of the advantages of phone interviews—they can't see you.)
Along with these questions, you'll probably have a few more that specifically address that job. Just make sure to write them down so you don't freeze up and forget in the stress of the call.
Take the time to prepare for your phone interview and make sure you get invited to the in-person interview. Discover more phone interview tips and download a free phone interview prep podcast here. Disclosure: This post is sponsored by a Work It Daily-approved expert.
Need more help acing your next phone interview? We're here for you!
Writing a career change resume can be tricky. How can you effectively market yourself to employers in a different industry when you don't have nearly enough experience as the average candidate applying for the same job as you?
If you're looking to make a career change, optimizing your resume becomes even more important than it normally is. It's also critical to write a disruptive cover letter and make strategic networking and intentional branding the priority.
Follow these five tips for an effective career change resume so you can land your dream job in a new industry.
An interview bucket list is a list of 10-20 companies you'd love to work for. Before beginning your job search as a career changer, having an interview bucket list is a must.
How can you identify the right companies to add to your interview bucket list? Well, it's simpler than it sounds. Think about the companies you admire—for their mission, their product or service they provide, or both. Then, determine whether you could find an opportunity at these companies that aligns with your career change goals.
When creating your interview bucket list, you're ultimately looking for companies you connect with. Why are you passionate about working for them? Tell that connection story in your disruptive cover letter. Then, you'll be able to target your resume for specific job openings at these companies, customizing it for each position that you apply for. Which leads to our next tip for a career change resume...
Transferable skills are hard skills that are in-demand across many different roles and industries. As a career changer, highlighting your transferable skills on your resume is the key to looking as qualified as possible for the position you're applying for.
Never include soft skills on your resume. It doesn't matter whether you're changing careers or not. Soft skills cannot be quantified. Therefore, they do not belong on your resume.
For example, "detail-oriented" is a soft skill and "project management" is a transferable skill. You may not have experience managing the types of projects in the industry you're looking to get a job in, but if you have the skill, it's likely you'll be able to transition into a role that requires project management smoothly.
In the "Work History" section of your resume, you'll want to focus on what you accomplished in previous roles, keeping your transferable skills in mind. For each role you list, you should have at least three bullet points detailing your quantifiable accomplishments.
Employers want to see what you accomplished in your previous roles and how those accomplishments could translate to success in their industry. They don't care about what your tasks or responsibilities were. That won't tell them the value you provide as a business-of-one.
What accomplishments are you most proud of in your career? Write those down. Hiring managers will probably be impressed by them, too.
Any irrelevant information you include on your career change resume will hurt your chances of getting an interview. Hiring managers spend only seconds reviewing each resume that comes across their desk. If they can't easily identify relevant information, they'll assume you aren't qualified for the position and toss your resume.
Only including relevant information on your resume will be difficult if you're changing careers. But if you follow the tips above, you should be on the right track.
The "Additional Experience" section of your resume is the perfect place to showcase more relevant work or volunteer experience for the industry you're looking to switch to.
Did you volunteer at an organization within the same industry? Have you worked on special projects that involved the industry in some way? This section is where you should include any remaining relevant information you believe makes you qualified for the job you're applying for.
These five tips will help you write an effective career change resume. Just remember the importance of strategic networking and intentional branding in your job search as well.
In order to get your resume in front of hiring managers, you'll likely need to go around the ATS and focus on networking your way into companies by connecting with current employees of these companies on LinkedIn. Customizing your resume, writing a disruptive cover letter, and having a solid networking strategy will help you successfully change careers.
Need more help with your career change? We're here for you!
Proactivity, as defined by organizational behavior, is “anticipatory, change-oriented, and self-initiated behavior in situations, rather than just reacting." When a person is proactive, they are acting in advance of a future event. Proactive employees typically don't need to be asked to do something, and will usually require less-detailed instructions.
Proactive behavior is applicable to either one's own role, or to "extra role" responsibilities. Within one's own role, for example, a person may find a more efficient way to complete one or more of their responsibilities. Extra role responsibilities (i.e. those tasks outside of your stated job description) speak to an employee's organizational citizenship behavior (OCB). The proactive employee would, for example, initiate an offer of help their co-workers before they are asked to assist by either their colleagues or their manager.
The steps you can take to become more proactive at work apply to both your formal role and your part of the scope of the OCB within your team, your department, and your overall organization.
There are variations on the theme, however, the following behaviors are a common foundation for proactivity within all of the theories:
Proactivity requires that you be organized. That includes your mindset, your space, and of course, your schedule! Organizing your time helps you approach tasks more efficiently and allows you to be more open to opportunities. This scheduling needs to include "downtime" for those activities that keep your life in balance.
A positive attitude is right up there on any list. Approaching tasks from a positive perspective encourages you to look for the best in every situation. It helps you become the employee who is "ready, willing, and able," who can always be counted on. A team player who is reliable and available will become the go-to person, the problem solver.
Take stock of your current responsibilities:
Find a role model by observing the leaders in your company. When possible, spend time with them to gain insight from their behaviors. Try out their techniques. Some will work for you, others will not. You'll need to fine-tune what you acquire so that you are able to build your own repertoire.
Let others know that you want to be more involved. You'll need to create your own opportunities. Don't wait to be asked—present your ideas to your management team.
Set goals for yourself. Write them down! List everything that you want to accomplish. Set deadlines! Once you have the end in mind, you can achieve your desired outcome. A series of small goals leading up to the completion of a large goal keeps tasks from becoming insurmountable.
Stay the course on how you want to accomplish your goals. This may require overcoming your fears and rising above obstacles or setbacks. You'll need to step outside of your comfort zone and become increasingly resilient.
Strive for excellence from start to finish. Commit yourself to always presenting your best work—your completed project with no loose ends. Be passionate about what you do. Give it your all. No matter what the role you are assigned, you will be more effective when you put your full energy and effort into it.
Celebrate your successes, big and small, as you move along your path to becoming more proactive!
Be flexible! You can't plan for every outcome, so being able to react to the unexpected is an important trait for the proactive person. It is about the awareness of the existence of choices, regardless of the situation or the context.
Want more tips for being a proactive employee and growing your career? We can help!
Many job seekers miss the one step that can land them an interview and the job they're applying for. Sure, they send in their resume or job application—they may even send the additional information requested—but many job seekers and unemployed professionals simply fail to follow up with the employers they applied to.
Why follow up? Here are five good reasons:
Care to guess how often a resume or job application fails to get past the ATS or is not received by the right person or department? I didn't think so! Following up can ensure your resume was received so you can be considered for the job you thought you applied for.
If an employer doesn't have your information, you won't be considered. It's that simple!
Any contact with an employer is a chance to stand out from the rest of the applicants. Following up will allow the employer to place a voice or face with the name. If everything else is equal, the employer will be more likely to call an applicant they've interacted with in some way other than one they have not.
Remember: you can also stand out from other job applicants by writing a disruptive cover letter.
Employers, regardless of industry, are looking for eager, proactive workers who go the extra mile. Following up is a simple way to show you meet this expectation.
Following up may allow you to obtain additional information about the job, employer, or interviewer that may give you an edge in an interview.
In most cases, it's best to do your research on the company you're applying to before you submit your application. It will also help you connect with employers during your job search.
As you follow up with an employer after submitting your job application, you could ask to schedule an interview at their earliest convenience, if you feel like that's an appropriate question to ask at the time. Again, employers are looking for eager, proactive workers who go the extra mile. Be one!
All this seems to make sense, so why don't more applicants follow up on their resume? Usually it boils down to just one thing: fear!
It may be fear of rejection. This is often the case; job seekers have to apply for so many jobs to get an interview and finally a job offer, they come to view even non-contact as rejection. Given they are rejected virtually every time they apply for a job, most are not inclined to stick their neck out only to be further rejected. Others feel a fear of failure and worry they will not be able to conduct themselves well in a follow-up situation. What if they "flub up?" That will surely ruin any chance they might have had to be interviewed and potentially offered a job, they think.
Some job seekers even fear that they will look too pushy or bother the employer if they try to follow up. Not so! As long as you know how to correctly follow up with an employer, you won't get on their bad side.
Notice a recurring theme? A job seeker has to overcome his or her fears to apply for jobs and to follow up. So, how does a job seeker overcome his or her fears and follow up? Several things will help:
Much like the application process, following up will provide success the more often it is done. More follow-up equals more interviews/job offer. Not that you shouldn't be smart about what you apply for or follow up on, but you should actively do both.
Remember, as a job seeker you are only looking for the one employer who is offering you the job—not those who aren't!
Need more help with your job search? We're here for you!
The simple purpose of the resume is to get you noticed and have employers contact you for an interview. To achieve this, resumes will typically break some common grammar rules.
For example, all sentences are written like headlines without pronouns. Employers won't be asking whose resume it is when your name is already on it, front and center. It is therefore unnecessary to include pronouns like “I" or “my" anywhere on your resume.
Resumes need to read like quick, bite-size bits of information. Adding pronouns can make the information difficult to digest because there is unnecessary clutter around the facts the hiring manager wants to know. For instance, a resume including pronouns would read something like this:
I launched the product to a new international market. My efforts resulted in the company's sales revenue doubling within 2 years.
Launched product to new international market, doubling company's sales revenue within 2 years.
Forget about "I."
There is no need to use "I" anywhere in your resume. For bullet points, just start with an action verb like "Delivered," "Achieved," "Produced," etc. Follow these actions verbs with quantifiable accomplishments and you'll stand out to recruiters and hiring managers.
Keep your sentences in the first person.
Hiring managers will cringe if they see that your resume is written in the third person. It's even worse if you switch up points of view halfway through your resume. "Excel in developing comprehensive financial models," is correct (first person) whereas "Excels in developing comprehensive financial models," is not correct (third person). For all non-current positions, you can use the past tense so you won't have to worry about using the wrong point of view.
Keep sentences short.
Fragments are encouraged. Long, descriptive sentences and bulky paragraphs are not going to impress recruiters and hiring managers. Why make it harder for them to figure out what kind of value you provide?
Use bullet points for achievements so they are noticed.
Break down information into easily digestible bits. Big blocks of text will likely get skimmed or overlooked entirely. Short bullet points where you quantify your work experience (using numbers) will definitely get you noticed by all the right people.
Take out fluff.
All you need is simple language. Do not use flowery phrases that would not come up in normal conversation. Any kind of resume fluff will hurt your chances of getting a call from an employer. Hiring managers will see right through it. When it comes to your resume, less is more.
Show the most important achievement first, starting with the quantifiable accomplishment.
For example, "Reduced costs 40% by bringing services in house." It's all about grabbing and keeping attention. If you can grab and keep a hiring manager's attention while they're reviewing your resume, you've already gotten much farther in the hiring process than most of the job candidates.
Remember that employers generally scan your resume for eight seconds to do the preliminary screening that puts you in the yes, no, or maybe pile, so follow the rules above for the best results!
Need more help writing your resume? We're here for you!
In a proactive job search, you pick the companies and the jobs you are seeking. This way, you get the job that you chose and worked to get versus just hoping a good job comes your way through the recruiters and job boards.
Before you start your job search, make sure you have a well-optimized resume and LinkedIn profile, since employers will use these to see if you're a great candidate for the job. Once you've updated those, you're ready to begin your proactive job search.
Here are four key steps in a proactive job search.
There are a number of ways you can identify companies. Start by making a list of 10-20 companies that you think you would love to work for. This is your interview bucket list.
Talk to your friends and colleagues and see who they recommend as well. Note that LinkedIn has a very strong company search feature that can help. Go to LinkedIn, hit the menu button the the search bar, select "Companies," and then search. If you find a company that might interest you, click on their profile and see if you're passionate about a product or service they provide, or their mission.
If you are, then you should probably add the company to your list.
The next step in a proactive job search is to learn more about the organization and determine if it is a place you really want to work. There are a number of ways to do this. The first thing to do is to visit the company website and go to the "About Us" section. You can review the company history, products, and services, and make sure you check out the "News" and "Press Releases" section to see the latest newsworthy events.
Make sure you look at their blog, too—if they have one—as it gives you a good idea of their areas of expertise and corporate culture. Also check out all of their social media accounts to get a better idea of the company culture, and remember to follow them.
Also, there are a number of excellent tools like Glassdoor that provide anonymous reviews of thousands of companies, salaries being paid, reviews of the corporate culture, and evaluations of top executives. Sometimes they will even show you questions that are asked in an interview. It's a good idea to research companies on this site and on similar sites during your proactive job search.
Go back to LinkedIn's company search capability and enter the name of the company that interests you. Note that when the listing comes up, it will tell you how many people in your network are employed there. This is a good place to start and you can reach out to these people for assistance.
Tip: People respond much better when they are asked for advice versus being asked to help you get a job.
A good message to send to your connections on LinkedIn might be "I am looking at XYZ as a potential employer and was wondering if you could tell me about the corporate culture there?" You can also send this type of message to your extended network.
Now that you have identified companies that interest you, it is time to identify people who work there. Again, LinkedIn is a great tool here.
Start by identifying the hiring manager and staff in the area you wish to join. Look for people who would be your peers and their managers.
Now see what LinkedIn Groups they've joined. This is important because if you join the same group, you can now communicate with them for free without updating your LinkedIn account.
Look to see if they have participated in any group discussions. This is a great way to enter the conversation and start showcasing your expertise. And remember to keep your comments upbeat, positive, and professional.
Do the same for Twitter. Select the contact button under their profile and see if they have a Twitter handle. Follow them and see what kinds of tweets they have put out. Again, a terrific way to join the conversation.
Now look to see if you have people in your LinkedIn contacts that can provide an introduction to them. Ask what they know about the company and do they recommend them as a potential employer? Ask them what they think is the best way to get introduced.
Note that you did not ask them to introduce you, but rather you asked them for advice on how to get introduced. You're not asking for a favor.
Finally, reach out to the hiring manager. Make sure you have a good 30-second elevator pitch that briefly describes your background and value proposition. And remember that people hire people they like so try to build rapport.
A proactive job search takes discipline so set weekly goals for yourself. The benefit is you will end up in a job that you chose instead of one you got through happenstance.
I've been thinking a lot about athletes and sports recently.
Part of this is because I've had the opportunity to get to know Chris Gronkowski and to learn his amazing story about how he made the transition from pro football player to inventor and CEO of Ice Shaker.
Another reason for this is because the Super Bowl was held recently and it featured 43-year-old Tom Brady winning his seventh championship. As I watched the game, I couldn't help but think that between Brady's success on the field, and Gronkowski's success off the field, there are a lot of lessons that both pro athletes and working professionals can learn from these two, particularly about taking chances and finding success.
Here are a few lessons that come to mind.
Whether you're changing companies, or changing careers, some professionals are naturally a little apprehensive. While it's okay to be a little nervous, it becomes problematic when you hold yourself back and start making excuses for not making a change.
All of these excuses can only hold you back, and are easy to overcome if you're willing to take some action.
In Gronkowski's case, he was pushed into early retirement because of lingering injuries, but had some experience helping his wife build her online startup business. Knowing how difficult it can be for pro athletes to transition into new careers, Gronkowski decided to throw himself into his wife's business in hopes of eventually becoming an entrepreneur himself.
Gronkowski knew that entrepreneurship could be risky, and that he had a lot to learn, but Gronkowski ultimately felt that not making a change at all would be a greater risk. Gronkowski would go on to spend five years helping his wife build a successful gift personalization business.
Brady switching football teams may not seem as dramatic, but after spending 20 years with one football team and having the level of success he had in New England, no one would've blamed him if he decided to stay put or retire.
While the outside world will never know every factor that went into Brady's decision to go to Tampa Bay, I think most people can respect the idea of wanting a new challenge and opportunity to achieve success somewhere different.
The business that Gronkowski and his wife built was thriving and he was professionally happy. But, a small part of him wanted to start his own business that he built from the ground up.
Following a trip to the gym, Gronkowski was frustrated with his protein shaker and took it upon himself to develop an all-purpose cup that could be used at, and outside, the gym. Through his passion, determination, and a very hands-on approach, Gronkowski built Ice Shaker.
Just because you experience some level of career success, doesn't mean you should stop pushing yourself for more. I always say that if your career isn't growing, it's dying.
Gronkowski could've been content working at his wife's business, but by pushing himself to start his own business, he became a true entrepreneur. As he continues to grow professionally, he'll get to define what success means to him.
In Brady's case, many outside voices say he's the greatest football player ever and he had nothing left to achieve. Some even said that his skills declined and he should retire because 43-year-olds can't play football at a high-level.
Brady ignored all the noise and has reached the unique point in his football career where he's still raising the bar. He seems to love what he does and is still defining his success. We should all be so lucky.
I think that type of determination will serve him well in his future endeavors beyond football.
@chrisgronkowski It’s way more than a game ##thegronks ##football ##nextgeneration ##nflplayers ##nfl ##nflfootball ♬ original sound - chrisgronkowski
It’s way more than a game ##thegronks ##football ##nextgeneration ##nflplayers ##nfl ##nflfootball
This is one of my favorite sayings and Gronkowski is the perfect example of the importance of building a personal brand.
Despite his business success, there were still some people who viewed Gronkowski as a "dumb jock" or as "Rob Gronkowski's brother." To change that narrative, Gronkowski took to TikTok and answered questions about life as a pro football player, fitness, and entrepreneurship. This level of engagement made people want to know more about Gronkowski, which benefited both him and his business.
Now people don't just view Gronkowski as a former jock, but rather an engaging personality and entrepreneur. Gronkowski has taken control of the narrative, and will continue to use social media to build his brand.
While it may seem like Brady may play football forever, even he knows that it will end at some point. Brady already has his TB12 health and recovery brand, and has been a lot more active on social media.
People are starting to get a small look of what Tom Brady is like outside of football. I wouldn't be surprised if Brady really opens up his social media more in the next couple of years. Whether he decides to continue building TB12 or pursue other endeavors, Brady probably knows that some people will only view him as a former athlete and he'll have to work to build his brand outside of football.
Whether you're a professional athlete , or CEO, we all face similar challenges and choices in our careers. If you want to be successful, you have to be willing to make the tough choice and tackle all challenges head on.
Looking for an added edge for your job search?
Professional resume writers take on the mindset of the employer and recruiter when crafting and editing resumes. To edit your resume like a professional resume writer, you have to develop a fresh mindset.
If that means taking a break from your resume for a day or two before going back to it, that's what you will have to do.
Candidates often spend so much time on their resume that they can no longer give it an objective review. Many candidates are also challenged with writing their own resume because they are so involved in their own experiences. They are unable to offer a macro view of their experience and achievements, and rather than focusing on information that is important to a potential employer—like quantifiable accomplishments—they are stuck focusing on mundane daily tasks of the job that are less impactful on a resume.
To tackle your resume like a professional resume writer, have an open mind and think like the employer or recruiter you are applying to.
Here are some general rules to follow as you edit your resume:
Identify the top five skill sets that an employer wants in the perfect candidate, which they've mentioned in the job description. Then, focus your resume on how you've achieved great things leveraging these skills.
For instance, if you are applying for a sales position, your focus should be on quota achievement, account penetration, prospecting, and closing techniques. Don't sway from focusing on the core skills an employer wants.
In most instances, a hiring manager makes a decision of whether you are an appropriate candidate for a call back after reviewing your resume for only a few seconds. Rarely is every line on your resume read in its entirety. The more information on your resume that is relevant, the quicker the hiring manager will come to the conclusion that you are a good candidate to call.
However, if your resume includes too much irrelevant information, you increase your chances of being dismissed. So, in the end, the less an employer finds irrelevant on your resume, the more impactful it is. You are better leaving off information that doesn't offer much to an employer, including resume fluff. Just don't do it.
For a resume to have impact, you have to market yourself. Every aspect of what you put on your resume should sell. Take all of your experiences, skills, and capabilities, and position it in a manner to sell. The information on a resume should present itself in a manner that says, "This is what I have achieved before, and this is what I can do for you."
Many resumes don't sell simply because they are poorly focused. For instance, just because your job was to bag groceries does not mean that is the information you put on your resume. You can make it more marketable by indicating how your customer service skills helped maintain customer satisfaction, resulting in returning customers. (Make sure you use numbers to quantify your work experience!) Your statement is not a lie. It is simply reframing information in a way that shows more relevance for the job.
Minor mistakes such as spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors are avoidable. However, many resumes that are not carefully proofread contain such mistakes that are cause for dismissal by the hiring manager.
Of all the reasons for a resume to be dismissed, don't let these easy fixes be one of them. Ask a friend or family member to give it a review. You need another pair of eyes or at the very least, a fresh pair of eyes. Remove yourself from your resume for some time before giving it a good review. When you stare at a resume too long, it makes it harder to detect and edit mistakes.
Reviewing and editing your resume like a professional resume writer can make a significant impact. It is often the difference between actually securing interview opportunities for jobs and spending valuable time continuously searching and applying for new opportunities to only receive no response in return.
Need more help with your resume? We're here for you!
You polished your resume and sent it to the right person, along with a stellar cover letter. You got a call. You aced the interview. You were brought back in—twice! You sent thank you notes after each interview, to each interviewer. Your follow up was polite and appropriate. You were told you were a finalist. The HR person thought it was looking good for you...yet, they gave the job to someone else.
After all that effort and waiting and wondering. After joking with the receptionist about being a “regular" in the lobby. After establishing what seemed like a genuine rapport with the executive in charge of the department. After what the HR person said about it looking good...
Yes, it's a disappointment. But in spite of what you might think, all is not lost. What can you do to maximize your chances of having some good come out of this seeming loss? Here are three ways you should react to a particularly disappointing job rejection.
Yes, you were obviously the best candidate, at least as far as you could tell. And maybe some of the people on the other side of the interview desk thought so, too. But a decision was made, no matter how difficult. And it's time to touch base one more time with a thank you note to all involved for their time and consideration.
If there's some topic that was discussed and piece of information that the interviewer wished they had, track it down. If the interviewer wanted to connect with someone you know, offer to make the introduction. There's not always an opportunity like this, but if there is, take advantage of it.
By doing this, you're not only being professional about the rejection, but it's also opening to add the hiring manager to your professional network. Consider connecting with this person on LinkedIn down the line.
As they say, "Out of sight, out of mind," so try to stay on the hiring manager's radar.
Even though you didn't get the job, it's important to reiterate your respect and admiration for the company, and the fact that you would like to work there. It's okay to say, "If another position comes up—or if the candidate you hired doesn't work out—I would still love the opportunity to join the team over there."
A sentence like this can cement you in their minds as the backup or as the first person to be called when something else becomes available.
HR officials will sometimes forward resumes of promising candidates to colleagues at other companies for their open positions. Getting the original job is just one good outcome of the job interviewing process. Consider a "near miss" at getting hired one more step in building your reputation for overall career success.
"Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions." —Dalai Lama
Studies have shown that people who derive meaning from their profession or feel commitment towards their organization's mission are people who are much more resilient and satisfied in their economic environment. Average career professionals will work approximately 90,000 hours in their lifetime, so finding happiness and satisfaction is critical.
The good news is that life doesn't have to be perfect for you to find happiness at work. Below are seven ways women can achieve happiness and satisfaction:
You must maintain high levels of confidence, commitment, conviction, contribution, and choose a cultural fit.
With the five Cs, you will have a feeling of recognition, pride, and trust in your company.
Too frequently, we get caught up in the day-to-day grind of our jobs and forget to look at the big picture—the "why" or the reason that motivates us to work.
Tapping back into the true purpose of your job will make your daily tasks and accomplishments more meaningful. Discover ways that your work can improve the lives of other people.
Challenging yourself is one way to intensify your "joy" factor. Why not offer to step in where you normally wouldn't be accountable? Why not ask your boss if you can shadow a colleague in another department to learn how various aspects of the company work?
This will create variety in your work (making it inherently more interesting) and you will score points for being a proactive employee who's ready to take on new challenges. It might even land you a promotion and/or raise.
Studies indicate that eight out of the 10 jobs that make people happiest in America are not on the corporate ladder. Instead, they were positions with perks like flexible hours or positions that offered high levels of independence.
These facts suggest that choosing work that aligns with your values—even if those values take you further off the beaten path—is a good foundation for career satisfaction.
San Francisco State University's Ryan Howell co-authored a study last year and found that working hard to improve a skill or ability may induce greater stress in the moment but also guarantees greater happiness on a daily basis and in the long-term. "No pain, no gain," he says.
If tasks aren't enjoyable in the moment, the sense of accomplishment when the task is over changes that perspective. Howell found that reaching the goal isn't even necessary to increase happiness—the process of trying and stretching yourself is enough.
Learning new skills may make you happier, but it also makes you more valuable to your current and future employers.
Having a strong social (professional) network is key. It's easy to hate your job when you don't know your co-workers and it is even easier if you continue to avoid them. If you hate your co-workers, the situation isn't going to change.
Don't let another day go by without learning about your co-workers. Reach out to them and be curious about their lives. Two people can't become friends without one of them starting the conversation.
If you feel like you're always on the defensive in your job, then take a deep breath and look for an opportunity instead. Take joy in the fact that there is always a new project to start in the workplace. It doesn't matter what you do or where you work, there is always something new that could be done.
Instead of punching the clock and settling into the same routine, take some time to search for new opportunities. Constantly defending yourself is draining for everyone involved. You'll find it much easier—and much more pleasant—to look for opportunities to grow instead of making excuses.
Most of us are happy when people say good things about us. When you do good things for other people, you create happiness for them and set the stage to receive it in return. For example, compliments are so simple to give that we often forget about them, but they are so powerful that we should always find ways to recognize others. Try spending a day giving compliments instead of criticizing.
Gaining respect and happiness in the workplace is easy to accomplish when goodwill is abundant. Finding happiness is as much about the decisions and actions you take as it is about having good things happen to you. Try some of the above strategies and put yourself in a better position to achieve happiness.
Remember, if you are not enjoying your life...change it! Doing the same thing today will create the same results tomorrow.
Not happy in your career? We want to help!
As a recent college grad or young professional, the easiest way to stand out in the hiring process is to have relevant work experience. Completing an internship or two by the time you're looking for your first "real" job after school could be enough to help you land your ideal position at a great company.
In the current job market, work experience is valued much more than education. If two job candidates apply for the same job, but one has a master's degree with no work experience and the other has a bachelor's degree and completed two internships within the industry, the hiring manager will probably offer the job to the candidate with work experience (if everything else is equal between them).
Basically, if you're debating whether or not to complete an internship as a college student or recent grad, it's in your best interest to get that experience now, while you have the opportunity. It will pay off down the road.
A recent study by LiveCareer set out to discover just how helpful internships are for young adults beginning their professional careers. Their findings further emphasize the importance of work experience in today's job market and give insight into current internship trends.
Here's what to know about internships in 2021.
Looking for a paid internship? Chances are you'll find one.
Unpaid internships are becoming less common. This is due to many different factors, but mostly because companies have slowly realized they'll miss out on talented young professionals if they offer unpaid internships instead of paid ones. Those young adults with a lot of potential could easily get a paid internship elsewhere. Why would they settle for an unpaid internship?
Nowadays, 77% of interns say they completed a paid internship versus an unpaid one. That proves there are many paid opportunities out there for college students and recent grads to get work experience in the industry of their choice.
Even though your goal as an intern is to get valuable professional experience, don't expect to work on groundbreaking projects every day. About 93% of interns admit they had to perform menial tasks at some point during their internship. You might be bored, you might feel like what you're doing isn't important work, but it's still experience you can quantify on your resume when you go to apply for your first "real" job.
Any type of experience you complete in a professional setting outside of the classroom is valuable. There are many things school can't teach you, including how to get a job, so it's vital that you don't rely solely on school to get you a job after graduation.
Your internship might not be the most exciting experience all of the time, but you'll probably get to work on at least one project while you're an intern. Any menial tasks you perform will be worth it. Nothing can open doors for you as a young adult quite like a good internship experience.
According to the study, most young adults have some type of internship experience. In fact, 38% have completed one internship and 47% have completed two internships.
Obviously, the more internships you complete, the better your chances of landing the job you want after graduation. It's a balance of quality and quantity, though. Don't expect to get a job in a specific industry if your only internships were in a totally different industry. Completing a couple of internships in a relevant industry is the way to go.
Remember: the amount of work experience is just as important as the relevancy of it.
One problem you can run into during your internships is a lack of structure. About 68% of interns reported the company they worked for didn't have a structured intern policy and made up tasks as the internship unfolded. This can make your internship experience feel hectic, or maybe even boring—if you have nothing to do.
The solution? Show initiative. Ask your supervisor if there are any projects you can help with or tasks you can take off their plate. Ask them if there are materials you should read or topics you should research that'll help you perform better as an intern. If you feel comfortable, you could even propose your own projects and ideas to help the company achieve their goals.
Just because you're an intern, that doesn't mean you have to act like one. Go the extra mile during your internships and you might just get offered a full-time position at one of those companies after you graduate.
The main takeaway from this study? Nearly 78% of interns feel that they gained useful and valuable professional experience that later improved their employability chances.
If that doesn't get you to apply for internship opportunities this summer, we don't know what will.
The best way to set your career up for success as a young professional is to complete one or more internships in college or shortly after you graduate. It's never too early to think about your career goals and where you want to be in five or ten years. With a couple of internships under your belt, you'll be well on your way to accomplishing whatever you want to in your career!
Are you a recent college grad or young professional struggling to find a job? We're here for you!
Is there one thing you can say in a cover letter that will guarantee it accomplishes its purpose? Absolutely!
A cover letter serves as an introduction to your resume and to yourself as a candidate for employment. It's the place to show your interest in the position, and make a personal connection between who you are and why you're a great fit for the opportunity.
Showing your interest and passion for the company is important in the cover letter. However, saying this ONE thing is almost an ultimate guarantee you'll get the interview.
You know that old saying, "Ask and you shall receive"? It's true. It may sound like such common sense and obvious advice, but how many times have you sent a cover letter with your resume and not asked for the interview? It's easy to do!
In the closing paragraph of your cover letter, all you need to do is ask the employer for the interview. Statistics have indicated job seekers who ASK for the interview in their cover letters are twice as likely to GET the interview.
Below, we give you several examples that you can modify and use in your own cover letter.
Ending #1
I'm excited about the Director of Sales position with XYZ Widgets and would love the opportunity to meet in person to further discuss my experience and the value I can offer you as your next Director of Sales. Please call me at 555.555.5555 to schedule an interview at your earliest convenience.
Ending #2
I would love a personal interview at your earliest convenience to further discuss my credentials with you. I can be reached at 555.555.5555 and will follow up as well to make sure you've received my information.
Ending #3
Thank you for your time reviewing my resume. I welcome the opportunity to discuss in a personal interview my qualifications and fit for the position. Feel free to reach me at 555.555.5555 at your earliest convenience.
Ending #4
Thank you for your time and consideration. I'd love the opportunity to further discuss the position and my experience with you. Please reach out to me at 555.555.5555 to schedule an interview.
Remember: you can ask for the interview with any wording you're comfortable with, whether that's with more direct language or not. The key thing is to close your cover letter by asking for the interview.
A cover letter is your chance to connect with an employer and explain your passion for what they do and how you believe you can help them achieve their goals as a company. If you do all that, and ask for the job interview at the end of your cover letter, you'll be much more likely to get a call from the hiring manager.
Need more help writing your cover letter? We're here for you!
Applying to every company that's hiring isn't a very effective way to conduct a job search.
To improve your chances of landing a job, it's important to be very strategic about the companies that you're applying to.
The fact that a company is hiring is only a small piece of the puzzle. You want to apply to a company that fits your skills and personality, and has similar values. Most importantly, you want the company's mission to inspire you, and you want to have a part in that mission.
That's why it's important to create an interview bucket list of 10-20 companies where you would love to work before you start hunting for a job.
Here's how to put together an interview bucket list.
What industry do you want to work for? What are your key skill sets? What weaknesses do you need to improve?
These are just some of the self-assessment questions that you need to ask yourself before you begin your job search. From there, you also need to consider location. Do you want to stay where you currently live, or are you looking to move?
Once these important factors are considered, it becomes a lot easier to create the criteria for the interview bucket list and narrow down the search.
There are plenty of ways to find and research companies for your interview bucket list. Chances are you may already have some companies in mind, or great recommendations from your professional network.
A large part of your search will likely be done over the internet. You can find a lot of great companies by searching industry websites, news and business websites, and trade publications.
Once you get a list of companies going, you'll need to take a deeper dive into each one of them by visiting their individual websites, social media accounts, and reviewing any news stories about them.
It's also beneficial to view sites like Glassdoor and Indeed to read employee reviews about working at the company.
Company culture, perks and benefits, salary, and job opportunities are major factors to consider before adding companies to your interview bucket list.
But, it's also important to ask yourself if you respect and admire the company. And if so, how do you personally connect with the company?
When you respect and admire a company, you can make a connection to its purpose. Companies are in the business of solving a problem for their customers; how can you fit into the company's plans for solving this problem? Is there a personal reason why you connect to solving this problem, or connect with the company?
The more passionate you are about a company's mission, the more fulfilling your career with that company could be.
Building an interview bucket list is one thing, but if you really want to improve your chances of landing an interview with one of these companies, you need to network your way into their orbit.
Identify five people at each company and find ways to connect with them. You can start by seeing if you have any shared connections in your professional network. It's always easier to be introduced by a mutual connection.
If you don't have a mutual connection, you'll have to take some initiative and reach out to some of these professionals on LinkedIn on your own.
The goal is to ask these professionals to connect in hopes you can learn more about the company and what it might take to land a position there. Stress to them that you aren't looking for them to help you get a job, just some insight as to what the process is like.
These connections may start small with a few casual conversations, but the more you find in common with these connections, the more opportunity you'll have for meaningful conversations, and to build trust and mutual respect.
The more of these connections you build, the more opportunity you have to earn a referral to one of your bucket list companies, or gain insight about other great companies that may be worth your time.
Looking for additional help with your bucket list and job search?
One of the great opportunities of leadership is the delegation of tasks to others, which not only frees up your time to be more strategic but also develops those employees to whom you've delegated. Although it is a great opportunity for leaders, it is also a great challenge.
Delegating means letting go of a fair amount of, if not all of, the control associated with the way tasks are completed. I find this to be a struggle for many leaders, myself included. As the owner of my business, I find that letting go of tasks and delegating to others can be quite a challenge at times. What if they don't do it right? What if they don't get it done on time? What if they upset the clients?
These “what-ifs" can go on forever! I've tortured myself through many of them and I've seen many of my clients do the same.
What I've learned, both personally and through working with others in this area, are some key steps to take to ease concerns about delegating to others.
First, you want to have a high degree of confidence in the people you delegate to; therefore, be diligent in your selection of those you hire to work for you.
Oftentimes, leaders are in a hurry to get a position filled so do not take enough time to be sure they are making the best selection. Without confidence that you have the best people on your team, delegating can be difficult. Yet, when you know you've got the right people in place, it is much easier to delegate with assurance.
Second, you will probably need a fair amount of updates and status checks on how your team is doing with the tasks. You may need more updates and status checks early in the relationship.
Once you get to know the individuals and their work ethic, and your relationship develops, the amount of check-ins decreases because the expectations are well-understood, and your confidence in their ability to meet your expectations increases.
Lastly, you want to change any "what-ifs" from negative to positive. So, instead of thinking, "What if they don't do it right?" try, "What if they do it better than I ever could?" Or, "What if this works out better than I thought?"
That mindset shift will help you expect the best as opposed to expecting things to go wrong. Does this mean things never go wrong? Of course not, but it certainly sets up an environment that is more expectant of success than if you continue to think of all the possible ways things could go wrong.
Although this is not always easy for leaders, letting go of control and delegating is necessary and highly beneficial for all. It not only enables you, the leader, to focus on more strategic items, but it also motivates your workforce to take on more responsibility and fosters more employee development.
This month's development tip: Have you mastered the art of delegation? If so, congratulations! We'd love to hear some of your success tactics. If not, follow the suggested steps in this article; with each step you should begin to get more comfortable with letting go.
Looking for more career advice?
Chris Gronkowski had a big decision to make.
Have surgery to keep playing in the NFL, or retire and look for a new career path. He chose the latter.
This isn't easy for a lot of pro athletes. Leaving your dream job behind is mentally challenging. Chris has managed to do it better than most. Using his passion for fitness, and a degree in Accounting, he started leveraging his status as a former NFL player to build a following on social media as a way to introduce his followers to Ice Shaker, his signature beverage holder.
Chris Gronkowski got his brothers to join him on the show and ultimately landed a deal with Mark Cuban.
That lead to him realizing the power of social media. And most recently, TikTok.
Let's take a look at his TOP 10 MOST VIRAL TikToks to date...
@chrisgronkowski A lot or a little? #nfl #salary #2010 ♬ original sound - Tadema Mohoni Brinto
A lot or a little? #nfl #salary #2010
@chrisgronkowski How much do you think I had to pay for my helmet? #cowboys #dallascowboys #nfl #nflplayers ♬ original sound - chrisgronkowski
How much do you think I had to pay for my helmet? #cowboys #dallascowboys #nfl #nflplayers
@chrisgronkowski When a billionaire invests in your company, how involved is he? #sharktank #iceshaker #investor ♬ original sound - chrisgronkowski
When a billionaire invests in your company, how involved is he? #sharktank #iceshaker #investor
@chrisgronkowski This dinner got out of control #rookie #dinner #nfl ♬ original sound - chrisgronkowski
This dinner got out of control #rookie #dinner #nfl
@chrisgronkowski Reply to @dancindick504 this is how my trade went down from the colts to the broncos. #nfl #trade ♬ original sound - chrisgronkowski
Reply to @dancindick504 this is how my trade went down from the colts to the broncos. #nfl #trade
@chrisgronkowski The only job you get fined for being overweight 😅🍔. #nfl #weighin #trainingcamp ♬ original sound - chrisgronkowski
The only job you get fined for being overweight 😅🍔. #nfl #weighin #trainingcamp
@chrisgronkowski #gronkspike #nfl ♬ original sound - chrisgronkowski
#gronkspike #nfl
@chrisgronkowski Reply to @trevorschons51 those 3:00am arrivals are rough 😬#nflfootball #nflplayers #nfl #nflplayer ♬ original sound - chrisgronkowski
Reply to @trevorschons51 those 3:00am arrivals are rough 😬#nflfootball #nflplayers #nfl #nflplayer
@chrisgronkowski Should I post some more NFL workouts? #nflplayer #nflworkout #nflfootball #nfl ♬ original sound - chrisgronkowski
Should I post some more NFL workouts? #nflplayer #nflworkout #nflfootball #nfl
@chrisgronkowski Reply to @user97948101 How does pay day work in the NFL? #nfl #football #salary #payday ♬ original sound - chrisgronkowski
Reply to @user97948101 How does pay day work in the NFL? #nfl #football #salary #payday
Chris Gronkowski clearly sees the power of connecting with his audience online. He's a natural on camera. You can feel both his passion and sincerity. Plus, his storytelling skills and knowledge of the game are key factors to his success too.Changing careers, especially high-profile ones, can feel daunting. But as you can see, leveraging social media can be just the thing to help you make the transition and find career satisfaction in a new field!
Recruiters look at dozens of resumes a day. If they see something they don't like, your resume could wind up in the “no" pile in just seconds.
Here are a few tips you should follow to make your resume better than the rest, standing out from all that competition!
We know that sounds like a no-brainer, but you might be surprised by the number of resumes that have a spacing issue, a punctuation error, or even a misspelling. The problem is that you have looked at your resume so many times, your brain knows what it is supposed to say, but in reality, it says something else.
Get several people to proofread your resume, and have them read it for different purposes. One person should read for grammar, for example, and another should read for punctuation and spelling. You cannot afford to send a resume to employers with mistakes. Any superficial error can severely hurt your chances of getting a call for that job.
Too often people think that their resume is a "one and done" proposition. Not so! You should customize your resume for every job each time you apply.
Match up keywords from the job description with keywords in your resume. Make sure that your achievements and successes indicate that you are an excellent candidate for the job you're applying for. You need to tweak your resume for every single job posting. There are no exceptions.
Some people think the trick to a great resume is to stuff as many accomplishments as possible into it by using tiny font and stretching the margins to the limit. The result is a resume that is difficult to read and looks cluttered and clunky. Those resumes will wind up in the "no" pile because the hiring manager doesn't care enough to search the document for truly relevant information. They also don't have time to waste when there are dozens of other resumes to review.
Your resume should have a clean and contemporary look and feel. Use lots of white space and be as concise as possible. Also, use clean-looking fonts like Calibri or Arial.
Check the job description carefully for each position you're applying for. Then, use keywords in your resume that match keywords in the job description. Also, you may find it helpful to use free word cloud tools to identify the keywords that are used most frequently in the job description. Adding those keywords to your resume will make it easier for you to get your resume past the ATS.
Recruiters and hiring managers are looking for individuals who are a good match for their job opening. Don't make them guess whether or not you have the required skills or experience. Your resume should get them curious to know more about your qualifications. At the end of the day, the goal of your resume is to get the employer to call you. It won't be the thing that gets you the job, but it will be what gets you an interview.
Avoid using the word "responsible" in your resume. Instead, concentrate on specific and quantifiable accomplishments. For example, which sounds more impressive:
Demonstrate that you are a person of action. Rather than being "responsible for" something, use words like "advised," "led," "launched," "executed," "generated," "planned," "produced," etc. These powerful resume words (and others like them) demonstrate your ability to perform on the job and your specific role in previous jobs. Strong action words validate your capabilities and specific duties you have performed.
Consider which is better:
Don't forget that your resume represents who you are and what you can do when you can't be there in person to explain all of that to a recruiter or hiring manager. Your resume is just one of hundreds that fly into a company on any given day. You need to stand out from the crowd, and it is your responsibility to make that happen. By following the tips above, you'll be sure to create a resume that's better than the rest.
I got an email yesterday from a client wanting to know if I had any job search tips. Unfortunately, he had been recently laid off and found himself on the job market. Talking to him got me thinking...what really makes a job search successful?
The bad news is that there isn't a magic formula. The good news is there are a number of very simple things you can do to improve your marketability.
Here are four easy steps:
This might sound simple, but it is by far the most important (and first) step in a job search. You need to have your resume ready to roll at a moment's notice.
The way I see it, there are two kinds of job seekers. There is the job seeker that draws confidence from being prepared and then there is the kind of job seeker that gets blindsided by the unexpected. I know which kind I'd rather be.
The best time to focus on your resume is when you don't need it.
Is your resume for you or is it for prospective employers? The resume might have your info, experience, and accomplishments on it, but ultimately, the documents that make it past the ATS not only have the right amount of keywords peppered throughout, but also show, very clearly, what the applicant can do for the potential employer.
When writing your resume, always keep potential employers at the forefront of your mind. Make sure you quantify your experience, skills, and accomplishments. Give them a preview of the kind of positive impact you could have on their organization if they were to hire you.
Really. It's not. The most successful job seekers understand that it's about what you do for others, not about what they can do for you.
This is a fundamental idea that for some I hope turns the act of "networking" completely upside down. In every interaction, the most important thing is to demonstrate, "How can I help YOU?" It's the folks that unselfishly look out for those around them that make opportunities happen. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
What connections can you help make? Ask open ended questions. You may even choose to treat the conversation like an informational interview. What professional needs does the other party have and how can you fill them?
This is such a simple concept, but it's probably the biggest obstacle I see with many of my clients. You have to have a target. It is as easy as that. How can you expect to reach the goal of employment without aiming for a bull's-eye?
The first step is to clearly identify the job/profession/industry you are targeting. You may even have a company that you've always wanted to work at. (It's always a good idea to have an interview bucket list—a list of companies you're passionate about that you'd love to work for someday.)
Make sure that your goal aligns with your experience. Then (and only then) are you free to begin outlining a plan to achieve your goal.
Here's an example:
I have an open door policy with my resume clients and I keep tabs on them throughout their job searches. Out of all the resumes and resume clients I've ever had, only one resume didn't work. One. When I wrote the initial resume, my client was targeting retail sales positions. Then she called one day a couple of months into her job search wondering why she wasn't getting any responses. I asked her to send me an example of the jobs she was applying for and guess what? All the online job applications she had filled out were for human resources positions. No wonder her resume didn't work!After rewriting her resume, she found work relatively quickly and it just goes to show how important it is to aim before you pull the trigger.
Know your audience, be proactive, and remember that it's not about you. If you apply these things to your job search, you'll be employed in no time!
Anyone who's ever been unemployed (or looked for a job while employed) knows how stressful and exhausting the job search process can be. So, during your job search, should you feel guilty for taking some time for yourself?
The short answer: No. Of course not.
If we're not spending every waking moment applying for jobs, sometimes it's easy to feel guilty—like we're not doing EVERYTHING we can to land our next job. This strategy of applying for as many jobs as possible and hoping for the best actually doesn't help anyone get a job faster. In other words, choosing quantity over quality. This is the wrong mindset to have, and it does more harm than good.
The job search process is about working smarter, not harder.
Think about a normal work day. It's pretty balanced, right? You get up, go to work, come home, and still have hours left in the day to do whatever you want. Your job isn't the only thing you have going on in your life. That's why it's called work-life balance. To sum it up...
Your job isn't your whole life. So, your job search shouldn't be either.
Here are some ways you can take time for yourself as you look for a new job (because you deserve it!):
via GIPHY
When you're unemployed, here at Work It Daily we like to say this is an opportunity for you to get in the best shape of your life.
Taking care of yourself is important and regular exercise is one of the best things you can do for both your physical and mental health. It's a great way to relieve stress and it may even help you sleep better.
Take advantage of the free time you have after applying for jobs and get moving! Chances are, you'll walk into your next interview with more confidence and an extra spring in your step.
Nothing helps us detach from our busy lives like reading a good book.
Quiet those racing thoughts by reading—any genre will do! Reading may help you learn something new, gain new perspectives, and help with empathy (all things that will benefit you at your next job).
Knowledge is power!
Although you may dread networking, think of it as a necessary evil. Sure, it sucks having to step outside your comfort zone and you'd rather be doing other things. But nothing can produce positive career results quite like networking. There's no substitute for it.
If you're between jobs, you should devote some of your time to networking. You'll meet new people in your industry, and connect with those who have similar interests and career goals. If it doesn't help you get your next job, it may help you get a job down the line.
Sometimes all we need when we're feeling down is a visit with our family and friends. They've supported you through tougher times, and they'll support you through this transition, too.
When you're starting to doubt yourself, they will remind you of your strengths and accomplishments. They'll give you that confidence boost you need. At the very least, you'll have quality time with the people you love—time you don't always have when you're working every day.
One of the best ways you can spend your time during the job search process is by learning a new skill.
Whether it's getting certified or taking a class, this skill should be applicable to your new job. You can add it to your resume, and it shows employers you've been doing something productive for your career, even when you weren't employed.
If you try these five things (or just one!), you'll transition to your next job with ease—and it won't feel like you're just waiting out the clock. Be proactive and take ownership of your career like never before! You may be looking for a job, but don't let that stop you from living your best life.
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The job search process is always evolving.
It's not about going to the job boards, finding the job opening you like, and then applying to it. That method will only have you waiting by the phone for a call that's likely not going to happen. Today's job seekers need to take a more proactive and interactive approach called job networking—and LinkedIn is a resource to help you do it.
Creating a strong LinkedIn profile will help you get in front of the right contacts (recruiters, hiring managers, professionals in the field, etc.) who can lead you to the path of the next job opportunity. However, in order for it all to happen, you need a LinkedIn profile that communicates and displays the right information. Take a run through the LinkedIn profile checklist below to learn how to use your LinkedIn profile effectively.
Make Sure you Have An Appropriate Headline
The Headline is what shows up for your LinkedIn profile when it comes up in search results. It's also what shows up when others look at you through their contacts' connections. By default, your LinkedIn profile headline reads your current job title and employer, but if you want to grab the attention of others it should say more than that. Think about keywords and highlighting your greatest skill sets.
Display Professionalism In Your Profile Photo
A LinkedIn profile that includes a headshot photo is more likely to be clicked on than a profile without a photo. In selecting your profile photo, go with a headshot that presents you professionally and that makes you come off approachable.
Personalize Your LinkedIn URL
Whether you choose to include your LinkedIn profile to your resume or email signature, personalize the URL. It'll come off more professional and memorable. For ex. www.linkedin.com/yourname or www.linkedin.com/professionalkeyword.
Offer Your Value Statement Through The Summary Section
Like the resume, your LinkedIn profile should have a Summary at the top that highlights what it is that you have to offer and how that translates to value for the potential employer. While pronouns like I, me and my are not advised on the resume, on your LinkedIn profile it needs to take on a more conversational tone, so they are okay.
Make Your Work Experience Keyword-Rich
As you describe and highlight accomplishments on the job under Work Experience, think about relevant keywords to include naturally in your writing. The more keyword-rich your profile is, the more likely it'll show up in search results.
Get Endorsed For The Right Skills And Expertise
Review the Skills and Expertise section to prioritize what's important. When you do that, your contacts are more likely to endorse you for the right skills, which in turn show recruiters and hiring managers you have what they are looking for. What you want to avoid is including Skills and Expertise that don't relate to the job or your profession. That will simply dilute your overall message.
Don't Let Your Education Give Away Your Age
Your education, which can include specialized training and certifications received, adds value to your qualifications. When listing the information, take caution with dates. It's not necessary to indicate when you received your degree from college—that can give away your age in some cases. Also don't include anything that may be too dated. You want to show you hold current skills that are valuable to the profession, not dated skills.
Join Relevant Groups
LinkedIn offers Groups to join in all areas—professional associations, industry groups, alumni groups, etc. If they're relevant to your profession or skills needed for the job, share their badge on your profile. It helps hiring managers and recruiters to see that you're connected and active in networks that are important.
You can also benefit by taking things a step further with Groups like participating in discussions and sharing interesting articles to get your name out there. Many hiring managers and recruiters will look at discussions in relevant groups to pull out potential candidates for job openings they have available.
Make Your Profile Public
LinkedIn profiles that are made public allow others to view your information whether you're connected with them or not. This option is best when you're a job seeker.
Looking for more great LinkedIn advice? Check out this "JT Talks Jobs" podcast, where Work It Daily CEO J.T. O'Donnell discusses LinkedIn optimization tips.
Did you know that as a member of Work It Daily you have access to unlimited LinkedIn profile reviews?
Join Work It Daily today and take advantage of our trained career support specialists that will work individually with you to come up with a specialized plan. All of our memberships offer private coaching along with unlimited networking potential, and a library of exclusive career courses. Additionally, and for no extra cost, you'll also receive unlimited resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile reviews by our trained specialists as part of our membership.
Networking is vital to job search success. Networking can lead to referrals, identifying jobs that aren't yet posted, and securing informational interviews. They can also lead to future professional references.
These results can give you a competitive advantage and help you progress towards your career goal. Networking platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter are tools that can help you effectively expand your network. Here's how...
Online or offline, the goal of networking is to build relationships. Every social networking platform offers some means of connecting with new people. Interact with others and share posts that are thoughtful and relevant to your field. Engage your audience by seeking input and sharing your thoughts or review of industry-related topics.
Share these topics and post information onto your own profile for your audience, but also get involved in groups on LinkedIn or chats on Twitter. There are thousands of chats and groups for a wide variety of industries, specialties, or job searching in general. Do some exploring and request to join the group or start following the Twitter chat.
In my experience, people are very receptive to newcomers on these interactive forums. These forums can be a great way to meet new people. After participating, you can begin to follow or request a connection with individual contributors. Depending on your location, there may be the possibility of meeting your connections in person. The social network is a platform to build these relationships and make that in-person connection.
Patience...Patience...Patience! All good things take time.
Maintain a positive attitude and be flexible. Those two skills can save you from many future career headaches. Not everyone will be willing to connect. Remember that networking is a two-way street. Prioritize your connections based on who has a job you'd love to do, or who works for one of your target employers, and focus your efforts strategically.
Always personalize connection messages to new people on sites like LinkedIn to let the potential contact know you're not arbitrarily clicking every "Connect" button in Suggested Contacts. Keep connection messages brief and to the point. I'd recommend not going into personal detail this early on or putting potential connections on the spot: just invite them to be a connection or offer your email address as a point of contact.
Something as simple as, "Hi Jane, I've enjoyed following your contributions to XYZ Group and agreed with your review of Acme Co article you posted. I am also a (insert job title here) and would like to connect with you. Please let me know if I can be of any help. Thanks."
Short, simple, with a personal reference and offer to help, shows that you are trying to form a mutually beneficial relationship.
By building relationships, you can become a resource on certain topics for your network. Gaining credibility takes time, but let the process happen naturally. Conduct research, search for best practices, gain more experience and get in contact with people that share their experience.
This is where actively participating in Twitter chats or LinkedIn groups can help build your knowledge. Sharing ideas with others that are passionate about their field can keep you motivated and engaged in your line of work. After developing these relationships, opportunities can arise off-screen as well. Assisting in a volunteer effort that was coordinated online, attending a networking event that was promoted online, a speaking event, or a job club—read the information about the events your network is posting and try to commit to going when your schedule permits.
A hiring manager may look you up on Google during some point of the job search process. If you actively network across platforms such as LinkedIn or Twitter, or attend events in person, your Google search results page may show these stories and profiles.
Any site you join for professional networking purposes should serve as a complement to your resume. That means whether you post blogs, tweets, or share information on LinkedIn, all your content should be professional and error free. These pages can validate your candidacy and make you stand out among the competition.
As you start networking, you'll learn more about your field, gain skills and build confidence. Build relationships and help others in your search. Use social networking for job search success and foster relationships that can help you discover your next opportunity.
Improve your networking efforts by understanding how you communicate with others. Take Work It Daily's FREE Communication Style Quiz.
Work It Daily has a team of trained career support specialists that will work individually with you to come up with a specialized plan. All of our memberships offer private coaching along with unlimited networking potential, and a library of exclusive career courses. Additionally, and for no extra cost, you'll also receive unlimited resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile reviews by our trained specialists as part of our membership. Join today!
A prepared job seeker will have thought about questions that will be asked at the job interview. One of them may be: "Why are you leaving your job?" As you think about a response to this question, also consider how the interviewer may interpret that response.
It's important to take caution with how questions are answered at the job interview because when it's not framed properly, it can be interpreted negatively and cost you the job opportunity.
There can be many reasons to why you want to leave your job. They could be:
Whatever your reason is, it's not always appropriate to tell it like it is to the potential employer. Think of a response that will impress the employer, but that still comes off as an honest reason.
Here are some tips to help:
Communication at a job interview should always come off positive. To start, you may talk about the great opportunities you've been given and how much you've learned through your current employer, before giving your reason. Employers like to hear things like this because you come off as professional and respectful of your existing employer even though you have made the decision to move on. Regardless of your real feelings and the situation at work, never bad mouth the company or your co-workers.
There may be multiple reasons why you want to leave your current job, but you don't need to include information about what you're not being offered. The reason for this is because potential employers can interpret it as action you may take against them if hired.
For example instead of saying, "I don't feel challenged at work anymore," re-frame the message to say, "I'm looking for new challenges in the area of X, Y, and Z, which I can see this job offers," and then go into the experience and skills you have to offer to further impress the interviewer. Re-framing your response in this manner makes it less likely that the employer will take the information and interpret it negatively.
Talk about what you're heading towards—what you want to experience and achieve to continue growing professionally. It works best when you can also tie in how the potential employer could offer that for you. When you answer in this manner, it informs the employer that you are an individual who seeks self-improvement and that you have real interest in the company because of what they specifically offer. It tells the employer you are someone with great potential for hire who will be dedicated to employment with them for a reasonable amount of time.
"Why are you leaving your job?" is only one out of many questions you will be asked at the job interview. Knowing how to respond positively and framing it in a way that informs the employer why you're a great fit ensures you stay in the running for the job and it helps move you on to the next stage of the interview process.
Need help preparing for your next job interview? Check out Work It Daily's FREE list of Common Interview Questions.
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There's no doubt that things have shifted dramatically as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, leaders are asking themselves hard questions.
What does the next "normal" look like for them? And, how can they successfully implement new aspects of their culture into this new normal?
Here are four key things leaders must consider if they want to truly live their culture in the next new normal.
The 2008 financial crisis forced leaders to rethink operations, supply chain, vendor management, employee engagement, ethics, and integrity. Layoffs were widespread and money vanished, while the real estate market collapsed amidst big bank failures fueled by consumers inability to pay excessive mortgages.
It's now 2020: The pandemic health crisis is new, yet the economic dynamics seem eerily familiar. With the exception of "essential workers" in the food (grocer), safety, and health sectors, business has shut down. Supply chain vendors, grocers, and healthcare systems struggle to keep pace with consumer need/demand as we experience roller-coaster infection rates, re-openings, and new shut-downs. How to survive this is anyone's guess as every day brings on new cases and more questions.
According to a Fortune 500 CEO survey, 97.2 % of CEO's said keeping employees safe and productively employed is their #1 concern. (1)
A company's strong employee culture and the ability to pivot quickly with evolving dynamics are key to thriving Post-COVID.
A company's culture must absolutely drive this question. Grant Reid, MARS CEO, said, "Part of my job is to import stress and export serenity...how do you bring them back safely into a work environment, keep the social distance and allow them to be successful and safe? Your associates are looking for stability, some hope, some compassion, some trust." (2)
The physical aspect of return is critical. "Companies are re-evaluating physical layouts specific to each employee. They are looking at common areas; multi-tenant commercial spaces...and rearranging reception common areas." (2)
Workstations need more distance and hallways need to become one-way venues. Employers must also evaluate testing protocols for employees, frequency of testing, and qualified caregivers conducting those tests. GoHealth Urgent Care is providing clinical back-up when employer resources are unavailable. (3)
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has created guidance on engineering and administrative controls for preparing the workplace for re-entry. (4) And, the EEOC has issued updated guidance on how employers can avoid violating the ADA and other employment laws in addressing the virus. (5)
Significant concerns arise for Workers Compensation insurance. Historically, community-spread illnesses (e.g. cold or flu) have been excluded. Six states recently passed "presumptive" legislation, and 14 total have expanded regulations to include COVID-19 as a workplace illness. To complicate matters, other injuries in the workplace may go unreported, or claims closures extended since non-urgent treatment is delayed in most jurisdictions. (6)
One of the many challenges from this pandemic has been dealing with an ever-changing regulatory climate. With Workers Compensation rule changes, amendments to health benefits, the need for Childcare/Adult care, and the implementation of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), companies have struggled to make difficult decisions to care for their employees.
This is the time to look for innovative ways to step up employee benefits such as adding paid sick leave, amending sick policies to ensure employees are paid even if the business is closed, and unlimited paid sick leave even for workers not previously covered, such as hourly workers. Adding child care reimbursement, and increased emergency child care and eldercare benefits can help your employees deal with the pressures of working from home.All group health plans will need to adopt changes to ensure that their plans comply with changes made by the FFCRA and the CARES Act and provide sufficient benefits to combat COVID-19. (7) Under the acts, group health plans will have to do the following:
- Cover the full cost without cost-sharing (i.e., deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance) of testing for COVID-19. This requirement extends to tests provided by both in-network and out-of-network providers and is mandated for the duration of the public health emergency. Both swab tests that collect a specimen from an individual's upper respiratory tract to diagnose a case of COVID-19 and approved blood tests that look for antibodies to the coronavirus must be covered
- Once developed, group health plans will also be required to provide coverage without any cost-sharing for coronavirus vaccines.
To lessen the anxiety of your employees, consider adding or extending mental health benefits that are personalized and confidential, and offer telehealth services.
According to J.S. Nelson, Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law professor, "The working landscape has changed, perhaps forever. How employees and management move forward from this experience will shape the workplace for decades to come. These challenges include" :
1. Recognizing individual circumstances
2. Reacting with empathy when feeling out of control
3. Maintaining transparency when feeling out of control
4. Not taking advantage of the situation to push other agendas
5. Remembering the power of healthcare and benefit coverage while not abusing them (8)
Understanding where your organization stands on these ethical challenges is a good foundation for the decisions you need to make for the future. Questions you then need to ask are:
- Are your mission, values, and culture still relevant today and in the near, very different future? Do you have a process in place to continually assess this?
- Is your culture helping or hindering your companies' performance?
- Are your employees weathering this "storm"? What do they need less of or more of to be happier and more productive? Can you even answer this question? Do you know how they feel?
- Are you looking for opportunities for hyper-personalization for your employees and customers? For example, do you give employees whose mental health issues worsened by working from home alone, priority when coming back to the office?
- How your employees view your stand on diversity, inclusion, equity, and belonging have always been important, but with the ultra focus in the past few weeks, how would you rate your organization? Have you made this a priority?
Your company's ability to effectively navigate the impact and stress on the employee base will drive resiliency and long-term sustainability. Your associates will be the first to say whether RTWS was successful, which inevitably will be reflected in your organization's product and ultimately in customer satisfaction.
Sources:
1.) See Fortune 500 CEO Survey, May 14, 2020
2.) See James Dean, MARS CEO Talks Life At Mars and steering through COVID-19, Times of London, May 9, 2020
3.) Wendy Knight - A conversation with Todd Latz, CEO, Go Health Urgent Care, May 7, 2020
4.) See Occupational Health & Safety Administration, OSHA.gov, Guidance on Returning to WorkGuidance on Returning to Work
5.) See Judy Greenwald, EEOC Expands Covid-19 Workplace Guidance, businessinsurance.com, May 7, 2020
6.) See Courtney DuChene, Longer Claims, Falling Premiums: NCCI Details on How COVID-19 Could Affect Workers Compensation, riskandinsurance.com, April 30, 2020
7.) See Business Group on Health, Update on COVID-19 Testing Coverage, 03/2020
8.) See J.S. Nelson, 5 Ethical Challenges Employers Will Face As They Reopen, hrdive.com, June 17, 2020
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