What NOT to do on a video call!
Video calls, conferences, and webinars are becoming the norm. We use technology to connect with people in our professional, academic, and personal lives more than ever since are living in the midst of a pandemic. Live video communication isn’t a novel concept anymore and it’s important to navigate it successfully. If you don’t, it can negatively affect your professional reputation or ability to land your next job. Learn from other people’s mistakes! Here’s are some watch-outs of what not to do.
read moreFast 5 Resume Tips (and a Bonus Tip!)
I recently offered a Fast 5 Resume Review to my college advising students, which featured resume reviews along with five tips regarding how they can improve their resumes. As I reviewed the documents, certain patterns emerged and I found myself offering many of the same tips to each student. The tips, listed below, reflect perspective gained from my past experience as a professional recruiter and current role as a college career advisor.
read moreCareer growth during a pandemic
Life as we know it has been turned upside down due to COVID-19, the worldwide coronavirus pandemic. Social distancing is the norm as countries desperately try to stop the spread of the virus. There’s been a shift in how we live our lives, from work to activities to taking care of our families. While professionals deemed to have essential roles are working in the midst of this pandemic, many others are working remotely or have lost their jobs. There’s no doubt that this is a difficult time for our society in the United States. What does this mean for your career? In any time of trial, there are challenges but also opportunities. How can you invest in your career right now based on the current situation? Consider how you can build your skills and connect with people in new ways.
read moreHow to get hired without looking for a job!
When you are in the midst of a job search and are looking for a new work opportunity, you’re considered an active candidate. You are actively looking for a job. Makes sense, right? You refine your resume, check out available opportunities, interview with potential employers, and hopefully land your next position. This is how most people define a job search. Do you know that a growing trend is to identify and then hire new employees that aren’t actually looking for a job? These people are called passive candidates, and they are seen as very valuable in the job market. They have skills and experience, and in most cases, are gainfully employed. How can you, as a passive candidate, attract the attention of a potential employer? The key elements are recommendations, reputation, and social media.
read moreDo you understand your professional value?
When shopping, many people focus on finding the best value for their money; a fair price for a good or service that is purchased. Employers do the same thing when they hire new employees. An employer will consider what wage is fair for employees who will use their skills and knowledge to perform work on behalf of the organization. Potential employees should be very aware of this! It can put them in a position where they can understand and communicate their professional value. This can maximize earning potential and allow employees to find positions that will suit their skills, interests, experience, and career goals. How can you identify your professional value? Two ways are to identify your hard skills (also called technical skills) and soft skills (also called transferable skills).
read moreWhat are your career priorities?
Everyone has a set of priorities that is totally unique to that individual. Although you may share some priorities with other people, the exact combination and importance of each one is customized for you based on elements such as your values, interests, and goals. When it comes to your career, you will make decisions based on both personal and professional priorities since they affect each other.
read moreConsiderations before negotiating salary in a new city
Moving to a new city is exciting, especially if it involves a new job! Some of the changes that you will anticipate include a new community, position, company, and professional network of colleagues. What can surprise you are the financial implications of such a transition. Your compensation will be different, and most likely your cost of living will vary from your previous location as well. You can set yourself up for financial success by effectively negotiating the compensation you will receive in your new role as well as considering the financial implications of your new situation. Before you accept that offer and start packing, get your financial house in order. To do so, it’s essential to research the value of the new position (and your skills) in your new market and the cost of living in the anticipated location.
read moreNew year, new career adventures!
The start of a new year is a great time to think about a career tune up! The energy and resources you invest into this exercise can pay dividends that will boost or shift your career. Are you ready to move forward to embrace new and exciting career adventures? Here are three ways to accomplish just that.
read moreWhy should I hire you? Tell them this!
Why should I hire you? How would you respond? That is what employers are essentially asking you as you apply and interview for jobs. To establish yourself as a viable candidate for a position, you must possess the appropriate professional skills and experience. One challenge during the job search process is that many of the other candidates will have equal, if not better, qualifications than you. How can you set yourself apart? Consider going beyond the usual answers and integrating information based on your personality and values. This information can be a difference maker that will allow you to illustrate, unlike any other candidates, how you will be a fit for the position and organization.
read moreHave you identified your career super power?
A job search can be tough, and it’s much more like a marathon than a sprint. It’s important for job seekers to understand this in that it will allow them to make the most of opportunities that arise along the journey. While it’s important to create great jobs search tools (such as a resume, cover letter, elevator pitch, LinkedIn profile, etc.) and build an effective job search strategy, one element could hold the key to success. It’s your career super power! Have you identified yours? read more