Job Search Publications

On the side bar of this blog you'll see a listing of the topics I've written about over the years. In addition to these articles, many others have been published in on line and printed publications. Here is a listing of some of those articles.

Networking Tips 

How to Pivot Into a New Career

Beating Interviewing Nerves

How to Keep Your Cool During a Job Search 

Five Things you Need for A Successful Interview

Why Employees Resist Change

Network Like an Expert

Five Tips on Writing an Outstanding Resume

Nail These Four Interviewing Questions to Land the Job 

Common Resume Pitfalls

10 Tips to Write a Successful Resume

Successful Resume Tips

Blackbird Learning Associates

10 Tips to Land the Job When You are Over 50 

Skills Needed in 2023 and Beyond

 According to a recent article from Monster.com, problem solving skills top the list of must have skills needed by new graduates at the workplace. The rest of the skills can be found here. Why problem solving? Employers want employees who are open to learning but also ready to hit the ground running. In today's workplace there's no time for someone who isn't proactive and willing to show innovation, and thought. 

In another article presented by HR Forecast, due to digitalization and automation of work processes, 2/3 of the skills needed by employees will soft. Again, problem solving tops the list here too.

How can a soon to be or recent college graduate sharpen the skills needed for a new position? 

1. Look at job postings for positions that interest you. Come up with behavioral examples of your past behaviors as they relate to the responsibilities listed in the positions. Use the STAR (Situation/Task, Actions, Results) method. Keep in mind your behaviors and actions with past jobs or internships, clubs, class projects, sports activities, volunteering.

2. Google the entry level positions in your field of interest and look at the hard and soft skills needed to succeed.

3. If you find yourself weak in an area, think how you can strengthen that activity through training, mentoring, volunteering, or asking for assistance from an instructor or coach. If there is a class project, volunteer to lead it. (This demonstrates leadership, delegation negotiation, communication and other valuable skills).

4. Visit your college placement office. Ask about learning how to sharpen the skills needed for current and future jobs.

5. Attend career fairs and speak to the company representatives about the skills needed in the positions they are  seeking. Many of team members representing their companies are recent college graduates and are willing to speak about their interpretation of the skills needed in their company's environment.

It's never to early to think about your future. Interning or finding a summer position in your field of interest are important to gain valuable skills and knowledge.It all starts with problem solving but this time it is focused on you.

 

 

Back in the Saddle

 I am returning to the job search coaching and resume writing business. My focus now is entry to mid level job seekers. I am not a recruiter or head hunter; my focus is on creating a resume template and providing the steps needed to succeed in a job search. If you know anyone who might need this assistance, please let them know that I am available to assist them.

Quick Job Search Tips

 

I've been asked to share a few quick job search tips for those seriously looking for a job.  Here you go.

Resume

Inventory your strengths and weaknesses. Come up with examples of your strengths as they fit the open position. List 6 – 8 of your key strengths; making them a combination of your soft and hard skills.

Review descriptions or requirements of your position. Look at job search sites, look at the Occupational Outlook Handbook. Using these, your strengths and your accomplishments, create a resume template.

Review the job posting requirements and match your skills to these. Create real life examples of these matches.

Create a tailored resume to each position. One size does not fit all.

Create a cover letter and again match it to the open position.

 

Interviewing

Create a two-column list of your accomplishments as they relate to the open position.  

Practice describing your accomplishments using the STAR method (Situation or Task, Actions, Results.) Do this for each of the responsibilities listed on the job posting.

Come up with responses to general interviewing questions such as, “What are your strengths?”, “What as Your Weaknesses?”, “Tell me About Yourself?”, “Why should we hire you?”, “What are your salary expectations?”

Come up with three or four questions for the interviewer.

Ask about next steps.

Get all the interviewers’ cards or email addresses.

 

Follow Up

Send a thank you email to each interviewer describing something that you spoke about. This way they will remember you.

Follow up within 2 weeks if you have not heard back from the company representatives.

 

 

Breaking Up With A Friend

A friend of over 53 years and I “broke up”. It was a hard thing to understand and needless to say, these past few weeks, since we had words, I’ve felt as if I am in mourning. I know that our parting is for the best as our relationship had become toxic and one sided. I hung in there because I felt as if I had to and that’s no way to feel in a friendship.

So how do you know if it is time to “break up” with a good friend. There are signs.

1.     When your friend calls, you no longer feel like speaking to him or her.

2.     When you do speak, you feel wrung out and exhausted afterwards.

3.     Your conversations are strictly one-sided. There is no equity.

4.     When you need help, you don’t get any.

5.     Your friend tries to break your spirit with his/her words and or actions. Their words may be parental, spiteful and ugly.

6.     You no longer “like” who this person is and inwardly cringe at many of his or her comments, actions or behaviors.

My friend and I parted ways after she lied to me and then said some very ugly words about me, my family and my life. No one has ever spoken to me as she did, and I doubt very much if I can find forgiveness in my heart after that eruption.

If you feel uncomfortable with a friendship and feel that you need some time away or a break, there are some things you can do.

1.     Be honest. Explain how you feel. Stay away from words like, “You always…” Instead, say, “I feel”.

2.     Be factual. If you have real life examples of something provide them.

3.     Be straightforward, state what you want. (a break, a change in direction)

No one wants to lose a friend, especially one with whom you’ve shared half a lifetime. There are times though, when we need to move on and sometimes that means a breakup. And like the song says, breaking up is hard to do.