Archive for job search coach
Boost your confidence up to re-enter the workforce!
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I was honored to be quoted in this article recently about returning to the workforce and the typical challenges people face doing so, Goldman Wants You Even If You’ve Been Unemployed Five Years. As I mention in the article, I find that lack of confidence is usually the biggest obstacle people face in re-entering the workforce.
We all discount our natural talents to a certain extent. I do this all the time. My mom has to remind me and she quotes me sometimes. I ask her who said that, and she says she got it from me! I discount my ability to make connections between career ideas that other people wouldn’t. To hear what a career coaching client isn’t saying or is afraid of, or to help them identify what’s most important to them, for example.
When we do something that comes so naturally to us, we often assume either 1) it isn’t a true talent or 2) others are as good at it as we are just because it comes so easily to us. When you’ve left the workforce, this becomes worse because you either haven’t used those talents or skills at all. Or if you have it might not be in a traditional work setting so you overlook them because you think they don’t count. You need to realize they DO count. Maybe your skills are rusty, but if they’re something that comes naturally to you, they’re not gone.
Perhaps you need to take a re-fresher course in presentation skills, Microsoft Excel or other software. But it’s like riding a bike, if you’ve done it once, you can do it again. You also need to realize that re-entering can be a chance for you to re-invent yourself as well. This might be your opportunity to enter into a new field or use your skills in another way. So think positively, and figure out how this can be an opportunity rather than an obstacle.
If you’d like more help with returning to the workforce, contact us today for a complimentary consultation.
Hallie Crawford
Job Search Coach
P.S. Be sure to check out our LinkedIn Consulting Program where you can learn how to effectively leverage your LinkedIn account for your job search and ongoing professional development.
5 Ways to Fail In Your Job Search
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1. Assume that your resume is going to get you the job. Act as if your resume is the end all be all or the magic wand to you job search
The Truth: You need to have a great interview and follow up. The resume just gets your foot in the door.
2. Blanket online job boards with your resume. Apply for any job that looks remotely appealing.
The Truth: You need to actually be interested in the jobs you apply for. Only apply to jobs that you are actually interested in AND that you are qualified for.
3. Keep your job search a secret. You don’t tell anyone that you are searching because you are afraid to ask for help. Don’t ask for networking contacts or assistance, just keep it to yourself.
The Truth: You need to network, network, network! Utilize your friends, family, and acquaintances to establish networking contacts. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. You never know who might be able to get you connected with your dream job.
4. Be resistant to working with a recruiter (recruiters are part of hidden job market).
The Truth: You need to be willing and open to working with them. Some will be a better fit, but don’t discount value.
5. Don’t set up a LinkedIn profile. Don’t keep it updated.
The Truth: Some employers say that 80% of their recruiting efforts are conducted on LinkedIn alone. You can’t ignore it and you have to have a GOOD profile. If there are a lot of candidates out there and your profile is better, they will remember yours.
Hallie Crawford
Job Search Coach
P.S. Get one of the most information-rich career newsletters on the web delivered straight to your email inbox! Check out our Free Newsletter to help you along your career journey today!
Get your four stories ready for the interview
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I really liked this article about interview questions on NorthJersey.com, Job Hunt: Handling those tough interview questions. Most interviewers will use behavioral interview questions. So these days you have to have your ‘four stories’ ready for those on the spot interview questions.
Here are the four stories you should prepare and have ready before your interview:
- A time when you succeeded.
- A time when you faced a challenged.
- A time when you dealt with a difficult person or client.
- A time when you got a great review from a boss.
You can’t just tell your interviewer that you are qualified. You have to be ready to explain why you are the best pick for the job.
If you’d like more help with your career transition, contact us today for a complimentary consultation.
Hallie Crawford
Job Search Coach
P.S. Get one of the most information-rich career newsletters on the web delivered straight to your email inbox! Check out our Free Newsletter to help you along your career journey today!
Should you look for a recession proof job?
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Are you worrying about job security and seeking a job that is recession proof? For example, maybe you’re looking at government jobs? This isn’t best way to go about your job search. No industry is recession proof. You are picking your career based only on one criteria.
If you want to really be happy in your career, try looking at local instead. Or look at what industries are booming. Include these things in your career search formula, and don’t let ‘recession proof’ be your driving choice. It is okay to consider it, but don’t have it be the only reason why you choose a job.
The biggest reason why you don’t want get caught up in what industries are recession proof is because you don’t want to limit yourself. Making a choice based on fear, instead of doing something you really want to do, can be a big mistake.
If you’d like more help in your job search, contact us today for a complimentary consultation.
Hallie Crawford
Job Search Coach
P.S. Are you frustrated with your job search? Check out our FREE REPORT: ”Take Control of Your Career Transition: Uncover Hidden Opportunities”.
Managing versus being a ‘worker bee’
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I was excited to be interviewed for this recent article on WSJ.com, So, You Want a Raise… I wanted to discuss a few additional thoughts with you. I think that new managers under-estimate how different managing is versus being a ‘worker bee’ is in terms of not just their role in an organization, but also the skills it takes to lead a team. You go from having your agenda set for you, to being a part of the bigger picture. It requires that you see your job from a much broader perspective.
Also, managing people requires communication skills and an understanding of people. At least a higher level understanding than being an employee does. I advise that people take it seriously and take the time to develop those needed skill set. Yes, you can survive and muddle through while learning along the way (that is part of the process as well). Just be thoughtful about it and observe yourself as a manager. This way you can adjust as needed through the process. Don’t just dive in without looking.
If you’d like more help with your career path, contact us today for a complimentary consultation.
Hallie Crawford
Job Search Coach
P.S. Are you in the ideal career for you? Find out if you’re in the right career with our Ideal Career Quiz.
Resume writing tip – Don’t get too personal
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Our career coaching clients often ask us about having a personal brand and not being too personal. I thought this article spoke to that well, How to tweet, blog and network your way to a new job.
BE PERSONAL, BUT NOT TOO PERSONAL – I Really liked this section in the article. It’s much better to be personal on social media than on your resume. This doesn’t mean you can’t have information on your resume. You may choose to include it on your resume if it gives you more depth as a candidate, or if it’s related to your industry. You can list personal activities that are either for a good social cause, or relevant to your industry. You can have a list under a heading such as ‘Achievements’ and ‘Associations’ or ‘Relatable Interests’. If appropriate, this can show that you are well rounded.
Give people a sense of who you are as a person, without being too personal – and make sure it’s somewhat related to your career path. It should show that you are motivated, disciplined, or related to your industry. You can be too personal online as well – read the article for some more tips.
If you’d like more help with your career path, please contact us today for a complimentary consultation.
Hallie Crawford
Job Search Coach
P.S. Are you frustrated with your job search? Check out our FREE REPORT: ”Take Control of Your Career Transition: Uncover Hidden Opportunities”.
The pros and cons of having a job while in school
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One of the best times to really look at your career direction is when you are a junior or senior in high school. This can help you prepare for your degree and also will help you consider how to start thinking about your job search (networking etc). I recommend this article to anyone in high school or in college, Consider Pros and Cons of Working in College.
Here is a quote I’d like to point out from that article:
Kaylor notes that “any on-campus job can provide [students] with the opportunity to learn professional skills such as communication (verbal and written), teamwork, time management, [and] customer service” while also providing opportunities to “build a professional network.” - These skills are extremely important when you are searching for a job after college.
My career coaching client, Molly from NY, started her work study job in college during her freshman year – Two months after starting classes. She worked for a history department learning HTML to help them keep their website updated. She continued this job all 4 years and became very interested in this line of work. She looked forward to her time spent there and often stayed longer than she was paid, as she lost track of time. Even though her degree was in social sciences when she graduated, this wasn’t what she wanted to do. After some career coaching, to help her identify her ideal career, it became very clear to her that she needed to focus on the skills that she learned in her work study job and create her own web design business. Her degree was in an entirely different area, but her work study job led her to her ideal career. She never looked back and is extremely successful.
There are the pros and cons of having a job while in school. You have to make a decision that works best for you, but keep in mind what Kaylor notes, and how you never know where you will pick up the skills or interests that later help define your ideal career.
P.S. Do you want more help with your job search and networking? Check out our Free Resources Page today!
Should you get fired for promoting political views?
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With the election wrapping up, it’s hard not to talk about politics, I know. I haven’t heard of anyone who has been fired for talking about politics in the workplace, and I would be appalled if I did. With that being said, don’t give them a reason to fire you. Political views expressed in the workplace should simply be expressed with caution. It depends on the workplace, your relationship with the people you’re speaking to, and how extreme your view is.
1) Remember politics can affect your image at work. Anything you’re talking about in the workplace is being evaluated in some way, shape or form. You’re always being evaluated – whether they will hire you, fire you, do more business with you based on anything you say, politics included. So be mindful of this.
2) Keep it light. Talking about it can be fun, especially during an election year. Talk about it to the point that it continues to be fun. If you do that, you’re still well within your safety zone. When it becomes more of a debate, that’s when you expose yourself. So talk about it in a lighthearted manner – Did you see the Saturday Night Live debate re-runs? That’s fun. When you start endorsing, campaigning and debating with people, then you’ve crossed the line.
The bottom line is, is it really THAT important to express your political views at work? Especially if they don’t have to do with your job or the task at hand? If they do, that’s one thing, but if they don’t then what’s the point? Now of course you want to be yourself at work, and don’t want to feel like you’re editing everything you say. That’s not what I’m suggesting. I simply recommend that you use good judgment when talking politics, or considering whether to do so at all. There is plenty else to talk about. Be smart about this.
Check out my recent YouTube Video on this subject, Talking politics at the workplace – Do? Or don’t?.
Hallie Crawford
Job Search Coach
P.S. Are you in the ideal career for you? Find out if you’re in the right career with our Ideal Career Quiz.
