Just because the economy may be on the upswing doesn’t mean job seekers should get complacent. The survey also suggests that few hiring managers believe job seekers have the right skills to land the job. It notes that only 15 percent of hiring managers say nearly all or most job seekers have the skills and traits their companies are looking for in candidates.

Alexandra Levit, business and workplace author, consultant and Career Advisory Board member, suggests the following tips to help make yourself more marketable as a job seeker:

Showcase past results. Hiring managers want proven candidates. Most people would hesitate to take a risk on someone who claims he or she can do the job. As a result, many employers prefer to hire internally because they already know the candidate and can anticipate the person’s potential. It is up to you to demonstrate why you’re the best candidate. How can you prove yourself worthy and overcome this objection? Levit says: “Assuage their concerns by clearly demonstrating why your past employers were better off because of your efforts and how those efforts relate to what you’ll do at the new organization.”

Be sure your résumé and all job search marketing materials focus on your skills and accomplishments. List specific results you created for your employers and be clear about what impact you had at work. Another important tip: Be sure to highlight your role in any results, and don’t let it get lost in a description of how your team performed.

Get my free white paper: 5 Mistakes Job Seekers Make and How to Avoid Them.

Train and retrain. If you’ve been in the workforce a long time, you’ll remember when employees used to rely on employers to suggest and provide training opportunities. “In increasing numbers, employers believe professional development is the individual’s responsibility,” Levit notes. Take charge of your own professional development: proactively sign up for coursework, volunteer assignments and other programs that will keep your skills fresh and relevant.

Roll with the punches. One thing you can count on in any workplace is that things will change. Employers want to hire people who can be flexible and adapt as needed. “Show potential employers that you are adaptable, can maintain a positive attitude and work effectively no matter what happens tomorrow,” Levit says. One way you can feature your positive, flexible approach is via your social media streams. Avoid complaining – even if the complaints have nothing to do with work. Include information in your updates to show that you can roll with the punches. For example, “Was surprised, but excited to learn we’re changing how we handle invoices. Can’t wait to learn a new system.” The alternative is unlikely to win favor: “Couldn’t believe they’re making another change. I wish accounting would get their act together.”

Tap a mentor. A mentor can help you stay ahead of the curve so you’ll offer value to your next employer. “Mentors provide an honest and objective perspective on your career that your friends and family can’t,” Levit explains. “They are the ones to tell you if you are presenting yourself in a way that’s holding you back, or if there’s something in your background you should play up more.” Connect with someone willing to invest time and energy in you and you’ll be more marketable for jobs today and in the future.

Want to avoid typical job seeker mistakes? Get my free white paper: 5 Mistakes Job Seekers Make and How to Avoid Them.

Originally appeared on U.S. News & World Report.

The post How to be a better job seeker in 2014 appeared first on Keppie Careers.

Hannah Morgan (@CareerSherpa) and I have coached and worked with so many job seekers just like you. If you’ve been reading my posts, you already know — we decided it would be useful to create a guide to help job seekers approach job search with a laser focus.

Our eBook (available June 11th) provides the “five things” you need to do for every major aspect of your job search; itâ€s 29 chapters of exactly what you need to know. We canâ€t wait to share it with you! Weâ€ll be offering some special bonuses to the first people who purchase the book.

Once you get our guide, you still need to follow the steps and get the work done! As part of our lead up to our launch, we decided to search for advice about a few topics we did not cover from colleagues suggesting some of of their “top 5” ideas relevant for job seekers.

Today, the post is by Alexandra Levit, and it’s all about being more disciplined.

How do you buckle down and get things done? For me, I try to follow the “chunk it down” advice to avoid overwhelm I wrote about yesterday. Sometimes, I follow advice from Alexandra’s post and incorporate some reward for finishing a certain task. Other times, it’s all about “the list.” I love checking things off; sometimes that is a reward in itself. Finally — sometimes, I know I need a break, and I’ve been getting better about giving myself permission to put the computer down to just relax. (Working for myself, I find, is sometimes the hardest job I’ve ever had, since my boss never wants to give me a day off!)

Don’t miss Alexandra’s advice: 5 ways to become more disciplined.  She offers good tips for any job seeker, and we hope you will take them to heart.

Please don’t miss Hannah’s post today, “The not-so-obvious job search help” for some ideas about how to make networking easier and more fruitful!

Keep an eye on this blog for details about our new ebook, You Need a Job, 5 Steps to Get One – 29 chapters outlining the 5 things you need to do to succeed in every step of your job hunt.

When you are among the first to buy a copy, youâ€ll also get some extra special bonuses…Donâ€t miss it!

And, please share your tips for “getting it done” in the comments!

photo by Rickydavid

The post How to land a job appeared first on Keppie Careers.

Today, I am delighted to share a guest post by Alexandra Levit, courtesy of JobSTART101.org.

JobSTART101 is a first-of-its-kind course that’s free and available to college students and recent graduates nationwide. Alexandra, whose blog is Water Cooler Wisdom, is an author and speaker on business and workplace issues. She is also host of JobSTART101.

The purpose of professional networking is to gain information, increase your visibility in your field, and establish personal connections that will help you advance in your career. No matter how much you love your job, you should always be looking for ways to expand your networks because, ideally, your contacts will follow you from position to position. A strong network allows you to get advice from trusted sources, to keep your professional knowledge current, to find career opportunities, and to support the careers of others. Young professionals who are willing to ask for help will find it easier to navigate within their organization and perform their job duties. Your network can be an excellent source of information when you have a question that you do not want to ask your co-workers or supervisor.

Your network should have lots of variety; individuals from different companies, career levels, and professions can add a range of perspectives. Keeping in touch with your college friends who might be in different companies and industries is a great way to populate your network. Joining a professional association in your field and regularly attending its events is also a smart idea. Finally, investigate your company’s sponsored programs; many organizations provide opportunities for individuals to network within the company. Training events, visits from management, guest speakers, or various types of interest-based events can yield the same type of contacts as an external event.

Know that it takes time to authentically populate your network. But also know that each new contact is a step in the right direction. When I first got into educating people on twenty-something workplace issues, it was startling how helpful I found just one meeting of the Chicago chapter of the American Society for Training and Development. I walked out of the event with business cards for several potential clients and mentors. My network increased after only one event.

Before going to such an event, think about what you hope to get out of attending. Is it general knowledge? Is it a new contact in your field? Or perhaps you are looking for someone to provide input on one of your projects? Understand who the speakers will be at the event and how you might contact them or access their materials in advance of or after the event. Also, learn what other companies and individuals might be at the event. Prepare a few questions that you want to explore, and set a goal to answer them at the event. For example, if you want to do an informational interview—a thirty-minute conversation with an expert on a new development in your field—your goal may be to find someone at the event with that type of expertise. Think about how you would propose a call with that individual, or if this person is local, perhaps a face-to-face meeting might make more sense.

Many experts are willing to speak and share their knowledge, but some may not be as willing. Don’t become discouraged. It may take a few attempts at building your network to make a personal connection. Once you have received an initial response and are moving forward with an interaction—whether it’s in person or via e-mail or phone—be friendly, respectful, and conscious of the contact’s time constraints. Confirm your contact’s available time and the topic you want to cover. If you have the opportunity to sit down with a contact in person, remember to make eye contact, smile, shake hands firmly, and exchange business cards. Ask thoughtful questions and listen carefully to the answers.

If you are meeting over coffee or a meal, when the check comes, simply say to your contact, “I invited you here today, so this is my treat.” This, combined with a handwritten thank-you note, will make the best possible impression and leave the door open for future follow-up—which you should do, of course! If your contact gave you any advice or suggested a course of action, touch base every few months with an update on your progress. And since effective networking always involves give and take, think about ways you can help your contact in return.

JobSTART 101 is a free, online 90 minute course dedicated to helping college students and recent grads master skills critical to workplace success. Check it out at www.jobstart101.org.

photo by Nimages DR

The post Tips for effective networking appeared first on Keppie Careers.

Career columnists like Anita Bruzzese (USAToday), Sarah Needleman (Wall Street Journal), Vickie Elmer (Washington Post) and Alison Doyle (About.com).

Recruiters, including Heather McGough (Microsoft), Jeremy Langhans (Starbucks), Richard Cho (Facebook) and Susan Strayer (Marriott Intl)

Authors, such as Alexandra Levit and Jonathan Fields.

Coaches, including Paula Caligiuri (professional career counselor), Alison Green (career advisor with non-profit expertise), Jason Seiden (executive coach) and Jennifer McClure (business process coach). I will cover resumes and job search/social media coaching in my session!

Plus, Mary Ellen Slayter (career advisor and senior editor, SmartBrief), Ryan Paugh (Community Manager for Brazen Careerist) and Susan Joyce (Job-Hunt.org Job Search Expert).

The site explains:

You buy one ticket and you have access to 13 sessions covering all aspects of job seeking and career management. The difference is you have control – you can access the information live, or whenever you like, since it’s all online and archived. Live sessions run between October 26th through November 17th. General sessions will be held every Wednesday, between 3 and 6PM ET.

You get invitations to all of our career expert sessions which you attend online. If you miss anything, log in to your account and access the session archives. We will record everything so you will have unlimited access to the classes. You can go back and listen at your convenience.

Why THIS summit? Because it’s the one-stop shop for the most relevant career expertise in the market today. There is a lot of “career expertise” floating around out there. We used a tough and cynical eye to handpick the experts we thought were most helpful and actionable – given today’s economy, given today’s social networking environment, and given what’s coming next. Check out our agenda to see what we’re talking about.

Sounds good? You really can’t lose, especially with early-bird pricing. You get all of this, plus bonus materials and a chance to win a career makeover for only $99 if you sign up soon!

Learn more by CLICKING HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

The post Looking for a job? The Career Summit is for you! appeared first on Keppie Careers.

Taking advantage of a layoff and turning a difficult situation into an opportunity is not always easy, and it may not be the first thing that comes to mind when making plans for the future. Let’s face it, if you have always done a certain type of work, it is easy to think that your “next” thing needs to be that same thing. If your field does not seem to have much of a future (or even a present!), making a change is obvious and necessary, but I hope my new series of posts will remind ALL job seekers that this may be a good time to take a different path!

I recently reviewed Alexandra Levit’s new book, New Job, New You – A Guide to Reinventing Yourself in a Bright New Career,where she highlights stories of people who have made career changes for a variety of reasons, including:

• Family requirements
• Need for independence
• Desire to pursue additional learning
• Financial aspirations
• Pursuit of a passion
• Personal or health setbacks
• Honing a talent or skill

There is no doubt that layoffs can lead to a second career. (Take a look at this piece from NBC Nightly News that highlights people who made big jumps.) It is no surprise that Marci Alboher commented in this story. An authority on career changers, Marci is a senior fellow at Civic Ventures, the author of One Person/Multiple Careers: A New Model for Work/Life Success and creator of the popular Shifting Careers blog and column for The New York Times. I’ve had a chance to talk to Marci about her work for Civic Ventures and the resources they offer via Encore.org. (Learn more about Civic Ventures and Encore.org HERE.)

My discussions with Marci and reading Alexandra’s book inspired me to create a new, ongoing feature here on my blog. I’m going to highlight stories of people who have made big career changes. To start off, I will share information and resources for and from those who have shifted to not-for-profit careers. I will call this feature “Altruistic Tuesdays” and highlight resources, many from the Encore.org site, aimed at smoothing the transition.

If you have a story to share, please contact me! In the meantime, think about how you can use your skills in a different setting…What have you always wanted to do, but never thought it was possible? You can translate your skills (maybe along with some new training) into a whole new career.

photo by pranav singh

The post Finding the silver lining in job search – Altruistic Tuesdays! appeared first on Keppie Careers.

If you are thinking of reinventing yourself – or even if you are not – the tales Alexandra shares are inspiring. The book offers story after story of people who successfully made changes in their careers and in their lives as a result of a variety of factors:

• Family requirements
• Need for independence
• Desire to pursue additional learning
• Financial aspirations
• Pursuit of a passion
• Personal or health setbacks
• Honing a talent or skill

In each category, we learn the stories of regular people (just like us!) who have made a move. Just to list a few:

• Automotive marketer to toy producer
• Accountant to wedding planner
• Wine connoisseur to thought leader promoter
• Stockbroker to pajama manufacturer
• Paralegal to advertising copywriter
• Electronic sales executive to motivational speaker

If you have read other career books, but haven’t “seen” yourself in them – this book is a refreshing change. I imagine everyone will be able to identify with some of the stories here -  via the circumstances and/or the choices described.

The personal, sometimes moving, accounts of people who took the reigns of their professional lives may inspire you, but what makes this book so special and useful is that, for each of the categories above, Alexandra includes self-reflexive questions for potential career changes to consider.  She offers specific suggestions, action steps and exercises to help careerists evaluate a fit for the change and a capacity to make it happen successfully. To top it all off – each chapter includes a resource toolkit and suggestions of useful books to read.

I’ve enjoyed all of the books I’ve reviewed by Alexandra, but I think this one is exceptional – a real home run for anyone looking for advice or information to help them move to their “next best thing.” I hope you will pick up a copy for yourself and anyone you know who could use a shot of inspiration and advice! Don’t forget to visit the book’s site for information about special offers and giveaways and plan to attend the book launch party on January 12th if you are in the Chicago area and keep an eye on Alexandra’s blog for regular career advice and information.

—

No matter what your job target, you can benefit from personalized advice! Don’t forget that clear, concise, optimized job search materials AND a strong, well executed plan are key for job search success! I can help with every part of your job hunt! Need a great resume? Tips to use social networking? Interview coaching?  If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you! While you’re at it, don’t forget those social networks! Be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on Facebook…I’d be thrilled to have you as part of the community! Since we’re on the subject of doing something new…Are you on Twitter? Jump on and touch base with me @keppie_careers.

The post New Job, New You: A Guide to Reinventing Yourself in a Bright New Career appeared first on Keppie Careers.

The following is from HotJobs.com’s suggestions of  eight “gigs expected to be both prosperous and abundant in the coming decade.” Be sure to read their post for more details about each selection.

Cardiovascular technologist
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), this job is expected to grow by 24 percent through the year 2018. As the BLS reports, most cardiovascular technologists in training earn at least a two-year technical degree. In addition, some get on-the-job training in the necessary equipment (for example, EKGs). 
Median annual salary: $60,400

Database administrator
Like health care, information technology remains a hot field with ample opportunity, says workplace expert Alexandra Levit, whose latest book is New Job, New You: A Guide to Reinventing Yourself in a Bright New Career. A solid foundation in computing is essential, reports the BLS, adding that certifications can only make you more attractive to employers. 
Median annual salary: $72,600

Gas/electric/utilities strategic planning analyst
Working in the utilities sector remains a wise bet, no matter what the economy’s doing. According to the BLS, of all utilities sector support staff, technology workers and analysts will find themselves best equipped to capitalize on job openings. 
Median annual salary: $68,700

Accountant
Do you enjoy crunching number? The BLS estimates that accounting jobs will grow by 22 percent in the next decade.
Median annual salary: $49,100

Marketing manager
Organizations from all walks of corporate America need creative folks who can write and analyze a marketing survey, position a product to consumers and the media, and collaborate with market researchers, product managers, and profit-minded accountants. What’s more, the BLS predicts that opportunities for marketing managers will increase by 13 percent through 2018. 
Median annual salary: $60,200

Dental hygienist
Of all the jobs that require a two-year technical degree, this one promises the most opportunity in the new decade, boasting a whopping 36 percent growth rate. Many of these positions are part-time with flexible hours, making them ideal for parents with young children. 
Median annual salary: $57,100

Interior designer
Are you a design blog junkie? The friend everyone calls when they need help sprucing up their living room? Although you’ll need to invest in a design degree and acquire the necessary budgeting and software skills, the payoff is worth it, says Shatkin: Job opportunities are expected to grow by 19 percent through 2018. 
Median annual salary: $46,100

Occupational therapist
Thanks to the country’s aging population, occupational therapy remains a high-growth field, with 26 percent more jobs predicted in the new decade. According to the BLS, nearly a third of occupational therapists work part-time, and a master’s degree and state license are usually required. 
Median annual salary: $69,400

No matter what your job target, you can benefit from personalized advice! Don’t forget that clear, concise, optimized job search materials AND a strong, well executed plan are key for job search success! I can help with every part of your job hunt! Need a great resume? Tips to use social networking? Interview coaching?  If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you! While you’re at it, don’t forget those social networks! Be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on Facebook…I’d be thrilled to have you as part of the community! Since we’re on the subject of doing something new…Are you on Twitter? Jump on and touch base with me @keppie_careers.

photo by darkmatter

The post More good jobs for 2010 and beyond appeared first on Keppie Careers.

I believe that job seekers and careerists of all ages can benefit from reading They Don’t Teach Corporate in College. It is packed full of useful advice and tips, all of which are nicely summarized at the end of each chapter for the impatient reader.

With advice on everything from goal setting to networking, problem solving (even when the boss isn’t around) to how to appropriately showcase your abilities in a work environment and how to recognize when it is time to start looking for a new job, Alexandra’s book is a useful and valuable resource for anyone who could use a little
advice about how to succeed in the business world.

But this isn’t your typical, “rah rah” corporate guidebook. It’s an honest and open examination of some of the many challenges that workers today face. (Constant restructuring, difficult or overstressed bosses, overly competitive colleagues, the list goes on!) The author shares her own experiences that compelled her to write the original edition of the book. She isn’t speaking from a vacuum, but from an in-touch perspective of someone who has “been there, done that” and lived to tell the tale!

One of my favorite sections reminds readers of the importance of optimism. Alexandra suggests that “you are what you think.” The take-away? “As a human being you are responsible for your own life, and you have the ability to choose your response to your environment” (p. 170).

I think this take-away is key for all job seekers and professionals. It’s a message I constantly share and an important point for job seekers and anyone hoping to improve his or her professional life. Reading Alex’s book is one step in the right direction!

If you are ready for a change and could use some help with your search, follow THIS LINK to learn more about me and how we can work together!

The post Read They Don't Teach Corporate in College for a smooth transition from "flip flops to wingtips" appeared first on Keppie Careers.

As a conclusion to my posts about negotiating your job offer, it is fitting to share a resource author Alexanda Levit recently mentioned on her blog, Water Cooler Wisdom. She writes:

Stanford MBA Julie Greenberg just launched a useful website called Jobnob.com that solves the dilemma faced by job hunters everywhere. Jobnob.com provides information about the salary of particular jobs offered by companies all over the US. By perusing the salary ranges and the current salaries being offered, job seekers have exactly what they need to negotiate the best price for a great salary with the company that they want to work for.

Jobnob.com can also be helpful when making the decision to adjust or change your career. If you’re a run-of-the-mill accountant, for instance, Jobnob.com will tell you that your average salary is $46,092. You could decide to become a tax accountant, who earns $50,301 on average, or an auditor, who earns $56,865 on average. Even better, maybe a finance manager position is in your future. These guys have similar skills and education as basic accountants, yet they get paid $72,376.

Consider adding this tool to your arsenal so you are prepared to negotiate well! It’s always great to have new resources to help gain the upper hand in negotiating and career planning!

Still looking for that perfect job? Contact me to learn how career coaching and a transformed resume can help!

The post New website offers salary information: Jobnob.com appeared first on Keppie Careers.

Alexandra Levit

I recently had the opportunity to review Success for Hire, which is targeted to employers to help them find and keep outstanding employees. In the book, Alexandra adroitly guides employers through a series of steps to help them target, attract and retain the very best candidates for their organizations.

It will be no surprise to job seekers that some employers do not plan their recruiting efforts as strategically as they might. Sometimes, the hire just doesn’t work out or employers inadvertently misrepresent the job to prospective candidates. If they all read and followed Alexandra’s advice, employers could save a lot of time, effort and money, and employees might be spared being put through a process that is less than stellar.

In her book, Alexandra outlines nine strategies for employers. Most interesting for job seekers? Number 4 – Create a Strategy for Interviewing. Job seekers may be surprised to learn that “most evidence has demonstrated that interviews have low reliability and validity, yet everyone continues to rely on them as the principal way of determining the future of their organization” (p. 49). Alexandra encourages interviewers to prepare questions that target specific criteria for the job. (This is great advice for job seekers as well, as they must be able to target their skills and accomplishments to the job’s requirements.)

She suggests guidelines from Martin Yate (2006), author of Hiring the Best. His guidelines for questions (and suggested examples) include:

• Adaptability and suitability: What was the most difficult project you tackled in a previous job?
• Motivation: What have you done that you are proud of?
• Teamwork and manageability: Describe the best manager you ever had?
• Management: How do you quantify your results as a manager?
• Entry-level questions: How did you spend your vacations while at school?

The “interviewing” chapter expands on the different types of questions (closed-ended, open-ended, negative balance, reflexive, “hamburger helper” questions and mirror statements and silence). I was interested in reading up on the most recent research in this arena. Clearly, anyone hiring or trying to be hired can benefit from the research Alexandra included in her book about the interview process.

While I normally read (and write) information targeted only to the job seeker, reading Success for Hire was an informative and enjoyable change of pace. It is a good reminder to the well-researched job seeker that looking at books and information targeted at EMPLOYERS is a good idea. I highly recommend Success for Hire to people on both sides of the hiring desk!

The post Read Success for Hire for great advice about the hiring process appeared first on Keppie Careers.