Keppie Careers

Social media speaker, social media consultant, job search coach

Job search strategies that work

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Are you looking for a new job this year? Take stock and jump-start a job search strategically.

Too Busy to Search for a Job?

No doubt, you’ve heard looking for a job is a full-time job in itself. What does that mean if you are overwhelmed with other full-time responsibilities? Especially if you are working at home without the normal supports you typically rely on, it is difficult to make time for job search. The best approach is to be strategic.

Select activities that are most useful in propelling your search forward. Don’t spin your wheels and make forward progress.

Follow these steps, and you’ll save time and effort.

Step One: Decide What You Want To Do

You are never going to get anywhere if you don’t know where you are going. Write down exactly what type of job you want. Include target companies, hours you’d like to work and what you want to do. Do not be afraid to be very specific. Once you specify your goals, it is much easier to reach them.

Step Two: Assess Your Qualifications

Once you know what you want to do next, be sure you have the skills and qualifications to do it! Carefully review job descriptions that are similar to what you want to do. Copy and paste several job descriptions into a Word file. Highlight the parts of the description that apply to you. If you highlight everything in the description, you’re golden! If there are features of the requirements that do not apply to you, make a list. Determine if you are really qualified for the position, or if you would benefit from additional training or experience.

If you don’t quite qualify for the roles you want, start making plans to boost your credentials. Consider taking courses. Research certifications to earn. If you work at a company that pays for professional development, start to take advantage of that. Alternatively, budget time and money to learn what you need to know to take the next step in your professional career.

If you’re missing skills you could gain in other ways, look for opportunities to build your credentials. Consider volunteering for committee work in a professional organization or association. Speak to your supervisor to identify new opportunities for you to gain skills at work. Your professional development is your responsibility.

Step Three: Create Marketing Materials

Ensure your resume, LinkedIn profile and other social networking streams represent your professional qualifications. Your resume should closely match the content you find in job descriptions. Never assume an employer will know you have a skill you do not list on your resume. Clearly outline your credentials via your skills and accomplishments.

Make sure your LinkedIn profile matches the information on your resume, and take advantage of the opportunity to use LinkedIn to expand on details you want potential employers to know about you. Not every employer will take the time to visit your LinkedIn page, but for those already interested in you, it is a good opportunity to provide extra information that was not applicable to your resume.

Step Four: Network!

Don’t only apply to jobs online. Unless you are a perfect match for those opportunities, you may find yourself frustrated when you do not hear back from employers. So many people apply for positions listed, it’s tough to get your foot in the door. However, if you use your time to network, you may win introductions for opportunities you would not otherwise know about.

Even if you have a busy schedule, you can turn to Google or LinkedIn at any time of the day or night to research people who work in places where you want a job. If you are already using LinkedIn, see if the companies that interest you have a presence there and determine if you have any contacts who work there or people who may be able to connect you to people who work there. Don’t forget to check out Groups. This is a great place to meet new people, and your busy schedule does not prevent you from connecting with new people who may be able to refer you to job opportunities.

Of course, in-person networking is a great way to meet people. Even if networking is via Zoom, make a point to attend professional organization meetings and go to online or in-person meetups related to topics that interest you personally. Say yes to invitations to interact with friends and family – even if it is online. All of these can be great opportunities to network with new people.

Move Forward Now!

Don’t waste any time moving forward with your career plans! If you don’t take steps now to jump-start your job search, you’ll never make a change. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you need help with your LinkedIn profile or resume.

 

Best steps to find a job in the new year

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If you can demonstrate that you have the skills to solve their problems, you will position yourself to be competitive to land a new opportunity.

Determine how you will communicate what you are worth. Once you know what you offer, you’re on the right track, but the real trick is being able to convince other people that you have what it takes. Being great isn’t enough: you need to be able to communicate your value to employers. The best way to do this is via a consistent stream of information from your social media profiles. When you showcase your expertise online, you can convince people who visit your social media properties that you really are an expert in your field. Your resume and online portfolios (including your LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram and any other profiles, for example), are equally important, so don’t neglect one in favor of the other. When you can communicate your value, it’s much easier to successfully interview for a job.

Apply for the right jobs. Stop applying for jobs you’re not qualified to do. Do not apply for every opening at an organization, and never blanket applications without ensuring you are a good fit for the positions. It will not help you to apply for positions if you don’t have the necessary skills, so don’t waste your time.

Target and identify specific organizations where you want to work. “Focus” and “targeted” should be your buzzwords when you search. Select organizations where you’d like to work, and make a point to learn everything you can about those companies. Can you hone in on any specific problems they have that you can help solve? Do you know people who work in places where you’d like to work? Should you set up an informational meeting with one of those people? Who would be most likely to be willing to make an introduction for you?

Identify allies for your job search. Avoid appearing desperate. Instead, be the professional you are, explain what you’re looking for and be specific when you meet new contacts who have the capacity to make a useful introduction for you. You cannot focus on your job search when you talk to people about your goals; if you do, you become just another desperate job seeker. Instead, focus on what you have to offer: ideas, suggestions and expertise relevant to your field. Offer it in exchange for an introduction to someone at one of your target organizations, and you’ll be on your way.

Eliminate information from your resume that confuses possible employers or causes them to say, “hmmm.” Don’t include jargon or acronyms on your resume that don’t relate to the target job. Don’t incorporate details on your resume if they do not identify why you are a good fit for that job. The last thing you want to do is confuse someone who receives your resume. If you are careful enough to pass the initial computerized resume review, don’t squander your opportunity by mucking up the works with a lot of extra, unimportant information in your materials.

Step by step, you’ll be well on your way to landing a job on your targeted list.

Learn how Keppie Careers can help you succeed in your job search. Contact us!

Can You Uncover Your Passion in a Job You Don’t Love?

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jad_badge_greenHaving a job you love is a wonderful goal. Having passion for your work and enjoying what you do is something most would agree is something to strive toward.

Today’s post is a contribution for the annual Job Action Day. The theme is inspired by Mike Rowe’s online commencement speech for Prager University. “He suggests, instead of following their passion, jobseekers should consider following the opportunities that are available to them—and then bring their passions with them to the job.”

Have you consciously identified a need to have passion for your work vs. considering your job a practical necessity? Do you let your bias regarding this impact your job search? Have you hesitated to pursue job opportunities because you aren’t committed to or excited about the work? Of course, the best career or job is the one in which you’re using the skills you enjoy. But, not every job needs to address all of your passions. It makes sense to use every job as an opportunity to learn something new and keep an open mind; you may find that you really enjoy something you never imagined would appeal to you.

Sometimes, however, a job can be just a job. Many, many people take care of problems at work not because they are passionate about what they are doing, but because they take pride in a job well done. It’s powerful to recognize work can be a way to make a living and doesn’t need to be steeped in passion.

If you are concerned that you should be more passionate about your work, here are some steps to take to make the most out of your current job, no matter what you do.

Evaluate your job.  Maybe there are parts of your job that play to your passions without you even recognizing it! For example, if you are in customer service, you may dislike handling problems all day, but solving concerns is something you really enjoy. Give credit to all the parts of your job that appeal to you.

Leverage your interests. Perhaps you can influence a change in your current work environment. If you’re in a job that doesn’t offer much in the way of upward mobility, consider offering to volunteer to head up an initiative that does play to your passions. For example, maybe you’d like to see your company recycle more, and you can offer to help work on that. Or, maybe you want to organize a collection to donate to the local food pantry. Perhaps you’d like to have a series of speakers come to talk to you and your colleagues. If you volunteer to set it up, your employer may support this effort. Just because your job may be static doesn’t mean you can’t extend yourself and try new things.

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

Learn new things. Would you like to extend your career in a different direction, but you don’t have the resume to support the change? Identify what skills you are missing and take a class. Or, use volunteer opportunities to help get some experience. For example, if you don’t have any formal experience using management skills, managing that food drive or planning a speaker series can give you some of these skills.

Leverage your passions outside of work. If you don’t have a passion for your work, make more of an effort to enjoy your time outside of work. You may even find that newfound passion can become a side business that leads to work happiness down the road. Are you a creative person, but you work in an uncreative profession? Look for a hobby or take a class. When you’re not working, you have more control over how you spend your time, so be sure to tap into your passions. When you spend more time doing what you love, it helps your overall happiness, which will positively affect how you feel at work.

You may be surprised to learn you have an opportunity to include many more passionate interests in your job and in your free time than you may have realized!

What do hiring managers want to know?

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Career AdviceFor job seekers, one of the most important items to identify is what hiring managers want to know. Many candidates wax eloquent about themselves, their backgrounds and experiences, but fail to identify the touch points that help indicate their qualifications for the job.

This is a big mistake. Before you apply for any position, keep the following items in mind so you’ll be sure to provide employers with the information they need to decide if you’re a good fit.

Are You Qualified for the Job?

The easiest way to answer this question is to study the job description and to directly address the employer’s needs. Do not create a resume and other marketing documents without first identifying the most important connections between you and the job. Don’t assume hiring managers will give you credit for skills you don’t list. Include details and specifics about accomplishments and results. Don’t just say you have leadership skills. Include something that resulted from your leadership. For example: “Used leadership and management skills to reorganize team, resulting in 15% increase in productivity.”

Do You Demonstrate Good Judgment?

No matter what job you land, you will represent the organization where you work. Employers want to select candidates who are least likely to do anything embarrassing. When one ill-conceived tweet or Facebook post can make the national news, it’s not surprising that employers want to know that you have good common sense. One way to illustrate you’re a good fit is to maintain professional streams of information in your social media profiles. If an employer can review your Twitter feed without any concerns, you’re a step ahead of competition.

Get my free white paper: 5 Mistakes Preventing You From Landing a Job This Week 

How Well Do You Get Along with Others?

Whether you’ll be working with a team, or connecting with clients and customers, most jobs require working with people. Hiring managers want to know you have strong communication skills and aren’t prone to too much drama. Don’t cause an employer to think otherwise during the application stage by sharing unnecessary personal information or by volunteering details about past bosses or colleagues you didn’t like.

Are You Interested in the Job?

If you’re applying for your dream job, make sure the employer understands why you are well qualified and grasps your passion for the position. While it’s great to hire someone who is a good fit, it’s even better (from the employer’s perspective) to find someone with the skills and a strong interest in the organization and its work. This is especially true for non-profit organizations, where you may have a personal interest in the mission. However, you can also demonstrate a passion about a for-profit company. For example, if you’ve always loved shopping in a particular store because of the customer service you receive there, and there’s a job opportunity that is a good fit for your skills, don’t hesitate to include a few details about your connection to the company when you apply.

How to become a recognized expert

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keppie_businessownerNo one wants to hire a novice. It’s crucial to be able to demonstrate your expertise to land your target job. This can be a challenge, especially if you’re transitioning to a new field or applying for a job that can best be described as a “reach” for you. What can you do to become a recognized expert in your field?

Luckily for you, all is not lost, even if you’ve never considered yourself an expert in the past. Embrace technology as your friend, and you too can be fielding questions from others in your industry as a recognized expert. It will take time and effort, but if you can accomplish your goal, it will be worth it. Follow these steps and you’ll become a go-to expert in your field.

1. Learn something new.
Even if you consider yourself an expert, there’s always something new to learn. Especially if you are transitioning to a new career, take advantage of online tools, where you’ll be able to learn information for free. For example, Udacity and Coursera offer various types of courses. You can learn everything from how to program code to developing a website or making a robotic car, often for free. Also, don’t underestimate YouTube as a source of information and knowledge. You can Google just about any topic and find someone who posted a video about it.

Social media is swimming with information and insights; don’t miss opportunities to use tools such as Twitter and LinkedIn; these are resources to enhance your expertise. Find out about industry conferences and determine if there is a hashtag for events that interest you. Even if you can’t attend, if you follow updates from participants, you may learn a lot. Follow industry leaders who are active online or who participate in online forums or groups.

2. Keep on top of salient topics in your profession.
If you want to be recognized as an expert, you must know about the hot topics in your industry. What are people discussing in your field? What problems are thought leaders trying to solve? What are the best solutions? If you want people to see you as an expert, it’s important to insert yourself in these conversations–and to join the conversations, you should first do your research and be clear about your opinions on these issues.

3. Expand your network.
You can’t demonstrate expertise in a room all by yourself! If you want to be considered a go-to expert, you need to have more contacts and connections. Look around: who in your network would be willing to go to bat for you or refer you for an opportunity? The more people you know who are able to speak about what you know and connect you with jobs or gigs, the better. If you have a close circle of contacts, plan to expand it by attending in-person meetings relating to your industry, volunteering for leadership roles and speaking up. In addition, use social media tools to expand the number of people who know, like and trust you. Join groups on LinkedIn and communities on Facebook and make a point to answer questions and provide resources regarding your expertise.

4. Find a mentor.
Even experts have mentors. A mentor–especially someone who is already well-respected in your field–will be well positioned to help you grow your reputation. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to impress someone who is well established in his or her niche who is willing to help shine the light on new talent (you!).

5. Showcase what you know.
Once you’ve built your knowledge base, grown your network and found a mentor, all you need to do is broadcast your expertise to as many people as possible. Luckily for you, there are many easy ways to do just that:

a. Use social media tools, such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to share useful news and information relevant to your industry. Comment on articles and post links to useful information your colleagues will want to know. Be a resource and people are more likely to turn to you for your expertise and insights.

b. Publish your own content. Did you know you can publish blogs on LinkedIn? If you have an opinion about a topic, write about it and post it online. If you’re really enthusiastic about becoming known as an expert, you’ll create and manage your own website and blog where you regularly author useful, insightful articles. You can impress others in your field and attract attention.

Get my free white paper: 5 Mistakes Preventing You From Landing a Job This Week 

c. Organize online forums. Choose your favorite social media tool. It should be where you enjoy spending your time online and the tool most people in your industry prefer. Invest time and effort in creating a group or forum using that platform. For example, you may wish to start a LinkedIn group. If you prefer Twitter, it may make sense to start a regular Twitter chat. Launch a Facebook Live series. Invite others to join you and keep the conversations interesting and useful. Make sure your forum is a must-see for people in your field.

d. Identify thought leaders and make an effort to help them. Who is delivering keynote speeches at industry conferences? Who heads up industry groups or professional associations in your area? Every leader relies on people to assist and volunteer. Offer to co-moderate a LinkedIn group or volunteer to chair a committee. The more you engage with leaders in your field, the more likely they are to recognize your expertise and share your name with others in the field.

When you are able to leverage your knowledge online and in person, it won’t matter as much how many years of experience you have: your ability to hone in on important topics and to be a resource for professionals in your industry will trump everything else, and you’ll be recognized as an expert. Is it easy? No, but if you truly want to be a go-to leader in your field, it is worth it.