Success Story

Here is a letter we recently received from one of our past clients

In December 2009, mired in the depths of the Great Depression, Aston Martin of San Diego closed its doors for the last time. Simultaneously, doors closed on my employment, and my second career, six mostly profitable and enjoyable years in the ultra-luxury automobile industry.

I was ready to be done with it, excited about the next opportunity that awaited me, though I had no idea what that would be, nor how foolish and naive such excitement would prove to be in the job climate I would encounter. At that point I knew little about the mostly desolate employment prospects awaiting older, displaced “white-collar” workers.

Several weeks later I found out I had been diagnosed with cancer. Thoughts of new career directions and opportunities vanished. Life-threatening illnesses have a way of altering one’s perspective and priorities. Much of 2010 was absorbed in treatment and recovery, physically, psychologically, and emotionally. Fortunately, my disease had been diagnosed at a reasonably early stage. Post treatment prognoses were favorable and have remained so until the present.

During 2010 I periodically (and, in retrospect, half-heartedly) pursued employment opportunities. In marketing. In sales. In banking.  Nothing. I joined and participated regularly in networking groups, meeting hundreds of people in situations similar to mine. Still fruitless. By late 2010 I was discouraged and rudderless.

Fortunately, though my wife had also lost her job early in 2010, we able to get by on unemployment. Our benefits were far less than our regular workplace checks of course, but we had lived within our means and were thus able to remain stable without dipping too dramatically into savings or retirement accounts. For both of us, long term unemployment benefits proved a god-send. It helped each of us transition back into the workplace. Here’s how that happened for me.

Early in 2011, I paid a visit to an old friend who was the Director of Professional Development for San Diego State’s College of Extended Studies. We discussed my qualifications, which were considerable but in no way clearly focused or directed, and explored some of the programs offered by Extended Studies to see if there might be a fit for me.

I didn’t come away from that meeting with any clear direction, but I did get some valuable advice. Tamara spoke highly of the East County Career Center and suggested I explore the resources available there. That would prove to be a genuine stroke of good fortune.

In the next few months I took advantage of ECCC’s considerable employment resources – career counseling, resume preparation, job-hunting  tips and tactics, household budgeting, aptitude testing, and most fortuitously, re-training programs for career transition. In this regard my connections would later come full circle.

At the conclusion of all these ECCC sessions I had at long last come to a decision on a new career direction. My previous careers had provided me great personal satisfaction – a considerable number of awards, recognition, a nice living. But these experiences contributed nothing toward the betterment of society, and this time around – my final chapter – I wanted my work to be about that. I chose healthcare. Specifically I wanted to pursue Medical Coding and Billing, a program offered through SDSU’s College of Extended Studies, paid for by Workforce Partnership funds.

That spring, I began the program, which was offered online and was self-paced. Though programmed as a six-month course, I finished it in three. Out of work and highly motivated, I sped through the course, and I excelled. But I knew I needed more qualifications, especially lacking work experience in my new field. At my own expense and on my own time, I studied and prepared on for national certification as inpatient coder. On the last day of September, I completed the four-hour exam and was thrilled when I learned that I scored extremely well on the exam, and was now a Certified Coding Associate through the American Health Information Management Association.

During my preparation, I scoured the internet for information about the prospects of landing a job in health information lacking any work experience. Over and over the answer came back – volunteer.  Within a few weeks I landed an excellent volunteer opportunity with Sharp Memorial Hospital, working in the Kidney Transplant Department. The staff there was appreciative, supportive, and extremely helpful. I was given wonderful on-the-job responsibilities and often devoted more than 20 hours a week there.

Early in January, I received an email regarding a job I’d applied for two months before. In matter of a few weeks I was offered a position, which I immediately accepted. Since that time, I have worked as a Medical Record Technician for the Military Sealift Command, providing Occupational Health services to civilian crews which man U.S. navy supply ships. I have very much appreciated, and enjoyed, my job, but about a year after I started, I decided that I wanted to advance further in the medical field.

So, once again, I’m a student. But this time, it’s part-time while I continue to work full-time job. My experience with my Workforce Partnership funded training had re-kindled my thirst for knowledge, and given me the confidence to pursue online education.

For the last year-and-a-half, I’ve been studying Cancer Information Management at Santa Barbara City College. It’s my goal to become a Cancer Tumor Registrar, a vital through little known role in the struggle to find a cure for cancer. Registrars analyze, collect, and disseminate cancer information regarding diagnosis, treatment and research. I’ll complete the program, one of the most highly regarded in the country, in about a year. I will, of course, still be in my newly chosen field, but with a slight detour in the route.

None of this -- none of it -- could have happened without the Workforce Partnership and the East County Career Center. I am the embodiment of someone who seized an opportunity presented, took it and prospered. But again, none of it happens without the opportunity.

I am grateful to be able to thank you for giving me that opportunity. I hope your work, and the funding that goes with it, will continue, so that others can benefit as I have.

Respectfully,

David C.

Inspirational Quotes for the Job Seeker

How to Discover Your Super Powers to Find Meaningful Work

How to Discover Your Super Powers to Find Meaningful Work

4 Tips to Discover Your Super Powers

1. Identify what you believe to be your best skills.

Think about the skills you currently use in your work, the ones you use outside of it, and the ones you’ve used in the past. Include everything that you do well—listening, writing, problem-solving, persuading,  connecting people, helping people reach fitness goals. Anything that you excel at.

2. Highlight the ones you feel passionate about.

Which ones have you done for free in the past? Which ones get you so excited you could easily write a whole blog or book about them? Which ones feel fulfilling, enriching, and maybe even healing when you do them?

3. Cross out the ones you consistently have trouble focusing on.

If you can rarely devote more than a half-hour to this skill, it likely isn’t a Super Power. You’re looking for those actions that you regularly get into the zone doing.

A lot of people want themselves to do something that they don’t actually want to do—maybe because they think they should do it just because they’re good at it and can make a lot of money with it.

I could have continued building a successful career in promotional marketing, but I a felt a slight resistance when getting ready for work. It was fun to travel and engage with people at concerts and sporting events but I didn’t feel like I was making a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

For me, marketing wasn’t a Super Power unless I was marketing something that mattered to me.

If you have to force yourself to do something, cross it off the list.

4. Put a star next to the ones that other people recognize as strengths.

For a Super Power to guide your career, it has to be something you excel at. If you love writing but you struggle with communicating your thoughts, this may not be a Super Power—yet. If you’re willing to put in the time, you can change that.

Whatever you have highlighted and placed a star next to that isn’t crossed out is a Super Power that you could leverage to create meaningful, satisfying work.

How to Leverage Your Super Powers for a Career

1. Identify the long game and the short game.

If your Super Power is helping people, your long game might be to become a therapist, write a book, or run workshops. The goal here isn’t necessarily to dream big—it’s to dream of what feels right for you. It might even mean a pay cut.

My friend Angie is a successful lawyer. She recently told me that she ends up spending a lot of money to make herself feel better because she’s unhappy with her job—and that she’d rather love how she spends her time than have the means to buy away her unhappiness.

It might feel scary to think of giving up money, but it all comes down to whether or not what you gain is more valuable to you.

Your short game is what you need to do to transition into that new life you visualize. Do you need to save money to take classes? Do you need to create time in your schedule to write? Do you need to email people to get advice?

You might not be able to immediately do what will you make you feel fulfilled, but you can start planting seeds to get there. Don’t worry about how long it will take. Just acknowledge that you want to start and you’re ready to do that now.

A friend of mine once told me it’s too late for her to do something she loves. I asked her how she’d feel if in five years she was actually doing it. Would she regret having started late or would she be glad she found the courage to try in spite of the years that past before she did?

Whatever it is you enjoy, there is no reason not to start shaping a life around it now. It’s never too late until we decide it is.

2. Make a commitment to do something every day to work your goal.

The important thing isn’t to arrive at tomorrow—it’s to keep moving forward. As long as you’re moving forward, you will get there, and there might be a lot different than how you planned it.

It’s funny how opportunities have a way of evolving and surprising us when we find the courage to consistently take action. I had no idea the first day I tweeted a quote that Tiny Buddha would grow as it did. I still don’t know what exactly this might grow into. I just know I write, edit, and build every day.

3. Identify ways to use your Super Powers now.

Even though it may take you time to transition into a more meaningful work situation, you can still incorporate the things you love into your life right now.

If what you want to do is help people, but you can’t publish a book tomorrow, start a blog. If you want to become a therapist but you know it will take years, volunteer for a hotline.

It could even be to do one small thing each week, like share an uplifting comment on someone’s blog. (My new obsession is Love Bomb—I highly suggest checking it out to make a big difference with one small weekly action!)

By using your Super Power, you very well may open yourself up to professional opportunities. At the very least, you’ll make a positive difference in the world doing something that makes you feel fulfilled.

Be Your Own Hero

With all this talk of Super Powers, I had to end with a hero reference, and it’s this: find and follow the path that makes sense to you. You may find that you prefer to earn a living through something you don’t feel passionate about, and then leverage your Super Powers through your hobbies and free time.

That isn’t inherently wrong. If that’s how you want to spend your time, then what’s right is to go with your own gut.

But if you feel like you’re not filling your days in a way that feels purposeful and fulfills you, find the courage to figure out what would, and then do something about it today.

The best Super Power is the ability to be true to yourself.

Dressing for Interviews

Before you say a single word to the interviewer, you have already made an impression based on how you’re dressed. The guidelines given here are commonly accepted as appropriate for interviewing. Every company has a different dress code; how you dress at the job may have very little to do with how you dress for an interview.

Men 

• Dress in a manner that is professionally appropriate to the position for which you are applying. In almost all cases, this means wearing a suit. It is rarely appropriate to “dress down” for an interview, regardless of company dress code policy. When in doubt, go conservative.
• You should wear a suit to interviews. “Suit” means the works: a matching jacket and pants, dress shirt, tie, coordinating socks and dress shoes. A dark-colored suit with light colored shirt is your best option.
• Your suit should be comfortable and fit you well so that you look and act your best. There is a difference between not yet feeling at ease in a suit and trying to fit into the same suit you wore to your sister’s wedding when you were 15. (In the latter case, it’s time to invest in a new suit!)
• Avoid loud colors and flashy ties.
• Clothing should be neat, clean, and pressed. If you don’t have an iron, either buy one or be prepared to visit the dry-cleaner’s often. Shower or bathe the morning of the interview. Wear deodorant. Don’t wear cologne or aftershave. You don’t want to smell overpowering or worse, cause an allergic reaction.
• Make sure you have fresh breath. Brush your teeth before you leave for the interview, and don’t eat before the interview. Don’t smoke right before an interview.
• Your hair should be neat, clean, and conservative

Women 

• Generally, you should wear a suit with a skirt or pants.  When in doubt, be more conservative.
• Your suit should be comfortable and fit you well; if your waistband is cutting you in half or your jacket is too tight, you won’t look or act your best. Some stores offer free alterations when you purchase a suit, or you may want to find a tailor to adjust a suit you already own.
• Interview suits should be simple and dark in color. Anything tight, bright, short, or sheer should absolutely be avoided. (Interviewers have been known to complain about the length of interviewees’ skirts; if you have any doubts, it’s probably too short.) Knee-length skirts are suggested. Very long skirts, while modest, are also considered too trendy for an interview.
• Wear a conservative blouse with your suit. Do not wear bright colors, animal prints, or anything lacy, sheer, or low-cut.
• Make-up and nail polish should be understated and flattering; shades that are neutral to your skin tone are generally advisable. Avoid bright or unusual colors or very long nails.
• Keep your jewelry and hair accessories to a minimum, and stick to those that are not flashy, distracting, or shiny. One ring per hand is best.
• Shoes should be conservative and fairly low-heeled. They should be in reasonably good condition, not scuffed or run-down at the heels. Don’t wear shoes with an open toe or back; any shoes you would wear on a date or to a club are probably inappropriate. A basic pump is flattering, versatile, and will stay in style forever (once you own pumps, you can spend the rest of your money on fun shoes). The salesperson in the shoe store can steer you in the right direction.
• Your hose should be neutral (matched to your skin tone). Make sure the heels are not dyed black from your shoes and that there are no snags or runs. Only use the nail polish trick in an emergency; you may want to carry an extra pair of hose with you instead.
• Dress in a manner that is professionally appropriate to the position for which you are applying. In almost all cases, this means wearing a suit. It is rarely appropriate to “dress down” for an interview, regardless of company dress code policy. When in doubt, go conservative (is this starting to sound familiar?).
• Your clothing should always be neat, clean, and pressed. If you don’t have an iron, either buy one or be prepared to visit the dry-cleaner’s often.
• Shower or bathe the morning of the interview. Wear deodorant. Don’t wear perfume: you don’t want to smell overpowering or worse, cause an allergic reaction.
• Make sure you have fresh breath. Brush your teeth before you leave for the interview, and don’t eat or smoke before the interview.
• Your hair should be neat, clean, and conservatively styled. Banana clips, brightly-colored scrunchies or elastics, and cheerleader-type ponytails look out of place with a suit. You may want to wear your hair in an updo, pull it back into a low ponytail, or wear a barrette (this suggestion does not include the tiny little barrettes that only hold the front of your bangs back). The idea is to look polished and professional, not to advertise what a creative genius your hairdresser is.

10 creative job hunting tips

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate currently sits at 9.1 percent.

If you are out of work this presents a problem because there is often a large quantity of qualified applicants seeking a given job.

In these times, it is more important than ever to think outside of the box when applying for jobs.

Here are 10 creative job hunting tips:

1)  Know what positions are available at a company

Before you can try to work for a company, you need to figure out what job openings the company has.  Once you know this you can focus your energy on trying to get that specific job. You can look on a company website to see what job openings a company has. However, the best strategy would be to speak to someone who works at the company as often times companies don't update their websites with every potential and available job opening.

2)  Use LinkedIn and use it well

LinkedIn is widely recognized as the best social network for career professionals. LinkedIn can be utilized as a great resource to connect with people at a company that you are interested in working for. The key on LinkedIn is to compile as many direct connections to other professionals that you can.  More direct connections will convert into more secondary connections. 

So, if you want to work for Facebook, and you have 200 LinkedIn connections, there is a chance that one of your connections has a connection with someone working at Facebook. This secondary connection can then be leveraged by you to get introduced to the respective person that works at Facebook. And, as we all know - knowing someone who works at the company which you are applying to - can greatly increase your odds of securing the job.

3)  Take a look at resume samples

Before finalizing your resume, it is wise to take a look at resume samples. By reviewing other resumes, you can get ideas for ways to improve the content and look and feel of your resume. Looking at resume samples often helps you to identify specific areas where you can improve your expertise or enhance the way you present yourself to potential employers.

4)  Be creative about how you use Twitter

You can utilize Twitter to look for jobs in several ways, one of the most creative ways is to use Twitter to locate and contact someone at a given company. You can use Twellow to search Twitter profiles.  Search for the company that you want to work for - and you may find someone who has a profile
that says, Director of Biz Dev for company X. 

Now that you found that person, you can follow them on Twitter hoping that they follow you back so that you can DM them.Or you can mention them in the hopes they will then get in touch with you. Also, sometimes people include their email address in their profile so you can contact them that way. Either way, Twitter offers a creative way to develop a contact, as the person may appreciate your hard work and creativity in getting in touch with them.

5)  Consider different types of jobs

You don't want to have tunnel vision and only look for one type of job.  Especially with the unemployment rate being what it is - you have to think about a few different types of job titles to consider. When you have a few different areas you are considering - it will open up a wide range of options for yourself and you'll end up getting more interviews and call-backs.  And remember, each interview is an opportunity to not only get a job but also to develop key contacts within an organization.

6)  Use multiple resumes

Take advantage of resume templates  which you can then fill your information into. Take advantage of these to create multiple resumes for different types of jobs. The area where your resumes will
differentiate themselves are on the objective, resume structure, and job detail for a specific job that you had. 

The structure of the resume should be one which best highlights your accomplishments.The objective should target directly to the type of job you are applying for. The job detail which explains what you accomplished in past jobs should highlight the skills and experiences that the job you are applying for is seeking. 

7)  Consider different pay packages

Especially when applying to a startup or small company, consider offering and/or accepting different pay packages. If you offer a potential employer to pay you based on commission or based on some other type of performance measurement, the employer may be more likely to hire you as it will be less of a risk for them. And for you, it could offer a bigger reward as if you succeed in the job you could end up making more money for yourself.

8)  Check out Craigslist

Quite often, small businesses and start-ups post job listings on Craigslist.  These smaller companies do this in an effort to quickly find internet savvy candidates for a particular job. It is also very simple and cheap for start-ups to post job listings on Craigslist. This is an underrated place for candidates to find jobs.  You often won't know the company you are applying to - so it is difficult to get these jobs via networking. 

What can make you stand out to employers is following instructions closely and being detail oriented. Many people mass apply to jobs on Craigslist - so by not automating your application you
can differentiate yourself and show employers that you are about quality.  

9)  Do not focus on monster.com or hotjobs

Monster and Hotjobs use to be the best places to find jobs online. It was the place companies went to hire, and the place potential employees went to apply. However, there are so many people looking for work that you need to find ways to differentiate yourself. And Monster and HotJobs get so many applications that it becomes very difficult to stand out from the crowd so it can make sense to ignore these services all together. Also, sometimes, a company will get hundreds of applications through Monster.com and then they will end up hiring someone who found the company directly via networking through an existing employee. 

10)  Attend an industry conference

Industry conferences can be gold for job seekers. In one conference room will be influential people from hundreds of companies directly in the niche that you are in. If you are creative about how you approach people at each booth - you can make a very solid contact which you can utilize when you are applying to that particular company later on. 

You can also identify job openings that the potential company has now or could have in the future. In the age of so much networking happening virtually on the World Wide Web - there is still no replacement for good old fashioned face-to-face contact!

5 happiness tips for the Unemployed

“Life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you react to it” ~Charles Swindoll

Unemployment is up almost 10 percent and job opportunities are not necessarily speeding to catch up. It’s not always easy to stay positive when you’re dealing with uncertainty, particularly if you fell out of a comfortable situation and now have to adapt.

But if you’re willing to see the experience as a challenge, and possibly even an opportunity, you can find a sense of peace and fulfillment—not just once you find work, but while you’re in the process of looking. It’s not just cliche advice that sounds good on paper. It’s actually possible. Here’s how.

If You Are Out of Work

1. Don’t isolate.

Without work, some people become hermits. Most jobs involve some sort of social interaction, be it with co-workers or customers. For many people, the workday is also the most frequent opportunity for social interaction. Spending some time alone can be healthy; just make sure you don’t take overdo it.

A lot of people feel ashamed or embarrassed about being unemployed, and as a result avoid social situations. As tempting as it may be to dodge friends and family, it can become a dangerous habit. Youneed support to make it through this transition with minimal stress and anxiety.

Aside from that, interactions allow you an opportunity to put your worries aside and have fun. You’re dealing with enough stress—don’t you deserve a break?

2. Remember that social connections are your biggest resource.

Another reason to stay social and engaged is that it’s one of the best ways to find your next job. When you’re struggling, the intimate seclusion found searching job lists and sending out endless resumes is enticing. While there’s nothing wrong with responding to job ads, it’s not nearly as effective as using your social network to find opportunities. It’s like they say: sometimes it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.

3. Maintain a positive outlook.

Negativity is an easy habit because it creates the illusion of relieving frustration, but it actually just breeds more. And unfortunately, it doesn’t get you anywhere good.

Positivity, especially when things are tough, may not be your first reaction. No worries about the future with a smile. But if you try to maintain a positive outlook you will keep yourself open to new things. If you’re convinced there aren’t any opportunities available, you won’t even try to find one—meaning you definitely won’t get one.

4. Stay open to possibilities.

It’s ideal to think that life conforms to your plans. But it doesn’t. If it did, you wouldn’t be unemployed to begin with. Once you free yourself from a rigid path you think you should be on, you will open yourself to the new opportunities and roads that will present themselves. When this happens, be ready and willing to say yes.

It may mean taking a short-term contract job, or a lower level position in a new field. When your life path hits a roadblock you need consider the alternate routes available.

5. Take advantage of the extra time.

It’s often said that looking for work is a full-time job. That certainly can be true, but it’s a full-time job with a lot of flexibility. When you take away things like a commute, business trips, conferences and everything else that comes with a nine to five job, there’s a lot of extra time in the day.

It’s a good idea to maintain as much of your normal routine as possible. If you exercise three days during the week, make sure you keep doing that. If you wanted to work out five days but never had the time, well, now you do!

This is your time to focus on yourself—what you enjoy, what makes you feel the most fulfilled.

You don’t need to spend every waking hour stressing about finding work. If you put too much emphasis on where you need to be, you may find it’s self-defeating. Just because looking for work can be a full-time job, that doesn’t mean you need to walk around with full-time pressure.

If you didn’t lose your job, odds are you know someone who did. Here’s how you can help.

15 Simple Way to Support Someone Who Lost Their Job

1. Check in regularly…

…especially if you are close to them. Be their buoy, so they don’t lose sight of the things in life they can trust.

2. Listen.

Really listen, without waiting to talk.

3. Invite them to do free stuff.

Even if they have money in the bank, with less or no money coming in, it will be easier for them to commit to free or cheap activities.

4. Exercise with them.

Or encourage them to do activities you know they enjoy. It’s easier to stay upbeat when you feel good physically. (Those endorphins help!)

5. Help them get sunshine.

A healthy dose of sunlight can improve your mood and help you get better sleep. Boost your friend’s spirits by helping them get out of the house for a walk when the sun shines.

6. Understand that their life is different for now.

It can be strange to have so much time and uncertainty, particularly if they had a lot of structure in their day previously.

7. Acknowledge their feelings.

They may or may not talk about them, but they feel something no matter what. If they don’t open up, you can share a story about a time in your life when you felt uncertain.

8. Laugh.

Humor helps everyone cope. Help them take things less seriously. They’re unemployed, not comatose. There’s still a lot to enjoy!

9. Make a list of things you value in them…

…maybe things an employer would appreciate, and give it to them.

10. Offer to review/edit/spruce up their resume.

11. Send them job posts that you think match their skill set.

12. Offer to be a reference.

You obviously know them well and like them—your recommendation may be valuable.

13. Ask them what they really want to do, what they would do if they money wasn’t an issue.

Maybe they’re considering taking this break to make a career change. That’s scary stuff, meaning they’ll need lots of encouragement.

14. Don’t complain about your job.

Okay, if you must, try to keep it to a minimum. No matter how difficult your boss is, you can at least say you have a boss. (Which is exactly what your friend will think).

15. Check in with their family to see how they’re handling the change.

Anyone who depends on your friend will be affected in some way. What better way to be a friend than to remind them you’re there for support—for anyone who needs it.

People often think of unemployment as floating adrift somewhere between A and B; and then they try their hardest to get to B so they can be happy again. Get a consistent paycheck, settle in, and feel safe, secure, and certain. You’ll get there—but life is rarely certain. You only have this moment.

Unemployment provides a great opportunity to accept, adapt, and enjoy, even if things aren't perfect. 

How to find a new job using LinkedIn

How To Market Yourself In Today’s Economy

How To Market Yourself In Today’s Economy

You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to recognize that job seekers face obstacles today that they never imagined in the past. A lot has changed in the last few years, and you’ll need to adjust if you want to succeed. Competition is intense and more and more companies are turning to temporary, or contingent, workers in place of full-time employees. Since the pace of change is unlikely to slow, if you want to be successful, it’s up to you to keep up.

Make sure you are prepared to compete successfully. Find out how to market yourself in today’s economy:

Evaluate And Identify Career Trends In Your Field

Open your eyes and ears and keep abreast of what’s hot in your industry. You need to know what skills and experiences employers seek for the jobs you want. How can you uncover this information?

• Review job descriptions; what keywords show up again and again?
• What topics are keynote speakers including in their presentations at your professional conferences? (You can discover this online, even if you don’t attend.)
• What topics are thought leaders in your field writing about and discussing? (Read their blogs, newsletters and social media updates to find out.)
• When you have informational interviews with people in your field, what do they identify as their biggest obstacles, pain points and concerns?
• What do online tools (websites and social media sites) tell you about your industry?

Choose A Career Specialty

Even though employers are doing more with fewer people, the trend is to hire candidates with niche expertise. If you are a Jack (or Jill) of all trades and can do a lot of things, but don’t have a specialty area, it’s time to decide what you’re really good at and focus your energies on being the best in the business.

Need some help deciding what you should market as your go-to skill? Use the research you did to evaluate trends in your field to discover the most salient issues in your industry. If necessary, enroll in continuing education courses to fine tune your unique talents. Then, highlight those niche abilities.

You will stand out in a crowd of applicants when you market your specialty expertise. Then, you will be able to make your targeted case via strong application and marketing materials.

Demonstrate Your Career Expertise And Expand Your Network

Don’t just say you’re an expert in your field – show people that you have your finger on the pulse of your industry by using social networking tools to highlight exactly what you know. When you post frequent, smart updates on Twitter, Google+, and LinkedIn and engage in conversations with colleagues and thought leaders, you prove you have useful ideas and opinions.

The result? You’ll grow the number of potential allies in your network who are willing to refer you for job opportunities. Statistically, referrals are the best way to land jobs, so you’ll be well on your way to getting a position.

Learn How To Market Yourself

Using social media to demonstrate your expertise is a great first step, but it’s not enough to just engage in topical online conversations. You need to think about how to market yourself as if you were a company. Even if you aren’t seeing it in your field yet, studies suggest freelancers will eventually make up about 50% of the workforce, up from 35-40% currently.

If you can’t describe what you know and why someone should hire you, expect long periods of unemployment in your future.

Review your online bios; do they tell a compelling story about you? Does your LinkedIn headline include keywords and a pitch to inspire someone to want to learn more about you? Are you taking advantage of all the opportunities to make sure people who want to hire someone like you can find you online?

Do you have a professional avatar that makes you appear friendly, yet intelligent? All of these are key elements to help you maintain a competitive presence in your field and have a chance to land jobs – and gigs.

How To Leave The Military For A Civilian Job

How To Leave The Military For A Civilian Job

1. Realize You Have More Marketable Skills Than You Think

Leadership – Not common, very marketable, and every E4 and above has had experience in it that puts them ahead of their peers.

Composite Risk Management/Mitigation – We do this every day, and most of us despise it to some degree. It is not a particularly common qualification in the civilian sector, and is valued by employers.

Program/Project Management – Everything you do in the military as a leader is some form of Program or Project Management. From executing a rifle range to managing a long-range training plan with innumerable parts and pieces, we are experts in getting things done. Emphasize this as you move out into the civilian world, because it is a valuable skill.

There are a lot more. If you take the time to really think about it and do some homework, you will find the military has given you a lot of the tools to be successful without you even realizing it.

2. Figure Out What Field You Want To Work In

Human resources, marketing, logistics, operations, public relations, going back to school etc. There are enough choices to get your head spinning from day one.

So, I sat down and asked myself what I really wanted in a job outside of the military, and after a lot of discussion, I came to the following conclusion: I want a job that is going to allow me to be of service to people, that is ever evolving and challenging, and allows me to learn a skill set that will be in demand no matter where I go from my first post-military employer.

That was a bit broad, but it was a place to start. From there, I did some research on different industries and narrowed it down to a manageable few, from which I chose Human Resources/Talent Acquisition. I chose the HR/TA field for the following reasons:

It is an in demand skill. It has been for a long time, and will continue to be for years to come.

It is evolving constantly, keeping up with federal law/regulation, the ever evolving face of the company/organization it represents, and requires constant innovation to be effective.

It helps people, both internal to the organization it belongs to and outside of it.

This particular industry met the more critical tenets in my above conclusion, and I decided to pursue it. I am omitting a lot of the more tedious work that I did to come to that conclusion, but the message I am trying to get across is this: Figure out what you want to do before you are signing off of active duty – not from the perspective of a specific job necessarily, but a field of work.

This takes time and effort, but it will pay off in focusing your efforts. If you fail to take this step, your job search will be broad and unproductive.

3. Research The Companies You Want To Work For – In Depth

I initially did not, and it was a long-time mentor that pointed the importance of this out to me. Knowing what the culture, values, and goals of an organization are should be imperative in your search for employment.

4. Don’t Let Location Limit You In Your Search To Be Successful

Don’t pigeonhole yourself. That’s really all I can say about it. Opportunity isn’t always in our hometown, and sometimes the opportunity to grow professionally is more important than where we live for short periods of time.

5. Know You Are Your Own Best Career Manager

You heard it in the service, and it’s even more important on the outside. Decide what you want to do, find the organization that fits and then hone your professional products to fit, so that when you get your chance, you can make the recruiter see why veterans are one of the best hires out there.

5 Steps To Present Your Best Self During An Interview

5 Steps To Present Your Best Self During An Interview

Below are some simple steps every job seeker should take before each interview to ensure they present their best self in the most confident way:

1. Review your past.

• Where have you worked?
• What positions did you hold?
• How long were you in those positions?
• What unique responsibilities, experiences or opportunities were you given from these positions?
• …and ultimately, what did you learn from all of these?

2. Assess your present.

• What is your current position?
• What are your current responsibilities?
• What are you doing now to improve yourself?
• If you were laid off or took a voluntary hiatus, how are you utilizing that time to your advantage?

3. Envision your future.

• What are your goals?
• Do you plan to pursue more education?
• Would you ultimately like to achieve a leadership role in the new organization?
• What ideas might you have to propel the industry forward?

4. Know who you are.

In addition to steps 1-3, know what you are good at and where you could stand to use improvement. Be confident (not cocky) when you tell the interviewers what your strengths and weaknesses are. What current skills do you have that would easily crossover into a new role or industry?

5. Practice.

Practice telling your stories. Which words sound good when you say them? Which words don’t? What key elements do you want the employer to know and which are irrelevant?

Be able to tell a story, hit all the key points and don’t bore the interviewer(s) in the process. Have a friend conduct a mock interview with you so you get practice in front of another person.

One caveat: Don’t memorize anything. Just know what information you’d like to share and how you’d like to share it when the opportunity arises.

Remember, in the end, you are the one that needs or wants the job. As special as you are, the employer can easily find another person who will perform the same tasks. By knowing who you are, you will be more readily able to express to the interviewer what you as a unique individual have to offer and why they need to hire you.

By embracing all of who you are before the interview, you will have the tools you need to settle into a place of more confidence. When you exude this confidence and sense of knowing who you are, you’ll present the image of an articulate, focused and self-aware individual that employers will want to have on their team.

Now, who are you?

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Read more at http://www.careerealism.com/interview-present-best-self/#zJpDtLEpM9dX57Wx.99

Top Ten Best Online Job Websites

Top Ten Best Online Job Searching Websites 

Top Ten Resume Tips

Top Ten Resume Tips

1.  GET THE EMPLOYER'S ATTENTION

The easiest way to get an employer's attention is to include in your summary the exact skills requested in the employer's job announcement. The use of keywords at the very beginning of a resume will capture the employer's attention. Conversely, using a variety of skills that are unrelated to the position will detract from your value, not add to it. Using the employer's specific words will ensure you get attention, while paraphrasing with other language can be disadvantageous. Tagging "hard" (technical) skills on at the end of the resume may work for recruiters' electronic searches, but when the recipient/screener is actually reading your resume, your most important skills may be overlooked.

 

2. CLEARLY STATE YOUR SKILLS.

Having the right hard skills will determine if the employer will read further. "Soft" skills are important, but very difficult to measure/prove. In many cases, employers assume you have the related soft skills until they learn otherwise. Typically, soft skills can really be determined only with proof (quantifiable results) or when the employer actually meets you.

 

3. SUPPORT YOUR CLAIMS WITH FACTS.

If you have stated a skill in the summary portion of your resume, you need to support it through an example of your related accomplishment in the experience portion of your resume, whether you are using a functional or chronological format. Describing a specific incident, event, work experience, or project will show evidence or "prove" you have a specific skill. Fancy language may appear engaging, but for the discerning decision maker, it does not take the place of facts. Facts sell. Using concrete examples in your resume will also prepare you for your interview. Using vague statements may get you in the door, but at some point, you will have to come up with specifics to make it real. Better to do it now than assume you will be able to produce supporting details on cue during an interview without preparation.

 

4. PROVIDE EXAMPLES OF QUANTIFIABLE RESULTS.

Avoid generalities, or broad statements. Stick with numbers, percentages, and specific outcomes or descriptions of a process. Stating that you produced "extremely positive results," or that you "greatly improved performance" is vague. You need to include: by what measurement, in what time frame, and compared to what?

 

5. TELL THE EMPLOYER WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR THE ORGANIZATION.

Make sure that you are using work examples that are similar to employers' business needs. Define the scope of your work with the scope of the employer's work in mind. Expecting the employer to interpret is a risky undertaking. Screeners look for candidates that are "the same" as the job announcement. With enough easily identified "qualified" candidates, employers will not try to interpret, translate, or understand experience that is not the same as their request.

 

6. SPEAK THE EMPLOYER'S LANGUAGE.

Make it easy for the employer to relate to your value by using relevant terminology. Omit any unrecognizable acronyms or industry-specific language that employers will not recognize or identify with.

 

7. CREATE A GOOD FLOW.

The flow of your information should be logical and compel the reader to continue reading. Bouncing from idea to idea without a natural progression will lose the reader's attention. Grouping similar work examples or related outcomes is easier for the reader to follow.

 

8. AVOID REDUNDANCY.

When you repeat skills that you have stated in your summary in the body of your resume, make sure you have added information by attaching them to a result, outcome, or specific event, rather than simply re-stating them.

 

9. MAKE YOUR RESUME READER FRIENDLY.

If you are interested in making information stand out, using white space is more effective than underlining or using italics. Italics and underlining are hard on the reader's eyes when employers may be reviewing hundreds of resumes daily. Starting with no less than an inch margin around the border of your resume allows the reader to focus on the center. Use white space to make headings and titles stand out.

 

10. HAVE SOMEONE PROOF YOUR WORK.

Friends and family can proof for typos and grammatical errors. They can also tell you if your resume is pleasing to the eye. However, they cannot tell you whether or not it will be effective. Typically only the person screening your resume or a hiring manager in your specific industry will truly know if it is an effective resume.