We've all heard from employers that they want to hire people who are ‘lifelong learners'.  Between advances in technology, improvements in production and supply chain processes, and dynamics of demographics in the workforce, employees who want to continue to grow throughout their career will be the most desirable.  If you're wondering what upskilling is, or how you can do it, here are a few ideas of where to start.

• Improve your communication skills. This could involve verbal or written skills, or both. There are a number of online courses for improving written skills (and maybe your employer would be interested in offsetting costs for you). If speaking/presenting in larger groups is something you want to work on, consider organizations like Toastmasters.
• Learn how AI can assist your success. You can start by dabbling in whatever programs you use on a regular basis for work - Word, Google Docs, Adobe. All of these have options for some level of AI functionality. Once you've determined which tech will be most effective for your job and specialty, look for potential certifications that you could also earn.
• Find leadership opportunities internally. Managing people is an obvious way to increase your leadership skills, but there are other options. If your organization has a formal mentor program, ask how you can get involved. Informal mentorship is another leadership path. And don't forget that leadership on a particular committee, project or strategic initiative will also help you build upon existing skills and help you to learn new ones.

No matter what upskilling activity you choose, be sure to share the goal and action steps with your manager so your efforts can be documented in your performance reports and also in your annual review.

Before you head out to the beach, mountains or wherever you go for summer vacationing, summer is the perfect time to update all of your career information.  What does that include?  Everything from your resume to social media to sites and people you follow on a regular basis.

Dust off your resume…

You may not think that there’s anything to update on your resume, but it’s important to review that document every 6 months at a minimum.  Check dates on everything, make sure to include new bullet points for responsibilities and accomplishments in each section, and remove anything that has lost relevance to your career path.

Review and revise your profiles…

Once you’ve updated your resume, look at your online profile on sites like LinkedIN and modify anything so it aligns with the information on the resume.  Maybe it’s time to change your picture, edit your summary or add some new skills that you’ve gained since the last time you updated it.

Evaluate the companies and people to follow online…

All of your social media should be checked for which companies you are following – especially if you want to have career opportunities to find you.  Same thing with your network and people you follow – be strategic about who you connect with so professionals can reach out to you when they need someone with your skills and experiences.

As the technology available to us continues to develop, it can be tempting to use it in every part of our lives including job search.  Artificial intelligence apps like ChatGPT can be helpful in creating content for a resume, but there are also some things to consider if you choose to leverage this technology to represent your experiences and skills.

• Are you starting from scratch? If you haven't written a resume before, or it's been more than 10 years since you updated your document, AI may not be the best choice for your first draft. Before you get AI involved, take the time to write down your headings, dates, organizations, titles and accomplishments for work, volunteering, and education experiences. The general content should be all factual and not ‘fancied up' by AI.
• Some content can't be AI'ed. Certifications, licenses, training courses and post-secondary education all need to be specific about the accomplishment(s) and the dates achieved. No need for tech to be involved - just simple facts.
• Integrating details for impact. AI can be very useful in creating dynamic bullet points under your experiences. If you are a person who tends to keep things too concise, or you aren't comfortable noting your accomplishments, AI may help you. But, you will need to give the tech more information than you may be used to providing. For example, entering "Filed documents" isn't going to get much help with AI, but "filed confidential documents with pictures and notes about customer issues and how we resolved them at residential properties" will allow the AI to nuance the content into something that will be clear to the reader.
• Trust your intuition and personal knowledge. Ultimately, your resume needs to sound like you do in an interview. If the AI adds words that you would never use, make sure you go back through and switch out for other words. If the bullet points sound like they were ‘over managed', consider simplifying the content to accurately describe exactly what you have achieved.

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal highlighted multiple examples of companies hiring candidates who leveraged a personal connection to secure their new career opportunity.  In this age of using AI in job search for resumes, applications, cover and follow up letters, you may think that you can ‘tech your way through it’.  The reality is nothing compares to having an internal (or external) contact to vouch for your qualifications – so what steps should you go through to network during this process?

·        Identify your target employers and follow them on social media. This will keep you informed of their latest activities and will also show them during the screening process that you are interested in the organization.

·        Fully maximize your LinkedIn profile.  Double check that every area is thorough and reach out to your current network for Recommendations on specific skills that your targeted employers will be looking for.

·        Determine who in your current network works at the employers you want to hire you.  Reach out to these people via social media or email and ask to talk to them about the company, possible openings, their career path and how you can best improve your chances as a candidate.

·        Add people to your online network every week, but be strategic.  Rank your company preferences and look for second level connections at the highest ones first.  Reaching out to the CEO of Google as a 3^rd level Connection probably won’t work out.

·        Notify your friends and family that you are searching.  You never know ‘who knows a guy, who knows another guy’… Don’t miss out on a networking opportunity because you don’t take the time to let people know you are available to make a move.

Virtual interviewing requires some advanced planning to avoid issues and ensure success. To guarantee your virtual interview goes smoothly, practice using the technology you will be using with a friend a few days in advance.

• Determine where you're going to sit with a very neutral background and login to whatever platform you will be using (Zoom, Teams etc.).

• Test your microphone and camera.

• Ask your friend how your tone and volume speaking sound from their computer.

Taking the time to do the practice will help you be confident during the actual interview and show the interviewer your technical planning and execution capabilities too.

If a company has different posts for the same job opportunity at different locations, you should apply for as many locations as you would be willing to work at.  Since you don’t know if their hiring process occurs first at the regional or national offices or if applications go directly to the hiring team at the location of the position, posting for multiple opportunities increases the possibility to match as a qualified candidate.

It is always a good idea to follow up directly with the company you have applied to, and in person contact is the most effective way to have your application jump to the top for consideration.  Just be aware that management at the location the position is at may not be able to officially move you into the ‘yes’ pile without review by online applicant tracking system software (at a higher level of the company) and/or HR personnel or a third-party recruiter review the application and evaluates the candidates.  If you go to the company, make sure you are dressed and ready for an interview with copies of your resume, any examples of your accomplishments and your work in case you are able to meet with someone to discuss your qualifications. 

The best STAR answers will help the interviewer to feel like they were there.  Here are some key steps on how to do that:

1)  Clearly explain the situation - "As a Sales Representative with XYZ, one of my responsibilities was to collaborate with my merchandisers to ensure our products had displays in multiple locations in our accounts.  That included the deli, produce, snack section and bakery departments."

2)  Provide enough detail on the tasks and actions to have the interviewer understand specifically what you did - "We communicated via email and text daily as we made our calls on each account.  Each week we would decide who would take the lead on asking the store management for display space and then determine which day of the week would be our goal to put up the displays.  As we went throughout the week, each merchandiser would update the team on their progress and I then shared our results with my manager.  I took pictures of our displays, entered location and product information into our online system for tracking purposes, restocked main section shelving and reordered product to ensure zero out of stock items."

3)  The results are the most important part of the STAR answer so think of it as the punchline to a joke and make it impactful - "Because we had a consistent communication system as a collaborative team, we increased sales in our accounts by 25% versus last year and I was recognized as Top Sales Representative for the Southwest Region in 2022."

Turn on any morning news show this time of the year and you will find someone talking about what college graduates should be doing after the graduation ceremony.  Whether a graduate has a job setup or not, there are some things everyone should consider doing as they move into the next phase of life...

• Update social media - If you have a new job, make sure that's on your LinkedIn profile and post it on Instagram/Facebook so your employer sees your excitement about joining their team. If you are still in job search mode, note that on LI so prospective employers can find you and make sure you are following companies you want to work for on their social media too.
• Get organized - If you will be working at home (either parttime or fulltime), clean out the space for your office, throw away old files or store them, purchase basic materials and identify how you want to organize work product. If you are starting a new job - or staying in a current one - do a late Spring cleaning so you start post-graduation with a fresh work area.
• Refresh your tech - Clean up your hard drive and cloud - you don't need your freshman year English essays anymore. Save those old files to a jump drive and start your post-grad life with lots of space electronically.

It's important to first determine if there would possibly be any other positions in that company that you might want to apply for now or in the future.  If not, then it is appropriate to politely tell the interviewer that you are not interested any more - here are some tactful ways to do that.

·        "Before I answer any other questions, I wanted to thank you for sharing more information about the position and company.  Based on this information, I believe there may be other candidates that are a better fit for this position so I am going to remove myself from the hiring process at this time.  Thank you for your consideration of me as a candidate." 

Or

·        "Thank you for sharing more information about the position and responsibilities.  I apologize for any inconvenience to your schedule, but I believe that my current career goals are not a fit for this position at this time so I am gong to remove myself from the interview process. I appreciate your time and your consideration of me as a candidate."

For job seekers that don't want to verbally address this, the other option (and the one to use if there is potential to apply for other positions in the future) is to write an email immediately after the interview informing the person that you have decided to opt out.  Something like this:

"I appreciate your time today.  After our meeting and having a greater understanding of the requirements for this position, I have decided to remove myself from the process.  At this time, I believe there will be other candidates that are a better fit for your needs."

The key is to remain professional and honest to save time for the employer and you during the hiring process.

1)  Identify what you do and don't like about your current job. 

This step lets you figure out the responsibilities and activities that you want to look for in your next role, and which ones you may want to steer away from.  If your past experience is personnel management heavy and you want to be more project management focused in your next job then search specifically for positions with that.  Going through this exercise will also increase the chances that you will find an opportunity that you will enjoy and want to stay in. 

2)  Find a job board site (or sites) that feature jobs in the industry you want to transition to and at the level of expertise you have to offer a company. 

Job boards offer a wide range of postings, but doing research on where the companies you want to target post their jobs will maximize your time when you are online.  Consider posting a generic version of your resume on a larger site (Indeed, Zip Recruiter) so companies can find you when they post jobs aligned with your experience.  Take time on LinkedIn to update all of your information and follow companies you may want to transition to - you will be notified when they post jobs on the site, so this is a time saver. 

3)  Update all your documentation that you will use throughout the process; resume, cover letter/intro email, work product examples, and follow up communication. 

Updating your resume is obvious, but you can prepare for all of the hiring steps before they happen to lessen last minute stress when you get an interview.  Have a few different templates ready for introducing yourself via email to people in your network or for posting on company sites if they ask for a cover letter - keep these brief and to the point focused on the skills the company needs and your specific experience.  Organize documentation that shows your abilities and results achieved in your past jobs including performance reviews, communication from your manager and co-workers noting your accomplishments, and non-proprietary work examples to show as visual aids during interviews.  Create follow up communication that can be tailored based on your discussions with hiring personnel - be sure to highlight specifics on why you are a match for the position and thank them for their time and consideration of you as a candidate.

 

For some people the topic of networking is overwhelming while others actively network on a daily basis.  According to data from LinkedIn, 43% of people currently have a strong network which means 57% of us need to be focusing more energy on this to further our career.  Your network can be crucial to your career no matter what phase you are in.  Here are some things to consider as you evaluate the current state of your network and determine an action plan moving forward:

·        Is your network solid enough to support you in finding a new job?  It’s interesting to note that workers are 2x more likely to get a new job from weak connections than from direct ones.  This means it’s not only “who you know”, but “who do they know?”  As you look at your current network, are you being strategic about adding new people who have friends that may be able to guide you to a future career opportunity.

·        Where are you tracking your network and it’s growth?  If you aren’t on LinkedIn, now’s the time to consider joining.  You can make Connections, see your Connections network, and follow companies that you may want to work for in the future.  Building your network should also include other websites tailored to your profession and organizations that you can affiliate with to meet and communicate with people in your industry.

·        How are you supporting the people in your network?  When someone reaches out to you and asks for an introduction, are you responding right away that you are happy to help?  As people find you online and ask to connect, do you add them and send a personal hello message?  If you find an article, webinar, resource that would help others do you share that on your social media and/or via email?  These are just a few ideas on how you can collaborate and support the people in your network on a regular basis. 

As you think about your New Year’s resolutions, remember to include your professional goals.  This doesn’t mean you need to necessarily find a new job – the goals can be small but impactful with results in 2023.  Here are some categories to consider putting on your list:

·       Training/Education:  When was the last time you learned something new that could assist you with your job?  Computer/tech skills, time management and communication techniques are common ones to think about.  Depending on your role there may be other educational opportunities internally or through external companies that are cost-free as an employee.

·       Processes:  Did you purge your office/workspace at the end of the year?  When does your company’s fiscal year end and take time then (or plan to now) to go through files, clean up your email communication into folders, create new files/folders for 2023 and clean off your whiteboard and/or get a new planner.

·       Network:  Think about your current network at your company and outside of your company in your industry or partner/collaborative industries.  Have you limited your network to people you have to interact with?  Are their people in certain roles or companies that you would like to start communicating with to potentially add to your network?   Your career is a lifelong journey and the people in your network could be pivotal in assisting you to make changes or move forward in the future.

Every activity you participate in can be an opportunity to build or master skills.  Take a few minutes to evaluate how you are learning new skills and/or perfecting existing ones over the summer months:

• Volunteering – think about the activities you do when you give your time to volunteer organizations - maybe you share your analytical, creative, technological, or leadership skills.

• Family time – we sometimes forget that some of the most important skills we use in our jobs are mastered at home - communication, organization, time management, and problem-solving skills could all fall into this category.

• Professional organizations – when you interact with peers in your industry or others, are you sharing your expertise?  Have you gained skills from these people that will translate into your work experiences?

Heading on a summer vacation and still want to feel productive?  This is a great time to take a few minutes to create a ‘to do' list for your career.  Not only are you more relaxed on vacation, but you're probably able to take time to be reflective.  Here are some ideas to stimulate your thoughts...

• What administrative tasks do you need to do (i.e., update your resume)?
• When did you last update your online profiles? If it's been more than 6 months, it's time...
• Are there new network contacts that you need to connect with online?
• Do you have new responsibilities at work that you need to start documenting in preparation for your next professional development discussion with management?
• Are there skills you want to learn (i.e., language, technology)?
• Who do you need to write a thank you email to (personally and professionally)?

The Today Show this morning had a segment on how to manage a few things in your job as you return to the office.  The tips were helpful and here are some additional ideas on how to prepare for your annual/semi-annual performance review:

• Explain your value to the job/department - During the year, take note of your activities that produce results and gather information to bring to the review about how you personally have affected change/made an impact/contributed to the team.
• Don't hesitate to brag - A performance discussion should always include recognition that you received - internally and/or externally. Share emails from co-workers/management/customers, formal recognition (awards), and details about verbal discussions where people identified you as an exceptional performer.
• Make an appointment - This meeting should be planned out - by you and the person you report to. The most effective performance reviews happen with both parties have time to collect information about actions and activities. The preparation is crucial to having a productive discussion that helps you move forward in achieving your career goals.

According to the news, there are many jobs available in different industries.  If you are a current job seeker who is struggling to find a position, here are some things that may be getting you blocked and ways to navigate the process differently.

• Software is blocking your resume from human eyes. Applicant tracking systems are being used by many companies regardless of size. Some aspects of how these will interpret your resume you can't necessarily anticipate, but some are obvious. The biggest key is to read the job description carefully and use as many similar words as possible in your resume. This is especially important with technical skills and certifications/licensures.
• Submitting your resume online is only one approach. If you are relying on your resume to be the only form of communication you use to initiate contact with employers, you are missing important job search activities. Email and/or call the HR department to confirm your resume was received and explain your interest in the position. Do you know the name of the hiring manager? Communicate via email to them and sell yourself - remember to attach the resume you submitted online too.
• Let people know you are looking. You don't need to necessarily post on your LinkedIn profile that you are searching, but you definitely should message people in your network that could lead you to your next career opportunity. Don't forget to let your family and friends know that you are searching - never know who knows someone who can assist you.

Whether you are back in person at work or staying at home for your job, this is a good time to expand your network.  If you aren't on LinkedIn®, there may be alternative ways to increase your contacts depending on your industry.  No matter what online platform you are using, here are tips to be effective when adding to your network.

• Personalize your request message. Avoid using the default message on websites when requesting that people connect with you or provide you their contact information. Be specific about why you are interested reaching out to them and keep your message brief.
• Follow up once you are connected. Take the time to send a thank you message to anyone who honors your request. If you would like to talk to them about a certain topic or get to know them beyond the website (ie: send emails directly to them), this is a good time to get their information to communicate outside the site.
• Be prepared to get more requests to connect. Once you start increasing your network, all of those people's contacts will now see that you are connected. You may start to get requests from people who aren't necessarily relevant to your career goals and network objectives. Quality is much more important than quantity for a valuable network, so don't just add people to have a certain number on the website.

Employers may be changing the way they hire with our current social distancing, so as a candidate you need to be sure you prepare for the new methods.  Here are some best practices to help you present your skills effectively.

• Location is important. Find a place in your home that you can be completely undisturbed with complete quiet. Since the interviewer will be able to see you, there should not be anything in the background that would be distracting to the employer. Try to find a blank wall that will keep the person focused on what you are saying.
• Prepare as if you were going to meet with the interviewer in person. A video interview is just like an in person interview - dress for the interview by wearing a suit or equally appropriate attire for your industry and the position you are applying for.
• Understand your technology. Identify what web platform or program you will be using and if you need to download it a few days in advance so you can make sure you won't have buffering issues for the interview. Determine how to position yourself for the best visual appearance on the webcam. Check your speaking volume and get a separate microphone if necessary. Detachable microphones are very affordable and can make the most soft spoken person sound confident and interview appropriate.
• Practice with a friend to improve your skills. Have someone help you to establish what volume you should have on both your microphone and your speakers. Practice your speaking level with a friend. Get online with someone you trust and practice your tone and level of speech. Deliver answers to commonly asked questions, and questions you anticipate that are industry or position specific.

National organizations like Goodwill are helping job seekers find employers through virtual career fairs like this one - Goodwill Virtual Career Fair Event

Whether you know it or not, an ATS- Applicant Tracking System - may be looking at your resume long before any human does at your next employer.  These software programs search for the best candidates based on the resumes and/or online applications they submit.  After you submit your resume or application the system identifies words and /or phrases that are a match for the position based on the job description.   Here's what you need to do to keep your resume ‘in play' for this type of screening:

• Be aware that this technology could be in play with any size organization. Don't assume that a small company won't use this program to maximize their hiring process time.
• Closely evaluate the job description and tailor your resume language to fit the wording in the posting. Use the same keywords that are in the job description in your resume wherever possible. Don't overstate your skills just to ‘match' words - employers will figure out that candidates have done that eventually and they will no longer be considered for the job.
• Upload a document in the format the company is requesting. Candidates can stay best prepared by always having a Word document that they can quickly update and then change into PDF if the company is requesting that format.

Now that a new decade has arrived, it's time to get ready for any career opportunities that may be headed your way.  Even if you aren't anticipating a job search, the start of a new year can help you dust off your documents, update your online presence, and increase your chances to expand your network.  So if you haven't already taken the time to do this - here are the three things to do now:

1.       Dig out your career documents and update them... Find your most recent resume and cover letter and make sure all the dates are correct, the content is accurate, and new information is added.  Don't forget to remove outdated things too - expired licensure or certifications, professional groups you don't participate in anymore, volunteering your haven't done for years, etc.  If you keep a ‘brag book', double check that you have added all of your 2019 documents so it's ready to go when you need it.  This is also the perfect time to start writing down information for a thorough and positive performance discussion with your boss.

2.       Check your online presence... When did you update your profile pictures on LinkedIn, Facebook, and any other career relevant platforms?  Review your profile information to make it current with organizations, your work experience, volunteering, training, technical skills, language skills, and any licensing or certifications you secured in 2019. 

3.       Plan your 2020 networking activities... Even if you have 500+ Connections in LinkedIn, you should have an annual plan on how you want to increase or modify your network.  This could include professional affiliations to join, specific groups you follow on Facebook or LinkedIn, continuing education activities you attend, or internal cross-training you ask to participate in.  The key is making a plan with multiple steps and options so if one doesn't meet your goal you can select something different to build your network in the new decade.