Warning Signs That You Could Lose Your Job

Are you worried about losing your job? It can happen to anyone, sometimes when you least expect it. Even during the best of times, companies make changes and employees get laid off. During challenging economic times, your work status can become even more precarious.

How can you tell if you’re about to lose your job? Sometimes, employers announce furloughs and cutbacks, and it can be very clear that your employment is in jeopardy. In other cases, it’s not so easy to tell if your position may be on the chopping block.

There are warning signs to look out for, and ways you can prepare if you think it could happen to you. Some are major changes that impact many employees. Others are more personal and related to your relationship with your manager and the company.

12 Signs Your Job Is at Risk

Here’s what to look out for if you’re concerned about losing your job.

1. Earnings Reports Are Dismal

One of the biggest red flags to watch is profits (and losses). If an organization is losing money, they are going to be looking at ways they can turn things around. That could mean cutting individual jobs or groups of employees.

2. Budgets Are Getting Cut

Even if a company is profitable, certain departments and teams may not be. If you know that your department’s budget is getting cut, be aware that jobs can be part of the budget-trimming process.

3. The Company Starts Changing Work Processes

Companies are always looking out to save money, and change is inevitable in today’s workplace. Those changes can have an impact on jobs, and a new way of doing something can cost employees who work as part of the old process in their positions. If your employer is discussing implementing new systems, think about how it might impact your role.

4. The Company Is Cutting Other Jobs

If jobs are being cut on other teams or employees are being furloughed, it may mean that more cost-cutting will happen down the line. Is your position one that could be eliminated? When you hear about job cuts, it’s worth considering your role and how future cuts could impact your position.

5. The Company Has Merged or Been Acquired

When mergers and acquisitions happen, there are often redundancies and job cuts. For example, companies don’t need two accounting departments or two shipping departments. If your company has merged or been bought by a larger company, be aware that there will most like be changes to the workforce.

6. You Don’t Get Along With Your Boss

Sometimes losing your job doesn’t have anything to do with money. If you and your manager are butting heads all the time and can’t seem to agree on anything, it’s a sign that this may not be the job for you. Do consider if there’s a way to work things out, but be aware that you may not be able to.

7. You’re Being Excluded From Meetings

Are there meetings that you aren’t being invited to? If you’re working remotely, does everyone else seem to be unexpectedly out of the loop sometimes? Could they be having Zoom meetings withoutyou? If you have the sense that something is going on that you’re not a part of, you might very well be right.

8. You’re Not Included in Emails and Meetings

Email is the same scenario as meetings. Does it seem like your inbox is empty when you expect it to be full? Do you expect to be copied in on certain messages, but it appears that’s not happening? Are there meetings happening without you? That’s a clue you’re not part of whatever is happening at the moment.

9. Your Hours Are Cut

If your hours are being cut, it’s a very clear sign that you may no longer be needed. That’s especially the case if it’s just your scheduled hours that are being changed. If everyone else is working the same schedule as always, consider it a warning.

10. You’re Getting Bad Reviews

Is your performance getting bad reviews? Even if you’re doing everything you’re supposed to be doing at work and then some, and you’re still getting negative reviews, it’s something to be concerned about. Consider talking to your manager about what you need to do to improve.

11. You Don’t Have Much Work to Do

Are you being assigned less work? Are there projects that you normally would have been a part of that other team members are working on instead? Do you have an empty desk with nothing much to do? If you’re not being assigned work, it can be a sign that you’re not needed. It’s an even bigger sign if someone else is doing work that traditionally would have been yours.

12. You’re Not Getting Promoted

If you’re getting passed over for promotions, it doesn’t mean your tenure with the company is coming to an end. It does mean that you should evaluate your relationship with your employer and decide if it’s worth staying or if it would be better to think about moving on.

What to Do if You’re Worried About Losing Your Job

One of the best things you can do when you’re concerned that your job is at stake is to prepare to find a new one. Even if it’s a temporarily challenging situation and it resolves itself, it’s always a good idea to be ready to look for a new role.

Don’t advertise the fact that you’re job searching, but do start discreetly to prepare to move on. That way, you’ll be prepared if you need to start looking for a new position in a hurry. Here’s how to get started:

• Update your resume. Be sure your resume is current and includes your latest (and most relevant) work history. Add new skills, certification, education, and professional development.
• Update LinkedIn. Make sure that your LinkedIn profile is as current as your resume, but before you start, change your privacy settings, so your connections (and your boss and co-workers) don’t know that you are making changes. You will be able to make discreet changes without advertising that you’re considering a job search. Click Account, Settings & Privacy, Share job changes, education changes, and work anniversaries from profile, and select “No”.
• Build your network. Start adding strategically to your network. Build up your network so you’re connecting with people who can help your job hunt if you hit the “go” button and are ready to move on.
• Start investigating jobs and companies. Spend some time looking at job listings for positions in your field of interest. In addition to seeing what’s available, you’ll get an idea of how robust the job market is for someone with your credentials. Search on Google and some of the top job sites to get a broad picture of what’s out there.
• Check your finances. Are you financially prepared to handle a layoff? Unemployment will supplement some of your pay, but not all. If you’re short on savings, what can you do (freelance, gigs, etc.) to get by until you get hired?
• Consider applying for jobs. If you’re worried about losing your job, you may want to preemptively start a job search. Even if your job isn’t at risk, the fact that you were concerned is a flag that this may not be the best job for you. Seeing what else is out there will give you an opportunity to move your career forward on your own terms.

If you do lose your job, don’t panic. Here are some things you can do get back on track and get hired.

•  
• 

from Career Tool Belt https://ift.tt/s3Pwqlr

Read More

6 Signs it’s Time for a Career Change

It’s not always easy to find a new job, but it can be even more challenging when you want to change your career.

However, with planning, some time and a strategy in place you can reinvent your career and make the change, regardless of where you are in your current career or how old you are.

In fact, many people who successfully change careers are mid-career and are tired or burned out or just wanting to do something different with the rest of their working lives.

Changing Jobs vs. Changing Careers

One thing to consider is that there’s a difference between changing jobs and changing careers. Changing jobs is defined as moving to a similar position with a different employer.  It is, of course, easier to do. Changing careers is more involved and usually means moving to a completely different type of position or to a different industry.

A career change may mean retraining, additional education, and even starting over at a low-level position and beginning a new career path from scratch.

It’s not always simple, which is why I am sometimes surprised by the number of people who successfully change careers, often later in life. It isn’t always easy to do and sometimes takes a leap of faith and a bit of bravery.

Are You Ready for a Change?

It’s very easy to get set in your ways and to think that because you have always had this job or worked in that industry you can’t do anything else. That’s not true.

We can all make a change if we want to. The timing needs to be right and the foundation for making a move needs to be established, but it can be done. The hardest part is convincing yourself that you’re ready to do it – and that you can do it!

6 Signs That it’s Time for a Career Change

In some cases, you may not even be aware that you need a change. You might be bored or tired or simply don’t feel like going to work.

Another sign is when you are using every excuse you can think of to take time off, and cringe at the thought of going back to work.

Even worse, you just don’t like your job and would rather be anywhere else than at work. That can happen to anyone.  When it does, there are warning signs that are an indicator that it could be time for a change.

Are you complaining about work all the time? Do you simply not want to do your job anymore, regardless of what company you’re working for?

Have you experienced signs of stress which you can’t attribute to anything other than work, which is driving you almost crazy?

Is your job boring? Can’t get anything done? Are you accomplishing less during a typical work day or procrastinating about doing important tasks?  When your job stops being fun, it can be a sign you need a new one.

Has your job been the same for what seems like forever? If you have trouble creating a professional development plan or setting goals on the job, then your job may have run its course.

Do you start dreading going to work on Monday morning – or every morning? That can be a signal that you are experiencing low job satisfaction or increased stress on the job.

Do you constantly thinking about quitting or retiring? Though we all think about escaping work at times, an obsessive focus on moving on can mean that this isn’t the career for you anymore.

9 Reasons Why You Should Think About a Career Change

Here’s a quick list of the signs that may indicate it’s time for a career change:

• Burned out
• Always complaining about work
• Tired
• Not interested in the job
• Will take any excuse for not to going to work
• Unable to focus on tasks
• Unproductive
• Performing poorly
• Stressed

If some of these symptoms describe you, keep in mind that your boss has probably noticed, too. You may want to start thinking about finding a new job before your boss thinks of it.

It’s easier to job search when you have a job than when you just got fired.

It’s easier to explain that you want to advance your career than it is to explain you lost your job because of poor performance. It can be awkward to discuss why you lost your position during a job interview.

Related Articles: 10 Steps to a Successful Career Change | 30 Days to Your Dream Job

•  
• 

from Career Tool Belt https://ift.tt/xV8igUt

Read More

Can You Work Two Full-Time Jobs?

Working two full-time jobs used to be a virtual impossibility. Because the majority of workers performed their duties at a physical work site, holding down two jobs meant putting in at least 80 hours a week—tough to pull off, if you also need to commute, eat, sleep, and attend to any responsibilities outside of work.

But the world of work is changing. As more employers embrace telecommuting and full-time remote jobs, another trend has emerged: the full-time double-timer. For obvious reasons, it’s hard to come by accurate stats on just how many people are working two full-time jobs. But it’s safe to say that the practice is on the rise. So, can you—and should you—join them?

Here’s what you need to consider:

Are You Breaking the Rules?

If you have an employment contract or employee handbook, now’s the time to consult them. Many companies have rules in place to prohibit moonlighting (otherwise known as “working two jobs”). You’ll want to make sure you understand corporate policy, especially if you’ve signed a contract stating that you’ll adhere to it.

But even if your employer doesn’t specifically forbid moonlighting, you can still get in trouble for it. Look for contract language restricting your ability to work for competitors, use the company’s intellectual property for another organization, or similar.

What Are Your Other Responsibilities?

Even if you’re young and single and willing to put your hobbies and friendships on a shelf for a while, you have responsibilities outside of work. Can you take care of yourself and maintain your health and happiness if you hold two jobs?

Some people don’t need a lot of sleep. Others may be willing to multitask by eating at their desk or exercising while they work by incorporating a treadmill desk. But keep in mind that even those folks need some downtime eventually. Be honest with yourself about what you can handle.

What Are Your Goals?

Think about why you want to work two full-time jobs. Maybe you’re hoping to pay down debt, build up savings, get a head start on a second career. Whatever your reasons, it’s important to be clear about them. Knowing why you’re embarking on this experiment will help you define success in the short- and long-term.

What Is the Long-Term Plan?

And speaking of the long-term, know what that looks like. For most people, working 80-plus hours a week won’t work as a permanent career choice. Even if you love what you do, you are likely to want other things in your life besides work at some point. In fact, loving what you do may be the biggest reason to make the two-jobs lifestyle a short-term choice. In the long run, you might want to get promoted or start your own business or otherwise focus your professional life on a single track.

What Are the Alternatives?

If you’ve read this far and you’re having second thoughts, know that you don’t have to throw out your plans altogether. There are other ways to earn more money, gain experience, or try new professional paths without taking on a second full-time job:

• Freelance or contract work: Earn extra money while gaining valuable work experience…without committing to another 40-hour-per-week job.
• Education or internships: Train for a job that pays more and fits better with your personal and professional goals.
• Negotiate salary or find a new job: Earn more without doubling your workload by negotiating a raise or looking for a better paying role.

How Will You Make This Work?

Ready to add another full-time job to your schedule? Create a plan to make it work. Figure out how you’ll manage your workload, time, and interactions with two sets of bosses.

Remember that you won’t have a lot of energy to spare, so create a system that will work even when you’re tired or otherwise feeling unproductive. For example, you might try working on different laptops, especially if they’re supplied by your employers, so that you don’t accidentally message one boss about the other boss’s priorities.

Above all, be discreet. Even if you’ve approved your plan with both companies, you won’t want to emphasize your dual commitments. And should you decide to keep things under wraps, remember: a secret that involves two people isn’t a secret. Don’t tell any of your colleagues anything that you don’t want to get back to the rest of your team.

•  
• 

from Career Tool Belt https://ift.tt/ESWwy9t

Read More

7 High-Demand Careers That Value Military Skills

Finding a job can be hard for newly returned veterans adapting to civilian life. Describing military skills on a civilian resume can be a challenge. However, the attributes gained through military service are valued in many high-demand jobs today. From logistics to security, many careers are particularly good for service members transitioning from active duty to the private sector. Here are seven in-demand fields, along with tips on how to qualify for them:

1. Government and Contractor Jobs

Many military jobs actually transfer so well into government positions that you might not even feel like you’ve left the military – except, of course, for the change in clothes. A large percentage of these jobs are found in the Washington, D.C. region; however, a good number of them are also located throughout the country and/or overseas as well. Your skills will especially be sought after if you have held a security clearance while you were on active duty. Be sure to note this on your résumé to show that you’re “clearable.” Additionally, if you held one within the previous two years and your re-evaluation period hasn’t passed, your clearance can be reactivated.

2. Construction Supervisor / Heavy Equipment Operator

Military experience fits nicely with the construction industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), this industry is growing at a faster-than-average rate. Construction companies are always looking for managerial and specialized labor positions and, if you’re already qualified, getting hired should be no problem. Or, if you have experience but need certification in an area, such as heavy equipment operation, you can get qualified. Also, be sure and check out the Helmets to Hardhats website for vet-specific advice and resources.

3. Personal Trainer / Fitness Instructor

Being fit is an important part of military culture, and former service members are ideal for working as a personal trainer or fitness instructor. They understand what’s involved in maintaining a good fitness program because they’ve had to practice it in their everyday lives in order to pass regular physical fitness tests. As a military member, you know how to stay focused and dedicated to staying in shape. Both are great attributes to bring to the private sector. To qualify, you need experience and certification. If you want to make your résumé even more attractive – and potentially more lucrative – why not get CPR certified while you’re at it?

4. Cybersecurity

The demand for technology-related jobs is growing at an incredibly fast rate. The BLS predicts a 28 percent growth through 2026, and currently there is a shortage for skilled talent in the field. Former service members usually are highly sought after for these jobs.

Cybersecurity and related jobs are particularly sensitive; people in these jobs need to possess specific attributes that employers actively seek, such as discretion, attention to detail, and a willingness to follow procedural requirements to the letter – qualities usually found in the military community. Even if your job in the military wasn’t tech-centric, you can get certified as you work your way up. There are even some programs for veterans to help you get started, free of cost if you qualify. If you have a college degree, you can advance even faster in this hot industry.

5. Customer Service Representative

Just about every industry needs good customer service representatives. Essentially, these employees are the face of an organization, providing a customer’s first experience with the company. Former service members are often valued in these jobs because they have the innate skills needed: strong listening and excellent communication abilities, and an ability to effectively take action and provide solutions (i.e. handle complaints). Since all branches of the U.S. military emphasize these skills, vets are usually a good fit. To qualify, you’ll need a high school diploma and on-the-job training, along with some basic computing skills (and advanced skills are a huge plus).

6. Logistics and Operations Manager

In the age of Amazon, businesses are trying to get merchandise to customers faster than ever. Efficiency is crucial – and, as you know, the military is all about getting things done. According to GI Jobs, operations managers top the list of in-demand positions for vets in 2018. Titles may include: business manager, facilities manager, general manager, operations director, production manager, or plant supervisor, to name a few. To qualify, you’ll need leadership experience and a bachelor’s degree.

7. Aircraft Technicians

Despite the problems that major U.S. airlines are facing, industry experts say aviation jobs are still in high demand because equipment is getting “bigger, faster and more high-tech.” In-demand positions include power plant mechanics, air frame mechanics, and avionics technicians. You’ll need to have, at a minimum, 1,900 hours of class time and hands-on training. If you have this in your military experience, great! You may be eligible to take and pass the necessary certification test. However, even if not, you can pursue training in this industry by taking classes at an FAA-certified school to prepare for the test.

While it might not seem true on the surface, there are numerous different ways that military experience translates into the civilian world. Other hot fields that veterans can pursue include law enforcement, private security, disaster planning and preparation, and security systems.

Bonus Career Option

The solar industry is a high-growth industry with a strong job outlook. job EcoWatch’s The Veteran’s Guide to Solar Jobs provides information on programs and businesses that offer support for veterans interested in starting a career in the solar industry.

How to Get Career Help

The trick is finding ways to demonstrate to employers just how your military skills, knowledge, and experience translate to these most in-demand positions. If you’re having difficulty or aren’t sure where to start after separating from the military, here are some other steps and resources to help you.

• Use an online skills translator to help you create a resume that civilian employers will understand.
• Check to see if you qualify for education benefits for veterans.
• Explore degree programs where you can receive credit for military service; many schools offer this to former military members.
• Visit the Veterans Employment Center and GI Jobs websites to help you find resources that can help.

Moving from military to civilian life does come with its challenges, but if you know how to take your skills, brand yourself properly, showcase your skills on your resume and in job interviews, and show employers what you can do, it makes the transition a lot easier. The good news is that many more companies are actively seeking veterans and, once you find your niche, you will be a sought-out candidate for some of the country’s most in-demand jobs.

Brad Miller is a Marine Corps veteran who served two combat deployments in Afghanistan. He comes from a military family with a long tradition of service. He and his brother created The Military Guide as a “straight shooters handbook” to provide helpful resources to service men and women at every stage of their military careers – from those first timid steps into the recruiter’s office to walking proudly off base with a DD-214 as a newly minted veteran and beyond.

•  
• 

from Career Tool Belt https://ift.tt/96h1pUc

Read More

5 Back-to-Basics Job Search Tips

Looking for a job right now? If so, you’re probably getting plenty of advice. From old friends and colleagues to experts on social media, there are plenty of folks out there who want to guide your search.

The problem is that even well-intentioned insights can be less than helpful if they don’t apply to your situation or goals. Further, you only have so much time to devote to a job search—without cloning yourself, you can’t possibly do everything everyone says you “should” be doing to get hired.

If this is your situation right now, take heart and tune out the noise. Going back to basics will help you get your job search back on track.

1. Assess Your Needs and Plan a Strategy

Are you looking for your dream job—or are you just trying to keep the lights on? Both things can be true, by the way, but before you start searching in earnest, it’s important to have a firm grasp of your short- and long-term goals.

To do that, you need to assess your needs. If you’re like many Americans, you don’t have much in the way of an emergency fund. So, if you’re job searching while unemployed, your top priority might be to find a way to make money, fast. Consider part-time jobs, freelance work, or temp jobs to pay the bills while you conduct your search.

Once you’ve determined your goals and filled those short-term needs, you can settle in for the long haul—and it’s important to accept that it might be a long haul. Surveys show that it can take several months to find a job. It’s not just you: this really is a long, tricky, time-consuming process. Plan to do a little each day, whether it’s pruning your resume, looking for job listings, or keeping in touch with networking contacts.

And don’t forget to take care of yourself in the process. Job searching can be stressful, and it’s essential to incorporate self-care in your process.

2. Build a Resume You Can Tweak for Any Job

When was the last time you updated your resume? If it’s been over a year—or you’re actively job searching—it’s time for an edit. Make sure your resume is highlighting your most relevant experience and cut anything that’s outdated, including old jobs that no longer relate to your current career goals and lines like “references upon request.”

Starting from scratch? Use one of the many free resume templates available online to create a basic document, which you can then customize for each opportunity. And do customize it—a targeted resume is essential for a successful job search. Remember that hiring managers want to interview candidates who are interested in that specific job, not just any job.

3. Match Your Qualifications to the Job Description

Get out of the habit of skimming job postings. Instead, dig into the details provided to learn which of your qualifications will be most impressive to the hiring team. Look for keywords related to the skills, abilities, and experience required and then match your qualifications to the job in your resume, cover letter, and interviews.

4. Create a Targeted Cover Letter

In an era when job seekers in many industries have multiple social media profiles, online resumes, and portfolios, it might seem strange to labor over a cover letter. Doesn’t a cover letter just restate what your other documents, profiles, and sites already reveal?

Well, yes and no. It’s true that a hiring manager could probably figure out from your (well-organized, targeted) resume that you’re the perfect candidate for the job. But given that recruiters typically spend seconds reviewing a resume, there’s a good chance that they’d miss how awesome you are.

A targeted cover letter gives you a chance to tell that story yourself. Again, templates are your friend here, but you’ll need to customize your letter for each opportunity. Remember that even when job titles are similar, employers’ requirements will be different, even if subtly so.

5. Find Job Leads Quickly

When you’re looking for a job, time is of the essence. You simply don’t have hours to waste searching in the wrong places or talking to the wrong people. To maximize your job hunting time, look for job leads:

• On job search sites. Use the best job search sites, best job search engines, and niche sites to find job listings that are right for you. Search by keyword and location and sign up for email alerts based on your focus.
• Through social media. Social media can help you find job listings, build your professional network, and create a personal brand. It’s also an easy way to let your contacts know that you’re searching for work.
• Through friends and colleagues. Networking remains one of the best ways to find a job, with some experts estimating that as many as 85% of jobs are filled via referral. Best of all, networking can support other methods of finding job leads. For example, if you find a job listing that looks promising on LinkedIn, you might remember that you have a contact at the employer and ask them to put in the good word.
• At your college career services office. Many colleges offer free job search assistance to alumni for life. So even if you graduated long ago, it’s worth reaching out to your college career services office to see if they can hook you up with leads, resume help, interview coaching, and more.
• Via informational interviews. Via LinkedIn or your professional network, connect with hiring managers at employers where you’d love to work. Set up informational interviews to learn more about the company culture, potential job opportunities, and employee requirements. Note: These meetings typically do not lead directly to job openings, so don’t plan on targeting roles during your first conversations. However, they are a chance to build a relationship with folks on the inside and get an idea of how to present yourself as an ideal candidate.
• Through professional associations. Join industry groups and associations and gain a built-in support network of people in your field. Get advice from people who really understand your career and stay in the loop on emerging trends, opportunities, and resources.

•  
• 

from Career Tool Belt https://ift.tt/oumvFVb

Read More

What to Do When You Lose Your Job

One of the worst things that can happen from a career perspective is to lose your job. That’s especially true when it’s unexpected and not your fault. On the flip side, one of the best things that can happen from a career perspective is to lose your job, even when it doesn’t feel like anything remotely positive at the moment.

Even though it hurt at the time, for me, unexpectedly losing my job gave me the push I needed to move my career down a different path. I might not have done it that soon, or at all, without the impetus I got from hearing that I had lost my job.

It’s emotional and traumatic to be laid off, and even worse to be fired. You’re out of work, you’re out of a paycheck, and you will lose the bond you have with your co-workers because it won’t ever really be the same again even though you’ll promise to stay in touch. It’s painful.

Give yourself some time to mourn a bit, especially if you loved your job. It’s a loss, and giving yourself some time and space to grieve will help. Then you need to get practical and get over it. The quicker you get a job search up and running, the faster you’ll be thinking about your new job instead of the one you lost. Here’s what to do next.

What To Do When You Lose Your Job

File for unemployment.

If you lose your job through no fault of your own, you should be eligible for unemployment. Depending on the circumstances, you may be eligible even if you were fired. Here’s what you need to know about filing for unemployment.

Check on health insurance options.

Check with your manager or your Human Resources department on options for continuing health insurance coverage or investigate options for getting a new policy to cover you while you’re out of work.

Figure out what to do with your retirement plan.

What happens to your retirement plan varies on the type of plan you have. Here’s information on what happens to your pension plan and what happens to a 401(k) when you leave your job.

Work on a personal budget.

Your unemployment check is going to be less than your paycheck, so think about how you can save some money. It’s also going to last for a much shorter time because many states have cut back the number of weeks of unemployment they provide.

Sign up for 30 Days to a New Job.

If finances are an issue, and they are for many unemployed workers, you are going to need to hustle a bit. Get the 30 Days to a New Job program online. It will help you stay motivated and keep your job search on track.

Google yourself.

Search for your name on Google to see what potential employers are going to view when they check you out. Make sure everything that comes up in the search results is appropriate. The “grandma rule” applies here. You don’t want hiring managers or recruiters to see anything that you wouldn’t want your grandmother to see.

Clean up your social media accounts.

Your social media pages are probably going to be on the list of what shows up when you search for yourself. Be sure that all your posts are fit for the public to see. If not, clean them up and adjust your privacy settings. On the flip side, it’s important to have a solid social presence for many jobs, so be sure you’re making the best impression.

Revamp your resume.

Before you start applying for jobs, take the time to update your resume. Your resume is going to be read by the applicant tracking systems (ATS) that employers use as well as by hiring managers. Be sure to include your most relevant skills and match your qualifications to the job. That will give you the best shot at getting selected for an interview.

Update your LinkedIn profile.

If you’re applying for professional positions, you’re going to be checked out on LinkedIn. Update your LinkedIn profile, making sure all the information matches what is on your resume. Here are simple steps for making a better LinkedIn profile.

Connect with your network.

This is a good time to connect with your network. Use LinkedIn, your college alumni network, and your professional and personal networks to help your job search. Ask your connections to let you know if they come across jobs that would be a good fit.

Get references.

While you’re connecting with your network, consider who would be good to use for a reference. That’s especially important if you were fired. Line up a few references now, so they can expect a call when you start interviewing. Here’s who and how to ask for an employment reference.

Check job listings.

Now that you’ve got many of the pieces of the job search puzzle in place, start checking out job listings and applying for jobs. Use job search engines like Indeed.com to get job postings from many different online sources with just a few clicks.

Focus your job search.

Use the advanced search options to focus on job listings that are a match for your interests and skills, and in a location where you want to work. Don’t waste your time applying for jobs that aren’t a good fit. This is a competitive job market, and if you’re not qualified you aren’t going to be considered.

Write targeted cover letters.

Don’t skimp when it comes to your job applications. Your cover letters need to make a compelling case as to why you should be hired. Use your cover letters to show the reader, at a glance, why you are the best-qualified person for the job. Here are tips for writing a cover letter that will get read.

Find out what you’re worth.

You’re most likely going to be asked about salary when you interview. Your salary history is important, and so are your salary expectations. Do you have a minimum amount that you need to get by? What should be you be earning?

Use salary reports, like those offered by PayScale.com, so you don’t sell yourself short if an employer is looking to hire cheap. Be prepared to negotiate salary, so you can ensure what you agree to is fair.

Get an interview outfit (or two) ready.

Expect to have at least a couple of interviews for every job you apply for. Some may be on the phone or via video. Others will be on-site, so be prepared to dress appropriately for the job and company you’re interviewing with. Here’s how to choose an interview outfit that’s a good match, and what to wear for a Zoom interview.

Practice interviewing.

The best way to prepare for an interview is to practice, practice again, and then practice some more. Review the most common interview questions employers ask, so you’re prepared to answer.

Check out these tips for how to rehearse at home, and for how to prepare for a job interview so you make the best impression. Be prepared for a virtual interview – many employers are moving the hiring process online. Also be prepared to answer interview questions about why you left your job.

Say thank you and follow up.

Manners matter. In fact, they can make a difference in whether you get a second interview or even a job offer. Take the time to follow up and thank your interviewers. Here are sample thank you notes and email messages you can tailor to fit your own circumstances.

Don’t get discouraged.

You are probably going to not hear back from more employers than you expected. Unfortunately, many companies don’t bother to notify applicants who weren’t selected. The interview process may be much longer than you anticipated.

You may be asked to interview three or four, or even more times, before a hiring decision is made. Expect this to take a while, and try not to feel down if you don’t get hired right away. It’s not you – the employer is looking for the candidate who is the best fit. It’s better, even though it may not feel that way, not to get hired than to have a job that doesn’t work out.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Finally, and most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Friends and family will be glad to assist, but they can’t if they don’t know that you need assistance.

Whether you need a loan, a ride, a babysitter, someone to proofread your job application materials, or an outfit to borrow to wear to an interview, don’t hesitate to ask.

Related Articles: How to Handle Getting Fired | Warning Signs That You Could Lose Your Job

•  
• 

from Career Tool Belt https://ift.tt/sc2DBzN

Read More

Starting A New Job? 3 Common Mistakes To Avoid

You finally landed a new job at your dream company. Now, it is time to prepare for your first week, your first month, and your first 90 days. What steps can you take to effectively prepare for your new job? How do you ensure success as you onboard at your new company? What mistakes should you avoid at your new company?

Mistakes To Avoid When Starting A New Job

Here are three mistakes to avoid to ensure you successfully hit the ground running in your new role:

1. Not conducting a listening tour at your new organization.

While it may be tempting to enter your new organization and immediately take action, you want to avoid the common mistake of moving too swiftly without first building relationships. Subsequently, you want to devote significant time developing relationships, gaining influence, and understanding your new company’s culture during your first 90 days at your new organization. After all, you cannot successfully implement changes operating in a silo.

One way to help convert your ideas into action is by conducting a listening tour at your new organization. Meet with your most important stakeholders to hear their key concerns, allow them the opportunity to voice their major barriers and roadblocks, and learn how your role can help set your stakeholders up for success.

Additionally, take time to get to know your colleagues and clients on a personal level during your first 90 days. Those initial few months in your new job are an opportunity to really leverage being the new employee within the organization. Aim for at least one to two coffee chats per day as you ramp up at your new company.

2. Speaking more than you listen.

Next, I want you to think about the relationships at your new organization like a bank account. You want to make notable relationship deposits before you attempt to take relationship withdraws. This is because your account will quickly become overdrawn if you take large relationship withdraws before you make relationship deposits.

You can mitigate the common mistake of overdrawing too early by listening more than you speak during your onboarding period. This is particularly important if you are a manager or executive who needs to influence large groups of cross-functional stakeholders.

I challenge my career and executive coaching clients to only ask coaching questions during their listening tours and initial stakeholder meetings. While this is more challenging than it sounds, it allows my clients to demonstrate their coaching prowess as well as collect critical information that will set them up for future success in their new organizations.

3. Forgetting to revisit your 90-day new job onboarding plan.

Finally, remember to take time to update – or create – your 90-day onboarding plan. Although you may have developed a draft onboarding plan during your interview process, you want to iterate the plan after you join your new employer and get to know the company, the culture, and the distinct pain points facing the organization.

Consider asking yourself these questions as you develop your onboarding plan and strategy:

• What pain points and areas of opportunity were uncovered during my listening tour?
• What actions can I take to immediately add value to my new employer?
• How can I make my boss and my boss’s boss look good?

This list is just a start to help you hit the ground running in your next role. As you enter your new organization, remember to get buy-in for your ideas, speak more than you listen, and revisit your onboarding plan. You’ve got this!

Guest Author Kyle Elliott, MPA, CHES is the founder, career coach, and interview coach behind CaffeinatedKyle.com. His goal is simple – to help people find jobs they LOVE. He is an official member of the invitation-only Forbes Coaches Council as well as a member of the Gay Coaches Alliance.

•  
• 

from Career Tool Belt https://ift.tt/UVlt0hE

Read More