# Don't Make Business Contacts, Make Friends

If you're currently looking for a job, you know how important it is to network with people in your field. Meeting new people and engaging with business contacts comes easily to some people, but others struggle to connect with strangers. 

Building your network doesn't have to be intimidating. A simple change in perspective can make the practice feel much more accessible and enjoyable. 

By focusing on making friends, you can shift the emphasis from network building to making relationships with people you genuinely like. Being methodical about this just increases the opportunities for enjoyment.

## Why You Should Expand Your Network

For anyone in the middle of a job search, the most obvious reason to network is to discover new opportunities and meet potential employers. But the way that happens is through forging friendships with allies who will share what they know with you.

Their advice will help you expand your horizons and come up with new ideas. It will support you in the face of a tough decision or a challenging work situation. Knowing that you have trusted friends in your corner can make even the most serious issues feel manageable.

Your professional network will also enrich your personal life. Contacts who start out as solely work-related become close personal friends.

## How to Build Your Network

You won't become close friends with everyone in your professional circle, but approaching everyone as a potential friend will help you find more trustworthy, like-minded people you truly enjoy collaborating with.
 
Here are four steps for finding new friends in your professional field:

### 1. Practice active listening.

Active listening is the best way to get to know people and start forming friendships. Don't begin a conversation by thinking about what the person could offer you. Instead, the goal should be to truly get to know them and find ways to connect with them. Listen to them for the sake of understanding them, not to look for opportunities to speak.

This is especially helpful if you're a shy person or nervous about meeting new people. You don't have to put the burden on yourself to do the talking. By being an active listener, you encourage others to steer the conversation.

### 2. Be human and vulnerable.

Small talk can ease you into a conversation, but forming friendships does require some vulnerability. Don't be afraid to talk about your genuine passions, hopes, and frustrations. Your goal is to connect with others on a human level, and being your authentic self allows you to do this.

You can and should talk about topics not related to work too. Your professional life is only a small part of your identity, so discussing hobbies, sports, travel, or other topics can help you get to know your new friends more completely.

### 3. Notice how you feel after the conversation.

It can be hard to know whether or not someone would be a compatible friend after one conversation, but pay attention to your energy levels after you speak with someone. If you feel energized, uplifted, inspired, or creative after the conversation, it's a good sign that the person will be a great friend. If you feel drained, the two of you may not be compatible as friends or collaborators.

### 4. Remember your contacts.

If you spend a lot of time meeting new people and building your network, it may be hard to remember everyone. Instead of trying to keep in touch with every single person you meet, focus on the few people you felt the strongest connection with at a particular event.

You could even write down where you met them, what you have in common, and something about them that stands out. Quality is more important than quantity; it's better to maintain close friendships with a handful of people than to try to juggle hundreds of professional contacts.

Don't put too much pressure on yourself as you learn how to network effectively. All you're trying to do is meet some new people and see if there's a potential for any new friendships. Over time, your confidence will grow, and it will get easier and easier to find allies in your field and beyond.

Don't Make Business Contacts, Make Friends

Meeting new people and engaging with business contacts comes easily to some people, but others struggle to connect with strangers. A simple change in perspective can make the practice feel much more accessible and enjoyable.

# How to Have Fun on Your Job Search

Any job search can have some pretty stressful moments. Frustration and uncertainty commonly come with the package. It is possible to make the experience more positive though. And keeping your search meaningful and satisfying is one of the surest ways of also keeping it focused and short – and could possibly lead to a better result.

## Why Positivity Is So Important During Your Job Search

Being unemployed for any length of time can quickly lead to negativity and diminished motivation. Dealing with a job search has its own pressures as well, especially when you're faced with rejections and indifference from potential employers.

Even if you're still in your current job, you may feel nervous or unsure of your decision to look for new employment. Change can be a great opportunity, but it also makes us feel stressed, anxious, and lost.

It's important to find ways to stay positive. This is the best way to combat those natural impulses to slow down or even give up when things get tough.

Hiring managers should see you at your best. A cheerful personality and an optimistic outlook are important qualifications that recruiters are always looking for. You need them if you want to increase your chances of follow-up interviews and job offers.

## How to Have Fun and Stay Happy

Enjoying your search may require extra effort and self-reflection, but the results will be worth it. Here are some ways to have fun and stay positive on your job search.

### Celebrate your successes.

Your main goal is to get a job offer, but you can set plenty of smaller objectives as well. By breaking down your search into more manageable tasks, you create opportunities to feel accomplished and celebrate your wins. Plan your objectives in advance, and decide how you want to reward yourself for each one.

Everyone has different motivators, so you should consider the accomplishments that will make you feel good. You could set a goal to send in a certain number of applications, or you could reward yourself after getting your first interview. However you break down the process, make sure you find moments to celebrate your hard work and progress.

### Remember your strengths.

Playing to your strengths is the key to success in almost every area of life. Not only will it increase the number of interviews you'll get, but it will also improve your attitude toward yourself and your overall job search.

Think about the best qualities you bring to the table, and plan your search in a way that utilizes those skills. If you're a strong writer, pour your energy into your cover letters. If you're sociable, focus more on networking to meet potential new employers. If you're creative, try to come up with unique ways to market yourself to recruiters or hiring managers.

### Take a break if needed.

Faking positivity all the time may only lead to more stress. When something frustrating happens, give yourself time to process your feelings. You don't have to pretend that a rejection doesn't bother you. If you start to feel anxious or overwhelmed, take an afternoon off, acknowledge your feelings, and do something fun to take your mind off of the search.

### Imagine a bright future.

When you're immersed in the search for a new job, you may forget why you're going through this. Don't lose sight of your long-term goals. Knowing what you're working toward will make today's difficulties feel more manageable. Every day, tell yourself where you plan to be in one year.

Imagine the specific details of your ideal job that would bring you joy, like the location, the salary, and the environment. Although it's impossible to predict the future, consistently reminding yourself of your goals and aspirations will help you maintain the drive you need to get there.

Attitude is one of the most important factors in a successful employment search. By staying positive and enjoying yourself, you'll be motivated to stay persistent. There will always be obstacles, but optimism and resilience will put those challenges into your rearview mirror.

How to Have Fun on Your Job Search

Job hunting will probably never be your favorite hobby, but it's possible to make the experience more positive. Keeping your search meaningful and satisfying is one of the surest ways of also keeping it focused and short – and could possibly lead to a better result.

# How to Prepare for Behavioral Interviews

In behavioral interviews, the interviewer raises a specific type of workplace situation and asks the interviewee to describe how they handled something like it in their own experience. They can feel difficult, unless you've developed a way to handle them.

In fact, when handled well, these types of interviews can actually be a huge opportunity for job seekers.

There's one thing you have in common with any employer you interview with: you both want the outcome to be a job in which you can thrive. Unfortunately, pressure can throw a wrench in the works and endanger good outcomes.

You're probably well aware of the pressures that job seekers face, to get a great job in as short a time as possible. Employers have their own pressure: to find someone, often out of hundreds, who will be comfortable, happy, and well-performing in that job.


## What Is a Behavioral Interview?

In traditional interviews, employers simply asked about the experience and education a candidate acquired over time. One problem with this approach is that many people, understandably, exaggerate their experiences in order to get the job. For employers, this can lead to situations where a large percentage of hires end up not working out. This isn't good for the employer, and it can be a horrible experience for the employee as well. 

To address this risk, many employers will try to ask job candidates questions about how they've reacted to actual situations in the past. When these are done well, interviewers can get a more accurate picture of how an employee will fit in. 

Overwhelmingly, behavioral questions are better able to tell whether a candidate is willing to learn, capable of acting as a team player, and able to adapt in a dynamic work environment.

What makes this a challenge for job seekers is that they need to recall situations that match situations established by the interviewer. For instance, an interviewer might ask you to describe a time when you handled a conflict in the workplace well. Some people are naturally able to spontaneously recall situations in this way, but the vast majority of us will get stuck. Therefore, before your interview, you'll need to spend some time reflecting about what you've done in the past. And you'll need to formulate a series of responses that will show your strengths.

## What Does This Mean for You?

Behavioral questions seek to determine who you are as a person, to understand how you behave in challenging situations. Their goal is to identify whether your attitude, background, and personality will support you in those situations. 

A prospective manager, for instance, may need to be able to handle difficult people decisively and take actions that are aligned with management objectives. By asking behavioral questions, skilled interviewers can usually ascertain whether a candidate will perform well in their role.

For an interviewee, this can seem intimidating, but it can also be a huge benefit. The process of preparing yourself will show you what a good a fit looks like FOR YOU. Just remember that every job seeker will face the same struggles with their behavioral questions. If you can learn to manage these questions in ways that will give you confidence with the interviewer, you can gain a substantial advantage over other job candidates who haven't put in that effort.

## The STAR Response Technique

One of the best ways to prepare for these interviews is to use the STAR interview prep method. It provides a framework for responding to a behavioral question. Interviewees use this method to structure their responses in four stages. Many job seekers will know about the STAR method, but the ones who use it to actually explore how well they fit will have a true advantage.

Before you start using the STAR method, you'll need to know what the employer is truly looking for. Often, the job description is just a starting point. You should research the company and talk to people who know the company and the role to get a richer understanding. Informational interviews are invaluable here. Once you know what a good fit will look like, you can go through the four steps of STAR to prepare for the interview.

Remember that a skillful interviewer will be using the interview to ask probing questions. These will be based on things that you say. This can give you some control over where the conversation goes. Try to keep your your four-step response to within 3 to 4 minutes. You can rely on the interviewer to ask for more info it's needed.

### 1. Situation

For the first step, describe a situation that you'll have ready for your response to the employer. You'll need more than one situation, since you don't yet know what the questions will be. You can do a Google search for common behavioral interview questions to get an idea. For each situation, you'll need to provide background information on your job, the people involved in your story, and specific factors that were at play. Ideally, you should attempt to set up the situation as quickly as possible so that you can focus on your behavior and the outcome. Provide just enough information about the situation to set the stage and prevent confusion.

### 2. Task

Next, describe the task that you were responsible for in the situation you are describing. Explain how the task fit into your general responsibilities, what company protocols required, and how your previous experience and training guided your response. This ties the situation to your job responsibilities, and gives you a chance to use whatever you've learned about the company and the role. 

### 3. Action

Now that you've given some background information, talk about the actual actions that you took. Ultimately, employers want to see that your actions were appropriate for the situation. Be attentive to what seems interesting to the interviewer. You might be able to describe your actions in terms that align with the interviewer's focus.

### 4. Result

Of course, it's good to show outcomes that were successful. But keep an open mind about what makes for success. Employers are interested in how creative, positive, and resilient candidates will be in the face of setbacks. If it's a skillful interviewer, you may be pulled into a little exploration of a situation that didn't work out as well as you wanted or expected. Be honest, realistic, and positive. Sometimes our best strengths only come out when we're challenged.

## Practice Makes Perfect

You probably won't nail your first behavioral interview, but you may well do better than you expected. Keep working on your STAR questions, keep practicing, both on "real" interviews and your own mock interviews. If you don't get an offer, you should politely and humbly ask for feedback on your interview performance from the interviewer. You probably won't get a ton of responses, but the ones you get will be very valuable, not least because they're often a huge confidence builder. Good luck!

How to Prepare for Behavioral Interviews

Behavioral interviews are used extensively by employers because they help to weed out candidates who may be less well qualified than they look on their resumes. This can actually be a huge benefit for job searchers to help them stand out from the competition — if they can come to the interview sufficiently prepared. Here's how.

# How Much Time Should You Give Yourself to Find a Job?

When you’re looking for a job, it’s hard to be patient. You’re anxious to find the right position and get your life back on track. Your impatience is understandable, but it’s a good idea to keep your expectations realistic. What does that mean? Most job experts say the average job hunt takes from 2 to 6 months.

## What the Experts Say

According to Indeed, on average it takes about 9 weeks to find a job, through the sending out of applications, the scheduling of interviews, and time spent waiting responses. And you'll also have to factor in the state of the economy, the state of your industry, and your personal circumstances before you have a better sense of how long you might be searching for a job.

Career Sidekick advises that you should expect to wait 2 to 6 months. It may take longer if you’re looking for an executive position. And again, this will depend on the overall economy, whether you’re in a growing industry, and whether you have high-demand skills.

## Factors That Affect Your Job Search

Several factors can speed up or slow down your ability to land that job. Some are in your control, and some aren’t. Don’t worry about the things you can’t control. In fact, one of your most important challenges over your entire job transition will be to remember to focus only on the things you can control, and to plan around the things you can't.

### Strength of Your Professional Network

You’ve heard it a million times. Most jobs come through a professional referral.

Developing a strong network is integral to your success at finding work and progressing in your career. Attending networking events, creating social media accounts, and engaging in community activities can all help you build a strong network.

One of the best uses for your networking is to focus on some target companies where you'd like to work and setting up informational interviews with people who know about those companies or, ideally, are in them. What you learn will make you a much stronger candidate.

### Demand for Your Skills

If you have high-demand skills and years of experience, you won’t wait long to get a job. You may even have recruiters calling to offer you positions. If you’re not, you may need to market yourself better to recruiters and your professional network.

### Your Job Hunt Efforts

How do you know if you're working hard enough to find a job more quickly? 

Caitlin Proctor, a career expert at ZipJob, suggests that while there's no one answer to that question, the best results come from people who apply to 10 to 15 jobs per week. Generally speaking, the more strong opportunities you target, the more results you'll get. Part of your effort has to be determining which opportunities are the strong ones.

That number works out to researching and submitting two to three job applications each day.

### Your Age

It’s unfortunate, but there is age discrimination in hiring. If you’re over 50, ageism among hiring managers can slow down your search.

Mark Miller, who runs the CareerPivot blog, which focuses on older job seekers and career changers advises patience. People in this age group are likely to be searching longer. Improve your chances by removing anything on your resume that gives away your age.

### The Length of Time You’ve Been Looking

Bias against unemployed people also exists. About 20% of people without jobs stay unemployed for over 25 weeks. Employers are less likely to hire these people.

What does that mean for you? Be sure to fill that gap somehow. Here are some ideas:

- Get a part-time job or start a part-time business. The amount of money you make is less important than showing you’re busy doing something.
- Take classes toward a degree or certification in your field.
- Sign up with a temporary agency. When you do, the agency becomes your official employer. That gives you a current position to list on your resume.

## Can You Speed Up the Job Search?

If you want to get a new job as quickly as possible, there are some things you can do.

**Take care of the basics.** Make sure your resume is well formatted, is easy to read and has appropriate keywords. Use a cover letter on every application. Send follow-up emails.

**Work your networks.** If you’ve neglected your professional network, it’s time to tune it up. Spend some time working on your LinkedIn profile and other social media accounts. Attend events that offer networking opportunities. Put yourself in a position to meet people who can help you.

**Improve your skills.** Are there certain skills employers seem to want? These might be software packages or specific tools. If you’re lacking in these skills, take a class or pick up a book. Get the skills employers want.

## Get Ready for Your New Job

Looking for a job isn’t fun, but it can be an exceptional learning experience. It’s an opportunity to stretch yourself, learn new things and discover what you’re capable of doing. Focus on doing everything right, and don't worry about things you can't control. Before you know it, you'll have that job offer in hand.

How Much Time Should You Give Yourself to Find a Job?

You’re anxious to find the right position and get your life back on track. Your impatience is understandable, but it’s a good idea to keep your expectations realistic. What does that mean? Most job experts say the average job hunt takes from 2 to 6 months.

# How to Say "No" to a Job Offer without Regret

Although getting a job offer is exciting, it's not quite so thrilling to have to decline one that isn't a good fit. Perhaps the job doesn't have the correct qualifications or you've already accepted a better position at a different company. Whatever the situation, there are ways to decline an offer while keeping the high regard of the hiring manager.

## Considering the Ramifications

If, after a great deal of soul-searching and number-crunching, you've determined that a job offer is simply not the right option for you, there's no shame in saying no. Nevertheless, you may feel apprehensive about what to say to that potential employer or hiring manager who was so kind to you during your interview. While it's perfectly natural to feel a bit embarrassed about turning down a job offer, remember that this is not a personal reflection of how you feel about the hiring manager.

There are graceful ways to decline a job offer and steps you can take to ensure that your reputation and future employment choices don't suffer afterward. When you start by understanding the point of view of your potential employer, you can better explain yourself and come across as a person of character.

## Understanding the Employer’s Point of View

If a recruiter has offered you a job, you can bet that they're hoping you accept and the empty position can be filled. However, keep in mind that the vast majority of good companies also want their employees to be happy on the job.

While a disappointed hiring manager may not be thrilled when you reject a job offer, they'll be happier if you take the time to provide your answer personally, give a clear answer as to why the job isn't the right fit for you, and announce your decision as soon as you make it. As you keep your potential employer’s point of view in mind, you'll have a better idea of how to go about the job rejection process calmly and with kindness.

## Declining a Job Offer Gracefully

Once you're absolutely sure that your answer to the job offer is a solid "no,"" you should move quickly to communicate this response to the hiring manager. They may have already given you a specific amount of time to consider your answer, but if you know your answer before the time is up, be sure to communicate it quickly so they can reach out to other candidates as soon as possible.

One way to alleviate the awkwardness is to keep your response as simple as possible and avoid delving into territory that doesn't need to be covered. You should give a specific reason for your decision, but this could be something as simple as that you're accepting another offer or that you don't feel that this offer is the right fit for you at this time.

In addition to responding swiftly and keeping it simple, you can express your appreciation for the job offer. Even if you feel that the salary and benefits weren't nearly appropriate for your level of education and experience, or the hours offered were terrible, you can keep these thoughts to yourself while thanking the manager for taking the time to meet with you.

Finally, leave a good impression by responding professionally. The vast majority of job applicants choose to decline offers via email, as this is often the fastest and easiest option available. However, filling your email with poor grammar and missing punctuation marks is not going to leave a good impression. Keep the relationship in good condition by maintaining a professional image to the end. You may even want to offer a more personal refusal by opting for a telephone call rather than email.

## Keeping Things Pleasant for the Future

At the completion of a job rejection, there are a few steps you can take to leave the door open to other jobs in the future. For example, you might consider offering the names of contacts you know who may be perfect for this job. You can also encourage the hiring manager to reach out with future job offers should something open up in a position that's better suited to you. Finally, stay up-to-date with the company or the hiring manager via LinkedIn or other social media accounts to keep lines of communication open.

Although declining a job offer can seem uncomfortable, it's something that hiring managers experience all the time. Once you're sure that you want to go ahead with the rejection, keep communication clear, gracious, and professional. This will give you the best possible opportunity for accepting the future job offer that you actually want.

How to Say "No" to a Job Offer without Regret

Turning a job offer down can feel awkward. How can you avoid endangering the good impression of you that led to the offer in the first place? There are steps you can take to ensure that your reputation and future employment choices don't suffer afterward, and you come across as a person of character.

# Your Pandemic Job Search: Tips for Success

Hunting for a job during COVID-19 can be stressful, but it isn’t hopeless. With the right attitude and efforts, you can still find an excellent job. Being assertive, keeping an open mind, and targeting your applications to the best companies will help you immensely.

The pandemic has been hard enough for those with secure employment. For those amid a job search, it’s been a nightmare.

If you were among the 20.6 million Americans who lost their job because of the crisis, it's time to move forward. Even those who’ve managed to remain employed should prepare for the worst. If 2020 proved anything, it’s that life can change in an instant. It’s smart to learn strategies that can help you get back on your feet in the event of a career disaster.

## A Shifting World: How COVID-19 Changed the Job Search

It’s safe to say COVID-19 changed society in countless ways. We can observe one of the most noticeable pandemic-related shifts in the way we work.

Since the beginning of the pandemic:

- 42% of the American labor force switched to work-from-home positions.
- 26% of workers have continued working outside the home.
- 33% have lost their jobs.</li>

Although the job losses have been devastating, we’ve also seen new careers rise from this disaster. Contract tracers, health monitors, and temperature takers are a few examples. Likewise, certain industries are thriving. For instance, there’s now a greater demand for cleaning crews that provide disinfecting services.

If you want a job right now, you’ll need to be open minded. Instead of looking at this situation as a burden and a problem, work on getting to see it as an opportunity. Is there anything you dreamed of doing that you never had the chance to do before?

It is important to find the balance between taking risks and being realistic. This probably isn’t the best time to set out to become a famous rock star. It’s more about looking at the skillset you have to offer and considering new ways you could use it.

## Smart Networking During Hard Times: Tips for Finding Work

### 1. Do Your Research

Take an honest look at your skillset. Research the opportunities and find the companies that could use your strongest skills. The last thing you want to do is begin blindly applying anywhere with openings. Do your best to calm your emotions and avoid desperation. Your efforts will go much further if you target your job search to companies you want to work for.

### 2. Be Open Minded

When making your list of target companies, keep an open mind. It’s important to consider where your skillset could be thoroughly utilized. It’s just as important to think outside the box. There’s nothing wrong with going for your dream job. Nonetheless, consider whether there might be great opportunities you haven't yet considered.

### 3. Treat Your Job Hunt Like a Job

When you have a job, there’s a clear boundary between work time and leisure time. When unemployed, you lose that. This can result in spending either too much or too little time looking for work. You can avoid this imbalance by setting regular “work” hours each week and using them to look for jobs.

When you finish for the day, focus on relaxing and taking care of yourself. Don’t fall into the trap of refreshing the job listings every few minutes throughout the evening. Things won’t change that much over the course of a single day. Taking good care of yourself during your off hours will help you maintain stamina throughout the search.

### 4. Focus on Human Interaction

Until you meet hiring managers in person, you’re just another applicant. Meeting with people in person can be difficult at this time, but some form of human contact is important. Once you’ve figured out your target companies, do your best to call and talk to the hiring managers. Be friendly and assured, and show them why you stand out among the competition.

If you have a network to turn to, now is the time. Along with calling managers, consider contacting old colleagues and bosses for recommendations. Someone might know about an open position that isn’t listed.

### 5. Stay Organized

The longer a job hunt goes on, the more important it is to stay organized. You’ll likely be sending out a large number of applications, so keep lists and contact information handy. Write down the day you plan to call and check on each application. Note down any information you obtain from hiring managers. And always follow up on the conversations that you have.

## Keep Hope Alive: Looking to the Future

While COVID-19 has shaken things up, it isn’t hopeless. A chaotic job market allows room for innovation. Historically, hard times have been excellent for business. Major companies like Disney, General Electric, and Hewlett-Packard started during the Great Depression. Humans are resilient creatures, and much as those from past generations succeeded, so you can too.

Your Pandemic Job Search: Tips for Success

Hunting for a job during COVID-19 can be stressful, but it isn’t hopeless. With the right attitude and efforts, you can still find an excellent job. Being assertive, keeping an open mind, and targeting your applications to the best companies will help you immensely

# How To Use Keywords in Your Resume

You spend hours perfecting your resume and applying to jobs that match your qualifications. All your hard work could be wasted, however, if your resume gets tossed aside without having been seen. Using keywords correctly can help save your application from that sad fate.

## Use Resume Keywords To Pump Up Your Job Search

You know how tough the job market is, but these statistics really put things in perspective.

- Professional job openings receive more than 250 applications each.
- Out of these applications, hiring managers pick two to four people to interview.
- Entry-level and nonprofessional job openings typically get 100 applications. About 10 people might be chosen for interviews.

Given those numbers, how do you get your job application to make the cut? Using keywords correctly is the ticket. To do that, you need to understand the way companies use scanners to screen out applicants.

## Why Resume Keywords Matter

If you’ve heard of keywords, you probably know they're important for search engine optimization (SEO) strategies. When you create a website, blog, or social media account, you use keywords to attract potential viewers and customers. Used correctly, keywords can help your website rank high on Google search results.

Keywords on a job application work the same way. When employers write job descriptions, they use specific terms to describe the job and its qualifications. Any application that uses the same terms will make the cut.

## How Scanners Screen Out Applications

There are two steps in the screening process. Both rely on keywords.

### ATS Scanner

ATS stands for applicant tracking system. It’s a database that screens applicants before they get in the digital door. Have you ever applied for a job that asked you two or three screening questions? They might ask, “Do you have three years of experience doing this work?” or “Do you have a master’s degree in a life science?”

Recruiters call these “knockout questions” because if your answers don’t match the job requirements, your application won’t get any further.

An ATS has another screening function. It filters out applications that don’t have specific keywords. Using keywords correctly is key to keeping your application in the running.

### Human Scanners

The next step is screening by a human being. In many companies, a professional recruiter might be the screener. In others, the screener might be a human resources employee. In all cases, the human screener is likely to use the same keywords and keyword phrases the ATS uses.

## Up Your Job Search Game with Keywords

Follow these tips to give your job application a better chance at rising to the top of the heap.

### 1. Choose the Right Keywords

Before you submit a job application, read the job description and list of qualifications. This will give you a good idea of the keywords and terms that matter to the company.

The experts at SweetCV suggest that you look for keywords related to the following:

- Industry-specific skills – using the industry jargon that the hiring manager will understand
- Hardware and software programs
- Job titles
- Education and professional titles, like Ph.D., MBA, CPA, JD, and so on
- Vocational training certificates.

Compile a list of keywords for each of these categories. Think about how you can update the information on your application with these words and phrases.

### 2. Use Keywords Strategically

Once you have a list of keywords, add them to your application.

Don’t go overboard. Use them in ways that will sound natural.

For best results, use a mix of keyword types. Use a combination of all the categories we listed above, including industry terminology, soft skills, professional certifications and hard skills.

### Don’t Stuff It

Don’t “keyword stuff.” Your descriptions should read normally.

Have you ever read a website article that seemed to be a bunch of keywords stuffed together for no apparent reason? You don’t want your job application to come across that way.

Keep these tips in mind:

- Don't use white font to stuff invisible keywords into your application.
- Don't lie about your skills or qualifications.
- Do use a simple format with an easy-to-read font and plenty of white space.

### Match the Company’s Values

Go beyond basic skills and qualifications. Read the company’s website to learn how it describes itself. For instance, if the company’s literature constantly stresses innovation, be sure to use terms like "innovative" and "innovate" in your application.

### Don’t Forget Social Media

If you have profiles on professional social media sites like LinkedIn, update your profile. Add skills that mirror the keywords you discovered during your research.

## Your Application Can Rise To the Top

Using these tips can make a big difference when you submit a job application. When you add the right keywords to your application, you give it a good chance to make it past the screeners.

How To Use Keywords in Your Resume

You spend hours perfecting your resume. All your hard work could be wasted if no one ends up seeing it. Using keywords correctly can help save your application from that sad fate.

# How You Can Get More Comfortable with Networking

Talking and schmoozing and interacting, oh my! When you network, you can expect to partake in all of the above, but you don’t have to be uncomfortable while doing so. The more experience you gain, the more confident you’ll become. In the meantime, there are tricks of the trade that will help you network with greater ease and peace of mind.

## Networking: Friend or Foe?

Often accompanied by sweaty palms, self-doubt, and unnecessary amounts of worry, networking is a daunting task for many. Though forging professional connections is a true stepping stone to success, a lot of budding professionals squirm at the idea of having to network. Unfortunately, unnecessary stress and anxiety overshadow the importance of building these relationships, which is why it can feel so wrong.

Networking can seem like an uncomfortable chore, a cost one pays for career growth. In reality, it can be an enjoyable way to gain substantial knowledge, advance your career, and streamline your job search. To ensure that you’re getting these benefits, here’s how you can overcome self-consciousness and, in turn, become more comfortable finding your allies.

A great way to start getting comfortable is to attend some networking events where you don't know very many people. Practice these tips and you'll find your confidence growing pretty quickly.

### Prepare Talking Points

While you don't need to rehearse, it’s wise to have some talking points at the ready. Not only will this leave fewer lulls in the conversation, it’ll also allow you to showcase your assets. If you can find a happy medium between casual talk and giving a speech, you’ll have found your sweet spot. From there, the conversation will flow naturally, causing any initial discomfort to subside.

### Make Yourself Approachable

If worry and uncertainty are written all over your face, others will pick up on it. This will make both parties feel awkward, so it’s crucial to put on a happy face. Though your smile may be feigned at first, don’t underestimate the power of positivity. The longer you wear your smile, the higher your chances are of genuinely enjoying yourself. As a result, your nervousness will inevitably take a back seat, allowing you to dominate the situation.

### Listen

When doubt and fear take the reins, it can become difficult to listen. As the conversation progresses, you may then find yourself becoming more anxious, as you start to feel that you seem inattentive. So make it a point to listen and engage from the beginning. In addition to being polite, this will also encourage authentic discussion. The more genuine your experiences are, the more you’ll break out of your shell and spark lasting relationships.

### Find Your People

If you’ve arrived solo, find others in the crowd who match your energy and appeal to you. In other words, don’t gravitate towards the outspoken ones or incredibly chatty folks. Instead, seek out like-minded individuals you’d actually like to connect with. This may prove tricky at first, but don’t get discouraged. Let your intuition guide you.

### Hone Your Focus

Selling yourself as a competent professional is a surefire way to nail any networking event. With that in mind, keep your sights set on doing just that. By doing so, you won’t give your fear the chance to take control. Simply put, place all your focus on what you’re trying to accomplish, and don’t get caught up in every subtle mistake or stutter you make. By going in with some realistic goals, you’re bound to defeat any discomfort.

### Stay True To Yourself

Most importantly, don’t stray too far from your roots. Attempting to be someone you’re not will only make you a nervous wreck. To prevent leaving a trail of anxiety and destruction in your wake, embrace who you are. While this takes practice and self-assurance, it’s far easier to be sincere than disingenuous. What’s more, people respond better to authenticity, so it’s in your best interest to be yourself.

## Don’t Worry. You’ve Got This.

By heeding the above advice, you can learn to network with great panache and poise. Contrary to popular belief, putting yourself out there doesn’t have to cause distress. With a healthy dose of assertiveness and preparation, you’ll discover just how easy and painless it is to network.

How You Can Get More Comfortable with Networking

Talking and schmoozing and interacting, oh my! When you network, you can expect to partake in all of the above, but you don’t have to be uncomfortable while doing so. The more experience you gain, the more confident you’ll become. In the meantime, there are tricks of the trade that will help you network with greater ease and peace of mind.

# The Fastest, Easiest Way To Build Your Job Search Network

You’ve heard it over and over. A network is the key to getting job leads, referrals and an inside path to your next job. If job networking has been last on your list of priorities, it’s not too late. You can act quickly to build a powerful network of personal and professional contacts.

## It's More Important Than Ever

You might think job networking is an old-fashioned concept that doesn’t apply to our digital age. In reality, it's more important than ever.

According to a recent LinkedIn survey:

- 80% of professionals consider professional networking important to career success.
- 35% of surveyed professional say a casual conversation on LinkedIn Messaging led to a new opportunity.
- 61% of professionals agree that regular online interaction with their professional network can lead to job opportunities.

## How To Build a Strong Network: Five Steps

You’ve accepted you need a strong, supportive network. Now, it’s time to build one. Follow these steps.

### 1. Attend Professional Events

Devote some time each month to attending conferences, workshops, and social get-togethers with people in your field. There are also formal networking events where the goal is to meet people who can become part of your professional circle.

To be successful at these events, commit to meeting three new people at each event. Bring a stack of your own professional-looking business cards. As soon as you get home, send your new contacts an email to tell them how much you enjoyed talking to them.

If it's a virtual event, you should follow the same goals, but use the event attendee list profiles to find people you'd like to connect with, message with them, and follow up on social media.

### 2. Join Social and Business Clubs

Service clubs and your local Chamber of Commerce often hold mixers, charity fundraisers, and business card exchanges. You can find these events online, at your library, or through the local chamber.

In some areas, you’ll have more success with church groups, local business roundtables, community service groups, and job clubs. Your state’s workforce development office may have a list of these groups. These are all worth exploring.

### 3. Use Social Media

**LinkedIn.** This is still the single most powerful way to network online. LinkedIn is not like any other social media platform. It's a key business resource. You could miss important opportunities if you don't stay on top of your inbox.

**Facebook.** Facebook can help you find groups connected to your industry or profession. Join these groups and get active on them.

### 4. Volunteer in Your Community

Volunteering is always worthwhile, and that’s especially true when you want to build a network. You can meet a wide range of people when you volunteer. You can also develop new job skills and take your mind off your job search worries.

### 5. Make 100 Contacts 

Matt Youngquist, president of Career Horizons job coaching, advises that you build your network like a sales pipeline. If you’re looking for work, aim to make 100 new contacts a month. That number may not be realistic at first, but try to pursue all the contacts you can.

## Keep Your Network Healthy

Once you have a network of solid contacts, keep it strong with regular care.

**Tell everyone.** Don’t be shy about your job hunt. Mention it to people in your social circles, your doctor’s office, your favorite coffee shop, the fellow passengers on your commuter train and your social media followers. You never know where a good job lead can come from.

**Stay in touch.** Once you’ve established a list of contacts, email them once a month. Use this opportunity to ask if there’s anything your contacts need from you. Don’t forget to send greetings for holidays and anniversaries.

**Return the favor.** Be sure your network can count on you. When you first start reaching out, don’t just ask for help. Present yourself as a source of help and advice.

**Make it a habit.** Hallely Azulay, CEO of TalentGrow, suggests making it a regular part of your routine. “Set up small, doable daily or weekly habits [like] checking up on your contacts, making introductions, liking or sharing or commenting on their updates and content shares, and even sending articles or a simple note of appreciation.”

## Anyone Can Build a Network

Job networks are important for everyone, and it's never too late to start building one. Set aside some time every week to meet new people, improve your LinkedIn profile and send an email. These small efforts will add up to a large, growing network.

The Fastest, Easiest Way To Build Your Job Search Network

You’ve heard it over and over. A network is the key to getting job leads, referrals and an inside path to your next job. If job networking has been last on your list of priorities, it’s not too late. You can act quickly to build a powerful network of personal and professional contacts.

# First Five Things To Do If You’ve Been Laid Off

You’ve just been let go, laid off, given the pink slip, or furloughed. However you phrase it, it comes down to the same thing. You no longer have a job, and your mind is reeling. Before you panic and do something you might regret, take a breath and follow these five steps to get yourself back on track.

## 1. Take Stock: What Just Happened?

Whether it’s your first time or something you’ve experienced previously, losing your job unexpectedly is always disorienting. It may help to remember you’re not alone. People lose their jobs every day, and some of the world’s most successful people have been in your exact situation.

### You’re Not Alone

Before winning several Super Bowl rings, Bill Belichick was laid off from his first coaching job. Jerry Seinfeld lost a small TV part, returned to doing standup comedy, and was discovered by a Tonight Show producer. Steve Jobs was let go from his own company.

You’re not alone, and losing your job could be the spark that ignites a whole new life for you.

## 2. Negotiate Your Separation Package

If you’re offered a severance meeting immediately, ask if you can come back after a day or two. You may not have this option, but it's worth asking for. Do your best to stay calm. Focus on getting the best severance package you can.

### Here are some points of negotiation.

- **Pay.** Ask for severance pay, back pay and unused vacation pay.
- **Health insurance.** You are entitled to continue your coverage under COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act), but this is expensive. You may be better off getting insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Losing your job is a special circumstance that qualifies you to apply for this any time during the year.
- **Resignation.** If you’re offered the choice to resign instead of being fired, consider seriously before you take it. Resigning may disqualify you from collecting state unemployment.
- **Benefits.** Life insurance, membership in a credit union, and your 401K plan are all negotiable.
- **Furlough status**. If you've been furloughed, how long will it last? When will you return to your job?

Some types of jobs may not offer much in the way of separation packages. In many of these, you’ll be lucky if you get a two-week severance check and your back pay. Take whatever the company offers.

## 3. Get Some Immediate Cash

Don’t panic about money. Take these steps instead.

### File for Unemployment

File for unemployment as soon as possible. Unemployment will keep cash coming in weekly. Most states use a refillable debit card that gets loaded with your weekly pay by direct deposit.

Filling out the paperwork can take some time, but be sure to do it thoroughly. It could be the difference between having a cash cushion and not getting one.

If you worked as an independent contractor or your income was mainly from tips or commission, your unemployment may be low. You should apply anyway, because being on unemployment can immediately qualify you for state-sponsored job training and employment programs.

### Get a Part-Time Job or Side Hustle

If you didn’t get any severance and you don’t qualify for unemployment, look for a part-time job, full-time survival job, or a side hustle you can start right away. This doesn’t have to be related to your field. It’s just a job to bring in some immediate cash.

Should you work part-time if you're collecting unemployment? Check with your state's unemployment office about the rules for part-time jobs. Some states will drop you from unemployment if you start a part-time job and then quit it.

## 4. Start Your Job Search

Once you have some money coming in, it’s time to start your job search.

### Focus on the Future

By now, you’ve had some time to absorb what happened and develop a more positive outlook. Try to shed your negativity as much as possible when you look for a job.

No one wants to hire someone who responds negatively to setbacks, so avoid any suggestion of negativity about your former boss or the company. Such feelings should never come out in an interview or when you're networking.

That’s easier said than done, but it's extremely important for your success. Focusing on your future will help.

### Get Your Network in Gear

This positive approach applies to the way you tell your social and professional network about what happened. Don’t complain about your situation or your former employer. Let your contacts know you’re available for work.

## 5. Move toward Your New Future

Losing your job can shake you up, but most people who are let go are able to recover emotionally and financially in a short time. You can too. As Manciagli says, “The world around us is filled with people who were fired and who’ve been rehired because they handled it well.”

The First Five Things to Do If You've Been Laid Off

You no longer have a job, and your mind is reeling. Before you panic and do something you might regret, take a breath and follow these five steps to get yourself back on track.

# How Do I Change to a New Career Track?

Any of us may at some point realize that our current career isn't the one we'll want forever. When that happens, the prospect of career change can be scary, and the process itself can be stressful, but it can also be the key to success and happiness. You should know what to do and what not to do as you begin charting a new profession.

Even if you don't like your current job, staying with what's familiar can be tempting. However, fear of change can keep you in an unhappy situation for far too long.

There are ways to deal with the uncertainty of changing professions. Approaching your transition with a clear mind and an actionable plan will help you stay calm and grounded as you start building your new future.

## How to Find Clarity as You Consider a Change

As with most major life decisions, preparation is key. Here are four tips to help you prepare for a professional change.

### 1. Be patient.

There are no shortcuts when it comes to changing your career. First, you'll need to figure out what you want to do. This takes self-reflection and planning — rushing into a decision could lead to regret. Knowing what you want in your career requires that you know yourself, your strengths, your values, your goals — what fulfills you.

Once you know what you'd like to pursue, you'll need to plot out the steps to get there. Depending on your choice of career, you may need to go back to school or get several years of experience. Commit to the process, and don't worry about how long it will take.

### 2. Small steps are better than no steps.

While it's crucial to have a plan for getting to where you want to be, you know that life doesn't always accomodate us. Even the most carefully designed plans may not come to fruition. The best insurance against this is to treat each step as an experiment. The only failed experiments are the ones that we don't learn from.

This will also help you to avoid becoming so focused on the planning that you don't take any action at all. Take small, manageable steps to bring you closer to your goal, and adjust as you go. Start by reading one book, taking one class, or speaking with one professional in your desired field.

### 3. Branch out from your network.

You probably feel comfortable with your current network of colleagues. It's entirely natural that we surround ourselves with like-minded peers. However, if you're looking for a change, you may not find it in your existing network.

Now is the time to expand your horizons, especially if you're not sure exactly which career you want to pursue. Spend time with people across a wide variety of industries and occupations to hear new stories and see new perspectives. This can be a great way to get inspired and motivated for change.

### 4. Try it out before committing.

If you're not sure yet what you want to get out of your career change, spend a little time trying out different options. You could take classes on a variety of subjects at your community college to see what draws your interest. You could also set up informational interviews with people who do what you're considering. Check to see whether your current company will allow you to shadow people in other roles. Job shadowing is one of the best things you can do before committing to a change in profession. Seeing a professional in action will give you a much clearer idea of the work.

## Mistakes to Avoid

Most people have some natural tendencies that may undermine their efforts during their career change. Here are three pitfalls to avoid:

### 1. Rushing

Going too fast or taking on too much can quickly lead to stress and burnout, which is the exact opposite of what you want in your new career. You may be tempted to send out your resume as soon as you make up your mind, but skipping important steps for training or education will make the process harder in the long run.

### 2. Poor Stress Management

A change in profession is exciting, but it also can be stressful. You may have to juggle your existing job responsibilities while working toward your new career. You need to have healthy coping mechanisms for stress so that you don't become overwhelmed with your workload or with the uncertainty of the future. Although you don't have all the time in the world for stress relief, it's critical that you find opportunities to relax and clear your mind.

### 3. Overcommunicating

First impressions are key, so you need to be careful about how you present yourself. Excitement or anticipation for your new profession could come across as desperation, especially if you're making the change after losing your job.

Be able to explain why your previous field wasn't right for you, but avoid speaking too negatively about your old career. Overcommunicating about how much you hated your past job won't look good to prospective new employers or colleagues.

Changing your career is a scary but exciting decision. If you stick to your values, make a plan, and take small and consistent steps, you'll be well on your way to your new position. Most importantly, trust your instincts. Reflect on what you truly want out of your career, and listen to your gut if it's trying to steer you in a particular direction. Just remember to test your hypotheses. With patience and determination, you'll not only find your new career track, you'll do it with less stress and more confidence.

How Do I Change to a New Career Track?

A career change can be the key to greater success and happiness, but it can also be stressful. Fortunately, there are ways to deal with the uncertainty. Approaching your transition with a clear mind and an actionable plan will help you stay calm and grounded as you start building your new future.

# How Do I Get My Resume Past the Automated Filters?

Applying for jobs is now faster than ever, thanks to technology, but this doesn't necessarily make job hunting easier. Most employers use automated systems to filter out incoming resumes. An ATS, or application tracking system, selects the most promising resumes for review, in effect rejecting all the other applications. It can be frustrating to know that this could be stopping your applications from being seen by hiring managers. You don't have to be a victim of this system though. If you understand how these filters work, you can use them to your advantage. There are just a few things to watch out for.

## How Application Tracking Systems Affect Hiring

As the process of submitting job applications has become increasingly fast and easy for candidates, the process of selecting and vetting candidates has become increasingly difficult for employers. This is because companies get so many online applications that they don't have the time to manually review all of them. This is especially challenging for recruiters, who are trying to fill multiple positions at a time.

To manage this problem, recruiters often use tracking systems to organize and filter applications. An ATS organizes applications to ensure that all are accounted for, but it also analyze the resumes and tags the most qualified ones for manual review. The resumes that are not tagged will not be reviewed. According to GetFive, that's 70% that don't make it.

ATS technology is not going away anytime soon. According to Jobscan, 98% of Fortune 500 companies use it, and a Capterra survey found that 75% of recruiters use it, and 94% of those recruiters say that the software has had a positive effect on their hiring process.

## Use the System to Your Advantage

It doesn't have to be only the employers who benefit from ATS. You also can benefit from this technology if you know how to work with it. Because the ATS dramatically reduces the number of resumes the recruiter looks at, they can spend more time with each one that they do consider. So if you make it past the filter, you have a fairly good chance of getting an interview.

The question is, how do you do that?

## How to Make Your Resume "Attractive" to Automated Filters

Here are four tips for increasing your chances of getting through application tracking system filters.

### 1. Use keywords.

When an applicant tracking system scans a resume, it looks for keywords that show that you're a good match for the position. The recruiter will decide which keywords the system will prioritize for each opening. They may look for certain academic degrees, certifications, and skills.

Include the skills and other qualifications listed at the beginning of the job posting. You should use the same phrasing that was used in the job description. The ATS may not be smart enough to "understand" a that a keyword you list is similar; to be safe it should be identical. For the same reason, include a fully spelled out version of any acronyms. 

Of course, you should only apply to jobs for which you meet the requirements, so it should be easy to add those keywords to your resume while remaining honest about your qualifications.

### 2. Keep the formatting simple.

Sometimes, a resume that's visually appealing to humans can be confusing for an automated filter. Although it may be tempting to style your resume in a way that stands out from the competition, it's better to keep it simple when application tracking systems are involved.

Start with your name and contact information at the top of the page. Don't embed this text in a header or footer, as the system may overlook it. Use standard font and margin sizes, and avoid tables, graphics, italicized text, and other unconventional visuals. Also, use basic headings for each section of your resume. For example, you can simply label your work history as "Experience" to make that section obvious to the system.

### 3. Use the right file type.

The file type you select could be the difference between your resume being discarded or making it through the filter. Unless the job posting specifies which file types you can use, stick with a Word document format. Some systems struggle to read PDFs, but Word documents are usually much more ATS-friendly.

### 4. Only apply for jobs you're qualified for.

You should customize your resume for each application so that it matches the job posting closely. However, this doesn't mean that you should lie or misrepresent your qualifications in an attempt to trick the filter. Save time and effort by focusing on the jobs that are the right fit based on your experience and education.

## People Are Always Your True Source of Leverage

Understanding the screening technology will definitely help your resume get seen. But there's one other way of getting seen that simply works, year in and year out: talking with people at your target company. This is why networking continues to be a critical ingredient in any successful job search. Through informational interviews with humans, you'll not only get a better sense of what the ATS is looking for, you may even make a direct connection to a hiring manager and bypass the ATS entirely.

How Do I Get My Resume Past the Automated Filters?

Most employers use automated systems to filter out incoming resumes. It can be frustrating to know that this could be stopping your applications from being seen by hiring managers. You don't have to be a victim of this system, though. If you understand how these filters work, you can use them to your advantage. There are just a few things to watch out for.

# Three Ways to Shorten Your Job Search

You’ve been sending out resumes and filling out applications. You’ve done interviews, followed up with phone calls, and waited around. You’re trying your hardest, yet it feels like the search will never end. We’ve all been there at one point or another. Taking a break to regroup and redefine your goals could be the ticket to landing your next job faster.

## Turbocharging Your Job Search: Slow Down for Faster Progress

Slowing down might seem counterintuitive. You need a job now, right? The urgency is totally understandable. Nonetheless, you don’t want to apply for jobs in a mad rush. Approach your search for work in a strategic manner.

### 1. Target Your Efforts

It’s natural to feel desperate to secure work. Every day that you remain unemployed, you continue to get further behind. However, the worst thing you can do is start applying for every available position you see. That would be giving your precious time to low-yield activities and stealing it from the more productive things you could be doing instead.

Use your time to think about what sort of job might be best for you, because what will be a good fit for you is likely to be seen as a good fit by an employer. Plus, if you accept the wrong job, you’ll be unhappy, and you’ll find yourself searching for work again. Finding the right job now will help you obtain long-term employment.

When researching opportunities, make sure to look for positions that:

- Match your qualifications.
- Involve a type of work you’ll enjoy doing daily.
- Offer the potential for growth.

### 2. Work on Your Online Presence

If you haven’t already done so, take the time to perform a full audit of your online presence. Data shows that 93% of managers look at a candidate’s social media before finalizing a hire. Over 55% said they decided against the hire after seeing the candidate's profiles. Too many people don’t realize the things they say on social media are holding them back.

It will take time, but it’s worth going through your online history to ensure it reflects the image you want to project. A good place to start is with a basic search engine. Search your name to see what comes up.

Consider deleting social media profiles you no longer use. If you’re active on social media, go back through your feeds and delete any posts that might be problematic. Anything related to politics or religion should generally go. Unless you're applying at a religious or political organization, such posts will likely hinder you. Large companies hire people from all walks of life, and they want everyone to get along.

You’ll also want to delete any posts where you complained about your boss or coworkers. A manager will not want to hire someone who thinks it’s appropriate to complain about the company in public.

### 3. Put Energy into Networking

Some people are naturals when it comes to networking. If you’re not a “people person,” you may have to put more energy into it. There’s good reason to do so. Statistics show managers fill up to 85% of jobs through networking. If you can make an impression on another employee, they may recommend you for a position.

If you’ve already spent time working in your chosen field, you have a list of former coworkers and bosses that you can connect with. Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help. Not only could someone in your network help you get a job, but they could also recommend job opportunities you didn’t know about.

## Find a Job: Resume Tips

It's important to research each of your target companies and to get your insights about that company into your resume. Take the time to edit different versions of your resume for every company on your list. Be sure to customize both your resume and your cover letter.

Another important resume tip is to focus on the first few sections. You never get a second chance to make a first impression. If the hiring manager has to read through a bunch of fluff to get to the important information, they’ll likely move on to the next resume.

Use the top portion of your resume to share your name, phone number, and email address. You also might want to include your LinkedIn account. Rather than listing out your objectives, write a summery of your professional experience.

## Don’t Give Up on Your Job Search: Your Dream Job Is Possible

If you’re feeling discouraged, take a short break to work on yourself and your resume. Hiring managers don’t respond well to desperation. Using the free time you have now to shift your attitude, grow your confidence, and improve the way you present yourself will work wonders.

Above all else, be conscientious about maintaining a positive attitude. It takes an average of 43 days to get a job, which means it could take even longer. You may need to pace yourself. Although this chapter in your life might be stressful, maintaining your strategic focus and staying hopeful will help put it all behind you.

Three Ways to Shorten Your Job Search

Being stuck in an ongoing job search is tough. You might have sent out hundreds of resumes, yet feel that your efforts aren't working. Taking a break to regroup and redefine your goals could be the ticket to landing your next job faster.

# Do You Really Need a Cover Letter?

If you're in the market for a new job, you might have seen contradictory advice about whether you should be submitting cover letters with your job applications. Many people don't use them, but many others still consider them to be valuable, if not essential. Here's a look at the pros and cons.

## Unnecessary Chore or Still a Good Idea?

For years entire how-to articles, books, and training courses were devoted to helping job seekers craft the perfect cover letter to make their application stand out among a sea of others. Today, most people send their applications directly to contacts on LinkedIn, Facebook, and other online networking sites. Many of these people believe that letters are no longer necessary.

You might want to rethink that.

## Here’s What the Experts Say

In 2020, ResumeGo surveyed 236 hiring managers and recruiters and found that 87% read the cover letters, while only 13% didn't."

Those figures held across all industries and all experience levels. In fact, it’s more important to write a good letter for an entry-level job because you need to make a stronger case for your lack of relevant industry experience.

The people who didn’t read letters were professional recruiters. But those same recruiters encouraged their clients to write letters when they applied for the openings the recruiters found.

## High-Level Executives Still Use Them

The career experts at The Ladders, which specializes in hiring for high-income positions, agree that a letter is still necessary.

According to their experts, “While you may wonder if it even gets read, many recruiters and hiring managers believe that a good cover letter has a significant impact and could be THE most important part of your job application.“

## Make It Short and to the Point

Cover letters are still important, but that doesn’t mean the old-fashioned style will work. You need to update your letter-writing skills for busy hiring managers.

According to The Ladders, “. . . you don’t want it to be the length of a short novel like it was back in the 1990s. The length is less important than your message: Why you are the right person for the job and how you will add value to this company.”

They suggest a short, three-paragraph letter.

- Opening paragraph: Introduce yourself and say you’re interested in a job. If someone referred you to the company or manager, mention their name.
- Second paragraph: Describe how your talents and experience will provide value and help the company reach its goals.
- Third paragraph: Ask for an interview and say you will be in touch on a specific date.

## Why Relying on LinkedIn Isn’t Enough

Are you relying on LinkedIn to apply for openings? If you are, and you’re only using your resume and profile, you could be wasting your time.

LinkedIn can put you in touch with hiring managers, but the first thing those managers do is look at your LinkedIn profile. Is your profile impressive? Does it list your accomplishments and highlight your experience? Is it well-designed with a great headline, attractive photo and easy-to-read layout?

If you don’t have a stellar profile, you're better off applying with your resume and a letter. This is especially important if you're thinking of using Easy Apply, which is so easy to use that recruiters can be flooded with low-quality applicants using that tool.

## Even LinkedIn Executives Expect a Letter

In an article on the Ivy Exec blog, a hiring manager complained that even when she specifically asked for a letter, most applicants didn’t include one:

“Only 10% of the total applicant pool takes the time to actually write a letter that answers the questions I’m asking. That means that 90% of the people who want me to hire them are falling flat on their face."

## A Good Letter Can Help You Land an Interview

By now, you can safely assume:

- Even for an online application, you need a letter.
- Applying without one can hurt your chances.
- You don’t need a long, detailed letter.
- Make it short, focused and powerful.

When you’re looking for work, you’re competing with dozens to hundreds of people for every job opening. In this job market, you need every advantage you can get. If producing a letter gives you a slight edge, it’s worth doing.

## You Can Write a Great Letter

Writing a great letter may take some time and practice. Once you complete it, however, you can use the same letter as a template for future letters. That will make it easy to craft a new one in just minutes with every application.

Spend a little time perfecting this part of the job process. It will be worth your effort, and it’s a skill you can master. When you land that job you want, you'll be glad you did.

Do You Really Need a Cover Letter?

If you're in the market for a new job, you might have seen contradictory advice about whether you should be submitting cover letters with your job applications. Many people don't use them, but many others still consider them to be valuable, if not essential. Here's a look at the pros and cons.

# How to Create Your Best LinkedIn Profile

Many people don’t think about their LinkedIn profiles until they're in the midst of searching for a new job. LinkedIn is an incredible job hunting resource, but it's also an excellent network for professionals from all over the world to provide mutual support. To get the full benefit of your LinkedIn presence, you need more than an acceptable profile, you need one that can engage the people who will really understand you.

## Why You Should Have a Profile on LinkedIn

Even if you aren’t looking for a new job, having a profile on LinkedIn is a professional necessity. Employers and recruiters from all over the world use LinkedIn to find talent. On top of that, it’s a way to stay in touch with other people in your industry, enabling you to stay on top of all of the latest industry trends. Failing to have a LinkedIn profile could hold you back professionally. If you’re serious about growing your career, you should make sure that you have the best LinkedIn profile you can possibly have.

## Tips for Getting Noticed on LinkedIn

Of course, LinkedIn is used by millions of people. How can you make sure that your profile is seen by the people who matter to you?

### Fill Out Your Entire Profile

There are a lot of different areas to fill out in the profile section of LinkedIn. Make sure that you fill them all out. LinkedIn has a handy feature that allows you to see how much of your profile is completed. It also gives you tips as to how you can make your profile even better. Be sure to utilize these so that your chances of being seen by high-profile companies and recruiters are at their highest.

One key area to fill out is the summary section. This section is your area to shine. Here, you can write a brief narrative of your professional life so far, highlighting all of your accomplishments. You can really use this area to show off your personality (while keeping it all professional, of course).

In addition, you'll also want to make sure that you use a high quality, professional photograph for your profile picture. Save your personal photos for your Facebook or Instagram accounts. Failing to have any kind of profile picture is also a sign to potential employers to move on to another profile.

### Keywords Are Key

One thing that is often overlooked on LinkedIn is the use of keywords. Do some research and see what keywords prospective employers are listing on their job postings. This will give you some indication as to the words that you can put in your profile so that you'll show up in their searches. The best places to employ relevant keywords are in your headline, your past and present job titles, the summary section, and the work experience section.

### Network and Interact

LinkedIn is an excellent way to connect with other professionals in your field. Join LinkedIn groups that are related to your industry. Be sure to spend some time interacting with the content within the groups. Don’t be afraid to share relevant articles and information pertaining to your areas of expertise, both inside of the groups and on your newsfeed itself. You want to paint yourself as an expert in your particular area. The best way to do this is to showcase all of the things you know.

### Insights on LinkedIn

If you know how to use it properly, you’ll be able to use your profile on LinkedIn to show what most drives you in your work, which happens to be where your strengths lie. This will assist you in finding new opportunities where you can put those strengths to work.

### Treat it Like Your Resume (But It's Not)

You want to be sure that your profile has the concrete accomplishments that your resume has. However, you should treat it more as a personal statement; it should always be in the first person. Think of it as a more engaging version of your resume.

### Be Authentic

You shouldn't be afraid to show off your personality on your profile. Just be sure to keep it professional. Include the things about you that you're most proud of. Incorporate volunteer work you’ve done. Show how you've made the world better, and remember to include the skills that enabled you to do those things.

## Making the Most of LinkedIn

Creating your best LinkedIn profile is on ongoing project. Update it as you grow and learn more about yourself and your work. It will be a door to rich relationships with people, organizations, and jobs if you put your authentic self into it.

How to Create Your Best LinkedIn Profile

Many people don’t think about their LinkedIn profiles until they're in the midst of searching for a new job. LinkedIn is an incredible job hunting resource, but it's also an excellent network for professionals from all over the world to provide mutual support. To get the full benefit of your LinkedIn presence, you need more than an acceptable profile, you need one that can engage your people, the people who will really understand you.

# How to Plan Your Job Search

If you're unemployed, you understand the stress of looking for a job. Planning your search will make the experience much more bearable, and it can save you some time and effort. To get through your employment search with greater ease, you should know how to make a clear, manageable, and effective plan.

No one likes searching for a new job. Polishing your resume, drafting cover letters, and preparing for interviews takes a long time, and it can be tempting to rush the process. The fastest way to find a job, though, is to plan each step in advance.

Think of your search as a full-time job in itself. After all, looking for a new job is a major endeavor. As with any large project, starting with a plan will help you succeed. You'll need to use your organizational and time-management skills to achieve the best results, and the time you take preparing will save you countless hours during the search.

## How Planning Can Save Time and Effort

By beginning your search with a step-by-step, actionable plan, you'll feel more calm and collected as you go. Here are four tips for getting your plan in place.

### 1. Articulate your goals.

Getting a new job is an opportunity for a fresh start. Use this time to think about what you really want out of a career. Do you prefer interacting with a lot of people throughout the day, or would you prefer a job where you wouldn't have to be outgoing all the time? Would you prefer to work for a small business or a large company? What kind of work do you find the most rewarding? By outlining your professional goals, values, and priorities, you can start to narrow down your search.

### 2. Create a daily schedule.

Looking for a job is stressful, especially if you're currently unemployed. The uncertainty and doubt can weigh on your mind and sap your motivation. One of the best ways to manage that stress is to create a manageable schedule and stick to it. Instead of worrying about all the tasks on your to-do list, you can simply check your calendar and focus on whatever's on the schedule for that hour.

It may take a few days or even a few weeks to find the daily schedule that works best for you. Some people feel more productive in the morning; others like to schedule more tasks for the afternoon. Find the schedule that allows you to accomplish as much as possible without feeling overwhelmed.

### 3. Establish objectives and milestones.

Your ultimate goal is getting a job, but there are plenty of other milestones to celebrate along the way. Breaking down the search into smaller objectives helps the experience feel more manageable, and it gives you opportunities to look back on your hard work.

Your first milestone could be to update your resume. The next could be to overhaul your LinkedIn profile and clean up your other social media pages. You could also set time-based objectives, like sending in a certain number of applications per week. Each time you reach one of these goals, celebrate your success with a small reward.

### 4. List your resources.

Thanks to the internet, there are dozens if not hundreds of places to search for a job. While this is helpful for expanding your search, it also can lead to disorganization and confusion. Keeping track of your resources is critical for saving time and staying organized.

First, list every website you plan to use to apply for jobs. Then, make a list of everyone in your network who could offer you leads. Keep a log of every time you search a site or reach out to a contact. And, most importantly, keep track of each of your target companies and all of your submissions and communications with them.

## How to Start Networking During Your Search

Networking is one of the most effective things you can do to shorten your job search. While many employers list their openings online, if all you do is submit your resume, you'll be competing with hundreds and maybe thousands of other applicants for each of those jobs. Having a direct link to a prospective employer is the best way to get your foot in the door. Your contact can vouch for you to the employer and can give you their honest opinion of the opportunity.

If you're inexperienced with networking, it may feel daunting. Here are three ways you can ease into networking and overcome your discomfort.

### 1. Use social media.

Social media are powerful networking tools because they help you get to know people before you even reach out to them. You can briefly scroll through their profiles to find talking points and then take your time crafting messages. LinkedIn is the most popular social platform for professional networking, but you can also use Facebook and Twitter to get to know people in your industry.

### 2. Use referrals to get informational interviews.

Instead of reaching out to a total stranger, use your existing contacts to meet new people. A mutual friend can help to ease the tension as you and your new contact get to know each other. The best reason to make new contacts in your industry, and especially in a target company, is to ask to set up an informational interview. These are short 20-minute meetings you can do on the phone or in person to get advice. 

### 3. Keep it small.

Don't a approach a new networking exchange with massive goals or expectations. Instead, simply think of it as a chance to get to know interesting people. Keep your meetings brief and focused, and seek to make them pleasant for you and for your contact. Keep your interactions free of pressure. Eventually, you'll get information you can use to make yourself more competitive, and if you can win some trust, you may even get a direct referral for an opporutinity. 

Looking for a job takes time, patience, and organization, but creating a plan will help you manage your time and stay on task. You don't have to feel overwhelmed by your search. By planning your actions in advance, you can keep a cool head until you get the perfect job offer.

How to Plan Your Job Search

If you're unemployed, you understand the stress of looking for a job. Planning your search will make the experience much more bearable, and it can save you some time and effort. To get through your employment search with greater ease, you should know how to make a clear, manageable, and effective plan.

# What No One Tells You about Job Searching

Usually, the thought of a new career track or job title is exciting. After all, you'll certainly be faced with new opportunities for personal and professional development. However, making the decision to find a new job is far easier than the job hunting process itself.

## Accept the Challenge

What you may not hear so often is just how difficult a job search is. Most people spend an average of five months looking for a new job, and many find that the process takes even longer than that. If you have to add in an economic downturn or a highly specific job title, you'll most likely find the process stretching out for well over nine or ten months. Plus, it takes many people several attempts at new jobs before they find the right fit for them.

Don't let this knowledge cause you to give up before you've even begun. Instead, you can actually use it to boost your motivation.

## Use Your Attitude to Change the Outcome

A simple online search or even a discussion with your coworkers, family or friends will quickly reveal that there is plenty of good guidance on how to find the perfect job quickly. Reaching out to your business network, creating the ideal resume and cover letter, and acing the interview process are some of the most oft-cited tactics for finding a successful outcome. However, there's one reality that's often missing: those outcomes don't come right away, and they don't come without doubt, frustration, and anxiety.

One key factor for getting through the job search process successfully is to maintain a hopeful attitude. Initially, this may seem easy, but after your twentieth rejection email, your confidence may begin to wobble. When setbacks happen is when you need your motivation most, and yet that's when your motivation may be most at risk.

Before that happens, lay the foundation for a strong mindset that is both realistic and hopeful.

## Turn Your Negatives Into Positives

When you encounter setbacks and feel your motivation slipping, there are things you can keep in mind to help you push through to the other side.

### Acknowledge that staying hopeful is your most important work.

Some people are optimistic by nature and most ready to see the upside of a situation; others are more inclined to look for what can go wrong. You actually need to balance both tendencies. Resilience comes from realistic hopefulness. To find that balance, you need to know what your true values are, what you are most willing to sacrifice for. Then when negative thoughts start to arise, your response can be, "No matter what, THIS is worth fighting for."

### Remember that there's a path for you.

Your ideal vocational path may not turn out to be attainable, but the attainable path that you can believe in still exists. Again, know what drives you, and be creative about how you can put your values into action and get paid for it. Talk to as many people as you can whom you can learn from, and keep an open mind. One crucial benefit of these conversations is that you'll find people who honestly want to help, which is in and of itself a huge motivator.

### Commit to controlling what you can and letting the rest go.

This isn't easy when we're stressed; we can get reactive and try to control things that we actually have no control over. It takes an effort to step back and reset. Having regular processes in place for managing your job search can be extremely helpful here.

### Respond to negative events with productive actions.

Establish the habit of responding to negative events with productive actions that you can take immediately and without thought. For example, if you get a rejection email, take the next hour or so submitting a new application, sending a request for an informational interview on LinkedIn, and setting your calendar for the your tasks the following week. Help another job searcher with their own informational review request, either by talking to them yourself, or by finding someone who an help them.

## The Way Forward

Insecurity and discomfort can be empowering, if you exercise your resilience "muscles." 

Although these tips may not make your job search shorter or make rejection feel any less upsetting, they can help you build your strengths and sustain your faith in yourself and in the people around you. Even when the road to the next job seems unending, know that your persistence is what will ultimately bring you success.

What No One Tells You about Job Searching

Making the decision to find a new job is far easier than the job hunting process itself. Here are some tips on how to maintain a mindset to stay the course.

# How to Negotiate with Your Employer when You Get Laid Off

Life can change in an instant. After receiving the news that you’re getting laid off, it might feel like your entire world is coming to an end. A layoff can be brutal to endure, especially if you didn’t see it coming. What are you supposed to do now? Is it possible to pick up the pieces and move on to something better from here?

Dealing with a major shock is never easy. It’s natural to feel angry and worried after realizing you just lost your job. Nonetheless, it’s important to keep your head and avoid going into panic mode. Losing your job doesn’t necessarily leave you helpless. Now is the time to negotiate with your boss and get the benefits you deserve.

## Come to Terms with Reality

Sometimes, bad things happen to good people. There are many reasons employers choose to lay people off. Maybe labor costs are too high, and long-term positions are going to those with seniority. Perhaps the company merged with another, and the new management team will be taking a different approach to staffing. It’s also possible that your performance simply wasn’t up to snuff.

None of these realities is easy to deal with, but if you can come to terms with the situation, you’ll be in a better position to negotiate a good severance deal. Do your best to avoid getting emotional. Don’t plead to keep your job or try to make an appeal about your financial burdens. Your boss likely already feels terrible about the situation. Maintain your dignity and avoid making the situation worse.

## Look at Your Options

Most companies offer severance packages to help employees deal with layoffs. What’s in these packages can vary, and all elements of the package are almost always negotiable. Before you attempt to negotiate, review what your former employer is offering.

### Severance Pay

Most layoff packages include some form of severance pay. Some companies provide the employee with six months of pay. This is only one of the possible benefits, and the exact amount is negotiable.

### Remaining Sick Days and Vacation Time

After a layoff, some employers are willing to let you cash in your remaining vacation time and leftover sick days.

### Medical Insurance

The possibility of losing your medical coverage is one of the most frightening aspects of a layoff. This is especially a problem if you or a dependent has health issues. But you have options. You should move quickly to make your decisions, because there are deadlines for applying.

- **COBRA.** Many companies allow former employees to continue using the company medical plan for several months, under COBRA. COBRA can be expensive, but you can negotiate for the company to help cover your premiums or extend the coverage period while you look for a new job.

- **State marketplace.** You can also enroll in your state's insurance marketplace, which can be much more affordable than COBRA. Depending on your income and the size of your family, you may be eligible for a subsidy to cover part of the costs.

- **Other options.** Other common options you could look into are Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance.

### Stock Options

It’s standard procedure for a company to take back unvested stock options after an employee leaves the company. Nonetheless, it’s sometimes possible to negotiate how this process will work. For example, if you’re close to reaching a vesting point, your employer might be willing to end your employment on a later date. Some companies also offer special deals, such as accelerated option vesting.

### References

Negotiations are about more than the details of your severance deal. You’ll also want to ask about references. A good reference from a former employer can go a long way in helping you find a new job.

## Negotiate with Confidence

Once you've looked over the basics of your severance package, it’s wise to have the paperwork reviewed by a lawyer. If this isn’t possible, consider contacting an experienced colleague or anyone else who might be able to help.

After the review, spend some time going over your priorities. You can negotiate, but you most likely won’t get everything you want. Therefore, the best route forward is to head into the meeting with a good idea of what matters most.

When you’re ready, meet with your former boss to discuss the severance agreement. Be confident in yourself, and prepare to discuss the ways you’ve contributed to the company’s success. Don’t be boastful, and don’t rewrite history. Take an honest look at what you’ve accomplished, and find examples that demonstrate your value.

## Keep Hope Alive for the Future

Getting laid off can be rough, and it may take some time to get used to the idea of moving on. Maintaining your confidence will be very important. If you know someone who's triumphed after their own layoff, try to get some perspective from them. In the meantime, do your best to negotiate an excellent deal, but also know that no matter what happens, you'll have other opportunities to start building a new future.

How to Negotiate with Your Employer when You Get Laid Off

A layoff can be shocking, but it doesn’t have to destroy your life. Learn what’s in a typical severance deal and how you can negotiate with your former employer for a better offer. Getting through this difficult time won’t be easy. However, with the right attitude, you should be able to work out a deal that will help support you during your search for a new job.

# The Best Work-from-Home and Flexible Jobs

There are many reasons to consider flex jobs. Full-time work isn’t for everyone. Parenting, working other jobs, health problems, and other situations can make it difficult to stick to a regular schedule. Working a flexible gig, and doing it from home, can give you the freedom you need to tackle life on your terms.

When you work from home, you’ll enjoy a greater degree of privacy. You’ll also be free of the need for a costly and time-consuming daily commute. Dealing with a vehicle breakdown or sick child will be less stressful without having to call your boss and explain. You’ll work when you want, and you’ll likely be happier for it.

Now that we’re more than a year into the era of COVID-19, more opportunities for flexible work are beginning to emerge. Before you set up a home office, you’ll need to take a realistic look at your options.

## Remote Work: What are the Options?

Flex and remote jobs are available in a wide range of industries. It’s possible to get a flexible position as either an employee or an independent contractor. These are only a few of the available options.

### Customer Service

There are a wide range of remote jobs within the field of customer service. Some of these jobs will be flexible. Others will require a set schedule, but you’ll be able to do them from the comfort of your home. In general, these jobs involve responding to customer complaints and other issues via email, chat, or phone.

### Data Entry

Many data entry jobs are remote. They usually require little experience, although you may need to pass a typing test.

### Teaching

Many teachers, particularly college professors, are doing their work from home these days. Much of the work includes things like grading papers and providing feedback to students.

### Writing

There are a wide range of remote writing jobs. Becoming a freelance writer will give you the opportunity to work for a variety of clients at your own pace. You can also work for a single agency, completing a number of required assignments each week.

### Marketing

Much like writing, it's possible to do marketing work from home. Marketing tasks include creating advertising campaigns, working with a marketing department, or managing a company’s social media presence.

### Tech Support

If you have a tech background, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to work remotely. You can use your knowledge of tech to support people who are struggling with computer or software issues.

### Translating

Are you multilingual? Translators are always in demand. There are limits to what computer translating tools can do. They often lack an understanding of the nuances of language. You can use your language skills to translate books, websites, emails, and more.

### Virtual Assistant

Busy people often need assistants to book appointments, organize schedules, and handle paperwork.

## Staying Happy and Productive While Working from Home

If you’ve never worked from home, you’ll want to approach this change with the right mindset. Working remotely can be wonderful, but it comes with challenges. You’ll need self-discipline to make this venture a success.

### Create a Routine

The point of remote work is to remain flexible, but that doesn’t mean a routine can’t benefit you. Adding structure to your day will help with productivity. Have a general idea of how you’ll spend your mornings, when you’ll begin working, and when you’ll quit for the day. You can adjust the schedule as needed.

### Embrace the Breaks

Breaks are important. When you work from home, you might feel tempted to skip them, but this would be a mistake. Skipping breaks is likely to make you less productive. Schedule breaks every few hours, and avoid the temptation to spend them scrolling social media. Instead, spend a few minutes outside getting some fresh air.

### Talk with the Family

Before you start telecommuting, sit down with your family and explain your needs. Maybe you need a guarantee of no interruptions. Perhaps you need to rearrange the home to create a dedicated workspace. Be honest about what you need to make things work, and let everyone know that your needs might change over time.

### Set Goals

Consider writing down your work-related goals each day. Research has shown that writing down your goals makes it more likely you’ll achieve them. Even if the work is the same from day to day, you can write something like, “Today, I will work productively and feel happy while doing so.”

## Finding a Remote Job: How to Get Started

If you’re searching for a work-from-home job, look at your skillset to see what might be available for you. If you already have a full-time job, talk to your supervisors about telecommuting opportunities within the company.

Don’t feel discouraged if you're initially struggling to adjusting to your new work-from-home life. All major changes take time to get used to. If you’re having a hard time focusing, try different routines until you discover what works for you.

The Best Work-from-Home and Flexible Jobs

Now that we’re more than a year into the era of COVID-19, more opportunities for flexible work are beginning to emerge. Before you set up a home office, you’ll need to take a realistic look at your options.

# The Top Three Things Every Recruiter Is Looking For in Your Resume

Did you know that employers usually spend only seconds reviewing a resume before deciding whether or not to ignore it? Here are some strategies for increasing the chances that your resume will be one that gets noticed.

## Things to Be Aware of When Writing Your Resume

A poorly written resume can hinder your job search right out of the gate. Recruiters often receive hundreds, if not thousands, of resumes for open job positions. With so many resumes to sift through, it’s no wonder that they quickly scan through resumes and make a quick decision as to whether or not the candidate is a good one based on their initial impression of the document. So, what can you do to ensure that your resume ends up in the “keep” pile rather than in the trash?

### Pay Attention to Formatting, Length, and Organization

One of the first things a recruiter is going to notice about your resume is its appearance. Make sure that your resume is formatted in a way that's easy to read. Don’t go overboard on graphic design elements (unless you’re applying for a job in a design field and it's appropriate for the job and company). Keep in mind that many companies use software to search through your resume for relevant information. Fancy formats can make it difficult for computers to "read" what's there.

In addition to this, you’ll want to be sure that your resume is one page, two at the most. Recruiters don’t have the time to read through lengthy resumes. To keep your document at a reasonable length, only include skills and job experiences that are relevant to the position you’re applying for. You should also ensure that your resume is well organized. Make it easy to find the various sections by bolding the titles of those sections. That way, a recruiter who is interested in finding a specific area of your document will be able to quickly find it.

### Hook Them with a Strong Summary

Since you only have mere seconds to make a great first impression on a recruiter, you want to grab their attention quickly. The best way to do this is to include a well-written summary that tells the recruiter who you are, what you’re all about, and why they should seriously consider you for the position. Putting this information up front will ensure that it doesn’t get buried further down within your resume. It will also make the recruiter want to keep reading your resume.

## Top Three Items to Focus On

Resume writing can be daunting. Many people have no idea where to focus their efforts. The following three areas are essential for you to be sure you spend a lot of time on. Neglecting them will make it more likely that your resume will wind up in the slush pile.

### Make Sure Your Qualifications Fit the Job

Recruiters have to be sure that the people they call in for job interviews match the job description of the open position. Applying for jobs that you are unqualified for wastes both your time and the time of the recruiter. This doesn’t mean limiting yourself to jobs inside of your industry, but it does mean spending some time doing research on how the skills you currently have qualify you for the job position you're seeking. Your resume should immediately show a recruiter that you have what it takes to do the job. It should also show that you’re the best person for the position.

### Include Your Previous Work Experience and Accomplishments

You should be sure to list relevant experience and accomplishments. Don’t be afraid to brag about yourself, but do show solid outcomes wherever you can. Don’t just list your job responsibilities. Include quantifiable information that demonstrates how the business benefitted from your actions. For instance, if you’ve increased sales in your department, tell the recruiter by how much. If you’ve led a team, include the number of people you led on that team.

### Use Keywords

One often overlooked area of resume writing is the use of keywords. Since job recruiters have to look through so many resumes, they are skimming the document for relevant keywords associated with the open position, or using software to do the same thing even faster. Including the appropriate keywords shows that you are aware of what is going on within your industry. It also shows that you’ve done your research regarding the position. One helpful way to find keywords is to see what words are used in the job posting itself. This can be an excellent starting point.

### Present Yourself as a Professional

To further increase your chances of coming across as a professional, edit your resume carefully to be sure that you’re using consistent tenses throughout. For instance, your job history and accomplishments should be in the past tense. As much as possible, you should also use the third person. In addition to this, you want to make sure that the email address you're using looks professional as well.

First impressions count with resumes as much as anywhere. These tips will help you ensure that yours makes an excellent first impression on job recruiters. Wowing a recruiter with a great resume makes it more likely that you’ll make it past the initial reading and into their office for a job interview.

The Top Three Things Every Recruiter Is Looking For in Your Resume

Did you know that employers usually spend only seconds reviewing a resume before deciding whether or not to ignore it? Here are some strategies for increasing the chances that your resume will be one that gets noticed.

# Five Things to Pay Attention to When You’re Evaluating a Job Offer

Finally getting an offer after a long job search can be a huge relief. You may feel tempted to accept right away and celebrate your new employment. However, not every offer is worth taking. To avoid making a regrettable decision, you need to evaluate the offer with a clear head.

Accepting a job can have a big impact on your life and your future, so it isn't a decision you should rush. While you're still in your job search, you should know what to look for in an offer and what you can do to get more satisfying offers.

## What to Consider When Evaluating an Offer

When you're deciding whether to accept or decline a job offer, consider more than just the salary. So many elements of a job can affect your life both personally and professionally. Here are five considerations to keep in mind.

### 1. Working Environment

The workplace environment is just as important as the salary when it comes to assessing a job offer. Even if an unpleasant employer offers a fantastic salary, is it worth feeling stressed and unhappy every day?

Pay careful attention to how the team talks about the workplace during your interviews. Ask plenty of questions about the working environment and employee turnover. If possible, speak with employees about their opinions on the workplace.

### 2. Salary and Benefits

Consider the salary and benefits as one package. A high salary with few benefits may not be as good as a lower salary with excellent healthcare, retirement, and paid time off. While you're still in the interview process, decide what your priorities are regarding benefits. Knowing beforehand what you're looking for will help you evaluate the offers as they come in.

### 3. Your Professional Goals

Where do you want to be in one year, five years, or ten years? Will this job get you closer to these goals? If the offer includes an appealing salary and benefits package, but it won't propel you toward your future aspirations, it may not be worth it.

Consider whether the position has room for growth. You can ask your prospective employers during your interview if they believe that the position has any upward momentum. If you see a potential to work your way up to bigger and better opportunities with this employer, it's a great sign that the offer is worthwhile.

### 4. The Company's Financial History

You don't want to work for a company that's struggling to stay afloat. This can quickly lead to budget cuts, layoffs, and constant worry about your job security. Even if they make a competitive offer, it may not be wise to accept.

Look at the company's public financial reports for the last few years to determine their financial standing. If the company appears to be growing, you may get some great opportunities with them in the future. If they're struggling, accepting the offer is risky.

### 5. Hidden Costs

When weighing the financial aspects of the offer, you should also consider the hidden costs. Will your commuting expenses increase or decrease with this job? If accepting the offer requires you to move, compare the cost of relocating with your salary. Evaluate the health insurance costs too. If your premium or deductible is higher than it was with your previous plan, the offer may not be as competitive as it appears.

## How to Ensure a Satisfying Offer

There are some steps you can take before you accept a job offer to get the best possible deal. Here are three things to do to help ensure the best offer.

### 1. Negotiate Your Salary


Effective negotiation can be tricky, but it's worth the effort. Research the average salary for the position in your area, and see what people with comparable experience and qualifications make. Consider the benefits too. You may have better luck negotiating for a great benefits package than for a salary increase.

Determine a specific, appropriate counteroffer. Then, to begin the negotiation, send a letter or email explaining the offer and your reasoning.

### 2. Be Confident

Sometimes an attitude shift is all you need to close the deal with an excellent offer. During interviews, don't feel as though you desperately need to win the employer over. Instead, think of the interview as an opportunity to see whether or not the job would be the right fit.

You want to put your best foot forward, but don't feel as though you should give up all control during the process. Your confidence will shine through in your interview and make you a much more competitive candidate.

### 3. Avoid Ultimatums

Neither you nor the employer should give ultimatums during negotiation. This can come across as manipulative or disrespectful, from either side. Understand the employer's limitations, and don't try to back them into a corner with your counteroffer. If the employer gives an ultimatum, ignore it. In many cases, they won't follow through, and you can continue negotiating as if the ultimatum never happened.

You can never be entirely sure whether accepting an offer is the right choice. The future is always uncertain, and there are many factors that are outside of your control. However, you can make a confident and informed decision if you carefully consider all of the available information. Most importantly, don't rush into accepting or declining an offer. Take your time and listen to your gut to make the best possible decision.

Five Things to Pay Attention to When You’re Evaluating a Job Offer

You've finally received a job offer after countless applications and interviews. You may feel the urge to accept it on the spot and put an end to your job search. Before you do that, it's important to take a step back and assess the offer objectively. There are some key considerations to pay attention to.

# How Do I Find a Cool Career?

Whatever "cool career" might mean for you, you've probably felt the desire for fulfilling work that you also enjoy, at least most of the time. Of course, dreaming about a career and knowing a career is in reach are very different things. How do people find these jobs? And more importantly, how do they get them? And more importantly still, how do they recognize them in the first place?

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to switch to a more exciting career, there are several things you can do to answer those questions and put a more fulfilling job within your reach.

##  Assess Your Life and Career Goals First

Before you start looking for that unique job, you'll need to know what your life and career goals are. What kind of life do you want to have within the next 5 years? The next 10 years? Which of your interests could make a difference in the world? If someone were to force you to define your perfect career, what would it look like?

Once you have a picture of the future, even if it's a bit foggy, you can start thinking about the steps that could get you there. If thinking about steps seems too daunting, pretend you're designing a path for someone else who's like you. Your compass should have two needles: what's practical, and what gets you excited. They both need to point in the same direction. Use your excitement needle — your "Yes!" needle — to challenge your practical "No!" needle when it's too cautious, and vice versa.

##  Brainstorm and Research 

Once you’ve identified your goals, you’ll need to assess your current skills and interests. This will also help to point you in the right direction. Aptitude assessments can get you started, along with online research. And if it's at all possible, you should seriously consider working with a career coach.

Just to get an idea of what occupations are out there, take a look at the Occupation Outlook Handbook from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. This can help you to zero in on what careers you naturally gravitate towards. It can also help you to discover what kinds of skills and education you'd need in order to have any of those careers. From there, you can extend your research into related areas that match up with your goals, your skills, and your interests.

One of the most powerful ways to explore the possibilities and build your confidence at the same time is to find people who are doing things that are similar to what you want to do, and asking them what it's like. Most people are happy to share why they love what they do and provide helpful advice. If your exploration ever turns into an actual job search, you'll have a strong head start on your informational interviews and a network of allies who'll want to help.

##  Things to Keep in Mind When Deciding on an Appealing Career 

Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, there are a few other things that you'll want to consider.

###  Practicality 

Could the career you’re looking at turn put to be a practical choice? We all know about those fascinating jobs that are infamously difficult to get into. But ask yourself what it is that excites you about those jobs. Dig a little deeper, and you may find that what you really care about is actually attainable in a different package. Don't rely on how the media portrays unique and interesting jobs — talk to the people who do them, or the people who work with those people. Find out what goes on around them. Your practical path may be there.

###  Career or Hobby 

While you might really enjoy rock climbing or restoring furniture, you may find that this kind of activity works better as a hobby than as a career. Doing something just for fun is a great way to be a fully rounded person. But work should be for making an impact on the world, one that reflects your values. This holds most of all for unique, exciting jobs.

###  Goal Alignment 

You’ll also want to be sure that whatever unique career you're looking at aligns with where you see yourself going in the future. This will ensure that you’ll find something well suited for you and your career path. It will also help you to feel fulfilled when you get up to go to work every morning.

##  Taking the Next Steps 

Once you’ve found the career path that truly excites you, you’ll need to find out what kinds of qualifications you'll need to meet to get a job in that field. If you already have the right skill set and education, go for it! If not, you'll most likely need to enroll in some kind of training or educational degree program. 

It may take some time to get there, but as long as you’re working toward goals that excite you and make a difference, your job will qualify as "cool."

How Do I Find a Cool Career?

Whether you’re just entering the job market or looking to switch to a more exciting career, there are several things that you can do to put a more fulfilling job within your reach.

# How Emotions Affect Your Job Search

A job hunt can be an emotional rollercoaster ride. One day you're elated about your possibilities, and the next day you're tugged at by panic about being unemployed. This can even happen from one hour to the next. It’s important to keep your emotions in balance, however, because if you don’t, they'll impair your ability to find a job.

## The Impact of Emotions

Worrying about your emotional state might be the last thing on your mind when you’re unemployed and looking for work, but emotions can hamper your ability to get the right job.

According to a study published in the *Journal of Career Development*, simply being emotional could lead to poorer job search results.

**Negative Emotions Led to Bad Choices and Bad Jobs.** Job seekers who showed more negative emotions in their interview responses were more likely to be less motivated and focused and to panic if they didn’t get a job right away. That panic caused them to take a scattershot, unthinking approach. This led them to settle for jobs that weren’t right for them, including jobs they said they didn’t want.

**Staying Neutral Led To Success.** Seekers who were emotion-neutral, on the other hand, responded to repeated rejections with a more focused approach. They came up with new strategies and redoubled their efforts. These seekers were more systematic in their approach and focused on finding the job that was right for them, ignoring jobs that weren't.

The researchers concluded that job searchers who managed and regulated their emotions learned not to decrease their search efforts and more often had successful outcomes.

## How To Become an Analytic Job Searcher: Five Tips

Are you ready to take a more focused, analytic approach to your search for a job? You’ll still feel strong emotions, but they won’t overpower your ability to make good decisions.

### 1. Be Prepared

Knowing what to expect can help you prepare mentally for the trials of a job hunt. Finding a job can take from 2 to 6 months. Like any long-term goal, success will sometimes feel elusive. Prepare yourself for the tough times by telling yourself, “Bad days are just part of the process, and you have to get through those to get to the good ones.”

### 2. Keep a Journal

You may already keep a journal for your work or your personal life. Start one that’s specifically focused on your search for work. Use it to take notes on appointments and interviews. Explore your feelings about the process. Write down your daily and weekly goals.

A journal will help you maintain your focus and help prevent pressure and frustration from distracting you. And as an added bonus, it will help you stay organized.

### 3. Learn To Handle Rejection

You'll face a lot of rejection during your search. When you get turned down for a job or an interview, make a real effort to not take it personally. There could be a dozen reasons the company didn’t think you were the right fit.

Use your rejection to analyze what you might have done differently, but don’t obsess about it. Learn what you can from it, and then move on.

### 4. Focus on What You Can Control

Focus on the things you can control. You can control the quality of your resume, your skill at interviewing and your ability to network. You can’t control how other people respond to you, the economy, or bias against your age. And, with effort, you can control how you react emotionally to the ups and downs of your search.

### 5. Take Breaks and Keep Your Energy Up

You may have heard that searching for work is a full-time job. That’s true, and it should include breaks just like any job.

Rebecca Zucker, in the *Harvard Business Review,* recommends finding activities that engage you. Things such as exercise, music, or meditation are important ways to revitalizes and recover. When you're refreshed, you'll find that you'll leave a much better impression as you interact in your networking and interviewing. And your mental and emotional balance requires it.

## Keep Your Balance

Like any life-changing project, your job search will take sustained focus and determination. You'll experience a range of emotions, but they don’t have to derail you.

Focus on what you can do, stop obsessing about what you can’t, and move confidently into your future. Doing so can help you make journey less stressful, and will almost certainly lead to a better result.

How Emotions Affect Your Job Search

Worrying about your emotional state might be the last thing on your mind when you’re looking for work, but emotions can slow your progress and hamper your ability to get the right job.

# Why You Should Use an Elevator Pitch for Your Job Search

If you've ever looked into whether you need an elevator pitch for your job search, you've probably encountered conflicting advice. Some people consider it a valuable tool, while others advise against it And many of the reasons you'll see for not using an elevator pitch are good ones. They can feel wooden and artificial, they can come off as "selling" rather than engaging, and they can seem out of context with a natural conversation. But all of these are examples of elevator pitch misuse. If you understand what your elevator pitch actually should be doing, you'll find that it can be very helpful. 

Here's a better way to think of your elevator pitch: a flexible version of your personal statement that you can comfortably deliver any time to anyone. It's a must-have for your job search tool kit.

## What Is an Elevator Pitch?

An elevator pitch is a short statement lasting between 30 and 60 seconds. It's meant to be short, not so that you can fit it into some theoretical elevator ride, but so that you can use it naturally in many different conversational situations.

Its purpose is not to buttonhole a stranger to grab their attention. Its true purpose is to create a natural transition in any conversation, a bridge to gracefully and naturally bring up your job search without making you or the other person feel awkward. 

The reason you should "work on" your elevator pitch in advance is so that you don't walk away from the conversation thinking, "Oh! I wish I'd said . . ."

## How to Design Your Elevator Pitch

Your elevator pitch is simply a way of delivering your personal statement. Your personal statement is made to be read, not to be memorized and recited, but it has the same ingredients. Therefore, you shouldn't design your elevator pitch until you already have your personal statement.

### Start with a Personal Statement

Your personal statement should be an extremely short story. It can be longer than an elevator pitch, but at its core, it has the same ingredients:

- A short statement that affirms the values that give you fulfillment and the strengths you use to put those values to work. Example: "I have always been . . ."
- A short description of the kinds of impacts you've been trying to make with those strengths in your career so far. Example: "A main focus of my career has been to . . ."
- What your experience has taught you about what you want to do next. Example: "Through my experience with X, I've become very interested in contributing Y."

You make these ingredients real by basing them on your true history. The best way to do this is to have a list of your accomplishments. There you'll find some valuable patterns: what kinds of contributions you made, the strengths you used to make those contributions, and most especially, the values that directed those strengths.

### Design the Elevator Pitch

Once your personal statement has a solid core, it should be fairly easy to pare it down to a 30-second outline, using the exact same structure.

## How to Use Your Elevator Pitch

One of the most important skills you can develop as a job seeker is the ability to have engaging and enjoyable conversations that can naturally segue to the subject of your job search, without feeling forced or manipulative. 

The key to doing this is to cultivate your natural curiosity. By asking questions and being genuinely interested in what people have to say, you'll have  no problem starting up engaging conversations. When you make others comfortable to talk about themselves, they'll be more likely to make you comfortable to talk about yourself. Your elevator pitch is an excellent tool for just this moment. 

The best time to use your elevator pitch is when someone is basically asking you for it. 

The best way to take full advantage of all the preparation that went into your elevator pitch is not to memorize it, but to just deliver it naturally as often as you can. Practice it by delivering it in a relaxed way. Instead of worrying about whether you got it right, just go back and review it later, and try to remember  how what you said compares to what you wrote. 

If you follow this rhythm, you will have an ever-improving and adaptable elevator pitch:

1. Review the pitch  
1. Use the pitch in a conversation where it feels OK to do so 
1. Review the pitch and compare it with what you said. Tweak it.
1. Find more conversations to try the pitch again.
1. Review and tweak again.
1. You're on your way!


## Your Indispensable Elevator Pitch

As you can see, your elevator pitch is a living thing; it adapts and improves as you use it. Eventually it will become a part of you, and you'll no longer need to think about it so much. And as that is happening, it will be helping to open more and more doors for you.

Why You Should Use an Elevator Pitch for Your Job Search

For job searchers who aren't marketers, the idea of using an elevator pitch  for "selling yourself" can be off-putting. Here's a better way to think of it: a version of your personal statement that you can comfortably deliver any time to anyone. It's a must-have for your job search tool kit.

# Career Advice for Millennials

In a 2018 study conducted by the Pew Research Center, Millennials made up 35% of the American workforce, making them the largest age demographic for workers. In fact, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2020 they are the largest of any adult age demographic in the U.S. Millennials were born between 1981 and 1996. This means that they are either just starting out their careers or in the early stages of advancement. 

What do Millennials have in common besides their age? Actually quite a bit. As a group, they have the highest percentage of women working, the highest rate of cultural and ethnic diversity, and the highest rate of education. Compared with Generation X, they're not that much more likely to job-hop, and as a group they're about as well off economically as Generation X people were when they were at comparable ages. In the areas of starting households and paying off student debt, though, they're behind. And economic inequality is higher among Millennials than in any other group.

That's a big range of factors. Good career advice for Millennials will be based on how the world of work has changed since Generation X workers were young. But the principles hold true for everyone. It's how they're applied that will depend on the situation of your age group, and on your individual situation. Here are some rules of thumb.

## Find a Career You Enjoy

One message that many Millennials hear all the time is to follow their passions and never settle for anything less. While it’s always a bad idea to pursue a career in an area that you hate, fixing on your current passion as a career path isn’t necessarily a good thing. It’s important to realize that what you enjoy most will change over time, as it should. In addition to that, any job you have will come with its own ups and downs.

When it comes to finding a career path, fix on your values and on the impact you want to make in the world. Career paths should be exploratory. Jobs can be vehicles for learning what is most important to you through work. Rather than fulfilling "**a** passion," look to try out responsibilities that energize you and bring you a sense of personal fulfillment. If the main component of your job consists of one or both of those things, you'll be able to evolve a successful and meaningful career.

## Focus on Results

While it’s important to be sure that you're performing the tasks that are assigned to you, if you want to advance in your career, it’s important to focus on results that also move you towards your own future goals. This means not only going above and beyond your current job description. It means always being willing to learn the new things that will enable the future you.

Focusing on the results of your projects at work will help you to stand out to your boss. It can help you gain promotions within your company. It also helps you to write a results-oriented resume that can bring you bigger and better job offers from inside or outside your current company.

## Take Risks

Now is always the best time to take reasonable risks for your career. This can mean anything, from being willing to work for a small start-up or starting a new career path, to looking for new ways to contribute in your current job. It’s never too late to experiment and begin working on the things that you’ve always wanted to do. Taking risks allows you to continue to grow your skills in ways that make you an appealing candidate for future jobs.

## Career Insights for Millennials

While establishing a fulfilling and meaningful career is important for many Millennials, to get there you have to be willing to put in a lot of hard work. You also have to be willing to listen to the advice of those who have come before you. Working with a mentor (or mentors) is a great way to speed up your learning and build your confidence.

### Starting at the Bottom

"Starting at the bottom" is an unfortunate expression. People learn what their future opportunities will look like by working where they are. The place where you start is not the bottom, it's the beginning. The beginning may be less interesting than what you envisioned for yourself, which can be frustrating. But it's also a reliable way to get a better understanding of what your true dream job will actually be.

### Get to Know Your Colleagues

It’s important to connect with colleagues and other professionals to help you grow in your career. Many people are put off by the idea of networking, because it seems shallow and inauthentic. That's a good instinct. The task ought to be to develop real relationships with people you can learn from, and who can learn from you. These are the types of relationships that will really help you to get your foot in the door when you want to move forward in your career. And, more importantly, some of them will become rich friendships.

### Develop Time Management Skills

When you're trying new things, it will always be a challenge to manage your time efficiently. One strategy that will help is to manage your energy carefully. You should devote enough time in your work schedule to perform tasks that require concentration and deep thought while you're fresh. Avoid checking your emails and other lighter tasks during those times. Once you’ve done your “real work,” you’ll be able to move on to other things like meetings, messages, phone calls, etc. You'll be most effective if you can develop the skill of quickly restoring and refreshing at key points every few hours in your day. Even 15 minutes can make a huge difference when repeated over time.

## Success Takes Time

Establishing yourself in a fulfilling career takes time and effort. Those are table stakes. What will truly move you along is cultivating an attitude of patient and consistent experimentation, of becoming good at exploring your way into every successive dream job. By thinking strategically about where you want to be in the future, you’ll be able to find and keep a career that both pays the bills and that you enjoy doing.

Career Advice for Millennials

Millennials make up 35% of the American workforce, according to a 2018 study conducted by the Pew Research Center. That makes them the largest age demographic for workers. Is there such a thing as career advice that's best for millennials? Find out.

# How Should I Describe My Accomplishments?

Being able to list your professional achievements fully, accurately, and convincingly is an essential skill for any worker. Most of us probably know this at some level, but it's also probably fair to say that most of us feel we could be better than we are in this regard. We're often disinclined to rehash the details of past work, and the information may not be easy to find. And then there's our brains: studies have shown that negative experiences stick in the memory much more than positive ones, making the past look a bit more like a minefield, or at least cactus patch, than a meadow of successes.

Listing our achievements takes time and a clear head, so it's unfortunate that many of us don’t get to it until we find ourselves facing an unexpected career disruption like a layoff or a serious conflict and we need a strong resume. Having a master record of your accomplishments helps you stay confident in the face of challenges and puts you on the right foot for a rapid transition.

## Your Record of Accomplishments Is More Than What's in Your Resume

One key distinction will help you significantly on your job transition. There's a difference between the accomplishments in your resume's work history and the master record of accomplishments that you should be keeping for yourself. 

If you can maintain and enrich your personal master record of accomplishments, you'll always have a ready source of material to copy into all of your resumes, taking just what you need for each one. 

But that's not all; you'll also have a resource for reminding yourself and others who you are and what you can do, where your strengths lie and what your values are. It becomes a powerful tool for maintaining your focus and motivation when you need it most, during your transition, and beyond. 

## How to Have a Master Record of Accomplishments

The best way to build and maintain your master record of accomplishments is to grow it over time: treat it as a journal that you come back to on a regular basis. Set aside time once a week to log each and every accomplishment you’ve made throughout that week and review your previous entries. Always include the date and some notes about the context. Here are some suggestions:

- Look at your calendar and notes from the week and log anything that seems good.Set a low bar. Capturing even minor accomplishments can help you find useful patterns showing your strengths and what you value. 
- Wherever you can, include how outcomes made a difference in saving money, time, or work, or in making someone's life even a little better. Doing this while the details are fresh in your mind prevents them from being lost forever.
- As you review your achievements, tag them to show dates, projects, skills, awards, or special assignments. This will help you to find the relevant ones when it comes time to put them into a resume.  

## How to Get Started

Getting started needs to be as easy as you can make it, or you'll be less likely to do it. This is especially true if you're in the midst of a career disruption. 

All it takes is one or two short sessions:

1. Make sure you're in a quiet place with no distractions. Get a pen and paper, or open your favorite note-taking app. Get out the timer on your phone or computer, and set it for 10 minutes. At the top of the page, write down your most recent position. 
2. Now, for 10 minutes, use free association to write down every accomplishment that comes to mind for that position. No accomplishment is too small. Be as silly as you want. The idea is to get your mind to start using those associations to recall more and more of what's buried in your memory.
3. When the time is up, move back in time to the previous position and do this again. Don't worry if you feel like you're on a roll when the timer stops. Use that extra momentum to get a better start on the next earlier position.
4. Do this for every position you want to include. When you're done, copy the  accomplishments into your master record. Now, every time you review the master, you'll be remembering more details and making improvements.

## How to Use Your Master Record of Accomplishments

One immediate benefit of building up your record is that uncertainty starts to go down and confidence starts to go up. As this happens, you'll be more motivated to put those accomplishments to work for you. The first and most obvious place is your resume, but there are others as well.

### In Your Resume

As you find accomplishments that you can use in your resume, you should structure them for the strongest impact. One way to do that is to use the CAR formula: Challenge, Action, and Result. Each achievement you summarize should identify the challenge you encountered, the action you took in order to solve it, and the concrete outcome. There are a number of other good approaches that you can find on the internet. Just make sure to keep your structure consistent.

### In Your Personal Statement

As you review your master record, adding tags as you go, you'll start to see patterns. Pay special attention to the patterns that reflect your values. Your accomplishments say something about what's important to you. This is hugely valuable, because it enables you not only to list your values, but to show examples of your values in action. A few of these are invaluable for your personal statement, and for any time that you need to introduce yourself to a recruiter or potential ally.

## Keep It Going

Every accomplishment, at one point, was a part of your everyday life. If you can capture them when they happen, you'll soon have a rich source of information that will keep you motivated and confident, and help you communicate your value to the people who'll want to help you and hire you.

How Should I Describe My Accomplishments?

Listing our achievements takes time and a clear head. But it's something many of us don’t get to until we find ourselves facing an unexpected career disruption like a layoff or a serious conflict and we need a strong resume. Having a master record of your accomplishments helps you stay confident in the face of challenges and puts you on the right foot for a rapid transition.

# Where Will You Find the Best Post-Pandemic Jobs?

As the world returns to normal in the wake of the coronavirus, some of us are looking for our own personal economic recovery. The pandemic was devastating to certain industries, and your job may have been among them.

On the bright side, certain regions and industries have created new opportunities. If you need a job, you need to know where to find these opportunities. Here's what experts say about the employment outlook as we go into recovery.

## Economic Impact of the Coronavirus

The shutdown rules and quarantine orders affected millions of businesses. Small, independent restaurants, retail stores and businesses that cater to office workers all saw massive job losses. Many of those jobs will never come back.

After a sharp jump in unemployment rates at the start of the coronavirus crisis, unemployment rates have ticked down again. Overall, the virus caused the loss of around 23 million jobs in the US.

## Worse Than the 2009 Recession

The effects were massive and widespread. According to the United Nations, the coronavirus shutdowns caused the loss of 225 million full-time jobs around the world.

Jobs in transportation, restaurants, entertainment, hospitality and retail were hit especially hard, but few industries were untouched. The UN said the impact was four times worse than the impact of the 2009 financial crisis.

## Some Industries May Never Recover

These industries suffered the most job losses. It’s unlikely these jobs will come back quickly.

- Leisure and hospitality: More than 1 million jobs lost with a current 16.7% unemployment rate.
- Mining and extraction support positions: 13.1% unemployment rate.
- Travel and transportation: Truckers, railroad and airline employees have an 8.4% unemployment rate.
- Nonresidential construction: Commercial construction has an unemployment rate of 9.6%. Residential construction and home improvement, however, stayed strong.
- Motion picture and music industries: Hollywood suffered huge job losses.
- Personal services: Laundries, personal shoppers, and dry cleaners have an unemployment rate of 7.4%.
- Self-employed and freelance workers: Although some people advise laid-off workers to become self-employed, this sector actually lost jobs and has a 6.7% unemployment rate.
- Nursing: This was the only health-related field that lost jobs.

Will these industries come back? They will, but their growth will be slow. If you want a job, you’re better off looking at industries that show signs of growth in the post-pandemic recovery.

## Signs of Hope: Where the New Jobs Are

It’s not all doom and gloom. With the development of the vaccine and the slow reopening of schools, the outlook for employment is showing signs of life.

The Economic Policy Institute predicts that three factors will lead to faster hiring in the second half of 2021. These three factors, they say, weren’t present during the 2009 recession:

- Consumers have a stronger financial cushion and a desire to start spending again.
- The pandemic didn’t destroy high-paying industries the way the financial crisis did.
- Government efforts seem to focus on stimulating the economy rather than conserving the budget.

### Feeling Optimistic

Heidi Shierholz, an economist at the Economic Policy Institute, told the Associated Press, “I am not often optimistic, but I am optimistic now.”

There are signs it’s already happening. In fact, a report in *The Hill* found that many people who lost their jobs to the pandemic have found better-paying ones. The findings applied to both white-collar and blue-collar workers.

They found that more than half of all workers who were laid off found fulltime jobs that paid better than their old ones. Another interesting finding was that 16% of white-collar workers accepted blue-collar jobs and 24% of blue-collar workers found higher-paying white-collar jobs. All these new jobs were in essential occupations.

### Where the Jobs Are: States with the Best Economic Recovery

According to a report by finance blog *WalletHub*, some states are showing employment growth already. The ten states creating the most jobs are:

1. South Dakota
2. Iowa
3. Nebraska
4. Vermont
5. Utah
6. Alabama
7. Arkansas
8. Montana
9. Wyoming
10. Indiana

Coming in at the bottom are Nevada, Colorado, and Hawaii.

If you live in a state that’s showing growth, you could find a job fairly soon. If you don’t, consider getting a job in an industry that’s showing signs of a comeback.

### Where the Jobs Are: Industries That Show the Most Growth

Here are the industries experts say will show the best hiring opportunities in 2021:

- Retail stores
- Car dealerships
- Medical and dental offices
- Construction and trades
- Barbers and beauty salons
- School bus companies
- Office administrative
- Restaurant kitchen and delivery

## How To Cope with Job Search Stress

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the stress of looking for work, take time every day to manage your stress. Here are some tips that can help you get through the tough weeks and months ahead.

- Maintain a regular schedule to feel like you're in control.
- Avoid obsessing over news reports. Limit your use of social media.
- Get regular exercise and eat fresh, healthy meals.
- Avoid excessive use of tobacco, alcohol or drugs.
- Get emotional support from friends, family, and support groups.

## Make a Fresh Start with a New Job

Searching for a new job is never fun or easy, but the post-coronavirus job situation may be more promising than you think. Look for a job in an industry that shows steady growth and a bright future. You’ll be on your way to your own recovery before you know it.

Where Will You Find the Best Post-Pandemic Jobs?

As the world returns to normal in the wake of the coronavirus, certain regions and industries have created new opportunities. If you need a job, you need to know where to find these opportunities. Here's what experts say about the employment outlook as we go into recovery.

# You May Be More Qualified for That Job than You Thought

Back in 2013, in her book *Lean In*, Sheryl Sandberg mentioned a Hewlett Packard report that showed that women only apply for jobs if they think they meet 100% of the qualifications, while men apply if they meet only 60% of the qualifications. 

The common conclusion drawn from this was that male job seekers are more confident than their female counterparts. If women are to be hired more often into leadership roles, they need to have more self-confidence.

Subsequent research has shown that it's actually more complicated. It turns out that it's less about how confident women should be in themselves, and more about how confident they should be **in the job description**.

What we're learning about this turns out to be very helpful for women in the job market (and also for men). 

## Why Women Hold Back from Applying

Tara Mohr is an expert on women's leadership. She was skeptical of the explanation that male job seekers are more self-confident, so she conducted her own research. She presented her findings in a 2014 *Harvard Business Review* article. 

Mohr asked men and women why they would decide not to apply for a job for which they don't meet all of the qualifications. What she found was that lack of self-confidence was the least-cited reason all people gave for not applying. 

By far the most common reason they gave — again, both men and women — was that they didn't think they would be hired and didn't want to waste their time and energy. 

One answer, however, did differentiate the women from the men. 
The great majority of reasons women gave for not applying — 78% — were based on the assumption that the posted qualifications that were ruling them out were "real" and accurately reflected the hiring process. 

In other words, what was holding them back was a mistaken perception about the hiring process. 

Research has shown that young girls are encouraged to be rule followers, while young boys are encouraged to be rule testers. And it's often been noted that in work situations women are more likely to be hired on the basis of qualifications, while men are more likely to be hired on the basis of "potential."

It's no wonder then if women have learned that they can benefit from a strategy of being diligent about following the rules, that this can help them become visible and successful — both as job seekers and as workers. 

One of Mohr's conclusions was that this strategy may not be enough. 
It could be that what really counts for women is getting good at building strong networks and advocating for themselves, and putting rule-following in the back seat — just as the men do.

## How to Approach Job Postings

All job seekers, but especially women, can benefit from this insight by following two strategies in their searches. 

- Evaluate the qualifications with a clear eye.
- Put yourself forward. 

### Qualify the Qualifications

Not all qualifications are equal — you need to identify the most important ones. 
It’s all about fit. 
If you meet 60%-70%, you can be successful — but which 60%-70%? 
The answer to that will depend on what you learn about the company and the role, possibly well beyond what's expressed in the posting. 

1. First, check your gut; does the job sound intriguing? 
If so, then make your own "real" list of qualifications, based on your intuition and your knowledge. This will be the hypothesis that you test.
2. Research the company. 
Use all your sources — professional associations, alumni, former colleagues, LinkedIn. 
3. Adjust your qualifications hypothesis as you learn. While you're at it, tweak the keywords on your resume, cover letter, and profile.

### Put Yourself Forward

All your research should be putting you in front of people who can help you. 
Make this part of your networking. Find someone at the company who will look at your resume and cover letter and give you advice. Show them the posted requisition and your hypothetical requisition. Are you missing anything? If you did a good job, they may feel confident to pass your resume along internally.

## Bottom Line

* Often, women will decide not to apply for jobs that comparably qualified men are more likely to apply for. Research suggests that this is because men and women see job postings differently. 
* Both men and women can be more successful at getting interviews if they evaluate qualifications using company research and networking. Finding the insights behind job postings will make them stronger candidates.

You May Be More Qualified for That Job than You Thought

If a job posting excites you, but you're passing it up because you don't think you qualify, you might want to take a closer look. It turns out that there's more to learn from a job description than you might think.

# 3 Tips for Getting Ready before Your Remote Interview

Interviews can be stressful; you never know when you’ll get a curveball. Luckily there are a few high-impact preparations you can make to stay ahead of the game, to ensure that you maintain your best professional demeanor and convey the most relevant information.

## Prepare with the STAR Method

You may already have encountered one type of curveball that has caused many candidates to swing and miss — the behavioral question. These are the questions that start out with something like “Tell me about a time when . . .” and lead you into some knotty scenario that you then need to gracefully talk your way through. There's a method you can use to knock these out of the park. It's called STAR, for Situation, Task, Action, and Results, and it's basically a format for telling an effective story.

Here's how it works. When you're given your question, you first lay out the scenario (situation), and describe your role in it (task). This sets the stage for you to then describe in detail each step that you took or would take to deal with the issue (action). Finally you tie everything up by describing the outcome (result). As you can see, this is not something you'll want to do off the cuff. It really pays to set up some STAR stories in advance.

Your preparation could go something like the following. Say you’re interviewing for a customer service position. You think you may be asked about a time that you had to deal with a difficult customer. Think of some examples of this from your past experience and break one down into the STAR format. Write out your notes to create talking points that clearly summarize the situation, lay out the tasks you were expected to complete, detail the actions you took, and end with the results. Then review your notes a few times before your interview.

Keep in mind that not every question will be intended to elicit a positive outcome. Interviewers may want you to describe a time when a project failed, to discover how well you used that as an opportunity for improving future outcomes.

## Get Dressed for Your Interview – Head to Toe

Most of the time, your video interview will only show you from the chest up, but put yourself into the right mindset by dressing right from top to bottom. The act of preparing yourself as if you were going to do the interview in-person can help your brain get into the right mode for peak interview performance.

For many professional roles, the normal dress code for remote work has relaxed a bit; you may still want to consider what the in-office expectations would be, and dress for that.

## Get Your Space Right, and Plan Ahead

Well before you’re due to join the meeting, take some time to try out the webcam on your computer and look over the whole picture area. You want to project the right image, and that will include everything visible in your space.

If there’s a stack of books or papers in the frame, consider whether that might be sending the message that you’re not a well-organized person.

Photographs aren’t a problem, but think about what’s in them. A photo of you and loved ones at a family gathering is probably fine, but anything you would refrain from putting on your desk at the office should be out of sight during a video interview.

In general, visual clutter that may distract the interviewer from focusing on you should be organized or hidden altogether.

The same applies to audio distractions, and these can be more difficult to predict and handle. For example, you may not be expecting your neighbor to mow their lawn during your interview, but if they do, you won’t be able to control that. Have a second location ready if possible, one that won’t present the same problems.

The more you take these three preparation measures, the better your remote interviews will go. You’ll find, after the first few times, that your preparation will get easier and easier.

3 Tips for Getting Ready before Your Remote Interview

Interviews can be stressful; you never know when you’ll get a curveball. Luckily there are a few high-impact preparations you can make to stay ahead of the game, to ensure that you maintain your best professional demeanor and convey the most relevant information.

# Should You Join a Startup?

Maybe you're looking at possible startup jobs right now, or plan to be soon.
If you end up getting serious about the possibility, it will be absolutely essential that you spend time with real people who've worked in real startups.
It's the only way to get a true sense of what's out there.

But in the meantime, it's fine to get a sense of some of the basics.
Here are four things to get you started.

## Fewer Resources and More Resourcefulness

Startups operate on some combination of revenue and investor dollars — early startups usually run completely on investor funding.
Until a startup is really self-sufficient, leadership will be wracking their brains to make every dollar last as long as possible.
That means you usually have to make do with fewer resources than people have in more established companies.

### The upside

Over time you learn to become extremely resourceful at doing more with less.
That can make you more resilient, more creative, more productive — and more comfortable in challenging situations.

### What to watch out for.

For many people, medical costs may be a serious area of risk.
Also, there's nothing wrong with wanting to be comfortable in your job — physically and financially.
Everyone's needs are different.
As with any job, you'll need to make sure that you'll have the benefits and other resources you need.

## Greater Demands and More Opportunities

When things absolutely need to happen immediately, there may not be enough people available to do them.
Everyone needs to be able to step up, time and again, sometimes for months at a stretch.
This will demand more of you, and more of your time, than most other kinds of jobs.

#### The upside.

Being a part of a high-functioning team having adventures together can be very exciting.
You discover powers in yourself that you might not find in more comfortable circumstances.
This can be a huge confidence builder.
It can also be a powerful bonding experience.
People will have your back, and you'll have theirs — lifelong friendships are made in startups.

### What to watch out for.

You should think of your startup job as a joint enterprise requiring the support of friends and family.
It will be on you to make sure that you can work with them to adjust your commitments.
You also need to make ways to rest and recharge — that won't be something you can take for granted.
Finally, you should know this about startup environments: when there's trust it can be amazing, but when trust is lacking, it can be terrible.

## Predictably Unpredictable

Startups by their nature are vulnerable to unexpected internal and external changes.
That could mean scary shocks or it could mean unexpected windfalls and opportunities.

### The upside.

Unicorns by definition are rare. Nevertheless it's hard to resist the familiar stories of tiny companies that surprise everyone and hit big.
But what's not rare are the many moments of smaller success that surprise and encourage startup adventurers every day.
If you're a startup sort of person, those moments can nourish your motivation through many periods of doubt and frustration.

### What to watch out for.

Unfortunately it's much easier to kill a young startup than it is to create a Facebook.
If your main reason for joining a startup is fast wealth, you'll most likely be disappointed.
Even if you're on board for other reasons, you'll need to have fallback planning in place.

## Equity Compensation

Because cash must be conserved in young startups, some compensation often takes the form of company equity.
This is usually stock awarded to you at various times as options.
You have to wait for some set period after the award before you can actually own that stock.

### The upside.

Holding stock in the company means that you're an owner, like the investors.
Your contribution to the success of the company has an impact on how much you make.
If the company does well, your stake will be worth more; in some cases it can be a lot more.

### What to watch out for.

Of course, the company may not do well, in which case your stake will be worth less; possibly as little as zero.
Some few people hit the jackpot in the first few years, but most realize their gains only after a number of years, and possibly over a number of different startups.
If you stick with it because you love the work, the money will come later.

## It's an Adventure

Adventure isn't a bad word to associate with working in a startup.
It's not so much a job as it is a way of life, one with lots of ups and downs.
Talk to some people who work for startups, and watch your reactions.
If you feel enthusiasm for what they do and how they do it, that's the surest sign that you should take a deeper look.

Should You Join a Startup?

Have you ever wondered whether working for a startup was for you? Here are four considerations that you should keep in mind.

# How to Stay Motivated in Your Job Search

Job hunts can start off with a great deal of enthusiasm. As important as it is though, optimism can become elusive. Time passes and the search goes on, and on. Search motivation can begin to falter. Here are some things you can do to ensure that you maintain your motivation.

## Have a Daily Routine

Establishing a consistent routine every day is an essential element of staying motivated. Wake up at the same time every morning and perform your morning routine just as if you're going to work, because you are. Eat breakfast, get ready for the day, and sit down to hit your job search tasks. Doing these things at a designated time every day will help you to feel less anxious and more confident.

## Set Goals That Are Specific and Measurable

It’s easy to fall into a slump when you’re in the middle of a job hunt that seems as if it will never end. Making specific goals is essential for helping you stay on top of everything that you need to do. However, make sure that your goals are measurable, so that you can track your progress. This will help you to feel confident that you’re making progress throughout the search.

## List Your Life Achievements

While you may be feeling down about your current circumstances, it’s important to remember the achievements you’ve made in your career and your life so far. Not only will this help you to feel more confident, but it will also help you identify those achievements in resumes, cover letters, and in job interviews. Review your accomplishments whenever you need a pick-me-up.

## Take Time Off

Don’t be afraid or feel guilty over taking time off. When you first start to notice that you’re having trouble staying motivated in your job search, take some time off — before you actually start losing momentum. Renewal is an important way to get back on track. Build small moments of renewal into each day — whether they be short meditation sessions or brisk walks.

## Keep a Positive Mindset

In the thick of a job hunt, your job search enthusiasm can waver. Before this happens, you should have ways to remind yourself to do some things that will help you to stay positive, because you might not think of it when you're down. Remembering what you're most thankful for, and earning the thanks of others are two ways to do that.

## Stay Connected

So much of your job search keeps you at home all day, which can be be its own source of stress. Whatever you can do to get out of the house will help more than you might think. Call a friend or mentor. And whatever you do, don’t stop networking with others on your chosen career path.

## Acknowledge Your Job Search Accomplishments

Unfortunately, it's easier to remember what you haven't done than it is to remember what you've done. Look back at everything you’ve achieved to make it this far in your search. This will recharge your confidence and it can help you to see fallbacks as temporary. It’s also a useful way to reinforce where you would like to go in the future.

## Know You’re Not Alone

Many people have been in this situation and understand what it's like to be between jobs. Talk to your friends and family about what you’re going through. Odds are they’ve been through a similar situation and may be able to help you in some way.

## Conclusion

Keeping your motivation all the way through a job search may not always be easy. However, these few things can help you stay enthusiastic, productive, and positive. Keep your routine, stick to your goals, hold tight to your planner, and keep space open for friends and renewal.

How Do I Stay Motivated in My Job Search?

Searching for a new job can be a full-time job in and of itself. The uncertainty surrounding the entire process can make it difficult to maintain your motivation, especially when your job search hasn't produced results in a while. There are ways to maintain your job search motivation for the long haul.

# How Can I Keep Working from Home After COVID?

If you’re one of the many workers who've recently discovered what it's like to work from home, you may be wondering whether your company is going to allow you to continue the arrangement once things go back to normal. The best way to find out is to ask your boss. However, before you make the ask, build your case in a way that is compelling to your company.

## It's All about Building Trust

Before COVID-19, many managers were mistrustful of work-from-home arrangements. After all, how are companies supposed to ensure that their workers are being productive? As the global pandemic necessitated remote work, many companies have found that remote work is feasible and that employees can be happier and more productive while working remotely. Nevertheless, there are still benefits to the traditional office setting, so you may need to build your case.

### Keep Track of Your Productivity

Before you ask your boss whether you can continue to work remotely, you need to show that you’ve been able to remain productive while outside of the office. Tracking data relating to your productivity and the projects you’re expected to deliver can help to build a solid case that you’re able to work just as hard at home as you did in the office, and perhaps even more.

### Gather Your Accomplishments

While you’re gathering data related to your productivity, you can also begin building a list of achievements you’ve accomplished during the pandemic. If you’ve gained more clients, completed projects on time or early, stayed under budget, saved your employer money, etc., put that on the list.

### Stay on Top of Communication

In order to successfully work from home, you need to reassure your employer that you're easy to contact and communicate with. This means responding to messages in a timely manner. It also means being an excellent communicator. Make sure you’re still participating in the virtual team meetings. This will ensure that your employer sees that you’re still going to be an active part of your team.

### Meet with Your Manager Face to Face

Try to meet with your manager over video instead of just talking on the phone with him or her about your proposal. This will allow you to see how responsive they are to the idea. Be sure to bring up specific examples of how successful you've been working remotely. After your meeting, follow up in writing.

### Offer a Trial Period

Be prepared to have to compromise. For instance, you may only be able to remotely only one or two days a week. In addition, you may want to offer to do this on a trial basis so that you and your manager can determine if this is an arrangement that will work long-term.

## Things to Consider before Talking to Your Boss

Before you meet with your boss to ask if you may continue working remotely, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

### Is It Right for Your Job?

Are there some aspects of your job that are better suited for being in the office? Does most of your team perform their work in the office? If so, you may not be able to work remotely once the pandemic is over. You may, however, be able to arrange part-time remote work.

### Time Your Request Appropriately

Don’t make your request during a time when everyone is busy with a project and stressed out over meeting the deadline. In addition, don’t wait until just before you’re supposed to go back to working in person. Once your company has begun discussing reopening, you can bring the topic up with your manager.

### Show How It Benefits Your Company

While you may — and should — have all sorts of reasons for why working remotely benefits you, your employer will be more apt to say yes if you can show them why this will be a better arrangement for the company, and for them.

## Don’t Be Afraid to Ask

While you may feel a little nervous about asking your manager whether this is an arrangement that can continue on after COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted, don’t be afraid to ask! You may be able to come up with an arrangement that's beneficial to both you and your employer.

How Can I Keep Working from Home After COVID?

The global COVID-19 pandemic forced many companies to move their people into new workplaces: their homes. Many workers found that they much preferred working remotely. Recent studies are showing that remote workers tend to be more productive than their office counterparts. In addition, people who work remotely tend to be happier with the extra control they have over their workday.

# Your Least Appreciated Skills May Be Your Most Powerful Assets

Bias against job seekers over 55 is a real thing. According to the AARP, in 2018 about three in five older workers experienced workplace age discrimination. But more and more, employers are coming to a realization about age bias — it’s bad business.

It’s bad business partly because many beliefs about this enormous group are simply not true. What's true is that older workers provide greater returns on investment, not least because they readily adapt their knowledge and experience to new situations and help younger workers become more effective.

There’s another reason why age bias is bad business. It’s one that undervalues some crucial skills particularly common among experienced workers — soft skills. This bias may be working against you, not just because of potential employers, but because of you.

## Soft Skills Are Power Skills

You may be under-appreciating one of your strongest assets: your soft skills. Many people think that the most important skills they have are the ones that helped them specialize, that require special knowledge about complex matters. These are often the skills that seemed to advance them in their careers — their so-called hard skills.

The fact is that businesses rating higher on soft skills and lower on hard skills perform better than companies that rate lower on soft skills — even if those companies are stronger on hard skills. This realization caused Google to revolutionize its hiring practices, and many other highly competitive companies consciously pursue workers with strong soft skills.

It’s easy to take our soft skills for granted. They’re very much a part of us, of who we are. But it’s important to take these skills seriously when making a career change. These are your most portable skills — they can be used in many different situations. And the more you can exercise them, the greater the job satisfaction you'll have, and the stronger your contribution will be.

If you’re thinking of looking for new ways to work — maybe in an entirely new field, you may be wondering how to make your skills and experience fit in new situations. Your soft skills will be your greatest help in this effort.

### Develop these skills, and look for ways to use them.

**Creativity** — the ability to try new ways of seeing things and the willingness to make mistakes

**Persuasion** — the ability to communicate so as to spread conviction

**Collaboration** — the ability to agree on a goal and cooperate to get there

**Adaptability** — the ability to let go of preconceptions and let go of stress

**Emotional Intelligence** — the ability to read others without getting in the way

Your Least Appreciated Skills May Be Your Most Powerful Assets

Age discrimination is real; many people experience it every day. But employers are coming to realize that experienced workers have valuable skills to offer that aren't as easy to find in younger workers. Value these skills in yourself, and look for employers who also value them.

Career Transition Insights You Can Use Now