What to do With Conflicting Career Advice

The scenario – A client walks into my office and sits down saying she needs help with finding a job and doesn’t know where to start.

Me – Do you have a resume I can look at so I can get an idea of your experience?

Client -Well, I didn’t know where to start. I have fifteen years of experience and I’ve been trying to fit it onto one page.

Me – Why?

Client – I’ve been told I have to use only one page. I read an article that said how a resume should look if I want a job. Oh, and do I need a cover letter? I’ve been told that I do, but then I have a friend who works in HR and she says that she never reads them. I’m so confused!

It’s true, there is a multitude of conflicting career advice available from your friends and family, and online. So… who is right?

Here’s the real scoop… it depends!

What can you do with all of this conflicting information?

• Keep in mind your own career, your own experience, and your target company/industry/job. Sometimes you may read articles that are not relevant to your geographic area, or where you are in your own career growth. Why follow advice that won’t work in your area?
• Resume length – it depends on your work experience, your career target and your industry. Is this a networking resume or a federal resume? Are you new to the workforce, or do you have steady career progression over the past 10 years?  Your resume is more about quality and relevancy to the job for which you’re applying. What is the point of having a one page resume that doesn’t demonstrate your accomplishments? And the same goes for two pages!
• Research will help you decide what to put on your resume. Do you need your education listed at the top or the bottom? It depends! Be sure to thoroughly research the company, understand the job announcement, ask your network for any information they may have about a company or career field, and research sites such as www.glassdoor.com to see if you can find additional inside information to help you tailor your cover letter and resume.

Having access to information is a good thing, even when it overwhelms you. Keep in mind to use the pieces that fit you – your personality, your industry, and your career. There is no such thing as one-size-fits-all when it comes to finding a job. Analyze what is and isn’t working for you.

When you’re not seeing progress, you may need to change tactics. That’s when it’s good to review the plethora of career advice and see if there is something different you can do that will help you move forward in your job search. You may need to get out of your comfort zone a little in order to move forward. Just don’t feel like you have to implement every job search tactic you see.

“It always seems impossible until it’s done.”

Nelson Mandela

Here are some additional resources to help you wade through the information overload:

What to do When You Receive Conflicting Career Advice, by Charlotte Weeks

Conflicting Career Advice: Which is Right, by Kaitlin Madden

 

 

 

 

Only 6 Months Left in the Year – What Have you Done with Your Career Goals?

Gosh, we’re halfway through 2016 already! Before you know it, we’ll see all sorts of media asking you about your 2017 resolutions.

By the way, how are your 2016 career resolutions coming along? Have you accomplished some of your goals? Have you set new sights on new frontiers?

Or has daily life taken over, bogged you down, and time has simply slipped away?

If you had set your eyes on a new career goal back in January, it’s not too late to still work on your ambitions.

Start with evaluating your original career goal. Ask yourself:

• Was I being realistic?
• Did I set a reasonable timeline? Did I even set a timeline?
• What have I done so far to attain this goal? Have I taken on new projects, earned a new credential, or completed a course relevant to my next career?

If you find yourself exactly where you were six months ago, and that is not where you want to be, now is the time to refocus.

Perhaps you need to change your goals. I always write my plans in pencil so they can be easily changed. The same goes for your career aspirations; sometimes they need to change. Let’s face it, life happens. We often give up because life didn’t happen the way we wanted.

You may even say, “But Lori, I’ve done all the right things – took a course, got a certification, did my research, and all that jazz – and I’m still stuck!”

Let’s go back to your original objective you had in mind at the beginning of the year. Write it down. Then write down everything you have done to move in the direction of accomplishing your goal. Then ask, what else can I do?

• Did you update your LinkedIn profile with your new accomplishments?
• Have you let others know you’re looking to make a career move?
• Are you making new connections online?
• Have you asked for help – from friends, family, former colleagues, a mentor, a career coach? Who is in your corner supporting you?
• Will your current location support the career you want? If not, are you willing/able to relocate? Do you want to start your own business? Expand your ideas to give yourself more options.

Attaining any goal can be a struggle.

Your career will most like be more of a zigzag pattern, not the nice straight line to success. That would be too easy! For now, keep your goals in your sights and never give up!

Here are some great resources to help you when making a career change:

15 Questions To Ask Before Making A Career Change, by Chrissy Scivicque at Careerealism.com

5 Very Good Reasons to Volunteer to Find Employment, by Bob McIntosh at Things Career Related

How to Set Ambitious Career Goals You Can Realistically Accomplish, by Lea McLeod at The Muse

 

Getting the Most Out of Career Assessments

Have you ever taken a career assessment to help you figure out which career path to choose, only to find the assessment results telling you to do all the things you dislike?

When this happens, you may feel frustrated, annoyed, and think that changing careers is pointless. This hopelessness can bring you down and make you feel trapped.

I remember when my husband was unhappy about his career in the military. He wanted to get out, but he didn’t know what to do after the military. He was guided to a career assessment and without much instruction, he quickly clicked through the assessment questions. At the end, the assessment said he should have a career in the military! No joke! Of course, he then felt assessments were pointless.

Well, first, we need to keep career assessments in perspective and consider how you’re responding to the assessment questions. Often, inaccurate results occur when you’re not answering the questions honestly. I don’t mean you’re lying and purposely deceiving yourself or the assessment; many times we don’t even realize we’re not answering honestly.

Whenever I work with a client who is unsure which career direction to take, the first step is a conversation. If you are working with a career coach/adviser/specialist, be sure there is a conversation about your current situation and what brought you to this point. Without an understanding of the person, an assessment has little value. If you’re taking an assessment on your own, be sure to either ask yourself or have a friend/family member ask you the following questions:

• What have you liked/disliked about previous jobs? The hours, the people, the daily tasks, the location/commute, the pay…
• What does the perfect job look like/feel like for you? Why?
• What have you done to prepare yourself for a new career?
• What are you willing to do in order to reach your career goals? Will you go back to school? Will you volunteer to gain experience? Will you move to a new area?

There are a multitude of career assessments available. Some are free, some cost money, and some require a licensed counselor to administer. Keep in mind when taking assessments, they often only measure one area of your life.

You are not a one-dimensional creature, there are numerous factors regarding career satisfaction; therefore, multiple areas need exploring in order to help guide you to the best career fit. And here is where perspective comes into play. Assessments exist to help GUIDE you; not solve your problems, not hand you the dream job on a silver platter.

To help you keep perspective and to stay honest with yourself when taking a career assessment, keep in mind the following:

• Before you start any assessment, clear your mind. Forget about what others say you should do, what you’re good at, what pays the most, what has the most prestige; just focus on yourself. Clear the clutter from your mind. Choosing a rewarding career is for your peace of mind.
• When you are taking a career interest assessment, keep in mind these assessments are designed to see what you’re interested in doing for a career. Not what you already know. For example, if the assessment asks if you would like to build cabinets, your immediate response may be, “I don’t know anything about building cabinets”, so you respond ‘No’. However, maybe you find it interesting and you would like to learn. The assessment is trying to figure out if you like working with your hands, not that you’re going to end up a cabinet-maker. Go into the assessment with an open mind.
• If you take a career values assessment, again focus on just what you feel is right for you, not anyone else. If work-life balance is not something you value in a job, that doesn’t make you a bad person! You need to understand what is important to YOU so you can find the best fit.
• Career assessment results are not final, they do not determine your fate, you are not stamped with that career title for life. Assessments simply help you get started, to get an idea of careers that match your results. After any assessment, when it gives you that pretty list of careers that match your results, the next step is research. This is the step most people skip. This is the part that requires work, and can take time.

For a nice list of career assessments and tips, this article from Quint Careers is fantastic – Career Assessment Tools & Tests: Assessments for Students, Job-Seekers, Career-Changers

Also, one of my favorite assessments is from O*Net –

“The O*NET Interest Profiler can help you find out what your interests are and how they relate to the world of work. You can find out what you like to do. The O*NET Interest Profiler helps you decide what kinds of careers you might want to explore.”

The great thing about the O*Net Interest Profiler is that you get a nice list of careers to explore afterwards, taking you to that next step in finding the right fit. And notice, the last statement is about exploring careers – that research component.

Career assessments are only one piece of the career puzzle and useful if you use them as a guide, clear you mind of outside influences, and discuss the results of the assessment with someone who can help guide you to the next step. Good luck!

 

Finding Balance During Your Job Search

Staying positive during your job search can be challenging at times. You’re networking, scouring job boards, applying for jobs, constantly revamping your resume, researching companies… it’s exhausting! You can get worn down, especially when you’re not making noticeable progress. Even when you’re doing everything “right”, you still face a challenging job market.

Just like everything in life, your job search strategy needs balance. There is only so much time you can spend focusing solely on finding a job. Some of us start feeling overwhelmed and after multiple rejections, feeling a bit defeated.

These emotions can come across in an interview, possibly making the hiring manager think you’re not a good fit for their company. That’s the last thing you want!

So, should you just forget it and hope the right job lands in your lap? Nope! You need to find the right balance of job search and self care that works for you.

Everyone will have a different tolerance level for their job search; be sure to take these suggestions as just that – ideas that may help you find YOUR balance and reduce some of your job search stress.

Exercise

Did you make a New Year’s resolution to lose weight, or get healthy, or use your treadmill/exercise equipment? Well, now is a perfect time to start! Here are 13 Unexpected Benefits of Exercise. You don’t have to train for a marathon, just get up and get moving, doing something you enjoy – cycling, walking, yoga, weights, rollerblading… whatever it is, so long as you don’t dread it.

Take a Break

I don’t mean take a month off; just a few hours a day doing something that feeds your soul will help. It could be catching up on your favorite hobby, taking a free online class, learning a new exercise, taking care of home projects, read a book (to enhance your job skills or fluff just for the fun of it), or spending more time with friends/family. Having something positive to look forward to each day will fuel you and keep you going during the ups and downs of your job search.

Create a Schedule

Often, our job search can be derailed by outside forces, adding more stress to the situation. Balance is also about having a structure. Everyone sets up a schedule differently, so do what’s best for you – sticky note reminders, a formal calendar with activities planned at particular times, a to-do list scratched on a spare piece of paper, or automatic reminders on your phone that will ding loudly to help you remember what needs to get accomplished for the day. Having structure can help you stay focused on your priorities.

Here is a great article by Melody J. Wilding, LMSW about the 5 Ways to Keep Going When the Job Search is Getting You Down.

For some additional tips on finding balance and staying motivated during your job search, watch this video from Monster – How to Keep Motivated in Your Job Search.

Volunteer

Whether the volunteer work is directly related to your career goals or not, simply getting out of the house and helping others is a real energy boost. Find something that speaks to you – caring for animals, participating in your child’s school activities, planting trees/flowers in a local park, or a beach clean up.

For more information about the benefits of volunteering, check out my post – Want the Job but Lack the Skills? Try Volunteering!

Looking for a job or changing careers is never easy. It takes time, hard work, and persistence.

 

 

 

Nervous About Your Interview?

I don’t know many people who absolutely LOVE being interviewed. Many of us just tolerate it because it’s part of the process to get a job. Even knowing it’s something we have to do, doesn’t help keep you calm. Whenever we’re anxious about being judged, our palms get sweaty, our heart rate accelerates, we feel the butterflies, and we just want to get the interview over with. Since most of us don’t enjoy this part of getting a job, we tend to avoid preparing for the interview, which can lead to disaster.

To keep the nerves in check, I have found the best thing to do is PREPARE!

• Research the company well in advance, preferably when you are working on your resume, and then continue more in-depth  research after you submit your resume. Don’t wait for the call for an interview. What if they want to interview you over the phone first as a screening call, or see you the very next day?  If you haven’t already done your research, then you may find yourself in a panic, stay up too late and not get enough sleep for the big day. Scrambling will only cause more stress in an already stressful situation. So take some time to research long before you get THE CALL. Find the company on social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, the company’s blog). This can help you find out about the culture, appropriate attire, company benefits (something you should not ask about in an interview since you can usually find it on the company’s website), and learn about the people who work there.
• Prepare your attire in advance. Your research will help you decide what is best for the big day. You don’t want to find yourself rushing out to the store, only to find that all of your sizes are out of stock, and the new shoes you bought pinch your toes badly. It’s hard to concentrate on interview questions when you’re flustered and worried about an ill-fitting outfit. When your clothes are ready, you’re ready to go to your interview in a moment’s notice.
• Review your resume and remind yourself of your accomplishments. Relate your accomplishments to the company (another way your research will come into play) so the hiring manager can already picture you working as a part of their team.
• Practice your responses out loud with someone who can give you honest feedback. Just having the answers in your head isn’t enough. Saying your success stories will help you remember them when you’re feeling the jitters. Be sure to go over your stories multiple times so you are comfortable with the information, but don’t sound like a robot.
• Bonus Tip – BREATHE! This may seem silly, but when you find your heart rate increasing, that’s when breathing may become irregular, causing headaches or dizziness. If you don’t feel well, you’re not your best. So breathe slowly and deeply.

When you put in the time and effort to be your best, it shows. Hiring managers see numerous mediocre candidates; by putting in the effort to know the company, dressing appropriately, and communicating your skills and accomplishments, you will stand out from the crowd.

If you want more interview help, check out these great articles and resources:

Quint Careers – 10 Best Job Interview Tips for Job-Seekers –https://www.quintcareers.com/job-interview-tips/

Career One Stop – http://www.careeronestop.org

Careerealism – 3 Phone Interview Tips to Build Your Confidence – http://www.careerealism.com/phone-interview-tips-build-confidence/

Monster.com – Interview Tips: 10 Tips to Improve Interview Performance – http://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/boost-your-interview-iq

 

 

 

Want the Job, but Lack the Skills? Try Volunteering!

Do you fall into the infamous catch 22 – You have the education, but you lack the experience? Or maybe you want to make a career change, but you’re missing a few key ingredients to seal the deal. Well, one way you can overcome this challenge is to volunteer.

When I graduated college, I was the classic cliché; I had the education, but had very little work experience, and didn’t have a clue as to what I wanted to do with my life. I recall one interview I had shortly after college where the hiring manager handed me a list of skills used on the job. He smiled and asked, “Which of these do you enjoy?” After reviewing the list, I answered honestly, “None of them.” Obviously, I didn’t get the job; which turned out to be a good thing, because it forced me to consider what I truly wanted to do, what career path I wanted to pursue.

Instead of pouring over countless job ads for positions that didn’t interest me, and instead of moping about the house, I got out and volunteered.

Sure, I had a load of people, family included, who said working for free was pointless. I had friends who flat out refused to volunteer. And that’s ok! You need to do what is right for you. For me, volunteering was how I discovered what I truly love to do!

Not only did I discover my passion, I gained valuable skills I could take to any employer, and now I could focus on the right jobs and the right companies. Throughout my various volunteer positions, I learned how to teach workshops, plan events, work within a diverse team, communicate with all levels of management, help others, and make a positive difference in my community.

One benefit of volunteering is that many organizations will train you!

In your job search, have you found that many employers want you to have the full skill set the moment you walk in the door, and they don’t want to train you? Often we say, “If they will just give me a chance, just train me. I’m smart, I’ll learn, I can do it if you let me try.” Only to find that employers don’t want to take the time to train. With tight budgets, training is one of the first items to go by the wayside, making it difficult to break into a new career.

“But,” you say, “I have bills to pay! I can’t afford to volunteer.” Volunteering doesn’t have to be your full time gig. There are some organizations that need help with online content, special events, a weekend, or a few hours a month. This also gives you the opportunity to try on a few different hats to see what you like and don’t like; and if you don’t like it, you can move on to another position or organization.

Volunteering can help your career!

• You can build skills and enhance existing skills that may be a bit rusty.
• Meet new people and expand your network.
• Build your resume, and fill in the employment gap; often, employers want to know you did something while unemployed, even if it’s not in your industry.
• Because many companies value community involvement, your volunteer time can help you stand out from other candidates and help you be seen as a good fit for the company.
• You may find your dream career!
• Have fun!
• Help others!

If you’re not sure what skills are needed for your new career, and therefore you’re not sure what kind of volunteer work you should seek, start with some research:

• O*Net – http://www.onetonline.org – O*NET OnLine has detailed descriptions of the world of work for use by job seekers, workforce development and HR professionals, students, researchers, and more!
• Bureau of Labor Statistics – http://www.bls.gov – The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor is the principal Federal agency responsible for measuring labor market activity, working conditions, and price changes in the economy. This site provides a wealth of information.
• Career OneStop – http://www.careeronestop.org – This site is a part of the Department of Labor, where you can explore careers, research salaries, find training and professional associations, search for jobs, and find local job search assistance.

Ok, you may not have many volunteer opportunities near you. As I’ve moved around the world, I have been in some isolated areas, so it may take some effort to find the right fit. As mentioned above, there are some organizations that need your help online. Yep, that’s possible!

How can you find volunteer opportunities in your area?

• Volunteer Match – http://www.volunteermatch.org – Connect with a cause that needs you, get customized recommendations, and uncover new volunteer opportunities that matter to you, wherever you are.
• Do a simple Internet search for – ‘volunteer opportunities in (your city)’, or ‘volunteer opportunities for kids’, ‘volunteer opportunities for seniors’, or ‘non-profits in (your city)’.
• Research your favorite national organization and see if they have a local chapter.
• Research a cause close to your heart and see if your community has an organization helping in your area.
• This article by Tia Goodwin includes additional sites for finding the right volunteer opportunity for you.

Volunteering isn’t for everyone; however, it is certainly an option for you to consider. You gain so much more than you can even realize. And while you’re helping your career, you can help others. It’s a win all around!

Check out this awesome video that shows how many volunteer opportunities there are in just one organization!

Keep in Mind These Resume Basics

Hmmmm… What did I do in my last job? Heck, what did I do last week?

When it comes time to write/update/revise your resume, you may find yourself staring at the monitor wondering where to begin.

For myself, I like to start writing ideas, anything that pops into my head, and then clean up the formatting and style later. Others may need to get the formatting completed first because they can’t concentrate until the foundation is settled.

However you approach your resume, it’s important to keep some of the basics in mind to help you through this process.

• Communication is one of the top skills employers want in their employees. Therefore, it is critical you effectively communicate your value to employers. How? Quantify your experience! Whenever you can quantify your experience (put numbers to your accomplishments), and give solid results of what you have accomplished, you will stand out from the crowd and give a solid example of how you add value to the company. Don’t worry if you haven’t saved the world just yet, everything you do really DOES have a result. It can be something as simple as making a customer happy (guess what, happy customers means repeat business, which means increased profits!), solving a technical problem, accurately balancing your cash drawer at the end of your shift, or saving time on a task by streamlining the process. Put your thinking cap on (or ask friends/colleagues/family for help brainstorming) and start jotting down everything you can think of where you have a result for your work.

• Research the employer so you can understand their mission, values, and challenges. Whenever you’re not sure what to write, look to the company to find out what’s important to them; then focus your resume to meet their needs.

• Avoid words only used at the National Spelling Bee. There have been times when I have reviewed a resume where someone went nuts with the thesaurus. Use everyday words and terminology that match the industry.

 

• Don’t include a photo – just don’t.

 

• Don’t lie, fib, stretch the truth – Whatever you want to call it. If it’s not 100% true, don’t put it on your resume. If you are found to have told just a little lie, you can be fired. By the way, there is no such thing as a little lie.

• Include your social media links, so long as they are a part of your professional brand (reputation), such as your LinkedIn profile. If you use Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, or any other social media for fun/friends/family, be sure your security settings are locked tight, avoid posting anything you wouldn’t want to world to see, and don’t include it on your resume.

 

• If you are printing your resume, remember to use quality resume paper. Most office supply stores carry resume paper. Avoid anything too dark (which makes it difficult to read or scan), fancy designs, or plain copy paper. When you print your resume, check that the watermark is right-side-up. This kind of attention to detail may set you apart from the crowd.

 

• And the final tip, be sure to have someone else review your resume! Not only should they check for typos, they can help you remember your great accomplishments, make sure you have addressed the company’s needs, and you’re following the submission rules.

For more great tips, check out this article!

 

Social Media’s Impact on Your Career

There was a time when what we did outside of work wasn’t public knowledge. We didn’t have to worry about a comment taken out of context ruining our career for the world to see. We also didn’t have to manage our careers 24/7, always promoting our skills and constantly checking our status.

Social media has drastically changed how we look for jobs and how we manage our reputation. Reputation and brand management is a new skill we must learn.

With an increasing number of employers looking for new employees online, and using basic internet searches as part of a background check, it is critical you master your social media presence.

Social Media May Hurt Your Career

What do you really know about your favorite celebrity? Do you believe everything you see in the media about the latest scandal? Well, now YOUR life is open to the same scrutiny as celebrities, politicians, and others in the spotlight. That picture you took in Bavaria holding a glass of beer may be perceived by someone that you’re an alcoholic and shouldn’t be trusted on the job. Fair? Maybe not; but does it happen? You bet it does!

So what are you to do? Employers want to see you online, but you fear something will go wrong. First, always be aware that anything you, a friend, a colleague, classmate, or family member posts about you, is fair game for judgement by complete strangers.

Therefore, be sure to let these folks know not to post anything about you that distracts from your professional reputation. Perception is greater than reality, and if an employer perceives you may not be a good fit for their company based on the photos from a family picnic, then you could lose out on a job.

Conduct an internet search for your name at least once a month. If you may forget, you can set up a Google Alert – http://www.google.com/alerts. Once you set your alert to search the internet for your name, you will be notified anytime your name appears online. This will help you track posts with your name so you can act quickly if necessary to have something removed.

Kindly ask friends and family to take down pictures or posts that distract from the image you’re trying to project. Be sure to ask nicely; you don’t want an argument online and have another negative post floating in cyberspace.

If you find a lot of results for your name, and they’re not you, then you may need to use a middle name or middle initial when establishing your social media accounts and then use that name on your resume and other job search documents.  That way, the employer will find the REAL you.

Social Media Can Help

Once you have the digital dirt cleaned up, it’s time to make a plan for how you want to use social media. You don’t want to start using every site available, only to get overwhelmed or neglect these sites. Having a poorly managed online presence is as bad as not being online.

So which social media outlet is best for you?

                  

• Do you need to show your work – photography, digital media, floral arrangements, interior design? Then choose an outlet where you can showcase your expertise.
• Would you want to create videos of your work, demonstrating your skills?
• Do you have published articles or presentation slides you want to display?
• Who is your audience? What do employers in your career field value?
• How much time and energy can you devote to building and maintaining your social media accounts?

Keep in Mind…

• Be consistent – use the same photo for your accounts. Building a consistent image will help build your brand. If you update your picture, be sure to update it on all of your accounts.
• Only post information that helps build your brand. You may be tempted to comment on the Oscars or someone’s outfit – resist! Always ask yourself, “What does this have to do with my brand? How does it help my reputation as an expert in my field?”
• Go slow with social media – watch, listen, and learn first.
• Social media is 24/7 and once something is posted, it’s fair game for the world to judge.
• Social media does not replace face-to-face connections.
• Even if you are not currently looking for a new job, social media should be a part of your career management strategy.

Want more information? Check out these great articles!

Is Your Social Media Presence Hurting Your Job Search?

What Prospective Employers Hope to See in Your Facebook Account

Don’t Ruin Your Career in 140 Characters: Social Media Job Hunting Tips

 

Answering Interview Questions: Remember, You’re a STAR!

Who loves being interviewed? Raise your hand! Ok, so some of you actually enjoy interviews. For the rest of us, it’s not always something we look forward to, but endure in order to get the job.

While preparing for your interview, it’s essential to practice what you will say. You may ask, “But how can I practice when I don’t know what they’ll ask me?” Great question! There are several steps you can take that will help you prepare and practice how you’ll respond to interview questions.

• Research the position and the company
• Review the most common interview questions and be sure to practice with someone – a person who can give you honest (not cruel) feedback
• Review your resume and remember the stories that go along with your skills and accomplishments. People remember stories much more than vague, cliché responses.

All too often candidates fall into the habit of giving ambiguous or overused answers, which leads to the interviewer getting bored and you not standing out from the crowd. Here is a common scenario I experienced when interviewing potential candidates:

Interviewer –  “Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer.”

Candidate – “I worked with a lot of customers. If someone was upset, I would stay calm, listen to the problem, and do what I could to fix it or get my manager.”

Interviewer – Snore….(thinking to myself) I’ve heard this exact answer from the last 10 people. Why does everyone miss the key phrase “Tell me about a time…”? I want a specific story, something that gives me an example of exactly what you did and the outcome of those actions!

So how do you tell a compelling story that is remembered by the interviewer? Just remember… you’re a S.T.A.R.!

Let’s give the interviewer what he/she wants by giving a solid story using the S.T.A.R. formula.

S – Situation (once upon a time…)

T – Task (this is what happened, my challenge)

A – Action (these are the actions I took, this is what I did)

R – Result (this is what happened, this is how the story ends)

How about we give that interview question another chance, and use STAR this time:

Interviewer –  “Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer.”

Candidate – When I worked as a Teller for Oscar Bank, I routinely worked with customers who were upset with the company’s policy regarding their checking accounts. (Situation) On one occasion I encountered a particularly upset bank member who became very irate about the extra fees added to her account. (Task) I took the time to listen carefully to the customer’s complaint, and often repeated the information back to her so that she could see I was giving her my full attention and taking the time to completely understand her complaint. I apologized to the member about the misunderstanding. I then printed out the literature regarding the bank’s fees and policies, carefully explaining how each applied to her. I pulled up her account and showed her how the fees were assessed on her account. Once the member understood how the fees came about on her account, I gave her several recommendations on how she can avoid the fees in the future and the resources available to her. (Action) The customer had calmed down, and even though she was still upset about the fees occurring, she admitted that she understood how to make better financial decisions for the future. Whenever she visited the bank, we were on friendly terms and she continued to be a valued banking member. (Results)

As you can see, this takes work to remember your stories, the specifics and the results; however, you will make a positive impression during the interview when you use this method. So few people provide adequate responses, you will certainly stand out from the crowd after giving the details.

This is why you must practice your interview responses! If you only rehearse in your mind, you may fumble when it’s the real thing.

By practicing this formula multiple times, long before you have an interview scheduled, you can calm down your nerves, and be the shining star who the company can’t wait to hire!

 

The Basics of Building Your LinkedIn Profile, Part 2

Now, the Rest…

In Part 1, I focused on the top third of your profile. It is important to catch the recruiter’s attention quickly; ensure you have the key words from your industry, a professional photo, and a well-written summary that introduces yourself and your skills. Now, let’s get to the rest of your profile – the meat and potatoes, plus gravy!

Your Experience Section

This one is pretty straightforward; it’s pretty much like your resume. You will start with your most recent job and go backward. How far? It depends on your experience, your target industry, and if your previous experience adds value to the company.

How do you know if your experience adds value? We all think we’re pretty valuable, and we’re proud of our accomplishments; but we need to keep in mind what the employer is looking for in their next candidate. We go back to Part 1 – Research! When you know what is important to the employer, you will know what key skills and accomplishments to highlight. Or, you can go with the typical resume rule of thumb – go back no more than 10 – 15 years. For more tips, click here.

You want to write this section well, focus on your accomplishments (did you save money, time, create a new program, recognized for an achievement?) and avoid typos at all costs.

Remember to include additional media – documents, videos, links, and presentations. This will help you demonstrate to an employer what you can do for them.

Additional Sections

In order for your profile to be complete, try to fill out as much as possible. What else goes into your profile?

• Volunteer Experience (either as part of your work history, or in a separate section)
• Publications
• Certifications
• Training / Courses
• Awards
• Test Scores
• Patents
• Posts You Have Written
• Causes You Care About
• Organizations to Which You Belong
• Education
• Interests (Work-Related)
• Projects
• Skills

The more you can fill out, the more an employer will understand who you are and what value you bring to their company. The good thing is, LinkedIn will walk you through each of these steps. Yes, it will take some time to create your full profile, but it will be well worth it. Then it’s a matter of maintaining and updating your information as needed.

“Success is almost totally dependent upon drive and persistence. The extra energy required to make another effort or try another approach is the secret of winning.”

-Denis Waitley

I Built It… Now What?

I hear this one a lot – “I made my profile, but I don’t do anything with it.” Your LinkedIn profile requires attention; but have no fear, you do not need to spend 10+ hours a day connecting, reading, sharing, liking, posting, and on and on. Dedicate time throughout the week to work on your profile. Build time in your schedule (however much time you need and want to dedicate) and set reminders for yourself. After a while, it will become habit to check your account on a regular basis.

The key to being successful with LinkedIn is to build your connections and establish yourself as a subject matter expert in your field. How do you do this?

Join Groups

One way LinkedIn works for you is to join groups that are related to your industry. With over a million groups, I’m sure you will find some that fit you perfectly.

Joining groups has several benefits –

• You can find others in your industry
• Stay up-to-date with the latest trends in your field
• It’s an avenue for you to share articles, news, and information (helps you become known as a subject matter expert)
• For more on joining groups, click here

When you join and participate in groups, you can finally solve the problem of not knowing anyone in your career field. When you join a group, be sure to watch and learn at first; see what is posted, the comments and discussions that take place. Don’t feel as if you have to constantly create content; when you find an article of interest and you would like to share, just click on the Share or LinkedIn button you find on most articles. Be sure to keep posts/comments relevant to the group, don’t sell anything, and above all else, stay positive! Bad-mouthing anyone or anything is not how you want to be seen.

Follow companies – Follow companies so you can find out the latest news, find out who works there, and if they are hiring. Additionally, it will look nice when a hiring manager reviews your profile and sees you’re already following their company!

Inviting to Connect

When you find others you would like to connect with, you want to make your invitation more personal than the standard LinkedIn default. And by personal, I of course do not mean you let them know your favorite color (unless it’s related to your industry in some way). Instead, let the person know why you want to connect. No one likes spam or complete strangers connecting for no reason. Having a more personal request eases the concerns of connecting with others online.

For example, recently I wanted to connect with someone I saw at a conference. Here is how it went:

Hello! I attended your webinar a few months ago and recently I attended your workshop at the ABC conference. I enjoyed the information and I’m using your tips on the job. Thank you! I would like to connect with you and I look forward to sharing more information.

You are limited to only 300 characters, so you need to get your message across quickly.

Finally, how do employers know you’re good at what you do without just saying, “I’m awesome, look at me!”

Recommendations!

Basically, recommendations on LinkedIn are very similar to the letters of recommendations you request from an employer. However, these can be from colleagues, supervisors, business partners; simply, anyone who has worked with you. Also, these recommendations are much shorter, a few paragraphs at most.

How do you get recommendations? One of the best tactics is to GIVE recommendations to others. We all like helping those who help us, so take some time going through your connections and giving them positive recommendations on their accomplishments.

Also, you can request someone provide a recommendation. As always, be polite and professional. I’m sure you know this, but I have to mention it!

Is there more you can do on LinkedIn? You betcha! For more tips and insights, click here.

However, this is titled “The Basics” and I want to stick with that. Don’t be afraid to try a little at a time. You do not have to be an expert on day 1. Work on your profile piece by piece, add connections one at a time, and gradually work toward your goals.

Even if you are not in the job market, networking should be a part of your career strategy.