Articles - Page 126 of 258 - The Voice of Job Seekers

There Should Be a Job Lab Everywhere

I’m excited to announce my volunteer effort with the “Job Lab” as part of the Aim to Work initiative. The sponsoring group is the Greater Ashburn Community Development Association Corporation (GACDAC) on the Chicago south side. Once a month, I will be facilitating basic job search workshops for free to offer the Ashburn-Gresham community help with basic (but relevant) job search help.

Why a “Job Lab?”

Most cities have a place for free such as Workforce Connection to host workshops for job seekers to get job assistance in various forms. Some people do work but unemployed and can’t make those city programs only available during the day. Also, many do not offer job search strategies relevant and personable to job seekers. The Job Lab (similar to a “Job Club”) will offer support through workshops and networking with members to help anyone who needs it.

Aim to Work

The Aim to Work program is not only helping with job skills, but also with computer skills such as Office Suites. It is a non-profit program looking to expand its accessibility to the community. The organization is also looking for other ways to meet the needs of the community.

In addition to the 3rd Tuesday Job Lab session, I’m hoping we’ll add a monthly or bi-monthly LinkedIn workshop. Everyone needs a LinkedIn profile as it’s essential to have a presence online in 2017 and for years to come. If you’re unfound online, it’s likely an employer will consider any applicant as a serious job candidate.

Much more than Job Lab

In our vision to expand, we will also consider meeting needs with additional workshops, webinars, and group coaching but contingent on growth or participation and resources.

In many cities, this concept was implemented with success to support the job search of many job seekers. Our first session on Tuesday received positive feedback with much engagement from the participants. I was surprised how a few of them were engaged already with good advice including two of the participants having mobile versions of their resume!

The Aim to Work program is working on a website and Facebook page. When published, I will let you know. In the meantime, I am always available to you through the blog and if you’re in Chicago, despite your location, drop by if you need assistance.

by Mark Anthony Dyson

Repurpose Your Career for the 2nd Half of Life

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Marc Miller is back on the show again to talk about his new book, “Repurpose Your Career: For the 2nd Half of Life.” He shares stories from his clients and helping them to align their interests and careers.

Have you decided to make a career pivot in your career? Are you in your 2nd half of life? Let’s discuss!

Let me know what you in one of three ways:

Call and leave a voicemail at 708-365-9822, or text your comments to the same number
Go to TheVoiceofJobSeekers.com, press the “Send Voicemail” button on the right side of your screen and leave a message
Send email feedback to [email protected]

Marc’s new book is now in the Amazon bookstore. His media features include CBS Money Watch, U.S. News and World Report, and Forbes. His blog, Career Pivot, is a Forbes Top 1oo Best Career Website and has achieved several other best career website awards.

Here some highlights from our discussion on how to repurpose your career:

Marc added five years of client stories and shifted from baby boomers to clients in their 40’s
“Failure is an option” and a requirement, fail fast, then pivot
Big changes can occur by just moving with the flow
We discuss the importance of self-awareness or as Marc phrases it as “Know Thyself.”
“Just because you’re good at something doesn’t mean you should do it all the time!”
Authentically put your best foot forward, then an employer can if you’re fit
Marc goes back in time with his clients to the best/worst times in their career to understand “why.”
Making the same mistakes twice is not a bad thing
We discuss the chapter on personal operating systems. He uses the Berkman assessments with each of his clients.
Behavioral patterns are insightful to discovering your career goals

Do you need help with resume writing or career direction? Do you need coaching or instruction?I can help.

by Mark Anthony Dyson

3 Unforgettable Career Lessons from Hidden Figures The Movie

Besides Hidden Figures being a great movie, there were useful career lessons. It’s rare a Hollywood movie features character and positive personal attributes. The film depicted three African-American women breaking gender and color barriers at NASA. The three main women characters showed how skill and character add value to employers. These attributes energize meaningful careers, and the movie reminded us why.

Oh, did I say this is a real story? It’s historic. Yes, men, we can learn from them too! But like the evergreen tree, these lessons are planted in water, and eternal.

Each woman has an extraordinary story and talents: a mathematician, computer technologist, and engineer. Bias impeded their breakthrough: Color and gender. They had to prove their value first breaking through extraordinary barriers. Even when they shattered expectations, it wasn’t enough.

Read How Unconscious Bias Can Hinder Job Seekers Before An Interview

These women challenged the status quo, race relation barriers, and gender bias. Consider these attributes and similar obstacles during your job search:

1. Strategy without patience and resilience is useless

Janelle Monae’s character Mary Jackson exercised great patience but also understood her value. She had to go to court to attend a class traditionally held by men but prohibited African-Americans. Mary was willing to go through the barriers, and still confront the challenges awaiting her.

Lesson learned: Job search takes time, and waiting until you’re jobless is excruciating.

Start networking for your future even if you don’t know the final destination.

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Networking adds to the intelligence you’ll need to navigate obstacles.

2. Sometimes you’re the last to know the significance of your contribution

Octavia Spencer’s showed how Dorothy Vaughn managed rejection for a promotion for years. She learned a computer language enabled her to functionalize the mainframe computers. Dorothy mastered it before the men assigned to set the computers did. Once she understood the new computer language, she taught her staff. This action resulted in the ultimate prize: A promotion to supervisor.

Lesson learned: Job trends shift incessantly in most industries. Find out how technology will play a part. Robots and computers will be the tools and the catalyst.

Focus on understanding what it takes to be competitive in your industry.

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Listen to Facing Unconscious Bias in Your Career and Life

3. Opportunities are created and boldly requested

Taraji Henson’s character Katherine Johnson was steadfast getting to the big meeting. Women were not allowed in this session! When she finally attended, she didn’t hesitate to show her abilities. Later, those skills shaped the space program forever and saved John Glenn’s life.

Lesson learned: Be persistent when it comes to meeting key people. Look to ask the key holders and not depend on the gatekeepers.

Your breakthrough requires doing the unexpected and more than what is expected.

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The tools and techniques we read about are necessary. What employers respond to is character and personality. Those are attributes employers cannot train employees to own. The modern job seekers cannot afford to be passive. Today, to achieve results, your action must have actionable steps. You be intentional and follow-up, and at times, ask more than once. It’s not easy but will yield results in time.