The Voice of Job Seekers

Mark Anthony Dyson ★ Career Writer ★ Speaker ★ Thinker ★ Award-winning Blog & Podcast! ★ "The Job Scam Report" on Substack! ★ I hack and reimagine the modern job search!

  • TVOJS Podcast
    • Guest Posts Topics or Podcast Guests
  • ABOUT ME
  • Press page for Mark
  • Hire Mark to Speak
  • Hire Me for Content Writing
  • Guides & Resources 2023
  • Press Bylines
  • PRESS MENTIONS
  • Articles
  • Guides & Resources

by Bianca Thompson

Desperate Job Seekers are NEVER Attractive

Desperate Job Seekers are NEVER Attractive

 

image credit

Guess what? There are record amounts of qualified people looking for a job. I am sure that this is probably not breaking news to you or something that you care to hear again. My goal is not to insult your intelligence or cause you emotional stress. I do want to smack you with the reality of what is fact.

Outside of overbearing facts about your qualified and competing job seekers, I want to take a look at the different styles of job seekers. Where do you fit? What’s your style? Is it working for you? Why is this important? Your initial reaction to these questions may cause reflection or perhaps a bit of sarcasm. Either way it’s all good because it has initiated some type of thought.

I won’t over complicate this topic. I want to keep it easy breezy. I have three styles for us to explore: The Walking Dead, The Crack Addict and The Intentional Job Seeker. Let us not lie. We all want to believe we are the intentional job seeker because it sounds so much nicer than the other two.

The fact is that many are not intentional and definitely fall into one of the other two styles. Keep your Abe Lincoln hat of honesty on tight as we look at these styles.

The Walking Dead

image credit

The mantra for this group of job seekers is “I want a job. I want a job.” Make sure you say it slowly and without emotion or life to get the true essence of this job seeker. Usually there are many recent graduates stuck in this Walking Dead style. The recent graduates usually fall into this category because they have been so focused on preparing for graduation that they gave no forethought to the aftermath. Sure, they may have gone to the college career center for help along with the hundreds of other graduates that did the same thing. I totally get it.

They procrastinated and now desperately need a job before that six-month grace period is over and it’s time to pay their student loans. To make matters even more intense, they have no desire to move back home with mom and dad. Truth be told mom and dad have gotten well-adjusted to being empty nesters and prefer they not return home as well.

The walking dead typically will depend on the common and more popular job portals to find a position. They also rely heavily on what they hear via another student or friend. Just imagine thousands of students in their fresh new suits with their bland resumes extended while repeating “I want a job. I want a job.” Put on your Abe Lincoln hat of honesty. Does this describe your job search? Do you simply blend in with the masses?

The Crack Addict

This job seeker is usually one that has a substantial amount of experience. Whatever the reason for their unemployment, they have become the Crack Addict. They apply to any and everything simply because they NEED a job. This style usually comes into fruition because this job seeker probably has a family, a mortgage and plenty of creditors that have become daily stalkers.

These job seekers typically have a very high stress level and the emotional state of being is quite unpredictable. They constantly talk about their NEED for a job to anyone and everyone that will listen. Their mantra is “I NEED a job! I NEED a job!” They actually can be quite scary and intense. Unlike the Walking Dead, you can’t just run away from them because they are fast and relentless.

This type of relentless activity is distasteful to most employers. Employers totally understand the need for a job. It’s the nagging characteristic that turns employers away and urges them to seek other candidates. Have you morphed into the Crack Addict? Remember Honest Abe and keep it real with yourself.

I am not here to judge. I just want to present facts and initiate self-awareness in respect to your job seeker style. Awareness is good. Once we are aware, we can make conscious decisions. Preferably our conscious decisions will shift us to our final group, The Intentional Job Seeker.

Intentional Job Seeker

This job seeker can be a recent graduate or someone with years of experience. This job seeker sets themselves apart and in front of the masses by having a plan. Your plan is yours.

You should create it and definitely get insight or help from someone that can provide quality feedback. Aunt Mary may be sweet as pie and your favorite aunt for personal advice but she is probably not the best resource for help with a career plan. The Intentional Job Seeker will be sure to have professional guidance for their career plan.

I understand you may not have finances to pay for a service. Can you barter service for service? It may be said that this job seeker daydreams too much. They will spend some quality time exploring their dream position. They also know the minimum requirements on the scale in respect to positions that they’re willing to take. This job seeker will also target specific companies.

They know the values that are important to them and the company in which they want to work. No one wants to work for a crappy company so it is wise to do some homework. This job seeker is usually a master at networking.

They will attend professional events, mingle and find creative ways to get in front of the “right” audience. These outward things are all very critical and needed. What is most impressive about the intentional job seeker is their mindset. They are not desperate despite how badly they may want or need a job. They acknowledge that they have something to offer their potential employer and are confident in expressing their value. Find ways to align your values with the company’s values. Is it a good match?

I could probably continue with more but I think this is a good easy, breezy start. Again, my goal is never to over complicate anything but a good smack with the facts always helps. Acknowledge your current job seeker style. If it’s working for you, GREAT! Keep doing what you are doing. If it’s not working, seriously consider shifting to something that serves you better.

Filed Under: Job Search, Jobseekers Tagged With: Job, Job Search, Job seekers

by Mark Anthony Dyson

Conversation with Kathleen Brady, author of Get a Job! (PODCAST Episode #4)

Conversation with Kathleen Brady, author of Get a Job! (PODCAST Episode #4)
http://traffic.libsyn.com/thevoiceofjobseekers/Episode4TVOJSKB.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

 

Editor’s note: Inkwater Press is giving away FIVE copies of the e-book and one hardcopy! If you comment below about your takeaways points from the interview, then you qualify for a copy. We’ll run this giveaway until next Monday! GOOD LUCK!

Kathleen Brady (@KBCareerPlanner) is an author and a Certified Professional Coach with 25 years experience in helping professionals identify their goals and design action plans to achieve them. Get a Job: 10 Steps to Career Success is her fourth book, her third with Inkwater press. Her central focus of her practice is the planning and coaching for recent graduates and professionals who seek life satisfaction.  She is a former Assistant Dean of Career Services at Fordham University and past president of the National Association of Law Placement. If you want to know more about Kathleen Brady, her website is careerplanners.net.

Kathleen’s vast experience is impressive as you can tell in the depth and detail of her answers. It is by far the longest interview on this blog yet because it is hard to edit content that is vital to job seekers. Here is a table of contents to our discussion:

  • The mindset of job seekers creating his or her own opportunities
  • The importance of knowing what they want to do in their career
  • What should motivate a job seeker to pay attention to career goals and aspirations?
  • What does “success patters” mean and how it relates to the job search?
  • Using Linked In effectively
  • The Highland’s Ability Battery
  • What does AIR (Advice, Information, Referrals) mean and how it applies to job seekers?
  • Networking and how critical it is to do
  • Career Services at colleges and how under utilized they are
  • The breakdown of using three different languages–reluctant, suspicious, or negative

Enjoy our conversation!

 

Filed Under: Career, Job Tagged With: Career, Job, Kathleen Brady

by Mark Anthony Dyson

Conversation with Career Author, Andrea Kay

Conversation with Career Author, Andrea Kay
http://traffic.libsyn.com/thevoiceofjobseekers/Episode1TVOJS.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Andrea Kay is a respected career expert, author, speaker, and a sought out career advisor. Specializing in “career therapy,” she has helped tens of thousands of people cut to the heart of their frustration and dissatisfaction with work and not only find a new job, but create a fulfilling career that fits who they are.

I personally appreciated Andrea’s candor and adapted her perspective in stating that “You are what you seem” to employers in the small window you present yourself to employers.  The concepts that many coaches including Andrea are hard to hear for the job seeker that is not progressive in his or her job search.

This is the kind of book you want to have in your library. In fact, I will make it easy for you through AMACOM books, I will be giving away one FREE copy of Andrea Kay’s book, This is How to Get Your Next Job! To qualify, leave a comment about something you will put into practice from our conversation.  I will randomly pick one winner to be announced on Monday on the blog and on the Facebook page (see right panel).

Some of her insights from our pre-interview Q & A that are stated in our conversation:

About good judgment…
“They’ll separate themselves from the pack by demonstrating good judgment in
the most basic, common sensical ways: Follow directions. If an employer
asks you to complete a test, send a writing sample, do it—exactly the way
they asked for it…”

The job seeker selling themselves…

“…it’s hard for most people to describe more than one or two actual
strengths. I have this exercise in all my books—except this one. But
basically, it’s looking at events and  times in your life when you’ve done
something you enjoyed and did well. Then analyzing what that took. This
helps you see patterns and eventually narrow down your strengths.”

Not being defensive about the “Why are you not working?” question…

“Basically, you need to get yourself calmed down first, so you don’t react
defensively immediately. Take a breath, realize why they’re asking. It’s a
realistic question. Why wouldn’t this be on their mind? So have a response
ready and say it with tact that helps the employer understand your
circumstances and what you’re doing now.”

Now that you have a preview, enjoy our conversation.

 

Filed Under: Job, Jobseekers Tagged With: Andrea Kay, Job, Job Seeker

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 214
  • 215
  • 216
  • 217
  • 218
  • …
  • 258
  • Next Page »

Join the email list and get “12 Modern Job Search Strategies Beyond the Resume 2022”

Download free

The Fortune For Your Career Is In The Follow-up

Download free

I moderated a panel on Wealth Management for executives by Black Enterprise Magazine in October 2023 in Miami.

I was interviewed on Scripps News show, “The Why!” 4/13/2023

I talked with John Tarnoff and Kerry Hannon of “The Second Act” podcast about job searching after 50 in October 2022.

I was on “The Career Confidante” podcast to talk about “boomerang employees” and “job fishing” in June 2022.

Making Job Search a Lifestyle With “Dr. Dawn Graham on Careers,” SiriusXM Ch. 132, Wharton School of Business May 2021

In May 2020, I talked with LinkedIn’s Senior News Editor Andrew Seaman on “#GetHired” Live.”

Beverly Jones, host of the NPR podcast “Jazzed About Work,” invited me back to talk job scams, job search trends, and AI tools in April 2024

WOUB Digital · Episode 183 : Job search expert Mark Dyson says beware of scams, know AI & keep learning

Copyright © 2025 · Generate Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in