Mark Anthony Dyson, Author at The Voice of Job Seekers

Job Tips Gleaned From the Olympics

After thinking about writing this post, there are all types of job tips to learn from this Olympics that I decided to just list a few and focus on one. Asides from admiring the fit bodies, and the next big personality, there are job tips to offer.

Train for every event if you plan to compete for it. If there are four components to a job to have the functional skill and experience to address the employer’s need. Whether IT related or customer service related, the potential employer likes seeing the improvement paying off immediately. Employers also want evidence that you have an invested interest in your own career, looking to improve in every area possible.
Criticize yourself, and only yourself. You never know when someone will realize negativity until it is your turn to receive. In other words, even if the person is perceived as non-threatening, it is better to err on the positive side.
The job search is not the fittest of the fastest, nor is it first come first serve. Therefore, timing is everything except when you press “submit” too fast without considering what a job posting is asking. Job seekers want to second guess the posting thinking it is all positions will say the same thing, but they don’t. There is a difference between, “DO CALL…” AND “DO NOT CALL…”

About that one error…

No matter how many years of training and experience anyone has, you can blow an opportunity faster stepping out-of-bounds. That is why you may hear more about learning from your mistakes to thrive at the next opportunity.

I must make mistakes…to make the last shot~James Citrin

About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.

by Mark Anthony Dyson

Don’t Let Negative Feedback Derail Your Job Search

Editors note: Ivy Exec partners with The Voice of Job Seekers in exchanging monthly content. Look for the interview with a member of the executive team in the next two weeks.

We all love to get positive feedback when we do something well. It makes us feel great about ourselves. But when it comes to looking for a job, you sometimes get more than your fair share of negative feedback. And that can be hard to deal with. We often tend to hone in on the criticisms others offer. These criticisms can seem to outweigh and overshadow the many positive things people have said with virtually the same breath.

At Ivy Exec we bring resources and talent to help individuals with their job searches. While you’re searching for a job you receive feedback on your resume, interviews, and/or your overall job search. We have definitely noticed that if you’re in a prolonged job search, the negative feedback can add up and weigh you down. It can make you lose that spring in your step, procrastinate over applying for positions, hesitate to work your network, and overthink your next interview so much that it goes flat.

While the details vary for each job seeker, we’ve found a number of overarching themes that will help you process and overcome negative feedback. Here are some specific ways to deal with feedback during your search so you can fully focus on getting that dream job without breaking your stride:

WHO gives the feedback matters!- If a hiring manager or recruiter is giving you advice, their comments carry extra weight with regard to a particular position and your overall job search. However, if the person giving the feedback does not know your industry, or hasn’t searched for a job for a long time, then be cautious about implementing their advice. It just might not be as relevant for you.
Do not take feedback personally… – If you do get “constructive” feedback on your search, do not let it affect you negatively and burst your bubble. Searching for a job is only one aspect of your life. It does not define the whole YOU. In these times it is the norm, rather than the exception, for people to go through multiple job searches over the course of their careers. The important takeaway is to discard the unhelpful feedback, absorb the useful input, try to implement it, and keep moving forward.
Ask questions…many questions! – This will help you obtain more specifics on areas that need work, clarify any input that is “murky,” and will clearly demonstrate that you are interested in improving. Actively asking questions will also help you probe and assess the validity of any criticisms. When you actively engage in questioning, the person giving you feedback may be more willing to work with you to implement the feedback, and to provide more input in the future. By questioning, you may well add a fan to your following, if not a mentor.
Counter the negative feedback with positive action… – You can prevent negative feedback from overwhelming you by focusing on things that are going well –either in your job search or in other parts of your life. Make sure that your job search doesn’t define your life and YOU. Keep it in perspective and make sure it isn’t the only thing you do, but just one of many. A great addition to your schedule would be adding regular exercise to your routine. Or, take that photography class you’ve always wanted to take, but couldn’t find time for. Invest some time and effort in your outward appearance to give yourself a boost of confidence. A haircut, a new suit, or even focusing on your posture will help you feel more confident when facing any negative feedback that may come your way.

Every one of us has had to face negative feedback in our lives. If it is merited, use it as a springboard to become even better at your job search. The next time you receive negative feedback, if it’s valid, meet it head on and make the most of it. Remember, it’s not what was said that matters in the long run. It’s what you did with it.

About Mark Anthony Dyson

by Mark Anthony Dyson

7 Ways You Under-Value Your Career

image credit

Two years ago, my parents had worked hard to obtain a quarter (the new quarters) from each state to give to my sons. They spent time reviewing quarters to ensure accuracy and asked their friends to trade the old quarters for the new. Then they asked if they could give it to the boys.

I told mom and dad to keep the quarters. As generous as it was for my parents diligently save the way they did , I told them the boys won’t appreciate it as much. Well, at least they wouldn’t value the quarters as I do and keep them until they increase in value over the years. I can see the boys spending them as they see it as casual money, or losing them, but the value of them is beyond the gratification of saving money. It would be wasted.

To put it simply, the boys weren’t ready to appreciate the time spent to get a new quarter representing each state. They see the value entirely differently. You know, splurge! The grandparents, of course, would be visibly disappointed.

Well, many job seekers don’t measure his or her career value. It’s the wall that separates you and the potential employer as a candidate that does not stand out. Employers are unlikely to spend any time to a job candidate who misunderstands his or her career worth.

That is how you should feel about your skills, experiences, and the knowledge you share anywhere. The following is showing you are selling yourself short:

No plan to be hired. Well it doesn’t look like you’ll be getting hired soon. Does anyone know you are looking for work? Can’t tell by your online profiles, nor your conversations. Frankly, you are not selling yourself at all. What a shame. You want a job but you give a quarter’s worth of professional value. C’mon now!
Not learning from one interview to the next. Or from one hiring process to the next. Think back through the interviews that you had and see if you communicated the extent of your personal menu. If not, the interviewer may not know you offer dinner, drink, and dessert.
No third-party validation. Have you received a quarter and given back change? Everyone needs third-party validation through letters of recommendation, through a mentor, or professionals telling you why he or she appreciates your work. Are you who do people say you are? Enlist people who can speak to your strengths and accomplishments.
No preparation. No research. Not researching what the trend in your career holds. There isn’t a career bible scripture that says that this is a sin, but there is this wall between you and a desired career because you don’t investigate position nor its qualifications. Find out exactly how much that quarter is worth. Maybe the value has changed.
Unused skills during unemployment. Volunteer. Help people. Look for opportunities to contribute by volunteering. The word “internship” is not a bad word either.
Your skills have never passed the stress test. Do you back down during great challenges? Do you rise to the challenges? Have you communicated that to potential employers? Share this as you put your super hero cape on when it’s time to sell yourself to people you network and others that can lead you to an interview.
Your bottom-line is salary. The way you negotiate also says something about you as an employee, and lose a job if only money matters. You miss opportunities to sell yourself based on skill set and capability because you offer yourself as a product rather than a service.

The ideal employer would understand that you would need a mutually gratifying opportunity. Not one that wouldn’t grow in value. Nor not one you would splurge or waste. Your value is not something you can attach a salary to it at the bottom line. Look at yourself and ask, “Do I offer value that employers expect to see?”

Do you understand the value you offer employers? I’d like to hear your thoughts. Please share in the comments section.