Mark Anthony Dyson, Author at The Voice of Job Seekers

How to Show Employers Your Resilience During Unemployment

No one won or lost during the recession. Some succeeded in losing and landing jobs. Others were able to hold on to their jobs and managed to get promoted. But it doesn’t matter because if you’re able to breathe while reading this, you’ve won.

Again, you’ve won. Not barely, but with flying colors. Even when many employers didn’t make layoffs any easier, yet, they had tools to help them, help employees.

If you’re unemployed now matter the reason, you will be employed. This is the mantra you must carry, internalize, and believe.

There’s one interview question I think employers got together and decided to ask: What did you do while unemployed? So the interviewing will weigh your response along with the other responses.

It’s like, what did you do while waiting to get in the barber’s chair? So I would say dismiss the question, but employers’ are valuing and evaluating candidates on that question. So when they put a lot of weight on a question, you can’t avoid it.

You can find many good answers in many articles right now. I would consider reading this one and that one. I will add my own in my own way.

Some employers have an unemployment bias where they see the candidate with more than six months of unemployment negatively. However, others are more empathetic since the pandemic and give the candidate a lengthy unemployment period.

Practice, but don’t overdo it.

Most job seekers don’t practice, which has proven to be a critical piece of interviewing for remote work positions. Rehearsing and recording talking into a webcam or phone give you objective feedback where your attention is placed. Job seekers must be comfortable giving answers to a bot or software that’s not interactive. Similarly, it’s also easy to overthink answering each question. The temptation is to script it or rely on mental muscle memory. But rehearse what you will say. I promise the small difference it will make to practice is significant.

Top 3 tips for how to answer an interviewer’s questions about being unemployed:

Be direct and brief about your experience.

Video viewers have short attention spans. The attention-getter has been how you have remained sharp and positive during your time of unemployment. In your brief answer, you can say, “This was a meaningful period for me as I added to my skill set during this time. I’ve had many great conversations with industry writers and experts through Live streaming the conversation on Facebook.” It shows you are learning and providing your community resources for them.

Do many informational interviews.

Informational interviews are a 180-degree conversation where you seek intel to power up your career journey in an industry or company. Although it’s not the time to expect or ask for a job, the information attained could inform your thoughts or add to potential skills you’ll need to get in the company/job/industry. In the first tip, I used an example of someone making the most of their advice from others while simultaneously increasing the interviewee’s value. Although some people don’t want to do that, interview them and, most importantly, ask questions about their career path, how they choose their career, and who else would provide helpful information from their network. You can also share and introduce people you met.

Strive to get referred.

Surveys show referrals increase the opportunities for interviews and longer tenures at companies. Informational interviews can provide those opportunities as I’ve seen my past clients/students/participants use these conversations to get feedback, follow-up after talks, and the next person referred by the interviewee ends up being the referrer for an interview. For example, asking them, “Do you know anyone else I can talk to who can provide useful information.” The key is to make it easy for them to give you feedback and constructive direction (instructions or an action to help you further).

Become the perpetual learner who anyone would find approachable. You want to be easily teachable, receive and act on feedback, and be grateful someone took the time to help. You may lack skill and experience, and the perpetual learner attitude makes you more viable than someone more experienced and unapproachable.

I think it’s crucial now more than ever that job search is incorporated into your lifestyle rather than deploying your efforts when you’re unemployed.

Your job search as a lifestyle looks like this:

1) Interviewing when you have a secure job or at least once a year. The way you deliver interviews will change as it did in 2020 because of tech.

2) Professional development is each individual’s responsibility. Companies will only train you what you need for that job, but not necessarily for the industry. Therefore, you must control your career narrative by investing in the training for your future.

3) Know your market value with or without a job. Most people wait until they get an offer to discerning if the salary is their actual market value. Know and research arduously before starting your job search.

4) Every industry has an association or industry. Join and participate in them as they present many unadvertised opportunities. The more you’re exposed to exclusive opportunities, the more you’ll stand out.

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

Job Search Is Still a Life Style – The Mission

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Throughout the pandemic, I did a few guest podcast appearances, spoke a few times at events, co-host two live stream shows (well over 30 shows), and a lot of writing. My mission is clear: Help as many job seekers find jobs. I want to share part of this journey with you as the job search is constantly changing without an end in sight.

But, as far as “The Voice of Job Seekers,” I will be on hiatus until Sept 12.

I decided to publish a montage of my appearances on podcasts and live streams.

If you like my message and mission, sign up for the free e-book, and join the secret Facebook group and the Saturday meet-up. But you can only participate in the FREE meet-up if you sign up for the e-book (oh yeah, you get a newsletter, too).

Here are the shows and the links where you can listen or view the entire show so that you’ll hear the shows (the pictures above are not in order):

Hilary Sutton

podcast: Hustle & Grace

Episode: How to Make a Job Transition in 2021 with Careers Expert Mark Anthony Dyson

Host: Jack Kelly

podcast: WeCruitr podcast

Go to WeCruitr podcast

Host: Dr. Pawan Argawal

Live stream: Empowerment Talks

Episode: 13 Strategies To Get The Most Out Of Your Salary Negotiation by Mark Anthony Dyson

Host: Sonal Bahl

Live stream: Supercharge Friday

Episode: Modern ways to supercharge your job search & career and Q&A with Mark Anthony Dyson

Host: Brad Minton

Podcast: Your GPS Career

Go to: Your GPS Career

Host: Monique Betty

Podcast: Tuesdays With Coach Mo

Episode: Job Search: It’s Not an Event, It’s a Lifestyle

Dr. Dawn Grahm

Podcast: Dr. Dawn on Careers

Episode: Making the Job Search a Lifestyle

About Mark Anthony Dyson

by Mark Anthony Dyson

Make Your First 90 Days Working Remotely Count

Editor’s note: I wrote this article originally for job-hunt.org.

Congratulations! After several years of re-imagining your life and work, you are now working from home! No more transit fares and long time spent in transition between work and home. Yea!

However, joining a new employer and new environment without our boss and colleagues present is a new experience for most of us.

Be aware. As COVID-19 has changed many things in our lives, the way companies operate and communicate work and expectations has also changed. And, we do not always know what we are doing when we try to adapt to those changes.

Remote work varies for different professions and for different employers. The pandemic has changed the world for us, sometimes dramatically.

I first provided some thoughts on your first 90 days here. This version is more robust.

Before You Start Your New Job

Hopefully, you have continued some research on the company to get more specific information about its remote-work culture.

Maybe your new employer has provided a list of things you should have to be well-prepared for your first day of work. If not, I have suggestions for things you should know and do before your start date:

1. Understand the logistics expectation.

In the past, you would have had a dedicated home phone line for your work when working from home. Today, you will likely need to have much more for your home office.

The equipment, phone line, Internet connection, and other accessories may be provided by the employer or you may be expected to provide these yourself.

2. Check your home’s Internet connection and support.

You likely already have a connection to the Internet with Wi-Fi connecting the TV, computer, and other devices in your residence. However, you may need to increase the speed, upgrade your Internet connection plan, or connect your computer directly to the Internet. You may also need a separate IP address dedicated to your workspace in your home.

Your employer may or may not cover added costs.

3. Understand how to use video.

You were introduced to the company’s chosen video platform when you interviewed for the job. Less is more applies to video appearance and especially your background. Sure, you can use the platform’s virtual background, but it’s easier to use an organic background. By creating your background, you control what people see.

Marc Miller, the founder of Career Pivot, says, “Watch what’s behind you and the Zoom backgrounds. And I tell people not to use them because I want the focus on you. What’s behind you, brands you.”

4. Know what communication tools (other than video) you need.

Onboard communication should provide the tools you need to participate in any department or company-related engagement. Ask for the software specifications to match your computer’s capabilities and clarify who will facilitate the process.

You will also need to be clear about the security software you will need to use and whether the company supplies it and is responsible for installing it. Your team might use some of the mainstream apps, and you will need to familiarize yourself with them.

Success Strategies in the First 30 to 90 Days

The first few days and weeks in a job introduce you to your manager and co-workers. Succeed by paying careful attention to your interactions with them.

1. Establish your brand early.

When you are new to the company, you need excellent communication to establish a solid reputation with your boss and other employees and team members. Although you primarily determine how you communicate it, you will need to, as Miller says, “…decide how you want to be perceived, and that’s your personal brand.”

2. Optimize the way you learn best.

Not everyone can sit in a classroom, read all day, and learn the job basics. Neither can everyone watch, relax, listen, and comprehend information from a video recording.

Find out how the data is being delivered, and choose the method that best fits your learning abilities.

3. Learn the map(s) to success.

How have your coworkers succeeded at learning and adjusting to the team, company, and work environment? They all have likely worked together for some time. No one has the same learning style, but know what techniques are useful for you.

Whenever possible, ask your boss and new colleagues about their work experiences, especially with this employer. What were their big successes? What are the potential problems you might be facing?

4. Right questions are the best tools for quality co-worker connections.

One of the few barometers your co-workers have is your questions to them. They can gauge the quality of your understanding by the questions you ask.

Try to ask questions to more than one person to help you understand the culture and the team’s MO (modus operandi). Questions such as, “What are the current challenges the team is facing right now?” and “What are the current priorities?” are useful gauges to team communication, get up to speed, and learn how and where you can contribute.

5. Network frequently outside your department.

Although you will not attend inter-departmental meetings in person, make the best of virtual meetings. Look for opportunities to collaborate, inquire, and engage. Getting a broader vision of the company may bring future career advancement opportunities.

Understanding how other departments work helps you understand how the organization works, especially if your work complements others within the organization. There may be an opportunity to solve existing problems and that can serve as a feather in your cap. You also get a sense of your department’s brand throughout the company and opportunities to contribute can come directly from those conversations.

6. Connect with your boss often.

Good bosses respond when employees are transparent, open to correction, and clearly understand where you are. What’s great about using video is they can also read your body language and use it as intel to address concerns. As a new person, you’ll benefit the most if you’re easy to correct and reset. It’s up to you to make it easy for your boss to do. You may feel it’s your responsibility to succeed, but a good boss will set you up for success.

7. Add value quickly.

The right questions can add value quickly, but solutions are why they hired you. If you can make your solutions a collaboration with your team, you can win early and often.

Making your suggestions about solutions and how to solve past problems will make you a part of the team quickly. Fresh eyes and ears often bring an unseen perspective and invite more partnerships and opportunities to shine.

8. Don’t forget professional development.

What are the skills the company or department does not train you for that you will need for the future? You are responsible for the future of your career and preparing for the next steps. If a promotion does not happen with this company, you may decide to go elsewhere.

Strategize for your next potential career move constantly, including when you start a new job. If we have learned from all economic downturns, we should know there are no announcements to warn of the next downturn.

It Is OK to Cry, “UNCLE!”

Not every job will fit before the 90 days are up, and this inevitably builds anxiety. Perhaps the job is a good fit, or perhaps it is not.

However, there’s nothing wrong with powering through until you find something else. If your performance is not meeting expectations, then you do not have much time. Try to be at peace no matter the outcome. You will find another remote position, and you can learn from the one that got away.

The Bottom Line

For many people, working from home will be a career highlight and a powerful experience. People who succeed put a lot of thought into making it productive for the sake of their livelihood. Undoubtedly, successful transition to your new job will likely not be seamless. A new employer, new co-workers and boss, new expectations, and likely new technology will take a period of adjustment. You will need to be present and responsive throughout every part of onboarding and the months ahead. The results should allow you to increase your production, value, and positively impact your new company.