The job market still favors job seekers according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics for September with unemployment at 3.5% (BLS, 2019). To thrive in your 2020 job search and beyond continually shifting job market, you must think and act like an independent contractor or consultant.
At the speed of industry changes, one year without professional development can cost your career timely opportunities. The one thing about having an independent contractor mindset: Success is contingent on shifting before the trends do.
Here are 13 tips to help you navigate the 2020 job search:
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Be zealous about your professional development.
It’s 2019, and you’re not proactive enough in your professional development, says the recent Career Advisory Board (DeVry University, 2014) survey, presented by DeVry University. It’s likely meaning you’re not making time or not investing in yourself. Companies are willing to invest in professional development for their use, but you invest in yourself.
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Own the independent contractor mindset.
The decade of the independent contractor (specifically this coming year), you will need to navigate your opportunities in a way that brands you as a consultant. You’ll see more 1099 offers and will need to be acutely aware of how your state defines “employee.” Ask the freelance workers in California as they prepare for the confusion of AB5. Don’t expect unions and employers to tell you what you need to know.
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Know your state laws regarding salary, separation, and leave.
Employment changes are coming to your state. Most professionals are unaware of laws require for separation. It doesn’t help-seeking advice from a California lawyer about the laws in Illinois. The other thing is, don’t rely on a single result from Google. Seek multiple points of advice to be sure you protect your rights. Even with the pay gap and discrimination laws vary from state-to-state.
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Target companies for your job search forever, AMEN.
Industry professionals should use a multi-tier job search approach. One strategy is to target companies you would like to work. Sarah Johnston, the founder of Briefcase Coach, offers how you can discover a list of companies to target using a variety of online tools. Once you have a list of 25 or 50 companies, then focus on finding contacts who can refer you to hiring managers.
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You should have a team, too!
Professionals should consider a team of two or more others who can proofread thoroughly and ask the right questions to ensure accuracy. Some of the best resume writers use a team approach to check for quality, keywords, and accuracy of the content.
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Internships and apprenticeships as a newbie in your industry are vital.
College students are the only ones privy to these opportunities. We know we want to pursue those that pay, but the other question to ask, “Does it place well? What is the placement rate?” Before you sign up for that online class or degree, inquire if the school has success with placing people of your age, gender, and color. Expect candor as a barometer before committing.
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Collaborate on and offline to change careers.
Demonstrating social proof, you can do the job is the new calling card to break into a new career. By contributing to online or offline projects through collaborating with industry professionals puts you in that industry. With a little experience, you’re getting exposure and opportunities to explore the career projects you hope to lead one day. There are daily examples of people who produce YouTube videos and podcasts who learn through experimentation and interviewing experts. Read my article on Payscale about ways you can use collaboration to change and advance your career path.
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Informational interviews are the best tool for your job search.
Every college student should learn to conduct informational interviews in their freshman year to get started. Every professional should regularly use informational interviews in season or out-of-season (looking or not). The information obtained from these business conversations is hard to find on the Internet. Besides, they are building a useful network for years to coming. Future mentors are also born through these opportunities.
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Hone your portfolio career potential today.
Here’s a snippet from my article on Flex Jobs:
“Being a blogger/videographer/IT Consultant will be the norm rather than the exception. The future of work characterized by experts, including Alexandra Levit, who says, “This is happening now.” Levit says in her book, “Humanity Works: Merging Technologies and People for the Workforce of the Future, says professionals need to understand the day of one full-time job is ending.”
It’s here and rising like never before. Read this article about the increasing amount of freelancing taking place.
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Feedback is your friend.
The “constructive direction” is what most people miss in getting career advice. You want an honest assessment of where you are and where you need to go next. People telling you to copy and paste, or what to say is not career advice despite the millions doing it. Getting brutally honest feedback regarding the areas you need to build on will bring you to places you’ve never been.
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Parental leave and how much it matters to you.
Parental Leave laws and some states will increase their leave from six to twelve weeks, while others won’t change. These laws could affect your choice of employment as you would want to know if the company or entity complies. You should ask how they feel about it to see if it aligns with your values and expectations.
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No shouldn’t be the hardest word.
There are times when the infatuation with an employer is not a long-term solution for you. You’re just better in walking away from an employer who refuses to acknowledge your worth. Interview when you’re in control of your career and personal situation. More professionals who own their careers are saying no and walk away!
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Remember this one compensation negotiation strategy to embed on your brain today.
I asked Stacey Hawley, salary and negotiation expert, told me even though you experienced separation from your last company (laid off, fired, quit), you can “ABSOLUTELY” negotiate your compensation package. Change the narrative in your head, inhibiting you from receiving your worth.
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PLAN to move on.
Just as your at-will employer won’t give you two weeks’ notice and perhaps will escort you out of the door, you don’t have to provide two-week advice. You can offer two-weeks notice if you want and if they have shown you love. But if they stress you, leave. Don’t get caught up in accomplishments and result past. If the glory days are gone, start recalibrating your future. Yes, plan your EXIT. Say NO to sentimentality.
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Embrace texting as part of the recruiting process.
Recruiters are embracing text recruiting similarly to the Applicant Tracking System (ATS). The Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) blog published an article stating that text recruiting is here to stay! Become comfortable with technology as it is the way of life and career!
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Join think-tank, masterminds, focus, job clubs, and Facebook groups and the like.
Groups that meet to help each other advance one another’s career are priceless. We can argue how much is worth joining these groups, but many are free and open to the public.
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Social networks are search engines too!
Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram, and Linkedin are searchable by topic and by names and not necessarily indexed by Google, Bing, or DuckDuckGo. You should at least search your name weekly for good stuff and bad stuff.
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Your name as a hashtag is a search gem.
Your name may be a hashtag, and you’re not a user on the platform. For instance, let’s say you’re not an Instagram user. Someone may have taken a photo with you in it at an event, so instead of the @ sign, they use your name as a hashtag #markanthonydyson, #markadyson).
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You can bounce back.
Getting fired is not a death sentence. No matter the reason for separation, you can bounce back quicker and seamless in most cases. Read my article at Payscale’s career blog and change your mindset.
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Fight employers who discriminate by doing this one thing.
You don’t have to work for employers that discriminate. Find companies representing the type of people you would work for and with. Diverse companies show they’re diverse and inclusive. If you’re targeting companies, then you might find a resource such as Great Places to Work useful. Even when you identify the company, talk with employees using the Linkedin company search tool.
About Mark Anthony Dyson
My name is Mark Anthony Dyson, and I am the Founder of The Voice of Job Seekers. I am a career advice writer, but more importantly, I hack and re-imagine the job search process.. I've worked with hundreds of job seekers one-on-one helping them to construct a narrative and strategy that appeals to hiring managers and recruiters. I present at colleges and organizations, and facilitated many workshops including my volunteer effort through a Job Lab. I write and create useful job search content on this blog and write career and workplace advice for blogs such as Glassdoor, Payscale, Job-Hunt.org, Prezi and more. Media Feature highlights: Forbes, Business Insider, NBC News, Glassdoor, LinkedIn's #GetHired, and NPR Freelance writer and content contributor: Glassdoor, Payscale, job-hunt.org, The Financial Diet, RippleMatch.com and more. Contact me to contribute career, job search, or workplace advice for your site at markanthonydyson@gmail.com.
