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by Mark Anthony Dyson Leave a Comment

14 Job Search Tips to Master in 2018

14 Job Search Tips to Master in 2018

If it has been a few years since the last time you went on a job search, you need to know that things have changed. Sure, there’s advice from 2011 that still applies today – for example, networking is still a great idea. That being said, you’ll need to brush up on the latest job search strategies if you want to land a role.

One particularly important new development you should know about: Using social media to stay connected, visible, and engaged in your network is critical to job search success today.

Of course, that’s not where it ends. Here are 14 tips to help you find a new job like a modern job seeker:

1. Don’t Overestimate Tech

Artificial intelligence is a big deal in recruitment circles today, with many people claiming that chatbots like Mya will help you get your next interview.

The way I see it, unless Mya is advanced enough to laugh and cry, it isn’t likely to increase your chances of landing the job. It is still true today that nothing beats getting a referral from someone you know.

via GIPHY

2. Think Outside the Box to Gain New Skills

Volunteering, entrepreneurial ventures, and side gigs are great ways to gain new job experiences and skills.

Don’t accept “You don’t have the experience” as the final word. Go get that experience.

Click To Tweet

3. Stay Engaged

The modern job seeker remains perpetually engaged in the job search in a number ways: networking, consulting, training (as both trainee and facilitator), professional development, and social media promotion. Take every opportunity you can to build your personal brand.

4. Breathe Life Into Your Resume

According to Jessica Dillard of Dillard & Associates, it’s time to stop treating your resume like a transactional document. Instead, use your various experiences to craft stories that demonstrate your results.

Furthermore, stop treating the job search as a transactional process. At every step, try to approach your job search as a “collaborative, engaging partnership,” Dillard says.

Listen to How Will You Stand Out at Your Next Job Fair? Use a Handbill

5. Whip Out Your Phone

Your smartphone is an invaluable aid in your job search. Scanning documents, sending emails, submitting applications, completing assessments – you can do it all through your phone. You can also use your smartphone for career development purposes by accessing online courses and programs.

6. Higher Ed. Degrees: Not Totally Necessary

A higher education degree is no longer the sure bet to advance your career.

Before investing in another degree, take a look at successful people in your industry or career track. Do they have degrees?

Click To Tweet

7. Build a Team

Some career coaches are open to working with groups rather than single clients. See if you can find some like-minded professionals to start a “career partnership” group and split the cost of a career coach. You and your group members can also add value to one another’s job searches.

8. Get Past the ATS

Some reports suggest that more than 70 percent of resumes are rejected by applicant tracking systems (ATSs) before they’re ever seen by a human being. To ensure your resume gets through the gate, check out tools like Jobscan, which compares your resume against the job ad and suggests ways to improve your resume accordingly.

9. Offer Social Proof

Social media profiles alone are not enough. You’ll need social proof, too – that is, proof of the value you create as an employee shared by others on social media.

Are you engaged in the conversation at large in your industry? Have you published articles or peer-reviewed research? Does the industry recognize your contributions? More than 90 percent of recruiters check out potential candidates on social media. They’ll pay attention if they see you actively engaged in your industry – e.g., sharing industry news, interacting with thought leaders, and being praised by clients and coworkers.

10. Ready Your References

Many employers will require at least three people to vouch for you. I recommend having up to seven people who are ready to speak up on your behalf. You should know what these references will say if contacted and to which of your strengths they can speak most effectively.

11. Small Is Beautiful

via GIPHY

Big companies are not the only option. Small businesses and startups are increasingly viable options.

Click To Tweet

If you’ve never worked for a smaller operation before, you might also consider freelancing with a potential employer to test drive their culture before committing.

12. Stay on Your Toes

In-demand skills change constantly today, so you’ll have to be flexible. By 2021, more than a third of the skills considered “important” for today’s workers will have changed, according to the World Economic Forum.

13. Defensive Googling Is Essential

Recruiters will be looking you up on Google – you should do the same. Google yourself once a week. Take note of any results that tarnish your image – including those that may be about other people who happen to share your name.

For some help on managing your Google results, read this article.

Listen to LinkedIn SEO with Susan P Joyce

14. Archive Your Performance

Keep an exhaustive list of your professional accomplishments, the career development programs you’ve completed, the results you’ve achieved, and the positive impacts of your actions at work. Keep your old performance reviews and kudos emails. These things will help shape your outlook on the future, restore confidence during trying times, and build your resume.

–

If you ever say, “I’ve tried everything, but nothing has worked,” then you have given up too early. No job search strategy on this list – or any other list – is one and done. You may have to try targeting different people, companies, and locations until you yield results.

There are hundreds of job search tips available on the internet. Don’t attempt them all at once. Instead, try three or four at a time to see how well each works for you.

Thanks to venngage.com for the infographic and partnership. This article was originally published at recruiter.com!

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.

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Filed Under: careers, Job Search Tagged With: Job Search, Resume, Social Media

by Mark Anthony Dyson Leave a Comment

Are We Biased? Kristen Pressner Says Yes She Is

Are We Biased? Kristen Pressner Says Yes She Is
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Today, I am sharing with my conversation with Kristen Pressner. This show is a slight departure from straight job search advice and this show may not apply directly to your job search. You’ll glean a few things, but this is to self-examine and become more self-aware of your own biases. I hope you’ll consider looking at yourself, remember we’re not navigating hiring barriers. My guest, Kristen Pressner (@KPressner), directly leads within Roche Diagnostics worldwide. She is sharing her story of how she was biased toward other women while making a business decision.

You know we’ve discussed unconscious bias several times this year. This show adds to the discussion.

I want to hear from you of how this episode resonates with you. Here are places you can add to the conversation at large:

  • 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 mark@thevoiceofjobseekers.com

 More about Kristen Pressner

Last August, Kristen shared a personal reflective TEDx talk about her own bias toward women, Are You Biased? I am. As amicably and respectfully delivered as possible, it disarms any premonition of resistance you had previous to watching. I had never heard someone in her position be so vulnerable and transparent, which is part of the compelling story she shares. Although the video is eight minutes long, no matter who you are, it inspires and moves you to examine yourself, your biases, and how it affects others.

I love for you to listen to this conversation, rather than giving a longer preview to read. I would like to know what you think.

The show hiatus is coming up!

After this week, and one more show, the show will be on hiatus until September 12. I will still publish articles on the blog. If you haven’t already subscribed to my bi-weekly newsletter, please do. The fall shows collectively will be different than in the past but delivering as much if not more value than ever. One change is the shows will be bi-weekly instead of weekly for the fall. Since there are a couple of projects I will be involved with, I will need more time. There maybe a few bonus episodes and I am working on a live event here in Chicago, so if you’re in the area, look for that announcement.

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.

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Filed Under: careers, Human Resources, unconscious bias Tagged With: Careers, Human Resources, Unconscious Bias

by Mark Anthony Dyson Leave a Comment

What to Do When Your Job Search Efforts Don’t Work

What to Do When Your Job Search Efforts Don’t Work
http://traffic.libsyn.com/thevoiceofjobseekers/thevoiceofjobseekers156.mp3

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Today’s job search requires you to keep both hands on the wheel. Any passive approach to finding opportunities fail. It doesn’t work. You must remain engaged throughout your career or face significant challenges shifting gears.

My friend, Hannah Morgan, is back to talk what is not working in your job search. We discuss her article from last fall and recently on her blog and solutions to help your job search efforts.

I would love to hear your thoughts 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 mark@thevoiceofjobseekers.com

Hannah Morgan, the founder of CareerSherpa.net. She is a nationally recognized career writer, speaker, and author. She writes about careers for U.S. News and World Report.

Here are highlights from our discussion:

  • People are looking for a magic pill–but it doesn’t exist
  • Job search is hard with effort, much more challenging if it’s passive
  • Networking is a staple in a successful job search. Use informative interviews and look for ways outside of advice to create opportunities
  • Applicant tracking systems purpose is to exclude you
  • Think more holistic than just as a job seeker. Think like a consultant. Consider what you would think like a hiring manager
  • Build your online presence, but your central hub should be your website and content
  • Platforms outside of your site will come and go. The cost of a site is much less than a LinkedIn premium membership cost

Need help with your career goals, directions, or efforts?

Do you need coaching or instruction? I am here for it! Use my contact information above to inquire about individual or group coaching. You can also sign up for my weekly newsletter at the top of my page.

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.

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Filed Under: careers, Employment, Job Search Tagged With: Job Search

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Listen to my NPR podcast interview on “Jazzed About Work” with Beverly Jones from 8/13/2020!

WOUB Digital · Episode 087 : Black job searchers face special challenges, says Mark Anthony Dyson

See my #GetHired LinkedIn Live with News Editor Andrew Seaman

Watch this interview about today’s job search!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJNTym48NVo&t=68s
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