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!

by

Critical Thinking Strategies to Impress Employers with Jeff Kavanaugh

Critical Thinking Strategies to Impress Employers with Jeff Kavanaugh

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Graduates undervalue communication and critical thinking. Employers want more of it. My guest today, Jeff Kavanaugh, explains how graduates can prepare for the job market. Jeff addresses much of this in his new book, Consultant 2.0. If you want to know more about his book you can go to his website.

How are you preparing for the job market?

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

About Jeff Kavanaugh:

Senior Partner at Infosys, a $10bn global IT consulting firm. He is also an adjunct professor at The University of Texas at Dallas. He has been featured on Fast Company, Huffington Post, and Tech Crunch.

Here are some highlights from our discussion:

  • People with little experience should seek relevant internships
  • It is a credible data point and learn to apply real world examples and stories
  • Critical thinking demystified requires you to restructure your thinking– calls for rigorous application and logic
  • During interviews, state your conclusion first and support with 3-5 sub points
  • We discussed how imperative it is to use inductive logic to communicate your thinking
  • Knowing your audience, research, understand their experience, dig deeper
  • Show respect in researching the company and interviewer
  • Phrases, stories, adjectives are clues to the interviewer your willingness to connect and relate
  • We discussed studies showing employers value work ethic, professionalism, competency
  • Absorb the publications you read outside of college work. Read publications such as Wall Street and the Economists
  • After reading, write a 500-word blog post on what you’ve written over 2 or 3 years. Collecting 20 or 30 articles over time may catch the attention of prospective employers
  • Employers look for how a job candidate will frame their stories and answers. The right answer is secondary to how it’s analyzed and broken down by logic

Do you need job search 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

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

More Reasons Career Success Can Come Through Blogging

More Reasons Career Success Can Come Through Blogging

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Job seekers should consider blogging as a way to increase your career success and choices. In the process, it will increase your career chances. I bought back my longtime friend Keith Townsend to talk about his journey.

Do you think blogging will increase your career success:

  • 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

Let me share a little more about Keith: 

Keith Townsend is the founder of The CTO Advisor. He started his blogging as Virtualized Geek but pivoted to reflect his career direction. Keith began his journey in 2010 as I started my blog a year later, and encouraged each other to stay on our journey. Now, he is a paid international speaker, writes for the Tech Republic and Tech Target, and works as a tech consultant during the day.

Keith provides us insight to his journey in blogging and career success. He shares what it was like blogging when no one was reading, and balancing family, and two careers. Keith has also distinguished his personal brand by possessing a verified Twitter account!

Keith is no longer the tall black guy in the back of the room. He shares about how his network is more than a tool, but also a part of his career ammunition. And yes, he knows and referred to a job by Michael Dell (Yes, the Michael Dell!).

Do you need help with your career direction and career success?

Do you need coaching or instruction? I can help.

Please note, I will be taking a break for three weeks in May returning the first week in June. Then will offer six more shows until my summer break in July until September the week after Labor Day.

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

There Should Be a Job Lab Everywhere

There Should Be a Job Lab Everywhere

 

I’m excited to announce my volunteer effort with the “Job Lab” as part of the Aim to Work initiative. The sponsoring group is the Greater Ashburn Community Development Association Corporation (GACDAC) on the Chicago south side. Once a month, I will be facilitating basic job search workshops for free to offer the Ashburn-Gresham community help with basic (but relevant) job search help.

Why a “Job Lab?”

Most cities have a place for free such as Workforce Connection to host workshops for job seekers to get job assistance in various forms. Some people do work but unemployed and can’t make those city programs only available during the day. Also, many do not offer job search strategies relevant and personable to job seekers. The Job Lab (similar to a “Job Club”) will offer support through workshops and networking with members to help anyone who needs it.

Aim to Work

The Aim to Work program is not only helping with job skills, but also with computer skills such as Office Suites. It is a non-profit program looking to expand its accessibility to the community. The organization is also looking for other ways to meet the needs of the community.

In addition to the 3rd Tuesday Job Lab session, I’m hoping we’ll add a monthly or bi-monthly LinkedIn workshop. Everyone needs a LinkedIn profile as it’s essential to have a presence online in 2017 and for years to come. If you’re unfound online, it’s likely an employer will consider any applicant as a serious job candidate.

Much more than Job Lab

In our vision to expand, we will also consider meeting needs with additional workshops, webinars, and group coaching but contingent on growth or participation and resources.

In many cities, this concept was implemented with success to support the job search of many job seekers. Our first session on Tuesday received positive feedback with much engagement from the participants. I was surprised how a few of them were engaged already with good advice including two of the participants having mobile versions of their resume!

The Aim to Work program is working on a website and Facebook page. When published, I will let you know. In the meantime, I am always available to you through the blog and if you’re in Chicago, despite your location, drop by if you need assistance.

 

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.