Job Search - The Voice of Job Seekers

Let’s Talk Hiring Diversity and Holiday Job Search Tips (PODCAST)

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This episode pieces together two North Carolinaoans (I made that word up) in Damien Birkell (@damienbirkell), author of The Job Search Checklist (Episode #12) and Fields Jackson (@fleejack), publisher of Racing Toward Diversity.

Damien offers some great holiday job search advice and says that job seekers should spend 10% at the computer and 90% networking at holiday parties. He also offers a refreshing perspective on business cards and using them effectively while networking. I should warn some of you who are introverts (like me) that Damien advises that we should go to as many parties we are invited you.

I wanted to re-edit my interview with Fields so that it can be found on iTunes and Stitcher and the other podcast directories. It is an important subject where people are interested in learning to find the dialogue and advice. The original SoundCloud audio is no longer available from the article re-publishing it here was a great way of the conversation taking on an evergreen life.

Fields Jackson is the diversity and inclusion advocate who is zealous about having the dialogue with large companies about workplace and hiring practices. He is also an adjunct professor at Chicago State University in the business school. Fields was recognized in 2012 as a Small Business Influencer by smallbiztrends.com. Here are some of our talking points:

Fields says that companies in general have yet to have a candid conversation about diversity and explains why
Fields also offers game changing advice to job seekers who are looking for companies who really promote diversity and inclusive workplaces
He advises that job seekers research diligently and work hard to ask the right questions

Please, enjoy our show and please join us for the holiday show next week. We are giving out gifts in the form of advice for your job search next year. We will publish episodes on Dec. 24 and Dec. 31 (Tuesdays instead of Wednesdays) so please note that change in your feed.

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

Bad Job Advice Revealed (PODCAST)

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In this 16th edition of the podcast, Keith (virtualizedgeek.com), and Bianca “HR Sassy Girl” Thompson, and in spirit, Sandra Tedford (wetalktoday.com) and I present a new segment of the show, “Would you resign this way?” The main discussion focused on bad job advice people still give that is a decade or more old. I discovered an old resignation letter from the blog, Before You Light That Match, that posted a humorous article about the way a man resigned from his job:

Dear Barton:

You have a man in your employ that I have thought for a long time should be fired. I refer to Sherwood Anderson. He is a fellow of a good deal of ability, but for a long time I have been convinced that his heart is not in his work.

There is no question but that this man Anderson has in some ways been an ornament to our organization. His hair, for one thing, being long and messy gives an artistic carelessness to his personal appearance that somewhat impresses such men as Frank Lloyd Wright and Mr. Curtiniez of Kalamazoo when they come into the office.

But Anderson is not really productive.

As I have said his heart is not in his work. I think he should be fired and if you will not do the job I should like permission to fire him myself. I therefore suggest that Anderson be asked to sever his connections with the company on [the first of next3. week]. He is a nice fellow. We will let him down easy but let’s can him.

Respectfully submitted,

Sherwood Anderson

We also discussed the U.S. News and World Report article that gave 10 job advice myths that many people in general advise the job seeker in his or her life. Some of the antiquated job advice people still give we discussed:

1. Use a landline for a phone interview

2. A resume can only be one page

3. Every job has to go on your resume

4. Include an objective at the top of your resume

5. Invest in good resume paper

Please, enjoy our show and kindly provide an honest review in iTunes and Stitcher for our show!

About Mark Anthony Dyson

by Mark Anthony Dyson

The Job Search Checklist (PODCAST)

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Editor’s note: AMACOM Books has kindly agreed to allow giveaway copy of the book, The Job Search Checklist. Listen to the show or read the bottom of the show notes for more information.

Damian Birkel is the author of “The Job Search Checklist: Everything You Need to Know to Get Back to Work After a Layoff.” He is a Certified Career Counselor and Founder of Professionals in Transtion support Group, Inc. that assists laid-off employees. He and his organization has been featured on CNN, WSJ, NPR and other national news outlets.

Damian and I discuss his story and how and why he created Professionals in Transition, his non-profit organization that has helped over 4,000 job seekers. We talk about the preparation for job loss and why must job seekers understand this process. He says that leading psychologists agree that job loss is the same emotional state as losing a loved one, or divorce. Grieving is a necessary part of the process before moving on.

Damien does state that at some point that someone needs to provide support but tough love. Listen to what he says about the “Bridge statement” that connects job loss to your current status indicating the direction our heading. How important is that to formulate to frame that in who you meet that may help you find a job? Damien provides a clear answer to a tough question that is often asked. This statement is only two sentences!

I also love the section he entitled, “What not to do and why.” You say that, “If you kill your career Karma (reputation) by blasting your old company, it will create a negative impression of you.”

Some of the other advice from the book he mentions in the show:

“Do not send a sloppy email to anyone (regardless of how well you know them)

“Don’t keep you job loss and job search a secret.”

And now the giveaway….

Comment about the interview and qualify for a chance to get a FREE COPY of Damian’s book, The Job Search Checklist. I will pick a winner randomly, and he or she will receive the book directly from AMACOM Books. I will announce the winner on Friday, November 8!