The Voice of Job Seekers

Mark Anthony Dyson ★ Career Writer ★ Speaker ★ Thinker ★ Award-winning Blog & Podcast! ★ I hack and reimagine the modern job search!

421 Modern Job Search Tips for 2021! Get it today! Sign up now.

You are here: Home / Archives for Skills

by

Writing Your Way to a New Job Opportunity With Carla Bass

Writing Your Way to a New Job Opportunity With Carla Bass

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

I am grateful and honored to have Carla Bass, retired Air Force Colonel, now writer, author, and speaker, on the show. We’ll talk some about her book, “Write To Influence!” We’ll also talk about how writing can change and advance your career, as she did with thousands while in the service.

For today’s episode, I had several discussions with some who were speakers and attendees at the CTL conference. The conversations include Kris McGuigan, Ken Diamond, Michele McCann Kelley, and Caroline Francis. All are career professionals helping job seekers to advance their careers.

Listen and see what I’m talking about and get in on the conversation.

You can also text me at 708 365 9822
You can email me at mark@thevoiceofjobseekers.com if you need help.
You can tell me if you love or hate what you’ve heard on the Speakpipe button at the blog.
At this time of year and point of the show, I usually tell you there’s one more show left which I’ll publish on May 10 until September. I am looking at some of the challenges of today’s job search, and although the number says low, many of you are out of work. I decided it may help if I didn’t ghost you for three months.
What if I published one or two episodes each month of the summer? Would that help?
Let me know what you think?

More about Carla:

Colonel Carla Bass has taught audiences how to write clear, concise, and compelling text for more than 20 years. Students of her workshops have won grants, jobs, and competitive awards. She shares how to write stand-out effective resumes to help you advance your career in her book.

Enjoy the interview!

Epilogue 

I will periodically release shows through the summer—a minimum of three. You will get hour-long episodes of job search advice, conversations, tips, and special guests. I plan to include excerpts or full episodes of my live stream shows “The Modern Job Search Checklist” or “JobSeekerNation.” I will replay some guest appearances from other shows.
So enjoy the rest of the show, and I’ll talk to you soon.
I hope you enjoy what’s coming.

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

How Good Writing Skills Can Build Your Brand with the Grammar Goddess

How Good Writing Skills Can Build Your Brand with the Grammar Goddess

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

 

Employers want employees and new hires to good writing skills. If you find writing a challenge, this is a good show for you. Susan Rooks, the Grammar Goddess is back to revisit the value of good business writing.

I also mention it’s National Punctuation Day and what better way and reason to celebrate it.

How important is good writing to you?Let’s discuss! You can do this in 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

NEED A HOLIDAY JOB?

In the first segment of the show, Victoria Crispo offers some holiday job search advice. She is a Career Development Expert, Manager of College and Professional Outreach at Idealist.org. I first met her as she was the Content Manager at IdealistCareers.org. IdealistCareers.org is a not only a nonprofit job board but also has good content for your job search.

More about the Grammar Goddess


Susan Rooks is the Grammar Goddess and can be found at the GrammarGoddess.com. She is a copy editor and a corporate educator. Susan traveled the world training audiences on various subjects including business writing.

Here are some highlights from our discussion:

  • Susan talks about manners in writing in using “please” and “thank you”–not used enough
  • The misuse of commas–the Oxford comma she says is still essential–Helps guard against misinterpretation
  • E.g., My heroes are my parents, Superman, and Wonder Woman vs. My heroes are my parents Superman and Wonder Woman
  • Susan advocates a refresher on grammar usage. It has been since high school most people have taken a class
  • Most people should stop using colons and semicolons because they are often misused
  • I reference using Grammar Girl and Strunk and White, “The Elements of Style”
  • Although Word grammar check helps, it covers only a fraction of grammar usage

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

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

Graduates, the Skills Gap is Real

Graduates, the Skills Gap is Real

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS


We have been hearing about the skills gap for a long time and studies in the past address the lack of what employers want. Payscale released a skill gap study detailing the disconnect between managers and recent graduates regarding their preparedness for employment after entering the workforce, and which skills managers are most likely to consider absent or deficient. Please go to Payscale’s website to view and download their report!

I discussed this two months ago with Rich Thompson, Adecco North America Chief Human Resource Officer. He also said one of the biggest challenges employers have is the skills gap. It is evident according to the study and organizations; graduates are not ready to present themselves as proficient in business oral and written communication. Lydia Frank from Payscale is with me to discuss their skills gap study specifically as it relates to college grads.

Have you been turned down for a position because you lacked skills? Talk to us. Here’s how you can participate in the discussion:

  1. Call and leave a voicemail at 708-365-9822, or text your thoughts to the same number
  2. Go to TheVoiceofJobSeekers.com, press the “Send Voicemail” button on the right side of your screen and leave a message
  3. Send email feedback to mark@thevoiceofjobseekers.com

Lydia Frank (@lydia_west)

Lydia Frank was in episode 68 last year, and most recently on episode 111. I bought her back to discuss the latest study conducted byPayscale.com. Lydia is the Senior Director of Marketing for Payscale and salary negotiation columnist for Money.com. Her media contributions include TechCrunch, Havard Business Review, The Huffington Post, and CBS News.

  • The study focuses on the value of skills gap and identifies skills that affect pay in a positive way
  • Industry specific expertise will differ especially in the technical fields
  • The study focused even more of graduates
  • Writing proficiency and public skills are lacking–perhaps due to technology
  • Personal communication does not carry over to business communication
  • More proof and assessments. More frequently, the first two interactions with a company would be a telephone interview and a skills assessment
  • Great work by blogging is valid social proof and differentiate from the competition
  • We talk about how critical thinking affects the need to assess. Questions around critical thinking often evaluate how a job candidate thinks about solving a problem
  • Employers want to see the work and his or her process
  • Lydia discusses how a diversity of thinking and the background of the team is important–does he or she complement the team? Not just diversity of people
  • The study looks at the skills gap by U.S. region

Need help with your career goals, directions, or efforts? Do you need coaching or instruction? I am here for it!

Also, join our Linkedin community! You’ll enjoy some of the insights shared by community members and other career pros!

I would still like to help self-published career professionals promote their books. If you’re interested, find more info here.

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.

<script type=”text/javascript” src=”https://platform.linkedin.com/badges/js/profile.js” async defer></script>