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!

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by Mark Anthony Dyson

Graduates, the Skills Gap is Real

Graduates, the Skills Gap is Real
http://traffic.libsyn.com/thevoiceofjobseekers/thevoiceofjobseekers129.mp3

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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 [email protected]

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.

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Filed Under: Graduates, Skills Tagged With: Skills

by Mark Anthony Dyson

2014 Job Preparedness Indicator Survey with Alexandra Levit

2014 Job Preparedness Indicator Survey with Alexandra Levit
http://traffic.libsyn.com/thevoiceofjobseekers/thevoiceofjobseekers71.mp3

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Alex (2)

For the second year (the third year on the blog), we are featuring the results of the Job Preparedness Indicator Survey done by DeVry University’s Career Advisory Board. A large part of the survey studies the job skill gaps and provides job strategies and recommendation mainly for college students and Millenials. Alexandra Levit is one of the workplace/career experts and executives on the career board. She provides an overview of the survey findings and job strategies for young job seekers.

I would love to hear your thoughts and comments about the survey. What do you think about the findings of the survey? There are three ways you can share your thoughts. Let me know if it’s OK to read or replay your message on the show:

  1. Call and leave a voicemail at 708.365.9822
  2. Email: [email protected]
  3. Go to TheVoiceofJobSeekers.com/71, press the Send Voicemail button on the left, which will activate your laptop microphone, then leave a message

Alexandra Levit is a friend of the blog and podcast as for the last three years, she has volunteered to share the Career Advisory Board’s findings on various studies. Here are the other conversations we’ve had in the past:

  1. Are College Graduates Unprepared for the Marketplace?
  2. How Can Career Services Engage College Students Through Social Media?
  3. This is the Future of Work (as an Independent Contractor)

We discussed some of the following findings of the survey:

  • Only 7 percent of hiring managers report that “nearly all” or “most” job seekers have the complete set of skills and traits that their companies need to fill open positions
  • Hiring managers appear to do little to no training of new hires
  • High integrity of candidates is favored  more than ever as a needed attribute of the entry level candidate
  • Although a global perspective is a must local candidates are considerably favored – Hiring managers are unlikely to look for candidates who are not local at the time of hiring
  • Adequate business writing skills are needed without much training or monitoring
  • Hiring managers want candidates who are quick and perpetual learners, again minimizing or eliminating training time

Job strategies for job seekers:

  1. Millenials must show the ability to communicate clearly orally and in writing. Because of truncated social media messaging, many are not demonstrating the acumen for business writing
  2. Be ready to absorb new material quickly. Hiring managers are looking to spend minimal time in training
  3. Look much closer to home for opportunities. Employers will continue their search for candidates until a viable one becomes available
  4. Must have high integrity. Employers need candidates and new hires they can trust
  5. Perpetual learner. Certifications, continuing education, and expanded learning is essential

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.

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Filed Under: College to Pro, Job Search, Jobseekers, Skills

by Mark Anthony Dyson

Color Your Resume, and the Importance of Soft Skills

Color Your Resume, and the Importance of Soft Skills
http://traffic.libsyn.com/thevoiceofjobseekers/thevoiceofjobseekers32.mp3

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Lea McLeod

Lea McLeod (@LeaMcLeod) is the founder of Degrees of Transition, and a contributor to The Daily Muse who recently published a resume help book, The Resume Coloring Book. Lea has been featured on many major career sites such as, The Daily Muse, SmartBrief, and LifeHacker, and ABC News. Lea and her blog have been named, 80 Must Follow Twitter Accounts for 2014 (Career Sherpa), Top 50 Blogs for Young Careerists 2013 (YouTern.com), and  Top People to Follow on Twitter March 2014 (The Guardian, UK).

In this episode, Lea and discuss:

  • Her book and how easy it is for anyone to write their resume as it is color coded
  • Lea shares some advice with soon-to-be-graduates and how to refine their brand
  • What are the challenges that young people have in their job search?
  • The importance of “informational interviews” and the way it builds the resume
  • Lea mentions a tool called Strengths Finder and how it helps her clients find their career strengths

David Nicola

 

David Nicola (@Capt_Careerist) is the first repeat guest on the podcast. Just recently, he shifted positions from Career Services Director at Laurus College in California to Career Development instructor at the same college. David is still as enthusiastic about his new position as he was in episode 12.

David and I discussed :

  • What employers were saying when he was in Career Services about what they desire out of candidates
  • The difference in preparation for careers at his institution compared to a four-year college or university
  • His approach in teaching his students the skills and providing the resources
  • How important it is for students to have career orientation and career development upon their arrival

Now that you made it this far in the show notes, you want to send out this tweet to have a chance to win Lea’s book, The Coloring Book Resume. I will randomly pick one winner by midnight, Sunday, April 6 and announce it via Twitter Monday, April 7:

Win a copy of @LeaMcLeod’s book, “The Resume Coloring Book ” @MarkADyson “The Voice of Job Seekers.”

Click To Tweet

I want to thank both Lea and David for appearing on the show. Both provided great value for listeners and hope to have them back. This episode should motivate you to start your job search on the right foot, and find out what employers value and apply that to your job search strategy.

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.

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Filed Under: Resume, Skills Tagged With: Job Search, Resume

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I moderated a panel on Wealth Management for executives by Black Enterprise Magazine in October 2023 in Miami.

I was interviewed on Scripps News show, “The Why!” 4/13/2023

I talked with John Tarnoff and Kerry Hannon of “The Second Act” podcast about job searching after 50 in October 2022.

I was on “The Career Confidante” podcast to talk about “boomerang employees” and “job fishing” in June 2022.

Making Job Search a Lifestyle With “Dr. Dawn Graham on Careers,” SiriusXM Ch. 132, Wharton School of Business May 2021

In May 2020, I talked with LinkedIn’s Senior News Editor Andrew Seaman on “#GetHired” Live.”

Beverly Jones, host of the NPR podcast “Jazzed About Work,” invited me back to talk job scams, job search trends, and AI tools in April 2024

WOUB Digital · Episode 183 : Job search expert Mark Dyson says beware of scams, know AI & keep learning

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