Career change Archives - Page 2 of 3 - The Voice of Job Seekers

The Future of Job Search Are Switchers

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Many of you know I co-host a weekly LinkedIn Livestream show on Wednesdays. We were fortunate to have author Dr. Dawn Graham as a guest as we tackled career change questions (or as Dawn says, “Switchers.”).

You are more than welcome to join the discussion. Here are three ways you can:

– 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 [email protected]

Jack Kelly, CEO of WeRecruitr.com, and my co-host of our weekly Wednesday Linkedin Live show. If you want to see it live and participate in the chat, find my LinkedIn page, you’ll find the show. Jack is a Forbes senior contributor writing career-related news and job-search advice several times a week.

Dr. Dawn Graham is the author of “Switchers: How Smart Professionals Change Careers and Seize Success.” She is the host of the national Sirius XM show, “Dr. Dawn on Careers.” She is also currently a Careers Contributor at Forbes and Wharton Business School Career Director at the University of Pennsylvania. Oh yeah, she’s also a licensed psychotherapist.

Here are highlights of our discussion:

2020 was a wake-up call and had a stark realization being a star performer isn’t enough.

Dawn said that taking baby-steps each day rather than taking big leaps leads to pivot success.

Job seekers need to hear advice and investigate rather than force apply strategies, not effective for them.

Shift away from being reactive and be proactive. Create your own opportunities.

The best routes to changing careers take time.

Small steps ensure clarity, but missteps are inevitable.

Creating a demand for your work through contract or part-time opportunities is a catalyst for “switching.”

Mental health is important more than ever and noticeably beneficial when it’s addressed

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

8 Small Needle Movers For Your Job Search

September and October are wearing you out mentally and somewhat physically. Let’s face it. There are more challenges in our lives. As a whole, we’re evaluating the worth of each part of our lives. I know I am seeing members of my family make moves and changes for the better. My oldest son is finished with his MBA and will start nursing school in January. My wife is retiring in two weeks after 31 years as a nutritionist.

I know others who are facing career changes they’re dreading. They see cracks and crevices in their industry because of COVID-19, social changes, and some changes that were desperately needed remain dormant. If you’re looking to making changes to your career, this is the time to do it.

Jack Kelly, founder and CEO of WeRecruitr.io, and I have created and produced a weekly LinkedIn live stream where we discuss unemployment news, translate what it may mean to job seekers, and offer actionable and practical advice. In our latest show, we recognize factors indicating the 7.9% unemployment rate may not be accurate:

There are reports of unemployed workers unable to certify for unemployment because of the overload of callers who are in the process.

Layoffs are imminent from Disneyland, American Airlines, and United Airlines in the tens of thousands.

JCPenney’s are among the large stores that struggled way before the pandemic. It is just a matter of time they close a possible 149 stores as reported this past September.

Although things will get more challenging as more layoffs occur, this may be the best time to make a career change:

☕Personally connect with active recruiters, Human Resources professionals, and employers who continuously post leads and offer sound advice. They are sharing what they like to see out of candidates and new hires. Pay attention as you hear it from the horses’ mouth.

☕Find and join active private Facebook and LinkedIn groups to connect with industry professionals and like-minded users. Larger isn’t necessarily better, so look to see which ones are the most engaging and build relationships within them.

☕Ask your network for their headhunter contacts (ones who are not working for companies) and offer an introduction to yours. If someone used a headhunter to find their latest job, that relationship is likely prioritized. Similarly, make introductions to your headhunter and know they will appreciate you making their job easier.

☕Raise your LinkedIn profile by looking for ways to add value. The little contributions matter as everyone loves a valuable comment to their update. But sharing someone else’s update and why it’s universally useful to your network is a powerful connection.

☕A separate website from your social profile is great. If you have original ideas, you can expand. However, I’ve been writing about it for the last nine years to differentiate yourself from others in your field.

☕Allow your knowledge and expertise to be challenged in a live stream on any platform through a Q & A format. You deliver value in real-time to people’s real-time issues. It’s a powerful relationship-building tool, as well as your ability to provide solutions others find immediately useful. Even a Twitter chat delivers real-time communication and allows advice to gain trust in your direction and knowledge.

☕Clichés are empty calories for your job search, accomplishments, and career history. Cut them from your profiles and resume NOW. Just like chips, crackers, pretzels, and candy, they provide satiety for a short time but don’t add value to anywhere else on the body of your good work.

☕Choose to chase meaningful and gratifying opportunities instead of money. We can argue whether 10% increases in pay substitutes for a toxic work environment, but after a steady period of value-adds to an employer will cash-out (if you’re intentional in negotiating compensation). Chasing money often results in paying the price, and it’s usually costly to those they love.

There are more little things you can do this year to continue functioning in job search role, but if you’re goal is a new job in six months, don’t wait until month five. Start now, as you want to choose your opportunities while thriving. Just as people make the best food choices when they’re full and satisfying, you’ll make better career choices if while you’re working.

About Mark Anthony Dyson

by Mark Anthony Dyson

Trying to Change Careers? This is the Time

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To change careers or jobs is the norm as it has been for some years now. One survey from Robert Half International shows 66% of professionals see changing jobs every few years as positive. Virginia Franco, the founder of Virginia Franco Resumes, wrote an interesting article about career change I wanted to feature.

Let me know what you think about this episode 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 [email protected]

Let me share more about Virginia:

Virginia is a five-time executive resume writer and been in business for the last nine years. She is also the host of her podcast, “Resume Storyteller” over the previous two years. She is also the current president of the National Association of Resume Writers.

Here are highlights of our discussion:

Career change is a popular subject and the right market to do so
Changing also make it a very competitive market
Make your case in front of a human being rather than applying online and competing with an Applicant Tracking System
Applying online is a false sense of security – three of 100 successfully get interviews
Referrals get 10x the response
Using the limited space for emphasizing years of experience wastes that space
Being a perpetual learner is a critical attribute, and showing your learning aptitude
Enthusiastic about learning is what employers want to see
Build a bridge by identifying transferable skills

You can also sign up for my weekly newsletter at the top right of my page to be on the first list of my free e-Guide, “300 Modern Job Search Tips for 2020!” This year, it will be free for a limited time. If you’re on the list, you’ll receive the tips at the beginning of November.