Career Archives - Page 24 of 28 - The Voice of Job Seekers

7 Monster Ways to Assemble Career Value

Successful job seekers create and communicate reasons to hire them. Do you know what value you bring to the table?

Value cannot be monetized, but is compromised if you misunderstand your worth. It is not only what you say in an interview or a networking event, but also what you can show and what you do.

If you don’t, these suggestions can get you started.

1. Assess and Test Your Weaknesses an Strengths

When a tested and tried job seeker abilities exploit character and strengths. Invite tests of what you know, and don’t be afraid of making mistakes. Assess measurable and seeable results and keep them in front of you so you can demonstrate competency.

2.Create and Formulate Your Voice

Show that you possess creativity and originality that addresses your target employer. If your message is irrelevant, no one will care how about the uniqueness of your ideas. You have stories to tell that displays your abilities, good! Practice them in front of people who can help you share them from your heart.

Read: Want A Real Career Lesson? Learn From Don Cornelius

3. Embrace the Face to Face

The more time job seekers spend initiating live conversations, the more opportunities created. Face time is always a productive way to build useful networks.

4. Imitate and Operate the Good

Whatever you see that successful job seekers are doing, DO IT!. No one corners the market on any strategy or method. Don’t plagiarize! But do add your personal touch to anything you see that works! Embody new techniques, lessons, experiences, and make them your own.

5. Institute and Contribute Often

Sharing and giving brings good things to the contributor. Offering other beginning job seekers help brings appreciation and more possibilities. Who doesn’t need help in starting a job hunt these days.

Read: Your Job? Learn to Use The Left Hand

6. Be Aware and Prepare for the Conversation Behind Your Back

No matter what your goals and objectives are, what you do right links to your personal brand. Every job search related meeting, phone call, and interview leaves an imprint. How positive and impressive it remains is up to you.

7. THINK BIG!

Don’t be afraid of graphs, charts, blogs, and video to display your talents, and showcase your abilities. Although these strategies are not for everyone, it is an option if you own these skills. If you achieved big results, be creative in displaying them.

Do any of these resonate with you? How will you apply these ideas? Did I forget something? Let know in the comment section.

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

More Career Advice I Won’t Follow From Politicians

As I said before, politics are full of career advice often exemplary and often leads to what NOT to do. I don’t like watching local or national political debates, however, I am riveted in listening to the political discussions of television pundits who speculate and comment about who they oppose. The successes and the mishaps maintain extraordinary value for career professionals and job seekers alike.

Still, there are rare moments where I feel that this local or state candidate understands my issues. The employer asks Here some of my insights, without mentioning names, dates, or candidates but the subtle messages are well-known. I won’t follow…

The perpetual need to express my insensitive opinions in conversations, interviews, or business meetings.

You never know who is offended easily, or insulted, whether it is a celebrity or a well-known person, labeling people in a negative way is offensive. A self-righteous air on a job candidate’s part can come across as arrogant, but politician-like. You could be right in your intent to describe someone’s seemingly inappropriate actions, but when expressed to the wrong person can result in a derailed effort to connect with that person and his or her audience. It doesn’t matter if the setting is casual or formal; perceived behavior, conduct, and rejects the noticeable lack of restraint.

2. Saying that I am the best without proving it

Job competition is challenging and often taken personally because of the obvious reasons. Vague statements such as a simple but repeated mantra, “I can do it better” leave key hiring influencers miffed about your abilities. Without proof of production, and specific ways to solve problems, you will sound like the crowd and unlike the chosen one. Competing reaches beyond a show-and-tell display for elementary school kids. Like the current political candidates, people want to hire a potential candidate based on substantial ideas that inspire change. Offer goals, time and quality objectives, and a roadmap that sounds more like a business plan than a T.V. guide.

3. Offer statements that sound like facts without research. They are lies and exaggerations.

It appears traditional for political candidates of every sort attempts exaggeration and mocks his or her political opponent’s statements to gain small but meaningful traction. Hopefully, your preparation for interviews includes understanding the nuances of your job market and ensuring you own the skills necessary to complete the job, even if the knowledge makes a small difference . Research is necessary for casual conversations if only to impress people who can possibly help you. Repeating what everyone else demonstrates a lack of depth of the subject matter, and undermines the development of credibility. Employers and key connector can easily filter through the pretenders to reach authentically viable potential professionals. No time for laziness. Study your market, potential employer, and competitors to gain an edge and stand out from the crowd.

About Mark Anthony Dyson

by Mark Anthony Dyson

Want A Real Career Lesson? Learn From Don Cornelius

Here’s a career lesson from a place you wouldn’t expect. Many of us who grew up when Soul Train began wanted to emulate all the dances. Some of them were easy to do, other dances took coordination that few of us had.

It was cool. It was more than hip. It was enlightening.

I wanted an afro and bell bottoms. Eventually got the afro, and the bell bottoms, but too late. Mesmerized by Soul Train as a music fan, I don’t know what I was diggin’ more, the dancing and the music, or the culture.

Years later, I have not forgotten the way the show made me feel. Because of muscle memory, I can still do the “bump,” “the robot,” “the washing machine,” “the muscle,” and “the penguin.”

Soul Train has been off the air for several years now, and many of us, black, white, yellow and brown remember what Don Cornelius did during his career. Like Cornelius, we push past the lack of resources, means, and opportunity to achieve success. How we show it varies from person to person, and possibilities of opportunities.

Note what the competition is doing, then smash it with a locomotive

Don Cornelius started an entertainment show that featured stars who pantomime songs while young people dance in 1970. Sounds like “American Bandstand” doesn’t it? Yes the same genre, but Soul Train carved its own niche (also fighting off copycats). What made Soul Train different was the way it shaped culture, the distinct sound of music it showcased (especially the first few years) and how the show commanded the black community’s attention. Career lesson: Time and work should strengthen your product making it yours and original.

Stay on your personal brand track, even when errors in judgment derail it

Cornelius focused with the show’s brand passed up meaningful opportunities such as putting the name Soul Train on the title track of a song written for the show. The song “The Sound of Philadelphia” was one of the biggest songs of the decade. Career lesson: Many job seekers will mis-identify opportunities as good and bad. When you mistakenly miss a good opportunity, don’t be afraid to ask for another opportunity. Yes it’s humbling, but no, there’s no shame.

Train stops to allow others on board, and continues to the next stop

Don Cornelius stopped hosting the show in the late ‘90’s mostly as a business decision for the show continue to appeal to young adults. Career lesson: For many job seekers, allowing others to take over is not a choice. For many people it is the beginning of new opportunities, and a chance to have more control of the future. Experience never goes to waste as it becomes a part of character.

The same reason Soul Train is remembered, is the way older job seekers can stand out: People can recall how you make them feel, and make them change what they do. Soul Train changed what we did on Saturday afternoon, how we danced, and how the music changed our lives. Job seekers who exhibit changes in process, people, and technology successfully will impact the way co-workers do and forge forward.