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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7 Career Advancing Risks to Take in 2021

There are times when you need to take some risks when advancing your career. If you’re not vigilant of your industry, upskilling your skills from familiarity to mastery, or deepening your relationships with connections, you’re behind.

Job search is a part of your regular life in some way to prepare for the worse. As you know, this could happen anytime.

Maybe you’re doing the right things, but your career advancement and job search seem stagnant. Well, I got you. You may need to step out and take a few chances. No, you’re not exactly stepping out on a ledge, but a shake-up helps you to gain traction as much as it exposes your lack of comfort.

Here are a few ideas of risks to help you with taking the next steps in your career:

 

1. Use video to express thought leadership, teach, or recap new learning.

Not only will you capture more eyes on any social network (especially LinkedIn and Instagram), but also for potential business partners and employers to get to know you. It doesn’t matter if it’s a raw or unpolished presentation. Your viewers will be more impressed and riveted your willingness to “put yourself out there.” It also speaks to your courageousness more than anything else. You, too, can have a friend like Miss Fe Marie, who, outside of her Board of Education job, has a YouTube channel with nearly 21,000 subscribers in its five years. She had a video from 2018 with more than 800K views and making the most of the opportunities the exposure is bringing.

2. To start building your next career.

As you know, your journey starts with curiosity and wonder, but often it is the beginning of fulfillment and possibilities. Just having a job to pay the bills is alright for many, but more professionals want to have more options. Gary worked for the government as a forensic account for 32 years, yet his passion was electric. Before retiring, he trained and worked as an electrician and enjoyed working when and how he wants.

3. Start career-advancing collaborations online or offline.

Volunteering is an excellent way to partner with an organization and building on initiatives from the ground up. Since technology is a continually evolving possibility, those adept at learning new technology could leverage non-profit organizations to grow new skills and build partnerships. Most importantly, they can develop a reputation in new technology, process, or an in-demand talent. Collaborations also create a reason to network with people you know who do similar work. In the long-term, these connections can lead you to the right opportunities without scouring the Internet.

 4. Negotiate better compensation

Although negotiation is an expected transaction to start a new job, most professionals don’t research diligently at the beginning of their job search. Even more, don’t strategize to create opportunities in the positions they hold. Money isn’t the only negotiable commodity as compensation. Working remotely also brings you opportunities to get compensated for equipment, software, flexible time, training, insurance, and more.

5. Be more visible for employers to find you.

I would want you to be mindful of what your employer may think without risking your current job. The more you show your value and that you’re valued, it will be the right anecdote to get noticed by employers, recruiters, and referrers. By emphasizing importance through accomplishments and results speaks loudly and attractively to those who desire those results. From posting awards for exceeding qualitative and quantitative benchmarks to showing photos of volunteering time to charitable causes could open more possibilities.

6. Enter competitive skill competitions (not necessarily a contest)

One way to stay on top of industry trends and the skills to remain relevant is to create content around it. Sometimes this means competing in industry contests or at least creating content where essential feedback is offered. It doesn’t have to be an official competition where prizes are provided to be considered competitive. When someone within an industry is recognized for their work, another person will eventually come along and do it better.

7. Becoming well-known

Most people will respond by saying, “I’m not trying to become famous,” when that’s not what I mean. Being well-known can mean you’re creating demand for your work outside your 9-5 job within your industry or local organization. Your visibility at times can make a demand contingent on the scarcity of your skills. It’s not a bad idea to appear on a podcast or two, or a video interview, radio or television news appearing as an expert. Peer-reviewed white papers increase your knowledge and credibility to become a resource for other professionals.

What I’ve discovered is the increase in possibilities as a result of contributions. You’ll likely experience demand for your work the more you are interested in serving or helping your peers. Everybody wants to find a job when they need to in the shortest amount of time. It helps to assure familiar relationships knowing the value you give will eventually provide an open the door to career advancement.

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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The new economy is here — and so is Job Search 3.0

The new economy is here — and so is Job Search 3.0
As the great recession and social media have defined a chapter in the new economy, COVID-19 and the incessant use of technology marks the midst of “Job Search 3.0!” Successful career advancement means your job search becomes a lifestyle. To disengage from any career advancement efforts for more than four to six months creates a career chasm. It puts you light years behind your competition, who are always ready to move, shift, or find an additional job. It’s lethal to your livelihood and you want to avoid it like the Corona Virus.
The merge of technology, business, and reliance on resumes and job sites in short, but not entirely, describes “Job Search 1.0.” The defining moments of “Job Search 2.0,” in my view, coincides with Web 2.0 where web traffic is generated by content and social media. Job seekers had a new way to stand out if they adapted to these social tools and generated content to show their value in order to get hired.
COVID-19 has disrupted every industry in one way or another. But it shouldn’t disrupt your focus to find a new job, change a career, or bounce back from a forced separation (being fired).

The time to advance career your career is NOW! 

What you need to know, if you don’t know already, is that your job search needs to be a lifestyle. Perhaps we should call it “Job Search 3.0.” This is not just something you say you’re starting to do, it’s a perpetual engagement in the war against mindless meme posting and incessant entertaining videos.
You’re already swiping up, down, left or right a dozen times a day. It’s the shift from a technology novice to an intentional job seeker. You’re always connected, even if you’re just using text. You’re communicating with others outside of your work meetings, church services, and fellow travelers. “Job Search 3.0” simply means you’re always in a job transition, transformation, and career advancement mode. You’re one decision away from a job move or career change.
The role needs to change to adapt to the mindset of a consultant:
  • Always listening for industry pain points to solve
  • Assembling a portfolio of your work demonstrating a range of results, solutions, and innovation
  • Knowing which companies would benefit from your value
Even passively looking and entertaining advancement opportunities is part of “Job Search 3.0.” I had a mentor who practiced interviewing once a year just to remain on the cusp of her career. You may want to adopt this spirit by grasping your current or new industry’s innovation trends moving towards new or away from old technology, delivering results, and new positioning.

Here are 16 actions and strategies for your immediate consideration:

  1. Exchange value with your network and give more than you get.
  2. An active and engaged network will bring you opportunities and visibility to employers/recruiters.
  3. Stay on top of the changing technology trends.
  4. Sharpen your negotiating skills (compensation packages).
  5. Promote yourself on social media, and keep those who boast about you in the front view of you and your followers.
  6. Maintain quick access to relevant references, mentors, and sponsors in your industry.
  7. Understand the short life of your skills.
  8. Do not fear job separation nor allow the myths associated with it to penetrate your goals.
  9. Career transformation is a necessity, preferably to have it occur seamlessly but that might not always be an option.
  10. Young careerists (30 and under) should have a wealth of informational interviews under their belt.
  11. Who is on your team?
  12. Engage in industry organizations, online groups, and committees.
  13. Create a robust LinkedIn presence with a convincing profile.
  14. “No” is a valuable asset, but also the drive behind motivated discontent.
  15. Building a personal brand that creates a demand for your work.
  16. Choosing your employer is more important than who is your employer.
  17. The best career tool for high school, college, trade, apprentice students are informational interviews.
  18. Serving is the new networking.
Some of you are thinking (but you’re really resisting) about the challenge of changing from your comfort zone:

Is this going to be more to add to my to-do list for each day?

We already do this. According to a recent Vox article, the average American smartphone user had an average of three hours and thirty minutes a day on their phone.  If you have more than two hours of screen time, I’m sure there are 45 minutes a week for you to comment on LinkedIn a couple of times, watch a free YouTube DIY (Do-It-Yourself), or participate in an industry organization call or video conference.

How are we supposed to remain in “job search mode”?

Your mobile apps are tools. I’ve written several articles over the last three years that the apps we can download allow our phone to be a job search hub and a lifeline. Our mobile phones empower our ability to learn, connect, research, and apply. The right mobile apps are the power supply to engage in a continual job search without extra equipment or expenses.

Why can’t I focus on my job now and look when I don’t have one like I always have?

It takes too long to gear up. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported in fall of 2019 that the average time of unemployment is nine weeks. Since the BLS does not report underemployment numbers, the true extent of an effective job search is immeasurable. Nine weeks is not an eternity, even in a job seekers market where it’s assumed jobs are plentiful. Another report from the BLS shows the amount of people quitting are twice as high as separations (layoffs and terminations). Conclusion: no one wants to be without a job in any economy, recession, or even in a job seeker’s market.

Why are some many people emphasizing the use of LinkedIn?

You’ll be more attractive as a job candidate to recruiters. Job seekers making the best use of LinkedIn are treating it as a living and breathing, online document. They are updating their status, engaging in conversations, and offering original thoughts. If you’re not active on LinkedIn, recruiters will not find you. Recruiters have explained to me that they’re checking out a target candidate’s activity more than once before engaging them with a potential opportunity. Treating your activity as a passive tool doesn’t serve your job search as an asset.
There is so much to unfold in the upcoming months as we find out the industries that will take hits from COVID-19. We can also expect technology will disrupt our lives in a major way because our lives will be changed forever. Will the healthcare and insurance industries experience another crippling blow? How will small businesses survive the challenges of working remotely or brick and mortar businesses completely closing? If you haven’t already built your own expertise in an industry that will drive your career, you’ll probably need to take the time to decide where your current skills are most needed. If you’re deciding to take any job that crosses your path, you may be waiting a long time.

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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20 Job Search Tips to Navigate 2020 to Get More Money

20 Job Search Tips to Navigate 2020 to Get More Money
The job market still favors job seekers according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics for September with unemployment at 3.5% (BLS, 2019). To thrive in your 2020 job search and beyond continually shifting job market, you must think and act like an independent contractor or consultant.
At the speed of industry changes, one year without professional development can cost your career timely opportunities. The one thing about having an independent contractor mindset: Success is contingent on shifting before the trends do.
Here are 13 tips to help you navigate the 2020 job search:

  1. Be zealous about your professional development.

It’s 2019, and you’re not proactive enough in your professional development, says the recent Career Advisory Board (DeVry University, 2014) survey, presented by DeVry University. It’s likely meaning you’re not making time or not investing in yourself. Companies are willing to invest in professional development for their use, but you invest in yourself.

  1. Own the independent contractor mindset.

The decade of the independent contractor (specifically this coming year), you will need to navigate your opportunities in a way that brands you as a consultant. You’ll see more 1099 offers and will need to be acutely aware of how your state defines “employee.” Ask the freelance workers in California as they prepare for the confusion of AB5. Don’t expect unions and employers to tell you what you need to know.

  1. Know your state laws regarding salary, separation, and leave.

Employment changes are coming to your state. Most professionals are unaware of laws require for separation. It doesn’t help-seeking advice from a California lawyer about the laws in Illinois. The other thing is, don’t rely on a single result from Google. Seek multiple points of advice to be sure you protect your rights. Even with the pay gap and discrimination laws vary from state-to-state.

  1. Target companies for your job search forever, AMEN.

Industry professionals should use a multi-tier job search approach. One strategy is to target companies you would like to work. Sarah Johnston, the founder of Briefcase Coach, offers how you can discover a list of companies to target using a variety of online tools. Once you have a list of 25 or 50 companies, then focus on finding contacts who can refer you to hiring managers.

  1. You should have a team, too!

Professionals should consider a team of two or more others who can proofread thoroughly and ask the right questions to ensure accuracy. Some of the best resume writers use a team approach to check for quality, keywords, and accuracy of the content.

  1.  Internships and apprenticeships as a newbie in your industry are vital.

College students are the only ones privy to these opportunities. We know we want to pursue those that pay, but the other question to ask, “Does it place well? What is the placement rate?” Before you sign up for that online class or degree, inquire if the school has success with placing people of your age, gender, and color. Expect candor as a barometer before committing.

  1. Collaborate on and offline to change careers. 

Demonstrating social proof, you can do the job is the new calling card to break into a new career. By contributing to online or offline projects through collaborating with industry professionals puts you in that industry. With a little experience, you’re getting exposure and opportunities to explore the career projects you hope to lead one day. There are daily examples of people who produce YouTube videos and podcasts who learn through experimentation and interviewing experts. Read my article on Payscale about ways you can use collaboration to change and advance your career path.

  1. Informational interviews are the best tool for your job search.

Every college student should learn to conduct informational interviews in their freshman year to get started. Every professional should regularly use informational interviews in season or out-of-season (looking or not).  The information obtained from these business conversations is hard to find on the Internet. Besides, they are building a useful network for years to coming. Future mentors are also born through these opportunities.

  1. Hone your portfolio career potential today. 

Here’s a snippet from my article on Flex Jobs:
“Being a blogger/videographer/IT Consultant will be the norm rather than the exception. The future of work characterized by experts, including Alexandra Levit, who says, “This is happening now.” Levit says in her book, “Humanity Works: Merging Technologies and People for the Workforce of the Future, says professionals need to understand the day of one full-time job is ending.” 
It’s here and rising like never before. Read this article about the increasing amount of freelancing taking place.

  1. Feedback is your friend.

The “constructive direction” is what most people miss in getting career advice. You want an honest assessment of where you are and where you need to go next. People telling you to copy and paste, or what to say is not career advice despite the millions doing it. Getting brutally honest feedback regarding the areas you need to build on will bring you to places you’ve never been.

  1. Parental leave and how much it matters to you.

Parental Leave laws and some states will increase their leave from six to twelve weeks, while others won’t change. These laws could affect your choice of employment as you would want to know if the company or entity complies. You should ask how they feel about it to see if it aligns with your values and expectations.

  1. No shouldn’t be the hardest word.

There are times when the infatuation with an employer is not a long-term solution for you. You’re just better in walking away from an employer who refuses to acknowledge your worth. Interview when you’re in control of your career and personal situation. More professionals who own their careers are saying no and walk away! 

  1. Remember this one compensation negotiation strategy to embed on your brain today.

I asked Stacey Hawley, salary and negotiation expert, told me even though you experienced separation from your last company (laid off, fired, quit), you can “ABSOLUTELY” negotiate your compensation package. Change the narrative in your head, inhibiting you from receiving your worth.

  1. PLAN to move on. 

Just as your at-will employer won’t give you two weeks’ notice and perhaps will escort you out of the door, you don’t have to provide two-week advice. You can offer two-weeks notice if you want and if they have shown you love. But if they stress you, leave. Don’t get caught up in accomplishments and result past. If the glory days are gone, start recalibrating your future. Yes, plan your EXIT. Say NO to sentimentality. 

  1. Embrace texting as part of the recruiting process.

Recruiters are embracing text recruiting similarly to the Applicant Tracking System (ATS). The Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) blog published an article stating that text recruiting is here to stay! Become comfortable with technology as it is the way of life and career!

  1. Join think-tank, masterminds, focus, job clubs, and Facebook groups and the like.

Groups that meet to help each other advance one another’s career are priceless. We can argue how much is worth joining these groups, but many are free and open to the public.

  1. Social networks are search engines too!

Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram, and Linkedin are searchable by topic and by names and not necessarily indexed by Google, Bing, or DuckDuckGo. You should at least search your name weekly for good stuff and bad stuff.

  1. Your name as a hashtag is a search gem.

Your name may be a hashtag, and you’re not a user on the platform. For instance, let’s say you’re not an Instagram user. Someone may have taken a photo with you in it at an event, so instead of the @ sign, they use your name as a hashtag #markanthonydyson, #markadyson).

  1. You can bounce back.

Getting fired is not a death sentence. No matter the reason for separation, you can bounce back quicker and seamless in most cases. Read my article at Payscale’s career blog and change your mindset.

  1. Fight employers who discriminate by doing this one thing. 

You don’t have to work for employers that discriminate. Find companies representing the type of people you would work for and with. Diverse companies show they’re diverse and inclusive. If you’re targeting companies, then you might find a resource such as Great Places to Work useful. Even when you identify the company, talk with employees using the Linkedin company search tool.

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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.