Job Search - The Voice of Job Seekers

Answering Your Job Search Questions (Podcast Season Finale)

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About today’s special show!

For this last episode of the season, I am replaying my appearance on the “Repurpose Your Career” podcast. Here are the questions we’re answering:

1. I am a 61-year-old floor installer. I have been doing this since I was a young man. I have worked in other parts of the industry like sales and distribution but I like to work by myself. I no longer install carpeting because of the weight.

I do not know much longer I can continue to do this. I am incredibly good at finding the best methods to install the ever-changing product offerings that the vinyl and wood flooring industry come up with every year.

What can I do? I cannot physically keep this up.

2. After years of corporate training, I took time off to raise my daughter. She is graduating from high school in two weeks and I am ready to get back into training.

A few of my challenges:

I haven’t used much of the new technologies since 2008

I haven’t spoken in from an audience since 2009

I haven’t worked since 2009

Not sure where to begin.

Thanks for your help in advice.

Name redacted.

3. I am 65 years old and I have been an IT consultant/Interim CIO for the last 25 years.

I want to finish my career as a full-time employee as a CIO at a small to medium size business. I am completely unable to convince people that I am worth the risk. I have worked in so many industries that everyone says I do not have the necessary industry experience and I get passed over.

What should I do?

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 mark@thevoiceofjobseekers.com

Season Finale

Thanks so much for listening to the award-winning “The Voice of Job Seekers” podcast! I’m Mark, your host, and I’m always Hacking and reimagining an easier job search process for you! I bring you relevant and relatable voices to help me clear the path for you to discover successful ways to find the job you’re meant to have.

This is the last show of the season, and of course, another year of modern job search tips and techniques was explored and many of you have implemented successfully.

Listen, just because the podcast will be on hiatus until September 11, doesn’t mean content will stop coming your way on TheVoiceofJobseekers.com! Articles, guides, and even video will be coming your way. Let me give you an idea what will be coming for the new season starting Sept 11.

More panel shows
An updated job search guide for 2019
I am hoping to do one or two live events
Shows where I was interviewed on another podcast or radio
Q & A episodes

There will be eight shows in the fall (possibly more) but they will be every other week except for Thanksgiving week where November will have one episode.

Today, again, the last episode for this season will be a Q & A with Marc Miller, the host of the Repurpose Your Career podcast. You’ll note the show notes are brief because Marc had already created very detailed show notes for the episode to follow the link there to read it in its entirety.

If you have not signed up for the free 118 Job Search Tips for the Modern Job Seeker in 2018, follow the link for in the show notes.

I would love your feedback for the show, articles, videos or if you have suggestions for next year’s show. Use my contact information, and I’ll be happy to discuss.

In the meantime, have a great summer, and don’t be shy to say hi on the social networks.

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

How Job Seekers Can Get Noticed by Employers Online

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How to stand out to employers online is frequent question and subject for job seekers. It’s one of the hardest things to do on the Internet since there is so much noise competing to be heard. The day has come to show how you add value to employers, peers, and prospective connections online. There are job seekers who want to be noticed but not sure how they can be heard. I bought Hanna Morgan back on the show to discuss how to appeal to employers online.

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

Hannah Morgan, the founder of CareerSherpa.net where she provides legendary advice on job search, personal branding, and online visibility and reputation management. She also writes about careers for U.S. News and World Report.

Here are some of our discussion highlights:

Become well known for something because it’s personal branding, but be the go-to source, be relied on
Treat people well, treat everyone with tact and respect
Likability factor is important – What’s the use of being the smartest in the room if no one wants to talk to you
Is what I am saying resonating with employers?
The airport test: Can I see myself stranded with this person?
Is getting attention means getting hired?
The right thinking process: job seekers should think long-term than for now
Become a facilitator – orchestrate introductions – bring people together
Lend your voice to the industry at large – productive relationships are long-term
A connection online means nothing without it going beyond
A newsletter to your contacts (through your website) keeps you and contacts engage
How to stand in your industry? Is each one different? Makes a difference in how often and who is your audience

Reminder:

I am here for you! Use my contact information above to inquire about individual or group coaching. You can also sign up for my weekly newsletter at the top right of my page. I try to pack as much value in my newsletter to more than 2,000 subscribers as possible.
Grab my updated “118 Job Search Tips for the Modern Job Search in 2018” here.

About Mark Anthony Dyson

by Mark Anthony Dyson

5 Most Useful Sections of a Job Search Blog for Job Seekers

Job seekers, blogs are powerful tools for getting noticed before or during a job search. Many job seekers blogging as more than just a passive way to reach employers. People find value in all forms of content. If it educates, trains, or informs, then it’s useful. If it positions you as an expert in your field, even better. A post is valuable if the picture, video, or audio content can make you laugh, cry, or even acquiesce.

There are so many stories about how people leveraged blogs for new jobs. I found five common elements from these blogs:

1. An Informative “About Me” page

This is one of the most important pages on your blog. I find that writing in the first person instead of writing it in the third will endear your readers to you. Choosing a site such as about.me is fine, but in my opinion, a WordPress blog is best. A pre-made template is fine but buying a personal domain (yourname.com) is best. It will be the number one or two most visited page, so you have to optimize its effectiveness as much as you can. Share accomplishments of your career and don’t forget to include contact information.

2. Great Photo(s)

One of the easiest and most essential elements on your blog that will impact your audience is how you look. A great head shot increases interest in you. Interested recruiters and employers may decide to engage you in a business conversation. If you go with several photos of yourself, make sure the quality is outstanding. Adding a fun photo or two shows your personality. Show pictures of you teaching or facilitating a workshop.

3. Menu of Your Specialties

Your “About” page shows what you do and a little personal information. The tabs on your menu bar offer choices of what a visitor can read. You control the content that is most useful to your readers.

4. Regular Content Publishing

There are varying opinions of how much and how often. If you’re hoping to attract employers and recruiters, look for freelance opportunities. If you want to engage readers, then publish once a week. Your articles don’t have to be a thousand words. In fact, if you’re publishing once a week, then 300 words or fewer works.

5. Various Forms of Content

Content in video and audio forms work because it showcases your personality. Blog visitors can picture working with you demonstrates likability. Your voice is the catalyst to any opportunity you create. It also is the competitive advantage to leverage when most are struggling with writing.

Blogging in 2018 is a must. Not blogging is a missed opportunity to give your personal brand a credible and respectable boost. Most job seekers have yet to choose to blog as a tool and are missing an opportunity to present themselves as an expert on a particular topic related to their career. Blogging is still a disruptor in the hiring process today. If you want to stand out, then position yourself to be found.