Job seekers Archives - Page 18 of 19 - The Voice of Job Seekers

Are You Chasing Away Future Employers?

Job seekers must practices awareness of what they say about current or future employers while searching. Anyone despite looks, wardrobe, or how casual anyone can have a major influence in your career. Let me tell you two stories illustrating this point.

My theatre professor was quite eccentric. He was very much into taking risks, and liked students to call him “Marvin.” I liked him, and gave me opportunity to do my thing in class, although I was the least talented actor. His introduction to us was acting like us, while sitting among us while the rest of speculated.

“He’s fifteen minutes late!”

“Who is this guy?”

“What does he look like?”

One person was more concern about the waste of money he was paying for the class (after all, the semester was only 16 weeks long).

Fortunately, none of us slandered him or said anything inappropriate but to think that the opportunity was there. Marvin bearded, long thin build, and looked like Kenny Loggins (add round spectacles and 20 pounds less).

And although I was the least talented in the class, he offered me a semester scholarship 100% fully paid!

The next story demonstrates what could happen if he or she is publicly negative about an employer. Below is a story as it was told to me by a friend who is a CEO of a successful small business:

“…talking about your old boss especially with people you don’t know will kill your job chances. Went out with friends, woman joined us and talked trash about her current boss. That trash talker had filled out an application for an opening we currently have at our company. Her application was great. Had planned to meet with her to actually offer her the job today! Emailed her last night and canceled the interview. She still doesn’t know I was in that group of ladies at the lunch.”

The lessons are obvious, but just so that you have perspective:

If research was done by soon-to-be jilted job seeker, she would have found a Linked In profile picture and a profile.
Self-control is the best control of your career chances. Know your role, shut your mouth (shout out to The Rock!).
You gain nothing by publicly trash talking any employer. You don’t know who is listening.

Did you ever experience or know someone who experienced a smack down as a result of bad mouthing an employer? If you have, please share.

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

What Young Job Seekers Can Learn From Mature Adults

There are job lessons job seekers have learned from being “caught” and not “taught.” Job search strategy comes from experience or from those who are experienced. To watch and learn is one thing, but “think and listen” is harder. It’s tough. But when it gets tougher you listen to anyone.

My dad is 91. He is clueless about the job search of 2012. But he knows the nature of people, and understands that never changes. I need that perspective, and you do too:

1. Patience and steadfastness

Mature people come from generations that taught “good things come to those who wait.” This remains true in today’s job market. Hiring processes are longer than ever, so any job seeker must be prepared to wait patiently without quitting.

2. Understand the big story

The kid that always asks “why” in class is usually the smartest kid in the class. He or she wants to understand the big picture. It just seems annoying to the people who don’t care to know. That is why mature people ask young people a lot of annoying questions. That’s why toddlers ask grown ups many questions.

3. Mature people are witnesses

Although the job market has changed, and the workplace has evolved, the nature of people remain the same. Mature people have seen the world change, and understand how we got to this stage in our culture, environment, and economy.

4. Mature people value time and timeliness

Being on time means as much now than it did 30 years ago. But mature people also understand that everything good comes in time. Timeliness is making sure that you have facts and presenting it when it’s asked for or needed. They won’t waste your time, nor like their time wasted.

5. Respect is offered to everyone as earned by anyone

Job seekers who treat everyone with respect despite mistreatment will stand out. Most mature adults will tell you that is the biggest difference between young adults of yesterday and today’s young job seekers in general. Respect is still the attribute that everyone desires. Why not be the first to give it.

We didn’t talk about how mature adults are better judges of character. Their advice can only help your job search. Give them a listen.

What advice has helped you from those older than you? Let me know in the comments.

About Mark Anthony Dyson

by Mark Anthony Dyson

Achieve Career Success by Defining Failure

Failure quotes – Quotes – Pictures

Which is worse, to lose or to fail in chasing career success? Losing sounds temporary, but failing implies permanent. Most job seekers will say losing occurs more often than failure, and sometimes losing FEELS like failure. Knowing the difference between losing and failing in your career search is essential to WINNING, and getting job offers.

We can argue that failing is OK as long as it is not a lifestyle. But if you don’t want to job search to failure, how will you know what to avoid?

Failing in the career hunt is tricky. It could appear as success at some stages. If you want an example, think of the devil. That dastardly angel with horns offer attractive and alluring temptations (so I’m told).Failing can affect you similarly that it looks good at first, but too good…well, you know the cliché.

What are you willing to lose to succeed? How do you define career search failure? This is important for you to know that for yourself. Here are some suggestions in clearly marking where career failure begins. These are signs and not a norm.

1. No steps to career success

This works 100% of the time. No plan accompanied by dreams of hot tubs and caviar means that you are shopping at the local church food pantry.

2. Lacking respect for other people’s time

It’s bad that YOU possess a reputation for being late to everything. In fact, it’s an ongoing friend and family joke until no one important respects you. Potential employers disqualify you when you are late. You don’t call to say you’re late. You call to offer excuses.

3. Un-sharing mistakes and errors

Sharing your mistakes and faults, funny, or unfunny makes you likeable. If you are not perceived as being helpful, why would a company hire you? Ever notice the people who love you know your faults?

4. Do not love challenges

What do you do when someone calls you higher? Become quiet and reserved, or appreciate that they care? Mentors who you respect and are ahead of you in the game possess more value than you can measure. Find a mentor who will challenge your decisions, judgments, and vision for yourself.

5. If it’s a numbers only game

Insecure job seekers want people to know they are trying. He or she wants people to know their desperation applying to 100 jobs a month. What that says is that you want any old job. An unfocused job search is no longer an investment into finding a meaningful and fulfilling career. So your only job leads are cattle calls to 100% commission sales positions.

6. Ignoring reasons to celebrate with others

A heart check is being happy and encouraging the success with others. It is hard sometimes to spur someone else on, but the returns are valuable.

7. Mute the noise from your conscience.

It feels wrong, it looks wrong, but lacks a manual to tell you it’s right. It’s wrong. People will tell you shortcuts to use that are lies. Those are people who you shouldn’t listen to for career advice.

8. No continual training or learning experiences

Are you seeking out training in your career, even if its free? It’s hard to pay for seminars when it exceeds what you are making a week, but are you looking for alternatives? Employers consider those things, especially if unemployed. Two places where people don’t consider looking are the community college weekend courses that run in range of $25-75 dollars, and CAN (Cable Access Network) TV. There is quality training available that can keep you moving toward your goal.

9. You rarely ask (the right) questions. Or answer (the right) questions.

Questions that cause you to think about a bad scenario deserve more air time in your brain. You don’t have to fail, especially if your plans to succeed include errors, mistakes, and wonder. You stop and Y, and why, when you need to continue. The shame.

Before you claim failure, you should define clearly what failure is to you. To get you started I suggest a few in the following areas:

Did I fail to pick the money off the table? Entry-level positions rarely offer opportunities for negotiating, but professional and mid-management, it is expected. Negotiating starts upon contact with demonstration of value, and never ends even at the signing table
Did I fail to answer important questions during interviews? Style points are irrelevant, and zero points for partially answered questions. Go back to questions left unanswered even after the interview
Do I fail to under promise and over deliver value? Are you looking for opportunities to bring practicality to the ideas offered?
Do I fail by running out of time? The one thing that college football pundits used to say about Bobby Bowden, “Bobby never loses, he just runs out of time.” Timing is everything.

There are more suggestion I’m sure you can think of and add in the comment section below. How will you know when you have failed enough to start over?