The Voice of Job Seekers

Mark Anthony Dyson ★ Career Writer ★ Speaker ★ Thinker ★ Award-winning Blog & Podcast! ★ I hack and reimagine the modern job search!

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8 Small Needle Movers For Your Job Search

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

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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Filed Under: Job Search Tagged With: Career change, Job Search, Job seekers

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8 Ways Marriage Can Strengthen Married Job Seekers

8 Ways Marriage Can Strengthen Married Job Seekers

We’re one, but we’re not the same

We get to carry each other…

One, U2

Over the years, I weight-lifted alone, but when I needed a spotter, there were people at my gym who helped me. Spotters are essential when the weight becomes too heavy. This year, I hurt my shoulder lifting weights even though I had someone to help. The injury wasn’t serious, but it could have been worse without help.

I learned to cope with it and the occasional throbbing, and it hasn’t stopped me. I can do other workouts and avoid that body part, which is what most people would do. Or I can do a different exercise requiring me to recruit other muscles to help that muscle.

If my body were my marriage and my shoulder were my job search, I would need my spouse to compensate for encouragement and strength when my job search was difficult. When I exert more with my weaker shoulder, I experience discomfort and more pain. So I need her to give me her version of a deep tissue massage on demand (asking oh so nicely). I do it for her when she needs it. At least that’s the way it should be. Right?

We’re taught in school, Sunday school, and marriage counseling that two are better than one in school, fitness, and business. Then how is it weirdly practiced when it comes to marriage? Studies show a two-person leadership team thrives, so why can’t marriage? It’s almost like we have this limiting belief that marriage cannot possibly benefit the careers of both spouses. When it comes to marriage and the careers of spouses, it gets weird, but it shouldn’t be.

I agree with experts: Constant communication is key. I found eight ways your marriage empowers your career when communication is a priority:

1. Your spouse knows how your strengths and weaknesses manifest

After the first six months, spouses discover how each other’s strengths and weaknesses affect their relationship. They will tell you honestly (although not always in the best way) what it looks like to them. Don’t take years to trust their judgment about what it looks like to others. It’s possible to look one way to employers and another to your network. Just as in weight-lifting, you need the spotter for the rep you can’t finish.

2. Access the power of your spouse’s network

You never know who your spouse is connected to in their network. You double your network and maybe your “net worth” in opportunities. And remember both sets of parents in having an immediate reach of contacts. For your in-laws to say they would like to refer their son-in-law or daughter-in-law carries weight.

Read 10 Ways Your Spouse Can Boost Your Career

3. Tell the truth

It’s always best to surround yourself with people who will be direct and truthful with you. In so many words, the times when I said the load was too heavy, like a spotter she shouted, “You can do it!” Everyone needs a spotter like her. This “spurring on” works best when more time is spent building each other up. Tearing down your spouse is easy because you know where the weaknesses are — but build each other up quickly with the truth, so those weaknesses are stronger than before. The process hurts but mostly needed to help your spouse’s career goals.

4. Bring out the best

Through competitive agitation or spurring one on to do their best, a spouse has a way of pressing the right buttons. It doesn’t always take someone understanding the full scope of the other’s profession.

Everyone needs courage, patience, persistence, perseverance, and resilience. A spouse in more ways than one inspires like no one.

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5. Sustain positivity

Your home is your refuge from work and frankly from the rest of the world, due to a unique but powerful character trait stemming from both people. When the home environment is fun, inspiring, and peaceful, it is a powerful tool to help during a long and discouraging job search.

Read Why Has Your Spouse Lost Her Mind When You Lost Your Job

6. Carry each other

Marriage requires 100% out of each, not 50–50. There are times when you’ll need to carry each other in your job search and workplace trials. The strongest marriages thrive by both spouses carrying a load physically, financially, and spiritually at some point. One may have a more responsive network than the other. “Your network is my network” should be the attitude.

7. Be a cheerleader/coach/encourager

My wife is the greatest source of encouragement I have. My mom is an excellent source, but no one energizes me like my wife. Conversely, no one can crush my feelings like my wife. When I had times of unemployment, I stayed on her good side as much as possible, which meant more than spending much of my time looking for a job.

Letting the frustration from your job search come to your home to ransack it is a mistake. You need all the encouragement you can get.

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8. Buffer the blows

When a job seeker senses things are terrible, the working spouse can help put things in perspective. All of us need a listening ear to make sense of nonsense and help defuse bombs before they go off. There is no such thing as a smooth job search.

When one spouse is going through a job search, then both are experiencing the effects. It can consume both spouses if it becomes a slow process. That is why it’s better for both to work as a team to shorten the search. Most people think about their contributions in one way, but there are many ways to lessen the stress and anxiety of uncertainty. One thing for sure: It’s helpful for the job-seeking spouse not to go it alone.

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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Filed Under: Marriage and Unemployment Tagged With: Job Search, Job seekers, Marriage

by Mark Anthony Dyson 1 Comment

Human Resources Trends Job Seekers Should Know for 2019

Human Resources Trends Job Seekers Should Know for 2019
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It’s good to know what Human Resources is thinking during the interview process. That’s why I brought HR Executive and expert Sarah Morgan to the show. She is also the founder of the fantastic blog, The Buzz on HR!

Got comments about the show? Here’s how: 

– 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

Here’s more about Sarah Morgan: 

Sarah is an HR executive with a small company in North Carolina. She oversees the full team functions of the Human Resources department for her company. She manages the hiring process including recruiters and people who do the hiring.
Sarah has been featured in Black Enterprise, Computerworld, and Fortune. Her blog is one of the Human Resources most respected blogs.

Here are some highlights from our conversation:

  • Sarah said, “…it is appropriate to do a little loving social media stalking and build a natural rapport.”
  • Relationship building is the name of the game now. How we look for jobs needs to evolve and relationships built (before you need it) is the way to go
  • Asking for the hook-up lacks authenticity if that is the way you start a relationship
  • Sarah offers some examples of how people have connected with her and her company
  • We discuss how to break into the Human Resources profession
  • Aspiring HR professionals need to get experience and be creative in “creating space.”
  • “Persistence is necessary. Recruiters and hiring managers tend to be juggling lots of requisitions…Likely their time is spread out.”
  • Follow-up is a must. Ask for a timeline to when you should call back for updates.
  • Thank you notes are essential – all panel interview participants should get a note
If you haven’t signed up for my email list to get my free eGuide, 219 Easy Modern Job Search Tips for 2019, then you can get it immediately here! You can also get up-to-date job search tips through this newsletter!

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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Filed Under: Human Resources, Job Search, Jobseekers Tagged With: Human Resources, Job seekers

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