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7 Job Tips From Your Future Self

A couple of weeks ago, CNN published an article, “Six Tips From Your Future Self,” where the wise and elderly “You” offer life tips about managing your future finances and opportunities. I thought that I would take a hint from that article and offer job tips from a wiser, and older self. What would the older you say to the you now? I borrowed some of these tips from the article, and hope they will help.

1. Avoid prioritizing salary if possible

Job seekers with extended unemployment should seek professional financial planning. This will help you view money from a sober and balanced perspective. Desperate job seekers mistakenly look to salary to save them, and bad judgment follows. Discuss salary when it’s appropriate. Hint: It’s not the time in the first interview.

2. Take inventory of your deliverables

Before writing a résumé, evaluate and identify the skills that repair problems that an employer wants to address. Objectivity is a challenge for anyone, but for job seekers it is critical to establish a great first impression when talking to employers. Be sure you can deliver before you offer.

3. Seem relaxed at every important interview, meeting, networking event

It is hard to think and act when the blood pressure spikes. Calming techniques are useful at gatherings that a favorable impression is critical. It is rare that a high-strung individual impresses anyone positively.

4. Leave the party at home

Whatever way you like to party doesn’t matter as long as you leave it at home. Even cigarette breath is offensive these days in any job-related meeting.

5. No hasty decisions

“Yes” or “No” could be the wrong answers. Are you asking questions at EVERY interview? Are you satisfied with the responses? Are you clear about the questions asked, and your answers? Beyond the interview, it is important to make well-informed decisions. If you are ever unsure, you have work to do.

6. Admit when you’re wrong

There is nothing wrong with changing you’re course of action, even it is the middle of another decision. Changing your mind is OK. Changing your course of action is OK too. It’s called humility.

7. Take control of your online profiles

Your activities online should lean towards business than pleasure. As an entrepreneur or a job seeker people will take in account who you are on-line as part of who you are as a potential business partner. Come across as you are ready for business, otherwise, you are leaving money on the table.

8. Ask for help (BONUS TIP!!)

There is a coach and mentor for everything, and many times it’s a great investment. If you can’t hire someone, then you really can ask opinions and advice of knowledgeable friends. You don’t have to go down the untraveled road alone.

Why not be the wise man now? It takes planning, researching, and careful implementation to be successful, or at least to appear wise.

Is there one more thing you would like to add to this list? Do you mind sharing it below?

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

Your Spouse Can Help With The Holiday Job Search

Do you and your spouse attend holiday gatherings held by one another’s friends and families? No? Please, reconsider. This year, see it as an job networking opportunity, and not a waste of time. It is not a time to beg for contacts or a job. Don’t use this time to survey. It is a time to become familiar with a readily available contact pool.

No expectations other than having some productive conversations. Here are my suggestions for having subtle but significant social conversations.

It’s 80-90% about them

People love talking about themselves and their successes (notice I did not say problems). Ask him or her how did they reach this part of their success? Ask them questions related to their training and responsibilities. What makes them tick? Be sure to learn first and last names, and ease up on Mr. Walker, please.

The other 10-20% is barely about you

Again, begging and pleading is a turn-off. However, helping has value that keeps giving beyond the holidays. Yes, see if there are ways to help during a party! Less is more, and when done with caution, you can dictate the terms of engagement. (Hint: If I feel welcomed by the host, and gotten to know them well enough, I volunteer to help with…garbage. Proceed with caution.) Ultimately, you can ask for more information away from the gathering preferably after the holiday.

Your spouse can go to bat for you

If you hit it off with your spouse’s co-worker, then he or she can relieve you of the grunt work. It doesn’t matter if the person will refer you to a different company or the same, co-workers unless adversaries will talk. Talk with your spouse before the party to help him or her understand that you are partying with a purpose. If your spouse is uncomfortable with that, DON’T do it!

These same rules apply to family and other social gatherings. As long as you don’t come across desperate, you can find untapped resources from the people you party with during the holidays. If you are successful in finding someone generous enough to give you names, numbers, and more still follow-up sooner than later by thanking them. A phone call is appropriate, but sending them a thank you gift is too friendly. Remember, subtlety.

I should mention that the holidays are opportunities waiting to happen. It’s slower, and call Human Resources may not be the egg hunt that occurs during non-holidays, particularly after January 1. So use the slow period to your advantage, it is the best time to network.

About Mark Anthony Dyson

by Mark Anthony Dyson

Be Thankful For What You Got (It May Get You Hired)

Though you may not drive a great big Cadillac
Gangsta whitewalls, TV antennas in the back
You may not have a car at all
But remember brothers and sisters
You can still stand tall
Just be thankful for what you got.
Diamond in the back, sunroof top
Diggin’ the scene with a gangsta lean

—William DeVaughn, “Be Thankful”

Gratitude is the heart of any season, but rarely is it at the heart of adverse situations, especially to get hired. Whether unemployed or underemployed, one finds perspective in gratitude, and thus, a positive place for peace of mind.

The above song was a massive hit in my early teen years, in the early ‘70’s. The message is clear, instead of succumbing to envy with what you don’t have, appreciate what you do have. The complete version of the song is around 7 minutes long, and yet, the message is so effortless.

Be Thankful.

As teens, my friends and I focused on the gangsta (then it was “gangster”) white walls, the television in the car (anyone with a Cadillac with a T.V. in the back of your car, you have it made). Having things is not a sign of success anymore. What defines success for you?

Be thankful, for what YOU got.

As I think about it, the value of the message was not having the Cadillac at all. Just be thankful for what you got. Yes, be content in every possible circumstance.

Then there is the line in the song that is the essence of the message to me that I didn’t get when I was younger:

…you can still stand tall.

It’s hard to stand tall when you are shallow. Small meaning what you don’t have in your possession. Anxiousness derives from focusing on the thing you don’t have. The lesson is to appreciate what is in your hands whether it’s family, talent, or opportunity. Remember that it is not just a holiday obligation, but a year round responsibility.

Sincere gratitude is the overflow of the heart. When you can’t help prioritize the expression of gratitude, people love it. Approach people you come in contact with thankfulness.

No telling that this new attitude may help you stand out among many candidates.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

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