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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by Mark Anthony Dyson

More Career Advice I Won’t Follow From Politicians

As I said before, politics are full of career advice often exemplary and often leads to what NOT to do.  I don’t like watching local or national political debates, however, I am riveted in listening to the political discussions of television pundits who speculate and comment about who they oppose. The successes and the mishaps maintain extraordinary value for career professionals and job seekers alike.

Still, there are rare moments where I feel that this local or state candidate understands my issues. The employer asks Here some of my insights, without mentioning names, dates, or candidates but the subtle messages are well-known. I won’t follow…

    1. The  perpetual need to express my insensitive opinions in conversations, interviews, or business meetings.

You never know who is offended easily, or insulted, whether it is a celebrity or a well-known person, labeling people in a negative way is offensive. A self-righteous air on a job candidate’s part can come across as arrogant, but politician-like. You could be right in your intent to describe someone’s seemingly inappropriate actions, but when expressed to the wrong person can result in a derailed effort to connect with that person and his or her audience. It doesn’t matter if the setting is casual or formal; perceived behavior, conduct, and rejects the noticeable lack of restraint.

2. Saying that I am the best without proving it

Job competition is challenging and often taken personally because of the obvious reasons. Vague statements such as a simple but repeated mantra, “I can do it better” leave key hiring influencers miffed about your abilities. Without proof of production, and specific ways to solve problems, you will sound like the crowd and unlike the chosen one. Competing reaches beyond a show-and-tell display for elementary school kids. Like the current political candidates, people want to hire a potential candidate based on substantial ideas that inspire change. Offer goals, time and quality objectives, and a roadmap that sounds more like a business plan than a T.V. guide.

3. Offer statements that sound like facts without research. They are lies and exaggerations.

It appears traditional for political candidates of every sort attempts exaggeration and mocks his or her political opponent’s statements to gain small but meaningful traction. Hopefully, your preparation for interviews includes understanding the nuances of your job market and ensuring you own the skills necessary to complete the job, even if the knowledge makes a small difference . Research is necessary for casual conversations if only to impress people who can possibly help you. Repeating what everyone else demonstrates a lack of depth of the subject matter, and undermines the development of credibility. Employers and key connector can easily filter through the pretenders to reach authentically viable potential professionals. No time for laziness. Study your market, potential employer, and competitors to gain an edge and stand out from the crowd.

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: Career, Interview Tagged With: Career, Interview, Politicians

by Mark Anthony Dyson

Career Advice I Will Not Follow From Observing Politicians

Politics is an inflammatory subject that people take personally. But more often than not, politics is the lot for career advice.  Americans in general take criticism of their favorite candidate seriously. I watch the debates, speeches, and commentaries and as it has reinforced what not to do in the job search. One thing that stands out to me is that you can turn people on and off without having a conversation.

Networking: Your hands say what your mouth won’t make clear

Despite what we believe on the political elections, we learned this week that your hands speak a language of its own, and those excluded from the conversation will interpret it any way we want. Hand gestures are easy to mis-interpret, thus terminating your employment candidacy. Hand gestures are not wrong, but undisciplined movement can fail efforts to communicate well. An article in Forbes in 2006 confirms,

“Use hand gestures for emphasis…”

and that,

“You’re not a cheerleader, and you don’t want to fidget unconsciously. This is why it’s important to practice before a mirror.”

The startling image of Jan Brewer pointing at President Obama thrilled some, and angered others, depending who you champion. If no one has coached your hand gestures through Toastmasters or Theater, then you may not know what non-verbal messages you’re sending. If second and third interviews are rare, consider getting some coaching, especially if your hand movements are family entertainment.

Interviews: Mean what you say, and show what you mean

The whole tax return controversy with Gingrich and Romney is a great lesson in sending clear messages. If what you show people is different from what you said, it is hard to retain credibility (assuming you earned it to begin with). This is a common issue with job seekers who are able to get interviews, but no call backs. A frequent anomaly is stating on your résumé a certain type of experience, but unclear in displaying through accomplishments and results the skills needed to perform the job.

It shows up in your writing, too. You are just the last one to know.

Job search: The first candidate is not always the best job candidate

CNN reported right after the South Carolina Republican primary, that Romney had spent over million dollars in Florida primary ads before the other candidates spent money. We don’t know the outcome of the Florida primary, and neither do you when you race to be the first to apply for job. When employers announce an opening, most job seekers race to apply. That is old thinking as employers have many choices, and will wait until they have a pool of candidates. For me to say that this is recent is wrong because it has been that way for years. That is why, you apply when you have established and determined that the package you offer is your best.

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.

  • Mail
  • |
  • Web
  • |
  • Twitter
  • |
  • Facebook
  • |
  • LinkedIn
  • |
  • More Posts(762)

Filed Under: Career, Interview, Job Search Tagged With: Career, Interview, Politicians

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I moderated a panel on Wealth Management for executives by Black Enterprise Magazine in October 2023 in Miami.

I was interviewed on Scripps News show, “The Why!” 4/13/2023

I talked with John Tarnoff and Kerry Hannon of “The Second Act” podcast about job searching after 50 in October 2022.

I was on “The Career Confidante” podcast to talk about “boomerang employees” and “job fishing” in June 2022.

Making Job Search a Lifestyle With “Dr. Dawn Graham on Careers,” SiriusXM Ch. 132, Wharton School of Business May 2021

In May 2020, I talked with LinkedIn’s Senior News Editor Andrew Seaman on “#GetHired” Live.”

Beverly Jones, host of the NPR podcast “Jazzed About Work,” invited me back to talk job scams, job search trends, and AI tools in April 2024

WOUB Digital · Episode 183 : Job search expert Mark Dyson says beware of scams, know AI & keep learning

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