4 Smart Strategies for Job Advancement

October 17th, 2011 by Kira

Smart executives know that in order to achieve job advancement, they cannot afford to take anything for granted. Performing well and bringing value is tantamount to success! However, you can be great at your job and never advance to the next level if you don’t make a conscious effort to plan for career growth. Those who decide to seek job advancement must leave nothing to chance.

To advance yourself to the next level, create a clear and concise roadmap that guides you through the process. Here are some specific strategies you will want to adopt in order to succeed:

Create Your Personal Brand

Creating a brand that is in high demand is one of the most powerful things you can do to fuel career advancement. Once you establish the skills and characteristics that make you unique, employers will be more likely to pursue you. To develop and implement a personal brandingstrategy, you must first assess your strengths, preferences, and differentiators. I often provide a DISC assessment as a first step in establishing a sound personal branding strategy.

Convey Your Value
Once you have a thorough picture of the image you wish to convey with your personal brand, you must continue to refine the brand and establish it as a common theme in all of your communications. You must BE your brand. Blogging, participating in discussions on social media sites, providing case studies, volunteering, and attending local networking events are all ways you can extend and grow brand recognition.

Update Your Career Documents
Smart executives recognize that part of positioning their brand includes creating outstanding career documents. A strong LinkedIn profile and the development of a professional biography can add value, and help with job advancement. It is no longer enough to have a basic résumé. Your résumé must be polished and focused to reflect your brand image. It should include targeted and impactful wording that illustrates your most impressive accomplishments. Many executives are opting to include a multimedia VisualCV / Digital Résumé as part of their repertoire.

Public Speaking & Media Interaction
I know that people hate the thought of speaking publicly; but the more you get your face and name out in the world as a valued resource and industry expert, the more likely you are to be remembered for new and interesting opportunities. If you are quoted as a trusted resource in multiple publications, this will add clout to your brand, as well.

Most successful executives have worked hard to develop their reputation and nurture their brand value. It is important to think about job advancement early in your career. By planning a well-defined strategy and mapping out a specific path for growth, you will be one step ahead of the competition.

This post was written by Debra Wheatman, originally posted on Careers Done Write.

Debra Wheatman, CPRW, CPCC is President of Careers Done Write, a premier career services provider focused on developing highly personalized career roadmaps for senior leaders and executives across all verticals and industries.

Tags: advancement, careers, job
Posted in Candidates, FORTIS, Job Search | No Comments »

Get Heard in the Workplace – How to Share Your Thoughts and Ideas

October 10th, 2011 by Kira

Communication in the workplace can be challenging at times, but speaking up and getting heard is an essential part of staying happy and satisfied in the workplace.

How can you get heard in the workplace? Here are three tips for increasing the effectiveness of your communication!

Become solution oriented. Managers are always approached with complaints and problems, yet few employees actually consider presenting solutions. They expect their managers to figure out the problem for them. Presenting a problem with a solution will make your managers ears perk up. The next time you see a problem, think about how it can be solved before you reach out to your higher up.
Be clear and focused when delivering information. Most managers only need to know the basics, yet some people feel compelled to fill them in on all the details. To make the most out of your time with your manager, always provide the most essential, relevant, and critical details. Leave out the “he said, she said’s” and present the facts only.
Be conscious of the time you are choosing to speak to your boss/manager. Talking to them as they walk down the hallway or at the water cooler, is likely to yield less results. Instead, schedule a 10-15 minute time slot with them, and let them know in advance what you’d like to discuss.

Remember, it’s always about bringing value to your employer, being clear and focused with your communications, and leaving any drama out of it

What are your tips on getting heard in the workplace? Share your experiences with us; we’d love to hear them.

Tags: Career Management, communication, culture, Leadership
Posted in Candidates, FORTIS, Job Search | No Comments »

Consistency, Clarity, and Integrity in Your Job Interview

October 3rd, 2011 by Kira

Have you ever been in an interview and found that the interviewer was asking very similar questions over and over again? The questions may sound different, but in fact, what the person is asking is essentially the same.

This is why consistency, clarity, and integrity are an important part of your job interview. Interviewers are often seeking to understand a personal fully, and to listen to any inconsistencies.

For example, if you said you left an employer for better employment opportunities (very general answer), yet you bring up a conflict with your manager in your interview, you’ll be sure that the interviewer will pick up on this. They will then ask more questions that will come back around to finding the real answer. Interviewers know that people are going to give the best answers they can in an interview, but when asking a question repeatedly it generally makes the interviewee drop their defenses and get to a more honest answer.

Consider this, if you were asked a question and then were repeatedly asked to dig deeper, how would you respond? What happens is that you are given a chance to really think about your answer as you reflect on the reasons behind your actions. This is where consistency, clarity and integrity come into play.

It’s actually a great topic to think about prior to your interview. You can ask yourself questions such as:

What do I stand for?
What are my values?
What’s really important to me?

Then, when you start your interview you can have a clear direction and focus for your answers. As the person digs deeper, they shouldn’t get a different answer because your first answer will be in alignment with your integrity.

What do you think? Have you been in a situation like this before?

Tags: integrity, interview, Interview questions, Interview tips, Job Search, job seekers, workplace
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Applying Patience to Your Job Search

September 26th, 2011 by Kira

If only the job search happened instantaneously… Unfortunately, not all jobs are filled quickly, nor do applicants find a job in a short amount of time. Some employers take their time hiring, others are so short staffed that even hiring the help they need is too much work. That’s why it’s critical to apply patience to your job search.

The average person spends about 20 hours per week when actively searching for a new job (according to University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire). It can become a time consuming task in itself. And while patience is essential, there are a few things that you can do to be proactive in your job search.

Keep your resume updated and individualized for the different types of jobs you are applying for.
Let your contacts and network know that you are actively seeking new employment.
Ensure your social media profiles are up to date and accurate.
Target specific companies, even when they are not advertising a new/open position.
Study the companies where you’d like to work.
Learn a new skill or trait, take a course, or invest in your education.
Use a variety of methods in finding openings (online, career fairs, recruiters).
Be prepared for the phone call. Have your interview suit ready to go.
Practice interview questions, know your answers before your appointment.
Look for back-door opportunities to meet executives and potential employers.

While some job searches and transitions can take as little as a few weeks, most individuals who are unemployed or who are actively searching, spend between 3-6 months in the job market. Be patient with your results.

If you aren’t getting any calls back, be sure that you are only applying to jobs that you are qualified for, or at least meet 90% of the requirements. When you apply to jobs beyond your qualifications you are likely setting yourself up for disappointment. If you are qualified for the jobs you are applying to, but not getting calls back, check with a resume writer or career coach/mentor to see how your resume can be improved.

What are some other tips you have for being patient in your job search?

Best of luck in your job hunt!

Tags: applying for jobs, Job Search, job seekers
Posted in Candidates, FORTIS, Job Search | 1 Comment »

Getting Your Resume to Stand Out

September 6th, 2011 by Kira

It may seem like getting your resume to stand out is like finding a needle in a haystack – challenging, yet somewhat possible. But what if you made a few small changes to your resume that would make your future employer give you a second look, and pick up the phone to schedule an interview.

Here are few tips for getting your resume to stand out:

First, always have someone review your resume before sending it out. Misspelled words, mixed tenses, and even fragments can be a deterrent to your future employer. And, when we write our own resume, it’s hard to see what needs to be changed. Even common words like “the” can easily get misspelled and our untrained eye just doesn’t catch those very small mistakes. Misspelled words are the first thing to get your resume sent to the bottom of the stack.

Second, think creatively. Use color, shading, and borders where appropriate. Of course, don’t overuse these functions, but even a small amount will catch the reader’s eye and direct their attention to what you want them to read and notice on your resume. On the flip side, keep your different fonts to a minimum. At most, work with two different fonts and no more.

Third, write how you speak. When candidates write their resumes they tend to use “flowery” language, and not at all how they would communicate something in person. Don’t “fluff” your experience with wording, instead clearly outline exactly what it is you have done in your past positions. Plus, put more emphasis on your accomplishments and what benefit you brought to your past positions. Read your resume out loud to ensure that each line makes sense and reads clearly.

Lastly, add recommendations from past employers. If you’ve retrieved written recommendations from employers in the past, or even through sites like LinkedIn, use those recommendations on your resume. It’s a great way to showcase that people support you and your work. It also gives the resume reviewer a sample of how people feel about you without having to do research or make phone calls to past employers.

These are just a few things to help your resume stand out. Just remember, you want your resume to represent who you are. The more clearly and accurately a resume represents your style, work experience, and qualifications, the more likely you are to get a call back.

Posted in Candidates, FORTIS, Job Search | No Comments »

How to Add Value to Your Employer

August 29th, 2011 by Kira

An employer-employee relationship thrives when it is the equivalent of a win-win dynamic. Meaning both parties are benefiting, happy, and feel they are getting a good “deal.”

In larger companies, it’s not uncommon to find employees that take their employer for granted. You might also find leaders who dismiss the significance of their team members. However, if you choose to utilize the small business mentality, where every person counts, makes a difference and a contribution to the bottom line, everyone wins.

When both employee and employer are seeking to add value to the company, you’ll find more satisfied employees, better customer service, more strategic and independent thinking, and in the end, more profit to everyone involved.

Think about how you can add value to your employer, whether you are an entry-level, mid-level employee, manager, or executive. All positions create value, and the more value we add to the company, the greater chance we have of increasing our worth. Bottom line, that means more promotions, more money earned, and increased job security.

Remember, companies need to profit to survive. They need people on their team who aren’t adopting a “What can I take from my company?” mentality. Instead find new ways to give and add value for the overall benefit to everyone.

When people work together and utilize the win-win dynamic everyone thrives. Ask yourself what more can I do for my company? When you ask this question it takes the focus off of you and your own personal gains, and instead looks to how you can contribute to the company as a whole.

To add value, think critically and independently, share your ideas, look for ways to cut costs, increase sales, and improve overall customer/client satisfaction.

Tags: Adding value, employees, getting a promotion, getting a raise, Raise, team
Posted in Candidates, FORTIS, Job Search | No Comments »

5 Things to do Before a Job Loss to Help you Prepare and Survive Financially.

August 22nd, 2011 by Kira

This was written by Ellen Dorle, a contributor to Forbes.

Part One of a Survivor’s Guide to your own Personal Black Swan Moment

Thoughtful investing includes your most important hard asset: YOU. Investing in you and your “brand” is essential to increasing your value to current and future employers. Take a moment to review this check list and see how many you can mark off as active personal “investments.”

1. Find sources of income and cash.

If you have enough equity in your home, apply for a line of credit. If you already have one, see if you can increase it.
Take a good look at the offers you get from credit card companies. Some are better than others and you may need to use them as a way to borrow money. The ones that offer a low interest rate until you pay it off give you more time to pay back with a low interest rate. If you go this way, be disciplined about making your monthly payments or the interest rate may increase. Stay away from the limited low rate teaser rates. For now, just keep a file on the offers.
Contribute to your 401K so that you receive the full match. If you are contributing more than that, consider adding that money to your short term savings.
Is there a family member you can ask for a loan? This may be a tough one but it may be your best source.

2. Learn everything you can about your current employee benefits.

This includes all of your insurance: life, health and disability. Can you take them with you? What is the cost?
How does your pension work, and are you vested?
What are your options with your 401K plan?
If you have a loan on your 401K determine what happens to this if and when you leave.
If you need prescriptions filled, do it before you start COBRA.
Find out if your current employer has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). This may allow you to see a psychologist for a set number of appointments to discuss your job situation. As long as you are an employee when you start, you may be able to complete the set of appointments even if the job ends before your sessions are complete.

3. Research the insurance part of your employee benefits.

Shop around to see what kind of health and life insurance you can afford.
Review your health history with your financial advisor and factor this in to the cost and underwriting process.

4. Stop spending and pay off as much credit as you can. Include the family in your plans.

Explain the belt tightening to your family, especially children. Have a family plan to get through this. If you have made any financial commitments, (college, wedding, etc) explain and discuss why this may need to change.
Discuss relocation.
Stock up on non-perishable household items so you can limit your trips to stores if you do lose your job.

5. Network and Get your resume ready.

Meet with anyone and everyone you know inside the company to expand your opportunities to stay with the company.
Get your 30 second elevator speech prepared and give it to anyone that will listen.
Be pro-active.
Start networking now.
Start applying for jobs now.
Understand your employer’s view of social networking sites, and limit what you share if it might impact your current employment in a negative way. Some employers view LinkedIn activity as a red flag that you are networking for a new job outside the company. Some want you to let people know you are working there so your activity may involve recruiting a new employee.

I invite you to share your best tips on these subjects. If you’ve lost a job, what do you wish you had done while you were still working? You just might inspire someone to take action in a new direction. If you prefer, I can be reached at edorle@ellendorle.com

Tags: Fired, Income, Job Search, Layoff
Posted in Candidates, Job Search | No Comments »

How to Get a New Job Using Social Media

June 28th, 2011 by Kira

This was a great post from the Careers Done Right site that we just had to repost. The opening statement alone had my attention. It’s part of what makes building relationships with recruiters invaluable to the job-seeker. Don’t wait for your next job to find you – instead, seek it out.

***

Did you know that 85% of available jobs are never advertised? Yes, it’s true. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 15% of today’s career opportunities ever make it to the job boards. And – when they do get advertised, the competition is fierce.

So why do so many job seekers spend so much time searching job boards for work? My guess is that it is the path of least resistance. It is easier to sit back and wait for jobs to become available; but is it smart? Not so much.

I often teach clients better ways to effectively use their network to make things happen instead of waiting for the phone to ring. Learning the ins and outs of using social media for job search can be quite an undertaking. Between LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook, the three main social media sites, there is a lot to understand. My argument is that you cannot be reactive when it comes to your search strategy. You must be a proactive job seeker to get ahead.

In addition to the main social media sites, there are a variety of niche sites that can be very useful for making connections. Forums in finance, technology, marketing, or other specialty areas can be a rich source of networking contacts.

The key things that you need to know in order to proactively search for a job using social media are as follows:

Create/Update your LinkedIn Profile. Join LinkedIn groups and participate in discussions to meet others. Reach out to potential hiring managers and colleagues you have worked with in the past. Find out where they are now.
When networking via LinkedIn, you can also reach out to people you don’t know. Run a search for all former employees at your past jobs. The mere fact that the same firm employed you both gives you a common point of conversation. Don’t be afraid to send and introductory InMail and ask for a referral.
Another way to grow your network on LinkedIn is by contacting people who know the same people you know. By taking a look at the connections of your connections, you may be able to identify numerous potential hiring managers. Ask your connections for introductions.
If you are not yet savvy when it comes to Twitter, consider going to You Tube to view videos on how to get started contributing as part of the Twitter community. Start to follow people that are experts in the same space where your interests lie.
If you can tweet or retweet valuable information, you will be able to slowly get followers. As you participate in conversations, you will meet new people to add to your network who have the potential to help you identify potential job opportunities.
While Facebook has not historically demonstrated great value as a place to network for career search, they do have plans in the works to increase their focus on job opportunities. If you have a Facebook profile, make sure that all photos and content are completely appropriate viewing and reading material for all that visit your page. You don’t want hiring managers to think twice about you as a candidate. This extends to people you are connected with who might have pictures of you on their profiles.
When it comes to using other niche sites for networking, participate in relevant discussions about topics where you are knowledgeable. Post a professional photo of yourself. Let the group know that you are actively seeking a new role.
If the forum allows you to send individual messages and provides you with a list of the members, you should reach out to a few select people to see if they have any job leads for you. Engage in open conversation. It is likely that you will be able to serve as a source of information to others as well. Networking involves give and take.

While social media can expand your network way beyond the local community, this does not mean you shouldn’t participate in area activities and networking events. When job seeking, it is best to divide you time up appropriately. Leverage various social media resources while keeping in mind the traditional avenues for uncovering potential opportunities.

Debra Wheatman, President of Careers Done Write, provides expert insight to the job search process that puts your career in gear with tips for interviewing, networking, job search strategies and how to create a winning résumé and cover letter.

Tags: searching for a job within your network, social networking for a job
Posted in Candidates, FORTIS, Job Search | No Comments »

Most Frequently Asked Interview Questions

June 20th, 2011 by Kira

Many interviews consist of the same questions. You’ll find that most employers use these serious of questions, not because they aren’t creative enough to think of new ones, but simply because they work – and they tell a lot about the candidate. The good thing for you, the interviewee, is that you can practice, rehearse, and have a good sense of what you will say when one of these questions is asked.

Here are some of the most frequently asked interview questions:

Tell me about yourself.

This is an opportunity to make your lasting first impression. Be sure to practice what to say here, and be able to sum up your skills, history, and experience in 2-3 minutes. You want to showcase your value right up front, keep to relevant information, and pique the interest of your interviewer.

Why did you leave your last job?

Always remember to evaluate your answers as if you were on the receiving end. What type of reasons would you want to hire someone from another company? If you heard about an argument with a co-workers or a disagreement – would that raise a red flag? Now what if you heard about downsizing or changing for a different career opportunity?

What are your strengths/weaknesses?

When asked about your strengths, here is another chance for you to shine. Think about what isn’t easily conveyed in your resume and cover letter and what adds to qualifying you for this position. As for your weaknesses, it’s okay to have a weakness, but if it doesn’t effect your ability to complete the job – even better!

Why do you want this job?

Share why you are a good fit for this job, and how your skills and experience match their requirements. If you like the company, product or service, be sure to mention that as well.

What are your career goals/where do you see yourself in five years?

Companies would like to know where you really see yourself – do you want to be in leadership, management, or another position? Be sure to think about longevity and loyalty with the company and avoid answers that would appear as if you had no plans on staying with the company for 5 years.

What are your salary requirements?

Hold off on answering this question for as long as possible. This is something to address at a later time when you are closer to getting the job offer.

Do you have any questions for me?

Make sure you’ve always done your research on the company, product and/or service. The more you know about the company, the more it shows your potential employer that you are interested, you care, and you are willing to do your homework.

Tags: Interview questions, interviewing, Job Search
Posted in Candidates, FORTIS, Job Search | No Comments »

7 Ways to Make Your Resume Stand Out

May 23rd, 2011 by Kira

Resume standards change over the years, and as candidates go in and out of the job pool they often lose touch with what’s relevant in an updated resume. Here are seven tips you can utilize to make your resume stand out.

#1 Drop the objective statement.

Objective statements are now considered outdated pieces of information. A resume should be targeted to one position and therefore eliminates the need for an objective. Instead – replace your objective statement with a qualifications summary.

#2 Formatting

Resumes can now be more creative than in the past. Your format doesn’t need to stick with one column, nor do you need to worry about keeping all of your information on one page. Use creative formatting to help emphasis important information, and highlight what you want your reader to notice.

#3 Share your expertise

Employers and recruiters want to be able to quickly identify whether or not you match the position’s requirements – using a separate box or highlighted area to identify your key areas of expertise will help those attributes stand out on the page.

#4 Use recommendations

Do you have a few good recommendations from your current or previous employers? If so – use them on the resume itself. It’s best to use recommendations from past managers instead of co-workers.

#5 Share accomplishments

Instead of simply rehashing the duties of your old positions, be sure to state what you achieved during your employment there. Companies want to know how you cut costs, increased revenue, or increased productivity. It may take some thought to come up with these for your old positions, but it will pay off in the end.

#6 Use hyperlinks

The majority of resumes are read online; take advantage of this by linking your resume to your LinkedIn profile, past employers, and any other relevant information. Use this sparingly and where it makes sense, however, don’t clutter your resume with links that don’t matter.

#7 Add a splash of color

Again, because many resumes are read online using color can make your resume stand out instantly. Don’t go overboard with color. Make sure the color and style you use fit with the job you are applying for. For example, a graphic designer may use more color in a resume over an executive who would use more basic tones and shades.

What trends have you seen in today’s resume?

Tags: Job Search, job seekers, Resume writing, tips for resumes
Posted in Candidates, FORTIS, Job Search | No Comments »

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