Support Your Partner Through the Job Search

Supporting a husband during unemployment can be stressful. How can you alleviate your fears, find answers to questions, and offer the support your partner needs? As soon as possible, you and your partner should sit down together and make a plan.

Unemployment places a strain on both the job seeker and their spouse. Maintain an attitude that treats unemployment as a temporary, manageable situation. The more the two of you stay patient and focused, though challenges may arise, the quicker a new job will be found.

Find some tips to jointly support the job search here.

Waiting Long for an Interview Response?

In a competitive job market it may take longer than usual to get a reply from an interview. In an employer's market waiting for the perfect candidate can extend the response time.

Additionally there are more applicants for open positions, requiring time for reviewing. There is a surplus of talent available, companies can wait and pick and choose.

See a more detailed explanation of delays here.

What to do When You Loose Your Job

It’s emotional and traumatic to be laid off, and even worse to be fired. You’re out of work, you’re out of a paycheck, and you will lose the bond you have with your co-workers. Give yourself some time to mourn a bit, especially if you loved your job. It’s a loss, give yourself some time and space to grieve.

Then you need to get practical and get over it. The quicker you get a job search up and running, the faster you’ll be thinking about your new job.

See a comprehensive list of activities to get you going here.

Leaving? How to Handle the Exit Interview

You’ve given your notice and it’s time for your exit interview, you may not know how to proceed. Your former employer wants to know why you’re leaving. They’re trying to see what they can do going forward to keep other employees from leaving.

Instead of being apprehensive about the interview, view the interview as an opportunity to think critically about your experience. What was learned, how might the company improve?

See how to handle your exit gracefully, honestly, and professionally here.

How to Handle Being Overqualified

It’s easy to think that being overqualified for a job might be a good thing. Sometimes it’s not obvious that you are overqualified for a job. It takes more than meeting the job checklist, it takes a self evaluation of qualifications and future objectives.

Whether you’re deciding if you want to apply, or are feeling uncertain in the middle of the interview process, there are six factors to look for.

See how to handle overqualifications in a job interview here.

Flexible Work for Disability and Special Needs People

Flexible jobs are a critically important source of income for professionals who have disabilities or special needs. 

Remote and flexible work can make a difference in earning a steady income and having a stable job. Remote work, a part-time job, freelance gigs, or jobs with flexible or alternative schedules where you can choose your hours or work hours outside of the typical workday can provide career opportunities for disabled professionals.

For a continuing discussion see 15 top companies here.

When You Are Called With a Job Offer

Your resume has been reviewed, the employers like what you have to offer, and they’d like a chance to learn more about you. If this is the first interview, you need to be well prepared for answering tough questions. If it is a second call to meet, you are close to to an offer, again be prepared. Here are a few tips that can help you successfully navigate the next few days before the interview.

See four steps to follow when you get invited in for a job interview here.

Communicating about work problems

Office problems can range from workflow inefficiencies to personality conflicts. Employees have front-row seats to observe this kind of drama and system failure but may not feel empowered to discuss issues with managers or executives who have the power to intervene.

When there are observed problems with inefficiencies, interpersonal relations or policies, come prepared with a solution so that you don't seem like a complainer.

Find further advice in the complete article here.

Check Your Work Email Early in the Morning

It's popular to warn against prioritizing email before breakfast – but does that advice really work for you? If you don't check your email early, you may miss important updates to a project you're working on.

The fact is that it often makes sense to at least graze your inbox before moving on with other planned items on your calendar and to-do list. Whether you work with a manager, team members or a client list – quick responsiveness often makes or breaks your essential professional relationships and ultimately determines your career success or failure.

For more insight dealing with your boss, team or clients see the article here.

Move up when your boss moves out

When your boss leaves, you have a chance to advance your career. It requires strategy, a little prior planning, a lot of self-confidence and the timing is essential.

There are four key elements to pay attention to: get in position, showcase yourself, ask for what you want and use caution.

For details on these considerations see the article here.

What Passive-Aggressive Office Comments Really Mean

Passive-aggressive communication abounds in the workplace. Whether verbally or in written or e-mail be aware of your colleagues (and your own) use of communication.

Rather than use “honest and open” language, passive-aggressive communicators often use underhand and manipulative tactics to get what they want.

Check out the language and tone of your own and others communication with a review of typical'messages' here.

What Is Your Job Fit Thesis?

Every job candidate needs to be able to explain exactly why they're the right fit for the position

The job fit thesis is similar to an elevator pitch in that it summarizes the key selling points of the candidate. In an essay a well-written thesis statement describes in clear terms what the rest of the paragraphs seeks to prove. 

A job seeker applying for a position will likewise include a thesis of comparable clarity and will employ a strategy of proving that thesis through interaction with the hiring manager. Hiring managers ask themselves three questions when making staffing decisions. 

Explore them here.

Technological Advice for Older Job Seekers

Six actions will increase your job search success.

One of the more common justifications for age discrimination in hiring is the assumption that older workers are unskilled at using common technology. Experienced job seekers must pay careful attention to their technological footprint and personal brand. With attention to how they appear electronically and virtually, older job seekers will reduce the unfair assumptions that hiring managers might otherwise make about their suitability.

See six specific tips in the complete article here.

Acquiring Skills Can Make You an Attractive Employee

Acquiring new professional skills can take develop your career and maintain your marketability. When you possess skills that are harder to come by, you become more valuable both inside and outside your company.

Before you invest time and money in developing new skills, talk with people in your industry. Ask whether the skills and training are valued in your field or desired role. 

For seven more considerations, see the article here.

Lost in the Job Hunt Wilderness?

Here are some tips to bear in mind when your job search seems to run as dry. Step back, reflect and refocus your job search efforts.

Re-evaluate your search strategy.
Don't make excuses or adopt a defeatist attitude.
Make an investment in yourself.
Network a minimum of five to 10 new people a week.

For details on these topics see the article here.

You Should Always Be Looking for a New Job

Happy in your current job? Great! This is the time to keep your eyes open. Perusing job postings even when you're not actively looking is one of the best times to search for a new gig. Basically, when you're not really in need of one.

The future is unpredictable, keep your 'irons in the fire'. When the moment arrives and you realize it's time to move on, by keeping your job search in motion, you'll have an updated resume, polished interview skill set.

For more detail see the article here.

Ready to Get Your First Job?

Organizations will be hiring new employees – but what they are looking for from a potential candidate remains consistent. Here's important advice so you can navigate the world of interviews, resumes, job references and hopefully get hired.

1. Clean up your social media.
2. Embrace your early work experience.
3. Gather your references.

For thoughts on these topics, see the complete article here.

You Need Both a Resume and a Strong LinkedIn Profile

Perfecting the tone of your resume and LinkedIn profile will improve your job hunt prospects. You need both a well-constructed resume and an optimized LinkedIn profile for an effective current job search. 

Your LinkedIn profile can draw hiring authorities to you when you show up in their search. It can be the reason to request your resume. Every company will require a resume from you for their applicant tracking system at some point in the hiring process.

Conversely, when you submit a resume to companies, you can assume if it draws some interest, reviewers are likely to search for you on LinkedIn for additional information.

See additional discussion here.

Why Do You Want to Leave Your Job?

Employers want to know if you are motivated for the right reasons, in the right way, to be successful at their company. 

When you interview, you'll have to do more than show you can do the work in the job description. Be prepared to explain why you are making a transition at this point in time.

Motivation is a key indicator of one's potential success in a new job, and employers want to know if you are motivated for the right reasons; see some points here.

Submit a Creative Resume That Gets A Hiring Managers' Attention

Be nimble on your feet. Occasionally there will be a job opening with a creative challenge with your replying application.

While non standard (resume based) requests may be rare, be ready to demonstrate your unique skills by responding specifically to the opportunity. This may be in the form of a demonstration of your creative solution to a job related issue.

See a discussion from a Hiring Manager point of view here.