Important Company Culture Considerations

Pay is important. But pay only goes so far. Higher wages don’t cause employees to automatically perform at a higher level. Commitment, work ethic, and motivation are not based on pay. They are based on the culture offered by the employer.

When changing companies or in hiring on, pay attention to the softer characteristics of the business operations. Conversations with potential fellow employees or more subtitle inquiries during an interview might enlighten characteristics such as: Freedom, Targets, Mission, Expectations, Input, Connection, Consistency and Future.
 
See more details on these characteristics here.

Find and Utilize a Mentor Effectively

Regardless of where you are in your career everyone can use a mentor to help guide them. People with mentors get promoted faster, earn a higher salary, and are more satisfied with their careers. While most agree that having a mentor is beneficial, few people - especially early in their careers - know how to find a mentor and make sure it’s a productive and meaningful relationship.

Here are ways to help you figure out what you’re looking for, identify the right mentor for you, and set yourself up for a successful mentorship.

See 10 tips to find the right Mentor here.

Legitimate Online Jobs

Recently a so-called “gig economy” has emerged. These jobs involve workers making a living via contract work. These work-from-home jobs could see increased interest. With economic conditions, significant contract work takes place online.

This class of work has applications across varied professions, you may have the ability to perform this kind of work regardless of your background. Prospective gig workers have a choice of numerous online jobs encompassing a diverse set of backgrounds.
 
See a sample list of opportunities here.

Find the Hiring Manager with LinkedIn

If you need a job right now, you have to write directly to the hiring manager. This approach is a bit different than typically sending a resume. You're going to send the hiring manager a letter something like a cover letter, but different in its composition. It's called a Pain Letter, because

 it talks about the pain behind the job ad. It concentrates on how you can solve the problem. You will send it through the postal mail directly to the hiring manager's desk.

The two principal elements are: first, crafting the content of the letter in personal terms, and second, using LinkedIn to find the specifics of the managers title and location.

Find derailed background on these two elements here.

Avoid Overused Phrases, Consider a Summary Statement

Resumes don’t leave room for personality. Telling a coherent story in bullet form is tricky. The summary statement is a popular way to kick your resume off, see it here.

With a summary statement, you can cherry pick your most impressive accomplishments, spell out what your expertise is, and give an overall sense of what your career path has been. You’re always best off quantifying your results and backing up your skills with numbers here.

Review three overused resume phrases to avoid here.

Don't Miss the Most Basic Job Search Advice

Job Search has two principal parts: find the lead opportunity, and respond effectively. While you are looking for genuinely useful counsel, don't miss the obvious, the basics..

Things come down to a short list of sound, timeless job searching tips that will help fine-tune your strategy so you may sail through the process. You need to be responsive in matching requirements and in demonstrating skills.

See six search and response tips that should be obvious here.

Consider a Volunteer Position

While your full time 'Job' is obtaining a new one, consider the benefits of a volunteer position. This new non-paying opportunity shouldn't be full time but it will give you a break in your routine. You will need to rework your resume to point out the skills you can bring to the position. In the resume editing process you might see some improvements you can make.

Consider the volunteer job as temporary. Gaining the benefits of a change of pace, you may develop skills or discover additional exposure that can be included in your ongoing master resume.

For tips on writing a cover letter or e-mail see more here.