How to Skip Common Job Search Blunders When Switching Careers

Here is another nugget of wisdom for our transitioning military, veterans, and spouses. Not sure how many times I have stated this, but it is innefective to randomly message recruiters with a variation of the “Hey does your company have anything for me” message. It is not a recruiter’s job to stop what they are doing and try to figure out an applicant’s needs and then career search for that applicant.💯 That is what the career sites are for.😉 Coporate recruiters are tasked with sourcing for our individual requisitions and screening the talent that applies as well as maintaining the relationships with the hiring leaders and teams whom we support. Quick tips on a more effective career search: 1. Figure out what you want to do 2. Target the company career sites for advertised roles that you are seeking. 3. Tailor resume to that Job Description if you have the relevant skills 4. Apply to the position 5. Reach out to a recruiter with the job number and inquire. Let them know you applied. 6. Keep looking…companies and hiring managers are all on different timelines for Hiring…do not put all your eggs in one basket. Often I get messages that are like, “I wanted to talk to you first before applying”. 🤦♂️ Our schedules can be busy. While you are waiting hours or days to talk to us, your peers are applying to the job already. Now when you finally apply, you are applicant 300 in the stack instead of 1-25. Time waits for nobody. Hopefully this helps someone in their search. #dodskillbridge #military #veteran

“I’m trying to change careers. What advice do you have?” I get this question in my inbox almost daily. The time has come to put all my advice in one post. (Quick context for credibility: I pivoted from teacher to #ProjectManager this year. Before teaching, I worked in several roles, including in non-profits, as a Program Director and hiring manager). Here’s my advice to #JobSeekers: ✔ Always check out the Featured Content of someone you reach out to. They may have already answered your questions there. For example, here’s what I include in my Featured Content: -Link to my TopMate site and calendar for calls  -Link to my PMP ebook and free #CareerPivot resources (resume, template) -Long list of resources and who to follow if you are pivoting careers -List of successfully #transitionedteachers to several different industries -Carousel on how to career pivot your resume -Link to PM-Mastery podcast episode where I share my #PMP story -Posts where I share how I pivoted from #teaching to #ProjectManagement -Steps on how to tailor your resume -11.5 things I wish I knew when I first joined LinkedIn -Viral post on 3 resume changes I made that led to multiple interviews After perusing Featured Content and doing research, Here’s the rest of my advice: ✔ Get clarity on the role you want. It’s hard to do next steps without this. ✔ Don’t expect anyone to “take a chance” on you.  ✔ It’s on you to spell out your value and connect the dots. ✔ Start now and give yourself time. Transitions can take months. ✔Check out Teal. They offer fabulous resources for job seekers, like an application tracker and tools for tailoring your resume to a job description. ✔ Check out Better Career. They share resources for your job search and especially tech pivots. (Message me for more info and links to a Free Workshop and Job Accelerator Program). ✔ Optimize LinkedIn and know how to use it.  (Hint: it’s not Facebook. Don't underestimate your headline.) ✔ Ed Herzog, Scott Hinson, NCDF, and Yuji Higashi have helpful resources ✔ Remember: every post, every comment, every like, can be seen.  Use your presence wisely. ✔ Update your resume/LI to the language of your desired role/industry ✔ Start networking. And never stop. -Find people who post valuable content. -Interact in comments and provide meaningful contributions. ✔Make a plan (this may include upskilling). (I offer 1:1 calls to go over all of the above and/or help you make a plan!) ✔ Don’t pay hundreds of $ for content you can get for free/cheap ✔ Research your resources!!! And finally: 💡 Take breaks. 💡 Don’t give up. 💡 Know your non-negotiables. 💡 Know your worth and your “why.” 💡 Give yourself grace; career pivots are not easy. 💡 Don’t compare your journey to others; everyone has a different story. ✔ Reach out for help! A 30-minute chat might be what you need to get clarity and motivation. 🎤 To my LinkedIn Network: What advice would you add? Share below!

I was a TAP (Transition Assistance Program) Facilitator 13 years ago. Have the thoughts changed? Let's take a look in this little series of instruction material I recently found. Here are my thoughts on how things have changed or stayed the same in 10+ years. 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐉𝐨𝐛 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 (𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟎) 1. Relying on one strategy (ie Internet job search only) - Agree: I believe that meeting people and building relationships is the best way to learn about opportunities and sell yourself. -- Attend events, open up, talk, network. 2. Lack of focus/career objectives - Agree: So many want to be a "Program Manager". -- That example is very broad and I hear if for other professions also. -- Target, define, and pursue specific career objectives for success. 3. Failure to identify and use network - Agree: This is still about focus. Discover who you should be communicating with and engineer those relationships. -- Don't go for the ask right away. Mold it into something that is solid. 4. Targeting only large employers - Maybe: For this I really believe it is dependent on your personal choice. -- However, they keyword is 'only'. Once again target your objectives. -- Take this time for self-reflection to determine what is your best fit. 5. Unprofessional materials or appearance - Agree: You are creating a personal brand. That aligns with your overall appearance, approach, and atmosphere of your personal or professionalism. -- Your LinkedIn Profile, Resume, and application process needs to align. 6. Impersonal or disingenuous approach - Agree: Never go straight in for the 'Ask'. Create a conversation and then meld it into your request. -- Also, this is a two-way street. Always be willing to give more than take. 7. Underestimate time needed to search for a job. - Agree: My thought on this has changed a bit. Searching for a job is more than applying. -- You need to research the companies, reach out to current employers, become a referral. It is so much more than the application process. -- Stop searching and start marketing. What are your thoughts on how things have changed over the years. I was a bit surprised at how they are agreeable. However, the approach has slightly been altered.

Know your target role, target location, target industries, and target companies of interest within those industries of interest, and let the people you trust know what you are looking for. Ask for support. Networking doesn't have to be cold, but even cold networking with people from those companies you like whom you don't know or networking with second-degree connections of those people and asking for an introduction creates much better odds than applying online. What I've found is that career changers continue to apply online because it helps tick the box that something has been done to drive forward momentum in their job search, when in reality the likelihood is that it was .2% (2/100ths of a percent) effective. What's actually beneath the surface are some inner voice "gremlins" saying things like, "Are you even good enough for this job?", "Why would someone there want to talk to you, they are too busy.", "There are already 400 applicants, why would they choose me.", etc. You need to check this inner dialogue and assess your goal/timeframe of changing careers vs. the actual percentage of difference you are making with your activities that are actually helping you make a meaningful change. This is what we support our clients in doing and hold them accountable to push outside of their comfort zone, and shift the inner dialogue to build them up until those goals are met. You can do it, it's within you to make these changes, don't hold yourself back with ineffective job search activities in an effort to keep your ego safe. #toughlove #yougotthis

You just landed a networking meeting. You say, "I'm ready for my next role! What do you think?!" In my experience, your networking contact will first ask you what job you want to target. You must be prepared to answer this question and not say, "I have done it all! I can do anything!" This is a Swiss Army knife approach. You should also expect questions like these: Why Are You Transitioning?: What are the reasons behind your career transition? This could provide context for your decision and help them offer relevant advice or connections. What Skills and Experience Do You Bring?: They will ask about your current skill set and professional background to assess how your existing capabilities align with your desired transition. They might offer how you can leverage your strengths and apply it to the next job. What Steps Have You Taken So Far?: Networking contacts often want to know what proactive steps you've already taken in your transition. This could include courses, certifications, workshops, or any research you've done on the new industry or role. Have You Identified Potential Employers or Industries?: Again - this goes back to your target. Do you have clarity around this? If not, let them know you are trying to "get smarter" about what industries, companies, or types of roles you're targeting. How Can I Assist You?: Many people will ask how they can help! Have you thought about how to answer this question beyond, "Yes, please keep an eye out and let me know!" It is difficult to gain effective support if you can't articulate your ask. Find out more about why most times you want to lead with your sharp tool vs. your Swiss Army knife with this interview I conducted with Jennifer Davis: https://lnkd.in/gg-mv9tH #careers #jobs #management