Now is the perfect time to acquire new skills

Acquire New Skills

Times are tough and if you are one of the unlucky few and are searching for a new job, consider also learning some new skills, it is one of the best ways to add value to your employer. It’s your responsibility to make sure you have the most up-to-date skills in a wide range of areas relevant to your field. Ask these questions to help you determine where to focus: What skills, tools and technology are in-demand outside of your organization? What certifications do you see being requested in job postings? Do you need a degree to reach the next level in your career? What skills could you acquire that would make you more valuable to the organization?

 Look for free or low-cost online programs, ask a friend to tutor you, attend workshops or learn through self-study.

Job Market and Industry Trends

The Corona Virus has ravaged many industries and while the job market is especially tough right now, if you have some downtime whether it’s because you are working from home or seen a reduction in hours. So far, your focus has been on what you can control and actions you can take. But it’s also important to be aware of trends in the labor market and within your industry. Since business is slowing down for all companies, understand what is causing the slowdown and if your organization can mitigate some of these issues in the future. Read industry publications and read about local business and economic news. Keep in touch with past colleagues to learn what’s happening in their workplace. The information you acquire helps you identify possible career opportunities down the road.

General Career Tips for Seattle

1. A first impression is made in less than 30 seconds.

2. Want to boost your charisma? Focus on energy and optimism.

3. “You’re always an employee, you’re always representing your company, and you’re always representing yourself.”

4. Rule #1 for dealing with bad bosses: It’s okay to question authority.

5. No matter where your stress is coming from, it’s not doing you any good—until you learn how to address it.

6. Some of the world’s most successful leaders regularly express all manner of emotions, including anger.

7. Work isn’t always about the larger picture; sometimes, it’s about the brown M&Ms.

8. Want to get ahead at work? The first step is gaining a loyal following.

9. If you look really closely, most overnight successes took a long time.

10. A job, even a great job or a fantastic career, doesn’t give your life meaning, at least not by itself.

Bellevue Job Search Myth Buster

Job Hopping Is Bad For Your Future Career’

Gone is the era where you would stay at one company for 35 or 40 years only to retire from there. These days, employers see that as a detriment — you lack diversity, skill development, change, etc. Don’t be afraid to change jobs every few years. It adds new experiences to your resume. Plus, you don’t want to miss out on exciting new opportunities!

Seattle Recruiter Myth Buster…

‘Job Searching Is A Full-Time Job’

“Job searching is a full-time job” is a myth. If you’re job searching effectively and efficiently, your job search should take approximately one hour per day: 20 minutes finding a position to apply to, 20 minutes customizing your resume and cover letter to the job posting, and 20 minutes networking with people who are in similar positions as the one you’re applying to. Rinse and repeat.

Your Job Search is the most important thing

Hiring managers can smell desperation a mile away and they don’t like it. If you’re looking for a job, then act like your job hunt is your job. Keep a schedule, create task lists and execute them, and do everything you would do if you had a job. When you walk into an interview with the glow of someone who has a task to complete , you’ll change your interviewer’s demeanor. You cannot fake confidence. If you’re putting out resumes and scheduling interviews, then that kind of confidence comes out when you sit down and talk to a hiring manager. If you’re looking for a job but are currently working, then don’t act like you’re sneaking around. Stand tall and give strong handshakes when you walk through the door of a hiring manager to talk about your next career move.

Bring clarity about your value to your prospective employer.

Clarify your “selling points” and the reasons you want the job.

Prepare to go into every interview with three to five key selling points in mind, such as what makes you the best candidate for the position. Have an example of each selling point prepared (“I have good communication skills. For example, I persuaded an entire group to …”). And be prepared to tell the interviewer why you want that job – including what interests you about it, what rewards it offers that you find valuable, and what abilities it requires that you possess. If an interviewer doesn’t think you’re really, really interested in the job, he or she won’t give you an offer – no matter how good you are!

Measure your own success.

How do you define success? Is it the size of your paycheck or having the corner office? Is it the feeling you get when you know you did a great job on a project (praise from the boss doesn’t hurt) or the one you get when you know you helped someone? Perhaps you feel successful after putting in a day at work and coming home at a reasonable hour to spend time with your family. Since each of us measures success differently, you are the only one who can decide what it means to you. Your satisfaction with your career is strongly linked to whether you feel you have met your own, and not anyone else’s, definition of it.

Network with Everyone

Network With Everyone — Not Just the Bigwigs

I think the most effective networking includes the informal kind which happens in daily life — at your kid’s soccer game, at the dentist’s office, at parties, etc. If someone says, ‘What do you do for work?’ you can say something like ‘I’m a project manager at a large industrial manufacturer but I’m looking to make a move to XYZ, do you know anyone in that industry?’ It may smack of the ‘putting it out into the universe’ kind of advice but you honestly never know who will have a connection for you, so I’m a firm believer in working any and all angles…

Bellevue Career Tips

“Diversify your skill set.”

It’s good to master your usual set of skills, but don’t get stagnant. Continue to develop your love of learning. If your job has tuition reimbursement perks, take advantage of it! Set out to learn a new skill. If you’re worried about time, it’s not about becoming a full-time student all over again. Take a couple courses at a time, earn some new certifications — become a wearer of many hats. It will set yourself apart professionally and who knows? It may help place you on the fast-track to your next promotion.