Debra Rosenfeld, MA, LMFT
Career Coach
Career Marketing Specialist
Career Coach
Career Marketing Specialist
Career Tips
Your LinkedIn profile headline should tell everyone who you are, what you do, and how you're special. Here are some examples:
* Medical Sales Executive Who Exceeds Quotas; President's Club Winner
* Senior Software Marketing Manager, Promoted Twice in Three Years
* Nonprofit Fundraiser Who Brought in $1,000,000 Four Consecutive Years
* Event Planner Who Has Executed 50+ Flawless Events for 100 to 500 Attendees
* Psychologist Who Treats Depression and Anxiety Using CBT and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
To create your LinkedIn headline, fill in these blanks, and then combine at least two of them in a unique way.
I am a ________________________
I (what I do/achieve/accomplish/have done) ________________________
I (have been promoted/was awarded/was recognized for/what makes me special) ________________________
* Medical Sales Executive Who Exceeds Quotas; President's Club Winner
* Senior Software Marketing Manager, Promoted Twice in Three Years
* Nonprofit Fundraiser Who Brought in $1,000,000 Four Consecutive Years
* Event Planner Who Has Executed 50+ Flawless Events for 100 to 500 Attendees
* Psychologist Who Treats Depression and Anxiety Using CBT and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
To create your LinkedIn headline, fill in these blanks, and then combine at least two of them in a unique way.
I am a ________________________
I (what I do/achieve/accomplish/have done) ________________________
I (have been promoted/was awarded/was recognized for/what makes me special) ________________________
Your LinkedIn headline should sing your praises.
(Image by Stuart Miles)
Planning your upcoming week benefits both your job search and your personal life. Take a few moments at the end of the day Friday to plan your job-search activities for the next week.
Consider scheduling the most important tasks on Monday and Tuesday, so if phone or in-person interviews pop up, you will have already completed the most important tasks and still have time to prepare for your interviews. Then you will feel free to enjoy your weekend.
Consider scheduling the most important tasks on Monday and Tuesday, so if phone or in-person interviews pop up, you will have already completed the most important tasks and still have time to prepare for your interviews. Then you will feel free to enjoy your weekend.
Planning your week allows you to enjoy your weekend.
(Image by Salvatore Vuono)
Establish your reputation as someone who always follows through in a timely manner. Check LinkedIn daily, and accept requests to connect right away. Return calls and emails from recruiters and employers promptly. Complete employer paperwork carefully, and submit it on time.
Keep the lines of communication open: For example, if a recruiter emails you about a position and asks you to submit your resume right away, but you need time to update it, let the recruiter know that you will send your resume the next day.
Keep the lines of communication open: For example, if a recruiter emails you about a position and asks you to submit your resume right away, but you need time to update it, let the recruiter know that you will send your resume the next day.
Good Job-Search Etiquette = Professionalism
(Image by Stuart Miles)
Recent college grads can boost their resumes by including information on part-time jobs, volunteer work, extracurricular activities (such as writing for the student newspaper), honors, a high GPA, Greek system participation, competitive sports, and coursework in which they solved a business-related problem.
Tips for college grad resumes
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It’s important for people over age 50 to remember the strengths they have developed from many years of work experience. For example, Roger Mahaffey, a longtime hospital sales manager in the pharmaceutical industry, noted that older workers often possess critical traits that younger employees lack, such as loyalty, maturity, good judgment, and the ability to work with challenging customers.
Make a list of the strengths that differentiate you from younger workers, and highlight them in job interviews.
Make a list of the strengths that differentiate you from younger workers, and highlight them in job interviews.
The strengths of people over age 50
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It's easy to get into a positive mindframe before an interview. Set aside a few minutes to sit quietly in your car or in a café before the interview and repeat these sentences in your head:
I'm happy to be here.
I'm looking forward to getting to know you and your company.
There's a lot I want to tell you about myself and a lot I want to learn about you.
Thank you for giving me this opportunity.
I'm happy to be here.
I'm looking forward to getting to know you and your company.
There's a lot I want to tell you about myself and a lot I want to learn about you.
Thank you for giving me this opportunity.
Have a positive attitude at the interview.
(Image by Stuart Miles)
Always say thank you right away when someone tries to help you with your career goals, even if you don't find his advice useful. For example, if a friend forwards you information on a job opening that isn't up your alley, point out something that your friend got right: "Thank you for sending me the job posting. I appreciate you remembering that I enjoy using my project management skills."
Always say thanks.
(Image by Naypong)
Close the interview by asking your potential manager for the job. For example: "I'm excited about this opportunity, and I hope you will offer me the position."
Close the Interview.
(Image by Stuart Miles)
Are you overwhelmed by all the things you need to do while searching for work? It can be hard to get a lot done when you lack the structure of a job.
Try this: Make a list of everything you need to accomplish that day. Decide which completed task would give you the greatest relief and which completed task would make you feel happiest. Finish these top-priority tasks first, and you will feel more organized and accomplished.
Try this: Make a list of everything you need to accomplish that day. Decide which completed task would give you the greatest relief and which completed task would make you feel happiest. Finish these top-priority tasks first, and you will feel more organized and accomplished.
Decide which tasks to complete first.
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Send followup emails the same day that you interview. Thank the interviewer for her time and for the information she shared, reiterate why you are excited about the job, and let her know that you would like to have the opportunity to work together. Your prompt followup shows respect for the interviewer and passion for the job.
Timely interview followup shows enthusiasm.
(Image by Stuart Miles)
Meetup offers some of the best opportunities for professional networking, especially in major metropolitan areas. Some popular Meetups in Silicon Valley are Bay Area Software Engineers, CSIX Connect, Silicon Valley Health 2.0, and Silicon Valley Entrepreneurs and Startups.
Just go to Meetup.com and search for groups related to your field, or search for terms such as "entrepreneurship" and "job seekers." If you live in an area where Meetup is not very active, you can start and promote your own Meetup group (this looks great on your resume, too).
Just go to Meetup.com and search for groups related to your field, or search for terms such as "entrepreneurship" and "job seekers." If you live in an area where Meetup is not very active, you can start and promote your own Meetup group (this looks great on your resume, too).
A great place for networking
Recruiters often say they don’t read cover letters, but hiring managers do. Write your cover letter as if it is intended for the hiring manager, even if you are sending it to a recruiter or to Human Resources.
Keep the letter brief, highlighting your greatest accomplishments and achievements that are relevant to the job. Let the manager know how you can contribute to the new position. Most important, be sure that there are no spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors.
Monster offers some excellent advice on how to write a cover letter in five simple steps.
Keep the letter brief, highlighting your greatest accomplishments and achievements that are relevant to the job. Let the manager know how you can contribute to the new position. Most important, be sure that there are no spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors.
Monster offers some excellent advice on how to write a cover letter in five simple steps.
Cover letters are important.
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What you carry with you to an interview says a lot about you. Instead of a notepad, bring a good leather or faux-leather portfolio. Bring a nice pen, put your business cards in a professional case, and keep your phone handy (but out of sight) in case you need to check your calendar. Women can carry a professional totebag, briefcase, or leather or faux-leather handbag; men can carry a high-quality leather or faux-leather briefcase or laptop bag.
Your interview accessories say a lot about you.
(Image by imagerymajestic)
We can reduce the stress
of unemployment a little by focusing on the process of finding a job rather
than on the outcome. Getting a job offer is partially out of our control, while
the steps we take to secure a job are mostly in our control.
A way to reduce stress is to say to yourself:
I gave 100% effort toward my job search this week.
I don’t have a job yet, but I will—because I’m doing everything I need to do.
Worrying doesn’t help.
I give myself permission to not worry.
A way to reduce stress is to say to yourself:
I gave 100% effort toward my job search this week.
I don’t have a job yet, but I will—because I’m doing everything I need to do.
Worrying doesn’t help.
I give myself permission to not worry.
It's OK to not worry.
(Image by Feelart)