by careertipper | | Blog
One of the most powerful tools you can create and promote during your career search other than your resume is a career portfolio. Your portfolio is a great opportunity for you to display your professional accomplishments and awards. When developing your career portfolio the presentation format and creative ideas are endless. Your presentation can be produced as a brag book or through an online portfolio source. Your portfolio should be professional and consistently industry relevant. Do not rush the process and have fun formatting your portfolio with quality copies and clear pictures. Take a moment to view your great work with pride and confidence. Your portfolio can be an empowering conversation point during your interview that ushers you to opportunities to speak more in-depth about your accomplishments with verifiable data present beyond some interview questions guides. Your portfolio can be the deciding factor for you being considered for a position or a promotion.
Career Portfolio Content Ideas
- Non-confidential metrics
- Resume
- Awards
- Letters of Recommendation
- Previous non-confidential industry related project outcomes
- Transcripts
- Community outreach projects with pictures if applicable
- Media tears
- Mock industry related projects to show your creativity or plan execution ability
by careertipper | | Blog
Creating a lasting first impression is vital to your career search. The duration of a first impression can range from seven to thirty seconds. First impressions can be sealants of progress or refuse during the interview process. First impression triggers are components of your personal brand. A few first impression triggers includes your social media profiles, your voicemail, your email, your hand shake, and your attire. Be cognizant of your efforts of maintaining your personal brand.
In lieu of a resume submission, a potential employer may request links to your social media profiles to review how you choose to present yourself globally. Your verbiage, pictures, videos, and overall content can increase or decrease your candidacy relevancy for a position. Post wisely and tactfully, even after you have secured your desired position. You do not want to be prone to loosing your job based upon inappropriate posts.
During your career search, your voicemail should be professional and clear to understand. Your voicemail should not feature the latest music sensation nor have background noise.
Email addresses can be too revealing of lifestyle choices and personal details sometimes. Keeping your email address basic and simple is a consistent recommendation by hiring managers and recruiters.
Your handshake and attire display confidence and an unspoken understanding that you know how to carry yourself in your desired work environment. Your attire needs to be tasteful while using all appropriate under garments, accessories, levels of perfume usage, and overall body coverage. Take the time to research handshake styles and wardrobe interview essentials and determine if your handshake or wardrobe needs to be revised.
Your goal is to always be considered and viewed as a qualified candidate. Strive to have your first impression in all environments that you enter promote you to the next level that you desire.
by careertipper | | Blog
Before launching your career search, complete a financial credit check on yourself. It is a given that your background will be checked when you are being considered for a job in most industries. Some career seekers and changers do not take the time to consider how their financial credit history can be the determining factor in being chosen for a position. Take the time to research how your credit history is factored into the hiring process for your chosen industry.
If you have good to excellent credit, be consistent in your efforts to maintain your current rating. If you have room for improvement, investigate options that will direct you in improving your credit rating. The key to repairing your credit rating is being diligently focused in your efforts and realistic with the timeframe it will take you to accomplish your credit reform goals.
There are some companies that will give you the opportunity to explain the ‘why’ behind your credit history during the interview process. Other companies may direct you to reapply for the position after improving your credit rating over a designated duration of time. All other required qualifications associated with the position must still be verifiable when you reapply.
During your career search, many lessons are learned along the way. If your financial credit history becomes a lesson for you; embrace the lesson and revise your strategy. Remember, what is for you is yours. The right employment opportunity is in route to you!
Financial Credit Review Resources
www.annualcreditreport.com
www.myfico.com
by careertipper | | Blog
“One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.” –Arthur Ashe
During an interview it is important for you not to sell yourself or your industry expertise small. Your resume and/or referral secured the opportunity for you to interview. In most cases, your confidence and ability to effectively explain your skills and knowledge will advance you to the next step in the interview process. Display good posture, eye contact, and avoid being fidgety during the interview. It is important not to take offense to any questions about explaining your ability to be effective in the potential role. Sometimes it may seem that the same questions are being asked of you in different ways. Throughout the interview, display patience and provide detailed answers with a smile in a calm demeanor. For select technical positions, be prepared to complete proficiency tests if required by the potential employer. Let your attitude be upbeat and engaging in conversation. Remember, your end goal is to leave a positive lasting impression that leads to a potential job offer.
Interview Prep Activity
Partner with a friend, family member, or mentor and complete a mock interview. Research possible interview questions online that are related to the potential position. Be receptive to the critiques. Edit your answers or body language until you are confidently interview ready.
by careertipper | | Blog
During your career search there many things that you must remember to do on your daily action items checklist. Taking the time to thank your supporters and opportunity connectors for investing time in you is important. Their assistance towards you accomplishing your career goals is to be appreciated. Showing awareness that your career search is not a solo act; helps you choose to communicate and interact with people in a consistent kind and respectable manner. After all interviews take the time to thank every point of contact that you interacted with during the process. A simple act of thanks can be the positive turning point for you being the chosen candidate for your desired position.
Activity of Thanks
Send five emails and five hand written thank you notes to people who have been supportive of your career search through wisdom, kind words of encouragement, sharing career fair or networking event details, or referred you to a hiring manager.
Your efforts will be appreciated by the recipient and their response just might brighten your day in return.
