Hooray! You Have an Interview!After goodness knows how many applications, FINALLY, you have heard back from a company who wants to talk with you! There is hope after all! Welcome to what is often step one of the interview process: the phone screen. Remember, each company may handle their interview process just a little differently. Regardless, some version of a phone screen is the starting point. A phone screen can be anywhere from the basic 30-minute voice-only call where they make sure you can speak coherently and understand what you applied for all the way up to a full-blown deep dive into your resume. Typically, you'll be speaking with a recruiter, not the hiring manager, at this point in the process. In this article, we'll talk about the more basic initial phone screen, how to prepare, and typical questions asked. ...And So It Begins: Message From a RecruiterIn many cases, a recruiter will reach out to you directly to schedule a phone screen through email. Many companies are using a scheduling program (like Calendly) so you can select a time that works for you. If this is the case, I would suggest taking a slot as soon as you can get in and comfortably complete the interview. For me, that would be the next day if possible. In other cases, you may receive a phone call from a recruiter that invites a callback. In these cases, they may be asking to schedule a phone interview with you, or they may just launch right into the phone screen while they have you on a call. Personally, I'll usually do my interview preparation before making that initial phone call back to the recruiter just in case they want to do it right then and there. Interview Prep: QuestionsDon't let the supposed informality of a phone call fool you. This is for reals an interview. You need to be ready to make a good impression. Here are the phone screen interview questions that you need to be ready to answer. Keep these in mind as you research the role, the company, and your interviewer. (We'll talk more about answering these questions well in a bit.) Here are the most common questions I have experienced on a phone screen:
Interview Prep: The RoleGiven that you may have applied for many, many jobs since the one for which you are interviewing, it's important to refamiliarize yourself with this role. Make sure that when you speak to your interviewer, you are positioning yourself as a strong candidate who is able to do (and wants to do) this specific job.
Interview Prep: The Company and Your InterviewerNow that you remember what the role is about, take time to learn more about the company. Remember, you're learning information to help you present yourself well, answer questions about the company and what they do, and even know about current initiatives and news about the organization.
Interview Prep: Your AnswersNow, back to those questions and strategies for answering each one. Is this still a good time for us to talk? Ideally, the answer is yes. This is a courtesy question recruiters often ask. Tell me about yourself. This is your opportunity to tell the recruiter a quick summary of your professional history and the unique knowledge, skills, and attitudes you bring to this role.
Why are you looking for a new job? Companies are interested in why you want to make a change. They might also be leery if they perceive that you have made many changes within a short time. They may be wondering if how they are promoting the position is working. They may just want to see if you trash your previous/current employer or are respectful. Again, be truthful, stay positive, and keep it short.
Why are you interested in this role? Companies often want to make sure you actually want the available position, not just any old job. Speaking about why you want to work in this particular role is a way to show you are being intentional about your next career move. This question also allows you to talk about who you are, what you know about the role, and the skills you bring.
What do you know about our company? Each company has its own personality. This question shows that you, as a job candidate, are a good fit for the organization and that you've taken the time to learn a little more.
What is your desired salary? While having salary ranges in job descriptions is becoming more common, it is not included in all job descriptions. Often, this question comes up very early in the process. You need to have a sense of your desired range and what is a typical range for the type of role for which you are interviewing.
What questions do you have for me? This is your opportunity to ask questions. Given that you have a job description and not much else about this role at this point, take time to think about questions to ask. There are also countless lists online of possible questions you could review. Google them and see which ones seem right for you. Remember, too, that some of these questions might be more appropriate for the hiring manager than the recruiter. (If you continue in the hiring process, you'll meet with the hiring manager soon.)
What Do You Think?What questions do you prepare for when getting ready for a phone screen? Include your thoughts in the comments. Learn More
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by Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady Network Building in the BeforetimesPre-pandemic, "networking" typically meant attending in-person events, shaking a few hands, and having a somewhat meaningful conversation with another human. While in-person opportunities are again plentiful, webinars continue to be popular since they are a flexible way to bring people together to learn. Be sure to think of your network during virtual events, too. Connect with Webinar AttendeesLike many people, I have attended (and delivered) approximately a bijillion online meetings, trainings, and interactive instructor-led sessions. I've been approaching these sessions with a mind towards not just attending, but also making new connections. Although the process differs from in-person interaction with people, I have managed to connect with more people (and often form more meaningful connections) than attending in-person meetings and “working the room.” As someone who is introverted by nature, and communicates effectively in writing, this was an opportunity to turn webinars into a bonus network-building exercise. Your Personal Webinar BrandingWhen attending a webinar, I make sure that people are able to see who I am, my full name, and a picture, if at all possible. I use the same photo I use on LinkedIn so that people associate me with that picture. I also make sure that my first and last name are present so people have a chance of being able to find me after the session--or will recognize my name. In addition, during the webinar, I interact during the session. This usually involves commenting in the chat when prompted--which is also an opportunity for other attendees to see my full name. During any small group interactions, I'm sure to turn my camera on so people can see my face, hear my voice, and see my name. If the presenter asks people to share out loud, I usually turn on my camera, and share my thoughts. Again, this is another opportunity for people to hear my voice, see my face, and see my name. Each of these "impressions" helps people start to get to know me at least a little bit. Finding Potential ConnectionsDuring a webinar, I often take a screenshot of the participant list and a gallery of attendees if people are on camera. Whenever possible, download the chat from the session. This helps me identify who was active in the webinar and gives me additional information on anything they might have shared during the session. I also often write handwrittern notes to help me remember attendees and their conributions during the webinar. These details can help me build a personal connection with these people later when I sent LinkedIn connection requests. Researching Potential ConnectionsAfter attending a webinar, here is my process for adding new LinkedIn connections:
One Option: Personalizing a Connection RequestPersonalizing connection requests is a great way to start building a relationship with a new professional contact. Here are the key components I include:
Personalized Connection Request ExamplesHere are a few examples of messages that you can use to invite people to connect. Currently, LinkedIn allows you to include up to 300 characters when personalizing connection requests. Hi, Jen. I see we both attended today’s White Box Club meeting. I’m also in career transition and seeking a new role in learning and development. Let's connect! I'm also always up for a 30-minute "virtual coffee" meeting to discuss how we can help one another as we job search. --Brenda Hi, Jack. Great to interact with you a bit at this morning's Excellence Share. I love sharing ideas with fellow L&D professionals. Let's connect! --Brenda Hi, Javier. I see we both attended today's "Sales Enablement Best Practices" webinar. I definitely enjoy learning from this group. You mentioned reading a few books on sales enablement recently. Can you please share those titles with me? Let's connect! --Brenda Other Options: Showing Your Value as a ConnectionNow that LinkedIn limits the number of personalized connection requests those with the basic membership receive each month, sending everyone a personalized connection request might not be an option for you. In those cases, here are a few other ways to show your value to a potential connection:
After The Initial ConnectionHow do you further nurture that relationship? Here are a few ideas.
Continue to Build The RelationshipAfter connecting with people initially, be sure to continue to nurture those connections. Posting useful content or occasionally messaging them are two ways you can do that. Ideally, you can add value to the relationship before you are in a position where you need to ask those individuals for help. Learn MoreBy Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady A Resume for Each Job? Won't That Take Forever?When applying for jobs, customizing each resume is one way to help you stand out. Unfortunately, it’s easy to spend a lot of time and effort updating your resume. Check out these shortcuts for customizing your resume that can save you time and improve your impact. Identifying Your Target RoleWhen applying for jobs, an important first step is to know what specifically you are looking for in your next job--your target role. This includes details like your desired job title(s), industries, core work responsibilities, geographic location, day-to-day responsibilities, pay rate, and work arrangements (onsite, remote, hybrid). If you don't have a clear idea of what your target job looks like, it makes everything else harder. I encourage you to dedicate time to figuring out what you want. This action alone will help you be more efficient as you search for open positions, determine what to apply for, create your target job resume, and apply for specific jobs. During a previous job search, these were key components of my target role:
Create a Target Job ResumeStart by creating a resume aligned with your target job. To be clear, this IS NOT the resume you submit each time you apply for a job. Instead, this target job resume is the one you start with and customize just a bit for each job application. You could also share your target job resume with those people who say, "Can you send me your resume?" who may not have a specific job description to share. Overall, this resume should be a solid representation of your skills, the type of work you do, and the unique value you would bring to a new role. Your target job resume should also include keywords commonly appearing in job descriptions for the type of work you do. Target Job Resume: Professional Summary SectionStart your target job resume with a professional summary. The goal of this section is to give the reader a quick overview of the value you bring to the position. This summary includes a few sentences that summarize who you are, what drives you, and how those factors align with an available role. This is also an opportunity to highlight important keywords that will resonate with employers. During a previous job search, this was my Professional Summary: Proactive learning consultant driven to help organizations succeed. Thrives when partnering with leaders and stakeholders to improve performance. Able to think strategically and execute tactically while managing multiple projects. Committed to constant learning, continuous improvement, and delivering training that drives results. Target Job Resume: Relevant Skills SectionThink about the skills employers typically ask for in your area of expertise. Make a list of those commonly used skills that keep popping up in job descriptions that interest you. Prioritize the ones that you really want the hiring team to know about. Include those in your Relevant Skills section near the top of your target job resume. During a previous job search, I listed these keywords as my Relevant Skills: Blended Learning, Coaching, Collaboration, Communications, Consulting, Facilitation, Instructional Design, Needs Analysis, Onboarding, Project Management, Relationship Building, Strategy, Video Production Target Job Resume: Work Experience DetailsFor each of your previous roles, be sure to outline specific projects on which you worked and the results of your efforts. In those bullet points on your target job resume, use the words you’ve seen in job descriptions. Be sure to include a wide variety of keywords to help even the least experienced recruiter see the tie between what you describe and the skills the employer wants. During a previous job search, I included these keywords in my description of core responsibilities for my previous roles:
The words in bold are keywords pulled from relevant job descriptions. Throughout my resume, I use as many variations of industry-standard words as I can. For example, the terms learning experience design, instructional design, and curriculum design are often used to describe the same set of skills. Instead of using the same term all the time, I alternate between these three to include a company's preferred term. When You Might Share Your Target Job ResumeOnce you have your target job resume completed, save a copy of it as a .pdf with a file name that includes your first and last name and the word "resume." For example, I would save mine as Brenda L. Peterson Resume. Now, if someone asks you for "your resume" with no specific job title in mind, you have a resume that is a good representation of you. In most cases, though, you will share a slightly different version of your resume for each job that interests you. Creating an Application Resume: Save AsNow that you have a target job resume in good shape, make sure the editable copy of your target job resume with a file name that includes your first and last name and the words "target job resume." For example, I would save mine as Brenda L. Peterson Target Job Resume. Now, when you apply for a new role, you’ll start by opening your editable job target resume document and then saving it under a new file name that specifies the role for which you are applying. For example, I would save my application resume as Brenda L. Peterson, Lead Learning Consultant at Super Cool Company. This way, I still have my target job resume and a specific application resume to use for this job application. From Target Job Resume to Application ResumeNow you have a solid target job resume with the right sections and a wide variety of relevant keywords. When you are ready to apply for a specific job, start with the editable version of your resume. Remember, your resume is 80-90% ready. Now, you will focus on customizing two key sections before submitting an application: Professional Summary and Relevant Skills. Application Resume: Professional Summary SectionFrom here, use the language in the job description to tailor your resume for this role. Since you already have a framework in place for how you write this section, now you can modify the exact wording to make it even more applicable to the job. In this example, I will customize my Professional Summary Section to align with the language used in the job description for a Lead Learning Consultant role. Here is the Professional Summary section from my target job resume: Proactive learning consultant driven to help organizations succeed. Thrives when partnering with leaders and stakeholders to improve performance. Able to think strategically and execute tactically while managing multiple projects. Committed to constant learning, continuous improvement, and delivering training that drives results. Here is the updated Professional Summary section for my application resume for the Lead Learning Consultant role: High-performing lead learning consultant who thrives when delivering engaging employee performance solutions. Excels when partnering with internal and external stakeholders to design innovative talent management programs. Able to think strategically and execute tactically while managing multiple projects. Committed to constant learning, continuous improvement, and delivering talent initiatives that drive engagement. The sentiment is similar, but now I'm conveying my value add using the employer’s words to describe this position. Note the bolded words were pulled directly from the job description. Application Resume: Relevant Skills SectionNow, it's time to customize the Relevant Skills Section to include keywords from a listing for a specific opening. In this example, I will update my language to align with the terms in the Lead Learning Consultant role job description. Here is the Relevant Skills section from my target job resume: Blended Learning, Coaching, Collaboration, Communications, Consulting, Facilitation, Instructional Design, Needs Analysis, Onboarding, Project Management, Relationship Building, Strategy, Video Production Here is the updated Relevant Skills section for my application resume for the Lead Learning Consultant role: Blended Learning Solutions, Employee Coaching, Collaboration, Communication Skills, Consulting, Facilitation, Curriculum Design, New Hire Onboarding, Project Management, Relationship Building, Strategy, Talent Management Programs To mirror language the company used, I added "solutions" to blended learning, changed "instructional" to "curriculum", and added a few terms emphasized in the original job posting to this list. Realize these skills are also included in bulleted points for each role. This is just another opportunity to help the recruiter align the skills needed with the words listed in the job description. Finalizing Your Application Resume: Save As .pdfOnce you have your application resume completed, save a copy of it as a .pdf with the same file name, in my example, Brenda L. Peterson, Lead Learning Consultant at Super Cool Company. Now, you can submit your application resume to the company along with other details they request. What Do You Think?Do you customize a resume for each role? What are your tips, tricks, and strategies? Include your thoughts in the comments. Learn MoreBy Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady Getting To Know Your LinkedIn ConnectionsConnecting with someone on LinkedIn is a great way to start a formalized relationship with someone in your professional network. While that is a great start, deepening those relationships is a helpful next step to get more value out of LinkedIn. Let's look at a few ways to do just that. Interacting with PostsInteracting with posts on LinkedIn is a great way to continue to build relationships with your connections and demonstrate your professional value. Not only is this a great way to build your credibility with many connections at the same time, it also gives you an opportunity to showcase your knowledge without having to choose the initial content for the post. You can also use your comments to interact with others and even use this as a starting point to invite other commenters to connect. Adding Your ReactionThe easiest way to interact is by adding a reaction to a post. With a click of a button, you can like a post or select from the other available responses. When you react to a post, your name will be listed on the post as well. This is an easy way to have people see your name and affiliate it with the content you liked. Adding your reaction also helps more people see the original post. Commenting on a PostAn even more valuable way to interact with a post is by commenting. Once you have connected with someone, reading and commenting on their posts is an excellent way to build on that relationship. This way, they are starting the conversation, and you are helping expand on that content by adding your ideas. In addition, you can comment on other people's comments and share additional value. You can thank the initial poster for sharing the idea, add your thoughts, share your experiences, and illustrate how you have used the concept in practice. Commenting on posts also gives you an inroad to connect with someone else who is also interacting with that post. Commenting is a great way to interact with others in your profession, build credibility, and make more meaningful connections. It also helps to achieve one of your LinkedIn goals of showcasing your knowledge and also sharing valuable information. RepostingIf someone posts something of value to your connections, you may want to comment on the post itself and then consider reposting it with your comments. When you repost content, first, you'll see anything you typed, then LinkedIn will include the entire original post. This helps the original post get additional views and also enables you to share useful content with your network. When I repost content, I usually include "Thanks [original poster] for sharing this information!" To include the original poster's name, include the @, then type the first part of their name, and choose their name from the options provided. (This is often called an "at mention." This will tag them in the post so they can interact with your new post, which will help boost the number of people who see the post. Sharing Your Own LinkedIn PostsSharing content on LinkedIn is a great way to engage with your connections, add value to your professional relationships, and promote who you are and what you know. Unfortunately, very few people ever post anything at all--which is a huge missed opportunity to differentiate yourself from others in your field. Another question that comes up is the frequency of posting. I recommend posting on LinkedIn no more than once a day and posting one to four times per week. Use your favorite search engine for recommendations on the best times and days of the week to post to get the most views on your posts. As for content, you don't have to write a lengthy, original manifesto to post on LinkedIn and make an impact. Personally, most of the content I share on LinkedIn includes some version of the following:
Once you make a post, be sure to like any comments other people make on your post and even reply to each comment. The more likes and comments you receive on your post, the more people will see it. This will continue to build your professional brand and add value to the networking relationships you are fostering through LinkedIn. Learn More
By Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady Thinking Through Your WhyWhen creating an online portfolio, identifying what you are trying to accomplish is a great place to start. Depending on your wants, needs, industry, and timeline for completion, your portfolio could take any number of forms. Thinking it through now will help you to create a portfolio that meets your short and longer-term goals. Identifying Your Portfolio GoalsHere are a few questions to ask yourself as you determine your portfolio goals:
My Portfolio Lessons LearnedA few years ago, when applying for jobs, I realized I needed an online portfolio to show hiring managers supporting evidence that I could use the learning and development skills included in my resume. I looked at job descriptions for training leadership roles that interested me and noted the specific keywords and skills that were most often included. From there, I chose work samples to showcase those identified skills. For each sample, I included a brief introduction to position the value of each artifact. I shared a project plan, a pitch deck promoting a company-wide change, a facilitator guide, and microlearning videos on technical, soft skills, and business-related topics. From a technology standpoint, my portfolio was a hidden page on my existing website. That portfolio page was non-searchable and not listed in website navigation, but it was available directly through the page's web address. As needed, I could include that URL on my resume, email it to hiring managers, or include it in an online job application. What Do You Think?What are your goals for your portfolio? What kind of content do you think it makes sense for you to include? As you are comfortable, share your ideas in the comments. Learn More
By Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady Why I Started The Layoff LadyI remember the good old days when I felt bad for my friend Tricia because she had been laid off four times. When I found myself working through my post-layoff career transition number seven, I decided I needed to do more than just find myself a new professional "day job." I also committed myself to documenting my lessons learned. I wanted to create resources that could benefit others who unexpectedly found themselves unemployed. Out of that decision, The Layoff Lady was born. I share my insights through blog articles, educational sessions, speaking engagements, podcast interviews, and my book Seven Lessons From Seven Layoffs: A Guide. I committed myself to sharing what I had learned to help people on who have been part of a layoff, who are in job transition, and people who want to proactively build their career resilience to help ensure their professional success.   About The Seven Layoff LessonsThrough my seven layoffs and many conversations with others in post-layoff career transition, I have learned seven core lessons that can help you navigate this challenging time. If you are in the midst of a post-layoff career transition, these lessons speak directly to the unique challenges you will face as you navigate from layoff day until the first day of your new job. If you're currently employed, but aware that no one is immune to layoffs, these lessons can help you understand the layoff experience and plan ahead just in case it happens to you. Let's briefly review my seven lessons. In future blog articles, I'll expand on each lesson in more detail.  Lesson One: Experience your emotions and manage your mindset.Right after a layoff, people often act hastily out of sheer unbridled panic. Instead, you must attend to two key tasks right away: feeling your feelings and choosing your career transition mindset. Getting your head on straight before springing into action will prepare you for the challenges ahead. Lesson Two: Keep your mind on your money (& your money on your mind).Most people work to pay their bills and afford the life they want. Unfortunately, when your job ends, so does your main income stream—and possibly your health insurance, too. Making the right short-term changes can help you weather the storm while also minimizing long-term financial repercussions. Lesson Three: Ask yourself, "What do I want to be next?"Few people take the time to step back from their work life and think, “Is this really what I want to do?” When you go through an unplanned job change, seize this rare opportunity to revisit your career path. Take time for a little structured soul searching and actively decide what you want both long-term and in your next job. Lesson Four: Shape and share your story. Finding a new job is all about you telling the story of your career. You get to shape your professional narrative so you can share your compelling story with colleagues and potential employers. Learning to talk about where you’ve been, your skillset, and where you’re going is powerful. Weaving in company needs with who you are professionally will help you communicate your value more effectively. Lesson Five: Help people help you.It’s hard for many of us to ask for help. If there was ever a time to avoid going it alone, this is it. Overall, people genuinely want to help others through trying times. You can assist them by being mindful of what you need and asking just the right person. Letting people help you will make managing the emotional, logistical, and practical aspects of this career transition easier. Lesson Six: Examine your energy to take control of your time.When it comes to achieving a goal, people often focus on time management. While checking the right items off a task list is valuable, having the energy to do so is often overlooked. Figuring out those right things to do, prioritizing tasks, and factoring in your energy levels will help you sustain your job search momentum for the long haul. Lesson Seven: Assess, adapt, and rise above.Having a plan for success is critical. It is even better to assess how it is going, adapt when needed, and rise above challenges. By anticipating roadblocks and thinking through possible solutions, you can proactively alter your game plan as needed. Learning as you go will help you build resilience and cultivate successful outcomes.  For The Whole StoryFor all the information on each of the seven lessons pick up a copy of my book Seven Lessons From Seven Layoffs: A Guide.  Learn MoreBy Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady Learning About YourselfWhether you’re considering making a career change, are currently in the midst of a job transition, or want to be more effective in your role, increasing your self-knowledge is a great place to start. It's hard to figure out what kind of work will be the best fit for you if you're not clear on who you are, the life you want, and the role work plays in that equation. A Good Starting Point: Values and StrengthsIn other articles here on The Layoff Lady, I’ve outlined ideas for exploring your values and discovering your strengths. Knowing more about what you truly value and what you are good at will help you think about the why, what, and how of the type of work you are driven to do. Reflecting on your findings will also help you have better conversations about your skillset and what motivates you personally and professionally. A Solid Next Step: Discovering Your Saboteurs It’s incredible how our strengths and values also show up when we are in challenging situations—often in good ways, but sometimes in more destructive ways. Learning about how you can get in your own way is a valuable strategy for making better decisions when you’re mid-crisis. Enter Shirzad Chamine. He is a professor, professional coach, and the author of the best-selling book Positive Intelligence. He introduces strategies for how to be mindful of what we know (IQ) our overall emotional intelligence (EQ), and how to leverage our positive intelligence (abbreviated as PQ). The end result is learning to be more effective and increase our overall. Nine Ways We Self SabotageHere arer the nine saboteurs outlind in Positive Intelligence listed in alphabetical order along with my brief description of each:
Yikes. We're certanly not our best selves when we show up this way. Let's look at how you can identify your saboteurs and use that information to improve how you show up. About The Assessment To Find Your Top SaboteursSet aside time to take the 9 Ways We Self Sabatoge Assessment from Positive Intelligence. The assessment takes 5-10 minutes to complete. In addition, I suggest giving yourself 30-45 minutes to review your results and reflect. This assessment consists of 45 questions. Each question includes of a statement, and you'll rate your agreement with that statement on a 5-point scale ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree. The directions encourage you to answer each question relatively quickly and go with your initial response. The final 7 questions are about demographics and finding out where they will send your assessment results. Your Assessment ResultsThe results you receive include a ranking of your top sabateurs and your score for each. In addition, you will receive the following information about each of your saboteurs:
Reviewing Your ResultsI find these types of assessments fascinating. As someone who is committed to ongoing professional development, I appreciate getting insights that might be hard for someone else to share. These insights are valuable, and also help me understand why I do what I’m doing as well as helping me to recognize those non-helpful patterns so I can adjust my approach going forward. Not at all surprising to me, my top three saboteurs are as follows:
My Initial Reflections On My ResultsHere were my initial thoughts as I saw my top three identified saboteurs:
My Additional Reflections On My ResultsUnder Controller, here are a few statements resonated with me from the details included within my report:
Reflecting on Your Results
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By Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady Interview Progression IssuesAfter you apply for a job, your goal is to be selected for an interview. That process usually includes an initial phone screen, one or more face-to-face interviews (virtual and/or in-person), then a job offer. As you progress in your job search, it's important to take time on a regular basis to evaluate what you are doing and see if you need to modify your approach. Let's look at possible ways to proceed if you are not receiving callbacks from employers for initial phone screens. No Initial Interview InvitationsI’ve seen variations on the following LinkedIn post way too many times: “I’ve applied for 300 jobs over the last six months, and I have only gotten a couple of interviews.” Realize you won’t get a phone screen for every job application you submit, but you should be getting some. If you apply for even 20 jobs and don’t hear anything back from any of them, it’s time to reassess and figure out what you need to change to have more success. As an applicant, the first challenge is getting out of the virtual pile of job applications and into the much more selective “we gotta talk to this one” pile. Taking these steps can help. Step 1: Identify Your Target JobOften, people who struggle with getting job interviews need to revisit what they want in a job and target their job search toward that goal. Unfortunately, while applying for as many jobs as possible seems logical, it often backfires. Instead, job seekers who identify what they really want, then apply for those roles more closely matching their interests and qualifications get hired sooner. Step 2: Realign Goals and MessagingAnother problem shared by people who struggle with job searching is not talking about what they want, their work experience, and their most relevant qualifications. Ensure your resume has a strong Professional Summary highlighting the type of role desired and your value to your target role. Step 3: Focus on Fewer ApplicationsHow many applications should you do in a given week? Applying for 300 jobs over six months (26 weeks) is an average of 11.5 applications per week. That is A LOT. When I’m job searching, my weekly goal is three applications per week, and I might submit as many as six per week if I see a few more role roles that look especially promising. By focusing on fewer job applications, I increase my quality instead of relying too heavily on quantity. Step 4: Customize your Resume for Each ApplicationWhen I decide to apply for a role, I take 15-30 minutes per application to customize my resume. Taking this extra time to update my language helps potential employers understand how my skill set aligns directly with what they are looking for in a candidate. Ensuring the right keywords are present for an Automated Tracking System (ATS) and for the recruiter who initially reviews each resume will give you a better chance of being selected for a phone screen. To make these updates efficiently and effectively, I focus on two sections: Professional Summary and Skills & Competencies. Check out the Learn More section for additional information on strategies for customizing your resume. Learn More
By Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady A Time of ReflectionBeginnings and endings often make us think. When relationships, jobs, or projects end, we often reflect on recent events and our desired future state. Likewise, as we prepare to begin a new month, season, or year, we often set goals. Many times, we set big amorphous goals athat end up going nowhere fast. "Eat better," "get a better job," and "build my professional network" all sound fine, until you look back months later and realize that nothing much has changed. Sometimes we even write more specific goals like "eat a vegetable at every meal" or "make one new LinkedIn connection per week"--and even then they fall flat. Why is that? Turns out, it’s perhaps even more important to figure out what matters to you and why. This often skipped step is how we discover a deeper seated motivation, which can help us to actually make those goals into action and new habits. Where To Start: Your ValuesWhen you’re setting personal goals, and you want to make sure they stick, identifying your values is a great place to start. When thinking about the life you want to live, it's essential to start with what is truly important to you. Identifying those guiding principles will help you decide how you budget your money, how you want to spend your time, and what type of work is right for you. Finding the words to express your values can help you live in alignment and increase your overall wellbeing—as well as give you the much-needed motivation to progress towards goals that support your values. Step 1: Take The Values AssessmentI find it challenging to think of the right words to articulate what I value. While there are many lists online you can use as a starting point, I prefer using the think2perform Online Values Exercise. This free online assessment includes 51 named value cards and four rounds of reviewing the cards. The total time to complete this activity is about 15 minutes, and perhaps more depending on how much contemplation time you need. In the end, you'll have five value cards that name and start to describe key areas that matter to you. Recently, when I retook the values assessment, I identified these as my top 5 values:  Step 2: Personalize Your ValuesAfter you identify your top five values, think about how you live those values in your everyday life and even how they play out in your career. As I took the assessment this time, I found that I liked some of the value names, like autonomy and helping others, as well as parts of the value descriptions from other cards. I realized how important it was for me to personalize my values to make them truly my own. Fine Tuning Value Names For one, I work in the field of Learning and Development, and previous job titles I have had included the word “training” in the title. For me, the idea of education resonated with me, but the word "education" was not quite right. When I thought more about what matters to me, I landed on the word "learning." For me, "education" has the connotation that I need to take a class in order to learn. I'm a firm believer that learning comes from all directions all the time. Fine Tuning Value Descriptions I also took more time personalizing the descriptions. While I chose the word "relationships" to label one of my values, I incorporated details from descriptions for related terms like "family" and "community." I also included details that help inform how specifically I want to be sure to live those values. I included one line about different types of individual and groups, and what might bring us together, including this line: "Seeking out groups and individuals that align with my priorities, preferences, and interests." While I kept the word "health" as the value that mattered to me, I decided to update the standard description of “placing importance on physical and emotional wellbeing.” Instead, I thought about what health means to me and how I can live that value. My description for health included these details: "Leveraging habits and routines that maximize my energy and support my overall wellbeing. Prioritizing my physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing by focusing on nutrition, movement, and self-care. Honoring my need for social and alone time.” Value Evolution Over TimeI have completed this values exercise multiple times, and I find it comforting that the tend to be relatively stable, but always evolve as I do. I notice that my results change a bit depending on what personal challenges I've faced since my last assessment. The words that have remained in my top five consistently over time are autonomy, relationships, and health. When life has felt unpredictable, words like stability, security, and safety have moved up. Similarly, since work is such an important part of my life, there are always words directly related to what I do for a living. In this case, learning and helping others round out my top five, and represent not only my work, but my general approach to the world. What Do You Think?Do you take time to think about and name your personal values? How do you go about that process? Share your thoughts in the comments. Learn MoreBy Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady Your Salary RequirementsMost of us work so we can pay for our lives. When you are job searching, it’s important to determine your target salary range to make your job search more effective. Having this information will help you prioritize which jobs to apply for and help you have those early salary conversations. Let’s look at a few strategies for answering the question, “What are your salary requirements?” Start With Your Target RolesFirst, ensure you’ve done the requisite amount of soul-searching to determine what you want to be next in your career. Have a list of what you want to do, possible job titles, relevant skills, core responsibilities, daily activities, focus areas, types of companies, and industries. Having these details on your desired job will help as you start to do salary research. The DisclaimerWhile I feel comfortable discussing various financial and insurance concepts, I do not currently hold a license or any certification that deems me inherently qualified to give financial advice. The information provided here is intended to be used for educational purposes only. Sometimes, the core challenge is knowing how a system generally works, the terms used to describe what you’re asking about, and where to go for additional help. My goal for this article is to share information to guide you as you navigate the murky waters of job searching. I hope my personal experiences can help you cut a path through the wilderness as you try to figure out your next steps. Feel free to take my recommendations or not. Whatever you do, double-check my facts--and everyone's purported facts, for that matter. This is your life, and you will care more about your financial and healthcare decisions than anyone else. Use this information as a starting point for further research as you ultimately decide what’s right for you. Identify Your PrioritiesNow that you understand your target job and what that looks like, think about what you value in a job. For example, some may prioritize having a specific job title, receiving tuition reimbursement money to earn their next credential, and opportunities for a promotion within the company. Another person may prioritize having interesting work while also having schedule flexibility, the ability to work remotely most days, and low health insurance premiums. Still another person may prioritize alongside colleagues in an office, having the opportunity to mentor new employees, and finding a job they can keep for the next 20 years. Think about what is the most important to you. In addition, think about what you value in an employer. Working for a non-profit, government entity, start-up, family business, or Fortune 500 company will have salary, benefit, job security, and total compensation-related implications. Overall, think about what matters to you, and be aware of the salaries that align with your overall job preferences. Factors That Influence Your Target Salary RangeWhen considering your salary requirements, I suggest using a range instead of one specific number. Let’s look at strategies for determining your target salary range. Here are numbers you might have in mind that could impact your range:
I suggest the salary range you share with potential employers includes the lower number that is the minum salary you would happily accept and the maximum number is what you'd be really excited about. What Companies Are PayingKnowing what companies are paying for what you do should also factor in to your target salary range. Here are a few strategies for finding out more: Search For Openings in Pay Transparency StatesTake these steps to find out what open positions are paying:
Research Your Job Title and Geographic LocationMany websites have salary information. Two that come highly recommended by recruiters are Salary.com and Payscale.com. In fact, Salary.com has a Know Your Worth calculator where you can add details like your job title, location, education level, and years of experience and see the impact each factor has on your potential market value. Ask AroundFind out from other job searchers, recruiters, and hiring managers what salaries companies are paying for specific roles. You can also inquire with professional development organizations to see if there are industry or job-specific studies available that include salary-related information. Confounding FactorsHere are a few factors that might make this process challenging:
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Author7-time layoff survivor Brenda L. Peterson, The Layoff Lady, waxes poetic on layoffs, job transitions, & career resilience. Buy The Book!
Were you recently laid off? Need a roadmap for what's next? Or planning just in case? Check out my book, Seven Lessons From Seven Layoffs: A Guide!
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