June 6th – The #LetteroftheDay is “W” as in Website
In today’s competitive job landscape, it is important to differentiate yourself from other applicants. One very effective tool you can use is to create your own personal website.
Here are a few things to have on a website that can help position you as a leading candidate:
- Your 30 second elevator pitch
- Examples of your best work, especially if you are in a design or creative type role
- An active blog
- Links to your social media accounts or if you have been featured on other websites
- Testimonials
- Contact information
June 11th – The #LetteroftheDay is “X” as in X-Ray
With an X-Ray, your doctor can identify broken bones, they can see the true you regardless of your outward persona. In the job search, predictive index assessments serve the same purpose. Employers try to get a sense of who you are, how to best manage you, or determine how well you will fit in the company culture.
I’ve been asked in the past, the best way to handle these types of assessments. I advise my clients to answer each and every question as honestly as possible without trying to figure out the “right answer” or what the employer is looking for.
Similar to dating, you can fake your way through a date or two, or even three, but eventually the real you will come out. If you are not a good fit for the employer, it is much better for both parties to know on the front end of the process versus later on down the road. Trying to “beat the test” might get your foot in the door however you will soon by looking for new employment again except this time with more baggage.
June 12th – The #LetteroftheDay is “Y” as in Yardage.
In football, gaining additional yardage on each play is essential to a team’s success. Often players need to fight and claw their way to get an additional yard or two to make a first down; nothing is handed to them.
There are many similarities to the job search – it’s not an easy process and it is a grind from the minute you step on the field.
After getting tackled, beat down, run over, smacked in the face, and have a few losses in the books, you will finally break through with a win. During your trials and tribulations, make sure you take time to remember what’s truly important – a promotion, higher salary, bigger office, or more vacation time is nice, but those things are fleeting; take time for yourself and your family and remember where you are on the field in the first place.
June 13th – The #LetteroftheDay is “Z” as in Zig-Zag
How often have you went to zig and ended up zagging instead? Just when you think you are having pizza for dinner, but your spouse wants burgers.
Agility in your career and the job search is often overlooked, especially by new graduates. People can become so focused on one particular job, company, or career path that they lose site on other opportunities that may present themselves. Having a specific target is certainly not a bad thing, however turning down an interview because a job only checks 8 of your 10 boxes can be foolhardy. The employer or recruiter you just turned down may have another job you are unaware of that checks all 10 boxes or they may create a position for you. Keep an open mind and remember that opportunities are around every corner.
