Current Environment – Mitigating Factors
- State mandates businesses to close physical locations except for essential workers
- School systems continue remote learning
- Childcare options have become more limited
- Lack of vaccine
- Social unrest
Current Environment – Impact
- Businesses announce continuation of virtual work until at least early or mid 2021
- Candidate demand for flexible work/locations
- Businesses supporting flexible work/locations
- Introduction of online training
- Push for diversity and inclusion
First, begin your self-assessment. Ask yourself, “Where can I seek for opportunities where I can use my interests, motivations and skills?”
Begin building your LinkedIn profile if you have not done so already.
Update Your Resume!
- Be succinct and concise – limit to two pages, 10 pt font and ½ inch margins.
- Keep formatting simple.
- Use bullets rather than narrative.
- List your education and employment in chronological order, starting with the most recent.
- Use action words to describe your experience.
- Objectives, references and interests are not required.
- Be factual.
- Proofread!
Creating a Network
- Utilize LinkedIn and LinkedIn Groups to build contacts.
- Leverage neighbors, organizations, friends, family, former classmates and co-workers.
- Focus on people you are already connected to or ask for a connection.
- Focus on email and LinkedIn InMail messages to reach out — avoid the phone.
- Send notes within 24 hours of meeting someone new.
- Plan virtual coffees/lunches.
Searching Effectively and Job Search Tools
Leveraging Indeed
- Set up job searches with key terms and check daily.
- Post your resume.
- Utilize filters including remote jobs.
- Check reviews.
Leveraging LinkedIn
- Edit your settings for the most opportunities to be contacted.
- Set up job alerts for the types of roles you are seeking.
- Check who you know at a particular company who may be able to provide insight.
- Join groups.
Leveraging Glassdoor
- Research information about companies including employees and former employees views on management and culture.
- Research information about a company’s interview process.
- Search for positions (on main page or company page).
- Set up job alerts.
- Create profile and upload resume.
Leveraging Specialized Boards
- Dice
- Career Builder
- Associations such as Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), National Association of Black Accountants (NABA), American Bar Association (ABA)
- College Alumni Networks
- Industry Groups such as National African American Insurance Association (NAAIA), American Finance Association (AFA)
Closing the Deal (Personal Branding)
Interview Tips
- Be prepared for common interview questions.
- Traditional questions focus on education, qualifications, and experiences. Behavioral questions focus on a structured pattern of open-ended questions designed to determine which skills candidates have used successfully in prior positions.
- Focus on the kinds of questions that will be asked. Identify key requirements and competencies in job postings and compare these to your background and highlight all matches. Determine the experiences you will cite as examples ensuring that your stories are complete.
- Practice your responses – write it down, say it out aloud, ask a trusted friend.
- Utilize your network to gain additional information.
- Imagine and relive your successes for several days before the interview.
Careers with Michelle 