Rabbi Yitzhak Miller

9 Keys to Job Search And Career Success

Rabbi Yitzhak Miller Basic Keys to Job Search By: Michelle Dumas.

In recent months, the job market has become increasingly competitive. But even as the economy slows, and there are increasing numbers of job seekers in the job market, there are many professionals who have been incredibly successful in conducting fast, effective job searches. What do they have in common? How are they doing it? Here are nine tips to speed your own job search and drive it to a fast, successful conclusion.

Know what you want and go after it. Starting a job search without knowing what you want will almost certainly end in frustration. Think about it: If you don’t know what you want and what your job target is, how will you know who to contact and how to conduct your search? If you are uncertain about your career goals, it is critical that you spend some time and energy now – before launching your search – on self-introspection and analysis. Knowing what YOU want, what YOU are passionate about, and what YOU bring to the table will provide you with a confidence that simply can’t and won’t be matched by many of your competitors in the job market. This is the crucial first step to any job search and is essential for long-term career success as well.

Know and sell your personal brand. When you think about your next career move, how would things be different for you if employers and recruiters actually sought you out? Personal branding (the process of clarifying and communicating what makes you and your unique value proposition different and special) allows you to make a name for yourself. It differentiates you from your peers and helps to position you as a leader in your field – as a specialist and an authority who knows how to do a job and fill a particular niche in the workplace better than anyone else. Once you are clear on your personal brand, you can use it to project a cohesive brand image and value proposition throughout all your job search activities, and do so in a way that addresses the specific concerns of your target audience. By knowing and promoting your brand, you achieve instant, precision-like focus that positions you as the ideal candidate for the specific type of opportunity that interests you. You gain immediate competitive advantage.

Be able to clearly articulate who you are and what you have to offer. While this may feel uncomfortable to you, the simple truth is that a job search is a sales and marketing campaign: a sales and marketing campaign in which YOU are the product. Through the process of personal branding, you must identify what differentiates you and paint a compelling portrait of your unique value proposition. But, don’t stop with just promoting this in your resume and then become tongue-tied when someone asks about you and your candidacy. You will hear the “what do you do?” or “tell me about yourself?” questions over and over, both during your job search and throughout your entire career. Don’t wing it! Preparation is the key to confidence and the key to making a lasting, positive, and memorable first impression. Be ready with a 30-60 second pitch that immediately and confidently conveys to the listener who you are as a professional and what it is that you offer.

Make their first impression your best impression. Take a hard look at your resume. Like it or not, your resume is your first introduction to most employers, and your only chance to make a good first impression. Effective resumes are highly focused marketing pieces that are strategically written and designed to sell YOU as THE best solution to a potential employer’s needs and problems. Your resume should be written to convey and illustrate your unique value proposition, with succinct “stories” that differentiate you from your competitors in the job market. Does your resume accomplish these goals? Is it focused effectively? Does it accurately present you in the way that you wish to be presented? If not, it is time to rewrite.

Network, network, network…and then network some more. At least 80% of all the jobs are found through the “hidden” job market, also known as the “unpublished” job market. These are jobs typically landed through word of mouth and referrals as opposed to answering ads, posting your resume to internet databases, or other techniques meant to target the remaining 20% of all jobs in the published market. It stands to reason that if the vast majority of the jobs are to be found in this hidden market, that you should spend the majority of your job search time working to crack it. There is no more effective job search technique than networking. So, even if it feels a little uncomfortable at first, just get out there and do it. Make networking a part of your daily routine and plan to spend the majority of your job search time on networking activities (approximately three-fourths of your time is a good estimate). The more you network, the faster your current job search will come to a successful conclusion and the faster and more successful any future job searches will be.

Plan and execute a multi-pronged job search campaign. Yes, networking is essential, but other job search techniques are also important. An effective job search campaign is a multi-pronged one that includes the strategic, planned, methodical use of a variety of job search approaches. Answering ads alone is almost never enough. Neither is working with headhunters, using internet job search sources, or researching and targeting specific employers. But, when you combine all these approaches with networking, carefully evaluate and prioritize the approaches based on relative effectiveness, and then launch an integrated, multi-pronged job search campaign, you will always come out ahead. The best job search is one in which the job seeker approaches it as if it was a job itself.

Build a support team. While your preparation will certainly ease the whole process, job searching can be a grueling and very stressful experience. So, I want to remind you that you don’t have to go through it alone. You should build a support team around you of people who can help you stay motivated and on track while giving you honest feedback and helping you stay accountable to the goals you set for yourself. Family and friends, past and present managers, your peers and colleagues, financial advisors, and professionals in the careers industry such as career counselors, coaches, and resume writers all make excellent people to add to your team. By assembling a good mix of people to support you, from a diversity of backgrounds and professions, you will receive a variety of different perspectives, ideas, and insights that can be very helpful. You should consider joining a job search support club or group – a local one if one is available or an online one. If you have been provided with outplacement services by your former employer, by all means take advantage of the office space and resources offered. The point is that you don’t have to and shouldn’t conduct your search in isolation. Surround yourself with a team that will help and support you. Above all, recognize when you need support and don’t be afraid to ask for assistance and guidance.

Always follow up. Following up on all of your contacts and your activities can do more to influence your success in achieving your job target than anything else. A hand-written thank you note or a more formal, typed thank you letter after speaking with a networking contact, attending an informational interview, or after attending an actual job interview can make a lasting positive impression that gives you a distinct competitive advantage. A follow-up phone call on every resume you send, whether it is a resume sent cold, in response to an ad, or based on a referral from one of your networking contacts can make all the difference in whether your resume is actually read and considered or not. A consistent method of follow up is key and you must make the time in your schedule to do so. Follow up will positively influence decision-makers, it will help key the process moving along, it will show your interest and your professionalism, and it will position you above the competition.

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Career Advice On Freelance Writing Jobs

Rabbi Yitzhak Miller Advice For Freelance Writers By Niall Cinneide.

Sometimes the freelance writing jobs available are those that no one wants. Or, they are those that new businesses are looking to fill. You will not find postings for the best jobs and employment because many of those jobs go to individuals who already have an established career or a good working relationship with those businesses. For those looking for career advice to find the best freelance writing jobs available, they can find a few things here that will help them get the experience they need or at least get a foot in the door.

* The most important aspect of getting the jobs that you want is to present a well written portfolio. Any writer can create pieces of work to show to individuals who want a sample. You do not have to be commissioned to write, you can write just for the sake of filling your portfolio. Just remember to put the best of the best work you have in there.
* Secondly, there are many types of freelance writing jobs available. Yes, it is not just the book or prized article that you should look for. Look for vacancies in smaller areas as well. This will help you to develop relationships in the field.
* Strive to meet the client’s needs. This will mean that you meet deadlines. It will mean that you offer the best material you can. But, it needs to meet the client’s specified requirements, not necessarily what you think they should be.
* Be professional, and build a website. Most businesses these days are centered around their websites. Being professional means presenting yourself in the most appropriate way.

In any case, there can be be many freelance writing jobs available to you once you are in the know. When you learn how to write to your clients needs and meet those needs properly with each and every assignment that you do, employment will be available to you. To find the assignments to start with, you may have to present yourself outright. Simply always do so in a positive, professional manner.

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Career Advice – Are You Passionate About Your Work

Rabbi Yitzhak Miller Passionate By April McCallum.

Take a minute to think about your personal strengths. Oftentimes we box ourselves into a much more limited space than we deserve. For example, just because your last two jobs were in sales, doesn’t mean that you don’t have other skills or qualifications that you use on a regular basis. It’s likely that those skills could transfer into another role or job title quite nicely.

As an example, your main job may be as a sales person, but within your position, you spend a lot of time negotiating contracts, building rapport with customers and vendors, marketing and promoting your company or brand. To apply that to your S.W.O.T. analysis, in the category of “Strengths”, you may write down “Relationship Builder”, “Negotiator”, “Cross-Functional Communicator”, or “Marketing & Promotions”.

Don’t overlook or minimize the significance of non-functional qualities. Someone may have a stellar educational degree or years of experience, but be miserably lacking in people skills, creativity or the ability to think out-of-the-box. These might well be noted in your “Strengths” category and on someone else’s “Weaknesses” category!

If you think you might be ready for a change, take a serious look at your strengths. Would they be a good fit for another department, a different job title or function, or even another industry that you have an interest in? Have you updated your resume lately to reflect your strengths? Consider asking colleagues, customers or industry partners for referrals that highlight those strengths. Sometimes asking a trusted source for input helps. Oftentimes they are quick to point out strengths that are obvious to them, but not so much to you.

Weaknesses

Sometimes what we view or label as a weakness is really an opportunity in disguise. An opportunity to learn, upgrade or advance. We may already have 75% of the puzzle and just need to focus on enhancing the other 25%. That’s why the analysis is so helpful. It serves to clarify opportunities possibly hidden as weaknesses, as well as highlight areas that may be ripe for improvement.

If you are uncomfortable with new technology or giving presentations, for example, you can always improve through learning and practice. Take classes, get a mentor, study and practice. The best career advice is to get intentional and take responsibility for your future success.

On the other hand, if you consistently have a bad attitude, are late for appointments, or lack integrity, you just need to get with the program. Those are areas well within your control. In which case, you just need a good swat! Don’t self-sabotage your own potential.

If you have a legitimate weakness that can’t be helped, just focus on the areas you can improve, along with your legitimate strengths and opportunities.

Opportunities

Look at this category beyond “job opportunities”, or merely functions or duties. Try to expand your brainstorming into personal areas of opportunity. Do you long for relevancy, to have a voice, to express your creativity or to make a difference? What are you passionate about?

What do you want your opportunities to be – To make more money? Take on more responsibility, increase or change your job scope? Become more knowledgeable in order to add greater value in the workplace? Release your innovative passions? Become self-employed?

Now connect the dots. How can you position yourself to turn your opportunities into reality – Get more education? Work harder or smarter? Start being more intentional about networking, volunteering or getting your name out there? If you have a dream, nurture it. If you need coaching, find a mentor. If you have a goal, do what it takes to reach it. Be your own best advocate. It’s your ticket – find a way to write on it what you want it to read.

Threats

This is an interesting category. Some threats are out of our control, but not all. Threats might be things like “the economy”, “downturn in the industry, or the need for our products or services”, or “competitor has a superior product”. In a business scenario, these are things that threaten our success and there’s not a lot we can do about them other than take a good hard look at them and address the parts we may have minimal control over.

But when it comes to stepping back and taking a good long look in the mirror, what are your personal threats? What is keeping you from becoming the best you can be? Do you lack self-motivation, self-esteem or personal vision? Do you ignore known faults and repeat the same mistakes or negative behaviors? Do you need an attitude adjustment? Do you sabotage your own success? Are you able to identify fears that may be holding you back?

It all comes down to how much you really want to succeed; and, it all comes back to you personally. No one is going to hand you a golden ticket – you have to want it, and you have to go out and earn it. The good news is, whatever your personal threats are, you can take the reigns and pave a new and better path any time you are ready and willing.