Self-care while job-hunting is always important, but it’s especially so now. Looking for a new job can be hard work, and sometimes we can get demoralized by the whole thing. And honestly, I haven’t spoken to anyone who isn’t already brought pretty low by everything happening around us these days, so an added layer…
Now that you have a good idea of what’s next, it’s time to get that resume into shape—and while you’re at it, your LinkedIn profile! Let’s start with your resume. Go back to that list you made of your transferrable skills. Grab those and throw them onto the top of your resume, under your…
Are you stuck in a career you don’t enjoy? Here are some steps to get you started in a change of direction. If you get stuck on any of the steps, please feel free to reach out, or just have a conversation with a friend or trusted family member. Identify what’s making you unhappy.…
I get a lot of questions about what to do with a gap in employment history. The good news is that these are no longer the kiss of death they were reputed to be years ago, especially with COVID wreaking havoc with the job market. That said, there are some better ways to address…
Finally, if you’ve lost your job, do be sure to hit the job boards and look into finding recruiters. The temptation is often to do this first, and while that won’t hurt you, I list it last for a reason. Most career experts agree that many jobs aren’t ever posted on the boards, so we…
Now that you’ve got your network working for you, it’s time to tackle updating your resume and social media profiles. Take small steps toward each of these—it’s a lot, and the work can be emotional. Update your resume with extra attention to what you accomplished in your last job. If you’ve left on less-than-stellar…
After you’ve lost your job, the third step to take is the one you know is coming, and I’m sorry to beat you over the head with it, but it’s important. Yes, it’s time to network. This doesn’t have to be painful, and it doesn’t have to be immediate. Give yourself a little…
The second thing to do if you’ve lost your job is to make sure you’re eligible for unemployment. In most places, you’re eligible if you lost your job through no fault of your own, though specifically what that means varies considerably from state to state. Whatever your employer tells you, be sure you check your…
The first thing to do if you lose your job is to determine what the official reason is. Have you been laid off? Fired? Quit? These are important distinctions that will have a big impact on your next steps, so take the time to take the time to learn what the official record will…
In addition to job-seeking resources, information and advice sites can be helpful, too. My favorite is the Ask a Manager blog, which has questions from readers, general advice, and great insight on the world of work. The Interview Guys have some good stuff, too, though you will sometimes need to jump through a few hoops…