Ask America’s Ultimate Experts
It’s never too late to land the job of your dreams! Our experts can help you showcase the skills and smarts employers are seeking in experienced workers!
1 Get ready to shine!
Redo your résumé!
The fastest way to make your résumé stand out and ensure it gets read? “Use resultsoriented action words like ‘created a filing system that increased my team’s efficiency,’ or ‘improved customer satisfaction by 20%,’ ” says career expert Lori B. Rassas. “Specific descriptions give a hiring manager a much clearer picture of your abilities than overused phrases like ‘team player’ or ‘hard worker.’ Just ask yourself, ‘what’s most likely to get me hired for the job I’m applying for?’ and put those key words and phrases right at the top of your résumé so the hiring manager sees them instantly!”
Google a new gig!
Starting this summer, you’ll be able to Google a great job. Google for Jobs! makes it easier to find jobs at every level. How it works: You simply search for, say, “Retail sales associate” on Google and up pops a list of local openings that you can filter by job title, work hours— even the length of your commute.
Upgrade the skills need!
you Check out Linkedin Learning.com to find out which easily updatable skills can give you a real edge—and how to get them for free! The site lists suggested video classes matched to your Linkedin profile, such as “writing customer service emails.” And you can start just by clicking on them! “If you want to go after a job that requires a technical skill you don’t have, like Photoshop, this is a great way to get it,” says career expert Renee Ward. “Then just list these classes under ‘Professional Training’ on your résumé.”
2 Ace your interview! Show your “STAR” strengths!
We all have talents that make us shine on the job. To highlight your STAR qualities, start with a specific situation, advises job coach Leslie Ayres. “You might say, ‘I was asked to take on a customer who was angry that we missed our delivery deadline.’ ” Then share the problem-solving task and action: “I created a schedule and enforced deadlines.” Then relay the results: “We delivered the product and the customer was grateful.” Finally sum up: “This shows how I can get the job done!”
Stand up to stand out!
More employers are conducting interviews over the phone. How to stand out? Stand up! “It gives you a boost of energy that comes across on the phone,” Ayres says.
3 Change careers! Take one step at a time!
Forging a new career path is easier if you do it in stages, notes Ayres. “For instance, if you’re a bookkeeper in an insurance company and you want to be a florist, moving into a bookkeeping job at a flower shop will get you on your way,” she says. “Or start by adding new duties to your current job. For example, ask if you could arrange flowers for the company’s reception desk. Then take pictures of your work to post on Facebook or to create a portfolio to help you find your new job!”
Give ’em what they want!
To make a successful transition, you’ll need to show new employers how your current skills meet their needs, says Rassas. For example, make it clear how your skills in organizing all-day meetings are just what’s needed!