Investing in Your Career

I write all things accessibility, career development, diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.

Why is all the career advice out there not working for some?

Why are some job seekers more successful in securing employment than others? No doubt that the resume is a marketing tool to land a seat at the interviewing table, and it is no surprise that an applicant’s skill level, experience, and education and/or certifications are all contributing factors in gaining employment. I would be remiss if I did not mention that how well you represent yourself throughout the interview process is also paramount during your application process.

Each week I speak with recruiters and talent sourcing agents and for the most part, many agree that not all well qualified applicants / candidates are moving forward, due mostly to Not reflecting themselves well in one or more parts of the application process.

Return On Investment

What is your return on investment? Last week, I responded to a LinkedIn post and shared that before you ask for someone to invest in you, first, invest into yourself.

How can you do this? Simple, take the time to make time to invest into your career. If you were working for a company, you would be held to a set of standards called performance expectations, and you would work at least 40 hours to exceed these performance expectations. So, why not create a set of standards to take time to invest in yourself before applying for the job for which you are well qualified? The time you will invest will yield a higher return. 

What to consider | Steps to take

-Take time for yourself. Before starting an application or prepping for an interview ask yourself a few quick questions. 

What time of the day works for you? How much time should you invest on your resume?  How much time should you take to prepare for an interview?

How much time you decide to invest is based on your circumstances and the results you want. No one size fits all. I have coached some individuals and working on their resume / interviewing techniques at various times of the day works for them. Some job seekers are only able to invest time during certain hours of the day and/or night, due to family obligations. Do what works best for you. Telling yourself you do not have the time to invest in your career is not going to produce the results needed to have the career you desire. Commit to a time schedule.

-Whomever said that practice makes perfect was not totally accurate. If you keep practicing the wrong things over and over, well, that is not going to yield perfection, but just a bad habit.

Do not rush through the resume tailoring process, only to receive another e-mail notification that you did not meet the minimum qualifications. Take the time to thoroughly review the job announcement, gather all the documents / information needed to tailor your resume, and begin the tailoring process with an attitude of accomplishment and not defeat.

-You have been offered an opportunity to interview. Now what? Do not be overly confident. Take the time to complete a practice interview and gain priceless insight on how to best answer those tuff questions. For example, know how to answer the question related to “Tell us a little about yourself.” Understand what the STAR method is, as well as other interviewing techniques.

-No doubt about it, employers and recruiters use LinkedIn to identify prospective candidates. Recruiting on LinkedIn, since Covid-19, has increased significantly. There are resources and tools available to help you through the process of enhancing your LinkedIn profile. Take the time to do so. You only get once to make a first impression.

-I often ask job seekers when does the salary negotiation process begin? “At the time you receive the employment offer.” Is the response I receive. No, the salary negotiation process begins well before that point.

When you take the time to fully reflect your accomplishments and express in your resume how well you meet the minimum qualifications and prepare for your interview, you are expressing your worth. If you want a higher starting salary, then you will need to demonstrate on your resume and during your interview that you deserve it. Taking the time to invest in yourself before you receive an offer makes it easier to negotiate your salary. You are an asset to any organization. Take the time to show it.