Reassess your career path to jumpstart its advancement.
A career can be quite a roller coaster ride. At times you’re flying forward with tons of momentum, and then there are periods of time when you seem stuck on a
plateau with nowhere to go. If your career path has seen very little movement up the corporate ladder in recent years, it’s time to reassess your situation.
Here are five reasons why your career has hit a stalemate – and what you can do to get things moving in the right direction again.
You’re too comfortable
When a job becomes routine, it’s difficult to keep yourself motivated. Often times, when motivation declines, so does your professional edge. If you feel like you could do your job in your sleep, it’s time to make some changes. When was the last time you read an article on your industry, or attended a webinar or conference to strengthen your skill set? Volunteer to help out with a project on another team or seek additional responsibilities from your manager. The goal is to challenge yourself again so your skills can shine.
Your brand is damaged
Whether it's an emotional outburst in the office or a drunken mishap at a company event, a workplace blunder can do some serious damage to your personal brand, and sabotage your potential advancement at the organization. To get your brand back on track, make any necessary apologies and move on. It goes without saying that your new goal is to be a model employee at the company. Also, look for ways to add value to the organization outside of your day-to-day activities. For instance, you could volunteer to manage the company’s co-ed sports team or head up the next fundraiser for charity.
You’re a cultural misfit
You can have the best skill set in the world but if you don’t get along with the team, you won’t be successful in the organization. It’s not a coincidence that recruiters and hiring managers spend the majority of the time in an interview determining cultural fit. Consider your core values and your ideal working environment, including communication style, leadership style, and so forth. If you and your current company don’t see eye-to-eye on these topics, then it might be time to make a move to a team that does.
You haven’t spoken up
Remember, managers aren’t mind readers. If your career is stalling, speak up and let your goals be known. Sit down with your manager in a private meeting to discuss your goals and concerns. Reiterate your interest in working and succeeding within the organization before addressing your concern. Together, you may be able to develop a growth plan or take the next steps to repair any damage or fill in any skill gaps that are holding you back.
You don’t know the right people
Networking is an important aspect of every professional’s career advancement, whether they’re looking for that next promotion or wanting to make a transition. If you want to advance your career, you need to meet the right people. Consider approaching a more senior colleague to be your mentor – he or she can help you navigate office politics and build some of the softer skills required to get ahead. Also, join industry-specific professional associations to meet people outside your organization so your network continues to grow.
If you’re unhappy with your current career path, now’s the time to take action. Use the tips above to get your career back on track.
Amanda Augustine is the Job Search Expert for TheLadders. She provides job search and career guidance for professionals looking to make their next career move. Have a question for Amanda? Submit your question here for a chance to have it answered in her weekly column, and be sure to follow @JobSearchAmanda on Twitter and “Like” her on Facebook for up-to-the-minute job-search advice.
Ever hugged an employer during a job interview? What about calling your wife and asking what you’re having for dinner? How about being asked to be paid under the table?
If you think these are fabricated examples of how some candidates act in job interviews, you’re wrong! According to a recent survey, many job seekers make interview blunders that could cost them the job. Though some are not as extreme as the above examples, there are others that can cause red flags.
Let’s explore some of the more common interview stigmas, and what candidates can do to solve them beforehand.
(1) The Underprepared Job Seeker
This job seeker doesn’t seem to have their professional life in gear. Not only did they forget their portfolio, they also failed to research the organization, don’t know anything about the interviewer, and can’t name off their last three accomplishments. In fact, 34 percent of employers believe that not providing specific examples and vague responses are huge mistakes.
How to be prepared: Do your research before you step into the interview. This includes looking up company and industry information, as well as delving into your past accomplishments. The combination of these will show your interest in the job, as well as your value.
(2) The Stumbler
It’s perfectly normal to be nervous during a job interview. However, it goes beyond normalcy when your nervousness masks why you’re a great candidate. Stumbling through every question can make you seem uninformed about the position and the industry. Though this may not be the case, the interviewer may not know you outside of your initial meeting. First impressions mean that much more.
How to avoid stumbling: Be confident! There’s a reason why you got the interview in the first place. Again, being nervous is normal. Practicing with a colleague or a mentor can help you combat those nerves and avoid stumbling through questions.
(3) The Unenthusiastic Interviewee
HR managers love a candidate with some enthusiasm. In fact, appearing disinterested in the position is the number-one turn-off. After all, why would an employer hire a candidate who seems to have zero interest in the job? Disinterest from the beginning doesn’t bode well for the organization, as well as the performance of the employee.
How to be enthusiastic: Enthusiasm stems from an interest in the industry and the job. So, if you’re not feeling those things from the get-go, you may want to apply to other positions. If you are passionate about the company, try doing some research on the organization, which can help you to pinpoint why you want to work there in the first place. This knowledge will be reflected in the interview.
(4) The Inappropriately-Dressed Candidate
According to the survey, 60 percent of job candidates were dressed inappropriately in interviews. As I previously stated, first impressions mean a lot in a job interview, especially if you don’t have a prior connection with the interviewer. So, for the employer, what they see may equate to what they get. Unkempt hair, shabby clothes, or loud colors may reflect negatively on you, which is particularly troublesome in a job market where employers can just move on to one of the many other applicants.
How to dress appropriately: If you have to question your attire, it may be best to change it up. A good rule of thumb is to dress conservatively, such as a pantsuit or business attire. Put some personality in your wardrobe as well. A lightly colored shirt or blouse underneath a blazer or nice piece of jewelry or tie can make your outfit pop, helping you to stand out from others.
Though interviewing can be tough game, getting through some common stigmas will help you to win over the employer. So, be prepared, avoid stumbling, be enthusiastic, and dress well. The outcome of your interview will likely be a positive one if you do so.
What do you think? What are some other interview stigmas and how can you get over them?
Alan Carniol is the Founder of InterviewSuccessFormula.com an online job interview training system. Learn more here. Or, follow Alan and Interview Success Formula on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Set yourself up for success with a job-search makeover.
Awhile back I wrote a series of five articles called "New Year, New You" to help those of you who’ve asked me what you could be doing to improve your odds for success in the job search.
At that time I spoke about mobilizing your job search. When you think about it, just about everything in our world has gone mobile, from the way we bank to how we communicate with our loved ones. Even the most bricks-and-mortar types of businesses have developed websites (and perhaps an app or two) to compete in today’s market.
Similarly, the recruiting process has become more mobile. Job seekers must embrace these changes or get lost in the crowd.
Over the five weeks leading up to the New Year, I dedicated each Ask Amanda article to a new tip to help you makeover your job search with mobile in mind.
Believe it or not, we're a mere five weeks away from summer!
Before your mind wanders off to vacation plans and suntans, take the necessary steps to move your job search in the right direction.
Click on the following links to access each tip to mobilize your job search:
Week 1: Look the Part for Your Job Search
Week 2: Mobilize Your Professional Resume
Week 3: Get a Smarter Phone
Week 4: Overhaul Your Online Brand
Week 5: Get Back to Social Media Basics
Amanda Augustine is the Job Search Expert for TheLadders. She provides job search and career guidance for professionals looking to make their next career move. Have a question for Amanda? Submit your question here for a chance to have it answered in her weekly column, and be sure to follow @JobSearchAmanda on Twitter and “Like” her on Facebook for up-to-the-minute job-search advice.
Before you hit the “apply” button, make sure the application is worth your time.
As a career coach I often talk to job seekers who are frustrated over the lack of response from employers. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as the “Black Hole,” and leaves most job seekers discouraged with no updates on their application’s status and no feedback to help improve their future applications.
While you can’t control the recruiter’s actions, there are things you can do to combat the Black Hole and improve your application’s return-on-investment.
(1) Take more time
A recent eye-tracking study conducted by TheLadders found that the average job seeker only spends about a minute reviewing a job description before deciding if it’s worth an application. Let’s face it – applying to jobs can be a very tedious and time-consuming process, especially when each application is properly tailored. With that in mind, I encourage you to take a few extra minutes before you apply to carefully read the job description and assess the application’s potential ROI.
(2) Consider the location
Are you within commutable distance of this opportunity? Or if you’re in sales, do you have an established book of business in this area? If the position requires relocation, let employers know in your cover letter that there’s a good reason for the move. In other words, make it clear you didn’t make this decision on a whim and that you’re not an expensive flight risk.
(3) Focus on responsibilities & requirements
Read the responsibilities and requirements sections of the job description carefully – what skill sets, education level and years of experience do they require? While the employer probably doesn’t expect you to have every single qualification, they do expect you to meet all the core “must-have” requirements. Only apply to jobs where you possess these must-haves. Remember, job titles often carry different meanings depending on the organization and its industry, so the responsibilities and requirements are a better indication of the level of the role (and its budgeted salary).
(4) Identify the industry
Have you worked in the same or a very similar industry within the past 3-6 years? Not every position requires industry-specific experience; however, possessing this background is often more attractive to employers. If you don’t have relevant industry experience, be ready to highlight your transferable skills in your resume and cover letter. If you’re looking for a change, research your former colleagues to see where else their experience was accepted.
(5) Tailor your applications
Edit your resume and cover letter so that your job goals and qualifications are obvious. Incorporate key terms from your targeted job’s requirements into your resume to make it past the electronic gatekeeper. Test your application’s readability by handing it over to a friend with a copy of the job description. If your friend has trouble identifying your qualifications, then you know it’s not clear enough. If you need help, seek out a resume expert.
(6) Check your network
Map out your personal and professional network so you can easily research connections between your contacts. Before you apply to a job, check to see if you know anyone who currently works at the company and seek their endorsement. Studies have shown you are ten times more likely to land an interview when your application is accompanied by an employee referral.
Click on the following link to learn more about Illuminating the Black Hole.
Amanda Augustine is the Job Search Expert for TheLadders. She provides job search and career guidance for professionals looking to make their next career move. Have a question for Amanda? Submit your question here for a chance to have it answered in her weekly column, and be sure to follow @JobSearchAmanda on Twitter and “Like” her on Facebook for up-to-the-minute job-search advice.
Advance your career by tapping your resource pool.
It’s true, “April showers bring May flowers.” However, any good gardener knows it takes more than rain water to grow a successful garden, and the same can be said about your professional network. If you want to build strong relationships, you need to patiently nurture those individual connections to yield career success.
Recently, my CEO, Alex Douzet, announced TheLadders’ quarterly list of top recruiting professionals in the United States. Today, I want to show you three unusual ways you can use this list to nurture your network – and move your career in the right direction.
Share the Fruits of Your Search
When developing a new professional relationship, the worst thing you can do is immediately ask for favors. Always look for opportunities to pay it forward. Learn more about the person so you can find ways to provide value. As a job seeker, you are learning a ton more about the job search than the average professional. When you find something that could be useful to your contacts, don’t be afraid to share it! Consider who in your network could benefit from this list of recruiters and share it with them.
Plant the Seeds with Praise
Let’s be honest – everyone likes receiving compliments. Use this Top Recruiter List as an excuse to connect with employers whose hiring needs match your job goals and qualifications. Use Facebook and Twitter to congratulate target employers who made the list. A simple search for their names or company names on either of these platforms should do the trick. If you’ve worked with one of these recruiters in the past and want to reestablish the relationship, use this list as an excuse to reach out and offer your congratulations.
Partner with a Peer Mentor
Mentors come in all shapes and sizes, each offering different types of support throughout your career. Before you reach out to a senior colleague, consider the benefits of utilizing a peer mentor. Approach a fellow job seeker who’s in the same line of work and join forces. By checking in with one another on a weekly basis and sharing information, you’re automatically doubling your job-search efforts and resources. Get the process started by sharing this recruiter list with your peer mentor.
Remember, networking isn’t simply about meeting people – it’s about building meaningful connections and exchanging information with those who prove valuable to your career goals.
Use this list as a reason to reconnect with professional contacts and recruiters who are valuable to your search. And remember, this list spans various industries, so share this information with fellow job seekers to strengthen your relationships and pay it forward.
Follow these tips to strengthen your network and help you take your career to the next level.
Like receiving recruiter lists? Let us know by “Liking” the RecruitBlog post on Facebook.
Amanda Augustine is the Job Search Expert for TheLadders. She provides job search and career guidance for professionals looking to make their next career move. Have a question for Amanda? Submit your question here for a chance to have it answered in her weekly column, and be sure to follow @JobSearchAmanda on Twitter and “Like” her on Facebook for up-to-the-minute job-search advice.
A follow-up on some of the most popular questions asked during Thursday's spreecast on negotiating your worth.
A big thank you to everyone who attended our interactive video chat on Negotiating Your Worth. I had a great time and I hope you did too! Click on the following links to view the entire spreecast and to obtain a copy of a presentation I created on the topic for TheLadders’ Job Central event. Below are some of the questions I fielded and links to more information on the topics.
As always, you can learn more about the job search and find out about our upcoming spreecasts by following me at @JobSearchAmanda on Twitter and liking my Facebook page. Now on to the questions!
I just got an offer today, but I want more than was initially offered – how do I start negotiating salary?
Use resources like Salary.com, PayScale.com and TheLadders’ new competitive analysis tool, Scout (coming this summer!) to determine the average compensation range for the role you’re vying for, taking into account the location, industry, and company size. Then you can confidently say, “Based on my research, this role typically pays between $55,000 and $68,000. I’m looking for a number closer to the $60,000 mark. Is this open for negotiation?”
What do I put in the salary requirement section of an online application?
If you’re allowed to enter a non-numeric answer, type in “negotiable” or “open to negotiation.” If you must enter a numeric value for your salary requirements, do not put in “0.” Recruiters know that entering 0 is the same as dodging the question and you risk the chance of being weeded out of the application pile. Instead, identify the average compensation range for the role you’re interested in and choose a number towards the lower end of your range. Remember, this is just a starting off number for negotiations.
The goal is to get your foot through the door for an interview so that you can find out if it’s the right position for you. If the job is a good fit and the company wants to offer you the role, then you are in a good position to negotiate for a large compensation plan.
What do I do when they ask for salary requirements?
The first rule of salary negotiation is to avoid discussing numbers until the company has extended an offer. This is when you have the most power to negotiate. But as any job seeker will tell you, this is no simple feat. Recruiters typically try to pull this information out of you as early as the initial phone screen, if they didn’t already request your salary requirements as part of the application process.
Here are a couple phrases you can use (courtesy of Jack Chapman, author of the book How to Make $1000 a Minute) to deflect questions about your salary requirements:
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I’m sure we can come to a good salary agreement if I’m the right person for the job, so let’s first agree on whether I am.
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I have some idea of the market, but for a moment let’s start with your range. What do you have budgeted for the position?
You can try to deflect the questions upfront once, maybe twice, but if the recruiter is insistent, you’ll need to be prepared with some figures. Click on the following link for more information on responding to salary requirement inquiries.
Do you have other resources I can use for salary negotiation?
Here are some of my favorite resources and articles related to salary negotiation:
Recommended Reading:
Want to join our next spreecast? Follow TheLadders on Spreecast or check out my Events page on Facebook.
Amanda Augustine is the Job Search Expert for TheLadders. She provides job search and career guidance for professionals looking to make their next career move. Have a question for Amanda? Submit your question here for a chance to have it answered in her weekly column, and be sure to follow @JobSearchAmanda on Twitter and “Like” her on Facebook for up-to-the-minute job-search advice.
Keep your professional name consistent across all business channels.
With Mother’s Day quickly approaching, TheLadders conducted a study that will give soon-to-
be moms and dads something to think about when naming their children. The study showed that on average, the shorter your first name, the more you will earn. In fact, every letter added to your first name accounted for a $3,600 drop in annual salary. There’s no rule of thumb about using your nickname versus your proper name, but if the results of this study are any indication, ‘Roberts’ may want to consider going by ‘Bob’ or ‘Rob’ professionally.
However you choose to represent your name, make it consistent across every business channel, including your professional online profiles, resume, business cards, and email signature. Here are three tips to polish your professional brand across every channel.
Online Presence
A Jobvite social recruiting survey found that 85 percent of HR professionals and recruiters said that a positive online presence has influenced a hiring decision. On the flip side, 70 percent have turned down a candidate based on something they found about them online. Clean up your online presence and utilize social media to build a professional online brand that supports your job goals by highlighting your relevant work experience and skill sets. If your name is fairly common, like Mike Johnson, consider including your middle initial on all of your branding materials.
Resume
Make it easy for recruiters to contact you by including only one phone number and email address on your resume. I recommend using your cell phone since you have control over the voicemail, who picks up the phone and when. Use a professional email address that isn’t considered outdated, such as Gmail. Steer clear of cutesy, offensive, flirtatious or sexual addresses, or addresses shared by family members, as they send hiring managers the wrong message. Include links to your professional profiles in your resume so recruiters don’t have to guess or mistake you for someone else.
Business Cards
If you’re currently unemployed or searching on the sly, I highly recommend creating business cards that use your personal contact information. You can get a nice set from companies like GoPrint for less than fifty bucks, or opt for a greener solution by downloading an app to digitize your business cards. Keep at least five cards on you at all times – you never know when an impromptu networking opportunity might take place.
As a job seeker, you instantly become a marketer and salesperson. Your online presence, your resume, and how you represent yourself during networking opportunities are all part of an effective advertising campaign. Actively monitor and manage your brand to ensure consistent positioning, whether your name is Benjamin, Bradley or Bob.
Click on the following link to learn more about TheLadders’ study on first names.
Amanda Augustine is the Job Search Expert for TheLadders. She provides job search and career guidance for professionals looking to make their next career move. Have a question for Amanda? Submit your question here for a chance to have it answered in her weekly column, and be sure to follow @JobSearchAmanda on Twitter and “Like” her on Facebook for up-to-the-minute job-search advice.
Don’t just know your worth, know how to sell it.
In April, iVillage Chief Correspondent Kelly Wallace and I spoke with Kathie Lee and Hoda on the TODAY show about a survey iVillage released on women in the workplace. According to the survey, only 35 percent of the 1,500 women polled online have ever asked for a raise, and less than 20 percent have ever asked for a promotion.
With Mother’s Day just around the corner, I couldn’t imagine a better time to bring this topic up. The fact of the matter is, if you don’t ask for what you want, you won’t get it – you have to negotiate. We see this all the time in the workplace. Men expect the raise and ask for it; women keep their nose to the grindstone, hoping their hard work will be recognized and, hopefully, rewarded.
By not negotiating, you are setting yourself up to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars over the lifetime of your career. To Sheryl Sandberg’s point, we have to “lean in” if we want more. Here are a several ways you can set yourself up for successful negotiations.
Do your homework.
If you’re going to negotiate confidently, you need to be prepared. Whether you’re asking for a raise or negotiating a new contract, first gather all the facts. Use resources like Salary.com and TheLadders’ new competitive analysis tool, Scout to determine the average compensation range for the role you’re vying for, taking into account the location, industry, and company size.
Know your worth.
What do you bring to the table? Make a list of your major contributions and accomplishments, quantifying them whenever possible. How have you (or will you be able to) cut costs, increase revenue, make things run more efficiently, improve customer satisfaction, etc.? Use this list to remind you of your value and prepare for negotiations.
Leave emotion at the door.
Negotiation is not about one person winning and the other losing. Instead, it is about each party giving a little to keep or get what they want most. It’s business, not personal. If you feel your emotions rising, hold off on negotiating until you can stay cool, calm, and collected. These will breed the fourth “C” – confidence!
Fake it till you make it.
Most executives agree that confidence is essential to being a good leader and strong negotiator. You have to exude self-assurance, even when you feel lost and helpless. Never apologize for negotiating – own it. All too often women apologize when they’ve done nothing wrong and, as a result, they are viewed by men as being weak or lacking conviction. Do not let yourself fall into that trap. Empower yourself.
Negotiation can be learned, but it takes practice. Role play with your partner or a friend, and don’t forget, you negotiate more than you know it. Whether you’re debating who will wash the dishes after dinner or negotiating with your five-year old over bedtime, you’re practicing those skills.
If you’d like more information on negotiation, I recommend picking up a copy of A Women’s Guide to Successful Negotiation, by Lee E. Miller and Jessica Miller, and Negotiating Your Salary: How to Make $1000 a Minute, by Jack Chapman.
Join me Thursday, May 9 at 2pm EST for an interactive Q&A discussion about Negotiating Your Worth. RSVP to join the conversation, or follow it on Twitter at #AmandaLIVE
Amanda Augustine is the Job Search Expert for TheLadders. She provides job search and career guidance for professionals looking to make their next career move. Have a question for Amanda? Submit your question here for a chance to have it answered in her weekly column, and be sure to follow @JobSearchAmanda on Twitter and “Like” her on Facebook for up-to-the-minute job-search advice.
How has a teacher or mentor influenced your career?
Today starts a week-long national celebration known as Teacher Appreciation Week. It’s the perfect time to take a moment to personally thank the teachers in your life – whether you met them in the classroom or at the office – who’ve inspired you or helped advance your career.
Last fall, I shared a story with The Grindstone about a teacher and mentor who truly influenced my career, Dr. Helen Rothberg:
Helen (as she encouraged her students to call her) was an amazing teacher. She taught the higher-level business classes [at Marist College], including the senior “capping” course, Business Strategy & Management, which encapsulated the principles taught throughout the past four years. …
During my senior year, Helen invited me to work for her, which I immediately accepted. In addition to being a professor, she was a business consultant in strategic management, competitive intelligence, and intellectual capital management. … The pinnacle of my education with her was reached when Helen invited me to join her in New York City for the two-day offsite she held with the agency’s CEOs and parent company. I learned the subtlety of influencing others without telling them what to do, and that sometimes it’s best to plant a seed and have your colleagues reach the conclusion on their own. I learned that the workday doesn’t necessarily stop when you turn off your laptop and go out to dinner with the team. After that offsite, I knew I had chosen the right career path, and I’ll never be able to thank Helen enough for pushing me to be a better, more confident professional.
Click on the following links to learn more about Teacher Appreciation Week or finding a mentor.
How has a teacher or mentor influenced your career? What words of wisdom have stuck with you?
Amanda Augustine is the Job Search Expert for TheLadders. She provides job search and career guidance for professionals looking to make their next career move. Have a question for Amanda? Submit your question here for a chance to have it answered in her weekly column, and be sure to follow @JobSearchAmanda on Twitter and “Like” her on Facebook for up-to-the-minute job-search advice.
Learn when to wear your blinders to benefit your career.
This coming weekend, all eyes will turn to Louisville, Kentucky for the 139th renewal of “The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports,” the Kentucky Derby. Nearly twenty Thoroughbreds will race down one-and–a-quarter miles of track, each vying for a piece of the $2.18 million purse and a shot at becoming the next Triple Crown winner. As you can imagine, many measures are taken to prepare each horse for its top performance.
Oftentimes, this preparation entails fitting race horses with blinders that stop horses from seeing to the rear and, in some instances, to the side. It’s believed that blinders prevent the horses from becoming distracted and help them stay focused on the race.
Per usual, this concept got me thinking about the job search. As professionals, we too have the ability to put blinders on. But the question remains: should we put on career blinders? Does this help or hurt our careers? I’ve read articles that argue for and against the use of “career blinders” and I’ve come to this conclusion: there’s a time and place to use blinders.
When to Take the Blinders Off
If you’re just starting graduate school, you’re new to the workforce, your career is hitting a plateau, or you’re considering a transition, then it’s in your best interest to take the blinders off and open yourself up to other possibilities. Don’t close yourself off until you’re confident in your career goals. Do a little soul-searching and explore other opportunities. Ramp up your networking efforts and connect with people from different fields who can help you brainstorm different career choices. Don’t limit yourself until you’ve clarified your job goals and started building a plan to get there.
When to Put the Blinders On
Once your career goals are clear, it’s important to put those blinders back on to avoid distractions and keep your focus. As NAPW spokesperson, Star Jones mentioned in her address at the NAPW National Networking Conference last week, “Your intention will send you in the direction that determines your destination.” If you lose sight of your goals, you’re more likely to go off track. Whether your goal is to get promoted or change careers entirely, take a moment to write it down. Include the reasons why you want to achieve this goal. Also, if you were to successfully complete this goal, how would your life be different? By simply writing down your goal, you are more likely to stay the course and achieve it.
Take some time to figure out where you are in your career and where you want to go next. If you’re still unsure of your career path, allow yourself the time to explore different options. When you know what you want to achieve, do everything you can to stay focused on that goal. Make it a point to prioritize those activities that will bring you closer to achieving your goal.
Amanda Augustine is the Job Search Expert for TheLadders. She provides job search and career guidance for professionals looking to make their next career move. Have a question for Amanda? Submit your question here for a chance to have it answered in her weekly column, and be sure to follow @JobSearchAmanda on Twitter and “Like” her on Facebook for up-to-the-minute job-search advice.