Career Development - The Advance Group

It’s Easy to Land a Job — Just Do Something Different!

Raza Rauf on August 5, 2015

In any career, it’s easy to get stuck in a rut. Performing the same tasks and taking on the same types of projects can be a safe place. But, if you are searching for a new job, you will quickly find out that what counts is your ability to stand out from other candidates. How do you do this? By being different!

Ways to Be Different and Stand out as a Candidate

You don’t have to do anything crazy to stand out as a candidate. Instead, you want to find something that you feel comfortable with and can use to shine. Use these tips to get started.

Create some buzz around YOU

Before you even apply for the job you want, you need to develop a buzz around yourself, essentially creating a brand presence for your career. Make it a point to develop a blog and share your best creative and written works. Develop a group online and stand out as a thought leader in your industry. Get involved with a cause you care about.

Network with the right people

Getting in front of the best hiring companies is all about meeting with and networking with influencers. You can do much for your career by using social networks and local networking groups to meet new people in your areas of interest. LinkedIn can be a powerful place for joining groups for your industry and connecting with people. Be sure to connect with the hiring managers at the companies you want to target.

Use an outstanding cover letter and resume

Most job seekers send a very bland resume and many others forget to use a written cover letter. Worse yet, they may send a form letter. Instead, do something different and create an interesting and attention-grabbing cover letter and resume that hiring managers will enjoy getting. Start with a great template, and then create your opening statement. Use a fun fact about yourself, list your best skills, and wrap up the cover letter with a call to action including your phone number where you can be called. Match your resume to your cover letter in the template, tone and style.

Follow up the smart way

Do you know how to effectively follow up with hiring managers, in a different way? Instead of sending a boring email or picking up the phone, why not send a nice thank you card to the hiring manager? This is more personal and it’s amazing how many candidates forget to do this simple thing. It will help you to stand out as a professional and your card may trigger a call to come back in for a second interview, or better yet – a job offer.

Do something different today – pick up the phone and apply as a temporary employee with Advance Staffing Services for part time and full time jobs.

Don’t Assume You Got the Job!

Raza Rauf on July 29, 2015

It’s one thing to look forward to hearing back from an employer following an interview; it’s another to expect a job offer right away. These things take time. Therefore, it’s important not to get too wrapped up in a particular company until you have an offer of employment solidified. This is known as having a “job crush” and it can be detrimental to your career. Even if you had a fantastic interview where everything went perfect, you don’t want to sit back and do nothing.

The hard-fast rule in any job search is to never assume you got the job. Instead, here are some ways to make your job search count, and to check on the status of things after an interview.

Keep applying for jobs you are qualified for

Just because you just experienced an outstanding job interview or applied for a job that you are perfect for means you got the job yet. Keep up the effort of applying for new jobs and companies that you are qualified for and interested in. Remember that every job gets hundreds of applicants so you must do your best to stand out with a great cover letter, resume, and work history that highlights achievements.

Keep learning while you are looking

It’s always a good idea to continue to enhance your marketable skills while you are waiting for a job offer. You can do this a variety of ways, from taking community education courses and night classes at local colleges to free and low cost online classes. Focus on courses that add to your current skills or cater to the software and processes that you are finding employers are looking for.

Keep networking in your career search

Just because you think you may have a job offer soon doesn’t mean you should stop networking activities. In fact, now is the time to step things up in this effort. Keep connecting with people at your target companies, recruitment firms, and industry leaders. Use social networking, business events, and industry associations to seek other like-minded professionals.

Keep following up on all job applications

It’s a good idea to check back in with the recruiters and hiring companies you have contacted recently. Once you have applied for a job its ok to send an email or drop a note in the mail once. If you have interviewed for the job, check back in by phone and drop a note in the mail once per week until you know the outcome.

Keep active in your career

You don’t have to sit around waiting for the phone to ring. Instead, keep working and earning by taking temporary assignments in the meantime. There are multiple part time, full time, and contract jobs out there that have good hourly wages and help get your foot in the door with great companies. At the very least, you will look good to recruiters as you stay employed and active in your career. You may even land a great job with your dream company this way.

10 Things to Never Say to Your Boss

Raza Rauf on July 21, 2015

Having a job today in today’s market is a big deal. You will want to do everything possible, that is legal and ethical, to keep that job for as long as possible. This means that you will not want to do anything that would upset your boss or give your employer a reason to fire you or let you go. Since most employees talk to their bosses on a regular basis, we will focus this post on the 10 things you should never say to your boss, ever!

“You Never Told Me to Do It.”
This could be one of the worst thing you could say to your boss, no matter the job you work. When something important needs to be accomplished, take the initiative and get it done. It will help you earn a raise or even a promotion down the road.
“That Takes Too Much Time.”
Companies change operations every so often, and it might require updating data and other items. Complaining that updating the data so the company can move forward will only make you look bad at your boss and upper-level management.
“I am Only Here For the Money.”
Dropping this line on your boss is almost as bad as coming right out and saying that you desire to be fired. When you tell your boss you are only here for the money, they will begin to look at you differently and you might even be relieved of your duties knowing you are not motivated enough to complete your job duties.
“I Promise I Will Do That.”
Never promise your boss you will do something if you honestly know that you do not have the time to get the task done.
“I Don’t Have an Opinion.”
One of the worst things you can say to your boss is that you do not have an opinion when asked about a project or a situation.
“I’m Not Too Optimistic.”
Telling your boss that you are not an optimistic person will put you in a negative place in the office. Management will know that you are a pessimistic person and will look to replace you sooner, rather than later.
“That’s Not My Responsibility.”
Saying that something is not your responsibility instead of taking initiative or ownership of something will surely upset your boss and change their outlook on you.
“I’m Not Working Hard.”
Refrain from telling your boss that you are not working hard. They will question your commitment to the company and even review your previous projects again to look for mistakes.
“That’s Not My Job.”
A person’s job is not limited to what has been written in their job description. When you say this to your boss, you tell them that you will only perform the tasks outlined in the description and nothing more.
“I Could Be Doing Other Things.”
This is a major no-no. Do not make it known to your boss that you would rather be reading, sitting on the beach, or going to a ballgame, even if you are kidding. This will only affect your standing within the company.

If you refrain from saying these 10 things to your boss, you should have no trouble at work!

How to Be Anything But Average in Your Career

Raza Rauf on July 15, 2015

Let’s face it – nobody really wants to be “average” at anything, much less a career. This is the place where one doesn’t get noticed, doesn’t get promoted, and certainly doesn’t earn the kind of money that’s desired. Why be average when you can be spectacular? Read on for some tips on how to be anything but ho-hum in your career.

Build a strong career brand

Every individual has something special that can help them to stand out from others in a career. Take the time to evaluate your unique background, knowledge, and interests. Then leverage these factors to create a new career brand. You can develop this brand by establishing a personal blog and social networks to share your expertise. In everything that you do at work and in your career, be mindful of the personal and professional brand you are developing.

Get some extra training

Elevate your present skills by tapping into free and low cost learning opportunities that are out there. And there are many. From Udemy classes to community education sessions held at local colleges, there are many ways to learn new skills that can take your career from boring to brilliant. Make sure to let your boss know you are interested in learning more in case the company also has some employee training opportunities available.

Be known as the go-to expert

To stand out as a professional in any industry, work hard to be known as an expert in some area that’s valued by your employer. Learning new things has a lot to do with this, but also a commitment to excellence in your work. For example, you could be known for being a stickler for details and everyone will come to you to review their documents before they are published. Try learning some new tricks to make your work better or more efficient. Share new ideas and ask for time to prove they are better for the company.

Take on something new

You don’t have to stay in an average career for long, if you do at least one thing right – ask for something new in your job. That’s right. Stop waiting around for a promotion and go after it by taking on new responsibilities and trying new projects. Your boss will be impressed by your willingness to advance in your career, you will be seen as a leader by your peers, and your skills will continue to grow. You can leverage this to take on a better job in the future.

Your career is only going to be as thrilling as you choose it to be. Step outside of mediocrity and into a career that offers personal and professional reward.

10 Things to Never Say to Your Boss

How to Be Anything But Average in Your Career

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