Category: before the interview

How to Conquer the Job Market After High School

Posted on by MentorShelly, the DREAM Career Coach

Congratulations, high school graduate! You have finally completed one of the most challenging stages of your life and are now ready to tackle the world that lies ahead. However, with the job market becoming increasingly competitive, it can be overwhelming trying to figure out how to succeed on your own. This is where I come in, your wise and witty guide, ready to give you the three must-have tips you need to set yourself up for success in the job market after high school. Buckle up, it’s going to be a fun and informative ride.

Build A Solid Resume
Your resume is your first impression, and it needs to be a good one. Start by ensuring that your contact information is current and easily accessible. Next, tailor your resume to fit the job you are applying for. Highlight your experiences and skills that closely match the job description. Don’t forget to include any volunteer work, internships, or extracurricular activities that could make you stand out. Lastly, proofread, proofread, proofread! Making silly grammatical errors on your resume can be a huge red flag for potential employers.

Network, Network, Network
People often say, “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know,” and that couldn’t be truer in the job market. Networking is the key to unlocking job opportunities and gaining valuable insights into your industry. Attend job fairs, join professional organizations, and even connect with former teachers or alumni who are already working in your field of interest. You never know who could be a valuable connection down the road.

Don’t Be Afraid of Rejection
Let’s face it, rejection is inevitable. You could have the best resume and perfect interview skills and still not get the job you want. Remember, this is not a reflection of your worth as a person. Learn from the experience, ask for feedback, and keep trying. Persistence is key, and eventually, the right opportunity will come your way

Achieving success in the job market after high school graduation may seem daunting, but with these three tips, you are now well on your way to standing out in a competitive market. With a solid resume, an extensive network, and the power of persistence, you are equipped to take on any challenge that comes your way. So go out into the world, young grasshopper, and make your dreams a reality.

If you need help with creating your resume(s), building your network or strategies to find your next job, go here. I’d be more than happy to help you along in your career or job seeking journey.

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Exposed Racist Hiring Practices: Was it Intentional or Accidental?

Posted on by MentorShelly, the DREAM Career Coach

Article Discussed | EEOC Stance on Hiring Practices

Questions for Insight on these hiring practices:

1. Is this illegal to specify document your preference based on a protected class?

2. What does it mean to candidates that are qualified based on credentials alone vs the preferences listed on this company’s job opening?

3. What are the implications for this company truly implementing these types of “preferences” for their company?

4. If companies like this “mistakenly” place these preferences out there, can we imagine what the company culture is like?

5. Do you think it was truly the company’s intentions to source for their “preferences” or are the back pedaling because they were exposed due to the illegalities of their hiring practices?

6. How should this company be viewed going forward?

Folks, it’s 2023, and we’re still dealing with the same old story – companies placing restrictions on who can apply for a job based on their race, gender or ethnicity. It’s frustrating, it’s infuriating and it’s downright shameful. By the way, it’s also ILLEGAL! And it just goes to show that despite all the progress we’ve made as a society, discrimination is still alive and well in the hiring process. The latest example of this comes from a recent job ad posted by an IT company that specifically requested a “white male” candidate for their opening. Now, I don’t know about you, but something about that just doesn’t seem right to me. In fact, it sounds like someone needs to get a little lesson in basic anti-discrimination laws and policies.

But the question is, was this intentional or accidental? Did the company truly believe that only a white male would be qualified for the role, or was this simply a case of ignorance and misunderstanding? Frankly, I’m not sure which is worse. What I do know, however, is that this kind of blatant discrimination has no place in the modern workforce. It’s been a long time since people of color, women, and members of the LGBTQ+ community were limited in their job prospects due to biased hiring practices, and it’s time for companies to catch up and make the necessary changes.

Now, I’m not suggesting that companies should blindly hire anyone and everyone who applies for a position. Rather, they should evaluate each candidate based on their skills, experience, and qualifications, regardless of their race, gender, or ethnicity.

The fact is that diversity is essential for any organization to thrive. People from different backgrounds, with different experiences and perspectives, bring unique ideas and innovation to the table. By limiting hiring practices to just one group of people, companies are missing out on the wealth of talent and creativity that exists in our diverse society.

So, to the company responsible for this latest example of discriminatory hiring, I say shame on you. It’s time to wake up and get with the times. It’s time to embrace diversity and make your company a place where everyone is welcome and valued. And if you’re not willing to do that, well, then you deserve all the backlash you’re getting.

Looking for resume services, interview coaching and career strategy consultations? Go here.

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If you are looking for help in the overall job market, interview tips and more, purchase my new book here.

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How to Turn Lemons into Lemonade: What Layoffs Can Teach You About Your Career

Posted on by MentorShelly, the DREAM Career Coach

Being laid off is never an easy experience. It can be difficult to stay positive, especially when you’re struggling to find a new job or facing unexpected financial hardship. But don’t forget that there is a way to turn these lemons into lemonade; layoffs can give you valuable insights into your career and help you make better decisions moving forward.

Take Stock of Your Strengths and Weaknesses
When a layoff happens, it’s natural for us to ask ourselves why it happened. This self-reflection can be uncomfortable, but it’s also necessary for personal growth. Try thinking about what strengths you brought to the table (e.g., hard work ethic, creative problem-solving skills) and what weaknesses you may have had (e.g., the inability to work in teams, too much perfectionism). This will give you a better understanding of where your strengths and weaknesses lie so that you can start building on them going forward. We also have a FREE Resource, our DREAM Career Tool to help you document your professional strengths. Go Here to grab it.

Think Creatively About Future Opportunities
It can be tempting to think that the only job opportunities available are those that are directly related to our current career path—but this isn’t always true! Layoffs offer a chance for us to step outside of our comfort zones and think more creatively about potential future roles. For example, if your background is in marketing, maybe now is the time to look into jobs in sales or customer service instead? Or if your background is in finance, could there be opportunities out there for you in project management? Keeping an open mind about the types of roles that could potentially suit your skill set will help broaden your horizons—and ultimately increase your chances of finding a good job fit! Understand you have skills that are transferable to other career paths, don’t rule anything out.

Learn How To Network Effectively
Networking is essential for career success—and layoffs provide an opportunity for us learn how to do it effectively! The key here is not just connecting with people who are already in positions of power—it’s also about connecting with those who have similar interests or who work in the same field as you do. Take advantage of social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook groups; attend industry events; reach out to former colleagues; and take every chance you get to make meaningful connections with people who share similar interests or experiences as yours. Growing your network will allow new doors of opportunity open up over time! Do you have the necessary tools to network? Do you have your business or introductory cards to hand out to people when you meet them? It’s always best to be ready, so you won’t have to get ready.
In many ways, layoffs can be seen as an opportunity rather than something negative.

By taking stock of our strengths and weaknesses, thinking creatively about future opportunities, and learning how to network effectively we can use layoffs as a stepping stone towards greater success both professionally and personally! So remember: when life gives you lemons – make lemonade! To take your lemons and make lemonade, action is required. We want to have what you need and the direction necessary to cultivate your own career success after the negative effects of this layoff. If you are ready to take the necessary steps, let us work with you directly by you clicking here, so we can this layoff be the best thing that happen to your career. You can connect with you by leaving a voicemail for me by clicking the gray tab on this page.

Looking for resume services, interview coaching and career strategy consultations? Go here.
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Our Reaction to Dr. Phil Show’s Position on Quiet Quitting

Posted on by MentorShelly, the DREAM Career Coach

There’s been a lot of talk about quiet quitting and employers reaction and misunderstanding of the term has been nothing short of a complete disaster.

We are reacting to the clips from “The Dr. Phil Show” talking about both positions on quiet quitting from CEOs, employment attorneys and representatives from the anti-work movement.

Joining in our discussion is our resident credit repair expert in our very own Credit Solutionist!

 

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Videos being watched: Video 1 & Video 2.

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If you are looking for help in the overall job market, interview tips and more, purchase my new book here.

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Applying for Jobs but Getting No Responses?

Posted on by MentorShelly, the DREAM Career Coach

Are you tired of applying for jobs only to get no response from the employers where you have applied? It has all happened to us at some point in our career journey, so you are not alone. A lot of people don’t get responses when they apply for jobs, and it can be really frustrating. In this blog post, we’ll give you some tips on how to improve your job application and increase your chances of getting a response. We’ll also provide some information on what employers are looking for in candidates. Keep reading to learn more!

You’ve been applying to jobs left and right but you’re not hearing back from any of them. You start to wonder if maybe you’re doing something wrong. Don’t worry, you’re probably not the only one. In fact, most job seekers go through this at some point. The good news is that there are a few things you can do to improve your chances of getting a response from employers.

First, make sure your resume is flawless and structured for easy scanning. This may seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many people submit resumes with typos or grammar errors. Once your resume is polished and ready to go, take the time to customize each application to the specific job you’re applying for. Generic applications are less likely to catch an employer’s attention. Finally, follow up after you submit your application. A quick email or call can show potential employers that you’re really interested in the position and willing to put in the extra effort. With a little perseverance, you’ll definitely start hearing back from employers in no time.

You might be wondering what you’re doing wrong. The answer is simple: you’re not using the right keywords in your resume. Keywords are the words that hiring managers are looking for when they’re reviewing resumes. By including them in your resume, you can make sure that you stand out from the rest of the applicants. So what are some of the most important keywords to include? Start with your job title. If you’re applying for a specific position, make sure that you include the job title in your resume. You can also include keywords that describe your skills and experience. For example, if you’re a web developer, you might include keywords like “HTML,” “CSS,” and “JavaScript.” By including these keywords, you can make sure that your resume gets noticed by the right people.

What you should do is make sure you have the right experience for the job you want. If you want to be a teacher, having experience working with kids is key. If you want to be a cashier, having experience handling money is a must. And if you want to be president, well… good luck with that one. But seriously, if you don’t have the right experience, employers will likely pass you over for someone who does. So before you start applying for jobs, take a look at your experience and make sure it lines up with what you’re applying for. It could be the difference between getting your dream job and getting no response at all.

It can be discouraging to apply for jobs and not receive any response. Sometimes it feels like our resume just got lost in the shuffle or that we’re not qualified. The truth is, there are many factors at play when it comes to why you might not be getting a response from potential employers. However, there are some things you can do to increase your chances of being noticed. We’ve outlined a few tips below that should help get your resume seen by the right people and improve your chances of landing an interview. If you need additional help, connect with me here. I would be happy to assist you further!

Looking for resume services, interview coaching and career strategy consultations? Go here.

If you are looking for help in the overall job market, interview tips and more, purchase my new book here.

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Resume Review – Sales Associate Job

Posted on by MentorShelly, the DREAM Career Coach

This is a resume review of an individual that have years of sales associate experience but there are some issues with the contents of the resume that may not provide the best impression for them. If you need assistance with revising your resume or creating a brand-new resume? Go here to schedule your consultation.

Looking for other services such as interview coaching, LinkedIn profile optimization and career strategy consultations? Go here.

If you are looking for help in the overall job market, interview tips and more, purchase my new book here.

Have a job interview coming up but need additional help to be successful with it? Check out the Interview Audio Program here that can help you navigate your next job interview with EASE.

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Ways to Research an Employer Before an Interview

Posted on by MentorShelly, the DREAM Career Coach

There’s no doubt that research is an important part of the job search process. But when it comes to researching potential employers, many people might not know where to start. In this blog post, we’ll outline a few ways to research a company before an interview. So whether you’re just starting your job search or you’ve already landed an interview, read on for some helpful tips!

When it comes to interviews, preparation is key. Part of that preparation should include research on the company you’re interviewing with. A great way to do that research is by talking to employees of the company online. You can find employees of most companies on social media, and many of them are happy to answer questions about their experience working for the company. This is a great way to get an insider’s perspective on what it’s like to work for the company, and it can help you decide if it’s the right fit for you. So before your next interview, take some time to chat with employees of the company online. It might just give you the edge you need to land the job.

Another way to research a company before an interview is to check out their ZipRecruiter profile. Here, you’ll find valuable information about the company, including their mission statement, culture, and values. This will help you prepare for the interview and make sure that you’re a good fit for the company. Plus, it shows that you’re seriously interested in the position and that you’re willing to do your homework. So before your next interview, take a few minutes to check out the company’s ZipRecruiter profile. It could make all the difference in landing the job.

Every job seeker knows that preparing for an interview is key to landing the gig. You wouldn’t go into an exam without studying, so why would you go into an interview without researching the company? A great way to get started is by checking for open and closed cases on the department of labor (DOL) website. This will give you a sense of any potential red flags about the company, such as a history of discrimination or harassment claims. Of course, it’s always possible that an open case is simply the result of an disgruntled employee, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. So before you head into your next interview, take a few minutes to do some research on the DOL website- it could end up being the deciding factor in whether or not you land the job.

Looking for resume services, interview coaching and career strategy consultations? Go here.

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3 Interview Preparation Activities to Implement Before Your Next Interview

Posted on by MentorShelly, the DREAM Career Coach

Landing your next job interview can be daunting, but with a plan in place, you can increase your chances of acing it. Here are four tips to help you prepare. Firstly, do your research and find out as much as you can about the company. Secondly, find the location of the interview, if it in person. If the interview is over the phone or through video, double check your equipment to assure that it is working before the interview actually takes place. Thirdly, create interview questions for the interview beforehand. Finally, arrive on time and be prepared for anything that comes your way! Being on time or early for an interview is a given folks. I’m sure you don’t want anyone wasting your time, you should not waste anyone else’s time either. BE ON TIME…PERIOD!

Job interviews can be nerve-wracking, whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out in your career. However, there are a few things you can do to help ensure that you make a good impression and land the job. First, it’s important to do your research. Learn as much as you can about the company, their values, and the role you’re interviewing for. This will help you to ask questions that demonstrate your interest and knowledge of the organization. Second, prepare your equipment or find the location of your interview (if it is in person) beforehand. This will help you to stay calm and not get so stressed out before the interview. Third, practice your responses to common interview questions and create your own questions for the interviewers. Finally, be sure to arrive early and bring copies of your resume and any other relevant materials with you to the interview. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of impressing the interviewer and landing the job.

That’s it for now. If you need some additional help preparing for your next job interview, check out my audio series resource here. In the meantime, start practicing these techniques so that you can walk into your interview feeling confident and prepared. Thanks for watching and reading!

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4 Illegal Interview Questions & How to Handle Them…Professionally

Posted on by MentorShelly, the DREAM Career Coach

You’re all dressed up, you’ve made it to the interview round and now there’s just one more hurdle: the questions. While some are perfectly legit, others could get you into trouble. Here are four illegal interview questions and how to respond if they come up. (Hint: It’s all about staying professional.)

Looking for a job is hard enough as it is, without running into potential roadblocks along the way – which is why knowing what illegal interview questions to watch out for is key. With that in mind, here are four of the most common ones to watch out for – along with tips on how to handle them like a pro.

So, what exactly are illegal interview questions? They are any questions that related to protected characteristics, such as race, religion, national origin, gender, age, or disability. Asking these types of questions is not only unethical – it’s also against the law.

ILLEGAL INTERVIEW QUESTION #1 – HOW OLD ARE YOU?

ILLEGAL INTERVIEW QUESTION #2 – WHAT IS YOUR SALARY HISTORY?

ILLEGAL INTERVIEW QUESTION #3 – DO YOU OWN A CAR?

ILLEGAL INTERVIEW QUESTION #4 – HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ARRESTED BEFORE?

Illegal interview questions are, unfortunately, more common than you might think. In fact, a study by the Society for Human Resource Management found that nearly 60% of employers have asked at least one illegal question during a job interview. The Fair Labor Standards Act Laws (FLSA) prohibit all types of discrimination based on gender, race and other specified protected classes. To obtain more details, click here.

Fortunately, there are ways to handle illegal interview questions professionally. If you’re ever put in this situation, here’s what you should do:

1. Thank the interviewer for their time and say that you’re not comfortable answering the question because they may be illegal based on FLSA practices.
2. Always start of with the question, “how is this question relevant to the job?“.
3. Respond with a general answer that doesn’t provide any specific information about your protected characteristic. For example, if you’re asked about your religion, you could say that you respect all religions and believe that everyone has the right to practice their own faith.
4. Redirect the conversation back to your qualifications for the job.
5. If the interviewer persists, politely end the interview and contact an attorney or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for consultation.

Although you can never be too prepared for an interview, having a general understanding of what is and isn’t appropriate to ask will help ease your mind. If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of being asked an illegal questions, don’t panic. Stay calm and collected and remember that it is more important to maintain professionalism than to jeopardize your career. Finally, if you need additional help or have any questions about how to handle a difficult interview situation, don’t hesitate to reach out to me here. I would be happy to offer my assistance!

Looking for other services such as interview coaching, LinkedIn profile optimization and career strategy consultations? Go here.

If you are looking for help in the overall job market, interview tips and more, purchase my new book here.

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How to Get a Job While You Still Have One – 3 Strategies To Use Discreetly

Posted on by MentorShelly, the DREAM Career Coach

So, you’re thinking about quitting your job. I get it – it’s hard to be passionate about your work when you spend most of your day feeling drained and uninspired. But before you make any rash decisions, there are a few things you should consider. Quitting your job without having another one lined up can be risky, especially in today’s economy. Here are a few tips on how to get a job while still keeping the one you have.

So, you’re thinking about quitting your job. I get it – it’s hard to be passionate about your work when you spend most of your day feeling drained and uninspired. But before you make any rash decisions, there are a few things you should consider. Quitting your job without having another one lined up can be risky, especially in today’s economy. Here are a few tips on how to get a job while still keeping the one you have.So, you’re thinking about quitting your job. I get it – it’s hard to be passionate about your work when you spend most of your day feeling drained and uninspired. But before you make any rash decisions, there are a few things you should consider. Quitting your job without having another one lined up can be risky, especially in today’s economy. Here are a few tips on how to get a job while still keeping the one you have.

So, you’re unhappy with your current job and you’re ready to move on. But finding a new job can be a full-time job in itself, and you can’t exactly quit your old job before you have a new one lined up. So how can you find the time to job hunt while still holding down your current gig?

Here are a few tips:

1. Set aside some time each day to job hunt. Even if it’s just 30 minutes, this will help you make progress without feeling overwhelmed. Don’t let your boss catch you slacking off. If you’re spending too much time on your personal laptop during work hours, your boss is bound to notice. So try to do most of your job hunting during your lunch break or after work.

2. Save 1-3 Paid Time Off (PTO) or Vacation days to use for interviews. You never know how long an interview will last and it may impede on your work day significantly, so it is always best to be prepared with using your requested paid days off for interviews.

3. Keep your job search confidential and private. There’s no need to tell your manager(s), supervisor(s) co-workers that you’re looking for a new job. It could backfire quickly! Only notify your direct leader AFTER YOU HAVE SECURED A VIABLE OFFER THAT PAYS YOU MORE MONEY! Not only is it none of their business until the appropriate time. You must be strategic with how you maneuver this process. Unfortunately, you have some petty leaders (managers, supervisors or directors) who will terminate you just because they find out you are looking for other opportunities before you are ready to let the job go.

The job search process can be daunting, but it’s important to remember that you have options. While it may seem like your only choice is to quit your current job and start fresh, there are other ways to go about things. If you need additional help navigating the job search process or want someone to talk to who understands what you’re going through, connect with me here. I would be happy to offer my support and advice. Good luck in your job search!

Looking for resume services, interview coaching and career strategy consultations? Go here.

If you are looking for help in the overall job market, interview tips and more, purchase my new book here.

Have an interview coming up and need a little help? Check out my resource here.

Connect with me here
Follow me here: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Join the Facebook Group |