Category: life skills

3 Ways to Explain Employment Gaps in a Job Interview

Posted on by MentorShelly, the DREAM Career Coach

Be Honest and Transparent:

It is always best to be truthful and upfront about any gaps in your employment history. Explain the reason for the gap, such as a layoff or downsizing, and emphasize the steps you took to stay active and productive during that time. For example, you could mention that you used the opportunity to update your skills through online courses, attend networking events, or volunteer in a related field to gain new experience. This shows the interviewer that you are proactive and took the time to improve yourself, even during a difficult situation.

Highlight Relevant Skills and Accomplishments:

Make sure to emphasize any relevant skills or accomplishments you gained or developed during your time out of work. This could include certifications, self-study, or volunteer work. Be specific about what you learned and how it will benefit you in the new position. This will show the interviewer that you were not just sitting idle during the gap in employment, but were actively working on improving yourself.

Focus on Your Goals and Aspirations:

Focus the conversation on your future goals and aspirations, and how the current position fits into your overall career plan. Explain why you are passionate about this field and the specific role you are applying for. This helps to shift the focus away from the gap in your unemployment and towards your positive qualities as a candidate. It also shows the interviewer that you have a clear vision for your future and are committed to finding a role that aligns with your long-term career goals.

Sometimes employment gaps can make the positive difference in an interview if you know how to spin it and capitalize on it. If you need additional help with helping you navigate job interview, check out my resource here. It will help you not only navigate employment gaps, this resource will help you prepare for the next job interview like a boss! Grab that resource today.

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.

Connect with me here
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Parents…Are Your Kids Prepared for Their Professional Life?

Posted on by MentorShelly, the DREAM Career Coach

 

Parents, you know at some point, your children have to grow up. Some kids want to rush the process, others want to take their own sweet time to get there. What these high school kids must understand, like you do, that TIME waits for NOBODY. In the current political and sociological climate, these kids must take their future professional life far more serious or they will be left behind economically and socially.

Depending on your ethnicity, culture and economic situation, the kids have to be even more prepared for the risks and unexpected roadblocks in the professional environment, just for living in their own skin. The more preparation these kids have, the better off their future professional prospects will be. Sometimes I wish an experienced professional had taken me under their wings and showed me the ropes, so I would not have had to learn by being “baptized by fire”. I want your kids to not have to go through that, so here are four things they can do to start preparing:

1. Figure out what they really want to do or like doing professionally. They can start by using my FREE MentorShelly DREAM Career Guide to help them figure this out.

2. Create their first set of career marketing tools (resumes, letters of recommendations and cover letters). Keep in mind that high school kids may not have much
experience, but they can use what they know how to do now and letter of recommendation from their teachers, sport team leaders they may be involved with in school or community or from volunteer group leaders for activities they are involved. If your kids already have some of these career tools and need to review them, MentorShelly can help by offering Career Tools Review Service to assure the tools are working for them or for you as a parent in the professional
environment.

The kids need to be prepared for the job/career interviews. You can utilize sample questions on the internet or if you are looking for more targeted help with this for you and your kids, check out the interview audio series here to get the help you need.

Learn and utilize negotiations strategies once they are offered job opportunities. The negotiations may not apply in their first job but any jobs or career opportunities after that…they will absolutely need to understand what to say, what questions or ask and how to respond to future employers. If your kid or you struggle in this area, then schedule a Career Strategy Session, to make the most of the career opportunities.

To make sure your kids are ready for all the challenges they will face with growing up in such a changing environment, do your best to teach them early. The best way to give them the competitive edge in the professional environment is to provide the with the necessary career tools and strategies, so they can win economically.

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 |

Career ReVamp – 3.2 The Career Track

Posted on by MentorShelly, the DREAM Career Coach

In a series we’ve explored what you want to do with your career and if you’re willing to change then ways you can start going about changing of the a career of your choice. In part 1 & 2, I talked about how to figure out your next career if you’re looking for a change. Part 3.1 talks about going the entrepreneurial route. Now, I’m talking about your possible career track in part 3.2.

The series talks about how you will use all of the information that you’ve written down in part 1 and 2 took yet your career tools such as your resume, cover letters, letter of recommendation and other pieces in your professional portfolio. If you are not sure what I’m talking about, then you can check out the resource for getting a portfolio completed by going here.

Want to get all the career tips this series has to offer? Check out Part 1, Part 2 & Part 3.1.

Need some more personalized help with hour career revamp? Check out this here.

Have additional questions? Leave a voice mail or email me here.

MentorShelly’s Main Focus

Posted on by MentorShelly, the DREAM Career Coach

I wanted to make sure the information provided on this channel is helping who it was intended to help and focus on the important aspects of #career development #interview coaching and maintaining your #career journey with a #success mindset.

The goal is to help you soar in your career whether you are starting out from high school, college or trade school, on your entrepreneurial journey or changing careers.

For those who desire to live your DREAM Career but have no idea how and where you should begin? You can start by taking advantage of my FREE DREAM Career Guide by going here.

As a Career Coach, I offer of services and products to serve your career and interview needs by going here.

If you have general career development, interview and job search questions, requests or discussion points, LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW or go HERE.

Bet on Yourself, Professionally

Posted on by MentorShelly, the DREAM Career Coach

Don’t be fearful of new opportunities that knock you out of your “comfort zone”. In this market climate where technology driven changes ultimately affect almost every industry directly or indirectly, you must step out on faith and BET ON YOURSELF!

Long gone are the days where people remain employed to the same company for 20, 30 or even 40 years….so believing in yourself, knowledge, skills and abilities may end up leading to unexpected opportunities for growth and working independently.

Be bold enough to step out on your own before it becomes a necessity versus a choice. You may end up venturing into entrepreneurship, sales or consulting based on what is going on in your industry.

To learn how to position yourself for professional growth and communicate your value in a professionally independent environment, go here.

Exciting news…my new ebook, “From Clueless Teenager to Consummate Professional” is in the editing stages now but you can pre-order the book now and get it first by going here.

Have career related content suggestions, comment below or go here to leave me a voicemail or email message and I will respond within 24 hours.

Other People’s Opinions are Not Your Business

Posted on by MentorShelly, the DREAM Career Coach

Do You!

Other people’s opinions are NOT your business…so stop giving it value.

FREE DREAM Career Guide: go here

Book Preorder: Get it here

Resume Services: Find it here.

Have a job interview coming up & need to prepare? Go here

Show topics, questions and suggestions? Comm below or go here.

People will be People…Remain Professional

Posted on by MentorShelly, the DREAM Career Coach

I know it’s hard to keep calm when hypocritical, lying, backstabbing #coworkers seems to be everywhere at work.I encourage you to keep being professional and positive in the face of opposition.

It’s not easy, but those type of coworkers are sowing seeds that comes back to haunt them later.Remain vigilant, remain professional.

Here are some of the services rendered at MentorShelly. Com:

1. For Resume Creation or Reconstruction

2. For Career Tools Review & Proofreading

3. Need help with preparing for your next #job interview? Go here.

4. Want to connect with me or suggest other career show topics? Leave a comment or go here.

Make Your DREAM Career Happen…No Excuses!

Posted on by MentorShelly, the DREAM Career Coach

Career dreams don’t happen accidentally…they become reality when you work for it consistently!

Nobody is going to hand it to you on a silver platter…you must fight for our, make sacrifices and #pushpasscomfort when necessary.

Do you want to live your #dreamcareer? Let’s put your #career plan in place by going here.

Want to get started on your career plan first? Grab the FREE DREAM Career Guide, while it’s still FREE by going here.

Want to connect with me or suggest career related show topics? Leave a comment below or go here.

Be Mindful How You Treat People…

Posted on by MentorShelly, the DREAM Career Coach

Perception can become your reality…but if you’re not careful..you can lose valuable opportunities in the process. In this video, the importance of taking people at face value and treating people with the utmost respect is key.

Resources discussed were the interview prep audio tutorial found here.

Want to suggest the next career focused topic? Leave a comment below or go here. You can leave a voicemail message or email me.

Everyday Actions = Successful Results

Posted on by MentorShelly, the DREAM Career Coach

We each have the ability to be our best versions of ourselves, if we’re willing to put forth the right amount of time and effort.

Your career path and overall life can either benefit or suffer solely based on the decisions and actions taken daily.

Every little bit does help when you look at how the #TedTalk speaker shared his method of taking his time daily to absorb information in tiny pieces daily. The methodology dramatically improved his life. Let’s explore and implement methods daily that will dramatically improve your lives as well.

Looking to improve your career or economic life as well? Check out some of my resources here.

For resumes (complete revisions and creation) go here.

To connect with me, go here. https://mentorshelly.com/contact