Category: Networking

Why is Personal Branding Necessary in Your Career?

Posted on by MentorShelly, the DREAM Career Coach

The job market is more competitive than ever before. As a result, job seekers must be strategic when it comes to getting noticed by potential employers. One of the best ways to do this is by building a strong personal brand. Your personal brand is how you present yourself to the world, and if done well, it can help you stand out from the crowd and achieve greater success in your career.

There are several reasons why building your personal brand in the job market is vital to your success. First, it allows you to differentiate yourself from others who may have similar qualifications and experience. In a crowded job market, this can be the difference between getting an interview and being overlooked.

Additionally, having a strong personal brand can help build your credibility and reputation in your field. It shows that you have a clear understanding of your strengths and what you have to offer, which can be a valuable asset to potential employers.

Creating a strong personal brand also allows you to communicate your unique value proposition effectively. By clearly articulating your strengths and experiences, you can create a consistent and compelling message that resonates with potential employers.

Some key questions to ask yourself when building your own personal brand:

1. What is personal branding from an employee perspective?
2. What are your strengths and weaknesses, professionally?
3. What type of employers do you want attract on your social media profiles for current and future opportunities?
4. What is your unique brand statement?
5. How does your personal brand statement represent you?

Moreover, your personal brand can also increase your visibility and allow you to develop a network of professional contacts. By creating a strong online presence, you have the opportunity to connect with others in your industry, get noticed by recruiters, and even attract new clients or customers if you’re an entrepreneur.

Now, you might be thinking that building a personal brand is only necessary if you’re looking for a new job or trying to start your own business. But the truth is, your personal brand is something that you should always be mindful of, regardless of your career path. Even if you’re not actively looking for work, having a strong personal brand can help you gain recognition and build credibility within your current role, which can lead to new opportunities for career advancement.

In short, building your personal brand is a vital step in achieving success in the job market. By differentiating yourself from others, establishing your credibility, communicating your value proposition, and increasing your visibility, you can position yourself for career success and achieve your professional goals. If you need additional assistance in developing your own personal brand, go here, so we can work together to establish your power personal brand.

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

Ready to have MentorShelly help you structure your business SOPs? 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 |

Got Laid Off? 5 Things To Help You Bounce Back!

Posted on by MentorShelly, the DREAM Career Coach

When you hear the three dreaded words, “you’re fired,” all sorts of emotions can go through your head. Shock. Disbelief. Panic. But, if you’re one of the many American workers who have been laid off in recent years, don’t worry – you’re not alone. In fact, layoffs are now a common occurrence in today’s economy, so here are some tips to help you get through this tough time. Keep reading for more information on what to do when you’ve just been laid off from your job.

Losing your job can be a really tough experience. But it doesn’t have to be the end of the world. Here are a few things you can do to recover from being laid off:

– First, take some time to grieve. This is a big loss, and it’s important to give yourself time to process it.

– Second, capitalize on your next income sources such as your side hustles. If you have a side business, now is the time to put all your energy into growing your side hustle into a full fledge business.

– Third, if you don’t have a side hustle, start exploring side hustles like being an Uber driver, Lyft driver, Uber food delivery, Uber package delivery, Amazon Flex, Roadie App, start a consulting business
or start a service business online. The possibilities are endless! Get started now! It is a way to bring funds into your household while you find another job.

– Fourth, update your resume and start applying for jobs. Even if you don’t get the first job you apply for, keep at it. If you need help with your resume(s), click here for learn more.

– Fifth, be transparent with your employment gaps on your resume and in your interviews. Be ready to respond with how productive you have been during those gaps.

– Sixth, each out to your network. Let people know you’re looking for work and see if they have any leads.

– Seventh, use this as an opportunity to learn new skills or brush up on old ones. There are plenty of online courses you can take to make yourself more marketable.

– Finally, try to stay positive. Losing your job can be a big setback, but it doesn’t have to define you or your career. You’ll bounce back in no time.

It’s not easy being laid off, but it is possible to bounce back. You’re not alone in this process and there are plenty of resources available to help you get through it. I’m here to support you and would be happy to chat with you further about your specific situation. Reach out to me anytime by clicking here.

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 |

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.

Connect with me here
Follow me here: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Join my Facebook group

Best Career Change Action Steps #5

Posted on by MentorShelly, the DREAM Career Coach

Making a career change is no small task. It can be difficult to know where to start, or even where to turn for advice. But don’t worry, we’re here to help!

In this series, we’ll outline the best steps you can take to make a successful career change action steps. Today we’re discussing Step 5…Apply…Apply….Apply! Deliberate Action is key when it comes to making a career change, so make sure you take the time to get your ducks in a row before beginning your journey.

First, check out Steps 1 – 4 to get the beginning steps.

Step #1 | Step #2 | Step #3 | Step #4 |

Congratulations on making it to the end of our 5-Action Steps to changing careers! As a recap, we’ve covered identifying your transferable skills, doing some market research, creating a plan of action, and getting started. The final step is staying motivated and taking action throughout your journey. This can be tricky when the process seems daunting or you encounter setbacks along the way. That’s where a support system comes in handy. Friends and family can provide encouragement, but for more tailored advice and accountability, consider working with a career coach or mentor. I can help you stay focused on your goals while providing guidance and resources along the way. For additional help with your career transition, work with me directly here.

Check out the rest of the Best Career Change Action Steps Series to learn more about making a career change. And don’t forget, if you’re looking for some extra help along the way, reach out to us here and we’ll be happy to chat with you about your options.

Looking for resume services, 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.

Connect with me here

Follow me here: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Join my Facebook group

Best Career Change Action Steps #4

Posted on by MentorShelly, the DREAM Career Coach

Are you considering a career change? Making a big life change can be scary, but it’s also an exciting adventure. If you’re feeling ready for a new challenge, here are some action steps to help make the transition go smoothly.
First, check out Steps 1 – 3 to get the beginning steps.

Step #1 | Step #2 | Step #3 | Step #4 | Step #5

That’s all for now. But don’t worry, I have one more action step for you to check out. Just click on the link Step #5 above or here. You can also find more information about making a successful career change by downloading our free guide here. We hope these tips help get you one step closer to your dream job!

Check out the rest of the Career Change Action Steps Series to learn more about making a career change. And don’t forget, if you’re looking for some extra help along the way, reach out to us here and we’ll be happy to chat with you about your options.

Looking for resume services, 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.

Connect with me here

Follow me here: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Join my Facebook group

Career ReVamp 4.1 – The Business Owner Path

Posted on by MentorShelly, the DREAM Career Coach

In this episode, I put the finishing touches on business ownership as part of your career revamp which can provide ultimate freedom in the marketplace. It should not be taken lightly due to the self development it will require of you.

It’s going to take some additional research and work to develop your entrepreneurial plan. To get help with putting this plan together, let’s work on it together when you go here.

Check out the book E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber by going here

If you’re looking for help to structuring systems and processes to help run your new or established business? Go here.

Check out the other episodes in the series below:
Part 1 Know Where You Are Now
Part 2 Putting the Plan Together
Part 3.1 The Entrepreneurial Track
Part 3.2 The Career Track
Part 4.2 The Corporate Employee (Wrap up)

Want to connect with me? Leave a comment below or go here to leave a voice or email message.

Career ReVamp 3.1 – Entrepreneurial Track

Posted on by MentorShelly, the DREAM Career Coach

This episode of a career revamp series touches on the areas of business ownership and ultimate freedom in the marketplace. It should not be taken lightly Due to the self development it will require of you.

It’s going to take some additional research and work to develop your entrepreneurial plan. To get help with putting this plan together, check out my resource…

Check out the book E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber by going here.

If you want to go the corporate or employee track, look out for 3.2 of the Career Revamp Series

Want to connect with me? Go here leave a voice or email message.

Let me know how I can help…check out my other resources here.

Understand the “Power” of Networking in Business & Career

Posted on by MentorShelly, the DREAM Career Coach

If you have ever been in a business or search for employment, you have heard the word “networking” thrown around as being an important part of your business development and job search. You are encouraged to attend networking events and polish off formulate your “elevator speech” to fire it at any human being within a 3 arms length away from you. The goal is to meet new people you hope are looking for your skills (for a job) or looking to do business with you.

What type of results do you think you will achieve with these events? What is your mental focus when you attend these events..just to place your business card in people’s hands or to truly make an authentic connection that lasts? Do you think the other attendees have the same wants and needs that you do? These are just some of the questions you should ask before even attending.

I recently started reading the book, Networking is Not Working by Derek Coburn which give a completely different perspective on networking in general. I learned that our mindset and intention when going to networking event is extremely vital to the efficiency of networking results. Every deliberate result starts with a thorough plan of action and purposeful execution, so your networking efforts should be no different.

When attending these events, go with the mindset of actually making a genuine connection with a few people and continue to keep in contact for mutually beneficial results. It is not always about what you can get from a person, but it is also what you can give that provides value to them personally and professionally. You must take the time to get to know their basics, by listening. I don’t mean just let people talk, I mean really listen. Listen for wants, needs, desires, wishes, voice tone, how they communicate about specific topics and their non verbal queues. You’d be surprised what people will divulge if you just really listen, then offer support. This is where true networking begins.

Networking can help you cross over into another industry and make connections you wouldn’t make otherwise. If you’re looking to make that transition and still don’t have a concrete plan, check out my FREE Resource while it is still FREE here.

If you want to suggest new career related topics on the blog or have general career related questions, go here.

Competition in the #Workplace…Good or Bad?

Posted on by MentorShelly, the DREAM Career Coach

Don’t like the unhealthy competition you have to deal with at work & want to find better #careeropportunity? Get your career tools ready by going here.

Want to suggest a career or job related topic? Leave a comment or touch bases with me here.

Only Focus on What You Can Control

Posted on by MentorShelly, the DREAM Career Coach

When going through the process of looking and #interviewing for career opportunities, there are parts you have absolutely no control over. For example, the candidate the business owner or HR personnel ultimately chooses to fill their #careeropportunity or the company budget determining if the company can afford to offer this #job opportunity….

There’s quite a bit you can control, such as the way you present yourself before, during and after an #interview. Looking for additional help to make sure you give the best & most professional impression, go here to help you fully prepare you all aspects of the interview process.

Have career related questions and suggestions for the channel? Leave a comment below or go here. https://mentorshelly.com/contact