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How To Find A Career Mentor

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A professional mentor can provide guidance and wisdom that significantly benefits your career. This person does not need to be in the same field! You only want someone with experience in the professional world to coach you in your career path. But how do you know who is going to be the right mentor for you? Today we’re sharing how to find a career mentor from where to look to who you should choose.

Where to look 

There are a multitude of places to look for career mentors. This includes older alumni from your alma mater(s), neighbors, other members of your church, or other community organizations. You would be surprised at how many people are willing to help someone out and share knowledge from their professional experiences. In general, it is best to avoid asking someone you work with to be your mentor. Mentorship from current coworkers can muddy the waters, so look outside your current organization!

How to look

The internet provides plenty of resources for finding a mentor. The most effective social media site to discover a mentor is LinkedIn. Search for people in your area with experience in similar fields to what you are pursuing. Using university pages, you can search by degree and find other people on LinkedIn that graduated in the same area of study. Check with your alumni resources at your previous places of education, whether high school, college, trade school, or grad school.

Most importantly, speak with people you know and with whom you are already connected. Did you have a professor you respected in college? Did a friend’s family member always seem to make wise career choices? Reach out to these people and ask for a mentor-mentee relationship!

Who to choose

How do you know that you are choosing the right mentor? It is essential to choose someone who can help you specifically in your career path. If part of your identity is underrepresented in your field, find someone who is also a part of your demographic in that field (i.e., Women in STEM). They can speak to that specific experience and guide you in ways to stand out from the typical person in that field. A mentor-mentee relationship does not (by any means!) have to be lifelong. Sometimes it only lasts a few months. It is ok to work with someone and realize it’s not a great fit. Find someone you are comfortable with who can maintain a professional relationship with you while guiding you in our goals.

If you’re ready to contact someone, check out this NPR article about how to seek someone out, ask them to mentor you, and keep it professional.

5 Things To Do For Your Career This Fall

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Going into the fall and holiday season, many people feel like taking some time off until the new year. However, this downtime can actually be the perfect opportunity to make some serious advancements in your career. Don’t wait until the new year to make changes; here are five things you can do for your career this fall.

Take An Online Course

With all of the time we’ve spent at home lately, it’s the perfect opportunity to add some new skills to your professional portfolio. There are plenty of free and paid sites that will provide education on any skill you’re looking to add. From software development to diversity hiring, you can find an online course for it.

A few online resources: LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, and Udemy.

Absorb Professional Development Content

Fall is a great time to cozy up and absorb some professional development content. So, no matter your favorite platform, find some professional development content that fits your future goals. Whether it’s a book, audiobook, podcast, YouTube video, or even a mastermind group on social media.

Some of our recent favorites: Atomic Habits, The GaryVee Audio Experience, Work It Daily,

Find A Mentor

A mentor is one of the best ways to build connections and open doors for your career. Examine your current network. Is there a manager, professor, or family friend that has a career you admire? They don’t necessarily have to work in your industry or your field of work. Simply find someone who you can turn to for advice and professional guidance.

LinkedIn is our favorite place to foster networking relationships.

Refresh Your Resume

Even if you’re not actively looking for a new position, fall is an excellent time to refresh your resume. Add any new skills you’ve acquired during the quarantine period, elaborate on recent positions, and make sure the format looks clean and organized.

We recommend starting with a template like these from Microsoft Word and Google Docs.

Reset Your Goals

By reassessing your goals starting now, it sets you up for success in the future. Start thinking about your intentions and priorities. What will be most important to you through the fall leading into the new year? Is there anything you can accomplish before the end of the year? Maybe even start prepping for goals you can achieve next year.

We like this article about How To Set Ambitious Career Goals You Can Realistically Accomplish.

Final Comments

Keep in mind; fall is a perfect time to make significant strides in your career. For more ideas and inspiration for career advancement, explore our candidate resources.

How To Get A Fresh Start In September

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September is the new January. At least that’s what Gretchen Rubin has recently manifested, and I think we can all agree that we’d like a clean slate for 2020. For years, September has been seen as a marker of calm and routine. With kids going back to school, summer trips dwindling, and evenings becoming earlier every day, this month is a catalyst for change. In fact, a British survey found that 69% of people believe small improvements in September are easier to achieve than New Year’s resolutions. Now, this September certainly looks different than any that has come before, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be an opportunity to start fresh.

Catapult Your Career

No matter where you are in your career journey, the opportunity is there to improve. Searching for a job? Give your resume a total makeover. Trying to achieve a promotion? Add some skills to your arsenal. Looking to improve your leadership qualities? Join a mastermind group.

Make a list of your career goals – both long-term and short-term. Then, list the concrete steps you need to make in order to achieve them. It doesn’t matter how small the steps are; the only thing that matters is that you begin. If you’re unsure of where to start, find a career mentor that can offer advice and guidance along the way.

Refresh Your Routines

You may or may not have the same “back to school” routines of years past, but that doesn’t mean you can’t create new schedules and structures to make your life a bit easier. Get your entire family on a daily schedule. Plan out your meals for the week, ensuring everything will go smoothly. Now would be a great time to try an at-home meal kit, create a household budget, or implement a cleaning schedule. These small acts will provide a framework for success moving into the fall.

Implement Healthy Habits

As you get the whole family on a schedule, it’s the perfect time to rethink some of your health habits. September is one of the most popular months for enrolling in weight-loss programs, going to the gym, and cooking at home. Build healthy habits into your new routines.

What changes are you feeling tug at your heartstrings during this season? Whether you want to give your career a new direction, put a little pep into your daily routine, or build new habits that will focus on your health, don’t wait. September is the perfect time for new beginnings. For more guidance on getting a fresh start, explore our candidate resources.

Is Now The Time To Pivot Your Career?

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You have probably heard the word “pivot” a lot lately (and no, not just because you’re binge-watching Friends again). Between furloughs, layoffs, and general economic uncertainty, many people are starting to rethink their careers. They are going out searching for something more fulfilling, something that matches their desired work-life balance, and something stable and sustainable. If you find yourself wanting to pivot your career, here are a few things you need to consider.

What Can You Pivot To?

If you’re feeling ready to take the leap to something else, you want to make a deliberate decision that will last long-term. It is your entire future, after all! In most cases, people pick new jobs where many of their old skills are still valid. This only makes sense. When you choose a similar career path, you can build on your previous experiences to launch your new journey. For example, retail sales associates often migrate to careers such as inside sales or business development. According to LinkedIn, such existing skills deliver about 70% to 80% of relevant expertise. This overlap results in more natural and successful transitions without having to start over completely.

What Does a Career Pivot Entail?

When you pivot your career, it’s unfortunately not as simple as just deciding to do something else. Once you’ve chosen your new desired career path, you’ll need to take a few steps in that direction. First and foremost, you’ll need to update your resume. When crafting your new resume, keep it honest but focus on the skills and experiences that are transferable to your new career. Next, you’ll want to boost your marketability by adding new accomplishments. Explore LinkedIn Learning to find courses that will help you learn more about your future position! Finally, dive right in! Start applying to jobs right away to get your feet wet.

How Do You Sell Your Career Pivot?

It can be intimidating to go into an interview knowing that you have little to no experience in an industry or specific role. However, keep in mind that you do have relatable experience for the role! Since you strategically chose a career pivot that complements your previous experiences, you have a whole host of skills connected with this new path. Make a list of transferrable skills. Anything from customer service and sales operations, to empathy and communication. Then, as you apply for jobs, write cover letters, and participate in interviews – reiterate these transferrable skills repeatedly.

It’s essential to keep in mind that a career pivot does not mean you are giving up! On the contrary, it shows that you are resilient, adaptable, and a go-getter. As you embark on this new journey, explore our candidate resources for advice on everything from refreshing your resume to how to answer elusive interview questions.

What To Do If You Feel Stuck In Your Job

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One of the worst feelings in the world is feeling stuck where you are. Maybe you’re yearning for a promotion, searching for a better company culture, or even pivoting your career entirely. It can be intimidating to let go of stability, the ability to provide for your family, and comfort. However, your choices aren’t just black and white if you feel stuck in your job: you either stay in a lackluster position for security or quit and dive into the complete unknown. Here are some concrete steps you can take to start discovering a fulfilling career, starting today.

Self-Reflect

You can’t get ahead if you don’t put yourself out there. Start by figuring out what you want your next step to look like. Is it the same role with more responsibilities and a more supportive team? Or do you want to do something completely different? Write out your must-haves, nice-to-haves, and must-avoids. Browse job boards and LinkedIn, taking note of what catches your eye. Is it a particular job title or perk (i.e., working from home)? Understanding your ultimate goals will help guide the rest of your career.

Research

You can’t move on to the next step if you don’t know what’s out there. Now that you know which direction you want to take, search for those jobs and skills. Keep in mind that a single job can have varying titles. While we’re not huge fans of “Data Analytics Wizard,” as a job title – it’s out there. So, keep an open mind!

Additionally, research your “dream companies.” Find out the types of roles they typically hire for, learn more about their company culture, and even connect with some of their employees on LinkedIn. Just because a company isn’t hiring for your ideal role now, doesn’t mean they won’t in the future. And it pays off to start building a foundation well before that door opens up!

Grow Your Skillsets

Whether you want to continue in your field or completely pivot to a new job, growing your skillsets is an excellent step for your career development. If you feel stuck in your job, it will expose you to your passions and help you discover what you truly love doing. Even taking free online courses looks great on a resume. It shows hiring managers that you choose to actively advance your career in your free time, and increases your skill toolbox. (Which can often result in a significant bump in pay!)

Connect With A Recruiter

One of the best ways to invest in yourself and your career is to build a relationship with a recruiter. Recruiters who work at reputable firms are an incredible resource for job seekers. It is their job to monitor the pulse of the market and identify the latest and greatest opportunities (many of which don’t even hit job boards!). They keep your search completely confidential and can purposefully pursue your dream companies.

When it comes down to it, you do not have to feel stuck in your job. As Karamo Brown recently said in an interview with LinkedIn, “you just have to, first of all, tell yourself that you deserve it and then believe that is out there. One of the ways I do that is by remembering the job that I’m in. At one point, I didn’t have, and I had to believe that this was here. So I have to go back to that mindset to believe that there’s another job out there as well that’s going to make me happy, to fulfill me, it’s going to bring me closer to my dreams.”

Are you ready to start the conversation about the next step in your career? Explore our opportunities or contact one of our recruiters today!

Help! I Don’t Know What To Do For A Career

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Growing up, we have all been asked the astronomically hard question, “what do you want to be when you grow up?” Not only is it difficult to answer this question as a young professional, but most adults don’t even have an answer! With that being said, it is perfectly normal to house uncertainties of where you want your career path to end up or even where you should start. When you feel that existential dread creeping in, try implementing these four steps to determine the direction you should take.   

Step One: Breathe 

First of all, slow down and take a moment to breathe. You don’t need to answer this life-defining question right now. Keep in mind, your life may look completely different five years down the road. Everyone’s path is different. Some people are born knowing their career destiny, while others spend their whole life on a journey to find it. It’s called a ‘career path’ for a reason. Paths are not linear, and they aren’t supposed to be. Life is full of unexpected changes that you cannot anticipate, and you can change your career in as little as 5 seconds!  

Step Two: Answer The Important Questions 

What Are You Passionate About?  

Discovering your passion is obvious for some and murky for others. If this question is too broad, ask yourself – what do you spend your free time doing? For example, spending time outside, playing in the stock market, completing DIY projects, or a wide variety of other passions. If these activities bring you joy, try to find a career field that incorporates them. As a result, you will do your job much better if you care about it. A study from the University of Southern California found that loving what you do boosts productivity and enhances performance. 

What Does Your Dream Job Look Like? 

Then, try to envision your absolute dream job. Are you out in the field all day? Would you like to spend all day interacting with clients? How do you feel about working remotely? Are you tapping into your creative side or spending the day crunching numbers? Even if your dream job may seem out of reach now, answering these questions will point you in the right direction. 

Step Three: Conduct Important Research 

Now, it’s time to get to work and start doing some research. What type of job will put you on the path towards your ideal lifestyle while simultaneously incorporating your passions and values? Spend some time looking into the entry-level jobs that can lead to your dream job in the future. Next, search for people on LinkedIn who have those jobs right now. Send a connection request and let them know you’re interested in learning more about their career path. Not only will this give you some great insight, but it may also help you get your foot in the door.

Step Four: Develop Necessary Skills 

Start building skills that apply to your passions. Through your research and conversations, you’ll pick up on skills that will be beneficial in your ideal career path. Start by taking online courses, or even just reading articles related to your desired industry. 

Overall, discovering your passion and finding your career path can be challenging. However, if you look closely, it might be right in front of you. Analyze what you spend your free time doing and follow that fire. This will lead you to a happier, more successful career, and in that same realm, a better employee. Everybody wins!  

Is Now The Time For A Career Change?

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Recent events may have rocked your career. Maybe you were laid off or furloughed, or a global pandemic put things into perspective, and you realized you just aren’t happy where you are now. Could now be the time for a career change? Even though the job market may be rocky, it could actually be a great time to switch things up. Here are just a few things you can do to get started.

Invest time in passion projects

If you’re unsure about your next step, spend some quality time just doing the things you love. Even if you don’t plan on launching a knitting career, it’s a great way to clear your mind and spark your creative side. On the other hand, you just may discover that your passion for puzzles inspires you to pivot towards a career in engineering.

Make a list

This needs to be more than the usual pros and cons list. Think about your future career. What are your must-haves for a career change? Work-life balance, a competitive salary, opportunities for advancement? Then, dream even bigger! If you could design your dream job from scratch, what would it entail? Rooftop goat yoga, ice cream Fridays, being your own boss? Don’t be afraid to get creative and silly with it! An exercise like this can help you realize what is really most important to you and help guide your decision making during the hiring process.

Browse the job boards

When you’re looking for a fresh start and career change, the world is your oyster. New job titles are gracing the internet every day, some of which you may never have heard of before! Search your area’s job listings, then expand your search to virtual positions. After all, job postings for remote positions were up 42% in March! Check out anything and everything that sounds interesting or different; you never know what you may find.

Ramp up your networking

It can feel incredibly vulnerable to post your career aspirations on social media, but it is also one of the best ways to expose yourself to new opportunities. Did you know that as many as 70% of open positions are never even posted? Instead, they’re filled via networking! Let your contacts know that you are looking for a new job and a total career makeover. And bonus, you’ll usually get a great reference or two out of it as well!

As you prep to make a major career change, keep yourself up to date with all things related to job searching via our Job Search Tips & Tricks Newsletter!