Career Development Planner
Career Development PlannerIt’s estimated that 90 percent of our daily lives is spent doing routine tasks. But habit can be a bad thing, because “if you keep on doing what you’ve always done, you’re going to keep on getting what you’ve always got.” One of the most important things you can do is to take the time to plan your career roadmap for 2023. Whether you are thinking of a job change or career change in the new year, or simply get more out of your current job, a career plan is essential to helping you reach your goal for professional development. This exercise may take you 20 minutes, or you might devote a few hours to planning where you want to be on New Year’s Day 2023. If you want your life to be different in 2023, especially your career, take the time to work on your career roadmap. You may decide to use multiple planners including a success planner and a CAREER DEVELOPMENT PLANNER. Step 1: Take StockThe first step is to assess where you are. To figure out where you’re going, you must first look at where you’ve been. Here are some questions to help you assess where you are: ¨ What are you most proud of this past year — personally, and professionally? ¨ What went right this year? ¨ Did you receive any awards or recognition this year? ¨ Did you take on any additional responsibility this year? If so, what? ¨ How did you take initiative in your job this year? ¨ Have you learned any new skills? ¨ Did you earn any certifications or licenses? Record this information in a success journal. This can be a Microsoft Word file on your computer, a note in Evernote, a series of emails you send to yourself (be sure to use email tags so you’re able to find the emails again!), or even a physical notebook. And in the coming year, take time to record your accomplishments as you go through the year instead of waiting until the end of the year. Next, look at opportunities for improvement in your career. How does your salary stack up against your peers? Is your current position in alignment with your priorities and your core values? Where is change needed? This is when it helps to use a detailed career planner. Step 2: Articulate Your GoalDecide what you want. What is your goal for professional development? Spell it out: What does it look like; what does it feel like? You have to really want it to invest the time and energy to follow your dream. Describe your ideal job:
Think about the person that you want to be, and imagine the possibilities. If a career change is in the horizon, it helps to take a career change quiz. Then, identify 2-3 goals you want to tackle. Use the S.M.A.R.T. goal system to articulate your goals — goals should be “Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-Oriented.” For example, let’s imagine you have worked as an Accountant for the past three years, but you really want to work in marketing. Your goal might be: “By Jan. 1, 2023, I will be working as a Marketing Assistant in a Fortune 1000 company” You should also write down why you are interested in making the change. In other words, what is your motivation for taking this path? Another good question to ask yourself is, “How will I know when I’ve achieved my goal(s)?” Step 3: Make a PlanTake time to prepare a game plan and use a career planner for how you will reach your goal. But don’t use planning as an excuse to procrastinate. You want to get to Step Four as quickly as possible because actions create momentum. Take each of your goals and write down the list of steps under each of them that you will need to take to make the goal happen. The more individual steps you can map out, the easier it will be for you to reach your goals. The steps should be practical tasks that will lead you to achieve your goal for professional development. For example, with our goal of making a career change from accounting to marketing, here are some sample steps:
Give yourself milestones so you can measure your progress. How will you know when you’re on the right track? Include specific dates and numbers in your milestones. Step 4: Take ActionThe tasks you’ve outlined in Step Three, give you a checklist of items to use to take action. If you are working through the steps and discover you need to add additional items, update your task list. You may also discover additional projects that need to be completed to make the next step — and the overall goal — easier to accomplish. You may also find that you need to make adjustments to your timeline. For example, if you discover that a six-month program to learn about professional social media marketing would help you land your new marketing job, you might adjust your goal deadline to March 1, 2023, if the program won’t be completed until late December 2022. This would give you time to put some of the new skills into practice before you put them on your résumé. As you work your way through your task list, focus on the actions you are taking, realizing that if you are taking the right actions, these should eventually lead to the results you seek. If you’re not getting the results you want, change the plan, not the goal. Re-examine your tasks and see if there is something you are missing. It can also be helpful to get outside feedback. Enlisting the help of an accountability partner — a friend, family member, career coach, resume writer, or therapist — can provide valuable perspective on your progress. This individual can also keep you on track, making sure you are working through your task list. And if there is a specific area where you need help in order to cross the task off your list, make sure you ask for assistance. For example, writing a resume to support a career change can be difficult. Enlisting help from professional resume writing services can help you cross that task off your list. Step 5: Measure Your ProgressWhen you’re on a journey, it can help to periodically assess where you are to make sure you’re on the right road. If you miss a step along the way — or take a “wrong career path” — you can find yourself a long way from your intended destination. So, plan periodic assessments of your progress along the way. This can be a monthly “check-up” where you review your plan and make any necessary changes or a quarterly review. Taking the time to think through — and plan out — your career roadmap is an important step in helping you create the career you want for yourself. If you don’t, you may find your career stuck or stalled. Or you may wake up five years from now and wonder, “How did I get here?” If you want to achieve more in your professional life, invest the time and effort in completing the Career Roadmap Worksheet below. CAREER DEVELOPMENT WORKSHEETUse this worksheet with your career planner TEP 1: TAKE STOCK Current Job Title: Start Date of Current Job (month/year): Current Salary: What I Like Most About My Current Job: What I Would Want to Change About My Current Job: STEP 2: ARTICULATE YOUR GOAL What Is Your Goal? STEP 3: MAKE A PLAN What Are the Specific Steps (Tasks) You Need to Take In Order to Achieve Your Goal? STEP 4: TAKE ACTION What Help (Outside Assistance) Do You Need to Reach Your Goal? Who Is Your Accountability Partner? STEP 5: MEASURE YOUR PROGRESS How Close — or How Far Away — Are You To Reaching Your Goal At This Moment? Do You Need to Make Any Adjustments in the Goal, Tasks, or Deadline? SOURCE: https://www.market-connections.net/blog/career-development-planner About the AuthorMandy Fard is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, CMRW) and Recruiter with decades of experience in assisting job seekers, working directly with employers in multiple industries, and writing proven-effective resumes. “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.” 
ABOUT Section on LinkedIn
LinkedIn ABOUT SectionThe “ABOUT” section of your LinkedIn profile is a vital part of your LinkedIn presence. The ABOUT section on LinkedIn used to be called LinkedIn Summary and it was recently renamed to ABOUT section. Another very important part of your profile is your Linkedin Headline. Some online marketing gurus believe that your LinkedIn Headline is one of your most valuable pieces of online real estate. That's why we should all invest the time to learn how to write a good LinkedIn Headline. You have 2,600 characters to give readers a snapshot of who you are. This can total about 450 to 500 words. It can compare to almost one full page in MS Word, using size 12 fonts.  ABOUT Section on LinkedIn When looking at the LinkedIn profile on a desktop computer, first 2-3 lines of the ABOUT section will be visible with a “see more” link.  ABOUT Section on LinkedIn, the first few lines. When someone is using the LinkedIn app on their mobile phone, only the first six to ten words of your ABOUT section will appear. So, the first 2-3 lines must instantly get your prospects interested in your profile — or, even better, get them excited about reading the rest of your profile. LinkedIn ABOUT IdeasHow do you add more value to the company, or solve problems better than other job candidates? Your LinkedIn ABOUT section can set you apart from other job seekers on LinkedIn by demonstrating that you understand what employers want — and what you have to offer that meets that need. Address these questions:
LinkedIn TipsWrite naturally and conversationally. In contrast to your résumé, you should use pronouns in your LinkedIn ABOUT section. Speak in the first person, not third person. (“I did such-and-such.”) Write as if you’re speaking to an individual reader. Make it personal. Be sure to emphasize outcomes — as well as what makes you uniquely qualified to do the job you do. Try to find a common thread through your work. Then, once you have a theme, use storytelling principles to write your summary as a narrative. Have a beginning, a middle, and an end. Your LinkedIn ABOUT section can be anywhere from a few sentences up to a few paragraphs. But don’t waste any words — make the most dramatic, powerful, attention-getting statement you can. Don’t use any more words than is necessary, and don’t be overly flowery in your language. LinkedIn ABOUT Section Example LinkedIn ABOUT Section Example Notice the format:
The point of the first sentence is to get the prospect to read the second sentence. And the next sentence. And the next. Be conversational and informal in your tone. Use contractions (“you’re” instead of “you are”). Every word counts! And pay attention to grammar and spelling. Make sure there are no mistakes in your profile. Re-read and edit it. Have a colleague, friend, or spouse read it. Copy-and-paste it into a word processing program and run a spell-check on it. You can also use asterisks, dashes, hyphens, and other keyboard characters to format the ABOUT section and make it easier to read. Using these strategies, you can develop a LinkedIn ABOUT section that will lead to job opportunities, contacts from prospective employers and recruiters, and increased visibility online for your job search. ABOUT THE AUTHORMandy Fard is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, CMRW) and Recruiter with decades of experience in assisting job seekers, working directly with employers in multiple industries, and writing proven-effective resumes. 
Create a Self-Introduction Video for Your Job Search
Perhaps you have followed every instruction on how to make your resume stand out. But a self-introduction video can add life to your resume. Videos transform a static, traditional message into an action-driven presentation that will unleash your message in a powerful, dramatic way.
Videos also give the unique opportunity to communicate with your target audience in a way that puts you in touch with what is truly important to them, what motivates them, and what will leave an everlasting impression. This post will point out tips to get you started with creating a self-introduction video for your job search. Video Quality Is Important
To create the very best videos you need to use the right tools. Chances are you don't want to create a lengthy video. So, consider using a formula for a quick introduction. Your audience is not going to expect a Hollywood production from you but they will expect good quality. If you make low-quality videos then you will quickly lose your audience. Worse than that, you will misrepresent your communication skills.
Get the Right Equipment
A good HD camera is essential for making the best videos. If you have a smartphone then the camera in this is likely to be good but you should think about investing in a good quality webcam or outdoor camera. A smartphone video is better than nothing but other cameras will produce better results.
If you are going to shoot most of your footage indoors then an HD webcam that you can connect to your computer is a good choice. There are some good examples available on Amazon and other online retail websites. You should be able to find a high-quality webcam for under $100. You must use a high-quality microphone for your videos. Your audience isnot going to be impressed if the audio quality of your videos is poor. There are plenty of good-quality microphones available for under $100. Do you need to purchase lighting equipment for your videos? Again, this is a concern for indoor videos more than outdoor ones. It is crazy to put in a lot of planning and effort to make your videos and have them spoiled by poor lighting conditions. There are low-cost lighting solutions available. Video Editing Software
You are going to make mistakes when you are creating your videos so you need to use a good video editing application to make your videos the best they can be. Fortunately, there are a lot of free video editing solutions available for both Mac and Windows computers.
There are premium video editing suites that have a lot of great features but you don’t need these to get started. Search for free video editing software and you will see many useful applications you can use. Make sure that you learn how to use your chosen video editing software. Screen Capture Software
You will likely want to record your computer screen and use this in your videos. To do this, you will need screen capture software. There are some really good free options available for this and you can use premium solutions too.
You can integrate slides that you have created in Microsoft PowerPoint or other presentation applications. Screen capture software is great for making over-the-shoulder videos where you are demonstrating something on your computer (i.e.: your portfolio, pictures of your work, etc.) Use Audio Editing Software
The audio quality of your videos is very important. A lot of video marketers record the narration for their videos after they have the main footage. You can use a powerful free audio editing suite like Audacity to produce the best audio results.
SOURCE: https://www.market-connections.net/blog/create-a-self-introduction-video-for-your-job-search
About the AuthorMandy Fard is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, CMRW) and Recruiter with decades of experience in assisting job seekers, working directly with employers in multiple industries, and writing proven-effective resumes. 
Customize your Resume by https://www.market-connections.net
Customize your ResumeTake the time to customize your resume — it demonstrates your interest in a job and shows you have taken the time to tailor the resume to the role being sought.
About the AuthorMandy Fard is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, CMRW) and Recruiter with decades of experience in assisting job seekers, working directly with employers in multiple industries, and writing proven-effective resumes. 
When the Recruiter Calls - Dos and Dont's
When the Recruiter Calls - Dos and Don'tsRecruiting, retained or contingency, involves (or should, anyway) directly approaching individuals who, based on their title or position, might well have the experience to handle the position their client (employer) is seeking to fill. The individuals who are approached are often employed at one of the client's competitors. You may have wondered about how to find the right recruiters. But now recruiters are calling and if they are seeking you, what would you do? What would you do when a recruiter calls and briefly outlines an opportunity with an unnamed company? If you're unhappy where you are and the opportunity sounds interesting, you'll want to know more. But I'm not talking about that scenario. I'm talking about the response when you ARE happy where you are. Because there's a smart way to respond and a not-so-smart way to respond. And either choice impacts your career far more than you'd think it does! So there you are, sitting at your desk working on an important project when the phone rings. And you pick it up. It's a recruiter, who introduces himself and his firm and asks if you have a minute. What do you say? "Thanks for calling, but I'm happy where I am." And hang up the phone? WRONG ANSWER!!!! Why? Because you just cut yourself off from knowing what's moving and shaking in your industry, which means you just cut yourself off from learning how to access the hidden job market that could potentially leverage your career. You've just decided to limit your options. And if you don't have access to information, you won't know how to evaluate a job offer and you can't make an informed decision, can you? What should you do instead? No matter how happy you are with your current company, listen to what the recruiter has to say. You have a far better chance of leveraging your career when a recruiter calls than when (and if) you contact a recruiter. Some people are truly happy with their current position and not interested in currently making a change, regardless of the opportunity presented to them at that moment. But you listen anyway, not to change, but to develop a relationship and keep yourself informed and in control for when you do need to change. A friend of mine went with a company that had statewide offices. She began in their corporate office right out of college. Over the years, she obtained her MBA and continued moving on up through the ranks. For TWENTY-FIVE years she was with this company.....until she was laid off a few months ago. She hadn't seen it coming. And she freaked out. If YOU aren't in control of your career, then your company IS. Corporate restructuring, layoffs and downsizing are taking place with alarming frequency as companies tighten their belts and look hard at who is contributing and who isn't. Sometimes it isn't even a matter of contribution. Sometimes it's simply eliminating an entire department - and it has nothing to do with YOU, individually, at all. For instance, it's not uncommon for a new manager or president to come in and bring his people with him. It can happen quickly and it can happen to you. Will you have a network to fall back on if it does? Will you have relationships developed with recruiters that you can tap into at a moment's notice? Develop it before you need it. The time to take control of your career is exactly when you think it isn't necessary: when you are happy and successful where you are. About the AuthorMandy Fard is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, CMRW) and Recruiter with decades of experience in assisting job seekers, working directly with employers in multiple industries, and writing proven-effective resumes. 
Photo by Andrew Lezovyi
Edit My ResumeIn my experience, almost every prospective client begins our conversation by saying: Please help me edit my resume. It only goes to say that almost everyone knows that a well-written and nicely presented resume can do wonders for your job search. So, before you send yours out, follow this checklist to ensure you are sending out a better quality representation of yourself. And if you're interested in hiring a resume writer to have your current resume "re-written", you an always start here. CapitalizationUse a manual such as The Gregg Reference Manual if you do not know the capitalization rules. Grammar, Spelling, PunctuationUse the grammar and spell check function, then print it out and read the document word for word. Spell checker doesn’t know that you meant "manager" when you actually typed "manger." Check for proper use of commas and semi-colons. Again, if you are unsure, refer to the Gregg Reference Manual. Run-on SentencesCheck to make sure you do not have run-ons that are hard to read. ConsistencyYou must be consistent with your number usage (dates, money, numbers), plurals, and abbreviations. For example, don’t list one date as 8/2020 and then list another date as 3/15/2019. Also, be aware of listing software consistently (abbreviation use). MS Word and Microsoft Outlook are both correct, but not consistent. Education SectionWhen you have a degree, list only the year that you obtained your degree. When you list your dates, (i.e.: 9/2012 to 6/2015) many resume-scanning systems will not recognize that you obtained a degree, only that you attended college for a period of time Ampersands, Pronouns, NumbersAmpersands (&) - Ampersnds (&) DO NOT belong on a resume. There are a few exceptions. One exception is a well-known company name (AT&T). Another exception is well-known industry terms (P&L). Pronouns - Pronouns are not allowed on a resume. As a rule 101 in resume-writing, the use of any pronouns on a conservative resume is not allowed (i.e.: Me, I, mine, my, you, your, yours, us, our, ours, them, their, theirs, he, him, his, she, her, hers.) For example, it is not advised to write sentences such as: “Helped clients with their projects” or “Supported the client to meet his objectives” or “Our aim was to support our clients’ vision”. Numbers - Spelling one-digit numbers vs two-digit numbers (or more) - Another rule in resume writing is to spell out one-digit numbers, but we type them as numbers when there are two digits or more. About the AuthorMandy Fard is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, CMRW) and Recruiter with decades of experience in assisting job seekers, working directly with employers in multiple industries, and writing proven-effective resumes. 
Photo by Igor Tishenko
Headline for LinkedIn ProfileWhen someone views your LinkedIn profile, they will see your name, what connection level you are with that person (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.), and your LinkedIn Headline. In many cases, hiring managers and recruiters will make the decision to read your full LinkedIn profile based on just these three things. Consequently, a good LinkedIn Headline acts like a newspaper or magazine title. It gives the reader an idea of what your profile will include (just like a newspaper headline previews a story). Your LinkedIn profile is a marketing piece — not a biography or a résumé. It’s not designed to outline your entire professional history. Instead, it provides enough information to get people to connect with you — and/or make a contact with you. Because it’s a marketing piece, you need to come up with a Headline that will instantly attract the attention of your reader. You have approximately 20 seconds to catch the attention of a visitor to your profile. Consequently, you must find a way to stand out in a crowd. If your profile is like every other profile on LinkedIn, you won’t stand out and you won’t be found as easily. Standing out with your LinkedIn profile can mean highlighting the strongest qualifications you have for an employer in your LinkedIn Headline, backing up those qualifications with accomplishments throughout your profile and using strategies that will help you become found by the people who most need someone like you. Being specific leads to a much better LinkedIn Headline. Great LinkedIn Headlines attract attention and the more people who view your LinkedIn profile, the better your chances of connecting with the right person who can lead you to your dream job. Your LinkedIn Headline needs to quickly identify you as a certain type of person — i.e., manager or executive, or someone who specializes in a certain field or industry. It can focus on the results you deliver or what you can do for a prospective employer. A well-written LinkedIn Headline will also help you to structure the rest of the information you include in your LinkedIn profile. If the information doesn’t support the Headline, consider whether it should be included at all. Remember, focus is important. Note: LinkedIn’s default for your Headline is your job title and company. If you don’t change it, this is what LinkedIn will show on your profile. The Role of Keywords In Your LinkedIn ProfileKeywords also play an important part in being found by people who don’t know you on LinkedIn — this is particularly true for jobseekers who are hoping for contacts from prospective employers and recruiters. Keywords are a list of words and phrases that are related to your work — they are the words that a prospective employer would search for when trying to find someone like you. LinkedIn Headlines are searchable fields using the “People Search” function when someone is looking for particular skills, interests, qualifications, or credentials. You can also incorporate keywords throughout your LinkedIn profile, including: — Your LinkedIn Headline — Your current and former Work Experience — Your About section on LinkedIn (formerly called LinkedIn Summary) — The Skills section and other sections in your profile Where can you find keywords? Brainstorm them. Write down a list of words that relates to you, your work, your industry, and your accomplishments. Try to come up with as big of a list as you can; you will narrow it down later. You can also find keywords in job postings or job descriptions. Check out online job boards for positions (don’t worry about where the job is located, just find positions that are similar to the one you’re seeking and write down the keywords). You can also find broad job descriptions — with plenty of keywords — in the U.S. Department of Labor’s free Occupational Outlook Handbook (http://www.bls.gov/ooh/). Another great research tool is Google’s free AdWords Keyword Planner, which can be found at: https://ads.google.com/home/tools/keyword-planner/. You can use keywords you identified through your earlier research and it will suggest related keywords (it will also tell you the popularity of the keywords you enter as they relate to current Google search results). Also look at LinkedIn profiles of others in your industry — especially people who do what you do. However, note that you are looking for inspiration — not to copy their Headline exactly. Now it’s time to narrow down your keywords and pick the “Top 10” that you will use in your LinkedIn Headline and profile. The keywords that you select for your profile must fit two criteria:
Focusing on these areas enables you to get the most out of your online efforts while differentiating you from other job candidates with the same job title. You need to express clearly: “I am this.” Someone who is reading your LinkedIn profile should be able to recognize you in it. If what you wrote could apply to anyone with your job description, revise what you’ve written. How to Write an Attention-Getting LinkedIn HeadlineThe LinkedIn Headline and the first 2-3 sentences of your About Section on LinkedIn are critical to making connections and securing opportunities from recruiters and hiring managers. You can learn a lot about developing your profile from online dating sites — because the concept is the same. You have to get someone’s attention. Your profile may be the first impression that hiring managers have of you — so make it count! You’re trying to get them to take a first step and reach out to connect with you. Focus on what you have to offer a prospective employer; don’t focus on you. The information you provide should be 80 percent about what you have done for your current employer (accomplishments-oriented), and 20 percent about you and what you’re looking for. Unfortunately, most LinkedIn profiles (especially the About section!), are the reverse. Think of it this way: Prospective employers are tuned into a particular radio station — it’s called “WIIFM.” All employers are listening for is: “What’s In It For Me?” (WIIFM). Remember: Employers hire for their reasons, not yours. What proof do you have that you can offer the employer the results they are seeking? Quantify your accomplishments as much as possible in terms of numbers, percentages, and dollar amounts. Don’t copy someone else’s LinkedIn profile. Be original! Look at other profiles for ideas, but don’t copy someone else’s LinkedIn Headline or About section. Remember — your online presence must speak to your “onlyness.” Also, give your profile some personality! People who make a connection with you through your profile are more likely to contact you about a career opportunity. Formula for Writing an Effective LinkedIn HeadlineThere are generally two schools of thought when it comes to writing your LinkedIn Headline. The first is using a narrative or descriptive title; the second is simply using keywords separated by commas, bullets, the pipe symbol on your keyboard ( | ) or other keyboard characters (stars, arrows, checklists, etc.). LinkedIn’s current algorithm gives higher ranking to matching keywords, so strategy number two appeals more to computer searches, while strategy number one appeals to human readers. Eventually, all profiles found through computer searches will be reviewed by a human being, however, so it is important to balance readability with the inclusion of keywords. You are limited to just 120 characters in your LinkedIn Headline, so it’s also important to be succinct and direct. Things you can consider including in your LinkedIn Headline: — Job titles — Types of customers / projects you work with — Industry specialization — Brands you’ve worked for — Certifications or designations — Geographic territory specialization Note: Remember, if you don’t write your own Headline, LinkedIn will create one for you — with the most recent job title in your profile and a company or organization name. This is very similar to strategy number one, so this is the most common type of LinkedIn Headline you will see on the site. But it’s not the most effective LinkedIn Headline. To improve readability, capitalize the first letter of each of the words in your LinkedIn Headline. Here are some strategies for writing your LinkedIn Headline, along with the advantages and disadvantages that go along with each tactic.
 Cyclists (background) photo by Pexels of Pixabay This strategy can also use the following formulas: — (Job Title) — (Job Title) at (Company Name) — (Job Title) for (Industry) at (Company Name) — (Job Title) Specializing in (Keywords) For example, here is an example of a LinkedIn Headline that incorporates a job title and keywords:  Cyclists (background) photo by Pexels of Pixabay
 Cyclists (background) photo by Pexels of Pixabay This strategy can also incorporate key projects and/or the names of key clients or important employers, especially if any of those have high “name recognition” value. You may also wish to include a specific industry or geographic area to your job function-focused Headline. Here is an example that uses job function and targets the kinds of clients this consultant serves:  Cyclists (background) photo by Pexels of Pixabay
This can be expressed in several different ways: -- (Job Title) That Gets (Results) -- (Adjective) (Job Title) With a Track Record of Success in (Results) For example:  Cyclists (background) photo by Pexels of Pixabay Be specific! Adding numbers and other specific wording can make your LinkedIn Headline much more powerful. Here is the same strategy, but this one quantifies the scope and scale of the benefit to the employer:  Cyclists (background) photo by Pexels of Pixabay But try not to include the “Top 10 Overused Buzzwords in LinkedIn Profiles in the United States.” Here is the 2018 list: • Specialized • Experienced • Leadership • Skilled • Passionate • Expert • Motivated • Creative • Strategic • Successful — Source: LinkedIn Pulse, Blair Decembrele Heitmann, March 2018
 Cyclists (background) photo by Pexels of Pixabay This strategy also works if you can make a claim that is defensible (if the statement is “arguably true”). Put the claim in quotes so it appears as if it was published somewhere.  Cyclists (background) photo by Pexels of Pixabay If you are having trouble writing your LinkedIn Headline, write a very rough draft. It doesn’t matter if it’s not good, or if you have to leave some blanks. Having a framework will make it easier for you to complete later. Go ahead and finish writing the rest of your LinkedIn profile and then come back to it. Oftentimes, the Headline will become much clearer at that point. (Just remember to review your LinkedIn profile to make sure all the information you’ve included supports the focus of the content, as directed by the LinkedIn Headline and About section.) About the AuthorMandy Fard is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, CMRW) and Recruiter with decades of experience in assisting job seekers, working directly with employers in multiple industries, and writing proven-effective resumes. 
Career Change Quiz
Career Change QuizThis Career Change Quiz is designed to serve as a Career Change Self-Assessment. Rate each of these job or job or career change reasons (internal and external reasons) on a scale of 1 to 5. It starts with 1 being “does not apply to me or doesn’t affect me” to 5 being “affects me greatly.” As you rate your answer from 1 to 5 for each of the items below, write your answer for each item and then add up your score.
23-46 points: You’re starting to see reasons to make a change, but there’s no urgency. 47-69 points: Look for opportunities to make little adjustments and see if that helps. 70-92 points: You probably need a change. Start thinking about what you want to do. 93-115 points: This ship is going down! It’s time to take action. About the AuthorMandy Fard is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, CMRW) and Recruiter with decades of experience in assisting job seekers, working directly with employers in multiple industries, and writing proven-effective resumes. 
Job Change Or Career Change
Job Change OR Career Change?There’s a saying in the careers industry that you’ll know it’s time to make a job or career change when you start asking yourself if it’s time to make a change. While there is truth to that, there’s more to making your decision. Below are tips to help you identify some of the reasons why you may want to make a job change or career change and give you practical strategies to use as you make your decision. Reasons for a Job or Career ChangeThe first step is to assess the reason — or reasons — why you may desire a change. Change can be difficult — it usually is — so you want to make sure that the reason you are considering a switch isn’t something temporary that will fix itself, if given enough time.  INTERNAL reasons for a job or career change Some of the reasons why you may be considering a job change or career change are INTERNAL REASONS. These can include:
 EXTERNAL reasons for a job or career change EXTERNAL REASONS — that you have no control over — can also impact your decision to make a job change or career change. These can include:
Remember, you want to assess whether the INTERNAL and/or EXTERNAL reasons that are prompting you to consider the change are temporary (short-term) or something you would be permanently affected by. You should also assess the “temperature” of these reasons and how they affect you. Some of them may be more of a “minor inconvenience,” while others may feel “unbearable”. For example, while you may be working in a declining industry, as long as you have a job, you may not be interested in switching jobs or changing careers. But that’s almost like being a frog in a pot of water that is slowly heating up. The question isn’t “if” you will eventually be affected by changes in the industry, but “when.” If you take charge of managing your career, you will be in a better position to handle career change, not just react to it when your boss summons you into his office sometime down the road to let you know your services are no longer needed. Change Jobs Or Change Careers?Do you want to change the company you work for, or change your career path entirely? Take a look back at the assessment you just completed. Ask yourself if making a change to a new company would fix the issue or issues you identified. Or are they issues that are embedded within the industry itself, and would only be fixed if you changed industries entirely? Also, think about how you feel about the actual work you’re doing. Do you still have a passion for the type of work you’re doing, but maybe not in this particular work environment? If that’s the case, changing jobs could improve your situation. You might not need to change careers. Things to Consider Even if you’ve identified that there are internal or external reasons that you may want to consider making a change, ask yourself this: “Is there an opportunity to improve my current situation?” As previously mentioned, some of these things may be temporary and the issue may resolve itself. But the other piece of the puzzle is you. Is there some way that you could make a change that would improve the situation? For example, could you transfer to a similar position in a different part of the company? Could you talk to your supervisor and see if there are opportunities for additional responsibility or advancement that you may not be aware of? Could improving your skills (for example, pursuing additional education, training, or certifications) help you? If you feel your current situation can’t be improved, the next thing to do is develop a plan. Make sure you have a plan for what you want to do next before you decide to make a change. Think before you act — don’t be impulsive. Change can be difficult — the bigger the change, the more difficult it may be. Also, you want to make sure you’re running towards something you want to do, and not running away from something you don’t. Being impulsive may lead you to do something you may later regret — like one of those viral “I Quit” videos that are fun to watch, but may lead to long-term ramifications when prospective employers Google your name. Assess your marketability at another company or for another career path. What skills, education, and experience do you have to offer? Inventory your accomplishments. In the next section, where we address practical strategies, we’ll talk about the value of having your résumé professionally written so you can see how you stack up on paper for your desired next job or new career. Consider the timing of making a change, if you decide that’s what you want to do. For example, you may not want to leave your job in November if you’d earn an annual bonus if you stayed another month. The same is true for things like vested options in a stock plan or retirement account — make sure you manage the timing of your departure to maximize your benefits. Basically, don’t leave money on the table if you can help it. Along with considering the timing of your departure, do you need to do some things before you change jobs or careers? Perhaps you need to take some classes or earn a certification before you’ll be prepared to make a job or career change. Create a Personal/Professional Development Plan (PDP) for yourself, outlining the steps you need to take to bridge the gap between where you are now (skills, education, and experience) and what you need in your new job or career. Checking off as many of those items as you can will help make the transition smoother. Finally, it’s easier to find a job when you have a job, so don’t just quit your job. And don’t burn bridges at your former employer, if you can help it. Give ample notice, offer to train your replacement, prepare a checklist or cheat sheet for your replacement, etc. Practical Steps For Your Job or Career Change |
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