Job Hunting Without A College DegreeAre you tired of reading job ads that sound like a great match for you, only to find out that they require a college degree? You might start feeling like you’re the only one who didn’t finish college. The truth is that you have plenty of company. Two thirds of American adults lack a bachelor’s degree, according to the US Census Bureau. While higher education is enriching, it can also be difficult to afford. You can have a satisfying career without a four-year degree. Learn how to continue your education or find high paying jobs with the qualifications you have now. Finding Jobs That Don’t Require A Bachelor’s DegreeA growing number of employers are reconsidering the degree inflation that occurred in recent years. Some major companies no longer require a bachelor’s for certain positions. You can find many opportunities if you know how to look. Keep these tips in mind:
Continuing Your EducationOf course, you may want to continue learning for your own personal and professional reasons. Additional studies look impressive on your resume as part of your accomplishments and help you to lead a richer life. These activities will help you to continue learning:
Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg are just two famous examples of how to succeed without completing college. Higher education can be an excellent investment, but there are other paths to a rewarding career and meaningful life.
How To Find Contract WorkOne out of every eight employers utilizes temporary or contract employees. It is estimated that between 17 million and 41 million people work as consultants, freelancers, contract workers, temporary employees, seasonal or on-call workers, and interns. About 15 million of those are considered “full-time independents,” working more than 15 hours a week. On September 25, 2020, The Federal Register published Independent Contractor Status Under the Fair Labor Standards Act. It explained that MBO Partners, a leading American staffing firm, finds that almost half of U.S. adults — 47.8 percent — report either currently working or having worked as an independent worker at some time during their career. Over the next five years, this number is projected to increase to 53 percent of the workforce either currently working as an independent worker or who will have worked as an independent. Independent work — in particular, contract work — is attractive to individuals who are looking to return to the workforce while or after caring for children or aging parents and those who are looking to transition from full-time employment into semi-retirement. It’s also increasingly an option for those who are starting their careers. This is supported by the statistics: Millennials — born between 1980 and 2000 — made up 38 percent of the full-time independent workforce in 2019, according to MBO Partners’ “State of Independence” report. Baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, encompass 33 percent. Temporary and contract workers are an important part of the workforce. Contract workers offer companies flexibility in staffing and help fill in gaps (especially in growing companies), to address seasonal needs, or when permanent employees are on leave, sabbatical, or vacation. Contract and temporary opportunities are particularly attractive to jobseekers during recessions and economic downturns. For the jobseeker, the interview-to-hire process is often shorter, meaning you can be back to work more quickly. Even companies that have enacted a hiring freeze may still be taking on temporary or contract employees, because this money often comes from a different budget than traditional salaries. Eighty percent of full-time independent workers are independent by choice. More than half say they will not go back to a traditional job. In addition, 53 percent of full-time independent workers report they feel “more secure” working independently. This is perhaps a reflection that even traditional employment has no guarantees of stability. And a growing number of contract positions are for remote work, removing geographic proximity from the requirements for working these types of positions. What Is Contract Work?Temporary positions — or contract work opportunities — are an alternative to full-time, permanent work. Contract and temporary work can also be a side hustle to supplement your income. In 2019, 15 million people had a side hustle, an increase of more than 40 percent since 2016. Contract workers may be self-employed or may be contracted through an agency. Self-employed workers are responsible for their own taxes, insurance, and benefits, while agencies often employ contract workers as W-2 employees (handling the billing, paperwork, and taxes for the contract employee). There is sometimes a perception that contract work is only for low-paying, lower-skill jobs. This isn’t true. There are contract opportunities available for almost any field and industry and for a wide variety of positions — up to, and including C-suite roles. Contract work opportunities are common in creative service professions as well as the information technology, financial services, and healthcare industries. Among full-time independent workers, the average income is $68,300, according to MBO Partners. This is higher than the median family household income in the United States ($59,039). About 20 percent of full-time independent workers earn more than $100,000 a year. In 2019, 40 percent of independent workers had a 4-year college degree or higher, including 17 percent who hold advanced degrees. Jobs may be listed as “contract” or “temporary ” — but they’re not the same. Contract positions are for a specified time period. Temporary positions, on the other hand, may not have a defined time period. Temporary workers may be directly employed by an employer, or may be employees of a temporary agency. Contract workers, unless hired through an agency or consulting firm, are independent contractors. This means you are responsible for your own taxes, insurance, and benefits. In essence, you are self-employed and the company you’re working for is your client. One important distinction between permanent and contractor or temporary positions has to do with the Internal Revenue Service. IRS regulations dictate that the employer cannot have as much control over how a contract worker does his or her job as it would with a permanent employee. While the requirements of the position don’t change if it’s permanent or temporary, the employer can’t define how the work is done by a contract worker. Because it’s easier to find a job when you have a job, accepting a contract position makes you more attractive to prospective employers. In addition, contract work opportunities can often lead to a full-time, permanent position, especially if the opportunity is advertised as a “temp-to-hire” position. This type of arrangement allows a company to see if the individual has the skills, education, and personality the position requires before committing to a permanent position. Advantages and Disadvantages of Contract WorkAs with any type of position, there are advantages and disadvantages to contract work opportunities. Some advantages:
Some disadvantages:
Where to Find Contract WorkContract work opportunities can be found in many of the same ways as traditional job opportunities are found: networking, online job boards, and direct contact with prospective employers. Online When searching for contract opportunities online, look to the traditional large job boards such as Indeed.com, SimplyHired.com, CareerBuilder.com, Glassdoor.com, and Monster.com. Use search filters to identify contract and temporary roles (not all job boards offer “contract” or “temporary” as search filters, but many do). Also consider specialized marketplaces, like FlexJobs.com, Outsourcely, WorkingNomads.co, or industry-specific job sites like Mediabistro, ProBlogger.com, Dribble.com, or Authentic Jobs (for creative and media opportunities) or Dice.com or Stack Overflow (for technology positions). You can also find online job boards specifically for remote opportunities. These include: Remote|OK Remotive Hubstaff Talent Skip The Drive Virtual Vocations Jobspresso We Work Remotely Some of these sites require a subscription to access job opportunities, but may also offer benefits, such as access to education and training. Not familiar with marketplaces in your target industry? Search for “contract work” + your industry or “freelance jobs” + your industry and see what comes up. For example, a search of “contract work” + public relations yielded several online sites, including RemotePRJobs.com (a subscription site) and PeoplePerHour.com. There are also online marketplaces to match freelancers with opportunities. These include sites like Guru.com, Freelancer.com, and Upwork.com. Some of the gigs posted are extremely short-term (a one-time project, or a one-week project), while others are contract opportunities lasting 3 months, 6 months, or longer. Social Media Search LinkedIn for contract work opportunities. One of the search criteria is “Job Type” and both contract and temporary positions are available in the search. (If applicable, also choose the “Remote” search criteria to expand beyond your current geographic area.) You can also check out Company Pages on LinkedIn and see what other companies LinkedIn recommends you connect with or follow. Word of mouth is consistently reported as one of the top ways to secure contract work. Staying connected with previous co-workers and supervisors on social media ensures you are top-of-mind when a contract opportunity comes about. If you are unemployed, be sure to let your network know you are open to contract work opportunities. Direct Contact Another source of contract opportunities is previous employers. This is especially relevant if your current position was eliminated due to an economic downturn. Your previous employer may be interested in hiring you as a contract employee. The funding for this work may be available from a different budget line item. While you may not be able to get as many hours as you would as a full-time employee, you already know the job, and that makes this option attractive to your previous employer too. And you’ll be in a position to be re-hired full-time in the future if the economic situation changes. Consulting Companies/Agencies There are a number of agencies and consulting firms that help connect contract workers with employers. Some of these specialize in particular industries, while others serve a wide variety of independent workers. Business management firms for contract workers, such as MBO Partners, can not only help facilitate a match between a contract worker and an employer, but also help handle billing and paperwork related to contract employment. Some even offer the opportunity to participate in benefit programs, such as health insurance and retirement plans and/or offer liability insurance. Some possible sources include: MBO Partners Creative Circle Toptal Field Nation WorkMarket Other firms act as the “Employer Of Record” (EOR) for companies, handling the administrative, compliance, and financial logistics for employing contract workers. Some of these firms include: FoxHire SafeGuard Global Airswift Lano Important Considerations for Contract WorkersAs a contract worker, there are some things you may not have had to consider previously, but that need addressed. Scope of Work Agreement (SWA) One of the most important documents for contract workers is a Scope of Work Agreement (SWA). This written agreement outlines the details of the arrangement between the contract worker and the employer. The agreement should state that the arrangement is one between an independent contractor and the contracting company. The contract should also specify — in writing — what the specific responsibilities and deliverables are, including deadlines. The SWA may also outline the specific timeframe for the contract arrangement. It should also detail the amounts and timing of payments, including when payments are due, and what happens if payments are not made. Finally, it should clarify ownership of the work being performed. Does the contract worker or the hiring company own the work? Both parties should sign and retain copies of the SWA. Insurance If the contract worker is functioning as a self-employed individual, there are several types of insurance to consider. In addition to health insurance, the contract worker may be required to show proof of liability coverage. In addition, if possible, the contract worker should obtain short-term and/or long-term disability coverage, although that may be difficult to secure and/or costly, depending on the type of work being performed. For health insurance, consider procuring health insurance through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace at https://www.healthcare.gov. If you have recently lost your insurance coverage from a traditional employer, you may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period outside of the annual open enrollment dates. Also, consider short-term health insurance plans, which provide more limited coverage but at a lower cost. These plans are available for terms of up to 12 months (renewable up to 36 months, depending on state of residence). Liability policies may be available through your regular insurance agent or specialized agencies, such as Hiscox. In addition, some Employer of Record agencies offer liability insurance coverage. Benefits One of the disadvantages to contract work is a lack of benefits — in particular, retirement and health insurance. In the same way that you should secure your own health insurance, you should fund your own retirement plan. One option is to open a Roth IRA, an individual retirement account that allows you to set aside money for your retirement that can be withdrawn tax-free, provided certain conditions are satisfied. The money invested within the Roth IRA grows tax-free. Contributions can be made at any age, as long as the account holder has earned income. You do have to meet income requirements to contribute to a Roth IRA. In 2020, the income limit for singles is $139,000; for married couples, the limit is $206,000. The amount you can contribute to a Roth IRA also changes periodically. In 2020, the contribution limit is $6,000 a year for individuals up to age 50; those 50 and older can contribute $7,000. Almost all brokerage firms, banks, and investment companies offer a Roth IRA. Consult a financial advisor for specific information. Taxes One of the biggest differences between permanent employment and contract employment is taxes. If you are employed through a staffing agency or Employer of Record, that organization may assist with tax compliance. If, however, you are self-employed, you are responsible for withholding and submitting your own taxes, including quarterly estimated taxes. You should consult with a qualified tax advisor to ensure you are setting aside and remitting the correct amounts to both the state and federal government. The Future of Contract WorkContract work is expected to continue to grow in the coming years, especially as remote work opportunities become more available. Technology increases the opportunities to not only perform job responsibilities but also find contract opportunities and handle the billing and paperwork associated with working independently.
Contract work is especially appealing to skilled professionals, aging baby boomers who are looking for more control over their time in their pre-retirement years, and millennials, who like the flexibility of contract work. Employers also find a contract work arrangement to be beneficial, giving them access to skilled workers who want more control over their time and income. And because contract workers can be employed on an as-needed basis, it gives employers flexibility to respond to changing economic situations. The future of work is likely to be more fluid. Instead of a series of long-term, permanent positions, workers may find themselves shifting between independent work and traditional employment. Some industries, such as the film industry, have provided a model for team- and project-oriented work for many years. Research suggests this is likely to become more common in other industries, such as information technology, healthcare, and government services. So whether you’re considering contract work as a bridge between permanent positions or a new way of working, you’re part of a trend in the workforce. Why losing your job could be a good thingWhether you’ve already lost your job through down-sizing, redundancy, or any other reason, or if you’re under threat to lose your job, your first thoughts run from blind panic to anger, desperation, and all points in between, especially if you have a family and all the commitments that go with it.
It’s especially daunting if you’ve been in that position for a long time and assumed that you had that job for life. When it’s the only job you’ve ever known, finding out that your job has gone can be devastating. Even if it’s a job that you’ve tolerated for years, when you no longer have it, you suddenly forget all the things you didn’t like about working there and remember only the good. It’s human nature. But the feelings of loss, of being in free-fall, create feelings of doubt. And doubt can cause a huge loss in self-confidence at a time when you need it the most. Rather than block out those feelings, acknowledge them, embrace them, and then let them go. They will not serve you in moving forward. Keep in mind that many layoffs are activated by accountants - usually people you don’t know and have never met. They have no idea who you are, what your skills are, what your true worth is, and how your family might suffer from your job loss. They’re just doing the job that they’re paid for. Why Me? The accountants are simply moving numbers from one column to another on the balance sheet to keep the company solvent and in business. So, avoid wasting your time trying to figure out ‘why me.’ You are just a number to them and there’s no answer to that question. Granted, it might be tough for you to make sense of the situation. But sooner or later, you know you have to get past it, over it, or around it, so why not make it sooner? Later has no merit at all, does it? Here’s the truth. Losing a job is part of modern society. We live in a rapidly changing world, and this is just another kind of change, and change is the only constant we can truly expect. Look around you. Everyone you know that has a job has come from some other workplace. And most of them ended up with a better job after their move! You can too! Regardless of what happens to you, it’s what you do about what has happened to you that’s important. So, although you didn’t anticipate this change, you can look at it as an opportunity to reinvent yourself, rethink, reset, adjust, and get a clear idea of not only what is possible for you, but what could also change your life for the better. Have you ever had thoughts about a career change? It just might be the perfect time to consider one. It could be so much easier to make such decisions now that your old job isn’t holding you back from going after what you truly desire. Could There be a More Perfect Time? Think about it. Could there be a more perfect time to re-define what you want to do with your life and get clear on what’s important to you? Follow these steps to plan your perfect direction:
Make copious notes for a week or more. Then go back and review. Notice where the commonalities are and make a decision to follow up on what gets your attention the most. You may find a fascinating new direction to pursue! Some people have found that losing their job was the very best thing that could have happened to them. Why not you? Read This Before You Reject a Job OfferUS job losses due to COVID-19 have reached their highest level since the Great Depression. With news like that, you might wonder if it’s foolish to even consider turning down a job offer. However, it’s still a case-by-case decision. Sometimes it makes sense to settle for a position that seems less than ideal. Other times it’s worth holding out for a job you’ll really love. How can you decide what to do when an employer presents you with something less than your dream job and they’re waiting for your answer? Try these tips for accepting or rejecting a job offer without derailing your career. Evaluating A Job OfferHow to evaluate a job offer:
Rejecting a Job Offer
Accepting a Job Offer
Hesitations About the Job OfferJob Offer Reservations:
Keep in mind that overnight success is rare. Most careers involve progress and setbacks. Clarifying your criteria will help you to weigh the tradeoffs when you receive a job offer, so you can decide what works for you.
Entertainment Industry JobsThere are entertainment industry jobs available for just about anyone who wants to be an extra in a movie. Extras are always needed for every kind of films, and a specific look is not always required. Producers will be interested in all types of people, and though most of these entertainment industry jobs do not have speaking parts, they do give people without necessarily any type of acting ability a chance to participate.
When we're young and full of ideals, we consider only the cream in the world of entertainment industry jobs and, if we feel entertainment is our calling, aim for acting, directing, or maybe writing roles. But there are also thousands of other equally important positions available, from the grips to the CGI assistants to the editors, of both the writing and the film. And this is just for the movie industry. What about those reality shows ? Take just the singers alone, how many different styles and types of entertainment industry jobs are there? Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were also the cruiseship singers, the piano lounge singers, and Karaoke performers, and many more. Put another way, not every one is cut-out to be a rock star or a pop icon. And again, that reference is to just one show, one niche in the industry, one genre, one example of millions possible. That’s just television alone. There's also film, music, streaming theatre, and much more. Then think about the entertainment industry jobs within parallel yet collaborative niches: take for instance, one of the biggest selling events on Television? Football! Cheerleaders, Announcers. This makes us think of newscasters, maybe camera men, and what about those special effects professionals. Come up with your own associations list. While you are doing that, remember the execs, the emcees, the paper-pushers, the makeup artists, the go-cart mechanics, and caterers, etc. I will round up a couple more sources for entertainment industry jobs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics features entertainment industry jobs, and discusses and describes the job duties, the trends, the requirements, and much more for thousands of jobs. (Their site, bls.gov, reminds me of other entertainment industry jobs, like amusement park attendants and entertainers, hotel work, museum work, and on and on.) Go through the entertainment industry job boards as well. Many have a database of information and resources to help you define, determine, and decide what to go for. Some will require a few dollars, while others may offer a free trial period. While you’re at it, check up the union – the union websites like the Screen Writers Guild, etc. You will certainly end up finding a huge or tiny but imperative position! Five Tips for a Job Search During a PandemicThese five (5) success tips will help you as you conduct your job search during the pandemic Success Tips For Job Searching During the PandemicNot everything has changed. If you experienced success with your job search strategies before the pandemic, you should still implement them. For example, if you are good at writing Thank You letters of if you are good at following-up, you should still practice your success techniques. Focus on Your StrengthsCompanies hire employees who can solve problems for them. Sales people create revenue. Accountants ensure compliance with regulations and provide financial data that can be used for decision-making. Customer service staff help answer questions, keeping customers happy. Beyond what you do for a company, what is the impact that you have on the organization? It’s even more important to highlight accomplishments on your résumé, LinkedIn profile, and career documents in a competitive job market. Change careers, if necessary, to a new field. Assess your work history and identify older skills and/or experience you can leverage. Seek out opportunities for additional training and learning. Be Clear on What You NeedThe more specific you can be about the opportunity that you’re seeking, the more likely you will find it. Take some time to define what you’re looking for in your next job. Are you looking for a position that allows you to work remotely? Do you have a specific schedule you need — for example, because your children are engaging in remote schooling? Having a list of criteria like this can help you identify whether a position will be a good fit — or not. Look For Companies That are Hiring or In NeedBe aware of which industries are holding steady or growing during the pandemic, and which ones are struggling. Focus on essential companies that are not affected by government shutdowns. Create a target list of companies. Researching your prospective employer is even more critical — be aware of changes affecting the company due to the pandemic. Set up Google Alerts to get informed about news affecting your ideal employers. Follow your target companies on LinkedIn. Subscribe to the company’s emails, blog, and social media channels. Nurture Your NetworkNetworking is even more important for a job search during times of high unemployment. Meeting face-to-face or for coffee may not be an option right now, but you can connect virtually. Stay in touch through social media, phone calls, Zoom or FaceTime, email, text, and LinkedIn messages. Adapt to the New Needs of the Job SearchPrepare for an online job interview. Set up a specific space for the interview. Make sure it’s someplace quiet with no distractions. Conduct a practice session with a friend on Zoom. When it’s time for the actual interview, dress like you’re going to an in-person interview (head to toe!). Don’t be surprised if you don’t hear back from the interviewer right away. Be patient. The hiring process will likely take even longer than normal. That’s true even if the company initially seemed in a hurry to hire. Do follow up, but don’t be a pest. Ask how the person is doing, and if there’s anything they need from you to move the process along. If you do have a job offer that is put on hold, consider asking if you could work in a contract or temporary role in the meantime. For example, one national furniture rental company is currently in a hiring freeze, but they are staffing with contract/temporary workers in the meantime. One advantage of job searching during a pandemic is that it may be easier to interview because remote interviews can be done at any time. You don’t have to drive somewhere and wait in an office for the interviewer. You can have your notes in front of you that you can reference easily. And, if the interview is by phone (and not by Zoom or Skype), you don’t have to dress up or worry that you’re making sufficient eye contact with the interviewer.
Companies that are hiring are pivoting to meet jobseekers where they are. Most job fairs have gone online, allowing you to participate remotely. Some companies are doing Zoom “meet and greets,” allowing prospective employees to interact with company representatives virtually. Should you be searching for a new job now? If you’re in an industry affected by the pandemic, the answer is likely yes. If you’re in an industry that is currently in a hiring freeze, lay the groundwork so you’re prepared to make a change once the pandemic ends. Even if you’re not interested in changing jobs right now, create a plan for the future. Some things about the job search — for example, virtual job interviews — are likely to stick around long after COVID-19 is gone. Job Searching During a PandemicHow to find a job fastUnemployment numbers are expected to continue to fluctuate through the end of 2020 and into 2021. While the pandemic is new, looking for work in a challenging job market is not. You can supplement some of the “tried and true” job search techniques with special strategies that are necessary because of COVID-19. But there are no hard and fast rules for a job search in a pandemic, so be flexible! Even if you are currently employed now, some companies have announced further layoffs and furloughs as the pandemic stretches into late 2020. It’s important to be prepared for what’s next. This means updating your résumé and LinkedIn profile and taking the time to track and document your accomplishments. In addition, it may be useful to take some time to analyze your transferable skills and experience, particularly if you are in a declining industry or an industry that has been negatively affected by the pandemic. Some things about the job search are the same:
However, some things are different in a job search during the pandemic:
One important thing to remember: Don’t automatically discard the things that worked for you before in your job search. If you have had success previously with a specific tactic — for example, working with recruiters, or tapping into the hidden job market, don’t write them off just because there is a pandemic. “No One Is Hiring” Your mindset is especially important when looking for a job during a pandemic. Companies are still hiring new employees. Want proof? Search for openings on job aggregator sites like Indeed.com, SimplyHired, or Monster. Check out the “Jobs on Facebook” feature (https://www.facebook.com/jobs/) or LinkedIn Jobs (https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/). You’ll see hundreds of open opportunities. Companies in the shipping/delivery field are hiring, as are grocery stores and many healthcare facilities, including pharmacies. Information technology and technical support positions are also in high demand, as employees need more assistance with their computers and other devices when working from home. Look for companies that are meeting pandemic-specific needs. These companies are now hiring for temporary, part-time, and short-term opportunities. However, some industries are struggling. For example, hospitality companies — restaurants, airlines, resorts, hotels, and conference centers. Almost everything related to the entertainment industry has been affected. Colleges and universities are facing budget cuts as students defer returning to campus until the pandemic ends. Government organizations — often some of the steadiest employers — are also facing shortfalls affecting employment and hiring. Even in companies that are hiring, there may still be uncertainty. The hiring timeline has grown longer in some cases. If the company is conducting multi-person interviews, it may take time to coordinate schedules so all the panelists are available at the same time. Some job openings may be put on hold temporarily as situations change in the business. You may even have a job offer rescinded if a company’s fortunes suddenly change. If you’re suddenly unemployed, your next job may not be a full-time or permanent position. It may not be your dream job. But a short-term or temporary position may make it easier for you to weather the pandemic and be in a position to get a new role in the future. It’s often easier to get a job when you already have one. And some temporary and short-term roles may turn into permanent positions once the economy ramps back up again. You may also find yourself going through a career change during the pandemic. Is there a way you can use your existing skills in a new industry in the short term? For example, if you were a Server in a restaurant, can you use your communication skills to work a remote customer service job? Or if you were an Event Coordinator for a hotel/conference center, could you use your project management capabilities to manage scheduling for a hospital? If You’re Furloughed The pandemic caused a number of companies to furlough employees. Many of these companies continue to pay employee benefits (such as health insurance) but the furlough allows workers to apply for unemployment. If you’re still on furlough, develop a job search strategy in case your position is permanently eliminated. Start working now on updating your job search documents (résumé, cover letters, LinkedIn profile, etc.). so you can immediately start applying for positions if you find yourself without a job. With the end of the enhanced unemployment benefits, if you are still furloughed, you may be considering short-term or part-time work. Research your state’s unemployment benefit requirements to determine how this work may affect your benefits. Simple Networking Ideas To Find A New JobWe’ve all heard that the best way to find a job is through networking. While this is true, some of us just don’t seem to have that social-butterfly gene.
Here are some simple ways to let the world know that you’re ready, willing, and able to help their company. Create a profile on LinkedIn. LinkedIn is like the professional’s version of Facebook. Use the tools to create a profile and contact others who you already know on there. You never know who is connected to your friends and colleagues! Create a Meetup profile. Find Meetup gatherings in your area that pertain to your interests and objectives. You will meet amazing local people. When you sign up at a few Meetup groups, you will run into some of the same people at different gatherings. It's very easy to make new connections this way. Do this effectively and consistently a few weeks in a row. Watch opportunities knock at your door. Set a Facebook profile. Don’t use your personal profile if you already have one. Set up a profile specifically for your professional career. Post your resume and befriend everyone that looks like they might be able to help. Get on Nextdoor. Nextdoor is one of the fastest growing social platforms. You will be surprised at how many doors it can open. People seem to have welcomed and embraced Nextdoor into their daily lives faster than expected. Get active! Connect with your neighbors. People love to help. Get a Twitter account. Follow everyone in your field. Follow everyone you can in the geographic location you wish to work. Tweet away. Always carry business cards. You never know when you’re going to meet someone that might have the ability to help in your job search. Blog about your profession. You’ll attract people in the same field and also demonstrate your expertise. Follow blogs in the same industry. Subscribe to the blog and leave comments. Ask if you can write some content for them. It’s another way to get your name and experience out in the public eye. Let all your friends know. You might think you don’t know that many people. But if you think about all the people your friends know as well, you’ll see the numbers climb rapidly. Tell everyone what you’re looking for; you might be surprised who can help. Let everyone know. Your neighbors, members of any clubs to which you belong, your mail carrier, the bus driver, and more could all be helpful. Don’t be bashful. Have your elevator pitch ready. You should be able to fire off your elevator pitch in 30 seconds who you are, what you do, and what problems you can solve. Get a professional email address. Super.surfer1970@xxxxxx.com doesn’t sound very professional. John.Smith@xxxxxx.com sounds better. Finding a new job is about as much fun as getting a root canal. The best solution is to use as many tools at your disposal to find a job as quickly as possible. There is someone out there looking for someone exactly like you; you just have to find them. Use the ideas above and be creative; these are just the tip of the iceberg. Good Luck! Job Offer Acceptance EmailThere is not precise name for this letter in the same way there is a precise name for cover letters. I have seen people refer to and search for a job offer acceptance email using a variety of terms. So, a job offer acceptance email is also referred to as:
Accepting A Job Offer EmailThank You Email Sample 1 RE: [Job Title] – Offer Acceptance Dear [Recipient’s Name], Thank you for extending this job offer to me. It is my pleasure to accept this offer and to join [company name]. Please consider this email as my formal acceptance of the offer for the position of [job title]. I am excited about this opportunity and look forward to implementing my expertise and adding value where necessary. It is my understanding that my annual starting salary will be [salary amount] with benefits offered after my first 90 days of employment, as discussed in our prior written communication. I am eager to meet and join everyone else on [date]. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact me if I may be of any assistance. I may be reached at (555) 239-8083 or by email at youremail@email.com. Thank you again for this opportunity. Sincerely, [Your name] Email Accepting Job OfferThank You Email Sample 2 Subject: Job Offer Acceptance from your name and last name Dear [Recipient’s Name], This is to reaffirm my decision to join [company name] and to formally accept this job offer for the position of [job title]. I would also like to thank you for this opportunity. Per your request, you will find enclosed my signed copy of the [contract, employee agreement, etc.] I have fully read the content and I confirm that my starting salary will be [salary amount] and my starting date will be on [date]. I am eager to start on [start date]. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact me if I may be of assistance. I look forward to joining the team. Best regards, [Your name] Job Offer Acceptance LetterThank You Letter Sample [Date] [Contact Name] [Title] [Company Name] [Address] [City, State Zip] Dear [Contact Name]: Thank you for the opportunity to accept a position as [Job Title] with [Company Name]. I am happy to accept your offer, with an anticipated starting date of [date]. I am pleased to accept the starting salary of [$$], and the additional benefits of [list them specifically]. I will be at the [location name] on [start date] at [hour, time] and I am eager to begin my new role. Please let me know if I may be of service in the meantime. I may be reached at [000] 000-0000 or via email at [email address]. Thank you again. Sincerely, Your name Your email address Your LinkedIn Profile Address Enclosure: Resume
OVERQUALIFIEDWhen you're overqualified for the jobImagine someone refusing to date you because you’re too kind and beautiful. Yet, when you’re job hunting, you may run into employers who tell you that you’re overqualified for the position. How can you keep your impressive credentials and extensive experience from working against you? Follow these steps designed to help overqualified candidates land a job offer. Applying for jobs when you’re overqualifiedHiring managers may toss your resume as soon as they see your executive titles or advanced degree. Be proactive about addressing common concerns, starting with your first contact. These strategies will help you land an interview:
Interviewing for jobs when you’re overqualifiedCongratulations on getting this far in the process. Now, you can sell yourself to your potential employer, so they’ll see your capabilities as an asset rather than an obstacle. Try these techniques:
Be prepared to dispel misperceptions and doubts when an employer says you’re overqualified. Find a company that will appreciate your potential and give you the opportunity to take on new challenges.
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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. Archives
May 2024
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