Could a Low Use of Data Be Affecting Your Business Growth

Could a Low Use of Data Be Affecting Your Business Growth LinkedIn have warned recruitment businesses that a low use of data among recruiters could have a negative implication for the future of their business, as  new  research has  indicated that a slow adoption of new skills in the recruitment industry can impact the growth and impact of UK businesses. How is a poor use of data affecting businesses? A study of 500 senior HR and recruitment professionals revealed that nearly one in three (31%) admit they aren’t taking full advantage of the data insights into the skills of the wider workforce now available through social media. Not using data insights to inform recruitment activity has a clear impact on the ability of the business to identify and hire the right candidates. 28% of those involved in the survey stated that the biggest impact of not using data is reduced business productivity, which is caused by the length of time it takes to hire new employees and one in five think that a slow recruitment time can damage its staff morale.    A further 21%  reported slower growth, with 18% saying the extra time causes a potential loss of revenue. Chris Brown, Director LinkedIn Talent Solutions, commented: “Talent is the number one driver of success for businesses today. Companies that invest in their recruitment functions, give them a seat at the boardroom table, and give them access to the latest tools and insights have a competitive advantage. Being able to apply data insights to solve hiring challenges is just one of the things top employers look for when building their recruiting teams.” What role does data play? Data is becoming increasingly important in recruitment, and this has been underlined by the fact that 35% of  those surveyed said that better data analysis skills  was the top priority in successful recruitment in the future, and more than half (56%) believe the use of data insights will increasingly shape business strategy over the next three to five years. As part of its investment in new skills, defence company Thales has put 18 new recruiters through LinkedIn’s Recruiter Certification programme in the last year. Robert Hilder, Global Head of Sourcing at Thales commented: “The prevalence of social media today means employers now have direct access to a vast array of insight into where sought-after skills exist, among both active and ‘passive’ candidates. Recruiters need to know how to make use of all the tools available to them to stay ahead of the game. The ability to analyse and deliver data-driven insight and recommendations to our senior leadership team is something we put a lot of emphasis on when hiring and developing new recruiters. As a result, talent acquisition in our company now has a far higher degree of influence when it comes to informing strategic hiring decisions in the business.” Chris Brown at LinkedIn concluded: “These kind of insights will help organisations find talented people quickly and easily, and also inform strategic business decisions, such as where to locate new facilities and which markets have untapped pools of talent.” [Image Credit: Shutterstock]

Caregiver Resume Writing Tips

Caregiver Resume Writing TipsFor many caregivers, resume writing is a time-consuming and difficult process. Caregivers have to deal with various forms of stress in the workplace, from deadlines to changing job duties. Therefore, it is essential to gain some tips for caregiver resume writing that will help them craft a killer resume without giving up their time.It is important to have a good understanding of the caregiver's skills, talents, and educational background. A caregiver's resume should include details about each of those areas so that the employer will be able to determine if they are suitable for the position. The caregiver must choose one or two of the areas that would be best suited for a resume. Of course, the candidate must know the kind of job the company is looking for and be able to write the best possible cover letter for the position. Because this job requires hours of concentration, the caregiver must write a strong resume that will impress their employer and make the boss look at them as someone who deserves the job.Employers, hospital administrators, or managers, might find it helpful to ask a few caregivers to talk to them in person or over the phone. They can give the caregiver's specific examples of jobs where they excelled and asked the caregivers to describe exactly what they did to get hired. The caregiver must be able to recount in detail every aspect of their duties, both the positive and negative aspects. Even though employers may not use the job descriptions to create a resume, the supervisors can still glean useful information about the caregiver's capabilities and strengths.A caregiver must also write a brief section about their caregiving skills. All caregivers must be aware of their strengths and weaknesses in the area of caregiving. Being aware of your strengths and weaknesses allows you to train yourself on how to improve yourself through constant practice. Caregivers must be willing to admit when they have made a mistake a nd they should not be afraid to ask for feedback from others who have handled similar jobs.The other areas of the resume should also be highlighted if the employer wants to see the caregiver's skills in that area. Caregivers can write a more detailed section of their skills and achievements related to their occupation. However, the employer might not be able to pick up on every small detail. If this is the case, caregivers should just mention what they have accomplished in a general way. But if a little more attention is needed, then the employer will appreciate the extra effort put into making their resume look professional.Most employers look for a candidate who comes across as highly qualified on the resume but the caregiver's resume should also offer the employer some ideas that can help the caregiver. If there is a nursing program that a caregiver is interested in taking part in, the resume should mention this as well as how long they plan to be in the program. This information can be valuable to the employer because it shows that the caregiver is serious about being a nurse and shows how caring they are toward other people.Another tip for caregivers who are going to go to school or already have certification in their caregiving skills. The employer might be curious about how long the caregiver has been practicing. Or the employer might want to learn about the caregiver's achievements in other areas such as mentoring, in-home assistance, or other leadership positions. A caregiver can add these accomplishments to their resume in order to show the employer how much they have already achieved.Caregivers should also highlight how much they love their work and how committed they are to practicing their caregiving skills. All of these are valuable characteristics and the resume should highlight each of them. It is also a good idea to add personal references, accomplishments that involve their families, and any special skills that they possess.

How to Apply for Your First Graduate Job

How to Apply for Your First Graduate Job You are going to apply for that first job, right? But how do you feel? Well, different people have different kind of feelings when faced with this situation. Some jobseekers feel really excited. Some of them are nervous. Many others are quite confident about it. As a matter of fact, nervousness and excitement are all part of the process. If you want to make the most of this opportunity, you should prepare yourself in advance. Given below are some tips that you can use to achieve success in getting that first job. Be prepared! Make sure your resume is in good shape: When it comes to applying for a first job, most of the jobseekers fail to create an impressive resume. If you want to avoid this mistake, you should do some research on your can create a resume to grab attention immediately. Even those who lack experience can write an attractive resume. So, the first step is to use resume writing tips and have a look at a couple of samples. Say no to trendy clothes: A conservative approach towards dressing is the best idea while you go to meet with the employer. It’s always a good idea to dress like a professional. A casual approach might also work sometimes. In any case, you need to completely avoid dresses that signal the latest fashion trends. Use off-peak hours for maximum attention: There are various ways of contacting with the employer. You can submit a resume at a company. You can cold-call the employer. In both the cases, you should select the time carefully. It’s never a good idea to call or meet with the employer during busy hours. So, choose off-peak hours. Know the reference: If you got the job information from a reference, you should know a good bit about them. No matter whether it’s an employee, a friend or an influential person in the industry, you should always remember to mention the reference. Who you know can make a big difference to whether you should be called for an interview. Even if you got the information from an ad, you should remember the source and the date when it was published. Don’t interrupt: First time jobseekers should also remember not to disturb the employer or the hiring manager when they look busy. Don’t make any mistakes in desperation. If you interrupt someone in the middle of a conversation, you’ll make a bad impression. Act with patience. Know how to complete a job application: If you start applying for that first job, you should also be ready to successfully fill out the application form. Make sure the information that you provide in the employment application form is accurate, correct and complete. Some of key details that you’ll need to provide include position for which you apply, personal details, educational qualification, references, contact address etc. Make no spelling or grammatical mistakes. Recheck before submission. Don’t forget to follow up: Don’t ever forget to follow up with the companies you applied at. Most of the jobseekers don’t bother to reconnect with an employer who doesn’t respond after several days. If you really serious about landing interviews, you should always remember to telephone or email the employer (after a couple of days of applying) to know the status of your job application. Be polite: Don’t be harsh or rude if you are rejected. Remember, being rejected is just a part of the game. Always act with a positive attitude. If the employer has no vacancy, request them politely to inform you when a new job opportunity arises. Be polite so that you don’t ever burn bridges. Be sure to check out How College Students Can Benefit from LinkedIn as well. Author: James Tomerson writes regularly on career, education and latest job trends. To read more from him, you can visit Jobdiagnosis.com, which also offers jobseekers a free career aptitude test to choose a career which is in tune with their career, aptitude and skills.

What to Know About Sales Jobs Before Taking One

What to Know About Sales Jobs Before Taking One What to Know About Sales Jobs Before Taking One Occupations Careers / https://www.edenscott.com/blog There are a few things you should know about a sales job before taking one. If youre considering a sales career, dont worry this article will take you through EVERYTHING you need to know about working in sales.The reality is: Most people dont know what a sales job is like. You dont learn much about this in school.Most people learn about career paths like Finance, Accounting, Science, Engineering.Because schools cannot (or do not) teach sales techniques, youre usually introduced to the option.So lets get started heres what you should know about sales before you take that job!Everything You Need to Know About SalesSales jobs are a pretty well-kept secretI cant name many other jobs where you can earn millions with just a bachelors degree, and Ive seen multiple salespeople making 7-figures FIRST hand with random bachelors degrees like History, English, etc.And you can also forget the stereotypes about how a career in sales requires an outgoing or extrover ted personality because its simply not true. Being a great listener is a powerful skill to have for working in sales.So those are some of the perks or best parts of working in sales, but there are also a lot of misconceptionsWorking in Sales Isnt What You Think It IsHere are the top 5 skills that are most important to succeed in a sales job:Great listenerHigh emotional intelligence/empathyIntuitive and able to read peoples reactionsNot afraid to address tough issues as they come up, or dig deeper to find someones true feelings about a subjectTough-minded and able to bounce back from rejection or continue through a tough day or weekForgot the movies youve seen like Boiler Room. Very few people cold-call anymore. Forget Always Be Closing. It should be Always Be Building Relationships and Earning Credibility/Trust. And that does NOT take an outgoing or loud personality.How Much Money Can a Salesperson Make?Its not uncommon for people in sales to earn more than $100,000, and sometimes m any muliples of that amount in B2B (business to business) sales. This is possible because many sales roles are paid commission in addition to base salary, which earns them a percentage of the deals they close. This creates an unlimited up-side in potential earnings.Sales is one of the best ways Ive ever seen to make money without an advanced degree and without paying your dues and climbing the corporate ladder for years or even decades.Sales is one of the few jobs where youre paid for the results you deliver, not the amount of time you spend in the office. If youre unsure why, heresan article I wrote specifically on this subject.I know what youre thinking now: Being paid commission is too unreliable. I cant have that kind of risk. Well, plenty of good sales jobs have a base salary of $50K-60K.Thats hardly unreliable, in fact, its more than a lot of people are paid in total. Add in commissions and youre earning hundreds of thousands if you find the right company and industry. What in dustry? Check out the next two sections.Other Benefits of Sales Jobs You Should Know About:High pay isnt the only benefit to a job in salesMany people in inside sales work remotely or at least have some flexibility to work from home. All you need is a phone and computer!Youre prettyessential to the company, soyoure a lot less likely to be laid off during company struggles.Sales is a very transferable and valuable skill so you can change industries or companies relatively easily, although youd have to build a new network of course.Youll develop a lot as a person by working in sales. Youll have to leave your comfort zone and push yourself, and youll experience massive personal growth because of it much more than in other jobs/industries. This is true of being a recruiter, too, which I experienced myself.The Downsides of Working a Sales JobIve mentioned some of the benefits of working in sales above, and Ill share even more coming up. But this wouldnt be a good article on what you shou ld know about sales jobs if it didnt include the downsides, too.So lets talk about some of the negative aspects of sales jobs now. Heres what to know about sales that isnt so greatFirst, its very high-pressure.There are goals and quotas and youre always chasing.And failing to meet your goals consistently can even cost you your job. Sales is one of the few jobs where you can be fired just for not being great at it. Usually in other positions, you have to be really making mistakes to get fired, but not in sales. In sales, if you dont close deals, youre costing the company money and they may fire you.This wont happen right away, dont worry. A good company will train you very well and be extremely patient as you learn the basics of your role.But if its been six months and youre still not closing any deals, they might have a talk with you about how sales might not be the right fit for you.Sales jobs are also competitive. Sales teams tend to be full of alpha-males (and females), and peopl e who love to compete. Its not unusual for many sales teams to be filled with people who played sports in school, etc.Now, I mentioned earlier that you can be quiet and introverted and still succeed in sales, and thats 100% true. But you need to be able to survive on a team where most people arent like you. Thats the key. Youre not going to be surrounded by other introverts in sales, even though you can be a huge success as one!Those are the major cons or downsides you should know about sales jobs. Otherwise, its a very good career.The Best Type of Sales Job to Take (and What to AVOID)You should focus on corporate sales (also known as Business to Businessor B2B sales). This category usually holds the best sales jobs.The opposite would be business to consumer (B2C) which could include selling phones at Verizon, selling cars, etc. You dont want to sell to individual consumers for a few reasons. The biggest reason is that individual consumers dont have that much money. How are you goin g to close a $10 million deal with a single person? Youre not. A single company? No problem.There are two main types of B2Bsales jobs: Inside Sales and Outside Sales. Inside salespeople are office-based and primarily contact people via phone, email, etc. Outside sales involves travel, meeting face to face, etc. An inside salesperson will meet people face to face occasionally depending on the job, but this is usually quite rare, sometimes not even once per month.Whichever you choose is up to you. Be sure to find out what the job involves when you apply though. The job description shouldspecify. If you see travel mentioned, the job is outside sales.What Industry or Company Should I Look For?To find the best sales jobs, lookfor companies with high margins and high profitability. They can afford to pay you more commission!!Software companies are an example of a very high margin business. They have largeupfront RD costs to develop a piece of software, but once its done the cost to create and package a CD with software loaded on is less than a dollar. Its pure profit at that point, and they can afford to pay you a hefty commission because each sale you bring in is money right in their pocket (and your pocket).Any company thats profitable and earning a high margin is a good place to work in sales. Here are some areas to try:Commercial real estateBusiness SoftwareFinancial ServicesInsuranceTelecommunicationsAny service with a recurring subscriptionor ongoing fees (just make sure the commission structure continues to pay you for this!)Warning Signs to Watch for in a Sales Job:If you decide to look for your first job in sales, be careful to select a company that offers a good training program and a comfortable base salary while training.Avoid the companies that pay only commission and no salary, or companies that require you to start as a temporary employee to try it out. These companies will hire many people regardless of whether they think they can do the job, and the y risk relatively little if somebody fails.You want a company thats going to investtime and resources into making sure you succeed! A good company with a healthy sales organization will trust in their ability to train you and get you up to speed, and will have no problem paying you a fair salaryduring this training period and beyond.When interviewing, aska lot of questions and make sure you understand the compensation structure. Interviewing for a sales job is different than most interviews. You can ask questions about the compensation structure and its not considered off-limits usually. Try asking what the top earners made last year. Ask what the average person earns in their first and second year. Questions like this will paint a clear picture of what you can accomplish if you put in the effort.That concludes everything you should know about sales jobs before starting one. If you think sales might be a good career choice for you, give it a try. You wont know if you dont try it, an d youll be learning very valuable skills that you can take with you in your career even if you decide a career in sales isnt right for you.

Writing About Product Knowledge In A Resume

Writing About Product Knowledge In A ResumeWriting about product knowledge in a resume is a good idea if you have sold a lot of a product or company. There are many ways to find out this information, either through research or by asking a few people. Having this information on your resume will help show the interviewer that you know what you are talking about when it comes to selling your company or product. Knowing how to use this information will help you land the job of your dreams.Writing about product knowledge in a resume begins with a good understanding of the product. You need to be familiar with it and how it has helped other people. If you do not sell the product yourself, then you will need to have a very specific reason for being hired to sell it. Also, find out how long you have been selling it. This will help you to show why you should be hired to sell the product again.If you are applying for a job at an online retailer, you will want to include a statement that states , 'I am passionate about the product I am selling.' When they see this, they will be thinking that you have a passion for the product and you will be able to talk about it effectively. This statement shows that you understand the product and that you will be knowledgeable about it.Writing about product knowledge in a resume is also a good idea if you have worked for a previous employer. There are plenty of things you can say about the company that you worked for. They will want to know if you will continue to work for the company after they hire you. If they hire you, then you will be able to talk about your experiences with them and how you were able to sell the product or make the sale for them.Another important statement is, 'I can give you the right information you need to make a sale or purchase of this product.' This statement will show the employer that you are a valuable employee. They will want to get your input on any products or services that they have available. This sta tement will show that you are committed to the company and that you will be an asset to them.Using this kind of writing about product knowledge in a resume is not as hard as you may think. All you need to do is be clear and concise in your statement of knowledge and your resume will be ready to go. There are many tips that can help you with this and you can always consult someone else with writing experience to get help.Writing about product knowledge in a resume will be necessary if you sell a lot of products. It is good to have this information on your resume because it will show that you have sold your products and gotten to know the industry. This will help you make connections with potential customers and that will help you get better results. You can use this information as a resource to help you sell more products in the future.Writing about product knowledge in a resume is a good idea if you sell a lot of a product. Having this information on your resume will help show the e mployer that you know what you are talking about when it comes to selling the product. You can also use this information as a resource to help you make more sales in the future. Using this information in your resume will be the best way to show the employer that you have experience in the industry and that you will be an asset to them as a person and as a selling tool.

#89 - Personal Branding Expert Series with John White - CareerMetis.com

#89 - Personal Branding Expert Series with John White The Career Insider Podcast Apple Podcasts | Android | Email | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | TuneIn | RSSForEpisode 89of The CareerMetis Podcast, we will be hearing from John White.This interview is part of the “Personal Branding Expert Series“.evalGuest Introduction â€" John WhiteevalJohn White is the founder of Social Marketing Solutions: a digital marketing agency that works with entrepreneurs and tech companies to help them refine their message and deliver it to a strategic audience.Episode Summary1.John talks about getting out of corporate and moving in a new direction.2.Writing articles on LinkedIn and how that led to writing gigs with major publications such as Inc.com and Dice.com.3.John suggests writing based on your personal experiences and sharing stories. He suggests sharing one’s personal experience that is relatable to other people is very effective. Storytelling is very powerful.4.John shares some writing platforms to share one’s writing â€" LinkedIn Pulse, Mediu m,etc. LinkedIn is the top platform for B2B audience.5.Social media isn’t something one should be doing once-in-a-while. It has to be incorporated into day-to-day activities. The most important thing is consistency, as it affects the results.eval6. John shares his final piece of advice â€" “Be Bold. If there is something you want to do in your career or to chase after your dreams â€" be relentless and go for it”.Quotes“I had a very successful run but I just wasn’t able to progress like I wanted to”“I needed to do something different”“I ignored all of my mentors and went ahead”“Think about all of the stories, personal stories, from your career”eval“That’s how you get readers, by giving them that emotional hook to your content”“Social media has to become integrated with your day to day activities”“You don’t have to be a writer to establish a personal brand these days”“Personal branding is not something that happens overnight”“Fear can be a powerful thing if we use it the right way”Links ResourcesTo learn more about John White, you can visit his company website. He can also be reached viaLinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook.Intro Music provided courtesy of Accelerated Ideas (www.accelerated-ideas.com). Soundtrack â€" Siren KickbackEnding Music provided courtesy of Accelerated Ideas (www.accelerated-ideas.com). Soundtrack â€" No Need to Rush

Trainee Train Driver Assessments; Error Checking Tests

Trainee Train Driver Assessments; Error Checking Tests TRAINEE TRAIN DRIVER ASSESSMENTS â€" HOW TO PASS ERROR CHECKING TESTSThinking about becoming a trainee train driver?Do you have what it takes to pass the trainee train driver assessments?As part of the train driver selection process, you will be expected to pass ample of tests. These tests are specifically designed, and each one serve a particular purpose.  TRAINEE TRAIN DRIVER ASSESSMENTS â€" SKILLS AND COMPETENCIESAs I mentioned previously, in order to become a train driver, you will need to demonstrate a particular set of skills and attributes which are required for train driver positions. You will need to pass the challenging process of trainee train driver assessments.The following is a list of some of the KEY skills and qualities you will need to possess if you are thinking about a career as a train driver.All of the above skills form the CORE COMPETENCIES of the trainee train driver assessments, and thus it is imperative that you are able to clearly demonstrate these skills in a professional and effective manner.  HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?Becoming a trainee train driver is a long-winded, competitive and demanding process. It is a challenging role that requires only the best of the best, therefore making it hard for people to obtain a  career as a train driver.However, with the right amount of practice, perseverance and preparation, you could improve your chances of obtaining this career.Firstly, you need to pay huge attention to the importance of the trainee train driver assessments. Many people overlook the importance of these assessments, but they do play a huge role in whether or not you are successful.WHAT ARE ERROR CHECKING TESTS?During the trainee train driver assessments, you will be given a test that assesses many of the skills that I have stated previously.The Error Checking Test is an assessment that focuses specifically on assessing your concentration and attention to detail.Basically, you will be given an Error Reference Chart which you need t o pay close attention to. From this, you will be given a diagram which will require you to check the order and determine whether an error is present.  A BREAKDOWN OF TRAINEE TRAIN DRIVER ASSESSMENTS â€" ERROR CHECKING TESTSBelow I have broken down the assessment, just to give you some indication as to what the test will look like.For the purpose of this test, you should remember that your ACTUAL assessment will not look exactly like this, but it is a great way for you to become familiar with the assessment, and improve the required skills needed to pass the test.Here is a detailed breakdown of your assessment: You will be given a set of diagrams for which you need to find the errors, using the Error Code Chart provided.The Error Code Chart are the codes that you will need to use to answer all of the questions.The Error Code Chart will remain the same throughout the test, and is shown below:You will then be given 5 questions based on an Error Reference Chart. This will need to be use d and remembered to determine which errors the bicycles have. The bicycles may have one or more errors. You will be able to work out the errors based on the reference codes and whether they are the same. If the bicycle does not have the same reference code, then there is an error.The Error Reference Chart is formulated below:Using the Error Reference Chart, you must place the correct error code for each question. For Each Reference Chart, it will contain 5 questions. You will need to work out where the errors lie in the diagram.Using the above Error Reference Chart, and using the Error Codes, find the error in the following diagram.ANSWER FOR SAMPLE QUESTIONFor Check 1, using the order for checking, you need to check the Rear Tyre. Using the Reference Chart, the Rear Tyre is referenced ‘3’, whereas in the question it is referenced ‘2’. This shows an error, because the references do not match. Therefore, you would need to write RT in the Check 1 box.For Check 2, using the ord er for checking, you would need to check the Brake Pads. Using the Reference Chart, the Brake Pads are referenced ‘N’; in the question, the Brake Pads are also referenced ‘N’, therefore shows no error. In order to mark no error in the box’, simply put a line through the box.For Check 3, using the order for checking, you would need to check the Lights. Using the Reference Chart, the Lights are referenced with the power ‘1-3’; in the question the Lights are only powered to ‘2’. This shows an error, because the references do not match. Therefore, you would to write L in the Check 3 box.For Check 4, using the order for checking, you would need to check the Front Tyre. Using the Reference Chart, the Front Tyre is referenced ‘4;’ in the question, the Front Tyre is also referenced ‘4’. This shows no error, and you should draw a line through the box, indicating that there is no error.ERROR CHECKING TEST â€" PRACTICE QUESTIONThe above Chart is a reminder of the Erro r Codes that you will need to insert into the Error Report for each error you find.Using the Error Reference Chart below, answer the questions based on the information found in this chart.For the next 2 questions, use the above Error Reference Chart to determine which errors the bicycle have. If the bicycle does not have the same reference, then there is an error.Only enter a code if there is an error present! If an error is not present, draw a line through the box.Question 1  Question 2    ANSWERS TO PRACTICE QUESTIONSQuestion 1  You have to check the rear tyre first. Does this match the reference chart? Yes it does, therefore there is no error. So put a line through Check 1. You have to check the brake pads next. Does this match the reference chart? No it doesn’t, therefore there is an error. So put BP in Check 2. You next have to check the lights. Does this match the reference chart? No it doesn’t, therefore there is an error. So put L in Check 3. Finally, you have to check t he Front Tyre. Does this match the reference chart? Yes it does, therefore there is no error. So put a line through Check 4. Question 2  You have to check the brake pads first. Does this match the reference chart? Yes it does, therefore there is no error. So put a line through Check 1. You have to check the rear tyre next. Does this match the reference chart? Yes it does, therefore there is no error. So put a line through Check 2. You next have to check the lights. Does this match the reference chart? Yes it does, therefore there is no error. So put a line through Check 3. Finally, you have to check the Front Tyre. Does this match the reference chart? No it doesn’t, therefore there is an error. So put FT in Check 4.FURTHER RESOURCESHere at How2become, we have a range of Train Driver products that can help you on your pursuit to becoming a trainee train driver.For more information on becoming a train driver and the trainee train driver assessments, another great resource for you to look at is the TrainDriver.Org website.  Check out more sample error checking tests.Take a look at our online train driver testing suite.See details on our train driver 1-day intensive course. This entry was posted in Train Driver, Resources. Bookmark the permalink. Katie Noakes RAF Initial Officer Training: Cranwell 2016Find A Job You Love; Career Change

Over 50 How to find job satisfaction -

Over 50 How to find job satisfaction - Job satisfaction isnt a typical state of mind for most U.S. workers, according to the  The Conference Boards 2015 Job Satisfaction survey. They found 48.3 percent of U.S. workers are satisfied with their jobs. While that is an increase of 0.6 percentage points from 2014, it still leaves the majority (51.7) of U.S. workers dissatisfied with their work. If youre over 50 and seeking a more satisfying work experience, youre in good company, but you may face challenges many younger, job hopping workers may not see as obstacles. You could be worried your age will make it difficult to find a new position, or your salary requirements and family situation prevent you from taking risks that may or may not pay off in the long run. How can you find that seemingly allusive job satisfaction? Take control and dont let anyone tell you its too late to do something you enjoy in an organization that appreciates you. Despite perceived (or real) challenges, you can take steps to drive your own career bus, no matter what your age. Determine Whats Making You Unhappy What, specifically, do you not enjoy about your current job? Is it the work itself, the people or the company? What would need to change to help you feel more satisfied at work. Once you understand the problem, its a lot easier to search for a solution. Discuss your findings with a trusted advisor or friend. Is it possible for you to make a change to improve the current situation? Is there anything in your control that you can change? For example, if youd like more flexibility, is it reasonable to assume you can get it? If your boss is the problem, can you negotiate a transfer to a different department? If theres nothing redeeming about your job, start thinking about an exit strategy, but if theres something specific that can make your current situation better, youll want to look there, first. Would You Be Happier Working on A New Challenge? If youve been doing the same job for a long time, you may be bored with your work. Do you really need a new job to get excited about work again? Perhaps, but if that isnt your first choice, think about how you can make the most of your existing situation. Can you volunteer for a new project? Maybe you can suggest a new initiative and offer to head it up. Or, maybe theres an interesting committee you might want to join? Find something that engages you and taps into your interests and you could be able to find job satisfaction right where you are. Take a Class Learning something new has the potential to help in two ways. New skills may get you excited about what youre doing. Maybe you can learn how to do something youve always done in a new way. Simultaneously, your training may help qualify you for a new position. It could be your ticket to job satisfaction that has eluded you thus far. Plan Your Exit Strategy Maybe theres nothing redeeming about your job, and leaving is the only way to achieve job satisfaction. Dont convince yourself that your age prevents you from landing a new job. Age discrimination isnt a myth, but its not something you cant overcome. Update your resume so its modern and targeted.  If you’re worried about age discrimination, don’t start your resume with, “Over 25 years of experience in ______.” Do not try to hide your age via a “functional” resume that mashes up your skills without detailing when and where you gained them. Focus on your most recent and relevant 10 years of work history and make a strong case for your candidacy. Embrace Technology Use social media  to demonstrate your expertise and to connect with people who might be able to share useful information or introductions. Prepare to participate in a video interview, and make sure youre tuned into what skills your targeted employers are seeking. They likely want to know youre flexible and able to learn new things. However, theyre probably  even more interested in what you already know. Your years of experience are an asset, not a liability. Make sure you market your accomplishments correctly, and it will be easier to overcome potential objections due to your age. Be Positive It it easy to make a change, or to follow your dreams to a new position? No. Is it possible? Of course! Its just a matter of how much work, time and effort youre willing to put in. Dont let negativity prevent you from moving on. Use your energy to identify and emphasize your unique value proposition. Be able to answer the question, What makes you more qualified than anyone else for the targeted job? You are the only one who can make the change you deserve in your career. Dont delay. Take steps toward career and job success and you wont be sorry. Today’s post is in honor of Job Action Day,  a day for all job-seekers and workers to take stock of their situations and make plans and/or take action steps to improve their careers. Many of my colleagues are sharing ideas about how to find job satisfaction over 50.  I’m delighted to be invited to contribute and to suggest you visit other posts about the topic.