Dear Experts, A job is opening up, but I'm not supposed to know. What can I do to prepare to apply? I know someone is leaving in our department. I think her position will be filled. I want to apply before they post it. I'm not supposed to know she is leaving though. What can I do in advance to prepare? Here is how our T.A.P. experts answered this question:Q#309 Make sure your resume is up to date and you have references on hand. Make a good impression b4 U need it. (@beneubanks) Q#309 U cd go 2 HR 4 general talk re opps @ company, desire 2 move up. Ask how 2 do so, get advice/coaching. (@juliaerickson) Q#309 Is person lvg well regarded? Has s/he told u s/he's lvg? s/he cd put in gd wrd 4 u. U cd help him/her 2. (@juliaerickson) Q#309 Figure out a way to "find out", then approach the hiring manager directly. Worked for me once... (@gradversity) Q#309 Start positioning w/o showing UR hand. Use knowledge to "be there" on the job & document accmpl on rz. (@dawnbugni) Our Twitter Advice Project (T.A.P.) is no longer an active campaign. To find an answer to the above question, please use the "Search" box in the right-hand column of this website.

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"Do you really need a LinkedIn profile?" As a 20-year career coaching veteran, I get asked this question almost every day.
The short answer? Yes, you do need a LinkedIn profile.
Why? Well, here are two reasons why I think you should have a LinkedIn profile in 2023:
Why You Need A LinkedIn Profile
@j.t.odonnell Replying to @user30726650 2 reasons to setup a @linkedin profile in 2023. #careertok#jobtok#linkedin#linkedintips#linkedinprofile#jobs#jobsearch#joblife#careerhelp#careeradvice#career#job♬ original sound - J.T. O'Donnell
Reason #1
First of all, 840 million people and counting now have profiles on LinkedIn, which means there's a 100% chance that somebody who works at the company that you'd like to work for someday is on LinkedIn. Now, why does that matter? Well, studies show that as much as 80% of all jobs are gotten via some form of referral. And if you've ever applied online and never heard back, you know what I'm talking about.
Applying online is the worst way to get hired. The best way to get hired is to know somebody who knows somebody who can get you in touch with a recruiter or hiring manager. If you have a LinkedIn profile, you can do that yourself. You can reach out to somebody that works at your dream company and ask, "Who's the best person to talk to about these types of jobs?"
Reason #2
The second reason you want to have a LinkedIn profile is for the purpose of background checks. Companies are going to look you up on social media. They're going to see what you're about. Having a LinkedIn profile that's very professional, that describes your skills and experience, is going to be a great way for you to rank. Your LinkedIn profile will rank when somebody searches your name based on how many keywords (skills) you include on your profile. Recruiters will be able to find you. It's simply a great way to put your best foot forward.
So for those two reasons (and for the fact that it can take you less than an hour to set up your profile), I think it's so worth it to have a LinkedIn profile. We are all businesses-of-one. We're service providers. We need to manage our careers. And if you're a purpose-driven professional who wants greater career satisfaction, you've got to own that. Why not use a free tool to have more control?
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It's that golden moment, the one you always dream about. The moment your boss offers you a raise, and you didn't have to ask for it! It doesn't happen often unless you have something in your contract that stipulates your pay increases, or some other sort of mandated pay raise. However, for the majority, an impromptu raise is just a dream.
There are no promises to be made here. Many raises, even those you ask for, depend on a variety of factors. You have control over whether or not you deserve a raise, but not always over getting one.
Luckily, there are some things you can do that will push you closer to getting a raise, whether you ask for one or not:
1. Bring In New Business
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It doesn't matter if you're in sales or not. If the company you work for isn't able to bring in new business, they aren't going to grow, and they won't be able to afford to give you a raise.
In today's business world, everyone is in sales. You are a business-of-one. You have to sell yourself, your company, your skills, and your products. If you aren't a salesperson, you may not have the know-how to follow a sale through to the end, but you can still bring in business.
For example, just because I was an accountant at Dr. Snooze mattress company doesn't mean I had less of a chance to get a raise than the people on the sales floor. I'd still get leads and find new accounts. I used excellent customer service to ensure other companies kept coming back to do business with us.
Start looking for ways to bring in new business and you'll be amazed at what you can learn.
2. Become An Expert (On Something)
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This "something" should be related to your field, obviously. There's no point in learning everything there is to know about QuickBooks if you work as an account supervisor. Sure, it might occasionally come in handy, but the goal is to become a go-to person on a topic.
If someone has questions about an account, they should be coming to you, and you need to be able to answer them. It's even more impressive if you can reach out before they even realize there's an issue. Not only does that mean that you increase your customer retention, but your clients will remember that and recommend you.
3. Find A Mentor
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Not just any mentor. Do what you can to ensure that the mentor you choose is someone you would like to model your career after.
In today's marketplace, having a mentor that's a little bit old-fashioned (or at least respected in the industry) might be a great way to distinguish yourself. After all, careers now last about 4-5 years, instead of 40-50. You need to be on-call 24/7, but that doesn't leave you any time for a life. A mentor can help you work through the kinks and can help you to pave a path that others want to follow.
With guidance from a mentor, you'll stand out from other employees on the job, and could be next in line to get a raise.
4. Make Your Boss Look Good
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There is nothing that will make your boss love you more than if you make them look good. After all, they'd probably like a raise just as much as you would, so it makes sense that they need you on their team. Stepping on their toes and making them look like they don't know what their doing isn't going to win you any favors.
When I was working at McElroy Metal, this tactic worked perfectly for me. I gave my supervisor all the credit for a huge sale I made, and he quickly became a favorite with the owner. When it was time for him to give promotions, I was the first one to be recommended.
5. Become Irreplaceable
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The thing is, once you've made yourself irreplaceable, you can ask for pretty much whatever you want (within reason, of course). Becoming an indispensable employee involves doing what you're supposed to, plus everything listed, and then a little bit more.
After all, people who make themselves exceptional stand out for a reason. Having the perception that losing you would decrease productivity around the office and cost them money means that job security is locked in tight, and your boss will want to fight to keep you.
There is no way to promise that you'll get a raise. Much of it has to do with things you have no control over—the company's current standing, when a promotion becomes available, or the overall economics of the country.
Even if that can't be guaranteed, however, you can drastically increase your chances of getting a raise—whether you ask for one or not.
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This article was originally published at an earlier date.