Work It Daily's TikTok account is about to break 400,000 followers. We need someone charismatic and entertaining to record 60-second videos to help people unlock our site's potential.
The best part? This is a paid gig!
The person who is selected to create TikToks for us will be paid on a per TikTok basis. So, if you love creating TikToks and can help us get the word out, then here's what you should do...
Go over to Work It Daily's TikTok account, watch a few of our recent videos (because you'll see how we use the "Green Screen" effect to feature the articles on our website), and then create a TikTok and send it to J.T. O'Donnell, Work It Daily's founder and CEO.
If you're the person for the job, we will hire you! So, what are you waiting for? Create a video on TikTok to audition for the job today!
Hiring managers ask interview questions about all kinds of things—your background, your experience, your successes, your failures, and all kinds of day-to-day issues. One of the things they may want to know is how you handle stress or pressure on the job.
Most jobs have elements of stress or pressure, and how you behave in response to that stress greatly affects how you perform and how you affect the work environment for others. Here are three sample questions and answers for you to consider before your next job interview:
1. How Do You Handle Stress And Pressure On The Job?
This question is pretty straightforward. You may be tempted to say, “I handle it just fine," or “It motivates me to work harder." Even though these seem like good answers, you'll be better off if you can give them a little more insight into you and the way you think. For instance, a more effective way to respond may be to say, “I've learned that, in times of stress, it's very important to prioritize my tasks so I can continue to be productive," and then give an example using the STAR or "Experience + Learn = Grow" technique.
However you've learned to deal with stressful situations, it's nice to follow up your response with an example of how you've put that approach to the test. Your example would include the steps you took to think about what had to be done and decide on priorities.
2. Describe A Time When Your Workload Was Heavy And How You Handled It.
This question is essentially asking the same thing as the direct, straightforward question above, but specifically asks for a story. Don't just say that you buckled down and stayed until the work was done. That does show you as someone who finishes a job no matter what, but you'll make yourself stand out more if you choose an example that walks them through how you approach and solve problems.
Highlight your critical thinking skills. Usually this will touch on how you had to look at the situation critically and prioritize what needed to be done immediately and what could wait (or what could be delegated). Walk them through why you chose what you chose and what the results were.
3. Describe A Time When Your Work Was Criticized And How You Handled It.
Isn't it always a bit stressful when our work is criticized? No one's perfect, so chances are you had your work criticized in the past (and will again in the future). To become better at anything, you must be open to constructive criticism and willing to learn from it. Learning and improving are what will make you even more valuable as you grow in your career.
Tell the hiring manager about a situation that is preferably far in your past and isn't directly related to important tasks of the job you're interviewing for. (Accountants may not want to talk about how you miscalculated a budget forecast because of a math problem—but telling a story about what you learned from a difficult situation with a project team member that made you a much better communicator would be great.) Explain the situation you were criticized for, the action you took to learn from or correct the situation, and the end result (STAR technique). Your goal is to show how you improved and became a better professional because of it.
Before your next job interview, practice answering the above questions about how you handle stress. That way, you'll be better prepared to answer with a response that will surely impress hiring managers and make you stand out from the competition.
**Need more in-depth interview answers? Download Career Confidential's Free eBook, How to Answer Interview Questions – 50 Tough Questions Answered, to learn the best strategies and answers for your next interview.
Or, join our career growth club today and get access to one-on-one career coaching, resume and cover letter reviews, online tutorials, and unlimited networking opportunities—all in your back pocket!
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This article was originally published at an earlier date.
Out of work? Out of luck! That is probably how you feel as you sit in front of your computer, hour after hour, day after day, submitting one application after another. Maybe you even look forward to getting job rejection emails because it is some response at least.
Even if you are looking for a job while employed, you may feel a strong sense of rejection when not selected for an interview or offered a job after an interview—especially if it has been a few months or you have had a few interviews without an offer. It is also likely you feel isolated (even invisible), especially if you aren’t working. At work, even if you weren't buddy-buddy with your co-workers, you were likely acknowledged in the halls or other common areas with a smile, nod, or at least a non-verbal acknowledgement that you exist. At home, alone in front of the computer, it is easy to become demoralized.
Work also provides us with a large part of our sense of selves, which is something you may be missing if you are in the middle of a job search. How do you think of yourself? When asked to introduce yourself, don’t you most often say, “Hi, my name is _______. I’m a ________”? Sitting at home alone for a few months may underscore the fact that apparently you aren’t a (fill in the blank).
As adults, our work serves to structure the rest of our lives as well. When we sleep, eat, play—everything revolves around our work schedule. If you aren’t working, you may fall into bad habits that are not helping you feel any less rejected or any better about yourself or your situation. If you are working, you may not being doing your best on the job. If you aren’t, maybe you have started sleeping in, not getting dressed, skipping meals, and/or not going outside. Did you brush your teeth today? How about your hair? If you aren’t working, are underemployed, or struggling in a position you hate, you may not feel as confident as you once did. This lack of self-confidence often feeds into the sense of rejection and demoralization—sending you into a negative spiral that can be a challenge to climb out of.
Think about how you feel about your current situation as objectively as possible to better plan for your future. Having a plan and some next steps outlined can go a long way toward helping you out of this negative spiral.
So, what else can you do? Here are a few tips for dealing with job rejection:
1. Set Realistic Short- And Long-Term Goals
Long-term goals give you something to focus on and look forward to. Short-term goals ensure you are moving in the right direction and moving toward your long-term goals. Daily goals will get you out of bed in the morning.
2. Do Your Best
Do you approach your job search by sitting in front of your laptop, hour after hour, searching for openings and submitting countless applications? Maybe you have completely given up and are just going through the motions, not even convinced you are a good candidate. Take the time to customize your resume and write disruptive cover letters to stand out to employers. That way, you will be one of the few selected for an interview (and hired!). The extra time and effort has value, and it can help you will feel like you are really doing something meaningful.
3. Change Things Up
Don’t do the same thing every day. Search for jobs one day, follow up with hiring managers on another, and dedicate one day to networking. Don’t forget to eat, sleep, get dressed, exercise, and go outside every day. Make your own schedule and stick to it!
4. Make Sure You Have The Skills You Need
How hard can a job search be? Believe me—you don’t know it all; no one does. Read blogs, articles, and/or books about career planning and job searching. Explore your field or potential occupations to determine if you need more skills to be competitive. Read articles or watch videos related to your desired job or about job searching and interviewing every day.
5. Garner Support
You may already feel bad if you are not contributing financially to your household. This makes it hard to ask for help. But you can't do it alone. Ask for help outside of the family if need be. Reach out to friends, old co-workers, and church or community members. You need someone who will listen to your ideas and give you feedback.
6. Network
Chances are you probably know how to network, but maybe you are too dispirited or you don't see the value in it. Nonetheless, it is a necessity and can result in your next job if you make the time and effort to contact and maintain connection with others. Join a LinkedIn Group or volunteer. It is most important to start and continue to get out there and meet people. Maintain your connections!
7. Get Creative
If you are just going through the motions or are focused on replacing the job you lost, you might be missing opportunities. If you feel that you must have a specific position or salary before considering a job you may be missing out on some great prospects! Look at every relevant job posting and make an interview bucket list. If you do this intermittently, you will have a better indication of what jobs are offered and you may discover a new direction that is perfect for you!
8. Be Realistic
You may own a home. You may be comfortable in your current location and may have loved ones nearby. But if there are fewer opportunities, you may also want to think about moving to where there are jobs, or consider applying for remote positions. In order to minimize job rejection, you need to make sure your expectations are realistic given your current circumstances. If not, it's time to think outside the box.
By employing these tips, you will reinforce the fact that you are doing everything you can to improve your circumstances, boost your self-confidence, and put you in a position to get noticed by more employers for more positions. Give it a try—it can only help. Good luck!
Or, join our career growth club today and get access to one-on-one career coaching, resume and cover letter reviews, online tutorials, and unlimited networking opportunities—all in your back pocket!
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This article was originally published at an earlier date.
Four million people. Four million people quit their jobs in August of 2021. The Great Resignation is real and it is at a tipping point.
But here's the problem: of those four million people (and plenty others), I can tell you that—sadly—millions of them are going to end up back in the hourly jobs or the type of work that they hate.
Before Quitting Your Job, Find Your Purpose To Unlock Your Career Potential!
The reason why millions of people will end up back in a job they hate is because of one simple thing: if you don't understand how to break down who you are as a professional, what kind of work you prefer to do, what kind of companies you're attracted to, and how to connect the dots around that, you will not find more satisfying work. You will not find your purpose.
Eventually, bills are going to pile up. People are going to be stuck returning to jobs that will make them more miserable than the jobs they quit. Unless you do something about it. Unless you manage to find your purpose and finally unlock your career potential.
Want To Learn How To Unlock Your Career Potential?
What kind of work you should be looking for based on your lifestyle and needs
How to identify the kinds of companies you would be happiest working at
Which of your skills you should focus on leveraging in a job so that you feel happier at work each day
How your personality impacts what type of work you should be looking for
So, if you're one of those people who has been a part of the Great Resignation, and you're saying, "I don't know what to do next, but I know I don't want to do what I was doing," come join me. Let me show you what you need to do to find work that actually makes you happy.
This training is going to blow your mind. I'm going to show you things about yourself you never understood as a professional, and you're going to wonder, "Why didn't they teach us this in school? But the good news is, I'm teaching you now.
There is one rule I always tell job seekers to follow in regards to their job search activities. Under no circumstances should you ever do this on a Monday.
The rule? Never, and I mean never, call or email an employer on a Monday to check the status of your application or ask where the hiring manager is in the decision-making process for a job.
Why You Should Never Contact Hiring Managers On A Monday
Mondays are the least popular day of the workweek. Even the most cheerful of workers struggle to get in the groove on a Monday. And, given that 55% of Americans surveyed recently said they would like a new job, it's safe to say that the majority of people are not in the best mood. Adding stress or pressure to their day is not going to help you. So, as much as you are dying to know where you stand in the hiring process, I would suggest waiting until later in the week for several reasons:
If the hiring manager hasn't made any progress, they will not appreciate you reminding them.
If you are not in the running, they will not be thrilled about having to give you the bad news.
If they are super busy and planned to address the hiring process later in the week, they will not appreciate you trying to push them to address it sooner.
Ironically, all that can change on a Tuesday when hiring managers are organized for the week and back in the productivity zone.
Job seekers should spend Mondays researching companies and identifying who they want to network with instead of contacting hiring managers. Save the calls and emails for Tuesdays and you'll notice that people will be in better moods and respond to you more positively. You'll have a much easier time in your job search if you avoid reaching out to hiring managers and recruiters at the very beginning of the workweek. Trust me.
Or, join our career growth club today and get access to one-on-one career coaching, resume and cover letter reviews, online tutorials, and unlimited networking opportunities—all in your back pocket!
Check out Work It Daily's Incredible Companies page to see snapshots of companies hiring. Work It Daily also highlights job opportunities on a daily basis on TikTok.
This article was originally published at an earlier date.
Looking for a job can be a nuisance, and life can get so hectic sometimes that many people end up relying on online job search engines. You apply to about 10-15 jobs a day, you're tired from whatever life tasks are in your daily routine, it took you about a good hour to find a job you would be interested in and is hiring, and the last thing you think about before hitting that submit resume button is: Is this job posting a scam?
It's hard enough to get any call backs from online job postings, so wouldn't you like to save some time and submit your resume to a real company that is actually hiring? If your answer is yes, here are some tips to help you spot any red flags in a job posting. Use these rules to avoid job search scams from chewing up your precious time as you look for your next job.
1. There Isn't A Company Name In The Job Posting
This may not be true for all job postings, but it's one you should consider. While companies use blind job postings for their own protection, there can be a negative side to it. This type of job posting can be used to gather personal information about you as part of an identity theft scheme. It might be in your best interest to not include too much information about yourself when you apply for jobs without a company name just in case. If you happen to get contacted for an interview, ask for the company's name so you can do some research before agreeing to anything. How else will you ace that interview if you know nothing about the company?
2. The Email Address Ends In @yahoo, @gmail, @hotmail, Etc.
Not all companies have a company email, especially if they're just starting out. However, if there's a company name in the job posting, you've done your research, and they're a well-known company, not having a professional email might be something you should consider looking into. It should be concerning if a job posting includes a company name, but has an email address that is not a primary domain. You might want to put on your investigative hat and see if you can find a phone number for the company so you can verify the job posting as well as the legitimacy of the company.
3. The Contact Person Can't Be Found Through A Google Search
Not everyone can be found through a Google search, but if you're an employer, chances are you can be found on the internet. Whether it's on social media sites like LinkedIn or Facebook, there should be some type of information about your employer somewhere.
4. They Offer You The Job Within 24 Hours Of Sending Your Application
While it would be nice for an employer to immediately recognize your many talents, you have to remember that there is a process to go through, and because the job market is so competitive right now, it's easy to get excited when a potential employer wants to hire you.
I once applied to a job for a feature writer position for a publication that turned out to be in Canada. The publication was real, but the job posting wasn't. The recruiter offered me the job and payment within a day without even discussing my first assignment. Though I felt I was qualified for the position, it seemed too good to be true that someone wanted to pay me without using my services first. The lesson here? Any company worth working for will want to get to know you before offering you a paycheck for your skills.
5. They Want To Pay You Before You Even Start Working
Some scam artists like to send checks to their victims as a way of getting into their bank accounts. How does this work? Well, they mail you a check—sometimes overnight—then you are asked to deposit the check and send a portion back to a third party. It may seem like the check has cleared, so you send the portion requested to said third party. By the time the bank learns the check is bad, the check bounces, leaving you out of the funds you were asked to send back.
Remember, looking for a job takes time and your time is valuable. So, the next time you are searching for a job online, scan the job posting thoroughly before sending off your resume to avoid any job search scams. Good luck and stay safe out there!
Or, join our career growth club today and get access to one-on-one career coaching, resume and cover letter reviews, online tutorials, and unlimited networking opportunities—all in your back pocket!
Check out Work It Daily's Incredible Companies page to see snapshots of companies hiring. Work It Daily also highlights job opportunities on a daily basis on TikTok.
This article was originally published at an earlier date.
There are only three types of work. There's a job, a career, and a calling. I have been a career coach for 20 years and I can tell you that after working with thousands of people what you do for work falls into one of these three categories.
A job which just pays the bills and really doesn't bring you a lot of satisfaction other than the fact that it's taking care of you financially
A career where not only does it pay the bills, but you feel like you're leveraging some of your strengths, so it makes you feel a little satisfied
A calling which is when you're absolutely leveraging your strengths, feel like it's what you were meant to do, and you're getting paid for it
The Problem
Now, the problem with this is that over the years, society has convinced all of us that the only thing we should be striving for is the calling—that we should be in love with our work. Everything we do should feel effortless and we should get a big paycheck for it. And that's not how it works.
Your life is forever changing. There are times in your life where a job is the only thing you need. It's the only thing you can handle. It pays the bills, and that's good enough. Every job is temporary. Then, there's the career. There's a time in your life where you feel like you're doing satisfying work and you're getting the paycheck. Then sometimes people reach the calling; they find exactly what they want to do in life. But the thing about the calling is that you need to be willing to sacrifice—you need to be willing to do it even if you couldn't get a paycheck. Most people don't have the strength or the resources to go after the calling.
Stop Looking For A Calling And Do This Instead...
As a career coach, I want to manage people's expectations and I want them to be as happy as they possibly can be in the situation they're in. But to do that, everyone needs to understand that it's not one-size-fits-all.
Stop searching for the perfect calling in the big paycheck. Learn to assess where you are today. Understand what's currently going on in your life. Let's make a conscious decision about what type of work—a job, a career, and (maybe) a calling—you need right now. And then let's work to improve that step by step.
They didn't teach us this in school. And, candidly, employers don't want you to know this because they want you to be forever stuck in a job, don't they? But there are good employers out there. Good employers want you to feel fulfilled and satisfied. They can take you to the career level and maybe even the calling level. But they don't just grow on trees and they don't just fall in front of you. There's no magic fairy godmother to give you that calling or career. You have to figure out who you are, what your strengths are, and then we start to work with that and, like a puzzle, we piece it together—a beautiful, unique puzzle that is all you. So, stop looking for a calling and simply focus on growing your career. If you "work it daily," you'll get to where you want to be in your professional life. I promise.
Want Help Finding Your Next Job, Career, Or Calling?
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LinkedIn launched a new feature a handful of years ago that lets you quickly and easily endorse people in your network for one or more skill sets they've chosen to list for themselves. Anyone who is actively looking for work right now should be striving to get endorsed often. Here's why...
Recruiters Will Be Looking At Your LinkedIn Endorsements
Before this feature was launched, people could "game" their profile for a type of job by filling it with skill sets—in other words, keyword-optimizing their LinkedIn profile—to ensure their profile showed up in a recruiter's proactive search for talent via LinkedIn. Simply fill your headline, "About" section (Summary), and "Experience" section (Work History) with these keywords and you were improving the chances you'd be looked at. You absolutely should optimize your LinkedIn profile, and this is a great strategy that most job seekers don't use, so you might have a competitive advantage over those people in your job search. The problem is just because you claim you have these skills, doesn't mean the rest of the world thinks you have them, too.
Endorsements solve that problem! Now, when a recruiter sees you say you are good at "sales" and it's validated by dozens of endorsements, they know you are the real deal. They'll be more likely to contact you instead of another job candidate who is not endorsed for that skill.
Mondays Were Made For "Endorse Day" On LinkedIn
Taking a page from the highly successful #followfriday ritual over on Twitter, coupled with the statistical evidence to support, Monday is a terrible day to reach out to recruiters and others for help in your job search, so it occurred to me that Mondays are the ideal day to start an "Endorse Day" ritual.
The idea is simple: every Monday, take 10 minutes out of your morning to pay it forward by endorsing 10 people in your LinkedIn network. Imagine how you would feel if, in your inbox on a Monday (aka the day of the week when even the most cheerful people struggle to get going), you found endorsements of your skill sets from your peers. Would it make you feel good? Yup. Would it make you realize what a great colleague they were for taking the time to do it? Sure thing. Most of all, would it make you want to endorse them back? Bingo!
In short, you got to give to get. So, why not make Mondays the day you give to those in your network? Not only will it make you feel good, I guarantee you will get a good return on your investment!
Need Help With Your LinkedIn Profile?
Every professional needs a well-optimized resume and LinkedIn profile if they want to build their professional network and stand out to hiring managers and recruiters. If you're applying to jobs and not seeing results, your LinkedIn profile and resume could be holding you back.
