By J.T. O'Donnell
I recently did an informal poll while speaking to a bunch of professionals. Their ages ranged from early 20's to late 60's. I asked how many of them knew what an RSS feed was. Less than 1/2 raised their hands. I then asked those who claimed they knew what it was if they subscribed to any. Most of the hands dropped. I get it. I was one of those people too! It wasn't until I got hooked on blogging and the power of creating a customized career news source that I started following RSS feeds. So, I've decided to unlock the mystery and share how anyone can use RSS feeds to power-up their professional knowledge and advance their careers.
To start, you need to know why this is vital to your career...
I wrote a post a while back about the popular business author, Malcom Gladwell's theory, The 10,000 Hour Rule. It basically proves people who do well professionally (i.e. Bill Gates, Steve Jobs) rack up thousands of hours of information, experience and knowledge on a certain subject that puts them ahead of the curve, and eventually, at the top of their field. Makes sense, right? It's a fact I think we can all agree upon - we need experience and knowledge to be viewed as a valuable resource (a.k.a. good employee). And yet, far too many job seekers (and even people who are currently employed) fail to recognize that today's changing economy is forcing us all to focus more on educating ourselves to ensure we have the knowledge that keeps us employable both now and in the future. (As we say here at CAREEREALISM, "Because EVERY Job is Temporary!')
So, what can we do about it?
Well, one of the smartest things we can do is create an information resource that keeps us up-to-date on all the latest news related to job search, our professions, and the work world in general. We need to educate ourselves on a daily basis so that we can build our expertise and be seen as the 'go-to' person in our field to ensure we remain attractive to employers. In short, we need to find and follow the RSS feeds of the best websites/blogs (we're talking quality over quantity here) who can help us stay in-the-know.
Creating an RSS homepage full of valuable career content is easy...just watch this!
To show you how easy it is to create the ultimate career tool, I created this quick video which walks you through the process of developing a customized page of RSS feeds you can glance at each time you log on to the internet. In just 5 minutes, you'll be an RSS pro!
VIDEO: RSS Feeds - How to Create the Ultimate Career Tool
Now, it's time to go find the best sources for YOU!
For those of you who are looking for good feeds to follow, I suggest in the video you check out these:
CAREEREALISM.com's APPROVED Experts - All the experts who contribute to our site are proven career professionals with excellent blogs. You can check them out here and find direct links to their blogs.
The Work Buzz - Careerbuilder.com's excellent career blog is a must-follow on your feed and recently created a great list of blogs to follow for your job search and career development.
Alltop.com - It's a magazine rack of blogs where you can search on any topic and find a comprehensive list of blogs on the subject to follow.
That's it! You are officially an RSS news feed user!
You can now say with confidence that you not only know how what an RSS feed is but that you use them to advance your career. And, if you found this information helpful, please consider subscribing to our feed so you can continue to get our cutting-edge career information and resources as soon as we post them.
PS - For those of you who already know how to leverage RSS feeds and have the ultimate career tool homepage working for you, I'd be grateful if you'd please help our fellow readers by sharing links to your favorite feeds below. Let us know who's worth following!By J.T. O'Donnell
I recently did an informal poll while speaking to a bunch of professionals. Their ages ranged from early 20's to late 60's. I asked how many of them knew what an RSS feed was. Less than 1/2 raised their hands. I then asked those who claimed they knew what it was if they subscribed to any. Most of the hands dropped. I get it. I was one of those people too! It wasn't until I got hooked on blogging and the power of creating a customized career news source that I started following RSS feeds. So, I've decided to unlock the mystery and share how anyone can use RSS feeds to power-up their professional knowledge and advance their careers.
To start, you need to know why this is vital to your career...
I wrote a post a while back about the popular business author, Malcom Gladwell's theory, The 10,000 Hour Rule. It basically proves people who do well professionally (i.e. Bill Gates, Steve Jobs) rack up thousands of hours of information, experience and knowledge on a certain subject that puts them ahead of the curve, and eventually, at the top of their field. Makes sense, right? It's a fact I think we can all agree upon - we need experience and knowledge to be viewed as a valuable resource (a.k.a. good employee). And yet, far too many job seekers (and even people who are currently employed) fail to recognize that today's changing economy is forcing us all to focus more on educating ourselves to ensure we have the knowledge that keeps us employable both now and in the future. (As we say here at CAREEREALISM, "Because EVERY Job is Temporary!')
So, what can we do about it?
Well, one of the smartest things we can do is create an information resource that keeps us up-to-date on all the latest news related to job search, our professions, and the work world in general. We need to educate ourselves on a daily basis so that we can build our expertise and be seen as the 'go-to' person in our field to ensure we remain attractive to employers. In short, we need to find and follow the RSS feeds of the best websites/blogs (we're talking quality over quantity here) who can help us stay in-the-know.
Creating an RSS homepage full of valuable career content is easy...just watch this!
To show you how easy it is to create the ultimate career tool, I created this quick video which walks you through the process of developing a customized page of RSS feeds you can glance at each time you log on to the internet. In just 5 minutes, you'll be an RSS pro!
VIDEO: RSS Feeds - How to Create the Ultimate Career Tool
Now, it's time to go find the best sources for YOU!
For those of you who are looking for good feeds to follow, I suggest in the video you check out these:
CAREEREALISM.com's APPROVED Experts - All the experts who contribute to our site are proven career professionals with excellent blogs. You can check them out here and find direct links to their blogs.
The Work Buzz - Careerbuilder.com's excellent career blog is a must-follow on your feed and recently created a great list of blogs to follow for your job search and career development.
Alltop.com - It's a magazine rack of blogs where you can search on any topic and find a comprehensive list of blogs on the subject to follow.
That's it! You are officially an RSS news feed user!
You can now say with confidence that you not only know how what an RSS feed is but that you use them to advance your career. And, if you found this information helpful, please consider subscribing to our feed so you can continue to get our cutting-edge career information and resources as soon as we post them.
PS - For those of you who already know how to leverage RSS feeds and have the ultimate career tool homepage working for you, I'd be grateful if you'd please help our fellow readers by sharing links to your favorite feeds below. Let us know who's worth following!
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This time of year offers special opportunities for job seekers. Holiday networking events, for example, can be great chances to meet professionals you might not encounter otherwise. Additionally, some employers are still eager to fill positions before budgets reset or headcount is finalized in the new year, making it a prime time to stand out with a strategic approach.
Here are five ways you can stand out from the competition this holiday season and find a job before the end of the year.
1. Showcase The Right Skills On Your Resume
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When updating your resume, focus on aligning your experience with the specific demands of the industry. Go beyond just listing responsibilities; dig into job descriptions to identify the core skills that consistently appear for your target roles. By tailoring your resume with these keywords, you not only capture the attention of hiring managers but also boost your chances of passing applicant tracking systems (ATS), which are often programmed to scan for these key terms. It's all about keywords!
During the holiday season, hiring managers are often managing tight timelines and high demands, making it crucial for candidates to demonstrate that they’re ready to hit the ground running. Highlighting industry-relevant skills shows you're not only familiar with the landscape but also equipped to make an immediate impact. Be sure to include examples of how you've leveraged these core strengths in previous roles to support team goals or tackle challenges (aka quantify your work experience). The holidays are hectic, so share with the potential employer how you'll be a positive addition to the team by leveraging your strengths and emphasizing your value as a business-of-one.
2. Dress The Part
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Don't underestimate the power of a great first impression. Dress for the interview in professional attire. Even if the job description mentions a casual dress code, such as jeans and a sweatshirt, it’s essential to show respect for the employer by dressing in a way that demonstrates your commitment to making a positive impression. Wearing attire that reflects your professionalism shows you care about how you're perceived and the impression you leave on others.
Not sure what to wear? We recommend dressing conservatively in clothing one level above what the current employees at the company are wearing. You want to look professional, but not like you don't fit in with the workplace culture.
3. Show Your Connection To The Company
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Employers like to hire candidates who have a passion for what they do. Why? Because when people are passionate about their work, that enthusiasm often translates into a higher level of commitment, creativity, and productivity. This intrinsic motivation can lead to consistently strong performance and a positive impact on the team and company as a whole.
In your disruptive cover letter (and during your job interview), demonstrate how and why you admire the company. Highlight what you love most about their products and services. Give examples of how you have personally used them in your own life with success. The more you can show them you understand and respect the business, the more likely you'll impress the hiring manager and move forward in the interview process.
4. Demonstrate Your Value
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It's important to remember that you're a business-of-one, and you're trying to sell the service you provide as a business-of-one to employers (the customers who will be paying you for the service).
To find a job during the holidays, you must adequately demonstrate your value as a business-of-one and highlight your strengths and the specific benefits you bring as a potential employee throughout the hiring process. How do you do this? Well, make sure to quantify your work experience on your resume. Use numbers to showcase your accomplishments. Clearly state how you'll make or save the company money with your employment. Do this, and you'll easily become one of the top candidates for the position.
5. Express Gratitude
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The holidays are busy for everyone. When you're applying for jobs during the holiday season, keep gratitude in mind. This positive mindset not only helps you stay resilient but also shines through in your applications and interviews, leaving a memorable impression on potential employers.
After every job interview, always send a thank-you note. It's just the polite thing to do, and you'll score more points with the hiring manager. Even if you get rejected, or never hear back about a position, make sure you send an email thanking the employer for the opportunity and wish them the best of luck with finding the right job candidate.
Don't be bitter. Be gracious. You never know what will happen in the future. You might want to apply for another job at the company down the line. So, don't let your frustration get the best of you. Remember: If you get rejected, they didn't say, "No, not ever." They just said, "No, not today."
A successful holiday job search depends on a solid strategy. Follow the guidelines above and land a job this holiday season!
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