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The leaves are changing, the kids are back in school, and that familiar chill is in the air. You think it's the perfect time to look for a job, and it is! But are your job search fears preventing you from making that leap?

It's not uncommon to feel lost when embarking on your job search journey. After all, school teaches us everything except how to get a job. What should you put on your resume? What questions should you ask in an interview? How can you stand out in the hiring process when there's so much competition?

Are you feeling spooked yet?

Believe it or not, there's no need to be afraid of the job search process! You can land your dream job with the right tools and strategy. You can find a job that won't give you nightmares. Here are three spooky secrets every job seeker should know as they look for a job this fall.

Despite your fears, you've decided to take the plunge and look for a new job. You might be asking yourself, "Where do I start?" The answer is simple: start by creating an interview bucket list.

An interview bucket list is a list of 10-20 companies you'd love to work for. Are you passionate about a company's products or services? Do you feel connected to its mission? Can you relate to its values and beliefs as an organization? If you answer "yes" to any of these questions, that company probably belongs on your interview bucket list.

Once you create an interview bucket list, you'll be able to conduct a targeted job search, one with direction and a foundation upon which everything else will be built. An interview bucket list helps you focus your job search and networking strategies on the right opportunities, making it easier to get your foot in the door at one of your dream companies.

In order to stand out in the hiring process, you need to disrupt recruiters and hiring managers. You accomplish this by doing two things: optimizing your resume and writing a disruptive cover letter.

A well-optimized resume includes keywords from the job description. This ensures your resume gets past the ATS and into the hands of the hiring manager. Once it's in front of the hiring manager, it needs to grab and keep their attention. Quantifying your work experience—adding numbers to your bullet points—will make you stand out from other applicants. Hiring managers will want to know more about you and your accomplishments, and that's how you land a phone interview.

Before that, though, a hiring manager will read your cover letter. To disrupt them, you need to write a disruptive cover letter (obviously!). A disruptive cover letter gives you the opportunity to tell a story about why you feel connected to the company you're applying for. It's that storytelling aspect that will stand out to hiring managers and compel them to pick up the phone and give you a call.

You can't get hired unless you know what employers are assessing you on in the interview process. While your skills and expertise matter, companies actually hire for three things: personality, aptitude, and experience (in that order).

Most job seekers don't realize how important it is to demonstrate their personality, aptitude, and experience in an interview. You could have the right experience for a job, but if the hiring manager doesn't think your personality is a good fit for the company culture, you probably won't get a job offer.

Make sure you demonstrate your soft skills and learn how to answer behavioral interview questions to prove you're the best candidate for the job you're applying for, not just the most qualified.

As you look for a job this fall, it might be helpful to know some more spooky secrets so you can get over your job search fears and finally take control of your career.

We know the job search process can be scary. However, it's important to get clear on what you want to do next and focus on conducting a strategic job search, or what we refer to at Work It DAILY as job shopping. This is the only way to effectively market yourself to employers. If they can't see exactly where and how you add value, then that's going to decrease your chances of landing the job.

The competition is fierce, and there are a lot of factors that are out of your control. But the one factor you can control is your job search strategy, the tools and tactics you use to land a job.

If you want to learn the secrets to conducting a strategic job search, sign up for our Job Search Bootcamp, a two-hour, on-demand video workshop that comes with a free workbook.

In this video workshop, you'll learn:

• How to use backchanneling to get directly to hiring managers.
• The secret to using a connection story to stand out against the competition.
• How social media can be your secret weapon to get job interviews.
• The resume format that is getting job seekers more job interviews.
• And, a lot more hacks for job search success!

Let us show you the secrets to getting a new, better-paying job you actually love. Sign up for our Job Search Bootcamp today.

Are you ready to land the job of your dreams (and leave the job of your nightmares)?

So, you received a call back for an in-person interview. Now what? The week leading up to the in-person interview deserves more effort and preparation than any other portion of the job search process. Here's a step-by-step guide to preparing for an interview.

These are some things you should do immediately after getting an interview:

1. Respond promptly - Waiting to respond may send a message that you're not interested (bad!) or have poor follow-up (also bad!). Respond promptly, thank the employer for the opportunity, and express your excitement without being over the top.

2. Ask about logistics - Aside from nailing down the location, it's generally acceptable to ask about the company's dress code and the names of those you'll be interviewing with. Avoid asking questions that you (or Google) can answer yourself (e.g., directions).

3. Clear your schedule - If you're currently employed or have other commitments, make sure the appropriate people know you will not be available on the day of your interview.

Your interview is a week away! Get prepared by doing the following:

1. Research the company - Even if you did this before applying for the job (which you should have!), it's time to revisit the company website, its blog and social media accounts, and recent news articles.

2. Research the hiring managers - If you know who the interviewers are, do a little research. Look for them on the company's team page and on online networks like LinkedIn. Try to get a feel for who the interviewers are and for the type of person the company employs.

3. Decide what to wear to the interview - Don't wait until the night before. Try on your interview outfit, ask others for their opinion, and make sure you don't need a trip to the dry cleaner or cobbler.

In order to be completely prepared for your interview, make sure to do these things the day before:

1. Review the job posting - It will be far easier to tailor your interview answers if the job description is fresh in your mind.

2. Practice answering common interview questions - There are certain questions you can expect to be asked during a job interview. Look up the generic ones as well as ones specific to your industry, then rehearse them with a friend, family member, or patient pet.

3. Prepare questions for the employer - At the end of an interview, you will be given the opportunity to ask questions. It's an important part of the interview and the questions you ask could make or break your chances of landing the job offer, so put some serious thought into them.

4. Map the directions - One of the last things you want to do is be late for your interview. Find how long it should take you to get there, then give yourself plenty of extra time in case you get lost, stuck in traffic, or detoured.

5. Gather your day-of materials - Even if the hiring manager doesn't ask, it's common practice to bring enough copies of your resume for yourself and for each of the interviewers. You should also bring a pen and paper to take notes, as well as anything else specifically requested by the employer. Other things to consider include mints, grooming materials, money for parking, and a backup interview outfit (just in case you spill your Starbucks all over your lap).

6. Do the obvious things - Go to bed at a reasonable hour and set at least one alarm.

7. Think positively - Visualizing a positive outcome has a surprising impact on real-life performance. Think about past successes and envision, in detail, a stellar interview in your mind.

What steps do you take when preparing for an interview? Try the ones above and walk into your next interview with confidence. Good luck!

If you need more help preparing for your next job interview, we're here for you.

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

Even when you have the education and professional background to qualify for the job, don't count on it as a sure win that you will be asked to come in for an interview. In fact, your qualifications may hinder your chances.

It's very common in today's market for employers to dismiss a job applicant's resume because they are “overqualified."

Sometimes there's an abundant supply of highly qualified candidates but not enough jobs to go around for everyone. In those cases, job seekers may resort to applying for positions where the level of expertise required on the job is below their previous position's requirements. In addition, those making a career change often need to seek out entry-level positions, where there may be more job opportunities.

The challenge for job seekers is not simply competing with so many other applicants but finding a fine balance of information to place on their resume without coming off as overqualified. Employers are mostly concerned that if you take a lesser position you will leave once you find a position that is more commensurate with your skills.

Here are a few tips to help guide you in preparing your resume for the next job opportunity and avoid coming off as overqualified and ruining your chances of landing the job offer.

Focus on what the employer is looking for and show them you can do it. If some of your management experience is not a part of their job description, then don't mention it. This tip is especially critical for applicants moving from one career to another.

For instance, if you had your own mortgage or construction firm and are now just looking for a sales job, just speak about your experience driving sales. You can also change your title from "Owner" to "Sales Manager." As you list your professional experience, be sure to quantify your sales results.

Many of today's positions require candidates to have a bachelor's or master's degree. If you continued to pursue education to obtain other degrees, earning you the title of Ph.D., M.D., or others, don't be so quick to include that information on your resume.

You have to ask if it is at all relevant to the job you are applying for. It's great if you moved on to obtain your Ph.D. in neuroscience, but if the employer's business and the job are focused on finance and accounting for toy manufacturing/distribution, your additional education will be of little relevance and may sway an employer to reconsider whether you are right for the position.

Write a disruptive cover letter that tells a story about why you're passionate about the position, how you feel a connection to the company, and how your experience, skills, and talent make you the right fit. If there's a chance your resume comes off as overqualified, even after following the tips above, make sure to provide sufficient explanation in your cover letter.

Give the employer confidence that you are challenged by the opportunity and will be there a year from now. The employer needs to know that you are not simply taking the job because you can't find anything better. They also need to be assured you aren't going to be quick to run off to another job as soon as the market improves or another opportunity opens up that is more in line with your level of experience from your previous positions.

Your resume is a marketing tool to help get your foot in the door for an interview. Placing too much information or irrelevant information will only give the employer more reason to dismiss you. Carefully review the job posting and do your research to really understand what skills and experience are desired for the position so that you present your resume and qualifications in the best light. Not everything you've accomplished, regardless of how significant it is, is appropriate to include on your resume.

Need more help optimizing your resume?

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Congratulations, you've scored the interview! But, now what? You're going to do your homework to research the company, practice your elevator pitch, and pick up your suit from the dry cleaners...exactly like your competition.

Getting an interview is a huge hurdle to clear and a wonderful sign that you're on the right track with your job search efforts. Now, it's time to shift your focus to becoming a rock star candidate.

Approach your interview with the expectation that your competition is equally qualified. Having the skills and wanting the job badly isn't going to cut it in today's market. You need to figure out specific ways to stand out and be interesting.

Here are some strategies to do exactly that...

We know that the more you make someone talk, the more interesting they'll think you are. Humans are funny like that. Use this knowledge to your advantage, and immediately engage all the people you meet in conversation—about themselves.

Whether it's the receptionist, the HR manager, or your future boss, ask people questions about themselves, and do as much as you can to draw them out. At the end of your interview, they'll have a much more positive impression of you.

Don't ask the same old, tired questions as every other candidate. You can combine this strategy with the one above and ask your interviewer about their experience at the company or perspective about a hot new product or service.

You can also use this as an opportunity to flex your creative powers and ask questions that show you've not only done your homework and research on the company (and the people who work there) but that you went above and beyond to create solutions for the problems they're facing.

Most people will answer situational and behavioral interview questions with straightforward examples from their career. It is very important to do this in your job interview and highlight the results you've achieved on the job. But the truth is, employers hire for three things: personality, aptitude, and experience—in that order. You need to let your personality shine through in the job interview in some way to show that you fit in with the company culture.

Differentiate yourself by being prepared to share stories from other areas of your life that are equally impressive. Did you survive a solo ride on your motorcycle to the Arctic Circle? Create a hip-hop website that gets hundreds of thousands of unique visitors per month? Start a non-profit to save a historic building in your hometown? Share those tales in ways that highlight your problem-solving skills, intrinsic motivation, and unique experience (and always relate it back to the job opportunity).

Conventional wisdom says you should stick to neutral, conservative styles for your interview appearance. In general, it is best to go with classic suits and subtle accessories. But if you're the type of person who normally has some artistic flair to your look, you don't need to stifle it completely.

Choose one or two ways to let that style and personality shine through—a bright accessory, unique jewelry, or moderately funky hair. As long as you look professional, it's okay to have an accent.

When preparing for your interview, create an overview of how you plan to tackle your first 30, 60, and 90 days on the new job. This is called a 30-60-90 day plan, and it never fails to impress hiring managers.

If you've done your research on the company and position, you'll have a sense of what kind of strategy you'd employ to start adding value right away. Write it down on a page or two, and pull it out at the end of the interview to leave behind as a form of marketing collateral for you, a business-of-one.

Interviews are stressful, and it's easy to get tense and physically awkward. Pay attention to your interviewer's body language and do your best to mirror it. Mirroring tends to disarm people and make them feel more comfortable with you.

To really impress them, use power poses immediately before your interview, in private, and avoid weak poses at all costs. Everyone's subconscious will perceive you in a more flattering, confident light.

What have you done to be interesting in job interviews? Are there techniques that you've found to be particularly successful? If you think you need to work on being more interesting in job interviews, try one or more of these tips during your next job search to stand out from the competition!

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

Sometimes, knowing what not to do in your job search is just as important as following the "best practices." From my experience as a career coach, I've seen countless professionals make common mistakes that can sabotage a job search. So, before you send out another application or head into your next interview, let’s talk about the five things I absolutely wouldn't do if I were looking for a job right now.

If I lost my job due to a layoff, wanted to change careers, or hated my current job, I would not do these five things in my job search...

I would not get on a job board and start applying for everything under the sun. First of all, you don't want 90% of those jobs and there's nothing more demotivating and depressing than getting rejected from companies you weren't interested in. That's exactly what's going to happen. The average job seeker has a 10%-30% job application response rate, and 75% of resumes are automatically rejected by the ATS (source). So, don't rely solely on job boards, and don't apply for every job you see. It's ineffective and a waste of time.

An over-the-top resume is a resume where you put everything you've ever done on it. You really try to hype yourself up. Unfortunately, it comes across as narcissistic and desperate. It's also difficult to read and usually gets you tossed. Instead, customize your resume for each position you apply for, and focus on quantifying your work experience.

LinkedIn is the number one place recruiters search for potential job candidates, and they search for them based on keywords (skill sets). So, if you want to get found by recruiters and hiring managers, you need to learn how to optimize your LinkedIn profile.

I would be practicing for an interview right now before even starting to look for a job. You need to know how to answer those tough interview questions because it'll help you stand out, and it can help you not only get the job but also a higher salary. Never skip interview prep, no matter how qualified you think you are.

Your network is your net worth. What you need to do is create a bucket list of employers you'd like to work for and start strategically reaching out and connecting with those people on LinkedIn as a way to gain visibility when you start applying for their roles. Networking is always the best way to get a job.

Of course, there are other tips and tricks I would recommend, but those are definitely the five things I wouldn't do if I were looking for a job right now.

If you would like to learn more about what you should and shouldn't do in your job search, sign up for a free Work It DAILY trial today.

Good luck! Go get 'em.

It can be very demanding to look for another job when your current one is constantly stressing you out. After all, when you get home from a long and frustrating day, the last thing you want to do is give any more thought to the world of work. Unfortunately, most new jobs don't just fall into your lap; you have to go out and get them.

Approaching your job search as strategically and as systematically as you would approach your next business deal can help keep the process manageable. Here are three keys to a successful job search.

If you were going to start a huge new project at work, would your first step be to just sit down and start the project? Of course not! A lot of planning and preparation go into any major project, and your job search should be no different. Therefore, the first step is not to sit down and start sending out dozens of generalized resumes to any job that sounds like a relatively good fit.

Your first task should be to determine exactly what you're looking for in your next position. Just like you can't write a project plan until you know what the project is, you simply cannot write an effective resume or cover letter without some idea of where you'd like your career to go. You may find this part of the process to be the most time-consuming, as it requires some soul-searching. However, it's an essential step in the process that must not be skipped.

Once you've determined your professional goals, you're ready to spend some time assembling your marketing tools—a cover letter, resume, and any other pertinent documents that support your message (like an optimized LinkedIn profile). This is essentially the same process as setting up a project at work; you need both plans and human resources for an effective job search.

It's important to tailor your resume and cover letter to the specific job that you're applying for. In order to have a powerful resume, you have to lead with results and quantifiable accomplishments. This process takes time, so plan your schedule accordingly.

Only when you've established a goal and pulled together the tools needed to accomplish it should you actually start looking for and applying to jobs. Setting up email alerts through sites like Glassdoor or Indeed can save you hours of scouring through online job postings.

If you tackle your job search in a strategic and systematic manner, you should soon reach a place where you can go to your inbox, look through positions that may be a good fit for you, and then simply customize your polished resume for each application. Consider each quality job application you send off as a deliverable in the project of finding yourself another job. Whenever you successfully land your next position, you'll be able to close out this project and move on to the next one!

Need more help with your job search?

Become a member to learn how to land a job and UNLEASH your true potential to get what you want from work!

In every interview, it's important to ask questions. This especially includes phone interviews.

Asking questions during any type of job interview makes you seem more intelligent and interested in the job. It also makes you more appealing to hiring managers—as long as you don't ask questions you could easily find the answers to. If you ask the right questions, you also gain a strategic advantage. You can find out what the interviewer really cares about.

So, what questions are the best ones to ask?

Here are four ideal questions to ask in a phone interview.

You can simplify this question in a couple of different ways:

• "What does your ideal candidate look like?"
• "What's on your wish list for an absolutely perfect candidate?"

Some job seekers are a little afraid to ask this question because they don't want to highlight their imperfections—but that isn't what this question does. Their answer gives you a blueprint of what they really hope to find, which means that you can tailor all your answers to their questions much more closely than you could without this information. Your responses will stand out from the competition.

If the previous person was promoted, what was their next job title? Is that typical? Is that where you'd like to end up? What did they do to get promoted? These are things that could help you know how to be successful in the role and decide if it fits with your chosen career path.

If the person was fired or left the company, the reason why may give you valuable information as well.

Every position has a certain number of problems and challenges associated with it.

If you know what their biggest problems and challenges are, you can talk more effectively about how you can solve them and help the company. You'll sell yourself for the job.

In any interview, it's important to ask for the next steps. This question, or a version of this question, will allow you to show your excitement for the opportunity and eagerness to move forward.

By demonstrating your enthusiasm and interest, you'll automatically stand out to potential employers, and you'll actually give yourself a better chance of making it to the in-person interview.

Asking questions like these brings out information you can't learn anywhere else. They help you show your professionalism and interest in the job. Make a list of questions to ask and keep it in front of you during the interview. (That's one of the advantages of phone interviews—they can't see you.)

Along with these questions, you'll probably have a few more that specifically address that job. Just make sure to write them down so you don't freeze up and forget in the stress of the call.

When you take the time to prepare for your phone interview and formulate questions to ask, you increase your chances of getting invited to the in-person interview. And that's the goal!

Need more help acing your next phone interview?

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Howdy, LinkedIn tech enthusiasts! Saddle up for a wild ride with me through Austin's digital frontier, where innovation flows faster than the Colorado River. This is not your average tech roundup—we're diving into a city so wired that even the bats are coding! Austin's keeping it wonderfully weird and Windows-erful, y'all. I’ve compiled a list of 10 companies riding the Microsoft wave like pros at a rodeo. These mavericks aren't just on the edge of tech; they're redefining the whole darn landscape. So boot up and hold onto your ten-gallon hats—by the time we're done, you'll be connecting these trailblazers faster than you can say, "Remember the Alamo!"

Dell Technologies, a global leader in IT infrastructure, has a strong presence in Austin. The company collaborates with Microsoft to enhance its cloud offerings, particularly through Azure integration. Dell's solutions provide seamless cloud management, data security, and hybrid cloud infrastructure, enabling businesses to accelerate their digital transformation journeys.

The job search giant Indeed utilizes Microsoft Azure and AI capabilities to enhance its platform's performance and user experience. By leveraging Azure's powerful analytics and machine learning tools, Indeed provides personalized job recommendations, improves search algorithms, and streamlines the hiring process for employers and job seekers alike.

Oracle, a global leader in enterprise software, has a significant presence in Austin and has been exploring innovative collaborations with Microsoft. The company has integrated its cloud services with Microsoft Azure, enabling customers to run Oracle software on Azure and Oracle Cloud. This partnership offers enterprises flexibility and choice in cloud infrastructure, providing robust solutions for database management, analytics, and enterprise applications.

RetailMeNot, a leading digital savings destination, leverages Microsoft technologies to optimize its data infrastructure and enhance its product offerings. By migrating to Azure, RetailMeNot has improved its data processing capabilities, enabling real-time analytics and personalized offers. The company also uses Power BI for data visualization and reporting.

HomeAway, now known as Vrbo, is a vacation rental marketplace that uses Microsoft technologies to enhance its platform. By integrating Azure AI and machine learning, Vrbo has improved its search algorithms, personalized recommendations, and customer service. The company's use of Azure Cognitive Services also enhances fraud detection and prevention.

WP Engine, a leading WordPress digital experience platform, has partnered with Microsoft to provide scalable and secure hosting solutions. By leveraging Azure's cloud infrastructure, WP Engine ensures high availability and performance for its customers. The company's use of Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) also streamlines application deployment and management.

The popular dating app Bumble, founded in Austin, uses Microsoft Azure to power its backend infrastructure. Azure's scalability and reliability allow Bumble to support millions of users worldwide. The company also utilizes Azure's AI and machine learning capabilities to enhance its matching algorithms and improve user experience.

Spiceworks, a community-driven IT platform, uses Microsoft technologies to support its IT professionals' network. By leveraging Azure and Microsoft 365, Spiceworks provides seamless communication and collaboration tools. The platform also uses Azure AI to offer personalized content and recommendations to its users.

SailPoint, a leader in identity management, collaborates with Microsoft to enhance its IdentityNow platform. By integrating with Azure Active Directory, SailPoint provides comprehensive identity governance and access management solutions. The partnership ensures seamless and secure access to applications and data for enterprises.

BigCommerce, an e-commerce platform, leverages Microsoft technologies to provide robust and scalable solutions for online retailers. By using Azure's cloud infrastructure, BigCommerce offers high availability and performance to its customers. The platform also integrates with Microsoft Dynamics 365, providing comprehensive CRM and ERP solutions.

Our digital cattle drive's over, and these Austin trailblazers are brewing Microsoft moonshine that'd make Lake Travis blush. From sky-high cloud solutions to AI smarter than a whip-cracking cowboy, they're lassoing digital transformation like the last bronco at the rodeo. As Austin's tech scene grows, bet your last taco that these Lone Star innovators and Microsoft will keep blazing trails. So, polish those LinkedIn profiles and Azure certs—in Austin, the next big tech breakthrough is just a HoloLens away. Remember, folks: here, they don't just go big—they disrupt industries and build smarter homes in the cloud!

I have been asked recently what I attribute my success to and how have I been able to grow in my career. After thinking about this for a moment I responded that it was when I was a store manager for Target and realized that it is not possible for me to do everything that it requires to be a successful store manager; I must rely on my team. This is when I started to really understand the importance of leading, developing, and training my teams.

That “special sauce” or “fairy dust” of being successful is rooted in having the right team and leading them to achieve results that they might not have thought possible. I have been lucky enough in my 23+ year career to have been able to be a people leader of teams of 15 to 300+ and when I reflect on what I have learned from leading them, these are the five key leadership qualities that I have learned.

When leading a small to large team I must trust that the individuals who are on the team are going to perform and do the jobs that they have been hired to do. However, this does not mean I trust blindly but I verify that they are staying on course and validating results. It also must be reciprocated by me for my team to trust that when I say I am going to do something it gets done.

One of the lessons I learned early on in my career in leading teams is to ensure that the team is diverse. Mostly young leaders, but not all, make the mistake of hiring people who are like them (personality, leadership style, industry background). When I did this, I learned that these individuals had what I like to refer to as the same “blind spots” as myself, meaning that I didn’t always see varying solutions to solve problems. That is why I now am intentional about finding leaders who might not have the same background as me to have that different perspective. I also have learned that these individuals will also challenge me instead of just being “yes” people.

To keep growing and achieving at a high level I found that I have had to push my team to find that “higher gear." This is why having a growth mindset is so important. I cannot rest on that I have achieved X goal; I celebrate with my team and then it is how do we build on this success to reach that next milestone? I consistently challenge the team to share and learn new skills for us to always be growing as individuals as well.

I believe that for some people when they hear the word “accountability” it is taken in a negative context. I have found that when I hold my top performers accountable to continuing to achieve at a high level they appreciate it as they are being recognized for their performance and contributions. I like to be held accountable and have learned that when I hold my team accountable for either top performance or bottom performance, they value the feedback and know exactly what they need to work on.

I view my role as a leader as I must invest in my team. I take the time to learn from my direct reports how they like to be coached, how they like to be recognized, and where they want to go in their career. I also view my role as a leader to anticipate and remove potential roadblocks that can prevent my team from being successful. The analogy that I like to use is this: My team should be able to jump into their “Hot Rod” and fly down the highway without hitting any construction zones, but when they do, I quickly work to resolve these issues so they can get back to flying down the highway.

I have been guided by these key areas now throughout my career which is why I believe that I have also been able to work in different industries and still have great success. At the end of the day, it does not matter what industry any of us work in; it is about people, and if you can lead people, you can and will be successful.

Know the saying, “Applying for jobs is a full-time job"? Don't listen to it.

Applying for jobs you're not qualified for is counterproductive to your job search. Competition is too fierce. Even qualified applicants aren't getting callbacks. So, stop applying to so many jobs and allocate time each week to becoming more hirable.

Here are five things to do while unemployed.

Volunteering can increase your chances of being hired if you're strategic about it. Unemployed teacher? Help out with after-school programs or volunteer to be a coach's assistant. Web designer? Find a local non-profit in desperate need of a redesign and offer your services pro bono. By volunteering somewhere relevant, you'll keep your skills fresh while enhancing your resume.

If you lack a skill commonly required for jobs you're seeking, spend time each day developing that skill. Take advantage of numerous free resources online, including tutorials, eBooks, and how-to videos. If you'd rather have more of a class setup, then look for free or affordable classes online or in your area. Alternatively, if you already possess the necessary skills but haven't been practicing, then do so. Skill atrophy is a huge concern for hiring managers, so practice and get yourself ready for pre-employment skills tests.

There are two parts to networking: reconnecting with your old contacts and forming new ones.

Depending on where you are in your career, reconnecting might mean contacting professors, college advisers, and internship supervisors, or it might mean getting in touch with old colleagues, bosses, and business acquaintances. Find them, email them, call them. Ask them if they would like to grab a coffee. Ask how they are (networking is social, after all), and let them know the specifics of your job search (industry, location, etc.). See if they know of anything or anyone. Most importantly, follow up!

At a temporary dead-end with your current contacts? Make new ones. Go to networking events sponsored by your university, industry, city, and so on. And look beyond traditional networking events. Consider going to lectures, neighborhood council meetings, and even community bar crawls (go easy on the sauce).

Each of these provides an opportunity to meet people with similar interests, and you can have fun in the process. Again, follow up!

Some job seekers are opposed to anything that's not a full-time job. If this sounds like you, it's time to change your mindset. Freelancing is a great way to boost your skills, resume, portfolio, professional network, income, and confidence.

Get found online. Start a blog, spruce up your social media profiles, and/or create an online portfolio to showcase your work. Find companies you're interested in working for, subscribe to their blogs, and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and X/Twitter. Find decision-makers at those companies and follow them as well. Learn what they're talking about, do a little research, and then engage with them online. Impress them with your interest and insights.

Worst-case scenario: You'll learn what's important to them and use this information to customize your application when a job opens up.

Better-case scenario: You'll establish a rapport with someone who will recommend you for a position and/or tell you about hidden job openings.

Best-case scenario: You'll impress someone so much over time that they'll create a job for you or bring you in for an exploratory interview.

So, what are you doing to become more hirable? If you aren't doing anything, then consider doing one (or more!) of these things, starting today.

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Whether you've just graduated from college, you're in the middle of your career, or you're in your 60s, competition for jobs is fierce. So, how can you stay relevant in today's job market?

Here are six ways to stay on top of your game...

If you want to market yourself effectively, you need to clearly understand how and where you add value. What skill sets and strengths do you have? What's the problem you solve? How do you solve it? Get very clear on what you have to offer and then start building your brand.

Once you understand how and where you add value, you need to build your brand—a marketing strategy for your business-of-one. Start building up your online presence, establish yourself as an expert in your field, and get your name out there. If people can't find you easily, it will be hard to stand out in a sea of talent.

This is one of the most important things you can do to stay relevant in today's job market. We live in a very tech-savvy world, and if you can't keep up, you risk falling behind the competition. Think about what technologies are used in your industry and take steps to familiarize yourself with them and learn how they work.

What's happening in your industry? What needs aren't being fulfilled? Look at industry news and developments so you can get a clear idea of what areas will need talent. Then, set yourself up to fill those needs using your skill sets.

If you don't get yourself out there, no one will be able to recognize your value. Join professional groups, attend industry-related events, meet people working at your dream companies, find a mentor, and so on. Grow your network early and establish those relationships. They will help you if you need to find something new down the road.

The secret to staying relevant? Upskilling. You must constantly gain new, relevant skills to stay ahead of the curve. Look for weak areas in your skill sets and find ways to get educated or experienced. You can take classes online or on campus, attend workshops, volunteer, or even take on part-time jobs.

Even if you're in a job you absolutely love right now and have been there for years, you always want to be prepared. Things can change with the flip of the switch and you might be out of a job tomorrow. So, think about your next step. Even if you don't plan on leaving your current job right now, the earlier you get started, the easier it will be to get your foot in the door at another company if/when it comes time.

The key to staying relevant in an ever-changing job market (and in a recession!) is to always look for ways to improve your skills. Learn to embrace new experiences as opportunities to grow, both personally and professionally. By doing the above six things, you'll stay relevant in any industry, no matter how competitive.

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Our thoughts are magnets that attract the outcomes we are thinking about. Even if you want something desperately, if your thoughts say you will never get it, guess what? You won't. However, if you change your thoughts on achieving it, you will.

This is mostly because if your thoughts are laser-focused on getting or accomplishing something, you will do the right things in order to make it happen.

This principle is commonly known as the Law of Attraction and can be applied to many areas of your life. Whether it's getting well, losing weight, quitting smoking, competing at peak levels, or finding a job, your attitude is crucial to success. Believing you can do something provides the strength and stamina to overcome the obstacles in your path. Positive thinking propels a small engine successfully up a mighty hill.

If you're struggling in your job search, try applying this principle. By changing your thoughts, you will reach your goal. Notice the attitudes and actions of successful job candidates. They are positive and enthusiastic. They keep their head up high and smile. They believe from the bottom of their being they will get a job. The unsuccessful candidates walk around saying there aren't any jobs, they will never find anything, and other negative thoughts.

So, how can you use the Law of Attraction to find job search success? Follow these seven tips...

1. Think positively. Deep down, not just on the surface. You can't just say you are thinking positively.

2. Believe in you. Don't allow others to bring you down. You have the power.

3. Align what you think and what you do with what you want. It won't work if your actions and thoughts are contradictory to the goal. If you don't think you will get it, you won't do what it takes to get it.

4. Know you are going to get a job. Talk about when you get a job rather than if you get a job.

5. Write down what your ideal job is. Concentrate on it.

6. Imagine doing that job. Use guided imagery to assist in this step.

7. Don't allow yourself to become discouraged. If you do, look for all the positive things in your life, and focus on them.

As with all things, practice makes perfect. If you aren't used to thinking this way, it will take some getting used to. But continue working on it. Career success will be yours if you do.

"You are a living magnet. What you attract into your life is in harmony with your dominant thoughts." —Brian Tracy

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Amidst all the buzz around artificial intelligence (AI), we’re learning more about what a future with AI could mean while AI is learning more about us and our world. As other technological revolutions have led to changes in the workplace, AI is steadily changing work as we know it—and this definitely includes marketing.

As part of Microsoft’s Copilot Usage in the Workplace survey, the tech giant recently asked 1,300 early users of Copilot how much time they were saving each day. This data was segmented by job function. 66% of users in marketing / public relations noted they were saving between 11 minutes to more than an hour in time each day by using Copilot.

This survey and other recent research on AI demonstrate that Copilot, ChatGPT, and other AI-powered tools are transforming marketing, particularly demand generation marketing. Check out this article to discover the six ways AI is revolutionizing demand generation, and how you as a demand gen marketer can collaborate with AI to create better outcomes.

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AI algorithms can analyze vast amounts of historical data in a matter of seconds compared to humans. By analyzing historical data at lightning speed, AI can predict future trends in an efficient manner. Predictive analytics via AI can help marketing teams better anticipate market changes as part of forming their demand generation strategies. This proactive approach helps marketers stay ahead of the competition and meet customer demands more effectively. Additionally, this AI capability allows marketers to gain deeper insights into trends around customer behavior and preferences. By understanding these patterns, marketers can make data-driven decisions and create more targeted demand generation campaigns.

Generating high-quality leads is easier said than done in demand generation marketing as research indicates that 60% of B2B marketers think it’s the top challenge. The good news is AI can help address this challenge. AI algorithms can assess lead quality based on their likelihood of becoming customers. These algorithms quickly rank leads according to personas, engagement levels, and interactions, and then assign lead scores. Rather than using a traditional rules-based approach, AI is quicker and more accurate, providing further information on which fields are most influential for lead scoring and where to prioritize efforts.

Consistently researching and generating relevant and insightful content can be time-consuming. While researching the top trends is beneficial, it can sometimes take the same amount of time as writing. Fortunately, AI can help demand generation marketers create promotional and strategic content that is relevant to the target audience at each stage of the marketing funnel. AI has the capability to help demand generation marketers with content optimization tasks, such as:

• Content Research: AI can quickly analyze data and trends on a given topic.
• Content Suggestions: Upon analyzing large amounts of data and trends in seconds, AI can offer suggestions that align with the compiled information. This can allow demand generation marketers to produce content that is relevant and trending, based on the numbers.
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Furthermore, AI can recommend SEO strategies to help demand generation marketers develop more valuable content.

By enhancing the content optimization process, AI can help free up a marketer’s time to focus on even more strategic efforts in demand generation—working smarter, not harder.

On top of relevant content, it’s important that the right messaging reaches the right audience. AI can help segment customers into more precise groups based on various criteria such as demographics, behavior, and preferences. This improved segmentation allows for more targeted demand generation efforts. The better demand generation marketers can tailor messaging, the better the customer experience can be with engaging and relevant information. This can ultimately drive higher customer demand and foster brand loyalty against competitors.

With so many channels for demand generation marketers to choose from, it’s not always clear how and when to reach different target audiences exactly where they’re at. AI can help determine better channels and times to distribute content for maximum impact. By analyzing data on customer engagement, AI can streamline content distribution strategies, better ensuring that specific content reaches the intended audience in the right channel when they are most likely to engage. Imagine sending highly relevant blog posts, white papers, or webinar content to the proper leads, increasing engagement and nurturing them through the sales pipeline. AI is making this demand generation objective even more possible.

Another key area of demand generation marketing is tracking and assessing campaign performance. Various AI tools can help demand generation marketers monitor the performance of demand generation campaigns in real time. This way, demand generation marketers can make informed adjustments and allocate resources more efficiently. Just as AI can analyze trends around customer behavior and preferences, it can also expose trends in campaign performance. By evaluating copy, images, videos, and other creative methods alongside performance data, AI can help highlight the top-performing creative approaches. This enables demand generation marketers to make more informed campaign decisions.

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So…where does that all leave us? As AI technology continues to advance, its impact on demand generation marketing will only grow, offering new opportunities to organize successful campaigns, reach target audiences, and generate high-quality leads more effectively.

However, it’s critical to remember that AI is NOT a replacement for demand generation expertise straight from the minds of humans. The human touch remains essential in decision-making and building genuine relationships with leads. AI can empower demand generation marketers in various ways, and this can offer more time for strategic work and meaningful connections with leads.

Feel free to share your thoughts and comments on this article. I’d love to hear how AI is impacting your world as a marketer and if there are other aspects of AI that you think are worth calling out!

When you're in the hot seat at a job interview, thinking of the best answers can be challenging. In this post, we'll share our number one secret for answering hard interview questions. Think of it as an interview hack...

It's important to bring up relevant and clear examples that prove you're a fit for that job. But if you struggle to remember specific examples during interviews, you should create a running document of accomplishments. This document will help you prepare for interviews more effectively because all of those examples will be fresh in your mind. Basically, it allows you to review your accomplishments before you go into an interview rather than sitting there trying to think of relevant examples to showcase.

So, what kinds of things should you be putting on this document? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Relevant Quantifiable Accomplishments

Quantifiable accomplishments tie your professional accomplishments to numbers. Remember: numbers = results = value. During the hiring process, your job is to prove that you'll be a value-add to that company. Quantifiable accomplishments allow you to showcase your value. So, think of all of your previous professional accomplishments and write them down.

2. Challenges You've Overcome

Think about all of the challenges you've overcome in your career in order to snag that promotion, work with that difficult co-worker, or get that client. Employers want to know these kinds of stories. They want to know you can adapt to situations and overcome difficulties. So, think about all of those challenges you've been up against and how you were able to push through successfully. Tip: use the "Experience + Learn = Grow" model, especially when answering behavioral interview questions.

3. Stories That Reinforce Your Enthusiasm For The Industry/Company

What is it that makes you so enthusiastic about your work? What's the root of your motivation for working in this particular field, doing this particular job, for this particular company? Write these things down. Employers want to know that you're passionate about what you do. They want to know you're in it for more than just the money.

Don't let your fear of answering hard interview questions stall your job search! Keep a document with all of these items in it. To make this easy, make it a habit to document these things as they happen. Keep everything in the document, pull relevant examples, and review them before you head into an interview.

We hope you found this hack to be helpful in answering tough questions in your next interview. If you need more help preparing for a job interview, landing a job, or changing careers, we're here for you.

The average amount of time a recruiter or hiring manager will spend scanning your resume is seven seconds. That's why it's important to have just the right kind (and amount) of information on your resume.

The phrase “less is more" has often been used for design purposes, but it can apply just as well to your resume. The point is to only keep information on your resume that is clear and simple and supports your personal brand. It is a balance of having just enough information to draw the interest of an employer while leaving room for you to further explain during an interview.

The more irrelevant information you add to your resume, the more it dilutes your key message. Employers today also look right through fluff words and are rather annoyed by them.

So, how can you optimize your resume and make sure it contains a precise balance of information?

Try removing these 10 things from your resume today:

Employers today are not that interested in what you want. You need to tell them what you can do for them. The most effective way to achieve this is by replacing your objective statement with an experience summary.

An experience summary is a list of skills you have that are needed for the job you're applying for. They're hard skills and transferable skills, not soft skills. By removing that objective statement, you're able to clearly start proving your value to the employer within the first few seconds they glance at your resume.

We can't tell you how many resumes start with "Dynamic visionary…" We call these "fluff" statements because anyone can make them and they add no real value to your resume.

Keep your message on point and stick to the facts. If you want to express certain traits, demonstrate them with what you have achieved or accomplished. Quantify your work experience. Whatever you do, just avoid meaningless, baseless statements.

Spelling and grammar mistakes are a big turnoff for hiring managers. Triple check every headline and bullet point. Remove or reword any sentence that doesn't flow. Don't mix up tenses or third- and first-person perspectives.

When in doubt, have a trusted friend or colleague review your resume. That way, you can be sure every spelling or grammar mistake is caught before you apply for a job.

You want every section and piece of your resume to be simplified. Having multiple phone numbers right at the top of your resume makes it feel cluttered and disorganized even before you get to the experience section.

If you must list more than one number, make sure to specify under what conditions the other numbers should be used.

Avoid information that can lead one to discriminate against you, including age, sex, religion, marital status, and ethnicity. This includes the use of photos that should never be on a resume unless your face is an important part of your job (e.g., modeling, TV, etc.). In fact, some employers are forced to ignore your resume if it contains such information because of the chance that they may be accused of discrimination later in the process.

For seasoned professionals, age discrimination can be a very real thing. That's why you should follow these tips on what to remove from your resume. You want to optimize your resume, not submit an outdated one.

You do not need to reveal your graduating year, the institution(s) you transferred out of, or the high school you attended. You should also remove your GPA if you've been out of school for a while or if the number just isn't impressive.

Keep information on your education specific to the degree received, the major completed, and the institution you attended.

Employers are not interested in achievements or abilities that are not applicable to the job. If you are in sales and you helped develop an Access database to track supplies, that's nice but not relevant.

Also, be cautious about listing your associations or volunteer work that is irrelevant or may be in conflict with the potential employer. You can find this information while conducting research on the company.

Most employers today expect you to be familiar with basic computer programs, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. So, don't waste valuable space on your resume listing them. It's more than okay to remove them from the document entirely.

When choosing which software programs and technologies to include on your resume, think about which ones will help you succeed in the job you're applying for. Which ones will make you stand out from the competition?

Employers expect you to offer references when requested, which is typically during the latter part of the interview process.

A big pet peeve of recruiters is seeing "References available upon request" on the resume. Do you really know anyone who would refuse to give references?

If you are a recent graduate, most employers do not expect your resume to be more than one page. However, if you have had considerable professional experience, your resume should be two to three pages long. The notion all resumes should be one page is not true, especially in this job market. Resumes need to have enough detail to support your positioning so a two- to three-page resume is acceptable. But your resume shouldn't be so long that it works against you.

Your resume has to have a compelling message and be easy to read, so after you have tightened up your content, format it to have a decent amount of white space.

Finding the right balance of information for your resume can make it impactful. It's not about how long or short your resume is, or how many employers you've worked for, but finding the right information and words to present it in the best light to demonstrate that you have the specific experiences and skills the employer is seeking. So, keep in mind the phrase "less is more" when writing or updating your resume.

Writing an optimized resume is no easy task. By removing these 10 things from your resume, you'll be that much closer to landing an interview and securing your next job.

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In my experience as an executive resume writer, cover letters only get read about a third of the time they are sent. That being said, when one is required, or you are hoping for that added edge to get a hiring manager's attention, there is no doubt a great cover letter can make all the difference.

To accomplish this, your cover letter must be disruptive and draw them in.

Here are some things to keep in mind when you're writing a disruptive cover letter.

In the first paragraph of your disruptive cover letter, you need to establish a connection between you and the employer. How do you do that? Well, you need to tell a story.

The surest way to stand out to employers is to tell a story about why you feel connected to their company.

Don't just reiterate what you say in your resume in the very first paragraph of your cover letter. Explain what you admire about the company you're applying to. Do they sell a product or provide a service that's had a big impact on your life? Do they support causes you are passionate about? Why do you feel connected to their mission?

Ultimately, you want to tell a story about what drew you to the company, and the important role it has played in your life.

The second paragraph must provide the hiring manager with some added context about your unique background, and set the stage for some career highlights that, to quote an old saying, "puts your money where your mouth is."

Blend language from the job description together with nuggets of information that are unique to you. Set the stage for how you are qualified for the role you are applying to. But, don't overdo it.

Continue your story and relate it to the position, all while emphasizing that connection.

Select a couple of examples from your resume that you believe will impress recruiters and hiring managers. Rather than a complete cut and paste, reword these achievements and frame them in a way that shows the employers what you can do for them.

In many cases, numbers resonate more than words, so be sure to include quantifiable examples wherever possible.

In this fourth and last paragraph, be sure to thank the hiring manager for taking the time to read your disruptive cover letter (remember that not all managers do!).

Next, use this last bit of space to help the reader connect the dots to show them why you are a great job candidate, a business-of-one who can provide a service they need with a personal connection to the company that is invaluable.

Remember: You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Make yours count with an impactful and disruptive cover letter that separates you from the competition!

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There is a difference between being "qualified" for a job and being the "best person" for the job.

"Qualified" means that you can do all the things mentioned in the job description. What makes you the "best person" for the job is proving to the hiring manager that you understand the pain that you're going to alleviate and the problems that you're going to solve for the company.

At Work It DAILY, we teach something called a job matching matrix. If you want to stand out as the must-have candidate, the best person for the job, creating a job matching matrix is essential.

So, how do you create one? Well, first you take a job that you're interested in and put all of the requirements for that job in one column. In the next column, you match your experience to those job requirements to prove you're qualified for the job. But what makes you the most qualified candidate, the best person for the job, is the final column. In that final column, you need to list what will go horribly wrong if they don't hire the right person—if they don't hire someone who does what you can do.

By creating a job matching matrix, you're showing the employer that you truly understand why something is a requirement for the job and what the job is about. The difference between being a nice-to-have candidate and a must-have candidate is that you understand the pain that you're going to alleviate. You understand what goes horribly wrong if this job isn't done correctly. Anyone can say, "Oh, you wanted five years of experience in digital marketing. I have five years of experience in digital marketing." Instead, if you can say, "The reason you need somebody with five years of experience in digital marketing is this, this, and this, and here's what goes wrong if you don't get somebody with these three qualities," now you're proving that you understand the job better than someone else and that tells them that you're going to be able to do the job better than someone else.

As a job seeker in today's ultra-competitive job market, it's very important that you teach yourself how to not only match yourself up to the job but also talk about it in a way that proves you are the must-have candidate. You are a business-of-one. You are a service provider. Don't talk about your features; talk about your benefits. Talk about the value you create, the money you'll save them, the money you'll make them, the problems you'll solve, and the pain you'll alleviate. When they hear that, you are proving you are the must-have candidate, the best person for the job, and that's who's getting hired right now.

If you want to learn more about how to create a job matching matrix, sign up for a free Work It DAILY trial today.

Good luck! Go get 'em.

Failure is a negative word. No one wants to fail. Many of us do all we can to avoid the risk of becoming "failures." But have you ever considered what "failure" actually is?

Let's think about it from a different perspective—as another step in life that takes us towards whatever we do next. Not everything we do is going to work out exactly as intended. But if you are failing, you must be the kind of person who is prepared to take some risks. And that means you are far more likely to ultimately reach your potential.

Failure isn't the problem. Fear of failure is. You need to change your perspective and recognize failing can be the key to achieving success.

"Failures are finger posts on the road to achievement." —C.S. Lewis

It's easier to learn from failure than from success. It gives you the chance to analyze what's not working and do something about it.

Even if some factors seem to be out of your control, think through what they are. Can you do anything to reduce their impact? Or is there a way of gaining greater control of them?

"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." —Thomas A. Edison

By failing and then using what you've learned from the experience, you have the potential to become more resilient and more persistent. The more persistent you become, the less likely it is that you'll be emotionally affected by not getting the outcome you hoped for. And that gives you a better perspective for analyzing what needs to be done to move you toward success.

Every "failed attempt" simply becomes a new learning experience to fine-tune your efforts.

"I knew that if I failed I wouldn't regret that, but I knew the one thing I might regret is not trying." —Jeff Bezos

If something is worthwhile, it's probably going to take quite a bit of work to achieve. So, build into your plans the expectation that it could require significant effort. But until you try, you will never know. And even if it doesn't work out, you've given it a go and will have learned from the experience.

If you're so busy worrying about failing that you never find the impetus to move forward, then visualize yourself in 12 months' time dealing with a sense of regret for never even attempting it. Which feels worse?

If you're not afraid to fail, it will give you another valuable ability. And that is being able to recognize when giving up on a particular goal is the right course of action.

Perseverance is important and you should never become the type of person who gives up simply because something is harder than you'd expected or taking longer than you'd hoped. But maybe you or your situation has changed and your goal is no longer relevant. Maybe your skills and talents are better off applied elsewhere now that time has moved on. Or perhaps you're doing the same thing over and over again in the vain hope of a different result.

If you've given it your very best shot and it still isn't working, it's time to change your approach. Would you call that failing? Or just applying some common sense about where to direct your energy?

Think about your past and you'll probably be able to spot times when making a choice that wasn't successful helped refine your approach and eventually took you toward a better outcome.

Start viewing failure as a learning opportunity, use the lessons you gain from it, and take the first steps to setting yourself up for success.

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Navigating the professional world of LinkedIn can sometimes feel like walking through a minefield of awkward connection requests and over-the-top sales pitches. We've all received those cringe-worthy messages that make us want to hit "ignore" faster than you can say "networking." But fear not, LinkedIn warriors! Today, we're diving into making genuine, non-cringey connections on this platform.

Let's start with some humorous takes on those infamous connection request fails:

1. The Overeager Salesperson: "Hi Dani, I see we share an interest in breathing air. Let me tell you why my product will change your life forever!"
2. The Resume Dumper: "Hi Dani, here's my entire work history, list of skills, and every project I've ever worked on. So, what can you do for me?"
3. The Cold Connector: "Hi Dani, I noticed we’re both on LinkedIn. That’s all the reason we need to connect, right?"

We’ve all seen these, right? They’re the LinkedIn equivalents of bad first dates. Instead, let's explore how some of the best community professionals connect in meaningful and, more importantly, less cringey ways. Here are a few shining examples from leaders who have mastered the art of authentic networking.

LinkedIn has been an amazing resource for my learning in terms of my career growth and also a space to connect with others in my field.

One strategy I've found particularly effective is leveraging mutual connections. When reaching out to someone new, I always check if we have shared connections and mention them in my invitation. This common ground instantly creates a sense of trust and increases the likelihood of a positive response.

For example, when initiating a connection, try: "Hey [Name], I noticed we're both connected with [Mutual Connection]. I'd love to connect with you and see how we can support one another.

Remember, LinkedIn is about building relationships, not just adding people for the sake of connections. Engage regularly with your network by sharing insights, congratulating achievements, and offering help when you can.

LinkedIn helps me to become friends with people all over the world and check in with each other in meaningful ways over time, around new ideas and projects that are lighting us up—what a cool world we live in to be inspired and encouraged by people we'd never get the chance to be in the same physical room as.

I love pushing what it means to show up differently on LinkedIn...in a more human way!

To create more meaningful friendships on LinkedIn, I recommend sending hyper-specific notes in your connection requests that really give someone a glimpse into your day. No matter how silly it might sound, it works!

Here are 5 of Taylor's favorite LinkedIn hellos:

1. Describe where you are: "Saying hey from NYC while watching a pigeon bop around on my window sill.”
2. Mention what you’re drinking: “Reaching out while sipping on homemade hibiscus iced tea.”
3. Share your current candle scent: “Waving from NYC, where I’m loving my new peonies candle from Trader Joe's.”
4. Talk about what you're listening to: “Currently jamming out to Noah Kahan's new song while waving hello.”
5. Share how you found them: “I stumbled across your profile through Jenny Martin, who I met at adult summer camp!”

Lean into connection requests as an opportunity to open the door for a sweet human conversation. Don’t just collect another digital handshake!

As someone who leads a professional community, I firmly believe that LinkedIn is the prime network for connecting with like-minded individuals worldwide. As a woman, I also find comfort in the platform's professional nature, which fosters a sense of safety and respect.

In order for me to make meaningful connections while growing my network, I try to join groups of interest where I look at other individuals who share that same passion or have some commonality with me.

Once I find someone that intrigues me, I then reach out with a note referencing one of the posts they may have shared or something on the group that we both interacted with and introduce myself.

For example, I joined the #iamremarkable group on LinkedIn. Of course I joined because I attended a session and loved it. But there I found an individual who was interested in brainstorming accountability groups and continued learning.

I sent a connection request like, “Hi ___, I just saw your post about accountability groups and think there’s value in considering a user journey to seamlessly integrate something like this. I’m Bhargavi a community builder and market researcher, I’d love to connect and chat more”.

After this initial message, it’s important to follow up and follow through and maintain the relationship.

“I was wondering if I could pick your brain about _____. I’m very interested in the field and could use your knowledge to expand mine.”

“Hello, I saw your profile and experience in ____. I’d love to learn more about it and if you’re available have a quick chat. I’m new to the area and would love to expand my network.”

Starting authentic conversations via LinkedIn without feeling like you're forcing small talk at a party where you only know the host but by following these expert tips, you're well on your way.

Whether it's leveraging mutual connections, sending personalized notes that offer a peek into your day, or engaging in professional groups with shared interests, the key is to approach LinkedIn with a human touch. After all, networking isn't just about growing your numbers; it's about nurturing relationships that can lead to mutual growth and opportunities.

"Why am I still unemployed?"

At Work It DAILY, we're asked this question a lot. The reality is that the reason is different for everyone. The good news? You can overcome whatever is holding you back from getting hired.

Here are five reasons you're still unemployed...

While it's good to have a strong resume with all of your professional skill sets, your resume can become generic when all you do is send the same resume to every open position you find.

The Solution: Customize your resume for each job you apply for. By taking the time to customize your resume with relevant skill sets and specific keywords that are in the job description, you'll be more likely to land an interview and, therefore, will have more viable job opportunities.

This problem is common among older workers looking for a career change. But this can happen to anyone who has a lot of experience and is trying to get their foot in the door at another company.

The Solution: During an interview, make it your mission to connect with the employer. Tell a story. Let them know you aren't just running out the clock. If they ask about your five-year plan, don't mention retirement. Your career isn't over yet.

On the flip side, you could be unemployed because you don't have enough experience or the right skill sets to do the jobs you've been applying for. Maybe you're a recent college grad, and at this point, you're just begging someone to give you a chance. Whatever your situation, employers are making it very clear you aren't qualified.

The Solution: Take classes or earn certificates to develop new skills. Volunteer or intern to get the type of professional experience employers are looking for. Focus on the skill sets you do have and learn how to quantify those skills on your resume to stand out to hiring managers.

If you really want a job, your actions have to reflect your attitude. As the weeks (or maybe months) drag on and you still haven't found a job, you may find yourself getting into a dangerous job search routine. You apply for half a dozen jobs every day and hope for the best. This strategy rarely works. If you want quality job opportunities, you need to be proactive.

The Solution: Make networking a priority. Go to job fairs. Reach out to employees at companies you'd love to work for on LinkedIn. Start compelling, professional conversations with them. Remember: you're a business-of-one. The better you actively market yourself to employers, the more job opportunities you'll likely receive.

It can be easy to get into a job search rut. Time goes by differently when you don't have a set routine. The longer it takes for you to find a job, the harder it is to find the motivation to get a job. You may begin to lose confidence in yourself and your skills as a professional. When your career is suddenly on hold, your life can feel like it is without purpose or direction.

The Solution: Set goals and work towards them—even if they're just small goals. They could be career-related goals, or not. Maybe you want to get in better shape. Maybe you want to learn a new skill. If you set goals for yourself, you'll regain that sense of purpose—and better yourself in the process.

Being unemployed is tough. If you follow these tips, you'll have the tools to overcome the challenges you face in the job search process.

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