Do you find yourself, at the beginning of the new year, re-evaluating what you want to change in your career?

Stop and think: What is holding me back from making this change?

Don't let your worries about the job search process stop you. Don't let a lack of confidence hold you back.

​If you know what you want and just need support in getting there, I AM YOUR PERSON. This is what I love to do (and think about everyday). When you're ready to learn more, send me a note and we can chat. 

Wishing you good health and career happiness in 2021,

​Tricia

Happy New Year!

Exactly 5 years ago, I started working with my first client through JobSeeker Success. Since then, I have helped jobseekers of all industries and levels of experience market themselves in the best way possible and land their next position.
100% of my clients in 2017 were from past client referrals. THANK YOU for your support - it's been an amazing experience to work with you all. Looking forward to seeing what the next 5 years brings! :)
- Tricia

It's never too late for a career change. Read this great article for just a few amazing success stories. The first story (and picture above) is actually about a courageous woman in Rochester, NY where I lived for two years with my family. So inspiring! 

​If you're on the fence, I hope you find a little extra confidence to take a step forward in making a change, regardless of your circumstances or stage in life.

-Tricia
​

Taking a break from the job search over the holidays -- is this a good or bad idea?

Many people say that now is the time to actually rev up your job search rather than put it on hold. The end of the year can be a particularly good time to seek out employment opportunities, network and submit applications with reduced competition. Employers want to start the new year off fully staffed and with the ability to reach their upcoming year's goals. Managers know their budget for next year and are interviewing now to make hiring decisions by the end of 2014. 

Don't assume that everyone is already out on vacation and in holiday la-la world, either. According to AOL jobs, 79% percent of recruiters said the number of employed executives who return calls increases or holds steady throughout the holidays. 

So remember - hiring managers are paying attention and you're more likely to have less competition if you get on the ball, rather than stall, the job search. Be sure your resume is tailored to the opportunities available and that your cover letter boasts relevant keywords. 

And don't forget about the increase in networking opportunities around the holidays! It's a perfect opportunity to follow up with old colleagues, friends and acquaintances to wish them a happy holiday and see what's new. Generally, people are in good spirits around this time and more likely to help or lend advice as well.

Just think - while others are buried in Christmas shopping and cookie baking, you could be taking advantage of this job searching opportunity! 

Tricia

I come across a new article on FaceBook everyday -- some about raising kids, improving relationships, or just "good to know" life information.  And sometimes, like today, I come across a gem when it comes to helping jobseekers.

Mike Rowe, host of the TV Show "Dirty Jobs", gives a "back to basics" response to an average jobseeker with solid life advice in the following article:

Mike's Advice to a JobSeeker

We can easily get caught up in finding the "perfect" job. I appreciated the fresh perspective about where happiness really comes from and hope it helps others as we navigate our careers together. I don't think Mike is advising us to "settle", but encouraging us to get out there and create happiness for ourselves. After all, "what you do, who you're with, and how you feel about the world around you, is completely up to you". Empowering words! 

Hope you all enjoy and gain some inspiration today.

All the best,
Tricia

Congratulations!!

You scored an interview. Your resume and cover letter must have been impressive (or you had a great connection pulling for you - even better). Before you get TOO excited though,  you must thoroughly prepare to present yourself in person to land that job offer.

Chances are you've researched some frequently asked interview questions and prepared your best answers.  This is a great start...just don't forget about questions for THEM. 

 Fast forward to the end of the interview, when the interviewer asks, "Do you have any questions for us?".  You don't want to blind sighted or ill-prepared and just give that "No, I think you covered everything" answer. You should capitalize on this opportunity to leave a good impression by showing you are genuinely interested in this position and you were listening carefully throughout the interview. (And maybe they will forget how nervous you were in the beginning?!)  

I encourage you to develop a list of at least 5 questions to ask your interviewer, beyond the standard "What does a typical day look like".  Here are a few of my favorites and why:

1. What is the biggest challenge you will face this year (as a company/department/office), and how could someone in this position help overcome that?
   
2. You described several traits important for this new employee to possess. What is the single most critical characteristic for success in this position? 
3. How will you measure success in this position and how will my performance be evaluated?
4. We spoke about (insert topic) a little earlier. Would my experience doing this (relate a very short example of when/how you've done something similar in the past) be something I could build on or utilize if I were to work with you?
   
5. When should I expect to hear from you? 

In short, these questions show you care about making an impact at the organization.  It's all about what YOU can do for THEM. Sure, you want to know what your day would look like, but you could ask this later if necessary -- AFTER they want to hire you. Your goal now is to show you're already thinking big picture and with the company's best interest in mind rather than your own. 

I also love how question #2 and #3 "forces" the interviewer to give you a glimpse into what's truly important to them - then you can evaluate whether this is something you can actually offer and/or if you'd be a good match. With favorite question #5, you are simply setting yourself up for interview follow-up success. If the interviewer says you'll hear back in a week, you know it's appropriate to call after a week goes by (...and you totally should, by the way. Being proactive is a must). 

Do you have any favorite questions for the interviewer to share? Would love to hear them! 

Happy Interviewing!

Tricia

Are you hoping the new year brings you a better job?

Your idea of a better job could be landing a higher level position, offering advancement in your career - not to mention a larger paycheck. (But how do I show I'm qualified and ready for the next step?) 

Then there's another kind of better job - similar to the one you have now, but in a different location or organization (How do I make a successful transition within my field?)

Or maybe it's your current job and employer, but with new options to create the stronger work/life balance that 2013 seemed to lack. (How do I approach my boss about this?)

And to others, the better job is  a career change you've always been curious about deep down, but didn't have the guts to consider strongly enough this past year. (I KNOW there is something else I could be doing with my transferable skills and experience, but I'm not sure how to get there...) 

For many of you, 2014 might just be your year to return to the workforce after spending time at home with the kiddos or taking a medical leave of absence. (Remind me... how do I job search again?)

Or maybe you're still looking for that first professional, full-time position as a recent college grad. (Why aren't they hiring me?!)

If you're lucky enough to be in the perfect, ideal work situation already -- kudos to you! For those of you still seeking that "better" job,  whatever that may look like, I hope I can be the confidence you need to make it happen in 2014. 

Send me a message anytime to talk about how I can help. 

Cheers and happy new year!
Tricia