What resolutions should you be making in the new year?

When the calendar flipped to 2012, it ushered in a new year of potential and possibilities. As a job seeker looking to take the next step in your career, now is the time to make a resolution to turn the new year into a successful one.

As the world leader in workforce solutions, we know what it takes for professionals to succeed. So to help you, we’ve put together a list of recommended resolutions that can help you land your next great job.

Reassess your Career

Did you love your previous position? Did you want more out of your day-to-day? Is part of the reason things didn’t work out because you needed a more positive work environment?

Now is a good time to ask yourself these questions and determine whether or not you want to continue in the same line of work. John P. Strelecky, author of The Why Cafe, suggests that being unemployed is the ideal time to evaluate what you want to do with your career. According to Strelecky, 45% of Americans aren’t happy in their jobs, and if you are currently out of work, you are in the perfect position to explore a variety of options.

If you’re looking for a career change, try taking classes, volunteering or working on a contract or temporary basis to get the experience employers want to see. You’ll learn more about the industry and improve your chances of securing employment at the same time.

Refresh Your Online Profiles

Today, employers turn to social networks when evaluating candidates like you. That means Facebook isn’t just for friending old high school buddies. LinkedIn, Twitter, Google Plus and other online networking sites can also be great platforms to present and market yourself. Of course, you also need to check your privacy preferences to make sure the information you post can only be seen by appropriate audiences. You wouldn’t want a recruiter stumbling upon photos from your wild weekend getaway.

Your LinkedIn profile is especially important, as it is the most popular professional networking site. Click here for a list of recommendations to help you get the most out of your LinkedIn profile.

No matter what service you use, be sure to keep your information up to date to increase visibility and catch the eye of recruiters or potential employers.

Revamp your network

Building up a network of professional contacts – and potential references – could help you in your job search. After all, “who you know” is often just as important as “what you know.”

So how can you build a solid network? You can start by reaching out to former colleagues, bosses and associates immediately. Solidifying these relationships can take time and effort, and you don’t want to miss out on potential opportunities or potential references.

You should also be selective when it comes to building your network; don’t contact people in the hopes of getting a recommendation for a position if you have no prior history with them. Instead, start a conversation on a blog or social networking site, comment on statuses, offer advice where appropriate, and position yourself as a resource. Remember that maintaining your network is a continuous endeavor and remaining in contact with your colleagues will be a vital part of your success.

Rewrite your Resume

Without a doubt, your resume and your cover letter are two of the most important pieces of content in your job search. They are the first things recruiters and hiring managers see and a poorly written or unprofessional looking resume can cost you a job even if you are a great match. That’s why it is so important to make sure yours is up to date and appeals to prospective employers.

According to US News, there are a few steps you can take make a good first impression with your resume. First, tailor your resume to the job. Create unique resumes for each individual opportunity in order to highlight the skills that are specific to the position. Furthermore, be sure to read the application carefully and follow all the instructions. This simple step can provide you with a leg up on other candidates who are applying to jobs without taking the small details into consideration.

Lastly, keep your resume simple. Leave out any irrelevant information, personal information, and photos, etc. You want your resume to be easy to read for the employer. If it takes too much time or effort to review your application, a potential employer will likely move on to the next candidate.

Revitalize your marketable skills

The Government of Alberta detailed the three critical skills that employers are looking for:

• Transferable skills, such as computer and technology aptitude, are very flexible and useful in a variety of jobs and industries.
• Time management skills and the ability to effectively manage your workload and schedule are also paramount.
• Work-specific skills, the ones you will use every day in your chosen career path, should be continually refined. In addition to taking professional development courses, temporary positions can help you gain real world experience and bolster your skill set to appeal to future employers.

As an Adecco associate, you’ll have free access to our online skills training programs.  We offer access to thousands of courses across professional fields that will enable you to brush up on your skills- or learn new ones.

You have the power to make 2012 a truly awesome year. Take the time to enact these resolutions in order to enhance your job search and land your dream job.

But remember, these tips are just the start when it comes to putting your dream job within reach. For more tips and career advice, visit Adecco Staffing Services or contact your local Adecco office today.

And now for a Contest!

Adecco USA will be running a “New Year, New You” contest starting January 15, 2012. Check out the Adecco Facebook page for more details, and find out how you could win daily prizes throughout January 2012!

One grand prize winner will  receive an interview suit and laptop- stayed tuned, and you could be on the path to career success!

Ms. Career Girl Contest

Now that you have these great New Year’s resolutions, which one are you going to stick with? Do you have another resolution that would be great for women in the workforce? Leave a comment here and the best idea will win a $50 visa gift card!  The winner will be announced on our Facebook page on Friday January 13th at 5pm CST.

Dear Nicole,

I graduated college about 6 months ago with a marketing degree and have had a really tough time finding a full-time job.  I was offered a sales job a few days ago but I am reluctant to take it.  My mentor always told me that once you get into sales, you are no longer seen as a marketing person but a sales person and that it can easily change your whole career path.

I don’t want to be ungrateful or too picky, but ultimately my goal is to build my marketing skill set and add value to client projects (not to be a sales person).  What would you do?

Thanks

Kristina

Hi Kristina,

Thanks for your email!  I’m sure many people are in a similar situation and appreciate you asking this question.  In fact, I was in a similar situation about 6 years ago.

I graduated with a Finance degree and was offered a job in sales during my senior year of college. I was so thrilled to get a job offer so early but was concerned with the exact same thing: would my professional skill set grow if I took a job in sales? Would I be in sales forever?  Am I cut out for a job in sales?

Ultimately, I ended up taking the sales job and –believe it or not- having that sales job on my resume ended up helping me at interviews and in different work situations many times.

Regardless of what you do, knowing how to sell, overcome objections, handle rejection and close deals is a crucial for almost any profession- even marketing.  I only stayed at my 1^st job for about 7 months before I took an opportunity in Commercial Banking (a job that really did develop my finance skill set and where I stayed for almost 3 years).

For me, sales was sort of like “business boot camp” for the real world: sales jobs teach you how to organize your time, set goals, figure out the “numbers game” of life, deal with the highs and lows of business, think like an entrepreneur and most importantly you learn how to get comfortable being uncomfortable.  Every cold call I made and every one-on-one client meeting I had was scary, but it got easier with time.

As you move up the ranks in your career, you’ll need to manage client expectations, close deals, get more clients and handle many ups and downs. For me, a job in sales was a great way to prepare for all of this.  Today I’m self-employed as a marketing consultant who must sell work in order to make a living and I’m so grateful for the excellent sales training and experience I had almost 6 years ago.

Ultimately this decision is up to you, but don’t discount the value of starting your career in sales.  If I were you, I’d take the job knowing that it won’t be perfect, and it may not be forever, but it will teach you something you needed to learn.  I’d also be sure to keep a blog or do some pro-bono marketing consulting on the side so you can keep your resume fresh in case you do decide to pursue other marketing opportunities.

Good luck Kristina!

Nicole

• What advice do YOU have for Kristina?
• How do you feel about starting a career in sales?
• Are you in sales? Have you ever worked in sales?  What advice would you give to someone starting out in sales?

One of the biggest pitfalls in a bad economy is to assume you need more education. Sometimes, it’s true. Often, though, you’ll end up overspending and overeducating yourself. Employers are more likely to pass on an employee who has too many degrees because they’re seen as a liability for fast turnover. However, there are definite ways to further your education in a meaningful way that will help—not hinder—your career.

The notion that getting an extra degree in your field will automatically open doors is misguided. At best, you’ll spend money on a degree that will put you smack dab in the middle of the cesspool of overqualified candidates. At worst, you’ll lose several years of your life going back to grad school and end up in that same cesspool.

Combatting Over-Qualification

Considering how to go back to school is just as important as deciding whether or not to go. Employers give more weight to any graduate studies than they give to your undergraduate degree. If you go to Cornell for undergrad and then switch to the local community college for your master’s degree, be prepared for some questions.

Another thing to consider is that experience is often more important than a pile of certificates. It’s important that you’re able to work while you’re in school. Sometimes that means correspondence classes or looking into online degrees like a masters degree online.  Remember that the whole goal of going. Remember that the whole goal of going back to school is to learn more and stay current in your field. Dropping out of the career path to take classes will only slide you further from your goals.

Decide if You Should do It

The best thing to do when deciding if you should pursue more education is to simply look around. Decide which position you want to aim for in your company, and ask to see what those people have a degree in. Don’t be afraid to talk to them directly—most likely they’ll be flattered that you consider them successful. Offer to buy them lunch to talk about their career path. Be very clear about your goals, and they may even offer to put in a good word for you the next time a spot opens up.

If you’re currently job seeking, go ahead and reach out to local industry leaders. People interested in journalism shouldn’t attempt to call up Barbara Walters for a chat, but the local news anchor may be persuaded to answer an e-mail with a few questions. You can also contact human resources departments and ask them what they look for in candidates. They likely won’t reveal specifics, but they’ll be more open to offering advice about whether or not your current education level is a perfect fit for their company.

Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D. wrote on Quint Careers that often candidates won’t even know when they’ve been labeled as overqualified. The boundary isn’t always clear, since each company will ask different things of its employees. It’s important to get a sense of what’s standard in the industry and recognize the companies that hold other-than-average views on education.

The Other Roads you Haven’t Travelled

Sometimes there’s no getting out of being stuck in a field. After all, there’s only so much you can do with an art history degree. If you’re looking to slightly shift your career focus, consider getting a complimentary degree. Choose it based on where you want to end up.

For example, if you want to be a gallery owner, supplement your B.A. with a master’s degree in business. Diversity with purpose will add to your resume without derailing your career path. Just remember that every step you take towards education should be well-thought out with a distinct career path in mind.

By, Patricia Briggs

In the US, many (if not most!) students are forced to take out loans in order to manage their college expenses.  Student loan debt outweighs credit card debt and is growing at a rate of $90 billion a year. Paying off student loans takes years.  Therefore, formulating a repayment plan outside of minimum payments is important.  Believe it or not, there are some innovative ways to pay off the student loan debt.

5 Tips on how to reduce your student loans

1. Make extra payments towards your loans so that you can pay off the owed amounts in less time. Review your budget plan to track where you can curtail to pay off the student loan debt.  Even a minimum payment of $20 extra every month can significantly lower the total owed amount.

You can either distribute your extra payment amount to each student loan or solely focus on paying off one debt at a time.  If you choose to focus on one loan, there are two common ways of looking at it.  Mathematically, you’ll pay less interest if you put your extra payments toward the loan with the highest interest rate first.  But for many, paying off the smallest loan first allows you to see your progress which is more psychologically rewarding.  Choose whichever method you feel will help you sustain your extra payments!

2.  Consolidate your multiple student loan debts. Low interest consolidation loans help eliminate your student loan debt quickly. You can combine your multiple debts into a single low interest loan to make your monthly payment affordable. 

3. Consider student loan forgiveness programs. Get information from your state or federal government on whether you qualify for the student loan forgiveness program. The Peace Corps and AmeriCorps are agencies that offer assistance to people who are under student loan debt. But their eligibility criterion is that the person seeking help has to commit to serve with them for a specific period of time. There are several programs out there, do your research and see if one is a good fit for you!

4. See if your employer offers any benefits to people with student loan debt. Some employers contribute a stipulated amount annually to employees who have student loan debt.

5. A Ms. Career Girl favorite, you can also take up a part time job or start a side-business in order to put more money towards paying off your debt more quickly.  If you get bonues from your present job, consider putting the money toward your student loan debt if it is in line with your short and long-term goals.

Hi Ms. Career Girl Readers!  The following article by Carol Montrose is right on.  If you’re having a really tough job search, this article will help you face some realities in order to put yourself on a new course.  If you’re still in college, this article is super relevant- I hope college sophomores and juniors are taking notes!  I’m going to follow up with responses to the 5 challenges listed with remedies related to via social media.  Stay tuned! -Nicole

By, Carol Montrose

Making the move from life as a college grad to your professional job can sometimes present a challenge. If you are a brand new graduate just kicking off your career, you would be wise to consider the bumpy road ahead. Although not all students have difficulty making this transition, few find entry into the professional realm to be effortless. The following list details a few obstacles you may experience along the way if you haven’t planned ahead.

1. You have no work experience. Many employers prefer to consider candidates with some job experience in their field of expertise. Despite the fact that you have just devoted four strenuous years and probably several thousand dollars to specializing in the field through obtaining a degree, employment experience in your field is what makes you more competitive.

Remedy this situation by touching base with career counselors or favorite professors at your alma mater. They may have ideas for good companies or internships to start you out in the professional realm. Additionally, contacting people who already have professional careers in your trade is a good way of seeing how other people got where you want to be.

2. Employers are not hiring in your area. In this economy if you start out in a small town with few opportunities or even a large city, which is over saturated with qualified applicants, you may run into issues finding a job. In this instance, you need to be flexible. Consider switching locations. Somebody, somewhere IS hiring, and a change of scenery might be just the thing to motivate you.

3. You don’t interview well. You may know your job inside out, but from the moment you walk through the door you are being sized up. As intimidating as this may seem, the most successful candidates are those that do well in the interview. Your resume is only half the battle, the other half is your interpersonal skills.

Know what you want without being picky. Having a plan and goals shows your potential employer that you are confident and ready for a career in your field.

Practicing patience and flexibility is also a good idea since you may have to start at the bottom working odd hours or weekends. If it gives you experience in what you want to be doing, you can be confident that you are moving in the right direction.

4. You’re not sure what you want to do. This problem is common to many graduates. Although you’ve gotten your degree, it’s hard to immediately make a commitment to one type of work before you really have a handle on what your day-to-day will look like.

In order to try things out without the strain of being hired and quitting every few months, try job shadowing working professionals in a few different fields of interest. This will give you a chance to see what your day will look like, what you’d like to work towards, and it will also give you a professional contact in the field if you make a solid connection.

5. You get called in for the interview, but you never seem to snag the call back. If you get turned down over and over again, it might be time to consider different ways of marketing your skills.

Get creative with your abilities. Instead of wasting space on your resume or time in your interview highlighting basic skills like your experience using the Microsoft Office Suite, your elite personal qualities (e.g. ability to work individually, motivation, or people person etc), or your ability to think on your feet (so ho-hum), try to hone in on specific situations in your interview in which you used your degree, experience, or training in a professional situation.  Employers want to make sure you can do the job and that you will fit in to their company. Don’t make them strain to imagine you as their employee, try to paint a detailed picture of your progress and success in the past.

Have you dealt with any of these challenges?  What did you do?  What advice do you have for others who are struggling?

Carol Montrose writes for Go College where you can find helpful information on college search engines and foreign language scholarships.

Today’s post is by, Norma Tassy

Mounting a search for a new position takes perseverance, tenacity and a willingness to stretch out of our comfort zone. Whether we are in a position that we enjoy or managing a transition, searching for a new job takes determination. Integrate these five suggestions everyday to make your search focused and productive.

1. Stay Positive

Banish Negative thoughts as you look for work. Do not allow thoughts of failure to cloud your mind as you go about your daily activities. Each day before you begin your search focus your mind in a positive direction. Look up meaningful quotations. Consult a book of sayings. Bombard yourself with messages that say “I can do it” “success is mine”. And have this picture in your mind before you start your search activities.

2. Stay organized

Track your daily activities. Decide you how many hours a day you can spend on your search. Make a spread sheet to track where you have applied, whom you have spoken to ad what the results have been. Plan your days’ activities leaving time to do some person development and reflect on your efforts thus far. Once you have your plan in place do not allow time wasting activities to get you off your schedule.

3. Stay connected

When mounting a search it is vitally important to build and maintain your network. Call on old colleagues and let them know your situation. Tell them what your efforts have been and give them specific ways that they can be helpful. Attend conferences lectures and events geared toward your industry. Meet new people and above all stay in touch. Make an effort to meet new networking acquaintances face to face one on one. Get to know new people.

4. Stay Informed

Not only is it necessary to keep abreast regarding the latest terms and technology in a given field, it is important to be an enlightened and engaged citizen. In interview situations it is key to be able to hold a conversation on your field of endeavor and events of the day.

5. Stay Well

Rest, eat right and exercise. No matter if you are working or not searching for a new position takes a lot of mental and physical stamina. Pay attention to your health. It is the best thing you can do for yourself.

By focusing on your search, using your time wisely and maintaining a positive attitude, job search is so much more productive and so much less stressful. Try it.

Today’s post is by, Angela Armstrong

You’re fresh out of college and looking for a job.  You’ve tried the  job boards, your school career counselor, etc. but nothing has worked.  So what’s next?  Networking is the key to career success and a great way to lead to your next job.  But you are not interested in attending stuffy networking events.  You’re in luck; just about anyone associated with your college experience can form the foundation of a solid network.

11 Connections You Should Make to Build Your Post-College Network

1. Your Classmates – They may seem like competition, but no one knows  you better.   Since you will most likely be going through the job search at roughly the same time, they will know the openings out there.   This is also an excellent resource for information swapping.
2. Alumni, especially recent graduates –   Recent alumni who’ve paved the way for you are more acquainted with the kinds of job you hope to land.    More established alumni may be far  removed from the kind of entry-level job you’d like, but they also may have the hiring power.    To find out updates about what alumni are doing check your college’s publications.  Look for alumni in your field and geographic location.
3. Parents /Parents of Classmates - both can be a great resource for introducing you to new connections and getting tips on networking.
4. Fraternity brothers, sorority sisters and Greek Organization Alumni -
5. Coaches – Coaches can be an excellent network resource.  They care about their athletes and know lots of people.
6. Guest Speakers - The professionals who come to speak to your classes are a vast untapped market.   After their presentation, introduce yourself and ask the best way to keep in contact with them.    By building a rapport and keeping in touch with them, this could lead to something.
7. Current and Former employers –  Most student today can get through college without having a a job at some point.  Even if your job is not in your career field, your employer can still be a useful networking contact.
8. Members of your religious community -your campus ministry or congregation back home can provide a wealth of contacts.
9. Members of professional organizations – most colleges sponsor student chapters of professional organizations, which are rich sources of networking contacts.   Your network efforts will benefit from a student membership in the nearest professional chapter.
10. Peer Volunteers – Volunteering can provide an abundant networking opportunities and college is a great time to get started.  You are only making a difference but also making some productive connections
11. Informational Interviewees –  this is an excellent way to learn about the realities of the work world and what to expect.   People generally are open to informational interviews as it gives them a chance to talk about their industry and give advice.

You’ve heard it before that once a Greek always a Greek.  This network can begin to work for you almost immediately, not only with your current peers but with alumni, who may be able to assist you.

Take a look around you; there are always great resources and contacts to begin building your network.   Put yourself out there and connect.  You are on your way to a fabulous career.

Today’s post is by Kate Manning.

Growing up, most children imagine themselves in a job they love. Many children dream of becoming a rock star, professional athlete, doctor, or even as a banker and living an exciting and luxurious lifestyle. Unfortunately, reality can sometimes be quite different. Not every adult finds himself or herself in a job they adore. Luckily, if you dread going to work every morning you don’t have to be stuck in a job you hate. There are a number of options that neatly everyone can take advantage of to improve the quality of their career.

If you find that you are dissatisfied with your job, you many wonder whether you should begin the search for a new job or change career paths entirely. However, as most people are aware, the current state of the economy does not make it easy to switch jobs. According to an article in the New York Times, there are simply not enough job openings for workers to be unconcerned about quitting a job they do not enjoy. Clearly the decision to begin looking for another job or to change career fields is not one to be taken lightly.

Therefore, if you start to question whether you should begin exploring a new career or find a different employer, you need to scrutinize your options. Many times professionals need to obtain additional training when deciding to pursue a different career. For example, an insurance agent that decides to pursue a career in nursing will need to go back to school to become certified or licensed as a nurse. This means that the individual will be forced to take out a loan, unless they can afford to pay for their training, as well as find time to go to school. Although it is possible to go back to school while working, it certainly is not always easy.

It is also important to remember that once you complete any required training, you will actually need to find a job. According to Laura Peterson at USA Today, less than 44 percent of employers were planning to hire new graduates to fill positions in their company in 2010. This is much less than the 58 percent of employers the were looking for new graduates in 2008 and the 79 percent considering new grads in 2007.

Considering that there were over 2.4 million graduates, armed with their bachelor’s and associates degrees, hoping to enter the workforce in May, things are not looking good. This is not even taking into account adults that have earned other certifications, which would push the number of graduates even higher. The bottom line is that competition is fierce, especially for those entering the workforce or hoping to enter into a new career field.

However, some adults may not need to obtain additional training to change career paths. Many people have acquired skills at their current job that could be very useful in a new field. As long a position does not absolutely require a specific license, degree or certification, changing career paths may be similar to finding a different job in the same field. This simply depends on the individual, their experience and their goals, as well as their ability to identify and sell these skills to a new employer.

The most important thing that you must understand is that because unemployment is so high (at 9.1 percent as of December 2010, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics) employers are able to be much more selective when hiring new applicants. One of the main things that employers want in new employees is experience. If you dislike your job, you may want to consider looking for a new job in your current field, as you don’t have experience on your side. However it is also important to consider that the competition for jobs is only continuing to grow. Therefore, if you have your heart set on a change of career, the time to act may be now.

What do you think? In a tough economy should young professionals take a job or wait for a career?

I’m made the 5 hour trek back to my Alma mater, Miami University, Thursday after work to lead a few Entrepreneurial Marketing classes taught by my favorite college professor.  This professor, Mark Lacker, has impacted the way I think.

I’m not sure exactly how we reconnected.  I know I wrote him an email at some point after graduation and, to this day, I’m very curious what that email said.  Whatever the case I’m really glad I sent that email.

It has been 5 years since I sat in the same class that I led last week.  Mark’s class is one of those classes that just clicked with me.  The kind you never forget.  I still have the books from the class and refer to them often (because he assigned us real life, applicable books rather than text books) and still think about the speakers he brought in.  Mark taught me what a blog is, what guerrilla marketing is, how to bootstrap and Mark was the first person who suggested to me that interactive marketing was on the rise.  If I hadn’t been in his class, I would never have started this blog.

More importantly, Mark and I have continued our mentor/mentee relationship.  As my career changes and grows, Mark is always there to listen and coach me along the way.  And now, five years later, I’m going to his classes to talk to them about interactive marketing, social media and blogging. Neat!

Although I covered lessons about using Twitter for business and branding yourself online, I think what the students will value the most is getting a preview of life after college. Hopefully I gave them a sense that life after college isn’t so bad and that networking is crucial.  And that, regardless of what job you accept after graduation, you should never stop pursuing your passions outside of your job.

The point of this post isn’t pure nostalgia though.  I’d like to give you a challenge.

Do you still keep in contact with your favorite professor from college?  Have you ever emailed professors after graduation just to say hello and see what they’ve been up to?

This week, email a professor.

Yes, even if you have been out of college for five years.  Even if you think they don’t remember you.  They probably do remember you, and, if not, they are probably very excited to hear from a former student.

Professors don’t choose their profession because it pays big money.  They become professors because they truly care about the success and welfare of their students.  Those who go beyond just attending the class, will get a LOT out of staying in touch with their professors.  I am a testament to this.  I know that the rewards of staying in touch with Mark have just begun and that we will have a lifelong friendship.

College definitely changed the course of my life.  I’m so glad that I can give back a little something to the school that means so much to me.  Thanks to the Mark and his students for having me.  And please feel free to use me as a resource on your journey!

Last week my friend Sam asked my roommate Katie and I an interesting question: at what point do you give up pursuing your dream career and start pursuing a job instead?

Sam graduated from a great college this May and has always wanted to be a reporter. Like most 2010 grads, she has had a tough time landing a full-time gig in her desired field despite numerous internships, awesome grades and tons of campus involvement.

Katie’s response to Sam’s question was, “You never have to give up pursuing your dream job, but you may have to take a different path than you imagined in getting there.”

My response was that you never have to give up your dream career, BUT you may have to pursue it as a hobby rather than as a full time job. And hopefully someday you can make that hobby into a career.

The answer to this question is, of course, different for everyone. If you’re a recent grad who has pondered giving up your dream career, my advice is to set a reasonable time period for yourself in which you will continue pursuing your dream career.  If after, say, 3 months you still do not have an offer, then start looking for a job- even if it is totally different than what you thought you’d be doing.  Never stop pursuing your passion (even while working full time, and even if you don’t get paid for it).

What would YOU tell Sam to do?

Should she keep holding out for a job as a reporter or should she switch gears and take an entry-level job doing something else?