Success Story How A Headhunter Changed My Career (and My Life)

Success Story How A Headhunter Changed My Career (and My Life) 59 Sometimes, the right career change can happen without completely changing careers. This a guest post by Shoshanna Jaskoll. If you’d also like to guest post here on JobMob, follow these guest post guidelines. Where I started Back in college, If you had asked me to rank possible careers for myself, my current one would not have even been on the list. I would have started with Astronaut, continued with Minister of the Environment, and possibly ended with Avocado Picker. Being 5'1? knocked me out of Astronaut contention- (Also, I stink at math, but officially I blame the height thing). Minister of the Environment could have happened, maybe, after many, many years of grunt work, excellent ulpan and working my tuchus off to meet the right people.eval In the end, I did meet the right person- and I married him- thus changing the trajectory of my life for the better. Long story short, after our first Aliya and subsequent 6-year move back to the States, I found myself working for various non-profits in the Jewish world in various capacities. During that time, I continued freelance writing which I'd always done.eval Why I needed a change When we decided to move back to Israel, I needed a job. My resume was a conglomerate of positions; educator, writer, editor, intern at a few prestigious organizations, and a degree from Rutgers with some graduate courses thrown in. I had no idea what NBN (Nefesh b'Nefesh) might come up with for me. When I got the call that I was being asked to interview for a non-profit organization as the Resource Development Coordinator, I was worried. Fundraising? NOT something I ever wanted to do, I hate asking people for money… but I really wanted to move to Israel and if I could sweep the streets, maybe I could do this. My sister conveniently had a baby, and I went to visit, fitting in the interview at the same time. The interview was with the Chief Exec as well as the headhunter he had hired. I answered questions about myself and my abilities honestly. I could write, I was passionate about Israel and Judaism. I had compassion for those in need and I was comfortable meeting and speaking with people. Also, my Hebrew was passable. Where I landed Within 30 minutes of finishing the interview, they offered me the job and some training to ease my way in. Now, there were things I needed to learn, and discomforts that I needed to get over, but I found that I could do it. My main discomfort- asking people for money â€" was ameliorated by the fact that it was mostly in writing and by remembering that I wasn't asking for me, but for those who really needed it. I grew into the field quickly, coming up with ideas and solutions to previously cumbersome tasks. This job, which I never would have considered applying for in other circumstances, launched a new career for me. After a year with the original org, I moved on to work under a professional with decades of experience (the original headhunter!). I also read â€" a LOT â€" about the field. Eventually, I wanted needed different work hours, and to work in my own style. I began a partnership with 2 other professionals whose strengths complemented mine (and who also happen to be my sisters). Together, we offer non-profits many of the services it takes to run a successful non-profit; from board building, to media placement, from website content to grant writing. We now have a great client base and work with some of the best non-profits in Israel. I must thank David Maeir Epsteinâ€" Resource Development for Non-Profits (and NBN) for seeing what I could not, hiring me for that first job and then later for another, and training me with patience and professionalism. If I hadn't been ready to try something new, consider my skills in a new light and trust in myself and others, I would not have the career I do today. Working for myself allows me to make my own hours and choose my clients- extremely important for a mother. I still look at photos from outer space wistfully, and I am still determined to fix Israel's environment. But, I now see that making a difference â€" a real difference â€" is so much easier when working with people and organizations with the passion and drive to do so. It is also very rewarding. Conclusion Not having a job is an excellent time to consider possibilities you've never thought of before. Don't box yourself in. You are not defined by your degree, a certain skill set, or even what you think you are good at. Don't make assumptions. Explore different options and take chances! You very well might end up doing what you'd never thought you would- and loving it! About the Author Shoshanna Keats Jaskoll lives in Israel with her family. Having founded REACH3k, she works with outstanding organizations showcasing what makes them unique and helping them reach their audience- wherever they are. You can follow her on Twitter @skjask and @REACH_3K This article is part of the 4th Annual JobMob Guest Blogging Contest, which was made possible thanks in large part to our Gold Sponsor, Jason Alba of JibberJobber. If you want Shoshanna Jaskoll to win, share this article with your friends.

Moving back home with your parents is a good career move

Moving back home with your parents is a good career move In the list of whats hot and whats not, blowing all your money on an overpriced apartment is out and sleeping on the twin bed at your parents house is in. Bobby Jackson is a senior at Williams College who will graduate this June. He will load up a moving container, head back to Washington, D.C. after graduation, and look for a public relations job from the comfort of his parents home. Jackson typifies the remarkable shift of inter-generational attitudes when he declares, I love hanging out with my parents. According to market research company Twentysomething Inc., 65% of college seniors expect to live with their parents after graduation. The job web site MonsterTRAK reports that 50% of the class of 2003 continues to live at home. Boomerangers is what analysts call the twentysomethings moving back home, and the consensus among researchers (who grew up in an era when moving back was a sign of failure) is that being a boomeranger is a strategically sound way to head toward an independent life. Neil Howe, author of Millennials Rising: The Next Great Generation says that moving back with parents is a way to avoid wasting a lot of time. According to Howe, when it comes to careers, Boomerangers want to get it right the first time. If you dont have to worry about paying rent, you have more flexibility to wait for the right job and to take a job that feels very right but pays very poorly. The rise of the prestigious but unpaid internship intersects perfectly with the rise of the boomeranger. Today its almost impossible to become self-sufficient on an entry-level salary, especially in coastal cities like Boston, where rents are skyrocketing. Barbara Mitchell, professor of sociology at Simon Fraser University and author of the upcoming book, The Boomerang Age: Transition to Adulthood, says, Most entry-level jobs wont be permanent or stable, so saving money is difficult. Twentysomethings have to manage the costs of rent, college loans and insurance premiums all of which are rising faster than wages. With these economic factors, its hard for a boomeranger to leave again, and according to Mitchell, many underestimate the amount of time theyll be staying. Jackson, for example, estimates that, Most entry level jobs pay thirty thousand dollars, so Ill stay at home for six months and save ten to fifteen thousand. This plan would work only if he didnt buy work clothes, go out with friends, or pay taxes â€" at least not with his own money. And this is where the problems start. Boomerangers who think their time with mom and dad will last fewer than seven months are statistically delusional, and setting themselves up for emotional crisis. The typical stay is so long that researchers dont even count someone as a boomeranger until theyve been home four months. Elina Furman knows this problem first hand: She ended up living with her family until she was twenty-nine, and she does not describe the time as a constant joy ride. In fact, she says, after the initial thrill of college graduation and the return of home-cooked meals, boomerangers find themselves in the midst of crisis â€" usually financial or relationship-oriented â€" and suffering from feelings of isolation and loss of self-esteem. As a veteran of boomerang life, Furman supplies methods for success in her book, Boomerang Nation: How to Survive Living with Your Parentsthe Second Time Around. She recommends making changes to your bedroom so it reflects who you are now. Otherwise, it becomes a permanent purgatory of high school trophies and reminders that you are not where you want to be. Also, Do your own laundry and cook for yourself because its more empowering than reverting to living like a seventeen-year-old. Chapters on financial planning and exit strategies belie other dangerous pitfalls of boomerang life. And Furman warns, The stigma is more than people realize. (Which explains why the only people willing to be interviewed for this column are people who are just starting or have made it out of the house again.) Older generations are often stuck in outdated attitudes about the transition to adulthood, and they ask grating questions like, You live where? At your age? Whats wrong with you? But in fact, moving back home is probably the first step in the post-boomer revolution of the workplace. Expectations for work are higher than ever â€" it should be fulfilling, fun, and accommodating to a substantial personal life. The logical way to meet such revolutionary expectations is to start out on a revolutionary path. So hold your head high as a boomeranger, but dont leave your dirty dishes in the sink.

4 Ways to Fix Employee Retention Problems - Classy Career Girl

4 Ways to Fix Employee Retention Problems Employee retention is a vital aspect of any company’s success. While all companies have some degree of employee loss, the need to continually fill the same job slots can be a financial catastrophe. According to a 2012 study by the Center for American Progress, the cost of replacing employees is around 16% of their annual salary. Take stock. Do more than 50% of your workforce fail to make it to the 6-month mark? If so, you might want to make some changes. Here are a few methods to fix a pesky employee retention problem. Losing Employees? 4 Ways to Fix Employee Retention Problems 1. Start Exit Interviews Exit interviews are conducted by someone within the organization (typically an individual in HR or management) before an employee leaves the company. The interview can be used to determine what aspects of the company is inefficient or just not working. From an employee retention standpoint, exit interviews can help the company pinpoint why they are unable to retain employees and how they might increase employee retention. Here are a few questions to ask during exit interviews: Why are you leaving? What did the new company offer? Did the job meet your expectations? Did the job align with goals and interests? Did you have the tools and knowledge to do the job effectively? What could we have done better? Would you recommend our company to friends for employment? What was your favorite thing about the job? What would you have changed about the job? 2.  Monitor Unproductive Employees Low company expectation for employees can foster a culture of troublesome employees. Troublesome employees lower productivity, raise negative emotions of all employees  and indirectly encourage all employees to adopt troublesome work habits. I can tell you personally how discouraging it can be to work at a company where low productivity had zero consequences. Month after month, I would watch as low achievers did almost no work. What they did with their time, I didn’t always know. They clearly weren’t working. It was a discouraging environment. I had to work twice as hard to compensate for my dead-end co-workers. They were given the same level of raises as everyone else a lot of the time for essentially being human topiary. Not surprisingly it was the high achievers that fled in droves. After all, what sane person would quit a job where they were being paid to browse the internet? In the last year, they finally stopped rewarding mediocrity. And I know I feel a lot happier working at the company. [RELATED: 5 Work Policies Your Employees Will Love] 3. Promote From Within The days when individuals remain at a company out of loyalty are slowly coming to an end. Technology, from the computer to cars, has made it easy for career professionals to locate new jobs, interview for those jobs, and move across the country for new jobs. Due to the fact it’s easier to locate new jobs, the newer generations aren’t as apt to stay at a job long-term. According to 4 Ways Millennials Are Changing the Workplace, Baby Boomers on average remain at a company 7 years and Generation X remain for around 5 years. “58% of Millennials” on the other hand “expect to leave their jobs in 3 years or less.” In order to retain employees long-term, it can be important to try to create career tracks within the company. Ideally, your company would have management positions, and other high-level positions, that the company has a history of internally filling. The hope that an individual may earn a management position could help your company keep employees just a little longer. 4. Flexibility in Work It can be difficult for small businesses to offer competitive perks. There are a few perks that you might be able to offer that don’t require large investments of company funds. Millennials, in particular, prefer alternatives to the traditional 9-5 work week. If millennials have to choose between a job with higher pay or greater workplace flexibility, 45% of millennials will choose increased flexibility. By just making a few changes to how your company functions, you can potentially increase your ability to keep employees. Here are a few types of flexible workplaces to consider: Four day work week. Work where you want within the building. Telecommuting (partial or full). Telecommuting and choose when you work (partial or full). Choose when you work (partial or full). Continually losing employees can be financially detrimental to your company. It’s imperative that business owners work to increase the tenure of their employees.

What if I want to change or leave my degree University of Manchester Careers Blog

What if I want to change or leave my degree University of Manchester Careers Blog You start a course and for whatever reason you realise its not for you.   What do you do next? Discontinuing or changing course is not a failure. Identifying that something needs to change and taking action to make that happen shows you have the resilience to cope when things go wrong, a skill employers look for. 1 Seek help before making a decision. Dont just stop attending lectures talk it through first. See a student support adviser They can help you talk through your problems and make referrals to other services as needed. Having financial issues see The money adviser 2 Discuss your future plans Lets look at some of the options What will happen if you decide not to do a degree? A degree is not the right path for everyone and is not required for all professions or jobs. Consider an apprenticeship Look at entry routes into jobs with A-levels, National Careers Advice job profiles include non degree options. Talk it through with a careers consultant Is it possible to transfer onto another degree? Whether its at the same University or a different one you will need to find out: What the admission requirements are for the course you want to apply for are? Do you meet them? Can you transfer credits? Do you need to apply again through UCAS? Talk to the admissions team  for the course or University and they may be able to clarify.   See a student support adviser  who can explain the process and get you started. What are the career options with a different degree? You have a great opportunity now to ask all the questions you may not have thought of when you were at school! Dont necessarily start with what can  I do with this degree.   Think about what you want from life and a job after  a degree  and work backwards. If you can identify a number of career paths or jobs you might be interested in it gives you a great basis for asking which degree would be best to help me do this? If you identify a degree or subject area, which University should you do it at?   The courses and modes of study may be different as well as the  campus and city environment. What is your preferred learning style will the course help you succeed. Does the course include placements or engagement with industry? Can you get a part-time job near by if its not near a town it may be more difficult. Ask the admissions team for the course what have  graduates from this course gone on to do ? Book a career guidance appointment to look at the options   What can you do if you are taking time out? If you have to reapply for a course the next year then you may have several months or even nearly a year free from studies. Its a great opportunity to get some work experience so that when you start the course  you are ahead of your peers. Hopefully you will have discussed your future options and decided on a course of action.   So the next step is to identify: What experience would be useful to you?   What skills do you need? Where does that need to be in the country? Does it need to pay a wage and how much does that need to be to support you? Consider volunteering to get initial experience or to break into hard to access career areas such as the Charity and not for profit sector. Get advice on your applications so that you maximise your chances of success. Support for the future: You have access to your Careers Account CareersLink  and our services for 1 year  if you decide to leave a course without graduating,  so make the most of it and look at the vacancies to see if any meet your needs and get some advice. All Careers advice I don't know what to do Undergraduate career planning

11 Things You Are Doing Wrong With Your LinkedIn Profile

11 Things You Are Doing Wrong With Your LinkedIn Profile Photo Credit â€" Pixabay.comWe all are well aware of the role of LinkedIn account in career growth. But there are some common mistakes that we all are doing while managing our profile on LinkedIn.However, if you are also trying to make the most of your LinkedIn account then you’re reading the right stuff.Here are the most common mistakes that you can avoid to make a prosperous career with your LinkedIn profile.1.Typos Spelling MistakesevalevalIf your profile is full of typos, then no employer would prefer you to manage their work operations. Make sure to avoid all mistakes typo mistakes especially of similar words by using the review option.For instance, you can use review option to figure out all grammar, spelling and typos mistakes that are affecting the impression of your profile.In case, you leave any typos error in company names, job titles, and even in your degree title then you will definitely ruin your chances of recruitment.So, ensure to use a reliable spell checker that will easily highlight misspellings double your chances of success on through LinkedIn platform.2.Fake Or No Picture In Your ProfileIt is essential to add a picture to your LinkedIn profile that will stand you out from the crowd. If you really want to hook the attention of your recruiter, then you should upload a sophisticated profile picture.By doing this you will not only fulfill the requirement of a powerful platform but also attract more employers to view your profile.Don’t upload a misleading image instead chose one that will fit with your field of work. Else you will definitely miss a great chance to drive endless opportunities through LinkedIn.evalIn addition, LinkedIn also allows its users to upload profile videos to their profile, so take advantage of this option to provide a killer impression.3. Skipping Profile HeadlineA great proportion of people put intern or executive in their LinkedIn headline. This is totally a wrong approach make sure to make the most of your Linke dIn headline title by putting up a relevant job title.For example, if you are managing a team of marketing department then you can write “Marketing Manager” or “Team Lead” of marketing department.Moreover, you should not write “looking for a job…” in your headline as it will create a negative impression.evalIn case you’re a fresh grad then you can write graduate from your specific university or field to help the employer connect with you easily.This way you will easily highlight your real worth as well as land on the right work opportunity.4. Ignoring LinkedIn GroupsThere are numerous professional groups active over the LinkedIn that help people land on the right work opportunity. You too can make the most of your LinkedIn account by joining groups that are related to your field.This is because groups are a great tool for networking that not only helps to find good opportunities but also help users to stay updated regarding their industry.Try to join groups that matc h with your field of work to easily stay updated with your industry trends.Keep in mind to turn on the notification to receive messages from your group members without any hassle.5. Not Accepting RequestsevalLinkedIn plays a key role in professional networking. Therefore, it is imperative for users to add as many connections as possible. When you will connect with new people on LinkedIn, you will easily you’re your professional network.Don’t waste your time in review profile, simply add people to keep the opportunity coming from every possible connection.Furthermore, you can also consume some time to send a request to people that are related to your field to double the chances of recruiting.6. Not Using LinkedIn Mobile AppevalIn today’s technology-driven world, it has become crucial for every platform to have a mobile app. This is why it has also become crucial for LinkedIn users to download mobile app of this powerful platform to maximize the chances of success.If you want to stay connected with the people of your circle then you must download this app from play store today. In this way you will not only stay connected with the people of your professional network could the clock but also save a plenty of time.7. Missing A Customized LinkedIn URLIf you are unaware about this unique feature, then you are likely to make a major mistake while creating your LinkedIn profile. This feature allows you to create a customize URL that you can show to an employer who wants to review your profile.In order to create a customized URL you will need to press the “edit profile” button then click the gear symbol next to your URL to change the link.Don’t not put nickname or username in your URL instead come up with a professional one.eval8.Using An Irrelevant SummaryIt is true to say that filling up the summary section of your LinkedIn profile with the appropriate stuff is crucial for your professional growth.Make sure to use the right information in your summary par t that is related to the job to hook the attention of the recruiter.Don’t use irrelevant or fake information in the summary section as hiring managers easily figure it out.Thus highlight your talent by using the summary part of your LinkedIn profile in a proper manner. Otherwise, you will definitely miss a great opportunity to grow your career in the right manner.9.Splitting Your Profile Into SectionsSplitting your profiles into different sections is one of the “turn-offs” for any employer. If you also break your profile into different parts then you can also confuse your employer.Therefore makes it easier for people to scan by highlight your skills and experience in a proper way.Don’t forget to add only two last experiences; else it will make it difficult for an employer to figure out your expertise.10. Your Skills Aren’t EndorsedIt is imperative to add a bunch of skills to your profile to easily highlight it in front of employers. But it is also essential to endorse your skills by asking others to help you out in this process. Make sure to ask your colleagues and employers to endorse your skills to double your profile credibility.When your connections start endorsing your skills on your LinkedIn profile you will easily entice the recruiters of your field.Never include dozens of skills instead add skills that are enough to make your profile worthy inform of employers.11. Having No RecommendationsNo doubt LinkedIn is the best platform to use the power of recommendation. In today’s competitive world very often employers ask for recommendations, especially in the interview section.If you already have a recommendation in your LinkedIn profile, you will definitely impress your prospective employers.Therefore, you need to ask your employers to write a recommendation for you that you can add on your LinkedIn profile in order to show them to your prospective employers.

Job Hunt Reality TV for Job Seekers

Job Hunt Reality TV for Job Seekers Move over Project Runway and Top ChefA new reality TV series called Job Hunt has hit the air waves. Hosted by Women for Hire CEO Tory Johnson, the show profiles job seekers in New York City and offers advice on everything from how to improve your resume to how to spiffy up your interview wardrobe. The half hour show airs each Tuesday at 9pm on NYC Life (Time Warner/Fios/Direct TV/ Comcast Channel 25, Cablevision Channel 22). But if you dont get that channel or cant watch it live, you can view shows on demand after they air at the Job Hunt website.What I like about the show is that it exposes the faces behind the unemployed and reminds us that each statistic is actually a person. Everyone can relate to the struggles of the job seekers but at the same time draw hope and inspiration from their messages. Viewers get to see where job seekers are making mistakes in their search strategy and the shows experts offer advice on how to optimize your job search time.The other reason I really like this show is that it makes me proud to be a New Yorker. The first episode profiled SIBL (The Science and Business Library) which in my opinion is one of the best resources for job seekers in all of New York City. SIBL offers access to several proprietary company databases including Vault and Wet Feet, classes to teach patrons how to use the databases,   job search coaching sessions from career professionals,   job search clubs, advice from retired executives on how to start a small business, and workshops on various job search related topicsall for free. The show, launched by New York City Mayor, Michael Bloomberg,   is just one example of what the mayor is trying to do to help New Yorkers find employment. Under his leadership the city also launched CareerLinkNYC to provide job seekers with additional online resources.No one gets a modeling contract or a feature piece in Food Wine Magazine on this show. But some of the job seekers profiled do get jobs and in my book thats per haps the sweetest victory or all.

Can You Make a Difference by Using a Free Military Resume Writing Service?

Can You Make a Difference by Using a Free Military Resume Writing Service?You may think that you do not need to pay for a resume writing service, but in reality you can indeed get some pretty good results from free military resume writing services. These services allow you to set up a professional resume with their objective being to give you a finished product that can easily be sent out to companies that may be interested in hiring you.When you use a professional resume writing service, you will be given several options that are available to you. The job application will typically provide you with an option to create a simple resume that is filled with your information and personal experiences.If you choose this option, you can add additional ideas that you can include in your resume by filling out a detailed cover letter or statement of interest. You will also have the option to create a supplemental statement that will simply state your experiences that you will need the company to know about.If you want to include a cover letter in your resume, you can do so if you have something written that includes your military career. Since you have many years of experience in the military, you may find it beneficial to include an experience sheet or other information that provides a summary of your military career.In order to present yourself in the best light possible, it is important to know that you have a military career under your belt. You do not have to let everyone know how much you have accomplished, but you do have to let them know that you were there and that you were able to help in some way.It is important to always think about how the people who are looking at your resume may not realize that you have a military career under your belt. If you have been through a traumatic experience or suffered from some form of injury, it is important to have an explanation for why you did not return to active duty.The resume that you present when you are using the ser vice will likely not look professional if you did not have any prior experience as a writer. You will most likely have to get some sort of education before you get started so that you can become a professional writer.If you are wondering how much you will save on your free military resume writing service, then I would advise you to proceed. You will not be sorry you decided to try this free service because it can really make a difference in how you are presented to potential employers.