Blogging

  • Blogging

    Why One-Off Career Coaching Sessions Might Be the Best Fit For You

    Career coaching can be a powerful tool for anyone looking to make progress in their professional life. Whether you’re just starting out in your career, looking to make a change, or hoping to take your current role to the next level, a career coach can provide the guidance and support you need to achieve your goals. However, not everyone has the time or resources to commit to ongoing coaching sessions. That’s where one-off career coaching sessions come in. In this post, we’ll explore the benefits of one-off coaching sessions and why they might be a great fit for you!

     

    What are one-off career coaching sessions?

    One-off career coaching sessions are individual coaching sessions that focus on a specific area of concern or a specific goal. Unlike ongoing coaching sessions, which are typically structured around a longer-term plan, one-off sessions are designed to provide targeted support and guidance for a particular issue. These sessions can be arranged on an as-needed basis, allowing individuals to access the support they need without committing to a longer-term coaching relationship.

     

    What are the benefits of doing one-off coaching sessions?

    There are several reasons why one-off career coaching sessions may make sense for you!

    1. Flexibility: One of the main benefits of one-off coaching sessions is their flexibility. Individuals can schedule a session at a time that works for them, without having to worry about committing to a regular schedule. This makes coaching accessible to people who have busy or unpredictable schedules.
    2. Customization: Because one-off coaching sessions are focused on a specific issue or goal, they can be customized to meet the needs of the individual. The coach can tailor the session to address the specific concerns and challenges the individual is facing, providing targeted guidance and support.
    3. Cost-effectiveness: One-off coaching sessions can be a cost-effective alternative to ongoing coaching. Individuals can pay for a single session as needed, rather than committing to a longer-term coaching relationship.
    4. Fast Results: Because one-off coaching sessions are designed to address a specific issue or goal, individuals can see results quickly. They can walk away from the session with a clear action plan and the tools they need to make progress in their career.

    Whom are one-off coaching sessions right for?

    One-off career coaching sessions can be beneficial for a wide range of individuals, including:

    • Individuals who are looking to make a specific career change or transition
    • People who are facing a particular career challenge, such as a difficult workplace situation or a lack of confidence
    • Those who are seeking guidance on a specific area of career development, such as networking or negotiation skills
    • People who are interested in testing out coaching before committing to a longer-term relationship

    To sum up, one-off career coaching sessions can be a good idea for people who are looking for flexible, customized, and cost-effective support to address a particular issue or goal in their career. By providing targeted guidance and support, one-off coaching sessions can help individuals achieve fast results and make progress towards their professional goals.

  • Blogging

    Overcoming the Resume “Black Hole”

    Guest post alert!

    This blog post was written by our awesome summer 2021 intern, Lara Carrasco. To learn more about Lara, click here.

     

    If you are starting to apply for jobs or have been applying for some time, it is likely you have heard the term “black hole” when it comes to online applications and submitting your resume. This term deals with the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) used by companies to filter through job applications and the unfortunate result that it may lead to: never hearing back about your application. 

     

    In order to decrease the chances that an ATS rejects or flags your application, here are some tips to keep in mind when creating or editing your resume:

     

    • Answer any preliminary or filter questions completely and accurately. Many times, online job applications will have a set of questions that will help sort out candidates and not answering those questions could lead to your application being flagged or rejected. 
    • Have the job description for the position you wish to apply for nearby when working on your resume. This will allow you to prioritize and highlight the best skills for the position and will allow you to stand out more as an applicant. Customizing your resume for different job applications will ensure that a program such as an ATS recognizes you as a better fit.
    • Try to keep your resume simple when it comes to fonts, special characters, headings, and graphics like images and tables. This will lower the chances of the ATS not being able to process parts of your resume.
    • Use keywords throughout your resume that are role specific and can be found in the job description. This does not mean you should completely fill your resume with the same keywords in hopes of standing out. Just make sure to be mindful of what the position prioritizes and that you demonstrate you have those qualifications and attributes as a candidate. 
    • For said keywords, try to use both the acronym and longform version of those words. This will ensure that the ATS will recognize the keyword no matter its format. 
    • Save your resume as a PDF or Word Document so your resume can be read by almost all systems and programs. 
    • Become knowledgeable on the company’s hiring processes and don’t be afraid to follow up if you don’t hear back. Knowing how a company reviews resumes could help you have a better understanding of what they are looking for and prioritize. Following up will make you stand out from the rest of the applicants and could even increase your chances of having a real person read through your resume. 

    Although it may seem daunting, these tips will help you make the most of your hard work and decrease the chances of ending up in the resume “black hole”. Being aware and knowledgeable about potential pitfalls is the first step to overcoming challenges and using these programs to your advantage!

  • Blogging

    Networking Tips

    Networking is one of the most universally loathed words, but why? I get it — it sounds creepy, fake, and disingenuous. This does the notion a disservice though. Meeting others is one of the BEST ways to find a new job or opportunity. Especially as you progress in your career, the majority of jobs aren’t going to be posted (and when they are posted, it’s sometimes too late, but more on that at another time). Rather, someone is going to create something tailored to you OR you’re going to learn about the job through someone in your circle, often mutual friends.

    You don’t need to go to a networking event and leave with a job. You don’t need to ask someone for something within the first five minutes of meeting them. Instead, you can trust in your inner confidence and realize that somebody might (and does!) want to talk to you because you are a nice and interesting person. Once the conversation starts, you’re likely to find things in common. It’s no different than making small talk in a waiting room or being introduced to a friend’s friend at a barbecue. Just be yourself and don’t stress.

    Think about it — you would want to work with or recommend someone who is easy to be around AND is a hard worker and ambitious, not just that latter half. Show them you’re someone whom they would feel comfortable recommending or meeting again. Besides, networking is a win-win. If the conversation isn’t what you hoped, you at least got practice making conversation with someone new. If it goes well, you have another member of your growing professional network. Don’t forget to get contact info before leaving the conversation; you’ll want to stay in touch! Go to events, ask your friends and mentors for introductions, and don’t be afraid to reach out to people you find during your research.

  • Blogging

    Starting the Job Search – Part III

    This is the third post of the “Starting the Job Search” three-part series. Part I can be found here. Part II can be found here.

    It’s time to start looking for job opportunities! This is where it’s important that you stay organized and keep a positive outlook. If you don’t, this process will feel 100x worse (I don’t have data on this, so don’t bother asking. It’s just a feeling to which I know the majority of us can attest.

      1. Make the process fun! Work at home in your favorite outfit with some great music in the background. Work in the sunshine on a picnic blanket at the park. Work at a coffee shop and order your favorite drink. Take your notes in rainbow font. Do whatever puts a smile on your face. This is not a punishment — it’s a hobby for the short-term; why not find ways to enjoy it?
      2. Stay organized! Create a spreadsheet to track and store your information. Going down rabbit holes is actually one of the most helpful things to do when job searching because you end up finding more and more opportunities. However, there’s no use if you’re not keeping that information anywhere. You’ll have to reinvent the wheel each time. Using a spreadsheet, you’ll be able to keep information about job opportunities, employers, helpful contacts, and dates for follow-up.
      3. Manage your time wisely! Don’t fall in the (oh so easy) trap of saying that you’re going to spend the day job searching. You’ll end up tethered to your computer in a purgatory of distraction and procrastination and end the day feeling unaccomplished and disheartened. Make yourself set tangible goals. If you say you’re going to spend the afternoon job searching, have clear markers for your success. Perhaps, you decide to work for three hours; figure out how to determine whether or not you achieved what you wanted to get done. For example, tell yourself that you would like to have a draft of a cover letter and an updated resume. Or, decide that you want to add ten new employers to your job search spreadsheet. Set a timer, stay focused, and enjoy! When you’re done, you’re done. Get back to the rest of your day. This is a healthy way to compartmentalize and prevent yourself from getting overwhelmed easily. Feel proud of what you’ve accomplished and don’t dwell or overthink about the other things that you need to do. Just plan another block of time for the next day and let yourself focus on the other aspects of your life.
  • Blogging

    Starting the Job Search – Part II

    This is the second post of the “Starting the Job Search” three-part series. Part I can be found here. Part III can be found here.

    Once you’ve made your list, think about any gaps in your knowledge. Are there new things that you want to learn? Are there new fields about which you would like to learn? When I did career advising, one of the most common questions I received was “What can I do?” It’s time to explore!

      1. Read, read, read. Scour the internet for articles and other resources about jobs or careers in the fields that interest you.
      2. Keep up to date with the news about the sector in which you’re interested. This will help you keep your finger on the pulse of everything that’s happening. Write down the names of organizations and companies that you read about. Create Google alerts for keywords and names so that you can stay up to date. Understanding trends and learning about the environment in your current or sought after field will make you even more aware of potential opportunities. Moreover, this knowledge will make you even more prepared for all of the exciting interviews that await you in the future!
      3. Network and meet others aka hang out, be normal, and make some awesome new friends. I could spend a day talking about this. Honestly. Networking is one of the most universally loathed words, but why? I get it — it sounds creepy, fake, and disingenuous. This does the notion a disservice though. Meeting others is one of the BEST ways to find a new job or opportunity. Especially as you progress in your career, the majority of jobs aren’t going to be posted (and when they are posted, it’s sometimes too late, but more on that at another time). Rather, someone is going to create something tailored to you OR you’re going to learn about the job through someone in your circle, often mutual friends. For more on networking, take a look at our Networking Tips blog post.



  • Blogging

    Starting the Job Search – Part I

    This is the first post of the “Starting the Job Search” three-part series. Part II can be found here. Part III can be found here.

    This is probably one of the most challenging parts of the whole search — just getting started! In this three-part series, we’ll go over the necessary steps to get you on the right track.

    The first step is to make a list and look deep down to figure out two important (really important!) things: What do you want? AND Why do you want it?

      1. Is there something that you’re unhappy with in your current job? Is it the workload, opportunities for advancement, or something else?
      2. Is there anything you can do to fix it? For example, are you able to speak with your supervisor about the issue?
      3. You can be 100% satisfied with your current role but still want something new! Are you seeking new opportunities? Do you want to stay in the same field or move to something different? When you think about the life you want for yourself, what kind of role do you imagine having?
      4. If you’ve been let go, how much time do you have before you need to start something new? Is it immediate? Do you have any savings that might be able to cushion you for a few weeks or months while you undertake a job search? Both of these scenarios are completely ok! Life is unpredictable — don’t blame yourself if you need something sooner rather than later. It might just mean that you need in the short-term to prioritize jobs that may be easier and quicker to obtain. Then, once you’re employed and getting a steady paycheck, start the process to research and find your dream job.

    In the next post, we’ll discuss how to research the opportunities and topics that interest you.

  • Blogging

    The biggest mistake I see in cover letters

    I get it. Cover letters are the worst. You feel like you have to strike the perfect balance between humbly presenting yourself AND recounting every single one of your professional accomplishments and accolades. Oof.

    Honestly, with some time and practice, you will become more and more comfortable with drafting cover letters. They’ll flow naturally, and the task of writing a new one will feel less daunting. 

    However, even the most experienced cover letter writers often make a crucial mistake. They spend too much time explaining to the employer what the employer does. In most cases, a cover letter should be no longer than one page. Imagine you spend several sentences describing what the organization’s mission is; you have used up valuable space that could have been used to build your case for being the ideal candidate. Instead you told them no new information…you told them what THEY do! What’s more is that this is usually in the first paragraph — exactly where you would want to catch the reader’s attention.

    [Example: I write to submit my application for the Director of Operations role at Organization A. Organization A does crucial work in assisting the homeless community by providing it with housing, job training, and transportation. Organization A serves as an exemplar to those in the sector and has been the recipient of numerous local and state awards. It would be an honor to work at an organization like this.]

    I have seen this happen hundreds of times, but, luckily, there’s an easy fix! Instead of repeating back what the employer does, explain how its work resonates with you, through your values and professional experience. Give special attention to demonstrating how exactly your background uniquely qualifies you for the position.

    [Example: I write to submit my application for the Director of Operations role at Organization A. I have significant experience working with the unhoused community, and Organization A’s mission and unique holistic approach resonates with me and my own beliefs about how best to serve individuals who are homeless. I believe that my time leading programs in the nonprofit sector has positioned me well to lead the operations of a large organization that is committed to excellence and providing much needed services to the community. It would be an honor to have the opportunity to further this important mission.]

    Instead of repeating back what the employer does, explain how its work resonates with you, through your values and professional experience. Give special attention to demonstrating how exactly your background uniquely qualifies you for the position.

    Just a small change, in 1-2 sentences, makes the reader more invested. Everything that follows will further support this idea. Thanks to including these details early on, readers are already well on their way to believing that you’re a fit!