Did you miss my Q&A this week?  Click here to watch it, it is a good one.

We dive into how to talk about money in an interview - one of the most dreaded topics!

I talk about:
1. How to research salary and the Pay Transparency Act
2. How to deflect the money question
3. How to be open and honest to get what you want.

Watch it here: https://youtu.be/4lYtdxJoQmQ 

CAREER OPTIONS

1. I want to find a new career, I am in sales and I hate it.  But I have no idea what I want to do, help!
   • Assessments like MBTI (see 16personalities.com)
   • Self Discovery like Interests, Motivation and Skills
2. Are jobs that don’t use computers dying out?  I’m an artist but still want to earn a living.  Am I going to have to learn graphic design?
   • No, think restoration.

 
 
NETWORKING

1. I’m registered for my very first networking event!  It is a dinner and speaker event.  How do I start a conversation, once I do what do I say?  I do have a job but I want to see what else is out there, so do I hand over my work business card?
   • http://www.saracurto.ca/careercoachblog/create-connections-the-networking-event
   • Just sit down at a table.  Introduce yourself.
   • Start talking by engaging in a conversation.
   • When talking with 1 individual, ask them questions.
   • Then deliver elevator pitch.
   • You can hand out your work business card as a way to get their business card but you can email them from your personal account.
   • Follow up is key.
2. Last month I went to a meet up and met some great people.  I had a job then but was just laid off so I never did follow up.  Is it okay to follow up now?  And what do I say?
   • It is never too late to follow up! 
   • Start with an open, like it was great to meet you at the event last week.  Update them on your situation.  Say you would love to get together for a coffee or a phone call to get to know them better or to get their advice.

 
LinkedIn and Social Media

1. I don’t have a LinkedIn profile.  I am now looking for a new job though with some management changes so I think I need a profile, right?  How do I create one and start looking for a new job without my manager getting suspicious.
   • Yes you do need one, LinkedIn is the number one business networking tool.
   • It is always harder when you are currently working but it is possible!
   • Follow these 7 steps to creating your LinkedIn profile making sure you have a good photo of just you, a compelling summary and up to date work experience.
   • Depending on manager relationship – tell them, connect with them (joke about finally getting in with the 21st century) or don’t tell them or connect with them.
   • Make sure you turn NOTIFATIONS OFF, so anytime you change something no one is notified.
2. Help!  I only have 52 connections and I know you mentioned that we should get to 500.  Is that even possible and how?
   • Follow these tips: http://www.saracurto.ca/careercoachblog/5-easy-steps-to-grow-your-linkedin-network
   • Connect with LIONs, use your 52 connections, Company Pages, Groups and Alumni, include it in your email signature.
3. How can I use Twitter to help me find a job?
   • http://www.saracurto.ca/careercoachblog/2-game-changing-ways-to-find-a-job
   • Create a personal brand that you showcase on Twitter – follow key and respected individuals, follow company pages and people within that company. 
   • Create great tweets that showcase your knowledge and talent.
   • Retweet and share great content that aligns with your personal brand.
   • Find jobs – follow accounts that post and share jobs.  If a company or a person tweets a job, engage on that tweet – comment that you applied.

 

Today was my very first Facebook Live weekly Q&A session!  I was nervous all morning approaching it but I think it went well.  Or at least I'm happy with how it went.  You guys sent in some great questions before and during the event that helped it go smoothly!  I really need to work hard on looking in the camera though!  You can see the live Q&A session here.

I've outlined the questions that I answered and some details.

Question 1: How do you follow up after an interview and with whom?

• Always send a thank you email to everyone who interviewed you – business card, LinkedIn or through the person who arranged the interview.
• Format: Greeting, thank them, talk of something of note, remind of fit, explain interest, looking forward to next step, sign off.

 
Question 2: Can you send a follow up after you haven’t heard.

• Yes but…
• Did they state a timeline? If so, 24-72 hours after.  For example, end of week, send a follow up on Monday/Tuesday.
• Format: greeting, thank them again, remind of timeline, looking for feedback as so interested, sign off.

 
Question 3:  how to stay inspired and find a job during a lengthy and demoralizing job search

• two aspects: tangible and emotional.
• Tangible:  these are the practical things that you can do
• RESUME: has your resume been getting you interviews?  If not, reexamine.  Some tips and tricks that I’ve written about.
• NETWORKING: do you have a networking strategy in place? I go through a quick and simple strategy you can set up.
• INTERVIEWS: a lot of this is out of your control.  Only look at what is in your control – your stories that you answer with and the questions you answer.
• The emotional piece, link to 9 ways to stay inspired.
  • Be Healthy – sleep, move, eat
  • Be Prepared – resume, cover letter, plan your week using the Dream Career Planner, engage with people (ie network!)
  • Be Happy – gratitude practice, find joy, congratulate yourself.
  • The importance of a positive mindset is discussed.

Question 4: On Pinterest I see all these amazing resume formats and templates, where can I make one and do they work?

• Yes and No.  Some industries they work better, some not. 
• They do not work for ATS.
• If you want one for networking and when you know no ATS, Canva has some a way to make them.  I have a modern template that I use very sparingly.

Question 5: Is it best to send a resume in PDF or Word format.

• Most ATS like Word over PDF with only a few preferring PDF. 
• Most corporate recruiters and all agency recruiters like Word.

 
Question 6: What was your experience that made you such a strong proponent of the informational interviews.

• My very first informational interview that my DAD set up for me led to my first job out of university!
• Other reasons why informational interviews are important are discussed.

 
Question 7: What is the worst thing to do in an interview.

• Referenced newsletter and what to never ever do.
• Really the worst thing is being late!  You start from a No and then have a major obstacle to overcome.

Questions 8: Can you tell me more about your Career Coaching Packages

• You can learn more here.  Essentially they are following my Job Search Roadmap and are customizable to the client. 
• 4, 8 and 12 sessions.
• 4 is perfect for those who are in a lengthy job search and really need help righting the ship.
• 8 is perfect for those who want to deep dive into a particular area while still having time to focus on the others, typically used by those in a job search who really want to spend a lot of time talking about interviews and/or networking.
• 12 is ideal for career change, it gives us a lot of time to work together to come up with a plan of action

 
 Thanks to everyone who joined and to those who watched later!  I'll see you next week, same time and same place!