Discover your Career WEekly Q&A Week 2

Today was the 2nd week of my weekly Q&A and honestly I really wasn't that nervous!  You can get used to things so quickly.  

I opened with an overview of how my workshop at the Library went, and how amazing it was to go over the Roadmap with an incredible group who were engaged and interested.  What I loved best though was how supportive everyone was of each other, they created connections, networked and dare I say it, I left the room feeling like I had made a group of new friends.  I have two more session in the Job Search Series, if you are in the area register and come out!  

Below are the questions I covered in today's session.  You can watch here if you missed it!

RESUME QUESTIONS
1. How many pages should my resume be?

• It depends!
• See article: Modern Resume Rules for more information.
  

2.Should I put my references on my resume, or attached to it?  Also, should I put “references available upon request”

• No need, it is assumed.  Only give references once asked.
  

3. I have heard that to be more modern that I should put a picture on my resume?

• No, ATS don’t like photos.

 
PROMOTION
4. There is a promotion coming up at work, my boss told me that I may be up for the running but that they may also post externally.  What can I do to show my boss and upper management that I’m the right person for the job.

• First of all, come up with your why.  Why do you think you deserve the promotion? 
• Think of why they may want to look outside, what can they bring to the table?  How can you overcome those things?
• Become more visible, not just with your boss and upper management but throughout the organization.  Talk to people, share your ideas, find ways to make their lives easier.
• Ask for weekly meetings with your boss, if you don’t already have them.  Say you want them b/c you want to ensure you are learning and growing in a way that allows a smooth transition if you do get the promotion.
• During those meetings, sell yourself.  Volunteer for more work, solve problems, recognize inefficiencies and create new processes to improve things.
• Try and get in front of upper management, this could be during formal meetings or just “run’ into them in the office or elevator.
• Selling Yourself article
  

INTERNSHIPS
5. Should I do an unpaid internship as a way to get experience in my field?

• Depends on field – arts and culture an unpaid internship is normal.  Others have seen an increase which is discouraging.
• Unpaid internships are illegal in Ontario with very few exceptions.
• Use CareerEdge, an organization that specializes in PAID internships.

FINDING THE JOBS
6. I really want to work from home – how can I find remote opportunities?

• Networking, job boards, researching

• https://www.thepennyhoarder.com/wfh/guides-resources/sites-to-find-work-from-home-jobs/?aff_sub2=gap-is-hiring-a-full-time-bilingual-customer-support-specialist-in-ohio
• https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/

 
7. What are the best job boards that I should use?

• See my Niche Job Boards
• Indeed, LinkUp, LinkedIn, ZipRecruiter, Eluta, Glassdoor
• TalentEgg for entry level is a new one I’ve come across

 
8. Should I upload my resume onto job boards?

• In 90% of cases, I say yes.  There is no harm if you are not working.

 
9. Can education help with a career shift?

• It depends on you, your future industry, etc. 
• Any job that requires a technical skill set (by technical I mean knowledge).

 
10. What are the most common interview questions?

• That one is best left to google.
• I don’t recommend preparing for specific questions though! Prepare your stories around soft and hard skills.

 
11. I think my job is holding me back, do you think I should quit it?

• Again it depends on your situation (finances, etc) and how you handle stress and pressure.