Be the next to follow.
Life is a gift. You are the best you when your the original and unique you...
YOUR LIFE IS ABOUT TO CHANGE! (The Paint Brushes of Life.)
Be encouraged..."You were designed for accomplishment, engineered for success, and endowed with the seeds of greatness" ~Zig Ziglar
"Your life can change, as you rearrange, the thoughts in the orbit of your mindset" ~ Edward Alexander
Things of the past are OLD, treasures of the future are NEW and they're waiting on YOU!. How?
One profound principle that can broaden your perspective in life, is taking time and "painting your portrait of life" and begin living it now!"
Your OLD life may be over, but your NEW life is about to begin TODAY!
I Believe You Can...!
Has a potential (or existing) employer ever asked you for your graduation year? If so, you are NOT alone. This may seem like a harmless question, but chances are the employer is trying to determine your age. Here are some things you should know and what you can do!
-What employers CAN ask The Age Discrimination in Employment Act does NOT prohibit an employer from asking about an applicant’s (or employee’s age), or from asking other questions that may help the employer determine a person’s age such as when you graduated high school or college. It is currently legal for them to inquire.
-What they CAN’T do It is however 100% illegal for the employer to take that information (graduation date, age, etc) and then discriminate based on that individual’s age. For example, saying “You are too old for this role.”
-Is this happening to OTHER people According to AARP, two out of three workers between ages 45 and 74 say they have seen or experienced age discrimination at work, and job seekers over age 35 cite it as a top obstacle to getting hired. If you happen to work in the high-tech or entertainment industries, your chances of experiencing age discrimination are even higher.
-What YOU can do Unfortunately, you cannot prevent someone from inquiring about your age. If they truly want to know they will likely ask, but if they do, answer honestly and with confidence. Make sure your skills are updated and clearly show in your resume that you can take on the role before you even apply. If your skills aren’t current, take a class or two and be prepared before you apply. When in doubt if you feel the company just might not be right for you, do your research! Check out [this post] (https://www.jobcase.com/conversations/d98a6946-b042-5278-8899-45b1326fd186) on how to determine a company’s culture, and learn more about how to defeat ageism [HERE] (https://www.jobcase.com/conversations/aaf4f67d-20de-5386-b129-a47d2fa9b8e8).
Now go out there, apply, and rock those [interviews] (https://www.jobcase.com/conversations/29869635-4d8f-502f-b912-2211f8b674d8).
You are strong You are confident You have something to offer that NO one else does
TODAY is your day! : )
What will you make happen?
If you’ve recently been let go from a job it can make you feel angry, confused, and unsure of what to do next. You may have seen the term "at-will" thrown around and you aren't even quite sure what that is. Let’s take a look!
• What does “at-will” mean? If you work for a company and you are considered an “at-will” employee, this means you can be dismissed by an employer for any reason without having to establish "just cause" for termination and without warning. This is as long as the reason is not illegal (such as discrimination).
• How do I know if I am at-will? Many job applicants and new employees are asked to sign a written statement agreeing that they are (or will be) employed at will. This statement may appear in an employment application, contract or offer letter that the employer asks you to sign and return, an acknowledgment form for an employee handbook, or elsewhere.
• Is my state at-will? While all states recognize at-will employment some states place limitations on it. These limitations are in addition to the ones that federal laws apply to all states. Here's the breakdown of states that have at-will exceptions [HERE] (http://www.ncsl.org/research/labor-and-employment/at-will-employment-exceptions-by-state.aspx).
• Now what? Check out Matt Bornhorst 's post **[HERE] (https://www.jobcase.com/conversations/a8a4881a-95be-59b1-ba56-06a1baeac048)**about the next steps to take! If you feel you have been discriminated against and the conditions of the termination are illegal, be sure to contact a legal representative.
Stay strong, you will move past this and onto something wonderful!
Were you ever let go from a job?
Share your experience in the comments below!
If you spent time applying or going through the interview process and now it’s all over you might be left wondering…”NOW what?” If you followed up, awesome! If you didn’t, keep reading and learn the importance and how to go about it.
Following up is a critical aspect of the job seeking process. It does a few things. It lets the employer know you are serious, reminds them of who you are and your qualifications, and keeps the hiring process moving along. So let’s take a look at how following up works.
•When- Send your follow up at least 1-2 business days after an interview and 2-3 business days after submitting an application. See more about following up after an application in Matt Bornhorst 's post [HERE] (https://www.jobcase.com/conversations/1a5dc93f-d04e-5a34-8e38-215550b0f363).
•Who- You must be sure to reach out to the right person! Whether you jotted the employer’s email address down in a notebook or found it on the website, make sure to reach out directly to the person you spoke to or the hiring manager. By sending it to an individual (and make sure to address it to them) you will avoid it being lost in the shuffle.
•How- You can follow up with a call, email, or [thank you card] (https://www.jobcase.com/conversations/6f8322ea-b3fd-5930-98b9-d8d30b735880). Email is suggested as it’s instant and will give you the proper amount of time to gather your thoughts, however, there is also something wonderfully personal about receiving a handwritten note if you can send it quickly. See what to say in your follow up [HERE] (https://www.jobcase.com/conversations/3a2695c7-ced7-5bea-af4e-8789f758e97b).
•What- Make sure it’s personal. Remember that employers have likely met and spoken to MANY candidates so it’s unlikely they will automatically remember you. If you had a good conversation during the interview, make note of something you discussed and mention it. Perhaps you both went to a certain college or own black labs. It’s all about forging a connection! Also be sure to explain how excited you’d be to work for them. Mention the main reasons why you would be the right person for the job by emphasizing your strengths and capabilities while demonstrating that you are a great fit. Keep it short and straight to the point.
A follow up is a great way to include those final things you may have neglected to mention during the interview or hiring process so make sure not to forget to take the time to do so.
Please comment with any questions!
Happy following up ; )
Its a little troubling when you have to look for a new job, and its daunting to have to wait for companies to call back, nerve-racking waiting to find out if you made it in or not, bit don't ever give up and always keep looking forward with a smile, because everything happens for a reason and the sun always brightens the day
YOU have the skills and experiences that someone is looking for
YOU are capable and in charge of making things happen
YOU are stronger and wiser than you think
YOU have something great to offer others
YOU are amazing!
Did you forget that YOU can do this?!
Having a tough day or feeling down?
------> Comment below, we are here for you! : )
Have you ever been told this before OR felt that you couldn’t apply for a job because you weren’t experienced enough? It's time to change that!
Check out these tips on how to gain more experience:
1- Get trained Identify educational programs or courses that are reputable, respected, and more importantly offer instruction and learning that translates into real-life situations. This could be at a local college or even online! Lynda.com is a great online learning platform that I have used myself, and you can even try it for a month for free and take the courses that interest you. There are many others in addition to Lynda.com as well, just be sure to find the best fit for you. Online courses are a great way to learn something brand new or even brush up on your skill set!
2- Volunteer Not only is it fantastic to give back, but hiring managers LOVE to see you have selflessly given your time to a cause. It shows you are committed, you care, and most importantly you want to make a difference! It will also potentially help you gain experience in that field and build connections.
3- Shadow someone in your field Unfortunately, businesses do not always have the time or money for official internships, but some will allow you to shadow someone for a week or two to learn how things work in their particular business or industry. Send emails to prospective businesses. Make sure to let them know your intentions and that your presence will not be disruptive. Tell them you want to learn from the best ; ) Shadowing someone in your field of interest will allow you to build connections and potentially open the door to new opportunities.
4- Consider an internship Although you will be working for free for a little while, the experience you will gain (and later add to your resume) is invaluable! You can even look for internships on Jobcase. Simply go [here] (https://www.jobcase.com/jobs/search) and add your location and the word “internship” to find an opportunity near you! An internship could lead to future jobs within that company, so make sure to put your best foot forward while you are there!
I hope this was helpful : )
If you would like to read future tips and tricks please feel free to [follow me here] (https://www.jobcase.com/p/ashley.waterman8) on Jobcase.
Have questions? Comment and I will be glad to help!
Do you ever feel like preparing for an interview is overwhelming? It doesn’t have to be if you are prepared.
Take a look at these top 5 interview questions and the best ways to answer them!
1-Tell me about yourself When employers ask this question they are not looking for you to actually tell them about your personal life like your favorite shows or how awesome your children are. They are expecting you will give them a brief overview of who you are, professionally speaking. Tell them where you are right now career-wise and then move into the past. Tell them a little bit about the experiences you’ve had and the skills you gained at the previous position. Then finish strong with that excites you about the position you have applied for!
2- Why do you want this job? Companies like people who are passionate. So, before you head to the interview think about what YOU could do to make their company even greater than what it is. What do you provide? Talk about the role and why you want to do it. Ask yourself, what drives or truly excites you? Also do some research about the company and know exactly what they do. The more you can find out from their website the better!
3- What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses? For the strengths, you want to go for quality, not quantity here. Less is more! You should give a short list of 3 strengths, and back each one up with examples that illustrate the strength. Avoid generic answers!
For the weakness, it’s important to share an actual weakness you’ve been working on improving. If you’re not good at public speaking, but you’ve been taking a course to help improve share that. Make sure to have a weakness picked out in advance as not having one will be unrealistic. NO one is perfect!
4- Where do you see yourself in 5 years? This is their way of asking how committed you are to the role you are applying for. Make sure to avoid saying that you don’t know. If the answer doesn’t come to you at first, take a few seconds to think about how you have progressed over the last five years and where you want to be. Make sure to be specific! Keep your answer general, and really stress your interest in a long-term career at that company by demonstrating your enthusiasm for the job, and most importantly, don’t lie!
5- Do you have any questions for me? ALWAYS, always, always have questions to ask! Around 3-5 are great or even a few more so write them down in advance. By asking questions at the end of the interview you show that you are engaged and want to learn more. It will also allow the interviewer to share their knowledge. This is the perfect time to find out anything you’d like to know about the company’s culture, your day to day work responsibilities, and anything else you’re curious about. Avoid questions about salary however and save that for the follow-up interview or check with the recruiter. Here are [50 great questions to ask employers] (https://www.themuse.com/advice/51-interview-questions-you-should-be-asking) you should check out!
For more interview tips on what to wear, what to bring, and other advice check out [THIS POST] (https://www.jobcase.com/conversations/29869635-4d8f-502f-b912-2211f8b674d8)!
If this has been helpful and you’d like to see other tips and tricks please feel free to [Follow me] (https://www.jobcase.com/p/ashley.waterman8)! : )
Do you have an interview question OR advice not mentioned here?
Please share it by commenting below!