A Guest Post by
Tired of hearing the same old advice over and over about how to write your resume and dress for job interviews? Look no further than this carefully crafted list! Whether you’re job hunting or trying to get a promotion in your current workplace, these 10 unusual career advice tips can help you get to where you want to go.
1. Don’t Be Afraid of Short-Term Jobs
Not every job you apply to necessarily needs to come with a definite years-long contract and a full benefits package. Short-term jobs are a great way to make money while adding to your resume and list of qualifications. Taking on a temp position in an office, as a driver, or even on a farm can make you more equipped for more long-term positions in the future (while helping you pay your rent).
2. Make Your Resume Unique
There are tons of resources online providing you with strict guidelines on what to include and what not to include on your resume. If in doubt, you can get a CV writing service to help you. However, the actual visual appeal of your resume is almost as important. For those working in a more visual and creative field, like graphic design or photography, your resume is an excellent opportunity to show off your skills.
To strike the perfect balance between creativity and professionalism, consider including a digital portfolio alongside your traditional resume. This will help you to stand out among your fellow applicants.
3. Make Your Own Position
Do you have a dream job in mind but can’t find it being offered anywhere? There’s no reason to wait around hoping for a spot to open up. Write out a detailed description of the position you’d like, including your title, contributions, and responsibilities. Then do extensive research to determine what companies you’d like to work for (and would genuinely benefit from your services).
With this work done, you can proceed to reach out to these companies and pitch your position to them. Ensure ahead of time that you can articulate the problem that your role would be solving. Unsure of how to contact the right people in the first place? You can often find the email you need by scouring their website. You could also create a public blog or website to establish yourself online and get the attention of the right people.
4. Get a Certificate Online
Are you interested in improving your job qualifications without having to move to a new city to start a 4-year university program? Thankfully, there are plenty of online schools that offer affordable and remote classes in a wide variety of subjects, including IT support, agriculture, education, engineering, real estate, and so much more.
Online education programs are becoming increasingly common. They function as a more convenient and accessible alternative for those who can’t or simply don’t want to take on an in-person post-secondary program. With an online school, you’ll be able to improve your resume and become more qualified for your dream jobs, all without having to leave the house.
5. Request Remote Work
Feel as though your current job is limiting your potential? The freedoms of working from home have been newly introduced to millions of people in all different industries. Though this shift hasn’t been under the best possible circumstances, over 68% of people temporarily working from home want to continue doing so in the future. For many, working from home has given them the time and flexibility they need to improve their performance and even pursue side gigs.
Our current situation is creating a precedent that will allow workers to inquire about the possibility of remote work when applying to jobs going forward. So, if you think remote work may suit your lifestyle better, don’t be afraid to have that conversation with your current or potential employer.
6. Don’t Shy Away from Self-Promotion
Self-promotion may feel icky, but that’s usually because people associate it with ego and a lack of authenticity. The reality is, those who are unafraid of self-promotion typically have an advantage over the rest of us. The confidence to reach out to potential employers directly, whether through email or on social media, shows a certain initiative that most businesses can respect. The way you market yourself will depend largely on the industry you’re in, but investing time into making high-quality social media profiles will go a long way in showing other professionals your work.
7. Find New Ways to Network
Networking is similar to self-promotion in the sense that it may feel uncomfortable at first. However, networking is one of the most effective ways of developing relationships with the right people in your industry. That being said, you shouldn’t just wait to be invited to a traditional networking event. Be on the lookout for Google Hangouts, Facebook groups, and other online alternatives.
8. Build Relationships with Everyone
Networking with the top dogs of your workplace and industry is important, but don’t neglect building relationships with everyone else. Developing friendly relationships with assistants, co-workers, and other staffers can be of huge strategic benefit to you in the long run. This will strengthen your position in your workplace, improve your reputation, and open you up to potentially personally valuable friendships.
9. Be Mindful of Body Language
Though you might find yourself obsessing over exactly what to say in a job interview, studies show that 55% of communication is nonverbal. That includes facial expressions, posture, and gestures. This may seem like a lot to be conscious of, but you can master nonverbal communication with practice.
For example, never cross your arms in an interview, as it can make you seem guarded and tense. If you want to appear more relaxed, try to avoid wringing your hands or fidgeting. Focusing instead on maintaining an upright posture will help convey confidence and capability to your potential employers.
10. ALWAYS Follow Up
It’s common advice, but you’d be surprised by how rarely people actually follow up after job interviews. It’s an easy way to stand out among a pool of candidates. Your follow-up email can vary from a “thank you” or to something more insightful. In either case, it shows that you care and take this opportunity seriously. It also can’t hurt to remind them of your existence in case they somehow forgot!
Your dream job is within your reach, but sometimes you have to step outside of your comfort zone and take risks to realize it. We hope you’ll use these 10 tips to chase after your career goals with confidence and enthusiasm!
Oli Kang
Oli is a working mum who has a passion for teaching and all things educational. With a background in marketing, Oli manages the digital channels and content at Courses.com.au.
Also published on Medium.
[…] and value for money. Ultimately, the work the produce will have an enormous impact on their future career! It’s a good practice to request them to show you some of their previous work so that you know […]