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    8 Steps to Get a New Job by Summer

    8 Steps to Get a New Job by Summer The days are getting warmer and longer, which means summer is on the way! And if you’re a job seeker who wants to enjoy the season, you need to kick your job search into high gear.

    8 Steps to Get a New Job by Summer

    The days are getting warmer and longer, which means summer is on the way! And if you’re a job seeker who wants to enjoy the season, you need to kick your job search into high gear.

     

    If you’re strategic (and follow the below steps), you might be able to get hired before summer begins. Here are seven things to do!

     

    8 Things That Can Help You Get a New Job by Summer

    1. Mind Over Matter

    No matter what time of year you’re searching for a job, attitude is everything! Maintaining a positive attitude throughout your job search can mean all the difference between finding a job you love and spending the summer applying, interviewing, and not getting the role. Even if you’ve been job hunting for a while, it’s important to keep your spirits up.

     

    1. Customize Your Application

    Copying and pasting the same info over and over again will likely land your submission at the bottom of the interview pile. Hiring managers can tell when candidates have put effort into their applications—and when they haven’t.

     

    Take the time to tailor your resume and cover letter every time you apply for a role. Does it take more time? Yes. But it’s a better use of your time, as a customized job application is more likely to yield results.

     

    Explain how your skills and experience make you the ideal candidate for each position. Incorporate keywords from the job description to help your resume get past the applicant tracking system (ATS) and demonstrate how you’ll fit into the company culture. Don’t just talk about what you did but how you did it and how the results benefited your employer.

     

    1. Target Your Search

    When it comes to a job search, quality trumps quantity. It might be your goal to apply for 15 jobs a day, but it’s unlikely you’ll find 15 jobs that you’re qualified for and want to do.

     

    You don’t want to waste the hiring manager’s time—or your’s—interviewing for a job that you feel only so-so about. That’s why it’s crucial to read through the job description and see if the position is something that excites or interests you. That way, you’ll know that it’s a position worth applying to.

     

    1. Grow Your Network

    There is no better time to cultivate and grow your network than before summertime. Warm things up by reaching out before travel season starts and letting people know you’re looking for a job. This gives you plenty of time to set up informational interviews and learn more about the companies that might be hiring this summer.

     

    1. Enhance Your Brand

    It’s critical to maintain a professional online presence while you’re job hunting. Because most hiring managers will check out your social media before they schedule you for an interview, make sure your online accounts shine the best possible light on you.

     

    Ensure that your Facebook account is set to private and delete any incriminating, inflammatory, or unflattering posts or pictures. Then, update and polish your Linkedin profile. While you’re at it, consider starting a personal website to complement your applications.

     

    1. Make the First Move

    One often-overlooked way to get a new job is to make the first move. Not every job is publicly posted or searchable. If you want to access the hidden job market, consider cold-calling employers to see what vacancies they are trying to fill.

     

    You’ll have to do a little digging to uncover the right person’s contact information (like the hiring manager), but it could be well worth the effort!

     

    1. Set up Job Alerts

    As the weather warms up, it can be hard to stay inside all day searching for a job. So, don’t! Taking breaks from your job search is healthy and can help you reengage with it when you’re feeling down.

     

    But if the thought of stepping away from the computer worries you, set up job alerts. This way, you can take your job search with you wherever you are and never have to worry that you’ll miss a new posting.

     

    8.Fun in the Sun

    It’s always important to be strategic during your job search, but even more so before the summer comes. By taking the time to apply for positions that you really want, you’ll ensure that you won’t have a long, hot summer but that you’ll be happily employed instead.

     

    One more way to get a new job by summer is to join StartWorkNow! Our team of experts does the hard work for you, sifting through remote, flexible, and hybrid job openings to ensure they’re legitimate. All you have to do is apply! Join today and get instant access to our regularly updated database, or take the tour and learn about the benefits of a StartWorkNow membership.

     

    Don’t forget to share this article with your friends.

     

    Qualities Wanted in Work from Home Employees

    Qualities Wanted in Work from Home Employees Has working from home caught your eye? Maybe you have friends who have seemingly found work-life nirvana. They break for lunch during the week without rushing to get back to the office. The last time you mentioned the price of gas, they didn’t even know it. No commute seems like it means no worries.

    Qualities Wanted in Work from Home Employees

    Has working from home caught your eye? Maybe you have friends who have seemingly found work-life nirvana. They break for lunch during the week without rushing to get back to the office. The last time you mentioned the price of gas, they didn’t even know it. No commute seems like it means no worries.

     

    Yes, those can all be fantastic advantages to a work-from-home job. But before you upgrade your laptop and start tailoring your resume, you should consider the qualities needed to be successful in a work-from-home role. Many job seekers skip this step only to discover down the road that it’s not such a great fit for them after all.

     

    5 Qualities Needed for Working From Home

    The boom in remote work has shed light on the attributes of the most successful employees working from home. Many have the following qualities in common.

     

    1. Impressive Self-Motivation

    Work-from-home employees need to be incredibly self-aware without someone else in the same room. To excel, you should have the drive to stay on task and maintain a productive schedule.

     

    While seemingly straightforward, work-from-home life is abundant with distractions, from the lure of laundry piles and chatty neighbors to social media, pets, and family members. There can be a revolving door of distraction magnets for those that struggle to keep themselves motivated.

     

    Consider whether or not you’re someone who regularly sets goals for yourself. Do you create lists, seek out challenges, and diligently work to increase your performance? If you’re the type of person who gets a rush of excitement when your list gets completed, you might be a great candidate for a work-from-home position.

     

    1. Excellent Time Management Skills

    Work-from-home team members need to have above-average time management skills to ensure they’re meeting deadlines.

     

    Review how you go about structuring your day. Can you list your next highest priority at any given moment? Are your tasks categorized in order of importance? Do you self-evaluate, leave a cushion for unexpected delays, and have time estimates for each portion?

     

    Besides time management skills for the workday, remote employees also need to flex time management skills for building a healthy work-life balance. You’ll need to ensure that you’re maintaining your personal and mental health and limiting work to actual work hours.

     

    1. Outstanding Communication Skills

    As a work-from-home employee, your performance will most likely require more than simply completing your tasks and submitting them.

     

    Being a part of a team means you need top-notch communication and collaboration skills. Whether via Zoom, email, Slack, or any other team communication platform, you’ll need to ensure that your manager and the team can easily reach you.

     

    And working remotely, your communication skills take on even greater importance, as you generally won’t have body language and tone to give context. Your written communication has to accurately and professionally do the talking for you. Take the time to read over some emails you’ve written lately. Are they friendly, professional, and concise? If not, it might be a great time to invest in some communication classes.

     

    1. Continuous Adaptability

    As a work-from-home team member, you’ll need to go with the flow and be extraordinarily resourceful at times. You’ll be in your own tech department when your computer isn’t working. If you can’t reach your boss to answer a question, you might have to make an educated guess rather than wait for direction. And you’ll possibly need to adjust your expectations and schedule as you flex to accommodate other team members’ schedules or time zone differences.

     

    Adaptability is a transferable soft skill that you can’t take a class to develop. Instead, seek out new challenges, ask for stretch assignments, and create development goals with your leader. You’ll not only grow your skill, but you’ll also come away with some tangible experiences to fill your resume skills section.

     

    1. Notable Self-Confidence

    You’ll often need to take the initiative to meet your role-specific goals and support the organization’s objectives. Your boss generally won’t have the time or desire to continually check in throughout the day to make sure you’re feeling good about your assignments and work. Instead, you’ll need to have the ability to make informed decisions within a short time frame.

     

    Most successful remote workforces are full of proactive high achievers. Ask yourself if you’d thrive within that type of environment or if you really would do better with a more continuous flow of back-and-forth feedback from your boss. If you’re unsure, it’s time to create a development plan to grow your confidence.

     

    Monitor the way that you speak to and think about yourself. Are you full of self-depreciation as you relate to situations or outcomes? What about mistakes that have occurred? Do you convey them as a learning lesson or as monumental? What about taking risks when it comes to attempting new things?

     

    Essential Work-From-Home Qualities

    Before you commit to the significant life change that working from your home can bring, take some time to truly consider if you have the qualities and personality to thrive as a work-from-home professional.

     

    If the answer is, “I’m not sure” why not look for a hybrid work-from-home position? You can get your feet wet, and you might discover that it’s a perfect balance. Of course, every business will structure their hybrid work schedules differently, but generally, you’ll be working remotely a few days a week and in a traditional office the remainder of the time.

     

    If you’re ready to find a hybrid or full-time, work-from-home position, take the tour on oue Website. With a database of jobs in over 50 categories, discounted career coaching, and advice on building a successful career, we’ll help you find a remote job that fits your needs and interests.

     

    How to Avoid Remote Work Security Risks

    How to Avoid Remote Work Security Risks Are you currently in the middle of a job search? The chances are pretty high that you’re spending a lot of time online if you are. Or, perhaps you’ve already landed your dream job, and you get to work remotely full-time or part-time. If all or some of your job-related work is remote, you have some additional security concerns to factor in. In a traditional office setting, the organization is generally responsible for creating firewalls and password-protection update reminders, and you do all of your work on their devices. Working remotely, a lot of that responsibility falls to you.

    How to Avoid Remote Work Security Risks

    Are you currently in the middle of a job search? The chances are pretty high that you’re spending a lot of time online if you are. Or, perhaps you’ve already landed your dream job, and you get to work remotely full-time or part-time.

    If all or some of your job-related work is remote, you have some additional security concerns to factor in. In a traditional office setting, the organization is generally responsible for creating firewalls and password-protection update reminders, and you do all of your work on their devices. Working remotely, a lot of that responsibility falls to you.

     

    Mitigating Remote Work Security Risks-

    Congratulations! You’re taking one of the essential steps in creating a more secure remote work environment by simply not becoming complacent. You are the first line of defense for protecting your company’s data and any sensitive customer information that they’re housing. Beyond awareness, we’ve got some best practices for you to consider.

     

    1.Invest in Antivirus Software

    Antivirus software generally updates itself regularly, and you can set it to run updates automatically in the background. Invest in well-regarded and robust antivirus software and ensure that it’s installed on your primary devices, such as tablets, computers, and cell phones. This might be the hardest working assistant you’ve ever had.

     

    Pair that with other security practices, such as multi factor authentication and an encrypted password manager, to create the best initial line of defense.

     

    2.Run Software and Device Updates Regularly

    It may be difficult to set “Run Updates” on your computer since updates are often created as concerns are created. Your best choice is to set “Update Automatically” on all of your software and devices.

     

    This is true of anything that connects to your network as well. So, if you have a digital thermostat, security cameras, a smart TV, or a wireless picture frame—to name just a few devices—those are back doors for access into your network.

     

    3.Schedule Regular Password Updates

    Consider creating a log of everything that regularly connects to your home Wi-Fi system. Make it a best practice to reset the passwords regularly and check for security updates that will send security patches.

     

    Cyber security expert Dr. Erik Huffman recognizes that updates are a necessary hassle, but often, if hackers see robust and updated passwords, they’ll move on to less secure victims. Ensure you have protected every opening to your network at home. Create a complicated router password and ensure that you’re updating it on the same schedule as your other devices.

     

    4.Beware of Email Scams

    Never open or click on suspicious links. Your first line of defense is to verify if the sender is someone familiar. Hackers have become adept at using identical-looking emails to lure employees. It might be something as minor as a single letter difference. If you’re in doubt, call your contact or reach out via a different communication method to verify they sent the email.

     

    And never provide any personal or confidential information via email. One of the best things you can do is slow down and listen to your gut instincts. Cyber criminals are relying on you to be busy and distracted.

     

    5.Hide Your Network

    When you turn on your laptop and search for Wi-Fi signals, all available networks pop up, right? Well, unfortunately, the pop-up for everyone else is within range as well.

     

    Consider making your network hidden so that no one driving or walking by can see it being broadcast. All of your devices that are already connected will stay connected, but no one else will be able to access them. Without knowing the network’s name, it’s nearly impossible to connect to it.

     

    6.Avoid Using Public Wi-Fi

    Coffee shops, libraries, and other public networks are notorious for creating internet security risks. When you do choose to work remotely outside of your home, you should invest in a private hotspot, or use your phone as a hotspot. You’ll need to check in with your company’s IT department to ascertain that you stay within their remote work security guidelines.

     

    Also, ensure that you’re never leaving your laptop unattended when you are in public. There should never be a trip to the bathroom or up to the order counter when it’s not in your possession. Likewise, don’t leave your computer bag on the seat of your car.

     

    7.Be Mindful of Who Has Access to Your Computer

    It’s not just in public that you’ll need to be mindful of who has access to your computer. You have family and friends at home among whom you’ll need to maintain computer privacy too. While you might trust them, you need to remember that your company probably didn’t agree to do so.

     

    It would be best to consider that any friends who are connecting in your home are bringing their own security concerns to your home network. A best practice is to create a separate guest network from your main Wi-Fi network.

     

    Actively Maintain Remote Security-

    Cybersecurity for remote work centers on a proactive approach. One of your best defenses is creating challenging boundaries for hackers who will often move on to easier targets.

     

    If you’re currently involved in a job search, ensure that you’re not engaging in risky behavior while submitting applications. Maintain a layer of protection around your personal information that you only breach after verifying a legitimate need at a reputable company via a secure network.

     

    Are you ready to ensure that your job search is safe and scam-free? Here at StartWorkNow, we have an entire team dedicated to vetting our job postings so that our members’ experiences are kept safe. Take the tour to discover all of the ways that a StartWorkNow membership can support your flexible job hunt.

    Freelance Work in Retirement: What You Need to Know

    Freelance Work in Retirement: What You Need to Know Have you been dreaming of retirement for the last decade or so? As it approaches, are you starting to wonder if you’re as eager or able to retire as you thought you were? Many retirees realize that they need to continue working as the date draws closer.

    Freelance Work in Retirement: What You Need to Know

     

    Have you been dreaming of retirement for the last decade or so? As it approaches, are you starting to wonder if you’re as eager or able to retire as you thought you were? Many retirees realize that they need to continue working as the date draws closer.

     

    For some, it’s about financial security, recognizing they would like to have more set aside for their golden years. Others simply want to stay busy.

     

    After working for 30-40 years, suddenly having nothing to do might be great for the first few weeks but can get boring quickly. And yes, you most likely have hobbies, but with nothing but time on your hands, the cost of those hobbies can skyrocket.

     

    Reasons to Work in Retirement-

    Don’t worry, you’re not alone! According to Forbes, “30% of seniors seek to work past retirement.” Retirees have reported that the following are some of the most common reasons they remained in the workforce. Do you relate to any of these?

     

    1.Building Financial Stability

    As people live longer thanks to medical developments, there is an ever-increasing need for your retirement funds to stretch farther. If you’re not sure about the ability of your retirement income to meet your needs, working while you’re a younger retiree can help ensure your stability later on. Many companies offer retirement at 62. Betty White was an amazing woman, but few of us sought to work as long as she did.

     

    Instead, consider adding to your nest egg with a partial retirement, such as a part-time job, becoming a consultant, or launching a freelance career. Later on, when you decide you’re truly ready to call it quits, your savings account will be padded.

     

    2.Adding to Social Security

    Tied into the tip above, your social security will continue to grow up to age 70. Most employers consider 62 the official retirement age, but your benefits will be pro-rated unless you wait until the government-recognized, “full retirement” age of 66.

     

    As a bonus, the longer you add to your social security, the higher your benefit will be in your older retirement years. Generally, you’ll be eligible for your entire benefit by delaying until your full retirement age.

     

    3.Funding Medical Insurance

    Retiring before Medicare is an option at 65? The price of medical insurance can be staggering, even for just those few interim years. Finding a part-time position that can either supplement your insurance costs or cover them entirely will help keep your savings accounts from being drained.

     

    1. Launching a Second Career You’re More Passionate About

    Not every reason to postpone full retirement is about finances. Many adults in their 60s and 70s are not ready to slow down. Some have been waiting to pursue a second career they’re more passionate about.

     

    Did you spend your life as an accountant? Maybe your second-career goal was freelancing to support small businesses with affordable bookkeeping. Have you created a hobby that you’d love to turn into a passion? Or, perhaps you’d like to follow your passion, such as nature conservancy or supporting at-risk youth?

     

    Retirement gives you the ideal opportunity to turn your passion into a profitable, full-time or part-time role that adds meaning to your life.

     

    1. Staying Active and Social

    For some, the ability to continue working ensures a schedule to maintain that sees them interact with teammates routinely. Even if you live near your relatives, you might thrive on your relationships at work and aren’t ready to see that part of your life go.

     

    Joining a team when you’re older allows you to build new relationships in a very unique and meaningful way. As you work side by side with younger coworkers, inevitably, you’ll impact each other. Perhaps they’ll be able to help you stay current with the latest technology while you share problem-solving ideas that can only be gained with years of experience.

     

    6.Sharing Your Knowledge

    Speaking of sharing, you have a wealth of information after a long career. Consider becoming a consultant or industry teacher to share that knowledge. You’ll continue working within the boundaries and flexibility of your schedule. Commit as much time as you want, taking vacation and family time as you prefer. Analyze the things you didn’t love about your job, and chances are you’ll find that it was tied to company work rules—no need to worry about those as a consultant.

     

    If you committed to working in a career field for your entire life, you probably genuinely loved what you did. Given a new perspective or a little space, you might find that you miss it more than you anticipated.

     

    7.Funding Your Travels

    For many retirees, their vision of retiring includes hitting the road in an RV or traveling abroad. All of that adds up, and the reality can be way more expensive than anticipated.

     

    Rather than let your wanderlust die away, fund your travel bug with a flexible job that you can take with you. Whether you travel a few weeks out of the year or jump full-fledged into becoming a digital nomad, you can find a role in retirement that you enjoy and that supports your excursions.

     

    Finding a Flexible Job in Retirement-

    One of the priorities that many retirees seek is maintaining their schedule and prioritizing personal commitments and family relationships. If balance is what you need, a flexible job, such as freelancing or consulting, might be precisely what will help you ease into your retirement.

     

    Whatever your reasons are, if you’re considering your job options in retirement, StartWorkNow has loads of tips to help you get started. If you’re tempted by the idea of a flexible schedule without a stressful commute, a StartWorkNow membership can help you land your ideal role. We update our jobs daily with verified, scam-free listings to keep you safe in the online job search world. Explore all of the ways a StartWorkNow membership can support you.

     

     

     

    How to Navigate the Hidden Job Market

    How to Navigate the Hidden Job Market As a job seeker, your go-to search strategy may be to rely on advertised positions. But there’s an additional route you can explore to identify job openings—and it may be even better at helping you find and land professional opportunities.

    How to Navigate the Hidden Job Market

    As a job seeker, your go-to search strategy may be to rely on advertised positions. But there’s an additional route you can explore to identify job openings—and it may be even better at helping you find and land professional opportunities.

     

    It’s known as the “hidden job market,” and once you understand how to navigate and leverage the hidden job market, you’ll gain an advantage over the competition in your industry.

     

    What Is the Hidden Job Market?

    The hidden job market is simply another way of referring to any job opportunity that isn’t posted, listed, or otherwise advertised on job boards, social media, company websites, or other job search forums. “A huge percentage of jobs—especially higher-level jobs—go to people who didn’t stumble upon the job posting on Indeed,” explains Devon Fata, CEO of the web design firm Pixoul.

     

    Employers who rely on the hidden job market aren’t necessarily trying to be secretive about their job openings or keep news of them from qualified candidates; they simply may have one or more reasons why they want to avoid announcing the positions publicly.

     

    For example, hiring managers may initially want to keep their candidate search more targeted, starting with internal candidates before considering a wider pool. Or, some employers may want to avoid the costs of formally advertising the position and recruiting for it, both in terms of money and time spent. Other companies may have legitimate privacy reasons for wanting to keep the job vacancy under the radar screen, such as when they are launching a new initiative that hasn’t been announced yet.

     

    How Can You Find Jobs in the Hidden Job Market?

    If a role isn’t publicized, how can you know about it? Fortunately, there are a number of straightforward strategies that you can use to unearth intelligence about jobs that haven’t been advertised.

     

    1.Use Online or Offline Networking

    One of the best ways to find out about hidden job market opportunities is through networking, whether using an online platform like LinkedIn or through real-world networking opportunities. For example, while LinkedIn won’t have the hidden market job opportunities listed per se, you can ask around in your network or try to form new connections with people who work at employers of interest to you—and they may become a pipeline to hidden market jobs.

     

    Fata maintains that networking is the essential key to finding hidden market jobs. “Take the time to chat with everyone you come across in your professional life, because you never know when one of them is going to have an opportunity for you,” Fata says.

     

    Scott Hirsch, CTO and cofounder of TalentMarketplace, an AI-powered HR platform for tech companies and candidates, agrees that to find jobs in the hidden job market, you need a solid network, which often starts with connecting to people on LinkedIn, finding a common topic, and building a relationship.

     

    “Pay attention to any updates they may post on their profile or private groups,” Hirsch recommends. “It’s also good to keep an eye on any company or position changes so you can reach out to them and ask if there are any other positions available.”

     

    2.Start With an Internship or Volunteer Position

    Another way to keep an ear to the ground and potentially be among the first candidates in the loop for as-yet-unpublished openings at a company where you’d like to work is by starting out as an intern or volunteer.

     

    In an unpaid role or internship, you’ll gain access opportunities to the company’s decision-makers and may be able to learn about hidden job market options. You’ll also have the chance to show a potential hirer the skills that you bring to the table without being interviewed, making you a more desirable candidate if an internal opening arises.

     

    3.Talk to People in Your Company or Industry

    Your current company may have hidden market jobs available in different departments that you won’t know about unless you ask around. While this type of networking requires tact and discretion, as a company insider, you’ll have the inner track on these internal opportunities.

     

    Take the time to talk to your peers cross-functionally about what jobs could be coming down the pike. You can take this same approach at an industry level, identifying people or organizations where you might like to work, and then using online or offline networking to connect with them.

     

    “If you are interested in working for a certain company, reach out to peers who work at that company to see if they’ve heard about any open roles,” advises career coach and certified professional resume writer Colleen Paulson.

     

    Once again, LinkedIn can be invaluable in these hidden job market efforts. “If you don’t know anyone who works at the company, start following the company on LinkedIn,” says Paulson. “Learn more about what their goals are and figure out how you can help them to reach their goals.”

     

    She adds that it’s also okay when pursuing hidden job market opportunities to use LinkedIn to reach out to leaders in the organization and let them know that you have done your homework and have ideas on how you can make a difference. “With the Great Resignation, a lot of companies are quietly looking for good talent and if you can make a case for how you can help, you have a strong chance of getting the role that you are looking for,” Paulson concludes.

     

    Find Hidden Jobs

    Through networking, internships, volunteering, or a combination of these things, you can tap into the hidden job market and find a position that fits your life.

     

    And whether a job is hidden or not, Start Work Now can help. Take the tour to learn more about the benefits of a Start Work Now membership.

     

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