The Guide to Get an Adaptable Job Now

June 19, 2022 startworknow

The Guide to Get an Adaptable Job Now

An adaptable job is more important to more people than ever. And though there are many types of adaptable jobs, their overall popularity means plenty of job seekers are searching for and targeting these kinds of roles.

But don’t let the competition stop you from pursuing the adaptable job you want and need. There are ways to ensure you’re the top contender for any adaptable job opening.

How to Find and Land an adaptable Job

— Update Your Resume

If it’s been a while since you last updated your resume, now is a great time to spruce it up. Start by adding your “big” accomplishments, like job titles or certifications. Then include some “smaller” accomplishments, like new software programs you’ve mastered or volunteering. Finally, because a resume is short and sweet, delete information that’s no longer relevant (like that summer job from 20 years ago).

With everything updated (and edited!), your resume is ready to go. However, instead of applying with the same resume to every job, use your newly refreshed resume as a template, and tailor it to the company and job posting every time you apply. Do the same for your cover letter to maximize results!

But don’t stop with this one update. Set a reminder to update your resume every six to 12 months to help keep it fresh. This ensures it’s always up to date with your latest wins and accomplishments. After all, you never know when a new opportunity will come your way!

— Revamp Your Social Media

At least 70% of hiring managers check an applicant’s social media before deciding to interview them. And because your posts are part of your personal brand, you want all of your social media profiles to be as professional as possible.

Comb through your posting history and delete posts that could be controversial—that’s anything from you with a drink in your hand to bad-mouthing your employer. Do the same for your pictures. Alternatively, consider setting all of your social media profiles (except for LinkedIn) to private.

If you’re not into social media, that’s OK. But consider starting (or optimizing) a LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn can help you connect with other job seekers, flexible companies you want to work for, and access the hidden job market through networking, mentoring, and informational interviewing.

And though LinkedIn is the best social media platform for professionals, you can also use Twitter, Instagram, and even Facebook to land a flexible job. You can even leverage TikTok in your hunt for a flexible job.

— Plan and Track

With your application materials spiffed up, you’re almost ready to start your adaptable job search.

Create a job search plan and set 30-, 60-, and 90-day goals to help you stay on track (and keep you accountable). Whether you’re staying in the same field or changing to a more flexible one, setting smaller goals (make three new network connections this week) will help you stay motivated and make progress toward your larger goal of getting a new adaptable job.

With your plan in place, keep track of what you’ve done and what you need to do. This can help you remember where you’ve applied, who you’ve spoken with, and who you need to follow up with.

— Look at Industries and Companies First

Though you could ask your boss to work more flexibly, if they turn you down, you’re back to square one. And your current career field may not lend itself to the kind of flexible work you want.

If that’s the case, research which fields offer flexible options. Once you’ve identified industries you want to work in or determine your industry has flexible work options, research companies in your target industry to uncover the ones that offer adaptable work.

Researching companies on StartWorkNow is a great way to start. But you can also check job postings and social media to get an idea of which companies are flexible and which are not.

— Practice Interviewing

No matter how long it’s been since your last interview, you know to prepare for “classic” questions, like “tell me about yourself.” But when it comes to interviewing for an adaptable job, you may need to prepare yourself not only for different types of questions but also new ways to answer them.

Don’t focus your answers solely on your duties. While you should mention what you did, you should also include information about the result. Explaining how you helped your company achieve its goals will help the hiring manager understand why you’re the best person for the role.

— Search Job Boards

No job search would be complete without checking out job boards. However, when it comes to a flexible job search, you’re better off focusing on smaller, niche job boards (like StartWorkNow).

Though the big-name, large job boards have flexible job postings, you may have a harder time wading through all of them. Some might be scams, and others may not be as flexible as you think they are. Sticking with the niche job boards helps ensure you’re seeing job postings that are truly flexible, as well as legitimate, saving you time—not to mention aggravation!

Bonus Tip!

Here’s one more tip to help you get an adaptable job now: sign up for StartWorkNow. Our extensive database is updated every day with the latest and greatest in remote, adaptable, and hybrid jobs. And since it’s hand-screened by our team of trained pros, you’re sure to have a safe, scam-free job search. Not to mention the time you’ll save compared to searching elsewhere.

Are You Eligible to Work in the United States?

June 18, 2022 startworknow

Are You Eligible to Work in the United States?

When it comes to working in the United States, it can be tricky to know whether you’re legally authorized to work in the U.S. and determine your work eligibility.

To help clarify the matter, StartWorkNow has compiled some top-line advice from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) so that you can better determine whether you’re authorized to work in the United States. There are four main classifications that, if you match their eligibility criteria, may suggest that you can legally work in the U.S.

U.S. Work Eligibility Classifications for Non-U.S. Citizens-

Temporary (Nonimmigrant) Worker

If you don’t plan to permanently immigrate to the United States and apply for U.S. citizenship, but instead want to maintain your current citizenship while working for a specific employer, then you may be able to work on a temporary basis in the country as what USCIS defines as a “temporary (nonimmigrant) worker.” Achieving this status first requires having a prospective U.S. employer file a petition with USCIS on your behalf.

There are 22 different nonimmigrant classifications for temporary workers listed on the USCIS website, which you can review here. The site also provides details on spouses and children who are seeking dependent nonimmigrant classification.

Permanent (Immigrant) Worker

If your long-term goal involves living and working permanently in the United States and immigrating to the country based on your job skills, then you’ll want to learn about how to seek “permanent (immigrant) worker” status, which involves obtaining an immigrant visa based on your employment.

According to USCIS, around 140,000 immigrant visas are made available annually for non-U.S. citizens, their spouses, and their children. Qualifying for this classification requires you to be equipped with the right blend of work experience, education, and skills.

There are five distinct categories of employment-based immigrant visa preferences, which you can see here. Two of these categories—Second Preference EB-2 and Third Preference EB-3—require labor certification, which means you will already need to have a job offer from a U.S. employer, who will be considered your sponsor for the visa.

Students/Exchange Visitors

Another possibility to gain eligibility to work in the United States is if you are a student or exchange visitor who wants to pursue full-time academic or vocational studies in the country. There are two nonimmigrant student categories—the “F” category for academic students and the “M” category for vocational students—listed on the USCIS website, which you can learn more about here.

Exchange visitors may be eligible for a different category, designated as the “J” category. This visa program is specifically for people who are participating in an educational or cultural exchange program.

Temporary Visitors for Business

Finally, if your plan is simply to visit the United States for business purposes, you can explore the option of obtaining a “temporary visitor for business” visa. The eligibility and application process for this classification is less involved than seeking permanent immigrant worker status, and you may be able to qualify with no visa under the Visa Waiver Program.

If you do need a visa, then you can apply as a B-1 Temporary Business Visitor. This would help you be able to, for example, attend a business conference, negotiate a contract, or consult with business associates in the U.S.

Know Your Status

Any of the four main classifications above can, if you meet their criteria, allow you the ability to work legally in the United States.

That said, it’s important to remember that according to the USCIS, how long you are authorized to work in the country depends on what type of immigration status you’re granted and your ability to comply with the conditions of the employment authorization you’ve received. Any violation of the terms or conditions of your authorization to work in the U.S. could jeopardize your ability to work or stay in the country.

Whether or not you’re eligible for work in the United States, StartWorkNow can help you land a job that meets your needs! Take the tour to learn more about all of the benefits of a StartWorkNow membership.

How to Find a Job After Graduation

June 13, 2022 startworknow

How to Find a Job After Graduation

Congratulations on your shiny new degree! You’re onto the next phase of your life!

It’s equal parts thrilling and intimidating to leave behind four years of extracurricular activities, studying, and homework to venture into the world of job interviews, office schedules, and adulting. But you can land your first post-graduation job quickly and efficiently with the right amount of dedication and planning.

Tips for Your Post-Graduation Job Search:

Define Your Job Goals

Not everyone knows what they want to be when they grow up, and that’s OK. It’s common for new grads to have multiple, if slightly vague, career ideas. But the more you narrow your career ideas down, the more targeted and ultimately successful your job search will be.

As you search for jobs, also conduct career research. Job descriptions can give you an idea of what different roles in different fields entail. For even more information, the Occupational Outlook Handbook by the Bureau of Labor Statistics is probably one of the most comprehensive databases of detailed job information.

How Do You Want to Work?

There’s more to a job than what you do. You also need to know how you want to do it.

Do you want to work in an office every day with set hours? Or, would you rather have a flexible schedule and work from anywhere? Do you possess an entrepreneurial spirit and want to choose your own clients and workload as a freelancer?

These days, you’ve got a lot of options, so make sure you understand the pros and cons of each, then connect with the career path that has whatever you’re looking for.

Focus on Companies, Not Jobs

Once you have a solid idea of what you want to do and how you want to do it, shift your focus from searching for jobs to researching companies you might want to work for.

While having a job you like is essential, the company you work for plays a considerable role in how you feel about the job. Understanding the company’s culture before you apply ensures you’re not wasting your time interviewing someplace you won’t be happy.

And while you’ll learn more about the company during the interview process, eliminating companies you have zero interest in working for makes your search more efficient, saving you precious time in the long run.

Customize Your Resume

Your resume is a way to tell your professional life story. It summarizes your skills and experience in one or two pages. As a new grad, you may not think you have much to offer an employer. But as you think about summer jobs you had or volunteer work you performed, you may find you have a lot of transferable and soft skills that employers are looking for.

However, using the same resume for every job is a rookie mistake. Many employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen candidates quickly and efficiently. These bots look for keywords throughout your resume to see how well you match the position.

While you don’t want to stuff your resume full of meaningless keywords, you do want to tailor your resume for the position. So, start with your resume, then make sure you rewrite using keywords from the job posting to help demonstrate that you’re a good fit for the position.

Get Social

Connect with the company you’re interested in working with on social media. Follow its profiles and “like” recent updates. It can be a great way to network and get your foot in the door.

Plus, more companies are leaning into social media for recruiting and hiring, so having a professional profile and using it is likely to help your chances of landing a job!

The Next Big Step

The post-graduation job hunt can easily seem like an intimidating task. But you’ll learn valuable experience and gain new job searching skills with each passing day. This is the most exciting moment of your career because the entire journey is laid out in front of you.

No matter how long ago you graduated, START WORK NOW can help you connect with a flexible, remote, or hybrid job.

Tech-Job Search Advice That Doesn’t Go Out of Style

June 12, 2022 startworknow

Tech-Job Search Advice That Doesn’t Go Out of Style

In many ways, the job search has changed. People no longer check the want ads in the Sunday paper or have an objective on their resume. These days, people post their work history on LinkedIn or a personal website and upload their qualifications to multiple employers in a snap.

But in some ways, searching for a job is the same as it ever was. We recently spoke with the career coaching team at StartWorkNow and asked them for the job search advice that doesn’t go out of style. Here’s what they said.

Tech-Job Search Advice That Never Go Out of Style-

Cover Letters Are Still a Thing

With few exceptions, you should include a cover letter with your application. But don’t use the same cover letter every time! Take the time to customize your cover letter (and resume) to explain why you’re applying to that specific role at that specific company. Recruiters can tell when all you’re changing is the name of the position and company.

What’s more, as Denise Ingledue-Lopez points out, cover letters are an opportunity to explain why the hiring manager should hire you over other candidates. “Cover letters complement your resume and are an opportunity for you to showcase your personality and why you’re applying for this role at this company.”

She continues, “It also highlights your communication skills and gives you the chance to address anything you think might stand in your way of getting the job, like a gap in your resume or changing careers.”

Prioritize Your Tasks

There’s so much to do during a job search: update your resume, track and log where you’ve applied and who you need to follow up with, and growing your network.

It can be overwhelming.

To help you stay organized, you need a plan. Specifically, a job search action plan. Outlining your goals at 30, 60, and 90 days can help you break down those goals into smaller, more manageable steps. These smaller tasks can help you prioritize what you have to, what you’ve done, and keep track of your wins!

Time Management Skills

Speaking of prioritizing your tasks, another piece of job search advice that never goes out of style is time management.

“Having a game plan and setting priorities keeps your job search focused,” says Tracy Capozzoli. And this game plan will keep you from falling down a social media procrastination rabbit hole and help you identify when you’re spending too much time on job search activities that aren’t working.

Network

While technology has made searching for jobs easier and more accessible, it’s also made it more competitive. When you’ve got hundreds or even thousands of people applying for one job, you need to find a way to set your application apart from the rest of the pack.

Some people may resort to tricks or stunts, but often, a better choice is using your network. Your contact may know someone who has an opening that’s perfect for you or can connect you with someone who has some advice about your job search.

The same technology that’s made your job search efficient can also be used in networking. From LinkedIn to virtual job fairs and other events, networking is a valuable tool that can take your job search to the next level.

Multigenerational Communication

It doesn’t matter if you work 100% remote, 100% in-person, or somewhere in between. You may have as many as five generations in your workplace! And even if that doesn’t describe where you work, professional courtesy and respect never go out of style!

“Written communication always has and always will be important in the workplace,” says Heather Starr. “When you’re working with someone from another generation, it’s important to keep things professional and courteous. Make sure your communications are crisp and clear, and consider avoiding abbreviations and emojis that work in a casual context but not a professional one.”

Send a Thank-You Note

Saying “thank you” never goes out of style, even when you’re job searching.

“The concept of sending thank-you notes after an interview has not changed,” notes Ingledue-Lopez. “Not only is it courteous, it helps keep your name in the recruiter’s mind. It could also be the deciding factor on who gets the job and who doesn’t.”

Keep It Simple

There are tons of beautiful resume templates that you can choose from. And the best choice is…none of them! Use a simple resume format to ensure the ATS can read it correctly.

Skip the columns and graphics. These often confuse the ATS and make it less likely your resume will get a high rank. Stick with plain fonts that are easy for an ATS and human to read. Not sure what resume format is best for you? Here’s a guide to help you figure it out!

Manage Your Personal Brand

You never get a second chance to make a first impression, and in the age of social media and viral moments, that’s never been more true—especially when it comes to your job search.

Your first impression starts seconds after your application is submitted. Hiring managers often research candidates on social media to vet them, and if your personal brand has any red flags, you may not get the job.

Take some time before your job search to do a little tidying up. Delete posts that may paint you in a negative light, and consider untagging yourself from photos. Or, set your current profiles to private!

Not Quite the Same

Not only is this job search advice always in style, it’s perfect for every generation of job seekers. You’ll use these timeless bits of wisdom from the day you search for your first job until you retire!

The survey found that 12% more millennials have discussed salary with coworkers than Generation X. Specifically, only 35% of Gen Xers have talked about salary, while almost 53% of millennials did.

Millennials were also more willing to negotiate their salary or ask for a raise. While approximately one-quarter of Gen Xers (24%) said they felt more empowered and tried to negotiate salary, 43% of millennials felt the same way.

It looks like this is one place where things are changing!

The More Things Change…

If there’s one way to sum up job searching in the 21st century, it could be “some things change, and some things stay the same.” And when it comes to these 10 bits of expert advice, some aspects of your job search are as classic, retro, and timeless as ever!

How to Avoid Work-from-Home Job Scams

May 30, 2022 startworknow

How to Avoid Work-from-Home Job Scams

When it comes to finding a remote job, many people are concerned about being scammed. And for good reason, from re-shipping scams to asking job seekers to pay for a federal job, scammers are getting craftier. It’s for this reason that avoiding remote job scams can seem like a tall task.

One of the reasons StartWorkNow was created was to provide a safe, trusted way for people to find legitimate remote and flexible jobs, without having to worry about the junk and scams.

If you use StartWorkNow for your job search, you can be assured that all the opportunities on our site have been screened by a real person and are completely scam-free.

Our recent annual survey found that more than 80% of job seekers report being on guard or very concerned about scams on other job boards. According to the same survey, almost 20% of job seekers have been a victim of a job scam (up from 13% in 2016), with 22% of job seekers knowing somebody who has been victim of a job scam.

Listings can be rife with scams and savvy scammers know how much people want to make money from home. They impersonate recruiters, potential bosses, and hiring managers in order to scam job seekers out of personal financial information—and in the worst-case scenario, their life savings.

That said, 15% of survey respondents have avoided being scammed because they knew the warning signs. Knowing the warning signs of online job scams is important, but remember that StartWorkNows’ in-house team of experts carefully vets through openings so you don’t have to.

Trust Your Gut If a Job Feels Scammy

As with most situations in life, one of the single best ways to avoid a job scam is to listen to your instincts.

That can be hard if you’ve been out of work for a while and a plum position seems to fall smack dab into your lap. But think about the job and how you were approached in an objective light.

The ability to work from home would be a dream come true for many people and because of the value people place on this way of working, scammers are able to take advantage of folks who want to find this type of job.

If something just feels off, or you feel uncomfortable for any reason (e.g., the job recruiter is pushy or demanding, or you don’t have a clear understanding of the job responsibilities), don’t think twice about walking away from it.

More than likely, your instincts are right. And remember, there are plenty of real online jobs out there to choose from. This won’t be your one and only opportunity to work remotely, so don’t feel intimidated or pressured into doing something you don’t feel comfortable with.

Know the Signs of an Online Job Scam

While job scammers have adapted their tactics over time, there are still some hard-and-fast warnings that a job is a scam. Here are some basic signs of a work-from-home job scam:

You’re asked for personal financial information—such as your social security number, your bank account, your home address and phone number, your date of birth, etc.—early on in the job interview process.
The job pays a lot of money for little work. After all, if it sounds too good to be true, it almost always is.
The company boasts several rags-to-riches stories that showcase high-flying lifestyles.
The job posting mentions quick money, drastic income changes overnight, etc.
The job posting has glaring grammatical or spelling errors.
The product is supposedly endorsed by countless celebrities or public figures.
The job requires several up-front expenses from candidates.
Compensation is based on how many people you recruit.
A recruiter offers you the job immediately without verifying your work experience or doesn’t ask for references.

In one of the latest remote work scams, the FTC reports that the operators of a work-from-home scheme used “misleading spam emails to lure consumers into buying work-from-home services.” These emails used fake news stories and fake celebrity endorsements to convince consumers to purchase. In total, the settlements with the operators of this scheme imposed an $11.3 million judgment.

“Unfortunately, online job scams remain a troubling component of the work-from-home job market, even as the number of legitimate remote job opportunities continues to grow. It’s encouraging to see this settlement, but job seekers should not let their guard down—many, many more scams still exist,” said Reynolds.

Consider the Keywords

In general, be careful of certain keywords in posts. The following options (and variations) can be indicative of a work-from-home job scam:

Free work from home jobs
Quick money
Unlimited earning potential
Multi-level marketing
Envelope stuffing
Investment opportunities and seminars
Part-time jobs with full-time pay

Research the Companies

Let’s say a “recruiter” contacts you and wants you to apply for a job. They say that based on your skills and work experience, you’d be perfect for an open position.

That doesn’t mean the job is legitimate (or the recruiter is who they claim to be). You should always do your due diligence on both the recruiter and the job. Conduct research to see if you can find out any info on the recruiter/hiring manager to determine if they are indeed a real person.

The Better Business Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission can be great resources to find and report online job scams. For instance, you can use the Better Business Bureau’s scam tracker to review (and report!) job scams. You should be able to find a trail verifying the person and company and, if not, you may want to reconsider moving forward with the job process.

Connect with the Company Directly

A hiring manager might reach out to you with a potential job. They might offer all the details about the job but not the biggest one of all—the company hiring for the job. Although they might say they can’t disclose the company or they’ll lose the potential commission associated with placing you in the position, you should know for certain the name of the company you’re interviewing for.

If the hiring manager won’t tell you, it could be a sign that you’re in the middle of a scam. So contact the company that you might be working for to verify that a) the job recruiter is working for them, and b) the job you’re applying for exists.

Question the Communication

The job interview process has evolved quite a bit over the years to keep up with changes in technology.

Almost everything is done online, from job applications to interviews, which are happening more frequently via video conferencing, particularly for remote positions.

That being said, there are still a few red flags when it comes to using technology for hire, and those are email or instant messaging. Any hiring manager or boss worth their salt is not going to conduct a job interview via instant message or email. Most often, you might be initially contacted by email, but after that, you should still have a phone or video interview—or both.

Dodging Work-from-Home Job Scams

It’s unlikely that job scammers will ever go away, but there are ways to protect yourself and avoid job scams. Using a reputable job search service like StartWorkNow can help you find a real online job faster, easier, and, most importantly, safer.

We pre-screen every job and company before posting them to our site. Our trained research team weeds out both the obvious scams and the more sophisticated ones, along with commission-only jobs, low-quality positions, “business opportunities,” and other junk so our members are guaranteed a quality job search experience.

Wherever else you might be searching, use caution and always consider the signs of a work-from-home job scam and stay safe and find legitimate, real online jobs!

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