Your Career Goals

Excellent question. A job reference is not something to take lightly. It’s tempting to put your best friend since grade school on there because you know they’ll say glowing things. Or that best friend’s mom—you’ve always been her favorite. But chances are they won’t be able to say much that’s really useful for a hiring manager. You’re a great person, sure, but can they speak to your ability to work hard, problem-solve, and overcome setbacks and failures? Maybe, but let’s err on the safe side here. Here are the best people to use as a job reference.

Baby boomers have filled many of our country’s skilled trade jobs for decades. But as that generation retires, those jobs need to be filled. In fact, 62% of companies are currently struggling to fill important skilled trade positions, and almost three-fourths of those companies predict that they’ll have a significant shortfall of those workers in the next few years. Some experts anticipate that 31 million jobs will be left vacant as a result of baby boomers retiring. This means that skilled trades are the way to go if you’re looking for a job! Here are skilled jobs that are hiring.

A temporary seasonal job can prove to be a pretty solid opportunity for you. Many companies look to hire temporary workers because they can do so quickly, adjust their staff to fit changing demand, and give candidates a trial period while they decide whether to hire that person long-term. But without the guarantee of permanent employment, many job seekers are hesitant to apply for those jobs. Here are four reasons to consider a temporary seasonal job.

Many companies are expanding their call centers, which means they’re looking to hire and fill those types of roles. Though ‘call center agent’ might not sound too prestigious, it’s definitely a position worth considering. You might be receiving inbound calls, helping customers troubleshoot, answering questions, or handling complaints. Or you might be making outbound calls—calling potential customers to have them answer a survey or verify information. Regardless, there are several advantages and benefits that you need to consider before you decide whether it’s the job for you.

Operating a job search can be a full-time job. There are tons of avenues and resources out there and you want to make sure you’re keeping all your options open and pursuing all opportunities, you’ve got to invest a lot of time. In addition to keeping your social media profiles up-to-date and getting your resume to the right people, you need to explore all the commonly overlooked job resources. Here are six community resources for finding a new job.

Recruiters pride themselves in being skilled at nurturing a deep network and maintaining solid relationships with talented and experienced professionals. Companies rely on them to find the most qualified candidates to fill their openings, so they look to touch base from time to time to see how you’re faring. They like to know how careers are progressing and they might reach out to you from time to time. And it can be useful to you to keep in contact, too. Here are three reasons to stay in touch with your recruiter.

The skills section of your resume might be the most important part because it can set you apart from the top candidates. Here’s how to add resume transferrable skills to your resume.

You know that feeling—you bounce out of the interview room with confidence! You know it went well, though you can’t quite put your finger on why. You just feel good about the whole job interview and you’re pretty sure you got the job. Or that you at least impressed them. But there’s always that doubt that seeps in, that makes you question whether it really did go well. But you don’t have to wonder anymore. Here are seven telltale signs that you got the job.

The job market is getting better, but it’s still fiercely competitive out there. Unemployment is low, but jobseekers are figuring out clever ways to set themselves apart from the rest of the competition. Employers appreciate creativity as long as you can also demonstrate professionalism and that you’re serious about the job. Here are some ingenious ways to land new jobs when you need them.

It’s not easy to run a company. And aside from a salary, your boss probably gets very little reward. The truth is you’re probably grateful to have a job—especially this time of year—and it’s important to show your boss that you recognize and respect their efforts and you appreciate the opportunity to be there. If you can do that, it’ll go a long way in securing your relationship with your boss and helping advance your career.