How Many Job Changes in a Career is Normal

How Many Job Changes in a Career is NormalHow Many Job Changes in a Career is NormalFor anyone with a resume filled with a slew of job titles and positions, the common question from interviewers, recruiters and hiring managers can get a bit repetitive. Why did you leave your last job? While there are plenty of great answers to help you navigate these choppy waters, there may come a point in your career when you worry about the impact of too many prior positions. And what even counts as too many in todays herunterkommen job market?Theres a common bit of advice that states the average worker will have seven different positions over the course of their career. Where exactly this figure originates from is a bit of a mystery and experts in the field of labor statistics pretty much agree that the random figure isnt an accurate measure across the board. Although increasingly uncommon, some workers choose a company or position and stick with it their entire careers while others flit from job to job, racking up a dozen or more changes.According to a survey by Future Workplace 91 percent of Millennials expect to stay at a job for less than three years. While you may be tempted to chalk this figure up to the flightiness of the younger generation, the reasoning behind modern workforce entrants expecting a shorter term is a bit more complicated than the whims of the age. Here we delve into the whys of the boom in short job stays and the impact numerous positions on your work history may have on your ability to score a future job.More than a Modern TrendThe penchant for shorter stays at a given company isnt something that has developed overnight. Statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor show that in 1996, 9 percent of workers had been with their present employer for 20 years or more. Recent figures show that number dropping drastically post-recession. In addition, modern job seekers seem to be trying on for size a greater number of initial positions before settling on a long-term career or company. Most analysts agree that the reason for this trend has less to do with age and more to do with changes in thinking about total compensation and the overhead of a large workforce, post-recession. With increasing costs of healthcare, the concept of pensions all but gone the way of the dinosaur, and a focus on efficiency and eliminating excess costs, many companies have tightened the purse strings when it comes to bonuses, raises, and internal promotions. This, in turn, has led to employees having to seek different jobs with outside companies in reservierung to get that bump in salary or responsibility.What Can You Do to Be Prepared for Questions re Job Changes?Given the increase in job-hopping employers and employees both have to get comfortable with the fact that todays newest hire may not be the long-term solution to your employment needs. Employers should recognize that in order to retain quality candidates they may need to make bigger strides in compen sation and other methods for increasing employee satisfaction with their position.For prospective employees, be prepared to address the whys and hows of numerous job moves. While employers should be more understanding based on current trends, this wont stop them from quizzing you if you have a history of not short-terming your prior job positions. Be prepared with facts regarding your departure from previous positions and the characteristics youre looking for in a long-term career. Assurances in these areas will help your employer get comfortable that you can commit to a position, if its the right one.

9 First Job Mistakes Even Successful People Made -The Muse

9 First Job Mistakes Even Successful People Made -The Muse9 First Job Mistakes Even Successful People MadeOne of the things that distinguishes successful people from everyone else is their ability to rebound from failure. Which means that bouncing back from a mistake is one of the most important skills you can learn in your career- and the earlier the better.But you already know that.When you reflect back on your first job, along with all of those heart-warming firsts (Your first paycheck Your first big save Your first time running point), you also remember all of those things you had to learn by messing them up the first-time around.And thats OK. Looking back now, you know that, everybody makes mistakes isnt just something people say to make you feel better. Its the truth.Bearing that in mind can help you even now, regardless of how far along you are in your career. Remembering how far youve come- and that everyone you work with has made mistakes and felt the very same way- can help you break out of an I suck rut. Want proof were all in this together? We asked our LinkedIn followers to share the mistakes everyone makes on thier first job- and their answers had us all nodding our heads in agreement. Oh, and if theyre mucksmuschenstill plaguing you, we have fixes too1. You Didnt Ask Questionsleid asking questions. Industry jargon can be overwhelming, if not intimidating, but you dont ask because youre afraid to look stupid.ChantalOdds are you didnt speak up, because you were worried people would judge you and didnt want to to look like a rookie. But now, you know even the most experienced people ask questions when theyre confused Its a sign of a confident and curious person.Seriously Studies show asking questions makes you look smarter.(And if acronyms are still tripping you up, heres a cheat sheet to the 123 most common ones)2. When You Did Ask, You ApologizedPeople shouldnt feel guilty about asking questions. A question is often followed with an apology. Quest ions are very important to gain context, direction, and knowledge...DamianDid you regularly follow up a question with Im sorry for asking? By now you know its nothing to apologize for And if you still struggle with this, try switching it out for, Thank you for taking the time to answer my question. This two-word swap will make you- and your co-workers- view the conversation that much more positively.3. You (Thought You) Asked Too ManyAsking (whats perceived by others as) too many questions. Being curious is a good thing Its a matter of you phrase the question and deliver it. There is a difference between coming across as unsure of yourself vs. eager to learn.HelenYou mightve felt like only a nuisance would ask so many questions. But, if youre noting a theme, its that thats not a bad thing However, if youre at a place where your co-workers seem annoyed or too busy to help, one option is to ask them if they can point you to resources that would hold the answers youre looking for.4. Yo u Emailed EveryoneIncluding too many (or perhaps the wrong) people on emails.ZacMuse writer Kat Boogard has a simple rule of thumb Listing someone in the To field means you expect a response. In contrast, if you CC that person, youre simply keeping him in the loop on your message to others. (And if you want to understand CC vs. BCC vs. Reply All, check this out).5. You Sent Back One-Word RepliesPlease dont reply to every email, from everyone, only saying, ThanksBrianYou used to fire off a quick reply of Thanks thinking the other person would appreciate how fast you got back to them. But now you know that people prefer a useful response, even if it takes a little longer. So, before you hit send, ersatzdarsteller check youre reflecting on what the other person said (and answering any questions or attaching requested information).6. You Forgot Peoples NamesGetting someones name wrong. It happens.KerryIt does happen- perhaps even to this day. Whether the other person corrects you or you later learn you were calling them the wrong name all meeting, fixing its pretty simple. Apologize (without dwelling on it), and get it right from there on out. It sounds like this Oh, Im sorry. Thanks so much for correcting, me, Janet. As I was saying... 7. You Pretended to Know More Than You DidStating you know something when you really dont, and then youre asked to do it by your supervisor. Its OK to say, I dont know.JoanneBy now you know I dont know can be a powerful phrase. It shows your manager youre courageous enough to be honest and can identify when youre not an expert at something. (If you still dont feel comfortable saying those exact words, sub-in one of these three phrases in its place.)8. You Undervalued Grunt WorkNot fully understanding (or misunderstanding) the purpose behind a task or project. Sometimes seemingly menial work is very important, and its crucial to get it done correctly...CassieToo often, people look at certain tasks as simply paying your dues. And whi le those projects may not be flashy and exciting, you can now see how they played a role in the scheme of things. Transfer that knowledge to newer people on the team. When you assign a low-level task, take the time to explain how it contributes to the bigger picture. Not just that, but rolling up your sleeves and pitching in matters even today. Show that you are a dependable team player by giving your all, even to projects that arent glamorous.9. You Didnt Speak Up When You Were Overloaded...While its good to be willing to perform a variety of tasks, eventually one needs to recognize when they are either out of their depth, or simply have taken on too much. If youre afraid to say no, be willing to ask your boss which of your tasks should be your priority.KristinEven seasoned professional struggle with their workload, so if you learned this one early on, youre ahead of the game. At any stage, you dont want to stay silent when youre overworked. Take Kristins advice and have a talk wit h your boss where you discuss your workload and ask them to help your prioritize.Admitting a mistake is something I respect from new hires. Everyone makes mistakes Its how you handle it that shows what kind of employee youll be in the long run...BrittanyAll told, one of the biggest mistakes people make is hiding from them. If you cant admit something went wrong, youll never learn from it. So, be honest about where things got off course (earlier in your career, as well as today), so you can keep moving forward.Did we miss a big one? Let me know on Twitter.

How To Create a Personal Website That Will Help You Find a Job

How To Create a Personal Website That Will Help You Find a JobHow To Create a Personal Website That Will Help You Find a JobSo you decided to apply for that job of your dreams. You know you need to stand out. After all, the competition is going to be fierce.Surely, you could use casual language in your email, attach a special video, or send a cake (true story). However, hiring managers rarely welcome such approaches, as they often come across as forced.If youre thinking Oh no, the cake was my best idea Just tell me what to do already.Create a personal website. Why? Because its versatile, useful, more engaging and evenmore fun.Why is the website a better alternative?56% of all hiring managers are more impressed by a candidates personal website than by any other personal branding tool- however, only 7% of job binnenseekers actually have a personal website. (Forbes)What does that tell you? If you need to sell your brand as an employee, creating a personal website might be the best way t o do it.Your name, your story, your experience, your skills, your personality as well as your voice, its all your brand. The time has changed and today, you need to be the marketer of your own story.The thing is, fruchtwein companies dont look for mediocre employees. They want high achievers, especially in the tech and startup world. ansicht are the people who will help the company grow while also forming its culture. Nobody wants to employ a drifter who would just sit there at their meetings.Yup, brutal, but true, and there is almost notlagehing you can do about it, only adjust.The best way to let them know youre such a unicorn (or narwhal, or whichever you want) is to give your future employer a proof. You need to demonstrate that youre willing to invest time and effort into everything important you do (such as getting a new job). This way you can prove you approach things differently from other applicants.Okay, now to the really important parte. How to achieve that?Have you met A IDA?If you ever had a chance to wet your fingers in the marketing waters, youve definitely met AIDA. Im not talking about the opera but about the acronym Attention, Interest, Desire, Action.Marketers tend to see this formula as their holy grail, which may be a bit too much. But it works. So why not use it when creating your personal website? All in all, its purpose is to help you attract the hiring manager enough to invite you over for an interview.Actually, let us talk about this in detail. What is the ultimate goal of a personal website in job search? Though counterintuitive, its not landing on the job itself. Theres just a small chance youll get the job right after the hiring manager lands on your website. Unless they are looking for a freelancer, of course.Your personal websites ultimate goal is to make them invite you to a job interview. Then, and only then, the website has fulfilled its purposeWhen thinking about your personal website, use the marketing AIDA as a guideline. In the end, you are becoming the marketing and sales department of YOUR NAME, INC. You have to promote and sell your skills, experience, knowledge, as well as your desire for a new challenge.Now, the AIDA steps seem confusing or not sufficiently self-explanatory. And thats ok. Heres a snapshot of whats behind them in terms of your personal website.Attention Make them listenEven if youre the best of the best for the job, as long as the company doesnt know about you, it means nothing.Therefore your first goal is to attract the attention of the hiring managers. How?You spot a job posting. It says you should send them your CV and cover letter. Do it, even though you have a website to which you can point them. You dont want your potential employer to see how slack you are when you cant meet such a basic requirement as attaching your resume.However, the email, that first contact, is precisely your chance to impress.Your goal is to point out that you have a personal website. That fact alone says a lot. It means the company is worth it, it proves youre fully committed to getting that job and youve put time and effort into the process. It will let them know youre willing to go one step further than most.With a well-written copy, your goal is to direct the recruiter to your website. Once they click it, your chances of getting a job skyrocket. Still, its just the first step.Interest Make them want to know moreOnce the recruiter lands on your website, you need to have a great introduction, clear structure and give the best first impression. You want to hook them up and not let go. Even more, you want them to want to know more about you. Try to inspire genuine interest. To achieve that, have a powerful landing page design. Powerful does not mean complicated, oversaturated with pictures, lines, objects, and so on. Simple can still be powerful.Not really a design person? No worries. Your websites content matters more than its looks, in most cases. If you have excellent skills and experience to show, it goes a much longer way than just sexy aesthetics.Short introduction or bio is the most important part of the landing page. Make sure you dont overdo it, a few short paragraphs will suffice. Who are you? What do you know? What is your current role? What value can you provide? What are you looking for? Whats your life philosophy and maybe what hobbies do you have?This is more than enough to help the recruiter decide whether your application is worth pursuing or not.As a student who doesnt have enough experience, you might also mention what are you career aspirations for the future. Are you a Finance student? Say youre an aspiring investment banker.On the other hand, say only so much that the hiring manager would want to know more about you and your experience. Be it several words or two to three paragraphs, introduction needs to make them interested.Desire Make them want you in their teaOnce you get them hooked, recruiters are going to want to see a proof of your claims and specific results. Thats an excellent opportunity for you to showcase your strongest qualities.One of the crucial features of your personal website is personal tone. Show your personality. In the end, you want to become their colleague. They want to know who you are. Of course, you still want to maintain a certain level professionalism.You also want to describe specific challenges you faced and how you tackled them. Dont forget to also mention any successful side-projects you initiated to support your community. Dont state your love for design. Explain how you used design thinking in solving a particular problem.Results Give them resultsBe prepared to back each of your claims by specific examples. Did you manage to increase sales by 50%? Great Mention it and dont forget to explain how. Did you manage to invite any big names to a conference you organized? Provide a brief explanation.List all of your relevant jobs, internships, workshops, certificates, courses, even yo ur own hobby projects. Yup, they can also help you land on the job. Dont forget to use any keywords that fit the job description. But if youve read our guide on how to tailor your resume to a specific job description, you already know this.Action Dont let them stay coldHaving passed each of the previous stages, youre on your best way to get invited to the interview. Youve managed to attract the hiring managers attention and proved youd be a great fit for their company.Now you need give them time to think about it. This is a simple, yet crucial step. The chances theyll come back are very high. Keep your contact information on the screen at all times.If not the email address itself, at the very least have a link to the contact subpage visible at all times. That way youll let them take action in an instant, as soon as the idea of contacting you crosses their mind.Actually, the sole purpose of your website should be this last stage of getting in touch with you. Ready to unleash the powe r of a personal website? But first, lets cover some of the most frequent questions that ran through your mind while reading the piece.Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat URL should I choose?Heres the deal. Youre promoting yourself, so use FirstNameSecondName.com (or the domain name of your country). That is, unless you really want to showcase a specific skill, experience, or a niche. Or unless your name is taken by someone else. An investment banker? Okey, might be good to go with YourFutureInvestmentBanker.com. A journalist focused on tech? TechWriter.io can work too.Be careful, though, about search engines and SEO. Better to do some research in advance.One page vs multiple pages?Depends. Single-pagers are more fluid and user-friendly. The visitor can simply scroll down and get the whole picture in one go. If you want to have a simple portfolio or resume website, this might be the way to go. Also, theyre more mobile-friendly.As opposed to that, multi-page websites are usually more trust ed and can accommodate a lot more information. Are you a designer who wants to showcase your full portfolio as well as his story and client testimonials? Multi-pager is your weapon of choice. What if I am not a designer/copywriter?Sure youre not. A vast majority of population works in other professions. Does it mean you have less chance to shine before your next employer? Come on, certainly not. You just need to put more work into it (research and study, if you have time) or pay someone to do that (freelancer portals, if you have money).Yet, even if you dont write the copy yourself, keep in mind you need to make sure it has your voice and the structure youd like hiring managers to see.Shall I mention failed projects?This a hard one. It varies from job description to job description. Generally its better to showcase only your successes and good results. In case the company is looking for entrepreneurial-oriented person with experience or sales guy, it might come in handy to mention y ou had your own company, which raised money from investors even though you had to close it eventually. What proves entrepreneurial spirit better than a failed business (not talking about scam companies, but you know that already, right?).Can I just copy my CV onto the website?No. Noo. Nooooo. No way. No. Not at all. Nada. Never. (Asking why? Read the part about showing your future employer you can put effort into things.)What are some of the best platforms to use for creating a simple personal website?If you dont feel like building a standalone website with hosting and WordPress, you can use template-based platform. One of them is truly yours Kickersumes personal website builder, which you definitely want to check out.Shall I use a professional photo?Yes. Yet it doesnt mean it has to be photographed by a professional photographer, nor you having to be neutral or boring.. Go with the flow of the website and your profession. If a creative professional, go more leisure. A banker or law yer? A shirt or suit might go a long way.What if my job is not that attractive to be presented on a website?Each and every job is attractive to be presented online. It just depends on your approach. Even planetary scientists can have jaw-dropping websites. Get it?The ultimate Dont-Forget-About-This-Before-Launching-Your-Personal-Website ChecklistDo I want to set up a website on my own or use a personal website creator?What URL do I want to use?Is the URL free? If not, how can I adjust it?Did I buy the hosting with the domain?Can I set up the website from a technical point of view or do I need help?What do I want to tell about myself?What tone do I want to have?How the design should look like?Do I want to have a scrolling one-pager or several pages?What should be the first information and picture on my homepage?How do I want to present myself? Text-only, graphics, infographics, video, combined, etc.?What graphics do I want to use? Illustrations, stock photos, personal photos, etc.Can I and do I want to create the design by myself? If not, who can help?Can I and do I want to write the copy myself? If not, who can help?Do I want to have a blog page?Do I really want to have a blog page? Am I aware it needs to be updated regularly?When did I last update my website? Did I update it (eg with the right keywords) before sending out my application email?Share Your Feedback or Ideas in the Comments