Podcasts about layfield resume consulting

On this episode guest Tristan Layfield highlights the importance of self-advocacy, the power of building a professional brand, and the significance of becoming the CEO of your own career. Tristan Layfield is a career coach and resume writer at Layfield Resume Consulting and is host of the Living Corporate podcast. https://www.layfieldresume.com LinkedIn: Tristan Layfield Instagram: @layfieldresume Twitter: @layfieldresume Facebook: Layfield Resume Consulting --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mondaysshouldntsuck/support

On the eighty-third installment of Tristan's Tips, our amazing host Tristan Layfield talks about creating content for LinkedIn. Content for you to post on LinkedIn is all around you, so pay close attention to the examples Tristan provides that can help you get started posting on the platform. Having a great Linkedin profile is only half of the battle - the other half is posting and engaging on the platform to make sure you are being seen by the right people. Tristan also plugs our live interactive weekly webinar series The Access Point - check the link in the show notes for more information!Click here to sign up for The Access Point! Our second live interactive weekly webinar takes place September 22th at 7pm CST.https://bit.ly/3br7ab4Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter. Links in order.http://bit.ly/2G7d6HKhttp://bit.ly/2XDcp3zhttp://bit.ly/2JEbg1Rhttp://bit.ly/2JCmKTzFind out how the CDC suggests you wash your hands by clicking here or below.https://bit.ly/2Ug4l5KHelp food banks respond to COVID-19. Learn more at FeedingAmerica.org.https://bit.ly/2WD73UkCheck out our website.https://bit.ly/living-corporateTRANSCRIPTTristan: What's going on, Living Corporate? It's Tristan, back again to bring you another career tip. Before we get into the tip, I want to do another shameless plug for Living Corporate's new weekly live, interactive webinar called The Access Point, designed to prepare Black and brown college students for the workforce.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀We're bringing on corporate professionals, industry leaders, and top voices to cover topics from self-advocacy and personal branding to respectability politics and building allies, all things that will help aspiring professionals successfully transition from college to corporate.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀We kicked off the series this past Tuesday the 15th, so make so to join the hosts Tiffany Waddell Tate, Mike Yates, Brandon Gordon, and myself every Tuesday at 7 pm CST/8 pm EST from here on out. Make sure to sign up at the link in the description.Okay, so now that the promo is out of the way, let's talk about creating content on LinkedIn.Posting on LinkedIn has 2 main benefits: 1) it helps you be found on the platform and 2) it help you establish your thought leadership and professional brand. When I tell my clients that they have to start posting, the most common response I hear is, “I don’t know what to post.” If you feel this way, I’m here to tell you that content for you to post on LinkedIn is all around you. So I wanted to give you a few examples that can help you get started posting on the platform.When you think of posting on LinkedIn the most obvious places to start are your successes, things like new jobs, awards, certifications, licenses, etc. People love to see how your career is progressing and the honors that you may be receiving.Posting your successes is easy, but I’d also suggest focusing on the other end of the spectrum, your failures. Many of us have a complicated relationship with failure, and it does take quite a bit of vulnerability to share these but we have to understand that failure is not the opposite of success, it’s a defining factor in success. Each failure is designed to teach us something. Once you figure out what that something is, share it and watch the engagement flow.Often times we have to participate in training for work or even as part of organizations that we are involved in. Take the time to share what training you attended and your top 2 - 3 takeaways from it. LinkedIn loves to hear about people’s learning processes.If you stay on top of industry news, share your take on it. If you’re super dialed into what your company is doing in relation to this industry new and their plans have been made public, share them as part of your post. Maybe even tag some of your leadership team to show how engaged you are with the business.Another thing LinkedIn really likes is a good story. This could be about an interview experience, an interaction you’ve had at work, or even things like how you and your kids are dealing with virtual learning or transitioning back into the office once COVID restrictions were loosened. These stories can be powerful and provide people with an opportunity to relate to you and your experience.Lastly, sometimes the content is already available on LinkedIn via other people’s post. Take the time to reshare the post to add your insight, thoughts, and opinions.Before I go, here are some quick tips on posting. Start slow. If you don’t already post regularly, start by trying to set a consistent cadence like once a week until you start to feel more comfortable. Don’t be afraid to use hashtags but stick to no more than 3 -5 per post. Also, consider tagging people in your post, this can help create dialogue and boost engagement. Lastly, and I know this sounds corny, but like your own posts. It helps trick the algorithm and helps your post be seen. Having a great Linkedin Profile is only half of the battle, the other half is posting and engaging on the platform to make sure you are being seen by the right people.This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @LayfieldResume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the eighty-second entry of Tristan's Tips, our amazing host Tristan Layfield talks about adding your business to your resume or LinkedIn profile. However, there's no "right way" to do this - but there are several things that you should consider. Adding your business can have major pros and cons, so if you're unsure, seek some guidance from a resume writer or career coach. Tristan also plugs our upcoming live interactive weekly webinar series The Access Point - check the link in the show notes for more information!Click here to sign up for The Access Point! Our first live interactive weekly webinar takes place September 15th at 7pm CST.https://bit.ly/3br7ab4Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter. Links in order.http://bit.ly/2G7d6HKhttp://bit.ly/2XDcp3zhttp://bit.ly/2JEbg1Rhttp://bit.ly/2JCmKTzFind out how the CDC suggests you wash your hands by clicking here or below.https://bit.ly/2Ug4l5KHelp food banks respond to COVID-19. Learn more at FeedingAmerica.org.https://bit.ly/2WD73UkCheck out our website.https://bit.ly/living-corporateTRANSCRIPTTristan: What's going on, Living Corporate? It's Tristan, back again to bring you another career tip. Before we get into it, I want to take a moment to plug Living Corporate's new weekly live, interactive webinar called The Access Point, designed to prepare Black and brown college students for the workforce.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀We're bringing on corporate professionals, industry leaders, and top voices to cover topics from self-advocacy and personal branding to respectability politics and building allies, all things that will help aspiring professionals successfully transition from college to corporate.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀So join the hosts Tiffany Waddell Tate, Mike Yates, Brandon Gordon, and myself every Tuesday starting September 15th at 7 pm CST/8 pm EST. Sign up at the link in the description.Okay, so now that the promo is out of the way, let's talk about adding your business to your resume or LinkedIn profile.Over the last couple of weeks, I've gotten quite a few questions about adding your business to your hiring documents. Unfortunately, there's no clear cut answer to this question, it's more of a matter of personal preference, but there are few things you should consider.First, is there a conflict of interest? If you are doing or offering something in your business that is in direct competition with your potential employer, then you probably don't want to include it in your resume or LinkedIn as this can blow your chances of landing the interview. But be mindful, if you get the role, the ethical thing to do is to disclose what you do in your business. This can have various outcomes from conversations discussing how to navigate any potential conflicts of interest all the way to the need for you to choose between your job and your business.The other thing to consider is that even if it isn't a conflict of interest, some companies and organizations may consider your business a distraction or competing priority, making them less likely to consider you for the role. For me, I think that's a great screening tool. When I am looking for a new role, I want to show up fully as me, which includes being a business owner. If a company or organization doesn't like that, then they more than likely wouldn't be the right fit for me. Also, it's highly likely that someone in the company will find out about your business at some point, so being upfront can reduce some of the stress on the backend of trying to hide it.Another thing you might want to consider is, does your business showcase a skillset not already represented on your resume or LinkedIn? If the answer is yes, then it may be something you want to consider adding, but in doing so, make sure to focus solely on what's relevant and leave the rest out.As you can see, there is no one right answer. Adding your business can have major pros and cons, so if you're unsure, seek some guidance from a resume writer or career coach.This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @LayfieldResume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the eighty-first installment of Tristan's Tips, our amazing host Tristan Layfield talks about starting a new job remotely. Since COVID-19 has started many of us began working from home. With more and more companies deciding their workforce will be working from home for the foreseeable future, many new hires will be starting jobs remotely as well. Check out the five tips Tristan suggests to start off on the right foot! Zach also makes a special announcement - click here or the link in the show notes to register for The Access Point, a live interactive weekly webinar that's focused on preparing Black and brown college students and recent graduates for work!Click here to sign up for The Access Point! Our first live interactive weekly webinar takes place September 15th at 7pm CST.https://bit.ly/3br7ab4Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter. Links in order.http://bit.ly/2G7d6HKhttp://bit.ly/2XDcp3zhttp://bit.ly/2JEbg1Rhttp://bit.ly/2JCmKTzFind out how the CDC suggests you wash your hands by clicking here or below.https://bit.ly/2Ug4l5KHelp food banks respond to COVID-19. Learn more at FeedingAmerica.org.https://bit.ly/2WD73UkCheck out our website.https://bit.ly/living-corporateTRANSCRIPTTristan: What's going on, Living Corporate? It's Tristan back again to bring you another career tip. Today, I want to talk about starting a new job remotely.Since COVID-19 has started many of us began working from home. With more and more companies deciding their workforce will be working from home for the foreseeable future, that means many new hires will be starting jobs remotely as well. This can be a challenge because oftentimes you don’t get to meet your boss and colleagues in person and most of your onboarding process will be self-guided. So here are 5 tips to help you start off on the right foot.First, stay in contact with your manager. Since you aren’t in the office it is much more difficult for your boss to know what’s going on. And you know what they say, out of sight out of mind. That means you need to make yourself and the work you do more visible than you typically would. I suggest setting up regular one-on-ones by video to not only establish your relationship with your boss but to keep them up to date on how onboarding and your work is going.Second, set up time to meet coworkers one-on-one. You don’t want your first communication to be requesting something from them and they don’t even know who you are. Since you don’t have the benefit of just chatting in the hallways of the office try to replace those casual interactions by reaching out to each person on your team with an introductory email and a request to set up a meeting. This can be by video call or it can just be over the phone if everyone is Zoomed out. But you want to make the time to begin developing relationships with your team.Third, don’t be afraid to ask more questions than you normally would. I know oftentimes we shy away from asking too many questions for fear of looking like we don’t know what we’re doing. But that line of thinking is completely wrong in this instance. Asking questions should show your managers that you are engaged and taking ownership of your onboarding and learning process. It may also help them iron out kinks in their virtual onboarding process which will help future new hires.Fourth, if you weren’t assigned a mentor then find one. Identify someone on your team in the same time zone as you that you can establish a good virtual connection with. Ask this person if you can come to them with any questions that you may have over the next couple of weeks. If they say yes, figure out what the best method of communication is for them and make sure to use that method since they’ve graciously agreed to help you.Fifth, set up a dedicated space to work. One of the mistakes that many people make when first working from home is thinking they can just work on the couch or in bed. While tempting, these spaces don’t put you in the right mindset for work and often lead to low productivity. The day before you start, set up your workspace complete with a comfortable chair, a desk, and all the tech your company provided you that way you can spend the first day focused solely on your onboarding.Remember, many companies and organizations are new to remote onboarding and remote work in general. So you probably want to pack your patience as this is an adjustment for all parties involved.This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @LayfieldResume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the eightieth entry of Tristan's Tips, our amazing host Tristan Layfield discusses one of the critical components of your LinkedIn profile and building your professional brand - your LinkedIn headline. Check out the full tip to find out how to create a headline that will catch the eyes of recruiters, hiring managers, or even potential clients!Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter. Links in order.http://bit.ly/2G7d6HKhttp://bit.ly/2XDcp3zhttp://bit.ly/2JEbg1Rhttp://bit.ly/2JCmKTzFind out how the CDC suggests you wash your hands by clicking here or below.https://bit.ly/2Ug4l5KHelp food banks respond to COVID-19. Learn more at FeedingAmerica.org.https://bit.ly/2WD73UkCheck out our website.https://bit.ly/living-corporateTRANSCRIPTTristan: What's going on, Living Corporate? It's Tristan back again to bring you another career tip. Today, we’re going to discuss one of the critical components of your LinkedIn profile and building your professional brand.Your LinkedIn headline is one of the most visible portions of your profile. It follows you across the platform from the my network section to even the comments you leave on other people's posts. So you definitely want to take the time to craft a LinkedIn headline that makes you stand out and is enticing enough to make people want to click through to your profile.LinkedIn's default headline is your current job title and company. Leaving it like this is a sure-fire way to ensure that you are overlooked on the platform. LinkedIn does have a character limit for your headline, which used to be 120 characters, but now it seems they've raised that limit to 219 characters. So you have plenty of space to build an engaging headline that speaks to your professional abilities.When I work with my clients, there's a little formula that I like to use to help build their headlines; it's called PEAD (P-E-A-D). First is the P, which stands for Position. You want to list your job title, so people know exactly what you do. Next is the E, which stands for Expertise. What's the thing you do best in your field? What do people always come to you for? You want that to be front and center. Next is the A and the D, they sort of go together, and they stand for Action and Difference. You want to write an action statement that highlights what makes you different or how you make a difference. This is the thing that showcases how you're different than everyone else doing this work.When writing each section of the formula, make sure to break them up using a symbol or emoji to make them easier to read, if you're confused on what that may look like, check out my LinkedIn profile or review the transcript of this episode for an example.Here's an example from a recent client I helped who is in education. Her headline used to simply say Teacher at XYZ School, now it says Social Studies Teacher & Educational Consultant | Curriculum Development | Coaching and training teachers on transitioning from theory to practice. As you heard, we touched on each part of the formula position, expertise, action, and difference.Remember, LinkedIn is about establishing your professional brand, and your profile's headline is a critical piece in doing that. Now that you have a formula take some time to create a headline that will catch the eyes of recruiters, hiring managers, or even potential clients.This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @LayfieldResume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the seventy-ninth installment of Tristan's Tips, our amazing host Tristan Layfield brings us another career tip, this time talking about when to take jobs off your resume. Remember, there's no one right way to write a resume, but the purpose of one is to show the employer how you can help them solve their problem. Drop your attachment to certain parts of experience if they don't fit with where you're trying to go and keep them if they do and simply focus on how you can make yourself relevant!Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter. Links in order.http://bit.ly/2G7d6HKhttp://bit.ly/2XDcp3zhttp://bit.ly/2JEbg1Rhttp://bit.ly/2JCmKTzFind out how the CDC suggests you wash your hands by clicking here or below.https://bit.ly/2Ug4l5KHelp food banks respond to COVID-19. Learn more at FeedingAmerica.org.https://bit.ly/2WD73UkCheck out our website.https://bit.ly/living-corporateTRANSCRIPTTristan: What's going on, Living Corporate? It's Tristan back again to bring you another career tip. This week let's talk about when to take jobs off your resume.Many of us have heard the rule that after 10 - 15 years, you should take experiences off of your resume. I used to give this advice too, but now I don't think the experience you should include on your resume is as cut and dry as that rule tries to make it out to be. In conversations with my clients, I focus less on the time limit and more on relevancy. When we are writing our resumes, we want to focus on providing the most relevant experience and skills in the shortest amount of time.So during my intake calls when we get to those experiences that are 10 - 15 years back, I always ask, "Does this role contain a relevant skillset not already represented by a more recent job?" If the answer is no, then we discuss either completely removing it from the resume or putting it an additional experience section with only the job title, company name, and dates if we still want to showcase the background or career trajectory. But if the answer is yes, then we have a conversation on what skill sets that role showcases that differ from recent experiences, and we keep ONLY that portion and ditch the rest.Now, some people, resume writers and career coaches included, don't necessarily like this advice. They may believe this begins to create gaps in the resume, and to that, I would say that completely removing anything 10 -15 years back already creates a large gap between college and the first employment experience listed. They'll also say if the skillset is 10 -15 years back that it is probably outdated to which I would say if that's the only place that represents the skillset, then why risk the chance of not getting the job because you omitted it?Remember, there's no one right way to write a resume, but the purpose of your resume is to show the employer how you can help them solve their problem. So drop your attachment to certain parts of experience if they don't fit with where you're trying to go and keep them if they do. Simply focus on how you can make yourself relevant.This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @LayfieldResume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the seventy-eighth entry of Tristan's Tips, our amazing host Tristan Layfield continues to talk about your LinkedIn connections list, this time spotlighting the importance of knowing exactly who you're connected to on the platform. You can't properly leverage your network if you don't know who you're connected to, so take some time to reacquaint yourself with your connections list so you can make the most of it!Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter. Links in order.http://bit.ly/2G7d6HKhttp://bit.ly/2XDcp3zhttp://bit.ly/2JEbg1Rhttp://bit.ly/2JCmKTzFind out how the CDC suggests you wash your hands by clicking here or below.https://bit.ly/2Ug4l5KHelp food banks respond to COVID-19. Learn more at FeedingAmerica.org.https://bit.ly/2WD73UkCheck out our website.https://bit.ly/living-corporateTRANSCRIPTTristan: What's going on, Living Corporate? It's Tristan back again to bring you another career tip. This week we're continuing to talk about your LinkedIn connections list and knowing exactly who you're connected to. I mentioned on the last tip that I started a LinkedIn profile in college and just began adding people. I think this was the case for many of us. Since we've amassed these connections over the years, it's difficult to leverage them because we don't always know who we are connected with. Yes, you can go to your network page and scroll through each page of your connections. But there's a method where you can get all of your connections into one place, and I want to teach you how to access it.When on LinkedIn, there's a bar at the top of the page, and next to the notifications section is Me under a small version of your profile picture. Click on that and then click Settings & Privacy. On the left side, you'll see How LinkedIn uses your data click on that, then click Get a copy of your data. From there, you want to select the Want something in particular option and then click the box next to connections. Finally, click request archive and put your password in. It may take up to 10 mins for the file to be created, but you will receive an email when the file is ready.Once you get the email, you'll want to click the link inside that states download your data archive using this link; it will take you back to the LinkedIn settings page where you can now click the download archive button. Once you do that will download a zip file that will contain your connections in an excel spreadsheet. The spreadsheet includes their first name, last name, email address (if they listed it), their company, their position, and when you connected with them. Now, you can quickly sort by companies and titles to see who you are connected with and reach out to them. You can even use the excel spreadsheet to track when you reached out to them and if you get a response.You can't properly leverage your network if you don't know who you're connected to, so take some time to reacquaint yourself with your connections list so you can make the most of it.This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @LayfieldResume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the seventy-seventh installment of Tristan's Tips, our amazing host Tristan Layfield emphasizes the importance of cleaning and building up your LinkedIn connections list. Remember, LinkedIn is all about being seen by the right people, but you can't do that if your connections list is filled with inactive profiles and people who have nothing to do with where you're trying to go!Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter. Links in order.http://bit.ly/2G7d6HKhttp://bit.ly/2XDcp3zhttp://bit.ly/2JEbg1Rhttp://bit.ly/2JCmKTzFind out how the CDC suggests you wash your hands by clicking here or below.https://bit.ly/2Ug4l5KHelp food banks respond to COVID-19. Learn more at FeedingAmerica.org.https://bit.ly/2WD73UkCheck out our website.https://bit.ly/living-corporateTRANSCRIPTTristan: What's going on, Living Corporate? It's Tristan back again to bring you another career tip. This week let's talk about cleaning and building up your LinkedIn connections list.When you take the time to curate your connections list, you are not only ensuring that the right people see you, but you're establishing rapport and building your thought leadership with people who may be able to help you or hire you down the line. Unfortunately, many of us are not that discerning with who we add on the platform. If you're anything like me, you started with a LinkedIn profile in college and just began adding people. You thought, the more people I'm connected to, the better, right? Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that's not exactly true. See the number of connections you have is what we like to call a vanity metric. Yes, it's nice to see the 500+ connections on your profile, but you don't get results off that number alone. It's less about the number of connections you have and more about the quality of connections you've made.If you've had your profile for a couple of years, I'd suggest going through your connections list and getting rid of people who aren't active and people you don't know and don't plan to get to know like those irritating salespeople. I'm not telling you to get rid of friends from college or your old job or even to get rid of people completely outside of your industry, but just ask yourself, does this person engage on the platform? Is this person producing content fairly regularly? And is this content something I'd like to see? If the answer is no to any of those questions, that may be a person you’d want to consider putting on the chopping block. Doing this will help you begin to tailor your connections list so you can start seeing content you like and are more likely to engage with, making your time on LinkedIn more enjoyable. Sometimes this can get overwhelming, so maybe just go through 15 - 20 connections each time you log on, and before you know it, you'll have your list cleaned up.Now, when it comes to making new connections, I recommend you start by adding people who are in similar roles to those you want to obtain in the near future. These people can help provide you insight into what it's like to be in that role, what it's like to work for that company, and if you develop a relationship with them, they may even give you a referral. Next, I suggest focusing on people who are one to two levels above where you want to be. These people are usually decision-makers, which means they may post open positions on their team and may even have the power to hire you for one of those positions. By adding those two groups of people, you can raise your visibility within the industry simply by interacting with their posts often. And when they interact with yours, their connections list see that as well. Don't forget to send a personalized message when connecting with them to increase your chances of them accepting your request.Remember, LinkedIn is all about being seen by the right people, but you can't do that if your connections list is filled with inactive profiles and people who have nothing to do with where you're trying to go.This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @LayfieldResume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the seventy-sixth entry of Tristan's Tips, our amazing host Tristan Layfield shares one way you can reduce your competition when applying online. Remember, the name of the game when it comes to your job search is standing out. If you can’t do it through networking right now, utilize this tip! It's just just one of the small things you can tweak that can impact your job search.Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter. Links in order.http://bit.ly/2G7d6HKhttp://bit.ly/2XDcp3zhttp://bit.ly/2JEbg1Rhttp://bit.ly/2JCmKTzThis week's tip was inspired by Danielle Holmes, the owner of Career Services by Elle. Check her out on Instagram!https://bit.ly/30YlLWsFind out how the CDC suggests you wash your hands by clicking here or below.https://bit.ly/2Ug4l5KHelp food banks respond to COVID-19. Learn more at FeedingAmerica.org.https://bit.ly/2WD73UkCheck out our website.https://bit.ly/living-corporateTRANSCRIPTTristan: What’s going on, Living Corporate? It’s Tristan back again to bring you another career tip. This week I want to discuss one way you can reduce your competition when applying online. Before I dive in, I want to acknowledge that this tip was inspired by an amazing Black woman resume writer, Danielle Holmes of Career Services by Elle. Make sure you check her out on Instagram at @ellecareerservices.Most of us want the most efficient job search possible so we try to reduce the amount of time we spend looking for roles. To do this, we utilize websites and job search engines like Indeed, Monster, CareerBuilder, and LinkedIn. These websites provide a one-stop-shop to see as many job postings as we can all at once, which is a great convenience. But with convenience always comes a downside. Since so many of us are doing that, our competition tends to be higher on those platforms. Not to mention, there are preconceived notions that some hiring managers or recruiters have that if a candidate applies through a job posting board that they may not be as serious about working for their company, and the job seeker is just looking for any job.Now, if you’ve listened to me for a while, you know that I am an advocate for networking as a method to help you stand out from the competition and avoid all that. I’m also a realist who knows that many people aren’t necessarily doing that, and applying online is still the most convenient and familiar option. So if you’re going to apply online, I suggest using those job search engines to find the role, then going directly to the company website to find and apply for the position if possible.So you’re probably like why? If I apply, they get my application either way, right? Yes, but many people don’t take the time to apply directly on the company website. Often times when you do, those applications arrive in a different inbox and sometimes go to a completely different person. Getting your application with a pool of 150 others versus getting your application with only 50 others can definitely make a difference. Not to mention you get to avoid all those preconceived notions about whether you care about the company or not.Remember, the name of the game when it comes to your job search is standing out. If you can’t do it through networking right now, this is just one of the small things you can tweak that can impact your job search.This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @LayfieldResume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the seventy-second entry of Tristan's Tips, our amazing host Tristan Layfield talks about how to correct some of the common outreach mistakes you might be making. With unemployment levels being so high the market is quite competitive, so networking is an even more vital part of your job search. Watch out for these mistakes and make some adjustments in your outreach to increase your chances of a response!Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter. Links in order.http://bit.ly/2G7d6HKhttp://bit.ly/2XDcp3zhttp://bit.ly/2JEbg1Rhttp://bit.ly/2JCmKTzFind out how the CDC suggests you wash your hands by clicking here or below.https://bit.ly/2Ug4l5KHelp food banks respond to COVID-19. Learn more at FeedingAmerica.org.https://bit.ly/2WD73UkCheck out our website.https://bit.ly/living-corporateTRANSCRIPTTristan: What’s going on Living Corporate? It’s Tristan back again to bring you another career tip. This week I want to talk about some of the common outreach mistakes you might be making.Have you ever reached out to a recruiter, someone on LinkedIn, or just someone you want to connect with and they never responded? Believe me, I’ve been there. There’s a couple of common mistakes that many us make when we reach out that may be blocking us from our blessings.First, sending a generic message. I can almost guarantee that you don’t like to receive generic messages, so why would you send one? Make sure that each message you send out is tailored to the person that you’re reaching out to. This goes for both email and LinkedIn!The next mistake is asking for something in your initial email, besides time. Outside of requesting 15-30 minutes of their time, you shouldn’t be asking for a referral or to be considered for open roles. Instead, figure out where you can provide value and give your contact some time to get to know you, what challenges you’re facing, and how they can assist.The final mistake is thinking that the purpose behind every connection is that the person will get you a job. If this is what you think, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Your contact is going to think you’re only trying to use them and no one likes to feel used. Make sure you display genuine interest in the person, what they do, and the industry you’re trying to go into. Remember, each interaction is a chance for you to gain information and insight that can help you tailor your resume, help you with answers in interviews, and even prepare you for conversations with other professionals within your industry. Landing the referral is just a bonus of developing genuine relationships.With the unemployment levels being so high, that means the market is quite competitive so networking is an even more vital part of your job search. Watch out for these mistakes and make some adjustments in your outreach to increase your chances of a response!This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @LayfieldResume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the seventieth installment of Tristan's Tips, our amazing host Tristan Layfield talks about advocating for yourself in the workplace. With everything going on in the world, many professionals are trying to find a way to make their voice heard, whether it be on the discomfort returning to the office during COVID-19 or challenging systemic issues linked to racism. It’s difficult to speak up, especially when you depend on your job so you can pay your bills and live your life. Remember, no one knows you better than you. It’s necessary that you speak up for yourself, your ideas, and your concerns!Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter. Links in order.http://bit.ly/2G7d6HKhttp://bit.ly/2XDcp3zhttp://bit.ly/2JEbg1Rhttp://bit.ly/2JCmKTzFind out how the CDC suggests you wash your hands by clicking here or below.https://bit.ly/2Ug4l5KHelp food banks respond to COVID-19. Learn more at FeedingAmerica.org.https://bit.ly/2WD73UkCheck out our website.https://bit.ly/living-corporateTRANSCRIPTTristan: What’s going on Living Corporate? It’s Tristan back again to bring you another career tip. This week I want to talk about advocating for yourself in the workplace.Many Black, Indigenous, and other professionals of color don’t often speak up for themselves or the injustices they see within the workplace out of fear of retribution. But with everything going on in the world, many professionals are trying to find a way to make their voice heard whether it be on the discomfort returning to the office during COVID-19 or challenging systemic issues linked to racism. It’s difficult to speak up, especially when you depend on your job so you can pay your bills and live your life. So I wanted to provide some tips on how to begin advocating in the workplace.The first thing to remember is that advocacy starts with you. I mean this in a couple of different ways. You first have to believe in yourself, your cause, and the fact that you deserve to be advocated for because if you aren’t firm in that belief, others won’t take it seriously and your attempts to advocate will be in vain. The second way I mean this is that you can’t advocate for others if you don’t know how to advocate for yourself. Before you start trying to advocate for others, take the time to learn how to do so for yourself. This will allow you to practice, boost your confidence, and help your find your advocacy voice. The first step in advocating is getting very clear on what the issue is. Remember that no one is a mind reader and oftentimes, people who aren’t affected by the issue have a hard time spotting it so it’s necessary to get clear on what is working and what isn’t. The next step is to develop potential solutions and present them alongside the issue. Don’t expect your boss to do the leg work because when you rely on someone else to develop solutions you could end up waiting a long time or they could also move forward with actions that don’t actually solve your problem. A major tip here is never, and I mean NEVER, ask for less in order to increase your chances of getting a yes. When you do this your boss isn’t actually aware that you are asking for less so you really only end up cheating yourself. Lastly, if you get denied don’t let that get you down. Figure out how to reframe your request or tailor it so you can build a better case.Remember no one knows you better than you. It’s necessary that you speak up for yourself, your ideas, and your concerns.This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @LayfieldResume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the sixty-ninth entry of Tristan's Tips, our amazing host Tristan Layfield discusses the impact of authenticity during your job search and career. A 2016 study published in the Administrative Science Quarterly showed that 25% of Black candidates received interview callbacks if their resumes were scrubbed of racial cues whereas only 10% of Black candidates got calls when they left ethnic details intact. While scrubbing your resume clearly produces results in securing jobs, if a company rules you out because of your name, your natural hair, or your Black organizational affiliations, or any other reason related to your race... is that really a company you’d want to work for?Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter. Links in order.http://bit.ly/2G7d6HKhttp://bit.ly/2XDcp3zhttp://bit.ly/2JEbg1Rhttp://bit.ly/2JCmKTzFind out how the CDC suggests you wash your hands by clicking here or below.https://bit.ly/2Ug4l5KHelp food banks respond to COVID-19. Learn more at FeedingAmerica.org.https://bit.ly/2WD73UkCheck out our website.https://bit.ly/living-corporateTRANSCRIPTTristan: What’s going on Living Corporate? It’s Tristan from Layfield Resume Consulting. This week, I’m not necessarily giving a tip but I wanted to discuss the impact of authenticity during your job search and career.Most Black and Brown professionals are well aware of bias they may experience throughout the job search because somewhere down the line we were taught that we needed to hide parts of ourselves to try to land the jobs that we want. From “whitening” our resume by not using our real name to switching up the way we speak during interviews, we are always aware (sometimes consciously and sometimes not) that our race can and most likely has played a factor in hiring decisions.Recently, I had a Black client who is a whole doctor ask me if she should use her real name on her resume for fear of how the recruiters and hiring managers would view her. I had another Black woman tell me that she didn’t want to take a new headshot for LinkedIn right now because she had in braids and she didn’t want potential employers to think she was “too ethnic.” I had another Black male client who asked me if highlighting his leadership with a professional Black organization would decrease his chances of getting calls for interviews.These are the types of questions and comments I hear from many of my Black clients and I completely get their concerns. A 2016 study published in the Administrative Science Quarterly showed that 25% of Black candidates received interview callbacks if their resumes were scrubbed of racial cues whereas only 10% of Black candidates got calls when they left ethnic details intact. The study even showed that you may be at an even greater risk for discrimination when applying to a pro-diversity employer because candidates tend to be more transparent. So the issue is very real and the tactics we’ve developed clearly produce results in getting us jobs. But I fear we may be setting ourselves up for a fairly tough work experience.The job search, interview, and even the first couple of days on the job are the times when you are laying the foundation of your relationship with the company and vice versa. When your foundation is based on the scrubbed version of you, I’ve found that you tend to get boxed into that version. I’ve seen this lead to us feeling like we’re not seen in the workplace or like we can’t truly be ourselves at work, a place where we spend large majority of our time. And when we decide it’s time to show true pieces of ourselves we start to get pushback from our colleagues and leadership that can take on many different forms, most typically having a negative impact on us. This produces an uncomfortable and, at times, unsafe work environment for us which puts us in a position where we feel we have to leave a company even though we may like the work we are doing.So when my clients ask me if they should present themselves differently to land a role, it’s always a hard question for me to answer because there are obviously risks on both sides. The data clearly shows the answer is yes but the lived experiences show how detrimental shrinking yourself for a job can be. So I always pose the question, if a company rules you out because of your name, your natural hair, or your Black organizational affiliations, or any other reason related to your race…is that really a company you’d want to work for?This episode was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @LayfieldResume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the sixty-eighth installment of Tristan's Tips, our amazing host Tristan Layfield talks about why you need to keep an eye on statements made (or not made) by your current employers and any potential employer you are considering. As Tristan says, "It’s necessary for our sanity and well-being that we position ourselves in spaces where we are welcomed, appreciated, and allowed to show up as our true selves so we can thrive." Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter. Links in order.http://bit.ly/2G7d6HKhttp://bit.ly/2XDcp3zhttp://bit.ly/2JEbg1Rhttp://bit.ly/2JCmKTzFind out how the CDC suggests you wash your hands by clicking here or below.https://bit.ly/2Ug4l5KHelp food banks respond to COVID-19. Learn more at FeedingAmerica.org.https://bit.ly/2WD73UkCheck out our website.https://bit.ly/living-corporateTRANSCRIPTTristan: Hey Living Corporate, It's Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I'm back to bring you another career tip. This week isn’t like all of the other weeks that I’ve come to you. We are in the middle of what many are calling riots but I prefer to call an uprising, rebellion, or revolt due to police brutality that has largely gone ignored and unpunished due to systemic racism and white supremacy. This has proven to be a call to action for many companies to step up and assert their stance on the matter. Some, like Ben and Jerry’s, have provided statements that show direct unwavering support. Others not so much. I want to talk about why you need to keep an eye on statements made (or not made) by your current employers and any potential employer you are considering.Over the last couple of years, a cornerstone and conversation starter in both the job search and corporate environments has been company culture. With large corporations trying to shift their narratives and the public’s opinion of them, this has largely been a tiring and frustrating dance for job seekers who are trying to understand how they may fit within a certain company. Our current social and political climate has required many companies to begin speaking out about their stance on police brutality, racism, systemic oppression, and white privilege. Many are rising to the occasion but many more companies and organizations are falling short. I believe the statement these companies and organizations are giving is a very good indicator of their current culture. Companies and organizations who are truly dedicated to the work of reforming an unjust system will have already put processes in place to build teams that can respond to this with the fervent passion and action that the moment calls for. The companies and organizations who simply created a diversity and inclusion statement because they felt pressured or see this work as trendy have provided tone-deaf statements that lack substance, action, and passion.Need an example of a great statement? Look to Ben & Jerry’s. For me, they set the standard of how a company responds when they truly values Black lives and the contributions of Black people within their company because they leave no room for doubt and ambiguity. They understand that the perceived risk of losing customers, members, partnerships, etc. does not outweigh the countless lives lost at the hands of an unjust system. I want to break down the key components:First and foremost, they called a spade a spade instead of skirting around the issue. They directly stated the words Black Lives Matter, police brutality, racism, and white supremacy. Personally, I’m side eyeing any statement that misses those 4 key words and phrases. If a company or organization can’t directly name their support, call out the oppressive system, and clearly state the things that led up to this moment they are likely to only be providing lip service with their Diversity and Inclusion or Social Justice initiatives.Second, they named many of our fall brothers and sisters including George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Oscar Grant, Eric Garner, Travyon Martin, and Michael Brown. They even took it all the way back to Emmet Till and provided some classy shade by including Martin Luther King Jr. as another victim of inhumane police brutality. Companies who are giving those generic statements know that saying these names directly can cause quite a stir so they avoid it similarly to how they avoid the words I previously talked about.Third, they say Black people instead of African American and they were sure to capitalize the B. You always, and I mean always, capitalize the B in Black when you are speaking about Black people. Also, I’m really apprehensive about people or organizations who state they are dedicated to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion work but are hesitant to say Black when referencing us.The Fourth and final point, they didn’t rely solely on their words but they tied them to action. They called for political, systemic, and structural changes. Words are cool but action is better. If the company or organization isn’t actively changing policies and implementing new ones, breaking partnerships with law enforcement, or donating to organizations doing the work I question how invested they are in the fight for true justice.Many companies or organizations have not made a statement or made a generic statement that only expresses vague solidarity with the Black community and eludes the specific of what is wrong, what needs to change, or in what ways they will do anything about it. If you are currently at one of those companies and feel you are in a position to speak up, do so in whatever way you feel is appropriate. If you don’t feel you can speak up, I’d encourage you to start reflecting on if this is a place you’d want to be and, honestly, if they even deserve to have you as part of their team. If you are ready to jump ship, there are plenty of Black resume writers and career coaches that are here to support you in this endeavor.While this time is truly a trying for each of us, if anything it has given us much clearer indicators to evaluate if companies and organizations are truly as dedicated to the work as they say they are or if they are only dedicated when they feel the pressure or because they believe it’s trendy. It’s necessary for our sanity and well-being that we position ourselves in space where are welcomed, appreciated, and allowed to show up as our true selves so we can thrive.This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @LayfieldResume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the sixty-seventh entry of Tristan's Tips, our amazing host Tristan Layfield talks about how you’re waiting too late to start your job search. For those of you saying you’re going to wait for the coronavirus pandemic to blow over, Tristan would strongly recommend you reconsider that strategy - listen to the full tip to find out why, and if you’re ready to get all your ducks in a row, land three times as many interviews and have options, apply for a suitability call with Tristan! Check out the show notes to find out more. Interested in applying for a suitability call? Find out more by clicking here or below:https://layfieldresume.lpages.co/careerlevelup/Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter! Links in order.http://bit.ly/2G7d6HKhttp://bit.ly/2XDcp3zhttp://bit.ly/2JEbg1Rhttp://bit.ly/2JCmKTzFind out how the CDC suggests you wash your hands by clicking here or below.https://bit.ly/2Ug4l5KHelp food banks respond to COVID-19. Learn more at FeedingAmerica.org.https://bit.ly/2WD73UkCheck out our website.https://bit.ly/living-corporateTRANSCRIPTTristan: What's going on, Living Corporate?! It's Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I'm back to bring you another career tip. This week I want to talk about how you’re waiting too late to start your job search.Take a moment to think about when you start looking for a job. There are typically 4 scenarios:1. When you get fired2. When you get laid off3. When you are fed up with your job4. When you’re bored or ready to move to the next levelThe first two are the worst, you’re immediately pushed into job searching if you’re fired or laid off. You become desperate to find a job because you need to be able able to pay the bills and take care of yourself and that unemployment just isn’t going to cut it. But desperation is never a good thing in a job search and we’ll talk about why in a minute.The second two, being fed up with your job and being bored or ready to move to the next level, while not great, are better positions to be in because you are still employed. Many hiring managers and recruiters tend to favor what they call “passive” job seekers, A.K.A. people they know that are currently employed. There’s an underlying assumption that if someone is working right now that they are creating value for their employer and have up-to-date skills. So while your situation may not be the greatest you get the benefit of the doubt from recruiters and hiring managers.But what happens when that benefit of the doubt goes away?You may think your job is secure, but odds are it's not. You may think your company is going to bring you back from furlough, but the reality is most of these companies can’t afford to hire back all of their employees. So what happens then?You fall into the same act of desperation as those that were fired and laid off. Recruiters, hiring managers, and the people you call yourself networking with can all feel the desperation. This makes you less likely to be able to build your network, gain referrals, and get hired.That’s why the best time to search for a job is when you already have one or simply when you don’t need one. Things aren’t happening in a rushed timeframe then which means that that desperation is non-existent. During this time you’re actually able to start building valuable relationships, putting feelers out for what type of roles are out there, and make advocates out of the people who want to help, which I call career boosters. If you play your cards right you may even become the bachelor or bachelorette of your job search with multiple companies vying for your attention.But much of that goes out the window if you wait too long to start your job search. So for those of you saying you’re going to wait for the coronavirus pandemicc to blow over, I’d strongly recommend you reconsider that strategy. First, you don’t know what is going to happen tomorrow. Second, if you decide to wait you won’t be any more prepared than you are now plus you’ll have quite a bit more competition. Many of which will have taken this time to get prepared.So if you’re ready to get all your ducks in a row, land 3x more interviews, and have options I want o to invite you to book a suitability call for my career LEVEL UP program. Together, we’ll identify your value or what makes you different from everyone else doing this work. We’ll then package that up together in a results-driven resume and optimized LinkedIn profile. And most importantly, we’ll put a proven networking plan in place to not only build but engage and leverage your network to get you 3x more interviews.So, if you’re interested in this program make sure to book a suitability call utilizing the link in the show notes.This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @LayfieldResume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.Career Level Up Suitability Call: https://layfieldresume.lpages.co/careerlevelup/

On the sixty-sixth installment of Tristan's Tips, our amazing host Tristan Layfield explains why your LinkedIn profiles alone won't get recruiters or hiring managers in your inbox. He runs through a couple pieces of advice to help your LinkedIn gain some traction and really stresses the importance of being actively engaged on the platform - remember, LinkedIn is all about developing organic relationships, but you can't do that if you aren't interacting with other people's content. Looking for a coherent strategy on how to unlock the power of LinkedIn? Utilize the link in the show notes to book a suitability call with Tristan!Interested in applying for a suitability call? Find out more: https://bit.ly/35WCQSVConnect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter. Links in order:http://bit.ly/2G7d6HKhttp://bit.ly/2XDcp3zhttp://bit.ly/2JEbg1Rhttp://bit.ly/2JCmKTzFind out how the CDC suggests you wash your hands by clicking below.https://bit.ly/2Ug4l5KHelp food banks respond to COVID-19. Learn more at FeedingAmerica.org.https://bit.ly/2WD73UkCheck out our website.https://bit.ly/living-corporateTRANSCRIPTTristan: What's going on, Living Corporate?! It's Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I'm back to bring you another career tip. This week I want to talk to you about why your LinkedIn profile alone won’t get recruiters or hiring managers in your inbox.You’ve tried to utilize LinkedIn to land your next role, but it hasn’t been working for you and you don’t know why. You heard that LinkedIn was the place to be for job seekers. You've heard the stories of people landing jobs through the platform. So you updated your profile pic, copied and pasted your summary and job descriptions from your resume, added your education, and BOOM you have an "All-Star" profile which LinkedIn states can get you up to 27x more views. You then take some time to connect with quite a few people and signed off.A couple of days pass, then those days turn into weeks. You finally decide to sign back in, but you've got nothing but maybe a few connection requests from people you may or may not know. You start thinking: What is the hype all about? Why am I not getting any jobs?Well, the problem is you’re not using LinkedIn correctly. You aren't liking, commenting, sharing, and posting on the platform — yet you want to be seen. See the disconnect?LinkedIn’s algorithm prioritizes engagement, not profile completion. That 27x more views only applies to people who actively post on LinkedIn. Think about it, when you get on the platform and you start to scroll, you typically will see posts from the same people. Why is that? That’s because those people know that LinkedIn rewards value-based engagement. And what do I mean by that? I meant insightful posts, not just dropping an article without commenting. I mean taking the time to comment on others’ posts to add value and spark conversation, not just commenting great article. I mean sharing other’s people’s posts and adding insight. I mean writing articles to share your work, lessons, and takeaways that position you as a thought leader.Most people will tell me, well I don’t know what to post or I’m scared because my boss or potential employers are on the platform. But let me tell you something, you not putting yourself out there is the exact reason that potential employers can’t find you on the platform.Learn how to take what you do in your day-to-day work and incorporate it on the platform. This does one of two things. First, it keeps the process of identifying content from becoming too burdensome. Second, it also keeps your messaging on brand or on topic.The next thing you want to do is to consider how often and in what ways you are engaging with other people’s content. Remember, LinkedIn is all about developing organic relationships but you can’t do that if you aren’t interacting with other people’s content.If any of what I described resonated with you and you are looking for a coherent strategy on how to unlock the power of LinkedIn, I invite you to utilize the link in the show notes to book a suitability call with me for my new career LEVEL UP coaching program.This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @LayfieldResume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the sixty-fifth entry of Tristan's Tips, our amazing host Tristan Layfield is back with some career advice geared around taking back control of your job search. Listen to the full tip to hear what Tristan believes to be the key to doing so, and if you’re tired of going through the same old process to get the same results and you want a cohesive and coherent job search strategy that will guarantee you 3x more interviews, apply for a suitability call using the link in the show notes!Interested in applying for a suitability call? Find out more by clicking below:https://bit.ly/35WCQSVConnect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter.Find out how the CDC suggests you wash your hands by clicking here.Help food banks respond to COVID-19. Learn more at FeedingAmerica.org.Check out our website.TRANSCRIPTTristan: What's going on, Living Corporate?! It's Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I'm back to bring you another career tip. This week I want to talk to you about taking back control of your job search.With the average person changing jobs nearly 12 times over the course of their career, job hunting is a survival skill. Unfortunately, many of us were never taught how to search for a job appropriately, especially Black and Brown people. When I started my career I had no clue what I was doing. I knew I needed a resume and to apply for jobs but I honestly had no idea how to go after the roles I wanted. I knew I had the skills, I knew I could do the job, but I didn’t know how to adequately convey that in my resume, while networking, or during my interviews.I would apply for TONS of jobs, sometimes multiple jobs at the same company. I would sit and I would wait to hear back, but you and I both know how that worked out. Most of them, beyond the confirmation that I applied, never even responded. My job search used to drag on for months and eventually I would get desperate… which is a bad thing because employers can smell that and they prey on it.There was a point where I took a job in retail as a temporary solution while I was searching for another job. 3 months passed, then 6 months passed, next thing I know I looked up and it had been a year I was still in that job and had only gone on a handful of interviews for jobs I was in no way, shape, or form interested in. I got tired of waiting for these employers and letting fate decide my future so I decided that it was time to take matters into my own hands.I learned that I needed to get really clear on the type of role I wanted. This allowed me to understand the transferrable skills and the value I could bring to the position. Then I could convey that in a results-driven resume and in my optimized LinkedIn profile and utilize both of those to build a network of career boosters. That, my friend, is the key. Your network is going to help you get to where you’re trying to go. 80% of recruiters and hiring managers agree that a referral is the best way to find a qualified candidate. So you want to build a network of career boosters who are going to help you get to that next step and potentially even give you the referral that you need to get the role that you want. If you’re tired of doing the same process to get the same results and you want a cohesive and coherent job search strategy that will guarantee you 3x more interviews, I suggest you apply for a suitability call using the link in the show notes so we can talk about where your job search process currently is and where we can take it to.This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @LayfieldResume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

The month of May is Mental Health Awareness Month and this month's theme is dedicated to taking the #maskoff (figuratively). In this episode, we invited special guest Tristan Layfield of Layfield Resume Consulting to discuss "how-to" pivot in a pandemic including job hunting tips, resume tricks and beyond !! #CoronaChronicles We're also discussing various mental health related topics, while also sharing some of our most vulnerable moments as we continue discussing the "side effects" of COVID-19 and how we're personally coping in the midst of this pandemic. Call to action: Be intentional #dothework! Update your resume, LinkedIn and mocked interviews (consider hiring Tristan) Network (even virtually) Find our more about Tristan @ https://layfieldresume.com/ Apply for his new program here: https://layfieldresume.lpages.co/careerlevelup/ Follow The Podcast Website: Website: boldblackgirls.com Twitter @Boldblackgirls Instagram:@Boldblackgirls Facebook Apple Podcast Anchor Leave A Review Are you enjoying the BOLD Black Girls podcast, please share your thoughts with the world by leaving a review and 5 star rating on iTunes today! We would enjoy reading and sharing your comments on the podcast. Let’s Work Together The BOLD Black Girls, is a Podcast by and for Black women, and those that support the equity, inclusion, and advancement of Black women. We will laugh and sometimes cry together, all while Building a community of support, Organizing safe spaces for courageous conversations, and promoting the Learning, and Development of Black women. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/boldblackgirls/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/boldblackgirls/support

On the sixty-fourth installment of Tristan's Tips, our amazing host Tristan Layfield discusses how we can prepare for the pandemic-related questions we may get during job interviews. He breaks down four different questions you could be asked relating to COVID-19 and shares how he would answer them if he were in our shoes. Since the onset of the coronavirus, the pandemic has made a cameo in the majority of conversations that we’ve had. With that being the case, there’s no reason to think that our job interview won’t be another area where it will rear its head!Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter.Find out how the CDC suggests you wash your hands by clicking here.Help food banks respond to COVID-19. Learn more at FeedingAmerica.org.Visit our website.TRANSCRIPTTristan: What's going on, Living Corporate?! It's Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I'm back to bring you another career tip. This week I want to talk to you about how you can prepare for pandemic-related questions you may get during interviews.Since the onset of the coronavirus, the pandemic has made a cameo in the majority of conversations that we’ve had. With that being the case, there’s no reason to think that our job interview won’t be another area where Ms. Rona will rear her head. A news editor named Andrew Seaman reached out to the LinkedIn community to understand what type of questions may be asked in interviews in the near future and how to answer them. I want to take a moment to share some of that information with you all.So the first question you may receive is, “What have you learned about yourself during the pandemic?” This could be a follow-up question to the dreaded “Tell me about yourself.” If an interviewer asks this question, they are usually trying to gauging your emotional intelligence. They want to know how you handle a crisis and the emotions that come with those situations. If I were to answer this I would probably say something along the lines of ‘The pandemic taught me that during highly stressful times, building solid routines not only decreased my anxiety but made it easier for me to get into the work I need to do and be more productive.” The next question might be “Can you do the job while working from home?” Since the majority of companies are still required to do work remotely it’s likely that any new people they offer positions to would have to be onboarded virtually. Since this will become part of the new normal, they want to know you have not only the capabilities but the resources to work from home. Let them know if you have a dedicated workspace, if you have experience working from home, or what steps you’ve taken to be able to ensure you can complete a normal workday while being at home.Then we have the question of “Are you willing to work from an office when the pandemic is over?” Since many company work-from-home policies are temporary, you should definitely be prepared for this question. If you aren’t looking to go back into the office, I’d suggest looking for roles clearly advertised as “remote.”The last question they discussed is “How have you been spending your time?” I’m personally not a fan of this question because I think we are all experiencing a stressful historical event and many of us have consciously or unconsciously moved into a space of survival. But seeing as how many companies and organizations fail to recognize the humanity in that, they will ask this question to get an idea of how you deal with stress and if can still operate to provide value to the company during that time. They are looking to see if you’ve been volunteering, taking online classes, or learning new skills. If you haven’t, please don’t beat yourself up too bad. Talk about how you’ve been really targeted in your job search and getting focused on what you want from the next step in your career.This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @LayfieldResume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the sixty-third entry of Tristan's Tips, our amazing host Tristan Layfield talks to us about what to do if we get laid off. Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, over 26.5 million Americans have filed for unemployment. We are seeing numbers that we haven't seen since the Great Depression. Losing your job is never an easy thing to go through, but remember that there is nothing to be ashamed about. This is only a small part of your story and it won't last forever!Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter.Find out how the CDC suggests you wash your hands by clicking here.Help food banks respond to COVID-19. Learn more at FeedingAmerica.org.Visit our website.TRANSCRIPTTristan: What's going on, Living Corporate?! It's Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I'm back to bring you another career tip. This week I want to talk to you about what to do if you get laid off.Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic over 26.5 million Americans have filed for unemployment. We are seeing numbers that we haven't seen since the Great Depression. To some degree, we all knew that companies could eliminate our positions, but this has become a reality for far too many people who didn't expect it. So let's discuss the steps you should take if you have been or get laid off.First, grieve and take a moment to deal with your emotions. We're human; we're going to feel some type of way after we've been laid off. If you don't take some time to feel your feels, they will come back to bite you at some point.Second, file for unemployment and deal with your finances. Some people may cringe at this, but in times like these, we have to let go of our egos and do what's best to keep us on our feet. Though it's not a full paycheck, it will help you keep some money in your account while you search for the next opportunity. Plus right now in the US, you will get an extra $600 per week in unemployment due to the pandemic. Also, be sure to take a look at your bills to see what you can but back on like different subscription services. When it comes to utilities and other bills, make sure to call companies because many of them are waiving or delaying payments with no penalty at this time.Third, do some market reach to understand what companies are hiring and what type of roles are out there. I know it may not seem like it, but there are still tons of employers who need the talent and skillsets you will bring to the table. This will also help you figure out what next step you might want to make in your career. Doing this research upfront will help you with some of the other tasks as well.Next, update your resume and LinkedIn. Really focus on your transferrable skillsets that relate to the roles you identified in the step before. Also, be sure to highlight your ability to leverage and adapt to new technology as this is something most companies are contending with right now. On your LinkedIn profile, be sure to turn on the job-seeking settings including "Open for New Opportunities." This can help you be seen by recruiters and hiring managers on the platform.Then I'd suggest you start building your network. Of course, you want to do this virtually now utilizing LinkedIn, email, Zoom, and other tools. But this step is essential. Even though more companies will be turning to their job postings to help fill roles, those will be very competitive and we know that referrals are the most proven way to land a role. Do some research and target people one to two levels above where you want to go because they're going to be the decision-makers. Make sure while you're cultivating these relationships that you stay focused on where you can provide value to the person that you want to help you.After that, start acquiring new skills. Once we get on the other side of this pandemic, there will be an influx of new opportunities. Prepare yourself by taking some online courses or certifications so you can ensure you will be considered as a highly qualified candidate.Lastly, try your hardest to maintain a positive mindset and attitude. I know it's easier said than done, but stress and anxiety not only have a negative effect on your health but also your job search. So make sure you're taking care of yourself and doing things that bring you joy. Reach out and talk to someone. And remember to be patient with yourself and the process.Losing your job is never an easy thing to go through, but remember that there is nothing to be ashamed about. This is only a small part of your story and it won't last forever.This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @LayfieldResume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the sixty-second installment of Tristan's Tips, our amazing host Tristan Layfield explains why you need to get selective in your job search. He also shares his three main steps to an effective job search. Be sure to follow them - doing so gives you more control over the process, and you’ll land more interviews and ultimately the role you want!Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter.Find out how the CDC suggests you wash your hands by clicking here.Help food banks respond to COVID-19. Learn more at FeedingAmerica.org.Visit our website.TRANSCRIPTTristan: What's going on, Living Corporate?! It's Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I'm back to bring you another career tip. This week I want to talk to you about why you need to get selective in your job search.Since we are in the middle of a pandemic with tens of millions of people that are now unemployed, I know that sounds counterintuitive. But when we start to job search in panic, when tend to start casting a wide net. We think the more jobs that we apply to, the higher our chances of landing the role. While, yes, you maybe be able to get a job, let’s talk about why you won’t get the job you want.First, Odds are you aren’t tailoring your resume. But we know that applicant tracking software weeds out 75% of applicants due to a lack of keywords specific to that job.Second, studies show that when you apply online in the US, you have less than a 2% chance of landing the job.Couple that with the fact that only 20% of jobs are filled through online job boards.Based on those numbers, it’s pretty clear that the traditional job search strategies you were taught are failing you. If you’re tired of not hearing back from potential employers, you have to rethink how you approach your search.There are 3 main steps to an effective job search:First, gain a clear understanding of what you bring to the table. This allows you to narrow down what skills you want to exercise. It also helps you to efficiently and effectively convey your value on your resume, in your LinkedIn profile, while networking, and during interviews.Second, Understand how to properly package that up to get past computer software and stand out to hiring managers. You don’t want all of your efforts to go to waste because you didn’t optimize your resume appropriately or showcase the results you’ve driven on your LinkedIn profile.The third and most important step is to actively and intentionally build a network of career boosters to help you along the way. We know that this is the best way to actually land a role, yet many of us are either too afraid to actually do it or don’t know how.Remember, it’s not always the most qualified person that gets the role, often it’s the person that knows the most about the job search. By taking these steps to redesign your job search process, not only will you have more control, but you’ll land more interviews and ultimately the role you want. If you need some assistance with this, reach out to me and let’s talk.This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @LayfieldResume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the sixty-first entry of Tristan's Tips, our amazing host Tristan Layfield talks about how you can build and maintain relationships with co-workers while we work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the hardest things to do when you and your team aren’t in the same location is to build and maintain relationships - let's be real, it's difficult enough when you're all in the same office. Actively cultivating those relationships could help you position yourself as a valuable player on the team though, so make sure you listen to the full show and utilize Tristan's advice!Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter.Find out how the CDC suggests you wash your hands by clicking here.Help food banks respond to COVID-19. Learn more at FeedingAmerica.org.Visit our website.TRANSCRIPTTristan: What's going on, Living Corporate?! It's Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I'm back to bring you another career tip. This week I want to talk about how you can build and maintain relationships with coworkers while working from home.I’ve been working from home for over 8 years now and I know one of the hardest things to do when you and your team aren’t in the same location is to build and maintain relationships. Let’s be real, it’s difficult enough when you all are in the same office. But during such a trying time, actively cultivating those relationships could help you position yourself as a valuable player on the team. So here are a few tips on how to do just that: 1. Send a morning instant message - now I wouldn't recommend doing this for every coworker every day, but I'd suggest that you rotate coworkers. Ask them how they're doing, see what they're working on, or just let them know that you're there if they need anything.2. Check-in via email - Set a schedule to check in with some of your team members weekly or biweekly. Ask them how the transition is going and if they need any assistance with anything.3. Set up a video chat - Maybe invite your team to have morning coffee or tea for 10-15 minutes over Skype, Zoom, or WebEx. This provides an opportunity for you all to catch up and still build community. You might even be able to identify some issues that you can easily solve and position yourself as an emerging leader. 4. Teach them - even though we are a few weeks into working from home, undoubtedly, there are people on your team that are still having issues with some of the remote tools they now have to use. Shoot an email out to the team to see what issues they are having and set up a training session to teach them how to utilize the platforms. By making the team a priority, you'll show leadership that not only are you a team player, but you're invested in the success of the business. Also, don’t forget to include these efforts on your annual performance review!This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @LayfieldResume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the sixtieth entry of Tristan's Tips, our amazing host Tristan Layfield is back to talk about how to figure out which companies are hiring during the coronavirus pandemic. Make sure to take advantage of the resource Tristan mentions - it's a new tool that is tracking the hiring status of over 5,000 companies. Check it out in the show notes!Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter.Utilize the tool Tristan mentioned in the episode by clicking here.Find out how the CDC suggests you wash your hands by clicking here.Help food banks respond to COVID-19. Learn more at FeedingAmerica.org.Visit our website.TRANSCRIPTTristan: What's going on, Living Corporate?! It's Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I'm back to bring you another career tip. This week I want to talk about how to figure out which companies are hiring during the coronavirus pandemic.One of the first questions people asked me when the stay at home orders started to go into place was, "are companies even going to be hiring during this time?" Well, the answer to that question is yes. Similar to pre-COVID times, there are going to be companies that are hiring and those that are not. However, during COVID, the hiring process for many companies will continue to fluctuate, so it's much more difficult to assess their status in our current job market. That's brought up another very important question, how do I find out if a company is hiring during this time?Conventional knowledge would tell us to just do a quick search on a job posting website and see if the company has any posting up. While that somewhat worked previously, that may not be the most effective method now. See, many companies were hiring before the pandemic, but now they are not. Many of them haven't taken the time to remove any old or irrelevant job postings so they could still be floating around out there. With that said, if you see a job posting out there that you are very interested in, but you aren't sure if the company is hiring, the best thing you could do is move forward as if they are. You'd hate to count yourself out of the process simply because you assumed they weren't hiring.On the other side of this, many people are looking for some sort of reference point to figure out where to concentrate their job search efforts. Luckily the co-founder of Candor, a website that helps with negotiating offers, has created a new tool that is tracking the hiring status of over 5,000 companies. This 100% user-generated list tells us whether those companies are hiring, have hiring freezes, are laying people off, or even if they've rescinded offers. You can also add the status of your own company. To access the tool go to candor.co/hiring-freezes.This tool is in no way an end all be all, but it was designed in an effort to make things a bit easier during these crazy times. I hope it helps you during your job search process!This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @LayfieldResume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the fifty-ninth installment of Tristan's Tips, our amazing host Tristan Layfield is back to talk about how the struggle is real and how we all need to give ourselves grace as we navigate this pandemic. While work may be a coping mechanism for many, there are quite a few of us that feel overwhelmed and stuck. We're all experiencing something that the majority of us have never experienced in our lives and hopefully never will again. Remember, resilience is not time-bound. In stillness, we can find peace.Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter.Find out how the CDC suggests you wash your hands by clicking here.Help food banks respond to COVID-19. Learn more at FeedingAmerica.org.Visit our website.TRANSCRIPTTristan: What's going on, Living Corporate?! It's Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I'm back to bring you not necessarily a tip but more of a personal testimony. This week, I want to talk about how the struggle is real and how we all need to give ourselves grace (shoutout to my best friend who has said this to me at least 100 times the last week or so).As a self-diagnosed hypochondriac, COVID-19 has my anxiety on 1,000. I’ve struggled getting started in the morning, my focus is at record lows, and all I’ve wanted to do is sit and process. Over the last couple of weeks, the narrative we’ve all been hearing from LLC Twitter and Instagramprenuers is that now is the time to be productive. Each time I logged in, no matter the platform, I felt this overwhelming sense of shame. Like I wasn’t doing enough or not taking advantage of this time enough. But I literally have not had the energy to continue with business as normal.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀So, I’m calling BS. While I get that work may be a coping mechanism for many, there are quite a few of us that feel overwhelmed and stuck. We're all experiencing something that the majority of us have never experienced in our lives (and hopefully never will again). It’s okay to give yourself grace.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀This pandemic has thrown us into a whirlwind of uncertainty, and many of us are experiencing loss in more ways than one.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀I'm here to tell you; it's okay to grieve…⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀…that graduation…that job you lost…that opportunity you lost…your dwindling savings…your birthday plans…that trip you had planned…physical contact…that person you lost…your freedom...all of those things⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Grief is not a linear process, and I encourage you to take the time to sit still, feel the feels, and process your thoughts. Being still right now doesn't mean you are wasting this time, in fact, I think that many of the people who are acting as if it is business, as usual, are doing so because they don’t know how to process or handle stillness. All of us have been ingrained with a sense of urgency and have tied productivity into our worth. This may be the first and only time in our lives where we as a collective can sit, process, reflect, and just be.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Create time and space for you to unpack and process what’s going on and how it is affecting you. Once I gave myself that time, I’ve found it has opened up more mental and emotional space to be productive because I’ve been able to focus on the things I can control.Remember, resilience is not time-bound. In stillness, we can find peace. Be kind to yourself, stay inside, and stay safe.If you want to connect with me, check me out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @LayfieldResume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the fifty-eighth entry of Tristan's Tips, our amazing host Tristan Layfield shares some helpful advice with us to help pivot our job searches during the pandemic. With COVID-19 changing the way that we do pretty much everything, that means that we are constantly having to shift and adjust right now. One of the major areas impacted will be your job search, so let’s jump into a few tips on how to shift.Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter.Find out how the CDC suggests you wash your hands by clicking here.Help food banks respond to COVID-19. Learn more at FeedingAmerica.org.Visit our website.TRANSCRIPTTristan: What's going on, Living Corporate?! It's Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I'm back to bring you another career tip. With COVID-19 changing the way that we do pretty much everything, that means that we are constantly having to shift and adjust right now. One of the major areas impacted will be your job search. So let’s jump into a few tips on how to shift.First, when searching for jobs you want to consider which industries will be adversely impacted and what industries will be positively impacted. Industries you might want to reconsider right now include Retail, Event Planning, Film, Live Sports, Restaurants, Automobile, and Travel & Transportation companies including airlines, cruise lines, trains, hotels, Airbnb, Uber, Lyft, etc. Now there are some industries that will boom or transcend the isolation during this time including Tech Companies like Zoom, Amazon, Stream Services, News Companies, Healthcare technology like telemedicine, and even tax companies since all of us will need to file and most of us will be looking for virtual options.With everything transitioning to a virtual platform, that means online applications and your LinkedIn profile are becoming increasingly important. Now anyone who knows me knows that I usually tell my clients that online applications are not the best way to land a job but right now, they are quite important. So we need to be very diligent about tailoring our resume to each and every job to ensure we make it past the applicant tracking software. You can utilize tools like the website jobscan.io to identify keywords and infuse them into your document.Now is also the time to optimize your LinkedIn profile. Since most of us have started social distancing and working from home I’ve been seeing an uptick of activity on the platform from recruiters and hiring managers. Take the time to update your picture, header image, headline, experience, and other sections to make yourself competitive. If you can, utilize this time to start building relationships on the platform and build a contact list of people to reach out to once some of this settles down.The last thing I want to talk about is interviewing. If you were in the middle of an interview process when all of this began, I would suggest reaching out with compassion to let them know that you are still interested and willing to transition to a virtual platform to make this process easier for them. Moving forward, your interviews will more than likely be virtual and virtual interviews present their own unique challenges, many of which Latesha addressed on her Link Up a couple of weekends ago and I’d really encourage you to go back and listen to it. The only additional virtual interview tip I would provide is to record yourself answering your questions. This will give you an opportunity to practice your answers, check your body language, and ensure your audio and visual quality.Things are shifting and changing really rapidly. If you need some assistance making the adjustments make sure to reach out to me!This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @LayfieldResume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the fifty-seventh entry of Tristan's Tips, our amazing host Tristan Layfield is back to help us maximize our productivity if we're working from home. COVID-19 has flipped the way we work on its on head. Many places are shutting down and the majority of those that aren’t closing are moving to a work from home model, and transitioning to working from home can prove to be a much more difficult task than you may think, so be sure to listen to the full show to hear all of Tristan's advice!Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter.Visit our website.TRANSCRIPTTristan: What's going on, Living Corporate?! It's Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I'm back to bring you another career tip. The COVID-19 coronavirus has flipped the way we work on its on head. Many places are shutting down and the majority of those that aren’t closing are moving to a work from home model. Transitioning to working from home can prove to be a much more difficult task than you may think, so I wanted to provide a few tips to help you be as productive as possible during this time.1) Create a morning routine - since you’re going to be living and working in the same place for some time, setting a morning routine can help you get into the mindset to work. Also, still get dressed! As much as I’d love to be lounging around in sweatpants, I found that when I first began working from home I would have a much harder time staying focused if I was in my chill attire. After some time, you may be able to get a little lax on that.2) Set a schedule - during this time structure is going to be your best friend. Set designated work times and be sure to discuss these times with everyone in your household so you are on the same page and you can try to get work done uninterrupted. Sometimes it’s really hard to break yourself away from work when you aren’t in an office setting so be sure to schedule breaks throughout the day. This includes lunch! Take that time to eat, go for a walk, do an activity to decompress, whatever you want to do….just don’t skip it!3) Set up a designated space to work - like I said in #1, you’ll be living and working in the same space. It’s best to try to separate social and rest areas from work spaces to get you mentally prepared to work and not be tempted to nap. Set up your space in a way to mimic your standard workflow when you’re in the office to help you boost your productivity.4) Avoid TV - no seriously, I know it’s tempting, but you’ll more than likely get sucked in, and productivity will be low. Save it for breaks and really after you’re done for the day.5) Mute your phone on conference and video calls when you’re not speaking. No one wants to hear background noise, you randomly burping, or screaming at your kid to get down from there. This makes sure you’re not a disruption on the call and that you don’t embarrass yourself.6) Use headphones when video conferencing - it’s usually easier for people to hear you, for you to hear them, and it stops feedback when you unmute your mic to speak.7) Get coffee and snacks - a lot of people who work in offices are used to coffee and snacks being readily available (like that cake in the break room), so when you’re doing your shopping be sure to include these on your list to keep you motivated throughout the day.8) Speak up more than you normally would in meetings - since you’re not physically present, you’ll want to make your presence known by being a bit more vocal than you normally would. Talk a bit more on the conference calls. Check in a bit more via slack or email. Let your leadership know you’re showing up during this time and getting the work done. But don’t confuse that with continually checking in or being overbearing on calls, there’s a balance just try to find yours.9) When you sign off, actually sign off - it’s really easy to get sucked into working long hours when you work from home especially since we are all social distancing and there’s not much going on. During this time, it’s essential that create space for yourself to decompress, relax, and turn off work-related notifications like Slack, Email, and other work-related apps.I know the last couple of weeks have been crazy, but I hope these tips help you create a sense of normalcy during this time to help you get a bit more focused and productive while working from home.This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @LayfieldResume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the fifth-sixth installment of Tristan's Tips, our amazing host Tristan Layfield addresses a handful of work-related issues we should think about as we combat the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. He implores us to discuss corporate emergency policies with our employers, check our sick and paid off time totals, and wash our hands frequently. Make sure you listen to the full show to hear the rest of what Tristan has to say!Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter.Visit our website.TRANSCRIPTTristan: What's going on, Living Corporate?! It's Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I'm back to bring you another career tip. This week, we’ve had some crazy news coming out about the COVID-19 coronavirus and I wanted to discuss a couple of things that we should think about when it comes to work.If you haven’t started discussing your company’s corporate emergency policies with your boss, you should definitely start initiating that conversation. Try to get clarity on work from home, sick, and internal communication policies so you know what your options are, how you can communicate with the organization, and how they will communicate any news to you.When you get a moment, check your sick and paid time off totals. Many people have to self-isolate if they come into contact with the virus and according to new reports some companies are requiring people to use sick or paid time off during that time. Also, you’ll want to know how much time off you may have just in case you need to care of someone during this time.If you do have to go into the office, make sure to wash your hands frequently. We’ve all seen those coworkers who go to the restroom and leave without a bit of soap or water touching those hands. To protect yourself, the CDC suggests that you wash your hands with soap and water for 20 secs or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content, and avoid touching your face/nose as much as possible.If you have children take the time to determine a contingency for childcare. Some daycares and schools may need to shut down while you still need to go to work, try to figure out an alternative childcare method just in case.⠀There’s also been many reports of large gatherings being canceled and more and more things closing during this time. So what I’ve been thinking about is preparing for disruption in my everyday life. So I’ve been refilling prescriptions, buying groceries, especially non-perishables, and getting some basic medicine like aspirin, Tylenol, NyQuil, and liquids. I’ve also been cutting back on non-essential travel just as a precaution.I hope you find these tips helpful and that they make you feel a little more informed and prepared!This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @LayfieldResume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the fifty-fifth entry of Tristan's Tips, our amazing host Tristan Layfield talks about why you should think of yourself as a product throughout your job search. He explains how the process that companies use when marketing their products to us is no different from the job search process and stresses the importance of building your own unique career value propositions showcasing how you are the solution to your potential employer's issue.Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter!Visit our website!TRANSCRIPTTristan: What's going on, Living Corporate?! It's Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I'm back to bring you another career tip. This week I want to talk about why you should think of yourself as a product throughout your job search. Most of the time, when we end up buying items, it's because the company has heavily marketed to us. Which means the company has a value proposition that resonated with us. They took the time to understand a problem their target consumer may be having, they then built a product to address that issue. From there, they clearly identified and articulated the benefits in a targeted and intentional marketing campaign that eventually converted you, which means they got you to buy that product. That process is no different from the job search process. When employers post positions, it is because there is a particular problem that the person filling that position is going to help them solve. To land the role, we have to build our own unique career value proposition showcasing how we are the solution to their issue. So you, as the job seeker need to identify that problem by reviewing their job description and doing a few Googles to really understand what they need assistance with. Then you have to take the time to understand what skills, abilities, and expertise you have that could help them solve that issue. From there, you need to identify and advertise the value you've driven and the most relevant skills, abilities, and expertise in a targeted and intentional resume, LinkedIn, and networking strategy. This process showcases the perceived benefits a potential employer can get from you and how they outweigh their perceived costs or risks from hiring and onboarding you. This motivates them to select you as the candidate, a.k.a. buy your product.If you have some issues figuring out what your unique career value proposition is, I'm launching a program that will not only help you uncover that but walk you through how to leverage it in your resume, LinkedIn, and networking strategies. Reach out to me on social or via email at tristan@layfieldresume.com.This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting (if you didn't know it by now). Check us out on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @LayfieldResume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the fifty-fourth installment of Tristan's Tips, our amazing host Tristan Layfield adds on to last week’s tip by discussing the types of people you’ll encounter when you're reaching out for informational interviews and how you want to approach them. He lists the three kinds you'll generally run into and offers up a couple great pieces of advice, such as to ensure that at least 50% of the words in the email you send are about the person you're speaking with. People love to discuss themselves and their careers, so don't hesitate to take advantage!Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter!Visit our website!TRANSCRIPTTristan: What’s going on, Living Corporate?! It’s Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I’m back to bring you another career tip. This week I want to add on to last week’s tip. Let’s discuss the type of people you’ll encounter when you're reaching out for informational interviews and how you want to approach them.When you are reaching out to people to request informational interviews, you’re typically going to run into 3 type of people: those who don’t respond, those who feel obligated, and those who want to help you. Those who don’t respond are the people who could care less about what you’re looking for or trying to do. Those who feel obligated may be a friend, your family, or a friend of a friend. Really anyone who may have a sense of obligation to help you even though they really don’t want to. They might set up a meeting, cancel as it gets closer, and ghost you when you’re trying to reschedule. When you are reaching out, you’re searching for those who want to help, the people I call the advocates. But, unfortunately, that’s only about 20% of the population, which means you are going to have to be persistent and put in some work to find those people. You’ll know if you’ve found them because they typically respond within about 3 business days and seem interested in a phone conversation.But many of us are approaching these people incorrectly. Conventional wisdom tells us that we need to sell ourselves in the initial contact to get their attention, but let me tell you what’s wrong with that. There is a time and a place to sell yourself. However, the initial contact isn’t that place to do so. When you do, you put that person in what I like to call a “market mindset,” meaning they begin looking for some return on the investment of their time, which you, unfortunately as a job seeker, more than likely won’t be able to provide. Instead, you want to tap into that person’s natural desire to help people, their altruism. You do that by asking for a favor instead of selling yourself. Since the advocates naturally want to help you, you need to play into that. So ask if you can have a few moments of their time and ensure that at least 50% of the words in the email you send are about them. People love to discuss themselves and their careers.This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @LayfieldResume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the fifty-third entry of Tristan's Tips, our amazing host Tristan Layfield discusses how you can find contacts to request informational interviews so you can hopefully land that referral. Remember, 80% of recruiters and hiring managers agree that referrals are the best way to find a qualified candidate - but what happens when you don't have a connection at the company or companies that you want to work for? That's where informational interviews can come in handy, so make sure to listen to the full episode to learn about both methods Tristan recommends when it comes to finding and reaching out to someone to request one! Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter!Visit our website!TRANSCRIPTTristan: What’s going on, Living Corporate?! It’s Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I’m back to bring you another career tip. This week let’s discuss how you can find contacts to request informational interviews so you can hopefully land that referral.By now, you’ve heard me talk about how 80% of recruiters and hiring managers agree that referrals are the best way to find a qualified candidate, but what happens when you don’t have a connection at the company or companies that you want to work for?That’s where informational interviews can come in handy to begin establishing those relationships and potentially land you that referral. There are two techniques I teach my clients when it comes to finding and reaching out to someone to request these interviews.First, which is going to seem obvious, leverage LinkedIn. But I’m not talking about in the traditional sense of finding someone, adding that person, then sending them a message. Nah, that sometimes makes you come off as creepy and produces a very low reply rate. I suggest you start by looking for someone who is 1 to 2 levels above where you want to be in the company. Go to their profile and scroll all the way down to the interest section, then click see more. Click the groups tab at the top, and this will let you see what LinkedIn groups that person is a part of. If you both are a member of the same group, great! If not, request to be added to one of the groups that makes sense for you. Once your request is accepted, go to the group, click see all members, find the person, and you can send them a 1-on-1 message from there, and the best part is that you don’t have to be connected with them to do that! When you message them in this fashion, it shows the person that you are a part of the group, which communicates that you all have a shared interest, and they are more likely to reply. LinkedIn used to let you send unlimited messages this way, but they’ve recently figured out this loophole and now only allow you to send 15 messages monthly so make sure to make them count!The second method is by reaching out to them using their work email. Now, I’m sure you’re wondering, well, how do I do that? I don’t work there, so I don’t know their email address, Tristan. I get it, but that’s where our handy dandy friend, the internet comes to the rescue. First, ensure that their direct contact info isn’t listed somewhere on their LinkedIn profile. Second, there’s a tool I like to use called hunter, which helps you find most people’s email addresses. You can find it at the website hunter.io. This site’s Email Finder tool uses a large number of signals to find the proven or most probable email address of professionals at tons of companies.While both of these tips help you to establish more reliable connections with people, I cannot warn you enough to not go crazy with them. If you’re going to utilize them, then you need to be very thoughtful and methodical about how you reach out. You have to craft a message that convinces them to take the time out of their day to speak with you. If you want to know how to do that in one of my future tips, find me on social media and let me know!This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @LayfieldResume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the fifty-second installment of Tristan's Tips, our amazing host Tristan Layfield talks to us about why we need more than just a resume when we're looking to make moves in our career. While technology has made certain portions of job searching easier, it has also significantly increased the competition and thereby our ability to stand out. That means that we have to go beyond simply applying online, to do something that gets us noticed, and only relying on our resume is not enough.Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter!Visit our website!TRANSCRIPTTristan: What’s going on, Living Corporate?! It’s Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I’m back again in collaboration with Living Corporate to bring you another career tip. This week I want to talk to you about why you need more than just a resume.When many of us are looking to make moves in our career we typically focus on getting our resume together and while that is a great first step, I want to tell you why you have to go further than just that document. When you apply online, about 70% of companies and organizations use applicant tracking software which is a system with a series of algorithms that scans your resume for keywords and phrases. If you meet the minimum threshold the employer set, then and only then will your resume be seen by a human but unfortunately these systems discard around 75% of the people who apply. Studies show that when you apply online in the US you have anywhere from a 2 - 5% chance of landing the role (depending on the source you read). If that’s the case, why is applying online the ONLY focus of many of our job searches?Your highest chance of landing a role lies with referrals. When I say referrals, I’m not just talking about from the network you currently have, but from people who are in the industry and a step or two above where you want to go. But you can’t start building that network until you have a decent LinkedIn Profile. This 1) allows you to do some internet stalking without looking like the weird person without a photo 2) let’s the people you are reaching out know you’re serious about where you want to go 3) gets relevant recruiters looking at your profile.Beyond resumes, LinkedIns, and referrals you also have to be able to sell yourself when you get to the interview. This preparation allows you to create questions to better understand the role and the organization which impressed many hiring managers and recruiters. When you prepare properly you feel more in control and you will appear cool and calm to your prospective employer as a result. This is also your opportunity to convey the value you can bring to the role, but you can only do so if you are clear on what you have to offer.While technology has made certain portions of your job search easier, it has also significantly increased your competition and thereby your ability to stand out. That means that we have to go beyond simply applying online, we have to do something that gets us noticed and only relying on your resume is not enough.This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @LayfieldResume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the fifty-first entry of Tristan's Tips, our amazing host Tristan Layfield calls out three mistakes we might be making while applying for jobs. Remember, there’s no one right way to land a job, but there are plenty of ways to make sure the process to land one is much more effective and efficient for us.Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter!Visit our website!TRANSCRIPTTristan: What’s going on, Living Corporate?! It’s Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I’m back again in collaboration with Living Corporate to bring you another career tip. This week let’s talk about 3 mistakes you might be making while searching for that new job.New year, new job, right? Well…sort of. There are a couple of things that may be taking you out of the race before you even get started. So in order to make sure you have the most effective and efficient job search process in 2020, I want to call out 3 mistakes you might be making while applying for those jobs.The first mistake is not tailoring your resume to the job you’re applying for. There are two main reasons this is so important. First, if you’re applying to jobs online over 70% of companies and organizations use Applicant Tracking Systems that scan your resume for keywords or phrases, amongst other things. If you’ve ever applied for a job and gotten a rejection pretty quickly or you feel like your resume has gone into a black hole, it’s probably because you didn’t make it past the applicant tracking software. The second reason this is important is that once your resume is in a recruiter or hiring manager’s hand studies show that they scan it for about 6 seconds to decide if they are going to actually read it or put it in the no pile. So it’s imperative that you give them the most relevant content in the shortest amount of time.The second mistake you might be making is not copying and pasting your resume into the application when it asks for it. I know this is so annoying for almost everyone, but when it comes to that applicant tracking software, many of them parse your uploaded resume into a digital candidate profile. But certain formats, fonts, and sometimes even colors can cause both the scanning and parsing process to go wrong. By actually copying your resume into that box, this will ensure your information is scanned properly, even if there is an issue with your document. Don’t worry, the recruiter or hiring manager will still use the resume you uploaded if they want to review it or print it out.The last mistake I’m going to discuss is not getting a referral. While applying online is fine and dandy, there is only about a 2% success rate when it comes to landing the interview and potentially the job. Almost 80% of recruiters agree that referrals are the best way to find a quality hire. And according to a Jobvite study, a referral, compared to just applying online, makes you 15 times more likely to be hired. So if a large portion of your job search process doesn’t include expanding your network with people who work at places where you want to work, you might be making this way more difficult on yourself.Remember, there’s no one right way to land a job. But there are plenty of ways to make sure the process to land one is much more effective and efficient for you.This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @LayfieldResume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the fiftieth installment of Tristan's Tips, our amazing host Tristan Layfield talks to us about preparing to answer behavioral interview questions. He lists five common lead-in questions to be aware of, and he also teaches us the PARK method - find out more by listening to the full show!Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter!Visit our website!TRANSCRIPTTristan: What’s going on, Living Corporate?! It’s Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I’m back again in collaboration with Living Corporate to bring you another career tip. This week let’s talk about preparing to answer behavioral interview questions.One part about the job search process that many people hate is the interview. I’ve found that there is a deep-seated hate of behavioral interview questions and typically it’s because we haven’t given much thought to our previous experience before we get to the interview. Trying to recall the situation and what you did on the spot is incredibly difficult. If you come up with a great answer, it could ease your anxiety and allow the rest of the interview to flow smoothly. But if you fumble through an answer, your mindset shifts and you have the potential to bomb the interview.But what if I told you there was a way to prepare that would ensure you can confidently answer these questions effectively selling your skillset to the interviewer? Well, I teach my clients how to build a story bank to prepare for any of the behavioral questions that may be thrown at them.Before we get started let’s briefly talk about how to spot a behavioral interview question. Pay attention to how the questions you’re being asked start. There are 5 common lead-ins for a behavioral interview question:* Tell me about a time when…* What do you do when…* Have you ever…* Give me an example of…* Describe a…When an interviewer asks these, they are looking for a real-life example of how you handled a situation at work previously. To ensure you’re ready to answer you should have a story bank of actual examples to pull from so you’re not coming up with situations on the spot. Here’s the process to build your story bank:First, read the job description in its entirety. All too often, I’ve seen candidates come into an interview not fully aware of the duties of the job. How can you prepare if you don’t know what you’re preparing for?Second, now you’re going to hate me for this, but reread the description line by line. Pause at the end of each line and ask yourself, “what have I done that’s applicable to this?” Think about the problem that you’ve encountered in detail and what you were tasked with fixing. Then think about the actions you took to resolve that issue. Don’t state anything vague but get really detailed. Did you pull a cross-functional team together? What processes did you implement? Did you utilize some software? Think about all aspects of how you worked to solve the problem. Then think about the results you produced. What increased? What decreased? What became more efficient? Be sure to quantify those things if possible. Lastly, think about the knowledge you gained or the lessons you learned. Recruiters and hiring managers don’t want to just see if you know how to solve a problem, they want to see you’ve learned from that process.This method is called the PARK method, Problem, Action, Result, and Knowledge. If you utilize it to answer those behavioral interview questions you might as well park your car in the employee lot because the job is yours.This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @LayfieldResume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the forty-ninth installment of Tristan's Tips, our amazing host Tristan Layfield walks us through three things we should consider before relocating. While reinventing yourself and your career in a new city can be fun, it can also be really stressful. Make sure you're prepared!Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter!Visit our website!TRANSCRIPTTristan: What’s going on, Living Corporate?! It’s Tristan from Layfield Resume Consulting, and I’m back again in collaboration with Living Corporate to bring you another career tip. This week let’s discuss 3 things you want to consider before relocating.It’s a new year, and one of the common patterns showing up when working with my clients is that many of them want to relocate. While reinventing yourself and your career in a new city can be fun, it can also be really stressful. So here are 3 things you should consider if you want to relocate:First, have you visited the city in person? - Often when we haven’t visited a city in person, we build a narrative around it based on what we’ve seen on TV, heard from friends, and even what we find on the internet. But visiting the city in person can open your eyes to many things you may not have considered before. Maybe the city is much colder in the winter than you expected or the city doesn’t have the art scene that you’re so invested in back home. You want to visit to make sure the place you’re considering can feel like and eventually become home.The second thing is cost of living - Before you decide on the location you want to move to, you should do some research on the cost of living. This can catch many people off guard. Typically moving from somewhere in the midwest to somewhere on the east or west coasts means that the cost for things like rent, groceries, gas, and more will be drastically different. Once you’ve determined the difference, factor that into your salary negotiations, or if you’re staying with the same company, ask for a cost of living adjustment.The third thing to consider is the potential for future opportunities - When thinking about relocating, you want to consider the opportunity for career advancement down the line. While you may be going there to work for a certain company, research other companies in the area too. Start asking questions like: “Are the companies in the area comparable to the one I’m planning on working at? Do they have opportunities in my field? How can I make connections there?” This will give you a good idea of opportunities you may have when you’re ready to level up in the future.Now, I know I said I was only giving 3 things to consider when relocating, but I’m going to provide you with a bonus. We don’t want your bank account suffering while trying to make a move to work for a company, so try to negotiate relocation fees into your new offer. Because who likes to pay for things out of their own pocket? I know I don’t.This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @LayfieldResume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the forty-eighth entry of Tristan's Tips, our amazing host Tristan Layfield guides us through reflecting on the value we provide at work. Listen to the full show to hear the three questions he recommends asking to help us in figuring out where we’ve created value in the workplace!Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter!Visit our website!TRANSCRIPTTristan: What’s going on, Living Corporate?! It’s Tristan from Layfield Resume Consulting, and I’m back again in collaboration with Living Corporate to bring you another career tip. This week I want to guide you through reflecting on the value you provide at work.When you’re simply conveying your day-to-day tasks on your resume, you are giving a boring rundown of your history, which doesn’t capture the eye of any recruiter or hiring manager. What you want to focus on is selling the value you’ve brought to your organization because this gives the potential employer a good idea of what value you could bring to them!Now I understand that if it was that easy, everyone would already be doing it. So here are 3 questions to help guide you in figuring out where you’ve created value in the workplace.Number 1: What do people always ask for my help with? - Sometimes it’s hard for us to recognize the value we provide, but typically others see it right away. So start reflecting on the things that your team, other coworkers, or even your boss might come and ask for your assistance on. If you are able to find an underlying theme, then that could be one area where you are a high contributor to your organization, and you’ll want to figure out how to convey that.Number 2: Where have I done work that contributed to important metrics or KPIs? - Have you increased sales or engagement? Have you decreased the time to contract completion? Have you driven $500,000 projects to completion on-time and under budget? Have you maintained a high customer retention rate? By knowing, understanding, and incorporating these type of numbers it shows hiring managers that you not only can provide value but that you understand the business you’re a part of.Number 3: Where have I driven change? - Most corporations are always updating policies, implementing new tools, or figuring out ways to be more efficient. So reflect on how you may have been able to implement updated policies, piloted new tools, or streamlined particular processes. These are all big value drivers.Remember, we don’t want to bore the hiring team to death. We want to give them an interesting snippet into how we can contribute to their organization. While I love my girl Google, she can’t tell you what you’ve done in your career. You have to take the time to reflect on it so you can leverage it to your advantage throughout your job search process.This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @LayfieldResume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the forty-seventh installment of Tristan's Tips, our amazing host Tristan Layfield talks to us about making our presence known at work. With many of us trying to advance our careers, it’s necessary that we make ourselves known in the workplace. Remember, we can’t expect to be considered for opportunities if no one in the workplace even knows who we are or what value we provide.Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter!Visit our website!TRANSCRIPTTristan: What’s going on, Living Corporate?! It’s Tristan from Layfield Resume Consulting and I’m back again in collaboration with Living Corporate to bring you another career tip. This week I want to talk to you about making your presence known at work.With many of us trying to advance our careers, it’s necessary that we make ourselves known in the workplace. Most of us think if we keep our head down and just do our work that our contributions will be enough to be recognized. But you can’t expect to be considered for opportunities if no one in the workplace even knows who you are or what value you provide.There are so many ways you can begin to increase your presence in the workplace. Since employees and their efforts can so easily get lost in the day to day shuffle, it could be as simple as setting up a biweekly or monthly one-on-one with your boss. This way you’re able to ensure they are aware of what you are working on, what you’ve accomplished, and you can even figure out how you can assist them. You could take it a step further and even set up regular check-ins with teammates for a little extra razzle-dazzle.When starting a new job, you can make the intentional effort to introduce yourself to people in the office and ask what they do. This could definitely come in handy later when you find yourself in a bind. If you’ve been at your office for a while this could look like office networking, joining employee resource groups, and attending team events.Another great way to make your presence known is by speaking up at team meetings, offering solutions or assistance with some of the problems other team members may be experiencing. You can also speak up in town halls or company-wide meetings. Asking leaders of your organization intentional questions and/or offering well-thought-out solutions could solidify your spot on the next big company-wide project. You never know.Remember, in order to become the next leader of your organization you have to understand and leverage the power of your presence.This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @LayfieldResume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the forty-sixth entry of Tristan's Tips, our amazing host Tristan Layfield discusses a couple of things that will help us make that career change in 2020. While switching jobs can be difficult, with a little patience, preparation, and determination we can definitely land the role we want. Listen to the full show to hear all four pieces of advice Tristan offers to help the process go smoothly!Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter!Visit our website!TRANSCRIPTTristan: Happy New Year Living Corporate! It’s Tristan from Layfield Resume Consulting and I’m back again in collaboration with Living Corporate to bring you another career tip. This week I want to talk to you about career change in 2020.According to a Deloitte Index Survey, 87% (corrected statistic) of Americans have no passion for their jobs. So there’s no surprise that with a new year comes the idea of switching up your career. With the average person changing their jobs 11.7 times according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, you’re in good company. So let’s discuss a couple of things that will help you make that change in 2020!Number 1: Pack your patience. A recent study by Zety and Jobvite discovered that over 80% of people believe finding that new job will take about 3 months or less. Unfortunately, that same study found that it took almost 22 weeks or 5 and a half months to land that new role. So be patient and understand that this process may be a bit longer than you expected.Number 2: Understand why you want to switch it up. Are you looking for less stress? More opportunities to showcase your skills? Better pay? 81% of Indeed survey respondents stated they were looking for more happiness at work, but happiness is relative and looks different for everyone, so make sure you have a clear understanding of what you’re seeking. This will then allow you to make a plan to attain it! Based on that I’m pretty sure you can guess what the next thing is, and that’s...Step 3: Make a plan. Begin by reading through job descriptions to understand exactly what they are looking for in a candidate. While doing this you want to try to start connecting your experience to what you’re reading. If you’re having an issue correlating your experience to at least 70% of the job description, then I would suggest developing a plan to gain more experience and skills.Number 4: Update your marketing tools. Once you’re figured out why you want to switch your career, understand what type of roles you’re seeking, reflected on how your experience fits, and developed your skillset, you want to take the time to update your resume, LinkedIn and other social media platforms. When working on your resume and LinkedIn, the idea is to connect your past experience to your future one, essentially painting the picture of why you’re the best candidate through your most relevant skills and experience. Make sure to use relevant keywords to help your resume get past the applicant tracking system and to help your LinkedIn profile be found by the right people.While switching jobs can be difficult, with a little patience, preparation, and determination you can definitely land the role you want. Remember, it’s a process.This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @LayfieldResume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the forty-fifth entry of Tristan's Tips, our amazing host Tristan Layfield shares a few questions we can ask ourselves to help figure out our professional brand. Our professional brand is what we’re known for and what we utilize to sell ourselves to future employers - make sure yours is figured out going into 2020!Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter!Visit our website!TRANSCRIPTTristan: What's going on, Living Corporate? It's Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I've teamed up with Living Corporate to bring you all a weekly career tip.Your professional brand is what you’re known for and what you utilize to sell yourself to future employers. To figure out what your profession brand might be you have to get really clear on how the work you do contributes to achieving your company’s goals. There are a couple of things I help my clients think through that might help you figure out your brand. So let’s dive into a few.The first is ask yourself what do you like to do? Think about what part of your job you enjoy. You can even think about the things you like to do in your professional organizations. The point here is to find the things that bring you joy. The things you wouldn’t mind doing often or maybe every day.Now the next thing you want to ask yourself is what do people come to you for?Inevitably, there are things that people ask you to do often or tell you that you’re good at. Think about what those things are. And focus on the things your coworkers say or ask for your help with often. You should also consider similar things that may be asked if you by family, friends, and maybe even members of organizations you’re involved in. Now the third question you want to ask yourself is how do these things overlap? Here, you want to try to identify the common theme among those things, essentially you want to try to figure out how they relate. Number four, how do those things help create value? The whole point of a job is to create value for a company. How does this thing or these things drive results for my company or organization? Once you can answer that question, you’ll have a better understanding of not only how you contribute to you company but you can convey the value you bring to the next role. This tip has been brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @layfieldresume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the forty-fourth installment of Tristan's Tips, our amazing host Tristan Layfield discusses setting our 2020 career goals. When it comes to setting goals for our career, we want to have a process, a step-by-step plan to help us get to where we want to go. Listen to the show to find out the three things Tristan believes we should set our goals around!Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter!Visit our website!TRANSCRIPTTristan: What's going on, Living Corporate? It's Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I've teamed up with Living Corporate to bring you all a weekly career tip. This week, I want to talk about setting your 2020 career goals. With the end of the year comes setting new goals for the following year. Often times that includes goals for your career, but what I typically hear is "I want XYZ job," but I don't hear the plan to get there. So let's discuss some of the things to consider when setting goals for your career in 2020. I think there are three things you want to set goals around. First, your network, second, your skills, and third, your marketing documents. So first your network. Start thinking about who you know that may already be in similar roles or who you may need to know. This can help you find a mentor, or better yet a sponsor, but furthermore, the reason I start there is because according to a survey by Recruiter Nation, nearly 80% of recruiters noted referrals as the best way to find quality hires. Furthermore, according to Jobvite, referred applicants are 15 times more likely to be hired than applicants who apply via a job board. So you want to set some goals around your network, who you already have, who you may need to add to it, and figure out how to leverage that to really get to that next step. The second thing is your skills. You want to identify what type of skills are needed for the role that you want. Now, sometimes this means furthering your education, but sometimes you can just go get a certification. So for example, if you want to go from a data analyst role to a project management role, you might not need to go back to school, but what you want to consider is getting your project management professional certification. Now, in relation to those skills, sometimes that also means finding what I call an intermediate position to gain those additional skills. So if we keep with that same example of data analyst to project manager, you might also want to consider project coordinator roles, which are a step in the right direction to that project management position that you want. Now, the third thing you want to set goals around is your marketing documents. So ask yourself - does your resume align with what you want to do or do you need to rewrite it? You also want to audit your LinkedIn profile and ask yourself if it represents you and showcases the skills needed to get the role that you want. When it comes to setting goals for your career, you want to have a process, a step-by-step plan to help you get to where you want to go. This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @LayfieldResume, or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the forty-third installment of Tristan's Tips, our amazing host Tristan Layfield talks about the importance of reflecting on your career. If you're looking to make some major career changes, start identifying things that relate to where you want to go - those will be the things that help sell you as that best candidate!Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter!Visit our website!TRANSCRIPTTristan: What's going on, Living Corporate? It's Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I've teamed up with Living Corporate to bring you all a weekly career tip. This week, I want to talk to you about the importance of reflecting on your career. Today I participated in a LinkedIn Live where the topic was change, specifically taking change by the horns. We discussed many things surrounding change, including a big career transition that I'm going to be making, but one of the things that we discussed was career changes and knowing the transferable skills to get you to the job that you want. Now, when I talk to many of my clients, I find that that's the exact issue that they have. They don't understand the transferable skills that they possess to get them the job that they want. And I've been sitting and thinking about why that is, and I've come to the conclusion that it's because many of us are not necessarily reflecting on our career and the experiences that we've had. We're so in the throes of our day-to-day job that we don't tend to keep track of the things that we've done or experienced or the results we've driven, but unfortunately if you're looking to make some major career changes, that information is so essential. So I know you're probably like "Well, okay, what can I do with that?" Well, I tell people "If you know what job you want to get, start reading job descriptions, and then directly following that, read your resume to reflect over the experiences that you have inside of it, but then also start thinking about the experiences that you may not be listing that align with what you read in that job description." You don't want to just think about achievements and awards, but you want to think about projects you were involved in and how you created results there. You want to think about ideas or strategies you recommended that somebody else may have implemented. You also want to think about things like trainings or involvement in employee resource groups or anything that's going to help you connect the dots so you can paint the picture of why you're the best candidate for that job. Now, after reflecting, if you can't relate anything in your experience to where you want to go, you probably need to identify opportunities that can provide you with those experiences. You can do that by talking to your manager or networking in the office to get an idea of ongoing or upcoming projects that you might be able to volunteer for and gain those experiences. Once you take the time to reflect on your career, I can guarantee you're going to start identifying things that relate to where you want to go, and those are gonna be the things that help sell you as that best candidate. This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. You can connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn, or you can catch me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram @LayfieldResume.

On the forty-second entry of Tristan's Tips, our special guest Tristan Layfield lists ten things we can negotiate for besides salary. Negotiating can be difficult because many of us feel like we should just be grateful for the opportunity and accept the first offer we’re given, but the reality is that mindset leaves money or perks on the table. Next time, make sure you at least ask for something.Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter!Visit our website!TRANSCRIPTTristan: What's going on, y'all? It's Tristan Layfield of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I've teamed up with Living Corporate to bring you all a weekly career tip. This week let’s talk about a few things you can negotiate for that aren’t salary.When we hear negotiation in relation to careers, most of our minds go to salary. But there are so many other things you can negotiate for especially if the company may not be able to budge on the salary itself. So let’s run through a couple of things you might want to consider asking for.1. PTO or Vacation time - many companies have a certain level they bring you in at. If you think you’d benefit from additional hours or days, ask for it!2. Remote work or work schedule flexibility - Maybe the traditional 9 - 5 hours don’t work for you. You can ask for days where you work from home or, depending on your industry, you could ask to shift your hours. Maybe a 7am - 3pm works better for you.3. Transportation allowance - If you live in a large city and use public transportation, negotiate for an annual pass. If you travel quite a distance into work every day, negotiate mileage.4. Tuition reimbursement - If the company you’re going to doesn’t already have a program you could ask for a certain amount. If they do have a program, you may be able to negotiate a higher reimbursement amount.5. Professional organization/Association dues - Many fields have their own professional organizations and associations. For example, for those that are in Human Resources, there is the Society for Human Resource Management or SHRM. These orgs provided opportunities to get certified, network, and stay on top of the latest industry knowledge. You can incorporate their annual dues in your ask if that’s important for you.6. Conference attendance fees - Many of the professional organizations and associations also host annual conferences. These are a great way to make meaningful connections and begin establishing your professional brand. Conference attendance is typically less than a membership so you could use this in a counter offer if the dues are too high for your company.7. Your job title - Sometimes, just having a certain title can set you up for success in landing your next role. If you find yourself in that situation then negotiate a title change.8. Sign-on bonus - This pretty much speaks for itself. Who doesn’t like extra money just for signing a piece of paper?9. 90-day or First-year bonus - If you don’t feel confident in asking for a sign-on bonus then ask for a 90-day or First-year bonus. Work with your boss to set some goals and if you achieve them, boom you get your coin.10. Relocation fees - If you’re moving to another state for the position you could incorporate relocation fees into your ask. I’ve seen quite a few people score a few extra thousand by doing this.I know negotiating can be difficult because many of us feel like we should just be grateful for the opportunity and accept the first offer we’re given. But the reality is that that mindset leaves money or perks on the table. So next time, make sure you at least ask for SOMETHING.This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook at @layfieldresume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn!

On the forty-first installment of Tristan's Tips, our special guest Tristan Layfield talks about how you as a job seeker can maximize your holiday break. Since many of us get a little more time off around the holidays, it’s a great opportunity to get all your ducks in a row to make some major moves for next year!Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter!Visit our website!TRANSCRIPTTristan: What is going on, y'all? It's Tristan Layfield of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I've teamed up with Living Corporate to bring you all a weekly career tip. This week let’s talk about how you as a job seeker can maximize your holiday break.For many us, searching for a job is a tiring chore when you’ve already been working for 8, 10, or 12 hours. But the holiday season offers us a couple of breaks that we can fully take advantage of to be ready to hit the ground running on our job search next year. Here are a few things you can do to leverage that downtime.First, update your resume. Review and edit everything - your contact info, your summary, your education, the way you sell the results you’ve driven or the value you’ve provided, etc. This is also a great time to analyze a couple job descriptions to identify and incorporate keywords. Since many of your friends or family are off from there jobs this is a prime opportunity for you to get another set of eyes on the document to make sure things sound good and to correct any spelling or grammar errors. If you need help, check out my free resume update checklist at the link in my Instagram bio.Next, update your LinkedIn and build your network. Make sure that your profile represents not only what you’re currently doing and the results you’ve driven but also what you are looking to do in the future. Check out the job seeking settings they have, I talk about these on episode 141 on this podcast. Also, go beyond just your profile. The key to LinkedIn is engagement. That means you should start posting your own posts as well as liking, commenting, and sharing other’s posts.Lastly, take the time to reach out and reconnect with lost connections who may be home or visiting. The holiday season is a great time to rekindle connections with people you may have lost touch with since they may travel back home or back to the area. These people can provide you with a wealth of knowledge as I talked about in my tip on episode 138. They typically have access to knowledge and information that our immediate circles aren’t privy to.Since many of us get a little more time off around the holidays, it’s a great opportunity to get all your ducks in a row to make some major moves for next year!This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook at @layfieldresume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn!

On the fortieth entry of Tristan's Tips, our special guest Tristan Layfield shares with us the importance of building a professional brand. If we find the things that we are good at and love to do, we can leverage that to begin building a name for ourselves which will in turn make finding a new job a breeze!Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter!Visit our website!TRANSCRIPTTristan: What is going on, y'all? It's Tristan Layfield of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I've teamed up with Living Corporate to bring you all a weekly career tip. This week let’s talk about why it’s important for you to start building a professional brand.If you follow me on social media, you’ve probably heard me talk about this before. Some people have asked what I mean when I say a professional brand, and really it's similar to building a reputation, something that people know you for, even if you’re not in the room. Something that is inextricably linked to your name. Something that people recognize you for doing. For example, when people in my circle hear the words resume or career, they always think of me because I’ve built my brand around it for the past 3 years. You can do the same thing, and in fact you SHOULD do the same thing and here’s why:Most companies and organizations can fire you or lay you off at any point in time for nearly any reason. By building a professional brand, you begin to develop your own thought leadership separate from your organization. In doing so, you begin to build your network and connections which, in turn, helps attract job opportunities without having to search for them and apply online. Eventually, building this brand may even lead to opportunities to monetize what you’re good at and make an additional stream of revenue, assuming there are no conflicts of interest with your employer, of course.So for example, maybe you are an operations manager for your day job.You could start building a brand around systems and implementing automations to drive organizational efficiency. You tailor your LinkedIn profile to showcase your achievements and highlights in that area. You start posting articles on LinkedIn about the newest software and techniques. You attend networking events and talk to small business about their operations. Next thing you know, boom, you start getting offers to speak at conferences, or to come work for companies, or to even consult companies on how to streamline their operations.Obviously, there’s more to it or else everyone would do it. But if we find the things that we are good at and love to do, we can leverage that to begin building a name for ourselves which will in turn make finding a new job a breeze.This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook at @layfieldresume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn!

On the thirty-ninth entry of Tristan's Tips, our special guest Tristan Layfield shares with us three ways we can create value at work. Opportunities to provide value in the workplace can sometimes be right under your nose, so definitely take advantage of these useful pointers!Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter!Visit our website!TRANSCRIPTTristan: What's going on, y'all? It's Tristan Layfield of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I've teamed up with Living Corporate to bring you all a weekly career tip. This week let’s talk about 3 ways you can create value at work.So what exactly is value? Well, value is defined as the regard that something is held to deserve; the importance, worth, or usefulness of something. When I talk about value with my clients it is usually in relation to conveying it in things like resumes, LinkedIn Profiles, and even their annual review. But before you can convey value, you have to create it. So here’s a few pointers to help you identify ways to provide more value at work.First, look for a process that happens often but is overly complicated. Companies are always looking for ways to improve their processes. When you streamline a process you typically provide people with more time or the company with more money. If you can be the person to provide the solution you can definitely use that as a selling point on your resume. Just be sure to track exactly what role you played in the project and results the project produced for the company.The second way to create value is by becoming a subject matter expert in a specific thing. A subject matter expert is typically the “go-to-person” for something. To become one you really have to know the subject in and out but once you are bestowed that title you begin contributing at work not only through what you do but also through the work of everyone you help.The last suggestion is to identify solutions to shared problems. You know those times where you’re on a team call and everyone is complaining about the same thing? Take that as an opportunity to identify a few solutions for whatever the issue is. Present those to your manager and offer to implement said solution. I’m sure your manager will be impressed.Opportunities to provide value in the workplace can sometimes be right under your nose. Just remember, whatever you do track all of it so you can leverage in your resumes, during interviews, and even when you’re requesting a raise.This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook at @layfieldresume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn!

On the thirty-eighth installment of Tristan's Tips, our special guest Tristan Layfield covers three job seeking settings on LinkedIn that anyone looking for a job should turn on. LinkedIn doesn’t do a great job advertising these options, but toggling them could help you land that next opportunity. We definitely suggest you take advantage!Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter!Visit our website!TRANSCRIPTTristan: What’s going on, y'all? It's Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I've teamed up with Living Corporate to bring you all a weekly career tip. This week I want to cover 3 job seeking settings on LinkedIn that anyone looking for a job should turn on.One of the services I offer my clients is a LinkedIn optimization service that helps clients brand themselves to attract the job opportunities they want. During my intake call for the service, I always do a quick overview of the settings with my clients, and there are 3 settings in particular that always draw a common response, something similar to “I didn’t know LinkedIn even had those options.” So I wanted to share them with you to make sure you’re taking full advantage of the platform!The first setting is called “Let recruiters know you’re open to opportunities.” When you turn this on, it shares that you’re open to considering new positions and it helps you appear in recruiter searches matching your career interests. If you turn this on you also will want to go to your profile under the section titled “Your Dashboard” and click “Career Interests.” There you’ll be able to leave a note for recruiters, state what job titles you’re interested in, the location where your want your next role and more!The next setting is “Signal your interest to recruiters at companies you have created job alerts for.” Long name, I know. If you didn’t know, LinkedIn has a job posting board with over 20 millions jobs. LinkedIn also allows you to create job alerts for companies you really want to work for. With this setting on, when you create the job alert it lets recruiters from that company know you’re interested in working there.The last setting is called “share your profile when you click apply” this setting increase your chances of being viewed by sharing your full profile with the job poster when you’re taken off LinkedIn to apply for a job.I know LinkedIn doesn’t do a great job advertising these settings but turning them on could help you land that next opportunity.This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook at @layfieldresume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn!

On the thirty-seventh installment of Tristan's Tips, our special guest Tristan Layfield talks about networking in a way that most of us don’t consider or sometimes downright avoid - reaching out to old high school, college, and work friends that we've lost touch with. Tristan shares how they can open up whole worlds we didn't even know existed and more.Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter!Visit our website!TRANSCRIPTTristan: What’s going on, y'all? It's Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I've teamed up with Living Corporate to bring you all a weekly career tip. This week, let’s talk about networking, but in a way that most of us don’t consider or sometimes downright avoid.Often times when we hear the word “networking” it brings up images of rooms filled with people that we don’t know and the anxiety of having to participate in small talk for the next two hours. But what if I told you there another way to connect with people that is not only a bit easier for most, but research shows tends to be more beneficial?Many of us overlook the value in reaching out to old high school, college, and work friends that we’ve lost touch with. These connections are known as dormant connections. But the research shows that reaching out these people can open up a whole new world of resources. Just think about it, these people aren’t running the same circles as you which means that they more than likely have access to information and resources that you and your current circle aren’t privy to! They've been meeting different people and learning different things in the last few years, so they can open up whole worlds you didn't know existed.Also, you typically already have had a relationship with these people so it tends to be easier to reach out to reconnect. Just don’t dive into asking for favors right away, take some time to research what they’ve been up to, try to find a way to be of service to them, and simply ask for insight. You’ll be amazed at what they may come back with!This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook at @layfieldresume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn!

On the thirty-sixth entry of Tristan's Tips, our special guest Tristan Layfield covers three common mistakes you might be making that could be holding up your job search. Many of us apply to dozens upon dozens of jobs only to find ourselves still without an offer - be sure to adapt these points of advice into your job search strategy to help improve your chances!Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter!Visit our website!TRANSCRIPTTristan: What is going on, y'all? It's Tristan Layfield of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I've teamed up with Living Corporate to bring you all a weekly career tip. This week we’re going to discuss a few things that might be holding up your job search.Have you ever been or are you currently feeling stuck in your job search? Many of us apply to dozens upon dozens of jobs only to find ourselves still without an offer. Well there are 3 common mistakes that you might be making that could be the reason why you employers aren’t calling.The first thing is that you’re not clear on what you want. With the name of the game being tailoring, you have to be pretty clear on what you’re looking for. You can’t just take the same resume you’ve been adding to since college and send it to hundreds of jobs. That type of resume spamming very rarely ends in landing a role. On the flip side, if you narrow down what type of job you want, you can tailor your resume, brand yourself on LinkedIn, and ensure you’re communicating exactly what you’re seeking while networking.The next thing is that you’re applying to jobs you don’t want. Believe me I get it. Sometimes the job search is so rough and you just need a win so you start applying to jobs you don’t want to do. Odd are, if you know that, eventually the hiring manager will too. The last thing is that you aren’t being proactive. You’ve probably heard that the best time to find a job is when you don’t need one. While it’s cliché, it’s also quite true. Making connections and finding the right opportunity is easier when you don’t absolutely need it. You’re free to take your time to build relationships and vet out opportunities rather than making blind requests and taking positions that aren’t in alignment with what you want to do.A job search without a strategy is like throwing a dart with your eyes closed, sometimes you might get a bullseye but most of the time you’re just hoping for one. If you want to land a great role, you have you’re going to have put some action behind that hope.This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook at @layfieldresume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn!

On the thirty-fifth installment of Tristan's Tips, our special guest Tristan Layfield adds to some of the previous tips he's given us on cover letters by discussing three tips to help tailor and strengthen your cover letter. Unlike resumes, cover letters provide an area to get a little bit more creative, so use that to your advantage to make a lasting impression!Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter!Check out our website by clicking here: Living CorporateTRANSCRIPTTristan: What is going on, y'all? It's Tristan Layfield of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I've teamed up with Living Corporate to bring you all a weekly career tip. This week we’re going to add to some of the previous tips I’ve given you on cover letters by discussing 3 tips to tailor and strengthen your cover letter.Similar to your resume your cover letter should be tailored for each position you’re submitting it to. Since I know most people hate writing cover letters, that’s easier said than done. So I wanted to provide a couple of tips to make tailoring and strengthening your cover letter a little easier.First, use portions of the job description. If you want to get a job, you have to be able to talk to the talk. Take the time to identify and incorporate keywords and phrases from the job description to you ensure you’re speaking their language. Often times you can pick up on which points relate to your experience just by reading the job description.Next, try to tie in the company’s mission or core values. Doing this shows that you’ve done your homework. That you’ve researched and you understand WHY you want to want for this company or organization. It also displays how your skills and experience fit into the larger context of the organization and by proxy how YOU fit into the company or organization.Lastly, try to tell a story. The path you took to gain the relevant skills for this role is unique which is a selling point for you. Use your highlights and accomplishment to build a compelling narrative showcasing how your interest in the role or company came about. Just be careful not to go too farin-depth.Unlike resumes, cover letters provide an area to get a little bit more creative so use that to your advantage to make a lasting impression.This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, twitter, and facebook at @layfieldresume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn!

On the thirty-fourth entry of Tristan's Tips, our special guest Tristan Layfield shares a few ways to effectively advocate for yourself professionally throughout your career. Remember, closed mouths don’t get fed in this day and age. If we don’t advocate for ourselves in the workplace, who will?Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter!TRANSCRIPTTristan: What is going on, y'all? It's Tristan Layfield of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I've teamed up with Living Corporate to bring you all a weekly career tip. This week we’re going to talk about a few areas where it’s essential for you to advocate for yourself throughout your career.In my coaching program, I talk to many clients who are unhappy with their careers but after asking a few questions I realize they aren’t taking ownership of their careers. Often, we get into roles and think that all of our work is going to speak for itself. Unfortunately, that’s a pretty big mistake. Managers are not only responsible for you but they’re also responsible for all of your colleagues and their own careers. So a big factor in the trajectory of your career is taking ownership so you can show why you deserve that raise, promotion, or new role.One of the things you can do to start advocating for yourself is to sell yourself on your resume. Employers look to your previous employment experience to determine what their return on invest in you is going to be. But if you can’t convey your value, how can you expect anyone else to understand what you’re bringing to the table? In order to do this, you have to start keeping track of your career highlights and accomplishments so you can translate the value of those in your resume.Another area where you can advocate for yourself is by asking for what you’re worth and believing it. Whether you’re negotiating your starting salary or requesting a raise, you have to BELIEVE you are worth that amount. Do your research and factor in your experience so you can have your own back. But also, once you get the job make sure to keep track of the work you’ve done so you can leverage it during your annual review which impacts your raise!The last area I’m going to highlight when it comes to self-advocacy is asking directly for what you want or need. When it comes to business, I find that directness is kindness. So if you’ve started a job and you’re still confused on certain processes, ask for more training. If you’re assigned a project but you’re unclear on what you’re responsible for, ask targeted questions about expectations and timelines. If there’s a position open that you want, ask for it or what you can do to land it.Remember, closed mouths don’t get fed in this day and age. If we don’t advocate for ourselves in the workplace, who will?This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, twitter, and facebook at @layfieldresume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn!

On the thirty-third installment of Tristan's Tips, our special guest Tristan Layfield talks to us about the three things he believes all professionals should be scheduling regularly. The best time to find a job is when you're not looking for one, so be sure to implement these strategies to set yourself up for when you do need that new job! Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter!TRANSCRIPTTristan: What is going on, y' all? It's Tristan Layfield of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I've teamed up with Living Corporate to bring you all a weekly career tip. This week let’s talk about 3 things I think ALL professionals need to schedule regularly.Do you know when the best time to find a job is? …. Well let me help you out, the answer is when you’re not looking for one. Searching for a job can be stressful. Think about it. Trying to not only remember what you did the last 4 years of your career but also having to write it down in a compelling way. Attending a ton of events in a short amount of time to try to make new connections in hopes that the uncomfortable first interaction leads to a career. Connecting with people on the internet thinking that maybe, just maybe someone will reach out with an opportunity.All of that induces a ton of anxiety and honestly doesn’t position you for success in your job search. That’s why I think there are 3 things that ALL professionals, no matter if they love or hate their job, should schedule on their calendars to help them in landing their next role:The first thing is time to update your resume - As I said earlier, trying to update your resume after 4 years of not touching it is the worst. Especially if you find that application that’s due tomorrow or someone says, “Hey, shoot your resume over to me now and I’ll see what I can do.” If you put 30 mins on your calendar every month to update your resume while everything is pretty fresh in your brain, you’ll keep yourself out of those binds because your resume will ALWAYS be ready.The second thing that should be on your calendar is time for LinkedIn - Being active on LinkedIn can build up your network which, in turn, can help you in your job search. But being proactive about this allows you build genuine, authentic connections that makes those people more likely to help you in whatever way they can. There are a few things I suggest you get on your calendar when it comes to LinkedIn First, I suggest scheduling time to update your profile monthly around the same time you update your resume. Second, make some time to create posts and engage with other people a couple of times a week, at least.The third thing is time to network - since most jobs are filled through referrals, this is key. The best time to build and warm up your network is when you don’t need them. But remember, networking doesn’t always mean going to events, it also means warming up connections you haven’t talked to in a while. Since old connections run in different circles they tend to provide different information than what you or your inner circle have access to AND you two already have previously established rapport so they are more likely to help you. Oh, and yeah you should go to events too and be sure to always follow up! Having these three things on your calendar at regular intervals will help you remain accountable and also set you up for when you really need that new job!This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, twitter, and facebook at @layfieldresume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn!

On the thirty-second entry of Tristan's Tips, our special guest Tristan Layfield helps us to determine the length of our resumes. With the average job posting getting 200+ applicants and recruiters scanning resumes for 6 seconds on average, getting to the point is definitely necessary, but he thinks that there is another factor we need to take into consideration - relevancy.Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter!TRANSCRIPTTristan: What is going on, y'all? It's Tristan Layfield of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I've teamed up with Living Corporate to bring you all a weekly career tip. This week let’s talk about the length of your resume.Have you ever been told that your resume has to be 1-page? I get so many questions during my consultations on how long can their resume be. I think getting your resume to one page is definitely a good goal but I also understand that sometimes that’s just not possible.I definitely understand the logic behind a 1 page resume. With the average job posting getting 200+ applicants and recruiters scanning resumes for 6 seconds on average, getting to the point is definitely necessary, but I think there is another factor we need to take into consideration and that’s relevancy.I always tell my clients that there are a two things you want to consider before adding a second page. First, when it comes to things older roles, awards, certifications, and more try to be honest with yourself, are these things adding skills or experience that aren’t already represented by more recent roles OR are you holding on to it due to an emotional attachment. If it’s adding value, then keep it. But if you want it there because you think it brings you some sort of clout then I would reconsider keeping it on your resume because it may land you in the no pile. The second thing you should ask yourself is can you fill an entire page. I’m by no means a 1-page advocate but I do believe that if you are going to use a second page it needs to be filled with relevant content. If you have anything less than three quarters of a page, I would suggest you try to figure out a way to condense. While I can definitely see the benefit of a second page, I don’t recommend adding pages beyond that. Remember, this advice is for resumes. If you have a CV, that’s a little bit of a different story.This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, twitter, and facebook at @layfieldresume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn!

On the thirty-first installment of Tristan's Tips, our special guest Tristan Layfield shares a couple of things you can do to set yourself up to have a great first week on the new job. The first week of work can be an exciting and fun time, but it can also be anxiety-inducing. Hopefully these tips help ease the transition into your new role!Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter!TRANSCRIPTTristan: What is going on, y' all? It's Tristan Layfield of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I've teamed up with Living Corporate to bring you all a weekly career tip. This week let’s talk about a couple of things you can do to set yourself up to have a great first week on the new job.The first week of work can be an exciting and fun time but it can also be anxiety-inducing. A new place to navigate, new people to remember, and a whole new set of responsibilities to learn. There are a few things that I’ve done each time I’ve started a new job that have made my transition a little easier, and I hope they can help you kill it on your first week.Take notes, in fact, keep a small notebook near you as much as possible. During the first week on the job so much information is thrown at you that it’s difficult to remember it all. Onboarding tasks, names, meetings, new processes, and so much more. The more you document, the more you’ll have to refer back to later.Take some time to get familiar with the office. There’s nothing worse than the sudden panic when you have a meeting in a minute but you don’t know where the conference room is. Take the time in the first couple of days to feel out the space and learn where your team typically meets.If you can, find an office buddy. Pairing up with someone who’s been in the office and is at or around your level of seniority, will help you acclimated and help get your questions answered.Last, but definitely not least try to learn the names and positions of the people you see or interact with often. It’s the worst when people greet you by name and you don’t have a clue who they are or what they do. Committing this info to memory not only makes the office feel more like home, but it reduces anxiety and helps you figure out who to go to when you need help with certain things.Hopefully these tips help ease the transition into your new role.This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, twitter, and facebook at @layfieldresume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn!

On the thirtieth entry of Tristan's Tips, our special guest Tristan Layfield talks about how you can make the case for something we're pretty sure all of us want - a raise. Take the time out to really build your case before marching up to your boss and demanding more coins.Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter!TRANSCRIPTTristan: What’s going on, y'all? It's Tristan Layfield of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I've teamed up with Living Corporate to bring you all a weekly career tip. This week let’s talk about how you can make the case for something I’m pretty sure all of us want - a raise.Have you ever been in a job and felt like you deserved a raise? Well, you can’t just ask for a raise because you feel like you deserve one, you have more bills, or you’re just in a financial bind. If it was that easy we’d all be making bank. In order to persuade your boss that they should give you more money, you have to make your case, and to do that, you have to keep track of the things you’re doing or have done in your role. If you’re sort of lost on where to start with that, check out Episode 96 for my 25th tip on this podcast, Living Corporate, called “Keeping a Career Journal.”Now let’s discuss a few ways you can make your case to get more coins.Has your job grown beyond the job description you signed up for but it hasn’t been defined as part of your duties? In the project management realm, we call that scope creep. It’s a very common factor in why many of us think we need a raise. We get into a role, we become really good at things outlined for our position, and then we begin to take on other things to help the team, help our boss, or help the overall business. While all that is great and definitely things you should seek to do, you should also be compensated accordingly. Now, I’m not talking about the random one-off tasks your boss asks you to do as those are probably going to be covered under the “other duties as assigned” portion of your job description. I’m talking about the consistent recurring tasks that you’ve taken on that are outside of the scope of your role. When using this route, make sure to clearly identify and showcase the differences between your original job description and what you are currently doing to your manager to make your case.Have you exceeded your sales goals every month? Have you driven your projects to completion early and under budget? Did you streamline processes that generated more revenue or other business results? These are great examples of adding value to your company, and they are also great points to make when requesting a raise. When companies consider giving you a raise, they want to know how you have directly contributed to their overarching organizational mission. Document these accomplishments and how they relate to the larger company goals to show your manager the value that you’ve added to the company.This last option is a bit risky, and I would only use it as a last resort. Test your value in the market, and what I mean by that is apply to other roles, interview, and try to get an offer. If you land an offer that is higher than your current salary, use that as leverage with your employer to negotiate. Depending on your delivery, this could leave a bad taste in your employer’s mouth or your employer could decide not to budge at all. This is why I call this option risky, but I’ve also worked for companies that wouldn’t even consider giving you a raise until showed them another offer proving your expertise was worth more elsewhere. Sidenote: If your company is like that, you might want to just accept the new offer.Making the ask for a raise can be difficult, especially if you don’t arm yourself with the reasons why you deserve the raise. Take the time out to really build your case before marching into your boss’ office demanding more coins.This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook at @LayfieldResume, or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the twenty-ninth installment of Tristan's Tips, our special guest Tristan Layfield walks us through why LinkedIn is such an important platform for the modern professional and anyone trying to get into or grow within their field. He also shares a handful of statistics that help illustrate that fact.Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter!TRANSCRIPTTristan: What’s going on, y' all? It's Tristan Layfield of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I've teamed up with Living Corporate to bring you all a weekly career tip. This week let’s talk about why LinkedIn is so important. Over my time doing this work, I’ve noticed that prior to working with me, many of my clients never fully understood LinkedIn and how it can help them. But if you talk to any career coach or resume writer they are going to tell you that you not only HAVE to be on LinkedIn but you have to have a BOMB profile and engage throughout the platform. So let’s walk through a few of the reasons why LinkedIn is so important. LinkedIn is the largest professional networking site on the internet boasting around 610 million members with around 121 million of those members using the site daily. According to a UMass Dartmouth study, 92% of Fortune 500 companies use LinkedIn. And LinkedIn states that there are around 90 million senior-level influencers and 63 million decision makers that use the platform. Based on those stats alone, I think it’s pretty clear that LinkedIn is a great place to not only grow your network, but your overall brand and thought leadership. No matter what company you want to work for, there is more than likely someone on the platform that works there or has worked there and that person could be a resource for you during your quest to land a job.To take this a little bit further, according to Jobvite, 77% of recruiters use LinkedIn for their social media–based recruitment efforts. While that number is down from 92% in 2017, that is still a TON of recruiters who are scouring the platform to find the perfect candidate for the jobs they’re trying to fill. You can easily miss out on all of those opportunities if you aren’t on the platform or if your profile isn’t updated often! Now, the last point I’m going to make is that LinkedIn is not only a networking site but it has its own job posting board with over 20 million jobs. There are also job search filters you can take advantage of to narrow your search by industry, function and experience. LinkedIn can also help you discover new jobs with instant job notifications, job title highlights and salary tools. Not to mention, quite a few jobs allow you to apply using your LinkedIn profile so you can say goodbye to all those crazy long job applications! Another great feature that many people aren’t aware of are the job seeking settings that LinkedIn has that allow you to let recruiters know you’re open to opportunities in various ways. I know I’ve thrown a lot at you, but these are only a handful of the reasons why LinkedIn is an important platform for the modern professional and anyone trying to get into or grow within their field. If you want to discuss how you can make your LinkedIn profile work for you, book a free consultation with me and let’s chat! This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook at @layfieldresume or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn!

Building a solid brand is important in making today’s career moves. Tristan Layfield of Layfield Resume Consulting joins the show to share perspectives and tips in getting prepared for your next move. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/candace-spears/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/candace-spears/support

On the twenty-eighth entry of Tristan's Tips, our special guest Tristan Layfield speaks about having an effective networking follow-up strategy and introduces us to the four-step approach he personally uses. Implementing these tips will surely help foster more valuable connections from your networking experiences!Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter!TRANSCRIPTTristan: What's going on, y'all? It's Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I've teamed up with Living Corporate to bring you all a weekly career tip. This week, we're gonna talk about having a networking follow-up strategy. We've all gone to really cool networking events, connected with a few people, and ended up exchanging business cards, then we go home and toss them in the ever-growing pile of rectangular paper and move on with our lives. If this how you approach networking, you probably haven't made too many fruitful connections. If we want to build a solid network to lean on when we need them, then it's gonna take a bit more than crossing our fingers and hoping they reach out to us. We have to be proactive and take the first steps to connect outside of the event we met them at. Now, there are many ways to follow-up after an event, but I utilize a four-step follow-up strategy that I'd like to introduce you to that has proven to be quite effective for me. First, send them an email within 24 hours of the event. Remind them of who you are, where you met, and something you all spoke about. Tie it all together by asking them to grab a coffee or lunch, and even sweeten the deal by making it your treat. Number two, connect with them on LinkedIn directly after sending your email. This helps them remember who you are by attaching a face to the name. Number three, find a way to be a service to them. This can happen in the email if you've identified some ways while you connected at the event, or it can happen after you've met up. Remember, networking isn't just about what they can do for you, so no matter which route you go, be sure to lead by giving and initially expecting nothing in return. The fourth, and quite possibly the most essential, of the steps is to maintain the relationship by setting reminders on your calendar to catch up. This might sound silly, but otherwise you might not do it, and that network connection becomes what we call a "cold connection," meaning if you reached out to ask for something, it would seem like it's coming out of left field and that you're simply trying to use that person. Implementing this proven follow-up strategy will surely help foster more valuable connections from your networking experiences. Remember, it's necessary to not only build a network, but keep it warm by continually engaging with the people you've connected with. This trip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @LayfieldResume, or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the twenty-seventh installment of Tristan's Tips, our special guest Tristan Layfield of Layfield Resume Consulting emphasizes the importance of being aware of your online presence. He shares several steps you can take to ensure potentially inappropriate items don't fall into the hands of future employers.Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter!TRANSCRIPTTristan: What's going on, y'all? It's Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I've teamed up with Living Corporate to bring you all a weekly career tip. This week, let's discuss your online presence. Have you ever Googled yourself and found pictures of you wasted at a college tailgate or homecoming? Thirst traps from Photobucket waaay back in the day? Or even posts from that one reckless friend that they keep tagging you in? I definitely have. I've done my fair share of craziness on the Internet. We all have, but it's imperative that we clean up our online profile to ensure these items don't fall into the hands of future employers. So let's talk about some of the steps that you can take. First, make a list of all of your accounts. This may be difficult, but it will help you understand what you have out there. If there are some accounts that you no longer use, then delete them to reduce the risks of hackings and identity theft. Second, remove all of the inappropriate items. Remember, at the end of the day, you decide what's inappropriate to you. I'm not telling you to hide yourself from your future employer, but just review the material on your profile and make sure you're okay with the images portraying. Third, review and change your security settings. If you don't want recruiters or hiring managers to see what you're posting, then use the enhanced privacy settings for personal accounts, but remember - nothing is ever truly safe or private when you post it online. Even after taking all of these steps and cleaning up everything, you never know what might make its way onto the Internet or what might resurface, so it's imperative that we keep an eye on our online presence so we're aware of what's out there. Here are two tips to maintain your efforts. First, search for yourself on several search engines at least once every three months. This helps identify anything you might deem non-professional quickly so you can work to get it removed. Second, set up Google alerts with your name. Make sure to set up alerts with variations of your name so you're kept in the know about what pops up on the Internet about you. Nowadays, thanks to the Internet, people feel like they know you before they actually do. It's up to you whether you control that narrative. This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @LayfieldResume, or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the twenty-sixth entry of Tristan's Tips, our special guest Tristan Layfield of Layfield Resume Consulting talks about the measures he takes to address workplace conflict. Conflicts with coworkers are inevitable, always uncomfortable, and typically left unresolved, so be sure to utilize the three-step approach he shares! Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter!TRANSCRIPTTristan: What's going on, Living Corporate fam? This is Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I've teamed up with Living Corporate to bring you all a weekly career tip. This week, we're gonna talk about the steps I take to address workplace conflict. Conflicts with coworkers are inevitable, always uncomfortable, and typically left unresolved. Often times, this has an impact on our desire to show up and our ability to do our job each day. While this is always difficult territory to navigate, I typically take a three-step approach to address conflict head-on at work and to also cover myself. First, assuming the person isn't hostile, try speaking with the person directly in a face-to-face conversation, and if you're not in the same office, then get on the phone. Things can be easily misconstrued over email as there's no way to decipher someone's tone, so try to avoid addressing conflict over email wherever possible. Reaching out to meet or get on the phone is a simple gesture that shows you are invested in resolving this. It also helps ensure they actually are aware of what the issue is. Always follow up the meeting with an email outlining the conversation so anything that you or the other person said isn't misrepresented if you need to take it up the chain. Second, if that doesn't resolve the issue, make your boss aware of it and your attempts to resolve it directly with the person. This conversation can happen during a 1-on-1, or if it's truly a pressing matter, then get on their calendar. Use the email or emails you sent in step one to help shed light on the situation and even forward them to your boss if necessary. One quick note: if the conversation with your boss happens face-to-face or over the phone, be sure to follow it up with an email as well. Third, if your boss doesn't address the issue or the situation persists, then I suggest getting Human Resources involved. Very similar to what you did with your boss, inform them of the steps you've taken to attempt to resolve the issue, provide the documentation, and inform them of the impact of such actions on your ability to do your job. While I know it's difficult to speak up in these situations, it's imperative that we address these situations quickly and advocate for ourselves throughout the process. Just be sure to document every step along the way so when it comes time you have receipts. This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @LayfieldResume, or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the twenty-fifth installment of Tristan's Tips, our special guest Tristan Layfield suggests keeping an underutilized gem - a career journal. It can be an effective tool if you struggle to update your resume/LinkedIn profile or feel like you have nothing to write when you have to do your self-assessment for your performance reviews.Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter!TRANSCRIPTTristan: Hey, Living Corporate fam. This is Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I've teamed up with Living Corporate to bring you all a weekly career tip. This week we're gonna talk about an underutilized gem - a career journal. Do you struggle to update your resume or LinkedIn profile? Have you thought about negotiating your salary but wasn't sure how you would make the case? Do you ever feel like you have nothing to write when you have to do your self-assessment for your performance reviews? Well, if you answered yes to any of those questions, you are not alone. In working with clients, one of the things I've realized is that it's incredibly difficult for us to remember our accomplishments we've had throughout our career. During my intake calls, quite a few of my clients struggle because they've been in their jobs so long that the wins start to blend in with the day-to-day. One way to combat that is to keep a career journal. Each time you have a win, you write it in there. When you get pulled into projects, you write those in there and what your role was. If you're measured against any metrics or receive stats based on your performance, write them in there too. This journal can be physical or virtual, whatever works for you. You just want to make sure that you're documenting wins, both big and small, projects you've worked on, departments you've worked with, any goals you've achieved, and any other thing you think is valuable. If the journal is physical I would suggest some type of bound notebook, and if it's virtual I would suggest keeping everything in the same file. This ensures that you're keeping the information in one place for easy reference. Think about how all of that information will come in handy in situations where you need to sell yourself, whether that be your performance review, negotiating your salary, or even just updating your LinkedIn profile and resume. Having a career journal will make it that much easier to be your own biggest advocate in your career. This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @LayfieldResume, or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the twenty-fourth entry of Tristan's Tips, our special guest Tristan Layfield (@LayfieldResume) talks about networking in a place where the importance of networking is often underestimated. He also shares a few upsides to networking throughout your company. Career success sits at the intersection of personal and organizational goals, so take the time to cultivate relationships throughout your organization to figure out where your goals align!Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter!TRANSCRIPTTristan: Hey, Living Corporate fam. It's Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I've teamed up with Living Corporate to bring you all a weekly career tip. This week, let's talk about networking, but in a place where the importance of networking is often underestimated. When we hear "networking," it usually brings up thoughts of going to events to meet people, but networking happens in many spaces, and one place we tend to neglect is the workplace. There's so many upsides to connecting throughout your company, so let's discuss a few. By developing more relationships, you inevitably discover more highly-visible projects throughout the organization. This allows you to strategize on how you can get involved, and you can begin to volunteer for some of the special projects that align with your goals. Second, if you maintain a diverse network throughout the company, you'll more than likely get the scoop on open positions and departments you may want to work in, not to mention you may possibly get a referral from someone in your network who's on the team. Next, the more you connect, the more opportunity you have to find a mentor or a sponsor. While a mentor helps you navigate your career, a sponsor uses their agency in the company to advocate for your career progression. If you can land someone who's willing to be a sponsor for you, be sure to nurture that relationship as they can help open doors within your organization and potentially within others. Finally, if you're someone who gets anxious about networking, your job can be a great place to start getting comfortable. Think about it. You're already more familiar with the topics that may come up, and you have to be there for at least eight hours anyway. Career success sits at the intersection of personal and organizational goals, so take the time to cultivate relationships throughout your organization to figure out where your goals align. This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @LayfieldResume, or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the twenty-third installment of Tristan's Tips, our special guest Tristan Layfield (@LayfieldResume) talks about the difference between being perceived as a doer versus as an achiever at work. He also shares a few tips on how to stand out as the latter rather than the former.Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter!TRANSCRIPTTristan: What's going on, y'all? It's Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I've teamed up with Living Corporate to bring you all a weekly career tip. Have you ever heard of your resume painting you as more of a doer rather than an achiever? If so, you probably were like, "But what does that really mean?" Well, when it comes to writing the description for both your resume and LinkedIn profile, you have to be cognizant of the picture you're painting. Are you painting the picture of a doer, a person who completes a task, or an achiever, someone who doesn't just get the task done, but drives results? All too often we're painting ourselves out to simply be doers. See, many companies are looking to our previous work history as an indicator of what their return in investment in us can be. It's essential that we show them what we did, not just tell them, and the way that we do that is by highlighting the results and accomplishments we've had while in those roles. In order to switch up the narrative, start adding in numbers, metrics, and outcomes. These help illustrate the value you brought to your organization while in that role. So instead of saying you managed a team, say you oversaw a five-person marketing team. Instead of saying you exceeded the sales goals, say you exceeded monthly sales goals on average by 15%. Adding in that information can sometimes be a little hard. That's why I always suggest keeping a career journal, where you can write down your highlights to use later in resumes, LinkedIn profiles, and cover letters. If you need some help figuring out what you can include now, request a copy of your performance reviews. You or your boss more than likely put a few things in there that you can use. And remember that realistic estimates, not lies, are acceptable if necessary. Just try to be as accurate as possible and consistent whenever you speak about it. This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @LayfieldResume, or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the twenty-second entry of Tristan's Tips, our special guest Tristan Layfield (@LayfieldResume) talks about meetings and how you can turn some of those unnecessary ones into emails. Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter!https://www.linkedin.com/in/tristanlayfield/https://www.instagram.com/layfieldresume/https://www.facebook.com/LayfieldResume/https://twitter.com/layfieldresumeTRANSCRIPTTristan: What's going on, y'all? It's Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I've teamed up with Living Corporate to bring you all a weekly career tip. This week, we're gonna talk about meetings and how you can turn some of those unnecessary ones into emails. Don't you hate when you have a meeting at work, and by the end of it you feel like you've wasted a ton of time? Most managers can spend up to 50% of their time in meetings, but they consider 67% of the meetings that they attend to be failures. All of those unnecessary and unproductive meetings makes everyone hate them in general, so next time you're the host of one, ask yourself - "Is it necessary to meet in person?" If the answer is no, then consider turning your meetings into an email. There are three main things you need to make sure are in your email. First, logistics. Explain why you're canceling the meeting and set the expectations for the next meeting. The second thing? Action items. List any actions that need to be taken, who is supposed to complete them, and by when. To ensure people notice their responsibilities, make sure to put their names in bold so you know they'll see it. The third and final thing? Updates. If there have been any changes in the information, be sure to provide those updates to the group. If you check my Instagram, @LayfieldResume, you can provide this tip where I also provide an email template that you can use in these instances. This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @LayfieldResume, or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the twenty-first installment of Tristan's Tips, our special guest Tristan Layfield (@LayfieldResume) shares the method he and his employees use to make review time a breeze. Remember, your annual review is the time for you to be your own best advocate!Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter!https://www.linkedin.com/in/tristanlayfield/https://www.instagram.com/layfieldresume/https://www.facebook.com/LayfieldResume/https://twitter.com/layfieldresumeTRANSCRIPTTristan: What's going on, Living Corporate fam? It's Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I've teamed up with Living Corporate to bring you all a weekly career tip. This week, we're going to talk about something that is important for every employee - preparing for our annual reviews. As a hiring manager, one of the most common things I saw when review time rolled around is everyone scrambling to get them filled out because they didn't remember what they had done all year, or better yet, turning in self-reviews with little to no accomplishments listed, expecting their manager to remember what they've done. If this is you, you're doing it all wrong, but I'm here to help. Your review is the time for you to be your own best advocate. Otherwise, everything you've accomplished will more than likely be overlooked. So here's what I used to do and what I taught my employees so review time becomes a breeze. Most reviews require you to set three to five goals that you'll work on achieving throughout the year, so I create an annual review folder and three to five subfolders for each goal, both in my email and on my work computer. Each time I complete a step towards the goal, whether that be completing a project, developing a file, receiving recognition or getting certified in something, I file it in the appropriate folder, either on my computer or in my email. Then, when time comes to write my review, I open up each folder and easily convey my accomplishments. Remember, when you're writing your review, you want to provide your manager with things such as dates, dollars, or whatever details or measurements are needed to let them know not only that you achieved the goal, but you surpassed it. This will help them make the case for giving you that raise or recognition that you deserve. This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @LayfieldResume, or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the twentieth entry of Tristan's Tips, our special guest Tristan Layfield discusses something he thinks we've all been guilty of at one point - resume spamming. He shares a couple steps to help increase your chances of having your resume seen.Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter!https://www.linkedin.com/in/tristanlayfield/https://www.instagram.com/layfieldresume/https://www.facebook.com/LayfieldResume/https://twitter.com/layfieldresumeTRANSCRIPTTristan: What's going on, y'all? It's Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I've teamed up with Living Corporate to bring you all a weekly career tip. This week, let's discuss something I think we've all been guilty of at one point - resume spamming. Have you ever been searching for jobs and come across, like, eight positions open at a company you know you want to work for, so you apply to them all? I get the logic. The more you apply to a company, the better chance you have of landing a role with them. Unfortunately, that's what recruiters and hiring managers call resume spamming, and it could result in you not being considered for an interview. Recruiters are usually able to see all of the jobs you've applied to in their system. When you apply to a ton of jobs that aren't even remotely related to each other, you can come off as desperate and like you don't know what you want to do. If you're dying to work at a particular company, there are a couple steps you can take to increase your chances. Start by limiting the number of applications you submit to somewhere around two or three. You want to ensure that the jobs have a common thread so the recruiter or hiring manager isn't thrown off by wildly different job choices. Tailor your resume to each of those roles. While the roles you identified are similar, they still have differences, so make sure the resume you submit for each of them reflects that. We live in a day and age where tailoring is the name of the game. Whether it be your job search or your resume, be intentional so you're not setting yourself up for failure. This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @LayfieldResume, or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the nineteenth installment of Tristan's Tips, our special guest Tristan Layfield (@LayfieldResume) shares a few good questions to ask and others to avoid when the floor is yours. Remember, impressions are everything throughout the hiring process, and your interview is your first impression. The questions you ask can either help solidify you as a top pick or hurt your chances of getting a call back.Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter!https://www.linkedin.com/in/tristanlayfield/https://www.instagram.com/layfieldresume/https://twitter.com/layfieldresumehttps://www.facebook.com/LayfieldResume/Connect with us!https://linktr.ee/livingcorporateTRANSCRIPTTristan: What's going on, Living Corporate fam? It's Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I've teamed up with Living Corporate to bring you all a weekly career tip. This week, let's discuss questions to ask during interviews and a few to avoid. I think sometimes as job seekers we tend to forget that interviews are just as much for us as they are for the company we're interviewing with. Interviews also allow the companies an opportunity to show that they are worthy of having your talents on their team, not to mention one of the best ways of making a lasting impression in an interview is to ask really good questions and avoid a few others until the time is right. So let's discuss a few good questions to ask and others to avoid when the floor is yours. Some great go-to questions can come out of a few different areas. The first would be to gain clarity. Sometimes these questions take the form of "What does a typical day for someone in this role look like?" or "What would define success for someone in this role?" These questions allow you to get a better understanding of what you could be doing and how you would be measured on it. The next area is to offer assurance. Some of these questions include "Do you have any reservations about my background being a fit for this role?" or "What skills and experience would make an ideal candidate?" Now, be careful with that first question. If you aren't able to take criticism and spin it, then I would avoid it, but the second question is a great way to see if what they're saying in the job description and other places is aligning with what you all discuss. The final area I'm gonna cover is asking questions to identify red flags, and they'll sound like "Can you tell me a bit about the corporate culture?" or "What roles have successful candidates previously in this role advanced to?" These types of questions help you feel out more about the company, the advancement opportunities they provide, and overall if the situation would be a good fit for you. Now, just like there are areas you want to make sure you hit on in your line of questioning, there are definitely some areas you want to avoid. Number one, stay away from questions you can find the answer to on the Internet. It's a big sign that you haven't done your research beforehand. Number two, do not ask any questions about salary or benefits in your initial interview unless you are led to that conversation by the employer. By no means am I telling you not to ask, but there's an appropriate time. While I know the money is the motive, it makes you look like you're strictly in it for the money, and that's a turn-off for most companies. Remember, impressions are everything throughout the hiring process, and your interview is your first impression. The questions you ask can either help solidify you as a top pick or hurt your chances of getting a call back. This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @LayfieldResume, or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, at LinkedIn.

On the eighteenth entry of Tristan's Tips, our special guest Tristan Layfield (@LayfieldResume) dives into a goal setting method that will help you achieve your goals through actionable steps called "Boulder, Rock, Sand." Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter!https://www.linkedin.com/in/tristanlayfield/https://www.instagram.com/layfieldresume/https://twitter.com/layfieldresumehttps://www.facebook.com/LayfieldResume/Connect with us!https://linktr.ee/livingcorporateTRANSCRIPTTristan: What's going on, y'all? It's Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I've teamed up with Living Corporate to bring you all a weekly career tip. Today we're gonna dive into a goal setting method that will help you achieve your goals through actionable steps. There are many goal setting methods out there, and you really have to find the one that works for you. One that I use and actually uncovered from someone I follow on Twitter is called Boulder, Rock, Sand. It takes SMART goals to a whole 'nother level. Boulders are your overarching, high-level goals or statements. So for example, a Boulder statement would be "I want to become a project manager in 2019." Rocks are your SMART goals that, once you achieve them, accomplish your Boulder. For those who don't know, SMART goals are goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. An example of a Rock statement is "I will take on two projects and complete my PNP certification by December 31st, 2019." Typically you want to have three to five Rock statements for each Boulder you set. It is imperative that these be as specific as possible and actually achievable. So if you set a goal of having your PNP certification by February of 2019 and it's December of 2018, you will more than likely fail because of the need to take the course and gather a certain amount of project hours, not to mention actually taking and passing the test. Now, the Sand statements are the specific actions you will take in order to achieve your Rock statements. So for example, I will 1. have a discussion with my boss about projects I can join, 2. utilize my in-office connections to identify projects in need of assistance, and 3. identify and register for a PNP certification course. You can then put these actions into a card or on a Trello board where you have four columns, Not Started, In-Progress, Blocked and Completed. Each card has a goal deadline date and begins in the Not Started column. Once you begin working on it, you move it to the In-Progress column. Now, the Blocked section is for when life happens and sort of stops your progress on that goal. So if your job requires you to travel for a lengthy, unexpected period of time, the card is moved to Blocked until you are back and able to return to working on that task. Setting up goals on a Trello board in this fashion allows you to visually see your progress, which provides motivation to keep going and achieve your goals. This tip was brought to you by Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @LayfieldResume, or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn. Thanks for joining me. I'll be talking to you soon.

On the seventeenth installment of Tristan's Tips, our special guest Tristan Layfield dives into how you can better prepare for networking events and lower anxiety around them.Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter!https://www.linkedin.com/in/tristanlayfield/https://www.instagram.com/layfieldresume/https://twitter.com/layfieldresumehttps://www.facebook.com/LayfieldResume/Connect with us!https://linktr.ee/livingcorporateTRANSCRIPTTristan: What's going on, y'all? It's Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I've teamed up with Living Corporate to bring you all a weekly career tip. Today we're gonna dive into how you can better prepare for networking events and lower anxiety around them. If you're anything like me, networking events can be a nerve-wracking experience, but growing and activating your network has become one of if not the best ways to find a new job. Over the years, I've found a few ways to better prepare for networking events and reduce my anxiety leading up to them, so let's jump into a few things you can do before your next networking event to be better prepared. First, set some goals around the event. I've found that networking events go smoother when I know I am there. For example, I went to a conference where my goal was to meet three panelists and to connect with ten other entrepreneurs. Number two, if you can, research who may be in attendance. If you know who's going to be there, you can figure out what commonalities you all have and use that to your advantage. Number three, develop your elevator pitch. An elevator pitch is a short and concise statement that explains who you are, what you do, and what type of position you're seeking. Spend some time here and make sure it's good. After all, it's gonna be most people's first introduction to you. Number four, you want to prepare your outfit. Let's be honest. When you look good, you feel good, and there's nothing worse than it being an hour before the event and you find out all your good clothes are dirty. Number five, figure out your contact strategy. You want to think about how you're going to provide your information, receive other's information, and what your follow-up strategy will be. Do you need business cards? Are you gonna show off your knowledge of LinkedIn's Nearby feature to connect? You know, what are you planning to do? Whatever it is, you just want to make sure it's appropriate for the event that you'll be attending. While networking can be intimidating, if you can take these steps you'll feel better prepared, exude more confidence while there, and hopefully land some new and fruitful connections. This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @LayfieldResume, or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn. Thanks. I'll be talking to you soon.

On the sixteenth entry of Tristan's Tips, our special guest Tristan Layfield emphasizes the importance of knowing your worth and how you can keep track of it. He offers a couple suggestions that could help, namely career journaling and a personalized document.Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter!https://www.linkedin.com/in/tristanlayfield/https://www.instagram.com/layfieldresume/https://twitter.com/layfieldresumehttps://www.facebook.com/LayfieldResume/TRANSCRIPTTristan: What's going on, y'all? It's Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I've teamed up with Living Corporate to bring you all a weekly career tip. Today, let's talk about the importance of knowing your worth and how you can keep track of it. "What's your career story?" This is a question I ask quite a bit in calls with my clients, and initially most of them struggle with it. Many of them will pose the question, "Well, who cares about career stories?" The answer is you. Well, at least it should be. These stories form the core of many of our interview responses and can come in handy when you update or tailor your resume, write a cover letter, or even while networking, but if you don't keep a record of what you've done and don't adequately reflect on that, you'll find out how the experiences you think you'll never forget can easily be forgotten. In today's world, we can't afford that. We have to be our own biggest advocates within our career, and we can't do it if too many pieces of the puzzle are missing. Often times many of us go into negotiations or requesting a raise from our boss, but we haven't taken the time to build a solid case as to why we are worth the amount of money we're requesting. That's not usually due to the fact that we don't have the background that warrants it, but it's typically because many of us don't keep track of the things we've done or accomplished throughout our careers. So here are two suggestions that will help to mitigate this. Hopefully one of them works for you. The first is career journaling. Essentially, it's very similar to regular journaling except you write down names, dates, and significant experiences or achievements from your career. You can highlight things like the amount of money you saved the company, being promoted to manage a team, or any metrics or accomplishment-based things that may be important within your industry. The second thing is simply creating a Google, Dropbox, or iCloud folder and throwing any awards, certificates, certifications or positive feedback in there. You know, create a document in there where you list your accomplishments and career highlights. Save relevant information or documents from projects you were on. Really put anything in there that will help you remember how amazing you are at what you do. There are so many instances where it's important that you know what you've done in order to get further. Resume updates, annual reviews, salary increase requests, interviews, offer negotiations, and that's just to name a few. In each of those areas, it is necessary to have a record of everything that you can review and utilize in developing a compelling career story to make your case. This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @LayfieldResume, or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the fifteenth installment of Tristan’s Tips, our special guest Tristan Layfield relates a personal story to illustrate the importance of tailoring your resume to the job you're applying for. He also shares a few rules to follow when tailoring your own resume.Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter!https://www.linkedin.com/in/tristanlayfield/https://www.instagram.com/layfieldresume/https://twitter.com/layfieldresumehttps://www.facebook.com/LayfieldResume/TRANSCRIPTTristan: What's going on, Living Corporate fam? It's Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I've teamed up with Living Corporate to bring you all a weekly career tip. This week, let's talk about why tailoring your resume is so important. Let me tell you a quick story. When I got fired from my first job out of college in 2011, I was frantically looking for employment. I created a resume, had someone look it over, and I went to work. I mean, I sent that same resume to well over 250 employers. I probably only heard back from about 30 of them, 25 of which were like, "Nah, fam, we're good on you." I didn't disclose that I had been fired, so I knew it wasn't because of that, but at the time I couldn't pin down the reason why. Looking back on it, I realize that it more than likely was because I was sending the same generic resume to every company no matter what industry or role it was for. Had I known what I know today I would have been more strategic, but we all know hindsight is 20/20. Before your resume is ever seen by human eyes, it is more than likely scanned by what the industry calls an ATS, or Applicant Tracking Software. This software scans your resume for key words and phrases then assigns you a percentage. If that percentage isn't higher than the threshold set by the employer, then you're automatically thrown into the "no" pile no matter how qualified you may actually be. To take it a step further, studies show that recruiters look at your resume for about 6 seconds--count 'em up, 6 seconds--before deciding if you're moving on to the next step in the hiring process. You have to increase your chances by giving them the information they want to see. The way you do that is by tailoring your resume for each job that you apply for. So here are some general rules. Do a quick review of your resume and take out any expired licenses and certifications, jobs with no transferable skills to the role you're seeking, skills and duties that don't apply to the position that you're trying to land, and trainings that have no role in this job. Then you want to work on replacing them with new and relevant experience that you've gained, key words that you identify from the job description, transferable skills and expertise that would be useful in any industry, and applicable trainings, licenses, and certifications. Tailoring your resume helps to ensure that you at least have a fighting chance to make it past that Applicant Tracking Software and be seen by a recruiter. After that, you have to make sure that your resume is selling you appropriately to make it to that next step. This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @LayfieldResume, or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the fourteenth entry of Tristan's Tips, our special guest Tristan Layfield (@LayfieldResume) shares a few methods on how to get the most out of where you are in your career. Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter!https://www.linkedin.com/in/tristanlayfield/https://www.instagram.com/layfieldresume/https://twitter.com/layfieldresumehttps://www.facebook.com/LayfieldResume/Connect with us!https://linktr.ee/livingcorporateTRANSCRIPTTristan: What's going on, y'all? It's Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I've teamed up with Living Corporate to bring you all a weekly career tip. Today we're gonna discuss making the most of where you are. Are you eyeing that executive-level role and don't understand why you aren't there already? Are you consistently overlooked for promotions? Are you wrapped up in your side hustle and feel like your day job is getting in the way? So let's be real here. If you said yes to any of those questions, odds are you may either hate your role or you may be slacking a bit and don't even know it. You probably dread going in and are wondering, "Why am I here?" Believe me, I get it. I've been in that same exact spot. Nonetheless, you are in that job, and you need to make the most of it while you're there. Sometimes it's hard to see where the opportunities are, so I'm gonna try to make it plain for you. Is your 9-to-5 boring? If so, listen to educational and business podcasts and audiobooks that may help you get to that next level. Do you need new skills? Utilize the company's learning management system to take courses and learn skills that would be valuable in your current role or for the roles you're seeking. Are you planning on starting your own business? Study your 9-to-5's business concepts, strategies, and tools. It's like free business school. You get to learn from their mistakes. Want to know what another department does? Sit in on meetings if you're allowed to or request some informational interviews of your own. You'd be surprised who will actually say yes. Do you need a certification or another degree to take your career to the next level but you're strapped for cash? Utilize any tuition reimbursement programs or certification programs that the company has as a stepping stone. No matter how horrible we think a job is, we have to stop and realize how we can leverage our current roles to get to our future ones. We have to get out of the habit of asking for more when we haven't mastered less. The resources your current job provides can assist you in getting to that next level. If you treat every day in the office like it's practice, I can guarantee you'll set yourself up for whatever your next move is. This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @LayfieldResume, or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the thirteenth installment of Tristan's Tips, our special guest Tristan Layfield illustrates the importance of performing a skills gap analysis when we find we need more skills, credentials, or experience to position ourselves as the best candidate for the job we want. He helpfully breaks down how to conduct one step-by-step.Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter!https://www.linkedin.com/in/tristanlayfield/https://www.instagram.com/layfieldresume/https://twitter.com/layfieldresumehttps://www.facebook.com/LayfieldResume/Connect with us!https://linktr.ee/livingcorporateTRANSCRIPTTristan: What's going on, y'all? It's Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I've teamed up with Living Corporate to bring you all a weekly career tip. Today, we're gonna dive into what a skills gap analysis is and how you can conduct one. When we finally figure out the exact job we want to get, often times we are not qualified right off the bat to apply and get it. We may need to gain new skills, credentials, or experience to position ourselves as the best candidate, but the question is "How do you figure out what skills and steps you need to take?" While this can be answered in many ways, a skills gap analysis is a great place to start, so I wanted to take a moment to walk you through how you can conduct a skills gap analysis to help you figure out what skills you need to develop to get into that new role. Step 1, analyze the requirements. When doing this, there are a few questions you want to consider, for both the job you want and the employer you're considering. For the job you want to ask, "What are the roles and responsibilities? What task will I be performing? What technical skills, language skills, or industry knowledge is needed? And what type of education, certifications, or experience is required?" Now, for the employer you want to ask, "Where is the company headed? What skills do they need, not only now but in the future?" And what are their objectives or values? Now, in the next step, Step 2, you want to do a self-assessment. This step requires you to assess what skills and qualifications you currently have. Now, sometimes it's a little hard for us to really identify the skills and qualifications we currently have, so you may want to consult your manager, your mentor, or your professional network to gain a more holistic view of your skills. You just want to get perspective on what knowledge, skills, and ability you currently have. Step 3, identify the gaps. Here you're going to compare your skills to the skills required by the employer, which you identified in Step 1. You're comparing where you currently are to where you want to be. Anything that is present on the employer's required skills list and absent on your skills list is a gap, and that is where you want to focus for the next step. Step 4, create an action plan. Here you figure out how to bridge those gaps that you've identified throughout the analysis. Some of the items that you can do to bridge those gaps may include things like mentoring, interning, more schooling, online courses, certifications, training programs, conferences, reading, volunteering, et cetera. You want to make sure that the goals that you set here in your action plan are S.M.A.R.T., and when I say that I mean that they are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Step 5, the last step? Execute. This last step is get out there and get it done. So I thank you for joining me again. This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @LayfieldResume, or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn. I'll be talking to you soon.

On the twelfth entry of Tristan's Tips, our special guest Tristan Layfield shares why we should prepare for our one-on-ones and how to do just that. No meeting is ever productive without some preparation beforehand, so take 10-15 minutes either the day before or morning of to prepare!Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter!https://www.linkedin.com/in/tristanlayfield/https://www.instagram.com/layfieldresume/https://twitter.com/layfieldresumehttps://www.facebook.com/LayfieldResume/TRANSCRIPTTristan: What's going on, Living Corporate fam? It's Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I've teamed up with Living Corporate to bring you all a weekly career tip. So today, let's talk about why you should prepare for your one-on-ones and how to do just that. Most of us in Corporate America have bosses who are pulled in many different directions, so we should really be making the most of our one-on-one time with them. No meeting is ever productive without some preparation beforehand, so take 10-15 minutes either the day before or morning of to prepare. By coming prepared to your one-on-one, you can get your questions answered, make sure you're aligned with your boss, and most importantly, show the work you've been doing. So let's talk about some ways you can prepare. First I'd say check your notes from the last time you met. This way if you all didn't get to a topic, you can come back around to it, but you'll also know what follow-ups are needed. Now, that takes me to my next point. Check your follow-up and task list. If your boss gave you some things to follow up on or to do, it's the worst when you get together and realize you didn't complete those tasks. At least now you may be able to get in a few calls and a few emails to say you've reached out. Also, it will refresh your memory on things your boss took away that they're supposed to be checking on, so you can bring those up as well. Next, I would say check any email exchanges you or your boss have had since your last meeting. Maybe there's something in those messages that you didn't understand, and this is a great time to ask. Maybe there's something you know your boss will want an update on, and now you can make sure that you have it. This shows your boss that you're paying attention to their correspondence. Last but definitely not least, review your goals. At the end of the day, everything in corporate comes back to your annual goals. This will allow you to know where you stand, ensure your goals are aligned, and potentially gain feedback if you need assistance. Preparing for a one-on-one can make a world of difference in how your boss views you. Take the time to do so, and I'm sure at the very least your working relationship will improve. This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @LayfieldResume, or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the eleventh installment of Tristan’s Tips, our esteemed guest Tristan Layfield illustrates the concept of time management and offers up a few of his very own methods to help you get more organized and productive.Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, FB, and Twitter!https://www.linkedin.com/in/tristanlayfield/https://www.instagram.com/layfieldresume/https://twitter.com/layfieldresumehttps://www.facebook.com/LayfieldResume/TRANSCRIPTTristan: What's going on, y'all? It's Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I've teamed up with Living Corporate to bring you all a weekly career tip. Today we're gonna talk about time management. There are so many things we aren't taught in school that are necessary to be a functioning part of society, including things like career readiness and personal finance, but there's one essential skill that is necessary or everything else might crumble, and it's time management. While there's no one correct way to manage your time, I figured I'd talk to you about a few things that I've tried or currently use to see if you can adopt some of them in hopes that they help. The one thing that has always worked for me is a handy-dandy to-do list. Many people make to-do lists, but quite a few of them do it wrong. They jam their list with tons of things, knowing that they won't get to them all, and then wonder why they don't feel accomplished at the end of the day. Always be smart about your to-do lists. I keep a large list of all of the things I have to or want to do, then I use that to make my daily to-do list the night before, prioritizing items as needed. This helps me know what I'll be focused on on the next day. I also ensure that I look at my calendar to determine how many tasks or how much I can take on. I don't overdo it, because stuffing your to-do list with things you know you're not going to do defeats the purpose. Now, the way I've created my to-do list has varied over the years. I used to use my Notes app, then I tried what's called bullet journaling, next I moved to Trello, and now I use the Google Tasks app. It's clean, it's simple, and I can see my to-do list and on both my Gmail and Google Calendar. This makes my list readily available no matter what device I'm on. So, you know, really the message here is don't be afraid to go out and find the tools that help you do what you need to do, and for those of you who are more analog in a digital world, keep that handy pen and paper out and make your list. Don't try to fit into the mold of what others are doing, especially if you know it doesn't work for you. Lastly, if you're having some issues managing your time, there's a couple things I suggest. First, consider doing an activity log or journal. This is where you keep a record of all the things you do throughout the day and how long you do them for. Not only does it include work tasks, but it also includes things like eating, social media, or even watching TV. This provides an accurate picture of what you do during your day and how you invest your time. Your activity log will help you understand whether or not you're doing your important work during the right time of day, and it also helps you clearly see how much time you're spending on things that aren't getting you towards your goals. So there's some of my time management hacks. Hopefully they help you get more organized and productive. If you try any of them, please be sure to reach out and let me know how it works for you. This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @LayfieldResume, or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the tenth entry of Tristan’s Tips, our special guest Tristan Layfield details the importance of getting it in writing. He focuses on three key areas this often comes into play.Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, and Twitter!https://www.linkedin.com/in/tristanlayfield/https://www.instagram.com/layfieldresume/https://twitter.com/layfieldresumeTRANSCRIPTTristan: What's going on, y'all? It's Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I've teamed up with Living Corporate to bring you all a weekly career tip. Today let's talk about the importance of getting things in writing, A.K.A. having your receipts. When I started at my current job, my boss said, "You really like to get things in writing, don't you?" And while that question is rhetorical, the answer is "Uh, yes." I've been burnt in the past, so I've learned from my mistakes, and I wanted to make sure that I always had something to refer to. Getting things in writing ensures not only that everyone is clear but that you're also covering yourself. There are so many times where getting it in writing comes into play, but I'm gonna focus on three. Have you ever led or been on a project where people weren't clear about their responsibilities? That is the worst, but imagine if you put everyone's duties in writing and distributed them out to the team. Some of the confusion wouldn't happen, and even if it does, there's more accountability as everyone was made aware of who was responsible for what and had the opportunity to question it. The next situation where getting it in writing could come in handy is during a meeting with your boss. Sometimes these meetings are scheduled and sometimes they're not, but either way, I always suggest sending a follow-up email summarizing the topics of discussion, no matter if you were discussing a new project you'll be taking on, getting their approval for PTO, or even talking about your best sales incentive. If they don't respond, you'll have a record to refer to at any given point in time, and it puts the onus on them to correct anything you may have misunderstood. Lastly, I know when you get that verbal offer for a new job, you want to quit your current job right in that moment, but do not until you receive that offer in writing. I've seen this go wrong one too many times with candidates just like yourself ending up burnt. You don't want to have to retract your resignation and end up looking like a fool. Also, make sure you get any contingencies, like a signing bonus or 90-day bonus in writing, too so you can hold your employer to it. There are so many instances where getting it in writing can not only help you out, but really could save you from so much turmoil. Do yourself a favor and start documenting things a bit more so you can pull out those receipts. This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @LayfieldResume, or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.

On the ninth installment of Tristan’s Tips, our esteemed guest Tristan Layfield shares a few tips on how to gain skills without going back to school and potentially running up costly student loan debt.Connect with Tristan on LinkedIn, IG, and Twitter!https://www.linkedin.com/in/tristanlayfield/https://www.instagram.com/layfieldresume/https://twitter.com/layfieldresumeTRANSCRIPTTristan: What's going on, Living Corporate fam? It's Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting, and I've teamed up with Living Corporate to bring you all a weekly career tip. This week, let's talk about how you can gain new skills without going back to school. Sometimes we utilize the skills we currently have to their maximum capacity or we need to learn something new in order to advance our careers, but we don't want to go back to school. I get it. School is expensive, and it isn't getting any cheaper any time soon, so here's a few ways you can gain some new skills without going back to school. First, consider professional certifications. Maybe you want to get into project management. Consider taking a project management professional PMP course and certification exam, or if you want to get into HR, maybe you can work towards a Professional in Human Resources certification. Next, utilize the internet. Places like Coursera and Skillshare, among many others, offer free and low-cost courses to gain new skills. Also, let's not discount YouTube University. Not only can you utilize YouTube to learn a specific task you need to complete, but there are even whole courses on YouTube. Next, consider entrepreneurship. I think many people discredit the skills you can learn through entrepreneurship. Take me for example. In my business, I didn't just learn more about recruiting and resumes. I learned digital marketing, social media marketing, more operation skills, bits of accounting, sales, and so much more. While this may not have been taken into account previously, this idea of intrapreneurship or having an entrepreneurial mindset while working in corporate is taking off, so skills gained like this are becoming more valuable. You can also utilize entrepreneurship to break into new industries that you've been trying to get into in order to gain some experience. Next, consider internships. I know working for free or at a discounted rate is not usually what we want to do, but sometimes experience is just the best teacher. It can also open new doors if you give it your all. This is also a great way to break into new industries. So those are just a few ways you can gain some additional skills without heading back to anyone's campus and amassing student loan debt. This tip was brought to you by Tristan of Layfield Resume Consulting. Check us out on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @LayfieldResume, or connect with me, Tristan Layfield, on LinkedIn.