Career Development with FootBridge

Want to take your career to the next level? Sure, we could all stand to take on a new challenge and earn more. But, how do we get there? At FootBridge, we believe in using the resources at your disposal to grow both personally and professionally.

If you’re looking to get to the next step in your career, we’re here to help! Here are a few key pillars to your career development:

1. Building Your Network
2. Growing Within Your Company
3. Job Search Strategies
4. Making a Great Resume
5. Interviewing for Your Next Career Move

Building Your Network

Did you know that up to 80 percent of jobs are found through networking? This means that surfing the job boards isn’t necessarily going to land you your dream job. Getting out, meeting people, and shaking hands will have more of an impact. 

But first, what exactly is networking?

According to Merriam-Webster, networking is “the exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions.” When you add someone to your network, you are opening an opportunity for them as well as yourself. Networking has the ability to change your career path in an instant, all it takes is one interaction.

So, how can I build my network?

Lucky for you, there are many ways to expand your network. With the presence of the internet and an entire social media platform dedicated to it (LinkedIn), it’s never been easier to grow your professional network! 

Search for local networking events, job fairs, connect with professionals in your industry on LinkedIn. There is no shortage of ways to build your network, so get out there and shake some hands!

If you’re looking to network in person, join groups on LinkedIn, check out Meetup.com, or search in Google for “Networking Events Near Me” you should find plenty of options to get out and start meeting new connections.

Growing Within Your Company

The best investment a company can make is in its own employees. In fact, one in three employees are looking to change their role within their own organization. With that said, how can you be one of the 8.9% of the workforce that is promoted?

How to get promoted

One of the best ways to ensure you get a raise or promotion is to start a dialogue with your manager. Whether it be around performance review time or the start of the new year, meet up with your manager and bring proof of performance. (Speaking of performance reviews, we have a whole article dedicated to them.) This would be proof of your value to your organization and why you deserve a raise or promotion. This dialogue can go one of 2 ways:

You got the promotion!

Congratulations, that was painless and worthwhile.

You were denied the promotion

Ask your manager what areas you can improve to earn the promotion that you’re looking for. Write those down and track them for the next few months before you approach the subject again. If you are told there is no opportunity for growth, bring your proof of performance to other employers where you will have more opportunities to grow. You can also check out our article on what to do if you’ve been skipped over for a promotion.

 

Job Search Strategies

When you’re searching for a job, it can feel like you’re hitting dead ends everywhere you look. Subsequent to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Great Resignation, job openings are at a record high. So, what are some good strategies to land one of these spots?

Reach out to businesses in your field

Many people think “no” is the worst thing you can hear. But, what’s even worse is not trying at all. Did you know that experts estimate about 70% of positions are never publicly advertised? When you reach out to an employer, you are showing initiative and separating yourself from the crowd. If they are impressed enough, it may not even matter if they have an open position, one can always be created for the right candidate.

Build your network

If you want a job, network network network. The most important part of networking is creating mutually beneficial relationships. Whenever you find an open position that a colleague may be interested in, be sure to share it with them. They will remember, and someday that could be the reason you land a new job as well.

If you don’t know anyone who would be interested in a position off the top of your head but it seems like a great opportunity, that’s fine too! Put the position up on social media and it just might find the right person. 

Leverage Digital Resources

The internet is arguably the most powerful resource for your job search. It a wealth of knowledge and opportunities waiting for you to take advantage of. Sites such as Indeed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn provide value that is not available anywhere offline.  You can sign up to receive emails containing job offers every few days to mitigate the amount of time spent searching as well.

Stay Positive

The most important part of a job search is to be persistent. Keep reaching out, networking, searching, and putting your best foot forward. Keeping a positive attitude is your key to finding the job you’re looking for, no matter what the field is. It will take time, but when one door closes, one opens. Keep using all the resources available and something will stick.

Recruitment Companies

Recruitment companies, such as FootBridge, give job hunters a competitive advantage over everyone else. They are able to compile all of the best jobs from your field in one location and match you with the right employer. Recruiters are able to take you step-by-step through the hiring process and help you with everything from your resume to filing a direct deposit form for your new company. Recruitment and Staffing companies are responsible for hiring over 17 million positions each year, and if you’re looking for a job then there’s no better place to look!

Making a Great Resume

Resumes and cover letters are often overlooked by employees, but never by employers. On average, employers spend less than a minute looking at a resume, which makes it even more imperative that they do not find a mistake. Over 75% of resumes are disqualified due to grammatical errors, don’t let this be you.

Your resume should be updated every 2-4 weeks with the most relevant tasks that you have accomplished in your current role. This will ensure your resume is kept up to date, as well as give you a chance to review it often for grammatical errors. If you want all of our Do’s and Don’ts we have the article for you! &  You can also check out our article on ways to improve your resume.

Cover Letter

When you’re applying for a position and you truly want to separate yourself from the crowd, then you should absolutely write a cover letter. This is a highly debated topic, as some believe cover letters are a waste of time, others believe they separate the good candidates from the bad. If you’re someone who’s looking to go the extra mile in order to secure a position, here are some ways you can write a killer cover letter. Already have a cover letter? We like your style. Here are some ways you can improve your cover letter.

Also, keep in mind:

• Email Addresses: Is your email professional? 35% of employers have turned down candidates due to unprofessional emails. (We’re looking at you KittyGirl24@gmail.com!)
• Social Profiles: Do you have a clean social media presence? Many hopeful candidates have been and continue to be turned down from positions due to their social media presence. While it is your personal profile, employers are looking for people to represent their organization. Double-check your social media to ensure this won’t be an issue for you.

Interviewing for Your Next Career Move

The First 90

Interviews are the key step in landing a position, this is your first impression and chance to stand out to a prospective employer. Interviews can sometimes be lengthy, however, 33% of employers know whether or not they’re going to hire someone within the first 90 seconds. It’s also important to be sure that you’re dressed for success, as 50% of interviewers think that a candidate can be eliminated just by the way they dress for the interview.

The Meat and Potatoes

Don’t let the first 90 seconds scare you. Show up dressed appropriately, give a firm handshake, and introduce yourself. Make sure you’re ready for the interview before you walk in the door. You should research the company, learn about who they are, what they do, and why they do it. You should also prepare yourself for any questions that you may be asked during the interview. Here’s our article on how to spice up your interview answers and stand out.

You should be ready for all of the basic questions, and be on your toes for any strange ones that may try to catch you off guard. Sometimes employers like to see if you’re able to think on your feet, especially if you’re applying for a leadership position. One of the most difficult and common questions asked during an interview are you describe your weaknesses. Luckily, we’ve got an entire article on how to talk about that.

The Conclusion

While it’s important for the interviewer to determine if you’re the right fit for their organization, it’s just as important for you to determine if their business is the right fit for you. The 3 most important things to Millennials searching for jobs are

• growth opportunities,
• retirement benefits, and
• workplace culture.

Be sure that when the interviewer asks you if you have any questions to take that opportunity and find the answers to any questions you may have left about the position. Then you thank them for the opportunity and head out.

The Follow-Up
Professionals across various fields have weighed in on follow-up emails and how much they help prospective employees. The answer? A lot.

Employers take on many interviews before they hire for a position, and many forget 80% of what was spoken about during the interview. However, they will remember how you made them feel. Did you leave a feeling of excitement? Motivation? Do you think they will remember your name? A great way to make sure you leave a good feeling is to send a follow-up email a day after the interview thanking them for their time. This will boost your chances of getting hired significantly. If you didn’t get an offer, don’t get down on yourself. There are many competitive fields with highly qualified candidates, and you just might be in one of them. Here’s our article on how to move forward.

Contact FootBridge Today

At FootBridge, our recruiters specialize in connecting new candidates and established professionals to jobs in the Chemicals, Energy Services, Oil & Gas, Power & Utilities, and Manufacturing industries. Contact us today to learn more: Toll-Free: (877) 807-8400 Email: info@FootBridgeCompany.com