Setting S.M.A.R.T. Goals The end of the year is fast approaching, and it’s time to start thinking about creating goals for the New Year. A tried and true strategy for setting career goals is the S.M.A.R.T. approach. Specific: Be as specific as possible when you set goals. Address an issue that is important to you and consider what exactly you want to accomplish, why it matters, who is involved, and what resources are required. Measurable: A measurable goal means that you can track its progress, and you can check a box once it’s completed. To set a measurable goal think, “How much?”, “How many?”, and “How will I recognize when I’ve accomplished my goal?” Achievable: Make sure that your goals are realistic and achievable. Make sure it’s within your abilities and time constrictions to achieve. An achievable goal is something that [...]

It’s hard to believe it’s almost time to wrap up the year! That means for many of us, it’s time to self-evaluate our performance for the current year and develop a new individual development plan for the upcoming new year!  Self-evaluations can be nerve-wracking and make even the highest achievers nervous. It can be a delicate balance to not be boastful, keep it honest, and represent yourself well. Here are some tips to help you master the end of year self-review process! Use this as an opportunity to shine! A Self-appraisal is your chance to show your employer that you take your career development seriously. Use this time to reflect on all that you’ve accomplished in 2020! Think about things you could have done better, and what skills you could develop to do better next year. Show ownership of your own [...]

The Interview Question that Lost Me the Job Early in my career,  I applied for a really great job. To my surprise, they offered me an interview. I killed the first interview, slayed the second, and ended up being one of the last two candidates for this sought after position. What happened in my third interview was something I will never forget. I choked when asked the question, “Tell me about a time you failed.” Of course,  I had failed a number of times in my life, yet I couldn’t find the words to articulate any of my failures in a way that wouldn’t also destroy my chance to score my dream job. So, there I was, fumbling for words, unable to think on my toes, and watching the job slip through my fingers over one simple question. Needless to say, [...]

Holiday Volunteer Work is not Just Good for the Community… It’s Good for your Career! The holiday season is here, which is a time of year when we are often reminded of all the blessings we have, and are compelled to give to those less fortunate. It’s a time to give back to our communities: thanksgiving soup kitchens, food drives, adopt-a-family, build a bike, community projects, and so much more. While these are selfless acts, it can be more than just your opportunity to do something wonderful for your community—it can also help with your career. Volunteering can help you with your job search and professional reputation. When you are out volunteering, you will make connections across the city. You never know who you could meet from city council members to lawyers to engineers… They will inevitably be able to provide [...]

Are You Using LinkedIn to its Full Potential? Are you taking full advantage of all that LinkedIn has to offer? LinkedIn is so much more than just another social networking website. It’s also not just for career seekers. It can be used to help you grow your career in so many ways. You can use it to attract recruiters, to meet likeminded people in your industry, to connect with former colleagues, to find potential business partners, to locate a mentor, to establish your personal brand, to gain notoriety, and so much more. If you’re not using LinkedIn to its full potential, you are seriously missing out on some great opportunities! Here are some features you can start using today to help you in your career! LinkedIn Groups – You can either join an existing group or create a new one! This [...]

How to Manage Employee Burnout During COVID-19 According to recent surveys, employee burnout is on the rise due to COVID-19 stressors. The main reasons reported by employees for feeling more burned out than ever are: poor work-life balance, fear of job-security, and an unmanageable workload. This pandemic has brought on unexpected stress, fear, and additional work for many industries, and employees are feeling the pressure. Burnout has risen by 12% due to COVID-19 in just three months, according to blind's report, The State of Burnout 2020. So, if you are one of the many employees suffering from burnout, what can you do? The answer isn’t simple, and there’s no cure-all, but there are steps you can take which will at least help. But, not trying to improve the situation at all can have serious consequences for your career. We do not [...]

5 Things I Wish I’d Known Earlier in my Career 1. Everyone you meet could open a door for you someday. Throughout my career, doors were opened or blocked because of people I’d met along the way. You’d be surprised how small your industry really is—and how far word travels. Decisions I made, the attitude I projected, and the work ethic I exhibited at a part time job in my teens affected my career 15+ years later. It’s amazing how many people’s paths I have crossed multiple times in my career, at different companies, and even in different industries.  I have received recommendations from people I hadn’t worked with in over a decade. Every single person you meet has the potential to open doors for you in the near future or distant. Be careful to never burn a bridge. 2. Don’t [...]

Considering a Career Move During the Pandemic? It can feel a little scary to consider a career move during the pandemic. Planning ahead for a career move during such times of uncertainty may feel a bit overwhelming. But, that doesn’t mean you should put your career aspirations on hold. In fact, these turbulent times may be just the right change to start fresh. Here are some key principles to keep you focused on your career goals, even during uncertain times. Develop new skills In order to reinvent your career, you will need to develop new and marketable skills. There are many options for online learnings, and courses you can take during the pandemic. Use the extra time you have now to learn new skills. It’s a good idea to pursue a variety of skills, and in the process you may uncover [...]

The #1 Soft Skill Employers are Looking for Right Now According to Udemy’s 2020 Workplace Learning Trends Report, a growth mindset is the number one soft skill employers look for right now. As we all know, this year has brought on many unique and unexpected challenges in the workplace. Employees need to be growth-minded and adaptable in order to survive this tumultuous time in the workforce. Soft skills like being adaptable to change, a desire to learn, and possessing a sincere interest in career development are invaluable skills right now. These all fall under the  soft skill of "having a growth mindset." Why is a growth mindset more important than ever in 2020? The future workforce needs to learn new skills and be adaptable to change to survive this pandemic. We are in unprecedented times which is completely mixing up the [...]

3 Reasons You Should Leave Your Resume to the Experts Just like any other service, you are going to get better results and save time and headaches by hiring a professional. Sure, you could try to fix that plumbing issue on your own, or attempt a DIY a home remodel, but unless it’s your skillset, you may end up disappointed with the results and waste precious time, energy, and resources. If you hire a professional, you will end up with a much more satisfactory finished product. In fact, if you hire us at Platinum Resumes, we are so confident in the results that we guarantee your satisfaction. 1. Job Searching is time consuming and stressful enough already. You have to pick out your outfits, get your suit or dress dry cleaned, get your hair styled, practice interview questions, search and apply [...]