Just a girl from Detroit Job Ready

Should you always use a cover letter when applying to jobs?  I will leave that for your discretion. Personally, I don't include a cover letter each time I have applied for jobs. However, I will provide you with 4 reasons of when to include your cover letter. First, let’s start with the basics.  What is a cover letter? A cover letter is an introduction or proposal to your resume. The goal is to get the reader to look at your resume. A professional cover letter can contain,  2-3 short paragraphs with some of your key strengths and skills. Example, introduce yourself and tell how you learned about the position in first paragraph; Next, mention key aspects of your experience and strengths and last mention how you believe you are a good match and refer the reader to your resume.   Cover letters are meant to be tailored to  each  job you apply to.  When should I include a cover letter? Required . If the position you are applying for states that a cover lette

I've noticed as I am researching available jobs for teens in for our Facebook group, Dallas Teen Job Search, some online applications require a resume. Even if a teen never held a job, a resume can be done. I create and revamp resumes as a part of my nonprofit and wanted to share some tips for teens. A resume is a document that highlights your skills, abilities, education and work experience. A resume is a job marketing tool. See example picture above 😉 Here are some pointers on what goes on a resume for a high school student even if you never held a job. Also, some main sections a basic student resume should have.   Contact information: First and last name, phone number and email address. Some would add full address but city and state where you reside is fine. This should always be at the top or listed first! Objective summary: This is a few sentences that summarize your qualifications for the job. List some of your strengths and skills that are most relevant to th

Whether you are preparing for an interview, presenting your portfolio or explaining intricate details about your business....learn how to communicate to market yourself verbally as well. One thing recruiters/managers despise is a candidate who can't communicate what they do or have done. Business to business as well.  An elevator speech is a concise, well-practiced, and careful description of yourself, your profession, your business, or your product. It should be easy to convey in a short amount of time as it takes to ride an elevator just a few floors. 😉 This will help with that infamous question,"Tell me about yourself." during a job interview  Also, can inadvertently be used to tell about your business or brand.  Write it out and say it out loud to a friend or family member to get their feedback. Practice. Your elevator speech should be about 30 seconds minimum to about 1 minute max. Here are a few ways to help you prepare your elevator pitch:

I had a friend that would put everything on a calendar. This was how she organized. If you weren't scheduled on her calendar it wasn't important or was in conflict with something else. This was how she organized and it worked for her. It is proven that what you organize, you have control over. My saying is, "You have to prioritize in order to be organized". Staying organized can help with being less overwhelmed and increase your productivity. These tips can help with work, school or at home as well as produce that time management skill.  Here are some things you can do to get organized. Organize and tidy up your workspace. Before you start committing to being organized. Plus each day, tidy up afterwards. Write it down. Have a to-do list. This will help sort out some stuff. Sort of in order of priority. What projects need immediate attention first. If you are spending most of your time on one project, you may need to ask for help. Make sure you take b

LinkedIn is a social media network for professionals. They started out as just connecting professionals, but this site is so much more now. You can build your professional profile to match your resume and add on other professional items to show your work such as publications, blogs, videos, post articles, share your brand, create a business page, and follow your influences. You also can upgrade your hard skills by taking online learning courses and preparation certificate courses. As well as search for jobs, easily apply through LinkedIn and connect with recruiters. You can even find professional services to help such as career coaches, photography, graphic designers, accountants, and much more! LinkedIn has definitely evolved, and I believe every adult should take advantage of this network.  If you haven't already created a LinkedIn profile. The minimum age to create a profile on LinkedIn is 13, however, to use services is 16 with parental agreement. If you haven't used L

I have had a few people ask about enhancing their skill set or obtaining certifications. If you are not ready to be a college student full-time or if your employer doesn't pay for certification training, I have found some ways that may help you increase your hard skills set. These resources that I researched, can fit into your schedule whether working at home, transitioning back into the workforce, or just wanting to enhance your skills. Actively seeking out different ways and participating in these, displays your intent to learn and time management as well as focus on your strengths. Definitely a conversation piece during a job interview. 😉       Free online courses for certifications  https://digitaldefynd.com/best-free-certification-course-training-online/       Skillshare by Monster. some are free or low cost about .99 cents.  https://www.skillshare.com/browse       Take a typing test. Free.  https://www.typingtest.com/       Freelance work       Free or low-c

Preparation for the good and the bad. Encouraging Thoughts vlog each month. More on PCDS Facebook page or YouTube. Subscribe, Like, Follow, Comment, Donate 😉 Website https://www.pcdservices.org Facebook https://fb.me/PCDServ @PCDServ Instagram @pcdserv https://www.instagram.com/pcdserv Twitter @PCDServices https://twitter.com/PCDServices?s=01 YouTube http://www.youtube.com/chann el/UCF7HcEzbMMdrBIle1a7eDAQ LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/professional-career-development-services 

If you are a college student or in a trade school, request your transcripts. I suggest either after you complete a semester/quarter, or training hours. Too many  times has it been seen where jobs are offered that either required degrees, college credits, or hours earned in trade, that they can't get through the onboarding process because that information can't be confirmed (Because it is required for the position). The easiest way to verify if you are having issues is to show your transcripts  👌 Same for when you finish. If the school does not automatically send your transcripts when you graduate, request them (Unofficial and official transcripts). Keep stored them in a place you will remember  🤔 Plus good way to track your progress  😉 👍  Also seen where people didn't get their degree/diploma when they finished school (Especially if you owed them). If the school didn't automatically send it to you, request it during the final week ahead of time or ask the

According to the Cleveland Clinic,  Stress  is the body's reaction to any change that requires an adjustment or response. The body reacts to these changes with physical, mental, and emotional responses.  Stress  is a normal part of life. You can experience  stress  from your environment, your body, and your thoughts. Working on projects at work can raise your stress level. Doesn't matter if you have a desk job, delivery job, warehouse job, senior level job, retail job, restaurant job or even as a student. Especially during peak times or seasons. Every one is busy. Don't let it get the best of you because some times your reaction can be negative.  I want to share some techniques I use to handle stress at work. Acknowledge you can't do everything. Admitting this is the first step. I am process management driven. I am a person that wants to get every project done and on time. I do know if it is too much, I can't do it all. It is OK to ask for help or advice. Try

Once you start getting over those bumps, through hills and valleys of life you will be glad you did. Please watch this months Encouraging Thoughts video, Keep Pushing. I share my own moment where I wanted to just cancel my workshop but I did not. Keep pushing!

    I believe it is important to research and study the career field you are in or aspiring to be in. This will help you learn a ton and grow with knowledge. This can help you learn industry language/jargon and keep up to date with "what's happening" or evolving. You will be able to get a feel for what technology is being used, what company is on the rise or fall, experience needed to be well equipped, etc.     After all, research prior to getting in a career can help you make a life decision on where you want to be. As well as, save you wasting time in the wrong job for years. I do advise researching different industries especially for high school students and undecided college students. For those who have degrees you can find a mentor within a company that will help guide you along the way. For anyone, please take advantage of networking. I have mentioned this before in job searching previous blogs. Social media has some positives, such as to keeping us updated with i

I just released my first book. It is a collection of poems. Paperback available now. Kindle available mid-March. ebook coming soon 📚😃 If you like poems check mine out. These are poems I have gathered over time. Poetry is my therapy and plus I can share my testimony. Thanks in advance. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1794506624

The picture is a representation of the interview process. This one includes testing. Each company you apply to will have a basic process similar to this one. How you process through it will be the key. Don't do the same things and expect different results, something similar my Dad always says. Here are a few reasons you may not get past the first part of the interview screening process and how to change to put you in a better position. Poor grooming attire. First impression factor. Please dress business or business casual. Only field that I know that does not have to dress this way for interviews is the Medical field. But still, if they did not inform you to dress in scrubs, white coats, or specific attire, please plan to dress business or business casual.  The inability to explain your experience and how you are qualified. Relax. Practice telling a friend what your previous or current work entails. Explain how certain situations where you took the lead and fixed a p

I am very thankful to God for the path of jobs that was set for me from my teenage years to now. In my teens, I worked as a Daycare Assistant, Police Cadet, and concession stand volunteer. As I started to transition into adulthood I worked at a movie theater, as an assistant, Assistant manager for a few companies, bill collector, College Admissions Rep, in various functions in HR, and as Executive Director of my small nonprofit. I learned some ideal lessons from leaders in some of these roles that stuck with me until this day. Brenda D.: Everyone thought she was tough, well she was but she knew how to lead. I had to take everything in because I didn't at the time know how to be a supervisor. I really appreciated the time she took to meet with me before the store opened to help me adjust. She taught me to ask for help if needed and don't think you can do everything yourself.  Norma J.: She was Store manager, I believe, at another location and took the time to come help me

Encouraging Thoughts February 2019: Find Time Find the time to work on your goals, dreams, aspirations. If you are not where you want to be work on it. 😉 Use what you have so that you can get to where you're going~Charlise R.

     I had an incident where I was on my laptop (actually on my lap), my USB flash drive in, and my laptop tumbled over while I was applying to jobs. The flash drive was damaged. This happened maybe the first few weeks after I moved to Texas. Although, I learned long ago, to email myself a resume but the one I had saved wasn't an up-to-date one. I ended up going back to one of the jobs I previously applied for, opened my profile, and saved my resume from there. Well, that was one, I have a few different types of resumes and for different positions.       I have also spoken to clients and they said they lost their USB drive or don't have their resume/cover letter/references, saved. I researched a list to share. Free and not free! Free Email your resume to yourself and always email an updated one. You never know who you will talk to and they say, email me your resume. Stay ready, be job ready! Dropbox. This can be linked to your email as well. More applicant tracking sys

I have had recruiters text message me about a job opening. I don't feel it's appropriate to text in place of a call or an email. (Especially if I did not give permission when and if I applied). I have had bad experiences when recruiters text. Personally, I feel there is no way for me to know it's really a recruiter, and it's a lazy way to do the job professionally. It's too many scams out here. I am very cautious because I have been a victim. When a recruiter uses email to communicate, you will see their contact or information related to the company they represent. Links you can click on about the company to see the validity. I also believe texting first, is not a good step to represent their company or build a rapport with the candidate. Well, I don't think the first contact is to text a prospective candidate. For me, it's a red flag on proper communication. Reach out and call first, it's the basic way to build rapport. If they don't answer leave a

Part 2: Networking/Social Media I have said this (wrote it) before, your resume, networking, and one's online presence work together to create a total package. These are key essentials I consult every person I work with. I was once a manager and a recruiter. I still work in Human Resources with the Talent Acquisition team. I utilize my resources and skills to help people (Sometimes to help the recruiter and managers). 1. To sum up part 1, your resume reflects your knowledge, skills, and abilities to market yourself well. In addition; online resumes, paper resumes, and even portfolios/e-Portfolios all market to present your work, and prove your work ethic. 2. What is Networking? Networking is interacting and exchanging information, genuine relationship building towards getting career/job information. Networking is a career development skill in job searching. Utilize your network! Alumni networks, such as schools, colleges, etc. Join an email list of Alumni networks

I have a friend that I used to work with that says, "Stay ready so that you don't have to get ready". She is always prepared and very knowledgeable. Trust me she stays ready. You have to put in the work, so be job-ready! Part 3: Be prepared/Follow up A recruiter’s pet peeve is a prospective candidate who looks good on paper but cannot convey their job experiences and skills well or at all. Here is what you can do to be job-ready. Be prepared before and during a phone interview, video interview, and or in-person interview. Be yourself,  be comfortable. Think positive, and smile when you are talking. For every job for the past 10 years keep a list of the job duties you did. What did you do? What tools, programs, equipment, type of machines you used, etc. Explain your typical day. Make sure your skills match what you are applying for. If you are trying to change careers let me help you change your resume so your skills can stand out.  Practice your elevator speech

It can be frustrating job searching, interviewing and not getting hired. Even filling out hundreds of applications and not getting call backs can test your patience. Trust me I have been there. Job hunting is a job in itself. As my father says, you can't expect different results doing the same thing. Definitely change it up! I will go over some basic changes in 3 parts. Part 1. Your resume' (or lack of) Part 2. Networking/Social Media Part 3. Be prepared/Follow up Part I: Resume Do you have a resume? If so, is it up to date? Do you change it to fit the job description details of the job you are applying for? If you do not have a resume or work experience, I can still help you create one. What is a resume?  A resume is a document usually 1-2 pages that includes your name, contact information, work history (up to 10 years), education, and skill set, as well as enhancing it with a summary, accomplishments, and credentials. A resume is a quick marketing tool to pres

I discuss and share ways to save on books, textbooks or if you just like books here are ways to save. Just found out that Amazon is following suit. Let's brainstorm together! If you know of some more ways to save, leave a comment. Knowledge is powerful but sharing knowledge is empowerment 💁👌👍

My husband and I answer questions about our experiences, trials, and tribulations about moving out of state. If you have moved to another state what did you like most and what did you most have to adjust to?