Just a girl from Detroit Job Ready

I hope you're all doing well! I wanted to take a moment to share a bit about my current situation at work and the lessons I've learned along the way. I've recently taken on a new job, and while I was excited at first, I've come to realize that it's not the right fit for me. The decision to seek a change is never easy, but I've learned that our professional journeys are meant to be dynamic and reflective of our growth. One key takeaway from this experience is the importance of open communication. I've prioritized expressing my feelings and concerns with my manager, highlighting my desire for roles that align more closely with my career goals and values. Having those conversations is essential, whether they lead to adjustments in my current position or help me transition to something more suitable. Moreover, I've come to value the concept of professional development even more. Reflecting on what skills I want to cultivate and what environments help m...

I have seen numerous resumes over the years. Many of you know that in my previous jobs, I was a Manager, Supervisor, Recruiter, & HR Specialist. I worked in many facets of HR and reviewed many resumes that fit the criteria and some that did not. Four things stood out, out of all the resumes I've seen. I was in awe that these were on their resume or missing from it. Let's take a dive into those things. Highlighting My personal definition of a resume is that it is your billboard marketing tool to the job you are applying for. Your knowledge, skills, and abilities are the main focus when recruiters and managers skim over your resume. No need to highlight what is meant to stand out on your resume.  Social Security Number Yes, some people put their social security number on their resume. This is a big DO NOT DO THIS! Your social security number does not go on your resume at all. No place for it. Your social security number is supposed to be sacred and protected. You don't wa...

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: ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

     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 a...

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 have been working since the age of 13. I either held a job and or volunteered with my Dad's PAL league team concession stand  (Eastside Giants at Denby) . My Dad even helped my sister and I start our own concession stand. I had some good summer jobs and part time jobs. From working at a day care center, (who remembers Sleepy Hollow in Detroit??), being a Police Cadet at the   convalescent  homes, to working at the movie theater. These jobs did create some discipline and time management incorporation. I did not have the opportunity to work in fast food. Thank God. 😏 I worked at Star Gratiot Theater my senior year in high school and part of my first college semester. Working there taught me about customer service, representation of the company, diversity and that customers are very attentive (secret manager informants  😒 ) in what I did when I worked at the concession stand. Obviously, this is a customer facing job. Usually with customer service jobs you ...

For myself, writing lists of goals help me to manage and achieve them more realistically. Every year I write a list of goals and objectives. Throughout the year I cross off what I've achieved. If there is a few items on the list, they may end up on next years list. Then I self examine to see why that goal was not reached. What happened? My list is composed of things I want to do, things I want to get (usually big ticket items), upgrades, and ideas. This is what I think the definition of goals and objectives are to me. Goals are things or something that you focus on that is realistic and attainable. Goals are positive production toward a better future. Goals maybe individualized or involve others like family, coworkers, etc. They can be big, small, long term or short term. Sometimes you have to reset your goals. Objectives are about the process you will do to obtain those goals. The what, who, when, where, how, most importantly why. What about career exploration goals and object...