I was invited to participate in a job search panel at St. Xavier University along with James Miller (who coordinated the event), Lauren Milligan, Nathan Peck, and Dr. Vincent Alexander Davis. Approximately 30-40 students attended and asked questions in areas such as resumes, career changes, job scams, networking, and more.

A few of the highlights include:

This lecture, sponsored by Enterprise, explored the current job market, the importance of soft skills, networking, job scams, effective interviewing, and strategies for securing internships and jobs.

Job Market Trends (2024 vs. 2014)

The job market is now more fragmented by industry, with varying opportunities across different fields.

- Tech and healthcare allow for “overemployment” (holding multiple high-paying jobs remotely).

- Awareness of burnout and mental health has increased since the pandemic.

Entry-level jobs are becoming increasingly challenging to find due to automation and AI, with a greater emphasis on internships.

The Importance of Networking and Soft Skills

- Soft skills (communication, teamwork, adaptability) are essential and less commonly developed in today’s remote/tech environments.

Networking is crucial for finding jobs and gaining insight into various industries.

Maintaining positive professional relationships is essential to stand out.

- Informational interviews (short conversations with professionals) help you gather career insights and expand your network.

LinkedIn is a vital tool for networking and maintaining professional contacts.

I reflect on my extensive experience since 2011, emphasizing the importance of engaging with industry organizations, building social proof through online work, and being generous without expecting immediate returns.

• Job seekers should focus on value exchange and thoughtful giving to build meaningful connections.
• Preparation and strategic planning are crucial steps in the job search process.
• Participate in professional communities and organizations, leveraging platforms such as YouTube and LinkedIn to showcase your skills.
• Stay apprised of industry trends.
• To counter desperation, he advocates for a proactive approach, emphasizing continuous learning, networking, and adaptability.
• Resilience is key, and be open to new job search strategies. Stay relevant and prepared in a fluctuating job market.

Tired of seeing job scams? Me too! I talk about avoiding and combating them on The Job Scam Report. Subscribe!

I reflect on my extensive experience since 2011, emphasizing the importance of engaging with industry organizations, building social proof through online work, and being generous without expecting immediate returns.

• Job seekers should focus on value exchange and thoughtful giving to build meaningful connections.
• Preparation and strategic planning are crucial steps in the job search process.
• Participate in professional communities and organizations, leveraging platforms such as YouTube and LinkedIn to showcase your skills.
• Stay apprised of industry trends.
• To counter desperation, he advocates for a proactive approach, emphasizing continuous learning, networking, and adaptability.
• Resilience is key, and be open to new job search strategies. Stay relevant and prepared in a fluctuating job market.

Tired of seeing job scams? Me too! I talk about avoiding and combating them on The Job Scam Report. Subscribe!

Now is the perfect time to plan a long-game solution to enhance your chances of being found by recruiters, hiring managers, and employers in the future. AI is the new SEO, as in Search-Everywhere-Optimization, and Google is the orphaned child of "Search Engine Optimization."
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I’ve been doing this podcast for nearly 12 years, and my blog has been around since July 2011. If you haven’t yet, I encourage you to check the available articles and podcasts. We’ve had over 300 episodes featuring more than 200 guests, including other content creators, career coaches, and business people.

For the first time, I’ll do a series of solo episodes to share my thoughts and gather your feedback. I’ve been exploring AI in the context of job seeking and have written articles on this topic since 2019. AI is here to stay, and I want to discuss how it impacts job searches, comparing Search Everywhere Optimization to traditional Search Engine Optimization.

For the entire show notes, go to thevoiceofjobseekers.com/podcasts

Welcome back to The Voice of Job Seekers podcast. I took an unannounced break from this podcast to concentrate on content for "The Job Scam Report" podcast. Some of you subscribe to the newsletter and podcast. Many good things have been happening there, so it has been quite busy.

In March of 2024, I was invited to join a panel (actually two) at St. Xavier's University in Chicago. The panel consisted of Nathan Peck, an Associate Professor, James Miller, Shared Governance President, and Lauren Milligan, Founder of ResuMayDay, a Resume Writer and Career Coach. Each session had about 30-50 students.

Below are some of the highlights of the 75-minute panel:

Craft a Strong Resume: We encouraged students to tailor their resumes to highlight relevant skills and experiences for each job application, ensuring they're clear and visually appealing. Lauren provided a basic overview of the ATS (Applicant Tracking System) and its role in hiring and emphasized the need for simplicity. She also added how ChatGPT can be helpful in the process.

Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile: The panel collectively agreed students must create a compelling LinkedIn profile to reflect their professional brand, including a professional photo, detailed work experience, and engaging summaries. We discussed how LinkedIn can facilitate the expansion of their network, and learning from successful career industry professionals through their profiles.

Network Actively: We advised students on building and nurturing professional relationships through networking events, social media, and industry groups to increase job opportunities and get referrals. Networking is vital for career advancement today, especially for introverts. It's a great connection hub for building relationships with present and future collaborators.

You can find the entire show notes at The Voice of Job Seekers!

Highlights:

I conducted another interview with Erica Madison of One Life Tools and EMCC at the National Career Development Association in San Diego.

Erica is a career coach and workshop facilitator at her company, Erica Mattison Coaching & Consulting LLC. She just published a book, ": "Clarifying What Matters: Creating Direction for Your Career."

Highlights:

Erica discusses her journey into career coaching, which began through her job creation and advocacy for environmental practices at her university, leading to her role as a sustainability coordinator.

She highlights the growing opportunities in climate tech and sustainability across various sectors.

Erica emphasizes the importance of non-linear career paths and leveraging diverse backgrounds for sustainability roles.

She shares that she aids job seekers and executives develop leadership through storytelling and personal insights, using tools like One Life Tools.

Erica reveals insights from her forthcoming book, which guides navigating non-linear careers and achieving clarity.

We underline the value of tapping into strengths and experiences for career development and encourage job seekers to explore the sustainability sector.

Be sure you get my FREE Guide, "125 Practical Modern Job Search Tips 2024-25!"

This week's episode features a panel discussion with Porschia Parker-Griffin, Mher Mardoyan, and Kevin D Turner. We discuss the job market turbulence and its nuances, along with strategies for dealing with it.

Mher is a Career Coach, LinkedIn Profile Strategist, and Job Search Coach. He hosts the YouTube show "Get Hired Show."

Porschia is an Organizational Consultant and Business Coach who helps her clients with job search strategies. She is the host of "Career Podcast 101."

Kevin helps clients with branding, LinkedIn Profile Optimization, and Career Coaching. His YouTube channel is "KeepRockinLinkedIn."

Highlights:

Porschia offers her perspective, noting that many clients find it more challenging to get responses from job applications, dubbing it a "September Slowdown" instead.

Kevin further discusses the uncertainty in employment due to the political atmosphere and how AI makes the job market more competitive by helping job seekers optimize their applications.

We agree building a solid presence on the platform is essential.

Mher advises following and engaging with companies, while Kevin highlights the necessity of posting relevant content consistently and leveraging market value filters to appear higher in recruiter searches.

Porschia underscores the significance of LinkedIn headlines and warns against sharing too much personal information during interviews.

We also touch on the importance of networking. Mher and Kevin agree that building genuine, non-transactional relationships is crucial.