Author: Mike Balof

A retired Air Force Master Sergeant, Mike used to lay in bed at night and worry about what would happen if his plant closed or found himself without a job. One day his plant closed. Rather than panic and hysteria (OK, maybe a little) Mike found himself carried away on the adventure of his life. Mike started with the best job he ever had working at Home Depot. He spent 8 years working with job seekers at a local workforce center, helping them to find employment. He then started his own company developing courses, writing books and urging others to follow their own paths into the future. Mike holds a Master of Arts in Adult Education and Training and a Bachelor of Business Management, earned through the University of Phoenix and an AAS degree in Electronics Systems Technology from the Community College of the Air Force. Mike is a member of the Delta Mu Delta Business Honor Society.

Use A Recruiter or Staffing Agency 

Using a recruiter or staffing agency is an excellent way to advance your career or find your next job opportunity. They are specialists in connecting job seekers with employers and offer valuable insights and guidance throughout the hiring process. 

One of the most significant benefits of working with a recruiter is access to job openings never advertised. Recruiters often have relationships with companies and know positions not posted on job boards or company websites.  Recruiters can also help you tailor your cover letter and resume to the needs of the position, increasing your chances of an interview. 

A recruiter offers a level of support throughout the hiring process. They can guide interview preparation, negotiate job offers on your behalf, and provide feedback on your performance after the interview. 

It is important to note that while recruiters can be a valuable resource, you should also do your own research and due diligence on any job opportunity presented. Ensure the job aligns with your career goals and values and that the company culture fits well. 

Researching Potential Employers and Company Culture 

When looking for a new job, looking at the company culture is always good. Some companies are lax in dealing with work or people issues and how the work gets accomplished; some are very heavy-handed. Finding a company close to your work ethos will give you a better fit.  

When researching a company, visit their website and social media pages. You can learn about their mission, values, and the products or services they offer. You can also find information about the company’s history, leadership team, and the latest news or announcements. 

Another way to research a potential employer is to read online reviews and ratings from current and former employees. Many employment websites offer employee reviews and ratings, providing valuable insight into the company’s culture, work-life balance, and management style. Look for trends and no single views. 

Networking is the best tool for researching potential employers. talk with current or former employees and ask about their experiences working for the company. Also, attend industry events and expos to meet employees or executives from the company and learn more about their culture and values. 

The more you can talk with company management, the better the feeling you will have in deciding if you are a good fit or not.  

Job Interview Practice 

Have you ever sat in a job interview, been asked a question, and as soon as you answered, you wished you could take it back and say something better? It happens to all of us. You want to practice interview questions before you get into the room. It will give you a better chance at any interview you go to. 

Preparing for a job interview is nerve-wracking. Your chances increase, though, with some practice and preparation. One way to prepare is by researching the company and the position you are applying for. The best way is to go to their website, read articles they have published online, and talk to anyone you know who works there. This work will help you understand the company’s values, mission, goals, and the specific requirements and responsibilities of your desired role. 

Another critical aspect of preparation is practicing common interview questions. There are many sites online where you can find generic questions commonly asked in interviews, such as “Tell me about yourself” or “What is your greatest weakness?” Practicing these questions beforehand helps build your confidence, making you feel better prepared during the interview. You can also practice and record yourself answering the questions to review later. 

It’s also important to dress appropriately for the interview and arrive on time and with the necessary documents or materials. Being prepared will show that you are professional. 

Listen actively to the interviewer’s questions and answer them thoughtfully and honestly during the interview. It’s okay to take a moment to think before answering and ask for clarification if needed.  

You Can… And Only You Can 

Did you know you have it in your makeup to do anything you truly want or need to do? It is true. Please do not ask me for the nut and bolt specifics. I only know I have seen it work more times than you can imagine. The biggest trick is wanting to do something and do it. 

I am not blowing happy smoke here. Things begin to happen when you start on a quest to get something done, like finding a job or a career. The more you try, the better the results get. Usually not overnight, yet as you work on it. 

Yes, you must believe that you can reach your desired destination if you work at it. Put your heart into finding a path, someone to believe in you, and the strength to see it through. 

I can do it, but only for me. Others have done the work and got to where they wanted to be. It is up to you to find your path and follow your heart.  

Do not forget to take your loved ones with you. Everyone does it for themselves, yet they gain strength and courage from those who stand by them and urge them on. 

Starting next week, I will be putting out some training on finding the right path to your future. Some courses will be free, and most will be part of a low-cost monthly academy. There will be more on that later. 

Have a great weekend, and I will be on the blogs next week. 

Making Your Time Work for You 

It is almost impossible for many of us to control our time. One of the most significant problems is how much of our time we are willing to give those who want someone to do it for them. We need to be very proactive with how we use our time wisely.  

To succeed, set clear long and short-term goals of what you need to do with your time to get the outcome you want. Set tasks from those goals that are small enough to work on each day. Set priorities for those goals and give yourself enough self-care time to keep you at your best. 

Setting boundaries for your time to eliminate distractions is a wise move. So is setting up your work environment and timeline to get the best output for your work. You do not need to say yes to those things that do not mesh with your values and goals. 

You should always be able to adjust your schedule and be flexible when the unexpected arises. You can make the most of your daily grind if you drive towards your goals and maintain your plans. 

Starting Next Friday, everyone’s invited to take advantage of our free course, ‘Making Your Time Work for You.’  

More to come next week. 

Network with professionals in your field to gain insights into the industry. 

Networking with professionals in your field is essential in advancing your career. It can lead you to job openings and provide valuable insights into the industry. You can attend industry events and conferences. If local, you can attend in person, if too far away, see if they have a web site that gives you the highlights. These events allow you to meet professionals in your field, learn about the latest trends and developments, and exchange ideas. 

I always like it when I can attend an ‘After-Hours’ event with the local Chamber of Commerce. They hold them in various places around the city, and everyone is in a large room to meet each other, exchange business cards, and explain what they do or are looking for. 

LinkedIn is another way to meet professionals in your line of work. LinkedIn is a worldwide network of professionals for any area of work you can think of.  Also, contact people you admire and ask for a short informational interview. It is a beautiful way to learn more about their career paths and gain valuable insights. During these interviews, do not ask them directly for a job. 

Volunteering your time and skills is another terrific way to network. Non-profit organizations often have a wide range of volunteers, many of whom are professionals. I met a lot of industry movers and shakers through volunteering. 

Networking with professionals in your field could significantly change your career. By attending events, connecting on social media, and volunteering your time, you can increase your chances of finding job openings and gaining insights into the industry to help you stand out from other candidates. 

 Assess your skills and qualifications for improvement 

Assessing your current skills and qualifications is critical in identifying areas for improvement. By looking at your abilities, you can identify strengths to build up and weaknesses to overcome. This process can help you set goals and ultimately help you succeed. 

Start by making a list of your skills and qualifications. Consider your education, work experience, and any completed training or certifications. Assess where you excel and where you struggle. Do you need to address any gaps in your knowledge or abilities? What are the areas where you could use additional training or education? 

Once you have identified areas for improvement, create your action plan. The plan may include enrolling in courses or training programs to build new skills, seeking mentorship or coaching to develop existing skills, or pursuing additional education or certification. 

Remember that skill development is an ongoing process. It’s essential to assess your progress and adjust your goals as needed regularly. Proactively improving your skills and qualifications can open new opportunities and help you succeed personally and professionally. 

A High-paying Job Starts with Identifying Opportunities 

Researching the job market in your field is the first step in identifying high-paying job opportunities. Know what you want to do and what you can do. You want to get information from reports on job trends, what companies are looking for, and how they use their employees in those positions. Know the current salary structure in your industry. And keep checking it every month to six weeks to stay ahead of the curve and position yourself for success. 

You can start by exploring job boards and company websites specializing in your field. It lets you know the skills required for the jobs available. Also, network with professionals in your industry and attend job fairs to gain a better insight into the current job market.  

I also recommend using Onetonline.org. It is a free site written by the U.S. Department of Labor and Department of Education. You can find many good facts about jobs and compensations right down to your state and county. 

First get a good, solid understanding of the job market in your field. You can use this information to identify high-paying job opportunities. Look for jobs that require specialized skills or expertise that you have or can learn before applying. These are the jobs that usually have higher salaries. And look for jobs that are growing. 

The high-paying jobs often need significant investments in education and training. Consider pursuing advanced degrees or certifications to enhance skillsets and make yourself more marketable to potential employers. 

Let People Know You Are Looking 

You know it when you are out of work, yet few others do. That is why no one is banging on your door, asking to hire you. You need a straightforward way to let people know without putting pressure on them. 

One of the easiest ways is using an ‘Elevator Pitch.’ The elevator pitch is easy to do and has a return on investment. The best part is that you can do this without an elevator. Your Pitch is the time it takes an elevator to go up or down a couple of floors.  

You should have some business cards made. The card should have your name, contact information (phone #, email address, and, if you want, your address. Show your current job on the card as Job Seeker. It is just something so that a potential employer can reach you. You can make them on your computer and print them on business cardstock. 

The speech goes like this: 

Hi, I am __ (Your Name) __ and I work with (tell them your job or what you did.) I am presently looking for work and wonder if you may know someone who could use a person with my skills. 

Give the person your card and ask them to please pass it on if they find someone who might need a good worker like you. 

Here is the surprising part. Within about two weeks, the person runs across someone looking for a worker with your skills. Not always, yet more often than you would imagine.  

Do not stop other work to find a job. Work with everyone and every agency you can. The Pitch is just one more way to get your word out. Use it whenever you have a good feeling about someone or are talking to someone in a business that uses people with your talents. 

Tomorrow we will talk about job fairs. 

The Help you need the day after a Layoff 

If you get let go from a job for any reason, your first action the next day should be to go to your local workforce center. They can get you registered for state and local assistance and have a listing of employers hiring for a job you could earn a living with until you are back on your career path. 

Although registering with the workforce center and taking practical classes is a good thing, do not build a habit of hanging around there all the time. The workforce center cannot hire you for a job. Only an employer can hire you. Spend your time looking for companies and employers who can use your skills. 

If you are a vet, go to the local VA and see what they can do to help you with employment. If you are a union member, visit the union hall to see what is available. If you are over 50, check with the local AARP or council on aging. Never count on one path to get you a job. Go everywhere until you find the job you want and need. 

Tomorrow, I will write about the elevator speech. Do not worry. You do not have to be in an elevator for it to work.