Transition Insight

Are you ready to make a career change or begin your hunt for a new job? Then these 20 quick yet high-impact actions will give you a boost!

In case you don't know where to start, this list of quick and easy ideas will get you on your way to building your brand, nurturing your network and re-energizing your career.

Help Your Career By Doing These 20 Things

Google Yourself

Enter your name in quotation marks in Google's search bar and see what comes up on the first page. You want to see the best information about yourself show up here such as your LinkedIn profile, or professional mentions. (If you see other less-desirable information, read Job Seeker: Get On Page One)

Identify Potential Employers

Identify and assess top companies in your desired industry and make a list of the ones that sound interesting. This will serve as a list for future research, identifying who to network with, and tracking the activities of these companies (including jobs posted on their site).

Reconnect With Past Colleagues, Classmates or Contacts

It's never too late to touch base. Send a quick email to people you haven't talked to in awhile, like your college classmates. Space your messages out over the next few weeks so that the responses you receive won't arrive at the same time and you'll have time to reply.

Send An "Update" Email to Your Network

Along the same lines, sending an email to your closer friends and associates is a wonderful way to bring your network up to speed on what you're doing professionally. Don't be afraid to insert some personal highlights as well. Close your email with a sentence asking them to update you on their lives or offering your assistance.

Update Your LinkedIn Photo

If you're still using a photo from years ago on your LinkedIn profile, update it with a fresh, contemporary shot. A few simple reminders. Use a headshot, not a full-body shot. Have a simple background. No selfies. Smile. No sunglasses. Dress appropriately for the job you are interested in. And make sure that you are the only one in the photo. A 400-by-400 pixel photo is ideal, according to LinkedIn.

Audit Your LinkedIn Profile Views

It only takes a few seconds to check how many people have viewed your LinkedIn profile. Consider this a baseline number to improve on. Once you've made some updates, wait a couple of weeks, then go back to check the number of views your profile received. Here's what you need to know about your visibility on LinkedIn.

Try a New Social Network

Learning how to use a new social network may increase your marketability. Sign up for one you aren't using yet and spend a few minutes playing with the functions and following influential users.

Create a Reading List of Business Books

Ask your friends or mentors for book recommendations. You can request general recommendations or ask for books on a specific topic. Once you've compiled the list, send it to everyone who contributed as a way of saying thanks. (Here is one of my lists top recommended career books)

Make a Wish List

Over the past few months, people may have recommended attending events, conferences or training seminars. Put these together on a list. Research dates, locations and costs to help you determine which are feasible for you to attend this time around. You may even ask your manager whether your company could sponsor your attendance.

Invest Time In Your Hobby

Investing in yourself can help you feel rejuvenated. Be sure to add time for your hobby to your calendar so other emergencies don't push it aside. It's fine to be a little selfish once in awhile.

Order Personal Business Cards

Treat yourself to personal business cards. They are an easy way to share contact information. At a minimum, include your personal email address. You could also include your personal mobile telephone number, LinkedIn profile link or other branding information you want people to know or ask about.

Research Salaries

You really should know how much other people in your field or occupation are earning. Do a quick search using salary calculators. Also email a couple of local recruiters to get an idea of how much professionals with similar experience and skills are commanding.

Organize Your Desk

It may sound like a procrastination stunt, but decluttering your desk may help you feel less overwhelmed. Chunk this project into three smaller increments to keep it manageable. First, set up an online filing system. Second, toss old materials you no longer need. Third, scan important documents you want to keep and upload them to your computer.

Zero Out Your Email Inbox

If you feel like a slave to your email, try setting up a system to manage incoming messages. Not only will this save time, but it may also reduce stress. Many job seekers choose to create a separate email account just for their job search. It keeps things separate and reduces spam from your other personal email address.

Master Your Calendar

Try putting everything on your calendar. Schedule time every day for specific job-search or career-building activities you know you should do. It's too easy to say that you don't have time to reach out to people or meet for coffee, so build it into your schedule throughout the year.

Compile Positive Feedback

Before you forget or lose the information, collect performance appraisals and testimonials from customers, clients or colleagues. Send the materials to your home email or save it to the cloud and keep it in a "brag file." If you want to create a presentation or portfolio of positive feedback quotes in the future, you'll have easy access to this information.

Create a Bucket List of People You Want To Meet

Brainstorm a list of industry experts, local movers and shakers or even famous alumni you want to reach. Creating your bucket list will help you carry through on making the outreach actually happen.

Create a Vision Board on Pinterest

A vision board is collection of images that represent a future goal. Search for photos online that represent your ideal future work space or company. Include visual representation of the steps that will lead to your goal, such as winning an Employee of the Month contest, writing an award-winning paper or even attending an industry conference. There may be industry experts you idolize or want to emulate. Add these photos to your "dream job" board on Pinterest and print and post the page somewhere you see every day for inspiration.

Create a Fresh New Email Signature for Your Personal Email

Your personal email signature is a great branding opportunity but most people overlook this. Include a link to you LinkedIn profile, phone number and tag line or branding statement- just in case! Here's more help for spiffing up your email signature.

Fix Your Online Visibility

If you search for your name using Google (as mentioned in #1) and the best information doesn't appear at the top of the results, you can fix it! It takes some time, but with a few simple steps, you can begin improving the results for your name.

Since social media platforms are public, they are fair game for anyone looking to do a little more research into potential employees. You can be sure recruiters and hiring managers are using them to learn more about you.

And if a recruiter or hiring manager doesn't like what they see on your social media, it can easily take you out of the running for your dream job.

When you are applying for a new job, take a few minutes to consider what you're putting into the digital world and how it can be interpreted by a potential employer. Show your professionalism by consistently engaging respectfully and sharing relevant content thoughtfully across all platforms.

Just as recruiters and hiring managers can look at your social media accounts, you can do the same to learn more about where you're applying.

VA Careers maintains active communities on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and X (Twitter), where we share employee stories, news about hot jobs, application advice (like this very post) and information about what it means to work at VA. While you're reviewing your own social media, give us a follow so we can share more with you.

Work at VA

Visit VA Careers now to go more in-depth with our tips for maintaining a positive social media presence during your job search, and how you can dig a little more into potential employers like VA.

How long do you actually spend reviewing the job posting? If your answer is less than 60 seconds, it's time to invest more time and attention!

Spend More Than 60 Seconds Reviewing the Job Posting

Today's job seekers often rush through job postings, but with strains on talent acquisition/recruiters, remote work trends, and a greater emphasis on skills, careful review of the job posting is more important than ever.

Make sure you take the time to thoroughly review the entire job posting for keywords, job location, and qualifications.

Applicants Are NOT Qualified

63.3% of employers said they receive too many unqualified applicants when hiring through a job board or recruiting platform according to iHire's "2024 State of Online Recruiting 2024".

And there are several reasons why there are so many unqualified applicants. A 2023 survey by SHRM asked recruiters what candidates were doing wrong. Here are three potential reasons:

1. Job descriptions are too broad and open to interpretation by both recruiters and applicants.
2. Applicants lack an understanding of position requirements and distinctions between entry-level, intermediate, and advanced roles.
3. Candidates applying to positions requiring a wide range of expertise, hoping the recruiter will identify which of their skills provide the "best fit"

I'll add one more: Mass applying to jobs using AI tools that supposedly customize your application for each job.

It is equally important to follow instructions on how to apply and any other instructions provided.

Job Postings Stink, But...

Not all job postings are well-written or thorough. In other instances, it may feel like the company is looking for a unicorn. Either way, you can't change that, but you can perform your due diligence and thoroughly review and absorb all parts of the job posting before you submit your customized resume and company-specific cover letter.

Use Relevant Key Words

Talent acquisition/recruiters will scan or search your resume for keywords. Keywords are for hard skills, technology, certifications and processes or procedures. Therefore, It's important to review the job posting thoroughly to make sure you have as many as ethically possible in your resume.

Here's an example of a job posting with highlighted keywords. Keywords vary by industry, job and employer. This is why it's so important to carefully review each job posting.

TIP: You can use a prompt like the following in ChatGPT or Claude.ai to identify keywords or important terminology from the job posting which are not in your resume.

Generative AI for Application Assistance

Another great advancement for job seekers is access to advanced generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, that can help craft resumes, cover letters, and even prepare for interviews. While using these tools can save time, it's still important to ensure the application is customized and personal.

Apply To The Right Level Jobs

Use the information below to help you understand how years of experience translate to position level. If you apply for a job you are either over- or under-qualified, you're cover letter will need to explain why you are interested and qualified in the role.

• 1-3 years is usually considered entry-level. Low pay
• 4-9 years is mid-level. Mid-level pay.
• Over 10 years usually indicates a senior-level position. Higher level-pay.

Highlight Skills Over Years of Experience

Many employers are shifting focus toward skills like adaptability, critical thinking, and the ability to work in diverse and fast-paced environments. Pay attention to the skills listed in the job posting and highlight those in your resume and cover letter, even if your years of experience don't match perfectly.

Verify Location & Work Parameters

Job postings today often specify remote, hybrid, or on-site expectations. Before applying, ensure the working arrangements match your preferences. If remote work is an option, be sure your resume conveys your ability to work effectively in a virtual environment.

Salary Transparency

One of the best things to happen in recent years is that many job postings now include salary ranges due to increasing transparency laws.

When reviewing the job posting, be sure to check the salary range to ensure it meets your expectations before applying. If the posting doesn't mention a range, do your research to see if it could potentially be a good match. In this instance, you will ask about compensation during the interview process.

Conduct Company Research

Before you apply, go one step further and research the company. Use resources like Glassdoor, LinkedIn, and/or Comparably to research a company's culture, leadership, and employee reviews. This will help you tailor your application and interview responses to better align with the company's values and goals.

Follow The Jop Posing Instructions

If you've reached this point, then there's good chance you are ready to submit your application and resume. Following instructions is one way to show how you would perform on the job. Be sure to deliver your resume and materials as the employer has requested.

Submit your resume in the format/method requested.

Some companies may ask for your resume in a .docx format. Others may specify they want a .pdf. And some may ask that you email your resume or apply on a specific website. Follow the instructions provided in the job announcement.

A request for additional information.

Some job postings may request salary requirements, references, or work samples. And some employers may request video applications or review your digital presence. Make sure your LinkedIn profile, personal website, and even video introductions reflect your professional skills and are aligned with the job you're applying for. If you decide NOT to submit the requested information, explain why you are not supplying this information at this time but that you will be happy to supply it when the interview is scheduled.

Understand How Recruiters Think

While there are many facets of the application process that are within your control, there are still some things you can't control, but DO need to understand. Let's get into the head of recruiters so you can understand how they are evaluating your application and resume.

Recruiters are under a lot of pressure, often with too many open job requisitions. But they are on the front line reviewing resumes. This means they don't have much time or energy to try and figure out how a resume aligns with the job. Let's make their jobs easier by clearly connecting the dots to show them our the skills and experience match many of their requirements.

And don't believe all the talk about how applicant tracking systems (ATS) are tossing out your resume. Yes, your resume may get scanned into the ATS so keep your formatting simple. But, no ATS is being asked to eliminate resumes. (There are instances where the ATS is programmed to ask you a knock out question, like "do you have a bachelor's degree"). If you ask any recruiter they will tell you that they at least look at every resume submitted.

There are other factors your application will face and you should be aware of such as:

• Your resume will face a lot of competition. You will be one of hundreds of applicants.
• It often takes hundreds of applicants to reach a single hire.
• A recruiter's first review of a resume lasts seconds (often on their phone). Make your resume easily skimmable and include relevant keywords.
• A resume that isn't in a simple format may not upload into the ATS correctly.
• Most recruiters will check your LinkedIn profile. Make sure it is up-to-date and accurate. Better still, it should explain more than your resume does about your work experience.

The Bottom Line

The time you invest to review the job posting requirements will allow you to fine-tune your resume and this makes it easier for the recruiter who reads it to understand if you are qualified for the job.

Editor's note: The sharing of any non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement of products and services on the part of VA. Veterans should verify the information with the organization offering.

The following is an account from former lieutenant colonel and Marine Corps Veteran James Volkmar who, with the help of Togetherweserved.com, reconnected with his radio operator 44 years after they were both medevaced from the battlefield in Vietnam. To find and reconnect with your own service buddies, visit the TWS Buddy Finder.

I was leading my company, Hotel 2/26, in March 1969, along the river at Ga Noi Island when we were attacked by NVA in a battle that raged for several hours. We had Spooky (Douglas AC-47D,) often referred to as "Puff the Magic Dragon," sending down from the sky a wall of solid red tracers blowing the hell out of banana trees. As Spooky finished firing in front of my platoon's perimeter, Lt. Tom Turner came up on the net requesting that he do the same for his platoon's perimeter. I remember when the first round in front of Tom's position hit, I said to my radio operator, Cpl. Arthur Phillips, "that was close." Just then, Turner came up in highly emotional tones shouting, "Check fire! Check fire!" Seems Spooky had shot right down the line of Tom's platoon, but the "Gods of War" were watching out for those Marines as there was only one Marine with what amounted to a flesh wound.

A moment later, my radio operator and I were suddenly felled by some explosive device that picked me up and launched me nearly 10 feet in the air. I like to think back that I was able to shield my radio operator with my body as I bore the brunt of damage from the shrapnel. In any case, the left side of my body got a healthy peppering of shrapnel and my face might have escaped, but when the blast went off I turned to see what it was. My nose was almost sliced in two.

I struggled up and limped back to my radio operator, who was standing rather rigidly upright clutching his neck with blood streaming between his fingers. I laid him down before the corpsman arrived and took over the triage before a medevac chopper came to take us out. This was the last time we saw each other. I spent nine months in various military hospitals and was then reassigned to the U.S.S. Hornet in Long Beach, California.

I joined Together We Served in January 2006 and quickly found two Marines who were in the same boot camp platoon as me. Together We Served has a feature to record my service memories in a self-interview they call Service Reflections, and my service story was published in their monthly Reflections Newsletter in February 2013. It was just by sheer coincidence that a certain Arthur Phillips had just joined Together We Served and received a copy of this newsletter. He saw my name and my mention of my radio operator injured in the Ga Noi incident, and realized I was referring to him. He reached out to me by phone and I immediately recognized his voice. We had a great conversation and made a promise to meet as soon as we could.

It turned out ABC News had become aware of our story and arranged for us to travel and meet each other in Washington D.C., which they filmed for a news segment. It was a very special day for both of us and one we will never forget.