The Confident Career

Starting a New Job While Everyone is Working Remotely

It’s been a wild few months, and if you’ve been on the job hunt, it has definitely been interesting! If—by a happy turn of events—you’ve managed to get hired and are about to start a new job soon, there is a good chance you’ll start out working remotely. So, how do you dive in and get started? To be the new guy or gal at the office is always challenging, and with all that’s happening now—there might be some new hurdles you’ll need to consider. Here are a few tips to help make sure your first remote day ends up being a smashing success!

Conquering the Virtual Interview

Right out of college, I took a job where everything—my interviews and offer—had been done virtually. Of all my interviews, this one gave me the clearest vision. I asked so many questions and was able to envision the opportunity in such detail.

The calls between my future manager and myself continued over weeks. I relied a lot on those phone calls. Since I couldn’t do an in-person interview, asking several questions allowed me to visualize working there.

I looked at photos from their website to see the team I might work with. I emailed back and forth with the managers to clear up any confusion about the offer. And ultimately this communication and clarity led me to say yes.

So, if you find yourself in a situation where you are virtually interviewing for a job, here are some tips:

Is “Shaking Hands” A Thing of the Past?

Due to the circumstances we find ourselves in, shaking hands could be a thing of the past primarily due to the actual health risks that follow it.

How to Face Your Fears When the Unknown Is Laid Out in Front of You

Fear is normal. The motivation for fear is a biological response to danger that exists in all animals. But sometimes, and for humans especially, the natural fight-or-flight impulse shifts into an overwhelming sense of dread from which one feels unable to escape. In times of great ambiguity, it is easy for panic to take over. When that panic level rises, so can one’s propensity for fear and indecision. The only thing to do is face it head on. Here are 5 steps to help you move past the powerlessness that fear can instill and reach the other side successfully.

The Benefits of Obtaining a Master’s Degree

In today’s job market, most everyone is coming into the workforce with a degree. According to The Hill, over a third of American adults have a four-year college degree, the highest level ever measured by the U.S. Census Bureau. Having a college degree has become the new norm, and it doesn’t necessarily make you a special candidate for most positions anymore.

What might make you stand out, however, is a master’s degree. While in some cases getting a master’s isn’t required, having one does make you a more attractive candidate for jobs and a more respected professional among peers in your field.

Here are 4 benefits of getting your master’s that you may not have thought about before.

Who’s Hiring in the Wake of COVID-19

In the midst of this uncertain time, it can seem as if every business has come to a grinding halt. The unemployment numbers look grim, with claims currently hovering near 17 million as the impacts of COVID-19 continue to effect the economy at large. What you’d be surprised to know, however, is that many key industries are actively hiring new employees to help them handle the increased demand that has come with people utilizing their services more than ever.

3 Things to Keep in Mind as You Embark on or Continue Your Job Search

Despite the changing world, it is possible to initiate or continue searching for a job at the moment. And yes, it will be different. It’s true that some jobs may be harder to come by right now, and if you’re in one of those industries, know that there are opportunities in other fields where you can parlay your skills. There is great demand for jobs in healthcare (these jobs don’t all need a medical license), maintaining medical and consumer supply chains, or delivering essential goods to those staying home—some of these may be part-time jobs, some gig-jobs, and other full-time opportunities.

It’s encouraging that these opportunities exist, but keep in mind that your job search will still be challenging to traverse. Because so many businesses are now operating out of the homes of workers across the country, the responses from recruiters and hiring manager will likely be slower than usual but know that there are companies that will hire for the roles they need the most.

How to Navigate a Virtual Career Fair

Like most things, the way busy, career-driven people navigate job hunting is changing. Luckily, it’s easy to meet recruiters through virtual career fairs. Virtual career fairs are online events where employers and job seekers can meet using chat rooms, teleconferencing, webcasts, webinars, email, or other digital channels to exchange information about job openings. Almost every industry can be represented at job fair, making it the perfect chance for those in the job market to see what’s out there.

Job Searching in the Time of Coronavirus

Ah, the job search! Is it just me or has it gotten a bit more complicated lately? As one of the many people who have been actively looking for a job recently—you better believe I’ve been watching the Coronavirus with my eyes wide open, but the past few weeks have left me scratching my head and grappling for more information. Just when I think I’ve got a handle on it; new information comes to light that makes me take a closer look. Whatever you may think on the subject, the Coronavirus is having a gigantic impact on industry and society at large—and that, my friends, is nothing to be scoffed at. With Coronavirus being the dynamic situation that it is, it’s hard to know how to go about applying for jobs at all. Read on for the latest information!

Navigating Benefits as a New Grad: A Guide to What’s Cool and What’s Important

Navigating the job market is stressful no matter you experience level. But for new grads, there’s an extra layer of complexity added to the process. It’s often difficult for new grads to figure out things such as typical pay for the position they want in the city they want, whether the PTO the company offers is normal or not, and whether having a keg in the office is actually a benefit or more of a distraction. This guide will help break down what’s normal, what’s cool, and what’s just plain useless when it comes to benefits a company is offering.