Tips for Securing Your First Professional Position

Having walked together through the process of positioning ourselves - 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐬 in O&G for early career 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞 roles. Now, let's look into unconventional strategies that will not only set us apart but also prove highly effective in securing these remote opportunities. Here's how you can make your application standout! ✅ 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐨: Instead of the traditional resume, consider creating an interactive portfolio. This could be a website or a document with hyperlinks to projects, achievements, or even a short video introduction. Make it memorable! ✅ 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐕𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨: Accompany your application with a short cover video. Use this opportunity to showcase your personality, enthusiasm, and unique skills. It adds a personal touch that a written cover letter might not convey. ✅ 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚: Leverage platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, or Twitter to highlight your expertise. Share insights about the industry, comment on relevant posts, and engage with professionals. Recruiters often check social profiles, and a strong online presence can make you stand out. ✅ 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠: Go beyond describing your skills; showcase them by solving a problem the company might be facing. Create a brief report or presentation demonstrating how you would approach a specific challenge in the role you're applying for. ✅ 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨-𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 & 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬: Equip yourself with specific skills related to the role through online courses or micro-credentials. Mention these in your application to show your commitment to ongoing learning. ✅ 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫: If possible, try to connect with current or former employees of the company on LinkedIn. A short, polite message expressing your interest and asking for insights can sometimes lead to valuable information or even a referral. ✅ 𝐕𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐬: Propose a virtual coffee chat to discuss the industry, the company, or even the specific role. This informal conversation can help you build a connection with someone inside the organization and gain insights that go beyond what's on the job description. ✅ 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤: Offer your skills on a freelance basis or volunteer for a short-term project. This not only adds experience to your resume but also demonstrates your commitment and adaptability. Now, armed with these insights, take action. 🚀 Your future in the oil and gas industry awaits—seize it with confidence and ingenuity. If you found these tips valuable, consider sharing them with your network. Now, I’d love to hear your thoughts. What resonated with you, and how do you plan to integrate these strategies into your remote job search⁉️ Share your insights in the comments below, and let’s continue the conversation.

I recently conversed with an individual who diligently sent his resume to 255 potential employers yet received responses from only five entities. Admittedly, I haven't actively pursued a full-time job for over a decade. Nonetheless, I found his experience disheartening. Upon requesting his resume and cover letter for review, it became evident why he struggled to elicit a response. It seemed he hadn't invested the necessary time and effort to craft his application materials with precision, intention, and self-awareness—focusing on his unique contributions, aspirations, and professional direction. Here are 10 tips we discussed, what did we miss? 💡 Quality Matters: A polished resume and cover letter create a positive first impression for potential employers, showcasing your qualifications effectively. 💡 Customize and Highlight: Tailor your application materials to match job requirements, emphasizing relevant skills and achievements while using keywords from the job description to grab attention and help with the bot reviews. 💡 Attention to Detail: Mistakes or generic content can make you appear unprofessional and disinterested. Take the time to craft personalized materials that align with the job requirements. 💡 Research and Align: Research the company and position to tailor your materials accordingly, aligning your skills and experiences with the organization's mission and values. 💡 Self-Reflection Matters: Reflect on your strengths, weaknesses, interests, and values to guide your job search strategy effectively and articulate your career goals. 💡 Adapt to Changes: Job application methods are evolving, including automated responses. Utilize networking, social media, and personalized outreach alongside traditional methods. 💡 Targeted Efforts Pay Off: Focus on quality over quantity in your job search. Target opportunities that match your skills and goals to increase response rates. 💡 Communicate Value Clearly: Emphasize relevant accomplishments and skills that demonstrate your ability to contribute to the organization's success, using clear and concise language and formatting. 💡 Seek Support: Take advantage of resources like career coaches, workshops, online platforms, networking, and mentors to improve your job search and interview strategies. 💡 Continuous Improvement: Reflect on your approach to job searching and applications, prioritizing quality, seeking feedback, and exploring new strategies to enhance your success.

I landed my dream job without applying, or even looking! Here's how: Job hunting has completely transformed in today's market. ↳ Your online presence is the new Resume. ↳ Your LinkedIn profile is the new Cover Letter. ↳ Your projects and certifications are the new Curriculum Vitae. Optimize these to position yourself, so that the job finds you.. ...before you find it! Here's how YOU can position yourself: 1) Optimize your LinkedIn profile • Intentionally tailor your profile to ONE niche, example: Cloud, AI, etc. • Have a professional headshot; add accurate background logistical info. • Add supporting media to advocate for your background information. 2) Showcase your work • Use your 'Headline' space effectively to highlight roles you desire. • Add references to your GitHub, personal portfolio, personal blog. • Make sure they're easy to find with custom buttons on LinkedIn header. 3) Let your Industry Certifications advocate for you • Certifications boost your credibility in terms of skill, discipline and grit. • Highlight them in the LinkedIn header. For example: 4x AWS certified. • Insert verification credentials accurately in the 'Certification' section. 4) Double down on your uniqueness • In a market where tech skills are common, show your differentiated value. • Display academic achievements, personal projects, volunteering activities. • Get creative and double down on YOUR uniqueness and personality. 5) Join relevant communities to increase visibility • Find communities related to industries you want to get hired in. • Engage in discussions and add your unique perspectives. • Talk about your work in the field; you could catch the attention of that one recruiter/hiring manager that can change your life. 6) Important: Perfect your craft while positioning yourself • Hone your technical and communication skills to be interview ready. • Learn to articulate your responses in STAR + SOAR methods. • Ask meaningful questions during your interview. This one's a differentiator! 7) Stay positive and resilient • Getting an interview is Step 1, but cracking it is another story. • Learn the ART of interviewing - this takes practice, rejections, and research. • It's okay to get rejected, they bring you closer to the ONE YES you need. 💡 Pro Tip: Boost your credibility with free identity verification on LinkedIn. 💡💡Pro-Max Tip: Maintain a positive and professional demeanor ALWAYS! #Recruiters and #JobSearch experts - what additional advice would you add? #recruitment #jobhunting #opentowork #hiring #aws #amazon #job2024

Traditional employment paths are becoming tougher to navigate. Here's how to cut through the clutter. 👉 The context? Roles often go to internal candidates or referrals. Over 40% of positions filled internally and networking outweighs direct applications 7:1 in final hiring choices. As an applicant, you'll get lost in robotic Applicant Tracking Systems. As a hiring manager, it's tough to manage the noise. A better approach would involve using contextual data to match candidates' skills/past successes with real corporate needs, focusing on job context and performance-based requirements. Until then, if you're looking for work, navigate the hidden job market with these steps: 1. Clarify Your Brand: Your resume and LinkedIn act as gatekeepers. Keep your resume is concise, achievement-focused, and tailored. LinkedIn should represent your professional identity, highlighting skills, experiences, knowledge. 2. Find Your Voice: Amplify your presence on platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, or even TikTok. Share industry insights and original thoughts to boost visibility and establishing expertise. 3. Network: Engage in local events, professional groups, and discussions. Networking is about genuine connections, not just adding contacts. 4. Direct Outreach: Use tools like LinkedIn SalesNavigator, OctopusCRM, Apollo for targeted outreach within your industry or desired companies, expressing interest. 5. Networking Calls: Use them to uncover 'business pain' and align your past achievements to solving these challenges. 6. The Art of Follow-up: Persistently follow up with those who engage, expressing thanks and interest, to maintain momentum. 7. Master the Interview: Learn techniques like STAR and behavioural interviewing to align your experiences with job requirements. 8. Resilience is Key: Expect rejection, including ghosting and offer withdrawals. Stay positive and learn from each setback. Adopting these strategies isn't just about finding a job; it's useful in building a career. Reach out if you need guidance. I will help. What's worked in your job search? Share your strategies.

Don't ever be the "I should have cared more" person. I can't even begin to tell you how many candidates I have spoken with that not just half-assed a conversation with me, an initial recruiter, but on interviews. They get rejected and then say: "Wow, I really liked that role; I wish I had done some research beforehand." ❇️ The single most important advice for someone looking for a new job is to thoroughly research and understand the company and the position you are applying for. This encompasses several key aspects: 1. **Company Research:**  Learn about the company's mission, values, culture, products or services, and recent developments. ↴ ➡ Deeper than a quick website scan, understanding the company's background and goals will enable you to tailor your application and interview responses to align with what they are looking for in a candidate. 2. **Job Description**  Read the job description carefully to identify the specific skills, qualifications, and responsibilities required for the role.↴ ➡ This will help you tailor your resume to highlight your relevant experiences and abilities. 3. **Customize Applications**  No one wants to keep entering the same application info each time. But you should avoid sending generic applications to multiple companies. ↴  ➡ Instead, customize (within reason) your resume and cover letter for each application to demonstrate your genuine interest in that particular role and how you can contribute to the company's success. 4. **Interview Preparation**  Prepare for interviews by practicing common interview questions and crafting thoughtful responses that showcase your skills and experiences. ↴ ➡ Also, be prepared to ask thoughtful questions about the company and the position during the interview to demonstrate your genuine interest. 5. **Showcase Your Value** Focus on showcasing the value you can bring to the company rather than solely emphasizing what the job offers. ↴  ➡ Employers are interested in candidates who can solve their problems and contribute to their organization's success. 6. **Positive Online Presence**  Ensure your online presence, including social media profiles and professional platforms like LinkedIn, represents you positively. ↴ ➡ Many employers and recruiters research candidates online before making hiring decisions. Yes, we do look at your profile for consistency, not content. 7. **Patience and Persistence**  Job hunting can sometimes be lengthy, so be patient and persistent. ↴ ➡ Stay positive, keep applying, and continue refining your approach based on feedback and experiences. 👉 By diligently researching and understanding the company and position, you increase your chances of making a solid impression on potential employers and finding a job that aligns with your skills and career goals. 🏆 If you require some personal Career Therapy, hit me up, and we can have a quick, free intro chat! #jobsearch #careerdevelopment #jobsearchadvice

"I've applied to countless opportunities and can't seem to secure an interview" This is the other side of the coin I posted about last week. If you are finding yourself saying this during your job search right now, you aren't alone. We are at a place in the market right now where it feels like there are more candidates on the market than there are open seats. This can create frustration in job searches and sometimes result in a feeling of imposter syndrome or defeat. Here's what I suggest to candidates this resonates with: -Answer ALL recruiter messages. Even if a recruiter has messaged about a role that isn't applicable to your experience, respond anyway. Getting in their CRM and on their radar with the right information about your skills can result in future opportunities they bring in. -Follow up with recruiters. Of course, you shouldn't have to. Many recruiters cover such a wide scope of roles that candidates they have out to nonresponsive clients sometimes fall through the cracks. Gotta stay as relevant as possible! -Get a second opinion/professional assistance on your resume. I often see resumes that are way too long, overexplain, and are too buzzwordy or unnecessarily flashy. -Keep applying (I know...you have been, but don't stop!) -Work on skills development in the meantime (certifications in your desired field is a great place to start). This is also applicable to staying sharp with your current skillset/tech stack if you are completely out of work. -Study interview tactics and common questions to ensure you are prepared when interview time comes. The STAR (situation, task, action, result) interview method is very effective typically. -It may seem obvious, but leverage your network and the people you've had good relationships with in your career as much as possible. As much as I want to put "stay positive" in the bullet points, I understand that isn't an tangible action item that will secure interviews. While "staying positive" may not land you that first interview, it is essential for confidence during a job search and during interviews so try to keep your head up! Feel free to comment your two cents or message me to chat. Hang in there folks, you got this!

As a Recruiter with Engage Partners Inc. candidates often ask me to give an honest assessment of their resume. Although I never want to offend anyone, I believe that being transparent is most important. Here are some tips: 1. Clarity is Key: Make sure your resume is clear and concise. Use bullet points and headings to organize information neatly. 2. Highlight Achievements: Instead of listing tasks, focus on your accomplishments. What impact did you have in your previous roles? Numbers and results speak volumes! 3. Tailor for the Job: Customize your resume for each position you apply for. Highlight skills and experiences that align with the job description. 4. KEYWORDS MATTER: Many companies use applicant tracking systems. Use relevant keywords from the job listing to increase your chances of being noticed. 5. Showcase Skills: Highlight technical skills, certifications, and achievements that showcase your expertise and potential. 6. Tell Your Story: Your resume is a snapshot of your career journey. Use it to tell a compelling story of your professional growth. 7. Proofread Carefully: Typos and errors can hurt your chances. Proofread your resume meticulously or ask a friend for a fresh pair of eyes. 8. Keep It Current: Regularly update your resume with new skills and experiences. Don't forget to add your latest achievements! 9. Professional Summary: Consider adding a brief professional summary at the top to introduce yourself and your career goals. 10. Formatting Matters: Use a clean, professional format with consistent fonts and spacing. Make it visually appealing. 11. Last but not least - read your resume as though you are the recruiter hiring for the position. Would your resume stand out? **Remember, your resume is your first impression on potential employers. Craft it with care, and it can open doors to exciting opportunities.**