Finding a job only takes one yes, so Tamara Atkinson has five tips to help you land your next career opportunity.
By Tamara Atksinson
Photos by Matt Lemke Photography
For Tamara, workforce development is personal. When she moved back to Austin in 1999 (after attending undergrad at The University of Texas), she had only $800 in her bank account, temporary housing and a baby with life-threatening health problems. Tamara needed a job to help her survive. The first company that gave her a chance was Workforce Solutions Capital Area (formerly WorkSource). The opportunity at Workforce Solutions Capital Area, the nonprofit responsible for the data-driven planning, oversight, and evaluation of workforce development activities in Austin-Travis County, changed the trajectory of her life. She quickly learned that workforce development is the nexus between education (which was her background) and economic development. The support she received from her community allowed her to juggle caregiving for her daughter while developing in her career, eventually working her way up to CEO of the organization. Through her work and personal experience, she knows that connecting someone to a meaningful career can transform their life. Further, Tamara is grateful that the Austin community supported her and her family at their time of need and she has devoted her career to paying it forward. Tamara shares five tips to help you land your next job opportunity.
Recruit your squad
When beginning a job search, round up all the tools in your toolbox. All Texans have access to WorkInTexas; a web tool provided by the Texas Workforce Commission for creating a resume, searching for jobs, finding job fairs and accessing training and educational resources. Next, find one-on-one support. Workforce Solutions offers this type of support, so you don’t have to go through this process alone. You can make an appointment with a Workforce Solutions customer solutions representative at your nearest office.
Don’t just apply, stand out
Now, I want you to prepare for the reality that looking for a job is a job in itself. And, it pays to put the extra effort into your application materials. Here’s a pro tip: Use a large language model system (such as ChatGPT) to research the companies before applying and tailor your resume and cover letter to each company and role. Ensure you meet the qualifications they are looking for and use the keywords highlighted in the job listing in your application when they match up to your experience. Recruiters and hiring managers receive thousands of resumes, so make yours show why you are the right fit for their company. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is here to stay. Why not make it a part of your search process?
Refresh your skills
If you’re coming across several roles you really like but find that you don’t meet the qualifications, go back to the toolbox you organized in step one. There are often training and educational resources available, at no cost, to skill up for those roles that are calling to you. You can become an Excel spreadsheet queen in a matter of weeks. And if it’s been a while since you’ve interviewed, you can run through mock interviews with the team at Workforce Solutions, so you’re prepared to answer the interview questions you’ll likely receive. Pro tip: The same AI tool that you use to research your prospective company and role can also help you prepare for the interview. Simply ask the AI what questions are common in interviews for that position. Ask AI to role play with you using the speech capabilities of the AI. Be the best version of you!
Escape the title treadmill
If there is a company you are vibing with but the role they are currently hiring for is below your level of experience or desired compensation, I would encourage you to consider it. You may need to take a small step back to take a bigger step forward. Continuing your development journey with the company you want to work for may be more valuable than holding a specific title. Get your foot in the door and work your way up. Many companies offer professional development opportunities for employees to grow their skills on the job.
Stay positive
The job search can wear down your morale if you’re not hearing back or the process is taking longer than you expected. I’ve been there and I’m here to remind you that it only takes one yes for you to land your dream job. When you go into an interview with a positive attitude, employers can hear it in your voice and see it in how you present yourself. I truly believe that a little positivity goes a long way in life and in the job search process.
2 Comments
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