In this issue: and more….. Video interview tips, strategic job searching, thank you note examples, job searching after 40, emerging jobs report and more!

Happy Holidays!

Sending the December issue of the Briefs on the Friday before a major holiday is definitely a risky move. I realize that some of you are absolutely slammed trying to get everything done before you leave the office today (just star this and read it later!). On the other end of the spectrum, I'm sure some of you are counting the minutes to when you can leave the office and (hopefully) this was a nice distraction. Whatever today looks like for you, I hope that the rest of your December is restful and memorable.

My kids are in the "wonder years" where everything is special and fun (and also really exhausting as a parent!). I am excited to take next week off to spend with family. I hope that you are also planning some time away from work and your job search to rest.

I would be remiss if I didn't take a moment to THANK YOU for all of your support this year. 2019 was an incredible year for my business and we couldn't have done it without you. Thank you for trusting us with your job search. Thank you for referring us to your friends and colleagues. Thank you for engaging with my content on social media. We got to help hundreds of job seekers this year land new and better opportunities. I am so grateful I get to do this work and blessed to get to work with people like you. Thank you.

Cheers to a great 2020.

We are rooting for you,

Sarah ([email protected])

Curated Career Conversations: Expert Interview Series

It’s no secret-- video is here, and it’s here to stay. Big organizations like Apple, Twitter, Dropbox, Facebook, and Google have all implemented videos as a part of their recruitment strategies to attract the best talent. My latest interview with expert video coach, Brighton West, talks about how to look great on camera when interviewing or producing video content.

Strategic Job Search Marketing

How long does an executive job search actually last?

Short answer: it depends.

Some say 1 month for every $10,000 you make— although, I think the reality is it depends on economic factors, how committed you are to job search intensity, how connected you are, if you are willing to relocate and your expertise and reputation in the industry.

An executive resume client of mine from July has maintained regular contact throughout his job search.  Now, almost 5 months after our first engagement, he is evaluating offers and his long term goals.

We talked recently about modern job searching.  He said:

- “Networking is real!”  It took a while to get momentum going, but it’s all about having conversations with people you know and getting introductions to people they know.

- It was hard to maintain stamina. He was working full time and job searching around 25-30 hours a week. He was very motivated— but if things didn’t start coming together at the 5/6 month mark, it would have been hard to keep the momentum.

- The changes we made to his LinkedIn profile made a big difference. In fact, he was surprised by the impact of keyword optimization. One of his offers originated from a recruiter finding him on LinkedIn.

Interviewing? Send a thank you note! This article has great samples. — www.job-hunt.org

Immediately after your interview, carefully email your thank as soon after the interview as possible. See the samples for ideas on appropriate thank you wording and content. Briefcase Tip: A client of mine was offered his dream job recently. He was told that he was the only candidate that sent a follow up note and that his follow up note demonstrated his passion and interest.

Try this simple strategy before you accept a job offer to figure out if the company's a fit for you

Finding the right job takes preparation, research, and sometimes even investigative cold-calling. Briefcase Tip: Don't assume that because the company has great employer branding that they are actually a great place to work.

The Secrets of Successful Female Networkers — hbr.org

Four behaviors set them apart.

Thought provoking articles

🚀 Career Changes After 40: True Stories of Real People Who Succeeded — jobmob.co.il

Over 40 and looking for a career change? Here are some ideas from real people who made transitions. Briefcase Tip: If you are considering a career change, talk to friends or colleagues who made a transition. Ask how they did it, how long it took and what they wish they had known before starting the transition. Try to avoid asking the questions with rose colored glasses.

The Top Regrets Of The Dying And What We Need To Learn From Them — www.forbes.com

Understanding the top regrets of the dying helps us do what's necessary today to ensure we can leave this world without the terrible pain of regret. Part of the series “Finding Brave To Build Your Happiest and Best Life and Career”

Trending and the Future of Work

Earning Income on the Side Is a Large and Growing Slice of American Life - The New York Times — www.nytimes.com

The rise in the gig economy, perhaps a reflection of inequality, seems driven more by workers than by companies.

Emerging Jobs Report — business.linkedin.com

Learn which jobs are growing fastest around the world and what that means for the global workforce.

The Recession Roadblock: The Long-term Career Consequences of Graduating into a Downturn - RBC Thought Leadership — thoughtleadership.rbc.com

Canadians who graduated during or right after the 2008-2009 have experienced slower wage growth and less career advancement than those who entered the workforce in the pre-recession period.

Closing Notes from Sarah

I'm still in a little bit of shock, but I was highlighted on LinkedIn's Top Voice of 2019 list. This list is a feature of people on the forefront of their expertise. The list highlights, "professionals in a variety of industries and regions who are building communities and starting thoughtful conversations on LinkedIn through their articles, posts, videos and comments. These are the people you should be following to get inspired and stay informed." I'm honored to be on the list and thankful to LinkedIn for giving me a platform for my content. If you are not already following the other professionals on the Top 10 list, I highly encourage you to do so!

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We hope that you found The Briefs newsletter thought provoking and applicable to your job search. Please feel free to forward it to your connections, invite your friends to sign up and SHARE on social media.

“We need people who think outside the box and aren't like everyone else.” - Greta Thunberg