How to Deal with Recruiter Calls, Walking Dead Style

How to Deal with Recruiter Calls, Walking Dead Style Yes, I am referencing  The Walking Dead  in terms of this article but not because Im implying recruiters to be brain eating zombies (I personally detest the taste of brains myself), but rather as a good reference to the use of a few simple questions for validation concerning trust-ability, morality and potential for creating unnecessary havoc or danger for the group. For those of you who have failed to keep up with the Zombie-Survival focused Drama of this Georgia-based television series, Rick Grimes, the leader of the survivors group the show focuses around requires that before another human being may be allowed to join the survivors group they must answer three simple questions.  Though the answers differ from each human being the group encounters, the questions themselves have no right or wrong answers (per say). The answers and method of response provides enough data necessary for the group to make a rational choice: is the person in question an asset to the group if allowed in? Is the individual trust worthy? And, most importantly, what is the likely potential the individual could cause danger to the group? This scenario of questions and answers is indicative of the truth that Rick Grimes was quick to learn in the post zombie apocalyptic Georgia landscape: other human beings pose the biggest jeopardy to the well-being and safety of the groups longevity. Pretty Pessimistic view on humanity, right? Well thankfully in terms of modern-day recruiters and recruiting practices, neither the threat of being eaten by the living dead or potential for death or physical harm exists. Still, there is always a potential for harm and benefit when it comes down to interactions and working with recruiters in being considered for other job opportunities. The benefits part has always been very apparent in working with a recruiter: The opportunity for a better job better lifestyle and (we all hope) accumulation of additional resources and formation of a long-term business partner and friend. The harms, however, have become more prominent recently within the last 10 years (or so it seems in the least). Ranging from the lower rated yet equally bothersome circumstances where multiple calls a day on the same job opportunities begin to waste an ever-growing amount of production-possible work time, on up to the ever-feared illusion of a better opportunity that turns into a horrible Groundhog Day-type nightmare which becomes apparent only once the individual is rooted down on the inside. The concept of recruiting and working with a recruiter is, much like every choice in a world of business, a risk vs. reward relationship often necessary for an individual to have the opportunities necessary for a professional to grow and better themselves along their career path. Unlike most business choices or actions, however, very little to no regulation, legal requirements for partnership or professional oversight is available, at least outside of the civil tort breed. Much like Rick Grimes and his group of survivors, both parties must protect themselvesand nobody is coming to help if a fire does begin. So, taking a page out of the “Rick Grimes Manual of Survival”, in Lieu of law and order, the best way to insure benefit over detriment when one is being engaged by a recruiter(s) is to do as follows: Politely thank the recruiter for their time, then immediately (in tandem) ask the first of three questions. After each, listen to the answers thoroughly with full attention. Post third question answer, listen to your gut and ask yourself, “W.W.R.G.D?”” That is, “What Would Rick Grimes Do?” Just kidding! But below is an example exchange example with brief (non-biased) explanations on the three question format response. How should the conversation play out? Recruiter:  Hello! Hope you are having a good morning; My name is Gabriel Stokes and I’m a recruiter over here at Churchwood Recruiting. I wanted to reach out and discuss potential opportunities I am working on that might be of interest to you. Do you have a few minutes? Candidate (Question 1):  Good morning to you and thank you for reaching out to me this morning, however, for the sake of brevity, I only have a few brief minutes right now for a quick introduction as I have a hard stop (2-5 minutes from current time.). Again, tell me your name and company and, if you dont mind, how long youve been recruiting in the (Field you work in â€"  Ex: IT, Marketing Sales) space here in (The city you live in)? This first question has a dual purpose: One, to reaffirm the recruiter’s name, company, and directs a question to verify that he/she focuses in your field of work and your city of residence while likewise requesting to know their experience level as ascertained through years in recruiting (or allows for a brief explanation if there is a variance in Industry/City focus as to the reasoning for contact or other cities the recruiter is wanting to see if you’d relocate to). Conversely, it directly provides the indication of a limited exchange of information on your part for the overall exchange. Outside of the answers themselves, it allows for a good ol’ Rick Grimes style gut-check: Was the recruiter experienced enough to answer these questions quickly without too much thought? Such typically would be indicative of someone experienced in the exchanges of the recruitment phone call variety. Did they stall or over talk trying to properly explain and/or answer the questions? Such would typically indicate either lack of experience or lack of attention (IE: You might just be a phone call to check off the list on their required outbound call requirements.” Candidate Question 2: (After the recruiter has ended the answer or had to stop and take a breath) Ah, ok. Well, as I have been working in the (Field you work in) here in (City you live in) for a few years now, I’m always happy to connect with recruiters such as yourself. So, if you don’t mind me asking, where did you come across my professional information?” When I first began recruiting, this question literally terrified me. Why? The fear of the unknown and inexperienced, and it would seep out of my answer and often sounded like I didn’t believe the truth even as I said it. I would worry about “Would they think I was stalking them?” or second guess myself how I did find their information in the first place. For close to an entire year, this question was the bane of my existence and immediately showed I was a newbie. Now, this is my favorite question. Why? It gives me the chance to show you just how important you are to me based on your professional history and skill sets or by our mutual acquiesces we can now discuss. Likewise, if I have a specific opportunity in mind it is a great way to showcase the level of detailed work I can and will perform, hopefully to land you your dream job. To be honest, I now love it when I get a chance to say “Oh, I’ve been stalking you Rick… On a professional level since last November when you were at this company and we crossed paths and connected through linkedin.” If, as often I do, I’m simply reaching out because you caught my eye and I want to begin a relationship, I’m able to give you honest reasoning as to why I am impressed with you and what you’ve accomplished. Win-Win on all sides, and a great way to begin a relationship. Candidate (Question 3): I see. So tell me, is this call in regards to a permeant opportunity, a contract opportunity, or just for you and I to touch base for potential opportunities in the future? This question and answer is self-explanatory, really. Do note: To provide all three options will allow for a more respectful and natural response without the need to over explain the opportunity in the remaining about of time. Finally, this is where you must disseminate the data provided and make your conclusion: Should this recruiter and I continue this conversation in the near future, or should I politely close off the need to continue to reach out and wait for my response? If the former is your choice and your gut provides a favorable response then wrap up with: Candidate Choice 1:  â€œWell again, thank you for the conversation, however brief. I’d like to continue this conversation with you once I am more available to talk freely. If you would, would send me your contact information through text message with your contact information to this phone number? Then I will be able to respond with my available times to talk further today/tomorrow/this week.” Or, if more of a “long-term” relationship (AKA to be germinated later on at a more favorable time in your life) then: Candidate Choice 2:  â€œWell again, thank you for the conversation, however brief. I’d like to continue this conversation at a more opportune time when I am more available to talk freely and on the market. If you would send me your contact information through email with your contact information? Of course, this is a fairly open ended (yet polite) way to say “Thanks but no Thanks… least not right now.” Which, at the end of the day, allows for you to choose when reaching back out would be more favorable in your eyes. Of course, I can (as I’d assume most of you likewise can) foresee deviations where minor adjustments in the course of the conversation off sets this approach to one’s agenda. If any immediately do come to mind, please do comment them below, I’d love to hear them and attempt a potential recourse!  Author:  Will Thompson, J.D., IT/Technology Executive Recruiter in Atlanta, GA  

Writing a Resume For a Dental Hygienist - How to Write a Professional Resume

Writing a Resume For a Dental Hygienist - How to Write a Professional ResumeHow do you write a resume for a dental hygienist? You want to be sure that you are using the right tools to prepare a great resume.Dental schools have changed a lot over the years. With the idea of not only preparing students for dental school, but also for life after graduation, they have created much more research for their applicants to take and they have put much more time into making their potential applicants feel more at ease and comfortable. This means that your resume has to be far different than it was back in the 1990s, especially if you want to get anywhere.This is a good thing for job seekers nowadays because the information that is needed on a resume is far different than in the past. Everything from the font to the layout has changed and it has to change to keep up with today's modern style. Having an old resume with white text on a light background can really make you look unprofessional, outd ated and unprofessional at that. How can a potential employer even trust you if you still use this outdated style?The first thing that you should remember when you are preparing your resume for a dental care program is that a lot of information is going to be asked on there. That is why the things that you put on there have to be as precise as possible so that you can cover all of the bases.When you start to write a resume for a dental hygienist, you want to keep the focus on what you have accomplished in this field. It is important that you put these accomplishments on your resume because a potential employer is going to see them and know exactly how much experience you have in this field.You want to put the accomplishments in the text box, but you also want to list out the qualifications that you have. Of course, you will need to put the experience in the text box, but it is so important that you also list out the things that you have learned from your education and training.In mo st cases, you will have the same accomplishments listed on your resume as you do in the text box. Most employers look for many different things in a resume and a potential dental hygienist needs to be prepared to show off many different things, even if the things that they have shown off in the past are still relevant.You can find out if a certain job is available for you by using the internet to search for jobs in your area. Once you find a job that interests you, you will be able to see what others say about the position and that will give you some additional insight into your ability to fill that particular job.

How to Make the Transition From Entrepreneur to CEO - Classy Career Girl

How to Make the Transition From Entrepreneur to CEO ICON, Infusionsofts  User Conference in Phoenix, Arizona was held in March 2016. A gathering of  the largest community of Infusionsoft users, small business owners, and industry experts come together for three days packed with intense business strategy, training, and implementation6 main stage keynote sessions, daily one-of-a-kind networking events, and hands-on Infusionsoft implementation sessions developed specifically to address the biggest obstacles in small business. One of the breakouts was on the topic of making the transition from entrepreneur to CEO. At some point as an entrepreneur, you have to stop doing everything. Instead, you have to start hiring and becoming  the leader that your team needs. This breakout included some guests and case studies and really inspired the room to continue growing in their leadership as  as a CEO. This is for business owners ready to grow their businesses over the million mark and beyond. Ready? How to Make the Transition From Entrepreneur to CEO 1. Set the vision. Stephanie Holmes-Winton, CEO and Founder of  The Money Finder shared that your #1 job is to set the vision. You have to learn how to create the space to think. What percentage of your days are speaking, learning, working and free days? If a task is not setting the vision and leading your team,  you shouldnt be doing it. 2. Activate your CEO brain. Stop doing. Stop saying, Im busy. You need blank space to set the vision. Blank space in your schedule, notebook, time and whiteboard. If your team dont know where you are headed, no one will be able to think for themselves. Dont babysit adults. 3. Create space to think. Create  thinking days in your calendar. Create space to think about how you can become  the leader you need  to be next year. Do less in order to grow more. Your most important job as CEO is to think. 4. Say no. Decide to cut off all the other things with your time so you can do the stuff that will help you impact millions of people.  Its unreal what you are capable of when you invest in yourself and say no. 5. Know what  you really need to do. Sam Greeley from Net Profit Explosion challenges entrepreneurs to think about what we would do in our businesses if we faced the hard prognosis of having to be gone in a year. He actually faced this question when he was told this by a doctor after having a cancer scare in 2005. What would he do if he had a year to live? He wanted to continue to help people. What about you? 6. Know  where you are now. Know what is holding back your business right now. Is it overwhelm or working IN your business not ON your business. Is it bright, shiny object syndrome? Are you a control freak and having a hard time delegating? Are there undefined roles on your team? Remember, what got you here might not get you there. 7.  Lead. All problems are leadership problems. Think about a problem. How could leadership change that problem?  Rich Fettke, Co-CEO of  Real Wealth Network said  that leadership is an exercise of relinquishing control. He was given 6 months to live and it really challenged him to evaluate his career direction and life and create something else with his wife in the lead. 8. Have purpose and share. Create your brand promise, purpose, mission and vision and core values.  Have a quarterly meeting and annual offsite and share this purpose and mission with your team. Share your successes, wins and obstacles with your team. [RELATED: Business Vision Planning Workshop] 9. Say no, again Damien Sanchez from Mosquito Squad  said that you have to say no. You have to grow or die. He had 80% of the wrong people on his team and he had to say no to them and build this team with the right people. This made all the difference for him and his companys success. 10. Be Honest Here are some really important questions to ask yourself today to become the CEO you need to be next year: -Who do you have to become to lead your team as a CEO? -What change do you need to make? -What is the most powerful action you can take right now? -If you are committed to everything, you are committed to nothing. What are you committed to?

Get Your Teens To Succeed Encourage Them To Volunteer! - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Get Your Teens To Succeed Encourage Them To Volunteer! - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Its Cool To Be Kind Beth Kuhel Best Buddies International and Friendship Circle International (FC) are not your typical volunteer organizations: Teen volunteers provide life altering friendship, companionship and mentoring for special needs children. The scope of activities is customized to the needs of the families and to the skill level of the teen volunteers. While some families receive much-needed support in caring for their special needs childrens day to day activities, other families see the joy of friendship and play dates for their children. Alternatively, the teen volunteers get a chance to make a significant difference in these families’ lives.   It’s a win-win situation: Special needs families’ gain support in raising their kids and the volunteers see the impact they can have in alleviating suffering through being kind, reliable and attentive. Although not the primary motivating reason that teens volunteer, teenage volunteers benefit from participating in Best Buddies and FC in innumerable practical ways. While building a friendship with a child who can’t make a friend on his own, volunteers develop certain desirable character traits that experts say predict success in college and the workplace. Volunteering for these organizations (and for others like them) adds to the quality and strength of our society as a whole. It also helps participants stand out from their competitors in college admissions and when applying for internships and jobs. A WSJs recent article, How Altruism Could Help Get You Hired, highlights that hiring managers value problem solving skills that students develop through volunteerism. Anita Hofschneider writes that career advisers often tout the value of internships in securing a full-time job. But a new survey from Deloitte shows that more altruistic pursuits might also help candidates get hired. According to the survey of 202 human-resource executives, skilled volunteer workâ€"such as helping a nonprofit with its financesâ€"makes job applicants look more appealing to hiring managers. For recent college graduates, skilled volunteer work could set them apart from the competition; yet less than half of college seniors say they have considered volunteerism as a way to develop their skills for future jobs, according to the survey. Some 12.6% of Americans 20 to 24 years old are unemployed, but according to a 2012 Bureau of Labor Statistics analysis, less than one-fifth of them volunteer, the lowest percentage of any age group. Recruiters and job seekers don’t seem to be on the same page when it comes to the value of service. Of the executives surveyed, more than 80% said they would be more likely to hire a graduate with skilled volunteer experience. But fewer than half of college seniors surveyed by Deloitte said they had thought about volunteering to increase their marketability. The company also surveyed more than 0 members of the U.S. armed forces who will be entering the job market in a few months, and found that most hadn’t considered volunteering as a way to improve their prospects, either. The findings illuminate an important gap that, if bridged, could benefit nonprofits, employers and job seekers, said Evan Hochberg, national director of community engagement at Deloitte. “Problem solving and gaining perspective is not unique to one sector.” The question remains, how do parents help bridge the gap for their teens from being selfish teenagers to mature citizens who contribute to society? After all, teenagers are notorious for getting a bad rap.  Dan Schawbel, noted by the N.Y Times as the “personal branding guru”, works tirelessly to break the stereotype of gen y (those born between 1982 till 1994) as the entitled generation. They are faulted for being glued to their technology, poor in caring on meaningful conversations, self-centered, oblivious to the greater needs of society and uninterested in adding value and make a meaningful contribution somewhere. Dan claims this is an inaccurate description of this generation yet unfortunately its the impression that the most baby boomers have of gen yers (and they are often the gatekeepers for college admissions, internships and jobs). Volunteering has been shown to break some of these preconceived misconceptions about teens. As a career coach, I have experience working with college admissions officers at some of the nations top Universities as well as with corporate recruiters and hiring managers.  The consensus is that the most successful candidates are those who have developed certain character traits (through experiences in high school) that are seen as predictors for success in both college and in todays workplace. College admissions officers and hiring managers are looking for many of the same qualities in prospective students and new hires and many of these attributes can be developed through volunteerism. They seek candidates who demonstrate these abilities; prioritizing multiple tasks, solving complex problems, innovating and collaborating, identifying a problem and fixing it, being punctual and accountable, empathizing with peers and co-workers, and putting their needs aside for someone elses.   All of these qualities are known to bode well for students when they enter college and later when they seek employment. It’s not too early to start developing these character traits while in high school. Volunteering for Best Buddies, FC or for other well run non-profits is a great avenue for young people to develop these positive character traits. On a personal note, several of my clients were active in Friendship Circle throughout their middle school and high school years and I noticed they learned valuable lessons that continue to benefit them today: 1. It taught them the importance of being punctual and responsible:  Their special friend counted on them to arrive at a certain time every week. All the kids understood that it was imperative for them to come on time with a positive attitude and with a flexible game plan to engage their friend. Arriving late was completely unacceptable as their friend with special needs relied on them to be a consistently accountable, loyal, and trustworthy friend. They knew that their visit was the highlight of their friends week. 2. Getting involved in these organizations helped them appreciate their own good health. 3. It strengthened their acceptance and empathy towards people who are different. 4.  It empowered them to see they could have a profound impact on other peoples lives simply by being kind, reliable and committed to fostering a friendship. 5. It built their self-esteem from the accolades they received from the family, their special needs friend and from their parents who regularly acknowledged how proud they were of them for their commitment to Friendship Circle and to their special friend. 6. It helped them build a good name in their community for being a caring person. 7. They developed a sense of responsibility for improving their community and fostered a desire to continue to be actively involved in philanthropic organizations while in college. If you’re a student or the parent of a student who wants to stand out from the sea of applicants, you would be wise to explore what volunteering for one of these organizations could do for your teen as well as for your community: I strongly recommend talking with one of the administrators of these programs for how your teen can get involved in Best Buddies or Friendship Circle. Once you meet them, you’ll see for yourself that this is an incredible opportunity for your teen to learn skills that will strengthen their character and allow them to experience the wonderment of making a difference in someone’s life. Let the world know FC’s tagline, “It’s Cool To Be Kind!” If your kids are interested in volunteering take a step back, let it be their good deed, praise them regularly for their good work and enjoy watching them grow! For more information about Best Buddies International see: http://www.bestbuddies.org For more information about Friendship Circle International see: http://www.friendshipcircle.com/ For more articles on the value of volunteerism in the workplace and related articles see: http://www.cleveland.com/employment/plaindealer/index.ssf/2012/04/getting_a_head_start_on_your_career.html http://www.forbes.com/sites/work-in-progress/2013/04/30/volunteering-how-helping-out-helps-you-stand-out-in-the-workplace/ http://www.personalbrandingblog.com/reach-out-of-your-comfort-zone-for-breakthroughs/  Author: Beth  is Founder and President of Get Hired, LLC.   She advises students on how to bridge the gap from school to career.  Beth is the co-author of  From Diploma to Dream Job: Five Overlooked Steps to a Successful Career.  Her coaching assists students and career changers to successfully match their needs, interests, passions, skills, and personal goals with the needs of a sustainable industry in a sustainable location.  She is a resource for print and online media and offers workshops for University Career Service Departments, Executive Recruiters, Outplacement Services, College Guidance Counselors and College Alumni Associations. See website for more details about Beth’s services  www.fromdiploma2dreamjob.com.  Beth’s Webinar was sponsored by George Washington University’s Career Services Dept. for their worldwide alumni association:  Leverage Your College Diploma.  You can follow Beth on twitter @BethKuhel

Essentials of a Writer Resume

Essentials of a Writer ResumeA writer resume is essentially a proposal for your professional future. Writing a document that provides an overview of the totality of what you have accomplished in your professional career, no matter how long or short the span of time involved, is an essential ingredient to getting into any top-notch university or work place. The way to writing such a document is to provide an alluring and clear summary of your abilities and accomplishments, which will not only make it easy for hiring managers to recognize your talent, but will also guarantee that you stand out from the rest of the applicants.The first and most important factor to the presentation of your personal statement is the content itself. A good writer resume gives a full account of your work experience, your educational background, and even your professional life. Here are some things to keep in mind when writing a professional resume:-First and foremost thing, it is crucial to write about your self as clearly as possible. Don't try to hide your faults, shortcomings, and mistakes, because such a writer resume will not serve you well at all. From the perspective of a recruiter, it is necessary to be straight and honest, and you should try to take a step back and reflect on your true abilities and potentials.-In addition, remember to avoid telling all about your achievements, as this will be a red flag to the employer that you are full of yourself and over-indulgent. So, don't give away every personal detail and if there are certain areas where you feel you have a weakness, then do not hesitate to mention them. However, when discussing your employment experience, do not forget to include things like volunteer work or internships, but do not exaggerate the account by stating that you have been engaged in internships for months or years on end.-It is equally important to discuss your academic background. While you may claim to have completed school while still in your teens, r emember that a resume has to focus on your professional references. Therefore, do not list things like when you graduated high school, your grade point average, or where you studied, unless the employer asks for that sort of information.-Don't mention your professional life without mentioning any clients you have worked with. Be sure to list the specific clients you have worked with, and this is an important point to remember when writing a writer resume. You can list a few names here and there or put the information in your previous job description, but this is not the appropriate way to present it.-When you are talking about academic credentials, remember to mention your work history that relates to your field of study, whether you attended college or did not. As a rule of thumb, people who went to college are far more likely to get better jobs than those who do not. With this said, be sure to state which college you attended, and also state which school you have graduated from.-I n addition, be sure to put in a paragraph or two regarding your skills and qualifications. If you have worked with computers in the past, mention that, but don't list anything about your computer experience unless the employer explicitly asks for it. In addition, ensure that your writing skills are accurately and fully described, so don't leave anything to chance.

How To Keep Your Job Search Confidential

How To Keep Your Job Search Confidential How To Keep Your Job Search Confidential Being employed does make you more appealing to employers. But it has a different set of challenges. Sneaking out of the office for interviews can be tricky. Other things, like being dressed appropriately, just take a little planning. If you work a casual office wearing an “interview outfit” will likely be a red flag. Just as when someone comes into a casual environment for a job interview they stand out like a bikini at a funeral. When you suddenly show up to work in dress slacks and a jacket instead of a t-shirt and jeans people will notice. One of the keys to keeping your job search confidential is to begin upgrading your wardrobe BEFORE you start looking for a new job. * Substitute a nice pair of slacks for jeans one or two days a week. * Start wearing a jacket now and then. Leave it over the back of your chair. * Insert some collared shirts or blouses into your weekly rotation. * Try a casual skirt instead of slacks a few times a month. * Forgo your favorite sneakers for something more substantial occasionally. Gradually taking your wardrobe up a notch or two well before you start looking will help avoid suspicion when you do begin interviewing for a new job.

Time Travel Career Advice What I Would Tell My New Graduate Self

Time Travel Career Advice What I Would Tell My New Graduate Self Time Travel Career Advice: What I Would Tell My New Graduate Self Time travel career advice would be an oh-so-hot hot commodity if it were remotely possible. If only we could turn back time (ala Cher), oh, the mistakes we could avoid, the smarter decisions we could make, and even, different career paths we might even find ourselves following. But it is what it is. I am where I am now because of those twists and turns. And quite frankly, I can’t regret it because the road I’ve taken has been paved with risks and rewards, and has led to an amazing life for which I am eternally grateful for having the opportunity to live. But, along with the fun parts are the painful ones. As the next crop of fresh new graduates are getting ready to launch themselves out into the world, I started thinking about the words of wisdom I would impart with them to help them navigate through the painful parts. (Hopefully, they would be listening, too!) So if I could provide time travel career advice to not only my former self, but also to these new grads, here’s what I would tell them: Dress for one career level higher. Someone told me to do this once and it forever made a difference in my life. If you take your professionalism seriously, so will others. If your mental framework is always focused on the present versus the future (what you could be), well, guess what happens. And unfortunately, workplace attire is one place where this is the most apparent.  Take your cues from your co-workers, and dress the part. It’s all about visualization. Don’t be afraid to say no. Sometimes, when you are desperate for work, you’ll say yes to anything. However, that means by saying yes to something that is less than desirable, it means you’ve already said no to the opportunity that could be around the next corner.   True story for time travel career advice: I took a less-than-perfect job because my dream job was slow on making a hiring decision, and the employer I worked for ended up sexually harassing me. It was a nightmare. And you know what? The dream job people called 2 months into the nightmare job and wanted to hire me, but I was determined to try and make a go of the bad one. Sigh. Take on more responsibility where there’s opportunity to do so. True go-getters know that doing the minimal amount possible speaks volumes about motivation, potential, and how employers end up perceiving you. Instead, these go-getters are willing to take on additional responsibility, tackle the tough assignments, and even take one for the team for tasks that no one else is willing to do. What these successful people know is that they are building their career narrative as dependable, hard-working employees that have ambition and initiative.   Looking back using time travel career advice, it’s easy to see that this leads to raises and promotions. Strive for excellence. It’s easy to get your work done and call it good, but if you consistently produce excellence in everything you do, gradually, you BECOME that excellence. It’s a mental discipline that happens over time, and becomes one of your biggest tools in your job search arsenal. Having a reputation for excellence has a knack for spreading farther and wider than you can ever imagine, and can open future doors that you never knew possible. Keep track of everything. Create a career file (electronic or hard copy) where you can keep records of your performance reviews, plan of work, kudos letters, staff reports, professional conferences attended, etc.   Time travel career advice will tell you that as you update your résumé and LinkedIn profile, you’ll be eternally grateful to have these resource materials at your fingertips instead of wracking your brain trying to remember what you did the past few years. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want. A lot of times, employers don’t know what you want until you ask for it. Want a raise? Ask for it, and then provide documentation as to why you deserve it. Want to be promoted? Let them know and demonstrate how you could help them in the new role. Elevate others. You don’t get ahead by pushing others down. The opposite is actually true in the long-term. Looking back using time travel career advice, it might seem that the “backstabbers” get ahead, but eventually, their reputation for being untrustworthy and harmful to work environments catches up to them. I hope that new graduates read this advice and find some of it useful.   You won’t know it until later on, but using time travel career advice can help you avoid painful mistakes in the present.