Whitman Associates’s job counselors are happy to provide career advice and other sources in order to help you find success in your job search or current position.
Our career advice is divided into several categories to help you easily find the information that will be most helpful to you.
First, visit our Employment Tips to see our expert advice on everything from resume writing to interview tips that will help you as a professional.
If you are looking for help with your job search, check out our Job Search Advice section to see categorized tips and information.
If you are currently working, whether in a permanent or temporary position, please visit our Advice for Working Professionals section. We’re here for you wherever you are in your career.
Our Best Career Advice for Job Seekers
Maintain a Healthy Work-Life Balance
The best career advice for both working professionals and job seekers is to maintain a healthy work-life balance. It’s common for full-time workers to exceed 40 hours per week, and job-seeking itself can feel like a full-time position on its own. It’s important to prioritize your mental and physical well-being. Eating, sleeping and exercising are keys to maintaining your focus, health and positive emotions, which are all necessary to performing your best at the workplace.
If you struggle with finding balance, start small. Set a goal to take a day off and pursue an activity you enjoy or wake up fifteen minutes earlier to stretch before your workday.
Invest In Yourself
Resumes are not just for those who have experience in the workforce. Regardless of your employment status, you should prioritize learning new skills that will make you more marketable to potential employers. Identify skills and qualifications that are especially valuable to your industry. Then, take advantage of certification courses, degree programs, professional groups, mentorship opportunities and more. For example, learning another language would benefit numerous career specializations, and there are plenty of online courses to help you do so.
Volunteering is another great way to add to your resume. Are you in the marketing and creative industry and struggling to build relevant work experience? It’s a good idea to reach out to local nonprofits and volunteer programs offering your services to them at no cost. This way, you can give back to your community while also building the skills needed to get that promotion or dream job.
Network, Network, Network
It’s no secret – you’ve got a lot of competition seeking the same jobs, promotions and goals as you. Make yourself stand out by networking. If you’re a job seeker, our best career advice for professionals is to reach out to people who are already employed in roles or companies you’re interested in. You can schedule an informational interview with them to learn more about their position and get some tips. You may even find someone to refer you, which would greatly increase your chances of receiving a job offer.
Similarly, don’t be shy to ask for help. Many times, it is better to admit you don’t know something than to try tackling an overwhelming task on your own. It is also a good idea for professionals to seek out mentorship, as feedback and advice are important ingredients for a long-lasting career. Remember to also tend to your network. When someone you know asks you for advice, a referral, or general support, it’s important to pass on the professional favor. Even doing little things, like offering congratulations on someone’s LinkedIn post, will strengthen your own connections.
Think About Temporary Work
If you’ve been unemployed for some time and are worried about the growing gap in your resume, our best professional career advice for job seekers is to consider temporary work. Temping is a unique way to build work experience for your resume, make money and potentially find a permanent job opportunity at a company that would otherwise have been unapproachable. Or, maybe you’re a working professional thinking about switching industries. Temporary work opens the door to testing out new types of positions before making a long-term commitment.
Quality Services with Definable Results
Whitman Associates is proud to have been providing career advice for professionals in Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia and suburban Maryland since 1972. With a Better Business Bureau A+ rating, we are a high-quality and full-service staffing agency for both temporary and permanent placement. We are committed to ensuring that our clients and our job seekers get the best care.
Please reach out to our team or call us at (202) 659-2111. We are here for you!
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