Setting self-improvement goals for work

Almost 40% of Americans claim to have set New Year’s Resolutions this year, according to one poll, yet only 3% have written goals for self-development. There are plenty of ways that goal-setting can impact our lives, but self-improvement goals for work are one of the most neglected categories. If you’re curious about why self-development is important at work, take a look at this guide.

Why self-development is important at work: cultivating a work-life balance

Before we get into the details of setting and evaluating self-improvement goals for work, here’s a little piece of why self-development is important at work. Put simply, work self-development is a critical aspect of cultivating a work-life balance. 

There are times when work becomes our primary objective and it may at times get in the way of an ideal work-life balance. In general, though, when we have a mindset focused on self-development, it’s easier to determine if adjustments should be made to maintain the balance. Active progress on self-improvement goals for work promotes a healthier lifestyle that helps ensure our work and other aspects of our life are in check with each other. 

a blank to-do list ready to fill in

Start small and break your goals into achievable tasks

Self-improvement feels like a lofty task, but the good news is that you can work at your own speed. Setting self-improvement goals for work is more of a constant resolution than a one-time goal: you can always strive towards self-improvement. Rather than getting overwhelmed with all the aspects of why self-development is important at work, break down the nebulous idea into tangible, achievable goals that you can measure and apply more easily. 

If your self-improvement goal is to “learn new things,” for example, that’s very broad and hard to measure. However, if you try to “write down one new thing I learned at work every day,” that’s both easy to measure and simple to apply. “Taking initiative” sounds great as a goal at work, but it’s a lot easier to keep a goal that calls for specific actions, like “offering assistance” or “asking for more responsibilities on a project.” The most effective self-improvement goals for work are the ones with built-in room to grow. 

a woman’s hands typing on a laptop

Work towards career aspirations

While it may be tempting to judge your success based on the progress or skill sets of others around you, we must strive to set self-improvement goals for work that are appropriate for each of us personally – and that includes acknowledging that the right goals for you may look very different than the ideal ones for your coworker. Self-honesty is a critical aspect of self-improvement. It is also crucial to have goals that will guide you toward your career aspirations.

Many people who find themselves in a temporary job miss the opportunity to use that position to grow and develop for the next step in their career. It can be extremely powerful to choose goals that intentionally prioritize where you want to go. For example, if you want to be a partner in a law firm, there are tangible steps to take such as going to law school and applying for positions, but there are also other practical skills you can improve while at your current position. Focus on soft skills such as cooperating with a team or sharpening your research abilities. 

It helps to set goals by first focusing on your career aspirations, and then considering what smaller steps can help you get there. This means that you intentionally create your goals from big to small. In other words, look at the big picture and then dive into specifics. Similar to how it is important to engage in both long-term and short-term planning in our daily lives, we must define both big and small goals in the workplace. Self-improvement goals for work can vary from person to person based on many different factors. However, there are some common aspects to consider, including time management, emotional intelligence, active listening and a growth mindset. There may be certain attributes that will be specific or especially important to your career, such as a specialty in a skill-based profession.

Don’t be afraid to switch it up

When it comes to self-improvement goals for work, practice makes perfect. Don’t be afraid to tweak your goals based on your prior experiences. It’s important not just to measure progress towards meeting your goals, but also to evaluate the end result in terms of practical gains in the workplace. A goal to “improve your public speaking skills” may seem great. However, when evaluating the practical benefits of your efforts towards achieving that goal, you may recognize that you actually first need a goal to “learn to communicate clearly when presenting ideas to the team.” Your goals will be most effective when you carefully consider not just how you’re doing with them, but how they are working for you.

How to Advance Your Career

diverse women leaders in a modern office

Are you looking for ways to advance your career? You may be seeking to get a job promotion or to go from temp to permanent. While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, there are key things to keep in mind. Here are some tips that will help you get there.

Develop a win-win mindset

The first step in knowing how to advance your career is developing a win-win mindset. You can’t expect to move up if you’re only thinking about what’s best for yourself. Instead, think about the company’s goals and how they align with yours. 

By taking some time to understand what your superior needs and to find solutions to problems, you make everyone’s life easier. If you lead by example, being genuinely helpful to your co-workers and superiors, others will likely follow and it will encourage a sense of community. In a world that celebrates a go-getter, differentiate yourself by being a go-giver. 

Keep learning

There are three things you need to do to advance your career: learn from your mistakes, learn from others’ mistakes and keep learning new things. You can do this by taking classes or workshops, reading books on leadership or management, taking advice from your co-workers and industry professionals, listening to podcasts about industry trends, joining meetups related to your interests and even making friends outside of work who share similar passions as yourself. All these things will help shape how well prepared you will be for future opportunities that come down the road.

Keep in mind that there’s truly no such thing as a stagnant career. When you deeply understand how to get a job promotion or how to go from temp to permanent, you know that your job is set to change in different ways as time passes—and you should be too. That’s why keeping up with the latest trends and technologies is so important to advancing your career. 

Build strong working relationships

The workplace is a social arena, and knowing how to build strong relationships with your colleagues will advance your career and lead to more opportunities for growth. Chat with your team during breaks, or set up a lunch meeting to discuss a professional goal you’re working on and how the team can get involved. Asking about their lives and opinions will help you understand how they think, which will expose you to new ways of thinking. Your co-workers might have insight or tips you’ve never heard of before – even if it’s about the best barbeque place in town or how to get on the boss’s good side. Learning new things and building relationships is key to climbing the career ladder. 

In addition to being friendly and communicative with those around you, it’s also important that you learn how to work well as part of a team. Being able to collaborate effectively—and having others recognize this ability—will make your career prospects much brighter in the long run.

Take ownership of your work

Effective steps to advance your career include taking ownership of what you do and knowing how to do it well. This means that you don’t pass the blame on to others or say “I’m sorry” all the time. When work isn’t getting done properly, it’s up to you to make sure your work gets done correctly and on time. 

Accountability speaks volumes about leadership. In taking responsibility, even if others weren’t clear about expectations from the start, you set the tone that you will be showing up no matter what.

Take initiative

In learning how to advance your career practically, there will be times when you are asked to take initiative and be proactive. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or get involved with new projects if needed. 

If someone asks for help, take it as a chance to learn and offer support. The more confident and skilled you get in your field, the better off you and your company will be in the long run. More importantly, moving from a temp role to a permanent position or securing your chances of getting a job promotion will be a breeze.

Make yourself indispensable

Knowing how to advance your career means you understand that it’s a lot easier to get ahead if you’re the go-to person for everyone else. You know that when there are problems, your co-workers come to you for help. When others need guidance, they run to you first. If you have a reputation for being reliable and results-driven, it means that people will want to work with you and possibly for you. Make yourself indispensable by knowing what needs to be done in a crisis. 

Be trustworthy

If you want to know how to get a job promotion or how to go from temp to permanent, developing a reputation for being honest and trustworthy is a crucial step. This means being a good communicator—you never know who you’re going to be working with, so it’s helpful if people know they can count on you and that what you say will be true. 

In considering how to advance your career, you also need to make sure that the information you share with others is confidential. Keep secrets close at hand and don’t gossip about co-workers or clients. 

Finally, avoid the temptation of becoming a know-it-all. This could alienate those around you professionally and socially, which could lead to negative consequences in both areas moving forward.

Network your way up

The people around you have the potential to help you understand how to advance your career in a variety of ways. They can provide mentorship and support, advise on how to improve your work and find jobs for which you’re well-suited. 
To make the most of this opportunity, build connections and network. Find people who are good at what they do. Asking someone for their insight can be intimidating if they seem far above your level in terms of experience or expertise—but it doesn’t have to be. Usually, they are more than happy to share what they have learned along the way.

If someone has been working in their field for a while, chances are they’ve learned from other people as well. Building a strong connection with one person opens you up to their network of connections as well. If nothing else, asking for help shows that you’re committed enough to your own success – which will not go unnoticed.

colleagues discussing business ideas in the office

A final word

By following our tips on how to advance your career, you can distinguish yourself from the pack. The key to advancing your career is being willing to do the work. You need to be willing to invest in yourself, whether that means investing in books or online courses or taking advantage of any opportunities for training that come up at work.

You also need to be willing to learn new skills by stepping outside your comfort zone and trying new things—even if it feels a little uncomfortable or overwhelming at first. Taking advantage of career coaching or trying out new jobs and hobbies is a great way to push yourself to try new things you wouldn’t have thought about previously.

Lastly, remember that the paths to success are many and they’re not often linear. Let your uniqueness shine through as you advance. 

D.C.’s top-rated staffing agency

If you need help with your job search or finding employees to fill open positions, Whitman Associates is your solution. We help employees find jobs they’ll love, potentially lifting them from temp work to a permanent position in a company. We also help employers by providing top-tier talent from the D.C. metropolitan area. Get in touch with us today to learn how we can help you succeed. 

Requesting Time Off From Work

PTO (paid time off) days are a perk most companies offer , but be strategic on how you use your time and how you ask. When requesting time off from work, be aware of your supervisor and coworkers schedules, and keep in mind how it impacts your responsibilities when someone else is out on vacation. Being upfront and conscientious about requesting time off ensures that you and your colleagues are able to be comfortable with the time taken away from the office. Check out our top tips for what to do and what not to do when requesting time off from work.

Vacation beach with palm trees

1. Give Notice

Give your employer plenty of notice before taking time off. How much notice to give for PTO? That’s going to depend on your workplace, but a good rule of thumb is a minimum of 2 weeks notice if you’re taking 1-2 days and a minimum of 1-2 months for 3+ days. If you try to request off without much notice, chances are your request will be declined.

2. Request in writing

Speak with your manager first any time you are interested in taking time off. One you’ve had that conversation, be sure to formally submit your time-off request in writing or via email – a verbal request can easily be forgotten. At some organizations, employees can request time off via their payroll portal (ie. ADP or Paycom). Follow the protocols of your organization, but be sure to keep a copy of your approval in writing.

3. Be considerate of your coworkers

Try to plan your vacations, trips, etc. taking into account your supervisors and coworkers’ schedules to avoid taking time off at the same time as the rest of the office. No one wants to be at the office holding down the fort when multiple people are out on vacation. If at all possible, try not to overlap your vacations with those of your coworkers.

Another great way to make your time away go smoothly when requesting time off work is to provide a plan for how your responsibilities can be covered. Helping set your colleagues up for success while you’re away will make everyone’s lives easier and will give you the confidence that your work is being handled appropriately.

4. Medical appointments

Try to schedule any doctor’s appointments, etc. during your lunch break, or at the beginning or end of the day, so that you don’t need to miss much work. No one wants to use their precious vacation time for appointments if you can help it.

5. Sick time

If your sick days are separate from your PTO days, try to save your sick days for when you are actually sick – you never know when/if you will need them. If you have all of your PTO days combined, try to reserve a couple in case you get sick, so you won’t have to take leave without pay.

packing for vacation

6. When starting a new job

Don’t request a lot of time off within the first 3 months of a new job. If you have previously planned trips that fall within that time span, let your employer know when you are going over your offer. Also, it’s a good idea to review the company’s PTO policy since some companies have a waiting period before benefits such as PTO kick in.

7. Holidays

Don’t assume that you have all federal holidays off. Review the PTO policy and clarify which holidays are observed, and which are not. All companies are different and outside of the federal government, companies observe different holidays.

Below are some examples of an in person and emailed time off request.

Time off request conversation example:

Hi [Supervisor], would you have a moment to discuss a time off request? I have [number] PTO days, and am hoping to take [number] of days off for [reason for request] in [month]. Let me know what might be a good time to discuss this further and to get something on the calendar. Thank you.

Time off request email example:

Hi [Supervisor],

As previously discussed, I would like to request to use my PTO to take off from [Date] through [Date].
I have prepared some notes regarding any active projects, and would be happy to go through them with the team in preparation for my departure.
Please let me know if there is anything else I can do to ensure everything is covered in my absence.
Sincerely,
[Name]

All Your DC Career Coaching Questions Answered

Glasses sitting on a goals journal

A career coach is designed to help you move your career forward, whether you’re just starting out, or you need a career pick-me-up. While the level of engagement offered by career coaching professionals may vary, there are some basic services that all career coaches offer, such as resume drafting assistance, interview tips, career mapping, and employment assistance. Here are answers to the most common career coaching questions, with a specific focus on career coaches in Washington DC. 

Do I actually need a career coach?

The most common question related to career coaching is “Do I actually need a career coach?” 

If you are in Washington, DC and are looking for a job, looking for a better job, or simply curious about whether you are on the right track, career coaching will likely help. According to Harvard Business Review, “Career coaches can help you figure out what you want to do, understand what’s preventing you from advancing in your professional goals, and endure the ups and downs of job hunting.”

A career coach can help you:

  • Map out your career trajectory
  • Design your resume/CV according to employer expectations
  • Market your skills
  • Apply for the right jobs at the right time

When should I hire a career coach? 

Most people in the DC area only consider career coaches if they are unemployed or wholly dissatisfied with the position they are currently in. However, limiting your use of a career coach to times of greater desperation may be unwise. When you’re under pressure to land a new job, career coaching will likely be more difficult and less effective. The adage “it’s easier to find a job when you have a job” is equally applicable to career coaching, especially in the competitive and fast paced DC market. 

So consider hiring a coach when you’re not looking in order to get the most out of their advice without the stress of having to immediately implement it. By working with a coach when it’s not an emergency, you will be better able to take advantage of programs and benefits they offer.

However, don’t let this advice stop you from using a coach when you are job hunting. There are several key times in your career that you may need advice as you are looking. For example, new graduates frequently need advice on how to choose the right career. A career counselor can be incredibly beneficial in making this decision. 

What specific benefits will a career coach provide?

Business women editing a resume

In the DC area, career coaching is almost a necessity. Jobs go quickly here, and if you aren’t standing out of the crowd, you’re likely to get lost. Here’s some key benefits that career coaches can provide: 

  • Resume buildingA stand out resume is absolutely critical in any location, but it’s especially important in the DC area, where competition is fierce. 
  • Interview PreparationInterviews are tough, no matter how experienced you are. A career coach can offer tips and tricks. A great career coach can offer tips tailored to your field and your geographic location, whether that’s Washington, DC, or another region. 
  • Career Changing AdviceYou’re never too old to learn a new field. Career coaches can advise you on every aspect of your considered career change, from outside networking to searching within your own company. 
  • Career Advancement AdviceYou may be perfectly happy in your field, but yearning to climb the corporate ladder. A career counselor can help you figure out when and how to do that. 
  • Advice on Maintaining a Positive AttitudeJob searching can be tough, especially in a field as competitive as DC. Career coaching can be incredibly valuable in teaching you to maintain a positive attitude. 

How do I find a good career coach?

Finding a good career coach can be tough and take time since you want to find a professional that will do more than just give advice. Make sure you look for coaches that understand the Washington, DC market, and look for organizations that represent both employers and potential employees. Those that do are frequently more in touch with what employers really want and can teach you the inside information on what recruiters and employers look for in cover letters, resumes, and interviews. Finally, make sure your career coach is a good personality fit for you. If you don’t get along well with them, they won’t be effective at helping you help yourself. 

How much does a career coach cost?

Person paying online with credit card

It depends. Career coaches can cost as much as $500 an hour, far more than most people can afford. However, there are less experienced coaches that cost less. Many agencies and businesses, such as Whitman Associates, provide career coaching benefits at no cost. If you are just starting out in your career, or you are not looking for a position requiring extensive experience or education, programs such as those offered by Whitman Associates are likely just what you need. 

Tell me more about Whitman Associates’ career coaching options!

Whitman Associates has an amazing team of associates committed to ensuring that our clients and our candidates get the best care. 

Beyond the essential resume writing assistance and interview tips, we focus on the importance of developing critical skills, including communication and strategic thinking based on industry requirements as well as your professional goals. Moreover, we offer helpful advice on how to adjust your job search and resume to better fit certain fields and employers. Because we know the DC job market better than anyone, we offer insight that other career coaching organizations just can’t provide. 

Whether you opt for the amazing benefits of Whitman Associates or another career coaching program in DC, you will likely find the process beneficial in advancing your career. Reach out to Whitman to see how we can help you take your career to the next level!

When to Consider Temporary Work?

While a full-time, permanent position is ideal for most professionals in the workforce, temporary positions can be a great option for many people who find themselves looking for additional income and/or experience while pursuing that permanent job. Below, we have listed several situations where a short term job could be beneficial to your search for a permanent position. Although, our list is definitely not comprehensive; temporary work can be a great option for just about anyone.

1. Recent College Graduates

  • Temporary work is a great option for recent graduates who do not have a permanent position lined up upon graduation.
  • Temping can help give college graduates more real world, professional experience to add to their resume, especially if you didn’t have internships or work study experience while in school.
  • Utilizing a temporary staffing agency can help fill in the employment gap on your resume between graduation and starting your first permanent position. Potential employers will be impressed to see that you have been working and gaining experience while pursuing more full-time work.
  • Lastly, temporary work can help get your foot in the door with a company that you would not otherwise have access to. If the company you are temping for is pleased with your work, they could consider you for any full-time openings they might have.

women teamwork

2. Filling in the Gap

  • Like with recent college graduates, temp work can help fill in employment gaps on your resume.  Even if the temporary work you are doing isn’t exactly relevant to your career goals, at least you can show a potential employer that you have not been sitting idle while searching for a new position.
  • Temporary work is also a great source of income when you’re in between jobs. While you probably won’t make as much as you were in your last permanent position, a little money is better than no money.
  • Temp jobs can also help expose you to new industries or environments that you might not have had the opportunity to explore otherwise. You might find a new interest or change your career goals after having a great experience temping within a different industry.

two women at computer

3. After Retirement

  • Temp work is an excellent option for professionals who have decided to end full-time careers, but aren’t quite ready to stop working altogether.
  • Part time work can bring in a little additional income or help fill your newly empty schedule.
  • Temping is also a good option because you can do daily or short term jobs, without making a long-term commitment.
  • Temp work can also be a good way for retired military personnel to transition into a civilian work environment.
  • Temporary staffing agencies value your years of professional experience.

4. Re-Entry Professionals

  • Professionals who are reentering the workforce after taking time off from their careers should definitely consider temp work as a way to get reacquainted with the office environment instead of charging in at full speed.
  • Coming back into the job market after a break in your career, to care for children or aging parents, can make it hard for you to start right back where you left off. Temporary work can help you get your foot in the door with an organization, and prove to them that you are ready to rejoin the workforce.

Staffing agencies like Whitman Associates help job seekers to transition into the workforce. Working temporary positions is definitely a positive step in the right direction and will help to find the right role for anyone out of work.

Creating Your Ideal Work Environment

Most professionals who work full-time office jobs spend the majority of their week sitting at a desk or in a cubicle. For this reason, it’s important to have an organized work space that encourages good habits and helps you maintain a positive attitude.

This can be even more important with the rise of remote and hybrid work. The ideal work environment can be difficult to achieve if your “home office” is a corner of your dining table. Regardless of where you work, creating a clean, organized work space benefits both your productivity and your mood. Here are some of our favorite tips and tricks for creating your ideal work environment.

woman working home office

1. Stay Organized

A disorganized mess on your desk can lead your thoughts to also be disorganized. Having an organized workspace can help you keep your mind organized.

2. Keep a pen and paper handy

You never know when you might have to jot down a few notes, so make sure you always have a pen and piece of paper readily available.

3. Post some motivation on your wall

Remind yourself why you are working so hard. Posting a picture of your dream vacation location or some other goal that you are working towards.

4. Leave a stack of your business cards out

This won’t apply to everyone, but if you work on-site this is always a good rule of thumb. You never know when the new boss might swing by your desk or when a client might come visit, so always have your business cards the ready.

5. Stay Inspired

There are lots of different ways to stay inspired at work. For some folks, achieving work goals can be inspiring. For others, it could be pictures of a favorite place, an inspirational quote or message that you keep in your work space to help you maintain your positive attitude. If you don’t always work in the same place, be sure to personalize your desktop background so you can stay inspired wherever you’re working that day.

6. Avoid distractions

While a stress ball is okay to have in your desk drawer, try to avoid having too many little toys or other distractions around. Even the smallest of distractions can end up sucking up too much of your time. Another distraction to be wary of is your cell phone, it’s all too easy to check a notification, and end up scrolling. To keep yourself organized within your work space, consider putting notifications on do not disturb so you won’t be tempted during your workday.

7. Surround yourself with familiar faces

Put up a few pictures of your friends, family, or pets. Smiling faces will be guaranteed to boost your mood during a long day in the office.

Organized desk with notepad and plant

8. Include some nature

Keeping flowers or a small plant on your desk can help to connect you with nature while you are cooped up in your office all day. Also there are studies showing that plants can help boost your mood by releasing oxygen and can absorb toxins in the air. What better way to achieve an ideal work environment than to actually feel happier at work!

We hope these tips help you set up your ideal work environment whether you’re in an office cubicle, a coworking space or your home office!

Tips For Job Searching While Employed

Not all job seekers are unemployed. In fact, a large number of people are job searching while employed. These professionals are looking to make a change from their current positions. Job seekers who are looking for a job while employed must effectively balance their current role while searching for their new role. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

Someone typing looking for a job while employed

1. Don’t search for jobs while on the clock

This may seem like a no-brainer, but be sure you keep your current job separate from your job hunt. Your current employer is paying you to work for them, not to job hunt. While employed, do all of your applying and looking for a job on your own time.

This doesn’t just apply to browsing job boards, but also be sure not to use your work phone, email or computer when corresponding with potential employers. Only use your personal contact information when applying for jobs or updating your resume. Within most companies, you are not the only person with access to your work email and call records.

If your employer discovers you’ve been searching for a job while employed and on the clock, it’s likely to be labeled as time theft which can result in a write up or even termination. Looking for a job while employed must be done on your own time.

2. Be considerate of your current employer when scheduling interviews

If you get the opportunity to interview with a new company, whether in person or on the phone, try to schedule it so that you don’t need to take a whole day off from work. It’s best practice to limit how much your job hunt interferes with your current role. That way, you can seek the job you want without tarnishing your reputation at your present place of employment.

While still employed, it is ideal to schedule interviews over your lunch break so that you don’t have to take any time off while job searching. If that is not a possibility, you should try to schedule interviews from your job search first thing in the morning or at the end of the day, so that you can either come in a little late or leave a little early, so as not to miss much work while you are looking for a job.

3. Give plenty of notice before quitting

If you do end up accepting a job offer, make sure to give your current employer plenty of notice. Two weeks notice is the generally acceptable amount of time, but every situation is different. Oftentimes you will help to train the person moving into your job. The more time you have to do this, the more seamless the transition will be. Your current employer will value your dedication, and your new employer will see that you are a loyal employee.

Keyboard with button reading Find Job

4. Utilize a staffing agency like Whitman Associates!

Lastly, using a staffing agency like Whitman Associates can take some pressure off your job searching. Job searching while employed full time can feel like another full time job. Work smarter, and have a staffing agency like us help you with your search. With a large client pool, staffing agencies see new jobs all the time. If you’re looking for a job while employed, get started with Whitman Associates by checking out our current job listings and emailing your resume to resumes@whitmanjobs.com.

How To Become a Recruiter With No Experience

Thinking about becoming a recruiter but not sure if you’ve got what it takes? You may be wondering, how do I become a job recruiter? Recruiting can be a great field to enter. It has tons of transferable skills and lots of upside benefits. Plus, many recruiters are paid bonuses for filling positions. All in all, it’s an excellent field to enter. But many people think it requires a specific educational background or work experience. Not true! Read on to learn three tips on how to become a recruiter with no experience.

1. Make Sure You Have the Personality

Two men shaking hands

Before exploring how to become a recruiter for jobs, let’s make sure it’s the right field for you. One of the biggest factors in determining if you would be a good recruiter is your personality. While you don’t necessarily have to be an extrovert, some key personality traits are must-haves if you want to learn how to qualify for recruiter jobs in Washington, DC (or anywhere). You’ll need:

  • An eye for matchmaking — Do you just have the instinct for seeing when two people will be a good fit? If so, then you already have what it takes. How to get into recruiting with no experience won’t be difficult with these qualities.
  • Recruiters have to be able to assess personalities and skill sets and match them to positions they will be successful in. 
  • Social media chops — When mapping out how to become a recruiter with no experience, it helps to be comfortable on social media. In today’s world, social media networking is one of the biggest ways that recruiters find matches. So being tech-savvy, having a large following, and knowing how to use your contacts to bring in others are a must. 
  • Positivity — If you don’t have a positive attitude, even during the worst of times, it’s hard to convince anyone of anything. Since so much of a recruiter’s job is hyping up people and positions under any circumstance, a positive attitude is non-negotiable.

2. Make Sure You Have the Education

When contemplating how to become a recruiter with no experience, the next question is whether you need the right degree. Education is a tricky one, because there is no degree in recruitment. So what field should you study? Essentially, you need some education. Recruiters frequently have bachelor’s degrees in HR or management, but this is absolutely not necessary. Do you have a degree in an engineering or science field? Recruit for a tech company.

Are you wondering, how do I become a job recruiter in the education field? Look for a position at a university. Even a lawyer is qualified to be a recruiter. They could work for a law firm or governmental agency. If a field exists in which people need to be hired, then that field’s educational background would work well for recruiting. In short, if you want to know how to become a recruiter with no experience, you probably need an education — but the sky’s the limit on what that education looks like. 

3. Make Sure You Have the Skills

Group of colleagues chatting around a table

When researching how to get into recruiting with no experience, here are four important skill sets that every prospective recruiter must have:

  • Sales Skills — Sales is the number one skill you must have when you want to learn how to become a recruiter with no experience. Recruiting is selling a job to a candidate and a candidate to an employer. If you want to prepare yourself for recruiting, go get a sales job … any sales job. Work at a clothing store and practice making people feel good about what they try on. Work at an electronics store and learn how to match people to the products they need. Try selling cars or other big-ticket items. Whatever sales skills you can develop will go a long way to helping you excel at recruiting.
  • Networking Skills — Networking is not only how to become a recruiter with no experience, it is essential to the success of a recruiter. You have to meet people to connect with people, and that means attending many social gatherings, and doing them well. Looking for a fast track answer for how do I become a job recruiter? Hone your networking skills. Go to networking events both online and in person, create and practice your elevator pitch, volunteer for organizations that you’re passionate about and any other activity that will put you in front of people.. Whatever networking you do will make you a better fit for recruiter jobs in Washington, DC. 
  • Project Management Skills — When looking at how to become a recruiter, you can’t overlook the ability to skillfully manage projects. The recruitment process is essentially a big project. A need is found. A job description is created. The job is posted. The candidates are recruited. Interviews occur. A match is made. Each of these moving parts requires a keen eye for detail and project management to keep the process on track and on time. You’re a step ahead in addressing how to become a recruiter with no experience if you have a knack for managing projects and people. 
  • Resume Writing Skills — Finally, building your own perfect resume is a great way to showcase your talents. Part of learning how to get into recruiting with no experience is to highlight the experience you do have in the best possible light. Your resume should highlight your initiative, your ability to prioritize and multitask, and your communication skills. And as a recruiter, you can put those resume writing skills to use helping others with their resumes!

How Do I Become a Job Recruiter? 

The question of how to become a recruiter with no experience may seem challenging at first. However, by following the guidelines we’ve shared, it’s a fairly straightforward path. Whether you’re seeking recruiter jobs in Washington, DC or elsewhere, following these tips will help you to launch a career in recruitment.

If recruiting sounds like the career of your dreams, don’t let a lack of experience stop you from going for it. Be proactive and apply to as many organizations that you can and be persistent. Temp agencies like Whitman Associates in the Washington, D.C. area frequently post recruiting jobs. One trick in learning how to become a recruiter with no experience is to begin with temporary employment. Temp jobs are typically easier to get and are great for resume and experience building. Check the job listings regularly and apply to each relatable posting. With a little front-end effort, you can chart your own course and learn how to become a recruiter faster than you think!

What Are a Marketing Coordinator’s Job Duties, and How To Become One

Woman giving a presentation on a whiteboard with two people watching

Confused by all of the different marketing positions out there? You’re not alone! There are marketing managers, marketing specialists, marketing assistants, marketing analysts… the list goes on. So let’s take a closer look at one of the many marketing positions: the marketing coordinator. 

What Are the Primary Marketing Coordinator Job Duties?

Typical tasks of a marketing coordinator include entry-level analytics and research related to sales, marketing and development. If you are thinking of changing career paths, it’s important to understand the marketing coordinator’s job responsibilities. In terms of how to become a marketing coordinator, many interviewers will ask questions about your understanding of the role. The specifics of each position vary depending on the specific needs of the employer, but the necessary skills of a marketing coordinator typically include:

  • Conducting market research
  • Analyzing sales data
  • Creating marketing materials
  • Assisting with website SEO
  • Creating marketing timelines
  • Organizing marketing projects
  • Managing digital and social media campaigns
  • Investigating market trends
  • Representing a business at trade shows
  • Collaborating with social media influencers to promote products and services

What Are the Different Types of Marketing Coordinators?

If you want to know how to become a marketing coordinator, it’s useful to understand which type of coordinator you’d like to be. The essential skills of a marketing coordinator will vary depending on the type of work that may be needed by a company. Below are three common marketing coordinator positions:

Digital Marketing Coordinator

Infographic of marketing terms

In addition to the usual marketing coordinator job duties, a digital marketing coordinator’s job description may include managing digital campaigns designed to drive web traffic to a business, handling social media accounts, or managing the content of blogs and websites for a business. Depending on the size of the organization, these tasks may be handled by one marketing coordinator, or by multiple specialized marketing coordinators. Businesses that have a strong online presence, especially with web stores, would be likely to hire this type of marketing coordinator. Candidates with strong computer, social media and internet savvy, as well as strong writers, can learn to become excellent digital marketing coordinators. 

Marketing and Promotions Coordinator

Marketing coordinator job duties can include attending trade shows and events, building relationships with industry partners, and seeking out corporate sponsorships for an organization. When you are a marketing and promotions coordinator, your responsibilities are likely to involve more active and high-profile tactics for building brands and selling products. Having an outgoing personality is a must for this role, as you will be dealing directly with the public and potential customers on a regular basis. This is a good role for those wanting to learn how to become a marketing coordinator for a larger company. Typically, larger companies or nonprofit organizations are more likely to need this type of marketing coordinator based on the job responsibilities. 

Product and Account Marketing Coordinator

The responsibilities of a product and account marketing coordinator may also fall within the duties of a marketing coordinator. This means collaborating with a sales force on building and maintaining a strong client base. They may develop sales programs and informational materials for sales teams, and they often work with other types of marketing coordinators to develop sales plans for specific products. In addition to the typical marketing coordinator job duties, these roles require exceptional people skills, so more outgoing social types are frequently drawn to them and will have success learning how to become a marketing coordinator. Businesses with large sales teams often benefit from having product and account marketing coordinators. 

What Are the Career Prospects for a Marketing Coordinator?

A marketing coordinator’s salary varies based on a candidate’s background. While the marketing coordinator role is often an entry-level position, employers typically require at least an associate’s degree, and often a bachelor’s degree. Some employers may accept industry experience in lieu of a college degree. Marketing coordinator job duties most often include reporting to marketing managers, and with the right experience, these positions can frequently lead to promotions to marketing managers. 

Acquiring the skills of a marketing coordinator can be the first step towards a larger career in marketing. Driven marketing coordinators who are willing to commit to a company can aspire to reach director level and even executive roles with the right education and experience. Additionally, the skills learned in the position easily transition to other companies as well, so career mobility is excellent. 

How To Become a Marketing Coordinator

There are a few ways you can prepare yourself for a marketing coordinator job. 

Education

If you want to pursue a career in marketing, it’s best to prepare by choosing a course of study in that field. The best route to a successful career as a marketing coordinator is to obtain a bachelor’s degree in marketing. Programs that offer concentrations in social media marketing, business analytics or consumer behavior may have particular value to a marketing coordinator’s career. Some larger businesses may require a master’s degree in marketing, while smaller organizations may be willing to accept an associate’s degree and work experience in lieu of a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

Develop the Skills of a Marketing Coordinator

Whether or not you have the ideal educational background, you should do everything possible to accumulate the skills you need for this position. To really learn the various marketing coordinator job duties, job seekers should also try interning or working part-time in marketing, advertising or graphic design while obtaining their degree. The sooner you learn how to become a marketing coordinator, the more opportunities you will have to gain experience.

Job seekers often focus on full-time positions. However, applying for temporary jobs can help you get your foot in the door at a company. A temp position in marketing is a great option for students that will provide them with valuable experience and connections in the marketing world. Look for internships or temp jobs that will help you develop a wide skill set or train you in an area that you may be lacking such as graphic design, web development or social media marketing — all of which are relevant to marketing coordinator job responsibilities. These positions can often be obtained through staffing agencies such as Whitman Associates, Inc., in the D.C. metropolitan area

Leverage Your Social Media Profiles

Maintaining a professional and active social profile is beneficial to show that you have the right background to perform marketing coordinator job duties. It will demonstrate your social media prowess as you start to look for jobs. Just make sure that your social accounts are positive and present a professional image. LinkedIn, for example, gives you plenty of space to highlight your skills and experience. Be sure to list any skills of a marketing coordinator that you have. In the current job market, many employers will view your resume online, which provides you with an opportunity to link your social profiles to your resume. 

Keep Your Resume Updated

Finally, make sure your resume is up-to-date, clean, error-free and highlights the in-demand skill sets you possess. Your resume should tell the story of you and be interesting without using nondescript buzzwords. If you’re looking to become a marketing coordinator, tailoring your resume to fit a specific position is a quick way to stand out among applicants. Make sure you highlight areas where the job description and your expertise overlap. 

Take the Necessary Steps To Become a Marketing Coordinator

We’ve explored several options for those wondering how to become a marketing coordinator. This is a great career path for anyone who wants to work in the dynamic field of marketing and possibly advance to even better positions later on. The varied marketing coordinator job duties result in interesting jobs and exciting career paths. By following these guidelines, you can get in on the ground floor and begin a marketing career that will excite and challenge you for years to come!

4 Ways to Learn QuickBooks Online

Looking for a job in accounting? Then you’re probably going to need QuickBooks. Whether you’re already well-versed in accounting or you’re just starting out, it makes sense to know how to use the most popular bookkeeping software. The good news is that you can learn QuickBooks bookkeeping online—without needing a specialized degree.

Tax withholding form and a coffee cup

Why is QuickBooks Important?

Before jumping into the details of how to learn QuickBooks online, it’s important to recognize why it’s advantageous to do so. The numbers tell the story: QuickBooks has 30 years of experience at the top of the industry with millions of businesses relying on the software. When you learn QuickBooks bookkeeping, you’re plugging into a massive network of accountants, small businesses, and individuals. 

Demonstrating a good understanding of QuickBooks is likely both the easiest and the best way to establish yourself as a knowledgeable prospective or current accountant. On the other hand, if you’re trying to get work as an accountant, but don’t know how to use QuickBooks, your job-seeking experience may be a long road. Now that you understand why QuickBooks is important, let’s go over four principles for how to learn QuickBooks online.

#1: Do Your Own Accounting with QuickBooks

The fastest way to learn QuickBooks is to use it! Explore the different functionalities of this important online tool with your own accounting needs. You can use QuickBooks to organize, prepare, and file your own personal tax returns. Especially if you do some odd jobs or freelance work on the side, you can discover many of the intuitive and useful features of QuickBooks on your own.

QuickBooks offers a free trial online, so even if you don’t plan to use it long-term for your personal accounting, you can give yourself a quick crash course. Practice makes perfect, and it’s best to jump in as soon as possible.

#2: Use the Provided Help Resources

Another great way to learn QuickBooks is to use the resources available directly from the source. Intuit, the parent company for QuickBooks, provides a variety of help resources that are accessible for you as a prospective or active user of the software. Inuit recognizes that many people look for how to learn QuickBooks online, so they provide that service as information that is easy to find. 

All QuickBooks online plans include a network of dedicated support, with expert agents that can help. QuickBooks Online for accountants includes advisory training with self-paced lessons. You’ll find plenty of help in a huge library of resources and webinars.

#3: Follow Online Tutorials

Intuit’s bookkeeping resources are great, but you may also find it helpful to get outside support. There are a variety of free or low-cost online tutorials available covering everything from basic onboarding to advanced nuances of QuickBooks. You can find the right fit for you with some quick Internet searches. Check out options like Udemy, Simon Sez IT, Fit Small Business, and more. You may prefer a service that walks you through step by step or one that provides you with learning you can complete on an as-needed basis at your own pace.

There are plenty of online tutorials and guides covering how to learn QuickBooks that do have a higher cost attached, which you are welcome to pursue if you find that level of support necessary. However, with so many resources available that have no or only a small cost, make sure you really need the extra layer before committing to the higher price tag.

#4: Watch Example Videos 

Not everyone learns best by reading. Especially if you’re having trouble understanding a help article, you can search on YouTube to likely find an explainer. Hector Garcia and BookkeepingMaster are two of the most popular and well-recognized YouTube channel sources for this type of service.

Seeing people use QuickBooks in action is a valuable exercise for you to engage in as you learn QuickBooks bookkeeping. Watching the specific tactics used to get through a challenge will help you apply not just those strategies but also that type of thinking to your own bookkeeping practices. Soon, someone will ask you how to learn QuickBooks!

Man using a calculator

Get Started with Whitman Associates

Of course, the whole reason you learn QuickBooks is to land a job. You don’t have to have Quickbooks mastered to jumpstart your work in accounting or an accounting-related field. Find temp opportunities that will get your foot in the door. Send your resume to resumes@whitmanjobs.com for the next step in your career journey.