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

June 27, 2022Last updated on September 19, 2024 WAI Staff

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

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

June 2, 2022 WAI Staff

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.

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!

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.

Professional Networking on Social Media

June 2, 2022 Julie Lindgren, President, Whitman Associates, Inc.

Is Your Personal Account Really Separate from Your Professional Life?

It’s no secret that we live in the digital age. Well over half of the global population has a presence on social media, but many people believe that using social media professionally is totally separate from scrolling through your personal feed at home. For serious job seekers, though, social media for professional networking intersects with personal usage all the time.

A phone screen showing a few social media apps

Searchable Social Media Presence(s)

Even when you have your personal account set to private, certain pieces of data are still viewable. This includes your profile picture, how many posts you have, and how many accounts you follow. You—and potential employers—can tell a lot from a simple search.

In an article well before the pandemic, Forbes explained that “social media is a key player in the job search process today,” and “more than a third of all employers utilize these sites in their hiring process.” We can expect percentages to be much higher now, as employers and job seekers alike have grown more used to conducting business online and using social media professionally. The application of social media for professional networking is a common, even expected, facet of the workforce.

Employers commonly browse the social media of prospective employees, evaluating character and personality. This includes aspects such as whether the job seeker:

Maintains a standard of professionalism, including politeness and respect. For instance, a hiring manager may rule out a candidate if they see them make derogatory comments on Twitter. It’s best to always keep in mind that your social media is for professional networking, even when you think it’s a personal rant.
Seems like a good fit for the company culture. Companies often use social media as a tool for evaluating candidates’ behavior and preferences.
Has the qualifications appropriate for the position. Resume truth distortion is usually easy to spot through a quick social media search. Your presence on social media typically represents your actual employment and education history.
Demonstrates a genuine interest in and passion for their field. For example, a publishing company looking to hire a new marketing specialist will probably love seeing a candidate who has a clearly cultivated presence on Instagram where they review books.

A smiling woman seated at a table holding a notebook

Be The Best Version of Yourself

When considering your personal and professional social media, it’s most important to still be yourself online. When you try too hard to use social media professionally, perhaps liking every post from your dream employer, you may end up coming across as inauthentic.
Posting personal updates and pictures shows off your personality, but it’s best to consider a broad audience. The “Grandma Rule” is a good principle. If you wouldn’t want your grandmother to see it, don’t post it. Even if you have separate accounts, you probably have friends and family members following your professional account, or colleagues and classmates following your personal account. It’s best to assume that your coworkers will see your posts to err on the side of safety and professionalism.

The Connectivity of Social Media

It’s called social media for a reason. It’s fun to browse on TikTok or scroll through an Instagram feed, but even these platforms aren’t just or primarily for entertainment: social media is for professional networking. While LinkedIn is traditionally associated with networking, there are so many other ways to connect with peers, past employment sources, prospective colleagues and employers, and more. Connections across various social media presences often bridge the gap between personal and professional. Now, more than ever, we discover networking opportunities through our personal social media.

Smart job seekers will maintain an active presence on social media, cultivating their participation to be both authentic and impressive. You can be the one to link others to prospective opportunities, like connecting a colleague with your own personal contacts, and see the same energy and benefit come back around to you. Through social media, you can make connections with people you would never otherwise know. There’s a potential opportunity for you to find your dream job through social media connections.

Use Social Media to Your Career Advantage

In conclusion, seeing your personal and professional social media presences as totally separate will not serve you well. Professional behavior matters everywhere. When you understand the intersection of personal and professional social media, you can use your presence on these platforms to your career advantage. Professional networking on social media is generally expected now, so don’t be afraid to try it.

If you’re ready to take your career to the next level, let Whitman Associates help you. We have contacts we would love to share with you. Simply email your resume to resumes@whitmanjobs.com to get started.

4 tips to get an entry-level legal assistant job

May 11, 2022 WAI Staff

Have you considered entering the legal field but don’t know how to begin? Whether you’ve studied for law school or your professional experience amounts to watching Legally Blonde a few times, you might be surprised at the opportunities available as a legal assistant. Washington, D.C., and other major metropolitan areas are ideal markets for entry-level legal assistant jobs. Being a legal assistant is different from being a paralegal, but you will still provide invaluable support to attorneys while gaining experience in the field. Here are our tips on how to land a significant position in this field..header-image{display:none!important;}

What is an entry-level legal assistant job?

Before explaining how to get an entry-level legal assistant job, let’s start with clarity on what it is and isn’t. Although every law office or agency has its requirements and expectations, there are general guidelines for this type of position.

Entry-level legal assistant job descriptions assume that legal assistants should be able to:

Organize files for the office
Compile facts for cases
Follow up on details relating to specific clients or interactions
Handle client or witness communication
Conduct research
File legal documents in court
Draft documents for litigation
Process, prepare, sort or proof legal documents
Maintain client files and information

Essentially, this position assists the lawyer. An entry-level legal assistant job description will involve all varieties of legal work in a supporting capacity. They act primarily as case managers, although some legal assistants also function as legal secretaries. Although they work alongside lawyers, they have different authority over legal documents and presentations.

How is a legal assistant different from a paralegal?

Legal secretaries serve on the administrative side, performing duties such as greeting clients, answering phones, scheduling appointments and maintaining the calendar. Legal assistants can also fill these secretarial roles while supporting the lawyer in other ways, from investigating to writing.

Paralegals perform more in-depth preparatory work and function more similarly to an attorney. For example, a legal secretary might type minutes, while a legal assistant might prepare the case brief and the paralegal could work to develop the ruling with the lawyer directly. Before applying, you can explore more details about these different job categories to determine where you feel best suited.

Can you become a legal assistant with no prior experience?

Becoming a legal assistant with no prior experience is possible, although the process may require dedication and education. Many legal assistants only partially need previous experience, but employers often look for candidates with other qualifications.

Continued education classes allow one to enter the legal assistant role without prior experience. Completing an accredited certification program or earning an associates degree in legal studies can provide you with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for the role in a Washington, D.C., legal office. These programs typically cover legal research, writing and the basic foundations of the legal system.

Additionally, gaining practical experience through internships or volunteer opportunities can enhance your resume and demonstrate your commitment to the field. Networking within the legal community, attending industry events and joining professional associations can also open doors to future job opportunities.

While lack of experience may be a hurdle for any job, emphasizing transferable skills such as organization, attention to detail and effective communication can make you a compelling candidate on your resume and during an interview. Expressing a willingness to learn and adapt to the specific needs of a legal setting can also make you more attractive to employers seeking motivated individuals for these highly desired entry-level positions.

Tip #1: demonstrate effective communication skills

If you want to get hired for an entry-level legal assistant job, it is essential to demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively. Whether managing the lawyers’ schedules, compiling facts for cases, or drafting documents for litigation, you must get your point across clearly and effectively.

While many lawyers and legal institutions are willing to train entry-level workers on the minutiae of their processes and their specific law practices, they expect employees to come in knowing how to express themselves in appropriate and precise language with demonstrated writing skills.

Demonstrate your practical communication skills in your resume and during your interview. Legal assistants often manage communication with clients and witnesses, which is crucial in facilitating inter-office communication. Because of this, you must demonstrate your proficiency in that role.

Tip #2: highlight the experience you do have

Yes, we’re talking about entry-level legal assistant jobs, but that doesn’t mean you lack relevant experience. Don’t worry if you don’t have a legal background; you can showcase other experiences or traits that align you with the position, so make those aspects of your application clear.

For instance, you can demonstrate how you have already managed extensive schedules in the past or that you served in an administrative capacity or leadership position for an extracurricular group during your education.

Tip #3: Express a willingness to learn

When it comes to entry-level legal assistant job descriptions, they all seem to recognize that having the right attitude matters more than knowing the ins and outs of the law. While legal expertise is appreciated, it is unnecessary when you are starting in an entry-level role. What matters most is your teachability.

In our experience in Washington, D.C., most entry-level legal assistant job descriptions require an eagerness to benefit from the law firm’s expertise. It is crucial to present yourself as a competent communicator ready to learn how the law firm wants things done rather than showing up as a legal expert already entrenched in a specific structure or process.

Tip #4: Leverage expertise

Once you’ve polished up your resume and prepared for your interview by demonstrating practical communication skills, highlighting the relevant experience you do have and expressing a willingness to learn, it’s time to land an entry-level legal assistant job. While you can navigate your job search independently, leveraging the experience of professionals in the staffing field is more manageable, less stressful and more effective.

At Whitman Associates, Inc., we are celebrating over 50 years of providing expert staffing in Washington, D.C. and the surrounding area. Start by emailing your resume to resumes@whitmanjobs.com to see what doors can open for you.

What to expect from entry-level administrative assistant jobs

May 11, 2022Last updated on September 19, 2025 WAI Staff

Are you looking for a versatile job that provides opportunities for growth and training? Working an entry-level administrative assistant job can be a challenging yet rewarding pathway, and many companies are hiring now for this position. Here’s our guide about what to expect from administrative assistant jobs throughout the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area..header-image{display:none!important;}

Entry level administrative assistant working Banner

What do administrative assistants do?

“Administrative assistant” is a fairly vague job title. This position is often a “catch-all” for various internal and customer-facing tasks. In a broad sense, administrative assistant jobs control office efficiency and ensure operations run smoothly. This can involve a variety of tasks, including:

Answering and directing phone calls and emails
Organizing and scheduling meetings
Ordering office supplies
Assisting with special projects
Producing and distributing correspondence
Greeting customers or clients
Booking travel arrangements

The Washington, D.C. metropolitan area is a perfect market for this role, with so many private businesses, consulting firms and government contractors needing entry-level administrative assistants to ensure jobs are completed on time. While some of these descriptions sound more like a secretary or receptionist, there are some distinctions in those titles.

How is an entry-level administrative assistant job different from a secretary or receptionist?

In general, the following are basic differences between these three job titles, even though all of these job categories overlap and work together:

Receptionists serve as the first point of contact for an office
Secretaries handle document production as well as other office tasks
Administrative Assistants keep the office running smoothly and handle more project specific tasks.

In some office jobs, being an administrative assistant will look very similar to a secretary or receptionist role. Other times, often in larger companies, administrative assistants are specialists, like project managers, who oversee and ensure that overall work operations flow smoothly.

For example, rather than directly manning the phones, an administrative assistant may provide a receptionist with a flow chart of how to route calls more efficiently. In that context, working an entry-level administrative assistant job could also include serving as a go-between for the receptionist and the higher levels of leadership in the office.

When applying for an administrative assistant job in Washington, D.C., or the surrounding area, it’s important to understand the industry, company structure and work culture. Depending on the company’s needs, the role may look different from one place to the next. Many companies look for candidates willing to adapt and take on new responsibilities.

Why be an administrative assistant?

Being an administrative assistant is a dynamic and rewarding role that offers a unique blend of responsibilities and opportunities. At the heart of every successful organization, administrative assistants are crucial in maintaining smooth day-to-day operations. One of the main reasons to consider a career in this field is the chance to play an essential role in a functional business.

Administrative assistants serve as the backbone of an office, with jobs ranging from managing schedules and coordinating communication to ensuring that day-to-day tasks are handled efficiently. This role demands a diverse skill set, from organizational prowess to effective communication and problem-solving abilities. It provides a platform to develop and sharpen these skills in a professional setting.

Ideally, an entry-level administrative assistant job involves interaction with various levels of personnel in different departments throughout the office, fostering a dynamic and collaborative work environment. Administrative assistants are trusted with responsibilities that contribute directly to an organization’s efficiency and success.

In addition, being an administrative assistant offers a gateway to gaining valuable experience across different facets of business operations, making it an excellent stepping stone for career growth. The role’s versatility, paired with the opportunity to learn and adapt to new challenges, make it an appealing choice for individuals seeking a stable position and the potential for promotions and professional development.

Developing your own system within the established structure

Administrative assistants work in a delicate balance. The role can be one of the most versatile office jobs because so many administrative assistant tasks need to be done throughout each workday. Managers often expect administrative assistants to bring their ideas and systems to fit within the established structure.

For example, maybe the traditional protocol is that the administrative assistant will make calls to confirm the next day’s appointments. The administrative assistant may be free to make notes in a client’s file or update calendar meetings in a manner that they find most efficient and helpful for the senior staff. Managers often appreciate assertive, independent assistants who can complete core tasks without asking too many questions.

Day-to-day management with a broad perspective

To succeed in an entry-level administrative assistant job, prospective candidates must recognize that they will be responsible for the day-to-day office management and the larger picture of the company’s goals and objectives. A detail-oriented mindset and the ability to concisely summarize key takeaways are critical.

Administrative assistants often put out many little “fires” throughout the natural workday. Still, they need to maintain a broad perspective so urgent tasks don’t replace the essential components of the role. Fast-paced markets like Washington, D.C. expect administrative assistants to keep up with action items and prioritize effectively, even in an entry-level job.

Serve as an assistant, not a manager

While administrative assistants track and monitor tasks efficiently, this is a supportive role rather than a leadership role, meaning that administrative assistants work directly under high-level management or other leaders in their office. In their jobs, administrative assistants typically will not make tough work-related decisions by themselves.

Administrative assistants have a specific hierarchical place in the company that may vary depending on the industry, company size and other factors. Regardless of the particular structure of a company, administrative assistants typically work very closely with the leadership they assist. In this role, you could expect plenty of formal and informal meetings and check-ins with one or more leadership roles at the office.

Get a specific snapshot of your possibilities

Each administrative assistant position looks slightly different. An administrative assistant job could be a great fit if you have the related skills of multitasking, prioritizing, organizing and ensuring others stay on task. Whitman Associates, Inc. helps place candidates in entry-level administrative assistant jobs in Washington, D.C. and the surrounding area. We have more than 50 years of expert staffing experience. When you’re ready to start your new career path as an administrative assistant, send your resume to resumes@whitmanjobs.com.

8 Tips For Making A Career Change

April 25, 2022 Julie Lindgren, President, Whitman Associates, Inc.

Wondering how to change careers with little or no experience in a new space? You’re not alone! It’s perfectly normal and quite routine to want to explore something new. Our outlook and life goals tend to change with time and so do our professional ambitions. Most people spend most of their waking hours, or a third of their lives, at work. After a long time in one job, you may find that it’s just not fulfilling anymore.

The important thing when you feel this itch is to act on it and not bury it. Making a career change is an exciting life event and you should treat it as such. Keep a positive attitude and avoid getting bogged down by the work involved. The fact that you’re reading this blog is an excellent start!

Here are our top suggestions on how to change careers even with no experience outside your industry.

1. Identify Your Reasons for Wanting a Change

The process of making a successful career change begins with yourself. If you feel unsatisfied with your current job or a lingering irritation when you’re at work, dig a little deeper to understand what’s driving those feelings. Is it your team or the office environment? The pay? The work itself?

The most common reasons people change their careers include gaining a better work-life balance, increasing salary or benefits, and challenging themselves professionally. Identifying the reason you’re unhappy will help you find a career that makes sense for you. You can then create a plan and work towards a definite goal, instead of spamming resumes at new job listings.

2. Discover the Right Career for You

It’s possible that you might have identified your reasons for making a career change, but you don’t know which career to change to. This is a good thing! It means you’re taking time to consider your options instead of making a hasty decision.

A good place to start is your skillset. Think about the similarities in your previous roles. Are there any skills or activities that stand out to you? A career in product development also makes you an excellent researcher and analyst. These are useful skills for a lateral shift into anything from consultancy to business intelligence.

Make sure you’re not just ideating within yourself. Talk to people and solicit opinions. You’d be surprised at how many have been through the same situation and can offer useful career advice. Speak to your boss too — if you have a relationship that allows that. They can highlight your strengths and weaknesses as they see them and give you new ideas for your move.

3. Upskill Yourself

Sometimes, you may lack the necessary hard skills for a particular job. This is often the case when making a career change in a technical space. For instance, you might have a background in operations and discover that you have a passion for coding. In this case, it’s a good idea to spend some time and money on a coding course.

This is how you change careers with no experience in your new field. Recruiters will notice your commitment to your new career and consider it a positive in your application.

4. Keep an Eye Out for Opportunities in Your Company

Making a career change doesn’t necessarily mean spending hours scouring various job portals. Sometimes, the right opportunity can be available in your own company. We’ll let you in on a secret. Internal hiring is often the most favored way for recruiters and hiring managers to fill a vacancy. This is because the candidate is already familiar with the company, industry, and work culture. This cuts down on the time you have to spend adjusting to a new place and can let you hit the ground running.

It’s also a great way for you as a candidate to comfortably ease into a role you’re not familiar with.

5. Don’t Be Afraid to Start Over

If you’re truly passionate about making a career change, then go all the way. Consider taking a pay cut or even starting at the bottom of the ladder if you need to. Doing this doesn’t mean that your career thus far has been wasted. On the contrary, your experience will shine through and let you rise quicker than your peers in the same role. Remember that the whole point of making a career change is to move on from a job that’s holding you back.

6. Network Well

Your network is highly correlated to your net worth. Research has consistently shown that referred candidate hirings result in much better outcomes. Tap into your professional and personal networks to find people who can help you and maybe even refer you. If you don’t know anyone personally, be bold and put yourself out there. Seek out people in the industry or function you want to move into. Be upfront with them about the fact that you’re making a career change. You might not earn referrals with every connection, but at the very least, they’re likely to agree to be an advisor or sounding board in the future.

7. Find Someone to Show You the Ropes

Part of your objective with networking should be to find a mentor—someone you can rely on for practical guidance and in-depth advice. A good mentor is someone who has achieved a lot of success in the space you want to move into. Their experience can be a huge asset and help you plan effectively as you make your shift.

Also, consider volunteering and pro-bono work when making a career change. This is a great way to gain hands-on experience in a new area. It’ll also help you add something relevant to your CV and make useful connections.

8. Consider Starting a Business

Starting your own business is an excellent option for early, mid, and late-career professionals. It means you’re taking matters into your own hands and you don’t have to worry about how to change careers with no experience. You learn on the job.

As a freelancer, solopreneur, or entrepreneur, you don’t need to grind out a rigid recruitment process. You can let your skills speak for yourself with your prospective clients. A hidden advantage in making such a career change is that as a business leader, you tend to connect with other business leaders.

A career change can be a big boost for your professional and personal life. If you approach it right, it’s likely to be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make.

If you’re actively thinking about making a career change, consider registering yourself with Whitman Associates. We’re professional staffing experts based in the D.C. metropolitan area. Explore all our job openings, including our permanent and temporary jobs to find a good fit for your move. Browse through our employment tips and job-search advice for more information on how to change careers with little or no experience.

Being Punctual

March 23, 2022Last updated on August 27, 2024 WAI Staff

Punctuality is a critical quality for any professional and is one mark of a good worker. From arriving on time to the office to submitting punctual work, meeting these timing expectations creates a solid foundation for your career. While this may seem obvious, many professionals need help learning how to be punctual. From constant distractions to an over-reliance on navigation app ETA predictions, it’s easy to be late accidentally. Even unemployed job seekers must know timeframes and deadlines when interviewing and applying for jobs. For now, we will focus on the importance of being punctual for a job interview and provide some rules to help make sure you are always on time in the future.

Rule #1: Don’t be late.

If you realize ahead of time that you are running late for an interview, call your interviewer immediately and let them know your situation. Be sure to apologize for the inconvenience, and don’t make up any crazy excuses if it’s not the truth. Hiring managers deal with this constantly– they can tell when somebody is not being genuine.
In a tough job market, hiring managers have their pick regarding capable candidates. Being punctual is critical – even showing up five minutes late for a job interview could disqualify you for a position.
If a hiring manager can’t trust you to show up on time for an interview, they have no reason to trust that you know how to be punctual or will submit work on time. Remember, this is their first impression of you. Even if being late is out of character for you, the employer won’t know this and will be forced to decide based on this interaction.

Rule #2: Being too early is the same as being late.

Being punctual is better than being too early. Only show up at most fifteen minutes early for a job interview unless you were otherwise instructed.
Showing up too early for an interview can make you appear desperate to hiring managers. Think of a job interview as attending a party—you wouldn’t want to arrive too early as it would be impolite and you would look too eager. Plus, you could inconvenience a busy hiring manager by being too early.
If you are early for an interview, a hiring manager will attribute your showing up a half hour early to your bad time management skills rather than think of you as punctual. Instead, if you find yourself too early for an interview, you can find a nearby coffee shop where you can wait. You may even be able to do some last-minute interview prep while you’re there!

Rule #3: Know where you’re going ahead of time.

Just like you would plan out project milestones in advance to ensure punctual work, you’ll want to plan your route to the interview to ensure a punctual arrival time. If you have time and are unfamiliar with the area, visit the company’s office before your interview so that you can prioritize being punctual by knowing exactly where you’re going and how long it will take you to get there.
Suppose you don’t have time to scope out your route physically; use the Internet to plan it. Think about all the steps involved, such as figuring out where you’ll park or if your car has enough gas. You don’t want to be late because it took twenty minutes to find a parking space.
While scoping out the route and the area to plan for your interview, take the time to review whether this commute would work for you and if you could be punctual to work in the long term. Remember, job interviews go both ways. You are also deciding if this office is the right fit for your needs, and your commute and surrounding area are two critical factors in job satisfaction.

Rule #4: Show up early, but don’t go in.

The best advice we can give you is to allow extra time for your interview. Even if you run into unforeseen trouble, such as traffic or delays on public transportation, cautious planning will help you to be punctual. It’s better to waste some of your own time by adding wiggle room into your commute than to waste your hiring manager’s time.
If you don’t hit any delays and end up outside the office twenty minutes early, don’t go in! As mentioned above, find somewhere nearby you can kill time before your interview, such as a coffee shop or deli. Use the extra time to review your notes one last time.

Additional guidance and advice

At Whitman Associates, Inc., we’re rooting for you! We aim to help you find the perfect fit for your next job. Being punctual is just one of many attributes potential employers seek. For more insightful career advice, explore our blog for additional tips and guidance. Want some more personalized job-hunting strategies? Reach out to Whitman Associates today with your resume!

4 Disadvantages of Remote Working

March 18, 2022Last updated on July 17, 2026 WAI Staff

The pandemic has changed many things about the structure of work within our society. Many offices adapted well to work-from-home culture, but others are experiencing difficulties. Whether it’s issues with collaboration or concerns about security, working from home comes with some serious hurdles for certain industries. Learn more about a few of the disadvantages of remote working and discover solutions to those disadvantages here.

1. Difficulty with Collaboration

With your employees spread all around the city or even the country, it’s a lot harder to get together for collaborative work. Sometimes, different time zones, technical difficulties, and distractions at home make finding meeting times that work for everyone a challenge. Working together over the phone or a video call is a communication barrier that can disrupt even the shortest conversation. Worse, it’s no longer possible to just walk to a coworker’s desk for quick answers! Instead, employees must opt for communication via phone, email, or office chat.

Resolving Remote Collaboration Concerns

This disadvantage of remote working is primarily due to a lack of a flexible, fast, and responsive communication platform. Since emails and phone calls aren’t as efficient or effective as talking to someone in person, teams need new tools to battle this disadvantage of telecommuting for work. Many companies are turning to file-sharing applications that already come with chat features for better communication with the team, including Google Docs and Slack.

2. Cybersecurity & Confidentiality

Even if your business doesn’t deal with proprietary or patented information, cybersecurity and confidentiality are still important. When most of your team is working from home, it can be difficult to ensure security when each individual computer needs additional antivirus software, VPN configurations, and extra firewalls. Even more challenging is providing security for employees who choose to work over public wifi, like those in coffee shops or shared workspaces.

Any confidentiality or security breach could be a potential disaster for your business. Whether it’s a non-employee overhearing a confidential discussion or seeing sensitive documents, or a team member accidentally downloading a virus, your business needs to plan for better security to mitigate the potential damage of this disadvantage of remote working.

Resolving Security Risks

One way to reduce your vulnerabilities is by storing all business data and files on a cloud management platform. Don’t let employees save important information on their laptop or home computer hard drive. You can also require that employees use VPNs when working and set up remote access to their computers in the office (if you still have a physical office space).

Regular security trainings are also an essential part of any company policy, even when working in an office. Cover typical phishing and virus scams they may encounter and educate your team on the importance of password hygiene, two-factor authentication, and the dangers of connecting to public wifi networks.

3. Inconsistent Access to Internet & Tools

Because employees are in their homes, they’re using whichever internet provider is available and affordable in their area. Unfortunately, there are significant disparities in high-quality internet access throughout the country, and a lack of reliable service is common in rural communities. This is a major disadvantage of remote working, as many people have subpar connection speeds and reliability. Even homes with decent internet connections may experience slow upload and download speeds when too many people are utilizing the network, leading to poor audio and video connections during video calls, issues with buffering, and slow loading programs.

Resolving Connectivity Issues

Your team needs access to the right technology in order to overcome this disadvantage of remote working. Bolster their internet connection with appropriate hardware, like ethernet cables, to support spotty wifi connections, and set up a remote helpdesk to deal with any IT issues that may crop up. A remote IT team trained in connectivity concerns has the power to support your teams if anything goes wrong. Make sure your IT team has a robust ticketing system and self-help SSO.

Counteracting this particular disadvantage of telecommuting may require an even bigger investment for some companies. Any team that needs to run heavy-duty rendering or editing software may need specialty computers that can process all that data. You may want to invest in additional computer hardware to outfit your team’s home office with better technology than they may already have.

4. Isolation

Isolation is a much bigger disadvantage of remote working than people think – especially for those who live alone. Without frequent face-to-face contact, your employees could be dealing with chronic isolation and loneliness that lowers morale and productivity. When people work in an office, human interaction is necessary and built into the day-to-day routines. Employees interact in the hallways and breakrooms, the elevators and parking structures, and in various meetings throughout the day. They may also commune with others while on their daily commute at coffee shops, the metro, and restaurants. Working from home eliminates the potential contact with all these people!

Resolving Isolation Concerns

Regular check-ins with your team could go a long way to dealing with this disadvantage of remote working. In addition to conversations about current work tasks and projects, it’s important to also check in with your employees regarding their personal lives. There’s certainly no need to pry, but creating a space where your team members feel safe to express themselves if they wish to can help prevent frustrations and challenges from building up. This may be a new management style that requires a more personal touch, but it will help your team build higher quality connections, better communication, and more trust.

Will Your Office Continue Working From Home?

There are many other disadvantages of remote working, but some teams are rising to the challenge. This evolution in workflow, company structure, and technology has pushed many businesses to find innovative solutions that ensure they’re stronger and more sustainable. What about you? What will your company do to combat the disadvantages of telecommuting to ensure your success?

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Which Career Is Right for Me? 4 Tips for Choosing the Right Career

March 18, 2022 WAI Staff

Imagine this: you’re fresh out of university with a bachelor or master’s degree, and you’re ready to enter the working world. You jump into the first opportunity you see, only to realize five years down the road that it isn’t what you want to be doing in your career. You start exploring other options and find a field that you really love. But you’ll need to start from square one, gaining experience and working your way up the ladder because you may not have the necessary experience to transfer laterally into that position. You feel defeated — as if you wasted years of your time working towards the wrong goal!

Many people have found themselves in exactly this position. That’s why choosing the right career path from the beginning can make a big difference in your life. Whether you’re choosing a career for the first time or you’re ready to make a swap, Whitman Associates, Inc. can help you with career planning tips that lead to a fulfilling job that allows you to live the lifestyle you want. Ready to find out which career is right for you? Check out these four tips to get started!

1. Start Thinking About Your Career Path Early

You don’t have to have your whole life planned out, but thinking about choosing the right career as early as possible can help you find your niche professionally. Which career is right for you? It’s the one where you’re doing something that interests, excites, and challenges you but also provides the financial means and benefits you desire. Make a list of things that you find interesting. Your list could include everything from numbers and statistics to design and event planning. Anything that might potentially spark your interest belongs on this list!

If you know people in careers that align with your interests, ask them about their work, what they love about their job, and what they dislike about their job. The answers you get can help you make a more informed decision when choosing the right career. Once you’ve talked to a few people and done some research into careers that align with your interests, you should be able to narrow them down into three or four options. If you’re interested in writing, music, and psychology, for example, potential careers could include:

Advertising
Publishing
Music Engineer
Concert/Event Organizer
School Counselor
Profiler for Law Enforcement
Therapist

With a career in mind, you can look into what it takes to start along each of these job paths. What type of education and experience do you need? How competitive is each industry? What’s the salary range? The answers can help you narrow down your career path even further.

2. Be Honest With Yourself

Choosing the right career is all about being honest with yourself. While sometimes it can be difficult to figure out what you really want, we have a shortcut that can help you find the answer: a Venn diagram. Create a Venn diagram that includes three circles that list the following:

What you’re good at doing
What sparks your interest
What pays enough to finance your life

The overlap of doing what you love and what you’re good at will result in you being happy but potentially unable to make ends meet. The overlap between what you’re good at and what pays well ends up with you financially stable but maybe bored or unhappy. Choosing the right career starts where all three categories overlap. Place each of your career options in the appropriate spot on the Venn diagram, and you’ll quickly realize which careers will lead to the most balanced life for you.

3. Research, Research, Research

You’ll never find answers to which career is right for you without doing a lot of research. Informational interviews are one tool you can use to learn more about careers that sound like a good fit. You’ll need to find people in those careers and reach out to them to ask for an informational interview. While some people may turn you down, others will be happy to share their personal experiences in a particular field or industry.

Ask questions to help you gain insight into the highs and lows of each career, whether the day-to-day work fits in with your preferred lifestyle, and how long it takes to progress up the ladder to the highest possible position and salary. These informational interviews can give you clarity on choosing the right career without actually having to experience it for yourself!

Some questions to consider incorporating into your informational interview include:

How did you get into this career?
What are the most common entry-level positions for this career path?
Which skills are most valuable to your job?
What do your daily responsibilities include?
What do you like least/most about your job?
What advice would you give to someone interested in this career?

You might also consider working a temporary position to get some hands-on experience in the industry without committing to a long-term position.

4. Choose Your Career & Make a Plan

If you’ve made it through all these steps, it should be pretty clear which jobs you should pursue. Now, it’s time to look back at the informational interviews with people in these positions and follow their journey. Enroll in the courses they suggest and look for opportunities to gain experience in the skills that are most needed for this job. Knowing the path those before you took when choosing the right career for them can help guide you and provide direction on the way to success.

Find More Guidance

At Whitman Associates, Inc., we’re proud to celebrate 50 years of providing expert staffing services for both employers and employees. When choosing the right career path, we can help you at any point along the way. Reach out to us today to learn more about the industries we serve and the qualifications you might need to reach your career goals!

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How to take initiative at work

March 8, 2022Last updated on July 17, 2026 WAI Staff

Taking initiative at work is a crucial skill for any employee who wants to succeed in the workplace. As a temporary employee, learning to take the initiative could land you a permanent job offer. In contrast, as a permanent employee, it could lead to a raise or a promotion. Moreover, many people find their careers more personally rewarding and fulfilling when fully embracing their roles. Taking measures to be more proactive in your job could open doors that allow you to do more of the work you prefer. Learning how to take initiative at work is mutually beneficial to you and your employer. If you want to gain insight into what being proactive looks like in practice, check out this overview to learn how to find opportunities to do so.

1. Offer assistance

A large part of showing your independence and motivation at work is ensuring you always have something to do. The easiest way to stay busy is to help out other people and departments with their workload. When you have downtime between projects, you should seek extra opportunities to help around the office as an intelligent method of taking initiative. When taking initiative at work, offer to assist your supervisor or coworkers if they are working to meet a deadline or finish a project.

When it comes time to hand out bonuses or promotions, your boss will remember when you stepped up to offer assistance. Plus, helping out between departments or teams allows you to strengthen connections throughout the company. This enables you to be a better employee while networking, opening the door to potential new opportunities for growth.

2. Seek improvement

A proactive employee constantly seeks ways to improve processes around the office. This tactic of taking initiative at work should focus on how you can help or add value to the company. Taking initiative on the job means always keeping your eyes peeled to make office procedures more efficient and effective and then sharing your suggestions with your supervisor.

For example, if you think you have a great way to boost your company’s online presence, come up with a pitch for your boss and present it to them. Ensure you’ve put some time and consideration into your idea for improvement. Pitching a plan without thinking through any potential obstacles or questions will not go over well. A well-outlined solution backed by research, on the other hand, is a fantastic way to demonstrate taking initiative!

3. Solve problems

Take the opportunity to solve problems as they arise whenever possible. A quick problem solver is an excellent asset for any manager because you’re taking stress off your boss and freeing up their time for better office management and employee support.

However, if there is a problem that you believe you are unauthorized to take care of, you should seek assistance before trying to solve things yourself and stepping on any toes. When learning to take initiative at work, it’s vital to note that this does not mean you should overstep boundaries or offer advice when it’s unnecessary. Instead, taking initiative on the job means understanding the appropriate time and place to step up to the plate.

4. Ask for more responsibilities

Let your boss know if you have mastered your current responsibilities and have extra time to take on more work each day. Rather than waiting for your boss to give you more work, you should go to them and let them know you can handle more. By taking initiative in this way, you’ll communicate to your boss your eagerness and that you are someone to be relied on.

Ask your boss if there are any tasks that you could take off their hands and manage yourself. You can also request new types of assignments to learn and hone new skills. Seeking additional responsibilities will show you are ready for growth and might even warrant a promotion or raise.

5. Work hard

Taking initiative at work doesn’t always require seeking extra work outside your responsibilities. It also applies to exceeding expectations for those responsibilities within your role. This is essential, because if you aren’t meeting the base-level expectations for your position, trying to take initiative by asking for additional responsibilities will not work.

Plan to turn in your work before a deadline or prepare in advance for projects that haven’t started yet to ensure proactive engagement with your role. You should also focus on performing to the best of your ability. Turning in your work early means nothing if your supervisor needs to make changes and edits because you were rushing through a task!

Working on another level

Employers seek many qualities when looking for employees, but knowing how to take initiative at work and being willing to do so is one of the most important. You should exceed your supervisor’s expectations for your work and go above and beyond the call of duty whenever possible. Frequently taking initiative on the job is the surest way to succeed and grow professionally.