8 Simple Tips and Tricks To Help Land Your Next Job From applications to r&eacute;sum&eacute;s to interviews, it can feel overwhelming to know how to communicate to potential employers that you are the right candidate for their job opening. 
Luckily, there are simple ways to make your voice stand out from the crowd and make a great impression on a hiring manager. With that in mind, here are our top 8 simple tips and tricks to help land your next job. 
Have a professional email address. Think of your email address as an extension of your resume. Receiving a job application and cover letter from machoman66@email.com can send the wrong impression to recruiters. Instead, use an email based on your name so recruiters can easily find your email in their inbox. Use keywords from the job description in your r&eacute;sum&eacute;. Many recruiters use scanning software to filter through applications. These softwares look for keywords that also appear in the job description. Tweaking your r&eacute;sum&eacute; to include these keywords can help your application reach the next phase. Share your unique perspective. When writing your cover letter, include what perspectives you have that make you unique. For example, highlighting that you are a veteran can communicate that you are punctual, dedicated, and a team player. Create a stand-out LinkedIn profile. More often than not, recruiters turn to social media to learn more about job candidates. Your LinkedIn profile, the main social networking site for professionals, should be up-to-date with clean photos and all relevant job experience. Develop an elevator pitch. Whenever you find yourself in a position to connect with a new person about a job opportunity, such as a job fair or networking event, recruiters want to know who you are quickly. Preparing a 1-minute or less speech about yourself, your experience, and your ideal job can help you feel more comfortable marketing yourself. Do your research. Come to your job interview prepared by researching the company with whom you are interviewing. If you are applying for a marketing position, for example, familiarizing yourself with their most recent marketing campaigns can wow the interview team. Phone a friend. Ask a friend to help you prepare by having a mock interview. Rehearsing the answers to potential interview questions can help relax your nerves and come into the real interview confidently.

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8 Simple Tips and Tricks To Help Land Your Next Job

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Balancing work and caregiving responsibilities can be challenging. Many&nbsp;<a href="https://www.caregiver.org/caregiver-statistics-work-and-caregiving" rel="noopener" target="_blank">informal caregivers</a>&nbsp;find themselves juggling doctor&rsquo;s appointments; supporting daily living activities such as bathing, dressing, and medications or organizing bills and other needs, while striving to maintain a career.
According to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.caregiving.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/2015_CaregivingintheUS_Final-Report-June-4_WEB.pdf" rel="noopener" target="_blank">National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP</a>, approximately 43.5 million caregivers provide unpaid care to an adult or child within a 12-month period. As Baby Boomers continue to age and as the cost of senior living and in-home care grows, the need for informal caregivers will continue to increase.
Informal caregivers who are employed outside of their caregiving responsibilities have schedules, deadlines, and demands that can place unexpected strain on their emotions, focus, and energy.
Here are some helpful tips to help balance your career when you&rsquo;re a caregiver:
1. Prioritize your Physical and Emotional Health&nbsp;&ndash; Caregivers often don&rsquo;t realize they are susceptible to health-related issues, including high-blood pressure, anxiety, depression, and addiction. It is important to keep up with personal doctor&rsquo;s appointments and remain aware of any changes in physical feeling, in mood or overall mental health. You should not only make necessary appointments to maintain good physical health, but also reach out to mental heath professionals to care for your emotional wellbeing.
Supporting your emotional health can also include connecting with others who can empathize with your feelings. This can be done through community&nbsp;<a href="https://www.caregiver.org/support-groups" rel="noopener" target="_blank">support programs</a>&nbsp;or online caregiver groups and forums. These provide opportunities to exchange ideas and get support at any time of day.
2. Practice Self-Care&nbsp;&ndash; A caregiver&rsquo;s general tendency is to make sure everyone else is taken care of first. However, it&rsquo;s important to practice self-care to ensure you have the energy and mindset to function well at work and continue to care for others. Self-care includes maintaining a healthy diet, getting adequate rest, and doing some form of physical activity or exercise. It can also mean taking a lunch break or free moment to go outside for a walk or read a book.
3. Maintain Relationships/Support Network&nbsp;&ndash; Many working caregivers tend to neglect social activity or relationships, and even spend less time with other family members. Connecting with those you value and love helps you manage stress and responsibilities better. Additionally, some friends and family members may be willing to assist with caregiving tasks or household chores. This could even include stopping by to sit with your loved one while you complete other tasks or rest.
4. Talk to Your Employer&nbsp;&ndash; Having a direct conversation with your employer about your circumstances can be helpful for managing both work and home responsibilities. By sharing information about your needs, your employer is likely to be more understanding if/when unexpected circumstances arise that may cause you to arrive late or miss a deadline. They also may be able to help you consider support resources that you were not aware of. Ultimately, it is important to make sure your employer knows that work is still one of your main priorities. This will help them support you as needed.
5. Review Employer Benefits/FMLA&nbsp;&ndash; Many employers offer benefits packages that include a variety of resources and services to support caregivers. These include&nbsp;<a href="https://www.opm.gov/faqs/QA.aspx?fid=4313c618-a96e-4c8e-b078-1f76912a10d9&amp;pid=2c2b1e5b-6ff1-4940-b478-34039a1e1174" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)</a>&nbsp;that provide counseling, eldercare referral services, and more. Some employers have flexible leave policies that allow employees to use sick leave to care for others or to share leave, which allows employees to donate unused leave time to other employees.
The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fmla" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)</a>&nbsp;provides another option for caregivers to consider, as it gives eligible employees 12 weeks per year of unpaid leave. This can be used to care for a sick family member.
6. Consider Flexible Work Options&nbsp;&ndash; Many employers are embracing flexible work options as an effective means of productivity for all employees. These can be especially helpful for informal caregivers, as flexible work options can include having flexible work or telework hours. For example, a caregiver may request to work from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. to be available for early morning doctor&rsquo;s appointments, or from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. to be home in time to prepare for evening needs.
<a href="https://www.opm.gov/FAQs/QA.aspx?fid=b48bf83b-440c-4f1e-a88c-3cdc9d802ac8&amp;pid=75346675-3b92-4aec-831d-58cf5b0e86d2" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Teleworking</a>&nbsp;is also an effective way to balance work with caregiving responsibilities. By working from home or your loved one&rsquo;s home, you have greater ability to use break times or time that would be spent commuting to care for your loved one.
Other flexible work options include swapping shifts with other employees, coming in on traditional &ldquo;off-days,&rdquo; or working shorter hours on specific days.
7. Research Community Resources&nbsp;&ndash; In addition to gaining resource guidance from an employer, caregivers can also reach out to local agencies that can share a variety of ideas on programs and services to support you and your loved one. For example,&nbsp;<a href="https://eldercare.acl.gov/Public/Index.aspx" rel="noopener" target="_blank">local agencies on aging</a>&nbsp;can provide details on adult day centers, transportation options, and respite programs.&nbsp;<a href="https://ncdj.org/resources/organizations/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Disability organizations</a>, such as local&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ilru.org/projects/cil-net/cil-center-and-association-directory" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Centers for Independent Living (CILs)</a>&nbsp;can provide information on local activities, support groups, funding initiatives, accessible housing options, and much more.
8. Know Your Limits&nbsp;&ndash; It&rsquo;s very important for caregivers to identify their needs and set physical and emotional boundaries to help manage responsibilities and prioritize self-care. This includes determining what personal space and time you consistently need, the type of communication and interactions you have with others (including co-workers), and any other needs that will help you function at your best. From there, communicate these needs to others so that they can be supportive.
For more ideas on services, programs, and resources to support your needs as a caregiver, visit the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.caregiver.org/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Family Caregiver Alliance</a>.
Contributions to this blog were made by Andra&eacute;a LaVant of Solutions Marketing Group.

Balancing Your Career When You're a Caregiver

When developing job descriptions, employers tend to emphasize the specific abilities required to complete a job. These are typically identified as &ldquo;hard skills,&rdquo; and are most often learned through education or training (i.e. computer programming, foreign language proficiency, or a specific degree or certificate). However,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nationalsoftskills.org/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">soft skills</a>&nbsp;can play an equally as important role in getting and keeping a job.
Soft skills are the personal attributes that enable us to interact effectively with others and succeed in the workplace. Sometimes they are referred to as &ldquo;people skills.&rdquo; Unlike some hard skills, soft skills are transferable from one job to another and are either inherent or developed over time. These are the attitudes, verbal and nonverbal behaviors, and habits that make us desirable employees and valuable team members.
Here are 7 soft skills that are sure to help you find and keep a job:
<ol>
<li>Communication&nbsp;&ndash; Effective communication is an essential skill to ensure job success. This not only includes being able to communicate well with clients or customers, but also with colleagues and managers. Significant aspects of communication in the workplace include the ability to listen, negotiate, persuade, deliver presentations/speak in front of others, write, and use nonverbal communication. For employees with disabilities, this also includes the ability to communicate about accommodations and other needs both during the interview process and while on the job. </li>
<li>Problem Solving &amp; Critical Thinking&nbsp;&ndash; The need to analyze, problem solve, and make informed decisions occurs consistently in any work setting. This includes the ability to be creative, flexible, and observant. Problem-solving skills are often one of the admirable qualities that employees with disabilities bring to the workplace, as people with disabilities are consistently required to think outside of the box or adapt a situation or environment to meet their needs. </li>
<li>Time Management&nbsp;&ndash; Good time management skills are important because they demonstrate the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines. It also proves that you are reliable. Time management not only means delivering assignments on time but also includes being on time for work, meetings, etc. Employees with disabilities may also have to consider any disability-related needs that may affect their time management at work. This could include factoring in extended time for restroom breaks, meals, or completing projects. &nbsp;
It&rsquo;s important to remember that managing your time effectively not only impacts you, but your colleagues as well. Quite often, our work correlates with others&rsquo;, and a missed deadline can reflect negatively on an entire team or business.
</li>
<li>Teamwork&nbsp;&ndash;&nbsp;Employers&nbsp;consistently seek job candidates who work well with others. Even if a job requires you to complete most of your work independently, you will inevitably need to interact with others at some point. Essential components of teamwork include the ability to accept and apply feedback from others, recognize and appreciate diversity (including disability), be self-aware, resolve conflicts, and work collaboratively. </li>
<li>Work Ethic/Professionalism&nbsp;&ndash; Having a strong work ethic is an impressive quality to demonstrate to an employer. People with a strong work ethic don&rsquo;t require micromanaging. Instead, they are responsible, meaning they arrive on time to work, meet deadlines, remain focused and organized, dress appropriately and generally follow instructions well. </li>
<li>Positive Attitude&nbsp;&ndash; Demonstrating a positive attitude can make all the difference in getting a job and succeeding in the workplace. Employees who are friendly, excited about their work, and have an overall positive attitude even as they interview are more likely to impress employers. This is especially helpful in fast-paced or high-stress environments. </li>
<li>Self-Confidence&nbsp;&ndash; Many other soft skills derive from having self-confidence. If you don&rsquo;t have confidence in your skills and abilities, it will be difficult to effectively apply other skills in the workplace. Being self-confident helps you not to take things personally and provides a sense of strength as you pursue your professional goals and help your employer succeed. It can also help you make confident, timely decisions and easily adapt to changes. </li>
</ol>
While developing your soft skills doesn&rsquo;t happen overnight, it is never too late to work on them. Simply observing people who demonstrate these qualities or asking someone to mentor/coach you in these areas can be beneficial. Additionally, choosing to take on more responsibilities in the workplace, such as serving on committees or signing up for an additional project, can help you hone your strengths and recognize areas for improvement.
For more resources and best practices on soft skills, check out the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nationalsoftskills.org/" rel="follow noopener" target="_blank">National Soft Skills Association</a>. Job seekers and employees with disabilities can also reach out to the&nbsp;Getting Hired team&nbsp;for resources and ideas on how to develop your soft skills.
Contributions to this blog were made by Andra&eacute;a LaVant of Solutions Marketing Group.

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8 Simple Tips and Tricks To Help Land Your Next Job