Lots of people are searching for jobs and even making big career shifts right now. Our very own ADAPT Program at Alteryx has enrolled over 9,000 people who are building new skills in data and analytics.
As these folks explore new opportunities, we wanted to equip them with some advice from a professional job search coach, so we reached out to Ashley Watkins, a Nationally Certified Résumé Writer. Ashley’s business, Write Step Résumés, is all about helping people get their documents and online profiles -- and themselves -- ready for the job market.
A former corporate recruiter and experienced coach, Ashley helps job seekers show off their skills and position themselves for success in their job search. She shared a ton of helpful tips and insights with us.
These three key pieces all coordinate to help potential employers understand your experience and how you might fit into their team. But how long should your résumé be? What’s the purpose of a cover letter? And how about that LinkedIn profile?
You may have seen advice about making sure key words related to your skills or experience are featured in certain ways on your job documents. But does that really matter? Ashley provides a perspective from the recruiter side of the process.
Just follow the LinkedIn prompts and get going, Ashley says -- and don’t be too worried about making everything perfect on your profile right away. Then use that profile to make connections and, yes, actually engage with people! (But how? Watch below!)
Don’t be too general, and do share your real personality, Ashley advises. Target that job search to your specific goals and be authentically yourself to make sure you get the right position for you.
Don’t let your feelings prevent you from achieving your job goals. Ashley offers some important ways you can help quell self-doubt about your new pursuits.
Ashley emphasizes that online applications are only one part of job search success. Connections with people are much more important in finding and getting that perfect role. She shares the “secret sauce” for making those connections and benefiting from them.
Many jobs that sound very different on the surface actually have a lot of common functions and responsibilities. Ashley explains how she helps people find those common experiences and then figure out how to present their previous roles in a convincing way for new opportunities.
Throughout our conversation, Ashley offered so much great advice! Here are some additional recommendations she shared:
Be sure to check out the ADAPT Program and connect with others here on the Community who can be fantastic resources as you explore your career possibilities!
Susan Currie Sivek, Ph.D., is the data science journalist for the Alteryx Community. She explores data science concepts with a global audience through blog posts and the Data Science Mixer podcast. Her background in academia and social science informs her approach to investigating data and communicating complex ideas — with a dash of creativity from her training in journalism. Susan also loves getting outdoors with her dog and relaxing with some good science fiction. Twitter: @susansivek
Susan Currie Sivek, Ph.D., is the data science journalist for the Alteryx Community. She explores data science concepts with a global audience through blog posts and the Data Science Mixer podcast. Her background in academia and social science informs her approach to investigating data and communicating complex ideas — with a dash of creativity from her training in journalism. Susan also loves getting outdoors with her dog and relaxing with some good science fiction. Twitter: @susansivek
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