Online Career Tips

By N. Cooper
Online Career Tips Staff

If you’re on the hunt for a job in the current market you probably have a handful of questions. This podcast focuses on 5 frequently asked questions pertaining to a job search in today’s market.  Listen for insight into your resume, public vs. private sector jobs, social media at work, and more!

[related: How to Market Yourself by Including the Past, Present, and Future]

For more commentary from Ryan Harding, check out the Career Services Blog at APUS. It’s another great resource for the eager job seeker, and for those interested in more industry insights from career professionals.

By J. Thompson
Online Career Tips Staff

Okay, you’ve found the perfect job. You took the time to craft your resume so it emphasizes the strengths and the skills that make you the ideal candidate. You entered all of your profile information into the online applicant tracking system. Almost done! You’re ready to press the submit button and then you see it. The small, blank field on your computer screen—Cover Letter. However, it’s optional. You recall a conversation about cover letters being as outdated as dinosaurs. But, only a few months back, you read an article suggesting that in this recovering economy a resume without a cover letter goes straight into the waste basket. So, do you take more time and write a cover letter?

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By: Matt See
Online Career Tips Staff

There is nothing more exciting than the thought of a potential career move.  The possibility of new opportunities always gets ones juices flowing. But the excitement and poor timing can lead to trouble.

For example, the best time to ask for a promotion probably isn’t after you missed an important deadline. Your lack of finishing on time is fresh on your bosses mind no matter how well you performed up until that point.

So if that isn’t the best time, when is the best time to…

Ask for a raise

There are both good and bad times to ask for a raise. Knowing the right time could score you a big payoff. Selecting the wrong time could sour you for future pay days. Just be smart, ask for a raise when you do something that catches the bosses eye. According to career guru Marie McIntyre, the best time to ask for a raise is when you have just completed a big project, solved a major problem, taken on new responsibilities, or done something else that was noteworthy.

When is the wrong time to ask? Definitely don’t ask after recently missing a major deadline, falling short of your goals and budget or after a major screw up. McIntyre also advises to pay attention to what is going in your boss’s world. If he was just called out on the carpet for missing a deadline or your company is in the middle of company-wide layoffs, it may not be the best time to ask.

Get promoted

Ok, so it is not just the raise you are looking for, you are looking for a full blown promotion. According to LinkedIn, January is the best month to get a promotion. Other great months are July and September.

Also pay attention to your company’s fiscal calendar. Typically a good time to ask for a promotion would be during the budgetary time for upcoming year. That will also avoid the “I would promote you, but it just isn’t in the budget this year,” excuse.

Secure a new job

A potential raise or promotion is not what you are seeking? Timing the search for a new job is very important. One of the worst times to pursue a new position is during the holiday’s or summer months. Most hiring manager are on vacation during this time making it hard to land a new position.

Instead of looking for a new job during this time, use the time to do an in-depth study of your next move. This will help you get a leg up on the competition when the job market widens in the fall. Most analysts advise starting to think about your next move six months beforehand.

[Why not get your degree online during the summer months?]

Remember good time management begins with planning. If you make the right plan for your career you should be able to land that raise, promotion or your dream job.