Employment

Job hunting can be tough, especially since many of our parents have always focused on entrepreneurship. So what should we do when we want stability and need to get a job?

In this blog, I’ll share my current resume template for you to use as a reference when updating your own. I’ll also include links to helpful resources.

I’ll discuss how it’s never too late to keep learning, and that education doesn’t always have to be formal. Certificates can be just as valuable as diplomas, often at a lower cost and with less time.

I’ll also cover some basics about employment laws and how to protect yourself at work while still earning well. It’s important to be as informed as HR, since their main job isn’t always to help you.

I’m always learning, so I’ll also share the mistakes I’ve made along the way in this blog.

Someone once told me I needed to promote myself more. I used to do all the work behind the scenes without making sure the higher-ups noticed. I remember this key moment during a weekly team meeting. As usual, I had prepared the project report, ensuring every detail was precise. When the manager asked for an update, I was used to funneling it through my old buyer, so I did the same with the new one. After the meeting, my colleague received praise and credit for the insights and ideas that were actually mine. Sitting there, I felt invisible, realizing at that moment how important it was to step into the spotlight. So here’s my advice: you need to make yourself stand out and show what you can do. But that doesn’t mean you should change who you are. Stay true to yourself, because if you don’t, others might take credit for your work.

I started working at a local retail store when I was 16, and that job taught me a lot about the working world. I kept the job through high school and college, eventually moving into management and then into a corporate role. I always gave my best effort because I thought that was the key to success. But even after reaching my goals, I realized there were challenges I hadn’t expected. The unexpected challenge came in the form of feeling stagnant despite my apparent progress. It was then that I gained the insight that simply working hard wasn't enough; I needed to work smart and strategically showcase my achievements.

• Build your network because employment is temporary, but connections, if done well, can overpower rumors or things like layoffs

  • Create a LinkedIn profile and keep it up to date. While it’s mostly used by college students and professionals, it’s actually a great place to start building your network. To make your profile stand out, consider fine-tuning some key elements. Craft a compelling headline that clearly states your value proposition, showcasing how you bring value in your field. Additionally, use a banner image that reflects your industry or personal brand, reinforcing your professional identity at a glance. By implementing these small yet effective changes, you can make a strong and immediate impression on any viewer.

• Keep records of everything.

• Consider keeping a record of all your professional interactions as a form of proactive self-care. By maintaining a detailed account of your communication with bosses and coworkers, you are safeguarding your future self. Should anything arise, you'll have a clear history to refer back to. This practice is not about preparing for conflict but about ensuring you have the context needed to navigate situations with confidence and clarity. Think of it as a way to build a protective archive, reassuring yourself that you're equipped for any professional scenario that might come your way.

• Make your resume work for you.

• You can use my resume as an example. Many recruiters have told me it’s one of the best formats they’ve seen.

  • I created the template as a showcase of my top skills. Instead of just listing what you did at your past job, describe how you used or gained certain skills in that role. For instance, if you improved a metric, incorporate that into your template. A better approach would be to say something like, 'Leveraged customer engagement skills to increase weekly sales by 18% through targeted upselling.' Demonstrating these results can vividly show the impact of your skills to potential employers.

Stand Out at Work Without Losing Yourself