Career Gap
I graduated from college two years ago in May 2018. Like some graduates, who had a tough time looking for a job; I decided to take the route of accepting a job offer as a Sales Representative. The job was a door to door sales position selling cable service products to consumers who lived in assigned neighborhood areas in my hometown. I left the job every day feeling overwhelmed and not thinking straight. It affected my social anxiety.
After a month of working, I decided to leave the position for good; and took a break to help out with my family.
I took the short term experience by learning three lessons: 1. Research the Company, 2. Ask the recruiter questions after the interview process about the position and 3. Have a Plan B, C etc. My plan B would have been to a. volunteer, b. get an unpaid internship and c. find a part time job in a different industry. Looking back I could have done 2 out of 3 plans.
After my three month rest, I decided to go into the job search again. In November 2018, I went on to take an exam for a position in my city. My testing score unfortunately did not meet with the requirement for the position. I decided to put my job hunting on hold again and spent Christmas with my family.
I started the following year with a plan to meet with the career service advisor assistant and a formal professor at my formal university.
I went to the career service for advice on finding jobs as a college graduate and my formal professor to critique my resume.
I was preparing to attend my first career later of the year in October.
When the career fair occurred in October, I was anxious to meet with the recruiters of the companies I had an interest in as a potential candidate. While the recruiters did not have positions available at the time; I started to make changes toward my job search and start searching for networking events.
I attended my first networking event the same as I did with the career fair, and had an informative interview with Alumni.
Since the pandemic, I have continued to help my family at home and started looking at online classes to learn a new skill. I am, however, concerned about my two-year career gap. What do you advise I do and how can I keep myself motivated?
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Tired of filling out job application forms? You are not alone!
Job searching can be draining, and one of the biggest hurdles is the sheer volume of applications. Don't let application fatigue slow you down. Here's a simple, step-by-step guide to help you power through:
Step 1: Optimize Your Resume for Each Role, Efficiently!
Instead of rewriting your entire resume for every job, focus on targeted tweaks. Identify 3-5 keywords from the job description and make sure they appear naturally in your resume, especially in your summary and experience sections. Use an AI tool or a word cloud generator to quickly spot these keywords in the job posting. This saves time and significantly increases your chances of passing applicant tracking systems (ATS).
Step 2: Craft a Concise, Impactful Cover Letter Template
Stop writing unique cover letters from scratch. Develop a master template that includes sections for your introduction, your key skills and achievements, and a strong closing. For each application, simply customize the company name, job title, and one or two sentences that specifically highlight why you're a perfect fit for this particular role. Keep it brief – three paragraphs are usually enough.
Step 3: Set Application Limits (and Stick to Them!)
It's tempting to apply for everything, but this often leads to burnout. Decide on a realistic number of applications you'll submit each day or week (e.g., 3-5 quality applications per day). Once you hit that number, stop! Use the extra time to network, learn new skills, or simply recharge. This helps maintain your energy and focus, ensuring each application gets the attention it deserves.
What other job search challenges are you facing?
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Hello everyone, I will be re-entering the job market at the start of next year.
I work in the health insurance industry and my job is suddenly not looking so stable. I've been warned I might get a minor hour/pay reduction next year depending on how many clients we lose, best case is 10% and worst case is 25%. I know I'm 'safe' for this AEP - I'm the only receptionist for a family business with 2K clients. If they let me go they would not be able to function. But next AEP is not as guarenteed depending on how bad it gets this and next year, and I'm not waiting to find out. So after this AEP, I'm going to be looking for a new job.
I have not job hunted in about 2 years. How much different is it? I have solid experience in office work and that's mostly what my education was focused on (that and business). Last time I job hunted is when AI was just starting to make it's way into the job application field, and I loathe to find out how pervasive it is now.
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Currently interviewing but i have a dental procedure coming up that will put me out for a week , meaning I will be out for 1 week, just 2-3 weeks right after starting the job. ...
I would like to prepare what I will say as im approaching last interview and may land the job. The issue is I would rather start right away because i need income urgently to pay bills
a- tell them its best for me to start after my procedure - 3 weeks from now ( which will but me in a predicament as i need immediate income) and they might be annoyed they have to wait 3 weeks
or
b-tell them i can start 1 or 2 weeks before my procedure and but that in 3 weeks I may need an entire week off .
advice ?
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Feeling stuck on your next move in tech?
You’re not alone.
The industry shifts fast, and keeping up can feel like a full-time job on top of your actual one.
But staying relevant doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
Here’s a simple, doable rhythm to follow (even with a full calendar):
✅ Quarterly: Scan open job listings—not just titles, but the skills and tools required. Use AI to spot patterns.
✅ Monthly: Talk to someone in a role you admire. Ask what they’re learning, noticing, and questioning.
✅ Ongoing: Skim global reports (like the WEF’s Future of Jobs) and follow a few sharp thinkers right here on LinkedIn.
✅ Repeat: Make this a habit, not a one-off. You’ll start to see the signals.
Then, check in on your fit using the IKIGAI model:
? What you love
? What you’re good at
? What the world needs
? What you can be paid for
From there? Close the gap with real upskilling.
The best programs offer:
✔️ Hands-on practice
✔️ Critical thinking challenges
✔️ Confidence in what you can do (not just what you know)
That’s why I often point folks to flexible, job-aligned platforms like Udacity—especially when time is tight and skill depth matters.
You don’t need perfect predictions.
Just a smart way to listen for what’s next.
? What’s one signal you’re seeing in your space right now?
#CareerDevelopment
#TechCareers
#Leadership
#Udacity
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Hi everyone,
I’m Mitali, a former Cognizant employee and a recent graduate from the University of Texas at Dallas. I have experience in Salesforce, business analytics, and cloud technologies.
I’m currently seeking new opportunities in business analysis, CRM, or related roles. I’d be so grateful for any leads, advice, or referrals to help me get my foot in the door. If anyone has recommendations or knows of companies hiring, please feel free to connect or message me. Thank you in advance for your support!
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