Younger job seekers are noticing the demand for skilled trade workers as an older generation of trade workers are retiring leaving huge gaps in the industry. The construction industry alone faces a gap of half million workers. The demand for skilled trade workers is on the rise and younger job seekers are stepping up to fill those gaps. Getting skilled in a trade can be a smart career choice due to faster entry into the workforce and competitive salaries. Job seekers can also avoid expensive four-year college tuition costs. More importantly, the demand for skilled trade workers is thriving. Trade professions have long been the foundation of our society and are still needed today, for example, jobs for electricians, plumbers, and welders are still in high demand. Getting skilled in a trade can be a quick path to job security and even self-employment. It can give younger job seekers quick access to a rewarding career!

Researching before your job interview is crucial because it not only shows the employer your genuine interest in the role, but it also increases your chances of making a positive impression and landing the job. Research the company’s mission statement and services to help you explain during the interview why you would be a great fit for the role. Research and analyze the job description so you can relate your experience and skills directly to the role you’re applying for. Research the company’s social media pages to see how they interact with their customers and followers. Check out the content they post and the tone they use. This can give you valuable insight into the company’s goals and values. It can also help you learn more about the company culture. Researching a company before your interview is essential because it allows you to answer questions more effectively during the interview, it also helps you come up with insightful questions of your own!

Are there opportunities in the new industry? Be sure to analyze industry trends and future job projections to make sure you’re making the right decision. Have you learned all you can about your new career? Try to speak with people who are working in your desired industry. You’ll want to get inside details of the new career path before making the jump. Are you willing to invest in yourself? A new career path usually means new training, new education and a new degree in a different field. You should be willing to make an investment in yourself. What’s your motivation for switching careers? You shouldn’t switch careers just for the salary. A career change should be driven by your long-term career goals and your passion for the role. The new career should also align with your skills and values! A career change may bring new challenges but are worth the risks, especially if you’re no longer fulfilled or challenged in your current role.

Have you ever stopped to ask yourself if you’re in the right career, or if you’re in the right job? A great job is sometimes hard to find, here are some signs that you’ve made the right career move: Your hard work is appreciated. Whether you’re getting positive feedback from a client or receiving recognition from your employer, it’s a great sign that you’re in the right job. You care about company goals. When you feel like the company you work for is your own company, that’s a great sign that you chose the right career path. It’s also a great sign that you can grow with the company. You’re not watching the clock. They say time flies when you’re having fun—it’s the same in the workplace. If your workdays go by quickly and you routinely look forward to your workday—stay where you are, you’re in the right job! Having a great work-life balance. When you can manage your work responsibilities without feeling overwhelmed, and you have time for your personal life—stay where you are—that’s a great sign that you’re at the right job!

Be confident in your abilities. Being self-assured is a key characteristic that most employers are looking for. It helps to send a strong message to the employer that you’re the right person for the job. Be determined and ambitious. Employers want people who can strive under pressure. They want applicants who have goals in their professional life, especially ones that can be beneficial to the company. Be flexible and willing to learn. Employers value employers who look to better themselves. They want to know that you’re capable of expanding your skillset and that you’re able to adapt to new demands and challenges the job may require. Be positive. A great work environment is something every employer wants to create. Having a great attitude shows you can work effectively in a group and tells the company that you’re willing to take on any new challenge! Be honest and loyal. Companies want to invest in hires they know are going to stick around and ones they know they can trust!

Most people assume that December is the worst time of the year to think about a career change, mainly because December is normally the most hectic time of the holiday season. But if a new job is your top priority, the holiday season can be an excellent time to get hired. Most people take time off for the holidays to enjoy time with family and enjoy festivities, which means people are spending less time on their jobs. It also means many people are spending less time job hunting, which is great for you, because it means there will be less people for you to compete with for that new job. The festivities during the holiday season give you the opportunity to network and let others know you’re in the market for a new job. It can also be the perfect time to introduce yourself to potential job leads in a more informal environment. Don’t forget temp work opportunities. Many companies are looking for temporary staff to assist with end of the year work and hectic staff schedules. It may not be exactly what you’re looking for, but it can get you the upper hand when the company is ready to hire someone permanently in the new year!

Working in IT requires various skills, one minute you’re resolving an employee’s Wi-Fi issues, the next minute you’re programming an organization’s new cloud infrastructure. The work can be very diverse, so the skills you need to get a job in the IT field can vary widely depending on the role you get. Out of the many skills you should try to get, there are three that are essential to bolster your IT career. Security Security is foundational to any IT team. Starting out in a help desk, networking, or system administration role can help you get a better understanding of IT security positions. Programming Being able to program will be a must for those interested in developing software, web applications, and developing websites. Systems and Networks Making sure systems and networks run smoothly will be a priority for almost every IT team. Popular roles specializing in this skill include system administrators and network administrators. Once you’ve acquired the skills you need to apply for IT jobs, it’s time to update your resume with your new credentials!

If you’re interested in a new job or career change, the beginning of the new year is a great time to accomplish it. For many, January and February are considered the best months for getting hired. According to multiple job sources from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics—and hiring companies like Monster and Indeed—January and February boast the largest numbers of open jobs and for applications. There are a few reasons why the new year is a great time for getting hired. Many organizations receive budget dollars for the year at the beginning of the year, so they’re eager to bring new hires on board at that time. Also, due to holiday travel, many companies that need help may put it off until the new year begins. And finally, many people—and organizations—are ready to take on new tasks and goals in the new year. The beginning of the new year is a great time to start that new job, or new career!

Once you’ve gotten that big interview and the hiring manager asks, “Do you have any questions for me?” Keep in mind, the job interview isn’t just about the employer finding out if you’re qualified for the new role, it’s also your opportunity to find out if the position is the right fit for you. You don’t want to waste your time pursuing a job that’s not right for you. You don’t want to waste the hiring manager’s time either. To make sure that doesn’t happen, it’s important for you to ask the right questions during your interview. Great questions to ask your potential employer include inquiries about the company’s culture, the initial projects you would be working on, opportunities for professional development, and what goals the company has for the position. You also want to make sure that you show a genuine interest and enthusiasm for the role and the company throughout the interview. Remember, the goal is to find out if the new role is the right fit for you, and you can’t do that without asking the right questions!