The folks at Google recently released a list of the career-related questions that are most frequently looked up in their search engine. So, we here at CareerBeacon decided to answer them.
You might think that “How do I get a job?” would be the top query, but it ranks at number five on the list. The actual most searched question is the opposite: “How do I quit a job?”
This is probably a reflection of the currently strong job market that has many people looking to make a career move. People are more likely to try to hold onto their jobs during periods of high unemployment. With the record-low jobless rate we are experiencing, workers are more confident about making a change.
While Google published a top 10 list of career questions, I’ve paired it down to seven – eliminating a couple of duplicates where different wording essentially asked the same question.
Here is what most of us want to know about managing our careers right now, according to Google:
How to quit a job?
Professionally. Speak to your boss in person and give them plenty of notice. (At least two weeks is the standard.) Thank your boss for the opportunity to work with them and offer to help to brief your replacement on the details of your work. You don’t want to leave your former team in a lurch. Finish up any projects you are working on – or carefully document what still needs to be done to successfully conclude them.
You will likely be asked for a formal resignation letter. Most companies use these to close out an employees file.
What job should I have?
If you are choosing a career path, you should think long-term. If a job can easily be replaced by automation, it soon will be. So, look for jobs that require creativity, strategic thought, and decision making.
Also, consider what you like to do, what you are good at doing, and what skills you have that there is a market for. Where those three elements converge is where your most fulfilling career path will be.
Here is a look at some emerging career paths that will be hot for the foreseeable future (and some that are in decline to steer clear of.)
What is the highest-paying job?
Speciality surgeon’s make the most money in Canada right now. Of course, that is a highly specialized profession, and so not for everyone. So, if you’re not a doctor, check out this list of the highest and lowest paying jobs in Canada, according to Statistics Canada.
For techies, these are the highest paying jobs in the tech sector.
How to decline a job offer?
Politely. You’ve obviously convinced the employer that you are interested in the role, and for some reason, you have since changed your mind. Or the offer simply isn’t good enough. If it’s the latter, negotiate. Explain your worth and ask for what you think you deserve. If you’re willing to walk away anyway, you have nothing to lose.
If you do decline the offer, be professional. Let them know as soon as possible. Thank the employer for the offer, and for taking the time to consider your candidacy. You might not want this job right now, but that’s not to say you won’t want to work with these people at some point in the future.
How do I get a job?
You get hired faster with better applications. This means finding job ads for positions that are a good fit with your skills and your goals. Then write a customized resume and cover letter for that role at that company, highlighting why you want to work for them and why you’d be good at it.
Job searching is really marketing. You’re selling your credentials and personality as being a better fit for the role than those of other potential candidates.
A customized resume and savvy online presence, professional first impression and job interview, and timely, polite follow-up can give you a big boost over the competition.
Here is a cheat sheet of the basic dos and don’ts for today’s job search.
How to accept a job offer?
Congratulations. You’ve been offered the job. Negotiate. Fewer than half of people negotiate their starting salaries, and those who do are making considerably more money than those who don’t. Here’s how to negotiate your salary.
Also, be sure to ask about the dress code, scheduling, and if there’s anything you should prepare in advance or bring with you on your first day.
What to wear to a job interview?
It’s usually best to err on the side of formality. Dressing up for a job interview shows that you are taking the meeting seriously. You are dressing to impress the employer because you really want the job.
Of course, etiquette and dress vary depending on the industry and the company culture. Here is a more detailed look at what to wear to a job interview for different sectors.