Six seconds…. that’s how long an employer typically looks at a resume. With such limited exposure, it is critical to know and use the resume creation basic strategies. Understanding different formats, types, and purposes of resumes provides for greater success when applying for a job or internship. Creating a resume in optimal form, appearance, and utilizing key words greatly increases an applicant’s chances of getting more than six seconds and past the initial screening phase. In addition, learning resume basics gives our participants the framework to continually update their resume as they add work related endeavors, academic knowledge, and personal experiences.

Wanting to be in a certain job, work environment, or station in life is not enough to get there. It takes more than just desire to reach a goal. Developing and prioritizing pathways, processes and milestones is the most effective and proven way to achieve a goal or objective. Planning and implementing measures to get from A to B for a successful job search is the link many high school and college graduates lack. TyroLaunch introduces strategic employment preparation methods to take participants from “wanting” to “achieving.”

What’s the difference between having a plan and having a strategy? 

Planning involves considering actions in the future through an organized process and typically is short-term focused. Planning uses a general road map and coherent framework of steps or milestones to reach a desired goal. Preventative by nature, planning often employs the use of assumptions and can be rigid in various situations. Hence the use of the saying if “Plan A” does not work, move to “Plan B”.

Strategy on the other hand is more of a master plan or blueprint that remains flexible and is typically long-term focused. Strategy relies heavily on practical action rather than theoretical knowledge. Using strategy maximizes time and efforts by recognizing and anticipating questions or obstacles and taking solid action for their betterment.

TyroLaunch encourages the use of strategy and planning to address both short-term and long-term goals. However, strategy is stressed in our workshops due to being action oriented and more specific in nature. We aim to help our participants use specific strategies to aid in their short and long-term plans by equipping them with the tools to do so.

Building, maintaining, and leveraging relationships with various people in both personal and professional communities is vital. It is estimated between 70-85 percent of jobs are found through networking. Roughly 70-80 percent of available jobs are never advertised and are filled internally or through networking. The statistics are staggering and real. The importance of learning more about networking is crucial to everyone in the working world.

Participants are taught what networking is, why it is so important, the various ways of networking and tools used to do it effectively. Students are also taught how to begin their network now and build on it as they venture into their careers. Our coaches take the mystery out of networking by starting small and teaching participants how to expand from there.

Being intentional in approach is key in developing, creating, and managing a personal brand. Most student/young adults don’t even realize they have created a personal brand already. Most worrisome is “what is their current brand or what is being created?” So, imagine the dread when you realize that although you were a perfect fit for the job, you weren’t even considered for an interview due to: social media comments some consider derogatory, behavior that may appear offensive, questionable party pictures or pictures posted that may appear tasteless. All of the items listed above may in-fact be harmless and the questionable content easily explained.

Appearances and perceptions carry considerable weight when determining a new hire. TyroLaunch brings a heightened awareness to these possible pitfalls of social media platforms.

Businesses and recruiters often search social media before offering a potential interview to an applicant. Most are looking for a positive profile, which may eventually lead to a hire. Projecting an appropriate personal brand allows hiring companies to get a healthier representation of a potential candidate. Positive branding gives an applicant an advantage at a time when so many people don’t filter their social media and/or consider their own personal brand.

As helpful as personal branding can be, it can be equally detrimental if done improperly. Having information that may be deemed unbecoming and inappropriate may cause immense damage to the hopes of being hired with some companies or businesses. In various studies, roughly one third of the businesses shared negative social media content has caused them to not hire a candidate. TyroLaunch helps participants navigate social media and shares how to avoid the pitfalls to prevent a negative personal brand.

What does a professional personal branding approach look like? We take the guessing out of the equation by providing participants a framework to showcase their skills, ideas, values, and vision to potential businesses and employers. Presenting oneself in a cohesive and comprehensive fashion allows participants to have a firm grasp on who they are and what they represent. Understanding who one is and the message they want to project to others facilitates clarity to the job applicant and an impressive image to the employer. 

The TyroLaunch coaches delve into specific skills and values companies seek. With their exhaustive experience, our coaches teach participants the aspects of personal branding: how to build it, cultivate it, and accomplish the task of advertising themselves to potential employers. Through this process, our attendees will understand more about the importance and effectiveness of a well put together professional and personal branding strategy.

Most job interviewers take 90 seconds or less to determine if one is suitable for a job. With such a small margin for error, job applicants should be prepared and equipped for this formal conversation before the interview even begins. The process of learning techniques, strategies, and effectively portraying a personal brand is essential in conveying a positive message to a potential employer.

Nobody practices, and everybody thinks they’re good at it.

TyroLaunch teaches participants how to prepare pre-interview through anticipating questions and situations typical of most face-to-face interviews. We discuss practical items like appropriate dress, body language, voice inflection, eye contact, as well as how to respond to challenging behavioral type questions.

During the interview, recruiters and businesses are evaluating the job applicant to determine if they are a “fit” for the position and the company. TyroLaunch teaches our workshop participants how to capitalize through this stage by using techniques and strategies to improve their interview performance.

Negotiating personal worth to an organization is a skill many do not have or do not use to their advantage. Learning how to negotiate is a critical part of the job search process. Often, hiring organizations are flexible with some terms of employment. Understanding the process of negotiation and how to pose win/win situations to potential employers directly benefits job applicants.

Lack of negotiation over salary, options, etc. may cost someone $500,000-$1.5 million dollars over the span of their career.

TyroLaunch teaches participants what negotiating is, the reasons for negotiating, and the benefits of using this skill. We instruct how to prepare for negotiations, the steps involved, and the components included in negotiating.