Meet Your New Career Expert

Meet Your New Career Expert

“You’re hired!” is what we would like all students to hear after completing a career training program. With that, we’ve created optional Career Roadmap lessons within career training programs to help you find, land, and keep a great job in a new field.

To help with this endeavor, we had to enlist the help of a career expert – introducing Dr. Chaz Austin. His clients call him Dr. Chaz…

Q: Dr. Chaz, can you brag about yourself a little bit? How did you earn the title Career Expert?

A: Two books, a doctoral dissertation on the subject of career training, webinars, speaking engagements at conferences, dozens of testimonials from former students, online courses on LinkedIn. It adds up.

Q: What is the gig economy, and why is it crucial that job-seekers know about it?

The working world has changed dramatically. Corporate loyalty is a thing of the past. Everyone is a freelancer. It’s no longer about finding just one job. It means treating yourself as a business and finding clients, gigs, and projects. And knowing what it is you offer and how to package and market that.

Q: If you met someone in an elevator, and the person said, “I’m headed up to a job interview,” what quick piece of advice would you offer?

A: Breathe.

Q: Experts say that a recruiter or hiring manager spends only five to seven seconds looking at a resume before making a judgment. What can a job-seeker do to ensure that his or her resume lands in the call-back pile?

A: By not expecting that the resume is going to get you the job. Instead, enter the competition for the project or job through what I call “the side door.” In other words, focus on developing relationships with the people who can refer or hire you.

Q: How has technology changed people’s job searches? How can a job seeker use technology effectively?

It’s made it easier to build your network. “E-meeting” people is now the first step to developing the relationships that will get you work. Having an online footprint is essential today. And always remember to be professional and to use a mix of social media as a marketing tool for your services.

Q: Many job-seekers damage their ability to get a job simply by having an inappropriate email address. What are some of the funniest or most unprofessional email addresses you have encountered?

A: I can’t share most of them because they’re so inappropriate. But I’ve seen many that brag about dating prowess or partying or sports fanaticism. If you’re using the email address for work-related messages, don’t make your email handle a boast or a reference to junk food, your love of napping, or anything else that’s unprofessional.

Q: What are you most excited about in the Career Roadmap lesson you’ve created for ed2go?

A: Saving students time and reducing the stress of finding work.

In Summer 2016, ed2go medical billing and coding programs were the first to include this new optional Career Roadmap lesson. Topics include:

• Succeeding in the gig economy
• Assessing and communicating your skills and talents
• Using email and social media appropriately and effectively
• Creating a superb resume and cover letter specifically geared toward a career in medical billing and coding

To watch the introductory video to the Medical Billing and Coding Career Roadmap, click here.

About Dr. Chaz

Dr. Chaz’s specialty is training people for the freelance workplace of the 21st century. He was a college professor for 12 years, has made presentations on the subject at numerous academic conferences, and has served as a Director of Career Development in higher education. His doctoral dissertation, three online courses, and two books all focus on empowering people to find work. His Career Roadmaps for ed2go’s medical billing and coding programs will do a superb job in preparing students for a career in the healthcare industry.