Basic Job Search Techniques If You Should Get A Pink Slip

This blog began with the intent to be a place where someone could get basic information that will help them stand out from the crowd as a job candidate. Our blog strives to provide general guidelines that many people overlook when entering the job search market. Below is a short list of actions that will help you be successful in your search for a job.

If you get a pink slip             here are a few things that will help you land the next job.

First of all, the loss of a job can be an extremely stressful period in your life. Many psychologists say that losing a job ranks with divorce or the loss of a loved one in levels of stress.  Remember that this is an event that has happened to many others, and in many cases these people have found better positions with better pay than they left behind. Take some time and evaluate what you have, family and friends, any special skills you possess, education etc.  Evaluate the many positives in your life.

After you have counted and listed your assets, determine what career path you want to take. This may be the perfect time to pursue a new career, start that business you have always thought of, or maybe get some additional training and education.

Now that you have determined a course of action it’s time to identify your network. Your network should include close friends and family members (from immediate to extended family). You should include any work associates both present and past, church and professional association members as well.

Make a list of everyone you have identified with addresses and phone numbers, then start making contacts with everyone on your list.  When you contact them ask them for names and contact information from people who they know. The rule is 10 – 2 – 2: 10 contacts per day, 2 referrals from each contact, and 2 face to face contacts per day. A face to face contact includes anyone you talk to face to face. This includes informational interviews, job interviews, people you meet and ask for job information. The face to face contacts are very important because people you talk with in person are more likely to remember you than the phone or social media conversations.

It’s also important to identify at least 15 organizations that you are interested in, either working for, or performing informational interviews with. These informational interviews will help you understand the marketplace and gives you an edge over others competing for the same jobs. 

Keep good records; follow up is the key to getting a job in the shortest amount of time possible for you.  

Consistency counts; if you’re not consistent then your results will be less than favorable. Looking for work is a fulltime job and it should be treated as such.

The Thank You Note; after each interview a thank you note should be given to all those that interviewed you. The note should be hand written express thanks and re-enforce two or three of the most significant skills requested in the job description.

After the thank you note then follow up, follow up, follow up.  Be respectful of others time.  

Good Job Hunting

Eliminate the Competition In One Simple Step

Anyone who has been looking for a job is familiar with the basics of “copy/paste” your resume online and entering your employment history again and again. Or perhaps you are fortunate enough to simply have to email your resume to the recruiter or staffing agency. While you trod through your daily allotment of job applications, you groan as your latest find rocks the boat: the company is asking for something more.
 

This request could be anything from a cover letter to performing a simple task like creating a letter to a customer complaint. The point is that it is going to take more effort and time than your typical “submit button” process.

Instead of looking at this as a negative, I propose that you should see this as a great opportunity! By applying for positions with involved applications, you eliminate your competition in one simple step: by simply being the one to actually complete the company's requirements.




Image courtesy of Vichaya Kiatying-Angsulee /
 FreeDigitalPhotos.net

A recent article pointed out a great example using a vacation home management company. A chief officer asked applicants for a marketing position to design a sales flyer showing why they're the best one for the job. He got three emails. Three!!! Once the job was posted again, without the assignment, applications poured in.  This demonstrates that the more the application asks from you, the more flippant job seekers will be discouraged and give you the opportunity to shine!

Remember: tailor your application and resume to each position you apply for. While it may be discouraging to put a lot of effort into an application without guarantee of reward, the quality of your applications will increase your chance of an interview where you can demonstrate your true strengths.

 

Good Resume, But Poor Interview, Why?

In a new survey by Accountemps, US CFOs were asked to list the part of the job application process where candidates made the most mistakes. It was discovered that jobseekers today are better at writing résumés than several years ago, but we need to develop stronger interview skills. So what are some of the mistakes taking place during the interview?

• Candidates volunteer information beyond the interviewer’s question. 

When a candidate volunteers irrelevant information, they run the risk of talking themselves out of a job offer. I have heard candidates talk about unnecessary topics during a interview, including their change in prescriptions for depression. That is the last thing an employer wants to hear about, and will not increase your professional presence. In addition to volunteering inappropriate information, candidates run the risk of rambling in response to an interviewer's question. I have listened while a candidate elaborates on a question until the interviewer has heard their life history except why the candidate would be the best employee.

• Candidates constantly shake their leg through the entire interview. 

Some candidates will sit through the interview and bounce their leg, or legs, through the whole of it. Even to the point that the seismic station at the University of Utah registers a small earthquake! This is very distracting and an employer doesn't want an employee that would cause other employee’s or customers to be on edge.

• Candidates fail to answer questions with direct answer or with the SAR method

The SAR method is Situation – Action – Result (SAR) method. During the interview a candidate will be asked a question that takes them by surprise and their first reaction is to begin talking before they have given the question a little thought. What generally happens is the candidate ends up talking a lot without giving an answer to the question.

The best thing to do if you are faced with an unexpected question is to pause and then answer the question using the SAR method. This is done by giving an example of a Situation you faced, the Action you took to resolve the situation, and Results of your action.

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The results of this survey show that many candidates just need help with more than just their resume. If you are still not getting the results you want after a professionally written resume, consider hiring or finding a job coach to give you feedback on how to improve your presence in the interview to seal the deal.

For more information on doing a great interview follow this link;

The job interview is still the biggest stumbling block for job-seekers

How Important is a Professionally Written Resume?

Your resume may the first impression that an employer will get from you.  We know that a first impression is developed within the first few seconds of meeting someone, so it's very important to look good on paper if you're going to get to that first interview. By having your resume professionally written it shows an employer that you're willing to invest in yourself, and that you understand how important details are.

A professional resume writer is a wordsmith that can put the correct spin on your knowledge, skills, and abilities for a potential employer will form a very positive first impression. For example, a resent survey by the Society of Human Resources stated that 76% of executives polled eliminate a candidate from consideration who has one or two typographical errors.

When your golf swing isn't working you hire a Pro. When your product isn't working you hire an Engineer. What do you do when your resume isn't getting results? You need a professional resume writer. Someone who understands the in's and out's of the human resource mind. What are employers looking for in a resume? What would they like to see on your resume or what will distract them from your experience? What should you avoid adding to your resume?  Professional resume writers can answer these questions, and construct a resume for you that will get the attention of HR departments and hiring managers. The following article found at the following link "The Importance of a Professionally Written Resume" will provide more detail.

Hope you enjoy the article
Happy Job Hunting

Can a job coach or career coach help me find a job?

Can a job coach really help you find a job? Think about all the people who have used coaches to ensure they reach their highest potential: athletes, business leaders, sales reps, and others. Like any of their counterparts, job coaches help identify an individual's goals, skills, and abilities to maximize their potential. They help develop resumes, presentations and provide essential feed back through practice interviews.

"A career or job coach is someone who specializes in helping people to find and achieve their career dreams. Since many people are unhappy with their jobs, the field is one which is constantly growing. People typically hire career coaches to help them re-enter the workforce, succeed in a position, or find a job which fits perfectly with their personality and life goals. Career coaches are trained by organizations which focus on life coaching and self improvement."

Click on this Link to read more about job/career coaches.

Good luck in your job hunt!

The Thank You Note

Writing a thank you letter after a job interview is a must! In fact, some employers think less of those interviewees who fail to follow-up promptly.

I have had several job candidates who have reported back that the thank you note pushed them over the top and they got the job over other candidates with similar or even better qualifications. A thank you note should consist of a sincere thank you, expressing thanks for the time they took to interview you. If they took you on a tour of the business express thanks for that and how impressed you were with their operation.

You will want to reinforce why you would be the best choice for the position. For example if they are looking for someone with computer experience, customer service skills, and the ability to work with little supervision, then you would state how you fill those needs best.

Keep it short; managers today are time challenged and want to get to the point without reading a long explanation of why you are the best. Follow this link to read more about Thank You Notes.

Happy Job Hunting

Tracking Your Job Search Activity Is Important

If you are looking for a job it is important to measure your activity. But what type of activity should you measure?  Below are some good activities to track;

GOALS

1.     Begin by identifying a specific career or job you want.

2.     Identify associates, friends, family, and colleagues who may know something about that specific job and make a list with each of their contact information.

3.     Ask yourself the following questions;

a)     Who do I know who knows something about the career I have chosen?

b)     Who do I know that has influence?

c)     Who do I know who knows a lot of people?

4.     Practice the 10 – 2 – 2 process.

a)     Make 10 contacts per day. (A contact is anyone you make contact with, in person, over the phone, or internet contact).

b)     Get 2 referrals each day from the contacts you make, (10 Contacts = 20 Referrals per day).

c)     Set up 2 Face-to-Face appointments per day, (Face-to-Face is when you set up an informational interview, a visit with a hiring manager, or an activity where you have an appointment related to your job search).

5.     Keep good records;

a)     Follow up is very important in the networking process. There have been many jobs given to someone else because one candidate failed to keep accurate records and properly follow up on every lead.