Friday, June 22, 2012

How to get hired at a job fair

If you purchase the "Guerrilla Job Search Home
Study Course" at        http://www.gjobsearch.com
you will find it is jam packed with recession-proof
job hunting secrets  and you will also be placed on a followon
email list and receive emails like the one below to encourage
you in your search until you transition to the job you are looking
for: 

>>>Sample weekly encouragement email from
the authors of "Guerilla Job Search":

It's been about 70 days -- 10 weeks -- since you
requested your free audio from us, "Recession-Proof
Guerrilla Job Search Secrets."


If you're looking for a job, here's more help ...


Ever been to one of those "cattle call" job fairs
at a hotel or event center?

If so, you probably went home without a job, right?

That's the bad news.


The good news?

You can stand out and impress employers at a job
fair --- and get hired --- if you do just a few
things differently.


This is the story of one of our Guerrilla Job Search
clients, Tom from Minneapolis, who found a great job
by attending a job fair and impressing the hiring
manager with how much he knew about the employer.


How did he get this knowledge?


By reading a local business magazine.

You can do this, too!



Here's how Tom did it:

"I kept up on the local real estate market by reading
'Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal' magazine.

"I learned the employer had picked up 200,000 sq. ft.
of office space on a 10-year lease, and I filed that
information away mentally. When I met the hiring manager
at the job fair, I told him what I knew about their
plans to expand downtown. He was impressed with my
knowledge and everything went very quickly after that
 first impression, ending with a job offer."


Action Steps: Here are 3 ways to do what Tom did --
and stand out and get hired at a job fair


1. - Research and find relevant facts about employers
before meeting them. IMPORTANT!

All job fairs publish a list of participating employers
before the event, which eliminates guesswork for you.
Simply research target companies until you find unusual
data about them, their competitors, markets, problems,
or opportunities.


2. - Bring your research notes to the job fair, so you
can speak intelligently to hiring managers.

Once you've found information that proves your interest
in an employer, jot down notes on 3×5 cards (or in your
PDA) and bring them to the job fair. Do NOT trust this
information to memory. You will forget, which defeats
the whole purpose of doing the research.


3. - Bring thank-you notes to the fair and mail them
THAT DAY to everyone you meet.

It's best to bring at least 20-25 thank-you notes, with
stamps, to the job fair. That way, you can write your
notes to employers right after meeting them, when the
conversation is still fresh in your mind. Just drop them
in the nearest mailbox before you go home.

Of course, you need to get a business card from every
employer you speak with, so you'll have an address to
mail your thank-you notes to.

The key word here is MAIL. Do not email follow-up letters
to employers. This has the same effect as emailing an
anniversary card to your wife or a birthday card to your
mom, i.e., almost no effect at all, because email
requires almost no effort.

Writing and mailing a thank-you note DOES require effort,
and 44 cents (as of this week) ... which sets you apart
from the hordes of ordinary job seekers who follow up
by email, if they follow up at all.

Note: If you're still in the job market, why not put
a stop to the frustration?

Take a look at our new Guerrilla Job Search Home
Study Course, jam packed with recession-proof
job hunting secrets like those you just read -


       http://www.gjobsearch.com



Until next time ....




Kevin Donlin and David E. Perry
Co-Creators, "Guerrilla Job Search Home Study Course"

Guerrilla Job Search International

7455 France Ave. S., #263
Edina, MN
55435
US

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Government Resources to Help With Difficult Financial Times

From: United States Department of Labor [mailto:subscriptions@subscriptions.dol.gov]
Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2012 7:08 AM
Subject: Government Resources to Help With Difficult Financial Times

Our mission at the Department of Labor is to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.
Our friends at USA.gov and GobiernoUSA.gov, the official web portals of the U.S. government, have put together helpful information on how to get help for difficult financial times.

If times are tough for you and your family, your neighbors, or your friends, we encourage you to sign up for the e-mail updates below:
USA.gov and GobiernoUSA.gov will highlight government resources that will help you with unemployment, jobs, training, housing, debt and credit, family issues, health care and insurance.

Know others who could use some help? Forward or share this message.

What is your plan of attack at your next networking event?

Keys to focus on when attending a networking event found at:

http://pinterest.com/sodexouscareers/job-seeker-advice/

You have an upcoming networking event…so what’s your plan?

By Chloé Rada, Senior Marketing Manager - Talent Acquisition
Last weekend I had the opportunity to join our recruitment team and local Chicagoland operators at a networking reception for the National Restaurant Show.   Sodexo and 2 other employers hosted a private event inviting University professors and their hospitality students in town for the convention. Taking place at the Metropolitan Club atop the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) provided fantastic views of city, impressing those first time visitors!  
What impressed me most was not the exclusiveness of the club, nor the city’s skyline, but the young aspiring minds brimming with energy and anticipation.    I was looking forward to shadowing our recruiters to see how we engaged in conversations and was impressed to see many students taking the lead! They had a plan and it was a good one. It went something like this…
Be Confident
Nothing is more important that having confidence in yourself when talking about your career aspirations.  This type of environment is perfect to try out your polished elevator speech. Remember to keep good posture and your prominent hand free for introductions.
Ask Questions
At hosted receptions, and even job fairs, you can find out what employers will be there. Spend some time visiting their career site, joining their social media groups and Googling them for recent newsworthy tidbits.  Show interest in the company by asking questions about what you learned. 
Get Moving
Typically networking events are only a couple hours long, so don’t spend your time stuck in one spot.  Move around the room and introduce yourself to different groups of people. 
Act Natural
Part of making a good impression is to act in a natural way. Do not try to force conversation and listen with a smile on your face!
Have Fun
This is your opportunity to meet, mingle and learn so take advantage of any invite and enjoy yourself. 
It was clear that the students meant business and it showed through their professional behavior at our networking reception. Next time you have the opportunity to network, remember these behaviors and you’ll be ready to take charge of the conversation – and your future!

Why it is important to ask questions during an interview

Another excellent post found at the Sodexo website:

http://pinterest.com/source/sodexocareersblog.com/

...on the importance of asking questions as part of an interview because of the impact it will have on the person you are being interviewed by.

If I were looking for a new job I would...ask good questions at the end of the interview.


By Guest Blogger, Marguerite Granat, Senior Recruiter with Sodexo
“If I were looking for a new job I would…” the 8th in a series of blog posts that will give you an opportunity to gain insight into the world of job seeking from a recruiter’s perspective.

Do you have any questions?
I’ve been asking this question to every candidate I interview at Sodexo.  You’re probably wondering why do the questions you ask have anything to do with your ability to do the job?
Because a good question from you is worth one hundred great answers. 
It shows me that:
  • You’ve taken the time to come up with intelligent questions
  • You’ve done your homework on our company
  • You can think on your feet
  • You’re up for the challenge
  • You’re interested in the job
  • You have a logical thought process
Here are some types of questions you might consider developing:
Performance expectations
These are questions about what will be expected of you in order to succeed in the role. Examples might be:
  • How will my performance be measured?
  • A year from now, if I met or exceeded your expectations, what would that look like?
Hiring Manager’s objections
Why would you ask for objections? Because this is probably your only chance to address them in a positive way. An example might be:
  • Now that we have talked about my qualifications, do you have any concerns I might be able to address about my ability to perform in this role?
Asking for the job

These are reserved only after you’ve established rapport and believe that the interviewer has expressed positive interest in your background.  The interview is a sales transaction. A good sales person knows how to close the deal. These questions are designed to get you closer to an offer.
  • Based on what I’ve heard today, the ideal candidate has accomplished X, has Y type of qualifications and has Z type of experience. Did I hear this correctly?
  • You summarize your background emphasizing and matching it to the expectations of the role. At the end of your summary you ask, ”Is this the type of experience you’re looking for?”
By preparing a set of effective questions at the end of an interview, you can demonstrate your ability to do the job. So the next time you are looking for a new job, consider developing questions around performance expectations, Hiring Manager objections and asking for the job.
Are you now ready for, “Do you have any questions?

If I were looking for a new job I would...

An excellent post that can be found at:

http://www.sodexocareersblog.com/2012/04/if-i-were-looking-for-new-job-i-would.html
with tips from Sodexo 's Rachel Stamm, Senior Recruiter—Health Care Facilities Solutions.


2


If I were looking for a new job I would...

Listen to this article. Powered by Odiogo.com
By Guest Blogger, Rachel Stamm, Senior Recruiter—Health Care Facilities Solutions.

“If I were looking for a new job I would…” the 7th in a series of blog posts that will give you an opportunity to gain insight into the world of job seeking from a recruiter’s perspective.
If I were looking for a job I would … network, network, network.
Don’t underestimate the power of networking! In today’s day and age networking is how people land their next job. It can give you the opportunity to meet potential employers in an informal setting. For example, industry events such as the National Facilities Management and Technology conference & trade show (NFMT) makes a great place to meet other facilities professionals while impressing upon leading employers like Sodexo. 
Now before you obtain your license to network, let’s discuss the rules of the road.
Study
The first step to successful networking is to do your homework and research the company. Know who the top employers in your field are and where to find them.   Learn more about what they do and how you could fit into the organization. More companies are using social media like LinkedIn and Twitter to market their presence at conferences, so search the events or follow them on Twitter.  Some descriptions will even provide a link to speaker bios offering a great way to study up!

Prepare
Be prepared to sell yourself!  Determine what you’d like to highlight and practice a few times beforehand. Your overall goal is to make a good first impression so the employer is eager to learn more about you. Most networking events are not the format to bring a resume, so be prepared with business cards and dress to impress.
Perform
Once you have reached your destination, remember to be yourself, take a deep breath and enjoy the process of meeting new people. Keep your conversations moving at a comfortable pace and avoid seeming too eager or pushy. Monopolizing someone’s time may seem insignificant, but costs you infractions on your networking license and risks your authenticity!   
Follow up
Set a plan for follow up. It is best to follow up as soon as possible, within a day or two. Sending a thank-you note is good form and don’t be afraid to ask for a more formal meeting to discuss your qualifications. You will want your good first impression to linger, so don’t delay in your follow up. 
Now you know the rules of the road and have your license. You are ready to network!

Are you fully persuaded God has that next job for you?


When a job search extends for a long time, it is easy and understandable that we can be tempted to become discouraged.  A job search is arguably one of the most difficult trials we face in life...especially during hard economic times and a tight job market.  It can be hard to stay in faith that God has the next job lined up for us and that in his timing he will open the door...the "one" door....the "one" offer we need.  



"Being Fully Persuaded" below  is a wonderful reminder from Os Hillman's daily devotional found at:


 http://www.marketplaceleaders.org/tgif/ 


....that it is essential that we stay close to God and in faith for what he has for our vocational future.  We must continue to live each day by faith...battling unbelief that at times can seem like we are believing "against all hope".... as Abraham  believed regarding the promise of God that he would become the father of many nations. 


We are to not waiver in faith but continue to look to God in faith trusting him for the next job he has for us.


Being Fully Persuaded
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1, by Os Hillman
06-20-2012

"Being fully persuaded that God had power to do what He had promised." - Romans 4:21
Why did God consider Abraham a righteous man? It was because Abraham looked beyond his own limitations of age and strength and considered God as the one who could accomplish His own goals. Abraham came to a place in his life where he realized it had little to do with him and all to do with God. His part was initiating the faith within himself.
Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be." Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead-since he was about a hundred years old-and that Sarah's womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God (Romans 4:18-20).
What are the things in your life that are mere impossibilities? What are the mountains in your life? Are these there in order to build your faith in the one who can enable you to ascend to the peak? Once you know that it is His will for you to pursue, do it with faith. Faith requires action when we know it is He who is leading. It may require risk. Faith is sometimes spelled R-I-S-K. Abraham did not limit God. It is this confidence in God that God honored and rewarded. He wants to do the same with you and me. 
Today God Is First (TGIF) devotional message, Copyright by Os Hillman, Marketplace Leaders.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Where do you see yourself five years from now?


The tough interview question below is addressed in an excellent post by Ronnie Ann at:


Job Interviews: Where Do You See Yourself Five Years from Now?

A friend of mine has an interesting take on what he calls “annoying interview questions” – and that includes questions about where you see yourself five years from now. (Others are about your greatest strength or weakness.)
While there’s certainly no one “right” answer for a question like that, some approaches work better than others. So without further ado, here’s what my pal L. Bosco has to say about it:
THOSE ANNOYING INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
by L. Bosco
Interviews are a pain in the neck!
Ideally you want to see if there’s a good fit between you and the employer. But most interviews are full of those “pat questions” that have been written up endlessly in books and even on blogs where so-called experts give job applicants handy-dandy “pat answers” to those over-used “pat questions.” So basically both sides could just as well e-mail in their parts and save everyone a lot of time. It’s a rare interviewer who knows how to create a really informative interview.
So job seekers must still sit through these often painful interviews (some where the interviewer is barely listening) and be prepared to answer these same silly questions: What is your greatest weakness? What are your strengths? How would you handle an angry customer?
And, my personal not-favorite: “Where do you want to be in 5 years?”
I always want to answer that last one with something like “living in Bora Bora on my lotto winnings” or “King of Siam” or at least “Sophia’s latest lover.” (The name mentioned to be filled in by you based on your own gender, age, preferences, and imagination.)
(Note from Work Coach: Uh…I’m not recommending you do that!)
It is a question where virtually any answer can get you into trouble, since you don’t know your interviewer. If you aim too high, you might come off as too ambitious and either won’t be around long enough to cover the cost of training or you’ll threaten their own position. If you aim too low, you lack initiative and won’t contribute enough to cover the cost of your salary.
So how the heck does one reply? I puzzled over this for days. And then weeks. And then more weeks. Finally, I could find no good “pat” answer that also felt safe. Therefore, I opted to tell the truth and the interviews be damned!
So from then on when I was asked where I wanted to be in my career five years from now, I told them:
“I don’t have a specific plan! I would like to advance. However, I am flexible. I will do my current job to the best of my ability and keep my eyes open for opportunities within the organization to advance even if it means changing roles. I am prepared to learn new things and contribute to the overall success of the organization in a number of ways. The only specific within that “plan of willingness” is that the opportunity be within my ability to learn, interesting enough for me to dig in and do a good job, and the compensation increase a reasonable amount in relation to the demands of the position.”
I was hired!!
I have since been interviewed for a number of promotions by a number of different people (most of whom have come and gone and never even met each other.) And when they asked me where I see myself in five years, I gave them all the same answer!! And I’ve earned eight promotions in thirty-one years.
The truth has one advantage over the best prepared scripts. No one is expecting it!
***
Note from Work Coach: For most of you who get a bit nervous at interviews, sticking to a quasi-pat answer still may be the best idea – or at least using a shorter hybrid version of L. Bosco’s answer: “In the next five years I’d like to see myself here advancing to the next level or at least learning new things and taking on new responsibilities if at all possible.” Or if it’s a job where learning and advancement are not the goal, then a simple ” I’m happiest when I feel that I’m an essential part of the company I work for – hopefully this one. In the next five years (and hopefully more) I plan to take advantage of whatever opportunities are available – but mostly, I want to do the best I can and know that I’m making a difference.”
Of course, if you are interviewing in a high-powered company that expects you to be hungry for advancement…well, if that’s who you are you sure don’t need help with a question like this! (-;
But no matter what your answer, when I interview people I strongly prefer candidates who are real and natural. Whatever you do, try to be yourself – even if yourself is a little nervous. (-; Look the interviewer(s) in the eyes, take a moment to connect, and then with as much truth and sincerity as possible make the words yours.
Since I know L. Bosco, my guess is that he won over his interviewers with his honest down-to-earth manner as much as with his words.
So where do you see yourself in five years? Hopefully not having to answer that annoying “where do you see yourself five years from now” question ever again. But please DON’T use that as your answer. ;-)
Good luck!
Ronnie Ann

The Strength of Brokeness (Os Hillman Devotional)

The older we get the more we realize how little control we have over our career path and how dependent we are on God for literally everything ...everyday...and that apart from him we can do nothing.  

Os Hillman in the excellent devotional below reminds us of the strength of brokenness.  This post was taken in its entirety and can be found at http://thinkofthesethings.blogspot.com/2012/06/tgif1-strength-of-brokenness.html

The Strength of Brokenness
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1, by Os Hillman
06-19-2012

"The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with strength." - 1 Samuel 2:4
There is an oxymoron throughout the Bible. It says that brokenness is strength. How can this be? How can brokenness be strength? In order to use men and women to their fullest extent, the Lord has to break His servants so that they might have a new kind of strength that is not human in origin. It is strength in spirit that is born only through brokenness.
Paul was broken on the Damascus road. Peter was broken after Jesus was taken prisoner. Jacob was broken at Peniel. David was broken after his sin with Bathsheba. The list could go on of those the Lord had to break in different ways before they could be used in the Kingdom.
When we are broken, we see the frailty of human strength and come to grips with the reality that we can do nothing in our own strength. Then, new strength emerges that God uses mightily. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Do not fear brokenness, for it may be the missing ingredient to a life that emerges with a new kind of strength and experience not known before. Pray for a broken and contrite heart that God can bless.
Today God Is First (TGIF) devotional message, Copyright by Os Hillman, Marketplace Leaders.

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

The Start up of You (Book exerpt from Linkedin)

Very helpful post from Linkedin from a VERY Good Book "The Start Up of You - Adapt to the Future, Invest in Yourself and Transform your career" by Hoffman and Casnocha

We've got some valuable career strategies to share with you. As a thank you for using LinkedIn, we want to share an exclusive 11-page mini-chapter from The New York Times best-seller, The Start-Up of You, a new book by LinkedIn's co-founder, Reid Hoffman.

The book is all about how to find and create breakout career opportunities that can change your life. In this excerpt, you'll learn how to leverage the rich and diverse knowledge of people you know---plus, we've included some handy tips for how to use LinkedIn to apply the book's ideas to your own career goals.

Please visit www.linkedin.com/startupofyou to read our blog, watch an interview with Reid Hoffman, and learn more about The Start-Up of You.

Thanks again for being a member.

The LinkedIn Team