Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Just Do Something (excerpt from Kevin DeYoung book of same title

Editor's Note: The following is an excerpt from Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God's Will, by Kevin DeYoung (Moody Press).]

I grew up playing with Tinkertoys. Like most Americans over the past one hundred years, ourfamily had the classic long tube full of sticks, woodenwheels, and colored connectors. Hitting the market in 1913, Tinkertoy (now owned by Hasbro) has sold about 2.5 million construction sets per year for almost a hundred years. The impetus for Tinkertoy construction sets--which initially sold for sixty cents and were called by the less-than-catchy name "Thousand Wonder Builders"--came from Charles Pajeau and Robert Petit, who dreamed up the toy as they watched children tinkering around with pencils, sticks, and empty spools of thread.
And apparently, so do adults.
In the book After the Baby Boomers: How Twenty- and Thirty-Somethings are Shaping the Future of American Religion, Robert Wuthnow describes twenty-one to forty-five-year-olds as tinkerers. Our grandparents built. Our parents boomed. And my generation? We tinker. Of course, asWuthnow points out, tinkering is not all bad. Those who tinker know how to improvise, specialize, pull things apart, and pull people together from a thousand different places. But tinkering also means indecision, contradiction, and instability. We are seeing a generation of young people grow up (sort of ) who tinker with doctrines, tinker with churches, tinker with girlfriends and boyfriends, tinker with college majors, tinker living in and out of their parents' basement, and tinker with spiritual practices no matter how irreconcilable or divergent.
We're not consistent. We're not stable. We don't stick with anything. We aren't sure we are making the right decisions. Most of the time, we can't even make decisions. And we don't follow through. All of this means that as Christian young people we are less fruitful and less faithful than we ought to be.
Granted, youth tends to come with a significant amount of youthfulness. And with youthfulness comes indecision and instability. Young adults who tinker are not confined to any one generation. Baby boomers, and probably even builders (the generation that grew up during the Great Depression and fought in World War II), tinkered around with God and life when they were young adults. The difference, however, with my generation is that young adulthood keeps getting longer and longer. It used to be that thirty seemed old and far removed from youth, but now it is not uncommon to hear of folks "coming of age" at forty.
Consider this one statistic: In 1960, 77 percent of women and 65 percent of men completed all the major transitions into adulthood by age thirty. These transitions include leaving home, finishing school, becoming financially independent, getting married, and having a child. By 2000, only 46 percent of woman completed these transitions by age thirty, and only 31 percent of men. It's stunning for me to think that less than a third of men my age are done with school, out of the house, married with kids, and have a job that pays the bills. "Adultolescence" is the new normal.
Now, I know there are lots of good reasons why someone may still be in school past thirty. After all, multiple college degrees take time. And I realize there are legitimate reasons why a thirty-year-old might have to live with his parents (e.g., illness, unexpected unemployment, or divorce). Concerning marriage, maybe you have the gift of celibacy. And as for a family, maybe you've been trying to have kids but can't. There are lots of reasons for delayed adulthood. I understand that. Just because you've been on the planet for one-fourth to one-third of your life and still haven't completed "the transition" to adulthood doesn't mean you're automatically a moocher, a lazy bum, or a self-indulgent vagabond.
But it could mean that. It is possible that your "unparalleled freedom to roam, experiment, learn (or not), move on, and try again" has not made you wiser, cultured, or more mature. Perhaps your free spirit needs less freedom and more faithfulness. Maybe your emerging adulthood should . . . I don't know, emerge.
But let me be clear: This is not a book just for young people. I'm not going to attempt a generational analysis of my fellow thirtysomethings. I'm not issuing a new manifesto for baby busters and mosaics. This book is much simpler than all that. This is a book about God's will--God's will for confused teenagers, burned out parents, retired grandparents, and, yes, tinkering millennials . . . or whatever we're called.
The hesitancy so many of us (especially the young) feel in making decisions and settling down in life and therefore diligently searching for the will of God has at least two sources. First, the new generations enjoy--or at least think they enjoy--"unparalleled freedom." Nothing is settled after high school or even college anymore. Life is wide open and filled with endless possibilities, but with this sense of opportunity comes confusion, anxiety, and indecision. With everything I could do and everywhere I could go, how can I know what's what? Enter a passion to discern "God's will for my life." That's a key reason there is always a market for books about the will of God. I bring up this whole business of adultolescence because it is related to the spiritual issue of God's will. You'll find in this book some of the typical will-of-God fare--how to make wise decisions, how to choose a job, whom to marry, etc. But answering these questions is not really the aim of this book. My goal is not as much to tell you how to hear God's voice in making decisions as it is to help you hear God telling you to get off the long road to nowhere and finally make a decision, get a job, and, perhaps, get married.
Second, our search for the will of God has become an accomplice in the postponement of growing up, a convenient out for the young (or old) Christian floating through life without direction or purpose. Too many of us have passed off our instability, inconsistency, and endless self-exploration as "looking for God's will," as if not making up our minds and meandering through life were marks of spiritual sensitivity.
As a result, we are full of passivity and empty on follow through. We're tinkering around with everyone and everything. Instead, when it comes to our future, we should take some responsibility, make a decision, and just do something.

Robert Wuthnow. After the Baby Boomers: How Twenty- and Thirty-Somethings Are Shaping the Future of American Religion (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2007).

Ibid., 11.

The line in quotes comes from Christian Smith, "Get a Life: The Challenge of Emerging Adulthood," Books & Culture, November/December 2007, 10.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

LinkedIn: What To Include In Your Work History

Sound advise found at:  http://www.careerealism.com/linkedin-work-history/#RDR3LCEYohXs3ZJ5.99
It’s amazing to think about the ways LinkedIn has changed the way we interact – not only with each other, but also with our own data.
LinkedIn has become the preeminent professional networking site amassing nearly 260 million users in 200 countries—and accomplishing all of this in just under 11 years (for context, Google, founded in 1998, is older). Most people know by now how important a well-maintained LinkedIn profile can be to their career. Here are some thoughts on what kinds of things you should include when creating the work history section of your LinkedIn profile…

LinkedIn: What To Include In Your Work History

An important thing to keep in mind is that your LinkedIn profile isn’t really written for you. It should be written with the potential audience in mind (i.e. recruiters, hiring managers, and other professionals looking to do business with you).
Focus on making sure that the information that is most relevant to your audience is available, well organized, and close to the top of your profile. Making this information easy to find increases the odds that you’ll get the call for that job or that business opportunity you’ve always wanted. Consider including the following when filling out your LinkedIn work history section:

Professional Positions

This is the most obvious suggestion, since this is what this section is primarily intended for. Be sure to include company names, dates, titles, locations, and also consider providing an update if a company name changes due to acquisition or merger. Include a brief description of your responsibilities along with a bulleted list of 3-4 accomplishments—just as you would on your resume.

Volunteer Roles

LinkedIn now has a section devoted exclusively to volunteer information, but you can and may want to consider incorporating volunteer positions into your main profile, particularly those that showcase leadership skills (especially if you are in transition and actively engaged in a search).

Internships

Make sure to include internship positions, especially if you’re early in your career and they are relevant either to the field you’re in or the field you hope to enter.

Contract/Temporary Positions

Don’t overlook the value of including temporary or contract roles, particularly if you are an active job seeker. For one thing, they show recruiters and potential employers that you are active and keeping your skills sharp.
A best practice is to focus on the most recent 10-15 years of your career, since this is the information that is most relevant to who you are now in a professional sense, and also the information that employers will be most interested in. Because you’re not limited in length, however, you have a little more latitude to include a few details that you’ve dropped from your resume do to space concerns. The caveat is that these elements still have to add value.
Also, don’t overlook the value of keywords. You want to include the keywords that are relevant to your work history and career, but resist the temptation to ‘overstuff’ your profile with keywords—use them where they make sense.  The most effective LinkedIn profiles do a good job of showcasing your traditional resume while also supplementing that with the most relevant additional content.

Read more at http://www.careerealism.com/linkedin-work-history/#RDR3LCEYohXs3ZJ5.99

Monday, November 25, 2013

Think Your Network Is Too Small? Think Again

Practical advice on networking found at:  http://www.careerealism.com/network-small/
One of the exercises I ask my job seeking clients to do is write down who’s in their network. After going through this activity, most are surprised by how large their network really is, and the simple things that they can do to extend that reach even further.
If you’re currently looking for a new opportunity, you might consider doing this task as well. Here are the categories that I give to my clients:
  • Family
  • Friends
  • Classmates (particularly for young professionals, but more experienced professionals can look to alumni groups)
  • Professors or managers
  • Current and former co-workers
  • Facebook friends
  • Twitter followers
  • LinkedIn connections
  • Other social media connections
  • Other
After they complete this section, I ask them to add up the number of people. In many cases, this quick activity generates hundreds of people who could potentially help with, or at least be made aware of, your job search.
Next, we take this one step further and think about our extended networks. These may be people who you know as acquaintances, but don’t necessarily have a lot of personal contact with:
  • Friends of friends
  • Family friends
  • Neighbors
  • People who you have met through volunteer work, participation in community organizations, etc.
  • Other
The next step is to take another look at this list and determine your strategy for making contact with these people in your network.
It might make sense to make some generic posts to social media sites about your job search, but you should also reach out to some people individually. For example, determine if there are people who currently work in your desired career field. You may want to send them a personal e-mail asking if they know of any opportunities currently available. The more people you tell about your job search, the better. All of these people can act as “job search agents” on your behalf and help you land your next job.

Read more at http://www.careerealism.com/network-small/#hCqd2utQAVkZPDHx.99

What Recruiters Look At During The 6 Seconds They Spend On Your Resume

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/heres-what-recruiters-look-at-during-the-6-seconds-they-spend-on-your-resume-2012-4#ixzz2kcOmU49Y

Although we may never know why we didn't get chosen for a job interview, a recent study is shedding some light on recruiters' decision-making behavior. According to TheLadders research, recruiters spend an average of "six seconds before they make the initial 'fit or no fit' decision" on candidates.
The study used a scientific technique called “eye tracking” on 30 professional recruiters and examined their eye movements during a 10-week period to "record and analyze where and how long someone focuses when digesting a piece of information or completing a task."
In the short time that they spend with your resume, the study showed recruiters will look at your name, current title and company, current position start and end dates, previous title and company, previous position start and end dates, and education.
The two resumes below include a heat map of recruiters' eye movements. The one on the right was looked at more thoroughly than the one of the left because of its clear and concise format:


With such critical time constraints, you should make it easier for recruiters to find pertinent information by creating a resume with a clear visual hierarchy. Don't include distracting visuals since "such visual elements reduced recruiters’ analytical capability and hampered decision-making" and kept them from "locating the most relevant information, like skills and experience."


Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/heres-what-recruiters-look-at-during-the-6-seconds-they-spend-on-your-resume-2012-4#ixzz2kcOmU49Y

10 Tips To Staying Positive While Looking For A Job

Don’t let the media and the news put you down. No matter how bad they say it is companies are always looking to hire the best available staff. If you have the right skills and passion, there will be a job waiting for right around the corner.

Read more at http://www.careerealism.com/tips-staying-positive-looking-job/#b85iLbyX7PWpRBcg.99

HelpThe key is to remain upbeat. Here are 10 tips to help you stay positive while looking for a job.

1. Keep A Routine

Don’t get into the bad habits of waking up late, sleeping in the afternoons or procrastinating around the house.
Get up at your normal time, eat properly and get some exercise (walking is free)!

2. Volunteer

You can do this at a church, hospital, homeless shelter or non-profit organization will open your eyes to people who are less off than you and give you a sense of contribution.
There is no greater reward than helping people who are less fortunate than us.

3. Stay Up To Date With What’s Happening In Your Industry

Don’t let yourself fall behind just because you’re not working. The best approach is to learn more about your particular industry.
This way you will be ahead of your competition when it comes time to interview.

4. Explore Potential New Careers

It’s never too late to try to learn a foreign language or a new piece of computer software.
I remember working with a senior archaeologist of 10 years experience who came to me wanting a change in his life direction.
After six months of learning Spanish and then travelling through Spain for another six months, the senior archaeologist is now a junior English/Spanish translator!

5. Positive Thinking

Do not focus on the negatives – you need to be able to bounce back. Concentrate on the skills and knowledge you have. Sitting around saying “what if” all the time is only going to further depress you.

6. Support Group

You may feel as though you’re the only person in your situation without a job, but guess what – you’re not. Reach out to people for support. There are many groups that provide excellent assistance in the areas of resume writing, interviewing, and job hunting.
Aside from the secular groups, there are also many faith groups ready to offer you a supporting hand. Don’t feel ashamed or embarrassed to ask for help. Let people help you change your life.

7. Avoid Negative People

Negative thinking is of no value to you. You need to be around positive people and people who can have a positive impact on your life.

8. Network

Maintain contacts and stay in touch with people. Make sure you network with positive people!! Again, avoid negativity. Negative thinking does nothing to help your situation.
Last but not least…

9. Manage Your Expectations

Not every job you apply for will be a success. Don’t be put off by this. Instead, concentrate on the positives and look at what you achieve each day.
For example, you could have applied to three great jobs, connected with two people who are great resources, or found a course or book that will help improve your skills.

10. Don’t Give Up!

Jobs don’t find you, you find them!

Enjoy this article? You’ve got time for another! Check out these related articles:

Read more at http://www.careerealism.com/tips-staying-positive-looking-job/#b85iLbyX7PWpRBcg.99ful tips found at:


Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Living with Purpose


Excellent reflection taken from:
by Jarrid Wilson
Tuesday, November 12, 2013 

It’s really easy to get caught up in the world's laser focus of money-making, getting popular, and the strive for successful living. 

But what if I told you God couldn't care less about those things?

 In fact, what if I told you that God isn’t focused on your “worldly success” at all, that is unless it is being used for the glorification of Jesus.

What a relief….

Think about it:

When it comes to the purpose of our being, do you think God is looking for us to join in on what the world has created? Nope, not at all. God wants us to be the difference in this world, and stand up for the purpose of His name (Romans 12:2). The last thing God wants is more people following the world’s shallow, dark, and vulturous ways.

Here’s My Point:

We were made to be more than puppets of the world. 

It’s time to start giving ourselves a little credit. We are a children of The King, and we were made to live for more than a paycheck and worldly acceptance.

 Don’t let the world fool you into thinking your life was meant to be lived for “its glory” rather than God’s.

Reflect: Jeremiah 1:5 notes that we were set apart from the beginning, and that we were destined for greatness.

Worldly success will never compare to purposeful living. 

And until your heart can wrap itself around this vital truth, your worth will never be fulfilled because you are seeking to fill it from a place that doesn’t have what you need. 

Way too many times have I seen men and women of all ages being let down by the world, only to get back up and try again.

 It’s time to break through the lies of the world, and seek purposeful living through the one who it is founded upon.

Stop seeking worth in a world that cannot offer what you truly need. Only Jesus can offer that.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Laid Off? 6 Ways To Get Back On Track Immediately


Laid Off Get Back On Track


Advertisement
In this uncertain economy, many businesses have been forced to dramatically reduce budgets. This move has led to millions of workers losing their jobs. Layoffs have become commonplace in companies around the world, no matter how big or successful the business. This much we all know.
So, what should one do to recover from being one of the many people laid off? First of all, take a deep breath and don’t panic. Then, follow the next few steps to help get back into the saddle once again:

1. Get References

Get good references and contact information from colleagues and superiors from within the company. Ideally, you should do this before you leave the company, or shortly after you’ve left, so that your job performance is still fresh in their minds.
Make sure you find each other on LinkedIn or are connected through some other professional network, if they’ve agreed to be a reference for you. While being laid off no longer has the same stigma it once did, having former employers and colleagues vouching for your performance can help mitigate the fact that you were let go.
If you’re asking for a written reference, you can help out a beleaguered boss by drafting a reference letter for them, highlighting your key attributes and accomplishments. This way, your supervisor doesn’t have to dig through old reviews or refer to your resume to write this letter.

2. Step Up Your Professional And Social Networking

While it behooves you to constantly keep abreast and up-to-date in your professional and social networks, being newly laid off is even more reason to step up your social media and professional presence. However, don’t spam your network with constant pleas or queries for a job; instead, contribute in a meaningful way to conversations and keep an eye out for someone in your network posting a job.

3. Update Your Resume

It would also benefit you to keep your resume updated, even if not unemployed; but being laid off is an excellent time to take a thorough review of your resume. Industry keywords may change over time, so if it’s been a while since you’ve updated, you should refer to current postings that interest you, and borrow their keywords and phrases.
You may want to hire a resume counselor, or at least have a good friend critique it. Consider eye-catching and modern formats, dropping off old, obsolete jobs, and adding new skills that are pertinent to the next position in your career. Take time to review what your abilities and skills are, so that you can create a short professional summary—an elevator pitch—on the resume, and in case you run into someone who is hiring for a position you want.

4. Freelance, Take A Temporary Job Or A Contract Position

Even if you have enough savings to keep you afloat for a while, consider taking on a temporary or contract position. Why? Taking a position that is in your field, even if short-term, puts you in more contact with people who may be looking for full-time employees eventually. Or you could parlay a temporary job into something more permanent.
Freelancing is also a great way to keep you involved in the professional sphere—and can be a great way to start your own business. Even if you had not previously considered going into business for yourself, you may find that you can gain enough clients and work to make freelancing a viable long-term career.

5. Volunteer

If even part-time or contract work is hard to find, consider volunteering for local and national organizations. It’s another great opportunity to network. Volunteering also gives you a chance to explore a field you don’t have experience in, or to gain new skill sets that improve your marketability. Additionally, sixty percent of hiring managers look favorably upon people who volunteer.

6. Treat Finding A Job As A Job

The market is extremely competitive, with so many people laid off, and so many new graduates also scrambling for work. Finding a new full-time position needs to be treated as seriously as a full-time position itself. If you have savings, yes, you can afford to take a week or two off. But it’s much more challenging to get back into a semi-regular schedule and focus that’s needed to dedicate to a job hunt.
Set up goals—like applying to at least five jobs a day—and a schedule so that you stay productive and on task.
Staying actively engaged in your community and line of business will assist you in finding your next place of employment. Don’t get derailed by layoffs; bounce back from this set back starting with the tips above.

Read more at http://www.careerealism.com/laid-off-get-back-immediately/#tYIGL8FBCCFcb2Zv.99

5 Best Things to Say in an Interview

Excellent post found at:

http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2687328215255594243#editor/target=post;postID=4591424614489857546

By Catherine Conlan
Monster Contributing Writer

The best things you can say in an interview won’t necessarily get you the job on their own, but they can certainly pave the way. Keep these five things in mind as you go through the interviewing process to give yourself the best chance at landing the job.

Ask Good Questions

According to Howard Pines, founder and CEO of BeamPines, “the best thing a candidate can do at an interview is ask good questions.”

Doing so shows that you are thoughtful and interested in understanding the company. There’s usually a chance to ask questions at the end of your interview, so be ready with questions that show you’re engaged in the process.

Pines suggests several questions, including:

  • What are the biggest short- and long-term issues I would need to focus on in this position?
  • What would I need to focus on differently than the previous person in this position?
  • What organizational issues should I be aware of?
“I’m flexible.”

Whether it’s about possible job duties, a potential start date or simply timing for the second interview, stressing your flexibility makes you easy to get along with.

Hiring managers don’t like complications, and having to coordinate complicated schedules or haggle over a job description eventually just makes you look difficult. While you certainly don’t want to be a pushover -- and “flexible” shouldn’t define your salary negotiation -- show your potential employer that you’re interested in results that work for everyone.

The Company’s Own Words

Before your interview, become familiar with the company’s website and literature. Pay attention to the words used -- what’s important to the organization?

“In your interview, hit key words that appeared on the company website or brochure,” says Olivia Ford ofAdeptio. “These key words might include team, leadership, simplistic, culture or growth.”

Mixing these keywords into your answers can provide a subtle hint that you are plugged in to what the organization is looking for.

“That’s a Good Question.”

Use this phrase instead of blurting out “I don’t know” if the interviewer stumps you with a surprise question. It can give you a few moments to come up with an answer and, in the meantime, strokes the interviewer's ego a little bit too.

Avoid the “I don’t know” answer when possible, but of course don’t lie about your experience or training.

Reasons You Want the Job.

Knowing a job prospect’s motivations is important for managers who are hiring.

During your interview, talk about how this position fits into your future plans and the ideas you have about your career, how it fits with your values, and what you would like to learn from it. Talk about how you see yourself in relation to the company and what you believe you can bring to the position.

These kinds of thoughts show who you are as a person, and go a long way toward giving the hiring manager an idea about how you might fit in the company’s culture and values.

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

The Most Important Step In Your Job Search (That You Might Be Forgetting) Read more at http://www.careerealism.com/most-important-job-search-step/#gSVbtjdCCx17fsHE.99

Job search encompasses a lot of dedicated time and effort to obtain that ideal job. The saying goes that looking for a job is a full-time job, and it is exhausting. That’s when cutting corners comes in, when being burned out may cause an excellent candidate to miss an opportunity. You may overlook deciding to research about the companies you are applying for, and figure if they call you back you can research later.

The Most Important Step In Your Job Search Is…

Research. Researching an employer before, during and after applying is crucial to the job application process. The information you receive will not only give you guidance but could also land you the job. Here are some places and people to gather information from during your business research:

Company Website

Most companies create a corporate website in today’s technological age. The first instinct that a job seeker may have is to skip right to the “Careers” section and start applying. Instead, try starting in the “About Us” section. Any company personnel reviewing resumes, or interviewing candidates, holds the expectation that you have read the information in this section.
Company, Inc. is one of the leading fashion design and marketing studios in the world. It designs and markets women’s and men’s designer collection apparel and a range of other products that are manufactured and marketed through an extensive network of licensing agreements and other arrangements worldwide.”
A cover letter statement that would complement the above company information would be:
My resume will demonstrate my extensive experience as a worldwide fashion designer. I believe I can be an asset to Company, Inc., one of the leading fashion design and marketing studios in the world.”
Companies often have mottos, or slogans, that are usually involved in some sort of sales pitch to obtain clients and demonstrate a company goal. These phrases are found on their website or even commercials. When you explain how you can contribute to their company goal using their self-created image, you’ve demonstrated that you’ve done your research.

Company Insiders

Networking is crucial to finding employment as a contact can provide you with a job lead before posted publicly. A contact can also give you information about the company culture so you are better prepared during an interview. Knowing someone who works (or worked) for a company you are interested in is not always easy. However, today’s digital age provides us with social networking tools (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter) to connect with individuals. More and more employers are creating accounts on these social media sites that can provide more information about the company.

Search Engines

Typing an employer’s name into a search engine can provide you with an idea about the company’s detailed history, new articles or reviews about performance which can help complete a picture for your job search. You may find negative information that may discourage you to apply as well. Just remember to take everything you’ve learned about the business as a whole and try not to focus on individual sites or content.

ALSO: Don’t forget to check the company’s financial status.

Is the business making money or on the economic decline? Obtaining a company’s recent financial history is important to know if you’ll be there for a long term career, or just a job. A constant economic decline may signal a worse fate for the company and may not be the type of investment to which you are willing to commit. You can possibly obtain financial information about the employer through newspapers, business websites or even the stock market.
Completing the research aspect of job search involves a lot of reading and analyzing data. When a job seeker sacrifices information gathering to apply for more jobs, it will signal to the employer that you’re not really interested in the opportunity. The interviewer will ask why you are applying for this company, and when you provide a detailed response about corporate mentality and business goals, you stand out as a viable candidate.
Combining thorough research with all of the other job search steps, you can make yourself a front-runner for whatever positions you apply for.

Read more at http://www.careerealism.com/most-important-job-search-step/#gSVbtjdCCx17fsHE.99

Thursday, October 3, 2013

How To Tap Into The Hidden Job Market

It is a well known fact that using job boards exclusively in your job search will leave you confounded and frustrated. Sure, you might be qualified for the positions for which you are applying – but posting your resume online is like trying to find a needle in a haystack – a really, really big haystack.
So, what exactly is this thing called ‘the hidden job market’? The hidden job market consists of openings that are not directly advertised. More and more companies are relying on their employees and specialized, niche sites to identify qualified candidates.
What is the reason for this? With the big job boards, there are a lot of unqualified candidates positing resumes and applying for positions for which they are not qualified. In an effort to cut to the chase, as it were, employers are trying to create a system whereby they can identify a pool of qualified and viable candidates more quickly. It’s very time consuming to sort through hundreds of resumes to find one or two candidates who might be suitable for an opening.

Here are some tips to help you tap into the hidden job market:

Networking

Networking should be an integral part of any job search. Also consider searching smaller job boards, including those that might be specific to a city or region. Look at sites supported by networking groups or associations. As I have mentioned in previous posts, LinkedIn is a great resource that will enable you to identify relevant connections and facilitate your job search.

Writing To The Right Person

I know it can be difficult to obtain the name of a person responsible for hiring. You can begin by calling the company and asking for the name of the head of a particular department or the head of human resources. At least when you send your letter, it won’t be to “To whom it may concern.” Once you send your written correspondence, you can then call and ask for the person by name. You will be more likely to reach someone before 9:00 AM or after 5:00 PM when other staff members who might answer the phone are gone.

Recruiters

Recruiters can be a great source of information – especially now. Do some research regarding recruiters that specialize in your field. Establish and nurture those relationships. Recruiters have their fingers on the pulse of what is going on within the hiring community. Let them help you uncover the right opportunities.

Volunteer Your Time

Volunteering can do a couple of things for you. Aside from making you feel good by giving back to a good cause, volunteering will allow you access to new people. Those people know people, too! You can create an entirely new network for yourself. You never know what you might uncover.
It boils down to your continued diligence; contact people, establish relationships, and knock on as many doors as you can to generate interest in your background. You never know where a conversation (online or otherwise) might lead!

Read more at http://www.careerealism.com/tapping-hidden-job-market/#W9XiwSmP46r2pZ3i.99

The Surprising Key To The Hidden Job Market Read more at http://www.careerealism.com/surprising-key-hidden-job-market/#QxGDi2Zybzj0teiK.99

Excellent post found at: http://www.careerealism.com/surprising-key-hidden-job-market/#QxGDi2Zybzj0teiK.99
There are plenty of jobs in the hidden job market, but without the right strategy, you won’t be able to tap into its potential. Learning one surprising thing about that market’s attitude can save you weeks of wasted time, and more importantly, get you a job you are the perfect fit for! (The secret is in the above video from one of our Career Q&A sessions.)
You’re unique, but you’re not special.
Those two words go hand-in-hand sometimes, but they don’t always correlate. There’s a very competitive job market currently, so you’re not special in employers’ eyes. However, no one has the exact same experience you do, which means your skills may be perfectly tailored to solve their problems.
Once you find the right organization, you can reach out to them and build a more unique brand.

How To Build A Unique Personal Brand

Get very specific with your career research. That may seem counter-intuitive, but it’s the best way to find the right situation for yourself. If you cast too wide a net, you’ll never be able to prove you’re a significantly better choice than many other candidates, because you won’t be able to invest as much time into each company.
Since having a giving mindset is so important to professional relationships, it’s no surprise that the same applies for companies. Take the time to get to know people and their needs, because the only reason they would hire you is if you can fill those needs anyway.
Find 10 people in the space that are doing something you want to do, meet them and ask how they got there. If you earn that group’s trust person by person, you’ll be well on your way to a reputation as someone with a clear purpose in the job market.
It’s not easy to get a hold of that many people in a given industry, but once you have their attention, you can show the value you would bring to them – regardless of whether or not you work for them in the future.
Don’t spam them by asking for a job. Instead, ask what they would suggest for someone entering their field. While you learn what those tips are, you can mention some of the things you’ve done, your skills, and other things that would show you’re a smart person working hard to accomplish your goal.

Next… Keep The Relationships Going And Reap The Benefits

After you’ve discovered and befriended a tight group within your target field, those individuals will start noticing positions that you would be the best choice for. Make sure you still keep in touch with them somewhat regularly though. Good working relationships require your time and effort.
There are a TON of opportunities like that, usually when a job hasn’t even been posted. CAREEREALISM founder, J.T. O’Donnell as experienced, companies will wait for the right candidate. After you’ve put in hard work with the people closest to your situation, that will hopefully be you!
We may not all be special, but that’s because we ALL have the ability to make an impact in our respective careers. If you enhance and emphasize what makes you unique during your professional life, you’ll achieve something special: having a job you love and are great at.

Read more at http://www.careerealism.com/surprising-key-hidden-job-market/#QxGDi2Zybzj0teiK.99

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

How To Fail A Phone Screen (And How To Ace It)



A client e-mailed me in an excited panic this week. She had applied to her dream job and unexpectedly got an e-mail asking to set up a phone screen. We spoke just prior to the call so she could get some last minute tips.
For the first ten minutes of our discussion, she did all the talking. Like most seasoned job seekers (40+ years old), she knows how to research for an interview. She went on and on about all the things she was going to tell the person. She cited numerous examples of how her experience was the perfect fit. She didn’t come up for air.
Finally, I stopped her. I literally cut her off and said, “We’ve got 20 minutes left and I need to share something important with you.” Then I said, “Take out a piece of paper and in big letters write this down. It’s going to be your focus for this phone screen.”
What did I say?

“Ask, Don’t Tell.”

This well-intentioned, enthusiastic professional was about to ruin her chances of getting past the phone screen, let alone land the job. Here’s why…
When you earn a phone screen, the person requesting it has already looked at your credentials and assumes you’d be a possible fit from an experience perspective. The phone screen is to see if you have the personality and aptitude for the job. They are checking out whether you are self-aware.
In short, they want to see if you understand they are client and you are the business-of-one who needs to adapt to suit their needs. Telling them non-stop all about you is as bad as a pushy salesperson that won’t stop talking about how great her product is and how you will absolutely love it – even though she knows NOTHING about you. It’s a total turn-off.

You Have A Role To Play… But It’s NOT The Lead!

I explained to my client her role in a phone screen is to A) be a good listener, and B) answer the questions as accurately and positively as possible. It was okay to show enthusiasm, but not at the point of dominating the call. Then, when the interviewer asked, “Do you have any questions?” I gave my client the three questions she needed to ask as follows:
1.) How did you come to work for the company and what do you enjoy most about it?
2.) How will the job I’m applying for support your work and efforts and what would the ideal candidate do to ensure a successful collaboration?
3.) If there was anything I could do to make me a better candidate for this job, what would you suggest?
These questions focus the conversation on the person doing the phone screen – as it should. This is the person deciding whether you get to move on the process. You need to connect with them and find out what their viewpoint is on what makes a good hire for the job. It’s not your job to tell them what a great fit you are. Your job to ask them what they think makes a great fit.
See the difference?
In case you are wondering, here’s the e-mail I got today from my client:
First, I wanted to say thank you for your advice. You were right, she was the pre-screener. However, from what I gathered, the manager seeks her opinion about the candidates, even though he is the ultimate decision-maker. 
She was very personable and nice. We made great small talk, so we hit it off very nicely. 
I made the interview about her. She talked most of the time, told me about the company, and asked me questions only two times. I answered with passion and readiness. She told me some ”intel” about the manager. She also told me that in the next few days they will be calling candidates the manager picks to set up an interview.
I asked her the three questions you told me, and she really liked it!
I then asked her something I learned from the CareerHMO videos: if she could enhance my skills or my resume, what would she do? She told me that the only thing she wanted me to do was to revamp my resume and to add some experience I had mentioned that wasn’t on it because she wanted to show it to the manager. I revamped it and sent it to her this morning along with my thanks for the interview and telling her how it was nice to meet her and that she can contact me at any time.
We ended very well, everything went great, and she asked me to keep her as a contact and not to delete her, because she felt she made a friend.
Thank you, JT! If not for you, I would have been lost!
If you are a seasoned professional, be sure to pay equal attention to your self-awareness as your preparedness. I promise it will pay off!

Your Next Step

School teaches you everything except how to get the job. You must invest time in learning the right way to job search.
I just finished four new training videos for you – they’re all about executing an easier job search in this economy.
My videos are completely free and I’m confident you’re going to find them useful. The link to access the first one is below.


 

Read more at http://www.careerealism.com/phone-screen-fail/#3EddPITxlXQkkoQS.99

3 Best Resume Writing Tips For Your Job Search







Good Advice taken from http://www.careerealism.com/best-resume-writing-tips-job-search/



What are the best resume writing tips? This article focuses on the things you need to think about before you write your resume. Consider this the planning stage and go through the following steps:

1. Ask Yourself, What Size Company Do You Want To Join?

It is important to consider the size of the company you are targeting. For instance, a small or medium-sized company may want a candidate capable of wearing many hats. Your prior experience working at similar-sized companies, or even owning your own small business is worth highlighting on your resume to show that you are multi-faceted.
Conversely, a Fortune 1,000 firm is more formal and structured and requires greater focus in one function. Employers will want to see that you know how to leverage resources and build relationships with internal customers and stakeholders.
So first decide the type and size of company you are targeting so you will know what to emphasize on the resume.

2. Put Yourself In The Position Of The Employer.

The resume is NOT about you – it is all about WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR EMPLOYER. It is crucial that you adopt this frame of mind so you are continuing to answer the big question, “Why should I hire you?”
When you put yourself in the position of the employer, it becomes much clearer what information you need to include. Consider the level of experience desired in a candidate, skills necessary for the job, and relevant past experience and knowledge that can be applied to the position.
Focus on the top five requirements the employer wants. Think about the way performance is measured. This information is generally apparent from the job posting, so review it carefully and you’ll know what you need to focus on to write a resume that will catch the employer’s attention.

3. Demonstrate Your Experience And Accomplishments.

Now that you have made a list of the top five things the employer wants, start listing how you can demonstrate that you meet their requirements.
List your years of experience, the kinds of firms you worked at and what you achieved. Then think about the things you would brag about in a job interview that would impress them.
Here you should use the C-A-R style to tell your story. Start with the CHALLENGE, detail what ACTIONS you took and showcase the RESULTS.
For example:
Challenged to turnaround an under-performing territory, led training sessions in sales best practices and introduced new incentives/contests that resulted in delivering a record 148% of sale goals.
When you think ahead about what the employer desires and strategically plan out the information to use and highlight in your resume, you will have an effective resume that commands attention and will get the phone to ring
.

Read more at http://www.careerealism.com/best-resume-writing-tips-job-search/#OowpW4OwmtS84gJl.99