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

Helpful post found at:http://www.careerealism.com/most-important-job-search-step/

October 28, 2013 by George Bernocco

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.

Thursday, October 3, 2013

How To Tap Into The Hidden Job Market

Excellent post at http://www.careerealism.com/tapping-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!

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.

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

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

Excellent post found at: http://www.careerealism.com/phone-screen-fail/

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.

WATCH VIDEO NOW ►

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
.