If you are seriously looking for employment you need to let your network know you are looking. Otherwise if someone you know, who knows about a job, won’t know you are looking and won’t contact you. So you need to contact them.
Even if you make initial contact with key folks in your network, you must periodically remind them you are seeking employment. Otherwise they may forget! I suggest job seekers email their contacts once a week and call every other week.
As a recruiter I stress to some of my candidates that it is okay to remind me that they are still on the job market. If I don’t hear from them I tend to forget them. I try not to let this happen but with unemployment at 10% I average 25 new résumés and contacts a week.
Also f someone if your network gives you a name or lead on a job, you better follow-up on that lead. An old friend called me today to see if someone she knew called me after she suggested the person contact me. I told her I did not recognize the name. She immediately understood the person did not follow up.
If you are seriously looking for work, use your network, maintain regular contact and follow up on leads and referrals.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
Job Seekers: Don’t give up in December
Although job postings, interviews, callbacks and offers seem to slow down in December, it is not a holiday for job seekers.
It is important to hit your job hunting activity goals and keep an eye on your target companies. While other job seekers take December off, this is a good time for the active job seekers because of the lack of competition.
Continue your job seeking activity throughout December. The jobs you apply to in December will become interviews, and maybe an offer, in January.
If you like what you are reading and want to read more, check out my eBook at www.blackholesresumesjobs.com/
If you are an IT professional and want to send me your résumé, please feel free to email your résumé to me at chas.bollow@triad-corp.com.
It is important to hit your job hunting activity goals and keep an eye on your target companies. While other job seekers take December off, this is a good time for the active job seekers because of the lack of competition.
Continue your job seeking activity throughout December. The jobs you apply to in December will become interviews, and maybe an offer, in January.
If you like what you are reading and want to read more, check out my eBook at www.blackholesresumesjobs.com/
If you are an IT professional and want to send me your résumé, please feel free to email your résumé to me at chas.bollow@triad-corp.com.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Professional Networking Sites: LinkedIn
The world is much different today than it was ten years ago. Today we have social networking sites for both personal and professional purposes. We all know the personal social networking groups such as Facebook, match.com, atlinks.com, YouTube and others that have become common words in our vocabulary. We also know about LinkedIn, Focus, ZoomInfo and others for professional networking sites. It is very important to use these professional networking sites in your career search and it is just as important to be sure there is nothing incriminating on these personal networking sites.
LinkedIn Rules for the Job Seeker:
Using LinkedIn is a form of professional self marketing. Using your connections, is a good way to get your name “out there” to those that are hiring or know of others that are hiring. Your LinkedIn recommendations tell employers that you have performed well, are well liked, respected and can do the job. Social Networking is a tool in your toolbox that needs to be used, but don’t forget about old fashion networking.
If you like what you are reading and want to read more, check out my eBook at www.blackholesresumesjobs.com/
Are you using Career Builder, Monster, Dice, Hot Jobs, and so on as part of your job search? http://polls.linkedin.com/p/66041/roibz
LinkedIn Rules for the Job Seeker:
- Invite Others: Make sure you know the person you invite and don’t expect people you do not know to connect. If you feel the need to connect with someone get an introduction.
- Accept Invites: Don’t accept invites from people you do not know unless you were introduced from someone else and it was recommended for your career.
- The quantity of connections is not important as the quality of your contacts. More VP, directors, managers, team leads and fewer peers is better.
- Subscribe to a few local LinkedIn groups: Skip the bad news and look for articles and discussions about companies hiring. Look for job seeker tips. Most importantly, be informed about your local business climate.
- Ask for recommendations: On LinkedIn I have been asked by colleagues to write recommendations and I have asked for recommendations from others. In a sense these recommendations are references.
- Reconnect: If you have lost track of people you worked with, LinkedIn is a great way to reconnect with those you liked and the people with whom you worked well. I stay connected to those who I generally want to succeed in life as they want me to succeed.
- Ask people for introductions: Make sure you ask the person you know if it is OK to use their name. Don’t “name drop” unless you have permission.
- Ask connections for job leads: If you get a lead that is not good for you, try to pass the lead on to others in your network. They may do the same for you in return.
Using LinkedIn is a form of professional self marketing. Using your connections, is a good way to get your name “out there” to those that are hiring or know of others that are hiring. Your LinkedIn recommendations tell employers that you have performed well, are well liked, respected and can do the job. Social Networking is a tool in your toolbox that needs to be used, but don’t forget about old fashion networking.
If you like what you are reading and want to read more, check out my eBook at www.blackholesresumesjobs.com/
Are you using Career Builder, Monster, Dice, Hot Jobs, and so on as part of your job search? http://polls.linkedin.com/p/66041/roibz
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Social Networking in your job search: Twitter
This recession is different. Well all recessions are different. However those that are seeking jobs have found news tools and new techniques in their job search. Social Networking sites such as Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Facebook are changing everything. This article will focus on Twitter and then I will visit the topics of LinkedIn and Facebook later.
Twitter:
Most of the job seekers I talk to know about Twitter but never thought of it as a tool for their job search. Most feel Twitter is all about following Megan Fox, Johnny Depp or your favorite sports team. However Twitter can be a powerful tool in your job search. In this case, Twitter is all about using the proper search techniques to find job postings.
Assuming you have a twitter account, the best way to search for jobs on Twitter is to simply use the search box to the right and middle of your Twitter “Home Page”. This search tool is very specific. “Job” and “Jobs” will produce different results, thus you need to search on both words. If we use “Job” as our example, “Job” will return any and all tweets with the word “Job” including any and all discussions that mention the word “job”. The results show a few jobs but mostly discussions therefore not the best results, but we can use “Hash Tags” to narrow the search.
Using “Hash Tags” in your search:
If you add “Hash Tags” to your search the results are much better. When I enter “#Job”, or “#Jobs”, the results returned are more favorable to a job seeker. Most of the fluff and conversations that use the word “Job” are gone and now I am seeing jobs! However I am seeing jobs all across the country and that may not be useful to someone looking for a job in Tennessee. When I add a state as a “Hash Tag”, such as #TN for Tennessee, I see jobs for Tennessee.
State Searches using “Hash Tags”:
There is real no standardization, and it is almost like a grass roots effort. Thus I suggest multiple searches. Try using the state’s the two letter abbreviation and the “Hash Tags” “#job” and “#jobs”. Some typical examples for searching jobs in Tennessee are as follows:
City Searches using “Hash Tags”:
You may also be able to search for jobs by city such as Denver, New York City, Atlanta, Phoenix and so on. However, some cities also have abbreviations. For example, New York City may also be NYC, so you will need to search for multiple combinations if the city has an abbreviation.
Skills and Hash Tags:
You can also search for a skill within a city or state or in general. Some tweets may have the skill listed as a “Hash Tag” while other will not. J2EE could be listed as J2EE or #J2EE. I suggest searching for both. A few examples:
Company Searches:
By using “Hash Tags” in your search you may find patterns to how companies post their jobs on Twitter and you may want to follow that company for future job tweets. The company I work for, TRIAD Consultants, actually has Twitter on our main page. When job seekers go to our website they will see that last four tweets, usually jobs, and can actually choose to follow TRIAD Consultants. For a good example check out www.triad-corp.com.
As I mentioned, each recession is different and in each recession new tools and techniques are developed for finding jobs. It is up to you, as a job seeker, to use the tools available. Try using Twitter and try multiple combinations of “Hash Tags”, cities and even skills.
Are you using Career Builder, Monster, Dice, Hot Jobs, and so on as part of your job search? http://polls.linkedin.com/p/66041/roibz
Twitter:
Most of the job seekers I talk to know about Twitter but never thought of it as a tool for their job search. Most feel Twitter is all about following Megan Fox, Johnny Depp or your favorite sports team. However Twitter can be a powerful tool in your job search. In this case, Twitter is all about using the proper search techniques to find job postings.
Assuming you have a twitter account, the best way to search for jobs on Twitter is to simply use the search box to the right and middle of your Twitter “Home Page”. This search tool is very specific. “Job” and “Jobs” will produce different results, thus you need to search on both words. If we use “Job” as our example, “Job” will return any and all tweets with the word “Job” including any and all discussions that mention the word “job”. The results show a few jobs but mostly discussions therefore not the best results, but we can use “Hash Tags” to narrow the search.
Using “Hash Tags” in your search:
If you add “Hash Tags” to your search the results are much better. When I enter “#Job”, or “#Jobs”, the results returned are more favorable to a job seeker. Most of the fluff and conversations that use the word “Job” are gone and now I am seeing jobs! However I am seeing jobs all across the country and that may not be useful to someone looking for a job in Tennessee. When I add a state as a “Hash Tag”, such as #TN for Tennessee, I see jobs for Tennessee.
State Searches using “Hash Tags”:
There is real no standardization, and it is almost like a grass roots effort. Thus I suggest multiple searches. Try using the state’s the two letter abbreviation and the “Hash Tags” “#job” and “#jobs”. Some typical examples for searching jobs in Tennessee are as follows:
- #TN #jobs
- #TN #job
- #TNjobs
- #TNjob
City Searches using “Hash Tags”:
You may also be able to search for jobs by city such as Denver, New York City, Atlanta, Phoenix and so on. However, some cities also have abbreviations. For example, New York City may also be NYC, so you will need to search for multiple combinations if the city has an abbreviation.
- #job NYC
- #job #NYC
- #job new york city
- #jobs NYC
- #jobs #NYC
- #jobs new york city
Skills and Hash Tags:
You can also search for a skill within a city or state or in general. Some tweets may have the skill listed as a “Hash Tag” while other will not. J2EE could be listed as J2EE or #J2EE. I suggest searching for both. A few examples:
- #job #Phoenix J2EE
- #Jobs #Phoenix #J2EE
- #Job J2EE
- #Jobs # J2EE
Company Searches:
By using “Hash Tags” in your search you may find patterns to how companies post their jobs on Twitter and you may want to follow that company for future job tweets. The company I work for, TRIAD Consultants, actually has Twitter on our main page. When job seekers go to our website they will see that last four tweets, usually jobs, and can actually choose to follow TRIAD Consultants. For a good example check out www.triad-corp.com.
As I mentioned, each recession is different and in each recession new tools and techniques are developed for finding jobs. It is up to you, as a job seeker, to use the tools available. Try using Twitter and try multiple combinations of “Hash Tags”, cities and even skills.
Happy job hunting!
Now I have to admit I am new to Twitter, and welcome comments and suggestions to help job seekers. Please email me at chas.bollow@yahoo.com
If you like what you are reading and want to read more, check out my eBook at www.blackholesresumesjobs.com/ Are you using Career Builder, Monster, Dice, Hot Jobs, and so on as part of your job search? http://polls.linkedin.com/p/66041/roibz
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Poll: Are you using Career Builder, Monster, Dice, Hot Jobs?
Are you using Career Builder, Monster, Dice, Hot Jobs, and so on as part of your job search? http://polls.linkedin.com/p/66041/roibz
Monday, November 9, 2009
10.2%, does it matter? Have we bottomed out?
Let’s take the second question first: Have we bottomed out?
It looks like the economy has bottomed out and the companies that are still in business have realized they have survived! These companies laid-off workers and were unable to replace those that left voluntarily because of hiring freezes. These companies have work to be done that has been piling up for over a year. So they will start hiring, slowly and a few at a time. And they will be extremely picky in who they hire. They will want experts. They will look at previous experience and they will look at certifications. They will look on your résumé to see what you have done in the past and they will want to know you can do it for them too!
Example:
- If you are in sales and you were in the tops 10% of your peers in your previous company they will expect you to be in the top 10% for their company.
- If you were in accounting and responsible for SOX, they will expect you to be responsible for SOX in their company.
- If you were in IT and you eliminated redundant severs and systems, thus saving money, they will want you to do that for them too.
Now, 10.2%, does it matter?
Yes & No
Yes: The more of you unemployed, then the more competition for jobs. According to the Economic Policy Institute, “There were 6.3 job seekers for every job opening in August…” and I expect that number is higher now.
No: Well maybe, but in terms of 8%, 9% 10% or higher what is the difference to the individual job seeker? Not much. 8% won’t feel much different than 10%.
In any case, I expect employers to start hiring soon. When these companies lift their hiring freeze they will start interviewing, slowly hiring a few at a time. So do not expect mass hiring. But I do expect you will see more activity, interviews, for your efforts.
If you like what you are reading and want to read more, check out my eBook at www.blackholesresumesjobs.com/
If you are an IT professional and want to send me your résumé, please feel free to email your résumé to me at chas.bollow@triad-corp.com.
No: Well maybe, but in terms of 8%, 9% 10% or higher what is the difference to the individual job seeker? Not much. 8% won’t feel much different than 10%.
In any case, I expect employers to start hiring soon. When these companies lift their hiring freeze they will start interviewing, slowly hiring a few at a time. So do not expect mass hiring. But I do expect you will see more activity, interviews, for your efforts.
If you like what you are reading and want to read more, check out my eBook at www.blackholesresumesjobs.com/
If you are an IT professional and want to send me your résumé, please feel free to email your résumé to me at chas.bollow@triad-corp.com.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Unemployment by Skill and Industry
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the current national unemployment rate is 9.8%. On November 6th the Bureau of Labor Statistics will release the numbers for October and we will find out if the trend of job losses hits 10% or higher, remains the same or goes down.
Regardless of that unemployment rate, it is important to know the unemployment rate of your skill in your industry. Unemployment rates also vary by region, state and city. For example let’s look at Michigan. Michigan’s unemployment rate is 15.3% while Detroit is 18.3% and Flint is 15.8%. Again these numbers come form the Bureau of Labor Statistics. If you look at Colorado, unemployment is 7% for the state, 7.1% for Denver and 8.2% for Grand Junction. Arizona is 9.1%.
The question is, what is the unemployment rate for your skill in your industry? When I conducted my research the unemployment rate in Colorado was 7.3%. By using this number as my starting point I determined unemployment rates for information technology professionals by job title (skill).
In a 30 day period I looked for the following skills and determined each skill’s unemployment rate. Note there are other skills I could have included but I wanted a sample of data.
Notice that most skills were near the Colorado average 7.3% unemployment rate. A few skills were lower than 7.3%, three were above 8% and one skill was above 14%.
Interpretation of any data is a science and can be tricky. We do know that the higher the unemployment rate, the harder it is to find a job. However you can still find a job, but it will take longer and more effort. If you are actively seeking employment when unemployment is 6%, it may take 6 months to land a job and 9% may take 9 months. In any case, don’t assume your industry’s and skill’s unemployment rate is the national average, your state’s average or city’s average. Do your research, check out the feds website, gather local information and watch for trends in your region.
Source: http://www.bls.gov/cps/
If you like what you are reading and want to read more, check out my eBook at www.blackholesresumesjobs.com/
If you are an IT professional and want to send me your résumé, please feel free to email your résumé to me at chas.bollow@triad-corp.com.
Regardless of that unemployment rate, it is important to know the unemployment rate of your skill in your industry. Unemployment rates also vary by region, state and city. For example let’s look at Michigan. Michigan’s unemployment rate is 15.3% while Detroit is 18.3% and Flint is 15.8%. Again these numbers come form the Bureau of Labor Statistics. If you look at Colorado, unemployment is 7% for the state, 7.1% for Denver and 8.2% for Grand Junction. Arizona is 9.1%.
The question is, what is the unemployment rate for your skill in your industry? When I conducted my research the unemployment rate in Colorado was 7.3%. By using this number as my starting point I determined unemployment rates for information technology professionals by job title (skill).
In a 30 day period I looked for the following skills and determined each skill’s unemployment rate. Note there are other skills I could have included but I wanted a sample of data.
Notice that most skills were near the Colorado average 7.3% unemployment rate. A few skills were lower than 7.3%, three were above 8% and one skill was above 14%.
Interpretation of any data is a science and can be tricky. We do know that the higher the unemployment rate, the harder it is to find a job. However you can still find a job, but it will take longer and more effort. If you are actively seeking employment when unemployment is 6%, it may take 6 months to land a job and 9% may take 9 months. In any case, don’t assume your industry’s and skill’s unemployment rate is the national average, your state’s average or city’s average. Do your research, check out the feds website, gather local information and watch for trends in your region.
Source: http://www.bls.gov/cps/
If you like what you are reading and want to read more, check out my eBook at www.blackholesresumesjobs.com/
If you are an IT professional and want to send me your résumé, please feel free to email your résumé to me at chas.bollow@triad-corp.com.
Monday, October 26, 2009
High Unemployment
There is a pile of economic information and unemployment metrics all over the internet, news stations and radio. The information can be overwhelming and a little depressing. Two articles that stand out for me both tell the readers that high unemployment may be around for sometime.
In Joshua Cooper Ramo’s article, Jobless in America: Is Double-Digit Unemployment Here to Stay?, Joshua asks the question, “Will double-digit unemployment persist even after we emerge from this recession?”. In other words are we looking at another jobless recovery? Joshua also mentions that “From December 2007 to August 2009, the economy jettisoned nearly 7 million jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.” In addition he writes, “The funding for job creation in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was based on an assumed 8.9% unemployment rate. Now 15% is a realistic possibility.”
Tom Raum’s article, Higher jobless rates could be new normal, Tom states similar fears. He writes, “…the unemployment rate is currently at a 26-year high of 9.8 percent — and likely to top 10 percent soon and stay there a while”.
In the last recession, we learned that a recovery would not necessarily bring with it new jobs. We learned the term “jobless recovery”. And much of what I read points to this recession as a jobless recovery too. I would estimate that 20% of people I personally know that lost jobs in the last recession switched careers because of the lack of jobs in their profession. So without government assistance, how do you find a job and where are the jobs?
The answer to the first part of the question is easy. You must have…
Sources and Suggested Reading:
For my free Résumé Template go to www.blackholesresumesjobs.com/Downloads.html
If you are an IT professional and want to send me your résumé, please feel free to email your résumé to me at chas.bollow@triad-corp.com.
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In Joshua Cooper Ramo’s article, Jobless in America: Is Double-Digit Unemployment Here to Stay?, Joshua asks the question, “Will double-digit unemployment persist even after we emerge from this recession?”. In other words are we looking at another jobless recovery? Joshua also mentions that “From December 2007 to August 2009, the economy jettisoned nearly 7 million jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.” In addition he writes, “The funding for job creation in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was based on an assumed 8.9% unemployment rate. Now 15% is a realistic possibility.”
Tom Raum’s article, Higher jobless rates could be new normal, Tom states similar fears. He writes, “…the unemployment rate is currently at a 26-year high of 9.8 percent — and likely to top 10 percent soon and stay there a while”.
In the last recession, we learned that a recovery would not necessarily bring with it new jobs. We learned the term “jobless recovery”. And much of what I read points to this recession as a jobless recovery too. I would estimate that 20% of people I personally know that lost jobs in the last recession switched careers because of the lack of jobs in their profession. So without government assistance, how do you find a job and where are the jobs?
The answer to the first part of the question is easy. You must have…
- A better than average résumé: If you are still using the same résumé you used in your last job search and just keep updating it with every new job, then I bet your résumé is not your best effort. Start over.
- A strong network: It is key to know people across multiple industries and to let these people know you are in the job market. A network that is not used is useless.
- Practiced and polished interviewing skills: You need to practice and you need to anticipate questions and practice your answers.
- Outstanding soft skills: Be professional but smile and be personal too.
- Expert technical skills needed for the job: If you are a SOX expert and apply for a GAAP position then you may get over looked. The same goes for a COBOL expert applying for a J2EE position. Apply to jobs that are reasonable fits to your background and experience.
- Reasonable salary expectations: There are plenty of resources out there who will do the job for less. So do not demand high salaries in a recession and take what is offered.
- Temporary or contract positions: These positions may increase before permanent jobs are created. It has been a year since the economy hit a wall and companies that have survived have work that has piled up and needs to be done. (We are currently seeing this trend with our clients.)
- Replacement positions: As companies become leaner they may decide some resources are not performing as required and will look to replace those resources. In addition some resources may flee a company for greener pastures creating a vacancy.
- Government positions: The federal government created the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to create jobs and stimulate the economy. Some of these jobs will be with the federal government but some of the money will be sent to the states and it will be the states responsibility to use the funding to create jobs for needed projects.
- Too many laid-off: There are companies that have laid-off too many and offered to many “packages” to their staff to leave. These companies are running leaner than planned and these companies may be in need to start filling positions soon. Target some of the companies with the biggest layoffs in your area.
- New positions: There will be companies creating new positions. Some of these positions will be in healthcare, collections, small business and start ups. Some new positions will result from companies that have realized they have “survived”, are cash flow positive and ready to add staff. The best ways to find these jobs is through your network and know about the job before it is posted.
Sources and Suggested Reading:
- Joshua Cooper Ramo’s article, Jobless in America: Is Double-Digit Unemployment Here to Stay? - www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1921439-1,00.html
- Tom Raum’s article, Higher jobless rates could be new normal - news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091019/ap_on_bi_ge/us_vanishing_jobs
For my free Résumé Template go to www.blackholesresumesjobs.com/Downloads.html
If you are an IT professional and want to send me your résumé, please feel free to email your résumé to me at chas.bollow@triad-corp.com.
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Friday, October 16, 2009
Working with Human Resources vs Recruiters. Lessons Learned.
A month ago I talked to a candidate about a contract position with a company I will call XYZ Corporation. I explained to him that the position was a 6 month contract position. He was very interested in the position and decided he would send me an updated résumé. I got busy and realized it had been a few days and the résumé never showed up. I then email the candidate but still no résumé or reply. I decide to call the candidate since at the time of our initial conversation he was very interested in the position.
Let’s call the candidate Bob. The call went something like this…
“Chas thanks, but after you told me the name of the client I decide to check out their website and the job you mentioned was on the website, so I decided to apply. So I figured why waste your time.”
“Bob, that is great but the position I have is a contract position and the position you applied was a permanent position.”
“But Chas the permanent position must report to the same manager? It’s all the same.”
“Actually Bob, permanent positions with this client go through Human Resources and contract positions go through procurement. They are two different areas and in this case two separate managers.”
What Bob didn’t know was the CFO and VP of Finance of XYZ Corporation was interested in hiring a contractor for their financial organization. The VP of Finance needed a resource for a 6 month SOX project and some important financial reporting. The IT organization was trying to fill the permanent position on an employee that left the company. I was told that human resources received well over 100 résumés for their permanent position. The manager in procurement received 11 résumés for the 4 vendors they use for contract positions.
By the time I submitted Bob, the VP had already started interviewing. Although I felt Bob was the better resource the VP decide on my other candidate after interviewing four of the eleven candidates. Bob did not get an interview. The permanent position was filled by a referral to the hiring manager.
Bob could have increased his chances by apply for the permanent positions as well as the contract position. Not to mention, if Bob would have gotten the contract position he would have made some valuable internal references for other permanent positions with XYZ corp. In any case, Bob did not get back to me and never sent me updated résumé until a week after out initial conversation. By then it was too late.
If you like what you are reading and want to read more, check out my eBook at www.blackholesresumesjobs.com/
For my free Résumé Template go to www.blackholesresumesjobs.com/Downloads.html
If you are an IT professional and want to send me your résumé, please feel free to email your résumé to me at chas.bollow@triad-corp.com.
Friday, September 11, 2009
The “Finding a Job” Process
Define your wants and a way to obtain those wants
A process begins with a ‘need’ or ‘want’ and ends with the ‘need’ or ‘want’ fulfilled. It is best to have formal processes for business needs, project management and just about every other ‘need’ or ‘want’. Processes are used to guide us through a workflow that is not second nature to us. We typically do not need a process to buy groceries or put gas in the car as they are second nature to most of us. However imagine you are from another country and there are no cars in that country. Putting gas in the car would not be second nature to you and thus you would need to consult a process, or directions, on how to put gas in a car.
McDonalds and Pizza Hut and Subway have basic simple processes to create a burger, pizza and subs. As time goes on those processes become second nature to the fast-food employee. If you don’t believe that, then ask anyone who has worked at any of these establishments. I bet they remember those processes to this day. I do!
With that in mind, we have to follow a process to find a job. Your old process of looking on Monster, Dice, want ads and company websites for a job, applying to the job and then waiting for a phone call is not a formal process. It is actually a poor way to find a job!
The “Finding a Job” Process
1. Desired Job: Define what you want in a job. Determine your desired job responsibilities, desired job title, desired salary and so on. Determine how much, if any, travel is acceptable. You can also determine a location and industry if you desire. Keep your desired job expectations realistic.
2. Target companies: Look for companies that fit your desired job. Create a list of target companies you want to work for in your new position.
3. Update Résumé: This needs to be done before you even look for a job. Make sure your résumé is up-to-date and edited.
4. Network: Reach out to those in your network. Where are they working and where have they worked? Do any of your contacts work at companies on your target list? If they do, reach out ASAP!
5. Apply to job openings: Apply to jobs on your target list. If there are no jobs posted on your target list, then send your résumé to key individuals at these target companies. You can also apply to other jobs you may come across that fit your ‘desired job’.
6. Did you get an interview? If not Repeat steps 1 through 5 until you get an interview. You may add or subtract target companies, then go back to Step 2. You may need to modify your résumé. If the old résumé is not working, start over at Step 3. You many need more or better contacts. Thus Network better! Back to step 4.
7. Prepare for Phone Interview
8. Phone Interview
9. Prepare for Face-To-Face interview
10. Face-To-Face Interview
11. Important: After the interview ask yourself, "Does the company and position match my ‘Desired Job’ as defined in Step 1?" If not you have a decision to make should an offer come your way. At this point you may want to go back to Step 1.
12. No Offer: Repeat steps 1 through 5
13. Offer - Accept or Decline: If you get an offer, then you will need to Accept or Decline or Counter. Note that ‘Counter’ is step that will eventually take you to Accept or Decline. Decline: Repeat steps 1 through 5. Accept: Start your new job.
14. Review Period: 30 to 90 days into your new job, repeat steps 1 through 3 on a regular basis.
Your “Finding a Job” Process begins with your want to find a satisfying and good paying job. Your “Finding a Job” Process ends with you finding and accepting that satisfying and good paying job. However if you don’t adhere to a process, then you will miss key step and you won’t find the job you want or it could take you a long time to find that job. Without a process, you are playing a game of hit and miss and hope. So when you are serious about looking for a job, I suggest you define your wants and a process to obtain those wants.
A process begins with a ‘need’ or ‘want’ and ends with the ‘need’ or ‘want’ fulfilled. It is best to have formal processes for business needs, project management and just about every other ‘need’ or ‘want’. Processes are used to guide us through a workflow that is not second nature to us. We typically do not need a process to buy groceries or put gas in the car as they are second nature to most of us. However imagine you are from another country and there are no cars in that country. Putting gas in the car would not be second nature to you and thus you would need to consult a process, or directions, on how to put gas in a car.
McDonalds and Pizza Hut and Subway have basic simple processes to create a burger, pizza and subs. As time goes on those processes become second nature to the fast-food employee. If you don’t believe that, then ask anyone who has worked at any of these establishments. I bet they remember those processes to this day. I do!
With that in mind, we have to follow a process to find a job. Your old process of looking on Monster, Dice, want ads and company websites for a job, applying to the job and then waiting for a phone call is not a formal process. It is actually a poor way to find a job!
The “Finding a Job” Process
1. Desired Job: Define what you want in a job. Determine your desired job responsibilities, desired job title, desired salary and so on. Determine how much, if any, travel is acceptable. You can also determine a location and industry if you desire. Keep your desired job expectations realistic.
2. Target companies: Look for companies that fit your desired job. Create a list of target companies you want to work for in your new position.
3. Update Résumé: This needs to be done before you even look for a job. Make sure your résumé is up-to-date and edited.
4. Network: Reach out to those in your network. Where are they working and where have they worked? Do any of your contacts work at companies on your target list? If they do, reach out ASAP!
5. Apply to job openings: Apply to jobs on your target list. If there are no jobs posted on your target list, then send your résumé to key individuals at these target companies. You can also apply to other jobs you may come across that fit your ‘desired job’.
6. Did you get an interview? If not Repeat steps 1 through 5 until you get an interview. You may add or subtract target companies, then go back to Step 2. You may need to modify your résumé. If the old résumé is not working, start over at Step 3. You many need more or better contacts. Thus Network better! Back to step 4.
7. Prepare for Phone Interview
8. Phone Interview
9. Prepare for Face-To-Face interview
10. Face-To-Face Interview
11. Important: After the interview ask yourself, "Does the company and position match my ‘Desired Job’ as defined in Step 1?" If not you have a decision to make should an offer come your way. At this point you may want to go back to Step 1.
12. No Offer: Repeat steps 1 through 5
13. Offer - Accept or Decline: If you get an offer, then you will need to Accept or Decline or Counter. Note that ‘Counter’ is step that will eventually take you to Accept or Decline. Decline: Repeat steps 1 through 5. Accept: Start your new job.
14. Review Period: 30 to 90 days into your new job, repeat steps 1 through 3 on a regular basis.
Your “Finding a Job” Process begins with your want to find a satisfying and good paying job. Your “Finding a Job” Process ends with you finding and accepting that satisfying and good paying job. However if you don’t adhere to a process, then you will miss key step and you won’t find the job you want or it could take you a long time to find that job. Without a process, you are playing a game of hit and miss and hope. So when you are serious about looking for a job, I suggest you define your wants and a process to obtain those wants.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
So when is the best time to update your résumé?
The answer is simple; right now today. Regardless of the economy it is good to be proactive rather than waiting until the day you need an updated résumé. There are critical times you need a résumé and the most important is when someone un-expectantly asks you for your résumé.
Most people wait till the day they are laid off. If this is you, then you are already one day late. People often think the best time to look for a job is when they need a job. (That is, the day after they were laid off or have been given notice or have had enough of their current job.) These same people also think the best time to update their résumé is the day after they have been laid off, have been give notice of a lay off or have found a job that they want to apply to and thus these candidates are unprepared.
A good general rule is to review and update your résumé 2 to 4 times a year. That may seem excessive but ‘things’ in your current job change. How many times in a year do your job responsibilities change, roles change, software change and other tools change? Thus because of these changes, it is important to update your résumé often. Always update your résumé after you have completed a major accomplishment for your employer such as reducing cost, saving money, increasing sales exceeding quotas.
A smart candidate, that is currently working, keeps their résumé updated often. When a Headhunter calls them, they are ready. They are also ready for when a friend calls with a good job lead. They are also ready for when their current employer posts a job internally. These smart candidates can act instantly because they are ready. They have updated their résumé in advance and have spent good quality time on their résumé. They have good business smarts! And let’s face it these are the type of people that employers want to hire!
I worked for a manager that kept her updated résumé in the top drawer of her office desk. Let me give you some background on her. She was one of the most dedicated employees the company has ever had and she lived and breathed this company. Yet she wanted to move up to the next level which was a director level position. So she wanted to be ready for the day the director position opened. She was prepared, her résumé was updated often. She was not going to waste time updating her résumé at the last minute. And yes, the director position eventually opened up and she got that job!
If you find yourself in the middle of this recession without a job and looking for a new job, then spend some time on your résumé. As a matter of fact spend a couple of hours a week on the content of your résumé until you land a job. Spelling and grammar are important and it is best to have someone edit your work. Ask yourself, “Does my résumé read well? Does my résumé properly describe who I am and the success I had in previous jobs?” If you can not answer yes, then go back to the computer and start again.
If you are employed and not really looking I suggest you mark one day a quarter on your calendar, organizer or Outlook as ‘résumé review’ time. This is the time to update your responsibilities, roles, titles and tools. Reread your résumé and ask yourself, “Would I hire this person?”
Crafting a good résumé takes time. Therefore if you are updating a few hours or even a day before you need one then I can guess it is not your best work. How many times have you used the same version of a résumé when someone pointed out an error in dates or spelling? Your résumé is the first thing an employer or hiring manager sees. Your résumé represents you. It may be the single most important tool in your job search. Shouldn’t you spend more than a few hours on your résumé?
Most people wait till the day they are laid off. If this is you, then you are already one day late. People often think the best time to look for a job is when they need a job. (That is, the day after they were laid off or have been given notice or have had enough of their current job.) These same people also think the best time to update their résumé is the day after they have been laid off, have been give notice of a lay off or have found a job that they want to apply to and thus these candidates are unprepared.
A good general rule is to review and update your résumé 2 to 4 times a year. That may seem excessive but ‘things’ in your current job change. How many times in a year do your job responsibilities change, roles change, software change and other tools change? Thus because of these changes, it is important to update your résumé often. Always update your résumé after you have completed a major accomplishment for your employer such as reducing cost, saving money, increasing sales exceeding quotas.
A smart candidate, that is currently working, keeps their résumé updated often. When a Headhunter calls them, they are ready. They are also ready for when a friend calls with a good job lead. They are also ready for when their current employer posts a job internally. These smart candidates can act instantly because they are ready. They have updated their résumé in advance and have spent good quality time on their résumé. They have good business smarts! And let’s face it these are the type of people that employers want to hire!
I worked for a manager that kept her updated résumé in the top drawer of her office desk. Let me give you some background on her. She was one of the most dedicated employees the company has ever had and she lived and breathed this company. Yet she wanted to move up to the next level which was a director level position. So she wanted to be ready for the day the director position opened. She was prepared, her résumé was updated often. She was not going to waste time updating her résumé at the last minute. And yes, the director position eventually opened up and she got that job!
If you find yourself in the middle of this recession without a job and looking for a new job, then spend some time on your résumé. As a matter of fact spend a couple of hours a week on the content of your résumé until you land a job. Spelling and grammar are important and it is best to have someone edit your work. Ask yourself, “Does my résumé read well? Does my résumé properly describe who I am and the success I had in previous jobs?” If you can not answer yes, then go back to the computer and start again.
If you are employed and not really looking I suggest you mark one day a quarter on your calendar, organizer or Outlook as ‘résumé review’ time. This is the time to update your responsibilities, roles, titles and tools. Reread your résumé and ask yourself, “Would I hire this person?”
Crafting a good résumé takes time. Therefore if you are updating a few hours or even a day before you need one then I can guess it is not your best work. How many times have you used the same version of a résumé when someone pointed out an error in dates or spelling? Your résumé is the first thing an employer or hiring manager sees. Your résumé represents you. It may be the single most important tool in your job search. Shouldn’t you spend more than a few hours on your résumé?
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