Tuesday, November 29, 2005
You're Under Observation
If you're reading this blog you're probably looking for a job. We don't look for jobs everyday, just as we don't buy cars and houses everyday. The job search doesn't have to be unpleasant but some things must be adjusted ... such as your voice mail!
Many times voice mail, following the appearance of your resume, serves to be your first impression. What will your resume tell me? Are you afraid to tell me your name or who I've called? Will I hear a digital message repeating your phone number? Or will I actually hear a personalized message delightfully recorded by your cute four year old giggling while explaining that Mommie and Daddy can't come to the phone?
All of us need to remember the competitive event called job search begins immediately, so call yourself and listen to what others hear. I don't want you to miss out because the employer of your dreams calls the next candidate. The same rules can be applied to emailing as well.
Many times voice mail, following the appearance of your resume, serves to be your first impression. What will your resume tell me? Are you afraid to tell me your name or who I've called? Will I hear a digital message repeating your phone number? Or will I actually hear a personalized message delightfully recorded by your cute four year old giggling while explaining that Mommie and Daddy can't come to the phone?
All of us need to remember the competitive event called job search begins immediately, so call yourself and listen to what others hear. I don't want you to miss out because the employer of your dreams calls the next candidate. The same rules can be applied to emailing as well.
Monday, November 21, 2005
Thanksgiving Miracle of 2003
Two years ago next Friday something very odd happened in my practice. It never occurred to me that such activity would transpire during a lazy holiday weekend. After all, other than going to the mall, where was there to go? Other than getting out Christmas lights and watching football games, what was there to do?
It was the day after Thanksgiving. Nothing ever happens the day after Thanksgiving in the job search industry... but it did that year! Despite the turkey hangover, the busiest shopping day of the year and the breather we traditionally enjoy from even thinking about work, an odd thing happened to more than one of my candidates; they went out on interviews! It was then I knew!
I was so amazed at the odd timing that I saw it as symptomatic of things to come, so I wrote an op-ed article in Business First of Columbus predicting the coming of a far better 2004 than we had seen since Y2K. Praying I would be correct I predicted a real upswing in the 2004 job market and it occurred! December brought an even more unusual high level of hiring. We had two job offers on New Year's Eve.
We had a repeat of this oddity on Thanksgiving weekend 2004, and this year opened even more doors to well-prepared candidates with great credentials. I see more good opportunities for 2006. I've seen signs and symptoms all year but I'll be watching next week very carefully. The message? Be encouraged and stay in the game!
It was the day after Thanksgiving. Nothing ever happens the day after Thanksgiving in the job search industry... but it did that year! Despite the turkey hangover, the busiest shopping day of the year and the breather we traditionally enjoy from even thinking about work, an odd thing happened to more than one of my candidates; they went out on interviews! It was then I knew!
I was so amazed at the odd timing that I saw it as symptomatic of things to come, so I wrote an op-ed article in Business First of Columbus predicting the coming of a far better 2004 than we had seen since Y2K. Praying I would be correct I predicted a real upswing in the 2004 job market and it occurred! December brought an even more unusual high level of hiring. We had two job offers on New Year's Eve.
We had a repeat of this oddity on Thanksgiving weekend 2004, and this year opened even more doors to well-prepared candidates with great credentials. I see more good opportunities for 2006. I've seen signs and symptoms all year but I'll be watching next week very carefully. The message? Be encouraged and stay in the game!
Monday, November 14, 2005
Dear Janice and CareerBoard...
"I just wanted to take a few minutes to let you know that I am delighted and pleased with the results of your guiding my career path in securing viable employment. The fact is that several months ago I met you on Careerboard.com during a live discussion with several others seeking employment. The [LIVE Chat] Webinar was invaluable. Where else but on CareerBoard could I have gained immediate access to such expertise? I am now struggling to decide between two potential job offers. I thought there were no jobs in Cleveland!
Worthington Career Services program is phenomenal and unique. If anyone asked me how to springboard a career path in the right direction, Worthington Career Services is at the top of the list. Janice you are a seasoned player and your wealth of career and interview knowledge surpasses all others.
I have sought out other job boards and career counselors in the past several years or so. Not one employment agency or career counselor has given me such extraordinary results in a short time frame. There is no comparison to Worthington Career Services. Kudos to CareerBoard for the alliance!"
- CareerBoard Job Seeker
Worthington Career Services program is phenomenal and unique. If anyone asked me how to springboard a career path in the right direction, Worthington Career Services is at the top of the list. Janice you are a seasoned player and your wealth of career and interview knowledge surpasses all others.
I have sought out other job boards and career counselors in the past several years or so. Not one employment agency or career counselor has given me such extraordinary results in a short time frame. There is no comparison to Worthington Career Services. Kudos to CareerBoard for the alliance!"
- CareerBoard Job Seeker
Friday, November 04, 2005
Strength, Greed & Fear... A Tale of Two Job Offers
Eric and Andy both received job offers this week. Eric is about to be a
newly selected Marketing executive for a notable law firm. Andy received a
delicious offer from an information technology firm as a Project Manager.
Their journeys demonstrate the endless drama of those who operate from
positions of strength and power as opposed to those who repeatedly become
trapped between greed and fear.
Eric had recently completed his 9th year with a financial institution.
With hard work, he built up a collection of contributions that proved
nearly irresistible to both recruiters and decision-makers. When his job
offer with this big name law firm arrived, he was forced to turn it down
because relocation was required and the cost differential was not factored
in. He relayed the fact that, much to his regret, his family could not
afford the decrease. Because his position was not perceived as one of
greed, the firm restructured a bit and found a spot for him locally. Great
money, great firm, great offer, great future!
Andy executed a different strategy. Several years ago he had accepted a
job offer and then 3 months later resigned to accept a better one. Six
months later Andy was downsized. He came to me claiming he had only 3
weeks to find a job and attempted to severely negotiate my fee. I found
his behavior insincere and unattractive. However after 6 weeks and a lot
of grooming, his job offer came and a lucrative one it was. For Andy no
offer could have been lucrative enough because he always felt the need to
negotiate. Without basis or substantiation and against my counsel, today
he went back to the company and asked for more. As he put it, "It might
work!"
And so went the week at Worthington Career Services. Beginning Monday Eric
is off to Hawaii with his family. Andy is still negotiating, and perhaps
for no more than $1000 and an ego, he may be forced to continue his
search. Let's see it's now three weeks till Thanksgiving. So much for fear
and greed!
newly selected Marketing executive for a notable law firm. Andy received a
delicious offer from an information technology firm as a Project Manager.
Their journeys demonstrate the endless drama of those who operate from
positions of strength and power as opposed to those who repeatedly become
trapped between greed and fear.
Eric had recently completed his 9th year with a financial institution.
With hard work, he built up a collection of contributions that proved
nearly irresistible to both recruiters and decision-makers. When his job
offer with this big name law firm arrived, he was forced to turn it down
because relocation was required and the cost differential was not factored
in. He relayed the fact that, much to his regret, his family could not
afford the decrease. Because his position was not perceived as one of
greed, the firm restructured a bit and found a spot for him locally. Great
money, great firm, great offer, great future!
Andy executed a different strategy. Several years ago he had accepted a
job offer and then 3 months later resigned to accept a better one. Six
months later Andy was downsized. He came to me claiming he had only 3
weeks to find a job and attempted to severely negotiate my fee. I found
his behavior insincere and unattractive. However after 6 weeks and a lot
of grooming, his job offer came and a lucrative one it was. For Andy no
offer could have been lucrative enough because he always felt the need to
negotiate. Without basis or substantiation and against my counsel, today
he went back to the company and asked for more. As he put it, "It might
work!"
And so went the week at Worthington Career Services. Beginning Monday Eric
is off to Hawaii with his family. Andy is still negotiating, and perhaps
for no more than $1000 and an ego, he may be forced to continue his
search. Let's see it's now three weeks till Thanksgiving. So much for fear
and greed!
