Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Avoiding Landmines of Job Search
Don't you wish there was a GPS for job search? We could all start at a designated point and simply program a satellite to reach the job offer destination. Locating the job offer ranks as one of the greatest mysteries of our time because not only are we not provided a roadmap but there is no vehicle either! And to make matters worse, many of us have are unsure of our destination.
How do we resist the temptation of making tactical errors without MapQuest? Here are a few suggestions:
Don't claim to be different - Candidates need to remember that in this era of team play and relationship bonding, a Bohemian, while cool on Friday nights can be disastrous to the business machine on Monday morning. Employers cringe at the thought of potential incompatibility.
Don't submit salary requirements! - Employers know they have a naive candidate when a job seeker complies with that seemingly mandatory request, "Only those with salary requirements will be considered." Generally employers don't eliminate a compelling candidate because he is wise enough to realize that he who mentions money first loses.
Don't cocoon! - Don't be too tired, too busy or too proud to network. With the inevitable change in climate, soon it will be tempting to stay in and watch Monday night football. It's not who you know... its who knows you!
Watch that wardrobe! - During election years I tape all political debates to use as teaching tools. It's amazing what we learn when we remove the sound. Remember, before employers hear you, they see you and therein lies the real initial impression. If you are unsure regarding your image get help!
Finally, be prepared to make a few mistakes and know that they happen to everyone. Just remember that the greater your awareness of job search mine fields the more likely you'll be savvy enough to avoid them.
How do we resist the temptation of making tactical errors without MapQuest? Here are a few suggestions:
Don't claim to be different - Candidates need to remember that in this era of team play and relationship bonding, a Bohemian, while cool on Friday nights can be disastrous to the business machine on Monday morning. Employers cringe at the thought of potential incompatibility.
Don't submit salary requirements! - Employers know they have a naive candidate when a job seeker complies with that seemingly mandatory request, "Only those with salary requirements will be considered." Generally employers don't eliminate a compelling candidate because he is wise enough to realize that he who mentions money first loses.
Don't cocoon! - Don't be too tired, too busy or too proud to network. With the inevitable change in climate, soon it will be tempting to stay in and watch Monday night football. It's not who you know... its who knows you!
Watch that wardrobe! - During election years I tape all political debates to use as teaching tools. It's amazing what we learn when we remove the sound. Remember, before employers hear you, they see you and therein lies the real initial impression. If you are unsure regarding your image get help!
Finally, be prepared to make a few mistakes and know that they happen to everyone. Just remember that the greater your awareness of job search mine fields the more likely you'll be savvy enough to avoid them.
Labels: job search
Monday, August 25, 2008
Leading Edge Communications
We all know that first impressions can determine whether doors open for us but many times we still fail to pay attention to our communication tools. From voice mail to e-mail it's critical to being a potential hiring relationship with a professional image.
We have found a way for employers to see view your resume directly from your email. Job seekers need to display the best of themselves in email signatures. So in addition to your name, phone number, email and LinkedIn profile here's how we display resumes with just a point and click from an email: www.myresume.us.com
While we're on the subject, please get the baby off of your voice mail. Also the digital lady isn't really impressive either! If you have automated voice mail please prepare a professional message with your voice!
We have found a way for employers to see view your resume directly from your email. Job seekers need to display the best of themselves in email signatures. So in addition to your name, phone number, email and LinkedIn profile here's how we display resumes with just a point and click from an email: www.myresume.us.com
While we're on the subject, please get the baby off of your voice mail. Also the digital lady isn't really impressive either! If you have automated voice mail please prepare a professional message with your voice!
Thursday, August 07, 2008
A Job Seekers Success Formula
We all know that if we change nothing... Nothing changes...Our job seekers practice the following: Remember some are more difficult than others!
1. Will only see a half-full glass and have no "stinkin' thinkin."
2. Will not waste time, but will design a weekly search schedule.
3. Will not accept rejection as personal, just business.
4. Will concern myself with those things over which I have direct control, and
not those things over which I have no control.
5. Will involve my family and friends and keep them involved.
6. Will not expect the next job to fall into my lap. I am a hunter!
7. Will not daydream my way into my next job.
8. Will not place blame on others, only on myself, will control my job change.
9. Will complete a minimum of 50-150 job-hunting activities weekly.
10. Will read everything I can to improve my position in this search.
11. Will give myself permission to try.
12. Will give myself permission to fail.
13. Will give myself permission to ask for help.
14. Will give myself permission to make mistakes.
15. Will give myself permission to succeed!
1. Will only see a half-full glass and have no "stinkin' thinkin."
2. Will not waste time, but will design a weekly search schedule.
3. Will not accept rejection as personal, just business.
4. Will concern myself with those things over which I have direct control, and
not those things over which I have no control.
5. Will involve my family and friends and keep them involved.
6. Will not expect the next job to fall into my lap. I am a hunter!
7. Will not daydream my way into my next job.
8. Will not place blame on others, only on myself, will control my job change.
9. Will complete a minimum of 50-150 job-hunting activities weekly.
10. Will read everything I can to improve my position in this search.
11. Will give myself permission to try.
12. Will give myself permission to fail.
13. Will give myself permission to ask for help.
14. Will give myself permission to make mistakes.
15. Will give myself permission to succeed!
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Negotiations Begin with the Interview
Present yourself as the solution to a problem. Every job opening represents a problem the employer is trying to solve. The problem may be a positive one, such as trying to keep up with strong sales leads, but it's just as much a problem for the employer as a negative one, such as trying to breathe new life into a failing product line. Focus on identifying the employer's problem; then you can show how hiring you will be the perfect solution.
Use your research to position yourself. Before the first interview, you found out as much about the company as possible. Use that information to position your skills and experience in terms of the company's needs.
Be enthusiastic-but not eager. A prospective employer certainly wants executives who are enthusiastic about the work. However, you don't want to seem too eager. If you give the employer the impression that this is the job you've always dreamed of having, they may feel they can pay you in job satisfaction, rather than money. Don't make them think you'd pay them for the chance to do this job!
Have alternatives, and let the employer know you have them. It's poor strategy to pin all your hopes on one possibility-- and not just because you're stuck if that possibility fails. You can negotiate with more confidence if you have a secure backup plan. Also, this can enhance your value in the employer's eyes, which can result in a more favorable employment agreement.
If you keep these ideas in mind during the interview stage, you're more likely to be able to negotiate an agreement that will mark the beginning of a positive employer-employee relationship.
Use your research to position yourself. Before the first interview, you found out as much about the company as possible. Use that information to position your skills and experience in terms of the company's needs.
Be enthusiastic-but not eager. A prospective employer certainly wants executives who are enthusiastic about the work. However, you don't want to seem too eager. If you give the employer the impression that this is the job you've always dreamed of having, they may feel they can pay you in job satisfaction, rather than money. Don't make them think you'd pay them for the chance to do this job!
Have alternatives, and let the employer know you have them. It's poor strategy to pin all your hopes on one possibility-- and not just because you're stuck if that possibility fails. You can negotiate with more confidence if you have a secure backup plan. Also, this can enhance your value in the employer's eyes, which can result in a more favorable employment agreement.
If you keep these ideas in mind during the interview stage, you're more likely to be able to negotiate an agreement that will mark the beginning of a positive employer-employee relationship.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Why I Love LinkedIn
I love LinkedIn.com. If you haven't tried it go visit. If you're a professional, it is the best social networking vehicle on the Internet. There's no charge for membership and you might find everything from your next job to your next movie choice. Once someone responds to your resume, before they invite you in for an interview they might want to see your LinkedIn profile. Do you have one? But even more intriguing is that fact that as soon as you learn the name of the hiring manager you can find him on LinkedIn also! Great way to have an advantage!
The thing to remember using LinkedIn is that people join the network for their own networking reasons. They have joined to also 'look' for other networking contacts for the same reason that you have. So, being a good "networker" also means that you should accept referrals and contacts as you would have others accept yours. For every person you help in making a connection you now have another 'friend' that can possibly, and will, help you in making your next connection that could lead to that special 'In' which gets you your next job. Need help with all this? I'm on LinkedIn Now What? by Jason Alba is the best tutorial on the market.
The thing to remember using LinkedIn is that people join the network for their own networking reasons. They have joined to also 'look' for other networking contacts for the same reason that you have. So, being a good "networker" also means that you should accept referrals and contacts as you would have others accept yours. For every person you help in making a connection you now have another 'friend' that can possibly, and will, help you in making your next connection that could lead to that special 'In' which gets you your next job. Need help with all this? I'm on LinkedIn Now What? by Jason Alba is the best tutorial on the market.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Get Over Yourself!
As if we don't have enough problems, now this? What exactly does "get over yourself mean?"
Several years ago a CFO client hired me to write his resume but he came kicking and screaming. After all, he felt he was a great writer and he had purchased a resume book which he kept in a plain brown bag. Predictably his template resume, copied from a sample, proved to be much wearing someone else's contact lenses. It blurred his message to the employer and no one responded. So I strategized, configured and produced a compelling product customized to deliver his unique background. He could run a financial organization but he really couldn't strategize his resume. Tough to admit!
Now he was receiving invitations to interview! I could see he also needed help with behavioral interviewing and explaining the circumstances under which he left his former employer, but when I suggested interview coaching he smiled and indicated surely the fact that he had interviewed people for years would suffice.
Of course once he lost a great opportunity because someone else "out-interviewed" him, he came back and purchased a coaching package. The amount he saved in going back to work with a lucrative offer sooner rather than later brought immediate return on his investment. But again he had come back kicking and screaming.
Today he is tucked away running a big company. But he often guests at my speaking engagements and mentors my executives and managers. His first commandment? "Get Over Yourself!"
Several years ago a CFO client hired me to write his resume but he came kicking and screaming. After all, he felt he was a great writer and he had purchased a resume book which he kept in a plain brown bag. Predictably his template resume, copied from a sample, proved to be much wearing someone else's contact lenses. It blurred his message to the employer and no one responded. So I strategized, configured and produced a compelling product customized to deliver his unique background. He could run a financial organization but he really couldn't strategize his resume. Tough to admit!
Now he was receiving invitations to interview! I could see he also needed help with behavioral interviewing and explaining the circumstances under which he left his former employer, but when I suggested interview coaching he smiled and indicated surely the fact that he had interviewed people for years would suffice.
Of course once he lost a great opportunity because someone else "out-interviewed" him, he came back and purchased a coaching package. The amount he saved in going back to work with a lucrative offer sooner rather than later brought immediate return on his investment. But again he had come back kicking and screaming.
Today he is tucked away running a big company. But he often guests at my speaking engagements and mentors my executives and managers. His first commandment? "Get Over Yourself!"
Monday, July 07, 2008
Do You Practice Interviewing?
While this appears to be a simple question a lot of job seekers don't know where to begin or are too embarrassed to approach a listener. Then when they appear in front of an employer they stumble and leave knowing it didn't go well. Lots of folks believe they will do well on interviews because they can "wing it" in other conversations. But today's interviewing is far too sophisticated.
If "where do I begin?" is puzzling you remember that employers really only want to know several things. They include:
1. What about your experience will cause us to want to pay you?
2. Why don't you want to work at the last place you worked?
3. Why should you land the offer when there are so many other great candidates?
4. Why choose our company over all of the others?
5. Why did you do what you did?
Practice answering these questions! Remember you may struggle as you formulate your answers but don't give up! Become fluent and fluid and you will be on your way to holding a great interview!
If "where do I begin?" is puzzling you remember that employers really only want to know several things. They include:
1. What about your experience will cause us to want to pay you?
2. Why don't you want to work at the last place you worked?
3. Why should you land the offer when there are so many other great candidates?
4. Why choose our company over all of the others?
5. Why did you do what you did?
Practice answering these questions! Remember you may struggle as you formulate your answers but don't give up! Become fluent and fluid and you will be on your way to holding a great interview!
Labels: interview questions
