Blog entries July 2009
07/27/2009Do You Have the Courage to Get Hired?
Since when do you have to be brave to get a job? Since the job market became so challenging to conquer! Layoffs - old news, high unemployment - old news!
Newsflash - companies are hiring. They never really stopped and although the numbers of job openings have significantly increased in the last 60 days there continues to be all those great candidates. I was not surprised when I heard that a company had received 600 resumes for a Director of Logistics/Supply Chain Management opening. So the puzzle continues to be how one gets the attention of the decision makers toward the ultimate job offers! Someone will get hired!
If you job search is stalled and you either know of job opportunities or need to find those needles in haystacks, do you have the courage? Comfort zone aside are you willing to do the following?
Cold Call an individual currently working at a company you want to pursue. The very term "cold call" terrorizes candidates because they can't image a more unattractive activity. But with LinkedIn, a vehicle used to connect folks for the common good, approaching an individual for information or assistance should be far more user-friendly. The key is not to be embarrassed because you're calling for the assistance of another and to prepare your message in advance.
"I noted in your LinkedIn profile that you work at the Cleveland Clinic. I am pursuing an opportunity with your organization. Would you be able to spend 10 minutes by phone with me?"
Going Beyond the Call of Duty - Rather than answer one question after another on an interview, do you have the courage to prepare and deliver a message or presentation, factored into the employer's interview methodology? I knew of a candidate for a Product Manager's position in consumer products who, prior to the second interview, visited the stores that carried the merchandise and actually conducted a survey as to why consumer chose to purchase the product. She walked in with presentation in-hand and gracefully gave a very unexpected but impressive PowerPoint. Would you?
Interview for a job in another city. Let's face it. The best opportunity just might be outside your zip code. If financially and family feasible, this is not a bad thing. With the presence of technology and the globalization of business, changing your home base might save your home, your kids' colleague tuition and give your career a healthy dose of advancement. Remember there's a McDonald's on every corner and the mall's never that far away.
Remember if every job for which you apply involves 600 resumes you will have to be creative to distinguish yourself from all others and position your visibility as the candidate of choice. Do you have the courage?
Janice Worthington
07/06/2009Give Me a Reason to Believe!...from Your Neighborhood HR Manager
Join us for a Webinar on July 22
In today's competitive job market many baby boomers and Gen Y's view age as barrier when trying to secure employment opportunities. Join Career Coach Janice Worthington on Wednesday July 22nd as she explores if age is truly the deal breaker.
Title: Age Discrimination...Fact or Fiction?
Date: Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EDT
After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.
System Requirements PC-based attendees Required: Windows 2000, XP Home, XP Pro, 2003 Server, Vista Macintosh- based attendees Required: Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) or newer
Space is limited. Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/407757552_____________________________________________________________________
Dear Job Seekers,
My company is beginning to hire again and I want to hire you! But you have to help me! There are hundreds of candidates for each of my job openings so here's some help:
- Keep that resume relevant and make sure I know what you are. I don't care that you think you are a "highly-motivated" self starter with fantastic oral and written communication skills." Are you in purchasing, sales, accounting or production? I could use some help here!
- Were you any good at those jobs on that resume? If all you provide is a job history with descriptions, oh you'll qualify all right but so will half the world! So what are the odds of an invitation? Not a good as a coin toss. Are those odds good enough for you? They wouldn't be for me!
- Stop with the point and click! Have a plan for your job search. If you know what you do and what you have to offer seek organizations who hire those positions and make yourself known. How, you ask? Go to LinkedIn and research! Ask folks you know who they know! But plan to pick up the phone. Computers never hired anyone!
- Interview uniquely! Understand that hiring is a result of messaging that which will motivate an employer to buy! If you simply deliver standard canned answers to my seemingly boring questions, why should I select you over others? If you can't answer that one I sure can't!
The key here? If you want my job offer know yourself enough to know what I need and how you can deliver. If you spend your time telling me what you want out of the next job I won't buy it! If you connect with me by offering yourself as my solution you'll rise above the rest!
Janice Worthington