Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Giving, Getting and Leveraging Recommendations (Audio Link)

For those who would need a little help with this topic, take a listen ... I think this audio file runs about 30 minutes, so you may want to have it play in the background as you exercise, do chores or are otherwise engaged. My hope is that you glean at least one good, actionable idea from the time you invest in tuning in.

http://surkanstance.blogspot.com/2009/12/job-search-tales-how-to-get.html

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Leveraging Conferences, Trade Shows and Other Job Search Ideas

In this competitive job market, perhaps more than ever before, it's simply good business practice to maintain and build upon your professional network. This sounds like a "no brainer," but many job seekers have been caught off guard now that they are unexpectedly in transition. They have had to jump-start their efforts to build their network and/or reputation in the industry ... sometimes both.

ESPECIALLY if you are not employed, it is a good idea to attend industry conferences and tradeshows, as well as regularly-scheduled industry/organization events. Doing so will not only help your psyche, but will help you keep pace with regulations, competitive offerings, and other market drivers that shape and affect your industry. In addition, such events provide job seekers with an excellent opportunity to remain highly visible and network and promote their capabilities. In fact, many who are in transition are now doing volunteer work at such organizations, which enhances their skills, builds their reputations, and boosts their pipeline of reference sources. In a best-case scenario, it may serve as a stepping stone for the next great job!

In terms of other activities that can help with your job search, check out Linkedin or ask your network of friends and family of they know of someone in the industry who may actually be in a role similar to one that you are ideally seeking. If you cannot find someone in a similar role, identify someone close enough to the job that they have a peripheral understanding. Offer to meet them for coffee. It will be worth the cost of treating them. Each time I've networked for job-related reasons, I've gotten good tidbits of information, even if it did not ultimately lead to a job, itself. I also enjoyed the networking experience and have kept up with many of those I have networked with in the past, and vice versa. In many cases, I've reciprocated over the years. THAT'S what it's all about. I believe you can never know too many people.

In terms of guarding against transitioning into industries that may be a "fad," I also think that using the Bureau of Labor Statistics to see evidence of where the jobs/industries are going (shrinking or growing) is a great way to gain insight.

Also, to get you to take action in a more structured way, make a "To Do" list. My grandma always told me to "Write it down on paper." In her experience, memorializing fleeting thoughts crystallized them, resulting in a clearer sense of what needed to get done and provided a visual map of the order in which to best tackle such steps. In addition such a list serves as a checklist; and for most people, crossing things off your list will likely give you a sense of accomplishment. There are even some statistics that demonstrate that you are more likely to follow through if things are solidified on paper!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

What to Do When Your Reference Sources are NOT on Linkedin

Dan asked, “If I ask for recommendations, will that tip off my currently employer that I am looking?”

(My response)
That’s always possible. I recognize that some may see a recommendation and think, "Hmmmm ... Dan must be thinking about leaving," but Linkedin is not just a social networking site that people consult when they are out of work or seeking work. It's a business networking site, and more and more, it's becoming commonplace to see recommendations for folks who are actively employed. The more this happens, the fewer eyebrows will be raised when they see one. Of course, each person must determine what they are comfortable with.

If you pursue recommendations, it’s a REALLY good idea to get recommendations from different disciplines (e.g., types of colleagues from other departments, ones that address different strengths that each candidate brings to bear, etc.) as well as different levels of current/former colleagues. I also added "current" because many people wait to leave a company to get references, but I say, "Strike while the iron is hot!"

Here’s one other comment from another of my Linkedin group members that may be helpful:

Agostina wrote, "Marissa, I agree that recommendations are very appreciated by employers in today’s job market where skills and qualifications for candidates are getting higher day by day. Thus, recommendations can make the difference when choosing talent. There´s a very interesting site that I recently discovered for the mere purpose of recommendations (both for getting recommended and endorsing others). Here´s the link: http://www.linkedin.com/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Fmeritbuilder%2Ecom%2F&urlhash=S5zM "

Good luck, and I hope this helps you with your recommendations.

More Advice for Those Having Difficulty Securing Linkedin Recommendations

As a follow up to my blog on Linkedin, I have received several questions that likely apply to others, so I am posting them here to further help the job seeker community.

Theodora stated, “There are firms that do not permit their employees to link in via their office computers, and there are firms that do not permit their employees to give written recommendations. Is there a way to overcome this?”

(My response)
Yes, I know of a number of firms who do not permit employees to access Linkedin or other sites on company computers. I also have worked for companies who do not permit employees to provide references in writing. This is a great question to pose to the other members her, or to your outplacement firm. In terms of helping to beef up your references on Linkedin, consider getting references from peers, employees who may have reported to you or others in the organization with whom you’ve worked well and who respect your work. For now, get as many written and on electronic Linkedin references as you can from others. For now, my advice insofar as getting those on Linkedin who are not permitted to provide written feedback, is to work around this by securing these references for later on in the process. For those who cannot provide references in writing, have them provide a telephone reference when you are in final-round interviews.

Another idea is to take excerpts of positive emails you’ve received from co-workers (or a few of the most favorable emails, themselves) from these individuals and craft one document with these excerpts. Many folks send me resumes and a few have begun to attach reference lists which contain "sound bites" from Linkedin and written letters of recommendation. Why not just capture some comments that were not specifically intended as recommendations, but which provide insight into your work ethic, ability to be a team player, etc. Doing this will likely address the employer’s need. I would also suggest that you proactively put a Reference List together of names, titles, phone numbers and email addresses (for those permitted to comment in writing) of ALL references and at the appropriate time (if possible), offer it to employers early on while at live interviews.

Good luck!

Sam asked, “How/where do I ask for a recommendation through Linkedin?”

(My response)
Perhaps the outplacement firm you are going to or someone in your network there or outside of it can explain it in a step-by-step fashion, but if you click on recommendations on the left-hand side, you can access "Recommendations" through the side navigation menu. You can also go into your profile, click on a job, and then click through the list of those you worked with at a particular company. You then can ask those you select to recommend you. Just be sure that before you ask for a recommendation, that you are within the job/company at which those you are requesting recommendations from worked with you. As a third alternative, on the bottom of Linkedin, there is a "Learning Center."

Dona asked, “Similar question as Sam’s request: How do you post a recommendation that was emailed to me...and post to public profile page. Where on my LinkedIn profile is this section located? Thank you, in advance, for your assistance in answering this question.”

(My response)
In my view, the quickest way is through the Linkedin “Learning Center" for your question (or to network with someone at the outplacement firm from which you are receiving services or others in your network who may be able to walk you through the process).

Also, if those who wrote recommendations are members of Linkedin already, just send them the paragraph that they wrote and ask them if they would submit it formally through the Linkedin system. If you think they need a little encouragement to compel them to do so, copy and past my discussion that addresses the "Importance of Recommendations on Linkedin ... and How to Get them."

Monday, November 23, 2009

Linkedin Recommendations: How to get them when none (or few) of your contacts are on Linkedin

In order for a profile to be deemed complete in Linkedin, it must have a minimum of three recommendations.

I was just asked this question.

“Those who have managed me or I have done business with are not on Linkedin! It is terribly frustrating for me to look at my profile and see it is incomplete. I have searched names dating back to 2001 of people I have worked with or sold to in the past and I have 0 results. If I had former associates that were on Linkedin I could have plenty of recommendations. Unfortunately I can't. What advice do you have in this situation?”

Here’s my two cents on this …

My first suggestion is to get their email addresses and invite them to join Linkedin. Linkedin is a business networking site, and is not just for job seekers, so it is beneficial for them to join.

For those social-network hesitant types, I'd call or email each and let them know that you're in the midst of a job search, and indicate the growing importance of recommendations. If they are open to writing one, ask them to email their recommendation to you so that you can post it and others to your public profile page. BE SURE TO GET THEIR PERMISSION TO POST SUCH REFERENCES ON YOUR LINKEDIN PROFILE FIRST, as your public profile is searchable and indexed by Google. This means that anyone searching your reference's name in a browser search bar will see their recommendation. If they respect your work, it's likely most if not all will not have an issue with this. MAKE SURE YOUR REFERENCE UNDERSTANDS THAT THEIR NAME AND TITLE WILL BE REFERENCED UNDER ANY RECOMMENDATION THEY PROVIDE. For example: "Andrew is a seasoned medical devices sales professional ... Marissa Marsala, Former Director of Marketing, Work/Life Benefits."

Another suggestion is to prepare a running list document of all recommendations received to date and attach it to your resume submissions.

Try these two suggestions. If you or others need more or if others have other ideas, they or I will add to this discussion thread.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

The Importance of Linked Recommendations & Tips to Get Them

More and more, employers and search firms are turning to Linkedin to “separate the wheat from the chaff” and improve their chances of hiring someone who will be successful in a job. In addition to checking for common contacts on a job seeker’s Linkedin profile, they are beginning to rely more on Linkedin recommendations to get additional “insurance” when making a hire. In fact, if you look closely, a growing number of job postings state that candidates with X number (fill in the blank) of Linkedin recommendations will be more strongly considered. If you do not have eight to ten recommendations, (ideally one to two from each employer, and ideally from the person to whom you reported and either a colleague partner or subordinate), you need to “get busy!”

For those out of work, their self esteem may understandably have "taken a pounding," but it's important to center yourself and remember who you've been professionally. Think about the many obstacles you've overcome and the many successes you've contributed to. Also, reflect about which skills and experience you possess that are "head and shoulders" over others in your arena. Once you've done that, it's time to think about who you've worked with who has respected your work, your work ethics, skills, or has enjoyed partnering with you. Make a list and send them a request to write a recommendation. If you need them to focus on a specific area, ask them if they are comfortable writing a recommendation that focuses on X strength, XX strength, or XXX strength. In other words, suggest some things they may be able to write about you that are important for those in hiring capacities to know about you. This gives others a better idea of what to focus on, and helps you support your credentials.

To ease into a request for a recommendation, you might consider the following:

"I am in the process of exploring job opportunities, and wondered if you would be comfortable writing a brief recommendation for me. If you are open to this and have time, it would be great if you could focus on some of the skills that I am trying to leverage, namely, my X skills, XX background, or my XXX industry experience.

Many thanks, in advance,"

For those who are uncomfortable asking for a recommendation, try this:SELECTIVELY provide recommendations on an unsolicited basis for those with whom you've enjoyed working or otherwise have interacted professionally, and whose work you respect. There's nothing like getting a recommendation to make someone's day, and often, if a recipient feels similarly, they may write a recommendation for you, as well. It's best not to expect someone for whom you've written a recommendation to reciprocate in return, but if they opt to "return the favor," it's always a welcome gesture, and will help build your online credibility and reputation. So go ahead, make someone’s day!I hope these tips prove to be helpful in building your repertoire of recommendations.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Inspiration and Advice for Weary Job Seekers

''We judge ourselves by what we feel capable of doing, while others judge us by what we have already done.''

(Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)
 
The above-captioned quote came to mind tonight after a very enjoyable conversation with one of the members here. I first read it many years ago is a company newsletter that was shared with me (back in the days when we used paper!). I read it several times and was struck by how profound those words really are. They have remained with me.

Bear this in mind as you navigate through your job search journey. Artfully position yourself for the next great job by relating your skills/what you have done) to what you know you are capable of doing. It's about positioning, and laying out a compelling story that makes business and common sense.

Also remember, if a hiring manager cannot see your value, no matter how compelling a picture you paint, move on. Consider it one of life's little signs and "a blessing." It likely is the universe's way of letting you know the fit is not there.

It's always best to work for an employer and company that is broadminded, has vision, is transparent, and one that sees, recognizes and rewards the value that you bring to the table.
Regardless of the job market, I suggest you set your sites as high as possible, yet remain realistic and flexible. In short, always start with the end goal in mind.

Most of all, remember who you are, the many skills you bring to bear, the obstacles you've overcome and successes you've enjoyed.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Candidate “Chatter” – Questions Asked & Answered

Here are some responses to questions I've gotten from candidates recently:

How effective is networking – really?
Just over a year ago, it was estimated that 61% of jobs were landed through networking. For me, that was hard to believe as many of the jobs I’ve landed, I found on the Internet. When I thought about it, though, many of the recent ones were gotten as a result of relationships with people who opened doors or kept them open, in terms of giving me a glowing reference.

Today, newspaper ads are regarded as antiquated dinosaurs, and even the most un-technically-savvy are turning to the Internet to post jobs. Also, recent estimates are that 70-75% of jobs are gotten as a result of networking. This is not to say that candidates are not finding and applying to jobs on the Internet. However, networking with others who can get a candidate’s resume (or better yet, a candidate!) in front of someone inside of that candidate’s target company provides them with a much-needed edge.

Resume Formats: Many candidates have asked me about functional resumes vs. traditional formats. My “take” is that it depends on many factors, key among them:

1) Whether you are trying to change careers or industries or are returning to the workforce (which may require repositioning your skills or de-emphasizing periods of unemployment).
2) Whether your resume is/is not getting a good response rate.
3) How adept you are at positioning/marketing yourself relative to the job or jobs you are after.
4) Your skill at selecting the right action verbs to make your resume more powerful (If interested, request my verb list -- organized by skills categories).
5) Your ability to position your accomplishments in a compelling, result-oriented manner. I look for the "wow factor" in a resume, meaning, the ability for that resume to get the person reviewing the resume to say "wow" two to three times. I subscribe to the statistic that relates to things setting in/being memorable in groups of three. (If you listen to many radio spots or TV commercials, a number will be repeated three times. If this holds true, if you can get the resume reviewer to (even subliminally), say, “Wow!” three times, you will get a call. It's always best when possible to not only state WHAT you've done, but to state what the impact was (HOW or WHY it made a difference.). If your resume is not achievement based, then chances are that it reads more like a job description that anyone in that job before could have written. The lesson? Change your “So, what?” statements into “Oh, wow!" ones.
6) If a resume is MORE than two pages, it would be prudent, to consult a competent professional who can critique resumes. Most persons reviewing resumes these days are looking for very specific keywords and/or accomplishments. (When possible, ensure that your resume contains the very words they have placed in their ad/posting. Some employers use keyword searches to review resumes or keyword and/or parsing software. There are varying stats on this, but most experts say that the average time spent reviewing a resume is as little as 13-17 seconds. Hint: Aside from extracting keywords from the posting you are applying to, look at similar jobs. You will note that some employers/search firms actually disclose the key words right on the posting! What could be easier?!! (The analogy of shooting fish in a barrel comes to mind.)
7) If you have difficulty catching typos or other grammatical errors, it would be prudent to have others you trust proofread your resume or get a professional to review it. Aside from spell check, a good technique to catch typos is to read your resume backwards, so that typos stand out. The human brain likes to mentally “fix” typos, so it is very easy for errors to be missed. In addition, try to keep your bullets and form/sentence structure as consistent as possible, as it makes your resume more fluid and assists those reviewing it, making the review process more pleasant.

Hope these tips help. Have other questions? Please write to me at marissa@employerandcandidateconnection.com. You can also request a copy of my verb list.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Some GENERAL and SPECIALIZED Job Sites (URLs) to Assist Job Seekers

I had compiled this list for some folks I was helping some time ago, and thought it might be useful. Some may no longer be operational. I hope this proves to be useful.

HEALTHCARE/MEDICAL:
Health Opportunities www.healthopps.com
Health Careers www.healthcareerweb.com
Nursing Careers www.nursingwebsearch.com
Healthcare Jobs www.healthcaresource.com
Healthcare Jobs www.healthleader.com
Hospital Jobs www.hospitaljobsonline.com
Healthcare Jobs www.jobinhealthcare.com
Medical Jobs www.medzilla.com
Physicians/Healthcare Jobs www.practicechoice.com
Physicians Employment www.physemp.com
Healthcare Jobs www.miracleworkers.com
Jobs in Healthcare www.jobscience.com
Health Jobs www.healthjobsusa.com
Healthcare Jobs Online www.hcjobsonline.com
Health Jobs www.healthjobsite.com
Medical Jobs www.medhunters.com
Physician Jobs www.docjob.com
National Institute of Health www.nih.gov/science/opportunities.html
American Medical Association www.ama-assn.org

You might try these:
www.getmedicalsalesjobs.com
www.health-care.careerbuilder.com/
www.hotjobs.yahoo.com/jobs-c-healthcare
www.medicalworkers.com
www.medicaljobsonline.com/
www.allhealthcarejobs.com/
www.healthcarejobs.org
www.nationjob.com/medical/
www.healthcareerweb.com/
www.medhunters.com/
www.cliniccareers.cpca.org/
www.HealthJobsStartHere.com
www.HealthJobsUSA.com
www.medjobscout.com/
www.medreps.com

http://careercenter.ins1.org/search/browse/
http://www.apic.org/scriptcontent/custom/careers/autologin.cfm?
section=job_bank2 (must register)

www.infectioncontrolcareers.com
http://careercenter.ins1.org/search/browse/

SCIENCE
Jobs in Science http://jobscience.com
Lab Jobs www.labsupport.com
American Chemical Society www.acs.org
Society of Chemical Industry www.chemind.org
Pharmaceutical Jobs www.pharmajobs.com
Pharmaceutical Jobs www.pharmacyweek.com
Science Jobs www.scijobs.com
Bio Jobs www.bio.com
Biopharmaceuticals www.bioview.com
Bio Career Center www.biocareer.com
Biosite www.biosite.com
Health Care Recruiters www.hrcnetwork.com
Bio Space www.biospace.com
Pharma Diversity job board www.pharmadiversity.com

EXECUTIVE JOBS
6 Figure Jobs www.6figurejobs.com
Executive Jobs in Non-Profits www.ceoupdate.com
ExecuNet (fee-based-but free trial) www.execunet.com
Executive Search www.execsearches.com
Executives Only (fee) www.executivesonly.com
Netshare (fee) www.netshare.com
Top Echelon www.topechelon.com
Big Dogs www.bigdogjobs.com
Blue Steps (fee) www.bluesteps.com
Career Ctr. for Board & Exec Level www.stybelpeabody.com
Executive Classifieds www.executiveclassifieds.com
Executives Only (fee) www.executivesonly.com
Vice President Jobs www.vicepresidentjobs.com
Executive Trumpet (fee) http://www.executivetrumpet.com/
The Ladders (access to some, fee) www.TheLadders.com (all jobs over $100K)

GENERAL
www.headhunter.com (aka, jobcentral.com)
www.monster.com
www.careerbuilder.com
www.hotjobs.com
www.yahoojobs.com (another great one)
www.flipdog.com
www.directemployers.com (Has positions posted by health care companies)
www.jobanimal.com
www.linkedin.com
Beyond Jobs www.beyond.com
CA Unemployment Development Div. www.edd.ca.gov

MARKETING-SPECIFIC:
AMA (American Marketing Assoc.) www.marketingpower.com
Marketing Jobs www.marketingjobs.com
The Ladders www.marketingladders.com (some can be viewed at no cost)

Note: Engineers will also want to look at www.dice.com.

WEB CRAWLERS/SPIDERS (Reach out and pull jobs from other sites)
www.jobster.com
www.indeed.com
www.simplyhired.com

Monday, October 12, 2009

7 Steps to Take When Considering a Career Change

Check out this recent article: 7 Steps to a Career Change:

http://internsover40.blogspot.com/2009/10/7-steps-to-career-change.html

Here's my take:

Some excellent insights. I agree with the idea of looking before you leap and like the ideas offered, and especially agree with the idea of attending trade shows. In addition, check out Linkedin or ask your network of friends and family of they know of someone in the industry who may actually be in that role (doing the job) or close enough to the job to chat with. Offer to meet them for coffee. It will be worth the cost of treating them. Each time I've networked, I've gotten good tidbits of information, even if it did not ultimately lead to a job, itself. I also enjoyed the networking experience and have kept up with many of those I have networked with in the past, and vice versa. In many cases, I've reciprocated over the years. THAT'S what it's all about. I believe you can never know too many people.

In terms of guarding against transitioning into industries that may be a "fad," I also think that using the Bureau of Labor Statistics to see evidence of where the jobs/industries are going (shrinking or growing) is a great way to gain insight. The article mentioned this source, but not in terms of using it for this purpose, so I thought I'd punctuate this point.

Getting a job as a volunteer in a professional organization for the industry you are interested in or if possible, in the industry itself (e.g., if you want to go into nursing, you might volunteer to be a candy striper or otherwise help out at a hospital or clinic), was another great suggestion. Another way to get into an industry is to intern if you are enrolled at a college that offers internships. Some will allow you to intern for credit, while others will pay you. It's a great way to see a company "from the inside out," make contacts and also gain insights about the industry/company to assess whether it is a fit. Moreover, it could help land you a job once you finish your program. This has often been the case, as the employer also is evaluating whether you could be a fit for THEM down the line.

I also agree with the idea of putting it on paper. My grandma always told me to "Write it down," and it would be clearer. Also, there are some statistics that demonstrate that you are more likely to follow through if things are they are memorialized on paper!

Friday, September 25, 2009

AT LONG LAST-!!! A Tool that Gets Job Seekers Oriented on How to Leverage the Networking Power of Linkedin.com!

Many job seekers for whom I provide coaching and consulting services have asked me to get them oriented on Linkedin. Given this, coupled with the video referenced below that I viewed this evening, I thought it might be helpful to memorialize some ideas for the job seekers out there.

http://internsover40.blogspot.com/2009/09/use-linkedin-to-find-job_24.html

Of course, many of the same principles can be applied for those in business or starting new businesses to find possible customers, suppliers, and business partners.

Some of the ideas tie DIRECTLY to my discussion about "A Networking Strategy that Can Really Open Doors," posted about one month ago.

There are also a few other ways to use Linkedin to find a job that were not touched upon, so I will briefly address them:

1) Look up jobs posted right on linked in by accessing the "Jobs" tab across the top left area. (This may seem obvious, but for any "newbies" to Linkedin.com, this site can be visually overwhelming, so I am pointing this out.
2) Groups: Access the "Groups" link and then "Find a Group" by entering key words that represent your industry, job category or title or generically may be of help (e.g., Businesswomen" groups). It's also a good idea to join HR, job, career, or other self-help groups (typing in similar key words). Often, jobs are posted under the "Jobs" tab of these groups (or their subgroups). I always say, when it comes to uncovering jobs, "Leave no stone unturned!"
3) To help you get an interview, be sure to ask for recommendations. One of the best ways to do this is to reach out and SELECTIVELY provide recommendations on an unsolicited basis for those with whom you've worked or otherwise done business, with whom you enjoyed working and/or respected their work. There's nothing like getting a recommendation to make someone's day, and often, if a recipient feels similarly, they may write a recommendation for you, as well. It's best not to expect someone for whom you've written a recommendation to reciprocate in return, but if they opt to "return the favor," it's always a welcome gesture, and will help build your online credibility and reputation.
4. While we all are guilty of making typos, make an effort to ensure that your profile is free of typos, complete, and compelling (it should answer the question, "Why should I contact and/or hire you?" MANY HR professionals consult Linkedin, so don't underestimate its power. Be sure to have a positioning statement at the top that provides a snapshot of who you are and what you can do for others viewing your profile. (Mine is not the "be all and end all, but if you're stumped, check it out" to get an idea of what you might include as a power statement in your profile.
5. Use the white "Update" bar on your profile page to let people know what you're up to and open to. If you are actively exploring opportunities in the XYZ industry, let your network and others who view your page know! (Note that if your settings are established properly, on a regular basis, others in your network will be made aware of what you are up to. This is a free promotional opportunity (commercial for you!), so don't pass it by!

There's so much more, but these are all very sound ways you can at harness the power of Linkedin.com to find your next great job.

__________

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Getting to the "Head of the Class" Leveraging Search Firms or Going it Alone: Within Limits, All's Fair in Love, War and Job Hunting!

Getting to the "Head of the Class" Leveraging Search Firms or Going it Alone: Within Limits, All's Fair in Love, War and Job Hunting!

Recently, I have been asked to excplain how search firms work. Over the course of my career, I have gotten several positions through search firms, and they can prove to be very useful, particularly when it is time to negotiating your compensation package. There are two basic "flavors" of search firms: retained and contingency - both are fully paid by the employer. Most companies do not use retained firms, and to cast a wider net, open job searches/job orders via numerous search firms that will be paid based on whether they refer the candidate who ultimately gets the job (contingency search). You may therefore see the same job posted by numerous search firms. There are many solid search firms out there, and in some cases, even if a job order is contingent, a certain search firm may have an excellent reputation or track record with a particular employer, or even enjoy a unique relationship with them. In such instances, submitting your resume through that search firm can prove to be highly successful, and could be your best route.

If a job is posted by BOTH an employer AND a search firm, my personal approach has been to FIRST apply to the job directly through the employer. This may provide an edge as candidates who do not come through a search firm cost less to an employer than if a candidate comes through a search firm (In terms of hard dollar costs; if, however, a job remains open for an extended period, it technically CAN cost an employer more in lost opportunity costs and other soft costs associated with waiting too long to fill a job.)

In the past, if I have not heard back from the employer WITHIN two weeks, I contact the company in an effort to identify the hiring manager is. In fact, I have sometimes done this preemptively when FIRST applying to a job. In this way, I have followed the prescribed process, but also have increased my chances of being contacted. Unfortunately, some HR professionals or hiring managers may screen out a resume for a variety of reasons, and you may not get a "chance at bat." For example, your resume may be set aside if the reviewer either does not have a good grasp of the job requirements or your credentials, does so when they are unfocused/distracted, or delegate tasks to others less experienced at sifting through resumes. Assuming that you are qualified, copying the hiring manager can also guard against getting screened out. It also shows initiative and may convey that you are highly interested or at a minimum, took the initiative to stand out among the sea of respondents. All things being equal, it may make the difference.

If, between two and three weeks I have not heard back, I have sometimes had luck having a search firm present me. (This can be work to your (and the search firm's) advantage if the employer does not capture resumes in a database or otherwise track candidates in a manner that allows for easy retrieval of their name. In this case, since it is the search firm who brings your credentials to the employer's attention, they often can successfully be paid for doing so. As a side note, I have always been upfront with search contacts, and personally feel that "Honesty of the best policy."

Since retained search firms generally have exclusive listings, some employers allow them a certain period of time to source and present candidates. If they do not produce viable candidates within that timeframe, employers who may be unwilling to wait may expand the search to other search firms (or ease up on their job requirements).

Although I also do some search work, myself, I do not discourage candidates from working with other search firms or feel that candidates are "spreading themselves too thinly" or will "look bad” or diminish their chances with prospective employers, even if your name is presented to the same employer by more than one search firm. I do not subscribe to this, and instead feel you need to keep all options open. Within reasonable limits, all is fair in love, war and the job market!

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

The Adage, “If You Fail to Plan, Then Plan to Fail” Also Relates to Initiating a Job Search. Winning Steps You Can Take to Combat Job-Seeker Paralysis

(Part II of II)

Yesterday, I introduced this topic and began providing those in transition who do not yet have a well thought out game plan, with concrete steps to help guide them. Outlined below is Part II of this self-help guide to a winning approach!

6. When you get back onto Linked in (or any Social network that allows you to link companies to people), whip out your target list of companies and begin searching by company for anyone you might know (or have known in the past) who currently works for each company (or who ever worked there, for that matter). You will be VERY surprised at how your connections can
7. Now make a list of the titles of positions that are on interest to you. If you need help with this, spend some time entering keywords and researching positions on www.indeed.com, www.careerbuilder.com, www.yahoojobs.com, www.linkedin.com, etc. There are also many other jobs listing resources including the Department of Labor site that can shed some light on professions that show signs of being in demand. If you are a management professional, you can also consult other resources such as the American Management Association (AMA) list of professions.
8. If you still have energy, make a list of the types of positions that the above positions would report to. This could help you gain entry into a company once you apply for a position. You can call a general number and ask to speak to the hiring manager based on their title, and ask their name. Making an effort to call and express your sincere interest can also improve your odds of being invited in for an interview. All things being equal, employers will invite those who seem genuinely interested in the job.
9. If you get invited for an interview or a telephone screening call, do your homework! Do what it takes to find out about they company, its products and services, current focus/direction, the industry in general (including the company’s competitors), and how the job you are pursuing fits in to the overall “scheme of things.” Whenever possible, weave any relevant information you have found into the discussion so that they will know you’ve done your due diligence. Employers will be very impressed that you put the time and energy into doing this. It can make all the difference! (In fact, I will likely post a dedicated discussion about a job I was fortunate to be offered because word spread among the management team about a rather unique effort I had made in this regard.)

My sincere hope is that these ideas will help you to calm your thoughts and get some clarity. Moreover, my wish is that they will serve as a springboard and propel you to take action. To focus your efforts, if you would like specific ideas and steps to take now that you have solidified your lists, please feel free to write. You can also refer to my blog referenced in Part I, “A Great Networking Strategy That Can Really Open Doors.”

Make your energy work for you!!! Open your mind and it will pay off and start to open doors.

The Adage, “If You Fail to Plan, Then Plan to Fail” Also Relates to Initiating a Job Search. Winning Steps You Can Take to Combat Job-Seeker Paralysis

(Part I of II)

I am currently assisting 35 folks, and when each received the news of their respective lay off, they diverged into two groups: One group was utterly shocked and immobilized, and the other (the vast majority), simply panicked, and their first instinct was to dive head-on into the job market without a moment's thought or planning. It is completely understandable, particularly when the shock begins to wear off and the shear terror relating to the harsh realities of today's job market begins to seep into a job seeker's every waking thought. I can certainly relate. The first time I was ever laid off, I had many restless/sleepless nights and at times, I had to resist the temptation to allow my worries to spiral out of control. Like so many, I was out of work many months. Those in transition today wonder how they will support themselves and their families and how long it take before they find gainful employment. They are also concerned about how their background stacks up against others with whom they are competing for the same jobs. Some improve their chances by opening their minds up to the possibility of relocating. It's tough; no two ways about it. So what's a worried job seeker to do if they haven't thought through a game plan?

Here are some specific steps that you can take to short-circuit the "worry, fear, doubt and panic" cycle to get a game plan together, and thereby greatly improve your edge and fast-track your chances of being successful:

1. Recognize that worry, fear, doubt and panic are emotions that require energy and inhibit your ability to think clearly and rationally. Why not, instead, try to harness all of that great energy and funnel it back into a job search?
2. Take a beat and get in front of your home PC or go to your favorite cafe or other place and bring your yellow pad or if you have one, your laptop with you.
3. Begin putting your wish list together. List 25-50 companies you might want to work for. If your list yields fewer than 25 results, get to the Library and consult your local “Book of Lists” or either the “Standard & Poor’s" or “Moody’s” U.S. business resources. If you happen to have a subscription to Edgar or D&B’s Hoover’s, you can also get some ideas from them. Sometimes, seeing the companies in black and white will trigger your thoughts, and remind you of companies that have piqued your interest in the past. (If you are unfamiliar with these reference sources, see my post on this subject entitled, “A Great Networking Strategy That Can Really Open Doors.”)
4. Now list any people you might know at those companies. Don't be discouraged if none come to mind for the majority of the companies on your list. Keep going!
5. List other people you know and categorize them into business contacts, friends/neighbors, family, and acquaintances. Leave no stone unturned! You NEVER know who might know someone at that company who may help you gain access or give you a leg up on your competition. That’s the concept of six degrees of separation, and the premise upon which linkinin.com was founded.

OK ... That's enough to digest for now. Tomorrow, I'll show you how to put it all together. Be sure to check back for Part II!

Make your energy work for you!!! Open your mind and it will pay off and start to open doors.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

A Great Networking Strategy That Can Really Open Doors

In addition to leveraging Linkedin.com, there are a lot of great ways to network, and there's one that I used may years ago to land a job. It involved creating a summary sheet which I used to market myself. It was comprised of a high-level summary of my years of experience, a bulletized list of skills and relevant achievements, a list of industries I was focusing on, and an alphabetized list of companies I was specifically targeting. I came up with this list of companies after two days of research at the library. Today, so much is available online, making this exercise even easier. I consulted Standard & Poors' and Moody's listing of companies in the US. Each was organized in three sections: straight alphabetical order, by geography (state) and then by industry. I then kept a supply of these with me and handed them to neighbors, friends, my parents' friends, etc. You never know who knows someone else, so leave no stone unturned!

I then composed a cover letter letting friends, relatives and former colleagues know that I was in the midst of a job search and that I was researching companies that I wanted to learn more about that I was targeting. I invited them (if they wouldn't mind) to take a look at the summary sheet and let me know if they knew of anyone at any of those companies who might be willing to spend 15 minutes with me to provide insight into those companies, and what it was like to work there. Inevitably, those who agreed to speak or meet with me spent more than 15 minutes. I tried whenever possible to get in front people as the added face-to-face contact typically resulted in them becoming more invested in me, and they tended to feel more confident about referring me once they had met me. Bear in mind, I never asked for a job; I merely was engaged in an information-gathering process. It was a very non-threatening way to get referrals. In my experience, people really DO like to help others, and they also enjoy speaking about their own experiences.

One referral can easily lead to many others. My biggest challenge was keeping track of who referred me to whom, so I tracked this horizontally in rows on an Excel spreadsheet. I was sure to send handwritten thank-you notes to everyone who had provided a lead, letting them know if it resulted in a meeting, a phone conversation, a further referral or otherwise bore any fruit. In this case, it did when I landed a great job in HR at NBC in New York.

"Discouraged? Time to reignite job search" (MSNBC.com article recommends steps to dig yourself out of a job search "funk.")

This is a decent article that stresses the direct route to networking inside a company (meaning, be clear about what job you are after and ask for contacts who can get you close to that job, and when you are connected to them, use a direct approach.).

Although this approach has merit and may “be the shortest distance between two points,” I subscribe to a less direct route (as stated in my " A Great Networking Strategy That Can Really Open Doors" post. You might try both approaches and see which yield you more connections. My sense is that a less direct approach will yield more meetings and/or phone conversations, but the quality of the meetings may be less focused than a meeting with someone who can directly link you to the right hiring manager. Also, a direct approach may make you come across as too aggressive or even desperate, or may otherwise discourage others from speaking with you. Of course, there are pros and cons to each approach, so if you try either, please feel free to circle back and let us know what you find!

If you are among the multitude of understandably discouraged job seekers out there, the article's author (Mathison) articulates some specific, productive steps you can to get you motivated:

“Write down what positions you’re looking for and you’re qualified to do.
* Figure out the possible titles of those positions.
* Figure out the titles of your potential managers.
* Come up with a list of 50 companies you’d consider working for, even if they have no listed jobs available.
* Make a list of 100 people you know, everyone from relatives to former colleagues.
* Connect with each person on the list individually, not with an e-mail blast, and find out if they know anyone at the 50 companies you identified that might hold a position you’ve targeted above.”

Click here to view this article: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32691443/ns/business-careers/page/2/

"A New Job Just a Tweet Away" WSJ Article Captures Benefits and Pitfalls of Job Tweets

More companies are tweeting for hires.

This WSJ article covers the benefits and pitfalls of Twitter Tweets for job seekers. It addresses how some companies are targeting the social-networking-savvy via Twitter. It has also proven to be a cost-efficient method of attracting applicants. Companies who now list job openings on Twitter's microblogging site include Microsoft Corp., Verizon Communications Inc., Raytheon Corp. and Viacom Inc.'s MTV Networks. Job seekers can follow feeds from lists published by these and other companies. In addition to being a cheaper posting alternative than job boards, companies typically receive resumes from fewer, but often, a more relevant applicant pool. Tweeting job postings also serves to position these companies in a favorable light, as they are leveraging today's most "hip" technologies to attract the right candidate pool.

Job seekers also benefit from the ability to interact one-on-one with companies' recruiters. In addition, some Twitter users find this forum more convenient than traditional job boards.

Job seekers must remain mindful of the pitfalls. They should respond to jobs in a professional manner, despite the casual tone of the job tweet and technology forum, in general. Tweeters must also bear in mind that their social online presence is also there for others to view and evaluate. This includes prospective employers who will no doubt use the opportunity to conduct some online sleuthing, which will be factored into their decision to contact you. Personal information ... the good, the bad, and the ugly can be used against prospective candidates, so they should take heed. (The article references one such example.)

FOR FULL ARTICLE, CLICK HERE: http://www.linkedin.com/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Elinkedin%2Ecom%2Fnews%3FactionBar%3D%26aIdx%3D1%26articleID%3D66252179%26aogid%3D67526872%26gid%3D1727767%26gid%3D1727767%26srchType%3Ddsc%26trk%3Dnews_brkout%26goback%3D%252Envr_1727767_1&urlhash=BB1G&_t=disc_detail_link NEWS & TRENDS SEPTEMBER 8, 2009, 3:05 P.M. ET A New Job Just a Tweet Away By SARAH E. NEEDLEMAN More companies are tweeting for hires.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

How To Find a Job on Twitter; Help for the "Twitter Challenged!"

Employer & Candidate Connection on www.linkedin.com

In this job market, it's important to explore all avenues and deploy a multi-pronged approach to uncovering hidden jobs. Check out this link and let us know what you think:

http://mashable.com/2009/03/13/twitter-jobs/

3/13/09 Article by Sarah Evans

For this and other career-related tools, tips, resources, open positions, or to post your resume for any period of time, please sign up to the Employer and Candidate Connection group on linked in at: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=2201572&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr

Seeking Successful Candidate/Employer "Matchmaking" Tips.

Employer & Candidate Connection group on www.linkedin.com

So many candidates, so few jobs, so little time! What are the most efficient ways to find the job or candidate you love in today's job market?

With so many people in transition or employed, but exploring opportunities, how do employers readily and efficiently find a robust candidate pool? With compressed workforces and an ever-expanding pool of available candidates, today's employers needing to fill jobs are more challenged than ever. They, themselves must do more with less including writing and posting jobs, sifting through hundreds of resumes, coordinating schedules and conducting interviews, and successfully negotiating good hires. How do they do this while balancing their "normal" workloads without running themselves ragged or running the risk of losing good candidates in the process who are in the pipeline? Conversely, how do today's candidates get the attention of employers who genuinely need the talent they bring to bear, without coming across as a nuisance, desperate, or worse? In my many years of HR work, I've been faced with this dilemma, but never has it been as pronounced as it is today. I'd like to hear your ideas, and if you're interested, I'd like to provide you with a few of my own! Let's see what those of you out there have done to successfully combat this issue?

For this and other career-related tools, tips, resources, open positions, or to post your resume for any period of time, please sign up to the Employer and Candidate Connection group on linked in at: http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3LmxpbmtlZGluLmNvbS9ncm91cHM/Z2lkPTIyMDE1NzImdHJrPW15Z191Z3JwX292cg==

Career Advice: Getting/Keeping a Job

Join Employer & Candidate Connection group on Linkedin.com for additional job-related tips, tools, resources and job postings.

I'm not sure if any of you have seen CNN's career-related video clips, but as a former HR professional of 12+ years, they are among the best, most relevant ones I've seen an provide sound tips and job seeker advice. The team they've assembled is amazing and blends hands-on recruitment know-how with legal advice. One video covered "Non-Compete" clauses and the four factors that must exist in order for them to be enforceable in states that uphold them [Reasonable scope, duration, good consideration and a legitimate need for the clause]. I watched four, and they were all EXCELLENT. (One guest authored: "Confessions of a Recruiter" and "Stop Searching for a Job, and Start Networking: The Secret to Getting Hired the Easy Way.")

Be sure to look at the CNN video of 9/3 that addresses how to network to gain access to others in target companies. The techniques are identical to the strategies I articulated in a discussion a few weeks ago. (Note: CNN airs a new job seeker segment at 1 p.m. (I believe) on Saturdays and at 3 p.m. on Sundays (Eastern time). It would be worth tuning in.

Here's just one example: http://internsover40.blogspot.com/2009/09/career-advice-gettingkeeping-job.html

Some key take-aways:

1) Two of three jobs are gotten through networking. This ties to a statistic in a discussion I posted a few weeks back. You MUST network these days to give you an added edge, EVEN if you found and applied for a job via the Internet.
2) Your resume should be a statement of your accomplishments, not a report of your responsibilities. How do you tell? If the person who held your job before you could have written your resume, then it is more of a job description, and you must re do it in order to best represent why a company should hire you (vs. anyone who has ever done YOUR job). Be sure to write what you offer that is unique or special, and which therefore "SETS YOU APART from the pack."
3) Two industries that are hiring even in this economy: Medical and education. (The reality: People will continue to get sick. Also, in this economy, many people are going back to college/universities or otherwise attending to trade schools to get retrained - particularly if they have been out of work.)
4) Use a cover letter as a teaser to "draw" the reader in and intrigue them enough to look at your resume. It will also showcase your writing skills.
5) If you want to change careers, whether you are working or not, join and organization and be active so that you BOTH leverage the experience you have gained and impress the contacts you make enough to recommend you at a future date. In addition to professional organizations/associations, volunteer somewhere doing something good that also will help your resume and allow you to leverage that experience. (e.g., If you want to go into Marketing, volunteer for the American Cancer Society and assist in a marketing capacity.) Volunteering for a non-profit or a professional organization also provides structure and a sense of purpose, stimulates the mind and the heart, and can lift your spirits.
6) Consider training to be a medical tech. It takes about 6-9 months, is in demand, and pays well, depending upon what specialty you select.
7) Pursue small to mid-sized companies that may not pay as much as the bigger companies, but will consider you "a catch" and want to bring you aboard.
8) Be sure to have an "elevator pitch" to build your brand. (Refer to discussions over the past 3 weeks that address this.)
9) Have talking points that you can "spout out" easily and naturally. They should include what value you have created, how you have helped the bottom line, what problems you solved, what changed for the better as a result of you being at a particular company, and in general, what impact you made in a particular job. These achievement-based points should be on your resume, as well!
10) To get a job, employers are looking for a good fit with their company culture and these days most want employees who like to work, are flexible, are pleasant to work with, and who work well under pressure. Be sure you come across this way and convey these attributes.