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Wednesday, April 8, 2009
New Graduate Best Job Search Secrets
Soon-to-be new graduates are once again revving up their job searches by now, either looking for internships or entry level jobs in the “real” world. It is hard for all job seekers right now but new graduates especially may find the process overwhelming. So, I’ve included a few great secrets that job seekers learn after several trips through the job search process from which new graduates could really benefit.
Secret #1 - Just like when trying to start up an exercise routine or any new skill – it takes time and accountability. Find someone also looking for work and help each other through the good, bad, and ugly that you’ll undoubtedly see during your search. Two job seekers equal, two sets of ears and eyes, and twice the amount of research, networking, contact development and basic ground covered.
Jobs won’t come looking for you – you need to be aggressive and motivated in your career search. Secret #2… jobs are found through contacts, not job boards. Network-Network-Network! Get involved in groups, social networks – live and via the internet, volunteer programs, and associations in your area and in your industry. Get the word out, make contacts and get in through the back door to avoid the gate keepers!
The final secret, Secret #3 revealed today is to be nice. It sounds simple but easily overlooked, especially by new graduates that are full of ideas of what they should act like – remember to be grateful. Make friends with the competition and try and help others. Aggressive is fine, but people will respond to the humble or grateful much quicker than to those that are pushy and rude.
Send thank you notes to those helping you, make a name for yourself as someone others would want to work with and for, and would want to refer to others. It will stay with you and help you throughout your entire career.
Shine On New Job Seekers!
Secret #1 - Just like when trying to start up an exercise routine or any new skill – it takes time and accountability. Find someone also looking for work and help each other through the good, bad, and ugly that you’ll undoubtedly see during your search. Two job seekers equal, two sets of ears and eyes, and twice the amount of research, networking, contact development and basic ground covered.
Jobs won’t come looking for you – you need to be aggressive and motivated in your career search. Secret #2… jobs are found through contacts, not job boards. Network-Network-Network! Get involved in groups, social networks – live and via the internet, volunteer programs, and associations in your area and in your industry. Get the word out, make contacts and get in through the back door to avoid the gate keepers!
The final secret, Secret #3 revealed today is to be nice. It sounds simple but easily overlooked, especially by new graduates that are full of ideas of what they should act like – remember to be grateful. Make friends with the competition and try and help others. Aggressive is fine, but people will respond to the humble or grateful much quicker than to those that are pushy and rude.
Send thank you notes to those helping you, make a name for yourself as someone others would want to work with and for, and would want to refer to others. It will stay with you and help you throughout your entire career.
Shine On New Job Seekers!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Wake Up Call for Sleeping Job Seekers
Just came from Twitter, doing a quick check in before I start work on a new healthcare resume. It is a good way to de-stress the mind and …clear the pallet before starting on a new project, plus it’s fun.
I read a quote a follower of mine had put up as a tweet, it read, “The gent who wakes up and finds himself a success hasn’t been asleep” – Wilson Mizner. This quote really hit home after coaching a client this morning on job search strategies. The strategies are easy it is the searching that takes motivation and commitment.
Those who I hear saying, it isn’t fair my niece/friend/coworker/etc got a job doing what I am looking for and I’ve been looking longer – I deserve the job. My thought and (sometimes) answer is – No You Don’t! You’ve been sleeping while others have been working hard to make contacts, get noticed, and find hidden and not-so-hidden jobs.
Or, maybe they are settling for something that isn’t a perfect fit or not at the salary they had hoped for but it is a good job and it is a job. In today’s economy, sometimes people can’t hold out for the ideal job. I still tell my clients to search for what they really want, not for what they can get. But, I’ve seen the repeated struggles of job seekers looking for work and I completely understand the urgency of finding a good job even if it isn’t the idea job, at least for now.
So – this might sound like a kick in the pants but…if you don’t want to keep complaining about what others have – quit sleeping and try walking a mile in their job search shoes. You might learn a few things and even find a job!
OK – I hope I’m not being too harsh…this is written with love ♥♥
I read a quote a follower of mine had put up as a tweet, it read, “The gent who wakes up and finds himself a success hasn’t been asleep” – Wilson Mizner. This quote really hit home after coaching a client this morning on job search strategies. The strategies are easy it is the searching that takes motivation and commitment.
Those who I hear saying, it isn’t fair my niece/friend/coworker/etc got a job doing what I am looking for and I’ve been looking longer – I deserve the job. My thought and (sometimes) answer is – No You Don’t! You’ve been sleeping while others have been working hard to make contacts, get noticed, and find hidden and not-so-hidden jobs.
Or, maybe they are settling for something that isn’t a perfect fit or not at the salary they had hoped for but it is a good job and it is a job. In today’s economy, sometimes people can’t hold out for the ideal job. I still tell my clients to search for what they really want, not for what they can get. But, I’ve seen the repeated struggles of job seekers looking for work and I completely understand the urgency of finding a good job even if it isn’t the idea job, at least for now.
So – this might sound like a kick in the pants but…if you don’t want to keep complaining about what others have – quit sleeping and try walking a mile in their job search shoes. You might learn a few things and even find a job!
OK – I hope I’m not being too harsh…this is written with love ♥♥
Sunday, April 5, 2009
I've Moved -
Hi Everyone - I've moved my blog to a new home - it can be found at the following link.
Please stop by and check out the new look and the same great career tips.
Thanks for following me!
Please stop by and check out the new look and the same great career tips.
Thanks for following me!
Have a blessed day - Shine On!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Are You Taking Advantage of Every Opportunity in Your Job Search?
I have a wonderful client I have worked with on two occasions but we keep in touch with emails a few times a year to see how each other is doing. He is an accountant working in the banking industry and understandably came back to me 2 ½ years after he first hired me, to update his resume. We decided to target a broader scope than just the banking and finance industry since it was getting hit pretty hard economically and there were layoffs everywhere.
We updated his resume, highlighted his new achievements and focused on his accounting expertise instead, avoiding terms synonymous with the banking industry.
Three weeks after we had completed his resume he called to say his job search had been curtailed because his father, who commutes between Michigan and Arizona had fallen in Tucson and my client had been out west for the past 2 weeks getting his father settled into a nursing home while he recovered. On his way home to Michigan he sat on the plane with a man who was a district manager from Ohio for a short and long-term healthcare facility, that was in the process of opening 3 centers in Southeast Michigan.
By the end of the flight he had been interviewed and offered a position to set up the accounting functions for the Michigan expansion project. His new position would be starting in one month. Perfect timing, it would give his father time to heal and hopefully be able to be transferred to a recovery facility in Michigan; one to which he would now be working.
Networking and opportunities can show up anywhere and anytime. Make sure you are ready now and always by having a prepared resume, contact or networking cards with your contact information, and be willing to talk with others you meet during your day. Find out how you can be of help to them and how they might just be the contact you’ve been looking for.
Shine On!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
5 Must-Have Tools for Your Job Search Arsenal
Resumes and Cover Letters - that are current, concise, and targeted to a specific position not a hodge-podge of experience from the past 10 or 20 years. Target 5-10 companies and customize each resume and cover letter you send out for your biggest bang. Find actual contact names and addresses for each cover letter and make sure the resume is in line with each company’s expectations.
Recommendations – Get permission from each referral on your list – every time you look for a job. Remind them of achievements you would like shared when they are called for a referral. If you have recommendation letters make copies and keep the originals at home so they do not get worn or damaged and can be used as a master copy. And don’t forget the Thank You letter!
Computer – Job seekers need to be able to be contacted and be able to contact others during their job search. You must know how to send and receive emails, open attachments, send attachments, search the web, and post your resume online. If you do not know how to do some of this – go to the library, take a class, get a book or ask someone for assistance. There are just no options here. If you are not comfortable on the computer start playing around on it. You won’t break it – make it your friend!
Networking Cards/Business Cards – While networking, attending social groups, associations or just going to the car wash or gas station you need to be prepared for any opportunity. Instead of using a business card from your previous employment, invest in a set of networking cards. Include your contact information such as your name, address, phone, and email address. You can also include a website address, blog address, or a LinkedIn profile or VisualCV URL. Some job seekers have even included a set up Career Highlights on the back of the card that showcase their unique strengths.
A Right Attitude! - The best resume in the world is not going to get you an awesome job or even the interview you deserve if your attitude is in need of a serious adjustment. Make sure you are grateful and positive, helpful and aggressive during your search. Don’t let yourself get too down, it will be noticed and could be a deciding factor – or deal breaker. Stay motivated by helping others, sharing knowledge and moving forward.
Once you’ve got everything in place, you are ready to aggressively pursue your ideal job with confidence. Use your tools to garner leads, contacts, new friends and interviews and enjoy the journey!
Shine On!!
Recommendations – Get permission from each referral on your list – every time you look for a job. Remind them of achievements you would like shared when they are called for a referral. If you have recommendation letters make copies and keep the originals at home so they do not get worn or damaged and can be used as a master copy. And don’t forget the Thank You letter!
Computer – Job seekers need to be able to be contacted and be able to contact others during their job search. You must know how to send and receive emails, open attachments, send attachments, search the web, and post your resume online. If you do not know how to do some of this – go to the library, take a class, get a book or ask someone for assistance. There are just no options here. If you are not comfortable on the computer start playing around on it. You won’t break it – make it your friend!
Networking Cards/Business Cards – While networking, attending social groups, associations or just going to the car wash or gas station you need to be prepared for any opportunity. Instead of using a business card from your previous employment, invest in a set of networking cards. Include your contact information such as your name, address, phone, and email address. You can also include a website address, blog address, or a LinkedIn profile or VisualCV URL. Some job seekers have even included a set up Career Highlights on the back of the card that showcase their unique strengths.
A Right Attitude! - The best resume in the world is not going to get you an awesome job or even the interview you deserve if your attitude is in need of a serious adjustment. Make sure you are grateful and positive, helpful and aggressive during your search. Don’t let yourself get too down, it will be noticed and could be a deciding factor – or deal breaker. Stay motivated by helping others, sharing knowledge and moving forward.
Once you’ve got everything in place, you are ready to aggressively pursue your ideal job with confidence. Use your tools to garner leads, contacts, new friends and interviews and enjoy the journey!
Shine On!!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Do You Know What You Are Worth?
When you go into an interview – do you know what you are worth? Even in these tougher economic times you still need to be prepared when you go into an interview by knowing what you are worth to the potential employer. Most job seekers (me included) are uncomfortable with the possibility of a confrontation but also the possibility of having an employer revoke an offer because of negotiations.
Here’s the thing; employers expect negotiations during salary talks.
They usually have a “range” to work with. It is your job to get into the upper end of their range by letting them know your worth. Ways you can prepare for the salary negotiations:
Hold off negotiations until the end of the interview if at all possible this lets you strut your stuff and really show the value you will bring and potential revenue increases or cost decreases the company will incur by hiring you.
Don’t forget to do your homework. Preparation is crucial for gaining the optimal offer. Know what you absolutely must have to live the lifestyle you want to live. Research the company as well as the industry to see what similar positions are earning. Have a range ready in your head and in your notes when you walk in the interview.
Negotiate! Unless it is an absolutely perfect offer go for a little negotiation even if it only increases annual earnings by $3,000 or $5,000. That is a vacation, a year of car payments or new appliances. So go for it!
During negotiations be respectful and genuine during the talks. Ask questions, sell your value and make them feel like they are getting a great deal by having you join their company at that price. Many times they are nervous too, take the comforting role and make them feel like they are doing the right thing as you negotiate to a higher and higher salary.
Here’s the thing; employers expect negotiations during salary talks.
They usually have a “range” to work with. It is your job to get into the upper end of their range by letting them know your worth. Ways you can prepare for the salary negotiations:
Hold off negotiations until the end of the interview if at all possible this lets you strut your stuff and really show the value you will bring and potential revenue increases or cost decreases the company will incur by hiring you.
Don’t forget to do your homework. Preparation is crucial for gaining the optimal offer. Know what you absolutely must have to live the lifestyle you want to live. Research the company as well as the industry to see what similar positions are earning. Have a range ready in your head and in your notes when you walk in the interview.
Negotiate! Unless it is an absolutely perfect offer go for a little negotiation even if it only increases annual earnings by $3,000 or $5,000. That is a vacation, a year of car payments or new appliances. So go for it!
During negotiations be respectful and genuine during the talks. Ask questions, sell your value and make them feel like they are getting a great deal by having you join their company at that price. Many times they are nervous too, take the comforting role and make them feel like they are doing the right thing as you negotiate to a higher and higher salary.
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