Moving your Job Search out of Neutral and into High Gear

With love for my clients and true compassion for the job seekers out of work I am writing this post. I understand your pride has been hurt because you thought you were better than a lay off or being let go, some feel they have done all they can by posting their resume on a few major job boards and then expecting the phone to ring, and others in denial, decide to use this time as an extended vacation and do nothing. So, my question for theses scenario’s and the countless others is:

How’s That Working For You?

Is your phone ringing off the hook? Are people tracking you down and begging you to come and work for them? Is doing nothing landing incredible opportunities in your lap? Didn’t think so.

I am hoping this will be a gentle shaking or a  splash of cold water to wake you up to the reality that if you want to find a job you have got to be much more aggressive even desperate in your search.

Your search is about you getting a job, how you came to where you are today should not keep you from pushing forward in your search. Excuses, however valid they may feel, are only holding you back. They do not reveal your authentic self and your marketable value.

Disclaimer: Your job search won’t be easy, so expect rejection, uncertainty, and a little fear during the process but work to remain focused on the goal – finding a job. Realize also that it might take a while, but it will take much, much longer if you continue on your current course.

Think of the top 5 reasons why you need a job and what will happen to these reasons if you do not soon find a job. Write that them down and keep them in your wallet, purse, next to your bed, taped to your computer or to the dashboard in your vehicle. Make it a constant reminder of why you must stay passionate about your search.

How do you take your search out of neutral and into high gear? What ever you used to think about the job search – forget it!

Make the search proactive instead of reactive.

Research companies and find several (start with 10-20) that really feel like the type of company you would like to work for. Dig deep and find out about each company’s culture, goals, future plans, current projects and any recent changes, failures or issues that you can help with.

Continue researching these companies to find specific individuals you feel would be beneficial to meet. Use your contacts, networking groups (on and off line) and LinkedIn to find ways to connect with these targeted contacts. Prepare before you make contact with solutions and skills that you can provide to assist each contact and their company to improve, increase or expand their future.

You are doing the research, you are making the calls, you are choosing the companies and you are in control.

See the difference?

So job seekers, try something new if what you have been doing is not working. Not only is this process effective but presents you as a leader, expert in your field, go-getter, someone who knows how to find solutions and get the job done, and Someone Worth Hiring.

It isn’t enough just to go after getting an interview. If you want a job offer you have to prepare for and research each company you are offered an interview with. You have obviously done some work while having your resume developed or writing it yourself. The research and preparation is a great start for your interview but it won’t put you ahead of the masses. Below are 5 secrets you need to know if you want to really catch the decision maker’s attention at your next interview.

Know the company you intend to interview with – Take time to thoroughly learn about the company or companies you will be interviewing with. The research should include reading their company website, searching (Googling) the company on the internet, finding potential contacts from their company on LinkedIn, and reading what the media and their competition has to say as well. You will impress the interviewers if you are comfortable and confident talking with them about the company.

Know how you can help them – If you want to capture the attention of the interviewer, try finding out what the biggest problems the company or department are currently facing and find ways you can help.

Strategies to help the company may include a developing a business or project plan, locating contacts for needed resources or having the skills or experience needed to resolve a specific problem. Figure out your plan before the interview and then WoW them with your preparation. Even if they don’t use your plan, your determination and critical thinking is sure to impress them.

Know the culture of the company – While you are busy researching each company you are considering interviewing with, don’t forget to study their individual corporate culture. It is important, sometimes more than your related skill or experience, that you fit in with the culture, philosophy and values of the company. Your resume will let them know your skills, but the interview will secure your fit. Save you and the company time and resources by getting a feel for the company before you participate in an interview.

Know your answers to questions most likely asked – Make sure to spend time preparing for those typical and not so typical behavioral/situation questions that will be asked at the interview, because they will be asked. Keep the answers focused on the good of the company, tying your values in with theirs, while still being truthful.

It often helps to write out your answers on paper so you can be sure to include all the right information for each question. Then, practice saying your answers several times until they feel natural to say.

Know your resume! – Don’t forget to know your resume. Right now it sometimes takes a few months before you are offered an interview.  Most of the time the hiring manager will use your resume as an outline to follow for the interview. Whether you have written it yourself or had someone write it; reread your resume several times to refresh your memory. You do not want to be blind-sided by a quote from your resume that you don’t recall and can’t respond to. Know your resume!

Just as in any debate, meeting, presentation or interview, in order to be successful and sound polished you must prepare. The company you are interviewing with have spent a good deal of time identifying the skills, experience and type of person they want working with them. It is your responsibility to yourself and you next employer to do the same. The results will be a more effective and responsive interview and will help you stand out as one sharp candidate. So, give it a try, you’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain!

Thursday’s Review

What seems like a cute little book quickly impressed me as a little book with a big punch. In the book The Power of Small, the authors Linda Kaplan Thaler and Robin Koval provide interesting and relevant small stories from their extensive careers in advertising. These stories impress the importance of paying attention to the small things in life.

This book looks at and reminds us of the importance and impact of the little details, extras, and accessories that make people and events memorable. Instead of not worrying about the small or little stuff, we should be focusing on them. Life is all about the small stuff and the details that make are days special, unique, challenging and rewarding.

Using little details to make your business stand out is what makes good companies great. Things like manners, being nice, exceptional customer service, working hard, or providing a little something extra gets businesses noticed. Those that get ahead and stand out as successes in their personal or professional lives, do so because of the little things they do. The book also looked at how getting big things accomplished begins with small tasks, small plans – one step at a time.

I would recommend this book to anyone building their business or trying to improve their personal life. A refreshing thought that rings true in life as well as in business; the little stops along the road that make the journey so interesting and worth taking.

You’ve heard, as most of us have, that you get out of something, what you put into something. I remember hearing that from my parents, teachers and now – I find myself using similar analogies with my own kids and often, with my clients.

We all know what the economy is like right now, and how high unemployment is, so why do job seekers still think that they can just post their resume on Monster or Career Builder and expect the phone to ring? It is not going to happen. The boards yield less than 7% of the jobs found and although I make it a point to repeat these facts to my clients several times while working together, I still get those who only post their resume and then complain because of no response.

If you want to play a sport well, grow a garden, build a tree house for your kids, have clean clothes, or cook something there are several steps and processes to go through before your efforts yield positive results.

Buying ingredients and putting them in your pantry will not produce a cake.

It is vital for job seekers to work hard and consistently if they want to find and obtain the right job and career for them. Start by getting on LinkedIn – that alone offers a world of networking possibilities. Join professional associations in your field, and research and seek out companies you feel would fit your strengths, passions and goals.

Contact old friends, new friends, coworkers, past employers, past coworkers, suppliers, vendors, ancillary department workers, volunteer associates, family, neighbors, church friends, sports/kids/school friends or join new networking groups to make new contacts. Talk with people, ask about them, help others if possible and let them know about your background and current goals. The more you communicate the quicker you’ll find a job!

If you need help, unsure of what to do next – ask! People like to help other people so ask. Ask your friends or someone you know who has recently gotten a new job. Ask a professional resume writer or career coach who can point you in the right direction and has an endless supply of resources.

The more effort you put in the quicker you will find a job. It will be hard, it might take a while, and you might face rejection more than once – it is part of the process. You can do this! Give your self the credit you deserve. You’ve got great skills, achievements and experiences to offer you just have to get your awesome value in front of the right people – through networking. Keep moving and working towards your goals.

Monday’s PMA

After a week of football openers, many of my thoughts relate to the games I’ve seen. Whether revisiting the OT win of the Steelers over Tennessee, the incredible upset of the MSU Spartans with the CMU Chippewa’s winning with just seconds to go, or the incredible comeback (and almost winning) of the Chicago Bears Sunday night after a dismal first half; determination and perseverance keep running through my mind.

In each game, both teams had true talent, experience and impressive records to back them. What makes them great teams is having a right attitude. It is an attitude of confidence and not just arrogance. The confidence and determination to over come and succeed.

Job seekers can learn a great deal from ball players. Work hard off season by preparing, training, researching other players and teams and studying past games to learn and grow. With the season once again in full swing now they must push are and stay motivated regardless of the last game or even last play.

Job seekers! Follow in their footsteps! When you experience rejection – learn from it, keep moving forward and stay motivated. Have you done your pre-season preparation work? How can you be confident in your search if you are not prepared? You are in the game to win and that means doing what it takes to get noticed and make plays that will win your game!

Shine On Job Seekers!

For anyone who has enjoys listening to the heart felt harmonies, guitar or piano inspirations of Diamond Rio, you’ll truly enjoy their new book, Beautiful Mess – The Story of Diamond Rio. I have to reveal here, that I am a huge fan of their music – they turned me on to country music in the early 90’s with Meet in the Middle. I remember after I finally heard the name of the band I ran out and got their first CD and most of their following CD’s as well.

So much of this book sent me back in time as it talked about their songs and it let me get a peek at the lives and loved ones that made their band so strong. I loved the individual biography sections for each member. It really gives readers a true understanding of who the men of Diamond Rio are and what made them such determined and talented individuals.

The wrap up brought the group back together as a whole and let us in on the tragedies and challenges they faced and how they got through and overcame them by staying together. The book shares the about the charities that are most precious to Diamond Rio and what they have done to make a difference for these organizations. Now with the group back together and stronger than ever, they are ready to move forward – and I can’t wait!

I applaud the band for staying true to their gifts and not falling prey to many of the vices that come with fame and fortune. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves country music, Diamond Rio, or biographies. I look forward to their future work, especially their potential in the Christian genre – something I’ve been waiting for and expecting.

Wednesday’s Q&A

Question: Can a smile really land you a job?

Answer: A smile is so incredibly powerful. It is proven to release chemicals that relax, it takes fewer muscles to make then a frown, and it can make or break a meeting.

Smiles are written about, sung about, drawn, worn as bumper stickers and t-shirts and are used in many quotes from the famous and not so famous including Phyllis Diller who said, “The curve of a smile sets everything straight”. It affects your appearance too, as George Eliot reminded us, “Wear a smile and have friends; wear a scowl and have wrinkles”.  Do you want laugh lines or frown lines?

My favorite quote is from an unknown author, it states, “The shortest distance between two people is a smile”.

If you want to break the ice when meeting people for the first time during an interview remember to smile … often. This doesn’t mean laugh and giggle in a nervous annoyance. It means to look at those you are talking with and give a genuine smile.

When asking for help in your job search, inviting contacts for coffee or lunch to get reacquainted, meeting new contacts, networking, talking with recruiters, administrative or HR support or the hiring manager the first and most natural response should be a smile.

Smiles are a nonverbal communication shared throughout the world. Your smile is more than displaying teeth or curving lips, it is a physical change in your attitude and approachability. When a smile is received it also causes a biological response by mimicking a return smile, so if you want to make others feel comfortable S-M-I-L-E !

A genuine smile and approachable appearance will be remembered as much as your stories, experience and skills you share during an interview. Will a smile land you a job, maybe not on its’, but it can certainly be the thing that interviewers remember and may be a deciding factor at some point.

The little things really do make the biggest differences – It can’t hurt and it will actually make you feel better – try it today!

I used to love the old Patty Loveless song, “…life’s about changing, nothing ever stays the same…” Remember that song? I often find myself humming that song when I think about how life isn’t meant to stay the same. It is about how we respond and react to change. Seeing change and lots of it – in the economy and job market these days reinforces for me, that life is about change and the choices we make while change is happening.

This leads me then to think about job seekers and the different choices they make that directly lead to the success or lack of success in their job search. I talk daily with job seekers and it is easy to spot those that will find jobs quicker than others.

Success isn’t about their education or professional experience or even who they know. It is about their attitude and the choices they are making.

I love working with the client who is excited to complete work on their resume and is actively strategizing, researching and networking while we work on the resume. Their outlook is strong and positive and motivation is high. There isn’t any blame discussed and carried around like I see many candidates doing. The only thing that blame does is hold back job seekers from being productive.

They choose to hold on to the ill feelings of blame and resentment – complaining to anyone who will listen. It tells me and anyone else within ear shot that this candidate is carrying lots of baggage and treading water instead of moving forward with change and opportunity.

Instead of blaming past employers, past employees, economics, job market, government, family or anyone else they can think of, stay focused on what you can change and what you have control over. Some people naturally see the glass half empty, some learned to think this way. For those that do think this way – practice looking for the good in everything. It will help in your job search and in enjoying life in general.

Having a positive attitude while job searching will be reflected in how you address contacts, hiring managers, recruiters and those asking for your help and may determine the outcome of your search. Choose wisely and work at keeping your focus on present happenings and future goals, not on blaming the past for your current situation.

Shine on job seekers!!

Looking for a new job can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. Many job seekers search through the job boards like CareerBuilder, Monster and Indeed and find nothing that stands out. It may feel like there are no jobs that fit what you have to offer. Fortunately there are jobs available that are right for you; you’re probably just looking in the wrong places.

I’m sure most of you have heard the term hidden job market? There are articles, books, and TV programs devoted to this topic. I’ve found talking to clients that many job seekers are intimidated by the term and so together let’s enter the hidden job market zone and find out what it’s all about.

What and where is the hidden job market?

The hidden job market refers to those jobs that aren’t being publicized through job boards or even the career pages of the company. These jobs take up an estimated 75% of the jobs currently available and I would assume the number is a little higher in this economy.

Why are the jobs hidden?

Jobs are hidden for many reasons. The most common is that new jobs aren’t in the company or department budget. The long process of getting approval to hire new candidates can put the search on the back burner. Some companies wait to hire new employees when new projects are about to begin or before new product is launched. Others have recruiters searching quietly for potential employees. Finally, many companies attempt to hire from within first before moving outside the company to find new talent.

How do candidates find these jobs?

It is important to keep in mind that companies and recruiters are always looking for potential talent. Whether they are in need or not it would be unwise for a company to not keep “feelers” out in the market for new candidates. If they aren’t actively looking then you need to go to them to get noticed. Finding out who needs you, your talents, skills, and experience will take research. You will need to research the industry but more importantly the individual companies you feel have the right stuff.

This is where knowing your strengths and your personal brand is really important. Once you know your most sellable strengths then you need to go out and market them. This starts with research but it also includes networking and the age old “cold calling”. By participating in social networking groups online and in your community you can search out contacts for the companies you have targeted.

Developing relationships with these contacts will feel awkward to most job seekers. This is normal but overcoming it means leaving your comfort zone and making new acquaintances. Keep in mind that even if they can’t help you, you’ve met a new colleague or friend. It is still a win-win situation.

If you can’t find contacts then cold-calling is your next step. These days you can start by sending a letter of intent followed by a resume and cover letter. With computers being a normal part of business, email is acceptable. You can do the same thing through the U.S. mail. If you are really ambitious you can visit the company in person. This is a risky situation and should be handled with caution and professionalism but can be quite effective too.

Hidden jobs are there for you to find and conquer – it just takes determination and a little guts. Your alternative usually isn’t an option if mortgages and insurance bills are coming due. Let that motivate you! Be bold, prepare and go after the jobs that really are your perfect fit.

Being in a job that is right for you with the right fit, does increase job security. How?  To begin, you are doing what you love and therefore doing it better than someone who isn’t the right fit. Your ideas will be more creative and come more often because it is something you are passionate about. These ideas will lead to increase work performance and will get you noticed by management.

This doesn’t mean with the economy how it is, your job won’t still be eliminated.  But it does mean you might be able to hold on to your job longer, in a company that is reducing its workforce. I spoke with a client yesterday that said she doesn’t know why she is still working, because so many of her peers have been let go. Maybe management has noticed her productivity, client relations or commitment to the company and is trying to keep her. Being the right fit for her, is helping her keep her job.

For those that have been down sized this is a real reason to research and target companies you feel are the right type of company with the right environment, mission, objectives and goals. Taking “any” job that comes along might keep you there temporarily but won’t be a good career choice for your future. Look for the right job -  not just any job in your job search, for a fit that will really works for both you and the company.

Shine on and stay motivated job seekers!