Archive for December, 2011

Who you know and not what you know

Friday, December 16th, 2011

Using a personal network is, by most opinions, the best way to get an interview. So how does one go about building/expanding a network of contacts.

 
Everyone has a personal network: members of the church, the bowling league, previous co-workers – and it is critical to see that every member of your personal network is a résumé holding member of your fan club and that the know you really need a job – to the point where you telephone them weekly to ask if they have placed your résumé on the top of their boss’s desk suggesting that you are someone that should be interviewed.

 
To get started in building your personal network list, begin by listing co-workers, vendors, important customer from your last employment, influential members (those in leadership roles, in organizations you belong to, neighbors, and plain old friends.

 
Then do a Linkedin, Facebook, or Google search of those names and look for professional organizations that the have listed.

Contact the individual privately (or socially while attending a function, and tell them that you admire them and would really like their help in finding a job. Give them a copy of your résumé.

Remember one fact: Your friend’s lives do not revolve around you and in order to get them to do what you ask you need to be persistent (e.g., the squeaky wheel) and call them at least weekly asking them how it (presenting your résumé to their boss) went. When they say, I just did have the time. Thank them again and say something like “I really appreciate your taking on this assignment for I know just how busy you are. Why don’t I call you next week to see how it went.”

 
Lastly, keep a copy of your resume in the glove box on your car (and a PDF version on your cell phone if you have that service). Then talk to everyone you meet and let them know about your availability and your skill set. If they say, I wish I had known this you were available earlier for we have an opening you would be perfect for – then offer to give them a copy of your resume or email it to them instantly – you’ll blow them away.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Should Social Media Be a Part of Your Job Search?

Wednesday, December 14th, 2011

Blogs everywhere are talking about Social Media and whether it is a required element in the job search process.

Many professionals believe that you can spend a considerable amount of very valuable time on Social Media without much return.

Most of the time, without a solid plan, time spent posting to Social Media is really wasted time.
There are, however, some benefits to posting to Social Media

Social Media provides increased visibility access to many professionals within your targeted audience, especially within the strength of Social Media, niche groups.

Social Media is much like the résumé of Will Shakespeare: It shouts: “I’m available.” People need to know you are looking for work and that you are qualified.

Often you don’t know who out in cyber land can help you. As in real life: often there is a faster pace to employment through your personal network than through what you know.

The larger your number of connections, then, naturally, the larger your choices (e.g., more people in your network) in drilling down and developing more contacts.

Social Media, in the opinion of some, just isn’t a fad that some first claimed it to be. On the other hand, if you waste a lot of you precious time developing Social Media, time that might be better spent looking for work, (and that is VERY easy to do), you could be hurting yourself while thinking that what you are doing is valuable.

There is one critical element, infrequently addressed: If you have various Social Media pages (e.g., LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) then you must verify that the facts on each match what you have included on your résumé – for, at a very minimum, hiring professionals often use Social Media to verify facts claimed on a résumé.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Do you need a to tailor your résumé to the job description?

Wednesday, December 14th, 2011

Frequently I see posts on blogs saying something like æ “The best results I have seen in the past 20 years in the business world is when the resume resonates with the job description. [This is very true.] It’s really that easy, a custom and tailored resume is like a custom and tailored suit, it just looks SO much better and gets all the positive attention.” [This is just a lot of marketing BS.]

As a former HR manager and hiring authority, I was most often turned off by a resume that appeared to be written for the specific job posting. I felt that when the résumé appeared tailored for the specific job that the candidate was ‘tweaking’ his or her résumé just so that it would appear that necessary skills were what the candidate would bring to the table.  It is critical to understand the mindset of many HR managers and hiring authorities: let’s assume that every candidate lies and then the challenge is to find someone with the necessary skills that does not appear to be an experienced liar.

When I reviewed résumés that listed skills that were transferrable to any opportunity (and not using the specific words of the job posting) I was more inclined to offer the candidate an interview. So, instead of having a customized and tailored résumé using the words of the job posting, it just might be better to have your résumé fully present those transferable skills you would bring to any job.

In other words, too much on point equals a consummate liar while close with appropriate skills and credentials would mean a truth teller and more viable candidate. Having a tailored suit is of little value if you cannot wear it to an interview.

Sorry, no evidence, just 27 years of experience speaking.

Tags:
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »