Career Tip: References and Your Job Search

Obtain your references just ahead of starting a job search or right at the beginning of a “forced” job search.  Your first three to four references should always be professional, as what companies really want to know is how well you perform in the workplace.  For instance:  what were you best at in your prior work, are you dependable, do you have the skills required by the potential employer, do you complete projects on time, do you manage your time well, are you a self-starter?, etc.  Personal references should also be someone who can talk about your work ethic, how you get along with others, and dependability.  They should not be your drinking buddy, the person you haven’t seen in 10 years, or an individual who can’t answer the “biggest weakness” question without torpedoing your candidacy.  Never use an individual as a reference you haven’t spoken with personally; no one wants a surprise call suddenly asking for a reference about you.  Quality references significantly improve your chances of being hired, so select them wisely.  To your job search success!

Career Tip: Job Board Aggregators versus Job Boards in Your Job Search

Like them or not, job boards are not going away, and continue to be a popular way for people to search for new positions being advertised.  They can come with a few issues such as reverse spamming (you join and put your resume on one site, and now it’s on 50 partner sites too), fake ads and job scams, and just like any other site, occasionally someone may hack them, but they do provide a good service.  The reason for this post is to learn a better way to use the job boards while protecting yourself from the above-mentioned issues. 

I am big promoter of Job Board Aggregators.  They still allow the jobseeker to use the job boards, but in a different way.  Instead of searching dozens of different job boards for potential positions, you can now use an aggregator to search hundreds, if not, thousands of job boards at a time.  Think of them like a database gathering the jobs posted on all the sites it searches and stores information from, and then allowing you to do ONE search.  Like in hospitality industry aggregator ads on TV, and I quote, “search one and done.”

So, here are two recommendations:  www.Indeed.com,  and www.Linkup.com.  Indeed.com is the number one job board aggregator online, and acts as a job board as well.  My suggestion is you use it as an aggregator only and then go direct to the company advertising and post your resume on their site.  To be more effective in your search use multiple job titles for the same job for which you are searching, such as:  Administrative Assistant, Administrative Coordinator, Secretary, Office Manager, Office Coordinator, Office Assistant, and Executive Assistant.  If you use only one title, you will limit your search significantly.  All of the above titles will fit in the search bar, and you can then sign up at the bottom of the first page with your email only for daily updates of the new jobs posted.  The other type of aggregator I listed is Linkup.com which actually aggregates company job boards.  If the company job board doesn’t require you to sign up before seeing the jobs they offer, then it will aggregate their content.  It works the same as a job board aggregator, you can sign up for the same type of daily digest email, but it is just for company-specific job boards like H&R Block, Sprint and Garmin.  I counsel jobseekers to use at least one job board aggregator and Linkup.com as there will be some different returns.

I hope this helps you refine both your job search, and saves a lot of time in your overall searching online.  Any time that is saved can be used to network, personalize your resume and cover letter for specific job applications, apply for jobs, and practice interviewing skills. 

Why Us?

I’ve interviewed a lot of people over the years. One of the issues I frequently see is how people answer the question of “Why do you want to work for us?”  Unfortunately, way too often, the answer isn’t about the benefits of working for the given organization or what the organization does specifically to help others, but about the interviewee.  Here are some of the following answers I have had given to me:

“I am moving here to get away from the city.”

“My parents are elderly and I need to move nearby to help take care of them.”

“The company I work for doesn’t treat me well so I am looking for a change.”

Not one of these answers tells me a reason to hire the individual, instead it shows me a problem that the interviewee is having and also tells me that problem may interfere with their work.  Research the company well before interviewing, and craft an answer ahead of the interview that demonstrates a variety of reasons you want to work for that organization.  Try including tasks you will be doing in the job and why you like them, great things you have read about the company, and how excited you are to work for them based on all of your research.  Give real reasons that display genuine enthusiasm, and express pertinent knowledge you possess about the company.  To your job search success!

The Importance of Job Fairs

I have had many a client ask over the years if attending a job fair is worthwhile.  My answer is absolutely YES.  Don’t get me wrong, you often won’t get a new job as a direct result of attending a job fair, though that certainly does happen.  More often you get great networking contacts (that lead to a new job), find out the particular hiring managers and recruiters for your position within a company, discover new organizations you didn’t realize existed, and learn of a variety of job openings through discussions with other attendees.

So, get your resume ready for prime time, take many “nice” copies of your resume and cover letter on stationery (no copies of copies with scratched out info), dress like you would for an interview (after all many of the companies attending will give you a mini-interview at their booth), if you currently have a job make sure your employer isn’t attending, research the different organizations attending, and spend time at each table (you never know who the recruiter knows that might need your services – it’s great networking). 

Look up job fairs on Google in your area/city, and start using these wonderful opportunities to your advantage.  To your job search success!

Keep Going Even When the Job Search Takes Longer Than Expected

Sometimes that job you are waiting for just doesn’t come as quickly as you hoped in your job search.  It seems like you have spent hours at the computer and applied for 100’s of positions, have had phone and in-person interviews that went well, and still no job.  Don’t give up, that next application, networking contact or referral could be the job you have waited for all this time.  Often you have to go through many “no’s” to get to the yes’s.  A job search is like sales, not everyone will buy, but there is always a customer for a good product.  To your job search success!

Career Tip: Ask and You May Receive…

Always end your cover letter, just like any marketing letter, by asking for the sale.  In this case you want to ask for an interview.  Consider using something like “Please contact me at your earliest convenience concerning the Sales Executive position at ABC Company.”  You not only requested an interview, you personalized with the specific job title and company name.  Let them know you want the position and that you pay attention to the details.  To your job search success!

Career Tip

Always bring a fresh copy of your resume and cover letter to an interview, and be sure it is the version you sent to that particular company.  In fact, I always recommend that candidates find out how many people will be interviewing them and bring at least that many copies, if not a couple of extra in case additional interviewers are invited.  Providing a nice clean copy of your resume and cover letter to the interviewers not only ensures they have the "pretty" version instead of one from the Applicant Tracking System, but shows your level of preparation.  To your job search and interview success!

Career Tip: Track Your Project Participation

Project Management seems to abound in just about all job types now and your work in those projects can have a significant impact on your career, and in a job search.  Although the phrase Project Management used to mean a technical or construction project, it now encompasses any large project that an organization undertakes, regardless of nature.

To maximize your project involvement, keep notes on important projects you have participated in at work, including your specific role.  Track successes in the initial development of the project concept, gathering any requirements, meeting timelines and budget targets, implementation, any training you might have performed, documentation developed, project methodologies employed, and any software used.

From performance reviews and promotion possibilities, to raise requests and job searches, documenting your role in a project and the various achievements throughout its lifecycle can reap huge dividends in your career.  To your career success!

Why You Should Ask Questions Targeted to Your Potential New Manager in an Interview

Sometimes an interviewee is hesitant to ask questions about their potential new manager, thinking that this will somehow look bad or make the interviewer angry.  Asking questions though will not only help you to look good to the manager, but to find out some very important information that may help you determine whether the job will be right for you.  What should ask?  Here are a few questions to use in your next interview:

Can you describe your management style and give me three examples?  This question can help identify a micromanager, as no one ever thinks they are a micromanager, but will often give an example that will clue you in to the truth.

Can you describe a typical workday for me?  Always ask the question with you being on the job in mind.  Give them the vision of you already working there and also find out if the “boss” knows what your job really entails.

What brought you to this organization? 

What do you like best about working here?

Why do you stay with this organization?

Yes, sometimes for the last three questions above you will get the “B.S.” answer, but more often than not you will surprise them with good questions and get a truthful answer.  One of the major complaints of interviewers is a candidate who does not ask any questions.  Be the interviewee that asks great questions, and increase your chances of getting that job.  To your job search success!

Don’t Give Up On Your Job Search During The Holidays

Every year around Halloween I start hearing those individuals pursuing a job, whether currently employed or unemployed say the following:  “I think I will take a break on the job search over the holiday season.”  This is the very last thing you should do. 

People use a litany of excuses for this annual trend, including:

--No one interviews during the holiday season.

--No one hires during the holiday season.

--No one is really working until January 2nd

--Everyone else job seeking is taking off for the holiday season.

--My friends, family, or other people I know said "blah, blah, blah" about the holidays and a job search.

--Only part time, temporary holiday jobs are available during this time of year.

--Companies don’t have any money to spend on new employees during the end of the year.

All of the above reasons are patently false.  Here is the truth:

First, many companies have an established budget for hiring year round, and their fiscal year may or may not be the same as a calendar year, and regardless of timing, they often need to spend that money or lose it for the next year – so they will hire people year round.  

Second, companies do not have time or money for endless holiday parties and fluff time.  In fact, more organizations are short staffed and they work just as much or more overtime during the holiday season trying to keep up with work and hire additional staff. 

Third, not all companies may hire, but they will interview to make those decisions in January and if you aren’t in the mix, you won’t get the job. 

Fourth, your friends, family and acquaintances don’t know what most companies do and most likely don’t know what the company they work for does in hiring,  stop listening to amateurs.   

Fifth, let other jobseekers take the holidays off and lose out on job opportunities.  Remember what your parents used to say:  “If all your friends jumped off a bridge, would you jump off too?”  We are not concerned about what other jobseekers are doing; we are concerned about getting a new job. 

Sixth, actually the trend is a boost in both part time and full time hiring at the end of each year, including a Career Builder article for 2014 citing the following results of a survey on permanent hiring for fourth quarter in 2014:

Company size	Permanent hiring in Q4	Seasonal hiring in Q4
50 or fewer employees	16%	17%
51 to 250 employees	34%	27%
251 to 500 employees	36%	27%
More than 500 employees	35%	31%

So, get out there and job hunt and take advantage of a period that so many people ignore as a prime time for a jobseeker.  To your job search success!

Taking Notes in an Interview, it’s a Must!

There are a few books and bloggers out there that claim you shouldn't take notes during an interview.  I am here to tell you that advice is wrong.  While you don’t want to sit and take notes constantly as if you are copying the interviewers every word, you can take notes on the most salient points of the conversation, including skills and tasks they most want from a candidate, salary info, benefits, your managers management style, and what they think the most important part of your job will be ultimately.  You cannot possibly remember every part of an interview conversation without taking a few notes on the most important facts.  Not having notes will keep you from writing the best possible thank you note, and it will mean you have no reference of information for the next step of the process, often a second interview.  Take notes, the interviewers expect you to, and having them will help you to make the best decision for your career.  To your interview success!

Be Original: No More Resume Templates!

Even though you will use a traditional reverse chronological resume for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) when applying for a job online, traditional doesn't have to mean a template.  The same goes for the resume you hand to the interviewer or networking contact.  Looking at lots of different samples to determine how you will overall format your resume is fine, but just picking a generic template that employers see way too frequently will not make for a positive first impression. Be a bit more original while keeping within the boundaries of what ATS and those viewing you resume expect, and see more response.  To your job search success!

The “HOBBY” Question

Hobby questions can be precarious and you want to consider what you will say before going into an interview.  Most hiring managers and HR personnel like to hear about active hobbies, like walking, gardening, running, travel, etc., volunteerism, and interesting hobbies like woodworking or aviation.  Reading materials can also be nice to include, but stay away from political, religious, romance or science fiction related materials, and instead talk about business related, motivational-type books, doing crossword puzzles or Sudoku.   Avoid talking about watching lots of television or spending lots of time at home in general.  The more active you show your mind and body to be, the more the interviewer will see you as an active and engaged person for their team.  To your job search and interview success!

References and Your Job Search

Obtain your references just ahead of starting a job search or right at the beginning of a “forced” job search.  Your first three to four references should always be professional, as what companies really want to know is how well you perform in the workplace.  For instance:  are you dependable, do you have the skills required by the potential employer, do you complete projects on time, do you manage your time well, are you a self-starter?, etc.  Personal references should also be someone who can talk about your work ethic, how you get along with others, and dependability.  They should not be your drinking buddy, the person you haven’t seen in 10 years, or an individual who can’t answer the “biggest weakness” question without torpedoing your candidacy.  Never use an individual as a reference you haven’t spoken with personally; no one wants a surprise call suddenly asking for a reference about you.  Quality references significantly improve your chances of being hired, so select them wisely.  To your job search success!

Phone Interview Tips

Phone interviews are incredibly important and there are several things you can do to have a more successful outcome.  First, before the call ensure you have all the information needed in front of you, including your resume and cover letter, job ad, and company research.  Second, have something to take notes on (and with) so you don’t distract the interviewer with the noise of the computer keyboard.  Third, take the call in a quiet room at home or in your car with no children, dogs, television or radio sound in the background.  Fourth and last, have some water at the ready since your nerves will most likely make you thirsty.  Try these tips before your next phone interview.  To your job search and interview success!

Interview Tip - What to do prior to an interview

Here are 10 tips to help you be more prepared prior to going into an interview. 

--Make sure you know where the interview location is, and if necessary, travel to the location the day before to ensure you can get there in the estimated time and find a close parking space.

--Bring nice copies of your resume and cover letter, on stationery (if possible), to the interview.

--Bring a bottle of water.

--Bring a notebook or portfolio to take notes during the interview.

--Bring a book, a real book not digital, to read. Choose a book with a business-related or motivational topic, no politics or religion, or anything like science fiction or romance novels.

--Write out questions you want to ask prior to the interview and take them with you.

--Arrive 20 minutes early.

--Turn off your cell phone and any other digital devices.

--Check your outfit and make sure it is clean and neat in appearance.

--Get rid of chewing gum, check for food caught between teeth, or lipstick smears around mouth or on teeth.

To your job search and interview success!

Career Tip

Keep track of your accomplishments at work on a regular basis.  From being part of a project team to saving the company money, anything you do to make a difference for the organization should be written down and saved.  Now, during performance reviews you have a list of achievements to review with your supervisor, and lots of information to choose from for a resume update.  I recommend having a file just for career accomplishments at your home where you can easily find the information.  Whether you track it month-to-month or year-to-year you will have a comprehensive account of your work success. 

Interview Tip

Try scheduling your job interview towards the end of the workday or after 5:00 PM when possible, particularly if you have a current job.  Besides being respectful to your current employer and their time, you can determine some great information about your potential employer.  First, are they flexible, as some companies will only schedule within a narrow timeline regardless of your employment situation.  Second, if you are at the potential employers after 5:00 PM you can see how many people are still working.  This can give you some insight into potential overtime.  To your job search success!

If You Are Early You Are On Time

The title of my article is an old military adage and very concisely communicates that to merely be on time means you will get started on your task late.  This applies to both a person’s job search and their career.  When you get that coveted interview you want to put your best foot forward, and arriving right at the start of, or late to your interview certainly won’t make a good impression.  Starting out to your interview early with a plan to arrive 20 minutes ahead of schedule can ensure extra time if you get caught in traffic, enable you to check over your outfit and pre-interview notes one more time, and to feel less rushed and less nervous. 

In your job/career, getting to work a little early can help you as well.  How about not having to drive over the speed limit, risking a speeding ticket, just to make it to work on time?  How about not having your boss or coworkers mad at you again for being late?  Imagine the feeling of getting ahead of your work for the day and maybe even being able to leave a little early on occasion without feeling guilty?  Perhaps you will miss some of the rush hour traffic or get a better parking space.  Regardless of the benefit, you will definitely avoid the hurried and stressed out approach that everyone else takes who doesn’t make a little extra time for their commute.  Start your day out a little earlier and reap the benefits of more peace and calm in your life!  To your job search and career success! 

Career Management Quotes of the Week!

"The pen that writes your life story must be held in your own hand."

-- Irene C. Kasseria


"Be so good they can’t ignore you."
  
-- Steve Martin