Network…to find a job???

According to Donna Fisher, a networking expert, 70% of jobs are obtained by networking.  That means that only 30% of employees find new jobs from internet websites, classified ads, or temp agencies.  Pretty small figure, if you ask me.

So how do you use networking to get hired?  Thanks to the internet, networking has gotten so easy.  By typing one small message, you can e-mail all of your AOL, yahoo, and hotmail contacts as well as post a bulletin on your MySpace, LinkedIn, and Face book pages about your job search.  Then every person you meet face to face, whether it’s your close friends, relatives, neighbors or beautician, let them know you’re on the prowl for a new job.

While most of the leads you get won’t be for positions you are interested, the few that are relevant will be more than valuable.  In your cover letter, you can get beyond an employer’s skepticism by mentioning your inside contact.  Even better, you might be able to convince your networking contact to give the resume directly to the manager for you.  If this person is a good worker, then the hiring manager will be more likely to contact you as opposed to someone who is cold calling or responding to the want ads.

I wonder how many people truly use networking as the tool it is meant to be…

Reality Check: Your Attitude May Be Costing You A Job…

Typically, when an employer calls you in for an interview, he is 
already impressed with you.  After pouring over hundreds of 
resumes, he still has your resume in his hand!  That means all 
you have to do is go in and prove that the candidate on paper is 
the same person sitting across from his desk.  Simple, right?
 
Well for most people, it is extremely difficult.  So difficult in
fact, that few people really ever make it past the interviewing 
phase for months!  Don’t let this happen to you.  Below are the 
top eight “Oh No’s!” that employees do to ruin their interviews.

1. Being Late!  If you want to prove that you are a professional
   and deserve to work for a company, do not waste your potential 
   boss’ time.  Remember, there are hundreds of other applicants 
   waiting in the wings for you to mess this up so they can get 
   their chance.  Be punctual and start off on the right foot.
2. Dressing Inappropriately! Have you ever seen someone walk 
   into an office with a tank top, unkempt hair, and a pair of jeans
    trying to get a job?  I have…but I’ve yet to see them actually 
   get hired.  Remember, the key to getting employed is proving to 
   an employer that you can handle the position and are 
   professional.  If you go into an interview dressed 
   unprofessionally, an employer can only imagine how you will dress
    once you are actually hired.  So for now, stick to the general 
   rule of suit and tie for men and dress, slacks, or skirt for 
   women.
3.  Lying.  There is nothing worse than talking to a person who 
   is avoiding eye contact, overtly exaggerating, or speaking 
   falsely about something you already know the truth about. Of 
   course, getting the job is important to you and you want to paint
   the picture that you are a model employee.  But you can 
   accomplish this without losing your dignity.  It is really 
   embarrassing and detrimental when your boss finds out that the 
   real reason you left your old job was because you were fired for 
   stealing office supplies for your family, friends, and friendly 
   neighbors. Be honest and avoid having security escort you out a 
   week after getting hired!
4.  Not asking questions.  When you go to an interview, always 
   have questions prepared.  As a high school student, I made this 
   mistake myself and the manager asked if I had any questions 3 
   times!  All 3 times, I said “no,” which was the same answer he 
   gave me when I asked if I got the job.  Don’t make the same 
   mistake.  Come prepared with simple questions that show you’ve 
   taken this position seriously and have given the option of 
   working with the company a lot of thought.
5.  Asking the wrong questions.  I know this sounds a little 
   contradictory, but… Many employees start off immediately asking
    about salary benefits and occupational perks way too early during
    an interview. Start out with general questions about the company,
    work environment, and job responsibilities before asking the 
   “what’s in it for me” questions.
6.  Bar talking!  Don’t treat your boss as if he is your local 
   hangout buddy.  Remain professional.  DO NOT talk about your 
   personal opinions of race, sex, religion, or politics.  You do 
   not want to give him any information that he can use to exclude 
   you.
7.  Poor communication! When you are at an interview, stay 
   focused.  Maintain eye contact.  Speak loudly.  And for Pete’s 
   sake, don’t talk with gum in your mouth!
8. Not knowing about the company.  Do your research before going
   on an interview.  Employers are always impressed when you can 
   praise them about aspects of their company that you believe are 
   going well.  It builds a good rapport and proves that you are 
   really interested in working for them.
    

Follow these eight guidelines and you should have a good shot at 
succeeding at the job interview!

Does unemployment belong in your resume?

Two days ago, I was working with a client who hadn’t worked in six months and had finally decided to find a resume writer.  She asked me if her time off from working would be a bad reflection.

My answer was that if she had done something incredible or different during that time, then no, it would actually be an asset.  In fact, I suggest this to all people who have taken time off from work.  If you have engaged in a life changing event, DO NOT try to hide that fact.  Instead play up that trip around the world or the time you spent bullfighting. 

Why?  Because you did something that your boss will probably NEVER have the guts to do…and that simple fact will get you called in for an interview.  Your future boss will be so intrigued to learn about this life changing experience that he’ll call you in to learn even more.  If you can satisfy his curiousity  and  also provide detailed proof of how you were a responsible, hard-working employee prior to this rendezvous, you’ll have a greater chance of getting hired.  You’ll be the prodigal employee.

But this only works if you’ve engaged in an outlandish escapade that most corporate people will never have a chance to experience.  Then you can rationalize this break by stating, “I know I have another 20 years of work before I retire and this once in a lifetime experience fell into my lap.  I knew that if I missed out on this opportunity, i would regret it for the rest of my life.  I was sure to tie up all loose ends and even kept in contact with my former boss.  But once I came back, I knew that I wanted to branch out and expand my business experience in the same manner that I had expanded my personal life.”  Your manager will love that you took initiative into enjoying your life and that you were a responsible employee.

If, however, you happen to have spent the last six months spreading crumbs throughout your couch cushions and memorizing all the dialogue to Fight Club…now that’s a different story.

But if you’re one of the few people in the world who has chosen to take life by the horns and enjoy it while you can…then don’t try to hide that enthusiasm of life in your resume with fancy tricks and date hiding… instead showcase those extraordinary life moments.

Choosing a Professional Resume Writer

When I was sixteen, my dad ”helped me” prepare my first resume.  Looking back at that first experience, I remember thinking how lucky I was to have a father that was so professional and had so much knowledge.  Years later, I look back at that same resume and crack up. 

My objective, as a sixteen year old, was “To find a job that would further enhance my work experience and provide adequate opportunities to develop a career with upward mobility and professional challenges.” 

Now, I don’t know about anyone else, but even as a gifted student, at sixteen, there was NO WAY, I was worried about upward mobility and certainly not challenges.

But of course, my father was not a professional resume writer.  He was a business professional used to working with adults and was “trying to help me out”.  This is not what you should be looking for when you are choosing the person that will be helping you get the career of your dreams.  Instead, seek out:

1. Someone who LISTENS!  I cannot tell you how many resume writers are out there and have their own preconceived ideas about what a resume should be and are not interested in your input at all. Make sure your professional resume writer conducts phone or in-person consultations to discuss YOUR career goals.
2. FREE consultations!  Never, ever, ever pay for a consultation… no matter what credentials the person has floating around.  Your first, initial contact should be absolutely free.  If a company ask for your credit card information prior to a consultation, be wary!  However, if you trust the company and you want to purchase a resume product immediately, then by all means, make the payment and enjoy!
3. Qualifications!  The resume writer you choose should have good, solid references that you can actually contact to find out about their services.  They should also be able to provide you with satisfactory samples.
4. Experience!  This does not mean in terms of years because quality resumes have changed over time.  You want to find someone who has actual experience helping clients find a job recently.  Don’t rely on years of experience to determine how well they can help you find the job you’re looking for NOW.
5. Guarantees!  Your resume should come with 1 of 2 guarantees – either you get your money back or your resume continues to be rewritten until it results in your satisfaction and getting you a job interview.