CMS Career Blog

Remember the game your mom used to make you play on long road trips to keep you from whacking your little sister in the head the whole time? It went something like, “I’m going on a trip, and I’m taking with me …” Then everyone would take a turn telling what you would bring along. You had to pick something that used the next letter of the alphabet, but first you had to remember what everyone ahead of you said for their letter.

Hey, I know, let’s try it using only things you need for your job search.

I’ll go first. “I’m going out to look for a job and I’m taking…(continue reading)

In my last post I recommended 5 things you can do over the holidays to help you find a job.  In this post I want to encourage you to volunteer as a way to find your perfect job.  That’s right, volunteer.  There are many ways to go about it, and lots of organizations need you – especially during the holiday season.  Here are some suggestions followed by reasons why this is great career advice! In fact, volunteering may be better than a great resume for getting your foot in the door.

Where to show up. (Continue reading at http://careeradvice4u.com/find-perfect-job-volunteer/)

So you are looking for a job.  Well, sooner or later someone is going to suggest you find a recruiter (sometimes called a head hunter, or a job placement agency).  It’s not a bad idea, but it’s not a panacea either.  If you are going to work with a recruiter, there are some things you should know.

1)    Recruiters do NOT work for you.  It’s NOT their job to find you a job.  Recruiters are paid by a company to find candidates. As such, you are part of their inventory.  Nothing more and nothing less. This may sound “cold”, but understanding that fact up front will save you heartache and time.  It will also help you work more effectively with recruiters.
2)    A recruiter will not pass your name along to a company if they don’t feel you are a perfect fit for the position.  If they pass along a candidate that is determined to be “unqualified” they risk their reputation with the hiring company.  If you feel you are a great fit, you need to work with your recruiter to understand the needs of the position and re-tool your resume to fit it exactly.  If you can’t, you should not force the issue.
(Continue reading this post at: http://www.CareerAdvice4U.com/blog)

We’ve all heard the advice.  “You must have a great resume in order to get a good job.”

That piece of career advice is one of the reasons why resume writing services are so popular these days.  Many professionals will shell out anywhere from $500 to $1,000 just to have a professional write their resume for them.  I’m sure you’ve seen the websites for these resume writing services.  They promise you will make over $100K or increase your income by $10k per year, just because you have a professional resume and cover letter.  But do these resumes work any better at getting the job?  I don’t think so, and here’s why.

In a traditional job search the purpose of a resume is to help you get an interview.  Nothing more. A good resume gets your foot in the door and allows you to talk to the person (or persons) who make the hiring decision. In the old way of finding a job a resume is pretty much a blind introduction. (read more at: www.careeradvice4u.com/blog)

I don’t often hand out testimonials for other career coaches, but when it comes to getting the most out of your job search I’ve been impressed with the work of Joshua Waldman. Joshua runs a website called Career Enlightenment (at www.joshuawaldman.net).  Joshua is a former sales and marketing professional who brings his expertise to help job seekers learn how to effectively use social media in the job search. His career advice is right on. In my opinion, Joshua gets it. . . .  (article continued at www.CareerAdvice4U.com/blog)

One of our clients recently shared this networking story with us.

“Joe” found a job posting online that looked perfect for him.  He checked his LinkedIn network and found that a former work colleague was working at that company so he reached out.  Following good networking etiquette, Joe didn’t ask for help getting to the hiring manager or for any favors from his old friend.  Joe simply called to re-ignite the relationship and to ask some questions about the company culture, how his friend liked working there, etc.  Joe focused the conversation on what he could do to help his old friend.  They talked for about 30 minutes.  During that time Joe and his old friend caught up on work, family, their careers, and a variety of other topics.  It felt good to reconnect.

After half an hour or so, Joe said, “Well, I better let you get back to work.  That’s about all of the questions I have.  I’d ask you more about the position I’m interested in applying for, but you probably don’t know much about it.”

Joe’s friend responded, “Actually, I know quite a lot about that position.  I am the hiring manager.”

Silence.

Joe had not intended to use his relationship to gain any favorable treatment so he apologized to his old friend and told him that he hoped it didn’t make him feel awkward.  A bit embarrassed, Joe signed off by saying, “I’ve put my application in through you website.  I don’t want you to be surprised if you see it.”

His friend replied, “Joe, send your resume DIRECTLY to me.  You fit the bill, and I want to include you in our formal interview process.  Ultimately our entire management team will make the decision, so I can’t promise anything.  But, I DO think you are a very qualified candidate.”

Joe did all the right things when it comes to networking and it has paid off.  He focused on the needs of his friend.  He reached out to rekindle an old relationship, but didn’t ask for any favors or special treatment.  He learned about the company and got more information about the job – but he DIDN’T ask for a job!

Great work Joe!  Thanks for showing us the right way to use networking in the job search!

I’ve been at this for nearly 3 years now and here are some of the things I’ve learned about what it takes to find a job.  These “hints” are important in ANY economy, but perhaps MORE important in this deep recession.

1. No postings does NOT equal no job — people are always being hired, even in a deep recession.  Why? Because other people move, get sick, quit, retire, die. . . Just because there is not a posting, doesn’t mean there isn’t a job there to be done … stop thinking of yourself as a “employee” and start thinking of yourself as an “independent contractor” — ee’s get hired and fired.  Independent Contractors are always on temporary assignment (who isn’t these days) and are able to pick up a “new gig” as the need arises.
2. Don’t wait until you are looking for a job to update your resume — or your network.  If you are currently employed you are probably aware of how temporary that could be.  We have had client with 25 years of experience in the same company come into work to find they no longer had a job.  NOW is the time to think about your next job . . . even if you aren’t thinking about your next job.
3. It’s not what you know, it’s WHO you now.  Somewhere 45-80% of all job seekers find their job through networking.  Networking is about WHO you know — not so much for what you can get from them, but what you can OFFER TO THEM.
4. Don’t work all the time.  You have heard that finding a job is a full time job.  Finding a job is also (for most of us) a series of learning and applying new skills — most of the time these are DIFFERENT skills than you will use in your regular job.  The process of learning new skills is exhausting.  You need to take some time off.  I recommend you spend 30-35 hours a week on the job search.  Plan into your day some time for networking, a small amount of time on answering ads and submitting resumes, AND time for physical exercise.  It’s really important.  Set goals.  Measure your success towards the achieving of those goals and not “did I get a job.”  You will be able to take some time off at the end of the week knowing that you have accomplished something.
5. You WILL land.  Eventually you will find work.  Hopefully it will be your perfect career.  Hopefully it will fit your life goals.  Hopefully it will be sooner than later.  But have faith, you WILL land.
6. You WILL go through this again.  Learn the process of finding a job now so you can use it the next time you need it.

These are some of the things I’ve learned about the job search.  What have YOU learned?

[This morning's post is a guest post written by Flora Novarra. Thanks Flora!]

Words create relationships. Social networking entries are composed of specific words selected by an author. Those words communicate at least two messages. One message is about the task. This task can be as simple as posting information or answering a question.

The second message is about the relationship. Yes, a relationship of some kind exists between the participants in every piece of communication. The choice of words defines and offers a relationship.

For example, consider two answers a woman received when she asked a LinkedIn group for suggestions in producing an ebook. One answer said “go to my website and purchase my book.” These directive words offered a relationship in which one person tells the other person what to do.

A second person replied that they were also writing an ebook. They included links to three resources and asked a question in return. Through these words the author offered a relationship between peers defined by mutual exchange.

The woman who asked the question may accept, decline or negotiate a different relationship with the people who answered her question. Chances are good she will pursue a relationship if she thinks the benefits outweigh the effort. That relationship will then evolve as it is further defined by the continuing communication.

Social Networking builds relationships through words. Choose your words and you choose your relationships.

Flora Novarra
Novarra Communications
www.novarracom.com
ghostblogging.biz

Here’s a link to a recent Forbes.com article with predictions about jobs in 2009: http://is.gd/cWiZ.

Basically, the author says, “If you’ve got a job you like, hold on to it with all your might.”  Sound advice, IF you can follow it. But what about those who have been recent casualties of the economic crisis facing our nation/world?  If you’ve recently LOST your job, you need more advice than simply, “hold on to what you’ve got.”

Here are some resources that will be helpful in your job search:

• Career Crossroads 2.0 - a social network for job seekers.  It’s free to start an account.
• LinkedIn - A social network for professionals.  Build your network and find opportunities within it.
• O*NET - An online research database provided by the US federal government.
• Resume Bear - “Advance Your Career. Empower Your Resume.”
• “Brand You” - An article by Tom Peters in Fast Company magazine discussing the importance of self branding.

With the new economic stimulus package being proposed by President Obama in Congress, I believe that there will be a significant amount of money being poured into the alternative energy, healthcare and highway/infrastructure sectors.  If you aren’t prepared to enter either of those areas, perhaps this is a good time to get some additional training.  Some state workforce development departments have funds to re-train people through their dislocated workers programs.  It’s worth checking out with your state employment department.

Folks, the news we get is that the economy continues to slide.  DON’T let that discourage you!  People are still finding work.  Develop your network, build a personal brand, and embark on a career marketing campaign.  These things WILL make a difference in your job search.

Best wishes.

According to a recent NY Times article, President Elect Obama has upped his goal of providing new jobs in the first two years of his presidency from 2.5 million to 3 million. Many of these jobs will be in areas that will enhance our current transportation infrastructure (roads and bridges) and help us cut our addiction to foreign oil (new energy sources such as solar and wind power).  My fervent belief is that Mr. Obama and the new Senate will want to get started on this project within a few weeks of his taking the oath of office.  New jobs should be coming online within the next few month.  Are YOU ready?  Here are some things you can do now to be prepared when those new jobs come around.

1. Build your network.  You have heard that it’s not what you know, but who you know.  The saying is even more true today than it ever has been.  Statistics say that
2. Enhance your skills.  What do you need to know that you don’t currently know?  Do you need some training in a specific skill area or with a particular software program?  Now is the right time to take a class or return to school for a program that will enhance your skills and abilities.
3. Develop a strong, compelling, memorable, and inspiring Unique Selling Proposition.  Here’s link to a recent article on developing your “Elevator Pitch” that will be helpful for pulling together your USP.
4. Create a winning resume.  Make sure you focus on developing a resume that highlights that which you are both capable of and willing to do in your next position.  It should include a strong USP (Unique Selling Proposition) and clearly quantified results of your accomplishments.
5. Explore growing industries. Some of the industries sure to grow in 2009 are healthcare and alternative energy.  What skills do you have that might be transferable to either of these industries?
6. Clean up your Internet presence.  Do you have an account on Facebook? Plaxo? LinkedIn? Career Crossroads 2.0?  Have you updated them recently?  Do so now.

Obama’s innaguration is just 2 weeks away.  Are YOU ready for the new jobs this new administration plans to create?