The Road Many Jobseekers Ignore
Navigators target organizations that align with their values and interests and positions that allow them to make a meaningful difference while setting them up for future opportunities.
When I first moved to Westchester County, I always ended up on Wilmot Road, no matter where I drove. Now there is nothing wrong with this road, except it took me longer to get to my destination.
The process of finding a job is like moving to an unfamiliar area. It takes time to acclimate to the new landscape, and a wrong turn can cost you precious time and money.
There are two types of job seekers. The first one I call the cave person. The primal desire for security drives cave people causing them to pursue the archaic path to #employment. They waste precious time chasing openings on job boards where many of the postings have become extinct. These boards are the modern-day version of the classified ad except now, anyone from anywhere in the world can respond to these listings.
The second group is navigators that possess strong #self-awareness and a take-the-wheel attitude that allows them to attract opportunities before they are published. They move into reconnaissance mode when change is evident. Navigators target organizations that align with their values and interests and positions that allow them to make a meaningful difference while setting them up for future opportunities.
Answer the questions below to determine if you are a cave person or navigator:
1. I am looking for:
a. A job that will pay the bills - I cannot afford to be unemployed.
b. An opportunity that allows me to use my favored skills, knowledge, experience.
2. I consider my circumstances:
a. Desperate
b. As a new challenge that will allow me to make a difference for a company that values my background.
3. My job search strategy is:
a. To scour the job boards for openings or use a #recruiter.
b. A multifaceted approach that includes targeting companies that are a good fit, face-to-face meetings, participation in professional #associations and events, and using technology to promote my unique point of view.
4. I find I am:
a. Baffled as to why I do not get a response to my résumé.
b. Frequently introduced to new contacts and people interested in speaking with me.
5. The purpose of a #résumé is:
a. To get a job.
b. To get an interview.
6. During job interviews, I find myself:
a. Talking more about my past responsibilities or repeating information included in my résumé.
b. Maintaining a balance between learning more about the job, culture, and environment and offering proof of how I solved similar problems.
7. At the end of a job interview:
a. I ask the interviewer when I can expect to hear something.
b. I state I am confident that I can make a real difference here. Based on my background and experience, what concerns do you have about my fit for the position? I then address any concerns or move forward to inquiring about next steps.
If you chose OPTION A more then once for questions 1 through 7, you might be treating your transition like a cave person. This practice can extend the length of your search or attract bad employers.
How to Use the Holiday Season to Jumpstart Your Career in 2019
With only a few weeks till the ball drops, I thought you might enjoy some ideas to improve your career in 2019:
I just love most everything about the December holiday season...the lights and decorations, Christmas carols, the crisp cold weather, shopping for presents to give to my family and friends. I am especially energized by socializing during this time of the year.
I also like to make time for identifying the wins I had within the past twelve months. This gives me an idea of what goals I want to set for the coming year. With only a few weeks till the ball drops, I thought you might enjoy some ideas to improve your career in 2019:
Grow your network on and off line. Update your LinkedIn profile to expand your reach and attract recruiters if you are planning a job search. If you aren’t a member of professional organization, now is the time to join one. Some associations might offer a partial year rate. Membership in a local chamber of commerce can boost sales if you have a product or service you want to promote. In addition to increasing sales participation in a professional access gives you access to programs and information instrumental to your success. It can also polish your personal brand.
When you sit down to update your elevator pitch or LinkedIn profile ask yourself
• Who do you want to engage? A family member focuses on recruiting professionals experienced with a specific technology, which is the first word in his LI profile.
• What sets you apart from your colleagues? Are you able to juggle tasks? Are you known for solving a specific type of problem?
• What do you want to accomplish? Fill your pipeline? Reconnect with people? Track down job leads?
Land your dream job in 2019. Several years ago, I learned to write down my goals. An end of the year review showed that I had accomplished everything on the list. Write a description of your dream job. Be as detailed as possible. Where is the office located? how much are you paid? What size is the company? What will your work day look like? When do you want this to happen? Once you are done, break your transition down into small steps.
Prepare to answer the most important interview question. Why should I hire you? That’s the top question on the minds of hiring manager. What can you do that the other candidates can’t or won’t say they can do? A recent client shared he achieved 100% account retention within three years. What company wouldn’t want to hire someone able to produce this result?
My holiday wish is for you to enjoy this magical season and make time to plan for a successful 2019!
Six Real Reasons Why You Will Be Hired
Regardless of whether you are an entry-level candidate or a senior executive the reason you will get the job depends on six simple yet powerful concepts,
Last week, one of my favorite colleagues, Elisabeth Sanders-Park led a workshop based on her book, The Six Reasons You'll Get the Job. Counted among the 25 plus attendees was yours truly.
The book is for anyone who has applied for and failed to receive an offer for a position they believed was a perfect fit for them. Regardless of whether you are an entry-level candidate or a senior executive the reason you will get the job depends on six simple yet powerful concepts, PADMAN.
Presentation
Ability
Dependability
Motivation
Attitude
Network
Presentation is more than showing up in your best interview outfit, combing your hair, and flashing a smile. Instead, you are being judged on whether or not you fit the company's image. For example, you will want to ditch the suit if you are interviewing with a tech company but straighten your tie if you meeting with a law firm.
This is just the tip of the iceberg. The way you speak, your mannerisms, and online identity are being scrutinized. Targeting companies whose image is similar to your own will improve your chance of success.
Ability to do the job will help get you the interview. Convincing the employer customers and employees will get along well with you, and you apply your knowledge, skills, and abilities towards the best interest of the business.
Dependability is what my Goddaughter refers to as keeping one's say. You need to demonstrate that you can be counted on to effectively manage budgets and money, act in the best interests of the organization when dealing with customers, keep business secrets, handle and represent products, and uphold the corporate reputation.
I remember when my Goddaugther was upset with me because I failed to keep my say about not calling her Princess in front of her friends. She forgave me but at that moment she doubted whether she could rely on me to not embarrass her. Employers want proof that you can be counted on to follow directions and act in the best interests of the company.
Motivation in the eyes of employers is defined as using your actions and goals to promote and meet the goals of the company. Your activities count when they move the business closer to its goals.
A review of the corporate website, the mission statement along with an Internet search, information interviews with staff and customers will help identify the needs and wants of the company.
Attitude from an employers point of view is connected to fit. Are you someone who will be easy to work with? How will you fit in with the team? Will customers enjoy working with you? You might find it hard to project a collegial attitude when you have bills to pay and other external pressures.
In additional to the tips mentioned in this article prayer, a conversation with someone you know and trust, exercise can prepare you for the rigors of the job interview and help you maintain a positive attitude.
Network or the people you know and how you know them. The speaker at a networking meeting I attended asked everyone to describe themselves using one or two words. When it was my turn, I said I was "a connector of people, ideas, and words". Several people approached me after the meeting because they were interested in learning about the people I knew.
The ability to bring prospective clients, vendors, and fresh talent to an organization is attractive. However, it can also be concerning if you worked for a company whose practices were questionable. Therefore, be judicious when speaking about your contacts. Even more, be selective when deciding to accept a job offer.
Breaking the Isolation of Going It Alone
Regardless of whether you are a small business owner, an employee, or a job seeker marketing is a large part of managing the professional facet of life.
I am working on this article for my newsletter while sitting amongst members of the Sunday night Shut Up and Write group in Manhattan. My decision to forsake the comfort of my home for sharing an 18” round table with a young fiction writer was based on my difficulty to push out a regular newsletter and other postings. You might be asking yourself how does this apply to you.
The challenge of being a career coach and professional resume writer is that I do not feel like I am working unless I am writing a résumé program or engaged with a person seeking to improve their career. At the suggestion, no make that push of my coach I decided to set aside some time to work on my business instead of in it. Regardless of whether you are a small business owner, an employee, or a job seeker marketing is a large part of managing the professional facet of life.
While I did have plans to write a piece on gearing up for a job change, the 20 plus writers pecking away at their keyboard inspired me to come clean about my own professional struggles. The truth is I experience great joy when I am actively involved in helping someone else. Unfortunately, this trait limits my capacity to reach more people.
A friend who lives in Ohio joined a Shut Up and Write group to work on a book. Her positive experience encouraged me to do the same. I figured if nothing else, it would give me a chance to expand my network while spending time on the Upper Westside, one of my favorite sections of Manhattan.
Back to what this has to do with you. As a career coach, I understand how hard it can be to get out there. It feels safe to sit home in front of your computer and post your résumé on the various job boards. However, this is one of the worst ways to move your career forward. It is isolating and frustrating to wait for an email or phone call that leads to a new opportunity.
My advise to job seekers is get out from behind the computer and utilize your network. Tonight I am taking my own advice. If all goes well, you can expect to receive my newsletter and see me on LinkedIn and Facebook more frequently.
6 Ways to Stand Out and Land the Job
In the movie Tootsie, the opening scene zooms in on Michael Dorsey played by Dustin Hoffman preparing for an audition. He continues to try out for various acting parts. Despite telling casting directors he can play old, young, tall, short he fails to land a role After an audition for a soap opera goes poorly, he reinvents himself as Dorothy Michaels. To his mazel (luck for those of you who do not understand Yiddish), what was supposed to be a brief gig turns into a long-term contract.
As a credentialed career coach and resume writer, I occasionally meet people who suffer from what I call the Tootsie syndrome. Either they are too old or too young, too dark or too light, too experienced or not experienced enough. There are many reasons why you will or will not get the job. If any of them have to do with ageism, racism, or any other kind of ism, ask yourself if you will be happy working for an employer that will hold these things against you. Chances are you will not want to be in that type of environment.
Apart from the challenges that age, cultural background, race or anything else bring, there are things you can do to capture the interest of hiring managers.
1. Avoid focusing on what you cannot change. Along with age comes wisdom and experience. Younger companies and those in need of a turnaround can benefit from someone who has been there, done that, and knows how to do it again. Whereas the more established corporations seek recent graduates who are quick learners with the adaptability to learn new technologies. Your cultural background may be of benefit to organizations targeting niche and global markets.
2. Put your best foot forward. Join a gym, take a yoga class, start race walking. In addition to helping you lose those extra pounds exercise will help you manage stress related to your job search. Working out is a great way to boost your energy and give you a more youthful appearance. Participation in a group program can also expand your network.
While we are on the topic of appearance, consider these do’s and don’ts.
a. Have a professional colorist dye your hair instead of doing it yourself.
b. Invest in a new interview suit or outfit if you gained more than ten pounds or your outfit is outdated.
c. Be well groomed. Ladies keep your nails neatly filed even if you must cut back on manicures. Men remember to trim your mustache and / or beard.
3. Gratitude can change your attitude. Celebrate the small wins. In a past career as an account executive, I learned it takes 20 no’s to get one yes. Each time someone hung up the phone on me meant I was one step closer to getting a yes. Every interview is an opportunity to learn what does and does not work and will help you refine your skills.
4. Save the day. Cartoon character, Mighty Mouse possesses super strength, X-ray vision, and invulnerability. Compile a list of areas that you have super strength. Are you a people person? Are you better at crunching numbers? Be prepared to demonstrate your super powers by writing down your SPARSE stories: situation, problem, actions, results, and skills employed. Use your X-ray vision to uncover the employer’s real needs. Even if you believe you are desperate build your confidence by reading affirmations or the Bible and asking friends and family memebers what they see as your greatest strengths. The process of having your resume professionally written is a great assurance booster. A certified resume writer is trained to hone in on your gifts and achievements.
5. Give them something to talk about. The day of getting your job through the New York Times is a rare event. The new, modern resume must be compatible with automated tracking systems, promote your accomplishments as well as your experience, be well-written, and error free. Your document should appeal to the eyes and make it easy for employers to visually scan for relevant information. If you are not familiar with how to do this your last name may get filed as MBA or J.D. When hiring managers are trying to reduce the pile of resumes one typo can cost you a valuable opportunity. Visit the library or your local bookstore or contact a certified resume writer to learn how resumes have evolved into career marketing materials.
6. Stand out from the other candidates. Like an actor who learns their lines and creates a memorable character you too can engage and enthrall hiring managers with your understanding of the company and the job. Spend at least six hours researching the organization and its competitors. A visit to Glassdoor will allow you to glean information about the company’s approach to interviewing, what past and present employees have to say about the workplace culture and environment as well obtaining salary information. Google the business name to see what customers have to say. Look on LinkedIn for employee profiles and articles they have written. Utilize the information you have gathered to prove you are the best candidate.
At the foundation of your job search is a valuable person who has made a difference in the world. Whether you are currently employed, about to be downsized, or in a job search you have achieved many different things. If you are new to the workforce, you survived the rigors of college while trying to figure out who you are and what is your purpose. You can learn new things and have the eagerness to apply them. If you are a seasoned professional with 20+ years of experience, you have a lot to contribute to an organization in need of someone just like you.
If being an employee no longer works for you, do a Tootsie and reinvent yourself. After all, Dorothy’s short stint evolved into a long-term contract.
Anne-Marie Ditta is an executive career coach and certified resume writer focused on helping mid managers and c-level executives plan and execute a rewarding move for every phase of your career. She has written 1000+ resumes and coached 500+ executive within the past 17 years You can learn more about her at http://firstimpressioncareerservice.com or schedule a complimentary consultation by calling 917-576-2821 or sending an email to amditta@gmail.com