If You Have Got What It takes, We Can Help Get You There

If you have got what it takes, we can help get you there….

On most days, I visit with clients whose careers take a positive turn. They praise our service and assistance in getting them focused so they can take their career to the next level.

Frankly, I don’t want to talk about the client who did not find a job. Last week such a client called. He has been unemployed for three years. He began the conversation by saying that he had filed for bankruptcy because the résumé that I wrote had not worked for him. He had his résumé reviewed by an online service and they told him it was unprofessional and poorly written.

Of course, he was a tinker…and after all of his tinkering with it, the résumé was unprofessional. He went on to tell me that his house was in foreclosure and he would be homeless soon.

Then, when he took a breath, I asked my penetrating question. “Did you get interviews with the résumé that I wrote for you?”

“Yes, I got interviews. But I could not pass the screening test that demonstrated my skill level. I test poorly.”

For three years, he has looked for a job through his computer monitor. As I told him, that is one way to pursue employment. I shared with him that less than 3% of unemployed people find their next job by using the internet. The perception is that internet job search is the best way to find your next job. For a few it is. But for most, it is not.

Next, I suggested a trip to the local library. “Can’t I get that information online?”

“Yes you can get some of the information on-line by using your library card number. But onsite at the library, you could read trade journals or other information that would open a window of opportunity for your next position”. Many libraries have a career expert on staff.

Sour, bitter words dripped from his conversation. Frankly, I would not want to work with him as a co-worker. Many employers don’t want to hire employees who can poison their employees and damage morale.

The conversation took turns and u-turns. Then he told me about one company where he interviewed. He was not selected for the job. And he did not get a response following the interview. So he researched and found the name of the corporate executives and wrote the president of this major company to COMPLAIN. Then he got a response. “Thank you for applying…we will keep your résumé on file….”

There is a time to complain about, take your pick of topics, but during the job search is not the time to whine. If you are going to write a letter, praise the people who take the time to visit with you. Find a way to show gratitude. Be the nicest person they have met today – someone that would inspire the team.

During our conversation, I suggested that he identify the companies that interested him the most and find a contact to begin a meaning conversation about opportunities in the job market. In the early stages of the conversation, it is important not to ask for a job, but about their insight into the current job market and related opportunities.

“But I don’t want to do that. Why can’t I do everything from my computer?”

The choice is yours. Good companies are hiring good people. Even during a hiring freeze, I have had clients hired. If you are intimidated by the job market, you may need a partner to create a résumé that will pique employers’ interest and land interviews.

If you are coachable and have the ability to listen, you may learn valuable lessons about navigating the turbulence follow our recent economic downtown. But if you turn a deaf ear and want to believe there are not jobs, you’re right! And of course, you’re still unemployed.

However, there are jobs, but not for the whiners and negative Nellies.

If you have got what it takes, we can help get you there….

(c) 2008 Resume Source, all rights reserved.www.resume-source.com

Read more...

Job Hunting Through A Depressing Recession

by: Vicki Hidde

Find hard-to-get jobs can be a challenge with the gloomy news bombarding us instantly on the internet or hourly through broadcast outlets. The recession word is bad, but when economists, high net worth Americans, and business leaders begin to use the big “D” word, it sends shock waves through our economy.

If this news has not changed our buying habits, it has the momentum to do so. Recently, I read that five states were in crisis mode – California, Florida, Michigan, Nevada and Arizona. Forty-four states are impacted less with the news and there was one state that is growing modestly – Louisiana. In some parts of the country this downturn has limited impact on the economic climate. However everyone is walking on eggs and expecting the floor to fall. Unfortunately, many times we get what we expect.

Should you find yourself unemployed in one of the states struggling or in the state with growth potential, you still need a job. Let’s take a look at an economy that is on the way down or near the bottom. You could say they’re in crisis mode. Sometime unemployed individuals have the opportunity to take advantage of retraining and higher education programs.

Before you enroll in any program, interview a candidate in the program, a professor teaching subject content and a student who has graduated from the program. There will be a couple of exceptions to this advice –one is if you have a passion for medicine, nursing or a specialized medical program in demand – high demand, this may me a good move for you. The operative word here is PASSION. Another consideration might be do you have the aptitude and intellectual capacity to succeed in such a program. I am recalling the old question, “What do they call the person who graduated at the bottom of their class from Harvard Medical School?” The answer, “Doctor”.

Based upon my experience, it is much easier to find a job if you’re ranked in the top 10% of your graduating class.” If you’re going totally refocus your career, you need a plan to excel academically.

There are emerging fields of studies. As one engineer told me, “The technical jobs in demand today, were not on the career radar of students seven or eight years ago. Technology changes so rapidly, there are always new opportunities.”

One added tip here. If you want to identify those new technologies, you may want to join the military. They used the latest technologies. Or another avenue is to do some information mining. What is the next generation of technology? Perhaps you could find a vein of information by reading college publications at renowned technical universities. Or even the regional newspaper from such areas as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, California Institute of Technology, or others.

While I am not trying to confound the process of job search, there is so much contradictory advice. Most of the advice will work for some but not all. You may need someone to help you sort through the process. That someone needs to be fearless in staring down the beast that confronts the unemployed.

During a downturn late in the last century, one of my friends suggested that I write a book. I laughed and said, ”All the Barnes and Noble needs is one more book to confuse folks on resume writing or career development.”

Today as I review all, oh no not all, but some of the information on the internet, I see why job seekers are confused, paralyzed and baffled. Job search is mining for opportunity, identifying the vein with the most potential, developing action plans, identifying secondary options, facing the reality and executing your plan. Inactivity minimized stamina at best and at worst it paralyzes.

If you can’t stare down the “black economic beast”, find someone to help you to get your career on track.

(c)2008 Resume Source, all rights reserved.
www.resume-source.com

Read more...

A REAL Economic TEA Party!

I have been asking the questions, “How could so many experts fail to forecast the 2008-2009 downturn in our economy? Where are all the pundits when you need them?“ So I suggested that a group of the most optimistic career professionals that I know get together and discuss economic indicators that we can use to make labor market forecasts in the Tulsa Metro area.

Five of us met at Panera Bread at 71st and Garnett on March 5, 2009. As we settled down to discuss the economic outlook and enjoy a glass of tea, we all shared the same fears about the economy. Upon reflection one of the biggest factors that all of us face is our attitude toward this current economic bump in the road – we all hope it is not a deep ditch. We all agree that a Pollyanna approach is not in anyone best interest. What is Tulsa Economic Attitude (TEA)?

Collectively there were 95+ years of job search, recruitment and career development experience in the room, all of whom have seen many economic cycles come and go. We have all been glued to the media outlets for any sign of good news about the economy. We could find nothing to be optimistic about! Nothing! But…!

Travis Jones of Career Development Partners commented, “ This is an occasion for employers to realign their teams and obtain top talent for future projects, as well as take advantage of career training to improve the depth of their workforce. More importantly, it is a good time for dissatisfied, under-utilized workers to explore new opportunities and find a position that aligns with their true interest and career goals.”

We all agreed that out of this economic realignment the economy will emerge stronger with more opportunity than in previous decades.

Angela Robinson with the JobGuide shared that her advertisers are reporting that their employees are happy to have jobs and their turnover rate is decreasing. She also pointed out that the economy is like a rose, the petals may fall, but the bush will bloom again. When you see the blooms of spring, know that the economy will once again show growth.

Diana Bacon with ProDrivers was talking about a recent television report showcasing the jobs in transportation. She pointed out that while transportation is slowing somewhat, experienced drivers with good driving records can find jobs.

Ramona Gresham with Goodwill Industries Staffing also attended. Ramona, in addition to her work with Goodwill, is a high-tech recruiter who places top talent with global companies. “While the economy is tight, many companies are always looking for high-performing talent. My clients realize that the economy is cyclical and they need top talent to address changing market place demands.”

In suggesting the TEA to Sonny Lane with the JobGuide, the driving force behind my involvement is to help people who are listening to the bad news and sometimes become paralyzed with fear. It seems that everyone I talk to tells me, “Your business must be booming.”

However, during a soft economy, we spend much more time educating clients on the realities of the job market. If you are spending all of your time researching the job boards and you feel there is no opportunity, you want to rethink your web-based job search plan. Recently, I attended a networking function and was told about 10 to 12 opening with Tulsa employers. If I had been in almost any city in the country, I would have heard about a job or two. Making contacts with key influencers might be a path to a new career.

On March 11, the unemployment numbers for January 2009 were out. Tulsa’s unemployment inched up to 5.0%. While there was an uptick in unemployment, these are not bad numbers based upon the economy nationwide. We should consider ourselves fortunate. One day later the Tulsa World put these same numbers in a grim light – They focused on non-seasonal adjustable rates while I focused on seasonable adjustment data (see article here).

At the TEA my optimistic business associates and I turned pessimistic when I asked each to predict the economic outcome for January. I am calling us the Pessimistic -5. As pundits, we did not fair very well in predicting the unemployment numbers for Oklahoma in January. Our prediction ranged anywhere from 5.3 to 7%.

Anyone who knows any of us would tell you that we are optimistic, but faced with the bombardment of bad economic news, even the most hopeful and confident professionals have trouble finding a needle of reality in the haystack of gloom.

If you are ready to face the realities of this job market, you may just find a career opportunity much better that the one you have left or are leaving.

To do that, we suggest the following:

1. Polish your resume until it sizzles!
   
   
2. Present it to decision makers with the depth of experience that can recognize true talent and have a vision for a bright future.
   
   
3. Shake off pessimism and super optimism and work within the reality that 95% of us have jobs.
   

In any job market there is natural attrition. Why not let the job market work for you? Try something new - you just might find a new career that will offer the building blocks for a brighter future.

(c)2008 Resume Source, all rights reserved.
www.resume-source.com

Read more...

The Job Search Super Bowl

Featured Guest Blogger: Kristine Sexter, WorkWise Productions

The front door slams open and a thick shoulder enters your living room sideways, followed by a broad body that makes your big screen TV look like a pocket watch. A weather-beaten face, baseball cap perched on top, seems to hover unsupported over a vast red sweatshirt bearing the word COACH in white block letters. You would be afraid, but the man now towering over your couch bears a strong (and vitamin-fed) resemblance to your elementary school gym teacher, right down to the twinkle in his eyes.

"Sooo...," Coach booms, dropping a sympathetic paw on your shoulder, "they're saying your careers been side-lined, are they? That you've been benched by the economy, laid-off, downsized?"

You nod, hoping Coach will lift his hand before your lungs are compressed into pancakes.

Coach takes a step back, then hunkers down to put you eye to eye.

"Its an old story, rookie. But what I want to know is, what are you going to do about it?"

"Um, well, I...Ive updated my resume. And there are all those job search engines and the newspaper ads. But there are so many people applying for the same jobs..." you stumble to a halt as Coach jumps to his feet.

"Search engines? Newspapers? Come on, now, rookie, wheres your competitive spirit? Don't you want to be a winner?"

"Well, yeah. I mean, yes! I need a job."

"And aren't you the kind of person who rises to the challenge?" he reminds you, using one thumb to point to the plaques on the wall behind his shoulder. "Employee of the Year last year, remember? And Highest Producer the year before that, right? Or is that just locker room talk?"

"No! I earned those awards!"

"Darn right you did!" Coach bellows. "Earned em with hard work, sweat, and a winning attitude. Felt good, too, didn't it? Not just winning those awards, but doing your best, every single day, no matter what they threw at you! What a rush! Am I right?"

"Yes, sir!" you find yourself yelling back.

Coach looks you straight in the eye and challenges, "Then isn't it time you started feeling that way about your job search, kid? Stop thinking bush league, and start thinking majors! Ive got a playbook here that is guaranteed to put big points on the job-search score board! Just bring on some of that hard work and you can be a contender! What do you say, kid? Are you with me? "

Suddenly, you find yourself on your feet, your fists pumping, feeling the first glimmer of hope since you lost your job. "Yes! Yes! Bring it on, Coach!"

"The game of life is a lot like football. You have to tackle your problems, block your fears, and score your points when you get the opportunity." The unknown author of this statement may never know the profound impact these words have had upon the thousands of persons with whom I have shared it. If you or someone you know is looking for work, then "suit" up and hit the field and Ill coach you through one of the most important games of your life: The Job Search Super Bowl!

THE PLAYBOOK : according to the Department of Labor, 48% of all people report finding their jobs through referrals and networking ("It takes the whole team to win a Super Bowl!," says Coach). 24% found their job via direct contact with companies (Coach calls this breaking through the defense), 23% through employment agencies, staffing companies, college career services offices and executive search firms ("Where did you learn to play football anyway?") Only 5% of people find their position through the help wanted ads, the Internet job boards and other printed advertising ("That's called the Hail Mary play!).

THE RULES:

Rule 1: Attitude : Its the only thing you have 100% control of, 100% of the time. All the coaches cant be wrong!

Rule 2: You must hit the playing field everyday: Looking for a job IS your job. Do it 7 days a week.

Rule 3: Wear the right uniform and protective gear: Dress to win, know that falling on your face is still falling forward. If you get tackled/knocked down- Get UP!

Rule 4: Ethics: Play fair. Play clean. Its a small world...

Rule 5: Its a team effort Help each other to win. Share your knowledge

Rule 6: The Super Bowl takes a series of wins: One step at a time. Win one game, then the division, then the league. A good job today may be a great job tomorrow.

SCORING:

• Interview for an open position that is a good match: 6 points (Touchdown!)
• Called back from an interview for a 2nd interview : 1 point (the extra point)
• Called back for a 3 rd interview: 2 points (conversion)
• Networking with business cards and resumes ready: 3 points for each occurrence:
  
  
  • Contact entire contents of family/home telephone book (every relative, every neighbor, friend. These people truly care about you. Make sure they have a copy of your resume)
  • Attend a professional association meeting and really work it!
  • Attend a business/ industry specific forums.
  • Join/start a job club.
  • State Employment Job Search Workshops/Meetings (Click Here)
  • Obtain an Informational Interview
  • Get a Mentor. Meet regularly. Mentor others.
  • Alumni clubs (military, school, ex-employer, special interest)
  • Contact entire contents of family/home telephone book
  • Your personal ... professional services contacts (physicians, attorneys, accountants, etc.) made aware of your search and you send resume
  • Attend Career/Job Fairs
  • Met someone at a: football game (!), fitness centers, weddings, theme parks, airplanes, hair/nail salons, movie theatres, or shopping ... gave them a resume.
    
• Direct Contact and Agencies: 2 points for each occurrence

Warning: Do not PAY any agency for a job! (Penalty-Expulsion from the game) Research, then contact specific companies that match your skills. Contact department/division head (not human resources) for informational interview.

• Send Resume to Job Posted in Local Newspaper .5 points
• Send Resume to a Company-Specific Internet Job Posting .5 points
• Built your own website; post resume to it. 1 point
• Send 1 Resume via Internet Mega-Job Board PENALTY! subtract 1 point

Ultimate Goal= 200 POINTS Job obtained......Super Bowl is won!

Know stars and leaders who'd be interested in reading more articles like this? Subscribe to Kristine's Newsletter here!

Your Coach, Kristine Sexter, President of WorkWise Productions is a professional speaker, workshop trainer, columnist and author. She works with companies of all sizes from start-ups to Fortune 500, as well as trade ... professional associations across the country that want to reduce turnover and increase profitability by recruiting, developing and retaining star talent.

Article used by permission. (c) KristineSexter.com
Blog (c)2008 Resume Source, all rights reserved.
www.resume-source.com

Read more...