Hello everyone!
Below, I've included most of my answers to questions during today's Career Communique Radio show, however, there was a larger interchange of dialogue that you won't want to miss! You can listen to the whole show at: http://tinyurl.com/nkd3rd Another great one and truly fun to be a part of!
'Till next time,
Brenda
P.S I welcome any comments or questions!
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JOB SEARCH 101: Practical Job Search Strategies to 'HIT THE GROUND RUNNING'
Question from Keith:
1.Can you share with listeners your three favourite strategies that you use with jobseekers?
Me:
Absolutely! The three areas that I feel are essential to an effective job search are: Planning, Preparation, and Proactive Participation. And while they may sound simplistic, unfortunately they are not all always carried out! I can give you some clear examples…
#1: Planning: this includes getting focused, targeting your job search strategy, and accessing the hidden job market by developing contact lists. (There's nothing worse for planning then saying "I'll take any job. I'll do anything!", which scatters efforts all over the place!)
# 2: Preparation:
• This includes, and perhaps most importantly, preparing a positive mental attitude, self-esteem and emotions, which may have had a downturn during job loss, transition, and so on. Any negative baggage will follow you through your job search process… whether you know it or not.
• And it includes physical preparation, which includes everything from your appearance, to task oriented things such as: customizing EVERY marketing document for EVERY job (resume, cover letter, references, portfolio, etc.), prioritization of relevant qualifications and achievements on those documents, research companies, positions, industry), as well as practicing interview questions with someone (dare to be videoed to see how you present yourself!). Set up an online presence (free website, social media sites), and so on.
And #3: Proactive Participation:
• The main concentration here is networking….network/network/network! You can conduct information interviews, volunteer, attend relevant networking groups and job fairs--network in person or online. And really concentrate on accessing your hidden job market contacts primarily and the superfluous over-accessed methods, like internet and newpaper ads, secondarily. In other words, the easiest is not always the best OR where employers necessarily prefer to look! Keep an activity and contact log during your job search. Also, follow-up… this is so important! And give thank you cards or emails to not only interviewers, but your references (who are often forgotten) and everyone involved in your job search process. And ENJOY the process… the journey. Have fun with it!
Annemarie:
Could you share with listeners some of the general insights from your work that you feel would apply to all job seekers and the job search the world over?
Me:
In addition to what I’ve mentioned, (the "3 P's"), I’d say I have four general insights to share:
1. Take charge of your career. Know that security is found within." Treat yourself as a business...“ME INC.” Brand yourself. Think outside of the box. Even take some calculated risks by putting out proposals to fill a gap in service. And if you want f/t work, you can’t go about it with a casual investment of time. This is your career you're talking about!
2. Build and maintain relationships. Again, it comes back to networking.
3. Be confident yet stay humble.
4. Give gratitude.
Keith:
Can you tell us about a few of the success stories from people that have taken part in the program?
Me:
Absolutely! I have a few which are great examples of success gained from proactive participation in job search.
I encounter this first type of story all the time! This one’s about a younger client, whose job history was working in a couple of entry-level customer service jobs. After being laid off, he did some career exploration and decided to enter p/t studies to be a computer programmer and web designer. However, he still needed a job, so initially explained to our job search group that he was going to “settle” and take a survival job pumping gas. (Not exactly in alignment...wouldn't you agree?) Well, after learning how to plan and prepare, he instead realized he was not focused and on path, so he got a job selling computers at a large national computer company, as a stepping stone job. He was thrilled to be moving in the right direction by being in a relevant environment.
The second story is: I had a fellow in a job search workshop where we were discussing the importance of followup. He had never heard of it before but thought it was a fantastic idea. He mentioned it was too bad he hadn’t heard of it earlier when he applied for a dream position. I suggested he still followup. He said, Well you don’t understand. That was a month ago!” I said, “you can still followup… what have you got to lose?” So he did. Afterwards, he told me what happened. Apparently the employer had kept his resume on top of the pile and waited for him to followup. He didn’t contact my client, because he said his policy is to never call people for interviews. He only interviews those who take initiative to followup and who meet the criteria. And luckily for my client, the person who was hired didn’t work out and they were just about to advertise again. Needless to say my client got his dream job!
A final story I can share is one about a job seeker who came from another country and culturally did not believe in the forwardness of information interviewing or accessing the hidden job market. However, after learning about it, she decided to give it a chance, and again, with planning and preparation, and practice with the group, she made a call for an information interview with a company she was extremely interested in. She was so excited when she was granted an appt.! But it gets better than that! Well….after the appt. she came back and shared with the group, that the company was soooo impressed with her initiative and ambition, that they actually decided to CREATE a position for her and hired her on the spot! She couldn’t believe it!!
Annemarie:
How can listeners contact you?
Me:
By visiting my website at www.brendablackburn.com, following me on Twitter at: twitter.com/brenblackburn, OR come to my member page on CareerCommuniqueRadio.com. There, I’d be happy to serve as a JobAngel (that wonderful concept and movement Mark talked about recently on your show!)
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