Brenda's Blog

The question:
I am returning to work after taking time out to raise a family. The most recent contract postions I have held have all been obtained through word-of-mouth. What I struggle with is the anonymity of the Internet as a selection /recruitment tool and the very poor level of service provided by recruitment agencies. What do you feel is the most successful way for mature age job seekers to approach finding employment? — Kim B.

My answer/suggestions:

Hi Kim,

A solution to reduce the anonymity of the Internet is to not be anonymous! Modern day Internet strategies include personal branding, which can be established through your e-resumes/portfolio and professional social media profiles (i.e. LinkedIn and Twitter). Depending on your line of work, you can also post relevant articles through a blog. Ensure consistency of your content and messages. Ensure all social media interaction is positive and professional, as employers and recruiters will Google your name to see what can be found about you. Transparency is key.

Most jobs are never posted. Think about it this way….if you were an employer would you shell out the salary you want to a complete stranger? No. Most of us would rather hire people we’ve met, who have engaged with us, demonstrated interest and initiative, etc. Or we’ll hire through word-of-mouth. So it’s key to target specific companies to begin your research process. When doing so, be sure to Google THEM as well, and pay attention to what they’re saying through social media (i.e. follow them on LinkedIn and Twitter, and connect and dialogue with them.) Company research is vital in an effective job search campaign.

Don’t rely on others (i.e. recruiters) to find you work. While they are a great resource, they are simply that… another resource to use in conjunction with all the other job search strategies you use. Remember, YOU are the best salesperson of you! And in order to do that, you have to network, network, network!! This is SO very important…crucial to an effective job search. When I facilitate job search workshops and ask participants how they got their last job, the majority have said through networking. So it’s proven to be effective!

Jobs will not magically appear, you must seek them. Through positive and consistent action, THEN jobs may appear! I equate it to the needle in the haystack metaphor. For some reason, when most of us are in job search mode, we hope we will miraculously stumble upon the perfect job for us…whether through the internet, job board, etc. But that’s like waiting to find a needle in a haystack!

And, while social media is a necessity in today’s job search, real live face-to-face interaction is where all paths must ultimately lead.

Lastly, regarding being a mature worker…the methods I suggested are for everyone, regardless of age. I would teach the same methods to mature workers or young workers. Just remember: you have a lot of skills, work ethics, and life experience to offer that are highly valuable to an employer!

Hope this helps and all the best to you in your job search!
Brenda Blackburn

This question was posted on CareerSuccessRadio.com’s “Career Success Expert Panel” page: http://careersuccessradio.com/2010/04/no-progressive-responsibilities-help-q8-career-careerradio/

The full question:
I have ten years experience in a great office where no one leaves and so no one gets promoted. How do I show progressive responsibility on my resume? — Michael B

Hi Michael,

Sounds like you have lots of great experience and a great work environment! Such a great place to be at, yet I can see the challenge if there is no upward movement.

Without being able to show title advancement within your company on your resume, you will want to ensure your skills speak to that instead. I would suggest you really evaluate what you have done over the last 10 years and list out all your skills to review. Which ones show progressive responsibility? List those on your resume. Ask your boss for a performance appraisal that will address ways your skills/responsibilities may have advanced over the years. If you plan to leave your company, ask for a reference that will address this area.

And if you find your skills have stayed fairly static, and you want to stay with your company, I would suggest practicing effective (assertive) communication skills with your boss. In other words, have you discussed this with him/her? In addition to Queen Schmooze’s great suggestions, if you are unsure of ways you can take initiative in this area, why not let your boss know you are ready for skill/responsibility advancement and challenge, and ask how you can provide that service? Work together collaboratively with your team and your boss. Also, are there ways you can take further schooling/upgrading in your field to heighten your expertise? What are some creative ways you can contribute to your company in new/fresh, challenging and exciting ways?

Hope this helps Michael. Best wishes on your career journey,

Brenda Blackburn

http://www.twitter.com/brenblackburn

http://careercommuniqueradio.ning.com/profiles/blogs/no-progressive

If you’re contemplating a career change, but want to be sure whether or not the career, role, or company will be right for you, you may want to consider one of the most powerful research tools there is: Information Interviews.

While many people may have heard the term before, most are not familiar with what exactly it means and entails. Quite simply, an “information interview” is a type of interview process utilized to obtain information about an occupation you may be considering. It’s based on the idea that if you’re interested in a particular career path, then the best person to ask about it is someone doing the actual job! That way you learn real-life perspectives from experienced individuals.

And while that may sound straightforward enough, many people are a little apprehensive about conducting research in this way because it’s not something they have tried in the past. However, once done, the results speak for themselves and participants have found it to be one of the best tools they have under their belt, so to speak.

Let’s consider what might happen, without conducting occupational research in this way. I had a client who wanted to leave the career she had been in for 15 years. She looked into becoming a Dental Hygienist, because it paid well, had good long-term prospects, and “sounded good”. However, she didn’t conduct information interviews to complete her research. After a year of training and all the relevant costs incurred, she landed her first job in the field. However, she only lasted a few months, after deciding she hated it! Why? Because she didn’t research the position thoroughly beforehand. In this article, I’ll show you many practical ways you can do so, so that this doesn’t happen to you!

It’s important to note that the purpose of an Information Interview is not to request a job. The purpose is to obtain career information from knowledgeable professionals in the field, in order to make a sound career decision. In addition, it enables you to do a reality check on what you’ve read, heard, thought or assumed so far in your exploration process.

Added benefits of Informational Interviews:
• They provide an opportunity to view the workplace, environment, and other employees on the job.
• They provide an opportunity to obtain a greater depth of valuable career knowledge than is possible with other research methods (i.e. print or internet). As a Chinese proverb says, “A single conversation across the table with a wise man is worth a month’s study of books.”
• They allow you to gather up-to-date information on trends and shifts.
• They provide an opportunity to gain advice from a potential employer on qualifications required and future job prospects.
• They provide no-pressure interview skills and practice.
• They help to enlarge your circle of networking contacts.

So how does one start? Well, the answer is by networking!

Network, network, network!
• First, you’ll want to create a networking contact list. You can start filling in your list with friends, family, organizations, neighbors, business and community people you know. Then of course you must, at some point, branch out by searching online, through social media sites (such as LinkedIn and Twitter), the yellow pages, in directories, newspapers, associations, and so on.
• Each time you talk with someone, don’t be shy and ask for referrals (I always ask for two) and suggestions of whom you might speak to next. Ask if you can mention that they referred you. (This is free advertising for them, and turns a cold lead into a warm lead for you!) Work on growing and nurturing your network.
• You’ll want to speak with several people in the industry before making any decisions, and should consider speaking with all levels of professionals in the field, from the beginner, to the intermediate, to the advanced.

A little preparation goes a long way
• Be able to state concisely what information you’re looking for, your objective, and goals.
• Create calling cards to distribute to everyone you come in contact with, to ensure people know how to reach you.
• If you are keenly interested in a particular career, you should have conducted some initial occupational research to establish that it matches your needs, interests, values, skills, etc. Also, thoroughly research the website of the professional or employer’s organization you are interviewing. Ensure that you have this primary knowledge before going in to an interview. Do your homework first!
• Prepare a list of questions ahead of time, including ones customized for your specific career research.
• Keep your career exploration information together and well organized. Rather than bringing individual pieces of paper with you, prepare a professional portfolio or binder with your questions, blank paper, research obtained from print or the Internet, company information if applicable, your current resume, and perhaps a plastic holder for the business cards you receive, and any other pertinent information.
• Prepare telephone scripts for setting interview appointments. You’ll want one for seeking contacts (i.e. from a receptionist) and one for direct contact. While you might not think this is necessary, even the most seasoned communicators stumble with “uh” and “um”, or other fumbles, without one. In addition, if you are asked to leave a voicemail, you are then prepared to leave the most professional one possible.
• Practice by role-playing. If you feel uncomfortable at first with the thought of interviewing a stranger, try with a friend or family member, even if they’re not in your field, just to get in the practice. It can really be a lot of fun!

Set the appointments
• Utilize your phone scripts. They will help you to sound professional, as well as help you to stay focused, articulate, and concise.
• Smile while you dial! People can tell! It works and can change the entire tone of a conversation.
• When speaking directly to your contact, mention your referral if you have one. Explain your purpose and be to the point. This is not a job interview – it is simply a request for information. Most people are flattered! Remember that people answering a business phone are there to provide quality customer service, and your request should be treated no differently. Ask for a set period of time to meet (e.g. 15 or 20 minutes.)

Conduct the interview
• Treat this interview as a formal job interview. Dress appropriately, be well groomed, polite, organized, prepared, punctual, sharp, and alert.
• Always greet people with a warm, friendly smile, and a firm handshake.
• Have a good two-way conversation. Ask your questions, making sure you get the information you need about the occupation. At the same time, be willing to share some information about yourself and your occupational goals.
• Be relaxed. There is no need to be nervous or intimidated. This interview is not for a job (not now at least), but you are making the crucial first impression. The balance of control is in your favor, as you know what information you need and what the questions are. The pressure is less on you and more on them as the spotlight is focused on their expertise and your interest in their expertise.
• Ask if it would be okay to take notes and then do so, as this will show that you are serious about getting the information, and it will help in your decision making process later.
• Βe sure to ask for the names of other people you could speak to. Be open to other ideas and avenues. Ask for at least two other contacts. If you do this at four information interviews, you will have eight new contacts in related occupations! Remember to ask if you may mention that he/she referred you.
• Courteously follow the time frame agreed upon. If it was 15 minutes, stop at that point to thank them for their time. Quite often they are happy to extend, so count on spending more time there just in case!
• Thank them for their time and ask for a couple of their business cards. (One for you, and one to share should you know someone in need of their services or products.) Don’t forget to shake hands. Your closing needs to be strong, as it will leave a lasting impression.

Don’t forget to stay objective during the process. I once had a client who, after his first informational interview, announced that sadly he supposed the career of interest wouldn’t be for him. The reason? He interviewed someone who had negative things to say about the job and his company. Remember…information from one source does not make it so. You have to conduct multiple interviews to substantiate views and separate fact from fiction. Time and time again over the years, I have had clients understand this, yet in reality became discouraged over one negative comment (whether gleaned in person or via the Internet). However, when encouraged to complete the process, they discovered that the positive information far surpassed any negative. Stay positive and stay with it!

Follow-up
• Just as you would do after a job interview, write a formal thank you card (or at least an email letter) to each person you conducted research with. This reinforces your sincerity and professionalism, and will encourage the contact person to speak with you again if you need to.
• Keep in touch with people who you think might be able to help. Call back, send a note or email with updates on your progress or outcome, or by sending/sharing other relevant information.
• It is not uncommon that the contacts gained from Informational Interviews later turn into actual job leads. It has been said that while 1 in 200 resumes turns into a job interview, 1 in 12 Information Interviews results in a job!

So before you jump head first into a new career, if you commit to the research involved with Information Interviews, you will be able to rest assured that you are making the best possible decision. Have a lot of fun and enjoy meeting new people during your process! ■

Brenda Blackburn, copyright 2011 (revision)

Recently I added to a discussion on LinkedIn regarding the importance of writing thank letters/cards. Here’s my post:

I definitely agree with the importance of thank you letters/cards. They can make such a difference! So many of my workshop clients over the years have gotten such great feedback from using them.

I suggest not only using them after the job interview, but after conducting informational interviews (for career exploration, job search, practicum placement, etc.), and of course it should go without saying that they be sent to references and all those are were pivotal in the process.

However, with regard to the method of delivery for traditional cards….I don’t recommend snail mail, as timeliness can be crucial. (However, I understand the perspective that it may stand out from the norm which is great…. but you’d need significant time to clear guaranteed.) I think it’s great to deliver within 24 hours (think of it like typical business email or phone followup). Even putting it in the mail slot in the evening, so it’s the first thing they see in the morning. Employers have loved that! (To me, these methods show greater initiative and effort). Some career practitioners recommend returning to drop off with the receptionist… another approach. And of course if you live far from the location, you have the option of preparing one in the car or at a cafe or going with option #2…the e-thank you letter.

Clients ask me if they should prepare one ahead of time and have it with them, and I don’t recommend it. How is it even possible? It must be tailored specifically to the conversation and events that transpired, and I would hope some thought and consideration is put into it.

I’m always asked about the pros and cons to both thank you cards vs. thank you e-letters, so will outline a few tips that immediately come to mind…

Thank you cards:
* Should be very plain and simple. White is fine with the words “Thank You” on it. That’s it. When I see ones with hearts, flowers, or smiley faces, (which I see a lot of), I groan… unless they’re going to/from someone you know extremely well).
* Cards are more apt to be placed on a counter, desk, or bulletin board, where kudos can be viewed by customers or other staff.
* Great if your writing or printing is neat and legible.
* You can only say so much with the space you have. While you can write on the inside cover, writing on the back is overkill.
* Place your business/calling card in it. Think branding.

Thank you letters:
* If hard copy, it must have the same letterhead, font, and format as all your other relevant documents (i.e. resume, cover letter, reference list, etc.) for consistency and branding.
* Letters are more apt to be deleted or shredded.
* Great if your writing/printing is illegible or messy.
* You have a whole page to get detailed if need be.

For both:
* Mention points the are specific to what transpired. (i.e. I really enjoyed meeting Bob and the team, and enjoyed taking a tour of the department.)
* Mention any important points you missed in the interview/meeting.
* Close strong and reiterate your interest, and any further followup if applicable.

Good luck!