Are You Making These 8 Big Mistakes

I just received an email on the 10 Tips to Slim Down for Summer. While I could have written the article, (and I’m sure you could too!) because I’m so familiar with the common advice given for weight loss as I’ve read it a thousand times -  I just couldn’t resist reading it! Perhaps it’s because I’m hoping for an answer that I’m not aware of and even if I don’t find one, it’s always a good  idea to be reminded of what needs to be done to stay trim and healthy.

The same is true for the job search. Many people have a good idea of what they need to do to find a job – put together a resume, respond to ads, register with recruiters/staffing agencies, network, network, network, etc. However, when they get started, they become discouraged when their efforts don’t reap job offers and wonder what went wrong.

While there could be a multitude of reasons, from working with countless job seekers, I’ve discovered this eye-opening fact:

It’s not just about what you SHOULD DO to find a job –

 It’s also about what you SHOULDN’T DO that will guarantee success.

Here are 8 mistakes that you should avoid if you want to find a job in the shortest time possible:

Mistake #1 – You do not prepare written marketing materials that “sell” you to prospective employers.

It’s the very first chance for a prospective employer to “meet” you. A wishy-washy, slapped-together, boring-list-ofjob-responsibilities resume just won’t grab their attention.

Your resume, cover letter and other written documents should convey why you are uniquely qualified to do the job based on your education, skills, personal attributes, and prior job/volunteer experience in order to ensure that you stand apart from the hundreds of other job applicants vying for the same position.

Mistake #2 – You do not take a multi-channel approach when searching for a job.

You can’t just sit in front of your lap top applying to every job posting you can find on CareerBuilder and believe that you’re conducting an effective job search. You must enlist a variety of methods for finding a job and spend most of your time focusing on tapping into the hidden job market (a.k.a., unadvertised positions).

Mistake #3 – You are not prepared for the interview.

It is crucial to conduct research on the company, be ready to answer tough questions, and continue to “sell” the employer during the interview. If you don’t shine during the interview, you won’t be able to “close the sale” as they say in marketing.

Mistake #4 – You slow down or halt your job search efforts once you get called in for an interview.

Take a lesson from actors who go on auditions. Actors know they may not get the part through no fault of their own; they might not have been the exact “type” that the auditioners were looking for. So, don’t assume you’ve got the job until after you receive the offer. In the meantime, keep your job search efforts moving along at full steam. You should be working on 6 to 8 openings at any one time.

Mistake #5 – You don’t manage your time.

As a result you waste precious time. Ask yourself this question: “What is it that I need to do on a daily basis in order to move progressively forward in my job search?” It all begins with having a definite strategy in place and then implementing that strategy by scheduling in your daily “to do” items – and of course, as Nike says – Just do it!

Mistake #6– You are not persistent enough.

Persistence is the ingredient that separates the winners from the losers. I’m sure you’ve heard about how many times Edison failed before achieving success with his many inventions. Don’t give up!

Mistake #7 – You do not analyze and regroup your efforts when you are not being successful in finding a job.

If you find that you’re doing the same things over and over and still not getting results (remember Einstein’s definition of insanity!) then it’s time to step back and analyze your progress. Are you making any of the above-mentioned mistakes? Enlist the help of a coach or job search buddy to enable you to get an objective perspective on your situation.

Mistake #8 – You think you’re the Lone Ranger and don’t get support!

Getting back to subject of weight loss – many overweight people know that in order to lose weight they need to eat less and exercise more. Yet, while they know how to successfully reach their goal, many people never attain their ideal weight. On the other hand, they do succeed when they join a program like Weight Watchers because of the support, strategies, measurement of their progress, and the accountability that the program provides. Hire a coach or get a job search buddy – don’t go it alone.

For more tips on the common mistakes to avoid during the job search, follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/DonnaBradshaw

To your career success!

Donna Bradshaw, CEC, CPRW, ACRW

P.S. – BTW, I did get some good tips from the Slim Down article!

How to find Potential Employers...and a Millionaire Spouse

Years ago, Oprah Winfrey aired a facinating show about ordinary women of average means who were married to extremely wealthy millionaires. When Oprah asked one of the women how she met her millionaire husband, she explained that when she made up her mind to marry a wealthy man, she decided to launch her own personal campaign to find and hook her millionaire. She began by finding the cheapest studio apartment she could afford in a high income neighborhood; she worked on improving herself by acting and dressing the part of a wealthy socialite, and then found out where the local millionaires hung out. Surprisingly, during her research she discovered that most of the wealthy men in her area were Episcopalian, so she joined the church, got involved, and eventually married the wealthy man of her dreams.

What this woman was doing was extremely effective networking.

Job seekers can use the same strategies to find key people within organizations who have the power to hire them.

Here's how:

1)     Make a list of the top ten companies you want to work for.

2)     Identify individuals within those companies that it would be beneficial for you to get to know; those who can hire you or help you to get your foot in the door at the company.

3)     Search for them on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.

4)     Follow them and become familiar with their activity. You can join the online groups they belong to, respond to their Twitter feeds, introduce yourself to their groups and demonstrate your expertise by posting helpful and interesting comments.

5)     Eventually, reach out to them to see if they can help you to find an opening in their company.

Obviously, don't stalk them - just work on establishing a relationship with them - you never know where it will eventually lead.

Networking is a process that doesn't happen overnight, and one in which most people never think of until they need to find a job. That is truly a mistake. Networking can be an extremely rewarding experience and should be a lifelong process that is mutually beneficial to both parties.

For ideas on how to be a great networker, one of the best books I have ever read on the subject is "Never Eat Alone: and Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time, by Keith Ferrazzi.I highly recommend you read it!

This is an Interview, Not a Blind Date!

On a recent trip into New York City, I struck up a conversation with a cab driver on the trip downtown. As it turns out his true vocation was as an executive in the pharmaceutical industry. Unfortunately, like so many others, he was the victim of corporate downsizing and was laid off 6 months earlier.

He explained he had tried unsuccessfully for months to find another position at other pharmaceutical companies, but without any success. In my natural curiosity as a Career Coach, I inquired about the steps he had taken to acquire a new position. He explained that he had been on a few interviews over the last 6 months. In fact, just two weeks ago, he had been on an interview but had not heard back from them. Of course, my next question was – “so, what did you do to follow-up with the company?” He confidently replied that there was no way that he was going to contact an employer after an interview. If they wanted to hire him, then they would let him know.

If you are not interested in an exciting new career as a cab driver – I implore you – do not use this method!!

This man was treating an interview like a blind date. On a blind date you may be hesitant to follow up because of shyness about what the other person thought of you and the impression you made. You may reason, if they like you - they’ll call. This shyness should not translate into the job search.

There is no shame in being persistent.

While interviewing for a job can be a long and trying process that can shake your confidence, don’t take it personally. A truly qualified interviewer will see your persistence as a strength, not a weakness.

Unfortunately, hiring managers just don’t have a lot of time.  In the current job market, there are typically hundreds of applicants vying for the same position. Once they narrow down their choices, it can take a lot of time to choose the perfect applicant. You can gain a competitive edge by being one of the applicants that follows up and by expressing your true interest in the position.

Back to our friend the cab driver – the fact that he was called in for an interview, was a good indication that the hiring manager was interested in learning more about him. Just because he didn’t receive a follow up call, doesn’t necessarily mean that he wasn’t still up for consideration. It could simply be that they were still in the process of interviewing other applicants.

One of the best questions I recommend that my clients ask towards the end of the interview is “At what stage of the interview process are you currently in?” This will give you an idea if you are the first candidate, the last candidate, and how long it will take them to fill the job.

Follow up or you will be forgotten

It is said that it takes eight interactions with someone before you can get their attention. Your best strategy is to follow up or you will be forgotten! Of course, it is important not to make a pest of yourself, but it is expected that you will call them within a week of the interview and then check back periodically to see if they have filled the position yet. During each encounter with them, make every effort to appear interested and eager to join their team. Do your research and explain why you think you would be a good fit for the position. Also, be sure to convey the value that you can bring to their firm by explaining how you have done so in your past positions and how it relates to the job you are applying to.

Do not treat a job interview like a blind date!

Do not wait for your interviewers to call you.

If you don’t call, someone else will.

– What is the WEIRDEST question you’ve ever been asked on an interview?

Please post your answer below.

When life hands you a lemon, it's time for Plan B

I recently went car shopping and met an extraordinary young salesman named Rich. Well groomed, impeccably dressed, personable, and outgoing. He is extremely knowledgeable and knows everything there is to know about the cars he sells. I recognized that Rich was not your typical run-of-the-mill car salesman. I became curious about his background and how such a talented young man ended up in his position.

He explained that he had graduated from a good college in 2009 with a degree in economics. His dream job was to work at Morgan Stanley and to have a career in finance. Rich did everything he possibly could to make his dream a reality. It just so happened that his uncle worked at Morgan Stanley and while he did his best to get Rich a job there, they just weren't hiring like so many companies in this bad economy.

So, what was he to do?

Life had thrown Rich a lemon.

After scouring the job market, he finally found a job working at his current job for a high-end auto dealership. While it wasn't what he originally wanted and certainly not the job he wanted to stay in throughout his career, he decided it was a good position for him because he loves cars and likes working with people. He also realized that working for a large corporation would provide him with many opportunities for advancement. He knew that if he worked hard and proved himself he would eventually be recognized by his supervisors.

His strategy has paid off. He has gained a reputation for providing extraordinary customer service (I certainly can attest to this!). He explained that he has been introduced to a few upper level executives and his plan is to move up within the company as soon as the opportunity presents itself. In the meantime, it's obvious that he works diligently at elevating his on-the-job performance to the level of excellence.  

So when life throws you a lemon and you can't get the job that you want because of these difficult times, how can you be like Rich and turn it into lemonade?

Use this strategy:

1)     Research industries to find out where they're hiring (such as retail, health care, and security) - go to http://www.bls.gov/ for information

2)     Find a job that incorporates your interests, even if it's entry level

3)     Choose a place where there are opportunities for advancement

4)     Become a valued employee by raising your performance to the level of excellence

5)     Have a plan for moving forward - then follow the plan!

I predict that Rich is not going to be a car salesman for long. It's obvious that he's on the fast track to moving up in his career. If you follow his example, you too can be on the fast track to getting ahead in your career!

My Friend Joe, and How to Find Your Competitive Edge - Part 2

Last week I told you about my friend, Joe, who is a derivative accounting professional specializing in hedge funds. He has no problem finding a job because his area of specialty is in such high demand in his field. His highly sought after career niche is his competitive edge.

So how can you find your competitive edge?

Here are some additional ways:

1. Make sure your qualifications match as closely as possible to your desired job position. 

So many people make the mistake of applying for positions that they are not qualified for and then wonder why they are never contacted. Don’t eliminate yourself from the competition right from the start – make sure you have similar qualifications to be considered in the first place.

Ask yourself - what competencies and credentials are usually required for someone working in my targeted position? 

If you’re not sure, an easy way to figure this out is to read job descriptions on job boards and want ads.  Look to see what qualifications the ideal candidate should possess, and then compare these qualifications to the ones you have to determine how you measure up. 

2. Beef up your credentials if necessary.

If your qualifications fall short, you may decide it’s time to go back to school and get a higher degree, certification, or specific training in your industry.  Or, if certain experience is required, perhaps you can get that experience through a volunteer position. 

Keep in mind that very often practical experience is just as valuable as a degree, so you may not need to go back to school to get an advance degree.

3. Elevate your expertise to the level of excellence. 

Are there any awards that you can win? Any special certifications or degrees that you can obtain that shout that you’re an expert in your field? Prospective employers are very impressed by these “pedigrees.”

4. Find your unique brand.

So, what’s so special about you?

Why would employers want to hire you over candidates vying for the same job?

The answers to these questions will help you to define your particular brand. If you’re wondering why you need to brand yourself, think of it this way -

If you went to the supermarket to buy a box of cereal and all of the boxes of cereal in the aisle had the exact same plain brown packaging with only the word “cereal” written on the box, - how would you decide which box of cereal to buy?

Marketing experts know that in order to get your attention, they need to convey a product’s unique selling proposition – the value of that product to the consumer. The same is true for job applicants. If you can convey what you can offer that the competition does not, then you’ll get hiring managers to notice you.

And,

Once you figure out your unique brand, you can express this on your resume, cover letter, LinkedIn profile, and other marketing documents.

 5. Make sure that you have a resume that will entice prospective employers to call you in for an interview.

Your resume is usually the first opportunity a prospective employer has to “meet” you and get to know a little bit about you. If you don’t grab their attention at this critical juncture, you’ll be designated to the reject pile and essentially be out of the running before the race begins.  

Acquiring a competitive edge can be the most important aspect of increasing your chances of being hired and accelerating the hiring process.

Be sure to find yours.

My Friend Joe, and How to Find Your Competitive Edge - Part 1

How to Find Your Competitive Edge in Today’s Job Market

My friend, Joe, is a derivative accounting professional specializing in hedge funds. I have to admit that I had never heard of that job position until I met Joe. I understand that only 5 – 10% of all accounting professionals in the U.S. specialize in this area.

Do you think Joe has a hard time finding a job?

Absolutely not!

Jobs find him.

Recruiters look for guys with Joe’s expertise. When he applies to jobs on the internet, his resume doesn’t go into a black hole like so many others; he’s one of the lucky job seekers who receive an immediate response.

When I think of Joe, I am reminded of the story about Dr. Joyce Brothers. When she wanted to get on “The $64,000 Question” program back in the 1950’s, she realized she needed a competitive edge in order to be chosen to be on the program.  She knew that being a female psychologist was an asset, but she gave herself an even better competitive edge by becoming an expert in boxing trivia. There certainly weren’t many female psychologists who were boxing trivia experts in her day, if any at all.  Brilliant! She was quickly chosen for her unique area of expertise.

The same can be true for someone looking for a job.  If you develop a niche within your industry where there aren’t many experts, you’ll be in high demand - like my good friend, Joe.

Stay tuned for next week’s newsletter where I’ll let you in on other ways to find your competitive edge in today’s job market. 

Career Management 101 - Part 2

Career Management 101 – Part 2

A great way to gain the competitive edge over other applicants is to demonstrate to prospective employers how you have added value on the job and made a difference in past positions that you’ve held. Many people never think to keep statements made by employers endorsing their work, so they are surprised when I ask if they have any of these accolades to include on their resume. Don’t wait until you’re looking for a job to scramble around for any evidence given to you by your former boss for a job well done. Keep in mind that employers realize that past performance will predict future performance – so, don’t be afraid to brag about your accomplishments!

Career management is a lifelong process. To measure your progress, put together and update a career management file. This can simply be a file folder or large envelope containing information and documents that demonstrate how you have made a difference on the job.

This folder should include:

1)     Performance evaluations

2)     Details of your greatest accomplishments (include facts and figures when possible)

3)     Job descriptions of positions you’ve held

4)     Examples of work you’ve produced

5)     A description of times when you’ve received recognition for extraordinary performance from your supervisor

6)     Memos documenting your contribution to a team effort

7)     Written accolades from customers or vendors

From this useful material you will be able to glean impressive accomplishment statements that will lead to better jobs, provide ammunition to win at the salary negotiation table, and that will demonstrate how you have made a significant impact on the job.