Questions about My Recent Announcement…

Posted by Kevin Kermes on April 29, 2010 · 1 Comment

On Tuesday, I announced that I would be closing the doors on my Job Search 2.0 Bootcamp System forever next week. I received a number of questions with similar themes. I hope you don’t mind, but instead of putting together individual responses I decided to make a short recording tackling the questions that came in. This way, everyone can benefit.

Click here to listen to my answers to your questions.

If you have a question about the program that wasn’t answered in the recording, feel free to leave a comment below and I will make sure to respond ASAP!

Filed under Blog Posts · Tagged with build the career you deserve, hidden job market, interview, job search 2.0 bootcamp, kevin kermes, resume

How to Look for a Job without Saying So

Posted by Kevin Kermes on November 5, 2009 · 5 Comments

A coaching client came to me with an opportunity that appeared to be wrapped in a problem. Christine was a financial services executive who had been downsized as a result of crashing markets. Her opportunity: to attend a tradeshow where the top companies for whom she would like to work would be attending. Her problem: As she put it, “Kevin, if I go around just handing out resumes I am going to feel like I have an enormous “L” on my forehead.” So, here is what we did.

First, there are more problems with attending an event like this with a ream of resumes in hand besides feeling like a loser. While mindset is of the utmost of importance, even if you felt good about handing out your paper the technique is littered with landmines in this instance. Primarily because the people working those booths at tradeshows aren’t initially motivated to help find you a job (but, as you will see, you can get them there). Frankly, they are probably just happy to still have their job (definitely the case in financial services). So the approach needs to be much more strategic.

We started by talking about the companies who would be there that she wanted to approach. This was pretty easy, since there was a list. Next, we determined which of the product lines or specialties in those companies suited her best (annuities, mutual funds, etc.). Then, we identified who the keynote speakers were at the tradeshow for each of these product types and what the focus of their presentation was going to be. Finally, armed with all this information, she researched some interesting articles that paralleled these topics – some agreeing, some disagreeing, some that were one-offs. With all this homework done, we then formulated a plan. One that involved networking this trade show without ever saying “Are you hiring?”

Knowing which companies she was interested in, Christine’s plan was to approach each using this technique:

Christine: Hi there – Christine X. You know, every time I see you guys in the press your Morningstar rating just keeps climbing.

Company Rep: Yeah, it’s been a tough year but our managers keep doing well in spite of it. I’m John by the way. Who are you with Christine?

Christine: I was with Citi, but was RIFed a few months back. I decided to come down here and check out what’s going on in the industry.

Company Rep: I see. (starting to retract…expecting the “are you hiring?”)

Christine: John, are you planning on going to the talk being put on by Dave Y about Mutual Funds?

Company Rep: (surprised he didn’t get hit up about hiring) I am going to try, but I am not sure if I have to man the booth or not. It looks pretty interesting.

Christine: It does. If you don’t get a chance to go, I’d be happy to share my notes. But I was also reading a recent article in Barrons by James Z about Mutual Fund Regulation. I’m not sure if Dave Y is going to get into that. He raised some great points. Did you read James Z’s article?

Company Rep: No, I didn’t but it sounds interesting.

Christine: It was. I’d be glad to email it to you. Here is my business card. Let’s trade and I will be sure to send it off once I get back home.

Company Rep: Great. I’d appreciate that.

Christine: Sure thing. I’ll let you get back to things. I know you are busy. It was great meeting you and I’ll get that article to you sometime next week.

Company Rep: Thanks.

Christine’s approach is all about networking. Establishing rapport and beginning to work through the cycle of “know, like, trust.” She will follow up with John via email and, if he is open to networking, begin seeing who he knows and how he can help her. After all, in the spirit of “give to get,” she has begun the process by sharing information with him that he found valuable.

What this also does is position her better to understand what John’s company needs and how she does (or doesn’t) fit into the picture. She more effectively navigate towards the best opportunities for her knowing where her skills fit and are needed versus giving some blanket “elevator pitch” that isn’t targeted towards the ideal job she is seeking.

Interested in learning more about Kevin’s One-on-One Coaching Program? Email us for more details.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE, BLOG OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Kevin Kermes publishes the ‘Build the Career Your Deserve’ e-zine with over 21,000+ subscribers. If you are ready to empower yourself with the vital tools and information necessary to find the job you want and build the successful career you deserve, visit him now www.careerattraction.com

Filed under Blog Posts · Tagged with build the career you deserve, hidden job market, How to Look for a Job without Saying So, interview, job search, job search 2.0 bootcamp, kevin kermes, networking, resume

Re-thinking the “Elevator Speech”

Posted by Kevin Kermes on October 29, 2009 · 2 Comments

As you know, I am not a fan of the “elevator speech.” I agree with the concept of getting your message across quickly, succinctly and powerfully. Where this concept loses me (as well as most people receiving it) is that it isn’t tailored for the listener. This is particularly important in your job search, since there are a lot of “speeches” being pitched to hiring managers and you must differentiate yourself. In my opinion, taking a more solution based approach will do just that.

In past articles, I have talked about the importance of developing Your Solution. This is what you do best – maybe even better than anyone else. If you think about that skill set like a product, there are things it (you) does and doesn’t do. It only makes sense then to target hiring managers who are experiencing the pain and problems that Your Solution addresses.

So, instead of firing off a generic pitch with what you do, take a more pinpoint approach. Begin by asking 2-3 questions that identify if that hiring manager is experiencing problems that you can fix. The answers will either allow you to highlight your accomplishments and what you can do for their company or help you determine that it isn’t the right job for you. The former is just as important as the latter.

This also does something else very important. It gets the potential employer talking about themselves. With this, you can more naturally make Your Solution all about them (which, incidentally, can often uncover “hidden” job opportunities). As well, it positions you to be able to share relatable stories with quantifiable results that show what is in it for them when they hire you.

Your Solution + Their Pain = Smart Hire

Taking this approach will narrow down your job search so you are focusing on real, qualified opportunities versus just trying to get any job. It allows you to start hunting with a rifle, not a shotgun. Ultimately, it will help pair you with a job that is not only a good fit, but where you can experience your greatest success.

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Want more tips on how to uncover the “hidden” job market? To be able to run a more effective job search? Listen to my free webinar – “5 Secrets to the Perfect Job Search”

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Kevin is the Founder of of Build the Career You Deserve, a company devoted to empowering professionals with the vital tools and information necessary to find the job they want and build the successful career they deserve. Sign up for his free e-zine – Build the Career You Deserve – for insider tips on how to do just that!

Filed under Blog Posts · Tagged with build the career you deserve, elevator speech, hidden job market, interview, job search 2.0 bootcamp, kevin kermes, resume, your solution

Tackling the Post-Labor Day Job Market

Posted by Kevin Kermes on September 9, 2009 · Leave a Comment

kmkcrop23 For the past few months, I have not only been talking about the summer lull in hiring but also pushing out a good deal of information in the way of webinars and articles to help bridge the gap. But, today marks the traditional uptick in activity. Despite the lackluster employment statistics that came out last week, there are still several things you can do to capitalize on the increased movement – small or otherwise – that you will see in the coming weeks.

Social Media – Get engaged! Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube are great resources for information as well as connecting with individuals who can help facilitate your search. Not sure how to get started? Simply jump in! You will be amazed at how transparent and helpful the people you meet (or Tweeps on Twitter) can be – even total strangers. As Guy Kawasaki says, “Nobodies are the new Somebodies.”

Blogs – Find blogs and ezines (electronic newsletters/magazines) that provide timely, pertinent information on the job search. Some favorites of mine are Bill Vick’s Employment Digest, the WSJ’s “Laid Off and Looking” (Ellen Whaley of my June Bootcamp is a contributor) and Tom Ruff’s Blog. Of course, my “Build the Career You Deserve” ezine too (sure, I am a little partial).

Step Away from the Computer- It’s easy to get bogged down in the day to day of checking email, responding to emails, researching companies, etc.. But, get out and network in the flesh. This can be through an organization where you are a member, volunteering or finding some employment networking functions. Pink Slip Mixers is a great one. Don’t see any being hosted in your area? Reach out and volunteer to organize it. Some my Bootcamp Members have done it and it put them in the spotlight – exactly where you want to be!

Take an Interview, Any Interview – This is a rusty, perishable skill which may be in need of rejuvenation after a slow summer. Take any interview that comes along to keep fresh, engaged and on your “A” game. This way, when the ideal position comes along you are ready for whatever is thrown your way.

Create Your Own Opening – I talk a great deal about the “hidden” job market in my webinars. One aspect that many don’t mention is that your ideal job might have someone sitting in “your” seat right now. But, in many cases, these Kings and Queens of “low hanging fruit” only have their job because there isn’t a viable alternative. Through a combination of the techniques above, you can create your own opening by giving a future employer an option: the mediocre employee they have or the stellar employee they could hire (you!).

Albeit a crowded market out there, companies are still in need of top talent – especially now. Use these techniques to get a leg up on your competition. If you have any techniques of your own that have worked, please share them with other readers below. I know they would love to hear from you.

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Interested in learning more about my Job Search 2.0 Bootcamp starting September 14^th? You can read more by clicking here or listen to my “5 Secrets to the Perfect Job Search.”

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Filed under Blog Posts · Tagged with build the career you deserve, hidden job market, interview, job search, job search 2.0 bootcamp, kevin kermes, resume

Efficiency and Stress Management in the Job Search – from the Build the Career You Deserve e-zine

Posted by Kevin Kermes on July 29, 2009 · Leave a Comment

Many of the same tools that are supposed to create efficiency (email, cell phones, Twitter, texting, IMs) are often the culprits accused of creating our inefficiency. Or, is it that they are a symptom versus the disease? Managing technology plus the myriad of tasks – finding new job leads, marketing yourself, networking, responding to emails/phone calls, etc. – often paralyzes job seekers and results in even higher stress levels (as if the job search isn’t stressful enough). So, the real question here is: what can you do to alleviate these issues in a technology-laden environment?

Doing More Often Nets You Less – A study done at Microsoft last year looked at how long it takes people to return to a task when they are interrupted by an e-mail or instant message. The average was 15 minutes. More than a quarter of the people did not return to the task at hand for two hours! Moreover, when people did finally start working again, they did not reach their earlier level of concentration for an additional 10 minutes. When you take all of this into account, you realize multi-tasking can be a colossal time waste.

There is Focus and There is Focus – Being focused on the task at hand isn’t enough. To be more efficient in what you need to get accomplished daily, break out your to-do-list into blocks. Segment your day by activities: returning email, following up on leads, finding new target companies (preferably through the “hidden job market”), network, reinforce your SME (subject matter expert) status. By getting in the zone on each of these tasks, your increased focus will net you better results.

Turn it Off – Email and IM are the biggest culprits here and are not the exception to working in blocks. Shut your email down and set up 2-3 times a day when you open it and respond. There are very, very few things that cannot wait an hour or two for a response. And, if they are that critical, someone will typically pick up the phone and call you.

Always the Exception to the Rule – We always need one of these, right? Waiting for a call back from a prospective employer? Expecting to hear from someone you have been trying to network with for weeks? Make a list of critical events that allow you to break out of working in blocks. But, remember the stats we talked about earlier and weigh out if the event is really so important that you want to lose 15-25 minutes of prime productivity out of your day. Some events are worth it, others not so much. You be the judge.

The job search is a full time job and an extremely draining one at that. So, don’t add to that anxiety by being inefficient in your daily tasks. Try implementing a few of these techniques and see your productivity increase and your stress level decrease.

Want to learn more about uncovering the “hidden job market?” Listen to a recording of my – “5 Secrets to the Perfect Job Search” webinar.

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Kevin is the Founder of Build the Career You Deserve, a company devoted to empowering professionals with the vital tools and information necessary to find the job they want and build the successful career they deserve. Sign up for his free e-zine – Build the Career You Deserve – for insider tips on how to do just that!
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Filed under Blog Posts · Tagged with 5 secrets to the perfect job search, build the career you deserve, hidden job market, interview, job search 2.0 bootcamp, kevin kermes, resume