Free Job Search Coaching: The Recap
This week, I held a day of free 1-on-1 coaching sessions. It’s the first time I’ve done this and there’s no doubt…I will be doing it again. What I’d like to share are anecdotes and trends I took away from talking to these 23 job seekers. My hope is that it might provide some perspective and help to what often feels like a pretty solitary journey: the job search.
Relocation tips: Several people had questions on how realistic it is to find a job in another location. While it’s not easy, it can be done. Make sure you have a local address you can use or leave it off your resume all together. Get a free local number that will forward to your cell phone through Google Voice.
Transitioning Careers and Industries: A lot of people are convinced that you cannot transition industries in this economy. I complete disagree. The key is to be connecting with hiring managers, talking about the pains they are experiencing and how your track record of fixing problems applies to what they need. You are going to have a tough – if not impossible – time making this case with recruiters.
Remember to focus on what’s in it for them.
How you are Defining Yourself: If the first words out of your mouth are: I’m looking for,” then you are likely defining yourself as a job seeker. You have to stop doing that right now. That is never going to be the reason you get hired because a) it doesn’t translate into any type of value for a prospective employer and b) it doesn’t matter.
Imagine you needed to hire a peer to work with you today. Close your eyes and who comes to mind? Former colleagues, friends, those in your industry with great reputations, etc.. You didn’t need a resume to make a short list and you don’t even think about whether or not they are employed. It simply doesn’t matter. Ask yourself this: Is it more important that they know you are looking or know that you are the most qualified?
Age discrimination: There are all types of discrimination out there – age, race, sex, weight, etc.. Here is what I would tell you – embrace who you are and don’t try to fight bias or corporate cultures. It’s like swimming against a riptide. Put out there who you are, what you do well and be consistent in your messaging. Instead of focusing on the companies who aren’t your cup of tea (and vice versa), focus on those that want what you have.
When I was a software sales headhunter, most of our clients were small to midsized companies (<$20 million in revenue). They wanted 20+ year veteran sales professionals because they lacked the time and infrastructure to train. Go where they want you.
Frustration with recruiters: Instead of rehashing this one, check out the blog and video I put together on this topic.
Over 50% wanted advice on their resume: As you know, my approach is all about your resume becoming a roadmap for your interview – not expecting it to be the procuring cause. Make sure you are quantifying and qualifying everything on your resume. Use the “so what” litmus test with the bullets on there. Is it fluff or does it equate to value you will bring to a new organization (i.e. demonstrating how you will make or save them money). Remember that it’s just a piece of paper and you are more important than it. And, above all, it isn’t the tool you should be relying upon to help you stand out. Which is a great segue into the #1 topic of the day…
Standing Out in the Job Market: With one exception, this was a consistent question and theme in every conversation I had. As a result, I’m holding a webinar next week where I will talk about just that – how to stand out in the job search. Plus, I have some free tools I’ll be giving out that you can put to use today to get immediate results in your search.
To register for this FREE webinar (and get signed up to get all the freebies that come along with it), just enter your information below. Don’t worry if you can’t make it – I’ll send you a recording of the webinar. But you have to be registered to get the recording and the free resources.
**not sure you can make it? Go ahead and sign-up and a recording of the session will be sent to you**
Stand Out by Ditching the Elevator Speech
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 value packed 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 stand out here. 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, leads to uncovering “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.
Want more tips on how to stand out in the job market and attract more opportunities? Watch this video I made with Donna Reed (plus, there are a ton of free resources you can put to work today in your job search!)
2010 © Career Attraction – All Rights Reserved
NEW VIDEO: Standing Out In the Job Search with the Agilista PM
This is the #1 topic job seekers have told me they wanted from a recent survey I did. So, my good friend Donna Reed and I recorded a webinar for her readers this past week. I know you’ve heard me talk about Donna because, not only is she a friend, but she’s my “poster child” for job search success! We created a system for Donna that allows her to stand out in a crowded marketplace and attract job offers – she doesn’t send resumes out, she isn’t surfing the job boards and she doesn’t work with recruiters.
Sounds like a pretty good deal, huh?
Get immediate access to the video and bonuses by entering your information below!
We dig into all of this in the video:
- How to get crystal clear on being productive, not just active, in your job search..and more effective!
- Why you don’t need to be focused on resumes, job boards or recruiters
- What you can do today to start “gatejumping” and get around those keeping you away from decision makers…it’s a lot easier than you think!
- Simple, actionable steps to start differentiating…and why most of the advice out there simply doesn’t work.
- Why you need to become a “hub,” not a “spoke,” with your audience…which will pull jobs to you.
Plus I’ll immediately send you a number of tools, interviews and resources that you can put to work TODAY in your job search. There’s no sales pitch – just 100% content you can use RIGHT NOW.
Enter your information below and you’ll get access to see (and hear) what we are talking about…and I’ll send you the links to all the freebies I talk about in the video.
Get immediate access to the video and bonuses by entering your information below!
2008 – 2010 Career Attraction – All Rights Reserved
Twitter as a “Twool” in Your Job Search
While Social Media platforms like LinkedIn have gained increasing popularity with today’s job seekers, many are still on the fence regarding Twitter. Not too long ago, I was one of those wondering if and how this tool might assist job seekers. While I had my own ideas, I thought what better way to uncover how it can really help those in the midst of a job search than to find people who had success using it. So, I interviewed two women who found their jobs using Twitter.
Enter your information below and I’ll send you these two interviews to keep so you can learn how to incorporate Twitter as a “twool” in your job search:
After listening, please share your thoughts and feedback below…
2008 – 2010 (c) Kevin Kermes Inc. – All Rights Reserved
