The Reference Check – It’s Not Time to Celebrate Yet – from the Build the Career You Deserve ezine
Two years ago, if a client told me that the company they were interviewing with was getting ready to check references, I would have thought, “Great! It sounds like an offer is not far behind.” But now, with unemployment at 8.9%, the job search landscape is far different and more competitive than ever. As a result, many companies are checking the references of multiple candidates in order to help make their final decision. So, getting it right with your references is extremely important. Here are a few tips:
· Be Proactive: Don’t assume the reference and reference checker will connect. Find out who will be calling your reference and let your reference know. I would suggest taking the steps to help schedule it. Not only will this help make certain it happens, but your reference will be in a better state of mind and more prepared for the call. You want them focused on selling you, not multitasking by driving, checking emails, etc..
· Prepare Your Reference: Schedule a call with your reference to review your background and the position you are interviewing for. Send them a copy of your resume. You want them understanding why this is a great job for you. They need to both think and speak in terms of why your past accomplishments are an indicator of what you are going to do for your future employer. It is all about being specific, quantifying and qualifying why you are the best hire – period.
· You are Only Good at What You Check: Follow up with your reference afterwards to find to how the call went. Were there any stumbling points? Any red flags they think you might need to address or be aware of? This way you know if there are any points you need to go back and re-address or affirm with your future employer.
There reference check is so much more than verifying employment. By taking these steps, you will not only properly prepare your reference, but you might discover you need to replace one of the people on your list. Remember, knowing they are checking references doesn’t mean you have the job, but it does mean you are a finalist. This is the last leg of your journey, so it’s time to pull out all the stops. Make sure your references tip the scales in your favor!
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This past week, I spent a little over 30 minutes talking about this point plus a few more. Most important, I shared some free tips and remedies on how you can get a system that works for you. If you weren’t one of the 1000 participants on the webinar, you can listen here to the “5 Secrets to the Perfect Job Search.”
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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.kevinkermes.com
2008 – 2009 (c) Kevin Kermes Inc. – All Rights Reserved
Are You Defining Your Brand or is it Defining You? (Recording)
How to Tackle a Slowing, Summer Job Market from the “Build the Career You Deserve” ezine
In December, I wrote about kicking your search into “high gear” since the tendency is to back off a bit because of the holidays. While we are six months away from that season, the job seeker does experience something similar in the summer months. Hiring processes seem to take twice as long. Vacations make getting everyone on the same interview schedule, much less consensus on hiring decisions, difficult…to say the least. But there are some things you can do to help keep your job search moving forward with momentum, in spite of all this:
· It’s All About Activity: Network like crazy – LinkedIn®, Twitter®, professional networking events, trade shows, etc.. Don’t mirror the pace of the market. This is the time to get a leg up and get yourself in the process ahead of your competition.
· Less is More: Yes, you will need to increase your activity, but that doesn’t necessarily mean more work. Try working in blocks on your key activities (generating leads, marketing yourself, following up on leads, emails, etc.). By assigning specific blocks of time for these activities (and nothing else), you may find you work less but accomplish more.
· Start Now: Start increasing your activity now. Don’t wait for the market to slow. It is only a few weeks before summer schedules and vacations begin. So, begin filling your pipeline ASAP.
· Adjust your Responses: You know the process is going to slow, so measure your response in following up. By taking that into account, you can turn your calls and keeping in touch from nagging to pleasant persistence. And, while your competition is getting frustrated and not taking this into account, you will begin separating yourself from the pack.
· Have a System: Put together a system to track all your activity, who you are contacting and when you will contact them again. It is hard to determine what is going well and what isn’t without measuring and a system makes this so much easier.
· Be Original: In following up, you don’t want to continue checking in with the same message, “I am back and still looking for work.” Change up your message and get creative, but always stay on their radar.
Every year I have seen the hiring process slow in the summer. But, just as sure as you can bet on that, I have also seen it take off like a shot again in late August right before Labor Day. While that might seem distant on the horizon, it will be here before you know it. And, by filling your pipeline during the summer months, if you are still in the process in August your dance card is more likely to be full!
Want to learn more about Your Solution and uncovering the “hidden Job market?” Listen to a recording of my – “5 Secrets to the Perfect Job Search” webinar.
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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 17,000+ 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.kevinkermes.com
Rethinking the “Elevator Speech” – from the Build the Career You Deserve ezine
As you probably 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.
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 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.kevinkermes.com