5 Reasons Why Social Media MUST Be Part of Your Job Search

Posted by Kevin Kermes · Leave a Comment

There’s a lot of static out there about Social Media and its place in the job search process. Many think it is a bit of a time drain with little return on investment. And, like anything else, without a “plan” it can be just that. But, properly implemented, it can be a more powerful catalyst to getting your job search engine off and running than just about any other single tool out there. This is largely because it embodies a collection of qualities that, combined, can streamline your search efforts while putting the maximum amount of pressure on a pinpoint area – your target position:

Visibility – These mediums allow you access to an unlimited amount of professionals within your targeted audience. What’s more, Social Media sites by definition allow for and promote the organization of niche “groups” which make finding your audience that much easier. LinkedIn is a prime example of this, but Facebook and YouTube as well.

Transparency – This is a mantra to your success in Social Media environments. You can equate it to going to a party. Would you set up a table and starting pitching your product (i.e. “Here I am, looking for a job”) or begin by connecting on common ground? This is particularly true on Twitter – one of the more transparent tools out there. It is the first step in the process of “Know, Like, Trust,” which we all go through in determining what we are going to buy. Or, in this case, who they are going to hire.

“Give to Get” – Coupled with transparency, it is the second key to success in Social Media. Help others to not only get them to help you but, of equal importance, discover who will help you. And, by way of this assistance, you get a third party endorsement or recommendation. You can start doing it by simply asking others, “How can I help you?”

Nobodies are the New Somebodies – Borrowed from Guy Kawasaki, in the simplest of terms you don’t know who can help you nor do you know who knows who. Connecting with the big wigs in your industry through Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn can be fun, but it’s that avid networker who you have never met or heard of who is your better bet.

The Quality is in the Quantity – This is how you get to the “Nobody Somebodies.” There are a myriad of tools out there to help you build a network of likeminded, “give to get” individuals rapidly on the major platforms (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, etc.). By having a large number of connections, you have more choices from which to drill down and develop deeper, more meaningful connections. Think of it like filling your own networking event: pack the hall with as many folks as possible and then work the room to see who can help you (and, of course, who you can help).

It is clear that Social Media isn’t the fad some first claimed it to be. It is almost equally as pervasive off-line as it is on-line. By incorporating it on the front end of your job search efforts to “fill the funnel,” you will not only more effectively tie in with the opportunities you seek but also uncover that elusive “hidden job market.”

For more information on uncovering the “hidden job market” and how you can more effectively incorporate social media into your job search, check out my November Job Search 2.0 Bootcamp

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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.careerattraction.com

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What the? – Strange Tales from the Job Search Front

Posted by Kevin Kermes · 2 Comments

This week’s story from Neal Wiser will leave some of you shaking your head while others may wish to live vicariously through him. Wherever you fall, the story is entertaining and Neal’s parting comment: priceless.

I used to work in Hollywood and once interviewed with a “hot” production company who just had a pair of big hits. They were on the rise and rapidly expanding operations. The position I interviewed for was as Director of Development, a senior and very important position where my responsibilities were to find the next “insert name of big hit movie here.” The position required me to cultivate relationships with hot writers, studio executives, etc. I was excited even to be considered, not to mention being called back not just for a second, but a third interview.

The third interview was with both the President of the company and the CEO. I had met the President in the previous meeting and we really hit it off. This meeting, he had told me, was essentially the final approval meeting; merely a formality.

I was introduced to the CEO, a beautiful, 30-ish Ivy League alum who, rumor had it, was on a short list to run a studio in the next few years. We shook hands. Great, firm grip. She offered me a seat at the end of a plush leather couch amidst the usual pleasantries. I sat back, relaxed. I put my arm casually on the arm of the couch. The President sat across from me. Then the CEO took her seat.

She sat on the arm of the couch, right next to me, looking directly down upon me. If I didn’t have such quick reflexes she would have sat on my arm. I glanced at the President. He flinched. I glanced up at the CEO. “So, what can you do for me?” she said as she placed a hand on my shoulder and squeezed gently.

I glanced at back at the President. He turned white. Horrified.

I looked back to the CEO.

She was looking directly into my eyes. Hers were a deep blue. She squinted slightly, as if asking me a question.

“I need someone who can give me what I want, day or night,” she said as she stroked my back. “Can you do that?”

I glanced at the President again. He was sweating.

I looked back at the CEO. “I’m sorry, but I’m here to discuss the development position,” I said.

“Oh, you are,” she said, her eyes squinting again. “You’ll be doing a lot of development.” Gentle squeeze on my shoulder.

I faced the President. I think he was dead at that point.

I faced the CEO. “Am I being punked?” I asked.

I excused myself moments later and went home, disappointed. Later that day, the President called. I was surprised he was still alive. He clearly didn’t know what to say to me except to apologize every other sentence. He finally called the CEO’s behavior “unprofessional” and added that she’s never done anything like that before. I thought he was hoping that I wouldn’t sue, until he told me that he left the company that afternoon.

I had to ask, “So, you’re telling me I didn’t get the job?”

I didn’t.

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“What the? – Strange Tales from the Job Search Front” is a weekly posting with the sole purpose of trying to infuse a little levity into your job search. For practical, tested and proven job search advice, please subscribe to my weekly ezine – Build the Career You Deserve – read by over 21,000 professionals.

Do you have strange tales from the job search? If so, please share them with us at ezine@careerattraction.com. (note – we will never reprint your story without your express consent).

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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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Re-thinking the “Elevator Speech”

Posted by Kevin Kermes · 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!

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Special Announcement

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Created especially for mid to senior level professionals, this one-of-a-kind, 11-step course walks you through Kevin’s entire simple system to uncover the “hidden” job market, establish you as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) and drive jobs to you. This is the “homestudy” version of Kevin’s popular, sold out Job Search 2.0 Bootcamp™ featuring full DVDs of each module plus tons of bonus materials. Learn more and get your copy here.

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What the? – Strange Tales from the Job Search Front

Posted by Kevin Kermes · 4 Comments

Many times there is a “question behind a question” in an interview. But, this week’s “What the?” story from our reader Jean has me wondering what it might be. Take a read and then weigh in with what you think the interviewer was getting at –or- was he just off his meds?

This was back when I was 22, fresh faced to NYC from Michigan. Terrified and had never worked in an office before, much less a high rise building. I landed an interview at a PR firm. I’d been there for hours, meeting everyone under the sun and was cleared

for the final interview. It was apparently customary at this firm for the president to meet everyone, even super junior hires. As I am being walked down the hall toward his suite I am told, in a nervous tone by the worried-looking HR person, that “he’s a little unusual” and informed that “he likes to ask questions to throw you off”. And, “Some candidates have walked out” when he does this.

Hmm. Even I, a total rube in the big city, figured this was not good. Desperate to start my career and life in New York, I figured these questions must be pretty bad if people who’d made it all the way thru a day of interviews at the company would actually walk out of there due to questions from this guy. How hard could the questions be? Revenues from 10 years prior? Name of some small client and their latest news? I began to mentally review all my company research notes as I was ushered down the hall and then into his huge, luxurious office.

The handsome president waved me to sit in what I have since learned was a very expensive office chair.

The guy bores his eyes into me and holds up an expensive pen- Mont Blanc or something like that. Engraved.

“I have just one question. If you answer it right you will get the job. What do you see when you see this pen?”

Ensues the conversation:

“A pen – a very nice one. A tool for communication and revolution. A means of writing. A way to report news.”

“No. What do you see?” Not smiling.

“An implement mightier than the sword. ”

“No what else?” Still in an utterly solemn tone of voice.

I start to smile broadly, muster charm and dredge up an interviewing strategy tip I read somewhere: “Highlight your strengths.” (Remember this was like my 2nd job interview ever.) “Mr. Smith I’d like to talk about my strengths and how they relate to this position at your firm.” (Pretty ballsy, since the guy was clearly trying to intimidate me and frankly, it was starting to work.)

”No. I want to you tell me what you see. Just stay on the pen.”

”I see a pen. And I’d really like to talk to you about why my skills are a fit for this job.”

He leans back in his chair and stays silent. Just looks at me. Moments later there’s a knock on the door- it’s the HR lady – and he says “We’re done.”

As I hit the Manhattan streets even I, an innocent from Michigan thought, “What WAS that? Was that guy being a jerk?” I found out the next day that EVERYONE liked me but him so no job. I have never regretted trying to deflect that stupid, irrelevant question.

So, what do you think? Is there a method to his madness or has he been sniffing too much glue in his spare time? Chime in below.

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Do you have strange tales from the job search? If so, please share them with us at ezine@careerattraction.com. (note – we will never reprint your story without your express consent).

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