The Job Search Sucks…We’ve Got an App for That
Last month, I met Sharon Feingold, creator of the Hire My Friend application for Facebook. I was struck by not only the “pay it forward” power of this tool, but by Sharon’s entrepreneurial and giving attitude in creating it. Simply put she had an idea and developed an application for no other reason than to help people find jobs. How cool is that?
It goes without saying that I had to talk to her. Sharon spent a few minutes shedding some light on Hire My Friend, how it came to be and what it does.
Kevin: How did you come up with the idea behind Hire My Friend?
Sharon: As a former healthcare recruiter turned freelance creative in New York City, I often find myself trying to connect people that might be great collaborators. The referral system is how I’ve built my career as a voiceover talent. If it weren’t for countless people assisting me and referring me to others, I would not have been able to build the career I love.
So from that, I learned how important referrals are as a way to help your career growth – but much more importantly, as a way to help others. According to my religion, Judaism, finding someone a job is actually the highest form of charity.
Kevin: That is a great perspective. One of the things I really like about the application is how it leverages the exceptionally powerful viral effect that social media can have while being entirely selfless. It’s more advocacy than networking.
Sharon: Exactly. Hire My Friend as an idea for a Facebook application really began to evolve after I co-organized and ran a couple of networking events for young creatives in the entertainment/media industry. At these events last year, the fallout of the recession become so apparent. A large majority of our attendees were out of work – but still grateful to meet people in new circles of influence. We had some great success stories from these events, and people found new positions and collaborators.
In that same spirit, when I send out a quarterly newsletter to my friends and colleagues, I always include a section called “Shameless Friend Promotion”, where I feature a fellow creative who is either unemployed or freelancing. Then it dawned on me that everyone could do “shameless friend promotions” so easily using Facebook. A producer always needs a director, a director needs a writer, a writer might need an animator, and so on and so forth. And I realized that each promotion on Facebook would create a new avenue of exposure for someone looking for work, no matter what industry or path they’ve chosen. If 10 friends showcase a friend, and each has 500 friends, the potential is exposure to 5000 friends. But even more – exposure to whoever those 5000 people might know in their own individual networks. Friends like to browse through other friends’ profiles, so if they become accustomed to looking to see who their friend is showcasing, Hire My Friend could become a powerful tool.
Kevin: I love it because this is crossover from that fine line of personal and professional networking in a very non-pushy way. Completely transparent and aimed at “paying it forward,” which social media respond to very well.
So, tell us, how exactly does “Hire My Friend” work?
Sharon: The funny thing is, it’s just a very, very simple tool. If you are the one showcasing a friend, once you add the application, it prompts you to select a friend, and write a little bit of information about that friend and the position they are looking for. This then creates a little “profile within a profile” under your list of friends in the column of your profile page, as well as an announcement in your live feed for all of your friends to see. Viewers can see what type of position your friend is looking for, as well as find a link to add them as a friend, send them a message, or view their LiinkedIn profile.
If you are the one looking for a job, you fill out a form on a different tab asking a friend to showcase you. Facebook sends a notification to that friend letting them know they have a request pending. Once that friend adds the application they can complete the request by writing their personal recommendation and then posting it to their feed and profile.
Kevin: Thanks again, Sharon, for not only developing this app but taking some time to share both what it does and the muse behind its creation!
Want to learn more about Hire My Friend and meet its creator Sharon Feingold? She will be one of my special guests on the free webinar “Using Facebook as Part of Your Job Search Strategy” on Tuesday, February 23rd at 12:00pm EST. I hope you will join us…and please share this with anyone you think might be interested!
Dispelling Myths about the Federal Job Market: guest blogger Dr. Daphne Houston
Myth #1: All the government jobs are in Washington, DC.
Fact: Only 15% of federal jobs are actually in DC. That means almost 85% of the federal jobs are outside of DC throughout the US and the rest of the world.
Myth #2: Federal Government Salaries are Low
Fact: Actually government salaries have risen faster and higher than private sector salaries. In most cases you will find that they are very competitive. In fact, it’s been reported that from 2000 to 2008, the pay for federal civilian employees skyrocketed 57%, while the pay for workers in the private sector grew by only 31%. And the White House recently proposed a 1.4% pay increase.
Myth #3: To get into the federal government you have to be connected – all the jobs are wired.
Fact: If that was the case, then the government wouldn’t currently have over 60,000 job openings worldwide. Don’t you think the people that know the current government workforce would have networked their way if that was the case?
Myth #4: All government workers do is push papers, they don’t have jobs for what I do.
Fact: The government has over classifications of positions and over 300 departments and agencies. There are all kinds of jobs. There are so many ways to make a difference to America doing this work. Here is a very short list of federal job titles: Accountants, Business Operations, Police Officers, Fire Fighters, Administrative Assistants, Secretaries, Assistants, Civil Engineers, Airline Pilots, Computer Systems Analysts, Program Managers, Construction Managers and Social Workers
Myth #5: The Government is one huge bureaucracy.
Fact: The Government is made up of several entities. Each of the over 300 departments and agencies operates as their own stand alone “corporation” within a network of companies designed to serve the best interest of America. Some do operate more efficiently than others and are more progressive than others.
Based on your agency research, consider 3-5 agencies you would like to further explore.
Myth #6: All Federal jobs are posted on USAjobs.com
Fact: Only about 70% are on USA jobs. Many jobs (perm, temp, special) are on each fed agency website. And some are not posted on the sites at all.
If you would like to learn more about the Federal Job Search Market, join Dr. Daphne Houston for a free webinar: “The 5 Critical Keys to Landing a Federal Job.” Dr. Houston is a certified federal job search trainer whose clients get hired!
2008 – 2010(c) Kevin Kermes Inc.
The Reference Check…It’s Not Time to Celebrate Yet
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 almost 10%, 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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“Hidden” Job Market expert Kevin Kermes has shown thousands how to uncover the unadvertised job market and pull jobs to them. If you’re looking for simple, quick and easy ways to bring the job market to you and cut your search time down significantly, get your FREE advice now at www.kevinkermes.com
© 2008 – 2010 – Kevin Kermes Inc
The Importance of Controlling the Interview…and 3 Tips to Do Just That!
The truth is that the interview is just as much about control as it is direction. The problem is that most interviews don’t have a true plan when it comes to the process. Needless to say, relinquishing control to someone with no real plan – or sense of direction – leaves you wondering where you will end up. More importantly, how can you determine if the job is the right one for you…much less prove you are the right fit for the job.
Recognizing all this, here are a few tips on how to maintain control in the interview to get the information you need:
“So, Tell Me About Yourself?” – This question is as common as it is lacking focus. Instead of trying to guess what the interviewer wants, create some framework. Respond by saying something like:
“I’d love to. Could you share the main objectives you want the person in this role to achieve? This way, I can give you some more pointed examples from my background that will help us both determine if there is a fit here.”
By saying something along these lines you give the interviewer the information they are really looking for (but didn’t know how to ask), get your interview on track, avoid taking you both down a path that provides no value and, most importantly, figure out for yourself if this position is a good fit.
The Phone Interview is an Open Book Test – Pull out your resume. Have your facts in front of you. No one can see you, so use that to you advantage. Make a list of 3-5 key accomplishments that you want to get across in the interview. Tell them as short stories that reflect your style, approach and personality – as well as the facts.
Also, don’t take the all while on the road, getting coffee or in any other setting where you might be distracted. Give this 100% of your attention just like you would in person. Along those same lines, I’d recommend dressing for the interview too. It can only have a positive effect on your mindset which will come across in your voice, confidence and presentation.
“I Wish I Had Said…” - Leave nothing to chance. Was there an awkward pause in the interview? Is there something you were surprised – or even relieved – they didn’t ask? You can’t read minds, so don’t start trying to now. At the end of each interview ask two questions – every time:
“Are there any questions you have for me that we didn’t get to?”
-and-
“What are the next steps in our process?”
Your tone and word choice are important here. You aren’t asking if they have any “hesitations” about moving forward or do they see you as a fit? Both infer negativity and doubt. You are confident and positive in your questions – definitely the note on which you want to end every interview.
These techniques have worked for my clients and I know they will bear fruit for you too. Have some other tips for fellow job seekers that worked for you? Please share them below!
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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!