Focus on the “Now”
“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.”
The quote is from Buddha. While I am not sure if he experienced the frustration that can come along with a job search, I think his advice is very fitting. Clients constantly tell me how they feel like their search is taking too long, they are lacking focus since they are looking at so many different things or they simply do not think they are making process. If you are experiencing any of this in your search, here is some advice to help you focus on the “now.”
The Push and The Pull – Every search has a Push and a Pull. The Push is the reason you are leaving (or have left) your current (or past) job. The Pull is what is attracting you to your new job. Too often, by dwelling in the past you end up focusing on the Push. This is a lot like talking about an “ex” on a first date. A little bit can go a long way (in a bad way). Focus on the moment, which is the company you are pursuing and why they are a good fit for you.
Work in Blocks – Most people are looking at multiple opportunities across a wide array of industries – particularly if you are looking to change fields. It is typical to be left feeling a little scattered and without focus when jostling all these different positions in various stages of progress. Try breaking down your time into blocks. You can organize the time blocks by specific industry or by activity type (follow up calls, check-in emails, etc.). This allows you to get into a groove and get the most out of a set of like tasks, versus constantly shifting gears.
The Interview – Simply put, your job at each phase of the interview is to get invited back for the next interview. Do not worry about how many steps are in the process. Do not worry about compensation. Keep focused on stating your track record of accomplishments and the ROI the company will get by hiring you. This will put you in a position to not only be invited back, but in doing so you can figure out if this is the right job for you.
Patience – It isn’t a virtue, it is a requirement. The average job search is taking 211 days. Companies are taking their time to make the right hire which is resulting in a longer process than we have seen in years. Have a system to follow up and keep in touch with your prospective employer(s). Demonstrating patience will only help raise your stock, since your competition is likely not playing it as cool as you will be.
Sucking the Marrow – Be in the “now” for every call, email or meeting. You need to be constantly expanding your network, so whenever you are in communication with someone get the most out of that conversation. Who else do they know? Who is hiring? Get everything you can out of each interaction. And, always remember “give to get.”
This process is a marathon, not a sprint – particularly in this economy. Keep that perspective and focus on making forward progress every day. That may be a positive conversation that leads to a new introduction can be just as valuable in the long run as an interview.
For more information on how to stand out in this crowded market, uncover the hidden jobs and create demand for you, watch this short video that shares so many of the techniques that have been successful for my clients.
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 uncover the hidden job market and start pulling opportunities to you, visit him now www.kevinkermes.com
When It’s Best Not to Ask for the Job
One of my clients asked me for advice on how best to network at an upcoming tradeshow for a new job. She was unemployed, but thought the event would be a prime opportunity to get in front of some people and get her name out there. Rightly so! She went on to say that while she knew she should go, the whole thing was making her uncomfortable. “I don’t want to be walking around with a stack of resumes asking people if they are hiring.” My advice: Don’t take your resume and don’t ask for a job. Here is what I told her to do:
The Introduction – You aren’t going to be the only one working a tradeshow or networking event in hopes of finding a job. So, how do you differentiate? Don’t ask who is hiring. In introducing yourself, you are going to say who you “were” with – stating you are not working and implying you are looking. There is no need to go beyond that. If you are at a tradeshow, chances are the person you are talking to is ecstatic that they still have a job. So, shift the conversation to them. What presentations or speakers are they going to hear? What new products or solutions are they rolling out? Talk about anything other than your job search. If they are looking to hire, they will drive it to you.
The Give to Get – Do your homework BEFORE the event. Who are the speakers and presenters? What topics are they covering? Research an article that is timely and pertinent to anyone who would be interested in those speakers. When you are “introducing” yourself, bring up the article. When you find out they didn’t read it or haven’t seen it, offer to email them a copy. They will give you their information, you have just made a new contact and you have established yourself as someone in the “know.” Again, don’t ask who is hiring.
The Follow up – After the event, email those contact you have made with the link to the article you discussed. This is when you can ask them to help you network. If you are interested in their company specifically, ask to be introduced to a hiring manager how covers that area in which you want to work (not HR). Otherwise, try asking them this: “Would you introduce me to the top 3 people you hold in the highest regard in your industry?” These can be former/current peers or bosses. Ideally, steer away from asking about who is hiring – it pigeon holes your networking and can keep you from the 2nd or 3rd degree of separation that will be your next job.
Differentiation is the key to standing out in what is becoming a very crowded job market, but it’s not about having a new resume with some jazzed up font. You need to take advantage of every opportunity your showcase your subject matter expertise in your field. Having conversations like these demonstrates exactly why you have what they need. This is all part of creating demand in the brand you want them to buy: You.
For more information on how to stand out in this crowded market, uncover the hidden jobs and create demand for you, watch this short video that shares so many of the techniques that have been successful for my clients.
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 uncover the hidden job market and start pulling opportunities to you, visit him now www.kevinkermes.com
Facebook Webinar Q&A with Sharon Feingold – Creator of Hire My Friend
There were a number of questions we didn’t get to in last week’s webinar – “Using Facebook as Part of Your Job Search Strategy.” So, Sharon Feingold (creator of the Hire My Friend application for Facebook) joined me again to run through them – as well as give another demonstration of her app in action!
More Q&A from Last Week’s Webinar with MedCareerVillage
Last week there were more questions than we had time for on the “5 Secrets to Uncovering the Hidden Job Market” webinar hosted by MedCareerVillage. So, in this short video, I tackle the remaining questions. These include using Twitter and LinkedIn more effectively, tips on differentiating in the market place, advice for C Level executives, vetting recruiters and more.
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!
Using Facebook as Part of Your Job Search Strategy – FREE WEBINAR – Tuesday, February 23 – 12:00pmEST
This webinar is now over. To be the first to learn about our upcoming sessions – and get some great, free information to help you in your job search – simply sign-up below. We will email you and you’ll be among the first to know!
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!
If you enjoyed this article and would like to get more like it delivered straight to your email, you can sign up here.
Want to use this article in your ezine, blog or website? You can, as long as you include this blurb with it:
“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!
_____________________________________________________________________________
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
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!
The Career Catalyst Show – “How to Supercharge Your Job Search”
This week I had a chance to be on The Career Catalyst with Kenrick Chatman. He has had some great guests in the past, so it was quite an honor. The topic Kenrick chose was “How to Supercharge Your Job Search.” Listen in as we cover:
- The important keys to achieving job search success
- Turning rejection into opportunity during your job search
- Increasing your job search efficiency and minimize stress
- Finding the “open door” in the job market
- Positioning yourself as the most viable next hire
Plus, there was a Q&A session at the end. As always, please share your feedback by leaving a comment below!