One Simple Trick To Finding A Job
So many candidates struggle with finding a position. I’m not going to insult you by telling you it is easy. It isn’t. In fact, for most it is hard work. Mainly because this may be new to you and with the exception of a few, this is not your area of expertise. It is always difficult to do something when you are not an expert. In fact, it is frustrating because most professionals make it look so easy. Have you ever watched one of those home improvement shows do a complete kitchen remodel in just 22 minutes? They never have any problems, everything fits the first time, they never cut a board wrong, and it looks great in the end. Have you ever done a kitchen remodel and have it done that easily?
Their remodel happens so easily because they are an expert in it and we are not. So how does this relate to finding a job?
Companies in today’s market want the expert. They don’t want the jack of all trades, they want the king or queen.
Candidates have a very hard time accepting this. It is better to be great at one thing than good at many. Experts do 1 or 2 things 10,000 times, not 10,000 things once or twice.
What is your expertise? What unique passion, unique experiences, unique skill set, unique talent, unique accomplishments do you have that will, if not separate you from the 100’s of resumes received, at least get your resume to the pile of 5 to 10 to interview?
We live in a 140 character world. Millions tweet thoughts in 140 characters or less. Status updates on Linkedin are 140 characters or less. Can you describe your expertise in such a way that you stand out in 140 characters of less?
If not, then this is a great thing to work on over the holidays.
For example:
- A CFO with extensive experience in international finance within X industry and X sized companies
- Sales professional that enjoys the challenge of cold calls, increased first time customers by X% in first year directly by cold calling.
- HR executive that excels at union neg, reducing benefit costs by X% and 70% of hires from employee referrals up from 20% when I started.
These are just some examples that at least help you stand out, identify your unique strengths and accomplishments.
I have worked with hundreds of people helping them identify what makes them unique. It always starts out the same, “I’m probably not all that unique. I do my job and so do others.” That may be true, but every person doesn’t do the same thing, even in the same functional area.
Think about becoming great at 1 0r 2 things instead of good at many. Do this, and watch how your job search results change.
If this was helpful to you, then help others in your network by passing it along so they also benefit. Helping others will always help you in your job search. You can add this to your status on Linkedin, tweet it, add it to your Facebook page, or email it to your network. Let’s help everyone that is seeking a new job.
For more help on this, join our Linkedin Job Search Networking group. It is free and loaded with helpful discussions and articles. CLICK HERE to join.
Get our FREE 8 Point Job Search Self Assessment Scorecard to evaluate your job search. You can’t fix it if you don’t know what is broken. This will help you. CLICK HERE to get yours.
You can also get a FREE sample cover letter proven to get you noticed. Thousands have downloaded this, and it is FREE. CLICK HERE to get one.
I welcome your comments, thoughts and questions.
Brad Remillard
Tags: Cover Letter Example, Job Hunting, Job Interviews, Job Search, Job Search LinkedIn Discussion Group, Job Search Mistakes, Job Search Personal Branding Expert, Job Search Social Media, Personal Branding Techniques
Job Search Preparation, Personal Branding | bradremillard December 14, 2009
About the Author
Brad Remillard is a founding Partner of IMPACT Hiring Solutions, co-author of "You're NOT the Person I Hired", and "This is NOT the Position I Accepted". Brad is an award-winning international speaker, retained executive recruiter, and expert on hiring and retaining top talent, and executive job search.
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By Peyton Farquhar, December 14, 2009 @ 2:39 pm
Unless you are an executive officer, focusing on a single field of expertise to the exclusion of all else is short sighted and the quickest route to unemployment because there will always be a quicker, faster, less expensive gun.
Let’s be realistic: In today’s race to the bottom economy, employers don’t want experts, they want to pay the lowest wages for the most skill sets and education.
By ferd dong, December 14, 2009 @ 4:15 pm
Brad, you’re absolutely right. Companies will interview and hire based upon expert level competancy, if it matches what they think they need. However, most times you will still be asked to wear many hats once you get the job. They often move you into different positions that do not relate to what you originally interviewed for! This is particularly true at small companies. But to play the interviewing game you do need to market your niche expertise that matches what the interviewer asks for. I’ve found that it’s not wise to market everything else you bring to the table unless asked first.
By Old Timer, December 14, 2009 @ 11:09 pm
My recent experiences with companies in the Fortune 500 is cheaper is better. Talent, skill, experience are no longer the criteria. Cheaper by use of outsourcing, H1B/L1 Visa workers, under 30 workers. That is the new world we are in. Many very skilled and experiences workers are shown the door because of their cost to the company as they strive for the lowest cost.
By jamestru, December 20, 2009 @ 6:57 am
These Comments Sound True, BUT they are NOT TRUE in Practice
Why? They are the authors’ projections – remember Psych 101? However sincere, they are not useful to YOU, the job seeker. Any time someone says, “Let’s be realistic,” beware! What follows is usually an argument for diminishing expectations, and for agreeing their point of view.
The 3 commentators above are selling a race to the bottom. Expect to be cheated, they say, expect to be paid the lowest salary, and to be jacked around – that’s “realistic.”
Truth? Brad’s right. In my 30+ years experience in the job market I’ve interviewed dozens of times, and landed many jobs. Common sense – present your strengths, emphasize your value. Know the advancement track in any job. Get the best position and pay you can, and make yourself invaluable. You’re not stuck – if a job doesn’t work, make plans and move on. Ignore talk about the ‘bad’ job market – that data is a statistical average, and it doesn’t help you get hired. Remember – you only need ONE job. Worst case – people move, have children, change careers, etc. so there are always companies hiring, no matter how the job market is. Laugh your ass off, work hard, and keep on rockin’!
Best-
jamestru
Chicago