Your Job Search Questions and Answers

On Friday from 9 – 10 AM PDT we often conduct free “Candidate Open Forums.” These are conference calls open to all of our candidates, in which we discuss topics and answer questions directly from you – our candidates. Unfortunately, we are limited to 50 people on the line at one time, so often we can’t get to all of the questions submitted ahead of time via email.

We believe these are important, so from time to time in this blog we will discuss the topics and questions we, 1) don’t get to during the conference call, 2) are asked over and over again (so these are probably on your mind too), and 3) just consider important for you to know.

Remember, we are retained executive recruiters so the answers and thoughts come strictly from that perspective.

1) Chronological vs. functional resume? Easy answer –  NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, use a functional resume. In my almost 30 years of recruiting I have never had any recruiter or hiring manager support the functional resume. I have also been on many panels where all of the panelists agree to NEVER use a functional resume. Functional resumes just scream out,”Try to figure out what I’m trying to hide.” See our free audio file on resumes.

2) How do we overcome negatives such as age, turnover, time between jobs, etc? We believe you address them head on. If you have a negative, avoiding it doesn’t make it go away. We have a blog entry “Preemptive Strike” which you should also consider reading. If you have a negative item, you should bring it up straight away, discuss it openly and then whatever happens, happens. Don’t assume, “They didn’t bring it up so it must not be a problem.” They didn’t bring it up because they already settled it in their mind. You need to preempt any preconceived ideas before they come into play.

3) What is the best method and frequency for following up on a resume? For us, as recruiters, we prefer via email or one of the social media forums, Linkedin or Twitter. Recruiters have reduced staff just like many other companies, while the number of calls from candidates has skyrocketed. It isn’t possible to call every person. Email allows us to reply late at night, on weekends, or even while waiting in the lobby of a client. I can’t do that with phone calls. Regarding frequency, if in fact you are dead on perfect,  then after two weeks send a follow-up email.

4) With so many top level executives in the market, how do you differentiate yourself from the pack? This is the 64,000 dollar question. We believe the best answer is to have a very compelling resume which is targeted specifically to the position. A generic, one size fits all resume will not differentiate you. That is what “generic” means. In today’s market our clients and therefore recruiters, are seeking very specific backgrounds. We are not looking for the proverbial, “Jack of all trades,” we are looking for the, “King or Queen for a specific role.”

5) Is negotiating with the employer different today due to the economic situation, and if so how? There is a difference given today’s market. For example, most companies will not relocate today especially in a large market area. Also, companies tend to be closed to severance agreements. If you aren’t working, they figure there is no reason to give an agreement and they are in control. You have to pick your issues and know where to compromise. This is all part of the pre-planning process for a job search. What issues will you compromise on and which ones should you dig in your heels?

This is enough for now, check back regularly for more Q&A.

We realize not everyone will agree with these answers and that is healthy. So if you don’t agree, or wish to comment, we encourage you to do so. Just click the link below.

We offer a wealth of free resources to anyone in a job search. To see what is available to help you simply CLICK HERE.

Do You Avoid Contact in your Job Search Networking?

I coach High School Girls Basketball and I’ve noticed that the most successful girls love the physical contact of playing basketball – they attack defenders, they draw contact going to the basket, they get physical underneath the basket, and they don’t escort dribble-drive penetrators to the basket.

Job Search is like basketball (my HS daughter who also plays basketball frowns ever time I tell her I’m making another basketball metaphor – I just can’t help myself)

Candidates who are job hunting must seek out the face-to-face contact with others to conduct a successful job search. It’s not enough to sit behind a computer screen all day reading emails, answering job postings, and participating in on-line discussion groups. Learn the fundamental elements of job search networking and personal face-to-face contact through our 5-Step Career Success Methodology.

The very best job search networkers reduce their job search time by half or more through turning the job hunt into a contact sport like basketball. Discover the best practices of master networkers who make job search networking a contact sport.

Here a 5 key thoughts to begin an introspective look at whether you’re doing enough in the physical contact element of your job search:

1. Do you belong to a job search networking group that meets at least every other week in your local community with people at the same level as yourself?

2. Are you asking for and obtaining information interviews with hiring managers who currently do not have any openings?

3. How many meetings are you doing every week with the “A” list of your network – those who are strong connectors and influencers – those with extensive networks – the 20% of your network that will generate 80% of your job leads and referrals.

4. Are you active in at least one non-profit group in your local community by which you’re making a valuable contribution and as a side benefit expanding your network?

5. Do you attend the meetings of the professional networking groups and local chapters of trade associations in your local community. For example, if you are a Controller or CFO, are you attending the FEI, FENG networking meetings. If your company is a manufacturer, do you also attend the local chapter meetings of APICS – the American Production and Inventory Control Society?

When you start getting out of the house and meeting people – one-on-one, in groups, at events – great results will start to happen. One of the basic elements of networking is that people are uncomfortable making referrals and giving you leads until they trust you. To gain trust, you’ve got meet and know people on a more personal level than email, twitter, Facebook wall postings, and lurking in discussion groups.

Barry

photo credit karenphotos

Is it time to clean up your on-line image or personal brand?

Does your on-line image convey exactly the type of person a potential employer would want to hire?

Do your communications – blog commenting, tweets, linkedin updates, flickr comments, facebook postings on your wall or your friend’s walls – convey the communication, writing, spelling, grammar, language a potential employer might evaluate.

Could you get away with the public email address, nickname, avatar, photo streams if you were employed by your ideal employer vs. what you’re doing now on the social media sites.

From an employer perspective – your image or “personal brand” is a conglomeration of all these on-line/public activities. We’ve discussed in a number of our Internet Radio Talk show the issue of personal branding in your job search. Feel free to listen or download the audio from our past shows by clicking here.

Social media has taken what a few years ago was very private between friends and made it transparent for the world to see. First impressions play an important role in helping hiring managers decide whether to call or meet you. We’ve got an active discussion group on LinkedIn discussing this and many other topics related to your job search. Join us on the LinkedIn Discussion Group by clicking here.

Would your Mother be ashamed or proud of you? How about your next boss? The HR department at your next company? What would your co-workers think?

What would your most respected friends offer you as advice about your current on-line image or personal brand? Would they be comfortable telling you to clean it up.

Is it time to apply a little detergent to your on-line image, activities, and personal brand?

It might make the difference between taking months off your job search, add thousands to your annual compensation, and lead to a job that provides a lot of personal satisfaction vs. drudgery.

Barry

photo credit barkdog

Resumes Are Worthless – Audio Program

“Why Traditional Resumes are Worthless” is because they leave off vital information. This is all about resumes and why many never get noticed. Why do some work and some don’t. What special information is required for Sales and IT people. Why the resume isn’t about you. How to focus on benefits and not features and why most resumes never get past the 20 second review. I answer emails about how to show 30 years of experience, should you use functional or chronological resumes and whether or not to use a professional resume writer. If you want answers on what to do to get your resume noticed all you have to now is listen.

On our radio show heard Monday’s from 11 – Noon PDT on LaTalkRadio we discuss why most resumes never get past the 20 second screen. They are missing vital information that the reader needs to make a decision. In fact, cases such as sales and IT require special handling.

You can just click the link below to hear the complete show and find out if your resume is missing this information. If you have been sending out resumes to jobs you are a perfect fit for and not getting calls, then you should consider if you a missing some of this information.

resumes_are_worthless just click this link to hear the complete show.

Getting in touch with recruiters

2) Have a referral from someone who has built a relationship with the recruiter. Not just an acquaintance with the recruiter. This could be a former client or candidate. I always return the calls when someone I trust and know refers a person to me. Use tools such as Linkedin or networking groups to find someone who has a relationship with the recruiter.

3) Instead of calling, send an email. Most recruiters are overwhelmed with calls and no matter how hard we try we can’t return them all. I currently have a list of over 40 calls to return. I try and get to a few each day, but regardless of how hard I try the list gets longer. Sending an email makes it easy for recruiters to respond. I can do it late at night, early morning or between calls. I can’t do that with a phone call, especially with folks back east that are three hours ahead of my time zone. It will be 9 or 10 PM for them. I also can’t return a call when I have a couple minutes before my next interview, but I can quickly shoot off an email.

Good recruiters will respond to these techniques. I have recommended these to many of my candidates and networking connections. Most are amazed at the increase in the response rate.

Try these or any one of them and I think you will see your response rate increase with recruiters.

STOP Job Search Networking: Complete Waste of Time

Networking is one of the most important first steps in a job search. However, the manner in which most candidates approach job search networking is horrific. It’s useful, ineffective, and frustrating to watch. STOP conducting traditional job search networking — it is a complete waste of time.

In our LIVE Interent Radio Talk Show, we’ll show you how to build a powerful job search network that quickly begins to yield an abundance of job search leads, referrals, and opportunities. If you missed our LIVE Internet Radio Talk Show which we conduct every Monday 11-Noon PST on LATALKRADIO.com, you can still listen to the audio recording. We post all our Job Search and Career Management Radio Broadcasts within 24-48 hours after the LIVE show in our FREE Job Search Audio Library.