Interviewing in 2011

As I sit here on Thanksgiving evening, with more to be thankful for than I have time to mention, I look ahead a few weeks, as I face certain layoff on December 22.

If you've been through a layoff before, then you know the roller coaster of emotions you ride.   I have had 3 months' warning, and have been doing all that I know to do to find a new gig, both inside and outside of my present place of employment, but at this writing, I have, at best, a few warm leads.


Some might be content to have leads, but I'd be a lot more content with a job offer.   The truth is that I've applied and networked as much as I can while working full time, and it has produced calls from potential employers.  I have done multiple phone interviews, follow-up thank you letters, a couple of really good face-to-face interviews, but that is as far as it goes.  Naturally, I'm wondering what I might be doing or not doing in the interview to not move past the initial face-to-face interview.


Many thoughts go through my head about my interviewing--- too confident, not confident enough, wasn't specific enough, went into too much detail, etc., etc.    The truth is, I do not know what is going on.   "Behavioral interviews" are the interviewing style du jour, and depending on how strict to form the interviewer is, it can be very difficult to answer the unspoken questions being asked by the question being asked.

For example, if you are asked "tell me about a time when you had a disagreement with your boss.  What was it about, how did you approach it, and what was the result?"   Is the interviewer interested in that specific incident?   Somewhat, but more than that, the real questions being asked are "How do you relate to your boss?  How do you handle conflict?  What people skills do you have?   Will you fit in to our culture?"   etc....or at least that is what I perceive to be the questions behind the questions.   I've had one interviewer give me feedback about these questions behind the question, and it is very difficult to understand what the interviewer really wants to know or hear.   It is sad that this newest form of interviewing is seen as superior to having a conversation with the person you are interviewing about their experiences and accomplishments as they relate to the specific position for which that person is being interviewed.   In all honesty, it is much easier to fool the interviewers using the behavioral interviewing approach if you know the game and can play well, especially in a situation where the interview is short and there isn't a lot of other discussion before a hiring decision is made.

Behavioral interviewing is all the rage today, but I would caution anyone who thinks it's a panacea for poor interviewing of the past.   It wasn't that past interviewing techniques were inferior; it's that the same bad interviewers of the past are now doing bad interviews in the present with the behavioral interview model.    Frankly, anyone can talk a good game using any interview model.   Multiple discussions over time and with different people about experience needed for a position should not be replaced by an "all powerful" behavioral interview. 

Perhaps a better approach to the behavior interview is to ask interviewees about specific skill/experience/accomplishments that would show that an interviewee has the skills and experience needed to be successful in the role for which they are interviewing.   For example, "How do you work with a group of diverse people as we have at our company?  Can you give me an example of when you have done that?"    This is straightforward questioning that will generate a straightforward answer.   If the interviewer has no ability to discern the skill level from this approach, behavioral interviewing will not help them. 

I've had several behavioral interviews lately, and people will ask me about an organizational development experience, I answer the question with a clear OD example, only to have them say that they did not hear an OD example, and they re-ask the question.   The issue is not so much that I didn't answer the question, but that they are non-OD people, do not understand what OD people do, but by using a behavioral interviewing sheet, believe they can discern if I have OD skills.  Ludicrous.

Perhaps it is just me, but behavioral interviewing is another "HR trend" that HR believes will suddenly help bad hiring decisions from being made.   Giving a person a supposed tool does not enable a person to suddenly have discernment or make them analytical enough to read the human being with whom they are thinking.  It is unfortunate that the root cause of bad interviewing hasn't been truly addressed--the interviewers themselves.   More skill building in this area with hiring managers and HR personnel would greatly improve the interviewing process.

Phenomenal Job Search Materials!

Came across a site today (http://www.thomasjackson.info/sale_fish.htm) that has a resource that I haven't seen before, but have often thought of:   a 30-60-90 day step-by-step plan for conducting a job search.   Thomas Jackson's information is incredibly on target, and I think his "Job Search First 90 days Tips & Tricks" resource is something that is a must read for all job searchers, especially those who haven't conducted a job search in some time, haven't attended a networking group, or those who haven't had the benefit of outplacement training.

I see a lot of job search sites, and his may not be the best looking site, but the downloads are as good (or better) than anything I've seen.

Reasons to Invest in Your Career NOW

Found a new job hunting site that appears to be targeted at new college grads and 20-somethings http://www.careerealism.com.

This site looks like a 2 x 4 across the forehead for a generation that grew up on the relative affluence of the late 1980's and 1990's, but I know that those of us who are out of our 20s need to hear the same message...don't sit around and just answer Internet job openings all day.  According to CNN, there are 6 people seeking work for every job opening.  While I would challenge that 6:1 is true of every career field, it surely is in some, and as those of us actively hunting for a new job, we know it's tough right now; but then again, so is sitting around doing nothing and whining.  Don't let these numbers bum you out; let it be a challenge to meet head on.  Like I was once told, "You're looking for a job and not many openings. Thing is, you only need 1 job."

15 Reasons Professionals (Ages 18-25) MUST Invest in Their Careers NOW

December 10, 2009 by sparktalk   By CAREEREALISM Founder, J.T. O’Donnell

I saw this video on CNNMoney.com of college seniors being interviewed about their future plans after graduation this spring: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2009/12/04/n_cmr_class_2010-jobs.cnnmoney/.
YIKES!


Students are on their own when it comes to finding a job – and it’s not pretty. I think the worst part is to see most of them believe the answer is to just stay in school and spend even more money on an advanced degree. I wish they could talk with all the unemployed MBAs out there right now who are knee-deep in loan debt.

Reality-check for College Students & Recent Grads
How you look for work, as well as how you find work you love has changed deeply in the last 20 years. And yet, college teaches you everything EXCEPT how to get the job. That being said, there are two ways you can attempt to learn what you need to in order to take control of your future.
1)   You can try figuring it out for yourself. Unfortunately, most students opt for this, get too busy at school, and end up putting it off until they graduate. They return home, unemployed and hundreds of miles from their campus career center.
2)   You can invest in a program that can help you get organized and focus on the right things to do to identify a career path and land a job. [Note:  This is the site's sales pitch.]

Let’s face it, the latter option is going to help you more and is much faster.

And still, if that doesn’t convince you…
Here are 15 reasons why you should invest in your career early:

• 23%. How much a college education has gone up in the last 10 years.
• 11%. How much the starting salaries of college grads have gone down in the last 10 years. (FYI – In 1985, the average starting salary for a college grad was $40,300. In 2008, the average starting salary was only $39,000 and it continues to drop in this recession.)
• Less than 50%. The number of students who ever see the financial return on their investment in an advanced degree (i.e. Masters, MBA).
• 70M+. The number of Baby Boomers (people in their 50s-60’s) in America who are ‘retirement-ready, but under-funded’ and thus will stay in the job market, holding back the entry of new grads to the workplace.
• 90%+. The number of young people today who plan to go to college because they feel they have to in order to get a job. Most DON’T know why they should go or what they should study!
• $100K+. The minimum you can plan to spend on a college education from top private or state university.
• Less than 30%. The number of students who actually work in a professional setting while they are in high school or college in order to gain professional skills they can use when they graduate.
• 25 years old. The average age before a college grad can finally afford to move out of their parent’s house and live on their own. (They are called Boomerang Kids and K.I.P.P.E.R.S – Kids In Parents Pockets Eating Retirement Savings.)
• 80%+. The percentage of jobs people get by networking. Most people don’t know A) how to create and leverage a network effectively, and B) feel uncomfortable doing it.
• Less than 20%. That’s how many 2009 college grads had jobs when they graduated last year.
• 6:1 ratio. There are 6 job seekers for every job out there right now.
• 18 months. The average time a young person spends in a job in America . The reality is EVERY job is temporary for young professionals.
• 9 careers with an average of 3 jobs in each one. That’s what today’s college grad can expect over the lifetime of their career. Can you imagine looking for a job 27 times!?
• 5 years. The amount of time it’s going to take for us to recoup the jobs we’ve lost from this recession. This does NOT include the additional number of jobs we need for all the college grads in that time.
• 10 years. That’s how long it’s going to take for us to fully recover from this recession: 

http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2009/12/07/n_cmr_slow_recovery.cnnmoney/.

Networking in a Shaky Economy

If you've read any of my blogs, you know that I put networking at the top of the list---not just for job hunting, but at all times throughout your career.  Below is a short article reminding of how important it is during this tough job-hunting time.

Increase Your Networking Efforts During a Shaky Economy

If thinking about networking makes you reach for an antacid you are not alone. Even for social butterflies it can seem overwhelming. But painful or not, networking is the smart thing to do in a shaky economy.

Here are some networking tips to help you:
Start attending industry and business events. If you hate the thought of walking into a room of strangers, call the organizer and ask for a list of attendees. Usually they are happy to forward the RSVP list. Another approach is to simply arrive early and scan the name tags that are on the table. Invariably, you will see a few names of people you know.

Another advantage of arriving early is that you have an automatic icebreaker with the other early birds, "Looks like we're the first ones here." It also forces you into a small group that others will join as they arrive (rather than you having to break into their group).

If you arrive early, you can also strike up a conversation with the person behind the registration desk, who is often a good source of information about the organization, who's who, and who might be a good person for you to meet.

If group events make you feel like an awkward seventh grader at his first dance, bring someone with you. Ideally, choose someone who is outgoing (bonus points if he or she is well-connected). Another advantage of having a colleague along is that you get to sing the praises of each other to the people you meet-it's easier than talking about yourself. [I tell people that if you wanted to date a person that you see at a networking event, you'd find something to strike up a conversation about!  In this case, it's just your job and livelihood  :) ]

Then there is the good, old-fashioned lunch and breakfast. But don't wait to reach out to someone only when you need something. The best networkers know that you build your network before you need them. Get yourself in the habit of connecting with someone a few times a month. When you can help them out with some information, or make an introduction to someone who might be able to help them, they will value you as a  member of their network and will be glad to reciprocate.

Join a social networking service such as LinkedIn or Facebook. You can stay in touch with people you've met in a non-scheduled, casual way. You can search the site for people you know or ask friends to introduce you to others in their network.

When you network with someone, take notes about what they are interested in, what information they are looking for and actions they have taken for you (such as making an introduction). Whether you track your contact activity in a database management system such as ACT, or just keep a notebook, the important thing is to be organized and have a system for follow up. When I was changing jobs years ago, I kept a spiral  notebook with this information, so I could easily track who led me to whom. This way I could circle back and
thank them and give them updates on my networking progress. People who have taken the time to connect with you want to hear progress reports.as long as you are respectful of their time.

When you are networking don't make it all about you. Ask the other person questions that get them talking about themselves. People always enjoy being with someone who is a good listener. Ask questions such as "How did you get into your field?" "What interesting projects are you working on right now?"  "What organizations do you belong to?" "What do you do for fun?" You can often learn important things about your colleagues that will create a more trusting bond between you.

If someone does do something for you be sure to follow up with a thank you. A simple voice or email message of appreciation will assure them that you understand the unspoken rules of networking. What goes around does indeed come around. Not only can networking be good for hearing about job opportunities, it can be a rich source of long-lasting friendships.

-Joan Lloyd

Joan Lloyd has a solid track record of excellent results. Her firm, Joan Lloyd & Associates, specializes in leadership development, organizational change and teambuilding. This includes executive coaching, 360-degree feedback processes, customized leadership training, conflict resolution between teams or individuals, internal consulting skills training for HR professionals and retreat facilitation. Clients report results such as: behavior change in leaders, improved team performance and a more committed workforce.

Joan Lloyd has earned her C.S.P. (certified speaking professional) designation from the National Speakers Association and speaks to corporate audiences, as well as trade & professional associations across the country. Reach her at (800) 348-1944, mailto:info@joanlloyd.com, or www.JoanLloyd.com
<http://www.joanlloyd.com/> 

Career Diversification

Once again, Rebecca covers a topic that is so critical, yet I'll bet that the majority of readers of this blog NEVER think of it. Stated another way, never stop asking yourself what you want to do/be when you grow up. If you do, you may find yourself disgruntled with the jobs that are "available" to you.

Rebecca's line "Nothing about the market is static" is very true and applies to life in general. Nothing stays the same, despite our wish for it to do so, but then, it is also true that "Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose." ("The more things change, the more they remain the same." Alphonse Karr). Life is in constant change, and as jobs/careers are an important part of life, you can count on them to change; however, if you're like me, you now notice that the changes are predictable and are the same ones you endured at a previous job or from a previous boss. So, things change, and things don't change. :)

Thanks, Rebecca!

______________________________________________________________

October 27, 2009

Career Diversification

The employment landscape is littered with people who’ve allowed their skills sets – and their careers – to become inert. The more competitive the job market, the greater a liability this becomes.  Nothing about the market is static. 

Economies fluctuate. Industries and products alike progress through inevitable stages. External influences – like foreign markets – shift and transform. The one thing you can count on is change.  If you want to succeed professionally, you need to be just as dynamic as the market –and you must avoid tunnel vision. 

Think like a company:  figure out how you can diversify. How can you broaden your reach? How can you break into new markets? How can you extend your brand?

The key is to ensure you’re as marketable as possible. What do you need to do to augment your skills? Is there some sort of project or initiative that would give you good experience and exposure? Volunteer for it.
How might your background and experience apply to another industry? Are there competencies you should pick up that will make you a more attractive candidate should you want to attempt that kind of transition? Who do you need to meet?

Stay on top of trends. Know what’s “hot” and figure out what you need to do to position yourself to get closer to it. Find out what you need to learn…and figure out how to pick up that knowledge or proficiency.
Think ahead and always be looking to broaden your skill set. You’ll be much better positioned to survive during the lean times, and ultimately to thrive.

Rebecca Metschke is the author of The Interview Edge, a comprehensive guide for those who are serious about their careers. Visit http://blog.TheInterviewEdge.com for free tips and strategies to gain a professional advantage.

Job Hunting Presentation in Second Life

Just finished a live presentation in Second Life on job hunting and the use of social media in a job hunt.   Was a very fast hour, and had about 16 avatars/people in attendance.  I got some very nice comments on the presentation, and I sincerely hope that everyone will use what they have learned. 

Job hunting is and isn't the same as in "the past."   I talked a lot about the use of electronic media and how to aggregate job listings to save time looking for openings, but as usual, I came back to something that has never changed in job searching since the beginning--- networking.

Despite all of the wonderful tools and electronic gizmos, finding a job comes down to getting in front of a human and selling yourself.  Bottom line.   Electronic networking tools, fancy resumes, hours spent searching job openings will NOT net you a job.   They can only get you in front of another human....and then, the fun begins.

If I were to list what I consider the second most important thing in job searching (behind networking), it would be to practice, practice, practice your 30-2 min commercials (elevator speeches) until you were mumbling them in your sleep.   This is part of being able to interview well, which is where you win or lose a job offer.  If you know who you are and what you have to offer, and you couch it in "sales" terms ("here's what I can do for you"), you'll have a tremendous advantage over 90% of the rest of the population.

Being prepared for an interview is a book in itself, but being emotional prepared will help you even more.   Frankly, if you go into an interview so worried about getting the job that you can't function, you will fulfill your own prophecy.   Now I have been in some tight spots in my time---had no job/income and was interviewing---and those are tough.   I am blessed with not having debt, and that relieves a lot of pressure.  Of course, picturing my family scraping by because I'm out of work adds a tad more pressure.   I have had to learn the hard way that if I really trust that God will take care of me, I will relax in an interview and my thoughts will flow much better.   It's a test, or should I say like a test that we've all had in school (remind your kids of the kinds of tests adults take and the stakes of performing poorly on THOSE tests).   If you are prepared for the test, your stress level is much lower than if you know you're winging it.  Of course there could be a test that asks questions poorly (bad test design) or something you totally forgot, but that's where part 2 of preparedness comes into play---trust God.

No test, no interview is life ending.  Though we don't believe that we'll ever find another job as our last good job, honestly, we will.   I have often counseled job seekers with two words:  patience and persistence.  You must be patient, and you must never give up.   Since I like Star Trek, the analogy I offer is that of the Borg.  For those unfamiliar with Star Trek:  The Next Generation, the Borg are a race of cyborgs who are notorious for taking over and assimilating other races in the galaxy, and they are incredibly persistent.  Nothing seems to phase them...they just keep coming and coming.   Like the Borg, we must all keep pressing on to find the next job, and most of us need to work on our patience while we do that.

Cyborgs and virtual worlds like Second Life aside, the reality is that job hunting will continue to be the bane of our existence, at least until we land that next job. : )

In this economy, it takes a lot of work to find a job

Once again, I'm passing on a blog entry from Rebecca Metschke at The Interview Edge in which she nails this issue. I have often said that I hate looking for a job, because I work too many hours looking for a job. It's inconceivable to me that anyone would only do a couple of hours of work per day on finding a job if they do not have a job. If you are working full time, have kids, spouse, and other activities, and you spend 2 hours at night looking for a job, that's more understandable (but you should still be creatively searching and networking during the day).

Could Your Job Search Strategy Use an Overhaul?

The other day I quoted Rich Karlgaard, who said that recessions unmask bad business models. As you’ll recall, he wasn’t just referencing companies…he was citing careers, too.

Those bad business models extend to job search strategies.

Remember the dot com bubble? Candidates in the technology sector were riding high. It wasn’t unusual for a person to decide to change employers on a Friday, make a few phone calls, and have a job offer the following week. Actually, it wasn’t uncommon for candidates to have 2-3 competing offers. No exaggeration.

Obviously, it’s always easier to look for work when it’s a seller’s market. If you could guarantee that you’d only have to look for work when the economy was humming along, you’d be in great shape.

Now, as we’re stuck in the ultimate buyer’s market, though, a lot of people are struggling to find work.

In this economy, it takes a lot of work to find a job.

Most candidates will have to invest a lot of time and go the extra mile to get the results they want.

The problem is – a lot of people are still searching like it’s 1999. Government data indicate that active job seekers spend just 1.97 hours a day looking for work.

Less than two hours a day.

That’s a bad search strategy business model.

One sure path to becoming a discouraged worker…one of those people who has given up looking for work…is to spend less than 2 hours a day on a job search.

If your job search strategy is in need of an overhaul, the first place to look is how much time each day you’re devoting to actively looking for work. Be honest.

Don’t let fear, or worry, or pessimism – or simply not knowing what to do next – paralyze you. Channel all your energy and focus on the job at hand…which is to find a job.

It’s up to you. And you can do it.

http://blog.theinterviewedge.com/the_interview_edge/2009/09/could-your-job-search-strategy-use-an-overhaul.html

Rebecca Metschke is the author of The Interview Edge, a comprehensive guide for those who are serious about their careers. Visit http://blog.TheInterviewEdge.com for free tips and strategies to gain a professional advantage.

Using Twitter

I've done a couple of presentations now on the use of Twitter as a job-searching tool, and in both cases, when I asked the groups about using Twitter, I got blank stares (ok, a few people blinked).

Twitter is a "micro-blog" tool/site on which you can network (the magic word for job hunters) with people at companies you have an interest in and actually search (like Google) for job openings. People usually tell me they just don't get it and don't see any use for something like Twitter. Of course I agree with them when someone tweets about waiting in a doctor's office or sitting on their couch.

A very mind-stretching article on the use of Twitter (and why it will grow in importance) is at http://zikkir.com/it/12274, "10 Ways Twitter Will Change American Business" by Renato Leon | 22 September 2009. I thought I was informed, and I was surprised by a comment in his blog entry:

"Outdoor ads are used almost everywhere in the world because of their simplicity and the relatively low cost of creating them. Current estimates are that global outdoor-advertising sales will be a $30 billion business this year. One of the great weaknesses of older ad media, like outdoor-billboard marketing and newspaper display, is that results have been nearly impossible to quantify effectively. Twitter will change that."

Think of the applications of "instant blogging:" instant feedback on TV shows, ads, anything!

Presenting Again!

Will be presenting at Dallas ASTD's monthly meeting, either this month or next. Job hunting using social media is the topic, as was at ASQ.

If you are job hunting today, there are so many tools available for you to connect to others and research contacts and companies that it makes me wonder how I lived pre-Internet.

Although, as anyone who reads this regularly knows---NOTHING is a substitute for NETWORKING!

Retooling Yourself for the Future

by Rebecca Metschke

Rebecca Metschke is the author of The Interview Edge, a comprehensive guide for those who are serious about their careers. Visit http://blog.TheInterviewEdge.com for free tips and strategies to gain a professional advantage.

How marketable are you right now? What will you need to do to make sure you’re still relevant five years from now? 

When the economy is in recession, workers focus on their marketability. They’re either trying to hang on to their jobs or attempting to land new ones. Nobody wants to be deemed redundant, or expendable, or a weak candidate. Those are labels no one can afford to be tagged with. People spend time thinking about how they can shore up weaknesses and increase perceived value.

Unfortunately, though, when the job market finally rights itself, a lot of those same people will just as suddenly put thoughts about how to stay relevant on the back burner. And that will be a mistake.

Even when the economy begins expanding again, we’re still going to be looking at a dynamic job market. Remember back just a few short years ago when the market was red hot? People were still facing layoffs. Companies were still merging – or outsourcing – or streamlining operations – resulting in head count reductions. Of course jobs weren’t being lost at the pace they are now, but the point is…you’d better make sure you’re marketable.  

If you don’t keep up with the pace of change, you will always be vulnerable. (Emphasis mine.)

Your skill set needs to be broad and relevant. You need to be sure you’re making a meaningful contribution to the organization. You need to identify future trends early and understand what you need to do to adapt and thrive. 

This will require initiative on your part. Nobody’s going to do this for you; it’s your responsibility to make sure you’re as marketable as possible.

How Many Hours a Day Do YOU Search for Jobs?

Ok, for those who are totally out of work (no pay at all), I hope you wind up feeling like I do:  "I have to get a job soon, because this job of hunting for a job is killing me.  I spend 10-14 hours a day working on this job!"

I admit a become a bit maniacal when searching for a job, especially if I'm out of work.  Don't know about you, but the unemployment check isn't really cutting it.  I am very fortunate to be working a contract position 40 hours per week at the moment, but am very much looking forward to my next "full time" gig.   

I guess I'm easily shocked, but there are people in serious financial straights that I've met who spend the absolute "minimum" time looking for work.   I have heard of those who've spent a couple of hours in the mid-morning "looking for a job" by scanning the Internet job boards, maybe sending in a couple of resumes, then calling it a day.   The kicker:  some get angry that they aren't finding jobs.

A real job search campaign (yes, like, as in "marketing campaign") is a more than full time job.  A "day in the life" should look something like this:   up at the regular work time, eat and get dressed for work, begin making contacts (by phone, email, IM, etc....phone is best if you can't meet them in person), set up and go out on informational interviews, hit a networking group (just a couple each week), each lunch with a contact, do more of the same in the afternoon until 5pm, then, after dinner, scour the Internet job listings and apply for those that are possibilities (I use Google Reader to pull the job listings applicable to one location via RSS) and do some research on your targeted companies and look for contacts.   After sleeping my needed hours, get up and do it all over again.

Yes, it makes for a busy day, but I am making contacts, networking, researching, and generally busier than I would be at a "real" job.    Note the amount and time of day you should spent Internet job hunting---evenings after work hours for maybe a couple of hours.  My use of the RSS subscription and Google Reader helps me to lessen this time considerably.

I have had people tell me that this schedule is crazy, that that is "a lot of hours," and ask "why don't you relax some?"  Usually those comments come from people fully employed. : )

The truth is, you can burn yourself out while job hunting, but, I would venture to say that it's not the case with most job seekers.  Most probably fit the pattern of the few-hour job search on the Internet, followed by hours of frustration and anger because "no one is calling."  

By the grace and care of God, my last few job searches, using this kind of schedule, were 67, 35, and 14 days (even though I am currently in a contract job, the pay is about the same).   It isn't that I've earned this by working the plan outlined above; it's that I was faithfully doing what I know to do and allowing God to do His work.   I can't take credit for any of that.   I do believe, however, that if we put forth little or wasted effort on the wrong things in a job search, a) God will not bless our laziness and 2) even an atheist has no hope of getting a job by that puny of an effort.

Organizing your job search, spending your time working at the job of searching for a job full time, and doing the right things are the keys to shortening your search.  Need motivation?  Keep a picture of your spouse and children nearby.  You know you don't want to be lazy for their sakes, even if you don't care about yourself.

When I was growing up, the only kind of rejection that seemed to really hurt was being turned down rudely for a date by the prettiest girl you'd ever seen.  But, eventually you got over it, because you knew there were "plenty of fish in the sea," and after all, you weren't worried about losing your house, car, 401K, etc. in the process.   When you experience job hunting rejection, the stakes are much higher than a bruised ego, and you sometimes feel as though you'll never land a new job.  The emotions can then take you into a death spiral of ever self-condemning emotions.

_____________________________________

Overcoming Job-Hunting Rejection

With each rejection, we lose a little more dignity. Here's how to turn things around.

This article from BusinessWeek discusses 21 actions you can take to bolster yourself and your job hunt.

http://www.businessweek.com/managing/content/may2009/ca20090522_290737.htm?chan=careers_managing+index+page_top+stories

....and then there's this....

The Smart Way to Tap Social Media

Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn activity means nothing if it doesn't move the needle on your strategic business goals

http://www.businessweek.com/managing/content/may2009/ca20090526_882141.htm?campaign_id=managing_related

Hey, Send Me Your Resume...

I am still shocked every time I ask someone to send me their resume, and they reply that they need to get it together/update it.   Bottom line of this blog entry---ALWAYS HAVE YOUR RESUME UP TO DATE AND "ON YOU!"   No job is ever totally secure.   I could quit here, but I'm on a roll....

It takes so little time to update your resume regularly.  You probably spend more time completing stupid Facebook surveys than keeping this essential document up to date.   It amazes my that especially in the current economic climate some people are not working on their resume.  

As I ask those who don't want to "work" on updating their resume, "would you at least keep a list of major accomplishments, with details, at home, in the event you find yourself suddenly out of work.  In so many cases today, you may be called to HR, terminated, and told, "don't bother going back to your desk to collect your personal belongings; we'll send them to you.  Security is waiting to escort you out of the building."  Ouch.   Shame on you if you aren't ready with all of your accomplishments listed and ready to put on your resume to begin the sales process that is job hunting!

I have talked to too many people who agree that they should update their resume, that it has been YEARS since they've done so.  In an attempt to teach them the importance of keep their resume up to date, I ask a few simple questions....."so, what kinds of things do you think you'd put on your resume from your current job?"   Usual response:  "Oh, I don't know, I'd really have to think about what I've done here"...as though we can all remember things months or years ago in detail.  I'm glad I have a name tag at work, otherwise I think I'd forget my name.

Once you are unemployed from a job and you are away from it any length of time, you will not remember important details that will be major selling points in your next job hunt.

P.S.  With smart phones, USB drives, etc., why wouldn't you have an electronic copy of your resume on you at all times?  Why wouldn't you have your "job hunting" business card on you with your LinkedIn profile URL listed on it?