Hannah Morgan

"Best Of" tools for Job Seekers

Learning about related or tangent careers is something most job seekers struggle with.  Whether it is re-naming what you use as a job title or drastically changing careers, learning the new terminology can be a challenge.

Before you can move forward with your search, you have to figure out what you want to do and give it a name.  Hopefully this will be the most accurate name/title.  This can be difficult because companies use different job titles. 

One of the easier ways to find out related job titles is to go to O*Net.  

From this main page, select Browse under FIND OCCUPATIONS and type in your old job title.  

This will provide you with a Summary Report listing: similar job titles, tasks/job description, tools and technology, skills, education, wages and trends, related occupations, etc.  

With a little playing around you can begin exploring more related occupations and learn about their requirements. 

People, job seekers, ask a lot, "I want to know what jobs are in demand or fore-casted to be in demand".  Actually, that isn't really how they phrase it.  They ask:  "I want to find a job that is secure, where would I find it?" 

Occupational Outlook Quarterly does a thorough job explaining where industries are headed and what occupations will be needed. 

Last, but not least, the Department of Labor has released its survey results of tools people feel to be most helpful.  They all appear on Job Seeker Tools.  

Personally, I wouldn't consider job boards a tool right now, but...

Under the heading of CAREER EXPLORATION TOOLS, there seems to be some resources that might assist with exploring new jobs that are a match for your interest, skills and abilities.  

Once you have begun to create a list of titles that interest you, start asking people what they think and who they know. (These can be called networking meetings or informational meetings, by the way). In speaking with people really doing the job, you will learn whether this might be the right direction for you, or not.  No investment in this process is a waste of time.  Think about what you've learned and who you've met as you've gone through the process. 

Summary Sunday

Are you looking for something new?  A new job or a new strategy?  This summary is dedicated for those in search of something other than what they may know or have tried before. 

IF NEW TO SOCIAL MEDIA/BRANDING

20 Tips for Building Your Brand on Twitter by Interview Angel 

The Top 10 Tips for Your Online Profile from Elite Resumes

Top 6 Employer/Recruiter Magnets from Job-Hunt.org

Being indispensable and your personal brand from Keppie Careers

NEW JOB/CAREER

Lessons Learned from New Job, New You by Alexandra Levit

NEW TO JOB SEARCH

30 Ideas. The Ideas Of Successful Job Search. New 2010 Edition from Tim's Strategy

NEW NUMBERS

Two January Numbers You Need to Know from UpMo

100 Best CEOs in the World from Executive Resume Branding

Are you happy in your job?

There's been some talk around the web about what will happen when the economy turns around. The talk has to do with all those discontent workers looking for new jobs.  Will it happen?  Could it happen?  Sure.

Everyone has been under an extreme amount of pressure and anxiety over the past year. Companies have laid off employees, making even more work for those remaining.  Profits are slim, if they exist at all.  It seems everyone is holding on tight.

But what will happen when the economy starts really growing?

Will employers decide they need to fill jobs and/or create new ones?  If this does happen, how do you think they will promote their new opportunities?  I can't imagine they will go back to the job boards.  They've had success or heard of success using social media, word of mouth, referral hiring. 

So what might this mean?  It means that if you will be looking for a new job, you had better start nurturing your network now.  You'll need to start using LinkedIn more.  You'll want to develop an understanding of Twitter and Facebook and other networking sites unique to your industry. 

There are a lot of really smart recruiters out there talking about the new world of recruiting and the challenges and wins they have come upon. 

On ERE.net, John Sumser takes a look at trends. 5 Recruiting Scenarios For the Future. 

Bill Boorman hosts a show about HR and recruiting trends on Blog Talk Radio.  You can download past shows  and learn what's happening from the other side of the hiring desk.

Are you happy in your job?  Will you be looking for a new job in the future?  Read this post for a guide of how to get started.

Numbers Talk In Job Search

There are many job seekers out who think their job search is measured only by number of interviews they've had.  This couldn't be farther from the reality of things.  Job search is a sales cycle.  It will take a lot of activities to generate interviews and you need to be able to measure what is working FOR YOU and what is not. Additionally, securing your next job will take you longer than you want or expect.  Most of that is out of your control.  Employers are taking longer to make their hiring decisions.  Factor that in.  Know that and be prepared for the long haul.  While there are certain metrics that are more successful than others, job search is individual.  You may have success in one area and not another.  Let's look at some of the numbers you must be tracking.

HOURS

Recently the Department of Labor stats stated that the average job seeker spends only 18 minutes a day in search.  At that rate, no wonder people are unemployed for over a year.  The more hours you commit to your job search, the faster you will land a job.  This is a full time job.

Make it easy to track your hours.  Keep a log with you job search folder.  Use categories of hours if you really want to understand where you are spending your time.  Here are some thoughts:

• Computer time
• Face time
• Phone time
• You time

ACTIVITIES

What are the activities that have the biggest bang for the buck?  Networking activities.  Yet there are other things you should be doing.  Start keeping track so you can increase or decrease activities based on their results.  Like "Weight Watchers" setting goals or targets weekly will hopefully drive you to meet these goals. Perhaps you will make one more call or attend that one meeting that will net you a great connection.

• On-line job postings
• Networking in person: one on one
• Networking in groups
• On-line brand management (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook or other on-line networking)
• Research (company, person, industry)
• Administration (resume tweak, marketing plan update, cover & thank you, applications)
• Professional development (workshops, reading, professional associations)
• Volunteer
• Connect with recruiters/search firms

INTERVIEWS

There are phone screening interviews, first interviews and second interviews... There should be a conversion rate here.  If you are getting first interview but not second interviews, that means you will need to work on your interviewing skills. 

• Phone screen
• First Interview
• Second Interview

I've been told many times that tracking this stuff is a waste of time.  My belief is that is critically important to know this stuff.  How can you do an analysis?  How can you improve what you are doing or change what you are doing if you can't tell exactly what you are doing. 

From my experience working with job seekers, it is going to take hundreds of hours, networking contacts and 100% of your commitment to make your next job happen.

There is a progress chart used by Orville Pierson which can be helpful in setting up your tracking system.  You can learn how to fix your search and access an Excel version of the progress chart here.  

Plan and Execute Your Job Search Using Gantt Charts from CareerRocketeer, also lays out a plan for tracking your search efforts!

Job Search Would Make A Great Reality Show

"Life imitates art far more than art imitates Life." — Oscar Wilde

If you have ever watched any of the "Housewives of ...." series, you see how ludicrous people's lives can be.  If you watch "The Biggest Loser", you might become entangled in the lives of those who are racing the clock to lose weight.  So why hasn't there been a show about job searching?  It truly would make an excellent reality show.  And there certainly would be no shortage of candidates to follow right now.

The Wall Street Journal selects job seekers to document their journey in a blog format.  It is interesting and insightful. Check out Laid Off and Looking.

I used to watch Super Nanny and loved to see how to better discipline toddlers and create schedules for the family.  I learned as I watched the show and I was entertained as well.  The nice part about watching this was being able to see the "before" behaviors and the "after" behaviors.  Seeing is believing.  It is possible to make a change and get the desired results- and with a dash of humor mixed in.

I don't suppose the job seeker reality show is coming anytime soon, so in place of the show, learn from fellow job seekers.  Watch and listen as they tell their stories of search.  They made mistakes, they tried some new things, some worked and some didn't.  Learn to step out of your comfort zone.  Of course, talk to people who have secured new jobs, too.  They have success behind them and as they tell their stories, you will undoubtedly hear of their many losses.  They frequently tell you what they would have done differently and will openly share their advice.  Take it and process it.

If you know any producers, pass the idea along.  Reality Job Search.  It would bring the issue into the main stream and teach the thousands of unemployed and those soon to be unemployed valuable lessons. 

College-Bound or Career-Bound

What is the purpose of a college education today?  Is it:

A) Learn to be a great thinker

B) Obtain a degree

C) Teach life skills (career management included)

D) Learn cutting edge technology and methodologies

E) None of the above

From where I stand, most colleges don't understand how to prepare students for life after college.  Two recent posts from great authorities on career management both find flaws with college career centers. 

Career Management, It Take a Village from CareerSolvers (@barbarasafani)

Safani says:

"But nowhere on any of the handouts was there information concerning college career and placement offices…"

"...Schools need to have proactive career planning and placement offices that know how to help students land plum internships and counselors that can help students market themselves effectively on their resume. They need strong relationships with employers and they need to be up to speed on the importance of social media in a job search."

How to Manage a College Education from Penelope Trunk's Brazen Careerist (@penelopetrunk)

Trunk points out:

• Career centers cater to companies, not candidates.
• Career centers don’t understand social media.
• Career center staff is self-selecting for under-performance.
• Pick a school based on their track record for getting students jobs

If this is the reality, then parents need to teach career management to their children, and at an early age- pre-college.  The best way to do this is to show by example.  Live your life and be in control of your career.  Know how to change with the times, understand how past experiences relate to future employers, be able to sell those experiences and invest in your own professional development.  No one else can do this for you.

Who Are You Targeting In Your Job Search?

Whether you are networking, completing a job application, writing a cover letter, or interviewing; you will need to take your audience into consideration.  What are their needs or concerns?  What can you do to make their lives easier or make it easier to help you?  In order to answer these questions, you need to identify your audience. 

Tim Tyrell-Smith's post on Tim's Strategy identifies the audiences for you.  And he takes it one step further to help you understand what they may be looking for or what motivates them and why they are of value to you.  

• Recruiters
• Fellow Unemployed
• The Employed
• The Folks in HR
• The Hiring Manager

Each of these people have a different perspective and that is why you need to customize your written and verbal communication to fit the audience.  One size does not fit all. 

Don't assume you know, find out what motivates them. 

In sales, they call the un-customized pitch, spraying and praying.  Throwing out every feature of the product or service without finding out the potential customer's needs is the mistake every new salesperson makes.  They learn over time how to ask potential customers probing questions to identify need so that they can customize their responses.  It becomes exploratory, not slamming information down someone's throat. 

New job seekers frequently make this mistake as well. They are in such a hurry to get to their next job, they forget to find out what their target audience wants. 

 

Summary Sunday

Summary Sunday is a collection of posts from my reader and tweets.  There really is no rhyme or reason for their being selected...they just caught my eye.  There is a lot of good advice out there.

 

Alternative Personal Branding Books from Brand-Yourself.com

• If you are looking for a good book to read on Personal Branding, this post has picked the top 5 (they are on my reading list too). 

Fight Back! Five Blogs for Better Networking! from UpMo

• Perhaps you are looking for networking advice/help/insight.  Here are some suggestions of blogs to read.

Personal Branding.tv from Reach Personal Branding (by William Arruda et al)

• There is a brand new website for video help for your career management.

The New Career "Normal" = Get Reckless

• From CAREEREALISM, JT O'Donnell interviews Seth Godin...this says it all in my mind.  Worth watching!

Avoid these 9 Cold Call Mistakes from Cold Calling Master Class

• Looking for help making cold calls?  This is written by a sales professional for sales professionals, which we all must become.

3 Common Mistakes Made By Job Seekers

If you are about to embark on a search for a new job, either by force or by choice, make sure you avoid these mistakes. You are going to need to use a different approach from the last time you looked.

#1 Be clear about what you are looking for

Don't just tell people you are looking for a new job.  They probably don't know how to help you find one either.   Be specific, even if you aren't sure. 

"I am pursuing a new job.  I think I would like to try something different and I have always wanted to be a teacher.  Could I get your advice on related careers you may see me in?"

"I would like your help.  I want to work for a company like ABC.  What do you know about them?"

If you are sure, then provide your listener with focus to best help you.

"As I look for a new physicist position, I would like your help in finding connections within optics or laser companies in the area.  When would be a good time to sit down?"

#2 Don't spend all your time on-line

It is easy to get lured into the on-line job boards.  Don't fall for that.  The majority of jobs are secured through networking contacts.  Limit the amount of time you spend hiding behind your computer.  Also, make sure that you are not logged in during the hours of 9am-5pm.  That is prime time for connecting with people in person.  

#3 Customize your resume for each job you apply for

It takes time to customize and re-order the bullets under your work history, however, you want to make sure the employer is seeing the correct/relevant examples of your experience in order to see how you'll be a fit.  If it isn't on the resume, the employer doesn't know about it. 

You may think the cover letter explains it all...however, not every person reads a cover letter.  It is a personal preference.  Yes, write one, but don't expect it to explain what your resume doesn't address about why you are qualified for the job.

There are plenty of other areas for improvement, but those are three of the most important.  Here are some other suggestions for starting your search off correctly.

• Get on LinkedIn and make sure your profile is complete and that you have over 50 really solid connections.
• Develop a marketing plan and identify 50+ target companies
• Practice your answers to interview questions starting today
• Don't be a solution to every one's problems, know what you are good at and stay focused
• Research companies and learn
• Invest in professional development
• Attend professional associations
• Become involved in volunteer groups that align with your values

Finding your next job will take longer than you want.  Some of that is out of your control.  Have a good plan and follow it, but don't forget to assess the results.  If it isn't working, try something different or read Why Isn't My Job Search Working?

Job Seekers Aren't Networking

The facts are the facts.  Most job seekers are not networking...efficiently.  Nurturing your contacts and building new connections has to start before you need it, yet that message still isn't being heard.  Many newly unemployed job seekers have no idea where or how to start their job search. 

UpMo has compiled two recent surveys that state just this. 

The first study highlights (full summary here):

• Sporadic communication: Job seekers only talk to—or email—an average of 8 people outside of their current organization on a monthly basis.

• Failure to expand the circle: Job seekers are reluctant to ask for introductions, with fewer than 4-in-10 (38%) asking for an introduction in the past month.

• Small networks: On average, job seekers have a network with of just 29 colleagues, defined as peers they have interacted with in the last 18-24 months.
  
• Misplaced priorities: Jobs seekers say spend 68% of their time is spent looking at online job postings—and less than one-third of their time reaching out to others.

The second study highlights (full post here):

• Are ill-prepared for the job hunt: Only 3-in-10 feel “very confident” or “extremely confident” that they could use their network to land a job within 30 days if suddenly laid off.

This isn't true for many of the job seekers I know.  They have become very active, and I think they will remain active networkers. 

Let's spread the word.  Let all your employed friends know that networking is the new job search.  Start today.