Hannah Morgan

Job Searching and Dating Similarities

People are telling me they are being turned down for networking meetings because there are too many other people out there asking for the same networking meetings.  OK, so maybe.  Let's look at this from a different angle so you can overcome this potential obstacle.

Job Search and Dating are quite closely analogous.  When you were dating someone, you were "off the market", which meant that you weren't looking for a relationship.  However, you did have a life.  While dating, you had your own interests and spent time outside of your relationship doing things that interested you or that you had to do. While dating, did you ever meet someone who caught your interest?  Did someone sweep you off your feet even though you weren't looking?  How did they do it?  Did they complement you, did they find common interests, were they persistent in their contact with you, did they begin to build a friend-like relationship? 

People who are working are similar to those who are dating.  They are "off the market".  They are not looking for a new relationship, unless they are unhappy with the one they have with current employees.  Even if they are looking, many people don't like blind dates, and meeting someone they don't know or who may be a referral, can be like a blind date for them. In other words, some people just won't network or don't like to unless truly compelled.

In order to find and meet the employed, you need to try your dating approach.  First, identify who you want to meet?  Then catch their interest by using flattery, finding common interests, persistence, building an non-threatening relationship. 

To play this out further, let's say you want to meet Jim, the owner of a company.  Jim doesn't have any job openings.  Why would Jim want to go out on a date with you if he isn't looking?  He doesn't want a date.  He may however have other interests.  Where does Jim go or what does he do professionally or outside of work? Does he golf?  Does he belong to the Chamber of Commerce?  Is he on a board?  Do you have any common interests in those areas that could be used to build a non-job-seeking relationship? Or, could you share industry/work related information with Jim until he feels like you are a friend?

The point is, that in order for someone, anyone, to want to network or meet with you, there has to be something in it for them.  Some people are just nice and want to help, perhaps they are empathetic.  You still have to give them a reason to meet with you, especially because they are probably receiving requests to meet with others.  Why you?  Why are you the best date they are going to have all month?    

There's No Magic Bullet for Finding a Job

Job Search is a process that requires discipline, persistence and hard work.  There is no single magic solution to finding a job.  Engaging in a series of productive activities is your best bet.

My hunch is that people think being on Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook will net them a job.  These tools alone won't land you a job.  I just read that a huge number of people quit Twittering after a month.  Why?  It doesn't result in a job? It takes weeks to break and develop a habit.  Create a new habit of pro-actively promoting your talents.

Discipline for job search:

Commit to spending at least 35 hours (but not more than 50 hours) a week in these activities:

• Applying for jobs on-line

• Developing relationships with recruiters
• Directly approaching employers from your target list
• Networking

Persistence is Required:

Not only is it important to follow-up with each job posting and contact you make, it is also critical that you maintain your momentum in the above-listed activities.  In the world of sales, there is a ramp up time, usually three months.  So, you probably aren't going to see immediate results from your Twittering, or other activities.  Maybe recalibrating what you are expecting will make this easier.  Don't give up. 

Hard Work:

Hard work means developing a strategy for how you will consistently and constantly get your name out there. If you already had a huge and active network, job search wouldn't be as hard.  You see, if you knew a lot of people and they knew you, it would be easy to pick up the phone and start calling your network who would begin spreading the news of your availability. Even those people with a large network are having a hard time of it today.    Cultivating and nurturing your network is one of the most important career management principles.  Never stop, especially after you land a job.

To Be, or Not To an Entrepreneur?

Starting your own business is definitely not for everyone.  Could it be an option for you?

Do you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur?  Here are some of the qualities that make a successful business owner

• Self reliance
• Leadership
• Drive to finish
• Self confidence
• Expertise in an area
• Strong decision making abilities

Most businesses will fail within the first 3 years.  So it can be a risky proposition. 

If you are thinking you might have what it takes, talk to people who have started their own businesses and failed as well as succeeded.  Each one has a valuable story with lessons learned.

There are lots of on-line resources (local and national).  A new resource available is called Business Information Clearinghouse  (BIC).

Another resource is the Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

Still another is SCORE

Look before you leap.  Do a thorough self assessment and have a lot of conversations.  Starting your own business can be scary, however, it can be possible.

Trimming Your Personal Budget

This certainly won't apply to everyone, as I am sure most people have already cut back on their personal spending.  Just in case you haven't, take a look at what can get trimmed and don't forget to enlist the help of you family.

Here's a list of most, not all, personal spending areas.  Your challenge is to reduce your spending in as many areas as possible.

Groceries
Dining out
Electricity
Home phone
Cell phone
Clothing
Barber/salon
Entertainment
Gifts
Fuel
Credit card

Now, here are some tips you might have thought of but not tried yet...

Groceries:  Have you been buying in bulk from Sams or BJ's or even Wegmans?  If buying in bulk is too cumbersome, consider sharing the cost of some of the items with a friend with similar buying patterns.  Hey, you could even commute together, saving fuel.  The other option you may want to check out is Aldis.  It might take some experimenting to find the right new brands, but cost savings are definitely there!

Dining out:  Easy, just stop.  Make snacks to go for when you have a busy family schedule instead of eating fast food. 

Electricity:  Coincidentally, it helps with the green initiative too.  Turn off the lights and get back to basics. Enlist the help of family and share the results next month.

Phones:  Home and cell- If you haven't investigated Vonage or other internet options, they have come a long way.  Many people are dropping their land lines in favor of mobile phones.  Just make sure you shop around for the best packages.  Always be leery of the sales people and what they are pushing, it may not be the best option.  2 yr contracts do trap you in, but if your contract is up soon, talk to people about the mobile carrier and packages they are using. If you have family, talk about working together to decrease the mobile phone bill.

Clothing:  Go green and visit second hand clothing stores.  Amazing finds at amazing prices.  But shop only when you NEED something. Visit the sales racks first. 

Barber/salon:  How often do you really need to go?  Can you go an extra 2 weeks?  Do you really need to get that pedicure?  Are there an alternatives to highlights or color treatments?

Entertainment:  There is so much to do in Rochester for free.  Especially now that the warm weather is here.  Instead of Netflix or buying from cable, share DVDs's with friends or go to the library!

Gifts: Keep a gift drawer.  Buy on-sale or clearance items too good to pass up and keep in a special drawer or closet for your next occasion.  Sure, gift cards are practical, however, might you be inclined to spend less on a gift?  It is about the personal connection, not the value.

Fuel for auto: check around for the lowest gas prices and plan you fill up accordingly.  Car pool if possible.  Take the bicycle instead of the car whenever possible or walk.

Credit cards:  Don't carry them, stop using them.

If you haven't called your mortgage company and credit cards, you should.  Let them know you have lost you job and ask what they can do to reduce your payments for awhile. I have heard that they have allowed people to just pay the interest on accounts in good standing for awhile.  Any break is better than none.  Ask, you never know.

Any other tips you want to share?  Please add a comment!

Spice up the old elevator pitch

If you have been using the same old elevator pitch (45 second commercial) with the same old results, let's try something different. 

In the world of business, companies define the benefits to having a value proposition as:

• Create a strong differential between you and your competitors
• Increase not only the quantity but the quality of prospective leads
• Gain market share in your targeted segments
• Assist you in enhancing tools that will help you close more business
• Improve your operation efficiency

Putting a Pricetag on People an article by a company called Delta Dallas which provides human capital services explains why employers ears and eyes key into these elements:

Performance/ Productivity - Impact the bottom line
Motivation/Influence/Attitude - Impact others
New Ideas/Thinking about Solutions -Impact through creativity
Systems - Impacting structure and efficiency
Habits - Impact through consistency
Emotional Equity - Impact through commitment

Miriam Salpeter at Keppie Careers  recommends you answer these questions in your pitch:

• What do you do? What do you offer? What makes you special and unique? (Relative to the person you’re meeting.)
• What is your goal/objective? What do you WANT to do?
• What impact do you have? What results do you create?
• How do you create positive results?

Sample Value Proposition

An experienced project manager with a strong track record of meeting deadlines on high-impact projects that saved company projects $300 thousand and boosted revenue $1.2 million over a two year period earning widespread company recognition. A strong leader who has brought together colleagues of various professional disciplines to work as a team to achieve corporate goals.

Perhaps you've figured out how to add spice...it is about changing what you are saying from "who you are" to "what you do"!  Because that is what the employers initially want to hear.

Smiles Everyone!

Unseasonably balmy weather predicted for the weekend reminds me of all the wonderful summer memories and new summer opportunities!

When the sky is blue and the weather is warm (not hot), it is hard not to smile, especially in Upstate New York. 

Wouldn't it be nice if we could keep "the first days of summer" smile all year...we can, but it requires some work.

Usually (or always) it is our beliefs that take the smile away or keep the smile on our face.  Ivy Hoffman will be presenting a workshop on personal beliefs at RochesterWorks mid-week and I am sure I'll have greater insight after I hear her.  What I do know now is that there is a ton of stress, anxiety, fear, despair, indifference and host of other negative emotions associated with job loss and job search. 

We have 2 choices, let the emotions take our smile away or change our beliefs/mindset and keep the smile.

Sounds flowery, I know.  But emotions cast the shadow of how we are perceived.  So having a flowery disposition can greatly enhance our chances of success.

I came across a post on this topic "How to use questions to create a positive perspective" comes from The M.A.P. Maker a blog by Curt Rosengren.  Really, this was the inspiration for this post.

Where ever you are, enjoy and smile!

Give me a Chance

I frequently run into people who say "I know I could do the job if they would just give me a chance".  Why aren't they aren't giving you the chance?

Are you perceived during the interview as:

• Requiring "high maintenance"
• Needing extra time to get the job done
• Being a "know-it-all"
• Having all the answers
• Too unsure of your own abilities
• Carrying the emotional baggage of job loss
• Angry
• Un-real
• Desperate for any job
• Being set in your ways
• Looking for your next "lifetime" job
• Just wanting to do the bare minimum
• Demanding
• An awkward communicator
• A complainer
• A victim
• Wanting too much

Even though they may say after the interview that you were not selected because you didn't have enough _________________ (fill in the blank), generally that means you didn't hold up to what they thought you were on paper. 

The good point here is that the resume worked its magic.  The opportunity for improvement is that you need to work on interviewing skills.  Do not confess your true weaknesses in a way which will disqualify you. 

We'll never truly understand why we weren't selected for a job.  Quite honestly, a lot of hiring decisions are just based on "gut reaction".  So what will it take for you to leave the interviewer with the right feeling?  They must believe that you can do the job as they want it done.  You must be perceived as easy to get along with and they have to see that you have a proven track record of success, not mediocrity.  The employer wants someone who will be a good investment.

In one of my favorite movies "Jerry Maguire"  Renée Zellweger says to Tom "You had me at hello". 

What can you do in the interview to grad 'em? Or as Cuba Gooding Jr. would say "Show me the money!"

More on Being a Good Listener

The other day, a friend called to ask me for my advice. As I was gleefully providing my input, I was then provided with excuses and reasons why my advice wouldn't work.  OK, I know I am not always right...however, I was being asked for my advice, right? 

When we ask questions, which is what we all need to be doing to better understand what we don't know, then being a good listener requires that we take in the information.  If we need to gain clarification, we need to ask more questions.  I don't believe we should side track the conversation by getting into the reasons why the advice isn't good.  It might be enough for you to know that the person you have asked for advice from provided you with info you already knew or have already tried. Fine. Move on to someone else. 

We all want to be heard, not criticized. 

I have a mentor who is wonderful at listening.  She asks great questions and never makes me feel stupid.  If she doesn't agree with something I've said, she asks another question to dig deeper into the stupid thing I've just said.  For example:

Hannah's stupid statement:  "All job seekers are lazy"

Brilliant mentor:  "What do you mean by lazy, Hannah?"
Someone else:      "No, they aren't lazy, they just don't know what else to do"

Hannah's answer:  "Well, they just don't do what they need to do"

Brilliant mentor: "So why do you think they don't do what they need to do?"

Hannah feeling stupid: "Because they don't know what they don't know, but I 
                                     guess that doesn't make them lazy, but perhaps 
                                     uninformed" (AHA moment for me, right?)

I am not suggesting that we don't debate or discuss opinions or views, that is very important, but perhaps not appropriate to the conversation in which we are requesting advice.   

It is All About Being a Good Listener

In reading Liz Lynch's post about being a good listener, I was reminded of how incredibly significant being a good listener is.  You certainly know people who are excellent listeners and those that are not. 

I laughed at the following quote from her post:

"When they talk, it's their moment, give them the space to shine. Resist the urge to be their color commentator. It's annoying, for example, when a friend starts saying, "I was on a plane to Salt Lake City last week when...," and you jump in with a personal trivia nugget, "Oh, Salt Lake City, that's such a great place for skiing. It reminds me of the time I..." In other words, leave the pop-up video commentary to VH1."

I do that...yikes.  Time to stop inputting my VH1 commentary. 

Liz also talks about sharing information as a way of being a good listener. 

"Actively read the blogs and status updates of your network, review their tweets, and share your reactions. Even better is to find opportunities to forward links to their content to your own network to help get their message in front of more people."

Today, people are on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.  They update their profiles, add photos, and share information about themselves freely. They want to be heard! This makes it easier than ever before to listen.  The best way to hear them, according to Liz is to respond/acknowledge and forward along.  The reason this information has been updated in the first place is so that it will be acknowledged and circulated (i.e. heard). 

I still find this social networking stuff a little egocentric, hey, but that's where we are, so I am going with it for now.

Being heard feels so good.  By being a good listener, you send a message that you care as well as make others feel good!

3 Easy Steps to Negotiating Your Job Offer

Even in today's climate, offers can be negotiated. The art of negotiation requires data, emotional disconnect and the vocabulary.

Step One:  Gathering the data

During the interview it is your job to learn everything you can about the job and company.  You also did some pre-interview homework via networking and research.  These are some important areas for you to have a strong understanding:

• Salary range
• Key components of the job (3,6,9 month goals)
• What are the company's goals
• Trends in the company for tuition reimbursement, promotion, pay increases and history of negotiating offers
• Benefits cost and value
• Why they are most interested in you
• There may be other things that are important to your situation, so make sure you find out the answer before you get the offer

Step Two:  Emotional Disconnect

This interview and the subsequent offer is a business transaction, period.  The company wants to hire you because you are going to fix a problem within their organization or make them money. You are looking for a paid position that will utilize your skills so you can be compensated fairly.  However, likeability and feeling liked are definately important to both you and the employer.  I don't recommend playing hard ball, let them know you are interested. 

When it comes to receiving the offer, don't accept it on the spot.  Ask how long you have to consider this wonderful offer and set up a time to come in and meet with them to discuss your answer.  Face to face is best when possible because you can read their body language.

Emotional disconnect also means that you have pre-determined what it is you want to negotiate and what the ideal terms are.  Having this in writing will prevent you from doing something or saying something you might later regret.

Step Three:  Having the vocabulary

How, exactly do you ask for more money?  See, this is tricky and you have to find wording that somewhat closely fits your style.  However, if you've never negotiated most wording will feel uncomfortable.  Here are some ways you could go about asking for more money...

"I am excited about this opportunity to work with you and your company. I do have some concerns about the salary.  What can we do to increase that number?"

"This is a great offer.  I am interested in the position.  I was expecting the salary would be higher given the responsibilities of the job." (Don't say anything, wait for their response)

Negotiating is defined as being win-win.  Keep and display a positive attitude.

Here are some articles that might offer additional insight:

How to Negotiate in a Recession, Part 1, Keppie Careers 

Negotiating Salary in a Recession, Movin' On Up  

I got a job offer, now what, Secrets of the Job Hunt

3 Ways to Stop Collecting Unemployment Insurance

It's fun looking for a job full time, isn't it?!  You really enjoy claiming Unemployment Insurance every week too, right? You feel useful, productive and valued for your contributions.  There is nothing worse than what you are experiencing right now. Yet, it will not last forever.  

Use this time to figure out what you really want to do. Discover something you will enjoy doing. 

You can start off working one or two days a week.  If you work an assignment/job just 2 days a week, in most cases you will still be able to claim 1/2 of your UI benefits.  (This varies by state and depends on how much you make those 2 days).  

Another option is to take a 2-3 week assignment doing something new or exciting.  You just won't claim UI benefits that week.  You don't lose any money really, it extends the term of you Unemployment Insurance (you still have 12 months to use it).

Better yet, you could find a job in an other area of the country and commute home, taking you off Unemployment Insurance all together.  

The government has tried to help by offering Unemployment Insurance and increasing the length of time people can have access to it, however, what I've seen is that this creates dilemmas... you really want to work, doing anything, but you make more on unemployment than you would in a minimum wage job.  Each day you are unemployed it can become more difficult to feel self-confident.  Sometimes you begin to doubt your own abilities.  The best cure for these feelings is to do something, anything and get paid for it.  It is amazing what this does for the spirit.  

Stretch your mind, think about creating new possibilities for yourself and see what happens! 

What's Your Dream?

I am sure you have either seen or heard of Susan Boyle by now.  It is worth watching her again. Video of Susan Boyle

Susan's dream is to become a famous singer.  She is now 47 years old and has been singing since she was 12.  Right now we can only speculate what series of events led to her to compete in Britain's Got Talent. 

Could it be her dream was always to become a famous singer? Did she listen to the naysayers who said she couldn't, wouldn't, shouldn't?

She's unemployed. Did she reach the point of re-invention by crisis?  When we have lost things that are dear to us, sometimes we are forced to re-evaluate who we are.  Who are you?  If you were to lose everything, what would you have left?

It seems to me that Susan has always loved singing.  It has been a part of her life since she was 12.  I would love to know what motivated her to compete.  Certainly there were other opportunities in her life to sing in public.

Each one of us has incredible, inspiring talents, just like Sharon.  If we can follow our dreams, take a chance and do what we need to do to be found, ours could be the next Susan Boyle story.

Dream! Thank you Susan for the inspiration and the valuable lessons we all took away from watching you!

Lessons Learned from Family

Family is so important!  Think about what you have learned from the elders in your family.  Who would you be today without their influence?  I know it is the luck of the draw, some of us got a better set of cards than others, however, if you take time to look at what your family has to offer, each on is has a lesson.

Take my 97 year old grandfather in law!  Up until last year he was living alone and driving around town in his minivan.  Oh, and playing golf every week in the summer.  Spunk!  Active in the community!

We asked him about growing up on a chicken farm in upstate.  His father raised over 5000 chicks each year which he sold off.  They kept 500 for their farm.  He admitted times were tough at some points in his life, yet he never used the term "The Great Depression".  He lived through it. He doesn't talk much about it though, it was just tough.

What we are going through now it tough.  It most likely will get tougher, yet, when we are 97 years old, I don't think we'll be obsessing over how bad it was.  Will we remember the fun parts of our lives? Will we become more active in our community?  Will we become more frugal?  Will we put more value on family than on material goods? Will we stay independent and self reliant?

Continue the journey and learn from family!

Who Is Unemployed- A, B and C Players

In order to be the best job seeker possible, you need an understanding of what is going on in the heads of hiring professionals.  In the current economic situation, with hundreds of thousands of people out of work, how can the overwhelmed HR professionals and recruiters possibly handle the volume of resumes they receive?  Well, that's sort of a related question.

On Nick Corcodolis's, Ask the Headhunter, he sited and summarized "Why hiring is paradoxically harder in a downturn" by Auren Hoffman. 

Here's my take away from reading Hoffman's piece:

The world of work is made up a A, B, and C Players.  (A players are the best and C players do the job).  Of course, most companies want to hire A players.  The other important fact is that there are more B players than A players and even more C players than B.  This makes A players scarce.

When layoffs occur, usually the C players are let go first.  The company will try and hold on to A players, yet that isn't always possible. (i.e. Construction, Financial and Legal industries were hit hard and all players lost their jobs despite how well they performed)   

The challenge now for companies is to find the A Players among the see of B and C Players applying for jobs.  The resume isn't the greatest tool to use in screening these players. 

An A player is innovative and hard working and their resume demonstrates that with accomplishments.  NOT the words "innovative" and "hard working".

The other lesson here is that you want to be known for being an A Player, not a slacker.  Do whatever you can do to change the way you do your job to become an A Player! 

Networking Online

Since I've been blogging and more active in social networking, I've had some neat experiences.  I want to share them to help you understand how it can work for anyone.

LinkedIn:

I was looking for a contact name at a specific company for a job seeking friend.  I sent an linkedin invitation to connect and the response I got was "call me, we need to talk". The phone call resulted in an attempt to try and recruit ME.  Now, all I was trying to do was send this guy's profile over to the company contact (giving back, sharing information). 

Blog:

I just write my blog to help others navigate the extreme terraine of job search.  I am trying to disperse my information.  I have received numerous emails/commentswhich have resulted in numerous on-line contacts whom I correspond with and consider networking contacts.  I've guest blogged on a site in England and have received mention on some noteworthy blogs. This sounds a little egotistical, and it isn't meant to.  It is to demonstrate that if you want to become a known player, you have to play.

Twitter:

I have "met" some interesting people on twitter and enjoy following their tweets.  I have learned new things about the job search world by reading tweets too. 

Facebook:

I've always considered Facebook a way to maintain contact with my personal/family network.  I sort of want to keep it personal and find that hard to do.  I do post my blog on Facebook to provide information for my family friends, some who are looking for their next job.  I have connected with family spread out across the US as well as friends from elementary school and I love see what everyone is up to.  Facebook is a great way to stay in touch or reconnect with people you haven't been in regular contact with.  The medium is great because it allows you to share pictures, articles and daily life written updates.

Staying in touch is as easy as logging in!  Don't be afraid, just be aware ALWAYS, of what you are saying.

Tracking Your Networking

Because networking is so nebulous and difficult to see how it directly translates into a job, I hear a lot of reluctance.  Maybe if we can track our networking, we'll be better able to see the correlation.

Leo Naioti presented an great session last night drawing the parallels of sales to job search (which we all know, but he put a wonderful spin on it).

Leo is a leadership consultant with extensive HR experience as well as recent experience conducting his own job search. 

One of the many things he strongly encouraged was tracking networking leads.  It makes sense.  Sales people have to talk about their pipeline or sales funnel all the time.  So should you.  There are different ways of doing this.  And what I am suggesting you track are networking leads, NOT JOB POSTINGS!

Categorize your network into Friends/family (5 points), Coworkers/peer (3 points), Referrals (1 point).  Dan Schwabel recommended this scoring system in a post (which I can no longer seem to find).

Data from an UpMo study of elite networkers shows the value of their network like this: 

This is why Dan Schwabel's value system works.  You want to nurture your relationships with people who know you best (willing to recommend you).

While networking is a number game, as is sales, it is also the quality of the relationships in your network that matter.

You have to plant and nurture a lot of seeds to get something to grow.  Make sure the ground is fertile and plant away!

Fixing Your Search

If your phone isn't ringing, whatever you're doing isn't working...so fix it. How?

If you wanted to lose weight, you would change your eating habits. 
If you wanted to really lose weight, you would change your eating habits and exercise.
If you really, really wanted to lose weight, you would join a group and/or consult a professional.

In job search, how will you know what habits to change?  How would you do less or more of something if you aren't keeping accurate records of what you are doing and how much time you are spending?

A nutritionist would ask you to keep a food journal if you wanted to seek their services to lose weight.  Therefore, keep a job search journal.  Need one?  Try this document.  Download Productivity chart

It will ask you to track hours, number of pieces of correspondence and number of people you speak to.  Simple.  Track these numbers for 2-3 weeks.  I am pretty sure you will be able to tell where you need to make some changes.  Do less or more of whatever you are doing.

Exercise your brain.  This means learning as much as you can about job search techniques and tools.  There are so many resources.  Again, check out my sidebar because I have listed many of the ones I read and recommend.

Here are some others I subscribe to in my Google reader:

Career Advice Blogs

Career Hub

Secrets of the Job Hunt

Career Success

Fistful of Talent

What Would Dad Say? 

If you need a group to keep you motivated or to share ideas with you are in luck, there are tons here in Rochester as well as around the country.  Some meetings are live and others are virtual.  Ask around, test drive some and find one that works for you. (See the side bar for some of Rochester groups)

Company Research-Have You Read My Sidebar?

Over on the sidebar of this blog are some of my favorite resources.  I have attempted to organize them in a way that is helpful.

Under the "Labor Market/Research Tools" section you will find free resources for finding target companies.

Bigger Impact Weeklyis a cool blog that does an interview weekly with a Rochester company, mostly up and coming. You can go back and look at the many companies that have been interviewed.  This is a great way to find new companies that might not otherwise be on your radar.  Once you have found the company and contact name, try using LinkedIn to see if you know anyone over there.  Then ask to meet your contact to talk more about what they do.

Hoover's is another resource.  It lists about 100 company profiles in Rochester, but also has national and international company profiles.  In plain English, the profiles explain more about the company. You will generally find larger companies within the tool. Oh, by the way, Hoover's is a product of D&B.  For a fee you could subscribe to get more info, however, I wouldn't recommend spending the money.

The good ol' Dept. of Labor has a good tool as well.  Lists provided by InfoUSA allow you to find companies by Occupation...in other words, enter the kind of job you are looking for, select the county and about 75 company names and basic company information will pop up.  That doesn't mean these companies have openings.  It means that these companies might hire that occupation, or have had a history of hiring that occupation. It is easy to use!

Don't forget Rochester's Top 100.  Every year companies compete to win the honor of being on this list.  They have to submit an application and provide data about their financial growth. 

Start creating a list of companies you would like to research and perhaps work for so you can begin networking rather than chasing the job postings on job boards!  Create a Marketing Plan to really get your job search moving.

Say it like you mean it

I was watching President Obama speak to the people of Prague and kept asking myself, why do they care about what he has to say?  It was a huge crowd of people.  So, Why?  Perhaps he had something they wanted to hear.

When you are talking about what you can do, do you say it like you mean it?  Would it draw a crowd?  Would anyone be interested?  OK, if you can't draw a crowd, how about in an interview or when networking?

If you can't speak convincingly about yourself, then why should anyone listen.

Think about what it would take for you to speak with conviction...what do you need to get there?  Is it a lack of self-confidence?  What is driving that?  What can you do to turn that around? We can be our worst enemy, especially when we are feeling vulnerable, however, this is not an excuse.  Fix it please.

Perhaps it isn't a lack of self confidence, it is a lack of certainty that what you can do is of value.  What you can do to turn that around.  Usually a bit of information gathering can stifle those feelings.

Maybe it isn't either of these things holding you back.  Identify why you aren't speaking passionately about what you do.  Is it perhaps the fact that you no longer love what you do?  You can fix that too.

Right now, you realize, there aren't enough jobs for everyone looking.  In order to stand out, you really have to speak like you are worthy of drawing a crowd. 

If you aren't up to the task, if you aren't willing to fight for yourself, if you don't believe you should have to do this, then... continue doing what you're doing and let me know how it goes.

Put Plan B into Action

It's been months since you lost your job and you are frustrated.  Maybe it is time to put "Plan B" into action.

Having a job, any job, usually makes you feel better than facing all the rejection or indifference. 

Having a job gives you something to do.  It provides income. It gives you a sense of worth and value. 

So how do you chose what your "Plan B" job will be? First, you will need to sit down in a quiet place and brainstorm all the things you love, LOVE, to do.  Do not filter out things that might seem unrealistic, silly, or "I can't make money doing this". 

If this is difficult, it should be.  Keep going.  Think of the things you enjoyed doing as a kid.  Think about your favorite job ever.  What was your dream growing up?

Once you've brainstormed, enlist the help of a true friend.  Someone who you trust.  Someone who will not shut your ideas down (A spouse might not be the best person to use at this time in the process, unless your spouse is very open minded and incredibly supportive.)

• Ask this friend to help you identify ways you could get a job in these areas.
• Ask them to help you think of related opportunities. 
• Ask them if they know anyone in these areas.
• Also ask if they know anyone who owns a business.  Any business. Ask if you can talk to that person about getting some help.

Securing a "Plan B" job can take as much time as a real job.  Start today trying to line one up.  Don't send a resume or fill out an application. Call on the phone or stop by in person.  Explain why you want to work there.

It may sound something like:

"I eat at your restaurant pretty regularly and really enjoy the people who work here and the customers who come here.  I love your food and know that I could do a great job representing you.  There's a little extra time in my day and I would like to be doing something worthwhile and make a little money. Is their a shift you might need some help with?"

Don't give up. If they don't seem interested now, they may be later.  Move on, check in with another place that does something similar.

Always convince them that you are interested in working specifically for THEM.  Flatter their large but fragile egos. 

Here are some regional Plan B opportunities that are gearing up right now:

• Landscaping (mowing, raking, yard maintenance)
• Golf courses are gearing up their hiring
• Restaurants
• Garden centers
• Parks and recreation programs
• Summer youth programs/camps need help
• House painting and outdoor maintenance

Here are some other Plan B options that are usually hiring:

• Call center work (customer service, fund raising)
• Office cleaning companies
• Hotel/motel positions

Employers in these organizations want to hire someone who is reliable and will do the work and will stay longer than a couple of weeks. Convince them you have what it takes to do this.  

I know these don't sound like dream jobs.  You might even be angry at me for suggesting these things.  Good.  Come up with some other creative solutions and let me know.  I'll post them here!
 

Yes, Virginia, People Are Getting Jobs Right Now

Every month I put together, in conjunction with the August Group, a panel discussion.  We invite back people who have landed jobs to speak about their experiences while job searching.  This is easily one of the best programs we do and hat tip to Tracey Aiello for starting the idea!

I began searching recent emails from clients and within minutes had over 6 names of people to invite back to speak on the panel.  Within 2 hours I heard back from most of them.  They were delighted to be asked and would gladly participate.

Every day people are landing jobs.  I personally know this to be true.  I get the emails and phone calls.

One of the things that seems to tie these successful job landers together is that they never lost belief in themselves.  Sure they got discouraged, but they never let that stop them.  They were bound and determined to land a job and did it with optimism, not negativity.

They didn't complain about age discrimination, lack of jobs being posted on-line or not having any friend.  These complaints would be excuses.  

The people who landed jobs took action to correct their weaknesses and didn't place blame on others.   

Maintaining belief in yourself and optimism is difficult to do. That is why groups like the August Group, New Horizons, ABCPNG and others exist.  I truly recommend becoming a member of a group!

What will the stimulus do for white collar unemployed?

 

How is this rebuilding of roads and infrastructure projects going to help the thousands of unemployed investment bankers, mid managers, and others? 

Really great question.  I think it is the "trickle up" theory.  

Repairing of roads and new construction efforts will require:

• Laborers
• Materials (lumber, equipment & tools)

These laborers will have money to buy food, gas, personal items and who knows what else.

The lumber mills and steel manufacturing plants will need more widgets to keep their equipment running in tip top shape (Good news for all the widget makers in the US).  They will also need to hire more people to run their machines.  This might mean more HR help or accounting help to manage payroll. They might also need buyers to source raw materials at the best prices (a savvy investment banker could transition into a buyer with a little work)

So now we have added money to the economy in:

• Retail services (food, clothing, maybe even new vehicles)
• Accounting/HR staff
• Lumber mills and manufacturing
• Suppliers to the mills and manufacturers and eventually their suppliers

Banks will begin seeing more money deposited and this should generally help them stabilize.

Green Jobs will also be on the rise through the investment of funds.  This can create the same type of trickle up effect. Who knows what other new types of green job opportunities might come out of this.

Know one knows for sure if this will work, but one thing is for sure.  Re-invention and open-mindedness are crucial to our personal success. 

Start reading about the projects going on in your area and begin brainstorming what services or products might be needed to support them.  Team up with others and create opportunities that might not exist.  Put a new spin on the old ways of doing things.

For more information on the The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, visit their (our) website here.  For NY State's plan, see this link.

The Mindset of an Entrepreneur

Everyone should read Seth Godin's Guest Blog post "Don't Try to Get A Job" on What Would Dad Say. 

I believe what Seth is trying to say is that trying to start you own small business stretches the mind.  It forces you to clarify what your strengths are and provides an outlet for passion. 

These are the things that employers are looking for.  Risk takers, great problem solvers, passionate.  This is how we all want to be seen by a potential employer, not desperate and vulnerable.  So where's the harm?

Miriam Salpeter, Keppie Careers, posted a strong argument against why starting your own business isn't a solution.  She contends that not everyone is cut out to follow Seth's advice. 

Nick Carcodilos, Ask the Headhunter, provides examples of how to put Seth's advice into  action.  Nick says

"First, if you’re never gonna try to start your own business, you should nonetheless approach your next job like it’s a business."

Thanks to Seth for getting everyone thinking.  I see the challenge as most unemployed people are going to have a hard time getting to this mindset.  It is a huge paradigm shift.  However, I believe once they can embrace this new way of thinking, it will be incredibly liberating and empowering!