Strategic Job Seeker’s Plan of Action – 2010

Many of you have been unemployed or seeking new employment at least a year. It is time to review what you have done to make you gainfully employed again.

With the economy in such a chaotic situation, you ask what can I do? First of all, Americans are very resilient. But you must have a strategic plan.

Make a list of all the actions you took last year to help you find employment.  What worked and what did not? 

Review your Résumé

Did your résumé get you an interview? If not, why not?

Was it targeted? Look carefully to see what jobs you applied for. Did your résumé fill their needs?  Or, was it simply thrown out there, hoping someone would notice it. Companies are complaining that they receive so many resumes that don’t even vaguely match the position they are advertising for. 

Do not résumé spam. It’s called spamming when you apply for many or all the positions available whether you are qualified or not. Companies will block your résumé and, if you are guilty of this, you need to stop.

Interview Process

Were you prepared for the interview? This means, you researched the company and were dressed for the interview. You had your résumé in hand and arrived on time. Were there times in the interview process where you felt that you had lost the interviewer’s interest? What caused this? Again, being prepared helps you to appear more confident so that you are not at a loss for words.

Was an offer extended? If not, why not? The interview process has several parts:  The company wants to know what you know about the company and how you will fit in. They want to know that you are an excellent investment in the company. 

After researching the company to see how you fit, you also need to research how the salary compares with what you are asking for. Are you being too rigid? Are you pricing yourself out of the marketplace? For every job, there are hundreds of applicants. Companies can afford to pick and choose the very best. It is a buyer’s market and you are the seller.

After the interview, did you follow up with a letter thanking them for the interview and making comments on particular themes of interest for both you and the prospective employer?

These are just some of the actions you want to review.

Social Network

Are you aware of the power of networking both in person and socially?

Are you on Linkedin.com? This is a professional networking site. You don’t want to post your résumé as your profile because your résumé will continue to change; however, you do want to highlight your skills and accomplishments.  Do not harass anyone. These are important contacts and a great source for you.  Participate in discussions that allow you to demonstrate your expertise.

It’s unbelievable the choice items you find on MySpace or Facebook. Items that people would not think of laundering in public appear on those pages. If you have a MySpace page or Facebook page, make sure it will stand up under an employer’s or prospective employer’s scrutiny. People have been terminated because of what is on their page. Make sure it is private and if friends put items up that you do not want to appear on your page, you might de-friend them from this site. Let them know it affects your job. If they are friends they will understand.

Employment Sources

Bounce ideas off mentors and friends as to employment sources. Friends and relatives are great sources of contacts. 

Are you reading the business section and trade papers to find out what is going on in your community? This is another way to get information.

Look at state, federal and parish jobs.

Attend job fairs. Talk to other applicants also. You may pick up some valuable information. Let everyone you talk to know that you are seeking employment. They will know you are serious and try to help you.

Visit your Workforce office and talk to the people there. They can offer many wonderful suggestions. Did you know that if you go to the LAWorks.net web site, you can sign up for free training classes? You must register in order to see that menu that takes you to the training site.

After reviewing these suggestions, you must take action. 

Look at your résumé. If it isn’t getting any results, send it to me and I will critique it for free. 

Follow up any potential leads you may have.

Extend yourself on a volunteer basis to keep your skills active.

Network with others intensely but do not harass anyone. Remember, networking is also giving, not just receiving. The best way to network is to help someone. It will come back.

Expand your options. Are their other jobs you are qualified for that you can now consider.

Sign up for training.  There are many grants available — ask about the PELL Grants.  Your Workforce Center will also have information on this.

Celia Dorr
www.ceoresume.com
ceoresume@aol.com for free résumé critiquing.

Don’t Let Anger Rule Your Job Search . . .

As the unemployment rates go up steadily, you may become angry as you join the statistics. It is okay to get angry for a while. Take a shower and verbalize your anger in the shower, or lock yourself in your parked vehicle and scream at the top of your lungs everything that you are feeling. Now you have vented. It is not harmful to you to vent in this way.

If it begins to take over your thinking, it is undermining your job search.

Several years ago I was working with a client when a very angry gentleman came into the office. His body language was very aggressive and I was apprehensive. Thankfully the client that I was working with quickly grasped the situation. He rose from his seat and offered the gentleman his place. He said, “I can tell you are in a hurry and I have all day. Why don’t you go ahead?”

When asked how I could help — he responded angrily, “I don’t know what you can do. I just lost my job. I had repeatedly asked my supervisor if my job was in danger and he never let me know it was.” He continued to talk about his anger and I listened intently.

My response to him was, “I know just how you feel. Several years earlier I was also involved in a corporate restructuring and my job was on the line. The stress built up as competent workers were terminated and/or laid off. I was one of those people who hung on for dear life until the stress got to me and I left.” I told him that I remembered my anger and the sorrow that I felt at leaving a company that I thought I would retire from. He told me he felt the same way but that his greatest anger was with his supervisor who had not told him the truth.

I then shared with him many of the stories I had heard from my clients and through articles that I had been reading. His supervisor probably had no choice as he was probably following management’s instructions to not divulge details of upcoming layoffs. If he had told anyone, his job would probably have been on the line also. During severe economic downturns, everyone goes into survival mode and he was simply surviving. I also shared with him the survivor’s stress that these people often go through. They have so much guilt because they were involved in the layoffs, while at the same time they wonder when the ax will fall on them. He mentioned that, in his anger he had never thought of that.

As we continued talking, I asked him if he had been on any interviews. He said that he had but that they seemed anxious to shorten the interview. I asked him to stand back and look at himself coming into my office. How did he see himself? Did he appear confident and ready for the interview or did he appear as an angry man with a chip on his shoulder? He stood quiet for a very long time. Then he said softly, “This is why they ended the interview so fast.”

It is okay to feel anger but if it continues, you should talk to someone about your feelings. See a professional if you are having trouble sleeping or functioning in a normal manner.

In these economic times, the bottom line is the company’s survival. Unfortunately, it affects you and many others. Turn it around and dig deeply into how you are going to promote yourself to the next company. Bad mouthing a former employer does not do it. The person interviewing you will think, “Hmm, I wonder what he will be saying about our company.” You do not want to be perceived as a future “problem.”

Instead, acknowledge in the interview that companies are facing tough economic times and so they do what they must — they reorganize. Sometimes entire departments are dissolved, stores closed, and plant operations curtailed with reductions in workforce. Then demonstrate to them what you bring to the company to help sustain it and make it grow in these tough times.

This is a wonderful opportunity to look at your experience and training. Can you go back to school and get additional training? Do you qualify for any government assistance to achieve that training? Can you take 1-2 classes in computer technology to bring you up to speed? Look at those skills that have to be brought up to date or sharpened. In the alternative, there are many self-help books that can walk you through the process of learning Word, Excel, Access and many other programs.

Do not let your membership in trade associations lapse. You want to keep in contact with those in your field. Make your presence known and find out what opportunities may be available. However, don’t make a nuisance of yourself or you will be avoided like the plague.

Are your skills transferable? Make sure that when you apply for a job outside your field, that you match as many skills as you can. Read the newspapers and news magazines to see what is happening. If you have not had experience in this field, see if you can do an internship. If you want to explore community service, think of volunteering. Skilled trades can volunteer to churches or organizations like Habitat for Humanity.

One of the benefits of volunteering is that it keeps you busy and keeps your mind off your anger. It can also be relaxing. Who knows who you might meet when you volunteer. Remember to give it your best. This is all experience you are gathering and sharing.

Some of you may even think of starting your own business. If you do, I wish you the best of luck in this endeavor. You will experience so much growth and knowledge.

Let the anger go. It only hurts you. Take a positive stance in your job search and demonstrate that you are actively employed in landing your next job. Bitterness only destroys you. Throw it out with the garbage. It may take time but you can do it.

www.ceoresume.com

No Matter How Dark it Seems, The Sun Always Comes Out. . .

Sometimes in our life we become complacent and, yes, maybe arrogant and smug because everything is going so well. We have it all—great income, the nice home, cars, good schools for the children, money in the bank, all of which looked like a secure future. Some of us may have turned away or ignored our faith as we gained material wealth.

We are stunned when we get knocked on our butts, and it is an eye opener. When this happens we get scared. We do not know where to turn and our heads fill with despair. We have a dark cloud hanging over our head and the storm is brewing. We try this and that, selecting various paths to reach our goals, however, nothing seems to work—Our future seems so bleak.

This is what is happening now. The real estate market is upside down, unemployment is at an all time high and people are losing their homes. Suddenly we panic as the clouds gather. What did we do wrong?

When everything was going so well, did we take the opportunity to thank God for His many blessings? Did we take the time to thank our wife or husband for making our hectic lives easier? Did we remember to compliment the children when they did something that showed character? Were we nice to people? Did we take the time to say “Please” and “Thank You?” How many times did we extend a hand to a stranger?

Now with our world falling apart, we get upset easily. We are angry at everyone at times. This is when we need to stop and take a deep breath and say, “I am sorry I became so complacent. I’m sorry I was not always nice. I’m sorry I took everyone and everything I had for granted.” Most of all, I am sorry that I turned away from my faith. Material things are great, but they are not everything. Everything that we do influences what we become.

As the clouds continue to brew overhead, we look to the One who has the solution and can make things right again. God is still here. Hopefully our friends and family are still here. We have not been totally abandoned. We ask God to walk by our side as we embark on this difficult path and battle the storm before us. We listen to His message as we wonder what He has in store for us. He may have a new direction for us to follow.

If we look back, we will find that when we have faced the greatest challenges, we have not been alone. After going through all the pain and feeling of hopelessness, there has always been an end to the turmoil. When that occurs, our life has taken a new path.

We are now faced with obstacles but you will overcome them as you became stronger. Our lives are about to change and we must prepare to embrace that change. Let’s open ourselves to new opportunities that will come our way.

Unemployment may be rearing its ugly head but we will come out of this. We are hopeful again. Despair has gone out the door. We have taken the first step by acknowledging that we have a partner in climbing out of this. That partner is God. There is a better tomorrow—we will triumph.

It may be raining outside but remember the sun always comes out. God does not allow us to wallow in self-pity. That is our choice. We must ask for His guidance, and it will come. Then our life will begin to change—maybe not quickly, the changes will seem to just simply trickle in at first. But as we look over what we have done in the past and the type of person we were or had become, we know that we can change that. With change come rewards. As we become better people, we are happier. There is always room for improvement and we can make it happen.

Our families are happier as we spend quality time with them. We look deeply into how we spent our money on frivolous things instead of things that really mattered. Reaching out and helping others makes us better people. We teach our children by example. We strengthen our faith knowing that our Creator is with us and will not let us falter.

We will learn lessons along the way, and we must not forget them. It’s too easy to forget when the going is good. We will feel peaceful and with peace will come joy. Joy in our life and our families. Joy in the direction that we have taken. God will smile and say, “They get it!” The day is becoming brighter. The gloom is starting to dissipate. As the days go by, our path will become more apparent. Do not ignore the signs along the path that point to your new future.

I know it is not over yet, so let’s get started on path that He has shown to us. Remember, things will look up. It rained today, but then the sun came out. Smile and say “Thank you, God—I cannot fail with You by my side.”

Celia Dorr
www.ceoresume.com
ceoresume@aol.com

How Not to Sabotage Your Interview!

Your résumé has been selected and it’s time for the interview. How well are you prepared so you do not sabotage this important step? To assist you in achieving your goal, I have put together some tips for you. Some of the tips I have listed I have observed on my own; others were passed on to me. Although many of these tips seem like basic advice, you would be surprised at how many people show up unprepared for interviews—often not paying attention to the most basic details. It is in this way that you can sabotage your interview which results in no offer being extended to you.

Prior to the Interview

           The day the interview is scheduled, be sure to enter it in your calendar. Verify the name of the person you will be meeting, date, time, and location with the person scheduling the interview.  Don’t forget to write down the telephone number also.

           Research the company and the industry thoroughly. Study the culture (how is work performed—teamwork or individually? Dress code? Company jargon, etc.?), products, competition and type of industry. How will you fit in? Is it the type of environment you enjoy and what is its management style?

           You may be asked behavioral questions. Think carefully before replying. A question may be, “Are you ever late to an appointment?” If you have been late, be prepared to share the situation that occurred, what action did you take, and what was the result.

           Look your résumé over. Is this the same résumé you sent to the company that is interviewing you? If it has been updated, be sure to let them know you have an updated copy.

Day of the Interview

           Personal hygiene is extremely important. Shower, use deodorant, brush your teeth and make sure your fingernails are clean with no chipped polish. Make sure your hair is cut and trimmed with no exorbitant hairstyles or colors. Many employers frown at the spiked hair and red and purple streaks in your hair.

           Aftershave and perfume should be used lightly. Many people have allergies and you do not want the interview to end abruptly.

           Shoes should be shined and heels repaired. No snags in stockings or holes in shoes. Interestingly enough, one candidate for the Presidency will forever be remembered for the hole at the bottom of his shoe—Adlai Stevenson.

           If you wear nose rings, eyebrow rings, or have several ear piercings, leave them at home. Cover up tatoos. There are people that are offended by them.

           Dress for the job. Clothes should be pressed and neat. When applying for a sales, administrative, or professional job, dress professionally. When applying for a construction job or something where you are not required to dress up, you may wear a clean pair of pants and shirt. Check the company’s website.  Many times the sites have photos of employees performing their job. Observe how they are dressed.

           Have multiple copies of your résumé with you, preferably in a folder or large envelope. You may be interviewed by several people, and you want to make sure that each one has a copy of your résumé. Even if you are not hired for this position, someone else in the company may have an opening and one of those people you gave the résumé to may remember you and forward it to them.

           Look your car over inside and out; make sure it is clean and neat.  You never know who you may meet in the parking lot.  You do not want trash falling out the door when you open it.  All food, drinks, and chewing gum should be left at home so you won’t be tempted to bring them into the interview.  

           Before you leave for the interview, make sure you have your identification information that is required for the I-9 form and any other documentation you may need. No copies please. I cannot believe how many people show up without this information. Many employers are now using E-Verify which allows them to instantly verify the information you provide for the I-9 form.

           Children, girlfriends/boyfriends, wives/husbands, and friends should all be left at home with no exceptions. The employer will wonder if they will be coming to work with you. It also demonstrates a complete lack of consideration and confidence.

Arrival at the Parking Lot

           As you come into the parking lot, do not play loud music or drive in a reckless manner. Allow enough time to arrive at your appointment on time. Be courteous at all times.

           Turn off your telephone or turn off the ringer. Do not use your telephone until you leave the interview unless it is a true emergency. This means that you do not answer the telephone if another prospective employer, your friend, or boyfriend/girlfriend/wife calls you. You can always return the call later. Absolutely no text messaging.

           Leave the iPOD at home or in the car. It has no place in the interview.

Reception Area

           Be pleasant to the receptionist and anyone else in the area. Sometimes managers or customers can be sitting in the lobby who may observe you prior to the interview. If you are hired, you do not want to upset a potential customer. The receptionist should be treated in the same manner as you are going to treat the person interviewing you.

           Again, do not use your telephone or play your iPOD in the reception area. These should have been turned off or left in the car. It is disturbing to others to listen to your conversations.

           If you are bored and need to read something, look over your résumé and make sure you know it by heart. You may also look through industry magazines that are available in the lobby.

           If you engage in chitchat with anyone, make it very general. Do not complain about anything or make any negative remarks—you could be looked upon as a troublemaker. This tip applies to people who have been flown in and are driven to the airport. No negative comments about the interview, the company, or anything else until you have arrived at home.

The Actual Interview

           When you meet the interviewer, have a firm handshake and look the person in the eye. If you have trouble looking at people in the eye, then look at their eyebrows. Many times people will think you lack confidence or are not telling the truth if you keep looking away.

           Wait to be asked to take a seat. Do not just automatically plop yourself down.

           Respect the interviewer’s space. This means you do not place any items on their desk. Keep your belongings on your lap or on the floor next to you.

           Do not lie during the interview just as you should not have lied in your résumé. It eventually shows up and is very embarrassing and a waste of time for all. Today, employers are aware that 40-70 percent of candidates will lie on their résumé or during the interview. This is a great motivator to check references and perform background checks. Make sure you have obtained permission ahead of time from your references to use their name.

           Sometimes the conversation will start with, “Tell me a little about yourself.” This is where you have a chance to give a quick synopsis of where you have been and what your goals may be. Keep it simple but match it to what the company is looking for (you should know this from your research). You do not want to talk about your recent divorce or the neighbor who is causing problems. Keep your focus on the interview process and not your personal life. You also do not want to appear needy or desperate.

           “I have been in the manufacturing industry for several years starting with …. As the industry evolved, I found myself …. The new technology excites me because I find that it increases productivity and …. Your company has been a forerunner in this process, and I am excited for the opportunity to be a part of the team.”

           Negative responses can be turned into positive responses. “I sometimes have a tendency to get absorbed in my work, however, that means I do not get distracted easily while working on projects.”

           Be prepared to ask questions, i.e., “Where did the person go who previously had the position?” “Are there any particular challenges that this position presents?” “Where do you see the company in five years?”

           Salary negotiations are a large part of the interview. Be aware of what the industry is paying. Will you accept a lower salary?  Ask what the budget is for this position?  In today’s economy, everyone must be flexible; however, you do not want to undersell yourself.

           For some positions, you may be asked to take a test during the interview. It may be a skills, personality, or a behavioral test. Relax, take a deep breath and do your best.

Conclusion of the Interview

           Thank everyone for the interview and be sure to pick up all your belongings.

           Again, as you head out to the parking lot, be pleasant to everyone.

           Drive courteously out of the parking lot. Do not speed or cut anyone off.

Back Home

           Review the interview and think about everything that was said by both you and the interviewer(s). Think about areas you would improve and how you could turn any mistakes around.

           Put together a thank you note to everyone who interviewed you. At this time you can emphasize something positive about the interview and ask any questions you may have since the interview.

           If you were told to follow up in a few days, do not forget to call. However, do not harass them with constant calls or link into them on Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace or anywhere else you have not been invited.

           It is very irritating for the interviewer to have the interview followed up with more résumés and applications for positions for which you are not qualified. This may result in all résumés being tossed or ignored.

Preparation for the interview cannot be ignored. It will make the difference between being extended an offer or being rejected. Be the candidate that gets the job offer.

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Upcoming Job Fair:

2009 St. Tammany (“Work Pays”) Job Fair
Knights of Columbus Hall
1578 West Hall Avenue, Slidell
OCTOBER 1st, 2009 – 9 a.m. until 12 noon

Bring your Résumé for a free critique.  Don’t forget to dress for the interview.

Celia Dorr at ceoresume@aol.com

Are the Old Goats Being Put Out to Pasture?

You are in your 50s and have recently been downsized in management’s effort to restructure corporate America.  You start to wonder if this is just happening to you or to everyone who has more than 40 candles on their birthday cake?

You submit numerous résumés and when and if you finally hear from someone, you are told you are overqualified, make too much too much money, you will be bored, and the list goes on and on.  You are frightened and wonder if anyone cares anymore.

Whether anyone admits it or not, age discrimination does exist, whether by intent or by accident.  The younger executive who suddenly finds himself in charge wants to surround himself by people who think like him, who can socialize with him, understand his jargon, and are impressed by his credentials or ideas.

How can you as a mature, talented individual handle this when you apply for a job?  It starts with the research you perform when you first select a company to which you will be applying.  Has the chosen company grown stale with no growth and no apparent creativity?  Does it seem to have run out of steam?  This is a great prospect for a young person with new ideas.  But does that mean that the older generation can no longer think?  I think not! 

The mature individual needs to reach back and examine the gifts and talents that brought success in the past.  Utilize those tools in your job search.  It may take time but the effort will provide meaningful results.  Just simply recalibrate and redesign your tools.

Even the movies reflect that often it is the senior individual who can show the younger generation a thing or two.  Remember Space Cowboys or how about Secondhand Lions? Those films proved folks were still full of adventure and a wealth of ingenuity even in their golden years.  They taught the younger ones that they were still alive and kicking.  At the same time, have respect and do not show distain towards those younger than you are and in control.  You were once in that position and your feelings will reflect negatively on you.

Life experience has taught the mature individual many things that the younger person has yet to experience.  If the individual has learned from his/her mistakes and willing to explore new innovations, embracing what works and discarding what does not work, then that individual is not stale.  The mature individual must embrace growth and change.  He or she can approach companies that need his or her particular experience and target those potential employers where his or her contributions will bring about necessary and productive changes.

When the mature candidate submits his résumé, it needs to be up-to-date in its format.  What worked 10 or 20 years ago no longer works because of technology and new jargon.  The individual must demonstrate familiarity with new technology, new occupations, and new methodology. 

Résumés now have banner statements where you advertise who you are followed by short concise statements that list your skills and qualifications.  A résumé is not a list of job descriptions.  It is a place where you showcase your skills and demonstrate what duties you have performed in your previous positions.  Your résumé must pique the reader’s interest within the first 10-12 seconds so that they will want to read further.  That is why these core competencies or qualifications are placed in the first 1/3 of your résumé.  The search engines can also pick up these skills for recruiters, allowing your résumé to be selected.

Do not go back too far—normally 10 years is sufficient; however, if you have been a top manager or executive with stellar accomplishments and benchmark performance, you could perhaps go back 20 years.  For IT professionals, anything over 10 years is probably obsolete, so think carefully whether you want to go back further than that.  This applies to anyone whose experience and skills would be obsolete if more than 10 years has lapsed.

Be sure to join network groups like linkedin.com where you can network with other professionals in your geographic area.  This is a great way to get noticed as you join in discussions that demonstrate your talent.  If you have a presence on MySpace or Facebook, be very selective on what you put on those pages.  You don’t want to be embarrassed.  Be familiar with what is happening in the job marketplace.  How is Twitter used?  Are you familiar with email, Outlook.  These are current basic tools.  If you don’t know what they are, you are definitely dating yourself.  If you don’t have a cell phone, you are definitely a dinosaur.  You should be well versed in the use of the internet.

Examine your attire – your clothes and appearance should reflect that you still care about your appearance and have not gotten sloppy or gone to extremes to look younger.  That will either make the person interviewing you wonder about your work habits or what you are hiding.  Spend a little extra to have your hair professionally cut, not just chopped up.  Your clothing should fit well and not look like it needs to be pressed or laundered.  Shoes should be maintained and polished at all times.  Look at your hands ladies and gentlemen.  Do they need a manicure?  If your appearance is professional, you will feel more confident.

Time for the interview.  Listen to the interviewer.  Do not try to control the conversation by saying, “Well, we used to do it this way.”  Instead try asking, “How are you handling this problem?  Have you tried this?”  That way you show you are not stuck in your ways but are offering suggestions instead.  Do not badmouth your previous employer and mention that they got rid of the “old guys”, even if it’s true.  This may wave a red flag in front of their eyes.  Instead, you may say the company is being restructured because of the economy and they have had to downsize the staff.  A big turnoff is a sob story – it’s not going to get you anywhere.  Unfortunately there are people who come on strong with a sob story about how they need a job because they are losing their home, can not make payments, then when they come on the job, they do not exhibit the same passion on the job as they did when telling their story.

After the interview, be sure to thank everyone you interviewed with.  Mention items that impressed you during the interview and ask questions that have come to mind.

If you have researched the company previously, you should be prepared with a Job Proposal which will list the company’s products, their competition, challenges, and where you could fit in.  This will show that you are aware of what the company does and are already looking to solve their problems.

Many times employers are afraid of hiring older, more experienced workers because they think that once the economy picks up, they will leave.  Here is where you want to point out your stable work history and loyalty to a company.  You might try temp jobs or contract work just to keep in touch with what is going on in your occupation while you wait.  Another great source for you is to do volunteer work.  You have many skills to offer and you may realize important contacts and also the feeling that you are still a major contributor.

Try not to let bitterness overwhelm you.  Not everyone will judge you by your age.  There are many fine young executives who value the experience an older, more mature candidate brings to the table.  They know they can learn from this individual and are not threatened.  You must demonstrate that you are willing to be part of a team, accept changes, and can make transitions.

Unfortunately, you may sometimes have to take a cut in pay because of the way the economy seems to be going but don’t take a substantial cut or you may be perceived as overpricing your services in the first place. 

 Another thing that you can do is to transition your services into another field.  Remember, an auditor is an auditor.  A salesman is a salesman.  It simply means you research the industry and the product. 

 Older, mature, competent workers are still making a difference.  They are running cities, companies and are participating in the running of our country.  They make decisions based not only on knowledge but experience.  They have learned to listen to their guts, read people and are not afraid of change.  Change is good although at first glance it may sometimes appear challenging.  Embrace it and go with the flow.  Above all, keep a good sense of humor.  Remember, in 20 years, they will be you!  I saw it in the 80s and I’m seeing it now.  Let us show them that the old goats are not ready to be put out to pasture.

Celia Dorr
www.ceoresume.com
985-516-9322

Getting past the Gatekeeper to find the Hiring Manager?

When preparing your cover letter, a question that always seems to come to mind is “to whom do I address my cover letter?”

Have you ever called a company and asked to speak to the person in charge of hiring (for example, the marketing department or warehouse management) only to be referred to Human Resources?

Human Resources people are great, but often times they are given a set of guidelines and tend to follow them to the letter.  The person who is actually doing the hiring in the department you seek knows the correct jargon and what skills he or she specifically requires in his department.  That individual knows that not every résumé is black and white.  He will have the experience to know when a person has the expertise and experience that he is seeking.

How do you get to that person?  Here are a few suggestions that will definitely work:

Call the company and ask for the name of the head of the department for which you are applying for.  At that time, you may say that you are putting together some information for him or her and want to make sure it is addressed properly.  This is in fact what you are doing.

Network with business associates, friends, neighbors, co-workers and inquire if anyone knows who is the correct contact person.

Are you reading trade publications and newspapers?  Go back a few months and note the names of people in the industry that appear in these publications.  You may find the contact person in these pages.

Are you keeping current with the professional associations and networking groups in your field?  If not, you certainly should be.

Look up the company’s website.  Oftentimes it lists the managers and executives of the company and their locations.

You can also go on linkedin.com, Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter.  If you do your research well, the name will appear.

Another way that you can actually meet the person is to find out if they are involved in any volunteer work.  You might also join that organization as a volunteer.  Not only will you be making a contribution of your time but you can network with other people who can help you make a contact.  This of course will take time as you don’t want to just go in and start seeking out the person.  Make sure you contributions are worthwhile and you will get noticed.

There is no excuse for not having a name when you send your cover letter and your résumé.  This extra step makes you stand out.  At the same time you are doing this research, you may find even more information which will be valuable to you, such as some of the projects the person is interested in, what challenges the company faces and where their successes have been.  You can also discover if they are opening new locations or shutting down old ones.

Make sure you note all of this information as it will come in handy when you prepare your cover letter and when you appear for the interview. Remember, there is no excuse for not having a name to whom you direct your résumé or inquiries.

Celia Dorr
CEO Résumé
www.ceoresume
985-516-9322

Graduation’s Finally Here – The Big Day You’ve Been Waiting For.

Whether you are graduating from high school or college, it’s a big day in your life.  I’m sure you are all experiencing the fact that unless you are unbelievably wealthy, you probably have to get a job—hopefully one that will get you started on your career path. 

Perhaps you have been planning for this day and have taken appropriate courses.  You have your résumé already and you have your interview clothes clean and pressed.  Some of you may already have jobs waiting.

In this economy “a job waiting” may or may not be guaranteed.  For those of you who do have a job waiting, congratulations.  For those who do not have a job waiting, do not despair.

First, we must have the proper résumé on hand.  Before your submit your résumé to the search engines or to a specific employer, you need to be aware of the screening process. 

The economy has affected us in more ways than one, with so many people being affected by downsizing, and HR people have been no exception.  More, and more companies are using ATS Technology (Applicant Tracking Software).  Therefore, not only must your résumé contain the proper keywords but it must be contextualized.  What does that mean?  ATS is new software that reads your résumé before the employer does.  It has been updated and it now not only reads the keywords but also looks at what context they are used in.  If you say “Business Development”.  It wants to know what you mean by “Business Development”.  It is now looking at this résumé much like a human would.  You must show familiarity with the words “Business Development.”  According to Lisa Vaas, freelance consultant writer for the Ladders, ATS technology is getting smarter.  It actually looks at the role you have played in “Business Development.”  You need to be sure you include this term plus all the keywords related to “Business Development” or your résumé may  be missed.  In addition, list all software related to this field including Excel, Word, etc. and demonstrate your application of the software.

Next, be sure you research the companies with which you are going to be interviewing.  Make sure your career summary mirrors the position that you are applying for or your résumé will be missed.  Demonstrate your skills and experience.  These ATS programs can actually forecast where your career path should be leading.  If you do not fit the projected path because you have applied for an entry level position whereas you are actually qualified for a managerial position, you will confuse the software and it will kick you off the system.  Sites like Monster have areas where you can take pre-qualification tests and see how you come out.

If you apply to a company, several times, the ATS program will note discrepancies in the résumé.  However, it does make allowances for applying for different positions but you want to make sure there are no serious discrepancies.  Some ATS programs may assign points and if it looks like a good résumé for future positions, it may alert a hiring authority before the job is actually posted.

Another thing you want to do is be sure to include a good cover letter.  It lets the company know you took the time out to do research.  Call and find out who is in charge of the department for the company that you are applying for and direct the letter to them.  Have you researched the company to see who their customers, vendors, and competition are?  What is the company culture?  Are they having any particular problems.  What are some of their major accomplishments?  Is there a particular project they are working on or a product they are promoting? 

Let the company know why you are applying to this particular company.  Weave a story that will entice them if you must but keep it brief.  For example,  “As a child, I was awed by stories of astronauts landing on the moon, but even more intriguing was the knowledge that someone had to build the space ships.  My goal was to become was of those builders.  Early on, I begin reading everything I could about space ships and making diagrams and drawings.  I was President of my Science Club and initiated projects which planned trips to the Moon where we came up with models.”  Then list your skills and training.

You may become aware that some of the positions you are looking for may not be readily available or may be on hold at the present time.  For instance, many major law firms have put recruitment on hold for new associates until the year 2010.  What can you do if the position you trained for and are looking to fill is not available?  There are several options.  You can look for another job in a related field or that may lead to the eventual position you are interested in.  Another thought is to do volunteer work where you can apply your skills.  You can also take a lesser paying job just to get your foot in the door.  You may not start out at a fantastic pay rate but at least you have your foot in the door and you will also be able to add it to your résumé.  Next time you apply for a job in your field, you can answer that you volunteered your services as a Network Administrator to a charitable organization instead of “I took a year off touring the various beaches.”  Another thought is to take more classes and seminars in your chosen field.  Get any licensing that is required out of the way.  This will show persistence on your part and the fact that you take your career seriously.

Another point that is extremely important and can be very aggravating to the caller is your message on your telephone.  If it’s not businesslike, change it.  No one wants to be on hold while someone is singing in the background or telling jokes.  Make is short and sweet, professional sounding.  Have a professional person review your message and give you their input.

Check your web pages, Facebook, MySpace.  Clean up anything you think looks unprofessional.  You don’t want to lose out on that job because your website showed you doing some heavy partying or questionable activities.

When you do go for the interview.  Your clothes should be clean and pressed, suited to the job you are applying for.  Personal hygiene is taken care of and no wild hairdos.  If you have tattoos cover them up.  Hopefully you have researched the companies when you were preparing your résumé and cover letter so that when you finally go to the interview you will be confident.  Don’t use acronyms or industry specific jargon unless you know exactly what they mean.  Have direct eye contact.  Do not infringe on the interviewers space.  When you go to the interview, make sure you have several copies of your résumé as you may be interviewed by several people.

There are many job fairs being  held.  Attend as many as you can.  Even if you don’t land a job, you will at least have practiced your interviewing skills.  Ask for feedback from the interviewer.  Be sincere and take it as constructive criticism.  This is meant to help you.

You will be making your mark in tomorrow’s world.  If you are prepared you can get started right away.  It’s frightening but it’s also challenging and exciting.  Look at it as a big adventure because it is.  It is your life and life is what you make of it.  Surround yourself with positive thoughts, smile.  Be ready to face the future and good luck to you.

Celia Dorr

CEO Résumé

985-516-9322

www.ceoresume.com

Why Is My Résumé Not Producing Results?

First, be sure to include your name, address, telephone number, and email address at the top of the page.  It’s amazing how many people put their contact information at the bottom.  Make it easy for the recruiter to contact you.  Check your telephone outgoing message to make sure that it sounds professional.  No music or cute messages.  This is going to create an impression with the person that wants to hire you.  Many people have lengthy music or weird messages that go on for several minutes.  When I worked as a recruiter, I just hung up rather than sit through all that.  I figured if they didn’t answer professionally, they probably weren’t serious about working.

When a prospective employer views your résumé, you have 10-15 seconds in which to capture the reader’s attention.  Your skills must satisfy their need.  In addition, you must ensure that your résumé is internet friendly so that it comes up in requirement searches.  How do you insure that it will in fact be selected by the search engines.

Banner Statement

Next, do not use an objective.  It has become rather stale as people continually use it in the wrong way.  Typically, people word it, “A challenging position that offers substantial growth” or something along those lines.  The employer is not interested in the fact that you want a challenging position.  This word is very overused.  And if you want growth, you will work for it.

A better way is to type in title of the position you are applying for followed by a banner statement.  For example:

General Manager

Hands-on Manager with 20 years experience in Decorative Plumbing and Hardware Retail Operations, successfully reorganized operations, streamlined processes, increased profitability from $1.5 million to $26 million.

In this first statement you tell them that you have 20 years experience.  It shows that you are in the Plumbing and Hardware Industry and that you are in Retail Operations.  It also demonstrates your expertise in working with others and not just delegating, focus on bringing money into the organization, efficiency, and productivity.  This statement is geared for catching the reader’s attention quickly.  This should be followed immediately by those skills and experience you bring to the job.

Qualifications

I find it fascinating when I review a résumé that I have to hunt for the words that tell me why I would want to hire this person.  In order to capture both the reader’s attention, and be found by the search engines, you must have your qualifications right at the beginning.  These are also known as keywords.  For example: 

I usually list them in two columns following the banner statement and I call this section Professional Qualifications or Profile of Qualifications.   In a functional résumé, you could also use these qualifications as headings for the various accomplishments and career benchmarks.

When applying for a specific job, make sure you include keywords that appear in the company’s job description.    If the job description does not contain keywords, look up the company and search for specific phrases or terminology.  When a company pulls up your resume, it will be because the search engines found the keywords that matched their search. 

Work History

This next section is extremely important.  You want to quantify every statement you made above:  For example:

Again, your research comes in handy because you can focus your accomplishments on what the company is looking for.  If they look for productivity, then state your accomplishments which reflect that productivity.  If you are seeking a position in marketing, highlight your marketing accomplishments.

Every action should have a result.  Your work history should not sound like a job description.  It is not necessary to go back more than ten years.  Most of the information is probably obsolete, particularly in the case of IT Specialists.  Software and Hardware changes are constant and rapidly changing so something you did ten years ago would probably be obsolete now.

You want to show the employer that you have been successful so think about things you have accomplished, awards you have received.  Did you save the company money, increase sales, expand territory, solve a problem, etc.

When you list your position, determine if it is a commonly used title or is it one only your company uses?  Make sure that it is the one that most companies use as that will be how they find you.

Instead of using words that describe you; i.e.,  “competent” or “knowledgeable”, demonstrate your competency or your knowledge.  Do not just say the words. 

Use power words that lend more weight to what you do including:  maximized, launched, prevented, established, generated, streamlined.  Example, “Integrated preventive firewalls and security measures which resulted in achieving a secure environment with no data loss or security breaches for the past five years.”

Education

The only time your education appears before your work history is if you are a recent graduate and if it is relevant to the position for which you are applying for.  You should include the date because the recruiter will ask for it anyway.  Make sure you also put in any continuing education classes or seminars that you have attended which are relevant to the position.

Professional Associations

List relevant associations in your résumé but I would not include anything which would raise the flag of discrimination; in other words, anything that reflects, race, heritage, or age.

Some General Do’s and Don’ts

§             Your résumé should be easy to read.  Do not make it too busy.  No narrow margins or the eyes will go off the page.  Leave plenty of white space.  A 1- page résumé is preferred but if the information is crammed, 2 pages are better.  Even engineering and IT resumes can be kept to 1-2 pages.  An exception would be a federal résumé.  Remember, it’s what you say, not the length of the message that gets the interview.

§             Use bulleted items but do not overwhelm the reader with bullets.  Be consistent.  Do not use more than one type of bullet.

§             Proofread the résumé and then give it to 2-3 other people to read.  No spelling, grammar or formatting errors.  Check dates and consistency of format.  I had a lady applying for an Administrative Assistant position that had several typos and the formatting was horrible.  The paragraphs did not wrap correctly and it was very obvious.  It looked like she just threw it together without looking.  When I asked her about it, she said she was in a “hurry”.  I asked here what she would do if she had a rush project that had to go out.  Is this evidence of what it would look like?

§             Use good, linen paper, not copy paper.  Do not use bright, brilliant colored papers or graphic papers.  In the 90s, this worked, but it does not work now unless you are a graphic artist.  If you are, you might package your résumé in a creative way but also send a traditional résumé.  I have seen some striking examples of resumes by artists and they do attract your attention.  A tip for a culinary cook might be to cook up a fantastic dish and have it delivered to the Head Chef or the owner of the restaurant.  Attach your résumé and ask for an interview.

§             Customize your résumé to fit the employer.  Be sure to spend time researching the company.

§             Your résumé is your first introduction to the recruiter.  Do not copy someone else’s résumé.  This should be a reflection of you, your successes, your triumphs, your solutions. 

§             Put your best foot forward.  Leave out photos no matter how beautiful or handsome you are unless you are applying for a position as a model or entertainer in which case you would attach the photo to the résumé. 

§             Personal information should not appear on the résumé at all.  And never, ever use the personal pronouns “I”, “Me,” or “My.”  Always write in third person. 

§             Your current or former supervisor’s name and telephone number do not appear on the résumé.  Do not list why you left the company on your résumé.  References and salary history should be on a separate page.  This information would also go on the Employer’s Application.

Unfortunately, one résumé is not always enough.  With the winds of change, we too must adapt as we transition into new areas.   Review your résumé and see if you meet the above criteria.  If it does not, you need to work on it.  If you have problems, there are many excellent books where you can find information or go online.  If you are still overwhelmed, then have it professionally written.  It will be a great investment in your future.  This is a major step in your job search and you want to be sure that you are well equipped.

Upcoming Job Fairs

Event:                    Business and Career Solutions Center job fair – Baton Rouge

Date:                      April 7, 2009

Time:                     9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Location:                Baton Rouge Crowne Plaza Hotel
                                    (formerly Holiday Inn Executive Center)

Address:                4728 Constitution Ave., Baton Rouge

Contact:                 Bob Hartman, Business and Career Solutions Center
                                    Veterans Unit, 225-922-1320

Sponsor:                Business and Career Solutions Center

Information:            The first two hours, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., are reserved for veterans only. The final two hours, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., are open to everyone. Scheduled to participate are Hancock Bank of Louisiana, the United States Army, Northrop Grumman Corporations, Ferrara Fire Apparatus Inc., RBC Insurance, NBC33/WGMB FOX44, Hometown Heroes Teach-University of West Florida, RaceTrac, Lofton Staffing & Security Services, Acadian Ambulance, Helmets to Hardhats, DirecTechSW, U.S. Dept. of Education, Louisiana Troops to Teachers Program, Cox Communications, St. James Place, Louisiana Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Strategic Restaurants (Burger King), Pelican Chapter Associated Builders & Contractors Inc., Louisiana National Guard, BREC, Crowne Plaza Hotel, U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Brink’s U.S., Marine Systems Inc., Piccadilly Restaurants, Gilico, Union Pacific Railroad, Spherion, Popeyes, Delta Downs Racetrack, ABClean/Pneumatic Industrial Services and Danos & Curole. Other employers interested in participating should contact Bob Hartman at 225-922-1320 or rhartman@ldol.state.la.us

Successfully Attending a Job Fair

While the rest of the nation experiences high unemployment rates, Louisiana actually dropped from 5.5% to 5.1%.  Still, there are areas like Shreveport-Bossier where unemployment has reared its ugly head and is now 7.3%.  Despite this, many companies are hiring even as others lay off in order to stay afloat.  One of the ways to find who is hiring is through a job fair.

There is a wealth of information to be obtained at a job fair.  There are general job fairs put on by LA Workforce, Employment Guide, colleges such as Southeastern, LSU and many other sources.  There are also industry or employer specific job fairs such as the healthcare industry, education, veterans, etc.  Many employers are represented, and this gives you a window into who is hiring and what specific jobs may be out there.  In addition, you can network among other jobseekers, get ideas on job searches, sharpen interview skills, and make important industry contacts.

Over the years I have attended numerous job fairs and would like to offer some advice on how to successfully work a job fair and what makes a good or bad impression.

1.      Arrival – Many attendees arrived early and on time.  Others arrived throughout the day.  Then there were the ones that arrived just before closing. 

Impression: People who arrived early were very interested in obtaining a job.  You can probably count on them to be on time and on the job on a daily basis.  On the other hand, the people who arrived just before closing either just found out about the job fair or really did not want a job.  It made you wonder why they had even showed up.  These people often did not directly approach any table immediately.  Most just wandered around picking up handouts.  Again, I thought, why are they here?

2.      Dressed for Interview – People who took the time to dress for the interview made a good impression.  They appeared serious about their job search..  These were not just managerial applicants, but also administrative, and skilled workers.  Then there were those applicants who looked like they had just gotten out of bed, threw something on and ran down there.  Needless to say, they usually were not prepared in all areas.

Impression:  Employers are drawn to people who look like they took the time to prepare for an interview beginning with their attire.   There is no excuse for not being dressed for the interview.  You would be surprised at how many people disregard these simple rules. 

§        Get a haircut; no extreme hair do’s, shoes shined and in good repair.

§        Personal hygiene is a must.  This includes using deodorant.

§        Cover tattoos.  Many employers are turned off by tattoos. 

§        No heavy perfume or cologne.  Leave outrageous dress at home.

Men:  Wear a suit or sports coat and trousers.  Outfit should be pressed and clean.  For some jobs such as construction, you may be able to wear casual attire.  Casual attire means no shorts, droopy pants, and clothing is spotless.

Women:  Wear a suit or business dress.  Pants suits are fine.  Outfit should be pressed and clean.  Keep jewelry to a minimum.  You may wear business casual if you are applying for a position as a truck driver, construction worker, or a mechanic.  Retail, dress up.  No matter what industry you are applying for, dress for that position.  No outrageous dress.

It is not necessary to spend a huge amount of money on clothing.  There are many discount stores offering good values.  Look into consignment shops or thrift shops.  Many times dress shirts can be found for $2.00.  If you keep an eye out, you can find men’s suits or dress pants, women’s suits, business dresses, nice blouses, handbags, and shoes.  There are also some churches or organizations that offer clothing for jobseekers.  Look into these options if you do not have interview attire and have a low budget.

3.      Resume – Have plenty of resumes on hand.  Scan them before you leave home.  Do you have the proper wording or is it simply a job description?

Impression:  I found many of the resumes needed substantial improvement.  These are items that particularly stood out.

§        Poor Quality Paper – Use linen paper.

§        Glaring Errors – Typos or Formatting.

§        Too Narrow Margins – Leads the readers eyes off the paper.

§        Skills – Often found at the end instead of the top 1/3 of the paper.  Reader should not have to hunt for what you can do.

§        Very Few “Internet Friendly” Resumes – You must have keywords in your resume so the search engines can find you.

§        Results – Employers like to see action equals results! 

4.      Interview – Prepare for the interview process.  Do some role playing with others. 

Impression:  Employers spend more time with applicants who know about the company and what jobs are available.  Obviously they have taken the extra effort to find information beforehand.  They also exhibited more confidence. 

§        Research companies that may be attending. 

§        Be pleasant, but know when you have used up your time.

§        Practice questions that might be asked of you.  Think about how you come across.  You want to excite the company not scare them off.

§        Don’t get personal.  Stick to the facts relevant to the position.

§        Think about what you want to ask the employer. 

§        Do not carry food or drink with you into the interview room, and no chewing gum.

§        Do not set your items on their table – You are infringing on their space.

If you follow the above advice, you should feel confident when you attend Job Fairs.  Even if you don’t land a job there, you have an opportunity to practice your interview skills and you may make important contacts.  Be sure to ask the interviewer if he knows of other people in either his company or industry who you could follow up with. 

Remember, preparation is the key to attending a job fair. 

A reminder for job seekers:  Bring lots of resumes and dress for interviews.

Celia Dorr

Professional Resume Writer

CEO Resume

www.ceoresume.com

Initial Research on “What Do I Bring to the Job Market?”

Now this gives you some insight. 

      If you are in sales, you can definitely relate.  You are a go-getter, and you love the challenge of acquiring new territories, meeting new clients and adding them to your client database.  You know how to take care of your customers when things go well but more importantly when they go wrong..

      Things you need to work on:  Hmm, it looks like you want to do it all.  The result is you get behind which can lead to stress.  You realize you need to work on delegating responsibilities and time management.

      The first is helpful in both the resume that you will be preparing and for the interview.  The second statement tells you that you must be prepared to show that you can delegate and work in a team environment.  If you have not done that before, now is the time to think of what you can do to improve that liability. 

      Other often overlooked sources are people who know you, your peers, colleagues, friends, and family members.  Remember, to tell them to be objective and do not take anything personally.  Their input is meant to help you.  You could make it a game like, “write down one thing you like about the way I do my job,”  “one thing about how I interact with people,” “things you would trust me with.”  Okay, now, this is the hard one.  Ask for suggestions on how you could improve.  Remember, these suggestions are meant to help.  Years ago when I was mentoring someone who had worked with me, I was stunned at her description of me.  She said, “You made us follow the rules so that projects deadlines were met. You seemed to be taking care of so many things at once, yet you always took the time to help.”   As systems administrator for a 37-man law firm, my role was to ensure the system ran efficiently, document production was scheduled on time, and the staff fully trained.  In addition, I was the “Help” desk.  This conversation gave me an awareness of what I did in her eyes.  I was a manager, scheduler, teacher, and multi-tasker.  As you speak with people, remember what they have to say is important.  Write it down.  Accept constructive criticism.  My questions to the person who gave me input were?  Did I appear to be a team player?  Did she consider me approachable?  Did I seem too busy?  These were important answers for me to know.

      Next, take a serious look at what you have done throughout your career.  Even a small event can have significance for someone else.  Did you come up with a new way of handling delinquent accounts?  As a result were the outstanding collectibles reduced significantly?  If you are an administrative assistant who walked into an office that was in chaos, did you immediately start organizing files and procedures?  These are called “accomplishments”. 

      Accomplishments do not just happen in the workplace.  Review what you have accomplished as a volunteer, at your children’s school, as a college student, or as a participant in a business organization.  I recently spoke with a woman who helped launch a fundraiser at her son’s school that culminated in the creation of a sports center for their school.  She proudly announced that they were breaking ground as we spoke.  That was a huge accomplishment. 

      Collect this information on an ongoing basis.  When I started this article, I asked you to write your comments on a sheet of paper.  That is just the start.  A better thought would be to have a notebook handy.  Review this information on a daily basis.  Write down ideas, thoughts and questions that come to mind or inspire you in your job search.  Humor goes a long way in these times.  If someone offers good information for your job search such as a person whom you should contact, make sure you have a section in that notebook for referrals. 

      This has been a preliminary exercise in gathering data about yourself. You listed your skills, found out how you applied them.  Asked for feedback on how people perceived your job performance, and even listed accomplishments.   The more data you collect, the more product knowledge you will acquire.  This is great information towards composing your resume.  You will have confidence in promoting the product you are selling—You.  In the interview, you will have a good understanding of who you are.  Remember that statement, “Tell me about yourself.”

      In coming articles, I will demonstrate just how you can put the information you have gathered to good use.  Remember, you are the product and no one knows you better than you yourself do.  Sometimes we just have to dig the information out.

A special note to job seekers:  Bring lots of resumes and dress for interviews.

Celia Dorr, Professional Resume Writer

CEO Resume

www.ceoresume.com