There's so much advice for job seekers. It can leave your head spinning and hopping from one trend to the next. Believe me, I've been there, done that, and visit on occasion.
The following list has become my go-to whenever I'm job hunting, which for most people
will be once every five years. Maybe you can glean from my job search adventures.
1. Reject the "one-size-fits-all" mindset:
I wish I could give you a step-by-step list of how to land your next job. I sincerely want to tell you exactly how to dress for the interview, how to format your resume to solicit more views from hiring managers, and how firm to shake the interviewers hand. But I can't. Why not? Because all job seekers are different, and not all companies are alike. Each and every company is looking for something different from their employees.
Each company has their own culture, values, and leadership style. For example: some companies steer clear of single parents, fearing the employee will need too much time away from the office to attend to sick children, dentist appointments, etc. While other companies seek single parents because they view them as hard workers - one works extra hard for the sole income stream sustaining your family.
So in light of this, what can I tell you? Know yourself. Determine your values and make decisions based on those values.
2. Get online - now!
If you're already on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, you know this. You can move on to #3. These are the bare minimum, regardless of your occupation.
But what if they Google me? Assume you'll be Google'd, Yahoo'd and Bing'd. I used to avoid social media because of this, but instead of fearing the HR manager that wants to know more about you, make social work for you and not against you. It's better to project a professional image online than no image online. Besides, so many HR managers, department managers, and CEO's are online, so it only makes sense to be where they are so you can rub cyber elbows.
Why get online? Many companies are tweeting their open positions and posting open positions on LinkedIn. You'll be notified immediately, and you'll be ready because you've posted your resume and accomplishments on LinkedIn, along with links to your twitter account and Facebook page. And be yourself online -- be as professional or unprofessional as you want, because this is your job search and you want the right companies to target you. Just remember you reap what you sow...
3. Remove street addresses from your resume and business cards:
Email, cell #, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn are plenty contact info to provide your professional contacts. Don't forget to sanitize your online identity of street addresses, too. City, State and Zip are plenty for employers to identify local talent. Protect yourself.
4. Smurf-out at your next interview:
No, singing a happy tune is not the new interview trend. More people prefer blue as their favorite color. So wear some blue to your next interview, and it doesn't have to be navy blue. Try baby blue, sky blue, ocean blue, turquoise, slate blue or midnight blue. Plus, blue flatters all skin colors.
5. Treat your job search like any other job:
Try to maintain your schedule as much as possible when you were employed. The early bird gets the worm. Keep your skills sharp by taking classes. Volunteer, too, if your schedule permits. Bonus points if the volunteer position lines up with your occupation. These activities will keep you busy, keep you fresh, keep you from suffering the "unemployment depression", will help you meet new people that can help you with your job search, give you good references, and will give you a great answer when you're asked, "So, what have you been doing while you've been out of work?" Yes, you will be asked this question in your interviews.
6. Get some referrals:
Referrals go a long way, especially in today's job search when there are tons of candidates and one position. Hiring managers simply want to hire the right person for the job, and there are just so many good candidates. Make yourself stand out.
7. Take care of yourself:
Maintain your self care as much as possible. Exercise, eat well, and maintain friendships. The results will be obvious in your interviews and in your overall attitude.
8. Master your Deer-in-the-headlights-look:
Sure, you can search the latest HR trends on the internet and probably have a good handle on what kinds of questions are being asked in interviews these days. I'm all for that. And you are certainly practicing your answers to these questions. But let's face it -- there will be the one question asked that you didn't expect. You'll freeze, look around the room, and it'll be obvious you don't have an answer. Avoid this scenario by practicing how you'll answer a question you weren't expecting. You'll probably get asked one or two; these questions are designed to see how well you think on your feet and react to situations you didn't see coming. Usually there is no right answer to these questions. But you can have a good reaction hidden up your sleeve.
9. Don't wait for them to make the first move:
Do a lot of research on the companies you want to work for. This means you have to target companies and purposefully get to know these companies - it's the only way. Be bold - set-up an interview with an HR rep in the company. Ask for just a few minutes of their time. Have them tell you about their company, things that you can't find out by simply searching their website. Say, "I've done some research about your company and I'd like to hear more." Of course, they may not be hiring at the moment, and that's OK. You'll be gracious enough to listen to them describe the company, and you'll be confident enough to ask for their business card and their LinkedIn profile, so you can connect online.
10. Update your look:
Get some honest feedback about whether your professional attire could use a makeover. Try to look as modern as possible with your clothes and hair, without spending big bucks.
The following list has become my go-to whenever I'm job hunting, which for most people
will be once every five years. Maybe you can glean from my job search adventures.
1. Reject the "one-size-fits-all" mindset:
I wish I could give you a step-by-step list of how to land your next job. I sincerely want to tell you exactly how to dress for the interview, how to format your resume to solicit more views from hiring managers, and how firm to shake the interviewers hand. But I can't. Why not? Because all job seekers are different, and not all companies are alike. Each and every company is looking for something different from their employees.
Each company has their own culture, values, and leadership style. For example: some companies steer clear of single parents, fearing the employee will need too much time away from the office to attend to sick children, dentist appointments, etc. While other companies seek single parents because they view them as hard workers - one works extra hard for the sole income stream sustaining your family.
So in light of this, what can I tell you? Know yourself. Determine your values and make decisions based on those values.
2. Get online - now!
If you're already on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, you know this. You can move on to #3. These are the bare minimum, regardless of your occupation.
But what if they Google me? Assume you'll be Google'd, Yahoo'd and Bing'd. I used to avoid social media because of this, but instead of fearing the HR manager that wants to know more about you, make social work for you and not against you. It's better to project a professional image online than no image online. Besides, so many HR managers, department managers, and CEO's are online, so it only makes sense to be where they are so you can rub cyber elbows.
Why get online? Many companies are tweeting their open positions and posting open positions on LinkedIn. You'll be notified immediately, and you'll be ready because you've posted your resume and accomplishments on LinkedIn, along with links to your twitter account and Facebook page. And be yourself online -- be as professional or unprofessional as you want, because this is your job search and you want the right companies to target you. Just remember you reap what you sow...
3. Remove street addresses from your resume and business cards:
Email, cell #, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn are plenty contact info to provide your professional contacts. Don't forget to sanitize your online identity of street addresses, too. City, State and Zip are plenty for employers to identify local talent. Protect yourself.
4. Smurf-out at your next interview:
No, singing a happy tune is not the new interview trend. More people prefer blue as their favorite color. So wear some blue to your next interview, and it doesn't have to be navy blue. Try baby blue, sky blue, ocean blue, turquoise, slate blue or midnight blue. Plus, blue flatters all skin colors.
5. Treat your job search like any other job:
Try to maintain your schedule as much as possible when you were employed. The early bird gets the worm. Keep your skills sharp by taking classes. Volunteer, too, if your schedule permits. Bonus points if the volunteer position lines up with your occupation. These activities will keep you busy, keep you fresh, keep you from suffering the "unemployment depression", will help you meet new people that can help you with your job search, give you good references, and will give you a great answer when you're asked, "So, what have you been doing while you've been out of work?" Yes, you will be asked this question in your interviews.
6. Get some referrals:
Referrals go a long way, especially in today's job search when there are tons of candidates and one position. Hiring managers simply want to hire the right person for the job, and there are just so many good candidates. Make yourself stand out.
7. Take care of yourself:
Maintain your self care as much as possible. Exercise, eat well, and maintain friendships. The results will be obvious in your interviews and in your overall attitude.
8. Master your Deer-in-the-headlights-look:
Sure, you can search the latest HR trends on the internet and probably have a good handle on what kinds of questions are being asked in interviews these days. I'm all for that. And you are certainly practicing your answers to these questions. But let's face it -- there will be the one question asked that you didn't expect. You'll freeze, look around the room, and it'll be obvious you don't have an answer. Avoid this scenario by practicing how you'll answer a question you weren't expecting. You'll probably get asked one or two; these questions are designed to see how well you think on your feet and react to situations you didn't see coming. Usually there is no right answer to these questions. But you can have a good reaction hidden up your sleeve.
9. Don't wait for them to make the first move:
Do a lot of research on the companies you want to work for. This means you have to target companies and purposefully get to know these companies - it's the only way. Be bold - set-up an interview with an HR rep in the company. Ask for just a few minutes of their time. Have them tell you about their company, things that you can't find out by simply searching their website. Say, "I've done some research about your company and I'd like to hear more." Of course, they may not be hiring at the moment, and that's OK. You'll be gracious enough to listen to them describe the company, and you'll be confident enough to ask for their business card and their LinkedIn profile, so you can connect online.
10. Update your look:
Get some honest feedback about whether your professional attire could use a makeover. Try to look as modern as possible with your clothes and hair, without spending big bucks.
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