Six Ways To Research A Company

I have asked many job seekers how they spend their time, specifically, what job search activities take the most amount of time. Inevitably, job seekers will say that they spend the majority of their time "researching". Ask what that means and you'll likely get as many answers as people you ask.

So, here are six things you can do in your research of a prospective employer:

  1. If the company is publicly traded, review their filings and earning reports
  2. Call their customer service or technical support department. Call several times, at different times of the day, and ask the same question. It's amazing what you can learn about the organization doing that.
  3. Follow the company on LinkedIn. Find out who does what at the company.
  4. Talk to your friends. Use LinkedIn to find out who you know that works there currently and who has worked there in the past.
  5. Have lunch, or grab a coffee, at nearby establishments. You might be amazed at what "chatter" you hear.
  6. Identify their competitors, and repeat the same steps.

Take notes on each company and prepare a SWOT analysis for each. Do this for a few companies and see what comparisons you can make.

Now that you know a little more about the company it's time to ask yourself if your skills can benefit the company, and is there an opening?

What Do I Want To Do When I Grow Up?

The question, "What do I want to do when I grow up?" and its brother, "What do I want to be when I grow up?" are usually asked tongue-in-cheek. Adults that are clearly old enough to be considered "grown up" are said to be "not sure what they want to do when they grow up" by friends and family when they describe why they made a job or career change. I grew up in a household where I wasn't often asked what I wanted to be, or do, when I grew up. And I don't remember having a passion around any specific job when I was a young child. When I got older and started working I learned there were jobs that I loved and jobs that I didn't love. Inevitably, there would be parts of every job that I loved, and parts of every job that I didn't love. There was no job that I loved 100% of the time, and none that I didn't love 100% of the time.

As adults, especially those in a job or career transition, we are trained to think of work in terms of a job. Instead, we think of tasks. Work is, after all, the sum of many tasks.

What tasks truly energize you? Jot down a list of these tasks.

Need some help identifying what those things are for you? Ask yourself these questions:

  1. What tasks bring you the greatest sense of job satisfaction?
  2. What tasks are you never late on?
  3. What tasks or talents do others say you are an expert in?
  4. What tasks seem less like work and more like play?
  5. What were you doing the last time you totally lost track of time?

Once you know what tasks you really enjoy, it's time to assess your job-search. Are you applying for jobs where these tasks are present, where the skill to do these tasks are needed? Use your list as a guide. Look for jobs that have more of the skills you enjoy.

 

Did Former Stockton Police Chief Copy Former Yahoo CEO?

A couple of months ago, the CEO of Yahoo, Scott Thompson, resigned. The likely cause was his resume flap. He had said he graduated with a bachelor's degree in accounting and computer science from Stonehill College. It was later discovered that his degree was in accounting only. Lying on your resume is stupid.

Period.

Sure, people do it. It is still stupid.

So, I was surprised to read about former Police Chief Ulring bowing out of the running for the Police Chief job in Spokane because of a possible issue with the education on his resume.

As an optimist, I am sure that there is a very reasonable explanation. Regardless, if there was even a hint of doubt in the legitimacy of the university, it should not have been listed.

This should serve as a reminder to all: it doesn't pay to be less than 100% honest and transparent on your resume. Companies and hiring managers are more connected than they have ever been and can quickly sniff out lies, inconsistencies, and exaggerations.

 

 

Links:

money.cnn.com/2012/05/13/technology/yahoo-ceo-out/index.htm recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120725/A_NEWS/207250325 spokesman.com/stories/2012/jul/24/chief-candidates-resume-questioned/

 

The Case For The Resume

We are not in the "post-resume" era. By the way, it's 2012. Where is my jetpack?!?

There is no shortage of bad advice out there. The article, "Are social media making the resume obsolete?", on CNN.com, does not necessarily give bad advice. But, it can easily lead job seekers down the wrong road.

For the vast majority of jobs out there, you still need a good ol' fashioned resume. A one-page, results oriented, reverse chronological, resume. And to be more specific, a resume written in Microsoft Word.

There certainly are jobs out there for which sending a resume is no longer the norm. And I'm sure, over time, the process of we find work will continue to evolve, just as work itself, yet the resume is still important today.

Even if you don't print and mail your resume, you still need to format your resume for printing. I fully acknowledge that the days of printing and mailing resumes are nearly gone, that doesn't mean that the recipient won't print yours.

Still waiting for my jetpack.

Change of Scenery - the Einstein Test

Albert Einstein said that insanity is doing the same thing, over and over again, but expecting different results. I remind myself of this when I get in a rut. Or, anytime I don't get the results I want. If your job search isn't going as well as you'd like, perhaps it's time to change up your routine. I realize that sounds simple, but it can be a challenge.

A change of scenery might re-invigorate your search. Ask yourself, with every job search action you take,  "Have I done this before?". If you have, don't do it. No matter how successful you think it will be this time.

That's the Einstein Test. Are you doing the same thing, over and over again, expecting the results to be different?

We are all, at some level, creatures of habit. You go to the same websites and job boards, maybe even from the same spot at the same coffee shop while drinking the same iced white mocha.

Try something different today, something you've never done.

Use Evernote to Track Your Accomplishments

As I wrote about before, it is important to track all of your accomplishments in real-time. There are many ways to keep this vital task simple. One great way to do it is to use Evernote, the note taking application. With desktop versions of the software available for iPhone, iPod Touch, BlackBerry, and Droid, desktop versions for Mac and Windows, and available on Evernote.com, there is no excuse to not use Evernote. The free account offers plenty of features and online storage space for most consumers.

Set up a new notebook and give it a catchy name like, 'Master Resume' or 'Accomplishments for Resume'. Every time you have an accomplishment, add it to that Evernote notebook. To make it even easier, create an e-mail address to send notes directly to Evernote.

Next time you get an e-mail from your boss complimenting you on your awesome client presentation or when you get the monthly report that shows 50% sales growth in your territory, send it to Evernote. When you call us to have your resume updated, you'll have a bucket full of accomplishments.

Just Started New Job? Update Your Resume!

Did you start a new job this week? If so, congratulations! Time to update your resume!

Yes, you read correctly. At the end of your first day, update your resume with your new position and duties. Don't worry if you don't have any accomplishments yet - those will come.

Too many times, job seekers, employed and unemployed alike, face stress and anxiety when they're asked for their resume. Take the action that will make that stress and anxiety disappear. Update your resume with your new job... the one you just started this week! And then take the time to keep it updated, a few minutes every month will usually be enough. The future job-seeker inside of you will the thank the present you.

LinkedIn Does Not A Network Make

Just because you're on LinkedIn doesn't mean you're building your network or even "networking".

I have been on LinkedIn for a few years now and have found it to be a very helpful tool in keeping track of all of the career movement out there. When I am looking to hire someone, or want to make a referral to a hiring manager or recruiter, LinkedIn is often the first place I visit. On many occasions, I have also been able to connect with people with whom I had lost track.

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LinkedIn is a tool for gathering your contacts' information. It is not, however, the only one.  I use an application on my Mac that has proven to be a great tool for maintaining contact info.  Nothing high tech here. It's called Address Book and comes, with little fanfare, on every Mac.  For those on Windows machines, I guess you could use Outlook or build your own in Excel or Access. I maintain my address book with religious devotion. People are, after all, how and why the world works. I treasure my family, my friends, my colleagues and people in general. I keep up to date contact details and reach out to everyone I know every few months or so. It is a practice that has given me great joy through the years.

I take great pride in maintaining my professional relationships. Staying in contact with people has proven valuable many times. Add to that the fact that most would call me a pretty “social” person; I genuinely enjoy meeting and spending time with people. Every success I have had in my career is thanks to the help from, and lessons I have learned from, other people. Learning new things and growing starts with building and maintaining strong relationships.

To help you build your network, here are my five tips for using LinkedIn:

1.Shareyour contact information. I am happy to share my work and personal e-mail addresses, work, home and cell phone numbers with anyone in my network. If you are not willing to share all of your contact details with someone, you have no business sending them an invite on LinkedIn.

2.Don’t discriminate. LinkedIn represents only a small percentage of what would be considered my professional network. I believe in building my professional network indiscriminately; I don’t just focus on those that are on LinkedIn, thus my reason for using Address Book. As a rule, I never send a “join LinkedIn” invite to people that I know that aren’t on LinkedIn. Chances are, they know about it already and I don’t need LinkedIn to stay in touch with them.

3.Personalizeyour introduction and invitation request. “Because you are a person I trust...” and “I'd like to add you to my professional network...” is code word for “You’re not important enough to me to take the time to write a personal note.” Okay, I admit, that’s a bit much, but is it really that hard to customize that message? If you get a link request from me I promise you’ll get a customized note!

4.Buildingmeaningful relationships starts byadding value. Your professional network is not there for you to feed upon. Look for ways you can contribute to others.  Check in with people, ask how you can help. Make meeting new people a priority. And please, when you do, stick your hand out and introduce yourself.

5.Stayin contact. My Mother, being in business for herself most of her life, planted the seeds for this practice early in my life. She taught me that staying in contact is the most important rule in building relationships. Make a point to reach out to your contacts regularly. My goal is to reach out to everyone every three months. Admittedly, I fall a little behind from time to time but would never dream of letting six months or more go without sending out a quick e-mail, phone call or card (yes, hand written cards rock). If you value your relationships, stay in contact. My trick: schedule time on your calendar to follow up. After years of doing this, it comes natural and the rewards are immense.

Networking, as a term, gets a bad rap. Building relationships is about sharing and adding value.

If you want to link with me, you know where to find me.

this post originally posted on mattbeckwith.com April 14, 2009

You're The CEO?

If you own your own business, you likely wear many hats. If you own a very small business (you're the only employee), you wear all the hats. You started a shoe-shine business; you're doing computer repair; you have a great website that sells Furbies. Congratulations.

Now you're looking for a traditional job. And on your resume, you list your title as CEO, likely because that is what you put on your business card. There is nothing wrong with considering yourself the CEO of your small business.

But should you put it on your resume?

When hiring managers see your resume and you are listed as CEO, they chuckle.

Were you appointed by your board of directors? What's that? You don't have a board of directors?

If you're company does not have a board of directors, the body to which a CEO typically reports, consider giving yourself a different title.

If you're a one-person shop and you give yourself the title of CEO, you can come across as being focused on prestige and how others perceive you, more than serving customers or achieving results.

How about just listing your title in plain english: Owner.

What Is Your E-Mail Address?

No matter what style your resume is in, I'll bet your name, address, phone number and e-mail address is on the top of the page. I remember writing resume before e-mail was as ubiquitous as it is today. Nearly everyone had an address that ended in aol.com or yahoo.com, as well as the occasional bigfoot.com (anyone remember that one?). And there was nothing worse than the 726651.98712@compuserve.com ones. But several years ago, I started seeing a disturbing trend of inappropriate e-mail addresses adorning the top of the page.

Candidates sent me resumes with e-mail addresses that looked like (slight variations made to protect the guilty):

  • sexxxymomma69@...
  • DrUnKiE21@...
  • partyanimalzzz@...
  • wonder44woman@...

As the hiring manager, can you guess what my perception of these candidates was? An e-mail address like one of those is a huge red-flag!

My recommendation? Create a unique e-mail address specific to your job search. Don't use it for forwarding jokes or registering for a dating website. There are a lot of great e-mail services out there, just pick one. GMail (the free e-mail service from Google) works perfect. For best results, use your real name as your handle if you can. If your name is Suzanne Queue, try to get suzanne.queue@gmail.com. By the way, you can add "." anywhere in your e-mail address.

Lastly, if you own your domain and your e-mail address is on that domain, everyone that sees your resume will visit your website. Make sure it's something you'd want a prospective employer to see.

Don't Think It, Ink It

Years ago, on 38 Proven Ways to Close that Sale, Mark Victor Hansen uttered the phrase, "Don't think it, ink it. Delegate it to document". That phrase stuck with me. It reminds me that if we will need to remember something, write it down!

That's exactly what you should be doing with your job duties and accomplishments. Whatever system you want to employ, you need to regularly record facts and statistics about your job.

Even a simple file folder will work. When you have something that may someday belong on your resume, print a copy and put in your folder.

Some things you should put in your folder:

  • Original offer letter
  • A copy of your job description
  • Performance evaluations
  • Copies of any performance reports
  • Written kudos and compliments
  • Training certifications

If you've not been doing this already, start today. Years from now you'll be glad you did.

A Great Job Advertisement!

My very first "job" was Advertising Clerk for Catalyst Personnel. It was my responsibility to read the classified ads in our local paper, the Stockton Record, and cut out the ads taken out by my employer. That was when I picked up the early habit of reading the help wanted ads, and I read them regularly for decades. Reading ads through the years has turned me into quite a critic. Oftentimes, ads lack specifics or have too much fluff. How many times have you read "shift paradigms while creating value-add"?

Well, every so often I read a very well put-together job advertisement.

I recently came across this advertisement for a position with 37signals, the company with web apps such as Basecamp, Backpack and Campfire. Compared to many job postings, there were a few things that caught my eye.

1. There is no job title. Really, they are looking for a teammate, but they didn't post a job title. The headline simply says, "Help us significantly improve conversion and retention."

2. The goal is simple: double sales in the next 12 months. How's that for clear?

3. The posting does not ask interested candidates to send in their resume. They didn't prescribe how you should apply, just that you should send an e-mail telling them why "you're the one". I'm still going to bet that those that focus on actual accomplishments will get more attention.

4. The comments remind me that some people enjoy being negative, even when it comes to a job search. I was shocked at some of the comments. From the nay-sayers proclaiming ... to those that are already asking about authority and, gulp, compensation. Clearly, an intelligent and talented job seeker will laugh at these comments and just apply for the job. All of those are questions they can bring up at a more appropriate time.

Best of luck to 37signals in their search for a new teammate!

 

Stockton Leads The Way In Job Growth

It's always great to read positive news. The Business Forecasting Center at the University of the Pacific released the “California and Metro Forecast: April 2012.” today.

The Stockton MSA continued job losses in 2011, but will make a strong return to job growth in 2012 with a 4% increase.

Click here to read the story from Central Valley Business Journal and download the report.

You Need a Resume

Originally posted on mattbeckwith.com 12/11/10 If you have a job, need a job, or believe someday you will need a job, you need a resume.

Really, you do.

I see a lot of resumes. And, yet, I still meet a lot of people that don’t have one. They have many reasons for not having an up-to-date resume. Frankly, none of them are good reasons.

Recent unemployment numbers show California with the third highest unemployment rate in the US (12.4%, higher than anytime in the last 30+ years) behind only Michigan (12.8%) and Nevada (14.2%). Recent reports show Stockton with a 16.6% unemployment rate. Additionally, for every job opening there are 5 unemployed people. I’m sure you don’t need those statistics to tell you that we are in a tight job market.

In this economy, with record unemployment, a resume is crucial. You might think that the only way to get a job is to “know someone on the inside”, someone in your target company that can help get your foot in the door. Your foot is a metaphor for your resume.

An opportunity to talk with a hiring manager may pop up at any time. The last thing you want to be doing is scrambling to put together a resume at the last minute.

A well crafted resume that highlights your accomplishments and how they can benefit your prospective employer is a good first step. Keep in mind, the only purpose your resume serves is to get you an interview.

Links: http://www.bls.gov/web/laus/laumstrk.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_unemployment_statistics http://www.bls.gov/web/jolts/jlt_labstatgraphs.pdf http://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/metro_11032010.pdf