You've undoubtedly heard the saying, "the early bird catches the worm". This is especially true during the job search.
It is best to be first. You want the hiring manager to read your resume first. You want to be interviewed first. Time favors the other candidates.
Read MoreIn a tight job-market, it is not uncommon to hear job-seekers complain of being turned away for being over-qualified. Ok, let's get real. Stop comparing being "over-qualified" to having "too much fun", they are nothing alike. Being over-qualified is a real risk. A real red flag.
What are the risks? When I see the resume of a candidate that is clearly over-qualified, a few things come to mind.
Will the candidate quickly get bored in this job?
Will they come across as a know-it-all to their co-workers?
If the pay is a lot lower, will they obsess about the pay? And most employees that think only about pay don't stick around long.
My advice:
Know your limits. Most over-qualified candidates say they don't mind the cut in pay, or the step down. That's not enough. Know exactly how much you are willing to take as a pay cut, and how much you (your ego) can step down. Don't look beyond your limits. If you're unemployed, it's easy to imagine yourself taking any job just to get a paycheck, but that is easier said than done.
Tailor your resume to the specific job. If you are a former restaurant manager applying for a server job, don't highlight your management experience over your experience waiting tables. Focus on what the prospective employer needs. You can (and should) explain your situation concisely in your cover letter, but don't use the same resume you would use for a manager job as you would for a server job.
Don't ignore what might be a red flag. Explain why you might be taking a step down and tailor your resume to the specific job, highlighting what the employer needs.
One of the most common questions we receive is whether to send a cover letter or not. There's a simple answer. Anytime you send your resume you should include a cover letter. Even if you're sending your resume via an online application, e-mail or through the mail (yes, believe it or not, that still happens from time to time).
No matter what name the potential employer gives it: letter of introduction, letter of intent, and others; it's still a cover letter.
The purpose of the cover letter is to make an introduction and to entice the reader to read your resume. You can also use the cover letter to address any potential red flags, such as a gap in employment or a drastic change in your career path.
Always make an effort to identify the person that will be receiving your resume - stay away from "To Whom It May Concern:" when possible.
Express your interest in learning more about the company or position.
Reiterate a specific success you've had in your career that matches something the employer is looking for.
Lastly, be sure to include your phone number and e-mail address, and that it matches what is on your resume.
Looking for a job can be hard work. Having a daily goal can help. Here are three suggested daily goals.
Set time aside every day to work on your job search. At a minimum, you should spend at least one hour a day focused on your job search, even if it has to be two half-hour sessions each day. Try to find a quiet place, free from distraction. For best results, schedule the same time every day. Building a good habit will pay off.
Stay positive - It can get very frustrating looking for a job. Stay positive and focused, if you let the search get to you, you will not be as effective as when you have a smile on your face.
The most successful job search is the one that never happens. Sounds like gibberish, I know. Allow me to explain.
If the goal is to get a job quickly, then the ultimate goal should be to find a job in zero days.
Through the years, I have discovered that the best way to find a job is to never stop looking for a job.
To decrease the amount of time it takes to find a job, never stop searching for a job. Although a more focused job search is best when you are truly looking, the goal here is to cast a much wider net. Here are five things you can do to keep your skills sharp when you're not looking:
As a cyclist, the best advice I've ever been given is "Eat before you're hungry". The same applies to the job search. Don't wait until you need to find a job. Build the habit and the skill when you don't need it so it's there when you do.
Happy Labor Day! Hopefully you have some interviews lined up this week. If you do, here are five things to do to improve your results. 1. Shake my hand. Even for the ladies, a firm, professional hand shake is customary.
2. Smile. I want to see your personality and no matter the position I am hiring for, being friendly matters.
3. Ask questions.
4. Answer my questions. Don't try to "out-smart" me by half-answering a direct question and then throwing in what you want to say. If you do well enough, you'll have the opportunity to tell me what you want.
5. Ask me for the job. But do so with care. There is a fine line between cocky and confident. Be confident. And if you're sure you've bombed the interview, please skip this one.
Best wishes to you this week in your job search.
Even if you've been without a job for some time, it is generally best not to settle for a job that you may not enjoy. Having said that, there are a couple of questions you should ask yourself when evaluating a job, or when determining what companies to target.
Read MoreI've had many jobs. In fact, I've had more jobs than nearly anyone I know. I've worked for companies that have earned various "Best Companies To Work For" awards - usually from local newspapers, and I've worked for some that have not. Should you apply for a job at a "Best Company To Work For" company?
As a hiring manager, my advice is simple. Don't put too much emphasis on these types of awards. In fact, don't put any emphasis on it. There's no reason to avoid these companies. Just ignore the "best companies" distinction.
There is evidence that even some "best companies" treat candidates poorly.
How can this be?
Many "best companies" treat the campaign to earn the award as they would any marketing endeavor. Given that these awards are almost always given out by a newspaper or magazine, it should come as no surprise that simply seeing a company listed as a best place to work doesn't make it so.
Do your own research. Long-term growth and portability, strength in the marketplace when compared to competitors in the industry, and customer feedback should each carry a greater weight than any "Best Company..." award.
How's the job search going? Don't you just hate that question? As long as you are still looking, it's not going well enough, right? Since the goal of a job search is to get a job, it's simple: it's either going or it isn't.
Not very useful, I know.
But how is it really going?
What's your score?
Unless you know how well your actions lead to results, you have no idea where to improve.
Your job search is a sales effort. Sales, or the efficiency of a sales person, is all about the numbers. An effective salesperson knows exactly how many cold calls it takes to get an appointment, how many appointments it takes to get the opportunity to ask for the business and how many closes it takes it takes to get a sale. You should also know these numbers.
Keep a journal or a spreadsheet and track every element of your job search.
Your method of tracking success and stats might look like this:
Your tracking should help you answer these four questions:
As an example, let's use these data:
Your ratio of resumes to interviews is 12:4, which means every resume you submit is 1/3 of a interview, and each first interview is 25% of a job.
And here's where the most important number comes in. Not to get too heavy with the math, but using the fictitious data above, every resume is 8.3% of a job. Even the resumes that don't result in an interview are getting you closer to a job.
Track your progress and results with every job opportunity. To help you focus your efforts in the future, track your interview score, using the ratio of resumes to interviews, by source. Spend more time using the websites that result in more interviews. I realize that sounds obvious, but unless you are keeping score, you won't actually know, objectively, how you're doing.
So, what's your score?
Yes, you read that right. You need to send thank you cards. Actual thank you cards. As in, written with a pen, stuffed in an envelope, stamp licked (or stuck), thank you cards.
Read MoreYou may be used to sharing all of your personal and intimate details online. During a job search, this can come back to hurt you. Assume nothing is private. No matter what your privacy settings are, if you put it out there, it is possible that anyone can see it. Before any interview, I always do an online search of a candidate's name. I also try and find out who we may know in common.
Here are a few tweets I found recently:
hate filling out job apps online sucks. i prefer to fax in a cover letter and resume
I go to bed and wake up wishing that someone would just accept the fact my resume sucks and just hire me already.
Just realized I made a mistake on my resume. F***.
Ugh sending out your resume a million times sucks....
how the f*** do you even make a resume
F*** man... I neeed another job before summer ends ! I pray I get a call back from the places I handed my resume too..
My entire resume consists of three words: Funny, great a**.
All of these tweets from unblocked accounts, some of which are from people who list, what appears to be, their real name. If you are interviewing, recruiters and hiring managers may search for your name online.
While in job search mode, don't put anything online that you wouldn't want to print out and attach to your resume.
Every job has numbers. That means your resume should have numbers. And based on nearly every resume I have ever seen, your resume should likely have more numbers.
It doesn't matter if you're a grocery store checker, a lawyer, or a public school teacher, if you trade your efforts for money, there are numbers in your job. Put them in your resume.
Go through your accomplishments on your resume and ask yourself questions such as:
What was the actual size of the project you managed? Was it a $75,000 project or a $10MM project?
Did you "increase market share" or did you "increase market share by 15%"?
Did you "increase productivity" or did you "increase production of widgets by 22%, saving $50,000 annually"?
Having more numbers in your resume (and your cover letter and during your interview) can help the hiring manager understand the work you've done and the successes you've had.
I recently came across a Facebook page titled, Tattoo acceptance in the workplace. I even Liked it! I have no issue with tattoos. Or with the people that have them. I even have a few.
But let's face it. Not everyone shares the same opinion. There are hiring managers and recruiters that are more "traditional" when it comes to tattoos. And by more "traditional", I mean they just don't want to see them.
Yes, you have every right to get tattoos, but remember that the employer has the right to not be interested in you as a candidate if you show up to the interview with visible tattoos.
My advice: keep them hidden. Like these professionals do.
If you're being asked to provide references, congratulations. Most employers won't go to this stage unless they are getting close to making you an offer. This is not the time to slip up.
There is a right way to ask for a reference. And many people get it wrong.
Before we start, the time to ask for a reference is before you've even applied for the position. But, if you didn't do that, you can get it right from this point.
Identify 3-5 references. It's best to get former managers, peers, and, direct reports (if you were a manager).
Share the details of the job for which you are applying. Give your reference a copy of the job description and any research you have done on the company and position. Be sure to share your resume and cover letter with your reference. It is also appropriate to offer suggestions on what you'd like your reference to focus on when they speak to the prospective employer.
Lastly, be sure to ask your reference what phone number and e-mail address you should provide.
Don't allow your references to be surprised. The last thing you want is your reference to get an unexpected phone call asking about you.
Once your references have been contacted, follow up with them and thank them!
I love quotes. I have even been called a "quote junky". One of my favorite quotes is from Ralph Waldo Emerson, and works perfectly as job search advice:
Who you are speaks so loudly I can't hear what you're saying
Yes, I realize that the great American essayist probably wasn't talking about resumes, or anything even remotely related to looking for a job. But still, this quote is so approriate.
Whether it's your resume, cover letter, or even responses to interview questions, who you are speaks so loudly I can't hear what your saying.
Having a list of generic qualifications on your resume won't get you noticed. Just because you wrote that you are a "team player" or "results oriented" doesn't make it so. Cite real successes and accomplishments that demonstrate that you are a team player. In an interview, discuss examples of when you were a team player, and how that helped the company.
The key is: show, don't tell. Here are a few resume examples:
Tell |
Show |
| Top performer | Exceeded sales goals by 25%, earning Sales Executive of the Year... |
| Customer Focused | Achieved 99.4% Customer Quality score... |
| Experienced in balancing budgets | Increased revenue 9% while reducing operating expenses by 13%... |
Look through your cover letter and resume. Do you have generic statements that lack evidence? Answer questions like, "What does that means?", "Why is that important?", "How did I do that?".
Focus your interview preparation on specific accomplishments. Even if you're not specifically asked a situational interview question ("Tell me about a time when..." or "Give me an example when..."), it is best to answer with a specific example.
I am big fan of LinkedIn, just don't call it networking. When looking to fill a position or make a referral to one, I first look to my contacts (those on LinkedIn and those that are not), and then to their contacts. Before talking to a candidate, or a potential vendor, I always do a search on LinkedIn.
Even though I like LinkedIn, as a general rule, I am not a fan of LinkedIn recommendations. Here are two reasons why.
First, most LinkedIn recommendations are too general. Just as your resume needs to be custom, an effective recommendation is tailored to the specific job for which you are applying.
My biggest criticism, however, is that they are, nearly by design, reciprocal. The "I'll scratch your back, you scratch mine" diminishes their value even further. I come across reciprocal recommendations all the time. A quick search on LinkedIn today found this real pair of recommendations. I changed the names and specifics slightly to keep their identities confidential.
Suzanne Queue was well respected in the company for her dedication. She is a strong believer in no excuses and results... Suzanne is an asset to any company. - William Roberts, February 3
I've had the pleasure of working with William Roberts for many years at Acme Company. William is always professional and has a strong work ethic... William is an asset to any company. - Suzanne Queue, February 5
When I am hiring someone, I want the person to be an asset to my company, specifically for the position I am filling. I don't care that a former co-worker thinks someone would be an asset to any company. What if Suzie is an accountant, and I'm looking for a school bus driver?
There are exceptions.
LinkedIn recommendations do work well for independent service providers. The more narrow the work, the more valuable the recommendation can be. If you want to write a recommendation for the web-designer that built your website, feel free to do so. But be very specific and include actual results.
What should you do if someone writes an unsolicited recommendation?
Do not approve the recommendation. Send a gracious e-mail, thanking them for the recommendation. Ask if you can count on them being a phone reference in the future.
What should you do if a recruiter says you need more LinkedIn recommendations?
Kindly tell your recruiter that you would love to provide a list of references and letters of recommendation.
What should you do if someone asks you to recommend them on LinkedIn?
If it is someone you would be willing to recommend, offer to write a job-specific letter of recommendation, or provide a good old-fashioned reference over the phone. Explain that it is likely better if you know more about the job for which they are applying and can answer specific questions.
San Joaquin County's unemployment rate is higher than that of California, which is higher than that of the nation. That shouldn't surprise anyone that has lived and worked here for any length of time.
There is a belief that periods of high unemployment are a great time for companies to be hiring. Logic would dictate that, since there are many more people in the job market, it must be easier to find that perfect candidate.
As a hiring manager, I can tell you that is a myth.
When the job market is tight, there are even more job seekers for every available job. This means that the typical hiring manager or recruiter has to wade through a lot more resumes, some of which may not even meet the prerequisite experience. Some will likely have even more experience than is required. Job seekers, especially those who have been unemployed (or under-employed) for some time, tend to move the focus of their job search efforts from quality to quantity. This change in focus can result in the job seeker missing an opportunity that is perfectly suited for him.
So, what does this mean for the job seeker?
Well, of course you know that you have to compete with other job seekers. But now you have to stand out even more - simply because of the increased numbers of applicants.
Follow up, but don't be a nag. Follow up by e-mail or a voice mail after hours when you're sure the phone number is a work number (and not a cell phone). From my perspective, the more candidates there are in the market, the less they follow up - again, to my point that many lose focus.
Most importantly, don't lose that focus on the quality of the opportunity. If you are an unemployed restaurant manager, and it is your desire to stay in that field, tighten up your focus to restaurants and hospitality rather than shooting out hundreds of resumes for every job lead with "manager" in the title.
In this job market, it is much more difficult to "promote out" - moving out and up from one company to another. It happens, but it less likely than during periods of high employment. Be willing to move laterally or "demote out" - moving out and down one level. Demoting out is not ideal for everyone. If you are a front-line supervisor leading a team of individual contributors it may be more difficult to do this than if you are a mid-level manager leading other managers.
While there is an increase in the number of candidates for every open position, this is not necessarily a "buyer's market". Since the quality of the job candidates (the sellers) tends to go down during periods of high unemployment, employers (the buyers) can spend more time looking for the right person.
Finally, just an interesting point about the graph above comparing San Joaquin County's and California's unemployment rates. Notice that the shape of data are the same. San Joaquin County's moves are more pronounced, which may have just as much to do with the population size (and the law of large numbers) as it does with the fact that we are a subset of the state. All that means is that you can dispel any crazy thought that our problems in Stockton and the county are not playing out elsewhere in the state.
Unemployment numbers can be depressing. Don't let them get to you... they're just data. Stay informed, but don't obsess. And, as we've already discussed... there are jobs out there!
sources for data: bls.gov, edd.ca.gov
Your resume has one job: to get you an interview.
This is why you don't need an objective on your resume. Your objective is to get an interview.
You are not going to get a job because of your resume. An effective resume can help you get an interview. From there, you'll need to demonstrate that you have the skills for the job and that you are a cultural fit in their organization. After that, you might get a second interview, or you might even get a job offer. But that rests more on how you perform in the interview.
To take a step back, the goal of your cover letter is to get your resume read; the goal of your resume is to get you an interview; the goal of the interview is to get you a job offer; the goal of the job offer is to get you the job you want!
Expecting your resume to get you a job is like eating your car keys when you're hungry. Your keys are just a tool that can help you get to the next step. Your car keys can help you drive to Dante's Pizza but that's as far as your keys can help.
If you're not getting many interviews based on how many resumes you're sending out, you likely need to work on your cover letter and resume. If you're satisfied with the number of interviews you're getting but not getting any offers, you need to work on your interview.
When I was young, my father always told me to treat everyone with respect. The example he always gave was going in for an interview and holding the door open for the janitor... because you never know who that janitor actually is. Well, if you come to my building for an interview in my organization, I will check with our building's receptionist to see how you walked in, how you checked in and how you interacted with others while you waited for me. Were you gracious? Did you say "please" and "thank you"? Did you hold the door open for others? Did you say smile and say hello to people? Our receptionist is an excellent judge or character and can quickly determine if someone won't be a good fit in the company.
Some time ago, I was walking into my building and ran into an obvious interview candidate in the parking lot. As we walked across the parking lot, I asked her if she had any problem finding a parking lot (I like to give people a reason to complain to see if they will). She said she did not and enjoyed the walk since it was such a nice morning. When we went separate ways she said, "Have a great day." and I wished her good luck on her interview. Of course, 10 minutes later, I came back downstairs and introduced myself and walked her up to my office. She did just as well in the interview as she did in the pre-interview.
My advice: be courteous and gracious to everyone, everyday, for no other reason than it makes life easier. As a side effect, it'll prevent you from doing something stupid like giving the middle finger to someone on the freeway only to find yourself sitting in his office in a job interview less than an hour later. True story. Maybe I'll tell it someday.
The single biggest mistake you can make with your resume also happens to be the most common. No, it's not leaving off the months of your employment dates, using poor grammar, or even having misspelled words.
The biggest resume mistake is not customizing it for each position you are interested in. On the bright side, stop making this mistake and you'll have no problem standing out amongst stacks and stacks of other resumes.
The number one rule to remember when it comes to the words you use in your resume is this: it doesn't matter what words you want to use; it's not about you, it's about what the hiring manager wants.
Sound easier said than done? Here are three simple ways to customize your resume.
Does this mean it will take more time to prepare each resume? Yes, it will take longer than just sending the same exact resume to everyone but you will have much better results.
In this week's My Job Story, we hear from Jenny-Faye Klooster, a Photo Stylist who runs the photography department for Gibson Overseas, a large kitchenware company, a job she has held for almost four years.
Do you want to differentiate yourself from your peers at work? I have a simple suggestion. All you have to do is speak up! That's right. It's time to work on your public speaking skills.
Networking is a terrible verb to describe human interactions. For some people, networking still has that cheesy sounding ring to it. I've spent countless hours reading newspaper and magazine articles, blogs, tweets and Facebook posts from recruiters from all over the country and nearly all of them say that one of the most important job search strategies is networking.
Asking for a referral is important. How you handle that referral is even more important. If you want to work at XYZ Company and you know someone that works there, you should ask them to refer you to a hiring manager. Ideally, your contact will make a personal introduction, or copy you on an e-mail introduction. Sometimes, you'll just get a phone number or e-mail address of the hiring manager.
Even if you've been without a job for some time, it is generally best not to settle for a job that you may not enjoy. Having said that, there are a couple of questions you should ask yourself when evaluating a job, or when determining what companies to target.
A job fair can be an effective way to meet hiring managers and recruiters in your community and learn about many job opportunities in one day. If you are prepared and use your time wisely, you can walk away with many strong job leads. Many job seekers make careless mistakes that can hurt their chances of success at a job fair. Here are 16 simple tips to make your next job fair a success.