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Job Search Tips – Creativity

By on February 8, 2013 in Job Search

Creativity In Your Job Search

When you are going for the job are you preparing by `thinking out of the box’ to differentiate yourself from other applicants?  We are in a period of more applicants than jobs, so this requires your best preparation and hard work.  We encourage you to embrace creativity in your efforts to land an interview and achieve a different and new job.

Many job seekers use creativity, defined as a rousing imagination, to their advantage.  After a client related a fun and successful approach he had taken, we asked recruiters and others to share `creative’ experiences and advice:

“I dropped off a fresh-baked, apple pie with a piece missing to the hiring manager’s secretary.  Attached to the pie were my resume and a personal note that described me as the `missing piece’ looking forward to an interview and opportunity to demonstrate how I will benefit the organization.  I got the interview and the job.”

–client story

“An applicant sent a soup-sized can with a unique, green label – it was the applicant’s biography, picture and a note asking for an interview and the job.”  This was a unique `resume’ that got attention and led to job interviews and the desired marketing job.”                        … recruiter

Two ways of `standing out’ are:  a) add a well-crafted P.S. to the bottom of your cover letter; this addition will get read;  e.g., I’m very interested in joining and contributing to ___ Company; and, b) develop a 30-60-90 Day Action Plan – a personalized, researched list of steps you will take to contribute and succeed; bring this plan to the interview.

–J. Sweeney, coach

Design memorable business cards to hand-out and exchange.  This is an essential step for networking and reaching the many `unpublished’ job opportunities.  Don’t forget to use the business cards of others for follow-up and enhancing your network.

–recruiter

Such imaginative approaches may work for you; however, always do your research and remember to be yourself and to pay attention to the basics:  Prepare, understand, market and use  your Success Attributes.  Approach the interview with confidence.  Listen carefully and ask thoughtful questions.  Be concise when answering the interviewer’s questions, and follow-up with a thank you letter and or an e-note.

 

 

Finding a Job – Networking

By on January 24, 2013 in Finding a Job

Networking Is The Most Likely Method
of Finding a New Job

Yes, the internet, which continues to rapidly expand, and newspapers continue to vie for the interest and dollars of both employers and applicants.  Agencies and Search Firms also are active and not to be overlooked.  However, remember that only half the jobs filled each year are advertised.  Who do you know?  Who are your contacts?  How are you connecting?

We speak about the use of your References as your Job/Career Advisory Board, and many of you have found this to be the best starting point for your network and the source of finding your new position.  I highly recommend that you continue building networking skill by: making new and different contacts (business, professional, and personal) and cultivating relationships.  Try making deposits to all of your relationship accounts with assistance, friendliness, encouragement, appreciation, interest and inquiry.

What questions are you asking of your network?  Are you asking for feedback, advice and contacts?

As for questions, how many of you have interviewed without preparing questions?  Did you miss an opportunity to ask:  How does an employee succeed at ______?  What are other people like at _____?  Or, how do employees succeed on your team?  If you seek first to understand, you will learn about them and the job as well as impress them with your interest and savvy.  Questions expand your network and success.

Fundamentally, asking for assistance and advice is not an intrusion or sign of weakness; rather, it is an act of maturity and the recognition of the interdependence of our humanity