Inaction breeds doubt and fear… Get busy with your job search!

Inaction breeds doubt and fear… Get busy with your job search!

“Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.”

– Dale Carnegie, Author

I really love the quote above. It’s so important to put a schedule together when you are in a career transition or actively looking for a job. How can you go from working 40-80 hours a week and then just stop and have nothing to do? It’s hard on most people and then some people just flow with it. Well it’s hard to do that if you are a responsible person who has a family to support and a mortgage to pay. So I would like to share some tips with you about how you can get into action and put together a schedule that works for you! 1) First get honest with yourself about the hours you are going to put into your job search. My clients who invest 5 hours per day will get hired within 6 weeks to 2.5 months. 2) So decide if you are a morning or evening person and work your schedule around that and your family. 3) It is so important to plan meals and exercise and fun in your day! 4) You will feel so much better if you do the following everyday: network, post and refresh your resume on the job boards, send resumes through www.indeed.com, and send resumes directly to the companies website of your target companies. 5) It’s so important to hang out with people that are positive and that are employed. 6) Get dressed everyday like you are going out for the day to meet your friends and have some fun. 7) Go to your local diner or coffee shop and if you have a laptop, job search there, get a change of scenery If you don’t have a computer at home or a laptop then check out the One Stop Career Center nearest you or the closest library.

Remember:  “The Harder You Work, The Luckier You Are and ”What You Put In To Your Job Search Is What You Will Get Out Of It.” Have a great week!

 

YOU CAN GET A JOB IN THIS MARKET!

YOU CAN GET A JOB IN THIS MARKET!

Career Action Plan

 

There are many ways to find a job! See below.

 

§          Networking:  It’s all about who you know, so contact everybody you know and start to network with them to gain information on the hidden job market, which are the jobs that aren’t advertised on the job boards or in the paper. Then build a target list of companies that you want to work for and send it to your networking contacts and ask if they can help you or if they know of anyone that works at one of your targeted companies and ask them to sponsor you into the company through their contact. Remember, networking is about gathering information. 80% of the people that use their network will get hired within 6 weeks to three months.

 

§          Cold Calling and Warm Calling:  I know candidates are afraid to push themselves out of their comfort zone but you have to in tough job markets. Recruiters and HR professionals are receiving 100-300 resumes per day. They are working on about 20-200 positions each. So to differentiate yourself you will want to call them directly and try and sell yourself over the phone or ask them about their hiring processes. Don’t forget to mention that you will be in there area and would love to stop by and introduce yourself.

 

§          Recruiters:  Sign up with and meet the recruiters and headhunters in your local area. I.e. Kelly Services, Volt, Manpower, TEKsystems, and Robert Half International. Recruiters will be calling you once you post your resume on the job boards. Also, check out www.rileyguide.com. See www.dearjane.info –tips booklet

 

§          Internet Job Boards:  Post your resume on the internet job boards. Also you can search for jobs on these job board sites. The top 4 posting sites are listed: craigslist.com, monster.com, careerbuilder.com and dice.com if you are in the high tech field. It is extremely important to refresh your resume twice weekly on the boards. So you will have to make changes to it and then submit changes and save. This will refresh your resume. Recruiters only review the last 2 days when searching for candidate’s resumes.  On craigslist.com you will have to upload a new one twice weekly.

 

§          Professional Associations:  Post on user group websites and professional association websites. I.e. AMA, NCHRA, SHRM, PMI, STC, ASTD, and PDMA etc.

 

§          Indeed.com! Check out the new one stop solution to finding jobs on the internet. Please use www.indeed.com – it’s a mega search engine for searching jobs all over the internet from various job board sources.

 

§          Company websites:  Go to company websites and submit your resume online. Go to their Career Sections and even if they don’t have a job posted upload your resume anyway.  This will enter your resume into the Human Resources applicant tracking system.

 

§          Job Fairs:  Attend job fairs and find the job fairs online at www.jobjournals.com or in the local newspaper. 

 

§          Linkedin.com:  Sign up with www.linkedin.com. 50% of the people that use linkedin.com use it for job searching and networking for jobs.

 

§          Newspapers:  If you live in a remote area, don’t forget to check the newspapers for local job fair events. Companies still post their recruiting data and job descriptions in the local newspapers.

Go to www.dearjane.info or contact rebecca.martin@dearjane.info for more information. Check out our blog at www.dearjanedialogues.com

 

 

 

Happy Holidays! See dear jane’s reading list.

If you are like me and want to stay updated on what’s going on in the world today and how the internet, global warming, multi-generational workforces, offshoring, outsourcing, etc. are affecting the world and our economy, please read the list of book titles below:

Workforce Crisis, The World is Flat and Hot, Flat and Crowded,

If you want to know how to get a job in this economy please read “83 Tips on How to Work with External and Corporate Recruiters” (www.dearjane.info).

If you are searching for a job right now in this economy don’t forget to POST YOUR RESUME on CRAIGSLIST.com, MONSTER.com, and CAREERBUILDER.com. Also don’t forget that staffing agency recruiters are onsite at every major corporation in the world. Many of my clients are interviewing and many have received offers this week. Companies are hiring in this economy and you just need to know how to find a job. So make sure you consult with the career experts.

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.

 

This is a really hard time right now for job seekers. This is not a normal job market. Many people are having a difficult time finding a job. Everyday we turn on the television and read the newspaper and are constantly barraged with bad news about the economy and more news about companies laying off hundreds and thousands of employees.

 

A lot of our clients are taking the time to analyze their job situations, career professions and ask themselves if they were really happy doing what they were doing. Some client’s say getting laid off was a blessing or that they stayed too long and this gave them the push they needed to change careers. Everyone’s situation is different.

 

Some candidates/job seekers are fortunate enough to take time off and be with their family, travel or just pick up a hobby. Some can’t do any of the above things because they need to start working again right away just to fulfill their basic needs of having food on the table and having a roof over their heads.

 

Changing professions at this time could be the best thing for a person or maybe a very scary proposition. If you have the financial security to allow yourself to take at least three months off and really pursue a new profession or career then you shouldn’t hesitate about doing the research.

 

If you have the time to explore a new career you will want to interview family, friends, or colleagues that work in the industry or profession that you want to move into and ask them the following questions. 1) How did you get started in this new profession? 2) What type of education did you need to pursue to become eligible for this new profession?

3) How long did it take you to get your new position?  

 

If you don’t have the financial security right now to pursue a new profession that’s ok too. You will need to leverage the your current and past experience you have gained and find a position that will pay you your market value and provide you with enough financial security to help you find a job.

 

It’s extremely important to look at what you value most in life during these hard times and you will probably find that it isn’t money, that it’s your family,  quality of life and having a balance, being with friends, living a healthy and productive lifestyle, laughing a lot or maybe volunteering and being of service to those who are in need.

 

We can always attach ourselves to material things but during times of stress, crisis or emotional and economic downturns most people care about the important things that we mentioned above.

 

So be kind to yourself and do what you need to do for you and your family. This too shall pass…

 

More tips for job seekers today. You will need to push yourself out of your comfort zone and go the extra mile to differentiate yourselves. First, find your sense of humor and start laughing more, start your own networking group or job search support group,

Work twice as hard at getting the job you really want, cold call on hiring managers, send  handwritten thank you notes to all of the people you have interviewed with in the last two months and to those people that have helped you, hire a career coach, visit or stop by to meet HR representatives and hiring managers.

The great news is that we are coaching people into jobs everyday and they are receiving strong offers and compensation packages. This is not to trump you this is to let you know there are career opportunities waiting for you everyday.

 

Building a target list of companies and surveying your professional environment is very important right now. Check out www.bizjournals.com and conduct a search on Google regarding the top 100 companies that you want to work for by profession or industry.

If you go to linkedin.com and click on the company tab and then scroll down to the bottom right hand corner of the page, you’ll see “browse all industries” and you should click on that link and build a target list based on your company interests and zip code location. Their will be companies in linkedin.com that you have never even heard about before and this will give you more options.

 

Occupational Information Network, EDD and OneStopCareer Centers..

 Resources, Resources, Resources

I use these websites all of the time to help my clients, job seekers, hiring managers and human resource professionals to learn about the free resources that are available to our nation. Please check out these websites.

1)http://online.onetcenter.org

The O*NET system serves as the nation’s primary source of occupational information, providing comprehensive information on key attributes and characteristics of workers and occupations. The O*NET database houses this data and O*NET OnLine provides easy access to that information.

 2)www.CareerOneStop.org is the nations:

Your source for employment information and inspiration. The place to manage your career. Your pathway to career success. Gives you: Tools to help job seekers, students, businesses, and career professionals. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor

 

 

 3)Employment Development Department  - www.edd.ca.gov

Take the time and check out this website.

 

 

 

 

Internet resources that will land you a job and help you through the process!

How to deal with the desperate anxiety that naturally occurs during your job search. Keep this list parked where you sit at home working away at your job search and look at it whenever you start to feel anxious and alone. See the internet resource list below.

 

·       Remember – it’s not you

·       Get up from the computer and go do something

·       Call someone right now and have a conversation

·       Expand your network – find one person to meet today

·       Make lunch plans

·       Meet someone in your network for coffee

·       Attend job search support groups/ career networking meetings – make new friends

·       Create an effective network

·       Plan networking get-togethers with fellow job searchers or past colleagues

·       Surround yourself with positive people

·       Tell friends and family what you need from them to help you feel good

·       Use an upcoming holiday to celebrate

·       Consider opening yourself up to new target markets

·       Consider expanding your search to include other areas including global opportunities

List of internet resources:

Internet Resources

SEARCH ENGINES www.google.com Indeed.com (one search “jobs”) Simplyhired.com (one search “jobs”)   DATABASES+JOB BOARDS+RESUMES Airsdirectory.com/jobboards Allstarjobs.com Brassring.com Careerbuilder.com Careercentral.com Craigslist.com Careerfairs.com Churchillclub.com Computerjobs.com Dice.com Directemployers.com Excite.com Flipdog.com Freeagent.com-consulting Futurestep.com Gettingthejob.com (sort by month) Guru.com (creative/consulting/IT/admin) H1B.com Hotgigs.com Hotjobs.com Hundredk.com Jobanimal.com Jobfairs.com Jobfox.com Joboptions.com Jobs.com Jobshadow.org Jobstar.org Linkedin.com LatPro.com(Hispanic and Bilingual) Monster.com Nationjob.com Quintcareers.com Rilleyguide.com/jobs Techies.com Thingamajob.com Vault.com Weddles.com Wetfeet.com Workit.org Job Search Support Groups: Please google – CPC Job Connections Group, Graceworks, and your local One Stop Career Center to get more information on these organizations

EXEC.SEARCH/VENTURE/NEWS/RECRUITERS 6Figuresjobs.com Brilliantpeople.com Careerjournal.com Execglobalnet.com Execsearches.com Executives-ulimited.com Garage.com Recruitersonline.com Wsacorp.com/index.asp (fee-based)   NON-PROFIT JOB BOARDS Nonprofitdirections.org Npsolutions.org Npworks.org Opportunityknocks.org Paschalmurray.com Upwardlyglobal.org   SALARY SURVEY Benchmark.com CompanyPay.com (Executive Level) Execunet.com Futurestep.com Salary.com Spencerstuart.com/professionalresources/       Research&tools/salarybenchmarking Salaryexpert.com Indeed.com   RECRUITERS Cspnet.org Recruitinglife.com Searchfirm.com Salesrecruiters.net   SOCIAL and professional Networking Sites www.facebook.com www.Linkedin.com www.Spoke.com www.Ryze.com www.Friendster.com www.orkut.com   FREE INTERNET EMAIL SITES Hotmail.com Yahoo.com GMail.com – google mail   Get the inside scoop on companys below: www.glassdoor.com www.indeed.com -check out the forum section www.jobvent.com www.ledova.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pre-interview research…

 Hello Everyone, I wanted to share an article with you that I wrote last month for another website. I hope you can get some great tips from it.

 

Pre-Interview Research: Five tips to investigate a company before the interview.

 

By Rebecca Martin

 

The goal of any job interview is to get to the next step which is the offer stage and land the job! The best way to achieve this goal is by being strategic, linking your experience and strengths to the requirements of the position throughout the interview process and by dialoguing with the interviewer(s). The more prepared you are the more relaxed and confident you will be.

 

Five tips for employer research

 

1.  Visit the Company Website – An organization’s website will contain basic information about products and services, company history, and leadership.  If available, spend time in the online press room reviewing the latest press releases and media coverage.  This information will get you up-to-date quickly.

 

2.  Consult Human Resources – Ask the HR representative to provide you with a list of the interviewer(s) and their titles.  Knowing their titles will tell you about the types of questions they will be asking.  For example, the operations manager may be asking you questions about day-to-day processes and how the position you are interviewing for relates to production and quality. 

 

Knowing their names will allow you to do some additional research to find commonality with the interviewer(s) and learn more about their educational and professional backgrounds.  See step three:

 

3.  Review LinkedIn – LinkedIn is one of the largest professional online networking sites in the world. Populated with 25 million members, it is a warehouse of information for job searchers. First, look for the people who will be interviewing you.  Study their profiles to learn more about the organization to which you are applying and look for shared connections and interests.

 

Next, search LinkedIn for people you know who work or have worked for the organization in question. This will help you with step number four:

 

4.  Network, Network, Network – Talk to people you know who have worked at the company or are familiar with it.  They will be able to give you information that you might not find on the company website such as corporate values, leadership and management styles.

 

5.  Search the Internet – Run a general search of the internet for information on your prospective employer.  You may find the company referenced in the minutes of civic groups or in legal proceedings.  Key the company name into Google Maps to find customer reviews.  Similarly, sites like Jobvent.com provide a forum for employees to praise or complain about their employers. 

 

Using these resources, you can find insight into company reputation, culture and values such as work life balance, volunteerism, and philanthropy.  Some of this information will help you during the interview, while other information can help you decide if this workplace is right for you.

—
Rebecca Martin, founder of  dear jane… lives in northern California where she works as a career coach and training professional. She believes that people can find jobs/careers that bring them enjoyment and prosperity. She blogs about the career search and produces The Best Darn Career Show posted on YouTube.

HOW TO GET NOTICED by the HIRING MANAGERS and Stay Positive during your job search!

Differentiate yourself during your job search!

I know times are so tough for people right now in their job search and most people are barely hanging on regarding their search. But remember, what is needed now more than ever is to STAY FOCUSED, POSITIVE, and never never GIVE UP. Most of you need to DIFFERENTIATE YOURSELF from other job seekers. Ok, so you ask, how does one do this? See the list below.

1) When you get scheduled for a telephone interview, ask the hiring manager or recruiters if you can meet the interviewer in person.

2) Don’t Panic and Don’t Quit your job search during December

3) Make sure your resume is professional, strong and a factual representation of your true professional experience.

4) Call Recruiters, HIring Managers, and Human Resource Professionals and ask them if you can stop by for 5 minutes and introduce yourself in person. Tell them  you will be in their area.

5) Send all Recruiters, Hiring Managers, and Human Resource Professionals holiday cards and wish them a happy holiday season.

6) Send out 8 resumes per day through www.indeed.com.

7) Contact at least 3 staffing agencies and schedule face to face interviews with them.

Don’t isolate and attend all the holiday parties you can. Network with everyone you know.

9) Go to at least one professional association meeting to meet people in your current profession.

10) Take a class that you need to take for your future job.

11) Exercise, meditate, get rest and eat healthy.

12) Don’t forget to write a gratitude list.

13) Don’t forget to write your career affirmations.

14) Contact your nearest One Stop Career Center in your city and sign up with them and take free classes and get free career coaching and advice.

15) Don’t forget to sign up for your extended unemployment benefits.

16) Do something nice for someone else at least once a day.

A poll taken from HR professionals about the BEST Job Boards to post your resume on!!!

 I just received a comment from one of our postings from this past week. Patrick recommended the information below so I wanted to post it for all of you to see.

As a career coach, I always recommend the top three sites to post your resume on if you are looking for a job. They are www.craigslist.com, www.monster.com and www.careerbuilder.com.
But based on Patricks information below, there are two more I would like to mention. Check them out and the link below and let me know how it goes. I will also test drive these as well and let all of our clients know about them. They are www.realmatch.com and www.jobfox.com

 

About.com surveyed human resource professionals and recruiters about which of the top 10 job sites they found the best candidates on, survey results here:

 

http://humanresources.about.com/gi/pages/poll.htm?poll_id=5763275227&linkback=http://humanresources.about.com/b/a/258241.htm

How to Work with Recruiters! Tips below.

1)     How to find a recruiter

·         Job boards – they will be calling you.

·         Job postings and descriptions – i.e. monster or indeed, recruiter’s names will be listed on posted positions.

·         From friends and colleagues.

·         Target list – call the company and ask hr or the receptionist who there recruiting partners are and how many they work with.

·         Google –online sources.

 

2 ) Tips to remember

·         Recruiters are your friends – they want to help you.

·         Recruiters know a lot about their clients and can help you close the deal and get the job.

·         If you don’t like the recruiter don’t work with them and move on.  You don’t have to answer any of their questions if you think they are too personal. But remember they are trying to learn about you and get you in a job.

·         If they don’t call you back, call them and don’t take it personally.

·         Don’t forget to write down their contact information and follow up with them.

·         If you are really shy and introverted you will need to work with a recruiter.

·         Work with 1-2 recruiters minimum.

·         When they call, let them initially drive the interview.

·         If it’s not a good time to talk to them, don’t answer the phone or ask them if you can call them back (we also are looking for professionalism from you too).

·         If recruiters don’t get a good read on you over the phone they won’t call you back. It       happens all the time.

·         DON’T FORGET TO ASK THEM QUESTIONS.

·         Great recruiters will only send 1-2 candidate’s resumes per position.

 

3) Questions to ask the recruiters to see if they are credible

·         How long have you been in the recruiting industry or been recruiting?

·         What type of clients and industries do you work with and recruit for?

·         Are you focused in a particular field, industry?

·         How long have you been working with your client?

·         How many resumes do you send for one position?

·         Figure out if they have a relationship with their client, if they do you will get quick and quality feedback from your interviews.

·         If they can’t help you, ask them if they can refer you to other recruiters.

 

Go to www.dearjane.info or contact rebecca.martin@dearjane.info

 

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