Wednesday, April 23, 2014

10 Things You Need To Do While You're Unemployed

If you’re unemployed and worried that employers will turn you down for taking on unimpressive work during the recession or for the large employment gaps on your résumé—you needn’t panic. A new survey just released by the careers website CareerBuilder.com reveals that the vast majority of employers are sympathetic to such circumstances.

The nationwide survey was conducted online by Harris Interactive, on behalf of CareerBuilder, among 3,023 hiring managers and human resource professionals between November 9 and December 5, 2011. Not only does it offer unemployed job seekers some hope, but it also provides tips to help them land a new position.

“More than 40% of unemployed job seekers have been out of work for six months or longer,” says Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources for CareerBuilder. “There’s a sense that such a long gap on a résumé negatively affects a candidate’s chances, but the survey shows that is not true. That’s very positive news for this group of job seekers. If you fill the gaps with activities and experience that illustrate how you are still developing your skill sets, the overwhelming majority of employers will look past your unemployment and focus on what you can bring to their team.”

Eighty-five percent of those surveyed employed reported that they are more understanding of employment gaps post-recession. Ninety-four percent said they wouldn’t have a lower opinion of a candidate who took on a position during the recession that was at a lower level than the one he or she had held previously.

But this doesn’t mean you can sit around and wait for a sympathetic employer to offer you work. “The worry is that employers may think job seekers are losing some of their skills because they haven’t been utilizing them. By volunteering, taking temporary work, or signing up for a class that develops your professional tool kit, you show employers that you’ve made the most of your time and will be ready on day one,” Haefner says.

Employers and CareerBuilder experts recommended a variety of activities you should engage in to build, expand, and strengthen your skills during period of unemployment, in order to increase your marketability.
Take a temporary or contract assignment.

Seventy-nine percent would recommend doing this. Why? “The key is to get people to see your work and to see what you’re capable of doing,” says Andy Teach, the author of From Graduation to Corporation: The Practical Guide to Climbing the Corporate Ladder One Rung at a Time. “If you do a great job, even if it’s for a temporary job, whoever hired you is more likely to recommend you for a permanent position.”

Take a class.
Sixty-one percent of the hiring managers surveyed recommended taking a class during a period of unemployment. “You never stop learning in your career, so the more technical competence you have, the better,” Teach says. “When you take a class in your field, you are also showing that you are serious about your work and that you take initiative.” Another advantage to taking a class: It’s a great networking opportunity.

Volunteer.
Sixty percent of the hiring managers said volunteer work makes you more marketable. “When you volunteer for something, you are telling potential employers something about you as a person,” Teach says. It shows that you are passionate about something and care about helping others—and it demonstrates that money isn’t the most important thing to you, he adds. “When companies are hiring, they are looking not only for people who can get the job done but also for people with character and integrity.”

Start your own business.
Twenty-eight percent suggested doing this—but starting a business can be pricy and time consuming. If you have the means to do it, it’s a great résumé booster and a wonderful marketing tool.
“The beauty of having your own business is that you can work part-time or full-time depending on whether or not you are able to land a job working for someone else,” Teach says. “You are also going to learn skills that are transferrable if you do end up working for someone else again.”

Start a professional blog
Eleven percent of the surveyed employers said a professional blog can be a good way to market yourself to employers. Why? You get people to see you as an expert in your field. “You are also conveying your passion, gaining knowledge, and separating yourself from others,” Teach says. “Potential employers will see you as having taken the initiative during your job search to blog about something you truly care about: your career.”

Follow stories on hot industries and job functions.
CareerBuilder experts say information technology, engineering, health care, sales, and customer service are among the top areas for hiring nationwide, according to CareerBuilder’s job listings. Follow the news and job openings in these fields.

Use the time to come up with ideas.
Whether it’s an idea for a marketing campaign, new revenue stream, cost savings, etc., the candidates who show up at an interview with ideas demonstrate that they are passionate, knowledgeable, and excited about the opportunity. These job seekers always stand out from the crowd, CareerBuilder experts say.

Make connections.
A résumé handed to the hiring manager directly from someone within the company is more likely to get noticed, CareerBuilder experts say. Build and expand your network of contacts through social media and professional organizations. Let friends, family and professional contacts know that you’re looking for a job, and ask for their help in finding connections to the organizations you’re interested in.

Follow up.
According to CareerBuilder, two thirds of workers reported that they don’t follow up with the employer after submitting their résumé for consideration. It’s important to take that extra step to let the employer know you’re interested, and make sure you always send a thank you after an interview. Handwritten notes will set you apart from the pool of candidates, but e-mails are acceptable, too.

Use key words.
As long as you’re actively pursuing a job, you’ll likely be spending a significant amount of time editing and sending out your résumé. Remember to use key words. Why? CareerBuilder experts said most employers use electronic scanning devices to screen and rank candidates. You’ll want to tailor your résumé for each position you apply for, and include specific words from the job posting. Do this and your résumé will come up higher in employer searches.

“These types of activities tell the employer that the job seeker is serious about their career development and made the most of their time off,” Haefner says. “The key for the job seeker is to make the connection between how their volunteer work, blog, class, or temporary position prepares them for the next job. If they can successfully do that, their employment gaps won’t be an issue.”

By Jacquelyn Smith, Forbes Staff

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Was I Laid Off or Terminated?

When working with new candidates one of the first things we ask them is "why did you leave your most recent position." In response we occasionally receive "I was terminated." While that is possibly true, we need to clear that up. Were you terminated or laid off?

It's interesting how many candidates don't realize the difference between the two. Prospective employers don't like hearing the word "terminated." It implies that you were let go for cause such as violating firm policy, inappropriate behavior or simply poor work ethic.

If you were the victim of budget cuts or downsizing, you were laid off, not terminated. When asked, be very clear, not to mention truthful, about your reasons for leaving. If there is any discrepancy found during a background check it could cost you that new job. Be honest, it will save trouble and confusion in the long run.

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Reasons to NOT accept a counter offer

The economy is better, the stock market hit an all time high and people are changing jobs. Or so they thought. More and more firms are countering employees rather than dealing with the drama of hiring a new one. See the reasons why you should not accept a counter offer. These are real and true and when you accept a counter you will not only harm your reputation inside the firm, but also in the community.

Finding a new position isn't easy. It takes time, more time than any respected profession warrants. In fact, after you reach a certain level of acumen in your chosen field, it's downright insulting to be part of this slow-moving process, waiting tirelessly to land that next, rightful position. But once the deal is done, you are ready. You are pleased with the compensation package and determined to make a move. And then what? It's time to tell the news to your current employer: not such a gee-I'm-really-looking-forward-to-it kind of task. It might keep you up at night, actually rehearsing what to say to your direct report. And then, nervously, you announce to the higher ups you're leaving: "It has been a terrific time spent but a better opportunity has come along and I'm taking it." Your heart rate slows and you're breathing fresh air. But the next step could come as a surprise if you aren't prepared for it.

Your employer says to you: "Hey, can you hold your decision for 24 hours? I would like to discuss this with someone in the corner office and get back to you tomorrow." Much like the spouse who refuses to sign the divorce papers, you are now caught in a game of 'how much you are valued in your old post and it's a bit alluring. Hmm. They don't want me to leave, they want to keep me, that's interesting. What am I really worth in this position? Shall I play this out a bit and see?

Well here's my best advice, based on all of the candidates that get seduced by the counter offer: cut your losses. Because truly, sticking around isn't exactly what you wanted in the first place. Here are some reasons why:

1. The counter offer is a holding pattern. Your employer hasn't found your replacement and they're not willing to have you leave until they are ready. Does that sound like job security? Not so much.

2. Don’t forget, there was a reason you were open to new opportunities. The company that you are leaving has not met your professional goals and that's why you were receptive to new opportunities. Don't forget the basic premise of your search-- you had some kind of philosophical differences to get you here in the first place. If it was just compensation, why didn't you ask for a raise?

3. Your employer will view you as untrustworthy. You have crossed the line. In fact, they now know you were looking for another position when they thought your lunch just ran late. You are now considered a traitor in their eyes; one who is just avaricious enough to stick around.

4. Head them off at the pass. When breaking the news, tell them you are leaving, don't ask for permission. Ensure that your employer knows your decision is firm. Don't even allow them to get to the point of a counter offer. You have slogged through this process for a reason, so don't let your flattered ego stop you from forward motion. Politely tell them you're mind is made up.

5. Hold your ground, give plenty of notice and do your best to ensure an orderly transition. Because you never really know if a time could come when you are landing back on your old employer's doorstep-- or your old employer becomes your new employer. Still, hold your ground. People always remember how you leave.

The seduction of a counter offer is rarely what it seems. Though the bitter taste of disloyalty may linger in the mouth of your current employer, your new post is awaiting you with open arms.

Friday, February 21, 2014

Why Businesses should work exclusively with one or two agencies

Exclusivity: We want it in our love lives, so why not in business. Many businesses feel the more agencies they use, the more qualified candidates they see. FALSE, there is a limited pool of qualified candidates for each job and through advertising, websites; job boards, referrals and pinpoint recruiting most agencies will have the same candidates. So what happens when you put out your open positions to 3, 4 and in some cases 8 agencies? You have agencies submitting the same candidate and rushing to get you the resume when they have not even spoken to the person. All because as we all know whoever gets it in first, wins.

Once an agency submits a candidate resume and they are told “we have them already” the agency usually will stop searching and move on to better opportunities to make money. Like one client I have, they started their search for a Paralegal in late November on their website and gave it to four agencies. By December 23, 2009, they gave it to me and another agency, by January 15 they were offering a bonus for an agency to help them find someone and by January 23 they lowered their requirements. Do you think it was because no one in the DC/Baltimore/Richmond area didn’t have the skills? Maybe, but more likely the agencies stopped working on it. When I submitted the names of 2 candidates and they already had them, or when I made recruiting calls and found that most people knew of the position from the firm’s website or had already been contacted by other agencies. Did I stop working on it? No. Did it move to the back of the priority list, yes and I moved onto positions that were exclusively working with me.

I believe in customer service, attention to detail and giving a client what they want the first time. My clients know in return for their exclusive business, that I only work on their position and find them exactly what they want. In one recent case, I did it in only 2 days. Why? Because I had the security of knowing that my advertising dollar was well spent and I could spend 6 hours a day cold calling for the right candidate.

Businesses need to realize that the agencies in Washington, DC have gone from 680 in 2008, to 153 in 2009. Many of us have been in the business for 20 plus years and we talk. The thing I hear the most is how firms are hurting themselves by over saturating their searches with too many agencies and putting things like NO AGENCIES NEED CALL on their websites. The economy is changing and in a few months firms are going to be hiring and their websites aren’t going to cut it or advertising which has gone through the roof as far as cost, isn’t going to find them the right person. Start building your relationships again with one or two agencies at the most. Allow them to do the job you need.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

What not to do at a Holiday Work Party

1) List All The Ways You Hate Your Job
Do prepare an elevator pitch. Do not detail everything that's wrong with the company.
2) Show Too Much Skin
Do try to look nice. Do not mistake vulgar for sexy.
3) Get Sloppy Drunk
Do relax and have fun. Do not drink more than you can handle.
4) Make A Rambling, Incoherent Toast
Do make a toast to up your visibility. Do not ramble on and bore or offend those gathered.
5) Bring An Ill-Advised Date
Do bring your partner, if invited. Do not bring someone you don't trust to be professional.
6) Get Grabby On The Dance Floor
Do let your hair down. Do not make any outrageous displays on the dance floor.
7) Start A Fight
Do mingle. Do not throw any punches.
8) Do Your Comedy Routine
Do lighten the mood with calculated humor. Do not go into your late-night comedy routine.
9) Ask The Big Boss What they 'Really' Does All Day
Do introduce yourself to your boss's boss. Do not ask too-personal, critical or rude questions.
10) Be Creepy And Suggestive
Do try to network with those you don't often work with. Do not flirt, hit on or suggestively touch anyone.

Copied from Forbes Magazine.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

I blew it!

Is there a worse feeling than leaving an interview knowing that you blew it? Especially in today’s economy, where good job opportunities seem to be running scarce.

Majority of the time, the interviewee will look back at a critical mistake as something they said to the interviewer, which could be true. The principal issue in many interviews is almost as basic as brushing your teeth: Candidates ignore how they are conveying themselves non-verbally. One wrong cue could stick out to an employer and ultimately have you cut from the hiring process. Follow these do’s and Don’ts before your next interview and you might leave with a job offer.
Don’ts

• Rub or touch your nose. Not only is it grotesque, many bosses have been trained that this is a lying technique.
• Slouch back in your seat. It seems like an obvious one, but if you are flowing with good verbal answers, sometimes your body gets too relaxed.
• Cross your legs and shake your foot. It shows that you are nervous and uncomfortable.
• Sit with your arms folded. That is the ultimate sign of hostility.
• Rub the back of your head or neck. Some interviewers take this as a sign of disinterest.

Do’s
• Sit up straight and slightly lean forward. The lean shows admiration and agreement with the interviewer and suggests that you are willing to interact.
• Make thorough eye contact. It shows you are confident. If there are multiple people in the room, make sure to spread the wealth.
• Nod and make positive gestures. It shows enthusiasm.
• Limit your use of cologne and/or perfume. It could cause a headache and some people are allergic to it.
• Smile while standing up, even on a phone interview. Studies show that standing leads to your level of attentiveness.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

4 Ways To Get The Most Out Of Your Network

How many times do you hear the phrase ‘It is not about what you know, but who you know.’ A few people take that phrase to heart when they are jobless, seeking out everyone and anyone. In the mean time, most of the unemployed sector ends up scouring online for jobs for hours at a time, and usually have their resumes thrown on the bottom of a pile. It is time for you to take charge of your job search and follow these four networking tips.

1) You Know More People Than You Think
Just contacting your immediate connections isn’t good enough if you are truly serious about finding the right job. Neighbors, old friends from high school and college, your church, the gym, your sibling’s best friends, even your old friendly landlord. Everyone needs to be taken into consideration. Facebook and LinkedIn can be used as tools to organize a list. Even if these people aren’t directly in your desired field, more often than not, they will know of someone who may be able to help you out. Don’t be embarrassed to reach out either. Most people like helping out and giving advice; it makes them feel important.

2) Get Your References In Check
Never ever use a friend as a reference. Employers will laugh at your feeble attempt to get a person to say something good about you. A professional reference should be someone who enjoys your personality but can also vouch on your resume, abilities and track record. Explain to them your current situation, your new goals and ask them for their support. Many times these references are the ones who end up finding you a gig. It is your responsibility to keep them informed on any potential interviews and/or phone calls they may receive. Even if you go on an interview and don’t land the job, still thank your references.

3) The Fun Part: Reaching Out
After you have organized and compiled your list, it is time to start putting your network into action. Before contacting anyone you need to set clear goals as to what kind of job you are looking for. And also don’t rush into your ‘job need’ with a contact. Take the adequate time whether it is in person or over email to do the proper catching up. Once you start networking never utter the phrase “Let me know if you hear of anything.” That is too generic of a request and people in your network will forget about you. Tell the said person that you are looking for a position, be detailed on the kind of job you want and finally ask them if they know anyone in your chosen field.

4) Maintain These Relationships
Your brother’s old co-worker may now be one of your top job networkers if you say the right things to him. Now the trick is to keep him thinking about how he can help you. You don’t want your contacts to feel ambushed by your requests, so ask them for insight at first. Most times that exchange can lead to much more on your behalf. Don’t be a hit-and-run networker either. Even if you don’t get what you want from a contact at this current time, check back with them a few months later. It is worth the shot. Finally, be genuine; meaning just be yourself. Pursue a job you want. If you hide the true person you are, you could find yourself unemployed much longer than you anticipated.