A critical, and yet overlooked component of the job fulfillment process is having solid references available as soon as possible, and even beforehand. References are crucial because they can validate a candidate’s work experiences and most hiring managers require this as part of their hiring practice.
Most recruiters can tell you that they despise the process of getting job candidate references – and for good reason. It typically involves making several phone calls to track down past supervisors who will vouch for someone’s career abilities. This can be like pulling teeth. Reaching them is half the battle. The other half of the battle is getting them to communicate what you are seeking without their maundering.
Recruiters who finally do reach a reference will then ask various important questions and then hand write notes from the verbal conversation on a sheet of scribble paper and then type out those notes and prepare them to fax or email the candidate reference back to their client. What a process. There has to be a better way!
Sure enough… there is! In fact a new site is preparing to launch in the upcoming months. MyJobCast.com will offer several automated components that will help facilitate the job closing process in a much more effective manner. One of these automated features will be an online digital reference generator. This feature will essentially allow job candidates to use the system to send their past supervisor(s) an email seeking a reference. This individual will receive the email message and the unique URL link which will connect them to an online reference form. Once filled out, the individual hits send and the reference system will automatically create a PDF file and send it back to the job seeker’s online profile for future use. The premise is to have the references available beforehand!
Today you have to be more proactive about references. Many recruiters will testify that the ideal practice would be to send references upfront to hiring managers who have scheduled an interview with their job candidates. I highly recommend this practice at the individual level as well. The reason is that it can help set the expectation and overall outcome of the interview. If you have great references to showcase and have them ready, that is saying something and you should not shy away from promoting your references. After all they are promoting you!
Showing posts with label job search. Show all posts
Showing posts with label job search. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Bailouts & Stimulus, & Spendulus, Oh My!
Whatever you want to call it, many of us are financially struggling or growing more and more concerned about our personal financial instabilities. I wont go into the politics of this bill that seems to have passed today, but I anxiously await, like so many others, for something to show us we have finally bottomed out.
Job data this month certainly did not indicate anywhere near a bottom and showed almost 600,000 more unemployed. Wow! That is staggering. In the past year, over 3 million jobs have been lost with about half of that occurring in the last 3 months.
If you are a job seeker, be patient. Realizing that patience only lasts so long, try to understand that you are not alone. There is lots of public information about how you can help yourself land that next job, including some information in my own blog posts. The trouble is, while I think you should try new things and stay the course in finding your next job, it could take time. More time than many of us can afford.
We will get through this. We will be a better country when this passes. That I feel strongly about. However, those who do nothing and don't realize that your career needs to constantly be in check will be the last to come out of this mess.
During a down time of unemployment, while seeking a job, spend some valuable time addressing your resume; get some quality professional references and letters of recommendations lined up and ready; join some quality professional networks like LinkedIn.com; connect with a successful recruiter in your area and in your industry. These are just some of the things that I have written about in my previous blog posts.
One of the items that I have left out seems to be the most obvious. Ask your own personal network if they know of job openings. Sites like Facebook.com are great for creating the ability to do things like this. For example, I am new to Facebook.com but have about 200 friends already. These are typically people from high school, college friends, family, general friends, neighbors and co-workers of current and past. When you add these up, you can see it can be easy to connect with lots of people.
Using the "Wall" in Facebook.com you can simply post a comment that you are looking for a new job and would appreciate your Facebook.com friends to keep their eyes and ears open. You might be surprised that someone in your own personal network may know of something or may find out something in the short term.
It's all about the Internet, regardless of how you connect to your next job in my opinion. Notice I didn't use the word "only" in that last sentence. Sure there are other variables besides the Internet, but I can assure you that the Internet is a huge factor with job connection for many.
Job data this month certainly did not indicate anywhere near a bottom and showed almost 600,000 more unemployed. Wow! That is staggering. In the past year, over 3 million jobs have been lost with about half of that occurring in the last 3 months.
If you are a job seeker, be patient. Realizing that patience only lasts so long, try to understand that you are not alone. There is lots of public information about how you can help yourself land that next job, including some information in my own blog posts. The trouble is, while I think you should try new things and stay the course in finding your next job, it could take time. More time than many of us can afford.
We will get through this. We will be a better country when this passes. That I feel strongly about. However, those who do nothing and don't realize that your career needs to constantly be in check will be the last to come out of this mess.
During a down time of unemployment, while seeking a job, spend some valuable time addressing your resume; get some quality professional references and letters of recommendations lined up and ready; join some quality professional networks like LinkedIn.com; connect with a successful recruiter in your area and in your industry. These are just some of the things that I have written about in my previous blog posts.
One of the items that I have left out seems to be the most obvious. Ask your own personal network if they know of job openings. Sites like Facebook.com are great for creating the ability to do things like this. For example, I am new to Facebook.com but have about 200 friends already. These are typically people from high school, college friends, family, general friends, neighbors and co-workers of current and past. When you add these up, you can see it can be easy to connect with lots of people.
Using the "Wall" in Facebook.com you can simply post a comment that you are looking for a new job and would appreciate your Facebook.com friends to keep their eyes and ears open. You might be surprised that someone in your own personal network may know of something or may find out something in the short term.
It's all about the Internet, regardless of how you connect to your next job in my opinion. Notice I didn't use the word "only" in that last sentence. Sure there are other variables besides the Internet, but I can assure you that the Internet is a huge factor with job connection for many.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Job Seekers Have to Practice Their Pitch
There are a many things that job seekers can do to find a new job. The most important part of that job seeking process is the actual job interview. Recently, I wrote about showing enthusiasm on the interview and how that can help you stand out amongst other job applicants. I am also one who believes in the old cliché, “practice makes perfect”. Common sense as well as my years of recruiting experience have repeatedly shown that if a job seeker is going to land a new job , they better prepare for the interview process.
Think of it this way. A sales executive may only really have 30 seconds to make a pitch to a customer. It is in the first 30 seconds, in many cases, that a this customer will make a decision. Likewise for hiring managers. They too will often “size up” a job candidate in the first 30 seconds of the job interview.
The sales person who has repeatedly practiced their pitch, and focuses on the positive delivery of their message (pitch) will in most cases do better. A good sales person realizes that they have to play a numbers game and deal with a tremendous amount of rejection. Sound like job searching? What gets me is that this “pitch” is the most important part of this process (and likewise the job seeking process) and yet it is being practiced DURING the game.
Now I know most of my readers aren’t in sales and can’t picture themselves selling anything let alone making a phone call to sell themselves, but you need to strongly consider this somewhat simple advice. Especially with the condition of our economy right now.
Job seekers need to understand how to sell themselves. Job seekers - did you grit your teeth on that one or roll your eyes? I know how you feel, but the fact is I still continue to hear strong feedback from our clients (hiring managers) about how job applicants can stand out . The job applicant’s balanced confidence, enthusiasm and fluidness of their pitch delivery during an interview seems to continue to be a strong motivating and decision making factor for hiring managers.
According to the latest statistics, only about 2-5% of all resumes posted via the Internet even get a click let alone an interview. How many people today spend too much time on career sites posting their resume and searching for jobs? How many job candidates spend far too little time practicing and rehearsing their interview? Read through my previous blog postings to better understand why this may not be the best time being spent for job seekers.
For over 18 years now I have trained sales people to be sales people. I have seen more people terrified of role playing than you can imagine. Grown adults terrified to role play. The trouble is that they don’t believe they need to practice and prepare, or they are too embarrassed to practice OUT LOUD. Again, it is this practicing, and doing so out loud in fact, that can be a deciding factor for you in your job interview!
Like they say, you only get one chance to make a good first impression. I have said for years that a resume may get you in the door but what matters more will be the connection or lack of connection a job applicant makes with the individual conducting the interview. I cannot stress that reality enough.
Plain and simple, hiring managers, in many cases, hire people they like and people who appear to be a good fit within an organization. Though qualifications are essential, they typically don’t come first on the list during the interview process. I’m not stating that qualifications aren’t important. Remember these qualifications and/or a recruiter with a relationship with a hiring manger can be what gets you in the door. Once you get in the door though, you have to sell yourself.
To sell yourself the best you can, you need to practice and prepare. When it comes to your big game (interview) understand one thing, your resume will NOT be the problem if you do not get the job. Again, it helped get you in the door! If you were fortunate enough to get the interview and not the job, then there is a good probability it was due to your pitch. Practice!
Think of it this way. A sales executive may only really have 30 seconds to make a pitch to a customer. It is in the first 30 seconds, in many cases, that a this customer will make a decision. Likewise for hiring managers. They too will often “size up” a job candidate in the first 30 seconds of the job interview.
The sales person who has repeatedly practiced their pitch, and focuses on the positive delivery of their message (pitch) will in most cases do better. A good sales person realizes that they have to play a numbers game and deal with a tremendous amount of rejection. Sound like job searching? What gets me is that this “pitch” is the most important part of this process (and likewise the job seeking process) and yet it is being practiced DURING the game.
Now I know most of my readers aren’t in sales and can’t picture themselves selling anything let alone making a phone call to sell themselves, but you need to strongly consider this somewhat simple advice. Especially with the condition of our economy right now.
Job seekers need to understand how to sell themselves. Job seekers - did you grit your teeth on that one or roll your eyes? I know how you feel, but the fact is I still continue to hear strong feedback from our clients (hiring managers) about how job applicants can stand out . The job applicant’s balanced confidence, enthusiasm and fluidness of their pitch delivery during an interview seems to continue to be a strong motivating and decision making factor for hiring managers.
According to the latest statistics, only about 2-5% of all resumes posted via the Internet even get a click let alone an interview. How many people today spend too much time on career sites posting their resume and searching for jobs? How many job candidates spend far too little time practicing and rehearsing their interview? Read through my previous blog postings to better understand why this may not be the best time being spent for job seekers.
For over 18 years now I have trained sales people to be sales people. I have seen more people terrified of role playing than you can imagine. Grown adults terrified to role play. The trouble is that they don’t believe they need to practice and prepare, or they are too embarrassed to practice OUT LOUD. Again, it is this practicing, and doing so out loud in fact, that can be a deciding factor for you in your job interview!
Like they say, you only get one chance to make a good first impression. I have said for years that a resume may get you in the door but what matters more will be the connection or lack of connection a job applicant makes with the individual conducting the interview. I cannot stress that reality enough.
Plain and simple, hiring managers, in many cases, hire people they like and people who appear to be a good fit within an organization. Though qualifications are essential, they typically don’t come first on the list during the interview process. I’m not stating that qualifications aren’t important. Remember these qualifications and/or a recruiter with a relationship with a hiring manger can be what gets you in the door. Once you get in the door though, you have to sell yourself.
To sell yourself the best you can, you need to practice and prepare. When it comes to your big game (interview) understand one thing, your resume will NOT be the problem if you do not get the job. Again, it helped get you in the door! If you were fortunate enough to get the interview and not the job, then there is a good probability it was due to your pitch. Practice!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Turn Off Your TV
Ok, now that the election is over and we have a new President elect, it’s time to look for opportunities. If you’re spending you time watching the news rehash itself with the same half dozen headlines over and over, then you’re quite frankly leaving yourself behind the eight ball.
October was our best month of the fiscal year and to add to that the month of November is shaping up just as nice. Can I explain this in how it relates to the economy? No, I cannot. All I can say is that, while the news showcases a down market for jobs, there are still great opportunities out there and we are working on finding them.
JTL Services, Inc. works on jobs that pay from $65K and up. So far we have been fortunate enough to have not seen this $65K and up market affected in any way by the souring economy. In fact, throughout 2008 we have seen companies hire, and hiring quickly. Many have been hiring after the first interview. We have not seen that activity since 2001. If you have a concern about your present job then give one of our recruiters a call and let us explain in detail how we can help you with your career. Keep in mind that JTL is a national search firm and has expert recruiters that specialize in most verticals.
October was our best month of the fiscal year and to add to that the month of November is shaping up just as nice. Can I explain this in how it relates to the economy? No, I cannot. All I can say is that, while the news showcases a down market for jobs, there are still great opportunities out there and we are working on finding them.
JTL Services, Inc. works on jobs that pay from $65K and up. So far we have been fortunate enough to have not seen this $65K and up market affected in any way by the souring economy. In fact, throughout 2008 we have seen companies hire, and hiring quickly. Many have been hiring after the first interview. We have not seen that activity since 2001. If you have a concern about your present job then give one of our recruiters a call and let us explain in detail how we can help you with your career. Keep in mind that JTL is a national search firm and has expert recruiters that specialize in most verticals.
Friday, May 16, 2008
What's the Dilio?
In my seemingly going-nowhere-fast search to better understand the rapidly changing Internet arena for job searches, I have discovered a clandestine revelation. I am not alone!
It seems almost every day there is a new job board or newly surfaced online Web 2.0 service promising to sort it all out and be the de-facto playing field for job seekers. But which ones work is what we all want to know. The jury is out.
From my digging around I can tell you a few things I noticed that are, to be brutally blunt, horrible. Let me explain. A job seeker typically wants to search for jobs that are actually open positions and posted within recent days, and of course meeting their qualifications.
I find, and I could be wrong, that jobs posted in CareerBuilder.com, and Monster.com are either re-posted as new jobs or posted by recruiters looking for talent to add to their databases. This is very troubling to me and our recruiters since we are most interested in placing positions as quickly as possible for our actual open positions. Heck, if we cant place our open positions, we can't stay in business.
Don't get me wrong, I understand the necessity of building a talent pool. But I also understand there is a better way to accomplish this task. We, for one, keep open lines of e-communications with our placements. After all, it is they that can provide the best possible network to available talent. They have friends, family, relatives, neighbors, and co-workers that in essence become our virtual talent pool.
Thankfully, people are intelligent and quickly learning the hidden tricks of many job boards and turning to a more local, quality and successful job recruiters.
My message to many would be to be careful of relying on Monster.com and/or CareerBuilder.com if you are seeking a job. I am not saying you can't find an open position and actually get a good job by using them. I am more saying to open up to other avenues at locating your next job.
It seems almost every day there is a new job board or newly surfaced online Web 2.0 service promising to sort it all out and be the de-facto playing field for job seekers. But which ones work is what we all want to know. The jury is out.
From my digging around I can tell you a few things I noticed that are, to be brutally blunt, horrible. Let me explain. A job seeker typically wants to search for jobs that are actually open positions and posted within recent days, and of course meeting their qualifications.
I find, and I could be wrong, that jobs posted in CareerBuilder.com, and Monster.com are either re-posted as new jobs or posted by recruiters looking for talent to add to their databases. This is very troubling to me and our recruiters since we are most interested in placing positions as quickly as possible for our actual open positions. Heck, if we cant place our open positions, we can't stay in business.
Don't get me wrong, I understand the necessity of building a talent pool. But I also understand there is a better way to accomplish this task. We, for one, keep open lines of e-communications with our placements. After all, it is they that can provide the best possible network to available talent. They have friends, family, relatives, neighbors, and co-workers that in essence become our virtual talent pool.
Thankfully, people are intelligent and quickly learning the hidden tricks of many job boards and turning to a more local, quality and successful job recruiters.
My message to many would be to be careful of relying on Monster.com and/or CareerBuilder.com if you are seeking a job. I am not saying you can't find an open position and actually get a good job by using them. I am more saying to open up to other avenues at locating your next job.
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