Job Search

Are you using seat-of-the-pants methods, spending most of your time searching the web and sending out lots of almost identical applications? Are your interviews not resulting in offers? Or aren't you getting interviews? Is your networking not working? Do you have the feeling that perhaps you could be searching more efficiently, with higher probability of success?

Here are some of the steps I can help you with:

Picking the right kind of jobs to target

I've observed that many new clients have been wearing themselves out (and getting depressed) spending hours looking at job sites. They report they can't find many appropriate openings and often feel overwhelmed. Is this you? It usually helps a great deal when we pinpoint 4 or 5 job titles, organizations, and location. I can supply you with niche job websites for the kinds of jobs you seek, and we can develop a strategy for reaching hiring managers to find openings that don't appear on the usual — or any — sites.

Tuning up your resumes

Yes, resumes, plural. Using the same exact resume for each job opening is no longer good enough. If you really want a position, it's important to analyze skillfully just what the employer is looking for, and then present as many of those skills and attributes as you have — in words that they (or their screening computer) will recognize. I'll teach you techniques that will allow you to customize your resumes and get them into the "let's interview" pile. Almost all my clients find they can take their resumes to the next level.

This effort also helps them a lot when it comes time to interview.

Developing communication materials that lead to interviews

Do you have a good way of introducing yourself (a.k.a."elevator speech")? Have you developed a 1 and 2 minute explanation of the type of position you seek and what your key skills and experience are? This can be challenging to do well — but once you have a good one, you'll find you can vary it slightly, and be much more comfortable in potential networking situations. I'll help you with this key step, as well as with a cover letter and polishing a profile for social networking sites such as LinkedIn.

"Passive" job search and social networking

Sounds easy? Well, yes and no. To be found you need to be active on-line. The biggest change in employers' approach to hiring in the past five years is their use of social network sites to find so-called passive candidates. This means employers take the initiative in searching for people whose talents and experience they want. Their recruiters now look closely at social networking sites not just to check out clients they have found in other ways, but also to scan for potential new candidates who have desired skills and savvy.

Whether you are in an active job search or just interested in being found for a possible new opportunity, using at least one social networking site (preferably Linked In) is essential. Apart from being found, the sites are excellent sources of information to help you contact people at places where you'd like to work — to get information, or a suggestion of whom to talk with there. It's also good to join (no charge) several groups on the site, and get at least a little active by reading posts and commenting occasionally, thus showing you are knowledgeable about your field — and also getting to know names of other commentators who might be in a position to help you.

Don't think, "Well, I'll just paste my resume in and wait and see". Learn about more steps that won't eat up a lot of time, but that will bring you the results you seek.

Using the 5 key methods to get jobs

Avoid over-reliance on the one most people focus on: internet ads. I take you step-by-step, so you'll be using various methods in the most efficient way.

Networking

Expert Lynn Waymon says that networking is about teaching people about your competence and character, and giving back by listening and — if you can — helping. I find many clients are anxious about networking and feel they don't want to "use people". I'll teach you techniques and how to give back. If you are an introvert, you'll learn you don't have to be out schmoozing every evening to network effectively, and we can tailor your networking to your personal style.

Preparing for your interview

I think I've never had a client who didn't feel they had benefited from a practice session. I'll give you a mock interview, and then we'll put together our ideas about how you can strengthen your answers and represent yourself most effectively.

Salary negotiation

Very few people love to do this, and some don't do it at all or very well. Coaching on negotiating your salary, flextime, educational benefits, etc. will give you added skills and confidence. Too many people — especially women — don't negotiate, and can miss out on thousands of dollars of income.

Contact me to discuss briefly your particular job search challenge and what assistance I can offer.