A Checklist for Transition

The Success of Your Job Search Depends on How Well You Do Your Planning

Any trip we take usually starts with planning – and so should your journey to your next job. Unfortunately, I often see individuals attempting to jump straight to the destination without the proper planning and preparation. They rush to update their resumes without taking the time to consider options. They frantically start "dialing for jobs" - calling friends and colleagues to see if anyone knows of a job opening - without a clear message of what they have to offer. Yes, an updated resume will be required. And yes, networking is key to finding a job. But should these be the first activities on a job seeker’s To Do List? I say no, and here’s why.

Reflection

Before rushing out to find the new job, it’s important to take the time to consider your current state. Did you get laid off and are you still in shock or dealing with anger? If you are, this is certainly not the time to be on the phone trying to land an interview. Who knows what an interviewer can get you to say under these emotional conditions?

Have you just learned that your division has been acquired by another firm and your new employer is planning to eliminate your position? Not the best strategy to update your resume with a focus on only looking for a job just like the one you just lost. What’s the market like for this position? Are employers hiring in this area, or should you be considering transitioning your skills and experience to a different industry or line of work?

Job loss comes with a certain degree of trauma and chaos. But it also provides an equally important opportunity to step back, reflect on what you know about yourself, your skills, and your work preferences in order to put together a successful strategy for achieving your purpose: navigating the journey to the right job.

Planning

Proper planning can help you address your job search needs while managing the emotional rollercoaster that usually tags along with the announcement of a job loss. Consider this checklist of To Do’s as you prioritize what to do when:

• Finances – Review your financial situation and consider your options. Do you need to take on a part-time job while you’re looking for your next career position? How can you stretch your savings to supplement your unemployment benefits or severance? How can you fund some of the job search expenses you will have? Clarity about financial needs will also help you determine and orchestrate the intensity required of you in managing your job search activities in order to achieve the necessary results.
• Computer - All job seekers need access to a computer. So if the company’s computer was your primary computer, you’ll need to decide if you can buy a new one or get access through your local library or State Labor Department.
• Phone - The same is true for your phone as your computer. You can live without a mobile phone for a while if you still have a land line. Just make sure that you have reliable phone service and that your recorded message sounds professional and reflects the image you want to transmit.
• Email Address – You need a personal email address that is professional. If you don’t have one, get one. Don’t use the company email system for sending and receiving job inquiries. Take the appropriate steps to establish yourself as a serious job seeker who has planned and implemented a professional job search strategy.
• Self-reflection – While you’re dealing with these technology issues, begin to think about the competencies you have been acquiring over your career. What relevant skills and experiences do you have to offer? How can these talents and skills transfer into a new line of work – opening doors you might not have considered in the past? Don’t assume you want to look for a position just like the one you just left. Focus on what positions the market is seeking and how you can reinvent yourself to fit.
• Image – Do you have an appropriate interview outfit? If not, start looking for sales. Remember, you can’t "redo" your first impression. Make sure your image sends the right message: "I’m professional." You’ll probably need two interview outfits as well as few appropriate "business casual" outfits for networking.
• Business cards – Finding a job is a job! You now have your own company and the product you are selling is YOU! Every salesperson has a business card. You can easily design and print cards from companies such as Vistaprint, or work with a graphics designer at your local office supply store. Your business card should contain all the usual contact information, as well as a few bullets highlighting your key skills, certifications, type of work you’re looking for, etc. They don’t have to be expensive – just professional. Link your card style with your branding.
• Network – The first step in networking is organizing who you know. One way to think about contacts is to think of the people you know by categories: co-workers (present as well as former), neighbors, family members, people you exercise with, the parents of the children your children go to school with, etc. List names along with phone numbers and email addresses. Build this list in WORD or Excel so it will be easy for you to keep notes on who you talked with and what follow up actions you need to take.
• LinkedIn – LinkedIn is certainly recognized as the professional networking site. If you don’t already have a LinkedIn profile, establish one. Again think about how you are branding yourself, and keep the information professional. Utilize the features of LinkedIn to help you connect with others, get introductions, and share appropriate updates. Be careful with what you post and don’t forget about managing your privacy. .Identity theft is a serious and real problem.
• 30-second commercial – Now you’re ready to start reaching out to your friends and colleagues. Develop a brief overview of what you have to offer, what help you’re looking for, and include a request for the names and contact information for others you should contact. Be able to say all of that in about 30-60 seconds. Don’t get too detailed that you lose the interest of your contact, but be specific enough so they understand what you need them to do. Once you have scripted your commercial, and this will probably take a few versions, practice it until you can say it in a conversational style without referring to your notes.
• Research - Now it’s time to consider the geography in which you want to live and commute. Research the job market within your identified radius and consider how your passions, experiences and competencies align with what those employers are looking for.
• Armed with your market research, together with what you’ve learned about yourself through self-reflection exercises you are now ready to update your resume. Once you’ve got a solid draft prepared, it will be appropriate to begin calling your friends and colleagues to let them know you are in transition, that you’d appreciate their feedback on your resume draft, and can they spend some time brainstorming with you about other people they know that you might be able to talk with about your job search. Remember, you want to speak with anyone that might know someone who, on occasion, hires someone with your skill set.

Hopefully by the time you get through working on your resume, as well as your checklist, you will find yourself spending more time looking forward to the future, rather than being angry, depressed, or frustrated with the past. This is now the time to start practicing your interview techniques by answering traditional and behavioral interview questions.

The journey to your next job can be thoughtful, enlightening, and purposeful, or it can be an unfocused, chaotic trip. Take the time to do your planning; and then work your plan. Just like any business, you need a strategic plan, systems, supplies and a good product in order to attract customers. Be kind to yourself on this trip. Make sure you are purposeful in setting your daily and weekly goals, but also manage your time by including exercise, fun events, and time for stress relief. Job search can be challenging. Be patient, focused, and look for ways to learn more about yourself with every passing mile. You’ll be a better employee when you reach your destination if you do. Best of luck!

As always, I welcome your comments to my article. Please share your thoughts below. If you found this article helpful, I appreciate you sharing it with others. Have a great week.
　

This article was written by Deborah A King, SPHR, CEO and Career Coach with Evolution Management, Inc. Debbie and her team are energized about helping individuals plan and navigate their journey to a new career and can help you plan for successful change. Contact Debbie for more information: debbie@evolutionmgt.com or 770.587.9032.
 

2012! Three Tips for Making it the Year of the Job

January is usually a time for planning. And, for most of us, planning goes hand-in-hand with taking steps to modify our behaviors. We know that we can’t achieve the goals we set for the New Year by continuing to do the same things we did last year. Think about it. If we set a goal to lose 10 pounds, we can’t be successful achieving it unless we modify our eating habits and our exercise routine, can we? So goes it for finding a job. You may have been very "busy" last year looking for work, but were you focused on doing the things that would lead you to the most opportunities?

Now’s the time to take a good look at what you’ve been doing to manage your career and your job search. Make sure all your efforts are strategic, targeted, and aligned with the goals and timelines you want to achieve. Being "busy" doesn’t mean you are being "strategic." As Einstein said, "you can’t keep doing the same thing and expect different results." So start the New Year thinking and acting strategically. Here are three tips for getting started:

1. Update your mental and verbal image of what you have to offer. This is a critical step regardless of whether you’ve been out of work five weeks or two years. Really look at how your experiences, accomplishments, and passions align with what businesses are looking for today.

Sometimes when individuals are working in an organization it’s so hard to dissect what is being accomplished – it’s just viewed as "work." But it’s important to be crystal clear of your view of yourself - see yourself as a subject matter expert. Having that clarity will help you talk about how you use that knowledge and experience to solve problems. If you’ve been out of work for a period of time, it may be time to again take stock of what you are a subject matter expert in, and how those experiences are still relevant in the market today. As time goes by and your "demonstrated" experience is further in the past, it’s a good idea to look for ways to volunteer your time in order to maintain a successful track record of relevant and updated work skills. Yes, even if you aren’t getting paid for them.

The updating of your mental image should broaden your ideas of where you can successfully be the subject matter expert. Perhaps you’ve always worked in the banking industry as an auditor. Spend time considering how those experiences transition into the financial controls and auditing requirements of the healthcare or construction industries. Look for ways you can "see" yourself in a different industry setting and then work on how to help others see how your knowledge, skills and abilities transfer to their industry.

Updating your verbal image- your 30-second commercial- will take time and creativity. Most important is that you believe you can be successful. If you don’t believe in yourself, how can you expect someone else to? Your overview of what you are looking for should demonstrate a solid link from past experiences to the future where your talents and innovative ideas will boost efficiencies and improve cost savings.

2. Reconnect and continue to build your network. Jobs are being added in our economy, but at a slow pace and most economists agree this will be the trend throughout 2012. That being the case, employers will continue to be discreet about how they identify qualified candidates. They don’t want to get slammed with hundreds, or even thousands of resumes for a few openings, so they are less likely to post openings on job boards. More than likely they will work with recruiters or current employees to reach out to potential hires.

That being the case, it’s important to update your existing network on your 2012 job search goals and your updated 30-second commercial. Remind them that you are actively seeking employment and share a few of the specific actions you are taking. Engage them in discussing how transferring your talents from one industry to another will be beneficial to an employer. Ask permission to check in with them periodically, and then do just that. Maybe it’s through a call, or forwarding an article you read that you think they’ll find interesting. Just stay in touch.

In addition to the network of contacts you have cultivated up to this point, you need to continue to reach out to individuals in order to introduce them to your talents, skills and job search goals. There is turnover within organizations, so be sure to reach out to new mangers in organizations you are targeting. Make it a point to be active in the community, or within professional associations aligned with the field or industry you are interested in. Volunteer for projects in order to meet others while demonstrating your capabilities.

I know I sound like a broken record, and I’m not saying there won’t be some "real" job openings posted, it’s just that the preferred way to get in the door in this economy remains through a contact. You will also want to make sure that your LinkedIn profile is refreshed to match your updated message. As always, be diligent about monitoring and managing "posted" messages, pictures, or links that a future employer could view when they conduct their social media background check.

3. Use your time wisely. Navigating from one job to another is time consuming. Be sure to hold yourself accountable for where you are spending your time and what you’re getting back from that encounter.

This is also a good time to keep up-to-date on what’s going on in the world, as well as emerging trends in the specific industry and profession you are targeting. Expanding your knowledge and skills through workshops, on-line trainings, and college courses is a good use of your time as you have the opportunity to meet new individuals to add to your network while exposing yourself to new knowledge and experience you can add to your resume.

Using your time wisely also encompasses taking care of yourself. Job search can be stressful; rejection can be very frustrating and depressing and can lead to self-doubt. This is a time to make sure you are exercising, eating well, and surrounding yourself with positive people and positive energy.

I hope these tips motivate you to re-ignite your 2012 efforts to get organized and focused in a way that quickly leads to fulfilling your wishes for a job that is personally satisfying, financially rewarding, and adds to your career growth and advancement capabilities.

I’d love to hear from you if you have other suggestions for ways to kick-off or restart a successful 2012 job search. Please click on the comment box below and share your thoughts.

And one other thought - if you know someone in job search that might benefit from these tips, please forward this email to them and ask them to subscribe for future posts.

Q&A

It’s been a while since I’ve interviewed for a job. Should I have a few questions ready to ask when the interviewer is finished?
DeLois

Check out Dear Jobseeker for my answer to DeLois' question.

Collaborate for a Solution

www.evolutionmgt.com

770.587.9032

Examining the Fairness of Job Fairs

From my perspective, you would have to be living under a rock to not know that prospects for a job are grim.  As an entrepreneur and an HR professional I hate writing this, but we can't deny the statistics and the lack of confidence businesses and consumers currently have in the marketplace.  

I guess if I'm totally honest, I'd have to say there are "some" jobs being created, but they are few and far between, as demonstrated by the fact that the economy created zero jobs last month!  And judging by the number of Americans seeking employment, those working part-time but really wanting full-time work, and those that have just given up all hope - we've got a crisis on our hands.  That’s why I’m surprised and disappointed when I see organizations advertising Job Fairs.  I’m surprised because employers aren’t hiring a wide variety of jobs, and I’m disappointed because I don’t believe these Fairs help job seekers appropriately manage expectations about opportunities.  Adding to that, when hundreds of people show up for a handful of jobs there’s no way they’ll walk away feeling like the experience was respectful and uplifting.  So my question – is there something we can do to make Job Fairs relevant again, or has their time passed?

It’s Politics, Business, Community and Government
At this point you might be wondering where I'm taking this blog, but don't worry, it's not about politics - although I hope the politicians who read this learn something from it.  No, I want to focus on the responsibilities and accountabilities we all have to treat job seekers with respect and properly manage their expectations about next steps.  You may not have seen this as something you are responsible for, but more and more we all have to be honest with the messages we send about the pace and realities of future job growth.

Recently an organization offered a Job Fair in the Atlanta metro area.  They were surprised when 5,000 candidates arrived to stand in line for hours waiting to get their time in front of a hiring manager.  What the job seekers experienced was a situation not well thought out:  No shelter from the August "dog day" heat, no port-o-potties, no water or food.  Just a very long line that led to an exhibit hall where businesses were requesting that resumes be submitted on-line. 

Summarizing the event for a reporter it was revealed by promoters that employers were looking for qualified candidates for at least 1,000 jobs.  In reality 65 individuals reportedly received job offers from that Job Fair.  That’s 65 lucky people out of 5,000!  

I'm not sure how many of the 5,000 were out of work and could give their entire day for this fiasco, but I'm sure some of those folks sacrificed part-time hours and income for the hope of a full-time job!  That's what's got me all wound up!  The Human Resource profession is about helping people, being the advocate for workers, the liaison between management and non-management.  We should be all about treating people with respect and dignity.  And that’s not what I’ve been seeing at these Job Fairs.  Instead, it looks like the promoters want to be seen as doing good.  But when you look at the outcome, it would seem like there is more pain, frustration, anger and despair as a result of participating in the event rather than hope.  It also concerns me that this environment we are creating - drawing thousands of unemployed people together for no other benefit but to stand in long lines in tremendous heat - could explode with violence.  People are fragile, and not managing their expectations could unintentionally tip someone over the edge.

The organizers’ hearts might have been in the right place - connect job seekers with folks that "someday" will again have jobs to offer.  But the message that the phrase "Job Fair" conveys is that employers are seeking to fill jobs right now!  And we just can't say this Job Fair in Atlanta was a fluke.  The organizers went on to offer another "Fair" in Los Angeles last week and 10,000 people came and stood in line waiting for an opportunity to speak with someone looking to fill a job with the skills they had to offer.  A disaster waiting to happen.

What the World Needs Now is Hope
I saw a report on the news recently about the depression and lack of hope Americans are feeling - not just from the lack of work, but also from losing homes, the difficult weather we've had this summer, the earthquake in a location where earthquakes are not common, the flooding and the wild fires.  Seems like everywhere you look, including our nation's capital, you find struggles.  The reporter referenced tips for managing sadness and feelings of loss of hope by managing the intake of sad news, scheduling time with upbeat people and making sure to include exercise in our daily routines.

As we look at the job crisis, I believe it's time for every employer, Chamber, business association, political party, human resource association, recruiter, and job fair organizer to realize it's not business as usual.  We have a responsibility to protect the job seekers from additional despair and vulnerability.  We need to be the guardians who deliver messages of hope and not of frustration.  Many people are at their wits end.  We've seen a spike in violence across the country, often fueled by people feeling out of options with nowhere to look for comfort.

In order to turn our economy around we need to foster hope and confidence, and that includes showing respect to those seeking a job opportunity.  This is not a time to be irresponsibly playing with lives and dreams.

So What's Next?
I think it's time for us to get innovative about what the new “Job Fair” can be.  First, let’s change the name so people will view it differently – maybe it’s a Career Boot Camp.  Can you imagine this?

You see the Career Boot Camp advertised through the newspaper, DOL career centers, Chambers, and internet.  You’re required to register and you receive a time to arrive, in order to avoid the hours of long lines and better manage the Camp environment.  With your registration request you also select three or four options of topics you are interested in learning more about.  The workshops might address topics such as:

• Networking
• Appropriate business dress, for the job search and on the job
• Verbal and non-verbal communications
• The power of being a good team player
• Business Etiquette 101
• Resume review
• Mock interviews
• What employers want in a good employee – panel of business owners
• Discussions about job search techniques with HR professionals
• Basic computer skills

The community might also partner to provide:

• Health screenings
• Dental and eye exams
• Flu shots
• Red Cross blood drive
• Clothes closet (collect and dispense)
• Food bank (collect and dispense)

We still need to bring together people who are looking for work, which was the objective of the Job Fair.  But now, we need to help them prepare for the types of jobs that will be coming and how to be successful in those new roles.  A Career Boot Camp could be very helpful in giving an individual the skills and the courage required for “reinvention.”

I think it’s time we get creative and bring people together to learn, gain awareness about what the marketplace of the future will require, and prepare them for success.  We need to stop draining energy from those already uncertain of when they might expect a break.  Let's open their eyes to new professions, new conversations, and ways to transfer their skills into the future.

I recently received an email from a colleague who is working with the West Georgia Employers Committee to offer a “Job Networking Event” later this month.  To my delight the notice is crystal clear:  This is Not a Job Fair!  Instead the focus of the event is to learn about the jobs that the employers expect to have in the future, what performance expectations will be required, and to start building relationships with these employers.  Information will be shared that job seekers can use to prepare for what’s coming next.  What a fantastic idea!  Kudos to Diana and her team!

We need to start thinking and reacting to unemployment in a different way than we have in the past.  The world is different, the needs are different and the solutions have also got to be different.  And above all, we need to instill hope and confidence in an environment of respect and dignity.  No longer is there a need for a “fair” that you go to to shop for your next job.  Instead, I believe it's the event you attend (in your best business professional outfit) to build your skills, attitudes, talents, competencies and awareness of what will work in the future.

PS - For Job Seekers
If you are currently looking for a job, be suspicious of any organization advertising that it's having a Job Fair.  Take action to contact the organizers and find out what businesses are participating and what specific skill sets they are looking for to fill the job openings they are recruiting for. 

Be protective of your time, energy and psyche.  If they can't specifically tell you the type of positions being recruited for, or provide you with an "appointment" of when you should show up, give yourself permission to pass.  The odds of something working out for you at a poorly organized Job Fair are not good.  You'll have better results by spending that time networking with a colleague or friend who is already working somewhere and may know someone to introduce you to.

So what do you think?  Are Job Fairs still relevant?  What role should businesses play in connecting with job seekers when the number of job openings are limited?   What's the best way to manage job seeker expectations, frustrations, anger and yes, maybe even violence?  I'm looking forward to hearing from you.  

Q&A 

I’ve been looking for a job for 6 months!  It seems like nothing is working.  Should I chalk this up to the fact that I’m over 50 and just give up?  Can you help me with suggestions for dealing with age discrimination?

- Harry

Check out Dear Jobseeker for my answer to Harry's question.

Collaborate for a Solution

www.evolutionmgt.com

770.587.9032 

A Graduation Gift – A Solid Job Search Strategy

It’s that time of year again: graduation announcements, celebrations, and job search. Some ambitious students may already be implementing their strategy, while others may not have had time enough between projects and exams to think about it yet. Whatever situation you or your graduating friend is in, there’s good news. According to the 2011 Job Outlook Report issued by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, employers are indicating a hiring projection well improved from last year. Good news, and another reason to celebrate!

But before the celebrations begin, the graduate should devote some quality time to developing a job search strategy that will deliver a good job. So here’s my early graduation gift: a road map for planning a successful job search strategy.

After the years of dedication you’ve put into your education one thing I’m sure you’ve learned is that no one is just going to give you a job. In fact, unless you’re totally clueless, you are aware that we’ve been experiencing a downturn in the economy and hundreds of thousands of people are out of work, making the competition for every job more intense. Analyzing these two data points, you also realize you’ll have to be sharp, prepared, and strategic in your job search to make the most of your time and efforts. So what’s the first step?

Getting Started
As you think about your job search, keep my EMI Job Search Model in mind. This model forms an integrated strategy of:

• a well developed, growing and utilized network of friends, family and colleagues interested in helping you succeed
• a strong and focused resume that quickly illustrates the value of the knowledge, skills and abilities you have to contribute to the right organization
• a confident and prepared interviewer who is comfortable speaking with others about her strengths, as well as those traits she is still developing

Surrounding these cornerstones of the model is a communications strategy implemented through continuous follow up.

Key actions before leaving campus include the following:

• Clean up your social media presence – remember HR types and hiring managers will be looking at what you’ve got posted. If you can, take down controversial comments, links, photos, etc. It’s time to get professional – meaning not everything you do, think or experience should be public.
• Make sure your ‘LinkedIn’ profile portrays you with a professional image and that you connect with all your professors, friends, and college acquaintances and then begin to expand from that base.
• Take advantage of the career counseling offered through your Career Center – resume preparation, speakers, job boards, job fairs, etc.
• If you haven’t been a student member of the professional association that supports your field of interest – join! (I have more to say about this later) Try to go to a few meetings to meet more people to include in your job search network. Often the Student Chapters are invited to the larger association meetings – a great networking opportunity.
• Check in to available internships – these may be managed through the Career Center or directly by your Department Chair.
• Utilize relationships the college has with business partners to schedule networking interviews with business leaders. This will help you formulate your search strategy, as well as expand the pool of companies that know you are available and ready to make a difference for their organization. 

Is Your “Old” Room Still Available?
For many students without a job, the only option may be to move back home with Mom and Dad while you are in job search. Be aware that this can be difficult for everyone – it’s not just about you. Also, be aware that they want you to be successful and probably feel that they have some life experiences that would be helpful for you to know about. Be respectful and kind. Yes, it’s a different generation, but they have probably held more jobs than you have and just may have some nuggets of wisdom that will help you. Listen and be grateful.

Remember how earlier I congratulated you for knowing about world affairs and the global economic crisis? Those events have some far reaching ramifications that will impact your job search:

• more competition as a result of the number of people out of work
• employers reluctant to hire full-time positions; you may have to consider part-time or temp assignments in the short term
• expanding opportunities with small businesses, but you’ll probably need to wear multiple hats
• expanding opportunities for spammers and rip-off artists; be careful protecting your personal data – if the opportunity sounds too good to be true, it probably is
• finding ways to reduce costs has led many industries to embrace technology-based operations – this is good news for you since your generation is comfortable using and adapting to technologies. Make sure you bring that out in your resume and interview

With the marketplace changing, so goes the hiring process. You will see fewer jobs being posted on sites such as CareerBuilder and Monster. You may have been too busy studying to hear the story about Delta Airlines. A few months ago they posted a hiring need for 1,000 flight attendants -- they received 100,000 resumes! No organization has the internal capacity to deal with that type of response. So, as jobs become available, more organizations will be working through recruiters and through networking. Do you see why I want you to get comfortable networking? That’s where the jobs are, and will be for the near future. So I realize that you like to text and chat, but get yourself comfortable with face-to-face interactions. Be aware of your communications and interpersonal skills. If you need a coach to improve in these areas, get one – it will be an investment in yourself that will pay off for many years. Also, while you were in school did you ever come across the growing reliance on Emotional Intelligence (EI) in hiring selection and job fit? If you haven’t, you should become familiar with it and keep the principles in mind as you practice interview questions.

Bringing It All Together
One of the first networking tasks you can create is to ask a few trusted individuals for feedback on your resume. Hopefully you received some great help from your Career Center. Don’t overlook the many avenues for information on preparing a resume available on the internet, as well as the free Career Transition resources I offer at my website www.evolutionmgt.com. Consider your resume a work-in-progress and always look for ways to improve it.

Another activity you can do in conjunction with your networking is to take on a job as a volunteer. Include the position and your accomplishments on your resume, even though you aren’t getting paid; it’s all about your talents and experience. A volunteer job allows you to demonstrate your self-motivation, energy level and willingness to take on new activities in order to learn. This could also be the perfect place to gain a good reference.

I mentioned earlier that I had more to say about associations, and it’s all good. Last month I had the honor of serving as a judge for the SHRM Southeast Student Conference which was held at Clemson University. The Conference was set up with educational sessions, as well as case study competitions for the 7 SE teams. The entire experience re-enforced for me that associations dedicated to student and professional development are a wonderful source for networking, learning, and career transition support. I know the business and HR students attending this conference walked away with a lot of good information as well as a healthy dose of confidence when it comes to presentation and communication skills and personal image. Here are a few of the many tips on Pam Greene’s Career Management Checklist that she shared with the students. Pam is the Chief Membership Officer for SHRM.

• Do your homework: research employers before you start applying – know whether you will fit in with the corporate culture and be prepared to answer the question, “What do you know about us?”
• Read! Keep up with news and trends in your field of study and be able to talk to professionals intelligently about your knowledge. By the way, have you seen this issue of TIME?
• Control helicopter parents!
• Create your own business cards
• Be a lifelong learner – don’t stop educating yourself when you graduate; continue to take courses, read books, and consider graduate school
• Don’t be late for interviews or work (most companies have a policy that you can be fired for tardiness)
• Dress for success – never go to work in clothes that are too trendy or inappropriate for the office 

In closing I’ll add two more things to the list:

• Understand what the business community knows, or thinks it knows about your generation and present yourself in a way that supports that assumption or challenges it
• Recognize the power of the first impression.

The job market is challenging these days. There are jobs, but there are lots of people applying. Know who you are and what you are good at. Recognize that this is your first job and not one that you’ll hold for the rest of your life. At the most, you’ll probably only be in this position 3-5 years and then you’ll be moving up, over or on to other things. Brand yourself and treat everyone you meet with respect.

In addition to the other Career GPS blogs available for your review, please also check out my website for free resources and my workbook Position Your Next Move for a Successful Job Search.  Congratulations and good luck with your career!

One question for those readers who are already out in the work world: What would you say are the top three “must dos” for students trying to find that first job? Please click below and offer your suggestions.

Q&A
Dear Job Seeker Q&A:
Since I want to check out all job search channels, I’d like to find out what jobs are available in the government sector. Can you suggest how I go about this.
Charlie

Check out Dear Job Seeker... to see my answer to Charlie's question.

Working for Uncle Sam

Job seekers and individuals in career transition often overlook a great source of jobs – the United States government! That’s right; Uncle Sam wants you on his team!

According to a report from the Partnership for Public Service, government agencies will be filing 270,000 “mission critical” jobs by the end of 2012. These jobs will be in a variety of fields, with a majority of the opportunities in medical and public health, security and protection, compliance and enforcement, and legal. Just like with any job search avenue, the savvy candidate must do the appropriate research, know the organization, and properly engage in the appropriate hiring process.

Although President Obama signed a Presidential Memorandum on May 11, 2011 entitled, Improving the Federal Recruitment and Hiring Process, job seekers wishing to be successful landing a federal government job will need to understand and participate in a slightly different process than the one encountered when seeking a position in the private sector. Here’s what you need to be aware of:

Federal Job Search 101

Focus
Similar to a private sector job search, it’s critical to know yourself and to be focused. USAJOBS.gov is the official site for posting government job announcements. On average they post about 30,000 job notices a day. That can be very overwhelming and intimidating to a job seeker with an “I’ll take anything” attitude.

Mirroring the requirements for success with a private sector search, take the time to explore and discover who you are, what you like to do, what competencies you have to offer, and what tasks and responsibilities you want to avoid since past performance has demonstrated those not to be your strengths. This journey and the time it takes to get to know yourself will lead to:
• a more targeted approach
• identification of job postings that align with your qualifications
• a resume that addresses required and specific competencies with the job posting
• greater probability of success

To improve their knowledge of strengths, interests, and qualifications, job seekers often find it helpful to work with a career coach who can administer a variety of assessments to engage them in exploration and discussion about accomplishments, successes and developmental interests. They often will administer the
HBDI and Myers Briggs Type Indicator to solicit further exploration and determine work style preferences.

Networking
Every job seeker looking in the public or private sector needs to network! Your network may not be able to actually get you the job, but they will be able to share with you:

• information about what’s going on in a particular agency
• when jobs are being posted
• when part-time opportunities are available (a great way to get your foot in the door)
• required qualifications and skills
• introduction to the hiring manager

Be sure you are organizing and building your network. Utilize social media tools such as LinkedIn to assist your networking efforts.

Resume and KSAs
All job seekers have to develop an accurate resume that speaks directly to the needs outlined in the job posting. However, the resume acceptable in the private sector is not usually detailed enough for consideration in the public sector.

Think about it this way: Until the President mandated changes to the hiring process effective November, 2010, the responsibility for reviewing resumes and presenting three possible candidates to the hiring manager was totally the responsibility of someone within the agency’s Human Resources Department. Since all candidate resumes were not viewed by the hiring manager, the resume had to detail every qualification in order to “prove” to HR that the candidate had the required skill set for further consideration. In addition to a resume that often would be 6-8 pages, the candidate was also required to write out detailed statements (usually a paragraph or more) referred to as KSAs (knowledge, skills and abilities) to further demonstrate past performance, knowledge, experience and alignment with job posting requirements.

Although the changes President Obama is looking for were to be implemented through the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), it appears that not all agencies have updated their hiring procedures. Until all agencies are on board, job seekers may encounter requirements for the comprehensive resume with all the details as well as KSA requirements, or the new format that incorporates the KSAs into the resume and is accompanied by a cover letter. The newly formatted resume will still be longer than a private sector resume, usually by 1-2 pages.

In addition to Career Transition Consulting Services that specialize in Outplacement Services and Federal Resume Writing, resources such as USAJOBS.gov provide help with resume preparation and the application process.

Follow Up
With a private sector job search, if you don’t follow up you will probably be overlooked, or deemed to not be too interested, and therefore eliminated from the process. In the public sector follow up is also important and although it may be more difficult to do, you should seek ways to do it. If you applied on-line, the electronic application system may provide an option for you to check on status. If you applied with a paper application package, after waiting approximately 45 days (the time OPM is trying to reduce the hiring process to), it is acceptable to contact the person listed in the job announcement to inquire about the status of your package and the process.

Be mindful, especially if you are new to the federal job search process, that the process does take longer than in the private sector. The President’s mandate is all about shortening that cycle in order to facilitate the hiring manager capturing the best qualified candidates before another agency or private sector company makes them an offer. But, as I’m hearing from many agencies, we’re not there yet. It’s not uncommon that the process may take 3-6 months. Be patient, but persistent. And of course, always be courteous.

Interviewing
Interviewing for a federal government position is similar to the process used in the private sector. Many agencies and companies alike have moved to phone screening and video conferencing as interview options, in order to reduce the cost associated with out-of-town candidates coming in for face-to-face interviews.

Interviews can take place in a setting where the candidate is meeting one-on-one with an individual on the hiring team, or with a panel where the entire hiring team is participating at the same time. Usually the stress level for the candidate is higher during the panel interview. As a Career Coach, I advise candidates facing this type of interview to practice visualizing the panel process, and getting comfortable providing good body language across a team of four or five interviewers.

The focus of the interviews in both sectors can take on a behavioral or competency style or a technical style. The private sector has been utilizing the behavioral-based interview process for about 15 years. This is a relatively new process in the public sector. With this style of interview, the candidate will be asked to describe a time when … and the rest of the question will be linked to a specific requirement, response, outcome, competency or situation related to the job the candidate is interviewing for. As you would expect, technical interviewing questions will be targeted towards confirming understanding of technical or functional skills required for the position.

Regardless of the style, it’s important to practice possible questions and answers, linked to your accomplishments of course, since even the most competent speakers often get intimidated speaking about themselves. There are many sources for sample interview questions on-line and in books such as Ron Fry’s 101 Great Answers to the Toughest Interview Questions.

So What’s Next?
There are jobs available in the public sector. Many agencies are preparing for the retirement of Baby Boomers that will be occurring over the next few years. Don’t overlook this avenue.

The pay and benefits for government jobs has often been assumed to be lower than the private sector. However, I think broader communications by agency recruitment campaigns is getting the word out that public sector pay and benefits are equal to or greater than the private sector. And along with that, it’s a wonderful opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the people your agency impacts, as well as the opportunity to serve your country.


Job seekers exploring the public sector should be aware of job search resources available at my website www.evolutionmgt.com and other resources available through Outplacement Career Coaches and Resume Writers, www.USAJOBS.gov and www.clearancejobs.com (a site specifically for job seekers holding security clearances).

What experiences have you had with public sector job search vs. private sector? I’m curious about what similarities and differences you would highlight to help someone else navigate their path to a public sector job. Please click on the comment box below and share your thoughts. If you know of someone active in a job search, please feel free to share this blog article with them.

Q&A
I received a notice for a government agency Job Fair. Do you think this is worth my time, and if you do, how should I prepare?
Nancy

Check out Dear Job Seeker... to see my response to Nancy's question.

Looking for a Job - Know the Language

Have you heard, there’s a new language in the job search world? It’s the language of social media.

The language includes new words, along with familiar old words that have been given new meanings. Consider the following: oversharing, Twittersphere, retweets, LinkedIn, unfollow, blog, Facebook, friend, digg, wink, YouTube, video resume; and abbreviations such as: “LOL”, “ADIP”, and “JLMK”. So all I have to say is “OMG! Job Search isn’t w@ it used to be. IYKWIM”. So what’s needed to succeed?

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you have to have noticed that everyone is turning their attention to social media experts to learn how to use the newest technologies to connect and share information. Workshops, webinars, key note speakers - you name it and most groups and associations are actively trying to educate their members about what social media is and how it can help them do whatever it is they do – marketing a product/ service, selling something, engaging a community of people interested in a particular topic, networking, recruiting, hiring, or searching for a job.

Yes, even HR is on the bandwagon of social media – so if you’re looking to change the job you are in, or seeking employment – understanding the new language and protocols of social media is a must. In fact, even business schools are introducing curriculum to teach students how to navigate the social media world after graduation. This is not a fad, it’s the thing that’s happening now, and still growing. Don’t get left behind.

Traditional Activities Still Required

Two years ago, when I wrote the book, Position Your Next Move for a Successful Job Search, I was primarily focused on traditional job search skills (branding, resume, networking, interviewing, negotiating, etc.) and only mentioned the importance of understanding and using new technologies, such as LinkedIn. But what an explosion we’ve had in the capabilities technologies are providing for social networking and information sharing about job openings! And as a result, adjusting what you’re doing to find a job, and how much time you’re spending in the different job search avenues has to be re-examined and properly balanced.

However, let me make it clear that there are still some very important activities that you still need to do that we would consider traditional:

• Take the time to understand what you really enjoy doing and what transferrable skills you have to offer. Remember, don’t just think about Job Titles – most people are working in jobs that weren’t identified 5 years ago.
• Be prepared to quickly tell someone what you’d like to do and why you’re passionate and qualified to do it. This is your 30-second commercial, and you will use it often (networking face-to-face, creating your online profile, participating in an online Group). Rehearsing in front of a mirror will make this come more naturally which will make it even more convincing. 
• Have a concise and targeted resume that highlights your talents and clearly defines what you bring to the table. 
• Establish and grow your network of contacts and participate in as many face-to-face meetings and events as is productive and practical. 
• Be prepared and skilled at the art of conversation and be ready to engage in an interview that highlights your top 5 talents and how you are prepared to work with the future world of business. Practice with a family member or friend by role-playing. 
• Participate in a variety of job search avenues, but properly manage your time to correlate with the return from each avenue. 90% of your time should be focused on networking activities – face-to-face and through social media. 
• Follow up with everyone you have come in contact with. Thank them for their help, advice, time, suggestions, next steps, introductions, etc. Follow up is still key to getting the interview. Pull something from your conversation and write it down – this personalizes your “thank you” and demonstrates that you are genuine.

New Social Media Requirements

• Google your name on a daily basis to make sure you’re not somehow associated with anything inappropriate.
• Take the approach that anything you publish on the Internet, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. will be read by your current boss or your future boss. The concept of “it’s my personal space” has been redesigned by the growing number of individuals, companies, and groups that are mining the data that is out there for viewing. Be careful what you say, the photos that you post, and the permission you give to others about posting things about you. 
• LinkedIn is viewed as a professional network source, so if you’re only participating in Facebook, build a LinkedIn profile as well with your core competencies and transferrable skills. Most recruiters use LinkedIn as one of the primary sites for sourcing candidate. 
• Build your network by conducting people searches and reaching out to individuals you may or may not know. Be sure to tailor your message to state who you are and what your interest is. Don’t ask for a job, ask for information or advice. 
• Create a Twitter account and begin to connect with recruiters, employers, and your network to build trust, credibility and relationships. Don’t waste their time with the fact that you just washed your hair. Although you may think it’s all about you – it’s not. They want to see what you have to offer to help solve their problems and make their companies profitable 
• Although having an electronic/paper resume is important, depending on your industry and/or position creating a video resume may help to differentiate you from the many candidates only providing a traditional resume. Click here for some tips on creating a video resume. 
• Subscribe to blogs that have job listings. 
• Consider publishing a blog to demonstrate your expertise and build your credibility. 
• Don’t forget your manners. As I stated earlier, assume your boss or future boss is reading everything you are putting out there, and business protocol is still mandatory; even though you’re using the same technology you use in a very informal way with friends. 
• Be aware of privacy issues and don’t broadcast information about someone else looking for a position without first asking permission.

The job search world has been revolutionized as a result of how businesses are integrating technologies into all their systems. Be aware and savvy about what’s required. To gain an edge over your competition you must have a social media presence. At the moment there may not be a lot of jobs available, so what better time to set up your profiles, define who you are, and start to build your network so you are prepared and in the game as positions do become available.

I’m curious, what job search tips can you share about what’s working and not working for you using social media to complement your traditional search activities? I’m looking forward to hearing from you.

CLICK HERE to review job search questions and answers.

Your Career Development Journey

I recently heard a career coach give the advice that your resume is your number one tool for finding a job. I cringed. I take a different view on job search and career development. For me, it’s a journey. Before you leave on a trip you usually do some planning, collect the right maps and directions, pack the appropriate items, and prepare to adjust to the “potholes” and detours you may encounter along the way. Navigating the best way to reach your destination takes a variety of actions, and may involve visiting with others who have traveled to, and toured your destination, in order to gather information and knowledge that will help you arrive safely, and prepared for taking advantage of the best sites and local flair. Career development is very similar to this metaphor.

Regardless of whether you are employed and looking to move up, or unemployed looking to do something part-time, full-time or entrepreneurial, following these same type of “travel” preparations will save you time and energy.

And there’s no doubt about it - getting your resume updated in order to share past experiences with potential employers is an important part of the job search journey (the first thing any potential employer or networking connection will ask, “Do you have an updated resume?”). However, when you step back to take the time to plan your “trip to the next job”, the resume is not the first thing to focus on. Trust me on this. From personal, as well as coaching experiences with hundreds of clients going through some type of career transition, I’ve confirmed the following steps will provide you with a more productive, organized and successful journey.

1. Self-Discovery – I see lots of individuals try to avoid this step. Their reasoning – Who knows me better than me? I don’t need to explore – heck, I just need a job! However, when they avoid this critical starting point, they usually find their journey is not as targeted, their interviews are not as crisp, and they appear like they are shooting from the hip at anything that moves….. trying to find any job that will pay the rent. This usually plays out as a big red flag for managers interviewing candidates who have scooted around this initial step of career planning.
At another time I’ll write more about self-discovery, but for now just consider this:

• When’s the last time you took any time to really think about and get feedback on your strengths and areas needing improvement? You probably also haven’t thought much about what kind of work makes you happy and doesn’t even feel like work.

• When’s the last time you gave serious thought to how the workplace is changing and what new skills or experiences you might need to be “best” qualified for a job, especially in this new workplace/economic environment?

• When’s the last time you used an assessment tool such as Myers-Briggs or the Herrmann Brain Dominance Instrument (HBDI) to help you open your mind to your work style and communication preferences and how you relate with others?

Are you getting the idea? Without taking the proper amount of time to get to know yourself and how you fit an organization in this new economy, your journey will be helter-skeltor because your branding will be inconsistent. And just a word about timing – the amount of time you may need for this step may vary depending on what personal work you’ve done in the past, how open you are to change, where you are working with a coach, lots of things. Just make sure it’s enough time to allow you to ask and answer those questions that will be most meaningful to your development.

2. Appraise the market and clarify your career goals and objectives. We’ve lost a lot of jobs over the past few years. As the economy comes back and jobs are once again created, be aware that the job requirements may not be the same as what they had been. As you do your research be on the look out for new skills, knowledge and abilities you may be required to have. Using your network to help you gather this data is an excellent idea, as well as utilizing all the information available on the internet.

3. Create a powerful resume and communications plan. Be consistent in the branding of your communication pieces. Consider your resume a work in progress. Get opinions on your resume from others. Really showcase what you have to offer and how you will solve problems, save money and improve efficiencies for the new organization. Sometimes that hard to do in no more than two pages. You may have to ask someone for help, or use on-line resources to assist you. Check out my resume worksheet as a template to help you.

4. Networking – build your skills and talents to reach out to everyone you know, and then everyone they know to learn of requirements and opportunities in those areas you are interested in. While working within an organization, network with co-workers in your department, but also across departments. Take every avenue to be visible. With the number of people currently looking for a job, many organizations will use the “informal” channel to look for qualified candidates. It’s more likely to be “who you know” that leads you to an opening, not a formal ad or internet posting. To help you organize your networking an approach like this might be helpful – click here.

5. Interviewing – remember it’s a conversation. Be prepared to answer their questions as well as ask your own about the things that are important to you – but don’t talk money and benefits until they are ready to offer you the job! And never be the one to bring the topic up. Practice sample questions out loud. If you don’t practice your presentation, they’ll know it the minute you open your mouth. This is also a point where you want to make sure your emotions are under control. You don’t want to sound desperate, or angry, or not sure of yourself. If you have recently lost a job, wait to interview until you have your emotions under control.

6. Efficient use of your resources – your time and energies are very important to you. Use all the job search avenues available to you, but don’t spend more time in any lane than the expected payback. Since 80% or more of the jobs being found today are through networking, spend 80%+ of your time in networking activities. Be careful with the amount of time you spend answering ads on the internet. Remember – not everything you read on the internet is “real”. Be careful about what personal information you share and post when you are not sure who may be viewing it, i.e., birth date, address, etc.

7. Continued Learning – I can’t say enough about investing in your education. Look at your co-workers. If your boss had to choose who to keep on the team, would you have more to offer than your colleagues? If you are up against one other qualified candidate for the job would your education and experiences be relevant enough to tip the decision in your favor? Certifications, additional course work, another degree, an unpaid internship, volunteering for an assignment…. there are lots of ways to take charge of your education and your future. Don’t wait until you need it – be aware of what your profession is requiring right now and start acquiring it.

Career development is definitely an individual responsibility. We do see progressive organizations offering guidance and help with career pathing. However, the ultimate decision about how you manage your career is up to you. Be proactive and invest in yourself. It’s a journey that keeps evolving from one destination to another. Be prepared. No one has a crystal ball to look into the future. Keep your bags packed, and always be aware of your options for exciting excursions!

What’s your experience been? Do you see the journey metaphor with these 7 these steps helpful, or would you make some modifications? I’m curious to hear from you.