Posts Tagged ‘job hunting’

Think Like A Recruiter

Last year I wrote a blog post encouraging #Job Seekers on Twitter to think like a recruiter. Why? Because if you use name sourcing skills, boolean search strings (semantic search logic) and understand how algorithms can put you in touch with your target companies, you will astounded how quickly you will find work.  In fact, I’d venture to say that you could increase the chances of your re-employment by more than 50%.  My unscientific data is backed up by my 10 years of experience trend spotting career development. In 1997, I worked in the outplacement industry for one of The Nation’s leading outplacement firm, Right Management Consultants.  I used to say to clients, every new begining starts with a good ending.  If you did not have an leave on good terms, you can heal, and recreate a good ending through processing your feelings, experiencing the grief, and envisioning a brighter feature. William Bridge’s great book, You and Company is a helpful tool for recovery and brand building.   Recently, I wrote a post entitled: Your Fired, Now What? It will be published next week. I taught how understanding The MBTI assessment tool can help you make informed decisions about your career.  There’s a wonderful book entitled, “Do What You Are,” by   Maria Sinatur.     I also recommend a book by David Keirsy entitled, “Please Understand Me.” Every effective job search begins with identifying how your temperament can shape your decision for your signature path.

In order to think like a recruiter you must do the following:

1. Assess your core competencies, and compare them to the job descriptions for where you apply.

Take your resume and look at it side by side next to the job description and write out answers for how well you match each of the requirements.

Use those talking points in your cover letter, and one your interviews.

2. Identify the key performance indicators which will predict whether or you will be a success in your new position.

3. Determine whether or not you will work effectively with your recruiter to make rapid decisions, and answer the offer within 24 hours.

4. Don’t make your recruiters angry by stalking them. They are busy people.

Pace yourself, woo them, and give them a good reason to send your resume out to the client, & seal the deal.

5  Use ‘Phone Sourcing Tips ‘ to find hiring managers, their names, and other people in the department.

Find out what it is really like work at that company, seek these people out, and they will tell you what it is really like to work for their boss.

6. Without being creepy, let them know in a round about way that you have conducted your research and were fascinated by their recent product release.

Share an article you found in the news paper. Butter them up a little. Most importantly, lead them to the conclusion that they need you because you are smart, and knowledgeable. Convince them that they should bring you in for an interview.

That way, neither asked them if they had an opportunity, nor did you have to say “I want to work for you, do you have any job openings.  Job seekers, that is a big mistake.  Lead them to believe that hiring you is their idea, not yours.

Use the inbound marketing. you are the product. Pull instead of push.  It works, it really does.

7. Package yourself like a product that everyone wants to have. Articulate your value proposition. You are not a job beggar, rather you are a resource professional. You are highly a skilled,  ”A” player.

8. Act as if you are in high demand. When you believe in yourself, others will believe in you too.

9. Never lose sight that you are a stainless being. You shimmer and shine.

Even if you were fired, downsized or quit, even if you do have job search fatigue, don’t shut down because of depression, or funky morale.  You have skills knowledge, and abilities.

10. All you have to do is uncover the most sales worthy part of what you have to offer it.  Remember it’s not how you fall, it’s how you get back up that matters.  It makes you the person that you are.

Never lose sight of the fact that you can make someone’s day in 140 characters.

A friend alluded to the fact that if you get fired, it’s actually a good thing because if you don’t you’re just taking up space, and preventing someone who can do well in that position the opportunity to perform at his peak.  That may not be what you want to hear, but it’s true.

I told him that even though he had no idea what I was going through that day, he changed my perspective, nurtured a more productive attitude, and made a difference in my life.  Think about that for a moment, take it in and realize that with every encounter you have, you have the power leave a recruiter, human resources professional, or hiring manager with a nugget of wisdom that offers them hope, happiness, and comfort. I say this in love for the community, and in the positive energy and attitude that can and will change your life for the better.  Here at HRMargo.com I am not concerned about making money, I want to change lives for the better by building a small group where I can make a differnce in your life.  Building community can be the most powerful, transformational experience.  You can be better not bitter.

Even if you were fired.  Here’s what Seiden says:

9. A great recruiter is a masterful sales person. World-class recruiters are masterful negotiators, and communicators. Recruiters want to be reassured that they will be able make, and keep their commission. After all, they worked hard for it.

If you don’t work out, a third party recruiter will have to pay the company their commission back any where between 90 days to 6 months.  Trust me, that is not something they want to do.

When was a 3rd party recruiter, and a temporary services coordinator I can boast that I only had 5 send backs after hundreds of send outs.

Think like a recruiter, and develop a sense of empathy, an compassion, they won’t be afraid that you will screw them by not working out.

Sometimes if you don’t work out it’s not your fault at all, but if you go into a company and intentionally sabatoge your position, everyone loses.  Everyone is effected by your negative situation.  It hurts you.  It hurts the recruiter.  It hurts the company.

An ounce of prevention is a pound of cure: prepare yourself before your interview, take a moment and make an honest assessment of the company culture, and ask yourself: Will I be happy in this position. Will I rise and shine in the morning, “and show the world all the love in my heart,” as Carole King sings.  Life is short.  It is not worth putting yourself in an early grave with a type A-heart attack.  You have to do what you love, and the money will follow.

10. You have two ears, two eyes, an one mouth the recruiters who go from good to great are the ones who know how to LISTEN. They listen for buying cues, hot buttons, and signs that the client is sold on the candidate.  Now think this through, if you learn how to think like a recruiter you will listen, mirror the hiring managers body language, listen and interpret the tone of their voice, and make them feel comfortable with you.  Again, a good sales person is flexible, and adapt to the potential buyer. 10. Communicate with people the way want to be communicated you to with communicate with you. Do not communicate with others the THEY want YOU want them to communicate with you. If you think like a recruiter you will cut the time cycle of time to fill the position, reduce the cost of hire, and convince the human resources representative that you are going to reduce their costs, increase their profitability. Human resource managers are plagued by the pressure to justify their existence with metrics that they have to report to their bosses.

Will you please leave a comment.  What’s your opinion about this. Don’t be afraid to let me know, I care about your opinion.

Your HR Pal,

HRMargo Rose

Contact me at (513) 549-3025

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Yes, you can beat the 9.1% Unemployment Statistic. Here's How!

Today I posted a great news article by NPR entitled “Unemployment Rate Stays At 9.1%; 103,000 Jobs Added.” The questions are: Why should you care? How long will this trend continue? and Will The Presidential Election next year have an impact on this trend?

This website doesn’t get into politics, however, the fact that next year both parties are going to be jockeying for position, a super focused eye will be on getting the unemployment rate down, job creation up, and the economy stable. Everyone wants to claim they are the ones who can do this. Be that as it may, the fact is that politics alone don’t control the employment rate in this country. Our economy’s drivers are far more complex than that.

According to a poll I saw on Linkedin today, 27 % reported that they thought that the unemployment rate would be lower this time next year; while almost 27% said they thought the rate would be higher, another 20% thought the rate would be significantly higher. (I personally don’t agree with that statistic. I think the unemployment rate will be slightly lower, but not significantly lower). I was surprised to see that only 3% reported they thought it would be significantly lower. This number suggests that a lot of people are losing both their hope, and faith in our economic recovery. The number that really caught my eye here is that 23% of the respondents thought that the unemployment rate would remain unchanged.

The LinkedIn poll is not yet closed, there are 5 days left to vote (and it’s a really cool poll). Personally, I think the unemployment rate will be lower, not significantly lower, but lower. The economy is almost always in a state of flux, and it won’t stay this bad forever. Forever is a very long time (grin). I think by the end of 2013, we are really going to see this downturn trend turn around. It’s not going to be a quick fix, but rather a gradual fix.

Ok, now let’s answer the question I ask in the title of this post; Why should you care? What should you do? Here’s my top 8 tips:

You should remember that in the final analysis that all jobs are temporary. This is particularly true in this economy so prepare yourself to be mobile, adaptable, and ready for change.

1. The average person will stay in their job between 2 to 5 years. Start working on your resume when you start your new job, not when you leave it. Constantly build your portfolio.
2. Save a certain amount out of every pay check. Even if you are under employed waiting for the next great gig, put a tiny amount of money aside. You never know when the next rainy day will be.
3. While 103,000 jobs are currently being added, you have to look at the metrics-where are they being added? Is your industry/occupation fast or slow to recover? Consider other career options.
4. The flexible worker who constantly updates his, or her skills will be the most competitive in the job market. We are only as marketable as our skills are current.
5. You are either networking or not working. Constantly network with your colleagues at professional associations, meet-ups, and groups both online and face to face.
6. Attend online chats. There’s tons of great free advice, and resources shared. #HFChat on Twitter (Friday Noon ET, 11 Central, 9 a.m. PST) also, check out #Jobhuntchat, #Careerchat, and #GenYChat
7. Participate in the HireFriday LinkedIn group. This is another place to get a lot of free advice, and hands on career help. This is a very tactical group. We roll up our sleeves and help each other!
8. Like the HireFriday Facebook Page. This is where we post the latest news articles, employment trends, and tips you can use each week to motivate you, and keep you sharp.

Remember, hard times come to pass they don’t come to stay. Replace negative thoughts with positive thoughts. Your attitude, and outlook shapes your behavior, and demeanor while interviewing. I saw a great quote on a park bench today. It said, “I had a dream I survived, and my heart was full of joy.” You can, and will survive this economy, and if you’re unemployed just know that we are all here to help you.
Leave us a comment, and let us know how the HireFriday Leadership Team can help.

Your Job Search Pal,

@HRMargo Rose

connect with me on LinkedIn http://linkedin.com/in/margorose

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The New Facebook-How Will This Impact Google + And You?

Embrace change.  Change is growth.  Facebook knows this, and in order to stay competitive they realize that they absolutely have to stay ahead of the trends.  Facebook also knows that it has to compete in the marketplace in order to maintain its foothold in the digital space.  Google+ is giving both Facebook, and Twitter a run for the money.  Yesterday, it was announced that Mark Zukerberg’s salary just exceeded the CEO of Google.  To the point, Zukerberg is going to do everything possible to stay neck and neck with Google.  Google + set the stage for how things could be more relevant, timely, private, and easy to use.  Clearly, when it comes to search engines, Google is still on top.  When Google + hit the social network space, I was one of the first people beta testing it.

The first thing I realized was Google+’s potential to dwarf Facebook in terms of its functionality, social networking capability, and range of service.  Now that Google has worked the bugs out, like Facebook, they will continue to find new ways to enhance the network to make it adaptable, and relevant to its audience.  Google + will never replace Facebook, or Twitter, but certainly it will cut into its market share.  The trend I’m watching is how Google + will monetize.  Facebook aggressively markets to advertisers.  Will Google + do the same?  Facebook watches every business trend, and adapts accordingly. Facebook’s challenge is to not turn people off by rolling out its enhancements too quickly. People need time, and training in order to fully embrace, and integrate change.

Facebook is rolling out the new changes incrementally to keep the negative noise down.  Every time Facebook makes a change, people moan and groan.  I’m not sure if it is because they roll out too many changes at once, or if they don’t provide ample education in advance.  People hate change when its thrown at them too fast.  Facebook’s new revolutionary changes that are now being discussed at The F8 conference this week should come with super simple user guides.  (Please Facebook staffers who read this post: I’m tired of hearing my friends whine about your changes, so will you please make it easier for them?) I’m excited about the new changes, and enhancements that both Facebook and Google+ are rolling out. However, not everyone loves new technology the way I do.

My readers, and friends don’t embrace change that’s thrust on them without an ample opportunity to learn.  I’ve also heard my readers express outrage over Facebook’s changes.  I’ve even heard a few of my readers say they are leaving Facebook, and moving to Google +.  That is a trend Facebook better watch.  Their future growth depends on it.

What do all these changes mean to my job search community members?

1. Watch the trends (see this article for user friendly information)
2. Learn how to use Facebook and Google + to keep your personal brand in front of employers (click to learn more about profile development)
3. Don’t whine about the rapid changes of your favorite social networks.  Recruiters and employers don’t want to hear whining.  Show them how you are ahead of the curve
4. Demonstrate thought leadership by publishing great content on your social networks.  You’ll impress your audience, particularly people who are in a position to hire
5. Be proactive in growing your network strategically with people who have the power to hire you. Focus your content development to get their attention

The world is following the F8 conference.  We are all on the edge of our seats to find out what’s coming next.  To learn more, check out Mashable, and Techcrunch to read the news as it breaks.  Or, just ask me what’s going on because I follow the news as it happens, and it is my passion to share everything I know with you.

@HRMargo

Let’s get LinkedIn today

Remember, as Sheryl Crowe says, “A change will do you good.”  Thought you’d like to hear this song:

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