Job Search

Good news: Hired over the holidays

Wendy Terwelp 5 Comments

Randy’s story: “I have truly been blessed to the job search efforts pay off so handsomely during: one of the longest recessions on record, the Holiday Season, the end of a lame-duck presidency, and a career change. On top of financial stability, I am able to spend more time with my family in my new career… life is good! I am grateful for your service – thank you for helping me land a great gig during the holidays!”

 

Randy got this gig for lots of reasons:

  1. Took the initiative and made the investment to get branded, get a solid career focus, and a professional resume and cover letter written by a career pro (that’s me).
  2. Networked: Randy networked with everyone – and did so the right way.
  3. Took action: Randy not only networked, but when cool opportunities arose – even over the holidays – he took action and got his resume to the decision-maker FAST.
  4. Polished interviewing skills: Randy cranked up his interview with stories – stories about how his skills were directly transferable to this new industry, how he contributed to his previous employer’s bottom-line, and how he could make an immediate, and positive contribution to this new industry and organization.
  5. Negotiated successfully: Randy negotiated a great salary by capitalizing on how he could help that company get a return on their investment in him. In fact, despite a dramatic career change (from pilot to project manager) he got a salary increase!

 

Most importantly, Randy had the right attitude throughout the process. He stayed positive, never gave up, and took action on what he learned.

 

If you want to get hired in this economy, learn from Randy!

 

Amy did. She’s got an interview this week. She learned about a gig through her network, updated her resume, and directly referenced the networking connection in her cover letter, and got it to the decision maker within two days. She landed an interview with “the big cheese.”

 

Challenge: What action can you take this week to land your next big gig?

Holiday Networking: Pass the Nuts and Your Resume, Please

Wendy Terwelp 2 Comments

You never know what can happen at holiday parties, who’s going to attend, who works for what company, and what the employment scoop may be, so buck up. It could be a gift waiting to be opened by you, and that gift could be a job.

The Don’ts: Don’t over indulge. No whining about your current jobless situation. It’s a turnoff. No begging either. Oliver Twist’s “more food please” doesn’t work when job hunting.

What works? Listening. Listen for opportunities, problems, or situations in a guest’s conversation. It could be a golden opportunity for you. One of my clients, an electrical engineer, was visiting a friend during Thanksgiving. My client’s friend, who was just hired at a software company, invited him for a tour. Next thing my client knew, he met the owners during the tour and was interviewing for a job the day after Thanksgiving! The interviewers had time to spend with my client because of the standard holiday shut down. He landed the job. Good thing he went to that holiday party. You could be next.

Job Search: Make it Simple

Wendy Terwelp 1 Comment

I saw this article in today’s JSOnline and something clicked:

Boys’ invention is worth its salt

November 11, 2008 12:35 a.m. | Why didn’t we think of it? That’s how Ariens Co. engineers reacted when they first saw the snow-thrower accessory invented by sixth-grade students Matt Moran and Sam Hipple. »Read Full Article

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Now that you’ve read the story, think about your own job search. Have you made things too complicated? Here are 5 tips to simplify your search:

1. The Networking Monster: Have you created a networking monster? “Hey, know anyone who’s hiring?” – that’s the monster I’m talking about. Check out our newsroom for tips to tame the monster and make your networking efforts simple, easy, and FUN.

2. The Long Boring Resume: Is your resume filled with complex language, industry jargon, and other non-essentials that make it 5 pages long? Pass it around to your friends. If they ask you to explain things or look confused, it’s too long, too complex, and too boring. Trim the fat. Focus on results. Accomplishments demonstrate your value and the employer’s potential ROI on their investment in hiring you.

3. The Drama Queen — or King: Are you whining about your situation to everyone? Remember attitude is everything. It’s OK to express your opinion and grieve for your job loss, but then turn it around. “I always hire attitude over experience,” said one human resources director. “Skills can always be learned.”

4. The Over-Engineered Process: Are you making the job search process so complex that you’re afraid to start? Are you making excuses? (You can’t start until you’ve completely updated your contact database… You can’t start until you have the perfect interview suit… You can’t start because…) Take action and do one thing for your search now! A baby step is better than no step.

5. The View from the Pigeonhole: Target your career focus and your search, but don’t limit yourself to the methods you use in the process. Networking is the No. 1 way people land new gigs. BUT there are many ways to tap your network – both online and off. Contact companies cold. Talk to recruiters. Post your resume online – and follow up. Snail mail your resume to decision-makers – and follow up. Paste your resume into company website application forms – and follow up.

Now is the time to simplify. Take action. One small step in your job search is one giant step toward YOUR new dream gig!

Let us know your favorite – and simple – job search step. Share your stories with us – and inspire others!

Copyright 2008 * Wendy Terwelp



 

Monday is Job Action Day 2008 – Count me in!

Wendy Terwelp 1 Comment

jobactionday.jpgI’m happy to announce that Quintessential Careers’ founder and publisher Randall S. Hansen has invited me to participate in Job Action Day 2008, which is set for this Monday, November 3rd. I’m excited to be a part of this “day for job-seekers and workers to confront the current economic crisis head-on and take action steps to improve their careers.” (Read the full press release here.)

Other career bloggers selected to participate include:

Alexandra Levit: Alexandra Levit’s Water Cooler Wisdom
Lindsey Pollak: lindseypollak.com/blog/
Barbara Safani: CareerSolvers
Career Manangement Alliance Blog
Curt Rosengren: The M.A.P. Maker [Meaning Abundance & Passion]
Darrell Gurney: In The Line of Hire
Diane Danielson: THE WOMEN’SDISH with Diane & Friends
Jacob Share: JobMob
Louise Fletcher: blueskyresumesblog
Maggie Mistal: what if…
Miriam Salpeter: Keppie Careers Blog
Rich Milgram: EmploymentMetrix.com
Steven Rothberg: CollegeRecruiter.com Blog
Wendy Terwelp: Rock Your Career
Willy Franzen: One Day, One Job

I hope you’ll support Job Action Day by reading and commenting on the blogs from these terrific career professionals. Be sure to come back to this blog on Monday to read my post!