effective job search strategies. welcome/introduction "success seems to be connected with...
TRANSCRIPT
Effective Job Search Strategies
Welcome/Introduction
"Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don't quit."
— Conrad HiltonHilton Hotels
Agenda
1. Observations and Trends
2. Employment 2015
3. Job Search Best Practices
4. Locating Opportunities
5. Interview Pointers
http://knowledgestaff.com
Observations and Trends
“Accuracy of observation is the equivalent of accuracy of thinking.”
— Wallace Stevens
A. The Economy
Since March 2009: the S&P 500 has climbed ~200% the NYSE is up 165% the NASDAQ is up more than 260%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average has
gained more than 165%
Jobless rate is down to 5.5% from nearly 10% four years ago
Oil prices at historic lows Looming vulnerabilities
1. Observations and Trends
B. Employment
Shift in supply and demand Increasing salaries and rates Greater reliance on temporary and
contract hiring Part-time hiring on the rise Small businesses weighing
“consequences” of growth
1. Observations and Trends
C. The Workplace
Cash conservation Do more with less and faster Maintain a highly productive, flexible and
adaptive workforce
1. Observations and Trends
Employment 2015
“The harder I work the more I live.” — George Bernard Shaw
2. Employment 2015
A. So How Is It Out There?
Continued recovery Permanent staffing has increased Consulting staffing remains strong Shifting supply and demand impacting
employers Salaries and consulting rates are
continuing to increase Talent market tightening
2. Employment 2015
B. So Where Is The Activity?
Most industries Healthcare remains strong Replacement/Back-fill requirements in
most departments in all industries Talent Management Performance Management
2. Employment 2015
C. What Do You Face?
Increased hiring activity Increased competition
Other entry level candidates Experienced candidates willing to accept less $ Candidates willing to relocate Remote/virtual candidates
Improving compensation
2. Employment 2015
D. What Do Hiring Managers Want?
The core competencies Excellent writing, communication and interpersonal skills Proven ability to learn quickly
“Get the job done no matter what” mentality Commitment, passion, and honesty To be satisfied with no surprises
2. Employment 2015
E. Increase Your Odds
It is never too early to begin thinking about your future employment (Internships, society involvement, clubs, volunteering)
Build your identity and an impressive portfolio
Know the tools of your trade Be relentless in your job search Be more strategic in your job search Articulate your value
Job Search Best Practices
“Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.”
— John Quincy Adams
3. Job Search Best Practices
A. Develop Your Job Search Plan
Provide clarity What type of job will you consider? Where are you most marketable? Salary, location, etc.
Identify and coordinate action Help to maintain focus Identify resources Tap into your Network of Help Set goals and expectations
3. Job Search Best Practices
A. Develop Your Job Search Plan
3. Job Search Best Practices
B. Recruiters and What You Need To Know
Odds are that they may not be able to help you
They are busy; 10-15 seconds may be all you get
They may not know what you really do for a living
They rely heavily on Resume Repositories Most do not read cover letters
Quick Survey – Resume Strategy
How many different versions of your resume do you have?: 1 2 3 4 5
C. Become a Resume Writing Expert
Answer the 2 magic questions Anticipate employer “hot buttons” Address employer concerns and challenges GET THE INTERVIEW
What are your differentiators?Why you?
3. Job Search Best Practices
C. Become a Resume Writing Expert
CUSTOMIZE ALL RESUMES where the job description is known
Answer the following questions: What relevant experience do I have for this job? Is my resume properly weighted to stress the skills
and experience required in the job description?
Customization methods Objective matches the Job Description Summary section highlights relevant experience Bulleted lists in order of importance Use the same words contained in the Job Description
3. Job Search Best Practices
Locating Opportunities
"The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand."
— Vince Lombardi
In today’s challenging economic times, the key for any entry- or junior-level HR/TM professional is:
Build experience that you can leverage in the future
Remain flexible Understand that your next job may not
be THE job Remember that money is important
however…see Items #1, 2 and 3
4. Locating Opportunities
A. Commercial Job Boards
Monster.com Careerbuilder.com Hound.com Indeed.com SimplyHired.com HigherEdJobs.com Craigslist.com
4. Locating Opportunities
Law of Permutation – many ways to say the same thing
B. Your Network
Professors Advisors Alumni Family Friends Society members
4. Locating Opportunities
C. Social Networking Sites
LinkedIn.com - the premier business networking site where job profiles are shared, jobs posted, and questions asked
Facebook.com - great for connecting with old colleagues and creating a personal profile.
Spoke.com - a database of contact information for people at all levels of business
Data.com/connect - a database of virtual business cards that can be traded and shared
Twitter.com – relevant tweets can help people find you
4. Locating Opportunities
D. Professional Society Sites – Talent Management
SHRM.org ATD.org HRNY.org ODNET.org
4. Locating Opportunities
D. Professional Society Sites
Take full advantage of your membership: Access the national and local chapter job listings Access the Member Directory
o Approach strategicallyo Approach tactfully
Attend meetings and conferences AND contribute
4. Locating Opportunities
Identify: Visit web sites of top performing companies Largest employers in your area Companies receiving funding Companies awarded contracts/sales
Search the Corporate Career Pages
4. Locating Opportunities
E. Corporate Web Sites
F. Approaching Employers
Write email messages/cover letters stating your key relevant attributes
Where possible, approach the hiring manager Remember - The person reviewing the resume may
not be fully competent The resume may be going directly into a resume
database
4. Locating Opportunities
Interview Pointers
"Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.”
— Confucious
A. Preparation
Research the company Research the hiring managers Review the job description Anticipate their questions Arrive 15 minutes early
5. Interview Pointers
B. Settling Your Nerves
What is the purpose of the interview? Gain insight into the company, the job,
and their expectations Articulate the value you can offer Leave a clear picture of who you are Be bold
5. Interview Pointers
C. Those Tough Questions
Prepare for behavioral questions Salary expectations Weaknesses
Close strong and determine next steps
5. Interview Pointers
Summary and Conclusion
"The future depends on what you do today."— Mahatma Ghandi
