GETTING GETTING HIRED, HIRED,

STAYING STAYING HIRED:HIRED:

Tips for Job Hunting Tips for Job Hunting and and

Career DevelopmentCareer Development

Ellen Mehling, MLSEllen Mehling, MLSSt. John’s University, St. John’s University, Downtown CampusDowntown CampusTuesday June 16Tuesday June 16thth, 2009, 2009

About MeAbout Me• Manager of METRO’s JobMagnet website; resume Manager of METRO’s JobMagnet website; resume

reviews for myMETRO members reviews for myMETRO members

• Outreach Librarian at Queens Library’s Special Outreach Librarian at Queens Library’s Special Services/Job Information Center (JIC)Services/Job Information Center (JIC)

• Reading and review of all kinds Reading and review of all kinds of job hunting information: of job hunting information: books, articles, websites, online books, articles, websites, online forums, etc.forums, etc.

• Collection development for the JICCollection development for the JIC

• Creating and updating “Pathfinders”Creating and updating “Pathfinders”

• Teaching job hunting workshopsTeaching job hunting workshops

2

Q&A, there will be timeQ&A, there will be time

Please try to Please try to save your save your questions for questions for the endthe end

3

THIS EVENINGTHIS EVENING

Tips and advice onTips and advice on

Resume writingResume writing Job huntingJob hunting InterviewingInterviewing NetworkingNetworking

……and moreand more

TIPS – RESUME/TIPS – RESUME/COVER LETTER WRITINGCOVER LETTER WRITING

Employers want: Employers want:

► Diversity of skills and diversity of Diversity of skills and diversity of workplaces workplaces

Consecutive workplacesConsecutive workplaces Concurrent workplacesConcurrent workplaces

VolunteeringVolunteering

►Customized resume/cover letter Customized resume/cover letter

TIPS – RESUME/TIPS – RESUME/COVER LETTER WRITINGCOVER LETTER WRITING

REMEMBER: TWO GOALSREMEMBER: TWO GOALS

1.1. To To describedescribeand!!and!!

2.2. To To persuadepersuade

Use the job posting as your starting pointUse the job posting as your starting point

MORE RESUME TIPSMORE RESUME TIPS►A A summarysummary is the strongest way to is the strongest way to

begin the resumebegin the resume►““References furnished upon request” – References furnished upon request” –

not necessarynot necessary►Emphasize Emphasize recentrecent and and relevantrelevant

experience and skillsexperience and skills►References are a References are a separateseparate document document

(and know that ‘(and know that ‘unofficial referencesunofficial references’ ’ will be checked also)will be checked also)

MORE RESUME TIPSMORE RESUME TIPS►The reader will probably spend less The reader will probably spend less

than 30 seconds on both resume and than 30 seconds on both resume and cover lettercover letter

►He or she is looking for He or she is looking for

certain words and phrases certain words and phrases

and ANY ERRORSand ANY ERRORS►Many library jobs require Many library jobs require

writing – your resume and writing – your resume and

cover letter serve as cover letter serve as writing sampleswriting samples

WHENWHEN you find yourself job you find yourself job huntinghunting

• EXPECTEXPECT TO BE LAID OFF TO BE LAID OFF

• BE PREPARED (REALLY!)BE PREPARED (REALLY!)

• DON’T “EXHALE”!!DON’T “EXHALE”!!

• REMEMBER YOUR REMEMBER YOUR COMPETITIONCOMPETITION

• NETWORKNETWORK

• MARKET YOURSELFMARKET YOURSELF

• SEEK AND SEEK AND CREATECREATE OPPORTUNITIES OPPORTUNITIES• HOW OFTEN TO SCAN THE HORIZON FOR SOMETHING HOW OFTEN TO SCAN THE HORIZON FOR SOMETHING

MORE YOU CAN DO?MORE YOU CAN DO?

YOUR BIGGEST OBSTACLE YOUR BIGGEST OBSTACLE MAY BE YOURSELFMAY BE YOURSELF

Your frame of mind, as you Your frame of mind, as you are job hunting:are job hunting:

► The energy you put out The energy you put out is what you will attractis what you will attract

► Be careful that you are not “rehearsing failure” Be careful that you are not “rehearsing failure” (instead, deliberately and repeatedly visualize (instead, deliberately and repeatedly visualize successsuccess))

► If you believe your resume/cover letter, job hunt, If you believe your resume/cover letter, job hunt, interview will not be successful, interview will not be successful, then it won’t bethen it won’t be

YOUR BIGGEST OBSTACLE MAY YOUR BIGGEST OBSTACLE MAY BE YOURSELFBE YOURSELF

►Don’t ‘plan the wedding before the Don’t ‘plan the wedding before the first date’first date’

►Keep looking even if you just had a Keep looking even if you just had a great interviewgreat interview

►Follow up Follow up once once after sending after sending resume/cover letterresume/cover letter

If they’re not calling, they’re not If they’re not calling, they’re not interested.interested.

INTERVIEWINGINTERVIEWING(can be stressful)(can be stressful)

INTERVIEWINGINTERVIEWING►More preparation = less stressMore preparation = less stress

Do research on the employerDo research on the employer

Practice answering common interview Practice answering common interview questions with a questions with a trustedtrusted friend friend

Always have questions of your own to Always have questions of your own to ask (about the JOB, ask (about the JOB, notnot the SALARY the SALARY or BENEFITS)or BENEFITS)

INTERVIEWINGINTERVIEWINGSOME QUESTIONS YOU SOME QUESTIONS YOU SHOULDSHOULD ASK ASK

► Why did the last person in this position leave?Why did the last person in this position leave?► How long have How long have youyou worked here? worked here?

► What is the management style of the boss?What is the management style of the boss?► Is overtime expected/required? How often?Is overtime expected/required? How often?

► What are some upcoming major What are some upcoming major projects/initiatives?projects/initiatives?

► Are there any other requirements of this Are there any other requirements of this position that we have not already position that we have not already

covered?covered?

INTERVIEWINGINTERVIEWINGPractice your “stories” (five to Practice your “stories” (five to seven) to illustrate seven) to illustrate behaviorbehavior you you

are likely to be asked about:are likely to be asked about:For example:For example: How you’ve handled a difficult How you’ve handled a difficult

patron or co-workerpatron or co-worker When you went beyond the call of When you went beyond the call of

dutyduty When you adapted to a change in When you adapted to a change in

the workplacethe workplace When you demonstrated initiative When you demonstrated initiative

or used analytical skillsor used analytical skills

INTERVIEWINGINTERVIEWING►Consider each interview practice for Consider each interview practice for

the next onethe next one

►Remain positive and enthusiastic Remain positive and enthusiastic no no matter what happensmatter what happens

►Observe your surroundings – is this a Observe your surroundings – is this a place where you are likely to be place where you are likely to be happy?happy?

INTERVIEWINGINTERVIEWING►Different kinds of interviews:Different kinds of interviews:

TelephoneTelephone One-on-one One-on-one PanelPanel GroupGroup StressStress

Remember: the interviewer wants to Remember: the interviewer wants to see how you handle yourselfsee how you handle yourself

SOFT SKILLSSOFT SKILLS

Employers value these, including:Employers value these, including:

• Communication (verbal and written, Communication (verbal and written, presentations)presentations)

• NegotiationNegotiation• Conflict resolutionConflict resolution• TeamworkTeamwork• Flexibility/ability to learn quicklyFlexibility/ability to learn quickly• EnthusiasmEnthusiasm

Q – What is the Q – What is the number one number one way that jobs way that jobs are filled?are filled?

Hint – it was the best Hint – it was the best way ten years ago way ten years ago and 20 years ago, and 20 years ago, and 50 years ago…and 50 years ago…

NETWORKINGNETWORKING►Online networking is Online networking is not enoughnot enough

Face-to-face is important too Face-to-face is important too

Misrepresentation online (deliberate or inadvertent)Misrepresentation online (deliberate or inadvertent)

WHAT info can’t be obtained via online communication?WHAT info can’t be obtained via online communication?►Verbal/presentation skillsVerbal/presentation skills►Social skillsSocial skills ►Manners/demeanorManners/demeanor►HonestyHonesty►Flexibility/reactions to constructive criticismFlexibility/reactions to constructive criticism►Punctuality/ability to meet deadlinesPunctuality/ability to meet deadlines

NETWORKINGNETWORKING

►Relationship Relationship firstfirst, then ask for , then ask for referencereference

►You’re asking references to put their You’re asking references to put their reputation on the line; they will want reputation on the line; they will want to to knowknow you before doing that you before doing that

►Some kind of face-to-face meeting is Some kind of face-to-face meeting is required for most jobsrequired for most jobs

NETWORKINGNETWORKINGBenefits of volunteering:Benefits of volunteering:

• expand your networkexpand your network

• acquire new experience acquire new experience

• try something new (low-risk)try something new (low-risk)

• show a dedication to the professionshow a dedication to the profession

• can help fill a gap in employmentcan help fill a gap in employment

• can help to “bank” good will with others, can help to “bank” good will with others,

who will then who will then wantwant to help you to help you in the future in the future

• maymay lead to paid employment lead to paid employment

Q – how do you know if you Q – how do you know if you are doing are doing enoughenough networking?networking?

n.b. – it n.b. – it isis possible to do possible to do too muchtoo much networking, networking, if what you are doing if what you are doing is not effectiveis not effective

30-second quick ‘n’ easy exercise to 30-second quick ‘n’ easy exercise to get an idea if you are doing get an idea if you are doing enough quality networkingenough quality networking

TENDING TO YOUR NETWORKTENDING TO YOUR NETWORK

► It should benefit you to have people in your It should benefit you to have people in your network (network (qualityquality is much more important is much more important than than quantityquantity))

► It should also benefit It should also benefit othersothers to have you in to have you in theirtheir networks networks

► ““Ask not what [they] can do for you…”Ask not what [they] can do for you…” (also (also a very good strategy when job hunting, a very good strategy when job hunting, writing a resume or cover letter, writing a resume or cover letter, interviewing…)interviewing…)

TENDING TO YOUR NETWORKTENDING TO YOUR NETWORK

►Most communications should be Most communications should be “agenda free” or you offering something“agenda free” or you offering something

►““ROI” – expect that not all of your ROI” – expect that not all of your efforts will bring a payoffefforts will bring a payoff

►Your own business Your own business cards (Laura Hill cards (Laura Hill recommends) with recommends) with url for your LinkedIn pageurl for your LinkedIn page

TO STAY EMPLOYEDTO STAY EMPLOYED VISIBILITY IS VISIBILITY IS CRUCIAL CRUCIAL

► Make sure your boss (and others) Make sure your boss (and others) know what know what

you are doingyou are doing – if they don’t know what you’re – if they don’t know what you’re doing… doing… you might as well not be doing it you might as well not be doing it

it may cost you your job sooner rather than later if/when it may cost you your job sooner rather than later if/when

there are layoffsthere are layoffs

it will be harder for you to find another jobit will be harder for you to find another job

► YOUYOU have to prove YOUR worth and advocate for have to prove YOUR worth and advocate for yourselfyourself

Current and Future Current and Future OpportunitiesOpportunities

The struggling economy is The struggling economy is creatingcreating opportunities:opportunities:

for freelancers, consultants, project managers, for freelancers, consultants, project managers, writers, instructors/teachers, web designers, writers, instructors/teachers, web designers,

etc.etc.

This This maymay be more than a temporary be more than a temporary trendtrend

You’ll need to:You’ll need to:

► identify something you can do/provide identify something you can do/provide

► have a robust healthy network to offer your services have a robust healthy network to offer your services toto

Current and Future Current and Future OpportunitiesOpportunities

Build relationships today that will Build relationships today that will benefit you tomorrowbenefit you tomorrow

Offer your help now, and those in your Offer your help now, and those in your network will remember you when the network will remember you when the

economy improveseconomy improves

Keep Up With Keep Up With Trends/TechnologyTrends/Technology

►Follow “mavens” (Malcolm Gladwell’s Follow “mavens” (Malcolm Gladwell’s

term)term)

►Big listservs and online groupsBig listservs and online groups

►Attend seminars/webinars/Attend seminars/webinars/

classesclasses

►Ask people in your networkAsk people in your network

SOME OF THE BEST ADVICE I’VE SOME OF THE BEST ADVICE I’VE EVER REC’D (or read, or EVER REC’D (or read, or

discovered)discovered)

• Don’t be afraid to ‘bite off more than Don’t be afraid to ‘bite off more than you can chew’ re: applying for a you can chew’ re: applying for a job/taking on new responsibilitiesjob/taking on new responsibilities

• Step outside of your Step outside of your comfort zone comfort zone regularly regularly

• Beware of the reflexive or habitual Beware of the reflexive or habitual “no”“no”

RECOMMENDED RECOMMENDED READING/WEBSITESREADING/WEBSITES

BOOKSBOOKS

► The Tipping PointThe Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell by Malcolm Gladwell (connectors and mavens and salesmen, oh my…)(connectors and mavens and salesmen, oh my…)

► Smart NetworkingSmart Networking by Liz Lynch by Liz Lynch► Finding the Work You LoveFinding the Work You Love by Samuel by Samuel

GreengardGreengard► One Person, Multiple CareersOne Person, Multiple Careers by Marci Alboher by Marci Alboher► Make Your Contacts CountMake Your Contacts Count by Anne Baber and by Anne Baber and

Lynne WaymonLynne Waymon► Social IntelligenceSocial Intelligence by Daniel Goleman by Daniel Goleman

WEBSITESWEBSITESLiz Lynch’s Smart Networking Liz Lynch’s Smart Networking

http://www.networkingexcellence.com/index2.htm Fireproof Your Career Fireproof Your Career

http://www.FireProofYourCareer.com

Q & Q & AA

THANK THANK YOU YOU AND AND

GOOD GOOD LUCK!LUCK!