By no means is this listing comprehensive however, if your job search has a worldwide scope, you need to consult with these headhunters / recruiters – and more of course.
At Gukkle.com we can recommend them all.
More job searching resources here.
In August 2011 I had the pleasure of attending the Dscoop Asia 2011
As James put it: “If you take care of customer needs the business takes care of itself”. Well put indeed but what really got me sitting straight in the comfortable chair was his focus on needs. Any business and any individual should focus on three elements of needs:
1. Obvious needs
2. Stated needs
3. Unstated needs
Now 1 and 2 may seem very basic. Let’s image you intend to buy an “automobile”. Before you make this significant investment you have probably decided that you want a car. Your basic need is to have a self-driven mode of transportation that can accommodate – probably – more than one person. You expect the car to move, on wheels, have an engine, steering, a gear box, roof, a boot, seats, safety belts etc. etc. etc. All of these are obvious needs. Move on to two. Your stated needs might be “efficient fuel economy”; “built in hand phone”; “built in GSP”; “Trucker like horn” etc. meaning you stated to the vendor specifically what you want. And the vendor, the car salesperson does what he/she does to fulfill these needs. And then there is 3. Along the automobile line of thinking, unstated needs are, well needs you have not stated but value offerings and benefits (hopefully) that this car salesperson offer for you to ponder over. That could e.g. be the opportunity to have a cabriolet version that you weren’t aware was available, or the “self-parking feature”, or “auto tracker” etc. etc. etc. The sales person is up-selling by offering you elements that you have NOT thought of. This is focusing on unstated needs. Very compelling unstated needs examples are “the IPOD or IPAD”; “the SMARTPHONE”; “your GPS wrist watch”; “QR codes” etc. etc. there are hundreds if not thousands of good examples. Common for all – no one asked for this to be invented/marketed (although probably someone wanted to compress Audio formats beyond belief, but this was not a common request by the masses).
So what has this to do with your career management planning? Everything I think. Think of this when you contemplate how to job search. To be successful in any job application situation, in any interview, you need to shine and step above the crowd. Your resume must be compelling – it takes just 7 seconds to scan a resume and typically, only the upper half of the first page is read carefully. This rest is flipped though, acted on or re-archived. It has to shine, to captivate to get attention. Same with your cover letter and when you have achieved this, and when you are indeed called for a first interview, well there you have to shine in person. You must leave a mark and be remembered.
This is not so easy!
But can you draw the parallel to focusing on unstated needs? The interviewer – HR manager at the prospective employer or the recruiter etc. will take for granted that the obvious needs and the stated needs are fulfilled by anyone applying for a vacancy. If this is all you bring to the table – well, sorry mate! You’ll just be one among many with similar offerings. You’ll be in the infamous “red sea”.
“Blue sea” should be your focus and this is where you have the opportunity to raise above the crowd and doing so via focus on unstated needs – next to your compelling personality and excellent social skills of course. So just how can you do this in a job interview; in an application?
It all starts when you plan how to job search. Prepare!
You might have your own ways but what works for me is:
1. Fully understand the job and try to “assume” what is expected of you. If you don’t, call in advance and ask some basic questions. Use this to thoroughly prepare your questions and answers to anticipated questions
2. Get to know the industry in which the business is in. Read up. Search and filter on the internet. You can always find something! Attend seminars on topic matters if available or research in your network if someone knows someone who just might know the insights of this particular industry. Ask them to share – YES – ask a favor and in time, pay that back.
3. Thoroughly read up on the company. Get to know them. What is the strategy? What are the vision and mission statements? Are there stated objectives – either across or in specific line businesses. Is there a forum on the company or the industry. Check postings.
4. Check back staff magazines (you find them on their website) and at least past few quarter issues. This usually gives great direction into the DNA of a company, their culture etc.
5. Read up on press and media releases in the past 12 months. Check youtube for news.
6. Check up on Reuters, Yahoo finance, Hoover, Annual reports etc. Know the big picture and the key numbers – are they making money? Is the business in growth? What are the upsides/downsides. What are key markets, products, identify challenges etc. etc.
Around all of this you spin your value proposition that includes the company’s unstated needs. It does not have to be much. Just a few important questions, statements, illustrations and you will get your marks across, you will be remembered.
This is a lot of work of course but may just give you the necessary foundation to create the perfect pitch and to shine in the application process.
Have a frightfully great day ahead!
A company has asked to see you to discuss a job opening. Congratulations. You just got your first interview. Question this – What is a job interview all about? Read on.
Very soon you will be:
1. A guest of a company
2. In a room by yourself
3. Talking to a person – or people you don’t know at all
4. About a company you probably don’t know anything about
5. About a position you want but don’t know much about
Sounds like a challenge? It sure is. Prior to the interview you already did your research so we shall not dwell on this here. Now it is time to focus on how to behave and what to do and really understand what a job interview is all about.
There is no winging it. Don’t expect that because you are superman, the interviewer(s) will think so too. They don’t know you! So: PREPARE.
1. Try to find out who (names) you are going to talk to.
2. Research the person/people (Goggle them, check LinkedIn). You want to get a feel for who you are meeting with. Perhaps you can source a picture too?
3. Is there someone in your network who knows these people?
4. Repeat your earlier research (from when you first applied) – something could have changed.
5. Plan how you wish to shine:
a. You need to sell yourself – what are your USPs?
b. Think about/note down weaknesses that come to mind
c. Think about/note down strengths that come to mind
d. Be prepared to answer – “how can you add value to the company” and “why are you the perfect candidate for this position”. We can’t aide you on this save to mention that these questions WILL BE ASKED. The other day we heard from a career professional that the key parameter of people wanting a career is NOT $$$ (contrary to what you might think). It’s the ability to add value, feel needed and be able to contribute. It may be suspected that employers too prioritize people who can add value, who can make a difference.
e. Another question: Who are you? Prepare a 5 min sales pitch. Don’t bore people starting with “I was born in Birmingham on ……..”. 5 mins. If they want to know more, they’ll ask.
f. Listen before you answer. And listen carefully. You must be precise when you answer questions. If you have no answer- say so. Don’t guess, lie or speculate.
g. Have the question repeated (but not too often of course) to buy you more time to think before you answer, especially if you are caught a bit off-guard. If happens.
h. Think of your posture. Check elements of cultural sensitivity you MUST respect. E.g. in Asia: Two hands when exchanging business cards; never use left hand to pass anything, never show shoe sole etc.
i. Always maintain eye contact.
j. Don’t lean back with your arms across (defensive/protective position). Smile when appropriate and show that you are self-confident, even if you are not. Don’t appear cocky – there is a fine line to appreciate.
Pick three elements that you think are key. Stay with them. This is what politicians do – so-called “stay on message” items. And be convincing on these 3. Don’t focus (too much) on what you have done and your past successes – if they are not pointly relevant. Focus on what the company is looking for and how you can help them achieve this, based on your experience and skills. The interview is not about you, it’s about your value potential. You have your written notes so refer. Don’t plan on memorizing everything. Refer to you notes. There is no harm in doing that and it will send the message that you have prepared well.
If all goes well, expect that you will meet several people. Make sure you have a container of relevant questions to ask. Ask at least one question to anyone who is involved in the interview. Asking questions show that you are insightful, prepared and that you care. Work to establish company and position relevant questions. Some universal suggestions could be:
1. What are the key deliverables you expect from this function, one year from now?
2. Who are your key competitors and what worries you the most?
3. What type of people succeed in your organization?
4. How did you get started in this industry?
5. Why do you stay with Company X?
6. What are your biggest company related concerns in the near and mid term?
7. What are the key elements of Company X’s success?
8. How is the company/business unit/Division etc. looking 3 years from now? What are your plans/expectations?
These are just appetizers. Do not underestimate the need to prepare. Remember: You are – probably – one of several excellent candidates for this position. You have one chance, one moment to shine and captivate your interviewer(s). In terms of preparation, make sure you appear organized. Do not forget to bring your personal business cards, note pad and pen! It seems simple but trust us, very awkward sitting there without a pen.
You would want to make sure that your preparatory notes and questions are neatly organized. Make a one page summary sheet of the company you are talking to – the key highlights – and your questions. During the talks, confer with your paper.
Tip: It also pays off to print a relevant document or two with the company’s letter head/logo on it. It could be their latest financial statement, list of executives or the corporate brochure. Make it discreetly visible so that the interviewer(s) can see that you are prepared. This always impresses.
And a practical note. We are all human beings. It’s possible that you are nervous, that you shake a bit, are excited etc. Hints:
1. Take a few deep breaths before you step into the interview.
2. Think of something pleasant, let your mind wander (a bit).
3. Remember they called you as they think you look good on paper! That’s is to your advantage
4. If you shake, don’t let it show. If really bad, decline if they offer you coffee, water etc.
Finally, while you may be desperate for the job, do not let it show. Make sure you let it show that you really want the position but not that you are desperate.
We did say “finally” but there are two more minor yet very important elements.
After the interview, make sure you follow up promptly and thank the interviewer(s) for their time. This is normal courtesy but it also assures that the interviewer finds you professional and that they REMEMBER you.
You may find yourself in a room alone on one side of the table, facing two or more interviewer(s) on the other side. Typically, one interviewer is the lead while the other(s) appear silent. Make well sure that you focus on all of the interviewer(s), that you don’t just have contact with the active one. Maintain eye contact with everyone; direct your response to the group rather than a specific person. It is quite common that the silent ones are observers but key decision makers in the process. If you lose them in the interview you WILL have lost your job chances.
Stay on our blog. This first piece on what is a job interview is he first of several coming, focusing on making perfect job interviews. It will be availble very shortly.
If there is no patience – go here for additional resource.
We have ignition. All is ready to take off, so how do you start? Project how to get a job is ready to blast off!!!
How exactly?
Take a look at the following table. This summarizes the options for job hunting that you have:
This works – and if it doesn’t (but it will) – you do have a fall back plan – right? (See our earlier post on that).
Before we go though this in detail – in addition to above some job seekers opt to do following in their journey on how to get a job
1. Resume blasting services – e.g. you sign up with a service provider and through their network, your resume is “blasted” to e.g. 5000 companies or 2000 recruiters. Does it work? You tell us please? Off hand it would seem quite difficult to be unique if using this approach.
2. Attend trade shows and conferences – try to meet people through that
3. Visit job fairs. There is none of relevance in this country but you may have more luck?
Let’s look at the table in more detail:
First and foremost use your network. The significant and key advantage is obviously that you have immediate entry, possibly fast response etc. People know you and what you can offer and you know them.
In the initial period you may have great network response however, over time of course, leads from your network will ease off, so you must act while these are still hot. Don’t be shy. Share your status with everyone you know and you may well be surprised of the responses. We’re sure you will experience that some people you thought you could count on for help, turn out to be non-cooperative and superficial at best while others pop-up out of the blue so to say, and offer their ready and extensive assistance.
As much as you can and should call on your network, it may be awkward to call up and say something like “I lost my job. Do you have any vacancies in your organization or do you know of anyone looking?”. Difficult to say and difficult to respond to if your friend, colleague, contact etc. has no desire to help. It’s much better to e.g. check if a vacancy is available in their company and then contact them saying that “I have applied for position xxxx but would really like if you could be my reference”. It’s hard to imagine anyone saying no to being a reference for someone else whom they know well. Most people will consider it an honor. And in this case, you take the dilemma out of the equation.
We have a dedicated point on recruiters & headhunters so let’s skip this for now.
Job sites or job engines work for you while you sleep. We earn no commission referring to these but would like to highlight “TheLadders” as one good example.
TheLadders have a number of different site listings within e.g. Sales, Technology, Finance, Marketing etc. As an example if you sign up for Technology, upload your resume you’ll have access to review hundreds of relevant and available jobs shortlisted against your key criteria. If you want to look at everything, the TechnologyLadders has thousands of jobs listed (last we checked it was about 56,000 in technology only) and each week 2000-3000 new ones are added. For more information on how it works, see their site. One disappointing note though. TheLadders suggest that job seekers contact their recruiters directly to establish contact. We’ve tried and tested 8 recruiters but did not receive a single call back/response.
Companies direct. There are many ways of doing this. One is to shortlisted say 50 companies, from Fortune 500, where you want to seek employment. The selection criteria could be anything – but your value set is a great choice. When you have made up your mind what you would like to do, where, in which industry etc. it should be fairly simple to shortlist prospective employers. When you have done so, it’s just a matter of going onto each ‘target’ site and see what is offered. If there is a vacancy that you would like to opt for, just apply. If none, make sure you register your details for the candidate employer to possibly contact you. This will go a very long way in your “how to get a job” quest.
Perhaps it’s just me but I find sipping though the Sunday morning extended newspaper, scouring for a new job, a bit old fashioned, out of time in today’s tech. age. I will not rule out that you may have success and do encourage you to scan and apply for positions as you see it fit. But know this:
1. The best jobs are never advertised!
2. Jobs in the paper are generally available online as well
3. By the time you see the ad in the paper, it may be too late
4. Searching for positions in papers as well as online, directly with companies, puts you in the “red ocean”. You don’t want to be there. You want to be in the “blue ocean”.
The concept of blue/red ocean strategies was coined for strategic management application purposes and not specifically for job searching. Still it has relevance in our quest to land the next career position. Check out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Ocean_Strategy
Our parent’s generation and the ones before relied much on so-called unsolicited job applications, sending out (blindly) letters with your resume attached to companies, offering your services from a general rather than specific point of view. We think the days of this method are long gone. It’s a fast paced and competitive world we live in and companies will advertise their needs for applicants to respond to. Some they won’t even advertise but rely on their network and/or recruiters to fill. If you go unsolicited, at most, you will get a nice thank you mail confirming that the company has registered your interest and that they will revert to you if there is “a suitable opening”. This does not give you a job.
Union’s and unemployment agencies – service mostly rank and file positions (at least that is our impression), but check this in your local area, with your local union. No doubt it’s worth checking, especially if such target positions are in your shortlist.
I read somewhere that you should apply for jobs that are right for you! This seems basic but it truly makes sense. Don’t apply for any and everything that comes your way. It’s too much work for you and surely too much time wasted on the part of recruiters/companies etc. You won’t seem genuine, focused etc. The best way to maximize the effectiveness of your job search process is to minimize the number of applications you churn out, but make them outstanding!
Before we move onto looking at the specific preparatory steps you need to take to prepare for that first job interview, a word or two on recruiters (or headhunters) are necessary. Notice the headline? “Top Headhunters“. It’s chosen on purpose. You may experience that you short-list several recruiters, you contact them, you pass your resume, and you register online with their typical “e-xxxx” service. And you hear nothing! Your contact them again, remind them (please don’t complain or scold) and still, you hear NOTHING! It can be frustrating, mind boggling, unfair etc., but do remember: THEY WORK FOR THEIR CLIENTS, not us. We are repeating ourselves (we know).
A very common misconception is that the headhunters – and perhaps especially the top headhunters are there to service us – the job seekers. They are not! Simple question: who secures their pay-check? Well we don’t (except when they find us and their clients employ us). First and foremost, the client of the recruiter is the hiring company, your prospective employer. They work for them. They establish the job posting and zip though possibly thousands of database records (note, the really big top headhunters or recruiters in the world have millions of possible candidates on file; some even refuse to receive further resumes). So when you contact them, do you really expect them to respond to you and every other Tom, Dick and Sally that write in? They may do so if you are really unique, if you fit a current vacancy profile perfectly or if you just somehow managed to catch their attention.
It is said, that when the headhunters scan for candidates for a first interview (they may sip though thousands to shortlist e.g. 50 to talk to in a first round, with the intention to shortlist 5-8 for the client to interview, (sometimes even less), you get exactly 7 seconds of their time in that “sipping process”. If they don’t like your cover letter, or the front page of your resume (e.g. the summary section), you get tossed back in the database again, and they move on to the next resume in the pile.
In some countries it is possible to meet up with recruiters and even also the top headhunters for what some refer to as “coffee meetings”. The intension is an informal meeting where you have a chance to share your background, thoughts and objectives in more detail and the recruiter will have a chance to make a general evaluation of you and establish if you are “worthwhile working on at all” relative to what they currently have in their projects funnel. It’s not easy to get these coffee sessions and not all recruiters are open towards it. But some are and if you do manage to catch their attention, even for “just” such a cup of coffee, do take it – by all means.
So how do you get noticed? You need to be UNIQUE. You must stand out from the crowd. Think out of the box to captivate them, capture their attention – like what this gentleman did:
It pays to be unique when you want attention from top headhunters
(he wrote is job request in the snow)
So when the headhunters finally call (and they will, eventually – have faith), do appreciate them. You managed to catch their attention somehow and you should (even however difficult it may be) feel honored that you stand out from the crowd. Listen to them, respect them and show that you are genuinely pleased to have been shortlisted for a first interview. Also, even if in the meantime you changed your mind and do not want the job, take the interview. The more interviews you attend, the more experience you build, the more you learn to be top notch ready when THE JOB is on the board!
Additional resource here
You’ve guessed correctly. We are zooming in on the resume (or CV – Curriculum Vitae – as some choose to refer to it by). The following is not a comprehensive guideline on effective resume writing techniques. We’ll cover this in great detail in later posts along with heaps of examples for specific functional jobs – so do come back to Guukle.com often! What we are talking about here is what we’d call the optimal resume.
The resume is the specification sheet to your product brochure. Don’t forget that you are selling yourself. You want to do this right! Right? The document becomes your packaging, the differentiator that secures the interview for you. Or fails to do so.
Recruiters DO NOT WORK FOR YOU. They work for their clients – the ones that pay them to shortlist suitable candidates and fill vacancies. For any given senior position a recruiter can easily scan through 500 resumes before she/he shortlists say 25 to explore, talk to, review etc. If your packaging is not eye catching – ergo if you don’t have an optimal resume, you’ll have less than 7 seconds (yes that is correct!) before he/she moves on to the next in the pile.
Perspective: In a meeting with a recruiter recently. Small to mid sized organization with representation in most of Asia Pacific and alliance partners in Europe and US. I popped up in their database for a specific position. My first contact to them was in 2004. Their first contact to me was in 2010!!. Today, their database has 300,000 job seekers! If your resume is not effective you have close to nil chances for even being shortlisted for review.
Simple resume advice:
1. No more than 3 pages. Some argue 2; others argue volume for senior positions. Some job seekers believe max. 1 page should do it. Our advice: Include in the specification sheet what you think make sense for your target reader to pay attention to and try to be selling – but do avoid hype. Try to be as unique as possible – stand out. Be an attention-getter and don’t focus so much on length. 3 pages is just fine.
KEY NOTE: Your resume is NOT your cover letter! It is distinctly different. More about cover letters later. For now we focus on the resume.
2. Make sure you have a summary section. This should be on page 1 (above the fold i.e. in the upper part of the resume) and definitely be the attention getter. The summary section must compel the reader to read on and when completed, put you in the short list pile or call you to set up an appointment. This is what you want. This is your key objective on first contact. No more. It this is what your resume delivers you really do have an optimal resume
3. No spelling, grammar or syntax errors. These are NOGO’s and definite turn-offs. If you can’t even spell correctly how can I confidently recommend you for a $X00,000 position? Not an unreasonable thought it is?
4. Use one font type. Vary the font size, sparingly use bold and underline or italics for emphasis, but use the same type – please! Be neat.
5. Be comprehensive yet specific. Nobody really cares what you did 20 years ago!
6. State your achievements and make them quantifiable. Rather than “I increased sales of product X” you may want “$2 mill. Incremental revenue of product X with +5% EBIT”. That’s eye catching.
7. Avoid passive verbs. Use action verbs.
8. Use a hybrid approach – don’t rely on just chronological or functional listing of jobs. Combine.
9. State your “most recent or most significant achievements” per functional position.
10. To assess or get help with producing an optimal resume, consult with a professional resume writer. If you find a great one they are worth the money. There is a lot of rack pack out there. Use one that’s recommend by recruiters or professional job sites.
Do not underestimate the importance of your resume. Spend time on it. Invest in it and re-visit, double, triple check it again and again.
And keep it current! Update every six months.
Finally – Be honest. Do not state achievements that can’t be traced back to you. Do not state that you have a Ph.D. if you don’t. Don’t pump your title or your achievements. In short: Don’t inflate the resume. You will be found out one day and when that happens…………. Increasingly, head-hunters, recruiters and companies are verifying resumes and – for mid to senior level positions – they will be requesting references. Any unfounded statement, even if just slightly incorrect, will be found out and will have consequences.
In terms of making sure to avoid lies, we found following excellent piece – courtesy of Marc Cenedella, Founder & CEO of TheLadders.com. It’s a great document!
https://cdn.theladders.net/static/images/editorial/weekly/wednesday/to_tell_the_truth090805.pdf
A quote from somewhere:
Make sure that the resume persuasively communicates your potential value, not just past experience.
The Bottom Line: Employers want to know that you are not going to waste their time. The key to capturing employers’ attention is to have a no-nonsense resume that stays away from mass-market formats and decisively focuses on your executive potential. Strategically show decision makers that your ROI is high and that hiring you will bring solid, unquestionable future benefits to their company.
Nowhere however, have we seen any reference to the need to assure that a resume is culturally sensitive. This is what we choose to refer to it by. Point in case: You are an executive and you may look for challenges across the globe. Your focus is international/global. The job hunting and recruitment process in Europe, the US, Asia is alike but there are unique differences. A resume that flies great in the US may not necessarily do so in Europe. Planning recruiter meetings in Asia may well be very different to such comparable ones in the US. Etc. etc. You must respect this and can do so by research. If you choose to apply for a job offered in a country across the miles, research if in that country or region etc. there are specific resume design and contents standards and etiquette to follow, or approaches that works well. On this noone can generalize.
Additional resource here
It’s highly likely that you will sleep, shower, eat, and drink i.e. live thinking “what kind of job can I get?” or “Where are the places hiring in my area?” Don’t despair. It’s very natural, but you will need a breather. As mentioned earlier we can’t recommend a break or a vacation before you feel that you are somewhat in control of your destiny (are we ever?) and before you do experience some form of progress (- that could well be when you have signed a new employment contract!). Yet, for the sake of sanity – and your family and friends – you must try to lead a normal life and try to get away from constantly thinking about getting a job.
Burning midnight oil is not needed when looking for places hiring in your area
Based on sound experience we suggest you make a rhythm. Work 8 am to 6 pm (or a bit longer or shorter) and pay attention to the ever so important non-work related elements in life …… like family! Don’t give up on your family in your interest to secure a new source for the monthly pay check. Your family is in this too. Never forget that. Make sure you share with them, update them as you work in your stride and set aside ample time to change nappies, play with the toddler, talk to your teen, help with homework, have a good time with your spouse, visiting your parents, your in-laws, your friends etc. etc. You know what we mean. Life is about balance and you have several elements on the scale to balance. Family and friends focus was important while you were working. If not even more so now, it’s still equally important.
Do make sure to update your family – at least your spouse – on your progress. What have you achieved? What kind of job are you looking for? What do you expect to get? What are you planning? What do you do next? Hope for? What are the places hiring in your area? How do you approach this? What are the challenges you see etc. etc.
You are not the only one anxious – remember that!
We all have our limits. If – and please don’t – you choose to work on this 24×7 there is high probability that you will burn your candles in both ends if you burn midnight oil for too long.
Along the lines of above, while paying attention to family and friends you need a deflector. Once in a while, switch off thinking “what kind of job can I get”
One of the chaps here at Guukle.com created a document about job searching and career management. This turned out to be the initial cornerstone for Jufito.com from where we then grew. Fancy that? A deflector is great at it forces you – to deflect. To take your mind off things, re-energize and be able to take on any and every challenge as they (may) appear.
Additional resource here
No vacation - I need a job fast
It was almost one of the first things a few people said when I (Lucas – Admin) told them that I was laid of and that I needed a job fast: “Now you got the time. Surely something excellent will turn up out of the blue so why don’t you take a few weeks off and get relaxed and your mind released”.
I see their point, but surely I don’t buy into it. You just don’t go on vacation to find work? Right?
If you plan your working days right – even after getting axed, there is plenty of room for relaxation, stimulation, exercise etc. There is good time to focus on non-work related activities, on your own or with your family.
Again: You simply don’t go on vacation to find work – do you?
No two human beings are alike – we are all unique – and I do not want to generalize, but consider following:
Is this the basis for a vacation? I dare say no. Much rather, I advocate following simple strategy to find work: (If you have a better solution, please share. Important it is though to have a strategy, establish a plan and stay with it)
I’m not suggesting this approach because you don’t deserve a break. I’m sure you do, but timing is everything and when you do have your break you want to make it a great one, at least in terms of quality.
Remember – this does not come easy. Chances are – usually quite high – that you will not land the next great job in a few days, weeks or even months. It takes work to find work! Most challenge seekers will echo that there are periods of frustration, where nothing happens (you keep applying, contacting, calling, sending emails etc. offering your services – but you get NO RESPONSES, and if you do, they are mostly negative or neutral). You will want to be somewhat at ease when you take your break. Otherwise the value of it is just lost – and you end up being even more anxious and frustrated.
Additional resource here
Guukle.com is also all about job hunting tips. Getting tips passed to you that you simply won’t readily find elsewhere. This little piece of advice may not look as much but hopefully upon closer scrutiny, you’ll see how it makes sense even if disliked by many.
Nobody likes administration but even in the job hunting and career planning process it does pay off.
Perhaps in the first few days or within the first week or so of starting your new work life adventure, you will feel that everything is still fresh, on your mind etc. and you are in total control of what you do, who you contact, meet with and see. But say in a month time when you have spoken to, or at least approached, 15 head-hunters, worked with 25 friends and colleagues in your network, searched a number of job hunting websites and applied for 12 shortlisted jobs, attended 3 or 4 interviews etc. can you then confidently say that you know exactly what you said to whom? What was it you discussed with recruiter #6; what was it you offered to the 9th vacancy you applied for @ company Z? You WILL forget, you WILL mix up and that does NOT lend itself well when you move on to the 2nd and 3rd interview (it’s highly unlikely that you get that job offer at the end of the 1st interview if you target a mid to senior level position. Minimum 3 interviews with various stakeholders are more the norm than the exception). So take following as a few solid job hunting tips:
1. Plan your days. We suggest you find comfort in following a main project plan and knowing day by day, two weeks in advance, exactly what you want to and have to do, and when. Most importantly – if you progress according to plan.
2. But you don’t always do that. You might get a sudden call for an interview and that can take about ½ a pre-planned day. You adjust. Make sure you have ample buffer time built in. Don’t clutter your timeline. Be effective and efficient but have adequate time for the unexpected.
3. Make a simple calendar line overview. A worksheet in a consolidated workbook is one way – see this example:
Simple planning takes you a long way
4. Every time you achieve something, update your detailed calendar. A status approach of simply “done” and “not done”. It’s crude, but it works. Every night as a last activity, update the plan for the next two weeks. You do this then on a rolling basis. It takes 10 minutes tops.
5. When you prepare for interviews, make notes. Store your notes in a logical container
6. After each interview (We will have much more on interview techniques later), re-write your notes and store them, so that per interview you have an audit like trail. Re-visit your trail as you prepare for the 2nd, 3rd and perhaps even 4th discussion.
7. Every time you get a response, make a note in your plan. It helps you remember the slightest detail. If comprehensive, make a note in a word document and store this in your audit trail.
8. Statistics are also interesting – but optional. As a minimum keep track on
So you have a plan. You know your time line, what to do and when, at least for the next two weeks. Now start! Google “job hunting websites” is always a good starting point!!
Additional resource here
This will seem tedious – but it will help you find a job faster.
I’ve mentioned it earlier but will do it again. Securing your next career i.e. when you ask yourself the question “how do you get a job” – is a project. A significant job in itself. Treat it like one. I’m not necessarily suggesting that you go through all elements of professional project management (e.g. like establishing a project team, a steering committee, business case, ROI etc.) but key elements of professional project management (like phases and key mile stones) applies well with what you are setting out to achieve. And it will help you find a job.
Ask yourself and answer:
- Strategize: What are you trying to achieve? Job? Industry? Company? Position? Salary? Benefits? Location? Etc.
- What is it going to cost in terms of $$$ and time?
- How much time do you have?
- Apply a phased approach (quality gates) – and mentally decide that you need to complete step by step before you move to the next. Example:
- Establish a GANTT chart. First, second, third etc.
i. First – establish objectives
ii. Second – contact network
iii. Third – update/make your resume
iv. Fourth – contact head-hunters (recruiters)
v. Five – register on job sites/ladders etc.
vi. Sixth – search and apply for jobs
vii. Seventh – exit plan.
Simple planning will help you find a job faster
Key to this is your first step. Establish your goals and objectives. This form your overall foundation for getting a job. Then work to achieve them. Invest time and effort but DO NOT work 24×7 on this even if you want to. You WILL BURN OUT! Decide to “go to the office” from e.g. 8 am to 6 pm, your office being in your study, using your dining table, a library or a “rent by the hour or day” office like location. Afterwards, do what you like best – spend time with the family, sports, your hobby, have a party, go shopping, get drunk, watch a movie etc. etc. etc. But just remember that you are back in office the next working day @ 8 am. Weekends – I suggest you take off, relax. If you work like in this example, you’ll put in 10×5 that is 50 efficient hours of job hunting and career building per week. In terms of net time spent, that is probably more than what you have ever put into any of your past projects on a weekly basis (unless you were solely on a single project of course).
Later we’ll talk about your need to administer and structure your efforts in and effort to help you find a job. Make your plan in written form and post it somewhere noticeable. 1-2 pages will suffice. Have it in close proximity to where you are so that you use your plan as a constant reminder. It must be in plain eyesight.
As with any project, do diverge. Follow your plan but make light adjustments and fine tune as you progress.
The following makes sense:
If you are familiar with scenario planning, apply this. It may well be worthwhile. The basic concept being at least three scenarios:
The scenario approach, if you make it efficient, provides an element of additional comfort in that you know, worst case, you have a fall back. Worst case could be e.g. you start your own business (this could also be your best case of course if this is what you set out to do). Worst case could also be a fall back option, e.g. a family member or friend lets you know that if all else fails you can always come work for them. Again, this could also be best/acceptable case all depending on circumstances). In short – worst case is your ongoing survival outcome situation.
Scenario planning is also a great comfort and excellent cushion to help you find a job in that it provides a safety net of sorts, a fall back option should everything else fail.
Additional resource here