How to Kill a Network Opportunity

This is an actual example of a lost networking opportunity.    

The Scenario

• You have recently been laid off and are just starting to network.  

• You connect with a former colleague who has been working in a company you'd love to work for and he agrees to meet with you. 

• You meet for lunch, catch up on old times and he gives you the lowdown on the company.  He also mentions that there are no current openings. 

• He walks you around the office and introduces you to his boss, who would be a likely hiring manager should an opening arise. 

• You follow-up with a thank you note to your colleague.

• You send a note to his boss along with your resume and portfolio letting her know you are open to either full-time or freelance work.

• She writes back and tells you that your resume and portfolio are impressive, but unfortunately there are no job openings at the current time.  

NOW WHAT?

What Went Wrong?  You were fine until you sent off the e-mail with your resume and portfolio attached.  By sending the resume and portfolio up front before booking a face-to-face meeting, you turned this into an outreach for a job versus creating the opportunity to expand your network. You  made it too easy for the boss to say there's no reason to meet as there are no jobs. 

REMEMBER people love to give guidance and advice but do not like being put on the spot for a job. 

So what should you have done?  The idea to outreach to the boss was right on track.  The focus, however, should have been to get in front of her to gather ideas, obtain feedback and walk away with the names of other potential connections.  You want to get in front of someone so you can engage them in your job search.  You want to put them squarely in your job cheering section and the best way to do that is in a face-to-face meeting where you become a person, not just another resume.

What can you do now?  Send her an e-mail acknowledging that you are aware there are no open positions and stating why a meeting with her would be helpful nonetheless.  Ask for a meeting so you can expand upon your background, share your thoughts on potential next steps and get advice about your search. 

REMEMBER the fastest way to short circuit your network is to ask for the job versus asking for advice.
 

Is Networking Real or Fake?

One of the many reasons people give for not networking is that it's fake. When I suggest that you simply go in to gather information, expand your network, be seen and remembered, but NOT to pitch for or dig for a job, most people state that everyone knows you're really looking for a job and therefore believe that the whole network process is fake. 

Well yes, when you're out there networking you are ultimately looking for a job.  And on the rare occasion when someone uncovers a live one through networking, that's great.  But the immediate goals of networking are to...

• gather information 
• expand your network
• get to know more people and 
• enroll them as part of your search network - your cheering squad

You are out there to be seen, and assuming you make a good impression and nurture your network (meaning stay in touch) you will also hopefully be remembered.

AGAIN, the job I now sit in came through a network contact who sent me an e-mail to let me know about a  a new job posting in the field (in other words, not at her company).  When I me this new network contact  three months prior to receiving that e-mail, I knew there were no open positions in her department.  I went in just to meet someone new and expand my network.  I had no clue that this would be the network contact that would lead me to my new job.

The key to networking is to remember that it is an informational interview - NOT a job interview.  The fastest way to kill your networking is to ask contacts if they have any jobs.  If the answer is no you've just stopped the conversation cold. Even if the answer is yes, if you're not the right match it may be hard to transition over to a pure networking conversation.

If I've written it one time, I've written it 500 times - PEOPLE HATE TO BE PUT ON THE HOOK FOR A JOB.  PEOPLE LOVE TO GIVE GUIDANCE AND ADVICE.

So get out there and mingle with purpose.  Go in prepared to talk about who you are, what you're targeting and have a list of questions in hand...questions about the field, the industry, how the person you're meeting with got their job or the skills that are critical for success in that arena.  Your goal should be to leave with new information - the names of one or two new people for you to contact, perhaps some information about a new company or position to consider, and maybe some feedback on your resume.

We all know that the ultimate success at the end of this process is a new job.  Success along the way comes with every new network contact you meet.

Look in the Mirror - What do you see?

Great Suit BUT Why That Tie?
I interviewed a candidate the other day who, at first glance, portrayed a very professional image.  He wore a nice blue suit - not navy or powder blue - almost a slate blue.  Very sharp and well pressed.  He had on a nice light blue shirt that also looked fresh and well pressed.  White or a pale blue work well for interview shirt colors.  His shoes were polished, his nails were clean.  I thought he made a great first impression, until I focused on his tie.  It was a pale blue, darker than the shirt and lighter than the suit.  The color itself was a great match.  The issue - the tiny martini shakers and glasses that created the pattern.  They were indeed tiny so I didn't notice them at first.  When I did, my view of this candidate changed. 

Look Sharp But Save the Personality Statement
Wearing a tie like that can send a lot of different messages.  While it may be playful, it could also convey 'I love to party' or 'I love to drink'.  And, if I were a teetotaler or have had problems with alcohol in the past either personally, with an employee or co-worker, that tie could knock him right out of contention and he wouldn't even know that that's what got in his way.

Some 'no-nos' in interview attire...
For women: no short skirts, no tight or low cut blouses, no patterned stockings, avoid very high heels and some would suggest no sandals or open toed shoes, no large or distracting jewelry especially dangling earrings and bracelets that click when you move your arm, no black or day-glo nail polish, subtle make-up.

For men: no short sleeve shirts that show 5 inches of arm when you bend your elbow, no short socks that show 5 inches of hairy leg when you cross your legs, no power ties in pink or yellow, no beige suits (even in summer), and no funny ties!

For all:  no perfume or aftershave (you never know who might be allergic), no shoes that you just wore in the garden or clothes that should have gone to the dry cleaner or been ironed before you put them on.

REMEMBER to check dress code in advance if possible and, should they say business casual, dress on the high side of casual.  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Cyberspace Crisis

Beware! They are out there and THEY ARE CHECKING UP ON YOU!

While people often suggest that comments in cyberspace can cause a crisis in job search, there is no doubt that employers are checking Facebook, Twitter and other places in cyberspace where people forget that they are currently or may one day be involved in a job search.  The Director of Career Services at a large community college told me that a panel of corporate recruiters said they always check popular social networking sites before they even call a candidate on the phone for a screening interview. If they see questionable tweets or pictures, they simply move on to the next resume. 

So please use discretion when sharing information in a tweet or on your Facebook wall.  One slightly questionable comment or picture may knock you out of contention for a great job and you won't even know it!  One picture is worth a thousand words, and the words you want to avoid are 'NO WAY'.

COVER YOUR TRACKS
Google yourself and type your name into PIPL right now. Go back and delete everything you can in terms of pictures and posts that may not portray the image you want potential employers to get when they check you out on-line.  This is such a big issue that there are new services for on-line reputation management. 

Make sure you show your best you on paper, in personal and in cyberspace! 

My Network Web

The anatomy of a successful job search based on networking. It all began at our neighbor's annual New Year's Day gathering.

Here's the short story...

 * an acquaintance at a party introduced me to her husband who used to work at a university I was trying to network into

 * he e-mailed his colleagues on my behalf and they agreed to meet with me

 * I had network meetings with two senior staff members in Career Services
   
 * my niece connected me to her best friend's father who happens to be the Director of Career Services at a major university

 * who connected me to one of his Associate Directors

 * who met with me to give advice and support and sent an e-mail to me several weeks later when she learned about an opening at the university the husband above had helped me network into

 * I applied on-line for the position and sent an e-mail to the person I'd networked into to let her know I'd applied on-line for the position

* 4 months from the time this network web began at that holiday gathering, I received a great job offer  

And the expanded version...

Step One:  I run into a woman at a holiday party for whom our middle daughter used to babysit.  We exchange info about who is doing what, and I mention that our son is a freshman at Rutgers.  She gets very excited and says, 'You must meet my husband, Patrick.  He took a job at Rutgers last September.'  She tells me to stay where I was so she can bring him over to introduce me.  After about 10 minutes I notice that she and her husband are chatting with someone else, and as my husband is ready to head out,  I wander over just to say a quick hello and my goodbyes.  Patrick and I start to talk and, remembering that social occasions are a good place to connect but not necessarily do business, I ask if he'd be willing to meet me during the week to give me some advice on my job search.

Step Two:  Patrick and I meet for a drink a few days later.  I ask him a few questions and for his advice about making the transition from the corporate sector to higher education.  We talk about my background and skills, my age and how it might impact my search and where I'd best fit in on a college campus.  In that I already have solid contacts into career services at Rutgers, he offers to contact some of his colleagues at Pace University on my behalf.

Step Three:  Patrick sends me an e-mail giving me the go ahead to contact the Director of the Career Services at Pace in NYC and the Executive Director of Career Services who oversees all of the Pace Career Centers.  I schedule an appointment to meet with each the following week.

The Scenario - I knew there were no openings in Career Services at Pace.  The point of going in was to be seen, make new contacts, be referred, pick up some new information, guidance and advice.  The fact that there was no opening made it easier to simply connect with someone in the field I was targeting to move into.

Step Four:  On January 26, I meet with Maxine Sugarman, the Director of Pace University Career Services in NYC.  We have a very productive meeting during which I explain my rationale for targeting a position in higher education, the benefit I would bring coming from the corporate sector and get some great suggestions about my search strategy.  Maxine and I 'hit it off'.  I feet like we've known each other for a long time.  Maxine mentions that there are some frozen positions in her department, but acknowledges that she has no idea when they'll be unfrozen.  Nonetheless, I leave feeling energized and more confident in the thought that I can make this happen.

Step Five:  While on vacation in March I receive an e-mail from a someone I'd networked into at Rutgers asking if I'd seen the posting for a part-time position at Pace.  In that I was on vacation, I honestly wasn't checking my usual on-line job search sites like indeed.com or highered.com.
And, regardless of the fact that I am on vacation, I immediately go to the Pace University website and apply for the position.  I then send an e-mail to Maxine letting her know I'd submitted an official application on-line.

How I felt?  I knew we'd had a good network meeting in January, and I also knew that what that bought me was a bit more of a personal/professional contact.  It was no lock-in on the job.  So, I was both hopeful and a bit anxious.

Step Six:  I do my best to stay in front of Maxine without being a nag.  I send her an article I received at a meeting of career counselors I attended at Rutgers.  It is a professional way to say ' hey, I'm still out here.'  I get an e-mail from her in response to the article in which she says they are still screening candidates, that she is going to have me come in to meet with her Assistant Directors and to just be patient.  JUST BE PATIENT!  Tough stuff when you're in the middle of transition and a you've applied for what reads like the perfect position.

And time seems to drag and drag and drag.  I know Maxine and her team are caught up with the rush of students who come in right before they graduate and other year end business.  Yet I watch my e-mail for an invitation for an interview, which never seems to come.  And from early March when I first applied for the position, it took almost two months for the process to unfold and that invitation to arrive in the form of a phone call from Maxine.

Step Seven:  On May 18 I interview with Maxine and three Assistant Directors at Pace.  I felt the interview went well and I also know they are interviewing two other final round candidates.  I send out my thank you notes after the interview, making sure I emphasize different things in each based on questions that had been asked during the interview.  And I anxiously wait for the results.  In that my interview date options were May 18, 24 or 27, and I chose to go in first on the 18th, I assume I won't hear anything until after Memorial Day weekend.  And to my surprise and delight, I get a call from Maxine on May 26 with the great news that I am their finalist!  I got the job!

How to Wind Down a Job Search

How you wind down your job search has a major bearing on how easy your next one will be.  It is critical to nuture that network.

You've worked hard to get to new people and bring them into your network.  Your task at the end of a search is to thank those who have helped, share the news about your new position and let them know you want to stay in touch.  AND THEN, DO IT! 

Send out your new contact information once you're on board.

Let your new network contacts know how you're doing a month into your new job.

Send articles and/or share information to stay connected with your new network.

Create a holiday outreach list and send a note, e-mail or card to everyone in your professional network at the end of the year.

It takes time and energy to conduct a good job search.  It takes almost as much diligence to make sure the fruit of all that labor doesn't end the day you start your new job.

The Journey's End?

While we are taught that careers should be predictive, for most of us they are post descriptive.  I can look back and see the linkages and common themes that tie the chapters of my career together, but there's no way I could have known about all of the steps in my journey when I first started working 35 years ago.  I've worked in the non-profit sector, in financial services, the outplacement industry and as a consultant in numerous companies and fields.  I've worked full-time, part-time and flex-time.  My graduate degree was supposed to catapult me into a career as a high school guidance counselor, and ironically that's the one place I haven't worked. 

Now onto the next step.  I was offered and have accepted a part-time position as a career counselor at Pace University.  In many ways this is the perfect job for me.  I've been working to transition from career counseling in the corporate sector to using these skills and experiences in higher education.  This position offers me the opportunity to do just that.  I've been looking for a team to join and a place to put down roots.  This position will allow me to do that.  And, the icing on the cake is that working  part-time nature will allow me to continue to work as a human resource consultant. 

How did this all come together?  What was the key to making this happen?  Networking!

I have met a lot of people while networking for this position and the key now is to nuture this new network.

Work While You Wait

When you are in the process of interviewing for a 'live one' and have entered the 'waiting for a decision' stage, it's natural to let yourself take a rest from your search.  If anything, this is a time to beef up your activity. 

If you land the job you can take a breather.  And if you don't, you have activity scheduled that will help you deal with the disappointment of the turndown and avoid going into a slump. 

The more irons you have in the fire, whether that's network meetings or attending a job fair, the easier this process will be in the long run.

Making the Most Out of a Turndown

Take a Chance to Get Some Feedback

A few weeks ago I got to the second round of interviews for a pretty neat position, but didn't get the call back for the final round.  I had a feeling I knew where and when the interview went sour, but that was based on my assumption.  So I took a chance and sent the interviewer an e-mail asking for feedback.  Actually, what I asked for was information that could help me strengthen my presentation in future interviews.  I was very pleased and grateful to get an e-mail back suggesting we schedule a time to talk.

My Rules for Receiving Feedback
Consider it a gift and accept it graciously.
Take it in without a debate.  Just listen.
Chew or stew on it a bit to see what feels right or has a ring of truth.
Swallow those pieces down (meaning integrate and act on them).
Spit out the rest. 

What to Do With the Feedback

Just because someone gives you feedback, that doesn't mean it's 100% on target for you.  It's given from the interviewer's perspective.  And it's good data for you to explore and decide what course corrections to make, if any.

In my case, I was on target with my assumptions about part of what eliminated me from a shot at this position, and got some additional very valuable feedback about ways in which I might strengthen my interview presentation in the future, which I thought was right on target as well.  There is no doubt that this feedback impacted the way I interacted in a recent interview.

You Don't Always Get What You Ask For
In many cases companies have strict rules about giving feedback after an interview.  They're the same companies that bar managers from giving letters of recommendation.  The feeling is the less said, the less likely you'll get sued.  So don't take it personally if someone either ignores your outreach or says no.  They may not have a choice in the matter. 

On the other hand, stick your neck out there and ask for that feedback.  You just might hear something that will help you land your next job.

Should You Be First, Last or Somewhere in the Middle?

I had the opportunity to interview for a wonderful job today.  It is a perfect fit in every way - skills and experience, culture of the office and university, timing, staff, commute...you name it and it's a match. 

How did I get to this one?  You know the answer already - networking!

Here's a question:  When you have the choice of when to interview, do you choose to go in first, last or somewhere in the middle? 

Going in first puts you in a great position if they really like you.  Then others are being compared to you.  The down side, of course, is that you are first so you have to find ways to stay in front of the interviewers while they meet with your competition.

Going in last puts you in the position of being most memorable as your prospective manager gets ready to make a decision, but if the interviewer/s have already found the person they view as 'the one' you may not even know what an uphill battle you're in.

The best answer and timing... prepare to go in and WOW them regardless of when you interview.  Make sure you have a solid 'Tell me something about yourself' that's linked to the job description.  Research the company and the people you'll be interviewing with so you can answer the 'why us' question.  Write your answers out and rehearse them with a friend, colleague or in front of the mirror. 

It's the same old question and punch line...How do you get to Carnegie Hall?  Practice!

I'm off to write my thank you e-mails, restating why I'd be the perfect candidate for the position.  Keep your fingers crossed and I'll keep you posted.

Social Networking and Job Search

The Boom in Social Media

Whether it's Facebook or Twitter, LinkedIn or Blogger, everyone today seems to be using technology to connect with friends, family and colleagues.  In this day and age when people are so spread out and we all seem to be running faster and faster, it's great to have more ways to stay connected.

Social media is useful in job search as well.  I wrote a post about using LinkedIn to identify network contacts and my tweets about new posts have definitely increased the number of people checking out my blog.  I recently took a webinar on using social media in job search covering everything from Twitter to LinkedIn and there is no doubt that social media tools can be helpful when one is engaged in a job search.  There is also no doubt that using social media while engaged in job search can be something that comes back to bite you.

WARNING:  Use Sound Judgement When Tweeting

In the 'old days', prior to this explosion in technology, the biggest warning to job seekers was "be mindful about who answers your phone, how it's answered and what the message on your home answering machine sounds like".  We counseled job seekers to coach anyone who might answer the phone about what information to ask for and strongly urged them to record a professional sounding message in their own voice while they were engaged in a search.  It was no time, and still isn't, for cute kid messages or heavy metal music in the background. 

While the message on your cell phone still needs to be crisp and professional, in that most of us carry and answer our own cell phones, we don't need to be concerned about who's answering the phone at home.  I don't list anything but my cell on my current resume.  And, in that cell phones all provide caller ID, we are in a position to choose to either answer a call, or if you're in the middle of a concert, let it go to voicemail. 

Social media is a way for you to check out future employers.  Make no mistake, it is also a way for potential employers to check up on you!  They can google you, check your tweets, and look for silly (or worse) pictures on Facebook.  Is there no such thing as privacy anymore?!  The simple answer is no.

So don't send a tweet about how drunk you got last night.  Don't post pictures or video that show you in racy clothes or dancing on a table.  While this may cramp your style, tweets can be viewed for up to 30 days and today's techno-savvy employer may well check them out.  It would be a shame if one night of revelry displayed with a full spread of pictures on Facebook kills your opportunity to interview for or be offered the perfect job.

CLEAN YOUR ON-LINE HOUSE

So clean your techno house.  Review all of your privacy settings to make sure you are as protected as possible.  Look at your tweets and delete any that might be inappropriate.  Check out the pictures you've posted on Facebook and any you might be tagged in and remove those that get in the way of letting your "professional self" shine.

This is the time to be your 'best you' in every way and every format available to you.  Use social media to your advantage and it can be a very powerful tool.

Time to Dust Off the Resume and Get Back in the Game

The Economic News Seems to Be More Positive
While I know the market went into a free fall this week, in general the economic news including statistics on first time unemployment filings seem to indicate that things are beginning to look a bit more positive.  That's not to say we're wholly back on track with a thriving job market, but any move in the right direction is a good one.  So it's time for those of you who had given up or were waiting for things to improve to dust off your resume and get back in the game.

Why Now is the Best Time to Gear Up Your Job Search
Back in November I wrote about why the holidays are a great time to gear up your job search.  My experience is that many people who are out of work around the holidays tend to take the season off, assuming nothing will surface between Thanksgiving and New Year's anyway.  This opens up an opportunity for those who keep up their search efforts.

Similarly, many who are laid off around the time the days get longer and you don't need a coat anymore often decide to take the summer off and start their search in September.  There are some who have been engaged in a search who decide to do the same, simply because there's a lot to do and enjoy when it's warm and sunny.  Once again, this creates opportunity for those who continue to work their search.

It's a Great Time to Network
The summer is a great time to network.  People are generally more relaxed which tends to make them more open to networking.  Work typically slows down a bit in the summer so people have more time to network.

So as we move from spring into summer, gear up your networking.  Schedule a few meetings each week.  You can reward yourself with a trip to the beach after a good week of networking.

On a Resume EVERYTHING Counts

I've been helping a lot of people with resumes of late, and one thing that is critical to remember is that everything counts.  I'm seeing resumes with such avoidable mistakes like no white space (meaning simply too packed with type) or dates that aren't aligned so as you look down the page they waver from position to position.  You must focus on both content and appearance in order for your resume to land you the interview.

What do I mean by everything?  EVERYTHING!

• Language - make it strong, concise and action-oriented
• Key Words - it's important to build key words into your profile, those terms or skills listed as requirements in the job description
• Alignment - be consistent; the dates should be aligned as you look down the resume
• Spelling - needless to say it should be perfect.  Use spell check and proof the resume by reading each word out loud.  Remember if you meant to type your and instead typed only you, it's a typo!
• Grammar - pay particular attention to tense, all past jobs should be in past tense and a current position is written in present tense unless you're referencing a one time project that you've completed.
• White Space - a crowded resume is too hard to read so it often goes into the circular file, either electronically or literally.  Leave a blank line between jobs and sections.  Use a 1 inch margin on all sides.  It you need more space, steal it from the top and bottom of the page rather than the sides.
• Type size and font - either 10 or 11 point type is good for a resume.  9 point type can look crowded and send people running for their reading glasses.  12 point type can often seem too large and imply that you're trying to make the resume look longer.  Avoid using multiple fonts.  Pick on and use italics and bold for emphasis rather than switching to another typeface.  Just like Goldilocks, you have to figure out which font and size is 'just right.'
• Graphics - keep it simple;  be selective about which words or phrases you choose to highlight in bold,  the same goes for italics.  Use UPPER case type to delineate different sections.  I like to see the functional title in your profile in bold.  It's an easy way for the reader to get a sense of what you're looking for and where you'd best fit in.

A resume is generally a 'leave behind' at a network meeting, and while it should be perfect, you've already connected in person to seek advice and tell your stories, so the resume isn't the lead.  When it comes to applying for jobs, today's resume is key to getting your foot in the door and there's simply no room for mistakes.

So, take the time to work on your resume to make sure it's showcasing the best you.  And just when you think it's done, remember to customize your resume and cover letter for each position to which you apply.  Don't worry, this isn't a major overhaul, just tweak your resume to make sure it includes the language from the job description and you should have a stellar resume every time!

I Didn't Know Either: A Tip About Research

I got a comment in response to the LinkedIn post of a few days ago in which the writer acknowledged he hadn't realized that you could 'Get Introduced' through LinkedIn.  I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that I didn't know the option was there either until I tripped over it.  There are tools on many of the job search websites and professional connection sites designed to help make this process easier, but they can't do their job unless you know they're there.

That's why I encourage you to go to websites like LinkedIn and just explore.  Click on every link and see where it takes you.  When you find something that really helps, tweet about it or send me a comment and I'll do my best to share your discovery.

Keep Sleuthing and You Can Find Anyone

In the post I wrote about LinkedIn, I mentioned going to the website of the college I wanted to network into and creating a list of names that I then researched on LinkedIn.  There is so much information out there for all of us to play with. You can find information on company web sites and through professional associations.  Today, you can simply Google someone and see what comes up.  It still tickles me that google has become a verb!  It's an action!

For me, it's easiest to keep at it if I set it up as a challenge for myself.  I reframe it as a test of my sleuthing prowess.  Can I find a contact who can get me into...almost anywhere!

My father was a mechanical engineer who taught me that if you can't get an answer one way, you simply seek another. 

So try to view research as sleuthing.  Put on your Sherlock Holmes cap and dig into the internet to follow the clues to the people you really want to meet with.

Man With A Sign Gets A Job

I heard a story on the news today that's worth repeating.  They told of a man who'd lost his job over a year ago, ended up declaring bankruptcy, and was obviously pretty desperate for work.  He decided to take to the streets with a placard reading "Help me find a job" and he got a job.  While he said the placard gimmick helped him uncover the job, he acknowledged that it was his network that made the difference in landing the job!

It's Hard to Keep Getting Out There

I must admit that it's hard to keep putting myself out there.  I continue to network and truly enjoy meeting each new contact, once I'm sitting in the room with them.  It's the process of getting myself there that's hard.  I continue to 'strategically' volunteer.  In addition to the regular volunteer work I'm doing at one university, I just agreed to conduct some mock interviews at another university.  I know this volunteer work enables me to showcase my skills and strengthen my network, and I truly enjoy working with the students.  And there are days when it's just hard to keep putting myself out there.

An honest conversation about the process...

I was talking with my husband who is new to this process and he admitted that he'd rather play in his workshop or work in the yard than schedule network meetings.  I told him I fully understood his feelings and admitted that it's hard to keep getting myself out there.  Then I thought about the work I've done with clients and students and how good I feel about what I can contribute, how important my support has been to their success.  And I reminded him about the times he's really 'in the work' and how much he loves it. What I realized is that it's not about the work or working, it's about getting through the process to get back to the work.

Inspiration

I have been following the Job Search Ninja on Twitter (yes, I've been tweeting) and reading through a bunch of his blog posts.  I don't know when this guy gets to sleep based on the number of posts he puts out.  I really liked one of his recent posts entitled, "You Can Do Anything".  I do believe we all can accomplish great things with enough energy and determination.

My mantra...

I know I have a lot to offer and I will make a significant contribution to the team of the college or university Career Services Director who is lucky enough to hire me!  That's my mantra.

And so...

I'll keep at it. You should too.  I'll keep putting myself out there, knowing that it's this act, this process, that will get me to the work I so enjoy. 

Fully Explore Options to Get LinkedIn to the Max!

I'm LinkedIn

Like most of you reading this post I'm LinkedIn.  While I've been LinkedIn for quite a while, I didn't realize it's full potential until recently.  I've used LinkedIn to connect with colleagues and friends from past chapters of my life and as a vehicle to put my best professional foot forward.  I belong to a select number of groups and, as had been suggested at a LinkedIn workshop, have jumped into discussions to get myself known.  But the real potential of LinkedIn, to connect with people at target companies, became quite apparent with this recent experience.

FRUSTRATION...

I've been trying to connect with someone at a specific university for quite a while with little success.  I'd uncovered some network connections, sent the usual e-mail referencing the mutual colleague's name in the subject line and requested a meeting, a method that has proved to be very successful and has resulted in personal meetings in all but one instance.  In this case, it just wasn't working and I was very frustrated.  I kept seeing a great job posting at the university for which my skills and experience would be a good match, and while I'd applied to it on-line, in that I am transitioning from one arena to another, I knew a network connection would be critical to getting in the door. 

So here's what I did...

I did some searching on the university's website and developed as long a list as possible of people I wanted to connect with.  I then went back and started diligently searching on LinkedIn to see if anyone I knew, knew any of these people.  I came up with a few distant connections, people who were 3 or 4 contacts away from the people I wanted to meet, meaning they didn't really have a direct connection.  My connection would have to work through their connection to get to 'the' connection to see if they'd meet with me.  While this can work, it's a hard sell because the person in the middle doesn't know the individual making the initial request at all.  Convoluted, but I hope you can follow the flow and the logic.

Perseverance...

So I continued to run through the list of names I'd gotten from the university site on LinkedIn, often finding people only by using the advanced search option, looking for a second line contact, someone connected to one of my first line contacts.  I finally came up with one in the very department I'm interested in networking into.  At that point I clicked on the small type that read 'Get Introduced'.  What came up next was a place for me to write an e-mail to the person I wanted to meet and below that a box where I could write an e-mail to my direct contact asking him to make the introduction.  My contact wrote back stating that, while he didn't know the person very well, he would forward my request.

Success!

While it took a week, and I had actually given up on hearing from this once removed contact, I was so pleased to find a LinkedIn message from her today in which she said she'd be happy to meet with me. 

Take the time to explore
While it's true that today's job seekers spend too much time conducting their searches on-line rather than getting out and talking with people,  I'm recommending you take the time to explore sites like LinkedIn to see what they can offer.  Go through the tutorials and click on all of the links to see how you can make the best use of these sites.  Your ultimate goal should be to get out to meet people and network.  It is the way people find jobs.  Use these on-line sites to uncover these network connections, the critical link that will lead you to your next chapter.

Easy Come, Not So Easy Go!

Easy Come...
This week I had my hopes raises by finding two great postings - one new and one re-advertised.  Even better, I was able to identify solid network connections into both!  And the icing on the cake was that the person who connected me via her network said both schools are great places to work.  Boy, was I excited!

Easy Go...
Within a few hours, both openings vanished.  The re-advertised one was filled with an internal candidate and the new listing was simply pulled.  The message from HR on that one said that it had been canceled and was not likely to be re-opened.

Speaking of ups and downs!

Keep on Truckin'...
I will pursue the new network contacts even though there are no openings, just to get my foot in the door and present my best me.  You never know what may come up down the road.  I do remain firm in my belief that with determination and networking, I will land in the perfect position.

Just another example of what a wild ride the job search roller coaster can be.

It's Earth Day!  Get out and take a walk!

Celebrating the Change

The Kick That's Needed To Make A Change

While getting laid off rarely feels like a good thing, for many it is the kick they need to get into gear and finally make a change that's long overdue.  My experience in counseling people in career transition is that a large percentage of those impacted by a corporate downsizing were unhappy with their job to begin with.  A good number of these folks stayed in those jobs for years and years and years.  For those of you who felt stuck in a job, it's time to celebrate the change and acknowledge that you would have continued to sit at your desk and be unhappy if someone hadn't dumped you out of that chair.

Why Does Someone Stay?

You can answer that. 
For the security,
the paycheck,
the benefits,
and all too often
because they simply aren't sure what else they'd do. 
They're just not sure where else to go.

A Scary World Ripe With Possibilities

It's scary to think about change, especially in today's market place.  Yet it's this change that brings about the possibility of new ventures and different pathways.  It's this change that offers the possibility of being happy in a job.  Some might continue in their field at another company or take those same skills into a different arena where they can marry their expertise and their passion, as in the non-profit world.  For others, it's time to research and launch that business they've always dreamed of whether it's opening a bakery or a launching a new line of clothing.  You might want to consider quality of life changes like targeting a job closer to home to cut down on commutation costs and maybe even be in the kitchen at a reasonable hour to eat dinner with the family. 

Be Open to Everything

I find people go all too willingly to the 'why it won't work' before exploring the possibilities.  Be open to everything.  Hear out every new idea and seriously consider every suggestion.  View this as an opportunity to make a change.

Wisdom from someone who sat in a job he was unhappy in for years and recently joined the ranks of the unemployed... I spent so much time looking out the window that I forgot there was a door. 

Whether you opened that door yourself or you were shown to it, make the most of this time to assess where you want to be and make it happen.

Paint a Picture of the Best You

There are some common mistakes people make when writing their resumes that can put a screener to sleep, even when it's an electronic scanner!  Start your resume with a professional summary that paints a broad picture of who you are and the strengths you will bring to my organization.  Write a professional summary that paints a picture of the best you!

Avoid terms that simply let me know you do what's expected...
Using terms like dedicated, motivated, punctual, or responsible in a profile or summary tells me that you haven't really thought about what you'd bring to my organization besides those things I expect from every employee.  I fully expect staff to be dedicated and motivated, certainly punctual and responsible.  So filling your profile with these terms doesn't tell me anything about you that goes beyond what's expected.


What makes you special?
You must think about what makes you special.  Answer the question - what are my top three strengths? We all have them, those things we really do well.  Again, you must go beyond dedicated, motivated, punctual and responsible.  Do you excel at troubleshooting or developing new programs?  Are you organized, detail-oriented with strong leadership or communication skills?  These are some of the terms that begin to differentiate you from the rest of the pack.

CAUTION:  If you tell me you have strong communication skills, be ready to back that up with examples or don't claim ownership of those skills.

How do I determine my top three skills or strengths?
If you've never thought about your three top skills, there's no time like the present to name them.  Go to any site that provides a list of action verbs.  One such site is Quintessential Careers.  Print up their list of action verbs and check every one that applies to or describes you.  Then go back and circle your top five.  These terms should be in your profile and demonstrated in accomplishments in the body of your resume.  If they are not, your resume is not painting a picture of the best you.

Take credit for your best you...
When describing your strengths in the profile on your resume, use terms like known for, demonstrated, proven and with a reputation for.  Again, ask yourself the question - what am I known for?  What do my colleagues, staff or managers look to me for?  An example would be - Demonstrated communication skills with the proven ability to build and nurture strong relationships with clients.   
OR Known as a strong mentor and coach with the ability to develop a team to attain high levels of efficiency and productivity.

If you've received an award, beyond the one given for good attendance, stick that up in your professional summary.  Include any special certification you may have to catch the reader's attention right up front.  In today's global market, speaking, reading or just understanding more that one language is a real advantage.  Make sure to include that as part of your professional summary.

As mentioned in previous posts, today's resume is never done.  It is not static and needs to be changed to emphasize the requirements listed in different job postings.  This fine-tuning is an easy task to accomplish once you have a strong professional summary that paints a picture of the best you.

Strategic Volunteering

In her address to job seekers at the Women for Hire Job Fair, Tory Johnson used a phrase that really made tremendous sense when describing the importance of volunteering during a job search.  She referred to it as strategic volunteering.

Too many job seekers view volunteering as a waste of time.  I've provided numerous examples to demonstrate how volunteer work can be a valuable aspect of your job search.  I've suggested targeting volunteer opportunities in industries or organizations in which you'd like to work or to which you think you'd like to transition into.  Actually, I guess I was talking about strategic volunteering.

Three of the suggestions Tory made were...
1.  target volunteer opportunities that are closely associated with what you want to get paid for
2.  seek a volunteer opportunity at an industry association
3.  volunteer to work at a conference in your field or the field you wish to transition into

While I am currently doing the first, volunteering in career services at a university, I hadn't focused on the benefit of volunteering at an industry association or conference.  What a great ideas!  What better place to expand your network than volunteering for an association or at an industry conference that draws together professionals who work in a field or discipline in which you're interested. 

The message is clear.  In today's job market  strategic volunteer opportunities can greatly expand your network and add value to your job search efforts.

Inspiration and Another Story About Volunteering

Another Story About Volunteering
I served as a volunteer at the Women for Hire job fair this week.  When I saw that this event was coming to town, I contacted the organization and offered my services to critique resumes.  After reviewing my resume and bio, they invited me to come on board.  The resume critique process was a bit like speed dating - a new partner every 5 minutes for 4 hours!  Sounds grueling, but it was actually great.  I got to meet interesting women, share my knowledge and support them in their effort to find work.  While I gave a lot, I got even more.  Sometimes it's hard to remember what we bring to the party when we're knocking on doors and not getting any response.  I felt great when the coordinator at the job fair told me that there were women who were actually waiting to see me because others had told them I'd been so helpful.

Inspiration and Some Food for Thought
I got up at the crack of dawn to get into the city to attend the pre-job fair seminar.  Tory Johnson, the founder of Women for Hire, was the keynote speaker and she was inspirational.  Following is a summary of some of the advice she gave that hit home for me and, judging by the number of heads nodding in agreement, most of the audience.  As usual, I've tucked in a bit of my own advice as well.

Attitude and Outlook are Critical
How we present to the world is critical.  As I've said in the past, if you are angry or very sad and it seeps into your job search, you are shooting yourself in the foot.  Tory shared her story about getting fired and locking herself away for the first month.  It's easy to slip into victim mode - they did this to me!  It's easy to stay there and sulk and be stuck.  It's harder to take control and move ahead - what they did stinks and now I am going to go out there and shake up the world!  A bit of 'I'll show them' anger is OK, as long as it fuels your energy and gets you in the game, but doesn't play out as a bad attitude when you're meeting with people.
  
Choose to Put a Positive Spin on Events
I've mentioned that I'm good at reframing.  Actually, it's something I choose to do, not to be a Pollyanna, but to help keep myself on the right track by looking for the positive in every situation. In my early days in the outplacement world we used to tell clients that job search looked like this...
No, No, No, No, No, No, No, YES! 
You can either allow each No to rob you of confidence and defeat you, or look at what you learned from that experience and view it as bringing you one step closer to your YES!  That's what I did recently when I didn't make it to the final round of what would have been a perfect job.

What Makes You Operate at the Top of Your Game?
Tory talked about the need to figure out what makes you feel good when you're fully engaged and happy. What will make you 'the best me' for my job search?  Think about those times when you are fully engaged and feeling good about yourself, whether building something in a woodshop, cooking in your kitchen, or setting up some new systems on your home computer.  Ask yourself what about that activity makes you happy?  What skills does it require?  Make sure these skills are needed in your next job to insure that you'll feel good about your work.  For instance, while you may not find a job in a woodworking shop, you might want to target jobs that require creativity and problem solving, two skills needed to be a good woodworker.

 A Personal Story About Self-Discovery
Shortly after I left my full-time job and started to work as a consultant, I ran for and was elected to our local Board of Education.  One day I realized that I'd been in a great mood since being elected.  Understand that being on a Board of Education is a non-paying, often thankless job, and yet I was happier than I'd been in a while.  In thinking about it, I realized that what had been missing in my life was the collaboration that comes with being part of a team.  When I left my job to become a solo practitioner, I left much of that behind.  Now I was meeting with this new team of 8 other board members, brainstorming on issues critical to our kids and I felt great!

A Success Doesn't Have to be a Giant Leap
Another bit of advice that Tory gave was to celebrate successes.  I encourage clients to celebrate any and all successes, not just that new job you land at the end of the search process.  When you book a network meeting with someone you really want to connect with, you celebrate!  When someone gives you the names of three other people to meet with who could further your search, you celebrate!  You celebrate after attending a job fair, even if the one thing you walked away with was the card of fellow job seeker.  You got up and went to that job fair, so you celebrate!  Celebrating all successes, no matter how large or small, helps you remain positive.

REMEMBER that you need to be your own best friend and biggest fan through this process.  So, celebrate every step of the way! 

For more tips and some great resources on job search, check out the Women for Hire website and Tory Johnson's book, Fired to Hired.

Taking the Time to Smell the Roses

The Situation

I counsel many people who get that lay off notice and want to have a new job the next day.  I counsel an equal number who get that same notice and decide it's time to smell the roses.  I honestly can't blame them.  Many who fall into this second group have been working for a number of years, have the security of some severance, unemployment payments, and benefits coverage and figure it's a good time to take a few months off.  This is even truer this time of year when the sun is out and most of us are ready to break loose anyway.

The Caution

If you think it's hard to engage in job search right after a lay off, I can promise you it is twice as hard after you've smelled those roses.  The comment I hear most often from clients and friends is actually a question - how did I ever manage to get everything done when I was working full time?  It is amazing how 'things come up' and 'stuff needs to get done' and you find your days full.  Most also admit that they really enjoy not having to deal with the day-to-day pressure of work.  Here, too, I honestly can't blame them.  There's a ton of stuff I like to do and need to do which includes exercising to stay healthy and all of this stuff takes time.  It's just too bad these things generally won't pay my bills.  So....

The Recommendations and Action Items

I am not going to tell you not to take time off.  I am going to recommend that you get your house in order before you do.  What does this entail?  Here's the pre-break 'to do' list.

Get a good draft of your resume completed while you still remember what it is you accomplished during all of those years you worked.  Get out all of your old performance reviews as a reminder of some of the great things you accomplished but may have already forgotten about. It's hard enough to access these memories when we're still in a work mode.  Give yourself a few months off in the backyard and it becomes even harder to remember our best work.  You will end up fine-tuning your resume during your search, but this will give you a good base to start from. 

Decide whether you want to stay in the same functional job or field or whether you want to do something different.  If you fall into the second category, put together a short list of possibilities.  This will help you network both during your break and once you jump back into your search.  So the line goes something like - I've been in an audit function in financial services for the past fifteen years, and while I am considering a similar position, I also want to explore taking my skills into the sports administration and management field or starting my own consulting company or going into landscape design. You don't have to have all the answers, just enough ideas to start a conversation, get some advice and possibly some suggestions about others you should talk with when you're ready to jump back in.

Start a list of contacts, people you want to reach out to once you get back to your search.  Go through your work e-mail list and old committee lists.  Start a list of everyone you might want to contact when you re-start your search.  I guarantee you that you'll forget people if you don't start this now.  You don't have to act on in now, just get it started. DO NOT EDIT by deciding who can help and who wouldn't remember you or know anyone who could help.  You never know who someone knows until you ask. (see my 3/4 post entitled "Another Great Networking Story").

Don't pull out completely.  There are people you can and should network with casually while you're taking in the scenery.  Go to lunch or have coffee with a different business colleague at least twice a month just to stay in touch. Take a walk with a neighbor who just retired.  Yes, retired people know others who may be able to help or advise you when you get started again.

Make sure you have your line down both about taking time off and what you want to get back to.  Be prepared to network socially while you're taking time off.  You will run into people who want to and can help.  You have to think about what you'll say to them before you get into that situation.

Set a date to re-engage and stick to it by making some specific plans to force yourself make it happen.  Sign up to attend a conference, schedule a business lunch, meet with your job search coach, anything that will result in getting you back in the game.  This is actually advice I give to anyone taking the time for a brief vacation - schedule one or two network meetings for after you return to help ease back into job search.

The Warning

Don't put off re-engaging.  There's always going to be more stuff you want to do, but the longer you stay out of the search the harder it may be to re-engage, the less comfortable it may feel to put back on that suit and jump back into that professional persona.  I have also found that the longer one stays out of the game, the less confidence they have in themselves when they jump back in.  So take the time to smell the roses.  Just make sure the snow isn't falling on them by the time you re-activate your job search.

Job Fairs

You can't afford to leave any stone unturned in today's market.  While job fairs feel more and more like zoos, they still provide opportunities to see (conduct some research, see who's out there, gather some business cards from recruiters and others) and be seen (actually meet with a recruiter).

A Story...
I am counseling a talented business analyst who has over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry.  She is really working her search, going to network meetings, following up on leads, and putting a positive face to the world.  She left a message earlier this week stating that she had an interview coming up and wanted to go over a few things.  When we spoke, my first question was 'how did you find out about the position?'  To my surprise she said, 'at a job fair'.

She then explained that she'd gone to this job fair and, as expected, it was a zoo.  There were tons of people and very long lines.  My client scoped out the field and selected one or two target companies.  She was on a long, long line and thought about bailing out, but decided she might as well hang in there.  She got to the front of the line just as the fair was ending, so she didn't have much time with the recruiter.  She had her 2 minute pitch well polished and within a few minutes the recruiter looked at her with a big smile and said, 'finally someone who understands project management.'  The recruiter told her she'd be presenting her resume to her manager and my client got a call within a day to schedule this interview.

The interview went well and she should know within a week or two whether she'll move ahead in the process.  I'll keep you posted on her progress.

The bottom line - you have to do it all, including job fairs, because you never know where you'll uncover the next lead to a live one!

To find job fairs in your area, just Google 'job fairs in ____' and see what pops up.

Don't Wait for Your Future to Find You - Get Out There and Do Something

What to do while you're waiting...

I heard a great piece today on NPR about lawyers who are out of work.  They interviewed one young lawyer who is currently working in RadioShack for $7.25 an hour.  When asked why he would take a job like that he stated a few excellent reasons.

1. It's a job.
2. I get a paycheck.
3. I use my brain. 

He went on to say that his friends who keep asking why he's doing what he's doing are doing nothing.  He is working, meeting people and learning new things.  Does he want to stay at RadioShack forever? I don't think so.  Is he still looking for work as an attorney?  I believe he is.  And, for now, he's engaged and using his mind.  This kid has a great attitude.

Trying something new...

There was another story about an attorney who went through the all too typical depression when she was laid off from her high laying position in a law firm.  She pounded the pavement for a while before she began to ask herself what she really wanted to do.  She is very close to launching a new clothing line for big-busted women.  She realized that she really wasn't happy being an attorney.

A job loss is often an opportunity to take a risk, to either change fields or launch a business.  It's a time to take stock of where we've been and, as long as we have to make a change, make sure that we are moving forward rather than continuing to stay stuck. 

Caught by a phrase...

While listening to the report, I was also caught by the phrase, 'life has not gone as expected'.  That seems so big to me.  This is a chapter in a career, not the whole career.  This is a bump in the road, albeit a big one.  But this is not it!  It may take a while for this job market to open up and it won't look like it did three years ago, it will look and be different.  But this is not the end of the road.

A phrase I've heard about dating someone who doesn't have the stuff to be 'the one' is... He may not be Mr. Right, but he's fine for right now!

Get a job for right now while looking for the one that's right.  Join a network group and kick around some new ideas.  Join a group for entrepreneurs and get some feedback on your dreams or some suggestions about researching your idea.  Take a class.  Attend a lecture series.  Just get out there where you can meet people and engage your brain.

Don't wait for your future to find you.  Get out there and do something! 

Set Me Free!

Message to Prospective Employers

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to interview for your position.  Your interest in me really boosts my confidence.   And, if I don't make the cut at some point along the way - set me free!

I have now been in three situations where I made it through to a personal interview, knew at the end of the interview that I either wasn't the right person for the position or, as mentioned in an earlier post on forgiveness, came up short in what I delivered, and then waited and waited and in one case, I'm still waiting to be set free.  It's not that I'm looking for rejection.  It's just that knowing where I stand is easier than the wondering if I'm still in the running.

I can be reasonable....
I recognize that there is an issue responding to everyone who submits an application for a position.  While I still feel there are ways to respond electronically just to let someone know their on-line submission is complete and then to let them know that they didn't make the first cut, with the volume of applications coming in for each posting, I can be reasonable and cut prospective employers some slack on this initial contact.   

BUT when you've invited someone in for a personal interview, there is no excuse for not setting them free when you have eliminated them from the pool of active candidates.  You generally don't have 20 candidates coming through for personal interviews, and even if you do, it takes 10 minutes to set free those who won't be continuing on to the next round.  Hold onto the front-runners, and even the runners up, but let the rest of us go.  This waiting and wondering game is brutal. 

Volunteering Can Open Doors to Areas of Interest and Job Opportunities

I've written about volunteering, volunteer myself and my clients probably get tired of hearing me push it as part of their search strategy.  I am an advocate for the following reasons:

1. Volunteering gets you out of the house and doing something productive.  This is really important in the battle to stay positive.
2. Volunteering provides unanticipated and therefore really encouraging network opportunities.
3. Volunteering usually exposes you to new arenas and therefore expands your search horizons.

Following is an e-mail I received from a client this morning.

Last month I started volunteering at a local hospital as a Patient Advocate in the Emergency Room.  There's not much to do and the 4 hours drags along, so I’m trying out working on a floor as well.  I've discovered that I enjoy being around the doctors and nurses in addition to seeing what I can do to make the patients stay more comfortable.  Two weeks ago my sister-in-law sent me some information about Medical Coding Certification as a way to enter the Health Care industry, and for the first time I became serious about going back to school.   I did some research and enrolled with Kaplan University Continuing Education online Medical Coding Certificate Program.  The program starts today.  I plan to devote 16 hours each week as long as I’m unemployed and my expected completion date is year-end. 

While doing my research about  obtaining the certificate, I talked with a young friend who is working at another local hospital and she informed me about a data management position in her unit.  The requirement seemed heavy on medical experience so I didn’t think I would be considered and asked if she could at least ask her administrator to meet with me to talk about getting into the industry.  The administrator suggested that I submit my resume for the job because they have not been successful so far with getting people with the medical experience.  So I forwarded my resume (after tweaking it, of course) and cover letter to my friend and she submitted it to HR yesterday.  I’m thinking positive and will start doing some research and prepare some questions and answers in case I get called in for an interview.  My sister-in-law is in the field and she offered to help me understand the details and acronyms listed in the job description.  

 

You don't have to be an expert to volunteer and it doesn't replace or take away from your job search.  In today's market volunteering is truly an important part of any search strategy.  Simply pick a cause or field you have an interest in and offer your services.  You'll be amazed at what you'll get out of giving.

Vacation and the Speed of Job Search

Job search used to be a much slower process.  You'd find opportunities in papers or professional journals, send in a cover letter and resume, generally via snail mail - the good old U.S. Postal Service - and then wait, often several weeks, to hear if you made the first cut.  We'd advise clients on the strategy of holding off a few days before sending in their letter and resume so their material wouldn't arrive with a pile of other envelopes but rather as one of a few, thereby garnering more attention.

Today the game is totally different!  While there are jobs listed in newspapers and journals, all of those jobs are also posted on-line, so by the time you find an opening in a paper, you are probably a few days behind most other applicants and possibly too late to be considered in with other early bird front runners.

Case in point is a position I applied to a few weeks ago.  It was Saturday morning and I was about to head out for the weekend but decided to give a quick check on one of the sites that list positions in higher education.  Low and behold there was a terrific new job post.  I could have waited until after my weekend getaway to fill in the application and send off the resume and cover letter, but I decided to put off my mini-vacation for a few hours and apply for the position that day.  And, it was a good thing I did because I got a call two days later to set up a first round telephone screen.  While I have no guarantee that my application might not have drawn a response if I'd waited until after the weekend, my sense is that it might have been too late. 

Two weeks ago I was away for a week on a much needed vacation.  I took my laptop with me because I had signed up for a multi-session webinar and I'd committed to participating in all six classes.  While I told myself I was only going to use the laptop for the webinar and take a total break from work and job search, having it with me made it too tempting to avoid checking into e-mail, just to see what was happening out there.  Low and behold I got an e-mail from a network contact informing me of a terrific new job post.  So rather than sitting on the beach, I sat in my hotel room, drafted a new cover letter and completed the on-line application.  Would this have waited until I got home?  Who knows?  Will this be 'the one'?  The jury is still out.  Do I feel it was important to respond quickly?  You bet.

So, what do you think?  Should I have simply put things off for a week and disengaged or was I right to check e-mail and critical job post sites each day?  I must admit I'm really torn on this one.  In a wide open job market, I'd probably advise a client to take a rest, knowing there will be other opportunities when they reconnect.  In this job market it feels like staying connected, if at all possible, is critical.  

Reactions to Job Loss

William Bridges has written many books about transition.  The first, Transitions: Making Sense of Life's Change, was an outgrown of transitions he was moving through in his own life and career.  His most recent book, Managing Transitions: Making the Most of Change, focuses organizational change, yet I see Bridges' message as very applicable to anyone going through the trauma of job loss.  Bridges contends that corporations often move through transition from the wrong end.  Companies announce a merger by sending up balloons and talking about a bright future, while for most of us impacted by a merger, there is anything but joy.

We sit with questions like...
Will I still have a job?
How will this change the way we operate?
Why do we have to make this change?

OR thoughts like...
Things were just fine the way they were.

All we deal with is change and more change.

The change itself is the merger or what may be dubbed a new beginning.  The change is the action.  The first phase of the transition process that springs from the change is generally about endings, not beginnings.  Companies need to help employees grapple with transition by acknowledging the endings.  Bridges' model moves from endings to a neutral phase, one that I envision as having a foot back in endings and a hand reaching out towards the ultimate phase of new beginnings.  It's a time for letting go, exploring what's now in place and how you fit into it, and then moving forward.  Transition may go pretty quickly, or may take a while, depending on whether or not it's acknowledged and how it's planned for and supported.

For me, the typical stages or reactions to job loss clearly relate to what Bridges writes about.

Typical stages often include... 

Sadness
This is often accompanied by fear and confusion.  You are losing your day to day structure and, for many of us, our work family, the people we often spend more time with than our actual family.  

Anger
How could they do this to me?  I've given everything to this company!  Anger is a phase you may pass through more than once.  I can still look back at my parting from one company and feel both angry and hurt by the way I was treated.  THE ONLY PERSON YOU HURT WITH ANGER IS YOURSELF.  If anger leaks into your actual job search, it will only serve to scare people away.  I'm not saying don't feel it.  I'm just cautioning not to let it seep out when you network or interview. 

Rejection (or denial)
This is especially true when there's a 'notice' period.  It's almost like you work harder at your job with an inner hope that they'll realize they can't function without you.  Once you've left your job, rejection or denial may surface in delaying your job search until severance or unemployment runs out. 

Acceptance 
This is the part where you take control.  While it may read like a cliche...
You don't have control over the decision to cut your job.  You do have control over how you react to  that decision.
 
And it is through taking control that I can add...
Hope

Again, just because you pass through a stage doesn't mean you won't revisit it.  The key is to acknowledge your feelings and keep moving forward.

So, like the Bridges model, it's moving from endings, acknowledging what you'll miss about your work situation, through that neutral stage into a place of acceptance, hope and new beginnings.

The message I want to convey through this post is to be kind to yourself.  This is a tough process to move through. Acknowledging what you're feeling is one step in successfully moving through this transition and charting the course towards your new beginning.

Back to Forgiveness

It's hard to avoid replaying any part of this process, especially when you don't perform as well as you know you can.

I was in an interview last week that went very well, until it didn't.

This was a second round interview.  I felt really good about the position and confident in the value I would bring to the organization.  The felt the chemistry between the interviewer and me was excellent.  And at the very end of the meeting we moved from interview (very much share and tell) into a mock counseling session (very much ask and listen).  I know how to counsel and stay in inquiry.  I acted not as I normally would, but rather with a knee-jerk reaction to the 10 minutes I had to demonstrate what I know versus how I would behave in a counseling situation.  I don't know yet whether I blew it completely, but I know I could have given a much better demonstration of my counseling skills.  I left the interview annoyed at myself and kept replaying the situation in my mind, very clear on what I would do differently if given the chance.

Will it kill my chances for a call back?  Hopefully the rest of what I presented during the 90 minutes of conversation prior to the 10 minute whirlwind mock session will outweigh my mistake.  Hopefully the interviewer will give me the benefit of the doubt based on my background and experience.  If not, I learned what to say or do differently next time.

In this process, as with most of life, one can only learn from mistakes and move forward.  So, I have to forgive myself and let go.  I have to remind myself about my many skills and talents and the value I know I will bring to the next organization that is lucky enough to hire me, and move on.

Based on what I recently wrote about assumptions, I won't know if I'm in or out until I hear from them.  I'll let you know how this one plays out.

You Can't Assume You're IN or OUT

I applied for a job on-line and also networked into the company.

I waited and waited and never heard from anyone.

After a month or two, I assumed they had probably filled the position.

Three months after I applied, I received a phone call inviting me in for an interview.

I went in and interviewed with three people.

I sent my thank you note, restating the many skills and talents I'd bring to the job.

I waited and waited and never heard from anyone.

I assumed the job had been filled and that my application and personal interview had fallen into the black hole of job search.

Two months later I met one of the people I'd interviewed with at a conference and she told me they were still 'in process' and hadn't yet filled the job.

While I don't think I am truly in the running (yet another assumption), the assumption that I would never heard back from them was simply not well founded.

In this job market, things are happening both very quickly and very slowly.  Be prepared for the black hole of non-responsiveness.  Also be prepared to be surprised.

Go Where The Action Is

I am not a joiner by nature.  I have always known that there are associations I should join to advance my career, expand my network and keep current on new trends.  And, I am not a joiner by nature.  When people have asked whether I belong to this association or that, I generally say 'I know I should, but I don't.' 

I'd like to say that this is OK when things are going smoothly and I'm humming along in a job, but it's not.  Staying connected and current is critical not only to moving around between jobs but also to keeping up with what's happening in your field.  It's also a great way to network.

A case in point...

Yesterday I attended a conference sponsored by NJACE - the New Jersey Association of Colleges and Employers, a group dedicated to building relationships between colleges and employers.  The majority of those present were career counselors and directors of career centers from colleges and universities throughout the state.  There were presentations and discussions on the green job market, opportunities in biotech, transportation and logistics, and a panel discussion on how to counsel and prepare students with Asperger's Syndrome to enter the world of work.  Needless to say, I learned a lot. 

In addition to learning, it was a great opportunity for networking.  I reconnected with some people I'd met with during the past few months, I made contacts with people who were already on my network list who I hadn't yet reached out to, and I met a lot of new people.  I had the chance to hand out some of my newly designed business cards and to collect a few from others.  I now have a lot of work to do scheduling appointments with those who said they'd be happy to meet with me.  It was a much more pleasant way of connecting with people than trying to do it through e-mail or phone calls.

It also gave me the opportunity to check out the field.  Who are these other career counselors who work in colleges and universities?  Do I fit in?  Can I see myself working with these folks? 

If you don't currently belong to any professional associations, select one or two to visit.  What do I mean by visit?  You can often attend a meeting or conference for a nominal fee as a guest before you jump in with full membership dues.  You don't have to join 10 groups or associations.  Select one or two that closely relate to either the field you're in or the field you're trying to get into and consider joining one of them. 

I attended a workshop on LinkedIn, and while it was recommended that we join groups, it was also suggested that we be selective and only join those that we are ready to participate in through discussions and comments.  This is also true here.  Select groups or associations in which you want to participate.  The goal is to get yourself out there, meet new people and become known. 

So, go where the action is.  Join a professional association and hang out with people who have the potential to become your future boss or colleague.

How to Prepare for a Job Interview

In that I am in the process of preparing for a job interview, I'm using this post to think out loud to insure that I cover all of my bases.  Following is a step-by-step guide to preparing for a job interview. 

Start with research.  Get as much information as you can about the company, the industry, and the person you'll be meeting with.  Study the job listing and look at other similar listings to get a sense of what people are looking for in general and the language they use.  This is especially important if you are transitioning to a new area, like me.

Next, either print up a copy of your resume, the job posting, and the cover letter you submitted or pull them up on your screen.  I find it easier to work from hard copy as I can highlight text and make notes on paper more easily than moving back and forth on the screen. 

You should have already gone through the exercise of highlighting every strength mentioned on your resume and linking each with at least one accomplishment that substantiates that strength.  This is something you need to do to present yourself in a network meeting, at a job fair or anytime someone asks about what you've done and where you're heading.

It is critical to note that interviewers respond to and remember your stories, not your job description.  It is your accomplishment stories that differentiate you from other applicants and prove that you have those skills you claim on your resume.

In my case, I claim to have strong communication, facilitation and problem solving skills.  While I can state that I have worked with clients both individually and in groups, that doesn't really prove that I have strong communication skills, it's more of a job description for a counselor.  To prove I have those skills, I might talk about the time I made a presentation to a group of 1,000 educators and how I got them engaged rather than just talking at them.  This story covers oral communication skills, presentation skills, planning, creativity and my ability to engage a large group.  It is also memorable because most of us don't have the opportunity to speak before a group of 1,000 people and many of us wouldn't want to speak before a group of 1,000 people.  Adding in that feedback after the talk was very positive is icing on the cake.

After you've gone through your first round of skill and story match on your resume, pull out the job description and highlight the skills and experience required for the position.  Once again, for each skill or experience highlighted select an accomplishment or story from your resume that substantiates your expertise in this area.  You may not be a line for line match for the job.  Most of us match a lot of the requirements listed on a posting, but not all.  Remember to emphasize what a great match you are for the position and leave out the things they've requested that you don't have.  Many of us are our own worst enemy in an interview when we raise our weaknesses or experience we don't have before we're even asked.  For instance, if the posting calls for knowledge of Word and Excel, you don't want to point out the fact that you are excellent using Word, but don't really know Excel.  If they don't ask, don't bring it up.  If they do ask, be prepared to reference a related skill or what you are doing about the one you're missing or weak at.  In the case of Excel, you can say you've had some opportunity to use it on the job and are currently taking an on-line course to strengthen those skills.  If it is something you know you'll need for your next job, that on-line course is something you should be doing anyway.

In my case, I have extensive experience working in the corporate sector, and not as much in higher education.  In that I am targeting a move to higher education, I'm going to highlight my recent volunteer work in a career center at a local university and the management development programs I've designed and facilitated for staff on college campuses.

Review your cover letter and reinforce the key points you raised in the letter during the interview.

Plan out answers to typical interview questions.  While they may never be asked, in addition to having the answers to any technical or function based questions, you need to have solid answers to questions like:

    * Tell me something about yourself.
    * What are your strengths?
    * What are your weaknesses?
    * What are your three greatest accomplishments? 
    * What was your greatest contribution to your department
        or business?
    * Tell me about a project that failed and what you learned from it
        or what you'd do differently.
    * How would your colleagues, staff, boss describe you?
    * Why should I hire you?

Rehearse your answers.  Practice in front of a friend or a mirror.  Ask that friend to give you feedback on what interested them and what put them to sleep.  Consider not only what you way, but how you say it.  If you are too quiet or your voice is flat, you will come across with little energy, which could also be read as little interest or lack of confidence.  If you wave your hands around when you talk, you risk having the interviewer focusing on your hands versus on what you're saying.  Equally distracting can be 'you knows', 'umms' or 'like', any of those fillers we come out with when we're thinking about what to say.  Try to keep them to a minimum.  Don't expect to completely edit them out, but you can work on limiting them. 

The more you practice your answers, complete with stories, the more relaxed and confident you'll be heading into that interview. 

A word about nerves...
I once worked for a man who met with and presented to presidents and popes, literally.  While he always seemed cool and confident, he admitted that he was often nervous at the beginning of these conversations or presentations.  He viewed this upfront anxiety as proof that he cared about what he was doing.  If anything, it gave him some extra energy.  He also said that you need to know your talking points and take the time to rehearse them in order to move from nerves to a strong, confident presentation.  So, expect to be nervous before you go in.  It is not a bad thing.  The key is that those nerves should dissipate as you move into territory you know and feel confident about - your stories and what you can bring to the party!

My interview will be via phone.  For tips on interviewing via phone, check out my post from November 27, 2009.  Rest assured, I'll be looking in a mirror, pacing, using my voice and working hard to listen for cues about what's hitting home and what isn't.  I'll keep you posted!

Elements of a Full-Scale Search

I've acknowledged in previous posts that I am out there networking.  And, I am.  Colleagues, friends and family compliment me on the hard work I'm putting into my search.  And, I am.  And, I am keenly aware of what I'm not doing.  I am not truly engaged in a full-scale search.

What does it mean to be involved in a full-scale job search?  It means you are working on your search everyday.  Perhaps not all day, and you can take a day off, but when people say that looking for a job takes as much time and is often harder than being in a job, they mean it!

There is always something to be done to forward your search.  Every network connection I make requires work - either outreach if I'm looking for a connection at a certain school or company, or follow-up and scheduling if I've got the contact connection in hand.  Your target company websites should be checked daily as new openings are posted all the time.  Websites like indeed, dice, monster, and careerbuilder get new listings each day.  In this day of electronic applications, finding the perfect job a week after it's posted is probably a week too late.  There is tons of research to do when you're engaged in a full-scale job search.  You have to prepare before going into a network meeting and that means gathering information about the industry, the company and even the person you'll be meeting with.  It goes without saying that you must be well prepared for an actual job interview which requires much the same research as for a network meeting plus you have to take the time to plan out answers to typical interview questions.   You have to study the job description and identify which accomplishment stories you want to talk about to prove that you have the experience to do the job.

And on, and on and on. 

So my commitment to my search and to myself is to back up all this networking with more research, more consistency in checking websites and job postings, and more active time on LinkedIn.  I am also going to get out there in the public and join a few groups.  I am an active participant in several LinkedIn groups so I've got the electronic networking somewhat covered, but there is nothing like meeting people in person to make connections and uncover that hidden job market.