Articles - Page 228 of 258 - The Voice of Job Seekers

Keep Networking Contacts Close (And The Competition Closer)

Job seekers should be networking enough in their professional niche and networking contacts to know what and how their competition is job searching. As hard as it is to get job interviews, it shouldn’t have to take many shots to make one basket so to speak.

But it does, it will, and you must remember: Job hunting is competitive. Know what your competitors are doing and how if they are exceeding. Then do what they do when you can.

If you know how your competition is scoring interviews and getting job offers, then by imitating their techniques, you can achieve similar results.

OK. Maybe. But there is no shame in imitation. Not to be confused with plagiarism. Your network contacts are likely on your team and competition.

Job seekers must understand the uniqueness of his or her skills set and core competencies. Although job seekers can emulate strategy, you have your own accomplishments and results to showcase. If you have researched the company, know what it takes to succeed in the position. Bring solutions to the table so you can compete. If you don’t, you lose. You know your networking contacts could help you with your competition. That is if they aren’t the competition already.

Two job seekers can compete as part as a way to spur another person on so you can get double your efforts by sharing leads, employer profiles, and networking contacts. One has to keep in mind, that the job search is a competition.

Feelings could potentially get hurt while striving to get the upper hand. If two or more job seekers agree to spur each other to greatness in the job search game, they should agree that the competition is only to keep one another motivated.

If you don’t want to, then I hope you crush them.

by Mark Anthony Dyson

Book Review: How to Find a Job Now by Jim Stroud

After listening to Jim Stroud’s podcasts, and watching his videos, I knew that if I read this book that it wouldn’t be a traditional discourse of job hunting with links and references to boot. His style of writing and presenting would satisfy traditional book readers but engulf others who adapted a learning style that requires a visual approach to learning. How to Find a Job Now (And Never Have to Look Again!) infuses conversation, commentary in one thoughtful and demonstrative training guide.

He states at the front of the book that,

“My approach in writing this book is to write as little as possible. (Crazy right?)”

“How to Find a Job Now” is.the first job search book that I’ve read in the last 16 months (I’ve read many them) that I wanted to have a conversation after reading it. That’s a good thing too because Stroud breaks it down by showing you more than telling you. And for readers and non-readers, you are not laboring to learn as you would in academia. The educator in me would say for job seekers to read a portion, implement it, continue.

Here a few reason’s I recommend Stroud’s book:

1. You hear the recruiter’s point of view

Stroud explains how recruiters use Google to “source” (look for resumes) to find qualified candidates. To tone of “How to Find a Job Now” is not just preparing your résumé but also your online portfolio.

2. Resources that you have never seen

Stroud provides some resources that you are unlikely to hear if you are not pursuing a consulting or freelance career. He makes a great point about using freelancing to get paid for giving advice (as part of the keeping a job part of the book).

3. How to use Facebook to search for jobs

The discussion about privacy settings continues as a job seeker needs to ensure that the best attributes are accessible online, and perceived as negative. Stroud suggests terms to search using Facebook to find potential opportunities.

4. About freelancing

Here is a convincing long-term answer for staying employed: Position yourself to refuse work! Beautifully said as most of us would love to have more choices to make a living. One of the best sections in the book.

The book is free through TheRecruitersLounge.com and JimStroud.com. It is a good reference and guide for those either beginning or continuing a job search.

by Mark Anthony Dyson

Job Advice That Will Take You Higher and HIRED

“Many attempts to communicate are nullified by saying too much.”

Robert Greenleaf

Wrote essay, “Essentials of Servant Leadership”

I can’t tell you how much political bantering that I watched 6 months ago. I read so many articles that are politically related that I stopped reading. It was skewing my view of what is important: Clearing the pathway to understand the employment game. I even wrote two posts where I carefully tread the waters of why I wouldn’t take job advice from politicians.

Job Advice

You can talk yourself out of a good job advice and employment simultaneously. Whether seeking employment or thriving at your career, politics exists and not everyone who is good at politics practices good judgment. Talking too much seems to lead him or her down a road that is hard to recon, or return from. Too many words ultimately drive listeners away and turn your potential audience off.

What will NOT get you HIRED?

When job seekers and particularly serious job candidates talk too much and lack the self-control to think before speaking run into credibility problems. Every part of the hiring process should be approached with strategy and some personality (you want to be liked too). Job advice from people who can lead you to the right person, but the right elements will take you higher and HIRED.

Show that you have good judgment. Give specific instances of when you performed under pressure and under scrutiny. Although there are extremes that would impress an employer, I remember one client that I had two years ago explained to the interview panel how she handled her unit when it was time to evacuate the building on 9/11. The panel didn’t take long to hire her.
Choose your words carefully. If people told you that you were harsh, overly critical, or incessantly use inappropriate language, you should listen. You can’t take back offensive words most of the time. If you realize that you do, apologize. But many times, game over.
What you don’t say, ask, or glean is scrutinized too. Interviewers have different styles and sometimes will purposely test your knowledge, attention span, or response. Some will even spend 75% of the time describing the culture, environment. and job duties to test your memory, reaction, or patience. Others will give you verbal tests to see how well you comprehend. Most interviewers will include conversation to see how well you communicate. As a candidate, you must approach each phase eagerly if you wish serious consideration.
Gratitude gives you lots of latitude. Thank you notes that are hand written, personally delivered with a smile I’ve talked about before, but this standard rule is throughout the conversations with employers. Please and thank you season your presentations with salt making you memorable, cordial, and kind.
Listen for what is not said, not always what is said.Job seekers need to speak up, even when it is inconvenient or uncomfortable. I heard of a story that the candidate was asked to give his password to his Facebook page. The candidate asked, “What is it that you want to know from my Facebook page that I can’t answer in person?” The interviewer was too stunned to answer the question. The candidate didn’t want the job because of the response. Who would want to work where the employer couldn’t answer a direct question.

How do you feel people talk too much, or talk themselves into trouble? Do you tend to say too much? Let’s talk. Please share in the comments section.