Job Advice Archives - Page 4 of 5 - The Voice of Job Seekers

5 Job Search Strategies You’ll Hate, But Results You’ll Love

The job search in 2014 requires you to be an expert at being you. Therefore, your job search will require you to encompass skill critical to landing a career that will lead to other future opportunities. This includes things that you hate to do, but there are benefits once you sort through the emotions.

1. Informational interviews
To achieve the best results from writing your resume, plan on doing a few informational interviews, then complete your resume.

You’ll hate: The cold calling (which doesn’t have to be if you are using networking contacts), and not begging for a job.
You’ll love: After getting the inside information to build your resume from the right people, you will receive more meaningful contacts that lead to interviews.

2. Writing cover letters
Yes, I also recommend writing a cover letter for each resume as many other career coaches do. In spite of the statistics indicating employers ignore the cover letter, it is an opportunity to tell why an employer should read your resume.
You’ll hate: There should be a story line that complements your resume, but does not regurgitate it. It is not easy writing a persuasive one page ditty about why you would fit the organization.
You’ll love: That a well told story leads to intrigue of your resume. It should be more personable and persuasive than your resume.

3. Interviewing like a consultant
This means you can’t hide behind canned answers although you want to practice, practice, practice!
You’ll hate: The extensive research that means more than looking at one blog or website for answers. Trying to find your potential boss, teammates, and the interviewer is tough and time-consuming.
You’ll love: That you can offer solutions and suggestions that solve problems than defending any lack of skill sets or experience. Then it is more of a business meeting and consultation instead of an interrogation

4. Timing your follow-ups
It is hard to apply the “less is more” rule because it requires patience that you may not have.
You’ll hate: Calling to ask if the employer received your resume. You’ll hate that they may not answer your question the first and second time. You’ll hate that the employer will probably not give you an accurate timetable to call back to follow-up. You may feel that you harassing someone, and that is natural, but necessary. Likely, they will think you are uninterested if you don’t follow-up. A week or two between calls is a good rule until they confirm receipt of your resume.
You’ll love: When you show patience and kindness, people will appreciate it when you call. There is not an exact science, but you can trust your instincts if these are your strengths.

5. The salary question
Salary questions are difficult to answer if you are unprepared.
You’ll hate: If you didn’t research the salary range for 2014, you would hate the silent rejection. Many job seekers do not include this part of research in his or her initial investigation of the position. Probably, you may hate the surprise of the question asked in a phone interview. Your answer will likely determine your fate.
You’ll love: Tools such as salary.com clarifies much of the value you want to bring and leverage. The more value you offer employers, the more respect you’ll earn. Salary isn’t the only thing you prepare to negotiate, especially since there is a life that you want to live.

What do you hate about the process? What are the results you love?

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About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.

by Mark Anthony Dyson

Bad Job Advice Revealed (PODCAST)

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In this 16th edition of the podcast, Keith (virtualizedgeek.com), and Bianca “HR Sassy Girl” Thompson, and in spirit, Sandra Tedford (wetalktoday.com) and I present a new segment of the show, “Would you resign this way?” The main discussion focused on bad job advice people still give that is a decade or more old. I discovered an old resignation letter from the blog, Before You Light That Match, that posted a humorous article about the way a man resigned from his job:

Dear Barton:

You have a man in your employ that I have thought for a long time should be fired. I refer to Sherwood Anderson. He is a fellow of a good deal of ability, but for a long time I have been convinced that his heart is not in his work.

There is no question but that this man Anderson has in some ways been an ornament to our organization. His hair, for one thing, being long and messy gives an artistic carelessness to his personal appearance that somewhat impresses such men as Frank Lloyd Wright and Mr. Curtiniez of Kalamazoo when they come into the office.

But Anderson is not really productive.

As I have said his heart is not in his work. I think he should be fired and if you will not do the job I should like permission to fire him myself. I therefore suggest that Anderson be asked to sever his connections with the company on [the first of next3. week]. He is a nice fellow. We will let him down easy but let’s can him.

Respectfully submitted,

Sherwood Anderson

We also discussed the U.S. News and World Report article that gave 10 job advice myths that many people in general advise the job seeker in his or her life. Some of the antiquated job advice people still give we discussed:

1. Use a landline for a phone interview

2. A resume can only be one page

3. Every job has to go on your resume

4. Include an objective at the top of your resume

5. Invest in good resume paper

Please, enjoy our show and kindly provide an honest review in iTunes and Stitcher for our show!

About Mark Anthony Dyson

by Mark Anthony Dyson

Job Search Advice To Use Today!

This is an expert job search edition to give you some of the best advice out there. I am proud to say that over the last two years I’ve been able to talk with experienced and influential career coaches and educators. All of the quotes are from the article written on this blog from interviews that I’ve done since July 2011 and relevant to today’s job search. I may have quoted the author from his or her book yet, talked about the advice on the podcast. I hope that you can go and apply this advice right after reading this article. If you need help in implementing this advice feel free to contact me, and I will be glad to schedule you for a consultation.

There is timeless job search advice from these five experts today. The job search advice is also practical enough to continue your own research and find sources on how it can advance your efforts.

Bill Holland, the author of Cracking The New Job Market: The 7 Rules for Getting Hired in Any Economy

Today, if you are looking for work, it is helpful to target companies and determine how they recruit. Almost all recruiting today involves the Internet. The hiring processes, once described as hidden (I prefer “splintered”) are now largely open and easily accessible.

If you want to know where to look, identify your target organizations and ask them how they recruit. Most will be happy to tell you. A family friend recently got his next job this way. They told him to keep an eye open for job listings by becoming a “Fan” on Facebook. He also engaged his network; had people put in a good word for him; used job boards; and regularly checked the job ads in the Wall Street Journal. But sure enough, he learned of his next opportunity by doing exactly what they advised him to do.

Pete Leibman, the author of I Got My Dream Job and So Can You

Employers hire people for one reason: to solve problems and deliver results. Your goal (before the interview and during the interview) is to convince the employer that you have the skills and traits needed to deliver the desired results in the position. Once you get clear on what the employer is looking for (which you can usually gather through employer research and by studying the job description meticulously), your next step is to prepare your “evidence” for why the employer should hire you. You should be prepared to discuss prior achievements and stories from your past that demonstrate how you have each skill and trait needed for success in the position.

Book Review: Who Says It's a Man's World — Book Review: Who Says It’s a Man’s World

Emily Bennington, the author of Who Says It’s a Man’s World

Professional development is a real grey area in business. Some companies are outstanding at it while others totally suck. The ones that excel have full leadership buy-in and actually put their resources where their mouth is when it comes to “people first.” Still, I strongly believe it’s up to each individual to take charge of your own professional development and fill in any gaps between where you are and where you want to be. No one will ever care about your career more than you do.

Margie Warrell, the author of Stop Playing Safe

If you’re putting yourself out there, taking on bigger challenges at work and laying more on the line, you have to be careful to ensure that you have the competence needed to deliver results. Too often, promising careers take a steep nosedive when people are assigned to positions they simply don’t have the competence to do well.

Leigh Branham, author of Author of The 7 Hidden Reasons Employees Leave

The data indicate that many job seekers experience disillusionment in the first few months on the job but stay, and disengage for several weeks or months before finally beginning to look for a job. Finally, a “last straw” event occurs that moves them off dead center–an “I’m outta here” moment, so to speak.

To avoid disillusionment, job seekers need to have a mindset of “I’m hiring my next employer” and ask more questions about company culture as they network and ask to speak informally with future peers before accepting the position. It’s also advisable to take on a consulting assignment or project before accepting a full-time job so you can have first-hand experience of the company before making the decision.

Which advice will you implement today? Please, let’s discuss!