Job Search Archives - Page 66 of 80 - 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

Color Your Resume, and the Importance of Soft Skills

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Lea McLeod (@LeaMcLeod) is the founder of Degrees of Transition, and a contributor to The Daily Muse who recently published a resume help book, The Resume Coloring Book. Lea has been featured on many major career sites such as, The Daily Muse, SmartBrief, and LifeHacker, and ABC News. Lea and her blog have been named, 80 Must Follow Twitter Accounts for 2014 (Career Sherpa), Top 50 Blogs for Young Careerists 2013 (YouTern.com), and Top People to Follow on Twitter March 2014 (The Guardian, UK).

In this episode, Lea and discuss:

Her book and how easy it is for anyone to write their resume as it is color coded
Lea shares some advice with soon-to-be-graduates and how to refine their brand
What are the challenges that young people have in their job search?
The importance of “informational interviews” and the way it builds the resume
Lea mentions a tool called Strengths Finder and how it helps her clients find their career strengths

David Nicola (@Capt_Careerist) is the first repeat guest on the podcast. Just recently, he shifted positions from Career Services Director at Laurus College in California to Career Development instructor at the same college. David is still as enthusiastic about his new position as he was in episode 12.

David and I discussed :

What employers were saying when he was in Career Services about what they desire out of candidates
The difference in preparation for careers at his institution compared to a four-year college or university
His approach in teaching his students the skills and providing the resources
How important it is for students to have career orientation and career development upon their arrival

Now that you made it this far in the show notes, you want to send out this tweet to have a chance to win Lea’s book, The Coloring Book Resume. I will randomly pick one winner by midnight, Sunday, April 6 and announce it via Twitter Monday, April 7:

Win a copy of @LeaMcLeod’s book, “The Resume Coloring Book ” @MarkADyson “The Voice of Job Seekers.”

Click To Tweet

I want to thank both Lea and David for appearing on the show. Both provided great value for listeners and hope to have them back. This episode should motivate you to start your job search on the right foot, and find out what employers value and apply that to your job search strategy.

About Mark Anthony Dyson

by Mark Anthony Dyson

Four Job Search Lessons to Learn from Martin Luther King

There is no man who Americans celebrate more who is not a President nor a Military hero as widely and prominently as Dr. Martin Luther King. He is quoted and heralded in many facets of American life in ways that shapes our faith and beliefs. Truly Dr. King is still a polarizing figure, and one that many people find moral and racial differences in what did and what he represents.

Job Seekers are generally looking for inspiration from many different sources, and Dr. King offers wisdom that inspire steadfastness in a difficult job search.

1. Answer questions directly, thoroughly, and with temperance. We’re not talking about interviews, but generally conversations. People will inquire of you in an unkind, not so cordial manner, and you must ignore the behavior that may otherwise drive you crazy. Even when people in a business setting may not say “hello,” “good morning,” or “good evening.”

Dr. King exemplified temperance in everyway, and trained people that marched with him the same way. People who marched were trained to respond non-violently where they were the object of hostility, violence, and hatred. In the same way, train yourself for adverse reactions through rejection. Sometime strange interview questions are given to test your reaction.

2. Dr. King had unswerving focus. If you never read “A Letter from the Birmingham Jail,” then you will never know how to tactfully thwart haters and take a stand without being personal in your response. During your job search, people will give you bad advice about finding a job. It is likely antiquated advice that doesn’t apply anymore. Dr. King’s response to a bunch of his peers asking him to stop his marches was generally, a resounding, “NO!” He just didn’t tell them no, but examined and disseminated his reasoning soundly and profoundly.

3. Constantly collaborated. People came from all over the country to help in the marches, but ultimately, many risked their well-being and their havens to be associated with the movement. As part of my coaching with job search clients is to help them form coalitions because it takes a village to find a job and/or advance your career. We all need people to “join the march” to fulfill our career purpose. You must make this an intentional strategy to build this “village,” and they must believe in you.

4. Dr. King understood his purpose requires longevity. I recently heard from a former client who is still enduring a job search for a couple of years now. She is hanging in there and realizes how important to stay engaged in every way possible. Dr. King’s speeches often point to “…one day.” I am only suggesting that patience is a part of any job hunt, and it takes time even you are doing everything right.

A job search from any perspective challenges your patience, confidence, and faith in people. Don’t let the day go buy without improving your social profiles, or to start that blog that you’ve thought about, or to call someone to help them.

Make a difference today.

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