Organizing your job search

Original Post: Organizing your job search

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My sister-in-law recently finished a graduate program in documentary film making and has spent the past three weeks looking for her next project. I know very little about the movie industry and job hunting in it, but I know that my sister-in-law is extremely organized and so I wanted to learn more about her search.

I asked her how she has navigated the process, and she gave me a detailed response that I wanted to share with anyone who may also be looking for a new gig:

Dedication. Searching for a job is my full-time job. I have set hours for when I’m at my desk researching, corresponding, interviewing, and pursuing leads. This week I’m on target to work 40 hours at it. A job isn’t going to fall in my lap — I have to go after it.

I have to be organized with my search. I keep a spreadsheet of all of my job leads. It includes: date applied, company, position, contact name, contact information, status of lead, notes, and a correspondence log that links to my e-mail. I also have a group of bookmarks with job sites that I frequently search in my web browser and a folder with targeted lists in my address book of job-related contacts. I have set up alerts for follow-up actions I need to take in my calendar and automatic searches that run on sites like Craigslist based on keywords.

In addition to her searching, she also has spent a significant amount of time preparing her targeted cover letters, resume, and building her website and IMDB page showcasing her work. She attends as many networking and professional events that her schedule will allow and talks to any and everyone about her search.

Have you recently been searching for a job or work in hiring? If so, leave your tips for an organized job search in the comments section.

Doing The Interview Dance And Leaving A Lasting Impression

Original Post: Doing The Interview Dance And Leaving A Lasting Impression

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photo by jeff medaugh

23:52:37 reyhan: For me interviews are me interviewing them
23:52:51 Boon: totally
23:53:06 Boon: i so need to write a blog post about that
23:57:58 reyhan: Yes
23:58:06 reyhan: You totally should

Why do you attend interviews? Do you do it just because it’s what you need to do to get a job? Or do you see it as an opportunity to see if this company is really a right match? There’s a difference here.

Companies are Human, Yes They Are

I feel that we’ve become so accustomed to dealing with cashiers, customer service representatives, helpdesk assistants, nurses, telephone operators, salespeople, waiters – so much that we’ve lost the appreciation for understanding how businesses run and make money, and more importantly, how inherently human organizations and companies actually are.

If you strip away the branding, the corporate logos, the job descriptions, the products, and the impressions people have about companies, it’s not difficult to appreciate that managers and recruiters have lives just like anyone else. The people who get paid to hire people represent companies as much as they represent themselves – much like how you discuss with your flatmates about accepting the new guy who’s interested to come on board.

Interviews are like Dates (not the Edible Kind)

This is why Richard Nelson Bolles, author of the famous career book, “What Color is Your Parachute?“, compares interviews to dating.

Sometimes I feel that job seekers prepare for interviews with a series of answers to interview questions like “tell me about your strengths and weaknesses”, “how would you move mount Fuji” – in some kind of formulaic fashion. I think that companies who do hire people who succeed in formulaic interviews, are companies that are formulaic themselves. That’s not a bad thing, unless you’re not interested in working for a formulaic company.

Not all companies hire the same way. Some have fine-tuned the art of finding the fakes from the gems. And this process really isn’t about selecting who’s the better person – it’s just about finding the better match.

If you’re approaching an interview in the same way you did the previous interview – ask yourself, are you doing it because you’re perfecting the art of interviewing (which isn’t a bad thing), or are you really interested to find out what this company about, and take advantage of the interview time to really get to know them as real people. Maybe it’s worth tweaking your interview strategy a little, if you know you’re going to meet someone who was quite different than the last guy.

The Interview Dance

Sometimes, even though I’ve done all the research about the company and I know about the products that they sell, who their customers are, and what their company values are and all that – I still ask them the same questions to find out about the company, just to see if these people really are what they say they are on their company blog and website and stuff. I do it to satisfy my curiosity, and to probe deeper about what makes this person who is interviewing me excited about the job that they do.

I try to come up with questions that, when asked, catches them by surprise and causes them to pause in a way that I can see tiny sparkles in their eyes. And this is one of those things that doesn’t have a formula. When you’re on a date with someone, and you’re genuinely interested to know them better – do you verbalize rehearsed one-liners that you studied from a how-to book, or do you wait for a certain opportunistic moment in the conversation, when you pop interesting questions that make them smile and laugh?

There’s something magical about interviewing someone who really seems like they can understand the heartbeat of the people that work there. Researching companies will get you to a point, but taking a chance to initiate that ‘interview dance’ is really what creates the whole encounter a lot more memorable.

What Job Seekers Can Learn From Chicago's Failed Bid For The Olympics

What Job Seekers Can Learn From Chicago's Failed Bid For The Olympics

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It looked promising for Chicago—we had tremendous clout with President Obama, Michelle Obama, and Oprah campaigning for Chicago to get the Olympics in 2016. Michelle Obama spoke impassionedly about growing up in Chicago, and President Obama said powerful statements like “One of the legacies I want to see coming out of the Chicago 2016 hosting of the Games is a reminder that America at its best is open to the world." Chicago also showed videos of the beauty of its lakefront location and mesmerizing Millennium Park to the Olympic committee. So what went wrong? What can job seekers learn from Chicago’s failed “Olympic interview”?



(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, Pool)

Don’t go for the personal plea in the interview; describe the technical reasons why you would be a good fit for the organization.

There were so many powerful, personal sentiments behind the Obamas plea for the Olympics. Statements including “with hard work and discipline and dedication, [Chicago] can make it if we try” and “That's not just the American dream, that is the Olympic spirit. That's why we see so much of ourselves in these Games. And that's why we want them in Chicago. That's why we want them in America.”

As beautifully said as these statements are, they don’t give any indication as to what Chicago can offer the Olympics. In an interview, describe what you can offer the organization,. It seems as if the Obamas were asking what the Olympics could do for Chicago and not what Chicago could do for the Olympics. In fact, Michelle Obama specifically said: “Chicago's vision for the Olympic and Paralympic movement is about so much more than what we can offer the Games. It's about what the Games can offer all of us. It's about inspiring this generation and building a lasting legacy for the next.” In an interview, however, you should explain what you can an offer an organization.

It had been reported that Chicago avoided reporting “stodgy technical details”…but maybe the Committee wanted to hear technical details. Maybe the Olympic Committe wanted to hear discussions of finances. Chicago instead showed videos of blues legened Buddy Guy and snapshots of the pretty city. Mayor Daley emphatically noted “It’s not about the words. It’s about the heart and soul.” But “some of its speakers looked nervous and parts of the presentation came off as stilted. It also was surprisingly low-key…” If you are relying on an image mainly to sell your point (which you shouldn’t), it should at least come across as professional as possible.

Chicago had the passion, the skills, and the right “references” to sell the city to the Olympic Committee. But it didn’t focus on what the Olympic Committee wanted to hear of what Chicago could offer the orgnanization. Job seekers may have the passion, the skills, and the right references, but that won’t mean much in an interview unless a job seeker can display how those qualities will benefit the organization.

Starting The Job Search? Think Again

Original Post: Starting The Job Search? Think Again

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Though it sounds brash, I think it’s the wrong mindset to “officially” start the job search. Sure, you can sit down and think, apply for things and make a plan. But let me ask you a question: Shouldn’t you always be on the job search?

In some fields, “starting” a job search is the traditional way to approach it. In this traditional mindset, you can attend career fairs and join a relevant organization your senior year of college to have something on your resume. Well, this isn’t the case if you’re seeking a career in communications.

You should always be on the job search. Always. From freshmen year of college (and even before) through the rest of your career, always be on the job search. It doesn’t mean you have to be interviewing for positions and actively submitting your resume to online sites. (How many times have you earned a job or internship that way?) However, I think it’s good to always be thinking ahead. It’s all part of being strategic about your career.

Here are some principles of a constant job search:

• Networking. I probably say it too much, but it’s important to realize that networking should be something you’re always doing. You can always attend networking events, but it only will help you if you meet new people and keep the relationship going. Networking is also a two-way street: Find ways to help the other person and they will help you back. Also, make friends online. Communicate on Twitter, get active in chats such as #PRStudChat and give back to the community.


• Professional Development. Are you waiting on joining an organization? Are you making excuses to not attend industry conferences? Are you finding new ways to build your portfolio and learn new skills? Those are important questions you should be asking throughout your career. You can always get involved with professional organizations and attend their conferences, but it’s a good idea to couple that with doing things on your own. Starting a blog, volunteering and reading are great places to start.


• Curiosity. Never be afraid to ask big picture questions and about why things happen the way they do. It’s especially important for those early in their careers to get used to doing. This helps build a strategic mindset, and that’s how you will get ahead in your career.


• Be uncomfortable. Though it might seem difficult and challenging, you should never be comfortable. If you’re doing the same thing over and over again with no chance of advancing, you’re going to be stuck in the status quo. Look for ways to try new things and meet new people. These new perspectives can help build your value to any organization.

If there’s one thing this recession has proven, it’s that companies are shifting more quickly than some employees can keep up with. That’s why this mindset is not only important for young professionals, but more seasoned professionals, too. I’m graduating in about a year and a half, but you bet I’ve started my “job search” a while ago and will continue to do so after entering the workforce.

What else would you add as characteristics of a constant job search?

4 Tips for Turning Yourself into a Brand How to Brand Yourself

Original Post: 4 Tips for Turning Yourself into a Brand
 



Getting from one level to the next in your career can be a tough climb. In all my years as a recruiter, I found that the number one reason professionals fail to advance is that they don’t realize their worth — or how to capitalize on it.

Most professionals undersell, understate and/or outright don’t take stock of their skills and accomplishments. So, how do you brand yourself for career advancement? Following the steps below will put you well on your way.
 
1. Assess Your Skills & Abilities. I mean, really take stock. Don’t look at your existing resume.

Start with your current position and list every project you’ve worked on, every dollar you saved, every new skill you mastered, every client who’s bottom line you increased.

Just make a list - no matter how minute the project, dollar amount or skill. Dollars to doughnuts, you have quite an impressive list in front of you. Many professionals don’t ever take the time to do this type of in-depth skill analysis.

Okay, you have your list. Now what?
 
2. Organize Your List How? I’d separate them into categories. Depending on your profession, they may look something like:

Sales Increased: List all cases where sales increased because of your input (eg, project you headed, direct mail campaign you wrote copy for, reorganization you structured, etc.

Dollars Saved: Similar to the above, list all instances where you saved a client/company money either directly or indirectly.

Skills Mastered: Did you take an HTML class? Did you go on a leadership retreat to master new management policies? Again, whatever skill it is you’ve mastered - whether it be a hard skill like coding, or a soft skill like employee management - put it in this category.

Projects Headed: If you spearheaded a project, list it. Eg, did you convert client files from QuickBooks to Peachtree, a new software you learned? Did you create a filing system to track client images? Did you create a new layout and design for a client brochure?
 
3. Create a Professional Profile If you’re a freelancer, I advise that you submit professional profiles to potential clients, not a resume (this subliminally says I’m an employee/I want a job).

A professional profile says that you’re an independent consultant who can help a potential client increase their (insert client objective). Eg, sales, customer subscriber list, client retention rate, etc.

If you’re a full-time employee, I would create this category on my resume. You can name it any number of ways, eg, Professional Profile, Professional Summary, Career Highlights, etc. It’s up to you.
The point is to create a place where, at a glance, potential employers can grasp what you can offer.
 
4. Market Yourself This is where many professionals - freelancers and full-time job seekers alike - fall down. YOU are the product. Market yourself.

Create a professional website and/or create a blog. When you apply for positions/gigs, direct potential clients/employers to this.

Even if you are currently employed, it can be helpful to create some type of online professional preference, if only to keep track of your accomplishments as they happen. Then, when you are ready to move on and/or branch out on your own, all you have to do is make it “Live.”

In today’s ever-competitive professional environment, it’s those who are able to effectively sell themselves who get the plum jobs/assignments. Don’t be left behind.

Brand the thing you know the best - you!
Yuwanda Black is the publisher of InkwellEditorial.com: THE business portal for and about the editorial and creative industries. Don’t want to ever worry about “career advancement” again? Start a freelance writing career! It’s fast, simple and easy. Learn how at InkwellEditorial.com

Brand Yourself Before Someone Else Brands You

Brand Yourself Before Someone Else Brands You




Discovering your personal brand is the first step in the personal branding process for a reason. If you don’t know what you’re brand is then how are you going to convey it to the world? Your brand is what you will be known for. When your name or image is seen or heard, what will people say? Will that description or single word be what you want them to think? These are all questions you need to ask yourself now, not in five years! The reason is simple: brand yourself before someone else brands you.

The internet has promoted perception over reality, which is both a threat and an opportunity. A first impression is obviously the most important and if it’s not perfect or authentic, then you will lose that opportunity, whether it’s a possible job, speaking engagement, friend, etc. There are no second chances, especially now since there are an infinite amount of people and websites that are easily accessible and free to the world.

You will be judged based on what appears online in many different situations, such as:

• Google: Your name is google’d and the first result is clicked on. You will be accessed based on that single website they click. If you were prepared and had created content, joined social networks and had your own domain name, then you could, for the most part, know what that first point of contact would be. That is a huge window of opportunity to make an impact.


• Facebook: I always say that Facebook does more harm than good. Recruiters, for instance, use Facebook to conduct background checks more than any social networks. It’s very challenging to build a “professional” brand on Facebook, as you can easily do with LinkedIn. When people search on Facebook, depending on your setting, your name and picture may show up. If the picture is you doing something suspicious, then you lose out. Your Facebook profile might rank first in Google, which means that becomes your first impression in the above example.


• Domains: Some people will type in your name as a domain name without using a search engine. Did you purchase your domain name? If you didn’t, it will show them that you aren’t thinking about personal branding and that you don’t have a great web presence. Go to GoDaddy.com and use the promo code “oyh7″ to purchase a $7.15 domain name. Try and get yourname.com or yourname.net.


• Shared content: The latest and most interesting first impression machine is content shared through social networks. For instance, let’s say you never heard of me before. Someone shares a link to a poorly written blog post that I wrote two years ago and another person clicks it. That would be a bad first impression through shared content. This means that everything you do has to be high quality, consistent and portray a positive image of your brand.


• Other social networks: I mentioned Facebook above, but people are searching for you on industry networks, LinkedIn and maybe using tools like Twitter search. Based on what your the search results are for your name in Google (this could be Yahoo! or Bing now too), it will create an impression.

It’s hard to have control when people are sharing your contributions just about everywhere these days, at a pace that is like lightening. That being said, you still can take control of your online image, such that you know what impression you’ll make making so you can capitalize on it. For the most part, everything I mention below is something you can create, control and/or influence.


5 ways to own your Google search results:

1. Domain name: As said above, claim your domain name right now. You should then put up at least one web page that people can access from this domain and so it becomes “crawlable” in various search engines. I recommend taking your resume, splicing it into different sections, such as “education” and “major projects,” and then having one page that talks about each.


2. Social profiles: Social networks have very high Google PageRanks (Facebook=9, LinkedIn=8, Twitter=9), which means that once you create a profile, give it a unique URL and establish it, it will more than likely rank high for your name in search engines.
   
   
3. Content: The best content you can create is in the form of a blog because it’s refreshed a lot (if you put work into it) and therefore ranks high and is shared more. You can also upload videos to sharing sites like YouTube or Vimeo and write for other blogs and/or news sites.
   


4. Press: When a publication or blog writes something positive about you, especially if your name is in the title of the story, it can rank high as well, as well as give you traffic and credibility with that audience.
   


5. Search engine optimization (SEO): Before, during and after you perform the above four strategies, you’ll want to think about how you can influence search engines. For example, if you want to own two keywords in the minds of your audience and dominate your niche, then you want to use them in the title and description field of your website or blog. There are many other SEO strategies out there, but since content is king, those with the best content will get the most links and therefore conquer search engines anyways.
   

Well, it depends on your mark of highest visibility. What I mean is that if you’re really success doing something you hate and you don’t invest the time to think about your branding, then you will always be known as something you despise. On the other hand, if you understand your brand and everything you touch has that branding, consistently, over a long period of time, then it will start to resonate with your audience. People brand other people very fast. It might have to do with what you’re wearing, if you’re beautiful or not, how you respond to a question or what your profession is.

The end result is that your audience is confused about what you do, what value you can provide to them, what your values are and your mission in life. There is no going back either. You can’t run down the hall and explain to them that you are someone different than you may have appeared. All bets are off. You probably don’t want to be known as the lazy intern or the drunk executive!

Pick a brand and stick with it!

You need to brand yourself even before someone even meets you in the first place. That way, the conversation is less of an introduction and people draw a line between who you are and what you do. I’m not saying that you won’t evolve your brand over time, but I’m trying to make the point that consistency is encouraged and preparation and execution are everything. When you’re not in a position doing what you love, then it’s hard to brand yourself based on who you are. When that happens, you’ll be branded based on a life you don’t want to have and nobody wants that. So take the time and think about what type of impression you want to make and what you want to be known for.

Will Social Security Be Around When You Retire?

Will Social Security Be Around When You Retire?

For those of you outside the U.S. or who don't know, Social security was founded by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1935. It has undergone some changes since then, but is essentially a government assistance program to provide retirement, disability, and survivor benefits to beneficiaries funded by U.S. tax dollars.

The Social Security Statement

We just received Linda's Social Security Statement containing her earnings record and estimated benefits. Within the envelope they included a pamphlet titled "What young workers should know about Social Security and saving." I am not planning on Social Security being around when I reach retirement age, because you can only go so long spending $2 when you are only making $1. With all the Baby Boomers retiring, there is just going to be a lot more money going out than what is being contributed. You hear concerns about this all the time, but I was interested to find out what the Social Security Administration had to say about the future of the program.

From the Pamphlet…

Will Social Security still be around when I retire?

Yes. The Social Security taxes you now pay go into the Social Security Trust Funds and are used to pay benefits to current beneficiaries. The Social Security Board of Trustees now estimates that based on current law… In 2017 (it) will begin paying more benefits than it collects in taxes and… in 2041, the Trust Funds will be depleted (emphasis added). Because people are living longer and the birth rate is low, the ratio of workers to beneficiaries is falling. Therefore, the taxes that are paid by workers will not be enough to pay the full benefit amounts scheduled.

… Even if modifications to the program are not made, there would still be enough funds in 2041 from taxes paid by workers to pay about $780 for every $1000 in benefits scheduled.

Wishful thinking?

While I am pleased that the government is being honest about challenges ahead for the Social Security program, I think their estimates are very conservative - if not wishful thinking. The way healthcare technology is advancing we will probably be able to keep everyone alive to 100+ in a couple decades - whether they like it or not! I would be surprised to an increase in our birth rate, and I think seeing a continuing decrease is much more likely. So with both ends extending out, we will likely have a much larger disparity of cash inflows vs. outflows than we do today.

But knowing our government, they will try to find a way to make it work. They are going to have to pay the piper eventually, but no one seems to know when that day will come. Assuming they can always find more money to borrow (a dangerous assumption IMO) things will work out fine and we will all get our Social Security checks each month.

Depending on Social Security for retirement

If you can't tell, I do not want to be in a position where I have to depend on the government to be able to retire. When ever people ask me about it, I always tell them the same thing - Plan for your retirement like Social Security will not exist. If it is still around, then you will have a nice little bonus. But a lot can change in a decade or two and in the case of Social Security, I don't think it will be in their benefit.

http://www.christianpf.com/social-security-around-retire/

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