In February the national unemployment rate reached 7.5% and Washington passed an historic Stimulus Package – still many American’s who are out of work are wondering "When am I going to feel the effects of this Stimulus Package; and what should I do in the interim to keep my career and finances afloat in these turbulent times?" There is no quick fix solution; however we can share with you what people who are conducting successful job searches are doing to make it happen.
My good friend and co-author, Meredith Haberfeld, founder of Institute for Coaching, is fond of saying “A job search requires focused intention, directed and diligent effort, a realistic but bright outlook, and patience. People who do not find a job after several months are often not directing their effort most effectively.” People we know who are getting hired approach their search as a full-time job. They wake up early and have a cup of coffee; then they begin networking on the phone and online and browsing the web, newspapers and trade magazines at 9am and continue late into the evening 5-7 days a week.
Having a great resume is essential. It is a crucial marketing document that defines who you are and what sets you apart from the competition. However opinions differ on how to use a resume. Too many job seekers focus their efforts on blindly submitting their resume to job postings, with limited results. They do this because it is easy and impersonal. What they should concentrate on is networking – this is how successful people find a job!
Meredith and I agree that, “the single most important component of a successful job search is making contact with people in the field you’re interested in.” She advises her clients to “make at least three contacts every day. Whether it’s social networking, online or face to face; with people you know or people you don’t - cultivating your network is the best way to get results.”
So, why do so many job seekers avoid networking? That is an interesting question with a not too surprising answer. Most people have a misconception when it comes to networking. Some believe it would be uncomfortable or unprofessional to approach people they know, while others believe it is awkward or inappropriate to get in touch with people from their past. Certain individuals feel it shows a sign of desperation while others believe people don’t care enough to help or are just too busy.” What’s funny is that anyone who has actually networked will tell you these are all good excuses, but the truth is when you ask someone, even a total stranger to help you find a job the universal response is “I would love to help; what can I do.”
So how do you develop a job search network? Networking is a multi-step process of alerting as many people as possible that you are in the job market. Work up the courage up to reach out. Be interested in what each contact is up to. And ask if they know anyone that would be good for you to connect with. In return, be interested in what they are up to and share what you know and look for what you can offer them. If your contact helps you, that's great. If they don't, it's still a pleasant opportunity to link in with them.
Start with your family and friends; call the ones you stay in constant touch with, ones you speak talk to 10-12 times a year, and especially the one’s you only see at special occasions like weddings, bar mitzvahs, communions, wakes, conventions and alumni gatherings. Next, speak with people you know socially in places like your health club, fraternity, church or synagogue, communal organizations and PTA’s. Speak with your doctor, your lawyer, your accountant and even your real estate agent. They are easy to approach and would love to help you. Find friends from your past and reconnect. Find people you went to college with, high-school, even summer camp. “Each conversation is not a desperate plea, it’s an opportunity to connect, find out how they’re doing, share what’s happening in your life and enjoy the conversation. When you get over any fear about diving in this can actually be great fun – and shockingly fruitful,” is another on target piece of advise from Meredith.
Sometimes networking can be done using conventional methods and sometimes you need to be creative and a little out of the box; so in addition to business contacts, you should be networking with people who provide you services.” Give some copies of your resume and talk about your job search with your dry cleaner, hairdresser or stylist, personal trainer and all the business owners and service providers you regularly patronize. When you think about it, this makes perfect sense. They are friendly, service oriented people and have long established relationships with hundreds of customers. More so, they know you, want to retain your business, and will gladly help you in your time of need.
Then reacquaint yourself with old business and social contacts. Touch base with prior bosses and co-workers. Contact clients and vendors you worked with in the past. Go through all the business cards you accumulated and call everyone in your personal and business address books. If they’ve moved on, Google them and look them up on Linked-In, Facebook and other social networking sites and in telephone and business directories
Finally, discreetly use social networking sites like Linked-In, Facebook, Myspace and others to obtain new contacts. Don’t post a resume, post a job wanted. Reach out to friends of friends and get to know them. Join networking groups online and around the city to meet people who can hire you and expand your network. Go to job fairs and contact social organizations and go to their websites, job posting boards and job seminars.
Once again the key to a successful job search is to carve out dedicated time each day to making contacts with 3 new people from your life.
1. Find out how they are doing; and be genuinely interested.
2. Then share:
a. what is happening in your life and how feeling
b. succinctly what you're looking for (major hint: practice this so you are clear and specific about just what you are looking for!)
c. make sure to ask the open ended question "who else do they know that may be good for you to speak with". (missing this question, or asking the closed question of "do you know of anyone/anything" misses the mark by a mile)
As Meredith says, “Reconnecting is actually a great experience. Don't worry about getting a job from any given contact, just follow the prescription above. It's a two-way street and involves being a good listener and giving back. If you make 3 contacts like this every day, enjoy the connections, and hold yourself to this commitment day in and day out, you'll be impressed with the results.”
People putting in patient effort and executing what we suggest ARE FINDING JOBS, even in this economy.
My good friend and co-author, Meredith Haberfeld, founder of Institute for Coaching, is fond of saying “A job search requires focused intention, directed and diligent effort, a realistic but bright outlook, and patience. People who do not find a job after several months are often not directing their effort most effectively.” People we know who are getting hired approach their search as a full-time job. They wake up early and have a cup of coffee; then they begin networking on the phone and online and browsing the web, newspapers and trade magazines at 9am and continue late into the evening 5-7 days a week.
Having a great resume is essential. It is a crucial marketing document that defines who you are and what sets you apart from the competition. However opinions differ on how to use a resume. Too many job seekers focus their efforts on blindly submitting their resume to job postings, with limited results. They do this because it is easy and impersonal. What they should concentrate on is networking – this is how successful people find a job!
Meredith and I agree that, “the single most important component of a successful job search is making contact with people in the field you’re interested in.” She advises her clients to “make at least three contacts every day. Whether it’s social networking, online or face to face; with people you know or people you don’t - cultivating your network is the best way to get results.”
So, why do so many job seekers avoid networking? That is an interesting question with a not too surprising answer. Most people have a misconception when it comes to networking. Some believe it would be uncomfortable or unprofessional to approach people they know, while others believe it is awkward or inappropriate to get in touch with people from their past. Certain individuals feel it shows a sign of desperation while others believe people don’t care enough to help or are just too busy.” What’s funny is that anyone who has actually networked will tell you these are all good excuses, but the truth is when you ask someone, even a total stranger to help you find a job the universal response is “I would love to help; what can I do.”
So how do you develop a job search network? Networking is a multi-step process of alerting as many people as possible that you are in the job market. Work up the courage up to reach out. Be interested in what each contact is up to. And ask if they know anyone that would be good for you to connect with. In return, be interested in what they are up to and share what you know and look for what you can offer them. If your contact helps you, that's great. If they don't, it's still a pleasant opportunity to link in with them.
Start with your family and friends; call the ones you stay in constant touch with, ones you speak talk to 10-12 times a year, and especially the one’s you only see at special occasions like weddings, bar mitzvahs, communions, wakes, conventions and alumni gatherings. Next, speak with people you know socially in places like your health club, fraternity, church or synagogue, communal organizations and PTA’s. Speak with your doctor, your lawyer, your accountant and even your real estate agent. They are easy to approach and would love to help you. Find friends from your past and reconnect. Find people you went to college with, high-school, even summer camp. “Each conversation is not a desperate plea, it’s an opportunity to connect, find out how they’re doing, share what’s happening in your life and enjoy the conversation. When you get over any fear about diving in this can actually be great fun – and shockingly fruitful,” is another on target piece of advise from Meredith.
Sometimes networking can be done using conventional methods and sometimes you need to be creative and a little out of the box; so in addition to business contacts, you should be networking with people who provide you services.” Give some copies of your resume and talk about your job search with your dry cleaner, hairdresser or stylist, personal trainer and all the business owners and service providers you regularly patronize. When you think about it, this makes perfect sense. They are friendly, service oriented people and have long established relationships with hundreds of customers. More so, they know you, want to retain your business, and will gladly help you in your time of need.
Then reacquaint yourself with old business and social contacts. Touch base with prior bosses and co-workers. Contact clients and vendors you worked with in the past. Go through all the business cards you accumulated and call everyone in your personal and business address books. If they’ve moved on, Google them and look them up on Linked-In, Facebook and other social networking sites and in telephone and business directories
Finally, discreetly use social networking sites like Linked-In, Facebook, Myspace and others to obtain new contacts. Don’t post a resume, post a job wanted. Reach out to friends of friends and get to know them. Join networking groups online and around the city to meet people who can hire you and expand your network. Go to job fairs and contact social organizations and go to their websites, job posting boards and job seminars.
Once again the key to a successful job search is to carve out dedicated time each day to making contacts with 3 new people from your life.
1. Find out how they are doing; and be genuinely interested.
2. Then share:
a. what is happening in your life and how feeling
b. succinctly what you're looking for (major hint: practice this so you are clear and specific about just what you are looking for!)
c. make sure to ask the open ended question "who else do they know that may be good for you to speak with". (missing this question, or asking the closed question of "do you know of anyone/anything" misses the mark by a mile)
As Meredith says, “Reconnecting is actually a great experience. Don't worry about getting a job from any given contact, just follow the prescription above. It's a two-way street and involves being a good listener and giving back. If you make 3 contacts like this every day, enjoy the connections, and hold yourself to this commitment day in and day out, you'll be impressed with the results.”
People putting in patient effort and executing what we suggest ARE FINDING JOBS, even in this economy.
Perry Newman, CPC is President/CEO of First Impressions Resumes in Manhattan Beach, NY, and has over 30 years experience as a resume writer, career coach and AIPC certified executive recruiter. To get a copy of Job Hunting in the 21st Century - The New Reality compliments of First Impressions, call 646-894-4101 or email blog@firstimpressionsresumes.biz
This article is co-written by Meredith Haberfeld an Executive and Career Coach in Manhattan, and President of Meredith Haberfeld Coaching and co-founder of the Institute for Coaching. Meredith can be reached at (800) 347-0522 or meredith@meredithhaberfeld.com
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