Networking Tips
Kevin Donlin, co-author of Guerrilla Resumes, suggests the following strategy:
Use Me as an Excuse to Call
Over the past year, I've quietly been perfecting a short networking script at my Guerrilla Job Search seminars. In every case, at least one person in the room gets a job lead -- in less than 5 minutes. Here's the four-part script that people are using to start networking conversations by phone, with explanatory notes in parentheses:
- "Hi, this is YOUR NAME! I'm at a training session and they told me to call the most-connected person I know. That's you!"
(This gets you over the hump right away, by giving you an excuse to call. Here, that excuse is me -- just say that somebody else told you to call.) - "I'm looking for a position as a JOB TITLE at a company like COMPANY #1, COMPANY #2, or COMPANY #3." (You have to think first, about what JOB you want and 3 COMPANIES you most want to work for.)
- "Who would you call if you were in my shoes?" (You're asking someone to take ownership of your problem, by putting their ego aside and thinking as if they were you. Simple psychology that's very powerful.)
- "Could I have their name and number?" (Write it down. Hang up. Call that new person and drop the name of the person you called first.)
For best results, use this script to call the most-connected person you know, the one person who seems to know almost everybody.
Here are three examples of how this has worked in my seminars:
- Ellen in Minneapolis, MN, got a networking lead at the chamber of commerce after calling a friend.
- Greg in Fargo, ND, got a lead on a pharmaceutical sales job by calling a friend.
- Pete in Chanhassen, MN, got the name of an HR rep by calling a colleague he had fallen out of touch with.
Teach for America Info Session
Of the 14 million children growing up in low-income communities, only 1 in 10 children are graduating from college. Teach For all 10. Teach For America is the national corps of outstanding recent college graduates and professionals - of all majors, backgrounds, and career interests - who commit to teach for two years in urban and rural public schools and become lifelong leaders in expanding educational opportunity.
Join the movement. Apply to the 2010 Teach For America corps. Completing the resume, letter of intent and filling out the personal information page should take no longer than a few hours! NEXT Application Deadline: Wednesday, October 28th, 2009
This fall, 7,300 corps members began teaching in 35 regions across the country while 17,000 Teach For America alumni continue working from inside and outside the field of education for the fundamental changes necessary to ensure educational excellence and equity.
Over 200+ deferral graduate school partnerships. Corporate partnerships with JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Google, among others. Learn more
If you want to learn more about Teach For America, tell us more about yourself and fill out our survey: https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dDgxNWxSNVJMZ0dKMlBDa3dKQVNNYnc6MA
Professions with Most Growth
According to CNNMoney.com, the following 10 career paths are the estimated to experience the most growth between now and 2016. Read the full article here:
1. Telecommunications Network Engineer
Traditionally hired to control and maintain power grids and communications for phone and cable companies, telecommunications network engineers are seeing demand from potential employers rise with the demand for Wi-Fi, broadband and other new technologies. Telecom has gone green, too: Energy and environmental companies have opportunities galore for engineers to help build communications infrastructure for their new products.
2. Systems Engineer
Systems engineers possess a wide breadth of knowledge and engineering skills that have long been widely sought within the aerospace and defense industries. Now companies from car manufacturers to consumer products firms are quickly realizing the value of systems engineers as well, leading to a hiring boom.
3. Personal Finance Advisor
The personal financial advisor profession has exploded as baby boomers reach retirement age and seek advice on making their nest eggs last. Meanwhile, younger folks are seeking guidance on managing savings and retirement accounts in lieu of a company pension plan. "People know they have to manage their own financial futures, and they're turning to financial advisors to help," says Richard Salman, president of the Financial Planning Association.
4. Veterinarian
Pet ownership has grown 17 percent in the past 10 years, and as more people embrace furry friends, more vets are needed to keep them healthy. The veterinary medicine field has echoed advances in human medicine, and veterinary specialists in fields like oncology and ophthalmology have found clients clamoring for services. Another growth driver: An increased demand for vets in fields like food safety, disease control and pharmaceutical research.
5. Senior Financial Analyst
Recession or not, investors and businesses need to put their money somewhere, and they continue relying on experts to examine the risk-reward profile of securities and projects. "One of the things that came out of the financial crisis is people need to do their own due diligence, and there is even more attention being paid to analysis," says Bob Johnson, a senior managing director at the CFA Institute.
6. Business Analyst, IT
Companies are increasingly relying on IT business analysts to make sure they're using technology efficiently and cost-effectively. In the past, this job was often farmed out to consultants, but many companies now prefer to use in-house analysts who have in-depth knowledge of their specific industry.
7. Software Development Director
Just like an architect would design a building to be structurally sound, aesthetically pleasing and functionally practical, a software architect designs computer programs that help a business run efficiently and practically. The auto industry is a particular hot spot: Cars these days can easily have at least 40 computers inside to run everything from the lights and radio to the seat-warmers -- and these gurus are needed to design the programs that keep them running.
8. Physical Therapist
Broad health-care trends are driving growth in this field: an aging population, medical advances that allow more people with injuries and disabilities to survive and thrive, and a new focus on health, wellness and preventative care. "All of our projections show that the demand for PT will continue to increase," says Marc Goldstein, senior director of research at the American Physical Therapy Association.
9. Physician Assistant
A shortage of general physicians is spurring the need for physician assistants, who function much like regular doctors and work in a wide range of medical areas, from ER and surgery to dermatology and pediatrics. The drive to cut health-care expenses is also boosting demand, along with the need to treat an aging population and fight costly chronic conditions such as obesity and diabetes.
10. Computer/Network Security Consultant
A hacker attack would be devastating to virtually every company nowadays, driving a huge need for experts who can analyze how vulnerable a system is to a security breach and create functions and programs to protect against it. Since new technologies (and hackers) are being developed all the time, the demand for security consultants should continue to increase as well.
Copyrighted, CNNMoney. All Rights Reserved.
27 Common Resume Mistakes
Article
15 Ways to Annoy Your Job Interviewer
Consider whether you're guilty of any of these less than horrendous but still irksome mannerisms
Of course, almost everyone knows you shouldn't light up a cigarette at a job interview, or text your closest friend, or eat, or bring your dog, or show up drunk, or challenge the interviewer to arm wrestle (all things people have actually done at job interviews). You'd never dream of doing any of this, right?
But you may be guilty of other less horrible but just as damaging behaviors. While you're trying to wow hiring managers with your knowledge and enthusiasm, you may forget that they're watching you as well as listening to you. In fact, hiring managers actively search for annoying mannerisms in job applicants. They assume that if you are a little annoying at an interview, you will be much more so once you're hired and off your guard.
Unfortunately, lasting impressions are formed within 90 seconds of first meeting. So, consider whether you're guilty of any of these less than horrendous but still irksome mannerisms, and take steps to eradicate them:
- Gum chewing. Not a high crime, but a really easy way to look unprofessional. Throw your gum away before even entering the building, or find another way to get fresh breath.
- Hair twirling. It may simply be a habit, but it makes you look young and silly. Ask a friend if this is something you do. If it is, consider sweeping your hair back for the interview. Outta sight, outta mind.
- Slouching. Good posture communicates energy and confidence, while slouching communicates lethargy, boredom, or insecurity. Note: If you're an "older job seeker," know that experts recommend you make an extra effort at posture so you project youthful enthusiasm and health.
- Avoiding eye contact. If you can't meet someone's eye, it looks like you're hiding something. If gazing into someone's eyes freaks you out, look at their nose. It works just as well.
- Knee jiggling or finger drumming. Do you want to appear nervous, even out of control? Do you want to drive your interviewer crazy? If your answer is no (let's hope so), train yourself to keep still by breathing deeply and consciously relaxing your muscles.
- Yawning (or sighing). Yawning may seem like something you can't control, but your interviewer will see it very differently and might think: "He's bored" or "What, she didn't get enough sleep the night before her interview? She must not care enough." Remember: you're supposed to be on your best behavior in an interview.
- Playing with your pen. This is an easy one—set the pen down.
- Checking your cellphone. Leave it in the car. Or just shut it off. You won't need it, and you really don't want it to ring during the interview. If you forget, and it rings, swiftly grab it and shut it off, and apologize quickly and concisely. Then move on. Definitely do not answer your phone or check your texts during your time at the company.
- Nail biting. Come on, are you in high school? Stop biting your nails!
- Sniffling. If you have a cold, take a decongestant, or make sure you blow your nose before the interview. If you sneeze, simply say: "Forgive me for sneezing, I have a bit of a cold." You definitely don't want to give the impression that you're sick a lot, so don't sniffle through the whole interview or make it an issue in any way.
- Picking at, rubbing, or scratching any part of your body. Eww. Bottom line: The interview is not the place for personal hygiene of any kind.
- Waving your hands while speaking. Using gestures to punctuate your ideas can be part of being an effective speaker. But overdoing it derails your answer and the impression you're trying to make. This is another area where feedback can be very helpful.
- Tugging at your cuffs or at the hem of your skirt. Fiddling with your clothes communicates discomfort and insecurity. The interviewer may conclude you're not used to wearing a suit or you're not comfortable in your dress, and that's not good. An employer wants to hire people who look like they were made for the job—like they already suit the position.
- Resting your chin in your hand. You bored? Tired? Bored and tired? Wish you were somewhere else? No problem. The hiring manager will wish you were there, too.
- Smiling too much (or not smiling at all). Yes, it's important to appear congenial and interested in the interviewer and in the job, but you don't want to come off like a con artist or a fake. Ask someone close to you if you tend to smile too much when you're nervous.
Bet you didn't know there were so many ways to be annoying! Before your next interview, practice with a trusted friend or adviser. Or videotape yourself answering questions. It could be the best thing you do for your job hunt.
Resource: Karen Burns is the author of the illustrated career advice book The Amazing Adventures of Working Girl: Real-Life Career Advice You Can Actually Use, recently released by Running Press. She blogs at www.karenburnsworkinggirl.com.
Piercings, Tattoos and Mohawks at Work
If you struggle to define what is appropriate for the work place, read this article about appropriate dress for interviews and work: MSN Article.
Three Truths for Your Job Search
- The most qualified person does not always get the job.
I have seen it time and time again – a person whose qualifications are spot on to the job description gets passed over and doesn’t understand why. There are countless reasons why that happens – personality, interview style, what shoes they wore to the interview, they came across too confident, they were not excited enough about the opportunity, or probably one of the next two truths. - The person who is able to articulate why they should be hired usually is.
Whether you are sending in a résumé or sitting in front of a hiring manager you have to be able to effectively communicate why you should be hired. Having one general reason is not enough – you should have a minimum of five specific reasons, with examples, of why you are the best out there. - It is not always about what you know rather who you know.
Without a doubt the most powerful weapon you have in your job-search arsenal is your network. Personal relationships are important because most companies would rather hire a known entity rather than someone off the street. The bigger your personal network (not your online network) the more likely you are to uncover new opportunities and receive personal introductions to decision makers. To understand some of the basics on how to build your personal network check out our previous post Sourcing Opportunities (Positive and Productive Networking).
What are your expectations of AU CDS?
Trina Thompson isn't the only college grad who's mad about the job market. She may, however, be the only one who has sued her school as a result. Still jobless four months after graduating from New York City's Monroe College, Thompson sued the school in July for $70,000 in tuition and $2,000 in personal compensation. While the suit's outcome is pending, it does raise questions as to whether colleges have a responsibility to help students find jobs after graduation. With the average public in-state student forking over more than $26,000 in tuition and fees alone, do colleges owe them something in return? more
Available All the Time: Etiquette for the Social Networking Age
Finding a Job: It's a Lot Like Dating
Just like burping out the alphabet or talking to your ex at the dinner table are sure-fire ways to blow a date, there are some things you just don’t want to do when trying to find a job. I found that if you apply these dating guidelines to the job search, you’re sure to find a dream job that’s a perfect fit for you.
- Don't be afraid of rejection. It’s going to happen. You have to kiss a lot of frogs to find a prince/princess. Just like dates, there will be some companies that just aren’t that into you. Don’t get discouraged; the right one is sure to come along. Rejection is just part of the game.
- Don't use the same old line. “Do you have a map? Because I am getting lost in your eyes.” It’s been done before! Just like a good pick-up line, a cover letter should leave the recruiting director begging to know more. No one is going to read a four paragraph version of your resume. For your cover letter, short, catchy, and non-cheesy is the best way to go.
- Don't tell them what you think they want to hear. Just like a smart date, recruiting directors can see through your answers that are too good to be true. Your date won’t buy the fact that for fun you save baby whales from haphazard environments, just like the recruiting director won’t buy the fact that being a perfectionist is your worst “weakness.”
- Don't be a stalker. There is a fine line between being persistent and being a stalker. If the recruiting director hasn’t gotten back to you, don’t call every 5 minutes and then hang up. They probably have caller ID, and they’re officially scared of you. After calling once, leave them a message telling them how to reach you.
- Don't always listen to your mom. Just because your mom says the blue sweater makes you look handsome, doesn’t mean you should wear it on your first date. When it comes to resumes and interviews, your parents mean well, but they don’t always give you the best advice. However, as a student, you have access to an amazing resource - the Career Center! From helping you find jobs and internships to assisting you with resume writing and interviewing skills, your Career Center is an amazing resource.
If you keep these tips in mind, the job search won't be half as grueling. Graduation will be here before you know it, and you want to make sure you’re ready when the right company comes along.
by Brad Karsh: President and Founder, JobBound