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Job Search Myth #342

September 20th, 2009 @ 06:09pm

The number 342 is purely random: I just happened to pick it out of the air, because there are enough job search myths that I'm sure the numbers do go that high. OK, here it is: "My job search networking groups are all I need."

Oh, really? All those people know how to help you, and are going to take time out of their job searches for YOU? Wow!

Now you know I am a huge supporter of networking in job search, with your between-the-jobs brethren, employed folks, and others. Yes, you'll make great contacts and get good feedback. But since when are fellow job seekers experts in your job search, especially when they are consumed with their own searches and their own agendas, and rightfully so?

Anyone who follows the discussion and banter on email list serves for job search networking groups is familiar with the characters who populate them, both helpful types as well as killing time types. There's the bitter know-all-about-job-search guy who's been looking for two years, and blames his inability to land on his age. Could it really be that his attitude seeps through whenever he is interviewed or makes a networking contact? Related to him is the sarcastic list serve member who thinks she should get free job search help from consultants (would she expect free treatment from a doctor before he helps her find the cure?), or who thinks he deserves a higher salary next time around "just because". There's the I-want-to-help-everyone person who leaves too little time for herself. There's the person who's landed a job so he writes emails to the group for hours each day to share his wisdom...but when, pray tell, is he working? And there is the great number of lurkers who are hoping to learn some hidden secret about search that will land them their next job.

None of those folks intends to be harmful to their fellow job hunters. But they simply cannot give the same level of attention that a counselor at a career center, or a consultant like me, gives. It's our job to help you. We live for your success. We don't go away like fellow job seekers do, when they land, and which is totally understandable. And whatever you spend on such services, you will get back by landing sooner, or by being able to negotiate for a higher salary.

So go to job search networking groups, of course. But don't stop there.

Posted by Joanne Meehl | in Career coaching, Job Search, Networking, | No Comments »

Job Search Networking Groups and Gray Hair

March 6th, 2010 @ 07:03pm

The profile of job search networking groups around the country is the same: people over 40. Largely white, more male than female, almost all with at least a bachelor's degree. "Look around the room", some there say with some anger in their voices. "Notice all the gray hair? What does that tell you?"

Why IS it that most people at many job search networking groups ARE older? The immediate answer from some, especially the ones asking us to look around the room, seems to be "age discrimination". Meaning, employers hire all the young people first, so those under 40 don't need networking groups.

Not so fast. I say, don't give up so easily and yield to excuses. Yes, excuses.

Here are some observations from this, well, 50+ year old career coach:

1) Younger people have what I call "natural networks" -- they usually don't yet have families, houses, etc., so they hang out with friends. They go to parties. They take courses, they do business after hours meetings, professional meetings, they hang out with employed people, etc. Look in a bar at 5:30 near any urban office park or downtown, and the under-40 set is mostly who you'll see. So if they're networking that way, and via social media, they don't think about "official" job search networking groups. They're already doing it. You over 45 or 50 don't do those things nearly as much. So you go to networking groups.

And those who have started families will network with other younger parents. Sure, they'll network with their own parents and their parents' friends. But they'll choose the stands at the baseball diamond for making new contacts over going to networking groups.

Posted by Joanne Meehl | in Change, Job Search, Networking, | No Comments »

How to Use Twitter to Stay "Career-Fresh"

April 3rd, 2010 @ 01:04pm

Whether you are IN a good job or are between jobs, Twitter can challenge you to stay up with what's going on in your field. I call it staying "career-fresh".

What does this mean? In order to post quality tweets, you obviously have to say something tweet-worthy. Meaning, something that's worth reading by others in your field. Original thinking and observations are best; nothing is gained by posting a "me too" comment.

So, you'll need to observe what's going on in your career field and tell readers about it, especially if others have not addressed the topic in quite the same way. Keep up with your professional colleagues/network, with journals, with printed and online articles, with interviews of leaders, and with issues in your field, so that you can tweet reactions to those.

All of this real-time consciousness about your field challenges you to keep yourself fresh. And today, employers WANT people who are committed to their work. Using Twitter is one way of showing this commitment AND this fresh knowledge.

Then be consistent with your tweets, posting at least once per week. This is advice I give my clients, especially those in job search, and those clients add their Twitter ID to their business cards. All of this gives you brand status: you become known as a reliable source of knowledge in your field. Posting just once every month is not enough and looks feeble. But posting too often can work against you: If you're in a job, posting every 5 minutes means you are using way too much of your employer's time for this, and if you're in job search, it comes across as not doing anything else.

Don't forget to use LinkedIn's partnership with Twitter and thus its ability to show your tweets. Cross-posting further enhances your brand.

Whether or not you're in a job right now, being "out there" with your knowledge keeps you up with what's going on, it strengthens your brand, and it solidifies your reputation within your field. Stay career-fresh: use Twitter.

Posted by Joanne Meehl | in Career coaching, Job Search, Networking, Uncategorized, Your time, | 1 Comment »

Answering "Why have you been out of work for so long?"

May 31st, 2010 @ 04:05pm

As the unemployment rate -- official or otherwise -- begins to drop, those many professionals "still" in job hunt are beginning to feel left out of the party. Their one-year layoff anniversary date is upon them, or has just passed, and they are seeing people around them finally landing jobs. One of their fears is that employers will think they are the discards of the work force.

So the question, "Why have you been out of work for so long?" strikes particular fear in the hearts of most job hunting professionals. To them it sounds like "Is something wrong with you that a) you were laid off, that b) no one else yet has hired you, and/or c) that you're still looking?"

Even if you dismiss the minority of people in HR or hiring manager positions who have somehow missed the news that our country has been and still is -- job-creation-wise -- in a deep recession, as more and more people are hired, most decent decision makers will, indeed, wonder about those still looking.

Here are a way to answer. But first: I never believe that people are really in job search for as long as they say they are. People are in shock and denial for some time, even if, on autopilot, they immediately start sending out resumes. They dig up that old resume, make some additions, and start with checking out the online ads. They begin to attend networking groups but aren't really sure what to do. When, after a few months, those things don't generate much if any response, or they get trounced in an interview, they realize they have to change something.

So it's then that job hunters say, "I really need some help with this." They get that help in various forms. For those people who come to me, I tell them "You're really only just now starting your search. Until now, you've been just casting about for more clarity." The client, hearing this, actually feels relief to know they haven't been doing things they way they need to in order to land a good job, because now they know "it's not them", it's how they've been going about it. And they can fix that.

When the interviewer asks you this question, he or she is truly are plumbing about to learn "How does she handle things when they don't go her way?" Show them you're fine with it and will work hard to get into a better situation.

So. Now your search has taken 6 months, 8 months, a year. And they're asking you what you've been doing, and why hasn't someone else scooped you up?

Here's a real statement, unvarnished, from a real client: "I had a year's severance, so I took time off with my family during that time. I helped my daughter through a several projects at the junior high, and I did a lot of things around the house. Then I went to get my certification in xyz, and began applying for jobs. I did OK, even got a few interviews, but I knew I blew every one because I was so nervous and blanked a lot, and they never had me back for a second one. That scared me, so I took another few months off. Soon my health insurance is going to come to an end and I am in full gear to get a new job."

How she's going to tell the doubting interviewer that same information: "I'm sure you're well aware that many good people are available and looking for their next position, and the job search isn't what it used to be. I wasn't aware of that at first and jumped into it without doing my homework. That meant I spun my wheels a lot at for the first month or so. But, being a person who quickly changes what's not working in a project, I then did research to learn what I needed to fix. I sought out the Subject Matter Experts and learned how to better focus in on, and communicate better, what I do well. I can bring that same tenacity to you here at ABC Company."

In other words, it's OK to say that you weren't so smart about the early part of your search. As long as you show that you BECAME smart about it, quickly, and went on from there. That will reduce the time, in their minds, of you being between jobs. And the positive attitude revealed in that answer shows them you've left your old job behind and are ready for new challenges.

Other points:

Don'ts: Don't talk about painting the house (even if you've done it). Don't say "I've been looking for a job" (even if you think that's what you've been doing). Don't be defensive.

Do's: Certainly, you should talk about classes or seminars you've taken, certifications you've earned, internships, relevant volunteer experiences. Do emphasize that you've picked up new skills and methods that you can't wait to use on your next job. Do mention your pent-up energy, which you can direct within their company to get problems off their desks. Turn your long job search into a positive.

Those are the things that hold value to an employer, and the reasons why an employer WOULD, indeed, hire you, out of work a long time, or not.

Posted by Joanne Meehl | in Job Search, Networking, resumes, | No Comments »

Five Ways to Avoid Self-Sabotage in Your Job Search

June 28th, 2010 @ 08:06pm

Posted by Joanne Meehl | in Career coaching, Change, Job Search, Networking, resumes, The job search roller coaster, Your time, | No Comments »

Be Careful What You Ask For...You May Get Exactly the Opposite

June 29th, 2010 @ 11:06pm

There's an old saying in philanthropy that says "If you ask for money, you get advice. If you ask for advice, you get money."

I think it's similar when you're networking during your job hunt: "If you ask for a job as you network, you get advice. If you ask for advice as you network, you get a job."

Old suggestions say "Do 'informational interviews' and bring your resume, and be sure to talk about JOBS and POSITIONS with the contact." I've seen people do that and they don't get good jobs, they get advice and a well-intentioned "I'll keep you in mind". Which ends things with that contact.

What I recommend to job hunters, if they truly want to find a good job, is instead to leave the resume at home and make connections who can give you advice. Meet with them -- don't just talk on the phone --and make it a conversation about the field, the work, and how you love doing that work. Ask your contact about them and what they enjoy about the field. Focus on them, and they'll show more interest in you. In short, they'll get to know what you have to offer. Result: they'll feel confident sending you on to others in their network. Those "others" have the jobs.

Stay tuned for a networking seminar in August that focuses on this principle. We'll put the word out as the date gets closer.

Posted by Joanne Meehl | in Job Search, Networking, resumes, | No Comments »

Is Job Search Networking A Luxury?

July 2nd, 2010 @ 03:07pm

A member of our Face2Face Job Search Networking Group for Professionals emailed me to say she couldn't attend the next meeting, and probably could not attend any others, "because I don't have the luxury of time to do networking...I have to get a job, something, anything."

That is among the most painful things this job search coach can hear. Because it's exactly networking that WILL result in a job, a good job. Responding to postings, in this kind of economy and when everyone else is answering ads, results in huge numbers working against you. When you respond to a posting, they don't know you from Adam and your resume has to fit exactly, so your chances for an interview drop significantly. But when you are introduced by an employee at a target company to the hiring manager as someone s/he needs to talk to, you are now stamped "pre-approved" and you get the interview, like magic. Sure, you now have to do well in the interview...but at least you are in the running instead of lost in a database.

Sure, I urge job hunters to not only network but also to approach hiring managers directly, to answer ads, to work with recruiters. All of those things work at some point with some people. They each have their own timeline so it's best to have a mix; networking can take time. I'll encourage any legal and ethical activity that results in a good hire for both sides.

But when I look at my clients who've landed good, new jobs, and those in the networking group who have landed good jobs, and I do the statistics, over the last two years only ONE of my dozens of clients who have landed has done it by answering an ad then interviewing and getting an offer. And only a half-dozen of the 500+ person networking group (about 75 at each meeting) have landed the postings-response-then-interview way. All others either 1) "networked their way in" to their target companies, or 2) responded to a posting AND networked their way to the hiring manager. ALL others. And I see the same thing in other parts of the country, from what my colleagues report and what those in other networking groups are saying.

Most likely, this networking group member has not done much networking to date in her search, part of the reason she might be at the end of her rope -- and her unemployment money. Another truism about networking: the more networking one does the earlier in their search as possible, the shorter the search.

So this group member, instead, will use her precious job search time to shop her resume door to door, to a lot of rejection and little encouragement...she will call her network contacts again and beg that they remember her "if you hear of anything"...she will hold her nose as she applies for jobs way beneath her. Except the result is likely to be nothing in the way of a new, real job, and instead only the erosion of her dignity, and the fracturing of any remaining confidence. And all the while she'll think something is wrong with her, that she is cursed with "bad luck" or is singled out to pay some kind of penance. All of this is so wrong.

And that's why job search networking is not a luxury: It is the very air that keeps a search, especially in these trying times, alive. And thriving.

Note: We are planning an in-person seminar for August which gets to the "hows" and "what to say" of networking, especially for the senior professional. Check our web site (www.thejobsearchqueen.com) over the next few weeks for location, date and time.

Posted by Joanne Meehl | in Job Search, Networking, Your time, | No Comments »

An Example of Successful Job Search Networking: Rita

December 29th, 2010 @ 09:12am

This is long but think of it as a real-world guide to using networking in your search.

A client is having wonderful success networking, and you should know about it because you can have such success, too. It will take the mystery out of this thing we call networking. And it shows why, when done right, we career coaches want our clients to do it, regardless of age, career goal, or the economy.

Background

Rita is in her early 30s with about 10 years' experience in marketing. She is determined to apply her marketing successes within a non-profit, not an easy thing to do when non-profits are having a tough time raising scarce funds.

Better Ways to Network

Here's where I need to say that I do not endorse the usual "informational interview", where candidates pretend to not really be looking for a job while the contact pretends that the candidate is not really looking for a job and just wants "information". And the candidate sometime during the meeting pushes a resume on the contact. The usual response is a polite "I'll keep you in mind if I hear of anything". After all, who doesn't want to help? But like everyone else, they're overbusy, and often forget. And the candidate burns through his/her network, and wonders what's all this fuss about networking.

Rita is following the Referral Networking method in which I coach my clients. It involves establishing credibility and rapport, and asking about who you can help. No resume, no "job" talk, until a later time. I coached Rita in the best ways she could use this method for her unique situation. Each person's search is different.

How Rita Did Her Networking

So in October, Rita first began by contacting people she knew who'd readily see her -- her references, her LinkedIn recommenders, friends, family, neighbors. She felt a bit awkward trying out some new approaches with people she knows well, but it helped her work out the kinks.

Then Rita was reaching her next level of contacts -- others in job search, people she vaguely knew from former jobs, other women in her businesswomen's networking group, LinkedIn contacts, other networking contacts. Rita had to push herself -- she's a "quiet extrovert", so this activity was not easy for her. She questioned where she was going with it, so we talked about her keeping at it, and on faith she did although she was still somewhat skeptical.

All along, Rita has been answering the occasional job posting, and attending job search networking groups.

Getting Results

Then she was starting to get occasional calls from some of the people she'd been networking with, calls that started with "I remembered you when I ran into this friend of mine who works at this non-profit...you should call her. Here's her number..." Rita was surprised and a little overwhelmed, and asked me how she should keep track of all these new contacts. There are many ways of doing this, but she devised her own good system. And she keeps everyone on this list posted on her progress; they appreciate knowing what's happening with this person they helped, and she's not letting them forget her.

Her circles of contacts continued to grow. After just a few weeks, her network of people who know in some depth what she can do for an employer was rapidly approaching 50 or so. This networking is her primary activity; all other search activity comes second, as it should. I coach all my Project clients in this approach, and they use it to one degree or another, but Rita is doing it consistently and relentlessly, the only way to do it.

To those who say, "But this takes such time!", I respond: Job searches today are taking longer anyway, so why not do what gets results? You can still apply for postings online like everyone else. But what Rita is doing is not something everyone else is doing.

During Thanksgiving week, Rita met or ran into about 30 people, at various meetings and events. She knew how to talk with each of them so that they'd remember her. The calls were increasing. It was/is as if she had/has 50+ sales people out there working for her. She was giddy, and brimming with confidence. "I never thought I'd have so much FUN in my job search...I'm meeting such great people...this is really something." And, "Once I land a job, I'm not going to stop this...this is vital to my career."

I met with Rita just before Christmas for an update. She'd been using this two-step approach steadily for about two months now. The result: Her job search network now has a life of its own, with Rita getting calls on a regular basis, getting her more and more connections and meetings with people, further connecting her with others at non-profits.

Circling Closer

Two new openings at her top choice non-profit were a great fit so she applied and let one of her new contacts at the organization know so that the insider could help. One of her new contacts alerted her that one of her other target non-profits was about to hire as well. "I just KNOW something for me is going to come out of this networking, I know it!" Rita no longer says "IF I land a job...", it's now "WHEN I land a job..." Her confidence is contagious and visible. Exuding confidence is not what many job hunters need to do more of, so Rita is ahead of her competition there as well.

Add to this that on January 3rd, Rita will start as a member of my Productivity Team, the weekly meeting for top Project clients whose searches are in full swing. Here, clients set goals and it's all about numbers.

I don't expect Rita to be a member for long.

Stay tuned.

_____________

Update, January 10th: Rita received TWO job offers today. She chose the one at her target non-profit. I saw her on January 20th when she told me she loves her new job and expects it to go from 32 hours to 40 in months. Congratulations, Rita!

_____________

What About You?

In a job and have "no time" to network? Burned through your network and don't know what to do now? Introverted and want to know how to network to your advantage? Contact Joanne at Joanne@TheJobSearchQueen.com.

Posted by Joanne Meehl | in Job Search, Networking, | No Comments »

How to Neutralize a Bad Reference

January 23rd, 2011 @ 01:01pm

Your interviews are going well at Your #1 Targeted Company, and the prospective employer has told you that they'll be talking to your references AND will be calling your former company. A routine practice.

You gulp: Former company...that means former boss, who was, well, a jerk. You and he never got along. He's certainly not one of your official references, but you just know they will be able to find him and talk with him. And he won't say good things about you.

How do you head this off? How do you neutralize the situation so that his words don't kill your candidacy there?

Here are some ways:

1. Get other managers at the company who worked with you to say good things. They don't need to step up to be an official reference for you, but if you talk with them, whether they're still at the company with Former Boss or have moved on, you can coach them in what you'd like them to say about how well you did. Better to be prepared with this than have to scramble to prep these folks, so be proactive and do it now.

2. Coach your "official" three or four references - and if they are aware that Former Boss is not a good guy, they can mention that in passing to the potential employer as they're talking about you and your successes at your former company/companies.

3. On linked in, DON'T do "recommendation swapping". This is where you write a good recommendation for a colleague if they write one for you. This immediately reduces the credibility of your recommendation. Hiring managers, HR, and recruiters notice this.

4. Have a reference contact the employer on your behalf before they themselves are contacted by the employer! Now this means this person has to be a very strong fan of yours. But a phone call from the Very Strong Fan/Reference to the Hiring Manager, peer-to-peer, is always an undeniably impressive way to boost you in that Hiring Manager's eyes. At the same time, it dilutes any negative words from others.

5. Work with the Inside Employee at your #1 Targeted Company, with whom you've networked. They may not have worked with you at your former company, but they now know you and can give their positive impressions to the Hiring Manager. (One client of mine is doing this anyway and is constantly landing interviews.)

6. Best of all, have clients/customers be your references. These can be external OR internal. Their comments tell the Hiring Manager and HR how you really are in your job. Their perspective is the one a prospective employer will respect the most. Since they are not usually bound by any corporate reference-giving policy, they can speak freely about how great you are.

Some thinking ahead, and related action on your part, will help you make this worry one that will go away.

___________________

Have tough questions about unusual situations like this in your search? Contact Joanne.

Posted by Joanne Meehl | in Career coaching, interviews, Job Search, LinkedIn, Networking, References, Social media, | No Comments »

Job Search Mistake to Avoid: Doing a Serial Job Search

January 28th, 2011 @ 02:01pm

A serial job search is one in which a candidate we'll call Kim goes after one opening or one company at a time. She finds an opening online that she fits, she pursues it, is interviewed for it, and then (so far) is not made an offer and the job goes to someone else. Because she has nothing else going on, she then crashes. And it takes her 1-2 weeks to "get over it", regroup, and start going after another company, another opening. Meanwhile, another month has gone by. She begins to think "It must be me...I must not be good at what I do...".

And that is so not it.

This kind of serial, one-after-the-other approach leads to only one thing: A painfully long search. "Painful" and "long" are two things I help my clients avoid. If they follow their plan, they learn it doesn't have to be this way, even in this stumbling economy.

For contrast, let's look at Trevor. Sure, he's answering ads, but he's in one-to-one networking meetings so much that it takes up about 25 hours a week. (For those of you between jobs, if you're not that busy in your search, you're not doing enough.) He's focused on his target companies, using varying methods all at once. His approach is multiple, and it's constant, week in, week out.

Because he's generating so much activity, leads, and interviews, here's how Trevor reacts to "Sorry, you're not our top candidate": he says to himself, "Oh well, on to the next thing, I have so much going on, I just know that something else will pop up." He does not miss a beat. His search generates results constantly, and it's going to happen that he WILL land -- at a company of his choice.

Note those words: "...I have so much going on, I just know something else will pop up." He's right.

The point here is you can go one way or another: The serial search, painful and long. Or the multiple and constant approach that expands your network AND gets you the job your after, sooner.

Your choice.

_______________________

Joanne Meehl helps professionals in job hunt do an intelligent search by setting an individualized strategy. Contact her for her ideas for you.

Posted by Joanne Meehl | in interviews, Job Search, job search strategy, Networking, Your time, | No Comments »

Even Your Best Friends Won't Tell You

February 5th, 2011 @ 12:02pm

Even your best friends won't tell you -- that they don't quite understand what you do. Oh sure, they know you're a Product Manager, or a Financial Specialist, or Director of Engineering, but do they really KNOW what you do? They'd never admit not knowing.

I'm reminded of that episode of Seinfeld, where Jerry is dating a woman named Dolores but cannot remember her name. He does everything he can to find out -- except to ask her -- because they've been dating too long for him to NOT know so it's too awkward. And he gets caught.

Are your some of your best friends (and even family) doing the same thing? Could this be why they aren't really helping you with your search, other than to be vaguely encouraging?

If they don't know what you really do, and what you do well, and who you need to connect with so that you can get to the next step in your career, then how can they help you?

They probably know your dreams and hopes. Now's the time to get more concrete and more detailed. So show them your resume, your LinkedIn profile, and tell them your career success stories. Tell them who -- by title and function -- you'd like to talk with so you can make great connections at your target companies.

So as you network, don't overlook the very people who are closest to you. They're your biggest cheerleaders! Help them help you.

____________________________

What is your job search strategy? It's unique for each person and determines your whole direction -- and often, your job search success. Contact Joanne Meehl for more about your search.

Posted by Joanne Meehl | in career change, job search strategy, Networking, resumes, | No Comments »

Are You A Job Search Dabbler?

June 3rd, 2011 @ 04:06pm

The caller wanted to know about my next networking group meeting. It draws about 50 people each meeting. He said, "I heard about it and think I should go. I have been looking for a job since I was laid off a year ago. My unemployment will run out in two weeks, so I figured I should step it up a little."

"Step it up a little"?!

Out of work for a year and about to run out of unemployment and NOW he thinks, "I'd better step it up a little"?

This is not someone who has been shielded in some way from the reality of the job market. Yet he says something like this. I quickly directed him to the group's web site for more information because I really wanted to say, "WHERE have you been?!"

This is the kind of person who will end up being interviewed by a news show reporting on long job searches. He will say "I"ve tried everything, I even applied at Home Depot, and nothing. It's really tough out there."

Yes it's tough out there. But there are people who are making it tougher for themselves with dabbler behavior like this. They hear from everyone how you have to network, but they ignore the advice. For a year. They hear about free job search workshops and webinars, but they ignore them, thinking that sitting at their computer is what works or having "recruiters work for me" will work. Maybe denial has kept them from hearing and doing what they really need to do.

The more effective job search activity you do -- and the earlier you do this effective activity in your search -- the shorter the search. That is a truism I've consistently seen for more than 20 years, and especially true since the end of 2008, when the bottom fell out of everything.

In fact, your activity level should be so intense that 1) you need to keep a database of all your contacts because you are making new ones every day, 2) you need a calendar that lets you detail your back-to-back activities, and 3) it will feel like a vacation when you start your new job!

Anything less is dabbling in a job search. Dabbling means a few intense days this week, a couple next week, none the week after, several the week after that. On, off, yes, no. Sometimes this candidate is "busy" with worthwhile activities not related to search, but still thinks he's in job search. He will be looking for months and months longer, complaining that no one wants him, or that they all think he's too old, and so on.

Contrast that with the candidate who does 8-10 networking meetings a week making the connections that reveal the so-called hidden market to her. She unearths opportunities not found on any job board, opportunities that are much closer to her own career goals. She's doing an effective 25 or more hours a week of search. And when she lands, it's not due to luck. It's due to her making her luck.

So don't be a job search dabbler if you want your search to end quickly. Ask yourself each day: What can I do today that will get me closer to my new job?

Then do it.

____________________________________

Having trouble organizing your job search activity and making yours an effective search? Contact Joanne for help.

 

 

 

Posted by Joanne Meehl | in Job Search, job search strategy, Networking, | No Comments »

Cheating the Heartless Job Search

June 16th, 2011 @ 04:06pm

I have fantastic helpers at Face2Face, my Minneapolis-based job search networking group for the public. These helpers do a majority of the setup, the take-down, and even keep their ears open for feedback I don't hear, not to mention offering some great ideas that we've put into place. And the helpers are in job search themselves.

One of these is Kathy, who earlier this week lost her golden retriever to cancer. This, on top of the fact that Kathy's mother is ill and Kathy traveled to take time out of her job search to care for her. And between Kathy's gigs doing contract work, she is in job search. Today I could see that she was preoccupied and trying her best to be the usually cheerful greeter that she always is. I could tell it was tough.

The networking cluster part of our program began so I took over at the registration table so that Kathy could participate. It was then that a client and member of the group, Carol, came in, late from another meeting. She looked harried. "I guess I'm preoccupied with the news that we just learned that our golden retriever has cancer and has only 2-3 months to live. We are devastated." I was stunned by the similarity to Kathy's situation so I told her about it. "You may want to talk with one another", I offered, and she said she would, gladly.

Job search is an unforgiving time and it seems that only bad things happen. Another group member had his bank account hacked and had to notify every vendor and every account of his new account number, etc. Some payments then bounced, causing more aggravation. This took him about three days, full-time, to straighten out, time that would be far better spent on his job search.

Then there are the new tires you have to get, or the house A/C system quits, or a storm takes off your roof and your insurance deductible is so big that a repair decimates your savings. It always seems to happen only during your job search, adding insult to injury.

But if the job search were a person, s/he would say, "So? You want me to put life on hold for you? I don't think so."

You can't put everything on hold, so you forge on, taking all the interviews you can, despite your heart aching about your dog and will you be there if she dies today, or wondering how you're going to pay for those tires, and is your child's fever getting so high that you'll need to take her to the doctor. Smile, shake hands, make it happen.

The job search is heartless that way. It's very "me first". It is a demanding master: Let up for a week on your networking, and you'll have two to three weeks of other numbers lower than they need to be. Become preoccupied with your sick mother or dying dog, and your interviews suffer. So you force yourself to buck up. Because unless you take care of your search, you'll have an even longer one.

I told Kathy about Carol and the two met, hugging instead of shaking hands. For the next several minutes, they were inseparable, helping each other get through a tough time.

Later, Carol told me "I have to believe I was meant to have this time off to be with my sweet dog...".

So sometimes you can cheat the heartless job search out of its cruelty. Meaning, it can bring together people in positive ways you don't count on, helping one another in ways you never expected. It's like the storm that wrecks part of a city, but which prompts the outpouring of volunteers: You see how the goodness of people can overcome anything.

Even a cruel job search.

Posted by Joanne Meehl | in Job Search, Networking, The job search roller coaster, | No Comments »

Do Hours = Effectiveness?

June 17th, 2011 @ 09:06pm

This week I saw a job hunt group email discussion about the best amount of time to spend on a search each week.

One person wrote this:

"I might spend 2 hours on a busy day. Most of that checking job boards/emails. I haven't had much traction with informal interviews or researching target companies."

He was joking, right? Unfortunately, no. His search will last a long, long time because in this still-volatile job market, it's ineffective. Here, ineffective means too one-dimensional, too brief, too PC-dependent.

Another person responded that she uses 50 hours a week to search, and listed a wide variety of activities, much better than the one-dimensional search of the first respondent. She listed networking groups for those between jobs and many online activities, and "some" networking. That's getting there, but those are way too many hours and can lead to burnout. If she shifts many of the online hours to in-person networking with employed people in his field, she'll be exposed to far more possibilities than she is now.

My answer is to do 25 effective hours a week. "Effective" means having a variety of approaches that are more heavily weighted toward being with live people than on the computer.

Why? Because it's what's working. Since 2009, when hiring began again after a devastating 2008, right through to this week, the people I'm seeing landing great, new jobs, are doing it by connecting with other people, live.

What does your search look like?

_____________________________________________________

Need to know better how to connect with those who can help you in your search? Then go here.

Posted by Joanne Meehl | in Job Search, job search strategy, Networking, resumes, The job search roller coaster, | No Comments »

Don't Wait for the Job Postings Tidal Wave -- or You'll Miss Getting a Job

July 29th, 2011 @ 07:07pm

From time to time hiring warms up and candidates get hopeful that finally, things are "back to normal". People around them are landing, and they see more jobs posted. Finally, the tidal wave of openings is coming back! Or is it?

All indications are that just as 2008 changed the economy for the last 2-3 years, it will have changed it *permanently*.

And that means that job seekers will not see any big wave of openings like there used to be. Yes, there are rare exceptions in certain locations and certain markets. But generally speaking, there will be no big rising tide that will lift all job search boats automatically.

Think about why: Today, companies are much more savvy about finding candidates in other ways, mostly by depending on current employees to find them. They are also attracting future employees through social media and inbound marketing. Their own screening systems are getting more and more sophisticated.

Yes, this month I've seen more job postings AND more job landings in my contact world than since the end of 2008. But 95% of those who've landed -- yes, a full 95% of them -- have come through networking, not by answering job postings and waiting for a response.

And just this week, Delta Airlines announced a workforce reduction of 2,000...and Boston Scientific announced cuts of 1,400 jobs. Despite there being some more postings lately, the cuts continue, unfortunately. One step forward, one back.

Lesson? Those who are looking must network: It's how people are landing jobs. If they continue to wait instead at their computer for the mythical wave of openings, they'll likely miss getting a job anytime soon. I've seen executives make this mistake as much as individual contributors.

So there's good news: With networking, you have more control over your search than you've ever had before.

So take control. Don't wait for waves that aren't coming.

____________________________________

Stuck in your search and not sure how to break free? Contact Joanne Meehl.

Posted by Joanne Meehl | in Job Search, job search strategy, Networking, resumes, The job search roller coaster, Your time, | No Comments »

THE Biggest Mistake You Can Make on LinkedIn

September 6th, 2011 @ 09:09am

So often people ask me to "Take a look at my LinkedIn profile", and then request feedback.

I've done this so much now I can almost predict what I'll see, because so many people do the same thing:

- Their headline -- that line right after their name -- will have either their exact current title and company name, or it will say something like "in transition". (It should be your title. You may have been laid off, but they didn't take away your profession.)

- Their Summary will be a paltry 4-5 lines. (You have up to 2,000 characters, so use 'em. Just keep each section very short.)

- The Specialties section will have some keywords but will need more. (It's all about keywords. Content, not "pretty".)

- They will not use any of the apps LinkedIn offers, like your reading list courtesy of Amazon, or WordPress, or Twitter. (LinkedIn loves it when you use an app or two or more, and rewards you by finding you more readily in searches.)

- And jobs back to the 1980s will be listed, with lots of detail but too few accomplishments or keywords. (Just focus on the last 10 years. Too much has changed with your older jobs. Recruiters want to know what you've done lately.)

- The Interests section will be all personal. (Minimize the personal, accent work interests, so that you repeat keywords.)

- There will be a handful of groups, most of them "job search"-related. (Choose a majority of professional groups, with only a few job-search groups. This shows career orientation, not "I'm in job search.")

- And they'll have no recommendations and maybe 50 connections. (Shoot for at least 5 recommendations: That's what people want to read about you. Add connections: your network grows geometrically instead of "just" by, say, 10 or 25.)

In other words, too many are making the biggest mistake you can make on LinkedIn: not using it to its capacity.

And therefore, they are not being "seen" online.

Every day now, clients are landing interviews because they've been "found" on LinkedIn.

Make the changes suggested above, and you'll be on your way to getting noticed -- and interviewed -- as well.

LinkedIn is a great tool. Now use it to its maximum potential!

________________________________________

Having trouble doing your LinkedIn profile, especially the Summary? Not getting any hits on LinkedIn? Contact Joanne for help.

Posted by Joanne Meehl | in Job Search, LinkedIn, LinkedIn for job search, Networking, Social media in job search, | 1 Comment »

Conquer those Monday morning job search blues

September 25th, 2011 @ 10:09pm

Whether you're IN a job or between jobs, Monday mornings during job search can be tough.

You're in a job and can't wait to find a new one. So Monday mornings are a reminder you're still stuck where you are.

You could be a new grad who's overwhelmed and doesn't know where to start, and each Monday means you're wondering where to begin.

Or you're between jobs and Monday mornings remind you that there is no office to go to. Especially if you're a manager or executive, your energy has nowhere to land for the day. The sense of loss is profound and can be powerfully dispiriting.

This is Monday Morning Syndrome. Or the Monday Morning Job Search Blues.

How to beat the blues? Here are a few ideas.

- Get out of the house! Getting out of your house or apartment, and being at the library or local cafe, will reset your energy. Bring your laptop or tablet and make a list of target contacts for the next week or two, or do research on companies, for example.

- Schedule networking meetings for that time slot. Make good use of Monday morning; don't use it to start planning your week, something you should have done last week. You'll have that to look forward to instead of an empty, lonely morning.

- Meet with a job search "buddy" at a coffee shop, each with your own set of goals set from the week before. See how you each did with your own goals, and how you rewarded yourselves for meeting your goals.

- On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, send invitations to contacts to do networking meetings this week. As a client of mine, Jim, says, "The replies will come in on Monday, making your email that morning full of replies, and many will be 'yes'. It's great!"

- For those IN jobs who are always struggling with inadequate time for their search, working with a job search coach can keep you on track will give you a sense of "I'm doing something for myself and my search", instead of you having yet another week slip by.

What about YOUR ideas?

_______________________________

Shake the blues: talk with Joanne about how you can manage your search so that YOU are in charge, not your emotions. Contact her today at www.TheJobSearchQueen.com.

Posted by Joanne Meehl | in Career coaching, Change, Job Search, job search strategy, Networking, The job search roller coaster, Your time, | 2 Comments »

Be Proactive Pete, Not Last-Minute Lucy

November 25th, 2011 @ 11:11am

A handful of times in the last couple of weeks, I've heard from people who have interviews they need to prepare for. Their interviews are in days, and the people asking for help are panicked. They say, "I haven't interviewed for 5 years", or 15 years, or "ever".

First, let me say it's great that candidates are getting more interviews. Maybe the slow-hiring logjam is shifting a bit more.

But back to those calls. Are these candidates thinking, "I'll get prepared only when I have to"? That just does not make sense. Or, "When I get an interview on my schedule, then I'll begin to think about it"? Again, I don't get it.

In one case, the deadline was so short I simply didn't have available time for the candidate.

These calls make me want to say, People! If you need to practice your interview skills, I'm happy to help -- but do it WAY BEFORE you really need it.

Why?

Whatever the reason for their delay, these anxious candidates are now up against a deadline. So they do not have time to get really ready by talking with people who work there, or connecting with those who know a lot about the company, or learning about the culture. They just don't have enough time to do this really important stuff before the interview. Which compounds their panic.

Instead, they are going to be rushing to learn or review the basics that they should have taken care of a long time ago, and then which would be easy to "brush up on" days before an interview.

So don't cheat yourself: do a prep session with someone now, before you "have to", and you'll be so much more competitive. And much more likely to get a second interview.

___________________

*My one-on-one Intensive Interview Prep is 1-1/2 to 2 hours, either in my office or via Skype. You'll be taped as you answer typical tough questions. We then play back the video and discuss it, and repeat parts as necessary. We also talk about interview dynamics, interview psychology and employer expectations, so that you know the finer points of the interview. Almost everyone who does "interview prep" with me tells me later that my practice session is way harder than the actual interview, so they felt more confident and came across as prepared. Contact me for fees and available times. I book at least one week out.

Posted by Joanne Meehl | in career change, career shift, interviews, Job Search, job search strategy, Networking, Your time, | No Comments »