Emotional Mindset for Job Seekers

I'm finding more and more that one of the biggest hurdles for job seekers involved in a prolonged search is finding new ways to stay motivated, optimistic and positive. No news there, right?

There is an interesting article in this Sunday's New York Times where the reporter checked in with job hunters he had interviewed a year ago. Many are still searching. The difference in their emotional mindset was glaring. Job hunters need to stay motivated, and as we know, this is easier said than done!

The glaring difference a year made was the emotional mindset of the interviewees. This is an area we don't address as much as we do the mechanics of the search  process.

In the year that past since last interviewed, these folks still have their skills, their education and their professionalism. And, they probably know even more about the ins and outs of the process. What has changed? The emotional mindset. The positivity, optimism and motivation we all need in our various pursuits.

Find ways to isolate the things in life that motivate and move you. Make sure you spend time on those. Schedule them in to your day. You deserve it.

What are some of the ways you keep going?

Be good to yourself.

Mark New

The Job Fair Fairy

I’m struck by the reports I have seen on the news about the volume of the unemployed workers attending job fairs. As a career recruiter, with the exception of college job fairs for new grads, my experience with job fairs has been mixed at best. And, that was during better economic times with a less severe unemployment picture.

To get a job through a job fair these days, you literally need a job fairy or perhaps an angel looking out for you such as the one assigned to Jimmy Stewart in “It’s a Wonderful Life.” The volume of candidates is too great, the process too rushed and the likelihood of making a lasting impression on the overwhelmed recruiters too unlikely. This is especially true if you may not be a traditional fit for a particular job (a “square-peg-in-a-round-hole” scenario).

I think the best positive outcome in attending a job fair is you will feel as if you have taken a tangible, positive step in your job search, made contact with companies that have alluded you, and met other people in the same boat with whom to commiserate. But actually landing a job? You may want to take the company brochures you pick up at the fair, put it under your pillow before going to bed, and hope the Job Fair Fairy leaves an offer letter for you when you awake.

I hate to sound so cynical, but I have your best interest at heart. Go to the job fairs if it makes you feel productive, but level set your expectations. Trust me, I am only interested in your well-being.

A better use of your time? Take the list of companies planning to attend the job fair, go to LinkedIn or other social media sites and start networking.

Keep on Careering Today and Everyday!

Mark

Great Impressions

We all know about the importance of a positive initial encounter. A first impression is a lasting impression. It’s critically important you think about how to make a positive first contact before a job interview. You may not think you can do much to insure a great first impression, and that is partially true, but some variables are within your control.

As a career recruiter, I have interviewed thousands of candidates. Unfortunately, unlike other encounters, there are no job interview “do-overs.” You may be able to recover from a shaky first impression with someone you wish to date, a potential customer, or a new friend. But an interview is so dependent on rapport, fit and chemistry that a deadly first impression is — well, deadly. After all, employees generally spend as much time together during their waking hours as they do with their families during the week. And, in this tight job market, employers are extraordinarily cautious about making a job offer to a candidate.

Making Great Impressions
So, in Part I of “Great Impressions,” I’m going to give you a “laundry list” of hints, tips and “watch-outs.” Some may seem obvious, but trust me I’ve seen applicants even in the upper ranks of management make avoidable mistakes. And, although some of this may seem a bit much to remember in the moment, in these difficult times you can leave nothing to chance. So, here goes:

• Even if you are told when scheduling the interview that it is a “business casual” environment, it is not so for the interviewee. Dress up—you can never really over-dress, but you can easily under-dress for the occasion. Be certain your hair, make-up and grooming are impeccable. In most situations it is best to dress conservatively, particularly as you don’t want your outfit or jewelry to be distracting. Your choices are a reflection on you.

• Get to the interview 20 minutes early. Mapquest the directions or get them off the company website. Allow plenty of time for potential traffic or late mass transit. If you are wearing a jacket, hang it up while you are driving so it is wrinkle-free when you arrive at your destination.

• Have a comb or brush and breath mints available for last minute grooming in your car. After you announce yourself to the receptionist, ask to use the lavatory and check your appearance one last time to be certain you are well “put together.” Ask the receptionist if there is a coat closet so you do not have to carry around an overcoat. Travel light inside of the building. A leather portfolio with extra copies of your resume and two pens is best, but an attache case and/or presentation portfolio works, too.

• Since you are early and will no doubt spend time in the lobby, pay particular attention to the environment: employee interaction, employee body language, style and condition of facility, etc. You don’t need to be a super sleuth, but you’d be surprised about the clues you can pick up.

• If you are waiting for an extended period of time, stay calm. Take a few deep breaths. Often the longer you wait, the more anxious you may become. Don’t start reading the magazines or newspaper in the lobby. It will distract you from focusing and will be awkward when you have to stand up when the interviewer finally approaches. Better to go over your notes, resume and pithy questions. A mentor once told me to stand vs. sit for five minutes before your interview as you will seem more energetic and in control. I don’t know if I agree, but I pass it along for consideration.

• When the interviewer appears, smile, offer a firm handshake, make good eye contact, and follow her lead in walking to the interview room. Walk side-by-side, not in front nor in back of the interviewer. Seem to hang on to every word the interviewer says—never have you heard such “pearls of wisdom.” Compliment the person on the facility (unless it is a total dump!) or some other nicety as long as it seems sincere and befitting of someone with a great positive outlook. Accept an offer of water, but not coffee or tea. Spillage is a catastrophe (I’ve experienced this) and if nervous, your heart could start racing from caffeine.

• When you get into the interview room, ask the interviewer where she would like you to sit – you’re the visitor. Once seated, sit up straight, legs together or crossed but not apart, unbutton your jacket, slightly pull the bottom back part of your jacket down for maximum fit and wait for the interviewer to take the lead.

• Be aware of your overall tone as much as you can—voice modulation, body language, expression, enthusiasm.

Now, you’ve done a great deal of what you can to take control of making a good first impression. In Part II of “Great Impressions” we’ll focus on how to best conclude the interview to help create a positive lasting impression.

You may feel such tips are a bit much to pay attention to on top of answering the questions and “being authentic,” but believe me when I tell you, many times it is very difficult to recover if things don’t start off well. There are many variables outside of your control, but some things are very much up to you.

Best of luck… And, Careering Today and Everyday

Mark N. New

Going Up: The Elevator Speech

Over the years, I've probably heard more “elevators” than Mr. Otis. Here are my thoughts on elevator speeches from the perspective of a career recruiter and coach. Of course, you are free to agree or disagree and do as you see fit.

For those of you who may not be familiar with the term, an “elevator speech” is a short, rehearsed, personal “commercial” a job seeker develops for use during a brief encounter with a prospective contact. The term comes from the hypothetical scenario of having 45-60 seconds with someone in an elevator. In such a situation, what would you say to best present what you can do to bring value to an organization?

Going Up
Here are three considerations when developing or revising your elevator speech:

• Don’t be vague: Some outplacement firms suggest your elevator speech be fairly general and subjective highlighting general skills rather than honing in on functional expertise. This leaves something to be desired. For example, I strike up a conversation with a person in an elevator who learns I am a recruiter. He is looking for a job. I ask him what he is looking for and what he does. He says something to the effect: "I am a project manager who is a strategic business partner with several years of experience in leadership roles who brings organization, creativity and innovative ideas to teams I lead to complete major projects on time, within budget…." As a recruiter I immediately have 3-4 questions, but not enough time to ask them before the elevator door opens: What is your field of expertise (and perhaps industry affiliations)? Marketing, Engineering, R&D, Finance, etc; Pharma, Manufacturing, Financial Services? It all sounds good, but says who? Have you received this feedback, or is mostly your own perception? And what are you looking for? Without some hint of an answer to these questions incorporated into your elevator speech, the opportunity may be wasted if you do not have the luxury of more time with the contact. If you are looking for a position in a specific functional area or industry, include it in your elevator speech.

• Prepare a follow-up: In the event you are afforded more time than an elevator ride provides, try to anticipate follow-up questions the person may have for you after you deliver your elevator speech. Then, develop concise answers to those questions, write them down, rehearse on a tape recorder, and fine-tune them. There is nothing worse than someone who delivers a polished elevator speech and then, when asked follow up questions, flounders to form responses not nearly as crisp as the speech.

• Display confidence: Be certain you can deliver your elevator speech with confidence and conviction. You may have been coached on what to say, but only you know if you can pull it off. Most of us do not like to “toot our own horn,” but to a certain extent the job search process requires it. Just be certain you feel good about it, and then stretch a little out of your comfort zone. You don’t want to come across as one wearing a great suit with a bad fit.

Finally, there is a lot of great advice and resources available and I encourage you to seek the best counsel possible. In the end, you will have to decide what works best for you. Set a stretch goal for yourself in the event some of what you deem a “good fit” is limited by your comfort zone. Now, get prepared to take that elevator ride up to the executive suite! It can be a bumpy ride but will be exhilarating once you get there…

Let us know what you think. And, Keep Careering Today and Everyday.

Mark

P.S. If you do not have a business card, you should. You can have them printed for free at www.vistaprint.com. I suggest you use the front of the card for your contact information and on the back add three bullets capturing the highlights of your elevator speech. Distribute them liberally and collect them from others.

Ageism in the Workplace

Does your age impact your ability to land a job? I’ve read several articles on the topic. Journalists report that “ageism” is a major influence in getting a job. As a career recruiter who has run my own recruiting firm and national staffing functions for corporations, I implore you not to get too hung up on age. There are advantages and disadvantages for both early, mid and late career. But don’t let age deter you from applying for a job.

Contemporary wisdom says that younger workers are favored by employers because they are more technology literate, technology adaptable, energetic and computer savvy than their older counterparts. Or that older workers are favored by employers because they have more work experience, a stronger work ethic, a better network of contacts and more references. Should you be aware of these potential preconceptions? Yes and no. Should you be dissuaded from pursuing an opening due to potential prejudices? NO and absolutely NO!

You can’t let any of this hold you back from going after what you want. Even if you ultimately aren’t selected for the job, don’t assume it has anything to do with age. Most of the time, it does not. Don’t use age as an excuse to shy away from applying for a job or in seeking insight as to why you were not selected. Yes, there are some industries that are more youth-focused than others, but not as many as you may think. Most of the time, job offers and rejections are not due to age.

Myth Busters
Here’s an example to help debunk the myth: Did you know studies show that younger workers take more sick days than older workers? Why? Younger workers are balancing work with an active social life which often includes “sowing their oats” at night or “playing hookey” to hit the beach on a nice day. Older workers generally take fewer sick days because they have gotten a lot of these activities out of their systems long ago, their lives are generally more focused around their jobs and they may have more present and future financial commitments on their minds with fewer years left in the workforce.

Whatever your age, you need to project an image of vitality, energy, focus and enthusiasm. These characteristics are not age specific. There are 25-year-olds that project these traits, and there are 25-year-olds that don't. And, there are 55-year-olds that carry themselves as youthful and relevant and 55-year-olds that don't. Be honest with yourself about how you come across. Ask for feedback from those closest to you. Reflect on what you can do to enhance qualities attractive to employers. Just one cautionary note: make subtle enhancements that make sense for your age and are not an obvious attempt to do so. If you aren’t your authentic self, people will see through that pretty quickly, too.

The bottom line: Focus on what is within your control, and that is, presenting the best you.

Keep Careering Today and Everyday.

Mark

Location! Location! Location!

In today’s tight job market, job seekers must consider every reasonable option available to them. Some options may be less desirable than others, or even unthinkable during better economic times. Now is the time to weigh every alternative and be as flexible and resilient as possible in order to land a job.

How about relocating to an area with a stronger job market than yours? This may be a particularly good option if you are in an area that is unlikely to experience an economic resurgence anytime soon. For example, if you are a laid-off autoworker living in Lansing or Flint, Michigan, you are going to have a much more difficult time than if you lived in an area with job growth. Even if you were to seek a lower paying job in your current location, chances are there will be lots of competition from others in your predicament.

It is obviously not easy to pick up and move to another place, to leave friends and family. And, being unemployed is when we often rely on the emotional support of family, friends and community. But one way to look at it is that it does not have to be permanent, and if the job situation improves in your original locale, or you develop a skill or trade that is marketable back home, you can move back. Who knows, you may come to like your new area and the fresh start it provides to you.

Where to Go?
There are plenty of resources offering statistics on job growth regions. The March 9th Fortune magazine contained an article highlighting the Manpower, Inc., quarterly report on the current best and worst locations for hiring. In addition, a recent CNN report listed the following areas as experiencing the most robust hiring: The Northwest states such as Washington for high technology related jobs, Southern states such as Florida and the Carolinas due to hiring in health care related jobs and the influx or retiring baby boomers who will require care, and the Washington, DC/Virginia area due to jobs being created in association with the new Administration’s policies and programs. Also, check the government website tracking jobs being created as a result of the new Stimulus Plan. Even if you do not have specific skills in the jobs you associate with high technology, government or health care, robust hiring spurs the local economy and as a result often creates other opportunities.

We are living in extraordinary times which for many of us will require short-term sacrifices for the long-term well-being for ourselves and our loved one. Relocating to a new area may be one of those sacrifices. As the late, great, acerbic comedian and former preacher Sam Kinison used to say: “If you are experiencing famine, move to where the food is.”

Please let us hear from you on this or other employment related issues. We would love to know what you think. All the best to you.

Keep Careering Today and Everyday!

Mark

Waiting to Exhale

In my coaching practice, I have counseled numerous clients on how to be the most productive with the time between jobs. The obvious answer is to approach a job search as your full-time job. However, I have found there are many considerations in deciding how best to use this time.

While you are “holding your breath” waiting for that phone call or e-mail for an interview or job offer, consider the following:

• Use a calendar to schedule your days in blocks of time. You probably maintained a calendar at your last job, so continue the habit. Through it, you will develop a structure and plan for the days or weeks ahead. And that, in turn, can help keep your spirits up and help you stay productive.
• While you should consider your job search as your full-time job, in reality you cannot spend 8-10 hour stretches each day on your search. Schedule blocks of time to include other activities (see below) to refresh yourself and stay active.
• This is a great time to pursue a few activities that you have been meaning to but have not had the time or put off doing. Take time to exercise (even a short walk to start), take a yoga classes, join a local gym or YMCA to work out or swim, start meditating or join a group in your community to have “face time” with other people. These activities are an investment in yourself and re-creating balance that you may have sacrificed in the past.
• Often when we are engaged in a job search, there are many days when we do not feel we have made any progress in the “fruits of our labor.” One way to counter this feeling is to undertake a home project and schedule 1-2 hours each day to work on it. I had one client, a C-level executive involved in a protracted search, who spent a couple of hours each day and weekend time finishing his basement. Each day he could see physical progress and it helped him. Soon he had a new job and family room. If that is more than you wish to tackle, try a smaller project, plant a garden, build a shed, scrapbook family photos or whatever works for you.
  

While to some these suggestions may seem obvious, it never hurts to reinforce good ideas. More than one psychologist has suggested that the best therapy in conquering the “blues” is to keep busy and stay productive. The by-product of outside activities is when you speak with a networking contact, meet a recruiter or visit an employer, you will most likely be in a better frame of mind to maximize the impression you make.

When you are back in the workforce, and involved the daily grind, you can look back on this time as trying but productive. You may even miss this time between jobs a bit.

Please feel free to add your comments and suggestions. We would love to hear from you.

Keep Careering Today and Everyday.

Mark

You are What You Wear

I was watching the news one night last week and there was a segment about the current jobs crisis which included a live report from a local job fair. The reporter interviewed two middle-aged job seekers both lamenting the fact that they were having difficulty getting recruiters interested their candidacy.

As I watched the report, I immediately noticed one thing: the two job seekers, both articulate and seemingly experienced, competent women, were not dressed or groomed to place themselves in the best light with prospective employers. In fact, the contrast between the applicants and the local female reporter (also an attractive, middle-aged and smartly-dressed woman) was striking. As a career recruiter, I notice these things immediately, in both men and women, and it can be a “deal breaker,” particularly in this difficult job market. It’s not fair, but it is a reality.

Dress for Success
OK, so what is the best approach when considering what to wear to any type of job interview? How does one know what is appropriate and most flattering? Does it vary from company to company? Let’s briefly cover a few key points.

• When in doubt, keep it “conservative.” You can't go wrong wearing a dark suit with accessories to liven up your outfit. By this I mean a non-distracting blouse and jewelry for women; a contrasting but muted tie and crisp shirt for men.
  
• Beware the hair. Women and men should be certain to maintain a hair style that is age- and style-appropriate. For mature women, it means updating your style, not going for the style of your youth nor the style of today’s youth. For men, the same advice. And, for those gents who are “follicly-challenged” a neat, trim look is best. For both genders, consider your hair coloring. If you decide to alter your hair color, just be certain it has a natural look.
  
• The eyes have it. If you wear glasses, consider updating your frames.
  
• War paint. In the battle for a job, go easy on the makeup and scents.
  
• Into leather? Be certain shoes, belts, portfolios, attaché cases and other similar items are made of a good grain of leather.
  

These items may sound superficial, and you may ask what any of this has to do with your qualifications for a job. Well, our tendency as human beings is to form first impressions partially based on appearance. Given the competition for jobs and the current volume of potential candidates, recruiters generally have the luxury and necessity these days of filtering out otherwise qualified candidates for reasons other than basic qualifications. Don’t lose out on an opportunity for the wrong reasons. In these tough times, it is not as much a question of getting to “yes,” as it is avoiding “no.”

Look for future tips on where to get feedback, ideas and information to be certain you are “dressed for success.”

Please let me know what you think and let us know other ideas you have on this topic. Keep Careering Today and Everyday!

Mark