Our experts are not selling anything – this evening is about sharing job search best practices, and networking.

Seating is limited and pre-registration is required. To reserve your space, send an email to Lauren at Lauren@ResuMAYDAY.com. For more information, please contact Amor Montes de Oca at Amor@ArteYVidaChicago.com or 773-209-8268.

ResuMAYDAY’s Tips to Get Ahead During an Extended Job Search:
Use this time to develop your skills and expand credentials. This could be the perfect opportunity to earn an industry certification, become proficient in new technology, build on transitional/transferable skills or pursue other continuing education opportunities that were previously shelved when you were employed. Why is this important? An interview question that you should anticipate is, “During your employment gap, what did you do besides look for a job?” You need to be one of the candidates – or the only one – who has a clear and intelligent answer for this question. Nic Bruns, of Global Recruiters Network backs me up on this. He says, “It is not enough for a candidate to say, “I am unemployed and I have been looking for a job the last 12 months.” This is a weak statement that will get you excluded from many opportunities.” Nic recommends that candidates spend their unemployment tenure becoming a consultant – a real one – involving real work, and real clients. As a matter of fact, Nic says that job seekers can promote themselves as a consultant to potential employers. This is a great way to keep your skills up to date, and get your foot in the door in a way that may lead to permanent employment. The employer benefits in this scenario because they get an industry expert on their team without the long-term commitments of hiring an employee. Once you’re in, it’s your job to prove your long-term worth.
Luisa Buehler of The Hire Solution (and popular mystery/suspense author!) tags on to this by recommending that you use this time to give back to your community with volunteer positions that enable you to help others who are less fortunate. Not only will you be helping someone in need, but it will remind you of the abundance in your life. Luisa says, “This change in personality from acts of selflessness could be what attracts an employer”. Yes indeed!

Use this time to create a plan. Job seekers should use this time to research and formulate strategies on how they will be most effective in their next position. What are the steps and procedures that are within your reach of influence (in your position and at your level of competence)? Keep on top of industry movements and trends. This will prepare you for interview questions such as, “If we were to hire you, what would you do internally to protect us from another recession?”
This is also the right time to assess whether or not the plan you already have in place needs to be revised. Says Julie Roth of Blue Mark Partners, “The long-term unemployed may have excuses for remaining on the market. For example, those who are in a dying function/industry find it hard to find a new position unless they re-craft themselves. In this case it is IMPERATIVE the job seeker finds a new career path. Once the job seeker does this they should CONNECT THE DOTS to the reader of the resume or the communication to the company/recruiter how all the previous years of experiences and skills are valuable for this new role. On the other hand, someone in a sales function has clearly not done a good job of marketing themselves if they maintain their status of unemployment. Good sales people are always in demand yet they must be able to demonstrate they met/exceeded sales quotas, brought in new accounts, grew a territory, increased sales/profit margins.” Julie raises a good point and in my 10+ years of working with job seekers, I find that salespeople are the ones who usually have the hardest time selling themselves to potential employers. But Jody Schwartz of MS Recruiting Services is quick to point out that more than ever before, employers are looking to get two or more employees…for the price of one! She states that her clients (employers) are seeking candidates with multiple skill sets, such as an Underwriter who can also handle sales or customer service situations. “This is happening more and more with many of my clients. They are combining positions and this is NOT unusual.” This just affirms the need to research what employers are looking for, and then become that person. Those who adapt to this make themselves two or three times more marketable than their peers, so I’m grateful that Jody shared this with me.

Identify your USP (Unique Selling Proposition). The third and final point I want to make is that as a job seeker, you must be able to identify what makes you unique from all other candidates competing for the same jobs. It’s not enough to say “I’m hard working, I’m dedicated, I’m detail-oriented and I finish projects on time and under budget”. None of those words mean anything! Instead, pull out those tangible credentials that separate YOU from the rest of the pack. A good way to do this is to complete the following sentence: I feel that I excel above my peers and colleagues at…” Remember, employers don’t just hire employees, they hire problem solvers.

I hope these tips and the expertise of my ace recruiters are helpful for anyone struggling with a job search – no matter how long it lasts. I see momentum in the market and I truly feel that 2011 may be the turnaround that we’re all seeking. If you have questions or comments, please share them! And in the meantime, let’s ring in 2011 with wishes for happiness, peace and prosperity for all.

Recruiter Contacts:
Nic Bruns of GRN Wheaton, www.GRNWheaton.com
Luisa Buehler of The Hire Solution Employment Corp, www.TheHireSolution.net
Julie Roth of Blue Mark Partners, www.BlueMarkPartners.com
Jody Schwartz of MS Recruiting Services, www.MSRecruitingServicesltd.com

This weekend, I’m offering a freebie report, “Insider Tips To Writing a Killer Resume”. You can get this sent to you by signing up for my newsletter on the home page! (This starts on Saturday, just to be fair to WGN.)

If you want to hear the re-broadcast of December’s show, it’s posted in a previous blog posting.

If you heard the 3/14 show, I’d love your feedback on my advice and if you didn’t have a chance to ask your questions, please do so here!

I’m a member of a very popular online business group through Yahoo called BNC (Business Network Chicago) and just saw an excellent question from another member that I had to answer. Below, you’ll find the question and my response. Would you have given more/different advice to Jon?

To all,

I have recently gone through a couple of interviews and I am in the running with one other person now for this position.  Both of the interviewers agreed that I am technically able to perform the work and wear more than one hat, but the lady that interviewed me the second round referred to me as being “aloof”.  I know what the word means, but I have never, in my life, heard anyone regard me as such.  I have never heard it in the context of an interview.  I was informed of this yesterday by the ”headhunter” on the feedback she received.  Unfortunately, I am still fuming about this. I can not get it out of my head as I prepare to meet one of the presidents sometime this week.  I would agree that I can sometimes be seen as someone who is synonymous with that word, but the delivery and use of the word aloof bothers me more in this context.

I would love to hear a response from anyone and everyone on what mental image they see and/or what words they think of when they hear someone regarded as being aloof.

Your participation would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Jon

Well…nothing positive comes to mind when I hear the word ‘aloof’, so let’s do some damage control! Here’s what I wrote to Jon:

Hi Jon,

I would follow up with this woman ASAP in an email with the following (insert accurate information, since I don’t know the industry or position you’re pursuing…)

Dear Ms. Smith,

I wanted to very sincerely thank you and your colleagues for the opportunity to interview for the management position at your Chicago branch. This is exactly the type of position I have been working towards my entire career; I couldn’t be more excited at the prospect of joining your team.

One thing from our discussion that keeps coming back to me is the upcoming marketing project that you mentioned. I had a few more thoughts about other strategies that could be implemented very successfully/easily/inexpensively. These include web 2.0 tools such as a Facebook site or group created for your company’s loyal clients and even daily Twitter postings (offering discounts, contests and other immediate events that create instant chatter). These are just a few things that come to mind…you can see that my brain is working overtime, which suits me just fine!

I truly hope to have made it to the next round in your recruiting process and await your call.

Very cordially,

Jon Candidate

There’s nothing aloof in this response to the interviewer. Best of luck to you, Jon! I hope we hear good news from you very soon.

1) If I were hired and able to prove my worth, what would be the typical career path of someone in my position?

2) How does your company measure employee performance and how often is this done?

3) In your opinion, what is the best part of this job?

4) How long have you worked for this company?

5) When do you think you will be making a hiring decision? (This could determine whether you send an email thank you or a handwritten note.)

6) (For salespeople) Where will I get my leads? (You want to spend your time in sales presentations, not trying to generate your next prospect.)

7) May I accompany you on a sales call?

May I have a tour of the office?

9) What problem do you hope to solve by filling this position: higher profits, increased sales, closing an out-of-reach client, team building, training in new procedures/technology? (At this point, your task is to show how you can help the company achieve that goal. Show that you can do the job. Be prepared to highlight the steps that you would take to solve the employer’s problem and to reach the employer’s goal. Show the manager how you think and how you work. Show how the company will profit from hiring you. “Be ready to tackle the issue of profitability: How is your way of doing this work going to reduce costs or increase revenues? Put a number on it. The number doesn’t have to be right, but you should be prepared to defend it intelligently.)

10) What advice would you offer to the person who is hired for this position?

And the very last question you should ALWAYS ask is…

11) I am very interested in this position. Is there any other information I can provide to you to assure you that I’m the best candidate?

What do you think about this list? Can you see yourself asking these in your next interview? Would you like to add any? Comment away, the floor is yours!