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I recently spoke with writer, Michele Vrouvas, about job interviews. We discussed insider tips and secrets, things that HR people look for in candidates and some of the ‘unwritten rules’. Our chat became the foundation of this article for Study.com, a site that provides high level learningtools for students and teachers~
I was recently asked by another career professional if there are any ‘trends’ that candidates should be aware of in this current employment market. After considering the question carefully, two things come to mind:
One trend that won’t be going away anytime soon is that recruiting and interviewing stages have become much more robust – and much more exhausting (for candidates). It’s expensive to bring on a new employee. Employers no longer have unlimited funds to correct a mistake. For this reason, candidates are sitting through more rounds of interviews and employers are taking extra measures to ensure the candidate will be a good fit. Some of these measures are taken before that candidate even comes in for the interview! Candidates can expect their social media accounts will be reviewed, references will be checked and more filters will be put in place. But the good news is that once you’ve been offered a job, you’ve earned bragging rights!
Another trend is that more employers now find their candidates through in-person and social networking. Employers aren’t publicly posting as many jobs like they used to (unless they are required to, by law). For the past few years it was alright if a candidate wasn’t on LinkedIn, or had a ‘skeletal’ LinkedIn profile. That’s no longer acceptable. Having a sub-par LinkedIn profile or a non-existent profile is now just as damaging as having a sub-par resume.
These are the two biggest trends in hiring that I believe are here for the long run.
If you have a job seeker in your life, consider giving that person a holiday gift that will boost their job search. The ResuMAYDAY team put their heads together and came up with ideas for great gifts that will work for any job seeker, from entry-level to executive:
1. Gift the services of a career coach or resume professional. While this may seem a bit self-promotional, the difference between a DIY resume and a professionally written resume can make all the difference in the world. Here’s a tip: offer to gift a specific amount, without choosing the company for your job seeker. Working with a resume writer or coach is a very personal choice and should be directed by the person who will use those services. Let the job seeker ‘interview’ a few service providers to make sure the one that ‘best fits’ is chosen and to ensure the job seeker is ready and motivated to use these services.
2. Make introductions to influential people. Invite your job seeker to a networking coffee or after-hours cocktail with hiring managers, human resource people or recruiters that are already in your network. Sharing your connections in such a personal way is a generous, low-cost, high-impact gift that not many people think of doing.
3. Pay the annual dues to an important business association or professional group. Memberships are crucial to connecting with industry experts and potential employers.
4. Pay for an enhanced LinkedIn membership for 3 or 6 months. A paid LinkedIn membership will give your job seeker more and easier access to recruiters and employers. Likewise, it ensures that their profile is easily accessible to recruiters and employers.
5. A good book never goes out of style. Every year, ‘What Color is Your Parachute?’ comes out with an updated print version and online supplement. Our clients find this one to be very helpful. Another good one is ‘StrengthsFinder 2.0′. It’s chock-full of great information. But these aren’t the only two out there. Take a look at career/job search books at your favorite bookseller and read the reviews. You’re sure to find something to help point your job seeker in the right direction, and these books don’t cost a lot of money.
6. Consider gifting something wearable, such as a power tie or pretty bracelet. This can be the perfect token to show your support, and boost your job seeker’s confidence in an interview.
7. Lastly, pick a gift that rewards their hard work. Finding a job IS a job, if you’re doing it right. Gift your job seeker with dinner and a movie, a manicure or something else that brings a bit of fun and relaxation to their schedule.
Here’s a news clip of Lauren Milligan, from ResuMAYDAY, DISCUSSING THESE IDEAS with Ray Cortopassi over at Fox 59 in Indianapolis. Is Ray on the Naughty or Nice list? Find out!
Back in December, I was a guest on Bill Moller’s show on WGN radio (720AM). I must have done something right, because he asked me to come back this Saturday. I’ll be answering resume and job-search questions from his listeners starting at 3:00 PM CST. If you have a specific question about your job search AND you just love hearing your voice on the radio, then you’re in luck! By the way, WGN streams their shows online, so you can also listen via computer at www.wgnradio.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!
This is a reprint of my article that appears in the Chicago edition of Examiner.com. To comment online, follow this link: http://www.examiner.com/x-2951-Chicago-Jobs-Examiner
The timing couldn’t be better! My inaugural ‘Chicago Careers’ column is launching within the first 100 days of the new presidency. Because my specialty is Career Advancement, I thought I would take a look at how this new administration will affect our battered job market. Right now, millions of Americans are worrying and wondering if the job market could get any worse. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the national unemployment rate is 7.2%. But here in Chicago…well, we’re overachievers. We measure in at a whopping 7.6%. So I turned to the Usual Suspects (a few of my business colleagues who are always eloquent and brilliant) and asked what they think the new Prez will do in regards to employment vs. unemployment.
Recruiting expert Dave Dudzinski shared with me that his concerns are primarily homegrown. He’s the point-of-contact for many major employers here in Illinois and has a firsthand view of their struggles. He points to government corruption in Illinois, rising taxes in Cook County and the inevitable increase in minimum wage as being three main reasons why companies are choosing to move out of state or are shutting down completely. On the optimistic side, he expects a strong bounce-back within two years. In the meantime, he says the current state of things makes us all work harder and smarter.
Financial advisor, Susan Ahlfeld of Ahlfeld and Associates is putting faith in the stimulus package. She believes it will create jobs and keep current jobs from disappearing. Working people spend money, which positively affects the GDP (Gross Domestic Product, or a measurement of income to expenditures, in very laymen’s terminology).
Brian Reinke, an expert in large-scale utility and telecomm programs is all about the green. By that, I mean energy initiatives. He’s keeping a close eye on how the new administration is poised to create many new jobs in field of energy and energy efficiency. With the expansion of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, he expects construction and real estate will experience tremendous growth, which will impact hundreds of vertical industries. Heat Engineering Company owner, Lyle Mikolajewski agrees with Brian. He states that nuclear programs in Japan, France and Great Britain are abundantly more efficient than what we have here, and hopes this will be a priority for the new administration.
So where do I stand on this? I’d like to see more government benefits going towards corporations who keep their jobs within the United States and better training for our workers in engineering and technology. Simply put, I’m not a fan of global outsourcing. It became very attractive about 15-20 years ago, and now we’re seeing the results – a huge backlash. Outsourcing has led to millions of jobs lost and a downturn of technology training (while other countries have far surpassed us). And hey – let’s not forget an overall breakdown in communications. About a year ago, I had to call my health insurance company and actually had to spell out my diagnosis, because the person on the other end was not able to understand my impenetrable midwestern accent. That was a fun day.
So speak up! I’d love to her more thoughts and insights on what to expect from the new administration, in terms of our employment market. Will it get worse before it gets better or are good times right around the corner? Time will tell…
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