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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!
Spring is right around the corner, and Uncle Sam is lurking there, too. If you spent any time in 2014 searching for a job, I hope you kept track of money spent on that job search. Not many people know that you can deduct job search costs as miscellaneous expenses (if you itemize). It’s important to note that qualifying expenses can be written off even if you didn’t int
erview for, or were hired for a new job, as long as you were looking to stay in the same role or industry.
According to www.IRS.gov, Publication 529, these expenses can be deducted to the extent that your total miscellaneous expenses exceed 2% of your adjusted gross income. (Entry-level candidates…your job-hunting expenses incurred while looking for your first job don’t qualify.) Deductible costs include, but aren’t limited to:
• Transportation expenses incurred as part of the job search, including traveling to interviews. The current mileage reimbursement is $.56 cents a mile for driving your own car, plus parking and tolls.
• Food and lodging expenses if your search takes you away from home overnight.
• Cab/public transportation fares.
• Employment agency and career coaching fees (resume writing, interview coaching, etc.)
• Costs of printing resumes, business cards, handbills, postage.
• Advertising and networking (this would include membership fees to in-person networking groups and business associations, and online memberships such as a premium LinkedIn account.
Make sure to consult with your accountant on each of these items, and if you’ll be looking for a job in 2015, save those receipts!
Thanks to this recession, a lot of made-up and new words are creeping into our vocabulary. How many of us have taken a ‘staycation’ in the past two years? Are any of the women in your family considered to be a ‘frugalista’? And how about those ‘Obamanomics’? Today, I’d like to discuss an elite group of folks called ‘The 99’ers’. If you are a 99’er, you are an unemployed person who has exhausted all 5 tiers (99 weeks) of your unemployment benefits. It’s common for a job search in this employment market to take months, rather than weeks. Smart job seekers will spend this time doing more than just looking for a job, which is what we’re covering today. In recognition of these difficult times – and in hopes of creating positive job search strategies, I present to you my list of job search tips for those folks who are struggling with a long-term job search. To make this list as powerful as possible, I’ve enlisted the help of a few friends – some of the best and brightest recruiters throughout Chicagoland.
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
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