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Make Networking Work for You in 2011

Are you are someone who says, “I HATE networking”? Why? Maybe you feel intimidated, are too shy, lack confidence, or do not know what to say.

In addition to getting someone you know to introduce you to someone you do not know, networking means you do the same for other people. As you network, keep in mind jobs for which other people are looking. You may be able to help some of them get a new job or career. They may return the favor in the future!

Whether you like to or not, networking is a crucial component in career success. We promise, the more networking you do, the easier it becomes! So get out there and start now! The sooner you start, the sooner you are able to do it with ease. Here we offer tips for taking the “work” out of networking!

Networking is Easy! Just Remember, “Own It”!

Objective: Set your objective. Meet (X) number of people in (X) amount of time (per day/week/month) and swap (X) number of business cards.
When/Where: Schedule informal meetings with them including an agenda (talking points). Prepare a “script” to make speaking via phone more comfortable.
Notify: Notify them of your goals, skills, experience and accomplishments.
Inquire: Ask for advice, information and contacts. Do not ask directly for a job!
Take Away: Obtain at least two more names from them that you can contact.

• Update your resume and have it ready to distribute! If you do not have them already, get business cards. Sign up for deal alerts on VistaPrint.com, wait for Vista Print to offer a free business card deal, and order them!

• Be clear about who you are and what you want.
○ If you are wishy-washy when people ask what kind of job you are looking for, it only makes it harder for them to help you.
○ Never respond with, “I’ll do any job!” It not only makes you look desperate, but unsure about your career.
○ If your job preferences vary between industries, that is OK.
○ Determine if there is anything you are willing to compromise. (Perhaps, relocation?)

• Make sure your online marketing tools (e.g., Facebook or MySpace) are cleaned up and employer-ready. You do not want a potential employer to see something on your social networking sites that might land you in trouble.

• First tell the people closest in your life that you need a job. You gain the confidence to approach others later. Inform parents, siblings, parent’s friends, professors, career services at your college, past colleagues and bosses. Set up a face-to-face meeting to show that you are taking your networking seriously. This also helps them remember to mention you when they encounter a prospective employer.

Some Spots Online Where People Are Networking...And You Should Too

Always be networking! Network online and search for networks you are familiar with, depending on your profession. Use the following sites for researching and networking with business professionals, including companies and their employees:

• Ecademy
• Facebook
• iKarma
• Jigsaw
• LinkedIn
• MySpace
• NetworkingForProfessionals.com
• Ryze
• Spoke
• Twitter
• Xing
• Ziggs
• ZoomInfo

Join groups on Facebook, Yahoo Groups and LinkedIn and go onto Meetup.com, Eventful.com, and EventBrite.com to find groups related to your profession and network with those people. Tweet about the networking events on Twitter to get the word out there for others!

Experiencing Multiple Layoffs & Finding Help

Unfortunately, consecutive recent layoffs or settling for a lower income is becoming more common nowadays. Many Americans have lost two jobs in the past two years. This includes more high-level executives and management.

Those who have experienced multiple layoffs are usually willing to settle for less. With more executive-level employees losing their jobs, people with repeated layoffs have a harder time proving their worth to hiring managers. Many businesses view such individuals as lacking capability and integrity, rather than as victims of a recession.

Remedies for Repeat Job Loss
• Attend training to refresh outdated skills
• Consider a new location, industry or profession
• Keep your best contacts in the loop about your job hunt and make sure they have the latest version of your resume
• Send expert tips, information and newsletters on topics you know well to potential employers. Offer to take questions or give advice as a virtual consultant.
• Create a personal website focused on potential employers*
• Use an outplacement service or career coach, like you are now!

*A customized Web page (on your Website) highlighting your relevance to a specific company is a great way to attract attention. Give hiring managers a private link to this Web page, (for that company’s eyes only!). Describe how your experience would benefit their particular business and the issues they face.

Fighting the Stigma
You can fight the stigma of back-to-back layoffs by giving a sincere explanation during interviews: "I have been laid off twice in the worst economy in 50 years."

Before starting your job hunt, you must overcome any anger about your recurring joblessness. If you have negative feelings, those emotions are reflected in your job interviews. Do not sound desperate, but be positive and enthusiastic!

Try helping the less fortunate to neutralize such negative feelings during your job search. Charity efforts can tap into your key skills (e.g., project management, networking, marketing, organizing, etc.) and rebuild confidence. They are a great resume builder too! It shows you are doing something productive (in addition to other job hunting tasks) during your time out of work.

Find a volunteer activity involving a company where you want to work. Your participation allows you to network with employees and a get a sense of whether you fit into their culture. In making this effort to understand a possible employer, talk with vendors, competitors and former employees. Use this research to discuss the company's challenges when interviewing.

Surviving Multiple Interviews
One challenge for victims of multiple recent layoffs is surviving multiple interviews. As the applicant pool gets smaller with each round, people with recent repeat layoffs may be at a disadvantage.

Tell them about your skills that are better than others or that others probably do not have! For example, emphasize your frequent international business trips. Supply details about work with various country managers and customized efforts based on culture and market conditions.

Have perseverance! Even if you are turned down, stay positive and keep pressing on with your job search. Stay in touch with all potential employers. Circumstances may change for the hiring manager (e.g., the person they did hire ended up not taking the job).


Finding Help
Getting laid off may require using state services that you have never used before. Here are some starting places for finding help. (Most of the websites below are for North Carolina. Go online for corresponding websites for your state.)

Am I eligible for unemployment insurance benefits? If you have lost your job through no fault of your own, you may be eligible. Visit your state’s Employment Security Commission website. For example, North Carolina’s is:
http://www.ncesc.com/individual/UI/UiClaims2.asp

How do I file for unemployment insurance benefits?
There are three options:
• Online: https://www.ncesc.com/individual/webInitialClaims/applyBegin.asp?init=true
• By telephone: 1-877-841-9617 (toll free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week)
• In person: At your nearest Employment Security Commission (ESC) office http://www.ncesc1.com/locator/locatormain.asp

How do I start my search for a new job? While a newspaper provides lots of independent job-seeking ideas, your local ESC office and JobLink Career Center staff can help you locate new employment possibilities and prepare to apply for jobs.

Find your nearest JobLink location at:
http://www.nccommerce.com/en/WorkforceServices/FindInformationForIndividuals/JobLinkCareerCenters

I need training to move into a new career, but how can I pay for training without a job? Look for opportunities within your community and visit these websites:

Apprenticeships:
http://www.nclabor.com/appren/appindex.htm

Financial Aid:
www.cfnc.org

Free Online Training:
http://www.gcflearnfree.org
http://www.microsoft.com/ElevateAmerica

Service Obligation Loans:
http://www.cfnc.org/paying/schol/info_career.jsp
Trade Adjustment Act:
http://www.ncesc.com/individual/training/TAA.asp

Workforce Investment Act:
http://www.nccommerce.com/en/WorkforceServices/FindInformationForIndividuals/DislocatedWorkerToolkit/EmploymentTraining

How to Cope with Job Loss

Losing a job can lead to negative feelings (inadequacy, embarrassment, insecurity and devastation). Recovery can take time, making it easy to become depressed or anxious. Learning how to cope with job loss is crucial for avoiding this. It can lead to an even better future, like undiscovered opportunities or a new career path that you may not have thought about otherwise!

7 Supportive Steps
1. Try not to panic or get overwhelmed. Realize this is an opportunity and move on.
2. Allow yourself to experience natural feelings of denial, anger and grief.
3. Accept what happened. It was just a job; now look to the future.
4. Embrace your forced vacation. Relax, do projects around the house you have been neglecting, visit family or volunteer.
5. Stop all unnecessary purchases. New clothes, eating out, movies and other little luxuries add up quickly!
6. Start thinking about your next career. Update your resume, network and take classes that refresh your skills or prepare you for a new career path.
7. Start your job search. Contact employment agencies, find recruiters, search the Internet, check the classifieds and let people know you are ready for work.

Stress Relievers
Channeling any negative energy into something positive really helps fight off stress. Here are some stress relievers to try. Do what you enjoy and what works for you:
Exercise, walk, do yoga or Pilates
Help others or volunteer
Get a massage
Go back to church, practice your faith
Talk with others
Write in a journal (like in your Career Journal!)
Meditate and breathe deep – try saying "woosah" with your eyes closed
Play games and laugh
Listen to your favorite music or relaxing music
Plant a garden
Eat a balanced, healthy diet
Reduce caffeine and alcohol intake
Do not procrastinate

Calming Down During a Panic or Anxiety Attack
One of the most effective methods is deep breathing. The following exercise physically and mentally calms you. Putting your focus on the breathing and taking it off the anxiety makes the anxiety go away:
Breathe through your nose for a slow 1-2-3 count.
Hold your breath for a slow 1-2-3 count.
Exhale for a slow 1-2-3 count. Do this as long as you want; it really helps.
Stop the anxious thought and replace it with a more calming thought (weekend plans, a family trip, etc.). Or focus on something else: count backwards from 100 by 3's, say the alphabet backwards, focus on an object around you, etc.
If possible have someone you know/trust talk to you and comfort you.
Tense the various muscles in your body for a few seconds and then release, allowing yourself to relax.
If you are able to stand, get up and walk around slowly, while "slowly" deep breathing (change of focus).
Do not lock your jaws together; this worsens any nausea in your panic attack. Relaxing your face helps.

Negative Emotions
For most of us, job loss has a devastating emotional impact. You may experience some of the following emotions.
Rejection, failure, or a sense that you did a poor job
Embarrassment or weakened identity from no longer earning an income
Anger towards yourself, your former employer, the situation, the economy, etc.
Fear or anxiety about the future, your career, your ability to pay immediate financial needs and provide for your family
Depression, which can result in even more challenges for finding a new job (changes in eating/sleeping habits, low energy, avoiding people, neglecting hygiene and appearance)
Stress over any or all of the above emotions

Dealing with Negative Emotions
Any of these feelings are a normal response to job loss, but you must decide how to handle them. If you recently lost your job, you will come across people who recently lost theirs too, which can cause more stress. Job loss is always occurring, you just did not notice because it did not affect you personally. Ignore the fact that everyone around you is unemployed. Focus on yourself. Everyone has lost a job at some point, so do not take it personally. You are not the only one, although it may feel like it now.

You must make a choice when you lose a job: dwell on it or move on. Choose to move on! Feel the pain and then do something about it. Get yourself recharged and head out in full gear for the next lucky employer to see your value. You may realize one day, that this job loss is a blessing in disguise. Many times they are! Everything happens for a reason. So if you lose your job, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and get back out there!


Coping Strategies
If your job loss was because of performance, learn from it for your future employment. If it was a layoff, it was out of your control. Company reorganization can result in eliminated positions.
Acknowledge your emotions, do not hide them. Take a few days to relax, recover and regroup.
Get support from friends, family and professional colleagues. Maintain the human contact and interaction like you had at work. Do not isolate yourself.
Maintain a healthy diet and avoid alcohol and drugs.
Maintain a positive attitude and receive positive outcomes. It drives you to do better and go farther. Even if you did not get a job today, you may tomorrow!
Finding a job is your full-time job now. When do you get a job, keep looking once in awhile. Always keep your options open.
If you feel depressed, (increased anger, changes in sleeping/eating, hopelessness or sadness) for longer than a week, seek professional help.
Networking is emotionally satisfying and the most effective job search technique. Instead of dwelling on your job loss, you are actively eliminating the cause of your stress. Networking gives you face-to-face human interaction, new friends, new conversation, information and insight!
During your job hunt, keep a calendar with you daily schedule. This really helps you organize, focus and execute your job search. Anything on paper (or Yahoo calendar) is easier to follow than a schedule in your head. You will be prepared and looking forward to upcoming events and tasks.

Play to Your Strengths
Even during a recession, people still have needs to be met. Ask yourself, “What are my career strengths and how can they be helpful to others?” This may mean branching into a related field that requires the same skill-set, or perhaps learning a new set of skills for a related job. You may even start your own business.

Career Counseling
If you experience difficulty in adjusting to unemployed life (job searching, cutting back expenses, etc.) or you feel lost in what direction to take your life, consider seeking the services of a professional life coach or psychotherapist. They can help you escape an emotional rut, and help you recognize your personal strengths and envision your true potential!

Job Loss Counseling: You’ve Been Laid Off?! Now What?!

Overview
A common question most people who find themselves at high risk for a job loss is, “What am I going to do next?” This is a good question and the first step towards persevering through a challenging period in one's life. However, overcoming a job loss depends on you handle this tough question. For instance, do not send out an outdated resume, but get your marketing strategies and proper collateral in place so you can set yourself up for success sooner than later.

Fear Factor
It is typical for most people to respond to the question, “What I am going to do next?” with apprehension. Responding to this potential life-changing question with fear is not the answer. Yes, you have bills to pay, a mortgage, a car loan… Perhaps you have kids in college. These are all real concerns, but do not just jump to the next job that comes along. Make a decision after a thorough review of your economic situation and prospects.

Back to Basics
Cutting back on expenses is the most challenging part of successfully preparing for a potential job loss. Anything involving change usually scares people, even in a time of crisis. It is easy to go into denial about your job security and financial matters, but you must address your expenses to prepare for a job loss.

Figure out unnecessary expenses, such as additional features on your cable services or cell plan. Think about things that usually go to waste, like not finishing food before its expiration date. Realize your spending habits, break them down and adjust them where necessary. This may be overwhelming at first, but once you start you will be eager to see where you can save money and stop bad spending habits.

Talk with your whole family about expenses that need to be spared, until you are back in a more secure position. Look at your spending in the last two months on your bank or credit card statement. Some organize your spending history by type of expense. There are also programs like Microsoft® Money, which help track and budget your expenses.

Researching a Prospective Employer & Using a Combination of Strategies

Researching a Prospective Employer
To write a customized résumé and cover letter for a job position, you need to know about the company advertising it. Research to find out:
• What does the company do?
• How did the organization get started?
• What are its products and services?
• What are the company’s plans?
• Does it appear to be in good financial shape?
• What are some of the industry trends that affect this organization?
• What are some of the organization’s greatest challenges?

Find their website using a search engine like Google. You can also call the company and ask for their Website address. It is often listed in business journals, the Yellow Pages and on company brochures and business cards. If you do not have access to the Internet, use a computer at a public library, your state’s JobLink Career Center or college career center.

You can also learn about the organization by asking questions of people who already work there. People in your network may also be able to provide you with names of people within the organization who could talk with you.

Using a Combination of Strategies
Using a combination of methods is essential for a successful job search; you cannot just do one thing anymore. Develop a strategy that works best for the occupation you are seeking. Consult with people in your field or with a career counselor to see what they suggest.
• If we have not said it enough already, network! The more people who know you are looking for work, the better your chances of finding work.
• Use Internet search engines, job board sites, company websites, industry specific websites, blogs and social networking sites. Reference: See our Internet as a Source document for more details.
• After researching a business, call and ask to speak with the hiring manager directly, inquire about possible openings and ask to set up an appointment.
• Register with your local JobLink Career Center, Employment Security office or other employment placement agency. (Some private agencies may charge a fee.)
• Attend local and school job fairs.
• Search job postings in newspapers, professional/trade journals and other publications.
• Look in the business section in the paper for companies moving into the area, expanding operations or have received patent approvals or other awards; these companies are probably hiring.
• Take a drive through nearby industrial parks, shopping centers and office complexes for worthy companies you can contact.

Job Hunting? Here Are Some Webcasts That Can Help You!

The following is a list of online webcasts provided by third-party companies who are proven experts in the field of human capital management. Check into appropriate listings that suit your job hunting needs.

• http://www.astd.org/content/careers/Careerwebcasts.htm
• http://www.beyondthejob.org
• http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobposter/events/webinar
• http://www.citrix.com
• http://www.elt-inc.com/news/webinars.html
• http://www.ere.net/webinars
• http://www.humancapitalinstitute.net
• http://www.inter.viewcentral.com/events/cust/catalog.aspx?cid=monster&pid=1&signupkey=cthq&lid=4
• http://www.peopleclick.com/resources/webcasts.asp
• http://www.taleo.com
• http://www.technet.microsoft.com/en-ca/cc837417.aspx

Tips for Avoiding Recruiters’ Blacklists

There are reasons why recruiters or hiring managers do not call back some job seekers: blacklists! In today’s tough job market, desperate job seekers are pursuing what little jobs are available. Hiring managers have plenty of applicants to choose from, so they are justifiably selective and quick to record any negatives they discover.

If you are blacklisted, recruiters do not submit you to jobs today, even years from now. Even if you are not on an actual “list”, recruiters do remember if you left a bad impression. They also pass the word along to fellow recruiters, and they remember bad candidates even if they change companies.

Do’s and Don’ts
Recruiters never want to hire any of the 3 L’s: liars, losers and loners. Prove that you are none of those by following these tips:
• DO NOT lie about or exaggerate your experience. Outright lying about experience or skills that you do not have guarantees you a spot on the blacklist.
• DO NOT pit fellow recruiters against each other. Contrary to what you might think, it does not increase your chances of getting a job. You can work with more than one recruiter, but not ones at the same company, unless they are at different office locations (e.g., MJW Careers Wilmington and MJW Careers Raleigh).
• DO NOT mass distribute your resume. Applying to too many jobs with the same recruiter or company makes you look unfocused and creates unnecessary work for them. Make every job application a meaningful one.
• DO remain courteous and professional, even if your recruiter is not. They are dealing with tons of applicants, so do not take unreturned phone calls or missed interviews personally. Do not attack your recruiter for this behavior; it only leaves a bad impression of you.
• DO always be interview-ready. Every conversation with a recruiter is an interview, even a casual chat at a networking event. Always be discussing your qualifications. What you may consider harmless joking, might rub your recruiter the wrong way.
• DO clean up your online presence. Recruiters check LinkedIn, Facebook, Google, etc. Even if it is old, if it is inappropriate, get rid of it.
• DO communicate what job you are looking for. Having a good relationship with recruiters does not mean you have to accept every job they present. If you are not interested, say so; it saves everyone time.
• DO build relationships with recruiters. Always keep your job options open, whether you are employed or not. This means keeping in touch recruiters at all times.

More Turnoffs
• Forgetting or missing scheduled interviews
• Making a faux pas during an interview
• Handling rejection badly
• Rejecting an opportunity after extensive efforts by a recruiter to arrange it for you
• Taking a counteroffer from another company
• Demonstrating poor business skills
• Publicly criticizing other people or companies
• Failing a background check (in which you cannot re-apply for a certain time period)

Removing Your Name from a “Do Not Hire” List
Negative notations beside your name can seriously derail your job search. Unfortunately, it is also very hard to discover or remove a bad mark. With so many candidates today, recruiters and hiring managers are even less forgiving. Getting back on their good side requires some extra effort.

Finding Out
• Speak to key internal contacts and colleagues
• Ask a reference-checking service to find out if a previous boss made unfair remarks about you

Correcting the Situation
• Demonstrate your true reliability and professionalism
• Offer detailed information about candidates for a different job opening and conduct extra reference checks as a courtesy
• Treat them to lunch or coffee
• Request honest feedback about becoming a stronger candidate next time
• Review a background check used to reject you and remove inaccurate records
• Consider switching industries or locations
Contact MJW Careers to revise your possible misleading resume

Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters

As competition grows in this ailing economy, guerilla marketing is a new alternative. Just make sure the company culture accepts your methods, so they think you are clever and not crazy! Think of original ways to market yourself in a creative manner. You can get the job you want by not doing what everyone else is doing! Stand out!

Billboards
Place your picture and a brief career summary on a billboard. Although expensive, it shows employers your creativity, passion and drive to land the perfect job.

Personal Resume Website
Create a website tailored towards your skills and resume. Some can be expensive, but the chances on being found increase due to the Internet being used a main search tool for recruiters. Post a portfolio of projects you have worked on to show skills you can offer to a prospective employer.

Windshield Marketing
Distribute flyers on cars promoting yourself, skill sets or resume.

Donuts and Breakfast
Bring the office donuts or breakfast every Friday, specifically to the department where you want to work. They get to know you and your work ethic better. This is a popular practice of clients and vendors to stay fresh in the company’s mind.

T-shirt Promotion
Use a single-shirt maker service such as Cafepress.com, to create a piece of apparel that highlights your career assets and credentials.

Sandwich Boards
Stand (or dance!) on a street corner with a sign presenting your credentials or career summary. Make sure it is a popular and SAFE corner.

Job Hunting Advice: Experiential Learning

Consider experiential, work-based learning to learn more about occupations that interest you. This can be done through internships, volunteering, part-time jobs, study abroad and more.

Gaining experience, while exploring career options, gives you a head start on your future career. Local schools and colleges offer many of these programs. Find more by searching the Internet and contacting businesses and organizations in your community.

Work-based learning is also beneficial if you want or need to change careers. Use your skills and gain new ones while building your job search network.

Participating in work-based learning opportunities gives you an edge when applying for jobs. Not only do you gain valuable work experience, but it offers a world of networking opportunities. Hiring managers always look upon this experience favorably. If you are recently laid off, this is a resourceful way to spend time away from work.

Internships
Internships allow you to observe and perform actual job duties that interest you, similar to a regular employee. Companies usually provide interns more help and guidance while training and may also help you land a full-time job upon completion of the internship. They may even provide a mentor that can support your career decisions and goals.

Employers like to hire people with experience, especially from within the company, including their most successful interns. Internships are typically available to college students in a related major, but companies do hire non-students for internships.

Internships are paid or unpaid and may be eligible for academic credit at a high school or college. They usually last for a couple of weeks to several months.

Cooperative Education and School-Based Enterprises
Cooperative education (“co-op”) is run by individual schools as part of their vocational education programs. Students gain academic credit by working part-time jobs during the school year in their vocational field. The jobs are arranged by their instructor or by the school's co-op coordinator. It follows a training plan that states what the student is expected to learn and what the employer is expected to provide. Business and marketing education programs are generally the largest sponsors of co-ops.

In school-based enterprises, students produce goods or services for other people. Such enterprises include school restaurants, construction projects, child care centers, auto repair shops, hair salons, and retail stores. They prepare students for the transition from school to work or college. They provide a first work experience or an opportunity to build management, supervision and leadership skills.

These programs differ from co-ops and apprenticeships in that they do not place students with employers. Rather, it allows students to apply their classroom knowledge to running real-world businesses. School-based enterprises are a practical option in communities where there are too few employers to provide sufficient jobs and training opportunities in the private sector.

Apprenticeships
These programs offer a combination of academic instruction, structured vocational training and paid work experience, usually lasting one to two years. These programs are offered through employers in collaboration with your state’s Department of Labor and Department of Public Instruction.

Military
Some military veterans and certain members of the Reserve/National Guard may be eligible for educational assistance for state-approved apprenticeships in addition to their VA benefits. To see if you are eligible for GI benefits, contact the Department of Veterans Affairs at 1-888-GIBILL-1 (1-800-442-4551) or visit http://www.gibill.va.gov.

Job Shadowing
This is when you spend a day (or part of a day) at work with someone in a career that interests you. You follow that person throughout the workday and observe what his/her tasks and skills required for the job, experience the work environment and interact with other people who currently work in your potential career field. At appropriate times during the day, ask questions about the work and make a list of possible questions in advance while noting other questions that come up during the day. Job shadowing may not give you a complete picture of a job or career, but it at least gives you a sneak preview.

Volunteering
Volunteering is a good way to experience many careers. Volunteer opportunities are available everywhere: businesses, hospitals, schools, government agencies and community and nonprofit organizations. In some cases, you may be able to do the specific job that interests you. For jobs that require more education or training, ask the supervisor to place you in a related job that still exposes you to your career interests. Check for opportunities at your library and in your local newspaper.

Part-Time Jobs
Working teaches you a lot about your interests and helps you develop skills for many careers while earning some money for school and living expenses. Many part-time jobs do not require a lot of training and skill to get started. Part-time is typically considered anything less than 40 hours a week.

Job Hunting Help: Tapping Into the Hidden Job Market

For every employer who must downsize, there is an employer who needs to hire the right person for the right job. In any circumstance, businesses are always hiring someone that can make them profitable now!

“We have a hiring freeze,” does not mean they are not hiring. It means they are not increasing their headcount. Every year has 20-25% turnover, so in a 1,000-employee company, 200-250 people are going to turn over naturally. Those companies are still hiring but they may not tell you. In fact, 80% of jobs are not publicly advertised.

Networking is crucial for finding the hidden job market. Use your current network and the following contacts.

Contacts in the Hidden Job Market
• Companies you have interviewed with in the past. If you were close to getting a job there, go back and see if they have any current openings. They are glad to re-consider you.
• Previous managers and co-workers. They already know your worth, making easier to recommend you to others. If you are still employed, make sure they are individuals who honor that confidentiality.
• Members of organizations you were active in: fraternities, sororities, professional business associations, charity groups, fundraisers, athletic clubs, etc. In addition, contact their local sponsors. Find the employers, which in turn lead you to the jobs.
• Recruiters focused on your industry. Give them candidate referrals and they will help you in your job search. The nature of their work makes them an invaluable source of information and contacts.
• Business organizations in your field. Join them and more importantly, stay involved. Join committees, become a committee leader or get on the Board of Directors. You meet relevant people while creating a brand for yourself showing your commitment to your industry.
• Non-profit organizations, especially if you are in the private sector. They value talent from any industry to help with management, marketing, sales and consulting. Target organizations which support your passion or cause. Visit http://npo.net/.
• Government sector: the Peace Corps, the FBI, the security division or local government. They pay great benefits and pensions. Their pay scale and number of jobs has increased from the stimulus package. There will be sufficient jobs available until our economy gets stronger.
• Your own advisory board of mentors. Connect with a few individuals within your industry with whom you respect and can contact to guide you through your career.
• Companies that accept volunteers. They will appreciate your help. Act as you would if you were being interviewed; they are considering you as a future employee.
• International companies opening locations in your area. Building their staff with local talent saves them money (no relocation expenses). Applying directly with them also saves them recruiting costs. They also benefit from employees who know about the area and its market.

Make Job Hunting Your Number One Priority

Finding a job is your job right now. So work 8 hours a day doing something relating to your job search and self-marketing. The more you put yourself out there, the higher the chances of being seen.

Ways to make your job search a full-time job:
• Stick to a daily schedule. Create a to-do list and cross them off as you go; this gives you a sense of accomplishment even during down-times.
• Check job boards daily and see if any new jobs were posted, in case your alert notification service missed anything.
• Send printed resumes in the mail. Few people do this any more, which is why it is effective for you.
• Target companies you want to work for and know where you can add value, then network or market yourself into an interview.
• Contact recruiters and temporary work agencies. Recruiters work for you and the good ones do not charge you to help you find employment. However, do not bug recruiters constantly. If they need someone with your skills, they will call you. They might not have an opening right away that fits your qualifications, but if they do, they will call you.
• Only apply to the openings that fit within your realm. Recruiters do get the "jack of all trades" candidates who, in actuality, only fit the bill for one or two jobs at most. So be aware of your resume submissions. Do not market yourself as a “jack of all trades” or a “fast learner”. Market yourself as an expert in a certain industry/field. Hiring managers are not going to figure out where you might fit, they want to know if you fit their immediate need.
• Apply to higher positions than your current position. For your next job, why not go from a rank-and-file worker to a manager? If you are an exempt or professional worker, set your sights high and become a leader.
• Follow the job posting directions and make sure you do what they tell you to do, if you want to apply to their job. They implement rules for a reason.
• Read industry magazines. Keep up with trends and developments in your field.
• Network with industry experts and other people that can help you find a job and create your own advisory board to consult with when you need information or assistance.
• Create an online presence. Sign up for industry blogs, social networking sites and career sites.
• In a worst-case scenario, be flexible to relocating. It is a part of job hunting these days.

Right Place, Right Time…Right Person
Right place: Any place can be the right place, so make the most of where ever you are. An interview, career fair, career mixer, even the grocery store can be a networking opportunity that can turn into a new job or career.

Right time: It is always the right time. Whether they are hiring or advertising a position or not, network with the company decision makers.

Right person: Find the top 10 companies you want to work for and prioritize them. Research the company’s senior management on LinkedIn and Google. Contact them via LinkedIn, their company email, or call the company and ask to speak to them directly.

If you reach someone who can tell you about what the hiring manager is looking for, ask them:
• What are they looking for in a candidate?
• What are they definitely not looking for?
• What turns them off about a candidate?
• Are they having any issues in filling this position?

Once you reach the hiring manager, give them your elevator speech. It is very difficult because you are writing (a resume, cover letter or email) or talking to someone you do not know. So it must be customized for the position they are filling!

Interview Advice: Post Interviewing Tips

Post-Interview
• You did you best, now remember to let it go.
• Always follow-up an interview with a “Thank You” letter within 24-48 hours.
• Understand that the interview is just part of the job search process and there may be many subsequent meetings.
• Never accept or reject a job until it is offered to you and you have weighed out your options, including their offer package.
• Maintain relations with the company via email or mail every other month. They may need you six months or even a year from now.
• Do not get upset if you do not get the job. Interviewing always gives you good practice and new contacts in the process.
• Do not badger them with phone calls if they have decided to hire another candidate. They get plenty of phone calls from candidates and it can become irritating to get calls all the time from someone they cannot place into a job at the moment.

Correspondence Tips
• Start off with, “I hope all is well.”
• Use salutations such as, “Best regards” or “Warm regards”.
• Always include your contact information.
• Be kind, positive and thankful.
• Show your relevant interest in the job.
• Show your appreciation of the correspondence and interview they provided.
• Reiterate your skills or any important information you might have not provided while interviewing.
• Remind them about some key highlights that occurred during the interview.
• Update them with important information they might have requested.
• Convince them as to why you are the solution to their human capital needs.

Follow these tips to help create great post-interview acumen. Your contribution to the hiring process never ends directly after the interview. Just make sure to not abuse or overdue it and to be respective towards the company.

Lunch Interviewing Advice

Lunch interviews are becoming an increasingly popular recruiting method. Some interviewers are so busy that meeting you for lunch is the only way to fit it in their schedule. It also allows them assess your business credentials, while observing your table manners, social skills, and ability to mix business with pleasure. The lunch interview may also be a test if the job you are seeking requires a lot of “working lunches” and meetings, or face-to-face interaction with clients.

As if regular interviews were not intimidating and stressful enough, now you have to have lunch while doing it! Fear not, we are going to discuss how you can listen, give intelligent responses, present confidence, all the while enjoying a meal.

Selecting the Venue
In the rare instance the interviewer asks you to select the dining venue, choose somewhere that is not too expensive, not too casual. You may want to ask what type of food they like, and then pick a place where you know the service and food is good. Reserve a nice table the day before. Get there early the day of the interview. Let your host or server know you are there for a job interview, so you need to make a good impression.

Minding Your Manners
No matter how casual the settings, maintain proper table manners. Be mindful of any bad habits and suppress them during a lunch interview.
• The rules of an office interview still apply, which include dressing properly and not answering your cell phone.
• Get there a little early so you can settle yourself and make yourself comfortable. You may order water or other acceptable drink, but do not order food until you both are ready to order.
• When possible, let the interviewer guide seating. If they motion you to choose the seat, then feel free to do so.
• Be polite, courteous and respectful to everyone, especially your servers. Always say “please”, “thank you”, “sorry”, “excuse me”, etc. The interviewer is assessing your personality and behavior to determine if you are a good fit for the company.
• Be aware of your actions and mannerisms.
o Sit up straight and comfortably
o Do not pick your fingernails
o Do not put your elbows on the table
o Do not lean on the table
o Put your napkin in your lap shortly after taking your seat
o Wait until everyone has been served to begin eating
o Use the proper utensils
o Do not play or make noise with your utensils or other items
o Do not cut up your entire meal at once
o Cut food into small pieces and eat small bites
o Chew slowly with your mouth closed
o Do not talk with your mouth full
o Do not make unpleasant remarks about the food, place or anything else
o Do not belch, sneeze, blow your nose, etc.
o Do not lick food from both sides of your utensil
o Do not place unwanted food on the table
o If finger food is served, never put your fingers in your mouth or lick them
o If you are sharing a dish, as in Seinfeld, no “double-dipping”!
o Do not make the sound of eating or slurping
• Drink from the right and eat from the left. Think “BMW” to remember the table setting: Bread plate (and fork) on your left, Meal in the middle, and Water glass on your right.
• The fork goes in your left hand and the knife goes in your right hand. Use the knife and fork to cut your meal, not tear or butcher it.
• No matter how much you dislike what you ordered, or if your server messed up your order somehow, just go with the flow. Show that you are sensible and composed.
• Be prepared. If you feel unsure about your habits and table manners, do some research and consult the experts.
o Dine with a good friend and ask for honest feedback.
o Refer to the well-known etiquette books by Emily Post.

Ordering
As much as you would like to, even though you are being treated to a nice meal, you cannot just order whatever you want. This is still in an interview, so you must maintain professionalism and formality throughout the meal.
• Do not order an alcoholic drink, even if the interviewer does. Order water, juice, iced tea, coffee, lemonade or a soft drink (unless sodas cause you to burp).
• Order foods that can be cut into small pieces with a knife and fork.
• Avoid messy or hard-to-eat foods that have to be eaten with your hands (sauce, gravy, soup, spaghetti, wings, etc.). Even some salads can be messy (and loud). You do not want to get anything on yourself, or worse, your interviewer!
• Avoid foods that have a strong or unpleasant order (onions, garlic, etc.). Do not be remembered as the “candidate with bad breath”.
• Avoid loud foods (crunchy and noisy to eat), so you can have a civil conversation. Restaurants can be noisy as it is, so do not make it harder to hear each other.
• Avoid foods that are too chewy or require a lot of chewing.
• Order what they order, or something similar and in the same price range. If you are worried about ordering something too expensive, or if it is OK to order an appetizer, etc., the best thing to do is follow your interviewer's lead.
• Order the same number of courses (no matter how hungry you are). Try to finish eating at about the same time as your interviewer. You do not want to be sitting there while the recruiter is still eating. Likewise, you do not want to be the last one done because you have been talking.
• If you are asked to order first, order something moderately priced, light and easy to eat; use your common sense.
• When in doubt, simply ask your interviewer, “What do you recommend?”

Discussing and Dining
It can be tricky to balance food and conversation wisely. In most cases, you do more talking than eating.
• Cut and take small bites so you do not delay too much after being asked a question. Small bites are easy to pick up and easy to chew. Also, you do not have worry about getting a stomach ache.
• Never talk with your hands while holding your utensils, especially the knife!
• Do not pick at your food. It makes you look nervous and unconfident.
• Do not feel like you have to keep talking so that you do not eat at all. This can be interpreted as nervousness too.
• Listen and use proper eye contact.
• Ask questions. When going to any interview, have questions prepared. You learn about the company and show that you care. During a meal, it also gives you a chance to eat while your interviewer responds.
• This is a great time to ask about the company’s culture. Try asking, “Why do you enjoy working for the company?” or “What are characteristics of successful people at the company?”
• Lunch conversation tends to flow more easily, because it is a more relaxed format. Talk about companies you used to work for, your family, hobbies, and traveling. These topics let the interviewer find out a lot more about you. As you become more comfortable talking, be careful not to divulge any information you have intentionally left off your resume.

Concluding the Meal
As with a typical office interview, let the interviewer set the pace and tone. If they are not in a hurry after the meal, order a cup of coffee and keep talking. But recognize cues that they want to wrap it up (e.g., asking if you have any final questions, looking around for the server, etc.).
• If the interviewer orders dessert, then feel free to do so. Otherwise, do not order it.
• The interviewer pays, so do not offer to pay, pitch in, or use coupons/gift certificates. They do not expect you to and it actually comes off as awkward rather than polite.
• Do not ask for a doggy bag, no matter how delicious your meal. It is inappropriate.
• Reiterate your interest in the job and the company.
• Say “Thank You" with a firm handshake. Thank the interviewer for taking the time to meet with you and that you enjoyed and appreciate the meal.
• Follow up with a thank you letter the next day (thanking them again for the nice meal and their time).

Phone Interview Advice: What to Do Before and During the Interview

Preparation
• Have these items ready and in front of you: your résumé, job description, questions to ask the employer, notes about the company, and your calendar/schedule.
• Ask a career counselor, HR professional, or even a reliable friend to practice a telephone interview with you. Get feedback on your answers, voice inflections and any recurring flaws in your speech, (“like”, “um”, “er”, and “uh”).
• Be ready to give examples of your accomplishments and previous work experiences.
• Sell yourself in every response.
• Write down the name(s) of your interviewer(s) so you can refer to them by name, and write them a Thank You note afterwards.

On the Phone
• Never conduct a phone interview while driving in your car!
• Conduct your telephone interview in a quiet place. Do not let children or pets in the room. Do not answer another phone or the door bell, or have any other distractions during this time. Turn off any electronic devices that might make noise.
• Stand up to project your voice better.
• Be enthusiastic and smile. It comes through in your voice.
• Speak directly into the telephone, slowly and clearly. Remember, your voice is all the interviewer has to distinguish you from other candidates.
• Use a land-line telephone instead of a cell phone. You have a better connection and less chance of being disconnected.
• Ask for clarification when needed, especially if you are unsure of the question and need time to process your answer.

Interviewing Advice: Addressing a Layoff

A layoff can be an unpleasant experience and probably not one you want to relive over and over during interviews. The way you handle this topic can make or break an opportunity to move forward with your career and leave the past behind.

Do’s
• DO be the first one to bring up your layoff. Many times a recruiter starts off with, "Tell me about yourself". Tell them about your career achievements and goals first, and then take the opportunity to explain your recent layoff. You can explain it on your own terms, instead of letting the interviewer formulate questions about it. Avoiding or hiding the issue only makes your interviewer think you did not take the layoff well or that you have more to hide.
• DO mention if it is related to the recession. Today, even though layoffs can be embarrassing, many recruiters are not surprised when candidates mention a layoff resulting from the poor economy.
• DO mention if you were part of a mass layoff (one of many or your whole department). A mass layoff takes the attention off why you, personally were laid off. A single person getting laid off makes a recruiter wonder. A good way to describe a mass layoff is, “There was a staff decrease. Two hundred positions were eliminated, including mine."
• DO tell them what you have been doing in your time away from work. Be prepared because they do ask about this. Always tell them that job-searching and networking has become your number one priority! Tell them if you took a month to relax. Tell them if you have been doing consulting and freelance work. Be honest.

Do Not’s
• DO NOT make it a complex story. If you are still upset about your layoff, do not let it show or ramble on about why you were let go. Telling a complicated story (there was reorganization, and your boss told you not to worry, but they kept your co-worker instead because she had more experience...) indicates that there was more reasoning behind your layoff. Simply say, "There was reorganization and unfortunately my position was eliminated." Move on to the next question.
• DO NOT speak negatively of your last employer, co-workers or the job itself. This is very unprofessional, and again, makes your interviewer think twice about why you were laid off.
• DO NOT forget that you can tell them if you are uncomfortable answering. If your interviewer keeps asking about it, tell them you prefer not discussing it. This does not affect whether you get the job or not.

Negative Body Language During an Interview & Question Categories

Avoid these actions, so the interviewer knows you are interested. These actions are also distracting and annoying.

Doing this…Avoiding eye contact; Makes the interviewer think you are…Dishonest, indifferent, insecure, nervous, passive

Doing this…Biting lip; Makes the interviewer think you are…Anxious, fearful, nervous

Doing this…Scratching head; Makes the interviewer think you are…Bewildered, confused

Doing this…Flaring nostrils; Makes the interviewer think you are…Angry, frustrated

Doing this…Folding arms; Makes the interviewer think you are…Angry, defensive, disagreeing, disapproving

Doing this…Narrowing eyes; Makes the interviewer think you are…Angry, offended

Doing this…Raising eyebrows; Makes the interviewer think you are…Disbelieving, surprised, unprepared

Doing this…Shifting or slouching in seat; Makes the interviewer think you are…Apprehensive, bored, restless, uncomfortable

Doing this…Tapping feet; Makes the interviewer think you are…Anxious, nervous

Doing this…Wringing hands; Makes the interviewer think you are…Anxious, nervous, scared

Interviewers ask a wide range of questions, so be prepared with the following question categories.

Question Categories
Work and Education: What have you done and learned? Why did you leave your last job? What did you like most about your last job? What did you like least about it? What is your management style?

Skills and Competency: What can you do? Describe a challenging work issue you had to face. How do you handle pressure? What is your most significant career accomplishment?

Personality, Values and Goals: Who are you? What makes you a good team member? Where do you see yourself five years from now? How have you grown in the last few years?

Behavioral and Situational: Can you tell a story? Tell me about a time when you had to juggle priorities to meet a deadline. If we were to hire you, what would you do in the first 60 days?

Job Match: Are you a match? Describe your ideal work environment. What aspects of the job will you like least? Why should we hire you for this position? What do you expect your starting salary to be?

Use the Internet to Find a Job – Part 4: Resume Posting

Post your resume onto numerous job boards (both general and niche job boards) and activate alerts on those sites, so when a company posts a position that matches your background those alerts are sent directly to your email.

Reference: Check out the last section of this handout, called Job Links, for excellent spots to look for job leads. They are also available on our website at: http://www.mjwcareers.com/Links.html

Company Portals
Almost all companies post their job openings on their company portal (or website). So search all the portals of main industry players and also larger companies that hire your profession and click on that company’s “career” section. Create an online profile and post your resume so that company’s hiring manager or recruiter can find your resume. Also, set up an alert before you log off the company’s portal.

General Job Boards
Post your resume on CareerBuilder, Monster and HotJobs because that is where recruiters typically search for resumes first; and why not, when there are more job seekers on there than anywhere else in the world.

Niche Job Boards within Your Industry
Perform an online search with your industry title plus “job board” and review the results. Post your resume on those sites and set up alerts.

Association Websites within Your Industry
Most professional associations are easy to find online and by checking out an association’s website, you might find a job board or resume posting access. Even if not, you may find industry events being held, networking groups or even an opportunity to create a profile and join an online chat-board to stay in the loop.

Resume Distribution Services
Send out your resume to thousands of recruiters and direct hiring companies by using:
• BlastMyResume.com
• ResumeBooster.com
• ResumeBlaster.com
• ResumeZapper.com

Buzzwords
By placing buzzwords in your resume that pertain to your specific skill set, profession, and industry, recruiters find your resume anywhere online by typing in that keyword in a searchable index. The chances of your resume being spotted on Google or Monster, for example, enhance tremendously in a clutter-filled cyberspace. Make sure you add a section at the end of your online resume that contains a list of the buzzwords relating to your industry; make sure you use all the various spellings of such words (e.g., HVAC, H.V.A.C., HVAC/R, HVACR).

Pitfalls and places you should avoid on your job search

When job seekers are out on their own and sometimes do not think long enough before they jump into an opportunity, that might come few and far between, it can sometimes backfire and in turn hurt them emotionally and financially. These are some tips to read about some of the jobs out there that aren't worth pursuing.

1. Unpaid internships with small companies who have no brand. Unless they are partnered and can offer credit for your university, I would avoid the unpaid internships. Remember when Kramer in Seinfeld had an intern at his company Kramerica? My point exactly.
2. Buzz marketing outfits: These companies constantly need agents (who end up being gullible consumers) to receive samples & coupons to give their friends and employees. You can have people sign up through the website...they don’t get money or anything; just free stuff to give people!
3. Promotional marketing companies: the employers give out sample coupons door-to-door and earn a profit off of consumers purchasing these coupons to events, like baseball games. The catch is that the coupons aren’t affiliated with the event sponsor and thus, do not work. Avoid being a scam artist without knowing you’re a scam artist!
4. Work-at-home scams: You’ve probably seen an ad on CareerBuilder that says "$10,000 a month working part-time from your home", "Help wanted to work from home and make $1000/week" or "Internet advertising company needs people who want to earn $5000 or more a month, part-time!" Stay away from anything that’s too good to be true, because it probably is too good to be true.
5. Companies that make you pay application fees. No companies charge you to work at them, so why would you think that was a normal practice?
6. Mystery shopping scams: Some mystery shopping places are legit (see list on the Mystery Shopping Providers Association), but some will ask you to handle money on your own by using fake checks from the company in place of your own cash, only AFTER you’ve spent your own cash!
7. Companies asking for your credit card information, personal pin numbers and any extra personal information via email. You know better to not buy into this trick, so know better to not get caught up working at one of them.
8. Jobs that ask you to pay them for training at companies that aren’t certified. It’s one thing to enroll at a community college for some trade certification or rapid learning course, but it’s another to only communicate with an educational class via email and then to send them money for the paid-training and learning materials. I would research schools to see if they are a qualified online training institute such as the University of Phoenix Online among others. While U of P is good online training, beware of the others that have made a business taking advantage of internet learning. You don’t want to lose out on some hard-earned money that you desperately need.

Tip: Check out businesses at the Better Business Bureau’s website (BBB.org) or run a Google search of the company name and see if any search results yield the word “scam” or “fraud” in the context, if you are unsure about the company’s practices. Bottom line: if it’s easy, it most likely isn’t going to pay off. You need to work hard to garner success.