How do I find a job in this economy/job market? (part one)

I started my blog, my post on many groups and my new group “Career Movers” because I had all this great, helpful  (in all modesty) information in my head that had been gathered over 30 years in the employment/staffing/search business and it was only helping the few people I had direct contact with on a daily basis. I have to get it all out of my head in a format that will help lots of people. Right now job and career issues are on everybody’s mind. My readers have asked a bunch of great questions and I do my best to answer them. One that has come up a lot is actually several questions on the same topic…

“In this job market/economy how do I market myself?… How do I find a job?.... What has changed and what do I do differently?

In a job market like we are in now the only thing we do differently than in a good market is MUCH more of the same. Looking for a job is now a full time profession. If you normally work forty hours then you should put forty hours into finding the next job if you are unemployed. If you are employed but know the hatchet may be coming then put every spare minute into the hunt. If you do not go after this as if your entire future depended on it then others will consistently beat you. You will always be second best or at the end of the line.

Now that I have put a scare into you let’s look at... How do I do it? The big winners in this game are the ones that find the jobs before everybody else does; before they hit the job boards.

1)      Network, Network, Network. You must be talking too people every day, all the time. We are very fortunate to have LinkedIn. It provides the best professional networking opportunity available. Do searches for people with your skills and experience. Write them or look up their number and call them. People like to be asked for help. It makes them feel good. Your call is not to apply for a job but to learn about their company. Ask about the rumor mill. Have they heard about growth or restructuring in departments where you could add value. Ask who is the primary decision maker in your niche? If you get a name ask if you can use the name of your contact.  At this point Human resources especially an internal recruiter. They perform a valuable function but their priority is open, active positions and you want to get to the person who is the hiring manager with the actual need. Write or call him. Do not be intimidated by titles.

If there is a company you want to work for search for employees and do the same thing. Send a powerful resume and cover letter (see “The perfect Resume” on my blog). State in your letter that you will follow up by phone on a specific date and time, and then do it.

Pick up the phone and call executives in your niche. Tell them you are not calling to apply for a job but to ask for help and advice from an expert in your field. Ask him to meet for coffee. This is a none threatening call and you will get a better reception then if you called to talk about a job.

You never know what may happen during the conversation.Find and go to as many networking functions as you can find; user groups, chamber meetings, business after hours etc…

2)     Contact as many recruiters as you can find but use caution. You do not need to waste time with recruiters who can’t help. Lots of recruiters have recruit/interview quotas and they will take your time for an interview even  if they are not confidant that they can help. You only want to meet recruiters who have lots of experience placing people in your field. When you talk to a recruiter ask direct questions. “How long have you been in the business?” “Have you placed people in my field? When? How many”? “Do you presently have openings that fit my back ground?” Look up the recruiter on LinkedIn and see if he has recommendations Look for recruiters with solid reputations. Check with friends to see who they have worked with. Call companies you would like to work for. Ask for the Human Resources manager or the manager of recruiting. Ask what recruiters they respect and count on.

 

This is the end of part one. Part two will be based on questions on this topic submitted by comments/readers. GOOD LUCK and keep your chin up.

TIP.. Always try to find something you can do for people you talk to. Ask for something, give something back. If you are talking to people with similar backgrounds to yours ask them if they would like you to keep your eyes open for opportunities that may not be a fit for you but might match their experience. It is not important if you have something of value to them. It is the offer that counts.

 

 

Comments

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