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| Subject: Finding that job - are you employable |
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while this is a US based website, the advice is exactly the same for Canada.
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For some people, "If it ain´t broke, don´t fix it" is a guiding principle. During a job search, however, it´s hard to tell just what ain´t broke and what needs fixing. Looking for work is a time-consuming process that can move -- or at least feel like it´s moving -- at a snail´s pace.
So how can you tell the difference between a regular, patience-trying job search and an unsuccessful one?
The first sign: No one´s calling you for interviews. Not every r?sum? you send will result in an interview, but some of them should. Another clue is if you are getting called for interviews but you never get called back for a second round or receive an offer.
If you find your job hunt isn´t giving you anything but a stress headache, ask yourself the following questions:
Is my r?sum? targeted?
Just because you´re applying for multiple jobs, don´t assume the same r?sum? works for every position. Each job posting will stress different qualities over others, so rework each r?sum? to highlight the experience and skills that correspond to that particular employer. Your r?sum? will prove not only that you´re qualified for the job but that you also have an attention to detail.
Am I networking?
Think about this: There is only one of you and there are thousands of job openings. The more people know you´re looking for a job, the better your chances of finding one are. You can never be sure who will know of an available position.
Networking can also give you a connection to a hiring manager or somebody at a company that puts you ahead of other applicants, says Matthew Grant of Aquent, a marketing staffing firm. With so many job seekers competing for the same position, you have an edge if you are referred by a friend or colleague of the hiring manager.
Do I know something about the companies I´m applying to?
"Tell me what you know about the company" or "Why would you fit in well here?" have become staple interview questions, so don´t be caught off guard. Shrugging your shoulders and saying, "I don´t know" isn´t going to score you points. Look at the company´s Web site and read press releases and newspaper articles to see what´s going on with your prospective future boss. In addition to preparing for the interview, you´ll also learn whether or not the company and its culture are a right fit for you.
Am I targeting my job search?
Sending out several applications is key to finding a job, but you also need to be selective about the jobs to which you´re applying.
"We see job seekers apply for every job posted -- a real red flag that they do not know what it is they are good at," says Eliot Burdett of Peak Sales Recruiting. While you don´t need to possess every single skill listed on a posting, you should at least be qualified for the position and prove that you have transferable skills. Your targeted r?sum? will help prove you´re a serious candidate if you have some qualifications for the position.
If you´re spending time applying for jobs you´re not qualified for, you´re wasting valuable time you could be devoting to a position that´s a better fit. If you recognize where your strengths lay and what transferable skills you possess, you´ll see better results than if you apply to any posting you come across.
Has someone else looked over my r?sum? and interview technique?
Feedback is critical to job hunting. Ask someone else to read your r?sum? and provide feedback, suggests Kevin Donlin of TheSimpleJobSearch.com. "Ask them three questions: Does this r?sum? clearly tell you what I can do? Does it prove I can do it? Does it make you want to call to find out more?" Friends or colleagues can provide objective points of view that help you revise your r?sum?.
Your interview skills need the same attention. Are your answers succinct or too short? Thorough or rambling? What you think you´re saying isn´t necessarily what others hear, so find this out now rather than in the interview. If you don´t think that a colleague or friend can offer constructive feedback, make an appointment with an interview coach.
How am I presenting myself?
Employers are assessing your presentation before you even show up for an interview. The e-mail address you put on your r?sum? and other correspondences should be professional, not descriptive. So avoid addresses like BingeDrinker@beerguzzlers.net. Opt for something as simple as your name.
Your e-mails and phone conversations with hiring managers or recruiters should also send a professional message. Don´t send e-mails written in all capital letters and/or using three exclamation points -- it´s bad netiquette in personal correspondence, but it´s even worse in business.
Put the same thought into your outgoing voicemail message. Don´t try to be funny by playing thirty seconds of your favorite song or talk with a mouthful of food. Hiring managers might hang up instead of ask you to call them back. Give a normal, casual greeting, or use one of the preprogrammed options that come with most accounts.
If a recruiter calls you, don´t try to hold a conversation with your TV blaring in the background or your child screaming on your lap. If you´re asked whether it´s a good time to talk, you can be honest and say you´re in the middle of something. Then ask if he or she can call you back in 15 minutes or find another day that´s convenient for both of you. You´ll be prepared to answer all the recruiter´s questions and won´t be distracted. E-mail to a friend
Copyright CareerBuilder.com 2007. All rights reserved. The information contained in this article may not be published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority
[31-03-2008,18:37]
[**.155.160.37]
Sharon |
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(in reply to: Finding that job - are you employable)
A short story.
I received a resume for an XXXXX position and his resume looked ok but wasn´t the greatest.
However, this man, knew how to sell his skills and he maked himself to look very employable although I wasn´t sure about that one.
Somehow, he managed to have a meeting with me, bare in mind that I didn´t called for him for an interview and after a good couple hours I figured that I needed to have him in my organization.
It has been almost 10 years and so far he is one of my "Key" people.
He may not be the greatest manager on earth but he sure is a leader.
Cheers
Bill
"It´s hard to lead a cavalry charge if you think you look funny on a horse".
[31-03-2008,19:32]
[***.34.111.122]
Bill |
(in reply to: Finding that job - are you employable)
those are often the best employees.
love your tagline!!!
[31-03-2008,20:24]
[**.155.160.37]
Sharon |
(in reply to: Finding that job - are you employable)
Excellent points, Sharon. Surprised there isn´t more of a discussion going on about this.
Our problem seems to be the simple fact that we are applying from the US, rather than being Canada based. Despite being totally qualified for positions applied for, we simply aren´t hearing back after sending our resume. It is understandable that employers do not want to take a chance on someone not already in the area, but when we keep hearing pleas of "send us more immigrants!" and then feeling as though being an immigrant is costing us an opportunity, it does become frustrating.
My husband is well qualified in his area of work (energy), and his line of work is in demand enough that we feel we ought to come across something sooner or later. However, after more than a year of searching and trying (on and off, to be fair), it is difficult to keep the faith.
Perhaps this is the "Canadian Experience" problem I hear so much about, or perhaps it´s simply trying to make an impression from another country, but in this economy we can´t afford to leave a stable situation for the completely unknown.
[01-04-2008,09:59]
[**.189.189.252]
wannabecanadian |
(in reply to: Finding that job - are you employable)
The points Sharon quoted are very much the ABC of job searching philosopy. Very true for all countries..no matter how good the job market is. I also learned that no matter how qualified you are; if you can´t sell yourself you won´t get a good job.
Though if someone starts to argue that US/Canada has same oppurtunities and it is personal fault to not being successful then that would be just an attempt to hiding face in the sand. Yesterday I read a comment like that. This matter was discussed many times here, most of the time I got angry personal offensive remarks when I ask a simple question. That is if US/Canada having same/equal oppurtunities then why do we see huge differences in US Canada immigrant conditions (employment/poverty). There is also huge differences in Canada and Australia, lets forget about US/Canada, I don´t think that is a fair comparison. Poor English..foreign degree...lack of Australian Experience..should all play at the same extent in Australia. Isn´t it? How many Doctors driving cab..Engineers flipping burger stories come from the Aussie immigrants sides? How many of them publish articles or letters back home not to immigrate there?
It is true that you have to be qualified and know how to sell yourself, at the same time also the job market has to be demanding as well. If you ahve 50 applications for 1 position and lets say 40 are bad, but 10 are almost similar then 49 candidates have to be rejected, 9 being closer to the best one. I don´t know why everyone attempt to avoid this bitter truth.
Wannabe,
It looks like now you are getting into the real world a bit. You may try this which I always found very effective even in the USA. Use a local contact (mailing address) in the city the position you are applying. Use your cell phone. Then the employers won´t reject you on the first hand as a relocator. They may at least talk with you.
[01-04-2008,11:20]
[***.219.255.152]
DC |
(in reply to: Finding that job - are you employable)
DC:
We´ve been well aware of this problem and it is the reason we haven´t left our current situation and just jumped into the market in Canada. We feel that in order to succeed in immigrating, we must set ourselves up with secure employment before making the jump. We´re running out of time, however, so we´re definitely feeling the stress.
We actually have used your tip on using a local address for a few jobs, and did receive responses for those. Lately we have been branching out and looking outside of Ontario and so aren´t sure that using the only available Canadian address to us would be worthwhile. Perhaps we ought to continue using it, as well as our US address (where, obviously, we are employed). Good tip, and much appreciated.
[01-04-2008,13:04]
[**.189.189.252]
wannabecanadian |
(in reply to: Finding that job - are you employable)
Wannabe,
Good to know that you are at least getting responses. That is very positive and keep the hope alive.
Most frustrating thing happens when you send thousands resumes and get no response (other than few automated ones). That is good enough to break someone at the last point.
I also don´t think only ON address will do much outside there but still will be better than the US ones.
[01-04-2008,13:14]
[***.219.255.152]
DC |
(in reply to: Finding that job - are you employable)
Wannabe, I think what is happening for you is simple pragmatics.
Employers want to get that resume, set up and interview and have you working in 30 days or less. You simply cannot supply that and they know it. That resume with those sorts of barriers becomes a ´B pile´ - rightly or wrongly.
is there no way you could make the move without securing that job first? You know where the industry is strong...
how about sending in cold call resumes and saying- I will be travelling in your area on such and such a day and I would like to speak with you about employment opportunities or conduct a professional interview which may help point you in the best direction.
Can´t do that by email.
[01-04-2008,15:11]
[**.155.160.37]
Sharon |
(in reply to: Finding that job - are you employable)
I absolutely agree with you Sharon. When I worked in HR, I barely looked at resumes from out of the area; not necessarily fair, but necessary nonetheless given the volume of resume we received. We are pretty sure that´s exactly what is happening now; an American address is an automatic "don´t bother", regardless of PR status and willingness to relocate quickly.
I like your idea of cold calling, as difficult as it sounds. In our case, the GTA is not far away, and it is relatively easy for us to get there on short notice. When we start looking outside that area, however, distances become far and trips expensive (ie: Calgary, BC). Might be worth a try, assuming we can get a hold of the proper contact person.
Always appreciate your encouragement; it really does help when we´re feeling so discouraged. :)
[01-04-2008,16:48]
[**.189.189.252]
wannabecanadian |
(in reply to: Finding that job - are you employable)
Dear Wannabe...
First of all let me commend you and your husband on being brave enough to keep us posted on your job search developments .... its definitely a good feedback that others in the forum can use, both prospective immigrants as well as those who need a reality check on the job situation.
I sincerely hope you guys can get employed and settle down soon.
Having said that, I speak from personal experience that when I was laid off in year 2000 I thought 5 times about traveling 2500 miles for a job interview, all expenses out of my pocket. In retrospect, I am glad I made that trip because that was the best offer I could have got among the various job offers I had at that time, so travel may seem expensive right now, but if you think you are anywhere close to a job offer.... go with your guts, you will not regret it in the future !!!
[01-04-2008,17:25]
[***.242.242.2]
Raj |
(in reply to: Finding that job - are you employable)
I would encourage you to establish a list of potentials and then take on the cold call idea so your time is well spent. Call that you are coming. (you know the drill)
employers are sometimes short sighted - they want that job filled in 4 weeks or less- otherwise they would not have posted the job (so silly) In some cases they may not fully understand what your PR status allows you and they think they will be required to do something difficult to get you here. Employers are not always up to speed on how CIC works.
At some point you may just have to hold your nose and walk the plank!
[01-04-2008,17:25]
[**.155.160.37]
Sharon |
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