Dear Job Doctor:

Thankfully I have had quite a few interviews but have had less success hearing back from companies after I interview with them. Aside from writing or emailing a thank you note, do you think it is inappropriate to email them and let them know I’m still interested in the position? I try to ask during the interview what the next steps are but only hear back from companies 50% of the time. What do you recommend?

-Wanting to Do this Right in Denver

Dear WDRD -

Getting face time in front of an employer for an interview is a great opportunity.   But that first interview is kind of like a first date.  You are both getting to know each other.

For a lot of companies, that first interview is similar to an audition.  You are trying out for the part and they are trying to determine if you match all of the criteria they are looking for.  As much as we’d like to think that our background, skills, expertise and experience are what matter most, for most employers, they are also looking for a ‘cultural fit’; someone whose personality will mesh with the team and with the company in general.

In your research of an employer prior to an interview, you should try to find out what the culture of a company is like.  Is it relaxed?  Fun?  Casual?  Or is it buttoned up and conservative?  If you know people that work for the company, ask them why they like working there and what about the culture should you be thinking about prior to the interview.

After the interview there are several things you should do:

DO ask them specifically about the hiring process.    Specifically, ask them when you should expect to hear back.  It’s a reasonable question.

DON’T be demanding.  Remember, you want to appear to be reasonable, helpful and flexible.  One corporate recruiter told me that a job seeker insisted on a date and a time in which she could discuss the interview and her status was.  You can imagine what happened to her chances by demanding such a thing.

DO write personal hand written thank you notes to those that were in attendance at the interview.  Instead of a brief and generic “Thanks for meeting with me” note, these thank you notes should be seen as an opportunity to address specific issues you discussed during the interview and more specific are areas that you believe resonated during the interview.

Think about it:  the people you interviewed with have been sitting through interviews for 2 days.  You need to remind them about YOUR interview.

So, for example:

Dear Mr. Smith:

Thank you for taking the time to meet with me about the Manager of HR position at Acme.

I particularly enjoyed discussing the challenges and opportunities Acme has in participating in more college job fairs.  As I stated, as manager of job fairs with ABC Corp., I gained a great deal of experience and expertise in managing and promoting ABC Corp’s entry-level hiring efforts which resulted in a 30% decrease in overall entry-level hiring costs .  Acme is in a perfect position to take advantage of college job fair opportunities and I believe with my experience and connections, can do so at little cost but with great returns.

Again, thanks for talking with me and I hope to learn more about Acme in the future.

Best wishes,

Jane Doe

DON’T send flowers, candy, cards, balloons, cakes etc.  Most times, this would be seen as inappropriate or awkward.  If you have something to send that is relevant to the interview or job (say a portfolio, your LinkedIn profile or something else that is relevant to the job) that is fine.

DO reach out via phone or email if they have given you a date to expect to hear back but have not contacted you.   Simply ask if the process has changed and let them know that you are still interested in the position.  If you still don’t hear back, then don’t sulk about it.  Chalk it up to bad manners and unprofessional behavior on their part and move on.  They have your resume and if they are interested, they’ll call you back.

DON’T call and call and call or send email after email.  It’s awkward and makes you look desperate and probably won’t help and at worst will take you out of the running altogether.  Remember, you want a job, not a restraining order.

DO consider getting a well-placed reference to make call on your behalf to the people that interviewed you.  This is tricky, so make sure that this person really has the clout to make a difference if they are speaking on your behalf.

DON’T try and make an end-run around the people who interviewed you by calling their boss or supervisor.  Most likely, the interview process is designed to allow the hiring authority (your new boss) the freedom and independence to hire who they choose.  It’s doubtful their boss is going to DEMAND they hire you because they know you and even if that was the case and you were hired, you’d be entering into an awkward situation from the get go.

Let’s get one thing straight:  it is tough to be a job seeker right now.

It seems that for every one position, there’s hundreds of qualified candidates.  You put your heart and soul into your resumes and cover letters and never hear back, or worse, you make it to the interview stage and never hear back after the interview!  Or you find a job posting that matches your years of experience, your skills and talents and then finding out that it pays $30,000 less than your previous job!

Job seekers face these, and many  more common frustrations on a regular basis.

But there’s one thing that differentiates the successful job seeker from the unsuccessful one.  Successful job seekers see these frustrations as obstacles to overcome, not barriers to hold them back.  In other words, they figure out ways to maneuver and as a result, they become better and ultimately successful job seekers.

In my discussions with hundreds of job seekers, there’s a common thread that I hear from those job seekers that are struggling in their search.  It’s an understandable, but self-defeating lack of confidence on a variety of levels.

Think about it:  how are you not supposed to take it personally if you don’t hear back from a company?  How can you not start to second-guess yourself or feel a little insecure or unsure of yourself if you’ve been to a few interviews but don’t get the job?

But answer this: have you ever seen a champion enter a tournament with the attitude “There’s no way I’m going to win?”

One successful job seeker told me, “I realized early on that my attitude needed to always be about the one thing that drove my job search which was the confidence in the things that I knew to be true.   A couple times I fell into the trap where I was spending more energy obsessing and wondering about the things that weren’t getting me hired.  I realized when I did that, I was getting depressed and unmotivated.  My job search sped up when I found myself concentrating on searching and applying for jobs where I was confident my skill sets were relevant.”

Here are some of the top self defeating job-seeking phrases and how to avoid them:

1.) I’m too: old/young/overqualified/unqualified..etc., etc., etc….

This is a common theme that gets into the heads of job seekers; convincing yourself that your job search has stalled because you are ‘too’ something.

But the bottom line is we all have specific and unique backgrounds and skill sets.  Successful job seekers have effectively ‘branded’ themselves with an identity that clearly aligns their skills and backgrounds with the jobs they are pursuing.

Feeling too old?  How about replacing that self-deflating stink bomb by reminding yourself that you come with a great deal of  maturity, institutional knowledge, networks of industry connections, years of proven loyalty, wisdom, experience and most importantly, context.  Your resume should show specific and worthy accomplishments that will convince your future employer that you can bring the same level of success to their organization.

Feeling too young or unqualified?  Most likely you are young and on your first or second job.   In some cases, you may be under qualified for the job you are seeking.

First things first.  Job postings are sometimes difficult to interpret, but for the most part, employers try to specify the criteria for the job including the years of experience required, the skill sets necessary and other common requirements.

Don’t spin your wheels and apply for jobs that are clearly not qualified.  Seriously, this rarely works.  You will not only waste your time, but you will become more frustrated.  The only time this might work is when you have a strong ‘in’ at the company and someone is willing to vouch for you.

When you do apply to a job that you are qualified, do all you can to prove to your next employer that they’d be getting a hard-working, energetic eager-to-learn, loyal foot-soldier.  Let them know you are willing to do anything necessary to pay your dues and work your way up.

Inexperienced?  Replace that thought with the strength of your background.  You still have tons of experiences!   Those jobs in college, the internships you’ve had, maybe even showing how your time playing sports has given you ‘team player’ differentiators.  Awards, recognitions, and other accomplishments are all important and unique assets you should promote.

2.) My resume and cover letter stinks!

Yikes!  This stinking thinking is a poisonous and lethal way to sabotage your job search.   You simply must feel confident about your resume!

Your resume and your cover letter are your brand; they identify to future employers why you should be hired.  It highlights your relevant skills, experiences, the chronology of your career and defines specific accomplishments and differentiators as to why you would be a good employee.

That sweet spot you are trying to reach on your resume is located between modesty and arrogance; it is called confidence.

If you are having difficulty with your resume, have others who know you critique it or have a professional resume writer help you.

3.) I’m no good at interviews!  I’m terrified of them and know I’ll blow it!

The reality is that practically no one is naturally good at interviews.  They are stressful and often times awkward and uncomfortable.  But also realize that interviewing is a job-seeking skill that you need to constantly practice.

The key to a successful job interview is feeling as if you have some control over the interview.

When I used to work for the Mayor of Denver, we’d regularly be faced with difficult media interviews.  Prior to an interview, I’d sit down with the Mayor for an hour and ask him the toughest questions I anticipated he’d face.  I’d also provide him with 3-5 specific talking points I’d want him to use to make his points and highlight his arguments.

During this hour I’d help him weave his talking points into his responses to the tough questions.  I’d also critique his responses and as importantly, his body language; arched eyebrows, quick blinking, sighs, and other non-verbal signs of stress and agitation.

This preparation would help us to control the interview.  Most of the time, we were dead on in anticipating the tough questions and often we’d address the tough issues even before being asked.   When tough questions were asked, the Mayor was able to answer the questions calmly and was also able to use the 3-5 important points he had memorized so that he could always direct the interview towards his strengths.

In much the same way, this is how you should prepare for an employment interview.

You can typically tell in a job posting what are the key and relevant issues that are important to job.  Anticipate the questions that would be tied to those issues and then look over your resume and your job history so that you are prepared with 3-5 specific experiences and accomplishments that demonstrate the relevance of your skills and the strengths of your experiences.

Work with a friend and have them ask you tough questions and critique your responses.

Bottom line: Get rid of the stinking thinking and the self-defeating attitudes.  Replace the thoughts that drive insecurity with thoughts that give you confidence and motivation and discover tactics that help keep you inspired!  Never forget that you have skills and experience that ARE important to employers.    Like anything, job seeking is a skill and it requires practice, research and study to become a successful job seeker.

Most of these are funny, but some of them are just plain ‘ol sad.

Thanks to my friend Sandra Laws for passing these on!

* Objective: Seeking a party-time position with room for advancement

* Professional headline: 1 year old marketing executive

* Achievement: Planned new corporate facility at $3M over budget.

* Explanation of employment gap: career break in 1999 to renovate my horse

* References: Referees available upon request

* Skills: I am a rabid typist

* Strengths: Impersonal skills

* Hobbies: Enjoy cooking Chinese and Italians

* Education: College: August 1880 to May 1984

* Cover letter: I would like to assure you that I am a hardly working person.

And just how much information on a resume is too much?

* Objective: To have my skills and ethics challenged on a regular basis

* Personal Information: Married, eight children, prefer frequent travel

* Language Skills: Exposure to German for two years-but many words are inappropriate for business

* Reason for leaving last job: the owner gave new meaning to the word paranoia

* Achievements: Nominated for prom queen

* Education: Finished eighth in a class of ten

* Interests: Gossiping

* Awards: National record for eating 45 eggs in two minutes

* References: Bill, Tom, Eric – but I don’t know their phone numbers

* Salary: The higher the better

* Cover letter: Please disregard the attached resume; it’s totally outdated

I often ask folks I regularly interact with, “How do you like the company you work for?”

The answers are revealing.

From bank tellers, grocery clerks, mechanics, lawyers, accountants and many, many others, I get different responses.   Occasionally, a person’s face will light up as they tell me about how wonderful their boss is and about the great benefits they enjoy at their company.  Others kind of roll their eyes and mutter, “eh…its a job.”

Colorado Biz Magazine, one of Denver’s best business news sources, has come out with its annual list of “Best Companies to Work For.”  You can read the entire list by clicking here.

The list is revealing for a lot of reasons.

Primarily, corporate America in general has taken a pretty bit hit on the loyalty factor what with massive layoffs, furlow days, cuts to benefits and other cost-saving measures to combat the recession.  Regular surveys show that there is tremendous anxiety from currently employed professionals about being laid off.

But the businesses listed here recognize that being recognized as an  ‘employer of choice’ helps them to attract and retain the best talent.   As important is that employers who truly have developed a beloved corporate culture enjoy greater productivity from employees that really do believe in and love their jobs.  These companies recognize that their bottom line is intricately connected to a corporate environment that recognizes and rewards the best in their employees.

Mike Cote, Editor of Colorado Biz says it best:

“These businesses continue to understand that – in good times and bad – appreciating employees, challenging them to succeed and creating workplaces that help them to thrive both in the office and beyond leads to long-term success. That means if you’re looking for a recession-proof business, you’ll probably find a few here.”

For job seekers, the corporate culture, values and mission are an often overlooked criteria in determining new employment.

When you are considering a new job, make sure you ask important questions about the corporate culture and research the company to find out exactly what the company’s values and mission express.

I recently received an email from an employer who had posted a mid-level public relations position on www.andrewhudsonjobslist.com I would encourage every job seeker to read this and take the advice to heart.

“I interviewed some qualified candidates in the past couple of months…but could NOT believe the number of people (mid-level) that were completely unprepared for the interview.  Absolutely shocking. Many of them could not answer the simple question of why they wanted to work here/what is their connection to our mission. One person was extremely honest and said she had done zero research on us.  She had not even looked at our website.  Heck – you are a PR person….think on your feet a little bit and make something up!! It’s difficult not to become a little angry at the candidate – wasting your time!

“I know you speak with a lot of people who are out there looking….thought it might just be helpful to reinforce that a little research goes a long, long way. I know you preach this like gospel but as I said, I have never interviewed so many people who were so unprepared.”

For job seekers, everything about convincing an employer to hire you is about connecting the relevance of your background (experience, expertise , accomplishments, etc.) to the job and the company you are applying to work.   One easy way to do this is to research the company and discover some key areas that connect to your background.

There are many ways to research information about an organization prior to an interview.  Here’s a few:

1.) The organization’s website.  The vast majority of companies and nonprofit organizations have websites that give the most basic information about their missions, what they do and, in many cases, links to updated press releases and news articles about the organization.

Also look for annual reports which are more commonly posted online.  Sometimes, the CEO might have a company blog or the company might have a facebook or Twitter account.

Dig into the company’s HR page to find out about the company culture – often companies use their recruiting pages to tell you about what its like to work for them.

Find out who is on their Board of Directors – you might have a connection.  Also, who are the members of their senior staff?

Take notes on what you see on the website so you can ask intelligent questions about their organization during the interview.

2.) The news media.  Go to Google News and you will most likely find the latest news articles about the organization.  In addition, you will find information about their industry, learn about their competitors and their industry as well as become familiar with industry buzz words and acronyms.  Read the newspaper every day and search their websites for keywords related to the company.

3.)  National associations are great resources to learn about an industry you may be unfamiliar with.  They track current trends, legislation, policies and other topics that impact the industry.  You can become familiar with the industry lingo and get a better sense of the current economy of the industry.

4.) If it’s a public company, go to the Security and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) database called EDGAR (Click here)  All public company reports including annual and quarterly reports, are stored here for public viewing.   The summaries of many of these documents provide a wealth of up-to-date information.

Bottom Line: You can leave a positive impression if you arrive at an interview prepared to have an intelligent conversation about the company, their industry and why your background and experience are suited for their company.

If you have a question for the Job Doctor, email us at info@ahjobslist.com.

Dear Job Doctor:
I was laid off over 3 months ago from a job I’ve had for over 8 years.  I feel I’ve overcome the shock, anger and frustration, but have had trouble getting motivated.  I’m plagued with anxiety and every day, despite my best attempts, don’t feel as if I’m really moving my job search forward.  Any suggestions?
- Depressed in Durango

Dear DID: There’s no way to sugar coat it. We are living in trying economic times. And while by nature we may be a nation of optimists, the reality is that our national economic woes are creating a ton of anxiety and suffering.

For those who have unexpectedly lost their jobs it can be a traumatic and devastating experience. It’s hard to imagine, but the loss of a job is similar to other losses in life – a death, a divorce or breakup. Your daily routine and day-to-day habits are suddenly shifted in a massive way. You feel disoriented, aimless and lost.

According to author and grief expert Carole Brody Fleet, “More than simply a ‘means to an end’ (i.e., a paycheck), the loss of a job is actually one of the most devastating losses that a person can experience. So much of our identity, our self-esteem and to a certain degree, our self-respect is directly connected to what we do for a living.”

“Getting laid off is hard on everyone, and it’s a huge blow to your self-esteem,” says Dr. Susan Bernstein who has studied the effects of being laid off.  “It’s really a form of shock or trauma, so the natural responses are fear, anger, sadness, and depression. We feel disoriented and without a direction. And we tend to beat up on ourselves for our negative feelings, sort of expecting ourselves to act as though everything is fine. It’s not fine. Unfortunately, people actually prolong those difficult feelings when they feel ashamed for feeling them. Then, they try to suppress the emotions. But those emotions generally linger.  Whatever we resist, persists.”

For those who have been laid off, there are many common and natural emotions ranging from fear, loss of identity, shame/embarrassment, abandonment, anger and rejection.  Many times these emotions lead to a loss of self esteem and confidence – and are replaced with destructive negative self talk, or what Dr. Bernstein calls “stinking thinking.”

“I hear people say, “I’ll never get a job,” or “I don’t have enough experience,” or “No one wants to hear from someone as old as me.” Dr. Bernstein says. “Until they clean up their “stinking thinking,” they risk sabotaging their job search.  It’s vital to maintain a positive attitude.  I encourage my clients to become aware of the “voice in their head” and to discern the positive, uplifting inner voices from the negative, unsupportive inner voices — even having them write down the negative self-talk and reversing or revising it.”

Carole Brody Fleet suggests that the best way to regain some focus and balance is to take immediate proactive steps. “Nothing helps boost self-esteem, energy and motivation more than being proactive.”

Jonathan Alpert, a Manhattan-based psychotherapist and advice columnist agrees with the proactive approach. Alpert is consulting with many clients who have recently lost their jobs in the finance industry.

“Taking a passive approach towards finding a new job doesn’t work as well as being a go getter,” Alpert advises.  “Although between jobs at the moment, your new job is that of marketing executive and you are the product.  So, take an inventory of your best qualities and strengths. Actually write them out -  this helps to refresh your memory and stimulate you to market yourself.”

Alpert suggests composing a letter summarizing your background and expertise and send it, along with your resume, to 10-15 or more of your contacts, and in it ask that they also send it along to a few of their contacts.

“You will have successfully built a massive marketing machine.”

He also advises to add structure to your day by getting it to resemble a 9-5 workday as best as possible.

“A common habit that develops with people who are out of work is they stay up late and by the time they get going in the morning it’s 10 or 11,” Alpert says.  “Make sure you’re in bed at a reasonable time and able to get up with the masses for the start of your day at 9:00 a.m. and then plan your day out. For example, 9-11 look at job sites, 11-12, send out resumes, 12-1 lunch, 1-2, follow up calls, 2-3, go to the gym, etc.  This structure will help the person feel connected to mainstream and avoid getting lazy.”

According to Carole Brody Fleet, by taking proactive measures, “…you are psychologically taking control of the situation. You are taking positive steps to move forward. You are regaining a dogged determination; sending a message to others (as well as yourself!) that you may be “down for now”, but that you are not going to stay that way.”

Need help diagnosing a job seeking problem?.  If you have a question for the Job Doctor, email us at info@ahjobslist.com.

Dear Job Doctor:
I’ve been applying for a lot of jobs and am concerned that my resume is not very good.  What do you recommend?
- Concerned in Bonnie Brae

Dear CBB:
You have a common problem called Insecure Resume Disorder (IRD).   IRD can happen at any time in your career – whether you are an entry level jobseeker or a seasoned professional looking for a new job.

Here’s the deal:

In the good ol’ days, job seekers would craft one really good resume to be sent out to employers.

Typically every Sunday, the employment section of your local newspaper would have upwards of 60 pages of new jobs throughout your state and you’d simply mail out that one resume to employers everywhere.

It was a relatively easy strategy.  Sure, networking, cold-calling and other tactics were helpful too, but for the most part, the rule was – one really good resume.

Flash forward to the Internet era.  In 1998, Monster.com became one of the most recognized job-seeking websites and offered lightening quick efficiency for both employers and job seekers.  Jobs were accessible to hundreds of thousands of job seekers from around the world!  All you do is search for a job in your sector and the city you were searching and you could easily find hundreds of employment opportunities and, better yet, easily apply directly for the position online!

But here’s what happened:  HR departments were deluged with resumes from professionals throughout the world and their email boxes were getting bogged down.  To the dismay of the qualified job seeker, unqualified applicants, applying on a wing and a prayer, were gumming up the system.  It simply became impossible to sift through all of the job seekers who were applying for that one job.

Today, there are typically two ways your resume will be considered:

1.) Applicant Tracking Systems
Many mid-large size companies have begun using Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).  These online application systems allow recruiters to ask qualifying questions about each applicant and the ATS organizes the applicants based on the responses and spits out the most qualified job seekers for the position.  While theoretically, this is supposed to provide another level of efficiency for the recruiter, the ATS is really relying on the applicant to make sure they fill in the fields with the most accurate and reliable information in order to make a determination about their qualifications.  Even while you are required to answer qualifying questions with an ATS, you are still generally required to download your resume to the system.   (There are specific ways that can help your resume and responses conform to an ATS which I will write about in a future article.)

2.) HR recruiters sifting through resumes
Human beings still review resumes – both hard copy resumes and resumes they might see on popular websites such as LinkedIn.  But consider this:  The typical HR recruiter seeing your resume for the first time will spend maybe 45-60 seconds reviewing it to see if it meets the qualifications and most likely, they will not read your cover letter during that first screening.
Many HR recruiters start their review at the END of your resume to quickly look at your career chronology and assess your career progression.  In addition, they are looking for basic qualifications as spelled out in the job posting: years of experience, industry experience, college degree, etc.  They are also looking for red-flags such as job-hopping, inconstancies, typos, gaps in employment, inflated titles and other things that would take you out of the running.

So back to your resume…

Your goal is to present a resume that will get you a call back.

Today, every resume you send out must be customized to the job posting you are applying for.  It doesn’t mean that you have to re-write every detail of your resume, but your resume does have to connect the relevance of your experience to the specific job you are trying to get.

Think about it: an HR recruiter is held accountable to finding the best possible talent for the company.  They are going to be motivated by resumes that have the clearest relevance and connection to the position they are hiring for.  If you want to get a call back, you MUST make that connection for them.

You can never assume that the recruiter is a subject expert in your career field.  They are typically generalists who work with the hiring authority (usually your future boss) to help determine the best qualifications.

Based on my interviews with hundreds of HR professionals, here’s what they say they are considering when they review your resume:

•    They are considering how easy your resume is to read. A 2-page resume is completely appropriate.  Keep the font on your resume consistent, but soft fonts like Arial are easier on the eyes.  When listing previous employers, make sure you clearly indicate the time you worked at the company.  Keep it consistent in the types of font you use.  Unless you are applying to be a model or TV news reporter, don’t include a picture.  Remember, if the most basic information is not accessible to them, they most likely will not consider your resume. They rely on the resume for this information and simply don’t have the time to search for it.

•    They are considering how closely aligned your resume is to the job for which they are hiring. Help them to help you!  Think about when you are considering making a big purchasing decision and you are considering a variety of criteria before you make your purchase.  In much the same way, HR recruiters are in the same mindset in terms of making sure your resume shows you have met all of the criteria that was defined in the job posting.   Your resume should give them that sigh of relief in that you demonstrated you are the perfect candidate.

•    They are considering the specific bulleted examples that show accountabilities and results at previous jobs. Specifically, they are looking for numbers.  Did you increase sales?  Did you cut overhead?  Did you manage budgets?  How many people did you manage?   Think back to past performance reviews at previous jobs.  What types of metrics were used to evaluate your performance?  Remember, in their minds, past success is an indicator of future success.

•    They are considering your career progression up to this point. They like to see your increased responsibilities, duties and ways you’ve managed your career path.  In many cases, they like to see specific industry experience as a way to determine your knowledge of their company and your understanding of the context of what they do compared to their competitors.

Bottom line: Get rid of Insecure Resume Disorder!  You have a lot of control over your resume.  Keep in mind, no hiring process is perfect and it is a tough job seeking market right now.  But every advantage you can give yourself should be considered.  Read and re-read every document you send to a potential employer and make sure that you have demonstrated that your background, experience, expertise and overall qualifications are aligned and relevant to the position to which you are applying.

Over the past several years,  I’ve collected a lot of advice and opinions from HR recruiters and from job seekers about what is the best way to go about looking for a new job.

Below is the most updated list of great job seeking tips.  Be forewarned – this is an exhaustive (read: long) list but I think you’ll find a lot of nuggets of useful information in here.

It is divided into four main categories:

• General job search tips
• Resumes and cover letters
• Networking
• Interviewing

Some of these tips are practical, some are humorous and some are just plain common sense.  Do you have additional tips or questions about the job search?  Leave a comment and lets discuss!

General Job Searching Tips

Your job right now is the Chief Marketing Officer for YOURSELF!  Develop a job-search routine.  Divide your time throughout the day into a.) Internet job search b.) employer research c.) networking and cold-calling d.) creating and sending out resumes and cover letters

Establish realistic job search goals.  By establishing goals, you will feel a sense of accomplishment each and every day and you will see yourself becoming a more skilled job seeker!

For example:
3 prospects per-day,
4 phone calls each morning,
4 resumes sent out each week,
3 interviews per-month.

Create a plan!  Who’s your target market?  Do you have your sales collateral ready (resume/cover letter/portfolio)?  Are you prepared to ‘sell’ yourself?  Can you answer the question, “Will you please tell me about yourself?”

Carry a professional notebook/portfolio with your resume and notepaper. If the person you interview with is giving “advice,” WRITE IT DOWN, particularly if you are spending time with someone who has been asked as a personal favor to interview you.

SEEK MOTIVATION!  Remember a time in your life that you set a goal or faced a challenge or obstacle?  What was it that motivated you or inspired you not to give up, even when a situation seemed hopeless?  A mentor?  Faith?  A book?  Music?  An historical figure?  Family?  A book?  Friends?  Turn back to that experience and tap into the thing that motivated and inspired you!

Read the business section of local newspapers regularly and keep in touch with changes in your industry and in businesses you are interested in working for.

Be persistent. Don’t just send in a resume and hope for someone to call you back. Even if you’re responding to a classified ad that doesn’t give a contact name, do some research and find a warm body to call and talk to. Be resourceful — search the company’s web site and ask your colleagues/peers if they know anyone at the company.  Show your interest and conduct a quick follow-up a week or two after submitting your resume.

Are you the entrepreneur type that wants to work for yourself?  There are plenty of websites and government agencies that have information on building a business plan, financial resources for low-interest loans, and other helpful tips. Start with realistic goals and talk with others about the challenges and the rewards of owning your own business.

Use the job-hunting resources available to you from local governments.  Every state has a workforce development agency which provides numerous job search resources.  These include books and brochures, career fairs, free computer access to build your resume and professional career counselors that are available to help you with your job search, your resume, your strategies, etc. They assist ALL citizens whether you are an executive, or whether you are a first-time job seeker.

Don’t be put off by exotic job requirements. Usually they represent the perspective employer’s ideal candidate. Believe me, these people are few and far between. If the job sounds like something you could do, give it a shot. You may prove to be what they really want!

Buy the Denver Business Journal’s annual “Book of Lists” — the bible for job seekers in Colorado, it is updated and compiled ever year, and is simply the most valuable resource for basic information on companies in the Denver area.

Use the web to your advantage. Many organizations will list jobs on their websites that you won’t see anywhere else. Their websites also offer tons of information for your networking strategies. Who is on their board of directors? Who are the top officers? You’d be surprised how many times you find people you know that serve in these capacities.

Create a couple of 1-2 page “case studies”; short narratives about a particular project, situation or event in your career that show off your management skills, your problem-solving abilities, your creativity, how you rose to the occasion when challenged, your follow through in beginning and completing a project, etc. It’s one thing to list your skills on a resume; it’s another to actually show how you utilized those skills.

Never quit looking – even after you have a job, keep your eye on the market. You’ll pick up trends and lists of skills you may want to gain or build on. It will make you a better staff member where you are and position you much more competitively if you decide to move on.

Always apply for jobs that look interesting, even if they seem out of your “reach.” You never know who else will be applying and you might be the perfect fit for the job.

Get at least conversational with a wide range of computer programs. You don’t have  to be an expert in web design or publishing programs but if you can open them and do basic work it may give you a leg up.

Create a job-seeking journal.  Use it to jot notes and to make lists.  Pull it out when you have a brainstorm about a new job-seeking strategy or when you think of a new ‘power word’ or ‘power phrase for your resume.  Write down companies you hear about that seem interesting or websites you might want to explore later.

In this job market be open to new opportunities in new fields. Keep on searching diligently and apply extensively. Attend Job Fairs. Send in a quality resume with an appealing cover letter. Be sure you meet the qualifications.

If the ad says “No calls, please,” DON’T CALL. The employer is working overtime to make up for short staff and has 300 resumes to review. He or she probably can’t spare five minutes for every applicant to confirm that the resume has arrived, to describe the position and to say whether or not interviews have begun. Many of the 300 resumes will be for highly qualified people, and frankly, employers are looking for reasons to disqualify you. Failure to follow instructions is a good one. Even if the ad doesn’t say “No calls, please,” DON’T CALL. In addition to the reasons above, trying to circumvent the hiring process won’t gain you any points. The only exception is if you actually know the person doing the hiring.

Take a few hours off from your job search – take a walk in the park or a hike in the mountains, listen to your favorite CD or go see a movie, hang out with a friend, eat an ice cream cone, volunteer with children or at a senior home… do something to release the pressure. Clearing your head really does help. It gives you clarity and focus and helps you to organize your thoughts and strategies before you jump back into your job search.

As difficult as it can seem, remain optimistic and energized. There will be times when you are a finalist and then you don’t get the job. There will be times when you send out a dozen resumes and don’t hear a word. As devastating as this may seem, just keep thinking about the next day, the next job interview, keep your head up and do what you can to not let it impact your self confidence.

Resumes and cover letters

Two most important things we look for in resumes:
1.) Does their resume match the qualifications in terms of years of experience, industry, expertise and skills.
2.) We are looking for well-articulated results
3.) We are looking for them to articulate their relevance to the job we have posted.  We can’t make assumptions, they have to tell us why their background is relevant to the position.
4.) What makes someone unique?  What differentiators are going to show us you are more likely going to succeed at the new position?

One unfortunate truth is that in today’s world, often your resume is actually never even considered by a human being, but by a sophisticated, turbo-charged database called the Applicant Tracking System (ATS).  An ATS is a software application designed for recruitment tracking purposes and to manage resume data. Your resume or online application should include key qualifying phrases and information that matches with the job description.  An ATS is programmed to look for these words and phrases and if your resume does not include these, it may never be seen by a recruiter.

A short branding statement should be included on the top of your resume that starts with the words “I am….” followed by a description of your expertise, your experience and your skills.  This is also a good exercise for that inevitable question “Can you tell us about yourself?”   Here’s an example:

I am a demonstrated senior-level executive, innovator and business development leader. I possess specific expertise in leading and managing complex bureaucracies, developing new markets, programs and services in three sectors: higher education, nonprofit organizations, and business.  I have a proven ability to develop and manage budgets and drive and increase sales and revenue goals.  I am recognized for my passion in planning, coaching, mentoring, training, problem solving and communication and I continuously strive to raise an organization’s level of engagement and achievement. I’m a former Peace Corp volunteer and am fluent in Spanish.

This statement should be followed by three columns of no more than 9 key words and phrases that best describe your expertise.  These words can be interchanged to match the qualifying words on a job posting.  Below these columns is where you begin your reverse chronology of your experience – most recent job first.

An HR recruiter has a large pile of resumes they will scan through.  The recruiter has about  60-90 seconds at most to determine to determine if you match the qualifications of the job.  They will be looking for criteria in this order:

1.) Do you meet the basic criteria as stated in the job description (education/expertise/background)?

2.) Do you have the stated years of experience and the chronology of progressive experience as stated in the job posting?

3.) Are there any red flags such as gaps in employment, ‘job jumping’, typos, etc.?

Looking for a job is not a time to be modest!  This is ‘show time!’ and you have every right to take credit for your accomplishments, to highlight your skills and expertise and to demonstrate the results of your hard work. Highlight real accomplishments on your resume. Instead of saying, “I managed a sales program for ABC Company,” add details that show real results; for example, “I created and executed a sales campaign that resulted in a $5 million increase in revenue and increased our market share by 15%.” Prospective employers, particularly executive management, like to see vision, hard work and the results of that hard work.

For entry level job seekers, a one-page resume is fine, but for most mid-senior level professionals, you should aim for a two-page resume.

Education, boards and volunteer projects should be represented at the end of the resume, never the beginning.

Create a cover letter that with bullet points with specific scenarios you’ve faced in your daily career that match the requirements that are spelled out in the job posting.

Your cover letter needs to answer four specific questions:

1.) Why am I the most qualified?

2.) How does my experience/skills/expertise match the job requirements?

3.) What differentiators set me apart from other applicants?

4.) How will hiring me add value to the organization?

Create different resumes and cover letters that focus on job duties tailored to  specific industries which you’ve worked in.  So when applying for a job in healthcare, education, technology, etc. your resume reflects strengths in that industry.

Have several people review your resume and cover letter for typos. A universal theme is: “If there’s a typo throw it out. Period.”

If you have a physical address to mail your resume and cover letter, send your packet by registered mail with a return-receipt requested. If possible, hand deliver your resume packet.  In this day and age of high tech and email, many employers appreciate the effort when people hand-deliver their resume. Plus, you know it got there before the deadline. Use high quality paper.

If you are in a creative career (marketing/advertising/pr/graphics) think about having have a good portfolio on hand for the interview.  It should show the progress of a project from beginning to end.

Always have at least two good general reference letters in your packet.

Include in the cover letter a very specific list of job requirements and matching qualifications in side-by-side columns so that the HR person reviewing the submission can see quickly that you have all of the qualifications for the position. An HR person explained to me that many hiring managers never see most resumes because the person screening resumes didn’t think they saw all of the required
qualifications.

Don’t send duplicate resumes to HR, the receptionist and the supervisor. They all end up on the same desk in the end, and it looks like you’re either desperate or trying to do an end run.

Networking

There is nothing wrong with being unemployed and your job search is not the time to be modest!  Let everyone know what you’re doing, and don’t rule anything out.  I know a guy who got a lead from someone sitting next to them at Starbucks who overheard him talking with a friend about his job search.

Even if a company does not have a job opening (or has one you may be overqualified for), set up informational interviews with friends/acquaintances/peers in that industry.  Then follow-up with them every month to two to keep your name in the forefront.  It could be that call from a reference to a potential employer that puts you over the edge and separates you from the crowd.

People love to be asked for their advice. If you are seeking an informational interview, ask someone if you can meet with him or her briefly to seek his or her advice.

Use your resources to network. Friends, family, colleagues, fellow service/professional/civic organizations, the church/synagogue you attend, health/sports clubs you are part of — all are part of your network. Be ready with a personal business card that includes a couple of key job experience points on the back.

Be as visible as possible. Take every advantage to be seen and to connect. Go to events, receptions, etc.

Volunteer for high profile, leadership positions that provide significant opportunity for interaction.

Volunteer for a nonprofit using the skills in the field you are interested in. There are great opportunities if you serve in a volunteer capacity for a cause you like and that matches your career goals. That is where you meet lots of people from different organizations with the potential of several jobs. If you do a good job, they’ll create jobs for a hard worker in their organization. You’ll also meet a ton of high profile folks working on boards and committees for charitable non-profit organizations.

Create a diverse network of references. I have a large list of confirmed people who represent or reflect a very broad spectrum of society (i.e., government, business, non-profit, media, etc.). As such, when I’m applying for a position, I’m able to pick my references to fit that opportunity.

Use LinkedIn.  Create a professional profile with your general resume and engage using the various groups that are tailored to specific careers and other areas of interest.  Recruiters are using LinkedIn to identify new talent.

Interviews

Dress to impress a potential boss. Even though we are in casual Colorado please do not show up for an interview dressed as though you’re heading to a ball game. A polished, professional appearance means you are serious about getting this job. Business suits for both women and men are a must — not just for the first interview, but the second and third!

Do your homework. Know the company/firm/agency with whom you are seeking a  position. If you come to the table as a qualified candidate and you have taken this extra step, you will be an impressive interview.  Every company has a web site. Newspapers archive their articles that makes it easy to track down the business’ history, issues, trends, etc. The Securities and Exchange Commission web site (http://www.sec.gov) has regular online company filings that provide very detailed information (annual reports, quarterly filings, etc.) on companies. You should be an expert on the company going into an interview. Google the CEO or other top management. You might find out background information about that person that is helpful to your interview or your cover letter.

Before going in for the interview, anticipate the questions that might be asked of you. Ask your spouse, a friend or a family member to do a dry run with you to practice your answers.

Many interviewers will ask, “What are your weaknesses?” Although saying, “I’m a perfectionist,” may sound like a good answer, it’s really not. I’ve worked with perfectionists, and they never finish anything.

Many interviewers will ask, “What did you dislike about your last job?” Avoid the temptation to launch into a diatribe about your martinet former boss and idiot former coworkers. Also avoid the temptation to say, “I liked everything about my last job,” because it’s hard to believe. If you’ve been in a supervisory position, I find this is a good answer: “I’ve never enjoyed firing people, but I will do it when necessary.” No manager can argue with that.

Tell the hiring manager/search team about how you can bring an immediate benefit and include a list of key strengths that match the job description.

Ask the right questions of the employer to ensure that YOU want to work there. Is the management team committed to doing interviews and making appearances? Do they have unreasonable expectations that the company’s stock with triple and they will be on the ‘Today’ show simply because they’ve hired a PR professional? What’s the process for issuing releases and other documents? Make sure you can live with their policies.

A slightly humorous tip is when going in for an interview, before entering the office, take a moment to use the restroom and wash your hands in very warm water. The result will be a warm handshake.

Do not wear cologne or perfume to an interview, as either may be a turn-off or a medical (i.e. possible allergy) to the interviewer.

Close the sale. Whether you’re in a screening interview or the final round, ask for the job and reiterate how your skill set matches what the company’s looking for.

Always send a thank you note for any kind of meeting. It will distinguish you from other candidates. Specifically send a note that addresses YOUR interview.  Highlight the areas of the interview that you think distinguished your strengths and how your skills are going to help the organization.