Don't Sit Around

Since my last posting, economic conditions have loosened up a little. Some companies have already added some staff in the first quarter, and several others are in the process or are considering adding workers at some point this year. Having said that, do not wait around. Just because things are loosening up a little, it doesn't mean it is time to relax in your search. There are still 1 out of 10 American workers who are collecting unemployment. Even as things improve there will be less jobs than people, plus there are millions of American workers who are currently employed who have been unhappy with their current positions. Competition will be tough for several years, so follow along with my previous advice. Searching for work is a 40 hour work week. Do not rely on the job boards. Finally, stay positive! Things are improving and a good attitude and professionalism will go a long way. For help with employment it is always beneficial to register with a staffing company.

Don't Fall into the Unemployment Trap

With the current unemployment numbers staggering and continuing to rise, I want to offer advice for those of you reading my blog. Everyone knows somebody who is currently unemployed or who will be laid off. With almost 10% of the working class unemployed (even more if you include the number of involuntarily unemployed people who just gave up looking for work), and a recovery no where in sight, the level of competition for a job is that much greater. Once unemployment begins do not get complacent. The rate at which companies are hiring has slowed and companies are receiving a much larger ratio of resumes to job openings. Begin the job search right away. As I often mention, job hunting should be a 40-hour a week job. Remember, the longer you collect unemployment, the more difficult it will be to get hired.

My first Q + A
Andrea from Bordentown asked:
My resume has been on www.monster.com, www.careerbuilder.com, and www.hotjobs.com and I don’t seem to get anywhere, is there another site(s) that posts jobs that I am missing?

Dave:
Great question Andrea, and the answer is yes. http://www.craigslist.com/ and http://www.indeed.com/, are great sources as well for job seekers. Finally there are even state sites like www.nj.com/jobs which can prove to be fruitful.


Steven from Laurel Springs asked:
Should I have an objective in my resume?
Dave:
I think the answer is no. Having an objective can only hurt, or at the very least, be very vague. I would write something like, "I’m looking for a position to work for a great company in which I can use my skills and continue to learn".

Maggie:
I sit at home all day while searching, and I feel like I’m going around in circles.
Dave:
Change it up, Maggie. Register with a couple of staffing companies (check one out at http://www.perrytemps.com)/. Let them do some work for you. Not to mention, they may know of some companies that you may have never heard of. You are only spending a little time for something that can pay big dividends.
Remember to email mailto:dweiss@attnet with any questions. Have a great day.

Some Tips for the Job Seeker

With unemployment claims rising rapidly from week to week, give yourself the best chance to edge out your competition for the next opportunity. Now with the average job posting (on popular job boards) gaining over 100 applicants per posting, any mistake could cost you the position. There are some common mistakes I will give that are almost guaranteed to prevent you from gaining that particular position:

Have a professional email address. If you are not positive what that or what other suggestions mean, please email us at perrypeople@att.net with your question.

Make sure your address and phone numbers are current on your resume.

Voice mail must be professional, hiring managers could be responding to your resume to set up an interview. Don’t ruin the opportunity by having loud music or an immature voice mail message. Make sure your name is audible and easy to understand. Also, answer the phone in a professional manner. You never know who may be calling.

If you can think of anything I left out, please email your suggestions to perrypeople@att.net

Important Advice For Job Seekers

As the latest unemployment numbers came in this morning, I couldn’t help but remember what an old college friend used to tell me, "Looking for a position is a full time job and you should be spending 40 hours a week searching." Adam was right then, and that phrase has never held more weight than right now. As more people lose their jobs, the competition for the open positions will be that much tougher the next few months. Go to several staffing companies like this one at http://www.perrytemps.com/, but don’t stop with one or two, go to 7 or 8 and give yourself the best chance to get a position. Don’t wake up at noon, wake up at the same time you would if you were going to work. There is a blog entry on cnn.com that talks about what the right time to wake up is, and you can read that here. DO NOT WAIT FOR YOUR UNEMPLOYMENT TO BE ALMOST UP BEFORE SEARCHING FOR A JOB. I can’t stress that enough. Who knows how high unemployment will get before turning around, but the longer you wait to begin your search, the more difficult it will be to get back to work.

The Interview

The Interview
If you have gotten to this point, you are in the finals. Assuming your credentials and references check out, you are in the final few. You have also made it past the hundreds of candidates who have submitted their resume. I wish I could give the magic formula to beat out the competition, but that does not exist. The best I can give you is a good defense to position yourself to land that position. I am going to give you the best shot, assuming experience and skills are equal.
Dress the Part
I’ve seen people eliminated because they were not dressed properly. Always over-dress. Under dressing will automatically eliminate you from contention.
Do Your Homework
You should know everything the company makes and or services before attending the interview. Go to the company website. If there is something you couldn’t find, or are unsure of, ask during the interview. Which leads me to…
Ask Questions
This shows initiative and that you are a thinker. Although unemployment is at a high rate and rising, you don’t want to act desperate. Make them think you have other options on the table, and you aren’t going to take the first offer you get.
Demeanor
Look the interviewer in the eye and give a firm handshake. Answer the questions that are asked and stop. Also be prepared to what questions they might ask.
Dry Run
If you have the opportunity, drive to the location before the interview. Do not allow getting lost a reason to miss an interview. Do not rely on websites or anything. Drive to the company before your interview.

Following these steps do not guarantee anything, but they are a good defense. Sometimes a good defense is the best offense.

Worse Times Ahead

The first thing I read today was that Citigroup was cutting 53,000 jobs. Unemployment is already at its highest point since 2001, and will probably get much higher. Now, it does not mean that companies aren’t hiring for certain positions, because they are. It does mean that, in most cases, the people that are let go are the ones that either are not performing at the highest level or those that are causing a problem within the company.
With cuts being made in several departments in corporations around the world, make it impossible for them to let you go. Here are some things that might help you keep your job or even get you promoted in due time:

Come to work early-

If your schedule is to work from 8-5, you are probably allowed arrive early. This shows your supervisor that you care and that you are committed to the company.

Stay late-

Nothing says "go-getter" more than making sure your work is finished before you go home. This can also be a mental stress reliever. What a nice feeling it is complete your work and have nothing to stress about when getting home. Being one of the last cars in the parking lot does get noticed by the higher ups in the company.

Take on additional responsibilities-

The more you volunteer for your employer, the more valuable you become to the company. A few weeks back I was speaking to a candidate who was in the finance field. A few years ago his company unveiled a new software enrollment program. When cuts came to his company in 2001 he avoided them, he was too valuable as he learned a new skill that was in demand. When seeking a job recently, he wasn’t looking for a job in finance; he was seeking a position in IT. When he took on the additional responsibilities, his company trained him in the new areas, and for the past 7 years has changed fields by volunteering.

Avoid Work Drama-

This one is pretty self-explanatory but needs to be said as well. When employees are not getting along and are distracting people from their work responsibilities, changes need to be made. If an employee is acting in a nonprofessional manner, tell your supervisor or if it is your direct supervisor, tell a human resource employee. In this economic downturn there is no need for office drama.

Times are tough-

If you are one of the lucky ones and have a job, do not jeopardize it. This is not the time to be outwardly seeking another job while employed. If a company is laying off, they will without a doubt, let go the person(s) that is seeking other employment. If you are exploring other avenues of employment, get your resume off the career sites, and refrain from mentioning it to your co-workers. The company might be deciding between you and the coworker you revealed your secret to on whom to layoff.

Some times there are no answers-

In some cases, massive cuts are necessary no matter how you perform. In these uncertain times there are several industries that unfortunately have had the need to eliminate jobs across the board. I have seen many great workers, in all areas, who have lost their jobs. If you are someone that currently has a position, please follow the steps above and hopefully they will work in time of recession. For those of you who have fell victim of the economy, do not hesitate in your job search.

Interviewers are Sellers too

I give advice to people on both sides of the interview process. One thing I often neglect is to make sure the person conducting the interview lets the candidate know all of the perks about the company. I always tell the candidate to sell themselves from the resume all the way through the handshake goodbye and beyond. As a company, the selling starts with the receptionist’s demeanor, the lobby, and obviously the person conducting the interview. At my company, we have a dozen people coming in everyday looking for a position. Even though I just might pass by, I try to make sure everybody feels welcome. I want them to think highly of our company, and thus work for/with us. Make sure to let people know the benefits of working for your company. If you have monthly happy hours, or quarterly picnics, that can be a deciding factor on whether the candidate accepts the job. Make sure all of the employees are all on board. A simple smile can go along away towards company morale and the caliber of employee your company attracts.