Job Search and Networking Strategies

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Job Search and Networking Strategies

• Employment Assistance
• Floris United Methodist Church

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Team Members

• Bill Lankenau (Bill-lankenau_at_cox.net)
• Recently unemployed
• Tech Industry
• Louise Williams (LouiseBW_at_cox.net)
• Retired Air Force and Defense Contractor
• Tech Industry
• Barbara Sweet (basweet_at_gmail.com)
• Executive Recruiter
• Tech Industry

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Job Search and Networking Strategies Module Agenda

• Job search must haves
• Budgeting your time
• Job Pathways
• Searching for an advertised job
• Job websites
• Finding advertised jobs
• Taking action on job opportunities
• Following up on job applications
• Positioning yourself to be found - unadvertised
  job
• Helping employers find you
• Turning human resource needs into a job
  requirement
• Networking 101

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Objectives

• At the end of this module, you will know how to
• Discover the full scope of potential job
  opportunities
• Find, prioritize, take action, and follow up on
  advertised jobs
• Help employers and recruiters with unadvertised
  jobs find you
• Promote yourself in a way that will highlight
  resource needs and turn them into a job
• Prioritize and budget the time you spend in the
  job search
• And the result will be
• One or more opportunities that lead to a job
  interview

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Job Search Must Haves

• Clear definition of the position(s), role(s),
  career level(s), industry(ies), location(s)
• Need to be specific
• Need to consider which parameters are more
  flexible than others (location/salary/career
  level)
• Proper resume cover letter
• Proper use of keywords
• Multiple versions
• Tight, well rehearsed elevator pitch
• Personal and Professional networks
• Can start small, but needs to grow
• Positive, can-do attitude

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Many Dimensions to Consider

• Government / Private
• Profit / Non-profit
• Retail / Administrative / Service
• Professional / Teaching / Sales
• Construction / Installation / Transportation
• Professional / Management / Executive
• Full-time / Part time
• Internships / Volunteer
• Temporary / Freelance
• Uniquely qualified (e.g., Veterans Preference,
  Security Clearance, People with Disabilities,
  Students)
• Perform a self-assessment to best focus your
  efforts and understand your priorities and
  limitations before you embark on the job search

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Job Opportunity Pathways

• Your next job will come to you in one of three
  ways
• Advertised Job a job that is formally posted or
  published in some manner to job seekers
• Unadvertised Job a job that is not directly
  published the hiring company or a 3rd party
  recruiter seeks out qualified candidates
• Resource Need that Turns into a Job a need at a
  company exists, but needs to be formalized into a
  job requirement

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Advertised Jobs
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Where to Find Advertised Jobs?

• Specialized Job Websites
• Commercial (e.g., http//www.monster.com)
• Government (e.g., http//usajobs.opm.gov/,
  http//jobs.virginia.gov/, http//www.fairfaxcount
  y.gov/jobs/ )
• Company Websites (e.g., http//www.ibm.com/employm
  ent/)
• Job Fairs
• Professional Associations, Labor Unions, State
  Employment Offices, Community Agencies
• Private employment agencies and career
  consultants
• Classified Ads (National and local newspapers,
  professional journals, trade magazines)

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Specialized Job Websites how do they work?

• Employers post job opportunity page
• Title, location, job description,
  responsibilities, category, etc.
• Seekers use search and filtering features to find
  matches
• Seekers express interest in the job
• Email, complete a webform, or upload a resume
• Usually free to seekers

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Specialized Job Websites which ones matter?

• General Purpose Career Builder, Monster, Yahoo!
  HotJobs
• Aggregator Indeed and Simply Hired
• Location specific Washington Post (Washington DC
  metro)
• Industry specific Dice (technology),
• Career Level LinkedIn, Ladders (senior level and
  positions over 100k),

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Using a Specialized Job Website

• All work generally the same
• Create an account
• Search for opportunities
• Use the parameters you defined earlier
• Tune results by expanding/narrowing terms
• Save one or more search query(ies)
• Set-up alerts to email you daily search results

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Taking Action on Job Opportunities

• Before You Act, Remember .
• The numbers game does not work a generic
  application or resume is not looked at or
  considered
• Many qualified people apply to the same job
• Your Choices are
• Shot-gun out your resume to cover your bases OR
• Play to win on fewer opportunities
• Recommendation play to win
• Find the openings that are the best fit and focus
  your time on them
• Play to win means custom cover letter, custom
  resume, extensive follow-up

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Increasing Your Odds for an Interview Personal
Introduction

• Makes a HUGE difference it is worth your time
• How? Use your network to find a contact at the
  company
• Ideally someone in your network who knows you
  personally
• Friend of a friend ask for an introduction to a
  contact
• Introduce yourself, why you are contacting them
  (you have something that you think they need
  you), and ask for their help
• Ask the contact to introduce you to the
  recruiter/hiring manager
• Would they mind forwarding your resume (a sales
  job is not necessary that is your job)?
• Dont worry most people will be happy to do this
  and some companies pay for employee referrals
• After your contact has introduced you, be sure to
  e-mail or call the recruiter/hiring manager
• Let them know what you have to offer (elevator
  pitch)
• How interested you are in learning more about the
  company and position
• Suggest a follow-up conversation if appropriate
• Thank your contact

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Recommendations

• Be careful how much time you spend with on-site
  searching and re-searching
• limit to 5 hr/week typical week
• Play to win!
• Invest time in writing a custom resume and custom
  cover letter for each target opportunity (at
  least 5 hrs/week)
• Follow-up is critical
• Know when to call, email, get a reference, ask
  for feedback, get more help

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Unadvertised Jobs
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Where to Find Unadvertised Jobs

• You dont they find you
• Employers (or their proxies recruiters)
  actively seek qualified candidates
• Your job
• Make yourself easily found
• Resume must be current, relevant, and contain
  proper keywords
• Distinguish yourself from others with similar
  backgrounds
• Network with people in the biz and ask for
  introductions

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Unadvertised Jobs Making Yourself Found

• Upload your resume to all of the specialized job
  websites
• Resume MUST be properly coded
• Edit your account/profile on a weekly basis to
  keep it fresh
• Create a profile on LinkedIn
• Update status frequently
• Contact recruiters in your profession/industry
• Let them know what you are looking for
• Give them talking points (your elevator pitch)
• Check back regularly
• Check in with your college/university and see
  what alumni career services they offer

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Unadvertised Jobs Distinguishing Yourself

• Participate in relevant industry/professional/loca
  l organizations and events
• Volunteer to be an officer, offer to speak
• Take a course, get a certification
• Print business cards w/ contact info and hand
  them out
• Strongly consider blogging and/or tweeting
• Employers ARE going to social networking sites to
  find job candidates
• Google yourself and see what comes back
• At a minimum, respond to industry articles/blogs
  with well thought-out ideas
• Look for relevant temporary or part time
  work/internship

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Should I Hire a Career Coach/Personal Marketer?

• Answer maybe
• Feedback on the quality of your resume and cover
  letter can't hurt
• They can help you identify ways to distinguish
  yourself
• Often claim to have access to unadvertised jobs
• But at what price?
• Be sure to
• Ask for references
• Have they placed people in your industry and
  location?
• Check with your college/university they might
  offer discounts (e.g. UMD CareerBeam)

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Recommendations

• A good resume and profile is critical dont
  forget to keep it fresh
• Be careful how much time you spend with
  recruiters (they dont work for you)
• Come up with a strategy to distinguish yourself
  and stick to it
• Industry organizations
• Blogs/blog replies
• Career coach may help

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Turning a Resource Need into a Job
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Turn a Resource Need into a Job What does that
Mean?

• Some companies/agencies have a need for someone
  like you, but dont know it
• Your job is to convince them that
• they have this need, and
• you are the one to help them
• Examples
• Downsizing in one area might actually produce new
  requirements in another
• Your knowledge of new technology might be more
  cost effective than training current employees

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Professional Networking 101

• Nine tips for starting, developing, fueling and
  leveraging a professional network

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Why Bother?

• Over 80 of job seekers say that their network
  has helped with their job search
• Networks can provide referrals to or insider
  information about companies you might be
  interested in working for.
• Networks can provide information on career fields
  you might want to explore or what the job market
  is like on the other side of the country.
• Networks can give you advice on where to look for
  jobs or review your resume.

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Examples of Networks Leading to Jobs

• Susan noticed a help-wanted ad for a job at a
  local veterinary clinic. She called a friend who
  happened to use that vet. Her friend called the
  vet and recommended Susan. Susan got an interview
  and got the job. The vet was glad to hire someone
  who came highly recommended by a good client.
• John was interested in pursuing a career in
  medicine. He mentioned his interest to a family
  friend who happened to be a doctor. The doctor
  arranged for John to spend a day shadowing him at
  the hospital and provided an excellent
  recommendation for medical school.
• Angela was interested in changing careers and
  moving from public relations to publishing. Even
  though she graduated more than a few years ago,
  she tapped her college career network and came up
  with a contact at a top New York publishing firm.
  In addition to being sent new job postings, her
  resume was hand-delivered to Human Resources when
  she found a position she wanted to apply for.
• In casual conversation at the orthodontist's
  office, Jeannie, the assistant, just happened to
  mention to a patient's mom that she was
  interested in horses and in a part-time job
  working with them. The mom had horses and a bunch
  of contacts. Jeannie had a part-time job working
  on a local horse farm by the end of the week!

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Tip 1 Discard Your Fears Stereotypes about
Networking

• Networking can seem insincere, pretentious, or
  even manipulative
• You might think you're too shy or self-conscious
  to schmooze get over it
• Most people want to help, some dont dont take
  rejection personally
• Yes, networking takes time and effort

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Tip 2 Get Ready to Network

• Get organized
• Elevator pitch
• Business card
• LinkedIn profile, Facebook page, Twitter account
• Be current, have some small talk topics
• Be ready with answers to questions you might be
  asked
• Why are you looking for a job?
• What can I do for you?
• What makes you unique?

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Tip 3 Improve Your Networking Skills

• Become a better listener. Ask a question and then
  be quiet until you hear the answer.
• Learn to ask questions like "What do you do?"
  with comfort, sincerity and interest
• Practice your own presentation of your skills.
  Learn more than one approach, whether frank or
  subtle
• Consider taking classes to improve your public
  speaking, body language and writing skills.
• Get comfortable approaching others and learn to
  mingle
• Smile always!
• Come up with icebreaker questions

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Tip 4 Build Your Network

• Tap into your existing connections friends,
  family, alumni, co-workers,
• Talk to people you don't know everywhere you go
• Pursue interests and activities that mean a lot
  to you
• Go to industry and community related conferences
  and events, join associations in your field
• Find the extroverts get to know the people who
  know others
• Ask for introductions
• Always, always follow-up with a new contact

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Tip 5 Strengthen Your Network

• Think of ways to help those in your network
• Gestures of kindness and generosity are
  appreciated and remembered
• Stay in regular contact
• Articles, birthdays,
• Establish more personal connections
• Invite people out to lunch or morning coffee

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Tip 6 Tap into Your Network

• Cast your net and see what happens
• Describe what you need in a friendly tone and be
  specific, e.g.
• Introduction to recruiters in a specific location
  or field
• Information about a company
• Job opportunities in a specific field
• References for an informational interview
• Don't ever apologize when asking for a favor or
  help (you are not making a demand)

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Tip 7 Use Networking Tools

• LinkedIn
• Great tool for managing your network
• Search on companies of interest and see how well
  your are connected
• Facebook
• Friend your friends and your friends friends
• Twitter
• Follow people in your industry and see what they
  are saying
• Meetup
• Find others with shared interests
• Fuel and Expand your network by joining these and
  other groups

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Tip 8 Set Weekly Goals

• Treat networking as a job and allocate time every
  week
• Set weekly goals
• X of new people added to my network
• Y of personal meetings
• Z of phone calls/e-mails to people in my network

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Networking Reference Materials

• Books
• Never eat alone (Keith Ferrazzi)
• How to Win Friends and Influence People (Dale
  Carnegie)
• Wishcraft How to Get What You Really Want
  (Barbara Sher)
• Websites
• http//jobsearch.about.com/od/networking/a/jobnetw
  orking.htm
• http//career-advice.monster.com/job-search/Profes
  sional-Networking/jobs.aspx

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Sample Networking email

• Dear Mr. Contact,
• I was referred to you by Diane Smithers from XYZ
  company in New York. She recommended you as an
  excellent source of information on the
  communications industry.
• My goal is to secure an entry-level position in
  communications. I would appreciate hearing your
  advice on career opportunities in the
  communications industry, on conducting an
  effective job search, and on how best to uncover
  job leads.
• Thanks so much, in advance, for any insight and
  advice you would be willing to share. I look
  forward to contacting you early next week to set
  up a telephone informational interview. Thank you
  for your consideration.
• Sincerely,

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Summary
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The 24/7 Brand YOU Campaign

• Elevator Speech
• Know it cold and know how it is received
• Develop and fuel your network
• Professionals, friends, family, church members,
• Differentiate yourself
• Enroll in a course, get certification, volunteer
• Look sharp
• Know the sound of your voice and the look of your
  face
• Know how to ask for referrals
• Practice

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Budget Your Time Sample 40 Hour Week
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Final Thoughts

• Practice, role play and ask for feedback
• Respond promptly dont wait until tomorrow to
  do what can be done today
• Save all search data (know where youve been, who
  you talked to and when)
• Carefully manage the sound of your voice and the
  tone of your emails
• Never turn down an interview
• Think positively
• Remember you are not alone! We are praying with
  you and for you!

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Extra Material
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Finding an Advertised Job (cont.)

• Run searches and set-up saved searches
• For each site listed, create an account (all but
  Ladders.com are free) and execute a few job
  opportunity searches using the parameters you
  defined earlier.
• Tune the search by adding and removing parameters
  and see what drives the results.
• Look at the results themselves do they seem
  like a good fit? If not, try different
  combinations of parameters. How many results come
  back? If more than 20, try adding parameters. If
  only a few, try changing values or removing
  parameters.
• Once you are satisfied with the search query you
  have created, look for the way the site allows
  you to save the query. Each site does this a
  little bit differently, but look for the term
  saved search or alert. Create one or more
  saved search/alert, save it and configure the
  website to send you a daily email.
• Setting up a saved search/alert will save you
  hours of time each day the site will re-run
  your search and send you the results in the body
  of an email.
• So now you should start receiving daily emails
  that contain relevant job opportunities.

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Advertised Job - Overview

• Specialized job websites and corporate websites
  on the Internet are THE source for advertised
  jobs.
• Advertised jobs are created by corporate
  recruiters or 3rd party recruiters by creating a
  job opportunity page (with a title, location, job
  description, responsibilities, category, etc.)
  and publishing it to one or more websites.
• The job opportunity page also includes a
  mechanism for job seekers to express interest
  in the job typically an email link, webform, or
  a way to upload a resume.
• Job seekers find relevant job opportunities using
  search and filtering features on the website.

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Following up on Target Opportunities

• Need to find a contact at hiring company and make
  your case
• Personal introduction makes a HUGE difference
  it is worth your time
• Tip 1 use your network to find a contact at the
  company
• Ideally someone in your network who knows your
  personally
• Friend of a friend ask for an introduction
• Send them your resume, reference job opening,
  give them your elevator pitch, and ask them to
  forward your email/resume to recruiter or hiring
  manager
• Follow-up and thank them
• I just submitted my resume to the job website
  now I wait to hear back from the employer, right?
  NO
• You need to find a contact at the hiring company
  to present your resume and cover letter
• At a minimum, find a contact at the company
  (through your network) who is willing to forward
  your resume and cover letter to the internal
  recruiter/HR. Dont worry most people will be
  happy to do this even if they have only met you
  over the phone through a common friend (and some
  companies pay for employee referrals)
• Even better if your contact knows you
  professionally and can say something positive
  about you and/or can forward your cover
  letter/resume to the hiring manager.
• After your contact has introduced you, be sure to
  e-mail or call the recruiter/hiring manager, let
  them know what you have to offer (elevator
  pitch), how interested you are in learning more
  about the company and position, and suggest a
  follow-up conversation if appropriate.
• Dont give up!

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Example General Networking

• You meet Mary at a book club meeting and you find
  out that her cousin is an expert windsurfer.
• A few months later, your niece reveals to you
  that one of her life's goals is to go
  windsurfing.
• Instead of scratching your head and thinking "I
  know somebody mentioned windsurfing recently but
  I can't remember who..." you look at your address
  book, find "windsurfing cousin" written next to
  Mary's name, call her up and ask her if her
  cousin is available to give your niece a private
  lesson
• Mary says "Sure!" and convinces her cousin to
  give you a discount.
• Your niece is thrilled. A month later, your car
  breaks down, and you remember that your niece's
  boyfriend is an aspiring auto mechanic...

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How to make sure employers can find you

• http//jobsearch.about.com/od/findajob/a/employers
  .htm