Job Etiquette: Letting Go

Do you remember as a child favoring a toy and not wanting to let it go when your brother or sister wanted a turn with it?   How about after a romantic break up and you couldn’t let go of  your memories or time spent with the other person? Often changes in our lives require us to let go of something from the past and even if it is for something better, letting go isn’t easy. It can also happen with an idea or suggestion that doesn’t work out and you can’t let go and move forward.  The same happens with your job/career relationships as well. Mariah Carey’s new title track and single “The Art Of Letting Go” may deal with romantic relationships; however, the concept may also relate to starting over in job/career relationships as well.

Letting Go:

• It’s hard to leave a job you like.
• It’s difficult to say good-bye to co-workers.
• It’s not easy to watch benefits change from employer pay to you pay.
• It’s hard to change your resume, your title and your earnings.
• It’s frustrating to answer job postings and maybe never hear back.
• It’s worrisome to think about changing your career aspirations or putting them on hold.
• It’s difficult not to contribute financially or in the job market.
• It’s nerve-wracking to interview or hope for that call back.
• It’s hard to wait to see if the employer will contact you.
• It’s difficult to change your recruiting methods.
• It’s difficult to hear you had excellent credentials but did not get the job.
• HINT: Don’t contact the employer to ask why you did not get the job. It is awkward and at best you will hear that you best match, which is true.
• It’s HARD TO LET GO.

Be inspired to let go of the feelings of frustration, anger and displacement. You may have to let go of how you look for a job. Social media networks and job boards have changed the way people find jobs.  With instant access to Twitter, Facebook, Linked In and other social media, looking for a job had dramatically changed. With instant access to information jobseekers need to do their home work in order to get a new start.

Starting Fresh:

• Networking is always great for a fresh start.
• Have your business card or your contact information available at all times.
• Research the company, organization and the interviewer if you have a name.
• Having information will help you connect. It may be an organization you both support, a school in common, etc.
• Check job postings on Twitter and be prepared to tweet back with your resume.
• Check job listings on Linked In and be prepared to connect.
• Check new job boards and be prepared to submit your resume.
• Quicken the pace.
• Don’t sit and wait for a call be proactive.
• Get yourself and your profile “out there”.
• The new job or connection will not tap you on the shoulder and be there for you.
• You have to work had to get there while making it look easy!

It’s not easy, just ask Mariah, or maybe listen to her song. It could inspire you to take that next step.

Let me know some of your success stories below.

Talk soon.

Job Etiquette: The Perfect Resume

Indulge me with this brief post. It’s a beautiful day and I have been reading many resumes (200+). Just for a moment (after #230) I decided to think about what the perfect resume would look like today.

     NAME

                                                               Address: I live close to the company site.

                                                                              E- Mail: I work hard.com

Education: I have one.

Experience: The number of years direct and relavant experience that your posting requires.

Industry: The exact same industry as yours.

Skills:  Experience with all the skills at the appropriate levels for your posting.

Availability: Professional two week notice

References: Industry leaders including my prior supervisor (all good).

Can you tell it’s been a long day?

Talk soon.

Job Etiquette: A Plea from Me

I am traveling for business and trying to think of an inspirational blog for you. I keep thinking about all of the resumes I have read so far in my career. What comes to mind most recently is the number of resumes that have nothing in common with the open position.   I have talked about tips for resume writing; however, here’s a seemingly basic topic that I think warrants some discussion as well.

Before you e-mail your resume in response to a posting, please stop and think about it.

If the job posting is for the entertainment industry, looking for an actor/actress to play a doctor, you don’t need a degree. However, if a posting is for an M.D., then make sure you have the correct credentials. If you don’t, please spare the reader and look for something that matches your background.

When the posting asks for a specific type of job experience or industry experience again, make sure you have it, not something that seems close. If you are sending the resume out for the sake of networking, be assured it will be read, but if the reviewer cannot understand how you could see a match, it will not help you. Remember, playing a lawyer on TV is different than applying to a law firm!

Also, many individuals apply for 2-3 postings at the same company. Remember my prior blog about being desperate? It takes a very talented individual to qualify for 2-3 different jobs especially if they are in different roles, requiring specific skills that differ from position to position. Don’t make the search harder for yourself or the reader! Looking for a job is a job. Be realistic about what you can do, what your experience is and how you can relate it to the open position.

Matching skills that are “required” can also be tricky. If the position requires proficiency and experience creating reports using a certain computer program or application,  then taking a course in the topic with no practical use will not suffice. Be honest with yourself and the employer. Five years of industry experience does not equate to a six month internship. Some companies can use more flexibility but it is safer to have something that matches the requirements (at least some of the requirements). Remember, you are competing with hundreds of other resumes.

If your experience is not exact but is somehow related, then certainly try. If there is no connection please heed my plea and send it to a posting where there’s the hope of a closer fit.

Good luck!

Talk soon.