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1.
I am unemployed, where do I start to look for a
job?
A.
There are two job markets.
1)
The
traditional job market:
newspaper ads, placement agencies, employment departments.
2)
The
grapevine or hidden job market:
jobs that don’t get announced but are passed through the grapevine.
Fewer
than half of the jobs get filled via the traditional market. Richard
Bolles in his book agrees that the traditional market is very
ineffective in finding a job. He includes the following in the
traditional job market:
1.
Resumes
2.
Public Employment Agencies (free service) - 13.7%
3.
Private Employment Agencies – (pay a fee) 5%
4.
Executive Search firms/headhunters/ recruiters
(usually work with people who are already
working and steal them to another company)
5.
Want Ads in Newspapers
Beware
of the meaning under the ads:
For
example: Energetic
Self-starter wanted usually means you’ll be working on commission.
Much client contact means; You handle the phone or make cold calls o n
clients. Opportunity of a lifetime means: Nowhere else will you find
such a low salary and so much work.
2.
What is the most effective way of finding jobs you ask? In the Hidden or
Grapevine Job Market? Where is it?
1.
Creative Job Hunting approach- find
out what interests you and contact the person with the power to hire
results in jobs 86%
2.
Hit
the streets- Apply
directly to an employer that is not advertising help wanted this results
in a job 47%
3.
Ask
friend for job leads
– Otherwise know as networking this result in a job 34%
4.
Ask
relatives for job leads
– Otherwise know as networking this result in a job 27%.
Use
the placement office at the school or college you attended
The
bottom line in using the hidden job market effectively is to get out their
and Network. What
is Networking?
Networking
is simply "talking to people." When people say you should
network, they mean you should talk to people. People are happy to help
others if they can. It actually boost their ego knowing you are coming to
them as an expert. It is your responsibility to be crystal clear about the
types of jobs you are looking for share with them your skills and Follow
up!
What
do I say? For
more scripts and tips, see Donald
Asher's Overnight Job Change Strategy.
Sales-Level
Candidate
Hello,
my name is Mary Jones, and I got your name from a mutual
acquaintance, Ed Smith at ABC Corp. My background is in corporate
communications, most recently as the assistant director of corporate
communications for a national commercial real estate brokerage firm. I'm
interested in positions in corporate communications that would involve
print materials design, sales support, signage, internal training and
employee relations communications, and some media relations. Would you
have a moment to share ideas with me? (After some conversation of you
furiously taking notes). So how can I follow up with you on those
leads?
Recent
College Graduate
Hello,
my name is Melinda Stevens. I'm a graduating senior from Old Southton. I
got your name from the alumni office, where they said you were an alumna
from 1983. I understand you're now a CPA and audit manager in Chicago. My
minor was in business, and I'm interested in positions in accounting. I'd
like to know how you got where you are today, and what advice you'd have
for a college graduate just coming into the job market today. Do you have
a moment right now?
Who
do I talk to?
¨
Friends
¨
Family
¨
Neighbors
¨
Acquaintances
¨
Friends of friends
¨
Former bosses/co-workers
¨
College Career Centers
¨
Professional Organizations in your field
¨
Attend Chamber Events
¨
Attend Business Expo’s as well as Job Fairs
¨
Tell/Call/Email everyone you meet about your skills and abilities
The 3 P's of
Networking are:
a)
Positive
attitude
b)
Persistence
c)
Plan
of action to follow up with contacts
1.
Creative Job hunting Approach-figure
out your skills, abilities, and talnes and research the companies that
best fit your skills and approach the person who has the power to hire you
which often times will not be the Human Resource Manager.
Results in a job 86/100 times.
2.
Apply directly to the company without knowing the hiring authority.
47/100 times. Go through yellow pages.
3.
Ask
friends for job leads. Leads to jobs 34/100 times
4.
Ask
relatives for job leads. Leads to jobs 27/100 times
5.
Use the placement office at the school or college that you once attended.
Leads to jobs 21/100 times.
Research
the position -
The
more you know about the job you are applying for, the more confident you
will feel and appear at the interview.
Your research will show are interested,
motivation, initiative, and organization. and you will be able to
explain how your skills match the position you are seeking.
Find
out as much information as you can about the position. If
possible, talk to people who are doing the same job.
Some
websites that will help you with the research is:
www.dialogweb.com:
450 databases with company information/industry newsletters
www.djinteractive.com:
Dow jones, market research reports/business journals
www.companiesonline.com:
Basic information about gov agencies, schools, private companies
www.sec.gov/edgarhp.htm:
Electronic Data Gathering Analysis and Retrieval systems (can search by
the name of the company).
www.hoover.com:
Basic information and links to corporate websites
www.lexis-nexis.com
~
www.news.com
Who
do employers hire? People they:
¨
Like
¨
Trust
¨
Believe will fit in
¨
Who are flexible
¨
Adaptable to change
¨
Eager to work
¨
Loyal
¨
High Work Ethic
¨
Get Along well with others
¨
Are team players
To review to find a
job you need to:
1)
Be clear on what your skills and abilities are
2)
Create a networking scripts
3)
Make a list of potential contacts (can be acquaintances)
4)
Network-Tell everyone you know to tell their friends as well
5)
Research the company before your interview
6)
Enjoy the benefits of gainful employment
Happy
Hunting,
Deb
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