The unemployment rate for May rose, which may discourage job seekers in finding new jobs as we head into summer.
Don't fall into that trap! There's a good reason why you should keep pushing as the temperatures get hotter. Read my latest blog post on Jackalope Jobs.
Showing posts with label job search. Show all posts
Showing posts with label job search. Show all posts
Monday, June 6, 2011
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
We May Like Our Message, But Does Our Audience?
A recent Harvard Business Review blog post got me thinking about how others perceive us, how we think they can perceive us incorrectly, and how those misperceptions might be our own fault.
The post tells of how a successful research analyst who had lived by and succeeded with a set of values instilled by her father had a difficult time landing a new job after losing her old one. In her job interviews, she exuded a long-held confidence and decisiveness, thinking those qualities were a winning combination anywhere.
What she didn't anticipate was how her interviewers would see that. She discovered that her style was off-putting to some and a big reason she had a difficult time finding a new job.
To adjust, she did what every job seeker, sales representative, and even every journalist interviewer should do: Consider the conversation from the point of view of the other person. What are they looking for? What makes them open up and offer more information? Is there something in your manner, your tone, or your level of empathy that can get them to do what you would like them to do, such as hire you, buy from you, or give you valuable information?
For many of us who are passionate and driven, this is difficult to accomplish. But the most important communication comes in listening: how you process not only what is said, but how it's said, and what kind of body language a person emits during a conversation. Many people (and there really are many) depend too heavily on e-mail, texting, and instant messaging to communicate with others, even when they're within earshot. That can give you the courage you can't muster when it's time for a face-to-face conversation that's less than pleasant, but you tend to miss a lot that lies beyond the spoken word.
So, if you're wondering why you can't make it to the next step of the job search process, why you can't land a big sale, or why others question your motives, think about the message you're sending beyond your words.
And if you rely too much on your fingers to do your talking, step away from the keyboard and use your mouth once in a while.
The post tells of how a successful research analyst who had lived by and succeeded with a set of values instilled by her father had a difficult time landing a new job after losing her old one. In her job interviews, she exuded a long-held confidence and decisiveness, thinking those qualities were a winning combination anywhere.
What she didn't anticipate was how her interviewers would see that. She discovered that her style was off-putting to some and a big reason she had a difficult time finding a new job.
To adjust, she did what every job seeker, sales representative, and even every journalist interviewer should do: Consider the conversation from the point of view of the other person. What are they looking for? What makes them open up and offer more information? Is there something in your manner, your tone, or your level of empathy that can get them to do what you would like them to do, such as hire you, buy from you, or give you valuable information?
For many of us who are passionate and driven, this is difficult to accomplish. But the most important communication comes in listening: how you process not only what is said, but how it's said, and what kind of body language a person emits during a conversation. Many people (and there really are many) depend too heavily on e-mail, texting, and instant messaging to communicate with others, even when they're within earshot. That can give you the courage you can't muster when it's time for a face-to-face conversation that's less than pleasant, but you tend to miss a lot that lies beyond the spoken word.
So, if you're wondering why you can't make it to the next step of the job search process, why you can't land a big sale, or why others question your motives, think about the message you're sending beyond your words.
And if you rely too much on your fingers to do your talking, step away from the keyboard and use your mouth once in a while.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Want to Get Hired? Follow
This Hiring Manager's Stern Advice
Ahhh, but if all hiring managers were like Mark Hannan ...
Hannan authored a letter that was highlighted earlier this year in a post on the blog Career Enlightenment.
The letter states what he as a hiring manager expects to see on a job seeker's resume and cover letter, in no uncertain terms. Among his expectations:
All the more reason that, if you're applying for the job, you had better be ready to tell the hiring manager what you can do in the short term and how you can fit in with the company long term. Don't take the attitude that this will be merely a pit stop.
Also, make your resume and cover letter easy to read. As an editor, I advise writers to "give the reader a break" by using bullet points, boldface type (see above) and some italics for emphasis. (uhhh, I got a bit carried away.)
Finally, know yourself, what you've done, and how your past accomplishments can be repeated in the future. If they can't see it in your resume and cover letter, it's your job to make them see it. Unlike the stock market, past performance is an indicator of future success.
What do you think is critical to getting hired? Share your views in a comment below.
Hannan authored a letter that was highlighted earlier this year in a post on the blog Career Enlightenment.
The letter states what he as a hiring manager expects to see on a job seeker's resume and cover letter, in no uncertain terms. Among his expectations:
- "I am not looking to provide a temporary pit stop on applicant’s road to the perfect job."
- " ... The percentage of applicants who provide thorough, complete and correct applications is low, so you do not have to do anything “eye-catching” or extra ordinary. A simple well-written cover letter and a well organized, standard resume will stand out from the rest, believe it or not."
- "Please do not regurgitate the job posting in your cover letter. I wrote it so I know what it says. A specific detail or very specific, short example of your past success that will directly apply to your future success with the company will pique my interest and encourage me to read more about you."
All the more reason that, if you're applying for the job, you had better be ready to tell the hiring manager what you can do in the short term and how you can fit in with the company long term. Don't take the attitude that this will be merely a pit stop.
Also, make your resume and cover letter easy to read. As an editor, I advise writers to "give the reader a break" by using bullet points, boldface type (see above) and some italics for emphasis. (uhhh, I got a bit carried away.)
Finally, know yourself, what you've done, and how your past accomplishments can be repeated in the future. If they can't see it in your resume and cover letter, it's your job to make them see it. Unlike the stock market, past performance is an indicator of future success.
What do you think is critical to getting hired? Share your views in a comment below.
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