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By rashley, November 8, 2009 9:33 pm

A few reasons some people are still unemployed.

The statistics are horrible.  Over 10% unemployment. Consultants and executives who have ‘aged out’ of the unemployment roles are not included.  Entrepreneurs who don’t qualify and interns who don’t find paid work are not included.  So the number is a lot higher than the statistic reports.

And it is those very executives and consultants who feed the economy. Laborers and hourly people don’t feed the beast.  We must get middle managers and executives back to work and spending money.  Short sales and bankruptcies are still occurring with wretched frequency.

My solution?  Revitalize the job search.  Learn how to do it right.  Stop doing what isn’t working.  I see executives uncovering great leads but shooting themselves in the foot with poor process or blind belief in job search myths.

One sad fellow called me because he had been on five interviews with five different companies and never made it to the second round.  After talking to him for just a few minutes, I knew why.  He couldn’t stop talking.

His desperation was palpable.  He wanted to make sure I knew every possible thing about him in case some one thing would trigger my response to hire him.  I couldn’t even get in a word to tell him I don’t hire people.

He sent me a resume and asked if my clients were hiring.  Bad.  Very bad.  He didn’t even know what I do.  He just sent out blind and random emails with his resume with no regard for the recipient.  His was not the first inquiry that assumed I am a recruiter or hiring manager.

Sending a resume and cover letter when none is requested is a career limiting behavior.  Not having an introduction also hurts.

Another had the opposite problem.  He didn’t ask questions or assert his competency with examples and outcomes.  He used words like, responsible for, led and managed without saying what he actually did and accomplished.

One bloke, at the end of the interview, proposed he would take the job for $50,000/year less than their range.  He was surprised and even a bit angry when they didn’t take him up on his offer to buy the job.  He overlooked that employers want the very best fit for any job opening because companies are fragile.  Clearly, he conveyed he didn’t think he was worth very much.

This horrible job market is not forgiving.  You can’t make any mistakes and you must create the most compelling job search you can.  That requires an assessment of your current method and a review of what others do that works.

• Conduct mock interviews that you can record and review.
• Practice your elevator pitch.
• Rework your resume to reflect the priorities of the job description.
• Spend hours each day in research and networking.
• Use the internet wisely to learn what you can about the company, the job and the opening.
• Reach out to others to see if you can help them.
• Ask for help with specific parameters such as the name of a company, person or domain.

Job search is not easy, but it is simple.  Keep a clear focus and don’t get so wound up attending and writing that you forget to follow up.  Make real connections to people and enjoy the ride.

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If you would like support creating your own compelling and expeditious job search, contact me. We can focus on your specific challenges and define a custom program.

My clients get hired; not brag-fact.

Perhaps you feel a proven book with field tested techniques is your first step toward an effective job search. You can download Job Search Debugged for advice that works.

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By rashley, September 12, 2009 9:11 am

There is more than enough advice about how to be a good executive and lots of critique on bad ones. But there is scarce little advice on how to transition from manager to executive. It’s a big leap and not necessarily a natural one.   Most career advice focuses on how to do the job, not how to get the promotion.

To learn more…

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By rashley, August 25, 2009 10:49 am

Job Coach Lament

I wore my jeans to interview

’cause that’s what they all wear

My job coach told me not to

but I really didn’t care

.

I waited in the Lobby

what seemed a very long time

no one offered eye contact

a wall I sought to climb

.

I thought I was invisible

worst fears of the night

no one took me seriously

could it be the coach was right?

.

Next time there was an interview

I definitely suited up

The receptionist’s eyes told me

my apparel said, “not pup.”

.

The next advice I passed on

with an even worse result

I gave too much information

from childhood to adult

.

I saw the eyes glaze over

no way that she could listen

I kept on giving bio

though I knew I’d blown my mission

.

They asked me about money

and I evaded an actual answer

she glared at me with venom

as if I’d promised her cancer

.

Coach told me to give a number

and not negotiate sans offer

but I argued most effectively

imagining an empty coffer

.

The interview ended quickly

and I was not called back

I guess I didn’t listen

my future looked quite black

.

Why did I pay her money

and then not take her heed

if I knew how to do a job search

I’d have a damned job already.

Original Poem by Rita Ashley, Job Search Coach

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By rashley, June 25, 2009 11:43 am

  Locate Seattle’s hidden job market

Frustrated candidates lament the existence of the hidden job market.  Reason tells us there is no such thing, that instead, the candidate has not found the open sesame’ to reveal where the jobs are.

In his often quoted commentary on the costs incurred by an unfilled position, Dr. John Sullivan, Head and Professor of Human Resource Management College of Business, San Francisco State University, cites a litany of deleterious affects resulting from unfilled jobs.

To name only a few:

• delayed product development
• loss of new product ideas
• increased time to market
• loss of team productivity
• increased management time and effort
• resentment of superstar employees who are as asked to ‘fill in,’

Tangible losses often amount to hundreds of thousands in lost revenue, and significantly more if the open position is a senior sales executive or business development professional.

Knowing this, why would any company keep their job openings hidden?  The truth is the job market is not hidden, it is only not yet discovered by you.  How does the executive or technology professional learn who is hiring?

The obvious answer is, ask people. But while networking is the simple and obvious solution, it is not easy.  Many people find networking when they require information or introductions for themselves to be extremely difficult. 

I suggest taking networking to a different level than is commonly considered.  Bonding is far more effective than collecting contact information.  Just as an introduction is more powerful than a referral, so to is a personal relationship more effective than an request from a stranger.

Often, the more senior a job seeker, the more difficult it is to ask for help.  Thus, I suggest, ask for advice instead of help.  “My instincts tell me my experience is a good fit for the VP Development at Disney.  What would you do to get connected to the hiring authority?”  If you achieve critical mass in your exposure to many people, just like Brownian motion, you are bound to connect with exactly the right elements to become newly employed.

Resources:

Digital Eves –  a virtual community of 1,500 women (and some men) in technology.   A group that discusses everything from how to debug a bit of JavaScript, to feedback on a portfolio, to dealing with an HR problem at work, to technology news. It’s also a great place to post and look for job openings.  There are strict guidelines for the posts, but it is a direct link to peers and if you participate in the threads, you will make new friends who may be able to direct you to job openings.

Linked Seattle is a LinkedIn a Seattle-specific group for locals.  While not a job search site, it is a profoundly good place to network.  Interact, create discussions and get to know people.  You never know who will offer a tip or introduction once you get to know them.

Eggsprout.com is a technology site specific to Seattle for social networking, community building and a large data base of Seattle technology jobs.  Visit often since employers list jobs and contact information.

Craigslist.com has many listings for major cities, Seattle included.

Gay professionals can select from a variety of meet-ups and social networking activities for professionals. Participate, don’t be a drive by shooting attendee.  Another resource of over 1000 GLBT professionals is Seattle gay scene.  While not specifically a job search social networking organization, many find leads and introductions to gay-friendly companies.

A grass roots organization, Seattle Job Social has grown to attract hundreds of attendees, recruiters and hiring authorities.  Geoff Tucker and a few of his friends needed a place to gather where employers could find them en-mass. The result is an event where folks  exchange resumes, instant interviews are conducted and appointments are made.   There are many such activities and groups in Seattle.  Periodic search engine research will reveal others.  Set a news alert on several search engines.

The Jewish Jobs Network serves hundreds of Jewish professionals in Puget Sound.  The network provides help and connections in meetings and informal networking.  Contact Ben Meyerhoff at bmeryerhoffl@msn.com.

Don’t forget LinkedIn.   Join all the Seattle-centric groups available and participate.  Ask questions and respond to discussions.  Make new friends.  Reply privately to keep the discussions going; create real bonds.

Many groups host job search related activities.  While most of them are great places to meet other job seekers (who may offer leads to jobs in which they are not interested) the job search information shared in these sessions is rarely valuable.  Vet the speakers and presenters carefully.  A well trafficked web site does not an employment expert make.

MIT in Washington is the venerable place to meet technology executives and often even investors and hiring authorities.  The programs are rich and often include name-brand executives and highly relevant topics.  Go to participate.  Arrive at least 30 minutes before the program because that is when networking is done.  Come prepared with conversation starters, business cards and a genuine interest in the topic.  During the event, ask incisive questions.  Follow up the next day from the business cards you collected.

WTIA, formerly the Washington Software Association, has morphed into a commanding resource for the Seattle technology community.  If you want to connect to technology executives, volunteer for one of the many activities of the WTIA.  Contribute. Go to the events, become an expected figure.  Make new friends. 

Seattle is host to countless business-building events.  Keep track of the calendars for the investment community presentations. 

Those interested in early stage or start up companies may find attending the $250 Fast Pitch conference sponsored by WTIA a good investment. Twenty-five early stage companies are on display and exhibit their product and give a short overview to investors and other attendees.  Great place to meet people, learn about new companies and be seen.

The Northwest Entrepreneur Network, is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping entrepreneurs succeed. Activities and programs are focused on building the entrepreneurial and venture community in the Northwest and enabling entrepreneurs to access resources and funding to accelerate their business growth.  They host several events and provide an excellent forum for networking.

While job search with a nonprofit requires the same highly targeted and polished job search, there are additional resources for Seattle.

• I Love Seattle lists nonprofits
• Yelp offers discussion of nonprofits
• Seattle Times lists nonprofits and contact information
• LinkedIn has valuable informaton on connecting to nonprofits.
• Puget Sound Business Journal Book of Lists has details on the 25 largest not for profit companies.

Subscribe to the Puget Sound Business Journal and be especially protective of your complimentary copy of the Book of Lists. If you are interested in the top 25 companies in any sector, the Book of Lists will tell you the players, the company revenue and so much more. 

John Cook’s Venture blog and his Tech Flash are up to the minute reviews of what is going on with technology companies in Seattle.  Follow the names, companies and products with John’s constant vigilance.

Xconomy, another Seattle-based resource, is dedicated to providing business and technology leaders with timely, insightful, close-to-the-scene information about the local personalities, companies, and technological trends that best exemplify today’s high-tech economy. 

Set search engine alerts for events, companies and people to keep informed.  If you want to drill down even further, create a Boolean String for your anticipated job title, prospective employer or other relevant information to cull from a search engine.   Be sure to include Seattle or range of zip codes in your string.

For all its horrendous traffic and densely populated neighborhoods, Seattle’s technology sector is a ‘small town.’  Once you are connected to a range of people, you are only one or at best two degrees of separation from the person who will hire you for your next job.  It is all about how you ask, who you ask and your nuanced messaging.  But that’s another topic.

For even more links to resources:  http://www.jobsearchdebugged.com/blog/?p=334

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By thejobcoach, May 8, 2008 7:24 pm

LET YOUR BUSINESS CARD DO ITS JOB

How many times have you been introduced to someone and immediately forgotten their name?  But they handed you a business card  so you attempt, surreptitiously, to glance at the card to retrieve the name:  But you can’t read the tiny print.

Or you are in a hurry and must contact the person and have to hunt for your glasses to read the phone number or email address.  Happens every day, repeatedly.  Most business cards are useless.  Some are overburdened with unnecessary information or a logo usurps the real estate.   When you are conducting a job search, it is imperative your name and contact information jump off the business card face.

No need for fancy, no need for two sided.  The card is not a marketing tool.  People tend not to throw them away so it is your everlasting message to the recipient of how to find you.  People sometimes write on the back as a reminder of how they know you or perhaps, missing their own card, write their contact information for you.  Clearly a one sided card with a white back is appropriate.

Now here’s the rub.  Many job seekers create their own cards and print them as needed from their home computer.  While there is nothing wrong with this approach for design, there is something hugely wrong with the quality of the card stock available for home printers.  Splurge, make it part of your job search budget, spend on a high quality business card that tells the recipient your name and contact information, boldly.  A terrific example can be seen at Guy Kawasaki’s blog. 

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