KennyCareerAdvice from Hanson Consulting

Is The Job Market Starting To Pick Up?

2010-06-29T20:10:00.001-04:00

Every day I read more and more articles that indicate the job market is starting to turn around and that the average U.S. employee is more comfortable leaving their job, as prospects of new ones will pop up. These articles can be found almost daily on websites such as Yahoo, CNN and MSN. Yes, there are some industries where jobs are increasing, but not many for white collar workers. Fortune 1000 companies continue to layoff workers on a weekly basis, and there doesn't appear to be an end in sight. DO NOT be fooled in thinking that you can slack off on your search because there are more jobs out there for you. This is very unlikely to be true. Below is a few things you want to keep in mind when reading articles about job growth.

1) Unemployment is running out for 220,000 people per week. These individuals will no longer be counted in the unemployment rate numbers.

2) If you are unemployed, companies that ARE looking to hire will be going after individuals that already have jobs. The individual that is working is much more value to any company than someone who isn't. Trust me, it is easier to get a job when you have one than when you don't.

3) The longer you are unemployed, the more difficult it is to find a job. If you have not been employed in the last two years, you will have to work twice as hard to find secure employment.

The good news is that there are some industries that are adding employees. If you work in Green Technology, Healthcare or Infrastructure, you have opportunities many people will not have, so take advantage of them.

My point of this article is not to discourage you, my point is to make sure you stay the course. Do not slack off now! Keep working hard toward your goal. Jobs are out there, you just have to work even harder now to find them and get an offer. I wish you continued luck in your job search!

Is Facebook Preventing You From Getting A Job?

2010-05-25T18:21:00.000-04:00

Over 400 million people from over 180 countries currently use Facebook on a monthly basis. The power of this social media, along with others such as MySpace, LinkedIn and even YouTube is growing more and more powerful everyday. The influence of Facebook has not escaped the workplace, in fact, more and more hiring managers are using it as a way to "check-up" on their employees. Employers are also using it as tool to determine if you are the kind of employee they want to hire. I have spoken with 10 hiring managers in the last few weeks and 7 of them check Facebook before they extend an offer to a new employee. Moreover, 5 of them check Facebook to "check-up" on their current employees. In a perfect world all of our "personal" information would remain out of view of individuals whom we wish not see it, but unfortunately that is not the case. Facebook privacy settings are changing all the time and if you do not stay abreast of them you could be missing out on potential jobs or even risk losing your job. Below are few things you can do to make sure your personal life does not interfere with your work life.

1) Do not post anything on the internet that you do feel comfortable with your employer or potential employer seeing.

2) Go to the following websites. They will give you the knowledge you need to make sure your private information is protected.

http://www.reclaimprivacy.org/

http://lifehacker.com/5538697/how-to-quit-facebook-without-actually-quitting-facebook

http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/5_easy_steps_to_stay_safe_and_private_on_facebook.php

Finally, and mostly importantly, the information that non-employers can find out about you can be very dangerous. Many individuals use the information you post on these social media sites as a way to steal your identity and in some cases use this to break in to your home. Be smart, be well informed and you can avoid all the potential dangers that you face by posting personal information on Facebook.

Staying Positive When The Job Search Is Going Poorly

2010-05-10T20:31:00.000-04:00

The economy may be getting better for some, but the unemployment rate is still at 9.9% nationwide. A few industries may be adding jobs, but many others are still shredding them. The process of finding a new position can be extremely frustrating and depressing. Spending countless hours applying for jobs on-line only to receive no response can be downright demoralizing. This is not an uncommon occurrence, many job-seekers are in the exact same boat you are in. Below is a list of a few things that may give you a fresh perspective on your job search.

1) Take some time off - Yes, I know you are unemployed, but if you have been working hard on your job search you know it can serve as your full-time job. Take 2-3 days and spend some time doing activities that relax you. Life can be very tough during this time, so it is important to do things that make us happy.

2) Join a job-seeker group - These groups are popping up everyday in cities across the U.S. Speaking with individuals that are going through the same thing you are can be very comforting at times. In addition, You can also learn some valuable new approaches to your job search by speaking with a number of job-seekers who are employing different tactics in their search.

3) Join professional social media groups - Social media outlets such as LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook can provide you a place to get many of the benefits from #2. However, you are able to network at a much faster pace and have the ability to search for companies and professionals that can be beneficial to you and your job search.

4) Spend some time out of the house each day - You really want to try to avoid sitting in your house day after day. You need human interaction! Even if you just ride down the street to the grocery store or to gas station, YOU WILL FEEL BETTER!

Following these suggestions on a regular basis will make you a much happier job seeker and most likely will improve the quality of your search.

Kenny Hanson is the owner of Hanson Consulting. He specializes in working with individuals who are looking for new employment opportunities. His main focus is writing cover letters, professional resumes and working with individuals on interview techniques. Kenny has worked in Recruiting and Human Resources for over a decade. He has worked with hundreds of different companies and has helped thousands of individuals locate employment. In addition, Kenny has been designated a Certified Staffing Professional by the American Staffing Association. He was recently dubbed "The Resume Writer" by Philadelphia Magazine. He can be reached via email at hansonresumes@gmail.com

Social Media...How It Could Land You A Job

2010-05-05T10:24:00.000-04:00

I have spoken of the importance of social media in past and recently came across an article I felt could be beneficial to many of my readers. Social media is becoming an essential tool for anyone looking for a new job. Below is an article that gives some strong insight on how to market yourself.

Find a job in 140 characters or less

By anthony balderrama on Apr 19, 2010 in Employment Trends, Featured, Job Search

New technological tools are often hailed as breakthroughs that will revolutionize our daily lives. Think of the iPhone’s arrival a few years ago. Many of these much-heralded items fizzle away with little notice. And then others sneak up on us. Facebook went from a niche college site in 2004 to a somewhat essential part of online life for people all over the world today. Twitter showed up on the scene with more noise than Facebook did, but no one knew if it would take off.

For those of you unaware, Twitter is a microblogging sign that lets you post 140-character messages at a time. You can follow people’s updates and they can follow yours. That’s basically it. Sounds simple.

Yet, Twitter has played important roles in major events recently. The plane landing in the Hudson River was first documented via Twitter. The 2008 presidential candidates communicated with voters through the site. Last year’s Iranian protests gained publicity through worldwide Twitter updates. Who would’ve thought something so small would be so important?

Now, people are beginning to use Twitter for more commonplace tasks — namely, job hunts. Hopefully you’re already following us on Twitter at CBforJobSeekers. There we give you tips on job hunting, workplace issues and other topics that come up. But now three authors have written a book all about finding a job through the microblogging site. Susan Britton Whitcomb, Chandlee Bryan and Deb Dib have come together to write “The Twitter Job Search Guide.”

“Twitter can give job seekers a much-needed edge in today’s job market,” Whitcomb says. “It helps them uncover little-known opportunities, research employers, enhance their visibility, expand their network and much more.”

As Bryan explains, “We like the concept of spending 15 well-planned, solidly productive minutes a day on Twitter, at least initially, because it imposes a strategy and discipline that keeps you focused on the big picture — your job search — rather than getting lost online. While Twitter is great way to expand your network and reach, transitioning those relationships to off-line connections is an essential element of a successful search.”

According to the authors, here are five guidelines to follow in your Twitter job search:

1. Know what you want to accomplish and track your progress.
Take advantage of Twitter’s real-time user interaction by monitoring your @replies, direct messages (DMs) and Retweets.

2. Understand your limits.
Don’t just post – seek out information that is valuable to you. Use the favorites option to keep track of posts you want to revisit or think about.

3. Find and follow people.
Twitter can overwhelm you if you follow too many people. Information will fall off of the newsfeed quickly. Instead, be selective about who you follow and make sure they offer information that’s relevant to your goals.

4. Don’t retweet too much!
If all you can offer is a retweet of other people’s messages, then you probably don’t need to be on Twitter. Offer your own input on topics. Plus, the authors point out, if your feed is entirely made of @replies, people will feel as if they’re not welcome to your conversation.

5. Give of yourself.
“Join @jobangels and other philanthropic groups and give back when you can. Watch for opportunities to offer a tip, insight, job lead or helping hand,” the authors suggest.

So log on to Twitter, set up an account, follow us and get going!

I Had A Great Interview, But Have Not Heard Anything. What Should I Do?

2010-04-14T21:47:00.002-04:00

A large majority of individuals that interview for a new position feel like the interview went GREAT! Unfortunately, most hiring managers don't view the interview the same way. It is very rare that a hiring manager walks out of an interview and says "Wow, that person would be perfect for this position." The truth is that most interviewers are looking for ANY red flags they can find - and there almost always is something that raises one in an interview. So, what happens if you go to an interview and you don't hear back from them?

I recently received an email from a former client of mine who has one of the best backgrounds in his field I have ever seen. He informed me that he had great interview, in fact, they told him he was one of the top 5 candidates. They informed him that they would be in touch by a certain date, yet he never heard from them. He followed up after that time, and they again told him that they would be in touch with him within a week. Surprise, Surprise, they didn't contact him by that set date either. So, what should he do? Is "no news, good news?"

My suggestion: Follow-up again. Either call the individual you interviewed with or send them another email. Following up shows initiative and a desire to secure the open position. In fact, if you don't follow-up the organization may feel you are not really interested in the role. The worst thing they can tell you is that the job is no longer available or that you are not the right candidate. Most candidates will not follow-up in this situation because they do not want to be a "pain." DO NOT WORRY ABOUT THIS! As long as you are not calling them several times a week or calling them before the deadline THEY gave you, the hiring manager will not view your desire to come and work for their company a "pain." If anything, this gives you an advantage over the other candidates that think "no news is good news."

Get The Job You Want By Following These Interview Guidelines!

2010-03-31T11:09:00.000-04:00

In today's economy it is hard enough to get an interview, so when you have that opportunity you want to cash in on it. Just like everything in life, in order to excel at something, you practice and study it - Interviewing is no different. Unfortunately, there are too many people who feel that they can just walk in and impress everyone they encounter. I have trained hundreds of clients on how to interview and only 2 of them thought that was their weak point. Often times I hear the phrase, "Every job I have ever interviewed for, I have gotten". This may be true, but times are much different now. For those of you that have had only 3 or 4 jobs in your life, it may be likely you have gotten every job you have interviewed for. However, times have changed and you are competing against hundreds of other qualified candidates.

Hiring managers and companies now have the ability to be more selective than ever. The interview is a place where you can make the impression that will give you a clear advantage over your competition. Below is a list of DO's and DON'TS. Some of these may seem like common sense, but most candidates do not even follow the most basic rules.

DO research, study and learn everything you can about the individuals and company you are interviewing with.

DO review potential interview questions (there is a section of my blog that lists different interview questions) and practice answering them.

DO dress conservatively

DO bring a few extra copies of your resume with you

DO send a thank you note after the interview is over

DO try to find a commonality between yourself and the interviewer and discuss that

DO let your personality come out

DO take a notepad and pen with you to take notes

DO take a list of references and phone numbers with you

DO ask a few business related questions at the end of the interview

DO follow-up with the interviewer if you do not hear back from them within a week of the interview

DON'T be late, or too early

DON'T ask questions that revolve around money or benefits

DON'T wear perfume, cologne or any flashy jewelry

DON'T talk negatively about your former employer

DON'T smoke before the interview or chew gum during the interview

DON'T get too comfortable during the interview and tell the person your life story (This happens in 1 of every 3 interviews)

DON'T answer cell phone calls during the interview

DON'T EVER LIE

DON'T send a thank-you note full of typos. Have someone review it before it before you send it.

Following these simple guidelines is going to make you interview more effectively than over 90% of the U.S. population. They may seem like common sense, but unless you practice and prepare for your interview you might be guilty of one of these mistakes.

How Important Is Your Resume?

2010-03-29T16:01:00.000-04:00

Resumes - Many job seekers view them as the primary tool to seek new employment. The average job seeker emails their resume to three companies per day, with the average response being 1 for every 45 resumes sent. The perception becomes that the resume isn't getting the job done and that the job seeker needs to revamp their resume and start over again. In some cases this is true, but in most, their resume is not the reason they are not getting any response. The method they attack their job search is the problem. Even if you have the best written resume in the world, if you continue to send it blindly through Monster, Careerbuilder, TheLadders or Craigslist you will not see an drastic increase in the amount of responses you get.

That is not to say your resume isn't an important tool in your job search, it is VERY important, but a resume alone will not get you a job. Below are a few things you need to have or do to go along with a well written resume:

1) Cover letter - A cover letter shows professionalism. Many hiring managers read cover letters to determine if looking at your resume is worth their time. I often meet with clients who are under the impression that hiring managers do not read cover letters, this is not true. Yes, there are some cases where your cover letters are not being read, but this is very rare. If you are not sending a specialized cover letter to every job you apply for, then you are just like hundreds of thousands of other unemployed individuals who are not getting responses to their resumes.

2) Network - If you are exclusively using job websites for your job search, it greatly narrows your chance of being noticed by hiring managers. Get out and meet people. There are hundreds of networking events that happen in most cities on a weekly basis. 86% of individuals being hired are through friends of friends. The more people you know, the more likely you are to be one of those 86%. Networking, just like everything else takes time, but this is the single most effective tool in finding employment. If you continue to do nothing but send your resume to different job boards...you have a .6% of finding a job.

3) Be Different - In a time where there are very limited opportunities, you need to make sure you do something to separate yourself from everyone else. Do not feel like you are bound by rules! Anything you can think of to get noticed is acceptable (As long it is within the scope of the law). Being unique is what will make the difference between you and everyone else who just sends their resume in and waits for a response. Get off the couch, get out and meet people AND BE DIFFERENT! Today could be a great day for you...tomorrow could be the day that you get a job offer.

Your resume can and should be an integral part of your job search, but it can't be the only thing. Just by writing a cover letter and networking, you increase the chance of getting a job by almost 80%. Don't wait for something good to happen to you...MAKE IT HAPPEN FOR YOURSELF.

Job Coaching: What Is It And Is It Worth My Money?

2010-03-09T15:38:00.001-05:00

Job Coaching is a term that you have probably heard more and more of in the last year. The truth is that "Job Coaches" have been there all along, but not as many people needed them due to the thriving economy.
However, times have changed quite a bit and the usual 1 month job search has turned into the 6-8 month job search. It used to be easy for most individuals to find a job in their field, now a majority of people are finding it difficult to find a job that will just pay the bills. So, if there was someone who could help cut that 6-8 month job search in half, would you be interested in speaking with them?

What is a Job Coach? A Job Coach is someone who helps through the entire process of looking for a job. You may have even heard these individuals called, Career Consultants, Career Advisors, Employment Consultants, etc. Regardless of what they call themselves, these professionals'primary objective is to make sure you are prepared to apply for a job, interview for a job, accept/reject an offer and negoiate compensation/benefits. In addition, these individuals can answer many questions you have regarding different companies that are hiring and for what kind of positions they are hiring. Many Job Coaches are former Human Resource Managers, Executive Recruiters and Former C-Level Executives, so their connections in hiring circles are vast. Many Job Coaches will develop a plan that fits in with your strengths and weaknesses. If you are a strong writer, then you may not need as much help there as you will need on ideas for getting an interview or interview techniques in general. The mistakes you may make when starting your job search or interviewing for a new position can be virtually eliminated by working with a Job Coach to help you overcome these issues. A Job Coach is someone that will be there with you for as much as the job search as you would like them to be. Many of my clients are content with a resume and cover letter to get them started, many others want me there until they have secured a new position. So, the question still remains, if there was someone who could help cut that 6-8 month job search in half, would you be interested in speaking with them?

Is working with a Job Coach worth your money? Well, just like in any profession, there are people that excel at their jobs and others that do not. The first thing you need find out is their job history prior to being a Job Coach. As stated earlier, this person is normally going to be a former Human Resources Manager, Executive Recruiter or a C-Level Executives. You will want to work someone with these types of background. They will have a strong understanding of what hiring managers in different industries are looking for. In addition, it is very likely they will be able to help you cut your job search in half.

Kenny Hanson is the owner of Hanson Consulting. He specializes in working with individuals who are looking for new employment opportunities. His main focus is writing cover letters, professional resumes and working with individuals on interview techniques. Kenny has worked in Recruiting and Human Resources for over a decade. He has worked with hundreds of different companies and has helped thousands of individuals locate employment. In addition, Kenny has been designated a Certified Staffing Professional by the American Staffing Association. He was recently dubbed "The Resume Writer" by Philadelphia Magazine. He can be reached via email at hansonresumes@gmail.com.

Resume Do's and Don'ts

2010-02-19T09:04:00.000-05:00

RESUME DO’S AND DON’TS

DO’S

DO develop a resume template that will separate your resume from everyone else’s. Most people will use a MS Word template from “Resume Wizard”. There isn’t anything wrong with these formats, except 99% of individuals looking for a job will go here to create a resume. You will need to develop a format that will set you apartment from the competition.

DO use a bulleted style of resume. In many cases, the individual looking at your resume will only glance at it for 3 to 4 seconds. A bulleted style resume will allow the reader to focus on the things you think are important.

DO include a section of your resume such as, “Area of Expertise” or “Summary of Qualifications”. This is another way to highlight and focus your skills in a manner that will allow the reader to see them quickly.

DO list information in order of importance under your “Professional Work History” section. For example, if you were applying for a role as a Manager, it would be important to list that you managed ten employees before you listed that you handled client accounts.

DO write your resume with your accomplishments in mind. This is something else that may set you apart from your competition. For example, if you are a Sales Representative you would want to highlight the amount you sold, not that you did sell. When possible, quantify your accomplishments as much as possible.

DO proofread your resume. A single typo can automatically disqualify you from a job.

DO provide a cover letter with your resume. This is your opportunity to speak to the individual that probably wrote the job description.

DO use as many action or power verbs as possible, but do not repeat the same ones over and over.

DO include any computer software skills you have.

DO include any professional affiliations or groups you may be associated with.

DON’TS

DON’T think that you need to keep your resume to just one page.

DON’T start your resume with an “Objective Statement”, the person you send your resume will already know your objective is to get an interview for the job you are applying for. Consider a “Professional Summary” section. This is where you write 3 to 4 sentences that describe your work history.

DON’T list too much experience on your resume. Anything over 15 years is too much. Unfortunately, age discrimination exists and there is no reason to show that you have been working for the last 40 years. The last 15 years will be what the hiring decision will be based upon anyway.

DON’T start your “Professional Summary” by saying “I have over 25 years of experience”. See age discrimination above.

DON’T include on your resume your height, weight, age, date of birth, place of birth, marital status, sex, ethnicity/race, health, social security number (except on an international resume), reasons for leaving previous job(s), names of former supervisors, specific street addresses or phone numbers of former employers, picture of yourself, salary information, the title "Resume," or any information that could be perceived as controversial, such as religion, church affiliations, or political affiliations. (Hansen, 2009)

DON’T use words and terms such as: “Responsible for”, “Duties included”, “Work”, “I”, “me” and “my”

DON’T list your references on your resume; keep them on a different sheet. Also, do not put “References Available On Request”. The company already knows this.

DON’T include hobbies or other irrelevant information.

DON’T include your high school education

DON’T leave out dates

How To Answer The Dreaded "Salary Question"

2010-02-08T12:14:00.009-05:00

One of the most dreaded questions in the interview process is "What salary are you looking for"?. At some point during the interview process, this is a question that is very likely to come up. The way you answer the question could determine whether or not you are hired.

When answering this question, many people add an extra 7K - 10K to what they were making previously. In many cases, this will eliminate that candidate on the spot. Many times, the person interviewing is willing to accept a lateral move or even a salary reduction, but will give a higher number in hopes they will receive a better offer.

Unfortunately, many of these individuals never receive offers. The hiring manager can be weary of hiring someone they know is looking for a higher compensation. They are thinking, if I hire this candidate, and they are offered another job making more money, then they are going to leave. The hiring manager is most likely to hire someone who maybe a little less qualified, but who will be content with the compensation. Therefore they do not have to repeatedly fill that opening. In order to avoid this situation, you have to be a little more creative with your answers. Below is a list of ideas of how to answer "What salary are you looking for"?

1) The best and most effective way to answer this question is by saying: "I am here to listen to the best offer you have". This does not put you in a situation where you have given them a number. You will not over or underprice yourself. You are letting the hiring manager know you want a fair compensation based on your skills and experience.

2) Focus on growth, other benefits, etc. Many people I work with have had high paying jobs in the past, but the economy has forced many of these individuals to accept lower paying positions. When the "salary" question is asked - focus on the job, the benefits, the growth potential or anything else that the company may provide that would be a reason why you would be content with a lower salary. (Note - You REALLY need to sell this, the hiring manager needs to believe that if you were offered a 15K increase from another company that you would not jump ship).

3) Be honest - Don't waste your time. If you know that 75K is the lowest offer you would be willing to accept, then let them know that. There is no reason to waste your time or theirs. This approach may eliminate you from the position, but if they are only budgeted to offer you 65K, then there is no reason to go forward in the interview process.

4) Be realistic and do your research - When you walk into the interview, you should have an idea of what the average salary is for the position for which you are applying. There are multiple websites that have salary information. Keep in mind, that your worth to your previous employer may not be the same to a prospective employer. Try to look at it from the hiring managers point of view. If you have been with a company for 20 years and were making $130K, unless you are at the top of your field, it is very unlikely you will be worth that to a new company. Take this into account when formulating your answer.

If you keep these things in mind when answering this question, you will have less of a chance of excluding yourself from a position. Be prepared to answer this question, know what you are going to say...this is not an issue you want to sound unsure.

If Used Right, Job Boards Can Actually Help you Find A Job

2010-01-10T12:02:00.004-05:00

A large percentage of individuals that are unemployed spend countless hours searching job boards such as Monster.com, Careerbuilder.com, Theladders.com and Craigslist. Many people will send out 2-3 resumes per day and never get a response. Unfortunately for these individuals, it is very likely that they will not receive responses to their resume. Often an employer will receive hundreds and in some cases, thousands of resumes per posted job. In a time where there are many qualified candidates applying for one position, the person reviewing the resumes will not review all resumes sent to them. There is just not enough time in the day. It is also likely that the person your resume goes to is not the hiring manager. More times than not, your resume will be reviewed by a Human Resources Assistant, who will then pass your resume along to the hiring manager, if they feel you meet the proper requirements. So, how can these job boards help you? These boards can help you identify open positions. Once you find a position you are interested in applying for, you can conduct your own research to find an "in" into the organization. Perhaps you have a contact on a social networking site who can give you the contact info for the hiring manager. Maybe the office is close by and you can stop in and personally drop off your resume. Using job boards to identify positions and your own research to apply can give you an advantage over individuals who blindly apply over the job boards.

Sites such as: LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook can really be beneficial in this endeavor. I recently was working with an individual who had spent 3 months applying for positions at several different job boards. After determining that her strategy was not effective, we decided to use the job boards as nothing more than a starting point. She began to post on LinkedIn and Twitter with "status updates" that resembled the following - "I am looking to speak with anyone in my network that either works for or knows someone at (XYZ Company)". She started to receive multiple emails from people in her personal and professional network. Many of these individuals were able to provide her with the "in" that she needed to get her resume reviewed by the hiring manager. After 1.5 months, she had received calls back to 6 of the 10 jobs she was interested in, interviewed with 4 of them and was offered 2 jobs. Fortunately, this is not an isolated example. I have worked with at least 15 other individuals that have been successful using this approach. DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME ANYMORE! Spending hours sending resumes blindly is not a productive way to search for a new career, work smarter by allowing your networks to help you out.

So I Hear The Economy Is Getting Better, Does That Mean A Job Will Be Easier To Find?

2009-11-30T11:39:00.005-05:00

In recent weeks, there has been numerous reports about how the economy is getting better and that we may be moving out of the "recession" or "depression" or whatever you want to call it. This should mean it will be easier to find a job, right? Wrong! Unfortunately, the unemployment rate will continue to increase, companies will continue their mass lay-offs and finding a job will be harder than ever. The economy may be showing signs of improvement, but that improvement is helping fewer and fewer people. Companies are not going to be eager to re-staff many of their positions, as they have realized they can manage an effective business with less people. Companies will continue to look for ways to reduce costs and that can most easily be done through "restructuring".

This article is not to frustrate you, it is more to put reality in perspective. You should continue to work hard in your job search. Continue to treat your job search as a full-time job! The market will only get more competitive after the first of the year. Make sure you are working hard NOW, so when the few companies do start to hire in January, you are ready. Taking a "vacation" from your job search now due to the "holiday season" could be a critical mistake. Do not be fooled by thinking that a "better" economy is going to increase your chances of finding employment. The hard work you put in on you job search will be the reason you obtain new employment!

Take Some Time To RELAX

2009-10-28T01:21:00.008-04:00

The majority of my articles focus on actions you can take to increase the probability of you finding employment, which means putting in a normal 8 hour day. You should treat your job search as if it were your full-time job. Luckily, most companies offer some kind of vacation; you should offer yourself the same thing.

Recently, several individuals that are close to me have lost their jobs. Some have been looking for employment for weeks. Some have found themselves in situations where they needed to find employment quickly. When either one of these situations arise, panic sets in. When individuals spend 8 hours a day for 3 or 4 weeks straight looking for employment and nothing seems to be working, it can get very frustrating. However, this is the ideal time to take a few days off and spend some time doing something(s) you enjoy doing. For many, this will be difficult to do, but taking some time to relax is extremely important. Read a book, spend some time with the family, go to the park on a Wednesday afternoon or take a long weekend and drive up to the Poconos. Focusing on something other than your job search can be what you need to give your job search a different perspective. Taking a step back from your job search will allow you to evaluate the things you are doing. It is quite likely that after taking 1 or 2 days off, you will have developed new ideas and have new thoughts of steps to take in your job search.

Taking some time away from your job search will really help you put things into perspective. Most importantly, relaxing will help you in the mental portion of your search. Depression, panic, anger are all feelings people have during the their job search. In order to be positive and effective during your search, sometimes you need to take a step back. Remember, this is just a small phase in your life. You WILL find another job if you do the right things. If you are unsure about what those "things" are, then I would suggest reading a few of my previous articles that focus on the proper steps to take. Stay positive and spend some time doing activities you enjoy. That is what life is all about! Do not lose sight of that because you are unemployed. So, why not take the day off? Check out a museum, go to the aquarium, watch the Phillies and Yankees in the World Series and then start again on Thursday. You may feel a sense of rejuvenation

15 Years at the Same Company and Recently Laid Off - Now What?

2009-09-28T13:38:00.006-04:00

More and more individuals, who have been with their current employer for over 15 years, are starting to feel the effects of being laid off. Many individuals were given severance packages, in addition to unemployment benefits. Unfortunately, many of theses individuals are seeing these benefits run out and are in a situation where they must find immediate employment. DON'T PUT YOURSELF IN THIS SITUATION! Below is a list of things you can do to make sure you did not end up in this predicament.

1) Keep your resume up to date: During this economic crisis, NO ONE is safe. You could find yourself laid-off without any notice, no matter how long you have been in your current role. Keeping your resume current will ensure that if you are in a position where you have to look for a new job, you will be ready to hit the ground running.

2) Network: Keep networking and speaking with professional contacts. The more people you speak with, the better. You never know when your business contacts will come in handy.

3) Keep in touch with a recruiter you trust. If your company has recently gone through layoffs, consider contacting a recruiter. I would strongly suggest that they are either someone you have worked with in the past or someone that has been recommended to you. A good recruiter can help you find a new position very quickly.

4) Follow-up: One of the biggest mistakes job seekers make is just sending resumes and hoping for a response from the employer. That employer is most likely receiving hundreds of resumes per day, so follow-up with a phone call or email. Showing some initiative can go along way.

Following these four simple steps will increase your chance of securing a new position expeditiously. Do not put yourself in a situation where you have to take an undesirable position because you waited to long to find the right job.

Can Your Email Address Prevent You From Getting A Job?

2009-09-01T17:04:00.011-04:00

Virtually everyone you know probably has an email address of some kind. Most individuals have just one email account that they use for all of their electronic communications. When searching for a new position, you may want to consider creating an email address that you use solely for that purpose. Your email address is the first thing a potential hiring manager sees when you submit your resume to them. It needs to as professional as possible. Email addresses such as sexyfox69@"whatever".com, teddybear77@"whatever".com and Iluvmydog@"whatever".com are not very professional and could have a detrimental impact on the chances of a hiring manager even looking at your resume. Do you really think that a hiring manager is going to open an email from bubbaloveboat@whatever.com?

My suggestion: Create a new email address. This process is fast, easy and free! You can create an email address such as (Your name)@gmail.com. If that is taken, you can try (First Name "dot" Last Name)@gmail.com. If that is taken, you can create an email address with one of the two suggestions above and add a number to it. The point being, there are thousands of different kinds of email addresses you can create that will not raise a red flag to hiring managers.

Another major email error is when individuals send their resume to a hiring manager from a work email address. This will most certainly raise a red flag. It shows that you have very little respect for the organization and a potential employer may not take the risk that you will not do the same thing with their organization.

Set-up an email address that is professional! This is a quick and easy solution.

Should You Pay To Have Your Resume Written?

2009-08-10T02:48:00.006-04:00

In a time where there is fierce competition for the very few job openings that exist, many job seekers have been asking themselves...Should I Pay To Have My Resume Written?

The answer to this question really depends on the individual. For some individuals, the answer is "no". Many times this person is going to be a former Recruiter, Human Resource Manager or hiring manager of some kind. There will be a few exceptions to this rule, but the above professionals will have a good idea on what hiring managers are looking for in a resume. Even someone that is a strong writer may not have the knowledge to know what the hiring manager is looking for. If you do not fall into this category and you have been sending out resumes with little response, it may be time to contact a resume writer. They have the ability to provide ideas that will make you a much more marketable candidate.

For those of you that should consider contacting a resume writer, below is a list of things you should look for when searching for someone to help you with your resume.

1) What is their experience? A resume writer should have extensive experience looking at and writing resumes. Recruiters and HR Managers look at and evaluate more resumes than anyone else, so make sure that they have similar background.

2) References: A good resume writer is going to be able to provide you with several individuals that were happy with their service.

3) Cost: If you pay $30 for a resume, expect a $30 resume. Investing in yourself and in your future is something to take seriously. Expect to be charged anywhere from $100 to $300 for a resume that will help set yourself apart.

4) Examples: Ask the resume writer to provide you examples of his or her work. If they refuse to do this, they are not worth your time.

5) What does the service offer? If the resume writer does not spend at least 30 - 45 minutes with you asking questions about your background, they are not worth the money. If they are not willing to work with you one-on-one, they will not have the proper information to "sell" you.

Investing a few hundred dollars to increase your marketability is well worth the money, but make sure you choose wisely. Good luck in your continued job search!

Kenny Hanson is the owner of Hanson Consulting. He specializes in working with individuals who are looking for new employment opportunities. His main focus is writing cover letters, professional resumes and working with individuals on interview techniques. Kenny has worked in Recruiting and Human Resources for over a decade. He has worked with hundreds of different companies and has helped thousands of individuals locate employment. In addition, Kenny has been designated a Certified Staffing Professional by the American Staffing Association. He can be reached via email at hansonresumes@gmail.com

Job Fairs: Are they a waste of your time?

2009-08-03T20:57:00.006-04:00

Even in an economy where the unemployment rate is almost 10%, there still seems to be an abundant number of job fairs. However, what I have found after attending over 15 job fairs this summer is that the majority of job seekers attending do not feel it is worth their time. The main cause for this sentiment is that many employers will attend job fairs, even if their organization doesn't have any open positions. So, is attending a job fair where there are very few jobs available still worth attending? ABSOLUTELY!

The problem is that when people attend job fairs, they expect to actually find a job before they leave. This is not a realistic perspective. Even in a great economy, there are very few individuals that walk away from a job fair with a stronghold on any position. You need to change your mindset. A job fair can produce an extremely long list of contacts for future opportunities. Instead of walking in and expecting to get a job, use the time to meet all of the hiring managers there. Get their cards, network with them, learn about their business...all of these ideas are ways you may be able to land a job when a position does open within their company. After the job fair, email the hiring mangers you met and STAY IN TOUCH! Email them monthly to explore possible future openings. The more of these individuals you meet and stay in contact with, the more likely you are to find employment.

Next time you see a job fair listed, use it as an opportunity to meet more people who have the ability to hire you in the future. If you keep in contact with these hiring managers, the job fair will be a success!

Kenny Hanson is the owner of Hanson Consulting. He specializes in working with individuals who are looking for new employment opportunities. His main focus is writing cover letters, professional resumes and working with individuals on interview techniques. Kenny has worked in Recruiting and Human Resources for over a decade. He has worked with hundreds of different companies and has helped thousands of individuals locate employment. In addition, Kenny has been designated a Certified Staffing Professional by the American Staffing Association. He can be reached via email at hansonresumes@gmail.com

Why Am I Not Getting Responses To Resumes I Sent Out?

2009-07-21T17:35:00.010-04:00

The number one complaint I hear from individuals looking for a job is that hiring managers are not contacting them back after they send their resumes. Some job seekers are sending out 50 resumes a day and still not getting any response. Below is a list of reasons why they may not be responding to your resume and a few ideas of things you can do to overcome this.

1) You may not be qualified: This may be the most obvious answer. Hiring managers do not have time to respond to every applicant that applies to their openings. If you are not a viable candidate it is unlikely they will ever respond. Make sure the positions you apply for are ones that you have the skill set to do. For example, if the position requires a college degree and five years management experience, don't expect to hear back from them if you don't have a college degree and 3 years of management experience.

2) You are not sending a a cover letter: In today's environment, you need to speak to the person you are sending your resume to. A resume is not as effective as a cover letter is in doing this. Cover letters are a way for you to explain why your skill set and personality will fit the open position and company culture. Cover letters should be tailored to the specific position and company you are applying to. This is a great way to differentiate yourself from the competition.

3) Your resume may not be as strong as you think: Writing a resume is a skill. If it is not something that you do often, it is likely there are components that need to be reviewed and altered. If you still have an "objective statement" on your resume, you may want to speak with a resume writer. The sole purpose of a resume is to get an interview, so making sure your resume presents well is extremely important. If you have any questions about your resume, please contact me at hansonresumes@gmail.com

4) The hiring manager may not have time to look at your resume: Hiring managers receive hundreds of resumes for every open position they have. In some cases, it is impossible for them to review all the resumes they receive. They best time to send your resume to the hiring is in between 7:30AM and 8:30AM or 4:30PM and 5:30PM. Hiring managers tend to be responding to emails during these times. It is more likely they will see your resume when they are on their email.

Being aware of why you are not getting responses to your resume can certainly help you in the long run. Changing your strategy now can pay off in more interviews!

Kenny Hanson is the owner of Hanson Consulting. He specializes in working with individuals who are looking for new employment opportunities. His main focus is writing cover letters, professional resumes and working with individuals on interview techniques. Kenny has worked in Recruiting and Human Resources for over a decade. He has worked with hundreds of different companies and has helped thousands of individuals locate employment. In addition, Kenny has been designated a Certified Staffing Professional by the American Staffing Association. He can be reached via email at hansonresumes@gmail.com

What To Do When You Are Fired?

2009-06-29T21:59:00.006-04:00

There are many individuals who find themselves in a situation where they are fired or their job ends on a sour note. The toughest part is moving on and figuring out how to address this with the next potential employer. Below is a list of 5 things that will help you get through this different period of time.

1) Get over it: This may be the most difficult thing to do. After being fired, many people lose confidence in themselves...DON'T DO THAT! Anyone can get fired. It could happen to anyone, at any time, for almost any reason. You need to move on and focus on your next position. Take this opportunity to focus on the positive aspect of finding a new position.

2) Check with Unemployment: It's not fancy, but it could provide you with much needed income during your transition period. In most cases, you will be eligible for this benefit. The sooner you do this after being fired, the sooner you will receive your unemployment benefits. Do not be too proud to accept this! You have been paying into it, unemployment was created for a time like this.

3) Don't Promote It: When writing your resume and cover letter, do not include the fact that you were terminated. There will be plenty of time to discuss that during the interview.

4) Be Honest: Whether it be on the job application, phone screen or face-to-face interview...BE HONEST! Whether the termination was your fault or not, you must be honest. If the termination was not your fault, then be frank and explain the situation. Also, do not "bad mouth" your former boss. That will only make the situation worse. If the termination was your fault, express remorse and make sure to let the hiring manager know that you have learned a valuable lesson. Make sure to focus on the positive aspects, not the negative ones.

5) Be Prepared: The most asked question in an interview is "Why did you leave your last position?" Be prepared to answer that. Write out your response and practice it. The worst thing you could do in an interview is to answer that question "on the fly" after being terminated. Sounding confident in your response may be the difference between landing the job or being back on the market.

Getting fired is something that hundreds of thousands of people face every year. If you happen to be one of them, move on and get prepared for your next challenge.

Kenny Hanson is the owner of Hanson Consulting. He specializes in working with individuals who are looking for new employment opportunities. His main focus is writing cover letters, professional resumes and working with individuals on interview techniques. Kenny has worked in Recruiting and Human Resources for over a decade. He has worked with hundreds of different companies and has helped thousands of individuals locate employment. In addition, Kenny has been designated a Certified Staffing Professional by the American Staffing Association. He can be reached via email at kenny@hansonresumes.com

Top 5 Things To do After A Networking Event

2009-06-12T10:59:00.006-04:00

Happy Friday everyone! I hope that your job search is going well. Many of you try to increase your job prospects by attending different networking events. Unfortunately, there are too many people who come home after the event and do not utilize any of the information they obtained while at the event. Below are 5 things that can help you make the most out of each event that you attend.

1) Send an email - As soon as you get home from the networking event, send an email to the individuals you met. The faster you do this, the better. If you do not try to make contact with the individuals you met, then there is really no reason to attend the event in the first place.

2) Provide benefit - When contacting someone, DO NOT immediately ask them to help you. Just because you spoke with someone for 5 minutes at a networking event doesn't mean that they are willing to help you. You must provide some kind of benefit to them! Introduce them to someone or refer someone who might be able to help them out. People are more likely to help you out, if you do the same for them.

3) Schedule a face-to-face - Try to schedule a time where you can meet one-on-one. Building a relationship is what networking is all about and a face-to-face meeting goes a long way to accomplishing that. When trying to schedule a meeting, make sure that you suggest times and places that are convenient for the person with whom you want to speak. Make sure that when you are speaking with them, that you are also making it worth their time - provide some benefit to them - do not spend the entire time speaking about yourself.

4) Add to Social Network - Try to find them on your social network, I suggest Linkedin. This will give you an opportunity to find out a little more about them. Look for information on their profile page that links the two of you together. Conversations always work better when two people have a commonality.

5) Thank the Host - Before you leave the event, find the host and thank him or her. The host tends to speak with more people than anyone else. Make sure you personally thank them. When you see them at the next event, starting a conversation will be much easier, and they are more likely to introduce you to individuals who can help you out.

Following these 5 steps will most likely increase your network and help you build stronger relationships. Remember, networking is the key to finding a good job, so get out there and keep networking!

Kenny Hanson is the owner of Hanson Consulting. He specializes in working with individuals who are looking for new employment opportunities. His main focus is writing cover letters, professional resumes and working with individuals on interview techniques. Kenny has worked in Recruiting and Human Resources for over a decade. He has worked with hundreds of different companies and has helped thousands of individuals locate employment. In addition, Kenny has been designated a Certified Staffing Professional by the American Staffing Association. He can be reached via email at kenny@hansonresumes.com

Philadelphia Magazine Article

2009-06-05T00:51:00.004-04:00

Happy Friday everyone! I hope your job search is going well. I normally do not self promote myself, but there was article that was recently published in Philadelphia Magazine that I thought could be useful to many readers of this blog. Have a great weekend and happy reading!

AT YOUR SERVICE: SO, YOU’VE BEEN LAID OFF ...

There are people in your corner. We’ve rounded up five local experts — all with awesome advice—to help you navigate those murky unemployment waters

BY JANINE WHITE

: Illustration by Seth

The Résumé Writer
Your CV needs to stand out these days, and at Ambler-based Hanson Consulting,Kenny Hanson shapes your résumé with key words and design elements that make it float to the top. Jobs in human resources and executive recruiting have taught him what those making hiring decisions want to see; an hour - long conversation lets him ferret out skills and accomplishments you may have forgotten to include. The basic résumé takes about two hours to create, and rates start at $30 an hour (but he’ll negotiate with the unemployed). Hanson also helps with cover letters, thank - you notes and interview techniques. 215-206-9110, kennycareeradvice.blogspot.com.

The Financial Planner
According to Adam Sherman, a certified financial planner at Firstrust Financial Resources, you need to “get in touch with your finances and your expenses so you can get a better understanding and feel more secure.” That means simple stuff like reviewing your regular budget as well as more complicated tasks a planner can help with, like shifting your company 401K and maintaining insurance. You could even get good news, such as the Obama administration’s recent decisions to subsidize COBRA and help with mortgage payments. Firstrust
Financial Resources, 215-569-3110, firstrustfinancialresources.com.

The Menu Planner
If you’re used to takeout and restaurant dining, a lesson with a personal chef like Liz Solms can save you on food-related costs. Solms helps you plan a week’s worth of meals by taking you shopping at your local farmers’ markets and grocery store, then shows you how to cook it all in your kitchen. “I can even teach clients recipes that can be made in one big batch, then used throughout the week as different dishes,” she says. Two hundred bucks gets you one session—just enough to make you bravely toss those takeout menus. 267-455-1925, sweetpeanourishment.com.

The Life Coach
Whether you’re thinking career change or are terrified of interviews, Lori Mattison can guide you through it all. Mattison happens to be certified as both a therapist and an executive coach, and she focuses on the present — recognizing skills and achievements, building confidence, setting goals — instead of delving into your relationship with your mother. “It’s about how you’re dealing with the challenges and stress of being unemployed, and identifying coping mechanisms. I work from there and build, so clients are prepared to interview and feel confident,” Mattison says. Hey, you wouldn’t play the big game without cheerleaders, would you? Rates start at $170 an hour. Cherry Hill and Center City offices, 215-872-8094, mattisonresources.com.

The Employment Lawyer
Before you scribble your panicky signature on a severance package contract, call an employment attorney like Sidney L. Gold, in Philadelphia. “In these times, employers are using layoff practices that they allege are because of finances to get rid of workers with disabilities, or those who are older or who they think are overpaid,” says Gold. He’ll help you try to negotiate a better package (and make sure you get everything that’s owed to you, like overtime pay and commissions) and even file a claim against your employer. Initial consult free. 215-569-1999, discrimlaw.net.

Originally published in Philadelphia magazine, June 2009

"Dumb Down" Your Resume?

2009-05-28T20:37:00.008-04:00

There has been much discussion in recruitment and staffing circles lately regarding "dumbing down" ones resume. Many candidates are receiving responses back from potential employers informing them that they are over-qualified for the position in which they applied. So, the question before us is: Is it ok to "dumb down" your resume in order to get an interview? My opinion...ABSOLUTELY! The main purpose of a resume is to get an interview in the first place. I certainly do not advocate lying on a resume, but you should tailor your resume to the position you are applying for. If you have the relevant experience then, you are not doing anything ethically wrong.

Many employers are rejecting resumes they feel are over-qualified because they fear that as soon as that individual finds a job similar to what they were doing, they will leave. Tailoring your resume to the specific position gives you the opportunity to express your thoughts about the opening to the potential employer.

I recently worked with someone who had held a Director level position in the IT field. He had been a VP at a medium sized organization. He had received multiple responses from multiple organizations telling him that he was over-qualified, but they would hold on to his resume for future executive level openings. After speaking with him, we decided that in order for him to get his foot in the door at these organizations we would have to "dumb down" his resume. After reworking his resume, we submitted it to the very same organizations that told him he was over-qualified. Four of the nine companies contacted him back for an interview, and three of them offered him jobs. Once he was in front of them, he was able to convince the employer that he would not jump ship for just any opportunity that was at his previous level. However, he would have never had that opportunity if he had not reworked his resume.

Kenny Hanson is the owner of Hanson Consulting. He specializes in working with individuals who are looking for new employment opportunities. His main focus is writing cover letters, professional resumes and working with individuals on interview techniques. Kenny has worked in Recruiting and Human Resources for over a decade. He has worked with hundreds of different companies and has helped thousands of individuals locate employment. In addition, Kenny has been designated a Certified Staffing Professional by the American Staffing Association. He can be reached via email at kenny@hansonresumes.com

NETWORKING - Part II

2009-05-14T14:42:00.017-04:00

Happy Tuesday everyone! I hope that you have made some progress on your job search. I discussed last Tuesday how important it was to get out and network. Today I will discuss how to make networking more effective for you.

1) Who Do I Want To Meet?

Before going into a networking event you should identify to whom you would like to speak with. Below is a list of the different kinds of individuals that you would want to speak with at a networking event:

a) Prospects - If you are going to a networking event to increase your business, it is always good to speak with someone who could directly use the services or products you provide.

b) Strategic Referral Sources - This is going to be someone who comes into contact with your prospects on a regular basis.

c) Organization leaders - Whether you are looking for a job or looking to increase your current business, knowing organization leaders can always provide you with an advantage.

d) Hiring managers - All of the above individuals are certainly people who can help you locate employment, but speaking directly with a hiring managers would clearly be most beneficial for your search.

2) Where Can I Network At?

There a many different opportunities to network. Below is a list of the different groups that help facilitate networking.

a) Formal Networking Groups - These include groups like BNI and LeTip that require annual membership fees.

b) Informal Groups - These groups include YPN (Young Professionals Network) and other side groups. There is usually a minimal fee to attend each individual event. There tend to be many more informal networking groups than any other kind.

c) Seminars - Many organizations offer seminars on different topics. This is a good place to network with local professionals.

d) Job Fairs - This is great networking opportunity for individuals looking for a new position or individuals looking to hire new talent. There is a no fee for most job fairs unless you are an employer.

3) How Can I Make Networking Work For Me?

Many people who attend networking events just show up and go through the motions of meeting people. Below is a list of things you can do to get the most out of networking.

a) Get involved - The more you are involved with an organization, the more opportunity you will have to speak with everyone who attend the events. Name recognition is also another benefit to "getting involved".

b) Go often - The more networking events you attend, the more likely you are to build stronger relationships. Going to 1 networking event every quarter is not going to be as beneficial as someone who goes once a week.

c) Follow-up - If you meet someone at an event and agree to contact them, follow-up. Not doing so defeats the purpose going to the event.

d) Arrive early and Stay late - Getting to an event early and staying late gives you the best chance to speak with the most amount of people, which is the main point of attending a networking event.

e) Find common areas - When speaking with someone try to find something that you both have in common. It will make the conversation go smoother and they are more likely to introduce you to individuals who can assist you.

f) Ask for referrals - Whether you are looking to increase your business or looking for a new opportunity, asking for referrals is essential. "Do you know anyone who works for X company?" - This is a great question to ask someone if you are looking to get into a specific organization. If they give you a name, ask for another one. The worst thing that can happen is that they do not have any referrals for you.

Networking can serve as a catalyst to increasing your business or to finding new opportunities if done right. So, get out there and start networking. Opportunities are all around you!

Kenny Hanson is the owner of Hanson Consulting. He specializes in working with individuals who are looking for new employment opportunities. His main focus is writing cover letters, professional resumes and working with individuals on interview techniques. Kenny has worked in Recruiting and Human Resources for over a decade. He has worked with hundreds of different companies and has helped thousands of individuals locate employment. In addition, Kenny has been designated a Certified Staffing Professional by the American Staffing Association. He can be reached via email at kenny@hansonresumes.com

NETWORKING

2009-05-10T21:42:00.011-04:00

Networking is the best way to get a job! Approximately 75% of people who get new employment is based on the network they have built. Job boards, newspaper ads and company websites are not nearly as effective as the power of networking. The more people you know, the more likely you are to know someone who can help you out when looking for new employment.

If you are having trouble finding events to attend, below is a list that will help get you started:

Chamber of Commerce: Joining a chamber is normally inexpensive and there is usually several networking events per month. This is a great place to meet business leaders in the community.

BNI or LeTip: These groups meet once a week and act as a "sales force" for you. Each group is made up of in between 20 - 50 individuals who are looking to help their business grow. This is a good place to build strong relationships.

YPN: The Young Professionals Network has sprung up in most areas and are normally associated with a Chamber of Commerce. Happy hours tend to be the norm for these groups. It is a great place to meet people who are looking to expand their network.

Employment groups: These are probably the fastest growing networking groups. These events focus on individuals who are in transition from one position to another. Happy hours, employment seminars and job fairs tend to be the norm.

Company based networking: Companies have started to get more involved over the last several years. I am actually going to a networking event today that is being put on by Kane Partners, a local IT recruiting firm. There is a seminar and is followed by a 1.5 hour networking event that will have well over 100 individuals in attendance. Whether you are looking for a new job or trying to increase your business, it is a great way to meet new people.

LinkedIn and Twitter: Even on-line networking groups can be helpful. It is an easy way to meet like-minded individuals. Whatever your trade is, there is a good chance you can find a "group" for it on these sites.

The bottom line is that networking is the BEST way to either build your business or find new employment. Get out there, meet people and the chances of you meeting someone who can help you grow substantially. Why not start today? Find an event this afternoon and START NETWORKING!

When Is It Time To Change Your Job Strategy?

2009-05-05T12:33:00.010-04:00

Have you been unemployed for 1 month? 2 months? 6 months? It is easy to blame the economy for being unemployed, but truthfully there are many things YOU can be doing to increase your chances of getting a job. If you feel that you have been unemployed for too long, then it is time to change your job strategy. Below are several things you can do to help get the interview or job you desire.

1) Write a Cover Letter: Did you know that almost 90% of resumes are sent without cover letters? Yesterday I discussed the importance of cover letters, so make sure that you are sending one with every resume you send out. Make sure you change up the letter for each position you apply to. You want to tailor your letter specifically to the position and company.

2) Start Networking: Get off the job boards, go out and start meeting people. If you have been sitting on the couch sending out 10 resumes a day and think you are doing enough, think again. Sending your resume to a company through an on-line ad may be the most inefficient way to find employment. Start networking! Go to job fairs, chamber networking events, charity events, join a BNI group - but most importantly get out there and meet people. Networking may be the single most effective tool in finding a new position. Many cities now have groups that focus on helping you find a job. You would be doing yourself a great disservice by not networking.

3) Change your resume: If you have sent out 30+ resumes and have not gotten a response, it may be time to take a look at your resume. I recently met a high-level executive sales representative who had just been laid off. After speaking with him, I could not figure out why he was having trouble finding a position. Then I looked at his resume. He needed a complete revision of his resume. After working with him on his resume for a few days he started to get interviews. Within two weeks he went from having 1 interview in 2 months to 5 interviews in 2 weeks. A well written cover letter and resume can make a huge difference.

4) Take a step back from you job search: Some people spend 10 hours a day trying to find a job. After a while it can become really depressing if you are not getting the results you expect. Set some time aside each day to do something other than search for a job. Go to the gym, take a walk or take a drive to clear your head, but taking time to do something other than search for a job may give you a new perspective.

5) Increase your skill set: It never hurts to increase your skills while you are unemployed. Learning a new skill may be what you need to get job you want.

Doing these 5 things will certainly increase your chances of getting you an interview that could lead to a new job.

If you are looking for someone to help you with your resume or cover letter please feel free to email me at hansonresumes@gmail.com - I wish you luck in your continued job search.

Cover Letters: Are They Important?

2009-04-30T19:03:00.009-04:00

Cover letters. How important are they? There are many individuals who feel they are not important and even feel they are unwanted. I disagree! Cover letters can serve as a way to get your resume read. A well written cover letter can set you apart from other candidates. Below are the top 3 reasons to write a cover letter.

Top 3 Reasons To Write A Cover Letter:

1) Shows employer you are serious: Employers get hundreds of resumes sent to them without a cover letter. A cover letter shows them that you are willing to take the time to explain to them how your skills and background will fit into the position and company culture, something a resume does not always do.

2) Highlights your strengths: A resume speaks to the positions you have had in the past and what your duties were. In many cases, it is difficult to get all your accomplishments in a 1 or 2 page resume. A cover letter allows you to explain your accomplishments in more detail.

3) Showcase your writing skills: A well written cover letter will get your instant credibility. If you are able to express your thoughts and ideas in an articulate manner, you have a better chance of getting an interview.

A well written cover letter can be the difference when employers decide who they want to interview. However, a poorly written cover letter will destroy your chances of getting an interview. I suggest consulting with a resume writer before sending a cover letter.

Please contact me with any employment questions you might have. I can be contacted via email at hansonresumes@gmail.com

Words To Use In A Resume

2009-04-29T09:26:00.003-04:00

Below is a comprehensive list of words that should be used in all resumes. Using action verbs is key to getting your resume noticed.

Accelerated

Accomplished
Achieved
Acted
Activated
Adapted
Addressed
Adjusted
Administered
Advised
Advocated
Analyzed
Applied
Approved
Arbitrated
Arranged
Ascertained
Assembled
Assessed
Attained
Audited
Augmented
Authored

Balanced
Billed
Briefed
Budgeted
Built

Clarified
Closed
Coached
Collaborated
Collected
Communicated
Compared
Compiled
Completed
Composed
Computed
Conceived
Conceptualized
Concluded
Conducted
Conserved
Consolidated
Constructed
Contracted
Controlled
Converted
Coordinated
Corrected
Counseled
Created

Decided
Decreased
Defined
Delegated
Delivered
Demonstrated
Designated
Derived
Designed
Detailed
Detected
Determined
Developed
Devised
Diagnosed
Directed
Discovered
Displayed
Dissected
Distributed
Diverted
Drew up

Earned
Edited
Educated
Effected
Eliminated
Enabled
Encouraged
Endorsed
Enforced
Engaged
Engineered
Entertained
Established
Estimated
Evaluated
Examined
Exchanged
Executed
Expanded
Expedited
Experimented
Explained
Expressed
Extracted
Extended

Facilitated
Fashioned
Filed
Financed
Followed
Formed
Formulated
Founded

Gathered
Generated
Governed
Guided

Identified
Illustrated
Implemented
Improved
Improvised
Increased
Influenced
Informed
Initiated
Innovated
Inspected
Inspired
Installed
Instituted
Instructed
Interpreted
Intervened
Interviewed
Introduced
Invented
Invested
Investigated

Launched
Lectured
Led

Maintained
Managed
Manipulated
Mastered
Maximized
Measured
Mediated
Mentored
Merged
Minimized
Modeled
Modernized
Modified
Monitored
Motivated

Navigated
Negotiated
Notified

Observed
Obtained
Opened
Operated
Optimized
Ordered
Organized
Originated
Oversaw

Packed
Participated
Perceived
Performed
Persuaded
Piloted
Pinpointed
Planned
Predicted
Prepared
Presented
Problem-solved
Processed
Procured
Produced
Programmed
Promoted
Proofread
Projected
Proposed
Proved
Provided
Publicized
Published

Purchased

Questioned
Queried
Quizzed

Raised
Reasoned
Received
Recommended
Reconciled
Recorded
Recruited
Reduced
Referred
Refined
Regulated
Rehabilitated
Reinforced
Rendered
Renewed
Reorganized
Repaired
Replaced
Reported
Represented
Researched
Resolved
Responded
Restored
Restructured
Retrieved
Revamped
Reviewed
Revised
Revitalized
Risked

Safeguarded
Scheduled
Screened
Selected
Served
Serviced
Shaped
Shipped
Simplified
Sold
Solved

Spearheaded
Sponsored

Started
Streamlined
Strengthened
Structured
Studied
Suggested
Summarized
Supervised
Supplemented
Supplied
Surpassed
Surveyed
Synthesized
Systematized

Taught
Teamed
Tested
Trained
Transcribed
Translated
Trouble-shot
Tuned
Tutored
Typed

Undertook
Unified
United
Updated
Upgraded
Utilized

Verbalized

Won
Wrote

Using action verbs will likely get your resume noticed by hiring managers.

Keeping Your Job When Companies Are Laying Off

2009-04-22T16:57:00.010-04:00

Over the last year a large number companies have gone through "restructuring". This almost always means layoffs. If you have been lucky enough to avoid these layoffs, you want to make sure that it stays that way. Below are a few tips on ways to keep your job when the company is laying employees off.

1) Stay positive - As hard as this may be during a round of layoffs, it is essential that you stay positive.

2) Stop the gossip - Do not involve yourself in office politics and gossip.

3) Improve your skills - With an increase in skill-set you are always more marketable and may be able to move to another position within the organization if your job is eliminated.

4) Come in early, stay late - I know this won't be very popular with many of you, but coming in early and staying late will show your dedication to the organization.

5) Dress professionally - After working at a company for several years you become more comfortable in that environment. Do not let your dress slip, continue to dress professionally.

6) Take the initiative - Volunteer to take on projects that will showcase your talents.

The workplace is very competitive right now. Doing these few things can help you keep your job in a tough economy.

If you have any employment question, please feel free to email me hansonresumes@gmail.com.

50 Interview Questions To Prepare For

2009-04-20T23:08:00.010-04:00

50 Interview Questions To Prepare For

1) Why are you leaving or no longer at your previous company?

2) What have you been doing since your last job?

3) What was your biggest accomplishment/failure at your last position?

4) What were your biggest challenges? How did you deal with them?

5) What were the characteristics of your favorite boss? What were the characteristics of your least favorite boss?

6) What were your key responsibilities?

7) Where did you start and end in compensation?

8) How did you advance within the company?

9) How would your co-workers describe you? How would your boss describe you?

10) Why were you fired?

11) Describe a typical work week.

12) Describe a time when you made an unpopular decision. What happened?

13) Describe a time when you were entrusted with confidential information.

14) How do handle a subordinate whose work is not satisfactory?

15) Describe a time when you had to motive a “team”.

16) Why did you apply for this position?

17) What can you offer the company? What can the company offer you?

18) What do you know about the company?

19) Why do you want to work for this company?

20) What are your salary expectations?

21) What is important to you in your next position?

22) When is the earliest you could start if this position was offered to you?

23) Where do you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years?

24) What are your career goals? How do you plan to get there?

25) Are you willing to travel?

26) What makes you the best candidate for this position?

27) Are you willing to work overtime?

28) Are you OK with performing duties NOT in your job description?

29) Do you know anyone who works for our organization?

30) Do you have any questions I can answer for you about the company or position?

31) Tell me about yourself.

32) What are your greatest strengths/weaknesses?

33) What motivates you?

34) What was the single best day of your life?

35) What was the single worst day of your life?

36) Give an example where you have work as part of a team.

37) Give an example of when you had to work independently.

38) How do you deal with stressful situations?

39) What are the most difficult decisions for you to make?

40) Are you interviewing at other companies? Where are you at in that process?

41) Define success.

42) How do you handle work overload?

43) How do you balance your work life and personal life?

44) If you could have lunch with anyone (deceased or alive) who would it be? Why?

45) Describe a time when you have taken a big risk. (At work or in personal life)

46) How many hours a day do you plan on being at work?

47) What have you done to increase your skill-set in the last year?

48) Describe, in detail, what your computer skills are.

49) If you were financially secure and could do anything you wanted, what would it be and why?

50) What are you most criticized for?

In any given interview, you are most likely to be asked many of these questions. Prepare answers to these questions before you interview. I would also suggest practicing saying your answers out loud. If you are prepared for these questions, the interview will go a lot smoother than if you had not!

If you have any other employment, resume or interview training questions, please feel free to email me at hansonresumes@gmail.com - Good luck in your continued job search.

Ways to NOT get a job!

2009-04-19T22:03:00.009-04:00

There are many things before, during and after the interview that can substantially decrease your chances of landing the job. Here are some reasons you may not be getting the job you want. If you are doing one or more of the following, then you really need to rethink your strategy.

1) Being late - This will knock you out of contention almost 100% of the time. Being late shows the employer that you do not care about their time. It is recommended to arrive 10 -15 minutes before the interview is scheduled to start.

2) Being too early - Yes, believe it or not being too early to an interview is a major turnoff to the employer. Showing up 30 minutes or more before an interview is suppose to take place can be an inconvenience to the employer if they are not ready for you to be there. Being too early may also make the employer think that you did not know when the interview was supposed to start. If you are planning on being early, make it 10 - 15 minutes before the interview.

3) Talking too much - When answering questions during the interview, make sure to keep your answers specific to the question asked. Many times a candidate will start to feel comfortable during the interview and divulge more information than is needed. That excess information can only hurt you. There is no need to give the interviewer more information than they ask for.

4) Dress - This should be obvious, but many times the candidate will not dress properly for the interview. Make sure you are aware of the company's dress code before going to the interview. Remember, it is always better to be overdressed than underdressed.

5) Bad mouthing a former employer - Never talk negative about a former employer. If your last position did not end well, then come up with a diplomatic way to express that.

6) Asking the wrong questions - After the interview process is over, the individual will normally give you the opportunity to ask questions. I always suggest asking good business questions. (Where do you see the company in 5 years?) The questions you ask need to focus on the company and the position. I have had several candidates ask about salary, benefits and cigarette breaks. These are questions that can be addressed once an offer is made or during the end of the second interview, but never during the first interview.

7) Thank you letters - I always suggest sending a thank you letter (or email) to the person that interviewed you. However, make sure it is well written and does not contain typos. A sure way to not get a job is to send a thank you letter full of misspelled words. It would be better to not have sent anything at all.

Each one of these could be a reason why you are not making it past the first interview.

If you are in need of help with your resume, cover letter, interviewing skills or have any other employment questions please feel free to email me at hansonresumes@gmail.com - Good luck in your continued job search!

5 Ways to be a Good Temporary Employee

2009-04-16T10:51:00.010-04:00

If you have decided to work with a staffing agency, you need to do a few things to make sure they decide to work with you. Most people will go to interview with a staffing company and will wait around until they call. That is not going to get you an assignment. Below is a list that will assure you to get you continued calls from your staffing ageny.

1) Follow-up - Make sure you follow-up with the agency after you have interviewed with them. If you never contact them after the interview, they may not know you are still available for work.

2) Continue to follow-up - Sometimes an assignment that fits your skills may not be available for several weeks after your original interview with the staffing company. Stay in touch! Call the agency once a week to let them know you are still available. Staying in touch on a weekly basis lets the agency know that you are serious about working.

3) Be on time - In the event an assignment is available and they schedule an interview for you, BE ON TIME. Being late to an interview will most likely cause the agency to never call you again. They do not want to work with individuals that make them look bad.

4) Give proper notice - This is the number one reason why temporary agencies decide not to work with certain candidates. If you are on an assignment and decide the assignment is not for you, call the agency and give proper notice. Many individuals either walk off the job or never return the next day. Giving proper notice will keep you in their good graces most of the time. 1-2 weeks notice is acceptable for a temporary position.

5) Make them look good - This is probably the most important point. The company you are working at pays the temporary agency. If their client likes you, the agency will like you. Take the assignment seriously and perform it to the best of your ability. When that assignment ends, the staffing agency will go out of their way to find another assignment for you if the the previous client has good things to say about you.

Being a good temporary employee will make the difference and how often the temporary agency calls you for assignments.

Please feel free to send me an email at hansonresumes@gmail.com for any employment questions you might have. Happy Friday and good luck in your continued job search.

Disadvantages of Working with a Staffing Agency

2009-04-12T20:28:00.008-04:00

Happy Tuesday! Yesterday we examined the advantages of working with a staffing agency, now we will look at the disadvantages.

Disadvantages of working with a Staffing Company:

1) Benefits - Most staffing companies do not offer benefits to their employees. However, over the last few years many staffing agencies have started to offer limited benefits to employees that have been working with them for an extended amount of time. If this is important to you, make sure and ask the agency about their benefit policy.

2) How they get paid - You are not their client! They are paid by the companies when they place candidates in temporary positions. This means that the staffing agency's number one priority is making the client (company) happy, not you.

3) Open positions - Many times the staffing agency will bring jobs to your attention for which you may be overqualified. If you turn down several jobs that they speak with you about, they may stop calling you.

4) Applying on-line - Have you noticed that even in a bad economy when you look on-line that certain staffing companies have a laundry list of jobs available? What they do not want you to know is that those positions do not really exist. Staffing agencies are always looking to increase their inventory, which are the candidates they can place. Even when times are tough, they continue to post the same jobs they had several months back in anticipation that these positions will be open again soon. When applying on-line, beware that you may be applying for a position that is not open. My suggestion would be to call the temporary agency directly and find out what positions they have open and then go into their office for an interview instead of applying through a job board.

5) You are treated as a "temp" - Once you are on assignment, you must understand that you are not an employee of that company. You will be paid by the staffing agency. The manager at the company you are working with has an obligation to their employees, not you. If layoffs occur, you could be one of the first to go. This is not true in all circumstances, but it is in most.

Working temporary certainly has a downside. Later this week I will discuss how you can make a staffing agency work for you.

Please email me at hansonresumes@gmail.com if you have any employment questions.

Advantages of Working With Staffing Agencies

2009-04-11T14:37:00.012-04:00

I have spent a good portion of my career working with companies that offer temporary services. Over the next several days, we will look at many aspects of a working with a temporary agency. Today, I will focus on the advantages.

Advantages of working with a temporary agency:

1) Get your foot in the door - Temporary agencies work with many different companies. They have the ability to get you into a company that may interest you. Staffing companies will have access to positions that are not advertised.

2) Money - This may be obvious, but don't overlook the immediate income that working on a contract assignment can provide. Many times staffing agencies are used by companies to fill immediate needs. Staffing agencies normally pay once a week and can be a great source of much needed immediate income. In certain situations, you can make more money working for a staffing agency than you could if you were a permanent employee of that company.

3) Increase your skill-set - Working on a temporary assignment can provide you with the opportunity to work with new programs or software. This experience could help you land your next job!

4) Temp-to-Perm - This term is used to describe a temporary position that has the potential to turn into a permanent position. This is unique because the company has a chance to evaluate you, as you have a chance to evaluate the company. If both sides come to the conclusion that it is a "fit," you have obtained a position you already know you like. If you decide it is not the position for you, then you have the option of finding another position having gained valuable experience.

5) Gap-filler - Accepting a temporary position can fill in the gap on your resume. A gap on your resume can hurt your chances of getting employment at some companies. A temporary position can give you the edge over someone who is not working.

6) Flexibility - Temporary positions tend to be more flexible than permanent positions. When discussing an assignment with a staffing company, you can let them know your schedule, and they will try to work within the guidelines that you have given them.

7) Diversity - If you like constant change and challenges, then working for a staffing agency could be perfect for you. You can work at many different companies and work in many different roles. If job diversity is important to you, then a staffing agency could be a good fit.

These are the key reasons why working with a temporary staffing agency could be beneficial for you. Tomorrow, I will discuss the disadvantages of working with a staffing company.

Please feel free to email me with any employment questions you may have at hansonresumes@gmail.com!

Being Different In a Different Economy Part II

2009-04-08T18:29:00.004-04:00

Happy Friday everyone! After receiving a large response from "Being Different In a Different Economy," I decided to post a few other ideas I had along with a few thoughts I received from readers. I appreciate your feedback and keep the ideas coming.

1) Follow-up after the interview. Many candidates go on an interview and are upset when they do not get a response from the company. Remember, the company is interviewing many qualified individuals and may not have time to contact every candidate they interview. After you have sent your "thank you" letter, you should follow-up with them in some way. I was recently working with a candidate who was the first person to interview for an accounting position. He was informed that they would be interviewing several other candidates during the week. In an effort to show them his dedication, he hand delivered bagels to for the entire Accounting department for the rest of the week. On Monday, he received a call from the CFO offering him the position.

2) Build your skill set - When you are unemployed, it never hurts to better or develop new skills. When looking for a job, try to spend at least an hour a day either refining your skills or developing new ones. I recently had a candidate who had been looking for work for over 3 months, during this period of time she was a taking a class at the local community college on SAP. Two weeks after she finished the course, an opportunity arose in her field. She was just as qualified as the three other candidates that were being interviewed, however, the company had planned an SAP conversion in the following quarter. Her initiative proved to be invaluable in this situation. She was offered the position! The more skills you have, the more marketable you are. This is a sure way to set yourself apart from the competition.

3) Stay creative - I received an email a few days ago from a person who had recently lost their job in the marketing department of a large company. He had a solid background and a strong resume to go along with his engaging personality. After looking for employment for over 2 months, he decided to take a different approach. He was aware of a large event that was being attended mostly by high-level marketing executives. He decided to design a one page flyer to promote himself. During the event, he posted this flyer on all of the cars that were in the event parking lot. He did this two weeks ago and has since received four calls and has set-up three interviews. Nice work!

Keep the ideas coming. I appreciate the feedback I have been getting from everyone. Please feel free to email me at hansonresumes@gmail.com - I wish you the best of luck in your continued job search.

Being Different In a Different Economy

2009-04-06T17:40:00.000-04:00

A recent college graduate stood on the corner of a major intersection in downtown Atlanta during 5 o'clock traffic. He was just like any other person on the busy Atlanta streets during rush hour that day, except he was wearing his resume! That's right, he made his resume into a 5 foot cardboard structure. He was willing to accept an entry level position making $25,000 per year. He received an offer much higher than that with a large financial institution in their marketing department.

The point of that story is not necessarily to get you to dress up in cardboard, but it is to get you to think of ways to set yourself a part from others. In an economy where there are more workers than jobs, you will constantly find yourself competing with many other candidates that have the same qualifications that you do. Below are a few ways that you can set yourself a part from most other candidates:

1) Ask questions during the interview. These questions should be related to the company and the position. Please do not ask questions about benefits, salary or cigarette breaks. Those are questions that are best saved for later in the process. However, you should ask questions like, why is the position open and where do you see the company in 5 years? They need to be questions that make the interviewer feel like you are thinking long-term.

2) Send a thank you letter. This is something that should be common, but it isn't. Sending a thank letter could be the difference that gets you a job offer. However, make sure that it is well written. The last thing you want is to send a thank you letter full of typos and grammatical errors. If you decide to work with a resume writer, they will be able to help you out with this.

3) Be creative! In order to set yourself apart from other qualified candidates you need to be creative. Before and after an interview spend sometime thinking about ways you can leave a lasting impression on the individuals that you have met.

Being different in this economy is essential to landing the job you want. There are too many individuals that have the same qualifications for the job as you. In order to set yourself apart, you must have something more than just the qualifications for the job. You have to be different! You have to be creative!

Video Resumes?

2009-04-04T11:09:00.000-04:00

Recently, video resumes have become more popular. With the advancement in technology, it has become easy to develop a video quickly and then post it on-line or send it off in an email. In this post I will examine the advantages and disadvantages of submitting a video resume.

Advantages of submitting a video resume

Individuals who are applying for careers in dancing, singing, acting, etc. should consider developing a video resume. Any person that is applying for a position that requires you to perform an act would benefit from having a video resume. This would allow your potential employer to actually see your talent. Video resumes have also started to become more popular with IT professionals. IT professionals can showcase both their technical skills and communication skills with a video resume. Another advantage for submitting a video resume is that it can set you apart from other potential candidates. In a tough economy, it is important to distinguish yourself from your competition. A video resume can help you do so. Ultimately, anyone can benefit from a video resume, but it should not be used as a complete replacement for the traditional resume unless you fall into one of the categories above.

Disadvantages of submitting a video resume

Technology - The person you are sending the video resume to may not have the ability to open it. Unless you know their system will support your video, do not use a video resume as your only means for applying for a position.

Time - Normally, when someone reviews your resume they will have made a decision on whether to interview within ten seconds. With a video resume, it could take minutes for them to watch your video resume and make a decision. This could be a deterrent for individuals who are looking at your resume. They may just not have the time!

Hiring Manager - The person you are sending it to may not be the hiring manager. When developing your video resume, you want to tailor it to speak directly to the person that is going to make the hiring decision. Only send a video resume if you know it will be going to the hiring manger, otherwise it will not be nearly as effective.

In conclusion, a video resume can be a very effective. However, we have not moved past the point of traditional resumes. Attaching a video resume with a traditional resume could help distinguish yourself and in this economy any advantage you can get is important.

Why are you not getting responses from your resume?

2009-04-02T14:08:00.000-04:00

This is one of the biggest complaints that job seekers have. They will spend hours submitting resumes to different companies on-line, but then never receive any feedback from them. There are several reasons why this happens.

1) Your resume - Does you resume have what it takes to give you an advantage in the market place? Writing a strong resume is a skill. If you are lucky it is not a skill you have had to refine very often. GET SOME HELP! Your resume is your gateway to an interview. A well written resume will highlight your most important accomplishments. Resume writing services are abundant on the internet. I would suggest spending $100-$150 for a professionally written resume. I specialize in writing resumes, and if this is the path you choose to take, email me at hansonresumes@gmail.com.

2) Your resume is going to the wrong person: Many job seekers use job boards and newspaper ads to find employment opportunities. Unfortunately, the individuals you are submitting your resume to are not the decision makers. Most of the time, the individual reviewing your resume has very little knowledge of the job that you are applying for. They are looking for a few key words on your resume, and if they do not see those words, your resume never gets into the hands of the key decision maker. There are two ways to overcome this. A) Make sure the key words in the job description are in your resume. There are many ways to word things, if possible, make sure you use to words that will get your resume noticed. A resume writer can help you with this as well. B) Do some research on the company to find out who makes the decisions. The internet makes this type of information readily available. Many companies have directories on their websites. Call the company and ask! The worse thing they can do is not tell you, it never hurts to ask.

3) No cover letter - You may be qualified for many jobs, but you are not the only one. You need to something to distinguish yourself from the other candidates. A detailed cover letter can help set you apart from the other applicants that are also qualified. Make sure to tailor your cover letter to the company and position for which you are applying. Sending the same cover letter every time you apply for a job will not distinguish you. A resume writer can also help you with a cover letter.

Working on these three things will certainly increase your success when applying for new opportunities. If you have any interest in speaking with a resume writer, please send an email to me at hansonresumes@gmail.com

This is my first full week of posting. I would like to thank everyone for their support and all the feedback I have received, it has really helped. If you have any thoughts or ideas of topics you would like addressed, please let me know. Have a great weekend and good luck in your continued job search.

How you can get the most out of your recruiter

2009-04-01T16:17:00.000-04:00

There are ways to work with a recruiter that will help your job search be more effective. The following will help you overcome some of the disadvantages I spoke about in my previous post.

1) Go meet them - Face-to-face contact is extremely important. If a recruiter meets you then they can "sell" you better to the company they are presenting you to. Also, meeting your recruiter face-to-face will give you more insight on them. You certainly do not want to put your next position in the hands of someone you have never met.

2) Be honest - I can't express how important this is. A recruiter can only help you if they know everything about your job experiences and skill set. If you had a bad experience with one company, tell them. I had a candidate come in to speak with me because they had recently lost their job. During our conversation the candidate told me they had been "laid-off". I was able to get her an interview with a company she had been trying to get into for quite a while. Shortly after her interview, the client called back to make her an offer. The position included a salary increase, better benefits, company car and shorter commute. Unfortunately, after the company did a very extensive background check they found out that she had been terminated from her last job. The client pulled the job offer on the spot! If the candidate had been honest with me about being terminated, I could have spoken with the client about it. The company she was terminated from was one that was notorious for high turnover. I am certain that I could have explained this to the client, and they would have still been willing to interview her. She lost a great job because she was not honest with me.

3) Be prepared - When you choose to work with a recruiter, you expect them to work hard for you. You need to do the same. When you interview with a recruiter make sure you have done your homework. Be prepared to answer questions about your current and past work experiences. Be prepared to answer questions pertaining to your skill set and be prepared to give the recruiter a list of references. Being organized when you interview with a recruiter will demonstrate that you are really serious about finding a new job. That will compel them working harder for you.

4) Keep track of where you send your resume - Recruiters will always want to know where you have sent your resume. They do not want to decrease your chances of getting an interview by sending you resume to the same company twice.

5) Follow-up - After interviewing with the recruiter, it is very possible that they will not have a position to present to you on the spot. In these cases, you want to make sure you follow up with your recruiter every 1-2 weeks. This will help you build a relationship with them AND it will let them know you are still looking for a position. Many candidates will interview with a recruiter and never call or email them again. Without the follow-up, you have wasted your time.

6) Make your own decision - If all goes well, you will get an interview and then a job offer. The recruiter will push you to make a quick decision. DO NOT make a hasty decision. This is your career, you are making a decision on where you will be working for the next several years. Remember, the recruiter is working for the client, not you. They may pressure you to accept the position even if you feel it is not right for you. Take your time and make your own decision. Do not give into their pressure. However, you want to make a decision within a reasonable amount of time, 2-3 days after the offer is very acceptable.

7) Follow-up again - In the event you found a job through the help of your recruiter, they are going to like you. After all, you helped them make money. Check in with your recruiter from time to time, as they will likely do with you. In this economy, you may be looking for another job quicker than you would like. Maintaining that relationship can help you when you are searching for you next job.

Should I use a Recruiter? Part 2

2009-03-31T22:27:00.000-04:00

Disadvantages of working with a recruiting agency

You are not the client: The companies are the ones that are paying the recruiting agencies, not you. This means that they are going to focus most of their attention on the client and not on you. Recruiting agencies tend to focus on candidates that they can place as quickly as possible and not necessarily the candidates that they will have to spend more time working for. If you have been working with a recruiter for over 60 days and you have yet to be placed, there is a very strong likelihood that the recruiter is doing very little for you. (This is not true in all cases, but I am certain it is true in most).

Omissions: The recruiters main objective should be to find you a job, which is great. However, recruiters may not tell you everything you need to know about that particular position. For example, I worked with a company that would send candidates in to interview for a position that had an extremely high turnover rate. Every four to five months this position would reopen. I would most certainly want to know this information prior to the interview so I could ask questions that would help me make a more informed decision if the position were offered to me. I have seen too many people leave a job they had been at for several years to take a position that lasted less than 6 months. If they had known that position had been filled 6 times in two years they may have thought twice about accepting the offer.

Shotgun resumes: Some recruiting agencies will send out your resume to as many companies as possible without telling you. They hope this will generate more interest in you. However, this can be very detrimental in your job search. For example, I was speaking with a candidate who had been working with another recruiter. A position I thought she would be qualified for came up, so I contacted her. After discussing the opening with her she thought it would be a great fit for her skill set. I submitted her resume after our conversation and got an immediate response from the client telling me her resume had been submitted by another agency. The effect of this was that my candidate never got an interview there because she was perceived by the client as someone who was not organized and was willing to submit her resume anywhere she could. I'm convinced the best candidate for the job never even got a chance to interview because another agency had sent her resume to a company without her knowledge.

They will push you: In the event an offer is made to you be prepared for the recruiter to put pressure on you. They will want you to make a decision as quick as possible. Many times they will say something like "You will need to make quick decision, that way the client thinks you are decisive". That will then be followed up by the recruiter telling you how great the position is. If you do not respond with the same excitement they will quickly try to push the job on you even more. Remember, they do not get paid unless you take the job, even if it is not in your best interest.

All of the above points are things that can hurt your chances of landing the job you want. Tomorrow, I will discuss what you can do to get the most out of your recruiter.

Should I use a Recruiter? Part I

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When most people lose their job or decide to look for a new job they immediately think of calling a recruiter (a person who will help market you to companies to help you find employment). After working as a recruiter for almost a decade I have a pretty strong knowledge of the inter-workings of a recruiting agency.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF WORKING WITH A RECRUITER?

Jobs: The recruiter will have access to jobs that are not normally posted publicly. Many companies will hire a recruiting agency because they are doing a confidential search and do not want internal employees to know that the position is being posted. This allows you to find out about openings that very few people know about. There is now a smaller pool of competition for that position.

Relationships: Most recruiters have built strong relationships with the companies they are representing. This will help you out in multiple ways. First, if the recruiter has earned the trust of their contact at the hiring company then any resume they submit will have some level of credibility. There were many times that I would submit a resume to a company and based on my relationship with them they would agree to interview the candidate even if the resume wasn't 100% what they were looking for. Secondly, the recruiter will be able to give you information about the individuals you will be interviewing with. This kind of information is priceless! If you have information about their personality or any other background information it could make the interview go much smoother. For example, I once went into an interview that I obtained by using a recruiter. Prior to the interview I was speaking with my recruiter because he wanted to prepare me for my meeting with the hiring company. He informed me that the person I was to interview with had attended the University of South Carolina (I also attended the University of South Carolina and the interview was taking place in Pennsylvania). When I went into the interview there were normal introductions, but because I knew some personal information about him I was able to bring up the fact that we both went to the same University. This was very important for me because I now had something in common with the individual that would be making the hiring decision! During the interview, when my education came up, I was able to bring up that I knew he went to the University of South Carolina. This lead us to a long, in-depth discussion about football games, campus events and many other things that we had in common. Ultimately, I believe my personal connection with the hiring manager was the main reason I was offered the job. Had I not known that information I would not have stood out as much, I would have been just like all the others he had interviewed! The recruiter was able to give me information that I would have never gotten had I not called a recruiting agency.

Time: If you are employed and are looking for a better opportunity a recruiter can be "marketing" you while you work. This prevents you from having to take vacation time in order to search for a new job. If you are unemployed using a recruiter allows you to get double the exposure to hiring companies. The more companies who are looking at your resume the better chance you have to get an interview.

Negotiation Process: Most recruiters will continue to work with you after the interview. They will call you with feedback from the hiring company. In the event an offer is made to you the recruiter will negotiate on your behalf if necessary. For example, If you need $75,000 in order for you to accept a position that is offered to you and the company only offers $72,000, then most recruiters will go back and negotiate your salary, benefits and any other issues that need to be addressed.

Free: Almost all recruiting agencies are paid by the companies that hire you, so their service to you is absolutely free.

Tomorrow I will examine the disadvantages of working with a recruiter.

Introduction

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My name is Kenny Hanson and I have decided to start writing on issues that surround employment. Over the next few months I will post on issues focused on resume writing, interview techniques, job offers, compensation, finding a different career and much more. I have spent over a decade working with hundreds of companies and have helped thousands of people locate employment. I have worked as both a Recruiter and as a Human Resource Manager. I have been on both sides of the desk, so I have good idea of what hiring managers are looking for in a new employee. The information that will be provided on this blog will serve as a guide to help you get the job you are looking for. However, EVERY situation is different and there is going to be information that may not be 100% effective in your situation, so please remember to treat this as a guide in your journey to find new employment. I anticipate posting on this blog at least several times a week, so make sure to check often. I wish you luck in your career search and I hope to make your search quicker and more effective.

Sincerely,

Kenny Hanson

Founder - kennycareeradvice.blogspot.com