The document provides tips and guidance for job seekers to bounce back into business services careers. It outlines an agenda for a workshop including resume review exercises, networking strategies, using social media, and interview preparation. Attendees are encouraged to leverage their network by connecting with others, attending industry events, maintaining an active online presence, and securing informational interviews to learn about potential opportunities. The document stresses developing an elevator pitch, researching target companies, and practicing for challenging interview questions to help ace interviews and land a new role.
Network with the right people. If you want an analyst job, then you need to identify the friends, family and people in your network who are analyst or work with analyst. This requires you to discuss their job, what they do and who they work with daily. They will know when jobs are coming available.
Review occupations, the KSAs, your personal skills assessment. Know what types of jobs/positions you know are a good match or that you think are a good match. What is your pitch? Get it down to 30 seconds. An elevator pitch is a brief overview of an idea for a product, service, or project. The pitch is so called because it can be delivered in the time span of an elevator ride (say, thirty seconds). http://www.elevatorpitchessentials.com/essays/ElevatorPitch_JobSeeker.html Concise Clear – through a good elevator speech, you communicate strong communication and organization skills that are key to any employer. Compelling – make sure to communicate some knowledge or skill you posses that others need. Credible – You must give the audience a reason to believe you can do the job. An example of money you made for or saved a previous employer. Conceptual – skills and accomplishments at a high level Concrete – when discussing numbers, be as specific as possible Customized – just like your resume, have a pitch for each type of job you are seeking Consistent - While you should customize your elevator pitch to the requirement of the position for which you are applying at that moment, if possible you should also make sure that your elevator pitch is still applicable to a variety of different positions. Conversational – The point is to engage your audience and get to the next step (more dialogue and eventually an interview).
Give Demo of LinkedIn Make sure you have a professional profile picture displayed. It gives credibility to your profile. Brand your Profile Headline. It appears in search results and next to any question you ask or answer. It is your ELEVATOR PITCH! Status Update is not Appealing – what are you working on? List all companies and schools Have 3 or more LinkedIn Recommendations Too Few Connections List three websites that represent you or that you read often. Your Twitter Account, Business Website or favorite Technical website might be listed. Customize your LinkedIn Profile URL Make sure your summary is compelling – find a writer friend to help you! Add job descriptions for positions held at previous companies.
Give Demo of LinkedIn
Ask Questions Get to know the person Find out what they do If good fit, give card and ask if you can contact them in the future for advice STAY Connected
Job description Employer brochures Annual business reports Trade periodicals Manufacturers’ guides Union representatives School placement offices Local and state employment service offices Chambers of Commerce Professional organizations Current employees
Employer research Bring any notes on your research of the position and company. Questions Have key questions prepared to ask that express your interest in the position. Resume, application, and personal data sheet Use these as references during your interview or to fill out any required paperwork. Portfolio and work samples Bring a few samples that demonstrate your best work and abilities. Letters of recommendation and reference list Have these available if requested by the employer. Notebook and pen Use to jot down key points you’d like to address in a follow-up note or phone call. Social security card, driver’s license, or state picture identification For jobs that require it, you may be asked to show your license, driving record, social security card, or other forms of ID. Extra money Be prepared for unexpected expenses, like gas, transportation, or parking. Confidence and a smile Interviews can be stressful. Try to relax as much as possible, appear confident, and smile! Source: Creative Job Search , a publication of the Minnes
http://blog.expresspros.com/movinonup/2010/01/the-silent-clues.html Always Smile. When you first meet an interviewer, give them a big smile. A sincere smile communicates warmth and friendliness, and helps put everyone at ease. Also, it’s a great way to break the ice and help relieve any tension about the interview. Give a Firm Handshake. Extend your hand first to greet your interviewer. Doing so shows that you are a go-getter and you take the initiative – both of which are good qualities employers like to see. Be firm with your handshake , but not too firm. You don’t want to inflict any pain on your interviewer. Balance Eye Contact. Too little eye contact during an interview can give the impression that you lack confidence or have something you are trying to hide. Give too much eye contact, and you might be displaying aggression. During your interview, look the interviewer in the eye, but be sure to occasionally break eye contact at appropriate times. Lean Forward. When you sit down in the interview chair, don’t lean back too far. Instead, sit closer to the front of the chair and lean slightly forward to communicate your interest in the job. Leaning back may cause you to look too casual, making it hard for an interviewer to see your drive or passion. Be Aware of Your Arms. Crossed arms send the message that you are standoffish, insecure, defensive, and want others to stay away. During your interview, keep your arms relaxed on the table or in your lap to show that you are approachable and open. Control Your Nerves. Your nervousness can come across in an interview if you use excessive hand gestures or facial expressions, or if you are jittery. Its fine to use some gestures and facial expressions – especially if that is part of your personality – but just don’t overdo it. Tapping your fingers on the table, clicking a pen, or wiggling your feet and legs can be seen as a distraction, so try not to do them. Those cues could give the interviewer the impression that you don’t want to be there.
By Jennifer Montez
By Jennifer Montez
The contact that led me to my current position was a great friend at Drury but someone I had not seen or spoken with in a dozen years. I had reached out to him through Linkedin when I was thinking my job was in jeopardy. When I was released from the Shrine, I took the advice from the outplacement firm I worked with as a part of my separation. If you have a professional outplacement firm, don't try to re-invent the wheel. They know what works. First advice I took was to go public regarding my situation and contact everyone I know through business, firends, family, etc. Those who have an extended pity party will only take longer to find work. This public outreach has to be well thought out. There are resources (books, online, business persons bewtween jobs) that can help one craft a good exit statement. You aren't a victim, you are a professional who is looking to help the next organization you work for. One has to do some self analyis to understand how hungry they are for their next job. My situation was different from John's. This hunger will definitely affect how aggressive (not desperate) you are in networking-understand that. The higher your level, the more you have to understand that you will need networking assistance to get in the door, through the back door, or simply establish the relationship with a firm that may not need your skills now, but might later. I have had multiple interviews with the company out of Wisconsin (with the president on the phone) and the word back is that I am a fit for them when they have something. That came through an industry freinc. I am now rambling. Here are some bullet points of things that have helped me. Go public- dont be shy Use all the free resources out there- libraries, support groups, online -don't pay Target your industries and or companies- you need to narrow it down with unemployment 10% Focus on you skill sets- companies are in the cross training frame of mind Don't go it alone- ask for help and utilize the help Get letters on your way out or from past employers-(i think a recent letter got me an interview) Have a plan, goal, etc- Do you need to work in 3-6 months or can you be ok for 1 year Talk to employed people in positions of influence and are successful and don't surround yourself with negaholics There is nothing to be ashamed about-when you do get an interview or meeting, be completely honest and tell your story I meant to say at the bottom that companies are not willing to cross train or focus on people they need to spend much time to develop. There are so many candidates out there.