Marvin Walberg
"Getting Hired"
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Over-the-hill? I think not!
The next time you begin to feel "over-the-hill", too old to get hired, promoted, or make a change, think again. What are you, 40, 50, 60, or more? Think of Pope Francis I, who at age 76 was chosen -- selected - to take on leadership of The Catholic Church worldswide -- a pretty daunting task!
Only you can decide to be "over-the-hill". If you are fit (mentally and physically), talented, experienced, energetic, creative, adaptable, and relevant, you are never "over-the-hill", but you must do more. You must believe in yourself, be persistent, and....
Do what others fail to do!
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A new twist on networking.
Have you tried the neighborhood mailbox approach yet? Go to the "Home" page and reread "Getting Hired" column @ 1139, then give it a try. Others have with interesting results. They've made some new friends and developed new and valuable netowrk contacts, sometimes right next door. Give it a try - it's working for others but won't work for you unless you....
Do what others fail to do!
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Follow up and follow through.
Anytime, or every time, you make contact with someone regarding your job search, you must wait a few days and then follow up! If you submit a resume, post a resume on line, respond to an on line opportunity, or make contact with any hiring authority, hiring manager, recruiting service, or networking contact, youmust wait a few days, and then follow up!
When you follow up, you are making one more contact and bringing your paper work to the top of someone's pile - you are being efficient and demonstrating to a potential employer or netowrking contact that you know how to complete an assignment, and if you believe in something, you are not willing to take "no" as an answer, just like you should do when you are completing an assignment for an employer.
If you don't follow up,then you might as well take your resumes and cover letters to the top of your city's tallest building and let the wind take them where it will....it will be just as effective!
Don't just do as others do....
Do what others fail to do!
In the world of “customer service” (sales and service) it’s been said that if you make a customer happy, they’ll say nothing because that’s what is expected. If you exceed their expectations of service, they might say something to your boss, but will be sure to do business with you again.
But, if you make them angry or show disinterest, they will go out of their way to tell everyone they know how lousy your service was! Sometimes they’ll forget why they don’t like to do business with you, but they may never forget that they don’t!
The easiest thing we can do in life is be nice to people. How does that affect job searching? Job searching is selling; dealing with people, from network contacts to receptionists, to search firms and agency professionals to hiring authorities and potential employers. You simply cannot afford to be anything but nice to these contacts!
I have had the experience of interviewing with someone who was really rude and disinterested in me and our interview, only to find that same person doing the same job at another company two weeks later. He remembered me from the first company and explained that he was unhappy working there at the time. If I had told him what I thought about him the first time I met him, I wouldn’t have had a chance the second time around. Be nice – what goes around does indeed come around!
When we lived in New Jersey, my wife secured an interview with an advertising agency in New York. She arrived, by train and subway, 15-minutes early, only to be kept waiting for 45 minutes. When she was invited in for the interview, the interviewer was very rude and told her she wouldn’t have had to wait if she had arrived on time! After another expensive subway/train ride home, my wife received a phone call from the HR manager who he had been called away. The accounting manager interviewed my wife. After apologies, my wife was asked back for a real interview!
Keep focused, be persistent, keep your priorities straight and maintain your principles and ethics, but be nice to people == it’s the easiest thing we have to do!
Do what others fail to do!
Failure is only postponed success as long as courage "coaches" ambition. The habit of persistence is the habit of
victory.
-- Herbert Kaufman
Do what others fail to do!
Choose a profession you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life."
- Confucius
Do what others fail to do!
Don't just think about it -- do it!
Do what others fail to do!
"Keep away from people who belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great." - Mark Twain
Do what others fail to do!
"Some people have thousands of reasons why they cannot do what they want to, when all they need is one reason why they can." - Willis R. Whitney
Do what others fail to do!
Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can do. Do not bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself." -
William Faulkner
Do what others fail to do!
"You don't lead by pointing and telling people some place to go. You lead by going to that place and making a case." - Ken Kesey
Do what others fail to do!
In your job search, don't limit yourself to what others said, did, or do....
Do what others fail to do!
Communication – edited from an “About Getting Hired” newsletter written in July, 1989.
Effective communication is among the more difficult social skills one must face during a job search. It is one thing to be able to put your thoughts into words, but it is another thing to make them understood by others. Let’s see how well I communicate with you!
The ability to give and receive clear information during a job interview is critical to the success of the interview. Effective communication will help determine if you are among the pending candidates for the job.
Successful salespeople learn to ask “leading” questions of customers to learn of needs that will be satisfied by their products and services. But, they will learn little if they aren’t prepared to listen – actively listen.
Conducting a job search is conducting a sales campaign, no matter what your usual line of work may be.
You are the product and the sale (job) will come much easier if you listen to the employer’s needs. As Calvin Coolidge said, “No one ever listened themselves out of a job!” You must listen to the employer’s needs before you can present yourself as a solution to those needs.
Say what you mean in a mature, business-like way, leaving nothing to be “read between the lines”. Be brief, be concise; but say what you mean. Since many hiring authorities lack this skill, you must be prepared to ask questions that are necessary and intelligently presented.
If you are asked why you left your last job, don’t say, “Well, you know…the economy…!” Instead, you might say, “Due to the economy, several positions were eliminated, including mine.” Say what happened, clearly and briefly, and not negatively.
Listen to each question and respond to that question, not what you might be thinking. My friend walked into the room the other day and I asked, “Is it raining yet?” The answer was, “Man, the temperature must have dropped 10 degrees and the clouds are black!” But, is it raining? Not yet? Listen to the question, and then answer that question, not what you may be thinking.
I know I am being picky, but interviewers want to hear answers to specific questions, not editorial observations that may or may not be relevant. Actively listen, and then accurately respond.
Do what others fail to do!
What's your job description?
A “job description” defines a job function – it tells you, the employee, what you are expected to perform in the position for which you have been hired….it is what you are paid to do, minimally. If you wish to develop job security, position yourself for promotions and stress-free annual reviews, you should strive to exceed your employer’s expectations!
I often tell job seekers, even in today’s soft economy, that there are always jobs available for the right people with the right skills, the right experience, and the right attitude. Some of those “available jobs” do not exist until you come along and present yourself to the employer. It is then that employees who are “just doing their jobs” become expendable. It is then that those employees who are following their job descriptions, but not exceeding expectations, might become expendable. It is when there are expendable employees available, and you come along, that suddenly “open jobs” appear!
This phenomenon makes two things very clear:
- If you are currently working, always strive to exceed your employer’s expectations. Never take an “it’s not my job” attitude. Do what others fail to do!
- If you are job searching, never stop networking, and never walk away when someone says, “That company isn’t hiring.” They may not hire your friend, but an “open job” just might come available when you are discovered!
Do what others fail to do!
- Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anybody else expects of you. Never excuse yourself. Never pity yourself. Be a hard master to yourself - and be lenient to everybody else.
*Excerpt from an “About Getting Hired” newsletter, written by Marvin Walberg, April, 1990.
Getting better…
Many people appreciate the special character and quality of a fully mature fine wine. They understand that nature must work with the soil to produce the perfect grape, but without time, patience and experience, the grape will never properly develop. There is a place, however, for the less developed, younger wines. Much depends on the palate, and the need.
Place for everyone…
Sometimes an inexpensive youthful wine is perfect for the sauce pan, while a mellow, seasoned vintage is needed to compliment a special occasion. At other times, a cold soft drink or a tall glass of tap water works like magic. There is a place for everything, and everyone – of all ages.
The job search…
Feeling too old to complete for jobs is a common problem for people of a wide range of ages. Many 35 year-olds feel just as over-the-hill as 55 year-olds.
If you assume a problem, you will assure that the problem exists.
You do get better as you mature, much like an expensive fine wine. So, make a list of your qualities, your robust character, and the experiences that only time and patience will produce. Then, package yourself properly and go out determined to find that special employer who, like the wine connoisseur, recognizes the value of your unique qualities.
Positioning…
It’s hard to find a fine, aged wine in the corner convenience store, but if you want a cold soft drink bottled last week, that’s the place to go. Everything and everybody must be properly positioned for maximum efficiency. If you feel you are being rejected because of age, maybe you are assuming a
problem – or, maybe you are positioning yourself before the wrong employers.
“You appear to be over qualified for our position.
We are afraid that you will become bored with this job.”
“We really like you, but need someone with more experience.”
Both are common rejections, and may refer to age (too old or too young), salary requirements, previous experience, height, weight, sex, hair color, or dozens of other unexplainable reasons why people are rejected for jobs for which they are very well qualified. ‘Tis a puzzlement, for sure, but one that you can easily overcome if you are properly positioned, packaged, prepared, and presented with a favorable attitude and the self-confidence to communicate why you are the perfect choice for that employer’s table.
Do what others fail to do!
*The phrase,
Do what others fail to do!
was first written by me, Marvin Walberg, and published in a "About Getting Hired" newsletter in May, 1989.
The "no's" lead you to the "YES"!
Babe Ruth, in his heyday, was the home run king in the baseball major leagues. He was also the strikeout king at the same time! How is that possible? Babe Ruth knew that the more times you swing the bat, the more chances you have to hit the ball out of the park. He was willing to take the chance of striking out in order to have the opportunity to hit another home run. He knew that if he sat back and let the pitches fly by, he wouldn't strike out as often, but he certainly wouldn't have as many chances to hit another home run!
As my Dad used to say, "If you don't ask, you won't get." As many job coaches say, "With each 'no' that you get, you move closer to the 'YES'! "YES" will come, but you have to endure the rejections, and you shouldn't take them personally. You should try to learn from each rejection, and strengthen your next "at bat", but don't take them personally -- in some cases, you are rejected for reasons that make no sense at all, and instead of stressing over then, tell yourself that it's that company's loss ...and then, pick up the bat and get into the batter's box again. Get ready to swing again even if you strike out again. Be assured that the "home run" is out there, and it just may come with the next pitch!
Do what others fail to do!
A few time-tested tips:
Thank you notes:
Always hand-deliver, mail, or email a hand-written thank you note within 24 hours of each interview. If more than one person interviews you, send each interviewer a thank you note, using their full name and title. If something relevant was omitted from the interview, include it, briefly, in the thank you note, and if you want the job, say so! You make something positive happen!
Do what others fail to do!
3rd party referrals -- NETWORKING:
There is nothing quite as strong and powerful as a third-party referral. A third-party referral knows you, knows how you work, knows how you look, and is willing to recommend you to a mutual acquaintence who could be your next employer. A third-party referral can virtually eliminate your job searching competition and uncover "The Hidden Job Market". What do you do to get this powerful action started?
. Create a 1 - 3 minute commercial about you and what you are prepared to do for your next employer, but make it simple -- something that anyone in any career field will understand the first time.
. Network with everyone you know and everyone you meet, including your friends, relatives, and your neighbors. Spread your personal commercial, and make it your business to meet new people every day, socially and professionally.
. Get visible in your community. It's good to circulate resumes, but it's better to circulate yourself. Join clubs, professional organizations, hobby groups -- whatever it takes to get out there and get visible.
. Be invloved. Don't just join groups, volunteer for offices and committees. Put yourself in the position to demonstrate your workplace abilities - how you can get a job done. That sells your sizzle and gets your third-party referrals.
Do what others fail to do!
Resume "Job Objective" or "Summary", or both?
It's interesting to me that many resume-writing experts either love or hate the "Job Objective" or "Career Objective" at the top of the resume. In fact, one writer said that you should never, ever, use the word "objective" in your resume. Other experts say that you should always have a brief job or career "Objective" right under your resume heading.
I say it depends, and of course, you should always be willing to edit and change your resume each time you present it to an employer, recruiter or network contact.
Here are my "Objective" guidelines:
. Use a brief, very specific, one-line "Job Objective" when you are responding to a posted job opening, and you should use the job function terminology used in the posting.
. Do the same if you are somewhat inflexible with your job target and want to be sure you are considered for your target job.
. Do the same when trying to communicate to network contacts what your target it, either by job, career, or industry.
. Never, ever, under any circumstances, submit a "Job Objective" like the following:
"Seeking a growth opportunity with a progressive company
that is interested in utilizing
my combined skills and experience."
What does that say? Anything? No! No one will take any more time with your resume other than the time it takes to wad it up into a paper basketball and shoot a 3-pointer across the HR office into the far waste basket!
Here are some examples of acceptable job, career, or industry "Objectives:
. "Seeking to continue my career in retail sales management."
. "Interested in an accounting career opportunity at the corporate level."
. "Seeking an entry opportunity in the magazine industry at the editorial level."
. Recent graduate with BS in Mechanical Engineering seeking a career opportunity."
. M.S. in Nursing with 5-years experence seeks private family practice opportunity."
Whether you use an "Objective" or not, you should follow that section with a "Summary" section highlighting your skills, abilities, and workplace knowledge, elevant to the job you are seeking.
And, as always....
Do what others fail to do!
Transferring skills and job function.
Many jobs disappear due to outsourcing, global competition, the state of the economy, or technical advances. If your last job disappeared, it may never reappear as it once was. What do you do if you lost your career?
You open the top of the box and look around. It may have been a lost industry, but not necessarily a lost job function. An accountant is still an accountant. A salesperson is still a salesperson. A manager can still manage. You may have to learn something new about a different industry, but the basic job function may stay relatively the same, and if we ever stop learning new things, our world stops.
So, think outside of the box. Gather up your learned skills and earned experiences and go sell your new employer. Think skills and job functions, not industry. This is called “transferring skills” and can work for you if you begin to think differently. Think skills and job functions – not industry.
Do what others fail to do!
Don't find fault. Find solutions.
Henry Ford said, “Don’t find fault. Find a solution!” Well that advice apparently worked well for the automobile industry during Mr. Ford’s time, and would no doubt benefit politicians running for public office, but what does it have to do with job searching today?
If you read newspapers or watch TV, you have heard that there’s a problem with jobs in this country – just listen to any news program. But, if you are sitting back because of the negative press and doing little to advance your job search, you are finding fault rather than a solution – you are blaming the economy rather than solving your problem.
If you are unemployed, your unemployment rate is 100%. If you are working, your unemployment rate is 0%! Take your work situation or job search very personally – you are not looking for someone else’s job! And, take your work ethic very personally – if you’re not willing to do the work required for a job, you don’t deserve the job!
Right now, there are millions of jobs available. In the customer service area alone, employers are constantly looking for workers who are willing to accept policy, procedure, and change, and do the work required.
“There are plenty of factory jobs,” said Joe Sedlak, who owns the Chesapeake Machine Company in Baltimore. “There are jobs for the taking today,” Sedlak told Yahoo! Finance. Stereotypes about factory jobs still persist, and the media isn’t helping, factory owners complain.
An aspiring machinist – a popular factory job – can start training at age 18. In five years, he or she could be making more than $50k – in ten years, $100k. Not bad for a 28-year old! “If you’re really good at your work, you could remain employed for a very long time because there are so few of us,” said Sedlak.
If you lost a job that doesn’t exist anymore, transfer your developed skills to another industry that does exist – stop looking for something that may be gone forever. Stop blaming and start solving your personal problem, either with re-training or applying your existing skills to employers that need you now.
It can be done if you take your job search very personally. Avoid negative press and press on with what you have to offer your next employer. Remember that it’s about your job search and your career, not about someone else’s. Just because your friend got denied doesn’t mean that you will. Just because politicians and news anchors talk incessantly about the lack of jobs doesn’t mean that there are no jobs for you. Keep focused, keep working, and keep positive. If you have a good work ethic and are good at what you do, there are employer’s that need you!
Above all ---
Do what others fail to do!
Interviewers ask for social media information
I’m sure you’ve heard – everyone’s talking about it! Many employers are asking job applicants for their social media or email user names and passwords as part of the interview process. Or, they ask the job seeker to log onto to their social media during the interview, or they ask the job applicant to “friend” an HR person. And, although the process is incredibly invasive, it may be legal!
Last week I posed a question on my Face book page: “how would you respond if a hiring manager asked for your FB or email user name or password?’ The answers were predictable….most people were outraged!
“Get up and walk away!”
“You would not want to work for an employer who was so disrespectful of your privacy!”
“It’s got to be illegal!”
“My social media is protected by my password, so stay away!”
“Ask for their user name and password and see how they like it!”
One person said, “Ok.”
The bottom line is that all people who responded to my FB post were right, but as far as we know, the employer is also within rights to ask the question, and furthermore, if you respond negatively, you might not get the job offer.
So, what do we do?
I’m not here to argue the pros and cons of employers asking for this information. If enough pressure is brought to bear, maybe things will change. What I am here to do is help you get hired, so my suggestion is to understand that no matter how you respond, some employers will not rest until they view your private social media posts, and they will (one way of another) get into them with or without your help.
If you are somewhat desperate for the job, choose your battle to win your war. Offer to log onto your account, but refuse to give up your password, explaining that you care about protecting your friends, who have placed their trust in you.
If you have something inappropriate to hide, clean up your social media and change your evil ways. Don’t let an inappropriate posting block your future, and pass this information on to young people in your family. Also, if you have pranksters around, like a brother or sister, log off of your social media when you’re finished – don’t open the door for prank postings on your behalf!
Focus on the job you want and use your social media socially, and appropriately. And, if an employer asks for such information, tell them you think it’s certainly too invasive, but since you have nothing to hide, here you go!
Do what others fail to do!
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