Not to be flip but - all of them. OK, serious answer. There are many jobs that truly benefit by someone having great people skills, here are some off the top of my head: teachers, nurses, sales people, manager, clergy, customer service, coaches, counselors, HR - manager or employee support, marketing, non profits development, receptionist, wait staff, airline attendants, volunteer coordinator, bar tender, purchasing agents, logistic coordinator, project manager. Wheww! I would suggest you check the Occupational Outlook (do a Google search) it is a great source for finding out detailed information about jobs, skills and education along with fairly detailed descriptions of how the job is performed.

If you have great people skills that means you probably: communicate well, empathize, make people feel at ease, connect and the list goes on. You might want to really translate the term "people skills" into actual skills that you can correlate these jobs to as well as outline in your resume.

I might also add that many times when I have seen people gravitate to a skill set like this; it usually means that they have a history of doing work they disliked. You need to spend time truly analyzing your past work to see what lacked resonance for you. We all use our people skills in all jobs and most likely you did too. You may discover that there were other aspects to it that you didn’t like or you lacked much skill for doing.

Consider a different tactic to your career exploration – explore: 1- what skills you have 2- what skills you don’t want to use 3- what skills you would be ok with developing and see what kind of jobs those would be. To focus solely on people skills might not yield a great job for you.





Do you have a career question you want Dorothy to answer?

Email her at: dorothy@nextchapternewlife.com. She will answer all questions and will keep your name confidential if she publishes your question.

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Guest Expert:

Dorothy Tannahill-Moran is a Career Coach and expert on helping her clients achieve their goals. Her programs cover: Career growth and enhancement, Career Change, Retirement Alternatives and Job Search Strategy. Want to discover specific career change strategies that get results? Discover how by claiming your FREE gift, Career Makeover Toolkit at: http://CareerMakeoverToolKitShouldIstayorShouldIGo.com/

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When networking, following up on an application, reconnecting after an interview, or for virtually any other aspect of a job search… talking to someone is always better than an email.

A professional voice on the phone is much harder to ignore than one of dozens of emails.
However, for most people, the majority of calls you make will initially result in leaving a voicemail than actually being able to catch someone on the phone.

I recently received an email from someone asking what they can do to improve their chances of getting a call back. Good question!

Here are some points to consider:

Be prepared! Many people prepare well for their introduction and presentation should they get the intended person on the phone. However, most are unprepared and stammer or ramble on if they get a voicemail instead. It is just as important to be prepared for a voicemail as it is to talk to the person directly. Just as you should have a script prepared for a conversation, you should also prepare a script for a voicemail. Having a well prepared message to leave will keep you from rambling, stammering, or leaving a message you may regret.

Make it brief! The fact is, a lengthy voicemail is not likely to be listened to in its entirety. And even if it is, it will likely hurt the impression you leave rather than help it. If they are trying to get through their voicemails quickly, a lengthy one quickly becomes annoying. Briefly state your name, the reason for the call, 1 or 2 very brief reasons you would be of interest to them, and be sure to leave your name and return number at the end. The impression you leave will be much improved by being succinct, substantive, and upbeat. Your voicemail should never be more than 30 seconds or so.

Let them know you’ll be back! If you make it clear that you will be following up again, it may improve your chances of getting a call back. If you leave a voicemail without any indication that you will be following up, it’s very easy for them to delete it and forget about you. The likelihood that they might call you first, or at least remember your call is greatly improved if you indicate you will be persistent. Let them know you’ll be reconnecting.

Be Pleasantly Persistent! Keep trying! Only leave a voicemail once, however, keep trying to reach them often. Many times it’s easier to catch a manager before or after “core” hours. They may be easier to catch at their desk before 8:00 am or after 5:00 pm. Try several times throughout the day to improve your chances of actually catching them by phone versus getting their voicemail. While a call back from them is fine, you will invariably be better prepared for an effective call when you are the one making the call to them rather than receiving one at a random time.

Say something like…

Hello Mr. Smith. My name is Harry Urschel. I’m calling in regard to the open Accounting position you have posted online. I believe my Oracle AR experience in a manufacturing environment over the past 5 years fits the requirements exactly. And I have process improvement skills that saved my previous company a great deal of money.

I’m sure your schedule is full, however, I hope we can speak soon. If you are able to call, you can reach me at 867-5309. I’ll also call back around 4:00 this afternoon and keep trying over the next day or two until we actually connect. I look forward to talking soon. Again, this is Harry Urschel, and you can reach me any time at 867-5309.

Some points to keep in mind when crafting your voicemail script:

• Never use someone else’s script! You will never sound natural using someone else’s words. Write your script in words that you feel comfortable using.
• Practice. Don’t try your script out for the first time when you’re leaving a message to an important contact. You will be better if you’ve practiced it several times in advance.
• No more than 30 seconds. Time it. If you’re over, figure out how to say it more succinctly.
• Immediately connect the dots. Give the most relevant experience you have to the requirements for the position. Telling of unrelated skills, no matter how impressive they are, will not gain interest if it’s not required for the role. Then, give them one BRIEF skill that might set you apart from the competition…. again, related to the open position.
• Repeat your name and phone number at the end of the message so they don’t have to “rewind” to get that information. Make it easy for them.

There is no “guaranteed” way to get a contact to call you back. However, by following a few basic guidelines, your chances can be greatly improved. In most cases, though, your voicemail sets the stage for an effective conversation when you catch them on the phone another time.

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Author:

Harry Urschel has over 20 years experience as a technology recruiter in Minnesota. He currently operates as e-Executives, writes a blog for Job Seekers called The Wise Job Search, and can be found on Twitter as @eExecutives.

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Job seekers sometimes tell me that they’re actively looking for a job, but they haven’t seen anything online for a week or two, and they feel like their job search is becoming stagnant. This can be a very frustrating situation when you’re in desperate need of work. What can you do to move your job search forward when there doesn’t seem to be anything appropriate available?

Update your LinkedIn profile
Many people create LinkedIn profiles but never really take the time to add any detail to them while they’re employed—after all, you’re busy with your job! Updating your profile and looking for new contacts is a great way to spend your time when you’re not seeing any job openings. It allows recruiters and hiring managers to find you. It can also alert old friends and colleagues that you’re searching for new opportunities.

Take a professional looking headshot
You don’t have to pay an actual professional photographer to take your photo (although you can), but you do need to have something professional looking to use on LinkedIn and your other social networking profiles. Dress the way you would for a typical day at work—or better—and find a nice neutral background when you pose for your photos.

Complete an online profile at your favorite companies
Some online application systems allow you to create a profile on their candidate management systems without applying for a specific position. If you’re interested in a particular company, but don’t see an appropriate opening there right now, creating your online profile in their system can save you time when the right position does come along.

Read trade publications
Many local libraries subscribe to publications like the Financial Times or Business Week. For the cost of a few hours of your time, you can keep abreast of recent trends in your field and keep your mind actively thinking about the professional world.

Adjust, tweak and readjust your resume
Do just that. Revamp your resume, rework it and customize it so when the right opportunities come along you are more than ready.

There will be times when you may not see many appropriate job openings posted. Rather than wasting time applying for jobs that aren’t a great fit, fill your days making yourself the best candidate when the right job does become available.

We also realize that online job searching is not the only way to find positions and we encourage you to network, network, network as word-of-mouth referrals are extremely more effective at landing you a new position. Our suggestions are merely that, additional suggestions that invest time into your job search and make you the best possible candidate you can be.

For additional job search and career advice visit our blog.

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Author:

Jessica Holbrook Hernandez is an expert resume writer, career and personal branding strategist, author, speaker and President/CEO of Great Resumes Fast. She creates high-impact, best-in-class, resumes and cover letters that transform job searches into interviews and ultimately job offers. For more information about professional resume writing or to read more career and job search related articles visit http://www.greatresumesfast.com/ or call 1.800.991.5187.

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"An actor never plays a speech. He always plays a scene, an event, a situation, an occurrence. Words are part of the occurrence.” Lee Strasberg

So what does this have to do with you? Your a CEO, an accountant, a programmer, a sales rep, an educator, a medical biller, or a recent college graduate; not a thespian.

Think again; if you’re interviewing for a job the first 2-5 minutes are critical in getting your message across and doing it convincingly. So to get a job offer in today’s competitive job market 90% of you will need a great script, lots of rehearsal time and the proper wardrobe.

How to prepare and conduct a winning interview!

Your interview begins the moment it is scheduled; from this moment on you begin researching the company, honing your image, and anticipating questions you’ll be asked, and rehearsing your responses to them. You’ll also prepare the questions you want to ask the interviewer and ways you can take equal control of the interview.

The most important key to success for any interview…

A fellow coach once told me that she had a client who spent so much time trying to craft perfect answers to each question that her body language was completely off. She was so nervous that she wasn’t connecting with any of the people she was interviewing with.

The key to being a great interviewee is you’ve got to give yourself time to relax. This means you must plan on arriving for your interview 10-20 minutes early. When you get to an interview late or in the nick of time you’re going to look and feel rushed. That is the last impression you want to leave a potential employer with.

Preparing for an interview is not as hard as some of you may think.

You may not know the exact questions you will be asked, but you can count on the questions focusing on two things; whether you have the experience, skills and knowledge to do the job, and whether you fit the perceived profile of the person this company is going to hire.

Taking this into account, here are some ways to develop a winning interview strategy.

1. Compile a thorough inventory of your talents, experience, business, technical and interpersonal skills, and your overall subject knowledge.
2. Review the job posting and develop a profile of the company’s ideal candidate.
3. Check off the skills you possess that appear in the company profile your prepared and rate yourself on each one on a scale of 1-10
4. Now comes the hard part. Prepare a 90 second pitch that describes the new you based solely on the desired profile.
5. Prepare additional 90 second pitches describing accomplishments you have achieved that relate to specific factors, experience, skills and challenges that appear in the job post.

Bonus Tips

1. Dress to blend in, not to impress. Do your homework to find out how others in the company dress and then dress accordingly. The two factors to know are how casual or conservative will be a turn on or a turn off. Research the culture and mirror it. It is not what’s in your closet that will impress people; it’s how well you fit in.

2. When in doubt smile. A smile brightens up a room and is infectious. If the interviewer is having a bad day a smile will turn it around. If he or she is having a great day, it will continue that feeling. Nobody wants to be around a sourpuss and even fewer people want to hire or work with one. Interviewers are looking for a connection, and you make that connection by smiling.

3. Remember, the interviewer is a human being as well. You’re not the only person in a room with someone they haven’t met. The interviewer is there to find out more about you so be polite, friendly and considerate.

4. Mirror your interviewer’s tone. Having the ability to empathize with others will serve you well in the interview and in life at the office. Pay attention to your interviewer’s body language and tone and do your best to match it. If they’re upbeat, you’re upbeat. If they’re not, rein your excitement in a little bit so that you don’t unnerve them.

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Author:

Perry Newman, CPC CSMS is a nationally recognized executive resume writer, career coach, AIPC certified recruiter and SMMU certified social media strategist known for his ability to help his clients get results. You can view his sample resumes at http://www.perrynewman.com/, and email him your resume at perry@perrynewman.com for FREE resume critique.

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As a globally recognized Certified Professional Resume Writer, Executive Recruiter, and founder of Haute Resume & Career Services LLC, I review hundreds of resumes each year for unemployed job seekers who’ve often spent months unsuccessfully searching for a job. Most of these costly mistakes are easily preventable when the job seeker has educated him/herself in the art of resume writing.

Avoid these common mistakes on your resume!

• Are you using an old school resume template that you found on the Internet? Many of these templates have serious flaws and will not work for a number of reasons. One of the biggest reasons is their incompatibility with certain Applicant Tracking System software (ATS). Many of the older templates have been created in tables. If the employer’s software program cannot extract the content from your resume it will often simply be deleted. Another reason these templates fail miserably can be the result of the job seeker selecting the wrong resume format. There are many times that the standard chronological resume format can actually make a candidate look much less experienced in their profession than they really are.

• Don't waste your time with an old fashioned Objective Statement telling employers what you want in your next job. They would rather you make their job easy and sell them on why they should call you to interview rather than your competition.

• Your resume MUST be targeted to the position that you seek. If you use a backward-focused one-size-fits-all resume it is not likely to contain the industry relevant "keywords" necessary to be picked-up by the ATS software or present you as the IDEAL candidate for the position.

• An exceptional resume requires that you quantify your accomplishments whenever possible using numbers, dollar amounts, and percentages. This is the information that demonstrates both the level of responsibility you've held as well as the level of success that you've had in similar positions.

• Know your competition!
Do you know what a resume that has been professionally written looks like? If not, find out at http://www.anewresume.com/samples/home/. When you compare your resume to that of other candidates-- who would you bring in to interview for the position? It is not unusual for employers to receive hundreds of resumes for a single position and they don't have time to read each and every resume let alone call everyone in to interview. You must have the BEST resume both in content and appearance!
Creating a top-notch resume isn't easy but it can be financially rewarding. Not only will you have a resume that can survive the dreaded blackhole of the employer's database generating offers to interview and shortening your job search. It is also the document that employers refer to when deciding how much salary to offer. Mediocre resumes tend to generate mediocre salary offers.

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Guest Expert:

Angela Jones, CPRW will work with you to assess your professional background, research the potential needs of employers in your industry, and design powerful marketing documents that help you get the job you want and the pay you deserve.

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“It’s in the Game”; “Just Do It”; and “What can Brown do for you?” are very recognizable advertising and brand slogans. To be effective they need to be more than words, they need to convey a feeling, a disposition, an “attitude.” This attitude must lead to a positive view of their product or service by the consumer. The same is true about career search.

Is your brand recognizable? Does it differentiate you from the competition? Does your “attitude” lead to a positive feeling about you as a potential employee?

Most brands can be stated in six words or less. What about your brand? Can it be expressed in six words or less, be memorable and convey a positive feeling about you? I know EA Sports, Nike and UPS spent years developing their product or service, testing and perfecting it and they continue to manage their brand to keep it relevant.

It does not matter whether you are a recent college graduate or have years of experience; you need to focus on managing your brand. The question is do you know your brand and what it says about you now, and in the future?

This is critical to job search and a successful career. Some people struggle articulating their strengths while others have trouble narrowing it to six words. If you are someone that could use some help in this area, consider the following exercise.

I am going to name a few brand slogans and ask you to tell me the product or service. Ready, “The Ultimate Driving Machine,” that is easy BMW. Great now “Something Special in the Air.” A little more difficult, but it is American Airlines. Are you ready for the lighting round?

“What’s in your wallet,” You care enough to send the very best,” “Bringing weather to life,” “It gives you wings” and “Unlock the magic.” I could go on but you get the point. You are every bit a brand as much as Capital One, Hallmark, The Weather Channel, Red Bull and Oreo Cookie. I know you said Disney but you were wrong.

Next, think of a brand slogan (one we have not used) that best describes you or how you want to be perceived. What does it say about you the product or service? Test to see if others agree. Regardless, whether the responses are yes, no or maybe you are on your way to communicating your brand. In fact, Tom Peters says everything you do or not do communicates your brand value and character.

Finally, you need to establish your own brand identity otherwise; you will be guilty of brand infringement. This exercise should help you focus on creating a brand identity that sets you apart from the competition. Understand the product or service is what determines an effective brand.

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Guest Expert:

Thomas D. Cairns, DBA, is the Principal and Chief Career Coach of Cairns Blaner Group (www.cairnsblaner.com), a consulting company focused on delivering career management strategies and services. He is a career coach for the Graziadio School of Business at Pepperdine University and adjunct professor of management at Azusa Pacific University. Previously, he served as Chief Human Capital Officer, U.S. Department Homeland Security, and Senior Vice President, Human Resources NBC Universal a division of GE. He may be contacted via e-mail at tom@cairnsblaner.com.

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Rather than reaching for the word processing to create your resume, your first step is to pull together a full plan or strategy on your job search. Your plan needs to include these parts:

1) Get clear on 2-3 jobs/titles you are pursuing.
2) Define your criteria for a place to work that includes those jobs
3) Do research to find those companies (that meet the criteria you just developed) and if you need a refresher on the hiring criteria, go update yourself.
4) Figure out a schedule you will do your job search (and stick with it)
5) Identify 2 different search methods you will use

6) Refresh your network and then
7) Create your resume.

The work you do in the steps preceding working on your resume will help immensely. Too many people think the only step to a job search is the resume but it is really the "thought time" and planning that will make for a successful search. As you are putting together a resume, you may want to create a "master resume" that you will do that has too much information about you in it. You can then take that resume and trim it each time you give it so it is more customized and oriented to the specific job you are discussing.

Do you have a career question you want Dorothy to answer?

Email her at: dorothy@nextchapternewlife.com. She will answer all questions and will keep your name confidential if she publishes your question.

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Guest Expert:

Dorothy Tannahill-Moran is a Career Coach and expert on helping her clients achieve their goals. Her programs cover: Career growth and enhancement, Career Change, Retirement Alternatives and Job Search Strategy. Want to discover specific career change strategies that get results? Discover how by claiming your FREE gift, Career Makeover Toolkit at: http://CareerMakeoverToolKitShouldIstayorShouldIGo.com/

Read more!

One complaint from many job seekers is that they can’t seem to get recruiters to call them back when they’re looking for a job. You’d think they’d love an opportunity to place a good candidate… so why don’t they call? They often know the market in their field of specialization better than most people. Is there anything you can do to get them to be a little more proactive in helping you find a job?

It helps to understand their motivations and what gets their attention. Then you can be more effective at getting them to return your calls.

Here’s how…

Understand how recruiters get paid. Many job seekers think that recruiters exist to help people find jobs. The reality is that recruiters are paid by companies to help them find the best candidate for a particular position. A recruiter’s responsibility is to the company that is paying them, not to any candidate they may like but doesn’t fit the role. A recruiter may like a particular person a great deal, however, they can’t make their client hire them, and they lose credibility with their client if they present a candidate that is less than an ideal fit.

Understand what they want. Recruiters are always looking for 3 things…

1. The best candidate for the position they are currently trying to fill.
2. Exceptional performers in their field of specialization that may fit future openings.
3. To build relationships with great connectors!

Listen to Zig! Zig Ziglar, the renowned motivational speaker has a phrase he uses often: “You can have everything in life that you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.” If you want recruiters to call you back, be one or more of the 3 things they want!

You may or may not fit a position they have right now. You may or may not be an exceptional performer in their area of specialization. However, you can certainly become a great connector. What good does that do you? A good recruiter strives to nurture relationships with people that are great resources of information and referrals. Those great “connectors” are essential to their livelihood, they will often help those connectors in any way they can.

As a recruiter for the past 24 years, I’ve gone out of my way to help people that have been a help to me in my search for candidates for positions I’m working on. I help them with leads I may know of, referrals to others that may be helpful for them, coaching for their own job search, and certainly consider them first for any appropriate opportunities that may arise.

Be exceptional and be a connector! Present yourself to a recruiter in the same way you would to a potential employer. They work for their client companies, they are not career counselors. In order to feel confident about presenting you to their clients, they have to view you as someone that will be more professional and more competent than the average candidate their client is likely to see. If they believe you will add to their credibility with their clients, they will have no hesitations in presenting you for any open positions you’re qualified for. In fact, if they believe you are an “A” candidate based on your experience or presentation, they may proactively market you to some of their clients whether they have an open position or not. It’s your responsibility to help them view you as exceptional. Present yourself as professionally as possible.

Let them know you would be glad to refer people you know for opportunities they may be working on. When you give referrals, don’t only consider people you know are looking for new opportunities. Rather, refer the best people you know with the specific backgrounds the recruiter is looking for. No one has to pursue a position they don’t want, however, it’s to their benefit to be made aware of them and have the opportunity to decide for themselves. When the recruiter realizes you are someone that can point them to other good people, they will be helpful in return.

You want recruiters to return your calls? Be one of their 3 favorite calls to make!

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Author:

Harry Urschel has over 20 years experience as a technology recruiter in Minnesota. He currently operates as e-Executives, writes a blog for Job Seekers called The Wise Job Search, and can be found on Twitter as @eExecutives.

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Many executives share similar career paths. One of these paths involves entering a company at a job relevant to your degree or experience, and climbing your way up the corporate ladder until you’re eventually running the place. Another path involves working for many different companies for a few years at a time, while regularly being courted away with a higher salary or greater responsibilities. Both of these career paths show that you’ve got what it takes to be an executive. Whichever path your career has followed, there’s a way to write your resume to show it off.

Ladder Climbers

Let’s say you started with your company 15-20 years ago, using your engineering degree to manage a few projects. Two decades later, you find yourself in charge of half the company’s personnel and a huge departmental budget. If this sounds like the path of your career, don’t be afraid to write your resume in a way that clearly shows you’ve been with the same company for 20 years. Just be sure each job description makes it obvious that you were given greater responsibilities due to excellent past performance. An easy way to do this is to offer metrics like your direct P&L responsibilities or how many employees reported to you.

Opportunity Champions

In many industries, executives advance in their careers by earning an outstanding reputation and being wooed away by competitors. While this is personally flattering and professionally challenging, it can make you appear on your resume to be a restless job hopper. The key to overcoming this perception is to include some facts about your transitions—for instance, did you follow a manager to his new start-up company? Did a client recruit you after you managed their accounts? Was your position included in a merger or acquisition? By using specific numbers to show when your transitions involved an offer you couldn’t logically refuse, it will position you as a valuable commodity rather than as an employee who doesn’t know how to stay put.

Regardless of the path your career has taken, you probably made it to the top by proving yourself in a series of progressively more challenging opportunities. Whoever is reading your resume should be able to clearly see that progression as they look over your experience. It’s an important part of your story, so don’t be afraid to tell it!

Executive resumes are held to a higher standard. Know the strategies and keys to creating a successful executive resume by visiting our blog or speak to one of our executive resume writers today about catapulting your executive job search. Call 1.800.991.5187 for a complimentary executive resume consultation.

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Author:

Jessica Holbrook Hernandez is an expert resume writer, career and personal branding strategist, author, speaker and President/CEO of Great Resumes Fast. She creates high-impact, best-in-class, resumes and cover letters that transform job searches into interviews and ultimately job offers. For more information about professional resume writing or to read more career and job search related articles visit http://www.greatresumesfast.com/ or call 1.800.991.5187.

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Since I offer free resume critiques for Career Rocketeer readers and volunteer as a career coach at local colleges, NYC job fairs, and for a national NFP organization, in any given week I will speak to a wide spectrum of job seekers ranging from first time FT job seeking college graduates to veteran CXO level executives.

After chatting at length with these candidates what I found most perplexing is how long it took most of them to reach out for any kind of human assistance in their job search. The vast majority depended overwhelmingly on blogs, books and the internet to get career planning and job search related information and advice.

From my vantage point, in life there are many skills you and I can acquire without striving to be among the best practitioners. Similarly, there are many skill sets we can choose to acquire the hard way through trial and error and without human intercession, guidance or mentoring.

Yet, when it comes to looking for a job in today’s economy I feel strongly about job seekers not acquiring the following skills through trail and error or via generic advice.

1: Knowing how to identify your passion, strengths, weaknesses, accomplishments, and your target audience.

2: Knowing how to develop, execute and monitor an effective job search strategy.

3: Knowing how to prepare, write, and modify as needed two or more versions of your resume that are best suited for different employers and submission modes.

4: Knowing how to use social media and conventional/unconventional means to build a broad based network.

5: Knowing how to prepare for and conduct yourself in a stressful job interview.

And why am I telling you this? Because everyone who is looking for a new job, wants to change careers, or is determined to climb the corporate ladder needs to appreciate that the stakes are too high to just leave it to chance or success through trial and error. They need to be cognizant that the downside can be catastrophic while the upside can be worth 5-10 weeks of employment which equates to $3k-$20k in cashable paychecks. Is this enough motivation for all of you to rethink what you’re doing and for some of you to stop being a Lone Ranger!

In my practice I estimate that 75% of the people I coach and write resumes for reach out to a professional like me only after spending 5-10 weeks on unemployment and after 20 or more rejections or no responses to the resume they submitted, and after having gone through 4-5 not so different revisions of their current resume.

Similarly I found a meager 20% of job seekers I come in contact with have a coach or mentor they work with on a regular or intermittent basis. In my eyes this is like playing Russian roulette with the future.

Now let me digress a little here to try to make a point many of you should be able to relate to.

At a previous job for MMTS, a distance learning company that marketed Math DVD tutorials and on-line math tutoring services, I discovered that middle school math students learning fractions and decimals, high school students studying Algebra and Geometry, and college students taking Calculus and Probability & Statistics courses fell into distinct categories with similar academic and business model results.

Group A: Students who had decent mathematical aptitudes and a parent, sibling, roommate or friend available to work with them with the DVD tutorials found the program extremely helpful. Moreover, although all these students’ test scores improved considerably, in the homes with concerned parents who wanted their child to get even higher grades the parents signed the student up to work 1-to-1 with an online tutor, These students flourished even more and most were at the top of their class due to the on-demand help they received when they needed it most. As expected, the return rate here was negligible.

Group B: Not surprisingly, students with good math acumen who did not have a human being at home to work with them had an overall lower level of success, and a higher percentage of these students lost interest in learning on their own with the DVD after 3-6 weeks and this group had a higher rate of refunds and returns.

Group C: On the other hand 70% of the students who had a poor math aptitude, whether they had or did not have help outside the classroom, struggled to learn on their own with the DVD. This group, for the most part, quit using the DVD after 1-2 weeks and was more prone to return the item or ask for a refund.

So to cut back on refunds and returns in all three groups the company began offering a months worth of 1-to-1 live on-demand tutoring sessions from a professional math tutor along with the DVD. This worked out very well in cutting returns because the majority of students who could not learn math on their own were now motivated and able to learn and improve their grades with the help of the private tutor. Better still, most parents who were serious about their child’s education, once they experienced the difference working with a professional tutor and mentor had on the student’s progress, they continued the tutoring for the rest of the semester and beyond, and often enrolled other children at home in the program.

Again, why I am telling you this?

Because I think the same factors hold true for job seeker as does for these students and parents. The students who were failing and lost hope in ever being a good math student by and large ended up getting the results they wanted and passed the class, and the better students got top grades, higher SAT scores which helped them get scholarships and/or admission into the colleges of their choice, or college students increased their college GPA. An important side effect was they all had increased self-confidence and less stress at home.

I believe the same holds true for most of you. Whether you are a seasoned professional with many years of HR experience, or you are a recent grad who has never undergone this grueling process, you will get better results when you work with someone who can guide and mentor you in your job search. This is not to say you must pay for help, or that you can not achieve success going it alone. But for just 10 seconds think about where the Lone Ranger would be without Tonto, Mick Jagger without Keith and the rest of the Rolling Stones, or Jerry Seinfeld without Kramer, George and Elaine. Each would be a success in their own right, but not nearly as successful as they turned out to be without a little help from their friends.

So once again I urge everyone who reads this to stop depending on generic advice and make it a point to get all the live help you can in fining a new job. Especially starting this week, because September and October are historically two months of the year that employers add to staff, finalize hiring decisions that have been put on hold for the summer, and this is the time of year budgets must be spent or lost for the coming year.

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Author:

Perry Newman, CPC CSMS is a nationally recognized executive resume writer, career coach, AIPC certified recruiter and SMMU certified social media strategist known for his ability to help his clients get results. You can view his sample resumes at http://www.perrynewman.com/, and email him your resume at perry@perrynewman.com for FREE resume critique.

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