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As I do from time to time I review my ‘Old Mail’ folder and re-read emails from authors, recruiters, career coaches and HR professionals I correspond with on a regular basis. Some are replies to questions I asked them to comment on, and some are advice they send me that they feel would be of interest to the readers of my blogs.
After looking through their comments again this week I realized there was indeed good advice worth passing along; so I chose a few of the most salient points for today’s blog.
There is no order to this advice and I’m sure some of this material you already know. But as we enter a new year I think these points are worth repeating. After you finish reading this, especially if one or more of these tips resonates with you, please take a moment to leave me a comment. I’m really interested in knowing what you think of this blog in general, and the contents of today’s blog as well. So here it goes:
1: Hiring Managers and headhunters are like hunting dogs in search of prey, they can sense the feeling of terror and desperation a mile away. So maintain your cool at all times and be real. Most important try not to let other people overly influence your decisions.
2: Maintain your equilibrium and stay on an even keel no matter what happens until after you accept the job offer and have a definite start date.
3: When interviewing you need to stay calm! Take a deep breath and relax. This is important before a phone and a face-to-face. Interviewers want to see a polished product not a work in progress.
4: Don’t take all the blame for why you’re not getting hired; the economy does have something to do with it. On the other hand don’t use the economy as a crutch for not putting in the effort or as a reason to overlook your laziness or blatant mistakes.
5: Unless you’re changing careers entirely don’t try and reinvent your self. What you should be doing is revitalizing your career and your job search. Employers hire people first and experience second. What I suggest is that you give them the best of both. Find ways to improve your attitude, your confidence, your image and the way you present the total package. Leave instant makeovers for people who have something to hide. Leverage what you already have instead of focusing on what you fear you may lack.
6: Give yourself some time. Tick-tock, Tick-tock don’t listen too closely to your inner “job clock.” Whereas time is the essence, don’t underestimate how long it will take to find the right job. The average executive search today is 27 weeks and depending on your field and geography it can be longer than that. So pace yourself, do some consulting or other income generating work in the mean time and never despair.
7: Work your network, but gently. Chances are you already know the person who will put you on the path to your next salary. Your network is a precious resource and should be treated as such. Now is the time to use it…but gently. Ask for a reference, not a job. When you don’t put your friends on the spot, they’re more inclined to think about ways to help you.
As we said, the economy has something to do with your job search not being on the express track. Despite what you see and hear on the news, things are starting to turn around.
8: Don’t put your faith in recruiters. Seriously, as a former recruiter with dozens for friends still in the field, I can tell you they are not the answer to all your prayers. They command a fee and clients don’t pay them unless they deliver perfection. So unless you are an A+ candidates - this means you cover ALL the bases on the job req they’re recruiting for – don’t put too much stock in what they can do for you. After all most recruiters don’t pick up the phone or return your call unless they need you.
Author:
Perry Newman, CPC is a nationally recognized executive resume writer, career coach, branding strategist, journalist, public speaker and the driving force behind First Impressions Resumes in NYC. He is known for his ability to produce creative resumes that garner an excellent send out to reply ratio. For a free telephone consultation you can call him at 718.332.6130 or email perry@perrynewman.com
