Monthly Archives: January 2011

I Need Your Advice

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A colleague and I mentioned awhile ago that it would be a cool idea if I started a blog for my organization, a blog about job search tips. I have one problem with this idea. Or maybe two. My first problem is that I can’t talk about my family who include my outrageously funny and insightful son; my middle child, a quiet yet personable daughter; and my eldest daughter, a smart and engaging character. I also can’t mention my beautiful and intelligent wife who keeps me on my toes and tells me to look for things, even though she knows where they are (see my blog, It’s an Employer Thing).

Why is this important to me, you may ask. Simply put, my family is everything to me, and I like to write. So combining these two values, it makes for some entertainment and, hopefully, some learning value to people who read my blog.

So instead, I’ll probably write about something mundane like 5 tips to creating a successful résumé. Now who says there are only 5 tips? There could be 7, or 10, or 50. This all depends on who you ask. Not for nothing, but I have been following a discussion on LinkedIn where one person says every résumé should be targeted, while others say targeting a résumé to each and every job will only cause confusion. The jobseeker instead, it’s argued, should write one résumé—or two at the most—and tweak it to fit the values and key words the employers require. So, how can there be 5 outstanding tips on how to write a successful résumé when two people can’t agree on the positioning of a résumé?

I might also write tips on how to create an effective LinkedIn profile. Already I see a problem with this. I hold dear the value of the Summary section on LinkedIn, believing that it should be written in first person with the personal pronoun “I.” But there’s also something to be said about writing the profile in third person, if…the person is accomplished, as in an author or actor or comedian. The other thing about a LinkedIn profile is that no one can come to an agreement as to what the most important component of the profile is.

  1. Is it the Snap Shot which includes one’s name and title? Think key words and stunning photo.
  2. Is it the Summary? You know my feelings on this.
  3. Is it the (Work) History?
  4. Is it the Specialties section, which is really part of the Summary?
  5. Is it the Honors and Awards section, or the Recommendations, Blog, Website, Reading List…?

I’d write about Career Networking, of course. On this topic I’ve come to the conclusion that networking is a lot easier than people say it is. You’re told to get out to networking events and shake hands with folks, look them in the eyes, collect business cards, deliver your personal commercial, be sure not to spill your drink, etc. I see it differently. I think networking is a natural progression that is done best in informal settings. In fact, the majority of job opportunities are gained through acquaintances. I think people are far too uptight about networking than they should be.

Salary negotiation would be another topic on which I’d write. I honestly believe that all the advice in the world gets thrown out the window when push comes to shove. We’re supposed to avoid the issue as best we can by first deflecting the discussion altogether, then asking the employer what her salary range is, then telling the employer what our range is, and finally stating an exact figure. Most people I’ve spoken to have gone directly to stage 4. Another thing about networking is that the goal for the jobseeker is not to “beat up” the employer, as one would a car salesman; rather it’s to come to a “win-win situation” where the deal is only sealed if both parties are happy. This, to me is the major theme.

I couldn’t forget interview techniques. Now how do I break this down? Do I talk first about traditional interviews, followed by behavioral interviews? The two are very different but are usually combined. I run a workshop called the Complete Interview Process, which combines the two types of interviews for this very reason. What great folly it would be to draw an analogy between interviewing and interrogating one of my kids, only to end by saying, “Hey, it’s really not that bad, Mr. jobseeker.”

I suppose my second problem with writing a blog for my organization is that I’m way too literal in my views. In MBTI speak, I’m what’s called a Sensor—yes, I know, there are only Introverts and Extraverts—which means I see things as black and white. So, if there are a number of outstanding tips for writing a résumé, there has to be a specific number. Five, 10, 15, 20, 23, 33, 44, 55….There are different opinions on every aspect of the job search, I realize this; but I like things nice and neat. LinkedIn, Career Networking, Salary Negotiation: they’re all very complex, messy topics that can’t be covered in one sitting. As far as I can see, no one agrees 100% on any of this, and in my world, this concerns me.

I know that as I look at my bobblehead collection Dwight Schrute is the man, not Michael Scott, Jim, Pam, Creed, or Andy. You may disagree. I guess I’ll just have to bite the bullet and tell it how I feel the career search should be conducted. But it would be really cool if I could draw comparisons between The Office and Things Career Related.

Let’s Get Serious about How We Appear

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Over the years, people have talked about self-branding as something we purposely do to distinguish ourselves from others. I believe this to be true. Whereas some have referred to branding as simply behaving in a favorably consistent manner, it amounts to much more than that. Although branding must not seem contrived, it’s a mistake to assume that it takes no conscious effort. This misconception will lead to wasted effort, albeit small, and cause one to abandon future branding efforts.

Branding is a conscious effort businesses and people make to set them apart from the norm. Businesses that are maintaining the status quo or jobseekers who are seen as average, are failing in their efforts to brand themselves. Do we have to live by a five second statement that defines us, constantly repeating a rehearsed mantra wherever we go? No, but we have to know how to present ourselves in all situations and at any moment. In other words, we have to be on guard at all times.

I recognize the serious jobseekers who understand what branding is. They come to our urban career center with their branding statement written prominently across their chest. I’m reminded of the occasional jobseekers who are well dressed in business casual, and sometimes wearing a tie; for the women, a nice blouse and slacks. These are the ones who understand the importance of always looking their best, because at any moment a potential contact will be in their midst. Even at an urban career center. They’re the ones I look at and think, you won’t be here soon; there’s a job awaiting you.

There was a former customer named Al who branded himself with business cards, a name tag, and stationary which were identical in appearance–his concerted effort to brand himself. Although he had been out of work for a year, he found a job shortly after coming to the career center. He maintained a pleasant demeanor and a can-do-attitude. (During an honest moment, he and I talked about what a complete bummer it is to be out of work; but in an instant Al went back to being Al. Pleasant as ever.)

Branding reaches into everything a jobseeker does. It’s evident in her entire marketing campaign. Her résumés, cover letters, LinkedIn profile, networking, telephone techniques, and finally the interview are all part of branding.

So to say it’s subconscious, just as natural as can be, is to deny branding the respect it deserves. When we see the red hue on the television, we realize it’s a Target commercial even before those familiar bulls’ eyes hit the screen. The international swoosh of course symbolizes Nike. The eerie fluorescent streaks of liquid running down an athlete’s face are none other than Gatorade. We don’t need to see the names of these companies to realize who they are; their logos and images are enough. 

Jobseekers may not have the immediate impact of a Target or Nike, but they need to think more in terms of conducting a successful business marketing plan and think that branding is serious business.

A Strong LinkedIn Profile and the Answers Feature Go Hand in Hand

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Do you have an outstanding Linked profile? Are you working on improving it? Or is it blank and forgotten? If the answer is the former, I salute you. Even if you’re making daily strides to make it better, there’s hope for you. On the other hand, if your profile resembles something found in the attic and needs to be dusted off, then close down your account. That’s right, close it down. The miniscule space you’re taking up on the Internet is too much.

A vast majority of LinkedIn.com aficionados will concur that the most important investment you must make in your LinkedIn involvement is your profile, as it presents you as a serious jobseeker and business leader. Your profile is essentially your most potent online branding tool and how people measure your accomplishments, based on a number of components: Photo; Summary; (Work) History; Education; Interests; Recommendations, Connections; and some extras like a blog, website, reading list, slideshow, and more. Without an effective profile, you’re wasting your time and possibly hurting your chances of getting an interview or enhancing your business.

LinkedIn offers some pretty neat features that require a strong profile in order for an LI user to reap rewards from them. There are notable features like Jobs, People, and Companies search. But if you want to utilize any of these features, such as apply for a job on LI, locate a long-lost person, or network with someone at a particular company; a terrible profile will get you about as far as the front door. Consider visiting an LI member’s profile and seeing a blank page. Would you, as an employer or just a curious visitor want to contact said person for an interview or join her network? The answer is a resounding NO. Further consider that your main objective is to network with as many quality contacts as possible. This applies to business people as well as jobseekers. Poor profile, small quality network.

Many LinkedIn members see Groups as very valuable feature and have joined as many as 50 various groups. (I know this is true because 50 is the limit, and people have complained that they can’t join more.) Still, when people in your groups see profiles without cause, they won’t want to network with those people. Do you want to be excluded because your profile is deemed unacceptable? An incomplete profile indicates lack of both conviction and effort; it yells, “I don’t care how I present myself either for business or for a job search.” So what value would you be to someone in your groups if your profile is poorly done? It’s as though a person is guilty by association for connecting with someone who has a shoddy profile. No serious LI member wants this.

There’s one feature on LinkedIn that has drawn my attention, one in which I participate a great deal. This is the Answers feature, which can be found under the More link. The idea is for LI members to ask questions related to a particular category or subcategory, such as Education, Job Search, Project Management, Technology, and hundreds of others. Other LI users who see the thousands of questions asked a day have the opportunity to answer them. Mainly I participate because I enjoy writing and like to think that some of the information I impart is helpful to those asking questions. Question like: What is your idea of a great vacation? are ones I steer clear of.

Oddly enough, posting a question draws a lot of people to your profile because in order to answer some questions, it behooves the respondents to check it out. Some questions are meant to specifically draw LinkedIn members to a poster’s profile. For example, a question I answered once read, “How would you rate my profile from 1-10?” When he drew me to his profile, I could have been compelled to invite him to my network. In this case, the poster’s profile was weak at best. My answer wasn’t scathing, but I was honest. I think I rated it a 5 out of 10. Needless to say, I wasn’t tempted to invite him to my network.

I asked a question a month ago that I hesitated asking but one that garnered some great answers. It read, “If you read my profile would you contact me?” Not only did I receive some valuable advice, particularly regarding my Name and Title, I received a business opportunity…on which I have yet to follow up. If my profile were lame, sloppy, cruddy, terrible, inexcusable, a waste of everyone’s time—I wouldn’t have prompted such great answers.

LinkedIn’s Answers feature occupies much of my time. In other situations, I might be visiting Companies or Jobs, or searching for People or Groups. I fancy Answers, but I believe in the value of a good profile to both assist in answering questions and receiving great answers to my questions. If you want to utilize the best features LinkedIn has to offer, put some effort and care into your profile. People everywhere are looking.