Chris

Considering relocating for a job? I say, YES!

A few months ago I completed a 9.5 hour relocating adventure to my new city all for a fantastic new position. While I am uprooting myself now for the third time in three years, I think I have finally made the right choice: one based upon a job of a lifetime.

Yes, I left behind a life I created for the past two years including amazing friendships; relationships; sports teams and most of all my heart. But sometimes life happens for a reason. Not everyone will receive such opportunities in their life however by keeping an open perspective when it comes to geography it could lead you to somewhere new and exciting.

Before just jumping into a relocating situation consider a few things along the way:

1) Analyze the surroundings. Utilize my favorite new city comparison website (http://versus.com). A place you can compare cities across the globe. Check it out, it will surprise you. I may have an extremely optimistic perspective on life but making sure we are aware of what is happening around is pivotal when jumping ship for new opportunity and life adventure.

Geographic location Determine where you would like to live the most, yes, this includes the climate.
Social Life Consider the social life. No, not necessarily knowing a person in the city you are going to but knowing how the city operates when it comes to social circles. Even if we are in our late 20’s or 30’s or 40’s a social life will assist us in making a smooth transition.
Affordability Can you make it by on a day-to-day basis without an exorbitant amount of money coming through? Compare electricity/rental costs or even groceries, you’d be surprised.

2) Go full force with the job search/interview process. Land a job before you leave. It will save you the hassle when you arrive. Typically a person will advise not to move without a job and as a person who has moved quite a bit I would agree here but only to an extent. If you have an opportunity to move and can get by with a day job for a while (i.e. tutoring, serving tables, bagging groceries) by all means, go for it.

Save some money
Network without turning into that guy who constantly bugs people about not having a job
Stay positive!
Take classes to further your education. Coding is our generation’s new literacy. Knowing how to code is key to helping you land a successful job.

3) Don’t stop. Once you let up, you will start becoming lazier and lazier. Do not let that overcome you. I am not saying do not take any breaks but be cognizant that your work ethic will pay off in the long run.

And I leave you with Journey.

Best of luck and please share your relocating and career success stories!

How I got a job and how you can too

by Chris

As a person who graduated from university in the heat of the recession (2008), I can safely say I am very familiar with an unsteady job market and making the most out of any opportunity I have come across.

After years of working in a few different positions within in recruitment and staffing, I finally landed my golden opportunity. One might ask, how did you get there and why did it take you so long?

With patience, the right questions and determination, I landed the biggest job of my career.

Friends, I have applied thousands of times, went on a plethora of interviews, completed tons of job shadows, and attended numerous volunteer workshops and all I can really say is that the process is equivalent to that of dating. It takes patience. You have to find the right match for yourself and similarly you have to be a solid match for the company as well. This process where we figure it out involves asking the right questions during the interview and really getting to know the company and the folks who would be your team members.

And that goes without saying, there were some companies who knew right away if they wanted me or if they did not want me; and then there were companies who never responded. I used these obstacles and hurdles as motivation. In my previous job, it took instances of feeling hopeless, where I realized if I could gather the experience I need or want to gain for my next job in my current position, then I would be golden. Simple, right?

Hardly. This did not happen overnight.

1) Find your passion and inject it into your current position. If you can build a solid repertoire WHILE you have employment, you are creating the path that will lead you to your next opportunity.

Attend volunteer workshops
Volunteer on projects that push your boundaries and force you to try new things
Apply to promotional positions
Ask to shadow your boss or a top-notch employee who has the job that you want
Don’t give up

2) Build an online presence and use it to assist you. If you are unfamiliar with Linkedin or Twitter or blogging, get your name out there in the social media circles within the fields you hold a particular interest.

Linkedin is a professional networking super highway – use it to your advantage
Show of your skills (presentations, photography, writing skills, video editing)
Be bold and creative, it will show you like to push the limits
Use social media correctly especially when it comes to talking about yourself. Braggarts are never fun to be around.

3) Talk the talk and walk the walk. Learn the lingo and understand why decisions are made a certain way.

4) Let people come to you. More often than not, new positions are offered to those who are not looking for a position/did not know the position existed or would never have considered themselves qualified. So, you’re probably wondering, how did they apply?

Internal employees or Recruiters will come to you if they see you have what it takes. The best ways to show off yourself is via social media in the form of presentations/blogging/tweeting/photography, etc.

5) Find your niche and stick with it! Good things come to those who are clear and patient.

On a more personal note, I was about to give up on my job search a month ago until I received an anonymous but personalized e-mail and a phone call about a position. It just so happened to be the jobs I just recently landed. I posted a presentation that I had created and inserted it into my profile. All it took was that presentation to lead me to 7 successful interviews and a new opportunity.

I cannot begin to thank those who have supported me, encouraged me and showed me that anything can happen especially when you push yourself out there and reach for what you want. Sure, you don’t always get it but it’s worth a shot.

Anyone can do that or get there. All it takes is some structure, time and patience. It will happen when you least expect but if you can stay focused and remember your deep passions, you will never go wrong.

Your dream job is possible, just obtain the proper tools and get it done!

Networking 101

by Chris

Now that we are solidifying our resume and obtaining a thirst for a job search, we are ready to start reaching out to those around us and networking with them because every little bit of information that those in our network contain will continue adding up and go a long way for job searches and/or career advancement.

When all else fails in the land of unemployment or career miserableness, I highly recommend looking into that network of yours. Friends, colleagues or acquaintances may have seen us at our best and our worst, but they usually know us better than anyone. We need to start utilizing this power.

Chris, what network are you talking about? I don’t know anyone in Career Services at NYU? Well, friend, it is not the end of the world because thanks to the Internet we have the world at our finger tips. (yawn).

Networking is not about what you know; or what they know but it’s about WHO you know. Yeah, I know we have been hearing this a myriad of times before but let’s take a moment to begin thinking about it like this:

A) Do you still talk to your friends who you grew up with?
B) Did you hold a job in high school or college or university?
C) Did you do any extracurricular activities including sport; music; knitting; etc?
D) Where does your immediate and extended family work?

The list can go on and on but those are just some starting points for Networking.

The simple yet more challenging rule of networking is that networking is not using and abusing relationships or stalking friends via Social Media. Additionally, we must also not become lazy because know we have the resources for successful networking at hand. Nothing good ever came out of being lazy.

Despite what we may believe, we have all been accomplishing many things in our lives that have been exposing us to a large subset of individuals. Some of those folks can help us; guide us; or at least point us in the right direction. That is networking, friends.

Ingredients for Successful Networking:

1 computer or laptop or cell phone device with Internet access
1 Wifi internet connection
Fully finished Linkedin Profile (SOCIAL Media aspect)
Local paper or business section (In-person aspect)
HOURS upon HOURS of time
1/2 cup mentality
1/2 cup of MOTIVATION
1/2 cup of communication skills
1/2 cup of patience

No, there is not a perfect recipe for networking but there are many ways to get out there and make something happen. In regards to making something happen, you’ll notice how I been including both in-person networking AND Social Media Networking. We mustn’t forget that both exist and that BOTH help a person land their next gig, not one or the other. Yes, there are instances of a person obtaining a position through Twitter. While this is a great venue for job applications, it is not always the best venue for networking.

You can find additional information on online AND offline networking groups via these websites:

Linkedin Groups
MeetUP
Company websites
Local newspapers

Even if your networking involves a simple follow-up e-mail or voicemail message, it can be the small pebble that may just destroy that career Dam. Do not bombard a friend or employer with e-mails or phone calls because the last thing that any of us need is to be inundated with MORE e-mail, so Patience is our best friend.

Whether we like it or not, by enabling and accepting the very virtue of Patience will make networking that much more attainable.

Networking 101

Career Transitions & You: Is The Grass Actually Greener?

by Chris

Like many of you out there, I am sure you have considered a ton of new career choices over the past few years and/or career transitioning into new roles. The eternal question of Career Transitions & You: Is The Grass Actually Greener?

For a long time, I felt that the grass might be greener and my reactions would appear similar to the character, Dug, the dog from ‘Up’

While I knew I always wanted to end up in Education, I felt compelled to try this greener grass and explored different career choices. SQUIRREL!

Career Transitions! Grass is Greener! SQUIRREL!

During my four years in university I switched majors about 7 times (Sports Business, Marketing, Economics, Business Administration, Accounting, and lastly Education).

Fortunately for me, the past four years I have worked in recruitment, training and social media and I have finally discovered the greenest grass possible and my true calling: Higher Education Admissions and Career Advisement. I want to work with college students in regards to discovering their career development whilst in university. There is no looking back now!

While the positions I have held taught me about business practices, recruitment strategies, cold calling and sales, they have also allowed me to learn how the business world operates and conducts itself. If it was not for these experiences, I would have missed my true calling which was discovered through the conversations with thousands upon thousands of potential candidates looking for new job opportunity beyond graduation.

After closing the chapter in my last position, I am now ready to find myself a new role. I want a career transition. Was I prepared for changing opportunities? No. Was I ecstatic for such a big change? No. But I am grateful for this moment because I am ready for a career change. I can almost smell that freshly cut grass.

One of the things that I appreciate the most is the networking tenacity that Adecco has taught me. The myriad of colleagues who I have met and gotten to know have each showed me a different way to connect with people and reach my potential – for that I am very thankful. I am not leaving because the grass is greener. I am leaving because I want to be in a career that will combine my love of business and education.

Now, before you get all excited and jumping for joy. Just keep one thing in mind and before you jump ship, ask yourself, “Is the Grass Actually Greener enough for me to make a Career Transition?”

Breaking into a New role: Is the Grass Greener? if-the-grass-is-greener-on-the-other-side — Breaking into a New Role: Is the Grass Greener? Are you ready for a Career Transition?

If you spend even just a few moments to research this answer, you may just save yourself from a lifetime of regrets and ‘what-if’s.

1) Analyze the Work Environment/Current position. First things first, are there areas for advancement in this current position? If you want to grow within your position or advance be sure that you are in the right job that will allow you to accomplish this goal.

On the flip side do you foresee your current job disappearing anywhere in the next year? 5 years? 10 years? I understand this might be a challenge but by turning those wheels in your mind, it might help you find reason in staying or leaving a position instead of just stagnating.

Push yourself.

2) Apply internally. As I say to anyone who I have helped with career development, before you up and leave an opportunity try look within your company or current position and build the skills you would like to use in your next position. Hey, you might end up liking this new strategical approach and end up staying in your position; or you will utilize that experience to propel you forward with another opportunity.

3) Research that green grass. If you are positive that a career transition is in place for you, then conduct some intensive research. You need to make sure that this transition is right for you and will help your current situation.

Some new positions require additional schooling or certifications.

4) Organize your resume/cover letters. If you are actively job seeking, the resume and cover letter need to be spot on and perfect. No exceptions. Now that you are focused on a career transition remember to RELATE your current skills to the skills being sought for each position. While some jobs require additional degrees and years of experience, many of these jobs have skills that are transferable from other fields.

5. Go with your gut. Changing careers is scary. Very scary. The ‘what-if’ and ‘grass is greener’ mentality sets in and the idea of committing to anything becomes more and more challenging. But if you can relax a bit, the process will give you confidence in your abilities and you will hopefully be starting a position in a field that you are truly passionate about.

Have any of you ever transitioned careers before and lived to tell the tale? Let’s hear it! Is the grass actually greener? is it browner?

HELP! UNEMPLOYMENT! I am Unemployed. What do I do now?

by Chris

HELP! UNEMPLOYMENT! I am Unemployed. What do I do now? Take a deep breath. Inhale. Exhale. While being unemployed or facing unemployment is a very scary and daunting moment in one’s life, it is not the end of the world. On many levels, Job hunting is much like dating. You win some, you lose some but when it comes down to it, you learn more about your true wants and needs in the end.

Just like dating and meeting people for the first time, unemployment or the single life, can open many doors and venues that you may not have thought of whilst in your last position (relationship).

Jobs come in many different shapes, sizes and skill sets. They also have different salaries, schedule structures, corporate structures and employee perks.

You gotta know what you want in a job before you can make it happen. Culture Beat: Mr. Vain “I know what I want and I want it now”

1) Education. Despite the high costs of this sector furthering your education is never a bad thing as long as you are researching and understanding the short and long-term benefits and negatives to education. Yes, you are unemployed and money is tight but this could be a GOOD boost to your experience.

2) Career transition. Maybe you have reached that moment with your job where you have had enough? It’s okay, this happens sometimes and you are not at fault but in this time of a slowed lifestyle, try to focus on what you want to do next and how you can attain that goal.

3) Network. But don’t beg.

DON’T. Sit and complain about your job situation. Keep in mind that just because you are unemployed does not mean EVERYONE is unemployed. The last thing you want to become is that guy/girl who never stops complaining and gives the ‘I’m poor and unemployed’ sob story. We get it. Get over it. It’s life and make something happen out of it. Complaining will not get you a job.

DO. Ask friends how they are doing and politely see if they know of any openings in their company. Some may ask for your resume and forward it along, others may not feel so inclined. Try and stay as happy and positive as you can. I repeat no one needs another Debbie Downer in their life.

Don’t Be a Debbie Downer with Unemployment!

Don’t Be a Debbie Downer with Unemployment! http://cdn.business2community.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/debbie_downer.jpg

4) Too much unemployment is NOT a good thing. Despite what many people have yet to realize about job hunting is that the moment you become unemployed, your career clock is ticking. This clock determines the probability as to how quickly you will be hired again. The longer you allow this clock to tick, the more challenging the search will become ESPECIALLY if you wait a year or longer before you hop into the job market again.

Yes, I know that there are SOME people out there who get lucky and have the ability to pull some strings but most of us do not have such luck and when an employer sees a huge unemployment period they question a person’s motivation/drive and work ethic.

Keep this in mind before your two-year hibernation.

5) Learn a New Hobby! Get yourself out there and try something new. Anything. Ballet, magic, architecture, travelling, bear wrestling. Yes, it is important to spend a large chunk of your time finding work and honing in on job opportunities but this gives you ample time to find yourself again and discover new things about yourself. Keep it light, keep it simple. As humans, once we stop learning, we stop living. As a Ghandi writes, ““Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”

Seize the day! THIS.IS.UNEMPLOYMENT!

THIS IS JOB HUNTING! — THIS. IS. UNEMPLOYMENT!!! http://www.bwmag.in/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/This-is-Sparta.jpg

Most of all what I would like to reiterate in this post is to be consistent. Job hunting IS a full-time job and it requires consistency to really put a dent in finding what you want.

Regardless of your career level, the state of being unemployed is a tough position to be in but with the right attitude and motivation it can propel you forward in your career.

Have you ever been unemployed? How did you go about obtaining your next job? What did you succeed with in your job search? What were your struggles? Feel free to share! There are MANY of us out there who are dying to know because, well, quite frankly we are very high in unemployment numbers right now.

Filler is a Killer: Do Not Let Cover Letters Own You.

by Chris

When it comes to applying for a job, you have your resume all set, ready to go but as with most jobs you need that added boost: a cover letter.

For you Mario Fans out there, it is almost like you are about to fight Bowser & you need the Fire Power or Invincibility star to pop up so that you have an advantage.

invincible-mario-starman-new-super-mario-bros-wii-artwork — Cover Letter Invincibility! Much Needed Advice! Super Mario!
Source: http://www.videogamesblogger.com/2009/11/18/new-super-mario-bros-wii-cheats-and-tips-guide.htm

Cover letters provide that boost and act as a resume translator for hiring managers. Yes, I realize that cover letters are not easy. They are not meant to be but they are there to help you with attaining your next position and not hurt your chances.

A wise colleague of mine once told me that, ‘cover letters show off the personality that does not exude itself from a resume’.

1. Be Concise. Filler is a killer. Case and point, do not write the romantic schpeal such as, ‘I like long walks on the beach, flying kites into the sunset’. However, DO reflect upon your achievements thus far and make the connection as to why you can go above and beyond any other candidate being considered for this position

Filler is a killer.

These words speak volumes to me as a recruiter and a person who plays a hand in the hiring process. If you cannot concisely describe why you are a great fit and what you can provide for the company that no one else can, you are not the best fit for the job. You did not prepare yourself for the cover letter. FAIL.

2. Show your personality. This does not mean you should lose your business sense and write unprofessionally, but your resume will reflect your experience but your cover letter reflects the examples and personality that is not represented on a resume. Bring that out in an appropriate manner.

3. Make the connection. Sometimes in life we have to reach out and take what we want or at least reach out and ASK for what we want. While it tough to do this make an attempt to explain why and how you can make a difference in this position for the company.

Do you know a person within the organization? Mention to that person you will be applying to the position and be sure to include this connection in your cover letter.

No, we do not need the entire length of history here, just a brief statement explaining the connection and importance 🙂

4. Research and review. Do some background research on the company and positions for which you are applying. If you do not know a single detail about the company, it makes it a lot harder to make the connection to the companies specific wants and needs for a position. Without knowing information about the company and their current events or recent news, it also makes you looks like a disinterested candidate during the job interview.

Utilize Google and also websites called GlassDoor and Linkedin to assist with your research and even locate the potential hiring managers or colleagues within the company.

4. Adjust accordingly and honestly. Your resume AND your cover letter should be altered to reflect the position you are applying for regardless of who you know and how well you think you may know the position.

In terms of the changes, do not change/lie/or misrepresent information on your resume but DO alter your resume to reflect how your experience matches the specific information listed or required for the position. Sell yourself but in an honest manner 🙂

Each cover letter should be different and adjusted according to the jobs and companies for which you will be applying. While most of the time the jobs remain the same, there will be different reasons for why you apply each time and how you can help that company.

5. Avoid General Salutations. The days of ‘Dear Human Resources Manager’ and ‘Dear Staffing team’ are gone. Most jobs these days do not provide direct contact with hiring managers because most managers work with staffing agencies like (Adecco, Randstad and Manpower). BUT a large chunk of managers and human resources managers do have profiles on Linkedin and that could be a great resource for reaching out to them regarding a position.

If all else fails, you can call the company directly and ask who is hiring for the opportunity. While that is bold, it is a solid approach in sales and has worked since the dawn of time.

Go the extra step and find out that information. Go the distance, Hercules, go the distance.

Please, please let’s hear some stories about your favorite type of cover letter, or even better…what are your thoughts on VIDEO cover letters? They seem to be taking off quite a bit.

Reach out and grab your next job. Literally.

by Chris

There used to be a time where a person would call about an open job opportunity, ask some job related questions, find out who to send their resume to and then BAM they would MAIL or FAX this information to the appropriate person.

Applying to jobs seems less stressful as there was not a suspiciously large resume blackhole but when can this start happening again? Any day now, any day. I’d love to apply to a job, hear back from a person and one who is not griping about not reaching a sales goal. That, friends, would be the ultimate job searching experience.

Alas, this is not 1982 and the Internet has vastly changed this process forever *dramatic interlude – dun dun DUN*

If you are wondering how to make this process a little less daunting let’s start by tackling your professional social media footprint. What the heck is that?

A professional social media footprint is the links; blog posts; Facebook entries; videos; created images and graphics that shape your professional persona for the rest of the world.

Your professional social media footprint is the most important thing in existence right now. It should pop into your mind every time you consider posting a scathing political rant ripping apart a friend or random online person (s)!

I am going to skip the lecturing on what to post and what is appropriate. While we are all adults, we still like to have our fun but does it always have to end up on the Internet? Unfortunately, if the FBI’s first place to find suspects of accused activity via Facebook, then well, I wonder where hiring managers begin to find their future employees.

[Just be smart. That’s all I ask.]

So this also goes for those of you who may be a photographer/DJ/or person of creative value who MAKES things. Be sure to protect and copyright your material before it ends up on some randos’ website. In fact, I highly recommend creating a website or webportal that will store this information with appropriate watermarks that successfully promote your brand. We will get to that in a later post.

After all that is accomplished, you are ready to start searching. Wait, we forgot a major cog of this whole process. The resume that you will use for the rest of the world to see.

As many of my managers have ever put to me, “there are two times in your life when you are perfect: when you are born and your resume”.

Make that resume count. Keep the resume filled with accomplishments from your jobs and not the responsibilities. Make your resume reflect what YOU have done for your company. And please, PLEASE have someone read it before posting it or sending it out to hiring managers.

Once this feat is accomplished, you are ready.

How to successfully obtain a job opportunity for 2013 and beyond:

1) Use your Audience to stand out. There is only ONE you. In order to get what you want out of your next job, you need to know what you want, and who you are competing with because these are the people who may or may not take your next opportunity right from your dinner plate. THIEVES!!!

If you are a graphic designer, be sure you are the most creative and witty graphic designer out there. You need a plethora of mixed material because I hate to burst that beautiful, bubble but there are so many of you out there that you have to make yourself standout.

2) Know the companies you want as an employer and research employee success stories.

Linkedin and Glassdoor are my favorite web portals for such information.

Linkedin is a professional network that is becoming more and more widely used by companies and job seekers alike and is a great portal for employee recommendations; current job openings; News updates; company success stories; and tons of previous and current employees, who will give you a better idea of what the types of jobs at the company; the type of candidates they hired; etc.

Use it. Now. Create a profile, it’s FREE.

Glassdoor is popular company profile website that gives a deep look into the company personality and how it might fit with your own. There are some instances where companies include what it takes to survive an interview and even the kind of caliber they seek in employees.

3) Network. I cannot say this enough. Utilize professional networks such as Linkedin; Ziggs; and dare I even say it; Facebook. There are many people within your personal network who are out there in the job world who may or may not be able to assist you in finding the right person to talk to about a position you seek.

4) Do not burn bridges. Even if you are meeting people completely outside your professional network and field, you never know who you may encounter who can help you find that ultimate position.

5) Be Bold and reach out to hiring managers. I realize many people are doing this and it is much easier to do than ever before so – a word to the wise here – BUT it could be very helpful in finding out exactly what the top qualities are for the position and what the managers are seeking.

Even if you cannot have your dream job today, there are other positions out there that could propel you forward.

6) Do not give up. Job seeking in itself IS a JOB. Do not think twice that you can slack off and just expect a position to fall onto your laps. True, this MAY happen for some people but for most of us, life is about the effort you put in.

If all else fails, listen to a little Jason Mraz, he might pick you up when you are down.

Don’t Give Up on Us. Jason Mraz is WATCHING. (Source: Youtube)

What did you do to obtain that DREAM job or better yet, your NEXT job? Feel free to share your favorite job seeking memories. Don’t worry, we won’t be applying to YOUR job…although…on second thought 🙂 KIDDING!

Chris

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