careers

How I got a job and how you can too

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!

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?

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.

careers

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