Keppie Careers

Social media speaker, social media consultant, job search coach

Archives for 2009

Keeping things in perspective for your job hunt

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cold.children.3133748366_70f7859960_mIf you are not convinced by now that job seeking during the holidays is a good idea, I don’t know what to say! Suffice to repeat – there are opportunities out there. You just need to be willing and ready to meet them.

Have you seen the Wall Street Journal’s series of blogs by job seekers? Weeks ago, when I began my “Holiday Job Search” series, I saw a post that I knew I wanted to share. One of the WSJ’s contributors, Kevin Mergens, wrote a post with a message I thought was the perfect cap to the information I’ve been sharing. Kevin wrote:

So, as the holidays approach I feel it is critical to keep things in perspective. Being an M.B.A. on unemployment stinks for both the ego and the bank account, but I am hardly deserving of any sympathy. When I was in this boat during Christmas six years ago, I remember feeling down about not having a job and then reading a local letter to Santa. The young girl that penned the letter did not ask for a doll or a video game or an iPod. She asked Santa for a coat and boots so she could deal with the Chicago winter. After seeing that, I knew my “problems” were not really that big. I decided that we could certainly afford to contribute a few bucks to the local charity that played Santa for these kids. The funny thing is, less than twenty minutes after I called in my small donation, I got a call with a job offer.

I know that some readers really are in very difficult situations after being out of work for a long time. However, no matter what, it is important to keep things in perspective. Helping someone else at this time of year is yet another way to help yourself. While most people will not land an opportunity upon offering a charitable donation, it certainly doesn’t hurt to think of those less fortunate.

Thank you for reading. If you have missed any of the great advice my terrific colleagues offered, be sure to follow these links. A very special THANK YOU to all the generous and talented friends and contacts who share advice for this series. Feel free to share YOUR ideas for job searching during the holidays in the comments!

Part 1 – My suggestions and a free ebook offer

Part 2 – Walter Akana – Take care of yourself

Part 3 – Anita Bruzzese – Stay ahead of the crowd

Part 4 – Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter – Unplug and embrace rest

Part 5 – Wendy Enelow – Ideas for employed and unemployed job seekers

Part 6 – GL Hoffman – Use time to research and prepare

Part 7 – Meghan M. Biro – Use the holidays as a time for self assessment

Part 8 – Craig Fisher – Recruiters don’t ease up during the holidays – neither should you

Part 9 – Ronnie Ann – Take advantage of other peoples’ resolutions

Part 10 – Alison Doyle and Andrea Santiago – Use parties and festive occassions to fuel your job search

Part 11 – Sharlyn Lauby – Take your job search social

Part 12 – Karla Porter – Be in it to win it

Part 13 – Lisa Caldas Kappesser – Use emotional intelligence to overcome job search hurdles

Part 14 – 4 tips for effective networking follow up for the holidays and the rest of the year

Part 15 – Networking tips and advice from a variety of experts

I can help with every part of your job hunt! Need a great resume? Tips to use social networking? Interview coaching?  If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you! While you’re at it, don’t forget those social networks! Be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on Facebook…I’d be thrilled to have you as part of the community! Since we’re on the subject of doing something new…Are you on Twitter? Jump on and touch base with me @keppie_careers.


photo by Divine in the Daily

Holiday networking tips and advice

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network.pic.2048034334_22b098c829_mIt’s hard to believe, but I have not finished sharing the great ideas my colleagues shared for my holiday networking for job seekers series!

Sandra Naiman, author of The High Achiever’s Secret Codebook: The Unwritten Rules for Success at Work (JIST, 2009) [read my review HERE] echos the sentiment that the “holiday season is a great time to enlarge and reactivate your network.  That is not to say that you ask people if they have or know of a job; however social networking sites, letters and cards are a great way to get back on people’s radar screen.”

She suggests that you create inexpensive ways to bring people together at your house – such as a cookie baking party where everyone cooks and shares cookies and candies with everyone else. “Again, your objective is to connect with as many people as possible and create opportunities for follow up, where appropriate, after the holidays.”

A fun idea – host your own party!

Another author, Richard S. Deems, who wrote, Make Job Loss Work For You (Jist 2010) with his daughter, Terri Deems, suggests job seekers move their focus to direct (in-person) networking during the holidays to take advantage of the generally good mood. Richard reminds us how important it is to follow up, which is key!

Jeff Lipschultz, a founding partner of A-List Solutions, a premier recruiting firm, brings great advice from the “other side of the hiring desk.” I “met” Jeff on Twitter, and I encourage you to follow him @jlipschultz for terrific job hunting tweets and advice! I also highly recommend his blog.  He is also a featured writer on www.job-hunt.org.  Jeff adds:

“The employment world at the end of the year is an unusual situation. Sure, it’s the holiday season and there are many vacations and last minute goals to achieve for the year.  But, it is also a prime time to be interviewing.  Many companies still need to fill a spot on the team that was budgeted this year.  Other companies have a little more time to wedge in some interviews.  Some budgets for 2010 are already set or close.  Which means, some hiring managers already know their January job hires and may get a jump start on the search to grab the best talents available ahead of other companies.  They’re anticipating  the start date of any hire being in January.

Candidates who are actively pursuing open jobs during this time frame should stand out as serious candidates.  Keep the search alive during the holiday season!”

Finally, my friend Ellen Sautter, a senior career management consultant with Right Management and co-author with Diane Crompton of Seven Days to Online Networking (Jist 2008) [read my review HERE], brings her unique perspective as someone working at a large outplacement firm with many job seekers shares some good news!

We see the job market picking up right now.  Many of our candidates are landing new positions and certainly getting more ‘traction’ in the market than earlier this year.  With companies starting to loosen the purse strings, we would advise job seekers to stay engaged and attentive…..while of course taking some time for fun and family activities to maintain ‘balance.’

She reminds us that:

Hiring is not as predictable as it used to be.  There are no weeks / months / periods when companies stop recruiting and screening candidates. New jobs are posted all the time; and interviews are scheduled and offers are extended during all weeks of the year.

So, good news for job seekers. I hope you are totally convinced that prepping your pitch and going to holiday parties with a positive attitude is the best job search strategy! Tomorrow, one final thought to close our series. FEEL FREE TO SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES WITH HOLIDAY JOB SEARCH IN THE COMMENTS!

Be sure to take a look at all the great advice from my colleagues:

Part 1 – My suggestions and a free ebook offer

Part 2 – Walter Akana – Take care of yourself

Part 3 – Anita Bruzzese – Stay ahead of the crowd

Part 4 – Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter – Unplug and embrace rest

Part 5 – Wendy Enelow – Ideas for employed and unemployed job seekers

Part 6 – GL Hoffman – Use time to research and prepare

Part 7 – Meghan M. Biro – Use the holidays as a time for self assessment

Part 8 – Craig Fisher – Recruiters don’t ease up during the holidays – neither should you

Part 9 – Ronnie Ann – Take advantage of other peoples’ resolutions

Part 10 – Alison Doyle and Andrea Santiago – Use parties and festive occasions to fuel your job search

Part 11 – Sharlyn Lauby – Take your job search social

Part 12 – Karla Porter – Be in it to win it

Part 13 – Lisa Caldas Kappesser – Use emotional intelligence to overcome job search hurdles

Part 14 – 4 tips for effective networking follow up for the holidays and the rest of the year

I can help with every part of your job hunt! Need a great resume? Tips to use social networking? Interview coaching?  If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you! While you’re at it, don’t forget those social networks! Be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on Facebook…I’d be thrilled to have you as part of the community! Since we’re on the subject of doing something new…Are you on Twitter? Jump on and touch base with me @keppie_careers.

image by Nimages

Holidays can be magical for recruiters and job seekers

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42-16536640I love stories. Success stories are the best. Today, I am happy to share a “magical” story from my friend The Recruiting Animal. I don’t know if Animal remembers this, but almost 2 years ago, we disagreed about something (I don’t know what), and when we were finished with our email exchanges, he said I was invited to fight with him any time! Not being the fighting type, I haven’t taken him up on it – yet!

However, Animal was kind enough to share this story, which I hope will inspire some job seekers at this time of year. (He even sent the accompanying photo!)

I’m a headhunter and a few years ago I was looking for a Quality Control Supervisor. But this wasn’t any ordinary QC Manager. This person would have no direct reports but needed to have a PhD in Chemistry and a strong background in fermented products, specifically yogurt.

When I got the search I was told that there was no one in the country with the right background. Why they gave it to me, then, I don’t know. In the end, we filled the job with a terrific yogurt man but in the course of the search I investigated a number of engineers who didn’t have yogurt experience but worked in breweries.

To get to some of them I had to go through one admin person. The problem was that she never picked up the phone and I didn’t want to leave a message. So I called and called and you know when I got her? On December 24th. Christmas Eve. I wanted to knock off work but I was in a bind and against my better judgement I picked up the phone and, like a miracle, she did too. It was great. I could hear the party going on in the background, she was very friendly and she gave me all the info I needed. What a present for me.

I told this story to someone recently and he scoffed at the notion that you have a good shot at reaching otherwise unavailable people during the holiday season. But I’m not saying everybody’s going to be there. Just that some people will. And those might be the people you want to talk to who never usually pick up their phones. When lots of people are away, however, they’re not as busy as usual and that’s when they change their normal habits and that’s when you have a chance to catch them.

Nothing is life is certain. But if you want to get through to someone and you’re not on a beach in Florida, what’s stopping you from trying? Friends, it happened to me. And if it happened to me, it can happen to you too. Good luck.

Learn more about Animal by following him on Twitter @animal (of course!)  and by visiting his website: http://www.recruitinganimal.com. However, he does admonish everyone to “not follow if you’re sensitive.”

Be sure to take a look at all the great advice from my colleagues:

Part 1 – My suggestions and a free ebook offer

Part 2 – Walter Akana – Take care of yourself

Part 3 – Anita Bruzzese – Stay ahead of the crowd

Part 4 – Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter – Unplug and embrace rest

Part 5 – Wendy Enelow – Ideas for employed and unemployed job seekers

Part 6 – GL Hoffman – Use time to research and prepare

Part 7 – Meghan M. Biro – Use the holidays as a time for self assessment

Part 8 – Craig Fisher – Recruiters don’t ease up during the holidays – neither should you

Part 9 – Ronnie Ann – Take advantage of other peoples’ resolutions

Part 10 – Alison Doyle and Andrea Santiago – Use parties and festive occassions to fuel your job search

Part 11 – Sharlyn Lauby – Take your job search social

Part 12 – Karla Porter – Be in it to win it

Part 13 – Lisa Caldas Kappesser – Use emotional intelligence to overcome job search hurdles

I can help with every part of your job hunt! Need a great resume? Tips to use social networking? Interview coaching?  If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you! While you’re at it, don’t forget those social networks! Be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on Facebook…I’d be thrilled to have you as part of the community! Since we’re on the subject of doing something new…Are you on Twitter? Jump on and touch base with me @keppie_careers.

Four tips for effective networking follow-up for the holidays and the rest of the year

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hook2921148701_6d1985e27f_mToday’s post is one of many responses to the question, “How can  job seekers make the most of the holiday season?” from members of the Career Collective community I co-coordinate with my colleague Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter. I encourage you to visit other members’ responses, which are linked at the end of my post! Please follow our hashtag on Twitter: #careercollective.

If you have been keeping up with my series about how and why to use the holidays to advance your job hunt, you know there are many reasons and many ways to make the best of the holiday season. Click HERE for a launching page that links to all of the advice from my expert panel of colleagues and friends.

With so much great advice about how to use the holidays to network, I thought it would be appropriate to revisit an important, but overlooked topic to help job seekers stand a head above the rest at this busy and fun time of the year.

Networking is great. Meeting a lot of new people is terrific. However, knowing what to do once you’ve made a contact is just as important as finding the contact. How can you hook your contacts? Here are my tips for being remembered:

1. Send a nice note. In the mail.

If you met someone at a party or gathering and you want to keep in touch, send a nice note. I like typed notes, some people prefer a hand-written message. At this time of year, a card with a nice hand written note is fine. Be sure to include enough information to help the person remember when and where you met and what you discussed. Don’t forget that not everyone observes the same holidays, so avoid specific references to a particular holiday unless you know for sure. Greetings for the new year are usually appropriate and cannot steer you too wrong!

Of course, sending a note relies on you having the correct contact information, so don’t forget to exchange business cards.

2. Cover your social networking bases.

When you meet someone and you think there is a professional connection, ask if they are on LinkedIn and if it would be okay to connect. Then, be sure to follow up right away (after you get home – not from your iPhone!) with a request to connect. Again, even if it is shortly after the party, remind the contact where you met and what you discussed. Don’t assume he or she will remember everything you talked about!

Connecting on LinkedIn provides many advantages. Of course, growing your network is always important, but also remember that your new friends will now have a chance to see your updates (and you theirs). In general, keeping tabs on someone is easy on LinkedIn and a very low impact way to stay in touch.

Also be sure to ask if the person uses Twitter. I’m a big fan, and I hope more people will begin to use if for professional purposes. Do NOT ask to connect via Facebook unless you are invited after an incidental meeting. Typically, this is not considered proper etiquette.

3. Set a Google alert for the name of the person you met and/or the name of their company.

No, I am not suggesting that you stalk the new contact! However, if Google can help you easily find out news or information about someone with whom you are trying to build rapport, all the better! When you learn that XYZ company  has won an innovation award or that Julia Smith has been named a top ten PR rep, you will be able to be among the first to send a follow-up note. This helps keep you top of mind. It sets you apart from every other random contact, which is important in this competitive market.

4. Make a strong personal connection.

In the midst of your initial conversation, hopefully you learned something personal about your new contact. For example – he is a Bulls fanatic or she went to UGA. She’s a photography buff and loves to garden. He is a world traveler, but hasn’t made it to Asia. You get what I mean – make a point to learn something interesting about people you meet. This gives you several benefits:

  • You will earn bonus points for being a good listener, for asking questions and for being attentive to your new friend’s interests. We all enjoy talking about ourselves. When you engage around a topic that tweaks someone’s passions, you are more likely to be remembered later.
  • You now have a new “hook” to use for follow up! Assuming you keep your eyes on the newspapers and Internet, you are bound to come across a post or article of interest to your contact. Send it along via email with a personal note. Again – the point  here is to maintain a “top of mind” status. You sent an article on tips for travel in China and your friend thinks about you in a day when you would not otherwise cross his mind.

You can do everything “right,” (know what you have to offer, have a great twitpitch, know where to look, have great materials…The list goes on and on. However, if you don’t follow up with your networking contacts, all of that work could easily go down the drain. Don’t let that happen to you!

Other responses to the question from Career Collective members:

 

@MartinBuckland, Elite Resumes, “Season’s Greetings and your Job Search”

@GayleHoward, The Executive Brand, “It’s Christmas: And a ho-ho-ho-hum?”

@KCCareerCoach, Career Chaos, “The Gift Every Laid Off Job Seeker Needs”

@resumeservice, Resume Writing Blog,“Holiday Resume Sparkle: Outshine the New Year Job-Search Mob”

@heathermundell, life@work, “Have a Holly Jolly Job Search”

@sweetcareers, Sweet Careers, “Holiday Job Search Tips for College Students 2009″

@careersherpa, Hannah Morgan: Career Sherpa, “Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Kwanzaa Cheers”

@careerealism, CAREEREALISM.com, “Holiday Tip for Job Seekers: 4 Ways to Impress Others with Your Professionalism”

@heatherhuhman, HeatherHuhman.com, “4 Tips for Making the Most of Holiday Job Hunting”

@LaurieBerenson, Sterling Career Concepts, “Three Resolutions to Take It Up a Notch”

@KatCareerGal, Quintessential Resumes and Cover Letters Tips Blog, “Avoiding the Holiday Blues in Your Job Search”

@WorkWithIllness, WorkingWithillness.com, “Avoid this Minefield: No Holiday Here!”

@DawnBugni, “The Write Solution Could that sound really be opportunity? During the Holidays?”

@andyinnaples, “Shift Your Focus to the Highest Impact Job Search Activities During the Holidays to Leverage Your Time”

@erinkennedycprw, Professional Resume Services, “How to keep up the Job Hunt during the Holidays”

@keppie_careers, Keppie Careers, “Four tips for effective networking follow-up for the holidays and the rest of the year”

@ValueIntoWords, Career Trend, “Navigating the Mistle Toe of Job Search”

@GLHoffman, What Would Dad Say, “Merry Christmas! Can I Buy You Coffee to Talk About Me?”

@BarbaraSafani, Career Solvers, “Holiday Networking Can Facilitate New Year Opportunities”

@expatcoachmegan, Career By Choice Blog, “Expat Networking: Holidays Are a Great Time to Nurture and Grow Your Network”

@chandlee, The Emerging Professional Blog, “Footprints & Associations: Job Search Tips for the Holidays”

@JobHuntOrg, Job-Hunt.org, “(Holiday) Party Your Way to a New Job”

 

@MartinBuckland, Elite Resumes, “Season’s Greetings and your Job Search”
@GayleHoward, The Executive Brand, “It’s Christmas: And a ho-ho-ho-hum?”
@KCCareerCoach, Career Chaos, “The Gift Every Laid Off Job Seeker Needs”
@resumeservice, Resume Writing Blog,“Holiday Resume Sparkle: Outshine the New Year Job-Search Mob”
@heathermundell, life@work, “Have a Holly Jolly Job Search”
@sweetcareers,Sweet Careers, “Holiday Job Search Tips for College Students 2009″
@careersherpa, Hannah Morgan: Career Sherpa, “Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Kwanzaa Cheers”
@careerealism, CAREEREALISM.com, “Holiday Tip for Job Seekers: 4 Ways to Impress Others with Your Professionalism”
@heatherhuhman, HeatherHuhman.com, “4 Tips for Making the Most of Holiday Job Hunting”
@LaurieBerenson, Sterling Career Concepts, “Three Resolutions to Take It Up a Notch”
@KatCareerGal, Quintessential Resumes and Cover Letters Tips Blog, “Avoiding the Holiday Blues in Your Job Search”
@WorkWithIllness, WorkingWithillness.com, “Avoid this Minefield: No Holiday Here!”
@DawnBugni, “The Write Solution Could that sound really be opportunity? During the Holidays?”
@andyinnaples, “Shift Your Focus to the Highest Impact Job Search Activities During the Holidays to Leverage Your Time”
@erinkennedycprw, Professional Resume Services, “How to keep up the Job Hunt during the Holidays”
@keppie_careers, Keppie Careers, “Four tips for effective networking follow-up for the holidays and the rest of the year”
@ValueIntoWords, Career Trend, “Navigating the Mistle Toe of Job Search”
@GLHoffman, What Would Dad Say, “Merry Christmas! Can I Buy You Coffee to Talk About Me?”
@BarbaraSafani, Career Solvers, “Holiday Networking Can Facilitate New Year Opportunities”
@expatcoachmegan, Career By Choice Blog, “Expat Networking: Holidays Are a Great Time to Nurture and Grow Your Network”
@chandlee, The Emerging Professional Blog, “Footprints & Associations: Job Search Tips for the Holidays”

I can help with every part of your job hunt! Need a great resume? Tips to use social networking? Interview coaching?  If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you! While you’re at it, don’t forget those social networks! Be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on Facebook…I’d be thrilled to have you as part of the community! Since we’re on the subject of doing something new…Are you on Twitter? Jump on and touch base with me @keppie_careers.

photo by Robert in Toronto

Use emotional intelligence to overcome job search hurdles during holidays

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robot2458233987_5f5951a48e_mI hope you have been following the recent blogging series with great advice from my colleagues in various sectors of the “careers” industry. (See the links at the end of this post.) Today, I have a contribution from Lisa Caldas Kappesser, author of The Smart New Way to Get Hired: Use Emotional Intelligence and Land the Right Job.

I think emotional intelligence is one of the most overlooked factors in job seeking and have written about “soft skills” several times. (Follow THIS LINK to learn more about soft skills/emotional intelligence.)

Lisa’s thoughts on the question of job searching during the holidays:

The holidays are a joyous time for many people, but for those who are out of work and looking for a job, it may not feel like such a joyous time.

Losing a job is one of the top five most stressful life events and it is filled with many emotions such as sadness, anger, frustration and worry.  Losing a job impacts family budgets and plans, and everyone in the family is affected by such an event.

Being out of a job over the holidays adds to this stress.  Buying presents and food for meals and parties can be very draining on budgets.  Parents and children also have to cope with the reality of how it will affect their holiday spending and plans.  An airplane trip to visit grandma may be out of the picture this year.

So how do you get through this tough time and stay productive in your job search?

Well it begins with awareness of your emotions and managing them effectively.
Emotional intelligence is “the capacity for recognizing our own feelings and those of others, for motivating ourselves, and for managing emotions well in ourselves and others” (Daniel Goleman, Emotional Intelligence, 1995).  It entails four skill areas: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness and social skills that, when used together effectively, can bring about your desired impact or outcome.

The good news is that everyone has these skills to some degree but they can be further developed to increase one’s effectiveness in reaching goals. I see emotional intelligence as a tool that one can use to be more successful in their job search.

Being aware of your feelings is the first step. Reflect on the bodily signs and label what you are feeling, for example, angry or worried.  Vent your feelings in healthy ways through talking, writing or exercising. These feelings are natural and normal. Next, reflect on your thoughts.  Thoughts drive emotions. Are you thinking negative or pessimistic thoughts? If so, this can lead to can lead to unproductive behavior.

Being emotionally intelligent is about challenging and changing your negative thoughts and making them realistic and positive.  This will in turn drive positive behaviors and create energy.   If you are constantly worrying about getting a job because you are telling yourself there are not enough jobs to go around, or you don’t have the education needed to get a job, you will feel increasingly worried, hopeless and sad.  Feeling this way can lead you to procrastinate, sleep more or avoid job search tasks which work against your ultimate goal of finding a job.  The reality is that it is a difficult time. However, there are jobs available.

Turnover is a part of life.  The reality is that the job market is very competitive.  You should do all that you can to stay in the running for that position that you are interested in.  If you feel education is a factor, start taking a class or certification course.

Keep a sense of humor.  Remember to keep things in perspective.  Embrace changes by expecting them and use your energy to problem solve and adapt rather than to fight or complain.  When faced with difficult situation, ask yourself three questions:

1. What do I have control over?

2. What don’t I have control over?

3. What can I do?

The answer always comes back to the fact that you have control over yourself and how you adapt and deal with the situation. You have no control over others or the economy.  You can influence others and organizations but you can not control or change them.  So use your energy and manage yourself. Influence what you can and you will feel better and in turn have more energy and motivation.

Communicate with your families regarding the situation  as well as the plan. Remember, everyone may experience the situation a little differently.  Try to see things from others’ perspectives and be respectful and caring.  This will go a long way.  Working together as a team through the changes and tough times can bring families closer together.

Lisa Kappesser is president of EQ Coaching Solutions. She develops and facilitates emotional intelligence programs for organizations to improve teamwork and enhance leadership.

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Be sure to take a look at all the great advice from my colleagues:

Part 1 – My suggestions and a free ebook offer

Part 2 – Walter Akana – Take care of yourself

Part 3 – Anita Bruzzese – Stay ahead of the crowd

Part 4 – Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter – Unplug and embrace rest

Part 5 – Wendy Enelow – Ideas for employed and unemployed job seekers

Part 6 – GL Hoffman – Use time to research and prepare

Part 7 – Meghan M. Biro – Use the holidays as a time for self assessment

Part 8 – Craig Fisher – Recruiters don’t ease up during the holidays – neither should you

Part 9 – Ronnie Ann – Take advantage of other peoples’ resolutions

Part 10 – Alison Doyle and Andrea Santiago – Use parties and festive occassions to fuel your job search

Part 11 – Sharlyn Lauby – Take your job search social

Part 12 – Karla Porter – Be in it to win it

I can help with every part of your job hunt! Need a great resume? Tips to use social networking? Interview coaching?  If you need help mobilizing your networks and your job search plans, learn more about how I can help you! While you’re at it, don’t forget those social networks! Be sure to become a fan of Keppie Careers on Facebook…I’d be thrilled to have you as part of the community! Since we’re on the subject of doing something new…Are you on Twitter? Jump on and touch base with me @keppie_careers.

photo by donsolo