Keppie Careers

Social media speaker, social media consultant, job search coach

Archives for 2009

How to negotiate in a recession, Part 1

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money_on_table_1The news is not good. Talk of a recession is now turning to talk of a depression. If you do land a new job, what options do you have for negotiating your salary? Can you afford to be aggressive in negotiating your salary? Do you want to risk leaving money “on the table?”

As with most career advising, there is no one “right” answer. How you proceed will depend on your industry, your level of expertise and how important your position is to the organization. I do not advise entering a negotiation thinking that you should jump at any offer you are “lucky enough” to get. Organizations still need to recruit talent. Take a good, long look in the mirror. Know what you offer and negotiate based on that value. There is a lot to keep in mind…

Research, research, research.

Before you get the point of being asked to name salary, you must do your homework! Yes, that should include online research. Alison Doyle, who writes the About.com Job Search column lists several sites to visit. (Feel free to list others in the comments section.)

In addition, you’ll want to talk to people to try to determine if you can get a sense of salary ranges. Although there’s been talk of employees sharing salary information with each other, it is not generally accepted to ask someone what he or she earns! However, it is acceptable to talk about ranges and to ask general questions. For example, “Does this company typically pay at the high or low end of the industry’s range?”

What should you list on an application that asks for salary?

Avoid listing salary. Write “negotiable.”

What should job seekers do to be prepared to actually negotiate an offer?

What to know about yourself. Make some choices about your needs: Before you begin negotiating, make a list of the things that are key factors for you:
-    What’s going to make you love your job?
-    What will make you proud to come to work every day?
-    What would keep you at a company?

What to know about the organization?

Be prepared and informed. ?How badly does the employer need to fill the position for which you are being considered? How difficult is it to find someone with your special skills?  This information lets you know what type of leverage you will have to negotiate a better offer. Most importantly though, you must have conducted comparative salary research (as described above). Determine your market value in the profession and location. Once you have all of this information, along with your own salary history, you can determine how to negotiate your offer – even in a recession!

Stay tuned tomorrow for what to do once you have an offer!

Need to get to the offer? I can help! A new resume and job search strategies can make all the difference!

photo by massdistraction

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Am I my resume?

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chorus-line294889505_5fb796bebc_mHave you ever seen the play The Chorus Line? It’s about a group of dancers trying to get jobs…

When I was graduating Michigan, and my best friend and I were busy conducting informational interviews and trying to figure out our future plans (plan A, plan B and plan C), we used to sing this song. Loudly…

Some lyrics for your review:

[TRICIA]

I really need this job.

Please God, I need this job.

I’ve got to get this job.

….

[A FEW VOICES]

My unemployment is gone.

[ALL]

Please, God, I need this job.

…

[ALL]

I’ve got to get this show.

[PAUL]

Who am I anyway?

Am I my resume?

That is a picture of a person I don’t know.

What does he want from me?

What should I try to be?

So many faces all around, and here we go.

I need this job, oh God, I need this show.

Is your resume a picture of a person you don’t know? I can help! Contact me so we can put together a resume that represents you!

photo by phrenologist

How to convert your resume to a text only file

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blue-arrows374707207_612c8c49d2_mThanks to Laura Smith-Proulx for a reminder that resume databases may still require job seekers to convert their resumes to plain text to apply for positions. These are the steps that Laura suggests to convert from Microsoft Word to ASCII text form:

1 – First, ensure that you have saved your new resume document in Microsoft Word format in at least TWO places on your hard drive.

HINT:  For backup purposes, you may also want to email it to a friend or family member in case your hard drive fails.

2 – Next, save your resume document by choosing Save As from the File menu, then using the pull-down menu for Save as Type (under the File Name box) to select Plain Text INSTEAD of Microsoft Word Document.

IMPORTANT: Give your new text file a different name, such as “Resume Text File,” so that you do not confuse it with your original Word document.

3 – A File Conversion window will appear. Check the button for MS-DOS Conversion and the box under it labeled Allow Character Substitution. Click OK.

4 – Now, close the document and go to the Start menu. (When you close the document, you may receive a message stating that the document contains changes not compatible with Word. Click OK to proceed.)

From the Start menu, click Run, and then type in NOTEPAD inside the Open window. Click OK.

5 – A Notepad window will open. Go to File and find the Text File you just created. Click on it to open the File.

6 – You will see your resume shown with some lines put together. This is perfectly normal.

IMPORTANT:  Many lines will scroll entirely across the page, ALL the way to the right. This is perfectly normal and expected. Do NOT change these lines.

Start by adding extra line spaces between lines that seem to run together. Your goal is to add white space in this file so that it is readable.

Separate out your phone number, street address and email address onto different lines.

Do the same with your resume headings, titles and any keyword tables.

Add extra lines in between each resume Section and job. Remember that a human MUST be able to READ this file.

7 – Finally, go to File and then Save to save your changes.

8 – To test and find out how your ASCII Text File will look when viewed in a text box, open it back up in Notepad.

Select Edit, then Select All, then Copy, and then paste the text into an email to yourself. This is EXACTLY how your text resume will look to the reader. If any changes are needed, open the file back up in Notepad, and add white space or remove tabs.

9 – Now, you are ready to use the ASCII Text File to apply for jobs online. When you view a job application that states “Paste Resume Here,” open your text file in Notepad, select Edit, choose Select All, then Copy, and paste all of the contents into the online text box.

Need help writing your resume? Contact me! I will make sure that your materials are targeted and focused on skills and accomplishments.

How to stay upbeat for your job hunt, Part 2

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sun299143323_9471124ba0_mYou’ve already heard – having a positive attitude is important for your job search.  We all know it is not easy to keep a cheery disposition when the news around every corner doesn’t look so good. But the disgruntled job seeker is less likely to land a job. Who wants to hire Bitter Bob, Sarcastic Sue or Desperate Derrick?

Susan Strayer reminds us that it isn’t easy to keep your spirits up. She offers “10 tips for handling a job search during a tough time.” Read the first 5 tips HERE. Now for tips 6 through 10. (Commentary is my own.)

6) Gimme a break. Yep, a real break!

Even if you were a workaholic at your job, it does not mean that you should be a jobseeker-aholic! Plan in some down time. Watch a movie. Go for a walk or to the park. Take the weekend off. You’ll be more refreshed and less likely to burn out if you give yourself some down time.

7) Patience is a virtue
Don’t be a toe-tapper.

I once received an email from a client who was anxiously waiting to hear back from a very large employer. They told her that she was under consideration for a position. That was two weeks ago. Her question: Does this employer typically take so long?

My response: When you are waiting for an employer to get back to you about a job (especially a large employer with an HR department and a lot of hiring layers), think in terms of months, not days.

Her reply was very smart: “I guess I should stop toe-tapping.”

8) Lean on friends and family
If they want to help, let them! Don’t be a hero.

9) Admit when you need help
Consider hiring a career coach, which could propel your search.  Your career is one of your most crucial financial investments. Whether you are actively engaged in a search, underemployed or unhappily employed, it makes sense to consult an expert as you embark on your search for a new job.

10) Be realistic. Really.
Clarify expectations for your search. Unless you have already optimized your materials and have a well-developed network, you probably aren’t going to find a job in a few weeks. However, as Susan points out, “If your search isn’t working something is wrong.” There ARE jobs – you just need to be sure you are making yourself competitive for them. Don’t blame the economy or your age if you don’t land interviews. Review and revise your materials and your networking techniques.

You do control how you approach your hunt…Take the wheel and drive your own career bus! Let me know if you need help!

photo by feuillu

How to stay upbeat for your job hunt, Part 1

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sun711161806_fcf773a330_mYou’ve already heard – having a positive attitude is important for your job search.  We all know it is not easy to keep a cheery disposition when the news around every corner doesn’t look so good. But the disgruntled job seeker is less likely to land a job. Who wants to hire Bitter Bob, Sarcastic Sue or Desperate Derrick?

Susan Strayer reminds us that it isn’t easy to keep your spirits up. She offers “10 tips for handling a job search during a tough time.” Here are her top 5, stay tuned tomorrow for the rest. (Commentary is my own.)

1) Every job search needs a plan.
Identify your goals. You can’t get anywhere until you decide the destination! Stop and evaluate. What characteristics and traits make you special? What are you (or do you hope to be) known for in your field?

2) Planning is key. Seriously.
I tell my clients to set realistic goals. How many people will you contact to request informational meetings? How much time will you spend online? When are you going to set aside time to tweak your resume to target specific employers? Plan your time so you can avoid feeling like you are spinning your wheels and not getting anything done.

3) Be honest with yourself and your family.
Rely on them for support. Susan suggests sharing if you’ve had a bad day and letting your kids or other family members help cheeer you up.

4) Variation
Change up your job search preparation. Use your plan to help vary your day. Don’t spend 8 hours in front of the computer in the row!

5) Quality not quantity
So many people sit and zap out 100 resumes in one day and call it productive. Don’t be that person! Applying for jobs online may be a small part of your plan, but sending the same resume out 100 times is useless. Have you experienced the feeling that your resume is going into a “black hole?” If your strategy is about how many jobs you can apply for and is not focused on how well to apply for them, it probably IS going into a black hole.

Spend your time networking and connecting with people who can share information with you. Connect and share what you know about your industry and offer your expertise. Look for opportunities to grow the circle of people who know you and would be willing to share information about you if an opportunity does come up.

You do control how you approach your hunt…Take the wheel and drive your own career bus! Let me know if you need help!

Stay tuned for 5 more tips tomorrow!

photo by jalalspagues