Ask the expert: job searching
This year, along with pledges to get in shape and eat healthier, finding work ”” or finding a new workplace ”” may be a common New Year”™s resolution.
As Fairfield County rings in 2013, the Business Journal spoke to career coach Elizabeth Carter, president of Beth Carter Enterprises in Fairfield, about what job seekers and employers should keep in mind as the county”™s labor force looks to get back on track.
The following are excerpts from that conversation:
Business Journal: What is the most common mistake people make when looking for a new job?
Carter: “There are actually two. The first is sounding desperate. Recruiters and hiring managers recognize that you are anxious to hear how the search is going but there are a lot of factors that stall a search ”” travel schedules, meetings, holidays, interviewing other candidates and project deadlines. A person in a job search needs to be patient and understand that the search is moving slowly for many reasons that have nothing to do with them. In addition, companies are doing more due diligence so they are asking candidates to come back for multiple interviews.
“The other (mistake) is before one starts looking for a job. I counsel my clients on what I call ”˜life lessons,”™ not ”˜get a job lessons.”™ One is you should always be out there. Attend one networking event a quarter, be active on LinkedIn and check in with contacts periodically.”
What should employers doing to hire and retain the best workers?
“Employers need to really assess what they are looking for in these positions. Too often the expectations are not clearly defined as well as the future growth opportunities. Hiring managers need to be trained to ask the right questions to make sure the candidates meet the qualifications. Too often the questions are ambiguous or vague so they are not getting the information they need to select the best candidate.
“Companies have been doing a poor job in retaining employees. Now that the economy is picking up a bit, more people are willing to dip their toes into the search process and seek new opportunities. Money and time off are not the only motivators for people to stay.
“Companies need to conduct assessments to find out what motivates employees. Some ideas are greater praise, free lunches/dinners/breakfasts, on-site day care and/or gyms, more challenging assignments, more opportunities for advancement and additional training/paying for degrees.”
How can you make your application stand out?
“Resumes only get you the interview so they are your first impression in most cases. Make sure it is well written even if you have to use a professional resume writer. Do not use overplayed words, including responsible, track record, etc. Try different fonts and sizes throughout the resume to give it a more professional look. Color and pictures can be used for more creative positions, i.e. advertising or graphic design.”
What advice do you have for people who say they”™re too busy to look for a new job?
“Do it piecemeal. There are five prongs to focus on in your search ”” personal network, recruiters, job boards, social media and direct approach. If one spends a half-hour a day on one of these areas and then rotates the list within a week, the ones you approached can do your search for you. As an example, if you send your resume to 20 personal contacts and if they each forwarded it to two more people, you have actually “touched” 60 people. Why should you do your search yourself when others can help you?”
What else do job seekers and employers need to keep in mind?
“When you make your 30-second pitch, be upbeat, smile and make good eye contact. Being nervous is one thing but being negative is just not allowed.
“Keep in mind that many hiring managers are not well trained. Interviews should be 50-50; they ask 50 percent of the questions and you do the same. Be prepared that you may get asked questions that seem strange like what color would you be and why and what animal would you be and why? Make sure all your answers are no longer than two minutes long.
“Culture is more important than the job itself in most cases. If you are used to working for a large company with many resources and people stay out of your personal life, you may not be well suited for a family-owned company who celebrate every birthday, etc.
“Ask questions that are culture related such as what would a typical day look like and what resources are available to me. Ask the hiring manager and others you interview what attracted them to the company and what makes them stay there.
“Always do something for professional development, which can be reading a book, taking a class, attending a workshop, participating in a webinar or getting a degree. Continuous learning makes a person more interesting and shows employers you are willing to learn new skills.
“Lastly, keep track of all your contacts. I like to keep it simple so I suggest an Excel spreadsheet.”