Job Talk

by Susan K. Maciak, www.cameocareer.com

For many folks, it feels like they’re out of the job market–unless they win the Gold Medal in their career field at this year’s Olympics. It’s true that a person needs to be competitive to find work these days, but not necessarily a champion in their field.

There’s room for all types if you know where to look. Over 65 percent of jobs today are in small businesses, even start-ups, not in the big old corporations that used to employ people by the thousands.

So start knocking on doors at the ‘Mom and Pop’ shops in your neighborhood–or look for them online. The pay and benefits may be less than you’d like, but the opportunities for advancement are wide open.

Match your skills to those you know will help grow a new business. Then, go out and sell yourself as just the person ABC Company needs to get to Z.

by Susan K. Maciak, lead consultant, www.cameocareer.com

Your resume has 30 seconds to make a good impression on someone. It’ll go quickly to the bottom of the pile if it is:  sloppy, smudged, full of misspelled words, or hard to read at a quick glance.

Your resume will make a good impression immediately if dates and places are easy to follow throughout your career, if you used powerful words to describe your experience, if your knowledge and skills are included in concise, but specific, terms.

by Susan K. Maciak, Lead Consultant, www.cameocareer.com

Employers now often require job candidates to fill out online applications, even online resumes. Does that mean you should ditch your old one?

Please don’t! Job candidates still need a one-page, paper resume, revealing their job history, educational achievements, work experience, skills, strengths and special abilities.

Anyone who can’t provide the same information online is at a serious disadvantage today. Employers often require online applications and resumes “in addition” to paper ones.

You may still need to mail or fax your resume to show off your major work achievements. Employers only ask what they need to know. Online resumes don’t give you a chance to reveal assets.

Often a candidate sends a resume and is then invited to go online to fill out the employer’s version. Employers have several reasons for asking you to do that: 1) to test your computer skills.  2) to compare what you sent in to what you put in your online resume. They’re looking for inconsistencies.

Their software may also be able to scan for key words that illustrate that separate the candidates that qualify for  a job from those who don’t. They may simply want to level the playing field by having all job-seekers answer the same question.

If you get an interview, you can still bring a copy of your paper resume to handout to interviewers. That way, you can sell yourself again at the table.

by Susan K. Maciak, www.cameocareer.com

All employers want to know “What’s in it for us?” If we hire you, what will you as a jobseeker bring to this company? When you interview for a job you want, don’t wait to be asked. You can ensure that you’re the best candidate for the job by asking the right questions. Five questions candidates should always ask, include:

1. What are your company’s goals for the future? When you inquire about an organization’s long-term plans, you show that you are interested in helping to reach them. To show you’re really serious, take notes on answers to this question.

1. How could I help your company succeed? This query demonstrates that you will know your role as a new employee. You not only know that your position is important to the company’s bottom line, but this question also shows that you are willing to work as part of the team that

Intends to make things happen. You’re not just looking for a job because you need a paycheck.

1. What important personnel policies and practices should I know about? Again, you’re signaling that you want to be a team player. This question also illustrates that the culture of a company is important to you. And it should be. If hired, you’ll be spending a lot of your time there.

1. How would you describe the ideal candidate for this job? By asking interviewers to “put the shoe on the other foot, you’ll get important clues on which of your traits you should emphasize

before you leave, in a second interview, or in your thank you note. You also reveal to prospective employers that you want to understand their needs and fulfill them.

1. What future opportunities would this company have for me? Everyone who interviews should ask this question for their own benefit. Beyond the possibilities of future advancement, though, this probe sends a message that you would stay in this job for the long haul. It also tells prospective employers that you would consider applying on-the-job skills you learn to better the company in a management position some day.

If you can keep your interview centered on the company you will be working for, you’re most likely to be the candidate company representatives want to hire.

by Susan K. Maciak, Consultant                                                                                                          www.cameocareer.com

You’ve heard of salespeople making pitches for their products? Entrepeneurs unveiling their ideas for new ventures? Carnival barkers pitching the next show?

“Come one, come all . . . to the greatest show on earth,” calls  the ringmaster at a three-ring circus. That’s one of the oldest pitches in the world.

If you’re looking for a job, you need to attract almost as much attention to your search. Start by penning yourself a pitch.  Know it and show it to everyone you meet.

A pitch for a job is often called an ‘elevator’ statement. It has to be short enough to say between floors . . . and strong enough to create a memorable impression. It should promote your best side. It’s your personal commercial.

After introducing yourself, try saying  something like this: “I’m a frustrated writer, looking for a job. Can you recommend an employer who needs someone who’s good with words?”

Or, “I want a job I’ll love. Do you know of anyone who needs an enthusiastic employee like me?”

Practice your pitch and make it to everyone you meet. Sooner or later, it’ll open your eyes to the right opportunity.

For more jobseeking tips, see www.cameocareer.com

If you have career or job-seeking questions, add them as a comment to this post. Cameo will answer your questions.

www.cameocareer.com

by Susan K. Maciak, www.cameocareer.com

What is the best way to get a job?

Network. Network. Network. About 70 percent of jobs go to people who network! That doesn’t mean you don’t need a good resume, cover letter and references. You need the complete package, but networking is the best way to open doors to a new career opportunities.

What is networking? Networking is nothing more than getting out and telling people you are looking for a new job. The key is to tell the right people.

Start by telling all your friends, neighbors and colleagues. Then, find places and events where you can meet people in the field you hope to enter.

For example, if you want to work as a sales person, go to places where sales people are likely to be found — trade shows, conferences and workshops for sales people, coffee shops, happy hours, etc.

Introduce yourself to as many people as possible. After saying  your name, add: “I’m looking for a job selling widgets. Do you have any suggestions for me?” You’ll be surprised how many leads you get!

What’s the difference between a job and a career? One dictionary defines a career as a “road.” It goes on to saythat “a career is one’s progress through life.” In other words, your career is your road through life. Your career could also be called your purpose. What are you meant to do with your life?

Each job you may have along the way is a sspan or stretch in your career road. It makes sense, then, that you give serious consideration to each job you apply for. Ask: How is this job going to take me along my career path? How is this job going to help me fulfill my purpose in life?

by Susan K. Maciak, Consultant, www.cameocareer.com

What’s your career plan? This question is often asked in disguise in job interviews. An interviewer is more likely to ask “Where do you see yourself five years from now?”

If you can’t see yourself anywhere in five or 10 years, you have no career plan. You need one. Don’t risk losing a job opportunity, because you don’t. Worse yet, don’t short-change yourself by failing to plan.

For a simple career plan, write down what you would like to be doing five or 10 years from now. Do you see yourself as a department head? Do you picture yourself at the same job, but as best in your field? Or do you want to finish graduate school and move from an entry level position to a specialist of some sort?

Write down your goal, then list all the steps you will take to reach it. When you’re done, you’ll have a career plan — and a much better shot at reaching higher heights throughout your career.

Be honest with yourself–but be careful what you tell a job interviewer. For example, if your career plan is to be in business for yourself within 10 years, you don’t want to spell that out to someone who hopes  you’ll be with their company forever. Or at least until they decide to downsize!

A more general goal, such as “being in charge of a business” or “heading a company” will serve you better in the meantime.

by Susan K. Maciak, Career Consultant, www.cameocareer.com

 What do employers really want to know about you when they ask

about your interpersonal skills? They’re not interested in your social

life. What they wonder is, “Do you get along with other people in work

situations?” In other words, do you:

• Participate as a member of a team?
• Contribute to group efforts?
• Teach others new skills?
• Cheerfully provide customer service for clients/customers?
• Work hard to meet customers’ expectations?
• Exercise leadership when needed?
• Follow others when needed?
• Communicate ideas to justify your views?
• Persuade and convince others of good ideas?
• Negotiate– or work toward agreements?
• Understand divergent interests among groups of people?
• Work well with people of diverse cultural backgrounds?
• Work equally well with both men and women?
• Respect the viewpoints of other people?
• Treat everyone equally?

For more, return to  www.cameocareer.com