plenzmd1 Posted October 21, 2009 Posted October 21, 2009 This sounds like something out of the book called "What Color is my Parachute?" Did you happen to read it? I just started reading it and it seems like a great book to help you with finding a new job/career. Actually, I have not read that book, but my advice is more from sales 101..more specifically something called VITO letters. After all, finding a job is in reality a sales cycle..just the product is yourself. Very few people take the time to do research and write a well crafted letter explaining how thier services/goods ( in this case his intellect)will actually make an impact on that specific company..and not some generic BS save time/money with my stuff. WVU needs to read websites, do an advanced google search for the company he wants to target and pull all files..you would be amazed at the powerpoints on the web that descibe the strategy for the organiztion, the wealth of information given to analysts etc, all right on the web by doing an advanced google search
WVUFootball29 Posted October 21, 2009 Author Posted October 21, 2009 What do you want to do? You've got an audience of hundreds of people right here....make it clear what kind of job you are seeking. Employers don't like "I'll take any job" (I actually saw that once on a resume). "Will work for any salary" is another one I've seen that should be avoided. I agree with Chef that you should identify companies you would like to work for (and who likely have jobs that would fit your skills) and write them letters. If they are looking for someone with your skills, you'll get noticed. Otherwise, probably not. Trust me, after reading 30 repetitive resumes on Monster, I'm on autopilot. Those big sites are just as crappy for employers as for job seekers. Ugh, isn't that the age old question. Truthfully, when I went to WVU for Sport Management my goal was to become an Athletic Director or work in a front office in pro sports. However, to even sniff a job like that, you gotta know someone who knows someone who probably slept with someone. I'm still looking in that field, Teamwork online pretty much lists everything. Just haven't gotten a hit yet. Otherwise, what I'm looking to do is just about any type of management. My education has been in business administration and technology management, but most of my work experience has been in law enforcement. The toughest time I've had is trying to tie what I did as a police officer over to the business world. I'm hoping that when I get my MBA this spring that will help me some too, but I'm not holding my breath. Just an example of a typical week for me doing a job search. I check the area classifieds, I check craigslist, I check USAjobs.gov, I'll check the big three job searches, then linkedin/indeed, teamwork online, and a few companies I've had interest in. As I wrote this post, I received an email from the department of homeland security about some contract specialist positions and they are requesting more information from me. this, plus the Aldi interview is the most attention I've gotten since last October.
KD in CA Posted October 21, 2009 Posted October 21, 2009 Ugh, isn't that the age old question. Afraid so. Even if you don't really know, you better make prospective employers think you do. Truthfully, when I went to WVU for Sport Management my goal was to become an Athletic Director or work in a front office in pro sports. However, to even sniff a job like that, you gotta know someone who knows someone who probably slept with someone. I'm still looking in that field, Teamwork online pretty much lists everything. Just haven't gotten a hit yet. I know zero about that field, but my guess is you'd need to start at the bottom (i.e., Junior staff job in an AD dept at a school with a track record of promoting from within). Of course, those entry level jobs are probably very low down on the pay scale (which is fine if you can afford it and want to invest in building that career). My education has been in business administration and technology management, but most of my work experience has been in law enforcement. The toughest time I've had is trying to tie what I did as a police officer over to the business world. How about corporate security (designing systems, not being a rent-a-cop)? That's a big area these days if you are a Fortune 1000 company; you could work either for a big corp or a security consulting firm.
UB2SF Posted October 22, 2009 Posted October 22, 2009 I agree with Chef that you should identify companies you would like to work for (and who likely have jobs that would fit your skills) and write them letters. If they are looking for someone with your skills, you'll get noticed. Otherwise, probably not. Trust me, after reading 30 repetitive resumes on Monster, I'm on autopilot. Those big sites are just as crappy for employers as for job seekers. The suggestion to target specific companies is right on, but I have to chime in on the suggestion to write them letters. I'm the head of HR for a mid-size company in the SF Bay Area, and with my company still hiring while the economy is in the tank, I am inundated every day with unsolicited letters, e-mails and phone calls. The volume of inbound unsolicited communications is so high, I don't respond to (or even read) any of them. Not a single one. So I would suggest that in addition to using all of the standard job sites, you should develop a target list of employers in your area. (This might take a little research, but it sounds like you have time on your hands and your job search is your top priority!) Most of your target companies will probably post open jobs on their website, so you can begin checking your target companies' websites every day to see if any new jobs are posted. If you follow their defined application process and be one of the first applicants in line for a job for which you're qualified, you're more likely to get noticed than if you just send them usolicited letters. Good luck!
shrader Posted October 23, 2009 Posted October 23, 2009 I hope you don't mind if I borrow this thread for a second. I'm looking for some pointers too. I'm at a point where I want to start looking for a new job. I've been at mine for 5 years and I really feel like I've done just about all I can there and it's time to take that next step. This is the first job I had out of college. Is there any good way to make it known to the current boss that I'm going to start looking? I'm sure I'm going to need the reference at some point, so suddenly asking for that would be an obvious tip off and doesn't seem like the best way to let it be known.
KD in CA Posted October 23, 2009 Posted October 23, 2009 Is there any good way to make it known to the current boss that I'm going to start looking? If you want to start collecting unemployment right away, yes. Seriously, you should be very careful with this line of thinking. Telling your boss you are looking/considering another job before you have another other job off in hand is a good way to end up unemployed. We terminated a salesperson for doing just that earlier this year (no coincidence that her numbers were terrible). Prospective employers will understand that you may not have your direct supervisor available for a reference, so think about others who can comment on your work and character. You are young, so a college prof would still be a reasonable choice. Also, find a co-worker that you can trust -- preferably a peer that had to rely on your work or that you worked in tandem with on projects.
JoeFerguson Posted October 23, 2009 Posted October 23, 2009 Just an example of a typical week for me doing a job search. I check the area classifieds, I check craigslist, I check USAjobs.gov, I'll check the big three job searches, then linkedin/indeed, teamwork online, and a few companies I've had interest in. If all you're doing is stuff at home, you're not doing it right. You need to find job networking meetings in your area. With 10% unemployment, there are lots of these meetings. You can go to networking groups/meetings that are specific to your field, or you can go to general job search meetings. For the general job search meetings, they probably are being held at local churches. You go to the meeting and are in a room with a bunch of other unemployed people. You get up in front of the group and give your 30 second elevator speech that says what experience you have and what type of position you are looking for. The elevator speech that you gave in this post is too convoluted and not concise. You need to learn how to sell yourself in a clear and concise way, that will be understandable to a broad audience. I am a chemist, so in addition to going to general job search meetings, I have attended many local chapter American Chemical Society meetings. Find a networking organization that is specific to your field and start attending their meetings. At these meetings, you will make connections that could lead to a job, but more importantly you will be honing your interviewing skills. You will start to realize how important it is to present yourself, and you will probably figure out why you didn't get the jobs you interviewed for. After finishing grad school, I looked for a job by going to these meetings for about seven months. I finally have found 3 part time jobs that add up to one full time job. Not having a job for seven months was the worst thing that could happen to me financially, but the best thing that could happen to me career wise, because just like you, I did not do any networking in grad school. Also, the worst thing for you to do is get discouraged when you go to these events. Don't expect that getting one business card from some manager will land you a job, you have to keep plugging away and not let the highs get you too excited and the lows get you too down. It is still important to keep abreast of job postings via indeed.com, but you will not be able to position yourself to do well in an interview if you have been an internet job searching quasimodo for several months. You may be a very technically savvy candidate, but if you can't smoke and mirror your way past the HR people, then you probably won't get the interview or the job. The way you learn to speak the language of a recruiter is to go to networking meetings. Although most of the attendees at these meetings are unemployed, they all once had jobs and they are all just as desperate as you are. Because they are desperate, they are happy to connect other desperate strangers with as many of their connections as they have. Use this to your advantage.
shrader Posted October 23, 2009 Posted October 23, 2009 If you want to start collecting unemployment right away, yes. Seriously, you should be very careful with this line of thinking. Telling your boss you are looking/considering another job before you have another other job off in hand is a good way to end up unemployed. We terminated a salesperson for doing just that earlier this year (no coincidence that her numbers were terrible). Prospective employers will understand that you may not have your direct supervisor available for a reference, so think about others who can comment on your work and character. You are young, so a college prof would still be a reasonable choice. Also, find a co-worker that you can trust -- preferably a peer that had to rely on your work or that you worked in tandem with on projects. Part of the problem there is that there really isn't much of a team setting here. It's 3 or 4 doctors and me doing the work for them. They'll all know immediately if I mention something to any of them. I don't know, maybe it's a slight flaw in me that I don't want to suddenly take off, leaving them in a tight spot with no one to finish what I do, since I'm the only one here who actually does that work. I know I need to look out for myself first, but this is a move that would be so out of character for me. I'm also in an interesting situation where the profs I would go to from school actually colaborate with my boss on several projects. If I'm asking anyone for a reference, word will spread. I'd much rather have the news come from me instead of having it heard second hand. I guess I'll deal with that issue if/when people start contacting me.
KD in CA Posted October 23, 2009 Posted October 23, 2009 Part of the problem there is that there really isn't much of a team setting here. It's 3 or 4 doctors and me doing the work for them. They'll all know immediately if I mention something to any of them. I don't know, maybe it's a slight flaw in me that I don't want to suddenly take off, leaving them in a tight spot with no one to finish what I do, since I'm the only one here who actually does that work. I know I need to look out for myself first, but this is a move that would be so out of character for me. Assuming you give the standard 2 weeks (or more if established practice for your job or industry), you can't worry about that. Replacing departing employees is part of running a business. If it's time for you to go, than go. I'm also in an interesting situation where the profs I would go to from school actually colaborate with my boss on several projects. If I'm asking anyone for a reference, word will spread. I'd much rather have the news come from me instead of having it heard second hand. I guess I'll deal with that issue if/when people start contacting me. It's a judgment call you'll have to make, but I wouldn't let anyone know until you are very confident that you are getting another job. I've seem people make that mistake time and again.
shrader Posted October 23, 2009 Posted October 23, 2009 Assuming you give the standard 2 weeks (or more if established practice for your job or industry), you can't worry about that. Replacing departing employees is part of running a business. If it's time for you to go, than go. It's a judgment call you'll have to make, but I wouldn't let anyone know until you are very confident that you are getting another job. I've seem people make that mistake time and again. Yeah, I guess I'll cross that bridge when I get there.
WVUFootball29 Posted October 23, 2009 Author Posted October 23, 2009 I appreciate all the insight guys, it has given me a few new angles to look at. Quick update. Went for my interview at Aldi today...interviewer/district manager is a no show, knew he'd be a no show and doesn't call me to let me know. The store manager got a hold of him and told me he'd call me later today to reschedule. I understand people get busy and what not, but really was it that tough to take 30 seconds call me to let me know, especially after I wanted 40 minutes just to find out he wasn't coming.
The Poojer Posted October 23, 2009 Posted October 23, 2009 sadly in this employer driven market, that is becoming commonplace....i have found HR people are some of the worst at meeting scheduled appointments. I appreciate all the insight guys, it has given me a few new angles to look at. Quick update. Went for my interview at Aldi today...interviewer/district manager is a no show, knew he'd be a no show and doesn't call me to let me know. The store manager got a hold of him and told me he'd call me later today to reschedule. I understand people get busy and what not, but really was it that tough to take 30 seconds call me to let me know, especially after I wanted 40 minutes just to find out he wasn't coming.
erynthered Posted October 23, 2009 Posted October 23, 2009 I appreciate all the insight guys, it has given me a few new angles to look at. Quick update. Went for my interview at Aldi today...interviewer/district manager is a no show, knew he'd be a no show and doesn't call me to let me know. The store manager got a hold of him and told me he'd call me later today to reschedule. I understand people get busy and what not, but really was it that tough to take 30 seconds call me to let me know, especially after I wanted 40 minutes just to find out he wasn't coming. That blows. One of our secretaries daughters went for an interview on Monday at 1PM. When she got there they told her the position had been filled last week. No call no nuttin!!!
BuffaloBud Posted October 23, 2009 Posted October 23, 2009 That blows. One of our secretaries daughters went for an interview on Monday at 1PM. When she got there they told her the position had been filled last week. No call no nuttin!!! That's when you fire off a note to corporate.
Chef Jim Posted October 23, 2009 Posted October 23, 2009 Part of the problem there is that there really isn't much of a team setting here. It's 3 or 4 doctors and me doing the work for them. They'll all know immediately if I mention something to any of them. I don't know, maybe it's a slight flaw in me that I don't want to suddenly take off, leaving them in a tight spot with no one to finish what I do, since I'm the only one here who actually does that work. I know I need to look out for myself first, but this is a move that would be so out of character for me. I'm also in an interesting situation where the profs I would go to from school actually colaborate with my boss on several projects. If I'm asking anyone for a reference, word will spread. I'd much rather have the news come from me instead of having it heard second hand. I guess I'll deal with that issue if/when people start contacting me. Pardon my bluntness. But why is everyone so !@#$ing worried about upsetting people? The day you start a job is when the clock is running for when you'll eventually leave and most all employers know that.
Chef Jim Posted October 23, 2009 Posted October 23, 2009 I appreciate all the insight guys, it has given me a few new angles to look at. Quick update. Went for my interview at Aldi today...interviewer/district manager is a no show, knew he'd be a no show and doesn't call me to let me know. The store manager got a hold of him and told me he'd call me later today to reschedule. I understand people get busy and what not, but really was it that tough to take 30 seconds call me to let me know, especially after I wanted 40 minutes just to find out he wasn't coming. What happened there is exactly what you want to have happen. Guy's a dick and who wants to work for a dick. At least you found it out now as opposed to three months in to your new "career."
shrader Posted October 23, 2009 Posted October 23, 2009 Pardon my bluntness. But why is everyone so !@#$ing worried about upsetting people? The day you start a job is when the clock is running for when you'll eventually leave and most all employers know that. It's just the way I am. It's not really about upsetting them though. I just want to make sure things are left in a way that things can be continued if I do leave. My name will still be attached to this work after I leave.
Chef Jim Posted October 23, 2009 Posted October 23, 2009 It's just the way I am. It's not really about upsetting them though. I just want to make sure things are left in a way that things can be continued if I do leave. My name will still be attached to this work after I leave. "Here's my written resignation with my final day being two weeks from today. It's been a pleasure working with you and I hope our paths cross again someday." Be professional and you'll never burn a bridte. And no need to be overly nice and let them know you're looking, as KD said that's how you find yourself in the unemployment line.
BuffaloBill Posted October 23, 2009 Posted October 23, 2009 Networking is your best friend ... not saying you should ignore the boards but in the current climate you are more likely to find something through people you make the effort to interact with. What kind of job are you seeking?
The Poojer Posted October 23, 2009 Posted October 23, 2009 another suggestion related to networking....NEVER be intimidated to ask someone for help if they are in a position to help. I have several people in other companies throughout the country that i had even the most minimal contact with when we were together at Circuit City....I have no problem asking them for help getting my foot in the door if i see an opening at their current company, or using linkedin, if they have a relationship with someone at a company of interest. this was a tough obstacle for me to overcome, but after a couple instances, I got comfortable with it and as a result, I have greatly expanded my networking by reaching out to these people that before were nothing more than a name on an email distribution list or org chart....networking is an amazing tool.....Linkedin has been probably my most valuable resource in my job search...sadly i haven't had any good ultimate results, but it has opened many doors
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