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3 Job Search Problems Solved
By Kevin Donlin, Author of "51 Ways to Find a Job Fast"
Here are 3 problems that
job seekers are experiencing as we begin 2007 -- and my
suggested solutions. Will you find your problem solved
here?
Problem #1: How can I find an "inside" contact at
a company to send a resume to when applying for jobs? It
would help to personalize communications between the job
seeker and the employer.
Solution: When responding to a job posting, do
whatever it takes to find out who the decision maker is.
To get the names of these hiring authorities, try your
personal network first and Web-based tools second.
Remember this rule: Computers don't hire. Only people
can hire. So any information about an employer you can
gather from people you know (or the people they know) is
of value. Go through your email address book for names,
or use a resource like Linkedin.com to connect with more
people.
Problem #2: How can I locate unadvertised job
leads? I want to get beyond the recruiter to someone who
cares.
Solution: Spend more time talking to people who
already care about you. Start with your family.
Right now, the job opening you want is out there --
between somebody's ears. Your task is to get into the
minds of as many people as possible, until your
qualifications match an employer's needs. That's how you
get hired. And that's what networking is all about.
Now. If you're at all average, you probably think you've
told "everyone" in your family about your job search.
But have you, really? Have you:
Written down the name of every single relative you have,
aged 18 to 108?
Shown that list to your family to make sure you didn't
forget anyone?
Contacted everyone on that list to tell them exactly
what type of job you seek, the company you'd like to
work for and the city where you want to work?
Asked each relative for the names of at least 3 people
who know of potential employment leads or who might know
of them?
Thanked everyone you spoke to for their time?
Repeated this process every 30 days until hired?
OK. What about relatives who live far away? Should you
spend time calling them for job leads? Well, you have
friends in other states, right? Your relatives do, too.
All it takes is one contact at one company and you'll be
hired. So stop making excuses and start making phone
calls.
In the end, you can't depend on a recruiter, the
government or the Internet to come rescue you -- they
don't care about you. Your family does. Start talking to
them about your job search today.
Problem #3: How can I find model answers to the
most common interview questions? And how should I
conduct myself at the interview?
Solution: Try "The Interview Center" at
Monster.com. There you'll find tips for answering dozens
of the most common questions, with advice on how to
handle behavioral interviews, as well as virtual
interviews that let you practice online.
However ... once you know what you want to say, there's
no substitute for practicing your interview skills with
another live human (we're back to the importance of
people again!)
Because there's more to interviewing than words. You
also communicate by your tone of voice, vocabulary,
posture, wardrobe, food stuck in your teeth, etc. So you
absolutely must get feedback on these areas from people
you trust. And mock interviews are the way to do it.
Kevin Donlin is President of Guaranteed Resumes and
author of "51 Ways to Find a Job Fast -- Guaranteed."
It's the only job search resource that gets you hired --
or double your moneyback. For more information on how to
find a job fast, follow this link.
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