A little help for your job search

3/27/2010

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I wrote a resume for a recent college graduate last week and gave him a few helpful hints for his job search.  Just wanted to share those with you. 

1.  Follow-up - this includes following up when you haven't heard anything back from a possible employer, as well as following up with a thank you card after your interview.  Don't think that after you sent your resume, you're done.  Work hard to get the interview, then work hard after you've already had it.  Keep your name in front of that person and ensure they know you are passionate about that job and you are more than capable of doing it.

2.  Network, network, network - In our current economy, it is believed that 90% of all jobs come from within the company or through a referral by an employee already working there.  Only 10% of the jobs will ever be realized by answering job search engines and the classifieds.  Therefore, spend 90% of your time making connections and networking, and 10% of the time answering those ads.

3.  Prepare your elevator speech - This is a 30 second pitch that tells who you are, what you want, and what you can provide.  It should not be a formal, memorized speech, but should always be in the back of your head, ready for recollection.  You never know when you'll meet the employer of your dreams and you don't want to blow it by stuttering and stumbling over yourself because you weren't prepared.

4.  Market yourself - Going hand in hand with netorking, you need to meet people and then be ready to tell them what you can offer.  If you can't tell someone why you are needed, then you won't be needed. 

5.  Prepare for the interview - Don't just put your nice clothes on and practice answering a few questions.  Research the company, know their strengths and weaknesses, know if they've recently been in the news, and if possible, know about the people who will be interviewing you. 

For anyone out there in the midst of a job search, I hope these few tips help.
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What the candidates told me before they started speaking. Communication at it's best and worst.

3/18/2010

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I recently attended a meet and greet with several candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives.  As I sat sipping my coffee, I watched each of them working the room and made several observations before I had shaken a single hand.

1.  Two were dressed in suits and ties and looked confident and secure in their attire, reaking of professionalism.  Before I knew anything about them, they told me that they were both used to this environment and fit for the job.  Two others were also wearing suits and ties, but appeared fidgety.  They pulled at their cuffs and their ties weren't tied properly.  They were obviously doing their best at looking professional and playing the part, but I could tell they were blue collar men, not used to dress up occassions.  One wore Carharts with keys dangling from the beltloop, one wore khaki's and a cheap knit shirt, and one wore a pair of blue jeans.  I didn't even know this last one was running because he lurked in the shadows and tried to avoid contact until time to speak.

2.  Several of them handed out some sort of media explaining who they were and what they stood for - a card, a brochure, or a flier.  The two men who were wearing suits and looking professional, had large, glossy fliers with several colors, a great layout, and a very concisly and effectively worded message.  Very professional.  Others had tri-fold brochures they printed off of the inkjet at their house.  One of these showed a picture of he and his wife.  Neither were smiling.  Both looked miserable.  Very un-professional.  The professionals handed their fliers to the individual people, the un-professionals set them on the table and moved on, never speaking to the voter in the seat.

3.  The two men in professional suits and quality media worked the room quickly and effectively.  They spoke with everyone there, taking enough time to tell their listener who they were and what they were doing, and in turn listening to what this potential supporter had to say.  Then they moved on, effectively giving every person in the room a moment of quality time.  Other candidates either ignored some altogether or spent all their time on only one or two different people.

As I sat drinking my coffee, having not spoken to anyone, but watching everyone, I knew the race would come down to two candidates.  The rest of them were wasting their time.  Watching the voters sitting around the room, I could tell they were thinking the same as I.  Once the floor was opened to questions, more questions were directed at those two and more people wanted to be heard by those two. 

Think about the message you are presenting when you're not saying anything.  How are you dressed?  How do you carry yourself?  Do you exude professionalism?  Do people see you as a serious person doing serious business before they speak with you?  Or do they glance over you and move on, concluding in a snap second assessment that you're not a person to get things done?

I encourage everyone to think about your silent communication this week and focus on what you're saying when you're not saying anything. 
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Michael Summers Writing Service is now operational!

3/15/2010

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Michael Summers Writing Service is up and running!  I've been working non-stop to turn this passion of writing into a business that will truly help the companies of Indiana grow and flourish.  I'm still building my client list, have been writing furiously and networking like mad, and the results are starting to roll in.

Along with my products and samples, I'll be including a lot of tips and tricks for many different subjects, right here.  The plan is to add at least one new post weekly, so I encourage everyone to start passing the word along about my services and check back often to see my updates and advice. 
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