W.T.F. Jobseekers? Get Real

I know when you’re looking for a job or out of work, you need all the support you can get. You need encouragement and praise to keep motivated, but sometimes what you really need is some harsh love, this could be one of those occasions.
In my twitter stream recently, I’ve got increasingly frustrated by some comments from job seekers and some of the advice being giving. Here are the top 9  “W.T.F.” comments you really should ignore:

1: If the A.T.S. is too complicated, asks too many questions or takes too long to complete I drop out.

Reality: Many A.T.S.’s suck
Reality: The bigger the drop out the more chance you have of getting the job
Reality: You will not get 100% of the jobs you don’t apply for.
It might be frustrating but you need to stick with it. Employers understand mistakes, and if you are confused by the ATS, ask for help!

2: I only connect with people who send me personalised invites or who I know.

Reality: The number 1 source of hire is referral.
Reality: You never know who knows who till you are connected
Reality: The wider your network, the more chance it will deliver a job
Connect with everyone you can at first invite or finding, you can weed them out later if they are spammers or undesirable.

3: I avoid connecting with recruiters unless they have a job for me.

Reality: Recruiters get people jobs.
Reality: If there is anyway a recruiter can place you they will, it’s how they eat. They are however, not the welfare office or career coaches.
Reality: If a recruiter has a job for you, they will hunt you down.
Make as many recruiter contacts as you can. Don’t expect instant feedback and make it easy to work with you by being friendly and having a clear idea of what you want. Don’t give them a hard time if they have nothing for you now, and DON’T as was suggested, put the phone down on them if they don’t know a job/company inside out.

4: It’s pushy to ask for the job

Reality: Many hiring managers take not asking as not interested.
Reality: If you don’t ask, you won’t get. (My mum taught me that.)
Reality: The offer only goes to someone who is perceived to really want it.
Always ask: 1: What the next step is? the timetable for that? Any reservations they have about you and if you can have the next step.

5: Only interview for jobs and cultures that fit what you want.

Reality: Most job descriptions do not match the real job.
Reality: Job descriptions are often changed to fit the candidate once strengths are identified.
Reality: If you don’t go to the interview you will never know.
Don’t be the one that got away. Go for the interview!

6: Lock down your Facebook privacy settings.

Reality: Recruiters are increasingly sourcing candidates through Facebook.
Reality: Your privacy settings are not really private anyway. there are lots of ways in for the really determined.
Reality: The person who can refer you for a job is probably not a college friend or family member.
Clean up your profile if you’re worried about it. Talk to your friends on the phone. Complete your professional details on Facebook. Sign up for BranchOut, they just got a $6mn investment and the networks/job platform is growing quickly. Make it clear you want a job.

7: I don’t prepare for interview because I want to be natural

Reality: The more you prepare the more confident you will feel.
Reality: The more you know about the company and the job, the better questions you can ask and the closer you can present “fit.”
Reality: Hiring managers are impressed with prepared candidates who tell them why they want the job.
Success at interview is 80% in the preparation, only 20% in the presentation.
8: Why should I chase feedback. if they want me, they will contact me.
Reality: The one who gets the job is usually the one who wants it most.
Reality: Every contact reminds the hiring manager of you.
Reality: The jobs not filled till someone starts.
Follow up, communicate and ask for feedback. Express at every stage that you are interested. It’s not their job to hire you, it’s your job to get hired!

9: E-mail is the best way to communicate.

Reality: E-mails get ignored.
Reality: You can counter objections in a call
Reality: You can project enthusiasm in a call.
PICK THE PHONE UP. E-mail is for confirmation and cowards. Don’t be the latter!

That is  the end of my rant. please add your own comments, examples of bad advice that make you say “W.T.F.” and anything else you want to add. Don’t forget to subscribe to this blog to keep getting tips. You can do so on the e-mail button. It’s quick and simple.

Be social in your job search,

Bill

Social Media Job Search Model

I’ve been asked to post on how to develop social media networks in the job search. My starting point is to forget about having separate strategies for each social media channel in isolation.
I consider all social media to be one channel, with each place serving a different purpose.

This is my model for what you can use each channel for, and the tone to take in each place.

1; Linked In – This is where you find targets through search, joining and posting in groups and asking questions. Home base and reference point at the start of the search.

2: Twitter – where the conversation starts. Organise your targets through tweetdeck and start replying, commenting, questioning, retweeting and engaging. Gets you on the radar.

3: Facebook – Fan the company and comment or question. Ask for help.

4: Invite to Friend on Facebook for closer conversation, instant messaging, commenting and looking for opportunity. (don’t be disappointed if this is declined.)

5: You Tube – For showing. Great material for sharing in all the channels and promotes your capability.

6: WordPress for telling and sharing. If you are ready to blog in order to showcase your skills and opinions.

This is my model of the stages of building social presence through the channels, to link you with the right targets in your job search.

Good luck in making your job search social.

Bill

Linked In Profiling

Get your picture right! don't be faceless

There has been a lot of talk around what Linked In actually is. Is it a glorified job board, a directory for sourcing or something more.

The reality is, it is what you make it.

Your Linked In profile should be the first thing you get right. It is your reference base, reflects what you are and is the place where you are most likely to be found.

My tips on getting your profile right:

1: Get your picture professional and memorable. I have the pointing arms and hands, but that’s because I’m a speaker and trainer. No Beach shots, cartoons or comedy faces. I advocate using the  same avatar in all of your social places for instant recognition from followers or fans.

2: Your top line leads the way in the search and comes up in the “People you might know” field. It is the first impression. If you are between jobs, (I dislike the term transition”), make it clear the type of role you are looking for by job title. Make it key-word rich. I have included the top 100 words recruiters search for from The Ladders.  Use high-ranking terms where they are relevent, and separate them by full stops or commas. (As in all bio’s)

3; Change your update every 2 – 3 days. This is where Linked In starts to get social, but remember that it is not Facebook, hence not the place for funnies or non-business related stuff. For ease of use I have linked twitter with Tweetdeck. I don’t include all the tweets, only my updates. You can update direct from Tweetdeck by adding the hashtag #in.

CAUTION: If you have set the twitter update option in Linked In, take #in out of  any retweets or they will appear as your update, hence the reason lots of bloggers add them to their tweets!

Your connections will get your updates and will comment on them. In particular, post positive comments about companies you have interviewed with, (don’t say the interviewer was rude and an idiot!). Many larger hiring companies use social media listening tools like Radian6 and will pick up on the positive or negative feedback. (This applies to all channels, not just Linked In.)

4: Use a popular key word in your current job title. Include all your past jobs and job titles. For websites, use all the links to connect with you at Facebook, your blog or other social places. Put your Twitter name in the twitter section.

5: For recommendations, don’t just recommend those that have recommended you. Think who can be authentic and will say more than a few words. If anyone tells you that you have done a good job, ask them to recommend you. Give your own recommendations only where they are deserved, and make your comments personal and original. Remember, your judgment could be weighed up on who you rate!

6: Keep your summary clear and to the point. Again, make it key word rich, and be clear at the top the type of post you are seeking. Get someone to review how well it reads.

Tomorrow I’m going to post on how you can be social on linked In, how to get the best out of groups (you should belong to all that you can, maximum 50), and the applications you should add to get the most from this channel. please post on areas you feel you want help or a viewpoint on, and subscibe to the blog.

Keep being social in your job search,

Bill

Links Listed:

Controlling Settings And Preferences On Your Account – Linked In

Settings For Photos On Linked In

Top 100 Keywords Recruiters Search On From The Ladders

Setting Options for Tweet Applications On Linked In

Tweetdeck.Com

Radian6