I thought I'd share with you a couple of emails I received last month
from readers (see below) who wanted help finding a job. Hopefully
this information will be helpful if you're one of the many people
in today's job market.
If you are, I
don't need to tell you how competitive it is out there. With six applicants
for every job opening, you need help finding a job.
The key is to
be determined, but not desperate; resourceful, but not rude; persistent,
but not be a pain in the you-know-what.
I encourage my
clients to be as creative, yet always as professional, as humanly
possible. I tell them to imagine themselves sitting in a waiting room
with five other highly qualified candidates, each waiting to be interviewed
for the same job.
What are the
things that are going to make them stand out from the others?
The answers to this question will provide the necessary things to
help in finding a job.
This is critical.
Because if they don't know what those things are, how can they expect
an employer to know?
Everyone has unique
gifts, talents and experiences. The secret is to make them shine through
in every step of the job search process: from developing a search
strategy to closing the sale during the interview.
Dear Joel, The information you provide is absolutely amazing and helpful.
THANK YOU! My question is how does one follow up with the HR Dept.
when applying for positions online? I find it extremely difficult
to reach out to companies to express further interest that I believe
would separate me from others applying to the position.
Here's the best
way to follow-up and catch their attention:
After you've applied
online, send your cover letter and resume via snail mail. This will
help you get noticed because few applicants think to send hard copies,
as well.
Then send an email
to follow-up on the job. Do this about 3-4 days after you have applied.
Make every effort to identify the person who should receive the email.
It could be a person in HR, a recruiter or the manager you would be
working for. You may have to do some digging and make some phone calls.
But your effort will be well worth it. Once you've targeted this person,
inform him or her you've applied for the position, ask what the next
steps are and when you can arrange for an interview. Be sure to include
your phone number.
Finally, call
the person in charge of the application process (HR, recruiter or
manager). Inform them of your application and when it was sent in.
Grab their attention very quickly by mentioning one or two powerful
reasons why you're the right person for this job.
These above steps
will help in finding a job.
Dear Joel,
Are there other sites I should be posting on other than LinkedIn,
Facebook and tweeter?
"Keep
your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and
belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination and dedication.
Remember all things are possible for those who believe."
~ Gail Devers
"You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to
play better than anyone else."
~ Albert Einstein
"If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have time
to do it over?"
EXECUTIVE COACHING: Garfinkle Executive Coaching provides individualized,
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by creating impact, exercising influence, boosting visibility and
achieving significant victories on key projects. http://www.garfinkleexecutivecoaching.com/
CAREER COACHING: You spend one-third of your life at
work, so you deserve to feel fulfilled by it. Joel's unique 7-Step
Dream Job Process focuses first and foremost on helping you find the
perfect job that aligns with your passions and natural talents. http://www.dreamjobcoaching.com/coaching/career/
SPEAKING: Frequent speaker at keynotes, meetings, conventions
and seminars. He will energize your keynotes, meetings, conventions
and seminars with his compelling and inspirational speaking style.
http://joelinspirationalspeaker.com/
EMPLOYEE OUTPLACEMENT PROGRAM:This
proven 9-step program provides unique, personalized services to displaced
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and support to help you move quickly and successfully through the
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