Take Charge Coaching » Job Search

A Lesson Learned About Social Media

Ginger Korljan — Sat, 01 Jun 2013 21:32:34 +0000

This week I joined a referral network on the recommendation of a friend. Right after joining, it asked me if I wanted to increase referrals by connecting with my LinkedIn network. They said it was a “simple, 20-second process” and without thinking, I spent the 20 seconds doing what it asked.

WRONG! Before I knew it, all 883 of my connections received a “generic” email from me that was flagged as a “phishing” or “spam” email. And that is exactly what it was! I received close to 100 emails from my friends warning me that my account may have been hacked, or simply wondering if it was really me who had sent the emails.

As someone who promotes personal emails above all else when communicating with valued colleagues, again I was mortified.

This was a wake-up call to me, and I wanted to give a heads-up to anyone else who may be considering connecting your LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter accounts to organizations like these. Don’t do it! It would be better to take extra effort to discriminate who might be interested in this sort of thing, then write a personal email of invitation to people with a detailed explanation of why it might be beneficial to them. By doing so you would demonstrate that you value the time of your friends and colleagues.

When asking to connect with someone on LinkedIn, I recommend that you include a brief reason why you want to connect, how you know the person, and how you might help each other.

I’d like to sincerely apologize to those who received my generic invitation to this program, and I have truly learned my lesson.

On the other hand, it was refreshing to receive so many personal responses from people who cared about me and wondered what I was trying to do. I value all my LinkedIn connections highly, and will be much more careful when communicating with them in the future!

How to get a job? Think from an employer’s perspective!

Ginger Korljan — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 18:03:22 +0000

A small business owner recently told me about an opening she was trying to fill. She posted the position on Craigslist and received 60 to 70 resumes. After weaning down the list, she interviewed five people but none of them seemed to click. Then she heard from the following applicant. Even though she admitted, “Usually I don’t read cover letters,” this one captured her attention.

Here’s an excerpt from that letter: “Please do not discount my résumé because I am overqualified. I am NOT looking for a supervisory or management position. I want to get back to the basic grunt work of payables, researching invoices, matching them to purchase orders, and preparing the check run. If you hire me you will get experience, maturity, dependability, and a team player with no personal drama ready to hit the ground running.”

The employer heard all that she needed to hear. This person pointed out exactly how she could meet the employer’s needs with enthusiasm. Needless to say, the employer called her immediately, interviewed her, and hired her on the spot. Her new employee even offered to come in and work a few hours for FREE before her official start date just to convince the employer of her skills and determination. The employer was delighted and couldn’t wait to share the news with me.

What are you doing to capture the interest of your next employer? Find out exactly what they are looking for, and let them know how you can fulfill their needs.

Overwhelmed by emails? Practical strategies to help you get organized during your job search.

Ginger Korljan — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 01:28:21 +0000

How many emails do you get in a day? Tens? Hundreds? More? If you are like many of us, every day you are bombarded by mounds of emails, many which are totally junk. Have you gotten emails like this?

Gifts under $10 plus FREE shipping!
Claim your birthday gift from ABC Company.
Prop 100: Be informed!

You delete one email after another, and if you miss a day, an important email may have gotten buried under the junk and could get deleted by accident.

If you are in a job search, missing an important email could be missing out on an opportunity.

The solution—it’s easier than you think. Create a new email exclusively for job search activities. Make it simple for an employer to remember, perhaps your name such as ginger.korljan@gmail.com. (No this is not my email address, so don’t try it to send me anything!). Save this email address for your résumé, for online job applications, when joining professional groups, or if posting a résumé to a job board. Check that email address once a day, making sure you that you reserve it exclusively for job search and professional industry activities.

Another tool to help you remember where you have sent résumés and when is at www.JibberJobber.com. Not only can you track your job search activities, but you can also store exact copies of each résumé and cover letter you tweak for each employer. Created by @Jason Alba, JibberJobber is a spreadsheet tailored to the needs of the job seeker. The best news is that the basic version of JibberJobber is entirely free.

As for the other emails you have to wade through every day, consider unsubscribing from most of them. Do you really need to know the latest sale from some retailer or that a friend has updated his Facebook page?

Take control of your email, and you will have time for more important things in your life!

Embarrassing your kids can reap unexpected rewards

Ginger Korljan — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:41:42 +0000

Last week while shopping with my daughter for a homecoming dress, I began to talk with the sales associate outside the changing room. How did she like her job? How did she get hired? What did she enjoy about working there? My children hate it when I approach perfect strangers like this, but we had a great conversation, and I found out that she was friends with my other daughter’s boyfriend. One thing led to another and the next day my daughter met with the manager for an interview.

Another time while attending a seminar presented by a woman who specialized in writing executive resume portfolios, I was intrigued when she mentioned that many CIOs began their careers as accountants. My son is in college studying accounting and hopes to obtain a summer internship with a major accounting firm. After the seminar I approached her, complimented her on her superb presentation, and told her a little about my son. She related that another conference attendee’s husband works for a top accounting firm, and recommended that I talk to him. Both he and his wife were delightful and went out of their way to help. She told me a year ago a resume she had written for a college student seeking an accounting internship had been featured during the conference, and had resulted in an interview and a job offer for the student. She graciously emailed that sample resume to me on the spot. Her husband shared some informative inside information on his employer, and offered to give my son tips on securing an internship in his company as well as advice on the accounting profession in general. I immediately called my son so he could follow up.

Are you embarrassed to talk to strangers? People love talking about their jobs, and rarely do people in our me-centered society think to leave their comfort zone and make the first move. Not only can you learn details about about a profession, a company, and pros and cons of working there, but you also will be fostering and nurturing networking relationships that can last a lifetime.

During these informal conversations, don’t forget to offer help to others as well. Find out how your expertise may benefit them or someone they know. Nothing beats investing time in personal relationships, even if you do embarrass your kids in the process!

How to find a job when you have a job

Ginger Korljan — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 17:36:56 +0000

You are nervous. You have seen the news and realize that long-term security with any company is no guarantee. Perhaps your own company is undergoing a belt-tightening or you have heard rumors of “company restructuring.” In any case, you believe that now may be a good time to investigate potential opportunities with another company.

If you are concerned about future job security, don’t procrastinate and hope that things will turn out for the best. Start now! It is better to be prepared for a change than to have it thrust upon you unexpectedly.

So where to begin? First, avoid the temptation to tell anyone at your present company you are looking for another job. It almost always has a way of getting back to your boss, which could result in you needing another job more quickly than you had envisioned. Caution and discretion are the keys to keeping the job you have.

Update your résumé before contacting potential employers so you can provide one immediately upon request. Prepare a references list of people who know you in a work capacity but don’t include any from your current job.

Begin networking with people who may have an inside track to openings in their companies. Join a local professional group such as Toastmasters or the American Business Woman’s Association. Volunteer for a nonprofit agency that supports a cause you believe in. Offer your expertise and assistance; don’t merely join for what you can get out it. Be a good listener, and don’t be tempted to criticize your current employer. You never know who may relay your discontent to your boss.

Don’t be surprised if the contact to your next position is found where you least expect it. One person told a museum tour guide she was looking for a job as a legal assistant. The tour guide’s fiancé worked at a law firm, who introduced her to a lawyer who offered her a job. The only people you cannot talk to are those at your current company. That leaves the field wide open.

A few more tips on subtle job hunting. Don’t use company office equipment to prepare your résumé or to make phone calls. It isn’t fair to your current employer and makes it more difficult to keep your job search a secret. Rather, use vacation time and time before or after work to go on interviews, write letters and make calls.

Be wary about responding to job postings that don’t mention a company name. Your own employer may have placed the advertisement that “fits” you so well. Only respond to those postings from clearly indentified employers.

Don’t let fear, anger or self-pity keep you from performing well at your current job. Your fears may be unrealistic and your job may be secure. Take advantage of training opportunities to update and improve upon your current skills. Complete the degree you have been putting off. In this competitive job market, it is important to have appropriate credentials and transferable, marketable skills. Prepare yourself well; maintain a positive outlook and you will be prepared for the next step in your successful career.

Do employers still offer severance packages?

Ginger Korljan — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 17:35:17 +0000

In the past, many if not most employers have offered some sort of severance when laying off employees, particularly if companies have gone through restructuring or downsizing. Although not legally required, it has been a general practice of many employers to offer at least one week of pay for every year of service. These days, I am finding that more employers are often handing an employee one last paycheck for days already worked, then escorting them from the premises.

Other generous employers not only provide a severance package, but also provide former employees with a range of outplacement services to help them quickly find a new job, including resume preparation, skills analysis, retraining opportunities, and or other job search assistance.

Yesterday I spoke with someone who had been a successful retail store manager for more than 10 years. He had participated in SWAT teams to bolster performance at other stores, more than doubled his own store’s earnings, and retained 100% of his full-time employees. One day he was briefly told that his services were no longer required, and was offered no severance at all. It just doesn’t seem right.

What is the case in your experience? Please respond. I still want to research the topic further and see how we can help both companies and job seekers alike.

How do I jump-start a stalled job search?

Ginger Korljan — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:28:29 +0000

You got laid off because of the poor economy and declining sales. You have a severance package but would prefer to get right back on the horse and start a new job. Immediately you call your former colleagues, friends and neighbors and ask who is hiring. No one? You prepare a resume, look for a job online, and apply to many jobs that seem to be a good match to your background. You have spent hours on the phone trying to get your unemployment benefits resolved. Now what? It has been more than a month, perhaps several, and not one employer has contacted you. Or perhaps you have even made it to the interview stage, but have not gotten an offer. It is easy to get discouraged, and you may be tempted to throw in the towel and wait until things get better. Why is this not a good idea?

First, there are still work out there that needs to be done. Many employees are overwhelmed, doing the work of numerous people who were let go. Many employers are using temporary or contract workers to get by until they have authorization to hire someone. If you research which companies are doing this sort of thing, you may be able to get your foot in the door until something more permanent materializes. In the meantime, you can evaluate an employer from the inside and decide if this is a place where you want to work long-term.

Second, consider volunteering. Pick a cause you believe in and have perhaps supported financially in the past, and give an organization the gift of your time. Not only will you feel good for making the world a better place, but you may also come into contact with someone who may know someone who can refer you to a great job. Spend at least one hour a week making a difference in someone’s life, and you can’t go wrong.

Third, identify companies where you want to work, whether or not they are currently hiring. Once positions are advertised to the general public, you will be competing with hundreds if not thousands of other applicants. Conduct in-depth research on these companies and their current needs. Locate people already employed there, preferably in departments where you want to work. Let them know how you can add to their profits or improve their procedures.

Finally, enlist a buddy or a coach to help you through the rough patches. Meet regularly to evaluate your progress and cheer for each other’s efforts. The more targeted time you spend on your search, the more quickly you will find a job. The less time you spend… well you know the answer to that!

Which job seekers land jobs more quickly?

Ginger Korljan — Fri, 08 May 2009 17:27:15 +0000

Many people ask me what typifies people who find jobs quickly in today’s competitive market. I am finding that the job seekers who believe in themselves, have a positive attitude, and confidently tell employers, friends and neighbors what they are passionate about doing — these people are the ones with short job searches. They excite people with their drive, sense of direction and passion for their work.

If you don’t know what you want to do, find out now. With a strong sense of direction and purpose, you will easily convince yourself and a potential employer that you are worthy to be hired.

A Gem of a Client

Ginger Korljan — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 17:23:19 +0000

Recently I assisted a client who had enlisted the help of his friends, family, neighbors and former co-workers in his job search. It took him less than two months to find a job, and as soon as he did, he called me to let me know. I warmly congratulated him on his efforts, and wouldn’t you know that his first request to me after landing the job was this. “I want to write everyone who helped me in my job search to thank them, let them know I found a job and they don’t have to keep looking for me. What should I say?”

It is hard enough to convince most clients to send a thank you note after an interview, but to have one take the initiative to send one to EVERYONE who helped in his search, that is truly remarkable!

I told him I would tell others how much his kindness meant to me!