Archive 2010

April 2010

Not So Tweet

Most of you who are reading this probably know what I am talking about. With the advent and popularity of Face Book, Twitter, LinkedIn and a myriad of other online communities, online networking has become a way of life. It allows us to connect with long lost loves, forgotten relatives, friends at work, college roommates and your future boss. As society continues to strive to become an online community, employers are becoming savvier and are resorting to social networking tools, not only for recruiting, but to check you out. Employers not only read your resume with a fine tooth comb, conduct extensive testing, and run background checks, but they also google you to find out exactly who they may potentially be hiring.

Microsoft recently commissioned a study to examine the impact your online reputation has on hiring and what consumers are doing to manage it. The study was conducted in Germany, France, the UK and the USA from December 10, 2009 through December 23, 2009.

Microsoft states: "An online reputation is the publicly held social evaluation of a person based on his or her behavior, what he or she posts, and what others (such as individuals, groups, and Web services) share about the person on the Internet." Most job seekers underestimate the impact their online reputation has on their job search. Less than 15% of those polled don't think their online information impacts their job opportunities, while 70% of hiring managers consider an applicant's online reputation, when hiring a new employee. In fact, 75% of the professionals polled claim to have formal workplace policies requiring an internet search of potential employees!

Employers want to know who you are after the suit comes off and the jeans go on. They are not only looking for what's been posted online by you, but also what's been posted about you, or to you. Your value is now not only determined by your actions and/or words but also any comment posted by your "friends" connected to you that a future employer is able to view. Nearly half of the hiring professionals polled in America did not hire a candidate based on inappropriate comments written by friends.

So what are some steps you can take to manage your online reputation? We're not recommending that you deny yourself an online social existence to keep us all informed of your "status updates," rather, we suggest taking another approach in representing yourself as a future employee. Use your privacy settings; keep your profile picture clean and appropriate; create separate profiles: a "professional" one with only work-appropriate pictures and comments that is search-able (and viewable) and a "private" one that only people you approve can see. Remember your friends are not the only ones who are reading what you put on the web.

August 2010

Seven Ways to Survive Unemployment

Staying in bed until noon, not changing out of pajamas, and eating pints of Ben and Jerry's straight from the container are all sure signs you've been hit with the unemployment blues. After months of job hunting with little or no success it is natural to spiral into a depression and adopt a self-defeating attitude. But to make a more enjoyable and successful job search and keep your sanity, it is incredibly important to remain proactive and positive.

The best word of advice for interviewing as well as maintaining general sanity is to stay positive. Don't sit around and stew about how hard the market is, how unlucky you are to be out of work, or how unemployable you've become. This attitude will just make you unhappier and in an interview put off potential employers.

During your job hunt, it's important to present an optimistic attitude whenever you're conducting a job interview. As Prudence says in her advice column, "...answer all their questions without sounding bitter, defensive, or desperate. I know it's hard to stay positive, but by doing so, you will make your return to the work world that much more likely."

So you've just been laid off or didn't get the job, again, what should you do?

Cry it out. Spend a day in front of the TV with Oprah to keep you company and eat Chinese take-out straight from the box. Give yourself that time to be upset. Then move on. Dust yourself off, get dressed and go out into the world.

Here are just some suggestions on how to keep your spirits up and make the most out of your unemployment.

1. Structure your day and set up a disciplined game plan that you stick to each day. Sleeping late, surfing channels in your pajamas, grazing at the fridge, doing crossword puzzles and otherwise "taking it easy," while tempting, will not boast your self esteem, or help you find a job.

2. Consider contract or temp work. This might not be your long-term goal, but temping does offer many benefits, including generating income and keeping you in the workforce.  (With Laufer, you may qualify for benefits after a waiting period. Speak with your consultant to learn more).

3. Volunteering. Find a project where you can keep skills honed and leverage those talents by helping others. 

4. Join a job hunting support group like the ones listed on the Riley Guide. Share your experiences with others in the same situation and build a network.

5. Waiting all day for a response on your resume? Don't obsess over e-mail or voice mail.  Set up three access times a day - and then let it go. The reality is you won't hear from every company you submit your resume to.

6. Keep the fun in your life! Go to a movie matinee, read a mystery, fiddle with plants, or take your dog for a long walk in a fun park.  You're going through a difficult, frustrating time and deserve a little self-care.

7. Keep perspective! While your situation may seem overwhelming, take a step back and understand the reality of your circumstances. Find the positives in your life and appreciate that you have good health or a loving partner or great kids. Unemployment can be a blow to our egos and finances, but it can also be a time to realize that in general, things are pretty good in our lives compared to others who are less fortunate.

Keep your chin up. The right job for you is out there and you will find it. Life is full of unexpected turns, like being laid off, but if you can roll with the punches and keep a positive outlook and the bad times won't seem so bad and won't last so long.

November 2010

The Lost Art of the Thank You Letter

It was the autumn of 1621 when Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians got together to celebrate the success of the Pilgrim's first corn harvest, and gave thanks to one another. It wasn't until 1863 that our President, "Honest Abe," proclaimed an official day of thanks that we celebrate on the 4th Thursday of every November.

Although we have a national holiday for giving thanks, the art of being thankful is less frequently practiced. Following your interview, writing a thank you note can result in the make-or- break-between getting hired -- or not.

Here are some dos and don'ts for maximizing your success through the written word:

Express Heartfelt Enthusiasm

Make sure the person you are writing to knows that you are interested in the position. This is a great place to express how much you truly want the position. It is also important to explain why you are interested in the position. Why do you think you are a good fit?

Helpful Hint: You never want to sound desperate. Here is an example of some expressed enthusiasm, "I feel as though I am an excellent candidate for the executive assistant role and believe I have many of the qualities the position requires. I hope I get the chance to show you and the rest of your team how I will perform to my maximum capabilities and adapt to each situation with care and determination."

Address Unresolved Points

Perhaps there was a point during your interview where you answered a question differently than you had planned, or perhaps you forgot to mention something altogether. Your thank you letter is a place where you can bring up these unresolved points.

Helpful Hint: Think of a transition to introduce any unresolved points, for example, "In the time we spoke together, we discussed how the company has taken on new technologies. I pride myself on my ability to work with both Mac and PC operating systems, as well as Microsoft Office programs for both technologies."

Personalize It

Find something to write in your letter that you remember about the person who interviewed you. You do not want your thank you letter to sound generic (something you send out after every interview).

Helpful Hint: Whether you found out how they got started with the company, or learned that your interviewer is a marathon runner, it is always nice to add some kind of personal touch. For example, "As an aspiring Project Manager, I admire your ability to manage several different projects at a time and still find time to train for the Boston Marathon."

Reiterate Your Expertise

Emphasize your strengths. Your recruiter has shared feedback with you on your performance during the interview. You have the inside scoop as to what strengths the company is hoping to identify. Here's the chance to highlight those abilities. If the majority of your experience has been in marketing, and the job you just interviewed for requires strong html language and specific market knowledge, perhaps you might highlight a market trend discovered in a recent article that may be of interest to your recruiter and tie it to your strength. Make it yours by thinking out of the box and lending a refreshing perspective to your letter.

Helpful Hint: Here is a quick example, "Throughout the past three years, I have worked on over thirty marketing projects, including consumer and business marketing, as well as many others. I feel as though my experience in the marketing field can greatly benefit your business. I included an article on the trend you and I discussed that I thought you might find helpful."

Highlight Your Success

Brag, boast, toot your horn! This may be your last opportunity to describe how you are an amazing catch!

Helpful Hint: "During my internship at JP Morgan, I was awarded "Top Intern of 2010" and feel as though the work I put into earning this award was not only beneficial for my future success, but was also valuable to JP Morgan."

Proofread! (Ask for a second set of eyes - your recruiter is here for you!)

We can't tell you how many times it's happened: The candidate is in the top tier for consideration. The call comes from our client: the thank you letter had typos, or it was grammatically lacking finesse and the prospect of an offer is now off the table. Devastating? Yes, because it was absolutely avoidable. Spelling and grammatical errors are not acceptable.

Helpful Hint: Don't rely on automatic spell-check and grammar corrections. Do not text your thank you notes. In the interest of getting the letter off quickly, do not compose your letter when you are tired or uninspired. This will be reflected in your letters. Do make sure you have a second set of trusted eyes to give the final approval to your final missive - this is the document that lands your next position.

The Delivery

A hand delivered, hand-written thank you note is a nice touch in an ever-increasingly competitive market and may be the very thing that separates you from the rest of the crowd. Try it.

In Closing

Lastly, indicate the gratitude you feel for time your interviewer has allotted you through an earnest conclusion in your letter. Most companies believe candidates want the job they are interviewing for, but how will you show them you are the worthiest candidate for hire? Following these steps is a good start.

Although you may think the "art of being thankful" is something that does not need to be practiced, your future employers will beg to differ. So, set aside some time soon after your interview and make sure to hit all of these points. Piece of cake, right? (Or, in spirit of Thanksgiving, piece of pie!)