Writing Cover Letter, not the online application, Got the Interview

As part of The Five O'Clock Club methodology, we encourage job seekers to make direct contact to get meetings, not to just answer ads online (if answering ads gets you meetings, that's great, but other methods tend to have less competition).

One of the people I am working with received a phone call for an interview after sending a cover letter and resume directly to the employer. After scheduling the interview, she was asked to complete an online application. This candidate had already completed the online application, but it wasn't noticed - the personalized cover letter caught the employer's attention and resulted in an interview!

Take the time and make the effort to reach out directly to potential contacts - the results will be worth it!

Job Search during the Holidays

It is Thanksgiving weekend, and many job seekers are focused on shopping, family events (still very important) and under the illusion that companies will not be hiring and the search will be "slow" during the holiday season. However, this is a great time for the serious job seeker to persevere. If a company does have an opening, they will want to fill that by the beginning of the year, and you have a better chance of being noticed while other applicants are shopping.

For example, I am recruiting for a position and received a very few emails this week in response to my job opening. Yesterday, an excellent resume arrived in my inbox, and within 5 minutes, I called the candidate - to be told that he is going shopping, and will speak to me next week!! "Is your client really in a hurry?", he asked. The answer is "yes", that resume could have been reviewed yesterday and we could schedule an interview next week. We will move forward, but the point is that you have a better chance to shine and be noticed while the competition is out shopping.

Article on Facebook for Job Seekers

My son suggested that I read the following article regarding Facebook for job seekers. Check out the link: http://www.openforum.com/idea-hub/topics/the-world/article/how-to-go-on-the-offensive-with-facebook-guy-kawasaki

We have had several discussions and I have been researching the use of Facebook by other recruiters and as a recruiter myself. This article puts a spin on the use of Social Networking, suggesting ways to play up traits that job seekers want to promote to potential recruiters.
I do think that more companies and recruiters are going to social networking sites to attract potential candidates, and many are checking out the social profiles to get a true picture of the potential candidate.

My advice is to be careful about what you post on Facebook or other social networking sites. It is never good to publicly post negative information about your current or past job, employer, or supervisor - even one of your "friends" could misuse that information, and that type of communication is a negative reflection on you. I feel that you should allow the world to see a general public profile on you, but keep the personal info, pictures, etc., "private", realizing that any posting on the internet is never completely private.

Is your email address appropriate for job search?

As I am reviewing resumes this morning that have come in over the holiday weekend, I continue to be surprised by the number of very professional resumes with non-business email addresses. This may be a small detail, and many job seekers probably have not given any thought to changing their email address for their resume and business contacts.

Most employers or recruiters will be making contact by email. If the address is long and silly, such as ezeeeeee@yahoo.com, it may give the wrong impression - as well as may be copied incorrectly. I see some that give a little too much personal information or may make the person not seem to be serious (livetogolf, ladyinthebathtub - true examples).

A better option is to set up an email with your name, simple, clear, and perhaps to maintain a separate account for all career related correspondence. Crisp, concise, professional - details to carry out in all parts of the job search. Just a thought on this Labor Day.

Sometimes taking charge of your career is like having a toothache

I discovered a dull pain in my mouth this week, debated about going to the dentist right away, but knew that something wasn't right and that waiting might only make things worse. So, I went to the dentist, was back the next day for a root canal (not totally pleasant), and am now recovering. It is a bit uncomfortable, but not nearly as painful as it would have been if I didn't seek professional attention.

If someone is in a job where they aren't really advancing, not learning new skills, I feel that they might have that dull ache that something isn't right, but aren't motivated to seek help or actively start looking for new opportunities until they are forced to do so (by downsizing, poor review, or the pain/frustration becomes unbearable). If someone is employed, spending time developing contacts, learning new skills, and reaching out to other professionals will keep them energized and engaged - and open to hearing about new and better opportunities.

If it appears that looking for a new job is inevitable, an employed person can start a targeted job search if they are prepared to devote 15 hours a week, enough to gain momentum and get some meetings. It is painful at first to get started, but a job search is manageable, and taking control of one's destiny is much more positive than waiting for career decay in a stagnant position.

How to Get your Resume Noticed!

When you see a posting that is an excellent match for your background, you want the hiring team to also see your resume and realize that you should be considered for the job. Sometimes, as a job seeker, you need to facilitate this process by pointing out that you meet the qualifications for the position.

A strong cover letter to accompany your resume can make a difference. Using a two-column format in your cover letter, one side showing the requirements specified for the position, alongside a column with your qualifications, can make it easy for a person reviewing resumes to see the fit (if you truly meet those requirements). I am working with a client who has been called for an interview every time that she has been able to use this approach (and now has several possibilities in the works and is close to accepting an offer).

If the posting is online, try to find out the name of the hiring manager and send the cover letter and resume directly to them as well as to the advertisement. Often, resumes are screened by a junior person and never reach the hiring manager. If the application does not allow you to include a cover letter, at a minimum mail a letter and clean resume to Human Resources and also try to find the hiring manager. Even consider dropping your cover letter and resume off in person if the company is relatively nearby - in this day of internet communication, you will stand out from the crowd of applicants.

The Details can Make the Difference

When searching for a new job, and in managing your career if you are employed, professional details can make the difference between success and disappointments. Maintaining a distinction between business and personal life is critical.

For example, it may seem harmless to send emails from your business email account. However, that address is for company business only. Some companies do monitor outgoing email as the message is representing their company and should be appropriate. Even if your messages are not being monitored, the receiver sees that the message was initiated from your current job.

If you are sending out correspondence to a potential new employer, consider the way this appears to them. Why is this person writing to me about a job from their current job? Will they do this to me? Even if they are not taking time from their job, there is a perception of impropriety that may prevent the job seeker from being considered for the new position.

At this time, being cautious, thinking about the details, can make the difference!