 | Reality for job seekers...posted by Scott Birkhead, Group AdministratorTuesday, February 16th 2010 @ 10:15 PM |
I'm re-reading Robert Ringer's updated classic "To Be or Not to Be Intimidated," which was a best-seller for years titled "Winning Through Intimidation."
(*I picked up an extra copy last week and I'm giving it away - see below for a chance to win it!)
The new title more accurately describes what the book is about. It asks the question, "will I approach life on my heels, hoping I get what I'm due, or with purposeful intent about what I want and how I'll get it."
The second chapter is about reality, and it's one that many job seekers need to read. He states his Theory of Reality this way:
Reality is neither the way you wish things to be, nor the way they appear to be, but the way they actually are. Either you acknowledge reality and use it to your benefit, or it will automatically work against you.
Many of the job seekers I meet need a heavy dose of reality. They want certain things to be true, or take what appears to be true at face value when it simply ain't so.
And it's killing their job prospects.
For example:
Job descriptions.
Most job seekers think if they match a percentage of the umpteen qualifications listed on most job descriptions these days, they're qualified for the work.
They look for the qualifications they DO match, ignore the ones they don't match, and fill their hearts with positive expectations about getting an interview. This is 'wishing.' Acting this way leads to disappointment and frustration.
Making things even more difficult, these days what appears on job descriptions isn't reality. Ads are often filled with more requirements than any one candidate can possibly match, as companies squash bits of 2 or 3 job descriptions together hoping they'll find someone with all of it. This appears to be reality, but it's not. Acting on this appearance leads to more disappointment and frustration.
The reality is that there is some critical, emotional problem that some hiring manager is facing that will dictate the hiring choice. Job seekers who figure that out can focus their marketing so that it's compelling to that manager. Targeting and focus are the opposite of hoping and acting on appearances.
Gatekeepers.
Most job seekers believe that there's someone tasked with keeping an eye out for talent in a company, who will see their application and fall in love. They fill up a resume with buzz words they've been told are right, send it in and hope that something clicks. This is "wishing" a good bit of the time.
HR people often think they know best too. They think that the right combination of buzz words means you have a reasonable chance of being able to do the work. But often, they know nothing about the business problems that a business unit is trying to solve when they ask someone to do that work, so the filters they're using often aren't accurate. That bleeds over to the advice they give about resumes and what's 'acceptable' - it only appears to be right.
Again, wishing and appearances can keep job seekers on the outside looking in. Learning to make your value obvious and going directly to the manager as often as you can is a reality-based approach.
Follow-up.
Most job seekers want and need other people's help. When they ask, they often expect follow-through when someone says they will help them make a connection, send them something, bring them in for a screening interview, give them interview feedback, or a dozen other things that would be helpful.
The job seeker thinks, "Well if I promised, I'd deliver and I know they will too eventually." So they sit back, wait ("don't want to appear too eager or pushy") and get only 25% of the things that are promised to them because (away from the moment when they promised) it's not a big priority for the other guy. This is "wishing" that is killing their chances.
Reality? It makes most people feel good to say they'll help, but it's a pain to actually do it. So they promise in person, but haven't really thought through it. So the job seeker must either learn to follow up systematically and ruthlessly, or they won't get valuable leads or introductions.
As you look for work, you must take a reality-based approach. And I'm not talking down my nose at anyone, let me remind you I'm "re-reading" Ringer's book. Building thought patterns and systems that are grounded in reality are primary, essential lessons I'm still applying every day. And I'm trying to teach my clients these lessons as well.
If you're going to compete in the job market today, you need them too!
(*Want a chance to win this classic book? Shoot me a note about the toughest 'reality' lesson you've learned in your job search. I'll publish it in a future blog post, and put you in a drawing to win it. Just send the resume with the title "Lesson" in it to me before Feb 19 and maybe you'll win it!)
| Free Job Seeker Class - Feb 5, 2010 - LoDoposted by Scott Birkhead, Group AdministratorTuesday, February 2nd 2010 @ 10:57 PM |
5 Step Program...a true story of how one job seeker got off the dime and back to work in a tough job market.
***** Friday February 5, 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. *****
For many people, this is the first time they've ever had to actually look for work. Marketing and selling yourself today requires a different mindset and tactics designed to overcome a low-water, high-competition environment.
In this complimentary session you'll discover the Five Step-System to overhauling your job search so you end up in a job you love.
I'll tell you a real-life story that shows you:
* What you can do to look and be unique, so that you get chosen for more interviews because of who you are, not your skill set.
* What to focus on in your marketing that will earn you more and easier interviews.
* How to alter the medium you're using for written marketing to make it irresistable to the person making the decisions.
* What to do about the gatekeepers and non-communicators that stand between you and the people who you need to speak to.
* How to sell yourself in person in a way that's easy for you, and 100% credible and trustworthy to the person you're selling to.
If you're going to stop competing with hundreds of job seekers in your category, and put yourself in a position to succeed, this simple little class will tell you a true story that helps you see precisely what you're missing and how to fill in those gaps.
Please note - this class is a hard-core self-marketing class for career professionals and job seekers who are looking for solutions to the problems of job hunting in a down economy. Please come only if you're interested in learning new, unique tactics.
To register, please see the instructions at www.mostplaceablecandidate.com/classes.html
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This complimentary session is presented by Scott Birkhead of Most Placeable Candidate.
Scott is a 15-year headhunter and recruiting consultant who blends those experiences with 5 years of hard-earned direct marketing experience to give job seekers an edge competing for the best jobs available in the market.
